This is the last chapter in this story. I was going to carry on but I'm off to uni on Sunday and so won't have time to update. Thank you so much for reading and for all your comments, it means a lot.
Chapter 27
The day of the talk finally came. Harry peered into the Great Hall from the back chamber and saw the hundred's of students all taking their seats. The chairs had been arranged all facing the top table where a stage had been erected. The house tables had been vanished for the afternoon. Not only were there students but also select members of the Ministry, relatives of the speakers and a reporter and photographer from the Daily Prophet. Harry had agreed they could come, only if he got a final say on the piece.
"Why did I agree to this?" asked Neville who was pacing back and forth past the fireplace.
"You'll be fine," reassured Luna, "think of last year and the way you stood up to the Carrows. If you could do that, you can do this."
"About 15 more minutes until it starts," said Professor Smith, poking her head round the door.
Not long later, Harry and the rest of the group were being led onto the stage by Professor McGonagall who then called for silence. As the talk was optional, only those actually wanting to hear it were present. The appearance of the group caused silence immediately. McGonagall welcomed everyone and then briefly explained how the afternoon would plan out. All the teachers were at the back of the room, all lessons were cancelled.
"First of all, I'd like to welcome to the front Mr Neville Longbottom," said McGonagall who then stood aside as Neville walked slowly to the front and stood at the podium. He took some deep breaths whilst looking at just how many people there were in the audience. He turned to look at the others, focusing on Luna, who smiled back at him reassuringly.
"When I came to Hogwarts, I never imagined that one day I would be here talking about helping defeat Lord Voldemort," began Neville. "I don't think my family would either in their wildest dreams. But, in my first year here I met a person by the name of Harry Potter and he changed my life. For the first time in my life I felt accepted. Then in our fifth year we started Dumbledore's Army. I had never been good at spells but for the first time I felt like I was really learning useful skills and could put them into practice. Harry was a great teacher and the DA became a place of friendship and a support network. I had loads of friends and I couldn't believe it. At the end of the year we stood up to Professor Umbridge and fought in the Ministry of Magic. For the first time in my life my Gran said she was proud of me. That made me so happy because I wanted to be like my dad, to help the world. The following year we fought here at Hogwarts on the night Professor Dumbledore died. Once again my Gran said she was proud of me. She said I was becoming more like my dad and that's all I ever wanted. However the most significant year was the one in which I got beaten up, tortured and nearly died. It also showed me who my friends are, how loyalty is important and how I actually do posses leadership skills. When I returned to Hogwarts without Harry, Ron and Hermione we were lost, Harry was always the leader. But Ginny, Luna and I vowed to help his cause and show people there is still hope. We continued with Dumbledore's Army, stood up against the Carrow's and tried to help Harry as best we could. Eventually we had to go into hiding and people looked to me as a leader. I couldn't believe it. The night Harry returned, the first time I saw him, I was so happy because it showed what we had been doing hadn't been in vain. Yes we had been cursed as punishment but it was all worth it. The Battle started and everyone pulled together to protect each other, Harry and the castle. When Harry returned from the forest in Hagrid's arms we knew we still had to be strong, to not be defeated. I didn't think I was being brave when I stood up to Voldemort, I was doing what needed to be done. I didn't realise that Nagini the snake was a horcrux, I was just following a request from Harry. Even though he appeared dead, we needed to continue to fight. It showed me that if we all stick together then amazing things can happen. Thank you," finished Neville and he stood down from the podium. Cheers erupted from all around the room and Neville's Gran, who had made the journey especially to hear it, was wiping tears from her eyes.
Professor McGonagall then welcomed to the stage Luna. Several people laughed as she walked to the front and Harry could hear several people whispering Loony Lovegood.
