A Prayer For The Dying by LadyGinevraMalfoy

Rating: G
Genres: Drama
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 4
Published: 19/04/2005
Last Updated: 19/04/2005
Status: In Progress

A very short 3 paragraph challenge from Neville's pov. Also includes Draco/Ginny,
Ron/Luna




1. A Prayer For the Dying
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**A/N:** I wrote this for a challenge in which you had to use the phrase, A Prayer for the
Dying. It was only allowed to be three paragraphs long. I know that it is short, but I really like
it. Let me know what you think!

**Disclaimer:** I own nothing; I am playing in JK Rowling's world.

I fought along them all that night not so long ago. I wanted to be there to avenge my
parents' death, and to finally prove my worth as a wizard. Harry Potter and his friends had
helped me more than they would ever know those first five years at Hogwarts. I, Neville Longbottom,
had never been what one would consider popular, brave, or capable. Yet, these five people looked
past my shortcomings and made feel empowered. I have always felt that we all share a common bond.
We have all suffered some trauma in our lives. Everyone who has ever heard the name Harry Potter
knows of his tragic life, so I need not dwell on those particulars. Hermione Granger did not grow
up in the magical world; she is what many snobs consider an outsider, thus rendering her less than
worthy of magic. I feel most close to her. Though I come from a pureblooded wizarding family, I
came into my magic late. Then there are the Weasleys. The two youngest, Ron and Ginny have always
been poor and in the shadows. Ron befriended Harry, and will forever be second best. As for Ginny,
let's just say that being the youngest of seven children does not allow for much attention.
Finally, there is Luna Lovegood. She is an exceptional young witch, full intelligence, creativity,
and loyalty. Like me, she is often ridiculed. We march to the beat of a different drum, and as a
result are often chastised. These young, vibrant, courageous people are dearest to my heart.

You will notice I never once described these individuals as innocent. While they are all no more
than children, their innocence was lost long ago. They as I have seen the evils of the world. We
have faced the greatest force of evil the wizarding world has ever known firsthand. I stood with
then that night at the Ministry and fought against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They are still
fighting against them. It is almost two years since that eventful night, and war is raging our
land. My own fear has kept me from joining them in their battles since then. Call me selfish, a
coward, whatever, but my Gran has lost enough to frontline combat. Now, I sit on the sidelines, and
heal the wounded. I see death and suffering everyday. My five friends have all escaped any serious
injuries, and are valiantly battling for our safety. Each day I praise Merlin that my they did not
come through my wards.

I say another prayer, though; one that is much more macabre. I pray for the innocence, peace,
and joy that each and every one of that brave five has lost. I have come to believe that without
those three concepts in your life, your very soul begins to die. Without a soul, you are little
more than a shell walking the Earth. So yes, I pray everyday for the dying; the individuals who are
dying but do not even realize. A large number of the resistance members are children, and they are
having a vital part of themselves destroyed. We will win this war; I have little doubt of that. We
will lose; however, our innocence, peace, and joy. Our lives will go on. We will all experience
good times; Harry and Hermione and Luna and Ron will marry. If Ginny and her tumultuous
relationship with Draco mellows out, they will also tight the knot, I'm sure. Heck, I am sure I
will even find love. The horrors of this experience will mar us forever, though. We deserved better
than this; fear is no way to grow up. So to balance the scales, and do my part to bring mercy, I
pray for the dying.

**Come on, tell me how this struck you!!!**

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