6
After the Battle
Chapter 6: It May Be Sunny but it's Raining in My Heart
It was later in the morning when Ginny woke Harry up. "It's time to get ready, Love," she said softly.
Nodding groggily, Harry sat up and was pleased when his head didn't spin in protest. Glancing at Ginny he could see the sadness in her face and it made his heart ache.
"Okay," he replied quietly as the feeling of his own sadness hit him. He knew that the next several hours were going to be really tough but he vowed to be strong for Ginny.
While he knew it was going to be rough on him, he knew it was going to be so much harder on Ginny. Fred was her brother and his loss would hit her hard and then there was Colin, someone he knew but not nearly as well as Ginny. She was his year-mate and they'd been pretty close friends.
He wrapped his arm around her as he stood, more to comfort her than to support his weight. He heard her sigh sadly and he pulled her in closer, giving her a kiss on the temple as she rested her head on his shoulder.
She gave him a sad smile but no words were necessary, their looks telling each other what they were feeling.
Silently they made their way up to their bedroom.
Ginny led Harry over to the bed and made him sit down. His eyes widened in surprise when she went back and closed and locked the door.
He was trying to wrap his head around that fact as he watched Ginny go over to the bureau and being to remove some clothing.
His eyes widened again when he saw she was carrying a mixture of his and her clothing, underwear to be exact.
Almost too casually to Harry's thinking, she handed him a pair of his boxers and looked at him expectantly.
Then to his amazement she began to strip. Sure they'd made love and showered together but somehow the fact that they were changing clothes and in the rather casual way in which Ginny was acting, made it seem so much more intimate than what they had done previously.
Harry sat there mesmerized as he watched Ginny remove her t-shirt and he found himself staring because she wasn't wearing a bra.
"Are you going to get changed or just sit there ogling my breasts?" she asked with a smirk.
Harry blushed and dropped his gaze, but only for a moment before he found himself looking back up and feasted his eyes on her oh so perfect breasts.
"Do I have a choice"?" asked with a roguish grin.
"Yes you do and if you know what's good for you, you'll chose the right one," Ginny replied, her smirk growing wider.
"If I must," Harry replied with an exaggerated sigh, acting like he was extremely put out.
Ginny saw right through his ploy and gave him the look, the one where her one eyebrow rose and her eyes narrowed slightly. She smiled when she saw him gulp and stand to remove his shorts and put on his boxers.
She had just taken off the lounge pants she was wearing when she noticed Harry teeter a little as he straightened up and she hurried over to his side as he grabbed his socks.
Taking them from his hand, she gently urged his to sit down and knelt down in front of him.
He gave her an annoyed look. "I can dress myself you know," he muttered irritably.
"Harry, while normally that's true, I saw the way you acted when you straightened up and don't try to deny it," she chastised him lightly. "Please just accept my help when you need it," she implored him.
Harry slowly nodded his head. "I'm sorry, it's just I've had to do everything myself for so long, it's hard to accept that things are different now," he whispered sadly.
"I know Love, but I'm here now and I promise you'll never be alone again," Ginny replied emotionally.
Harry wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in and kissed her. Feeling her naked body against him, he groaned and broke off the kiss much sooner than either really wished.
"Maybe you'd better finish getting dressed," he croaked out.
Ginny giggled as she noticed his boxers tented out and she gently grasped his rock hard manhood and gave it a soft squeeze.
"Ginny," Harry groaned, shutting his eyes as he shuddered from the unbelievable sensations she was causing.
Ginny giggled again and reached down and grabbed his one foot and began putting on his socks.
"Godric woman, you're going to be the death of me," he moaned.
As soon as she had his socks on she went over too where the dress robes hung and brought Harry's dress shirt back over and handed it to him.
"I suspect you can manage to put this on yourself," she whispered huskily, her eyes dancing merrily.
"I suppose so," he replied absent-mindedly, his eyes raking her nude body. He shook his head, "Will you please put some clothes on or I'm going to end up ravishing you and that will definitely make us late," he groaned.
