Ok.  So those who know me well know i am a total Harry Potter nerd.  I've recently started writting fan fiction.  If you haven't read all the books and don't want to know some spoilers then you don't want to read this.  If you have and like Harry Potter like me feel free to read and tell me what you think.  Enjoy. 

CHAPTER 1:  VICTORY IS BITTER SWEET

The year leading up to the final battle had been a roller coaster of emotions for the faithful trio.  Harry had departed for the unknown after a heart-breaking good-bye to Ginny.  It left a whole in his heart that he thought would never mend.  At that time he couldn’t imagine a world with out her in it.  Ron and Hermione had just began to see one another as the people they had become, rather than the awkward eleven year olds they had been when they met in first year, though neither had the courage to explore those feelings further.  They would have to be put on hold until the war was over, and their best mate no longer needed them by his side as a constant.  The journey that followed had tested their friendships in ways it had never been before.  Ron’s anger and jealousy nearly cost them not only their friendship, but their lives.  

Now, standing alone in the emptiness that was the headmaster’s office, everything had changed.  The Dark Lord was defeated, and the journey that lead to victory had changed them all forever.  Ginny was no longer the person Harry held closest in his heart and Ron and Hermione no longer saw each other as anything more than just friends.

They may have started out as children, but children they were no longer.  Along the way they had learned just about all there was to know about each other and about themselves.  Ron had come to realize that his jealousy was poison to himself and to others.  He had learned to let go, and to appreciate that which he had.  He had also come to appreciate Luna Lovegood in a way he never would have dreamed he could.  She didn’t seem so loony any more.  He now saw her as the intelligent beautiful witch she was.  Harry and Hermione had begun to take notice of one another, to appreciate each other for all that they were.  They had yet to discover what this held in store if anything. 

Harry absentmindedly twirled his newly repaired wand between his fingers, the Elder wand tucked safely away in his robe pocket.  His thoughts wondered to those who had given their lives, and the children, who like himself, were left orphaned as a result of the war.  He surged with overwhelming sadness, anger, but mostly with guilt.  Somehow their victory seemed cheapened by death.  What should have been joyous was overshadowed by the pain of loss. 

Hermione and Ron watched Harry as though waiting for a dam to break.  They both knew the hell that Harry had endured, not only in the past year, but his entire life.  They also knew that Harry had a tendency to blame himself when tragedy struck. 

“Harry?” Hermione spoke softly, cautious, unknowing of how Harry would react.

Harry didn’t respond.  The lump in his throat had grown too large.  A bottle was brewing within him.  He knew that he couldn’t have done anything different that would have spared more lives, but he still blamed himself.  He tried telling himself that those who died had chosen to stay behind.  They had made a conscious decision that ultimately lead to their end.

“Harry, please talk to us.  I know you’re hurting.  We all are.  But today isn’t all about loss.  The war is finally over, and the world can move on, remembering those who died, and rebuilding.” Hermione said, hoping her words were of some comfort to him.

Harry knew that Hermione was right.  But his heart still ached from a wound deeper than that of any he had suffered before.  The loss of his parents now paled in comparison to those who lay slain on Hogwarts’ grounds and within the castle.  “The war is over, but it doesn’t bring back Ron’s brother,” he said looking at Ron apologetically, “It doesn’t bring back Remus or Tonks or any of the others.”  Tears stung the back of his eyes and felt like fire as they slid down his dirty face, streaking it as they fell from his chin to floor.  He turned, not wanting them to see.

Hermione wrapped Harry tightly in a warm embrace.  She had no words that wound heel his wounded heart or weary spirit.  All she could do was hold him, letting him shed the tears he had held back for far too long. 

Ron held no bitterness toward Harry.  He knew that George had made his own decision.  He died a hero, and Ron was proud of that.  “My brother’s death was not your fault.” He said firmly.  “Voldemort is responsible for that, not you.  He’s a hero, and I know he would be happy to have died as such.” 

Just then a jubilant sound of song rang through the halls as Peeves and the newest Hogwarts’ ghost came gliding through the wall.  George had his arm casually draped around Peeve’s shoulders.

“VICTORY BE OURS!” they finished off key.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up at the two in utter surprise. 

“What’s a matter?” Peeves asked the three, “Potty, Weasle, and Granger girl don’t look very pleased.”

“Cheer up there, you three.  You look as though someone just died.” George joked.

“You did.” Ron said, unable to hold back a laugh.  A small amount of sadness had lifted.  It was comfort to know that George’s spirit would remain a part of Hogwarts, and that he was not forever lost to him and his family.  

George laughed, “Just look at it this was, Ronnie boy, I’ll keep ol’ Hogwarts on it’s toes.”

“Oh brother,” Harry groaned, “He’s starting to sound like Peeves already.”

“Nothing wrong with that” Peeves spat, gliding out through the opposite wall.

“Now you’ve done it.” George teased, “Gone and hurt ol’ Peevesies feelings.”

The four of them laughed glad to let the sorrow fade if only for a moment.

~~~~~~

The rest of the night passed quickly as the injured were treated and transferred to hospital wing or St. Mongos based on the seriousness of their injuries.  Mrs. Weasley and Madam Pompfry had proved to be quite the team, their efforts being carried out quickly, leaving only the dead left to care for. 

Hagrid and Professor McGonnigal had chosen a peaceful spot on the grounds to bury those who had given their lives.  Harry and Ron aided Hagrid and the others in digging the graves.  Hermione, McGonnigal, and Flitwick following behind, magically engraving on white stone’s the names of those who were buried beneath the freshly mounded dirt. 

By morning the trio sat, exhausted looking over the new Hogwarts’ graveyard, the permanent resting place for the heroes of the war against Voldemort.  No one spoke.  There were no words to say appropriate or meaningful enough to express the love and sorrow felt for each that lay now buried beneath the earth. 

I took my 2 1/2 year old to the dentist today.  It was his first official visit.  That is to say the last time he went it was for an emergency after he hit his mouth during the night and bent his front tooth back at the root.  They ended up having to pull his tooth that trip.  Needless to say, this made me nervous about how a trip for a cleaning and checkup would go.

We got to the dentist office early.  I spent the whole morning talking to him about our visit, trying to let him know what to expect.  I tought him that the tooth brush vibrated like PaPa's electric one and buzzed.  I thought him to buzz like the tooth brush.  He liked that.  I told him it was going to tickle his teeth and he laughed. 

When he got to the back they used a regular toothbrush due to his age.  That was actually a relief... he cries at the electric clippers at the barbers.  Then they flossed his teeth.  He did great!  He didn't fuss and he let them do everything!  Then the dr. came in and checked his teeth for cavities.  he sat on my lap and leaned back into the dr. lap.  He had no cavities! 

In the end he came out of it with a sticker, a small plastic toy, a new toothbrush, and a book that someone had left behind.  He was a happy boy.  And as an added bonis he was so tired he passed out about 40 min. after we got home!  I love when he naps!