Hermione's physical wounds healed quickly, but her spirit was still impaled. Harry never again left her alone in the hospital wing; he slept there and stayed with her for nearly a week until the night she was released. He ignored the stares and looks from the rest of the school that too was in shock the war was over, and in shock at the revelation of Harry and Hermione's secret relationship. After her release from the hospital ward, several less then pleasant tasks remained; Harry had forced the authorities to wait for her to recover so she could attend her parents' funeral.
The morning after her release, he lovingly stoked her hair as they lay in their bed. "Mione, we need to talk. It's over, school's almost over, we need to make our plans."
"Harry, I don't want to make any plans, I just want to lay here forever."
"I would too, but there are things we must do, quite soon. Before we can have a life together, we must put them behind us. I've made all the arrangements, for your mum and dad."
"I…forgot… you arranged their… you know…" She began to choke with her forgotten grief.
"I made them wait until you were well. We're going to honor them in two days. It's all been done."
"You had them wait? Where are they going…? Oh Harry, I can't even say it." She closed her eyes and sunk her face into his chest. Her memories of that morning flooded back.
"They will rest at our home."
"Our home?" she lifted her head.
"Well, that's my surprise to you. I want us to live in Godric's Hollow. I've made arrangements for them next to my parents. I want them to be close to us forever. It's my family's private cemetery, now it's yours too. I wanted to have it sooner, but that's when Draco gave the warning."
"You did this for me?"
"Yes, I knew you were upset then, so I worked it out and Albus took care of the legal end. He showed me a picture of the cottage, it's perfect for us."
She tightened her grip around him and he could see her love for him in her eyes. "I would love to live there with you. Thank you for letting my family…" She couldn't finish her thought, one of the few times in her life she was speechless.
"We also have to pick a date for the wedding. Do you want a big one or small one?"
"I never thought about that, I always thought I'd have a big wedding with mum and dad… but now, I think all I want is you and our close friends."
"A small one it is. Do you want… to wait?"
"No, I want to get on with our life together. If you're still sure you want me."
"Why would I change my mind?" He inquired.
"That curse…" she said with a quiver to her voice.
"Forget that. We'll find a way; we've always beaten the odds before. It may take time, but there's no one else I want to share my life with."
"Right then, after school ends. June, or is that too soon?"
"I have a better idea, my birthday is July 31, and yours is September 19. How about right in the middle? August 25th, that'll give us time to get it done right."
"August it is. Have I told you today how much I love you?"
"Not yet…" Their lips met and they locked in an embrace sharing the passion they denied themselves for almost a year. He was gentle with her, since her wounds were still tender.
The day for her parents' funeral had been planned to be the same day as when the Weasley's were to be laid to rest under a sprawling oak tree overlooking a glen. The Weasley's were buried at the Burrow in the morning with the remaining family members present and the Granger's later that evening. Harry was included in the group, as was Hermione.
Shortly after the funeral for his adopted family at the Burrow, a private ceremony at Godric's Hollow was held for Hermione's parents. Albus Dumbledore was present at the graves, as acting Minister of Magic he held the authority to officiate at the funeral. Since a Ministry Member was required to be present at private funerals, he was more then willing to be there for two of his brightest students. At Harry's request, her parents remained in state in the cottage until the proper time for the funeral.
The young couple apparated to the cottage together and were met by their mentor. The two wizards were fully aware how difficult this event was for the young woman at Harry's side. He took her by the hand, having asked his mentor to wait. He had one task he needed to complete before they would continue with the funeral. They walked through the garden on the side of the cottage, to a small fenced area, overlooking a stream and fields. A bench sat along the edge of the small clearing, overlooking the view around the garden. The neatly kept site had an enchantment of its own, even without the magical occupants.
"Mum, dad, I'm sorry I never got here before now. Sirius wanted to bring me last year, but he's with you now. I've finished my tasks for the prophecy, and that bastard is gone forever. I leave school soon and I'm getting top marks, thanks to my friends. I want you to meet one of my closest friends, mum, dad, this is Hermione. We've known each other since the first time we were on Hogwarts Express, and we've been the closest of friends as we grew. She's the smartest witch of all time. I've asked her to be my wife, and she said she will."
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Potter. There's a lot you both should be proud of in your son. He's the finest and most honest person I've known, and I'm excited and honored that he's asked me to be part of his life. I do love him dearly." She held his hand closer to her heart and gave it a light kiss. "I promise to always love him and make him as happy as I can."
