"Ginny!" Remus called out as he waited by the fireplace. "Are you ready?"
Hurrying down the hall, finishing slipping her shoe on as she walked, she answered, "Yes I'm ready." She looked around. "Where's William?"
"I flooed him over to Hogwart's already," Remus answered. "I helped him get ready and off we went. He's with your mother."
Ginny let out a breath she'd been holding, her eyes meeting his. "I don't know if I can do this," she said quietly.
He smiled and walked over to gently take her hand wishing like hell he could make the sadness in her, what used to be bright, green eyes disappear. "We can do this," he told her. "Let's go."
In attendance at Neville's memorial was most of Hogwarts' staff, including Hagrid, Poppy and Firenze, almost all of Ginny's family; her parents, Bill and Fleur, Ron, Tess, their daughters and Fred and George, a few shop owners from Hogsmeade, another group of herbologists that had worked with Neville and a large number of his classmates, including Harry, Hermione, Seamus Finnigan, Hannah Abbott, Luna Lovegood, Lavender Brown, Dean Thomas, Colin Creevey, Ernie Macmillan, Parvati and Padma Patil and even Dobby. In total, almost seventy had come to pay their respects.
"Neville was one of my best friends," Harry, one of the last three speakers, was saying as he stood in front of the large group in the greenhouse, the location Ginny had purposely chosen. Other speakers had included Professor Sprout, Hagrid, Arthur and two of Neville's fellow herbologists. Pictures of him, ranging from when he was young and throughout his Hogwarts years up until recent, were spelled to hang in the air above the crowd, along with a handful of candles spaced away from certain combustible plants. "He fought beside me, he bled with me, he stuck up for me but he also stuck up for what was right. I will never forget the night during our first year when he tried to stop Ron, Hermione and me from leaving the common room. I will never forget his laugh or his kindness, the way he tried to be everyone's friend. He amazed me with his patience, as I've never really had any, not like he had anyway. I'll miss him terribly."
When Harry returned to his seat, Minerva faced the group next. "Neville Longbottom was one of my finest students," she began, clutching a tissue in her hand, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. "He was respectful and attentive, made sure to complete all his assignments to the fullest. He would help other students if they didn't understand. He was pleasant and never gave me or any other teachers any trouble. I highly respected him as a student and as a person. He had a wonderful heart that he ended up sharing with another one of my prized students and," she cast a small smile towards Ginny, "hopefully, giving me a future student to look forward to teaching."
As Minerva stepped away wiping her eyes, Severus approached next, not missing the looks exchanged by others. He was not smiling but his usual scowl did not appear on his face either as black eyes looked out to the group in front of him. "Everyone knows Mr. Longbottom's talent did not lie with potions," he began, voice soft. "However, not all of us can possess talents in the same areas. Mr. Longbottom's deep understanding of herbology and it's applications extended well beyond some of the more well known herbologists of our time and I, for one, was looking forward to when he would surpass their accomplishments. Although that will not happen, his knowledge and discoveries remain and I plan to make sure that they are not forgotten or lost."
Severus quickly slipped from the podium to join his expecting wife, who reached for his hand and gently squeezed in a silent compliment, as Albus was next, looking every bit his age. "I don't have to say how much I miss dear Neville," he began, his blue eyes twinkling over his half moon spectacles. "He will be missed beyond words. He will not be forgotten at Hogwarts, as I will be placing a portrait of him here in the greenhouse. I feel this is where he would be most comfortable. I am thankful that I was able to spend the few years with him that I did, as his Headmaster. Never has a Gryffindor been more loyal than Neville. Never has one been braver. Given what he'd gone through since childhood, it would have been expected for him to have been a difficult student. Instead he kept to himself, was everyone's friend and the best student he could be." He paused, looking at Ginny as she took her cue and silently joined him, Remus by her side. "We have one last person to speak."
Ginny approached the podium, eyes filled with tears, surprised she wasn't bawling her eyes out after hearing so many wonderful words from everyone, then glanced at Remus and reached for his hand before looking out at her friends and family before her. She forced a smile and said, "I must thank you all for your attendance and kind words that you've sent to William and me and shared here today." She took a deep breath and felt the squeeze of Remus' hand. "Neville wouldn't want us to remain sad. He would say that there was no point… that we were still here and needed to continue with life. I was never the same after meeting him… nor will I be the same without him but I will continue. William and I have a path ahead of us that… will not always be easy, but we will make it because Neville started us on the right path with his love… and that will give us strength. I have to thank Remus for being a good friend and helping me with this as only he can. I have to thank each of you because I will need your support over the next few months. I appreciate you all more than you can imagine, for being here and…." With that, the lump she'd been forcing down finally lodged in her throat and wasn't able to continue, offering a small apologetic smile as Remus' arm slipped around her shoulders, leading her aside.
