A/N: I began writing this story back in May as I reflected on the impacts war, violence, death, and torture can have on people's lives and how I didn't think JK's epilogue dealt with that, though I understand her intention with the time jump was to give her beloved characters a happy ending, after all they went through. I am a Harmony shipper and this story will lead up to that. Updates will be a bit further apart, but with plenty of reviews and readers' patience and support, I humbly believe this story will be worth any wait... At least for me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its amazing universe. All credits go to JK Rowling. This story is meant merely for entertainment and creative purposes and I in no way am profiting from writing this!

"Feels Like Home"

Chapter One: Ten Years

It was just after eight in the morning when an exhausted Hermione Granger padded across her living room, red-faced crying daughter attached to her hip, to open the door. There standing, as if mocking her very state of desperation and disarray was her best friend Harry looking handsome in his dark ceremonial robes and an equally well-dressed little boy, with bright magenta hair and curious brown eyes.

"Hermione, why didn't you tell me?" He questioned, not bothering to say hello. She huffed and took a step back to allow them in. Harry immediately pulled the crying Violet Granger into his arms and proceeded to massage her little back, making the very cooing sounds that seemed to always work miracles during her terrible moods.

"Minnie, look at my boat!" Teddy exclaimed, unbothered by the crying, as Hermione bent down to wrap him in a hug and place a kiss on his forehead. She smiled at his special nickname for her, one that had been born of his difficulty pronouncing her name as a toddler and that as soon as reached Weasley ears and knowledge, had stuck. She took the paper boat made out of bright orange paper and admired the boy's handiwork. "Do you think it'll float?"

"I think it's just about the loveliest paper boat I've ever seen, Teddy. Why don't you test it out in the kitchen sink?" Teddy's face lit up as he happily skipped his way to the kitchen.

Hermione sighed dramatically and shook her head as her eyes landed on the image of her best friend with her now angelic looking baby, as quiet as a mouse, looking out the window into the garden. All night that child had tortured her with that incessant crying and just like that… She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Harry felt her gaze on him and turned to face her, his emerald orbs shining with mirth and a full-of-himself smirk plastered on his face.

"You wipe that grin off your face, Harry Potter!" She threatened, hands on her hips and eyebrows knit together in mock anger, though in her eyes was only tenderness.

"Just go get dressed already, woman, the ceremony starts in thirty minutes!" He informed her, as he continued to bounce baby Violet, who taking a much-needed break from her crying fit was busy sucking on her fist as her big dark eyes watched Harry's face with interest. "You silly girl, driving your mum mental like that… Naughty Violet, naughty Violet!" He cooed with a smile, tickling her belly. Violet answered back with a happy cry and big toothless smile, drool sliding down her chin in that adorable way that only babies were capable of. Harry kissed her delicate cheek and thought it best to change her into her party dress already. "Teddy, I'm going to get Violet ready, please don't flood your aunt's kitchen!"

"All right!" He heard the boy's muffled answer as he made his way up the wooden stairs.

"Lookin' good, Granger!" Harry playfully exclaimed as he passed Hermione's bathroom, its door ajar revealing a Hermione wrapped in her bath towel, curly hair in an elegant updo already, applying make-up in the mirror.

"Oh, bugger off Harry, you're beginning to sound like Ron!" She complained, eliciting a chuckle from Harry and shutting the door as he went. Harry didn't witness however his best friend's cheeks turn a bright pink, slightly out of embarrassment but mostly because he'd complimented her appearance.

Harry entered Violet's nursery and for the millionth time found himself in awe of its loveliness and perfection. He remembered just how much fuss and work Hermione had put into it during her pregnancy, in an attempt to make it as cozy and pretty as possible, 'while maintaining functionality and not going overboard' he recalled her saying months ago, busy at work despite her protruding belly.

