The Squib and the Werewolf (book 2)

77. Post Mortem

Moody's death hung over Raya in the days that followed, like a dark shadow.
But she seemed to be the only one grieving as everyone else at the Burrow was full of excitement, as the wedding got closer and closer, and there were a lot of preperations needed to get everything ready.
Fleur's family arrived a week before the wedding, making the Burrow even more cramped than usual.
Raya tried to put on a brave face when Harry's birthday arrived, but she wasn't sure she succeeded.
She smiled and played her part, keeping in the sadness that was trying to consume her. But her smile never quite met her eyes.

Raya wanted Harry's 17th birthday to be special though, despite her poor mood, because it was the day he became a man, and could now do magic outside of Hogwarts. Even though he was a grown up now, he would always be a small boy in her mind.
But Harry's happy celebrations were interupted by the arrival of an unwelcome visitor.
The Weasleys and their guests were all gathered around a large table in the garden, since they couldn't all fit in the kitchen, waiting for Arthur to get home from work. When Arthur's Patronus suddenly appeared above the table, and informed them that he was on his way home, with the Minister for Magic.

Remus immediately jumped out of his chair, and took hold of Tonks's hand.
"Sorry Harry, we can't be here. I'll explain later" said Remus, as he pulled Tonks with him so that they could disapparate outside of the protective enchantments around the Burrow.
The Ministry were being rather anti-werewolf with their current policies, which angered Raya greatly. And put her at odds with them more than normal.
Which is why Remus didn't want to be around the Minister.

Harry turned to Raya once Remus had disappeared, wanting answers.
"What was all that about? Why did he leave?" Asked Harry curiously.
"Like Remus said, we'll explain later" answered Raya quickly, as Arthur and Scrimgeour came into view.
"Sorry to intrude, especially as I can see that I'm gate crashing a party... Many happy returns" Scrimgeour said to Harry.
"Thanks" mumbled Harry.

"What do you want?" Questioned Raya.
"I require a private word with Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and you" revealed Scrimgeour.
"Why?" Demanded Raya.
"This isn't a social call, Mrs Black. I am here on official Ministry business"
"Regarding?"
"Regarding the last will and testament of Albus Dumbledore"
"Are you saying that Dumbledore left the kids things in his will?"
"Yes, and you have also been left something".

Raya nearly laughed out loud at this news, but she managed to restrain herself.
"Dumbledore left something to me, in his will?" She questioned, assuming she had misheard.
"Yes. Now, if the four of you could step inside, I will give you what you have been left" informed Scrimgeour.
"Why would Dumbledore leave anything to me?" Asked Raya.
"I do not know"
"Maybe not, but you must know that the two of us didn't see eye to eye. I expect half of the wizarding world knows how much I disliked that man. So, why would he leave any of his things to me?"
"I don't have the answers you are seeking, Mrs Black. So please, just follow me, so that we can get this over and done with. As neither of us want to be around each other any longer than necessary".

Rather reluctantly Raya followed Scrimgeour inside the Burrow, with Ron, Hermione and Harry close behind her.
Once they were sat down in the living room, Scrimgeour began handing out Dumbledore's possessions.
Harry recieved the Snitch he caught in his first  Quidditch game, Ron was gifted with Dumbledore's Deluminator, and Hermione was given a copy of the Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Dumbledore had tried to leave the sword of Godric Gryffindor to Harry as well. But the Ministry hasn't allowed this, as they didn't feel that the sword was his to give away, since it was a historical magical artifact.

Raya was on edge when Scrimgeour finally turned to her and handed her the largest item in his bag.
"To Mrs Raya Sophia Black I leave my book of final moments, in the hope that after my death she might forgive me" recited Scrimgeour, as he read out loud a portion of Dumbledore's will.
Raya opened the book in front of her and gasped when she saw the first page.
"What is it?" Questioned Harry.
Raya didn't answer, instead she quickly flicked through the books pages, and as she did it confirmed her suspicions.

"Well?" Harry asked again.
"It's a book of memories. Specifically Dumbledore's memories of the people who died fighting for him. Those in the Order, and others that died in his name. People like Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadows, and of course, your parents. It has a picture of each person, and when they died. Dumbledore has even written things about each persons death, for example where they died and who killed them. On each page it looks like Dumbledore has enchanted some of the writing, so that I can see some of his memories of that person. For example, the last time he saw them before they died" answered Raya.
"So, it's like a headstone and a Pensieve rolled into one?" Quizzed Harry.
"Sort of".

"Why do you think Dumbledore left you such a personal item, when you two did not get along?" Questioned Scrimgeour suspiciously.
"For the reason he stated in his will. He wants me to forgive him for how he treated those in the Order. I always accused him of not caring, and treating us as if we were disposable. This is his way of showing me that he was affected every time someone was killed, and that he wasn't heartless. He also probably gave me this book because he knows I won't let the people in here be forgotten... But deep down he should have known that I would never forgive him" replied Raya.

Scrimgeour moved on from Raya and began talking to the golden trio.
Raya blocked out his words, and began slowly turning the pages of the book, looking at the photos of all the people who died fighting Voldemort, and trying not to well up with tears.
She only snapped back to the present when Scrimgeour jumped to his feet, causing Harry to do the same.
"You go too far!" Shouted Scrimgeour, as he jabbed his wand into Harry's shirt.

Raya and the others all jumped to their feet to defend Harry.
"Don't touch him!" Yelled Raya, as she took out one of her knives, and pointed it at the Minister.
Ron also raised his wand, but Hermione pulled his arm down.
"No. Do you want to give him an opportunity to arrest us?" Hissed Hermione.
"Remembered you're not at school, have you? Remembered that I am not Dumbledore, who forgave your insolence and insubordination. You may wear that scar like a crown, Potter, but it is not up to a 17 year old boy, to tell me how to do my job! It's time you learned some respect!" Spat Scrimgeour.
"It's time you earned it" snapped Harry.

"How dare y-" started Scrimgeour.
"I would stop right there, Minister. You don't want to go around attacking students, in front of witnesses. Especially when one of them is the famous Harry Potter. Only one person in this room can kill Voldemort, and it's not going to be you. So, take your wand off of my godson, before I make you" interupted Raya.
Before Scrimgeour could respond, the living room door burst open and Arthur and Molly entered the room.
"We thought we heard raised voices" said Arthur.
"It was nothing" mumbled Scrimgeour as he stepped away from Harry, leaving a burn mark on Harry's shirt.

"I regret your attitude, Mr Potter... You seem to think that the Ministry does not desire what you do. We ought to be working together" continued Scrimgeour.
"I don't like your methods, remember Minister" replied Harry, as he raised his hand, showing off the scars on the back of his hand that Umbridge had forced him and Jamie to engrave into their own skin.
Scrimgeour's expression hardened and he left without saying another word.

"Well, hopefully that's the last we will see of him. I'm proud of you for sticking up for yourself" praised Raya.
"Thanks" replied Harry.
"Although, I do agree with Hermione. You don't want to give the Minister a chance to arrest you. So, just be careful around him" warned Raya.
"I will, I promise"
"Good. Now, let's go and tuck into that Snitch birthday cake that Molly spent so long baking for you"
"Sounds good to me".