Aftermath – Chapter 4 – The Funeral

Despite Madam Pomfrey's worries, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were permitted to leave with Mr. Weasley. Along with Ginny they went to the Gryffindor common room to use its fireplace to take the Floo Network to the Burrow.

"They've just set it up again this evening," said Mr. Weasley as the Fat Lady swung open without even asking for a password. She was drunk again, with some of the other figures from nearby paintings, and Harry had to endure more endless praise from many of the paintings and some passing house ghosts.

Inside they were startled to see Neville asleep on one of the sofas, his grandmother also sitting nearby, a cross look on her face.

"Ah, Arthur, there you are," she said, a little sharply, as if she had been left waiting for an important meeting. "He wouldn't leave till he said goodbye to them." This last was gentler and she beamed at Harry and the others. "Never thought I would see such a fight," she said. "And Molly, killed that...that…woman. I think I can finally have some peace."

She looked like she was about to cry but held herself in check. They all knew what woman she meant: Bellatrix Lestrange, who had tortured her son and his wife into madness.

"Hullo, guys," said a sleepy Neville as he got up. "Feeling better?"

They all said yes, although it was a little strained, considering the circumstances. They chatted on for a few minutes, and Neville told them about how most of the other Gryffindors and Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs had already left, having slept though much of the day and waking up at night. As the others got ready to take the Floo Network, Harry pulled Neville aside.

"Might see your name in the papers next few days," Harry said to him as Hermione stepped in the fireplace and said very loudly "The Burrow" and disappeared in a twirl of green flames. "I told the Minister about you and everyone saw how you killed Voldemort's snake."

"Really? Me? In the papers?" Neville said in awe, then glanced toward his grandmother. "Never seen my Gran so proud of me."

"Well she should be proud. Listen, Neville, when I get my house straightened out I'm going to a have a party, for my birthday. You're welcome to come. I guess your birthday's around the same time."

"Yeah, it is. Blimey Harry, thanks," Neville said. Then he looked a little puzzled. "You've got a house? Your own house?"

Harry nodded and as Neville's eyes widened they heard Mr. Weasley say, "Your turn Harry."

"I'll send an owl," Harry said and then realized he didn't have one of his own anymore. As he stepped into the green flames and said "the Burrow" he realized how much his life was different from one year ago.

The next few days passed with a dreadful slowness that was caused by the need to attend to so many things. First off, Hermione began to make plans to get her parents. She went to a nearby town with Ron and found a travel agency and booked a ticket. Ron was baffled by the computers and other things in the travel office, things only Muggles used. He knew even his father, a supposed expert on Muggle items, knew not much more. Hermione booked a ticket for Australia, from London to Singapore to Sydney, but she couldn't get a seat for almost a week, so it would have to wait. Meanwhile, Mr. Weasley, through the Department of International Magical Cooperation, managed to put Hermione in touch with the Australian wizarding community and they were asked to discreetly locate Hermione's parents, but just to keep an eye on them till she arrived. It was thought that the shock of waking up from an almost year long memory charm would be less if their daughter was there.

The Daily Prophet over the next days, weeks, and even months was full of stories about what had happened at Hogwarts. Lists of the dead, injured, and captured appeared. Many Death Eaters were back in Azkaban, including Yaxley, who had been part of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission and had broken the protective charm at Grimmauld Place. However, some had escaped, included Travers and Fenrir Greyback. Somehow in the chaos during the final battle in the Great Hall and the celebrations afterwards these two had disappeared. Harry remembered seeing Greyback fall in the final battle, but did not know he had escape.

As Harry expected, his own name was prominent in the papers, along with Ron, Hermione, and Neville, and members of the Order of the Phoenix. A story on how Severus Snape was dead and how he had played a crucial role in the downfall of Voldemort appeared by Rita Skeeter, and for once she got most of the facts straight as Hermione had told her the story and threatened to report her unusual abilities if she wavered from the truth.

Kingsley Shacklebolt also gave a statement, covering many, but not all, of the things Harry and the others had done. Although there was no mention of the Elder Wand, he had to explain about Horcruxes so that the wizarding world knew Voldemort was truly dead and not coming back. What a Horcrux was greatly mystified most of the wizarding world and a few statements from supposed experts got most of it wrong.