"If you insist," Ginny teased with a light laugh.
Harry put on his shirt automatically, never taking his eyes off Ginny. Watching her getting dressed was just to enthralling and he found he couldn't look away.
Once she had on her bra and knickers she glanced at him and laughed. Coming over she reached for his buttons.
Looking down, Harry found he'd buttoned the shirt up wrong.
Ginny deftly unbutton his shirt and re-buttoned it correctly, never taking her eyes off Harry's. "See, you do need my help," she teased with a grin.
"You're just too much of a distraction," Harry replied in his defence.
"And that's a bad thing?" Ginny asked humorously.
"Never," Harry replied, leaning in and giving her a quick kiss.
"Sit," Ginny directed lovingly.
Harry did as directed and he wasn't surprised when Ginny went and got his dress pants.
She knelt down and got them on Harry's lower legs and pulled them up when he stood.
"Can you handle it from here?" she asked saucily.
"If I have too," Harry replied with a smirk.
While Harry finished putting on his trousers, Ginny went and put on her dress shirt that was almost identical to Harry's. They were a deep navy but blue enough that they wouldn't look black like their dress robes.
Once she had it on she put on her skirt, solid black like her dress robes and it fell to just past her knees.
Once finished she grabbed Harry's tie and brought it over to him. When he reached for it she breathed, "Let me."
Harry smiled and gave her a quick nod, noticing it was a Gryffindor tie.
He tried to remain still but as she threaded it through his collar, her fingers brushed his neck and he felt goose flesh break out all over his body.
Ginny kept her eyes on Harry's only glancing down a couple of times as she tied his tie.
Once she was done, she smoothed it down and stepped back after giving him a quick kiss.
Harry glanced down and smiled. "I can never get the ends right, it always takes me several attempts before I can," he whispered warmly.
"I guess I'll just always have to tie them for you then," Ginny replied softly, a warm smile gracing her lips.
Harry just stood there watching as Ginny put on her own tie, smiling widely as he took her in. He felt his love for her grow even stronger and he was so grateful that she was in his life. He couldn't imagine living without her.
It was while he was watching her put on her shoes that a realization struck him and he dropped his gaze to his stocking clad feet.
"Ah, Ginny?" he called out hesitantly.
Ginny looked over at him and smirked. Without a word she went over to the closet and pulled out a pair of very nice black Dragon-hide boots.
Bringing them over she gently pushed Harry in the chest, making his sit down on the edge of the bed.
As she helped him put them on, he gave her a questioning look.
"They're an old pair of Bill's that he's out grown," she explained with a soft smile. "Charlie gave them to him for his birthday the first year he worked at the Dragon Preserve.
"I'll have to thank him for letting me borrow them," Harry replied softly.
"You can thank him but they're yours now. Like I said, he's out grown them and wants you to have them," Ginny said warmly.
Harry was struck speechless and looked at Ginny in awe at how wonderful he felt by the loving and accepting actions of her brother.
"You're family," Ginny beamed emotionally. It meant so much to her that Bill and Fleur accepted her and Harry.
Harry stood and helped Ginny on with her dress robes before donning his own.
They looked at each other, smiling wanly as the realization of what was coming hit them. After a quick kiss, they left the room and headed downstairs hand in hand, ready as they could be to face the trial that was coming.
Harry and Ginny
As prearranged, Bill, Fleur and Ginny Apparated away first with Harry waiting five minutes before he Apparated himself.
He arrived outside the Burrow's wards and found Bill pacing nervously nearby. He had been worried about Harry Apparating himself in his weakened state.
Harry smiled reassuringly at him, letting him know he had arrived in one piece and hadn't splinched himself. He then gazed at the sky, it was bright and sunny here in Devon unlike the overcast he had just left. The way he was feeling, he really felt he'd have preferred the clouds.
