I Saw My Lady Weep

Chapter Seven: Now There's No One Home...

Harry adjusted his dress robes for the ninth time. He hated wearing them in any event, but the reason he was wearing them today just made it that much worse. He glanced over at Ron, who looked equally uncomfortable. At least, Harry thought to himself, they weren't burgundy with lace... this was the first... Harry caught himself before he used the word "opportunity". No one would consider this day as an opportunity for anything. But it was the first time Ron had donned his "new" dress robes since they were purchased for him, way back before their fifth year.

The last three days had alternately flown by and crawled. The same night that the three Ministry functionaries had confronted him, Harry accompanied the entire Weasley family home to the Burrow. The next day the family held a private ceremony, including the planting of a memorial stone in the garden. It had originally only read "Fred Weasley, Beloved Son and Cherished Brother, 1978-1998".

When everyone else had gone in, George used his wand to add to the inscription with the words Mischief Managed. Molly had been scandalized, of course, but she was prevented from removing it by none other than Arthur Weasley, who felt the addition was wholly appropriate.

And now, two days later, the day that Harry had been truly dreading had arrived. They were all getting ready for the memorial service at Hogwarts. He had been asked to speak, and as he couldn't find any reasonable way to refuse, had eventually agreed. But it truly was the last thing in the world that he wanted to do. So now the two men were fidgeting, waiting until they were called down to the rest of the family for the trip to Hogwarts.

"Bloody hell... They don't fit anymore." Ron looked down at himself.

"What? Since last year? You're telling me you've grown since Bill's wedding?" Harry laughed.

"Prat." Ron took his wand out and pointed it at himself. "Armarium Apto. There, much better." He waved his arms around experimentally. "And how are yours, Harry? How are they fitting?"

"They're a bit tight across the chest, really. Care to help a mate out?" Ron nodded and cast the Fitting Charm again. Harry breathed a bit easier. "Did you hear the news from Padma?"

Ron simply shook his head. "Believe it or not, I haven't had many chances to talk to her. Come to think of it, the last time I spoke directly to her might have been the Ball... How strange is that? Well, perhaps not so strange, given what happened. I've got to apologize for that, next time I see her. Anyway, what was her news?"

"Parvati's getting out of hospital soon," Harry said, taking an idle swipe at his hair. "She was touch-and-go there for a while, what with the blood loss. But she's going to be okay. Or at least Padma said she'd be okay as she could be."

"She's a fighter... She'll make it through. Mad-Eye Moody did okay with just the one, right?" Ron ran his hands through his hair as he looked into the mirror. "And compared to him, she's lucky... She still has both of her eyes."

"You need a trim, dear," the mirror chirped at him.

Ron's mouth twisted in irritation. "I hate talking mirrors," he said to himself.

"Yeah, but Parvati isn't Mad-Eye, Ron. I mean, I didn't treat her any better than you treated Padma that night, but I do remember thinking at one point that she looked very pretty. And she did have nice legs. She's going to have scars on her scars, now." Harry finally gave up on his hair and decided he was as ready as he could be.

"She should be proud of them," Ron stated. Harry was about to reply when Ginny's voice cut him off.

"So, Harry... Should I kill you now out of blind jealousy, or wait until after the memorial? I think I'll wait... That way you'll suffer first." Ginny strode up to him and hugged him from behind. "I'm out of your immediate presence for a couple of hours and you're thinking about Parvati Patil's legs."

Harry turned toward her. "Gin... oh..." He trailed off, staring at her. He suddenly had acquired a very weak and trembly feeling.

Ron turned toward his little sister and stopped dead. His eyes grew very wide. "Ginny... What happened to you?"

Harry saw Ginny suddenly go on the defensive. "Why?" Her face got grim. "Hermione did it... What's wrong?" She put a hand up to her hair.

Ron looked at Harry, who was still gobsmacked. The electricity flowing between them made the hairs on Harry's arms stand up.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ron said, "Nothing's wrong... It's just different. A good different. You look great."

"Yeah?" She swallowed hard and looked to Harry.

Harry nodded. "Yeah..." He felt out of breath... He literally could not find enough air. Before him stood a beautiful vision, the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Harry tried to think of something, anything to say, but all he came up with was "Wow."

Her face lit up. "Thank you." Ginny smiled and hugged Harry to her. He held her, feeling her warmth against him and taking in her scent and hearing her breathe.

"I love you," she whispered into his ear.

"I love you too, Ginny. So much," he whispered back. Harry bent and kissed her on the neck, just below her ear. Then he stood back and took her in again. It occurred to him that he could do just that thing... just watching her stand there and breathe... and never get bored with it. He tilted his head downward and kissed her. It was soft and sweet, and seemed to Harry to last forever.

Ron watched the two of them kiss and smiled. They kept kissing. After a moment, Ron rocked back and forth on his heels and whistled for a moment. He turned toward his Chudley Cannons posters and seemed to study them, then ran a finger across his windowsill. Ron rubbed the dust that accumulated on his finger off on an old t-shirt. Then he put his hands in his pockets and began to whistle. Finally, he burst. "Oh come on! You two need to get a room or something!"

