The Weekly Drabble - Epitaphs and Eulogies - Results in!

[Magical Maeve]

(With thanks to the lovely joanna for suggesting this idea)

This is a slightly unusual drabble assignment.

Everyone deserves an epitaph or eulogy of some description, be it bad or good.

Your challenge this week is to write an epitaph or a eulogy for one of the Harry Potter characters. They do not have to be dead in canon at the moment; this could be a final battle death, an old age death, broken heart death, illness... anything.

I know this sounds quite morbid, but it's a good way to get to the heart of a character when this has to encapsulate what the person writing really feels about them. This doesn't have to be a sad drabble; it could be a wonderful celebration of a person's life.

The character must be canon and must have had a speaking part in the books, even if it is only a few words.


And the rules...

Drabbles must be between 100 and 499 words.

All MNFF's normal standards apply, including grammar, spelling and formatting. Points may be deducted for badly presented drabbles.

You can earn 5 points for your house for entering no matter how many drabbles you post. The winner will be awarded an additional 20 house points, second place 15 and third 10.

If you enter more than one drabble, it must be edited into one post. You must not post more than once in this thread.

Challenge closes July 28th..


Use this form...

Author Name:
House: [you must enter this or you will not gain points]
Title:
Word Count:
Warnings:


If you have any questions, please ask them in the "The
Question Corner" thread, NOT this one. This is for the
drabbles only.

[emily_the_poet]

Cheery topic, Jan!

Author Name: Emily_the_poet
House: Ravenclaw
Title: It's Your Turn to Shine
Word Count: 359
Warnings: Character Death

I really hope this is okay:

"Luna; she was a wonderful person, a loving friend." Eighteen-year-old Ginny said with conviction to the crowd that had assembled at her best friend's memorial. "She was with no doubt the dottiest person I ever had the chance of meeting. She would be crazy, yet lucid at the same time. I remember, she was always telling me about something that probably doesn't exist, or something that her daddy had written in his newspaper. I remember I always pretended to listen while I was really ignoring everything she said. I regret that now. I never appreciated her the way she should have been appreciated. I always woke up the next morning; sure she would be down in the great hall waiting for me. It's hard to believe she's gone. That's the thing about wars; you never know who will live and who will die. So make sure you’re not the one in my position next time. Make sure your not the one standing up at the podium saying you regretted not giving another person everything they deserved. Enough about me and you," She said, biting back tears, "Luna is the one in the spot light today." The audience watched her walk over to the picture of Luna, and stroke it softly, but no one heard her whisper, "It's your turn to shine."

"Luna laughed. She loved. She never said anything she regretted, but everything she said was so blunt that you wanted to sweep her into a hug, or shake her, just because it hurt you to see her so indifferent to others influence. How could someone who lost their mother at nine be so forgiving? She bore the taunts of her peers with a smile on her face. She didn't get angry, or even, when she was harassed. She just took it in stride. She was always there to back up a friend; she rescued me from Filch on several occasions." Here she paused and brushed a tear from her eye.

"You don't find many Luna's in this world, so if you find one, embrace him or her. Don't toss them aside like we did with ours. I only wish she could hear the great things we said about her today, we didn't compliment her enough when she was alive."

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Author Name: Schmerg_The_Impaler
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Hero’s Tribute
Word Count: 249
Warnings: Character Death (Dur), Mild to moderate cheesiness.

Everyone at the funeral was battling valiantly with their tear ducts, usually with their tear ducts as the victors. It seemed impossible to keep a dry eye as they paid their respects to the fallen hero whose life had come to an end too soon.
A respectful hush fell over the room as an aged wizard who took the podium and delivered a heartfelt speech-- even his face was stained with the footprints of the tears that had run down his face. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a great man,” he began plaintively. “A man who is world-renowned for his great deeds. Who knows how many more lives would have been lost without him? And his untimely death was in synchronicity with his greatest achievement of all time-- some said it couldn’t be done, but he did it. He defeated the evilest wizard of all time, the Dark Lord… Voldemort.” Almost everyone gasped as he spoke the name of the now-gone tyrant. Just hearing his name reminded them of the dark days when Voldemort had wreaked havoc on the wizarding world.
“And although he is now gone, he will always live on,” said the wizard. “In our hearts, our memories, and in the series of best-selling books in which he is the protagonist!”

Gilderoy Lockhart smiled and set down his pen. His series of fictionalized autobiographies had to end with the ultimate fictionalized ending-- a truly smashing funeral. And he had surely succeeded in writing that.

[hogwartsduchess]

Author Name: hogwartsduchess
House: GRYFFINDOR!!!
Title: A Husband’s Words
Word Count: 337
Warnings: none

“Friends, we are gathered here today to honour the memory of Ginevra Weasley. Those who knew her best praise her as a brave young woman, full of spirit, life, and an unquenchable fire. To me, she was kind, loving, and the most beautiful girl in the world. In the wake of the war with Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, I would like all of you to reflect on what life meant to Ginny and the others we lost in the course of the past years. This war has touched you all in some way, and for those of us gathered here today, it has taken the light out of our lives. But there is always hope. While friends and family hold memories in their hearts, those we love are never truly gone. Ginny’s life may have ended, but the essence of her will never fade. Ginny was a courageous, powerful and talented witch, someone all those here admired and respected. She exemplified the spirit of Gryffindor, the DA, and the Order of the Phoenix. She was daring, fearless and self-sacrificing. I know that better than any one else.” Harry paused to wipe his eyes.

“Ginny stepped in front of a Killing Curse meant for me, insuring my protection. She gave her life to save our world. What better way to show our appreciation and respect by being here for her today, as she makes her passage beyond the veil to join the loved ones who have gone before her? I know that we all would give whatever we could to bring her back, but I would not dishonour her memory in such a way, and nor should you. Ginny, brave and brilliant as she was, would not have wanted us to weep and wail. She would have had you eat, drink, and wish her spirit a good journey to the next world. I would like all of you present to raise your glasses and toast the true hero of this war: Ginevra Weasley Potter, my wife.”

[lily_16_evans]

Author Name: lily_16_evans
House: Slytherin
Title: Grawp's Lament
Word Count: 307
Warnings: none


The colossal man marched through the parted crowd and stepped up to the podium, directly behind the large coffin. On any other day there would have been gasps due to his size, but not today, not on the day of his brother’s funeral.

“I Grawp,” sobbed the speaker, “Hagger teach Grawp ter speak.” Grawp showed a small smile beneath the tears, remembering all that his brother had done for him.

“Grawp not know Hagger when he were little; He grew up big-bone wizard, Grawp grew up small-bone giant. He not such good big-bone wizard, wizards not want him, tell him to leave. But, Mr. Dumbledore know best, tells him to stay - he work and live here.” Grawp waved his hand at the castle behind the audience of mourners, who kept their eyes fixed on Grawp.

“Grawp born on mountain, I not such good small-bone giant, giants not want Grawp, they not tell Grawp, they just show Grawp.” Grawp gave a small wince in recognition of years of being beaten by larger and stronger giants. “Two ago years, Hagger come find Grawp hiding from bigger giants. At first me not like Hagger so much, but he smaller so Grawp know he can’t hurt Grawp. He take Grawp to this forest, and tie Grawp down!” Grawp motioned behind him to the Forbidden Forest, as the crowd let out small laughs, having taken Grawp’s last comment as a joke.

“Hagger teach Grawp many things and he make sure Grawp is safe. He meet Grawp with Harry Potter and Ms. Hermy. He be great man, saved Grawp from bad war.” Grawp had to give himself a moment to recollect, as the tears were flowing down his cheeks in streams. But, in the end he couldn’t continue as he had, due to the heavy sobs escaping from his mouth.

“Where Hagger?”

[coppercurls]

Author Name: coppercurls
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Speaker for the Dead
Word Count: 497
Warnings: character death, mild language

As spoken by Harry:
"You all know why we are gathered here today. I’m not going to pretend that the past never happened. I make no excuses.

Like all other boys, he was born and for a little while he lived. He had his faults and his failures. Everyone knew he was cruel, selfish, and cold. The words that lashed from his tongue were venomous. He never hesitated to use a jinx or a hex, picking on the small and the weak.

