Black Veils

Prologue: Beautiful Remains

12/08/15

4:48am

Harry sat quietly in the front row of seats. Had he not been the Chosen One, he would probably be forced to stand like so many others who had gathered to say goodbye to one of the greatest people in the wizarding world. He glanced over to where Albus Dumbledore stood next to Severus Snape. Snape had his head slightly tilted in the headmaster's direction as if he were listening to something being spoken quietly in his ear. Suddenly, he looked up and Harry flinched when their eyes met. There was something shining in Snape's eyes that Harry had never seen there before. Not that he went around gazing into his potion professor's eyes or anything. What was it? It almost looked like concern, or pity. Harry quickly averted his eyes. He didn't need the man's pity. What he needed was for this whole ordeal to be over so he could go back to his dorm and hide behind the curtains of his bed. It would only be then that he could truly grieve.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Dumbledore began quietly, "please take your seats."

Harry didn't bother looking to see who sat around him. He knew who was there. To his right sat Ron Weasley, his best mate. To Ron's right were the rest of the Weasley family. Even Bill, Charlie, and Percy were there. It was a statement to everyone attending that this girl was a part of the family. Molly Weasley was as distraught as the Grangers. She held Ginny tightly in her arms as if she were afraid to let her go. She felt the utmost sympathy for the small muggle family. Arthur wanted so badly to comfort them, but was afraid that they would blame his family for what had happened. It had been at their home after all.

To his left sat Mrs. Granger, Hermione's parents. Harry was afraid to look at them. He didn't know if he'd be able to get through this if he saw the pain and agony of losing their only child on their faces one more time. In the hospital wing, two days ago, had been enough. Mrs. Granger had tried to comfort him by saying that Hermione had always spoken of him and Ron even while she trembled in grief. Mr. Granger told them of a board in Hermione's room at home that had a strange note on it in a voice made gravelly by suppressed tears. He had written it down word for word for them to read. He had no idea what it meant, but it appeared to be a poem of some sort. He had brushed it off to some weird wizarding thing, thinking that Hermione would explain when she came home after her two week visit with the Weasleys.

"Harry and Ron,

I never meant to be the one who kept you from the dark, but now I know my wounds are sewn. Because of who you are. I will take this burden on and become the holy one, but remember I am human and bound to sing this song.**

Love you my boys,

'Mione"

Needless to really say, Harry wasn't looking forward to seeing the same broken looks. He could only imagine the enormity of anguish they were experiencing. Sure, 'Mione had been his sibling in all but blood; But she had been their daughter. Their only child. And now she was gone. It gave him some perspective on how deeply his mother had loved him to give up her life. Harry grit his teeth against the howl of anger and pain that tried to claw its way up his throat. No parent should ever have to see their child layed out in funeral attire. It was just wrong. Harry swore, then and there, that he would find a way to restore the Grangers' daughter to them. He didn't know how, or how long it might take, but he was going to do it. They had magic! If magic couldn't right this wrong, then Harry would no longer have a use for it.

After everyone had taken what seats were available, Dumbledore cleared his throat before speaking again. It became almost silent. Had it not been for the sobs, sniffles, and whispered comfort, there would have been no sound at all. Dumbledore took a moment to look at Harry. He knew the boy would be torn up inside, even though it didn't really show on his face. It was why Albus had arranged certain happenings recently. When Harry looked up and met his eyes, Albus was stunned by the sheer amount of anger and loathing swirling in those emerald depths. There was no way that Harry could know the truth, was there? He felt some of the color leave his face at that thought. He really couldn't afford to lose the Chosen One now. He cleared his throat again before speaking.

"Thank you all for coming to share this so very sad day with us. We have entered into a time of war and prejudice, and it is the young who are suffering. Our children are being forced to fight a war that is not their own. If we all come together, we can stop this from happening to others."

Harry snorted softly. Leave it to Dumbledore to throw his Order pitch at group of grieving people.

"No-one could have predicted the outcome of the last few days. Least of all, myself."

Harry coughed to cover the sound of astonishment that nearly fought its' way out of his mouth at that last comment. The bloody coot was trying to make sure there wasn't any blame lain at his feet. It caused something to niggle at his brain, something to do with the note 'Mione left, but he just couldn't remember.

"I am truly sorry to have to say goodbye," Dumbledore continued, "to one of the most intelligent witches I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Hermione Granger was a kind, caring witch. She was also top of her class at Hogwarts. Had she made it to her seventh year, she was to be announced Head Girl and offered an apprenticeship in transfiguration."

Harry could only stare wide-eyed at the headmaster. The man was being very uncouth with the way he was wording everything. The tone of his voice was grandfatherly and concerned, but the words were harsh. Harry knew it was just part of Dumbledore's manipulation of everyone around him. The old man had despised 'Mione. She was the only witch, probably in history, who had ever dared to stand up to him and speak her mind.

"Miss Granger was what every professor dreams of seeing in a student. She was not only intelligent, but recklessly brave. Time and time again, Miss Granger put her friends above her own safety, always being there when she was needed. We will miss her deeply."

Harry sighed quietly in anger at how once again the old man had made something 'Mione did sound negative. It made him want to curse the bastard. Maybe he could get someone to teach him something appropriately nasty to use.

