Life Must Go On: Chapter 2

Note: Link to

first chapter

is in the 'Description' below

Chapter 2: 1998, May 2nd pt 2

Neville
After they took Gran I didn't know what to do. If she were alive I would have taken her straight home. But she isn't here. I can't take her home. What do I do now?
When I returned to the great hall there weren't many living individuals occupying the room. The floor was mostly taken up by covered bodies. Gran was there. Somewhere. Before I could walk into the room a tall, stern-looking man, stop in front of me preventing entrance. "Sorry young man, but everyone has to vacate the area, we need to get all the bodies together, please wait outside if you wish to stay on the grounds, there are several trains leaving from Hogsmeade if you'd prefer to head home. Either way you can't stay in here. Sorry". I nodded and walked away.
Luna and I walked around the grounds aimlessly. I looked around at the ruins, the soot covered grass and the smashed objects, scattered in every direction. The only piece standing was the quiddich pitch, in the far distance, across the grounds. It was still standing, proudly showing the four colours- each representing the colours of each house.
Hagrid's house was almost gone. The last few embers were only just finally dying out. Luna and I sat down near what was left of Hagrid's hut. "What are you going to do now? How's your father?" I asked. I knew I'd lost my grandmother, but we'd both lost people we knew, people we called friends, people we almost classed as family. I hadn't seen Luna's father throughout the battle, I was hoping he wasn't dead, for Luna's sake. She'd already lost her mother, when she was nine.
"I... I don't really know. I suppose I'll go home. Maybe go see Dad at St. Mungo's. Maybe see how Harry is and Ginny and Ron and Hermione and everyone. Although I suppose they might want to be left alone. You know after Fred and Tonks and Lupin and... Yeah".
"I guess it's in times like these you want to be alone but what you need is someone to be there by your side, to silently be there for you."
"Hmm that's how it should be I suppose. Want me to be your silent friend?"
"You already are. Want me to be yours?"
"No, its ok I don't need a silent friend. A friend will do. F Y I you're my friend. So I'm sorted."
We sat there smiling to themselves, silently.

Hermione
All of Ron's family, one by one, knelt beside Fred and mumbled a few words. First Bill and fluer, then Charlie and then Percy. Eventually after staring at Fred's body Ron dropped to his knees and hugged Fred. He composed himself and sat talking to Fred as he held his hand, for what felt like hours.
Ron let go of Fred's hand, placed it on the ground and stood up. His mum came over to him and hugged him. I couldn't see either of their faces but I could see their shoulders shaking. Mr Weasley whispered something in his ears and looked at him with a comforting smile on his face and patted his shoulder.
He looked up and around the room looking for something. His eyes fell on me. He looked straight at me for a few seconds which felt like minutes. He looked back at his family mumbled something and headed straight for me.

Ron
It was time to let go of Fred. I realised I'd been sat there for too long. Everyone else who knew him probably would also like to say their personal good-byes. I let his hand slowly fall to the floor and stood up. I kept my eyes on his body, wishing he would just wake and say "got you guys" and laugh at his prank. Fred's body didn't move it just stayed still and unmoving.
Mum came up to me and hugged me. Myself and the whole family, were in the same condition. No-one could believe that Fred had gone. We were all trying to understand that we would no longer hear Fred's laugh, see his smile or be the victim of his amusing and sometimes tedious pranks.
"Ron, its ok, were going to be ok" Mum whispered.
Dad placed a warm hand on my shoulder and added "I know it hurts but Fred always had a smile on his face it's what we should do. Look around everyone's hurting. Everyone's going to need each other's support. Right now I think Hermione needs yours.
"But..." Hermione? Where was she? Honestly I hadn't seen her since Harry disposed of the Elder wand.
"You need to say good-bye now. It's likely you won't get another chance and they need to take the bodies so saying it now would be best. Also when your mother sees all you lot upset it kills her inside. I don't think she's fully understood exactly what happened. Remember back at Grimauld place, the Bogart showing your mother all of you kids dead. Remember how she felt?" I nodded slowly wishing I didn't remember. "Think about how she's feeling now, son. We need to be strong for her and for each other.
"But, dad..."
"No buts Ron. Fred's gone. You can't hold onto his body forever. But no matter what he'll always be with you. You know that. If you need me I'm here, but your mother needs me right now and Hermione needs you." I nodded and looked around for Hermione. Eventually I found her stood leaning against the great Hall doors her arms folded as if she was stood in the freezing cold, with a frightened expression on her face.
"I know dad. I Know I won't see Fred again, but I can't say bye. If you need me, call me." I asserted.
I made my way straight towards her.

Charlie
A Family member dying has actually crossed my mind before. But never in a million years would I have thought this would happen this way. Fred was too young to die. It couldn't be happening, he couldn't be dead. Only he was. I wished I hadn't stayed away from home for as long as I had done. I should have spent more time with my family. Now I've seen just how quickly a life can be taken, I need to try and come home a lot more often, so I can spend some quality time with my loved ones. Except Fred. It was too late to spend time with him. Now I had to focus on the family I had left, especially George. I need to be here for him. Now.