The Lost Boy
It's hard not to hate people, things, institutions, when they break your spirit and are pleased to see you bleed, hate is the only feeling that makes sense. But I know what hate does to a man, it tears him apart, it turns him into something he isn't, something he promised himself he would never be; is what I need to tell you, to let you know how hard I try not to sink under the weight of all the horrible things I feel in my heart.
Sometimes my life seems like a deadly balancing act, what I feel colliding with what I should do impulsive reactions running toward solutions miles away from my brain; When I remember my day I realize that most of it was spent cleaning up the damage from the previous day in that life I have no future I only have distraction and remorse I buried my best friend three days ago and although it sounds trite I left part of me in that coffin, a part I barely knew, a part I'll never see again; Every day is a new box children open it and see what is inside it is you who determine if it is a gift or a coffin.
一Jax Teller
((Beginning of chapter)) ((Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Mercy Seat Live from KCRW plays))
30-06-1995
It has only been 1 week since the death of Ron Weasley at the hands of Wormtail and the resurrection of Voldemort, for Harry this has represented not being able to sleep because when he closes his eyes he sees the last moments of his best friend as the cutting curse caused him to release his wand falling to the ground kneeling clutching his chest to finally hear the word he hates the most in this life.
Avada Kedavra
But there was something that has kept him alert, something that has prevented him from going crazy, managing to put his emotions in line or at least controlling them, achieving that emotions returned as fear became fuel that fed him and the hatred that was in his heart became its engine being fed every second, every minute, every hour; I hate wormtail, I hate Lucius Malfoy, I hate Barty Crouch JR, I hate all those who carry the dark mark, but above all I hate Tom Marvolo Riddle
Hermione goes through the pain of losing one of her first friends and the boy she liked with deep sorrow mixed with melancholy, but above all anger and hatred towards the Death Eaters but especially the man or rather rat who executed Ron, her name was Peter Pettigrew; He now understood Sirius better and Remus understood his pain, his anger; Now her thoughts were in line despite only seeing 3 hours asleep while the other 5 she dedicated to crying and reading the magical dueling books she had, she knew that Harry would go to war and she would be there, covering his back, supporting him, he was the brother she always dreamed of having and she wasn't going to let him be taken away from her.
Neville, his head was like a violent game of tennis his emotions alternated with each hit of the ball and then returned it with another, but alternating between anger and sadness, sadness at losing a good friend, partner and anger at having one of those responsible for the situation of his parents in front of him and not realizing when it was too late, a dementor had stolen the opportunity to send the spawn of Crouch jr straight to hell, he knew instantly that he heard Harry say the words when they came home from school.
"I'm going to kill them, all of them, I'm going to kill them"
He was going to go to war with him, because he was his friend, because it was something for which his parents would be proud of him, but above all for revenge, he has a trio whom he has already chosen as the ones to kill his Names.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Rabastan Lestrange
Rodulphus Lestrange
Theo was another case too, but in his case he had a way of lightening his thoughts early in the morning after having breakfast with his uncle they went out to drive on their motorcycles, riding his motorcycle had an enlightening effect on his mind all on his motorcycle it became simpler, easier, something that his normal life to his regret was no longer like that.
Keeping his eyes fixed, he noticed that they had gotten quite far from the city, they took a route surrounded by forests and what he could glimpse as a lake, continuing to drive, even accelerating at the risk of losing control, but his instincts or his luck were not going to allow him to had an accident, he continued until he saw his uncle stop at a viewpoint in front of the lake, next to his uncle's motorcycle, he took off his helmet, moved his hair that fell into his left eye, the pure air of the field contracted with the air polluted by factories from Birmingham.
He sat with half of his body leaning against his motorcycle holding his left leg, the same as his uncle dressed in black, he wore tight black jeans along with dark burgundy dragon skin boots, below he wore a black shirt and above his black leather jacket.
—How have you and your friends been?— FP asked.
—Well, I think it's difficult, it's not every night you see how one of your friends is murdered and then see his corpse only to find out later that the damned king of idiots is coming back through a damned rite— Theo affirmed, taking out a pack of cigarettes —Harry he's good at best angry with everyone, Neville was in a state of fury when he found out that Crouch jr orchestrated everything, Hermione don't even say it, Daphne has told me that she is doing everything she can to support Harry the same with Blaise don't forget that not only was his friend Ron killed but also Ron his brother-in-law and his girlfriend's brother, Tracey has spent a lot of time with Fred, Cedric feels guilty, Luna well does the best she can.
—And what about you? —FP asked again.
—I'm angry, they killed one of my friends, but I try to be rational in all this but it's not easy, when Harry told us that Jensen was there I swear to God I wanted to kill him—answered Theo.
—I understand son, I understand the feeling I also felt it when I was 21 a Muggle-born friend was murdered it was the beginning of the Death Eaters and their damned crusade, when I knew that one of those who killed him was my old man I also wanted to kill him, but time later I found out that he had died of kidney failure, karma is a curious thing, but what I'm going for is that whatever you're going to do, don't let it burn you if you're going to go to war I want you to remember a few words— I affirm FP.
—Which ones?— I ask intrigued.
—Burn smoke, not your soul—said FP—it means that despite what you are going to do, don't let it contaminate you, don't drag you down.
—Then you know what I'll do— Theo affirmed while his uncle nodded with resignation—I can't leave them, they are my family, the only one I have, I can't let those bastards kill them one by one when I can do something.
—I know, son, and even if you don't believe it, I'm proud to see that you are the perfect archetype of a Slytherin, loyal, brave, cunning and ambitious— he assured, putting his hand on his nephew's shoulder— I just want what you are going to do not consume you.
—It won't, I'll burn smoke not my soul— assured Theo.
—I hope so—putting on her glasses—time to go back, we have to be in the burrow for the funeral in an hour.
