DISCLAIMER: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I don't.

CHAPTER TWO – It's Always Hard to Say Goodbye

When Remus Lupin and Hermione Granger arrived at their destination through apparation, Hermione landed on shaky legs, almost falling over before her former Defense professor grabbed her.

"You okay?" Remus asked.

"Fine," Hermione said, though she was anything but. Not only was she still feeling a little weak from the curse she had been hit with at the Ministry, inside she was an emotional wreck. Which is understandable for someone who had just woken up less than twenty four hours ago after being cursed only to find out that the one person that meant the world to you was dead.

The two of them walked past one of the many Auror's on duty for the gathering as they made their way into a small graveyard behind the church in Godric's Hollow.

"Hello Hermione," Ginny said as she approached her friends, who were all sitting in the front row. "How are you holding up?"

"Fine," Hermione said and suddenly had to fight the urge to laugh as she realized she was acting just like Harry would when he didn't want to talk about what was bothering him. He was always say that he was 'fine' or that 'everything was alright', and she would just continue to ask him because she knew that something was wrong. But now she would never be able to ask him how he was doing anymore, or let him convince her into her helping him with his homework when he would struggle with it or start to fall too far back because of Quidditch or trying to figure out some new mystery going on around the school, or sit under the tree by the Black Lake as she studied while listening to him and Ron talk about Quidditch or what an arse Snape is. She'd never see him smile again, or comfort him when he felt like everyone else was against him. She'd never be able to look into the green eyes of his and become lost as she tried to convince herself that she wasn't in love with him because there was no way that someone like Harry could ever love a bushy haired bossy know-it-all bookworm like her.

Unable to hold it back anymore, the damn broke and Hermione started to cry. Within seconds, both Ginny and Luna were by her side, telling her that it was alright and that Harry was in a better place and happy because he was with his parents and Sirius.

"He probably even has a little dog named Scrappy," said Luna, trying to cheer Hermione up.

It wasn't long till everyone that had been invited had shown up, while many who weren't were being held back by the Auror's on guard duty.

It was with a heavy heart that Albus Dumbledore stood before everyone that had come to pay their respects and say goodbye to Harry.

"Harry James Potter… What is there to be said about the young man that we all do not know. Everyone knows the story of how he survived the killing curse when he was just a year old. Survived after both of his parents were taken from him. Survived, only to endure hardships from his muggle relatives for ten years before finding out the truth about who he was. From the moment that Tom had tried to kill him, Harry had to live a difficult life. And yet… Never in all my years have I met a more caring and courageous wizard. In his very first year at Hogwarts, he risked his own life twice to save others. The first was against a fully grown mountain troll when Miss Granger's life was in danger, and the second was when Voldemort was trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone. In his second year, knowing full well that it was a Basilisk terrorizing the school, he ventured down into the Chamber of Secrets after discovering it's hidden location to save yet another student. Ginevra Weasley. In his third year, he risked his life against countless Dementors to protect his godfather, Sirius Black. A man believed to have helped Voldemort kill his parents. A man who turned out to be innocent. In his forth year, Harry's name had came out of the Goblet of Fire, forcing him to participate in a tournament that he was not prepared for. And yet, not only did he do us all proud by rising to the occasion and winning the tournament, the night of the final task, he not only witnessed the return of Voldemort, but survived a duel with a very powerful dark wizard. And now, this past year… When almost everyone seemed to turn again him, including his own government, for trying to tell everyone that Voldemort was back, he did not just accept defeat. He rose to the occasion yet again, going against the laws of the Ministry to try and prepare those who were willing to believe the truth.

"Year after year, he selflessly risked everything to try and keep those he cared for safe. Harry Potter was the physical embodiment of what it meant to be a Gryffindor. It saddens me that I did not get the chance to know the young man better than I did. He… He will be missed."

Dumbledore than sat down, allowing anyone else to say a few words.

Surprisingly, it was Ron that stood up and moved over next to the coffin floating over the open grave.

"I remember the first time I met Harry," said Ron. "It was just outside the barrier to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. He… " Ron let out a weak chuckle. "He didn't know how to get onto the platform because no one told him how. So mum helped him and that was that. At the time, I didn't know who he was. He was just some other first year going to Hogwarts. When Fred and George told me that it was Harry Potter, I didn't believe them, thinking it was yet another one of their pranks. But, due to there not being enough room on the train, I ended up sharing a compartment with Harry. I'll admit that when I saw his scar, I was in awe of him. I mean, who wouldn't. There I was, eleven years old and sharing a compartment with one of the most famous wizards of our age. I'm not sure what I expected, but if anything it wasn't who he was. He just seemed… So in awe of everything magical. Like when the snack trolley came by. I didn't have any money on me to get anything, and so I was stuck eating the corned beef mum gave me. Even though I had told her like a hundred times that I don't like corned beef. Harry then pretty much bought everything right off the trolley and shared it with me. When he picked up a package of chocolate frogs, he asked me if they were real frogs… I still remember his first chocolate frog card was Dumbledore, and when the picture of him left, he wondered what happened. I didn't know it at the time, but muggle pictures don't move… I'm sure it doesn't sound like much to most of you, but its little moments like that, that I will always remember… Harry was my best mate."

