The spirits of Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Lupin née Tonks, Colin Creevey, and all the others who had died fighting on both sides of the Battle of Hogwarts floated in a group on the grounds of Hogwarts. They felt like they were supposed to be moving on to somewhere but something was keeping them there, as though the recently departed had to wait for an escort.
During the memorial service that was held a few days after the battle Fred watched his family grieve his heart breaking especially when he saw the raw pain on George's face and the guilt on Percy's. He wished that he could tell him that it wasn't his fault. Tonks and Remus drank in every moment of their son, Teddy, who lay in Andromeda's arms, hair changing from blonde to black to turquoise and every color in between, blissfully unaware of the fact that his parents had just died fighting to give him a better future.
McGonagall finished her speech and called Harry Potter up to say a few words. He was clearly uncomfortable and nervous standing in front of all the people who were attending the service. Remus watched him knowing that James and Lily would've been extremely proud of the young man that he'd become. However he was confused when Harry mentioned Severus Snape amongst the fallen heroes. For one thing he didn't see how Harry could see the Death Eater who murdered Albus Dumbledore a hero and besides his spirit wasn't amongst the group. Bellatrix Lestrange and four extremely ugly and mutilated spirits that Remus strongly believed belonged to Voldemort but he wasn't sure why it was split into four.
After the service was finished, the attendees left to go their separate ways. Harry, the Weasleys, Hermione, Electra, Andromeda and Teddy stood together by the newly erected memorial stone that was engraved with the names of everyone who gave their lives to bring Voldemort down from both the First and Second Wizarding Wars. Tonks realized with sadness that she and Remus had never talked to Electra about their decision to name her godmother to their son. She just added that to the list of things that she'd regretted not being able to do. She heard her mother ask Harry, "Harry, why is Regulus on the stone? He was a Death Eater and I thought he died because he tried to leave the Death Eaters."
"That's what he wanted his family to think," Harry explained. "Kreacher told us the true story of what happened to Regulus. He had truly started to get cold feet and after Kreacher had had to help Voldemort with hiding one of his Horcruxes-" Electra snarled viciously at the mention of what she considered one of the most heinous acts a person could commit most likely because of her staunch belief that no one should ever try to extend their life and avoid death. "Regulus thought that if he was going to die leaving Voldemort's service then he was going to try his best to take Voldemort down with him. He sacrificed himself rather than Kreacher to collect the Horcrux and ordered him not to tell anyone except his twin sister Cassie how he really died."
"Uncle Reg's death was what caused my mom to finally pack up and get as far away from her parents as possible by moving to America," Electra said. "That and she was of legal age to live by herself according to Muggle authorities." She looked over at the group of spirits and saw a figure approaching them. "I have to go home. I know you want to talk about what happened in the Shack Harry but it'll have to wait because Nico will have my head if I take any longer showing him I'm alive and well. Hazel too." Harry nodded slightly disgruntled but understanding because he remembered her stories of how protective her family was of her though he did find it interesting that she hadn't mentioned her older brother who loved potions because he was more protective than the other two and wasn't involved in the Battle since he never saw anyone he didn't recognize talking to Electra.
Fred turned to Remus and Tonks as Electra left to Apparate home, "Is it just me or did Electra look at us like she could see us?"
"It definitely seemed like it," Remus said. "But it shouldn't be possible for her to have seen us."
"There are a few mortals who are able to see the dead so it is possible," a deep, melodious voice said behind them. The spirits all turned as though drawn to the figure by a magnet, despite the Death Eaters and what was left of Voldemort clearly not wanting to. They were shocked to see a lean and muscular man standing there with a pair of wings tucked behind his back that shimmered in shades of black, blue, and purple, teakwood colored skin, and honey gold eyes that could clearly see them.
To Be Continued...