Well, all the bad news is upon us, now, isn't it? Thanks for all the support do far :) I'm really enjoying writing this at the moment, and I hope you're getting as much joy when you're reading it :) Remember to review!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own either of these amazing worlds.


Chapter 29 - Clara

The day of the funeral came way to quickly for Clara, and she just knew that it would be the worst day of her life. She had spent most of the first day home in her bedroom, incapable of doing anything. But the day after, she decided there was no point locking herself away, and began to pick herself up. Her father however, was not himself anymore.

She already knew how badly he coped with loss. The miscarriage had been enough to turn him bitter, and that mood had lasted him three years. He had completely switched off, and Clara had found herself having to force feeding him before he'd kill himself.

Clara did not want to relive the past three years, though, and eventually she got fed up of her father's misery, and completely flipped out.

"Dad, come on. You have to eat. It's been three days now,," Clara said, holding a bowl of soup in front of him.

"Go away, Clara. I can't," he said defeatedly.

"Alright, that's it," Clara said, almost throwing the bowl on the table. "I am not going to let you spiral into depression like last time. I know it's only been three days, dad, but you can't carry on like this."

"Please, darling. Leave me in peace," he said. He was pale, and he smelled. He hadn't washed in that time either.

"No! Get up now! Mum may be gone, but I'm still here. Are you just going to neglect me now, like you did after the miscarriage? Are you going to spend the rest of your life like an old miser who can't even feed himself? Maybe you shouldn't be so selfish! Do you think mum would approve your behaviour?"

That's when she decided to storm out, because she'd had enough. But as soon as she left the room she felt horrible. It had only been three days since her mother had left them, and she was shouting at her dad, who was lost in his own grief.

He had come to her room not long after that, and apologized.

The knock came on her door, and she turned in her desk chair to face him. When he entered, he just awkwardly stood in the doorway.

"Can we talk? I have a feeling it would do good for both of us," he said. Clara nodded and he came and sat down on her bed. She joined him. "Look, I'm sorry, Clara. Never think that I would abandon you, because so would never do that. But you need to understand that I need time. Your mother..." His voice broke and a tear streamed down his face.

Clara hugged him as she felt her eyes water too. "I know, it's okay," she said.

"Anyway, how are you holding up? I've been a rubbish dad. I haven't even asked," her dad said, trying to recover.

"I don't know. It's so hard, thinking that she won't be there anymore," Clara said, letting the tears out. "It's weird to think that she'll never walk into this house again. I'll never be able to give her a hug, or crack a joke with her."

And then so suddenly after that, there they were standing in their home, getting ready for Ellie Oswald's funeral.

-DAVE POV-

Dave stared at his black, undone tie in the mirror, remembering how Ellie used to correct his tie back when they were at Hogwarts.

It reminded him of the first time he saw her in their first NEWT level potions class. He'd fancied her from that first glimpse, and it wasn't until a few weeks later that they had actually talked. He remembered when he nearly poisoned himself with his dodgy love potion, until Ellie swiped the vial out of his hand.

He still had the vial with him, and it was now sitting in his pocket. He wasn't going to take it out for the rest of the day.

He heard the doorbell ring from below, but Clara was downstairs, so he didn't need to worry.

"Dad! John's here!" he heard Clara shout from the bottom of the stairs.

"Okay, darling! I'm just coming!" he replied.

He quickly did up his tie, and made his way down the stairs. He entered the kitchen to find Clara and John hugging. When they noticed his arrival, they broke apart and John stepped forward.

"My condolences, Dave. It musn't be easy for you. She didn't deserve to go so soon. I've brought flowers for the grave afterwards," he said. He was wearing a plain black suit, with a white shirt and a bow tie. He had the build of a man, and Dave found it hard to believe he was Clara's age. He was such a dashing young man.

"Thank you, John. It's much appreciated," Dave said. He glanced down at his watch. It was time for them to leave.

Ellie's parents had requested for her to be buried in the local muggle cemetery, and Dave had agreed, as she had always liked to keep her muggle heritage, despite her magical talent.

The guests were a mixture of muggles and magical folk, as Ellie had always been highly respected in both communities.

Karen was waiting outside when the three of them left the house. Dave stared at her for a second before looking down at his feet.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she said.

"I'm sure you are," he said, continuing past her. He wasn't sure if he was able to look her in the eye ever again. What happened between them had been a mistake, and he wouldn't let it get in the way of his grief for Ellie.

They entered the black car that was sitting outside the house. It was for family only, so only Dave and Clara entered. Mr and Mrs Ravenswood were already sitting inside. Clara sat down next to her grandmother, while Dave sat in on the other side of her.

The journey to the graveyard was slow, as the were preceding the car which held the coffin. It was a sombre ten minutes, but Dave was sure it was nothing compared to what was to come. He kept staring at the coffin in front, knowing that his own wife was in there.

When they reached the graveyard, they exited the car and watched as the coffin got carried into the small chapel, ready for the service.

He was approached by many people, including the old muggle lady who owned the corner shop down the road from their house. They had become friendly with her, and she had come over for tea a couple of times.

"Oh, Dave, you poor thing. Ellie was such an incredible woman. Best wishes to the family," she said.

Dave thanked her and moved along at the front of the crowd. He spotted his mother, who was already waiting in front of the chapel. She was such a prompt woman, who was always early to everything.

"Hello, mum," he said as he approached her.

"Oh, darling. How are you?" She asked him.

"Pretty terrible, actually. But don't worry about me now, this day's for Ellie," he said.

Dave and Clara both spoke during the service, but it was John's speech that hit him the hardest. He retold moments of their holidays. They were memories that none of them would ever forget, and Ellie was a key part of all of them.

"Two years ago, when we were in Canada together, we got lost in the woods. My mum couldn't make it because she had to stay at work, so Dave and Ellie were looking after me. So in those woods, I remember falling over and getting this huge gash on my knee. Ellie was there for me, and she patched it up right away. I was lucky, knowing Ellie, because it was like I had two mothers. And I knew that she was there if I wanted her to be. I already know how it feels to lose a parent, but now it feels like I've lost another," he finished.

Dave was crying again by the end of it, and Clara was too right next to him. John came and sat next to her, letting her rest on him. Dave patted him on the shoulder and whispered "thank you."

After the service, they watched as the coffin was buried in the ground, and then John laid down his flowers.

Dave read the gravestone, still disbelieving what he had just witnessed.

John and Karen let him and Clara have some time alone, in which they held each other.

They were there for what felt like hours before they finally went home. But it wasn't home. Not anymore. Because Ellie wasn't there.