—I know, it's weird to think that I won't see that red-haired bastard anymore —I comment with melancholy for his fallen friend.
((Avenged Sevenfold's Victim starts playing))
On the other hand, in Crawley, Hermione was getting ready to go to the funeral of one of her first friends and the boy with whom she had her first kiss, missed him and it hurt her that this insipient feeling she had towards him would never progress anything else.
I finish with her hair, she wears a simple black dress with no neckline, along with a black jacket and matching heels that are not very high, she combed her hair in a braid that fell to her left side, she was still surprised as it was only a matter of time before could finally tame her hair; Then when she finished she saw a photo that had been taken of her for Harry's birthday last year, it showed Ron to Harry's left, Harry in the center and her to the right, a single tear fell on her cheek.
She wiped away her tears so as not to spoil her makeup, which, no matter how light it was, was when the door opened, and her father appeared, dressed in a black suit, he and her mother were going to accompany her to the funeral.
—Princess, can we talk for a second?— her father asked.
—Yes daddy. What's going on? —He asked sitting on the edge of his bed.
—Look, I know that today is a difficult day for you and for all your friends, I also know that things will turn dangerous because the “king of idiots” returned from the grave—her father assured her, surprising her because she didn't told him nothing about Voldemort's return.
—How do you know? —I question.
—A few nights ago, Sirius along with Matthias came to tell us what was happening in that damn tournament—said the patriarch of the Granger family—I know that a war is coming and to my regret you and Harry will be involved.
—Dad, if you try— he was about to protest when his father raised his hand for him to stop.
—You are my daughter and Harry is like the son I would have liked to have, under no circumstances would I be in favor of them being in the line of combat, but unfortunately it is like that, what I want to say is that I love them both so whatever Whatever they are going to do, I will be calmer knowing that they are together fighting those idiots who look like the KKK—his father assured—that is why I hope that whenever this ends, my two children will be well and alive.
—I understand, but what was all this about?— I ask, intrigued.
—Because after that talk I talked to your “uncles” Slade, Oliver and Michael—as soon as I mentioned them she recognized the names instantly.
They were former marines, that her father met when he was part of the active service, as far as she knew, they worked in military-grade security companies and were among the most dangerous people she knew before entering Hogwarts.
—But, dad, they know about me, about the fact that I'm a witch—she freaked out a little about that fact.
—Daughter, something you have to know is that they or at least Michael was the partner of a witch like you and Slade and Oliver are one of those squibs—assured her father.
—That means that they are aware of the existence of the magical world— his father agreed then a doubt jumped in his mind —but why did you call them?
—I called them up for training, although the fact that you and Harry know self-defense gives you an advantage however small, if you have training like the three of them even if they lose their wands they can get out alive because they will know how to defend themselves without them, because from what you have told me, those Death Eaters without their wands are nothing—said his father.
Hermione's mind carefully analyzed each of her father's words and found logic that learning to defend themselves as soldiers would give them a great advantage not only because of the physical resistance they acquired but also because their magic would become stronger because they remembered the words from the father of her friend Daphne.
“Most wizards get by on the fact that they can use their magic for everything that they get lazy that they forget that if the physical state is bad or at least unhealthy, the magic will become weaker so what will not be as powerful as they could be obviously there were exceptions like Harry, Dumbledore and Moldyshorts, but that could be attributed to nature itself.
Under that criterion, he decided that the wisest thing would be to tell his friends what his father told them.
—I understand and when would we meet with them?— I ask again.
—After I spoke with them they told me that between today and tomorrow we could meet with them for this—assured his father, when he remembered something he spoke with Slade—ah, Slade says that the training he will give them will be 100% of what They know all kinds of combat, physical, marksmanship and will demand their 100% from all of you.
—I couldn't ask for less— Hermione affirmed knowing her "uncle".
At Longbottom Hall, Neville was getting ready tying his tie as he looked at himself in the mirror so as not to make any mistakes, he closed his eyes for a moment then a moment from a week ago came to his mind.
Flash back
One week ago
Neville, was in the infirmary with Harry on the stretcher resting, for his part he was still trying to accept what he saw, the image of Ron's corpse did not escape his mind he simply could not stop seeing his pale face, with a strange smile, his eyes dull, his chest with a cut that extended from his left side to his shoulder.
Hermione had been taken to the common room followed by Tracey, Luna, Astoria and Ginny, followed by Seamus and Dean who told her that they wouldn't let anything happen to her friend, so she couldn't help but walk until a stretcher where a man he was asleep, the man's appearance was deplorable and frankly he stank, but other than that he recognized the face of the person in front of him.
He was neither more nor less than Bartemius "Barty" Crouch Jr.
The mere fact of seeing the face of the cause of the tragic death of his friend, the return of Voldemort but above all the fact of having tortured his parents until the unfortunate state they were in; He made the vindictive streak in him take control at a slow pace he approached the Death Eater's unconscious body when he was close enough he covered Barty's neck with his hands and began to squeeze him with all his might, he knew what he was doing. he was strangling but he only had one thought.
Revenge.
He watched as Barty woke up starting to struggle trying to get out of Neville's death grip but he was tied hand and foot, Neville put all the hatred he felt into his grip, all those feelings of anger, sadness and hatred spread over Barty's grip. dark-haired, the Death Eater's face went from a sickly red to a purple, the air began to lack in Barty, Neville had a serious face he was about to finish him off, it was only a matter of seconds and he would be dead.
It was then that he felt arms surrounding him taking him from the birth of his arms and his torso.
—Neville, let go of him— Blaise's voice heard, as he felt himself being pulled.
— Damn, drop it, shit—Theo yelled pulling him.
—Let go of the fuck, I have to kill him, he has to let me kill him— Neville yelled when they finally managed to get him off Crouch, being dragged out of the infirmary.
