Hermione pulled her cloak tight around her shoulders as they stepped onto the street in Godric's Hollow. After they finished their business at the Ministry, the Potters made a quick stop at the Daily Prophet, and The Quibbler, before flooing from the Leaky Cauldron to the Gryffin's Beard, the local wizarding pub in Godric's Hollow.

Harry pulled Hermione into his side and smiled. There was about an inch of snow on the ground and the shouts of a snowball fight sounded from down the street, giving the village a picturesque feel. Following the barkeep's directions, they followed the main road.

After a short walk in silence, enjoying each other's company, they came to the village square. The square was twenty feet by twenty feet and paved in rough cobble. Dotted around the edges of the square were a few well-worn benches, and standing proud at the centre of the square was a smooth stone obelisk about four feet high.

Harry and Hermione walked up to the obelisk to inspect the names inscribed on it. The side facing the road was inscribed with the simple words 'Lest we forget...' and a poppy. The next side had a long list of names underneath the date '1939-45'. The back had a poem by Laurence Binyon, that Harry skimmed through before moving to the final side. The last side had another long list of names, this time dated '1914-1919'. One name, in particular, stood out to Harry.

"Robert Charles Potter" Harry mumbled under his breath. He reached out to trace the name with his finger, confirming to himself he wasn't seeing things. The second he touched the cold stone it faded from view and was replaced by a statue of a man and a woman.

Slightly shocked at the hidden magic, Harry and Hermione both shuffled around to the front of the statue, which was the back of the obelisk. Harry's breath immediately hitched when he recognized the figures. His father was sitting with his arm around his mother, both gazing with happy smiles at a bundle in her arms. Harry's smile widened when he saw a little face amongst the bundle, sleeping contently.

Hermione watched as Harry lifted his right hand stroked his mother's cheek slowly with the back of his index finger. Hermione remembered Harry doing the same to her the other morning as she was waking up, and was hit by the sheer emotion Harry was trying to convey in the simple touch.

Hermione hadn't yet brought up the subject of the Dursleys or Harry's home life, but from what she had gathered, she knew he wasn't treated the best. One thing she took notice of was his general aversion to being touched, like a friendly post-match pat on the back. Instead of smiling and returning the gesture he would tense up and flinch, fear would momentarily flash across his face, before he relaxed. But here was evidence that Harry understood, or at least was beginning to understand, that not all touches were harmful or invasive. The fact he held her in the same esteem as his mother was just icing on the cake.

Harry was lost in his own world and didn't hear any of Hermione's musings until she bent down to brush the snow off the base of the statue, revealing the inscription.

In honour of James and Lily Potter, we will not forget their sacrifice.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Harry recognized it as a quote from the poem on the back of the obelisk. His smile didn't falter as a tear fell down his cheek. After a few minutes, Harry and Hermione turned silently and continued, each deep in thought.

o0O0o

Harry was pondering a strange triangular inscription on one of the graves when Hermione got his attention over their link.

'Over here Harry, I found them.'

Harry quickly wound his way through the graveyard, careful not to step directly on any of the graves, and came to stand beside Hermione. Immediately he sunk to his knees as tears began to form in his eyes.

Here lies James Harold Potter.

Loving Husband, Proud Father, Marauder, and brother in all but blood.

27th March, 1960 - 31st October, 1981.

You will not be forgotten, Prongs.

Here lies Lily Jennifer Potter, Nee Evans.

Loving Wife, Proud Mother, Honorary Marauder, and light of our lives.

30th January, 1960 - 31st October, 1981.

You will not be forgotten.

Harry pulled out his wand, conjured a bouquet of lilies, and carefully placed them over the graves. Hermione was kneeling beside him, arm wrapped around his waist, hugging him tightly.

"Hey Mum, hey Dad, it's me, Harry." He spoke softly, barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry I haven't visited earlier, but I haven't had the chance till now. I'm here with my beautiful wife, Hermione."

Hermione was debating internally whether to say hi, but before she could Harry continued.

"I'm sure you'd both love her. She's the smartest, kindest, most caring person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She's always there for me when I'm injured, which is too often. She's always looking out for me, and she's not afraid to tell me off when I'm being a moody, stubborn git."

Harry's tears were falling slowly down his cheeks, but he still had a smile on his face.

"I know we're a bit young to be married, but it is quite honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm still not sure what I did to deserve her, but I'm trying every day to be worthy. I'm sure, Dad, you can relate to that feeling."

They sat in silence for several minutes, both crying gently.

