Some Fantastic

Chapter Nine

The New Sad

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The next night came all too quickly for much of the house. Mr. and Mrs. Lovegood were escorted to Manic Manor by a red-eyed Tracy who couldn't seem to control her tears. Much of the VLG were dressed in their best robes looking sad and somber at the loss of one of their own. Now that the day of Erin's funeral was here the reality of the situation seemed to finally sink in. Erin was only a member of the VLG for six years but his impact on the group was very evident now.

Harry was waiting for Ginny to finish getting dressed before they were to meet Ron and Hermione and head downstairs. Harry was curious how well Ron did during the day and if Hermione was still in one piece. Harry himself had a horrible day. He was used to his constant connection to Ginny, something that he cherished more than anything, but he could now feel Ron's presence in his mind and it was disturbing him. Not only could he still feel Malincov's control over him but he had another soul to add to the count. His head was aching, he wasn't sure where his own thoughts started and his fledglings ended. He was grateful for one thing; at least he couldn't hear Ron's thoughts like he could Ginny's.

For the first time Harry truly understood what Malincov meant when he said he could control his own blood. If Harry willed it he could make Ron or Ginny be anything he wanted. If Harry possessed an evil heart he would have enjoyed the power. With one mental push he could make them do almost anything. Harry had no desire to do any such thing and he was glad Malincov never had the time to do it to him.

"Harry, what are you thinking about?" Ginny asked as she buttoned up her robe. "You're shut down and far away from me."

Harry shook his head to get out of his morose line of thinking, "Sorry, just dealing with a few things."

Ginny sat down beside him on the bed and put her hand over his, "Are you worried about Leisha?"

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes with his free hand, "I'm worried about her, Ron and you. I'm afraid for Hermione cause it's only a matter of time before she joins the ranks of 'bloodsuckers' as Ron calls us. I'm worried about you running the VLG and the dangers that will bring. I think I'm going to lose my mind with all these mental connections. I'm sad over Erin's death. I just don't know what to do about anything."

"Harry take a breath or you'll explode." Ginny said with a sad smile. "Everything will be fine, it always is."

Harry jumped up and looked angry, "That's just it! What if this time it's not? What if something happens to you? I can't lose you!"

Ginny stood and wrapped her arms around him, "Mr. Potter we will deal with this. We have been through worse situations. I'm strong, much stronger than you in fact." Ginny smiled, "We can only take one day at a time."

Harry leaned down and kissed her, "When you're going to live forever, one day at a time sounds so scary."

"Come on we need to go, let's get this over with." Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and headed to the door.

"Fine but you are not stronger than me." Harry declared as he let Ginny lead him.

Ginny opened the door and pushed him through it, "Whatever you say Harry."

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Erin's service was to take place at midnight just outside of Hogsmead village in a cemetery next to other long gone Lovegood relatives. The only people present were members of the VLG, his parents and his cousin Luna with her oddball father, Xenophilius. The non-vampires looked highly uncomfortable being in a graveyard at night, and Harry didn't exactly blame them. He hated graveyards, the smell of death and night air always set him on edge.

Erin was resting on top of a floating board and sheer fabric had been draped over him giving him a look of a mummy. Under him the hole that he would spend eternity in was already dug, a disturbing prospect Harry thought. A man with a staff, dressed in shocking white robes was standing next to Erin's body, talking to his father with a consoling look on his face. As Harry looked around he was startled at the different expressions. Some were so sad they were crying or blowing their noses into tissues. Others seemed indifferent to the situation or downright excited to be here. It always fascinated Harry the different emotions that death can bring out in people.

Ron who had been talking to Hermione suddenly turned to Harry and said softly, "You know it's funny that we are having a service for someone who was already dead."

Harry tried not to smile but the truth of his words made him want to laugh, "I never even thought of that."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had been standing a ways back from the crowd, talking as they waited for the service to start. There were no chairs so Harry assumed the service would be short and simple, just what he would want for himself.

Harry don't you start thinking of your own death. Ginny demanded through the tie.

Harry smiled and put his arm around her shoulder, "Like Ron said, were already dead. What makes the difference?"

That was apparently the wrong thing to say as Ginny shrugged him off of her and walked away, heading towards Luna. "What did I say?" Harry wondered out loud.

"She's just upset Harry." Hermione stated, "Nobody likes these things, it's too morbid."

Finally the man with the staff turned to the crowed and announced loudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen shall we begin?"