The Death Eater saw how those boys took the boy who was strangling him when to his terror a dementor appeared, he wanted to close his lips, but it was impossible, his lips connected with the stinking and deplorable lips of the dark creature during what was a eternity for Crouch when the dementor finally released him leaving nothing but an empty shell of what was once Barty Crouch Jr.
Barty Crouch Jr's last thought was that he wished the boy who was strangling him had finished the job.
End of flashback
The simple fact of having in his hands the neck to which he had done so much damage to his family made hatred begin to corrode him practically in a matter of weeks he had been left without a family, first his godmother and by marriage his godfather, then his parents and it was all caused by two people.
Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
His anger was such that he was squeezing his hand tightly remembering once again seeing his friend's corpse on the ground next to a saddened and badly injured Harry and a completely disoriented and deeply sad Cedric; all the people he valued suffered because of the death eaters, that inflamed him even more until he couldn't control himself anymore.
Hitting the mirror with his closed fist which cracked and broke in part as a result of the force with which Neville hit the glass, he looked at the broken mirror for a moment as it is cracked in the line of his face to his neck, then he looked at his hand who was bleeding, seeing the cuts next to some pieces of glass stuck in his skin, still felt anger, but he felt something more noticeable than anger.
Pain.
The pain hammering into his heart and soul like a blacksmith working metal while the anger fueled him like a forge the pain hammered so hard and steady it kept hammering again and again, ever so endless ever so steady, hardening him harder he let that feeling would feed and stimulate him like the most pleasurable drug because at that moment the only real thing, the only real feeling he felt was pain.
He was lost in his reflection until he heard the sound of the door opening, he turned to find his grandmother, when she saw him she thought she saw a ghost, that look she had already seen so many years ago, she knew her well and thought she didn't. I would see again, that look full of sadness, anger, hatred and pain; It was the same look Frank Longbottom had when he returned from his last year at Hogwarts and found out that the Death Eaters had murdered Finnick Longbottom, her husband and Frank's father.
—Neville, are you okay?— he asked his grandson.
Which only moved to the left revealing the broken mirror that had blood stains and his bloody hand.
—No, I'm not and I don't think I ever have been since my family was harmed and seeing Ron's body last week just made something inside me, something I'd been tasked with burying, start fighting to get out of my head his grave, first I could feel him hitting the coffin until he finally broke it and emerged from the ground—Neville assured.
—What are you talking about?—He asked again.
To tell the truth she knew what his grandson was referring to but she needed him to bring out what he had inside of him.
—My anger, my hatred, my rage, my sadness and my pain—I affirm with a tone of voice that she had never heard from her grandson—I buried all that as I grew older, the more time passed, the more I self-convinced or rather I lied to myself that it was over but the truth is different.
—What is it?— she asked, being certain of what was going through her grandson's head.
—That nothing ended, it didn't really end, only someone stopped it, but something stops doesn't always mean it's over, and in this case the war didn't end, it just stopped, now they restarted it —then Augusta understood what her grandson was referring to.
—From now on Neville, I forbid you to get involved in any of this— he ordered his grandson.
What he didn't know is that his grandson was no longer the insecure child that he saw grow up more and more every day she became like his father and he was about to prove it.
—How do you expect me not to get involved! — I shout waving his bloody hand — How do you expect me not to involve when I saw how my godmother's son returned from a damn cemetery where one of my first friends was murdered and saw how the bastard son of a bitch who was in charge of screwing up our lives came back, and you tell me not to get involved, how dare you tell me that!
—I dare say it because I'm not going to see my grandson in a hospital bed after being tortured to insanity like my son and daughter-in-law— Augusta yelled.
—That's where you're wrong, because I'll die before I'm done, so I'd rather you leave me flowers at a grave than go see me at a damn hospital like—he didn't finish because he felt his grandmother's hand hit his cheek.
—Don't you dare continue those sentences young man— she hissed with an intimidating look.
What I don't expect is that Neville didn't look intimidated but rather looked at her with disregard.
—Whatever you say, now if you'll excuse me I'll tell Lucy to heal my hand and then I'll go bury my friend, so if you'll excuse me—leaving her grandmother speechless.
I walk to his side when he turned around with his good hand and took out his wand or rather his father's wand and left it on the desk—I'll go buy myself a wand, that one may have belonged to him and really when I have it in my hands feel close to him, but he and I are two different people, we see each other grandma.
Leaving the room, Augusta couldn't help but look at the broken mirror with the blood of her grandson, as she shed bitter tears and internally prayed that her grandson would survive the bloody conflict that was coming.
—You don't know how much you looked like him, right now— she murmured.
At the Black Manor, Harry was finishing dressing, having decided to wear a black Armani suit with a trench coat.
Today was a dreaded day for him, today everything that he had been determined to ignore would be a sealed reality was the realization of one of the most tragic moments of his life, today he would bury his best friend, he would fulfill the last request of his best friend, was the ghost of the one who asked for that favor.
It was a tragic reminder, the reminder that he would never see his best friend again at least in this life; He would like to take a rope tie her to a tree and finish everything, but he couldn't just it would be like spitting on the grave of his best friend who had given his life for him, he had given the greatest gift possible, he gave him the possibility of having a life, marry his beloved Daphne, start a family, but above all things.
avenge him.
It gave him the opportunity to end the culprits of his death, which curiously were the same as his parents, but he knew that he would not kill the rat, he should not be killed by Hermione, Sirius or Remus, the rat was the culprit of the attack on his parents and the one that executed Ron, he had a name to kill.
Tom Marvolo Riddle was his name.
But he had to finish him little by little it would not be enough to kill him, he only has to humiliate him, destroy him, expose him for who he really is, not only him to his Death Eaters with in Harry's mind every man and woman who carried the dark mark was a dead man in life, he had to get better, he had to get better, he wasn't going to follow Dumbledore's philosophy no, his parents followed his philosophy and died, Ron surely followed that philosophy and died.