"Anyway, I've got to go, but I'll try and visit you again soon." His voice became so quiet Hermione had to strain to hear it. "I love you both." Harry rested his hand for a minute on both of the gravestones, before pushing himself to his feet and helping Hermione up. They began to walk away in silence.

"Thank you, Hermione, for being here with me."

Hermione just reached up and gave him a tender kiss.

o0O0o

The mood didn't lighten as they stepped into Potter cottage. The front door was missing and the frame was splintered where the hinges had been ripped off. All the furniture, fixtures, and even the wallpaper and carpets had been removed earlier by the goblins, leaving the house a cold husk.

Hermione immediately noticed what appeared to be old bloodstains on the bottom few steps, but quickly decided not to point them out. The ground floor consisted of a large L shaped living room, the kitchen, a toilet, and two smaller rooms. Upstairs consisted of the master bedroom, with an ensuite, three other bedrooms, a bathroom, and finally the nursery.

Harry stood stoically in the nursery, taking in the sight of the damage left by that fateful night. He had a Luna-esque look on his face as he examined the chared room. Hermione couldn't feel sadness or happiness through their bond, she felt resignation. 'Or was it acceptance?' she pondered.

After a few moments, Hermione left Harry with his thoughts to go through the house again, mentally inventorying what was needed to outfit the house and estimating the cost.

As she started down the stairs she felt a wave of emotions from Harry. Excitement, happiness and contentment, with a twinge of longing and anticipation.

'What is it?' She asked.

Harry sent her an image. It was the large garden out the back of the house. But instead of being carpeted with snow and overcast, it was a bright summers day. The lawn was freshly mown, Hermoine could almost smell it. The left wall was lined with a large vegetable garden, boasting enough variety to cook for the Queen. Along the right wall, a rose arch provided shade for a wooden swing-bench. On either side of the arch were two flower beds, bursting with colour and unique fragrance. At the far end, where the river meandered across the property, a small orchard of various fruit trees completed the look.

The beauty of it made Hermione smiled as she hurried out to the garden. She found Harry leaning against the house, a smile across his face. He wrapped an arm around her waist as she moved next to him.

'It's beautiful Harry.'

'I can't figure out where to put the shed, or the greenhouse, or the chicken coop.'

Hermione giggled. 'Chicken coop?'

'Don't you want fresh eggs every morning?'

Remembering Harry's cooking skills, Hermione nodded fervently.

They stood together, enjoying the moment, until Hermione felt the same wave of emotions roll of Harry again, but even stronger.

'What are you planning now?'

Harry's smile turned to a grin as a sent are the mental equivalent of a video. She watched as Harry stood next to a small boy with messy black hair, by the river in the garden. Harry was showing him how to cast a fishing rod, but as he demonstrated he snagged the branch of the plum tree overhead, causing them both to laugh. The video changed to Harry kneeling in the flower patch. Kneeling next to him was a little girl with curly brown hair and his piercing green eyes. The little girl watched his movements intensely as he buried a bulb gently. He then guided her hands as she positioned another bulb in the hole in front of her and covered it gently with soil.

Hermione realized what was happening immediately. 'Harry are those... are they our children?'

Harry could sense the trepidation and excitement emanating from her. He nodded and grinned.

She frowned for a second. 'Where am I?'

Harry grinned wider and sent her the videos again. This time as the fishing rod caught in the tree and they doubled over laughing Hermione walked in and snapped a photograph, before joining them in the contagious laughter. Then it changed as she knelt on the other side of the little girl and let her teach her how to plant the bulb, before grinning at Harry.

Hermione's insides melted at the images. 'That looks lovely, Harry. I like the idea of little Potters running around.'

He smirked again. 'I thought you might. But I think we're a bit young for that. Lucky we're magical, isn't it?'

Hermione, who's brain was still slightly addled as she contemplated helping her children with arithmancy, answered. 'Hmm, why is that?'

'It means we get to live long enough to raise a whole quidditch team of kids, and still have time to become Head and Deputy Head of Hogwarts if we wanted.'

'Hmm.. you're right we cou... wait... a Quidditch team of kids?! Don't you think that that's too many?'

Harry laughed. It was rare for Hermione to react so slowly. 'It was just an idea, I wouldn't mind spending forty of my two hundred and fifty-odd years being a stay at home dad. The only careers that require me to be young would be Auror or Quidditch Player. And while I could do either, I think I would much rather raise some kids, help you reform the ministry, or whatever else amazing thing you end up doing, and then go from there. Teaching at Hogwarts does sound good though, doesn't it? Imagine, two Professor Potters.'

Hermione's brain was working in overdrive as she absorbed everything Harry said. After about a minute, Harry decided to put her out of her misery by kissing her nose, which had gone bright red in the cold. 'You don't need to plan everything, or even anything, now. It's just motivation, something to look forward to when Voldemort is finally dead for good.'

