Harry sat in the front row of chairs in the Burrow's back garden along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, Hermione and Great-Aunt Muriel. The rest of the Weasley siblings were to act as pallbearers and carry Fred's casket to where the minister stood. A few seats down from him Muriel was muttering about how inappropriate it was for Ginevra to be a pallbearer; pallbearers were supposed to be male and Ginevra was certainly not male. Harry longed to tell Muriel to be quiet. Ginny might not be male but she deserved to perform this last service to her brother as much as any of the others did. She loved Fred too and kept up with him and the rest of her brothers as well as any boy would have. Ginny acting as a pallbearer was hardly the most nontraditional thing about this funeral as far as he was concerned. The night before he asked Ginny why Fred's funeral and burial were to be at the Burrow rather than at a church or a cemetery. Ginny explained that her parents weren't very religious and so a church funeral didn't suit them. The back garden was large and by burying him there he would always be close. As they lived out in the country the nearest cemetery had not felt close enough and it didn't matter that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley could apparate there to see him, they wanted to keep him close. Thinking about Fred, Harry thought this non-traditional arrangement would be more his style anyway. Harry glanced toward the back corner of the garden where an area had been fenced off and a lovely flowering bush had been planted and thought that it would be a fine placed to be laid to rest.
Family and friends had been arriving at the Burrow for the past hour and soon the funeral would start. Every seat was filled and still many more stood to the sides or behind where all the chairs had been set up. Harry recognized many friends and teachers from Hogwarts as well as other business owners from Diagon Alley and members of the Order. Finally an enchanted harp began to play a lovely but sad song and the six remaining Weasley siblings took their places around Fred's coffin; George and Ginny in the front, Ron and Percy in the middle and Bill and Charlie at the back. Not one of them remained dry-eyed as they marched down the aisle, Fred's coffin between them. When the coffin was situated each laid a single white rose upon its closed lid and moved to their seats. Ginny took her seat beside Harry and leaned into his shoulder. Harry put his arm around her and held one of her hands in his own.
The minister began speaking then, reading off his name, dates of birth and death, but Harry was only half listening. He was instead watching a slide show of memories of Fred in his mind. Fred and George had been the first to recognize who he was at King's Cross his first year. He remembered how friendly they had been helping him get his trunk onto the train and not making a big deal about his identity. He recalled all the fun he'd had during his summers at the Burrow with Fred, George, Ron and Ginny. Fred had always excelled at nicking food from the kitchen and getting a good party going after any Quidditch game. Fred had been a tremendous beater. Fred who was always brought the jokes, laughter, adventure and mischief to all he did. The things the minister was saying were just words, Harry hoped everyone could see Fred in their mind as clearly as he could right now. The memories were the important part, not the trivial details that this minister was reciting. The minister read a prayer for the departed and then announced that the deceased's brother wanted to say a few words. Harry was stunned to see Percy stand and walk behind the coffin. In his hands he held sheets of paper and Harry knew that was what Percy had been writing and writing the past few days.
"Fred was my brother, but no two brothers could be more different than we were. Fred, and George," Percy couldn't help but add the latter's name, "were the embodiment of fun and laugher and joy. I on the other hand like rules and order and purpose. Fred, and George, never met a rule they couldn't break and that sometimes made our relationship difficult. Despite our differences I always admired the way Fred looked at life and in his death I think we can all learn one thing. Life is too short and can be taken away when least expected. Live your life to the fullest and make it fun. The parts that matter most in the end are the joy and the love and the laughter. Fred had all of those things in abundance. Moving forward from today I intend to infuse a little more fun into my life and if nothing else it will make me think of Fred. While we mourn our loss in his death, let us also celebrate his life; if anyone has Fred stories to share I, for one, would love to hear them."
Percy returned to his seat where Molly rose from her chair and embraced him. "Thank you Percy. That was lovely," she said.
