Chapter 2: Grief and Courage

What she didn't know was she was leaving Harry to his nightmares. Nightmares which featured her death and torture.

Harry wasn't sure how long he slept. Between his own nightmares and the conversation with Ginny, he was sure it wasn't long. The evening sun through his window looked beautiful. More beautiful than it had any right to look after such destruction, he thought. He wanted to get up and help with the Hogwarts repair but Madame Pomfrey would have none of it. 'Absolutely not. If you are staying at Hogwarts, I'm not letting you leave the Hospital Wing at least for today.' She had declared her eyes glowering.

So, Harry was left to stew in his own guilty thoughts regarding the battle for longer than was healthy. Fortunately, before long he had a guest. 'Minister's orders, Ma'am. I have to show him this. It's urgent.' He heard a cool voice. 'I don't care, young lady. I won't have my patient disturbed,' Madame Pomfrey was saying. After a few more arguments, Madame Pomfrey gave in and Harry found himself facing a lady in her late twenties or early thirties. She looked a few years older than Tonks but dressed professionally and her hair in a tight bun. He felt a fresh wave of grief at the thought of Tonks. He hadn't seen Mrs Tonks when she had come. He was yet to meet his godson. The lady offered him her hand. 'Auror Rametta Proudfoot. Pleased to meet you Mr. Potter.' He took the offered hand politely. 'Pleased to meet you, too. I think you were at Hogwarts last year.' The lady smiled. 'Good memory, Potter. Now Kingsley said you had requested this?'

Harry looked at the list he had been provided. The places and times of the funerals. He scanned through the list that started with Severus Snape. He grimaced. He wasn't looking forward to it. He passed through the various names, Aurors, Hogsmeade residents and DA members, Colin, Remus, Tonks. Another name caught his eye. Marietta Edgecombe. His mouth felt dry. She had come for the battle. After everything, she had still come to make amends, she had come to die. Another death on his account, he thought grimly. Fred's was last. Mrs Weasley had wanted to wait till Burrow was repaired. Proudfoot cleared her throat. 'You should have a look at this too,' she said kindly. The press statement.

Harry leafed through it. A heavily edited summary of the last year. The horcruxes had been omitted though dark objects needing to be destroyed were mentioned. He supposed it was pretty difficult to describe his last year without that. There wasn't much for him to do. 'When do we leave for the Ministry,' he asked. Proudfoot grinned, 'We don't.' 'Come again!' Harry looked at her, astonished. 'Think about it, Potter. Ministry is a security nightmare at the moment. We haven't even dismantled the surveillance charms the Death Eaters were using. Transporting you and ensuring safety isn't going to be easy. Here, at Hogwarts, we can easy control the reporters coming and going and the Minister has already got a secure connection to Hogwarts. It would be much more convenient to have the press conference here. Just before Dinner.' Harry let out a breath he had been holding. He wouldn't have to face the worst… yet. 'Say, do you want to get out and visit the lake. You're with an auror and well chaperoned.' Her eyes were dancing with excitement. Her smile was infectious. Harry liked her. Grateful for the distraction, he eagerly accepted. 'Let me wheedle Madame Pomfrey then.'

Harry ditched the invisibility cloak outside the Great Hall. No one seemed to be outside at the moment. The fresh atmosphere was relaxing and Harry almost enjoyed his time at the lake. He stopped at Dumbledore's tomb. I still have the wand, he remembered. He would have to come early tomorrow to replace the wand. His head ached at the thought of the numerous tasks still ahead of him. Thankfully, Proudfoot kept a cheerful chatter about her schooldays throughout the way. Their next distraction was the arrival of the centaurs. Harry was surprised to note that he had his wand out at their rustling quicker than Proudfoot. 'Bane, Ronan, Magorian! How are you all?' He called directing Proudfoot to lower her wand. 'Well met, Harry Potter, Friend of centaurs,' Bane greeted. Harry saw Firenze. He hadn't healed completely but was looking much better.

'Hello Firenze,' he smiled. 'You look better.' Proudfoot's mouth was hanging open. She blinked furiously at the centaur's reply. 'You don't,' he had said. Harry wasn't sure what to say to the centaurs. 'Err… You all did great at the battle. I can't thank you all for helping us,' he finally said. 'The honour was ours, Harry Potter. Ask for our help if you ever need us. We will oblige. Till then, Farewell.' Bane spoke and raised his hand. The centaurs disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. Harry barely noticed when he reached the Great Hall.

'It's time,' Proudfoot nodded. 'The reporters and Minister would have arrived by now.' Harry hoped she didn't notice him dragging his feet or the hesitation in his face. He had no idea what to say to everyone. He took a moment to collect himself. 'Potter?' She asked. He strengthened his resolve. Yes, he could do it. He opened the door.

The moment he entered, all eyes were on him. Kingsley was standing below the head table, waiting for him. The house tables had an assortment of people, students, aurors and parents who had volunteered for the rebuilding. They no longer sat according to the houses. A couple of desks and chairs had been arranged in the centre where the reporters sat. A few cameras flashed in his direction. Kingsley smiled at him, hands extended in a gesture of welcome. He was flanked by two aurors, he guessed by their uniforms. A witch in her thirties stood behind him with a clipboard and a sheaf of papers. Probably the ministry press correspondent.

'I'm sorry, Harry, I'll have to allow some questions,' Kingsley mentioned as soon as he was within hearing range. 'Don't answer anything you're uncomfortable with. I'll give the standard ministry reply.' Harry nodded gratefully. Kingsley raised his arm for silence. Harry cleared his throat and began. 'Good Evening all of you. I'd like to thank..' his eyes searched the crowd looking for any familiar places. He saw members of the DA scattered throughout the hall. He imagined himself addressing the DA. 'I'd like to thank every one of you who stood by me in the face of so much adversity. Each of you, who listened to and supported Potterwatch, who tried to help a muggle in need, who supported their muggle-born friends and those who made the choice to come to Hogwarts for the fight. It's your efforts who made today possible. Tom Riddle, whom you all knew as Lord Voldemort, is dead and not coming back.' There were flinches and gasps all over at this. Harry continued giving out the very brief and cut down summary of his exploits. He looked at Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table and beckoned to them. 'Without my these two friends, I couldn't have done it.' He scanned the crowd again this time focussing on the reporters.

'The war is over but the fight is not. Before we celebrate, we must remember to mourn the good people who are not here to share this victory. And we must look back to understand what started the war. Pride, prejudice and bigotry. Trying to establish superiority over house-elves or werewolves or goblins, even muggle-borns or those some call 'mudbloods.' It was Voldemort's downfall and it would become ours if we let it. Those of us who fought have done our part. Now it's up to the rest of you to pick up and make sure that it doesn't happen again. I believe I will not be disappointed.'

There was silence in the hall for a moment before the applause broke. Harry was happy to see that Ron and Hermione shared it equally. Then came the questions. Harry tried to get away with giving the briefest responses possible. Far too many were interested in what had happened in the forest and even more wanted his opinion on Kingsley. At last, the ordeal was over and dinner began. He was sitting between Kingsley on one side and Ron and Hermione on the other. 'You were brilliant, Harry,' Kingsley told him, 'And I'm very grateful for your endorsement.' 'Try not to need it again,' he answered. Kingsley smiled and addressed Ron. 'I was hoping to talk to Arthur at the Ministry but couldn't catch him. I'm asking you to pass on the message. Rabastan Lestrange has escaped. We've also yet to catch Mulciber, Avery, Flint and the Goyles, and a few more. Get the burrow under Fidelius.'

'Yeah. Dad is planning to do it after the funeral. Till then, Aunt Muriel's and Shell Cottage are under Fidelius already.' Ron nodded. Soon the dinner was over. 'Well, meet you tomorrow, Harry,' Kingsley rose to leave. Ron and Hermione accompanied Harry to the hospital wing. Ginny joined them though she did not look at Harry.

'We're coming with you to the funerals,' Ron said showing Harry their copies of the list. 'It was for us too, Harry,' Hermione added before he could even begin to protest. Harry suddenly found himself very tired. 'Alright then but don't overdo it,' he said. 'I will come too,' Ginny said to no one in particular. 'Ginny!' Ron exclaimed. 'No. The three of you don't know anything. You don't know what it was like, being left behind. I won't. Not again.' Her voice was thick with emotion. Harry capitulated. 'I'll take her along if we're apparating,' he told Ron who was looking unhappy. 'Thank you,' Ginny gave him a small smile but averted her face quickly. Harry rubbed his back. At least, it was a start.

When the morning did come, Harry was too busy counting his tasks to pay any attention to the view. He dressed in his least tattered school robe which was still a couple of inches too short. Snape's burial was going to take place at Hogwarts. He left early without waiting for anyone else. He took a detour on the way to replace the wand at Dumbledore's tomb. Dumbledore's body looked exactly as it had in life. Preserving charms. He carefully put the wand in his hands and used his both wands to conjure a shield. A brilliant shield shimmered into existence. He exhaled. He wasn't sure this part would work. He restored the Tomb to its original condition. Hopefully, the wand would be protected now. With that, he turned to walk to the funeral.

Severus Snape's grave was placed on the part of grounds unlikely to be visited by the students. The marker said simply Severus Snape, Headmaster, followed by dates of his birth and death. There weren't many mourners at the service. Professor McGonagall had come along with the rest of the staff as had Mr Weasley and a few order members. Kingsley was there too along with an auror and to Harry's surprise Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. 'He was a good friend and Draco's godfather,' Narcissa had answered to his unspoken query. The service had been short with only Kingsley and McGonagall managing looks of respect when he spoke to honour him. They soon adjourned to the headmistress office to read the will.

Harry didn't bat an eye at hearing that Snape had left a modest amount of money to his godson. But he was astonished at being the recipient of a few personal artifacts which he assumed had once belonged to his mother. He resolved to look at them later. He was about to leave when Kingsley stopped him.

He held out a pouch of money. 'The goblins have postponed the meeting to next week. Not to worry, that's their usual tactic to unnerve their opponents. I managed to wrangle this. You might need it.' He also held out a few papers. Their immunity and Harry and Ron's apparition licences. 'I convinced Twycross to issue these. He agreed that it would be a security havoc to have you two come for this.'

Harry didn't know why he was annoyed with the Minister. 'You didn't have to do this, Kingsley. I don't need favours from you. I haven't forgotten the last few times. You're the Minister. You shouldn't be abusing authority for me.'

' I'm not abusing authority,' Kingsley started, getting angry himself. 'If you won't accept help from a friend, then at least consider the harm to my reputation if you're seen wearing this in public.' He pointed at the tattered robes. Harry looked away. 'And you're going to have an auror around at the funerals. I know you can take care of himself but indulge an old friend's anxiety,' Kingsley added. Harry was fuming. 'Fine, have it your way. But not at Hogwarts. I mean it, Kingsley.' He said and stormed off.

For Harry the next few days were a blur of exhaustion and funerals. His determination to visit every single one was questioned when he listened to the stories of each and every person who had died in the battle. There were many proud fathers or mothers who had wanted to defend their children and as many law officers and aurors who had been unable to ignore their conscience. There were those who had simply been at the wrong place. Too young to die, Harry thought as he heard about some of the victims. There was Marietta whose regret had taken her back to Hogwarts to fight and the twelve year old Kelly McKinley who had stopped to search for her best friend Anne before evacuation and caught in the crossfire. She had been the youngest casualty.

Hearing about those who had died fighting for him had been incredibly hard for Harry. Even harder had been the funerals of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks Lupin. All four of them had reached early to help Mrs Tonks. Ginny and Hermione had quickly taken over the kitchen while Ron had left to check the affairs outside. Harry, meanwhile, spoke to Mrs Tonks. 'How have you been managing, Mrs Tonks?'

'Call me Andromeda, dear,' Mrs Tonks offered him a watery smile. 'I've been managing, Harry,' she continued honestly. 'My colleagues at work have been a great help. In fact, I've left Teddy with Mary. She's my co-healer. I work at St Mungo's,' she added at Harry's shocked expression. 'The wards have been rather full these days. She wouldn't have been able to attend the funeral, in any case. I think it comforted her to have Teddy.' Harry felt uncomfortable. It should have been him. He felt like a lousy godfather. 'Mrs Tonks.. no.. Andromeda, if there's any help you need with Teddy, anything, just a helping hand or something more substantial, don't hesitate to call me,' he told her.

'Thank you for the offer, Harry. You will always have a place in his life and you're welcome in this home whenever you want. It's your duty to spoil Teddy rotten, of course, but I make enough as a healer. Remus and Dora did leave some money for him, you know. I have enough to raise him. You don't need to do anything more.' Andromeda explained firmly. 'How have you been managing?' She changed the topic. Harry wasn't sure how to answer. Truthfully, he wasn't managing. It was only thanks to Ron, Hermione and Ginny's support that he had been able to attend the funerals without breaking down. 'I'm fine, Andromeda,' he said. 'Let me go and show my face to Proudfoot before she starts destroying your house.' He offered referring to the auror who had been his shadow at the funerals for the past few days. He stood up and went to the door.

There were many order members outside. It was from them that he learned about the activities of the Order of the Phoenix while he had been hunting horcruxes. They had set up an underground network to hide or smuggle the people on the Death Eaters' radar. He found out that Potterwatch, which was Lee Jordan's idea had not only been used to supply information. People could use it to request help. He learnt that more than one order members had risked their lives to aid the helpless muggles. Kingsley, McGonagall and the other senior members had used their connections and ask the other countries' governments to help. They had also tried their level best to keep the muggle Prime Minister in the loop. Harry was in awe of their bravery.

Harry remembered little of the funeral. He thought he saw Narcissa standing among the people from St Mungo's who had come for Andromeda. He saw Kingsley, who had decided to come to every funeral too, shooting him concerned looks. Returning to Hogwarts didn't bring any relief. He tried to avoid Ron and Hermione who were trying to cheer him up. It wasn't fair of him, he knew. They had stuck by him, despite everything but he couldn't bring himself to talk to them. His feeling of guilt hadn't lessened by Andromeda's kind words. Listening to Ron give updates about George was enough to nearly overwhelm him.

Luna came to visit him in the common room that evening. In her hand, there was something large and shiny. 'I went to visit Dad. He said he was very sorry about the Death Eaters, Harry. He also thanked you for not mentioning it to anyone. People have even started being nice to us you know.' Luna had not changed since battle. She was just as chirpy as ever.

'No problem, Luna. What's that in your hand?' He asked. 'This is a DA galleon, Harry. People have been very appreciative of DA these days. We decided to engorge it, it's like a medal that way, you see. Tomorrow is the first of the DA funerals, Emily's. This was hers. I've charmed it to speak about her. I've done it for all of them, you know. Dennis wrote them. Of course, Colin is going to have a muggle funeral so we won't be able to test his until later. We were hoping you would like to pin them on their grave-markers during the service.' Harry swallowed a lump in his throat, 'I'd be honoured.'

'I'll go and see Ginny. You've said something to upset her again, haven't you? Personally, I don't understand you two. You love her and she loves you. Why make it more complicated.' With these wise words, Luna left.

That night, he had his worst nightmare since the end of war.

Poppy Pomfrey wasn't sure when Ronald Weasley had run into the Hospital Wing at night demanding her to come and check his friend at once. Her mind had flown to countless emergencies as she gathered her kit and walked to the Gryffindor dormitory. She was not prepared for Harry Potter's nightmare. Her first impression was that of blood. There was too much blood around the sheets for a mere nightmare. And why was the child so quiet as he thrashed about wildly? Silencing charm, she realized. He had cut his hand on something kept at his bedside. That accounted for the blood. 'Finite,' she spoke carefully avoiding pointing it at Potter. The room was filled with the boy's screams.

'Please, I'm sorry. I'm sorry… I don't think that,' he continued, his voice breaking. 'It's alright, lad,' she said gently. 'You're safe now. Everything is going to be fine. Let me just have a look at your hands,' she coaxed. Potter's eyes opened, but they were glassy, unfocused. 'Don't you see, they are covered in their blood. They won't forgive me. I didn't mean to,' the boy whispered plaintively. She gave a gasp of horrified comprehension. He was probably thinking about someone who he believed had died for him. Many someones. He felt responsible.

She tried to soothe him as far as possible while carrying him to the hospital wing. All the while, he fought her. Laying him on the bed carefully, she held a calming draught to his lips. 'Here, Potter, this will help.' He made no move to drink, thrashing wildly. He retched violently, bringing up bile. She wondered when he had eaten last. 'It's only a calming draught,' she tried again, patting his back. This time he understood. And drank. She cast a quick scourgify, thinking angrily about the life this child had led.

'You said it was a calming draught,' she heard his voice. 'I can still feel…' he didn't continue. He didn't need to. Grief, Poppy thought, her heart breaking. 'It was only a mild calming draught, Potter. I didn't think you would appreciate a full numbing potion.' He nodded. 'How long?' she asked as she mended his hands. He arched his eyebrows. 'Don't insult my intelligence, Mr Potter,' she finally said. 'Someone who's had only a couple of nightmares doesn't use silencing charms. More so in your situation where using them will prevent you from calling for help.' She gave him a searching look. 'I don't remember a time when I didn't…' he admitted, looking down.

