Time and Sacrifice: Book 1

Writings

Flashbacks

Silent communication

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"Sirius, Harry is with Fred. There's no way in the world Fred will allow anything to happen to him." Ron said with a look of deep understanding, a keen perceptiveness in his eyes as he looked at Sirius before shoving an obscene amount of food in his mouth.

Sirius noticed his son's absence almost immediately after he left the group with Fred. He would’ve followed Harry, still wrought with worry for his boy after what had happened this morning, had it not been the small smile and soft look in Cissa's eyes when twin star gazes met. Harry was now family to Cissa, and there’s no way she would have allowed him to leave them had she not believed he was free from harm.

Honestly, the only people who were truly in harm's way would be the Dursley parents based on the narrowed eyed look that the Black sisters gave them every time their eyes landed on the pair, and Dumbledore based on the coldness that Minnie was giving the old man.

Sirius worried regardless, he couldn’t help it.

He sent up a silent apology to Charlus and Dorea for everything that James, Remus, and he had put the two of them through.

"The only thing you have to do is make sure he eats when he gets here. That's the hardest part." The youngest Weasley boy said when he had swallowed most of his chewed food.

"Ronald, manners. You're supposed to finish swallowing all of your food before you start talking." Hermione scolded her friend with a half-fond, half-exasperated look.

"Ron's right though, Sirius. The worst thing for Harry right now isn't the reading, or what's going to happen in the future. It's getting stuck in his own head. Fred knows how to bring Harry to the here and now, while also putting things into a better light for Harry better than anyone." Hermione said, her chocolate eyes warm and soft, much like they were the night she and Harry had saved him with Buckbeak. Watching on as Sirius embraced his son for the first time in over a decade.

It gutted Sirius that he wasn't there for Harry for so many years. The thought that his son had spent so many years alone and unloved, for he knew the Dursleys would not have seen the wonderful gift Harry was, was a more terrible punishment than the Dementors' presence could ever be. He would rather take the bone-chilling coldness, the aching chasm of loneliness, the recurring nightmares, and the all-consuming despair and guilt that ate away at his heart and soul than have his son grow up feeling worthless.

Sirius had to force down the rage and despondency he felt just thinking about it, deciding to focus on his son's best friends. Of thinking about how his son’s childhood was a mirror of his. Except he had Regulus, his baby brother, when Harry had no one.

Until that changed for his son.

Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were truly remarkable friends to Harry. He couldn't help but be eternally thankful that his son had two best friends that knew him so well, that were loyal, and ready to follow Harry through hell and high water. It made him remember how it was between James, Remus, and himself.

Harry may not have had the loving childhood and family that Sirius so wished he could have given to his son, but Harry did what Sirius had done. He made his own family, carved it out, built the foundation with trust and love, and let it grow with shared experiences and loyalty.

Not only does his son have friends and family in Hermione, and an army of Weasleys, but Harry was able to find someone that he trusted and loved so fiercely. Someone who loved him just as much. That knew Harry, every part of him, and accepted, loved, and cherished his son.

Sirius may not have been given the opportunity to raise his son as a family with an abundance of love. However, that didn’t mean that his son wasn’t surrounded by love on a daily basis.

At that moment the doors to the Great Hall opened up, both Harry and Fred stood in the entry way. All sound stopped as everyone turned to look at the couple as they entered. His poor son ducked his head under the power of all the eyes on him. Fred, on the other hand, gave a look that was so threatening and menacing in nature, daring anyone to say anything, that it surprised even Sirius. Luckily the rest of the Hall got the redhead’s message and turned back to their food and friends.

“I believe this Fred may indeed be a worthy match for our Harry.” Sirius was surprised that his eyes stayed in his head after rolling them so hard at his brother's comment.

Of course his darling Black tempered baby brother would approve of Fred. Only after seeing the incandescent rage on his nephew’s behalf, and the look of pure scathing and threat he directed at a room of people.

“I'm surprised you say so after earlier this morning.” His brother in all but blood said with humor lighting his amber depths.

“Well, after his words of promise and the conviction he held while defending Harry in the Infirmary, I have to admit that I was impressed and warmed towards him a bit.” Regulus said nonplussed.

Remus let out a soft laugh, his eyes glittering brighter than gold. It didn’t fade even at the narrowed eyed look his baby brother gave his best friend.

“What are you trying to say, Lupin?” Regulus looked imperious, his chin tilted up and out slightly.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” Remus said, shoulders, hands raised in surrender, shaking slightly from suppressed laughter.

Regulus raised a perfectly sculpted arched eyebrow, and Remus gave him an innocent look.

“Harry, Fred, please sit.” Remus said, easily getting Regulus’ focus off of him.

“We’re so happy you’re alright, Harry. Sirius told us what happened and that you’re okay now, but it’s nice to see for ourselves.” Hermione said with a smile.

“Thanks, Hermione. Yeah, I'm alright. Aunt Andie and Mrs. Mal…” Harry was cut off as Andromeda cleared her throat giving Harry a pointed look.

Sirius had to push down the strongest urge to coo at his son when his face became red and he messed up his hair nervously.

It seems Regulus lost the same fight when he heard his brother let out a nearly silent ‘aww' at the sight of an abashed Harry.

“I…I mean Aunt Andie and Narcissa healed me up pretty quickly.” His son said bashfully as he started rubbing the back of his head where the injury had once been.

Ron had a bewildered expression on his face as he mouthed Sirius’ pale haired cousin’s name.

“Anyway, I need to do something first but I need you all to keep an open mind.” His son said earnestly. That was until his eyes landed on the two youngest Weasleys.

“Especially, you two." Green eyes narrowed, causing Ron's to widen in question and Ginny to raise an eyebrow.

“I invited Dudley to sit with us.” The two youngest Weasleys opened their mouths to protest but quickly shut them as Harry’s glare intensified.

Both Regulus and Andie caught his eye and Sirius couldn’t help but preen. His son’s Black blood was really showing at the moment.

It was slightly more deadly when combined with the Evans genes.

Lily was an angel, but Merlin, she was deadly when displeased.

“Before…well, before what happened earlier, I was with Dudley and he apologized to me. I want to give him a chance.” Harry said to the shock of the others.

“He apologized? Why should that mean anything after everything he has done? You can’t forgive him so easily. He was rotten to you, Harry. You can’t expect us to be okay with that.” It was Ginny who took the longest to warm back up to Ron after the Goblet debacle.

“He also fought his own father off me and stopped him from possibly killing me as well. Don't forget that." Harry saw both their resolve waver, but it vanished as suddenly as it appeared.

He couldn’t help but rub his temples and pinch the bridge of his nose before looking at them again.

They stared back at him nonplussed and unmoving.

Harry released a sigh.

“Listen, I get it, I do, but Dudley is my cousin. I want to give him a chance.” He pleaded with them.

“Harry…” Before he could finish, Ron was cut off by his brother.

“Dudley stopped his tub of lard of a father from wrapping his hands around Harry’s throat and choking the life out of him. Which gave me an opportunity to blast him away from Harry and into a wall.” All those close to Harry that heard flinched at what the redhead said.

“I hate how they treated him, all three of them, but Harry wants to give his cousin a chance at redemption, and I say after this morning, Dudley earned the benefit of the doubt.” Twin looks of surprise were shared between Ron and Ginny. If anyone was to be the hardest to convince of Dudley’s change, it would have been Fred and they all knew it. For Fred to be the one defending Harry’s cousin was no light matter.

“Besides, let us not forget that it was Harry’s forgiving nature last year that benefitted you, Ron.” Fred said as he leaned closer, his eyes fixed on his little brother. Ron paled, and flinched at his brother’s words.

“Fred, it's okay.” Harry said as he grabbed hold of the older boy's hand. The touch immediately released the tension from Harry's boyfriend's shoulders, but Harry saw how Ron looked down, guilt etched into every corner of his face.

Harry managed to catch his eye and gave his best friend a smile, showing he held nothing against him. Ron smiled back. His was weaker but still there.

“Look guys, he didn’t ask for forgiveness, he asked for a chance to earn my forgiveness. There’s a big difference between that. One that means a lot to me.” If they knew what it meant to him, Harry knew they would agree.

“Alright, fine, we’ll behave.” Ginny said grudgingly.

“And you won’t jump down his throat for anything that you hear read?” Harry tried to push a bit.

Ginny’s eyes narrowed until they were barely wider than slits.

“And we’ll try not to jump down his throat for anything that we hear.” That was close enough, he’ll take it.

“Thank you.” Harry said sincerely as he looked at the others who gave him small smiles.

“Let me just run and get him.” Before Harry could take a step, Fred stopped him.

“I’ll get him. I don’t want you anywhere near your aunt and uncle.” Fred said before giving Harry a quick kiss, then walking to the front of the Hall to get Dudley.

He would’ve made a comment but seeing the small smile on his son’s sappy face stopped him. If anyone deserved a moment of reprieve, it was Harry.

“I like him.” Regulus said, making Remus chuckle softly once more.

“Yeah, me too." His son’s voice held nothing but fondness and love as he looked at the back of Fred Weasley.

“Alright you. Come. Sit.” Sirius said as he tugged Harry into the spot next to him and then made a small plate for him to eat.

Hermione’s and Ron’s words still rang in his ears about trying to get his son to eat. Remembering the way James was when under extreme pressure and the lack of appetite and nausea it caused, Sirius made sure to put food that would be light on his son’s stomach but still provide sustenance.

Harry wasn’t hungry, not in the least.

Yet, Harry watched as his father carefully looked over the spread offered for breakfast to put on Harry’s plate. Each choice was light, easy on the stomach, and small. It was like he knew it would be difficult for Harry to eat and he didn’t want to force too much on him but wanted to make sure he was fed nonetheless.

His eyes watered as warmth spread in his chest at the thought.

“Here, eat. Take your time though. If people have a problem waiting for you to finish, I’ll sick Regulus on them.” His father said as he placed a plate of a few pieces of fruit, cheese, and toast in front of Harry.

On his other side, Regulus beamed up at him and a bubble of laughter escaped him. A moment later, Harry saw his uncle’s eyes flicker to his side.

“Fred, you can sit here between Harry and myself.” Regulus said as he made room for the redhead to take a seat. Harry couldn’t help but give his boyfriend a loving smile once he sat down and took Harry’s hand in his.

Turning to look straight, Harry saw as the others slid, making room for his cousin. Harry gave the larger boy a small smile, and he returned it with a nervous one of his own.

“Everyone, this is Dudley, my cousin. Dudley, this is Sirius, my father. Regulus, my uncle, and Remus who is my other uncle. This is Fred, who you already know, and that's George, his twin. This is Ron and Ginny. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, as well as Charlie, Bill, and Percy. Fleur. That’s Andromeda, Ted, and Nymphadora, call her Tonks. Madame Longbottom, Neville, and Luna, Dobby and Kreature. Down there is Oliver, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, and Lee.” Each person offered a small wave or word of welcome after their name was called.

“Hullo.” Came the shy, hesitant reply of his cousin. It surprised Harry how much Dudley seemed to have changed since the summer.

“Would you like some muffins, Dudley?” Hermione offered with a smile, and Harry could have hugged her as he saw his cousin relax slightly at her openness.

“No, thank you. I’m trying to get into a weight class for boxing so I’m trying to cut back a bit. I will take a bit of fruit if that’s alright.” That surprised Harry, but Hermione happily passed the plate of fruit over.

"Boxing, you say? When did you start and what class are you aiming for?” And with Ted’s questions the rest of the tense energy quickly evaporated as everyone started to talk to each other again.

It was a few minutes later when Harry was done that everyone turned to look at the front of the Hall.

The remaining letters and books rested on the Head table and all in the Great Hall looked at them with trepidation. They knew one of those letters needed to be read before they could start the books.

They all knew that the letter would contain the fates, the deaths, of many in the Hall.

Everyone was torn between wanting to know so they could stop it from happening and dreading to know what had befallen them.

“Minerva, Letter 4 has your name on it.” Amelia said as she held the letter in her hand.

“Are you certain? It didn’t earlier.” Professor McGonagall said, her voice quavering.

Harry saw the tightness around her eyes and the slight tremors throughout her frame. Reading the letter last night, he could see how its words had weighed his Head of House down as each line became more distressing and painful to read than the one before.

If that letter was a burden for the Head of Gryffindor to read, this one will surely crush her.

Professor McGonagall stared at it with trepidation before reaching a trembling hand out to take it.

Professor Minerva McGonagall, The Professor’s eyes widened as her eyes found each of them whose future selves brought them all here.

“You seven have truly created some marvelous Magick. Even if you have made me the recipient of it as of late.” She said as she gave them a soft, teary-eyed look over the rims of her glasses. Harry couldn’t help but duck his head as his face burned at the praise.

Harry noticed Hermione's and Hannah’s cheeks were red but they both had pleased smiles on their faces. Luna smiled dreamily at the Transfiguration professor while Ginny had a look of pride on her face.

Both Slytherins, Blaise and Draco, looked surprised to be included in the praise. However, once they realized that the Head of Gryffindor House was sincere, they both gave her small, shy smiles, as red dusted slightly over their cheeks.

Harry couldn’t help but think once more that major changes really needed to be made to improve the relationships between everyone and Slytherin. It wasn’t right that children felt like they needed to question and weigh the sincerity of any praise from someone in anything other than green and silver.

“I’m sure that all of us would agree with allowing you to look over all the notes and research of the Magick we used, Professor. It could be our apology for having you read such difficult and painful events.” Blaise offered the Professor, his voice soft and fragile.