Harry and Ginny broke away, both flushed and breathing heavy. Still holding on to Harry, Ginny turned to Ron, and in a rather huskier voice than normal, said "Lovely thought, but we don't have the time, Ronald. But thanks for the advice."

Ron blushed beet red.

Ginny stepped back from Harry. Checking to make sure her robes and her hair were still in place, she said "Um... I um... Almost forgot... Dad did send me up here to give you two a message... We need to be going. Dad's getting everybody together in the garden so we can Portkey to Hogwarts."

"Well why didn't you say so?" Ron opened the door to his room then stopped. On the other side stood Hermione, one of her hands raised into a fist. She had been about to knock, and the opening door had clearly surprised her.

Ron, on the other hand, just stood there.

Harry knew precisely what Ron was thinking. Even Ron would admit that Ginny was pretty. And he would admit Ginny was dressed to the nines. But Ginny was his sister, so there would always be a limit to how he reacted to her appearance. Not so Hermione.

"Hermione... You look great," Harry said. He glanced at Ron, who hadn't yet moved.

"Why thank you, Harry." Hermione smiled at Harry, and then turned her eyes back to Ron. It looked like Ron was about to faint. And... Wait a second... Harry jumped toward Ron. "Ron! Breathe mate! Come on... You'll be all right." He caught Ron's weight and guided him down to sit on the camp bed.

Hermione just smiled. "Yes, do breathe, Ronald. And thank you."

When Ron had regained his color, Hermione took his hands and pulled him out on the landing and toward the stairs. "Let's go... We're going to be late if we aren't careful."

Harry and Ginny exchanged knowing looks. Harry could tell that, although she never would let her feelings show, deep inside somewhere Hermione Granger was cheering.

XxxxxxX

Everyone was surprised when they finally saw the monument. It had been built up around Dumbledore's tomb, incorporating the man's sepulcher so flawlessly that it looked as if the entire thing had been designed as one structure.

Row upon row of white chairs had been set up on the green grass of Hogwarts' front lawn, just in front of the monument's open plaza. Those open to anyone were already filled, while those seats reserved for the families of the fallen were only beginning to fill. The Weasleys were given an entire row, but only Arthur, Molly, Hermione, Ginny and Fleur were seated.

Hermione jumped as a photographer leaned over the white "family members only" cord and took her picture. The flash of his camera caused her to shy aside, as if it were an incoming attack. "Damn their eyes. Can't we have a moment's p-peace?"

Molly took Hermione's hands in her own. "Are you all right, dear? You're all white and your hands are shaking? What's the matter?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Loud noises... Bright flashes of light from certain spells... Some of George's fireworks... They seem to just give me the jitters now. I start getting jumpy when I'm around such things." The shaking in her hands had traveled to the rest of her body. "I'll be fine. I just need to take some deep breaths and settle down."

Molly looked at Hermione carefully. "No, Hermione. You don't just get over the trauma you've been through by breathing deep and pretending to be calm. We'll talk after the service. I understand what you're going through. I expect Harry and Ron are going through it too. I know Ginny still has nightmares."

On Hermione's far side, Ginny nodded. She leaned in and held Hermione in a tight hug. "All I can say is I think it gets easier with time. You'll be okay again... I promise."

"Merlin, I hope so..." Hermione said, almost too quietly to be heard.

XxxxxxX

The six brothers stood by Fred's coffin under the tent, awaiting the signal. Harry had felt out of place, at first, until Percy pulled him into a hug and told him how glad he was that he was there. Charlie and Bill made similar statements, making him feel like one of them. Ron and George didn't have to say anything... He knew how they felt already.

Harry looked around, counting the number of DA members who had volunteered as pall-bearers for the fallen. It was a tribute to Dumbledore's Army that so many of them were here, ready to pay their respects by carrying out this sad duty.

Remarkably, very few of the DA had actually been killed... Only six, a small handful out of the total number of Hogwarts students who fought. Fred. Colin. Lavender. Alicia. Terry. Anthony. But even one of them would have been a tragedy. As he looked around and caught the eye of his classmates and friends, the faces of the dead passed before his eyes.

Without warning, Harry went from feeling sorrowful to feeling angry. Or perhaps angry wasn't the correct word. He raged within himself and it twisted deep in his gut, the feeling that it all never should have happened. None of them should have died... Not his parents, nor his friends, nor any of his classmates... All but for the dreams of a maniac who never stopped being the angry, frightened child he began as. He hoped that, wherever Tom Riddle ended up, he was being punished for his actions.

At last they were called to carry out their duties. As they waited for their turn out of the tent, Charlie abruptly turned placed his hand on Fred's coffin. His face was a mask of concentration, and it looked as if he was going to speak, but in the end said nothing. After a moment, Percy brought both fists up to his lips, but though his knuckles were clenched so tightly that they turned white, he too said nothing. Then they were all touching the coffin, taking the opportunity to say one last goodbye. Ron looked a bit sick, Bill looked angry. Harry merely felt hangdog.

