A/N: Yet another chapter quickly. I'm going to let everyone in on a secret of mine, I am constantly editing as I write chapters. I save just about everything in the hopes of using it later. With the exception of the previous chapter, the last several including this one, are recycled material from the whole of my writing this story. There are no wasted words or ideas!
Time is funny… It speeds up when you something dreaded is coming and then the thing that you dread moves so slowly that it feels like it will never end. Friday—the day of Fred's funeral, arrived all too suddenly for anyone. He was to be buried next to both of Molly's brothers, as a light namesake of Fabian and a cruel twist of fate that both were now dead.
Harry knocked softly on Ginny's door. "You ready Gin? Everyone's dressed and downstairs now." The words were quiet and laced with concern.
Ginny was wearing a dark green dress that fit her body well from head to toe without drawing attention to it. The front gave complete coverage to her chest while giving her back and legs breathability on what was a reasonably hot day.
Ginny looked like she had been crying in short spurts, since the start of the day. "Come in, I've just finished getting dressed, we can walk down together." She said, feeling a little removed.
Ginny turned to face Harry just as he opened her bedroom door and took his breath away. "Wow, you look so beautiful Gin."
"Dress robes always did look nice on you Harry. Only, the cuffs of your sleeves are a bit off." She gently straightened them out and then put her arms around his neck. "There you go." Harry noticed her audibly sniff.
"Thanks for that, cuffs always give me trouble, granted the only other formal funeral I've been to is Dumbledore's… Are you okay?" Harry asked, sounding subdued as he met her forehead.
Ginny shrugged. "I'm better than George and Percy." She admitted quietly. "George can't even bring himself to go and Percy is going but he's a million miles away."
Harry was rhetorical now. "Percy just made up with Fred just before he died. He was so angry and tore after Rockwood… Ron and I would have followed him in the same blind rage if Hermione hadn't held us back."
"Thank god she did." She kissed him briefly. "Let's go, we cannot really put off saying goodbye anymore." They joined everyone else downstairs holding hands as they went.
The men (except George who was too paralyzed by grief to join) were in simple black dress robes like Harry, along with Mr. Weasley. The other women were all in dresses. Hermione, a light blue dress that also gave her back and legs breathability. Luna (who for now was staying with the Weasleys since she had nowhere else to live—Number 12 was admittedly depressing which wouldn't help foster her normally optimistic personality) wore a simple orange sundress, having gone shopping with Ginny and Hermione the day before for numerous things because of the complete destruction of her home and with it almost everything she owned. Then Fleur was in a white sundress with her hair tied in a ponytail. Mrs. Weasley was in normal clothes, though she'd fixed her hair in more elegant curls.
"Who do you suppose will show up?" Ron asked his parents in a somber tone as he put an arm around Hermione pulling her close.
"Lots of people I'm sure. I just wish George were going too." Said Molly with a small sob.
Arthur was consoling as he rested his hands-on Molly's shoulders. "I know sweetheart, but it's all we could do to convince him to wear his dress robes in case he decides to join us later by Apparition… Time to get going everyone."
"I'll take you by side-along Apparition Ginny." Said Harry offering her his non wand arm.
"Kingsley will have to give you a license Harry for legal purposes now that the war is over…" Said Mr. Weasley casually. "You normally have to pass a test as I'm sure your aware, but seeing as you have likely done it plenty of times without issue while you were in hiding this last year I reckon he won't have an issue with granting you a license without the test." He gave Harry a nod of reassurance.
"Thanks Mr. Weasley… Where are is the site again?"
"The Ottery St Catchpole cemetery." He handed Harry a photo from his pocket just for a visual since he'd never been there before. "We're doing the funeral and burial together it's just easier that way." Harry nodded again giving a friendly smile.
Harry knew that the real reason the Weasleys weren't having a formal funeral before the burial like most families would have done is because they simply couldn't afford the expenses. Harry had considered offering to cover the cost but knew that the Weasleys would never accept such an offer. First, because they wouldn't want Harry to be acting out of guilt over Fred's death and second because the Weasleys were understandably sensitive about being substantially poor—the twins joke shops a reasonable exception. Harry had developed more than enough tact over the last seven years not to offer monetary help.
Ginny grabbed tightly onto his free arm. "I'm ready when you are Harry." He nodded.
