The next morning, Harry awoke covered in sweat and tangled in his covers; he'd had another nightmare last night. He automatically placed his glasses on his head and blinked. He thought about the previous day and remembered how George had pointed out that Fred would want them to be happy. He felt slightly more chipper this morning, and remembered the little buffet afterwards. He had come so close to talking to Ginny about getting back together but he couldn't seem to find her alone. She was always chatting animatedly with one of the many guests.

However, Fred's funeral wasn't the end of the funerals for Harry, as he remembered that Tonks and Lupin's funeral was today. Before they passed, they had decided that they would have a joint funeral; neither had a large family and they shared friends so it only made sense. Harry looked out the window and noticed it was dull and grey today. They had a large breakfast, Mrs Weasley following through on her promise to fill them up, and then dressed in their smart, black clothes for the third, and hopefully last for a while, time. Harry's robes were starting to look worn, and he knew he would have to go buy some new clothes soon. The rest upstairs wasn't fairing much better. The others arrived and finally all were ready: all the Weasley's and Fleur, Harry and Hermione. The family floo'd to the Tonks house, and collapsed out onto a regal rug from an equally regal fireplace. Brushing himself down, Harry reimagined his last visit to this house. It had not been a happy visit; he had been on the run from Voldemort and the Tonks had been so kind to him. He felt a sharp pang of pity for Andromeda Tonks, who had lost so much to the war: her husband, her daughter, her son-in-law, her cousin and even her estranged sister.

"Ah, you're here! Excellent!" called a voice from the kitchen. Andromeda Tonks, an elegant, light-brown haired woman, emerged and hustled over to her guests.

"Are we the first, Andromeda?" asked Mrs Weasley, who had had the foresight to bring a brush to wipe off the ash.

"Yes, but that's alright," she replied. "Come through to the kitchen, I've been making a spot of tea." They followed the tall woman in a long, black dress and piled into the kitchen. "Now, here's the Portkey, Kingsley approved it himself," Mrs Tonks said, offering a glowing bean can. "But first have some tea." She handed everyone a mug, and poured tea into them from an expensive looking kettle. Harry took the time to study the woman, and noticed her features were very tired and sad yet she appeared so resilient. Harry was broken out of his thoughts by the cry of a baby and for the first time he noticed a baby carrier on the worktop. Mrs Tonks hurried over and rocked the carrier. "Teddy, hush...hush," she cooed. Harry felt like he had been struck by lightning. He almost cursed his stupidity: this must be the child of Tonks and Lupin. "He looks like he wants some attention," Mrs Weasley advised over Teddy's cries, peering over Mrs Tonks's angular shoulder. "If you'd like, we can keep him entertained in the living room."

"Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you."

And that is how the eleven people wound up in the ornate living room, cooing over a baby. Mrs Weasley, with seven children's worth of experience had carried the wailing Teddy into the room and began to rock the carrier, hushing Teddy softly.

"Maybe, we should take him out ze carrier," suggested Fleur, daintily lifting the tiny baby into her arms. Teddy's cries began to die off into happy gurgles.

"I was just about to do that," muttered Mrs Weasley quietly.

"Ah, e' ez so cute," said Fleur, who apparently didn't hear.

"What's this? You didn't wrinkle your nose and say it was smelly," chuckled Bill.

"I av grown up Bill. In fact, I zink I vant one of my own," she replied. Mrs Weasley had completely changed and had tears in her eyes as she hugged her daughter-in-law.

"I do too," added Bill.

"Get a room," quipped George, as everyone else laughed.

"Anyway," continued Bill. "I think I'd be great at changing nappies. I used to change Ginny's nappies all the time when she was a baby."

"Can we not talk about my nappies being changed?" the grown up Ginny asked, pleadingly.

"Aw, is someone moody? Do they need their nappy changed?" Bill joked, mussing up her hair. Ginny did not look amused.

"It's not like you're trying to impress anyone in this room, is it Gin'?" George teased.

