3 Funerals

"I'm not sure it would be wise for me to join you when you go condoling the Weasley," Daphne said. "Would you like me to wait near your apartment?"

Harry frowned. "I think you should join us. We only need to change your robes." He was surprised to see Daphne's robes change, losing the Slytherin colours, while the Black crest appeared under her shoulder. Her tie also changed, becoming uniform dark grey.

"How did you do it?" Hermione asked him.

Harry scratched his head in confusion. "I'm not sure. I just tried to think how it would be right to do it, and then it happened.

Daphne smirked. "You've consummated your marriage, haven't you? It made your magic stronger, both of you. Would you like to try Lumos? Don't even say it; just think it."

Harry tried. His index finger lighted nicely, yet it looked too spooky. He thought 'Nox' immediately, making the light disappear. Daphne smiled knowingly.

"Don't you want to try the same, Lady Potter?" she turned her gaze to Hermione.

A moment later, Hermione's finger lighted just as nicely. "It reminds me of the E.T. movie," Hermione mumbled before turning it off.

By now, everybody had finished eating. They all stood up. Harry took both Hermione's and Daphne's hands in his and let Ginny lead the way. Ron and Parvati went back to the hospital wing.

Mrs. Weasley noticed Harry as soon as he passed the door to the room where the family was sitting. She hurried towards him, hugging him as tightly as always, yet it only seemed to make her tears flow again. "At least you are safe," she mumbled.

Once she let go of Harry, she turned to Hermione and hugged her as well, weeping silently. She then seemed a bit confused at the sight of the blonde beauty who came with Harry.

"This is my betrothed, Daphne Greengrass. She's going to be Lady Black. Hermione is Lady Potter," Harry explained.

Daphne shook Molly's hand. "I'm really sorry for your loss," she said, sounding very sincere. Molly just nodded her acknowledgement and sat back beside her husband.

Harry and the girls shook his hand as well, yet Arthur, although he shook their hands, didn't seem to notice them. They then moved to George, who was sitting between Bill and Fleur. Harry was almost shocked at the sight. George looked pale and lifeless. Only his breathing and the way he was moving his hands as if washing them, showed that he was still alive. Harry tried talking to him, or even hugging him, but he got no response from George.

"He's not eaten since the battle," Fleur informed him. She then noticed the blonde girl. "Who is she?"

"She's my betrothed. I only found out about it today, yet she's already been very helpful."

Fleur nodded. "I've seen her helping at the hospital wing. I believe she managed to save quite a few lives." Her expression turned puzzled. "What does Ginny say about this?"

"I'm not sure. I'm not even sure how I feel about this. You see, she first told Hermione and me that we're married and then said that I need to marry her and I can marry Ginny as well, as I have more than enough titles." He still sounded somewhat confused.

Fleur gave it a thought. "Well, it's true. You do have enough titles, Lord Potter-Black-Gryfindor-Peverell. You could even take a few more, I believe."

"Titles or wives?"

She smiled. "Both, actually."

Harry found her comment very unhelpful. At breakfast, he was still a virgin, and he thought he was a bachelor. Now he was married to Hermione (and he really liked it) and betrothed to the Slytherin Ice Queen, who turned out to be quite warm and friendly, with Ginny also expecting to become his wife. It was all a bit overwhelming.

They didn't stay long there, feeling unable to help the mourning family in any meaningful way. Soon enough they returned to the Potter apartment.

"I believe you have room for me too," Daphne noted.

"I didn't think…" Harry started.

"Potter, you don't think I'd be welcome at the Slytherin dorms now, that our betrothal is made public, do you?"

"Of course not, but…"

"Then that's settled! I'll spend the night in this apartment. Can Kreacher bring my stuff here?"

Kreacher seemed delighted to do just that and Daphne settled into one of the spare bedrooms. Hermione unshrank their shopping and handed them to Kreacher, who swiftly put everything in the wardrobes. She then cuddled with Harry on the couch as both seemed to contemplate the events of that busy day.

"Don't you go to bed?" they heard Daphne asking.

Both stood up a bit groggily. "Yes, we should go to bed," Hermione said.

"Don't I get my goodnight kiss?" Daphne asked teasingly.

Harry lifted his eyes and noticed that Daphne was already wearing her nightgown. It was of a very smooth and delicate material. While quite opaque, it hugged her body closely, not leaving much for his imagination. Harry felt his body responding to the view, yet he couldn't deny her. He came closer and pecked her cheek with a quick kiss. Daphne didn't accept it. "You can do better than that, Potter," she said.

Harry wasn't sure what she was expecting of him, yet Daphne took a step forward, engulfed his waist with her arms and put her lips on his. Harry hugged her back automatically and responded to her kiss, turning it into a short snog.

