Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Rainforest Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 4 - Comfort and Reassurance

Explaining to children about death is a most difficult thing to do. Trying to get them to understand that the souls live on while the bodies cease to exist. Since the bodies cease to exist, the children then need to understand why they are buried. Explaining it to children is difficult enough when they are old enough to understand the concept of death, let alone when all they know is someone in their life has disappeared for no obvious reason. So, when you have three young children at their parent’s funeral, how do you explain to this to them?

With the help Albus Dumbledore.

The funeral had been extremely hard. Especially since Melia did not understand what was happening and was speaking nonsense throughout the ceremony and attempting to explore the grounds of the cemetery. Meanwhile Lucas, stunned to see his parents in their coffins loudly accused, “You said they were gone! Too far away to see me! You said they’re not coming back! Don’t bury Mummy and Daddy!” As Minerva had been holding Lucas he had beat her chest with his small hands as he screamed before finally collapsing against her, sobbing. All Minerva could do was hold him close to her as he cried, looking helpless, and the funeral had barely started.

Minerva was thankful that Adam and Amelia were able to help her by keeping Melia and Victoria with them. Amelia was also able to comfort Victoria. Lucas sobbed through most of the ceremony which caused Minerva to miss most of it for she just wanted Lucas to stop crying. Before long it was time for Minerva to make a eulogy. As the time approached Minerva looked helplessly at the man beside her, Albus.

Seeing her dilemma Albus motioned that he would hold the boy while she spoke. Hearing her name called Minerva gave a strained smile to Albus in thanks as she handed the still crying boy to him. However as she walked away she could still hear his sobs and it broke her heart, she knew she should still be with him.

As she spoke she saw Albus whispering in Lucas’ ear and gradually his cries seem to quiet until only sniffling was heard by all. Minerva felt immediate relief wash over her, thank Merlin for Albus. She quickly finished speaking, keeping tears back as she said goodbye to her sister and brother-in-law.

Minerva once again stood next to Albus who reached down between them and picked up her hand, gently stroking it. She held onto his hand tightly and reached the other one up to rub Lucas’ back, slow soothing circles.

As the sun began to set the funeral ended. Minerva quickly gathered the children, she did not wish to accept condolences at that moment, especially with Lucas so upset and Victoria has also been crying through most of the funeral. So after a quick but emotional good bye to Adam and Amelia they portkeyed back to Hogwarts. Albus came back with them to their quarters, after they were asleep he wished to speak to Minerva, she was surely holding back her grief for the children.

Dinner was eaten and apart from small smiles at Melia’s antics no one spoke much. Melia and Lucas were soon put to bed but surprisingly Lucas did not ask Minerva about why his parents had been buried. Once they were rather peacefully sleeping Victoria went to bed pulling Minerva into the room with her after saying goodnight to Albus.

“Aunt Minerva,” Victoria began once she was tucked into her warm bed, “Why did Mum and Dad have to be buried?”

Minerva was stunned, she herself had never thought about why people were buried. “Well,” she began, “I suppose because we have done it for centuries. But if you really want a reason I think it’s because all magic comes from the world surrounding us, particularly the earth. So when we die our bodies are returned to it in a never ending circle of power.”

“But where do Mum and Dad actually go?” Victoria questioned.

Minerva was stunned by her niece’s intelligence in wondering such things. “Well, if you mean their souls….” Victoria nodded her head in response. “Well, when people die their souls vanish from their bodies; they are taken to a wonderful place, a place not of this earth. It has so many different names nirvana, heaven, the other realm. Wizarding society believes that our souls go to the other realm, there they live for the rest of their life, never changing, with lives of happiness.”

“So, where they are, they are happy?” she asked, her voice unsteady.

“Undoubtedly,” Minerva confidently replied.

Victoria nodded and wrapped her arms around her aunt, hugging her tightly before releasing her. She quickly burrowed into the bed clothes and said good night, her voice not happy, but content for her fears had been assuaged.

Minerva kissed her forehead and quickly left, closing the door after her. She leant against it; her energy was draining from her. Yet she still had to talk to Albus, he was waiting for her.

She wearily walked out to the living room where she found him calmly sitting on the couch, staring into space. He was so absorbed that he did not even notice her enter the room. It wasn’t until she sat on the couch beside him that he noticed that she had finished putting Victoria to bed.

“What did you say to Lucas?”

Albus seemed taken aback; a new feeling for him as he usually knew everything. “I just told him about this great world where a person went after they left their bodies. I told him that that’s where his parents were, why they couldn’t see him.”

Minerva smiled and laughed lightly. “I told Victoria pretty much the same thing.”

“Great minds do think alike Minerva,” Albus replied, smiling.

There was a moments silence before Minerva spoke, staring intently at the ground. “Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For being there for me today, for helping me with Lucas, quite frankly I didn’t even think to tell him that. I guess I underestimated him. I don’t know if I can do this Albus.”

“Minerva, you can do anything you want because you are a strong woman,” Albus gently replied.

“I am so afraid that I won’t be able to raise them well though. I’m not their mother, I don’t know how to be a mother. Telling Lucas the wrong thing about his parents, not knowing how to comfort him. I don’t know how to treat Victoria, she’s too old to be treated like a child but I can’t continue to treat her like a niece because I’ll never have any control over what she does. And Melia, she’s only a baby and well, just before they died, she was learning how to say Mummy and Daddy, she has already called me Mummy numerous times. I don’t know what to do.”

“Minerva, Diana and Lachlan are no longer here, you have to be both mother and father to these children. You can raise them but you have to do it your way, don’t think about how Diana and Lachlan would raise them. You aren’t them, but you can raise their children,” Albus consoled her.

“As for Lucas, you did the best you could in telling a four year old that his parents were dead. You couldn’t think ahead to the funeral and wonder what he would think about them being buried. You’ll figure out how to treat Victoria, in another week it will be holidays and you’ll have plenty of time to talk to her, get to know her better. Also, Melia will know you as her mother, whether you intend her to or not. She is too young to understand the difference. If Lucas and Victoria continue to call you Aunt Minerva then no doubt she will soon call you that too. It is only a matter of time.”

“Albus, you know exactly what to say and when to say it. Thank you for being there today, and tonight. For reassuring me. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t my friend.”

Minerva did not notice the sudden sadness in Albus’ eyes when she said friend. She was too busy thinking about how much he had helped her in the last couple of days. However, when he stood she looked up, noticing also that his hand was on her shoulder.

“Minerva, its time you went to bed. You are tired and the children will be up early. No, don’t get up, I’ll see myself out. Good night my dear.” Albus leant down and kissed her on the cheek. He lingered for a second longer, telling himself it was to comfort her, but he knew better. He nodded as he moved away from her, and quickly left the room.

Minerva couldn’t help but feel alone once Albus had left. His presence seemed to fill a room and warm her at the same time. She was so lucky to have him. He was her best friend.

Before Minerva went to bed a short while later she quickly checked in on each of the children. She kissed Melia again, pulled Lucas’ cover up and brushed Victoria’s hair out of her face. Knowing they were safe she went to bed.

To be continued…

A/N: So, I noticed quite a few people were eager for the ADMM to start, well this is going to be a slow race so don’t expect too much too soon.

Also, I’m sorry for not updating, there have been a combination of reasons for this, computer crashing, time constraints, floppy disk breaking, being unable to write while wearing a maroon skirt that finishes 2 inches above my ankles in over 30 degree heat as well as having insomnia.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 3. Please review again!