Hello all! I'm sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I've been really preoccupied by the Quidditch Competition (go check it out on my profile!) as well as a million other things! Today is the day (in real life) May 9th, that Fred Weasley is buried... in my story at least. I thought that I should post this on the very day that it takes place... many years later of course. I hope that you like this! Also, this goes back into Hermione POV and then... well, you'll see!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the world of HP or any canon characters, plot lines, or dialogue; only that of which I think up myself :D

Enjoy!

Chapter 5: The Funeral

It was one week after the final battle. We were scheduled to bury Fred at 3 o'clock that day, May 9th, 1998. Everyone's eyes were red and puffy from a solid week of crying. I had never seen George look so withdrawn and hollow as I did that day. All of his siblings had tried to console him, but he was beyond reach. How did we expect him to react after losing half of himself?

Every single family member and friend pitched in to help with the funeral. Bill and Charlie helped dig out Fred's grave in the garden of the Weasley's property. They also erected the tent and set out tables and chairs. Ron, Harry and Percy sent out notices of when the funeral would take place. Ginny, Molly, Fleur and I prepared plenty of food and tried our best to be cheerful. We had all decided that it would be best to treat the funeral as a celebration of Fred's life, rather than the mourning of his death. There would be fireworks, music, pranks, food and friends.

As soon as the guests began arriving, Ron took his place beside me. He squeezed my hand so hard I thought it would turn blue; though I didn't mind. Everyone; not only Ron, was having a very hard time with the funeral. Ron and I had discussed it earlier in the day. "This makes it real Hermione. He's… he's really gone. I will never get to see him again. I will never get to laugh with him again; he gone – just like that, evaporated. Dead." Ron had a scarily serene look on his face when he said that. His eyes were oceans of blue as his pupil became a black speck; lost in the depths. There was no emotion; no hate, anger, fear, remorse. It was cold and unyielding; it was realization. I just held him and rubbed his back. It was sometimes the realization that hurt more than the immediate crying and pain.

The set up in the funeral tent was the chairs, over 200, facing towards the front. The front itself had a slightly elevated platform which held Fred's casket, as well as a picture of him in a large frame. That was probably the hardest part, having to watch 'picture' Fred wave and smile at us, when we knew he never would again.

After about fifteen minutes, the over 200 people that had been invited to Fred's funeral had shown up. I was surprised that so many people could make it in so little time. Even after almost 8 years, I still had to remind myself I was a witch; and that we could travel faster. As soon as everyone was seated, the eulogies began; starting with George's.

"My brother, as you all already know; was a famous prankster. World-renowned actually." George said with a wink towards our new headmistress McGonagall. She averted her eyes to avoid crying. I could tell that through all the headaches they'd cause her, she'd grown to love the twins; and all of the Weasleys. George was showing only faux humor; inside I was sure he was struggling. "From our very first year at Hoggy Warts, when Fred and I ignited our reputation as jokesters, to our successful business endeavor 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes'. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments. I could never had done it without him; any of it. From charms homework to our final showdown with Umbridge. He was with me the entire time. I could barely tie me bloody shoelaces without the git." George said as he stared down at his shoes. He was the exact opposite of what he had been the day Ginny stalked Ron. There was an awkward silence until he started up again.

Looking up, he said, "What I'm trying to say is, I may never be the same; I barely know how to function without him. He was a part of me that I will never lose, and will always love. But please don't cry for either of us. He wouldn't want that. If it was me in the ground right now, he'd be up here laughin' and jokin' around. Hell, he'd be coercing ya to play a bloody game of Quidditch!" George exclaimed with a humorless chuckle. He sighed and paused. "Also, wanted to add one thing. Fred won't have an open casket, because he'd want you to remember him as he was. Not as a cold corpse." George rambled. The words were so quick they were practically incoherent, but we managed to make them out."I love ya Freddie!" George yelled as he drew his wand and set fireworks bouncing around the room. Angelina smiled as she wiped the tears from her cheek. She and George's gaze met and he smiled back.

A few other people came up to say a few words for Fred. First, it was all of the Weasley children. Ron's statement was simple, "Fred, if you can hear me, I want you to know that I love you. I love you and appreciate what you did for me as a big brother. You taught me to loosen up a bit, have fun. Hell, you two even taught me to cuss." Ron stated with no humor. "I know I didn't say it much when you were alive, but I need to say it now. You and George are some of the best brothers a bloke could ask for." Ron said, turning to George. He walked up to him and embraced his brother, before taking his seat next to me. Ron put my hand in another death grip. I soothed him by kissing his neck, and rubbing his back.

