The next day was the funeral for Arthur. Ashleigh still hadn't seen George or Molly, but Fred had finally come out of his room and sought comfort in Hermione. Ashleigh called through each door letting them know that the funeral was about to start, they decided to have it in the backyard and cremate Arthur, spreading his ashes in the fields of The Burrow. They put the podium just outside the door into the house and chairs facing it.

A lot of people turned up to the funeral and were all seated. All the Weasley kids were sitting in the front row, along with Harry and Hermione. Ashleigh didn't deem it appropriate when no one knew her and George didn't seem to be attending. Charlie had asked her to prepare a speech on George's behalf as he didn't think George would be able to do it himself. Ashleigh politely declined at first, as again, no one knew who she was. But Charlie insisted and so she gave into him. Ashleigh saw Tracie and Ethan and walked over to meet them. She gave them both hugs.

"Are you okay?" Tracie asked.

"Besides everyone staring at me, I think I'm okay. Charlie insisted that I prepare a speech on George's behalf. It doesn't appear that he or Molly are going to attend", Ashleigh said, her unshed tears finally falling.

"I'm sure they'll be here. I don't know why they would not want to say their final goodbye", Tracie whispered, hugging Ashleigh again. The minister started the ceremony, calling one-by-one, each Weasley up to make a speech. The last being Charlie.

"The last speech today will be spoken by Ashleigh Scott", he told the crowd at large. No one recognized the name so they were looking around for the person giving the speech. Finally there eyes settled on her as she finally got up and made her way to the front. Ashleigh noticed that there wasn't a dry eye in sight. She finally got to the front, all watery eyes on her.

"Hello, my name is Ashleigh Scott. Pretty much all of you don't know me. I have known the Weasley family for about a year and a half; I met Molly and Arthur almost four months after meeting their kids. I've also been seeing George for a little over a year. Charlie asked me to prepare a speech on George's behalf. I didn't deem it appropriate but he insisted that I introduce myself and continue. I haven't known the Weasley's for nearly as long as any of you, but it breaks my heart seeing how much they are hurting right now.

"They have been there for me many times and I wish there was something I could do to take this pain away. Arthur was like a father figure to me since the moment I met him. I know how much it hurts because I've been through this myself and nothing hurts me more than seeing the people I love hurting so much.

"Molly and George haven't come out of their rooms for a few days and I don't see them here either. I wish with all of my heart that I could help them; I wish they would let me in. I promised Arthur that his family will be in good hands if he needed to go. And I will stick to that promise. One of the last things Arthur said to me was 'thank you' and I will carry that in my heart forever, knowing that I was able to make that promise and he appreciated it. "Goodbye Arthur, gone but never forgotten", Ashleigh finished.

By this point Ashleigh had silent tears streaming heavily down her cheeks as she walked over to the open casket and put a photo of her and George on his chest, as well as her speech. Everyone before her had done this as well. Charlie also put a picture of Molly as she wasn't there to do it herself. She stood there for a moment, in her own little world and didn't hear someone walk up behind her. She jumped a little when someone wrapped their arms around her from behind. She looked up to see who it was.

"George", she whispered and turned around, wrapping her arms tightly around him. He had tears streaming down his cheeks as well, but he didn't care. He rested his cheek on the top of her head.

"I'm sorry", he whispered into her hair. She shook her head and just held onto him for a few minutes. They broke apart and noticed everyone staring at them in awe as they tried drying their faces but they still had tears streaming. Ashleigh held George's hand and stood off to the side, George wrapping his arms around her again. She noticed Molly had come down as well. The minister went to the podium to finish the service and advised them that there would be food and drink for anyone who wanted to stay to share their good memories about Arthur with people. Ashleigh led George inside and to the couch.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Thank you, I'm sorry. There are many things I need to say to you and apologize for", George whispered, looking down. She put her finger under his chin and forced him to look at her.

"You don't need to apologize. I know how hard it is, but I had to suffer alone. I don't want you to do that, I am here for you", she told him. "Please don't freeze me out anymore", she added as more tears fell from her already swollen eyes.

"I won't. I heard your speech and I realized how much more it must have hurt you because you lost both of your parents. I realized… that I need you, more than I thought I would ever need anyone", he told her. She nodded and wrapped her arms around him again. They didn't know people were listening at the door until they came in. Ashleigh and George turned to the door when they heard a faint knock. Molly and Tracie were standing there.

"Thank you", Molly whispered, giving Ashleigh a hug. "For being there for us, but especially George. Merlin knows he needs you", Molly told her. She moved onto giving George a hug. Tracie looked at both Ashleigh and George and pulled them both into a tight hug. They noticed that some family members were behind them, staring at the couple. "These are some of Arthur's cousins", Molly told Ashleigh. They introduced themselves to her and thanked her as well.

Ashleigh and George stayed inside for a bit but then went to join the rest of the family. Everyone was so relieved that Molly and George had finally come out of their rooms. Everyone stayed for a few hours, just celebrating the life and love of Arthur Weasley but eventually they had to leave. Once everyone was gone Tracie pulled Ashleigh aside.

"You really love him, don't you?" Tracie asked.

"I do Aunt Tracie, I really do", Ashleigh told her.

"That's good, I'm glad that you have someone like him in your life", Tracie told her, Ashleigh nodded. "Professor Dumbledore also wrote me back. He said that you can take as much time as you want or need as long as I give the okay. He will have all of your work owled to you every night and you have to owl it back to him by the due dates", Tracie explained.

"I will, I promise. Thank you", Ashleigh said, giving her aunt a big hug.

"Anything for my favorite niece", she smiled.