Chapter Twenty-Nine

Hermione and Ginny spent the morning in the garden with Molly and Teddy. Hermione and Ginny sat about five feet away and let Teddy crawl in between them. Hermione would conjure random objects and Teddy would stop and observe them as they flew around his head. After a couple of minutes of following with his eyes he would reach out and grab it, then simply sit and stare at it some more before looking up and smiling or laughing at Hermione or Ginny. Near lunch time, Molly came over and picked up Teddy.

'Are you two still going over to Bill's?'

Ginny stood and wiped the grass off of her shorts.

'Yep. I think we'll head over there now, right Hermione?'

Hermione nodded.

'I think so.'

'Okay, I'll see you later.'

Molly headed in and Hermione and Ginny waved at Teddy who waved back. Ginny giggled as the two headed for the end of the garden. Hermione turned to Ginny.

'Are you comfortable apparating there by yourself?'

Ginny nodded.

'Yes, I think so. I've been there a few times and can picture the backyard fairly clearly.'

Hermione nodded once.

'Okay then. Take your time and I'll see you soon.'

Hermione turned and disappeared with a small pop. She arrived in the backyard and saw Fleur working in the kitchen through the small window. Not ten seconds later, Ginny appeared behind her and they headed toward the door. Fleur opened it before they knocked.

' 'ello 'ermione, Ginny. I 'ope you are well.'

Hermione gave her a quick hug followed by Ginny.

'I'm good. Thank you for lunch, Fleur, I really appreciate it.'

'Yes, thank you.'

Fleur led them into the small but cozy kitchen where sandwiches, fruit, and cheese were already set out.

'It ez my pleasure. Please sit, eat.'

The three witches spent a pleasant lunch catching up. They talked about Fleur's work at Gringott's and the girls' final school year. Ginny found herself enjoying Fleur's company more than she thought she would; she was bearable when she wasn't fawning over her brother the whole time.

After they cleared the table, Fleur left them in the backyard while she did some cleaning. Hermione and Ginny slowly walked towards the far corner of the yard. As they approached, Ginny saw a medium-sized stone sitting in a small patch of wildflowers. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the slightly untidy scrawl:

Here Lies Dobby, A Free Elf

Hermione kneeled down beside the small grave and brushed a couple of stray leaves off of the stone. She reached into her back pocket and brought out a pair of knitted socks: one with blue and green polka dots, one with yellow and orange stripes. Ginny came up and sat beside her. She reached forward and fondly ran her hand over the writing on the stone.

'Oh Dobby…'

Hermione turned and gave her a watery smile then turned back to the stone.

'I wish I had known him better. He was such a loyal friend.'

Ginny nodded in agreement and wiped the tears that had come to her eyes. The two witches sat there for a while, lost in their own thoughts of not only Dobby but others who had fallen. Finally, Ginny pulled out her wand and Hermione watched as a single dark pink rose appeared in her hand. Ginny laid it gently on the tombstone.

'I read somewhere once in one of Mum's gardening books that a dark pink rose means gratitude. Thank you for everything Dobby; you will never be forgotten.'

Hermione caught Ginny's eye and returned her small smile, awed by her heartfelt words. The two witches stood and wiped their eyes, taking one last look before turning back towards Shell Cottage. Fleur exited the kitchen, seeing the two heading back and approached the two witches and gave them each a hug.

'I 'ope you both will come visit me again. You are always welcome.'

Both Hermione and Ginny smiled gratefully.

'Thank you Fleur.'

The blonde smiled and returned to the cottage as the younger witches disapparated with two small pops. They arrived back in the garden at the Burrow to find Molly once again outside. She looked up and smiled at the two.

'Hello girls, have a nice visit?'

Ginny and Hermione nodded.

'Yes, it was nice of Fleur to let us visit.'

Molly nodded in agreement and went back to her weeding.

'I laid Teddy down for a nap so please be quiet when you go in.'

Ginny walked closer to her mum and laid a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

'Actually Mum, we…we were going to go see F-Fred.'

Molly stiffened and turned her white face to her daughter.

'F-F-Fred?'

Ginny gently lowered her mum's wand hand and stood right in front of her. Her heart broke when she saw the sadness in her Mum's warm brown eyes and she embraced her before pulling back and once again looking into her mum's face.

'I-I miss him so much, Mum. I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye again.'

Hermione came up slowly and laid a comforting hand on Molly's arm.

'Would…Would you like to come with us?'

Molly slowly looked at Hermione with tears in her eyes, before turning to look over her shoulder toward the field where Fred was buried.

'I-I…I haven't been out there since…since…'

Ginny lightly brushed the hair off her mum's face, bringing her attention back to her.

'I know, me either. That's why I wanted to go now. You don't have to, Mum, if it's too soon.'

Molly looked into the searching eyes of her daughter. She saw the pain and hurt there but also the love, and it made her stronger.

