2
Funeral for a friend
Black banners with the Hogwarts Crest were hanging from the ceiling of the great hall. The long tables were replaced with rows of chairs for the many mourners that came to pay there respects to those that had fallen during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Banners with photos of those that were killed in the battle hung at the front of the hall. Ron stared at the banner with Fred's picture. He could not believe Fred was dead. Ron fought hard to hold back the tears he knew were coming. Hermione reached over and took Ron's hand and held it tight. He squeezed her hand tightly.
Of all the things that had happened over the last day or two his relationship with Hermione was he best thing that had ever happened to him. The last couple of days had been like a dream that he did not want to end. He did not believe he could have fallen more in love with Hermione but the fact is he had and could not imagine life without her. He knew that they had been only officially dating for a couple of days but he knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Ron looked at Hermione and she squeezed his hand again to comfort him. He also saw his mother her head buried in his father's shoulders. She had not taken Fred's death well at all. She bore the hurt of a parent that out lived a child. Ron remembered reading somewhere once that no parent should ever outlive a child. After the last couple of days he believed that to be true.
His father had remained as strong as he could for his wife however the fact remained that he too had lost a son. Ron expected that sometime soon his father too would have to give up the strong front he had been putting on for his wife and also mourn the loss of his son.
He also saw his best friend Harry sitting next to his sister Ginny trying to keep his own tears back as well. Ron worried about Harry just as much as his mother. Even though Harry had not said anything since the battle Ron knew that Harry blamed himself not only for Fred's death but also all of those that had been killed in the final battle against Lord Voldemort and his death eaters.
Ron knew this was not logical, but he knew Harry thought that if he had not allowed the members of Dumbedore's army or the Order of Phoenix help him in the final battle those that had died would still be alive today. Ron wish he knew of a way he could help his friend realize that those that fought in the final battle knew the risk they were taking and there deaths were not his fault.
As Ron looked at his family and the rest of the great hall he realized now more than ever how much the Wizarding world had appreciated the sacrifice that those they were here to honor had made. The Weasley's had wanted to have a small private funeral and memorial service for Fred. The Ministry of Magic had to convince the Weasley's to have Fred's funeral service along with the others that had been killed in the battle of Hogwarts.
The funeral was for all intents and purposes a full state funeral. Those wizards and witches of any importance throughout the world were attending this day's ceremony.
Ron felt a twinge of jealousy as he saw Viktor Krum sitting a few rows in back with the rest of the Bulgarian Quidditch team. In addition the Ministers of Magic from several other countries were sitting with Kingsley Shacklebolt. For the Wizarding world this funeral was one of the biggest events in recent history.
Ron could no longer hold back his tears as the bagpipes began playing the funeral taps reserved for those killed in the service of the ministry of magic.
A couple of hours later the funeral service had been completed. The ceremony was more of a celebration of the life of those that had fallen in the battle. Kingsley gave a very well written speech.
The highlight of the ceremony in Ron's mind had to be the eulogy given by Luna Lovegood. She spoke in her dreamy voice of how even though they would miss there friends right now that they should not be too sad as they would once again be with them someday. She said those that we love have a way of finding there way back to you somehow.
Ron was amazed at how simple and moving her eulogy had been. Ron felt a great deal of affection for Luna as she had slowly taken the time to comfort each of those who had lost a loved one before she returned to her seat. Ron remembered his mothers surprise as Luna stopped to give her a comforting hug. This seemed to give his mother a sense of comfort and closure and for this Ron would be forever grateful to her.
Ron also knew there was one thing he had to do. It seemed over the last couple of days Harry had been avoiding Ginny. Ron was not sure why he was as he knew Harry was very much in love with his sister. He also knew that Harry's avoiding Ginny was killing her inside.
When he asked Hermione her thoughts on what was going on with Harry she told him that he was probably feeling guilty about Fred being killed. She also pointed out to Ron that Harry had also been avoiding Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ron knew he would have to take the time to talk to Harry. If Harry did not realize by now he was like another son to the Weasley's and he was being a real git.
Ron looked through the crowd trying to spot Harry so he could talk to him. The problem would be getting a minute or two alone with Harry so they could talk. It was not just the fact that Harry had defeated Voldemort but both he and Hermione had also been the subject of several stories in the Daily Profit.
Most of the stories were from witnesses to the many exploits the three of them had, since none of them wanted to talk to reporters... In addition to the three of them Neville, Luna and Ginny were also getting there fair share of the spotlight as their battles with the Carrow's over the last year were also being told.
After looking through the crowd he finally caught a glimpse of Harry at the back of the great hall. Ron began to head over to him trying to think of what he would say to Harry. He knew he had to say something. As he got close he saw that Harry was not alone. Sitting with him was Luna. They seemed to be engaged in a deep conversation. Ron could overhear Luna
"Harry you know you had nothing to do with those that were killed that night. They all chose to be here." Harry looked unconvinced but Luna pushed on. "They would have been here whether you were here or not. Each of them wanted to stop Lord Voldemort. Nothing you could have done would have stopped them from being here"
Again Ron was astounded by Luna's ability to speak the simple truth. Harry seemed that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders as Luna finished speaking. Luna looked up and saw Ron.
"Hello Ron Weasley" she said in her dreamy voice.
"Hi Luna," Ron smiled back at her. "Thank you for your kind words today"
Luna gave Ron a knowing look and simply said "I simply spoke the truth Ron Weasley. Now if you will excuse me I need to go find my father"
Luna got up and drifted into the crowd.
Ron sat down next to Harry.
