-CHAPTER TWO-
Funerals for Friends, Foes and Mortal Enemies
It was two days after Harry's outburst and still everyone was tip-toeing round him. The word hero had not been used since. The funeral for the deceased was today. Harry had been volunteered to give a speech at the end. Harry was not keen on this idea and said that if he should then so should Ron and Hermione because they were always by his side. This, of course, had put Ron in fantastic mood today, for not only was it his dead brother's funeral but he had to make a speech (not Ron's strong point). The funeral was to be split into three sections: one for those who died heroes, which would include Ron's speech, one for those who died for the dark side, which would be Hermione's speech, and one for Snape and Voldemort; two very different but significant deaths. This is where Harry was to speak. Harry didn't need or want to prepare a speech; he knew what he wanted to say. Hermione however was going crazy and had binned the first five attempts at her own speech whilst trying to calm Ron and help him with his. They were still very embarrassed around each other but had gone back to flirting and had not mentioned the kiss once. It didn't matter though, the funeral was so overbearing anything else didn't cross anyone's mind.
Harry saw Ron walking towards him. He was sitting in the stand of the Quidditch pitch reminiscing. "I've been looking everywhere for you. You better go get changed, funeral starts in an hour ." Ron called to him. Harry was dreading it. Although the teachers, the Order, the Weasleys, Hermione and he had stayed in the castle, everyone else had left, so now every wizard and witch attending the funeral knew a version of what they thought happened. He wasn't going to get a moment's peace from the second people started to arrive.
"I know, just give ten more minutes though, yeah? Sit down, will you?" Harry gestured to the space next to him. Ron hesitated then took a seat. Harry stared over the pitch, misty eyed. "Ron, what's happening between you and Hermione?"
Ron looked sheepish, and then said, "What do you mean?"
Harry glared at him. "You know what I mean, Ron," he said.
Ron blushed and his ears turned scarlet. He stayed silent.
Harry rolled his eyes and continued. "You kissed Hermione and you haven't mentioned it since. What's going on with you two?"
Ron's cheeks flooded and seemed to turn an even darker shade of red, if that was at all possible. Ron mumbled something he did not hear. Harry gave him a quizzical look, then Ron said slightly louder, "I don't know."
Harry shook his head. "You've fancied her since fourth year, maybe even before then! So then you snog her, but you don't do anything about it! Why are you being so…so," he shook his head looking to the floor with his elbows on his knees and head in his hands, "immature?" Harry finished looking to Ron again.
Ron sighed and managed to look Harry straight in the eye. He looked a bit hurt. "I don't know what to do. I like her. I mean I really like her. I have not stopped thinking about that kiss." Ron turned to stare into the distantly out at the pitch. Harry laughed and Ron continued solemnly. "But...but what if…" he trailed off into silence. He started up again, "but what if she doesn't like me back? I mean, was it just the spur of the moment? Come on, we were in the middle of a battle and, well…" he broke away.
Harry looked surprised. "Ron, you complete idiot! Anyone can see it! Why would she have been so jealous of Lavender last year? This is Hermione we're talking about! She's the most sensible person we know! She won't kiss just anyone." Ron went very pale and looked completely aghast. He stared at Harry with glazed eyes, Harry could practically see his thought process as he took this new information in . Harry didn't think Ron looked completely convinced. "It's the truth, mate." He grinned.
Ron looked away, open mouthed. "What have I done?"
As Harry and Ron left the Quidditch pitch, Harry could not suppress a grin. "Ron is so oblivious," he thought. They chatted for a while as they drew nearer to Gryffindor tower. They entered the common room after exchanging a nod with the fat lady. As they stepped in, the sound of girls chatting was heard. Hermione sat in a large armchair, facing someone in the other armchair. She looked up as the boys came in then looked back at the person opposite and nodded. A head reared out from the back of the armchair. Ginny smiled. "Hi, Harry." Then she nodded. "Ron".
"I'm going to go get changed," Ron muttered as he spun around and made for the stairs.
"Yeah, same here. Speak to you later, Harry," Hermione said quickly, and ran up the stairs opposite where Ron had just gone.
