Chapter 17

Harry heard a tapping at his bedroom window and realized that it must already be morning and that his Daily Prophet was being delivered. Harry tried to sneak out of bed as quiet as could be so that he didn't wake up his beautiful wife.

Harry paid the owl and began to read the front page:

Mourning Minister Black and Welcoming Minister Weasley

Even though our Wizarding World is still mourning the great Minister Sirius Black, we now are welcoming with open arms Minister Arthur Weasley. Minister Black had the Death Curse thrown at him the other day when there was a Death Eater attack at Hogwarts. There is still no answer to who has is Minister Black's murderer.

Question is, can new Minister Weasley live up to the wonderful role that Minister Black did? Minister Black did many great things.

"We do all miss Minister Black, but I think the ministry made a fine choice by electing Minister Weasley. I think Minister Weasley will be able to fit right in Minister Black's shoes." Padma Patil, Seventh Year Hogwarts Student said.

Minister Weasley agrees that he is going to finish the last law that Minister Black was trying to pass. The law stated that if a Werewolf took Wolf's Bane Potion, the Werewolf wasn't dangerous and prejudice would get you a sentence in Azkaban. Many believe that Minister Black started this law because of his late friend Remus Lupin, and as we all know Lupin had been a good friend to Minister Weasley too.

"I think it's a good idea to pass this law, werewolves are people too." Draco Malfoy, Seventh Year Hogwarts student said.

If our future agrees with the new Minister then we at the Daily Prophet welcome Minister Weasley with open arms.

"Ginny, wake up!" Harry yelled shaking her awake, "Ginny! Ginny wake up!"

"What?" Ginny grumbled in her sleep as she tried to roll away from him, "I'm trying to sleep. Saturday morning, Ginny sleep long time."

Harry chuckled, she was so very cute in the mornings. "But love you've got to read this."

"No, later."

"It's about your dad."

"What!" Ginny said sitting up. No matter how much Ginny hated waking up but anytime she heard something about her family…well Ginny was up in a heartbeat.

"Here," Harry said handing Ginny the paper and saw as her eyes got wide.

"My dad…Minister of Magic!" Ginny just looked stunned, "I can't believe this!"

Harry smiled, "I'm glad for your dad, Arthur is defiantly the right man for the job."

"Are you going to be okay?" Ginny asked and Harry knew exactly what Ginny was talking about. Even though today was Saturday, it would be Sirius's funeral. Ginny knew how hard the funeral was going to be for not only Arabella, Harry, Bridget, Susan, and Adora. But it would also be hard for Ron, Draco, and herself as they had all grown to love Sirius. Well Draco might not have grown to love Sirius, but Draco defiantly respected Sirius. Sirius had become like Ron and Ginny's second father and Arabella was their second mother, their home had become their second home. Now they'd never see Papa Sirius alive again…it was too much to take in.

Harry gave Ginny a fake smile, "Yeah. I'll be okay."

Sounded more like Harry was trying to convince himself more than his wife, "You'll get through this Harry." Ginny said about to walk into the Head Bathroom, "We will all get through this."

"I know," Harry nodded looking at Ginny and she couldn't help but smirk…he looked just like a baby.

Ginny instantly began to feel very sick and ran to the restroom.

"Gin!" Harry yelled running after her to the toilet and to see Ginny throw up her dinner from the night before. "Are you alright?"

Ginny sat up from the porcelain throne and wiped her mouth, "I told you there was basil in the chicken last night." Ginny almost growled, "I knew I tasted it."

"Huh?" Harry asked totally lost.

"Remember," Ginny said looking at Harry as he noticed she was paler than usual. "I'm allergic to basil! I'll probably be sick all day now," Ginny groaned.

"I don't remember you telling me you were allergic to anything."

Ginny began to laugh as she stood to her feet, "Are you kidding me! I'm almost allergic to everything! Now move I've defiantly got to take a shower as I smell like vomit now!"

Harry walked out of the restroom to let Ginny take a shower on his own and heard laughing in Adora's room and Harry knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Adora yelled through the solid oak door.

Harry opened the door and was surprised to see Adora and Ron laying on the floor, "What are you guys doing?"

"Goofing around," Ron chuckled.

"I'm taking a shower after Ginny gets out and you guys might want to shower soon too."

"Why?" Adora asked completely oblivious to what today was.

"The funeral today…"

"Oh," Adora blinked. "Yeah…I kind of forgot."

"It's a two today and we're leaving at noon."

"What time is it?" Ron asked.

Harry looked down at his watch and was surprised that he forgot to take it off last night, "Nine thirty. See you guys later," Harry said walking out of the room and joining Ginny in the shower.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Ron asked Adora.

