Chapter Eighteen

A Wizard Funeral

"It's really him!"

"He's got the scar and everything."

"I thought Fred and George were lying."

"Why'd you think that? Even Uncle Arthur said it was true, that Harry Potter's friends with old Ronnie!"

Harry opened his eyes slowly. Five children, unmistakably Weasleys, crowded around his bed, staring at him in awe.

"What're you lot doing up here? Get out of my room, you bloody gits!" The children squealed as Ron shooed them out of his room, slamming the door behind them. He gave Harry a lopsided smile. "Sorry, mate. My cousins. Tried to keep 'em out, but I had to help Dad for a bit …" He trailed off. "Well, ready to meet everyone?"

After Harry had dressed and tried to make his hair presentable, he and Ron descended the stairs to the kitchen. "I didn't realize everyone was coming today," he said.

"Mum and Dad didn't, either. And it's not everyone, mate, just Mum's sister and Dad's brothers and their spawn." Ron ripped his hand from the banister and looked at it in horror. "Ugh, boogers. Must be Ian's. He's had his finger in his nose since he got here."

Harry had never felt so nervous. As anxious as he was to meet the Weasleys' family, doing so under these circumstances wasn't entirely pleasant. And, judging from the boogers on Ron's hand, he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to meet all the Weasleys.

Two girls, both about ten, sat in the living room knitting. They looked up as Harry and Ron came downstairs. They stared at Harry's forehead for a moment and then looked at each other, bursting into giggles. Ron rolled his eyes. He pointed to the small, pale brunette. "Thomasina Black," he said. He noticed Harry's surprise. "Her granddad's a Squib," he whispered. "Kicked out of the family long ago, before Sirius was even born, I think." He pointed to the red haired girl. Like Charlie, her freckles were so many that they nearly made her pale complexion seem tan. "Kathleen Weasley, my uncle Edward's daughter. She's got three brothers, Peter, Hugh, and Ian, all younger. Kathleen and Thomasina are starting Hogwarts next year. Come on, I bet Mum's waiting for us in the kitchen. Breakfast has been sitting out forever."

Mrs. Weasley was sitting at the kitchen table with a large mug of tea as two woman fussed over her. Both were short and plump like Mrs. Weasley. The younger of the two had sleek auburn hair and was wearing a smart blue suit. The older woman had her graying hair tied in a neat bun and her round glasses sat carefully on her nose. Mrs. Weasley was trying to get up.

"Now Molly," the older woman clucked. "This is a terrible tragedy, we're all suffering greatly, but you most of all! Let us take care of you, dear, and until we leave you will not lift a finger, do you understand? Maggie, that dear girl who was here this morning, what was her name? O'This or McThat, something of that sort. Anyway, she said Molly would hardly let her do a thing yesterday, and the poor girl, her cousin in the hospital, was so gracious to offer! Molly, you ought to take help when it's offered, especially under such—"

"Ron, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley had finally noticed the boys standing in the doorway.

"Morning, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, eyeing the two strange woman warily.

"Harry Potter!" the older woman cooed. "Oh, it's an honor to finally meet you!" She grabbed him into a tight embrace. "Charlotta Prewett, though of course you'll call me Nana; Molly tells me you're practically another son to her!" She finally released him, only to have the other woman swoop in and hug him even harder.

"You poor dear, I suppose this is all too familiar for you, having seen so much tragedy in your life!" she moaned.

"Now, Maggie," Mrs. Weasley said sharply. "Harry's never been through this, much too young to remember. Dear boy's fortunate in that, if you ask me. Now, let him go, he needs to eat."

Released, Harry sat down and began inhaling his breakfast. "This is my sister, by the way, Harry. Maggie Black."

"Harry's just met Thomasina and Kathleen," Ron said. "And the boys woke him this morning."

"Well, I'll have a word with them," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Oh, don't you dare," Maggie Black insisted. In a second, she was hollering as she walked outside, "Edgar Black! Peter, Hugh, Ian, and Rupert Weasley! Don't go bothering poor Harry Potter …!"

"Mum, would you go see that Louise and Iris are all right with the wash. You know, never mind, I'll—"

"You will not," Mrs. Prewett said firmly. "Sit down, Molly, and have more tea. I'll go check on them."