'I-I'll come.'

Ginny's jaw dropped slightly in surprise before she smiled slightly at her mum.

'Are you sure?'

Molly nodded hesitantly.

'Y-Yes, I think so.'

Ginny laced her arm around her mum's and started leading her toward the field, briefly glancing at Hermione behind her. At the end of the garden, Molly suddenly stopped.

'Wait, what about Teddy?'

Hermione came up and squeezed Molly's arm in comfort.

'I'll get Kreacher to watch him while we're away.'

Molly nodded absentmindedly before turning back with Ginny. Hermione caught Ginny's questioning and scared eyes and smiled reassuringly.

'I'll catch up in a second, I promise.'

Ginny nodded and continued with her mum slowly toward the field. Hermione ran into the kitchen.

'Kreacher?'

Kreacher appeared with a small pop.

'Yes, Miss?'

'Would you please watch Teddy? He's asleep in his room. We'll be out in the field but we shouldn't be too long. If you need us, come get us.'

Kreacher bowed slightly.

'Yes, Miss.'

Hermione smiled.

'Thank you Kreacher.'

She exited through the garden and quickly caught up to Ginny and Molly on the border of the field where Fred was buried. She came up beside Ginny and grasped her hand supportively. Ginny gave her a grateful squeeze as they drew nearer. They approached a medium sized tombstone under a maple tree.

Hermione hadn't gone with the family when they buried him and her breath hitched at seeing his name carved into the modest stone. The three witches stood facing the stone in silence with tears running down their faces. After what seemed to be years, Ginny quietly let go of Hermione's hand and went to kneel beside the grave.

'Hello dear brother. Gods, how I've missed you!'

Ginny reached forward and laid her hand on the small mound. Unable to say anything else, she broke down and sobbed. Molly instantly went to her daughter and embraced her. The two Weasley women sat, sobbing into each other's arms while Hermione stood awkwardly to the side, unsure whether to stay or leave, tears falling down her own face.

She was about to leave when Ginny reached out to her with sadness in her eyes. Hermione went to her redheaded friend and grasped her hand, trying to lend as much comfort as she could. Molly moved and included Hermione in the embrace. The three witches sat there beside the grave for quite a while, lending comfort to each other.

Finally, Ginny sat back and wiped her face with the back of her hand. Hermione and Molly followed, each getting control of their own emotions. They sat in silence for another few minutes, simply staring at the grave. Ginny reached into her pocket and pulled out a flat, smooth rock and placed it on Fred's tombstone and stared off into the distance.

'The summer before Ron started at Hogwarts, he and I had a huge row. I forget now what it was about but I know underneath it all was the fact that he was leaving and I'd be left alone. I went out by the pond and sulked for hours. Finally, maybe an hour or so before dinner, Fred came out to me, wanting to cheer me up.'

A small smile spread across Ginny's face but Hermione could see the sadness underneath it.

'After some Ron bashing, I felt better but I was still sad to be left behind. In one of his more intuitive moments, Fred figured this out and started telling jokes to get my mind off of it. While he was talking, he was skipping stones across the pond and I became entranced in watching the ripples meld together. I'd never been able to do that, skip stones, so Fred taught me how to. I was finally able to do a couple of skips and had forgotten about the row with Ron. Fred told me to practice while they were away and when they came home, we'd see who could skip the farthest.'

Molly silently sat listening to her daughter. She remembered that day Ron and Ginny had rowed and she never did find out why they had made up by dinner time. She remembered seeing George talking with Ron but she never knew that Fred had talked to Ginny. Ginny's smile widened and she glanced at her mum.

'I practiced all autumn and spring and when Fred came home for the summer, I was able to skip the stone nearly ten times!'

Hermione let out a small laugh and Ginny gave her a small smile.

'Fred had just laughed and after a couple of tries, declared me the winner. It was probably the first time I'd ever beat one of brothers at something. What I'd give for one more summer skipping stones…'

Hermione laid a comforting hand on her arm and Ginny covered it gratefully. Molly sat quietly, tears slowly running down her face.

'Fred always did find someway to cheer everyone up. George too, for that matter. Oh Fred, we miss you so much!'

Ginny embraced her mum as she started to cry once again. Hermione sat remembering all the times she had been yelling at the twins one second and laughing at them the next. Fred had always been the one to reassure her that what they were doing wasn't that dangerous and for some reason, even if she didn't let it show, deep down she had always believed him. Her attention was drawn to the Weasley women as they each sat back and wiped their faces. Ginny held her mum's hands in her lap and gave her a small smile.

'It'll all be okay, mum. We'll always have our memories and the scorch marks on the ceiling to remember him by.'

Molly let out a small, wet laugh.

'Yes, yes we will.'

Ginny stood and helped her mum up while Hermione stood and joined them. Molly went to the tombstone and kissed her hand and placed it on Fred's name.