Hermione finally had enough of this and wrote a long letter to the Prophet explaining it all. It was published the next day. Hermione did not explain exactly how to make a Horcrux, mostly because she did not know all the details, and also because such knowledge was dangerous. Suffice to say that she had phrased it in such a way that it seemed like making a Horcrux had as much chance of killing you as making you immortal. There was a clamor for Harry to make a statement, which he declined to do, a clamor for awarding him something, including the Order of Merlin, First Class, which seemed likely to happen and which Harry would of course accept, and even a small clamor to make him Minister of Magic, which everyone had a good laugh about.

They all needed a good laugh after the many funerals they attended over the next few weeks. Three days after the Battle of Hogwarts, Fred was laid to rest in the field nearby the Burrow, a ceremony attended by most of the Weasley relatives, and quite a few Hogwarts students and staff. Almost all of Gryffindor house and those from the DA that could make it came, including Luna, with her father, looking spry despite being freshly released from Azkaban, and Neville and Dean and Seamus and Cho Chang. Fred and George's best friend Lee Jordan was there, as were the former members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team Harry had first joined, Chasers Angelina, Katie, and Alicia, and Keeper Oliver Wood. Many of the Hogwarts staff members were there, including Hagrid, and, to many people's surprise, Argus Filch, who had many a run in with the Weasley twins over the years. The surviving members of the Order of the Phoenix also came, all in their best dress robes.

Many tears were shed, with Mrs. Weasley almost inconsolable, her husband keeping a strong arm around her, as Harry did the same for Ginny. Ron couldn't help but let the tears come and Harry couldn't tell who needed more support, him or Hermione, as they held each other. George didn't shed any tears, but he could barely stand and had to be supported by his older brothers, he was in such shock.

As the ceremony ended and Fred's coffin was lowered and covered with earth, Mrs. Weasley pulled herself together and walked a little unsteadily toward the grave. She took out her wand and flourished it in the air and at once the bare dirt was covered in rich green grass and beautiful flowers ringed the spot. A large flat stone appeared at the head of the grave to serve as a marker. Once again she flourished her wand and one simple word, "Fred", appeared on the stone in gold lettering, and then it was over.

Quite a few people left after that but quite a few stayed and the after funeral doings at the Burrow lasted long into the night. Many people told stories about Fred, all funny, of course, and gradually George and Mrs. Weasley brightened a bit and even laughed a few times. Harry was also a center of attention and to avoid questions he didn't want to answer he kept busy helping get drinks and food for people, and comforting people, and before long he found himself needing some air. He stepped outside and he heard a sob. Standing by the garden was Mrs. Weasley. Harry turned to go but she saw him and at once she took him in a bone crushing hug.

"You brave, brave boy," she said. "We all love you so much."

And the dam broke and Harry let out a big racking sob, and all the years of loneliness and loss and terror and heartbreak came out as he sobbed.

"That's OK," she said soothingly as she patted his back. "You let it out. It's about time. It's good to cry you know, especially at times like this."

He wiped his eyes. "I'm so sorry…about…"

"Now just hush about being sorry!" she said in her stern tone "You have nothing to be sorry about. How many others would there have been if not for you?"

Harry couldn't find his voice, wanting Mrs. Weasley's forgiveness more than anyone else's in the whole world. She was the mother he never knew and Harry knew that feeling would never go away.

After several long minutes they made their way back to the house and shortly after Mr. Weasley began the tiresome process of politely kicking everyone out. Hagrid was the last to go, sitting on the big living room sofa all by himself, drinking with Charlie, Bill, George, Percy, and Ron, all of them a mess, drunkenly singing songs at the top of their voices. After Hagrid shed his last tears and gave all crushing hugs he went outside and hopped on the biggest thestral Harry had ever seen, the only creature other than a dragon big enough to carry his bulk. With a shout and a goodbye he was flying off towards Hogwarts.

Fleur and Hermione managed to get Bill and Ron to bed and Ginny had gone long ago after a swift kiss and long hug goodnight from Harry at the top of the first flight of stairs by her bedroom. Charlie fell asleep on the sofa and Mrs. Weasley decided to leave him there. Percy said his goodnights and staggered up the stairs, under his own steam, a bit wobbly, but straight backed as usual. Harry started helping Mrs. Weasley clean up but she waved an impatient hand and told him to sit down. George was sitting in an armchair, quiet now, his father nearby, and Harry grabbed another chair that was from the kitchen. He stared at George for a moment and if it wasn't for the missing ear you would think Fred was alive and sitting right there. Fleur and Hermione came downstairs moments latter, having changed into more casual clothing, and started to help Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen. Harry noticed Hermione had a strange look on her face, almost a look of joy, but he didn't have a chance to ask her what was going on.

