They arrived at the Lupin's funeral in good time, which was a bit of a novelty for Molly. Even managing to put on the complicated Auror dress robes to her satisfaction didn't seem to take Harry and Ron all that long. Although the secret help of their respective girlfriend's had made a big difference.

Remus and Tonk's funeral was to be held at the Lupin's local church, an old 10th century medieval building. The information plaque proclaimed it to have been part of a Monastery that had supported Henry VIII in his split from Rome and had thus avoided the worst damage of the Reformation. The sun was out and the weather was expected to be fairly nice all week, something Harry had been thankful for as he was going to be spending most of it standing outside. It felt like the world itself was showing it's thanks to those who fell and those who survived the last few days.

As they were early, Harry and Ginny took the chance to meander around the churchyard hand in hand. Harry was using the time to mentally prepare himself for the next couple of hours remembering his friends whom he had loved and for who's deaths he still felt a certain amount of guilt. Ginny's job was to more or less guide him around the maze of gravestones and keep an eye on him to make sure that he didn't have another of what she was coming to think of as his 'episodes'.

They eventually came to a stop in front of the freshly dug graves. Harry's attention returned to the graveyard. ~Nice of you to return~ thought Ginny, her tone a little snippy.

'Sorry Darling, I'm just trying to get my head into a state where I can get through the next two hours without feeling really guilty again.' He looked up at her.

'Good' she replied in a conciliatory tone .'We don't have the time it would take for me to pull you out of it right now and it would be a little difficult to explain to the other guests.'

Ginny smiled mischievously.

'Behave' said Harry returning her smile as he too remembered their closeness the previous night.

They turned back to the graves and Harry's gaze travelled to the reasonably fresh grave beside the ominous holes. 'I see Ted is here already.' As he gestured towards the fresh grave.

Ginny looked in surprise at Harry 'How did you know?' She asked, slightly confused.

'Oh, Ron managed to tune into Potterwatch a few times. We heard about Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell the first time he managed to tune us in.' He looked a bit grave and then smiled 'I remember Fred complaining about being given the code name rodent, he wanted to be rapier I think' Harry paused briefly 'and his jokes about Voldemort. It was the first time we'd had anything to laugh about in weeks.'

Ginny held her breath and tried to block the screaming that Fred's name had set off in her mind from Harry. Either she managed it or Harry wasn't paying attention because his next comment was 'Let's join the others in the church.'

Ginny breathed a little easier, ~Maybe that walk helped~ she pondered as they turned the corner of the path and started up towards the church. ~It did~ he thought back

'Where have you been?' demanded Ron as they reached the door.

'None of you business … Mum.' Ginny snapped back and without giving him time to retort. 'And you'll notice that Harry's uniform doesn't look at all mussed.' she added smiling knowingly at him.

Ron blushed as he straightened his dress uniform and then jumped as his girlfriend and Kingsley came up behind him.

'Harry' Said Kingsley inclining his head towards to the young man. 'I wish we could be meeting on a more happy occasion.'

'Ron really!' Exclaimed Hermione stepping past the minister 'How do you manage to get so untidy?' She reached over and started to properly correct the hang of Ron's dress robes as he continued to blush. His eyes throwing a warning to Harry and Ginny who were trying, without much success, to hide smirks. Kingsley standing behind Ron didn't even try.

'There you are' Said Hermione, apparently satisfied 'Shall we go in, I want to keep an eye on that reporter.'

Harry's head shot up and his eyes went flinty and he glared at the minister 'Great!' he forced out between clenched teeth 'Just what I need.' Kingsley took a step back knowing that there was no love lost between Harry and the press and that Scrimgeour's attempt to use him as a poster boy the previous years was one of the main things that alienated him from the ministry.

Kingsley moved quickly 'Harry, If you'll let me explain first I hope you'll see that this was the best I could do for you given the circumstances.' Kingsley's eyes were full of concern, his demeanour one of a supplicant.

Harry's fists clenched and unclenched until a small warm hand intertwined it's fingers with his ~Harry, I suggest we hear him out~ He blinked as if coming round and took a deep breath. Ginny breathed a silent sigh of relief as she felt Harry's anger recede slightly. 'Okay Minister.' The use of his formal title was not lost on Kingsley 'We will listen to what you have to say' Harry felt a burst of warmth from his girlfriend who for her part was thrilled that Harry was clearly thinking of them rather than just himself. 'But if the words "poster boy" pass your lips' the fingers on his free hand started to grip his wand 'I promise it will not go well for you.'

