When she woke, Ginny saw that she was in a room at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry must have held me while in the fireplace. The thought of once again being in her ex-lover's arms brought heat to her face. Ginny shook her head, trying to get rid of the images that came flooding in. Those thoughts were replaced with the reminder of why she was there. Neville... Hannah... It seemed like a dream-no, a nightmare- that she hoped she would wake up from. The entrance of Harry proved that wrong.

"Good, you've come to. Let's head downstairs, everyone is waiting," Harry said, not meeting Ginny's eyes, and he left the room. Ginny walked to the sink and washed her face, trying to wake herself up. She glanced in the mirror and grimaced at her reflection. Ginny's face was pale, more so than was usual, and her eyes were bloodshot. She had been crying without even noticing. After a long sigh, she left the room and headed downstairs.

There were at least fifty people packed into the tiny pub, and none of them were customers. Ginny made her way over to Neville's Gran, who was shaking with silent sobs.

"I never imagined outliving my grandson. My son and his wife are more or less gone, and now my grandson and his wife are truly gone. I don't understand this cruel world. Tell me how it's fair for two young, new parents to perish, and for and old bat of a woman to be left behind?" Ginny gave Mrs. Longbottom a hug, letting the old woman sob onto her shoulder. Ginny agreed that this wasn't fair, but she couldn't get the words out.

After ten minutes of consoling the woman, Ginny was finally able to move about the room. She went over to her brother, Ron, and Hermione, who were in the midst of trying to sooth a whining Alice. What is going to happen to this precious child? Poor thing won't even remember her parents. Ginny held out her arms, and Hermione handed the little girl to her. In almost an instance, Alice stopped whining, and gave Ginny a gummy smile. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks, but Ginny didn't care to know what it meant. She only had eyes for the baby.

"Gin-" Hermione began, but was cutoff by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Everyone looked around and saw Headmistress McGonagall standing on the little stage that was usually where Wizarding Bands played.

"As you all know, we have lost two very special people today: Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott-Longbottom, both of who perished in a tragic accident, the details of which are still unclear. They leave behind family, friends, but most importantly, and the most tragic of all, a daughter. It is all of our duty now to ensure that this little girl does not forget who her parents were. Let's have a moment of silence to reflect on our memories of these young adults, who were taken way too soon."

The moment of silence lasted nearly half an hour. No one wanted to be the first to break it, so they all stood or sat, not saying a word. It was finally interrupted by baby Alice, who let out a wail, startling most of the crowd. Everyone's eyes turned to Ginny, who was still holding the little girl. Ginny tried to soothe Alice with a gentle rocking motion, but she assumed that the child must be hungry, so she left the Leaky Cauldron's pub, and headed up to Neville and Hannah's apartment.


A week had passed since the meeting at the Leaky Cauldron, and only a few days since Neville and Hannah's funeral services. Ginny had kept herself busy with the bakery and her correspondence with The Daily Prophet, but her mind was constantly on Alice. Hermione had taken temporary custody of the baby until Neville and Hannah's Last Will and Testament could be gone through. Ginny knew that Alice was safe with Hermione and Ron, but she still was concerned. Hermione was always busy, what with having both muggle and wizarding clients. As it was, she already spent only two hours a week at the bakery, leaving the brunt of the duties up to Ginny. Ginny's brother was also busy with his Auror training, so Ginny had no idea how they were taking care of the baby. Just then, an owl flew through her open window and dropped a letter on her dresser, then took flight once again.

Ginny-

Can you please come to my office as soon as you are able to? I urgently need to meet with you, concerning the Longbottom's final wishes.

No need to send a return owl, just floo or apparate over,

Hermione J. Granger-Weasley, Lawyer

Ginny chuckled at Hermione's letter. She sure was professional, even when it came to friends and family. Ginny shut her window and apparated into Hermione's office, where the bushy haired woman was pacing around.

"Oh good, you're here. Now, I just want to give you a warning, as my other owl should be arriving shortly. Ginny, Neville and Hannah came to me ages ago and had me secure their final wishes. It was after the falling out, so I tried to get them to change their minds, but they were adamant that this is what they wanted for Alice, if they were both to perish." Hermione continued her pacing, every minute or so checking the big clock that hung behind her desk.

"Hermione, calm down. I am sure whatever it is, it'll be alright. They were some of my best friends, so I will do whatever they want me to do," Ginny said, placing a hand on Hermione's arm. Hermione stilled for a moment, gazing at the red-haired woman.

"Well, about that... It's not just what they want YOU to do. It's also to do with-" Hermione was cutoff with a sudden POP! As Harry apparated into the room. Ginny's eyes moved between Hermione and Harry, unsure of what was going on. Slowly, eyes focused on Hermione, she took a seat. Harry followed after her and sat to her left.

"'Mione, what's going on?" Harry asked.

"Well, that's why I have asked you both here today. I've gone over Neville and Hannah's Last Will and Testament. Mostly everything has been left to Alice, of course, including the Leaky Cauldron and..." Hermione was cut off by an outburst of laughter from Harry.

"They've left a baby a pub? That's crazy," Harry said, shaking his head.

"I'm sure they didn't expect to die this young. They probably assumed that they'd be leaving the Leaky Cauldron to their adult child. Maybe even children." Ginny's words halted Harry's laughter. His face turned red and he muttered to himself something that sounded like 'Well when you put it THAT way..."

"Exactly, Ginny. They never expected to die young, with a small child, but they did make sure that the custody of their daughter was determined in case something like this happened. They chose you to take custody of their daughter, Alice Pomona Longbottom." Hermione watched as Ginny's mouth dropped.

"M-me? They've made me guardian?" Ginny's eyes were as wide as saucers. Sure, she has been around a ton of children and had babysat Alice often enough, but to raise her?

"Not exactly... Their last wishes were that the two of you, Ginny and Harry, would raise Alice. Together. They were adamant that it had to be both of you." Hermione trailed off, seeing that her two

friends were reacting exactly as she thought- and feared- they would act.

"BOTH OF US? WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WERE THEY THINKING?!" Harry yelled, causing both women to wince. He stood and began pacing the room.

"Honestly, I wondered the same thing. I agreed with them when they first stated Ginny as guardian, but then they added you and I think that was the first time in my law career where I insulted my clients. I asked if they were nuts, and tried talking them out of it. Not against you Harry, so don't look at me like that. It was the thought of you two having to do this together that made me cringe. You haven't really been pleasant to one another for a while now...But you guys are Alice's Godparents, so I suggest you put your past behind you, and step up." Hermione folded her arms, looking at the two of them.

"If that's what Neville and Hannah wanted, I am willing to do it. It may not be the ideal situation, but we need to be there for Alice," Ginny said, making up her mind. She watched Harry, whose pacing started to slow, and then come to a stop. He stared back at Ginny, then nodded, confirming what she said.

The next day, Ginny and Harry decided that it would be best to move into the apartment that was attached to the Leaky Cauldron. They didn't want to uproot Alice from the home that she knew, since her life was already changing drastically.