His father shaped him and molded him; brought him up to despise weakness in any form, to strive for perfection. In others, would we see this goal as perverse? To better ourselves? But no, you say. He warped those ideas with selfishness; they were wrong they didn’t agree with ours. No one took the time to understand, to explain. What was the use? He was born bad.

We called him Ferret behind his back, and sometimes to his face. We never let him forget his shame. After all, he was an animal, a twisted, evil creature who should be shunned or he would bite. We forgot that any animal backed into a corner will fight.

No one was close to him. Who could he speak to? The only ones who didn’t despise him were taught to need no one, the same as he. And so instead of friends he took followers. To late did he discover what being a leader means. He was surrounded, yet more isolated than before.

He lost his father to prison, his idol desecrated before his eyes. No one bore him sympathy. Who’d waste compassion on scum like that? All the while we despised him, and told him he was worthless. So he became what we made him- a servant of Voldemort.

He was given the impossible task of killing Dumbledore. His efforts were clumsy, a cursed necklace, a poisoned drink. Innocent people were hurt. People he shouldn’t give a damn about. And he cried. Even his grief held no sanctity, provoking a certain scar-faced boy who wouldn’t drop his grudge.

His use of the vanishing wardrobe was clever, a trait often overlooked. It was easy to forget his intelligence, he was eclipsed by a muggleborn at every turn, a girl he had been taught was beneath the dust on his feet. It must have chafed him to be second best.

He didn’t kill Dumbledore. He chose not to be what we had tried to make him, chose not to kill. There was never murder in his soul. He died by Voldemort’s own hand. Died for trying to make his life his own.

I don’t give you the guilt of his death, but the responsibility of our actions. I do not ask that you honor him, for some of you that would be asking too much. I only ask that you try to understand, that you do not judge him too hastily; for, at the end, all Draco Malfoy wanted was to be was himself."

[Cruciatus Love]

Author Name: Cruciatus Love
House: Slytherin
Title: One Last Speech
Word Count: 383
Warnings: character death

“Avada Kedavra!”

The whole world seemed to stop after he had said those words. Never before had he killed a soul. But there she was, lying in front of him. Her hair lay mangled behind her, and her eyes stuck open like she was watching something. But Bellatrix was most definitely dead.

Remus fell to the ground on his knees, and looked at the now lifeless woman in front of him. He knew he owed her nothing, but nonetheless felt awful for removing her life from the earth. It would be only right.

“Bellatrix lived a long life of sadness and woe. Never was she able to see what happiness could bring her, and never did she quite understand was life was all about. But she lived it nonetheless standing up for what she thought was right. She did everything in her power to show the world her beliefs, and hoped that they would accept them.”

Sitting alone in the soft grass, Remus continued his speech dedicated to the poor woman while trying to see the best in her. Because that’s what he always did-- saw the greatness in people.

“I’m sure, had she lived in a happier home, she could have grown up an amazing woman. She was very powerful as it was, and although she used these powers for evil, I believe she didn’t know what she was doing. She didn’t know what she could have been, because she never bothered to look. But she could have been helpful. She could have been great.

“But I know that she is proud of how she lived. She tried to show the world how things were in her mind, and just had a hard time showing it. I know that she will be happy where she is now. And maybe she’ll become a new person. Maybe she’ll find joy.

“I know she will.”

With this, Remus lifted his muddy knees from off the ground and stood up on his feet again. He always had found the best in people, and this was just yet another piece of evidence proving such. He had a soft spot in his heart for all humans-- how they thought, felt, acted, spoke.

The man bowed his head one last time, and walked away from the infamous woman forever.

[EyeEetStrudel]

Author Name: EyeEetStrudel
House: Gryffindor
Title: Mummy Saved The World
Word Count: 331
Warnings: None, unless you count a eulogy as "Character Death"

A peaky looking man approached the podium amid the stares of a dozen crying eyes. He didn’t often speak in public, and he himself was surprised by his decision to speak at her funeral. But, after all, she was one of the few who stayed with him, comforted him in his time of need.

“Family and friends, you all know why today we are here. A good friend, a loving mother and wife, and a true hero has recently passed away. She inspired us all with her final stand, and helped to save an entire community.” The man stopped to dry his eyes.

“You all know what she did. She sacrificed her own young life to save that of her child. She didn’t give up, she didn’t lose hope. She preformed the most spectacular act of heroism I have ever seen or heard of. Without this woman, it is almost certain that wizards and witches would still be dying at the hands of an evil man.

"She set the sky on fire with a new dawn. She was, and still is, a ray of hope and empowerment that shines in the bleakness of the aftermath of a terrible war. She is Lily Evans-Potter; she is my friend and our savior. Her love let her little boy live, and destroyed the one wizard most feared above all else. Her legacy will carry on throughout generations of young witches and wizards, sitting awestruck on the floor as Grandpa tells his story of how one amazing woman and mother helped to save the world. Her soul will, hopefully, forever rest in peace with the knowledge that her child is alive and her friends and family love her.”

Remus Lupin turned to the altar behind him, on which was a picture of his best mate’s wife, an unlit white pillar candle, and a single lily. Quietly sobbing, he lit the candle and took his seat back in the small gathering. Then it hit him that he never said goodbye.

[mecredi]

Author Name: Mecredi
House: Slytherin
Title: The Dark Lord or Tom Riddle?
Word Count: 418
Warnings: Character Death


“I know after the last eighteen years of fear, after all that has happened to us, none of you can see any reason to mourn the loss of this man,” Harry pronounced to the solemnly robed crowd nervously. “Some of you are shuddering even now, when I call this-this monster- a man. And in the end, he wasn’t. He had split his soul into more parts than any other being. He murdered innocents to become powerful-so powerful that he had become immortal.”

We all know what became of Lord Voldemort. He affected each and every one of our lives. He instilled fear, terror, grief, and loss in all. But, what I want to talk about today, one month after his downfall and death, is the part of him that very, very few of us know. Lord Voldemort was once a man. He was born Tom Marvolo Riddle, the son of Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle Sr.

Before his death, Dumbledore explained to me many things and showed me memories of Tom Riddle’s early life. What I am here to do is to relate this to you, to show you how this transformation from boy to murderer could have occurred, and through this to ease your grief of your loved and loss. Many of your relatives, friends, and loves fought to end this bloodshed, and gave their lives to the most worthy cause. I am not here to belittle their efforts or to condemn their actions; I simply want to explain why this happened so that we may learn from it and prevent it from ever happening again.” Harry paused in his speech and looked out across the crowd. Some people were already crying, the last battle still fresh in their minds; others looked shocked that the boy-who-lived would possibly deliver this eulogy. Part of Harry felt the same way, but another part felt like this was the best possible tribute to Professor Dumbledore. Showing the mourning how to understand and be happy again, and, yes, how to love again was exactly what Harry thought Dumbledore would have done. Harry smiled thinking of Dumbledore and all his quirks: the sparkle in his eye, the start of term speech in Harry’s first year, and the love of lemon drops.

He smiled and continued in Tom Marvolo Riddles’s Eulogy. Relating the history and all the events that he had witnessed in Dumbledore's office when he was just sixteen almost ripped his heart out with sorrow, but he knew that it was worth it.

[kumydabookworm]

Name: kumydabookworm
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Thief
Word Count: 488
Warnings: Implied Character Deaths

Young and old members were gone, and the Order was decimated. Molly was one of the few left who knew the older members; most of the Order members around now were quick admissions to fill the ranks.

She never thought she would do this, but Mundungus deserved this final respect. He had fought and died honorably just like Arthur, Fred, and Bill. There was no one else but her to give him his final farewell. She took a deep breath.

“We all know that Mundungus Fletcher wasn’t an honorable man. In fact, he tried to attack my late husband when he was conducting a raid for Muggle artifacts. So you may ask, why am I speaking today?”

Molly swallowed, knowing she had to force these words out, knowing that they were true. “I am speaking today because despite his questionable morality, Mundungus fought for us and our children, and died for them, too.”

