Chapter 10
The grieving time
For the rest of April and most of May, neither Jane nor Olivia talked to anyone. Jane was less damaged than her sister which everyone thought was because Olivia had been the one who killed Nutcracker. However Jane wasn't much better off than Olivia was. Hermione had decided to keep the girls in the hospital wing until they were at least willing to eat without being forced. Kate had been reunited with her brother who had been unpetrified in in mid-April.
Hermione had planned for a funeral for Nutcracker at the end of May. Hermione wasn't doing this for Nutcracker, she thought it would help Jane and Olivia grieve and mourn. Nobody argued with Hermione's decision to have a funeral for him. Hermione decided to throw his body into the lake. On the morning of the funeral, Hermione went to the hospital wing to check on Jane and Olivia.
"Girls, I really think you should come, this is for you to give you a chance to properly say good bye" Hermione whispered.
"We'll be there, thank you" Jane whispered.
At noon the whole school met at the lake, it was a cold grey day. In the front James held the hands of Kate and Olivia. Olivia held tightly onto Jane's hand, who was holding Abby's hand as well. Abby was holding onto Ali's hand, who was also holding Billy's hand. Billy was holding Nina's hand, who was also holding Swan's hand. Swan was also holding Victories hand, who was also holding Rose's hand. Rose was holding Albus's hand, and Albus was holding Sunny's hand.
"Thanks for coming on this sad day" Hermione stated once everyone had arrived.
"Today we say good bye, to Nutcracker Vincent Goyle, he was a third year Slytherin here at Hogwarts. His bad choices led him to his accidental death" Hermione announced.
"His sisters, Jane and Olivia Goyle, have asked to say a few words" Hermione stated then stepped aside and beckoned Jane and Olivia forward.
"I only have one question…Why…why did you let yourself go?" Olivia asked…"you made the choice to die when you could have saved yourself…good bye" Olivia stated then walked back in line.
"I was once like you, lost in the darkness, but I found my way out, and you could have too. You made your choice, and now you've faced the consequences of that choice. All I have left to say is for the brother I once knew long ago, not the brother he became. My last words for you are good bye I love you" Jane stated and joined Olivia again.
"Let us remember him as Nutcracker Goyle, not the boy who opened the chamber, or the boy who went dark" Hermione stated.
"Can I say a few words" Goyle's voice came.
"Sure of course" Hermione agreed and stepped aside once again.
"My dear boy, my son, I failed as a father. When it was most important for me to stay strong I was weak. If I could do it all again, I would be a better father, one you and your sisters deserved, instead of the coward I was" Goyle said.
"I remember long ago, when you were just a small boy. On a dark and stormy night, when you were no older than six, you climbed into my bed. You said you were scared because your mother had been out doing her dark business. I promised you we would make it through together, I promised you that I wouldn't leave you on your own. But I broke that promise, and I regret it. If only I could see your happy young face once more so I could tell you I love you, my life would be complete" Goyal stated and back away.
Hermione waved her wand to lift Nutcracker's body into the air. With that done, Hermione tossed him into lake. Jane, Olivia and Goyle cried as they watched Nutcracker sink lower and lower into the water. It was the first time in so many years that Goyle comforted his daughters. Although it may never be known what happened, something had woken Goyle from the darkness.
Ginny and Harry who had stayed around for the funeral to support Jane and Olivia, gave each other a look and both nodded. They pulled Goyle aside to have a serious word with him concerning his daughters. Goyal was finally ready to face the consequences of his actions.
"Take me to Azkaban I'm ready, all I ask is that you continue to take good care of my daughters" Goyle stated and dropped his wand.
"I'm not taking you to Azkaban, technically you didn't commit any crimes. You didn't attempt any murder and you weren't the one who kidnapped Lily" Harry stated.
"Then why did you pull me aside" Goyle asked.
"Jane and Olivia have not only lost their mother but their brother as well. Once this school year is over we want to give the girls the choice to stay with us or go home with you, that is if you want them and are willing to raise them properly" Ginny stated.
"Yes absolutely" Goyle agreed.
That night in the Griffandore common room, Jane and Olivia sat together on the sofa in-front of the warm fire. They opened the photo album that Olivia had kept close to her. The sisters laughed as they remembered all the good memories. When they got to the last page they both decided to remove the picture and replace it.
Using the magical camera Olivia had gotten for Christmas, the girls began taking pictures together all over the common room. Some were silly and some were just plain weird, but the important thing was, it was good memories they would have to look back on and remind themselves anything is possible. Instead of putting them in the old photo album, Jane conjured up a new one. In this new photo album they placed the pictures they had just taken.