His little family, which actually seemed much bigger now that they were all together, stood outside the little church beside a vast graveyard. It was old and it had history, but Harry could see that it was well-kept.
"I," he frowned. "We should -"
"You go in," Hermione muttered. "And ask if we can join them. Or some of us. If not, we'll pay our respects afterwards."
Minerva nodded to him and he squeezed Ginny's hand and walked up to the door. It was closed, but not locked and it squeaked as he opened it. The church was completely empty aside from two people sitting in the front row of the church in front of a sparkling black coffin covered in white roses. His boots echoed down the aisle as he walked to the front, apologising to the Minister for the interruption.
Draco looked terrible, but Astoria gaped at him.
"Draco," he muttered quietly. The man didn't move. Harry glanced at Astoria and she nodded so he stepped between Draco and the coffin he couldn't seem to take his eyes off. "Draco, mate."
Draco blinked and stared at him like he was a ghost.
"Po -" he swallowed. "Harry," he frowned. "What are you -"
"There are some people here who want to pay their respects to your mother. People who," he frowned and tried not to break down where he had no business to. "People who appreciated her and cared for her and respected her."
"There are -"
"Draco," he interrupted. "May we join you?"
"Love," Astoria whispered. "They just want to give her the respect we know she deserved."
"Her sister is here," Harry whispered. "At the very least -"
"They may come in," Draco said, his voice gravelly. "I would," he shuddered. "She would be honoured that so many turned out."
"Okay," Harry nodded. "I'll go and get them."
Draco nodded and Harry walked quickly back to the doors and opened it to let them in. It was such a small church that between them all, the pews filled up quickly. Harry couldn't look at Draco, but he sat, on the front row on the other side, holding Andy's hand. She was trembling as they listened to the Minister talk about Narcissa's love for her family and her bravery in her fight for life. He felt a tear or two escape his eyes but he couldn't bring himself to wipe them away. Teddy leaned against him and he wrapped his arm around him, knowing that despite him never knowing his Aunt, the sadness in the building was tangible.
"If anyone would like to say something," the Minister said, checking with Draco first. "I would like to open the floor to that opportunity."
Astoria got up and smiled at them sadly.
"We obviously hadn't expected all of you here today, but we want to thank you. For recognising Narcissa's heart and her soul. She loved Draco," she took a breath. "Loved all of us, with all that she had and I, for one, will miss her steady confidence and her humour and her love in the years ahead as we raise our own family." Andromeda sobbed into her hand. "I know that she was always deeply grateful for the trust that you all put in her years ago. And she has never forgotten it. She lived her life as she had always wanted to," she smiled, tears running down her face. "She lived happily and surrounded by love. And we will miss her."
Minerva got up, squeezing Harry's shoulder as she left the row. She stood in front of the coffin for a long time before she waved her wand and a single red rose landed between the white ones.
"When I think of Narcissa, I think of the little girl that arrived on our doorsteps, looking every inch of what she was. A powerful witch, a loving sister," Andromeda sobbed again. "And what would become a loving mother, a faithful wife and above all, a brave woman. I did not know her as well as I would have liked, but her every decision was for her family and," she sighed. "I understand that. And I respect it. And I am so very sorry for your loss," she said gently, stopping at Draco's side and taking his hand. "You are not alone in this loss, Draco. Please remember that."
He nodded and she sat down again, tapping Harry expectantly on the shoulder. He knew she would do so but he still recoiled a little inside. He sat up and nodded to the Minster that he would go next, but he didn't get up right away. Andromeda let go of his hand and Teddy stopped leaning on him and finally, Harry stood and walked over to the coffin. It had taken him longer than he would like to admit, being comfortable with addressing a room of recruits, but this was different. This was personal.
"I didn't know Narcissa well," he admitted, not wanting to bring up the bad, when they were here to pay respects to the woman for all the good. "But what I did know of her was enough for her to earn my wholehearted respect. I can't," he shook his head. "I don't know a lot of things," he chuckled. Draco snorted and their eyes met. "I don't really know much about anything, but I know about love. And I know about bravery. And Narcissa was someone who had both of those things in spades. And she has my undying respect and honour, for the rest of my life."
Draco nodded his head at him and Harry bowed a little back and felt something settle in his chest as he sat down again. Andy couldn't bring herself to get up and Harry whispered to her that they all understood. Teddy sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Harry stood when the Minster asked Draco if they would like to escort the coffin to the grave. Draco looked shocked as Harry, Minerva, Filius, Pomona and finally, Teddy stood. He looked back at Harry, who just shrugged and waited for him to nod.
"Thank you," Draco croaked. "All of you. I -" He stepped up to Andy and stared at her.
"She'd want you to know that she loved you," he managed as his voice broke. "She regretted never getting in touch, but she loved you. And she was so very thankful for you."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Andy as she broke down and Harry and Teddy brought up the rear as they escorted the coffin to the grave. They all stood watching as Narcissa's coffin was lowered slowly into the ground beside a headstone that bore her husband's name. Draco stood looking at it for a long time before he threw a handful of earth on top and walked away. One by one they followed the ritual until only Harry was left.
"Thank you," he whispered as he dropped his handful in. "Just, Thank you."