"A luncheon will now be served in the Great Hall to celebrate Neville's life and legacy," Albus announced as the group stood and began the walk from the greenhouse back up to the castle.
Molly and Tess had been watching all the children in the back of the greenhouse with a silencing charm over them as not to disrupt the service and, after Albus' announcement, were rejoined with their parents as they passed on their way to the castle.
"Hermione, you're showing already," Ginny told her friend as they walked, Malachai holding his father's hand behind her.
"I'm four months," she told her, patting her small stomach. "I'm hoping it's not twins." She glanced back at Severus. "Someone threatened me with twins and I'm afraid it's come true."
"I would never purposely impregnate you with twins if you did not want them," he said softly.
It almost sounded like an apology, as Ginny had never heard such concern in his voice as when he spoke to Hermione. She almost didn't recognize him. In fact, if she wasn't looking at Severus and seeing him speak, she would swear it was someone else.
"I know you wouldn't," Hermione said, turning around to gaze at him, the love flowing between them unmistakable and stronger than ever.
Ginny noticed the intensity and fought the sadness as it only reminded her that her love was gone. "I need to find William," she said, wanting to excuse herself. "He's probably driving Mum nuts."
She stopped walking and looked for her mother who was holding William in her arms with his small head laying against her shoulder and walking with Albus, and waited for them to catch up.
"How are you, Love?" Molly asked her daughter, who looked as if she'd aged ten years in the past number of days. "Are you okay? You know I've been worried sick about you but didn't want to make a fuss and..."
"Mum," Ginny said, stopping her before she got carried away. "It's okay. Remus has been helping out. I'll be all right. Some days are easier than others." She raked her fingers through her son's tousled hair. "You ok Baby?"
"Tired," William mumbled, not lifting his head.
"You're surrounded by a wonderful group of friends and family," Albus said. "You will be more than all right, Miss Weasley. Both of you will be." He looked at William and smiled, unable to believe how much he looked like Neville.
Ginny smiled and reached up to hug Albus. "Thank you so much," she said, fighting tears still. "I appreciate everything. You've done so much for us."
"I wish I could do more," he said, holding the young girl he cared for as a granddaughter close to him, his dark purple velvet robe nearly hiding her completely from view. "One would think that with all the in-depth knowledge of ancient spells and such that I have, I would be able to somehow lesson your suffering." He looked into her eyes that were older than her years and he thought once again how unfair it seemed. "But alas I can not and for that I'm sorry."
"Please don't apologize," Ginny told him, releasing her hug and reaching for his frail hands. " Neville thought the world of you, thought of you as part of his family. You've done wondrous things, Professor."
"None of those able to mend a broken heart though," he said, squeezing her hands, placing an arm around her shoulders. "Let's eat shall we?"
The luncheon consisted of roast beef, roast chicken, sausages, boiled potatoes, buttered peas, carrots, wizard crackers, Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie and steak and kidney pudding with dessert after of apple pie, chocolate éclairs, rice pudding and treacle tarts. True to any Hogwarts feast, The Grey Lady of Ravenclaw, the Fat Friar from Hufflepuff, Sir Nicholas from Gryffindor and even the Baron from Slytherin appeared and paid their respects to Ginny and William.
Eventually, the children all left the tables, gathering around both Peeves and Sir Nicholas as they showed them all sorts of tricks and stunts, telling stories of previous pranks they'd pulled on unsuspecting students, professors and even 'high inquisitors', most of the parents quite thankful they were being entertained.
It was a tiring and emotionally draining day for Ginny, clutching tissues non-stop. Neville's co-workers and other shop owners from Hogsmeade made sure to offer kind words of support, telling her to floo them should she need anything. The Hogwarts' staff offered their condolences, speaking of highly of him and sharing memories with her, making sure she knew William and she were welcome any time for any reason.
She had to admit it was nice to catch up with a few of their classmates. Since Harry began working in the Unspeakables in the Ministry, Ginny hardly ever saw him. Seamus was a Healer at St. Mungo's with Parvati and Padma who were Medi-witches. Hannah worked at the Ministry in Muggle Relations and Ernice worked as an Obliviator. Lavender opened her own perfume shoppe in Hogsmeade and Dean turned into a professional Quidditch player as a Chaser. Colin Creevey was the photographer of the Daily Prophet while Luna Lovegood was Editor of The Quibbler. It was amazing to her how they all started out in the same place with the same classes and homework assignments and then veered off into such different directions. Some were married while others had significant others; only Lavender and Seamus had children, two boys for Lavender and two girls for Seamus.