"Professor McGonagal would like to share a moment about Hermione." Dumbledore bowed his head for a moment and then stepped down from the slightly raised dais in front of where Hermione's body was lain out on a pyre. She had been dressed in her Hogwarts robes. Her parents had insisted that it was the only thing that represented her so completely. Hermione had been proud to be a witch. Her usually bushy hair had been pinned up in a style similar to that of fourth year and the yule ball. Her hands were folded around a black rose that she had preserved last Valentine's Day after Ron had given it to her when he finally asked her out. She was just as stunning in death as she had been in life. It was a bit creepy to be honest. She really didn't look dead at all. Just sleeping.

"Miss Granger was a very dear girl to me." Professor McGonagal said.

Harry let his mind wander a bit while McGonagal spoke of Hermione's love for learning. His thoughts were turned toward how he and Ron were going to manage without her.

Once McGonagal stepped down from the slightly raised dais in front of where Hermione's body was lain on a pyre, Ron stood up with a broken hearted sigh. He slowly made his way to where his professor had stood and then opened his mouth to speak. All that came out was a deep, guttural sob before the redhead turned to Harry pleading with his eyes. Harry tried to give an encouraging smile but knew it had to look more like a grimace and nodded at his best mate. Ron cleared his throat and began to speak.

"'Mione was-" Ron sniffed and wipe at his eyes. Speaking of the love of his life in the past tense was almost more than he could handle. If Harry hadn't been there, he didn't think he could do it. "'Mione was the most beautiful girl I've ever known. Her beauty wasn't just physical. It was something that came from her soul. She shone like the full moon on a cloudless night. She helped me and Harry through so many things. She was my heart. Without her, I don't know how I can go on. Harry-" Ron sobbed again and rushed down the dais towards his best mate. Harry stood up and wrapped Ron in a crushing hug, doing his best to simulate the way Hermione had hugged them both. There was a cacophony of sniffles and sobs from the gathered people at the display of brotherly love between The-Boy-Who-Lived and his best mate.

Harry just stood there with his best mate in his arms and let Ron cry. He'd never seen Ron so torn up about anything before. It was beyond sad. After a few moments of letting Ron cry, Harry patted him on the back and gently extricated himself. He gave a small smile to Ron before turning to the dais to say his goodbyes. Whispering a spell, Harry conjured a guitar. It wasn't anything flashy. Just something he'd seen once as a child and had learned to play once at Hogwarts with Hermione's encouragement. It was fitting that he should play it now. Everyone looked up at him in confusion. No-one, but Ron and Hermione, knew Harry played.

Harry began strumming the chords softly. Everyone stared up at him in awe. They could feel the magic building as he played. Several mouths dropped in astonishment when Harry opened his mouth and began to sing.

We gather here to sing for you, the words you've written

Each bloodshot beauty still rings true, from violent crashes

Gently rest your weary head

Goodnight

Goodbye

A soul surrender

This love will set you free from thoughts of yesterday

Now Death has come to claim your beautiful remains

I'll strike the match to set you off, gently rest your weary head

Here in this room is what we must do

We must do, we must do

This love will set you free from thoughts of yesterday

Now Death has come to claim your beautiful remains

Goodnight

Goodbye

When the last note faded from the guitar, Harry finally looked up. He could see magic everywhere. For a moment he was truly stunned. His eyes met those of Hermione's mother, and he could see the deep gratitude there. Mrs. Granger knew her daughter would have loved the song Harry sang just for her. Harry nodded at her and made to step down from the dais. Mr and Mrs Granger both stood and wrapped their arms around Harry. They turned to face their daughter lying on the pyre.

"Please, would you do this for us?" Mr Granger asked while tears pooled in his eyes. He was handing a lit torch to Harry and Ron.

Harry bit his lip and looked to Mrs Granger. She gave him a small smile through her tears and said, "Please? Hermione would have wanted it." Her hands were shaking as she reached out to take a hand each from Ron and Harry.

Harry nodded and looked to Ron. Ron nodded back. Together they held the torch in their hands and leant forward to set the pyre alight.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley! Harry James Potter!" a voice they knew all too well shouted at them. Both boys jerked and looked up in astonishment. "You stop that crying this instant! I will not be the reason for the two strongest men I've ever known to break!"

The gathered people gasped in surprise. Ron's eyes were huge in his pale, freckled face. There stood, or rather floated, Hermione before them. She was so beautiful! A soft light seemed to surround her ethereal form. Harry couldn't help the grin that began to grow on his face. The others around them began whispering and shuffling in the background, but Harry, Ron, and the Grangers took no notice.

"'Mione?" Harry questioned somewhat excitedly. "What did you do?" He knew she had to have done something before her death for her to be able to appear before them like that. What, he had no idea, but that wasn't surprising. He rarely had any idea what Hermione was up to until it was already done.

"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione asked innocently. The smirk she wore belied her tone.

"'Mione, please?" Ron whispered in agony. It took every ounce of strength he had left not to reach out for her. He knew she wasn't solid, but looked quite the opposite. He was terrified she wasn't real; That someone had played a horrid joke on him.

"Oh, Ron, don't worry. It will all be okay in the end. Just remember, not all Dark is Evil. But, it is Unholy." Hermione whispered to her boyfriend before disappearing with a quiet pop. Only Ron, Harry, and Severus heard it.

A/N: Song is "Beautiful Remains" by Black Veil Brides.