As soon as her mother left the room, Mrs. Weasley jumped up. "I have to clean this kitchen," she muttered to herself, frantically setting the dishes and pans to wash themselves as she began scrubbing the counters. "Driving me bonkers, they are, and not doing a lick of good …"

Ron raised his eyebrows at Harry. "The good thing about this lot being here," he whispered. "Is that Mum's too annoyed with them fussing over her to think about Percy."

Percy. Harry had almost forgotten for a second why everyone was here, and now he felt guilty. He watched Ron eat his breakfast and wondered what his best friend could possibly be thinking. Certainly, he was more torn up about Percy's death than he was letting on. Harry resolved to talk to Hermione. He didn't think Ron would tell her anything that he wouldn't tell Harry, but she was much better at reading people than Harry was. Except …

No. Harry didn't know how to use Legilimency, at least not intentionally. And besides, he wouldn't spy on his best friend that way. Still … the idea was intriguing.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of Weasleys. Harry met Mr. Weasley's three brothers, including Uncle Bilius, who, according to Ron, had died after seeing the Grim. "No, no, I'm fine," Uncle Bilius chuckled as Hermione gave Ron an annoyed look that plainly said, "You didn't know your own uncle was alive?" Uncle Bilius was clearly Fred and George's favorite relative, their inspiration for mayhem. He'd started the Grim rumor himself before disappearing to the Virgin Islands for several years, just before Ron entered Hogwarts.

Harry was most excited to meet Uncle Daniel, Aunt Maggie's husband. But, as Ron said, Uncle Daniel's Squib father had long been kicked out of the Black family. Uncle Daniel was a Muggle and didn't know any of his father's relatives and would in fact be meeting his cousin Andromeda for the first time at Percy's funeral. "Not a terribly good way to meet long-lost relatives," he said sadly. But, Harry would find, Uncle Daniel said everything sadly. He was a terribly meek, miserable man, and his wife's fussing only seemed to make him more miserable.

When Harry and Ron went to bed that night, Rupert Weasley and Edgar Black were sleeping on magicked cots between their beds, so they couldn't discuss any sort of Order business. And now that Harry was no longer being bombarded by strangers, he could think clearly and was starting to remember his thoughts about Percy and Fudge from the night before. Just when he was about to ask Ron to go outside so they could talk privately, he heard snoring from the far side of the room. Deflated, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

"That Thomasina … I know she's your cousin, but honestly!" Hermione ripped into a piece of toast. "I've never met such an insufferable know-it-all …"

Ron gave her a look. Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "At least I've got a personality," she huffed. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Harry played with his fork, and Ginny seemed fascinated by her eggs.

"How's your mum?" Hermione finally said.

"Nana's driven her completely mad, I think," Ginny said. "But besides that, she's still, well …"

"Not exactly right," Fred said, yawning as he entered the kitchen. "She was in Perce's room last night, looking through his things and crying. George and I walked by after everyone else went to bed."

"Oh? And what were you two doing up then?" Hermione asked.

Fred and George exchanged looks. They sat down and leaned inward. "We were tweaking some new prototypes when a black bird landed on our windowsill and looked in, then flew away. We know it was Tabitha. She must've thought Charlie was in there."

"Thing is," George continued. "She had something in her mouth, a piece of parchment. It was the Marauder's Map, but we knew that Harry had that."

"No, she took it from me," Harry said. "The Order needs it for something, but she said I'd be getting it back at Christmas."

"Well, naturally we went to Charlie's room to eavesdrop," Fred continued. "That's when we passed Mum in Percy's room. Oy, George, pass the bangers."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stared at the twins, who continued eating without speaking.

"Well?" Ron finally sputtered.

"Well what?" George said, his mouth full of sausage.

"Charlie and Tabitha?"

"Oh, did you want to hear the rest?"

"Fred!"

"George!"

"All right, all right, George, we may as well tell them," Fred sighed.

"We didn't hear anything," George said sadly.

"Bollocks, what did you hear?" Ron demanded.

"Honestly," Fred insisted. "It must have been something important, otherwise Charlie wouldn't've blocked his door from eavesdroppers."

"Maybe it was just private," Hermione suggested.

"Nope. When Tabitha flew into our room, it seemed urgent. And she didn't stay long. We heard her flying away a few minutes later."

"You don't think," Ginny said softly. Everyone looked at her. Eyes wide open, lip trembling, she said, "You don't think Tonks died, do you?"