"How's our little sister holding up?" Bill asked, joined by Ron, Fred and George.
They'd found her in the hall, having had to step out just for a minute to gather her thoughts. She smiled at them and answered, "I'm okay. It's been nice to see some of our friends again."
"Is there anything –"
"That we can do – "
"To help?" The twins asked.
"I'm fine, Guys. Really," she told them. "If I need you, I will certainly let you know." She hugged each of them, never happier for a large family.
"Gin, I need to floo by soon," Ron said quietly as they made their way back into the Hall. "I have a couple things to give you…of his."
"You can't do it now?" she asked curiously.
"No, it'll be better at your place," he answered.
"Okay," she said. "Come by tomorrow."
"Remus, I'm ready to go," she whispered to him. Having been at Hogwarts since eight that morning, after listening to stories and kind words about Neville all day long, half the attendees telling her how much her son looked like Neville, sneaking out of the Hall a number of times to collect herself before continuing, Ginny was exhausted. It was only three.
He'd noticed how she hadn't left his side for the last hour. After the service, he'd watched from a distance as she welcomed encouraging words and laughed at memories, catching up with friends, but now needed some space. She'd had enough and didn't stray far from him. "Why don't you go say goodbye to your parents while I find William?" he offered. "And then we'll get you two home. I bet William is tired as well."
"Okay," she said, looking for and quickly finding her mother, making a beeline for her.
"There's my beautiful daughter," Molly said when she saw Ginny approach. "How are you, Dear? Is there anything I can do?"
"No, Mum," she said with a small smile. "I'm good. Just exhausted. Remus is getting William and we're going home. I just…I can't handle much more."
"I understand, Sweetheart," Molly said, hugging her tight. "Would it be all right if your father and I floo over tomorrow?"
"Sure," she answered. "Ron is coming over too."
"Wonderful then," she said, spotting Remus carrying a very sleepy looking little boy. "I love you, Sweetheart."
"Love you too, Mum," Ginny said, leaving her to meet Remus halfway. "Where was he?"
"Laying with Malachai on the couch in Severus and Hermione's chamber," he told her with a laugh. "They were both passed out."
"Come on," she said urgently. "Let's go."
Once home, Ginny put William down for a nap and then joined Remus in the kitchen. She slumped down in a chair at the table as he set a cup of tea in front of her.
"Thank you," she said quietly, bringing the cup to her lips and sipping carefully.
Sipping his own, he asked, "Do you want to talk about today at all?" He didn't want to start a conversation if it was going to upset her.
With a shrug, she answered, "I'm all right I guess. I don't have any tears in me at the moment." She paused to sip her tea. "You know, when I was chatting with our classmates, I realized that I'm going to have to work. I've been staying at home with William and I can't do that now."
Remus hadn't thought about that either. "Are you all right financially?" he asked.
"Yeah we'll be fine for a little while," she answered with a nod. "It's just…Neville and I talked about it and both decided I'd stay home, at least until William was in school a couple years. I haven't even thought about working."
"Any idea what you want to do?" he asked, sipping his tea.
Her face was vacant when she answered, "No idea." She took another sip, wanting to mention what had been on her mind but not wanting to at the same time. She'd been thankful for Remus' presence and wasn't sure how it would be when he was gone, forcing her to face the truth it would only be her and William. "You'll be returning home soon," she stated.
"Yes," he answered, sensing her apprehension. "You and William need some time…to adjust. You don't need me around here getting in the way."
"You've been…I don't know…," she stammered, searching for adequate words but not finding any. "Thank you."
Remus smiled. "I'm only a floo away," he reminded her.
Later that evening after dinner, Ginny was sitting on the couch reading a story to William when he turned and looked up at her.
"Mummy?"
"Yes Baby?" she asked, squeezing him in her arms.
"Things won't be the same anymore, will they?"
Her breath caught in her throat for a moment that she forced herself to ignore. She inhaled slowly, thinking of how to answer his question and calm whatever fear was floating through his mind. "Things never stay the same," she said. "Life is constantly changing, sometimes in good ways and sometimes in bad ways. Unfortunately, people you love don't stay in your life forever. We'll miss Daddy but we'll never forget him." She smoothed his red hair. "Daddy wouldn't be happy with us if we remained sad for too long. Life without him will be different but we'll be all right. I promise to do everything I can for you."
He smiled. "Me too," he told her. "Daddy would want me to help you."
She smiled then. They would be ok.
Somehow.