The walls were of a soft periwinkle, Hermione's signature color, and contained simple floral and leafy patterns in green, white and light yellow scattered about them that Hermione had made using potato stamps. There was plenty of natural sunlight streaming in from the two large windows, adorned by translucid white curtains that fluttered with the breeze. The wooden crib was an oval-shaped Granger family heirloom with small and meticulous carvings of flowers, trees, dancing bears, rabbits, and fairies, at least a hundred years old. The mobile hanging above it was Ron's handiwork, with miniature golden snitches, brooms, books and felt little Gryffindor lions hanging about—there was no way Violet could belong to any other Hogwarts house... Harry smiled tenderly at the soft little one in his arms, watching him with big brown eyes intently while sucking on her fist. The bedding was simple, a cotton white blanket with Violet's quilt neatly folded inside. A wooden rocking chair stood by the furthest window, a wicker basket placed next to it with a pile of children's books inside and a small round end table with Hermione's current read and a vintage muggle cd player where Hermione would put on lullabies, classical music and The Beatles for Babies to entertain Violet.

What Harry loved most about this room, however, were the two framed paintings hanging on the wall behind the crib. They were crafted by Luna Lovegood, Violet's godmother who had in the first painting portrayed Harry, Hermione, and Ron as the children that they once were sitting under the shade of a large tree by the lake in their school robes. Hermione with her big bushy hair and a large tome sitting on her thighs and Harry and Ron all goofy smiles around her. The sky was of sunset hues with Hogwarts castle standing like the setting of a fairytale in the horizon. The second painting was of their large makeshift family, a pregnant Hermione with a grumpy Crookshanks in her arms, surrounded on one side by her parents and grandmother as well as the Weasley twins, Ginny, Molly and Arthur and to the other side, Harry at her side, Ron and Luna holding hands, Neville beaming with a pot of enchanted violets in his hands, Headmistress McGonagall, Andromeda Tonks and sitting in the grass near Harry a smiling Teddy whose hair Luna amazingly charmed to change color every few minutes. Above, in the starry night sky, a snowy owl instead of a stork flew carrying a small pink bundle, and that alone brought tears of nostalgia to pool in Harry's eyes.

"Harry?" He jumped slightly as he heard Hermione's voice, laced with concern, as she entered the nursery. He turned to face her and was mesmerized by what he saw, his best friend dressed in a saffron-colored summer dress that contrasted beautifully with the honey-brown shade of her curls.

"Oh, hey…" He answered lamely, Violet extending her chubby little arms towards her mother.

"Oh, so now you want me?" Hermione played and pulled her daughter into her arms, kissing her mess of curly black hair. Her eyes landed on Harry once again, who opened the closet door and pulled out a floral blue dress for Violet to wear and opened the top drawer to retrieve a clean pair of white stockings and her shiny black dress shoes. Hermione watched him with slight worry, sensing that despite the easy-going way he carried himself there was something plaguing his thoughts. "You know you can tell me anything…" He nodded. "Is it about Violet, does it bother you to be around her?" He turned to face her with his green eyes widened in sudden alarm.

"No, none of that! Merlin, no, Hermione! We both agreed on this and discussed it hundreds of times, it's not an issue and I adore her, you know that." The witch nodded. "I-is it bothering you?" She shook her head earnestly and sighed.

"Not at all." He smiled at her, reassuringly.

"It's just that painting that always messes with me." Hermione's eyes met with his and there was understanding in them. For a second, he closed his eyes in pleasure as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Because of all of those missing." Harry nodded. "And Hedwig as well?" He nodded once more.

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione cried out as she pulled him in for a hug, it was as bone-crushing as she could manage with the baby girl in her arm.

"Ten years today, Hermione." He whispered, his face buried in the curve of her neck. She nodded not letting go of him and he wrapped his arms around her as well, allowing the delicious lavender scent of her hair to invade his senses and soothe him.

…

This year the anniversary ceremony was celebrated—though Hermione hated the thought of it being a celebration—at Hogwarts, the very place where it all happened and happened far too fast—taking away dozens and dozens of courageous and remarkable wizards and magical beings who had sacrificed their lives for their noble beliefs, good against evil. She held on to Teddy Lupin's hand while Harry transferred the adorable looking Violet to a smiling Molly Weasley who had greeted them upon arriving. As always, the occasion was bittersweet and solemn and as they entered the Great Hall, tables and benches gone and replaced by flowers and chairs all of the guests were greeted by the choir of students singing the Muggle song suggested by both Hermione and Headmistress McGonagall, "Imagine" by John Lennon of the Beatles fame. Hermione's eyes filled with tears for this was the first time since her graduation that she stepped in the magnificent room.

