#81 - Memorial Service
That day, Anduin, as usual, prepared lunch for the Weasley family, beckoning Bill to help set the table. Now, the Weasley children listened to Anduin implicitly. Even Bill, who was only a little over a year younger than Anduin, treated him like an elder. Although he always called Anduin "Big Brother" in name, he was as obedient as a baby when Anduin gave him solo assignments. ReadingМ
"Big Brother Anduin, what delicious food are we having today?" Charlie was the greediest of the bunch, always the first to arrive at the table.
"You'll find out soon enough. Go and call your brothers over quickly." Anduin used a levitation charm to direct the dishes of food, arranging them in an orderly fashion in front of each person.
Augusta and the numerous children successively took their seats at the dining table. The mischievous George, seeing the bright red spare ribs on the plate in front of him, couldn't help but drool and reached out his hand to grab one.
"Cough, cough." Anduin coughed lightly twice. George's outstretched hand froze, and he had no choice but to withdraw it sheepishly. Then, he obediently picked up his knife and fork, eating little by little, not daring to speak nonsense or throw food around.
During this period, the twins had been completely subdued by Anduin, not daring to cause any trouble. Whenever they made a mistake, Anduin would punish them both together, regardless of who was responsible, making them stand in the corner. Now, these two little fellows were incredibly obedient in front of Anduin. Book69 new
In the middle of lunch, the front door of the Burrow was suddenly opened from the outside. The numerous little devils looked at each other, as if realizing something, and scrambled down from the table, rushing towards the door.
Anduin followed the children to the door. Sure enough, it was Molly who had returned.
Molly looked to be in good spirits, holding her little daughter in her arms, with her husband Arthur by her side, and Frank and Alice accompanying them. Finally, after nearly a week of recuperation,
Molly had come home.
The numerous children surrounded their mother, some shouting "Mommy" loudly, others hugging Molly's legs and crying. Molly used her face, which couldn't hide her sadness, to comfort her children with a smile.
Then, Molly specifically thanked the Longbottom family and Anduin for their help. Without their assistance, her worries about the children, in addition to her grief, might have overwhelmed the mother once again.
The children finished their lunch amidst cheerful laughter, while the adult wizards and Anduin were thinking about more problems.
"We're going to name our little daughter Ginevra Molly Weasley, and her nickname will be Ginny," Arthur said to everyone, looking at the newborn child.
"Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall also came to visit me. They helped us arrange the funerals for my two brothers. I would like to invite you all to attend. Don't worry, I will be strong, even if not for myself, then for Arthur and the children," Molly said to everyone with a smile.
Anduin and the Longbottom family all nodded in agreement. It certainly wouldn't be easy to completely emerge from grief so quickly, but seeing Molly being able to face life strongly, they still felt very gratified.
Without disturbing the Weasley family further, they needed to leave them more time and space. After helping to finish lunch that day, Anduin and the Longbottom family bid farewell to the Weasley family. Anduin also left the Burrow amidst the reluctant calls of the numerous little devils.
The group returned to Longbottom Manor and continued their lives, while Dumbledore also invited them to attend the McKinnon family's funeral. Possibly considering Anduin's friendship with the members of the Order of the Phoenix, and the fact that he was currently living at the Longbottoms', even Anduin was invited.
Time passed again for a few days. Today was the funeral of the Prewett brothers and Marlene McKinnon. Anduin changed into a dark-colored wizard's robe and accompanied the members of the Longbottom family to the cemetery.
Since they had passed away in the same battle, the families of the Prewett brothers and Marlene had discussed holding a joint funeral and then burying them separately in the cemetery.
The group arrived together at a cemetery in southern England. Many people had already arrived ahead of them. The Weasley family was collectively dressed in dark, plain-colored clothing, standing to one side with heavy expressions. Next to them should have been the relatives of Marlene McKinnon. Anduin saw Charles, who was also staring blankly with red eyes. After noticing Anduin, the two nodded to each other tacitly.
There were also many 'acquaintances' Anduin recognized at the scene, such as Emmeline Vance, whom he had met before, as well as Mad-Eye Moody, Edgar Bones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Barty Crouch, and so on.
Anduin also saw Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Professor McGonagall and Hagrid had also arrived. They were also members of the Order of the Phoenix, but they usually had to take care of the young wizards at school.
He wondered if Sirius Black and the Potter couple would appear. Anduin hadn't seen them for more than half a year.
Seeing the Longbottom family arrive, everyone in the cemetery nodded to the group as a sign of respect. After approaching, they began to converse in low voices with the people who had arrived.
Anduin went to Professor McGonagall and Hagrid first. Hagrid was currently wiping away tears with a small handkerchief.
"Anduin, I heard from Arthur about everything you've done for them. Your care and help are gratifying," Professor McGonagall said, nodding at Anduin as he approached.
Anduin shook his head lightly and said, "Mrs. Weasley is a remarkable woman, a great mother, so I'm very happy to be able to help them. I don't know how long it will take them to emerge from their grief."
After hearing Anduin's words, Hagrid cried even more sadly, saying in a choked voice, "Oh, Marlene and the Prewett brothers were such good people. Why was fate so unfair to them?"
"Perhaps death is the beginning of another adventure. What we should do now is not make those who are still alive suffer even more," Anduin sighed and comforted Hagrid.
"Those are truly wise words, Anduin."
A voice came from behind Anduin, but when Anduin turned around, he found that there was no one there.
Just as he was feeling strange, the air seemed to be peeled away, and two familiar figures appeared in front of Anduin.
It was James and Lily.
"Lily, James, it's been quite a long time since we've heard from you," Anduin said, a rare smile appearing on his face as he saw his two familiar friends.
Lily also smiled slightly and said, "We've been staying in a safe place. Dumbledore has been urging us not to easily contact the outside world. We can only occasionally come out using the Invisibility Cloak. This time, attending the funeral is the same. It's so good to see you again, Anduin."