It was George who finally spoke. "I miss you, mate." His voice was on the verge of cracking. "Don't go too far ahead without me, you stupid prat..."

And then it was their turn. Each of the Weasley men, plus Harry, calmed themselves as much they could. Bill and Charlie were in the front, George and Percy in the middle, with Ron and Harry in the rear, Harry noted. They hadn't planned it that way, having them arranged roughly in order of age... It had just happened. Then, with great honor and dignity each took one of the casket's brass rails and lifted.

They moved as one being, out of the tent and into the grass-covered lawn in front of Hogwarts castle. They were the last in the long line of coffins being moved to the monument, and as such were immediately noticed by the reporters. The flash-bulbs began almost immediately, causing Ron, Harry, and George to cringe aside.

Gritting their teeth, the six followed the other bearers into the Monument. The walk from the tent to Fred's final resting place wasn't long, but to Harry it felt that each step took a lifetime. Directly ahead of him, he watched Percy's left hand clench and unclench, over and over. Beside him, Ron's face was blank, but over that blankness, tears poured freely. Harry silently prayed that Ron could keep it together long enough to get through this.

They reached the appointed spot within the mausoleum and, with perfect precision, placed Fred's coffin on the bower that would lower him into the earth. As they were the last to enter, they were the first to leave, and they immediately joined the rest of their family. Bill held hands with Fleur, with his other arm around George. Charlie sat on the other side of his mother, doing his best to assist his father in comforting her. Hermione had gathered Ron up and held him to her shoulder as he cried. Harry did the same for Ginny.

Wanting something to do other than stare at the mausoleum, Harry looked around, hurriedly. His eyes landed almost immediately on Hagrid. The huge man was standing near the back of the family section, for none of the chairs were strong enough to hold him. The gentle giant was crying noisily into a handkerchief the size of a dinner napkin.

Harry turned toward the mausoleum again, and watched as Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped forward to begin speaking.

XxxxxxX

After the ceremony, the crowd dispersed into smaller groups, greeting each other and paying respects to the loved ones of the deceased. Professor McGonagall and Augusta Longbottom were talking quietly with Molly and Arthur Weasley. Ron shook the hands of both Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, all the while holding Hermione close with his other arm. Harry was standing with Ginny, George and Lee Jordan in the mausoleum itself. They were standing around the capstone of Fred's grave. The inscription was short, to the point, and to Harry, utterly inappropriate for Fred's grave.

FRED WEASLEY

DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY

1978 - 1998

GRYFFINDOR HOUSE

"Just facts. Nothing about the person," Lee said, and Harry and Ginny agreed. It seemed... Insufficient, somehow.

Surprisingly, George didn't. "I don't know," he began. "We always knew where to draw the line. There were some times when pranking..." George trailed off abruptly as Angelina Johnson approached meekly. She was looking at George with an odd look in her eyes.

"Um... Hi... How are..." George began to ask.

"Oh, George!" Angelina Johnson rushed toward him, suddenly. She threw her arms around his shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug. George was surprised, but managed to wrangle his arms free enough to awkwardly return her embrace. He wasn't sure how he should react. He patted her back and she sobbed into his chest.

He could feel a warm dampness on his chest as her tears soaked through the cloth of his shirt and he sighed. At last he bent down and kissed the top of her head. It was human contact, and they both apparently needed it more than anything right now. He looked at Neville, Harry, and Ginny; all three nodded to him and moved away. They reached an appropriate distance and waited.

After a long while she pulled away from him. "George, I'm so sorry..." She absently tried wiping away at the smudges left when her mascara ran into his shirt, but the spots only grew larger.

"Nah, that's okay... It's Charlie's shirt." George smiled at her.

"What? No... I meant about Fred. I'm... I messed up your shirt." She sniffled a bit pitifully. "I'm sorry about that too."

George wasn't really sure how to respond. "Thank you." He shifted uncomfortably and looked at Lee, Harry, and Ginny. Each of them was paying attention to anything other than George and Angelina.

Angelina pulled him close and kissed his cheek. With a caring look in her eye, she said goodbye and vanished back into the crowd. Lee watched her leave, and then approached George closely.

"Mate... Believe me when I say I want nothing but happiness for you in the future... But she was Fred's girl. Your dead brother's girl. That was... A bit creepy," Lee finally said after a long moment.

George was silent, thinking about what just happened. "Yeah... Creepy." His voice was hollow, as if his mind and spirit were a thousand miles away.

"Look, I'm going to go," Lee said. "I need to head home and sleep. This has taken too much out of me."

"I don't blame you." George gave Lee a quick hug, and then patted him on the back. "Thanks for coming."

"It was an honor," Lee responded. "If you need me for anything..."

"Yeah, I will." George put a hand on his friend's shoulder for a moment, and then watched Lee wander away to the Apparition point. He sighed deeply, his breath catching in his chest. Ginny and Harry approached. Harry clapped George on the arm and shook his head.

"Well... That looked very interesting." Harry said quietly.

George looked at Harry. At first he was irritated, but slowly a grim smile snuck onto his face. "Shut it, Potter."