Coming Home

Neville
No one believed in me. No one thought I could do anything—not even my family, actually, especially my family! I was laughed at, written off, disregarded as an idiot. But when the time came to fight, I showed up. I was there—I was even the one who killed Nagini.

I was slow to start, but I practiced and practiced. I wanted it more than anything else. My parents’ situation, tortured out of their minds by the Death Eaters, created a sadness, a longing for the time we never had together. But it also created a drive to defeat the darkness, so even when others gave up on Dumbledore’s Army, I never did. I showed up and we won. And, hey, I’m even a teacher now at Hogwarts.

Luna
Okay, I was kind of spaced-out, looking in the wrong places and the wrong dimensions, but my heart was always in the right place. I always believed in Harry. I did have to really focus and get strong, but I did! In the end, I was there, strong and full of heart, and we did it.

The Twins
Well, we were always talented—that wasn’t the issue. Remember how we passed our Apparition test on the first try? No one does that! We just loved to goof off. Being serious was always a challenge, but we too showed up when it was time. And I’d say our humor helped everyone out. A laugh in a dark time is always a good thing. 

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss Fred. Some funny, great part of my life is gone. It is sad, but I’m not sad. We did it, we defeated Voldemort.

Snape
When Dumbledore said I was brave, that he’d thought the Sorting happens too early, I was stricken. The thought of being in Gryffindor with Lily—my whole life would have been different. But, it’s okay. In the end, I turned it around. Out of my love for her, I helped protect her son. And, more importantly—I see now—I got to work closely with Dumbledore. He changed me forever. Everyone thought I was with the Dark Lord, but I knew better, and Dumbledore knew, and that was enough. I did what was right, and left on a high note.

Harry
Some people joke I act just like a muggle now. No epic tasks, no battles. But I know while the externals may look mundane (the family, the job), inside, all is deeply well and exceptionally bright. My scar hasn’t hurt for seventeen years.