Chapter Thirty Five – 'Saying Goodbye is the hardest'

Harry was pacing nervously in the small room that both he and Hermione were occupying. In the few hours since he had saved Parvati and they had both helped Lavender, they had also helped a number of other injured or hurt students. However despite their desire, not everyone could be helped; Fred Weasley was one that was beyond their skill. As Hermione had stated with Lavender, she could not create living tissue from nothing and as Fred had both legs missing, she had nothing to work with. They were however able to help with his scaring and 'ghost' pain much to his relief. The medics were happier as now they could proceed to help him with magical prosthetic legs that would move at the joints in a similar way to real legs and could be controlled by his brain when magically connected. Fred had great fun when one of the new legs was temporarily connected to his thoughts for testing. The leg was placed on the ground and Fred was able to move it by just thinking. He had great fun by making it kick George every time he turned away from him. Despite the bruises, George thought it was one of the funniest things he had seen for a long while.

However as much as Harry enjoyed spending time with the two red-heads, time was against them and thus the two immortals soon found themselves dressed in their best robes, golden circlets firmly in place and awaiting the arrival of Minerva and Kingsley in a small anteroom to the Great Hall.

"How much longer 'Mione?" Harry asked for the fifth time.

"Five minutes less than the last time you asked me Harry. For Merlin's sake sit down!" she grumped. Truth was she as just as nervous as Harry, despite the fact she didn't have to make a speech. She guessed she was picking up on Harry's nervousness through their bond and it was making her irritable, that and despite the fact she was immortal, mother nature had paid a call and her hormones were up the spout.

Harry sat with an irritated sigh and glared around the room for a few moments before he was back on his feet pacing the room again. Knowing that he sounded like a whiny child asking if they were nearly there yet, he couldn't help himself but to ask the question again.

"How much longer..." he began just as the door opened and the headmistress and the acting Minister quietly entered accompanied by Cassie.

"Thank Merlin!" Harry muttered before walking over to the trio.

"Kingsley!" he began, but stopped as Kingsley fell to one knee with his head bowed.

"What?" Harry stuttered.

"My Liege! I am at your command." Kingsley said in his deep voice. Harry looked confused until Cassie pointed to her head and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Crap! Kingsley, you know I don't take any notice of that rubbish. I have to wear the sodding thing as it's expected but come on, on your feet big guy." He said hauling the large man to his feet as he spoke. Kingsley grinned at him and began to laugh. Realising he had been pranked Harry also began to laugh.

"You had me worried there Shack." He told him as he motioned for the three to sit with them. However none of them took the offered seats.

"Harry, it's time." Professor McGonagall stated. Harry looked at her for a moment and then sighed and nodded his head. He turned to take Hermione's hand and followed the trio out of the room and into the Great Hall beyond. The room had been transformed; gone were the four long tables that normally graced the room and instead were two wide rows of chairs with a wide aisle in the centre of them. Black flags replaced the usual house colours and were flying at half mast on each pillar that ran the length of the room. The ceiling was showing the outside as usual, but today the sky was clear and a deep blue with just a few whispery clouds in the sky; a fitting day for the proceedings Harry thought. As he entered the hall he saw that it was nearly full, students and parents along with friends all stood as they saw the small party enter the hall. Many were crying silently; many were holding each other as they thought about their missing loved ones, but everyone stood with a proud dignity that befitted the solemn occasion. As Harry slowly walked the long walk to the raised stage at the end of the room he saw that perched on stands at the front of the audience were life size pictures of everyone lost in the battle; Hagrid's and Grawp's dwarfing the rest, but all were present. These were not moving images; that was considered to be too crass, but still images showing the person at their very best. Colin was stood holding his camera and smiling happily; Seamus was shown at home with a sneaky pint of Guinness in his hand; Charity Burbage was shown at her graduation day, a proud smile on her face as Albus Dumbledore shook her hand. As well as the pictures of those who died on that fateful day, there were also others – Xeno Lovegood in all his multicoloured finery, Augusta Longbottom with her fierce Vulture hat in place, but also a proud smile present, Percy Weasley smiling as he started his first day at the Ministry and finally Dan Granger stood with an apron on as he cooked on a barbeque at home in Australia. There were many images displayed...too many. Harry felt Hermione stiffen as she saw the image of her father and then as she spotted her mother stood in the front row of the room. Molly and Arthur along with Bill, Fleur Ginny and Neville arm in arm, and Luna were stood with her. Behind them were the rest of the cottage's residents, Dudley and Lisa along with Remus and Tonks; Baby Teddy is her arms. In the rows behind were many of Harry friends and fellow students; Lavender was stood with Parvati in her arms as she beautiful Indian witch cried for the loss of her twin. Fred and George along with Dean were close by along with Susan and Hannah. All of them smiled and nodded to Harry and Hermione as they slowly walked to the chairs placed on the stage. In the centre two larger chairs were sat and it was on these that Harry and Hermione finally sat. As they looked out they could see many people looking at them with slightly confused looks. Although some knew what the golden circlets signified many were still unaware of the pair's true status.

