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Draco led his family into the ball room where the funeral was to be held. Ginny was crying again into a handkerchief that Narcissa had gifted to her on their wedding day. Scorpius, Selene, Artemis, and Apollo all stood with tears in their eyes. Scorp held Persephone who seemed to be as quiet as everyone else, though still far to young to understand what was going on. As they took their seats in the front row, Blaise and Pansy led their children into the row behind them. Blaise clasped Draco's shoulder firmly while Pansy and Ginny sobbed into each other's shoulders.

A large number of people were in attendance. Since the death of Lucius, many people had come to know Narcissa for a caring and compassionate woman. She was a mother to everyone she met. Her and Molly Weasley had formed a rather strong, and somewhat surprising, bond when they had met planning their children's wedding. The matronly Weasley was seated in the row across the aisle from Ginny and Draco's family, crying almost silently into a tissue as Arthur held her close.

As most had settled into their seats, the elderly, tufty wizard stood behind the podium preparing to make a speech.

"Narcissa Black-Malfoy was taken from us too soon. She was a mother and grandmother. She loved her family deeply and it showed with everything she did. If you were lucky enough to see her in the shops, and asked her how she was, she would reply with a short comment about herself before jumping into the latest tale about one of her grandchildren. She was sweet and compassionate, never turning down someone in need. Many of you have benefited from her charity. She donated a large amount to the rebuilding efforts after the war and helped the workers by bringing food and water to them at their work sites. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. Narcissa, like many, has had her fair share of trial and heartache. Her husband passed away shortly after the war, which took the lives of many a friend. Narcissa never mourned for her losses. Instead, she comforted those who had lost someone they loved. We will miss her dearly. Surely, she is in a better place now, watching over her family and waiting to tell the angels of her wonderful grandchildren. May she rest in peace."

As he finished, the casket was opened to allow the visitors a chance to pay their last respects. Draco stood with his family, the Zabinis following, who were then followed by the Weasleys. Draco approached the casket first. He gazed down at the shell of his mother. Even in death she was beautiful. Her hair was as immaculate as it was in life, not a hair out of place. Draco felt tears well in his eyes. He wanted so badly to reach out and hold her close, praying that she might live.

"I'm going to miss you, Mum. You always knew just what to say and do to help me. I don't know where I would be without you. I hope you're proud of me, Mum. I love you," he whispered before turning away and returning to his seat.

Ginny had her arm wrapped around Scorpius's shoulders, for both comfort for him and support for herself, as she stepped up to take Draco's place.

"I can't believe you're really gone. You were always a support for me during hard times and a guide through all the muck of life. My kids were the apple of your eye and while I didn't approve of how much you spoiled them I hope that they learned to love as you did; selfless and infinite. Draco's so lost without you here. Please, help me guide him through all of this. I'll never forget how you accepted me into your family. You didn't ask questions you just accepted that I loved Draco and you loved me for it. Thank you. I will always think of you as a second mother. I love you, Mum. Miss you already." She stepped away as Scorpius took a step forward.

"I love you, Grandmother. Keep an eye on Dad, will you? I've never seen him so lost and hurt and scared. He needs you now. Please? And another thing? Persephone won't remember you. Help me teach her what you taught me? Missing you lots, Grandmother. I love you. Forever and a day," Scorpius grinned through his tears. When Narcissa wrote to him she had always signed it with "I Love you. Forever and day." It had been how she always said I love you to him. It had been between him and her alone. He never realized how much those words meant to him until now.

Scorpius helped his mother back to the row with his dad. Ginny all but collapsed into Draco's arms sobbing. Draco rocked her back and forth as his remaining children all paid their last respects to his mother.

Once the family had said their goodbyes, the minister raised his wand and in a blaze of green flames, Narcissa's casket was replaced with an elegant emerald green urn with silver inlay. The little wizard took the urn and handed it to Draco. After a moment of silence everyone started forming groups talking quietly. Many of them formed a line to give their condolences to Draco, Ginny, Blaise, and Pansy. The kids all retreated upstairs away from the somber adults.

"What are we supposed to do without Grandmother at Christmas?" Selene asked wiping angrily at the tears on her cheeks. Apollo had his arm around Artemis, tears in his eyes as his twin sobbed into his shoulder. Ariel and Julia were both crying tears silently. Scorpius had his arm around both of them, not bothering to hide his tears.

"Look at us," Scorpius spoke after a long painful silence. "Grandmother wouldn't want us to sit here doing nothing. She would tell us be happy that she lived long enough to see all of us and that we have to remember her as she was. Always a smile and a laugh." Scorpius pulled Ariel to her feet, brushing the tears from his best friend's cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. "She'd tell us to stop being lazy and go run around and terrorize our parents." He pulled Selene to her feet as well, smiling when she chuckled. Scorpius gazed around at the group of them. "We have to remember her with smiles, not tears. She would tell us how much she loves us and to laugh and rejoice at the life she lived."

All the kids smiled, some still with tears in their eyes. Scorpius smiled at them.

"That's more like it."

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