Bill rushed over and shook Harry's hand, giving him a good once over as if to reassure himself that Harry was indeed okay.
"I'm fine, Bill, really," Harry stated reassuringly.
"Sorry, Harry. I guess it's just a Weasley trait to be worried about those we care about," Bill replied apologetically, giving him a sheepish smile.
"And I appreciate it," Harry replied sincerely.
Bill sighed and began to lead Harry toward the Burrow.
"Mum's already snagged Ginny but Dad's assured me that there won't be any problem with you two being together during the funeral," Bill explained anxiously.
Harry huffed deeply, trying to ease the tightness in his chest. He fervently hoped that they could get through the funeral without any kind of confrontation.
They were about half way to the house when Arthur came hurrying out of the door, looking at once both worried and relieved to see Harry.
All but running, he crashed into Harry, enveloping him in a crushing hug.
"I'm so glad to see you," he cried softly. "When you disappeared and we had no idea where you were, we were so worried."
Harry was silently wondering who he meant when he said "we" but he was finding it difficult to breath. Thought Arthur's hug wasn't really as strong as Molly's had been when she accepted Harry, his already damaged lungs were struggling to breath.
"Dad, he's turning blue," Bill teased lightly but Harry could hear the sharp edge of his concern.
Immediately the Weasley Patriarch released Harry and blushed as he gave the young wizard an apologetic look. "Sorry, I'm just so happy to see that you're alright and here," he muttered sheepishly.
"It's okay, Mr Weasley," Harry managed to breath out and he winced a little when he heard his chest wheeze a little.
It didn't appear that Arthur heard, but Harry could tell by the look Bill was giving him, that he had.
When the elder Weasley glanced at the house, Harry shook his head because it appeared the Bill was going to say something.
Looking back at Mr Weasley, Harry asked "How's George doing?"
To Harry it seemed the man aged decades right before his eyes.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know," he whispered sadly. "As soon as we returned to the Burrow he sequestered himself in his and Fred's old room and we haven't seen him since."
He sighed heavily and glanced up at the window to the room they were talking about. "Whenever we knock on his door, he just tells us to go away and leave him alone."
Then he gave a sad soft chuckle. "The thing is he and Fred must have learned some pretty strong magic because no one has been able to undo whatever locking charm he's placed on the door."
"Do you want me to try?" Bill asked with great concern.
Arthur shrugged. "We'll see. He did tell Percy this morning that he'd be down for Fred's funeral and it's not like he hasn't' been out of the room because every morning there's been dirty dishes in the sink though no one has seen him."
"Do you want me to go up and talk to him?" Harry asked softly.
Mr Weasley shrugged again. "I guess, do what you want, hopefully he'll keep his word and be there for his brother's funeral."
Harry nodded his head slowly. "I think I'll just pop up there to see if I can talk to him anyway," he sighed.
Mr Weasley just nodded and headed off toward the rear of the house where the funeral would take place, muttering "I just want to make sure everything is ready."
Harry glanced at Bill, who gave him a small reassuring smile. "I'll see you in a bit Harry. Good luck with George."
"Thanks, Bill and I'll see you soon," Harry replied as he headed toward the Burrow's back door.
He was silently praying that he wouldn't run into Molly as he really didn't want to get into it with her at the moment, though he did hope he'd see Ginny.
One prayer was answered but the other wasn't as he didn't see anyone when he entered and climbed the stairs to Fred's and George's old room. He paused outside the door, wondering what he was going to find.
He couldn't imagine what George must be feeling having lost what was in essence his other half. He took a deep breath and blew it out before knocking softly on the door.
"Who is it?" he heard almost immediately.
"George, it's me, Harry. Can I come in and talk to you?" Harry asked somewhat hesitantly.
Harry was shocked when the door immediately swung open. He paused a moment because he didn't see anyone so he slowly poked his head through the door.
He jumped a little when he heard George's voice from the other side of the room, "Well are you coming in or are you going to linger in the door?"
