(Sorry for the long wait for this chapter! Finally up now!)
8/25/15 - Minor edits applied.
8/30/15 - Minor edits applied.
9/29/15 - Minor edits applied.
Chapter 4
"The memorial service the Ministry put on was beautiful," said Hermione, on the way back to the Burrow. Ginny nodded in agreement and the two girls talked quietly about what they liked most.
The atmosphere in the car was much more relaxed then it was on the way to the service. Being at the memorial and grieving together as a family seemed to have helped them all accept Fred's death.
After the service, the family of the deceased were able to decide what to do with the body of their fallen family member. The Weasley's decided to burry Fred in the Weasley Family Graveyard, which was located in a tiny town near the Burrow. The burial wasn't due to happen until right before sunset, so everyone was going back to the Burrow for a while to get ready for the burial and then the wake, which was being held after.
"You know," said George, as they walked into the Burrow's kitchen, "I think instead of having a normal boring, sad, wake….we should have a party instead. Celebrate Fred instead of mourning him."
Mrs. Weasley patted George's arm and smiled warmly, "I think that's a wonderful idea, dear. How about I send word out that no one is to wear black, only vibrant colors."
George nodded, "Sounds great, Mum. Thanks," he kissed her cheek and went up to his room, which was the first time he had been in there since they returned from Hogwarts.
Hermione and Ron were sitting at the kitchen table, talking quietly amongst themselves and drinking some butterbeer, when Harry walked in and sat next to Ron. "So how are travel plans coming along?" he asked, stealing Ron's butterbeer and taking a sip.
Ron snatched his butterbeer back, smiling, while Hermione shook her head at the two, "Going well. We'll be leaving the day after tomorrow." She conjured up another butterbeer, and handed it to Harry.
"Thanks. How are you getting there? Airplane?"
Hermione shook her head, "No, I wanted too since Ron had never been on one before, but flying to and from Australia will be very expensive," she sighed, taking a sip of her own butterbeer, "So we're going to travel by portkey over there, then fly back to England with my parents later on."
"We're thinking of going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to do some shopping for the trip. Do you want to come?" asked Ron.
"Sure. I've been meaning to go over there anyways."
"Go where?" asked Ginny, who had just entered the kitchen and sat next to Harry.
A smile instantly grew on Harry's face. "Diagon Alley. Want to come?"
Ginny smiled back, "I'll never say no to a day out of shopping."
"Then it's settled," said Hermione, "Tomorrow after breakfast we'll head on over there."
Mrs. Weasley walked in, and seeing the group sitting at the table, put her hands on her hips, "And just what do you lot think you're doing? We have a party to get ready for!"
Everyone jumped out of their seats and went back to work getting ready for the party.
An hour before sunset, everyone met outside near the tent. With a wave of her wand, Mrs. Weasley turned on all the outside lanterns and checked one last time that everything was prepared for after the burial.
With a satisfied nod, the group made their way to the graveyard.
"I wish we still had that Ford Angelina," said Ron, "We could have all piled into it instead of walking."
Mrs. Weasley huffed. "That bloody car was nothing but trouble. Good riddance, I say. Besides, it will only take us about 10 minutes to walk there."
"Why are we walking anyways?" asked Percy.
"Exercise, children, exercise." said Mr. Weasley, "Besides, Ginny doesn't have her apparition license yet -"
"I'll get it soon enough." Ginny said grumpily. "The stupid Carrows' banned apparition lessons last year, so I have to wait until my 7th year."
Harry slung his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple as they walked, trying to sooth her anger. It worked, as her body relaxed and leaned into his as they continued walking to their destination.
They arrived at the graveyard and made their way among the tombstones. Just ahead of them was a white canopy tent. Under the tent was a pre-dug hole with a mound of dirt on one side and Fred's coffin on the other.
Each person took a turn going under the tent to say their last goodbyes privately to Fred. George went last and when he returned to the group, he had tears streaming down his cheeks and smile on his face.
He hugged his parents. "I think I'm ready," he said, as he let go of them.
As the sun was setting, Mr. Weasley, Charlie, Bill, and George all levitated the coffin into the hole, then Mrs. Weasley, Percy, Ron, and Ginny each levitated portions of the dirt next to it to fill it in.
The tombstone appeared once the dirt was returned to the ground, which read:
Fred Weasley
April 1, 1978 - May 2, 1998
Beloved Son & Brother
"Mischief Managed"
Harry smiled at the inscription, knowing that only a very few people would understand it. Everyone silently turned to start walking home, when Ginny stopped.
"Hang on a second," she said, as she lifted her wand one more time. She charmed the ground so that the bare dirt was now covered in thick grass, then another wave of her wand and white daisy's popped up, forming the letter "F" on the mound. "There, now it will look like he is forever wearing one of Mum's Christmas sweaters."
George looked dumbfounded for a moment, then burst into laughter. "You're amazing, Ginny," he said, giving her bear hug.
"I know," she said, grinning and hugging him back.