Once they sat, the rest of the room took their chairs, all except Kingsley who walked to the lectern that had been placed on the stage. He stood for a long moment looking out at the audience in front of him and then he glanced at the images of the fallen before he cleared his throat.

"Lords, Ladies, Wizards, Witches...my Friends... today we are together to remember - to remember those that fell in order for us to be free. As your interim Minister I have been asked to open the proceedings today and it is an honour to do so. As we all know last week there was a massive battle that took place in this centre of learning. In a school occupied by children and teachers a mad man brought the realities of war here. This creature did not care that children were here, he did not care that many would be in danger of been hurt or killed and he expected an easy victory. He and his followers were to be disappointed for the ordinary became the extra-ordinary; the frightened became the brave and the weak became the strong. The so called Lord Voldemort finally realised that ordinary witches and wizards when they work together are strong, they are resolute and they are brave. Lord Voldemort believed that only the pure of blood were worthy of magic, only those born to the old families were worthy to live. Curious behaviour for a one not of the pure. My friends, Voldemort was not a pureblood. His real name was Tom Marvolo Riddle and his father was a muggle!"

At this there was a surprised gasp from the gathered masses that soon turned to outrage. They had suffered so much, feared so much from a fraud.

"This is not the time for anger, not the time for recriminations or political speeches. This is a time to remember those brave witches, wizards and in one case a muggle who fought for what they believed in, they fought for what was right and fair. They paid with the ultimate price they could, their lives. We are here today to honour their sacrifice, to honour their bravery, but most of all to honour their lives."

He paused for a short while before continuing.

"Many fought that day, and many in the days leading up to the events here. Many were injured; some more than others." As this he nodded his head at Lavender and Fred who both nodded back. "We owe so much to those that fought in order to allow two very special people the time they needed to defeat Voldemort. Those two people are here today and I know they will hate me for saying this but they are both heroes in the truest sense of the word. They are also as it turns out both very important to the future of our world. Lord and Lady Hufflepuff-Griffindor-Ravenclaw -Slytherin-Emrys-Potter, or as I like to call them; Harry and Hermione are two of the bravest and powerful people I know and they both were instrumental in the downfall of Voldemort. Neither has spoken about the events of their battle with that monster and I guess that is their right. I also know neither of them are happy with you knowing this new information but they are also known by two new titles. It turns out that Harry is directly related to the Pendragon line and as Hermione is his wife they are also known as Prince and Princess Pendragon. Harry has forfeited the right to the magical throne as he says that the world does not need a single ruler but it needs an elected government, but we are still pleased to have them here today. I am honoured to ask Prince Pendragon to stand and to say a few words to us."

There was a stunned silence at Kingsley's words before a dignified applause greeted Harry as he stood the light glinting of the golden circlet on his head.

"Friends, despite Minister Shacklebolt's introduction, I prefer to be known as just Harry. A few days ago evil was brought to this school and death and destruction came with it. Tom Riddle thought he should rule the Wizarding world and he didn't care who got in his way. He thought that this school and its students would be an easy target and that the death and destruction of the school would allow him to kill me and rule the world. He was wrong! This school stood up for what was right and he paid the ultimate price for his arrogance. For this we paid a heavy price, twenty three of our finest lost that day and more in the run up to the fight, including my new father-in-law. As you sit here with the images of your loved ones surrounding you, it's easy to give in to the loss and despair. But if you do then your loved one will have died in vain. You need to live your life as full as you can, as honourable as you can in memory of their sacrifice. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are gone, but the reasons they existed are still all around us. Next week we are holding the first free elections in our world in a bid to create a world in which the bigotry and hatred that created Voldemort cannot survive. This is the reason why I fought; this is the reason why your loved ones fought- So we can have a fair and just world in which to live and to love. They died so we can have this opportunity and I for one will be forever grateful for their bravery and their sacrifice." Harry slowly sat and Hermione grasped his hand. Kingsley once more stood and walked to the podium.

