A/N: This is a really short chapter, but I wanted to get something posted. If you are reading my other WIP, MOM, then you know why I have not updated recently. Another reason why this is short…I wanted to give the funeral proper attention and then be able to move forward with the plot. Things are about to get very interesting…As always, I love it when you review. So let me know what you think!
*Hug* Lady Brannon
Ginny and Draco were sitting at one of the front tables in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Ginny was holding strongly onto Draco's hand underneath the table. She was shaking slightly from the rampant of emotions she was dealing with. Despite it all, she had not cried since waking in the infirmary.
The anti-vampire venom had done its job. The fang marks on her neck were healing nicely and her blood showed no signs of undergoing any vampirical changes. Even so, Madame Pomfrey insisted on checking Ginny's blood twice a day with the Vamp-U-Check blood monitor.
Hermione's parents, with a special charm placed around them to see and visit Hogwarts, were sitting with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Hermione had been their only daughter. They had always supported her in her magical endeavors and now she was dead. Coming to this world had killed Hermione.
Ron had not spoken to anyone but Harry since the day in the infirmary. He had not even cried. Most days, he sat staring into space. Dumbledore had cancelled all classes since then. At least he was not getting behind on his studies.
Currently, Ron and Harry were sitting further down at the same table of the elder Weasleys.
There was a commotion at the large oak doors and Ginny looked up to see what was happening. Professor Dumbledore had entered the room and following him was a processional of all the Hogwart's teachers. At the end of the processional, Professors Snape and McGonagall were magically levitating Hermione's white casket into the large gathering.
Dumbledore entered the room, raised his wand and turned to the left. The teachers followed. Dumbledore began chanting over and over, "Arceo." The group walked entirely around the room to form a magical circle and to complete the spell. The room became a bright green, the color of life. The magical part of the ceremony had begun.
Hermione's casket was lowered to the center of the room. The aura around the casket changed from green to black.
Hermione's funeral would be slightly different from Bill's for one simple reason: the fact that she was born a muggle and her parents wanted to honor that part of her as well as the wizard side. Hermione's parents had everyone's blessing for the choice.
Hermione's father stood up and went to stand beside Dumbledore. With sorrow in his voice, Mr. Granger began the funeral for his only child, "Hermione was my daughter. She was the light of her mother's and my lives. She was our only child and we loved her dearly. When she was eleven, we learned that she was a witch; needless to say, we were shocked. Hermione was not. Her first words, after reading her Hogwart's letter, was, "I read about that a few months ago in a magical book for non-magical people. Most people think it is legend, but I could tell it was true." Her mother and I, with great trepidation, allowed her to find this part of herself. She came home after her first year telling us all about her adventures, her friends and her lessons. Her eyes were brighter than I ever remember them being. She was happy here; thus, I was happy. While this world took our Hermione away from us, she never would have been our Hermione without it. All of you helped shape Hermione into the young lady she had become. I can only hope she has had the same impact on all of your lives."
Choking, trying to hold back his tears, Mr. Granger continued, "Hermione, know that your mother and I love you and miss you. But also know, having met your new friends, we understand you died in the world in which you truly belonged." A tear finally ran down his cheek. Mr. Granger lowered his head and paused. After a few seconds of silence, he raised his head high and proud. A brave smile slowly broke out across Mr. Granger's face and he said with new found energy, "We thank you all for helping Hermione find her true self."
Mr. Granger walked slowly back to the table with his shoulders shaking. When he sat down beside Mrs. Granger, she pulled him into her arms and held him close.
The entire hall, full of students, teachers and visitors, was in tears…even most of the Slytherins.
Dumbledore waited a few moments and began his own tribute, "Miss Granger was one of the brightest students ever to grace these old, stone walls. Her life touched us all and will long be remembered."
He took his wand and pointed it at the casket and continued, "To all present, we call upon the Elements to guide Hermione Granger to peace. Earth, Fire, Wind and Water bring to us your power and your solace."
At the end of this statement, the wind began howling, gusting around the stone castle. The castle seemed to come alive and groaned under the power of the wind. The lake, normally so placid and calm, began tossing and turning like the ocean during a hurricane. It sprayed thousands of liters against the windows in the Great Hall. The ground began harshly shaking under their feet and again the old stone creaked. Last but not least, fire rain began falling to Earth and changed the magically modified ceiling to a massive flame.
The Elements calmed slightly and Dumbledore continued, "Thank you, Elements, for offering your presence to us. You have awed and amazed us again. We thank you for the life that was Hermione Granger. We thank you for the essence you bestowed upon her and humbly ask that you return it to your vastness."
With that said, the white coffin that was holding Hermione's body was levitated off the ground by the forces surrounding the assembled people. The elements moved the coffin about a meter off the floor. Magically, water appeared under the casket. The casket lowered and once it was rocking in the waters, the wind began howling loudly. A bright white light emitted from the coffin and the wind was at peace. Next, fire began pelting the Earth again and the ceiling flared red-orange. A red light emitted from the coffin and the fire was calmed. Then, the Earth started roughly shaking again. A green light emitted from the coffin and the Earth was at peace. Last, the water began thrashing harshly again. A blue light emitted from the coffin and the water was at peace.
"As the Elements are at peace, so too is Hermione Granger. "Pax Pacis" Dumbledore said and lowered his wand. All those gathered answered with, "At peace…"