It had been a week since the battle of Hogwarts, yet it felt only like hours, minutes really. Yet the passage in time was marked as a bundle of depressed, normally happy redheads, walked into the burrow. Happiness wasn't the only thing the Weasleys usually were, but were no longer. They also used to be nine, two parents and seven children. Now they are eight. They had just returned from the funeral of Fred Weasley, twin to George Weasley. People had spoken, Freds siblings and friends from Hogwarts. Harry assumed it had been a nice service. Though he had sat in a front row he had blocked the whole thing out. How could he sit there, with the weasleys when it was his fault Fred was dead! Harry thought anger coursing through him.
The somber group made their way into the living room taking seats on comfy sofas and chairs. Harry sat by himself on one of the small arm chairs. Hermione and Ron were huddled together on a couch, Hermione consoling a weeping Ron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley was in a similar position. The other four Weasley brothers sat closely by each other on the largest couch. Ginny was on the floor resting her head by Bill's legs. For the longest time only sobs could be heard. Harry wanted to excuse himself, to run away from the family that must hate him. Still he sat, staring unseeingly into the red embers of the fire. The flames were not unlike the ones in Gryfindor common room where Sirius would pop up from time. The mental image of Hermiones and Rons surprised faces when Sirius had popped into the fire during fifth year came to mind. He couldn't help but let the corner of his mouth twitch into a slight smile. The thought was bittersweet, but Harry savored the sweet part. Fred would've wanted us to smile today, Harry thought. He was blown out of his musings when Charlie's voice came roaring across the room, not unlike the dragons he watched over.
'What the bloody hell are you smiling about!" He yelled. Harry's small smile quickly went away as everyone in the room looked his way. Harry didn't know how to respond, so he stayed silent. Charlie leapt from his spot on the sofa as though Harry's silence was a terrible insult. "I want to know what's so bloody amusing that you could smile after my dead brother's funeral, especially when it's your fault he's gone." Harry's Head fell and he stared into the carpet. Charlie was voicing exactly what Harry thought and feared.
"Charlie! That's too far!" Bill yelled from the couch.
"No, it isn't, look he doesn't even deny it!" Charlie yelled back. Slowly Harry lifted his head from its position. Staring into Charlies murderous eyes he said calmly,
"It is my fault. It's my fault they're all de - dead." His voice faltered on his last word.
"Harry don't say that, it isn't true." Hemrione said, as tears cascaded down her face.
"Yeah mate. And let's say you are right, then it's just as much as me and Hermione's fault too." Ron said.
"No, it isn't!" Harry yelled, pulling at his wild hair in frustration, "It was me he wanted. If I had just gone to him sooner like he wanted they'd all still be here! He wanted me! He's always just wanted me, he told my mother she needn't die, he only wanted me!" Harry looked on the verge of tears.
"How could you know Voldmort said that?" Ginny asked calmly from her spot on the floor.
"It's what I hear when dementors get close. I hear my Mum and Dads final words, I hear Voldemort murder them!"
"Oh, Harry! No one should have to hear that." Miss Weasley said, making to hug him.
"No. Stay away. I've gotten Ron nearly killed too many times too count, Tom abducted Ginny as bait for me, Percy left you guys because of me, Bill nearly got killed because he was protecting me at the school, and Arthur almost died protecting a prophecy about me. And Fred really did die!" Harry ranted, pulling away from Mrs. Weasley. The feelings he had kept inside since the battle burst through Harry's normally strong shield. He nearly ran out the front door. He just had to make it past the tree line where the aperation wards ended and he could flee from the family he had taken so much from. Ron and Hermione were hurrying after him.
"Harry, wait!" He heard Hermione call. After all they had been through, Harry couldn't turn away from them. He turned on hill heals to face them, he was inches away from the border of the wards.
"Charlie didn't mean that, he was just angry." Ron said as Hermione caught her breath from chasing after Harry.
"So!," Harry roared, "Maybe he didn't mean it, but he was right! Or haven't you noticed everybody I care for dies! Anyone I start to get close with Dies! My Mum, My Dad, Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, Hedwig, Mad-eye, Dobby, Remus, Tonks, Collin, and Fred! All dead because of me!" Ron and Hermione stared at Harry, their mouths open. They had never stopped to think of all the people that Harry had lost. "You should hate me Ron! How do you not hate me, I killed your brother?" Harry asked the last part softer.
"How can I not hate you?" Ron asked incredulously, "I can't hate you because you did nothing wrong. You didn't kill Fred, Death Eaters did. I can't hate you because you've saved my life and all of my family's lives at least once. Don't try and argue, we would probably all be dead if you hadn't defeated Voldemort. I can't hate you because I love you like a brother." Ron said this all rather calmly. This is what caused Harry to completely crumble. He fell back against a nearby tree and slid down, coming to rest on the grassy ground. His head resting in his arms. Hermione and Ron each took a spot beside him. Squeezing his hand Hermione said,
"Everythings going to be alright. It's over, it's really over."
After what must've been hours of silently sitting against the old oak tree the three finally came back into the burrow. They quickly passed by the other weasleys, all sitting in the living room, heading straight up to Ron's room. Closing the door behind them they sank onto the floor.
"I guess it really is over." Harry mumbled, closing his eyes and leaning against Ron's bed.
AN: check out the next chapter to find out if Charlie apologizes.