Kingsley flashed a quick smile and began.

'Harry, as soon as the knowledge that you had defeated Voldemort became public, the ministry has been under siege from the press wanting interviews. I've had a couple of the ministry staff working full time just to keep on top of the fan mail, interview requests, howlers and whatever else the wizarding population at large sees fit to try and send to the four of you and others involved in the war.' He paused to take stock and Harry seemed to be calming down so he ploughed on 'I was hoping that the small press release about you deciding to join the Auror Department would calm them down but if anything it intensified the situation. I even had to have Rita Skeeta forcibly removed from my office at one point because she was convinced that I was hiding you in there somewhere.' Harry and Ginny both smiled.

'In an attempt to put a stop to the demands I offered the Daily Prophet the chance to attend each of the funerals this coming week but they are under strict orders to leave you in peace and ask no direct questions unless you two, Ron or Hermione initiate the interview and to stop any interview as soon as you indicate that it is at an end.' Kingsley looked up hopefully.

'Go on' said Harry, his tone still guarded.

'The new policy of openness that I have introduced at the ministry forbids me from forcing them to pass me or yourselves the story in advance of publication but I made it clear that they should regard this as a period of probation and, if they abuse this, there will be consequences. Miss Skeeter is crying censorship of the press but the editor can see the way things are going to be and has shortened her leash. I believe she is spending this week in her garden for reasons of health.' Kingsley was again grinning at Harry and Ginny again who looked much more relaxed.

'I see' said Harry after a pause 'and would one of those reasons be the danger of her being in proximity of a certain select group of witches and wizards who, for a variety of good reasons, are likely to hex her in to the middle of next week on sight?' but before Kingsley could answer Ginny snorted out 'Next week?...More like next year'

Kingsley kept a straight face although his eyes displayed a certain mischief . 'Indeed that point may have come up during the discussion. The Editor, Barnabas Cuffe, and myself felt that an extended period of leave might be erm, beneficial all round.' Kingsley's face took on a downward cast 'Unfortunately, she is more than happy to have time to devote to writing a biography of you Harry.' Harry tensed again. 'There isn't much I can do to stop her either I'm afraid and as a ministry employee I have to advise you that the official line is a swift "No comment". If she persists then you may use your discretion.' He turned to look at Ginny who had a calculating look in her eye.'I know that you are not officially a ministry employee Miss Weasley but discretion does not include bat bogey hex's.' Ginny pouted 'Besides she would take great delight in attempting to ruin your chances of joining the Harpies if you turn professional.'

He looked at them both seriously. 'I'm sorry it's come to this so quickly Harry, I had hoped that we could give you and the others a week or two before we had to deal with the press but as I mentioned earlier it has been relentless. I'll send you the abridged version of events that we intend to release to the Prophet tonight by owl. If you could review it with whomever you see fit and let me have your revised version back in in a couple of days then I can release it to the Prophet and hopefully things will calm, down on that front. I know that you still have funerals for the next couple of days but this was the best deal I could negotiate with Barnabas.'

'Thank you.' Harry managed to sound relieved even though his stomach was knotting up. 'I can see that you've done the best you can, but what if you don't like our changes?' He challenged unable to keep the edge out of his voice.

Kingsley looked a bit worried again but quickly responded 'Provided there is nothing untrue then the plan is simply to let your revised version be sent to the Prophet unedited.' Harry appeared to relax again and Kingsley ploughed on. 'I do however, suggest that you and Ginny append a small statement about advising that you are together, your co-operation in this matter would be much appreciated by the witches in the mail department to say the least. Ron and Hermione have already agreed that they will add a small announcement. I shall just say Romelda Vane and leave it at that.'

Harry looked stunned, 'How did you know about Romelda?' he asked as Ginny's eyes went flinty at the name and he felt her temper building

~Ginny, just ignore her~

~Harry! If she comes within 5 miles of you...~

~I'll hex her myself~ he promised ~but can we talk about this later?~

~Okay~ she thought and the temper started to recede.