Harry looked at George again as George swallowed a large gulp of firewhiskey from a glass. His head was nodding and Mr. Weasley took his glass. "That's enough, son," he said gently. Charlie started to snore from the sofa.

"Harry," George said, his eyes unfocused. "Is he really dead?"

The noise from the kitchen stopped and Harry thought he heard a sob. "Voldemort, I mean," said George drunkenly, realizing he had said something to upset people.

"Yes," Harry said. "He's dead and gone forever."

"Bloody brilliant, mate," said George and then he was asleep. Mr. Weasley took out his wand and in a few seconds George was floating up the stairs with Mr. Weasley behind him with his wand out.

Harry said his good nights and then made his way to the room under the attic where he and Ron were sleeping. To his surprise Ron was awake, sitting on the edge of his bed in his pajamas with a strange look on his face.

"I think I blew it mate," he said at once, his drunken state not so obvious anymore, replaced by worry.

Harry sat on his own bed and looked at him, "What do you mean?"

"Told her I loved her, I did!" he said in a rush and Harry wanted to laugh but held it in check.

"Excellent," Harry said as he started to take off his robes. But then he realized something. "And…and what did she say?"

"At first she was all in shock and turned pink but then she said 'You're drunk,' and left the room," Ron said flatly and then let out a moan.

"Do you? I mean, do you love her?"

"Course! Don't be barmy! Have for ages now," Ron said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, she didn't look angry when she came downstairs to help clean up, so I think you're safe."

"Really?'

"Really. In fact, she looked positively happy. Come the morrow, just explain all that to her, what you just said to me. When you're sober."

"Right, right, that's a plan, tomorrow, tomorrow," and then Ron lay down and after a long while Harry heard him snoring.

Harry woke up the next day and Ron was already gone. After Harry got up, put on his glasses, and dressed he picked up his wand from the pile of things he had by the bed.

He went to the toilet on the second floor, and then glanced at the bath and shower, and decided he could use a quick wash. He quickly stripped, jumped in after the water got hot and after just five minutes stepped back out of the shower. He quickly dried off, and tried to comb his hair flat, a losing battle as usual. Harry still had some bandages on his face and hands and he gently pulled them off and was happy to see his burn marks and cuts were gone, Madam Pomfrey's magic medicine ensuring he would have no new scars. After he dressed and put his glasses back on, he quickly brushed his teeth, and made his way downstairs.

When he came down to breakfast Ron and Hermione were there, sitting very close together, eating with Ginny and Fleur as Mrs. Weasley busied herself making breakfast. Ron and Hermione were looking very happy for a day after a funeral and Harry knew at once that Ron had told her all he felt and she had said the same. Ron never even turned an eye toward Fleur, who had always had an effect on him, and to Harry it was a sign that Ron and Hermione had started becoming quite serious about each other.

Harry wasn't really surprised they had fallen in love, despite all the bickering and occasional long silences between them, mostly caused by Ron's jealousy of Victor Krum and Hermione's jealously of Lavender Brown. Of course, they'd had years to get to know everything about each other, and had often spent time alone, when Harry was banned from Hogsmeade or in detention for one thing or another. And Hermione had spent as much time at the Burrow as with her parents during holidays. Then there were all the adventures they had had, shared dangers, and that surely bound them closer together as it had bound Harry to the two of them.

"Morning," said Harry as he sat next to Ginny and everyone greeted him warmly, but Harry could feel the lingering sadness that would take a long time to go away, if ever. Ginny smiled weakly at him and Harry would have liked to have kissed her and hugged her and told her how he truly felt about her, but not in front of the others.

"Sleep well?" he asked her and she nodded.

"Well as can be expected," she said in a sad voice and under the table Harry found her hand and squeezed it and she squeezed his back.

Mrs. Weasley beamed at him as she placed a plate of eggs and bacon and toast in front of him and Harry felt a rush of love for this whole family.

"The rest of the drunks will be getting up soon, I expect," Mrs. Weasley said in an admonishing tone as she looked toward the living room where Charlie's snores were loudly coming from. Ron knew part of that comment had been directed at him and his ears turned slightly red as Hermione let out a small giggle.