"I truly don't know," Adora said sadly. "I mean we are all grieving Sirius's death, but I'm afraid it's going to hurt Arabella and Harry the most."

There was a tapping on the window and soon Ron and Adora knew Arthur Weasley's good news.

"My dad is Minister of Magic! This is just…"

"Wonderful!" Adora said smiling and hugged Ron tightly, "I'm so happy for you! I'm so happy for you family!"

"Well you'll be able to congratulate them during Easter Holidays."

Adora shook her head, "I'm afraid I won't be able to."

"Even though will be staying at Arabella's house doesn't mean you can't stop by my house."

"No I can't leave for the Easter holidays, neither can Harry."

"What!"

Adora sighed, "Since the Death Eater attack on Valentine's day…well Dumbledore isn't letting the Head Boy and Girl go home. He needs us here, he was going to get us to ask as many prefects as possible to stay."

"Well of course Ginny and I will stay, Ginny isn't going anywhere without Harry and I'm not going to leave you here alone."

"Thanks Ron," Adora said hugging her boyfriend. Truth was Adora was kind of happy that she wasn't leaving Hogwarts for the holidays. Adora didn't ever want to celebrate another holiday ever. Adora's mother, brother, sister, and father were all dead. Both of Adora's nephews and one of her niece's were married, and they'd insist on Adora joining them but sometimes she just felt left out…she didn't have a family.

Draco and Sadie were married and raising baby Breeanna. Harry and Ginny were married and wanted to have children as soon as Ginny graduated. Bridget was going to be going off to Medi-Wiz school after she graduated. Of course Adora loved Ron with all of her heart. Adora truly didn't know how their relationship would survive with their totally different career choices. Ron wanted to be an Auror, like Harry, but their training was here in London. Adora would be traveling the world for a full two years. Adora was going to be going to all the major Wizarding Universities for Seers. After Adora's studies, she was going to be in France for the year long Medi-Wiz school.

Adora hadn't brought up her worries about her relationship with Ron yet, because she truly didn't want to think about it. In a way Adora really never wanted to graduate from Hogwarts. Hogwarts had been her home for almost a full seven years now, and since the deaths of both of her parents, Adora had really thrown herself into this place.

"What's bothering you love?" Ron asked as he had been staring at Adora for a full ten minutes and she didn't seem to notice. Ron had noticed that Adora had been staring off into space but he figured that after a while that he stared at her, she would start to notice.

"Just upset about today," Adora half lied. Of course Adora was upset to have to say her final goodbye to Sirius. Sirius had always been like a father like figure for her and after her biological father had been murdered Sirius really stepped in.

"Understandable, but maybe you should jump in the shower."

"Why?" Adora blinked, "I thought Harry was in there."

"Ginny came in five minutes ago to tell us Harry was out and one of us could jump in."

"Oh okay," Adora said walking out of her room and to the washroom.

Oliver Wood was sitting at the Teacher's Table at breakfast and was surprised to see none other than Bridget Potter sitting alone, by herself at Gryffindor Table. Oliver looked down the table to see none other than Albus Dumbledore himself wink at Oliver, as if to tell him it was okay to go sit by Bridget.

"Bridget," Bridget Lynn Potter was jolted out of her dreamland to see none other than Oliver Wood sitting beside her.

Bridget looked toward the teacher's table and then back at Oliver, "Aren't you suppose to be sitting up there?"

"It's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Oliver nodded. "How are you doing?"

"I could be better," Bridget said staring down at her eggs as Oliver only stared at the beautiful beauty in front of him.

"I'm going to be going today."

"No," Bridget said turning to Oliver suddenly.

"Why not?"

"I don't want you to attend my late uncle's funeral just because of me."

"I'm not. I'm going to pay my respects to the greatest Minister of Magic we've had in years. I really liked Sirius and I want to say goodbye."

"No you're not."

"Huh?"

"You are only going to make sure I don't break down and do something stupid."

"You are getting really paranoid lately," Oliver said fixing himself a plate of waffles and eating beside the lovely Bridget Potter.

"I am not!"

"Then why do you think I would attend a funeral just because of you?"

"I don't know," Bridget sighed beginning to beat her head on the table.

"Quit that!" Oliver said pulling her up.

"What! At least I'm not back to my addiction at Cauldron."

"True."

"So you are really going to the funeral?"

"Yes, how many times do I have to say this."

Bridget smiled, "I would throw my arms around you right now but we are in public. As you are a Professor and I am a student…well everyone already thinks that something is going on between us. They think we are more then friends."

"And why aren't we?"

"Give up on my Oliver, it will never happen. I will never marry or date again, I just break hearts."

"You are still blaming yourself aren't you?"

"Stuff it Wood."

