Authors' note: Happy Christmas! We'll warn you ahead of time that this one isn't a very happy one. Something very sad happens in this chapter that was very difficult for us to write. There's your warning.
Gordon watched this touching scene before turning his attention back to the letter he was writing.
He had attempted to write one right after he'd brought Ethan there, but had not sent it. This was the right time now, he decided as he scrawled across the parchment.
He wanted to tell Hermione how he was doing this for her and how they'd be together soon. But, he didn't want to draw attention to his real identity. They were all so convinced it was Dolohov.
Gordon glanced back at the body of Nikolai Dolohov that was still slumped in the corner of his room.
"You've helped me out more than you know, old friend," Gordon said.
He tossed the blanket over the body and folded up the letter.
He knew that this would be dangerous, but he wanted to deliver the letter in person. He wanted to see Hermione's face when she read it.
He went into a drawer where he had some hairs he'd gathered from healers, nurses, anyone he could get them from.
He was almost giddy from the anticipation of being within touching distance of Hermione.
He found himself back in London in fifteen minutes, his appearance changed to that of a male healer that had once come in his room. The envelope grew sweaty as he clutched it in his hand.
Security had been beefed up at the Ministry in the wake of what had happened to the Minister's children. Gordon though had come prepared and he made it through the security checks without incident.
He trembled with excitement as he rode the lift up to the Minister's office. "Soon," he whispered, wiping his brow. "My sweet, sweet Hermione..."
The lift stopped on one of the lower floors and Gordon paled when he saw Harry Potter step inside.
He unconsciously moved to the corner to stay as far away from Potter as possible.
"Hello, Harry," Hannah Abbott said. "How are you holding up?"
Harry shook his head. "Not that great," he answered.
"If there's anything I can do for you and Hermione," Hannah offered. "Please let me know."
"Thanks," Harry managed a small smile. "We're just hoping to discover any sort of lead. Anything that tells us they're all right."
Gordon hid his smile. He was right under Potter's nose and that idiot didn't even know it.
"My stop," he said in a low voice when the lift opened and Potter didn't move.
"I beg your pardon," Gordon said impatiently.
Harry looked up in annoyance and for a moment stared straight into the man's eyes. "Sorry," he grunted, moving aside.
"Steven, is that you?" Hannah called after him.
Gordon froze.
"Steve," Hannah pulled on his arm. "I THOUGHT that was you!"
Gordon coughed nervously. "Um..."
"I haven't seen you in ages," Hannah said smiling at him. "Are you still at St. Mungos?"
"No," Gordon answered. "I um... think you have me mistaken for someone else."
"Steve," Hannah laughed. "I think I'd know you anywhere. Harry, this is Steven Bertram. He works in the Psychological ward at St. Mungos."
"Hello," Harry nodded. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," Gordon said extending his hand. "I've heard about your...children."
Harry shook the man's hand, wondering why he felt so wary about this stranger. "We're hoping to find them safe and sound."
"The minister's such a lovely woman," Gordon said. "She doesn't deserve to go through this."
"No she doesn't," Harry replied. "If you'll excuse me--"
Gordon nodded and watched as Harry strode out of the elevator and toward Hermione's office.
"Didn't you say this was your floor too?" Hannah asked. "Steve?"
"Yes," Gordon said breaking out of his reverie. "Um, good to see you again."
"you too," Hannah's voice trailed away as the lift closed.
Gordon slowly walked in the direction of the Minister's office. He could his sweet Hermione's voice.
"Still nothing?" she was saying, her voice weary. "Harry... it's been a week since Ethan disappeared. I can't take this anymore. We've been keeping my mother in the dark and--"
"We'll tell Elinore tonight," Harry said.
Gordon stood against the wall so Hermione's assistant wouldn't see him.
"She's not going to react well," Hermione said. "I'm really worried about her."
"Come here," Harry said.
Gordon fumed as he thought of his Hermione in Potter's arms.
