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'"For what it's worth, I hope you never grow to forgive me' is a line I've heard my entire childhood. Often, it was the only thing my father said to me after coming home from a long day at work. It's no secret that the Greengrass family had been on Voldemort's side in the first Wizarding War. In fact, once I had turned five and received my hairbrush, crafted from the Family magic by my father, both of my parents had sat me down and explained everything. How they were blinded by their hatred for Muggles and how they had desired to make Purebloods the main leaders of the Avalon again. It wasn't until I was born that they realized their mistake. Multiple Pureblood families, that were once large and powerful, had suddenly started becoming smaller and smaller until the only surviving members were the ones who had married out of the family. It was only once they were forced to kill off the McKinnon's and Bones that they tried to leave. By then, an infant Helaine Potter had already defeated Voldemort. My parents had feigned being under the Imperius curse and were, thankfully, let go. "
"They had spent everyday until their deaths full of regret and remorse for all the people they had killed, including the Muggleborns. My parents had had a change of heart, learning to accept Muggleborns into their world instead of rejecting them. Me and my sister, Astoria, were raised to think of Muggleborns as equals not as filth. My father may have been murdered during my seventh year by Death Eaters because of his refusal to rejoin Voldemort and my mother may have died from Dragon Pox a few years ago but they still live on in their remaining families hearts. " Daphne stayed silent for a moment, not fully prepared to accept reality just yet.
"Astoria was the kindest person I had ever known. I'm sure that even if we had been raised to hate Muggles and Muggleborns, she would've still helped them. Whether she would've done it in secret or out in the open is a question that'll never get answered but I can tell that even though her son, Scorpius, may be living up to the Greengrass and Malfoy traditions by being a Slytherin, he'll still remain just like his mother, kind and forgiving until the end. "
Applause echoed through the small crowd of family and friends as Daphne finished her speech. Even though her sister has been dead for a week now, she still finds herself not believing it to be true. While walking back to her seat, she saw Heir Draco Malfoy, her sister's husband, staring at Astoria's grave with glazed over eyes. As much as she wanted to comfort him, she knew it'd do nothing. Her nephew, Scorpius, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen. Knowing Scorpius he was probably in a quiet room nearby, overwhelmed by all the feelings he was feeling at the moment. Daphne, herself, was on the verge of tears. Blinking quickly, to get rid of the tears, she sat down in her seat.
Her wife, Helaine Potter, was by her side comforting her as soon as she sat down. Helaine may have not known Astoria well but they were still sisters-in-law. Astoria and Helaine had gotten together every other week to chat over tea.
Daphne turned to look at Helaine, barely holding her tears back. She desperately wanted to just let go and start bawling loudly into Helaine's shoulder but she's a Lady of The Honorable and Most Ancient House of Potter, even around their closest friends and family a Lady shouldn't cry. She used to be Heiress Greengrass so she's well aware of everything a Lady can and can't do in public.
Astoria's funeral seemed to be finished in a matter of minutes. Soon only her, the rest of the Potters, Draco, and Scorpius were the only ones left at the funeral. After an uncertain amount of time, Daphne felt something gently tap her shoulder. "Daphne, " Helaine gently grabbed her chin, "We should go, love, Astorias funeral ended 6 hours ago. "
Looking around, Daphne noticed that the sky was now dark, all of the stars were visible against their dark canvas with little to no clouds. Draco was still standing next to Astoria's grave alone with a blank expression on his face, Scorpius had presumably gone back to the Malfoy Manor hours ago, Daphne's daughter presumably had gone back home a while ago as well. "You're right, lets-- let's go. " Daphne paused mid sentence to stop her voice from breaking.
Looking back at Astoria's grave one last time, Daphne apparated away alongside her wife to spend the night crying in bed with her Helaine comforting her the entire time.
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