Fred's shoulders slumped. "Hadn't thought of that. I sure hope not."

A minute later, Tabitha stormed into the kitchen, Charlie at her heels. "I can't believe you," she seethed, brushing angry tears from her eyes. Noticing her students, she stopped. "Oh, good morning, everyone."

"Tabitha, is Tonks okay?" Hermione asked urgently.

Tabitha looked a bit taken aback. "Actually, she's quite well. She woke up last night; I was with her all night." Everyone looked at each other quickly, wondering just what Charlie and Tabitha had been doing with the map last night.

Tabitha shoved past Charlie and joined them at the table. "How are you all doing?" she asked. "It's going to be a very hard day. Are you all well? Ginny, you look a bit pale." Ginny shrugged. Tabitha forced an encouraging smile. "Well. Girls, why don't you help me tidy up a bit? We have a lot of food to prepare for this afternoon, might as well do it in a clean kitchen. Come on, before your aunts and your grandmothers rush in here and try to take my job." She glared at Charlie and spat, "But no, they shouldn't try to take my job, as they're all quite frightened of me!"

"Tabs …"

Tabitha turned her back to him and marched to the sink. Ginny and Hermione followed her quietly.

Charlie buried his face in his hands as he joined Harry and his brothers at the table. "If you ever get married," he said quietly. "Don't."

"Don't what?" Ron asked stupidly.

"Get married, you git," Fred replied.

"Charlie, why don't you just tell everyone that you're married?" George said. "It's the sensible thing to do, mate."

"Oh, yes, Nana, Pop, you remember Bellatrix Lestrange, the Death Eater who killed your sons? Well, guess who I've married!"

"But Charlie, no one's got anything against Uncle Daniel …"

"Uncle Daniel's father did not betray the Potters and murder Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles," Charlie said shortly.

"Neither did Sirius," Harry said. "And The Daily Prophet's even been saying …"

Charlie clenched his jaw. "Not any more, Harry." He pulled a copy of the newspaper from his back pocket and handed it to Harry.

Ron looked over Harry's shoulder as he read the front page aloud. "'Sirius Black Suspected in Ministry Attack?'" Harry gaped at Charlie. "But …"

"Keep reading, mate."

Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge announced today that

Sirius Black is the prime suspect in the recent attack on the

Ministry of Magic, which, at last count, has left eighteen

dead and thirteen seriously injured, including Black's cousin,

Auror Nymphadora Tonks. The Daily Prophet has been

reporting that the Ministry will reopen Black's fifteen-year-

old murder case for further investigation, but Fudge says that

is no longer true. "The truth is," Fudge says. "Black's case

does not warrant reopening. We only have the word of Albus

Dumbledore and Harry Potter to go on, and that has proven

to be no good." Fudge went on to say that Dumbledore and

Potter's claims about the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-

Named appear to be false. "We did begin to believe them,

unfortunately. But as of this date, the Ministry has not found

one solid piece of evidence supporting the return of You-Know-

Who." Fudge speculates that Black has been rallying forces,

which may include Hogwarts' headmaster Dumbledore and the

boy-who-lived Potter. "Black certainly learned terrible things

from Who-Know-Who," Fudge says. "If Albus Dumbledore and

the Potter boy are not following him of their own free will, they

may very well be under the Imperius Curse." However, Fudge

admits that the Ministry cannot give solid evidence of an alliance

between Black and his alleged servants, and that their claims of

his innocence may be nothing more than wishful thinking.

Before Black entered He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's service,

he was close to Dumbledore and is the godfather of Potter.

Minister Fudge, believed to be the main target of the attack,

does not believe Dumbledore or Potter was involved in the

attack at the Ministry, but he has named one possible accomplice.

Black's daughter, Tabitha McNoira, who altered her surname

shortly after her father's imprisonment in Azkaban, has been

spotted around England and Scotland since July. She has

lived out of the country since graduating from Hogwarts, and

Fudge speculates that she has been harboring Black since his

escape from Azkaban three years ago. Miss McNoira has been

teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts since

September. Fudge has not commented on whether the Ministry

will remove her from her post.

