Chapter 2
Funerals and Friendship

Harry sat down between Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley padded him on the shoulder and smiled softly. It was only then that he had noticed that George wasn't present.

"Where is George?" Harry asked.

"Who knows?" Ron asked, in between swallowing mouthfuls of food.

He nearly choked, and Hermione thumped him on the back.

"He might be walking the grounds," Ginny said, holding back a snigger, "I am surprised you didn't see him."

"He will talk when he is ready," Mr. Weasley said, "Give him time."

Harry was going to ask whether the professors moved Fred down to the graveyard or not, but he decided that it wasn't a good time. He decided to quickly change the subject.

"What are they doing up at the Professors' table?" Harry asked, nodding to Trelawney who was tying a note to an owl's leg.

"Writing notes to the families and friends of the deceased," Mr. Weasley said, grimly, "I expect there are going to be a lot of people here for the funeral. It will be a mass funeral. All the caskets will be in two or three rows. Kingsley told me this last night."

"Hey, where is Kingsley?" Harry asked.

"At the Ministry, I expect," Mr. Weasley said, "He will be back tomorrow. He is going to be the main speaker at the funeral."

Now Harry decided that he was going to ask the question that had been on his mind since he woke up.

"What are they doing with Voldemort's body?" He asked.

Harry expected that people around him would still flinch at Voldemort's name, but to his surprise no one did.

"It was burned," Mr. Weasley said, "Last night. I witnessed it. His body was strapped to a couple of logs and sent to the middle of the Hogwarts Lake and burned. I expect it is now at the bottom of the lake."

"Good riddance," Ron said.

"Hear, hear," said a voice behind Harry.

Harry and the others turned around. George was standing there. Mrs. Weasley stood up and hugged him.

"Are you all right?" Mrs. Weasley asked George in almost a whisper.

"I will be, Mum," George said.

"Good," Mrs. Weasley said, sitting back down, "Now sit down and eat. I expect you haven't eaten today."

"No," George said, sitting on the other side of his mum.

This had reminded Harry that he also hadn't eaten a bite. He was ready for some good Hogwarts cooking. He had missed it all those nights when he had eaten wild mushrooms and berries while hiding in forests and mountainsides. Harry put some bacon and scrambled eggs onto the plate in front of him. As he did, he noticed that Hagrid and Professor McGonagall were moving more bodies outside. He felt as if his heart had leapt into his throat. Hagrid was carrying Remus with the deepest care out of the Great Hall. Behind him, Professor McGonagall was carrying Tonks. Harry felt Ginny take hold of his hand. He looked up at her, and saw that she noticed what he was doing.

"I am okay," Harry whispered.

Ginny squeezed Harry's hand softly in response. Harry started to eat. As he did, he tried not to think of Remus and Tonks, or Fred and Colin Creevey, or the others who were now laying on the hard, cold floor of the Great Hall, or the dirty earth of the Hogwarts grounds. It was too heart-breaking to think of them. He didn't want to say goodbye just yet. He would do that tomorrow, with everyone else. Suddenly, another idea had come to him.

"I was wondering," Harry said, "Is it possible for me to say a speech or something at the funeral?"

Mr. Weasley looked at his wife, then back to Harry.

"I think that would be okay," he said, "Yeah, I can talk to Kingsley about it. I am sure he will like the idea."

"Thanks," Harry said.

Harry continued to eat his breakfast. When he finished, he stood up and was just about to walk out of the Great Hall, when Ron spoke up.

"Going somewhere, mate?" he asked.

"Wanted to take a walk," Harry said.

"Sounds like a good idea," Ron said, "I will go to." He turned to Hermione. "Want to come with us?" he asked her.

"I will catch up to you in a bit," Hermione said.

"Want to come, Ginny?" Harry asked.

"I will stay here for a little bit," Ginny said.

"All right," Harry said.

He and Ron walked out of the Great Hall and out to the grounds. He thought of walking toward the graveyard again, but he decided he would have a chance tomorrow. He started walking toward the lake, and Ron followed him.

