Circle of Love

A/N: Lyrics from Amy Grant's song “I Will Remember You”
Chapter dedicated to Jackie. May you forgive me for killing Ron one day.


I will be walking one day
Down a street far away
And see a face in a crowd
And smile
Knowing how you made me laugh
Hearing sweet echoes of you from the past
I will remember you

Look in my eyes while you're near
Tell me what's happening here
See that I don't want to say
Goodbye
Our love is frozen in time
I'll be your champion, and you will be mine
I will remember
I will remember you

~*~


Hermione stood with the Weasleys and Harry underneath the bower set up to protect everyone from the rain that poured from the skies. She could see Percy with the Ministry officials standing to one side, whispering among themselves. They don't belong here. She thought. Harry had his arms wrapped around Ginny, whose eyes were red from a night of crying. Mrs Weasley didn't seem much better as she clutched her handkerchief tightly in her hand. Charlie had arrived from Romania just this morning. Bill and his wife, Fleur stood in silence by Mr Weasley. The twins, Fred and George looked looked unnaturally somber in their black robes, their jokes strangely absent as all mourned their baby brother.

Hermione smiled weakly at Tonks as she arrived with Remus. She was sad to see Tonks had returned to the mousy brown hair colour she donned all through their sixth year. It seemed to reflect her mood. She could see that most of the Order of the Phoenix members had arrived also. The Ministry had provided plenty of Aurors as protection as the wizarding world was still rocked by yesterday's sighting of the Dark Mark.

“Let's go sit down,” Arthur suggested. Ron's casket was set up front, and Hermione felt the first hint of tears well behind her eyes as she looked at it. She held them back as she took her seat beside Harry and Ginny. Hermione wondered if Percy would sit with his family or stick by the Ministry people and she wanted to hex him when she saw him sit down by Rufus Scrimgeour's side. She saw Molly turn as if to call to him to join them, but Bill placed a hand on her shoulder and said, “Mum, let him be. At least he showed up.” Molly nodded, wiping the tear that rolled down her cheek.

Some of the students from Hogwarts arrived a few minutes later with their teachers. It seemed to Hermione as if all of the kids from Dumbledore's Army had shown, and she was glad for their support. She saw Ginny glance at Cho with a grimace. “Ignore her, Ginny.” She heard Harry whisper to his girlfriend. “I love you.” He kissed Ginny's cheek, and Ginny buried her face into his shoulder.

Scrimgeour walked up to the podium and looked out to the sea of black robed witches and wizards.

“Good morning,” He said, starting his address. “Today we come to celebrate the life of Ronald Weasley, son of my friends Arthur and Molly.” Scrimgeour nodded in the direction of the Weasleys. “Ronald was a young man, just starting to mature when he was taken to be with the Gods. In his honor, I would like anyone who desires to stand and speak of him.”

Scrimgeour stood back from the podium and watched as Arthur stood up and spoke from amidst his family. Molly stood with him, holding his hand.

“Ron was our youngest son, and taken too soon by Lord Voldemort.” The crowd began to murmur at his words. “Yes, Lord Voldemort, don't fear his name for it only gives him power to feed of of.” Arthur's voice seemed to ring as he kept repeating the Dark Lord's name. “Until Voldemort has been defeated, no one is safe.”

“Ron was brave, and a loyal friend to the end.” Harry said as he stood, his hand resting upon Ginny's shoulder.

“Ron was very protective,” Ginny said softly, almost a whisper.

Hermione clutched a yard of parchment as she waited for the others to finish. As Bill ended his speech, she stood up and made her way to the where Ron's casket lay and turned to look at the crowd. The Ministry had invited a reporter each from the WNN and the Daily Prophet without Molly and Arthur's permission, and that angered her. Ron's death was being made a publicity stunt, so she vowed to give them one. With the death of her parents yesterday no one had expected her to speak, but she felt it important to say a final goodbye to Ron. Her eyes scanned her notes as she began to speak.

“Ron was not only my boyfriend, he was my best friend. He had dreams of being a Quidditch star, and playing for the Cannons. He didn't set out on the Hogwarts Express seven years ago ever dreaming he'd be the best friend of the 'Chosen One'. He was just like any young wizard.” Hermione let her notes slip from her hand. “I don't need these to say what must be said. Ron is worth more to us all then a piece of paper with words written upon it.”

“Ron joined with Harry to form a Defense Against the Dark Arts Group back in Fifth Year when the Ministry decided that us students didn't really need to learn how to defend ourselves from the reality of Voldemort's return. They claimed that Dumbledore was lying, even with the proof of Cedric's death. Even with the proof of Harry's and Dumbledore's word.” Hermione looked at the Ministry officials, and stared at the pink clad form of Dolores Umbridge. “It took the brave efforts of those involved with that group, Dumbledore and the late Sirius Black to prevent Voldemort from over taking the Ministry that year. Ron is himself just another casualty of this war. How many more will be added to that list before it is over?” Her eyes surveyed her friends' and loved ones' faces, knowing that some would be not survive this war.

“Ron loved life, his family and his friends. He died trying to protect the name of his sister as his murderer vilified it. Ron acted impulsively and jumped out to attack those that had wronged her, and Gregory Goyle killed him without thought.” Hermione held back a sob and continued and the crowd gasped. The Ministry had refused to disclose Ron's murderer, only referring to him as some unnamed Death Eater who had escaped.