"As interim Minister I have taken t the step to award all those fallen with the Order of Merlin – first class and the ceremony will take place here in a month's time. We will now read out the names of the fallen." He said in a sombre voice.

As he moved to one side, a number of the students made their way slowly to the front of the hall. Each carried their wand and one by one they mounted the raised platform at the front of the room. The first, a young looking wizards dressed in Hufflepuff robes walked to the podium and quietly but firmly said the name of his friend.

"Morgana Smith!"

As he spoke he waved his wand and a white candle appeared in front of the picture of Morgana and magically lit itself. He moved off and was replaced by the next student who repeated the procedure, this carried on for a while.

"Ernie Macmillan!"

"Romilda Vane!"

"Harmonia Davies."

"Charlie Parkinson!"

"Albert Jenkins!"

"Caradoc Pagan."

"Geoffrey Hooper."

Cho Chang walked forward, not strictly a student anymore, nevertheless she and a few of her friends had been staying at Hogwarts and had fought in the battle. Cho walked up with tears in her eyes as she mounted the step for the podium.

"Marietta Edgecombe!" she whispered and lit Marietta's candle, before moving off. The slow and sombre procession continued.

"Euan Abercrombie."

"James Pearson."

"Leonie Russell."

"Emily Jameson."

"Zoe Palmer."

"Michael Corner."

"Terry Boot."

"Francis Blackmoor."

Little Dennis Creevey walked up to the podium and said "Colin Creevey." After he waved his wand and created the lit candle, he walked over to the photo and placed silently Colin's beloved camera in front of the picture before moving back to his waiting tearful parents.

Dean Thomas now walked on and tearfully recited his best friend's name;

"Seamus Finnigan, have a pint on me buddy!"

He was followed by Professor McGonagall who said her friend and colleagues name with a quiet dignity.

"Professor Charity Burbage."

Lavender now helped onto the podium the very distraught Parvati Patil who desperately tried to recite her twins name but couldn't manage the words so Lavender said Padma's name before helping Parvati off the stage into the waiting arms of her parents.

Neville followed to say his grandmother's name and Ginny followed to say her brothers Percy's name before the pair left in each other's arms.

Luna walked on to repeat her father's name and then Hermione came to say "Daniel Granger", before leaving to join the others.

Finally Harry walked on and stood for a while looking at the now glowing photographs of the fallen.

"I light this candle for my first ever friend and his half brother. Rubeus Hagrid and Grawp."

Waving his hand he lit the candle, bowed his head to all the images of the fallen before joining Hermione.

Kingsley took his place and thanked all the students and professors for their contributions.

"Can we all stand for two minutes of silence whilst we remember those that gave us our freedom?"

Everyone stood and bowed their head whilst they remembered; the only sound was that of dignified crying and the gurgling of young baby Teddy. At the end of the two minutes a haunting piece of music was heard as the assembled parents and friends left the hall for the wake that was to be held on the courtyard outside.

I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.

By the end of the day Harry was humbled and exhausted mentally, exhausted due to the emotions that the day wrought and humbled by the fact that none of the parents, friends or siblings of the dead blamed him in anyway. In fact many of them thanked both him and Hermione for ridding the world of Voldemort and were proud that their dead could fight for the cause. They spoke to every one of the parents of the children and they all were very pleased to see both him and Hermione. Most were burying their loved ones in a number of private burials the following day and over half had invited both Harry and Hermione to attend. The two teens promised to attend as many as they could, they both felt it was the least they could do. Finally they managed to find some time away from the crowds and found themselves along with Luna, Ginny, Neville and Lavender in the Gryffindor common room. Parvati was spending the evening with her parents and her immediate family.

"So what are your plans for next year?" Lavender asked everyone once they made themselves comfortable.

Ginny smiled and clasped Neville's hand to hers, her promise ring glinting in the dim light. "Well I'll be back here for my NEWTS and Neville will be coming with me. The Headmistress offered the chance for anyone to repeat the year to anyone in any year who wanted to. Everyone will still move up a year but for the first time ever there will be eighth years at Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I want to be a teacher, you know Herbology when I'm older and Professor Sprout has offered to help me." Neville said. "Plus I get to be near my fiancée all year." He said with a shy smile.