Several people sniffled. “I will be the first to admit I did not like Mundungus. He sold stolen goods to my sons, and he smoked these terrible cigars.” Molly heard a laugh, and even smiled herself. “However, he had a good side. He was always loyal to Dumbledore – he never wavered. He rescued my last remaining son, Ron, from some purple robes that were strangling him at 12 Grimmauld Place two years ago.”

Ron blushed in the front row. “Most people will look at Mundungus and see a thief. They will see a man imprisoned. They will not see what he stole – the final Horcrux that Harry Potter destroyed. They will not see why he was imprisoned – an Imperius curse made him act like an Inferi.”

Molly looked at the audience. “I once saw him this way, too. I never saw his loyalty or his wit – I saw a scruffy, belligerent no-good. I will never claim that Mundungus wasn’t scruffy, or belligerent, or even a no-good. He did some very criminal things in his life.”

Molly nodded firmly. “But we cannot lose sight of what he did do. He never wanted to die; in fact he tried to get out of it. When the dementors cornered him on the battlefield, he ran. But that’s not important. The fact that he came back, that he conquered his fear, that he died because of it – that makes him a hero.”

Molly blinked away unexpected tears. “I couldn’t see why Dumbledore trusted Mundungus Fletcher. Now, I think Mundungus, out of all of us, was the one to trust. Though he was not the best man, he was, in the end, strong enough to get the job done.”

Molly swallowed back the quivers in her throat. She watched his body slip into the ground next to the graves of the Order members – of six of her children and countless others. He had been an unaccountable fool, but he done what she could not. He had protected those he loved.

[Hermione Weasley xx]

Name: Hermione Weasley xx
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Finally Understood
Word Count: 450
Warnings: Character Deaths

“Lily and James Potter were the best friends anyone could ask for,” Remus told the crowd gathered beneath him; already, the male’s eyes were begin to flood with tears and his voice was shaking slightly. “James was one of my best friends throughout school; he was part of our little group that he’d deemed ‘Marauders’. At that point, he was stubborn and pig-headed, but we all listened to him because there was a certain charisma about him that’s impossible to describe; it can only truly be understood if you net him. Even so, he was a loyal friend, one who would stand by your side and fight to the death for you. This part of him only grew after he changed for the girl he’d loved for ages, Lily Evans. She was the cause of his sudden metamorphosis; he became more serious, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a sparkle in his eye at all times. He was one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for—I still wonder how I was so lucky to have a friend like him.” He paused, tears sliding down the young man’s cheeks, his voice shaking slightly. But he continued, plunging onward with very little hesitation because they both deserved this and ever so much more.

“Lily Potter—formerly Evans—always sought out the best in everyone. She helped me through my struggles and had a fiery spirit that blazed beyond any I’ve ever known. She was more lively than I’d imagined anyone could be and wasn’t afraid to speak out for what she wanted. She was determined. And she would be by your side in an instant if anything ever happened to you, just as her husband would; she was loyal and would risk her life for you, without any reluctance or hesitation. She was braver than I’ll ever be. She was also one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for; and she could see right through any person. Which is why it took several years of James following her around before she agreed to date him.”

At this point in the audience, people were smiling through the tears, some even chuckling a bit. As Remus’s eyes roamed the crowd, he caught sight of one of his best friends, Sirius Black, whom he’d never seen cry before, but now looked so grief-ridden it seemed he might never recover. And there was Frank Longbottom, tears sliding down his cheeks. And beside him, his wife, Alice Longbottom, crying heavily into her husband’s shoulder. Suddenly, Remus realized something: they all understood. And for the first time since the death of these two people he cared deeply about, Remus didn’t feel so alone.

And my second drabble. :3
Title: Together At Last
Word Count: 498
Warnings: Character Deaths

“They were both amazing people; they were the two people I cared about most in the world. I always thought I’d be the one to die, but in the end, it was my two best friends. They didn’t deserve that fate—they stuck with me to the end, without hesitation, even though they were just as terrified as I was. They sought comfort in one another, and finally declared that they were in love. It did take them seven years, but they did it. I’d once been worried about how all of that would work out; would they be too gushy or perhaps break up and hate one another? But with the war quickly approaching, it didn’t matter. I was just happy to see my two friends together at last.

They kept me living through this whole ordeal. They were my inspiration and the people that kept me going. Never once did they question me; they supported me through thick and thin, even if I was devastatingly wrong. And they both stood in front of me and risked their lives—and, in the end, lost them. They didn’t deserve it, but I’m sure they would be happy—they died together. A great man once told me ‘Death is but the next great adventure,’ and I trust him implicitly. In that case, I do hope Ron and Hermione are enjoying their adventures. As long as they are together, I can be happy for them. I miss them every day of my life; I think about them every day of my life. They helped guide me to what I am today. And I can be thankful that I had the best friends the world could ever ask for and nothing could ever tear those wonderful memories away from me. Not even the Dementors could take that from me; I could conjure the world’s strongest Patronus simply by thinking of the two people I care of most. They were there by my side when I approached the most powerful dark wizard that ever lived—and I feel they are with me now. Ron and Hermione, if you are listening—I will never forget you.”

Tears were sliding down the green-eyed boy’s cheeks. The lightning bolt scar on his forehead made him stand out of a crowd at any given time, but at this particular moment, it didn’t matter to him. All that mattered in that moment were his friends; he cherished and cared from them even in death, and would for all of eternity. But they had gone together, clinging tight to one another; it had been priceless.

“I love you both more than anyone I’ve ever known,” he murmured softly, not sure whether he was still speaking to the group of people or to himself. And as he saw their tombstones, he touched each, kneeling in front of them, his head bowed slightly as if in silent prayer. “You both deserve the world—but even more, you deserve each other.”

[Madame Marauder]

Name: Madame Marauder
House: Gryffindor
Title: Tribute to the Traitor
Word Count: 255
Warnings: Character Death

Here lies Peter Pettigrew, dead and gone
Some of his actions have been wrong

At one time he was my friend
I wish I could say it was ‘til the end

Unfortunately, he was not
But those childhood days won’t be forgot

We were boys together; Padfoot, Prongs, Moony and Wormtail
The Marauders four, a friendship that could never fail

But lo and behold, fail it did
None of us could have foreseen for we were just kids

Yet there came that fateful day
James and Lily, he did betray

Framed another: Sirius Black
Then Peter fled, and didn’t look back

Peter hid and took on a new name
Scabbers the rat…. He was barely the same

Later, Peter nearly missed
A soul-sucking Dementor’s kiss

Assisted Voldemort in his revival
Now for Peter, life’s goal was survival

But survival is for the strongest
Which Peter wasn’t; I can attest

But bravery…. That was his thing
When Peter took that curse of green

Meant for the son of those he’d betrayed
Yes, shockingly, Peter saved the day

And though he may have perished
His one act of bravery will forever be cherished


***

Remus Lupin looked at the poem he’d written. Although Remus could not bring himself to speak at Peter’s funeral, his tribute would be seen by all who gazed upon the tomb. This was to be Peter Pettigrew’s epitaph, engraved in the stone.
Remus only wished that James and Lily had seen Peter’s ultimate sacrifice for their son, Harry. Then, might Peter’s treachery be forgiven.

[garyf]

I'm liking the fiendishly difficult challenge this week Jan (and Anna), and struggling to keep the elegy to less than 500 words.

I shall return to edit this here post once I've managed to figure it out. Damn alternating dactylic hexameter and dactylic pentameter lines!

[the nutty imp]

Author Name: the nutty imp
House: Gryffindor
Title: Tribute to Binns
Word Count: 127
Warnings: Not so serious

Fred and George Weasley were known troublemakers, yet trouble was not utmost in their minds at the moment. The wacky two-some wished to do Hogwarts a service today. The irreverent twosome wished to pay their respect to one of Hogwart's icons. Into the night they crept, hoping to avoid detection from the accursed Mrs. Norris.

