The Burrow
Next day, Harry woke up early in the morning and came down for breakfast to find that Mr. Weasley was already up and at the table with a cup of tea between the palms of his hand, lost in thought. There was delicious smell wafting from the kitchen towards them and he was pleased to find that Mrs. Weasley was trying to find ways to keep her busy and making an effort to get over her loss.
"Morning, Mr. Weasley", he said as he took a seat. Mr. Weasley was lost in thought and took his time to reply, "Morning Harry. Excited for the day?"
He nodded, "I cannot wait to see how it is like. Are you going to join the ministry?"
He nodded, "Yes Harry. We would have to move on at some point of time. I suppose going to the office would dull the pain of the loss. Besides Kingsley really need all the help he can get. The Ministry is in shambles and the public would panic if things did not get well soon".
"Harry dear, what would you like for breakfast?", asked Mrs. Weasley coming out of the kitchen.
"Just some toasts and bacon would be fine, Mrs. Weasley", he said. She served him plate full of bacon and toast and as he started to eat, she asked him, "Where is Ron?"
"He is still sleeping. We were up late last night", he said not meeting her eyes.
"What you all were doing staying up late?", she asked. Harry did not know what to answer her. He had hardly slept with the nightmares and so did Ron. When he closed his eyes, he could feel the battle happening in front of his eyes, friends dying and their lifeless eyes, their screams in his ears. No, it was not easy to think about it and he even hesitated telling her about it.
She meanwhile had started to call Ron, "Ron, get up or you would be late for the Ministry".
Ron came down moments later followed by Hermione and they wordlessly took seats upon the table. Mrs. Weasley served them while Mr. Weasley was talking to Hermione, "Hermione, Kingsley has told me that he is expecting you at the ministry around noon. He wants to ask some questions so that he can communicate with the ministry in Australia and track down your parents".
She was still downcast and said in her same morose tone, "I'll go and meet him today, Mr. Weasley".
By this time, Percy had come down for breakfast with Charlie and perhaps out of habit, Mrs. Weasley hollered for the twins, "Come down you bot..." Her voice however hitched when she remembered that Fred was no more and broke into tears.
Percy had stood and was wiping her tears with his thumbs and she kept crying in his shoulder. Harry was uncomfortable because he did not know what to make of it. He wanted to console Mrs. Weasley but he was not sure how he could do that. He never had been good with feelings.
Finally he finished his dinner and walked towards his room to get ready to go to the Ministry. Ginny was standing at the door of her room and stopped him, "Harry can I talk to you in here?"
He nodded, "Sure Ginny." He walked in her room and sat on her bed waiting for her to speak. She took a long pause before she spoke, "Harry, you know when Dumbledore died and you broke up with me so that I would not be targeted? You promised me that you will return to me and you did. I thought that I would have been elated when we survived the war but I kind of felt nothing."
Harry asked her, "So what are you saying?"
"Harry, I... I don't know if I am ready to resume it right now. I want to take some time to think about it", she said hesitantly. When he did not say a word, she continued, "I mean a lot happened between then and now and it kind of made me see things in a new light. I am trying to adjust to everything which happened since then and need some time to make up my mind".
He asked her, "Are you dumping me?"
She hastily said, "Oh Merlin No. I am not dumping you, Harry but I need some time to sort through my feelings so that I can be sure about it".
He could not understand what to say. He had been sure that Ginny would be there for him when he returned after having finally killed Voldemort for good. He had not expected this but when she said it, he realised it. He felt some kind of disenchantment towards her and he had not been able to point the reason. Sure he had some feelings for her in his heart but he was not sure anymore if it were love or not. He thought perhaps he needed some time to sort through his feelings as she did.
He nodded, "I understand, Ginny. I will wait for you to make a decision". With that he left her room to go and get ready. Ron and Hermione were there in his room and when he entered, they asked him, "Well?"
He asked, "Well what?"
Ron huffed, 'Come off it, Harry. We want to know what happened between you and Ginny".