“Ron would not want us to remember the bad things that have happened. Or the stupid words he may have said. He would want us to remember the good times we had with him. I choose to remember how much he loved me, and those he cared for.” She saw Harry, Ginny and the rest of the DA rise from their chairs as one and walk up the aisle to stand beside her.

“In honor of Ronald Bilius Weasley,” Hermione pulled her wand from her pocket, and sounds of shock could be heard through the assemblage, she pointed her wand and shouted.

“Expecto Patronum!!” And a silvery otter floated from her wand. Each member of the DA shouted after her, and a myriad of silvery Patronuses moved in a circle around the coffin. Harry's stag and Ginny's doe stayed up the longest with hers.

“Goodbye, my love.” Hermione whispered.

~*~

Later on
When this fire is an ember
Later on
When the night's not so tender
Given time
Though it's hard to remember, darlin'
I will be holding
I'll still be holding to you
I will remember you

So many years come and gone
And yet the mem'ry is strong
One word we never could learn
Goodbye
True love is frozen in time
I'll be your champion, and you will be mine
I will remember you

~*~

Draco stood beneath the invisibility cloak Remus had lent him. The Order was as a whole going to the funeral, and he had to argue with Lupin till he conceded with the stipulation that he stayed hidden. He admired the strength Hermione had shown, and was amazed when she had named Goyle by name. So much for the Ministry not revealing names like with Diggory's and my Mum's murders.

Draco had at first been upset the night before that Hermione had heard his confidences to Dumbledore's portrait, but than he realized for once someone besides Lupin and Snape knew the truth about his allegiance to the Order.


“Did you just say 'sorry' to me Malfoy?” Hermione had looked at him with an amazed face.

“Yes, I know what you are going through. No one should learn their parents have been murdered. I miss my mum.” The last of his words came out as a agonizing whisper. “My father--” Draco started to say, but stopped.

“Its funny, Malfoy. You always call your mother 'mum', but I never hear you call your father 'dad'. Not even in school.” Hermione set the plate of cookies on the end table and picked one up to nibble on.

“He was never a 'dad' to me. Just 'father'.” Draco turned to look at Dumbledore's empty frame. “He wanted me to be a clone of him. The perfect Death Eater. The perfect Pure Blood son. Every time I failed him he would emotionally step farther from me. As if I was just a blot upon the illustrious name of Malfoy.” Draco turned to look at Hermione, and she saw him for once as just a boy, not the pain in the neck he had been in school.

“My mum on the other hand loved me unconditionally. I messed up, she'd hug me tight and tell me it was okay and it didn't matter. She even told me it was okay to be proud of my pure blood, but it made me no better or worse then anyone else in the wizarding world.” Draco absentmindedly picked up one of the cookies. “My mum said,” He placed his empty hand over his heart. “What is important is what is in here.”

“Your mum was a smart witch.” Hermione smiled sadly.

Then she walked out of the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the plate of cookies.


Draco watched as the Weasleys and Harry surrounded the pale girl as they walked away from Ron's dirt covered grave. The WNN and The Daily Prophet reporters tried to push in like the vultures they were to talk to the young witch, but to no avail. Draco started to laugh silently as one look from the sainted Harry Potter had them scurrying for cover; his wand pointed as if to hex them both. Draco disapparated for the headquarters as the last of the mourners left, wishing he could join the others at the Burrow.

****


“You did a wonderful job, Hermione.” Harry said as they sat in Burrow's living room. Dinner was over and it was just the family, Remus, Tonks, Shacklebolt, Harry and Hermione left.

“Thanks, Harry. The sight of Umbridge is what pushed me to say so much.” Hermione's eyes sparkled with the anger she had felt then. “How dare they let that witch any where near us? She abused her authority badly at the school, and still she walks free.”

“She is just one witch, Hermione.” Harry rubbed his hand at the memory. “She's part of the reason I've ignored the Ministry's efforts to get my support. Eventually though, I will have to give in. One more Horcrux and we'll be ready to take Voldemort on.” Harry looked pensively. “If only we knew what the last one was!” His last words came out as a shout.

“Maybe Draco could help us! He really is part of the Order, Harry.” Hermione tried to tell him what had happened the night before, but Harry interrupted before she could say more.

“Yeah, right. He's a Death Eater!” Harry exclaimed. “You said you and Ron saw him in the robes, he was at Hogsmeade, and I have seen the Dark Mark. Remus and Snape almost had me fooled about it. But I trust nothing Snape or Draco say after Ron and your parents' murders. He'd probably led us into a trap!”

“Now, Harry, that's enough.” Remus broke in. “Draco has proven himself. Hermione being alive and well should show it to you. I think he could be of use in this matter.”

“Yeah, Snape ordered him to. Then Snape kills her parents. Great proof!” Scoffed Harry. “If that git hadn't been at the headquarters I would have suspected he was there with Snape, slimy snakes they are! We don't need his kind of help!” Harry's eyes glittered with his hatred of the Slytherin.

Hermione stood up, kissed Ginny's cheek and hugged Molly and disapparated without another word.


“Brilliant, Harry. Simply brilliant.” Remus said as he disapparated, hoping she went to number 12, Grimmauld Place.

“I think its time we shared something with you,” Arthur Weasley spoke. “Harry, go to Percy's old room please. I left something there for you.”

“Go with him, Ginny. He may need your help.” Molly added.

“Bloody--” They heard Harry exclaim loud enough to be heard through the house as Ginny's scream rocked the Burrow's walls.