"I thought we were an item after the other night…"

"I said stuff it Wood!" Bridget growled and Oliver couldn't help but laugh at the cute mean face she was giving him.

"Next Hogsmede weekend is coming up soon."

"Yeah, so?"

"We are going on a date."

"What!"

"You heard me."

"You can't at least ask me first before you demand it?"

"Okay," Oliver nodded. "Bridget will you go on a date with me on your next Hogsmede weekend, which is next week?"

"No."

"I knew it! That's it, I'm not asking. Bridget you are going out with me."

"Excuse me!" Uh oh, Potter temper!

"You heard me you stubborn Potter! I'm stubborn and we Woods get what we want and I'm tired of you pushing me away and me taking it. Bridget Potter I will bug you until you finally give into my wonderful charm."

Bridget narrowed her eyes, "You are acting a lot like my father did with my mother."

"How would you know?"

"Bella."

"So I will be sitting next to you at the funeral, so when you need a shoulder to cry I will be there."

Oliver was happy to see Bridget chuckle, even in this horrible time of loss for her. "You never give up do you?"

"Nope."

"Not even for my dear uncle's funeral."

"Where is Arabella?" Oliver decided to change the subject.

"Most likely in her quarters getting ready to say goodbye to her one true love and getting ready to try to explain to her one year old to say goodbye to daddy. My heart goes out to Roselyn, she like me will never know her father. Luckily for her she still has her mother to guide her in the right direction."

"What was that suppose to mean?"

"Well, maybe if Voldemort hadn't killed my Mum I would be a better person."

"What!"

"I mean have turned into the junkie I was or the slut I have become."

"You are not a slut," Oliver whispered to her.

"Yes I am," Bridget said blinking back tears.

"No you aren't. You are the loving woman that I am in love with," Oliver whispered in Bridget's ear.

Bridget spit orange juice out of her mouth and it was a good thing that no one was sitting in front of her. Bridget turned to look at Oliver and she shook her head, "No you don't."

"How can you tell me my feelings for you? Of course I love you. If I didn't do you think I'd keep coming after you after all the times you've been pushing me away."

"I don't love you."

"Okay," Oliver said shrugging his shoulders. "But one day you will.

"No I won't."

"You do right now, you love me."

"No I don't!" Bridget lied, "And quit trying to push me."

"I won't make you love me, but you'll realize one day that you do. And until you realize that you do love me, I'll be beside you every day."

"You are helpless."

"Okay."

"Quit agreeing with me!"

"Susan are you ready yet?" Draco asked banging on the bathroom door, they needed to leave soon as the family had to at the funeral thirty minutes early.

"I can't do this," Draco heard his wife sob through the bathroom door.

"Yes you can."

Susan opened the door and took the baby from Draco's hip, "Maybe you should go without me. I'll stay here and take care of the baby."

"No."

"No?"

"No. You need to say goodbye to Sirius. You, Breeanna, and I am going to the funeral now let's go."

"Just a moment," Susan said walking back into the bedroom to get her black handbag. Susan hadn't left their Common Room all day, so Susan had no idea how the rest of her family was taking it. Susan bet that they were all probably in the state that she was in.

First person Harry saw was Ginny's mum, "Harry! Ginny, dear!" Molly said walking quickly over to her daughter and son-in-law. Molly hugged Ginny and then gave Harry a bone crushing hug, "I'm so sorry about Sirius."

Harry just nodded as he didn't want Molly to quit hugging him, "I know he was the closest thing you had to know about your father and I want you to know that Arthur and I are always here for you."

"Where is dad, mum?"

Molly's eyes got sad, "He couldn't come."

"Why not?" Harry asked and Molly couldn't help but notice that Harry looked even sadder when he found out that Arthur wasn't able to come.

"The Ministry was afraid that if he came that there would be another Death Eater attack and Arthur wanted everyone to be able say goodbye today without worrying about Death Eaters or Voldemort for a little while. But he sends his condolences to everyone."

At exactly two in the afternoon the final services for Sirius Black began and there were many tears shed. Over three hundred people showed up to say goodbye to the great man that was Sirius Black. Of course Sirius's family was overcome with grief as were many of Sirius's fellow co-workers and former classmates from Hogwarts.

Arabella was in all black with a black veil over her face with many tissues in her black handbag. Roselyn was crying during the entire ceremony which made Arabella cry even more. Even though baby Roselyn really had no idea that she'd never see her daddy again, but you could tell Roselyn felt something. Roselyn could feel that the rest of her family was hurting and so the baby had been crying her eyes out all day.

Arabella held baby Roselyn as close to her as possible. It had been too hard to lose Sirius and it looked as if Arabella was afraid of losing Roselyn.