With Ginny holding on, Harry turned on the spot and felt the familiar sensation of being squeezed into a narrow tube as they traveled to their destination. Ginny must have known in large part the fundamentals of Apparition because it felt like she was directing where they went as they traveled. When it was over and their surroundings were clear, they and everyone else, were standing not far from Fred's gravesite.
"I brought him here very early this morning. The grave-keeper promised to keep watch, even set up chairs. Extremely nice man." Said Mr. Weasley quietly, with a subdued smile. "George and I sent owls to many people that it would be today so if we just give it a bit of time, between ten and noon and it's nearly ten now."
The two younger couples, plus Fleur and Luna all took seats that were set up a few feet away in the empty space that separated one section of graves from the other.
Hermione's laid her head against Ron's chest, looking tentatively up at him. "You alright?" She hadn't even bothered to take her own seat, instead sitting half curled on Ron's lap.
He sighed into her ear. "As good as I can be I reckon. Probably should speak, but it took all my strength just to be here today and to publicly acknowledge that he's gone…" Ron trailed off unable to admit that he was wading through a sea of sadness.
Hermione put a hand on his cheek shaking her head sympathetically. "No, it's okay Ron you don't have to speak if it's to hard. I have a feeling Fred would have preferred if we just put him to rest and be done with it anyway."
Ron managed a small smile. "Yeah, neither of the twins care for the spotlight unless their making people laugh or trying to break the school rules." He kissed her forehead. "Mione, I'm glad you're here, and you look beautiful by the way."
"I wouldn't have missed it. Fred is as much my family as the rest of yours and Harry are." She smiled, briefly closing her eyes. "Besides, he was our biggest cheerleader. During all our major fights he never stopped believing we'd end up together. He said Hermione, Ron usually needs something huge to kick him in the arse before he realizes what's right in front of his face. Just wait him out and then he'll do his damnedest to make you happy."
"Fred said that?" Ron was clearly surprised.
"Mmm-hmm, when I asked him why he was so sure he said. Trust me, I know my little brother and the only thing bigger than Ronniekins ego is his heart. I reckon the reason he's always screwing up with you is that it can't pump enough blood to his brain for how much he loves you, which is enough for multiple lifetimes."
He gave a small laugh. "I would argue his logic but he's was right, I love you so much it makes me crazy sometimes, you can duck out anytime you want I wouldn't blame you for it."
"Not a chance Ron Weasley, I'm not going anywhere ever." Hermione squeezed tighter to Ron to further emphasize that point.
Ginny chanced a quick glacé in their direction before turning to Harry with a small smile in a whisper. "Yeah those two have definitely shagged, it's like they got swallowed by extra affectionate versions of themselves."
Harry shrugged. "I reckon it's a bit more than that. They don't seem to be holding back anymore I get the feeling that they unpacked a lot of baggage too."
Ginny shrugged too. "You'd think they would have done that sooner, but better late than never I suppose."
Harry nodded in agreement. "Ron getting poisoned was the first of several things that woke both of them up I reckon."
"I've never seen Ron so openly happy and content." It was a curious question.
"I'm just glad they are finally on the same page." He smiled at the content nature of his two best friends.
Ginny nodded in agreement. "Life is too short not to be with the person you love." She held Harry's hand; he gave her an awkward smile. "Sorry I know you're not used to PDA, good thing I didn't climb on your lap." She grinned as he turned red and withdrew his hand.
Note to self, don't joke about showing more affection in public with someone who spent their entire childhood and most of his teens without so much as a hug.
"Relax Harry, I'm not actually going to do that and if I did, it would be in private." Said Ginny in a reassuring whisper.
"I'm sorry, it's just before I knew I was a wizard I didn't have a normal, loving, family or relationships… I had nothing but the opposite." He sighed feeling stupid now. "I don't know how to do much of anything normal Gin and I haven't had time to learn… When it comes to anything like this, I'm a little kid."
"It's fine Harry."
He shook his head. "You shouldn't have to deal with that Gin. I should already know how to be normal."
"You can't easily give what you didn't receive for a decade Harry and I know your Aunt and Uncle gave you nothing, no love, no guidance, no happiness. It's not your fault you're more used to dealing with death, loss, and all sorts of other unfair burdens, than you are a relationship. We'll take it as slow as you need." She slowly reached for his hand again and squeezed it gently. The others noticed, but he didn't pull away this time.
Soon the recognizable sounds of Apparition could be heard at the cemetery entrance. First were the members of the original Gryffindor Quidditch team. Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson.