Harry turned to face Ginny. "Hi," he said simply.
Ginny chewed her lip; there was an hour till the funeral and a lot she had to say. "Hi." She gestured towards the armchair "Sit."
Harry obediently sat into the armchair and dragged it closer to Ginny. This effort was a little wasted, due to Ginny's shuffling across from her chair into his lap as soon as he had settled down. They sat quietly for a while just enjoying the peace of being with each other. Then Harry spoke.
"We really shouldn't be here. I've got to get ready for the funeral." He sighed regretfully before adding, "It was nice of your dad to fetch our trunks for us."
Ginny went very pale and groaned a little; a few small tears fell from the corner of her eye. "I've been dreading this! I mean, so many people have died and so many are coming today. I won't get a moment with you and I need you more than anybody. I know it's selfish but today is confirming that Fred is dead. I should be with my family but they just make me feel worse." More tears spilled from her eyes. Harry held her tight trying to hold in his own tears. She was right. Today was confirmation day for all that had happened and that it was all over. Harry knew nobody had taken it in still. People were having regular mood swings and they would laugh, cry, and be silent and talkative all in the space of five minutes. Harry stared at the ceiling.
"Ginny, I would give anything to bring the people who died back. But no one can make it happen. I am so sorry. Please don't cry. I need you. I need you to be strong for me." Harry was chocking on his own tears. Ginny began to get up. She stared into his vibrant green eyes and that second they knew everything the other was thinking and feeling.
"I know, I don't want to make this any harder for you," Ginny sighed heavily. "I love you." Then she disappeared up the stairs where Hermione had gone.
Harry was aghast. Had she just said what he thought she had! Harry's emotions began to well up inside him. It was all too much. He leapt up and went to punch the wall out of desperation, not because what she said had upset him but that she said it, despite of everything else going on. "What I would give to make her happy," he thought.
Deciding that punching the wall was not a good idea, Harry ran up the stairs to his room and collapsed on his bed punching his pillow, completely forgetting Ron was there.
"Err, Harry? Are you okay?" Ron asked looking very concerned, standing half dressed in his new robes for the funeral.
Harry shot him a dirty look and growled, "Does it bloody well look like I am okay!" He stormed over to the window and stood silent with his back to Ron for quite some time whilst he calmed down. When Harry turned around Ron was still standing in the same spot, in the same state of dress as he was before and staring at him. Harry began, "Sorry, but I'm angry but to be honest I don't know what at. Life I suppose! And do you know what put me in this mood? Your sister telling me she loved me! She loves me and I love her! How insane am I? I'm angry because I'm in love! I'm in love," this last statement was made in a whisper as if confirming it to himself.
A single tear trickled down Harry's cheeks. Ron looked like a ghost. He sat down with his shirt half buttoned, trousers undone and one sock on. Harry laughed. He couldn't help it. Ron stared whilst Harry was reduced to crying through laughter, until the laughter turned to sobs. "Look at me, look at us! We are eighteen." This was not strictly true but he continued, "We shouldn't have to deal with this! Most people don't go through what I have in the last seven years in their whole life. Ron, I need some fun in my life. I need some good things to happen to me. But every time I get that, my sub-conscience is waiting for disaster and it always will. I am damaged goods, mate, so no I'm not okay and not you, not Ginny or Hermione…nobody can help. I just have to face it, I can't pretend that I am okay; I can't be the brave hero anymore. My head is programmed to be prepared for war but there is nothing left to fight. Can you understand?" Harry gritted his teeth and sank onto the edge of his bed. He rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands.
"Harry, I do understand. We have been with you for the past seven years. Ginny has loved you since you first stepped foot inside the Burrow. You are as much a son to my mum as I am. Harry, I don't disagree you are damaged and yeah you will never be normal," Ron laughed nervously. "But, Harry, don't think you are alone. We have been there. You never worried about your own life, just about others, but we worried for you and we are still worried about you. You try being the one watching your best friend beat himself up and risk his own life; you would never let anyone go through what you had to. Yet we had no choice however much we tried to help!" He shifted from one foot to the other and back. Harry bit down hard on this thumb nail. "Any wizard anywhere that has had anything to do with Voldemort or Death Eaters will always be messed up. I know your troubles don't even compare but, mate, don't lock your self up and throw away the key. Let us in, we can help."
