"It's beautiful," Hermione said looking up into the sky. And it really was.

It was the middle of the afternoon, but it had been made to look like twilight. A vast canopy was overhead and on one side of it, there was a smiling image of Fred's face. It billowed softly as the wind caught it, making it seem at times, as if he was laughing. It was as if he was watching over everyone. The roof of the canopy was deep violet and thousands of stars sparkled like diamonds spelling out Fred's name.

As everyone milled around, talking quietly, hundreds of yellow lights hovered gently, so that everywhere you looked, there was light and warmth. It was only when Harry accidentally swallowed one, that he realised they were fireflies that had been enchanted.

"You okay, Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry smiled. "That's about the twentieth time you've asked me Hermione," he said.

"Right." Hermione sighed. "Sorry."

"Don't be." Harry looked at her. "You look nice," he said.

Hermione looked down at herself, at her silver dress. She touched the fabric with her fingertips. It was a beautiful dress.

"Feels a bit strange, dressing up like this." She leaned in closer to Harry. "It doesn't feel like a party."

"I know what you mean." Harry tugged at the tie around his neck.

George had insisted that everyone dress up. He wanted Fred's send-off to be monumental and fun. He had warned anyone who might feel like crying, that they would be escorted to the nearest portkey that would take them straight to Marvel Sepsist's kitchen. Marvel Sepsist had opened a restaurant and proudly offered plain food that was good for the soul. He believed, and was encouraged by a few, that now Voldemort was gone, it was important to go back to basics. To start over as it were. Rat stew was on his menu, as was 'Nine Tail Dumplings', 'Clippings and Fluff and Stuff' and his famous Froth Cups; Waxy and Wormy, Cheesy, Droppings Delight and Fish Tail Surprise.

No one in their right mind wanted to experience the hell of Marvel Sepsist's kitchen.

"Alright Harry?" Ron had finally managed to disentangle himself from his great Aunt Muriel.

Hermione blushed. "He's fine Ron, aren't you Harry?"

Harry offered Ron a weak smile. "How are you holding up?" he asked.

Ron shrugged. "You know. It's all a bit weird. Mum keeps crying and laughing at the same time. I think she's lost the plot."

"Look who's just walked in." Harry and Ron looked to where Hermione was staring. Professor McGonagall was standing there in a dark blue dress. She looked somewhat regal. She looked around the room and when her eyes found Harry, she smiled. Then she glanced at Hermione and Ron and inclined her head.

But Harry wasn't looking at Professor McGonagall; behind her, partially hidden from their view, was a wizard with a lot of long, grey hair. Harry's heart caught in his throat for a moment and then he felt a hand on his arm.

"It's Aberforth, Harry."

"I know it is." Harry laughed nervously and he pretended not to see the worried glance Hermione directed at Ron.

Aberforth Dumbledore stepped out from beside Professor McGonagall and he too, looked around the room, but Harry turned away. He gritted his teeth. This was what it would be like now. People wanting to stare at him. He could tell most people were in awe of him, but there were others too, who looked at him as if he was under a microscope.

"Luna! Neville!"

Hermione's face lit up and Harry tried to relax. He may not want to be there, but he had to keep smiling. For everybody's sake.

Hermione hugged Neville and then Luna.

"Thanks for coming," Ron said.

"Wouldn't have missed it," Neville said patting Ron on the shoulder.

"Hello Ron, Hermione," Luna said. "This is a lovely celebration of your brother's life, Ron," she said. She smiled serenely. She was dressed, head to foot in yellow. She turned to Harry. "Harry," she said. She took his hand. It was an intimate gesture and it surprised Harry, but he felt the kindness of her touch.

"This must be unbearable for you, I imagine," she said quietly, dropping his hand.

"What do you mean?" Harry looked at Ron, but he and Hermione were talking to Neville. "Much worse for his family."

