A/N: Wow, after I posted the last chapter my email was flooded with notifications of people favoriting and following both the story and myself. I must say I'm humbled to get that much feedback so soon, see a special message at the end about that. I don't have much more to say other than thank you and enjoy chapter 3.
Harry and Hermione had been best friends for the past five years. Along with Ron Weasley they had formed somewhat of a golden trio. But now there were two, and despite the loss that each of them had been feeling they knew they had to be strong for the other. For even though all the Weasleys had offered their comfort to the duo, Harry and Hermione knew the family was grieving the most and neither could put more on them so as such they reached out to each other. Now hours before their best friends funeral they needed each other more than ever.
"I don't know if I can do this Hermione. How can I say good-bye." Hermione wasn't quite sure how to answer this. Hermione knew so much about the wizarding world, everything from it's history to hundreds of spells, to half the plants and creatures that inhabited it. The one thing she never read anything about however was any sort of spirituality in it. Sure there were ghosts and from everything Hermione had read on them she doubted that Ron would choose that sort of existence so Hermione said the first thing that came to mind. "With me, Harry. We've fought together for five years and we all knew the risks. I can't answer for any other member of the DA but I will tell you right now that if given the choice I'd be right back at your side fighting because I believe in you Harry, and I believe that together we can stop Voldemort." Harry stood there in silence contemplating Hermione's words. He then stepped forward and gave her a hug whispering "Thanks Hermione. I needed that." Harry released Hermione and went upstairs to get ready as Hermione stood there momentarily in shock as part of her wished the hug hadn't ended.
"The funeral will be this afternoon at the Weasleys home. Several protection charms and wards have been placed with the number of attendees being roughly one hundred" explained Severus Snape to his master. "How will they be arriving Severus" inquired Voldemort. Snape replied "They've been giving an apparition point across the hill from the property. Once there several Order members and Aurors will make sure they are who they claim to be before taking them to the house." "Do we have anyone positioned within their ranks to interrupt the funeral?" "No my Lord, not at this moment." Severus thought he heard Voldemort sigh. "Pity, I did wish to express my condolences. Never mind that then. We shall observe who all arrives and pick our target among them." "Only one target my Lord?" "Yes Severus, we'd be outnumbered if we tried to attack their full force and once we start they won't hesitate to retaliate so we won't have much time. This way we can pick one or two targets and remind them they are safe no where. Send Yaxley, Dolohov, and Malfoy." "Malfoy my Lord? Are you sure he's in the right state of mind after what happened to..." "Never you mind about Lucius's state of mind. Had he done his job and retrieved the prophecy like instructed then accidents like what happened may not happen. Now leave me be as I contemplate our next strike"
Severus retreated from the Dark Lords chambers and proceeded to apparate to meet with Dumbledore. "So they plan to attack one of our own after the funeral? Leave it to Tom to not let anyone even mourn. I shall alert Arthur to be prepared for any possible attack. For now there is something else to discuss. "I wish to work more closely with Harry this year on stopping Riddle and I may require your assistance on certain dark magic." Severus practically glared at the Headmaster. "After the disaster with the Occlumency lessons you want me to help Potter again? No" replied Snape. "Well Severus, you weren't exactly the most calm teacher besides look at it as a chance to work with the son of the woman you claim to love without your hatred of his father interfering." Snape simply nodded in agreement. It was then that he noticed a ring on the headmasters desk. "What is that if I nay ask" Snape said gesturing to the ring. "Ah, something I feel may be of the utmost importance to stopping Tom. I shall be looking into it more after the funeral. For now though let us adjourn the Burrow and offer our sympathies to family." Snape looked like he wanted to vomit as he followed Dumbledore out of the office and towards the stairs.