'Harry' said Kingsley with a grin, not having noticed the couples attention had been elsewhere 'Not withstanding the several daily missives that we have received for you from her ever since the battle, Mineva clued me in over the incident with the chocolates while I was still at Hogwarts. The letters had started to arrive already and I didn't know what to make of them.'

'You can burn them for all I care.' but it wasn't Harry who had spoken.

'I'll I do that for you however I still suggest that you and Ginny draft a small statement advising that you are officially an item to reduce the number of speculative letters we are getting.' said Kingsley, glossing over the contents to avoid antagonising Ginny further.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other 'Officially an item' Ginny grinned 'I like it.'

Kaltok slowly let a breath out. They had been close for a while, and perhaps he should have signalled the attack early. Mentally chiding himself, he reminded himself that that once a plan was made, it was not wise to deviate from it. Besides, he could still see the Auror's moving around the graveyards and making sure the late arrivals were cleared to be there. He had no guarantee that the rest of the group had been watching at precisely that point and the capture of even one of the group could be disastrous. Better to wait until the planned attack time when the Auror's would likely be less alert and the rest of the Goblins ready.

The interior of the church was cool even with the windows and doors open; the chill of the stones held the warmth of the day outside at bay. All of the surviving order members were here, in addition to the family members and friends, he could even see Hagrid looking a little worse for wear at the back of the church where he gave them a solemn nod. They could see his large hankie was already out and showing signs of use. Oddly of all the Weasleys, George was missing and Harry had been hoping he would be here so they could catch up.

They took Orders of Service and were ushered towards the front row of the packed church. Heads turned and eyes followed them, as they walked self-consciously down the aisle to join Ron and Hermione with Andromeda holding a sleeping Teddy in her arms at the front. The two coffins were stood on pedestals next to each other in front of the alter. They paused briefly and then took their seats between Ron and Andromeda.

Harry looked resolutely forwards until a tiny hand tugged at his robe. He turned to see a beaming Teddy determinedly grasping at him. He smiled despite himself. And then met Andromeda's gaze and froze.

He hardly noticed the familiar warm hand creep into his. He blinked ~Sorry Gin~ Turning his attention outwards he looked at Andromeda Tonks, 'Mrs Tonks, I never did get to thank you properly for patching me up after I had that run in with Voldemort and his Death Eaters a year ago.' and he held out his other hand, the one that Ginny hadn't firmly claimed.

This proved to be a bit of a mistake on Harry's part as a grateful Teddy immediately put his mouth over it gave Harry a vicious suck. Andromeda smiled weakly at him. 'Harry' She said kindly 'It is us who should be thanking you after what you have done for our kind.' she looked down at her Grandson who was now sucking away at Harry's finger with every sign of contentment 'and Teddy certainly approves of you.'

Despite the solemnity of the occasion they shared a little laugh.

'Now on the count of three Harry.' He look a little confused until he saw the pacifier in her other hand and he nodded in understanding.

'One...Two..Three!'

Harry gently withdrew his finger from his Godsons mouth. Just as Teddy's eyes opened and he seemed to be building up to a good screaming fit Andromeda poked the pacifier into his mouth and he started to suck away, content once more.

'Remus and Tonks often spoke of you during the war.' Andromeda said 'Remus in particular had nothing but praise for you saying you exemplified the best of your father and his only regret was that he didn't get to spend more time with you.' Harry was speechless as Andromeda carried on.

'I won't say that I don't wish that my daughter and husband were still alive; any-more than I won't wish every day that my Ted had survived but I have responsibilities' She raised Teddy slightly and wrinkled her nose. Harry also screwed up his face, his eyes almost watering.

'Speaking of responsibilities...' she said. Ginny leaned over with her spare hand over her nose 'Mrs Tonks, would you like Harry and me to take care of him?' ~Ginny~ Harry complained. 'No, I'll be fine this time thanks dear but I will hold you to that offer another time.' as she passed Teddy to Harry so she could get up.

Harry groaned inwardly, trying his hardest not to breath in ~What the great hero of the wizarding world afraid of a little baby poo?~ Ginny taunted as Harry's eyes really did start to water behind his glasses'

Andromeda took Teddy back and headed to the side of the church where the hall was located. She looked back at the couple 'Oh and its Dromeda please.'