Luna smiled at him. "I don't mean that, silly." She tilted her head to one side and appraised him. "I can see how troubled you are. You must be eaten up by guilt." She touched his face where his new scar was hidden. "I imagine you feel alone and wished you had died instead of Fred and the others."

Harry stared at Luna, then he nodded.

"I'm sorry, Harry," she said. "I wish there was something I could do to help."

"What does he need help with?" Ginny suddenly appeared. She took Harry's hand. "I can help," she said. Harry laughed and squeezed her fingers.

"Nothing," he said. He smiled at Luna. "Thank you," he said to her.

Luna turned to Neville and took his hand. Harry saw Neville blush. He was glad they had found each other. Ron and Hermione seemed happy too. And then there was Ginny. He looked at her. She was watching him, troubled.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"People keep asking me that," he said.

Ginny let got of his hand. "I didn't think I was people, Harry," she said.

"I didn't mean that…" Harry ran his fingers through his hair. It was getting too long. He hated how thick it felt underneath his fingertips. "I'm sorry," he said. He didn't know what else to say.

Ginny nodded slightly. "I need to go and mingle," she said. She kissed Harry's cheek. "I'll wait for you," she whispered. "No matter how long it takes."

She walked away and Harry's heart ached. She was dressed in a red dress and she looked stunning, but something stopped him going after her.

There was the sound of metal clinking against a glass and Mr Weasley was suddenly head and shoulders above everyone else. He was standing on a platform in front of his son's face, holding a glass and a spoon. He looked around sombrely for a moment, and then he smiled and took a deep breath.

"Fred would have hated this," he said. There was a spattering of laughter. "We knew he would, but he would have also known how much we needed to do this. We needed to see you all. Our friends and family, and share with you, the life of our son…" he stopped for a moment and looked down. Harry saw his chest heaving.

"We all feel his loss. Some of us more than others, but he touched you all. He made it his business to smile at everyone of you. He winked. He laughed. He made us laugh. He told stories. He listened. He loved. He was…" He paused again and this time, the silence was longer. A tear rolled down his cheek. He brushed it away and then smiled. There was agony on his face.

"He was one of a kind," he said. He drew a deep, shaky breath. "I'm not ashamed," he said brokenly. "To cry over the loss of my son, but I don't want another second lost to the dark cloud we have all been under for many years." Harry couldn't be certain, but he felt as if Mr Weasley sought him out. "We have all lost people, but thanks to the bravery and courage of a few, the rest of us have futures to look forward to."

His eyes roved around the room again.

"I'm going to be a grandpa," he said. A cheer went up and Harry saw someone clasping Bill's hand. "I have my other sons. My lovely daughter," he smiled and blew a kiss. "And my even lovelier wife." Another cheer went up and his eyes once again sought out Harry. "My family," he said quietly.

"Get on with it, Dad." There was more laughter and someone, Aunt Muriel, Harry thought, tutted loudly in disgust.

Mr Weasley laughed. "Sorry George," he said. He raised his glass high above his head. "To our son. Our brother and to our friend. To Fred."

There were choruses of "To Fred", followed by clapping and then George leapt upon the platform his dad was still standing on. He put an arm around him.

"I just wanted to say, Dad was right, Fred would have hated all this melancholy stuff, so without further ado…" He lifted his wand high in the sky and a multi-coloured swirl erupted from the end. The violet sky broke apart as the jets of colour spiralled and sparkled and then began to explode.

People began to cheer. George leapt down from the platform and Harry heard him shout. 'That's more like it, Freddie'.

Fireworks exploded from the jets of light and every colour rained down upon the assembled heads. The fireflies, outnumbered and with the enchantment spells wearing off, scattered.

And then from somewhere, music began to play.

Harry smiled and allowed Mrs Weasley to hug him. Several times. He danced with Ginny and kissed her gently on the lips. Told her he was sorry for being distant. Told her he just needed time. More time. And then he walked away from the music and the noise. Away from his friends and those that wanted to be his family and he had never felt more alone.