They finally reached their destination. This was the place where he died and this was the place where he continued to on with his after life. The boys nodded solemnly to one another; with the use of the 'Permanent Sticking Charm' they placed an epitaph:

Here rests the ashes of
Professor Binns,
A burning fire took him in.
A restful sleep he chose not,
yet he puts to sleep this whole lot.

[avenger_of_dumbldore]

Author Name: Avenger_of_dumbldore
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Speech at the White Tomb
Word Count: 300
Warnings: none

"Albus Dumbledore,” began Minerva McGonagall, “was a wonderful man. He was smarter than the smartest of us, braver than the bravest. There was not a spell in the world that he could not do." Many people in the audience nodded.

"But Albus Dumbledore's crowning glory was his students. He was a teacher to the very end. Throughout his life, he chose to teach that knowledge and skill that he himself had mastered so well."

Minerva took a deep breath. "In death, he still teaches us. He teaches us the importance of life, of love, of courage. He teaches us that there is nothing that is to difficult to achieve, or too hard to master. He teaches us that there are some thing worth fighting for, some things worth dying for, and most importantly, there are some things worth living for.

"Let us learn from Albus Dumbledore. Let us remember what he died for, and learn not to let the same thing happen to others. Let us take this opportunity to realize that people will come, and people will go, just like Dumbledore. But truth, love, courage and honor will remain, as long as there are people like Albus to fight for them. Learn from his death, and he will be satisfied wherever he is.

"Remember, Albus Dumbldore did not die for nothing. He died so that each and every one of you could live.”

McGonagall stopped, letting what she had just said echo through the yard. Then, she looked up, as if thinking about something. Tears gathered in McGonagall’s eyes as she pulled a single rose from her robe pocket and laid it on the white tomb before her.

She turned to the audience and said, “In the words of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore - Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!”

[lady-rhian]

Author Name: lady_rhian
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Every Man Dies
Word Count: 499
Warnings: Character Death, though with this challenge that seems a bit superfluous, doesn't it?

“What are you doing?”

Hermione looked up sharply. Ron was staring at her, arching a brow. She sighed.

“Nothing important,” she muttered, sliding the sheet of paper into a textbook.

Ron made to grab the book, but she quickly picked it up and set it in her lap.

“Why are you so intent on seeing what I was writing? It doesn’t concern you… well, not really.”

Ron leaned back in his chair. “You just looked concerned, that’s all. Goodness’ sake, Hermione, we actually have a few days here. With the Order, with family… we’re supposed to be resting and regrouping, not stressing ourselves out with schoolwork.”

Hermione sighed.

“I suppose you’re right,” she said quietly. “I’ll go see if your mother needs help with dinner.”

Ron watched her walk out of the room before walking over to her desk. He eyed the book suspiciously. “Let’s see what we have here,” he mumbled, picking it up and pulling the sheet of paper out.

The Living Will of Hermione Jane Granger.

He dropped the book to the floor, wincing as the textbook landed on his foot.

He groped for the chair and sat, elbows on his knees as he read the paper in front of him.

Crookshanks is to be taken care of by Minerva McGonagall. If she is not living at the time this will is read…

“Bloody Christ,” Ron muttered. They were taking a few well-deserved days of rest and Hermione was preparing for her death.

It was February, and there were only two Horcruxes to go… that was good, wasn’t it? Nagini was one, so that wouldn’t be too hard…

He shuddered before reading the last paragraph.

There is a collection of letters between pages 177 and 178 in my copy of Pride & Prejudice on my bookshelf at home. Those are for my parents. It is absolutely imperative that those letters are retrieved for them.

My last request is to be buried here at Hogwarts with the War heroes if possible. My parents can choose my epitaph, but I would like this to be written beneath it:

You are what your deep driving desire is;
As your deep driving desire is, so is your will;
As your will is so is your deed;
As your deed is so is your destiny.

My father likes the quote ‘every man dies, not every man truly lives’ from one his favorite films. Please don’t let him put it on my tombstone. He’s bound to misquote it.

Ron felt as though his heart had dropped to his stomach. He gently placed the will back in the textbook before heading down to dinner.

**

Hermione was soaked to the bone. With rain or tears...

“Hermione?” Harry’s gentle voice asked.

She nodded, wiping her eyes. “I’ll be just a minute.”

She dropped on her knees next to the tombstone.

Ronald Weasley
1980 - 1998

Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.

Mel Gibson says that line in the incomparable film Braveheart. The quote that Hermione wanted on her tombstone is a verse from the Upanishads.

[POTCgirl1337]

Author Name: POTCgirl1337
House: Slytherin
Title: To Harry Potter- the boy who lived!
Word Count: 462
Warnings: Character Death

If you were to pass by the funeral, taking place on October 31 of 1999, you’re body would have stopped its walking and you jaw would have dropped. The sight was astounding. Wizards and witches of all different ethics and backgrounds, the rich, the poor and the average and the old and the young were gathered at the funeral to pay their respects to The Chosen One.

A teenage witch, fresh out of school, with long vibrant red and a very freckly face, now stood at a podium dressed from head to foot in the finest of black robes. Her eyes could be seen as red from the tears streaming down her face as she lifted her head to speak.
“Harry is…” her mournful face faltered, “was… a great friend and a true leader. He would do absolutely anything to help those around him. When he was in his fifth year at Hogwarts, we were not being allowed to learn proper defense against the dark arts. So regardless of the rules and the laws, a club was formed called Dumbledor’s Army, or the DA. He taught us how to defend ourselves if we were ever to come face-to-face with a Death Eater or another evil being.” More tears began to well up in her brown eyes. “He…” She could take it no longer; bursting into tears she ran from the stage and sobbed it all out on one of her brother’s shoulders. Her place was taken by another witch with red hair.

“Harry Potter… was an unusual character,” Mrs. Weasley started, “He could love with all his heart, but then muster up the hate to kill Lord Voldemort. He was loyal and brave, the persona of a true Gryffindor….” the elderly witch forced the sob threatening to break loose back into her throat. “He started off a timid little boy shyly asking how to get onto platform 9 ¾, and turned into a bold young man with the courage to stand up to the most feared wizard of all times.

“Do not take his death in vain, but his sacrifice in glory. He gave his life to protect us all from pure evil and utter chaos. Remember all of the good times that you shared with him, and know that he is know with his biological family, instead of us, his adoptive familly. Somewhere know, him and James are cracking up at a favorite pass time of the marauders told by his loving godfather, Sirius Black, while Lily looks on with a slight scowl at the reflection of their rule breaking legend.

“And now, let us speak again the words that were spoken 18 years ago to the day, and raise out glasses once again, ‘To Harry Potter- the boy who lived!”

[StellaSirius]

Author Name: StellaSirius
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Goodbye
Word Count: 354
Warnings: Character Death

A woman with short brown hair slowly walked to the front of the clearing, a long black box behind her. “This man fought for everything that he could possibly fight for. He had one of the hardest lives. First, he was relentlessly teased for being a bookworm. He grew to become one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers Hogwarts ever had.” She wiped her nose, and cleared her throat.

“He was in the background a lot of the time, his friends always above him. Sirius Black and James Potter, the girls swooned when they walked near. Now they’re dead.” Her voice was firm, though her eyes were red at the rims.

“James Potter and Lily Evans eventually got married. He couldn’t be there. Then they both died, because one of his last friends betrayed them. And now, when he has dedicated himself to good, and was fighting against Voldemort? He finds love. Something he has guarded against all his life. Finally, through all the things that have happened to him, he was happy. ”

There were sniffles all around, from people who knew what was coming, and from those who didn’t.

“Nymphadora Tonks. They loved each other so much, Remus and Tonks. They got married, and we had to start calling her Dora, because they were both Lupins. And then she died. He was stricken with grief, didn’t leave from one spot. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t sleep.

“Then he heard that we had found all of the Horcruxes, and we knew where Voldemort was. There was no escaping now, and he followed us.” By now, the young lady was choking down tears. “And he died. He died! And now we know exactly what we lost. He was amazing. In fact, he is amazing, wherever he is. He was the one who taught me the most, all through his life.”

Hermione took a deep breath. “If you don’t believe in magic, you can’t believe in reality. And Remus Lupin knew both. He was a friend, a teacher, a husband, and a miracle-worker. And we are gathered here today, to say goodbye.”

