Summary: Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione go to the funeral of the young woman who was murdered by Lord Voldemort.
A/N: Hey guys, about the girl who was murdered, I'm sorry if I got the name wrong, I just didn't feel like getting out one of the books and searching for her name.
Disclaimer: all characters belong to JK Rowling
Chapter 2
By happythoughts
"Ron, wake up!" urged Hermione.
"Huhhh?"
"WAKE up! We have 30 minutes to get to the funeral," urged Hermione.
"Funeral? That's today?" he said, rubbing his eyes lazily.
"Yes, it's today," said Hermione exasperatedly. She was placing earrings in her ears and was wearing a black dress under her black robes.
Ron got up out of bed. "It came too soon," he mumbled.
"Yes, I know, it did. I didn't want it to come so soon … we only found out who it was two days ago, didn't we?" she replied sadly.
The day that Harry had appeared in their fire place, was the day that they found out who the unfortunate young woman was who was killed in the murder. It was Hannah Abott, who was Hufflepuff in the same year as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They weren't that good of friends, but they did talk to each other once in awhile during Herbology, so they too were deeply saddened by the death of her.
15 minutes later, they appeared at Harry's flat. Ginny was already there, sitting down in chair waiting for them, while Harry was pacing around the room. "Hey guys, are you ready?" asked Ron to Ginny and Harry.
"Yes, let me just get my coat in the bedroom," Ginny said, walking down the hallway.
After Ginny appeared again they apparated to the church were Hannah's funeral was. As soon as they appeared they recognized almost all of the Hufflepuffs in their year were there, including Justin Finch-Fletchey, and Ernie Macmillan. They all solemnly greeted each other, and the four found their own seats somewhere in the middle pews. People were paying their respects to Hannah, walking up to her casket and kneeling down to pray for awhile to her. The four of them just kneeled quickly and did the sign of the cross and walked away.
All too soon, the funeral started. Startling everyone greatly, Professor Dumbledore appeared at the pulpit of the church. He began to speak as murmurs went around the room.
"My dear fellows and ladies, we gather here today in a great time of sorrow … the death of a perfectly innocent young women who was murdered by Lord Voldemort." Sharp whispers were sent around the room.
"This young women who just graduated from Hogwarts only two years ago, was an auror in training. She was training to help the good in this magical world from the evil … from danger. And what did she get in return? A murder … a murder of the main person we are still trying to capture. Still trying to get revenge for the families he has destroyed. Still trying to understand … why? Why had he chosen Hannah to be the one killed that one night?"
Dumbledore paused as he heard Hannah's mother cry a deep sob. "And now, my dear friends, I would like you to remember Hannah as the young women, who was one of the most loyal persons to the good of this world. Maybe you will be able to follow her in her footsteps. Thank you."
And with that, Dumbledore finished his speech and walked down from the pulpit. He gave a somber look towards Harry and walked to the back of the church. His speech had made many people cry, including Ginny, who hardly even knew Hannah. Harry comforted her by putting his arm around her shaking shoulders.
After the funeral was done, there were refreshments in the basement of the church. There were tables and chairs scattered here and there around the room. Everyone gathered in the room after awhile and began to have some solemn chats. But some of the conversations were friendly and jubilant. Take Harry's, Ron's, and Justin's, for instance.
"Ron! Harry!"
Harry and Ron turned around from the refreshments. "Eh?" said Ron.
Justin was walking towards them, a big smile on his face. "Hey! Good to see you!" he said excitedly, all of them being given a manly hug. "I know I shouldn't be happy with something like this, but it's great to see you. I haven't seen you two in what? Two years?"
"Yeah, that's about right," said Harry, smiling.
"Let's go sit down at the table. We're here with Hermione and Ginny, too," said Ron.
"Are you? That'd be great, let me get a drink, I'll be right with you."
Seconds later, Justin joined the four of them at their table and they began to have a nice little chat. "So, what have you guys decided on doing for work?" he questioned.
Hermione answered for them. "We're all aurors in training."
Justin was deeply interested. "Now are you? Did you ever see Hannah during your training?"
"Yeah, actually we did. We saw her quite a lot," answered Ron.
"Hmmm … interesting. Have you been able to do anything so far?" Justin asked quietly.
"Unfortunately, no, we haven't. They say that they can't trust anyone right now. For all we know there could be a spy in our midst this very minute," whispered Hermione.
"True. And what about you, Ginny? Didn't you just recently graduate from Hogwarts?" asked Justin.
Ginny took a sip of her drink and began to talk. "Yes, I graduated last year, but I'm already back there working as an assistant to Professor McGonagall. It's quite tiring, I'm glad to have the day off for this though."
Hermione picked up her glass and her ring caught the light. It glistened brightly, and it caught Justin's eye. "Wait a minute … you're engaged?" he asked skeptically.
Hermione blushed. "Why, yes, I can't believe we forgot to tell you."