That philosophy caused more deaths than it avoided, not those who acted and committed crimes for pleasure by following an unhealthy doctrine should be killed but the cycle could be repeated again.
Harry froze at that thought, he couldn't imagine his children having to live what he was, it was a nightmare, he didn't want his children to spend their lives looking for ways to cheat death like him, much less that future for his family, yes family because like Theo; Hermione, Neville, the twins, Ginny, Theo himself, Blaise, Tracey, Astoria and Daphne were his family, the family he longed for and he had to protect.
Then he felt someone take his hand, he looked to the left and met the beautiful blue eyes of his beloved Daphne, he saw that she was wearing a beautiful black dress that clung to her like a second skin, if when he met her she was beautiful, no word what he said now could describe her.
—Are you okay, love? —she asked, resting her head on his arm.
—I wish this day didn't exist, that Ron and I could now be flying on our broomsticks through the sky, but unfortunately reality is different but I have to move on, it's all that remains true—Harry said, staring at her.
—Yes, it's all we have, but you're not alone, you know— she said, looking at him, keeping eye contact—and you're not going to be alone in this, we'll fight if we have to fight, we'll do what we have to do, but we'll do it together, You are the love of my life and I am not going to leave you.
—And you're mine, if I lose you I don't know if —Harry murmured.
—Don't say that, with the grace of mother magic we will get out of this together and you, me and our whole family because now we go first, do you understand? - She affirmed and then kissed him.
It was a kiss full of commitment, affection and love, something that Daphne knew her fiancé needed at this moment, for her it was really not easy to see the boy who was her boyfriend wounded and hurt as she saw him last week shook her with that desire to make the bastard who had hurt his Harry pay.
Ron's death was another hard blow, although she and he did not consider each other the best of friends, she appreciated the redhead for having helped her boyfriend, taking care of him, having saved him from his uncles in his second year, having given him a friendship that was safe He was as strong as steel, but above all he was grateful that even if it was the cost of his life he had brought back his cousin and her boyfriend.
They separated and held each other enjoying each other's warmth until finally Sirius came banging on the door.
—I'm interrupting something—asked the former inmate.
—No, godfather, I was just talking to my fiancee —Harry stated—The van is ready.
—Yes pup, remember to bring something like Molly asked —his godfather reminded him.
—If I already have what I'm going to bring, I'll be down in a second —Sirius nodded as he walked out, then he grabbed a notebook he had and took a picture.
Daphne approached to see the photo in it you see Harry and Ron after the first task of the tournament hugging sideways and Harry was wearing a sign that said "I survived a dragon and a basilisk" she recognized the photo instantly because she was That's when they took the photo.
—I remember that day, when 5 minutes passed and you didn't show up I was sure he was going to pass out and when you did he took the banner and wrote that it was very funny—she reminded the redhead.
—If I asked Colin to send me a copy when he revealed them, it arrived this morning, it's strange to see us there without knowing what would happen if we had known perhaps—I speculate lamenting what happened.
—I know, maybe we could have avoided it, but sometimes things happen like that and we can't change it, we just act accordingly and move on —she affirmed consoling him.
—Yes, that's all we really have— he affirmed, he noddedi—it's better that we go, I don't want to keep my sister waiting.
They left the room in silence, the house elf was cleaning more vigorously than usual, perhaps it was because a pureblood lady like Daphne was in the house, they went down the still creaking stairs when they went down they met Sirius and Remus, given that Harry had read his parents' will where there was a clause that said around 500,000 galleons was due as well as a lifetime endowment of wolfsbane potion, he still remembers what Remus said when he found out.
"No wonder Roja never wanted to let me check her attic after they moved to Godric's Hollow, may mother magic have her in glory."
After that Remus managed to get rid of his old rags by buying good quality clothes, currently he was wearing a black suit together with a black trench coat, it was a consensus since the Christmas dance that they would leave the robes for trench coats being these more comfortable and lighter.
—Are you feeling alright pup?—Moony asked.
—If I'm just getting over the fact that I'm never going to see him again— Harry assured.
—I understand the feeling Harry, believe me I understand when your parents died I felt as if a part of my heart disappeared with them then Frank, Alice and Marlene it is as if they broke your heart, but for each break it is a new scar—I explain.
—I understand but my wound will take perhaps my whole life to heal—I affirm sadly.
—We'd better go— Daphne assured, trying to quickly change the subject.
—If we're all set, let's go— Remus assured.
They left meeting a black sports car, they got in and left for Crawley, they spent about 20 minutes when they reached the house then Harry, Sirius, Remus and Daphne got out of the car.
They walked to the house they rang the doorbell when Emma Granger opened it she was wearing a nice black dress for the occasion she barely saw her approached him to hug him.
-Can I? — I ask the boy I considered his son, he nodded then I caught him in a hug—you don't know how much I'm sorry for this son.
—I know mum, I know mum, believe me I wish I could change it too, but it's all I have to do is move on, right?— Harry assure keeping the hug.
—Unfortunately, yes, I can only ask you for one thing— Harry nodded —take care of yourselves, you and Hermione, and whatever you do, don't let it dominate you in some way. I know that the desire for revenge is very strong, but remember that the after is almost as important as now.
—I understand mom and I'll do everything possible so that that desire doesn't dominate us luckily— turning her gaze to Daphne who smiled beautifully at her— we are not alone in this fight.
—I'm glad to know son, now come in we're ready— letting them come in.
Walking into the house I call home last summer, taking a few steps into the house and into the living room to find Dan and Hermione, she was sitting reading a book, though I notice she was reading it like it was on automatic really. He wasn't paying attention to what he was reading and Dan watched the flames until he saw Harry standing there.