[mugglemathdork]

Author Name: mugglemathdork
House: Ravenclaw
Title: A Decent Farewell
Word Count: 492
Warnings: None

It was a cold, dark winter day in England. The sun had been blocked by clouds, and the cold was bone chilling. However, that did not stop one young woman from visiting the cemetery on this particular day. She carried with her a half dead bouquet of flowers, as she walked solemnly about the sea of dead. After a couple of minutes of wandering, she found what she was looking: the grave marker of Draco Malfoy.

Slowly she put the flowers down, recited a short prayer, and began talking.

”You were never a good person. You alone made my life miserable for many years. In fact, I hated you. I hated that you alone were able to make me feel like I did not belong in this wonderful world. I thought of you as being below scum after sixth year,” she paused for a moment of reflection.

“You’re probably wondering why I’m here in the first place…at your grave, bringing you flowers. I don’t know why. But I guess it was to say that I forgive you for all your transgressions. I may be ten years too late, but I have lived with regret for not forgiving you that night you asked for it. Later, I found out that it was you who saved me on the battle field that night. I know it wasn’t because you loved me. No. We could never really stand each other for more than five minutes. But I do know it was because deep down you had some decency and good left in you.”

“Thanks to you, I survived. I married Ron. We have four children. Even though Ron protested loudly, our last born was named in your honor. Can you imagine a Weasley named Draco?!” she laughed.

“I truly am sorry you never did get to do all those things you said you wanted to do after the war.
I wonder what you’d be like today. Do you think you and I would be friends? My guess is no.”

“You know, when you died no one attended your funeral service. And I remembered those words you mocked me with, ‘Granger, do you honestly think anyone will care if I die tomorrow? Do you honestly think that I, Draco Malfoy, will be missed by anyone?’”

“I cared. It mattered to me. Don’t get me wrong. I never cared for you when you were alive. But you did save me. And I felt that even you deserved a decent farewell,” she took in a deep breath and took out a piece of parchment.

“Dearly beloved, Draco Malfoy was not a good man, he wasn’t even kind. He wasn’t misunderstood, as many believed, that was just his nature. However, he made his amends, albeit, a tad late. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he decided channel his inner Gryffindor. But for that I am forever thankful. Someone did care and miss you in the end. I did.”

[HP_Ber]

Author Name: HP_Ber
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Goodbye, My Friend.
Word Count: 291
Warnings: Character Death

“Friends, colleagues, guests. I am here on behalf of my friend and partner, Stan Shunpike,” the old man in the thick glasses spoke quietly to the small crowd, gathered at the graveside.

“No one really knew Stanley,” the old man continued. “He was a fine conductor for many years on my run on the Knight Bus. He took his job seriously, and took his leisure time even more seriously. Stan had ambitions. He wanted to be a great wizard. Alas, his magical skills held him back a bit, but that didn’t stop him from trying. When he was taken to Azkaban, and suspected of being a Death Eater, Stan didn’t let that get him down. When he was released with a full apology from the Ministry, Stan didn’t let that get in his way. I welcomed him back aboard our bus, and he continued to practice and keep our passengers entertained.

“Stan’s favourite story to tell other passengers was the night The Famous Harry Potter rode our bus. Harry had been, apparently, running away from home that night, and had called the Knight Bus. We took him into London, and the whole time, we thought he was a boy named Neville Longbottom. Stan could never figure out just why Harry was traveling under a different name, but he never asked and Harry never told.

“Stan may not have been the brightest of men, but he was a beacon of light on our bus. How he managed to get himself killed, I still haven’t figured out, but I do know, we’re going to miss him on our nightly runs.”

The old man stepped away and tossed a handful of dirt on the coffin, as it descended into the ground.

“Goodbye, my friend.”

[Aquilus Luna]

Author: Aquilus Luna
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Final Thank You
Word Count: 347
Warnings: Character Death

“For those of you who know me, especially those who went to school with me, you may be wondering why I, Draco Malfoy, am standing here, about to give the eulogy for Hermione Granger. Heck! I’m wondering that myself. I still don’t know why it’s me up here, and not one of her best friends.”

Draco looked around solemnly at the faces in the crowd waiting expectantly. He took a deep breath before continuing.

“I was taught, practically since birth, that muggleborns were filth, the scourge of the wizarding world. I came to Hogwarts thinking just that, expecting that every muggleborn I met would be incompetent, exactly for the reason that I was taught to believe that.

“Hermione Granger was different. She was top of the year, the favorite of all the teachers. And for that, I treated her like filth. But that didn’t stop the immense amount of respect I felt for her. She stood up for what she believed in and never backed down.

“My respect for her grew after we left Hogwarts. She was a major influence in the war against Voldemort. She discovered a potion to cure lycanthropy. She was there on the battlefield, the day of the Final Battle. But most importantly, she believed in me when I switched over to the good side. She may not have liked me, but she was there for me, and for that, I can never thank her enough.

“We were never friends, but now that she’s gone, I feel as though I’ve lost a big part of me. She was the part that stuck with me when nobody else would, the part that believed in me, even after all I’d done to her in the past.” By now, even Draco was beginning to choke up.

“Even after all she’d done for me, I never got the chance to properly thank her. I only hope that somewhere, she’s listening, and knows that this was the best thank you I could think to give her.

“So never forget Hermione Granger, because I know that I never will.”

[LadyAlesha]

Author: LadyAlesha
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Not a Day of Mourning
Word Count: 179
Warnings: Character Death, I suppose

„Today shouldn’t be a day of mourning, today should be a day of celebration!” Harry’s voice rang out loud and clear over the assembled crowd, drawing many scandalised looks. “Ron Weasley’s death is no great tragedy, but an act of true heroism. All this time I’ve been doing him injustice. I’ve been selfish and vain; thinking that it was my fault he died, imagining myself responsible, feeling guilty. When in truth no one is responsible for his death. Ron chose to die, and he did it because he loved me, me and everybody else present today. Ron knew what had to be done for us to win this war and he didn’t hesitate to do what he had to to make it happen. We wouldn’t be where we are today, if not for him. Most of us wouldn’t even be alive today. It takes great courage and love to do what Ron did, to sacrifice himself for others. I bow my head in the face of such selfless love. I bow to the only true hero of the war!”

[dory_the_fishie]

Author: dory_the_fishie
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Good Person
Word Count: 446
Warnings: character death, I guess

He approaches the podium with a slow walk (most might mistake it for mourning, but he knows it is more than that – it is anger and it is hatred and it is sorrow). He faces the small gathering of people with a look on his face that suggests he is doing his best not to let a tear fall, and perhaps he is, but he simply takes a deep breath and says what he needs to say before he can convince himself not to.

“I’m not here to talk about how my brother led a good life, or about how he was killed so young, or about how much I miss and will always remember him. I’m here to talk about my brother the way I knew him, and if it isn’t perfect, I’m sorry – but neither was he.”

He sees the vaguely confused looks on their faces, the quick glances to their neighbor, but then he sees his best friend standing at the back give him a nod, and he knows what is he is doing is right.

“My brother was younger than me, as you all know, but he was the son my parents had always wanted. He was a perfect Slytherin and a proud pureblood. He…I’m not going to pretend that my brother and I had a perfect relationship because we didn’t. We didn’t talk, we didn’t have the same friends, we quite frankly avoided each other. We didn’t act like brothers, and I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t consider him one.

“When I read that my brother had died – had been murdered – I wasn’t…I wasn’t sad at first. No, my first thought was that it served him right, the Death Eater.”

A slight and almost inaudible gasp reverberates through the crowd despite the fact that they all had known that his brother was a Death Eater. The newspaper article had not kept it a secret. He continues on, ignoring the judgmental eyes staring at him.

“But then I realized what had happened. My brother, my little brother, was dead. It didn’t matter the person he had been and what he had chosen to do with his life. All that mattered was that he wasn’t coming back and he would never have a chance to…to live a better life.