When Ron finished his speech there was a moment of silence as if both of them couldn't believe what he had just said. They both gazed at each other for a moment, both of them seeing equally blood shot tired weeping eyes.
"Ron, you are one hell of a mate." Harry smiled slightly and the spell was broken. The boys acted as if nothing had happened yet they both knew they had a bond, a friendship that could never be broken.
……………………………….........................................................................................
The preparations for the funeral were finished. The grounds on the opposite side of the school to the lake were used as not to detract from Dumbledore's funeral. The stacks of coffins were immense and that was just from the Hogwarts battle alone . This was not an official funeral for any individual but a tribute to the victims of Voldemort as a whole. It was also the marking of the end of an era, giving every wizard and witch a new fear free beginning. The Weasleys, Hermione and Harry gathered in the Gryffindor common room. All looked pale and tearful.
"Okay, are you all ready? Hagrid and Minerva…sorry, Professor McGonagall, have finished off arrangements and people are starting to arrive." Mr. Weasley spoke to them all. They were all unhappy to hear this news. As Bill and Fleur went to make the first move towards the door, Molly Weasley spoke.
"First, there is just one thing we need to sort out. Where do we go from here? Harry and Hermione, you know you are more than welcome back at the Burrow and Bill, Charlie and Percy, you too." Mrs. Weasley looked round at them all, hopefully. All her children together. That included Harry and Hermione. Why couldn't Fred be there? She blinked back a tear.
Harry smiled. "Where else are we going to go?" Hermione nodded in agreement. Molly smiled happily then turned to the others.
"I think we'll go home, Mum," Bill sighed. He knew it would upset her. "We need some time alone. Get some peace, finally." He smiled and brought Fleur into a loving hug, kissing her lightly on the cheek. She nodded in agreement with his notion.
Charlie looked undecided. Eventually he said, "I'll come, but only for a week or so. I have to get back to work at some point and the longer I leave it the harder it will be." His mother's eyes lit up with delight.
Finally Percy spoke. "I'll come for a week or two if you are sure I'm welcome." Molly squeezed Arthur's arm. They weren't all leaving her. She had a houseful to keep her mind on things.
"Okay then let's get this over with," she said.
They reached the place of the funeral. The four teens, no, adults now, were walking hand in hand to face all those in attendance. Hermione squeezed Ron and Harry's hands so hard it was beginning to hurt but Harry didn't care, she was conveying all of the feeling he was trying so hard not to. Ginny, on Harry's other side, also held tight but not for the same reasons as Hermione. She held on lovingly, trying to be strong, trying to let him know it would all be okay. Harry stared at all the witches and wizards gathered, the whole of the Ministry, all the survivors from the battle, teachers, the Order, the D.A, hundreds of them; he could not recognise all of them, though Harry knew that they were key people in the battle or families of those who were. Professor McGonagall, Minister Shacklebolt and Hagrid came over to them. Hagrid smiled grimly, tears flooding his beard. "No one is to talk to you three till after the funeral and you can leave as soon as you like though the papers will want quotes, but then again most people want a piece of you," McGonagall laughed emptily.
"Yes, but I would quite like a word with you three before you leave, if you please," Kingsley added.
Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded. Harry then spoke, "Okay, I want this over quickly so let's get started." At this all the others around him sighed or nodded grimly before taking their seats. Harry softly whispered to Ginny, "I love you too, always will," before releasing her hand and heading to the stage. Ginny shed a single tear as she sat down between Charlie and George.
Ron stood up first, he was strong and mature as he took centre stage. He stood behind a small oak podium that just reached his rib cage, on which he rested his speech. The stage was semi circular and about two foot off the ground also made of oak. The Death Eater's black coffins were in small stacks behind the stage whilst the victims, the good soldiers of the war lay to either side of the stage. Each lay individually with a nameplate and flowers placed lovingly by friends and relatives when they had arrived. Riddle and Snape's coffins were positioned at either side of the back edge of the stage.