Angelina was the first to greet everyone with somber condolences. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, everyone… I tried to convince George to come but…" She trailed off.
Mrs. Weasley was subdued yet grateful. "We knew this would be too difficult for George. He can't produce a Patronus right now. I don't think he will ever be completely happy again."
Mr. Weasley spoke just as subdued. "We considered a lesser wake, but somehow that felt like it would be too quiet for us to deal with. That's why we appreciate whoever shows up today, we'll leave the burial private."
Harry had brief conversations with his former school and teammates after they gave condolences to the Weasley family, though he remained seated to avoid impeding the flow of steadily arriving mourners. Oliver was now playing professional Quidditch as Puddlemere United star keeper, having set a new team record for number of saves over an entire season (62) for the most recent active league year before the European league was suspended because of peaking chaos from the war.
"I'm hoping to qualify for the next World Cup and represent England, you going to play professional Quidditch Harry? You're a brilliant Seeker."
Harry shrugged. "Don't know, Ginny is better than me and can play both Chaser and Seeker, if anyone should make a go of it it's her."
"Wow, the youngest Weasley has Quidditch talent too then. Fred and George were the best Beaters in the school, and I heard Ron is almost as good a Keeper as me when he's not nervous." He sighed sadly. "I'm sorry about Fred, I can't imagine how George taking it."
"Thanks Oliver… He's in a bad way right now… doesn't get out of bed until late afternoon and that's if he gets out of bed at all." Ron sounded at a loss concerning his older brother.
Lee Jordan cut in somberly. "I know I had to hire extra help running the shop."
"Really who?" Asked Ron curiously.
"He means us." Said Angelina and Alicia together. Angelina shrugged sadly. "George is just so devastated. The problem is Fred's death has only made the shop more popular. Lee and Verity can't handle the surge in foot traffic by themselves."
"So, they asked us to help until George can function again, and well we would have helped anyway. It's Fred and the last thing he'd want is the shop going under. We all know George doesn't want that either…" Alicia sniffed as she trailed off.
Angelina finished tearfully. "But Mrs. Weasley was right… Losing Fred is going to be really hard for him they did everything together. It's the least we can do to be strong for him until he's back on his feet."
"I'd help too but I'm training to become a Curse-Breaker for the Ministry and it's consuming most of my time." Said Katie with an apologetic smile.
That wasn't a surprise to Harry, Ron, or Hermione who knew that Katie's ordeal with a cursed necklace in their sixth year (her final year) likely inspired the career choice.
"I didn't realize the shop needed so much help. Looks like I will be pulling double duty while you and Harry finish your seventh year Mione." Said Ron determinedly.v
"You're a good brother, Ron." Hermione kissed him tenderly for a moment.
All of them took notice and replied enthusiastically. "You two are finally together then, thank Merlin. It's only been obvious since your third year! Said Wood grinning.
"Were we really that bad?" Asked Hermione blushing.
"That fight you had even I could see it and that was my last year preoccupied with winning the Quidditch cup."
Angelina nodded. "Everyone could tell, the way you bicker like an old married couple."
"Yeah now imagine being best friends with both. There were so many times I felt like locking you both in a broom cupboard just to cut the awkwardness out of being around you."
"I don't think you want to talk about awkward Harry what with you snogging my sister and all. "Said Ron irritably.
"Stop acting like Harry is not taking me seriously Ron." Said Ginny feeling annoyed.
Oliver eyed the two of them holding hands with a grin. "Aw, the knight in shining armor finally fell for the damsel in distress, that's adorable."
That remark caused Harry to pull his hand away again and Ginny looked like she was ready to hex Wood. "Shut it." She said tensely.
"Err? Right sorry." Hermione was giving Wood a warning look that said don't go there.
The tension was broken by the sound of more people arriving, forcing them all to move along and seat themselves.
Ron swung his head around and groaned, whispering to the other three. "Ugh Muriel is here; I just know she's going to be insufferable. I guarantee not having to deal with her is reason enough that Fred is not complaining he's dead."
Ginny nodded in agreement looking newly annoyed at her Great Aunt's arrival. "Oh, he's definitely happy to be rid of her, she just refuses to snuff it herself." She eyed Muriel from a distance with contempt. "She'll make comments about how George didn't show up, or Mum shouldn't have let Fred fight or try to guilt Ron about abandoning his family for a year." There was a bitterness to her voice now. "Couldn't keep her opinion to herself if her life depended on it.