'I love you Fred.'

She turned and joined the younger witches and the three cast one last glance at the peaceful grave before turning back toward the Burrow with their arms linked.


The last few days of summer went by in a flash. The girls spent it mostly helping Molly watch Teddy, playing Quidditch (Ginny in the air and Hermione on the ground) and swimming. On the last night, the kitchen was full of Weasleys and happy conversation. George and Percy had come for dinner. Charlie had visited for a couple of days and was currently discussing the development of the Quidditch puppets with George. He had fallen in love with them after an afternoon in the air with his sister.

'Let me know when you've got a working set, I haven't played such an exciting game in years! Why hasn't anyone come up with them before?'

George chuckled.

'That was exactly my thought on the matter. Leave it to Hermione Granger, Quidditch-hater extraordinaire, to come up with the greatest addition to the game since the bludger.'

Hermione frowned at George.

'I do not hate Quidditch, I just don't understand the desire to fly around at break-neck speeds, chasing after balls and trying to avoid being killed. Not to mention its ability to turn grown men into little kids and turn them against one another. There's no logic to it!'

George shook his head in disbelief.

'That's why it's so great! It's exciting! It lets you unwind and take out all of your frustrations out on other people in a productive way. When you're diving in between players and bludgers, setting up your attack and then executing it, it's the best feeling in the world! You've got to see some merit in that.'

Hermione shrugged.

'I don't, but I've stopped trying to understand it a long time ago.'

George chuckled and turned back to the conversation Charlie was having with Ginny. Hermione turned her attention to the conversation going on between Arthur, Percy and Molly. They were discussing the status of the Ministry and it looked like Molly was arguing with Arthur about his long hours.

'You said it was going to go back to normal soon. Why do they still need you there all the time?'

Arthur rubbed his eyes tiredly.

'It was going back to normal but with trials soon, they've pulled everyone with any legal experience from other departments to assist with the sheer volume of cases that will be tried. It's left whole departments empty and those in other departments have been trying to fill in the best we can.'

Percy nodded his head in agreement.

'It's true, Mum. I've been pulled from the Minister's office since I spent that summer helping with a case under Fudge. The Law department has been chaos! We'll be doing paperwork for ages!'

Molly huffed.

'But you're still only one person, Arthur. You're going to be burnt out and then you'll be no good to anyone.'

Arthur sighed and placed his hand on Molly's.

'Kingsley needs me Molly. I'm one of the few who have been there the longest and he's counting on me to keep straightening the departments out while he focuses on straightening the rest of the wizarding world out. I'm trying to find more people, but people still don't trust the Ministry completely after the past year.'

'Have they gotten rid of that horrid statue yet?'

Arthur looked up surprised to find Hermione listening but smiled.

'Oh yes. Kingsley blasted the thing as soon as he got there. Right now, the space is being used as a communication hub to try to make things run smoother with so few people.'

Hermione nodded thoughtfully.

'How…How would someone go about finding a job at the Ministry?'

Arthur leaned toward Hermione in interest.

'Do you think you want to work at the Ministry?'

Hermione blushed slightly and nodded.

'I've been thinking about it, yes. I hadn't given it much thought before with everything going on but now I don't know how exactly to go about it. I mean I don't even know if anyone would want me.'

Arthur let out a loud laugh.

'Trust me, everyone's going to want you to work for them, Hermione.'

Hermione blushed scarlet and looked down at the table.

'I wouldn't say that…'

Percy shook his head.

'No, it's true Hermione. Someone as talented as you could work nearly anywhere you wanted to. What areas do you think you'd like to work in?'

Hermione cocked her head in thought.

'Well, I've always thought doing something with Arithmancy would be amazing. I think I remember reading about a department where they use Arithmancy to come up with improvements on a wide range of different areas. Is it still around?'

Arthur raised an eyebrow in thought and sat back in his chair.

'I think it is. Right now, I believe Betty's the only person there. I'd be happy to let her know you're interested in working there.'

Hermione's jaw dropped.

'Really? You'd do that for me? I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you or anything, I'll go through whatever official channels I need to.'

Arthur chuckled and smiled brightly.

'Right now, that is the official channel. It wouldn't be a problem at all. You're basically a Weasley and if there's anything I can do to help, I'd do it in a heartbeat.'

Hermione let out a little squeak and nearly apparated to the other side of the table to engulf him in a bone crushing hug.

'Thank you! Thank you so much!'

Arthur chuckled and patted her back a little awkwardly, casting a glance at his amused wife and family. Ginny let out a laugh.

'You might want to let him go there Hermione, otherwise he won't be much use to you.'

Hermione quickly released him and backed away blushing embarrassedly.

'Oh I'm sorry!'

Arthur fixed his glasses and waved off the apology.

'It's okay, don't worry about. I'll send Betty a note and have her contact you.'

Hermione sat back down and flashed him another grateful smile.