He told them what had happened in the room between him and Ginny. "She told me that she feels her feelings have changed and she wants some time to mull over things before she can make a decision. Now that I had time to think about it, I feel the same. We will take our time before making this decision".
Hermione asked him, "Is that why you have been avoiding her?"
Ron asked, "What do you mean?"
She spoke again, "She told me that she and Harry had not exchanged two sentences with each other since the end of the war and that is after he spent months watching her dot on the Marauder's map every night. I knew she needs to sort through her feelings as she had told me already. I think it is better if they took their time to think things through".
They sat quietly for some minutes before Mrs. Weasley's voice floated upwards, "Come down you lot or you will be late for the ministry".
After 10 minutes, they came down where Mr. Weasley was getting ready for going to the Ministry and so was Percy. They flooed to the ministry one after another.
Ministry of Magic
They arrived in the atrium of the ministry where things had definitely progressed. A crew from Magical Maintenance was still hard at work in the atrium restoring things to their previous state before Voldemort took over the ministry while ministry employees were arriving in the ministry. Most of them had been in hiding for the last year and now they were coming back. The most affected department had been the Aurors. Those who had not professed their loyalty to the ministry after Thicknesse took over had been taken to Azkaban while many who remained had been working covertly to undermine the ministry. Many had fought for the death eaters because their loyalty had been towards the minister personally and the minister had been under imperious curse of Yaxley. Those who had fought for the death eaters and had consciously worked towards imprisoning muggle borns or killing them were in prison and would be tried.
They boarded a lift together and Harry and Ron got off at the Auror Floor while Arthur and Percy went forward to the Minister's office. Gawain Robards, it seemed was waiting for them. As they came in, Gawain rose from his seat and said to them enthusiastically, "Potter and Weasley, take a seat. I am waiting for others to arrive".
Soon many others arrived. When they were all seated, Gawain started addressing them, "So the first assignment for Proudfoot's team is to bring in Dolores Umbridge. She was the chairman of the erstwhile Muggleborn Registration Commission and is liable for sending many wizards and witches to the dreary prison. For this assignment, the Minister has chosen Harry Potter, Justin Finch Fletchley and Dean Thomas who would be supervised by Proudfoot."
Harry asked him, "What about the muggle-borns and others who were taken to Azkaban though? Are any of them alive?"
Gawain nodded, "Many of them are alive but it would require a lot of time and efforts on our part to get them in prime of their health again. This war caused us considerable damage. In the meanwhile we have a lot of death eaters to be caught. The minister has asked me to compile a list of them and you all will be going in the field to catch them. And this is only what we are to do. The ministry has an uphill task at hand with all the destruction and death".
Harry asked him further, "What about their wands? I suppose their wands had been snapped when they were taken captive? Where would they get new wands and who would pay for them?"
He replied, "We are locating all the muggle-born as we speak. Those we find and are without wands would be asked to report to Ollivanders when he sets up shop again. They will be fitted with new wands and the ministry would pay for the expenses which would be realised after we have levied heavy penalties on the Death Eaters and confiscated their vaults and properties".
He nodded, "What is the plan for today?"
He pointed towards the Auror sitting in the room, "Proudfoot will be your supervisor and you will follow his instructions. He will tell you the plan of action once you are at the place she is hiding".
He produced a piece of rope and gave it to Proudfoot, "This portkey will take you to the closest to the location where she is thought to be hiding". Proudfoot pocketed the portkey with grim determination.
He continued further, "Augustus, remember one thing. She may try to resist arrest and there can be some death eaters with her. A couple of Aurors who were part of her security detail have been missing in action too so it is possible that you may meet them. If you find that you are out-numbered, send for back up and it will be sent to you".
As Proudfoot was leading his team out of the office, Ron said to him frantically, "Harry, take care and return safely to us. And give her hell from us".
Harry gave a little grin as he remembered the words Fred had spoken long ago in the castle when they twins made their escape after turning a corridor in a portable swamp. They had ordered Peeves telling him, "Give her hell from us, Peeves".