"Longer than you may think Nev. Hogwarts will be evolving and one of the new features apart from better teachers and more subjects, including muggle ones such as maths, English and science; will be the opening of a post graduate collage on the grounds for those wanting to study further for a career, either in the magical world or even the muggle one." Hermione told them all with a happy smile. Despite all her power and knowledge she still loved the art of learning.

"Wow that's a great idea, what sort of subjects Hermione?" Neville asked.

Harry and Hermione both grinned at their friend. They had suggested the idea to Minerva a few days ago and she had thought it a great idea. Harry and Hermione would fund the construction as well as help with the hiring of teachers.

"Well it's still early days, but so far we are planning courses for Healers, law enforcement, potions, and off course Herbology. We are looking at courses on magical as well as muggle law and a few others as well."

"Count me in Hermione." Neville said excited to be given this opportunity.

"Will you be able to fill it?" Lavender asked. "I mean there's not that many of us that can take advantage of it?" she pressed.

"True, that's why we are accepting students from abroad as well. So far we have spoken to Madam Maxime as well as the new headmaster of Durmstrang. Neither of those countries have a post graduate school so they are both keen. America does have such schools but we are still hoping to attract some students from over the pond and Australia and New Zealand have expressed interest as well. Hermione knows a language charm that Rowena developed and this will be one of the first things taught so everyone can speak to each other." Harry told everyone.

"What about you Lavender?" Ginny asked the blonde.

Lavender smiled shyly. "I know everyone thinks I'm a blonde bimbo, but my grades are very good. Recent events have made me look at my life in stark detail and what with my impending ...how did Remus put it? 'Furry little problem' I have developed an interest in potions and medicine so I would like to be maybe a Healer, but one that tries to develops new cures for people...starting with werewolves."

"Good for you Lav, I know you would be brilliant at it." Hermione told her earning a dazzling smile from the blonde.

"Luna?" Ginny asked.

Luna looked up surprised and then she looked incredibly sad for a split second. Most of the people sat missed it except for Harry who was looking directly at the small vampire. Her violet eyes were pained for a second before she schooled her features into a false happy look.

"Oh I don't know. I'll see where the Wrackspurts take me." She said airily. Most smiled at her but Hermione looked at her with an odd look before she turned to catch Harry's gaze. Harry discreetly nodded at her, making her know he was aware something was wrong with the blonde.

#We'll ask her later love.# he thought to his wife. Hermione nodded back slightly before turning back to the group.

"And what about you two?" Lavender asked, knowing that what one did the other would also do.

"We are coming back for the final year, then who know? We shall have to see." Harry told her.

"Yes, the headmistress offered up the head boy and girl position, but we felt it only right to turn it down. I believe she will be asking another pair very shortly." Hermione added.

"You turned it down? Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger...sorry Potter." Neville joked.

Hermione smiled at her friend. "We both felt it unfair; we have enough titles and felt that others were more deserving of those positions. We will have plenty of other commitments so we won't be in school all the time and felt that the student population needed full time Heads, what with everything that has happened. We want to be just Harry and Hermione this next year for as much as possible. The only consent to our new positions is that we will be moving into private quarters." Hermione said with a smile.

"So who will be the two heads?" Ginny asked intrigued.

Harry laughed and shook his head. "Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise Gin." He told her causing Ginny to pout at him before she also burst out laughing. Harry thought that it was good to laugh, they had little to laugh about in the last few days and it felt good just be with his friends and chatting. Finally after a few hours of talk they broke up. Ginny, Lav and Neville were staying at Hogwarts whilst Harry and Hermione silently vanished from the room; taking Luna with them to return to the cottage. Once back they tried to find out what was bothering Luna but all she would say was that the work wasn't done yet and they still had things to do. Eventually tiredness overtook them and after leaving a pint of blood for Luna's supper they all went to bed aware that the following day was going to be hard on everyone.

Once they left for bed Luna sat alone in the kitchen with her supper. As she drank her tears fell from her face as she thought about what was –what HAD to come.

I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.

Hard wasn't the word Harry finally used for the Sunday. 'Bloody soul destroying' was closer to the description he finally came up with. 'Painful, sad, upsetting – downright fucking awful' were also adjectives he applied to the day.