"Shut-up," she hissed as both her and Harry's face turned red. In reality, Harry was quite enjoying their playful arguments; it was so healthy and fun. He looked at Teddy who was being passed around the women, who cooed over him and promised that he would experience a family life, even if his parents were gone. Harry suddenly realised the responsibility he had as godfather, and that he had no idea what to do with a baby. Mrs Weasley caught him looking.

"Harry, why don't you come over and meet your godson? Don't be shy, he won't hurt," she called. Harry edged slowly over.

Ginny rolled her eyes. " Really, Harry, it's not difficult." She took the baby from her mother and took him over to Harry. The image of her holding a baby, made Harry's heart do weird things. She showed Harry how to hold the baby by supporting the head and then gently lowered Teddy into Harry's arms.

"That's foreshadowing if I've ever seen it," announced George, as Harry and Ginny blushed again, even redder.

Once Teddy was fully in Harry's arms, he tilted his head slightly to look at the bespectacled creature that now held him. Harry looked down in return. Teddy had the same heart-shaped face as his mother and the same brown hair as his father. His parents would live on through him. Harry wondered vaguely what traits Teddy would inherit from Tonks and Lupin. He yawned, closed his eyes and snuggled into Harry's arms. "You're not so bad, are you?" said Harry, rhetorically. "I promise I'll always be here for you...whenever you need me...I'll look after you."

"And I'll be here to make sure you have fun," Ron interjected.

Harry passed the now sleeping baby to Hermione, who then passed him to Ron. Upon reaching Ron, Teddy became unhappy again and started to cry. Mrs Tonks came from the kitchen and took Teddy. "Alright," she said, addressing the family, whilst bouncing Teddy. "Your Portkey is about to leave so I suggest you hurry." They trooped into the kitchen, depositing mugs on the kitchen worktop. Mrs Tonks pulled Harry aside. "A word please, Harry?"

Harry assumed this was going to be about Teddy. "I'm sorry to have to throw this on you, Harry, at such short notice, but Remus wanted you to speak at his funeral. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, only I didn't know where you were staying." Harry felt a little numb.

"M-me?" he stammered.

"Yes, he thought you were perfect for the job."

Harry regained his composure. "Sure, yeah, I'll do it."

"Thank you, I know it would mean lot to him."

"Harry, come on," yelled Ron, from the kitchen. Harry raced in just in time to find a rare space to touch the Portkey, and then they were off.

They arrived in the middle of a forest, with tall conifers and a leafy floor. This was, apparently, a forest that Tonks and Lupin had adored and visited often when seeking solace. Again, it appeared they were the first there. The family sat on logs that circled two coffin-less graves. It appeared they were sharing a gravestone. They didn't talk any more as they waited for the rest of the guests to arrive. One by one, the other guests arrived by Portkey: there were few family members for either but Harry didn't recognise the ones that did turn up. However, the ranks were swollen by the attendance of most of the Order of the Phoenix. Lupin and Tonks hand been a central part of the Order and very well liked. Harry saw Hagrid arrive, who waved and shook the floor as he tripped over a log. Dedalus Diggle and an injured Hestia Jones appeared, and sat very close to one another. Sturgis Podmore had been freed from Azkaban, and even Aberforth Dumbledore turned up. Soon, they only one missing was-

Kingsley appeared in the clearing and quickly gathered his bearings. He made his way to the front and cleared his throat. "Shall we begin?"

This funeral was fairly similar to the one of the previous day. People gave speeches, beginning with the imperious Minister for Magic, as Mrs Tonks dabbed at her eyes under a black veil with a handkerchief. Teddy squirmed in her arms. Hagrid was equally as weepy as was Mrs Weasley. Soon, it was Harry's turn to make a speech; he gulped and slowly made his way to the front.