"We'll find them," Harry sounded more reassuring and sure of himself than he actually felt. "I know we will. And at least they're together."
"I just want to see them again," Hermione said. "To hold them in my arms and see for myself that they're okay."
"I know you do," Harry said. "I want that too. And I'll do whatever I can to make that happen."
Gordon rolled his eyes. Potter wasn't going to have anything to do with that. Hermione was going to reunite with her children because of him, not because of Potter.
"I just wanted to come up and see you," Harry continued. "See if you're all right..."
"I'm thinking of going home," Hermione said. "I can't concentrate here."
"Jules is there with Nick and the girls," Harry said. "Go on home and be with them."
"What about you?" Hermione asked.
"I'll be here a little while longer," Harry said.
"Let me know the second you hear something," Hermione said, hugging him tightly.
"The split second," Harry promised, giving her a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you," Hermione said softly.
Gordon dropped the note on the floor and hurried away.
Samuel heard something around the corner and spied the piece of parchment lying there. "Minister!"
Hermione and Harry ran out of the office. "What is it, Samuel?" Hermione asked.
Samuel handed Harry the parchment. "Someone must have just left this here."
"Did you see?" Harry asked angrily. "Samuel---"
"By the time I got around here, whoever it was had left," Samuel replied. Harry instantly took off down the corridor.
There was no one on the hall though and Harry punched the wall in frustration.
"Son of a bitch," he growled, looking into the lift and the stairwell.
Hermione was about to take off after her husband when she heard her eldest daughter's voice from the fireplace. "Mum! Mum!"
"Yes Julie?" Hermione asked tiredly.
"It's Gran!" Julie exclaimed. "Please...you have to come home now!"
Hermione felt icy cold all over. "What's wrong with her?"
Julie's lower lip trembled. "I-I don't know. One minute we were in the sitting room with her...and then, Nick and I went into the kitchen to talk. She ...Mum...please you have to come now!"
"Sam, tell Harry I've gone back to the house," Hermione grabbed her cloak.
"Of course," Samuel replied.
"She's on the sofa in the sitting room," Julie pulled on her mother's arm. "We... we can't wake her up Mum."
Hermione nodded and hurried to where her mother was lying motionless on the sofa. "How---how long has she been like this?"
"I'm not sure," Julie said. "Nick's gone for a healer."
"Where are Katie and Ashley?" Hermione asked.
"Greta's taken them upstairs," Julie replied, wiping at her eyes.
"Good," Hermione said tersely. She knelt down next to her mother's still figure.
Hermione lifted her mother's wrist to feel for a pulse.
"Can you..." Julie whispered fearfully. "Is she..."
"There's...there's no... There's no pulse," Hermione choked out.
"Oh Merlin," Julie slapped her hands over her mouth as her eyes welled up with tears. "This can't be happening!"
Nick arrived with the healers at that moment and Hermione stood back watching the men examine her mother. Julie told them everything that she remembered.
"Nick and I were talking... about my brother and sister," Julie said, wiping her eyes. "And my Gran, she was just sitting here and when we came back in, she was like that."
Nick put his arm around his wife. "It's going to be fine, sweetheart. They're going to do everything they can to help her."
"We can't feel a pulse," Julie sobbed.
Hermione gave them Elinore's medical information and the medicines she was currently taking.
The healers checked her over for several moments before one shook their head. "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for her."
Julie shook her head. "No. There has to be something you can do! Check her again!"
"Please," Hermione said softly. "It's my mother."
"I'm sorry, Minister," the healer told her. "We think your mother had a stroke. From what we can tell, she died instantly. I'm sorry. There's really nothing we can do."
Hermione let out an anguished cry as her knees buckled.
"Mum!" Julie cried out.
"I'll get Harry," Nick said quickly.
Hermione collapsed into her daughter's arms. The healers quickly levitated her over to the other sofa.
"She's just fainted from the shock," the healer tried to assure Julie.
