You know what? I really don't like writing depressing chapters! Ah well ... enjoy. .

"Rita stared at her. So did Harry. Luna, on the other hand, sang "Weasley is our King" dreamily under her breath and stirred her drink with a cocktail onion on a stick." - Order of the Phoenix

Narcissa arrived at the funeral grounds dressed in black, accompanied by Remus. Draco was being looked after by a relative, but he was of little importance to her at the present time. Remus found them both seats in the middle with a respectable view. He burbled on, trying to relax the atmosphere, but it was all in vain. She stared at the large, black coffins at the front of the depressed ceremony. Everyone appeared to be crying or holding back tears, all reunited in their grief for the passing of Lily and James Potter. Pillars situated either side of the two black coffins and the stand for were the conductor would be, intwined with climbing ivy and roses. A powerful aroma of flowers overcame her and she felt quite sick. She never had liked Roses. Lilies were her favourite ... oh no. Even the name of classic, beautiful flowers brought tears to her eyes.
"Are you alright, Narcissa?" asked an old but powerful voice somewere in front of her.
She wiped her eyes frantically, before retorting, "Does it look like it?" There was a short silence, and she remembered her manners. "I'm sorry-" she began to apologize, but was cut off by the pleasant voice.
"Not at all, my dear," chuckled the voice, and it was only when she looked up she recongized Albus Dumbledore smiling waverly at her. The twinkle from his blue eyes had dissapeared, and an anger she had never seen before on his face replaced it. Another voice cut through Dumbledore's harshly. "You've got a nerve, showing your face here."
Narcissa glanced up to see the aging face of Bathilda Bagshot glaring at her with redemption. "What's that supposed to mean?" she said, completely nonplussed.
"Your husband is a death eater," said Bathilda with a cold overtone to her usually sickly-sweet voice, "and so is your sister!"
"That doesn't mean I am, Bathilda," snapped Narcissa, her eyes blaring with new found dislike for a woman she had once respected. Dumbledore intervened by placing a hand on the accusor's shoulder, and said quite pleasantly, "Not now, Bathilda, respects ought to be shown to whomever has turned up in the honour of James and Lily."
"I don't care," shrieked Bathilda shrilly, causing people to turn and stare at her and Narcissa with a gaining interest, "I don't care if all of your Death Eater pals-"
There was a few shrieks at this remark. Bathilda looked proud at this and continued: "Are going to get revenge . . ."
"They've been confined to what appears to be an eternity of imprisoment," said Narcissa apphrensively, "So I doubt they will be 'seeking revenge' any time soon." Bathilda snorted disbelievingly but turned away, scowling. Remus looked with concern at Narcissa but she pretended not to notice; and instead concentrated on the view infront of until it became a bleary view. Suddenly, some drums begun to play as the ceremony begun. Heads turned as the conductor of the ceremony walked up in the middle of the aisle with watery eyes.
"Deary beloved, we are gathered here today for the funeral of Lily and James Potter ..." Narcissa drifted off as the conductor began to relay a very long speech about how they did not deserve to die. Narcissa wasn't the only one who had begun to cry. Remus was holding her hand so tightly it began to hurt but she didn't bother pulling away: there was no point. After the long ceremony, people began to leave, but some remained to pay final, personal contributions to her best friends. She and Remus made her way to the front by the coffins. Remus delicatley stroked James' coffin and looked as if he was about to say something, but became too choked up and turned away. Narcissa, however, managed to speak a few words. "I'll miss you. We'll keep an eye on Harry ... don't worry." That was all she managed to say before bursting into tears. Remus pulled her away from the coffins with suprising force, and he walked with her out of the ceremony grounds.
"Remus? Remus!" His head turned a fraction at the voice that was calling him, and he saw it was Molly Weasley, who was wearing a very tearful expression on her face. "I'm so sorry, Remus, he was your best friend, and-"
"Not now, Molly ..." he said, raising a hand to silence her. She silenced, and looked at him sorrowfully, before placing a hand on his arm in sympathay. He forced a smile before turning away with Narcissa. They walked for some time in silence, down winding empty streets she barely knew. "Do you want to get a cup of tea or something?" questioned Remus hopefully, before adding, "And some Chocolate ..."
"I don't feel up to consuming anything right now, to be honest Moony," she said in a false tone of voice. He raised an eyebrow but nodded, and gave her a quick hug. "If you ever need me, just owl me, okay?"
She nodded, and the hug ended when he disapparated. She hated it when people did that whilst hugging her.