Proudfoot led them out of Robards' office to a room which clearly served as conference room of sorts. He motioned for them to sit in the chairs scattered around and when they took their place, he started giving instructions, "Alright, since you all have not been through formal Auror training there are a few rules that you need to remember. First rule is Constant Vigilance. You drop your guard for a second and it can prove fatal. Second rule is that you never abandon your partner. Third Rule is do your duty and return safely. If you need to cast some lethal spells then do not hesitate to do so. We do not know what kind of situation we are going into so finish the job as quickly as possible. I do not want to see a disarming spell or a stunner if a bone breaker is needed in a situation. Is that clear?"
A resounding "Yes Sir" answered his question and he led them to the apparition point. Taking hold of the portkey, they disappeared feeling the familiar jerk behind their navels.
Denver
They appeared in some thick woods where Harry promptly fell to the ground as the portkey stopped pulling him. Justin and Dean were no better either and they all crumbled on top of each other.
Proudfoot who had landed on his feet was smirking, "If all Aurors made such spectacular entry, we would lose before we even begin"
Grumbling they picked themselves up and he started instructing them, "Does any of you have prior experience in tracking? I mean if you can detect spells which are used for stealth?"
Harry said, "I know a little about such spells like Muggle repelling spells, muffliato etc. I learned to use them when on the run".
He nodded, "Alright Potter, you take Thomas with you and I will have Finch-Fletchley with me and we will go in different directions. Whoever finds them first will send a message on our badges and wait for backup. I do not want this mission to fail because if she escaped we would not be able to bring her to justice again".
Before they could start though, he detached his badge from his robes and showed them how to use it to send a message. There was a specific pattern in which one had to tap the badge and it would send their location to the other team.
He and Dean started walking to one side while Proudfoot and Justin went in another. They were looking for any sign of activity around them and Harry was spreading his senses in all directions to feel anything which would help him know if there were any protective enchantments in place. The forest was sparse and not as dreary populated as other woods where he had been hiding when on the run.
Dean, mostly for the purpose of making communication, said, "Feels all the same like last year except this time I am searching for fugitives".
Harry nodded, "Right. We camped in different forests and put up so many enchantments to keep ourselves safe. They kept up away from others many times thought breaking the taboo got us caught".
Dean nodded, "We were caught the same way. I was a fool to break the taboo when I called him Voldemort by mistake. I had taken off by myself in the wilderness when the ministry fell and my mother and step- sister told them that I had not been home from a year. I met some more wizards on the run and we spent a few months together".
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I remember. You had Ted Tonks with you and someone named Dirk who I imagine was Dirk Cesswell and two goblins one of which was Griphook who was in captivity in Malfoy Manor when we rescued you and Luna from there".
Dean nodded before he realised something, "Hang on! How did you know I was with Ted Tonks, Dirk Ceswell and two goblins? I do not remember telling you about it".
Harry was hesitant to tell before he decided to tell him not that it would have mattered anymore, "You were camping near us one evening when one of you had summoned Salmon fish for dinner from a river nearby. Our camp was near you all and we used one of those extendable ears which the twins had developed. We heard you all talking about Ginny being put in detention with Hagrid for trying to steal the sword of Gryffindor from Head Master's office. We were on the run doing something to bring downfall of Vodemort and we could not jeopardise our mission so we stayed put".
Dean wanted to say something but realised it would have fulfilled no purpose. They were doing what they were supposed to do and bring normalcy in the wizarding world again. Obviously they could not have jeopardised their mission. Besides it had not been long after that when they had been caught by the snatchers. Ted and Dirk had tried to fight and had done handsomely against them but they were done in when they were outmanned. One of the snatchers had snapped his wand and seeing Ted among the deceased, they had taken him and Griphook to the Malfoy Manor instead of the Ministry.
He was starting to speak when Harry motioned for him to keep quiet and pointed him towards the distance where there was a tent erected and two wizards in Auror robes were sitting outside. Harry silently sent a Homnum Revelio towards the camp and they retreated after a minute.
