A/N- Longest Chapter so far woo 1,219 words... I think something like that.
Disclaimer- Still don't own HP but I'm trying to talk JK Rowling into giving me some money for this story... just kidding.
An hour later, Ron and Harry were walking down the steps from the boy's dormitory, both of them wearing black dress robes. They were soon met by the Weasleys and Hermione. All of them went down to where Dumbledore's tomb now lay. Ginny and Harry were holding hands, as were Ron and Hermione. They took their seats toward the front of the large crowd, which had been reserved for Harry and his guests. Ten minutes later the funeral started. The names of the many people who had died in the war were listed, first allies and then the enemies, and these were followed by all of the magical creatures that had also lost their lives in the war.
As every name was listed, there was a short pause followed by crying and sniffling. When people that Harry recognized were called out, remorse flooded over him. When Fred's name was called, the entire Weasley family along with Harry and Hermione sobbed louder than anyone, but this might have been because there were so many of them. Harry let go of Ginny's hand and wiped his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening him; he wanted to be strong for Ginny, for the Weasleys and for everyone around him, but this was harder said than done. He put his arm around Ginny, who immediately buried her head in his shoulder and sobbed. Harry didn't say anything; he just held her close.
An hour and a half later, all of the names had been read. Everyone was crying. All of the people and various creatures attending the funeral stood up; they were aloud to walk around and say prayers or anything else they might want before the dead were buried. Harry and Ginny stood with the rest of them and walked to where Fred was laid. Harry stood by the Weasleys for a minute but then decided to leave them alone. He walked around, looking at everyone else that had died. He spoke words of comfort to those he recognized and those he didn't. Thirty minutes later, everyone was asked to return to their seats while the dead were buried; it would be done by magic, of course, so they needed to be out of the way.
Minutes later, everyone was buried and the reception in the Great Hall was taking place. People were talking about life after the war and the good memories beforehand. Harry was constantly being dragged into conversations about things he really didn't want to discuss, such as his parents, where he had been for the past year, his love life, and how he knew how to defeat Voldemort. It was to Harry's relief when the reception finally ended and he could have some peace and quiet… or so he thought. Little did he know he would have to return to the Burrow with more people who had lost a very close friend.
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Three days after the funeral, Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys were all at the Burrow. Harry was sitting on his cot listening to Ron silently cry himself to sleep, like he had done every night since the funeral. This is my fault, thought Harry as he rolled over to try to get more comfortable on his little cot. He didn't know how, but he knew it was his fault.
Harry rolled out of bed, knowing sleep was not an option, and walked out of Ron's room. He walked down the flight of stairs and let his feet take him wherever they wanted. He looked up and found himself face-to-face with a closed door. He read the little sign that was hanging on it.
Ginny's Room
Keep Out
That means you, Ronald
Smiling at himself, Harry was about to turn around and head downstairs to get himself a cup of hot chocolate, when he heard the hushed voices of Ginny and Hermione talking.
"It hurts so much," sobbed Ginny. "I can't believe he's really gone."
"I know it's painful, Gin," said Hermione, "but it will get better soon, I promise."
Harry, who had been feeling the same pain Ginny was, knocked gently on the door and walked in.
"Harry," said Hermione as Ginny hurried to wipe her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just couldn't sleep," answered Harry.
"I guess I'll leave you two alone," said Hermione as she got up and started to walk out of Ginny's room.
"Hermione," Harry started and Hermione turned to look at him. "Ron's up in his room and he looked like he could use somebody to comfort him."
Hermione grinned at him, walked out and closed the door. When Hermione left, Harry and Ginny sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes.
"Gin, are you okay?" asked Harry.
"I am now," answered Ginny as she smiled at him. "It's just hard to come to terms that Fred is gone. I mean, he's been there for me all my life and now he's gone."
"I know Ginny, but he will never really leave. It's like Siruis said, 'The ones who love us never really leave us'. We can keep him alive by laughing and having fun," Harry responded as he ran his large hand over Ginny's smaller one.
"Wow, Harry," started Ginny. "That was really deep yet somehow equally corny."
"Well, you know how I am," said Harry. "Hey now, there's the smile I love." Harry laughed as Ginny let out a small, weak smile.
"So, it's 1:30 at night – what do you want to do?" asked Harry.
"Well, I'm going to bed, and I think you should do the same," replied Ginny.
"Okay. Goodnight, Ginny," said Harry. He kissed her on the head and walked upstairs to Ron's room. When he got there, he found that the door was strangely locked. He pressed his ear to it to see if he could hear what Ron and Hermione were saying.
"I just … I need some sort of way to get rid of all this feeling," wept Ron. "I just want to forget everything for one night."
"Ron, do you love me?" asked Hermione.
"Yah, of course I do," said Ron.
"Then forget everything and spend the night with me. I'll help you forget," said Hermione in a tone that Harry had never heard from her before. Harry now knew what his two best friends were doing, or rather what they were about to do. Blushing, he took off down the stairs and ran into Ginny's room.
"Hey, Ginny, want a roommate?" asked Harry.
"Harry, what happened?" asked Ginny, "Why's your face completely red?"
"You will never believe what Ron and Hermione are about to do!" said Harry.
"EWWW, I don't even want to know!" shouted Ginny and she started laughing as she got into bed while Harry climbed into Hermione's camp bed.
"I do hope they remembered to do a silencing spell," laughed Ginny.
"Goodnight, Gin." said Harry, and he leaned over to kiss Ginny softly on the lips.
"Goodnight, Harry," whispered Ginny.
A/N please Read and Review