—Hello son, it's a pleasure— she couldn't finish when she saw her daughter practically tackle the boy almost to the ground—thank goodness he's completely healthy and alert otherwise I think she would have thrown him.
—How do you know?— asked Sirius amused.
—When I came back from the marines when I was forced to serve in the Falklands, Emma was waiting for me and that day I received not just one but two bone-crushing Granger hugs that left me on the ground which was fun—getting some laughs from the pair of marauders
—How are you, sister? —Harry asked.
—Honestly, I'm disgusted —he affirmed, still hugging him—but burying him properly will help with this pain I feel."
—I know and knowing that there will be a place where I can go visit him will make me feel better about everything— Harry confessed—although he will rest in peace when we finish them all off."
—I understand and no matter what needs to be done I'll be there for you— said Hermione—I love you Harry.
—And I you Hermione—kissing his forehead.
They parted then Harry shook Dan's hand.
—How have you been son? —he asked.
—I wish it were better, but at least, but at least I know that now there will be a place where I can go to tell him how well or badly United is doing —he joked wistfully.
—It doesn't seem like they won the league this year— the joke continued—I talked to Hermione about some people who could help them, don't worry, they know about magic because they've been in contact with it and believe me they'll train them to win this war.
—Dan, you didn't have —he was going to protest.
—Don't say "you didn't have to do it" because if you had, you are my son as much as Hermione is my daughter and I know that I won't be able to stop them from what they are going to do, but that won't stop me from being able or trying to help them, you are not alone in this fight son, you have people like me, Emma, Sirius, Remus, Matthias, Annabelle, Amelia who are going to try to support you in everything they need help they can, I don't care if at some point I have to sew up a wound or something, I just want my two sons to be safe —Dan stated, leaving no room for Harry to reply.
This made his heart swell, he knew that there were people around him who wanted to help him but that Dan, a man who opened the doors of his house to him and allowed him to live in it for only two months, told him that he was going to help him in what he needed. he was going to carry out, not only that he considered him a son, it gave him a push to give the battle that was coming.
Because now he had something to lose and he wasn't going to let it be taken from him.
—Okay Dan, who are these people?—Harry asked.
—Three of the most dangerous, insane, deadly guys I've ever met while serving in the Marines— Dan said with a crooked smile.
—understand, but for today I'll bury my brother and then I'll prepare the war against those bastards —Harry said firmly—let´s go.
They all left the house, got into the car and left, on the way they met the Greengrasses, they took a not very busy route which led to a calmer and more uninterrupted trip.
((Sounds To Live Is To Die by Metallica))
Along the way, Harry remembered as many good times as the complicated ones, but always with the redhead willing to do what was necessary to help him, willing to give his own life for his, he wished, he wished that it had not happened, but he realized that if it wasn't Ron, it would have been Cedric or himself.
Perhaps Ron gave him a gift, a gift, but with too great a cost to pay in Harry's mind they still haunted his last words.
"Harry, there are enemies who will never understand things with words, those are the demons that we must kill if we want to live, you fight you live, if not you die, because it is not bad to fight for justice even if sometimes horrible things have to be done so that the who deserve justice get it.”
Those words marked Harry, what happened next was just the validation of his fallen friend's words, he saw things clearly for the first time as they say "he saw the image completely" in the end the path for him was simple there would be no detours or shortcuts because he had his mission that, although he did not like it, he would not carry it out alone.
Perhaps that box is both for Harry, a coffin for the person he was before the graveyard and a gift for the person he is now.
He killed the child and let the man be born because the decisions he must make will be the ones he will have to carry like a cross on his back for the rest of his days until death comes for him, the one he saw so many times and so many times avoided. , but that those he loved could not dodge it with the same ease as him, because even in death he managed to understand that everything has a cycle and that cycles must end for a new one to begin.
Perhaps better, perhaps worse than the previous one, but it had to start; Therefore, if he wanted this new cycle to begin in his life, he had to leave behind all the ideals that he carried in his mind.
Because such ideals work in times of peace and prosperity, in dangerous days, in times of war, the ideals are very different and more visceral, and he was at the beginning of the same cycle that his parents experienced.
Cycles of violence, cycles of blood that marked a generation, sins passed from one generation to another; that was something that in Harry's mind had to end. He couldn't imagine that his and Daphne's children would have to go through what he was going through, he couldn't conceive that they would have to manage to cheat death like he did.
He could not allow his children, "nephews" to live what he and his friends were living, so he made a decision, even if he had to give his heart, he would end that cycle of blood once and for all, all those deaths, that pain would not could be repeated.
So he made a decision if this started with him, he would end it once and for all.
The wizarding world didn't expect what 11 broken, shattered, angry, and rage-filled hearts would be capable of.
—Harry— his girlfriend's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
—Yes, it's happening— I ask without paying attention.
—We're here— she said then she started to look around her and saw that that was the case.
—Okay, let's do this— he said, nodding his head.
They got out of the car looking around, he knew that the first part of the service would take place in the burrow and then the body would be transferred to the cemetery in the small town of Ottery St. Catchpole so that he can rest next to his grandparents and uncles who are They were buried on the spot.
When he got off he could see Neville, Seamus, Dean, Lavender, Tracy surrounding Theo who was lying on his motorcycle while Luna hugged him from the side, with a look he and Hermione decided to approach the small group.
—Let's go with the boys, we'll catch up with them later— he said to the adults, who nodded understanding that they needed their moment.
They approached the group where he was greeted by Theo who gave him a hug, then he greeted Dean with a handshake, Seamus with a shock, hugged Tracy, gave him a kiss on the cheek, repeated the same process with Lavender and finally hugged Tracy. Luna, as she was a little smaller than him, gave him a kiss on the forehead.
—How are you guys?—Harry asked.
