Using the prompt 'Any last words?'

Chapter Five

The next morning, Rose woke to a cold and dark room. It took her a long while to remember that she was no longer in the warmth that was the Gryffindor dormitories, but at Grimmauld Place – on the morning of her parent's funeral.

She blinked a couple of times to regain her vision from the light sleep that had overcome her the night before. After going down for dinner like she had promised Ginny, she then trekked right back up to her room and collapsed onto her bed for the rest of the evening.

She hadn't slept, of course. She had simply laid on her bed, thinking about the next day.

And now it had arrived.

She sat up slowly, yawning, and opened the curtains beside her bed. Outside was gloomy and overcast, as if the weather knew what day it was.

This day had been on the cards for over a week now, but it hadn't gotten any easier to deal with. She still felt the same emptiness she had after the first day and she still felt just as sad; sadder, even.

How was she going to get through the day? How was she going to be able to go to the Burrow – the place she could remember spending many holidays at – and say goodbye to her mum and dad?

Why did it have to happen to her? Why couldn't someone else have lost their parents? Why did it have to be her?

There was a clatter of pans from down below and Rose realised she wasn't the only one awake. She wondered how Hugo had slept. She hoped he had gotten more sleep than she had.

Knowing she wouldn't be able to stay in bed all day – as much as she wanted to – she climbed out and began the slow journey down to the kitchen. When she arrived, she found Ginny, Harry and her three cousins already there. There was no sign of Hugo and she had to fight the urge to go and find him.

He would come down when he was ready.

"Good morning," Ginny said, trying to sound as cheerful as she could.

Rose didn't say anything in return. It wasn't a good morning; it was the worst morning in her life. Ginny should have known that.

"Would you like some breakfast, Rose?" Ginny continued, seeming undeterred by her niece's lack of response. "I cooked bacon and eggs... there's toast and cereal if you want that."

Rose nodded, but didn't say anything. Ginny was left to try and figure out what that meant, eventually deciding on bacon and eggs.

Harry was also sitting at the table, the morning's copy of the Prophet forgotten upon Rose's arrival. Rose could feel his eyes on her, but she didn't want to look at him. She knew how much her parents had meant to him too and she didn't want to see the pain at their loss in his eyes.

She had enough of her own pain to deal with.

"Rose," he eventually began. "There's something I've been meaning tell... no, ask you."

Rose continued to eat, waiting for him to continue.

"I know it's short notice, but I thought you might like to say something today... at the funeral. I mean, you and Hugo knew them better than any of us, but I don't think Hugo is in the right state to say anything."

Neither am I, she wanted to say. I can't! But she replied with, "okay."

Harry seemed to hesitate, probably making sure he had heard right. "G-great," he said.

"Do I need to write a speech?" she then asked, still refusing to look at him.

"That's up to you, Rosie. Write something down, say it on the spot – whatever you feel most comfortable with."

Rose wasn't sure if she would be able to find the words to write down. She'd try one hundred times, only to throw it out, because she wasn't happy with what she had written. If she spoke from the heart... then there was no taking it back. That would also be dangerous.

"I'll make it up," she said.

"Whatever you feel comfortable with," Harry repeated.

OOO

Rose was actually surprised at how many people had shown up. There was her family, of course. Her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were all there. Teddy was there, who gave her and Hugo a warm smile as he took his seat amongst the hundreds of other people.

There were also heaps of people she didn't recognise, probably ones who worked with her parents. Harry was the one to greet them all, accepting pats on the back and warm words from everyone.

Professor Longbottom arrived with his wife, Hannah, and Lysander and Lorcan came with their parents. Both the twins waved to Rose before taking a seat on either side of Lucy.

Rose was surprised at how many of the Hogwarts professors had actually showed up. All the ones she knew had been her mum and dad's teachers when they had been at school. It warmed her to know that so many people cared – even the ones who hadn't seen them in years.

It would have made them happy.

She was just about to take her own seat – giving her brother a reassuring hug – when she heard a soft growl from behind her and then George whispering to Angelina, "What's he doing here?"

Rose spun around, a cry catching in her throat as she saw who else was making their way to the funeral. In the short distance was Scorpius, marching in the direction of where everyone else was gathered, tailed by his own parents.

