The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.
Chapter 10 - Goodbyes and Hellos
An ordinary muggle would see the attendees at the funeral of Dr. and Dr. Granger and see an ordinary service. But a wizard would notice that on one side of the aisle behind the pall bearers sat the muggles and on the other side behind the family sat the wizards. Remus at the end of the front row next to Harry, Hermione was positioned between Ron and Harry, her hands remaining held in theirs the entire time. Severus, Anna, and Professors Dumbledore and Mogonagall obtained the row behind them. Followed by Mr. & Mrs. Weasley with Ginny and Charlie, then Bill and Fluer with the twins. Finally were Tonks, Kingsley, Neville and Luna.
Hermione barely heard the minister as she kept her gaze on the caskets that help her mother and father. Quiet tears flowed down her face, but her hands remained firmly in Ron and Harry's hands. She silently said her own goodbye, thanking them for giving her life and love, and supporting her in a world they didn't really understand.
As the service ended, the attendees filed past the caskets, and Hermione rose to thank them for coming to the service. Ron and Harry stood with her, but remained in the background, just allowing her to know they were right there with her. The muggle side was first. Friends and colleagues of her parents, many she barely knew expressed their sympathy. Hermione could feel Harry tense up as the Dursleys approached, but his aunt's familiarity with Severus and Remus seemed to curtail any out of place comments on their part.
As Hermione's friends past, Tonks and Luna hugged her tightly, but Neville blushed slightly when Hermione hugged him. All the Weasley hugged her, the twins nearly smothering her, and Mrs. Weasley sobbing so hard that Mr. Weasley and Charlie had to half carry her away. As the last of the attendees past, there were only eight remaining. Anna, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Mogonagall hugged Hermione and left to retrieve the children and Professor Flitwick, to bring them to Grimald Place, while Severus and Remus would remain to escort Hermione, Ron and Harry there.
The four men allowed Hermione private time to approach the caskets and say one last goodbye to her parents, as they stood off to the side. While Severus and Ron kept a watchful eye on Hermione, Remus quickly explained to Harry that Anna and Severus had three children, two girls and a boy ages 12, 10 and 4.
Remus decided to allow the knowledge that their oldest was named in honor of him and the youngest in honor of Harry's mother to wait until they reached Grimald Place and Harry actually met the children. Then there was the fact that Remus was the children's godfather. Remus feared that Harry would feel it as a betrayal to Sirius, when all he was doing was protecting the children that he loved.
"I'm ready." Hermione said as she rejoined them and took Ron's hand. It was decided that they would apparate to Grimald Place, and so Harry took a hold of Remus's arm, while Hermione and Ron grabbed onto Severus.
When they arrived at Grimald Place, most of the Order members were already present. Many of them approached Hermione and offered their sympathy, which she accepted with gratitude. When the three professors arrived with Anna and the children, everyone except Remus, Ron, Hermione, Tonks and Harry were shocked to see the strangers present at Headquarters. The children shyly stayed close to their family and Remus, uncertain of their welcome in this large group of strangers.
Mrs. Weasley had prepared enough food to feed three armies and everyone was in the living room grazing at the buffet when Professor Dumbledore called the first informal part of the meaning to order.
"Right now, I'd just like to make introductions and to share some of what will take place at the main meeting tonight. Although no one under age can be a member of the order, I'm requesting that Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley be present for tonight's meeting. I will not allow any objections to this matter either." He said glancing at Mrs. Weasley before she could refuse, "They are also the only underage I will allow to attend the meeting." He added glancing at Ginny.
"And so you all know now, all present will be required not to share a word of what is said in the meeting to anyone not present. There are some very vital issues to take care of and it directly involves the safety of several members of the Order and their families." Dumbledore stressed to which Ginny scowled knowing that not even the twins would break such a requirement to share the information with her.
"First I'd like to inform you all that Miss Granger has, by her parents' request, been placed under the guardianship of Severus Snape. With Remus Lupin and Young Mr. Weasley's help, she has settled into her new home and is being well taken care of." Professor Dumbledore stated pausing to smile at Severus and Hermione where they stood together.
"Next, we will be adding a new member to the Order tonight. I'd like to introduce my and Minerva's daughter Anna Gall Snape. Anna also happens to be the wife of Severus." Hermione heard the gasps around her and was not sure if it was that Professors Dumbledore and Mogonagall had a daughter or that she was married to Severus. Most likely both.
And Harry finally understood why Anna's eyes looked so familiar. She had her father's eyes.
"I'd also like to introduce my grandchildren. First of all we have twelve year old Remy Minerva Snape. She is in Ravenclaw, like her mother was and uses the name Remy Gall, while at Hogwarts." From her spot between her mother and brother, Remy smiled shyly as all the attention turned to her.
"Next we have Brian Severus Snape, who will turn eleven in a few weeks. He will be starting at Hogwarts in September as Brian Gall." From his spot between Remy and his father, Brian smiled proudly at the mention of his upcoming status as a first year at Hogwarts.
"Lastly, over in her father's arms is Lillian Eileen Snape. Lily is four, and very much a daddy's girl." Lily simply buried her head into her father's neck as the attention was turned onto her.
"Now I'm sure you all have a lot of questions, and all will be answered in due time. Please feel free to approach Minerva or myself, and we will answer all that we can. Also, I'm sure Remus Lupin can answer your questions as well. Now please everyone enjoy the wonderful food that Molly has prepared." Professor Dumbledore finished.
Hermione discretely retrieved Remy and Brian, while Remus managed to procure Lily from her father's arms and brought them over to where Harry stood with Ron, Ginny and Tonks. Neither Ron nor Hermione failed to notice the look in Tonks's eyes as she saw Remus's easy grace and comfort with Lily.
"Ron, we missed you at the house last night." Brian said as he greeted his new friend.
"Yes, I wish I had of been there. Hermione is always talking about all these fantastic muggle board games, and I was looking forward to playing one. Anyway, we have some people we would like you to meet. Remy, Brian and Lily this is my sister, Ginny Weasley and Hermione and my best friend, Harry Potter."
Both Ginny and Harry greeted the children warmly, and Hermione was proud of the restraint Harry seemed to be showing. Like them, he had been thrown several shocks recently, and the fact that Severus had obviously named his daughters after Remus and Harry's mother was the topper.
She figured that he also could not help but noticing Lily's coloring. While Remy favored her mother, expect for her coal black hair and Brian favored Severus, except for the bright blue eyes, Lily had dark auburn hair and green eyes. Hermione had commented on that fact last night when they were all talking in her bed, and Severus said they were both kind of surprised at her coloring.
Albus merely suggested that Lily Potter had obviously given them a gift. In return for the same gift Severus had given her, by keeping his vow to do whatever it took to protect Harry. Remus had agreed with this observation, so Anna had insisted that the baby be named Lily.
"Well, I think it is time to get the meeting started. Ginny, could you show Remy, Brian and Lily were to go. Please help Remy take care of Lily. The rest of you will you follow me." Professor Dumbledore said as he led the way to the meeting room. Remus transferred Lily over to Remy, then with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Tonks followed Professor Dumbledore from the room.
TBC