Charlie sighed. "The whole family is buzzing against Tabitha right now," he murmured. "Insisting that Mum and Dad toss her out before Sirius shows up and finishes us all off. And they're about ready to pounce on Harry and Dumbledore to 'knock some sense into you.' They'll believe anything The Prophet tells them, even if it contradicts everything else that's been said for months. They're going to beg Dumbledore to sack Tabitha, and I don't doubt that quite a lot of parents will be asking the same thing after seeing this rubbish."

"But," Ron, who'd just finished the article, sputtered. "Don't they know it was the Death Eaters who attacked the Ministry?"

"Of course they do," Harry said evenly. "But as Fudge is aligned with Voldemort, he wouldn't admit that, would he?"

Charlie sighed again. "Harry, we haven't got any information that Fudge and You—"

"Of course we do," Harry said. "I've been thinking about it since the other night. What could Percy possibly have to show your father? It had to have been something connecting Fudge to Voldemort; that's why he and Fudge had a falling out. After Fudge announced that he believed Dumbledore, Voldemort must've gotten a hold on him, and Percy found out. It would have been easy for Fudge to make it seem like they were arguing over whether Voldemort was back, when really they were arguing about Fudge joining him. Who knows, maybe he tried to get Percy to join, too. And he probably modified Percy's memory when it was all over—"

"But somehow, Perce remembered and realized he had to show Dad," Charlie finished. "Brilliant, Harry."

"And someone knew. Maybe Fudge, probably Fudge. He found out somehow, and arranged with Voldemort to have the Ministry attacked. That's why the attack was based around Fudge's office, so Fudge can make it seem like he was the target."

"Harry, you've got to bring this up at the next Order meeting," Charlie said. "It's set for tomorrow night. We were going to discuss the attack, and this, well, this could very well be the answer we'd've been looking for. Oy, Perce." Charlie shook his head. "And to think, this whole time we thought he'd turned his back on us." He looked at Tabitha, who was furiously preparing food as Hermione and Ginny tidied up. "I hear the aunties coming," he said. "Best go protect my wife before they throw her out of the house."

Fred and George Disapparated quickly, admitting they were not keen on their aunts fussing over them just then, leaving Harry and Ron alone at the table.

Ron was very silent as his aunts burst into the kitchen. He and Harry were passed from woman to woman for hugs and kisses and pitiful sympathies and intrigued mistrust (aimed at Harry, who they'd heard was a wonderful boy, but The Daily Prophet was saying differently).

Harry and Ron spent much of the day in Ron's room, avoiding relatives. Ron remained very quiet. After dinner, they were sent up to change for the service.

Harry slipped on his freshly-laundered black robe, but Ron stopped him. "Wizards wear green, mate," he said, tossing Harry a brand-new green robe. "My grandmother bought them all for us. We haven't been to a proper wizard funeral in ages."

"Why green?" Harry asked as he dressed.

"When a wizard is cremated, the flame of the fire turns a really brilliant shade of green. Wearing the color connects us to the dead or something like that. Harry …" Ron paused.

"What is it, Ron?"

"D'you … d'you think I'm a horrible git? For being so awful about Percy, when … when he was just trying to help us?"

"No! Ron, we didn't know. You had every right to be angry with him. It's quite all right, really."

"He was a prat, you know," Ron sniffled. "But he stood up for me a lot, when Fred and George would pick on me. And he always thought I'd do well, even when no one else did. And remember the Triwizard Tournament, when he thought I'd drowned? He was right happy when I was okay …"

"S'all right, Ron." Harry watched him for a moment before taking him into an awkward hug.

"Thanks, Harry." Ron's face was very pale and his eyes red, but he didn't look as if he were going to cry.

"Come on, I'm sure everyone's downstairs already," Harry said gently.

Harry was surprised at the number of people in the Weasleys' backyard. Mr. Weasley's brothers and their wives and children were there, of course, as were his parents and even his grandfather, Charles Nigellus. Of his Black cousins, only Andromeda Tonks and her husband came, which was all anyone expected, anyway. Mrs. Weasley's sister and her family were there, as well as her parents and her grandparents, Andrew and Camille Prewett. Also there were Mrs. Weasley's accountant cousin (a Squib), his Muggle wife, and their daughter Mafalda, who would be entering Hogwarts the following year. Dumbledore and many of the Hogwarts professors were present, even Snape. Harry saw Amelia Bones, a member of the Wizengamot (the wizard court Harry had had to appear before last summer), as well as many of Percy's former schoolmates, including his old girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater. She was sobbing quietly into the shoulder of a young man Harry recognized as a former Gryffindor, but whose name escaped him. Bill's girlfriend Fleur Delacour was standing off to a side by herself. Harry caught the eye of his old Quidditch captain, Oliver Wood, who gave him a solemn nod. Several members of the Order were there, including Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody, and Arabella Figg. Harry stood with Hermione and Tabitha.