"I didn't have any friends until I joined Dumbledore's Army but since then, I have found the best group of friends a girl could ever ask for. My father always encouraged me to be different but that segregated me from most people, who called me Loony Lovegood. But then I found people who accepted me for me, and I don't know if I would have done if it weren't for the DA. We fought against the evil and that made the bond between us stronger. However last Christmas, I got kidnapped from the Hogwart's Express because my father's paper was supporting Harry. I got taken hostage and was kept in a basement," Luna said. Malfoy looked up, expecting her to mention him and his family but she didn't. "But I wasn't alone, Mr Ollivander was there and we kept each other company. It's this company that got me through. Months went by and it was just the two of us, he told me stories about things he's seen and I told him about Wrackspurt and the Crumpled Horn Snorkax," a couple of people sniggered, "and we got through it. Then finally Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dean and a goblin called Griphook turned up. They managed to escape the basement and fought against the captors. A special house-elf turned up, by the name of Dobby, and he saved all our lives. From this I learned that you should never give up hope. Even if there looks like there's no way out never stop believing you will get through it. I was able to help my friends in the final battle and now I have everything I always wanted," Luna finished. She stood down and whilst people clapped, she skipped over to Neville who pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the forehead. Unbeknownst to her, Mr Olivander was sat on one of the back rows and was clapping cheerfully. He would never forget Luna, who had helped him through the worst months of his life. He was hoping to tell her such after the speeches.
The next person to speak was Dean.
"I, like many others, was forced to go into hiding as my blood status was in doubt. As I never knew my father, I don't know whether he was a wizard or not. I couldn't return to Hogwarts to be with my friends and I couldn't stay at home with my mother. Instead I fled. Luckily I met up with a man by the name of Ted Tonks. Together we kept moving constantly, never staying in one place too long. It was a terrible life to live, being in constant fear. Then we met up with some goblins, who joined us on our journey. Wizards don't normally regard goblins as equals but we did. We were all on the run and all in fear. Unfortunately Ted died whilst we were on the run and then the rest of us got caught and taken to a mansion basement," again Malfoy was surprised yet grateful Dean didn't just say Malfoy Manor. "There we found Luna, Mr Ollivander, Ron, Hermione and Harry. Once again, I would like to thank Dobby the house-elf who got us out safely but then perished. Through all of this, then battling here at Hogwarts, I learnt the true power of friendship. Although many nights I curled up in a sleeping bag in the middle of nowhere, I never felt alone. I knew that there were people out there who cared about me, my friends at Hogwarts, my family and others who were in the same situation as me. We were all united under a will to defeat Lord Voldemort. The past year has made me stronger and allowed me to appreciate what I have and not take it for granted."
This was followed by Seamus who spoke about loyalty, standing up for what you believe in and his experiences of being at Hogwarts during the war.
Hermione walked confidently to the front of the raised stage, stood behind the podium and looked out to the audience.
"Mudblood," she said simply. "This word, used to describe those who are muggle born, means dirty blood. It has often been used to segregate a big group of people who have as much right to be here as anyone else. No one knows how we get out magic, but once it's clear that we possess this wonderful thing, we should treat everyone equally. I am a muggleborn and I'm proud of it. My parents are muggles and we didn't know anything about this world until my eleventh birthday. But does that mean I shouldn't be here? Last year, under Voldemorts power, muggle borns were hunted and put in Azkaban under the belief they stole magic. Very few people have the gift of being a witch or wizard and so instead of punishing people, we should give them the skills to use their magic. I was once told that I didn't belong at Hogwarts, that my sort of people should stay away from the magical world. If I don't belong here then how come I continually achieved top grades? How come I was able to help defeat Lord Voldemort? Many muggle borns have achieved great things and we shouldn't be segregated. This is a lesson that I hope everyone in this room has leant, can take on board and so total equality exists. My dealings with Voldemort over the past years have taught me that I have just as much right as anyone else to be taught how to use the precious gift I have been given. Thank you." She stood aside as people began clapping.
Then it was Ron's turn. He walked clumsily to the stand, pulled out a scrunched up piece of paper from his pocket and began to speak.