Harry was immediately pulled into a conversation with Kingsley Shacklebolt who was on his final term as minister of magic, the still handsome dark-skinned wizard's arm proudly wrapped around the waist of Andromeda Tonks, Teddy's grandmother, who was now Hogwarts' Charms professor and Head of Slytherin house. Teddy ran towards his grandmother and embraced her lovingly as she bent down to shower him with kisses, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Hermione was a mother now and as she observed them from afar couldn't begin to imagine the pain it must have been for the older witch to lose her only daughter in this very room. But the way that Andromeda had completely rebuilt her life was remarkable and the fact that despite everything she managed to find happiness and love, of all things, brought hope to Hermione's heart.

"Hermione dear, I barely got the chance to speak with you!" Hermione turned to see Molly Weasley with baby Violet on her hip, trying to grasp one of her ginger and gray locks. Hermione allowed herself to be embraced by the woman she considered a second mother.

"Hello Molly, it's splendid seeing you. How have you been?" Molly shrugged and smiled wistfully.

"Oh, you know, dear, managing. With the number of children, we had, Arthur and I never anticipated what it would be like when they all moved out and made families for themselves… We certainly didn't think the old Burrow would be so quiet. Fortunately, the grandchildren come to visit once in a while and it's lovely. Oh, I wish you would pop by more often with our Violet, Hermione. She's growing so fast and I think the last time I saw her was at her christening in March!"

"You're, right Molly, I promise I'll try and pop in for tea and a chat more often, I just… it's been quite overwhelming just the two of us. Our Violet here is a crier and not a great fan of sleep, so you can imagine the state I've been in lately." Molly nodded and eyed the little brown-eyed baby beginning to squirm and fuss in her arms. Hermione extended her arms out to her daughter and Violet immediately leaned in towards her.

"And your mum and dad, dear?" Molly asked as she tucked one of Violet's dark curls behind her ear.

"Oh, we visited with them the past weekend. Mum and I have been planning Violet's first trip to the beach in Portugal for the summer and dad's been trying to keep busy after his retirement. The latest hobby has been buying run-down old furniture no one wants anymore and completely refurbishing them. The amount of stuff cluttering the house has been driving mum mad." Molly chuckled.

"Oh, no! Sounds a bit like my Arthur then. You know, after you gave him the felly-tone he calls your father almost daily!" Hermione smiled at the thought, she knew very well of her father and Mr. Weasley's friendship and bond over discovering things of one another's worlds. Hermione momentarily recalled her father's fascination with Wizarding's chess and the day he showed Arthur Weasley his dental practice and how terrified Arthur had been of his utensils. "Oh, goodness me, there are Neville and Susan, I must ask them about their wedding menu! Do you mind me going, dear?" Hermione shook her head and Molly patted her head motherly before swiftly walking away.

Hermione held Violet against her, discretely moving into a quieter corner of the Great Hall, further from the crowd that continued to arrive and mingle. She rubbed her daughter's back in soothing circles as she swayed from side to side, humming a tune. With her wand, Hermione increased a magically warmed bottle that had been stored inside her formal clutch bag and immediately Violet latched on to its rubber nipple. Hermione continued to hum and sway all the while memories began to flood into her mind, and how could they not, especially on this day and in this very room?

"Hello, Danger Granger!" Hermione heard the male voice, not too loud, but that still had managed to startle her. As she turned around she was face to face with Ron—her dear redheaded friend who along with Luna had spent the last year exploring the southern Pacific islands researching magical beings and habitats.

"Oh, Ron!" She exclaimed, glad that something had finally managed to brighten her mood. She'd been so incredibly stressed and tired lately and it was at times like these that she missed his sense of humor and easy laughs, and the way he made her laugh. Ron rested a hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek and then bowed his Ginger head down to kiss baby Violet's little head as well, but yelping in pain as her little fingers caught and pulled on his hair. Hermione couldn't for the life of her stifle her laugh.

