Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter except the wonderful posters on my wall!!!
A/N: Wow, all I can say is wow. When I was writing this chapter I had tears in my eyes. It was so moving to me. Also a bit of advice, if you have the Prisoner of Azkaban soundtrack, listen to song number 7. It's the song I was listening to the entire time while writing this, it fits. Thanks for reading everyone!
Chapter Seven: The Funeral
Days went by uneventfully. I felt as alone as ever. Hermione stopped going to her classes, and I was worried about her. She wouldn't see me, she wouldn't talk to anyone. She received food from Lavender and Parvati so she wouldn't have to come downstairs. I missed seeing her beautiful face in the morning and in the evening. I missed seeing her slender arm fly up in the air as she begged to answer another question given by one of our professors. Deciding finally after nearly a week of her solitude, that both she and I had had enough of our alone time, I sought her out.
I awoke very early one morning and hid in the common room waiting for her to come downstairs. True to my wishes she came down the stairs walking briskly with a towel slung over her shoulders. She opened the portrait hole and I followed her quietly, she was going to the showers and I wanted to catch her before she reached the Head Girls bathroom otherwise I wouldn't be able to get in.
She was walking very quickly and I had to basically jog to keep up, but also stay quite a distance from her. Right before the statue that announced the bathroom I quickened my run and caught up to her immediately. Grabbing her by the shoulder I turned her to me. Instantly her wand was in my face, the words to a severe incantation on her lips.
"Whoa Hermione, calm down!" I said backing away from her quickly.
The look on her face faded when she realized it was only me. Then she sighed and turned back to the door.
"Harry I'm a little busy here."
I stepped in front of her a concerned look upon my face. "Hermione, you haven't been to class all week. I think we need to talk." I said pleadingly. I knew she was hurting, but so was I. I thought in this time of need we would be able to count on one another, truth was, I needed her so much in my life and the past week had been unbearable without her usually unfaltering smile there.
"Harry, I'm just not ready to face the school yet." She looked close to tears, and that was the least thing I wanted right now.
" `Mione, you are going to have to face them eventually." I placed my hands on her shoulders in a comforting way. I just wanted to let her know that I was there for her and that I always would be, no matter what.
"After the funeral."
I looked at her, a look of confusion evident on my face. "What?"
She sighed. "After the funeral, I will come back." She looked down at her feet. "I have something to do, something to say. Then I will come back."
Not knowing what else to say I let my hands fall from her shoulders to my sides, and she moved past me and into the bathroom. I stood outside the bathroom for a good ten minutes contemplating what she was going to be doing at the funeral. Ginny had sent us word that the funeral would be that weekend and that we would be excused from classes on that Friday to prepare for the occasion. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I needed to pay my respects to Ron and the whole Weasley family, who had lost one of their own in a vain attempt to protect himself.
Why did I have to be thinking about Ron? I had done such a good job at keeping my best friend far from my mind for the past week. But here I was standing outside of the girl's bathroom, a few feet from one best friend who wouldn't talk to me, and thinking about my other best friend who had died in a horrible fashion. Tears were threatening to fall from my eyes again, but I willed them away. Regretfully I began walking away from the bathroom, my thoughts still on my best friends. We had been torn apart, it finally happened. I never thought there would be a day when I wouldn't have both of them by my side. The trio was no longer and I couldn't take it.
Finding myself in a dark corner of the corridor I sat down on the ground. With thoughts of Ron on my mind, I curled myself into a ball and cried. Tears of sorrow stained my face, and my heart ached with pain. He was gone, my best friend was gone and I didn't know what to do. I had never done anything without Ron and Hermione, and now that he was dead. My mind reeled; it was finally hitting me that I was no longer going to see him. I grabbed my legs and pulled them closer to my body assuming the fetal position, right now I wanted to be as small as I possible could. I thought if I were smaller there wouldn't be enough room for the pain and agony that was filling my heart. Sobs escaped my lips continuously and if any students walked past me, I would get odd looks, but I didn't care. I would hear them whispering as they walked off, no doubt about how the boy-who-lived had lost yet another loved one, and how they knew it to be safer if they just steered clear of me all together.
I lay my head in my hands, feeling the pounding of an oncoming headache. Every time I closed my eyes I could see Rons handsome face polluting my vision. The sight made me cry even harder. Suddenly a pair of soft arms came around my shoulders. I didn't have to open my eyes to know that it was Hermione. She was here to comfort me, as she always does, as she always knows to. I quickly and quietly wrapped my arms around her petite frame and sobbed uncontrollably into her shoulder. I could smell her fruity shampoo in her hair, and it soothed me slightly.
