Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognized character or depictions in this piece. This is just my lovely brain experimenting. Happy Reading!

A/N: A little less dark, a little more light.

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BITTER BEAUTY

Chapter Three

Grief and Healing

The day of the funeral was unseasonably cold, bitter wind whipped through their cloaks as family, friends, and aurors alike filled the hilltop as Ron was honorably laid to rest. His casket made of fine, polished mahogany trimmed in gold. His headstone was made of the brilliant marble with intricate engravings. The charms steadily lowered the fallen father...son...hero into the family plot, as Hermione and the Weasleys let their grief overflow.

The Burrow was filled to the brim with people giving their respects to fallen war hero. Luna, now Mrs. Rolf Scamander, took the liberty and prepared all the dishes and refreshments with the help of Malfoy house elves. Hermione was a bit too preoccupied with her emotions to argue the decision. Mrs. Weasley retired to her room, Mr. Weasley at her heels. The poor man was no fool, this death would possibly break her. Ginny ghosted through the home, greeting guests and thanking them for their condolences. The twins were busy telling amazing stories of their little brother, Bill was hidden away on the roof, and Charlie and Percy were busy handling the Ministry affairs. Harry remained close to Hermione, who was hidden away in possibly the worst place imaginable at the moment.

His green eyes followed her slow motions as she crossed the tiny room. After several moments of noticing her hollow expression, he tried, "Hermione, how about we go downstairs? I'm sure the boys would love to see you. They-"

"His blanket is so worn, though I wonder if I should have it restored," she whispered. "On second thought, no. It has more character and history this way."

She sat softly on the bed, taking the limp pillow in her lap, gingerly running her hands over the material.

"Hermione, I don't know if it's the greatest plan for you to be here...in this room. At least for the next couple of days," Harry reasoned.

"He wanted to take the children to the Canons' games. Completely hopeless, the lot of them. But, he was passionate about that team and wanted to pass that on to them."

Harry began to worry as she dodged the questions, but deciding to let the issue pass for the moment.

"Mummy! Catch me!" a little boy voice echoed up the stairwell.

"Sweetheart, I've told you. This is not the time, nor place," a soft, whisper answered.

Their footsteps grew closer to the landing, until tiny hands pressed the door open. Cool, grey eyes found the scene before him. The little boy did not seem unsettled by the grieving widow or the depressed state of those around him. Fearless, his little leg carried him to Hermione's side. Astoria stood in the doorway, mortified and apologetic.

"I'm really sorry you're sad. Daddy said we owe a lot to him and the way he helped Mr. Harry get rid of the bad guy. He must have been real brave," Scorpius said, his little features serious and focused.

"Indeed," Hermione sniffled. "Ron was one of the bravest men I knew and loved. The best daddy to our Rosie," she added fondly.

"Daddy said the little girl at our house was yours. He said her name was Rose. When will she be home?" he asked curiously.

Hermione blinked at the question, then responded, "In a few days. She has to rest an awful lot."

Scorpius nodded, then took her hand in his own. "It'll get better. Daddy always says that even good things can come from bad things."

"Scorpius, I think it is time we leave Mrs. Hermione be. Come along, now," Astoria ushered quietly.

Hermione watched as the toddler took his mother's hand. Astoria sent her an apologetic look, then gracefully walked down the stairs out of sight.

One Week Later

Being homeless essentially left Hermione and the two children no where else to go but the Burrow. Molly welcomed her home with open arms and began the process of converting Ginny's old room into a bedroom/nursery for Hermione and the kids. All of the furniture previously bought for Rose and the baby were abandoned at the home, too much damage endured to make them salvageable. Hermione had no means of buying the nursery set again, so she accepted the set Molly had stored in the shed. It was cleaned and inspected. The mattress was replaced and little fairy lights placed above, charmed to revolve around the crib. Baby nappies and clothes were given to her by Ginny and Harry.

Hermione received clothes from Bill and Fleur for Rosie to wear. Her own wardrobe placed on the back burner for the time being. She was unable to return to work for 6 weeks and would remedy her attire at a later point.

Her two children were scheduled to come home today from St. Mungo's. Rosie was more alert and her medications were controlled and reacting well with the healing process. The baby was still Baby Boy Weasley. Hermione struggled with his name until the point of causing herself migraines. She had now thought of the most fitting name the little fighter could possess: Hugo Ronald Weasley. She had once promised Ron his son's name would be Hugo, and if she was fortunate enough, the little boy would become the spitting image and character of his father.

"Hermione, the healers just floo called and said they are ready for you," Arthur said.

She simply nodded and gathered her bags, packing the trunk of the Ministry car. Kingsley arranged for the car since floo would be highly dangerous for both of the fragile children, one highly susceptible to infections and the other a premature newborn. Molly and Arthur joined Hermione in the car, and the rode to St. Mungo's in silence. As the car reached its destination, Hermione noticed a certain ginger waiting outside of the private entrance.

"Fred, you didn't have to come. Molly and Arthur are seeing to it that I have everything taken care of," she said, worried he might take it the wrong way. She was happy that he was there, but did not want him to neglect his shop duties to help his sister-in-law take her children home.

"Nonsense! Besides, Rosie owes me several hugs for this week," he said, grinning back.

Hermione returned a small smile and whispered the security charm to open the private entrance. The doors slid open at her command, allowing the small group access to the ward.

"Ah, Mrs. Granger-Weasley! You must feel a sense of relief now that your children are being released from their stay with us. How are you adjusting?"