"For many years I admit that I felt jealous of my best friend, Harry Potter. In our first years here at Hogwarts, he got all the attention and I was known as 'his friend' which annoyed me. But, after everything that has happened, I know now that I was wrong to be jealous. Harry was famous when he came to school because his parents had died and something had happened that no one could explain. He thought I was crazy to be jealous of that, and I now know that the whole time he was jealous of me. When I first met him on the Hogwart's Express, I never for one moment thought I'd be going on missions with him and helping him defeat Lord Voldemort. Harry never wanted to be famous and I regret now that a couple of times over our school career we fell out because of my jealousy. I thought he had everything. But fame isn't everything. I have learnt over the past year the true importance of family and friends. When you are away from your family for a long time and unable to contact them, as I was last year, you realise how important they are to you. I always hated having a big family, it meant less attention and when I did something, it had always been done before. But now I realise that everyone stands out in their own way. Friendship is a powerful thing and when you have friends like mine, they become part of your family. I couldn't have gotten through everything without my family and friends. So, try never to feel ashamed of what you have, because nearly always there is someone who wants what you do have." Ron went to sit down. Mrs Wealsey, along with all the others who had left Hogwarts, was sat at the back with tears in her eyes. Seeing her son stand up there and talk about the importance of family made her very proud.
"I think I know better than most people what it's like to love someone who is in danger and not know where they are or whether they are even still alive," said Ginny. "Last year was the worst year of my life. Well, one of the worst. You see, in my first year at Hogwarts I discovered exactly why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. It may look like a harmless diary but it could turn out to be one of Voldemort's horcruxes that gains power from you. That led me into the Chamber of Secrets, which is when I learnt that some myths, even magaical myths, do actually exist. I would have died down there if it weren't for by brother Ron and Harry Potter who came to save me. It was then that I started thinking of Harry as more than a famous person, but as a friend. Last year, at Dumbledore's funeral, after dating for a few months he broke up with me. Not because he didn't like me, but because he did. He didn't want me to be in any more danger than I had to be, in case Voldemort held me hostage to get Harry. I spent a year hoping he was okay, not having contact with him until the Final Battle. The worst moment of my life was when I thought he had died. But he wasn't the only one I was worried about. Ron was with him and Hermione, who I regard as a sister. My twin brothers Fred and George were heading an illegal radio show. Bill and Charlie were both involved in the fight and Percy, well at that point I thought he didn't care about me. I myself spent the first part of the year at Hogwarts, getting punished by the Carrows and trying to keep everyone else optimistic. Without Neville and Luna I wouldn't have been able to get through that. Then I had to go home, because it was unsafe here for me. I spent day after day worrying about what was going on. I learnt that you have to believe that there is hope, even if it's very slight. Now, although I have lost Fred, I have Percy back in my life, Harry as my boyfriend and my family is as close as ever. So in a werid way, last year was good in that it brought people together, made friendships stronger and feelings more pronounced. That's why I know without a shadow of a doubt that, Harry, I love you," Ginny smiled. The Great Hall erupted in applause and some people whistled and cat called.
The noise levels in the Hall rose as Ginny sat down as there was only one other person, Harry, left to speak.
"First of all, I would just like to say Ginny, I love you too," Harry started. "For years, I always thought that if I could swap my life then I would in a second, but now that isn't true. As if I did that, then I wouldn't have the amazing friends that I do. I know that I couldn't have gotten through all this without them. They were there by my side through all of it, in spirit if not in body. I know that you all wanted to hear my story over the summer, but it was too painful right after Voldemort's death. I needed time to get over everything that happened. I knew nothing about this world until my 11th birthday and I was so glad to be leaving the Dursley's. But then I found that my parents were murdered, not killed in an accident and everything changed for me. I slowly learnt about the wizarding world and all about Voldemort. With Dumbledore's help, I learnt that it was my destiny to kill Voldemort because of a prophecy made before I was even born. This made me famous. I don't think a year has past since I arrived at this school where I haven't been involved in drama. In my first year there was the philosopher's stone, my second year the Chamber of Secrets, third year the dementors and finding out Sirius Black was innocent and my godfather, fouth year the Triwizard Tournament, fifth year fighting at the ministry of magic and sixth year Dumbledore dying then the