She spent a long time that day staring into space silently. She had many, many thoughts running around her mind, along with questions that would remain unanswered and silly theories. Was that why Severus had been weird with her that day in Diagon Alley - because he knew of Lily's future fate and couldn't do anything about it? And Sirius, in azkaban, forever until death ... the thought was too horrible. He was innocent, but he was being plagued for a crime he had not committed, along with Lucius. Although, knowing Lucius, he'd bribe the Minister with a nice donation to get his sorry arse saved. Maybe he could get Sirius out too ... she'd have to see. But even that seemed impossible. She sighed again. But, all the other Death Eater's weren't guilty at all, even though they were totally to blame. Bellatrix had been carted off to Azkaban laughing manically, swearing she was faithful most to The Dark Lord as she was serving her time just for him. Narcissa supressed a laugh. Deranged Bellatrix. Yes, that was the perfect describing word for her. Deranged. Manic. Insane ...
"Mother?"
Draco's voice interupted her disturbing reverie of creating insulting describing words for her sister, and she snapped her eyes open so violently that Draco started. "Yes, Draco?"
"When is father returning?" his little face was now an angry scowl as he spoke of Lucius. Narcissa wiped her suddenly damp eyes as he questioned her. She'd never cried over Lucius before, never. James would of shrewdly put it down to hormones, as he often did if she was in a temper. She begun to laugh, and Draco looked a bit put out. His mother was so odd at times.
"I ... I don't know Draco," she said, tears threatening to spill again. "Soon, I hope."
"OK. In that case ... can I have pancakes?"
"Knock yourself out," she said wearily, but she sat up suddenly as Draco proceeded to grab a heavy book. "Draco, I was just kidding-" Too late. Draco had whacked himself in the head with a heavy book, and a rather stupid expression crossed his face as he crumpled to the floor.
"Damn it!" she cursed angrily, lifting her son up to place him on the sofa. He wriggled and fell out of her arms like a fish that didn't want to be caught, and landed on the floor. His fall was cushioned by the amount of candy that still remained there, and he giggled stupidly. "Want pancakes me ..."
She rolled her eyes. "Dobby? Can you get some pancakes for Draco, please?"
"Yes mistress," said a timid voice from behind the door, before leaving with a loud crack.

Albus Dumbledore had saved Severus Snape from going to Azkaban - and possibly being sentenced to eternal imprisonment. They both entered his office in silence, and Dumbledore sat at his desk, indicating with a swift hand motion that Snape should sit opposite him. He watched as the broken man sat slowly, gripping the sides of the chair as if worried he may fall. His head was bowed, his black hair covering his eyes. Dumbledore was surveying him with a cold expression that gave away no emotion. "You loved her, didn't you Severus?"
"Yes, headmaster." Snape's voice was nothing more than a choke; he looked up with tearfilled eyes.
"I hope you remember your pledge, Severus?"
"Certainly," whispered Snape, his eyes spilling the warm tears down his face. Dumbledore hesitantly offered Snape a Chocolate Frog, and to his suprise, Snape took it, but did not eat it. "Eat," Dumbledore told him sternly, "it'll help."
"Wasn't that the werewolves theory?" retorted Snape icily, but he had begun to unwrap the chocolate. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"As a matter of fact, it is Remus' theory. Severus, you should try and be more pleasant towards him. He's going through the same grief as you."
"He is grieving over that arrogant Potter," spat Snape with vemence, shoving chocolate in his mouth at the same time, "he didn't care about Lily like I did."
"Alas," said Dumbledore calmly, "When a man experiences a loss like no over, he often believes he was the one who loved the deceased most. Severus," he held up a hand to silence Snape's retort, "I know you loved Lily alot - but so did Remus. She helped him when no one else would."
"What ... what do you mean?" stuttered Snape, looking curious despite himself.
"I don't think I should tell you that," said Dumbledore pleasantly.

Snape looked aghast. "Please, Albus. I ... I need to know."
Dumbledore sighed. "In that case, this information shall remain between you and I soley, Severus." Snape nodded, and so he continued. "Remus Lupin was, in his sixth year, a broken man. He had a hard time coping with his werewolf affliction along with general troubles in life - the fact he could not control his friends antics, for one, another being his confused love for a certain girl, struggling with NEWT preparation ... all the general stress of a sixteen year old boy. Although he tried to talk to his friends, and they helped, he still felt something was missing. Sirius and James were very popular-"
Snape snorted.
"- very popular," continued Dumbledore, unwrapping another chocolate frog absent mindedly, "and sometimes, I believe Remus felt pushed aside. And let us not ignore the fact Peter Pettigrew was too ... intelligently challenged to even begin comphrending what Remus was going through. And so, Remus sought comfort and friendship with Lily. She helped him, she understood, she comforted him. She helped him get through his depression when he was about to give up. He loved her quite alot, Severus - like she was his sister. Not in the romantic perspective, whereas you," he paused, watching Snape who was now listening intently, as if he were a small child who needed alot of reassurance, "you truely loved Lily Evans. Despite everything, always. And Severus, I am guessing she loved you too. But fate intwined and here is were her journey ended."
Snape swallowed. "I should of tried to stop Voldemort-"
"Did you not say he forced you to believe there were finer, pure-blood women out there who would take your heart quite willingly?"
"Yes, but-"
"Then you would of had no chance," said Dumbledore simply, a trace of sympathay shooting across his face as he considered Snape. "Although, a man can dream."
"I dreamed," said Snape, his eyes glittering, "that she would be mine. She was my best friend - the b-best friend I've e-ever had." He had began to cry again now, sobs choking him.
"Severus, Severus ... I believe she knew this."
"What?" Snape sat up straight now, his sobs subsiding quickly. Dumbledore revealed the glimpse of a smile, and took a bite of his chocolate frog before replying to him.

"Remus mentioned it a while ago," he told Snape, "they were discussing you. She felt sad your close friendship had ended, but could never start it again. Too much tension between all of you. However ... she told Remus she loved you very, very much."
"Oh." Snape was at a loss for words now, and a faint pink tinge crossed his face.
"So you see, Severus," continued Dumbledore, swallowing the remains of his chocolate, "not all was lost."
"No, no it was not," replied Snape. "I need to rest now, headmaster ..."
"Naturally, naturally," murmured Dumbledore. "Goodnight, Severus."
"Goodnight, Headmaster," replied Snape, bowing his head before leaving the office. Dumbledore went to select another chocolate frog when, blasted skrewts! There was none left.
"Typical," he murmured, "I knew I shouldn't of gave one to Severus. Ah well ..."