bd_neville (bd_neville) wrote in beyond_dark, @ 2008-07-20 11:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | * july 2006, draco malfoy, elladora bulstrode, george weasley, ginny longbottom (weasley), neville longbottom, pansy parkinson, parvati patil, percy weasley, polly parkinson, theodore nott |
RP: An Auror's Funeral
Date: July 20, 2006 (in the early afternoon)
Characters: Neville Longbottom, Ginny Longbottom - Anyone else who wishes to be there and say goodbye to Frank Longbottom (add your tags please)
Location: Longbottom House (Yorkshire
Private/Public: Semi-Public
Rating: PG
Warnings: Sullen-Neville - it's a funeral, what more warnings do you need?
Summary: Neville says goodbye to the Father he never knew
Completion: Incomplete
Despite the mood of the day and the heaviness in Neville's chest, the sun was shining and there was a pleasant breeze blowing across the grounds of Longbottom House. The sky was blue and the late roses were in bloom - almost mocking him that they were so bright and happy in the sunlight. Even the flowers down by the mausoleum were blooming. By night the creeping night-blooming jasmine came out and in the morning, the white roses that were planted when his Gran had died spread their heady scent on the wind.
Neville hardly had any breakfast, well, what Ginny could get him to eat. He was nervous. Not about saying goodbye, but giving a eulogy for a man he never knew. He had his black dress robes on and Ginny had her Auror robes on out of respect for his Father - which meant more to Neville than she knew.
It was early in the afternoon and a small smattering of guests had arrived and seemed to gravitate toward the grouping of chairs near the mausoleum. "I suppose it's time to head down." Neville nodded, took a last sip of his tea and was kicking himself inside. There was a glaring absense of his mother. But in her current state, slightly less placid and more confused, Neville thought that having her there would be more detrimental. He wanted to see her alone a few more times, help her and let her see what's happened without so many eyes on her, without so many whispers.
With Ginny on his arm, they headed down through the garden and down a slight slope to the large stone mausoleum where everyone was seated, including the only other living relatives he had other than his mother - his Great Uncle Algie and Great Aunt Enid. He didn't see them often, more like rarely, but he was glad they were there. Uncle Algie may be able to help him out with a few stories... but then Algie was never one for words, actions were more his forte.
They sat right up front as the officiant said the required prayers and words, all of which were a dull hum in Neville's ears. That was until the officiant looked at him, obviously beckoning him to say his eulogy. He felt a kiss placed to his cheek and a squeeze of his hand before he rose and walked slowly to stand behind where his Father rested before being interred forever into the family mausoleum.
It took Neville a moment to gather his words and find his voice. "My Father... was a great man. Brave, devoted, kind to everyone he knew... and a loving father." Neville gulped just then. "So I've heard in any case. I never really got to know him. There were stories from his friends...stories from other Aurors and my Gran. They all said 'he was' and 'there was that time'. Whenever anyone found out who I was, they would look at me with a tilted head and say 'I knew your parents, they were great people'... like they had already passed. And in most ways they did. But today, it's still a shock, even after all this time." Taking a breath Neville looked around, not sure of what else to say, his face threatening to break if he didn't continue. "So... if you think of my Father today, think of him as how you remember him. If you knew him as a boy, as a young man, keep that picture and remember it for me. If you knew him as I knew him... imagine what he would have been like, based on all the wonderful things people have said about him. Because those of you who did know him as a friend, a colleague and a nephew, knew him the best and I trust every word you say of him is true. I wish... I wish I could've known him as you did and .. I only hope, I could be half the man that he was, only hope I can carry on his legacy properly."
That was all Neville could say, all he could really bear. He stood back as Great Uncle Algie approached with his wand. Being the only other male member of the Longbottom family, he and Neville levitated the coffin and walked slowly into the mausoleum where Frank was then sealed in stone - his name etched in large letters next to another stone slab that read 'Augusta Longbottom'. Neville only stood a moment, letting the stone echo in his ears when it was placed over where his Father rested. He felt a small pat to his shoulder. "Well said son, well said."
Great Uncle Algie had departed and once he was alone, Neville ran his hand over the carved letters and let a few silent tears roll down his face. "I'll take care of her... I promise." Standing until the tears fell and dried, Neville backed away and blinked in the sunlight when he exited the mausoleum. He summoned his courage and walked into the small gathering of people who had come to say goodbye, preparing himself to say 'thank you' and 'he was a great man'... trying to tell himself that he knew what he was saying.