Chapter 5: Remembrance
Angelina Weasley made all the necessary arrangements to carry out Katie's last wish. Harry had requested she handle it because he was attempting to limit contact with Dumbledore and others until absolutely necessary. Angelina normally would have argued with him but given recent events she understood exactly why he did not wish to handle them himself. Katie's body had been preserved magically and encased in her magical casket. When it was time to depart, Harry carried his son to the living room where he handed him to Angelina. The Trio then held on to the casket, which was also the Portkey to their destination. When the time arrived the Portkey transported them back to Hogwarts.
Katie's only living relatives were her mother and younger sister Cassandra who were awaiting Angelina and Katie's Husband's arrival. The Bell's were shocked when Angelina had called and informed them of Katie's death. They were ever more so that she was married. Per Harry's request she was not to tell them about James though. Upon their arrival the Bell's noticed Angelina clutching a baby that held a striking resemblance to Katie. It was then that they noticed Harry Potter. Taking his son in his arms, he informed them that he was in fact Katie's husband and that this was their son, James Sirius Potter. The two women almost passed out at this realization.
The Bells had disowned Katie for the most part when she was dating Dylan, never trusting him for a moment. Her family tried numerous times to convince her that Dylan wasn't right for her. When she refused to listen to reason they told her to leave. Katie had meant to get in touch with her family after her marriage to Harry, but the opportunity never presented itself.
Harry informed Cassandra and Mrs. Bell that Katie's only regret at the end was that she would never be able to apologize to them in person. Looking at the baby, Mrs. Bell could tell this was her eldest daughter's son. Save the eyes and the strawberry blondish hair his resemblance to Katie was amazing.
Fred, George, Percy, and Ron Weasley were standing away from the Bell's to allow them time with Katie's husband. They were to be the pallbearers and were extremely shocked when they realized that Harry was Katie's husband. Angelina cut the boys off before they could utter a word. "Later." she told her husband and brother-in-laws. They simply nodded their heads.
The four Weasleys carried the casket of Katie Potter to the resting spot Dumbledore had arranged for the girl. Harry was shocked to see a fairly large turn out. All of their old teammates were present, many of Katie's Gryffindor classmates and several others that Harry didn't' recognize.
All were staring at Harry as he, Cassandra Bell, and Mrs. Bell clutching baby James Potter sat. The vicar gave an elegant sermon that touched all those in attendance. Harry insisted that Cassandra and Katie's mum give their words first. Mrs. Bell relinquished her hold on James to her daughter long enough to say a few words for her dear departed daughter.
Cassandra, handing James back to her mum managed to tell those gathered a few quick happy memories before she could no longer continue. Crying, she walked back to her seat next to her mother and brother-in-law. It was Harry Potter's turn to speak. He stood before the gathering and, gazing out at them began his remembrance.
"Katie and I met here at Hogwarts when I was appointed seeker for the Gryffindor team. We never really talked much during those early years, usually because by the time Oliver Wood was done drilling us we didn't want to see each other again until the next practice." This earned him some laughs.
"It wasn't until recently that Katie and I met again. I had just graduated Hogwarts and was on an assignment to deliver a message in Romania. I won't bore you with the details other than to say that we literally, ran into each other again at a most opportune time." Harry said.
"She had just ended a rather volatile relationship and I was equally alone at the time. She decided to accompany me to the United States where we lived together for a short time before we decided to get married. I didn't think we could be any happier until we got the word that we would be having a baby." Harry noticed that Ginny Weasley, who was in attendance, was crying rather hard when he saw her.
"A short time later we learned that she was dying from an illness that she had contracted in Romania. It had seeped into her system and was slowly draining the life from her."
There were a few murmurs from the crowd.
"Now you might think, why is he telling us this? Its very sad. The reason is this, even knowing what was happening to her Katie never lost her love of life. She didn't feel cheated, she didn't lose her composure, and she didn't blame the world for her situation. She simply smiled, loved her family and lived her life everyday to the fullest." Harry told the crowd.