"It's no laughing matter." Mrs. Weasley said. "Drink and magic do not mix well together and I will have no son of mine a besotted fool begging for coins in Knockturn Alley. And in the future, Hermione, please let Ronald suffer a bit before you make him a hangover cure potion. You left the ingredients out on the counter. What were you two doing up so early and where did you get to anyway?"

Now Hermione also turned a bit red. "Went for a walk," she said quickly.

"Yeah," Ron joined in, his voice a bit strained. "Just to, ah, stretch our legs."

Mrs. Weasley stared at them with pursed lips for moment as Ron and Hermione tried to control their blushing and both suddenly found their plates and food very interesting. Then Mrs. Weasley turned her attention to Fleur. "And don't you go giving Bill anything to make him feel better. I've now hidden all the hangover cure potion ingredients, although I'm sure none of them has ever learned to make one themselves anyway."

"Of course, we shall let him suffer a little," Fleur said in her French accent, her English getting better but not perfect. She turned to Harry. "'arry, you are a 'ero in France now, too."

Fleur pulled out a French newspaper from the empty seat next to her where she was sipping coffee. There was Harry's picture on the front page, one from the Triwizard Tournament, and he was grinning and folding his arms. Articles in black letters in French all around it, but Harry only recognized his own name and nothing else. Fleur gave the paper a tap with her wand, murmured something in French, and the letters turned into English and she passed the paper over to Harry.

Just then came several owls flying into the room and Harry forgot about the French newspaper. One owl landed in front of Fleur and she let out a little squeal. "From my sister!" she said happily and she ripped open the letter and was soon absorbed in reading it. Another landed by Hermione with the Daily Prophet and after she placed a Knut in the owl's little pouch she took the newspaper and immediately began to read. To Harry's surprise a third owl landed next to his plate with a letter from the Ministry of Magic. And then even a fourth owl came in and went right to Mrs. Weasley.

"From Tonks mother,' said Mrs. Weasley as all four owls flew away. Mrs. Tonks had come briefly to Fred's funeral, leaving as soon as it was over, off to make arrangements for her own daughter, and to take care of a grandson who was now an orphan. Andromeda Tonks was the estranged sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy. She had married a Muggle, a terrible sin for a pure blood family like the Blacks. Before Fred's funeral ceremony had started Harry had seen Mrs. Tonks and Mrs. Weasley out near the garden, having a private chat after which they had hugged and cried. No doubt it had something to do with the loss of their children and perhaps also with the fact that Mrs. Weasley had killed Mrs. Tonks sister. Perhaps she was forgiving Mrs. Weasley or maybe even thanking her. From all accounts Harry had heard, it had been Bellatrix Lestrange who had killed Tonks in the battle.

Harry suddenly remembered he was little Teddy's godfather and knew he should visit Mrs. Tonks and Teddy before too long. Then he also remembered her husband Ted was dead and Harry knew then that little Teddy had no father figure in his life, just like Harry had none. His uncle Vernon did not count since he never was a father in any sense of the word to Harry. Silently, Harry promised himself he would not let that happen to little Teddy and would do his best to be a proper godfather.

Harry saw Ron looking at the official looking letter next to Harry's pate, but he hesitated to open his letter as he waited to see what news Mrs. Weasley had.

"Tonks and Remus will be laid to rest day after tomorrow," she said solemnly. "We must pay our respects," she added quickly as she placed the letter on the counter and they all agreed.

"What's up?' Ron asked Harry as he still hadn't opened his letter. They all looked at him, Hermione peering over her newspaper, at the letter from the Ministry of Magic.

Harry slowly opened it and then his eyes grew larger and it was obvious he was in shock.

"Who's it from?" asked Ginny, in a worried tone.

"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"What do they want?" Mrs. Weasley asked with concern.

""I've been called as a witness in a trial. Two days from now."

"Who's trial?" Hermione said with an edge of impatience.

"Draco Malfoy's."

For a long moment there was a stunned silence, then Ron grinned. "Good. Put the snarky little git in his place. Hope he gets life in Azkaban for setting up Dumbledore."

Harry said nothing and finally Hermione took the letter from Harry and let out a groan. "Harry isn't a witness for the Ministry," she said, finally understanding. "He's been called as a witness for the defense."