“That is an extremely kind offer, Mr. Zabini. Thank you for that. If the others agree, I would love to take you up on it.” Professor McGonagall’s eyes were full of warmth. She gave the Slytherin boy a small, genuine smile. Blaise ducked his head and averted his eyes at the look as his face darkened with a deep blush.

It was nearly impossible not to notice the tender look that entered Theo's eyes as he watched his friend's reaction with burning attention and fascination. It looked as though the Slytherin was trying to memorize everything about the Italian boy's reaction. Harry couldn’t help but think that there must be something going on between the two of them more than what he realized. The way the two Slytherin boys look at each other is very similar to the way he and Fred look at each other.

If that’s the case, Harry hopes that the two will find nothing but happiness with each other. They're good people who deserve to be happy.

Professor Minerva McGonagall, once again we must apologize for having you read something that we know will be extremely troubling for you. We do so at your request, from your future self. The Professor looked as though she wanted to scold her future self.

When it looked like she was finally done glaring at the envelope, she turned the envelope over to break the seal.

Harry couldn’t help but brace himself.

When the seal snapped open and no pain came, Harry released a relieved breath.

To all present at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor McGonagall started to read. It took everything in Harry to stay where he sat and not run from what he was about to hear. This was his chance to make sure that none of what they read came to pass.

He owes it to all of them.

We hope you were all able to get some much-needed rest. Harry couldn’t help but glance at the Slytherin Table. Memories of his time with them in the Common Room and how none of them seemed to move even after Professor Snape led him out. It was obvious that rest did not come easy for them. He caught the eye of Adrian, Theo, Blaise, and Warrington. All smiled slightly, showing him his thoughts were right, even though Warrington paled and his breathing stuttered a bit.

Looking around the Great Hall, Harry could see that he and the Slytherins weren’t the only ones who had found it difficult to find sleep last night. Students from all Houses and years looked tired and restless.

As this letter will contain much of what, and much of who we have lost throughout the years, it will be greatly needed today. It will be painful to hear, but the pain of the words cannot compare to the years of pain of their absence. It is our wish that all of you do not have to suffer this pain we have become intimate with. His grip on Fred’s hand tightened exponentially. There was no doubt that it would have been painful for Fred, but Harry couldn’t loosen his grip. The redhead didn’t show any discomfort, instead he stroked Harry's white knuckles soothingly.

Our deepest wish is that none of those mentioned should meet the fate they had in our time. That with their lives being spared, as well as the lives of countless others, too many to mention in this letter, that a war with the Muggles, and the death of Magick will be avoided. Merlin, the fact that so many died, that so much was lost, that they needed to do this…

Harry won’t fail in this second chance.

As much as we wish otherwise, unfortunately, we were not able to change the fate of the first name on this list. Although, we believe that it is imperative to mention him as his death heralded a change in our world. A change that the Ministry refused to acknowledge until it was too late. Until this, this spell, this ritual, our Sacrifice, became the only way for us, for our World, for Magick to survive. Green light and lifeless gray eyes flashed before Harry’s eyes. Quickly he shut his eyes and bit his tongue trying to keep the pain and despair he felt as memories rose once more. Immediately, he knew who the letter was referring to.

They consume many of his nightmares.

Our sincerest hope is that with this knowledge, we give you the information, the advantage to change the future for the better. To avoid the loss and heartache we live with every single day. Fred, he has to focus on the fact that he can still save Fred. That he can still save all the others who are still alive. Make sure that their deaths never happen.

Remember, the names on this list are only a fraction of all those who we lost. With that, everyone in the Great Hall watched as Professor McGonagall physically gathered herself together and took a deep fortifying breath.

Tears were already starting to gather at the corners of her eyes.

Cedric Diggory. Killed with the Killing Curse by Peter Pettigrew on the orders of Lord Voldemort on June 24, 1995, during the Final Task of the Triwizard Tournament. A loud, broken sob came from the Ravenclaw Table. Cho sat at the table, curled into herself. Her face was hidden but her body shook with the force of her sobs. Great gasping breaths were being sucked into lungs that were seized by grief.

The grief and tears of the Hufflepuff Table, and those scattered around the Hall were swallowed by poignant echoes of mourning from Cho.

When Cho’s cries petered out, helped by the close presence of her friends, Professor McGonagall wiped a tear and continued on.

Broderick Bode. Killed January 10, 1996 by strangulation from Devil’s Snare by Walden Macnair. Mr. Weasley sat up straight in surprise.

“Broderick? Wait, I saw a plant by his bedside before I left St. Mungo’s. Oh Merlin, the plant that was a gift…it’s the Devil’s Snare! We need to get it away from him!” Mr. Weasley said frantically.

“We will, Arthur. The first thing that will be done is the removal of that plant, and putting Bode in protective custody.” Amelia said. Harry watched as some of the tension leaked from Mr. Weasley’s frame at her words.

Professor McGonagall then looked down to continue.

Instead, her eyes widened, and she took a sharp intake of breath, immediately pressing a shaking hand to her mouth as to contain the pain and sobs. The shaking of her hands is only matched by the shaking of her head, as if trying to rid herself of the words she just read.

When she looked at Harry, her eyes were filled with tears and Harry nearly had his breath knocked out of him. In her eyes there was an immeasurable amount of gut-wrenching grief and despair. Then her eyes flickered to Sirius, and Harry watched as the strongest woman he knew collapsed in on herself in anguish.

No.

Nonononononono.

“Minerva!” Amelia shouted as she rushed to the older woman, catching her before she fell.

“Ohhh, no. No no no no no. I can’t…no no no…I…I…no…not my little lion. No, not after everything he...after everything he survived...no, please no.” The Head of Gryffindor pleaded into the arms of Amelia Bones who became rigid as dawning understanding lit her face, instantly carving tormented heartache into her features. Sapphire eyes closed tightly, as the arms belonging to them held the Professor even tighter in shared grief. Amelia somehow found the strength to whisper words of comfort to the woman in her arms.

Harry heard and saw none of it. He felt the claws of loss and grief dig their way painfully into his being. Trying to rip his heart, his very soul from his body.

It would be so much less painful if that were the case.

The entire time he was focused on what hearing about the loss of Fred would do to him. He failed to even consider that Sirius would be gone in the future.

All his life Sirius has been there for Harry. Even when his father was locked away in Azkaban he was still there for Harry even if Harry wasn’t aware of it. He heard it with his own ears, the way his father loved him, the way he’d keep track of the days to know when it was Harry’s birthday. After Sirius escaped Azkaban it became all the more apparent. The times he saw him during his third year. How close he was for Padfoot to appear as quickly as he did after Pettigrew escaped from Ron’s grip while he was still Scabbers the day of Buckbeak’s execution. The way his father stayed close after his name was called out of the Goblet of Fire. The way he risked his life, his very soul to be there for Harry.

No, it wasn’t possible.

Harry refused to believe it.

When Harry finally regained his bearings, Professor McGonagall was still being held by Amelia but she was standing straight and tall, gathering herself once more.

The proof of what was to come was staring Harry in the face but he refused to see it.

He didn’t want to see it.

It hurts to even think about it.

It was moments later that the Head of Gryffindor House returned to the podium. Her eyes were hollow and her face pale, as if she had aged ten years in a matter of minutes.

S…S…Si…Sirius Bl…Black. No no no no no no no.

No.

A loud keening sound ripped through the room, full of agony and loss that it stabbed at the hearts of all those who heard its cry. The despair and pain overwhelmed those within the Hall as if it were their own. It was guttural, piercing through everyone as it reverberated in their bones. The tormented sound was quickly followed by sobs full of misery.

Harry felt himself being pulled into a strong chest, as arms wrapped around him, and hands stroked his back soothingly. His father’s scent of ozone, rainstorms, leather, rum spice, and a hit of cinnamon broke through the ocean of despair. He immediately lost feeling in his fingers from how tightly he clutched his father.

It was then that he realized that it was him crying.

The sound of his father’s voice finally resonated with Harry, although he couldn’t make out the words spoken.

All Harry knew was that his father had died and it was too much to bear.

He couldn’t breathe. Every attempt was unbearable.

What was the point in even trying?

His father was dead.

It hurt to breathe; he didn’t want to try anymore.

Suddenly, forcefully, he was pushed back by a strong hand placed on each of his shoulders. A half second later, and one of those hands caught his chin, their grip unyielding as he was forced to look into the eyes of a raging storm.

“Look at me and listen to my words Harry.” The words finally pierced through the hurricane of grief.

“I am here. I am right here.” Sirius then gathered both of Harry’s hands in his, placing them over his heart. Harry could feel the steady beating of his father’s heart underneath his palms.

Proof that his father was still here, still alive.

Harry took a deep gulping breath and fell into his father’s arms once more.

Sirius was still here, still warm, still breathing.

“I’m here, Harry. And because of you, because of everything you have done, because of your Sacrifice, you’ve saved me from whatever fate held for me in that future. You did that, Harry. You. And there is not a thing I would not do to stay here by your side. Do you understand me?” The love and conviction in his father’s voice holds Harry and makes it nearly impossible to do anything but listen.

“Sirius…” Harry tries to say but his father cuts him off.

“Do you understand me, Harry?” Thunderclouds swallow emeralds and Harry nods his head before Sirius rests his forehead on Harry’s and Harry is soothed by the sound and heat that each exhale feels against his face.

His breathing finally returns to normal, Harry pulls away and feels another stab of pain when he looks at Remus. The man who is an uncle to Harry in everything but blood, looks worse than after a full moon. His face is pale, making his scars stand out starkly. The vibrant golden hues of his eyes, now dull and lifeless, as his chest is worryingly still. One of his hands is clutched to Sirius in a death grip, his knuckles white from the strength of it. Tears flowing rapidly down his face from his unblinking eyes are the only indication that he is still alive. His other arm is wrapped tightly around Tonks as she cries softly, silently into his shoulder.

Ted has Andromeda tightly ensconced in his arms. Harry can see the trembling in her hands and lip. The way she bit her lip bloody trying to keep her tears at bay, but failing.

Narcissa has a hand clutched to her chest, her shoulder shaking slightly as her eyes swim with unshed tears.

It was Regulus though, that gave Harry hope. His face was carved from stone. He was staring straight ahead, looking at nothing, but they were not empty. They were storms that promised a wrath like no other, steel that was deadlier and could cut deeper than any sword.

Regulus must have felt Harry looking at him for that mercurial gaze bore through Harry the next moment. They possessed an unbridled fury like nothing Harry had ever seen before. An animalistic need to hurt that lacked even in the gaze of a werewolf in his third year. Bloodthirsty, and rancid, it consumed Harry's senses as if they were his own. It left no doubt about what ran through Regulus’ mind.

“Not my brother. Not my family. I will kill each and every person with a smile on my face to keep him and all of them safe. I dare them.”

Even though it was a violence that Harry had never felt in himself, had always associated with either the Dursleys or Voldemort and His Death Eaters, he couldn’t help but feel comfort when seeing it in Regulus’ eyes.

“It won’t happen. We won’t let it happen.” Harry said, and even though his words were meant for everyone, his eyes were on Regulus.

Regulus gave him a blood-chilling, sinister smirk.

“No, we will not.”

It warmed Harry.

It made Harry realize that the infamous Black Family Madness had not left his uncle untouched. It was embedded, one of the cornerstones of who Regulus was as much as it was for Bellatrix Lestrange. The difference between the two is that she embraced it to hurt and kill who she pleased. Regulus basked in what he allowed it to do against those who hurt those who were his.

“It’s okay, Professor. We’re alright. You can continue.” Harry said as he stared at his Head of House. He put all his strength and resolve into his eyes to make her see that he meant it. It seems his look gave her renewed fortitude that they can, that they will stop all this from happening.

Sirius Black. Killed on June 18, 1996, by the Veil after being hit by a curse from Bellatrix Lestrange during the Battle at the Department of Mysteries. His death and the battle that took place was when the Ministry could no longer deny the return of Voldemort. A menacing snarl tore through the Hall and Harry turned to see blazing amber eyes.

“I’m going to rip that woman limb from limb.” The words are more growl than anything else. Its guttural tone conveys nothing but malice and a promise of violence.

“Get in line.” Had anyone other than Augusta Longbottom said that, they would have met the full force of the gaze of a barely contained deadly werewolf.

“The bitch is mine.” A voice colder than an Arctic storm washed over all of them sending chills down everyone's spine.

Regulus sat languidly, in contrast to the death grip he had on his left forearm.

“She’s mine.” The hiss was venomous, and no one dared to refute his claim.

Amelia Bones. Sirius’ breath stuttered and his hands started trembling.

A half sob, half scream came from the Hufflepuff Table. Susan sat wrapped in the arms of Hannah who too had tears running down her face.

Harry understood her pain. Her aunt was the last of her family, the last of her blood. The thought of losing her, of losing that connection, is more crippling than any physical blow could be.

Yet, before Susan could completely lose herself to her grief, she sharply shook herself, dislodging Hannah from her, and swiftly turned to face Harry.

“This isn’t going to happen, right Harry?” Blue eyes scorched hotter than the summer sun. Harry met the fierce gaze head on.

“No, it won’t.” He said and meant it. This is what they were meant to stop.

Harry will die to do it.

Susan sat back down, tears still falling silently down her cheeks, but her back was straight and her shoulders were squared.

Amelia looked at Harry with tears in her blue eyes like a summer sun shower, and a small, thankful smile. She knew, they both did, that she would not have survived the war with Voldemort and would have most likely died early on.

Harry did for Susan today what he had done for her last night, promising her hope.

Blue eyes turned to look at the Head of Gryffindor House. Tears dry and now resolute, the blonde woman gave the Professor a nod to continue.

Killed July 14, 1996 by Voldemort in her family home. The trembling in Sirius’ hands increased as his whole body started to shake slightly with suppressed sobs.

