Hey there! I knew beforehand that you will all be disappointed because, in case you didn't know, the idea of pairing Orion/Harry to Susan was not mine to begin with, it was you, the readers' , who told me so in their reviews. I loved the idea, and I don't regret it, but Orion Black, unlike Harry Potter, grew up in a loving family and environment, so with Voldemort coming back, some his bliss is bound to be taken away. That's the idea of evil and war after all, some innocent people will die eventually. That's Susan's case, Voldemort knew how close she was to Orion and killed her, because he had no use for her and her death would weaken Orion.
Hope this clears things a bit and shows my point of view on the matter.
However, just like Susan's case, I want you, as a reader, to tell me who you want Orion to be paired with. Your opinion will not necessarily be decisive, but it will sure help me with my decision.

This chapter revolves around the meaning of loss. I truly hope that you guys will love because I put a lot of my own feelings in it.

Enough of my babbling now, enjoy reading.

Chapter 25:

She looked in the mirror, and she saw herself back in the 5th of April, 1981. She had that same black silk scarf over her head, that same black velvet ensemble clothing her pale porcelain-like skin. But most importantly, she had the same raging storm in her eyes. Her eyes, they were just like his, like Damocles'. Her throat tightened when she thought of his name, but her eyes did not water. She kept on staring at her eyes, her nose, her cheekbones, her lips, her chin, her complexion and felt herself being molded into Damocles Jones. She closed her eyes and was transported back to the 4th of April, 1981.

*Beginning of Flashback*

The Jones' home was perched up on a cliff, high above the sea. It was a three-story brick house, more than large enough for a family of four. One could smell the salty sea air from inside the house and out. Walking inside the front lawn, only a Jones would feel the intensity of the protection wards around the house. It was war after all.

The upstairs parlor was Hestia's favorite room in the entire house. She spent a lot of time here now that the war was at its epitome and Sirius was too busy fighting with his fellow aurors. He claimed that their house was no longer safe and that she had to hide at her heavily warded parents' house. She wanted to fight with him and the aurors but he didn't let her, claiming it too dangerous. For that, she sometimes wanted to sit alone and think, and so the parlor provided her with that serenity. Her family barely came in there, for the first story parlor was the most used in the house. She relished in the privacy the parlor offered her as she played the piano, letting the tunes take her away into her favorite dreams.

For the first time in a long while, someone actually came in the room, which meant it was important news. She looked around and saw her brother Damocles smiling widely at her. He had the same black eyes, the same narrow chin, the same complexion and the same charcoal black hair.

"Hestia, I've decided it's finally time to do it!" He approached her giddily "I'm going to propose."

The black haired woman stood from her piano stool and hugged her brother while laughing at his overexcitement. "It's about time! You have been courting Marlene for three years now!"

"I know, but it finally feels like the right time to pop the question. Here's the ring I'm going to give her." He shuffled into his pocket and handed a small velvet box to his sister. She opened it to reveal a beautiful simple diamond ring.

"I know it's not as glamorous as the one Sirius gave you a year and a half ago" Damocles mumbled.

"It's absolutely gorgeous Damocles; I'm quite taken by it! Besides, an engagement ring is not about how beautiful it looks or how much it costs, it's a symbol of love and commitment. Anyway, I'm positively sure she will say yes. I mean, she wouldn't have stuck with a bore like you if she didn't love you" Hestia smirked at Damocles who stuck his tongue out at her childishly. She laughed at the sight.

"Go on, you don't want to be late. Your future fiancée awaits you." She ushered him to the door.

"Thank you Hestia, wish me luck" He looked at her, a big smile on his face.

"Good luck!" She smiled back and hugged him tight before he left the room. She went to the window and saw him apparate a minute later to the McKinnon's. It was the last time she ever saw Damocles.

*End of Flashback*

She quickly swept away from the silver ornate mirror and rushed towards her husband. He was putting his cloak on. She approached him and hugged his waist tight. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her.

"You will never leave me, will you?" She whispered, her voice hoarse.

"Never." He said to her and kissed her forehead. She then took his hand and they left the room, together.

It was a surprisingly cool summer day, maybe because the sun was cloaked by so many dark clouds. It was even threatening to rain, definitely an uncommon summer day. There was a cool breeze traveling between the oak trees surrounding the cathedral. The cathedral itself looked majestic in all its corners. It was made of soft white stone and marble, and its main entrance door was lined with gold. It was not long after a group of people exited the church. Ministry officials, Professors, Elites and Normal people alike were dressed in their finest black robes. They were lead by Orion Black, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley, who insisted it be them who lift the coffin, and in the hard muggle way instead of using a simple levitation charm. The ivory white casket seemed heavy on their shoulders, but they really didn't care.