When they were at safe distance to keep watch at the tent and could not be seen or over-heard they waited. When the backup arrived, Harry reported to Proudfoot, "There are three more people in the tent and two Aurors outside it. In total there are 5 people in that tent and I do not know about their identities though it can be safe to assume that it is Dolores Umbridge".
The Toad croaked
Proudfoot barked orders, "Alright boys, here are the instructions. We will approach from two sides with Potter and Thomas on one side and me and me and Finch-Fletchely on another. We will take those two down with stunners and then storm the tent. Get in and start casting. Do not give them a warning or a chance to get away. If they apparated out of here, there is nothing more that we can do".
Harry and Dean circled around to the other side taking a long route to be sure that they were not seen while Justin and Proudfoot kept an eye on the tent. When Harry shot some green sparks from his wand, Proudfoot mouthed "GO" to Justin and they sent stunners at the Auror on their side while Dean and Harry took down the Auror on their side almost at the same time.
"Selwyn, what was that?", someone called from inside the tent, "Warrington, what happened?"
Before the person who had asked the question could come out, the Aurors had stormed the tent and as they entered, they started sending stunners, petrification hexes everywhere. One of those inside was wearing the robes of Aurors and had dived behind a sofa while the one who had questioned was stunned immediately.
Harry pushed Dean away from the way of a bombarda which was aimed at his head and with a speed faster than thought, had sent a reductor at the sofa which was reduced to bits.
"What is this happening?" yelled someone from other room of the tent.
Proudfoot by this time was able to stun the one hiding behind the sofa and Harry turned towards the third person in the tent and his blood boiled, the scars on the back of his hand throbbing. It was Dolores Jane Umbridge.
Proudfoot had levelled his wand at her, "Dolores Jane Umbridge, you are being taken in custody under the orders of Kingsley Shacklebolt, the acting Minister of Magic. Surrender your wand and we will be lenient with you. Resist and we will deal with you brutally".
She was shrieking, "I will not surrender to you. Not to false pretenders and the Undesirable no. 1. No filthy mud..."
That was all she was able to say before three stunners collided with her and she crumpled like a sack. Proudfoot turned towards his three companions and found them to be grinning sheepishly. He said, "Oh dear! The Toad has finally croaked".
They tied up the Aurors and Umbridge and bunched them together. With a big length of rope that he used to tie their hands together, Proudfoot tapped the rope once saying, "Activate".
They disappeared and he turned to others, "Collapse this tent and take it in as evidence. We will have to inspect it in greater detail when we are the ministry. Take their wands too and put them in a bag with a tag to each wand telling the name of the owner. They would serve as evidence. This mission has been successful."
When Harry told him that he did not knew the names of the captives, Proudfoot told them their names wrote them down on pieces of parchment and the wands were rolled in them. Justin secured the evidence before they apparated to the ministry.
Ministry of Magic
When they arrived in the ministry, there were a lot of people waiting to congratulate them. Ron and Neville bear hugged Harry, "You did it! The toad is done in."
Harry gave him a reluctant grin, "The only regret is that she caved in too soon."
"Potter, the minister want to see you and Weasley in his office right now", barked Gawain Robards who was there directing people and seeing that the prisoners were secured.
He and Ron took the lift to the first floor to the Minister's office and while they were on their way, another wizard joined them. When he realised who were in the lift with him, he was in awe and took off his hat to them, "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, I am indebted to you both. I am Reg Cattermole and you both had saved my wife on that day when you had invaded the ministry."
Harry remembered the day too well. They had just taken Slytherin's locket and were on their way out after rescuing many muggle-borns and Yaxley was pursuing them. Reg Cattermole was one of those who had been impersonated by Ron to invade the ministry. There also was the awkward moment when Mary Cattermole had kissed Ron thinking him to be her husband. They had been scared like hell that time but now that they thought about it, they felt embarrassed.
Ron definitely was not making eye-contact with Reg who was looking at him with amusement? Anger? Harry could not know and had no idea about what to do in that situation.