“I…I can’t lose her. Not after I just got her back. I won’t.” Words so desperate, so quiet that they were barely an exhale of breath. Harry felt them, the love and pain, more than he heard them.

“No, you won’t. We’ll stop this, Sirius. I promise.” Harry said as he grabbed his father’s trembling hand as he stared straight into a storm of turmoil. He saw the moment his words took root as the grief cleared away to be replaced with sheer determination.

“You’re right, pup. Thank you.” His father said as he pulled Harry close kissing the crown of his head.

“Broderick Bode will not be the only member placed into protective custody.” The voice of Mad-Eye echoed around the Hall as both eyes were pinned onto the Head of the DMLE.

Amelia raised an eyebrow.

“I have never run and hid from Voldemort, and I will not do so now.” The scorching fire of Amelia’s eyes sears through them all as her words brand themselves in their bones.

Moody is not cowed nor does he back down.

“Voldemort has had it out for you since the last war. You were a threat to their entire movement even then. That fact has not diminished, it has only increased. If there was one person that people could rally behind within the Ministry, if there was one person who could be completely trusted to do what is right, to remain incorruptible, it is you.” Mad-Eye's mismatched eyes are both pinned on Amelia. While the fire within her remains burning, an inferno of unimaginable proportions, Harry can tell that the renowned Auror's words have struck an open wound that has never truly healed.

There was no doubt that Moody saw it as well, but it did not deter him one bit.

“The denial of Voldemort’s return from the Ministry for a year is not the main reason why the Ministry fell as fast as we had read about. There is no doubt that you would have become Minister after it was revealed that Voldemort had returned. That is why he killed you. You were the only person with any power to do something about it, that would do everything within their power to push Voldemort and his Death Eaters back. Your death was the catalyst for our downfall.” The conviction, the certainty, the undeniable truth of Moody’s words is inescapable.

Amelia opens her mouth to argue but is cut off.

“Moody is right.” The smooth baritone of Lucius Malfoy cut in before Amelia could even respond to Mad-Eye’s words.

Every eye turns to look at the pale blonde man, whose face remains unfazed from having the weight of everyone's gaze on him. Pale eyes, like chips of ice, stare straight at Amelia.

“The Dark Lord is aware of those within the Ministry who would willingly join his ranks, as well as those who could be easily manipulated or coerced in one way or another. You are neither.” Lucius Malfoy held the gaze of Amelia Bones.

Before these letters and books appeared, two people would have fought on separate sides in the war.

Two people who fought together, side by side, last night to save others from the Inferi.

“That was made abundantly clear by the last war when even after the attack on your family did not cower you in the slightest.” Amelia flinched as if struck and next to him, Sirius shifted in his seat as his wand flew to his hand.

Mr. Malfoy dipped his head slightly, as though in apology for bringing up the painful subject but doing so anyway to make his point clear.

“If there are three people the Dark Lord could get rid of in one fell swoop, it'd be Mr. Potter, Dumbledore, and you.” Sirius started fingering his wand, his body tense as if he felt that Voldemort would manifest himself here to do just that at Mr. Malfoy’s words.

“You three are the biggest threats to Him and He knows it.” Harry saw even Dumbledore’s head nod in acknowledgement of the truth of the words.

“You would know, wouldn’t you, Lucius? How do we know that you won’t use this as an opportunity to give your master a way to win the war?” The scorn and disdain that dripped from Mr. Weasley’s voice was shocking to hear from the normally kind family man.

“Although I do not yet know why I am here, I know it was my son who…” Mr. Malfoy cut himself off abruptly and sucked in a ragged breath. His grip tightened around the head of his walking stick, his knuckles white and his face pinched.

Taking a deep breath in, Harry watched as the man physically gathered himself.

“Who Sacrificed his life to give us a second chance.” A hand gripped his son’s shoulder. The same hand that helped Harry out of the water, saved him from drowning last night.

This wasn’t Lucius Malfoy the Death Eater of Voldemort’s Inner Circle.

“You may not trust me, and frankly I do not care. But if you can trust one thing, trust that I will not let my son’s Sacrifice be in vain.” There was a look in the man’s eye, a note in his voice that Harry saw for the first time yesterday. It took him a moment to realize.

This was Lucius Malfoy the father.

“The life of my son, the life of my wife is more precious to me than anything else. Surely you could understand that.” The eyes of Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley met. For the first time ever, their gaze lacked the usual hate, disdain, and scorn.

This time, it was understanding.

The two men still hated each other, probably always will, but they understood each other as a husband and father. They understood the lengths one was willing to go for their family.

“That is why I urge you to heed my words, Madame Bones, and take into account what Moody has said. If not, at least take as many precautions as possible. Including moving your residence. The Dark Lord managed to get in once, and we now know he could get in again. It is not running and hiding as you stated. It is about surviving so that you give yourself a chance. So, you give the Magical World a chance.” The piercing gaze of Mr. Malfoy was pinned on Amelia who did not look away.

“This is something that can be discussed at a later time.” Amelia said but Harry could see that Mr. Malfoy’s words did have an affect on her. Yet, she was unwilling to back down from any perceived threat.

“Minerva, if you would?” Amelia said, asking the Professor to continue. Professor did so, but not before giving the Head of the DMLE a look over the rims of her glasses, stating that they will not be brushing this aside and will find a way to protect them.

Amelia blushed and averted her eyes at the look.

Even if she wished to avoid the conversation, based on the look on Sirius’ face and the tenseness in his body, he will not let the threat to Amelia’s life go until it is no longer a possibility.

Emmeline Vance. Ambushed and killed by the Confringo Curse July 17, 1996, by Death Eaters during her guard to protect the Muggle Prime Minister. Harry couldn’t help but look over at where the members of the Order of the Phoenix sat, and saw as Hestia Hones had a death grip on Emmeline’s hand with tears running down her face.

All the members of the Order looked as though they had been dealt a major blow, but it was Emmeline that Harry couldn’t help but look away from.

There was no fear or regret on her face. No tears in her eyes. Instead, she sat with her back straight and her chin raised.

“Emmeline is one of the most capable witches of our age. Only a short list could even compare. Professor McGonagall, Amelia, Andie, Cissa, and Dora.” Harry’s eyes widened in shock. The regard that Sirius held for all the women he mentioned was well known. For her to be placed in the same category as the others, truly spoke to Harry of just how incredible of a witch she was.

“Other than Andie, Amelia, and myself, Emmeline was one of the only people able to hold herself against Bellatrix. Knowing she was part of your advance guard and would not only keep you safe, but also watch Dora's and Remus' backs while I was unable to be there, calmed me more than I thought possible.” After hearing Sirius, Harry greatly appreciated the woman volunteering to serve as part of his guard during the summer.

Florean Fortescue. Tortured and later killed July 19, 1996, by Death Eaters for information that he did not have for Voldemort. A stab of grief hit Harry as he remembered the kind man who offered him free ice cream and help during the summer before his third year. Mr. Fortescue was a bright spot during his days alone.

Elizabeth Abbott. A desperate wailing sound came from the Hufflepuff Table and Harry couldn’t stop tears from filling his eyes as he heard the cries of Hannah. He could only assume that Elizabeth Abbott was Hannah’s mother, and Harry was too aware of the pain caused by hearing about a parent’s death.

Ambushed and killed on September 13, 1996 by Death Eaters in her family home. The Professor stopped to allow Hannah a moment to compose herself.

Susan wrapped her arms around Hannah, soothing her how she was soothed by the other girl not too long ago.

“It’s alright, Hannah. You heard; we’re not going to let this happen.” Susan said as she held Hannah to her until her cries turned to sniffles.

Emerick Montgomery. Twin shouts of despair and dismay came from the Slytherin Table. Harry saw twin sisters, possibly third years, staring at Professor McGonagall in horror as they tightly grasped each other. They both bit their lips in an attempt to prevent any further pain from spilling out.

Mauled by Fenrir Greyback on April 9, 1997 in retaliation for his mother refusing to join Voldemort’s cause. He succumbed to his wounds a few days later. Whatever restraint they had previously held was lost.

“No! You read that wrong!” One twin stood up and shouted before collapsing into her sister’s arms.

“He’s four! He’s innocent! He's done nothing wrong!” The other twin yelled as she held her sobbing sister, tears ran like rivulets down her own face.

“He’s four.” She said despondently once more, before burying her face in her twin’s hair and sobbing.

Both Adrian Prucey and Professor Snape made their way to the sisters, kneeling at their sides. Adrian wrapped his arm around both girls as Professor Snape spoke softly and soothingly to them. They didn’t speak in return but they nodded their heads as they started to slowly calm down.

When their Head of House saw that they were as calm as they could get during such a time, he got up and gave Prucey a look. As Prucey noticed the look, he gave his Head of House a nod before whispering into the ear of the student sitting next to one of the sisters. The student nodded his head and slid down making room for Prucey to sit.

Once more, Harry was awed by the solidarity and care that the Slytherins had for each other.

When Professor Snape sat back in his seat he gave Professor McGonagall permission to continue.

Turning her attention back to the parchment in her hand, Professor McGonagall attempted to continue before her eyes widened and her grip slackened. The parchment fell to the podium and the Head of Gryffindor took a stumbling step backwards. One arm wrapped around herself as if trying to offer herself comfort. One trembling hand covered her mouth as if trying to keep her sobs from escaping as she shook her head in denial, unable to believe what she saw.

"Minerva?" The Headmaster asked, and Professor McGonagall’s head snapped to look at the man. The aged wizard must have seen something in her face for understanding lit his eyes and he gave her a small, encouraging smile.

“It’s alright, my dear.” Professor McGonagall gave the Headmaster a long look before nodding shakingly and taking her place back at the podium. She stared at the parchment for a few moments, a look of dread on her face before she took a deep breath and picked it up once more.

Albus Dumbledore. Even though Harry wasn’t happy with the Headmaster, even though his betrayal from earlier still stung deeply, Harry couldn’t help the way his heart stopped and he felt as if he was being choked.

All around the Great Hall there were shouts and cries of dismay, and even the Slytherins looked dismayed.

Albus Dumbledore, despite all his faults, tried to do what he thought was right. His mere presence instilled calm, safety, and stability. To lose that, especially so early in the war, would have been a devastating blow to all of them.

Killed with the Killing Curse on June 30, 1997 under his own orders by S…Sev…Severus Sn…Snape. Every eye in the Hall turned to look at the Head of Slytherin House who had become deathly still as all the blood drained from his face.

Harry had his breath knocked out of him when he saw that the Professor’s face was completely naked, no masks or walls covering the emotion on his face. Only once has Harry ever seen something close, and the face was twisted with hatred and loathing.

This time, his face was vulnerable, filled with an all-consuming, gut-wrenching sense of loss and grief. The dark professor took a shuddering breath, followed by several more before closing his eyes. When he opened them again, he met the Headmaster's gaze, and a roaring fire of rage lit his black eyes.

Harry heard the sharp inhale of Regulus and saw as his face was washed in worry as he stared at the Head of Slytherin House.

The Potion Master's visage once again caught his attention when he heard a loud clattering sound. He stood up, chair fallen over, and in a billow of black robes, he stalked to the antechamber of the Hall, slamming the door shut behind him.

From the corner of his eye he saw a black blur make its way to the door of the antechamber.

“Regulus! No!” His father shouted and before Harry knew what he was doing he got up and ran to follow his uncle.

“Harry!” He heard his father’s shout but ignored it.

Regulus slipped into the antechamber, Harry a half second behind him, the door closing behind them both. They were both greeted by the sight of an incensed Professor Snape and a calm Headmaster.

“Severus.” The Headmaster's voice was soft and gentle.

“How? How could you order me to do that?” The professor turned sharply to face Dumbledore, his robes billowing around him. The pale face twisted into something close to betrayal.

“Severus, with my death at your hands, Voldemort would not question you. Your loyalty to him would be undeniable. You would be in a prime position to help us win the war.” The placating tone of the Headmaster did nothing to soothe the guilt, the anguish and betrayal in the younger professor. Instead, Professor Snape looked shattered, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

He looked broken, worn, and so very tired.

Professor Snape was the same age as Harry’s parents. The same age as Sirius. Yet looking at the man now, he looked so very different.

He looked old.

Old, not like the Headmaster, but like he has been burdened and dragged in so many directions for so very long.

Harry hears Regulus release a small distressed noise upon seeing the professor's expression.

“Have I not given you everything? Have I not given you my life? Yet, you would have asked me to blacken my soul even further. Is that what I must do? Give you my very soul?" The emotion in the professor's voice was raw. It was a cry of unbridled pain born of impossible expectations, of inescapable requests that have been asked time and time again.

Regulus makes a move toward the Potion's professor, but Harry, nervous for his uncle, grabs his hand to keep him close. He doesn’t believe the professor would hurt his uncle. It's obvious to Harry that there is deep love and affection, but the pain and anger radiating from Professor Snape is volatile, years old and ready to come out.

Behind Harry, the door opens and closes quietly, and Harry feels the presence of his father behind him.

“That is not it, my dear boy. I do not know why I would order you to kill me, but I would not have if there was no other choice.” Each word Dumbledore says further enrages the other man.

It hurts him even more.

“There’s always a choice. You were the one who taught me that!” The professor snarled, pointing an accusatory finger at Dumbledore as he took a menacing step closer.

“I have been paying for the ones I made for my entire life.” The dark professor's voice is thick with rage, with emotion.

It cracks.

Too much.

Too much pain, too much pressure, too much guilt.

Too many secrets for too many years.

It’s all…too much.

It's a dam ready to burst from it all.

