Chapter 3
The wizarding world was far more kind to terminal patients than the Muggle world. Potions to completely take care of pain were not rationed so Ginny was not suffering. She was just very, very tired. For the first few weeks she was back in her own home, Harry carried her to the living room and she spent her days lounging on sofa quietly visiting with family and selected close friends, but eventually even this became too tiring for her.
The next evening right before sunset, each of her loved ones, no matter their location, heard Phoenix Song, signaling that it was time to say goodbye. It was a special message a righteous magical soul sent out just before it left the earth in cases of non-instantaneous death. The sound could not be recorded and it was not heard through the ear in the traditional way. Even a deaf witch or wizard could hear Phoenix Song. Each song was as unique and captured the beauty of the person that it represented. Gifted witch and wizard musicians who lost a love one in this way had tried to duplicate the songs that played within their minds at times like this, but it was something that could not be recreated even by magical instruments. The only composer known to come close to this was the Muggle Mozart and it was suspected among the magical community that he had been able to hear some of these songs and that had been why he was able to write completed music in full error free with no rough drafts.
Harry and Ginny were alone when he first heard Ginny's song, but Harry knew that it wouldn't be the case for long. As weak and tired as she was, Ginny noticed the look in Harry's eyes. "It's time, it's it?" She asked simply.
Harry nodded. "Your song is so beautiful."
"I can still make it stop, Harry." Ginny spoke quietly and her eyes looked away. "It's not too late for me to join the spirits at Hogwarts."
The last thing Harry wanted to do was to be angry now, but there wasn't time for a debate. He kept his voice gentle and low, and lovingly kissed her lips before replying. "Ginny, don't you dare! I spoke to Sir Nicholas about it when we were still children and it's a lonely existence and you don't get to change your mind once you are there. I know it seems tempting, but what about 500 years from now?" Harry closed his eyes tightly for a moment to try to squeeze the tears back inside. He relaxed when he didn't hear her song end prematurely. "I love you so much," he said as he gently kissed her again and held her hand.
The rest of the family began to arrive and quietly walked to her side. Her song, which had seemed like a simple melody when heard by one person, became more complex as each new loved one arrived, the interaction with that person's soul providing harmony and counterpoint to her tune. Each quietly kissed her forehead in turn while Harry remained at her side holding her hand. After everyone had paid his or her respects, her song became less complex and began to fade. Ginny closed her eyes and the moment the song ended, a soft blue light left her body.
Anyone who knew and cared for Ginny instantly received the one word message. Blue. And that night, candles with enchanted blue flames were placed in the front windows of their homes in memory of their friend.
In a Muggle neighborhood of carbon copy tract houses, the only remaining older home on Grimmauld Place also glowed with eerie blue candle light.
***
The next morning, the front page of the Daily Profit carried the news:
Virginia Weasley Potter, passed away last evening surrounded by her family and friends. Though her own brief professional Quidditch career was overshadowed by that of her national team members husband Harry and brother Ronald, she spent several successful seasons as a Chaser for Puddlemere United before retiring to become a full time parent.
Mrs. Potter was presented with the prestigious Order of Merlin, First Class, for her pivotal role in the Last Defeat of Voldemort and also had been one of the very small but distinguished group still living while immortalized with a Famous Wizards and Witch Card.
She is survived by her husband Harry James Potter, their children James, Evan, Cassandra, Devlin, and Lilly, and their grandson Michael. She is also survived by parents Arthur and Molly Weasley, her brothers Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ronald, and numerous nieces and nephews.
At the request of the family, all tributes in her name should be made to the "Medical Magic and Muggle Medical Science Cooperation Coalition" which works with Muggle scientists who are aware of the Magical Community, usually through a Magical family member, to secretly exchange knowledge.
***
One week later in a private ceremony led by Albus Dumbledore, Ginny's friends and family gathered as her remains were placed on a traditional funeral pyre that was lit with blue flame. Though there were wards in place to stop the public from intruding, the one photographer allowed to discretely record the event was Colin Creavy. It wasn't noticed at the time, but far in the distance, but still within the range of the wards, one of his images captured an unknown person who seemed to be using a very old pair of Omnioculars to view the event.