Julie felt like passing out as well but took a few deep breaths.
Her father and Nick returned to the house and Harry immediately went to his wife's side.
"It's Gran," Julie said, tears coursing down her face. "She's gone."
Nick held his wife. "I'm so sorry, Jules."
"Why is this happening?" Julie buried her face in his shoulder. "Nick I can't handle this!"
"You're not going to do this alone," Nick said softly. "You can lean on me and the girls."
Harry pressed his lips to his wife's forehead. "Hermione..." he said softly. "Sweetheart..."
Hermione's eyes blinked open. "Harry---"
"I'm so sorry, love." Harry said.
"Mum," Hermione said remembering what had happened. "Oh Merlin..."
"I know," Harry said. "I wish I knew what I could have done for her."
"Minister," one of the healers said. "We're going to take your mother to St. Mungos now."
Hermione nodded wearily as she pulled herself up.
Harry helped her get to her feet. He didn't want to tell her about the contents of the latest letter from Dolohov. Now wasn't the time.
"I can't believe this," Hermione wept. "Harry... why? How?"
"I wish I knew," Harry said hugging her tightly. "I wish I knew."
"What did that letter say?" Hermione asked abruptly. "Was it from Dolohov?"
"Um, perhaps it would be best to worry about that later," Harry replied.
"No," Hermione said. "Tell me."
Julie sat down on the other side of her mother. She wanted to know, too.
Harry reluctantly handed over the letter.
Sorry I haven't written to you sooner. I've been busy entertaining my guests. I have to say I'm quite disappointed in you. I would have thought you would have at least TRIED to find us by now. But, that's okay. I'm a patient man and I will get what I want soon enough. Two down, two to go...
"Two to go?" Hermione asked, her voice rising in near hysteria. "TWO TO GO?"
"Two to go?" Julie echoed. "What does that mean? If he's following a pattern, it would be one left. Me. Who else is he planning on taking?"
"You can't leave this house," Hermione panicked.
"Mum---" Julie protested.
Hermione shook her head. "No, Julie!"
"I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you," Harry told his daughter.
"I'd like to see him try and take Jules," Nick said angrily.
"No one's taking me anywhere," Julie said.
"Damn straight," Nick said firmly.
"Let's go to St. Mungos," Harry took his wife's arm.
"We're going to stay here," Julie said. "We need to tell the girls."
"We won't be long, sweetheart," Harry told his daughter.
Julie nodded and gave her mother a hug. "I love you, Mum."
"I love you too," Hermione held her tightly as if afraid to let her go.
"I'm not going anywhere," Julie promised, her eyes shining with tears.
Hermione shook her head. "Right," she whispered.
Julie gave her father a hug too. "Take care of Mum."
"Always," Harry said before they disappeared.
Nick looked at his wife. "We should go and tell the girls. They're probably worried sick."
"How are we going to break this to them?" Julie asked.
"We'll do it together," Nick said squeezing her hand. "Come on."
Julie followed him upstairs, dreading the moment they had to tell their daughters. Ashley would take this especially hard.
Ashley and Katie were with Greta in one of the guest rooms. Both girls had tears in their eyes. They'd seen what had happened to their great-grandmother.
"Mummy?" Ashley stood up. "Is Gran okay?"
"Yeah, Mummy," Katie said quietly. "Grandma Ellie's going to be fine. She just has to take one of her pills and she'll be good as new, right?"
Julie squeezed Nick's hand. "It's not as simple as that, girls."
"Did she have to go to hospital?" Ashley asked.
"She um..." Julie lost her voice.
"Your Grandma Ellie had a massive stroke," Nick took over.
Katie looked up at her father. "A what?"
"A stroke," Julie swallowed. "I'm afraid she's... she's..."
Ashley shook her head. "No..."
"Gran died, girls," Nick said gently.
Katie ran into Nick's arms. "Oh, Daddy!"
