"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 17 The Memorial
A/N: The usual disclaimers apply. Again I apologize it took a bit longer to update than I wanted it to. Alas, we are down to the last three chapters, and I have decided to post them one at a time. To all who have read this story so far, I am so grateful. To all who have taken the time to review, and they have been such wonderful reviews, I thank you so much. It is you who have given me the incentive to continue.
Their final year at Hogwarts was quickly coming to an end, as there were only two days left in the school year, and once it was over, real life would begin. Harry and Hermione were enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the Great Hall. They had spent the last few days making plans and discussing their future together. She was just finishing her last forkful of eggs when a thought came rushing into her mind. With so much going on with preparations to leave school, and plans for their future and such, she had forgotten all about it. She suddenly felt horribly ashamed of herself.
"Harry," she said softly.
"Yes, love, what is it?" he asked, seeing a troubled look on her face.
"Remember when I was in the hospital, and Professor Dumbledore was talking to me about my parents? He tried to explain to me how instrumental you were in getting something done about an important aspect of my parent's arrangements, or something similar to that. I remember it was very confusing, whatever he was trying to say. But, he did say when I was better, that you would explain to me what it was that you did. Well, I definitely think I'm fully recovered now." said Hermione.
"Yes, Hermione, I remember, and you are definitely recovered, too. However, instead of telling you, I think it would be more appropriate for me to show you. Do you think you're up to a little trip?" enquired Harry.
Hermione, looking puzzled, answered, "Sure, I feel fine Harry. Uh, we're not going to be flying, are we?"
Harry saw the fear in her eyes.
"No, Hermione, we are not going by broomstick, a Port Key is quicker," said Harry.
After quickly finishing up the remainder of breakfast, Harry and Hermione returned to the Gryffindor common room. Luckily the room was completely empty. Harry looked around for a moment, finally seeing an empty butter beer bottle half hidden under a couch. He retrieved the bottle and set it down on a nearby table.
Harry produced his wand and pointed it at the bottle.
"Portus!"
The bottle glowed blue and vibrated for a moment, then returned to a normal appearance.
Looking at his love, he asked, "Are you ready?"
Hermione looked nervous, but she nodded.
"Okay, on three. One, two, three," said Harry.
They both touched the bottle and instantly experienced the familiar sensations of traveling by Port Key, but their journey lasted only mere seconds.
When they arrived at their destination, Harry had to wait a moment for the customary queasy feeling to pass, as traveling by Port Key always made him feel this way. Once the feeling was gone, he moved closer to Hermione and took her hand. They both stood there for a moment, gazing at the plain but nice looking house with beautifully landscaped grounds that stood before them.
"Harry, where are we?" Hermione asked almost in a whisper.
"We are in the village of Godric's Hollow. The house you see here is the very house in which my parents fought Voldemort and died. It's the same house where he tried to kill me but failed," said Harry reverently.
"Harry, I thought the house was destroyed," she said softly.
"It was, but the Order rebuilt it and uses it on occasion. They are also the ones that keep the grounds looking so nice. It is such a beautiful sunny morning, I'm sure the grounds will look wonderful," he said.
"I don't understand, Harry. Why have we come to a place that holds so many horrible memories for you, when you are suppose to be showing me something about my parents?" she asked looking puzzled.
Harry didn't say a word, he just started leading her around the side of the house to the huge landscaped grounds in the rear. She couldn't believe her eyes that behind the house was an immense expanse of land the likes of which she had never seen. There were so many flowers, huge shrubs, and trees of every kind, beautifully arranged and obviously well taken care of.
"Oh, Harry. This is beautiful, but what has it got to do with my parents?" enquired Hermione.
They continued to walk out into the huge landscaped field. As they headed towards a gigantic stand of flowering shrubs, Harry finally spoke.
"The house you saw back there is the place where my parents died. Out here, in this beautiful stretch of land, up until a few weeks ago, is the site of their final resting place," said Harry softly.
At his last words, they came past the flowering shrubs and approached two gleaming white marble headstones which were near a huge collection of wild roses. As they walked up to the headstones, she could see it was in fact Harry's parent's final resting place. Tears started to flow down her face.
"Harry, it's so beautiful here, so peaceful," she said through her tears.
"I know, love. That's why I had Professor Dumbledore see to some special arrangements for me," said Harry.
Hermione was still confused, as she wasn't sure what he meant. While still holding her hand, Harry led her towards the wild roses.
"Hermione, please forgive me, I don't mean to bring up terrible memories, but I need to explain a few things. Because what happened to your parents occurred in our world and not theirs, a delicate situation developed. If we tried to explain to the Muggle authorities what had happened, we would risk exposing our world, which couldn't be done. This meant your parents couldn't be returned to their world, which brought up the question of where they would be buried. They needed a final resting place. They deserved a final resting place, and I just thought this would be the most appropriate place for them," said Harry.
They had just cleared the wild roses and the reason for their journey was right there in front of them, the Granger memorial. Hermione was absolutely overwhelmed. Before her was a huge black marble slab on which were her parent's names in gold and on top of the slab were two intertwined gold rings.
Hermione was so overcome with emotion she couldn't talk. All she could do was embrace Harry and sob into his shoulder. He stood there holding her tightly knowing it was going to take a great deal of time for her to accept her parent's death, and he would do anything to help her get through it. After a few moments, Hermione looked up at Harry and gave him a gentle tear laden kiss.
"Thank you for honoring my parents this way, not only for giving them such a beautiful, peaceful place to spend eternity, but, also for putting them in a place that is so special to you," said Hermione
"I don't know why, Hermione, but I just felt that this is where they needed to be. It also makes it easier for you to visit them when you want to," said Harry softly.
She looked at Harry and smiled at him through her tears. They released the hold they had on each other allowing her to walk over to the stand of wild roses. She picked two of the nicest ones then walked over to her parent's memorial. Kneeling down, she placed a rose on each of her parents' graves. She then returned to Harry's side and put her arm around his waist as he did the same to her. They stood there for several minutes until Hermione finally broke the silence.
"I think we can head back now."
"Are you okay?" asked Harry.
"I am now, Harry. Thank you," said Hermione.
"For what?" he asked curiously.
"For loving me so much," she said sweetly.
He smiled at her and gave her a gentle kiss.
"Tomorrow is the last day of school, real life will begin soon," said Harry.
"Yes, and together, I don't think there's anything we can't do," she said resolutely.
Hand in hand, they headed back to the Port Key.