“And then, then I realized something else.” He took another deep breath, subconsciously running a hand through his black hair. “My brother did not lead a good life, but he was a good person. He was a good person, and he deserves more than I ever gave him.”

He turns and walks away, whispering to himself, “Regulus was a good person.”

[SiriuslyMental]

Author: SiriuslyMental
House:Gryffindor
Title: Through Shadow Comes the Light
Word Count:498
Warnings: The characters are already dead in canon, so I guess there aren't any warnings.

The crowds were long gone, the sun nearly set. A small patch of green grass glistened in the rain.

They say that there is a heaven, somewhere above, and the good may go there when at last they part with the Earth. They say it is a beautiful place that knows no pain, no suffering. Only bliss.

He had never been one to believe in such things.

The rain continued to fall, and he stood, his figure outlined by the flash of lightning in the sky above. Twelve years he waited to see this sight. Twelve years he suffered in darkness, comforted only by the fact that it was waiting for him, somewhere beyond the iron walls and gates of his prison. His friends were waiting.

He looked again at the stone, reading the inscriptions. Pretty words, but they told him nothing. This stone could never bring back the happy boy with untidy black hair and that ever-present smirk. The overcast sky held no remnants of the smiling child who used to fly amongst the clouds on his broomstick and up to heaven itself. The laughter and tears shed by two dear friends on a gloomy winter's eve would never be found in the rain.

So, he stood, a solitary figure amidst a galaxy of courageous men and lovely women, remembering. Little boys cried as their best friends held them and the rain was falling and he was trying so hard to remember, but it was pulling him back into the darkness.

The rain fell and, eventually, the sun came out. The birds chirped from the trees in their merry way; the world was oblivious to his pain.

What he was waiting for he would never know. Surely there should have been something? A great clap of thunder? A jackdaw screeching from the grave nearby?

This place held nothing but bodies and beautiful poetry.

Great sod above, rest light! Rest light!
Goodnight, my friends. My brother, good night.

Moony's words, no doubt.

And suddenly, it was too much for him. The sun and the rain and the bird singing in their nests. He fell forward, forehead pressed against those lovely words. That boy on his broomstick was not coming back down to perform some spectacular dive and save the day. That girl would not brighten up any more rooms with her smile. This place, this place held bodies and carefully carved inscriptions. There was no soul here, and at last he understood. He understood how the rain could fall with the sun still shining, how a man who lost everything could feel actual happiness. For one fleeting moment, he felt joy in his chest, flooding it.

The boy on his broomstick with the smile and the laughter was back again in his mind's eye. He would not let himself be forgotten.

People were drifting in, and he knew it was time to leave.

‘Looks like you flew a bit too high this time, mate.’

The rain continued to fall.

[BlackHairedWeasley]

Author Name: BlackHairedWeasley :: Jace
House: Slytherin
Title: The Vineyard Tomb
Word Count: 433
Warnings: None

The young man took the blunt of his finished cigarette and flicked it into the black lake. Today was going to be the hardest day he'd ever have to face. He ran a hand through his thick brown hair as he looked over the vast amount of headstones, all varying in size. Somehow to culminate this cemetary, there was a set of about eight or nine tombs near the edge of the water, a large white tomb at the end of them all. A vast number of chairs sat near these tombs, as did many who have come to pay their last respects.

He stepped across the wet grass slowly. He may have wanted this over with, but at the same time he never wanted to say goodbye to the one wizard who seemed to understand him. The body, wrapped in thick red fabric, was placed on the platform in front of the chairs. He stepped in front of the crowd, still feeling unprepared as a hush fell over them.

“I suppose we're here,” He began, “to say goodbye to a great teacher of ours. For the Gryffindors, he was your head of house. For the rest, the upbeat herbology teacher. For me he was so much more than a friend. He was like a father to me in more ways than one.” He let out a reluctant laugh, “Why else would a Slytherin be giving the eulogy?” He thought he heard a few titters amongst those in the crowd, and continued.

“He was always more than willing to listen to his students,” He said placing his hands behind his back, “And during class, always asked for input from them as well. He was always understanding when we had troubles, whether they be academic or personal, and was more than willing to take time out of his schedule for us.” He felt a burn behind his eyes and immediately looked up, as if to keep them from falling out. “He was more than just a teacher for all of us.”

He turned around and took a long look at what used to be Neville Longbottom, head of Gryffindor house and beloved herbology teacher, and watched as thick vines protruded from the inside of the fabric. The vines wrapped themselves very tightly around the platform until they finally covered the entire surface. Then, as if in slow-motion, the vines began to grey, and eventually turned to a bright white.

The seventh-year Slytherin placed his hand upon the stone of the newly-made tomb and said, “I'll miss you, my friend.”

[Lurid]

Author Name: Lurid.
House: RAVENCLAW!
Title: Fought Like Brother's
Word Count: 120.
Warnings: A Character Death is a Given.


“I’m here today to honour two hero’s. We’re here, together, to recognise their importance, their courage, their perseverance, and to honour their memories.”

A sniffle.

“They fought like heroes died like heroes, and they were my brother’s.”

“They protected me, defended me, and were loved by me.”

“They died, protecting me. They died, defending me. And they died, being loved. By me.”

A tear ran down a blotchy red cheek. A hand wiped it away, and continued their voice wobbling.

“They fought like brothers, the entire time. Not one had the back to the other. Side by side, they faced the same fate.”

“Side by side, they perished.”

“You’re here today, to honour Gideon and Fabian Prewett.”

“Lest we forget.”

[Periwinkle]

Author Name: Periwinkle
House: Proud Hufflepuff!!
Title: "Thank You"
Word Count: 384
Warnings: Character Death, I suppose.

It was quiet, still. A faint, almost non-existent breeze was the only moving thing in the graveyard, twisting through the huddled group of relatives. They all donned black. Some were crying, others stood there, staring at the ground.

Harry was surprised that he had even come. Why should he have, anyway? It's not like he had to. They wouldn't care, just as they hadn't before. But he did come. He was here, standing on the sullen earth, gazing at the casket before him. Red roses lay scattered, contrasting with the blackness underneath.

The priest began to speak, reading from a little prayer book. But Harry didn't hear him. A lone bird gave out a cry that echoed, making some flinch. The harshness of it cut through the motionless air. He couldn't help but think it was a sign. A sign of what her life was. What it had been.

He knew he couldn't leave it at that. She had done a lot for him, even though she had never loved him. He knew what he had to do. Waiting until the priest finished and scattered a fistful of dirt on the painted wood, Harry moved forward.

Pausing, he searched for the right words. "We are gathered today," he began, swallowing, "to watch as Petunia Dursley is lowered beneath the ground. We are here to witness her body disappearing from us forever."

He stopped, unsure how to continue. People avoided his eyes, taking in the refuge of looking at the coffin.

"When I arrived on her doorstep twenty years ago, she was unwilling to take me in. But she did. She did, although she didn't want to. I don't know where I would be -- what my life would be right now, if it wasn't for her.

"She didn't love me, and I didn't love her. But she gave me a place to stay, at least for a little while. I owe her much. I owe her my thanks. So, thank you, Petunia. Thank you for taking me in and caring for me, even though you probably hated it."

Two men moved forward, taking up the casket and lowered it. He watched as it disappeared from view, hiding in the ground, never to be seen again. They began to cover it up with the remaining earth.

"Thank you."

Title: "I'm Not Sorry"
Word Count: 282
Warnings: Character Death

He looks over the medley of dark colors in front of him, ranging from dark green to pitch-black.

Green. His father loved the color green. He wore it all the time and most of his accessories were a rich green color. He misses that about his father. He misses the solemnity in the green color.

Green isn't taken as a violent color. Green is a quiet color, bold yet subtle. Just like his father. No one expected him to be a killer; a murderer. No one thought that a man wearing green, his blond hair flowing past his shoulders was a killer. But appearances are deceiving. Draco knows that. He turns to his mother, standing near him. Her face is fathomless. But he knows how she feels. She told him yesterday. She is not sorry for his death. She tells him Lucius deserved it.

And he believes her. There was a time where he looked up to his father. His father was his hero. But not anymore.