"Sorry Mione, you should take your own seat now or she'll set her sights on you.",
Hermione frowned but nodded, recognizing that today wasn't the day to chance an argument, seating herself between Ron and Ginny. Bill was asked by his parents to greet Muriel since he was her soft spot. When he tried to seat her in the last row of chairs she demanded to be up front. Ron and Ginny debated moving to the back but knew that they would have to return to the Front to help lower Fred's casket, so they stayed there, even as Muriel seemed to be silently judging with her eyes. Harry could distinctly feel them fixed on him but tried to ignore it, surprising himself by grabbing Ginny's hand again despite the public crowd now filling into the cemetery. She gave it a reassuring squeeze. Other people that showed up included numerous D.A. members who'd gotten on well with both Fred and George, and Minerva McGonagall as former head of Gryffindor house.
Mrs. Weasley spoke once everyone was seated. "Thank you all for coming today to say goodbye to Fred." She sniffed before continuing. "Like his twin brother George, Fred loved to laugh and loved to make people laugh. Percy told me that just before he died, he was laughing, that's how I'll always remember him."
"Of all our children the twins are the most miss understood, assumed lazy just because they liked to joke around and pull pranks, but George and Fred have never been afraid, and Fred died fighting against evil which to me shows his strength of character and heart. Fred died young, but he didn't die unfulfilled. It was his, and George's lifelong dream to open a joke shop, to help the world laugh, Fred's will live on forever as long as those who knew him best continue to laugh and create joyful mischief in memory of him." He became extra somber now. "It's funny, the noise of the twin's pranks and experiments used to irritate the entire family all the time… Now, I think we'd give anything to hear the noise again."
Molly Weasley began to cry suddenly and she was gathered in a tight embrace by her husband. The Weasley siblings, along with their significant others, joined them in an incredibly somber group hug while the guests cried too. Harry and Hermione were reluctant to join initially but with Ginny and Ron's urging they did—though Harry was only comfortable enough hugging Ginny, Hermione, and Ron at the back of the circle.
The hug was only broken by an irritated voice from the crowd, having just blown their nose. "To think that George didn't show up… Entirely selfish!" It was Muriel.
"We cannot dictate how others grieve Muriel." Said Arthur calmly.
"Just as well, there would be no need for grief if that boy had left this family out of his madness." She locked eyes with Harry, her expression bitter.
He gave an awkward apology. "Um I'll just go; I don't want to cause tension today."
"As well you should!" snapped Muriel sharply. "They are far too kind to point out that you, Harry Potter, entice people to needlessly shoulder your responsibilities and they end up as collateral damage. A footnote while you get credit you don't deserve!"
"Fred's death wasn't Harry's fault!" Said Ginny, Ron and Hermione angrily.
Muriel gave a dismissive laugh. "Oh, Please, the boy is cursed and You-Know-Who's death by his hand won't change that. Death and misery follow the boy like a plague and yet you continue to treat him like family, incredibly foolish."
"Shut it, you're a miserable old hag!" Ginny said sharply.
"It's fine Ginny, I don't want to cause anymore more problems or make anyone uncomfortable."
"You're not to go anywhere Harry." Said Molly putting a hand on his shoulder. Muriel, if you can't keep your opinions to yourself, I'll ask you to leave." She glared at Muriel.
"You're just going to let Ginevra speak to me that way Molly!"
"She was rightfully criticizing you for attacking Harry, who has saved at least a third of this family over the last seven years! Fred chose to defend Hogwarts just like everyone else here did. His death is no one's fault except the Death Eater that killed him. Now, Fred needs to be laid to rest and I don't want any remarks from you about my seventh son Muriel." Muriel shrugged biting back another retort.
Harry, meanwhile, bowed his head to disguise his tears… Even after his being cross with over Ginny and even amid burying her own flesh and blood, she still saw him as a son too.
Mr. Weasley spoke again as though there had been no interruption. "If anyone would like to say something before, we lay Fred to rest please do."