The thing that struck Harry most is it sounded just like George. Plain old George. Not someone who was pining away locked up in his room, lamenting and devastated by the death of his twin.
"George?" Harry asked bewilderedly.
"Hey Harry, I'm glad you could make it," George said warmly, coming over and taking him into a strong hug.
He flicked his wand, shutting the door behind Harry and actually chuckled when he saw the look on Harry's face.
"What?" he asked with that famous Weasley mischievous grin.
Harry just continued to stare at him for a moment. "George?" he asked again, sounding very unsure.
"That's my name," George chuckled, his eyes sparkling merrily.
Harry shook his head and blinked his eyes several times as if he was unsure of what he was seeing.
George gave him a sympathetic smile as he wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders and led him toward the one bed.
"Sit down, Harry," George said softly.
Once Harry did, George sighed softly. "I'm guessing you're a bit surprised seeing me like this."
Harry nodded his head, taking a good look at the young man for the first time since entering.
George was dressed to the nines. Harry shook his head, not believing he hadn't noticed George's dress robes. They were a bright magenta, similar to the ones that he wore at Weasley Wizard Wheezes but were made of a much finer material, Acromantula silk if he wasn't mistaken. He was also wearing Dragon-hide boots of bright red, probably from a Chinese Fireball.
He was also well groomed. Freshly shaved, his hair combed to perfection and it even appeared as if he'd had a manicure. Harry knew he'd never seen him looking so put together before.
When Harry lifted his eyes and met George's, the red head smiled warmly.
He did sniffle and Harry could see him fighting his emotions but it was clear that he had a pretty firm control of them. He sat down next to Harry.
He sniffled once more and lifted his head, staring across the room for a moment before he dropped his head down, looking into his lap but Harry could see him smiling again.
"The thing is Harry, Fred and I talked quite a bit about what we'd do if one of us didn't make it and neither of us wanted the other to mourn too much. We both have to much of a. . . joyful spirit, I guess you could say," George began talking softly.
"We promised one another that we'd celebrate the life we had and shared, not go all wonky and depressive. It just isn't our style," he added, his smile widening.
"Don't get me wrong, it hurts, really bad, but I can't let Fred down. I promised," he said tightly.
He turned his head and looked at Harry. He was breathing a little hard and there were traces of tears in the corner of his eyes, but he was smiling and begging with his look for Harry to understand.
Harry chuckled, even though his eyes were just like George's. "I get it, George and I find it amazing," he managed to get out.
"I'm glad that you're keeping your promise to Fred, he must be so proud of you, just like I am," he added, his smile growing.
"Thanks Harry. It means the world to both of us," George whispered and he hugged Harry hard.
After a moment he released Harry, his face bright and cheerful. "Now not a word to anyone," he cautioned mischievously.
Harry tried to stifle his laugh but couldn't quite do it. "I understand," he said knowingly. "What a great prank," he quietly muttered.
George clapped him on the back, "Precisely," he cried softly. "Now get out of here, I got a few things to finish up," he added as he rose and flicked his wand at the door, opening it for Harry.
Harry smiled widely. "I really don't want to know," he chuckled.
George gave him a curt nod of his head, confirming to Harry that he had some surprises in store for the funeral.
"I'll see you soon," Harry said as he left, shaking his head and smiling. Suddenly he found he couldn't wait for the funeral to start.
He had just exited the Burrow when he heard the voice he had been looking for.
"There you are. I was wondering where you'd got to." Ginny called out.
Harry turned to the sound of her voice and saw her standing near the entrance to the back garden with Fleur and Bill.
They gave him strange looks when they saw him smiling as he came over.
"Harry?" Ginny asked with a slight frown.
Bill's eyes lit up. "How did your talk with George go?" he asked fervently.
Harry tried to wipe the smile off his face but found he couldn't. "Much better than I expected, but please don't ask me any more about it," he smirked.
