Bring Me To Life : A Continuation
by I Got Tired of Waiting

Part II : Dearly Departed
All of This Sight, I Can't Believe I Couldn't See

They buried Harry next to Severus. Eight pall-bearers escorted the plain wooden casket as it floated to the grave site on the flawless spring evening: Ron, Remus, Neville, and Seth on one side, Colin, Sinistra, Altus, and Jonas, the oldest Gryffindor Prefect, on the other.

Arabella, Hermione, Dana, and Althea had done the ritual washing of his body the night before and he'd been anointed more with their tears than with water. They'd dressed him as they'd dressed Severus, the heavy brocaded fabric shimmering black with threads of gold and red, the sleeve cuffs encrusted with tiny rubies set in gold... his formal Gryffindor robes as Head of House. They laid his hands loose at his sides, but didn't even attempt to remove the platinum wedding band from his left hand. They gave up, laughing through their tears, of ever trying to straighten his hair; it was as unruly in death as it had been in life.

Hermione lightly traced the scar on his forehead before placing a gentle kiss on it. Last to leave the cold room, she extinguished the lights before closing the door. The click of the lock was final.

They'd chosen the time again at Ron's insistence. While the rest of the staff suspected, only he and Hermione knew just how often Harry and Severus had come to this spot to watch the sunset and sometimes to make love under the stars. Of how Harry had amused Severus here with his little light tricks and the fireworks of which he was so fond. Of how Harry had been able to sit quietly for hours in the velvety shadows, captivated by the silken tones he loved to just listen to. Of how they'd used the safety of the darkness to gain some measure of the freedom they could never have in the sunlight.

Twilight was their time and Ron was adamant they still have it.

In addition to the family and staff who had been there for Severus, Colin insisted the student body from fourth years on up be allowed to attend... excepting the Gryffindors. They'd insisted all be allowed to attend and, out of respect, Colin could find no objection to it and consented graciously.

He allowed no others, though, and set the tone for his tenure when he'd had the reporters, who'd tried to sneak in, sent back to their editors trussed up with apples in their mouths accompanied by a strong admonishment not to do it again. The apples had been Dana's idea, wicked girl.

And so it was that, as the sun set over the Forbidden Forest, Harry Potter was laid to rest with a huge crowd attending. Presiding over the interment, Colin sent a silent message to Dana that Harry, ever the solitary quiet one, would have been amused and astounded by the crowd.

After sunset, when the stars were first making their appearance, they filled the sky with the explosions of all the fireworks Harry had made but never used. Dragons, stars, streamers, whistlers, unicorns, and showers of sparking fire lit the night. Those at the grave and those standing outside the grove were mesmerized and, for the hour it took to set them all off, they forgot themselves and their grief in the wonder of Harry's talent.

Colin used the dark much as Severus had, to hold his love tight and share with her this piece of himself: the little boy who still believed everything was good and fine simply because he believed it so.

What a magnificent gift Harry had left them.

And then it was over. The crowd dispersed, scattering off to their homes and hearths, each one touched by what had happened this night. None would ever forget.

Colin and Dana and those inside the grove were the last to go. Colin looked around at the few people remaining and allowed himself the luxury of grief here in private with people he'd come to care about. Like Harry, he was especially grateful for Remus and Arabella with their constant presence.

As he and Dana turned, last to go back to the castle, Colin noticed the same workmen, leaning on the same shovels, standing by to finish spading and sealing the grave. They'd seen it all before and they really didn't care that Harry Potter, the greatest wizard of all time, was gone. They only wanted to finish their job and then go into Hogsmeade for some Butterbeer before going home to the Missus for their supper and then, if they were very lucky, a little shag.

Colin Longbottom, Headmaster of Hogwarts, smiled ironically knowing Severus and Harry would have heartily approved.

TBC