In Memoriam

The Weasleys were at the very front row of the service. Harry had tried to sit at the very back, in an effort to give them some space, but Mrs. Weasley had given him a fierce – but teary – glare. So, Harry found himself between Ginny and Charlie.

It seemed that the whole of Hogsmaede had turned up, there were wizards from all over the country, and some from abroad too. It was like Dumbledore's funeral all over again, but with ten times the people. People were sitting on – not just the chairs – but on blankets, transfigured chairs or just standing around. Harry didn't mind. All that mattered was that they were here. To pay their last respects to all the brave witches and wizards who had given their lives for something they all believe in.

Hagrid and Grawp were here too, both sitting on the ground, behind everyone. A little blonde girl had cried when she had first seen them. But had now started to giggle as Grawp took her in his palm and swung her back and forth. Hagrid was watching this with a happy gleam in his eye.

Despite the weather – which was clear, sunny, and breezy – the mood was somber. Everyone was silent as Kingsley Shacklebolt and McGonagall took to the stage. There was a podium before them. Kingsley stood to talk first. He said in his deep, rumbling voice, "We are gathered here today, to honor those who gave their lives, so that the wizarding world can have its much-needed peace. Their bravery and persistence, even at the hands of failure and sure-death, is unaccounted for. I can't begin to thank them for what they have done. I'm sure that we are all mourning them. But they died fighting for what they believe in. They died protecting their loved ones. And I know that, wherever they are, they would want us to be happy." He nodded at the audience, and with a sadl smile on his face, sat down.

Harry looked around, many of the audience were crying. Mrs. Weasley was being comforted by her husband, he was crying too. Ron was holding Hermione, who was sobbing into his chest. Fleur was standing next to Bill, tears running down her beautiful face. Harry looked to his right. Ginny was staring straight ahead, her face was shining with tears, but she was no longer crying. He put an arm around her (Charlie looked at him from the corner of his eye) and faced the front again.

McGonagall got up from her seat. She was wearing a long cloak over what looked like a majestic 18th century gown. Her eyes met his, and he smiled encouragingly at her. The corners of her thin mouth twitched upwards.

As she began her speech as Hogwart's acting Headmistress, Harry's mind drifted, he was no longer listening. He wondered where Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus… where all his friends where. He knew they had come. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed something; dirty blonde hair shining in the sunlight. Turning his head slightly he saw Luna and Neville. She was staring dreamily at the podium. Neville's eyes met his, and Neville grinned crookedly. There was a faint scar on his cheek.

Harry turned to face the front again. McGonagall was still talking.

"– if the families wouldn't mind, we'd like to bury the deceased next to the lake, near Dumbledore's grave."

They had all agreed, the night before, that it was a good idea to enclose an area next to Dumbledore's grave. If the families of the deceased (all those who had died in the battle) agreed, the deceased would be buried there. Next to Dumbledore, and people that died fighting for what they all believed was right.

A reporter had written an article about Snape's true allegiance – having briefly interviewed Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the battle – which was posted in the Daily Prophet. Harry had decided – now that Snape's true face had come forward – that Snape should be buried in the enclosure too.

Turning to the cleared space, Kingsley and McGonagall had raised their wands in unison. The deceased had already been buried – their epitaphs written, flowers placed – in the enclosure. Now Kingsley made a gate. At the very end of the enclosure was a wall. Made of black marble, it rose 11 feet off the ground, the names of the people who had given their lives fighting etched onto its surface. There was a paragraph explaining the reason behind the wall, about Lord Voldemort and the Chosen One, and all the brave people that helped make peace possible.

Taking a deep breath, Harry removed his hand from around Ginny's shoulders and stood up. He wanted to speak. He wanted to thank the survivors, and the families of the deceased. He wanted them to know, that without their help and support, he would've been long dead. Ginny squeezed his hand, reassuringly.

The service had just finished. He'd untangled himself from his 'fan girls' (as Ginny so nicely put it). He had talked to Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Lavender; he'd even had a short, awkward conversation with Cho. He had mingled with the crowd. Hagrid had re-introduced him to Grawp, who had bent down and held out his enormous hand. The Weasleys and Hermione had gone off to restore Hogwarts; he would join them in a moment.

He looked at the wall. The black marble was shiny, his own reflection blinked back at him. He read the names, running his hand over them. He sighed. So many people... Because of him. But it wasn't in vain. Their parents, children, siblings, loves; all had a better life now. A more peaceful place in which to be brought up.

"It's not your fault you know."

Harry looked 'round. Andromeda, Tonks' mother, was standing there with a turquoise haired Teddy in her arms. His heart pained. She had lost her daughter, her husband, her son-in-law. All in a couple of months. He wanted to say something, to comfort her. He was remorseful. But if there were ever two people in this world that were meant to die together, it was Remus and Tonks.

Instead, he smiled at her, "Can I hold him?"

She nodded and carefully handed Teddy over to him.

Harry looked down at the cooing face of his godchild. He smiled at Harry. When Harry held a finger to his hand, he grasped it tightly in his small fist. Harry grinned, he looked so much like Remus. But he had a thing for eccentric colored hair, like Tonks. Teddy's hair suddenly turned an electric blue. Harry looked up tearfully at Andromeda.

"Remus told me he had made you godfather."

Harry nodded, "I'll take care of him. Always."

Andromeda smiled. "H-he was a good boy. He loved my Dora. And Ted," she took a deep breath, steadying herself, "Ted always said they would be there for each other."

Unable to think of what to say, Harry hugged her with one arm. "Do you think I could walk with him?" Harry asked looking down at her, "just for a bit?"

She nodded, "As long as you like, son. "

"Thank you," Harry whispered, smiling gratefully at her.

Harry walked through the gate and around to the other side of the lake, away from the noise of the people. He sat on a flat rock on the bank of the lake and looked at Teddy. His hair had returned to its usual turquoise color. The baby was still grasping Harry's finger and now was attempting to put it in his mouth. Harry laughed; what would Remus have said if he saw Harry like this?