In Memory of Colin Creevey
Chapter 3: The Funeral
The slow mournful music started playing. Harry Potter and his best friends Ron and Hermione both showed up as Harry promised. Harry had never really talked personally to Dennis Creevey before. Today, it had to be an exception. Today was the funeral for Dennis' brother.
The funeral was held in a place that was only natural. It was held at Hogwarts. Hogwarts was going to hold all the funerals, and those who knew the dead were free to pay their respects. Harry knew Colin, but not enough to call him a close enough friend. Still, he went.
The youngest were to go first, so Colin was the first. He was a tiny sixteen year-old boy too young to have gone. Too young to have gone on to the afterlife to join Dumbledore, Lupin, and all others who died in battle. Harry and Ron sat down on either side of Dennis, and Hermione behind them. Harry noticed Ginny also arrived to pay her respects. Well, he thought, Colin was in Ginny's class. Of course she knew him, probably a good friend of hers. Harry knew Colin well enough to be a friend to anyone who liked Harry himself.
Harry saw Colin's parents take their seats. They were all pretty much small for their ages. He then remembered how small Colin was. As small as a boy. After all, he was a boy.
Harry tried hard not to grin as he remembered how Colin used to follow him around. Harry now felt really guilty of always shutting Colin out all the time. He had to make it up.
A small man, the same man who spoke at Dumbledore's funeral, stood up before everyone and started speaking. Out of respect, Harry this time listened to every word he said, making him feel further guilt by not listening to the man at Dumbledore's funeral. The man went on for at least half an hour. Harry was surprised there was so much to say for a boy like Colin. He felt even further guilt that he thought so low of the boy.
"Colin was a Wizard who valued the needs of others before his own life. This was what led him to his death. This is what he should be remembered for. No one should ever forget what he did and why. It's what made him heroic."
Dennis burst into quiet tears. Harry felt it only right to pat Dennis on the back, because he couldn't think of anything to say. Harry notice also that Colin's parents weren't crying. Their grief must've been too high for tears. Harry knew the feeling. He felt it when he accepted Sirius' death.
"Are you ok?" Harry whispered to Ginny.
Ginny wiped her eyes, and said quietly, "I'm fine. I just- knew him, that's all."
Dennis looked up at Harry, "Thank you, for coming. Thank you very much."
Harry had no idea how to respond, and he merely nodded when Hermione said quietly, "You did the right thing."
Colin was buried by the lake, far from Dumbledore's grave. All students who were killed were buried by Colin. Harry and Dennis stopped by Colin's grave that evening for one last reason. Harry read the gravestone:
Colin Creevey
1981-1998
Loving Brother. Heroic Wizard.
Died fighting for Hogwarts. Helped free the world from the Dark Lord's threatening grip.
Harry felt stupid leaving this, but Dennis said Colin would've loved that. Harry left the grave with one thing behind. A framed photograph of Harry Potter, with a signature, Harry James Potter.
A note from Harry was also left: From Harry to Colin: Thank you for helping me. It could not have been done without your help and you will never be forgotten.
Dennis eventually was able to move on. The first son he had was named Colin. When he got another boy, he named it Dennis, just to bring the Creevey brothers back.
Harry was as true as his word: Colin was never, ever forgotten.
A/N: Special Thanks to:
SyracusethedogFor giving me a new idea for this story, and asking me to write the funeral. Thanks for reminding me. I hope you like it.
Dernier Cri: For helping me along with this story. I know you don't know how you helped, but believe me, I could not have written it without you. Your own story on Colin's death pushed me into writing this chapter, and so I did.
Happy New Year!