Outside Golt silently cursed Koltok. If he hadn't been so locked into the plan they could have taken both Harry and Ginny with little effort, now they had to wait another hour or so. He settled down, moving slightly so that the knotty root under him would not dig in so much. He froze as one of the Auror's looked over his position and breathed a little easier as the wizard looked away. ~Too close~ he thought and went back to his private scheming.

Once Andromeda returned with a now clean Teddy, the funeral proceeded peacefully. Harry delivered a tearful eulogy drawing on his shared circumstances with Teddy and himself but ending with a promise to make sure that Teddy would live to appreciate the world that both their parents had paid so high a price to bring about. Ginny spent the speech sending Harry support through their bond and occasional prompts having spent the last evening helping him to write it.

Kingsley spoke of the couple's tireless work for the order through the last year. How Tonks could be relied upon to always to put a smile on your face no matter how dark things seemed at the time and Remus's eternal optimism both of them had done much to keep the increasingly under pressure order functioning.

Finally Andromeda and Teddy took the floor and praised the heroes for finally defeating Voldermort and remembering her husband, daughter and son-in-law. She ended with a comment that although Teddy's parents were no longer here, he would have a surrogate family with his Godfather and Godmother which caused Ginny and Harry to blush as they realised that for the first time someone had publicly acknowledged their relationship.

In the graveyard, some of the bushes moved in the wind despite the apparent calmness of the weather. The Aurors looked on noticing nothing out of place.

The formal ceremony finished and the coffins were levitated outside. To hide this from the muggles six wizards stood by the sides of the coffins Harry and Ginny were at the front of Remus's with Kingsley and Arthur leading Tonks. They proceeded to the freshly dug graves. Ministry wizards confounded the majority of the crowd as the coffins were levitated down and the minister managed the rest of the service only with close reference to the book in his hands.

Around the graveside group, about 15 feet out in various directions seven scaly hands uncorked seven phials and each of the goblins swallowed the potion. They were committed now.

From the undergrowth around them eight pairs of eyes now watched the group break up.

As the crowd drifted away from the graveside Harry, Ginny, the Weasley's, Andromeda, Teddy and Kingsley came together as a group in front of the three graves in quiet contemplation.

Andromeda turned to Harry, she had cried herself during the service and was looking a bit brighter. 'Thanks for coming Harry and speaking for them during the service.' Harry smiled weakly at her but replied strongly 'I owed it to him. He was the last of my fathers friends from school and a great friend to me.' He turned back to the grave 'I'll miss him.'

Ginny held his arm fiercely ~Not your fault~ she reminded him. He looked up at the group. With the funeral over, many had drifted away to the church and back towards the house for the funeral tea. The rest of Weasley's with their partners with Percy and Charlie on their own and Kingsley in the middle of them remained with Andromeda and Teddy. George had not made an appearance at the funeral.

Andromeda started 'I guess we had better get back to the house before Teddy gets too restless.'

Bogrod sighed inwardly. Gruntag wasn't a bad goblin; a little greedy perhaps but then when weren't they all? However, regardless of his personal feelings the master plan and his personal safety couldn't be put at risk and sometimes that meant that a pawn had to be sacrificed.

Gruntag stiffened silently as the blade emerged from his chest the dark blood running down the blade. Bogrod's hand covered his mouth as the life drained from his surprised face and his legs collapsed under him.

This done, the old goblin retrieved the wand and port key, pausing for a second to deactivate it. Finally, he pushed the body into a crevice next to the tree root. His small body masking the massive strength contained within, easily pushed the corpse down until no trace except a small pool of blood remained.

He kicked some dirt over it and quietly left the way he had come. The rest of the team would also have to be sacrificed. He bitterly thought of the taunt from the wizard as he left earlier and silently vowed that he would one day take the price of these seven goblins out of the wizards flesh.

On the church ward side of the group, Kaltok drew back his arm. A small, well weighted knife was clutched in his hand by the blade. He slowly breathed out, held his breath and sighted along his arm preparing to throw...

Ginny glanced towards a rustle in the shrubbery and saw a glint of metal ~Harry~ she thought in worry.

