A/N: All right… thanks for the reviews and here we GO!
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot!
Chapter ThirteenLupin burst the door open as him and the five other Order members burst into the run down old house. Inside the startled Death Eaters turned to them. In that room alone there were five, but they knew of three others.
Suddenly spells began flying all around the room. Kingsley swiftly took down two Death Eaters, joining Lupin in searching the rest of the house. They found a trap door in the kitchen and with Kingsley watching the surroundings; Lupin lifted it up and climbed down the ladder silently, gripping his wand in his hand carefully. When he reached the bottom, three Death Eaters greeted him, hitting him with one spell. Lupin stumbled backwards, but caught his balance, firing them with jinxes as Kingsley joined the fight.
"That was expected," said Lupin a little out of breath as they bound the three Death Eaters, "I am assuming Fred will be down here somewhere."
"So am I," said Kingsley lighting his wand along with Lupin.
"Find anything?" called Sirius looking down the trapdoor.
"Not yet!" called Lupin, "Kingsley and I will go check. Everything all right up there?"
"Yeah. They are all bound and knocked out. We'll stand guard in case more come."
"All right," replied Kingsley as him and Lupin headed down the narrow corridor. It led too another staircase but no Death Eaters could be found. As they stepped down them a weak voice echoed out to them.
"Did you hear that?" whispered Lupin stepping down the staircase faster, "Fred?"
Again a weak noise answered them. The two men moved down the stairs quickly and ran down the narrow corridor before reaching an iron door. Lupin blasted the door open and ran in with his wand lit. Lying on the ground, thinner then Lupin had ever seen Molly let one of her sons get too was Fred.
"Dear Merlin," gasped Kingsley, "Fred."
Fred sat up weakly, "I thought my mind was playing tricks on me."
"We are no illusions, Fred," smiled Lupin helping him up, "Come on. Let's get you back to Hogwarts."
"Back too? When did you all move to Hogwarts?"
"How long have you been here for?"
"Months. Since March."
"That's nine months. Lucius has nine months worth of information on us," said Kingsley angrily, "Bloody hell."
Lupin and Kingsley walked sidewards, carrying Fred up the staircase. When they reached the ladder they knew they couldn't carry Fred up it.
"Fred, I know it's a lot, but do you think you could climb up the ladder. We'll catch you if you fall," said Lupin.
Fred looked up and was greeted by the smiling face of Sirius, "Blimey, my minds gone mad. I'm seeing Sirius Black!"
Lupin, Kingsley and Sirius all laughed.
"No. Sirius is alive," said Kingsley, "I had the same reaction as you. I thought spending a year with Moody had driven me mad."
Fred laughed and Lupin and Kingsley set him on the ground. Fred grabbed onto the ladder and heaved himself up one step. Sirius encouraged him the entire time, pulling him up at the top. Ass Lupin climbed he could hear Sirius and McGonagall explaining about Narcissa. No one had yet told him of Molly's death and all believed it should be a Weasley to do it, most likely George. McGonagall created a stretcher and Fred was placed on it.
"Let's move quickly. Lucius will be informed of this shortly no doubt," said Narcissa, "Let him think I am dead a little longer."
The group moved carefully but quickly through Hogsmeade and back into Hogwarts. It was late when they returned from their successful mission. Moody, Sirius, Lupin and Kingsley took the bound Death Eaters down to the dungeons where MacNair was. Powerful charms had been placed over the old classrooms, now cells that ceased any form of escaping or entering. Only authorized Order members could enter.
"You know, coming down here reminds me of Snape," said Sirius as they shut the door, the charms coming into work at the closure, "Anyone know where he went after murdering Dumbledore?"
"I heard America," said Moody, "Always thought he was a whimp. But for all we know, Lucius could have called him back to England."
"Anything is possible," sighed Lupin as they headed for the Hospital Wing.
HD
Ginny ran down the Entrance Hall staircase, tears glistening her eyes. She had woken to a letter beside her bed of Fred's return. Students all around her looked at her. Today was not Molly's funeral. That was tomorrow. Ginny pushed past a group of Slytherin's who all cursed out at her. She ignored them and continued running. How could it be they went to get him without her knowing? She would have gone with them to get revenge for her mother's death.
She pushed the Hospital Wing doors open and ran in seeing all her brothers and father crowded around a bed.
"Why didn't you tell me?" cried Ginny causing her family to look at her, "I would have gone as well!"