Thankfully, the lift arrived at the first floor at that moment and they got off to go and meet the Minister.
Kingsley it seemed was waiting for them. Hermione was also in his office and Harry guessed they were about to be interrogated by the Minister.
Kingsley took a moment before he started speaking in his deep baritone voice, "I have called you three because I need to know what had happened at Gringotts. The goblins are furious about what had happened and would be appeased only if they get the culprits or are given a just reason for the invasion. I need to give them a genuine reason for the invasion or the economy of wizarding world would be in danger."
Hermione and Ron looked at him and he sighed. He figured it fell to him to give some explanations, "What I am about to tell you is extremely confidential, Kingsley and if word were to go out then it will not bode well for us. Professor Dumbledore who had known Voldemort since he was 11 years old found the way Voldemort remained alive. It is very dark magic known as Horcrux where a person saves a part of his soul in a container. There were seven of such horcruxes and we had to hunt them down before Voldemort could be killed".
Kingsley was mortified, "He had made horcruxes? How did you lot find out ways to destroy them?"
Harry turned to Hermione who pulled out a pair of dragon hide gloves from her bag and putting them on, she summoned a book from her beaded bag. She gingerly placed the book on the table for Kingsley to see and Harry started speaking, "This book used to be on the shelf of Hogwarts library 70 years ago and Voldemort got the information from this book. I would rather that you destroy this."
Kingsley gingerly touched the book and almost immediately removed his hand as if it was burnt by the touch. He wrote something on a paper and with a tap of his wand, it turned into paper plane which he sent away.
About five minutes later, a man wearing a mask came into the Minister's office. He was of average height, had salt and pepper hair and brown eyes which could be seen through his mask.
Kingsley made the introductions, "This is Saul Croaker, the Chief Unspeakable of the Department of Mysteries. Saul, I trust you know these three?
He gave a bright smile, "Of course, I know them. Now why I was summoned?"
Kingsley pointed the book to him, "I hope you know this book. This is one of those banned in public domain and as such, I want you to confiscate it and take it down to the Department and destroy it leaving behind no trace of its existence."
Croaker produced a cloth pouch from inside of his robes and secured the book in it. With that he immediately left the Minister's office.
With them being alone again, Kingsley turned to them, "Alright I will talk the goblins but in the meanwhile Hermione, I need your help with something. A set of laws were written when Gringotts was established and there may something in there which can lead you out of your current predicament. I want you to find it and prepare a brief. Can you get me the report by tomorrow? I suppose the Australian ministry of magic would be able to find your parents by then. The library of the Ministry is at your disposal."
With that he dismissed Hermione and Ron while he asked Harry to stay back. When they were gone, he asked Harry, "Harry there are so many questions about the war which need to be answered and there is no one who can answer them better than you. The order trusted you when you said that Dumbledore gave you a mission and we did not ask any questions. I suppose the mission was destroying the Horcruxes but there are too many questions which need to be answered now and I will not take no for an answer."
Harry shrugged, "I will tell you everything that you want to know Kingsley but you have to promise me that nothing of what I tell you will find its way to the public."
Kingsley nodded, "Of course. The first question is about Severus Snape. You said that he was a hero. We also heard during the final duel when you said he killed Dumbledore on his orders. Can you explain that?"
He nodded, "You might remember the battle of Department of Mysteries?"
Kingsley nodded, "I do. I was one of the Order members who showed up to back you up."
Harry said, "Right. So, we had gone there to retrieve a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney sometime before the first war. That prophecy was the reason that my parents had to go into hiding. It's contents are irrelevant now but what you need to know is Severus Snape was a death eater then and he heard some part of it which he told to Voldemort. Based on the information, he started hunting down my parents and Snape got panicked. My mother had been a good friend to him since they were children and to save her life, he turned double agent and a spy for Dumbledore. When Voldemort was resurrected, Snape returned to him acting as a double agent and making Voldemort believe that he was still loyal to him. About a year before his death, Dumbledore had got his hands on one of the horcruxes and destroyed it but was cursed with a horrible curse which would have killed him within a year anyhow. He wanted Snape to kill him so that Voldemort would trust him and Snape would be able to work to bring his downfall. Dumbeldore was already dying when Snape killed him."