"You love to see me in pain don't you, Granger? And it seems like the mini-you is just the same—tsk, tsk, tsk." He gently released his hair from Violet's surprisingly strong grip and smiled. "Hopefully Violet's little cousin won't be this cruel to his or her daddy…" He mentioned, raising his eyes to look into Hermione's brown orbs, which widened with comprehension, her mouth formed that 'o' that he'd missed seeing.

"No way—" He nodded a big, silly grin plastered on his face and blue eyes shining from happiness.

"I thought I should tell you first considering you'll be godmother. Lunes and I are expecting a baby in late August, so hopefully, he or she will make Violet company at Hogwarts."

"Oh, Ron, I am so happy for the two of you—and of course I'll be godmother, you twat," Hermione playfully slapped his arm, "I wouldn't accept being anything less." Ron hummed in response, his cheeks turning almost as red as his hair.

"All's settled then," Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Where's Luna?"

"The loo, I think, she's been needing to go more and more lately."

"Hmm, I know what that feels like!" Hermione interjected to which Ron chuckled. "Does Molly know?" Ron shook his head and Hermione rolled her eyes and groaned dramatically at his sheer stupidity. "She'll kill you and serve your head on a platter for not telling her earlier, Ron."

"Oy, don't I know, 'Mione. Can practically feel those fingers pulling at my ear as we speak!" Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the prospect, her cheeks turning pink and brown eyes shining like Ron hadn't seen in a long time. Perhaps this motherhood thing was doing her good after all…

"You don't know just how happy you've made me with your return and with this news," Hermione admitted, linking her free arm with Ron's, baby Violet watching him with curiosity and with an intensity that was considered unusual for a tiny human of barely six months.

"Yeah, I know, it's that day of the year again." Hermione nodded somberly. She noticed her daughter finished with the bottle and raised her to her shoulders, massaging her back so she would burp. Ron sighed heavily as he watched Hermione with her beautiful baby girl, "I know it's stupid and completely irrational, but sometimes I feel like I don't deserve to be alive and living, as though everything would be much better if it were Fred in my place, that my mum, dad, and George wouldn't be so broken…" Ron's voice began to crack and Hermione noticed the tell-tale signs of tears emerging in his blue eyes. Before he could go on Hermione clasped his wrist interrupting him, stern, piercing brown eyes locking with his.

"Don't ever say that, Ron, you hear me? Your family loves you and I'm sure even Fred himself would call you a complete idiot for even entertaining these thoughts. You're about to become a father for crying out loud!" Before Ron could say another word, they were all interrupted by the applause that echoed in the hall, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt taking his place on the makeshift and well-decorated stage set up for the ceremony, ready to give his speech. Reporters scribbled onto their notepads while flashes and more flashes went off from the many cameras and the choir of students opened up in song.

Ron wordlessly guided Hermione and Violet, his arm around his best friend's shoulder back to the seating area where he caught sight of his fiancée standing near Harry, an empty seat between them probably destined for him and another on the other side of Harry, to the edge of the row. Hermione and Luna whispered their hellos to one another as Hermione placed a quick peck on Luna's cheek before taking her seat next to Harry, while Ron pat Harry on the back discretely as to not interrupt the speech. The golden trio, or better yet, the golden four reunited yet again.

After Shacklebolt's speech, it was Headmistress McGonagall's followed by the reading of an open letter, which astonished all of those present, by Narcissa Malfoy herself. Hermione caught the intense look from Harry to Andromeda Tonks who sat on the other side of the aisle to them with Teddy and the minister at each side. As much as she harbored a deep distrust of the Malfoy family, the pureblood matriarch delivered an honest, passionate and regret-filled speech that managed to warm even Hermione's heart.

