American Teen-the Sequel

Funerals

The first couple of weeks after the Battle of Hogwarts was filled with funerals. 

I didn't have an official funeral for my mom. We were in England for less than a year before she got taken by death eaters. They were the only people she was around for the next two years, so I didn't know who to invite. Instead, I got her body cremated and brought her ashes to the ocean. I scattered them there on a beach since my happiest memory with her was at a beach. I sang a song as I released her ashes. I wish George was there to comfort me, but he never speaks to me or even acknowledges me anymore. So I mourned my mother alone. 

I stopped at the flat before going back to the Burrow. I put a framed picture of my mom and I up on the mantle above the fireplace. I lit a candle and said a few more words in her honor. I went to bed early that night. The next day was Tonks' and Remus' joint funeral. 

I left the next morning with the Weasleys. They were giving me sad looks all day. They were never extremely close with either of them, but they knew how bonded Tonks and I were. 

I almost left the funeral as soon as I arrived. There weren't that many people there, but it was still overwhelming. All the members of the order and a few of Tonks' auror friends were there. Plus a few people I didn't recognize. I panicked when I realized I had to give a speech in front of all these people since Andromeda had asked me to say a few words. I agreed, but now I was regretting it. 

"Here you go" I whispered to Andromeda as I passed her Teddy before I went up to give my speech. 

"I like your hair" She said to me. I had dyed it pink in honor of Tonks.

"Thanks" I said. I wiped my palms on my dress. I walked up to the podium and looked at everyone's faces. 

"I only knew Tonks for about three years. Yet, in that time we grew to be something like sisters. I would say she was probably the closest family I had. If you knew Tonks, you knew that she would do anything for anyone. She was an auror because she wanted to be able to protect everyone. She even overcame her infamous clumsiness to become one. She had the ability to brighten up any room, and I'm not just talking about her bright pink hair. Because this isn't the first time I have dyed my hair this color, but I still don't get the same attention she does." I made the mistake of looking over at the Weasleys and seeing George, who Mrs. Weasley had to drag here, looking blank. It just reminded me of how alone I am now. "I didn't know Remus as well as I knew Tonks. Our relationship might have been hampered by the fact that I slapped him once really hard across his face." that got a few laughs from the crowd. "In my defense, I was protecting Tonks. Remus was afraid their child would be a werewolf. Obviously, Teddy is not a werewolf, but he is a metamorphogus which, if you ask me, will lead to much more destruction than any werewolf. Just look at what Tonks did in her life." I took a deep breathe, "If there is one thing I do know, is that these two loved each other. They had to fight to be with one another and they came down fighting by the other's side. Remus and Tonks, you will be missed." With that I  walked out of the funeral. 

I couldn't take anymore. I couldn't listen to anymore speeches. I didn't want to stay for the part where people walk up to me and say 'sorry for your loss' and then walk away. Because that didn't change the fact that they were gone. What I really wanted was a shoulder to cry on. Someone who doesn't necessarily understands but is just there for me. And right now I have to survive on my own. So everyone can take their politeness and shove it up their ass. Instead of going back to the Burrow, I went to the flat. I decided after Fred's funeral next week I would move in here permanently and take ownership of Teddy, who was still staying with Andromeda for now.  When I got back to the flat, I added a picture and a candle up onto the mantle next to my mother's. 

--

Two days later was Fred's funeral. This one was smaller than Remus's and Tonks'. Only a handful of order members, the Weasley family, Lee Jordan, and my dorm mates came. I, thankfully, wasn't required to speak at this one. Instead I distracted myself with entertaining Teddy, who I had picked up from Andromeda this morning. 

I kept looking over at George, but it's like he's no longer there. He either bursts into tears or stares at a blank wall. I think his mom tried to get him to say a few words for Fred, but he refused. I understood how he felt. I almost didn't speak at Tonks' funeral.

At the reception part, my dorm mates, Lee, and I all got together to talk about our favorite Fred moments. I tried to laugh along with them, but I couldn't. I was too distracted by George and the fact that so much had been ripped from me at the hands of Voldemort. I couldn't take it anymore. So I left early again, choosing to return to the flat and add one final picture and candle. 

Three pictures and three candles were all I had to commemorate the lives of three people that meant so much to me. They were all dead within about 2 hours of each other max. I held Teddy in my arms as I cried.