For several long minutes no one came forward and the minister looked unsure if he should continue with the funeral or wait. Finally George stood and moved behind the coffin. Placing his hand upon the lid he said, "Fred was my best friend, my twin brother and most of the time he felt like the other half of me. I once heard twins described as being one soul split into two bodies and that is how I feel Fred and I were. I'm not sure there will ever be someone who gets me the way he did. I miss him and most days I wake not knowing how I will make it through the day without him. I keep hoping that all of this is a really elaborate prank that he's got everyone in on but me. But I know that it isn't. Probably one of my best memories of Fred is how he got the idea to start the joke shop. Whenever there was a Hogsmeade weekend at Hogwarts we'd go to Zonko's and inevitably Fred would get into a long conversation with the owner about how he'd improve a product or list ideas for spin off products to produce. Finally the owner told Fred that if he had all these brilliant ideas why didn't he start his own joke shop. I don't think he thought Fred would take him seriously; he just wanted to get Fred off his back. Fred was the master behind the shop and I'm not sure how I'm going to continue on without him but if anyone is interested in a job let me know, it is probably about time I got back to work."
George returned to his seat and Lee Jordan took his place behind the coffin, "Fred and George are the best friends a guy could have. My time at Hogwarts would not have been the same without them. My favorite memory of them, because really I have no memories that don't include both of them, is when they'd finally had enough of Umbridge and set off all those fireworks in the school. That was absolutely brilliant."
Oliver Wood was next he told a long story about a match in which everything was going wrong but Fred and George's antics has kept their sprits high and against all odds they'd come back to win the match. "At times they made my captaincy difficult but most of the time they made it amazing."
Hagrid who could barely control his crying managed to get himself under control long enough to say, "I had to chase those two out of the forest more times than every other student who's ever gone to Hogwarts put together, but I'd do it all again."
One by one people got up to tell stories. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and none other of the siblings besides Percy and George got up to say anything, listening to the stories was proving to be as much as they could currently handle. When it appeared that no one else was going to come forward Harry got up and stood behind the coffin and said, "Fred and George were the first people to introduce themselves to me during my first year at Hogwarts. They helped me bring my trunk onto the train. They figured out who I was almost immediately and despite their interest they were unfailingly welcoming and accepting. As much as I have always admired their spirit and zest for life I will always remember them most for being so kind, welcoming and accepting of everyone around them. They always made everyone feel at home, like they belonged."
When there were truly no more words to be said the minister returned to the coffin recited another prayer and asked that the pallbearers come forward to move the coffin to the grave. The brothers and Ginny stood. George put his hand out to Harry and said, "Come on Harry, you were like Fred's brother too."
Harry and Ginny grasped the handle at the front together across from George. Together the seven of them moved the coffin to the back corner of the yard. They placed the coffin beside the freshly dug hole in the earth. Then moved back and with the other family members made a semi circle around the grave. The minister recited one final prayer before levitating the coffin into the grave. Harry felt the tears sliding down his face and heard the Weasleys crying around him. Each gathered a handful of dirt and threw it into the grave after the coffin. With a wave of his wand the pile of dirt neatly fell into the grave filling the hole. A simple white headstone with Fred's name and dates of birth and death appeared at the head of the grave. Ginny conjured a bouquet of wild flowers and placed them upon the fresh grave. The family stood silently for a while before one by one leaving the little fenced in area.
For hours after the funeral people milled around the garden talking about Fred and eating hors d'oeuvres. It was during that time when Harry first saw his Godson in person. Andromeda came toward him holding baby Teddy. He couldn't believe how tiny he was and how very much he looked like his mother. Andromeda held the tiny blue bundle out to Harry and awkwardly Harry took him in his arms. A lump formed in his throat and more tears streamed from his eyes. "He is amazing," Harry said.
"I wanted to tell you that the funeral for Nymphadora and Remus will be on Saturday. It is going to be in a small church near my home," Andromeda said.
"I will be there," Harry said without taking his eyes off of Teddy's peaceful, sleeping face, "I'm sorry I haven't been in touch, I should have contacted you and offered to help."
