Scars That Heal (Dramione Fanfiction) [COMPLETE]

44 - Hallowed Halls

*Trigger Warning: Grief, Mentions of Death, Self-Harm and Suicide*

April ended, and so began May. The weather was bright, the land surrounding Hogwarts was in a flurry of green, and sparkling skies met every gaze out of the window. No-one wanted to spend too much time in the castle, as the large rooms soon flooded with sunlight and turned into ovens within hours of sunrise.

May was also the start of exam period. The lovely weather couldn't be enjoyed as preparations began for the halls of desks and 'Anti-Cheating'-charmed quills. The teachers were all holding emergency catch-up sessions at lunchtimes and after lessons, exam procedures were repeated in every class and nobody felt ready, least of all Hermione. She knew it was ridiculous, but if anything it made it worse that she knew her fears were unfounded. It felt like when it came to the day, all her efforts would not be enough and she would be disappointed with all her results.

As well as these pressures, that Sunday was May 2nd 1999. A year since the Battle of Hogwarts. A year since the end, and a year since the beginning.

Hermione had no idea how to feel about it really. The thought of everything that had happened leading up to and after that day made her numb. It hurt her, but not necessarily in a bad way. It was like pressing on scar tissue; no pain but that of the memories. In all the frantic energy of exam preparation, this cold reverence demanded a calm and patience that was hard to meet. The teachers had organised for circular black pin badges to be distributed and worn, as a way to mourn the losses over that one night. Every eye was met with caution and care, and most people stayed mostly out of social spaces like the Great Hall for as long as possible. It was a solemn time for everyone.

The only thing Hermione could think of to commemorate it was to hold a Support Session. She sent word out the day before, and spoke to her friends as well. They knew that it would be tough for everyone, but Hermione feared that they would forget how gentle they needed to be with themselves. It had taken a lot of time to adjust, and that had to be preserved.

That Sunday, all the previous members of the group - along with plenty of newcomers - gathered in the old classroom. There was tension in the air; no malice, or anger, but a discomfort that make everyone aware of the date.

"Well, erm, good afternoon, everyone," Hermione started, hands unable to stay still, "Thank you for coming to this Support Session. It's... not an easy time. Today, as you are all aware, is the one-year anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. I wanted to start by saying that this is meant in no way to upset anyone further, or to prolong the suffering of those who lost people close to them. If anything we mention makes you uncomfortable or you don't want to listen anymore, feel free to leave, or you can use the charm Muffliato to help clear your head for a moment. It's tough, and I'm very aware this can trigger all manner of grief-related thoughts, but this needs to be spoken about, so I will.

"It has been a year since a lot of things have changed, and... I thought we needed to both mourn and celebrate that. I shall start by talking about the obvious thing - the fact that so many people died on this day last year to help make this world a better place. Luna will read out the names of everyone who lost their lives, and we can then have a minute's silence in their memory."

Hermione had asked Luna to read the names as she was so calm despite the atmosphere. She knew that it would break her to have to read them herself, but Luna's aura of serenity would help to soften the blow, as well as sparing Hermione the pain of saying those names again. As it was, Luna's hands shook slightly as she took the piece of parchment and she had to clear her throat subtly a few times between names. The room was filled with her soft voice, and everyone looked solemn.

"Thank you, Luna."

There was a minute that followed. Hermione thought about Remus, Fred, Tonks, Colin Creevey, and all the other students she'd seen lying on the floor of the Great Hall that day. Some of the faces she had barely recognised for their injuries, and others she remembered all too well. The girl she had helped find a book in the library one time, the boy she'd scolded for teasing Crookshanks, a boy who she'd bumped into once and apologised to... They were all gone. They were no longer here, even though they should be. They never meant anything to her in the way others did, but it made their absence sadder, strangely. She never knew them, and now she never would. They were gone, lost in the sea of all the lives now passed.