Sadie Malfoy looked up to her aunt dearly. Arabella had lost little David to his aunt and uncle a little over a year ago and now she'd lost her one true love. Sadie couldn't imagine in what kind of shambles she would be in if she would be the one putting her husband in the ground.

Susan put her free arm around her Aunt Arabella and Arabella gave her niece a teary smile.

After the funeral and burial service, the gang went over to The Burrow. Molly had suggested them all to come over and she would cook some food for everyone. Fred and George left one of their employees run the shop today as they were paying their respects to Sirius Black. While Molly cooked and Arabella sat in the kitchen talking to her, the boys were outside playing. Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and even Draco; to everyone's surprise, were outside playing a game of Quidditch. Fred and George convinced Draco to come out and play and leave the women inside.

Sure Draco really didn't get along with any of them, but he agreed with all the other guys, Draco really didn't want to be stuck in the house with the women all day. Draco figured he had to half way get along with these guys anyways, as they were always around.

Susan, Bridget, Adora, and Ginny were in the living room watching the babies play in the playpen; while the girls talked. They all avoided the subject of Sirius or Anthony, the scars were still to fresh to talk about. Instead they talked about girl stuff and were glad that the guys were avoiding them by playing Quidditch outside.

"You know it's nice to have the guys not around us for once," Bridget said smiling.

"What are you talking about?" Susan said narrowing her eyes at her baby sister, "You avoid guys like the plague. You won't go near a single guy, unless he is somehow related to you."

"That's not true!"

"Prove it," Ginny said agreeing with Susan.

"Hey!" Bridget said in mock outrage, "You're suppose to be on my side!"

"And you're avoiding the question," Adora pointed out.

"This must be gang up on Bridget day," Bridget pouted.

"No it's not, but you've got to admit we have a point." Ginny stated and Bridget knew she couldn't get out of this one.

"You know I kind of have a reason too, I don't trust guys since…Neville."

"True," Susan said hugging her sister. "But you can't let that piece of scum take over your life. You know even though he is no where near you, the more you avoid guys and dating Neville is still controlling you."

"No."

"Susan's right," Adora nodded. "If you just happen to run into him before his prison sentence starts, Neville will get such joy to know that you are still to terrified to date because of him. Do you really want to give Neville Longbottom that gratification?"

"I haven't avoided all guys," Bridget mumbled.

"Yeah you're right," Ginny nodded. "But you've avoided all guys outside the Potter and Weasley family."

"Oliver Wood."

"Okay," Adora chuckled. "Sure Oliver is around you a lot, but you keep trying to push him away. The only reason Oliver is still around you is because he keeps trying to push himself back into your life. Do you remember how it was before this school year?"

"Yeah I do," Bridget nodded. "Oliver and I were just friends…"

Adora, Susan, and Ginny all began to laugh and Bridget looked at them oddly, "What!"

"You and Oliver were never 'just friends.' You guys have always fancied one another but never saw it until this year," Ginny spoke up and Bridget rolled her eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at me, I know you better than you know yourself."

"So I use to have a little crush on him?"

"Use to?" Susan asked as her eyes began to bug out, "You still do fancy the boy but you are just too scared to jump back in the game."

Susan had pushed Bridget's buttons, "Sorry you never have had the pleasure of being BLOODY RAPED! But it kind of makes you want to become a nun!" Bridget stormed out of the room slamming the door.

"I think you went to far," Ginny said looking kind of scared at how much Bridget blew up.

"Nope," Susan said shaking her head. "I pushed the button that hasn't been pushed and desperately needed to. Since Neville raped Bridget, she has let this rape take over her. Now I'm not trying to be a bitch, because I know how horrible rape is but she needs to heal."

"Yes…"

"Let me finish. Bridget needs to heal and she's not letting herself heal. Wood is so into her and she doesn't even see it. She ignores Wood and every other guy that is interested in her. I just want her to get over this for herself, I hate seeing my baby sister in such pain."

Adora was smiling and both Ginny and Susan turned to Adora, "What do you know that we don't?" Ginny asked.

"Bridget isn't putting up as much of a wall as we thought."

"How do you know that?" Susan asked as she picked up Breeanna to change her nappy.

"Haven't you guys noticed how flirty Bridget has been lately with Oliver?" Both Susan and Ginny shook their head no to Adora's question. "Well I've seen it and I have a feeling the other night they got lucky, again."

"Are you serious!" Ginny said eyes popping out, "Why wouldn't she tell us!"

"Yeah!" Susan almost yelled.

"Because of the way you guys just acted."

"Oh."

"So do you think she's letting him back in?"

Adora nodded, "Slowly but surely. We just need to hope that Oliver keeps being as persistent as he has been lately. I have a feeling Cassie will be meeting up with Bridget soon."