"I haven't told you yet," Harry said, "But… well, congratulations, mate."

"What?" Ron asked.

"Well, you and Hermione, of course," Harry said, "Finally together, eh?"

"Yeah," Ron said.

"Is everything all right between the two of you?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Ron said, "We have just been talking about Australia. Well, she has been doing all the talking, really. I have just been listening."

"Oh, right," Harry said, "I take it she wants to go and find her parents?"

"Yeah," Ron said.

"Uh-oh," Harry said, "I feel a 'but' coming."

"Well, I don't want her to go yet," Ron said, "It might be too dangerous. I was reading the Daily Prophet today. Front page news. Right under the 'Voldemort Dead; Chosen One Alive; Wizards and Witches Rejoice' article. It said that there are Death Eaters still on the loose. The Aurors don't know where they are."

"That is no surprise," Harry said, "I expected there to be some on the loose."

"Well, that is just it, Harry," Ron said, "I don't want Hermione to go to Australia when there are still Death Eaters out there somewhere. You know that we are probably still targets. This war isn't over, no matter if Voldemort is dead. Hermione doesn't understand that."

"Have you told her this?" Harry asked.

"Not yet," Ron said, "I didn't feel like getting into a big fight a day after we got together."

"No, that wouldn't be a good idea," Harry said, chuckling.

Ron also chuckled, though reluctantly.

"Do you want me to talk to her about it?" Harry asked.

"No, Harry," Ron said, "Promise me you won't say a word about it. I have to be the one to tell her. No matter what the outcome will be."

"Okay, I promise," Harry said, "But, wouldn't it be a good idea if you went with her to Australia?"

"Oh yeah, I can see it now," Ron said, rolling his eyes, "Mum and Dad would never let me go. I have been away from home for nearly a year. And now I want to go away for a couple of weeks or so. It is going to be worse because – well, you know."

"Yeah, mate," Harry said, patting Ron on the shoulder, "I know."

"So how is it with you and Ginny?" Ron asked.

Harry grinned knowingly. He knew Ron had wanted to change the subject.

"Great, I think," Harry said, "She came up to the dormitory and woke me up."

"I told her not to!" Ron said, "I told her to let you sleep. Sometimes I think we do need the same charm the girls have on their stairs."

Harry laughed. "No, it is fine," he said, "I was okay with it."

"It still isn't fair that they get to come to our room and we don't get to go to theirs," Ron said.

Before walking to the lake, Harry turned around and looked at the castle. From this distance, they could see a lot of it. The battle had done its damage to the castle.

"Reckon they will be able to put it back together?" Ron asked, evidently noticing what Harry was looking at.

"I think they will," Harry said, "I have faith in the old castle. It may repair itself, who knows?"

"Yeah," Ron said.

Harry and Ron walked to the lake and sat down at the trunk of a tree. They watched the giant squid swim in the water as they waited for Ginny and Hermione. When Ginny and Hermione arrived a few minutes later, they all walked around the lake, deep in conversation. As Harry promised, he didn't bring anything up about his conversation with Ron and his concerns about Hermione's trip.

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At eleven-o-clock the next morning, people starting arriving in thestral-drawn carriages. Many parents, those of whom had children who had remained at Hogwarts to battle, had arrived, searching frantically for their loved ones. Other witches and wizards (parents of deceased children, and friends of the deceased) had also come to say their final goodbyes. Most of the deceased would be buried in the Hogwarts graveyard. Others would be taken back home with their loved ones to be buried with other family members who had died.

Harry, who was standing near the rows of chairs near the graveyard, had recognized some of the wizards and witches. Andromeda Tonks had arrived. She had a somber look on her face: she had already been notified of Remus and Dora's deaths. Harry noticed that she was carrying Teddy, who Harry could barely see because he was wrapped in a blanket.

Dennis Creevey had returned to the castle, being accompanied by a man that Harry knew was Mr. Creevey. Harry was sure that Mr. Creevey had been notified of Colin's death.

Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived and headed into the castle. A few minutes later, Kingsley came out with Mr. Weasley. Harry noticed that they were walking toward him.

"Harry," boomed Kingsley, "Arthur just informed me that you wanted to make a speech at the funeral today."

"Yes, sir," Harry said, "I wrote a little something last night."

This was true. Harry had spent about three hours writing out a speech for the funeral.

"Good," Kingsley said, "I assume you know that I will be the one leading the funeral. I will call you up during it."

"Sounds good to me," Harry said.

"Good," Kingsley said, "It is settled then." He turned to Mr. Weasley. "Now where is your son Percy? I would like to talk to the both of you before the funeral is underway."

"He is around here somewhere," Mr. Weasley said, "Let's go find him."

Kingsley and Mr. Weasley walked away. Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked up to him. All three were wearing their school robes, the requested outfits for the students who would be attending the funeral. It would mark their support for the castle and the students who had fought for the school.

"Depressing business, isn't this?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," Harry said, looking at the rows of the chairs, "You notice that Colin's father is here?"

"Yeah," Hermione said.

"I don't understand," Ginny said, "Isn't he a Muggle?"

"The parents of Muggle-borns can see the castle if they are told about it," Hermione explained.

"Oh, right," Ginny said.

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At noon, everyone was seated in the rows of chairs. The front row was reserved for those who had lost loved ones in the battle at Hogwarts. All of the Weasleys were sitting there. Harry and Hermione had joined them as well. Harry was sitting next to Ginny; Hermione next to Ron. Harry looked down the row. Andromeda was sitting in the middle of the row. Teddy was sitting in her lap, playing and giggling to himself.
For a second, Harry envied him. Teddy wasn't old enough to know what was going on. He wondered how this would affect Teddy in the future. His parents had died without giving him the opportunity to know them very well. Harry felt closer to Teddy now more than ever.

Further down the row, Colin's father and brother were sitting together; both were staring at Colin's casket. Other witches and wizards, all related to someone who had died in the battle, were sitting further down the row. Harry wondered if it was right for him and Hermione to be sitting with those who had lost someone related to them. True, Remus was a friend of Harry's father, but that was his closest connection to them. He had known Fred for seven years, but he almost felt as if he should be sitting in another row, with Neville, Luna, and the others.

A couple of minutes into the funeral, Kingsley Shacklebolt walked toward the podium. Before turning to the witches and wizards in the rows of chairs, he looked at all of the caskets and muttered something Harry couldn't hear. Harry thought it was a spell. But when nothing happened, Harry knew that Kingsley was just saying words of praise to the deceased. Kingsley turned to the podium and looked around at the wizards and witches.

"First of all, I would like to welcome you all here to the grounds of Hogwarts castle," Kingsley said, "Wizards, witches, squibs and Muggles alike. We are all united to pay respects to those who died fighting against evil in order to make the world, wizarding and Muggle, a better place. But we shouldn't just pay respects to them. We should pay respects to everyone who fought and died over the years to let us see this day. For years, I thought I would rejoice for days after the war was finally over. Today, though, is not a day of rejoice. It is a day of remembrance. We gather here to remember the hardships, losses and victories over the years, knowing that one day we would gather and the war would be over. We didn't expect it to end like this, but it did."

Kingsley continued to address the crowd, but Harry couldn't hear him over his thoughts. He knew what he was going to say when it was his time to talk, but could he say it. These people laying in caskets in front of him. They died fighting against Voldemort, the Death Eaters, the giants, and the other horrors that had come. But did they have to? If Harry knew that he could have given up and lived, this funeral wouldn't even be taking place. Voices of rejoice and happiness would replace the tears and sorrow that the witches and wizards felt sitting here listening to Kingsley.

Before Harry knew it though, he was taken away from his thoughts. Ginny was poking him in the side.

"Harry?" she whispered, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Harry whispered.

"Well, it is your turn," Ginny said.

Harry looked up. Kingsley was looking at him.

"Do you still want to say something?" Kingsley said in a low voice.

