Part Four: Hermione

Rose made it a point to visit her mother's grave at Godric hollow as much as she could. Birthdays, holidays, every time she missed having a mom. Once rose reached the resting place of her mother, she replaced the dead and wilted flowers that laid there with a bundle of white roses.

"Hey Mom," Rose said as she bent down to sit on the grass. The ground was cool beneath her hands, autumn would be cooling London in a few weeks.

"I really missed you today," her throat has already begun to constrict and her eyes begin to water, "I really could have used you by my side when I was talking to dad today. Sometimes I think that he and I are too much alike. We bump heads all the time, and we're both too stubborn to back down. But I can't back down about this one, mom. Not anymore.

I just wish that things were easier. That dad didn't hate the Malfoys so much. Did you know that the first time I brought Scorpius to a Weasley dinner, dad told me that if I ever married him he would disown me? I was so angry and embarrassed… But now I know that he was just hurt and scared. I love dad, you know that I do. He's been everything for Hugo and I since you died. But… I think that I might actually love Scopius, and that scares me! I don't want to lose dad by staying with Scorpius. But I don't want to lose Scorpius either.

I gave dad your letters. I'm hoping that they will help him to see that you never stopped loving him, and that you never wanted to hurt him. That you were just trying to be happy with the time that you had left. And I want you to know that I talked with Mr. Malfoy like you asked me too. He misses you terribly, maybe even as much as I miss you. He did a really good job raising Scorpius as well. I wish that you could see them both; see how much of an impact you've had on their lives.

I love you so much, mom. And I miss you each and every day that you are gone. I wish I could remember all of the time that we did have together. And I wanted to thank you for everything that you wrote to me. Without those letters I would not be the person that I am today."

Drying her eyes and wiping the tear residue from her cheeks, Rose stood and brushed off her jeans. She placed her hand on the top of her mother's tomb stone, in a gesture of saying good bye and went to gather her bag. When she turned to leave she let out a yelp in surprise.

"Dad! What are you doing here? How long have you been standing here?"

"I knew that you would be coming here to see your mom. You've been doing that since you were old enough to leave the house by yourself. And probably even before then if you're a real Weasley." He let out a small chuckle that sounded more like a sound of desperation. "I miss your mom too, Rose. I missed having her around while you and Hugo grew up. I knew that if she was still here that she would be the one to keep me from losing my temper, you from shutting me out of your life, Hugo from getting into trouble at school. Hermione was always the glue that kept things together."

A silence blossomed between the father and daughter. Neither knowing what to say or how to say it.

"I want you to know that, you're never going to lose me. Thick or thin, boyfriend or not, I am your dad and you are stuck with me. I've made a lot of mistakes Rose, ones that I don't know if I'll ever be able to make up for. But I promise you, I am going to try. I know that I haven't been supportive of you and Scorpius in the past. I was so worried that I was going to lose you that I didn't realise that I was pushing you further and further away. But I'm not going to do that anymore. And if that keeping you close means that a Malfoy or two comes along, than I suppose I'm just going to have to learn some patience and acceptance. So what do you say Rose, got a hug for your old dad?"

Rose could feel a weight being lifted off of her shoulders and she hugged her dad. She was ready to let go of all of the years that she had spent being sad and angry and ready to move forward with the people that she loved and who loved her back just the same.

I wanted to take this moment to say thank you. Thank you for reading, for taking the time to review, and for sticking with me on this journey of mine. This story has been a big accomplishment of mine. It's the first one that I've finished.

This story came to me all at once. There were times when my fingers could not type fast enough, where the thought that I was exploring was getting bumped by another one entering my mind. I have had many reviewers tell me how they have been touched by this piece of work. I want you to know how much hearing those things means to me. I want you to know that I cried too while I wrote it. I want you to know that I have learned and grown from this as well.

I once heard of someone asking and author why they only ever wrote one book. The author replied by saying that it was the only story that they needed to tell. I am not saying that I won't write anything else. But I can't find it in myself to write something that doesn't not mean something to me, and that does not change me in the process.

I am currently working on a few things, though I cannot say when there will be good enough for others eyes. I hope that you will all have something new to read someday soon.

All the best,

A