Chapter 7: The Burrow

Ginny, Harry, and Ron gathered around the graves of Percy and Fred, lighting a candle for each. Ron had found a nice stone to place nearby the graves, and used his wand to write Hermione's name. It didn't feel right for her not to be remembered by someone, even if her body had never turned up. They lit a candle for her as well. Harry wrapped his arm around Ron's shoulder. A single tear slid down Ron's cheek. They had just finished Christmas morning, and Ron was wearing a scarf with an "R" on it. Draped across the headstones were scarves for the two lost Weasley's. "It doesn't seem right that she's in the 'tween, does it?" Ron asked.

Ginny and Harry looked at Ron, wondering what he meant. "I mean…she's not really here, and she's not in some muggle grave with her family either. I hate that she's just…she's nowhere." Ron turned and walked back towards the house, snow had begun to fall again.

He walked in the house, where he was pleasantly surprised to see Luna sitting on the couch, patting the area beside her. Ron took a seat and gripped Luna's hand. They smiled at one another, before looking up to see Harry and Ginny walk in. "What say the 4 of us go to Hogsmeade and get some butterbeer? I can't be here right now." Harry asked, shocking Ron and Ginny with his emotion.

"Alright mate?" Ron asked. The truth was, Harry was not okay. He felt everything Ron had felt, but would not express it. Ron and Ginny had lost far more than a friend, they'd lost siblings. He didn't feel justified in crying for his loss. He was sad about Percy and Fred, but heartbroken over Hermione. She was the sister he never had. Everyone had been so concerned about Ron, including himself, but nobody had bothered to ask him about his feelings. Ginny would ask, but would always end up falling apart…and again Harry had to push his feelings aside. The four of them went to Hogsmeade; however, none of them felt any better. Christmas was about family, and when a family member was not there…no amount of butterbeer could drown the feelings of loss.

They returned in time for a lovely Christmas dinner that Molly Weasley had prepared. Arthur Weasley stood at the head of the table and proposed a toast. "To those who could not be here today. May their souls glide together in a Christmas celebration of their own. We'll miss you." Everyone raised a glass and drank. It was a comfort to everyone to know that as much as they depended on each other on earth, that those who had left, depended on one another in the otherworld. "I have something else to say, and I don't want any arguments." Arthur started. "After the holiday, myself and the minister of magic will be going to Malfoy Manor to meet with the Death Eaters for what I hope will be an end to all dark magic for good."

Ron and Harry jumped. They both immediately began to argue and ask questions. "Why don't you take them all in when you get there? Those bastards ought to be put in Azkaban. Why? Why have anything to do with them?"

Arthur looked to his family, "Because all the Death Eaters were masked and we can't prosecute a masked person. Regardless of what proof we have, we cannot place them in Azkaban. What we can do, is flush them out and try to keep an eye on them. Part of the agreement would include a clause that states no Death Eater would find himself in a position to lead. It's that, or they could cause continued trouble for the ministry, not to mention drag out a war that for all purposes has already ended."

Harry and Ron talked that night about what Arthur Weasley had said. A part of them agreed with what he said, but the other part seethed at the idea that Death Eaters would walk out in the open again, holding their heads high, becoming part of the newly rebuilt magical community. According to Arthur, it was a done deal. However, Ron was terrified of the idea of his father and the minister going into a house full of Death Eaters. Not single part of him trusted this meeting. Harry agreed with him, but there was no reasoning with Mr. Weasley. All any of the Weasley's could do was wait and see. The meeting was to take place shortly after the return to school, and Ginny and Ron had pleaded with their father to do it before the return so that more members of the Order would be available. That being said, Ron and Ginny had to settle for an owl letting them know that everything went well.