Chapter 1: Two Funerals

It was a cold, crisp Wednesday morning. It was 8am and it was also the day of Severus Snape's funeral. Harry was standing by himself, behind a large tree. He was lost in thought. What he saw in the Pensieve just under a week ago had changed him. How Snape had saved him from Lord Voldemort for so long. His emerald green eyes became watery and his palms became sweaty. He flung his father's old invisibility cloak around his shoulders and over his head and slowly walked towards the cluster of people around the memorial.

"Harry, I know you're there"

It was Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend or, who used to be his best friend. After the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry had spent days in his room at The Leaky Cauldron , refusing to talk to anyone. Even Ron and Hermione.

"Harry", Ron continued, "No-one blames you for what happened at Hogwarts."

Harry said nothing.

"Me and Hermione miss you"

There was a pause. Harry felt he just had to say something. After all, they were his best friends.

"Meet me in The Three Broomsticks afterwards."

"Okay"

Harry edged away slightly so he could be by himself for the ceremony. He didn't want Ron to hear him cry.

The event ended in less than an hour. It included tearful speeches by other Hogwarts' Professor's such as Minerva McGonacal and Rubeus Hagrid. Harry thought he ought to say something, but found it to painful. He waited alone in The Three Broomsticks and swept the cloak off his body. Ron walked through the door.

"Y'alright?"

He sat down opposite from Harry.

"Hey", Harry replied, "Where's Hermione?"

"She didn't want to come, she isn't ready to see everyone again"

"Oh okay", Harry wished she had come. This was awkward, just himself and Ron, "So, why did you come, I mean, you hated Snape, right?"

"I don't know mate, I thought I did, but there were rumours going round, saying he did good things, and I know he 'saved' you, so anyway, I thought I'd pay my respect…"

Harry was confused but happy. Ron obviously thought Harry had made it all up about what Snape had done, but at least he still showed up.

"…To that greasy-haired old git!", Ron started to laugh. It was a cold laugh

Harry was mad. How could Ron say such a thing. Snape risked his life everyday just for Harry and now Ron was just insulting him. Harry's anger was building up.

But Ron continued, "Guess who I am "Turn to page 394" ha!"

He was imitating Snape's voice.

"Oh I had nothing better to do with my life, so I became a teacher. No-one will ever like me because I smell of broccoli all the time. I killed Dumbledore! I killed Dumbledore!"

That did it. Harry's state of mind was so fragile right now and his aggression got the better of him. He stood up and punched Ron in the face. He fell to the floor. Harry seized an opportunity and grabbed a couple of empty butterbeer mugs. He smashed them on a nearby table and threw them down at Ron. He was now bleeding with a black ring around his right eye. He grabbed a chair and whacked him a few times. Harry got out his wand and, "Crucio" then he looked up. Everyone was staring at him. Harry panicked and fled from the scene. On the way out, he caught his reflection in a puddle. It had been raining. He saw a monster staring back at him. He stood there for a minute to hear what was happening inside, when he heard a voice. A lovely silky voice. A voice that makes you happy when you hear it. This was the voice of Luna Lovegood, declaring Mr Ron Weasley dead.