"We didn't know either Ginny," said Ron solemnly stepping aside to let his sister in to see their brother.
Ginny gasped at the site of him. He literally looked anorexic, "Fred."
Fred smiled and Ginny ran forward and hugged him lightly, scared she would break him. He was even thinner then her self.
"So Mum and Dad got you back into the education thing?" he said smiling before looking around, "Where is Mum? I really expected her to be the first one here."
"Fred… Fred," said George trying to work out how to word it with out breaking down in tears, "Fred Mum was murdered… by the Death Eater impersonating you."
Fred looked at George before he laughed, "Your pulling my leg right?" Fred looked at his family members taking in their sad, lost faces, "Y-your not kidding?"
"No. She died yesterday," said Ginny, "I s-saw it h-happen… I couldn't stop it."
Ginny broke down in tears sobbing into her hands as Fred set the information sink in. None of the Weasley's attempted to soothe Ginny as they were all standing in silence either silently crying or staring at the ground with trembling lower lips. Ginny turned and left the Hospital Wing at the sound of Fred's chocking sob. George sat on the bed beside him hugging his brother and bestfriend. Ron turned and left. He didn't want them to see him cry like he let Hermione do last night. He walked down the corridor fast paced nearly colliding with Harry.
"Hey… I heard about Fred," said Harry stopping him.
"Not now Harry. He's just been told about Mum," replied Ron walking off, leaving Harry standing in the middle of the corridor alone.
HD
Ginny opened the toilet cubicle door and walked out wiping her face. She walked over to the sink and washed her face and taking a deep breath to calm her self down. Every moment her mind was racked with guilt. She should have fired a spell at MacNair the moment she knew he was about to harm her mother. Instead she screamed in terror. How useless was she? Ginny screamed angrily and grabbed her wand out screaming a random spell at the mirror, shattering it to pieces. She stared at her mess with some satisfaction as the door entering the toilets opened up revealing Harry.
Harry looked from the shattered mirror to Ginny before he walked in over to her. Ginny looked at him in tears. Harry pulled his wand out and repaired the mirror before putting an arm around the stricken Ginny and leading her from the bathroom to the nearby Room of Requirement. Ginny continued sobbing but thankfully students were now in class and wouldn't witness Ginny's emotional breakdown. At the Room of Requirement wall Harry thought hard of what he wanted: a peaceful room where someone can be alone to grieve. The door appeared and Harry opened it, walking into a garden that looked to be outside, only it really wasn't. Trees, flowers with butterflies were all around the room. In the centre of the room sat a comfortable looking bench. Harry walked in, shutting the 'hedge' door behind him. He led Ginny over to the bench and sat her down.
"Ginny?" asked Harry kneeling down in front of her, "Ginny talk to me please."
Ginny shook her head angrily turning her whole body away from Harry and glaring at the ground. Harry sighed and leant back on his legs.
"Ginny I know it's hard."
"I COULD HAVE SAVED HER!" screamed Ginny, "But I SCREAMED! I could have sent a spell to protect her… but I SCREAMED!"
Harry frowned, "You're blaming yourself?"
"Yes I am."
Harry stood up and looked at Ginny shaking his head, "We tried Ginny and from where we were our spells would have lost their power upon reaching MacNair. It's no one's fault. Not your's not even mine."
Ginny shook her head, "If Mum were alive she would be saying that I should have done more, Harry. I failed my family. I bet they all blame me."
"Ginny they don't blame you. You saw your mother die. If anything they are worried with how you are coping but are dealing with their own emotions."
Ginny wiped away her tears along with the others that followed, "I feel so guilty Harry. Like a failure."
Harry sat down beside her taking hold of her hands and looking the young Weasley in the eyes, "You are not a failure Ginny. You will pull through and I swear we will come through this together stronger then before."
Ginny half smiled and rested her head on Harry's shoulder, "You know… I feel like some ice cream with whipped cream and strawberries."
Suddenly, on a table in front of the two appeared two bowls of Ginny's request. Ginny chuckled a little.
"I forgot we were in the Room of Requirement," admitted Ginny looking around her, "I feel like I'm outside."
Harry smiled as he handed Ginny her bowl and spoon then collected his, "Yes I asked for a peaceful place and this is what I got."
Ginny smiled and sighed, "Mum would've loved it. I'm going to make a garden like this when we can return home to the Burrow. I'll make it for her and get a sign that says 'Molly's Garden'."