" The good side, what is that? The good side are the people who decided not to join Lord Voldemort, those who made a stand. That is not just the brave who fought but also those who ran and hid because that on its' own shows they didn't want to conform, to be one of his Death Eaters. Then we have to think about all the innocent victims all those who didn't stand a chance, those who got in the way and those that didn't fit in his grand plans. Think about all those poor muggles, all those who were an inconvenience and all those in the wrong place at the wrong time. Where do we start when talking about the good side or at least the innocent side?" Ron took a small pause checking he had kept his audience and preparing him self for the emotional part of the speech.
" I begin with the first man that was believed to die at Voldemort's hand, by his wand: Mr Tom Riddle senior. This muggle definately wasn't shown the good side of the wizarding world first he was tricked using love potion into marring a young witch, Voldemort's mother, then was killed by his own son. This was the first of a long list of deaths caused by lord Voldemort in his first reign, all of which shall forever be remembered and honoured. Two very special people were included in this list: James and Lily Potter. Parents of the 'boy who lived', the brave couple who laid down their lives for their son, they were the last of those who died first time round. The list from here on is a lot closer to home for a lot of us sitting here. From Cedric Diggory a wrong place at the wrong time victim to Sirius black, Albus Dumbledore, Mad-eye Moody, Ted Tonks, Dobby the free elf, my brother Fred, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks and even young Colin Creevy. None of these deaths is any more important than any other and just because I haven't mentioned the entire deceased doesn't mean they don't all matter. These are just my list of the deaths that hurt most." Ron took another deep breath holding back the tears. Harry was sitting on a large chair behind the podium amazed at Ron's emotion and strength to continue.
"But today isn't about my grief or any body else's today is about honouring all those who fought Voldemort, remembering and commemorating those who lost there lives and consoling all those injured and tortured during the battle. Every good persons life, health and sanity is worth the same as any others. Today we celebrate our victory and all the people who helped make it happen." Ron ended his speech here, his voice had been clear, calm and warm throughout but he wasn't sure he could hold himself together much longer.
He had the whole audience in tears; the emotion of the speech was so great. Hermione's lap was flooding and Harry felt a few large tears roll down his own face. It wasn't just the speech that had him choked but that Ron had made it, his maturity, emotional strength and compassion were clear to all, he had truly become a man. As Ron turned from his audience, Harry noticed his watery eyes and that his hands were shaking. Ron took his seat on the other side of Hermione's and let out a whimper, Harry gave him praising yet understanding nod as Hermione managed to get the strength to mutter, "I take it back, you do not have the emotional range of a teaspoon." Ron gazed at her bemused then gave a small smile and took her hand, grasping it tightly within his own.
Kingsley read the list of memorials after Ron's speech whilst everyone got fresh tissues and prepared them selves for the next oration. From the stage Harry could see Mrs Weasley sobbing into her husbands arms and Ginny under George's arm with a steely expression managing to hold herself together, just. They caught each others eye and Harry was overcome by a strong desire to be there, sitting next to her, comforting her, holding her. Kingsley had finished his register of all those departed and was telling those in attendance about the plans for a memorial wall inside Hogwarts when it gets rebuilt naming and honouring all the lost lives. Hermione now stood quivering, it was time to make her speech.
Hermione inhaled deeply through her nose, closed her eyes and swallowed hard. Her knees could barely hold her up as she shakily walked to the podium. Hermione had her speech memorised and cue cards in her hand but suddenly it felt like they meant nothing. There was no way she could follow Ron's amazing speech and no amount of preparation could have prepared her for the tears leaking down her face and the faces of the hundreds in front of her.
" How can I follow that speech… how can I follow the names of our lost heroes f, f ff, for they are truly what today is all about." Hermione's voice broke at this point. She was unable to continue for an instant, as tears blurred her vision. Ron's body tensed as he watched her, Harry knew he wanted to help her but this was Hermione's moment.
