Another chapter is up. I'm so behind on posting this one. Oh well, I'll catch up eventually. Enjoy.
Dani POV
I once again found myself standing in the back of a funeral, but this one was different. My heart was much heavier. Granted, I didn't know Fred Weasley well, but I had a chance to meet most of his family and I genuinely liked them. His death was a tragedy. I stood in my human camouflage, this time not to hide who I was, but out of respect for the dead. It was Dracon tradition to hide your colors when openly mourning a loss.
It was a nice ceremony. Many people, friends and family, spoke. Many of the tales told brought a smile or laugh to everyone in attendance. This young man had been widely popular and deeply loved.
I waited patiently after the ceremony for most of the crowd to disperse before I approached. Molly spotted me, pulling me into a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
I smiled at her and her husband. "I didn't know your son well, but it only seemed right that I at least stop and pay my respects. If I may?" I asked, motioning for permission to approach the casket. Molly nodded and I looked down at the deceased. He looked peaceful. I placed a hand on his chest and said a short prayer in dracon.
"What did you say?" Arthur asked.
"It's an old Dracon Prayer, commonly said over people who died fighting in battle. It doesn't translate well into human english, but it literally says, Peace may find you, your death not allowed. Basically, his death wasn't peaceful, but we pray he is at peace now. I thought it appropriate."
"Very nice." Arthur replied. "I think he's found peace."
I smiled at the couple. The worst things always seemed to happen to the best people. I was about to leave when Molly stopped me.
"We're having a little party at our house tonight. Fred wouldn't have wanted us to mourn his loss, but celebrate his life. You are more than welcome to stop by."
"I will." With a final smile, I left the family to say their final goodbyes.
George POV
Fred's funeral was the absolute worst event I have ever participated in. Worse than when I walked into what was left of the great hall and saw him dead. At least then I had shock and adrenaline to help even out the pain. Worse than the last week, being totally alone, even when surrounded by family. At least I had them around to distract me. Today, sitting in the cemetery, I had nothing to feel except my own anguish and no one to distract me from it.
Mom was constantly looking my way, like she was expecting me to break at any moment. I knew she meant well, but her actions only made me want to pull back into myself more. I just wanted to be left alone.
No, that wasn't right. I didn't want to be alone, I wanted my twin back, but since that wasn't an option, being left alone was the next best thing. No one here knew what it was like to lose half of yourself and they never would.
Somehow I made it through the ceremony. I wouldn't be able to tell you who attended it, even if my life depended on it. It really didn't matter. I had said my goodbyes the day before, in private, where no one could watch me fall apart. Now I was just numb.
I left as soon as the ceremony was over. I didn't even wait around to talk to anyone, figured no one would mind. Mom and Dad had a big party planned for tonight, to celebrate Fred's life. It was a sound concept and Fred would have loved it, but I just wasn't in the mood.
I talked to our guests, doing my best to act jovial. I even had a couple of moments where I was genuinely having a good time. It only served to mask what I was feeling, though. At least it stopped my mom's worried looks. After about an hour and a half, I slipped off to the side of the house, where it was quiet and I could be alone.
I leaned up against the house and closed my eyes. I kept repeating in my head over and over 'this will get easier, this will get easier, this will get easier', but I don't think my heart believed me. I was left alone for quite a while, long enough for the words in my head to start losing meaning.
I heard someone approach and I steeled myself for the inevitable question: How are you doing? How are you holding up? You doing OK? or any other variation. I was tired of hearing it.
I opened my eyes to see Dracon Dani standing in front of me. She looked different, with her long blue hair replaced by a very neutral brown. Her eyes were still the truest shade of blue I had ever seen, though. I could see the sympathy in them.
She smiled at me. "I'd ask you how you're doing, but it seems to me a stupid question to ask someone who just lost a loved one, so I'll simply say, I'm sorry for your loss."
This made me laugh out loud, causing Dani to give me a rather confused look in return. It obviously wasn't the response she was expecting.
"I'm sorry. I was just expecting the 'how are you doing' question. You must be able to read minds."
"Nope, reading minds is not a Dracon trait. Your thoughts are safe."
"Good to know. You leaving?" I asked.
"Yeah. I stopped by to be polite, but I was starting to feel out of place. I really didn't know your brother well, or anyone in your family for that matter. I figured I'd leave before it got uncomfortable."
"It was nice of you to come."
"Your family has been very kind to me."
We stood in silence, neither of us sure what to say.
"Do you know how to use a muggle phone?" She finally asked, breaking the silence.
It seemed an odd question. I shrugged. "Yes, I've used one a couple of times."
"Good." She dug around in the bag she was carrying, pulling out a pad of paper and a pen. She quickly wrote something down and ripped the page out of the pad. She took my hand and placed the paper into it. I looked down and saw it was a muggle phone number. "If you ever need an objective third person to talk to, or someone to listen, or a place to stay, or someone to sit in uncomfortable silence with, give me a call. Day or Night."
I really didn't know what to say.
She smiled at me, releasing my hand. "Take care of yourself." She then turned, taking only a few steps before shifting into her true self and flying away.
To Be Continued…
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