Disclaimer: I still own nothing

Chapter 3: Snape, Fred, Remus, Tonks

"Welcome Sev. You are just in time to watch the final battle. Want to come and see?" asked Lily.

They all listened as Harry told Riddle of all that he had learned and killed Riddle using his own rebounding curse.

"It's over he's done it!" they all cried with joy. Even Snape cracked a faint smile.

They all watched as Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way from the headmaster's office to the Gryffindor common room, where they found Kreacher waiting with some of their favorite foods. As they finished eating in silence the portrait hole opened and in walked Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus, and Ginny. Everything was quiet as Neville told Harry that the 4 of them were going to stand guard tonight to make sure that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny got some well-earned undisturbed sleep. Then they left to get in position. Hermione looked from Harry to Ginny then grabbed Ron's hand and pulled him up the stairs towards the boy's dormitories. Silence reigned as Harry and Ginny just looked at each other as if unsure what to say. Then it didn't matter because she was in his arms. Eventually the 2 walked over to one of the couches in front of the fireplace and silently sat there holding on to and staring at each other. Saying with their eyes all the things, they didn't have the words to say aloud yet. When they awoke, it was late afternoon and they were still alone on the couch in the common room. They slowly climbed the stairs to the boy's dormitories together, never releasing each other's hand. When they got there 2 of the beds had had enlargement charms put on them and then been surrounded by silencing and repulsion charms as well as heavy privacy curtains. They looked at the 2 beds, one with the curtains drawn and one without, and said "Hermione" at the same time. Then they crawled into bed, pulled the curtains, and fell asleep holding onto each other for dear life.

"Hunh, not what I expected to happen between them" said Sirius.

"Nor I, it was almost anti-climactic wasn't it?" replied Remus.

"You are both fools," said Lily with a smile.

"Watch with something other than your eyes Remus. There was absolutely nothing anti-climactic about what just happened," said Tonks.

"I must agree with the ladies on this one. What just took place between those 2 took a high level of comfort and commitment to be achieved so silently and seamlessly," said Dumbledore.

"What did you all see that the rest of us didn't?" asked Mad-eye.

"It isn't what we saw but what we heard that makes us smile," said James. "There was an entire books worth of conversation in those looks and touches."

"Oh."

"Okay, that appears to be the last of the funerals stop fast forwarding," said James.

"Would you stop talking? I want to hear what is being said," demanded Tonks.

"Hey Andromeda, come and join us" Harry said as Mrs. Tonks walked into the living room. "How is Teddy doing?"

"He is good. I just put him down for his nap. Thanks for letting us stay here. I don't know…" "I told you not to worry about it you are always welcome" Harry interrupted. "We were actually just discussing what we were going to do now that the war is over. None of us has our N.E.W.T.s and Hermione, Ron, and I are still somewhat jumpy at, you know every little thing. So the idea of having to figure out what we are going to do with the rest of our lives is somewhat daunting. You know? I mean I always said I wanted to be an Auror but I guess now I am just kind of tired of fighting for my life on a daily basis. I mean it kind of feels like I have been doing just that my entire life already."

"I suppose that is to be expected. Don't worry the answers will come. For me and Teddy we are going to try to rebuild and in the mean time we will help you fix this place up."

"I suppose eventually Ron and I will have to find jobs and get a flat somewhere but it just doesn't feel right to try living apart from you and Ginny yet. The ministry has already retrieved my parents and fixed their memories. So I guess we will stay and help get this place straightened out also," said Hermione.

"Well you know you aren't getting rid of me," said Ginny who was sitting with her back pressed against Harry's legs.

Suddenly the fireplace glowed emerald and out walked Kingsley Shackelbolt. Who looked up to find himself at the firing end of Harry, Ron, and Hermione's wands, Ron and Hermione relaxed but Harry said "When was the first time I met you?" "Summer before your 5th year" replied Kingsley. "Sorry I didn't announce myself before just dropping in." "No don't worry about it; I am just a little jumpy. Come in, come in" said Harry.

"Well as I can see I am interrupting an intense conversation why don't I get straight to it" said Kingsley with a smile taking the butterbeer that Kreacher offered him.