Next, it was all of Fred's school friends. Lee Jordan and Katie Bell both had nice, short, remembrances. Angelina's eulogy was powerful, "Fred; Fred Weasley. That boy broke my heart and mended it all the same. I loved him, but we were separated far before he passed. It just wasn't meant to be I guess. I'm just glad that we had both moved on before he died. We were friends; we had no harsh feelings for one another in the end. Cut off plain and simple. No loose ends." Angelina said; her voice thick with melancholy. Her expression blank, but her eyes pained.

Angelina POV:

"I want you all to know that Fred was one of the bravest men I ever knew. He would give anything to save a friend; even his life. He died in one of the most honorable ways possible; as a warrior; a fighter for good, a champion. So, I too second George's statement. Don't cry for Fred and I, he wouldn't want it that way. He died a heroes' death, and that should make us proud!" I stated with growing volume; loudest at the end. My mind was flooded with images of Fred and I snogging, bickering, breaking up, dancing; everything. I was nearly in tears. "I know it makes me proud." I whispered, glancing back towards the casket. I walked back and caressed the beautiful mahogany wood. Everyone in the tent took their wands out and sent red flairs in the air at my final statement. They were proud. I smiled as George even sent 'round another batch of his fireworks, and I left the platform.

As soon as everyone was finished saying something to Fred, they eagerly exited the sad tent. He was swiftly lifted and placed in the ground by all of his brothers and sister. They then piled the dirt on top on the beautiful wood. I panicked, and cast a quick orchideous when I realized I had nothing to throw in. "For you Freddie." I whispered as my pink Orchid landed in the mass of yellow and orange Tulips that people had been given. I could only hope that he knew I was there, and that I still cared. An Orchid was the first flower he ever gave me; a pink one just like that. Once Fred was fully buried, I sent one last glance as the gravesite, and began to move toward the 50 picnic tables. I didn't know how to sort out all of the mixed emotions running through me. Did I love Fred at some point or another? Yes. Did I still love him? I didn't know. I was hollow; emotionless, tired. I didn't know where to go or what to do. Lately, I had been flying around on my broom and dipping into his old stashes of FireWhiskey at my house. I basically felt like shit. I wanted to comfort George; be there for him. He was my friend after all, and had even given me some advice on how to stay with Fred. It was just all too painful. Every time I looked at George, it was like seeing Fred. Of course that's inevitable - they were twins for Merlin's sake; but it was still hard. I couldn't deal with talking to a living, walking physical copy of the man I once loved. I was being extremely hard on George, and incredibly selfish. Maybe George didn't want to see me either; I mean, I had loved Fred, not him.

I had decided to put aside my pain and sit across from George. His family seemed to understand the gesture and left us to have the only table with just two people. "The food is absolutely phonomenal. Complements to Mrs. Weasley and whoever else is responsible!" I complemented, trying to force a laugh. "Thanks." George stated dryly; looing down. That was the first peep from him since the eulogies. He looked how I felt; empty, hollow, horrid. His eyes were sunken in and had purple bags underneath. The capalaries covering them were popped out and noticable. It looked as if he hadn't slept in years, not days. He again looked how I felt, like shit. "George, I'm so, so, sorry. I... I can't say I understand; that'd be a lie. I don't know what it's like to lose a twin. I do know what it's like to lose someone you love. You were always a great friend to me George. I don't want that to change." I stated as I reached for his hand. This was meant to be a purely friendly gesture; but I suppose you can't help getting that tingly feeling when the hand is attached to someone who looks like the man who you loved.

"Angie, um Angelina", He corrected. "I know that it's hard for you... too. I appreciate that you said you don't know what it's like. I resent how everyone on this bloody lawn feels they know what I'm going through, just 'cause they lost some great aunt or grand parent years ago. No one here is a twin, no one knows. Oh Angie, Angelina - " I cut him off. There was no need to be so formal."Just call me Angie George." I stated. "Uh, alright then. Angie, I just don't know what to do anymore." He finished, holding his head. "Listen, I'll take you out, keep you busy; and make sure you don't hex your bloody head off. We have to move on, both of us. I know it sounds insensitive as it's only been a week, but it's been a week I've spent crying and chugging Fire Whiskey - not fun. Like you said in the eulogy, Fred wouldn't want us dying with him. He'd want us to live and have fun. It doesn't have to be this month, or even this year; but we have to live our lives." I stated. I was having trouble keeping back tears, but had to be strong for George. Of course I didn't want to move on. The memories and tears are all I had left of him; but I also had George. We had each other; the last real pieces of Fred. That's why we had to stick together.

I hope that you liked that! You will be seeing some more George/Angelina convos very sooon! Again, sorry for the long time to update. I will (hopefully) update within a week or two!

~Hermione