"You've been busy too," Andromeda, said kindly, "I heard you were at the school helping to do repairs."
"Yes," Harry agreed, "But I should have thought to contact you. Alone with this baby and a double funeral to plan; I'm sorry, are you doing okay?"
Andromeda dabbed at her eyes before saying, "It hasn't been unbearable. I think knowing that I have Teddy to take care of keeps me from falling apart."
"If you ever need help or money or anything please let me know," Harry said, "As Teddy's godfather I want to be able to support you in whatever way I can. Please."
"I would appreciate that Harry," Andromeda said, 'I'll let you know."
Harry offered to hold Teddy while Andromeda had a plate of food before heading home. He settled into a chair with the tiny infant and carefully rocked him as he slept, "I am so sorry that you have to grow up like me, not knowing your Mum and Dad. If I can help it you won't grow up without me though, I am going to be the best godfather ever. I will tell you all about your Mum and Dad and teach you things…" Harry trailed off as he realized he had an audience besides Teddy.
"You look good with a baby," Ginny said softly as she approached. She moved a chair next to Harry's and settled beside him.
"Teddy," Harry whispered, "This is Ginny, she will be pretty special in your life too. Ginny, this is my Godson, Teddy."
Ginny nudged his tiny hand with her finger and instinctively his fingers wrapped around hers. Gently she shook his tiny hand and said, "Lovely to meet you." Ginny rubbed his downy head and admired his tiny hands and feet before finally asking, "Can I hold him?"
Harry gingerly transferred the sleeping bundle into Ginny's arms. He watched her cradle his Godson and a feeling he couldn't quite describe filled his chest. He liked seeing her with a baby too. "Hey little guy," Ginny whispered, "Someday you'll be like an older cousin to our kids, won't that be fun?"
"You want to have kids someday?" Harry asked.
"Of course, don't you?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, I just never thought of it much before," Harry admitted.
Andromeda found them half an hour later and said, "I'll have to take up your offer for help in the way of babysitting, the two of you look very capable of handling him."
"We would love to," Ginny offered, "Any time."
They wished Andromeda a good night and promised to see her at the funeral in a few days. By this time the guests had either started to leave or were helping Hermione and Fleur tidy things up. Molly, Arthur and George were sent to their rooms to rest. When everything had been put in its place and the last of the guests had departed Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny sat in the back garden together.
"Now what?" Ron said, voicing what was on everyone's minds.
"I guess we get back to life as normal," Bill said, "Or as normal as it can be."
"Remus and Tonks' funeral is on Saturday," Harry said, "Is everyone going to be there?" Everyone nodded his or her assent.
"Bill and I are going to go back to Shell Cottage tomorrow morning," Fleur announced.
"Then we need to find out if we still have jobs at Gringotts or not," Bill said.
"I will stay until after Remus and Tonks' funerals then I need to head back to Romania," Charlie said.
"I have no idea if I have a job or not anymore," Percy said, "I'm not sure I care either way. I'm considering asking George if he wants to hire me."
"You work at a joke shop?" Ron asked in surprise.
"I was serious about what I said up there today. I'm going to work on having a little bit more fun," Percy said, "Being serious all the time didn't do me any favors. Besides, maybe I can keep books and run numbers or something…you know be the behind the scenes guy."
"That sounds good Percy," Hermione said encouragingly.
"Yeah," Ron agreed, "It might be good for George to get back to work and I reckon he'd have a better go at it with some help."
"What about you lot?" Charlie asked looking at Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
"We'll just be home until school starts," Ron said.
"Except for Harry," Ginny added, "He'll probably go on a couple Auror assignments this summer before school starts."
"Do you know when?" Bill asked.
"I haven't heard anything," Harry said, "But I'd bet that Kingsley is waiting until after the funerals are over and things settle down some more."
"Maybe we could help at the shop too," Hermione said, "Help get George up and running again."
"That's a great idea," Percy said.