“I understand how you feel, but you made a vow.” The words are said quietly, softly. So very tired.

By the look on the Professor’s face, it was something that had been said countless times before, but nevertheless was still a slap in the face.

How must it feel to love someone, to trust and look up to them, yet they say and do things that they know will hurt you? Looking at the Headmaster, Harry felt he understood Severus Snape better.

In spite of their love for Albus Dumbledore, they are also the ones who suffer most from him.

“I know I made a vow! It stares at me in the face every day! There is nothing I would do to go against it. To try to make up for what I did, knowing I never can.” The words are torn from the man's throat. Ripped from the bottom of his soul. They contain everything that makes Severus Snape who he is.

Why is it so very painful to hear?

“What vow?” Regulus asks, his voice strained, and his eyes filled with concern and trepidation.

Professor Snape's face closed as he stared back at Regulus. Unable to look at the expression of utter worry on Regulus' face, the professor turned to stare into the fire.

“What vow, Severus?” His uncle's voice was more insistent. It was more pleading than anything else.

The Potion Master turned back around but instead of meeting the eyes of Regulus, the eyes of the person who had begged him, black eyes stared into green. Harry felt dread pull in his stomach.

“The vow I made after I caused the deaths of Lily and James Potter.” Harry felt like he had been hit and stumbled backwards into the arms of Sirius who caught and held onto him.

Professor Snape ignored everyone else and kept his eyes on Harry. There were no tears within the eyes of obsidian, yet it appeared as if a dam had broken. The walls were battered and beaten by years of regret and self-imposed torment.

“Before I defected from the Dark Lord, I was spying at the Hog Head’s Inn when I overheard information. Information that I brought to the Dark Lord. Information that the Dark Lord became obsessed with. That turned his sights on the Potters.” It became difficult to breathe, difficult to see. Harry realized he was crying. Tremors ran through his body and his legs felt like they were going to give out. The only thing keeping him up was the hold Sirius had on him, and the black eyes that pierced his green ones.

That is what Professor Snape meant last night in the dungeons. This is what he had alluded to when he talked about past mistakes.

Harry wanted to scream, he wanted to cry.

He wanted to see his parents and not hear their deaths when faced with Dementors.

All he saw were black eyes and the pain they held when they were forced to learn about how they were ordered to kill someone he loved. Forced by that very same person.

“When I found out what I had done I turned to Dumbledore. I told him everything and became his spy. Yet, I could not stop what I had unintentionally set in motion. The information I had given him that night was the reason why he came after you. The reason why both Lilly and James were killed." Black eyes stared into his and all Harry could think about were all the things the Death Eater turned spy had been forced to do, to witness, to endure, to help bring down the monster who had stolen Harry's parents away from him.

That Professor Snape did so willingly, despite what it did to him.

“You tried. You tried to stop him. Became a spy because he targeted us.” Harry knew it was the truth as he spoke it. Black eyes told him so much more than words ever could.

“Yes.” It wasn't a question, but the professor answered it, nonetheless. A single word encapsulates a world of emotion.

“Why?” He needed to know, needed to understand.

“Your mother. I loved your mother. She was my very first friend, my best friend. The first person of only a handful of people to ever show me kindness beside my own mother. Lily made my childhood bearable, gave me an escape, a safe haven." That was something that Harry understood better than anyone. It was like his Potion Professor was describing his life, his childhood, and what the Weasley family had given him.

“When I lost her friendship at the end of our fifth year, it felt like I lost a part of myself. The part that housed any good within me.” Harry couldn't help but flinched as he remembered the pain when Ron had turned his back on him last year. How even though he still had Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny, the loss of Ron's presence by his side for those weeks felt like a missing limb.

"Despite that, I never stopped caring for her. I never stopped loving her. In my mind, in my heart she was still my first friend, my best friend, my sister.” There was never a reality where Harry would not have forgiven Ron, even as his own siblings had a harder time forgiving him for thinking the worst of Harry last year.

“Even as we fought on different sides of the war, my feelings for her never faded. When I realized what I had done, the danger I had put her in, that is when I turned to the Headmaster. That is when I turned spy. I did everything I could to protect Lily, but it wasn’t enough." Professor Snape raised a trembling hand to cover his mouth trying to keep a sob from escaping. The pain, even after all these years was still an open festering wound. Harry watched as his dark eyes closed trying to reclaim their composure before opening once more and staring into Harry's.

“That Halloween night, after she was killed, I made a vow to the Headmaster. An Unbreakable Vow." There was a weight to his words. If Harry had not felt it, he would have realized it by the twin sharp breaths that came from the Black brothers.

“What’s an Unbreakable Vow?” He asked, unsure of its meaning or significance.

“An Unbreakable Vow is the strongest Vow that could be given in the Magical World. If one was to do anything to break it, they would die.” His father said, staring at Professor Snape as if he had never seen the man before. The professor returned his gaze unflinchingly.

“What was the Vow you swore?" Harry turned to look at his father. His voice was sharp and demanding but there was no malice in it. There was a glint in his grey eyes that said he already knew but he wanted it confirmed. He wanted to hear it for himself.

“To do everything I could to protect the last living piece of Lily Potter.” Sirius nodded, a satisfied look on his face.

Then Professor Snape's words registered.

“To protect me?” Harry asked in complete shock.

“Yes.” The Potion Master said simply.

In Harry's opinion, it was not a simple matter to make a vow that could potentially kill you in order to protect someone who had a Dark Lord that was actively seeking to kill him.

“I thought you hated me.” He had been so sure of that fact that it led him to believe that it was the professor who had tried to kill Harry his first year.

“Yes…and no.” A sardonic smile appeared on the man's face.

“It was not you that I hated. It was everything I saw when I looked at you.” That confused Harry and it must’ve shown on his face for Professor Snape smiled bitterly. The bitterness was not directed at Harry, but at what Harry was beginning to understand was the source of the professor’s hate, bitterness, and resentment.

It was at Severus Snape himself.

“When I looked at you, I was reminded constantly of my greatest mistake and what it cost me. I ignored what it cost you because I thought that you still managed to have a good life, to have a happy life without her. A good, happy life while I still mourn her every day. Then I found out I was wrong. More wrong than I could have ever imagined.” A sneer was thrown at the Headmaster who bowed his head at the accusation.

"That moment Lily wasn’t only the friend and sister I lost; she was a mother who left behind a child. When I saw you in the dungeons last night, you were no longer the reminder of my greatest mistake and what it cost me. Instead, I looked at you and saw what my greatest mistake had cost you.” Professor Snape had been cruel, hateful towards Harry and the others. Looking into the man’s eyes, Harry saw that there was no one Severus Snape was crueler to and hated more than himself.

How many years has he hated himself?

If Harry were to guess, he’d say at least 14 years. Since the day Harry’s parents died.

“I was reminded of the fact that she may have been my friend, but she was your mother. Upon her death, along with your father's, you became an orphan, or at least we had thought, and were sent to live with Petunia." The man's voice was filled with disgust and deep loathing as he said Harry's aunt's name. Based on Petunia's reaction last night, the feeling was more than mutual. Never had Harry seen the two so vicious than when they were confronted by each other.

"My actions did not only steal your parents from you, but it also stole any possibility of a decent, happy childhood being raised by your aunt. For your mother, that would have been a more devastating betrayal than causing her death." Severus Snape opened himself up to Harry. Lay himself open to Harry's judgement, his anger, and his hate towards him for being the cause of his parents' deaths.

Harry saw none of it. All he saw was a man who had been paying for his mistakes for nearly half his life.

The last time Severus Snape probably became this vulnerable to anyone was when he turned to Dumbledore to try to save his best friend and a man he hated.

The last time Severus Snape became this vulnerable, he was forced to live a life that no longer belonged to him.

Harry wouldn’t do the same thing Dumbledore had done. Both of them have suffered too much for far too long.

“I forgive you.” Harry said with complete honesty as he stared into the professor’s eyes.

Black eyes widened in surprise, in confusion.

The man had expected Harry’s hate, his score, everything imaginable that he could throw at him. Never would he have expected Harry’s forgiveness.

But that is what he got.

“I saw the look on your face when Professor McGonagall read about the death of the Headmaster. I felt it, your pain, your grief like it was my own. I saw the anguish in your eyes when you heard that someone you loved was to die. I saw the torment at knowing it was by your hand under their order.” How many times had Severus Snape been tasked, ordered, demanded to do things that killed a piece of him each time? Yet, he did so knowing the cost it would take from him.

All for a vow he made to protect Harry.

“Yet, you would do it now if it meant that it would help protect me, just as you did then. If doing so further blackened your soul, you would not hesitate to do so." Harry knows he would not have the same strength as him to do so. He doubted there was anyone who would give so much of themselves to a cause. To dedicate their entire lives to it and seal it with a vow. To endure years as a pawn and walk on a knife’s edge between two masters.

“My parents died to protect me. I…I…” He had to choke back tears and try to control his breathing.

“I think me forgiving you is something they would approve of. We can’t…we can’t allow there to be any rifts. Not if we are to avoid the future that awaited us. We need to stand together. I think my parents would want that. Right, Siri?” Harry couldn’t help but look at his father, a tear escaping as he did so.

“Right.” Sirius gently brushed the tear away with his thumb, and Harry leaned into the warm touch.

“They would be so proud of the person you have become, Harry. I know I am.” The look of love and pride on his father’s face was blinding. A beacon to push back the darkness that has been lurking since they entered the room. Harry wanted nothing more than to bask in it.

Sirius turned his head to look at his once foe, his face hardening but the usual animosity was nowhere to be seen.

“If Harry forgives you, there isn’t much for me to say about it. He was the one most affected by everything that had happened. As long as we’re both clear that Harry be kept safe, I will keep what happened in the past.” To know that his father wouldn’t be upset, wouldn’t put up a fight against the professor all because it was what Harry wanted, overwhelming love bubbled up within Harry for his father.

“Besides, my baby brother is still in love with you, so even if I did want to fight on the issue it would be two against one.” Harry couldn’t help but snicker as he heard the eye roll and forlornness in Sirius’ voice. It was made even more obvious when Regulus gave the Potion Master a look filled with love and pecked his cheek. Harry watched as his pale cheeks turned red.

“It gives me much joy that out of much sorrow, some peace could be found between you all. Let’s head back to the Hall to finish the Hall before they send a search party out.” Harry had nearly forgotten the Headmaster’s presence after everything that had happened.

“More like a search and recovery team. They probably think we killed each other.” Sirius mumbled under his breath and Harry couldn’t help but snicker at the truth of it.

The truth of that became more apparent as they all made their way back into the Great Hall. The occupants released relieved breaths seeing they were all in one piece.

Before Harry went to sit down, he saw Regulus give the professor one last kiss. As he arrived at the table, he gave the others a reassuring smile at their looks of concern, making their tense bodies relax quickly.

Charity Burbage. Tortured and killed with the Killing Curse on July 18, 1997 by Voldemort. Professor McGonagall’s voice shook as she read about the death of yet another friend and colleague.

At the Head Table, Professor Burbage looked ashen and was shaking slightly. Next to her, Professor Vector was attempting to comfort the other woman.

Before continuing on, Professor McGonagall gave Harry a sad, teary-eyed look, and Harry felt his heart constrict.

He didn’t want to hear another name.

Hedwig. No.

Killed with the Killing Curse on July 27, 1997 by a Death Eater while protecting Harry Potter during the Battle of the Seven Potters. No.

Hedwig has been his constant companion since Hagrid gifted her to him on his birthday. She was the manifestation of a new beginning, of a better life for Harry. A life with the possibility of friendship, family, and love.

She was there for him when he had no one, shut inside Number 4 with relatives that hated his very existence.

Hedwig was a constant reminder that he wasn’t alone.

His dearest and most trusted friend.

Hedwig was his. His friend. His confidant. His very first bout of joy, of love, of belonging.

And she had died.

Died protecting Harry.

Harry felt his heart constrict and his eyes burn, his vision blurred.

It hurt.

Curling in on himself, his arms wrapped around his middle, head bowed and resting on the cool tabletop, Harry took deep shuddering breaths. He felt hands trying to rub soothing circles into his back but flinched away from them.

He didn’t want their company; he wanted his snowy friend.

A sound of fluttering was heard, before a soft clink, then Harry felt a familiar feeling in his hair. It was one he felt many times as Hedwig tried to preen his hair into some semblance of order.

Looking up, verdant green eyes met soulful amber. Harry couldn’t stop the urge to run his fingers through her plumage, making her caring eyes close as she leaned into his touch.

“I lost you. I…I can’t lose you, Hedwig.” Amber eyes peered up at him and Harry swears he could read the thoughts running through his dearest friend’s mind.

“You didn’t lose me, I’m still here.”

Harry couldn’t help but smile as he buried his head in the beautiful white feathers and let his tears fall. The feeling of his sweet Hedwig rubbing her head against his cheek gave him more comfort in his grief than anyone else could have offered him in that moment.

When he pulled back he couldn’t help but smile as he scratched the underside of her head the way he knew she liked best.

“I’m okay now, girl. Thank you.” Amber eyes gave him a searchful look before bumping his chin with her head lightly. With that she took flight once more and perched herself on the windowsill behind Harry.

After making sure his girl was comfortable, Harry turned to Professor McGonagall and gave a nod to continue.

Alastair “Mad-Eye" Moody. A great heaving sob came from not too far from Harry. He turned his head and saw as Tonks clutched onto Remus. Anguish twisted her beautiful face as tears carved a path down her cheeks. Remus held Tonks close to him, holding her up as if wishing he could bear her pain, so she didn’t have to.

