Charted {Book Two in my HP FF series}

Chapter 4

It was a month since we had been interrogated by the ministry, and it was also my 16th/18th birthday today, though I really didn’t find it a big deal, so I asked for no party and no cake.

I had come accustomed to the family routines. It consisted of many galas and balls and very little time to think and cry, which I wasn’t really complaining about. It was something I needed.

Even after many lectures against the decision by Daphne, I had decided to go to my funeral. I had initially planned on going alone, but everyone insisted on coming. I only agreed because they were already planning on going, and agreed to keep their distance if I needed them to.

I was incredibly nervous about going to this. I was wondering if anyone would show up at all. I was wondering if people would actually act to be sad. I wondered if I actually wanted to go and see people fake cry over me.

I found a simple black, knee length dress that I wore with my black cloak. I pretty much matched everyone else in the family.

It was a very dark and grey day for summer. It made me wonder if it was because of my mood, or because of everyone else’s mood.

I waited patiently on the sofa, tapping my foot on the floor. Just a single minute later, I became very impatient.

“Come on! Being the person who is supposed to be in the coffin, I don’t care if you look good or not!” I yelled up the stairs. “It’s my funeral, you could wear pajamas if you wanted to!”

“Alright, Alright, don’t get so fussy” They all came down the stairs in a line

“I wouldn’t be so fussy if you all hadn’t taken so long”

“Are we all ready?” Luther asked and we all held hands. I felt the rush like a vacuum and being squished into a small tube. Then, I felt my feet hit solid ground. I did hate Apparition but I found myself getting used to it more and more.

We were at a gated cemetery where Hagrid was letting people in if they had an invitation. There were many people outside the gate. Most of them, I didn’t know, but there was one person that stood out, and I thought they should be inside the gate.

I parted from the Greengrasses for a quick second and went up to this person. Daphne waited for me while her parents went to the clearing where I would be buried.

“Um, excuse me? Neville Longbottom?” I said in my best British accent. He looked up to me, confused, but nodded anyways.

“Do I know you?”

“No, I’m Astoria Greengrass. I noticed you were sitting out here. Did you not receive an invitation?” I asked quietly.

“I lost it” He frowned

“Well, come on” I said. He looked at me strangely. “I know you were one of her friends. I can get you in easily enough”

“Really? That’d be brilliant” He smiled and stood up. We walked over to Hagrid. I could see he recognized me from the cloak he gave me.

“Hello, Hagrid, I’m Astoria Greengrass. I’d like to have Neville Longbottom here as my plus one”

“Course, Astoria” Hagrid opened the gate and let Neville, Daphne, and I in.

There were a lot more people at the funeral than I was expecting. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan were there right beside the whole Patil family. Hermione and her parents, Ron and the whole Weasley clan with Harry in the middle, occupied the front row. Aberforth stood stiffly next to my casket. They all looked very solemn except for Mrs. Weasley who was trying not to wail loudly. The Malfoy family was all standing to the left of closed casket. Narcissa and Lucius were trying to hide their faces, but Draco…