"Mum, dad, I have something else, I've decided to let her parents rest here, in the family cemetery, since they have been like family to me, and she is now my only family. I want Hermione to be as close to them as I want to be to you, from now on, as we plan to live in the cottage, after we marry." He waved a hand over a small area near the double headstone, and a pair of graves emerged from the ground, waiting to embrace their occupants in the bosom of the Earth. He left a gap between the newly formed graves and his parents' resting place. At the head, a double headstone emerged from the ground, with the inscription:
He turned to Hermione, as she saw a space between the two sets of graves. "I hope you don't mind, but I want to save this space between them, for us. I'm sure when our time comes you would want to be next to your mum and me, as I want to rest next to you and my mum." He motioned to the cottage and the matched caskets hovered from the entrance, followed by Albus, Remus, Tonks, Eileen and Jake all dressed in formal black cloaks.
Hermione, held his hand tightly the entire time. He never heard a sound from her, but he still knew she hurt, as only he could. As the vessels holding her parents passed, he reached his hand to her face, and without looking cleared the tears from her cheeks. The pair of caskets floated to the openings below the headstone and softly floated into their final resting place.
The group stood silent, no one had the proper words for that moment.
"Mum, dad, I love you both more then I could have ever told you in life. I know you both are at peace together, and I promise to always honor your memory." Hermione finally managed to break the silence, as she placed a single rose on both caskets.
"Drs. Granger, I will always keep Hermione safe, and I'll always love her. I promise you that. I'm sorry we never really got to know each other better, but I feel I know you from everything she'd told me about you and the short time we did spend together. Sleep in peace."
He waved his hands as if gently scooping the ground and the mounds of Earth filled the sites.
The couple stood at the fresh graves for what seemed to be an eternity, the finality of watching her parents laid to rest helped her close her past life. She tightened her grip on his hand, and laid her head on his shoulder, he still felt her chest hitch from the occasional sob. He placed a chaste kiss to her forehead and felt a hand grasp his other shoulder from behind. He turned his head to see Remus standing next to him, with obvious tear streaks on his face.
"My son, I couldn't be more proud of you then today." He heard the werewolf say.
"Remus? What? You're not my…"
"No, Harry, I'm not Remus. My last friend in life has given me this moment to see and talk to you and your future bride. Your mother will join us shortly. Please. Let's sit inside for the brief time we have."
"F-Father?" He asked as his legs began to wobble. He felt pair of arms hold him steady, as she slipped her around his waist and her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. She never let him go the entire time, just as he held and comforted her during the ceremony.
The three entered the small cottage, and sat around the table in the kitchen, Hermione never let his hand go. Remus, with the spirit of James in his body, also held their hands, in the most loving manor. Tonks entered a few minutes after the three had been sitting silent, and took the chair across from Harry.
"Harry, your mother sacrificed everything for you. And you have truly honored us both not only by what you have done, but in how you've lived your life."
"Harry," she began, "I'm sorry I've missed you grow into the man you've become. I'm pleased with many of the choices you've made in your life." She said as she reached for Hermione's hand. "She's a beautiful young woman and I can see into her heart that she loves you as no other had. You're very lucky."
"M-Mum?" He squeaked as he stopped trying to subdue his emotions. "How?"
"Can we be here? And not be able to be with you before? Harry, we've both been with you while you grew. I'm sorry for Petunia and Vernon. I wish James had someone that could have protected and loved you as you deserved."
"Mrs. Potter, I…"
"Please, love, you're as close to a daughter as I'll ever have, cam me mum, if you would like to. You mum and dad are happy here. They can't join us but asked me to thank Harry for his gesture. I must also say it's one I approve. That's why I was detained; I was having a chat with my future in-laws."
"They're really here?" She choked out between silent sobs.
"Yes and trust in that they will always watch over you both, just as we will."
"But our time here is short; Remus and Tonks are sacrificing precious time from their own lives to give us these moments. Harry, there are two things I must say, the first is obvious. Be happy. I know you will be with Hermione. The second is your task here is done. You have destroyed what had threatened our world. But, there are other forms of evil that you will face. Please, Harry, heed the warnings and advice you've received. He had tried to make us understand, but his message to us was so faint."
"Harry, he said you must listen to her, she will lead you to the light." His mother added.
"Mrs. Err, mum, who told you this?"
"All we know is he is a powerful wizard, a master as he was called, as powerful as Albus, and as good and true as he is. When he visits again, please listen."