A thumping sound was barely audible over the sound of Tonks’ pain. Harry watched as Moody made his way, stopping in front of Tonks. She didn’t realize the old Auror had made his way to her until he surprisingly rested a gentle hand on her hand. At the contact, the sorrowful face of Tonks looked at Mad-Eye who gave her a small, genuine, misshapen smile.

At the warmth in the usual paranoid Auror’s eye, Tonks launched herself at the man who easily caught her.

“It’s alright, girlie. You know I wouldn’t want you crying over me. That holds true for you as well, Sirius, Amy, Kings.” Moody said with his eyes flickering to each other person mentioned as he held the young Metamorphmagus.

Harry heard his father sniffle and watched as he quickly swiped his face. The evidence of his tears was still evident in the swirling clouds of his eyes, so Harry leaned into his side, offering his father any comfort he could. Sirius wrapped his arm around Harry, drawing him even closer.

Kingsley's face was in a grimace, eyes lost as he stared at the renowned Auror. Slight tremors ran through the body of the usually calm, collected man.

Amelia sat at the Head Table, unable to look at the legendary man. The look of torment on her face was even more devastating than when her own death was read.

Pulling back, but still with an arm wrapped around Tonks, Moddy forced her to look into his mismatched eyes.

“I expect you to use everything I taught you to survive this war. And if I am forced to listen about your death…” Moody cut himself off, blinking his normal eye rapidly.

“If I am forced to listen to your death, I expect you to do everything in your power to learn from it and make sure it does not happen.” The desperation and ferocity in Moody’s voice made Harry want to look away. The raw emotion in the man's voice was all-encompassing. It spoke of something Harry had never associated with the grizzled man.

Vulnerability.

Moody did not care for his death but the thought of Tonks dying seemed too much for the man to bear.

“Do you understand me?” Moody asked as he stared into Tonks’ eyes.

“Yes.” She whispered brokenly before Moody pulled her into his arms once more.

When her cries subsided into hiccups, he released his hold on her and placed her in Remus’ arms.

“I expect you to look after her, Remus.” Both of Moody’s eyes were pinned on the werewolf and Remus tightened his hold on the young woman.

“I will.” Remus said, staring the other man dead in the eye while tightening his hold on Tonks.

Harry knew it was a promise he would keep until he died.

Moody saw the truth of the other man’s words, nodded his head, and made his way back to his seat. When he was sitting down again, he signaled Professor McGonagall to

Killed with a Killing Curse and fell from his broom on July 27, 1997 by Voldemort during the Battle of the Seven Potters. Another broken sob came from Tonks, but she was able to gain control of herself before she broke down once more.

Rufus Scrimgeour. Killed on August 1, 1997, by Voldemort after being tortured and refusing to give the location of Harry Potter. Harry didn’t know who that was. However, he still felt grief and guilt from hearing about the man’s death and how it came because he had tried to protect Harry.

Mykew Gregorovitch. Tortured, Legilimensed, and killed on September 2, 1997 by Voldemort for not having the information he wanted. Dumbledore sat straight in his seat, a peculiar expression on his face. Harry knew he knew that surname. It took him a moment to realize that Gregorovitch was the wandmaker who had made Viktor Krum’s wand.

Bathilda Bagshot. Mauled and killed on December 19, 1977, by Nagini. There was grief in the Headmaster’s eye. What worried Harry was that there was a hint of fear there as well.

Gellert Grindelwald. Voices sprung up all around the Great Hall, causing all but Harry to miss the sharp inhale of breath as Dumbledore closed his eyes as if wounded.

Killed with the Killing Curse on March 12, 1998 by Voldemort for mocking him and refusing to give him information. Blue eyes snapped open in surprise as a series of complex emotions clouded the normally twinkling irises.

Edward “Ted” Tonks. “NO!” Twin heartbreaking cries echoed throughout the Hall as both Tonks and Andromeda launched themselves into the arms of their father and husband. Ted was nearly bowled over before managing to steady himself and hold both women securely in his arms. He kept kissing their heads, whispering soft words to them, holding them close. Giving all of himself, his complete focus to soothe the ache of the two most important people in his life.

Harry felt like he was choking as tears filled his eyes once more as he watched the strong, proud, and powerful force that is Andromeda Tonks break into pieces in her husband’s arms.

The sound of quick clicking heels made their way across the stone floor. Harry saw Narcissa holding up the skirt of her dress as she quickly made her way over to her sister. The pale, beautiful features were marred by worry and pain as she stared at her sister’s broken form.

When Narcissa got to Andromeda, she sat, and wrapped her arms around Andie, and curled her body around the back of her sister.

“We will stop this, I promise you, Andromeda. I will fight by your side. I swear it.” Narcissa gave her husband a look from across the room. Harry understood that they were having a silent conversation that only a married couple could understand. Mr. Malfoy nodded his head, got up, and turned to his son.

“Come, Draco.” Mr. Malfoy held his hand out to his son to help the boy up. When Draco stood, Mr. Malfoy put his arm around his son’s shoulders, bringing him close to his side, and they made their way to the Gryffindor Table. When they arrived at where Narcissa was still wrapped around a steadily calming Andromeda, Mr. Malfoy cleared his throat awkwardly, shoulders tense.

“Would you mind if we sat here?” Mr. Malfoy asked Mr. Weasley who sat next to Narcissa as he was originally sitting next to Andromeda.

Mr. Malfoy gave the other man a long piercing look which the pale blonde man returned. It lacked the usual contempt and disdain. Instead, there was grudging amicability there as Mr. Weasley slid down the bench, making room for the two new arrivals. Both Slytherins, past and present, sat down in the spaces given to them. Although the older of the two did so much more stiffly than the younger.

“Very Gryffindor of you, Lucius.” Mr. Malfoy who had previously sat rigidly rolled his eyes so hard that Harry thought he had put his entire body and soul into the motion.

"Surely you are aware of how loyal Blacks are to family, Sirius. I married a Black. My loyalty lies where my wife’s does. If it is with her sister and you, then that is where mine lies as well.” The Malfoy man said like it was the most obvious thing in the world and explaining it was beneath him.

“Well, it’s about time you made the right decision. Would’ve made family dinners extremely awkward if not.” There was a smirk that lit up his father’s face.

“I knew you always liked me.” There was a hint of knowing smugness in Mr. Malfoy’s voice.

Sirius rolled his eyes at it.

“No, I like Ted. I tolerate you. I despise Ruddie.” Lucius Malfoy’s jaw dropped as an affronted look covered his face at Sirius' words

“You do not only tolerate me.” Mr. Malfoy said with genuine offense.

A small chuckle escaped Regulus as he looked between the two older men.

“Yule, 1973.” Mr. Malfoy said with narrowed eyes causing Sirius’ entire face to redden.

“Fine, maybe there is some fondness.” Sirius mumbled grudgingly causing a self-satisfied smirk to appear on Mr. Malfoy’s face, and a slight chuckle to bubble out of Regulus.

Harry thought that was a story that he should ask about at a later time. The fact that he was related to the pale blonde man, even through marriage, became painfully obvious to Harry just now. He needed a moment to come to terms with that.

Narcissa was one thing, she never actually did anything to him.

Draco was a bit more difficult to swallow.

Mr. Malfoy was another story entirely.

“I don’t believe I ever participated in a Black family dinner." Ted said and Harry saw that both Tonks and Andromeda had calmed down but still held a tight grip on Ted.

“It sounds terrifying.” Ron said from his place.

“It is.” Sirius, Regulus, Andromeda, and Narcissa agreed before Mrs. Weasley could scold her son.

“The last few years before I ran away from home we had to implement a ‘No wands’ rule at the table. That still didn’t help much.” Sirius said with a grimace.

“I think that rule only made it worse.” Regulus said with a sardonic smile.

“It definitely made it worse.” Narcissa agreed.

“Thank Merlin I was already kicked out of the family then.” Andromeda said from her place, still wrapped in her husband’s and sister’s arms.

“I’d much rather prefer a Weasley morning on September first than an old Black family dinner.” Sirius said with humor dancing in his eyes as the ears of all the Weasley’s turned slightly red, as his father gave the family a fond smile.

“Well, then maybe we should change the nature of Black family dinners into something else, hmm? However, that is something to discuss at a later date. For now, if you would, Minerva?” Ted said as he bid Professor McGonagall to continue.

Edward “Ted” Tonks. Killed March 14, 1998 by Snatchers. Both Andromeda and Tonks let out sniffles but they were soothed as Ted held them in his arms.

Dirk Cresswell. Killed March 14, 1998 by Snatchers. Mr. Weasley let out a quiet, mournful sound as Mrs. Weasley clasped his hand. Harry saw the looks of devastation on the faces of many present who work within the Ministry.

Dobby the Free Elf. A surprising amount of grief welled up in Harry as he heard the name of his excitable, small friend.

Dobby was kind, and pure of heart. He had always looked after Harry, even if his attention had almost caused Harry trouble and near death in his second year. Hearing about the death of his loyal and kind heartened friend hurt.

Killed on March 23, 1998 by Bellatrix Lestrange while helping Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Garrick Ollivander, and Griphook from being her “guests”. Before Harry could realize what had happened, Mrs. Wesley got up and ran over to Dobby, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving my children.” The Weasley matriarch said as she held onto the little Elf. Dobby’s eyes grew wide with shock before he melted into the warm embrace of the red-headed mother.

When Mrs. Weasley let go, Harry took her spot and wrapped his arms around his small friend. Without hesitation, Dobby settled into his arms and hugged Harry back just as tightly. After Harry, Luna and Dean were quick to take his place, hugging and thanking Dobby in turn. When the last of them finally let go Dobby looked at them all, standing tall and resolute.

“Dobby is proud to have died for Harry Potter and his friends. Dobby will do so again if he needs to.” There was no fear in the little Elf’s eyes and Harry felt tears form once more.

“We’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen, Dobby. I don’t want to lose my friend.” Dobby’s eyes brightened as tears started to fill them.

“She had you.” A broken whisper was heard, and Neville stood up, his face etched with agony and torment.

“Bellatrix Lestrange had you.” Neville looked into Luna’s eyes and his back straightened as determination set into his eyes.

Neville strode to Luna, pulled her close, and kissed her on the lips. Her arms immediately wrapped around the blonde Gryffindor, as they stayed like that for a few moments.

When they pulled apart, Neville stared into Luna’s eyes, resting his forehead against hers.

"I won't let that happen this time. I promise.” Neville swore and Luna gave him a beautiful, blinding smile.

“I know you won’t, Neville.” She said before giving him a quick peck to the lips making him blush in return.

“Ms. Lovegood, is it? Augusta Longbottom, pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The Dowager Longbottom said as she held her hand out to Luna who held hers in return. Neville’s face reddened even more, but a small smile spread across his face.

“Now come, sit next to me, child.” The previous smile on Neville’s face was replaced with a look of worry.

Once everyone was seated once more, Professor McGonagall began speaking.

 Vincent Crabbe. Accidentally killed himself on May 2, 1998 with Fiendfyre. Crabb hunched into himself, his face pale as he looked desolately into space. Goyle wrapped his arm around the other boy.

These next names mentioned died during the Battle of Hogwarts on May 2, 1998. They would go on to be known as the Fallen Heroes of Hogwarts. Having already learned that many of them had fought and died in the battle, everyone braced themselves.

Tears slid unhindered down the heartbroken face of Professor McGonagall’s as her eyes scanned the next name.

F…F…Fr…Fred W…Weasley. Even though Harry knew it was coming, it didn’t stop the vicious stab of pain that shot through him.

Harry had barely a moment to let it settle before it was drowned out by the scream of agony that tore from Mrs. Weasley’s lungs. It was a sound that Harry had never heard before, a sound he never wished to hear again. It sounded like the sound was ripped from the very depths of her soul. A torment unlike any other.

Fred was pulled from Harry’s side into the arms of his mother as she held him to her, trying to protect him from the future that had awaited him. His boyfriend was surrounded by his family, as even Percy clutched onto him desperately, unwilling to let their son and brother go. George had his face buried in his twins' chest, as he held onto his brother as if his very life depended on it.

The Head of Gryffindor House gave the family time to compose themselves as she herself was in no state to continue. Fred saw this and gave his Head of House a fond look.

“Knew you loved me, Minnie.” Professor McGonagall let out a sob but managed to give Fred a wobbly, watering smile.

“Don’t you know?” Harry’s father choked out, tears falling from his eyes as well.

“She’ll never admit it, and will constantly complain about us, but the troublemakers always end up being her favorites. Isn’t that right, Minnie?” Sirius said as he gave his former professor a look full of fondness and love. His father's words made the Professor cry even harder, but she never denied them.

When she was able to gain control of herself, the Professor continued.

K…Killed in an explosion when Death Eaters destroyed a wall. A wet chuckle came from the Weasley pile.

“Go figure that’s how I would die.” Fred said and Harry’s heart seized once more.

“Don’t. Just…don’t. Don’t you dare joke about your death.” George’s harsh rebuke spoke volumes about what he was feeling at the news of his twin’s death. Fred just held George closer to him.

“I…I…I can’t…I don’t want to read this anymore.” Professor McGonagall said despondently as she looked at the letter in despair.

“I would take the burden off you if I could, Minerva. But only you can read the letter. We’re here to make sure that none of this happens. Find strength in that.” The Headmaster said as he looked at the Head of Gryffindor House filled with promise.

It seemed the Headmaster’s words had given Professor McGonagall strength as she cleared her throat to continue, tears still sliding down her cheeks.

R…Re…Remus Lu…Lupin. A high-pitched whine, reminiscent of a wounded animal, filled the Great Hall as a devastating sob reverberated. Sirius’ grip around Harry became increasingly painful, but Harry hardly felt it.