"I know, baby." Nick soothed. "I know..."
"Ash?" Julie asked. "Sweetheart..."
"She couldn't have died!" Ashley stood up. "She was okay just a little while ago!"
"I know, baby," Julie said smoothing down Ashley's hair. "But, the healers said it was quick. She wasn't in any pain. And... And she's with your grandfather again."
Ashley's lower lip trembled. "But.... but..."
Julie hugged her daughter. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."
Ashley began to cry in earnest. "She was okay just a little while ago!"
Julie started to cry again, too.
"What's Aunt Saffy and Uncle Ethan going to do when they find out?" Katie asked.
"I don't know," Nick said. "But you know how close your Grandma Ellie was to your Aunt Saffy."
Katie nodded, wiping her eyes.
"Your Grandma Hermione is going to need lots of hugs and kisses now," Nick told Katie. "Do you think you could do that?"
"Yes Daddy," Katie put her arms around him.
"I can do that too," Ashley said in a small voice.
"That's my good girls," Nick said.
Julie put her head in her hands. "Aunt Lav. She doesn't know."
Lavender had stayed at the house the last few days, but she'd left that morning to work on some designs at one of her boutiques.
Nick sighed. "I'll Floo her over now."
Julie shook her head. "I'll ring her at the shop. I'll tell her she needs to come back here."
"All right," Nick nodded.
Julie stepped out into the hall. She didn't know how she'd break this news to Lavender. Lavender loved Robert and Elinore Granger like they were her own parents.
She pulled her mobile out of her bag and dialled her aunt.
"Jules?" Lavender asked when she answered. "Is everything okay? I'm nearly finished here. And don't worry; I bought those chocolates Aunt Ellie likes. I'll bring them home with me."
"Um," Julie hesitated. "Aunt Lav... things aren't okay. I think you should come home as soon as you can."
Lavender was silent for a few moments. "Um...have you heard anything about Ethan and Saffy? Is that what this is?" Lavender finally asked.
"No," Julie said. "I think you just need to come home."
"I'll---I'll be right there," Lavender said.
Julie hung up; glad she hadn't told her aunt over the phone. She deserved to hear this in person.
Lavender arrived a few moments later. "Julie!"
"Aunt Lav," Julie rushed and hugged her.
"Julie, you're scaring me," Lavender said.
"It's Gran," Julie said, the lump back in her throat.
"Did she forget to take her medicine?" Lavender asked pulling away to look properly at Julie. "Look, we'll calm her down and everything---"
"She um..." Julie let out a choked sob. "She's gone, Aunt Lav."
"She's not gone," Lavender said. "I saw her just this morning before I left. She asked me to bring her those chocolates. Remember?" She could see the look on her niece's face, but she didn't want to believe this. It couldn't be true.
"I know but..." Julie stopped for a moment. "They said she had a massive stroke. That she... died instantly, and wasn't in any pain."
"No," Lavender said vehemently shaking her head. "She's not gone! Aunt Ellie!"
"I'm so sorry to have to tell you," Julie said, tears welling in her eyes.
Lavender dropped her bags and ran toward her aunt's room. "Aunt Ellie! I'm home!"
"Aunt Lav, please..." Julie followed her.
Lavender opened up the door and saw that it was just like she'd remembered seeing it that morning. It was cruel of Julie to play a joke like this. Elinore couldn't be gone. Lavender would feel it if she was.
"Jules..." Lavender turned. "Tell me it's not true... please."
"I wish it wasn't," Julie replied wiping at her eyes. "She---she was sitting with us downstairs. Nick and I stepped out to have a private word about Ethan and Saffy and...I think she might have heard us."
Lavender stared at her. "Oh Jules..."
Julie hugged her. "I'm so sorry, Lavender. It was my fault. If Nick and I hadn't---"
Lavender hugged her niece tightly. "Don't you blame yourself, Julie."
"I can't believe this is all happening," Julie sobbed.