When Ginny gave him the Look, he shook his head. "Not this time, Love. I promised George."
Ginny sighed and gave him an understanding smile. While she really wanted to know, she wouldn't ask Harry to break his promise, especially to George.
Harry almost lost it, while Bill looked thoughtful, Fleur had one of her knowing smirks on her face and while Harry was certain she didn't know anything really, he was just as certain she knew they were in for a very different funeral than the one they had been expecting.
"I talked to Mum and Dad and verified that you and Ginny can go to Colin's funeral so hopefully there won't be any hysterics when you go to leave," Bill informed Harry.
Harry sighed in relief and when he glanced at Ginny, he figured Bill had already told her because she didn't act surprised.
"That's comforting to hear," he replied.
Bill glanced at his watch. "We should head out back, things should be starting soon," he informed the others.
Harry smiled and snorted, trying to stifle his laughter and not quite succeeding.
When the others looked at him he shook his head. "I really don't know what George has planned but it should be . . . interesting," he informed them.
They all looked at him surprised but with smiles on their faces, suddenly wanting to see just what George had planned.
As they entered the back garden they saw a small group of people just assembling around an open grave at the back edge of the garden, right up against the woods.
There was a coffin, draped in white hovering over the grave.
Harry recognized most of the people there. He saw Verity, from WWW and most of the other Weasleys, George being the only exception.
He also noticed Ron and Hermione standing toward the back of the group, engrossed in each other, neither noticing Harry amongst the small group that was approaching.
Then he noticed Molly standing near the head of the grave and though it was obvious she had been crying, she was currently looking around quite angrily.
"Where is that boy?" she snapped, her head swivelling left and right searching for the missing George. "He promised to be here and if he doesn't show . . ."
As they arrived, staying on the other side of the grave, Harry noticed the little tufted haired Wizard that had officiated at Dumbledore's funeral and Bill's and Fleur's wedding standing near Mrs Weasley.
"We really need to get started. I have other ceremonies to perform this afternoon," the little man said softly.
Molly huffed and gave him a curt, angry nod and just as the little man opened his mouth to speak, there was a large explosion and a huge billowing cloud of smoke appearing at the head of the grave.
As the smoke cleared everyone gasped as they saw George standing at the head of the grave. He had a wide smile on his face and after winking in Harry's, Ginny's, Bill's and Fleur's direction, he said "Welcome. Fred and I are glad you could all be here for his Internment Extravaganza."
Harry and Ginny exchanged broad smiles and turned back when they heard Molly. "George!" she cried threateningly.
Unabashed, George flicked his wand, silencing his mother.
Harry and Ginny glanced across at the group on the other side of the grave, almost all had shocked and outraged looks on their faces.
The exceptions were Verity and a couple of others who Harry finally recognized as people from Diagon Alley who had businesses there near the Twins' shop.
He and Ginny chuckled when they saw those few people slowly shuffle over to their side of the grave, away from the shocked others.
George waited until everyone had realigned themselves before he smiled and continued.
"Fred doesn't want us to mourn his passing but to celebrate his life, so with out further ado . . ." he jokingly said as he swished his wand, a huge smile on his face.
A huge wooshing sound was heard and suddenly a loud bang was heard overhead. Everyone looked up, there in the sky was a large firework exploding, reading "Welcome to Fred's Internment."
It as quickly followed by a huge number of additional fireworks exploding, filling the sky with a multitude of colours, shapes and sounds.
Harry could hear the chuckles and appreciative comments from those around him, while he could see Molly silently fuming and the shocked looks on the others near her.
George took a step to the side, toward where Harry and the others who were smiling stood.
He waved his wand and with a bang, a portrait appeared where he had been standing.
"Hey everyone, glad you could make it," Fred's image cried out.
Harry glanced at Ginny and saw she had tears running down her cheeks in laughter, just like he did.
"So let's get this box in the ground and . . . " Fred's portrait paused, glancing at George with an annoyed look. "Ah George," he growled lowly.