She was shushing me quietly, urging me to calm down. I felt safe in her arms. I felt as if no matter who was after me, as long as I was in her strong arms I would be safe and untouchable.
I lifted my head up and looked into her eyes. They were glistening with tears that she refused to let fall. She was so strong, so much stronger than I will ever be. Merlin how I loved this girl. Suddenly the world around me seemed to freeze. There wasn't anyone else in the world but Hermione and I. Her lips were pursed together in shushing motion, uttering soothing remarks to me. Her hair, still damp from her shower hung in curly tendrils around her face, framing her deep brown eyes. She was all I had in the world now, the only thing that meant anything to me anymore.
Her hands were caressing the back of my head as she lightly pushed my head back down onto her shoulder, her arms tightening around me. I closed my eyes as I breathed in her scent, so entirely her own. The soothing noises were now replaced with the simple knowledge that we were cradled in one another's arms. I could have stayed with her like that for the rest of my life if the Fates would allow. Unfortunately the sound of doors closing told both of us that our time together had ended and it was now time to resume our lives of students at Hogwarts.
We broke apart; a feeling of loss immediately seeped into my body. I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms once again, but she began walking off. She stopped a few feet from me and turned uttering the only coherent words she had said to me since the conversation outside of the bathroom.
"After the funeral Harry, I promise." She then turned on her heel and walked back towards the common room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hermione and I had traveled to the Weasleys together; our fingers entwined the entire time. I was afraid if I wasn't holding onto her I would lose her also. She smiled softly at me as I squeezed her hand three times sending her a secret message that not even she knew. Every time I had held her hand since I had realized my feelings for her I would squeeze it three times meaning `I love you', but she never knew that, she would always smile and squeeze back.
Fred and George Weasley, both dressed in black and looking rather glum for their usually cheerful selves, met us at the Portkey point.
" `Ello Harry, Hermione." Fred said with a nod of his head. George followed suit.
We too in turn nodded our heads, but no words were spoken. Fred offered us the old muggle magazine and we all placed our hands on it. Immediately I was struck with the familiar tug behind my belly button and instantly I was standing outside the Weasleys home. I tightened my hold on Hermiones hand and we began walking towards the front yard. There were rows of brooms lined up on the front porch, a sign to let us know there were many witches and wizards here to honor Rons death. I heard Hermione utter a sob, but she surprised me and held it in.
The four of us walked up the steps to the front door, and before opening it, I took a deep breath. I stepped inside followed by Hermione and the twins. There were groups of people talking in low undertones. I could see to my right Mrs. Weasley holding a bunch of wadded up tissues and talking to Professor McGonagall. The professor was obviously offering her many condolences. To my left I could see Ginny sitting on the couch surrounded by Bill and Charlie Weasley. The three red heads looked very solemn, Ginny's was raw from crying, and the boys had obviously taken up residence beside her incase she needed any comfort.
There were many people I didn't know here, but Hermione and I made our rounds anyway. Our first stop was Mrs. Weasley. She hugged both of us warmly tears streaking down her face. We told her how much we both loved Ron, and how he will be missed more than anyone could ever know. She began to cry even more, but hugged us both nonetheless then excused herself. We made our way over to the couch where all the remaining Weasley children sat. I let Hermione take the only chair left and I stood behind her still clutching onto her hand.
"I still cant believe he's gone forever." Ginny said as soon as we sat down, as if she had been waiting for us to join them to make this announcement.
I nodded my head, as did the other boys around the table. Bills arm went protectively around his little sister and she leaned in appreciatively.
"He wouldn't want us brooding forever though, you know that Gin." Charlie muttered to his sister. With a slight grin he added. "Ron, the great git. He would be right cross with us if we poured our eyes out over him for too long."
I couldn't help but smile at the perfect description of Ron, of my best friend.
Suddenly Hermione spoke up, so quietly though I had to strain my ears to hear her.
"Why don't we just remember the good times we had with him." She glanced around at her friends looking at her. "It's what I do."
A smile crossed my face at Hermiones' confession.
Just then the announcement was made that the service would be starting soon, and we were all asked to make our way out to the backyard. I helped Hermione to her feet and we walked slowly, as if it were a death march, among Rons' family and friends.
