Percy's funeral was a blur for Hermione. Everyone was still coming to terms with Percy's death. It can never be easy to bury a family member. It was still hard for Hermione to even say those three words, "Percy is dead." She felt if she said it out loud it would only prove how real it really was. She wasn't particularly close with Percy, but she did get along with him. Better than his brothers, anyway. And that was before he started working for the Ministry.
Mr. Weasley walked around with a limp, a souvenir from what happened in the ministry. He left the hospital within a week. He refused to stay in the hospital longer than necessary. He felt it was his fault that Percy was attacked. He blamed himself for not being quicker or stronger to fight off the Death Eater. Mr. Weasley wasn't the only one that felt guilty. It seems like everyone felt guilty for something.
Penelope Clearwater blamed herself for pushing Percy to see Mr. Weasley at the ministry. Mrs. Weasley blamed herself for not trying to mend the rift between Percy and the family sooner. Fred, George, and Ron felt guilty for not getting along with Percy before the attack, even when he came and apologized. Bill and Charlie blamed themselves for not helping Percy. Everyone felt guilty and blamed themselves, but that was normal when someone has an untimely death. There are so many loose ends that aren't finalized.
Sometimes, at night, she would hear Ginny crying in her sleep in the room they shared at the Burrow. Eventually, she stopped sleeping in the bedroom and would go to the family room and sit on the sofa. Hermione knew Harry was down there with Ginny. She knew this because she would spend some nights in Ron's room and Harry's bed was always empty. She never slept there, though. She waited until Ron fell asleep before slipping back into her room. Harry never came back when she left and Ginny was never in her room when Hermione came back. She thinks Ron might be too wound up in Percy's death to even think there's something going on with Harry and Ginny.
Many members of the Order showed up at the very small and quiet service. Percy wasn't the only one that died that day. Many members from the Wizard Law Enforcement and volunteer program the minister put together were killed or badly injured. The Prime Minister, herself, was badly hurt. The Daily Prophet was out of commission for a few days. Turns out some of the editors there were Death Eaters themselves. They fled, along with the other Death Eaters.
After the service, Hermione walked over to Harry, who was standing away from the crowd. She has always been worried about Harry. Voldermort has been after him since he was a baby. But, since coming to Hogwarts, Voldermort has always been one step closer every year. He would have gotten Harry if Dumbledore didn't show up in time and stood in the way last year. She hugged Harry a comforting hug.
"I should have seen this," Harry said staring at Mrs. Weasley crying with Penelope. She was actually planning to leave for France after the service. "I could have stopped this from happening."
"Harry," Hermione said softly. "There's nothing you could have done."
"What's the point of being able to see inside Voldemort's head if I can't use it to save people?"
"You know why! Because Voldermort knows you can see his mind. And he knows how to plant fake images likein the end of fifthyear. Remember? When you thought Sirius-"
"I know," Harry shouted a bit louder than he intended to.
Hermione bashfully looked away. Now was not the time to have Harry angry with her.
"The family doesn't deserve this," Harry finally spoke up. "Not now. Not after Percy is finally getting back with his family. And Penny's pregnant. The child isn't even going to get to know its father."
"I know," Hermione said.
Harry was now looking over Hermione's shoulder at Ginny.
"You should go to her," Hermione said, standing next to Harry, sensing his want to go over there.
"What," Harry said, shaking his head. "Who are you talking about?"
Hermione resisted the temptation to roll her eyes at Harry. He couldn't have been more obvious. Does Harry really think Hermione is that thick? She knew Ginny always fancied Harry, and it would only take a matter of time for him to notice.
"I think you could really use someone to talk to," Hermione said. "And so does she."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked. He obviously knew whom she was talking about. He kept stealing glances at her direction. "I'm talking to you, aren't I?"
"Yes, but-"
"And she's talking to George."
"Harry, you know what I mean. What's been going on between you two? During the summer-"
"Nothing," Harry said quickly.
Hermione knew he was lying. He was hiding something.
"Alright," Hermione said, pretending not to care. "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to."
"Ginny is just trying to be a good friend. That's all," Harry quickly told her. "What about you and Ron?"
Hermione quickly was silenced. She flushed a little thinking of her and Ron, together. She wanted to tell Harry, but she, herself, wasn't quite sure what really is between her and Ron. She also didn't want Harry to know about them, not just yet anyway.
"I saw the two of you in the backyard," Harry said.
Hermione couldn't tell if Harry was happy for them or upset they didn't tell him and he had to find out by catching them together. Ron, however, was able to save that awkward moment. Both Harry and Hermione dropped what they were talking about and try to give Ron some more sympathy.
"Ron," Harry said, taking his friend by the arm. "I don't know what to say. You all have always been like family to me. I felt like I lost a brother, too."
"Thanks," Ron said, " I still can't believe Percy's really gone. And he saved dad's life. I can't believed I called him a prat all these times."
"Ron," Hermione said reaching out to Ron. "You were mad and hurt and angry. You didn't mean them half the time."
"Did I, Hermione?" Ron asked holding her hand. They have never been like this in front of Harry before, and Hermione knew Harry answered the question he asked earlier. "There have been so many times I wished he was dead or something horrible happen to him."
Ron started to form tears and it broke Hermione's heart. She ignored Harry's presence and gave Ron a comforting hug with a kiss on the cheek.
"This isn't your fault," Hermione said. "The person who's responsible is-"
"Voldermort," Harry spoke up.
Hermione and Ron felt a bit uneasy. They both knew that look in Harry's eyes. When Harry's determined to do something, there's no stopping him.
"I'm going to find him, Ron," Harry said. "He took away too many people close to me."
Ron gulped, but then put on a brave and determined look. "I'll come too, mate."
"No, I can't let you get involved," Harry said.
"Well, wheter you like it or not, I am," Ron said. "Percy's my brother. My brothers and dad was also in the ministry when it was attack. And, you're my best friend."
Hermione always knew Ron was loyal and brave. But at that moment, she couldn't fancy him more than right now.
"Well, if you two boys are going on an adventure, " Hermione smiled, "you'll need some supervision. You two can't go by yourselves."
"That's what you're for Hermione," Harry smiled back.
Hermione was relieved that Harry has finally let go of the sole hero image. Before, Harry hear nothing and refused to let them go. He would not allow another situation like the ministry in their fifth year to happen again. But Harry had to understand, it wasn't him that put them in that dangerous situation. They put themselves in that situation. They volunteered to help; they were the ones that knew what they were getting themselves into.
"So, Harry," Ron said, a bit more relaxed now that Harry has agreed to their companionship. "Where do we find this bastard?"
Hermione frowned. Voldermort has been in hiding since the Ministry attacked. There were no clues or direction of where to go.
"The Order knows," Harry said. "And I think Dumbledore has a clue of where we should start."
"But do you think they would just tell you?" Ron asked
"Yes, I do," Harry, said. "It's my destiny after all, right? That's all I've been hearing all summer."
A/N: Well, thanks for everyone for reading my very first fanfic. It was fun while it lasted. The reviews helped alot and made me want to write faster. One more chapter to go and then I'm done. Sorry, I know it's not really a fully good ending. But I had to end it soon. I have to go back to school soon and I won't really have time to do this. I always planned on leaving the story on Christmas. Besides, I don't know where I read it, but I read that fanfics longer than 30 chapters are just too much. lol. And, this is kind of pushing 30. The last chapter should be up before the end of the week. Thanks again.