battle that went with that. I am hoping that this year will break the mould and be a quiet year," several people laughed. "Last year, I didn't run away like many of you think I did. I left in order to find and eliminate all of Voldemort's horcruxes so that if we met again, I could defeat him. I, along with Ron and Hermione travelled all over the country, sleeping in a tent and moving every couple of days so we wouldn't be caught. Slowly we learnt more, grew stronger and started finding them. The first had been the diary that Ginny mentioned which I had destroyed all those years ago. Then there was a ring that Professor Dumbledore destroyed but which cost him his life due to a curse that spread from his hand to the rest of his body. We managed to find, from Dolores Umbridge, a locket which Ron destroyed. We then had to break into Gringrott's to get a cup that was a horcrux. Yes it was us that broke in and escaped on the back of a dragon. We did it because we had to and I really wish we hadn't of needed to. Then during the Battle here we retreived a diadem and it was also destroyed. The last horcrux, or so we thought, was Nagini, Voldemort's snake. But we were wrong. There was another one, me." Some people, who hadn't heard this, gasped. "The horcrux in me was an accident from when the killing curse rebounded when I was one. It was destroyed when I gave myself up to Voldemort in order to save all of you. It was me he wanted, not all of you. But I didn't die because my blood lived on in him so I couldn't die whilst he was alive. Neville then proceeded to kill Nagini although he was unaware at the time it was a horcrux. With all this done, Voldemort could be, and was, killed. Solely because I was the master of the elder wand. Anyone could have done it if they were the master. I would like to take some time now to thank the people who have played a large part of my life. My friends, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Seamus and Dean for always 'being there for me, well most of the time. The rest of the Weasley's for making me feel like a member of the family. My teachers here, in particular Professor McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore who always guided me. And for anyone else who believed what I had to say when the rest of the world didn't. For those who believed I was doing the right thing and not running away. For those who always supported me," finished Harry.
After it was all over, the seats moved to the edge of the room, allowing people more room to mingle and talk to others. Harry looked from where he stood with the Weasley's and saw Luna introducing Neville to Mr Ollivander and then Neville's Gran go over and pull him into a hug. Dean and Seamus were answering questions from a group of girls. Chloe, the first year, was talking to Professor McGonagall. He could just about hear her asking the Professor about Dumbledore. Groups of students stood in groups, talking about what they had heard. Reporters were moving round the room, taking pictures. His eyes settled on Malfoy, who had found a seat at the side of the room.
"Well done Potter," said Malfoy as Harry made his way over.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry as it wasn't said in a nasty way, more genuine.
"I mean well done for telling the world what you went through. People know what happened now," replied Malfoy. "And thank you, for not mentioning Malfoy Manor."
"You don't need any more trouble in your life. What would be the purpose of telling?" asked Harry.
"I'd have thought you'd want to punish me," said Malfoy, standing up.
"No, I don't. We've all suffered enough. Now it's time to call a truce and mark the beginning of a new era," said Harry, holding out his hand.
"To a new era," said Malfoy as he shook Harry's hand.
"What's going on?" asked Ginny as she bounded over and put her arms round Ginny.
"I was just seeing if Malfoy would like to join us at the Hogs Head for a drink later," replied Harry. Malfoy looked stunned. Ginny, on the other hand, smiled.
"Umm ... sure, I guess," replied Malfoy. Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Dean, Luna and Neville had all come over now.
"Guys, Malfoy is going to join us tonight," said Harry. Ron opened his mouth but with a look from Hermione, promtly shut it again.
"We're going to be in the same class all year," said Neville. "So we should make peace so our final year is the best ever." He then shook hands with Malfoy as Harry had done.
"Can I get a picture of all the speakers please," asked a reporter from the Daily Prophet.
"Sure," agreed Harry. He wrapped his arm round Ginny and stood next to Hermione and Ron who had done the same. Seamus and Dean knelt on the floor in front of them. Luna and Neville stood the other side of Harry and Ginny. Malfoy watched from the side as the picture was taken, with them all laughing and smiling. Maybe this year wouldn't be so bad, he thought. Maybe he could move on with his life and change.
"You all did amazingly," said Professor Smith, coming over with Charlie.
"Thanks professor," said Dean and Seamus.
"Just so you know, I'm okay with you and Charlie dating," said Ron, surprising the professor. "I'm not pleased about it or anything, but I accept it."
"How did you ...?" she asked.
"I saw you both kissing," admitted Harry.
"Well, I guess there's no point in hiding it now then," smiled Charlie and he hugged his girlfriend.
"This really is a new era," mumbled Harry under his breath so no one else could hear.