His father’s face was a heartbreaking sight to behold. If Harry had not felt extreme devastation in hearing Remus’ name read, pure agony would’ve consumed him as he watched his father crumple in front of him.

“Come here, Padfoot.” Remus said as he extended an arm to the other Marauder that wasn’t already wrapped around a sobbing Tonks.

Sirius fell into his friend's, into his brother’s arms. He clung to him like a man lost at sea, Tonks between the two of them, her sobbing still audible for all to hear.

Harry closed his eyes, holding himself as he tried not to get lost in grief once more.

“Cub.” Harry's head snapped up and he stared into loving amber eyes. Following the example of his father, Harry launched himself at Remus, finding himself tucked next to Tonks, in between the last two Marauders.

“You’re not leaving me, Moony. I refuse to allow it.” Sirius said through his tears.

“I’m not leaving you, Pads. Never again.” Remus said as he tightened his hold around them all.

“Good.” Sirius said as he pulled back, holding Harry in his arms as he did so. Harry easily followed as he gave Remus a shaken smile.

“Now let’s find out whose entrails I’m cursing.” There was a manic gleam in his father’s eye that reminded Harry of that night in the Shrieking Shack.

Remus rolled his eyes at the promise of violence from Harry’s father before turning his attention to Tonks.

Harry couldn’t help but think about how close the two men were for Remus to not be affected by the savagery and bloodthirstiness in his father.

“Dora.” Remus said and Tonks lifted her head up, arms still wrapped around Remus as her tear filled eyes, making them look like liquid silver gazed into Remus’ gold.

At her look Remus took a sharp inhale of breath as he gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with a caress of his thumb.

“I’m not planning to leave you anytime soon.” The werewolf said as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“Not if I can help it. So, let’s read everything and find a way to stop it from happening.” He ran a scarred hand through her hair.

“Together?” Tonks' question was hopeful.

“Together.” Remus’ amber eyes still held reservation, still held worry deep within. But his love outshined it all as he stared into the eyes of Tonks, ebbing away slightly more as she smiled brilliantly at him.

Harry couldn’t help but give his father a happy look, seeing that Remus was finally willing to start giving in to the love that Tonks was freely giving to him.

His father gave him a blinding smile in return, overjoyed to see his friend allow himself some happiness.

“You can continue, Minnie.” Remus said and Professor McGonagall gave her former student a wobbly smile.

K…Killed by Antonin Dolohov after being h…hit by his infamous curse while de…defending a group of s…s…students. Remus nodded to himself, looking as if he was satisfied, happy with his death. All those who had been taught by the man had tears trailing down their faces as their respect for him grew tenfold.

Nymphadora “Tonks” Lupin nee Tonks. If Andromeda looked desolate after hearing about her husband’s death, it does not compare to the agony carved into her entire being at hearing about her daughter's death.

If anyone other than Tonks’ mother had pulled her out of Remus’ arms, they would have had their throats ripped out without hesitation. Instead Tonks, who had previously sat in the lap of the werewolf, was now being cradled in the hold of her parents, her hand still latched to Remus to remind him she was here.

Her touch was most likely the only reason Remus did not find a way (and succeed) in getting out of Hogwarts and the time bubble, to rip apart the person who had caused her death.

The look on Ted’s face matched the snarling coming from Remus. Harry had no doubt the man who had been nothing but kind since Harry first met him, would gladly help Remus in his mission.

Killed by Bellatrix Lestrange while protecting her husband's body. A snarling more menacing than Harry had ever heard filled the Great Hall.

The sound did not come from Remus though.

Andromeda had moved faster than Harry could comprehend. She stood in front of his father, face contorted into an unimaginable rage, hands clutching, fingers digging painfully into Sirius’ shoulders. Sirius did not flinch as he met the wrathful gaze of his cousin.

“When this is over, when your name is cleared, when everyone knows of your innocence, you will claim the Headship of our House. You will claim it the first chance you get and you will disown her. You will disown her not only in name, but in Blood as well. You will take away what means most to her just as she would have taken the most meaningful part of me. Promise me, Sirius. Promise!” Andromeda had started off strong, furious. On the last word her voice cracked as tears started falling from her eyes once more.

“I swear it, Andromeda.” Sirius said as he pulled his cousin into his arms, giving her all the comfort, he could offer.

When Andromeda was calm, she pulled back.

“Thank you, Sirius.” She said before giving him a kiss on the cheek and making her way back to her daughter’s side.

Lavender Brown. Savaged and killed by Fenrir Greyback after falling from a balcony due to a stray spell while dueling Rabastan Lestrange to protect the Patil twins. A sob came from Parvati as she pulled her pale best friend into her arms. Seeing her sister’s tears, Padma rushed from the Ravenclaw Table to her sister and her friend’s side.

Padma Patil. Killed with a cutting curse from behind by both Lestrange brothers as she pushed her sister to safety. Parvati’s cries increased as she realized she had lost both her best friend and her twin.

“I know it is painful, but you should be proud of yourselves.” Regulus said softly as he looked at the three girls who stared back at him with tear filled eyes.

“There are many witches and wizards who have faced each brother without the other and had not survived. You, Ms. Brown, seemed to have faced Rabastan head on and only circumstances out of your control were what caused your demise. You, Ms. Patil, managed to square off against both brothers and were defeated due to their depravity of hitting someone from behind. There are not many who could have done what you did, and fewer still alive who have." The three girls stared back at his uncle and Harry saw that his words had done their job. There were still tears trailing down their cheeks but there was no longer the despair that lurked in them.

“Th…that’s because they’re strong. They’re brave and have something to fight for.” Parvati sat taller as she looked at the other two girls.

“That, they are. That, you all are. Death Eaters do not fight for each other the way you do. They do not fight for friendship, family, or love. They fight for hate. I, more than most, know that better than anyone.” Sirius tucked his brother securely, protectively into his side, and Regulus blushed and gave a shy smile to his brother.

With the girls now calmed down, Professor McGonagall continued on.

Ro…Rolanda Hooch. Knocked out of the sky by a giant as she led the aerial strike against Voldemort’s forces. Madam Hooch lifted her chin as if in defiance and pride, despite the weight that had fallen upon her.

Katie Bell. Fell to her death after her broom was destroyed by the Severing Curse in her ariel defense by Thorfinn Rowle. Katie had a white-knuckle grip on the edge of the table as she stared unblinkingly at the tabletop. Both Angelina and Alicia each grabbed one of her hands.

Harry wanted to go over and comfort his friend as many early mornings and afternoons they shared, the jokes and laughs, the eye rolls and fond exasperation of Oliver’s obsessiveness during training flashed through his mind.

The Gryffindor quidditch team that Harry was a part of during his first three years became like a small family within Gryffindor.

It grew stronger at the end of his first year after he had faced Quirrell and they realized they could have lost him. After that, never again did any of them turn their backs on Harry again.

Alicia Spinnet. Killed by the Severing Curse that destroyed Katie’s broom while in the air. Alicia started shaking and Oliver walked over to her other side. Both Angelina and Oliver bracketed the two girls, showing the solidarity that they always showed when on the field.

Cho Chang and Roger Davis. Killed by Mulciber, Jugson, and Yaxley as they tried to bring back Katie’s and Alicia’s bodies. Roger paled but sat straight, shoulders squared. Cho showed no misgivings about her death as she jutted her chin out. Proud that she fought, even if it brought her to her death, the followers of the monster who ordered the death of her boyfriend.

“Thank you.” All those, Harry included, who were on the Gryffindor Quidditch team together for his first three years said in unison.

The two Ravenclaws looked at them and gave them smiles.

Daphne Greengrass, “No!” a loud cry came from Astoria Greengrass. Her older sister immediately pulled her into her arms, rocking her gently.

“Shhh, it’s okay, Story. I’m here.” The blonde Slytherin held her sister close, calming her silent cries.

Daphne Greengrass, Lily Moon, Terry Boot, and Seamus Finnigan. Killed while defending the zone that had been designated to bring the wounded and recovered bodies. A loud bang echoed around the Great Hall, and Harry realized it was from Moody slamming his walking stick hard on the ground.

"It is an unspoken rule that, during battles, each side allows the other a safe zone in which their dead and wounded can be brought without fear of attack. For even the Death Eaters to break it…your deaths should never have happened. Know that the honor in which you died to defend those, words cannot describe the honor you would be regarded with.” Moody gave each person mentioned a look of deep respect.

The two Slytherins whose names were mentioned widened their eyes and their jaws dropped at the open praise they received from the Renowned Auror.

Bridgette Runcorn, Malfalda Prewett, and Graham Pritchard. Killed by Albert Runcorn to stop him from getting to the Room of Requirement which was being used to evacuate the youngest Hogwarts students. Two younger Slytherins looked deathly pale and shaken while some older students attempted to comfort them. A girl that Harry recognized as being in his year had a sardonic smile on her face.

“Uncle Albert was always an unpleasant man. I hope I gave him hell.” Bridgette Runcorn said before turning her attention to Professor McGonagall, waiting for her to start once more.

Colin Creevey. A loud cry came from Dennis. Colin pulled his younger brother effortlessly into his lap, wrapping his arms around the small boy, and followed much the same as Daphne did not too long ago.

Killed in a duel with Corban Yaxley and Theosidious Nott. Before his death he was able to lure them into a trap of Devil’s Snare, killing both. “Cheers, Creevey.” Theodore Nott said from his spot at the Slytherin Table as he raised his goblet in salute to the younger Gryffindor boy before taking a deep drink.

“Wouldn’t…isn’t he…?” Colin asked flabbergasted, unable to form a complete sentence in the middle of Theo’s celebration.

“My father? Yes, unfortunately. Still, you did the world a great service by ending him. I’m sorry it cost you your life though.” Theo tipped his goblet to Colin once more before taking another drink.

At Colin’s uncertain look, Theo gave him a reassuring smile which seemed extremely out of place given the circumstances.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get no talk of revenge or retribution but I do expect you to let me buy you a Butterbeer next time we’re in Hogsmeade in thanks.” Surprisingly it wasn’t Colin’s open mouth look that caught his attention but the flinch and unease both Professor Snape and Lucius Malfoy showed as they averted their eyes from Theo.

“Theosidious fucking Nott. Only he could get his own son to hate him so openly and wholeheartedly.” Regulus said with a commiserating look at Theo.

Once more, Theo raised his goblet, but to Regulus this time, and took a drink.

Regulus mirrored his actions.

Sirius massaged his temples.

“Regulus Black. Language.” Professor McGonagall scolded lightly, still taken aback by Theo’s comments who was ignoring the Professor’s searching look.

“Apologies, Professor.” Regulus gave the Head of Gryffindor House an innocent smile.

Sirius snorted.

Turning her attention back to the letter once more, Professor McGonagall shut her eyes as sorrow covered her face, a lone tear escaping from behind her closed eyelids. Gathering herself, she opened her eyes once more.

S…S…Severus S…Snape. The previous mirth that had filled his uncle’s eyes quickly evaporated as they deadened in despair.

Theo looked as if he had had the air knocked out of his lungs as he clutched onto Blaise who did the same. The fact that Theo had not shown an ounce of sadness when hearing about the death of his father, but looked as though grief was about to consume him when hearing about Professor Snape’s, truly spoke to Harry about the role the man played in the lives of those who are in his care.

All of the Slytherin Table erupted in soft cries as the death of their Head of House was read aloud. The dark professor was not just a professor or Head of House to them.

He was their defender. The person they trusted and could turn to. Losing him was losing a constant and steady presence for many.

K…killed by Na…Nagini on V…V…Voldemort’s command. His last act before he d…died was to give H…Harry P…Potter the information to rid the world of Voldemort once and for all. Professor McGonagall was barely able to stutter out.

It made something well up in Harry.

“I promise you, Professor Snape, we’ll both make it out of this war alive. It’s what my mother would want.” Emerald stared into obsidian. A slight tremor ran through the man as he dipped his head to Harry.

There was no resistance on Harry's part as he felt himself being pulled.

“Thank you, Harry.” Regulus said as he held onto him and pressed a kiss to his head.

The following names are those whose cause of death is unknown. All that is known is that they died defending Hogwarts, and that they died defending each other.

Septima Vector

Irma Pince

Stewart Ackerley

Eleanor Branstone

Malcolm Boddock

Owen Cauldwell

Laura Madley

Natalie MacDonald

Maisy Reynolds

Kevin Whitby

Nigel Wolpert

Luca Caruso

Demelza Robins

Alice Tolipan

Kellah Anderson

Mauricius Clements

Fay Dunbar

Justin Finch-Fletchery

Anthony Goldstein

Megan Jones

Morag MacDougal

Roger Malone

Sally-Anne Perks

Oliver Rivers

Sophie Roper

Sally Smith

Lisa Turpin

Anthony Rickett

Marcus Belby

Julianna Fawcett

Matthew Stebbins

As each name was read, the cries in the Great Hall grew louder from the friends and siblings of those who died.

Many more, villagers from Hogsmeade, previous students, parents, and people from the wider Magical community had come, fought, and died for Hogwarts and the chance for a better life out of the control of Voldemort. If all were listed who died during the battle, this letter would be three times as long. Although their deaths are equally important, we agreed that it would be more prudent to mention only those who are currently present.

The next list of names are those who died in the years following the Battle of Hogwarts.

Narcissa Malfoy. A soft whine came from Draco before he attached himself to his mother. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck as his entire frame shook. Narcissa quickly cradled her son to her.

Lucius Malfoy looked as though he had stopped breathing. His entire body was still except for the raging storm of grief and agony swirling in his eyes.

Andromeda, Sirius, and Regulus looked at their pale cousin as she comforted her son with looks of heartbreak.