Harry smiled, "That sounds like a good plan. I'll help."
HD
The day passed with no more dramas. Ginny didn't attend her classes and spent it in the Room of Requirement alone with Harry. She talked and cried more but by bedtime didn't blame herself any longer. She went to bed feeling more at peace with her self, but also dreading tomorrow.
She woke the next morning and looked out the window to see the sun shining brightly down on the school grounds. But by the lake she could see Order members preparing the set up for the funeral. Ginny walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out black stockings, her black slip ons and a robe set, with a black dress underneath.
She brushed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail. Looking at her reflection she took a deep breath. Then after pocketing her wand she left the girls dormitory and headed down to the common room. Her friends greeted her with hugs, but Ginny walked past them. She needed to be with her family and Harry. She headed too where they were located in the castle and was surprised to see Hermione and Tonks standing in the corridor with everyone else. Hermione turned to Ginny and smiled. Her outfit was different, a nice set of robes obviously given to her at the Malfoy Manor.
"Mione… you're here," said Ginny stunned as she hugged her bestfriend.
"Ginny I wouldn't let anyone I love and care about go through this alone," replied Hermione pulling away, "Draco gave me these. They were his mothers. Plus I had to bring a bag of clothes for Narcissa."
"Draco? Since when?"
Hermione smiled, "Since I broke down in front of him. We are friends I guess you could say."
Ginny frowned, "You're blushing."
"No I'm not!" cried Hermione.
"You are… your cheeks are red. Do you like him in that way?"
"No," said Hermione annoyed and firmly, "We are friends, Miss Ginny Weasley."
Ginny smiled and shook her head, "So you say."
Hermione just shook her head as McGonagall walked up the staircase. Everyone fell silent and turned to the Professor dressed in black like she was for Dumbledore's funeral.
"The students will be cared for during the service. All the mourning friends and other family have arrived," said McGonagall, "Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny, please come with me. The rest of you, can you please head down to the area of service."
Harry gave Ginny one last hug and kiss and headed away with the others and Hermione. He walked beside Hermione who was quiet like the rest.
"Still hard to believe isn't it?" said Harry quietly.
Hermione nodded, "Many more people are going to die. We all know it, it's just hard to accept."
Harry nodded, "Anyone of us here today could be next. You, me, Lupin, Sirius again."
Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and gave it a squeeze; "Let's not talk about it today. We need to support the Weasley's."
Everyone sat down. Harry and Hermione sat in the row behind where the Weasley's would sit. Soon a sad song began playing around them. Everyone stood in respect as the eight remaining Weasley's walked between the two rows. Behind them, being carried by people Harry or Hermione didn't recognise was Molly's deep mahogany red casket. It was laid on supports over the grave where Molly's gravestone stood bearing her full name, age and a message.
Everyone stood for the remainder of the song before sitting down. A priest dressed in black robes stood before them and spoke of Molly's life and family a little before a cousin of Molly's stood and spoke more about her in detail. In front of Harry and Hermione the Weasley's held each other as they sobbed. Harry wrapped a comforting arm around Hermione as she cried silently.
Once the life of Molly was read more prayers were said before the final song, Molly's favourite, played. Two men dressed in back stepped forward and slowly lowered the casket into the ground. Ginny let out a loud sob and jumped up from her seat wanting to be with her mother. Ron stood and grabbed her, pulling her down onto the seat again and him and Arthur held Ginny tightly as she cried out in agony. Arthur looked down at the ground with tears rolling down his cheeks. Within seconds, which seemed to take years, the casket reached the bottom and everyone remained silent for another long minute in respect. Finally the priest stepped forward holding a letter.
"This was given to me from Molly her self. She wished for me to read it at her funeral should anything happen to her during the war," said the Priest as he opened it and pulled out the letter and cleared his throat,
"To my Wonderful Family and Friends,
"If you are all hearing this then you know what it means. I am now gone. Gone
in a physical sense, but emotionally and spirit, never. I am with each and everyone one of you in different ways. My life was my family. My family is bigger then many know. There is Arthur, my loving, caring, funny, handsome husband. Bill, Charlie and Percy. The three eldest whom I love. Fred and George. Ah, my twin sons. I think everybody knows them for their successful business. Ron, my youngest son and Ginny, my youngest child and only daughter. But there are two others. They are Harry and Hermione. Too me they are my adopted children and I love them as much as my own. They all need to know that I love them beyond what words can describe and I am forever proud of them. I never want them too give up on life. There is so much to achieve for them all. Never doubt my everlasting love for you all. I will be watching you all with a stern and kind loving eye.