"This doesn't seem real," Lavender said, still holding her niece. "Not... even possible."
"Mum and Dad are at St. Mungos," Julie said pulling away. She told her aunt about the latest letter from Dolohov.
Lavender wiped at her eyes. "I need Seamus. I need him here."
"I need to check on the girls," Julie said. "If you want, I'll have Nick call him for you."
"Thank you Julie," Lavender said. "I... I need to be alone right now."
Julie nodded. "I'll be in the girls' room if you need me."
"Thanks Jules," Lavender reached for a tissue.
Lavender sat down on the edge of her aunt's bed. Elinore had never once treated her as an outsider to the Granger family. She'd taken Lavender in when she had no one. She'd treated her just like a daughter.
"Oh Merlin Aunt Ellie," Lavender began to sob in earnest. "How could you die? How could you not... not let me tell you how much you meant to me?"
Lavender looked at the framed photographs on the bedside table. There was a picture of Lavender and Hermione taken a couple of Christmases ago. There was also a photograph of her three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Family had always been so important to Elinore. Hearing about Saffron had taken quite a lot out of her and now with Ethan...
Lavender began to sob harshly again. It seemed as if everything was falling apart around here.
Saffron and Ethan were eating lunch in the ramshackle house, oblivious to the turmoil going on at home.
"At least he feeds us okay," Saffron said as she finished the sandwich.
"We're too valuable to him," Ethan said pushing away his plate.
Saffron nodded glumly.
"At least we haven't heard from the smarmy git today," Ethan said.
"Not yet at least," Saffron said bitterly. "I hate him so much."
"I'm not going to let him do anything to you," Ethan promised.
Saffron nodded before leaning against him.
"Dad's birthday is next week," Ethan said.
"I know," Saffron said. "And we'll miss it, for the first time ever."
"You're not going to make him those cupcakes he likes so much," Ethan said with a laugh.
"No," Saffron said quietly.
"Don't lose your faith, Brat," Ethan said giving her a hug. "We're going to get out of here."
"I hope so," Saffron wiped her eyes. "I miss everyone... and we have no idea how Lexie is... how Sean's parents are..."
"Or how Gran's doing with all this," Ethan said.
Saffron's eyes filled with tears again at the mention of her beloved grandmother.
"When we get out of here, we'll spend more time with her," Ethan vowed.
"Right," Saffron wiped her eyes. "Damn it Ethan, why can't we get out of here?"
"Because this psycho has obviously been planning this for a long, long time," Ethan replied thoughtfully. "He's thought of everything."
"I know," Saffron said. "He's completely demented."
"Dad's going to find us," Ethan said.
"Soon?" Saffron asked.
"He's never failed us before, has he?" Ethan asked her.
"No," Saffron said. "He never will."
"So, you have faith, okay?" Ethan said nudging her. "We're going to keep each other sane in here."
"Right," Saffron hugged him hard.
"Love you, Saf," Ethan said.
"I love you too Ethan," Saffron said. "And as twisted as this may sound, I'm glad you're here with me."
Ethan laughed. "That's because I'm quite charming."
"Whatever," Saffron said.
"Good afternoon, children," Gordon's voice called out to them.
"Just don't answer," Ethan told his sister.
"I saw your parents today," Gordon said in a sing-song voice.
"What?" Saffron asked before she could stop herself.
"I was right in front of your father and he didn't even know!" Gordon cackled.
Saffron's lower lip trembled again. "Why are you doing this?" she asked angrily. "Why can't you leave my family alone?"
"You are my family," Gordon told her. "You and your sister and brother and your sweet, lovely mother. She's even more beautiful than I remembered."
"She hates you!" Saffron screamed.
Ethan put his arm on his sister's shoulder. "Saffy, he's trying to bait you. Just don't listen."
"I can't help it," Saffron said, angry tears streaming down her face. "He sits and flaunts to us about seeing mum and dad and I can't take this anymore!"
