When The Darkness Fades Chapter 14
A/N: I really wish I could be taking a nap like Hermione did last chapter. Still can't fall asleep so here's another chapter.
Hermione let out a yawn and stretched her arms above her head when she awoke later that evening.
Her room at the Burrow had become dark with the fading sunlight and quiet leaving her to believe that the boys had gone downstairs.
She rolled over on one side and peered through the darkness at the magical clock on the bedside table.
7:00 p.m.
Her eyes widened to comical proportions when she realized how late it was.
She hadn't slept that long in ages and it made her panic slightly knowing that there were probably a million things she could be doing.
Throwing the covers off of her, she stumbled out of bed and hurriedly turned on the light before righting her crumpled outfit and making sure she looked presentable before heading downstairs to find the others.
She was surprised when she found that the Burrow's living room and kitchen were strangely empty and quiet making her face scrunch up in confusion.
Where was everyone and had she really slept that long?
Finding it odd that no one was around, she stopped in the kitchen and noticed that several mugs of half-drunk cold tea lay about on the dining room table and dishes were piled in the sink.
Suddenly a noise came from outside.
And then another. And another.
She went out the front door and smiled at what she found.
There laying in the grass was her family.
Molly and Arthur lay closest to the door as they laughed and snuggled underneath the sky full of brilliant stars.
A few feet away from them lay Luna, Harry, Ginny and Neville who were talking excitedly amongst themselves.
And at the edge of the property, her heart swelled to astronomical proportions when she saw that all three of her boys lay nestled in the tall grass laughing and enjoying the cool evening.
She breath appeared in a huff in front of her lips as she wrapped her arms around herself and made her way barefoot through the grass and over to where everyone lay strewn about like patches of laughing wild flowers.
"Oi! Hermione! Finally woke up, did ya?"
Ginny called out making everyone turn to her. Hermione laughed and nodded as she plopped down beside Ginny and watched from a distance as her boys continued to joke and tease one another.
"They're getting on quite well, aren't they?"
Luna remarked as her eyes trailed over their darkened silhouettes.
"That they are…"
Ron grumbled still apparently cross with them all after losing the quidditch game earlier that day.
Neville gave his shoulder a shove as Harry rolled over on his stomach and lay with his hand beneath his chin while giving her a lazy smile.
"Good end to a good day, eh Mione?"
He said as Hermione nodded and reached over to ruffle his messy brown hair.
He scowled playfully and proceeded to roll away and straight into Ron who decided that an all-out let's roll into one another and see who gets hurt first war was absolutely necessary.
Molly belly crawled her way over to where Hermione sat cross legged watching her boys while picking at a piece of grass.
"How are you, Hermione dear? Have you had your fill of us yet or are you ready for more?"
The older woman joked making Hermione roll her eyes playfully and smile down at her.
Molly's crossed her arms over one another neatly and laid her head on top of them as she let out a delighted sigh.
"You know these moments are the ones you should cherish, dear. Sometimes in life, they are fleeting and few and far between."
Molly said wistfully as Hermione nodded in understanding.
She watched as a light mist covered the aging woman's eyes making Hermione's own eyes water.
"This is what it means to live, Hermione. These moments, whether they be few or far between are what makes us or breaks us, dear. Always cherish them whether they be good or bad and you'll go far in this world."
She mused as Hermione looked up at the stars that covered the skies as far as the eye could see.
"Do you ever wish you could go back and change anything about your life, Molly?"
Hermione asked as she laid down and gave a contented sigh of her own.
Molly tilted her head to the side thoughtfully before giving it a firm shake.
"No, I don't think I would love. Every moment that has happened in my life has made me who I am today. And I am proud to say that I have grown into a mighty fine witch if I do say so myself."
She said with a wink making Hermione go into a fit of giggles.
Molly took her hand and nodded towards her boys with a smile.
"You will make them a fine witch soon as well."
She said gently as she squeezed the young witch's hand in her own.
Hermione sat there for a moment and listened to the joyful sounds that her boys made together and knew that every moment in her had led her to this exact one that they all were sharing together.
Looking down at Molly, she found the older witch was looking up at her with a sly smirk.
"Go find your wizards, young one. While I go find mine."
She said as she began to make her way back over to where Arthur lay chatting to Luna about the stars and what the meaning of life was.
Hermione smiled and took off in a run towards her boys before plopping down beside them.
They all sat up at once and greeted her as she smiled and laughed at their eagerness.
"You alright there, Mione?"
Draco asked as they lay back down and cuddled close while the moon hung low in the sky.
"I'm fine, Draco. I'm just fine."
She replied as took his hand and gave him the same squeeze that Molly had shared with her.