Chapter 3
Memorial
Later that first night after everyone else had gone to their rooms, Harry, Arthur Weasley, Shakelbolt, and Professor McGongal, along with others from the ministry who Harry did not know, preformed a most unpleasant duty. They took Tom Riddle's body to the forest edge. A large bonfire had be started Riddle's body was set atop; they all stood guard as his body burned. After the fire died Shakelbolt gathered the ashes and placed them in a simple wooden box he conjured. "What shall we do with these? Shakelbolt asked the group. Harry said "Scatter them into the wind, he needs to gone" with that he sucked the ashes up with his wand and shot them high in the night sky. Harry understood that there could be nothing left of Tom Riddle. Because if anything was left those who were attracted to the Dark Arts would have something to rally around. Harry and the others walked back to the castle. As they walked they spoke about the need to get rid of all of the important spots to Tom Riddle, they did not want them to serve as memorials to him. Then Harry went to his room and fell into bed for a deep and thankfully dreamless sleep.
The following day was busy: owls from the Ministry, reports about Death Eaters being captured, and congratulations from all over the world. Arthur Weasley left Hogwarts for a few hours to report to the Ministry when he returned he announced that Kingsley Shakelbolt had asked him to be the Deputy Assistant Minister of Magic. Mr. Weasley told Shakelbolt he would have to talk to his family and would let him by the end of the day. Everyone agreed this was a great honor, and one he deserved. Mr. Weasley sent an owl accepting the position, but Harry noticed it did not lift the utter look of sadness in his eyes.
Mrs. Tonks arrived with Little Teddy Lupine that day. Harry felt as if a scab was being ripped off the hole in heart when he saw Teddy, his godson. Harry and Mrs. Tonks had a long talk, about Teddy and how Harry would help in raising him. As Harry was talking with Mrs. Tonks, Ginny sat on the floor entertaining Teddy with bubbles and puffs of colored smoke from her wand. Teddy's hair turned the same color as Ginny's while they played. After a while Harry joined Ginny in playing with Teddy. Many of the witches and wizards watching silently hoped that they were getting a glimpse of Harry's future: Ginny and him happily playing with a handsome red-headed baby. It seemed to make the sacrifices of the dead just a little easier to bear.
Two days later was the memorial. The bodies of the fallen were brought out to the grounds just beyond where Dumbledore was buried and placed on white stone platforms. The minister, who married Bill and Fleur, presided. Harry finally knew his name Tuftwinkle. Many spoke; each family of the fallen had some speak about their loved one. George for Fred, Arthur Weasley for Tonks and Lupin. Harry was the final person who spoke, he spoke for Snape, and he told the entire story of Tom Riddle. Harry wanted no secrets and no false rumors. He told the whole story. He confessed Dumbledore sins, Snape's love for Lilly, Riddle's failings and his own personal short comings. He told the assembled group that it was not He-who-must-not-be-named or Lord Voldemort but simply Tom Riddle and that Tom Riddle was gone. He also spoke against prejudice- that did not matter if you were pureblood or mudblood. He spoke directly to Hermoine when he said "if we take the name of mudblood then it can no longer hurt us with it." Hermoine's eyes met Harry's with a small but sure nod of her head she let him know that no one would ever hurt her with that insult. She was a mudblood and proud of it. At the end of the service the fallen were covered by a white stone scarphgus, engraved with their name, date of birth, and the word Hero.
As the sun was setting, Harry looked over at the 10 rows of 5 white burial places and he saw a lone red headed man with his hand on his twin's burial spot. Mr. Weasley walked over and stood behind Harry and said "We can't get him to leave, we have all tried." Harry turned to Arthur who looked ten years older than he did yesterday, and said "I'll try." He went and stood beside George, he gently put his hand on his shoulder. They stood there for a few minutes. George turned to Harry and said "I don't know what to do, I lost." Harry asked "What does he want you to do?" A faint smile crossed George's face "Run the shop, snog all the girls who will let me, and interrupt Ron and Hermoine when ever I can." Harry laughed "He wants you to live." "Yeah" said George. "You have to start by let him go, it is hard but trust me, you never forget them you just let them go" as he said it he gently led George into the castle.
The following day:
"Well then it is settled, Harry, Hermoine and Ron will go and retrieve Hemoine's parents." Mrs. Weasley was again giving them things to do. She seemed bound and determined to not let Harry and Ginny have a moment of quiet, nor Ron and Hermoine for that matter. Harry, Ron and Hermoine started to argue again that it did not really need all three of them. Ron and Hermoine could do it without him. "I said it is all settled, All three of you will go, Harry will be there to make sure it is …Safe" she said with a pointed look at Ron who was holding Hermoine tightly. Harry laughed put up his hands in surrender and said "You are the boss." The trio walked out of the castle towards Hogsmead where they could apperate. Ron shot Harry a dirty look and said "you are just trying to stay on her good side" "Look we all three apperate to Grimwauld, then you two can go in peace to get Hemoine's parents settled back in England, I need to talk to the Ministry people trying to get the place habitable anyway. You two come back to get me at Grimwauld, and we all go back to the Burrow together, OK?" "Hey, I like that idea!" Ron exclaimed and with a small pop the trio was off.