"Don't cry," Gordon said.
"Leave her alone!" Ethan roared.
"You shut up, Potter," Gordon said coldly.
"Do you really think that you're going to take us away to some island and make us your family?" Ethan asked him. "Hmm? My mother was terrified of you. She loves my father and she always will."
"YOU SHUT UP YOU INSOLENT SHIT!" Gordon roared.
Saffron felt chills run up and down her spine at the tone and harshness of his voice.
Ethan wrapped his arm protectively around her. "As long as I'm here, he won't touch you. I swear it."
"Your father will be a distant memory once we're all together," Gordon said. "Now, if you'll excuse me…something seems to have happened. I need to see if your mummy is okay."
"What?" Ethan asked. "What's happened?"
"Goodbye for now, kids." Gordon said. "We'll talk later."
Gordon didn't tell them that news of the Minister's mother's death had just come over the Wireless.
"My poor Hermione," he said. "I'd be there to comfort you..."
Gordon looked at the old, torn photograph he had of the two of them. He traced her face with his finger.
"My sweet, sweet Hermione." he said. "I've never once stopped loving you."
"We'll be together soon," Gordon whispered.
*** *** ***
Hermione awoke the morning of her mother's funeral wondering how she'd even made it to bed. She vaguely remembered her husband giving her something to drink last night. He must have put a sleeping potion in there, because otherwise, she never would have fallen asleep.
Her mother. Tears filled her eyes as the realisation of her mother's death hit her again.
Julie knocked on the bedroom door. "Mum? It's me."
Hermione pulled herself up. "Come in Jules."
Julie opened the door and stepped inside. She was carrying a tray of tea and toast. "How'd you sleep?"
Hermione shrugged. "I slept; I'm sure in thanks to your father."
"Don't be angry with him," Julie said setting the tray down. "He's worried about you."
"I'm not angry with him," Hermione said. "I just... don't understand why, Julie."
"I wish I knew," Julie said softly. "None of this makes sense."
"No," Hermione shook her head. "It doesn't."
"I was going to ask," Julie said. "I know we were limiting the funeral guests to close family and friends. It's just--well, Katie has Caroline to lean on and I was hoping you'd allow Ashley to have Zander and Brittany with her today."
Hermione nodded. "Of course."
Julie smiled. "Thanks."
"Ash is a good girl," Hermione said. "She was in here last night just sitting with me."
Julie nodded. "She's worried about you, too. They both are."
Hermione wiped her eyes. "They're my sweet girls."
"I hate to think of Saffy and Ethan finding out about it," Julie said.
"Especially Saffron," Hermione thought of her youngest daughter.
"Saffy and Gran had a special connection," Julie said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know Gran loved us all but she and Saffy were like two peas in a pod."
"They were," Hermione's face collapsed as she began to sob.
Julie sat down and put her arms around her mother. "Oh, Mum..."
"I can't handle this," Hermione's chest heaved up and down. "Jules, I can't do this!"
Julie pulled away and looked at her mother. "You can, Mum. You are the strongest, bravest person I know."
"No I'm not," Hermione whimpered. "I want my mother... I want my babies home with me."
"I know you do," Julie soothed. "I know you do. I wish I could bring them home for you right now."
Julie held back her own tears. She'd never seen her mother like this before.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked. "I need Harry."
"I'll get him for you," Julie said standing up.
Hermione nodded as she drew her legs up to her chest.
Julie hurried downstairs where her father was sitting with the others.
"Mum---she needs you, Dad," Julie told him.
Harry got up immediately. "Is she all right?"
Julie shook her head. "She's falling apart, Dad."
"Excuse me," Harry muttered to the others as he rushed out of the kitchen.
He took the steps two at a time.
"Hermione," he burst into the room. "Sweetheart, I'm here."
Hermione looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Oh, Harry!"
He pulled her into his arms. "I know, baby."
