WARNING: THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER BEFORE THE EPILOGUE
Hermione couldn't held herself as she ran up the steps to Andromeda Tonks' house. It was the only safe place that she and Sirius could think to hid their son, as Andromeda was the only family either of them had left that weren't also involved with the battle. Hermione burst through the door without knocking, paying to mind to how rude it may seem, and allowed Sirius to apologize to his cousin as she hurried over to the cot where little Atticus was sound asleep. Hermione had heard the old adage about never waking a sleeping baby, and she herself was exhausted, but she didn't care. She scooped the tiny boy up and held him close. 'Mummy is home." She whispered into his hair. "Mummy and Daddy are home to you." The tiny boy opened his large, chocolate brown eyes and looked up at his mother, giving her a gurgle in greeting. Hermione nearly jumped when she felt Sirius wrap his arms around her waist.
"I told you he was going to be just fine." He whispered, kissing her neck. "I told you we'd all be just fine."
"Says the man who died." Hermione replied with a smirk. Sirius chuckled lightly, but attempted to steer Hermione away, and he paused and let her go to collect Atticus' diaper bag.
"We should get home. I want to make sure Harry and Moony are both okay, and Moony with have Hope until Liv is done healing everyone up. She might be days..." He said, prompting her toward the door. Hermione, however, froze. "What?" Sirius ask, bouncing impatiently.
"All the death and horror we just witnessed. Harry died, for a little while. Yes, Voldemort is dead. But so many others... And you're so cheerful..." She seemed puzzled by his chipper attitude. Sirius sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"This may sound horrible, but I don't want you to judge me for it." He said quietly. Hermione nodded.
"Alright?" she prompted.
"Last time, I lost everything. My family was ripped to shreds. This time, not only did we win for good, but everyone that means the most to me will be under my roof tonight. Minus Liv, but she's a damn good healer and won't leave when she can help. But she's alright. Harry, Moony, you and the babies. We're all going to be okay. That's enough for me." He said with a small nod. Hermione quirked an eyebrow at first, but then nodded and followed her husband back down the stairs to find Tonks had made it home, with Charlie Weasley in tote. She smiled in greeting, but only gave a small thanks to Andromeda before waiting by the door while Sirius spoke to his cousin. With her son back in her arms, the reality of what she'd just been through was dawning on her.
The school she'd grown up in and knew as home was destroyed, along with it taking many of the students and friends she'd grown to know. The Weasley's had lost both Fred and Ron, and Lavender, Colin, Rachel... So many had died fighting. Hermione closed her eyes tight, trying to fight the images from her head. There were so many of the young ones wither killed or hurt badly- the first and second years had been Olivia's focus when they last checked in with her before they'd left. A tear trailed down her cheek and landed in Atticus' tuft of black hair, which Hermione immediately wiped away. She was relieved when Sirius came and wrapped an arm around her, guiding her for home.
Back at Grimmauld, Harry was sitting at the table in the kitchen, bouncing a giggling Hope on his knee while Remus cooked. Neither of the wizards seemed to be too sad, and had already cleaned up before Sirius and Hermione arrived. Harry actually seemed to be faking his smile for his Goddaughter's sake, for his normally bright green eyes were dull and vacant. He couldn't be blamed, for having gone through what he just had. It worried Hermione, however. To see him like this. "Harry?" She said, not needing to ask further. She was hurting too- seeing Ron among the dead had ripped her heart down the middle.
"I know." Was all Harry could manage to reply, before returning to Hope.
"It'll get better." Sirius said from the corner. Remus sighed from the stove.
"But it'll never go away." He added, turning around and offering a newly heated bottle to Harry to feed the baby in his arms. Harry nodded, and watching the scene, Hermione smiled. Losing Ron was the worst blow she'd ever had to deal with, but she knew that it would be harder on Harry. And yet, watching him with Remus and Sirius, she knew there was no one better to take care of him and see him through this. And this time, they got to do it together. She quietly moved over and laid Atticus in Sirius' arms before moving from the room. She was coated in more than one person's blood and needed a shower anyway- and Harry needed this time with his family, minus herself. She took her time and allowed the hot water to flow over her freely, scrubbing her skin until it nearly glowed pink. When she returned from the shower, she discovered Olivia had made it back at last.
"Final count was forty-three, for us. Mostly students." Her voice was trembling as she spoke, Hermione could hear her as she came into the room. "Eighty-seven for the Death Eaters. Mostly Werewolves and the lower class- ones they would walk over to keep fighting." Remus wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight. She sobbed into his chest, and Hermione barely made out the words 'I lost them'. Remus looked around the room at the others.
"A group of students were trapped under a collapsed wall. Massive internal injuries, crushed bones. There was nothing she could have done." He explained, stroking Olivia's matted hair. She shook her head.
"I should've got there faster." She choked out, sobbing harder.
"Sweetie, the wall did it's damage the second it fell. It was not your fault." Remus assured her. She was pulled to attention when Hope let out a sharp, angry cry.
"She needs to burp is all." She explained to Harry, turning around. She washed her hands clean and stroked Hope's plump little cheek before placing a lingering kiss on the baby's head. "I should go get clean so I can hold her." She stood upright, and it was then Hermione could see how soaked with blood and smeared with dirt Olivia really was. Not a spot on the front of her clothes was clean.
"It doesn't seem real, does it?" Olivia ask, staring at the ceiling of the bedroom she and Remus used at Grimmauld. She had tucked Hope into a bassinet beside their bed, and had been listening to her breathing and trying to fall asleep for some time before she decided to speak.
"What doesn't?" Remus ask, sitting up to look forward at her.
"We'll raise our daughter in a world free of Voldemort. And soon enough, free of Death Eaters." She explained. Remus simply nodded and laid back. Olivia moved over and snuggled into Remus' side. He pulled her in close and kissed her forehead.
"Are you okay?" He ask gently, once again stroking his hair. She nodded lightly. "Are you sure?" He ask again.
"I will be." She replied, wiping her face on the sleeve of her pajamas.
"We don't have to sleep if you need to talk." Remus assured her. She shook her head.
"No- I'm just..." She stopped and sighed. "Don't let me go?" She ask, her voice cracking. Remus pulled her closer in.
"Never." He promised, and this time, Olivia believed him. She closed her eyes and felt the wave of exhaustion sweep over her, the ache setting into every bone in her body. There was no one there to provide care to those injured for a long time other than she and Madam Pomfrey, and there were many hurt on both sides, which the women both treated regardless. Olivia believed that they deserved to stand trial and the possibility of a dementor's kiss, and therefore needed to be healthy enough to make it into the Ministry.
"Remus?" She ask in a small, sleepy voice.
"Mmm?" He hummed in reply, sleep taking him quickly.
"I love you." She said, not even opening her eyes. Remus, while staying put, smiled.
"I love you, too." He said, rubbing up and down her arm.
Well, this is the last chapter before the epilogue! I hope everyone enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I hope each and every one of you wonderful, loving and supportive fans follow me on to my new story, 'Misplaced' which is another Hermione/Sirius. If Remus/Tonks is more your thing, I also have a story called 'Pink and Blue', and another one with Sirius/OC called 'While You Were Away'. Be sure to check them all out. And be sure to stay around for the epilogue, where Atticus' full name will be revealed. Much love to you all! Review it up!