A/N: So, I'm trying to make these chapters longer. Keep reviewing, I appreciate it. And sorry they havn't been that great, I've just been really busy and distracted.

Chapter 5: It Will Help You Some Sunny Day

Headmistress McGonagall stood up and cleared her throat. Harry looked up from his dinner. The Great Hall was decorated with black banners with the Hogwarts coat of arm. The four long tables had not been seperated by house. Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley's were sitting at the table that would normally be the Gryffindor table. Professor Sprout and Flitwick were in their usual seats as well as Hagrid, McGonagall was sitting in the large chair in the center, and Kingsley was seated to her right. McGonagall straightened her emerald hat and began to speak to the crowd of students and their families.

"Good evening. Well now that we're all good and fed, I'd like to make a few announcements. First off, we are officially going to continue the running of Hogwarts." Cheers and applause echoed through the hall. "We are also extending an invitation to any student who did not have a full year their seventh year, to come back to finish it. Any student who wishes to return may come see me and tell me so. Also, Kingsley Shacklebolt has been appointed permanent Minister of Magic." The hall was filled with applause and cheers and yells. Once everyone was quiet (which took a few minutes) Professor McGonagall continued on. "Next, the funerals will be held tomorrow at noon. Families may choose where the official burials will be held following the ceremony. Also, everyone who fought in the battle will be recieving an Order of Merlin." Almost everyone looked shocked and honored at the same time. McGonagall grinned. "Those are all the announcements we have at the moment. Thank you." She sat back down and the hall started to fill up with conversation again. Harry suddenly remembered that Snape was still in the Shrieking Shack. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione.

"We've got to go get Snape's body," he said quietly.

"Oh I'd forgotten about him!" said Hermione.

"Do we have to go now, mate?" groaned Ron.

Harry laughed and got up. Hermione followed Harry, but turned to Ron.

"Come on," she said shortly. Ron reluctantly got up and joined the two. Harry waved good-bye to Ginny and followed Ron and Hermione out.

"Do you think they've lifted the enchantment that keeps people from apparating on the grounds?" asked Ron when they had left the castle.

"I dont know," said Harry. "Let me try." Harry focused on the Shrieking Shack and turned on the spot. It felt like the air had turned solid. "Nope, it doesn't work."

The trio then walked across the grounds to the Whomping Willow. Harry levitated a stick and sent it flying to the knot in the trunk. The branches stopped swaying and the climbed into the passageway.

"Bloody hell!" grumbled Ron as they crawled through the tunnel. "Was it this long when we last went?"

"Oh relax Ronald, we're here," said Hermione. They walked into the Shrieking Shack and Harry could see Snape laying on the floor.

"How are we going to get him out?" asked Ron.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" cried Hermione. Snape was lifted off the ground. They walked back into the passageway, Hermione guiding Snape's body along the way.

XxxxX

Harry stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was wearing the dress robes Mrs.Weasley had gotten for him. He could see Ron behind him adjusting the bow tie on his robes for the millionth time. Today was going to hurt. Harry turned away from the mirror and sat down on the bed next to Ron.

"It'll be okay eventually, mate," said Harry, clapping Ron on the back.

"Thanks," said Ron quietly.

They sat there in silence (for how long, Harry didn't know) until they heard a knock at the door. Ron got up and opened it to reveal Ginny, looking crestfallen and timid. Harry had never seen her look like that, but he thought she still looked beautiful. She was wearing a simple black dress with her hair up in a ponytail.

"Are you guys going to come down with us?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, just a minute," said Ron. Ginny turned to walk away but Ron stopped her. "Ginny?"

"Yeah?"

"Come here."

Ron gave her a hug and Harry suddenly realized how much Ron really did care for his sister. And why he was so awkward about Harry being with her. Ron put his arms around Ginny's shoulders and turned to Harry.

"Coming with us?"

"Yeah."

Harry got up and put his arm around Ginny's shoulders, too. They walked down to the common room. Hermione was sitting in an armchair waiting for them. She was wearing a black dress and her heart was tied in a knot at the back of her head. She looked solemn. Ron silently put out his hand and she took it. They walked out of the common room like that. It looked wierd, but Harry didn't care. He didn't care about anything or anyone today except the funeral and those who it was being held for.