Kingsley took a deep breath when Harry finished speaking, "So that is why Severus Snape was a hero? He kept acting a double agent, risking his life for others. The next question is what happened in the forest? I mean you had gone in the forest to surrender yourself to save others."
Harry shook his head, "That is a question for another time or may be never. It was a personal thing. What I can tell you is that he cast the killing curse at me and I lived again."
Kinglsey's eye-brows threatened to disappear in his forehead, "You escaped the killing curse again? Are you immune to it?"
He shook his head, "No, I am not immune to it. There were some peculiar circumstances between me and Voldemort".
Kingsley nodded, "the next question is what do you intend to do now? I mean of course you can join the ministry as an Auror but are you planning to take your family seat?"
Harry asked him, confusion written large on his face, "What family seat?"
Kingsley asked him, "You don't know? Oh Merlin... well you would need to sort the goblins soon and only they can tell you more about it".
Harry had no idea what it was about but choosing to let it go for the moment, he asked him, "Are there any more questions?"
Kingsley nodded, "There is 12, Grimmauld Place to think about. The death-eaters had defiled the place but it is still yours. Also, where are you going to live now? Of course you cannot live with the Weasleys forever."
Harry realised Kingsley was right. He could not live at the Burrow forever. They were as good as a family to him but he needed a place of his own and he had no idea about these things. May be, he could live in Grimmauld Place for the time being. He turned to Kingsley, "I think I will have to look in Grimmauld place and make it habitable. I suppose I need a place for myself after all".
Kingsley offered, "If you want, I can have a magical maintenance crew look after the house and do the necessary repairs."
Harry smiled, "Thank you Kingsley. When they are at it, tell them to change the interior of the house. It is too dark and gloomy. And please ask them to take down that portrait too."
Kingsley grimaced, "Yes, the portrait! Alright I will have it removed. Now you go and report to Gawain for your duties. Before you go, I have received the details of funeral of everyone who died defending Hogwarts. This afternoon, they are saying good bye to Colin Creevey."
Harry's eye moistened a little, "I will be there Kingsley."
Battle of Welshpool
When Harry arrived at the Auror floor, things were in chaos. Aurors were running around and he found Gawain barking orders. He called, "Robards, what is happening?"
The Auror barked, "The last remains of death eaters have attacked Welshpool. We are going after them. You are with Proudfoot, Finch-fletchley, Weasley, Longbottom and Savage. GO."
When they arrived in Welshpool, the little town was in chaos. The top half of the townhall was blown apart, there were a few civilians who were lying dead on the road, their faces calm and Harry knew they had been killed by the Killing Curses.
When they arrived, they spotted atleast 8 death eaters who were destroying buildings or killing peoples. A few cars which were of Muggle Law enforcement were on fire and a police man was pinned to a wall by a javelin through his body.
Savage barked orders, "Take cover and engage the death eaters. Do not let any of these scum escape alive."
Harry ducked behind a wall and sent a stunner at one of the death eaters who fell. However it attracted attention of two others towards him. One of those sent a killing curse at him which destroyed the wall however Harry had left that place a moment ago. The wall crumbled to bits and pieces while Harry had taken him down with a stunner. He was suddenly pushed to the side by Ron out of the way of another killing curse cast by the second death eater. As he fell, his wand fell out of his hand. The death eater who had sent the killing curse at them was advancing on them and in desperation, Harry waved his hand and the wand flew into his hand. He immediately sent a stunner at the death eater.
Neville on the other side had already blasted one out of the way while he and Savege were engaging two of the death eaters between them. Justin and Proudfoot were fighting the last two death eaters. Harry and Ron joined in the fray and within moments, the battle of Welshpool was over.