"Here lies the grave of my father," he begins bitterly, staring at the patches of grass growing on the muddy ground covering the grave. "He was a Death Eater. He murdered, robbed and tortured. And when he died, I heard him say something."

They look at him expectantly, hoping that his words would somehow change the legacy of Lucius Malfoy.

"He told me, 'I'm not sorry.'" Gasps travel through the small group, quickly extinguished. "Those were his last words."

He sees his mother bite her lip. "So, Father, I repeat them back to you. I'm not sorry. I'm not sorry for your death."

He throws the flower in his hand on the grass and leaves.

There is silence behind him.

[butterflykisses]

Author Name: butterflykisses
House: Salthazar (Slytherin)
Title: Never Forgotten
Word Count: 379
Warnings: Character Death? Maybe?

A crowd of a handful of people dressed in different shades of ebony gathered at a small, private cemetery of the Potters. It had been two weeks since James and Lily’s deaths, and funerals were rare. Yet, Remus had insisted they have a proper burial—it was the only way to give him some sense of closure. But he also knew it was what they would have wanted and what James’ parents would have wanted.

“Today, we join together to mourn the loss of two very dear friends.” Remus began, the tears were already welling up.

With difficulty, he continued. “James was a brother to many and friend to more. He was always up to something and knew how to have fun. His heart was one of genuine care and love, especially for his family. As a husband, James never cared for anyone more than his wife. As a father, he protected his infant son and loved him with all the love a father could ever give. James was a man that knew what was right and stood up and fought for what he believed in. He stood up and fought until the very end, defending his beliefs and his family.”

Remus glanced up from his notes and found Mrs. Potter’s puffy, red eyes swimming with tears. Tears slid down his pale cheeks, reflecting hers.

Clearing his throat, he carried on. “Lily was a mother from the beginning. She cared for people with an amount of love I could never reciprocate. Her knowledge and wisdom helped shaped us all. Her kind words always helped ease the pain in these difficult times.”

All eyes were on Remus as he drew his discourse to an end, “When James and Lily had her son, I had never seen them so joyous and proud, but never had I seen them both so afraid.

“James and Lily will forever be with us. They gave each of us a part of themselves when they helped and cared for us. Not only that, but they also gave us baby Harry- their son who already reflects his fathers’ appearance but his mother’s tender heart.”

Remus looked over at the two coffins resting beside him. “James and Lily, you will be sorely missed, but not forgotten. Never forgotten.”

[Sneaky_Rhae]

*Please note, I am only posting my drabble for participation points. As a mod I cannot win but I was in a writing mood and the plot bunny bit hard*

Author Name: Sneaky_Rhae
House: Ravenclaw
Title: His Angel
Word Count: 451
Warnings: A very heartbroken old man.


The man was so old that he needed help to get to the platform. Once there, he stood as straight and as tall as his hunched-over form allowed, his cane in one hand and a very crumpled piece of parchment in the other. Tears ran unbidden down his sunken cheeks as he began to speak in a voice so slight only those close heard it.

“We are here today to honor a woman who meant a great deal to everyone gathered here today. She was more than a woman to me; she was my salvation and my home. She gave me her love and blessed me with the most wonderful family a man could ever know. Everyday I thanked Merlin that I should have found her, and that she would choose me over all the other better men in the world.”

Here the man paused and ran a hand through his sparse, red hair. He took a shaky breath and continued speaking.

“I always expected to be the one to go first. There were so many times in this life that I thought the time had me to come to leave her, and always it was the thought of her that kept me from dying. For as much joy she brought to my life, the thought of keeping her from despair made me fight harder than anything else. Things are not always in our control, even with magic, and I couldn’t save her now-“

The man, choked up, took a few moments to collect himself. He had to finish telling the world of his beloved, it was the greatest honor that he could do her. With his eyes closed, he began again.

“Though she was taken from us before her time, she lived a full and happy life. She would want us to continue on, raise our families and remember to love. Her life is a great example for us to follow and I only hope that we may live up to do her honor.”

At once the man opened his eyes and looked to the sky, tears still freely streaming down his cheeks.

“My precious Molly, you were more of a woman than I ever deserved and if I had a thousand lifetimes to live, I could never deserve you. I love you more than my life and I hope to see you very soon. Rest assured that we will never forget you.”

With a son on each side, Arthur Weasley resumed his seat as the ceremony went on. He didn’t know how he would live without the woman who had been his constant companion for so long and he hoped that he wouldn’t have to do it for long.

[Starmaiden]

Name: Starmaiden
House: Ravenclaw
Title:
Word Count: 324

“You were parents for one year. You watched your son grow up, start to walk, start to talk baby talk; Remus says you were both so thrilled about every little thing. I wish you had lived to tell those stories yourselves. You loved your baby; Sirius said he found you crying more than once, because you were so afraid of what might happen to your son, or what would happen if you were hurt.

“You trusted your friends. You trusted them a little too much. Peter was your downfall – but you were there for your real friends, even when you didn’t know who they were. Mundungus said that you helped hold the Order up with your encouragement and humour, even when you were the ones being guarded.

“And when Voldemort did come…that was Gryffindor courage all through. I know the whole story now, as much as I think I ever will. We caught Peter last month and he told us that he’d been there.

“You tried to hold him off, Dad. You were a great wizard, but he’d spent a lifetime studying Dark magic. You never had a chance, and you knew it, but you faced him with your head held high.

“And Mum – I can’t imagine just standing and waiting for death. You couldn’t even dodge his spells, because you were standing in front of the bed. My bed. You stood there and tried to block the curses and begged for my life – mine, not yours. He offered you a chance to live, and you refused, even though you couldn’t be certain that I would have lived once you fell.

“But I did, and I’m grateful. I know you both did everything you could for me. Thank you. Not just for me, but all of us, the Order and my friends, pretty much the entire Wizarding world.

“I’m glad I finally got the chance to tell you this. Mum, Dad – I love you.”

[cmwinters]

Author Name: cmwinters
House: Slytherin
Title: Friends and Enemies
Word Count: 176

On a cold and rainy day, an old man dressed in crimson and gold robes leaned heavily on a staff as he staggered slowly through sedges and reeds. The pungent smell of the earth was heavy in the air as the old man made his way towards a small hillock upon which a lone gravestone was perched.

At the top of the stone was a verdant and silver crest emblazoned with a hissing snake.

Below the crest were the only words on the stone – it was a poem.

Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after,
And the words he used were easy to understand;
He knew wizard folly like the back of his hand;
And was greatly concerned with purity of blood;
He envisioned a school, dungeons to rafters,
And refused to admit those whose veins contained mud.


Godric Gryffindor sighed and shook his head sadly as he gazed upon the tombstone in front of him. In all my life, I had no greater friend, he thought sadly to himself. And no worse enemy.

===

(Epitaph modelled after W.H. Auden's "Epitaph on a Tyrant". "No greater friend, no worse enemy" is said to be the epitaph of Lucius Cornelius Sulla)

[megan_lupin]

Author Name: megan_lupin
House: Gryffindor
Title: Friends, Brothers
Word Count: 337
Note: The ending poem is not mine. It came from FanFiction.Net's Robin4's story, Promises Unbroken.

No one noticed the thin and tired man as he walked down the dirt path. If people had been watching, they would have seen his limping gait and hunched shoulders, his drawn face and shuffling walk. But they did not, because no one was watching.

The man finally made it to his destination at the path’s end and, reaching into his pocket, withdrew a wand.

“Hello, James, Lily,” he muttered, his eyes becoming slightly misty as he looked at the two graves in front of him. Some tears sought to fall from the man’s eyes, but he blinked them away.

As dark clouds shifted across the night sky, the man waved his wand, muttering a few incantations as he did so. Once the bright moon was revealed, its light shone down on a newly created headstone that had just joined the previous two.

Putting away his wand, the man sat next to the new headstone. He placed a hand on the grave to his right, his fingers tracing the name James Potter, and his other hand to the new grave, tracing over Sirius Black with his trembling fingers.

“We were friends,” the man sighed. “Hell, we were more than that . . . we were brothers. Until one left, taking everything with him. But we remained brothers, James.” And as the man stood, he turned back once more.

