I Don't Own Harry Potter/

In The End

"Harry! Please come back inside! It's starting to snow!"

A hand rose in the distance, conceding to Hermione's worried cry. Smiling in acknowledgment, Hermione trudged back into the Burrow towards the warmth located inside. She flopped happily onto the couch and then she glanced up to see in front of her a warm mug and an even warmer pair of eyes.

"Thoughtful as always, Remus." she said, reaching up to cradle the hot chocolate in her cold hands.

"Hey! I can be thoughtful too!" Ron's outraged yell came from the stairs he was descending.

"You thought it was thoughtful when you told me to lose some books instead of offering to carry them!"

Ron grumbled as he made his way across to her, having lost yet another fight. Hermione bit her lip as she saw his limp, one of the many physical scars left behind from the final battle with Voldemort. The emotional were deeper and deadlier still. Recognizing the pained look in her eyes, both men glanced at each other and then at her.

"Hermione.." Ron began before he was interrupted by her.

"D-Do…you ever wonder it if could have turned out differently? If something could have been done? I mean..it s-shouldn't have ended with-." Hermione broke of, unable to continue.

Remus sighed, the deep heavy sigh common to all who had been tossed around by Fate.

"E-E-Every day."

Hermione glanced up in sync with Remus to look at Ron, who was gripping his knee so rigidly his fingers turned white

"Every day, every hour, every minute, I even-I even dream about it!!" he continued, the words escaping him seemingly of their own accord.

"M-Me too." Remus hoarsely whispered, as if it tore him apart to say it, and closed his eyes as tears flowed down his face.

The door flew open and a snow-clad figure crept inside.

"Mama? Papa? Uncle Remus?"

All three looked up at the young boy shuffling his feet sheepishly in the doorway. With brown eyes that complemented his auburn hair, Harry Weasely was an adorable sight as he walked over.

"Harry." Ron whispered as he half-rose to grip the child in an almost desperate hug before sinking back down into the couch. Hermione smiled at him and pressed a soft hand to his cold-flushed cheek.

"Hey, kiddo. Why don't you go to bed early tonight?"

Pouting, the child nodded,waving to Remus, as he skipped up the stairs.

"Funny how he was born on the same day as Harry died.."Hermione choked out, remembering how Harry had sadly , almost regretful, smiled at her before turning his wand on the last Horcrux-himself. Remus bit his fist, recalling how Ron, shattered leg and all, had frantically ran to catch Harry as he fell and cradled the limp body with such gentleness Remus could hardly believe it was him. Ron fisted his hands, nails biting deep enough to draw blood as he recollected Ginny collapsing near Harry,digging her own nails into the dirt, and screaming as she lost her sanity.

And miles away, a young redheaded widow pressed her back against a padded wall before sliding down it to bury her face in her battered hands and weep.