"Oh right," George replied sheepishly. He waved his wand and across the garden up near the entrance a large table appeared. It was filled with food and drink, mainly a large number of bottles of Firewhisky, if Harry's eyes didn't deceive him.
"Let the partying begin!" Fred finished with a smirk.
George looked expectantly at the little tufted hair Wizard. "If you will, officiant," he smirked impishly.
The little Wizard shook himself and opened the book he was holding.
"Friends, we are gathered here on this solemn . . ."
George cleared his throat, interrupting and shook his head with a frown.
The little wizard appeared flustered. "Ah, sombre . . ." he started, looking at George.
George shook his head again, frowning.
"Austere . . ."
Another shake from George.
"Ah . . . dignified . . ."
George shrugged, looked thoughtful but shook his head once more.
"Ahhhh . . . " the little Wizard stuttered, looking close to panicking.
"Joyous" George mouthed to him.
"We are gathered here on this joyous occasion to . . ."
"Celebrate," George mouthed again.
The little Wizard sighed, and mopped his sweaty brow before continuing.
Looking exceedingly uncomfortable, the little Wizard rushed through the rest of the service. As soon as he was done he glanced at George and all but ran from the garden, disappearing in the direction of the Apparation point.
"The Bar is open!" Fred's portrait exclaimed loudly.
Harry watched in confusion as George watched the little Wizard disappearing, a puzzled look on his face. It wasn't until he stared at Fred's coffin and muttered "Well I never . . ." that Harry figured it out.
George fumbled for his wand but Bill interrupted. "I've got it George," he said, drawing his wand.
"Thanks Bill," George replied with a warm smile.
Bill brandished his wand and Fred's coffin sank out of sight and then was covered by a mound of dirt that immediately was covered with grass.
As it finished, George finally got his wand out and with a wave, a headstone appeared. Along with Fred's name and dates, underneath it read "I Solemnly Swear I'm Up to No Good."
Harry heard Ginny sniffle and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in close. His own eyes misting as he read the words.
"It really has been a funeral the Fred would have loved," he whispered into her ear.
"I know," Ginny replied, tears trailing down her cheeks but she was smiling, even if it was slightly sad.
Harry leaned into her, giving her a fierce but loving kiss.
They broke it off early when the felt someone come up behind them. Turning they found Charlie standing there, his eyes tearing up just as much as theirs were, but like them, he had a smile on his face.
"Hey Bill," he choked out emotionally, addressing his older brother first.
"Hi Charlie," Bill replied, taking the burly Dragon Handler into a hard hug.
"Some funeral," Charlie laughed, his eyes filled with merriment.
"Yeah, it's been so Fred," Bill chuckled.
Charlie then hugged and kissed Fleur on the cheek, "It's good to see you Fleur," he murmured, "Given the circumstances."
"'Ello Charlie," Fleur greeted her brother-in-law warmly.
Charlie then turned to Harry and Ginny. Harry was a little apprehensive but relaxed when the big man smiled.
"Well, look at you two," he teased lightly, before he hugged Ginny hard after he extracted her from Harry's embrace.
He loosened his grip but didn't let go completely. "I heard about Mum," he sighed sadly. "I just don't know what's gotten into her."
He glanced at Harry before looking back into Ginny's eyes. "It's so obvious how much you two love one another and I just can't understand how she's acting," he lamented.
"Thanks Charlie," Ginny replied, hugging him warmly.
Charlie let go of Ginny with one arm and extended it toward Harry. "Harry, good to see you," he greeted warmly.
Harry shook his hand, smiling. "It's good to see you too and I'm so happy you're all right," he replied
Charlie looked pensive for a moment. "I guess we were actually pretty lucky we only lost Fred. It could have been so much worse," he stated sadly.
"I know," Harry replied, the memory of Bellatrix's Avada Kedavra missing Ginny by inches flashing through his mind as he glanced at her.
