The funeral had been tough. Hermione did not think Molly Weasley had anymore tears left in her by the time the funeral was over. George had eventually broken down as well and wept on Charlie's shoulder. She had never known Fred as well she would have liked but even she was in tears. The pain on the faces of all the Weasleys was gut wrenching. It had been left to Bill and Lee Jordan to speak about Fred at the funeral. She sat with Ron for the entire duration, never speaking a word but always there if he needed her. The pain on their faces made her wonder if they would be the same again.

It was the day after the funeral and she was sitting in the garden of the Burrow. She loved the house not only because it was a truly magical house but it had warmth about it. But she felt awkward going around the house and at meal times. She did not know anyone other than Bill and Fleur and she was grateful that they had not told anyone else about what happened at Shell Cottage. Fleur took her aside and performed a few other checks on her and Hermione felt duty bound to tell her about her nightmares. Ron had spent most of his time locked up in the room and she wasn't even sure if Percy and George were still at the Burrow for she hadn't seen them at all after the funeral.

"It's not usually like this, you now?" Harry said as came down and sat beside her. "The house I mean. It's usually full of more people than it can handle and full of laughter and Quidditch."

"It's understandable given what happened," Hermione replied.

"I know," Harry said. "But it feels so strange. I wish I could do something….anything to help."

"I know," Hermione replied knowingly. "But I guess there's nothing we can do other than be there for them. Time will ease the pain."

"If you don't mind me asking, when are you going to bring your parents back?" Harry asked after a period of silence.

"I haven't thought about it," Hermione lied stiffly. As it was she had thought quite a lot about it and had come to the conclusion that she needed the help of the Ministry. She had emptied most of her Gringotts account before leaving and now she doubted she had enough to fund a trip to and from Australia. But asking the Ministry would pose different sort of problems. Using memory charms was illegal and using them on muggles was an even bigger crime even if the muggles in question were her parents.

"You don't have to tell me," Harry said holding his hands up. "But if I can do anything….it's the least I can do after everything you've done."

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione replied touched. "But it's something I've got to do on my own."

"Ron will want to come," Harry said in a matter of fact voice. "And I want to help as well,"

Ron had promised to come but that was before Fred had died. She could not hold him to his word but she wanted him to come. She needed him. "Harry, I'm fine," Hermione told him. "I'll ask you if I need anything," That seemed to reassure Harry.

OoO

It had been a week after the funeral and for the first time Hermione saw the entire family assemble for breakfast. The new Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, had sent a message asking the family to be present. Hermione had no idea as to the purpose of the visit but it did serve to get everyone more active. Molly had slowly started her path to recovery in the last week and Arthur and Percy had begun going to work and helped out in the reconstruction of the wizarding world. Ron had stopped spending his time locked up and the two spent lots of time walking and talking together. George was the only one who looked worse. There were dark circles under his eyes and he barely ever spoke at all.

Molly bustled around handing out second helpings to everyone. Hermione suspected cooking and fussing around her children was her way of coping and she looked better for it. The Floo blazed for a second and Kingsley stepped out of it brushing the soot from his cloak.

"Sit," Molly ordered.

"Actually, I don't have a lot of time," Kingsley said ruefully. "I wouldn't refuse your coking unless I had to."

"What is it?" Arthur asked.

"Nothing bad," Kingsley said. "We've had enough of that as it is. On the contrary, it's some good news. I've decided everyone who was present at the battle should get an Order of Merlin, second class and Ron and Harry be given Order of Merlin, first class. Everyone deserves it and it would be nice to have the Prophet print something positive for a change."

There were no smiles around the table. Everyone accepted and swallowed Kingsley's words as if this was completely normal. Hermione saw Ron and Harry exchange looks before Harry got up.

"Hermione should get Order of Merlin, first class like us," Harry said bluntly gesturing towards Ron. "We wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her," Ron nodded in agreement and looked at her. Hermione blushed a furious red as all pairs of eyes turned on her, even George.

"Very well," Kingsley said also looking at her. "That'll be that for now," Kingsley added and gave Molly an apologetic look before disappearing through the floo again.

As easily as the family had assembled it dispersed even quicker. Hermione was leaving with Ron when Molly pulled her aside. She looked at Ron but he only shrugged before leaving. Molly sat down on one of the chairs and Hermione followed her example and took a seat. She felt like a ten year old about to be punished not that she had ever been punished. Molly Weasley just brought out that feeling in everybody, even her husband.

"Ron told me about your parents," Molly began and Hermione shifted uncomfortably and kept her eyes down. "You're a brave girl Hermione and I know why you did it but you are not a mother. They are going to be angry."

"They'll hate me," Hermione said in a small voice. Somehow she felt she could confide in Molly despite barely knowing or speaking to her.

"They can never hate you Hermione but they will be angry when you reverse the charm," Molly replied knowingly. "And you must let them be angry."

"I just wanted them to be safe," Hermione mumbled. "I didn't want them to be hurt if something happened to me."

"I know but they won't see it that way and they wouldn't be wrong," Molly replied. "Every day for the rest of my life it will hurt that….that Fred is dead but I also want to remember him. I would never want to forget him even if his memory hurts me. I wouldn't want anyone to take that away from me. I wouldn't want anyone to stop me from grieving for my son," Hermione's face fell as the reality of what she had done started to sink in. She had justified her actions to herself but she had always known, deep down that she had been wrong to do what she had done. She had no right to make a mockery of her parent's life. The very people she owed her existence to. "I am not saying this to make you feel guilty but just keep this in mind when you go to them. They will be angry but the love they have for you will overcome their immediate anger."