Tortured and killed by Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange for her part in saving Harry Potter and enabling the defeat of Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts. A deep, dark, animalistic sound tore through Lucius Malfoy as his face twisted into something barely resembling human.

“I will kill them both. I will break each of their bones one by one. I will skin them alive, rip their lungs from their chests with my bare hands. I will torture them with torture that has never been done before. When I am done, I will burn their very existence from the world so that nothing is left of them.” No one said anything about the man’s disturbing and violent promises.

Andromeda, Sirius, and Regulus looked on approvingly.

Damon and Alexandra Greengrass, Astoria Malfoy née Greengrass and son, Scorpius Malfoy. Ambushed and killed by Death Easters in Diagon Alley for their son-in-law, husband and father’s, Draco Malfoy’s, family defection from Voldemort. Draco looked as though he had been clobbered over the head.

In the wake of hearing about her sister's death, Daphne's face was a mixture of anguish and shock. That is until her eyes caught sight of Malfoy.

“Do not think that we won’t be discussing this.” Draco’s look quickly morphed into one of fear as he gulped audibly.

William “Bill” Weasley. A heart-stopping cry came from Mrs. Weasley. She dragged her eldest son into a bone-crushing hug. He went willingly, trying to calm his mother’s sobs with help from his father who too was devastated at the news of his son’s death.

Charlie stared at his older brother, Ginny wrapped in his arms as she wept silently, as though he was lost, stranded at the thought of his brother no longer being with them.

The other Weasley boys held each other, the thought of their eldest brother’s death too much to bear alone.

“I’m not leaving you, mum.” Bill said after Mrs. Weasley’s cries subsided and then turned to his siblings. As one, they all jumped on him but somehow, the eldest Weasley child managed to keep them all standing as he held onto them.

When they finally let go of their brother, Bill turned to Fleur. She had tears rolling down her cheeks as she had her arms wrapped around herself, trying to comfort herself in her grief. Bill walked to her and lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.

“I’m not leaving you, either.” Bill said before he kissed her and pulled her close. Fleur melted willingly into his embrace.

Killed in the same ambush as Astoria and Scorpius while trying to protect both mother and son after Astoria’s parents were quickly killed. “Thank you for trying to protect my son’s family.” Mr. Malfoy said as he stared at Bill who nodded his head.

“You…you raised a fine man, Arthur.” Lucius Malfoy said to Arthur Weasley with naked sincerity.

“That I did.” Mr. Weasley said with a look of absolute pride as he stared at his eldest son.

Charlie Weasley. The look quickly morphed into one of utter pain as the name of another son was read. Mrs. Weasley, whose sobs had just begun to fade, cried with great force once more as it became Charlie’s turn to comfort and console his family.

Tortured and killed by Death Eaters for refusing to reveal the location of his family. “Nothing in this world, nothing at all, no threat, no amount of pain would ever get me to give up my family. Never.” Charlie said, more offended at the thought that anyone could even think it was a possibility, even if they were Death Eaters.

G…George W…W…Weasley, Mrs. Weasley let out a silent sob. The fierce, strong mother looked broken. The pain in her eyes was unfathomable to comprehend. Her eyes were sunken, tears still falling, but they saw nothing as she clutched George and her other children.

Merlin, hearing George’s name hurt. The older boy has been there for Harry since the beginning. He became a confidant, an older brother. Someone whose presence offered protection, understanding, and belonging.

It was George that helped Harry understand what his feelings for Fred meant. Informed Harry that even if what he felt for another boy wasn’t accepted in the Muggle World, that wasn’t the case in the Magical World. Taught Harry to accept who he was without hearing the words of Vernon’s hate echoing in his head.

It was George’s words of acceptance and encouragement that Harry recited like a mantra when his uncle’s words tried to get louder and choke him.

An…Andromeda Tonks, “No one is laying a hand, a finger, on my wife. No one.” A seething hiss came from Ted, more menacing than even Nagini had sounded in the graveyard and Harry’s dreams.

“They try and I’ll cut them off, shove them down their throats, stab them in the eye with their own wand, and watch them flail.” It was quiet, deadly, and rang with truth for all to hear within the Great Hall.

A glint entered Mr. Weasley’s eyes as he stared at Ted, seeming to roll the idea in his head, and smiling at whatever thought he had come to.

Lucius Malfoy stared at Ted with open surprise and a slack jaw.

Narcissa looked at her brother-in-law with approval, eyes clear as she had not even had the time to let the thought of her sister dying settle in her mind at Ted’s instant declaration.

Harry…

Well, Harry was in much the same boat as Narcissa. Even though he had only met Andromeda yesterday, she was his aunt, his family. Andromeda had been nothing but kind and loving to him, accepting him instantly into her family, heart, and arms. Yet, before he could even react to her death, even in his own mind and heart, Ted’s hiss broke free and now Harry cannot help but think that his father’s family was a fool for disowning Andromeda for marrying a Muggleborn.

Ted may be a Muggleborn, but his words would put even the most vile of the Black family to shame.

Sirius and Tonks looked as if they expected nothing less of the man, even as a few tears still escaped both.

“I like him.” Regulus said with a bright smile.

“I’ll help.” Regulus said, looking at Ted.

“No.” Sirius, Andromeda, Narcissa, and Professor Snape said in unison.

Regulus pouted and crossed his arms.

And R…R…Rubeus Hagrid. It hurt. Merlin, did it hurt.

Hagrid had been the first person to show him kindness. The one who told him he was a wizard, giving him a chance of a better life.

He had gifted Hedwig to him on his eleventh birthday.

The first true and most precious gift he had ever received.

His heart clenched painfully at the thought of the giant man with an even bigger heart. The kindness he showed Harry when writing a letter and sending it by owl post inviting him to tea. He could’ve just asked in person, but instead sent the owl. Hagrid knew Harry wouldn’t receive any mail from his relatives so he took it upon himself to do something for Harry his family wouldn’t.

Tortured, killed, and bodies hung in Diagon Alley for refusing to give the location of the homes for orphans created for those who lost their parents in the war. It was his fault.

His fault they were dead.

Not since hearing about the deaths of Sirius and Fred had Harry felt this immeasurable pain.

Harry wept.

Once the tears started they couldn’t stop. The guilt he felt, the loss, he felt it keenly. He felt it completely.

His whole body shook with the force of his sobs, but no sound came out. Curling in on himself from the pain of it.

It was his fault that they died.

Andromeda, for she would have taken it upon herself to look after Harry when Sirius died.

Hagrid, for he had met Harry’s relatives and knew he was not treated well.

George.

Oh Merlin, George.

George. His friend, his brother. He knew better than any of the others except Fred, and he would have been with Harry every step of the way.

It was both Fred and George that Harry opened up to about what he had wished for growing up. How, instead of living with relatives that hated him, that he was raised by someone who could love him. Someone that would have cared for him.

It was during these talks that an idea formed in Harry’s mind. He couldn’t be the only Magical orphan. He couldn’t be the only child who grew up in a home with relatives who were scared of and hated Magick.

What if there was somewhere that children who were either could be placed and grow up with the love, care, and acceptance that all children deserve?

After the war, a war that would have killed so many. A war that would have left so many children without parents. There’s no doubt that Harry would have been the one to initiate such a thing.

There’s no doubt that George would be right there beside him, every step of the way. Especially with Fred dead, George would have worked on it for the both of them.

Harry felt strong arms pick him up and place him on the lap belonging to them. He couldn’t see, too blinded by tears, but instinctively knew who it was. He'd felt the protection of them before, that which only an older brother could offer.

“Shhh, it’s alright, baby brother. I’m here, I got you. Words that were supposed to calm Harry made him weep all the harder.

George just held him tight until the tears finally stopped.

Lucius Malfoy. Tortured by Rabastan and Rudolphus Lestrange, Corban Yaxley, and Walden Macnair for information regarding the remaining Order of the Phoenix and Hogwarts Defenders. Was able to free himself. Instead of escaping, he set the entire manor on fire with Fiendfyre, killing himself and every Death Eater inside. Successfully keeping his vow to avenge his wife, daughter-in-law, and grandson. For someone who had just had his death read to him, he looked remarkably calm.

In fact, Lucius Malfoy looked extremely satisfied with a smirk on his face.

That was, until he saw his son’s shoulders trembling, and heard the soft sniffles. Mr. Malfoy's entire self softened as he pulled his son close to him, cradling Draco’s head to his chest. His eyes met those of his wife, and he gave her a loving smile. Narcissa gave him one of hers in return. Tears flowed from her eyes as she grabbed his free hand with one of hers.

Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout. Killed when Death Eaters and Giants attacked Kings Cross Station on September 1st. Their deaths allowed the students to escape on the Hogwarts Express and gave time for reinforcements to arrive to ensure the students made it to Hogwarts safely. Both Heads of Houses did not flinch at the news of their deaths. Instead, their faces were filled with pride.

If they were to die, they would do so willingly, happily, to save the children in their care.

Though they did not become distressed for themselves, their Houses were. All throughout, the students wearing blue and yellow started crying softly.

Dedalus Diggle. Killed when he collapsed the bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses to stop the Giants from following. Diggle paled several shades, but his back straightened, and his chest puffed out in pride at doing what he set out to do. He had set out to protect the most innocent of their population. All around him, his fellow Order members gave him soft claps to the shoulder and back as they said brief words of pride. Gradually, the color returned to him with each acknowledgement.

Even Professor McGonagall gave the man a smile of pride.

Neville Longbottom and Theodore Nott. Sacrificed their lives in the defense of St. Mungo’s during the Seven Days of Sorrow. Quiet, choked sobbing came from Augusta Longbottom as she held her grandson to her, as Luna held tightly to his hand.

Across the Hall, Blaise had a death grip on Theo’s hand, vowing to himself to never let the boy out of his sight again.

Susan Bones. An excruciating heart-wrenching sound came from Amelia as she stared at her niece. The sound of it made Sirius flinch and his face fell and shattered as he looked at the expression of despair on her face.

“Mia, look at her. She is alive, she is safe. I swear I will do everything in my power to keep her that way.” Sirius said to the love of his life who looked at him with desolate eyes until she saw the conviction in his. Putting a trembling hand over her mouth trying to keep anymore sobs from breaking through, Amelia nodded her head to show she would trust and believe his father’s words.

Targeted, ambushed, tortured, and killed for being a Hogwarts Defender during the Seven Days of Sorrow. A softer quieter sob broke through as Amelia stared at her niece as if she was scared that she’d disappear if she took her eyes off her.

Angelina Johnson, Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, and Dean Thomas. Died defending a newly created Magical village during the Seven Days of Sorrow. With a depressingly startling realization, Harry realized that he was the sole survivor of his Quidditch family. A few tears escaped his eyes at the thought.

Catalina Zabini. Theo wrapped his arms around Blaise as a quiet keening sound escaped through his bloody lips. There was a small tear in his lip as if the sound of devastation physically tore through him, unable to be kept down even as he bit his lip to try.

Sacrificed her life to destroy the remnants of a group of Occultisti who fought for Voldemort. His dark handsome features were still marred by the devastation but understanding lit his eyes.

Adrian Prucey and Arthur Weasley. Kissed by Dementors while Sacrificing their lives for the fledgling Ministry during the Seven Days of Sorrow. Mrs. Weasley looked nearly lifeless after being reminded of her husband’s death after hearing how so many of her children had died.

Ernie MacMillan. Targeted, ambushed, tortured, and killed for being a Hogwarts Defender during the Seven Days of Sorrow. Justin stared at his best friend, horror stricken to hear what had become of the other boy who so readily offered his friendship and insight into the world that was so new to him when he was a scared, shivering eleven-year-old.

Fleur Weasley nee Delacour. “We get married” Fleur said happily, as she gave Bill a beautiful smile, unperturbed about hearing about her death.

Bill stared back at the beautiful part Veela, eyes full of love and sadness as they misted over with tears.

“Yeah, we did.” Bill said as he lovingly cupped her face and brought her in for a sweet tender kiss.

Killed when Death Eaters set the family home on fire with Fiendfyre. She sacrificed her life to save the lives of her daughter Victoire, Fleur’s previous dismissal of her death morphed into an intense, frightening rage. She may not have transformed like the Veela from the Quidditch World Cup, but her fury far outmatched theirs combined.

“They dare go after my daughter? Try to kill my child? The product of my and Bill’s love? I will kill each and every one of them.” The beautiful silvery haired woman said in a seething hiss with such ferocity that it burned more intensely than the fires of hell.

And her sister-in-law, Ginny. Mrs. Weasley let out another sob and within the next moment she had Fleur wrapped in her arms, who seemed completely shocked at the action.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter.” She said reverently, lovingly, as she held onto the younger woman. Fleur melted into the other woman’s embrace, and wrapped her arms around the mother in return.

“There is no need to thank me. You will be family, and she will be my sister just as much as Gabrielle is.” The sincerity in Fleur’s voice made the Weasley matriarch weep. Fleur held her tighter.

When Mrs. Weasley calmed down once more, she pulled away slightly and gave Fleur a gentle pat on the cheek.

“Your and Bill’s daughter will be the most beautiful little darling in the world.”

R…R…Ron W…We…Weasley His first friend.

His best friend.

The person who made Harry a part of his family.

Harry felt an arm wrap around his shaking shoulders and leaned into the touch unconsciously. It was second nature, something that Harry had done thousands of times. Turning his head, Harry looked into smiling blue eyes within a pale, freckled face.

“From the age of eleven, I decided I would follow you anywhere you went. I knew what that meant. I was aware of the risks. I knew from the moment I understood that we would have to go through that trapped door, that my life would not be a guarantee.” There was no hesitation in Ron’s eyes then, just as there isn’t any now. Only unwavering love and loyalty.