Charlie noticed the look and understood its implication even if he didn't know the story behind it.
He slipped his arm from around Ginny's shoulders and down onto the centre of her back and gave her a gentle push into Harry.
"I'm sure there's a story there, but lets save that for another day. Let's go enjoy some of Fred's and George's hospitality," he chuckled with a sad smile.
Harry and Ginny slipped their arms around one another's waists and joined the others heading for the table where George was making sure everyone got something to eat and drink.
They could hear the laughter in his voice as he exchanged stories about Fred with most of the other guests. The did notice a small knot of people off to one side who looked decidedly unhappy.
Harry and Ginny chuckled as they heard everyone give a collected sigh.
Molly was standing at the centre of the small group consisting of her, Aunt Muriel, Percy, Ron, Hermione and Arthur, the only one who looked like he didn't want to be there.
From Molly's reaction they could tell she still wasn't able to speak, something they all found rather amusing.
As they got to the table, they saw Verity lean up and kiss George on the cheek, saying "Okay, I'll see you next week then," before she headed off to join the others from Diagon Alley.
George watched her leave, a small smile on his face, then he noticed them coming closer and his smile widened as he hugged Ginny first before he went through the line, hugging them all in turn.
"I loved the fireworks but I'm a little disappointed that's all there was," Charlie laughed.
"Is that so," George replied with a smirk, glancing over at the group from Diagon Alley.
They all followed his gaze and burst out laughing when the whole group suddenly changed with a loud pop, into a flock of extremely colourful birds, each one different from the other.
The group all squawked as they pointed their wings at one another and then with another pop, they all returned to their normal selves.
As a group they glared at George but you could see the laughter in their eyes and George gave them a small bow, smiling widely himself.
Bill and Charlie eyed the food dubiously as George motioned them to help themselves.
"You guys are safe," George reassured them, "for now," he added mischievously.
"You better not have fucked with the Firewhisky," Charlie growled, eyeing George darkly.
"Never!" George cried loudly, looking scandalized. "Fred would be rolling over in his grave."
He suddenly stopped and stared down across the garden, forcing everyone to follow his gaze.
"Whew," he breathed after a moment when nothing happened, much to the others relief, causing them all to chuckle.
George grabbed a couple of large tumblers filled with Firewhisky, handing them to Harry and Ginny.
"Make sure you have something to eat," he warned them with a knowing smirk.
Harry and Ginny blushed deeply. "Don't worry, we will," Ginny replied softly, glancing at Harry lovingly as she did.
"Do I want to know?" Charlie asked with a chuckle.
"NO!" Harry and Bill cried out simultaneously, much to the amusement of Ginny and Fleur.
"Oh Godric, I can't wait to hear these stories," Charlie laughed deeply, his eyes sparkling with delight.
"I'll tell you later," George smirked, winking.
"You will not!" Ginny cried wide-eyed in shock.
"At least I didn't get hexed," George chuckled humorously, glancing from Ginny to Charlie.
"Don't tempt me," Ginny snapped, her eyes blazing dangerously.
"Aw, come on sis, you know I'd never . . . " his voice trailing off as Ginny stared at him, one eyebrow raised challengingly.
"Okay, maybe I would," he admitted with a shrug, causing Bill, Fleur and Charlie to chuckle.
Harry was glancing from George to Charlie worriedly.
Charlie smiled at him. "Don't worry about me, Harry. I know you'd never do anything Ginny didn't want you to and as long as she hasn't hexed you into oblivion, there's nothing I'm going to do," he reassured the raven haired young Wizard.
"Too right," Ginny smirked, her eyes flashing mischievously.
Harry sighed a bit nervously in relief, much to the amusement of the others who chuckled at him.
The next couple of hours passed quickly, a blur of hilarious stories shared about someone that everyone there had loved. Bill and Charlie making comments on how it seemed like it was a proper Irish or Scottish wake.