The last person she had expected to see there was Scorpius – she knew the Malfoy and Weasley feud had not carried onto Rose's generation, but she hadn't expected him to be there. She knew that Scorpius' dad and her parents had hated each other at school.

The last thing she wanted was for a fight to break out at her parents' funeral. They didn't deserve it.

Scorpius was the first to reach the yard, hurrying over to Rose.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, not as pleased as she thought she would be to see him. She just wanted everything to go smoothly.

"I'm here for you," Scorpius told her. "Mum and Dad wanted to... come, too."

Rose stared dumbfounded at her friend and then at his parents. Both wore emotionless expressions as George approached them, two year old Roxanne at his hip. His expression was of fury and nothing else.

"This is a time for family and those close to my brother and sister-in-law. Since you are neither, Malfoy, I suggest you turn right back around and leave. This is not a time to make a scene."

Scorpius' dad's face remained expressionless. "I don't wish to cause a scene," he said calmly. "I simply wish to pay my respects in peace. I haven't come to cause trouble."

"George, dear, just leave it. We're about to start and... we don't want to miss it." That was Rose's grandmother, Molly. She didn't look happy to see the Malfoys there either, but she seemed to know better than to say anything.

"You liked neither of them, nor did they like you, Malfoy. Why on earth would you want to pay your respects?" George was furious and Rose wanted nothing more than to drag him away and let Scorpius' parents attend the funeral.

This had been an unexpected turn of events, but the last thing she wanted was for it to cause trouble. Her parents wouldn't have wanted that.

But Dad would hate it if he knew they were here, she reminded herself.

"The wizarding community is small and I would like to think you could get past your prejudices in a time like this, Weasley," Scorpius' dad replied.

"Uncle George, please let them stay," Rose begged. "I-I just want to..." she wasn't able to finish her sentence.

Although his back was to her, Rose saw her uncle's shoulders relax and he turned around. His lips were set into a thin line, but softened when he saw Rose and Hugo in front of him.

Roxanne clapped her hands at the sight of her older cousins, laughing at them.

Without a word, he marched off in the direction of the tent, where the funeral was going to be held. Rose followed, walking with Hugo and Scorpius.

Scorpius' parents and Rose's grandmother kept a fair distance behind them.

"I'll see you afterwards," Scorpius whispered into her ear, before disappearing into the group of people. Rose and Hugo made their way to the front, where Harry and Ginny were already seated.

Ginny had a handkerchief in her hand, her eyes already red and swollen from crying. Harry reminded Rose of how Scorpius' dad had looked just moments ago – emotionless. He still put a comforting arm around Rose's shoulder, which she accepted gratefully.

She'd need all the support she could get if she was going to get through the next few hours.

Two coffins sat up the front, each with a picture of her mum and dad resting on top. Rose refused to look at them. She had chosen those pictures herself, but it just reminded her of how happy they had once been. How she had taken their love for her for granted, how she had taken life for granted and how she had just assumed they would always be there.

If she could take how badly she had treated them back, she would. She had never meant any of it – she had just wanted them treat her like an adult. But she wasn't an adult. She was a teenage girl who needed her parents more than anything, but had only realised that when it was too late.

They'd never know how much she missed them. They didn't deserve that.

Candles bobbed gently above everyone's head, letting off a soft glow under the tent. It wasn't the most traditional funeral (wizard or Muggle) but Rose hadn't wanted that. She had wanted it to be different – she had wanted it to be special – because it was a special moment. It was sad, but it was still special and she wanted her mum and dad to be remembered for everything they had done.

An old wizard dressed in traditional wizard's robes stepped up to the front. He wore glasses which were way too big for his shrivelled face and his hair was so thin it was practically non-existent.

How come he got to live for so long? Rose found herself asking. He's over one hundred and he's still alive. It's not fair.

Hugo shifted uncomfortably in the seat beside her, and Rose gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. They'd do this together.

"Family, friends and acquaintances," the old wizard began. The whispers in the crowd died instantly and everyone waited for him to continue. Rose squeezed her brother's hand tighter. "We are not here today to mourn the loss of two people who were dear to all of us, but to celebrate the life of Ronald and Hermione Weasley; a life that was filled with good times, hard times and many times in between. I'm sure we all shared moments with them that we will cherish forever and keep in our memories for eternity."

What's with all the we's? Rose wondered. You didn't know them.