We stood next to Ginny as the crowd gathered around his headstone to say a few nice words about the young man buried at their feet. I listened to distant relatives who hardly knew him speak their mind. I rolled my eyes getting quite angry that these people who hardly knew him were even speaking. Then Dumbledore stood up, and my anger was immediately squashed as I listened intently to every word this older man was saying.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley was certainly a special young man, and anyone who knew him exceptionally well can attest to that. He had the ability to make anyone laugh at the drop of a knut, and the honor of a man three times his age. He was an accomplished wizard, a wonderful student, and an amazing friend. The world will not be the same without him in it. I feel though, as being only his headmaster, I am not doing this young man any justice, so I would like to call his best friend up here to finish my thoughts." He waved over to me. "Come on up here Harry."
I looked at Hermione and she had tear stains on her face, but she urged me to go. I let go of her hand and walked slowly up to where Dumbledore stood.
"Er…hello, I'm Harry. Ron was my best friend, and what Professor Dumbledore said about him being an amazing friend is absolutely true. Since the day I met him on the Hogwarts express he was by my side without question. He was ready to lay his life on the line for me at any given moment. Not only was he a great friend but he was also a wonderful son and brother. He cherished his family more so than anything else in this world. He loved them very much, he would do anything to see them safe. Ron was a very honorable and loving man, and he will be missed very much by friends and family alike." Tears had started streaming down my face and I couldn't get them to stop. I finally had to excuse myself and I made my way back into the house, ignoring the glances from my friends.
I locked myself in the bathroom, not crying anymore but staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy from crying so much recently but I didn't care. I heard all the people coming back into the house resuming their previous conversations all in low voices. I finally decided to leave my retreat and find Hermione. She wasn't over at the couch or in the kitchen. I was beginning to go up the stairs when I chanced a glance outside towards the grave, and I saw her on her knees in front of it, the only one out there. I quietly made my way towards her, not wanting t disturb her, I took up residence a few feet from her behind a bush. Her back was to me, but I could tell she wasn't crying, she was speaking to him. I listened intently.
"Ron, my friend. My beloved friend. I miss you so much more than I ever thought I could miss anyone. You made such a huge impact on my life, first as my friend, then as my boyfriend. I know I wasn't the best girlfriend, but I was the best I knew how to be to you. There is something you need to know about me, well about us. The real reason I broke up with you. I'm in love with Harry. I'm sure you knew that to an extent, you were a smart man. I never expected it to happen, but it did. I fell in love with Harry. Completely and utterly in love with him, and I wanted you to know that. I didn't want you to think I had left you for any other reason than the truth. I know it is my fault you are dead, if my idiotic feelings for Harry hadn't surfaced, then you would have been with me at the Great Hall, but no. I'm so sorry Ron. I'm sorry for hurting you, and for killing you, but everything is out in the open now, and I hope that you will grant your consent for Harry and I. Your approval means the world to me now Ron. Please know, my friend, that I love you, and I will miss you until the end of my days."
My heart was swelling from the declaration Hermione had just made to Rons' gravestone. She was in love with me, and she was asking Ron for his permission. Even dead she still adhered to his thoughts and feelings. I felt my heart go out to her. I continued to watch her still, she had bowed her head and was muttering something under her breath. I couldn't tell what she was saying at first, but then the wind caught her words and brought them to my ears. My eyes widened, she was saying thank you. She was thanking Ron.
The wind that had brought her words to me seemed to linger around me, and I heard a distinct and familiar voice.
"Your welcome, both of you."
It was Rons' voice. He was watching us right now, giving us permission, his two best friends to continue their lives together. I had never felt so much love for him in all my life. I nodded my head afraid if I did any more or spoke to him at all that I would burst into tears once again.
I then decided it was time for me to make my entrance, and I walked behind Hermione silently. She must have known I was coming because she turned around a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Hello Harry."
I smiled back at her. "Making your peace?"
She nodded her head. "Asking forgiveness and seeking allowance."
I looked at her approvingly, she had grown up so quickly and I hadn't even seen it until now. She was wise beyond her years and I knew it now.
I held out my hand to her. "Come on `Mione, lets say good-bye to everyone. You have a lot of homework to catch up on."
She grinned at me and suddenly everything seemed like it was going to be alright. She took my hand and I helped her to her feet. We stood close together our hand linked together for some time before I finally leaned my head down and captured her lips on mine briefly.
"As long as I'm alive Hermione, I will let nothing happen to you."
She smiled at my declaration, then pulled me in the direction of the house.
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