Every other guest had some type of prank pulled on them from very simple to some really impressive in their ingenuity and complexity, other than the small group consisting of George, Bill, Charlie, Fleur, Ginny and Harry.
The only ones getting upset were Molly, Muriel, Ron, Hermione and Percy. Even Arthur seemed to appreciate the numerous pranks, though he tried not to show it too much due to his close proximity to his wife.
Harry was surprised when neither Ron and Hermione nor Molly and Arthur came over and visited. He was slightly less surprised by Arthur not coming over as it looked like he was concentrating on keeping Molly calm or at least occupied.
He was more hurt and disappointed when neither Ron nor Hermione made any effort to come over and visit. That was something he just didn't understand.
Yes, Ron seemed to be hovering near his mother almost as much as his father and Hermione was clinging to him like she'd had a permanent sticking charm placed on her.
Still, he thought that they'd at least come over and check on how he was doing and ask what had happened, though it appeared to be just wishful thinking.
It wasn't until that Bill glanced at his watch and leaned over, whispering "You two should get going if you're going to Colin's funeral."
Harry and Ginny rose and were just heading for the Apparation point when they heard, "Harry, do you have a minute?"
Turing, they found Hermione standing there looking quite worried.
"Not really," Harry replied, frowning at her.
Hermione seemed surprised and a little hurt at his reply.
"I, ah we," she started, glancing back over at Ron, " we were worried about you," she said hesitantly.
"Did you even look for me?" Harry asked, watching her closely.
He saw her flinch and he knew that neither she nor Ron had gone looking for him.
He shook his head sadly, and turned back toward Ginny. "Sorry, I need to go. We have another funeral to attend," he sighed in disgust.
He had just wrapped his arm around Ginny and they were turning back toward the Apparation point; Hermione was opening her mouth, looking like she was going to say something when they were interrupted.
"Ginevra," they heard Molly call out, sounding unhappy.
Harry felt Ginny tense but they stopped and turned toward the woman.
"I expect you back here in an hour," the Weasley Matriarch demanded.
"I'll be returning to Shell Cottage once the funeral is over," Ginny snapped at her mother, her eyes blazing with hatred.
"Be careful, young lady or I'll withdraw my approval of you attending any more funerals," Molly countered, her eyes glancing at Harry with disapproval.
Harry could tell Ginny was reaching the breaking point, her jaw was clenched, her eyes were smouldering with hatred and he could hear her breathing heavily through her nose, sounding eerily like the Hungarian Horntail he had faced off against in the Tri-Wizard Tournament right before she sent a blast of flame his way.
He could also feel her arm beginning to twitch, a sure sign she was probably going to pull her wand and begin hexing anything that moved in mere seconds, when the God's intervened, or more precisely, Bill did.
"Go," he whispered, placing himself between Ginny and their mother.
Harry quickly tugged on Ginny's arm, spinning her away and toward the apparition point. He sighed in relief when he felt her relax considerable and snuggle into his side.
Behind him he heard Bill talking fervently with his mother but Harry didn't really listen or care what was being said, all he wanted to do is get Ginny away as quickly as possible.
When they reached the Apparation point, Ginny spun in front of him, her eyes clouded with her tears.
"Why is she being so horrible," she cried softly.
"I don't know Ginny, I really don't know," he sighed sadly, his heart hurting for the one he loved and as far as he was concerned, if they never saw Molly again, it would be too soon.
He pulled her into his body and Apparated away, feeling more tired that he had all day.
Harry and Ginny
A/N: Well Fred's funeral is out of the way. I hope I was able to surprise you with what took place. I'm so tired of the broken, can't function George that everyone seems to write. Yes, he's hurting but I really believe that he and Fred would have talked about the possibility of one of them dying without the other and made a vow to live for the other and to the fullest. Their indomitable spirits not allowing anything less, knowing full well that they were eventually going to be reunited and raise mayhem on the other side when they were.
Please review, Please! I posted two chapters in a little over 37 hours, that has to count for something.