"This is a dark time we all live in, but everyone, from my family to my friends, should know there is light at the end of the tunnel and we will succeed. This war is possible to win. Search and you will find the answer. It's probably right under our noses and we are all too blind to see it.
"Remember, I may be gone in person but not emotionally or spiritually. I love each and every one of you.
"Love always and forever,
"Molly or to my children, Mum."
Ginny was leaning on Ron crying silently through her mother's last words. As the priest spoke she remembered the day her mother was sitting at the hideout's table writing a letter and telling Ginny she may hear it someday or possibly not. Her and Ron remained seated as everyone around them stood to head to the castle for the wake. Arthur left with his sons unable to bare the sight of his wife's grave any longer. Harry and Hermione walked around to them with Harry sitting beside Ginny and Hermione next to Ron.
No one said anything. They just sat still looking around them in various places. Ginny stared at the grave and stood up, walking over to it quickly. Hurriedly the other three followed but came to a stop as Ginny stood at the edge of the grave and starring down at the casket.
Harry, Ron and Hermione watched as Ginny reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope sealed with Mum written on the front. She kissed the name and dropped the letter in before turning and walked back over to her brother, boyfriend and bestfriend.
"Can we go now?" asked Ginny quietly.
They all nodded and headed back up to castle in silence.
HD
"Thankyou for coming, Hermione," said Arthur giving Hermione a hug as her and Tonks prepared to leave back for the Manor, "It meant a lot to everyone."
Hermione smiled, "I couldn't not come. Take care of yourself Mr Weasley."
Arthur nodded and stepped back letting Hermione move on to hug the other Weasley's, including Fleur who had been at the funeral but had sat with the friends to allow her husband to mourn with his family. Finally Hermione and Tonks left the Great Hall and headed for McGonagall's office. Ginny and Harry walked over to the side of the hall watching people talk amongst themselves. Despite the sombre mood of the morning it had passed with people mingling and laughing.
"Looking at them, I hate them all for laughing," said Ginny quietly, "But then I don't think Mum would want us all bawling constantly."
"I know. But you were her daughter. You will feel that way for a while," replied Harry rubbing Ginny on the back, "I can picture your Mum rousing on you for crying over her, you know."
Ginny cracked a smile, her brown eyes shining for a brief second, "Me too."
"No one is going to push you to move on. But in time you will."
"I'm more worried about Dad," sighed Ginny, "I went to see him this morning and he was sitting in his and Mum's room… just staring at the wall and clutching her favourite robe. Today is the first time I have really seen him cry. I'm hoping he was waiting for today to cr-"
Ginny was cut off from a loud crashing sound and looked up in alarm with Harry. The hall had fallen silent and was looking at where the commotion had sounded. Pushing himself up from the ground was a drunken Ron.
"Whad ya'll loookin at?" he slurred with the punch from the bowl he had knocked over all over him, "Nevverr seen a drunk before?"
Harry and Ginny raced over to Ron and helped him stand up.
"Coming to me rescue again 'Arry? That's the spirrit!"
"Come on Ron," said Harry slinging one arm over his shoulder and Ginny doing the same with the other, "Lets get you to the room."
"Yeah… the rooom is the booomb 'Arry. Did ya know that?"
Ginny and Harry carried a stumbling Ron out of the Great Hall and up the Entrance Hall steps. Ron started singing half way in his slurring tone.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy waggy, Hogwarts," he sang, "Teacccchhh us something please! That's a great song, ya know?"
"Sure Ron," said Ginny nearly vomiting from the stench of his breath, "Talk about a major hang over tomorrow."
Harry pushed open their room door and him and Ginny stumbled in with Ron before laying him on his bed. Ginny pulled off her brother's shoes before Harry pulled a blanket over him. Before both knew it, Ron was snoring softly in his punch-covered clothing.
Ginny sighed, "That… I never want to witness that again."
Harry chuckled, "He sings better when he is drunk you know?"
Ginny smiled and laughed, "Heh, yeah."
"Do you want to go back to the Hall?" asked Harry, "Or stay and keep an eye on Ron?"
" Stay here. I don't really feel like mingling with all of them."
Harry nodded and him and Ginny sat down on one of the two lounges together staring into the fire consumed by their thoughts.
A/N: There you all go. Please review.
Until next time…
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