Life Must Go On: Chapter 5

Chapter 5: 1998, May 2nd pt 5

Anthony
They were taking the girl away on a stretcher when Professor McGonagall approached me. “Anthony, I’ve just spoken to Padma and asked her if she and you could do a register of some kind. There have been a few loses and we basically need to know who is still alive. We need to find out if the children still have parents or guardians. Miss Patil has made a start if you could help her that would be appreciated if you don’t have anything else to do.
“I can start right away. Is she in the hall?”
“Miss Patil? She’s in the hall, yes.” McGonagall disappeared.

Padma
“Hey. McGonagall asked me to help you.” I turned to see a flushed Tony stood behind me.
“Oh. Yes she said since technically we’re head boy and girl she gave us the responsibility of watching the students. I’ve started making a register of the boys and girls including their age, house and parents or guardians names” I nodded “That way it’s easier to find their parents or relatives.”
“What about the adults”?
“What about them”?
“Don’t they need to be registered?”
“I’m... I’m not sure. But it makes sense to sort the children out first so I think we should do that first.”
“Ok.”
“Tony?” I turned back
“Anything? Parvati?” He shook his head.  “No sorry”.

Hermione
“Ron?”
“Hmm?”
“Have you seen Harry?”
“Not since he threw the...” I stopped before I said Elder wand - If anyone heard me, it wouldn’t have been good.
“Same. Maybe we should find him.”

Ron
We walked around the grounds for what felt like forever. We walked around the quiddich pitch, the place where Hagrid’s house used to be and the Herbology gardens.Eventually we found harry sat under a tree by the lake with his eyes closed. It was quiet and peaceful. The sun was still shining as it had been all morning.
Harry opened one eye as he heard us sit down beside him. We all smiled subtly and sat in silence.

Harry
I broke the peaceful silence first. “You guys ok?”
“As okay as one can be after what we’ve been though. You?” Hermione answered.
“Same” I laughed. “But I’m so tired. How is everyone? Is everyone still in the hall?”
“Yeah most people are.” His voice sounded unsteady. I sat up and looked at them both.
“What’s up? What happened? Did something happen?”
“No” Ron replied. Hermione looked at him with an odd expression on her face. “Tell him”.
“What’s to tell?”
“Tell him”. I felt like I wasn’t there and I was positive I was missing something by the sound of Hermione’s voice. “What’s wrong? Can one of you tell me at least?”
“I... I can’t. I don’t want to talk about it.” Ron abruptly stood up and walked off.
“Hermione?” She looked at Ron contemplating whether she should go after him or explain to me. She sighed and turned to me. I assumed she decided Ron needed some space- I agreed. He looked as though he was about to cry.
“Fred’s dead”. The words felt like a punch in the stomach.
“How?” Hermione shook her head and continued. “Tonks too” another punch. “And Remus” and another. She bowed her head unable to finish. “Who else?” I asked. She shook her head and replied “I don’t... I don’t know”.
My chest felt heavy. I struggled to breathe. I defeated Voldemort but I still lost. I lost family. Again.