Chapter Seven
The four of them said fond goodbyes to Rosmerta when she opened up the bar at eleven and agreed to meet at the Burrow at two. Lavender needed to stop by and do some work at her shop, and Ron tagged along to help her out, or more likely, get in her way. Harry and Hermione strolled through Hogsmeade village, finding themselves at the train station. They sat for a while on the platform, and Harry could remember his first visit to the station vividly, his relief to see Hagrid, and how intimidating it had all been. They walked back into the centre of Hogsmeade and looked into the shop windows, talking as they went, laughing about the adventures they'd had on Hogsmeade weekends, and thankful the place wasn't swarming with Hogwarts students today. They stood in silent contemplation by the shrieking shack, sitting on the warm grass.
"I still miss him." Hermione said softly, thinking of when they would bring food to Sirius as he hid in the battered building. Harry was silent and Hermione turned to see unshed tears in his eyes. She moved closer to him and put an arm around him, and he laid his head on her shoulder.
"I miss him every day. I know I still have Remus, but losing Sirius was like losing part of that connection I had to my parents…and he was the last of my legal family…well, except the Dursley's, but I would never call them family. I still feel guilty `Mione, I see the vision Voldemort placed in my head, and then I remember the look on his face as he fell…" Harry said quietly. Hermione hugged him closer and they sat by the shrieking shack remembering Sirius.
"I don't remember the last time I spoke about him other than with Remus. Moony tells me all the stories of the Marauders at Hogwarts…" Harry said.
Hermione stood and taking Harry's hands pulled him to his feet.
"Where we going `Mione?" He asked with a sad smile.
"To visit them all. It's been too long since I was last here." She said, still holding his hand as they walked silently to the cemetery set against the hillside of Hogsmeade.
Harry and Hermione silently entered the cemetery and walked towards the sheltered area below the weeping willow tree where a circle of head stones lay surrounding the tree. Harry sat down on the wooden bench surrounding the wide tree trunk and his gaze surveyed the collection of headstones. Looking around he saw Hermione crouched down, her fingers running softly over the name inscribed on a stone, speaking softly. He knew all too well whose name it was and left her to talk in private.
"I'm sorry it's been so long Gin. I've been busy, but that's no excuse. I've missed you so much since I've been back this time. Lavender and I watched Dawson's Creek last night…I still love it, but it's not quite the same without you Hun. Making fun of us for loving it, but you loved it too…always lusting after Charlie in the college episodes, and Drew in the earlier episodes, well you always did have a thing for the bad boys. I hope you and Draco are together now. I wish that more than anything, because I know you'll be happy if you two are still together. Ron's doing really well. He's finally letting himself be happy, and he and Lavender are just as perfect together as you always said they would be. Harry finally quit his job. He's bought the Three Broomsticks, and no I still haven't sorted out all my issues…I know, I can see you rolling your eyes at me right now, but, I'm getting there. I'm thinking about moving back home permanently…I've finished researching the book, and I think its time to settle down a bit, actually unpack my backpack for longer than a few months at a time." Hermione told her friend with a sad half smile. She still had a hard time understanding that Ginny was gone, even after all this time. But then again, Ginny would never really be gone to her, they were sisters by all but blood, and Hermione often heard Ginny's teasing voice in her mind, urging her on when she was confused or scared.
Hermione sat back and looked up at the gently swaying weeping willow branches above her, tears running silently down her face. She stood, and walked over to the stone next to Ginny's. She looked at the name sadly for a moment.
"I miss you too Draco. Take good care of my girl for us." She said softly before turning to look where Harry was. She saw him sitting on the ground to the side of the tree, by a pair of headstones, bearing the Potter family crest.
"Hey Mum, Dad…well I did it. I quit the Ministry. I've already managed to get myself a new job though. I'm still getting my head around it, but your son is now the owner and bartender of the Three Broomsticks…I think Remus arranged it, as I'm pretty sure Rosmerta had told him she was selling before we agreed to meet for dinner there the other night…You should have seen his face, he looked years younger, I guess the Marauders spirit is back again…I'm happier than I have been in so long, but it's not just because of the pub. I'm sure you've already guessed why though Mum…I can't help it, life is just better when she's around. When she leaves I mope around, but the second she's back again I forget all that I'm just so happy to see her and spend time with her. Maybe she'll be around for longer this time as the book is almost finished, I hope so, but at least I'll have the pub to distract me when she leaves. I'll be able to see much more of Remus too, which is good, well, probably not so good for him as I think he despairs of all my moaning.
Now I'll be living in Hogsmeade though, and I promise I'll be able to come and talk to you more often…guess I'd better go and say hi to Sirius before he starts pouting at you two." Harry said with a sad smile, as he ran his fingers over his parents' names. He stood and walked back to the tree where he found Hermione next to Sirius' stone.
"Ah, here he is Sirius. Told you he'd want to talk to you." Hermione said with a smile as Harry sat down next to her.
"Hey Padfoot." Harry said, taking Hermione's hand.
"Did she tell you I bought the pub? It's going to be great. Helping out the next generation of Marauders, catching up on all the Hogwarts gossip at the weekends, and bugging Remus to ask the new Transfiguration teacher out. I bet he's avoided talking about her? I've only met her briefly, but you should have seen his face when she said hello to us, he's smitten. I'm working on it though. Maybe a prank or two will get them closer." Harry said with a smirk and Hermione laughed.
"You didn't tell me about that!" She laughed.
"Well, It's a guy thing!" He said with a wink.
"Right…sounds more like a marauders thing to me, and do I have to remind you I'm as much a 2nd generation marauder as you are?" She teased him.
"Ok, you can help me come up with a genius plan then." Harry said.
"Well Sirius, it can't fail now, we've got Hermione's brains behind the plan now, and the perfect setting in the pub. I'll let you know how it goes…We miss you…" Harry said softly as they stood.
Harry and Hermione silently contemplated the names on all the other stones around the tree, taking a moment to thank each person who sacrificed their life in the fight against Voldemort. Harry stopped in front of Ginny's name and Hermione gave him a moment, heading over to his parents graves.
"Hey Lily, Hey James. Sorry it's been so long. He sounds so much happier doesn't he? I was so worried about him before, but he's back to his old self, planning pranks and plotting to get Remus on a date. He misses you both so much though. I'm sorry it's been so long since I was last home. I think I've decided to move home though, well, I have decided, I just haven't got used to the idea yet. But I'm here to look after him now, and keep him out of trouble. I promise." Hermione said quietly, before turning to walk back to Ginny's stone.
Harry and Hermione headed back to the Three Broomsticks to sit and chat before heading to the Burrow, and as it was relatively empty in the bar they talked with Rosmerta.