Hello!! Sorry for the long wait. Now for some bad news...there are two remaining chapters left. I must admit going through them the past few chapters have seemed really dark O-O Next chapter has some comedy in it...well I'll try. Sequel should be up and running middle of April. Thanks for the reviews!!!

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I don't own a single thing!!!

It Started With...

Chapter 26

A Funeral...

Two days had passed since Dumbledore's death. Hermione had been forced to stay in the Hospital Wing since she had passed out. Ron had always visited her seeing as Harry was studying the mysteries of the Dark Arts. No he didn't want to join the Death Eaters...he just wanted to understand their goal in order to defeat them. Neville and Luna were sneaking books out from the forbidden section while Ginny snuck some out from the large normal section.

Dumbledore's funeral would be announced any day now. No one could believe he was gone. It seemed too unreal, like they were in a bad dream; it seemed without Dumbledore...what was the point? For the Hogwarts, it was the last safe place from Voldemort. Now...it seemed like everyone was leaving to go into hiding.

Hermione was lying on her bed, clutching the sheets, she felt empty. She missed Draco. No she didn't miss him, she needed him. A sob escaped her lips. "Draco." She snuggled her head into the sheets. Yes he had joined the enemy and yes he tried to kill Dumbledore...but she couldn't stop loving him. She let another sob escape her. She wanted to be her old self again. The bookworm, the one who had a small crush on Ron...the girl she used to be before she met Draco. But she couldn't, she didn't have a crush on anyone. She just loved Draco.

Her stomach lurched. Hermione sat up. She clutched the sheets hoping it to pass. But it didn't. She raced to the basin just in time to throw up. Her whole body shook as she vomited. Then her crying started again. She heard the door open and in came Ginny. "Hermione!" She cried out. She hurried to her friend's side. "Oh Hermione." She hugged the weeping girl.

"I miss him...so much!" She sobbed. Ginny bit her lip. She hated seeing Hermione like this. It was like watching a kitten drown. Ginny patted the girl's shoulder gently. She let the girl cry until Hermione's sobs turned into sniffles.

"They've announced Dumbledore's funeral." Ginny said after a while. Hermione swallowed. "We're all worried about you. Even Harry." Hermione just stared into space. Ginny got up and cleaned the basin with a flick of her wand. "Come on." Hermione got up and stared at the red haired girl.

"When did things get so complicated?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I don't know..." Ginny replied. She led Hermione back into the dorm room. She fixed the bed and laid out some fresh clothes. "Please come." She pleaded. A flicker went through Hermione, like a flash of the old Hermione.

"Ok." Hermione said after what seemed like an hour. Ginny let Hermione be as she changed into a pair of jeans and a pink and white striped t-shirt. Ginny brushed her hair and tied it back. Ginny didn't comment when she saw Draco's "promise" ring on Hermione's finger. Hermione needed her friends now.

--

"Anything on R.A.B?" Harry asked Ron. He would've asked Hermione but she was like a widow in mourning.

"No." Ron replied sadly. "And I've been trying Harry. I've gone through records...every Hogwarts student here...And there aren't any students that have that connection to You-Know-Who."

They were walking outside by the Great Lake. They stopped and stared at the vast lake; Harry picked up a small pebble and skimmed it across. "I'm afraid. I'm afraid of what might happen. I mean look at Hermione...she's a wreck..."

"It'll be ok." Ron bent down to pick up handful of small stones. "Hermione needs time. She's not used to heartbreak. We need to help her get through this."

"Guys!" They turned to see Luna and Neville run along the gardens. "Harry! Ron!" Harry turned to face them. "They're making us go home!"

"What?" Ron demanded. "They can't! The funeral!"

"The moment the funeral is over we've got to go home! I can't go home! My Gran will make me go into hiding." Neville moaned squeezing Luna's hand slightly.

"But...I mean...who came up with this law?" Harry asked.

"McGonagall." Luna replied, she picked up a stone and chucked it into the lake.

"She probably doesn't want us to talk to the Ministry." Harry said after a while. "We need to pack everything tonight." The boys nodded.

"Harry!" Harry lifted his head and gave his girlfriend a small smile before giving her a small kiss. Hermione gave him a small nod of acknowledgement. She took a small pebble and tried to skim it but instead it just made a small splash.

"I can't believe he's gone." Luna said after a pregnant pause. Neville placed a hand on her shoulder. "It doesn't seem real."

"At least we have each other." He said softly.

Hermione stared into space. She was reminded of when she got back together with Draco for the last time. She swallowed hard as tears threatened to fall. "We will save him." Hermione turned to see Harry behind her. "For you. We will." She nodded and gave him a small smile.