XxxxX

The grounds looked like a sea of black robes and chairs. Harry was seated in the third row of seats with Ginny, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasley's to his right.

"Are you sure I should be up here?" he asked. The first six rows were reserved for the families who had lost loved ones.

"Oh come off it Harry," said Ginny quietly. She grabbed his hand and turned to face the front, where Kingsley was standing on a platform. Harry saw him draw his wand, murmer something, and place his wand to his neck. He made a nice speech and then began to list the names of those who were killed in the battle. Harry did all he could to keep himself from crying as Lupin and Tonks' names were called and he heard Ginny hiccup when Kingsley read Fred's name. He gave her a kind of one armed hug and looked around. Ron looked distant and hardened and Hermione was crying silently. Mr.Weasley was holding Mrs.Weasley tight as she sobbed harder than ever. George looked deeply hurt and their was the slightest trace of annoyance on his face as Percy shifted in his seat next to George. The Weasley's had chosen for Fred to be burried at a cemetery not to far from the Burrow, so Fred's coffin was carried aside after they read his name. Coffins of those who were to be buried at Hogwarts remained where they were.

After all the names were read, Professor McGonagall walked up on stage and said simply and meaningfully,

"May they never be forgotten." She then flicked her wand and a large memorial that bore the name's of those who died on it appeared. It was shining bright white marble, which seemed to glow in the sunlight; The names were set in the deepest blue. Those who were to be laid to rest at Hogwarts were buried and the remaining coffins were left for the families. There was a loud creaking of chairs as everyone stood up.

"Promise you won't dump me at this funeral?" asked Ginny. The words cut through Harry like knives. Both Hermione and Ron looked shocked. As soon as she had said it she immediately clapped a hand to her mouth. Her eyes were wide. "I didn't mean to say that out loud," she stammered. Harry didn't really know what to say. 'I'm sorry' just didn't cut it in this situation. Before Harry could say anything Mr. and Mrs.Weasley walked up to them and wrapped Ginny in a huge hug. Percy joined in and grabbed Ron and Hermione to join. George recoiled and stepped back a few spaces. Harry was pulled into the hug, but was immediately distracted by a small woman was scurrying up to him while calling his name; She was holding a small child in her arms.

"Mrs.Tonks!" said Harry.

"Andromeda dear, Andromeda!" she said. "I just thought you might want to see your godson. Horrible curcumstances of course..." she added quietly. She held out the tiny boy and Harry got his first glimpse at Lupin and Tonks' child. His hair had grown since the picture Harry had seen of him was taken. It was even starting to change colors, too. He was smiling and giggling. It seemed so depressing to Harry, that Teddy would never know his parents... and that he had no idea he was at their funeral. To him the word still seemed small enough to manage.

He couldv'e held Teddy much longer, but Professor McGonagall had run up to him and requested to talk. Harry handed Teddy back to Andromeda, offered to watch him whenever she needed him to, and followed Professor McGonagall.

"You said you had a plan to repair the school?" she asked.

"Er- yeah!" said Harry, as he pulled out the Elder Wand. "Reparo!" Harry could tell it had worked, for the broken windows were repairing themselves, the chunks of the castle visibly gone from the outside were being replaced.

"Hmm..." said Professor McGonagall. "I tried that but it didn't ever seem to work. Thank you Harry."

"Erm.. you're welcome," said Harry, shocked at hearing Professor McGonagall use his first name. Harry hurried off to find Hermione and the Weasley's.

Harry found Hermione, Ron, Charlie, Bill, Fleur, Percy, and Mr. and Mrs.Weasley in the Great Hall eating lunch. He sat down on one side of Ron and filled a goblet with pumpkin juice.

"Have you seen Ginny?" he asked quietly.

"I thought she was with you?" said Hermione.

"And what about George?" asked Ron.

"Havn't seen him since right after the funeral," said Harry.

"We'll look for him if he doesn't show up in a little while," said Hermione.

"And what about Ginny?"

"Look mate, the last I saw her she said she was going to find you," said Ron.

"Oh Ron you are so naive sometimes. She probably just said that to get away from your parents," she said as she rolled her eyes. They continued talking, but Harry wasn't paying any attention. He was already half way across the hall and had pulled out the Marauder's Map.

Well there ya go! Please review! :)