Hermione sobbed into his shoulder. This was all too much for her. First Saffron, then Ethan, and then her mother's death.
Harry felt his heart break as his wife broke down. "It's going to be okay, sweetheart." he tried to soothe her. "This will all come to an end soon. I'm going to find Ethan and Saffy."
Hermione didn't say anything. She just clung tightly to her husband.
"We need to get you ready," Harry said gently. "Hermione..."
Hermione nodded. "You'll be with me? All day?"
"I won't leave your side," Harry promised. "I'll always be here for you, Hermione."
Hermione gave him a kiss. "I wouldn't be able to do this without you and Julie and the girls."
"And we'd never let you go through it alone," Harry said, resting his forehead on hers.
"She thought of you like a son," Hermione said softly. "She said you were one of the good ones and I was lucky to have you."
"And I was lucky to have her and Robert as my in laws," Harry said.
"I can't believe they're both gone," Hermione said quietly.
"At least they're together again," Harry said softly. "That's really what she wanted."
"More than anything," Hermione said. "I keep trying to tell myself that."
Harry nodded before giving her a kiss. "Need a hand getting ready?" he asked.
"I think I'll be okay," Hermione said. "Thank you though."
Harry nodded. "I'll be just downstairs with everyone else if you need me."
Hermione pulled back the covers. "I love you, Harry."
"I love you too," Harry said. "I'm going to get our family back, Hermione. I promise you that."
Hermione gave him a slight smile. "That's what I want more than anything."
"I'm going to make it happen," Harry swore.
Hermione gave him a hug before she headed into the bathroom.
Harry walked back downstairs to find the rest of his family. Ron, Luna and Maddie had joined them.
"Morning, mate," Ron said clapping him on the back.
"Morning," Harry sighed. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course," Ron replied. "How's Hermione?"
"Barely holding it together," Harry answered. He looked over at his daughter in law. "How are you feeling, Maddie?"
"As well as can be expected," Maddie replied. She'd moved in with her parents since Ethan's disappearance.
Harry nodded. "How's the baby?"
Maddie patted her stomach. "Fine."
"Good," Harry said. "Um... there's coffee, juice and some scones if anyone's hungry."
I wish there was something I could do for Mum.
Maddie looked over at her sister-in-law. She knew Julie hadn't said anything.
I just can't believe Gran is gone... I wish I had helped her out more.
This time Maddie heard a younger voice, and she looked over at Ashley who was picking at a scone.
Maddie walked over to her niece and put her hand on her shoulder. "Your Gran loved you very much."
Ashley nodded. "I loved her too."
"She loved every moment you spent with her," Maddie said softly. "Just remember those good times."
"I'm going to try," Ashley wiped her eyes.
"That's what I do when I'm sad about Ethan," Maddie said. "And it makes me feel a little better."
"I miss him too," Ashley said sadly. "And Aunt Saffy."
Maddie staved off her tears as she thought of her husband. "They're going to come home soon, Ash. I can feel it."
Katie looked over at her. "Really?"
"They have to," Maddie nodded. "We need them."
"Do you want some juice, Aunt Maddie?" Ashley asked.
"Sure," Maddie said. "Thank you, Ashley."
"Is there anything I can do?" Luna asked Harry.
Harry shook his head. "I'm just glad you lot are here. It means a lot to Hermione."
"We wouldn't be anywhere else," Luna said.
Hermione came into the kitchen. "I'm ready," she said quietly.
"You look lovely," Luna said giving her friend a hug.
"Liar," Hermione said. "But thank you for saying so."
"You do," Luna said sincerely. Hermione had pulled her hair back into a chignon and was wearing black dress robes.
"You're wearing Gran's pearls," Julie said softly.
"I need to be close to her," Hermione touched them.
"They're really pretty, Grandma," Katie said looking up at her grandmother.
"Thank you sweetheart," Hermione hugged her.
Lavender and Seamus had just arrived at the mansion with Gabriel. Lavender felt numb as she followed them into the kitchen.
