Life Must Go On: Chapter 1

Chapter 1: 1998, May 2nd

The sun had now risen. A New Era had begun. The start of a better, less frightful and safer life. But for some it felt as though, life had ended or life wasn't worth living, after seeing the lifeless bodies of their loved ones.
Harry, once rid of the elder-wand, with questions circling inside his head, just wanted to be alone, whilst he tried to decide on what was going to happen next. But before he did that he needed a good long rest. He was tired, physically, socially and mentally. He walked down to the lake and sat under the Willow tree and laid his head down on the damp grass.
He closed his eyes after seeing the sun shining brightly as it did any day, no matter what, it was always shining, always looking on the bright side.


Neville
Life wasn't fair, but we have to deal with whatever life throws at us, whatever obstacles we face.
I know everyone is mortal, but it would have been nice to be with family in times like this. I don't want to be alone.
Just moments ago Gran took her last breath, with a smile on her face, knowing that the Dark Lord and the individuals, who caused our family so much pain, were gone from this world. Her smile is what gives me strength. She smiled because she was finally going where she wished to be, with Granddad. She smiled because she had hope that she was going to see her beloved husband again. She smiled because she knew I was safe. I knew that. It's what makes me put a smile on my face and get on with life and embrace all the good things.
I said my final good-bye to Gran and kissed her on the forehead. She was still laid on one of the corridors, near to the room of requirements. I told her to go home. I told her to keep away from this ludicrous chaos but she just couldn't help it. She was there at the start and she wanted to be here at the end. Look where that got her. Sprawled on the floor and lifeless. No. No I can't think like that. She knew what she was doing and she was happy. I should be happy for her. I sat there with her hand in mine for what felt like forever, just remembering.

Luna
Neville was kneeling beside his Grandmother, who was lying on the cold, tilled, soot covered floor. I could hear his quiet sobs. Nobody should go through something like this especially on their own, no matter who they were. Poor Neville had just lost the rest of his family; his rock. I couldn't even imagine how that felt; the loneliness. I was grateful I had my father. I was lucky. Some weren't so lucky.
I placed my hand on Neville's shoulder to let him simply know, I was there for him. He placed his hand on top of mine in acknowledgement. He started to sob a little louder, so I knelt down next to him.
A couple of Men dressed in pitch noir robes were stood with a stretcher, waiting to be able to take the body away. Neville placed his arms over the body, to prevent them from taking it. "Neville, you have to let go". I tried to pull his arms away from the body but he was persistent. "Neville!" I shouted. I kept my tone stern, it was the only way. "Neville look at me, you can't keep her, and you know that. She's gone, you know that don't you?" Neville nodded in reply, as his bottom lip quivered. "She'd want you to be strong, you can let her physical body go, but no one will take her way from you, from here," I pointed to his heart, "from your heart. She will always remain there for as long as you let her be and no matter what, she'll be in your memories, just like your parents and everyone else you love". Neville nodded in agreement and then nodded at the men who were stood waiting for permission to take the body.
As they took the body, Neville just turned towards me and burst into tears. I hugged him tightly as he sobbed into my shoulders as his body shook, letting his emotions out. "Bye Gran, I love you, always. Tell mum and Dad too, like I said..." He whispered to himself.

Ginny
I couldn't bear the pain, the hurt, the void. Eventually all the feelings merged into numbness.  All my senses just zoned out, except my eye sight which was trying to record what was happening. People bustling around, lifeless bodies lain on stretchers in a corner. I couldn't even stand the sight. I stood up and walked out of the Great Hall aimlessly. I found an empty classroom which was still standing. It was small and, well usually I would have said cosy, but nothing could be described as cosy any more, everything was in a state. A bad state. I went in and sat by the desk, with my legs, tucked up towards my chest, surrounded tightly by my arms. I sat there silently and closed my eyes.

Hermione
The war was finally over, but now was no time to rest, as much as I wanted to, as much as anyone wanted to, we had priorities. First was to say good bye to our, unfortunately former, deceased combatants. It was something we didn't want to do, but it was our only chance. I couldn't face the ones who had died fighting. Sometimes I think it's my fault they died, sometimes I think 'why not them, why not me?', sometimes I'm thankful it's not me. Is that disrespectful, is that something I should be thinking? Would they have wanted me or all the survivors, to have lived and the deceased die? If they could do it again, would they choose the same fate, in the same circumstances?
I stood at the towering door of the Great hall watching the covered bodies on stretchers being carried in and placed in a straight line. I couldn't actually stand in the room, so from afar I watched Ron and his whole family stood, surrounding Fred's unmoving body. To the right I saw Remus and Tonks lay side by side on stretchers. To the left I saw the Patil twins and half a dozen students surrounding another body on the ground. I saw, I heard, I felt. The tears, the cries the hurt. Mostly the pain.  I stood leaning against the wall just looking at the chaos from afar not knowing what to do.