The crowed slowly moved forward and formed a sort of half circle around Erin's body with his parents up front, his mother in tears. All conversation stopped and for a brief moment there was total silence in the sullen graveyard as if even the dead were waiting on bated breath for what a vampire's funeral entailed. A sick curiosity struck Harry in that moment as to what happened to the soul of the dead once they…die. Dose a vampire even have a soul? He assumed that he still retained his because he wasn't a lifeless shell of a body he was the same as a human only different eating habits. Is a vampire really dead? He always classified death with the lack of breath or movement and he certainly had both of those. He realized in that moment that he didn't care what anyone told him, he was as alive as he ever was.

Harry couldn't help but smile as the man with the staff continued, "Today we are here to pay our final respects to the person known as Erin Lovegood. Erin as a man was caring and thoughtful; his family described him to me as a person of inspiration and inventiveness. Though over the past few years Erin had to deal with the loss of his mortal life and the woman he loved he remained true to his friends and family. As a respected member of the Vampire Legalization Group he spent his time in service to those who needed him most, a most noble role. So today we say goodbye Erin and we ask that he rests in peace from here to eternity."

Harry turned to look at the reaction on Ginny's face as more words were said about Erin. She seemed distant and confused, wanting to know how she really felt he opened up their connection. Ginny, what are you thinking about?

Oh, I don't know. This service is odd, this guy is acting like Erin was a better man than a vampire and I was wondering if that was true. Are we doomed to a cursed life just because of what we are? We haven't had a moment of peace since we were turned. Did Erin ever have peace? Will I ever have peace if I take over the VLG?

Harry frowned and turned his attention back to the service, I have no way of knowing what will happen if you take over the VLG but I do think we will have peace someday. Our whole life can't be one long tragic story, I won't allow it.

Harry we have to find Leisha, we can't let her live like she is. I don't want her to be the next person we bury. Ginny looked up at Harry with sad yet determined eyes. We have to protect her.

Harry smiled down at her. That right there is the reason you are going to make a wonderful leader of the VLG, you care. Jamie doesn't care if Leisha lives or dies he just wants her taken care of. No matter if we have a life of peace or not you are the right person for this job, I think the VLG needs you.

There was a long pause in which Ginny looked up at Mr. Lovegood giving a speech before she spoke again. You're right Harry, I have to do this and I need you with me.

I'll always be there, right by your side.

Even if it means dealing with the Ministry of Magic? Ginny asked.

Harry sighed, Even if I have to deal with the Ministry, I'll do because I love you.

Ginny wrapped her arms around his waist. Good because I think I know how I how I can give us that life of peace we both so desperately need.

Let me guess, this plan involves me doing things I don't want to do. Harry stated.

Of course it does. Ginny replied, But before that we need to find Leisha, I need her.

They both turned their attention back onto Erin's lifeless form as the man with the staff pulled a wand out of his robes and slowly waved it over the body. Slowly Erin was lowered into ground as a hard marble casing was wrapped around him forming a casket. Mrs. Lovegood started to sob as Erin was completely hidden from view. With a soft thud the casket reached the bottom of the deep hole. Mr. Lovegood bent down, picked up a handful of dirt and lightly tossed it down into the grave. This action of picking up dirt was repeated over and over again by every person there. Then one by one people started to leave the sad graveyard.

Finally Harry was one of the last people to pay his respects, only a few people still remained. Harry looked down into the grave before he picked up his handful of earth. As he bent down a cold chill ran up his spine leaving him frozen to the spot. He sniffed the air and the overwhelming stench of old blood invaded him, he had to fight off the compulsion to gag on the smell. At first he thought he may have smelled Erin, rotting peacefully below him but he knew better. Something was wrong. He tossed in his handful of dirt then stood up only to see the look of horror on Ginny's face. Ginny however wasn't looking back at him she was looking at Ron.

Ron's body was shaking so violently he looked like he was having a fit of some kind. Hermione was trying to calm him down, she looked confused. "Ron! Ron what is it? What's wrong?" She didn't have same sense of smell they possessed.

Harry knew before Ron could even respond. He was terrified. Not but a day ago he was violently attacked, not something you could easily forget especially when the smell of the person who attacked you was so nearby. Harry almost whispered, "He's here. I can sense him too Ron."

Before anyone could question Harry on who he was talking about the sound of a blood curdling scream ripped through the night air disturbing the peace of the graveyard. The term 'wake the dead' flooded Harry's mind as he protectively stepped in front of Ginny, "Well Ginny I don't think we will have to look too hard for Leisha. I think she found us."