“And I went anyway. Do you know why?” Harry felt Hermione on the other side of him as she wrapped both her arms around his waist and felt her rest her chin on his shoulder. He knew she was crying as well. The soft sniffles were a giveaway.

This was a moment for the three of them, regardless of the room full of onlookers. They didn’t matter, just them three. Harry and the two people who have been with him through everything.

“Because I knew that my best mate, my little brother, would need me. That your chances of surviving, of getting through whatever hell may come would be made easier if I was there. If I was there to stand by your side, to help, to support you.” He was taken back to that night in the Shrieking Shack when they still believed Sirius was there to kill him. How Ron, his best mate, stood up on his broken leg to stand between him and what he thought was a threat to Harry’s life. The way that Ron has stood up for him, had his back this entire year when the others would scorn him for simply telling the truth that Voldemort was back.

“I have never regretted that decision, and I never will.” Hermione squeezed him slightly tighter to show that she agreed with Ron’s words.

Harry couldn’t help but love them all the more.

“I’m a Weasley, and there isn’t a thing in this world that we wouldn’t do for our family. That’s what you are, Harry. Family. You’ll always be my family.” Ron had proven that to be nothing but pure truth time and time again. Opening his family up to Harry willingly, happily, and making Harry one of them.

“So, stop crying about my death. That applies to you as well, Hermione.” The three of them let out watery chuckles, unable to keep the tears from flowing. However, they were able to bear everything the world throws at them together.

“However, I had died, it wasn’t your fault. None of it, none of these deaths are your fault. Do you know how I know that? Because there is no question in my mind that you would have given your life to save every single one of us.” The conviction in Ron’s voice is unquestionable. As is his love and trust in Harry.

He can’t lose Ron.

He can’t lose any of them.

“Including Malfoy Senior.” Ron said with a slight glare at the man.

“Ron, nearly your entire…your entire family died because of me.” Harry barely manages to choke out.

“When is it going to get into your thick skull, Potter?” Ginny says with exasperated fondness.

“You may not have the red hair.” Bill says with a teasing grin.

“Or the rugged good looks.” Charlie says with a slight smirk.

“Or the fiery temper.” Percy said with a small smile.

“Your last name may be Potter.” There’s a spark in George’s eyes.

“Your blood may be Black.” Pure love in Fred’s face.

“But you’re a Weasley.” Every single Weasley, parents and children, said at once.

“You both are.” Both Weasley parents said to Harry and Hermione with the same looks of love they look at their own children with.

“Besides, what’s the point in crying over my death? I have the two most amazing, powerful, capable people to make sure it doesn’t happen a second time.” The three of them wrapped their arms around each other.

This is how they were going to get through this.

The way they got through everything.

Together.

“We’re good here, Professor.” Ron said with a smile to their Head of House.

a…and Ed…Edward “Teddy” Lu…Lupin-P…P…Potter. Confusion and bewilderment ran rampant in Harry as he was unable to comprehend the words.

Lupin-Potter?

Harry couldn’t help but look at Remus who gave him a teary, adoring look in return.

T…Teddy was the son of R…R…Remus and T…Tonks Lupin, and Godson to H…Harry Potter. Sirius’ sharp inhale and wide eyed look of understanding followed by the look of pride and pain as he stared at Harry with made his stomach tie into knots. His father then looked at Remus who smiled and nodded in return, and Harry knew that whatever Remus had figured out so quickly, his father now realized as well.

After b…both his parents d…died, H…H…Harry B…Blood Adopted Teddy. It felt like a punch to the gut. All the air was knocked out of him.

The words echo in his head.

Blood Adopted.

Harry had done for Teddy what Sirius had done for him.

Teddy would be his son just as much as Harry was Sirius'.

His son.

His to love, his to raise, his to make laugh, his to take care of, his to protect.

Unlike Sirius, Harry had failed Teddy.

Failed the little boy that he made his. Just as Harry had failed the boy’s birth parents.

“It wasn’t me, love.” A voice brought Harry back from his spiral down into the abyss of despair and self-loathing and he looked into eyes full of love.

“It wasn’t me that you bent time for. It was for your son. A son you could not live without.” Fred pressed his forehead to Harry's and he felt like breaking.

“A son I failed. The same son whose parents I failed.” Barely before Harry managed to finish his words, he was ripped from Fred’s arms and engulfed in arms covered in a worn, warm cardigan.

Moony.

“Remus, I’m sorry. I’m so so so sorry. I failed you. I failed Tonks. You charged me with protecting Teddy, with protecting your son and I failed.” Harry cried into the man’s chest.

Instead of pushing him away and letting him shatter as Harry sobbed out his failure, Remus held him close, tight, tenderly. Remus held him until his sobs stopped and Harry could no longer hold himself up on his own. Sitting Harry down, Remus knelt in front of him, forcing Harry to look into the pools of liquid gold.

“I want you to listen to me, Harry. If there is one thing that I do not regret in that time, it would be making you the godfather of my child. Even if Sirius had survived, you would be my choice. I was just proven right that I made the best choice for Teddy.” The pools of gold turned harder than steel, unbending faith lighting the rich tones.

“You helped create a way to travel through time. You brought us all here. You sacrificed a part of yourself for all of us to read books about you. Know what it would do, how it would affect you. Yet, you did it anyway. You did, for Teddy. For everyone. I could not have left my son in more loving, capable hands than yours. You have proved that time and time again.” Gold eyes stared into emerald, full of love and trust, pleading for Harry to listen, to believe the older man.

Tonks came up from behind Remus and placed a hand on Harry’s cheek.

“Remus is right, Harry. If Remus and I couldn’t raise our son, I’m happy you’re the one who did. I know that there wouldn't be a day that he wouldn’t feel loved. That there wouldn’t be a day you wouldn’t tell him stories about us so that even if he didn’t remember us, it wouldn’t mean he wouldn’t know us.” The earnestness in her beautiful heart-shaped face squeezed Harry’s heart like a vice.

It helped put his shattered pieces back together.

Harry launched himself at the two and they both hugged him back with equal force.

They were o...one of the final d…deaths of the Seven Days of S…Sorrow. R…R…Ron h…had used his own b…body to pro….protect T…Teddy after his wand was de…destroyed. The Seve...Severing Curse was so strong that it cut through both of them. His best friend died trying to protect his son. Died like he would have to protect Harry.

Harry looked at Ron and both their eyes met.

Ron gave him a smile, a smile that said he would do it again. Tears escaped Harry's eyes without a fight at the thought.

P…Percy W…Weasley. Mrs. Weasley held her son to her tightly, tears streaming down her face as she heard about the death of another child.

Every child. Every male Weasley child was dead. The only ones that had lived were Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Victoire.

Each death would have killed a part of the Weasley matriarch, making her a shell of herself.

Harry swore he would not let the woman experience that pain. He would not let those fates touch the family that made him a part of them. 

Mr. Weasley sat, holding his wife and children, but there was a look in his eye that honestly terrified Harry. It spoke of violence, of a deathly promise.

It was a look that would send fear into the hearts of anyone who looked into the man’s eyes.

Mr. Weasley faced the news of his death head on, with grace, as he comforted his family.

After hearing about the death of one child after the other, of a daughter-in-law, about the near death of his granddaughter, something was let loose.

It was something vicious. Something that Voldemort and his followers would soon come to regret.

Died after witnessing the death of his little brother and nephew. Overcome with grief, he ran at the attackers, killing half a dozen and a giant before succumbing to his wounds. Percy’s siblings had a mixture of surprised, impressed, and pride on their tear-stained faces.

“Way to go Perce!” Both twins cheered their older brother who blushed at their praise.

Harry saw as the third eldest Weasley boy sat up straighter at the words and looks of admiration that his siblings were giving him.

There is no need for us to imagine, for we know and understand the pain you all feel at hearing these names read and the fate that befalls them. It is the pain we feel each and every day since their loss. Pain that has caused us to come up with this plan, to follow through with it even when fear gripped us. Looking around, Harry took in all the faces clouded in despair, and misery at hearing about so many lost.

If they had to live through it…it wouldn’t be living at all. It’s no wonder their future selves did what they did and brought everyone here.

Please, use everything we have given you, this time, these books, all the information and do better than we did. Do what we couldn’t. Save each other. Save Magick. Save the future. There was no way that Harry wouldn’t do what the letter said.

He would do everything in his power to stop all of this from happening.

The next reading will be the first book detailing the first year of Harry’s time at Hogwarts. Unlike these last letters, anyone present will be able to read the books, but all must be present to do so. “Thank, Merlin.” Professor McGonagall mumbled under her breath.

Everyone still heard her.

In the hope for a better future, we Sacrifice our lives for this chance,

Hermione Granger,

Ginny Weasley,

Blaise Zabini,

Luna Lovegood,

Hannah Abbott,

Draco Malfoy,

Kreature,

And Harry Potter

P.S. Remus, no need to worry about passing on lycanthropy to Teddy. The most that happens is that he becomes incredibly hyperactive during the full moon. He was my greatest joy and my dearest love. There isn’t one thing I would change about my Little Moon except to give him back both you and Tonks. A tenseness that was in Remus’ shoulders loosened and Harry couldn’t help but notice that he looked like he was 15 years younger.

As Professor McGonagall read the last word of the letter, the smallest book at the top of the pile on the Head Table glowed brightly. Dumbledore, who sat closest, picked it up.

“Harry Potter. Year One.” Harry couldn’t help but gulp as everyone looked at him.

“I think it would be best if we removed the House Tables and benches. We will be reading these for quite some time, and I believe that much of what we read may be troubling. To make it easier, it would be better if we could at least be comfortable while doing so. If everyone would please stand and make your way against the walls so I may proceed.” Everyone got up and did as the Headmaster said.

With a few waves of his wand, the House tables and benches were replaced with couches, loveseats, sofa chairs and beanbags. There were also plenty of pillows and blankets thrown over each. Small end tables and coffee tables appeared as well with goblets, and jugs of water, and juice.

“You all may take your seats and get comfortable.” Everyone made their way, claiming either a couch, loveseat, chair or beanbag.

Harry sat on a couch, sandwiched between his father and Fred, with Remus on Sirius’ other side. Tonks made herself comfortable on the lap of Remus, whose face was a bright red. Her legs were thrown over the armrest of the couch. Regulus sat on a beanbag at Sirius’ and Harry’s feet. Hermione and Ron shared another beanbag next to Harry’s uncle, in front of Harry and Fred. George had turned a chair, so he sat next to Fred, facing his twin, and put his legs over the couch’s armrest to prop his feet on his twin. Ginny lay across George’s lap as her legs dangled over the armrest of his chair, much like Tonks.

The others who were a part of Harry’s group were spread out but still close. It made Harry feel comforted to have them all so near him.

Looking around, he noticed that many in the Great Hall had groups much like his. Especially those who had heard their names read, and those closest to them.

Suddenly, a glint underneath one of the coffee tables not too far away caught Harry’s eye. Getting up and slightly stumbling over his uncle and best friend, Harry walked over to find out what it was. Picking it up he saw it was a ring, a silver signet ring with a blue stone. As he sat back down in his spot, a closer look revealed a tree carved into the surface of the stone whose band was fashioned to resemble branches.

“What do you have there, Harry?” His father asked him.

“A ring.” Harry shows Sirius whose jaw drops, and eyes widen. His father took the ring with shaking hands and stared at it unblinkingly.

“Dearborn.” The word is choked out.

Or rather, the name is.

“What?” Remus sits up, leaning closer to Sirius, jostling Tonks in the process.

“His Family’s Signet.” There’s grief in his father’s face and Harry doesn’t understand.

Thump thump thump thump thump.

“Give me that.” Moody says as he snatches the ring out of Sirius’ hand. His father barely notices which worries Harry.

“This is the ring of Caradoc Dearborn.” Moody says.

Harry knows he heard that name before but can't place it.

“Let me see that.” Emmeline says as she takes it from Moody, much how Moody had taken it from Sirius.

The woman held the ring and Harry saw the moment when she recognized it. Her face crumpled, tears streaming down as she nearly fell if not for Hestia catching her.

“Who’s Caradoc?” Ron asked, uncharacteristically gently.

“Caradoc Dearborn was part of the Order of the Phoenix during Voldemort’s first rise to power.” Moody said.

Harry remembers now.

“We never did find his body.” Moody finished gruffly.

“But…how did this get here?" Emmeline’s voice was broken. A stark difference to the reaction the woman had to her own death.

Harry remembered what his uncle said after the attack of the Inferi. What fate awaited him after his death.

That’s how.

“The Inferi.” Regulus said, staring at his shaking hands.

Leaning forward, Harry clasped his uncle’s hands in his, staring into his eyes.

That’s not your future. Your future is with us. With your family.

Regulus gave him a wobbly smile in return.

“Dear Merlin.” Elphias Doge said aghast.

“The Inferi were once people. Voldemort would have loved the chance to use the very people that fought against him.” Remus snarled, grief and fury coating every word.

“Then if we can, we find out who they are. We have to at least try.” Regulus could have been one and they would have never known.

Harry doesn’t believe anyone deserves that fate

Every Order member looked at Harry.

"We will." Amelia said, looking at Kingsley and Tonks, who nodded at the look on their superior's face.

With that decided, everyone took their seats once more.

"If it is alright with everyone, I will read the first chapter. After that a volunteer can read a chapter each so that no one person has to read everything." There were sounds of agreement throughout the room.

Chapter One: The Boy Who Lived.

Art I made for this fic

Harry Potter:

Sirius Black:

Regulus Black: