One Red Rose by gti88

Rating: PG
Genres: Drama, Mystery
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 7
Published: 13/02/2010
Last Updated: 13/02/2010
Status: Completed

These ideas chased each other around his mind without effect and in the end, only succeeded in
frustrating him further. Still, he settled on bringing in only Ron and Hermione on this sensitive
information. A best friend and girlfriend could be trusted with anything. He needed the Order to
work efficiently after all.




1. One Red Rose
---------------



**A/N: In memory of Alex.**

**One Red Rose**

Harry knew that curse was incurable. After Lestrange hit him with it three months ago, he was
growing increasingly weaker, but had managed to keep it covered through invigorating potions and
increasingly, Felix Felicis. With a hint of a smile, he realized he appeared even too eager. Either
way, Hermione could not possibly know. He might tell Ron. Yet, their whole effort depended on the
entire Order staying psychologically stable and determined. He was essentially the personification
of the whole organization...hopefully that would not impact them *too* badly. Well, maybe
looking at his own death in such a darkly humorous way was not the most productive of ways to
prepare those who would miss him...

Maybe he needed more missions to handle by himself. That way he could discreetly begin
disentangling himself from the Order's dependence on him, but that was a process which would
take time he did not quite have. He could take Ron and Hermione in his confidence. They would cover
it up until he was dead, and from there, become the natural leaders of the Order...

These ideas chased each other around his mind without effect and in the end, only succeeded in
frustrating him further. Still, he settled on bringing in only Ron and Hermione on this sensitive
information. A best friend and girlfriend could be trusted with anything. He needed the Order to
work efficiently after all.

In the meanwhile, he would do his best to focus on his job as a leader, participate in as many
missions as he could and maximize the time he had left to fight.

**

The frosty February Saturday somehow amplified the hopelessness in the procession. The news of
Harry's demise had spread and amazingly, the Order's enemies had found it respectable to
give heed. No attacks had been reported today.

The bearers had carried the coffin from the church and as they passed through the courtyard, the
snow fell more thickly. Large snowflakes accumulated on the black jackets of Death's messengers
and the mahogany lid of the coffin. Bundled white-beige roses adorned the leading end of the
casket.

Ron and Hermione were the first to follow after. Hermione was shaking, tears were streaming down
her face and Ron supported her, even if he was on the edge of tears himself. At least, his eyes
were shining and his jaw betrayed a hint of a tremor.

The Ministry cars were parked in front of the church. The casket was loaded into the back of the
lead car and soon enough the convoy started towards the chosen graveyard.

**

Godric's Hollow lay as abandoned as before. The village had been in perpetual decline for a
long time, and Harry's parents' home looked even more decrepit than before. Yet, once best
friends and mourners assembled in the backyard, two neatly maintained graves stood out under the
ancient oak tree; the mounds on top of them seemed fresh and the grass around them was trimmed; not
a blemish was to be found on the white headstones. A third grave had been dug. An identical pure
white stone adorned it.

*Harry James Potter*

*In Loving Memory*

*1981-2010*

Throughout the assembled crowd, women cried openly, men wept quietly, young children stood
quietly, uncomprehending, but realizing the immense sadness of the occasion.

“We've come together today,” began to priest, “to honour the memory of an amazing,
remarkable individual. Harry Potter. A character of immense depth, complexity, magnetism and
intelligence - he was selfless, devoted and loving. Famous, but always down to earth and true to
himself, he remains an example to us all. I can go at length about Harry Potter. He is a true
legend. I think, for the sake of his peace, I will let each and every one of you come up for a
final, personal goodbye.”

The snow kept falling. It was a peaceful quiet, yet deeply painful, cavernous and hopeless. What
could one say? A line formed around Harry's coffin, with each attendee going up, saying a
prayer, letting the tears fall...only the bearers themselves remained with cold, indifferent
expressions, fixed on the frozen ground, unmoving, masking the searing pain each felt inside...

Ron and Hermione were the last. Hermione had stopped trembling, but her brown eyes revealed the
intensity of her own suffering. Beside her, Ron kept his own stare trained on the coffin. Hand in
hand they walked up, and silently, each placed a single red rose on the mahogany cover.

The red roses looked hauntingly beautiful in the wintry covering that had begun to accumulate
around them.

It was a final goodbye, as the coffin was lowered into the earth. Harry was home, with his
parents.

And the snow, still, kept falling.

*Fin**.*

**A/N: Rest in peace, my friend.**

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