Harry Potter- The New Prophecy

Oh Baby Baby

February 22nd, 2010
Arthur's death was a hard blow to the entire family, but nobody seemed to suffer as much as Ginny. The days following Arthur's death were hard on the youngest Weasley, who had always been more of a daddy's girl. It took all of her strength just to get up in the morning, and if it wasn't for the children, Harry wasn't sure she would get up at all.

Ginny didn't blame Harry for her father's death. None of the Weasleys did. But it seemed as if Harry and Ginny had become more distant since everything happened. Every time Harry tried to get close to his wife, she would pull away. Harry tried to give Ginny the time she needed to grieve, but it was taking such a toll on her that he had become worried for her health. With the prophesied date of the twins birth growing closer and no midwife, the fear that something might go wrong became a constant fear, and Harry found that he wasn't getting much sleep. 

Then there was Arthur's funeral to worry about. Plans for the funeral had begun just days after the battle at Shell Cottage. The funeral and burial would be a quiet one, with just the closest of family and friends. Molly, who loved large gatherings, was disappointed in the fact that they couldn't invite everyone, but with the war raging on, it was for the best.

On the morning of the 22nd, the Weasleys, Potters, Lupins, and Sirius all gathered at a cemetery not far from the Burrow. Some members of the order were also there, standing guard in case of an attack. It wasn't the funeral anyone had imagined, but with everything going on, it was the best they could do.

Ginny stood off to the side as her family each took turns pouring dirt over the casket in the ground. Her face was pale, and it looked as if she might pass out at any minute. Harry kept a steady hand on her shoulder to keep her from falling.

Jamie, who had been close with his grandfather and was just beginning to understand death, was taking it hard. He and Al stood with Harry's parents, his face lacking its usual mischief. Although Jamie could be a handful, Harry found that he would do anything just to put the spark back in his little boy's eyes. Grace also seemed to be taking Arthur's death hard, and Harry had a feeling it was because of the deaths of her father and grandparents. For a little girl her age, she had experienced death far too many times.

After the burial was complete, family gathered round to say a few words. Molly was the first to make a speech. Standing in front of her family with tears in her eyes, she recounted the first time she had met Arthur and how they had fallen in love. She talked about the years they shared together as husband and wife and how he had been the best husband and father anyone could ask for. By the time she was finished, there wasn't a dry eye to be seen.

Each of the Weasley sons stepped forward to share their own stories of their father, but when it came time for Ginny to step forward, she burst into tears.

"Harry," Molly said gently. "Why don't you share a few words? Arthur loved you as if you were his own son, and I'm sure he would appreciate it."

Harry looked around at all those he loved and cared about before giving a brief nod. Ron took Harry's place next to Ginny, and Harry stepped forward. He had many memories of Arthur, and it was hard to pick just one. He hadn't been prepared to give a speech. Finally, he looked out at everyone standing, and in the most serious voice he could muster, he said, "What is the function of a rubber duck?"

The Weasley boys all laughed, and Molly cracked a small smile, while everyone who hadn't been there that day looked at Harry as if he had completely lost his mind.

"Those are some of the first words Arthur Weasley ever spoke to me." Harry said. "I had just arrived at the Burrow for the first time, and although Arthur had never met me and had no idea that I would be there when he got home from work, he treated me as if I were part of the family.