“Thank you for being my friend, brother.”

The man walked away, leaving behind the trio of graves, and Remus Lupin never looked back. If he had, he would have seen the moon’s light shine on the newest grave, the words upon the marble stone becoming visible.

True friendships never really die
And family isn’t defined by blood
It’s made strong by bonds that won’t break
Tempered and tested by trials and pain
What we are is brothers, and as such we remain
Loyal to one another until the end
And no matter what happens between this moment and then
I shall be always thankful to have had such friends.


----------

Author Name: megan_lupin
House: Gryffindor
Title: In the End
Word Count: 237

The sun shone down on the large gathering of followers who had come together to bid farewell to a hero. The weather was bright and cheerful, much unlike what many would consider a death would be like.

But perhaps, for this one individual, the sun was appropriate.

“We have gathered today to bid good-bye to a wizard who helped so many,” a thin man said. “He fought for what he believed was right, and though he was never thought of as great and powerful in the beginning, he did not allow that to stop him. Instead, he tried his hardest to succeed against all odds, and in the end, many can testify to the fact that he did.

“Neville was never considered the brightest or the most talented. He was never considered to be worthy of notice by many. But he was always loyal, and he always stood up for what he believed in. He was considered by many as an outcast, weird, or even stupid and hopeless. But in the end, the quiet boy turned out to be a powerful man and powerful wizard.

“So today, we send our farewells to him, as he travels on through the world beyond and, like Albus Dumbledore believed, to ‘the next great adventure.’ Neville did not seem like a great, outstanding Gryffindor in the beginning, but in the end, he proved himself far more than anyone could have thought.”


~Megan

[Wembricken]

Author Name: Wembricken
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Legacy for the Living
Word Count: 494
Warnings: Character death

“Last night I sat down and tried to jot out a few notes about what I wanted to say today. But I found it quite difficult, making notes about a man, realizing I would have to speak about him in a manner I had long since ceased to expect. That is, to speak about him and his departure from us all.”

“Thirty-four years together is a wonderfully long time and I dare say there are some of you gathered here today who were once robbed of such time with a loved one. There were times when I too thought that Ernie and I might not be fortunate enough to come this far together. But despite that, it seems at the same time to be such a pitifully short period.”

“When I was first told that Ernie had died, I had trouble really believing it. How does a person go through as much as he did only to die like this? Many of you remember the Second Great War, which started when we were still practically children. And Ernie gave me and others the courage to not only support, but fight for that which we believed in. At a time when uncertainty plagued us all, he stood up and lent a voice to those too afraid or too shy to speak up on behalf of the side of good.”

“Years later, when the old pains of that great war had finally begun to fade, Ernie was confronted by yet another terrible conflict, the Easter Goblin Uprising. I’ll be the first to admit that it seemed like something out of the history books, but Ernie, he hardly gave his duty a second thought. He would be gone for days at a time and would finally return home exhausted. But the thought of doing anything less than his best to try to end that horrible affair never even occurred to him.”

“To have come through so much unscathed, I thought my Ernie invincible. And when he was appointed as Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad, I thought he would work the remainder of his career pushing papers and assigning jobs; perhaps less exciting, but certainly much safer. But I should have known better. My Ernie changed a great deal over the years from when we first met in school and he became the sort of man that could not rest if trouble was alight.”

“Ernie did a great deal during his sixty-two years on this earth and I shouldn’t wonder that he’d have done a great deal more if he’d had the chance to stay longer. His character was plain in everything that he did. He was a high achiever, dedicated to his work, but he was also kind and gentle.”

“You leave a loving family and many friends behind, Ernie. But by far the greatest thing you leave is a legacy. And you have made us all better people because of it.”

-Hannah Abbott Macmillan

[Lancelot_blackmagi]

Author Name: Lancelot_Blackmagi
House: Gryffindor
Title: First of the gang to die
Word Count: 499
Warnings: Character Death

Endless processions of students filed past the coffin, each to pay their individual respects to their departed friend. Some deposited their school ties, hanging them on the sides of the casket, making the sombre event awash wish despairing reds and solemn blues. Ginny Weasley passed, she did not leave her tie as so many had before her. She placed her neatly folded sweatshirt by the side of his body. He always told her he loved her smell. Running her fingers through his raven hair, she leant forward and gently kissed his lips before whispering her goodbyes into his ear. He looked so sweet, he was only sleeping.

Guided by her friends, she sat down at the front row as Hogwarts Headmaster, Harry Potter, stepped forward to read his tribute to Ginny’s fallen love.

“Friends, students, members of staff. I come here today to share with you my memories of Michael Corner. Many of you will see these as empty words, I know. But I offer them nonetheless. As far as students, and friends go, Michael was the best you could possibly wish for. He was smart… Tenacious in his pursuit of his goals, socially very popular, and endlessly optimistic. And why not? Michael’s recovery from his initial injuries was hailed as a miracle. He was doing everything that every healer told him he would never do again. He was talking, he was walking. Soon he was even flying again. His inability to remember any of his past life did not hinder him in the least. Soon he was making new friendships, relationships. Perhaps even rekindling old ones. For six whole months, Michael reacquainted this school with his beautiful soul. Many of you here believe that I was somehow responsible for this, and I let you. For I too was desperate to believe it also… We’re taught as teachers that we’re in control of peoples destinies, but the truth is we’re not. All we are are foot soldiers, trying to forge a path for our charges. Michael knew this. He didn’t expect a miracle from me because he knew he was the miracle. What he expected from me was to do my best. And that is what I tried to do. I’m sorry it wasn’t enough. Thank you.”

Taking a deep breath, Ginny walked past Harry to pay her tribute to the fallen hero. “You know, I don’t think Michael would’ve liked today. He always hated school assemblies,” she laughed to herself. “But you know what he did love? He loved Quidditch. He loved being the guy everyone came to when they had a problem, and looking at the faces here today, most of you did at one time. He loved those little sour things you get at Honeydukes. But most of all, He loved Hogwarts. Even when we all talked about moving on after we left, after the war was over, Michael didn’t. He said he always wanted to be a part of Hogwarts… Now he will, thank you.”

[lily_evans34]

Name: lily_evans34
House: Ravenclaw!!!!
Title: A Brother's Love
Word Count: 388
Warnings: Character death. No. Way. Who would have thought?

Fred Weasley took a shaky breath as he stood at the podium, staring out into the sea of faces; none distinguishable enough to recognize. He could hear his mother sobbing towards the front of the crowd, her cries more discernible than the rest. Over and over he opened his mouth to speak, though no words would come. He could feel a solitary tear running down his cheek, though he brushed it away quickly. The hell he was going through was bad enough; he didn’t need to make a fool of himself in front of the crowd. He knew it was irrational to think that everyone would think down upon him for his crying, though that did little to help the tears to fall. Gathering himself, he opened his mouth once more to find his voice.

“We are gathered here today to honor the passing of my dear brother, George Weasley. George was more than a brother to me; he was my best friend. We shared everything, and did everything together. I doubt that there was a day when I regretted having his company. He was like a shadow of myself. Always there to fall back on when I needed him. Some people think that it would be annoying to have a twin. How can you find time to be yourself? But the truth is, I was myself every day of my life. Myself just happened to include George.

“Some people also think that the bond between twins cannot get any stronger. There, they are correct. There were times everyday when I knew what George was thinking, and how he was feeling, without having to even look at him. I just knew. He was a part of me, and I was a part of him.

“And though he is gone, the bond between twins will never be broken. There are times that I wish it was him, not me, speaking to you all this evening. Sometimes I wish that I could just end my pain. But then, I always remember that George is still with me, even though he’s gone. And he would want me, and us all, to keep living, and loving, through this world filled with hate, each day of our lives. Let us all have a moment of silence for our friend, my brother, George Weasley.”

[Magical Maeve]

And the results!

1st: Friends and Enemies by CMWinters

2nd: Thank You by Periwinkle

3rd: Friends, Brothers by Megan_Lupin


Well done, everyone... I got through a whole box of Kleenex with this one.