Harry nodded and stood up. He walked over to the podium. Kingsley walked a few paces behind him and stood there. Harry looked over the crowd. The parchment that had his speech on it was resting in Harry's pocket, but Harry didn't need it. He knew what he was going to say. Harry cleared his throat and began.

"The late Rufus Scrimgeour," he said, "once accused me of being 'Dumbledore's man through and through.' He was right. But I think that everyone, dead or alive, who defended Hogwarts a couple of days ago, rightfully earns that title as well. I believe that if Albus Dumbledore was alive, he would have been leading us in the fight for the castle he loved. He would have been proud of everyone."

He paused and looked over his shoulder at the caskets.

"If I could say anything to those who died," he said, turning back to the witches and wizards, "It would be 'thank you'. They died fighting against Voldemort and his army, and they didn't have to. They could have walked away and let Voldemort walk into Hogwarts. But they stayed and fought. I thank them."

He looked over the crowd of witches and wizards.

"And I thank you," Harry said, "Everyone who fought this war and helped me and everyone in some way deserve my thanks. There was a time when you doubted me and those who followed me. But I forgive you."

Harry wanted to say more, but he couldn't put the words right. He walked away from the podium and back to his seat. Ron and Hermione smiled at him affectionately, and Ginny took his hand and squeezed it gently. Harry smiled softly.

Other wizards and witches spoke as well. Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, and Hagrid all said little speeches and gave thanks. After everyone had said their speeches, Kingsley returned to the podium.

"Now I would like to present something that the Professors made for everyone who fought at the battle," he said.

He took his wand from his pocket and pointed it to the tarp to his left. It flew away, revealing a statue of a large faceless wizard

"This memorial has no face," Kingsley said, "because it represents everyone who fought here at the battle of Hogwarts. Not just those who died, but those who lived as well. May those who look upon the statue remember everyone who fought here at the last battle of the war."After the funerals, the families of the deceased went to the caskets to say their goodbyes. Witches and wizards lined up to give their wishes and prayers to the families. Harry decided that he would go to Fred's casket last. He had other things he wanted to say to some of the other families. Mr. Creevey and Dennis were standing there, talking to Professor McGonagall. When McGonagall walked away, Harry went to him.

"Mr. Creevey?" Harry asked.

Mr. Creevey looked at Harry.

"Hello, sir," Harry said, "I am Harry –"

"Harry Potter," Mr. Creevey said, "Yes, I know who you are. I am Ben."

"Ben," Harry said, "I want to apologize for –"

"Harry," Ben said, "There is no need to apologize."

Harry was about to speak, but Ben raised his hand to stop Harry.

"Professor McGonagall explained everything," Ben said, "Colin died fighting for the school. I actually wanted to thank you Harry."

Harry's eyes widened. He couldn't find a reason for Mr. Creevey to thank him.

"Before Colin and Dennis went to Hogwarts, "Ben said, "They were… well, they were different. When my wife – their mother – passed away, my boys took it very hard. They weren't happy. They would argue with each other and with me. Their magical powers showed a couple weeks after my wife's death, and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what was going on. I am just a Muggle you see. Well, Professor Dumbledore came to my house and... well, to make the story short, Colin became a student and came here the following September. He came home a changed boy. He was happy. All he could talk about was you, Harry. He said you saved his life."

Harry knew what Ben was talking about. It was during Colin's first year that he had been petrified.

"It wasn't just me, sir," Harry said, "Professor Sprout revived Colin when he was Petrified. I can't take all the credit."

"I understand," Ben said, "Anyway, when Colin came home, he talked to Dennis about it. Dennis was promised that he would be a student at Hogwarts when he was old enough. Well, Dennis couldn't wait to go. I can't say everything changed. He wanted to try his magical powers. Dumbledore had explained that he would, but also said it wasn't a good idea. Dennis understood, but a few days a week, I would still see things moving around when Dennis was excited or really emotional. But he was happy. When he went to Hogwarts, he came back a happy boy."

"I can't take credit for all of that," Harry said, "Hogwarts itself did that."

