Life Begins Anew

Chapter 72 Funeral

Bootstray and Slightly cleaned up the orphanage glad to see that there were enough rooms for the remaining students to room separately. Earlier they had delivered the underage students to their sanctuary in a Wizarding city in America promising the community that they would be picked up when things settled down in Britain.

Bootstray hung a portrait to the wall and then placed a package on the desk in the room assigned to Hermione. He also placed ten vials of prenatal potions next to the package.

Changing into the attire of priest to distract notice, they exited the building and began placing strong wards about the building, adding a few assassin wards that were not readily known as well.

Slightly tuned and looked to Bootstray when they were finished. “Care to confide your sins my son?”

Bootstray shook his head at the irreverence of his friend. Being an assassin tainted one and Slightly was twisted anyway. “Have a few weeks to listen to them? I would need a few years to listen to yours.” Looking around as he pointed his wand to his mate, changing Slightly’s clothing to a muggle suit. He changed his also as they began to walk away from the building.

***Brothers, I must speak with you in person. Have you finished the wards on Sanctuary? ***

***We have Sara. You can now apparate straight inside as you think “We are the World”*** Slightly sent back as he felt her disgust.

***I hated that song Slightly even if it did aid people. I will be travelling to you soon***

They both immediately turned and headed back to the abandoned building to wait for her.

Sara looked to Miss Weasley as Hades appeared and landed on her arm. “Miss. Weasley I have to go to my chambers to pack. Please let Hades know when you are ready so I can escort you. He can be comforting when he chooses to be as he is an aged bird and has seen many things.”

***Shall I tell her that Harry Potter is alive Little One? ***

***You can, though I suspect that she already knows it. It might comfort her to hear it from another source***

Hades suddenly flew to the young student, forcing her to catch him up as he rubbed his beak on her cheek. “Miss Ginevra Weasley I would be pleased to watch over you and answer any questions on death. I am an old, old, bird and I have seen much of it.”

Ginny held the bird and sobbed into his feathers.

***You opened yourself to that one Dear One. I hope your feathers dry quickly***

Sara turned and exited the Sixth Year dormitory and entered a bathroom to Apparate unseen.

She immediately noticed the coldness in the lavatory as she observed that every ghost in Hogwarts was there, arguments going back and forth. She glanced about and realized that this was Moaning Myrtle’s resting place.

Moaning Mrytle looked up and saw Sara silently observing the ghostly group as she wailed out. “A mortal and the enemy! She must not leave!”

Several ghost zoomed to attack her as she held up her hand as she revealed the ring of a Headmistress of Hogwarts chuckling as they bounced away from her.

“Spirits of Hogwarts, with the exception of Miss Myrtle you know who I really am.” Sara coldly told them. “Baron I would appreciate it much if you informed her. A bit of spectral conspiracy going on here?” She asked sweetly.

“Headmistress you know what goes on here and yet you allow it!” The Bloody Baron shouted out.

“Yes and the castle allow it as well. By all means continue your conspiracy. I’ll not say a word.” She nodded toward the ghostly forms as she turned her heel and Apparated away.

The Bloody Baron looked at the spot where the Headmistress disappeared as he began to think about her words.

&&&&&

Hermione looked up as Harry and Ron approached her and sat next to her on the bed.

“Hermione idle hands make for mischief and have you noticed the pairings that are beginning to form?” Harry asked her.

She looked up as Colin was sitting next to Josephine as he whispered something causing the witch to giggle. The witch was a siren and manipulating.

“Gather the group Harry. I have a book on defensive spells that they can read about for a few days until we are settled. I will test them daily on it.”

Ron looked to Hermione. “Brilliant idea. They have chosen to stay and fight and we have to train for the Final Battle. I’m sure Bootstray and Slightly will help.”

“I agree Ron.” Harry somberly replied. “Every bit of help will be needed at the end.”

Hermione looked to Harry and took the time to really look at him. The trials and tribulations had turned the boy into a man.

&&&&

Sara appeared inside the shuttered orphanage and looked around. “Brothers you have done well here.” Noticing a dueling room and a classroom off to the side. “Furnish an additional room for an adult Slightly.”

Sara pulled Bootstray aside and whispered into his ear.

“Are you sure that is wise Sara?”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way Bootstray.”

***Mistress Miss Ginevra Weasley is ready to depart the castle***

***Dear one can you escort her to the gates for me? I will meet you there***

She quickly told them about the spectral conspiracy as she walked to the entrance.

“Merlin Sara! Severus is going to have his hands full when everyone in the school goes after him. Ghosts never get involved in the affairs of the mortal world.” Slightly sounded out.

Sara merely chuckled as she turned her heel and Aparrated away.

Slightly looked to Bootstray. “Have you noticed that while we are still Bonded, we can no longer sense what she is doing unless she allows it?”

