This story starts a year after Deathly Hallows. For the purposes of this story everything that happened in the DH occurred, except Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks Lupin survived. I have read a several wonderful stories as to how this might have happened and it is up to your own imagination as to how it did. I just love their relationship, so in my little tale they live. This tale will mainly center around Ron/Hermione, but Harry/Ginny, Remus/Tonks, Luna, Neville, as well as all the other Weasleys will play their parts as well. I hope you enjoy.
The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, I am borrowing them for my own imagination.
Chapter 1 - One Year Later
Jane Granger walked into her living room knowing exactly what she would find. Curled up on the love seat was her daughter's best friend Harry, while her daughter Hermione, was curled up next to her fiance Ron on the couch. Ron was laying on his back with Hermione snuggled between him and the back of the couch, her head on his chest, her left hand intertwined with his right. She had found the three of them like this the past three mornings, since they had been informed of her husband's sudden death in a car accident.
It was hard to believe that only a week ago they had been celebrating Ron and Hermione's engagement. Molly and Arthur Weasley had hosted the celebration in their home. She and her husband had been slightly nervous due to Arthur's fondness of Muggles, but is was nice to get a chance to meet not only Ron's brothers and sister, but others that Hermione had spoked so fondly of as well. They were able to meet the teachers that Hermione had spoken so fondly of including Headmistress Minera Mogonagall, Filius Flitwick, Pamona Sprout and Remus Lupin. It was a bit shocking when they met Remus's wife, who preferred to be called Tonks. It wasn't the age thing that was shocking, but that someone who looked so proper as Remus would marry someone with Bubblegum Pink hair. But is was easy to see that they adored each other as well as their 14 month old son, Teddy. Hermione had explained about Teddy and Tonk's abilities to change their appearance, and that Tonk's was an Auror, wizarding's answer to a police detective. They had also come to learn that Harry was training to become an Auror as well. They also met the trio's friends, Luna and Neville.
Hermione had taken a job in the Ministry of Magic, trying to make things better for all kinds of creatures, while Ron was currently working for his brother George at his joke shop. Molly was hoping for a long engagement, but Jane could see that Ron and Hermione had other ideas. And while she had some misgiving as to if they were really ready for this kind of commitment, after spending the last three days with them, those misgiving were gone. While Hermione's relationship with Harry was affectionate like a brother and sister, Ron had been her rock doing anything and everything that was needed to take care of her daughter and herself. Jane was certain that the love and trust between Hermione and Ron was strong, solid and unshakable, and for that she was very grateful.
It was also hard to believe that it had been just a year ago when Hermione, Ron and Harry had shown up in Australia. Neither she or her husband had been happy at what their daughter had done to them, and were even less thrilled to here about the battle that had taken place and the lives lost, including one of Ron's brothers. They did notice that neither boy left Hermione's side as the past year's events were explained to them, and Hermione hand remained in Ron's the whole time. They explained that Professor Mogonagall and the other teachers had offered to tutor the trio, so that they would be able to take their NEWTs and graduate with the rest of their class.
After graduation, Harry and Ron had moved in with George, sharing Fred's old room, while Hermione had gotten her own flat near them. It had become obvious to Jane as the past year progressed, and as Ron and Hermione seemed to become slowly more openly affectionate with each other, that by Christmas, Ron was most likely spending more nights at Hermione's flat then his own. Jane had wisely never shared this observation with her husband.
Now, today they would be burying her husband. As they had no other family, they had arranged for Ron and Harry to sit with them as family at the service. For essentially, they were Hermione's family now. And Jane was comforted in the knowledge that those boys, well young men, would take care of her little girl, now and always.
"So do you have all the bags?" Tonks asked her husband as they approached the Burrows with their arms loaded down.
"Yes, but we better hurry, before we miss them." Remus responded as he followed his wife up the path.
"Remus, Tonks, I didn't know your were meeting us here to travel to the service." Arthur said as he opened the door to let them in.
"Wotcher, Arthur. Well, since Remus and myself have spent more time in the Muggle world, we wanted to make sure you all blended in at the funeral." Tonks replied as she set her packages on the table.
"Oh, I think I've got that handled. I looked up the Muggle version of dress robes as you can see." Arthur responded.
Remus and Tonks both grimaced when they took at look at Arthur's outfit. Arthur was wearing a black tuxedo with tails and they saw a top hat hanging on the back of a chair.
"This is not exactly right." Remus said, "But we can fix this. You are a little overdressed for a funeral, by Muggle standards."
"All Weasleys and what not that are in the house line up for inspection in the kitchen." Tonks called out loudly.
As the Weasleys entered the kitchen, they saw that both Molly, Ginny and Luna were wearing formal floor length gowns, while all Charlie, Percy and George all had tuxedos on, George's being powder blue with a ruffled shirt.
"This will not do." Remus muttered. "Okay, there are packages on the table with each of your names on it. The girls headed up to Ginny's room with Tonks, and the guys to Charlie's and we will get you all looking appropriately."
"What about Bill and Fluer? Will they need to know what to wear?" Arthur asked disappointed that he had not gotten the clothing thing correct.
"We took them shopping with us yesterday to obtain the perfect outfit." Remus replied as he ushered the guys up the stairs.
"Do I look alright? I'm not going to embarrass Hermione or her mom am I?" Ron asked nervously as he and Harry stood in the family's waiting area of the funeral parlor, while Hermione and Jane spoke with the minister briefly before the service.
Harry had taken him shopping the day before since they would both need appropriate suits for the funeral service. He had also taken the opportunity to explain how a muggle service would differ from a wizard service. They had decided that if any of the Granger's friends asked what Ron or Harry did for a living, Ron would say that he was in retail and Harry would say that he was training to go into law enforcement, which neither were that far from the truth.
Ron had been anxious all morning about making a good impression, and not causing anything that would upset Hermione or Mrs. Granger. And Harry had agreed to watch his back and help as best he could.
"My family!" Ron gasped as he suddenly realized that most, if not all of his family would want to come and show support for their soon to be in-law. "They are not going to fit in. I'm mean Dad and George, oh no."
"Don't worry, I called Remus. He and Tonks have both spent a great deal of time in the muggle world, considering they are both half-bloods like myself. They promised to stop by and make sure your family was dressed correctly, and was prepared as to what to expect."
"Oh my, you both look very handsome in suits." Hermione said appreciatively as she and her mother approached the young men. Hermione quickly hugged Harry before joining Ron at his side and lacing her fingers through his. Ron leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips, while giving her hand a quick squeeze.
"The director says everyone is seated. The minister will lead the way in. Harry, I was hoping you would escort me in, while Hermione follows with Ron." Jane said and Harry stepped forward to offer his arm. She smiled appreciatively at him as she took his arm. Hermione kept her fingers laced in Ron's as the followed her mother and Harry into the service.
Hermione smiled as she saw not only friends of her parents there, but also Professors Mogonagall and Flitwick, her friends Neville, Luna, Remus and Tonks and also the Weasleys.
It was a fairly quick service, and afterward she stood with her mother, Ron and Harry thanking the well wishers, introducing her parents friends to Ron and Harry. Professor Mogonagall gave her a quick hug as she came through the line, but Molly about smothered her. She heard Ron thank Remus and Tonks for helping his family get ready, and also Tonks comment that they were very lucky that Fluer had guessed everyone's sizes to a tee. And the whole time her fingers remained laced securely with those of the man that she loved. Feeling his love and strength, giving her the strength to make it through this awful day.
TBC