—I still find it hard to believe Harry, I was with him and Hermione, he left and when I came back he was a corpse —Seamus confessed—this is not right, friend."
—I remember going to urinate and when I was going back to the stands I saw him knock out Hermione then mount the broom and disappear—said Dean looking at the horizon —this shouldn't happen man, it's against the damn laws of the universe."
—We know Dean and believe me I'm the same or worse— Neville said.
—What are we going to do, Harry?—Theo asked.
—Do you think Voldemort is back? —Harry asked.
—With hell if Harry, but because Ron would do what he did—Seamus said.
—I agree Seamus—I support Dean—but we'll have to be smart, shit I think I'll have to consider sending my mom to my uncles in the US.
—Mine are safe because, well, we're Irish and Mom told me that at the time of the first war, a Death Eater who came looking for trouble in Ireland ended up decapitated and his body devoured by dogs, that in the republic —Seamus assured—in the territory of the IRA well you'll never see those bastards again it's not like it's a very big loss.
—Yes, for now we have to be alert, the bastard is just waiting—said Harry.
—What?— Neville asked.
—For the ministry in its bombast to start attacking Harry politically, to start attacking Harry and try to turn society against him—Theo said.
—I'm already enemy no. 1 of the idiotic pureblood and half-blood elitists, but Theo's right they'll try to cast me as the bad guy and the enemy— Harry said—and that's what I'll do.
—What— Lavender asked—that doesn't make sense."
—If he does think about it this way, they will think that Harry is the bad guy, that he killed Ron, that he manipulated Cedric and that he lied about Voldemort's return, if society believes that they will never expect him to not have a dangerous attitude or challenging,” Tracey said.
—You force them to think for themselves—Hermione continued—That's brilliant.
—And very Slytherin— Daphne mentioned—I think I've been a bad influence on you."
—Oh maybe it's because now I need to be more Slytherin than Gryffindor, going blind won't do any good—harry began to explain—but if we're smart, we can hurt them a lot."
They all nodded at what Harry said, they understood his point of view.
—What do you need Harry?—Seamus asked.
—This is what we'll do—he began to explain.
After the talk everyone dispersed only Daphne, Tracey, Neville, Theo, Harry and Hermione stayed there.
—That's the plan for them, I knew when you started talking about it —said Hermione—you have another plan, right, one that you intend to execute at the same time as that.
—Certainly, dear sister, I'm not going to play the role in front of the world. I have a bigger plan, one that involves us and those who aren't here— Harry assured.
—I see where you're going and I like it too much love— Daphne said with a smile.
—Ladies, gentlemen, with this the conflict with the Death Eaters is inaugurated— Theo announced—what is the plan?
—Train, gain power, prepare, and when the time comes, we'll kill them all —Harry said—I'll understand, yes.
—You are my family Harry, both you and Hermione, Daphne, Trace and my Luna— taking Luna's hand— in many cases they are all the family I have and I will not let them kill us.
—When I found out that you were dating Daphne and that our mothers were our godmothers respectively, we agreed to stay together so that they would be proud of us. I plan to keep my word, I'm with you in everything, I don't care what we have to do, I just want one thing— Neville affirmed.
—What— Harry asked.
—That when the time comes I will eradicate all the Lestranges—he said with a deadly tone in his voice.
—That is something that you already know that I will have no problem granting you Neville, I only want one thing, I want them to die feeling every moment of pain that the people who suffered under their hands felt, they are the worst of the worst, they are not people, they are hell and it will be your job to take them out at all costs—Harry assured him.
—I'll finish them off, I swear —Neville said.
—What are you going to do, Harry?—Hermione asked.
—I'll go to Potter Manor after the funeral with Daph—holding his fiancée's hand—I have to get my house up and running, see elves and other things aside from being a refuge for your parents, Theo's uncle, Amelia, the Tonks, the Greengrass has the best defenses that exist is undetectable from what I was told.
—Besides outside a close circle, her location is erased from the memory of the guest, he will only remember what was discussed, but never its exact location —Daphne assured.
—So in case things get out of hand, our loved ones will be safe there while we play the asshole— Theo asked.
—Not on the contrary, we will lead the war when the time comes against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the bastard will not act now, not when everyone is waiting for some affirmation or denial of his return to the bastard, you favor that they believe that I lost my mind—explained .
—Since most of it is bought by Fudge and Malfoy, it will be hard not to escape that scrutiny, right?— Theo assured.
—Yes, but he already has problems there, he only has 20% of the prophet because let's say that between me, Matthias and Sirius last year when they started screwing us— noticing that Hermione blushed— I already had 40% of the prophet and between them they each bought 20% of the prophet.
—So technically you became the owner of the entire diary with your godfather and son-in-law being the other owners— Neville realized—Smart."
"Yes, but that will only slow them down due to the economic power of Malfoy and Fudge. Do not doubt that they will create a diary to attack you," said Hermione, "but on the other hand I think it is better to be discreet for now, what I am going to do is that we should focus on training." and get the best of us for this war.
—I agree, what if you have to find out how that bastard has stayed alive I've faced him until last week 3 times and in all 3 times I defeated him. How is it possible that he's still alive?— Harry said.
At that moment the minds of the others began to work on that, which they did in part to try not to think too much about their surroundings without realizing that the rest of their friends were approaching them.
As their friends moved closer as if Hermione's and Daphne's minds connected, they began to backtrack on a train of thought that ran from Halloween '81, through the confrontation with Quirrelmort, the Chamber of Secrets incident, and finally Ron's murder. along with the ritual and the subsequent confrontation in the one called by Cedric and Harry "the tenth hexagon of hell".
Even as if their bodies had coordinated as they stood in front of Harry and stared at his scar, a hypothesis emerged in their minds to answer the question.
—Maybe it has to do with the diary— Ginny said next to them, snapping them out of their thoughts.