Harry's mind had been whirring, trying to think of what to say. However. when he heard Teddy he got an idea. "I'm not good at speeches," he began. "But I have learnt a lot over the past few days. At first, I thought the world was over and that we'd never be happy again. But then, thanks to my friends," he glanced over at them," I realised that even though we've lost people, we still have them. They live on through their impact in the world and their legacy." His gaze focused on Teddy, who squirmed and gurgled obliviously. "Remus and Tonks will live on through their son, and so many others will live on through the joy they brought to the world." The small crowd clapped enthusiastically and Harry thankfully sat down, sweating profusely.

Then, they watched as the coffins were gently lowered into the ground and the graves were filled in. Harry reflected on the times he had spent with Lupin and Tonks, with tears in his eyes. Andromeda finished off the funeral, giving her own words and thanking everyone for coming. Everyone rose to their feet and began to disperse. Harry felt a large hand grab him, as Hagrid put him in front of a group of people.

"The ol' Order are 'avin' a photo," he said. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the rest of the Order joined him as the camera flashed. The photo taken, the witches and wizards began to get on their way. Harry desperately wanted to find Kingsley, only he appeared to be hurrying off. Harry was just about to go after him when another hand touched his shoulder. He turned around to see that it was Mrs Tonks.

"Harry, dear, thanks for the speech. It was wonderful," she praised him.

"Thank you, Mrs Tonks."

"Please call me Andromeda. Anyway, I was wondering whether you could take Teddy for the day. I feel like I want some time alone and that you might want to get to know Teddy better."

"Oh sure," replied Harry. "That'll be fine. I'd love to."

"Wonderful Harry, thank you." Andromeda handed him a bag and when he took it he almost fell as he was surprised by the weight. He was instantly reminded of Hermione's extended bag. Did babies really need this much stuff?

He put the strap over his shoulder and then was given Teddy in his baby carrier. "Hello there," Harry greeted. Teddy blew a raspberry as a sign of greeting. Andromeda hurried off to talk to some other guests while Harry returned to the Weasley's.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny decided to take the Knight Bus home, as it was the only way to take Teddy. The conductor was unfamiliar; Stan Shunpike had not yet been through his trial. The few other passengers stared at Harry as he passed and the bus rocketed off. Harry struggled to hold Teddy and the bag, which kept sliding down the aisle. Eventually, they stopped in Ottery St. Catchpole and enjoyed the long, isolated walk to The Burrow.

They were greeted by Mrs Weasley, who remained casual, although Harry could tell by the speed with which she greeted them that she was still worried. They brought Teddy into the living room and set him on the floor. He didn't seem to know who to look at and Harry wasn't quite sure what to do next.

"Er, now what?" Ron asked, echoing Harry's thoughts.

"Now, we play with him," Ginny said, lifting him out of his carrier and laying him on the rug. "Aww, he's so adorable," she sighed. Hermione sidled next to her, to look down on the baby.

"I can't believe you have a godson Harry," she said, as Ginny played peak-a-boo with him. Harry noticed for the first time since the war, Ginny had a wide smile on her face, and it further reminded Harry how beautiful she was. He was determined to talk with her about getting back together. Ron had gone out to collect some sandwiches and when he re-entered the room Harry turned his head.

"Who's that?" Ron asked, and Harry followed his gaze. What was wrong with Ron? Could he not remember that it was Teddy? But as he looked the baby before him had blonde hair. Hermione looked at Ron like he was an idiot. "It's the same baby Ron. Tonks was a Metamorphmagus, remember? Teddy must have inherited her abilities." Harry was impressed and wondered just how much trouble this baby would cause them in the future.

They soon found out why the bag was so heavy; Teddy had a large amount of toys and Harry had a hard time choosing which to use. Teddy seemed to love it though and giggled all afternoon. The bag also contained food, which Teddy got more on himself than in his mouth, and many books. Hermione spent most of the time reciting baby-related facts, hidden behind these books. The worst part was when Teddy went to the toilet but luckily the books taught them how to clean him with magic. Whilst this went on, Teddy cycled through a myriad of appearances, often copying the four who doted over him.

It was a tired Harry who handed Teddy over to Andromeda that evening. "How was he?" she asked him.

"Tiring but fine. Listen, I was wondering if I could have Teddy over more often, say on the weekends?"

