Chapter Forty Five: Misery Laid to Rest

Eventually, I detached myself from James and, after giving him a watery smile, stumbled back to my own dorm to take a long hot shower.

All of us had been given the day off and we were Flooing to my home half an hour before the funeral and before all the Muggles attending the ceremony arrived.

I emerged in clouds of steam, to find Cassie and Bella waiting for me. When they saw me, they came over and hugged me tightly.

Then Cass broke away.

"I'll shower next, okay?"

Belle nodded and I wandered over to my wardrobe. I grabbed my white ¾ length sleeve blouse, a black pencil skirt and black sling-backs.

I forced myself not to cry as I got ready and waited for my friends, who were both dressed in respectful black.

We descended into the common room, where the guys were all waiting in black suits and white shirts. Obviously Remus' doing.

I smiled weakly and slipped my hand into James'. I don't know why, but he made me feel safe and protected from the evils of the world.

He smiled down at me and we all journeyed to Dumbledore's office.

Once there, I took a pinch of the green powder in the plant pot on the hearth and threw it into the crackling flames.

"13 Magnolia Crescent!" I cried, stepping into the fire, whilst tucking my elbows tightly to my sides.

Whirling fireplaces flashed past, before I felt myself being tipped forwards and I fell out of our fireplace at home.

Petunia shrieked as I stood and performed a simple cleaning spell on my clothes.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" She yelped, flinching as I stepped towards her.

"Can't we atleast try to get along, just for today? On the day we bury our mother?" I asked, my frustration clear in my voice.

James' arms wrapped around my waist and I leaned back into his embrace.

"Who the hell are you?" Vernon asked, striding into the room.

"James Potter. You are?" James lifted an eyebrow and gave him a cursory glance, before pulling me closer.

A car horn sounded outside. It seemed we had been standing there longer than I thought. Collecting the others, I opened the front door and strode purposefully out to the waiting funeral car. All of us in one and another for Petunia, Vernon and various aunts and uncles.

At the crematorium

I pulled a lace handkerchief from my pocket and stared at it. Mum had made it for me. God I hate funerals.

"Lil?" Bella pulled me from my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I asked, looking up.

She nodded towards the pulpit, signaling they wanted me to talk.

I rose to my feet shakily and walked slowly to the raised platform.

"I'd like to start by thanking everyone for coming. My sister and I are very grateful for your support." I said, my eyes swiveling to Petunia, who was sobbing uncontrollably on Vernon.

"My mother was a wonderful person, always ready with a smile and a comforting word. There was many a time that I knew of no other to turn to than Mum. When I had to sell my first horse, when a boy called me carrot top, when Dad died, she was the only one who could console me. Now that she is no longer here, I have to be strong. I'm going to read one of her favourite poems to you today.

Do not stand by my grave and weep.

I am not there,

I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am a diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awake in the morning hush,

I am the swift up-lifting rush,

Of quiet birds in circling flight,

I am the soft star shine at night.

Do not stand by my grave and cry.

I am not there.

I did not die.

Thank you again for coming." My voice trailed to a faint whisper as I stumbled down from the platform and to my seat. The rest of the funeral and the aftermath flashed past and I did nothing in my power to acknowledge it.

After the guests had gone, Petunia rounded on me.

"You… you… I hate you!" She cried, facing me with a determined scowl on her face.

I rolled my eyes. My temper was to be unleashed, as she had never seen it before. "Like I don't already know that."

"How dare you bring your freakishness into my house and let your weird little friends defile my home?!" Her voice was higher than usual.

I saw red. "YOUR HOME? YOUR HOME? WHAT THE FUCK HAS THAT DURSLEY PIG BEEN TELLING YOU? THAT YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY MUM'S GONE, SO YOU CAN HAVE THE HOUSE? WELL, YOU'RE IN FOR ONE BIG SURPRISE BITCH!"

"How dare you insult Vernon? He's accepted your freaky ways! You should be thankful to him!" Her ranting was grating on my nerves.

"THANKFUL? THANKFUL? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE THANKFUL TO A… A… A PIG IN A WIG?" Grabbing the bag of Floo powder Dumbledore had given me; I took a pinch and threw it on the flames.

"Dumbledore's Office!" I yelled, before disappearing into the soot and fire.

Thankful indeed.

Hiya, M here!

How'd you like this chapter?

Sorry it lacked in detail but writer's block has struck again.

Review please!

xxxxx