Next to her were the twins dressed in an identical suit for them in opaque black, their eyes denoted a deep sadness for Ron's death, next to Fred was Blaise who had taken Ginny's hand, it seemed that he was afraid to let go as if letting her go represented that she was broken by the situation, he was also wearing a black suit that seemed to be Italian because of the cut of the sleeves of the jacket and the bottom of the pants, Luna was now next to Theo but without his usual look dreamy was replaced by one of sadness and empathy towards Ginny knowing the pain she was feeling first hand, she was wearing a simple black dress along with a pendant of a triangle that inside had a circle and a vertical line through it.
—Sorry you said Gin— Harry asked.
—Which may have to do with the diary, after the bastard possessed me during the first quarter of 2nd year I searched for books that would explain how I ended up possessed until I found one the name was Irish it was bound in faded white leather it looked very old as if they would have written it last century— Ginny explained to which the twins stared at her— it was called “dorchadas ag teacht ó ifreann”.
—What did that book say?— Daphne asked.
—He said that while there were spells that allowed part of the memory to remain eternally in an object and allowed them to communicate with those people, said objects were not powerful enough to possess a person's soul—he began to explain—but there were one.
—What did it consist of and what are these objects called?—Harry asked.
—It consisted in the fact that the person, if he wanted to fragment his soul, had to commit the greatest sin, murdering an innocent, after murdering the soul it is fragmented and through a spell in the form of a song in Slovak known as "v tejto nádobe musí zostat' moja dusa ” or in its translation “my soul must remain in this container—explained Ginny—its name is Horcrux or Horcruxes in the rare case that the witch or wizard decides to do it because doing so is dangerous mainly because when the body is fragmented it deteriorates.
—That would explain why he didn't look like an older version of himself in the graveyard— Harry said remembering Voldemort's deformed and inhuman form—at least now his body reflects his inner insanity.
—So, in short, if Voldemort made these Horcruxes, he's already at a disadvantage because if the diary was one and Harry destroyed it—Theo assured.
—But he should have, otherwise it wouldn't explain how he's still alive—Blaise said.
—I think the best thing to do now is to bury our friend and figure out a way to destroy that shit later—Neville said.
—If at least now we have an advantage against him— Hermione assured her—we just have to focus.
—Yes—Harry agreed.
Then they left for the burrow after avoiding the subject of Ron's death so dizzyingly that when they were arriving at the house an aura of sadness, melancholy and pessimism invaded them like a wave that served that despite the fact that they began to make plans to war one thing would remain the same no matter what they did.
Ron the intrepid Gryffindor, faithful comrade of his friends, was dead and nothing and no one would change that
Upon entering they saw one side of the room was Bill dressed in a way that it seemed that Theo had been inspired by the clothing except for his jacket that was more worn than Theo's, next to him was Charlie who despite his size and his usual positivity he was mourning Ron's death deeply, on another side of the room he managed to see a man he could recognize as Kingsley Shackelbolt he was one of the aurors who had questioned him when he died and had tried to comfort him after hearing Harry's testimony.
On the other side he saw Astoria with his two friends Dennis Creevey and Ernie Abercrombie, on the other side he saw the Weasley couple talking with Luna's father who could be seen was conveying his condolences, when his gaze met Percy's who Noticing Harry's presence, he released himself from his girlfriend Penelope Clearwater's grip and went straight to Harry.
When she was close enough to him, the normally calm Percy managed to land a blow to Harry's face causing Harry to stagger backwards.
—You have a lot of courage to come here Potter after all it was you who killed my brother— Percy accused.
A silence ran through the whole house, everyone looking at the situation before Percy's words, upon hearing the words said by the redhead towards his fiancé, Daphne stepped forward and slapped Percy, leaving her hand marked on the left cheek of the young adult.
—Say that to my fiancé again and you'll know why they call me the ice queen—she hissed angrily—you know better than anyone that Harry would have died before he let someone he loved be killed, but you're just a Ministry bootlicker who would rather keep his head down and go with the flow than raise it up and try to use that thing he has called a brain.
—You don't talk to me you creeping snake bitch— Percy spat.
Nothing prepared him to meet Harry's gaze, Harry's eyes reflecting pure rage and suppressed anger in his emerald eyes.
—I came here to bury and pay respect to my best friend—he began in a strangely calm voice—not make everyone believe me what Voldemort came back from— everyone except Harry's friends and fiancée shuddered—but I'm warning you Insult my girlfriend again and I'll open up that missing gray matter hole called the brain myself.
"You knew Harry for three years Percy, you know better than anyone that they were like brothers—Ginny said angrily—I'm ashamed to have a brother whose ambition stole his brains."
Listening to Molly's already hurt heart fragmented more, it was not enough that her youngest son is now in a coffin for the rest of her children to get along, she knew that the twins, no matter how unruly they were, would never protect a criminal, Ginny In the same case, his older sons Bill and Charlie seemed to be in tune with the thoughts of their younger brothers, they all had something in common.
All of them were looking for something different in their lives, Bill as a curse breaker, Charlie as a dragon breeder, the twins and their joke shop, Ginny and her dream of being a Quidditch player and finally Ron, he only wanted to protect those he loved nothing. plus.
That cost him his life in the end.
The only son who had followed the steps he traced was Percy and now she saw him she didn't know what to think about him, she didn't know at what point his son stopped using his head to follow the common thought.
She knew that neither Harry nor Cedric would have raised their wands against Ron that made what Harry said the only truth, her son, her little boy had died doing what he wanted, he protected his friends until death, she approached the coffin where he was.
Ron's body was abnormally paler, his red hair had already gone out like the flame of his life, he was wearing a simple black suit that covered the wound he suffered before the fatal blow, his face was what most caught Ron's attention. Molly was calm, at peace as if he had known she was going to die.
