Harry stood in the spring rain as the small coffin was lowered into the ground. This was the second funeral he had been to in the last week. At least this one had a body to bury, the one for Sirius had been a painful gathering of friends who mourned him. Marked more by the absences than the ones present.

He glanced to his left where Hermione stood, leaning heavily on a cane, trying not to cry. She had come close to dying as well but she did not blame Harry. Thus Ron had shunned her as well.

Ron had angrily lashed out at Harry when he found out his sister had been killed. Hermione had defended Harry so Ron had turned against her as well. He blamed Harry for Ginny's death and his disfigurement and anyone who defended Harry was just as guilty in his eyes.

It had taken the intervention of Dumbledore himself to even allow Harry and Hermione to come to this service to honor their friend. Molly Weasley was barely functional in her grief, while Arthur tried to keep his family going as best he could. The twins were angry and upset but showed it with a cold indifference towards Harry, fortunately. Treating him like he did not exist at all, which did not bother Harry as the Dursleys did that most of the time already. Percy though had tried to bring charges against Harry for all of this and wanted to see Harry thrown into Azkaban or worse.

Harry glanced to his right to see Luna and Neville standing quietly. Luna wearing a muted green dress with a bright yellow sash. When Arthur had asked her why she was not in mourning clothes she had replied she did not mourn for her friend but rejoiced in the life they had shared. Molly had begun to wail even harder so Arthur did not say anything further. Ron and the other Weasleys just ignored her leaving Neville, Harry, Hermione and Luna to form their own small circle of mourners.

The coffin was being covered by dirt now as the final prayers were sung over her. They would be leaving soon, while what was left of her remained. The Weasleys and their family would retire to the Burrow, while Harry and his remaining friends would go to the castle. The four of them had not been invited by Arthur. He tried to be polite and say that there was too many hurt feelings right now and their presence would just complicate things. Harry knew though that if he showed up at the Burrow it would end in a fight.

A fight like what had happened between Ron and Hermione. She had almost recovered from her wounds at the Ministry when she stepped between Ron and Harry during their fight. Ron's spell had struck her causing a magical backlash and so she had to go back into recovery. The matron said she should recover almost fully.

Harry was glad he was not going to the Burrow for that and many other reasons. Arthur was right, things were complicated right now. His feelings were more jumbled than he had ever felt before.

They had turned, Professor McGonnagal placing her hand on Harry's shoulder gently to let him know the service was over, when Hermione's cane stuck in the mud and she almost fell. Harry had moved swiftly to catch her before she could.

"Thanks Harry. I'll be glad when I'm over this." She said with a weak smile. Her eyes red with the tears that had finally begun to stream down her face, hidden in the rain.

Harry nodded, "Here put your arm around me. Its too muddy to rely on a cane."

Hermione looked like she was going to argue then nodded and placed her arm around Harry's waist. Letting him help support her as they moved towards the apparation point.

…...

"Mr Potter you should probably help Miss Granger back to the hospital wing she looks like she could use a bit of a rest." Professor McGonnagal said gently.

"I'm fine Professor." Hermione protested.

"Miss Granger I believe that is Mr Potter's line." Minerva corrected sympathetically.

"C'mon Hermione. I don't mind." Harry said in a slightly encouraging tone.

Hermione sighed, "Alright."
Harry walked slowly with Hermione, neither of them feeling like talking much. Soon they arrived at the Hospital and the matron had Hermione in her bed.

As the sleeping draught settled into Hermione she smiled at harry and squeezed his hand, "Thank you for being here for me."
Squeezing back he smiled and said, "Always Hermione."

Hermione was soon sleeping peacefully so Harry slid his hand gently out of hers and stood. He wandered over to the windows overlooking the forest. The setting sun made the tress look like they were crowned with gold.

He felt a small arm slide around his waist gently. Looking down he saw the silvery blonde hair of Luna as she leaned against him.

"Hi Luna." Harry said softly.

"Hello Harry." Luna pleasantly said in her usual even tones. "Neville went to check on his grandmother but knows I was going to comfort you."

Harry gave a slight chuckle. Luna had turned into a hugger when it came to her friends. Giving them a hug if they were happy, if they were sad, or just because they wore a very nice shirt. So far Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny had been close enough to warrant hugs. He wondered if Ron would ever be that close again.

After Ginny had been killed Luna had tried to hug Ron to comfort him and he pushed her away, literally. She had wound up falling on her backside in front of Neville which caused the tall dirty blonde haired boy to pummel Ron until he was pulled off. Since then Neville had become a bit protective of Luna, something harry was not entirely sure she needed as she had hidden strengths.

"Okay. I wouldn't want to make Neville upset." Harry replied.

"Neville trusts you, as do Hermione and I." Luna stated like it was one of the most common sense things ever to say.

"Thanks. I guess. I don't know why." Harry sighed.

"You will eventually." Luna replied, not moving. "You should probably get something to eat. It is lunch time."

Harry sighed as he knew Luna might not be pushy but she had the patience of a river and would win any argument simply by outlasting her opposition. "Alright." He grunted as she shifted from holding him around the waist to merely holding his hand.

"I understand that the kitchen elves have made a very excellent pudding. Perhaps you would like to try it." Luna suggested as they walked. Her soft voice continuing to discus the various menu options and make a comment on them while. Harry trying not to look back over his shoulder at the sleeping form.

"She will be alright Harry. She just needs her rest." Luna declared squeezing his hand.

Harry looked down at the slender girl beside him and nodded. If Luna said it was so then it was so.