Harry was just finishing putting on his dress robes when he felt a presence at the door. He turned and saw Ginny, the youngest Weasley who's face had been redder than normal from the crying lately. Ginny approached Harry and asked "Are we really doing this? Burying my brother." Yeah Gin, I suppose we are" Harry replied. Ginny gave a slight sniff as she neared tears again. Harry not quite sure what to do simply placed his hand on her shoulder as a sign of comfort. Ginny, needing more pulled Harry into an embrace as the tears flowed from her eyes yet again. Between sobs Harry heard her say "I want them all to pay. I want to make every last one of them suffer." With that she pulled away and left the room passing by Hermione. When Harry saw the look in Hermione's eyes who had clearly seen the embrace he wasn't quite sure why but he felt a slight pang of guilt. Before he could say anything however Hermione retreated downstairs and out the door for the funeral.
"Ronald Weasley was an exceptional youth..." Harry was only half paying attention as the Ministry official presiding over Ron's funeral went on about a bright light being extinguished in these dark times or something like that. Harry couldn't get over the fact that his best friend of five years was in a box merely twenty feet from him. He also was not blind to the fact that Hermione hadn't looked at him since he came outside. Harry looked around at the fellow mourners. Sure there had been the faces he expected to see. In addition to the Weasley family there were all his dorm mates from Gryffindor as well as what seemed to be half of Gryffindor house itself along with an assortment of students from the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. There was also most of the Hogwarts staff present including to Harry's chagrin Snape. Harry had been asked if he wanted to say any words but knew he couldn't handle it and the Weasleys knew they couldn't expect him to. Harry was grateful for this as he sat there thinking of his friend as Mr. Weasley stood to talk about his youngest son.
"From the time Ron was little he always knew the right thing to do and he never wavered from it. Be it helping me in the garden or his mother in the kitchen he was always happy to help and be there to help, more so than any of his brothers. Molly and I would sometimes joke that if he kept this up he might be a Hufflepuff. But alas he was sorted into Gryffindor and there he met the boy who would become his best friend Harry Potter. Ron stuck by Harry for five years. From fighting trolls and giant chess games to killing a basilisk. They were joined by another in these adventures. Hermione Granger. The three of them were the closest friends that is what Molly and I are truly grateful for. You two made Ron happier by being his friend than I had seen in his first ten years. I know Ron wouldn't have chosen to die any other way than defending his friends because that's what he lived for." There wasn't a dry eye in the seats as Arthur finished his speech and Harry realized at some point during it Hermione started to hold his hand. With that the Ministry Official said a few more words and Ron Weasleys casket was lowered into the ground.
Harry slowly started towards the house as guests left when he was pulled aside by Arthur Weasley. "Harry I just wanted to let you know I meant every word I said up there. He may be gone but don't think for a second I regret you two ever meeting. Lord knows we'd have more death in the family if you hadn't." "Thanks Mr. Weasley. I just wish it hadn't gone like this." "We all do son, but just remember you are still a part of this family and nothing will ever change that. Same goes for Hermione." Harry wasn't sure how to answer that sentiment and he didn't have to as just then a silver lynx came darting through the yard and stopped in front of the duo. It spoke with Kingsleys voice. "Come quickly Arthur to the apparition point. Death Eaters were waiting. We captured some but we have casualties." With that the lynx faded and Harry and Mr. Weasley took off running.
Not again thought Harry. Which of my friends were killed now. Harry arrived at the apparition point in moments and found Kingsley. He explained that the death eaters had waited until there were only a few stragglers remaining and attacked. We managed to capture Dolohov but the other two got away. "Who are the casualties Kingsley" asked Harry. Mr. Finnigan and Mr. Thomas suffered minor injuries along with Miss Lovegood and Mr. Longbottom who received slightly more serious injuries. Harry was relieved for a moment before Kingsley spoke again. "There were losses on our side however." "Who" croaked Harry, unable to stand the suspense. Kingsley looked down and said Elphias Doge and Emmeline Vance."
A/N: OK I couldn't deal another major death so soon but there have to be some bodies dropped. Now as for that special message. There are approximately 20 favorites or follows on this story. If I can get 15 reviews on any of the three chapters before 8pm EST on Sunday I'll upload the next chapter Sunday night. If we don't get 15 reviews then it'll be uploaded a week from today. And please if you do review please make it an honest review, don't just review for the sake of reviewing. I'm still looking to improve my writing so your feedback is very much appreciated.