Springtime
Disclaimer: JKR's Characters and settings: My Ideas (Sort of) Your time: Thanks for reading
As Hermione Screamed his name one final time, Harry pivoted on his left foot and threw the sword with all his might at the laughing form of Albus Dumbledore. Time seemed to slow down as the sword spun end over end. With a sickening finality the sword embedded itself in the chest of Dumbledore.
Harry shrugged off all attempts to comfort and congratulate him and made his way to stand over the fallen form of the ancient headmaster. Albus looked up at Harry in shock. "Well played Harry, well played."
Potter grabbed the sword of Gryffindor and gave it a twist and pulled it out. Dumbledore gasped for one last breath and then died. Harry, with sword in hand, walked back over to the horcrux that was his mother's headstone. He closed his eyes and swung with all his might. Again there was a shower of sparks, but no hex fired at Harry.
A shocked, dismayed and overjoyed Hermione Potter charged at her husband and started to pound her fists into his chest. "God Damn it Harry" she cried. "You could have died." Hermione continued to pound on Harry's chest until she didn't have the strength to lift a feather. She buried her head in Harry's shoulder as she cried.
Harry just held her tightly in the pouring rain as the members of the order and the surviving aurors congratulated the heroes. Fawkes circled over Harry and Hermione. Harry reached up a hand to grab hold of the tail feathers. In a flash of flame they were returned to the Potter estate.
Harry asked Kreacher to draw a hot bath. He carried the still weeping Hermione upstairs to their room. With two flicks of his wand he managed to disrobe both of them. Harry gently set Hermione in the bath and then climbed in behind her.
After the Potters were warm and clean Harry again carried Hermione to their bed. He pulled back the covers with one hand and laid her down. He then climbed in his side of the bed and Hermione snuggled up next to him.
Hermione half mumbled into Harry's chest the question that had been burning in her mind ever since she saw Harry destroys his mother's headstone. "Harry, how did you know that it was safe to destroy your mum's headstone?"
Harry Potter took a deep breath and caressed his wife's hair. "I didn't know for sure my love, but I had a hunch. On the night that Snape killed Dumbledore on the astronomy tower, Dumbledore cast the petrificus totalus spell on me before Malfoy disarmed him. When Dumbledore died the spell that held me was broken. I figured that the same thing would apply here. I just didn't want anybody else to be hurt because of my theory."
Hermione bit down lightly on Harry's shoulder. "You prat; you could have explained what you were going to do."
"You're right, I could have. However some brave soul would have tried to stop me. Hermione, why didn't you tell me that you were pregnant?"
"I knew that you would get all over protective and port key me to Australia with my parents. Besides, I'm pregnant not crippled."
Harry kissed the top of Hermione's head and fell asleep with his hand wrapped protectively over her stomach.
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The next morning the order of the lioness met at the Potter estate. Over a leisurely lunch they talked about the events of last night. Fortunately only Albus and Molly had died in the fighting. Several Aurors along with Ron Weasley were recovering in St. Mungos. Kingsley spoke up, "Once again the wizarding world owes you a debt it can never repay Harry and you too Hermione. I guess that it would be getting my hopes up too much to ask you to accept another Order of Merlin?"
Hermione shook her head. From her perch on Harry's lap she told Kingsley that the only way that she and her husband would accept the award was if everybody that joined together to fight Dumbledore received the same award.
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On Christmas Eve Harry and Hermione again visited the graves of Harry's Parents. Hermione placed a hand on her swollen belly as Harry knelt at the graves of his parents and placed a wreath of white roses on their headstone.
"Mum, Dad; I hope that you remember Hermione from my last visit." Tears began to flow freely down Harry's face. "I just wanted to let you know that we're married now and Hermione is expecting your first grandchild in about 4 months time. On the clear starry night two drops of rain fell on the grave stone and froze solid.
Hermione gave Harry's hand a squeeze and the two disaparated back to the Potter estate where Hermione's parents were waiting for them.
On Christmas day all the members of the order joined with the Potters for Christmas dinner. Hermione let out a shriek of happiness as she looked at the diamond ring that was attached to the hand of Andromeda Tonks.
The celebration went long into the night.
That spring Hermione Potter gave birth to a beautiful little girl that was the spitting image of her mother. Amanda Lily Potter, named after her Grandmothers, was welcomed by family and friends.
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In late November of that year Charlie Weasley met up with his little sister in Las Vegas to watch the National Finals Rodeo.
"Gin, I think you should come home now. The danger's over. Dad and Andromeda are getting married on Christmas day. I know that they would really like to see you. The rest of the family does as well."
"Will Harry be at the wedding?"
"Of course he will and so will Hermione and their daughter."
"I don't know Charlie. It's been over three years since I was supposed to marry him. It may sound silly, but it still hurts."
Charlie put his arm around his little sister. "It would mean the world to dad."
"I'll think about it Charlie."
On December 25th a timid Ginny Weasley stepped into the church in Ottery St. Catchpole. She had not bothered to inform her family that she was comming. Ginny was unsure of the reception that they would receive. She looked around the crowded church and saw Harry and Hermione sitting together fussing over a baby. They truly looked happy. Bill was sitting in the front row with Fleur and their daughter. Along the bench on the side of the groom Ginny spied Ron, George and Charlie talking animatedly, propbably discussing the latest quidditch match.
Ginny's nerve had failed her and she was about to leave when Percy walked up to her and hugged Ginny with all his might. He escorted Ginny to a place of honour with the rest of her family. They all hugged her and told her how much that they missed her. The best reunion for Ginny was when her father rushed from the backroom of the church to hug his daughter. Ginny sat down feeling the warm glow of love and happiness from her family. Everyone stood up as Andromeda Tonks walked the aisle escorted by John Dawlish.
After a beautiful ceremony Ginny found herself face to face with the two people that she didn't know what she could say to make things right. Hermione hugged Ginny and whispered in her ear. "You don't need to apologize Ginny. We understand that your mum has manipulated you since the day you were born."
"Thanks Hermione, that means the world to me. Ginny then looked into the green eyes of Harry Potter. His eyes sparkled with happiness. "I'm sorry Harry, for what I helped my mother do.
Harry smiled again, "Don't worry about it Gin. Life's to short to spend your days consumed by hate."
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The Potters made their way back home and relaxed for what seemed the first time in ages. After Hermione and Harry had put baby Amanda to bed, Hermione turned to face her husband and best friend. She wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him gently. "You know Mr. Potter life is great."