Bootstray looked to his best mate. “Aye Slightly. The true darkness is beginning to take over more and more of her. I hope for all our sakes that everything comes to completion soon. When I look into her eyes I can sense a struggle.” He sighed and began to walk to the exit. “Come along mate. There has been another death in the Weasley family and we’re the ones to break the news.”

The assassins arrived at the church, Slightly going to gather the Golden Trio as Bootstray went to Father O’Connor’s study to have a word with him.

Father O’Connor looked to the wizard in sadness as he listened to the tragedies that had befallen the Weasley family.

“Do what you must do Bootstray. I will stay with the students tonight with Slightly.” Looking up as he saw Slightly enter with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and sat down. He stood up and squeezed the wizard’s shoulder as he went to leave. “Talk to me when you’re ready Bootstray.”

The old priest left his office and made his way down to the students residing in the lower level of the church. He was pleasantly surprised that most were attending daily Mass and was pulling him aside to talk about their ordeal. They were beginning to heal and he was honored that they were confiding to him.

Bootstray knelt in front of Ron and held his shoulders tightly as he told him of the death of his father, feeling the young man shake as he began to cry. Hermione and Harry grabbed Ron’s hands as they began to cry as well.

&&&&&&

Hades looked to the forlorn witch and winked at her sudden yelp as he suddenly changed into the form of the Dark Arts professor. “Our little secret Miss Ginerva Weasley. My mistress is waiting for you at the gates.” Mimicking the voice of his mistress.

“Of course Hades…err Professor Snape.” Ginny squeaked out as she followed him through the empty halls as he led her to the gates.

They walked up to a figure waiting at the gates with a hood pulled up to hide her face. “Miss Weasley I hope Hades was a comfort to you. He can be a good bird when he decides to be.”

“Yes Professor Snape. He was very comforting to me.”

Sara held out her arm. “Come Miss. Weasley, time to go.” Ginny grabbed the teacher’s arm as Sara turned her heel and they appeared suddenly at the gate to The Burrow.

Ginny noticed Fred and George standing outside along with Kingsley. She immediately ran to her brothers falling into their arms as they held her for a moment before leading their sister inside.

Sara pulled down her hood as she walked up to Kingsley. “Do they understand the requirements placed by the Headmaster?”

“They do Professor Snape.”

“And do they understand the enchantments placed upon you Auror Shacklebot? It would not do to anger the Dark Lord as he is allowing the witch to be here. The Weasley family should be honored at my master’s compassion.”

Kingsley looked to her in anger as he replied. “They do understand and promise there will be no trouble.”

Kingsley spoke to her in anger. “If we are through here Professor Snape? The Ministry has given me special leave to stay until Ginny goes back to school. There will be no trouble as I know what your true purpose is by being here.”

Sara chuckled as he turned and went inside the house.

She waited a few minutes before entering herself, taking a seat in the living room as all conversation ceased.

Fred offered her a cup of tea and she sniffed at it as she placed it down. “I have heard about your little pranks Mr. Weasley and I am a Potions master as well as the Dark Arts professor.” Sneering at him. “I could make you drink it, but then you would not be able to attend the funeral comfortably. How about making a fresh cup with no additional ingredients and I will let this little infraction pass?”

Fred muttered to himself as he picked up the cup and went to the kitchen to replace it.

He handed her a fresh cup as she sniffed it once again and began to drink. “Better Mr. Weasley and I thank you for the refreshment.”

Ginny asked about the arrangements and listened as her brothers began to fill her in. “Can I see dad?”

George looked to her. “He is in his bedroom Ginny. I will come with you.”

“No George. Everything will be fine.” Ginny stood up to leave and the entire room watched as Professor Snape stood up and followed the student.

She entered the room and saw her father laid out on his bed in the finest robes that he owned. Ginny hugged the still form of her father as she began to cry “Dad how could you leave us?”

Sara melted into the shadows as she listened to the young witch’s sobs of grief.

&&&&&

The teaching staff had gathered for their meeting and Headmaster Snape began it, hardly listening to their reports and only nodding his head as required. He would soon stop holding them as he really could not be bothered by their petty complaints.

“Headmaster I noticed Miss. Weasley missing from my class today and I have not been informed of anything.” Amycus stated. He was not finished with the witch, not by a long shot. With what he planned to do to her was well worth any punishment that the Dark Lord would dish out.

“Professor Carrow, the whereabouts of a student of Gryffindor is not your concern. Her Head of House knows and it is a private matter. She will return in a few days.”

“Is there is anything else to be addressed?” He asked the group of professors. Most shook their head. “Very well. You are all dismissed.” Pointing to the door. “Amycus, I require a moment of you time.”

Amycus waited silently as the group left.