It had started pleasantly enough with a love-making session with Hermione followed by a sensual shower with her. They had then descended to the kitchen for a light breakfast. Molly Weasley was there along with Emma. The two were inseparable these days and Hermione was glad that her mother wasn't spending all her time alone. Emma was showing now and was positively glowing with her pregnancy. Remus and Tonks were there, Tonks feeding baby Teddy his breakfast. Harry wasn't embarrassed at all regarding Tonks's exposure; he still thought it was one of the most beautiful sights he had seen. After a light breakfast and pleasant conversation they both dressed in dark clothing along with dark silk robes complete with Merlin's crest on the lapels. Fitting the golden circlets to their heads and grabbing Luna from her breakfast of blood on cornflakes they magically teleported to the main entrance of the school. The first funeral was scheduled for nine that morning and would be taking place in the garden of remembrance that had been set up by the house elves. This was a large walled area that would contain the multiple graves along with a large stone pillar with the names of the fallen engraved on it. Flowers and shrubs would grace the area along with seats and pathways allowing people to come and sit with their loved ones or just to sit in peace in the future.

The funeral of Terry Boot was a sad affair; the only child of Mary and Robert Boot he was a pureblood of minor standing. Harry and Hermione stood at the back of the small gathering whilst the druid performing the service said his words. The funeral did not take long, most of what needed to be said had been said the day before, and it wasn't long before the coffin was magically lowered into the prepared whole in the ground accompanied by the cries of his mother. Robert Boot tried to console his grieving wife as he magically created a grave stone proclaiming to the world that his son laid there. With a sad nod to Harry and Hermione the party slowly moved away leaving the immortal pair to await the next funeral.

By the time it got to lunch time and after twelve similar funerals, both teens were a emotional wreck. Instead of going to lunch they both found themselves walking towards the lake hand in hand.

"Mione, I'm not sure I can stand much more of this. Why is everyone so nice to us, we got their kids killed and all they do is thank us?" Harry asked in a broken voice.

Hermione couldn't answer, she just sobbed into his shoulder. However unbeknown to both of them Cassie had been keeping an eye on her 'parents' and took this moment to let them see her.

"You DID NOT get them killed, if it wasn't for you two many-many more would have died. I know today is tough but quite frankly today is not about you two! The families of the fallen all expressed pride in what their children did, they know that without their children's help and sacrifice more would have died and they are grateful for you two been present at their most needful time. Believe it or not you both bring some sense of honour to their deaths, so stop feeling guilty and get out there and make them feel that tiny little bit better." She admonished the pair.

Hermione's head shot up and she wiped her eyes. Harry looked guilty for second before he squared his shoulders.

"Cassie, your right we are been right idiots. Thank you for pointing that out to us." He told her.

"Harry, Hermione I'm sorry to sound so harsh; you know I love you both very much. You just needed a kick up the bum. Today's crap! Everyone agrees but the families need this in order to move on with their lives. No one blames either of you. Hell! No one blames anyone except that fuckwit Voldemort. Now come here both of you." She said as she embraced the pair, pinching Harry bum as she did.

Harry grinned at her and the pair left to walk back to the garden with a renewed sense of purpose. That lasted all of the next few funerals and then they got to the ones that the pair knew better. Seamus's was difficult but that was nothing compared to Padma's and Colin's. This time not only were the family grieving but Harry and Hermione were much closer to the pair and this time they were not just there as onlookers but as friends. As Harry watched little Colin's small coffin been lowered into the ground he could feel the shakes from Hermione as she sobbed. Padma's was little better, the service was held in a traditional magical Indian way but both Harry and Hermione were stood holding Parvati upright as she cried her eyes out. At the end both of Padma's parents approached the pair.

"Lord Potter..." Mr Patil began

"Call me Harry please."

"... thank you... Harry my wife and I want to thank you for saving Parvati. She has told us of her despair and how she wanted to end her life and what you did to help her. As a twin myself and having lost my brother in the last war I understand how she felt. However as a father I thank you for allowing us to still have one of our beloved daughters. My family is in your debt; if there is anything we can do for you just ask." He said, his wife nodding in agreement.

"Mr Patil, there is no debt. There can be no debts between friends and I consider the Patil family friends to the Potter family. Parvati will always be welcome in my family and I know she wanted to be a lawyer before all of this. As you know we are opening a post-graduate school here and Parvati will be welcome if she still wants to pursue her goals. I know Padma would have wanted her to." He said kindly.

Parvati was crying on her mother's shoulder but upon hearing this she flung herself at Harry and sobbed on his instead. Harry embraced the girl and gently stroked her hair. Finally she looked up at him and smiled a sad smile.