"We? Wait a minute … don't tell me, Ron is it?" he said, looking over at Ron. This time Ron turned red. "Erm … yes. That's right," he answered.
"Congratulations! I knew it would happen. I think the whole school new it," added Justin.
Hermione giggled. "Everyone knew except Ron, that is," she said. Everyone laughed heartily.
Justin turned to Ginny and Harry. "And what about you? Anything between you two?"
Harry brought his head up sharply and Ginny's ears turned bright red. "Yes! Yes there is something between them!" answered Ron for them.
"Aha! Everything's turning out how everyone said it would turn out," said Justin triumphantly.
For about an hour more, they had an entertaining conversation. Finally, Justin bid them goodbye, saying that he had to go to bed to wake up early the next day, and the four of them apparated back to Hermione and Ron's home.
"I hate to say this on such a terrible event, but that was a rather nice afternoon with Justin," said Hermione, flopping down into the couch in front of the welcoming fire.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," said Harry, sitting down in an armchair. "It was great to see Dumbledore, though, wasn't it? I mean, I haven't really talked to him since the graduation … we've only talked through letters."
"Actually, he isn't looking too good. It maybe because he was sad or something, but he usually looks much better back at school," added Ginny.
"Does he look sickly? I didn't really notice," said Ron, "I wonder how old he is now. I guess around 70 to 90."
"That's a rather large range, Ron. But that is a good question. How old is he really?" asked Hermione to herself.
"Ah … well, I think I'll be going now," said Harry after awhile. "I've got work tomorrow," he groaned.
"Yeah, me too. I'll see you guys soon, okay?" Ginny said, hugging Ron and Hermione.
"Yeah, sure. Stop by whenever," said Hermione. And with a small pop, Harry and Ginny disapparated.
Ron looked at Hermione who sighed back at him. Ron had an odd expression on his face. "What? What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"I was just thinking … about Ginny and Harry," said Ron slowly.
"What about them?"
"I dunno … they've been getting quite close all of a sudden."
"Well what do you want them to be, far apart or something?" asked Hermione.
"I mean … do you think … d'you think that they've ever …" Ron trailed off.
"Ron Weasley! Get that thought out of your head! I hate to think of that idea of anyone, and it's none of our business if they have or haven't, okay? I'm going to go upstairs, I'm tired," said Hermione.
"You're tired?" asked Ron.
Hermione stopped. "Yes … I'm tired. Why?"
"I dunno … I was kinda in the mood …"
"RON!" yelled Hermione embarrassedly even though there was no one else in the house. She could help turn red when she said this. "We … we just did last night!"
Ron laughed. "I know … but it was just a thought."
He put on an extremely cute puppy face. Hermione broke. "Oh, come on," she said, motioning for him to follow her. She squealed with delight as Ron chased after her up the stairs.
When Harry appeared at his own home that same day, he was surprised to see that Hedwig was waiting patiently perched on a stool with a letter in her mouth. He walked over to her muttering to himself that it was probably from the ministry, and patted her on the head and took the letter out of her mouth. He walked over to a chair and sat down to begin to read the letter.
To Whom it may concern:
Mr. Harry Potter, after careful thinking and choosing, The Ministry of Magic has considered to take you up as a fighter on our team against The Dark Lord and his team of enemies. There will be a meeting tonight at 10:45 P.M. in the "secret" room, as you should know where that is if you work in the ministry. You will then find out what will happen to you and who you will be working with. We ask you to not let anyone know about the meeting incase this letter is intercepted.
We need as many people as we can get to fight this evil, but unfortunately we can only hire those who we can trust, and Albus Dumbledore has informed us that you have encountered The Dark Lord many times. We only hope that you will do your best as you always do to help us in this war.
Hopeful to see you at 10:45,
The Ministry of Magic
Harry stared at the letter. There was a mixture of excitement and fear swirling in his stomach. He was sure that nothing as good as this would turn up any time soon, and there it was. Finally, after two years, they were asking him to be one of them. One of the "team." He wondered who else was on his team, wondered if Ron or Hermione had been picked. He was just about to apparate back to their flat when he remembered that the letter said not to let anyone know about it. Trying to resist the temptation, Harry put some other things on his mind for the rest of the day.
Finally, it was around 10:40 when Harry decided to leave for the meeting. He was wearing navy blue robes and he shaven … very groomed indeed. He took one deep breath and apparated on the spot.
Seconds later he arrived at the secret room, and he noticed that already 10 people were in the room already, chatting quietly. One of them included—
"Sirius?" gaped Harry.
"Harry! Haven't seen you in ages!" exclaimed a man with short hair and full face. He gave Harry a big hug and pulled away saying, "When was the last time? Graduation?"
"Er… yeah! Graduation was the last time we saw each other. Where've you been?" asked a surprised Harry.
Sirius lowered his tone of voice. "Where else then out there? I'm sorry I couldn't owl you for this whole time … I've been on the run for quite some time."