"You were a hero to the boys, Harry," Ben said, "You still are. Thank you."

Harry tried to say "You're welcome" to Ben, but the words wouldn't come. He just nodded and hoped Been would take that as a good response. Harry shook Ben's hand and walked on. He walked over to Remus and Tonks' caskets. Andromeda was standing there. Teddy was sitting on the ground, playing and humming to himself. Harry grinned when Teddy's hair changed from brown to bright green.

"Teddy, couldn't you have picked a better hair color?" Andromeda said, "Oh, you are just like your mother."

"Quite accustomed to his powers, isn't he?" Harry said, grinning.

Andromeda looked up and turned toward Harry.

"Oh yes," Andromeda said, "His mother was the same way. Gold hair one minute, bright pink the next. And that was just when she was a baby."

"I am not sure if they told you," Harry said, "But –"

"They named you his godfather?" Andromeda said, "Oh yes. They told me."

"Well, you are his grandmother," Harry said, "I know you will take care of him. I just wanted to let you know that I would like to come and visit him sometimes."

"Of course you can, Harry," Andromeda said, "It would be great. I was going to suggest it myself."

"Thank you," Harry said.

"They loved you, Harry," Andromeda said. She wasn't looking at him. She had turned to Tonks and Remus' caskets.

"I know they did," Harry said, "Believe me. And listen, if there is any way I could help you out. I know this past year has been quite tough on you."

"I will manage," Andromeda said, "Just come and visit sometime, won't you?"

"Of course," Harry said, "I will see you later."

"Anytime, Harry," Andromeda said.

Harry grinned and looked at Teddy. His hair was now gold. He giggled silently and walked down row of caskets. For the next hour, he walked to every casket and talked to the witches and wizards, letting him know how he felt.

When he finished, he walked over to Fred's casket. George was the only one standing there now. Harry was hoping George would be there. He wanted to talk to him.

"George," Harry said, "I am not sure if anyone told you. I was there when –"

George sighed and walked away from Harry and Fred's casket. He had ignored Harry like he hadn't even seen or heard him. A few seconds later, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked over to him.

"Did he say anything to you?" Ginny asked, looking at George.

"Nothing," Harry said, "He ignored me. Like it was my fault."

"Don't say that, Harry!" Hermione cried.

"Hermione's right, mate," said Ron, "George has been like that with all of us."

Harry sighed and looked at all of the coffins.

"How many of them do you think will be buried here at Hogwarts," he asked.

"Kingsley did say that they would be buried around the memorial," Hermione said.

"Colin is being buried in his hometown," Ginny said, "I heard his father talking about it."

"Dad says he wants Fred buried near Great Uncle Billius," Ron said, "But Bill and Charlie thought he should be buried here at the castle. So… I dunno."

"Looks like everyone is going in," Harry said.

"Yeah," Ron said, "The house-elves are making a meal for everyone. It is their gift for the whole thing, I guess."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all walked into the castle.

"You coming back to the Burrow?" Ron asked Hermione and Harry.

"Yeah," Harry said, "I guess I am."

"I will be," Hermione said, "But not for too long. I need to go to Australia to find my parents."

Harry knew Ron was holding back his argument. Apparently Ron didn't want to make a scene here.

When they walked into the Great Hall, Kingsley was talking to Mr. Weasley and Percy. They immediately left the Great Hall, and the castle.

"What do you suppose is going on?" Harry asked.

"Kingsley is trying to round up the Ministry workers," Ginny said, "To see who is coming back after this whole ordeal. Mum told me."

"How many do you think will go back?" Hermione asked.

"I guess we will see soon," Harry said.

Harry looked around the Great Hall. Many people had started eating the food that was set for them. He felt now that everything was going to change. But how… he did not know. For now, he wouldn't worry about that. He was with everyone who supported him and decided to finally join in the celebrations that the wizarding world had been waiting for.

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Finished! Long chapter… I hope you all liked it. More to come.

With some of the stuff, I just did some guessing. I didn't know if Colin's mother was dead, but I took it this way.

Feedback would be great.