Poppy clenched her fists. She handed him a dreamless sleep potion. Judging by his look, Potter recognized it. 'You could have asked before. If I knew, I would have set up a dream catcher. I'll show you tomorrow if you wish.' Potter downed the potion in one gulp. 'Don't you have other patients to check on?' He muttered when he realized she hadn't left. 'For goodness' sake, don't fight the potion, Mr Potter. I'm a healer, I'm trained to help whoever needs most help. Which at the moment is you,' she scolded. 'Just checking,' he smiled, his eyelids were already closing. 'Goodnight Mr Potter. Don't try any silencing spells. I have other alarm spells in here,' she said in a huff before leaving.

Harry was rather embarrassed at his nightmare of the night before. Hermione had fussed and Ron had tried to cheer him up. Even Ginny had tried to talk him out of the black mood he seemed to be in. She had left angrily when he refused to talk. Harry had taken care to exhaust himself completely since then. He alternately offered his services to repair Hogwarts or the Burrow after coming back from the funerals hoping he would be too exhausted for nightmares. Mr. Weasley had asked him to be the secret keeper for the Burrow which he had summarily rejected. 'Mr. Weasley, while I'm honoured, please select a secret keeper who would live long enough for the task,' he told him cheerfully. He also ignored the devastated look on his face. In the end, it was Mrs. Weasley who had volunteered and wouldn't hear a thing against it.

He also kept accepting everyone's requests of speaking at the funerals exhausting himself even more. Dennis had come to invite him to Colin's funeral which was going to be held in Hereford at his local Church. 'Harry, would you like to be a pall-bearer for him? Colin didn't have a lot of muggle friends, at least, none close. Justin, Ernie and Neville and Alex have all said yes. It would mean a lot to him if you did.'

'Of course, I will,' Harry told him surprised that he had doubted. 'I'll… help others with Muggle clothes too.'

'And Harry,' Dennis continued, 'There will be a couple of muggle reporters. I hope you don't mind, but it didn't seem right. Uncle John and Aunt Sally, and Colin's friends from his photography club not knowing how brave he was. We told everyone he died in a school fire saving his classmates.' He waved away Harry's apology before he had even opened his mouth. 'It's not your fault, Harry. Don't try to say it was. You know how he was like. I just wish our last words weren't a fight. I would have come too but he stunned me so I couldn't follow him. I could blame myself I suppose but I'd be wrong. You shouldn't either.' He left Harry, if possible, feeling worse than he was.

The morning of Colin's funeral, Harry found himself cornered by Professor McGonagall while working on the wall. 'The repairs are coming along nicely. We'll be ready to open Hogwarts in the coming September. What do you think, Potter?' She asked eyeing him critically. He gave her a non-committal shrug. 'What have you been doing with yourself, Potter? Have you been eating or sleeping properly?' His silence was answer enough. 'Go rest, Potter. You have a funeral to attend and side along apparition of an almost adult is not going to be easy.' She sighed. He left her murmuring about foolish students.

Returning to the common room, he saw his friends fussing over their clothes. Hermione was wearing a navy-blue pant-suit and had lent Ron one of her father's black ones. Ginny's black dress robe was artfully belted to resemble a muggle dress. She looked beautiful. He couldn't help giving her a gaze full of sorrow and longing as he went to change into his own suit.

On apparating into Colin's house, he was greeted by Justin Finch-Fletchley. He was surprised for a moment, wondering when had he become close to Colin before remembering he was a muggle-born. 'Blimey, Harry! You scared me apparating a few feet to the left,' he said once he had let go of Ginny. He steadied Harry as he looked about to fall. 'Too many apparitions,' he sighed, handing him water. 'Come on, everyone's already here. I kept your timeslot last, Harry. Figured, there will be less problems that way,' he ushered him into a sitting room. It was an old-fashioned sitting room but looked a lot more homely than the Dursleys. Justin had not been exaggerating, the whole DA, his old Gryffindor Quidditch Team, Demelza, Peakes and Cootes, Lee Jordan, and even Jack Sloper were here. And they were speaking about Colin.

It was Alicia who told him about Colin. 'He used his photography talent to good use. He had his camera and well, some pureblood probably lent him some developing equipment and Ministry stationery. All of the DA helped forge documents for muggleborns. Pity, I can't thank whoever was supplying him. He never gave the name.'

He'd forgotten Alicia was a muggleborn. His heart warmed at the thought of DA helping in the war. He came to know that Justin and his father, Sir Julian had used a lot of their wealth and influence in providing muggleborns whose documents couldn't be forged with new muggle identities and lives. He heard about how Dennis and Ginny had written of the horrors of Carrows to the parents through the school communication system. Though, he also learnt with sorrow that it had cost Matilda Briggs, Hogwarts' official correspondent her life. He learnt about how the DA protected the younger students and made Carrows' lives hell. How they passed secret magazines based on information from Potterwatch. He felt a strange surge of pride at how much his friends had accomplished.

During the conversation, Seasmus Finnegan had escorted Lavender Brown from St Mungo's. 'I couldn't bear to miss his,' she said with tears down her face. 'Parvati and Padma will be coming soon. They said they were collecting someone.' No sooner than Lavender had said it than Parvati and Padma apparated in the room. They were wearing identical white sarees. 'Custom from our home,' Padma informed the room at large. 'We did ask the Creeveys and they were okay with it,' she added defensively. But the staring had shifted towards the girl in the middle who was wearing the green robes of a Slytherin chaser.

The girl was about Ginny's age. She would grow up to be a stately lady but right now her posture was slumped and her eyes red from crying. On realizing that everyone's gaze was on her, she burst into tears. She clung to Parvati as she tried to comfort her while directing her to a sofa. Ginny got up to make space for her, 'Everyone, this is Grace Warwick. She was a friend of Colin's. You should see her photographs. They are wonderful.' She smiled warmly at her. Grace, however cried even harder. 'His were always better. Even if they were slightly under or over exposed or a wrong angle. It was always for a purpose. It doesn't matter now. I killed him.'

Harry got up to sit on her other side. Patting her back, he spoke kindly, 'It's not your fault, dear. Colin knew the risks he was taking.'

'I let him borrow my set and I nicked those ministry papers. I might as well have killed him,' she told him. Her sobs however, subsided somewhat. Harry felt a wave of compassion. The girl was a Slytherin, probably a pureblood with a family in ministry employ. She must have been the one who supplied him with the paraphernalia.

'Grace, I'm telling you again. None of it was your fault. Colin knew the risks of helping. He chose to. In helping, you saved lives. Never forget that.' Harry's voice was gentle. 'You're one of the bravest people I've met. To befriend and help muggle-borns, when everyone in your House and family disapproves, that takes a lot of courage.' Grace quieted, contemplating Harry's words.

'It's nearly time for the service,' Justin said getting up. 'Minister, I mean Kingsley, must be reaching any moment. And all of Colin's muggle friends are here. Wait, something isn't right. Where is Neville. He was supposed to be a pall-bearer..' He was interrupted by the appearance of Neville, looking rather dishevelled. 'We've been compromised. This was the only funeral without auror security. No one thought they would be able to find out from an announcement in a muggle paper.' Neville was breathing hard. 'They set an ambush. I only just escaped. They didn't want me getting here. I had to warn you.' There was an immediate uproar at his announcement. 'Quiet. I'll send a patronus to Kingsley,' Harry said, thanking his stars that he had learnt this particular trick. A silver streak shot out of his wand. 'Justin, talk to Dennis and the Creeveys. Try to delay the Pastor. Ron, Hermione, Nev, you three check around the house. Put up some basic protective enchantments.' He immediately took command. 'I'll take care of Lavender and Grace,' Ginny put in. 'Good idea, Gin. You and Luna keep track of everyone who's underage or ill.'

'The rest of you,' he addressed the room, 'stay put. I'm going to check the graveyard for activity,' he added holding out his hand to Hermione. She had his invisibility cloak in her handbag. She retrieved it and held it out, along with a sneakoscope. 'Be careful, Harry. Don't rush into danger.' She said, looking very unhappy. 'I will,' he said softly. 'Only scouting, Hermione. I promise. You be careful too.' He donned the cloak and vanished, leaving Hermione staring ahead bleakly.

Harry surveyed the graveyard from under the cloak. There was nothing to see. He had not expected anything. Homenun Revelio, he thought fiercely pointing his wand, hoping it would work. It did. He noticed a shadow named Thorfinn Rowle at the gate. Another two, Godfrey Tirragen and Mariana Eldorne were visible nearly the freshly dug grave where Colin was to be buried. He wasn't sure if they had reinforcements. He walked back to inform the rest of his team.