"She showed more courage to me in that time than I could ever mustered fighting Lord Voldermort. Even when her strength wavered, she never gave up, as Angelina will attest to. Katie was strong until the very end and when she finally passed on, she left saying I love you all." Harry told them, tears falling from his face.
"I'm a better person for having known her, and will miss her dearly." Harry said and then sat down. Mrs. Bell kissed Harry on the cheek and handed him back his son.
Angelina, Fred, and George Weasley each gave parting words to Katie, as did Alicia and Oliver Wood. When the casket was lowered into the ground letters magically appeared on her tombstone.
Katherine Potter
1978 - 2000
Beloved Wife and Mother
The vicar then concluded the service and the ground magically restored itself. Harry placed two red roses in front of Katie's tombstone and then left to go join his in-laws.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
The Bells, Weasleys, and Professor Dumbledore were currently sitting in the Room of Requirements while Harry fed James and told them the full story of the events in Romania. It came as no surprise to Mrs. Bell or her daughter the kind of man Dylan turned out to be. Harry then gave them the details of the illness that Katie had contracted, how it was discovered too late and that even phoenix tears had proven incapable of curing the disease. The illness was vampiric in nature, thus was incurable. Dumbledore inquired about James' health. Harry told them, much to the two Bell's relief, that James was not affected by the illness at all.
"Mrs. Bell, I realize that you and your daughter have just been dealt a very bad hand. You've lost most of your family in the war, and now your eldest daughter. I want you to know that I will be moving back to England and that you can call me anytime to see your grandson."
Mrs. Bell thanked Harry.
"If you like, you can have him tonight, so he can get a chance to get to know you and his aunt better." Harry offered.
Cassandra Bell immediately accepted the offer for her mother. Mrs. Bell thanked Harry again. Angelina handed the two women the baby bag and escorted them to the fireplace. She told Fred that she was going to help them get situated with the baby and then she would join him at home.
Dumbledore excused himself and said he would be available for Harry to find at his leisure. He said the password was "Chocolate Frogs."
Harry then turned his attention to the Weasleys in attendance.
Angelina Weasley made all the necessary arrangements to carry out Katie's last wish. Harry had requested she handle it because he was attempting to limit contact with Dumbledore and others until absolutely necessary. Angelina normally would have argued with him but given recent events she understood exactly why he did not wish to handle them himself. Katie's body had been preserved magically and encased in her magical casket. When it was time to depart, Harry carried his son to the living room where he handed him to Angelina. The Trio then held on to the casket, which was also the Portkey to their destination. When the time arrived the Portkey transported them back to Hogwarts.
Katie's only living relatives were her mother and younger sister Cassandra who were awaiting Angelina and Katie's Husband's arrival. The Bell's were shocked when Angelina had called and informed them of Katie's death. They were ever more so that she was married. Per Harry's request she was not to tell them about James though. Upon their arrival the Bell's noticed Angelina clutching a baby that held a striking resemblance to Katie. It was then that they noticed Harry Potter. Taking his son in his arms, he informed them that he was in fact Katie's husband and that this was their son, James Sirius Potter. The two women almost passed out at this realization.
The Bells had disowned Katie for the most part when she was dating Dylan, never trusting him for a moment. Her family tried numerous times to convince her that Dylan wasn't right for her. When she refused to listen to reason they told her to leave. Katie had meant to get in touch with her family after her marriage to Harry, but the opportunity never presented itself.
Harry informed Cassandra and Mrs. Bell that Katie's only regret at the end was that she would never be able to apologize to them in person. Looking at the baby, Mrs. Bell could tell this was her eldest daughter's son. Save the eyes and the strawberry blondish hair his resemblance to Katie was amazing.
Fred, George, Percy, and Ron Weasley were standing away from the Bell's to allow them time with Katie's husband. They were to be the pallbearers and were extremely shocked when they realized that Harry was Katie's husband. Angelina cut the boys off before they could utter a word. "Later." she told her husband and brother-in-laws. They simply nodded their heads.
