1

Disclaimer: I only own the new plot not the references from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince or any of the other books. They belong to J.K.R

Chapter 2

The group watched as Ginny Weasley approached Harry.

"She seems like such a nice girl." Lily sighed happily at seeing her son being cared for by someone he loved.

"She is a very nice girl, Lily." Dumbledore said reassuring.

They watched as the Weasley family gathered around Bill and Harry told them of Dumbledore's death.

"You affected a lot of people Albus." James smiled.

"Listen James, Lily, I am so sorry about all that has happened. You should be alive and its my fault. Harry shouldn't have to face the things he is and has. Some of those are my fault too. I'm truly sorry." Dumbledore had a very sorrowful look in his eyes.

"Albus, listen. We know you couldn't have done anything to stop Voldemort. Even if you had on Halloween, he would have come back until he had done what he wanted to. I'm just thankful that that he survived that curse." Lily grabbed both of his hands as she said this and made him look her right in the eye so that he knew she was telling the truth.

"Well what did you expect he's a Potter." James cut the tension.

"So what do you think they do about Hogwarts?" Sirius asked Dumbledore.

"I'm not sure, but I hope they don't close it. I have a feeling Harry could defend it with the help of the D.A. and the staff, but I'm not sure what the rest of the world thinks." Dumbledore sighed.

They group watched Hogwarts and its occupants morn for the next few days until it was time for Dumbledore's funeral.

"That was a beautiful service Albus." Lily said quietly as they watched the ending of the service.

"Yes it was." Then they watched as Harry pulled Ginny over. Their faces grew bigger and bigger looks of horror as they continued to listen to what Harry was saying. Dumbledore actually laughed when Ginny's response was, 'It's for some stupid, noble reason, isn't."

"Harry has always been the hero, that girl knows him well."

And as Ginny told Harry how she had never given up hope Lily grew very sad,

"Oh what are you doing to that poor girl Harry?"

When they listened to Harry and the minister's conversation Dumbledore's eyes once again were watery. Lily noticed and when their eyes met she gave him a weak smile.

"I don't know why and its one of the few things I haven't been able to figure out. But that day after Winter break when he told me of his other conversation with the minister I thought that I had gained something I had been looking for all my life. I have at least figured out that it was Harry's respect, love and support that I had gained." Dumbledore said somewhat mystified

"Albus, I've watched you two for the last six years. You grew to love Harry like a son and that day you realized that he looked up to you as a father figure. That was what you were looking for your whole life. A son to love. I'm glad Harry was there for you and you for him."

The group thought that Harry and Ginny's breakup conversation was the worst they would hear all day, but then they witnessed the conversation between Harry, Ron and Hermione and it hit them harder.

"He's not coming back?" Lily gasped.

"I was afraid that he would do this. I hoped not so soon and on the same day, but this is just like him. He's pushed everyone away and he's being noble again. I've tried to get him to realize that love would help him all year. Sometimes I thought he understood or was close but he just pushed it away." Dumbledore looked worried and this worried James.

One thing that made them all feel better was Hermione and Ron, who said they weren't backing down. At least Harry would have his friends.