ALL WILL BE WELL
By AP MoM
A post chapter 36 fic. highlighting Harry's life over the next week.
The characters are not mine, nor is the premise or any of those things that JK Rowling owns, much to the chagrin of my family.
CHAPTER 10
Requiems
Apparently his friends had decided that leaving him alone too much was not in his best interest. Hermione's excuse that her parents' house was just too big and lonely was quiet convincing, however and she stayed the night. Not that he really had any say, as she had already brought an overnight bag with her. Even so, neither of them slept very well that night. She was already up as he rushed into the kitchen to grab some breakfast before he left for work. Kreacher tried to get him to sit and eat but he really only had time for toast. He wasn't very hungry anyway.
Aurors were to provide security at the Hogsmeade church for the day. A religious service for residents who had died in the battle would be in the morning and the Order service was scheduled for the afternoon. Harry was assigned to the morning squad and was to arrive in the village before nine. Although the Aurors were suppose to be in full uniform- Scarlet robes that Proudfoot declared made them all walking targets for any nutter- Harry would be using his invisibility cloak. He dressed in the clothes he had picked out for Fred, Remus and Tonks' funeral but left the garish tie in his pocket, just in case he might be seen.
He met up with Williamson and the others at the Three Broomsticks where Madam Rosmerta was already doing a brisk business with guests that had arrived for the service. They regrouped to the quiet of the Hogs Head, much to Aberforth's displeasure. He hadn't yet reopened the pub and wasn't sure he was going to. Hogsmeade was more crowded than Harry had ever seen it, even during student weekends. The small church was soon packed and an over flow crowd had gathered outside, making it difficult for the Aurors to move around.
Harry stayed hidden on the fringes of the crowd, watching for anything or anyone suspicious. The only trouble came from a group of young boys who were obviously bored by the long eulogies and had snuck out of the church to play with a snitch that one of them had brought that kept buzzing into the mourners. He quickly stuck out his hand and caught it, bringing it back under the cloak and out of sight. The boys assumed it had gotten away from them and ran towards the village in search. Harry apparated to a point just ahead of them, and removed the cloak. Their eyes widened in awe as they took in the lightning bolt scar and the bright green eyes. He handed it back to them, telling them to keep it away from the crowds and to be careful. He watched as the boys took off again after the snitch, not noticing that the youngest had stayed behind until he felt a bludger hit his stomach. He looked down in surprise at the boy now hugging his midriff. Before he could say anything the child had taken off after his friends. Harry froze in shock, that was certainly an unfamiliar reaction to him and he found it a bit embarrassing. He hoped no one had seen it. He froze as a hand gripped onto his shoulder, but relaxed a bit when he noticed it had a scarlet robed arm.
"Aren't you suppose to be down by the church?" Proudfoot asked grinning at his coworker's startled look.
"Er, yeah. I mean yes, sir." he stuttered causing the Head Auror to chuckle and clap Harry on the back.
"A few days ago you would have been arrested, now you get hugged. Come on, mate, you can't help but laugh!" Harry didn't find the irony all that humorous.
Music and singing filled the air as he walked past the black draped tea shop and approached the church, walking around the perimeter to check for signs of trouble. The tune was somber, yet uplifting. The hundreds of voices all blended together in a sound that soothed his soul with almost the same intensity as phoenix song. He made sure the newly prepared graveyard was safe for the mourners who had started to file in its direction. Five flag draped coffins lead the way, each levitated by a group of family and friends. They were placed by each of five freshly dug holes, all facing the forest; the damaged towers of Hogwarts just visible above the trees. Other plots faced the valley below or the church behind them. One waiting grave was situated facing the village itself, although only the backs of the shops could be seen. Harry stood at the foot of that section scanning the buildings. If he was correct, he would be looking right into the rear door of Zonko's Joke Shop. Harry heart wrenched, he knew exactly who that hole was for.
The burials didn't take long. The people all soon trickled back to the Three Broomsticks or their homes. Some of the Aurors stayed behind to watch for stragglers but Harry was able to leave to prepare for the next service. He made his way back to the Hogs Head where a few friends had already started to gather. Food and beverages were laid out across the bar, but the barman was no where in sight.
"Where's Ab?" Harry asked Lee Jordan, who seemed to be in charge of the gathering.