"I would like that Harry, thank you for the offer. I know Padma would be happy with that, you do know she had a thing for you don't you; she would be so jealous right now." She quipped, showing the world that she would survive this loss and that she could function now.

"She was so mad with me that I was supposed to go with you for the Yule ball back in fourth year; she pleaded with me to swap and we did...you never knew that did you?" she grinned despite the tears rolling down her face as she remembered the night in question.

"Sorry I was a right git then... please come to our wedding, all of you. I owe you a dance Parvati." He told her.

Parvati looked at her parents before accepting. She gently embraced Hermione and as she kissed her cheek she whispered in her ear.

"Love him well for me and Pad, he's very special."

"I will...forever" Hermione whispered back.

Then came the time that Harry was dreading to most; Hagrid's funeral. This time most of the school had turned up for the funeral of the much loved gentle giant. Madam Maxime was sat at the front been consoled by Professor McGonagall as the service started whilst Fang was sat by the coffin with a soulful look on his face. Harry struggled to get his emotions under control as he sat and listened to the druid talk about Hagrid's life. Harry found himself thinking back to the first time he had met the half giant and how he had saved the young Harry from his relatives. Harry realised that he really did owe Hagrid a huge debt of thanks and he wished he had taken the time to tell the man how much he meant to him.

"He knew Harry, he always knew." Hermione whispered to him, obviously using their bond to read his thoughts. Harry, not trusting himself to speak, just nodded back and grasped her hand even tighter. However when the coffin was finally lowered into the ground and Fang let out a long mournful howl, the tears that had threatened so much throughout the day finally broke their damm and Harry wept. Not the tears of the 'guilty Harry' or the tears of the 'worried Harry' but the tears of a grieving Harry and his thoughts for a friend lost. This time he could feel Hermione supporting him, despite her own tears and for a few moments he let himself go and ball his eyes out. Funnily enough it made him feel slightly better, that was until after the service when Madam Maxime sought him out.

"He loved you very much Harry, you meant a lot to him. He asked me if anything was to happen to him to give you this." She said handing him an envelope. Nodding Harry took it from her and tried to reply.

"H-H-H-He meant a lot to me...I'm so sorry for your los..." he broke of unable to speak. Madam Maxime nodded and embraced him, nearly suffocating him in the process before walking to speak to some others.

Harry slowly opened the letter and allowed Hermione to read it with him.

'My dearest Harry

If you are reading this then I have fallen, hopefully doing summit brave but knowing me it could just have been summit daft. The day we first met was a sad day for me, you was so small when Sirius handed you to me and I regret not stopping him from going after Pettigrew. Dumbledore was a great man but he shouldna have left you with them great idiots Dursleys and that is another of my regrets. Seeing you on your eleventh burfday made me even madder, to see you so small and downtrodden but I was honoured to be the one to take you away and put you on the road to your great destiny. With young Hermione by your side I know you are destined for good things, she will see ya straight – you listen to that girl, she's got a good head on her shoulders. I hope you kicked old Riddle's arse and you are with her now – Hiya Hermione!...'

"Hi Hagrid." Hermione whispered as they both read the rather rambling letter.

'...Now don't cry for old Hagrid, I's had a good life and my only other regrets are not having kids of my own. But I have had you two and I think of yous as my own. I haven't much things on the world and that's the way it should be but I want you both to have something of mine. Hermione there is a small glass vase in my hut that my da gave me, I want you to have it, look after it for me and always keep a flower in it. Harry I want you to have my father's ring, it's in my drawer by me bed. It was always too small for me – me Dad wasn't a big man but I wants you to have it.

Harry can I also ask you to make sure that Fang is cared for, he's as daft as brush and a bloody coward but he's a good dog. Olympe been looking after him but she needs to go back to school soon and I donna want him to be alone. He will pine for me but I's know you own Hogwarts. Can you let him live in my old hut and make sure he's loved by all you kids. Please look after Grawp for me, he's a bit of handful but he's a good lad. If I see your parents Harry I'll make sure to tell them how good a kid you are.

That's all I gotta say now, it's time for Grawp's tea but look after yourselves.

Love Hagrid'

"Oh Harry...Harry." Hermione wept. No one had been able to find any of Grawp's relatives and due to his immense size, his body had been cremated on a pyre. The ashes were to be interred in the ground next to his brothers.

Harry carefully folded up the letter and placed it in his robes before he led his grieving wife away, Fang following behind with his tail between his legs as he left his masters side for the last time.