A/N: This is the start of my sequel of The Real Meaning of Family. I couldn't see myself writing about the Horcrux hunt, so we begin just as Harry has defeated Voldermort. This story is AU. It is to be about rebuilding and starting again after the war. There will be multiple character deaths in the first few chapters, but not the same ones as in Deathly Hallows. Hope you enjoy. - tamara

The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.

Chapter 1 - It's Over

The castle had suddenly become quieter. The Dark Lord's threats no longer ripped through the air. Severus and Kingsley were making their way to where they believed The Dark Lord was last seen fighting Harry when they came upon the spot, they stopped dead in their tracks.

Harry, Narcissa, and Remus were standing over the bodies of Voldermort, Bellatrix, Fenrir, and Nagini. Hermione and Neville were off to the side bent over another body. Severus could tell that Hermione was crying.

"It's over." They heard Harry say then he turned away and looked at Remus.

"I'm so proud of you." Remus said and Harry rushed the man who had become his surrogate father in the last couple of years.

"Hermione." Severus called out. Hermione raised her head to look at him then came running into his arms. As she got up, Severus saw the body she was crying over and a wave of grief rushed through him, but as he wrapped his arms around the young woman who had become his daughter over the past two years, he pushed his own grief aside to take care of her.

"Minerva loved you very much." He told her. "Loved you long before you became a part of our family."

She stepped away a little and let him brush her tears away as she smiled bravely up at him and nodded.

"Severus, I am very sorry about Minerva. I am going to need you as acting Headmaster." Kingsley said. "We need to have everyone moved to the Great Hall. Madame Pomphrey is already setting up a triage center for the injured. We can set up a secure area for the captured Death Eaters."

"I want to find Ron. We got separated." Hermione said looking over to Harry. He nodded.

"He was fending off Peter Pettigrew as we were trying to make it here to face off with Voldermort." Harry said. "We'll find him, Hermione."

"I'll go with them. We will help all those along the way and tell them where to head." Remus offered.

"Good. Narcissa and Neville, can you help us move these bodies to the Great Hall?" Kingsley asked.

"Yes." Narcissa responded then turning to Remus, Harry and Hermione added, "You should know that the Death Eaters know it is over, but they will be trying to escape. Watch your backs."

"We will." Harry reassured her.

"What about the kids in the Room of Requirements?" Remus asked.

"Who's in the Room of Requirements?" Harry asked. After Professor Dumbledore was killed last summer in the effort to transfer Harry from his Aunt and Uncle's to a new secure location, Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone out on their own to destroy the remaining Horcruxes. They had only arrived at the school shortly before Voldermort's forces attacked, Nagini being their only target left to destroy.

"All the students not of age, or who didn't wish to fight, were moved to the Room of Requirements." Severus said.

"Even Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Yes, even Ginny though she was most reluctant. Dora and Angelina Johnson are with them to help protect the area." Remus said.

"Tonks and Angie didn't want to fight?" Harry asked surprised.

"They did, but they are both pregnant." Remus said, "That was the only reason Dora went willingly to the Room of Requirements."

"We were afraid she would go into labor during battle. She is due any day, but Ms. Johnson still has a couple of months left." Narcissa added.

"Congratulations, Remus." Hermione said.

"Thanks. Fred is the father of Angelina's baby, but they put off getting married until after the baby was born. Molly is none too thrilled." Remus responded.

"I bet not." Harry said knowing Mrs. Weasley well.

"So what should we do about the group in the Room of Requirements?" Remus asked again.

"We will make sure the castle is completely secure before we send for them." Kingsley said.

"Good." Remus said.

"Hermione, stick with Remus and Harry." Severus told her.

"I will." She hugged him. Then with their wands in hand, Remus, Harry and Hermione headed on their way.

They walked along the corridors and stopped when they heard voices coming from one of the classrooms. Remus took the lead and they entered the room. Hermione scanned the people in the room. First, she saw George holding a bleeding, crying Katie Bell in his arms. Next she saw Lee bending over Alicia Spinnet's body. Scanning some more, she saw several Death Eaters on the ground. All had been tied up, whether they were dead or stunned. There was a collection of wands stacked by Fred who was bending over a very still, red headed man. Hermione gasped and turned into Harry's arms.

TBC