The Weasleys were standing in a semi-circle around a simple wooden casket. Ron stood by Charlie's side, grasping his hand. Ron looked much worse than he had before he and Harry let his bedroom. An old, stooped man with a lame leg and deep-set eyes hobbled to the casket. Harry presumed him to be Mr. Thanatos.

The sun had just begun to set as Mr. Thanatos spoke, "Percy Ignatius Weasley was a bright young man." Harry was surprised to hear a deep, calm, even melodic voice resonating from the old man. "I am proud to say that I knew him for many years, having been a good friend to Arthur and Molly. While there may have been recent tension between Percy and his family, it seemed ready to end. Family has always been the most important thing to the Weasleys, but Percy realized that all too late." Mrs. Weasley, who had been composing herself rather well, fell apart in Mr. Weasley's arms. Bill already had a sobbing Ginny wrapped in his arms. "It is a tragedy to this family, and to the wizarding world, to have lost Percy. He had great ambition and would have been a great wizard one day." Mr. Thanatos continued on for some time, but Harry's ears had started buzzing as he imagined what Sirius' funeral would have looked like, what could have been said for him.

After a while, Mr. Thanatos tapped the casket three times with his wand. On the third tap, a small red flower appeared. He laid it at the base of the casket and hobbled into the crowd.

Dumbledore took Mr. Thanatos' place. Harry saw Professor McGonagall dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief as Hagrid wiped his eyes furiously. Dumbledore looked over at Ron and gave his a solemn, supportive smile. Hermione clutched Harry's hand as they watched Ron's lip tremble and his chin quiver, finally allowing tears to flow freely down his cheeks. Hermione buried her soaking face into Harry's arm and cried loudly. Harry held her close, watching Charlie hug Ron protectively, allowing him to cry into his shoulder. To Harry's surprise, even Fred and George were leaning on each other for support, each unable to stand on his own. Tabitha put a hand on both Harry and Hermione's shoulders.

"I will not say too much," Dumbledore began quietly. "We all knew Percy. We know he was smart, ambitious, and cared deeply about his family, even if he didn't always show it. I am sorry that such a fine young man has left this world when it was certainly the better time for an old man like me to go. But while this is Percy's day, I ask that none of us forget that seventeen others lost their lives with him, and many more will follow as Lord Voldemort gains power." A soft murmuring broke out within the crowd. Dumbledore held up his hand, effectively silencing them all. "I know this is not the time to start an argument, but we must recognize Percy's death as it happened. Whether or not you believe that Lord Voldemort is back, I ask that you lower your heads in silence for Percy's fellow victims, as well as for the victims who are sure to come and—" Dumbledore glanced first at Harry, then at Tabitha. "for the victims who have been claimed but not formally recognized." Though another soft murmuring broke out at this odd remark, the crowd was soon deathly quiet. Harry silently thanked Dumbledore for providing what would probably be the closest thing Sirius got to a funeral.

After a minute, Dumbledore tapped the casket three times with his wand. He placed his gold flower on the ground, beside Mr. Thanatos' red flower.

Mr. Weasley stepped forward. "Thank you all for coming here to remember Percy," he choked out. Without another word, he also tapped the casket three times. Mrs. Weasley followed, their children and Tabitha after her. Soon, the crowd was lining up to tap the casket. The few nonmagical people present merely placed a hand on the casket and seemed to say a prayer before stepping away. Harry didn't know the spell they were supposed to use to make the flowers appear, but a flower appeared after just the three taps on the casket. He added the bud to the growing pile of red and gold.

When everyone had visited the casket, Mr. Thanatos stepped forward again. He tapped it once with his wand, and in an instant, a short, gleaming green flame enveloped the it and the pile of flowers. They watched as the flame quickly ate up everything, leaving only a pile of glowing ashes and a wispy cloud of smoke that disappeared into the dark night sky.