"As I stand before you, here in Hogwarts' Great Hall, I imagine that all of us who are wizards and former students can recall at least one good memory—of a time when we were young, perhaps idealistic, when the dilemmas of adulthood were far from our worries, not when there were academic endeavors to pursue or friends to spend time with. However, I do know that those who were present at the battle perhaps will look around and have those joyful memories quickly replaced by pain, remorse, anger, and regret. My family and I made many mistakes and I am afraid that those are the prerogatives of being mere mortals. When I look back to that time and being here surrounded by what this very room represents it becomes clearer and clearer to me—I realize just how blind and narrow-minded we were. I think of the admirable people that were lost and had everything been different could still be here today. I particularly think of two people with especially close ties to myself through blood and through love—my sister Bellatrix and my niece, Nymphadora, who because of my very blindness I never had the pleasure of knowing more intimately…" Narcissa's gray eyes searched through the crowd and quickly found the gaze of her older sister, whose hand was gently squeezed by Kingsley Shacklebolt in an act of unbidden care and reassurance.

"I'm so sorry, Andie…" Narcissa said, looking straight at her sister, who stared back at her resolutely and expressionless. "Bellatrix, as we all know, had been a champion of Voldemort, on the wrong and dark side of history and responsible for the death, torture and trauma of many—and for that I apologize to all of wizarding society on my behalf and on that of the Malfoy and Black families who because of deeply ingrained bigotry and violence passed on from generation to generation created a monster. I apologize on my own behalf for being like them and perpetuating those very so-called values and for having done nothing. Because those who choose to do nothing, to be passive, silent, those are also to be blamed because in their silence and passivity they allow all that is evil to fester. Now I know and am truly and utterly sorry…"

Narcissa paused for a moment to sip her glass of water, the intensity of her emotions making her hands shake and her heart to race. "But I also know that apologies cannot fix the damage that has been done," at this she once again glanced towards her sister who now slowly rose from her chair amidst the seated guests, all eyes darting curiously from Black sister to Black sister. "but I can only hope that the creation of the Black Foundation for Magical Unity, with my portion of my family's money and properties, can be an instrument, a stepping stone for a new, egalitarian and united Magical world, in the hopes that such bigotry, violence and evil nevermore poisons our society and we hope to do that through education from early on, through providing counseling for those who struggle with the pain and traumas of the past, mental illness and through the funding and the defense of wizarding orphans throughout the United Kingdom. I—I thank you all." As the blonde witch stepped down from the pedestal most of those present rose from their seats and applauded, hundreds of voices speaking all at once, cameras flashing and journalists shouting out questions. Narcissa, unable to smile and vividly upset rushed off the stage, accompanied by the Headmistress outside of the Great Hall and far from the commotion. All she wanted to do was hide in a corner and cry.

Andromeda Tonks stood there dumbfounded, hands balled into fists at her sides, while her boyfriend tried to coax her to sit down or ask her if she wanted to leave. All Andromeda could think of was the pain she'd had to endure with the loss of her only daughter, her husband—the love of her life—and way before that from being the expelled 'black sheep' of her hateful, terrible, evil, bigoted family. They had shunned her out, erased her from their lives as if she were nothing. Andromeda had forgiven them long ago, but she could never forget.

…

"Did I just hear what I heard?" Ron asked, eyes wide with bewilderment from where they sat, Mrs. Malfoy having just left the hall.

"Of course, Ronald!" Luna interjected, with an affectionate smile. "I must say that I am just as dumbfounded—and quite hungry too." Ron smiled and kissed his fiancée's cheek, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"So am I, Lunes."

"You two up for dinner at the Three Broomsticks?" Harry asked and just before the couple could respond baby Violet who'd been fast asleep in her mother's arms began to wail. Hermione sighed heavily and quietly slipped out of the hall, her expression unreadable. Harry's eyes followed her until he couldn't make out her form past the barrier of journalists and photographers.

"Harry, mate, I just saw Hermione leaving early with her baby, is everything okay?" Neville asked as he approached Harry, Ron and Luna still seated at their designated row.

"Violet began to cry, she's teething and colicky…" Harry replied. "Hermione's been running on very little sleep." Neville nodded in understanding.

"And I see you lot are running that way!" He exclaimed enthusiastically as he caught sight of a visibly pregnant Luna and a proudly beaming Ron. "Congratulations, you two!" He kissed Luna on the cheek and patted Ron on the shoulder.