Elsewhere outside the warren Harry and Daphne were sitting on the grass, the atmosphere heavy at the moment Harry remembered a talk he had with Ron after Christmas break '94.
—Now I understand what Ron once said to me— Harry said.
—What do you mean?—Daphne asked.
—He told me after the Christmas holidays that he had seen you and me here, he said that we looked strange as if something bad had happened—he said then an idea crossed his mind—and if he knew what was going to happen, that It would mean that he committed suicide.
—There's no way of knowing love, he had visions of her, we know that, but if he had known he was going to die he would have told us so we could avoid it— Daphne said.
—Or maybe he wanted something else—she murmured, letting her head rest on the shoulder of his beloved.
((The Lost Boy by Greg Holden plays))
Those moments passed in calm until finally the time came, he saw Sirius approaching them.
—Puppy, it's time —Sirius said solemnly.
—I understand— he agreed.
They got up from the grass and walked calmly when they entered, they saw Lavender and Dean saying goodbye to Ron, Lavender left a bracelet while Dean left a magic chess piece, a horse more specifically, then Theo passed by, whom he saw carrying a bottle that he could distinguish as a of the “Jack Daniels” brand remembered how Ron loved that whiskey when he drank it for the first time in Daphne's cabin, he saw him open the bottle and take a drink.
—Here's to us—he heard him murmur.
He left the bottle in the casket, walking away letting Blaise pass. She saw that he had a kind of ribbon in his hand and he stood in front of the casket.
—Last November the last Nirvana material was published, it's acoustic, the girl in the store told me, you liked me last summer, I hope you like it now— leaving the cassette —take care brother-in-law, riposa in pace my friend.
The next one was Tracey, who didn't leave anything, rather she murmured some words that she couldn't hear, the next one was Luna, who left a dreamcatcher where the orange threads were highlighted and then left, Ginny was the next one, she had the quidditch gloves in her hands de Ron watched as he moved his brother's hands and put the worn gloves there before walking away.
Next was Daphne as she walked over to see the body of her would-be best man, the boy who did so much for her love that in the end she gave her own life to bring him back.
—Thanks for bringing him back to me—She kisses his hand and brings it to Ron's cheek—Good riddance Ron.
Instead of going to Harry, she went to her parents. That didn't surprise Harry. They knew each other well enough to realize that each of them had to do it on their own. Despite everything that came along the way.
Neville was the next one who was not wearing anything, he just stared at Ron's body, it felt strangely familiar, the pale tone reminded him of his parents as it seemed that their souls had been ripped out, he closed his eyes to eliminate that thought from his head at that moment she remembered the promise Ron made her the last time she saw him alive.
—I will keep my promise, I will protect Hermione, even if it costs me my life— he said before leaving.
The next one was supposed to be Seamus who was next to Harry and he was seen crying for losing his friend.
—It's your turn— Harry reminded him.
—Yeah, I'm going to miss him, you know he was the only one who didn't seem to mind me exploding his cauldron of potions, but, well— he said walking away.
He moved the collar of his shirt a little revealing an emerald green crucifix as he stood face to face with the coffin he took the crucifix off and placed it on Ron's chest.
—I hope the Lord grants you eternal rest, good friend— He moved his hand up and down, then left and right, before withdrawing.
The next was Hermione who when she arrived she felt a lump in her throat the memories of her screaming when Harry and Cedric returned with Ron's body began to flood her, tears began to flow from her eyes until she remembered the last moment who saw it
A moment that as she grew up she remembered with longing and affection, the feeling of her first and last kiss with him even at that moment without knowing what was going to happen that moment became eternal for her because in the end nothing would last forever and like that kiss ended, but in a very bitter way.
—I love you and I will miss you forever—she murmured, leaving the photo of the three of them with one thing for sure.
The golden trio we knew was no more.
After his passing, Harry saw many passing by to pay their respects. They were moments that seemed eternal when the long-awaited and feared moment finally arrived.
The final realization, which would seal once and for all what he lived through a week ago. On the way to the place where the coffin was, he felt as if each step was more difficult than the previous one, but he did the only thing he knew how to do since he was born going through his life together with his relatives.
Go forward without looking back.
Until he finally got to the front of the coffin he looked at it and remembered.
The showdown, Ron disarming Wormtail ready to kill the traitor.
The discussion where he didn't see Wormtail take the wand.
Silence until he was broken like a door falling to the ground.
Ron's cry as he felt the slashing curse in his chest as he fell to his knees.
Avada Kedavra.
There was the result in front of him, a part of him told him that this was the result of his weakness because if he had been more sensible he would have finished Wormtail as
soon as he was disarmed but another part of him told him that they had no right to take a life , but he saw Ron's body again.
Was that the cost to pay?
Showing mercy to the enemy would only be giving them a new opportunity to do damage again?
Why did the innocent have to die and the criminals not?
Why does a criminal deserve to live and an innocent not?
What's the point of locking them up if they can escape to do it again and again?
All those questions were going around in his head but he soon realized that the answer was simple, he realized that the criminals who did atrocities for pleasure or follow an ideology were sick people who should be eradicated, they should not stay alive because every minute they stay alive it could be that innocent lives are lost.
People like Ron could suffer the same fate, because although he understood that death is something natural, being murdered was not, he found it abhorrent and unpleasant.
He saw his friend again, tears formed in his eyes, he remembered all the good times, he remembered how he was the first person his age who did not see him as a freak, he remembered how they faced all kinds of adventures until finally the most recent was the last your friend lived.
He took out the picture of them and put it in the sack Ron was carrying. He wiped away his tears. He looked up when he saw Arthur, Bill, Sirius and Matthias in front of him, he turned to see his fiancée next to his friends.
—See you later brother—he finally said. He nodded slightly.
With a wave of Arthur's wand Ron's coffin was finally closed marking the end of a cycle.