"I'd like to spend some more time with Teddy this summer," Harry said, "I'd like him to know me better than I got to know Sirius."
"That sounds nice," Ginny replied.
The group sat in silence for a while just enjoying the summer afternoon. Eventually Fleur rose saying that she was going to go change out of her dress robes and start fixing dinner. Hermione and Ginny offered to help and also went into the house. Harry realized suddenly that he was left alone with four of Ginny's older brothers. Nervously he waited for one of them to start talking. When one of them finally did what they said was unexpected.
"Harry," Bill said, "We wanted to let you know that we agree whole-heartedly with what George said earlier today about you being one of the family, like another of Fred's brothers, our brother. We are all aware of how close you and Ginny are and we wanted you to know that you have our blessing."
George came out of the house at this moment and said, "If Fred were here you'd have his blessing too."
Harry felt a lump rise in his throat as he struggled to hold his emotions in check, "Thanks guys," he whispered, "I never understood what it was like to have a family until the first summer I came to stay here. You all are the family I never got to have."
"Are your intentions, as far as Ginny is concerned, honorable?" Percy asked.
"Any fool can see he's in love with her," Ron said impatiently, "He's going to marry her someday."
"Is that true?" Bill asked.
"Yes, if she'll have me when someday comes," Harry said.
"Treat her right Harry," Charlie said.
"She's the only sister we've got," George added.
"And the baby of the family," Percy said.
"No worries," Harry said, "She is more important to me than anything in the world. And I'd be a bloody idiot to make a mess of things with a girl whose got five older brothers."
"We trust you Harry," Ron said, "Just make her happy."
After a quiet dinner of a simple French stew that Fleur, Hermione and Ginny put together everyone went their separate ways much like the first night they had returned to the Burrow. Everyone had too much on their mind and in their heart to be much comfort to anyone else.
Harry found Ginny in her room knitting the quill patterned socks. "Care for some company?" he asked. Ginny made room for him on her bed and he watched her knit in silence. "How are you doing?" He finally asked.
"I'm sad, but holding up," Ginny said, "How are you?"
"The same," Harry replied.
After nearly an hour more of Ginny knitting while Harry watched Ginny said, "My fingers are starting to cramp, want to go take a walk?"
"Sure," Harry agreed.
Ginny led him out the back door into the yard. Harry followed her to the far east edge of the yard and through a gap in the bushes. A couple dozen yards in was a small clearing and a wide wooden swing hung from the branch of an old tree. They sat side by side on the swing and half-heartedly made an attempt to get it going. When they'd given up and just sat together there Ginny turned toward him and put her arms around him.
"Just hold me, Harry," She whispered.
Harry obeyed, shifting his body on the swing and wrapping her into his arms. He stroked her hair and just held her close. Without thinking at all he whispered, "I love you, Ginny."
Without pulling out of his embrace she whispered back, "You've never said that to me before."
"I know," Harry said, "I was afraid to. I don't have much experience saying I love you or hearing it, I didn't know how to say it. Even though this is the first time I'm saying it, it doesn't mean that I haven't felt it for a long time."
"I love you too, Harry," Ginny whispered, "What made you say it today?"
"All of the things Percy said at the funeral, about life being too short and love being one of the things that mattered most in the end," Harry said, "It was time."
"Thank you," Ginny said.
Loosening his hold on her Harry turned and kissed her.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading – reviews are always appreciated and suggestions too!
Someone made a comment that they didn't like that I was going to bury Fred in the back garden. They felt that the garden was where you bury pets or house elves. The point was very well taken and I gave my plans a lot of thought before continuing on. Had I not already mentioned where I was going to bury him I might have changed it but I decided to soldier on. I gave some of my reasons for burying him there in my first paragraph of this chapter but one other reason is that funerals and cemetery plots can quite expensive. I thought maybe the Weasleys might choose to keep things close to home due in part to their financial situation. I hope I haven't offended anyone too much – I really don't think it would be such a bad thing though.