Is that love?

Are They in Love?

Dear My Dear,

Recently Lily asked me the same question after many different scenes. “Mommy, are they in love?” I'm sure you can only think one scene, but you will see. It's remarkable that the world through a child's eyes can be so much simpler.

Lily and I met Draco and Ginny for lunch at their manor. As usual when we arrived, they had just had an argument. You could tell by the flush of Ginny's cheeks and Draco's scowl. After greetings, we sat in the sunroom for a chat. “So, Lily how was school?”

You should have seen her eyes light up at the topic. She loves Hogwarts more than you did. You know, she is in her second year. “Oh! It's so much fun! Defense Against the Dark Arts is the best class, I think. Charlie says he thinks its lunch- but that doesn't count. Quidditch just started so it's hard to tell which team will win the cup. But so far, we're winning in Quidditch, but Charlie and Nate keeping losing us points- and of course Luke and Jake! Blowing everything up, messing with Peeves, setting off stink bombs! But they won't listen to me!” She huffed. A smile snuck onto my face. Oh, what would you say if you were here?

“Yes, well don't worry! I know how it feels when someone doesn't listen to you.” Ginny commented. I rolled my eyes.

“Well maybe if you could make up your mind, I would only have to listen once!” Draco retorted.

“Well! I just want to make sure we do the right thing!”

“You always want to do the right thing!”

“And what is the-“ I cut Ginny off knowing they were only going to continue.

“So, Draco how is your business?” I asked changing the subject.

“Fine,” obviously, he was still moody.

“How is St. Mungo's, Ginny?”

“Fine.”

But slowly the day progressed. Eventually going back to the topic of Lily's school year so far, it seemed to be the best option. But shortly after Ginny went to get afternoon tea, Draco followed her into the kitchen. When they didn't come back after 10 more minutes, so I got to check on them, knowing perfectly what they might be up to. When I turned the corner, I knew immediately they had made up. It was just like the time we found them in that classroom on Heads Duties. They were trying to swallow each others faces. Little did I know though, that Lily had followed me. “Mommy,” she said. “Are they in love?”

“Why yes sweetie, they are.”

* * * *

The next day we visited Fleur and Bill's eldest son, George and his fiancée, Wendy. She really is a lovely girl. Always has such a joyful presence. You would like her.

“Well, Lily you're in your second year. That must be exciting.” Wendy said.

“Oh! It is!” And then she started to talk all about Hogwarts. That lasted us till tea.

“How are you?” George asked me.

“Oh you know, good.” I said with a pause. “How are you two? Gosh the big day is in only a little over a month!”

“We can't wait!” George said as they turned to smile at each other.

“Yep, then we'll finally be Mr. and Mrs. George Weasley.” Wendy said. Both smiled with glee. Do you remember when we got engaged? Oh, it was wonderful. Shortly after that we had to leave. Once we left their house Lily turned and asked me, “Mommy, are they in love?”

“Why yes sweetie, they are.”

* * * *

For the Christmas dinner, we went to the Burrow. Even after all these years it is still the same. Molly out did herself this year. Of course everyone brought something though. Let's see, it was Ron and Lavender, Luna and Neville, Bill and Fleur, Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, me, Fred and Angelina, Ginny and Draco, and all the kids. I don't think we have ever had this many people here before.

Lily asked that question a few times that Christmas vacation and every answer I gave was the same except one. It was late one night, she came into my room.

“Mommy, were you and Daddy in love?” I looked into her eyes and saw yours. I blinked back my own tears. “Yes,” came a rasp, I swallowed, “Yes, sweetie we were. I am.” I felt the first tear run down my cheek. “I love your daddy so much.” And I do. I have missed you everyday for six years. That day will forever be in my memory. And I know you wouldn't have wanted me to feel guilty, but I do. I should have run in front of that curse. I let you push me out of the way. But I just froze. I sat on the ground and watched you fall to the ground. I still think back and try think of what I could have done. What I should have done.

Your daughter is growing up into a young lady but you aren't here to see it. I'm becoming old but you aren't here to see it. Ron is a father, but you aren't here to believe it. The world misses you, but you aren't here to see it. Harry, I'm still here, but you aren't.

Love,

Hermione Potter

A woman with curly brown hair and bright green eyes looked up from the letter in her hands with tears streaming down her face. “Lily!” A voice called from the next room over.

“Yea?” She called back.

“Did you finish packing up the desk yet?”

“No, Charlie, hold on.” She stuffed the letter back in an over stuffed folder titled “Dear My Dear.” A tall man with reddish-brown hair stepped into the room.

“Honey what's wrong?” He asked her. She swiped at her tears before turning around and telling him nothing. She hid the folder under her arm. “Well, I think we're done. The only thing left is this old desk.”

“Let's take it.”

“What?”

“You know I have some place to keep things instead of the kitchen table. It was my mother's after all.” He shrugged his shoulders. Once they got out of the house he told the movers to bring the desk. Lily looked back at the small house and smiled. She saw a light on in the right window as a woman sat at a desk as a man stood behind her. He looked out at Lily and smiled. She walked away down the driveway and looked once more. Yep, her father and mother were always alive in that house, like they were in her heart.

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