"Alright you lot, let's get going to that party," said Mrs. Weasley fighting back tears, "Ginny, you can side-along apparate with me, it will save time instead of walking back."
"What? How come when I mentioned appara-" started Ron, but stopped short when Hermione took hold of his hand. She smiled at him, then shook her head as if to say just go with it.
One by one, everyone disapparated with a faint "pop" and was back at the Burrow, where the guests were starting to arrive.
"To Fred!" said George, raising his goblet.
"To Fred!" everyone chanted.
The party was in full swing. George was handing out samples of products from his store, Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, so there were fanged frisbees, hats that made heads disappear, and candy that turned skin different colors.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at a table, trying out muggle card tricks, when Kingsley Shacklebolt walked over to them. "Is this seat taken?" he asked the group, motioning to an empty chair.
"No, Sir. All yours," said Harry, shaking the Minister's hand as he sat down next to him.
"So word has it, that you are looking for a job at the ministry, Mr. Potter?"
"That is correct, sir," said Harry.
"Well, I have under proper authority to tell you that there may be some openings coming up soon…I believe your Headmistresses mentioned to me that your goal after Hogwarts was becoming an auror. Is that still true?"
Harry's eyes widened, "Absolutely! I wasn't sure if that would be even possible, since I'm not finishing school at Hogwarts and won't have N.E.W.T. testing scores."
Kingsley smiled, "I think we can work something out," he stood up, "Why don't you stop by Monday and we'll talk some more, ok?"
"Yes, sir!" Harry said enthusiastically, standing up and shaking his hand again.
Kingsley then looked at Ron and Hermione, "Same goes for you two as well," he looked at Ron, "Your parents mentioned you were going on a trip tomorrow, so stop by my office after you get back and we can work something out."
Ron stood up and shook Kingsley's hand, "Yes, sir! Thank you!"
Hermione smiled, also shaking his hand, "Thank you so much. I am, however, going back to Hogwarts next term to finish my schooling, so I am afraid I will have to politely decline."
"That's alright Miss Granger. After you graduate we can still talk," he said, giving her a wink as he shook her hand as well.
She beamed at him, "Thank you, Minister."
After he walked away, Ron let out a "whoop!" and punched the air in excitement. "Bloody hell, Harry! We're going to be aurors! REAL aurors! This calls for a drink. I'm going to go see if I can nip some firewhiskey from the kitchen." He turned to Hermione, gave her a loud, smacking kiss, and ran off.
Flushed, she sat back down, avoiding eye contact with Harry by shuffling the deck of cards on the table.
Harry chuckled to himself, shaking his head.
Holding two bottles of Butterbeer, Ginny walked over to the table, laughing, and looking over her shoulder, "What's gotten into Ron? He just hugged me, willingly I might add, and said something about celebrating." She sat next to Harry, handing him one of the butterbeers while she took a sip of the other.
"Thanks Gin," said Harry, taking a sip of his own, "He's just excited because Kingsley just stopped by to tell us that there are a few auror positions opening up and he wants to meet with us and talk about jobs."
Ginny gasped, grabbing his hand, "Harry! That's amazing! Congratulations!" she gave him a loud, smacking kiss, much like the one that Ron gave Hermione earlier.
Laughing, he kissed her back, "Well, don't congratulate me just yet; I'm just supposed to go talk to him on Monday. I don't want to get my hopes up until it actually happens."
"Come on, Harry. We all know you pretty much have-," started Hermione, before Ron showed up, looking around to make sure one was watching. He pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey from under his shirt then conjured up three shot glasses.
"Beat it, Ginny," he said, pouring the amber liquid into the glasses.
Harry was about to say something, but Ginny put her hand up to stop him. She narrowed her eyes at her brother. "Excuse me? You don't get to tell me what to do. If I want to sit here and watch my boyfriend take a shot of firewhiskey in celebration of landing a job that he has always wanted, I will. I'm not going to go tattling to Mum and Dad. In fact, why don't you pour me one too."
"No way. You're not even of-age."
"So. This wouldn't be my first time," she said hotly.
Ron gaped. "You've had firewhiskey before? I don't believe you. When?"
Ginny shrugged, "Charlie let me try some last year."
"Charlie? I'm gonna… well, probably nothing, but he really shouldn't have given our baby sister hard alcohol."
"Come on, Ron. Stop thinking of me as your baby sister. Younger, yes. Baby, no. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. In case you forgot, it was me, Nevill, and Luna who kept up with the D.A. at Hogwarts last year. It was us going against the Carrows. It was us going through torture during 'detentions'. It was me who snuck into Snape's office and..."
"Ok. Ok Ginny. You're not a baby anymore. I get it," he conjured up another shot glass, poured liquid into it, and handed it to her.
The four of them raised their glasses.
"To becoming aurors," said Ron.
"To growing up," said Ginny.
"To the four of us," said Hermione.
"To Fred," said Harry.
They each clinked their glasses together and drank.