Harry's view was briefly replaced with the same vision of the the glint of metal

'DOWN!' yelled Harry as he dropped to the floor. ~Shield!~ he thought as he dropped.

Most of the group reacted to Harry's command without thinking. Only Percy, Andromeda and Ginny remained standing. The first two in surprise but Ginny already had an intense look of concentration on her brow. The dagger flew between them, directly at the spot where Harry had stood only seconds before. It bounced off the shield into the graveyard as other missiles were thrown and deflected off the now fully deployed shield. Which more than adequately covered the whole group.

Kaltok looked around the graveyard, he had not expected the first assault to be so ineffective and he feverishly hoped that Gruntag was already preparing to cast the dark mark so that the rest of the team could retreat.

Within seconds Ron, Hermione, Harry and Kingsley had rolled back to their feet. Eyes alert and with wands out covering a quarter of the area with quick sweeps awaiting the next attack, they were poised to respond as soon as the assailants revealed their positions. They didn't have to wait long.

Golt Looked on incredulously. He might not have any respect for the old Goblin but Kaltoc's attack should have succeeded in at least injuring one of them before they could get a shield up. He mentally shrugged and waited for the scream from Bartang as she provided the distraction he required.

Grabgast moved slightly so he could get a clear shot but as he loosed the throwing axe a stunner shot back in reply. In keeping the axe on target he gave himself no time to dodge it. Thinking that he would be immune or at the very least, only winded he eyes registered the shock as he felt his feet lift off the ground and his body flying through the air before he passed out.

The axe, while on target clanged off Ginny's shield and spun to the side missing one of the other Goblins only because he jumped out of the way but unfortunately revealing his position.

Harry turned to grin at Kingsley as it was Harry's stunner that had struck true on the axe thrower. Kingsley winked back as he threw a body bind at the goblin that had popped up from where the axe had rebounded into the bushes. A solid thud indicated it had found a trunk in the low bush.

A patronus in the form of a weasel shot out from the group still on the floor. Kingsley drew a brief breath of relief knowing that others would soon be joining the fight.

In front of Ron, another goblin charged forward. This one appeared to be wearing some form of woven metal tunic which, under the scraps of material pinned to it, had a definite feminine cut. She uttered a number of high pitched screams as several small black items the size of snitches (if snitches were ever painted midnight black) were pitched towards the group by the erratically bouncing Goblin.

Each stuck where it landed and as she leapt in the air she flung the last one at the ground below her feet.

Ron took aim and fired a stunner at the Goblin just before all the black objects exploded simultaneously with a loud bang and a copious cloud of acrid smoke.

Ginny's shield faltered slightly as the concussion from the explosion rocked her.. As she felt the shield falling away she could also feel it raising again stronger than before. ~Harry~ she thought.

Golt charged. Bartang's exploding devices had done the best he could have hoped to disrupt the defences of the group now he wanted only vengeance. The female thief was the closest, not that it particularly mattered to Golt who he managed to attack by this time.

Hermione coughed, trying to clear her throat after breathing in some of the smoke from the explosions. She didn't see Golt run towards her from the nearest bush and jump up behind her.

Golt dragged her down to the floor. Hermione screamed as the goblin reached into his boot and withdrew a dagger It was another of the items that he and Bartang had neglected to mention to Kaltok when they joined the mission.

Ron heard Hermione's scream from the other side of the clearing. ~NO!~ he thought determinedly ~Not again~ and as he turned to see where her assailant was, he drew his will.

On the floor now with the goblin on top of her holding her down, Hermione looked up to see the goblin's hand with the dagger raising up as his other hand pulled down on her hair forcing her head back.

-Blink-

Hermione looked on in horror as, in slow motion, the dagger paused at the high point of the swing and began its descent towards her chest.

-Blink-

Her wand lay a foot to the side, dislodged from her hand as she was pulled to the floor. No way to reach it in time.

-Blink-

The blade was glistening in the afternoon sun as it plunged down. An unhealthy looking green sheen indicated to her that it was probably cursed.

-Blink-

The blade was half way towards her chest now. She tried to move but the fall had taken her breath away.

-Blink-

Still trying break free but knowing she could do nothing more, Hermione closed her eyes and thought of Ron.

-Blink-

To be continued...