Time Does Not Heal all Wounds

Some people, most of them small children caught up in a war not meant for them, would have thought that five years after the fall of the Dark Lord, all would be well. In fact, even the highly cynical expected it to be fine by then.

It was not fine. All was not well.

Wizarding Britain was in tatters, with no real government to lead it into a shiny new age. Hogwarts, once the center of the magical community, was still little more than a ramshackle pile of bricks and mortar. Families were torn apart, finding it a slow process trying to heal both physical and mental scars.

There were many who tried to help, to pick up the pieces and right their communities. Yes, they did succeed; slowly but surely they made a difference. However, when witches and wizards started receiving an invitation to celebrate five years of freedom, there weren't many who felt like celebrating.

The celebration ball went ahead, with the higher members of society, some Ministry of Magic employees, and Hogwarts staff and alumni attending. The Boy Who Defeated the Dark Lord was there, mostly in an attempt to buoy the spirits of those who didn't trust that things would ever get better. In his position as an Auror and consultant to the slowly rebuilding Ministry, Harry Potter tried to make things better, but some days, when he reflected on those he had lost, it was hard to make promises he wasn't sure he could fulfill. He was glad he had Ron Weasley by his side, a constant reminder that not everyone blamed him for the loss of so many loved ones.

Between Harry and the Malfoy's extensive funds, Hogwarts was slowly being rebuilt. Trying to piece together a sentient magical castle was a process that could not be rushed. In the meantime, some large estates had been extended to board and educate the four houses of Hogwarts. Each house was in a different location around Scotland, which only perpetuated the division of loyalties; hurting souls do not heal easily nor do they forgive and forget. Harry hoped that it would not be another five years before the Wizarding World saw its people united and hopeful once more.