Severus looked to him. “Amycus I suggest you abandon whatever it is you have planned for the witch. I know the Dark Lord tortured you in warning.”

“Headmaster I have nothing but concern.” False sincerity in his voice. “May I leave?”

Severus nodded from his desk and watched the Death Eater depart.

&&&&&

It was close to sunset as witches and wizards gathered for the burial of Arthur Weasley. Tonks, Kingsley, and Remus arrive together, grief showing. George escorted them to the chairs that had been placed around the open grave.

Professor McGonagall soon arrived, allowing Fred to escort her as she openly wept. Looking around she saw Sara and merely nodded to her fellow professor as she took her seat.

Ginny looked at the few people that decided to attend. It was just as well as the people were true friends of her father. All save one for she remembered the scything words of her Dark Arts professor in the Headmaster’s office.

She looked up at the exclamation of surprise from her brother as four ginger hair wizards arrived.

Fred hugged the older wizard. “Adolfo, glad you could make it.” Looking to his uncle and his three sons.

Adolfo merely nodded and took seats next to Charlie and Fleur Weasley.

George waited a few moments to see if anyone else arrived. He was saddened by the few people that decided to attend, for his father was a well known wizard.

Sara watched the funeral from a distance as the ceremony began and ended with George Weasley lowering the coffin in the open grave beside his mothers. He ended it stating that he would miss him and would meet him at the Veil when his time arrived.

The guests lingered at The Burrow for an hour or so as they reminisced about Arthur Weasley. Sara noticed that Minerva sat at the table not saying a word with a hard look on her face. Dipping into to the aged professor’s mind she saw her mind click at the actions she would initiate.

Sara removed herself from Minerva’s mind. Thank Merlin the uprising would be soon and decided to push it along. She approached the Transfiguration professor and handed her a parchment.

I suggest you have a chat with the Bloody Baron when you get back to Hogwarts. I caught the ghosts in a deep discussion about the state of the school. There is a spectral conspiracy going on that may be of benefit to you.

Minerva read the parchment and tucked it into her robes, nodding to her colleague as she left with Kingsley, Tonks, and Remus.

Soon the Burrow was left with only Adolfo Weasley and his sons remaining. “Fred there is something I must reveal to you.”

Fred and George looked to their uncle with a questioning look as Adolfo pointed his wand at his sons and muttered an incantation, revealing the true forms of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Ginny ran to Harry and grabbed him as she sobbed into his shoulder. “I knew you were alive! Hermione’s enchantment on my ring never went away so I knew she was alive. And Professor Snape’s familiar confirmed you as well.” She sobbed out in relief.

Fred and George looked to the revealed witch and wizards in shock. One word was spoken from Fred. “How?” As he noticed his uncle changed into a wizard he did not recognize.

Harry pointed to Sara. “Professor Snape has been assisting us.”

Sara walked up to the group. “Mr. Potter you will ensure that Miss. Weasley will not go missing in the night. I am sure everyone needs to catch up on things.” She began to walk to her room as she motioned to Bootstray to follow her.

Harry looked to the group. “I would like to talk with Ginny alone.” Grabbing Ginny’s hand as he walked up the stairs as Ron and Hermione began to tell their story of the past six weeks.

Harry led his fiancé into her room and placed a ward and silencing charm upon it. “Ginny I have missed you so. These weeks on the run and thinking of you when I was not worried about me or anyone else getting killed.” Removing his mourning robes as he spoke.

He stood there nervously as Ginny looked him over.

“Harry, you’ve lost so much weight.” She softly spoke as she walked up to him and placed her hand softly on his chest, feeling bone. It was then that she broke down crying.

Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny. “Sssh. I made it through and that is all that counts. Sweet Ginny, your love for me helped me through some of the darkest times when I felt that I could not go on.” He spoke as he lifted up her chin and looked to her.

Ginny captured his lips with a passionate kiss as she unbuttoned his shirt revealing his torso.

“Oh Harry, I have missed you so.” She softly replied as she kissed his chest and removed his shirt.

He shuddered at the hot kisses upon his chest as he began to remove her robes as she finished undressing him. They both looked nervously at one another as Harry swept her up into his arms and laid her upon the bed.

Ginny gently traced the scratches on his arms as he kissed her, running his hands down her body, shuddering as her finger traced downward.

“Ginny, I need you. I know we have not done much, but I am a thirsty man led to water. Quench my thirst for I have been wandering.” He was on top of her as he looked deeply into her eyes feeling the bush of hair at her entrance.

“Harry…” She whispered to him as she felt him thrust into her, listening to his moans of pleasure as he settled into her, felling her hips thrust up to meet his stroke as she willingly took him.

“Let me make you forget you forget for a time, sweet Harry.”

They made love well into the early hours of the morning as they could not get enough of one another.

AN Next permanent Sanctuary and Hermionie begins plan 1A