"That sounds lovely. Oh-" she gasped as Teddy changed his hair colour from brown to blond. "Oh my goodness...I was wondering if...he's just like Nymphadora." Tears swum in her eyes. "What a...pleasant surprise...Well, thank you Harry. Goodnight." And with that, she walked off with his godson. Harry waved goodbye and returned to the living room.

He was pleased to find that only Ginny remained, reading a Quibbler magazine. The first thing Luna and Xenophilius Lovegood did once their house had been repaired was torestart the Quibbler and Luna had sent Ginny a copy. In fact, judging by the front cover, it was the first edition since the war. Harry saw a figure that looked more like a cloaked beetroot than the Voldemort the caption indicated it was. Harry was glad they were finally alone; Ron and Hermione had slipped off to do God knows what.

"Ginny," he said softly. She looked up expectantly. "Can we talk?"

"Isn't that what we're doing?" she grinned.

"Not know Gin''" Harry replied.

"Oh." Ginny's face became serious.

"I've been thinking a lot since the war and now that the danger's gone, I really, really want to get back together with you..." Harry hoped desperately that she would say yes. To be rejected by her would just be too much for him. Then, she shot him her trademark blazing look. "A couple of years ago Harry, I would have said yes without hesitation," she began. Harry felt like a noose was being tightened around his neck. "But now I'm not so sure."

"But why?" Harry protested. "I told you why I had to leave you. It was an unnecessary risk. While I was being hunted by Voldemort, you were always in danger."

"So was my entire family!" Ginny raged. "What difference would it have made?"

"What difference? Well, I might not have gone on our mission had you still been my girlfriend! It was keeping you safe that was driving me on. All the time I thought of you...I watched you on the map!"

"I know, I know," Ginny said. "I understand why you broke up with me and why you had to leave me behind. But you often make me feel left out. You share everything...everything with Ron and Hermione." Tears had formed in her eyes now. "You've never trusted me like you do those two. I'dve liked it if you just could have confided in me sometimes. I thought after our discussion about being possessed by Voldemort in my 4th year you would have come to me. But you never did."

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't talk to you more but it was Dumbledore's orders that no one but me, Ron and Hermione were supposed to know."

"Alright, but what about before then..."

"Fine I admit that," Harry conceded.

"And there's also the fact that you seem to regard Ron and Hermione above me. I'm not saying that I'm better than them, but if I were to be your girlfriend I'd like to be treated with at least as much respect as them. When you arrived at Hogwarts before the battle, you barely even said hello to me. And then, after the battle, you went off with Ron and Hermione without so much as a handshake!" Ginny stormed. "And of course, you tried to make me stay in the Room of Requirement! I expect overprotectiveness from my family but not from you..."

Ginny finally seemed to have gotten it out of her system and Harry prepared his apology. "I'm sorry...I really am. I realise those mistakes now but back then I was clueless. We're supposed to learn from our mistakes though, aren't we? I'd really like to work on these faults...with you. That's what real couples do. Because I don't know how I'd cope if I knew I'd lost you Ginny. You mean so much to me."

Ginny suddenly smiled. "Oh, of course we can work on it. Come here." Then she launched herself at him.

There was no feeling like kissing Ginny. Her soft lips blended with his with such ease, he was sure they were made for each other. All the time that had come between them melted away in that kiss and Harry felt like they had never been apart. Her kiss was just as good as he remembered and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. They never quickened the pace; they didn't need to. They were content just to express their gratefulness for finally being back together. The world outside disappeared and all his worries went with them, and it was only when she tenderly left his lips that he thought about where he was. He felt like he had when they first got together in his 6th year, when he had snogged her senseless in the Common Room, then taken her down to the lake and snogged her multiple times there.

Ginny smiled wonderfully up at him and then to his dismay, left him. She shortly returned with two glasses containing Firewhiskey and handed one to him. "To new beginning," she said, pouring some out.

"To new beginnings." They raised their glasses and downed the contents. That night Harry would have no nightmares.