"I would if it's alright?" Said Hermione, fidgeting somewhat. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave an encouraging nod. She swallowed and spoke with somber solace. "Well, everyone here probably knows that I'm not the kind of person who is used to enjoying life. Until I came to Hogwarts my idea of enjoyment was spending all my time in the library reading books." Everyone laughed. "The twins were the first people who showed me how to have fun to not take things so seriously all the time." She glanced at Ron with an apologetic smile. "As much as I would like to continue to let Ron have all the credit for that I think he'll agree we usually fought too much in those first few years in school for me to be anything other than annoyed by his laidback nature." He grinned as everyone chuckled while she continued. "The twin's imagination when they put their heads together was one of a kind and they helped an uptight, bookworm girl to learn how to appreciate being silly and realize that everyone is clever in their own way. They were as clever a duo as I'd ever seen when it comes to having fun and making people laugh." She gave an audible sniff. "It's sad to know that Fred's death means the end of that dynamic duo, but I'll especially miss Fred because he was the one that told me Ron was worth waiting for, the one who believed in us when we didn't think we could fit together." She squeezed Ron's hand smiling affectionately at him. "He went the extra mile to let me know that we could, and I'll always be grateful to him for that."
Ron kissed Hermione on the forehead and then she tossed some dirt on Fred's grave before returning to Ron who embraced her in a consoling hug as she buried her head in Ron's chest through muffled sobs.
McGonagall was next to speak her voice just as somber. "As others have said already the Weasley twins were quite a pair. We go to school to figure out what we wish to do with our lives, many of us that takes the entirety of our education, they were an exception. It was clear to me from the moment that they set foot in Hogwarts that they knew exactly what they wanted to do with their lives, make people laugh. Like every other Weasley they were sorted into Gryffindor and as head of house during their tenure I had the challenge of reigning in that passion. I checked out of curiosity and I can say that they received the second most detentions in the history of the school, James Potter and his friends still hold top honor, something I'm sure both of the twins see as a personal failure."
This received the most laughter yet, even from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley; Muriel gave a disapproving huff that nobody acknowledged.
McGonagall continued as the laughter subsided. "Yes, Fred and George Weasley were responsible for much of my greying hair. What most people don't know is that they were quite capable academically. They excelled at Transfiguration, Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions and were also rather adept at Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. All areas of study that would later benefit their joke shop endeavors. Of the two Fred was always better at Practical exams and lessons. I believe he could have taught Transfiguration if he so desired. His lifetime marks were fourth best behind only Miss Granger, me, and Albus Dumbledore. Their final year, which was quite a miserable one thanks to that Ministry toad Delores Umbridge, they created a portable swamp that Professors Flitwick and Sprout were so impressed with they left it intact until the end of the final term that year. I personally feel that they left the school with more style and flair than anyone will ever be able to top, and it was something desperately needed given the state of the school at the time. That was their best quality as a duo they could put on a memorable show that lifted people's spirits. I am crushed, like everyone else, that Fred's death means the end of the dynamic duo that was the Weasley twins. I am terribly sad for the entire Weasley family."
"Thank you, Minerva." Said Molly gratefully.
Other people that spoke included the original quidditch team members, Lee Jordan and Luna who gave an uplifting speech about how Fred's memory could be kept alive even though he was gone.
Eventually Mr. Weasley spoke again. "We truly appreciate everyone for coming to pay their respects… We would, however, prefer to do the last of this privately as a family. I hope you all understand." Guests nodded and one by one bid farewell before Disapparating, leaving the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione alone at Fred's grave, unfortunately Muriel counted as family.
"Excuse me what are they still doing here?" She snapped pointing a bony finger in Harry and Hermione's direction with unfiltered contempt. "As much as you deem it so, that curse and the Muggle-Born are not family!"
"We can go." Said Harry and Hermione together, not wanting to be the cause of another argument between a truly elder Weasley and the rest of the family.
"Both of you stay put." Said Molly automaticity. "You can go Muriel."
"I will do no such thing!"
"Then keep your trap shut!" Said Ron sharply.
"The one who abandoned the family for a year speaks, you were always the most disappointing so it's not a surprise. Equally not a surprise is that you keep their company!" Barked Muriel in disgust.
"Shut the hell up about Ron and his friends, shut your damn mouth about the people we love!" Said Ginny hotly.
"You dare speak to me like that Ginevra. The disrespect!" Spat Muriel angrily.
Arthur cut in tensely. "That's enough Muriel, I have no patience for your criticism of this family today! you will leave, or I will forcibly remove you by magic."
"I will not be intimidated by an unambitious, lazy man like you Arthur, something you've clearly passed on to all the children!"
"That's it! Bill, Percy, Charlie, Apparate your Great Aunt back to her home, and maybe try to convince George to come now that it's just family."
They did as their mother asked vanishing with Muriel even as she shouted in protest.