"First you should know that I believe we have rounded up most of the Death Eaters that weren't at Hogwarts but we are still working on the supporters that weren't strictly speaking Death Eaters. The ministry is also working to make life more difficult for those who are known supporters. A law has been passed denying them most of their worldly goods, which will be passed on to the closest non Death Eater relations. Next the Wizenagamot has requested that Harry and I make a list of people who should be recognized for their part in the war that might otherwise be overlooked." He pulled a thick envelope out of his pocket and laid it in Harry's hand. "Next, your Solicitor was supposed to pass this on to you on your 17th birthday but with war and all, the ministry decided to 'hold off' on passing it through. It should be self-explanatory and if it's not… well, I don't know what to tell you, as I have no idea what it is. Lastly, Professor McGonagall is working with the ministry to handle make- ups for O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams and how to reorganize Hogwarts. Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is the ministry cannot wait for test results to come in. We need an infusion of new people that can be trusted and are capable of doing their jobs. Which brings me to you, Miss. Granger; I want to offer you a job in my personal office. I need bright people with a wide base of knowledge that I can trust. What do you think would you be interested?"

"Yes, Minister I believe I would. It could offer me the chance to make a difference that I have always wanted," said Hermione.

"Good. Now I also brought applications to the Auror program for the 3 of you. So that you can go ahead and fill them out if that is still what you want to do." He laid 3 rather large scrolls of parchment on the table between Ginny and Ron. "Now I really must be going. I am in a bit of a hurry. Thanks so much for your hospitality." And he was gone as quickly as he arrived.

"Wow Hermione! That is a GREAT offer. I know you are going to be brilliant at it," gushed Ginny. Hermione just smiled.

Meanwhile Ron had picked up one of the applications and was reading through it. Eventually Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's talking slowed enough to notice that Harry had been very quiet for a while. He had opened the envelope and tears were starting to come from his eyes.

"Harry, what is it?" asked Ginny "What is that?"

"It is a letter from my parent's solicitor telling me that the enclosed package was supposed to be passed on to me when I turned 17 in accordance with the wills of Sirius Black and my parents. The packet includes a letter from my parents." Ginny put a hand in one of his. He squeezed her hand then said, "It also includes details of the new law that Kingsley was talking about and there are a bunch of legal papers and bank statements that I am supposed to read over and sign then return to the Ministry." He looked through the legal papers a little then just stopped and looked at Ginny. "I really kind of think that you should ask your father come over and look at these. Maybe he can help me figure out if I deciphered this correctly. Ginny would you go Floo him?" Ginny got up to do it immediately.

"What am I, Gurdyroots?" asked Hermione.

"No offense but I think I want to discuss this with Mr. Weasley before I talk to any of you about it." About that time, Mr. Weasley stepped out of the fire.

"Hello all. Harry, Ginny says you wish to speak to me."

"Yes sir, er…why don't we go into the dining room?"

The moment the door to the dining room closed Harry put an imperturbable charm on it. Then he silently handed Mr. Weasley the papers he was still holding. "Can this possibly be correct? Am I miss reading these?"

After he read through the papers Mr. Weasley slowly lowered himself down into one of the chairs. "Wow…Harry according to this you are now the richest wizard in England."

"So it is all legal?"

"Completely legal, you just have to sign where it says to." Harry handed Mr. Weasley the letter from his parents.

"Do you think I should try to find the other letter that it says I was supposed to receive? And where do you start looking for a letter that should have been delivered when you were 11 years old?"

"I would start with your Aunt," said Mr. Weasley.

"Yeah right… er… Mr. Weasley, I would rather like to keep my new financial status a bit of a secret. Do you think it is possible?"

"You won't be able to hide that you are rich but just how rich you are… that you can probably hide by swearing the family to secrecy."

"Speaking of the family…This is probably as good a time as I am going to get to ask you privately for your daughter's hand." Mr. Weasley snorted.

"Harry I would be honored to have you marry my daughter but I would have felt that way without the money."

"I know but I really wanted your opinion and once we had the privacy it seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up, knowing how hard it is to get any privacy at either of our homes." Mr. Weasley just smiled. "I think I am going to go ahead and sign the papers now. Would you be willing to take them in to the ministry for me? I am avoiding it as much as possible. The press is enough to make me want to jump into the Black Lake and stay there."

"Sure son no problem"

"Thanks"

Later that night when Harry told the others, they all seemed to be in shock but they quickly got over it, upon hearing how excited Harry was to explore Potter Manor for family mementos. They joined in his excitement upon hearing Harry's plans to turn Malfoy Manor, which he had just inherited, into a free hospital and Lestrange Manor, which had also inherited, into a halfway house/ orphanage for witches and wizards that had nowhere else to go.

"That is great! As the only other living relative to those 2 families I inherited all of their money and what you are going to do with your inheritance is far more inspiring than what I have planned. I am going to put it into a trust for Teddy," said Andromeda. "I am really proud of you, Harry and I know your family would be too." Harry just blushed.

"That is one amazing young man," said Dumbledore with a tear sparkling in his eyes as he heard of Harry's plans for the 2 houses.

"Thank Merlin, he got his mom's amazing heart" said all three of the marauders at the same time. And just like that, everyone started to laugh.