Hermione looked around at all the people who had come. A part of her couldn't believe they were all there for him. She blinked back the tears as she watched the coffin carried passed.

They were holding the funeral at Hogwarts as he had requested. That had come as a surprise. Not that he had wanted to be buried here, after all this was the place he considered home, had since the day he had entered the wizarding world.

No what had surprised her was that he had made a will, if you could call it that. Just a few letters saying goodbye to loved ones and friends and the instructions. He had the whole funeral planned out, picked out everything that he had wanted, the flowers, the food, the venue, even the song. It started playing as they placed the coffin on the dais.

Memories consume, like opening the wound

I'm picking me apart again

You all assume, I'm safe in my room

Unless they try to start again

Hermione felt the body next to her stiffen as the first strands of the music started to play but ignored it in preference of her own memories. She hadn't even known he'd liked Linken Park but it fit. The words of the song fit his life so well it was uncanny.

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

'Cause inside I realise

That I'm the one confused

Hermione saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to watch as Ron stood up. His expression was closed hiding most of his emotions though Hermione could see the unshed tears in his eyes. He walked up to the stand. Stood beside it was a large photo surrounded by lilies in black and white. He was wearing his Hogwarts uniform, smiling for the camera and occasionally winking at the crowd. His green eyes sparkled at them.

Ron turned to face everyone. It was a rag-tag, mixed bunch of light and dark wizards, former Death Eaters and Order of the Phoenix members, Ministry Officials and civilians. A decade before and it would have been a truly astounding sight to behold. And they were all there to mourn the death of one man.

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why I have to scream

I don't know why I instigate

And say what I don't mean

Hermione listened as Ron started the eulogy.

"We are here today to remember a man, a wizard, a great wizard who did great things. Someone who in one-way or another touched the lives of most of our community. A man who repeatedly risked his life to preserve most of ours. Not all of us always understood that about him."

I don't know how I got this way

I know it's not all right

So I'm breaking the habit

I'm breaking the habit, tonight

"He fought to protect us despite the numerous times we turned our backs on him, shunned him. But his efforts will not be forgotten. He will not be forgotten. He re-united our world into the single community it should always have been."

Clutching my cure, I tightly lock the door

I try to catch my breath again

I hurt much more, then any time before

I have no options left again

"He will be missed by all, but more so by those of us who were privileged to know the real him, his friends and loved ones."

Hermione heard a sob from beside her. Fumbling slightly she gripped the hand next to hers in silent comfort. There wasn't much else she could do, no comfort she could give. He was gone and nothing she could say would ever bring him back.

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

'Cause inside I realise

That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why…

Hermione grimaced as the words of the chorus started again. Confusion, Anger, Fear. The emotions were all there. He had felt compelled to fill the position he felt life had created for him, even if he didn't understand why.

"We didn't want to see that he was right about the muggles." Ron continued. "So he forced us to face it."

I'll paint it on the walls

'Cause I'm the one that falls

"He saved us… from ourselves as much as anyone else. All he ever wanted was peace.

I'll never fight again

And this is how it ends

"I only hope he has found peace in death, as he did in life.

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

'Cause inside I realise

That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why I have to scream

This time the sob was louder and Hermione turned to hug and give any comfort she could.

But now I have some clarity

To show you what I mean

Hermione felt another arm around her shoulder. She looked up to find Ron had left the podium to help her comfort their dark haired friend.

I don't know how I got this way

I'll never be all right

"Those he left behind will not forget Tom Riddle or the work he did to restore and protect our world and way of life, from those in the Muggle world who would seek to destroy us. He will live on in the thoughts and hearts of those that knew him and those that loved him."

Harry smiled as his red haired friend finished his speech. When he had heard that Tom did not want him to perform the eulogy he had felt betrayed, had stormed out of the will reading before it was finished, which explained why he didn't know about the song choice. But now… now Harry felt he understood why.

So I'm breaking the habit

I'm breaking the habit… tonight

Their song

The End