The four Weasleys carried the casket of Katie Potter to the resting spot Dumbledore had arranged for the girl. Harry was shocked to see a fairly large turn out. All of their old teammates were present, many of Katie's Gryffindor classmates and several others that Harry didn't' recognize.
All were staring at Harry as he, Cassandra Bell, and Mrs. Bell clutching baby James Potter sat. The vicar gave an elegant sermon that touched all those in attendance. Harry insisted that Cassandra and Katie's mum give their words first. Mrs. Bell relinquished her hold on James to her daughter long enough to say a few words for her dear departed daughter.
Cassandra, handing James back to her mum managed to tell those gathered a few quick happy memories before she could no longer continue. Crying, she walked back to her seat next to her mother and brother-in-law. It was Harry Potter's turn to speak. He stood before the gathering and, gazing out at them began his remembrance.
"Katie and I met here at Hogwarts when I was appointed seeker for the Gryffindor team. We never really talked much during those early years, usually because by the time Oliver Wood was done drilling us we didn't want to see each other again until the next practice." This earned him some laughs.
"It wasn't until recently that Katie and I met again. I had just graduated Hogwarts and was on an assignment to deliver a message in Romania. I won't bore you with the details other than to say that we literally, ran into each other again at a most opportune time." Harry said.
"She had just ended a rather volatile relationship and I was equally alone at the time. She decided to accompany me to the United States where we lived together for a short time before we decided to get married. I didn't think we could be any happier until we got the word that we would be having a baby." Harry noticed that Ginny Weasley, who was in attendance, was crying rather hard when he saw her.
"A short time later we learned that she was dying from an illness that she had contracted in Romania. It had seeped into her system and was slowly draining the life from her."
There were a few murmurs from the crowd.
"Now you might think, why is he telling us this? Its very sad. The reason is this, even knowing what was happening to her Katie never lost her love of life. She didn't feel cheated, she didn't lose her composure, and she didn't blame the world for her situation. She simply smiled, loved her family and lived her life everyday to the fullest." Harry told the crowd.
"She showed more courage to me in that time than I could ever mustered fighting Lord Voldermort. Even when her strength wavered, she never gave up, as Angelina will attest to. Katie was strong until the very end and when she finally passed on, she left saying I love you all." Harry told them, tears falling from his face.
"I'm a better person for having known her, and will miss her dearly." Harry said and then sat down. Mrs. Bell kissed Harry on the cheek and handed him back his son.
Angelina, Fred, and George Weasley each gave parting words to Katie, as did Alicia and Oliver Wood. When the casket was lowered into the ground letters magically appeared on her tombstone.
Katherine Potter
1978 - 2000
Beloved Wife and Mother
The vicar then concluded the service and the ground magically restored itself. Harry placed two red roses in front of Katie's tombstone and then left to go join his in-laws.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
The Bells, Weasleys, and Professor Dumbledore were currently sitting in the Room of Requirements while Harry fed James and told them the full story of the events in Romania. It came as no surprise to Mrs. Bell or her daughter the kind of man Dylan turned out to be. Harry then gave them the details of the illness that Katie had contracted, how it was discovered too late and that even phoenix tears had proven incapable of curing the disease. The illness was vampiric in nature, thus was incurable. Dumbledore inquired about James' health. Harry told them, much to the two Bell's relief, that James was not affected by the illness at all.
"Mrs. Bell, I realize that you and your daughter have just been dealt a very bad hand. You've lost most of your family in the war, and now your eldest daughter. I want you to know that I will be moving back to England and that you can call me anytime to see your grandson."
Mrs. Bell thanked Harry.
"If you like, you can have him tonight, so he can get a chance to get to know you and his aunt better." Harry offered.
Cassandra Bell immediately accepted the offer for her mother. Mrs. Bell thanked Harry again. Angelina handed the two women the baby bag and escorted them to the fireplace. She told Fred that she was going to help them get situated with the baby and then she would join him at home.
Dumbledore excused himself and said he would be available for Harry to find at his leisure. He said the password was "Chocolate Frogs."
Harry then turned his attention to the Weasleys in attendance.