'They're outnumbered, Harry. The Aurors had their hands full with the attack at the Longbottom Manor. Let's get this over with. Can't keep the muggles waiting.' Neville said when Harry had finished speaking. 'I can't ask you to..' Harry trailed off. It was Alicia who answered grimly. 'You don't have to. We're all in it together. This is for Colin.'

' Thank you. All of you,' Harry said sincerely as they set off on the mission. It took them less than fifteen minutes to capture the rogue death eaters. Hermione set up the anti-apparition jinx while the rest fought. It was a rather neat affair, Harry thought though not without risk. Katie, barely escaped touching a cursed knife while Oliver Wood narrowly avoided a Sectumsempra flying his way. It was over before Kingsley's lynx patronus arrived telling them that he was reaching with aurors.

The rest of the funeral went relatively smoothly. Proudfoot kept apologizing for not reaching her charge on time. Harry objected at first at being seated with family but was shot down by Dennis. 'Colin would never forgive us if we did anything else. To him, you were family.' And everyone broke down when Harry spoke about Colin's bravery and how proud he was of him. Harry only wished he could have told him that in person.

Back to Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sat together in silence. Tomorrow, the funeral was going to be Fred's.

Ginny observed her home, The Burrow, properly the first time since battle. And she didn't recognize what she saw. There were empty seats at the table and absence of laughter in the sitting room. For the first time in living memory, the twins' room was quiet. George had not returned from St. Mungo's, though she had heard he was better and was being released for the funeral. One part of a set, that's what George had been. Always, Fred and George. She wondered what that felt like. She had become too used to getting left behind. Whether it was her brothers leaving for Hogwarts without her or Harry casting her aside for her own safety.

Her mother had channelled her grief into cooking and fussing over those she still could. Her father had busied himself with ministry work. Percy spent all his time with George to assuage his guilt over leaving. Bill and Fleur had started trying to make babies as a distraction. Ron and Hermione stayed together, comforting each other. Charlie flittered in and out, helping out when required. He did everything from relieving Percy of hospital duty or staying over to help Tonks' baby. And quietly, he had started putting all his affairs in order. As for Harry, he sulked. Under the excuse of attending funerals, he avoided talking to anyone about anything. And where did that leave her. She supposed her grief had turned to anger with no one to direct it at.

The Weasley family was large and the courtyard was already filling with guests for the funeral. Ron and Harry were already overseeing the arrangements. George was talking to their father about the speeches and Hermione was determinedly helping her mum in the kitchen. Both were trying not to cry. And Ginny was trying hard not to snap at anyone who set her off by asking about something taboo.

The funeral went in the same vein. Her mum cried on her father's shoulder. George could barely speak and Ron was leaning on Hermione. She wasn't sure she could have gone through the whole ordeal if not for Harry's tight grip on her arm. She was unsurprised when her father brought out bottles of firewhisky after the guests had left and the fidelius charm shored up. She was equally unsurprised to see her brothers drunk for once. Harry, however, excused himself after a single drink. No one noticed. She got up to follow him.

'You shouldn't have followed me, Ginny,' he said tiredly without turning. 'I wanted to,' she sighed. 'Is it so hard to acknowledge that I care about you? That I love you?' She had never had the courage to say that before.

'Ginny! This isn't the time or place. Just after Fred's..' Harry began only to be interrupted.

'Don't you dare to talk about Fred. What do you think he would say about you sitting here… and.. and using his death as an excuse to avoid me? To avoid all of us?' She asked angrily. Harry bowed his head. She had hit too close. 'You're right but I'd still prefer you to be alive. Even if you hate me.' He finally said, his voice hard. Abruptly, he disapparated. Ginny had no idea where he had gone. She was sure, thought, that in the morning there would be hell to pay.

A/N: I'm sorry if this was too long but I really did want the funeral scenes all together. Please, please review, people. Let me know about the characterizations since I'm not sure. It's just Harry was the broody type throughout the last three books and I always imagined Ginny as the sporting type who would channel her grief as anger.

Unrelated note, can anyone tell me about how the Fidelius works? I mean, Hedwig could get in and someone unintended reading the paper could get in too. What about Imperius or Veritaserum?

I promise the next chapter is going to have more Ron, Hermione and Kingsley. Till then :)