The Ones Who Lived

II - Ceremony at Hogwarts

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Chronology

2nd of May 1998 : Battle of Hogwart

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When Ron and Harry walked down the stairs the next morning, Mrs Weasley's eyes were red and puffy. Nevertheless, she was trying to act as though nothing had happened and she served them breakfast while talking just as much as usual. This forced cheerfulness was sad to see.

During the Potterwatch of the last evening, Lee had rejoiced over Voldemort's downfall and had explained the ministry's instructions. Afterwards, he had presented himself under his real name, before indicating that he had had the idea of this radio network together with the Weasley twins. To finish off, he had announced Fred's death and had held an obituary speech, then had done the same for Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin.

Harry had felt his eyes burning. He had discreetly wiped them, not daring to look at the others. He didn't want to show his emotions or to interfere in the privacy of the Weasley family, even though he shared their sadness.

"I want Lee to talk about Fred at the funeral," had whispered Mrs Weasley in tears, sobbing onto her husband's shoulder.

Mr Weasley had hugged her tight, his cheeks also soaked in tears. Harry had quietly stood up to let them cry about their son in peace. Hermione had followed him up the stairs while Ron and Ginny were getting closer to their parents.

He was still wide awake, his eyes open in the dark, when Ron had come back and entered his now ghoul-free bed. Harry had stayed quiet, doubting how good he would be at comforting Ron as well as whether the latter would accept his pity.

*

Ron and Harry were finishing their breakfast when Charlie entered the kitchen.

"You're already awake?" wondered his mother. "You came back so late yesterday..."

"There's work to do at Hogwarts," answered her son laconically.

Harry remembered that the funeral tribute to the victims of the war was happening there on the same afternoon.

"Maybe I should come along to help you," said Molly.

"No, Mom, George needs you. It's for him that it'll be the hardest," insisted Charlie while watching Ron as if he wanted to indicate him that he too would have a role to play in the mental rehabilitation of his brother.

After having finished their breakfast, Ron and Harry walked into the garden in silence.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked his friend timidly.

"Yeah, I guess," answered Ron. "I don't think I quite realise everything yet," he confessed after a moment of silence. "So, how about we de-gnome this garden?"

Harry looked at him, flabbergasted.

"It would make Mom happy," explained Ron.

When the boys re-entered the house a good hour later, Ginny and Hermione were helping Mrs Weasley with household tasks. They then started preparing lunch, watched by a still apathetic George.

Arthur arrived at 11:30, accompanied by Kingsley Shacklebolt whose face was grey with exhaustion. He let himself fall on one of the kitchen chairs and Mrs Weasley quickly brought him a full plate of hot, steaming food.

"Everything going well?" she asked.

"Not as quickly as some would like it to go," grimaced the new minister.

"And it's not those who took the most risks that are protesting the most," groaned Arthur.

"It's always like that," said Molly in a calming voice. "Just do things at your speed and let the haters hate in peace."