A/N: I do not take any credit for J.K. Rowling's characters, plot, etc., I only take credit for my characters and additions to the plot. This story takes place during the 6th novel. Also, if you are a huge Harry/Ginny fan… This fanfiction is not for you… Sorry
Chapter 1: Perfect Day for a Funeral
This weather is appropriate for a funeral was all my numb mind and body could think of while standing with the mourners taking in the unusually chilly and misty July morning. Even for Boston, this was an unusually cold day. My thoughts were, unfortunately, brought back to the moment by my uncle grabbing my hand and taking me to the side, "Alright, Emmeline, I think you have had enough of this. Let us go back to the house and get your bags packed for the trip to the home you will stay at when you are not at Hogwarts," Uncle Albus told me.
He was more than right. I had, had enough of the condolences about my parents. I had, had enough of making preparations for today. I had, had enough of everything. I hadn't had a moment to myself since the accident four days ago to mourn the sudden loss of my parents.
I followed Uncle Albus into the house that I had grown up in and saw my every milestone. But now it looked and felt different to me. The absence of my parents took some of the life out of the house. I went up to my room and took one last look around; I couldn't bear anymore than that. I quickly grabbed my school trunk with all the belongings I cared to take and grabbed my black owl, Dùlin and headed back out of the house and the oppression I felt with it.
As I stepped out of the house I saw my Great-Uncle Albus waiting for me. What used to be an intimidating man I only saw on infrequent trips to England, the man I knew was the greatest wizard of all, was now all I had left of my family. In the dreary light of the mist I saw my father in his face and I knew that I would be alright with Uncle Albus.
"Uncle Albus, do you think we can make a stop before we leave? My best friend from Salem Witches Institute would never forgive me if I left without saying good-bye," I asked him as I exited the house. "Sure thing, but we will need to be leaving before night-fall." Before we left, he waved his wand by my luggage and owl and they disappeared, presumably to my final destination.
I led him down the path I travelled often between our two houses. As we were walking, we passed one of my favorite hang outs, Willowy Tea Shop, which I pointed out to my uncle, "Uncle Albus, maybe you would like to wait here? I will not be long and her house is just right over there." "That is fine, Emmeline, but straight there and back, please." I promised him I would. I knew all the adults were nervous nowadays. They all said, "It's dangerous times" whenever we wanted to go out.
I half walked/half ran to Jamie's house, ready to see a friendly face that wouldn't be full of worry and condolences. Knowing Jamie, I figured she would do everything in her power to make me forget, even if just for a moment. As I made it up their walkway, I noticed that the drapes were closed and it looked as if no one had tended their usually manicured front lawn in at least 2 weeks. A small voice in my head prompted me to turn around and go straight back to Uncle Albus following the drop of my stomach.
I needed to see if everyone was ok, so I tentatively knocked on the Harrisons' front door. I noticed that the door opened after a moment, but only a crack and I could see a pair of worried eyes peering from inside. After another few moments the door swung open to reveal Jamie's mother, Ms. Harrison with a huge smile on her face, "Oh, Emmeline, it is so good to see you. I'm guessing you are here to bid farewell to us staying in the US." "Yes ma'am. Unfortunately, today is the day I leave for the UK. Is everything alright? Not to pry, I just noticed that things seemed awry," I started to ramble. "Oh yes, dear, just with all the recent news and the death –," Ms. Harrison cut herself off as though to save me from hearing someone speak about my parents' murders.
"I understand, Ms. Harrison. Can I meet with Jamie for a few moments?" I tried to keep a smile on my face so that she didn't feel too badly. "Of course, dear, she is upstairs in her room. She'll be happy to see you. I haven't let her out in a while."
I ran up the stairs two at a time to see my friend, but she must have heard me speaking with her mother because she was waiting for me at the top landing. She jumped on me with a huge hug, yelling, "Mama!" "Lovey!" I yelled back. We had these nicknames for each other which were kind of weird but we loved them. I followed her to her room and immediately jumped on her bed like old times.
"Oh, Emmy, I am going to miss you so much! Are you sure you have to go to England? You know you could stay here. We could adopt you! You could be Emmeline Dumbledore Harrison!" she exclaimed with a smile, "Plus, I heard they are super snooty about their Quidditch over there." Leave it to Jamie to make me giggle during such a dismal week. "I think it would be best for me to be close to the only family I have left now. I think I really do need it," I told her with a sad smile and an apology in my voice. "Oh hun, I understand. You need to do whatever is going to help you through all of this. Let's just say England is lucky to get you and Hogwarts better watch out!" she said giving me a hug and handing me a wrapped gift, "Open this when you make it to your new home. And don't forget to owl me, please!" We said our farewells and I left with tears in my eyes.
"Alright, Uncle Albus, I think I am finally ready to move," I told him as I met back up with him at the Tea Shop, taking one last look around our little magical suburb of Boston. "I promise that I will make this move and transition as smooth as I possibly can for you. With recent events and the return of Voldemort, I cannot promise I will be present at every moment but I will be here for you. Also, Molly Weasley is very excited about your arrival and hopes that you will look to her as a confidant," he told me with a smile and a hug, "I know that we haven't spent much time together in the past but you are my niece and I love you dearly." Those words brought even more tears to my eyes and I was tired of getting misty-eyed. But I was thanking my lucky stars above for bringing this man back into my life.