Human

Harry's POV

'Fred Weasley first to be laid to rest in The Week of Hogwarts' Fallen Heroes.

Also inside; Ginevra Weasley, youngest of the Weasley clan and girlfriend of Harry Potter, spotted looking teary-eyed as she leaves deceased brother's shop in Diagon Alley'

Harry felt his blood beginning to boil as he watched the moving picture of Ginny on the front cover of The Prophet. He took one last look at her tear stained face before scrunching the paper up and throwing it to one side. He couldn't help but hate the fact that every morning he would awake with the same guilt that ate away at him all day everyday whilst heartless news reporters tried to make their money from grieving families without a single care in the world. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, making sure his navy blue suit was presentable for the day's events. Harry dreaded every second. How people would act around him. The grief. The pain. The final farewell. There was a sudden knock at the door before Ron walked in sporting one of Fred's old burgundy suits.

"Have you read The Prophet this morning?", he asked. Harry nodded as he began to fiddle with his tie. "Those bastards", Ron mumbled through gritted teeth before sighing. Harry turned to face his friend who looked utterly lost as he scanned the room hopelessly.

"How are you feeling?", he asked. Ron only shrugged his shoulders before forcing a small smile.

"You?", he spoke.

"Same", Harry sighed.

"Mum says people are starting to arrive. We should probably go downstairs", he told him. Harry nodded before following Ron out of the room and downstairs to where Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan and the Weasley's were waiting. Angelina sat beside George on the living room sofa, clearly trying her best to comfort him as he stared into space.

"Good to see you, Ron. Harry", Lee smiled warmly at them. Harry and Ron nodded in unison before making their way towards a teary Molly.

"Please don't cry, mum", Ron sighed sadly as he put his arm around her shoulders. Molly blew her nose into an old handkerchief as she looked up at her son, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest.

"Morning", a small voice croaked from behind Harry. Ginny stood at the bottom of the stairs in a bright pink, knee length dress.

"You look lovely", Harry told her.

"Its- it was Fred's favourite", she gave him a watery smile. "He used to say he'd always forget I was a girl until mum bought me this dress. Said I looked really pretty, for a tomboy", she sniffed as she chuckled. Harry smiled warmly at her before caressing the top of her arm softly and kissing her on the forehead. Hermione soon followed in an elegant blue dress that flowed down to her ankles. She immediately made her way towards Ron, as if Harry wasn't even there, as she took his hand within her own. Harry knew it wasn't personal. Ron needed her more today than he did.

"I'm just going to stand outside for a moment. Need some air", he told Ginny. She nodded before he gave her a delicate kiss on the cheek and headed towards the door, closely followed by Ron and Hermione. Harry opened the front door only to be shocked to find Rita Skeeter in the Orchard with her enchanted quill and parchment.

"Mr Potter! How- wonderful- it is to see you again", she flashed him an evil looking grin, Harry ignored her as he took a deep breath. "Tell me, Harry- how are you feeling about today? It must be very hard for you", she pushed.

"You're bloody kidding me!", Ron's angry voice bellowed from behind Harry before he had the chance to retaliate.

"Oh! Mr Weasley, so sorry for your loss. Do you feel any anger towards Mr Potter? After all, no one would blame you if you did", Rita continued desperately to push for answers. Ron took an angry step forward before Hermione stopped him, simply placing her palm flat against his chest before facing Rita herself.

"Do you have absolutely no heart at all? Its totally inappropriate for you to even be here, let alone ask such vile questions!", she raised her voice at her, her face flushing red with anger.

"And it must be a very hard day for you too, Ms Granger. Comforting your boyfriend and the one who started it all. Must be-"

"That's enough!", Hermione bellowed angrily, taking a step forward as Harry and Ron grabbed her arms in unison in an attempt to hold her back, her wand held tightly in her hand. Rita only giggled maliciously before her eyes widened beyond the trio.

"I think you'd better leave before I have no choice but to report you to the Ministry, Ms Skeeter", Kingsley Shacklebolt's deep voice sounded from behind them. Without a word, in one loud pop!, Rita disapparated in the space of a second.

"Thanks, Kingsley", Ron thanked him shyly.

"No problem. You let me know if you see that woman again. The only reason she's still got a job is because of her ability to do things like this! I'd love to see her sacked", he gave a friendly wink before disappearing inside The Burrow.

"Are you alright, Harry?", Hermione asked, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder. Harry nodded and he smiled warmly.

"I thought you were going to hit her like you did Malfoy in our third year", he laughed. Ron and Hermione laughed along with him as they reminisced.

"I'm sure karma will catch up with her some day", Hermione chuckled.

"Whats karma?", Ron asked, a confused expression plastered across his face. Harry and Hermione only chuckled at him before Hermione gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"We better get going. It looks like everyone's here", Hermione told them. The boys sighed as they followed Hermione back into The Burrow. Just as they approached the front door, Harry stopped, unable to move his feet.

"You two go on in. I just need a moment", he told them. Ron and Hermione smiled softly at him before going inside. Harry only spent a moment to himself, looking up at the clear blue sky, before a had appeared on his shoulder.

"Hello, Potter", Professor McGonagall smiled softly.

"Hello, Professor", Harry smiled back at her.

"How are you?", she asked. Harry took a moment to think about how to answer the question before sighing in defeat.

"I've been better", he told her. Professor McGonagall sighed in understanding.

"Such a- sad day. So many people feeling so many different things. But, we mustn't let those emotions consume us. We are only human after all", she smiled softly. Harry knew what she was getting at. She knew that Molly confided in her and had probably confessed her worries over him.

"Thanks, Professor", he said before following her inside.