--

No one slept on the eve of Dumbledore's funeral. Harry tossed and turned trying to sleep, Ron slept for a couple of hours before tossing and turning. Hermione was curled up in a ball, a handful of notes by her side. She had been reading all the notes that Draco had given to her when he was 'M'. Ginny had given up on the idea of sleep and was organising last minute things. They had packed things earlier on and seeing as everyone had to leave soon after the funeral no one noticed a thing.

"Wizards and Witches have been pouring in for this." Seamus said the next day. His wounds had healed up well thanks to Madame Pomfrey and Professor Sprout.

They were all wearing black dress robes except the girls who were wearing short black dresses. Luna had added a miniature white lily in her hair while Hermione wore her promise ring. They watched as Bill entered the chapel built for today's event. He was accompanied by Fleur, although Bill had healed well his scars remained. Nothing much had changed but he had developed a taste for raw meat whereas before he had his meat medium.

The School bell rang out slowly. The small group took a deep breath, Ginny took Harry's hand, Ron held Hermione's shoulders as he steered her to her seat, Neville led Luna and Seamus followed behind them.

The weather was beautiful; it showed everyone that it was summer. They were lucky they had come early, no sooner had they sat down people became entering the chapel. The group had to smile, the people were shabby or smart, old and young, and some they recognised some they didn't. Mad Eye Moody and Lupin helped people find their seats; McGonagall led the students to their seats.

Many members of the Order were there too, they were all sitting close near the front. Even ex-Ministry of Magic Cornelius Fudge and the present Minister Rufus Scrimgeour Harry felt a lump form in his throat as the sound of the sad organ filled the chapel. "Please rise." Professor McGonagall said loudly, everyone was amazed at how calm her voice sound.

They stood up and turned. Hagrid entered the chapel. In his arms was a purple velvet cloak spangled with golden stars. No one needed to ask. Wrapped in the cloak was their beloved headmaster. Hermione let out a small sniffle, her thoughts were on Draco. Was he ok? Was he alive? I love him so much...

"We shall now sing Amazing Grace. A song chosen by Dumbledore himself." McGonagall said. They opened their small pamphlets and began to sing.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.

The room was filled with sniffles, Harry felt Ginny clutch his hand tighter. McGonagall took a deep breath as she went up to the small stand besides the marble open tomb that rested nearby.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome on this fine day to honour a man who has touched so many hearts. He has been and still is an inspiration to us all." She broke off with a sniffle. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Amen."

"Amen."

They listened to many people who paid their respects to Dumbledore. They sang a few more hymns and said a few more prayers. "And now a few words from one of Hogwarts students who was very close to him." Harry lifted his head up. "If you will Mr Potter." Ginny gave him a quick squeeze. Whispers circled the chapel but Harry ignored them.

"Hello." Harry cleared his throat. "I've not done this thing before..." He caught himself staring at Hermione and Ron. "Dumbledore was the best wizard I've ever known. He helped those who needed it. I wasn't the only student he was close to. He was close to each individual student here. One student isn't here today." Hermione bit her bottom lip. "He sacrificed everything so that the people he cared about could remain and fight." Hermione smiled at Harry and gave him a small nod. "It would not be fair to everyone if it was only me who said goodbye..." He gestured towards the students. "He has protected so many of us. He has given us light when it all seems dark."

"Hear hear!" Arthur Weasley said from the rows of seats. Harry suppressed a grin.

"Let us each remember him as we should. Someone that was there for us when we needed it. Someone who listened and never judged." Ginny leapt up and started applauding. Neville and Luna followed then Hermione and Ron. Very soon everyone was applauding. Harry sat down and waited for McGonagall to make another speech. But she didn't. Instead bright white flames surrounded the open tomb.

Several people screamed at the sight, Harry believed it to be a trick of the light but he believed he could see Dumbledore's body rise with the flames. Then all of a sudden the flames went out and they could see a white marble tomb encasing Dumbledore's body and the table on which he rested.

--

Harry and the others were walking along the lake when they heard some splashing. Harry looked up to see the Merpeople heading towards the rocks. "They were listening to us." Hermione said softly.

"Look Harry!" Neville cried out. They looked where Neville was pointing and saw that the centaurs had also come to pay their respects. They hadn't left the Forbidden Forest, instead they just watched, their bows at their side.

"Remember our first year?" Hermione said remembering when their punishment for staying out in the middle of the night was to follow Hagrid inside the Forbidden Forest.

"Yea'...good times." Ron replied. They heard a sharp whistle and all along the Forbidden Forest arrows were being shot upwards. But Blaze held an arrow of pure silver. He shot it towards the chapel, it landed in front of where Dumbledore's body now rested. A sign of respect.

"Listen!" Hermione said pointing towards the lake. The Merpeople were singing or humming a beautiful lullaby. They listened to it until one by one the Merpeople vanished below the murky water.

Thank you once more for your support!!Next chapter shall be up in two days.