The Boys Are Back in Town

53- The Funeral

Remus stared emptily down at the dual grave as the coffins were lowered. Carter held Euphemia on her hip as she walked up to the front. She looked out at the members of the Order as Effie fussed. "I um... I just wanted to thank all of you for coming. I really, I don't know what to say, I had nothing planned. I couldn't get through writing anything and you don't really plan for this kinds of things but uh. I'm just going to talk for a minute if that's okay? I'm going to talk about what I can't stop thinking. Why them? Why did they have to die? It could've been any of us, truly. I mean, look at what they had to live for," Carter said as she bounced Euphemia on her hip. "They loved this little girl so much they saved her with their lives. Why did it have to come to that? They were beautiful people, who had never done anything harmful to others in their lives, well... if you knew Jesse in school you may disagree," she said earning a solemn chuckle. "They were model students, model people... and model friends. James and Jesse Potter were the two most loyal, strong and brave people I've ever known. And yet this is how their story ends. With the coward act of a killing curse. I remember a conversation that I had had with James back when the two of them were nothing but a couple of pining teenagers. He told me he couldn't live without her. He never did. He lived for her and he died for her. And she loved him back just as strongly. If someone had told me all those years ago that I'd be stood here today I'd have told them to bugger off. What force could possibly take down Jesse and James in the same night? They were the most honest example of love and bravery you would've ever seen. And I'm sure wherever we go after here, they're together once more," Carter finished before stepping down.

The funeral went by in a blur. Soon Remus and Carter were sitting across from a wizard lawyer that worked in the ministry named Devin. He was a tall and lean man, with greying hair and brown eyes. "Mr Lupin, Miss Little, thank you for your time. Jesse and James filled out their will shortly after Euphemia was born, and their wishes are quite clear. In the event they both die they want custody of Euphemia Arcturus Potter to be given to their friends. They have listed the names including Sirius Black, Carter Elizabeth Little, Bluebelle Benevolens Delacour, Remus John Lupin and Peter Oliver Pettigrew. Now, given that Sirius is in prison, Bluebelle is currently committed at St Mungo's and Peter is dead, the child falls to you both. There is no preference of one over the other so legally you both gain custody," he said. Their heads shot up. "What?" They asked in unison. "Both of us?" Remus asked. "I know that this may be a little unorthodox but they were very adamant about what they wanted. The Ministry attempted to convince them to go with a single person but they knew what they wanted. Personally I believe they were playing it safe, knowing that many of you would not make it any longer than them," he said.

Carter and Remus shared a look. "We don't really have a place safe enough for her," she said. "James and Jesse have left the entirety of the Potter fortune to you both, to be given to Euphemia when she is of age, it comes to a total of 50, 625 galleons," Devin said as Carter choked on the air. "W-what?!" She spluttered. "If you were to transfer that to muggle money to buy a house it would be around..." he said as he punched in the numbers on the calculator he pulled from his briefcase. "$1,265,625," he said as Remus froze. "Now, all that you must do is sign these forms, however if you wish to leave her in the hands of the ministry, we will need to undertake a formal mediation," Devin said. Carter and Remus looked at each other, mutual understanding between them. "Yeah go on then, pass us a pen," Remus said through a forced smile.

"Thank you very much for your time, and we will be in touch, I'm so sorry once again for your loss," he said, shaking their hands. Carter let out a sigh before turning and looking at Effie who was sitting on her mat and playing with toys. "So... we have a child..." Remus said. "Can't believe it's with a gay man..." she joked as Remus laughed genuinely for the first time in weeks.