Daphne parted from him with a wide grin. "I think I may enjoy fulfilling that contract, Potter. As for this…" Her eyes went to the evident tenting of his trousers. "…I believe your wife will enjoy handling it, although I'm also looking forward to our first night. Goodnight now."

She promptly moved into her room and closed the door. Harry was still bewildered. This girl seemed to have affected him in less than a day almost as much as Hermione did in seven years. He really liked kissing her, and when she pressed herself on him, he felt like he would have liked to be much closer to her, just as he had been with Hermione. It was just confusing, and he was too tired to understand it.

Hermione grabbed his hand. "Come, we need to go to bed."

Despite his tiredness, Harry felt that it would still take some time before they would sleep. He wasn't sure what it meant.

Hermione didn't give him much time to contemplate. As soon as they closed the bedroom door, she pounced on him, quickly ridding them both of their clothes. Before Harry was able to comprehend, he was lying on his back, and Hermione was straddling him, directing him into her feminine opening. Harry was somewhat surprised at finding this aspect of Hermione. He had never thought that his composed and conservative friend could turn into such a sexy kitten at the first opportunity, yet he had no reason to complain.

They quickly reached a common peak. Hermione then went to the bathroom to clean herself and brush her teeth. She returned promptly, urging Harry to do the same. He found her waiting in bed, wearing only a smile. He let himself enjoy the view, yet it also affected his body.

Hermione didn't seem to mind. She turned off the lights and cuddled into Harry, putting one of his hands on her breast and the other between her thighs. Soon enough they were making love again, only more leisurely. They kissed, hugged, and caressed each other, finally reaching an even higher peak. "I love you," they said to each other, as they drifted to sleep, still hugging.

They woke up in a very good mood, making it even better with some more sex. Daphne didn't comment when she saw the goofy grins both sported. Unfortunately, they lost them soon after reaching the great hall.

Professor McGonagall addressed all present. "We're going to have a ceremony for the fallen at eleven. It will take place near Dumbledore's tomb. The funerals of those with no living relatives will be held in the afternoon at the same place. The details are posted on the billboard near the great hall and in all the common rooms, as is the schedule for all the other funerals."

Harry checked the billboard soon, having lost his appetite at the announcement. He only recognized a few names: Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Lupin, Colin Creevey…

He could barely read the list, as his eyes watered, yet two slender hands hugged him tightly. Hermione and Daphne stood at his sides as if assuring him that they would help him through this. Daphne waved her wand at the funeral schedule, making a copy of it, which she folded and put in her robes.

As they started moving again, they heard, "Wait for me!"

A moment later, Ginny joined them. "Let's go," she said. "I need to talk with you in private."

They all sat in the common room of the apartment. Ginny looked very nervous. "I know it may not be the best time, but I really need to know what your intentions are about me."

Although she was talking to Harry, she was actually looking at them all.

Harry wasn't sure about the answer. "I think it's too early to say. We're all confused after what happened just two days ago. It will take us all some time to understand how we feel, and I don't think any of us is in the right mind to make any long-term decision."

Even without looking, he could feel that Hermione was supporting his answer. He continued with a bit more confidence. "I think we should discuss this a few days after the funerals are over. By then, I hope my mind will be clearer, and so will my feelings. Once you overcome your grief, you may also look at the situation in more realistic terms."

Ginny didn't seem to like his answer. "But where does it leave me?"

Harry looked her in the eyes. "Ginny, you're very dear to me. I don't want to do something that may hurt you or make you do something that you may eventually regret. You already know about Hermione and Daphne, and there's nobody else who has any hold on me, as far as I could check. It won't change if we wait a few weeks, until our minds are clearer, allowing us to reach better decisions."

Ginny was clearly unhappy with his answer. "I thought that if we announced our betrothal, it could help to cheer George and my parents."

Harry shook his head. "They would hardly notice, and they won't be able to rejoice with you. Right now, we should help them through this difficult period until they are able to be happy again."

Hermione also spoke. "We shall support you and your family, and you shouldn't think about us for a while. Just do what you can for those who were most hurt. It will be better this way, I'm sure."

Daphne didn't talk. She only took Ginny's hand and pressed it comfortingly.

..

The following days were harder on Harry than anything he had experienced before. He felt like he would have gladly let Voldemort Crucio him some more, if only it could have saved some of those who died. By the end of each day, he felt so depressed, that it took Hermione quite some time to get him out of that mood, usually with Daphne's help. He was actually surprised when Daphne first joined them in bed, wearing only tiny knickers, trying to get him out of his moodiness by caressing his body with her tits, along with Hermione. Surprisingly, it worked.

During Fred's funeral, which was the hardest for both Harry and Hermione, Harry stood by Ginny's side, holding her hand. "I really appreciate this gesture," Ginny then thanked him with a sad smile.

Neither Harry nor Hermione failed to notice the way Ron was hugging Lavender, who stood solemnly at his side during the funeral, holding him close. They were both quite sure that the two were becoming a real couple.