Hermione saw her cousin and went over to her. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too," Lavender said hugging her tightly. "Hermione, this isn't really happening, is it?"
"I don't want to believe it either," Hermione wiped her eyes. "I don't want to believe any of this is real."
"We're going to get through this together, right?" Lavender asked.
Hermione squeezed her hand. "Right."
Gabriel sat down at the table with Katie, Ashley and Maddie.
"You know what my Grandma's going through," Katie said looking at him. "Since you lost your Mummy, right?"
"Kind of," Gabriel nodded.
"I don't ever want to lose my Mummy," Katie said.
"I didn't either," Gabriel said. "But... she was really sick."
"How did you get through it?" Ashley asked.
"I had my grandparents," Gabriel told her. "And my friends... and then I found my dad."
"I bet you're glad you found him," Katie said.
"I sure am," Gabriel nodded.
"My grandpa never knew his parents," Katie told him.
Ashley would have reminded her sister that Gabriel already knew that, but she decided to let it slide.
"I heard that," Gabriel nodded. "That must be rough."
"How's Aunt Lavender holding up?" Ashley asked.
"Not that great," Gabriel said. "She's really torn up over this."
"So's Grandma," Ashley said.
"They'll be okay," Gabriel told them. "This just takes awhile to get over."
"Thanks, Gabe," Ashley said.
Katie looked around for her father, but he'd disappeared a few minutes ago.
A few moments later, Nick called out for Ashley. Ashley walked into the sitting room to see what he wanted and her jaw dropped when she saw who was with him.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked upon seeing her best friends.
"Your mum and dad asked if we could come," Brittany said giving her a hug. "How are you, Ash?"
"I'm okay," Ashley said.
"We were really sorry to hear about your Gran," Zander said giving her a hug, too.
Nick smiled at his daughter. He knew it meant a lot to her to have her friends there. It was only fair given that Katie would have Caroline.
"Thanks," Ashley hugged him back tightly. "I'm so glad you both are here."
"We even got Zander in a suit," Brittany teased.
"Yeah well, it's the last time for awhile," Zander pulled at the neck of his shirt.
"You look very handsome," Ashley told him.
He turned a bit red. "Thanks..."
"Would you kids like to have some breakfast?" Nick asked them. "We have scones and juice..."
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Brittany said.
"Just this way," Nick motioned.
Brittany linked her arm with Ashley's.
"I already ate," Ashley told her. "But we can all sit together."
"Hello Professor Malfoy," Zander said to Julie.
"Hi Zander," Julie smiled at her daughter's friends. "Good morning, Brittany."
"My mum wanted to make sure you'd received the flowers she sent," Brittany said.
"We did," Julie nodded. "It was really a lovely gesture."
Brittany shared a smile with her friend as she and Zander grabbed a scone and some juice.
"We took them to the graveyard to put by her there," Ashley said softly.
"She's going to be buried beside my Grandpa Robert," Katie told them.
"We keep saying that they're together again," Ashley crumpled a napkin in her hand.
Lavender wiped at her eyes. Seamus put his arm around her.
"We should get going," Hermione told them. "We need to be there soon."
"Right," Julie said. "Girls..."
Katie turned to her father. "Hold my hand, Daddy."
Nick did just that. "Come on, Katie Bear."
"Are you three ready?" Julie asked her daughter and her friends.
Ashley nodded. "Yes, Mum."
It didn't take the group long to reach the graveyard where a simple service was being held.
Hermione stood in the middle of her husband and cousin.
"I'm right here sweetheart," Harry took her arm.
Hermione leaned against him.
The vicar said a few prayers and words about Elinore and about Robert, talking about their life together and how they were joined now in death.
"I visited Elinore quite a bit over the past few years," the vicar said. "She gave me a letter that she asked that I read in the event of her death."
Hermione and Lavender looked at each other in surprise. They didn't know such a letter existed.