Hermione gaze dropped, but Fred applied his hand affectionately on her shoulder for support. "As to be expected, I suppose," she merely responded.

The papers for Rose were signed first, listing her medical routines and treatments. The toddler was to remain in bandages with salve applied to her wounds until instructed otherwise by the case healers. Medications were to be supplied free of charge, as promised by Draco. The baby's papers were slightly more complicated and heart wrenching. She officially named little Hugo on his certificates and bit her lip rather harshly as she signed the papers her Ron should have been able to witness. He would never experience the joy of his son defying all odds and surviving and being brought home strong and resilient.

"That is the last of it, ma'am. A trusted mediwitch is bringing Hugo from the nursery and our team of healers and an auror is escorting your daughter as we speak," he supplied with a kind smile.

The door budged open softly and the soft steps of Rose filled the room. Hermione smiled as brightly as she could as she knelt to the floor, encouraging her daughter to come to her. Rose instantly sprinted to her mother and buried her face in Hermione's wild curls. A single tear escaped and fell onto Rose's red curls, as mother and daughter clung to each other. A moment passed and a mediwitch approached with a tiny bundle, swaddled securely against the woman's bosom.

"This one has got quite the lungs! He's a fighter, Mumma. We will see him for his checkups at home. He is under strict instructions to stay in a clean environment until deemed otherwise. Fragile as he is, he's still quite remarkable," she whispered.

Hermione kissed Rose's hair and shifted the child to her Uncle. The little child began to fuss, but was instantly quieted with the bribe of a sugar quill. Hermione sent him a grateful glance as the mediwitch placed Hugo into his mother's cradled embrace.

"All is in order, ma'am. We will see you here in a week's time," the healer announced.

Hermione nodded her recognition and Arthur grabbed her belongings, as Molly whispered the charm to release the doors once more.

The returning ride to the Burrow was a happier affair, as Fred coaxed Rose into small conversations of unicorns and sweets. He told her he rather missed their weekly tea parties, a fact Hermione never knew existed. Hugo was simply quiet, asleep against her chest. Her eyes focused on his little features, delicate and pure. This was their son, their daughter...Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley's children...every bit as stubborn as their parents.

Fred's Flat- Two days later...

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Fred flew up from the couch, his takeout still sitting on the coffee table from the night before. He haphazardly flicked his wand, banishing the trash, and lept to the door.

"Yeah," he grunted, flinging the door open.

To his amazement and horror, Hermione stood at the door fuming. He instantly backed from the door and groaned. The twin was no stranger the wrath of the witch before him, nor was he ignorant of the reason for her present anger.

"Frederick Gideon Weasley, why!? Why did you feel the need to do something so...so..." she snarled.

"Hermione, I meant no harm, alright. The furniture from the Burrow was ancient and Rose and Hugo have been through so much, I thought it would be a brilliant surprise," he countered.

"Are you implying that I could not afford the furniture. For Godric's sake, Fred! We just got there! I could've done it! It would've been far wiser to talk this over with me before you did something so expensive," she argued.

"I bought them the exact models you and Ron purchased before. Everything to the last drawer is exactly as it was in your home. I thought the familiarity would be good for Rosie and the crib has those options I remember you going all excited over. I reckoned that you two already spent the money the first time, so I would help you out this time. I meant no offense, Granger."

Hermione bit her lip, tears rimmed her eyes. Fred watched her entire intimidating manner melt, until it was the defeated form he was becoming all too sickeningly familiar with as of late.

"She doesn't feel safe, anymore. She wants either Arthur or you, never me. Rosie cries all night from nightmares and I can do nothing to console her. My little girl is terrified of the shadows and this just one more thing I failed to do," Hermione whimpered.

Fred swore under his breath and rushed over to the witch. He buried his face in her curls and held her as she sobbed brokenly into chest. He gingerly rubbed her back, her hands firmly grasping his soaked shirt.

"Mia, I...I'm sorry. I just thought it would help the kids. I didn't realize what was going on. I never intended to make you feel like a failure, Godric knows you could never fail at anything. Least of all, being a mother. Rosie is just having a hard adjustment to the death of her father and being abducted by an insane piece of shit. She will get better in time, you'll see," his voice whispered against her hair. "As for the money, I've got plenty to spare. You focus on finding a reasonable flat we can ward safer than Azkaban and I'll run anything else by you in the future. Deal?"

She nodded numbly, sniffling. Her rash anger now making her flush with remorse. "Umm...she mentioned tea time today."

Fred rubbed his face roughly, and sighed exasperatedly. "Tell Princess Rosie I will be there on time and with proper biscuits this time," he said smirking.

"Do you honestly meet with her every week?" inquired Hermione.

"Every Tuesday at 11 AM, Princess Rose and her jester dine the finest Leaky Cauldron biscuits and famous Molly Weasley tea with the best company from Babbity Rabbity and her dolly. Quite the affair during the week. It honestly started as a one time thing, but she asked for me come back once more. Then again, and again, and again, until I found myself scheduling work around a peculiar Tuesday meeting," he replied.

"Ah, I see. Well, tomorrow is Tuesday. I shall have everything arranged. Be sure to be on time," Hermione quipped.

Fred snorted and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"

A/N: Reviews are awesome!

Please also check out Affections Disguised (fremione), The Forgotten Disgrace (Romione), and Last Granger Standing (Romione)!