Lee shrugged, "Said something about finding a nice cave somewhere. Don't know if he meant him or us, though." Harry smiled, Aberforth had complained earlier that his business was ruined. "All that come by are a bunch of gawkers. Chase away all the regulars," he had told them. The Aurors had suggested that most of his regulars were in Azkaban anyway, and Aberforth had stalked off. Harry sat down with Neville and Dean and ate and talked. Seamus arrived, escorting a still bandaged Lavender. Things started to get crowded when the Patil twins joined them, along with some of Padma's Ravenclaw friends, Harry excused himself to get ready and went up the rickety stairs to the private rooms.
It was there that he found the surviving members of The Order of the Phoenix. Hestia, Dedalus, Elphias Doge and Sturgis Podmore were all gathered around Ab's table, a bottle of fire whiskey in the middle. Only Kingsley and McGonagall and of course the Weasleys appeared to be missing. Harry didn't expect Dung would turn up, and wasn't sure how he would react if he did.
"Harry, Harry do join us in a toast!" Dedalus hiccupped.
"Er, not right now, Mr. Diggle, er bathroom," he replied heading toward the door across the way. Dedalus beamed, "So polite, Harry. Call me Deddy, your cousin does!"
"Only to shut you up," he heard Hestia say as he closed the door to the small but thankfully quiet room. When he exited some time later, his hair combed and his tie knotted, only Hestia remained.
"You didn't want to say a few words for Lupin, did you?" she asked while straightening his tie. He cringed.
"Not particularly," he responded truthfully. "But, er if you need me to…"
The dark haired witch smiled in a motherly fashion, "No, Minerva thought you could use a break. She has told you about Friday, right?"
Harry searched his brain. Friday… Hogwarts memorial… Dawn… Speech. "Yes, she asked me to say a few words."
Hestia chuckled, "I don't think you'll get away with just a few. You will be the keynote speaker, after all." Harry felt the blood rush out of his face, Hestia patted him on the cheek. "I'd be happy to help you if you'd like."
"Thanks, but I'll think of something."
"I'm sure you'll do fine, dear. After all, that was some rousing speech you gave for Creevey." Harry sighed heavily, readying himself for another trip on the roller coaster.
He took his place in the front row of seats between Hermione and Andromeda Tonks, who greeted him warmly and took her grandson out of the basket by her feet to show them. He was very tiny with the brown hair of both his parents, unlike the turquoise hair Harry had seen in his photographs; perhaps he sensed the mood around him, Harry mused, he felt pretty drab himself.
"One month old today," Mrs. Tonks was telling Hermione who was now holding the baby. "That's why I picked today, of course. I think Molly would have preferred Thursday, but she was very gracious…" She looked up as the Weasley clan came up to their seats. There was a bit of confusion about who sat where and Ginny looked none too happy to be placed between her mother and her Aunt Muriel. George sat on the other side of Molly and Charlie on the other side of Muriel. Bill and Fleur squeezed into the row behind them a few minutes later. Percy and a girl Harry had never seen before quietly took seats next to Fleur. Finally Arthur came up with the Minister and Lee Jordan. After Kingsley greeted everyone personally down the line, he went up to the raised podium and Arthur sat down next to George. Lee, who looked unusually nervous, took the end seat by Charlie and lifted a long roll of parchment from the pocket of his robes and began tapping it against his leg.
The chattering crowd of mostly Hogwarts students, along with some of Tonks' Auror friends and Order members quieted down as soon as Shacklebolt cleared his throat. His deep voice carried easily through the mourners and his authoritative manner put everyone at rapt attention.
"The last few days we have honored many of our brave friends and acquaintances. Just this morning at this very site, five residents of this village were laid to rest. In other parts of our great country, twelve others have been sent to their graves for their valiant efforts at the Battle of Hogwarts. Several more will be eulogized tomorrow. In all toll, the Battle claimed over three dozen defenders of the light. The three people whom we now honor, were part of an elite force of fighters, one that took on the darkness that was overtaking our country even before others recognized that darkness."