" Death Eaters…what more is there to say? These people brought death…and destruction to our homes and loved ones. They, they, they got joy from torturing us and bowed down pathetically to a leader they were terrified of. At least…at least death caught up with some of them." Hermione's voice kept wobbling and she had given up on the speech she had prepared for now it didn't even seem relevant. "Some of Voldemort's followers were c, c, cc, cowards that couldn't face the idea, hic, of death, some were traitors…giving information, hic, in exchange for their lives and some were just evilvindictive people, hic, that truly b, believed in Voldemort's cause." Hermione was really struggling now she was hiccupping, crying and shaking all over. Her vision was blurred and her voice was very high, she couldn't get a whole sentence out.
Ron couldn't take it; he couldn't just watch her struggle. He had to help her. Harry watched as Ron rushed over to her catching her in his arms for she was shaking so much she could barely hold herself upright. Hermione clang to him tightly as she gradually managed to find the strength to finish her speech. She pulled away from Ron, after a break of about two minutes, though she still held his hand tightly. Hermione looked back at her audience and rounded of her speech by saying: "Death Eaters should be remembered, remembered for what they were and what they did. They played a huge part in this war, but now its over and so are their lives. No honour or respect is to be given to them but an image of the worst kind of witch or wizard to be burned in our memories. All that's left is to thank them for opening our eyes to who we are, what we have, what we can do and the strength of the good side of the wizarding world. Though I think that we all agree there is definitely better ways of finding those things out."
Suddenly it was Harry's turn. He stood, the audience silenced, Ron held Hermione tightly and Ginny smiled at him weakly from the crowd. Harry didn't intend to speak for long. He sighed and began, "what do you want me to say? I know a lot of you will be looking for the heroic story of how I defeated Lord Voldemort and answers to why Severus Snape is not in a black coffin piled in with all the other death eaters but this is a funeral not an interview. All I am going to say is in short Tom Riddle was an evil, vindictive, idiotic, coward. I survived him on chance. He was a powerful wizard but he made many mistakes. Mistakes I am grateful for, as they enabled me to take his life before he could destroy any more." Harry sighed surveying the crowd. Adoration, wonder, sadness and loss filled the faces that stared up at him, a tear slid silently down his cheek, past the corner of his mouth to his jaw, where it fell, softly, onto the collar of his black shirt.
Harry swallowed and allowed himself to speak a little longer. "You have to stop looking at me like I'm a hero. I'm not. Its because of me so many great wizards and witches lost their lives. I don't deserve to still be here, it should have been all of your loved ones still here. But I will let you know of one true hero that died in battle." here Harry paused for effect. " Severus Snape was one of the bravest men I ever met. He may not have been the nicest of men but it is because of him, I and all of you are still here now. You see, Snape loved my mum, always had, always would. This meant that from the moment Voldemort threatened my family he was once again on the good side and he became Dumbledore's man. He fought from the inside to protect and help me. He is an amazing man."
Harry looked at his shocked audience and felt he needed to wrap his speech up. He had no idea what on earth to say, however. Then he looked at Ginny. " That all said I now want to share some news with you that I found out today that has no relevance to Snape but is more about moving forward. I want to tell you that I have fallen in love. I love Ginny Weasley more than she'll ever know." He looked straight into her eyes as he said this and she finally couldn't hold it together any more she hugged herself tight and for the first time properly cried. Harry felt guilt wash over him again but he also knew she needed to let it out. The rest of the audience again looked at him shocked but they were also happy, pleased and confused. He explained his announcement by adding "I strongly believe that if I can find love on a day like today then anyone can. It has made me realise there is hope and we can move on, there can be love where there was loss and we can have good lives from now on. It'll be hard but we can do it, I'm so sorry that you have to deal with all this heartache first and I wish I could help but all I know is that there is hope," Finally it was all over. Harry would be back at the Burrow in no time, just a few people to talk to, and then he could relax and calm down over the summer.
AN : what do you think? I know a plot hasn't really started developing yet but it will begin next chapter promise. Please review! I need constructive criticism, I know my writing isn't amazing but some encouragement would be nice if you don't mind : D. Also what Kingsley said will be included in next chapter. I meant to put it in here but I felt the chapter had finished itself.