Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was a beautiful day for a funeral.

Pansy clung to a stoically crying Neville as they hiked up the hill near Parkinson House, where she and Neville had lived since they married twelve years ago. Their friends followed behind them, solemn and quiet. Everyone was dressed in black, and Pansy wore a veil to hide her own distraught tears. She wouldn't let them fall, but if they did, no one would see them behind the delicate lace.

The sun had slipped free of its cloudy guards to cast its rays on the earth. A cool breeze soothed their sweaty brows from the hike.

When they reached the top of the hill, Neville's breath hitched. They were met at the peak by an old grave and a headstone:

Next to Trevor's grave was a fresh one that Pansy had dug herself earlier this morning. She'd broken two fingernails while digging out the hole, but there was little she wouldn't do for the love of her life.

"Alright, gather around, everyone," Pansy said. Neville was inconsolable, so it was up to her to direct this funeral.

Their friends made a semi-circle around the foot of the new grave while Pansy and Neville stood behind the headstone, yet to be dedicated. Draco and Ginny held hands to the left, and Luna grasped Blaise's arm to the right. Neville clutched a small wooden box against his chest and blubbered over it.

Everyone was appropriately somber for the occasion except for Draco, who was staring at their companions like they were out of their minds. Pansy shot a glare in his direction, though the veil reduced the potency of the look.

"We are gathered here today," Pansy began, "to celebrate the life of Sullivan the bullfrog, who we lovingly referred to as Sully."

Neville's cries grew louder, but Pansy just raised her voice.

"Sully may have been a wedding present from me to Neville, but he quickly became like family to me. I didn't know Trevor well, and I never intended for Sully to replace him. He was a beloved frog, who I will—who I will miss very much." She rubbed Neville's back to soothe him and to collect herself. "Would anyone like to say a few words about Sully?"

Luna raised her hand. "Sullivan was such a dear. I remember how he used to wink at me when I said something he agreed with."

"He was such an expressive frog," Blaise concurred.

Ginny laughed. "He didn't like Draco very much, though. Sully had the most magnificent side-eye, and it was always directed at Draco."

Draco opened his mouth to speak, but Pansy cut him off.

"What about you, Neville?" she asked softly. "Would you like to say some final words?"

He hugged the box tighter. "Sully was the frog of my heart. He always knew how I felt. Sometimes I didn't even need to speak because everyone knew what I wanted to say by the expression on his face."

"We will all miss him," Pansy said.

Neville kissed the box and gently placed it in the gaping hole in the ground. Then, with a wave of Pansy's wand, fresh dirt filled the grave and words etched themselves into the headstone:

One at a time, the guests approached the grave to lay a flower upon the top. Pansy had to help Neville take that extra step closer. Once he said his final goodbye, she grabbed his hand and refused to let go.

When Ginny returned to Draco's side, he whispered in a too-loud voice, "But it was just a frog?"

Pansy heard Ginny's response and couldn't agree with it more:

"You wouldn't understand, Draco. You didn't know him like we did."

End