The Leaving Feast, 1976
Ravenclaw had won the House Cup this year, but no banners of blue and bronze were in sight. Instead, the bare Great Hall had a pervasive aura of gloom.
The students quietened and looked expectantly to Dumbledore as he stood to deliver his end-of-term message.
'Once again, another school year is ending,' he began. 'I would first like to offer my congratulations to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, for their splendid performance in vying for the House Cup this year. As it is, Ravenclaw is in first place by a narrow margin of ten points, at four hundred and fifty points. Gryffindor is close behind with four hundred and forty, and Slytherin and Hufflepuff in third and fourth place with three hundred and ninety and three hundred and thirty points respectively. Well done, all of you.'
There was a spatter of applause, but it was evident that the same question was running through the minds of all students: what had happened to the decorations for the House Cup winners?
'I have, however,' continued Dumbledore gravely, 'a matter of great importance to address you all about. I am sure that all of you are familiar with the events of last Christmas. For those who are oblivious, however, I will recap: forty-six lives were lost in a tragedy caused by the cruelty and thirst for vengeance of us wizards and witches. As a mark of respect for those whose lives were lost, the Great Hall has not been decorated. I should also like us to observe a moment of silence now.'
He bowed his head and closed his eyes, as did the other teachers along the High Table.
'There may be some of you who oppose this view of the incident,' he said, lifting his head. 'You may feel that it was a necessary move by the Ministry, and that the lives of innocent Muggles are of no consequence. There may even be those of you who believe Lord Voldemort -' there was a collective gasp from some students, which Dumbledore ignored '- and the purity of blood doctrine which he advocates.
'I am not here now to lecture you on who is right or wrong. But I would like to impress upon each and every one of you the preciousness of life. For every life, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, is of irreplaceable worth. I should like you all to reflect upon that, as you return home for the summer holidays.'
Dumbledore's usually twinkling blue eyes took on an even more serious gaze as they swept across the four house tables.
'The days before us will continue to get darker. I regret to say that we are indeed entering a full-scale war; the years to come will not be easy. Many more will die, whether in noble sacrifice or pointless massacring. Families will be torn asunder, lives will be ruined. This is not a fight where we can sit on the fence. All of you will, eventually, face a difficult choice between what is right and what is easy.
'I can only hope that you can find the courage within you to do what is right. May light prevail, even in these times of darkness.'
A ringing silence followed the end of Dumbledore's speech. Grimly, he took his seat, with the wide eyes of hundreds of students fixed upon him.
And then, from the Gryffindor table, James Potter stood and began to clap.
In a thrice, Sirius Black was on his feet as well, following the lead of his best friend. Slowly, others followed suit.
Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, forming the rest of the little gang.
Lily Evans, her face alight with fervour and hope.
Alice Moody and Dorcas Meadowes, their hands raised above their heads as they applauded.
Annemette Darlington, tears streaming down her face, but clapping until her palms hurt.
Not everyone stood; at least half the Slytherin table remained firmly and disdainfully in their seats.
But it was enough: enough to signify that there was still hope for the wizarding world, in the youths who would inherit it. And like a phoenix, the light would rise from the ashes and prevail.
A/N: Having finished this story, I'd just like to thank, once again, my wonderful betas, jamc91 and Birgit, for all their help and the effort they've put into helping me get this story in ship-shape condition! I can never thank them enough!
I'm also really grateful to the readers who have followed this story all the way through, especially those of you who have left me such insightful and cheering reviews! Thank you ever so much! You really brighten a writer's day!
LaurenDawnie deserves a special mention for encouraging me to cross-post here; those of you who have enjoyed this fic on Portkey, you have her to thank!
In writing Ashes, I wanted to explore the shift in Lily and James's relationship - a gradual change from what JKR presented us with in OotP to something that could develop into the love from which Harry was conceived, as well as the catalyst which must have sparked that change. I hope I've managed to weave the two events together, from the lead-up to the climax, winding down to the resolution.
There are still many aspects of Lily and James's changing relationship to explore, more threads hanging loose, characters with histories begging to be written, futures that have already been mapped out in my mind. I have done so in my sequel, Rising from Embers, which can currently be found (complete) at Checkmated. The final part, Falling with Grace, is also in progress at Checkmated, and I hope to have it finished before the arrival of DH.
Once again, thanks to all,
shiiki