Forever and always, until the end (Fred Weasley&Anertha Diggory) WattyAwards2013

Cedric's Funeral

Written 28/8/2013

{Cedric's Funeral}

She was up. She was dressed, but that was all she could manage. She sat at the end of her bed looking at her reflection in the mirror. A pale, red eyed girl looked back at her. It was her, she knew it was but it didn't feel like her, something was missing. There was a knock at the door. She saw her mother's reflection in the mirror. 'I'm surprised you found that outfit with the mess in here.' She sighed, looking around at her daughters room. Clothes lay abandoned on the armchair in the corner, pictures of her brother scattered on the floor and across her unmade bed. Mrs Diggory's heart lurch when she spotted Cedric's school scarf and his Hufflepuff robes folded neatly under Anertha's pillow. She pulled herself together. 'You have a guest darling, I'll send him in.' She left the room weeping quietly.

Fred entered to find his girlfriend sitting quietly. 'Annie?' He whispered. She turned to face him, tears sitting in her eyelids. She stood slowly and stepped towards him unsteady on her feet. He held her, he had no idea how to comfort her. He hadn't seen her for the last few days. She had shut herself away from the world. As he looked around the room his heart broke, she had clearly been sat in here going through everything she could find of brother. He lifted her head so he could see her. 'How I wish I could be there today.' She looked down to the floor. 'I wish you were too, but it's family only.' 'With the exception of my parents.' He finished. She buried herself into his shoulder. 'I can't do this. How am I supposed to bury to my brother? He meant to grow old.' She cried. Fred stroked her head and twisted her hair in-between in fingers, she always liked it when he did. Amos called from downstairs. 'Anertha the cars are here.' Anertha stiffened in Fred's arms. It was time to let her go. 'I can't..' 'You can. You are stronger than you think.' He reassured.

The family climbed in to the cars. Mr and Mrs Weasley followed in the car behind. When Anertha got downstairs she saw George had come over too. He hugged her tight when he saw her. 'How you doing Annie?' He said in a supportive tone. She just smiled and nodded slightly. George left her and Fred alone. 'I'll be right here when you get back. I'll be thinking of you the whole time.' He held on tight to her hands and kissed her lightly on the head. He led her to the car and she climbed in next to her father. As the door closed Anertha looked up out of the front window and saw Cedric's coffin in the car in front. Fresh tears rolled down her face. Her father held onto her hand as the car began to move. She leant against him the whole journey. When they reached the cemetery, Cedric's coffin was lifted from the car. The family and guests followed. Anertha led the way holding a white rose, when they reached the altar she placed this upon the coffin. He gaze lingered. She half wished he would sit up and laugh, but he didn't, she knew she would never see him laugh again. Her mother lit a small candle and sat it next to a picture of Cedric her father had already placed on a small table.

It was a small affair. The Diggory's didn't have many relatives left. Cedric's schoolmates had already said goodbye at the memorial at school so Amos decided they didn't need to be here. The only non family members were Mr and Mrs Weasley. Amos was the only one to speak. He stood strong at the top of the podium. 'My boy. I was always proud of him. He was smart. He was brave. He was fond of most people. There was no doubt he loved his family. He loved no one more than he loved his sister-' Amos looked to a tear stained Anertha. His heart broke more. '-he would have done anything for her. He wouldn't have wanted to leave her, or any of us.' He stopped to take a breath. Steadying himself. 'It was too soon. Parents should never outlive their children. It's not the way.' Mrs Diggory wept harder at this, Molly put an arm around her. 'I remember the day he was born, they were born- ' He corrected himself, but that small comment stung Anertha. '-it was the best day of my life. There is no better feeling than holding your newborn child...children in my case. I couldn't wait to see them grow up. Have lives of their own. You always pray for the best for your children, you pray harm will never come to them. Never in my life did I see them separated.' He couldn't help but let the tears flow freely. 'We love you son.' He stepped down and placed a shaking hand on the coffin of his dead son.

Anertha stood in between her parents as his coffin disappeared into the ground. They both clung to her. As if they were scared they would lose her too if they let go. Once she wriggled free, she knelt down and looked into hole. 'I will see you again. We won't be separated for long. Time will fly by. Just don't forget me up there.' She let tears fall down in the muddy pit her brother was now rested in. As they left Cedric behind Anertha could barely believe he was never coming back. He would never come into her room just to wind her up. Never sit at the dinner table complaining about her and Fred. She would never look across to the Hufflepuff table and see him smiling at her again. She curled up on seat as they drove home. Once out the car she found Fred immediately and threw herself into his arms crying hard. She prayed neither he or George would have to through the pain she was going through.