"Loving parents to Rose and Hugo Weasley, a loving brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle – they were many things to many people and loved by all."

Beside Rose, Ginny let out a quiet sob. Rose blinked away her own tears. She didn't want to cry; she hadn't even made her speech yet.

Hugo's hand found her arm and squeezed it tightly. Rose didn't dare look behind her in fear of seeing everyone's tears. She was going to be strong for this – she could cry about it later.

The old wizard continued to talk about the things her mum and dad had done. Rose listened, but she didn't take it in. She knew all that, she just wanted to get up say what she wanted to say to them and hope that they were somewhere, listening to her.

"Ronald and Hermione's relationship was a very rocky path to love. What began as a mutual dislike for one another turned to friendship and then eventually to love. It is a lesson to us all that love can be found even in the darkest corners of this world and when you least expect it. No one would have expected two eleven year olds who met on the Hogwarts Express on their first day and who clearly didn't have the time of day for each other would one day grow to care greatly for each other and fall in love and then create a wonderful family.

"Their daughter, Rose, has kindly offered to make a tribute to her parents. Rose." The old wizard looked directly at her, but Rose didn't move.

She wasn't ready to get up there yet. She still didn't know what she wanted to say – she didn't even know where she wanted to begin. There was so much swimming around in her head, but nothing was making sense.

Harry, who's arm was still across her shoulders, gave her a light nudge. She slowly got to her feet and made her way to the front of the tent. It was completely silent as everyone waited for her expectantly.

Ginny gave her an encouraging smile, wiping her eyes with the handkerchief. Scorpius' white hair could be seen amongst the group of mourners. She took in a deep breath and opened her mouth.

"Um... Mum and Dad were... were the best," she began shakily. "I don't remember a time when they weren't there for me, or Hugo, or anyone really. If we needed them for anything, then they'd be there, or they'd do it. No questions asked.

"I-I was pretty horrible to them sometimes. I told them I didn't need them, that I was old enough to look after myself and my only goodbye to them at the start of every school year was a quick hug. They embarrassed me and sometimes I didn't even want anything to do with them, but I realise now..." she swallowed the lump in her throat. "...I realise now how much... how much I do need them. I already said they were the best, but they were more than that. They were my mum and dad and I loved them... so much." Tears were now rolling down her cheeks, but she wasn't going to give up. She couldn't. "They continued to love me even if I told them I hated them and they continued to be there when I told them I didn't need them. That's them for you... always doing the opposite of what someone tells them to do.

"I'm glad they didn't listen, though, but I just wish they hadn't listened more often. Maybe then we could have had more time with them. It doesn't seem fair that they had to die, but I know my mum and dad and I know... I know..." I know they would be glad it was them and no one else they loved.

Rose's lips trembled. No more of her thoughts would form into words. Her whole body trembled with grief. She simply stood up the front with tears streaming from her eyes. Everyone watched her silently, unmoving.

Ginny was the only one who was brave enough to walk up to her, throwing her arms around her shaking body.

"I-I can't do it," Rose sobbed softly into her aunt's shoulders.

"It's okay," Ginny replied soothingly, rubbing her hand up and down Rose's back. "Come on, let's sit back down." She took Rose's hand and guided her back to her seat.

Rose saw tears in Harry's eyes now, too. She hadn't seen him cry once the whole time, but it was kind of comforting to know that what had happened had even brought him to tears.

Now, it was Hugo's turn to comfort her. He held her hand in his and gave her a small smile. She returned that smile.

"It's alright," he whispered.

"Are you okay?" Rose asked him.

He nodded. "Yes."

Rose noted that her brother didn't have a single tear in his eye. He had still not cried. She wanted to say something to him, but she knew it wasn't the moment. They were both dealing with this differently. Her way was to cry, Hugo's was to deal with it himself.

Who was she to judge?

Harry returned his arm across her shoulders as the wizard returned to his post at the front of the tent.

Rose knew it was going to be hard, but she had had no idea how hard. She wanted nothing more than to dive into her bed and try and wake up from this horrible nightmare.

Thank you to the 52 reviews I have received so far :) I have appreciated every single one of them. Also, a big thank you to DobbyLovesSocks for looking over chapter 5 for me too.

And, if anyone would like a fic (of any pairing, characters, etc) written for them in the month of December, just send me a PM. I have one spot left that needs to be filled.

Please leave a review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!