Harry Potter and the Alucinor Dicio

Disclaimer: I write for practice not profit. All Harry Potter characters are property of JK Rowling

Chapter 30 - Goodbyes

The funeral for Hagrid was held the day before they were to leave on the Hogwart's Express. Harry, Hermione and Ron headed down the hill towards Hagrid's hut for what would be the last time. Dumbledore had insisted on holding the funeral there, as Hagrid would be buried just on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, since there was no cemetery on Hogwart's grounds.

In a way Harry was happy that Hagrid would be buried at Hogwarts. It was Harry's home, and it had been Hagrid's home as well. Harry felt Hermione's hand in his, and he knew that she needed comfort, but Harry felt ill equipped to give her the comfort she needed. Harry had felt dis-jointed somehow, since the battle, as if he were detached from everyone around him. He had yet to have a good night's sleep, as every time he closed his eyes he would hear Voldemort's screams fill his ears. He could take a Dreamless Sleep potion, but Harry did not want to draw attention to the fact that he was not sleeping well.

There were more people there than Harry had expected, students who Hagrid had taught, as well as Order members, and in the back was Grawp's massive form, still shuddering with sobs. Harry, Hermione and Ron sat in the second row where Ron's girlfriend Luna waited with her usual dreamy expression. Harry looked around as he sat, and saw Lupin two rows behind him, and Rowen and Professor Snape across the aisle. Not long after they settled, Dumbledore walked in front of the group, and began to speak.

“ We are here to bid farewell to Reubius Hagrid. He was a teacher here at Hogwarts, a hero who fought bravely in the battle, and most importantly a friend and brother.” Grawp's cries grew louder as Dumbledore spoke until Harry could barely make the Headmaster out. Dumbledore continued to wax lyrical about Hagrid's attributes as Grawp's sobs continued to drown out his voice. Harry couldn't help the unbidden thought that Hagrid wouldn't have wanted this sad and solemn goodbye, and before he fully registered the thought he stood and strode to the front. Everyone just stared including Dumbledore who had stopped speaking.

“Right” said Harry clearing his throat nervously. Even Grawp had quieted down a bit at Harry's appearance. “ Hagrid would have hated this. Us going on about how much of a hero he was, and how much we'll miss him, no offense sir.” Harry spoke the last bit towards Dumbledore who waved him off with a twinkle in his eye.

“ Hagrid was my first friend here at Hogwarts. He brought me my first letter, telling me I was a wizard. He never judged me, and was always here for me, even if I wasn't for him. He had a hard time keeping secrets,” Several audience members laughed at this. “ My favorite Hagrid memory is my first one, when he broke down my door in a hut in the middle of the sea, and brought magic into my life. Would anyone else like to share a memory of Hagrid?” Harry asked. He was surprised by the amount of people who stood. As Harry sat he heard almost everyone share a memory. Hermione talked about how he had spent so much time with her during third year when they were working on Buckbeak's defense, Ron talked about the times Hagrid had given them tea in his hut. Even professors were up there, McGonagall, who was finally allowed to be up and about after months of bed rest, speaking about how Hagrid always was a true friend to her. Even Snape stood and spoke of how Hagrid had always collected potion ingredients for him, although Harry suspected that Rowen had poked him several times before he stood.

The remembering went on an on, until it was finally time to lower Hagrid's huge casket into the ground. Dumbledore did this with his wand, and covered the casket just as quickly with magic. They stood around the marker for a silent moment, before people began to disperse into smaller groups, and slowly headed towards the castle. Harry stayed until almost everyone had gone except Hermione who remained with him. Neither of them spoke for a long time, until Harry whispered “Bye Hagrid.”

They turned and walked slowly up to the castle, Hermione uncharacteristically silent and Harry gazing off, without really seeing anything.

The next day passed very quickly Harry and Hermione spending as much time together as possible before the train left, since they wouldn't see each other again until August. Harry would not be riding the Hogwarts Express this year since he was staying with Rowen and Snape for the summer. Harry had not informed the Dursley's of this, but he didn't think that they would particularly care.

Harry and Hermione were in what they considered their spot, up in the mountains discussing the summer and their upcoming separation. Hermione was treading carefully in the conversation, since Harry still had not been quite the same after his battle with Voldemort.

“ We'll owl each other right? You , me and Ron?” she asked for what seemed the umpteenth time. Harry tried to smile reassuringly, which looked more like a grimace than anything before he answered.

“ Of course we will.” Harry always gave the same answer, even though he knew it was a lie. Harry had been avoiding Ron since the night he had been released from the hospital wing. Seeing Ron, just reminded Harry of what Ron had seen the night of the battle. And the last thing Harry needed was a reminder, as thoughts of it already plagued him night and day.

“ I know I just want to be sure, Harry. You could still come with me this summer you know.” Hermione sighed as she spoke, knowing his answer before she had even asked the question. As she expected, Harry shook his head before she had even finished asking the question.

“ No, Mione. I need time, away from everything. I just want to be still for a moment you know?” Harry's eyes pleaded with her as he spoke. Hermione hugged him hard, and whispered in his ear.

“I just wish I could be still with you, you know?” she spoke in a broken voice that was thick with tears. Harry pulled back and looked at her intensely.

“Mione, I do too. I want you with me always, but I need time to deal with everything that happened.” Hermione made a motion as if to ask about it, but Harry placed his hand on her mouth, shushing her. “ I know you want to know, but I'm not ready to tell yet. All I can ask you for is time, Mione.” Hermione frowned at this and Harry felt a small surge of annoyance at her reluctance to give him space.

“ I suppose Harry, but I just want to help you. I love you.” she spoke this with such heartfelt conviction, that Harry's annoyance melted away.

“I love you too.” he spoke softly as he pulled her close and proceeded to make the most of the time they had left.

Harry said goodbye to Hermione and Ron at the Hogsmeade station. After several huge hugs from Hermione, who didn't seem to want to leave him, Ron just clapped his shoulder as Harry avoided his eyes awkwardly. They exchanged the usual promises to write, and Ron boarded finally leaving he and Hermione alone. Tears filled her eyes as she pulled Harry into another bone crushing hug.

“Mione, don't cry! You'll be so happy to spend time with your parents. I'll owl, I swear I will. Just think of the great time we'll have in Italy!” Harry whispered into her hair, hugging her back just as hard. He leaned back and kissed her thoroughly, as if trying to connect a part of himself to her. Hermione kissed him back just as fiercely, as the train whistle blew it's last short warning. They broke apart finally, and Hermione turned to board the train. Harry watched as it pulled away, with her frantically waving and shouting goodbye at him.

“Ready Harry?” Rowen questioned him from behind. Harry visibly startled at her voice. He turned to see Rowen standing there with a battered newspaper in her hands.

“Yeah, sorry, I was distracted.” Harry replied sheepishly.

“Well, I can understand why.” Rowen smiled warmly at him. “ Severus apparated ahead with Ria, since portkey travel tends to upset babies. Winky went on early this morning with all of our things as well. So all we need to do is portkey ourselves.” Rowen held out the battered newspaper as she spoke.

Harry looked at her, relieved that he would finally spend a summer in relative peace, with the closest thing he had to family besides Hermione and the Weasley's. He only hoped that the time at Rowen's would be enough to help snap him out of whatever had been wrong with him lately. His eyes reflected determination, and hope as he reached out to touch the newspaper and felt the familiar tug behind his navel.

A/n: Wow. Well that's it! It's done! What's that? Sequel? Well if you'll mosey on out to the new/updated page you'll find a lovely NEW story by moi! So go... and enjoy it lol! Oh, and REVIEW!!!!!