"Thank you, so much," Hermione said after a period of extended silence. "For letting me staying here, for the food and for everything," There was something incredibly warm about this woman and Hermione found herself trusting her.

"Nonsense," Molly said dismissively. "I would have two dead sons if not for you. Just bring your parents back," Molly smiled before leaving. Hermione looked gratefully at her retreating back, blinking back tears at the thought of seeing her parents again. She trudged back to the garden where she found Ron waiting for her.

"You told her," Hermione stated half accusingly.

"I had to," Ron said. Hermione raised her eyebrows questioningly. "I couldn't very well just take off and leave to Australia."

"Ron—"

"I'm coming with you unless you don't want me to," Ron replied firmly but with a hint of hesitation.

"I want you to come," Hermione said and she saw him relax. "But given what has happened…."

"There's not much I can do here Hermione," Ron said running his hands through his hair. "All I am going to do here is sit and mope and besides I promised you I would help you."

Hermione nodded and moved closer to him as they sat in the shade. "I spoke to Dad about it. He said they could arrange Portkeys in a couple of days," Ron said.

"You didn't have to do that," Hermione said.

Ron shook his head. "There's no way I was travelling on one of those muggle flying machines."

Hermione laughed and it felt nice to laugh after so much misery. "One day, I am going to take you on an aircraft," The implication of her words made Ron smile and he kissed her on the side of her head.

"This is strange isn't it?" Ron asked after a period of silence. "I've never really thought about anything other than the war since I met Harry but now….It all feels very…"

"Surreal," Hermione supplied. Ron nodded. "We've got our entire life ahead of us and I haven't a clue as to what I want to do. It's nice, but just a bit weird. Would have been better if…." Ron sighed, the momentary spark that had ignited now gone.

"It's alright. We'll get through it," Hermione told him fiercely and clasped his hand in hers.

"I know,' Ron said. "It's just bloody unfair that murdering, racist, twats like those Malfoy's survive while Fred will never live again,"

Hermione held his hand in silence until she felt him relax again. Ron's life was beginning to touch normalcy again but she would have to bring her parents back for that to happen and even then she knew that it was wishful thinking at best to hope that they could resume where they had left off.

"Ron, I need to tell you something," Hermione began. She had begun to feel increasingly guilty about not telling him about her nightmares. It was not getting any better. She would wake up in the night screaming and sweating profusely. On some days, the nightmares would be vivid and clear while on other days she couldn't even remember them. She could see Ginny did not approve of her stance but she hadn't said a word. Hermione couldn't justify keeping it from Ron any longer. "Since…since Malfoy manor I've had nightmares…" Ron scrambled up to a sitting position.

"Why did you not tell me?" Ron asked in a voice that sounded more angry than anything else.

"I thought they would go away….and we had more important things to think about. Then the battle happened…"

"You were being a hypocrite. I've told you everything; I've even told you things I hadn't even admitted to myself. You should have told me! I've already lost Fred, I don't want anything happening to you Hermione. There's nothing more important!" Ron shouted.

Hermione sat there, saying nothing. She knew she deserved this. "Arrgh, I'm sorry," Ron spoke almost immediately. "How are you? Maybe you should see a mind healer."

"There's nothing wrong with me!" Hermione said as she stood up, a little angry herself.

Ron held his hands up. "I'm not saying there is but it might help you to talk with someone and you weren't talking to me…"

Hermione's expression softened. "Ron, you have to believe me. I thought you might try and stop me from coming if I told you…no, don't lie Ron, you would have tried to stop me. I know you. It's not because I don't trust you."

Ron stared at her for a few seconds before he asked. "What are they about?"

"Sometimes, I can't remember. Other times I see Bellatrix and Greyback and they are…well, you know," Hermione shrugged.

They sat down again and Hermione settled herself on Ron's chest. "I am being serious Hermione. Maybe you should see a healer of some sort?"

"I'm alright Ron," Hermione protested. "They're just nightmares."

"But it's bothering you." Ron insisted.

"It's not hurting me," Hermione said firmly. "I'm fine, Ron," she repeated, firmly. "The nightmares will probably fade with time." She turned around, now facing Ron and kissed him on his lips. "I love it when you get all horny," Ron muttered as he responded eagerly. She wanted to forget about the war and instead be happy that she and the man she loved came out of it unscathed. Holding the side of his face, she kissed him hard as he leaned even further against the tree. Ron's hands cupped and fumbled against her breasts as she moaned in his mouth. "Love you!" breathed, Ron continuing his exploration of her breasts.

"Oi!" Ginny shouted out. Hermione and Ron leapt apart. Keeping her eyes down, she hastily rearranged her top while Ron cursed. "Bloody hell, what's wrong with you?" Ginny was standing a distance away with a grin on her face while Harry looked at them sheepishly.

"You should be glad it's not mum who's caught you," Ginny said unperturbed. "And you're a filthy hypocrite."

"We aren't at Hogwarts so you can bugger off," Ron replied. Ginny snorted before leaving. Harry gave Ron a look of apology before following her.

"We should have been more careful," Hermione fretted.

"This is another reason why I want to go to Australia," Ron complained.

"And here I thought you were just being chivalrous," Hermione replied with a laugh.

"Why can't it be both?"

"I love you,"

"So do I," Ron replied and kissed her deeply. "I promise we'll bring your parents back safely. And then we will live."

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