Remus looked across the small space separating him and his sleeping wife. They had told the kids – including the Weasleys – that Hermione was originally supposed to be part of their timeline, rather than their parents'. They told the whole story of it, from start to finish, and the kids were left dumbstruck. Julius, though, happily stated that he was quite glad that his mother had stayed with his father and thus had him and his older brother. It took a bit for them to recover from shock, but they all slowly nodded and accepted it. Harry, obviously, was shocked that those things had happened to him in the past, and was quite glad that Hermione had gone back and stopped them. Gemini, taking after her father, was furious that the fourth original Marauder had betrayed his friends in the beginning timeline, and would've gone after the traitor herself if he had still existed. Will slowly accepted it with a bit of coaxing from his brother, Ron, the twins and Ginny looking curiously at Hermione.
"Why today though?" Harry had asked curiously.
Hermione had grinned and smiled at him, "During the Battle, your father was talking about me telling the truth to your mother about how they had gotten married and had you, because he was being dramatic and thought he was going to die. I swore to him that we would tell both your mother and you on your seventeenth birthday, because I wasn't about to let him die." Lily had glared at James, who had then glared at Hermione and stated that if she hadn't brought it up, Lily never would've known, and why she couldn't at least have made it twenty years, he'd never know.
Hermione opened her eyes and sleepily smiled at her husband, scooting a little closer to him, "Hey."
He smiled back, "Hey."
"What're you thinking about?" she asked softly, draping an arm across his side.
"You," he stated truthfully, resting his forehead against hers and smiling when she flashed a grin in the darkness, running his thumb over her cheek.
She gave a small smile and pecked his lips, humming and scooting in closer to his chest, "That was very sweet. I quite like you."
Remus arched an eyebrow down at her, grinning a little bit wider, "Oh?"
"Mm-hm," she sighed, listening to the steady beat of his heart, closing her eyes and feeling quite content. "It's a bit more than simply 'like,' actually, come to think of it."
"Oh, good, I was worried," he murmured, burying his nose into her hair and grinning.
"You always worry," she pointed out, giving a small squeak when Remus prodded her in the stomach. "Well, you do. I'm going to write a book about you and it's going to be practically step by step instructions on how werewolves worry. Or, rather, how you worry. And it'll be a bestseller too."
Remus snorted and rolled her onto her back, pinning her to the mattress and looking down at her dully, arching an eyebrow as she squirmed a little. "Oh hush, quit spreading your lies."
"I'll spread my lies all I want," she teased before sticking her tongue out at him.
"You're childish," he grinned down at her.
"You love me," she grinned back.
He sighed and lowered himself down to her, nuzzling her neck and playing with her hair, "Yes, I do. Very much." He pecked her jaw and smiled against her skin when she played with his hair. He groaned and frowned into her skin, making her blink curiously at her husband before he gave a loud sigh, "I'm going to hate tomorrow night. I don't see why I can't just stay in bed with you like this."
"For one, I sincerely hope it's not exactly like this, as I think you've pinned my arm in a weird angle," she said before he shifted and allowed her to move her appendage, bringing it around and rubbing a small circle into his back. "For another, it means you can spend all of the day after tomorrow in bed with me like this."
"Kids going to James's?" he muffled, knowing that the boys always felt like they made too much noise after the full moon and would immediately feel guilty about any footsteps they made. Also, they quite liked hanging out with Harry, so that was probably most of the reason.
"Yup," she said, grinning when she felt him smile before lifting his head and sighing.
"Fine," he pouted at her as she chuckled at him, "But I hate being a werewolf."
"I know you do, love," she muttered, pecking his cheek before kissing him properly, "I love you."
"I love you too," he said, finally settling down and sleeping, this time leaving Hermione awake to think.
She was obviously very glad that she'd stayed, don't get her wrong, she loved her kids and friends and obviously Remus very much. But ever since she'd been confronted by her friends in the Room of Requirement, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to them. She'd steered clear of the room whenever she was in Hogwarts, not wanting to know if it was empty or full.
She mentally shook her head and pressed her ear to Remus's chest, smiling when she heard his heart and closed her eyes to get back to sleep as her sleeping husband wrapped an arm around her.
Harry couldn't help but smile. It was strange, seeing himself grow up, but he couldn't deny that it was nice. He knew that Ginny, Ron and his other friends thought so too. It was rather unfair, though, that he couldn't have had this all along, but it was better later than never.
Hermione was a brilliant teacher. She even rivaled Remus, and seeing them work together was practically the best way to guarantee good results. Hermione was a good friend to the Marauders and their wives, and even stopped and said hello to Peter whenever she passed by his and his wife's shop in Diagon Alley. She would work hard and it seemed that only her friends and husband could ever distract her from it, and this was often and marked by many laughs.
Hermione was a brilliant friend and person in general, Harry decided as he watched his friend finally wake up with the bushy hair, Remus laughing and picking through it as she frowned up at her husband. Who else would go back in time just to try to make sure you had a good childhood? Who else would go back in time to try to stop a war that you really wanted no part in? Who else would succeed?
Hermione Granger – Lupin, sorry, he still forgot – was brilliant. And he was glad that everyone knew it. He was glad that she was still in his new life, and she was glad that even though he didn't even exist anymore, she still worried about him.
Yes, Hermione was brilliant. Hermione was special. And Hermione was definitely loved.
She wouldn't have changed a thing.
Ow, ow, owowow – ow. I just – I'm upset. I can't – I don't want to leave you guys. You're all my favorites. This was one of my favorite stories to write and now it's done and I just…I'm getting emotional. This is monumental. Fifty chapters. Wow. How did I do that?
Anyway, guys, I'm so glad you guys stuck with me and stuck with the story and I just want to tell you that I love you all so very very much, even if you've never reviewed. I love you for taking your time to make it this far and just sticking through with me. I love you all very much.
You are brilliant. You are special. And you are definitely loved. Especially to me.
Love,
Ava Miranda Dakedavra