"Ah, okay," said Harry, he sat down on the chair next to Sirius. As he glanced around the room he saw that all of the people who were in there he didn't know, except Sirius. He looked back at Sirius. "Do you know anyone else who is coming?"
"Oh, a lot more people are coming that you know, don't worry," said Sirius with a twinkle in his eye. Right on cue, there were two little pops and the two people whom Harry was most hoping for were standing there. Ron and Hermione.
"Aha! I told you that he'd be here, Hermione!" said Ron joyfully. He took a seat next to Harry. "She thought that you wouldn't be picked because they'd be too afraid of the risk," he whispered in Harry's ear exasperatedly.
"She did now, did she?" asked Harry, who as pretending to be furious.
"Well, you know what I mean," said Hermione furiously. She turned to Sirius. "Sirius! How are you?"
"I'm very well, thanks Hermione. And you? I heard some rumors on my ways about you two," he said slyly, pointing to her and Ron.
"Have you? From who?" asked Ron.
"I don't know … I would be passing by and I'd just hear some things. I heard this one person at a jewelry exclaiming that he had just had one of the biggest sales ever by a young man called Weasley or something," he said slyly.
Ron turned bright red. "One-one of the biggest sales ever?"
"That's right. Let me see that ring, Hermione," said Sirius.
Hermione shyly held her left hand out. Sirius took it carefully. "My, how pretty. Most have cost you a fortune, Ron."
Ron turned, if possible, even redder. "Er … yeah, I guess."
Noticing that he didn't want to talk about it anymore, Harry changed the subject. "Sirius, don't people wonder about you? I mean, you know, people think you're still on the run, don't they?"
"That's a good question. See, remember in your 4th year, Dumbledore sent me to fetch the 'old team?'" he asked them.
Harry's mind searched back painfully to the return of his 4th year. "Yeah … yeah I remember."
"Well, awhile after that, we all met up and being all my friends for I don't even know how many years, they all believed me easily. So, we're all in the same boat now."
"That's great. If only everyone else would believe that," said Hermione sadly.
"I'm sure anyone who is on our side will believe my story, Hermione, don't worry."
Their conversation was cut short when Dumbledore appeared at the podium and began speaking.
"As you all know, you were informed about this meeting … to fight in this war against all evil. There were many more people who were informed about it also, but many of them did not show up … because of fear. I completely understand, but it most unfortunate to our bravery. I thank you for all being here."
"I have chosen this certain group because I believe that this is one of the best teams that we could have. I trust every single one of you that you are on our side, but I cannot be so sure. If everyone would please get in line so that I can have the truth potion taken by each of you, just to be on the safe side."
A scraping of chairs across the floor was heard as everyone stood up and took their place in line. They were each handed a cup of the potion and asked to answer the question, "Are you a follower of Lord Voldemort?"
As it turned out, fortunately, everyone was on the safe side, and Dumbledore sighed with relief. He continued on.
"I have assigned each and every one of you a specific assignment. If Mrs. Figg would please hand these packets around to their owners," he passed a small stack of envelopes to a lady dressed in black robes. She walked around the room for a few minutes until every single one was passed out.
"I ask you not to open these packets until you get home. The assignments are all different, although you will all be working together someway. I cannot stress enough that you must read every single thing that is in this packet, or the whole plan could be blown off course. And I ask you not to tell anyone else your assignment, please keep it to yourself. Alright! That is all, thank you all for coming. And if you have any questions about your assignment, just please owl me. Hope to see all of you soon," he finished. He walked away from the podium. This was a cue for everyone to start leaving so they all began to bid each other good bye.
"I hope to see you soon, Harry. And I will try to owl you sometime, if you don't hear from me in two weeks, then maybe try to owl me," said Sirius.
"Okay, I will," said Harry. They hugged each other good bye.
"Bye Ron, Hermione. Congratulations. I'm invited, right?" he asked slyly.
"Of course you are, Sirius!" said Hermione happily. "Be careful."
Sirius nodded just merely nodded his head and apparated. "See you later, Harry. It's going to be hard trying not to tell each other our assignments, isn't it? Especially for me and you," said Ron to Hermione.
"Yeah, it will be hard. Let's just hope we will be able to," said Harry. "Okay, I want to get home to see what I got, I'll tell you lat … oh wait," said Harry, noticing Hermione's face. "No, I won't. See what I mean? It will definitely be hard not to tell. See you guys," he said embarrassedly. He raised his wand, ready to apparate, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, surprised. Ron and Hermione had already apparated.
"Dumbledore?" asked Harry quizzically.
"Harry, I need a word with you," he said in an undertone.
"Er … sure. What is it?"
"You're assignment … will require everything that you have, Harry. Everything. You will have to leave everything that you have now behind … your friends … home … job … everything. Do you understand that? Everything. I will completely understand if you aren't up to this … but just … just keep in mind what this whole thing is for, will you? Owl me as soon as you come up with your decision. Good luck, Harry," said Dumbledore sadly. He apparated.
"What was that all about?" asked Harry in his head. He shook his head and apparated back to his flat.