Soon, they were all gathered behind the church and in a wide graveyard. The graveyard looked as if it has a committed caretaker, for the grass and the bushes were all neatly trimmed. The four boys gently placed the coffin on the ground and gathered some shovels. They dug deep into the soil until a deep and neat rectangular hole was ready to house the casket. They put the shovels away and went back to stand next to Sirius and Hestia Black, who were responsible for planning the whole memorial service.

Beside them stood a middle-aged woman with fiery red hair. Her eyes seemed as red as her hair from the excessive crying. Her face was as pale as a sheet and she looked very frail, as though no food had entered her mouth in days. However, she stepped forward and started with her speech. A lot of people had tears in their eyes at her sentimental words, especially as she reminded them that they were again at war, that Voldemort was back. Still, at the middle of her speech, when she spoke again of her beloved niece, she collapsed in tears and was unable to carry on. Hestia stepped in and ushered her to a chair nearby. The duchess could feel with Amelia Bones, for she too experienced the tremendous loss that came with the First Wizarding War. Amelia's family, including her parents as well as her brother Edgar and his wife and children, save Susan, perished merely a few months after Damocles was slaughtered along with the McKinnons by Voldemort's death eaters. Hestia would glad not to have experienced that same feeling again and deeply wished not to in the future, but she couldn't say the same thing about poor Amelia Bones. The latter had lost her last remaining family member that fateful night in the Little Hangleton cemetery. No one could imagine the kind of pain she was in, especially that she was Susan's sole guardian since 1981. She felt her soul die with her niece.

It was Orion's turn to give his goodbye speech. He stepped forward and looked at the crowd before him. He could see his father and his godfather standing next to each other now that his mother was trying to comfort Amelia Bones. He also saw the Tonks family standing next to Augusta and Neville Longbottom, and his Great-Grandmother Melania and Great-Great-Aunt Cassiopeia standing close to Narcissa Black and Draco Malfoy. He also saw the Weasleys standing further back, save Ron and Ginny who were in the front next to Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood. Orion was glad that all his family and friends were here to support him and to bid their last farewells to his long-time childhood friend who soon after became his girlfriend. He took out his wand and cast a voice enhancing charm in order to be heard by everyone present.

"I trust you all knew Susan Bones. Some of you might have knew her as the niece of the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement department, and some might have known her as a girl left orphaned by the war. However, a smaller group knew her well for the wonderful person she was. Susan Bones was more than just a Hogwarts student, she was a talented witch and the most loyal friend anyone can ever have. The hat was right to place her in Hufflepuff house." A sad smile played at his lips as he remembered the day Susan was sorted and how he gave her a thumbs up. "I personally have known Susan since I was eight years old, and I remember that day well. I had nagged on my mother's head that I didn't have many friends and so she owled Madam Amelia Bones telling to bring her niece with her to her meeting with my father, Duke of Hampshire." Orion looked at Amelia and his mother and saw them giving him their most sincere smiles. He sighed and spoke again "That shy little girl that shook my hand when we first met bloomed into the most beautiful young lady I have ever seen, and I would have been a fool if I had not fallen in love with her. You might think me silly for thinking that I fell in love at only fourteen years, but my love for Susan was pure and sincere, just like her. She deserved nothing less from me, in fact she deserved more. I failed her that night, I should've protected her." He remembered the night Susan was killed, how he saw her spirit that same night. He remembered her words clearly 'Oh no my dear Orion, you didn't fail me, I died because of my own recklessness, but I did not die in vain, I died for you. You will defeat Voldemort, I know it!' he swallowed deeply and forced himself to speak again "I will forever regret my mistake." He now turned towards the white casket and said "Susan, lovely Susan, I hope you are listening to me wherever you are. You will always be my first love. I will hold you and cherish you in my memories until the day I part with this world to join you." Then suddenly he saw her translucent form again behind her coffin. She smiled at him and said her last words to him "Farewell Orion." A lone tear escaped his eye as he replied to her fading form before it vanished for the last time "Farewell Susan"

That's it for this chapter, I hope you all liked the way I portrayed Susan Bones' memorial service. I think it was heartfelt, do you? Tell me in your reviews !

Another thing, I you guys were wondering, Damocles Jones is a character of my own creation and I fashioned his engagement to Marlene McKinnon. Why ? Because I thought that I never really gave you insight on Hestia Jones' life throughout the story, which is mainly focused on other characters. As Sirius' wife and Orion's mother, I thought that she deserves a chapter that shows her own feelings and maybe an insight on her personality.

Please, do tell me what you think in your reviews.

Awaiting your constructive criticism.

XOXO

Cleo26