Weasley Charm | Fred Weasley

Chapter 6-16: The Funeral

The next three days had been a whirlwind of emotions for the students at Hogwarts. Everyone was shocked at Dumbledore's sudden death. Let alone the fact that Death Eaters were able to enter the castle, despite the extra security measures.

The Weasley family, besides Charlie, had been staying at Hogwarts to be with Bill as he healed in the hospital wing. He had been proving to heal much faster from his scratches than the typical scratches from a werewolf, likely because Fenrir Greyback was in some form between wolf and man. Fleur and Molly had rarely left his side unless they were eating.

Fred and George checked on Bill often but ultimately stayed with Ginny and Ron. They seemed their usual, chipper selves, but Delaney could tell they were both shaken up by the current events—as was everyone.

But, even in the darkest of times, there was light to be shed. After a long talk with Lupin, Delaney helped him realize that he deserved love. Though she thought he had realized that long before, he was still trying to push Tonks away the night Bill was attacked. Once talking with him, Delaney was able to get inside his mind to find out why he felt he did not deserve love. He had told her that though he loved Tonks, he couldn't put her through what being with him would mean. He said it would mean, she'd have to deal with him every full moon cycle, she'd have to deal with stares and judgment from those who didn't understand, and he couldn't put her through that. Delaney reminded him that Tonks had already known all of this before she grew closer to Lupin. If anything, she understood the stares and judgment more than anyone. Eventually, he seemed to finally understand what she was saying to an extent.

"Are you ready darling?" Delaney heard a knock at hers and Hermione's door.

"Fred, you can come in. It's just me in here," Delaney looked back at the door as she stood in the mirror. As he walked in she turned back to the mirror, "I could use your help zipping my dress."

"Hermione isn't here?" he asked, his hand slowly gliding up her back as he zipped her dress.

"She wanted to go down and see Harry before everyone started arriving for the funeral. He's really hurting right now," Delaney gazed into his eyes through the mirror. Her eyes started to sting. "Fred, I'm scared. Terrified in fact."

"I am too," he swallowed, wrapping his arms around her as his chin rested on her head.

"Fred, I can't lose you," she could feel tears welling in her eyes as she turned to face him.

"Hey, look at me," he brought his eyes down to her level. "You are not going to lose me. And I'm not going to lose you. We're going to get through this."

Delaney silently nodded as a tear fell down her cheek. Her biggest fear out of all of this was losing him. Out of all the things she'd been through, that would be the one thing she couldn't see herself surviving. She felt more tears fall down her cheek as Fred pulled her into his body. She didn't want to be crying right now but she couldn't help it.

"We're going to get through this." Fred rubbed her back soothingly as she cried into his chest. What Delaney hadn't known was that even Fred had silent tears falling down his cheek. Just the thought of them losing each other was heart wrenching.

They stood in each other's embrace for what felt like ages, letting the touch of their lover calm them. In truth, they feared their partner having to live without them almost as much as they feared losing them.

"We should start heading downstairs, the funeral will be starting soon," Fred muttered, gently releasing Delaney from his arms.

Delaney silently nodded, turning to the mirror to wipe off any makeup that might have smudged before turning back to him. "I'm ready."

Just as she began walking to the door, she felt a firm hand grasp hers, squeezing it three times. "Hey, I love you."

Delaney looked into his bright, honey eyes, squeezing his hand three times in return. "And I love you."

"Why is it you always say it like that, instead of 'I love you too'?" he asked, turning his head to Delaney as they began walking downstairs.

"I think it means more. For instance, when someone says 'I love you too', it's merely just a response to the person that said it, sometimes even without meaning. I think it holds a special value to say, 'And I love you' because it holds a deeper meaning. It's a way to say that you love them without making it sound like you're just responding to their declaration," she looked up at him as she finished her sentence.

"I think it's officially safe to say that you read a bit too much," he chuckled.

"That's very likely," she giggled in return.

"But, it makes sense. I like that much better, it holds more meaning," he looked at her with caring eyes.

"There you two are. We've been looking for you for ages. The boats are about to leave to take us to the funeral," Hermione's voice broke their trance as she rushed over to Delaney and Fred.

"Right, sorry."

"It's fine, you're here now, that's all that matters. Now come one, Harry's going to want to get a good seat." Hermione began dragging Delaney by the arm as Fred followed them.

Just like Hermione said, everyone started making their way to the boats for Dumbledore's funeral. He would be buried on the small island in the Black Lake. Delaney hadn't realized it before but, along with almost all of the Hogwarts students, were scores of witches and wizards that had come to pay their final respects to Dumbledore.

The funeral carried on with speeches from many of those that were close to Dumbledore. Delaney sat with the Weasleys, next to Fred of course, and with Hermione. Harry decided to sit near the back of the crowd.

With the commencement of the funeral, everyone broke out into conversations about things they remember doing with Dumbledore or other place fillers. Delaney was off in conversation with Fred until Ginny returned from speaking with Harry. She had tears falling down her cheeks.

"Ginny? What's wrong?" Delaney turned to her. It was strange for Ginny to show such emotion in public.

"Harry just broke up with me." Ginny looked up at Delaney and Fred. Another tear fell down her cheek before she wiped it dry.

"What?" Delaney asked. She was shocked. What was Harry playing at?

"I'm going to kill him," Fred's jaw clenched. He didn't reach for his wand but his fists clenched.

"Wait," Delaney stepped in front of him, her hand finding the center of his chest. "I'll go talk to him first."

Fred eyed her for a moment before silently agreeing. His jaw and fists were still clenched tightly but he let out a deep breath before hugging Ginny.

Delaney walked over to Harry with Hermione and Ron in tow after they got word of him breaking up with Ginny.

"Harry, what the bloody hell do you think you're playing at breaking up with my sister?" Ron's jaw clenched as he pointed an accusing finger at Harry.

Harry looked silently at Hermione and Delaney, each of them giving him looks that pressed Ron's question more. Harry then took a deep breath, "I'm not coming back to Hogwarts next year."