"Mum, dad, I've never stopped thinking about you. I… I almost believed what they said about Sirius. I miss him as much as I miss you."
"He's passed through the veil, we haven't seen him."
"Isn't he with you?"
"No. Those that have passed through have not joined us."
"Then is he still alive?"
"We don't know. Harry, it is time, Remus is growing weak, if we don't leave, he might not be able to come back. Please thank him for these moments; we know how costly it was for him and Tonks. Good bye… we love you both."
"MOTHER, FATHER… I love you…" Harry cried as both Remus and Tonks released his hands before they slumped into their chairs.
"Harry, it's over. They've left. Professor Lupin, Tonks are you two ok?"
"Just a bit drained. That's all."
"Tonks," Hermione asked, "did you really see my mum and dad?"
"Yes, and they are happy you two finally admitted how much you mean to each other, and they were both sorry for your loss."
"Remus?" Harry interrupted, "what did they mean by what it cost you?"
"Don't worry; it's a small price I gladly would have given more."
"Please, it's important to me."
"And me too." Hermione added.
"My dears," Albus finally took this as his queue. "They have both sacrificed their lives, or a small portion, so you could have these moments of closure."
"Albus, it's not important. I'd give my life to have them back, no matter how briefly." The werewolf exclaimed.
"Come, you two have much to think about, and the year still is not over. You do have exams to complete, Harry and Hermione; I do believe you have Defense against the Dark Arts first thing in the morning." The old wizard said with a grin. "Not that I expect either of you to score very high, since it seems the Dark Arts seem to have been vanquished."
His halfhearted joke did lighten the moods, and after a few minutes of hugs and embraces, Remus and Tonks left the three alone inside. Jake and Eileen had remained outside waiting for this meeting to end as well, although she could return to the school, they needed to wait for the Headmaster to accompany Jake. Harry and Hermione remained in the cottage in an embrace that made the elder man feel out of place.
"Take your time, you two." He added on the way thru the door. "But you do need to return before dinner. Remember this is now and forever your home. Harry, you have seen to that."
"Albus," she asked tentatively, "I need to know, why I am here, why am I alive? I died, didn't I?"
He stopped his departure and motioned them back to the table. The three sat while he looked obviously lost in thought. Finally he gave the answer they did not want to hear. "Yes, I would say you did die, from a certain point of view."
"Then what ever I did brought her back, isn't that right?" Harry stated more then asked. He looked at her, he reached for her hand and she met him half way.
"Harry, I truly do not know the answer. I witnessed what can only be called a miracle. I imagine it was your devotion to her that kept her here long enough for her to fight her way back. It appeared she was not ready to leave you."
"Then she did it?" Harry asked.
"I wish I had an answer for you both. You were kneeling with her lifeless body in your arms, and you kissed her. Her body stiffened and when an aura surrounded you both I was momentarily blinded which caused me difficulty seeing much more. What I believe I saw was the same as the effect of a dementor's kiss. Your very soul left your body but the surrounding light intensified blocking my vision completely. I can only believe Hermione's soul joined with you briefly and then you both returned to your bodies."
"At one point," Harry added, "I felt cold as ice and then instantly I felt different, warm and protected. I thought I saw everything happening to us, like I was watching from your eyes."
"You left your body at that point, that much I did see, and that's when I would say you too had died. I can only presume Hermione had drawn on your essence and took what she needed to survive. Her need for survival must have been great to risk taking your life."
She looked at Harry and her free hand went instinctively to her stomach.
"I was carrying his child. Do you think that's why I came back?"
"It is quite possible, the maternal instinct is very strong, and the magical powers you both possess as individuals are incredible."
"If her soul joined with mine, then we truly are soul mates," he joked.
"It is time we returned to the school. However, you both would do well to make note of any side effects you notice over time." Dumbledore stood first turned to leave them and walked to the door. Harry and Hermione never looked up as they heard a loud pop, leaving them alone in their home for the first time in their lives.
They sat there alone for several minutes, she held his hands and stared in his eyes; there was one last detail she needed to clear up with him now that they were alone.
"Harry, when it happened and I left, you whispered in my ear. I heard you; you know I couldn't let you take your own life."
"I can't, I won't live with out you. I would have joined you right then."
"I know and I couldn't let you do it. I do love you, you know. I think that's why I came back."
"But you did come back. And you're here with me." He smiled at her.