"Sorry…" Said Harry and Hermione quietly.
"You've nothing to be sorry about dears, with any luck she'll be splinched, not too terribly of course, though I would be lying if I said that I didn't wish she'd kick the bucket already." Molly sighed in frustration. "She's always resented my marrying Arthur and as the kids grew up, she started scrutinizing each of them. Poor Ron had it the worst."
Ron nodded sadly. "You always wondered why I am so insecure Mione, well there's your answer. Nothing I ever did was good enough for Muriel and she was always critical of me."
Hermione nodded in understanding. "So, when I did it even accidentally… Oh Ron, no wonder I aggravated you so easily, I'm sorry!"
He shrugged shaking his head. "You're that way because you want me to reach my potential. All Muriel ever does is rub screw ups in anyone's face because she thinks she's superior."
"That's awful." Sad Hermione with a pained face.
"It cannot be helped. At 107 she isn't going to change her ways."
"Still, we never meant to cause any problems by being here." They insisted apologetically.
"Nonsense dears, she was the one causing problems. At this point the two of you are more family than she has ever been."
But after the things I said— "Began Harry apologetically.
She shrugged this off. "Oh, Harry, that was certainly a shock, but I think needed to hear them. I forget too often that Ginny and Ron are not children and you had every right to share your business, if that's what helps you cope with it. Besides, anyone who loves Ginny enough to defend her from my overprotective accusations is more than good enough to be with her." She pulled him into a hug which made Harry turn red from embarrassment.
"Err thanks Molly." He pulled away rather quickly.
"Still not quite used to affection dear?" Said Molly with concern.
Harry scratched his head with an air of apologetic embarrassment. "Err not really, I'm sorry. It's nothing personal, Hermione and Ron are really the only ones I'm used to that sort of thing with other than Ginny, I'm trying to get used to it from everyone but it seems like all the people I let myself get close to end up in danger, or dead."
"Harry dear, you don't actually believe Muriel that you're cursed, do you?" She said frowning.
"Muriel has nothing to do with its Mum, Harry's just gotten paranoid, not that it's surprising, I'm trying to cure him of it, and I was making decent progress, but then he left for a year and he's regressed." Said Ginny with a sympathetic look at Harry.
"Sorry Gin I know it's in my head, but I can't help it." He bowed his head.
"It's fine Harry there's many different forms of OCD yours is just more unique than other people." She squeezed his hand consolingly.
"What's OCD?" Asked Harry uncertainly.
"You don't know?"
He shook his head. "I'm really not that educated to be honest, not about normal stuff anyway. Just haven't had time to learn about them, for obvious reasons."
"It's okay, I'll just add it to my list of things to teach you later, but for now the others will be back soon." He nodded sheepishly.
Molly whispered quietly to Arthur as Harry and Ginny walked back to Fred's unfinished grave. "Just when I think I can't possibly feel anymore sorry for that poor boy Arthur… If I'd known, he had that much of a hard time with affection I would have asked before doing such things all these years."
"It's clear Harry didn't even know he had OCD with physical affection Molly. Probably started thanks to those terrible relatives of his and then got worse from all the additional burdens, trauma and loss he's dealt with since he entered the magical world."
"How does he function?" Said wondered worrisomely.
"It's not physically contact that makes him nervous Molly, he isn't afraid of touching things or people, it's affection, public affection probably makes him more nervous than private, but it all clearly makes him nervous and uncomfortable to various degrees."
"Will he be okay?"
"Harry is essentially like a small child with such things. He can handle life threatening situations better than most fully grow adults, but something like sitting quietly alone or with other people without having to worry about life and death is almost completely foreign to him. He has to learn and become comfortable with many of the normal, simple things in life and relationships that most of us take for granted because we got to regularly experience them. He has improved since he first came around the Burrow, but it will take time."
"You mean when he was rescued from captivity and starvation. I'd never seen such a physically underdeveloped 12-year-old boy in my life." She said sadly.
"Trauma like that on top of everything else is why it will be difficult and take a long time for Harry to adjust to normalcy. I think even Harry admits he's still underdeveloped socially and emotionally."
"It's amazing that he never felt the need to hide in a corner with all that fame and the weight of the world on his shoulders, especially when death and loss have defined the first 17 years of his life. More reason I'm grateful he came today, that's James and Lily in him."
Arthur nodded in agreement. "Harry is his parents' son in both looks and personality."