Ron looks over at the coffin and places his hand on it.

"I'm going to miss you," he said before returning to his seat.

Many other people took their turns to say something about Harry. Oliver Wood shared his story about when he found out that Harry would be the Seeker for his team. Hagrid about the night he finally got Harry's Hogwarts letter to him in a small shack on a rock in the middle of the sea. Remus talked about the lessons he gave Harry to learn how to cast the patronus spell.

The only people who didn't get up to speak were either those that hadn't known Harry for very long, and Hermione. There were so many things she wanted to say, yet just couldn't bring herself to actually say them out loud.

Dumbledore then stood up and used his wand to lower the coffin into the ground, before conjuring a pile of dirt to fill in the grave, which was marked by the headstone that read…

Harry James Potter

Hero – Friend

July 31 1980 – June 19 1996

He would forever rest next to where his parents were buried.

OoOoOoOoOoO

Later that night in the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore and McGonagall sat in silence as they drank a glass of Ogden's Finest in memory of the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Albus, I'm worried about Miss Granger," said McGonagall.

"As am I," said Dumbledore. "I had expected her to say something today at the funeral, however, that fact that she didn't worries me. I believe she is taking Harry's death much harder than one would expect."

"They were best friends Albus," said McGonagall. "And if what I have heard is true, he was her first friend ever. Not to mention the obvious romantic feelings she has for him."

"Yes, I suspected as much after Christmas when she abandoned time with her family in order to make sure Harry was alright after his vision of Arthur being attacked," said Dumbledore. "Come in."

McGonagall was about to question his last statement when the door to his office opened and Snape walked in.

"One of these days you will tell me how you do that," said McGonagall.

"Headmaster," Snape said.

"Severus, what can I do for you?" asked Dumbledore.

"I just wanted to inform you that I will be leaving at the end of term," said Snape.

"Ahhh, taking a holiday now that everything is over," said Dumbledore. "I pleasant idea."

"No, I believe you've misunderstood me," said Snape. "When term is over, I shall be leaving an not coming back."

"But Severus…" Dumbledore started to say.

"Do not try to change my mind," said Snape. "I have no desire to continue teaching. I only filled in that roll when I turned against the dark lord and spy for you at the end of the first war. I remained here because you believed he would one day return, which he did. And once again, I spent the last year spying for you. Now that he is truly gone for good, I wish for nothing but a peaceful and quiet life alone."

Dumbledore eyed the potion master for a moment before saying, "If that is truly what you wish."

"It is," said Snape.

"Then you wish you the best," said Dumbledore. "And should you change your mind, the position shall always remain open for you."

Snape gave a brief nod of his head before he turned and walked out of the office, his cloak billowing behind him.

OoOoOoOoOoO

The following afternoon, after instructing the Hogwarts house elves to transfer his packed up belongings to his home, Severus Snape left the grounds of the school and apparated to a large empty field in the middle of the countryside.

As he approached a large rock in the middle of the field, he pulled out his potions knife and slit open a small gash on the palm of his left hand, which he then pressed against the rock.

The rock then sank into the ground, exposing a tunnel that led deep underground, which Snape entered.

The former potions professor walked along the tunnel for nearly twenty minutes till he came to large cavernous room lines with torches.

"Welcome Severus," a voice ran out as Snape kneeled on the dirt covered floor. "What news do you bring us?"

"The war has ended," said Snape. "Potter sacrificed his life to end the life of the dark lord."

"Indeed," said a second voice. "The child of prophecy is no more. The threat to our plans is vanquished. The time has come for us to proceed."

"I am at your service," said Snape.

"As you always have been," said a third voice. "You have done the Order well by spying on the two warring factions. Our agents are all nearly in place to begin the grand plan. However, it is you that we require for a most important task."

"Whatever you wish, I shall give my life to complete," said Snape.

"We know you will," said the first voice. "Which is why it shall be you that we grant the task to free one of our own who has been imprisoned for many years."

"Surely one locked away for so long would no longer be of use to the grand plan?" asked Snape.

"He is of much use," said the third voice. "It was written long ago that this person shall be the one to bring life back to the origin. They are the only one who can open the gateway between this world and the immortal cage."

"You mean…"

"Yes," said the second voice. "We are trusting you to bring us the living key."

A small grin crossed the face of Severus Snape.

"You grant me a great honor," said Snape. "I will complete my task."

"We know you will," said the first voice. "For failure means waiting another thousand years. And failure means… Your death."

A/N: What is the goal of the Order of the Shadow? Who is this living key? And what about Harry? You'll have to wait to find out.