Savage was barking orders, "Retrieve their wands, tag them and take in as evidence. Bind the stunned ones and take them to the ministry. The Obliviators will be coming down to take care of things."
When Harry returned to the ministry, another party which had gone with Williamson, Hestia, Ernie, Seamus, Dean, Anthony and Terry Boot had returned. Ernie sported a gash on his forehead while Dean had his arm in a sling and Seamus was walking with a little difficulty.
Harry asked worriedly, "What happened?"
Dean grimaced, "We were sent to capture some death eaters. They were waiting for us with a trap. I had my shoulder dislocated when I fell on my shoulder to escape a piece of rock which would have done me in. Seamus fell in a pit so he has some problem in walking. Ernie had his forehead grazed by a cutter."
He asked, "Did we lose someone?"
Dean shook his head, "No we did not. Thankfully there were only four of them there."
He nodded, "Right. I will be going now. I have to go and say bye to a friend."
Dean nodded, "Alright".
Robards came up to him at that moment, "Potter, here is your portkey. Weasley and Longbottom want to go too. You three are dismissed for the day."
Saying good bye to a friend
They arrived in a deserted street. When they walked out of the street, they could see a cemetery across from them on the other side of the road where people had began to gather around. They figured it was where they were going to bury him.
When they entered, the cemetery was full of people, muggles as well as wizards. There were many of Hogwarts students in the crowd who had studied with Colin. There were also Professor McGonagall and Flitwick in the crowd. Chairs were laid down for people to sit and the trio took seats beside McGonagall.
The same wizard who had conducted Fred's funeral was there and he was speaking, "Today we have gathered to say good-bye to a young man who was a cheerful soul and loved people around him. Today we say good bye to Colin Creevey who, as I have been told defied people who tried to oppress him and others and died the death of a hero."
Harry asked McGonagall, "Isn't he the same who was at Dumbledore's and Fred's funeral?"
She had her eyes tear streaked and wiping them furiously with her tartan handkerchief and said, "Yes. The ministry offered to conduct funeral for everyone who died defending the castle."
Dennis meanwhile approached Harry with a man and a woman beside him, "Harry, these are my mother and father. Father this is Harry Potter".
The man shook hands with him, "Colin talked highly of you. Ever since he went to the school, all he would talk about was the great Harry Potter. He told me that you thought of him as a friend, a confidante and helped him many times."
Harry did not know what to say to that. He nodded, "You son was very enthusiastic person. We all will miss him."
The woman said, "If you do not mind Mr. Potter, would you speak a few words. He would have liked that."
Harry reluctantly agreed. He never had much experience with public speaking and still tended to stay away from it however he figured he could say a few words at least.
He stood to speak a few words, "Colin was a year behind me in school and a very enthusiastic person. The first image of him in my mind is of him carrying a camera and clicking photos of everything he found interesting. It was a stressful year but it soon passed and Colin became one of my friends who believed in me even when others did not. He was loyal to his friendship with me and his loyalty never wavered even when being friends with me was deemed hazardous due to an obnoxious teacher at our school. I will remember him as the kid who had come to school to learn and left an impact on all our lives."
Having finished speaking, he sat down and the wizard stood again, "now let us say our good byes to a life which was extinguished way too soon but lived for the triumph of truth over evil".
Four people lowered Colin in the ground while others stood respectfully for the young hero who had died. After everyone had laid flowers at his grave or said good-bye, Dennis approached Harry with a photograph, "Harry, Colin wanted you to sign one of these. Would you do it?"
Harry remembered the days in second year when the ponce Lockhart had suggested that he and Harry could give signed photos. He had hated the idea then and he hated it now but he could honour Colin's request for once. After all, the boy had never asked him for anything.
The photo was of the time when they had won the Quidditch cup in his third year and there he was in the photo, accepting the trophy from Dumbledore while the twins carried him on their shoulders. It perhaps had been his best year at school barring the dementors. He scrawled his name on the photo which Dennis put in a frame and cast a spell at it before he put it near the headstone on Colin's grave. It would the last autograph that Harry ever gave.