"Let's rejoin the others while we wait for Bill, Charlie and Percy to get back, I do hope they are able to convince George to come when we couldn't." She said wistfully.
"All we can do is hope Molly." Said Arthur with solace.
The others had taken several chairs and set them around Fred's unfinished grave, sitting in somber silence, Hermione was back on Ron's lap with her eyes closed and Harry and Ginny were sitting next to each other with her head on his shoulder holding hands again. Fleur was the one to break the silence.
"The weather is beautiful today; Fred must be enjoying himself up there." There was solace in her words, which were thick with her French accent.
Molly smiled through watery eyes. "I—I think you're right."
Several pops meant the return of the others…
"Sorry we took so long." Said Bill. "Muriel didn't stay quietly; I know we were taught to respect our Elders but that doesn't give them the right to be unfiltered and cruel. I'll put anti-Apparition charms so she can't show up again."
"Muriel was always a piece of work; Fred won't be happy when she finally kicks the bucket." George looked like his was barely aware of his surroundings, his eyes dull with emotional pain.
Molly Weasley quickly threw her arms around George. "You came!" She said through grateful tears.
George hugged his mother. "Someone I wasn't expecting convinced me to come." He turned in the direction of Luna Lovegood.
She showed acknowledgement in her sage voice. "I thought it respectful to leave and wait at the Burrow, I was asked to come back. "
The three oldest Weasley brothers surrounded Luna with smiles. "We thought she could convince George to come." Said Percy. "We were right." Said Charlie. "I knew George just needed a little outside perspective." Finished Bill.
"I'm here because Luna help me see that it's what Fred would want, said I would be able to feel his spirit, some rule about twins if one dies."
Luna nodded. "They can go back and forth from the beyond and the body of their living twin, they are still at rest but it's a sort of privilege as long as they lived a good life and Fred certainly did making people laugh."
George nodded. "Yeah… Anyway, glad I wasn't here for the crowd or Muriel." He turned to Luna with the same kind of energetic smile he always wore before his twin brother's death. "You could be a motivational speaker Luna."
"I'm too shy for that, but I don't mind helping friends feel better." Said Luna with relaxed look.
Well, thank you."
Mrs. Weasley hugged Luna. "Yes, thank you sweetheart." She looked at her husband somberly. "I guess it's time then…"
"Yes, it's time to say goodbye." He took his wife's hand giving a melancholy nod.
Mr. Weasley, with several wand movements sealed his sons open gravesite after everyone helped lower his casket, the dirt covered casket forever obscured by fresh Earth. Then with another set of movements he called grey earth up from the ground… The tombstone settling in place just ahead of Fred's burial spot. Mrs. Weasley carved his name and lifespan into the tombstone and then embraced her husband crying quietly. Luna conjured a flower arrangement that she laid on the ground and seemed to be taking to herself in a silent prayer, Charlie also seemed to be paying silent respect to Fred's gravesite… Percy and George embraced in heavy emotional sobs. Ron had to turn his back and distance himself from the sight. Hermione followed him without a word where she pulled him into a hug, both crying while her hands gently stroked his back and head in comfort. Ginny, nestled her head against Harry's chest as he wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her hair; to her credit she remained stoic. Harry was the most together, perhaps because he'd already cried so much recently altogether, or perhaps because this sadness was so familiar to him that he was numb to crying, at least, in the moment.
He was the first to break the general silence. "Um may I write something on the grave?" He asked hesitantly.
"I don't think Fred would object to Harry Potter marking his grave." Charlie said warmly. The others nodded in agreement.
"I think you'll appreciate this most." He said to George with a small smile.
Harry stepped to the grave pulling out his wand and knelt to magically carve while everyone gathered behind him in curios anticipation…
"I'm finished George." Harry wanted him to see it first, he traded spots with the former twin.
George looked at the grave for a moment then turned to Harry with his usual grin and watery eyes. "Mischief Managed."
Everyone smiled, but only Harry Ron, Hermione, Fred, and Ginny knew the full meaning behind the words.
"There was no one better at it then the two of you." Said Harry hugging George emphatically.
"Thanks, Harry."
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that, no matter what the afterlife looked like it must be full of lighthearted mischief with Fred Weasley around.
A/N: The funerals for fallen family and friends have started… I'm going to space them out a bit. Plot will move pretty steadily for the rest of the story; I have still not settled on a length yet, but I have a general idea where I want the story to go, this does end my recent string of near back to back updates.