…

Hermione disapparated home even though she knew it wasn't advised carrying an infant because of the risk of splinching, but her head was throbbing in pain, Violet was screaming her lungs out and she was just tired. Physically, mentally, emotionally. She loved Violet with all her heart but had second thoughts on whether she had made the right call having a baby so young and alone of all things. Hermione had been in a good place, healthy, going to therapy every week, at the top of her game at work and still managing some time to meet with her parents and friends… All an illusion, she now realized, because today, hearing Narcissa Malfoy's voice alone made all of those dreadful traumas and memories of the past Hermione kept deeply buried resurface. That voice had stood there in that living room of nightmares watching her scream and cry out of excruciating pain, only a girl, had witnessed Hermione and many others be tortured mentally and physically and had done nothing.

She sat on the carpet with her back to her sofa, Violet crying desperately in her arms. She pulled down the sleeve of her dress and offered the baby a nipple, which she eagerly latched on to, salty tears beginning to dry against her chubby baby cheeks. Hermione looked down at her daughter, the very center of her universe and sobbed, her fingers caressing her child's delicate skin.

"I'm so, so sorry…" she whispered in between tears, "I wish I could be better for you, could give myself fully to you," a desperate sob escaped her lips. "B-but mummy's s-so broken inside…"

…

A couple of hours later Harry left the Three Broomsticks, having said his goodbyes to Luna, Ron and Neville who had all been pleasantly catching up. Before they left Hogwarts and the ceremony ended his godson had asked to stay with his grandmother and Kingsley and none of the adults were about to say no to him on this day.

As per usual, his mind wandered to Hermione. He sensed she wasn't quite herself the past weeks, melancholic, more impatient than usual, tired. He longed to be with her at her cottage, help her around the house and with the baby, if only she weren't so stubborn and allowed him to. He was Violet's father after all and though in the days preceding her conception they'd agreed he would play the role of merely the uncle, the 'donor', his feelings about it went elsewhere—it wasn't something he was able to control and it wasn't something he had predicted or imagined back then. With that in mind he found a hidden little alley between two shops and disapparated—his gut told him she needed him.

Harry arrived on her doorstep and pulled out the spare key from under the pot of plants sitting by the door. It was now dark outside, nearly eight o'clock, and he saw no lights shining through the windows. Finding this strange he quietly unlocked the door and stepped inside—the scent of her immediately invading his senses, books, vanilla, earl grey tea, coffee, parchment, ink, worn leather. It was his favorite scent in the world he realized as he stood there for a quiet minute, taking it all in. He locked the door behind him and entered the living area, everything dark aside from the single dim glow of a table lamp, but it was enough for his heart to skip a beat as he found her there, a sleeping, sitting heap of a woman on the floor, daughter sleeping soundly against the bare skin of her chest.

Hermione Granger was mesmerizing, even at her most vulnerable and it humbled him, how strong she was despite everything.

He slipped off his shoes and placed them gently in a corner before tiptoeing in their direction, bending down to be on her level as his fingers softly grazed the skin of her arm to wake her.

"Hmm…" she mumbled, inebriated by sleep.

"I'm going to put her in the crib, stay here." He whispered gently. She said nothing, but her arms were welcoming as he carefully pulled Violet into his arms. Once upstairs, in the nursery, her turned on the nightlight and transfigured the little girl's dress into soft cotton pajamas and gently removed her shoes and stockings. He caressed her sweet little cheek and hair with the back of his finger and blew her an imaginary kiss of goodnight. He turned on the hallway lights and made his way downstairs where she still sat, eyes closed, arms limp on either side of her, her dress sleeve still down revealing her top half. Harry loved her, Merlin how he loved her.

He gently carried up the stairs into her bedroom, marveling at how he managed not to get her head or legs hit on the way up the narrow wooden steps. He lay her in bed and finished unbuttoning the yellow dress, her beautiful figure revealed to him in full. He searched her drawers for sleeping clothes and found a long silk, ivory-colored night dress and slipped it over her head, gently dressing her as if she herself were a baby.

Finally, he bent down and placed a goodnight kiss on her forehead, turning towards the door and about to head for the guest room.

"Harry?" He heard her hoarsely make out. He stopped on his tracks and turned to look at her, leaning on the doorway.

"Yeah?"

"Only you, Harry… Only you."

"Goodnight, 'Mione." He answered her before shutting the door behind him.

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