"How you holding up Harry"
Harry gave Ron a weak smile. "I am doing ok I guess"
Ron hesitated. He knew he needed to talk to Harry now.
"Harry can I ask you something?"
Harry looked at Ron with a worried look and nodded his head.
"Why are you avoiding Ginny?" Ron saw the surprise in Harry's eyes as he asked the question as he continued "I don't think you mean to but you are tearing her apart"
Harry looked at Ron and answered in a haunted voice. "I am not trying to hurt her Ron. I just do not think she will forgive me for Fred's death"
Ron was not surprised to hear that Hermione had been right about what was bothering Harry. "Harry there is nothing to forgive. You had nothing to do with Fred's dying any more then me or Hermione did. It was Lord Voldemort and his death eaters that killed Fred not you"
Harry opened his mouth to say something but Ron cut him off "Harry you did not ask Fred or any of the others to fight. It is something they chose to do. They chose to take a stand against the death eaters; you did not tell them what to do. Ginny and my mother both know this and do not blame you for Fred or any of the other being killed. So why are you blaming yourself."
Harry looked at Ron and shook his head. "I don't know." He said with his eyes brimming with tears, "We lost so many friends over the last couple of years Ron"
Ron thought about not just those that had been killed the other night but also about the others that had been killed since Voldemort return. Sirrius Black, Dumbledore, Mad Eye Moody and Dobby, he realized how many of those that his friend loved had died and understood why Harry was taking this loss so hard.
"I know mate. We did lose a lot of good friends but they would not want you to stop living would they"
Harry nodded his head in agreement.
Ron looked at his best friend and knew the one thing he wanted was for Harry to discover the happiness that he had found with Hermione and Ron knew that meant Harry needed to get back together with Ginny.
"Harry, do you love Ginny?"
Harry looked at Ron; Ron could see in his eyes the answer to his question. He did not need Harry to say anything.
"Then don't shut her out" he advised his best friend.
Harry smiled slightly. "Listen to Ron Weasley giving advice on how to charm a witch"
Ron Smiled back "Hey mate. I think I know a thing or two about charming a witch" he looked at Hermione across the great hall as he finished. Harry followed his gaze.
"Well it took you long enough" he laughed as he pointed this out to Ron.
Ron smiled back "Yeah I was a real Git for a couple of years,"
They both laughed at Ron's last comment. Harry looked at Ron, Ron knew the question he was about to ask. Ron smiled at Harry and said to his best friend as they both looked at Hermione
"Don't tell anyone Harry but you are looking at the future Mrs. Weasley"
Harry gave Ron a serious look before answering
"Ron anyone that has known the two of you for the last couple of years already knows that"
Both Ron and Harry laughed. Ron wanted more than anything for Harry to be happy. "So why don't you go and talk to Ginny? I think the same can be said of the two of you once you get your act together."
"After all you and Hermione put me through you have no room to talk"
Ron laughed as he and Harry got up and began to walk toward Hermione. Ron was pleased to see that Hermione was talking with Ginny as they approached.
***
Harry knew he had been acting a little stupid over the last couple of days Luna had been a big help in helping him forgive himself over the losses from the battle. He hated to admit it but he really did need Ron's blessing before he could start going out with Ginny again. He was overjoyed that Ron had approached him about Ginny. He was not sure if he would have been able to approach Ron.
He found himself just a little nervous as he and Ron walked up to Ginny and Hermione who were having an animated discussion about something. As they approached the two of them Ron put his arms around Hermione and said "Hello there gorgeous"
Hermione turned and gave Ron a huge smile as Ginny just rolled her eyes at the two of them. She looked at Harry and quickly turned away. Ron gave Harry and quick shove and said to Harry's surprise
"Hermione I saw Viktor Krum over by the buffet. Did you want to go say hello" Hermione also looked surprised as Ron lead her off in the direction of the buffet leaving Harry and Ginny standing alone together.
Harry was not sure where to start
"How have you been doing Harry" Ginny asked tentatively.
Before Harry had a chance to think about it he took her into his arms and kissed her deeply like he did the first time in the Gryffindor common room almost a couple of years ago. As they broke from the kiss he could see several people in the crowd looking at them, including Ginny's parents. He took Ginny's hand and led her to as private a place he could find in the entrance to the great hall. He swore he could see the flash of cameras while he was kissing her.
"Ginny" he said to her once they were alone in a corner.
Ginny looked at him, her face radiant as she smiled back at him.
"I am sorry I have been such a Git over the last couple of days." He wanted to explain to her all of the feelings he had been struggling with, his guilt over the death of Fred and all the others that had been killed not just that night but over the last couple of years but he did not know where to start.
"Harry" Ginny said to him softly. "You don not need to say anything. I know you have been feeling guilty about Fred and the others and you had to realize you had nothing to feel bad about. That is something I knew you would have to work out"
Harry was amazed at Ginny's insight and she laughed a little as he looked at her surprised.
"Before you give me credit for having insight beyond my years I did not come to this conclusion on my own. To be honest I was ready to kill you" she admitted. "However Luna told me I should give you some time and that you had to work out your feelings."
Harry was once again amazed at how perceptive Luna was. Hermione may have book smarts but when it came to understanding people no one seemed better than Luna. "Luna is pretty good at reading people" Harry said remembering the Eulogy she gave earlier that day. Ginny agreed.
"Ginny you need to know that I thought of you constantly while I was hunting down those Horcruxes" he looked into her eyes and continued "It killed me the be away from you and I do not want to have to ever do that again."
Ginny took Harry's hand and simply said "I have always been here Harry and I am not going anywhere."