DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.
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A/N:
Hello! This was my very first HP fanfic, but didn't upload it immediately because I got hooked with another ship. Hope you'll like this one. This is almost finished and I'll try to update everyday. I'm quite focused on SAVELIUS.
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CHAPTER 1: THE FUNERAL OF TONKS AND LUPIN
Hermione Granger stared at her own refelction. She's wearing black dress robes, chosen by Mrs. Weasley. It's the third funeral she'll be attending. Yesterday, they buried Fred and until now, she couldn't stop herself from crying. She's crying not just for her loss of a friend but for the Weasleys' and most especially, George. She couldn't imagine George's life without Fred. It's always Fred and George. She never imagined them being separated from each other.
Now, will she ever see George laughing again like before? Fred and George may be full of pranks most of the time. Hermione disapproves of their antics, but she'll admit, Hogwarts life is boring without Fred and George. They are the reasons why she had colourful years. Plus, they are true friends. They never doubted her and Harry. They never betrayed them. They never switched sides even for their own safety. They are true Gryffindors. But the pain she's feeling right now seemed to double-up. Today, she has to say goodbye to two friends: one is a loyal woman—a true Hufflepuff, and the other is a brave man—a true Gryffindor. Today is the burial of Nymphadora and Remus Lupin.
Nymphadora. She's cool, intelligent and funny. She looks up to her like a sister. She's never boring. She's a true friend and fought for the greater good until the very end.
Remus, her former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor; the person who coined her as the 'brightest witch of her age.' He's gone.
"Hermione, it's time to go," she heard Ginny say from the door of the room they're sharing. She's also wearing a black dress robes and there's sadness in her eyes. She's not the usual bubbly Weasley girl she used to know.
"Coming," she answered, forcing a smile on her face. She grabbed her beaded bag and approached Ginny. They walked together downstairs, hand-in-hand.
There were a lot of people, but still, it's very quiet. Andormeda met their group at the yard. She hugged Mrs. Weasley tightly, as well as Hermione and Ginny. The men started to talk about the ceremony. All of the Weasley men volunteered to be pallbearers.
Hermione sat on the garden bench with Ginny, looking around. Most of the people around were from the Ministry—Nymphadora's colleagues. The rest were members of the Order and former students of Professor Lupin.
"So, here's the plan," she heard Mr. Weasley speak to the gentlemen. "The pallbearers of Remus are Harry, Ron, Bill, George, Neville Longbottom and myself."
The gentlemen agreed and Mr. Weasley continued. "For Nymphadora, there are four Aurors, Kingsley and Draco Malfoy."
Hermione and Ginny stared at each other upon hearing the name and turned to Mr. Weasley. Draco Malfoy? The cousin Nymphadora never knew.
Hermione looked around. She saw Harry walking towards a wizard carrying a child in his arms near the front door of the house. She quirked up an eyebrow upon realizing that it was Draco Malfoy, carrying little Teddy. She nudged Ginny and the younger witch also turned to the direction she was looking. Draco Malfoy is wearing a black suti, appropriate for a fumeral and looking smart—as always. He's still good-looking: his blonde hair was brushed back neatly, wearing well-iron clothes and shiny shoes. He looks like the same Malfoy she used to know in Hogwarts, but this time, the only difference was the child he's carrying in his arms. Hermione gulped at the sight of Malfoy, carrying Teddy like a loving and protective uncle.
Harry approached the other wizard and said something to him in a civil manner. Draco carefully gave Teddy to his godfather. Draco left and approached two old witches: Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks. The Black sisters were emotionally speaking with each other. Draco even snaked an arm around Andromeda's waist like a gentleman. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. Really, war can change a lot of things.
Well, Andromeda lost her family—husband, daughter and son-in-law, but now, she has Teddy, her sister and nephew. She will not be alone.
The funeral went well; quiet and solemn. Tears fell down from her eyes again. Hermione and Ginny found themselves hugging each other tightly. No words needed, but they know exactly that they feel the same. Losing Tonks is like losing their own sister. Mrs. Weasley both hushed them.
"Before we leave, let's go back to Andromeda's," said Ron when people were starting to leave. "Harry and Andromeda will be discussing some things about Teddy."
"I'll leave you three," said Ginny. "I have to go with George. He's not himself." Ginny quickly bid them goodbye and went after the rest of the Weasleys.
The Trio went back to Andromeda's house and found the two Malfoys in the living room, attending to Teddy. They instantly noticed their presence. Draco gave Harry and Ron a stiff nod and when he turned to Hermione, he smiled sheepishly, much to her surprise!
Narcissa stood up and gave them a timid smile. "'Dromeda's in the study, having a private conversation with some of Dora's former colleagues," she informed them. Then, she turned to Harry. "Harry Potter, a private word, please?"
Harry nodded. "In the dining hall," she said and led the way. Harry followed. Hermione and Ron were left with Draco who was carrying sleeping Teddy in his arms. And then, she remembered that she has to discuss something with Draco Malfoy about the memories Snape gave her before he died, just after he gave his memories to Harry.
She cleared her throat and turned to Draco Malfoy reluctantly. "D-Draco Malfoy, can I have a word with you?"
He raised his eyebrows out of curiosity. "Sure," he said hesitantly.
Hermione turned to Ron. "Ron, why don't you bring Teddy in his room?"
Ron didn't complain. Instead, he obliged. During the Trio's first visit to Andromeda and Teddy after the war, Harry and Ron were able to learn how to carry the infant. They even carried Teddy until he fell asleep. Furthermore, Ron and Harry know about the thing he's going to discuss with Malfoy.
Draco carefully passed Teddy to Ron. When Ron finally disappear the room with Teddy, Hermione took the seat in front of her former classmate. "Er, before Professor Snape died, he gave Harry some of his memories," she began. "That's how Harry knew about his true loyalty, the one he mentioned to Voldemort during their last confrontation."
"Yeah. I can't believe at first that Professor Snape actually loved Potter's mother," he said quietly.
"The thing is… he also gave me some of his memories and said that I have to view them with you," she said tensely. It was the first time Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy spoke without fighting or insulting each other.
Draco met her eyes with curiosity. "He told you what?"
"He told me to view his memories with you," she repeated.
He didn't look surprised. "Right," he nodded.
"I'll ask Professor McGonagall if we can use the Pensieve in her office. I expect to see her tomorrow at Snape's funeral.
"I will be there, too," he said.
"Okay. See you then," she said quietly and stood up to leave the room. She feels so tense and nervous speaking with Draco Malfoy. Her heart beat so fast when she imagined the two of them viewing Snape's memories in the Pensieve.
Everything will be fine, she told herself. It seems he's a changed man now.