"Formed by Albus Dumbledore some thirty years ago, The Order of the Phoenix collected intelligence, gathered evidence and maintained order where the Ministry could not. The reasons for the need for such an independent group were many, but the alternatives were few. Professor Dumbledore assembled an organization of diverse witches and wizards whose dedication to the cause of Light Magic was second only to their courage in that devotion. They were willing to die for their cause. And many of them did. You have heard many of the names, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Marlene McKinnon, Edgar Bones, James and Lily Potter. Others you have not. They were no less dedicated and no less courageous and no less missed."
"Today we bury three more of our bravest, Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks Lupin. But there have been several other members of the Order who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Light in the past few years who, unfortunately, did not receive their due recognition. I would like to address that injustice now."
"We would be honored if the next of kin of our fallen comrades will come up and accept the symbols of our organization in their honor. Each will receive a Phoenix pin, a certificate of honor, and the Order Colors. "In the order of their sacrifice. ." Here Kingsley stopped and looked directly at Harry.
"Sirius Black"
Harry glanced to Andromeda, she was Sirius' cousin, but she nodded for him to go. He had little time to express his shock as she put her hand on his back and gently pushed him up. He successfully negotiated the steps and took the package from Kingsley, who shook his hand and whispered a few things in his ear. Harry didn't register any of them. He returned to his seat and Hermione took the things from him and put them in a large bag she conveniently had with her. He had just settled back in when Andromeda draped a cloth over his shoulder and arranged Teddy in his arm.
"…Alastor Moody…"
"Ted Tonks."
His widow rose gracefully and proceeded up, her head held high, her face belying any emotion as she hugged the Minister and came to sit back down. She did not take her grandson back. Kingsley was finishing up with this part of the service, and Harry gently bobbed the infant up and down, his warmth spreading into him. Instinctively, he pressed his lips gently to the sweet smelling head and felt Andromeda pat his knee appreciatively, while a slight smile crossed his tear streaked face. He didn't notice Kingsley's warm glance or the ahh that Hermione whispered, or the photographer who gave him a thumbs up for the picture of the century.
His attention drifted back to the podium as Shacklebolt moved to stand in front of the first coffin. Mrs. Tonks took a box of tissues from Teddy's basket, handed one to Harry and wadded several others in her palm. Teddy slept on, drooling on his Godfather's shoulder, never to hear the Minister of Magic eulogize his mother. Or his father. Madam Pomfrey gave a beautiful recounting of Remus' days at Hogwarts, from her first meeting with his parents to the brief scene by Bill's bed after he had been attacked by Greyback. Her praise of Lupin's compassion and humanity in the face of his disease had the assembled mourners in tears. Including Harry and Andromeda, who took Teddy back from Harry solely for the need for something to do and the comfort he brought to her.
Lee had already moved up to the podium by the time Harry had readjusted his seat and wiped the tears from his face. He noticed Hermione edge closer to her right and entwine her hands with Ron's. He suddenly felt the urge to change seats with Aunt Muriel.
The first thing Lee did was to point out that from his resting place, Fred could look right into the Joke shop. Harry didn't hear what he said next. Andromeda stood and gently handed him the box of tissues as Harry moved to his right and rested his head on Hermione's shoulder. He was suddenly squashed even further as Ginny moved from next to her mother to Harry's side. Andromeda quietly moved to sit next to Molly. Two mothers sharing their grief; new life honoring those that passed.
But Lee wasn't going to let his friend's memory be marked by tears. Although the Weasleys had been overtaken by their sorrow, the rest of the assembled mourners had started laughing as Lee told story after story of their Hogwart's hi-jinx. Harry felt Ginny giggle through her sniffles as Lee retold their adventure to procure a toilet seat to send home to her in amazing detail. His story telling abilities had everyone listening with rapt attention, even Molly, who kept turning to George and muttering 'oh, no! You didn't?' as every new detail of the twins Hogwarts years came to light. Even as Lee told of their new determination to fight against Voldemort and Fred's instructions for this very funeral, humor was still present. George actually had a mischievous smile on his tear stained face as he joined Lee for Fred's final sendoff, a takeoff on the dark mark; a dragon breathing out a fiery phoenix, followed by the most magnificent fireworks display anyone had ever seen. The ominous clouds that had hung over the village all day made for a excellent backdrop for the daytime viewing of the rings and crossettes, roaring lions and prancing unicorns. But as the last amazing show of light faded, the sun came out in full force. Fred had definitely enjoyed the show.