Hermione blushed and smiled. 'You're right Harry, but it is a lovely thought.'

Harry nodded. 'It is, but not nearly as lovely as you.'

Hermione squealed and pulled him into a heated kiss, warming both their faces. The kiss had just begun to deepen as they were interrupted.

"Ahem, Regent-Lord Black."

Harry and Hermione jumped apart to find Griphook standing beside them. He had what Harry assumed was a grin on his face, it was always hard to tell with goblins.

"Forgive my interruption, but we are here to begin repairs and warding."

Hermione was blushing furiously from being caught 'in the act'. Harry had a stupid grin plastered over his face.

"Th-that's ok, Griphook, we were just about to leave. When will the repairs and warding be done?" Hermione asked.

"The warding will be done within the hour, but I have been authorized to offer you an alternative." He shouted in goblin, and a moment later one of his subordinates ran out of the house, carrying a large leather book with gold bindings. "This is our latest invention. This book will allow you to specify which people can use your Floo, Apparate, Portkey or even walk onto your property. It will also control the Fidelius and allow you to remove a person's knowledge of the property, simply by removing them from the book with a scourgify spell."

Hermione was almost drooling at the complex rune work and arithmancy behind such a book.

"How much extra will it cost?" Asked Harry.

Griphook smiled again. "I have been authorized to offer it to you as an upgrade, free of charge."

Harry joined Griphook in grinning. "Then I graciously accept."

o0O0o

Harry and Hermione were enjoying some cheese and bacon sandwiches in the Gryffin's Beard.

'So, do you think Sirius will be happy when he hears we have arranged a trial for him?'

Hermione stopped chewing for a moment to think. 'Yes, he will be over the moon. Where is he going to stay though?'

'Our cottage won't be furnished in time, so Grimmauld Place?'

'I thought you said that it wasn't fit to live in?'

'It's not, but if we can get Kreacher to clean, it should be livable.'

'You think one old elf will be enough?'

Harry pondered for a moment. 'Probably not, especially one as stubborn as Kreacher. You considering enslaving another elf?' Hermione harumphed, but Harry laughed.

'What I meant was, we could employ Dobby, and maybe Winky.'

'I don't think Winky will want to be employed, but we can ask her.'

After paying for their meal, they left in search of a quiet alley they could call the elves.

"Dobby, Kreacher."

Both elves appeared with soft pops.

"Harry Potter Sir!"

"Master and his Mudblood have called Kreach..."

Dobby throttled Kreacher.

"Nobody insults Her-money Potter ma'am! You'ze is a very bad elf! Bad, bad elf!"

"Dobby, stop!"

Dobby lifted himself off Kreacher, but didn't take his eye off him.

"Master has called Kreacher?"

"Yes Kreacher, I want to know what state Grimmauld place is in."

"Grimmauld place is not fit for any of the noble Blacks. No, only Mudbloods like Mistress deserve to live in such filth."

Dobby looked ready to explode and murder the older elf, and Hermione didn't look much better.

"Why haven't you been doing your duty to the house of Black, Kreacher?" The disdain in Harry's own voice was growing.

"Kreacher has been following the last orders he was given by Master Regulus."

"And what were those orders?"

"Master Regulus's last orders were to leave him behind and destroy the locket." Tears began to form in the elves eyes.

"Fetch me this locket, Kreacher."

Moments later Harry had the locket in his hand, he recognized it immediately.

"How did you get this, Kreacher?"

Kreacher told them the story of Voldemort hiding the locket in a cave, and then going back with Regulus to retrieve it. By the end, he was openly weeping for Regulus.

"You have been a good elf, Kreacher, and I have new orders for you. I will destroy the locket. I want you to get Grimmauld Place clean, Master Sirius is coming home soon."

Kreacher smiled at the news and bowed. "Thank you, Master, I will do as you ask."

He popped away, leaving them with Dobby. "Do you like working at Hogwarts, Dobby?"

"Dobby likes working at Hogwarts very much, Harry Potter sir!"

"Is Winky working yet?"

"Winky is only getting worse, Harry Potter sir. I do not think she will last much longer."

Harry looked over at Hermione, who smiled and nodded. "Would you and Winky like to come and work for us?"

"Dobby would love to work for the great Harry Potter sir! It would be a dream come true, sir!"

Before anything else could be said, Dobby crossed both his arms over his chest and started speaking in a high pitched squeaky language. Moments later a golden glow encompassed Dobby and the two Potters.

"Dobby is now Potter's elf, what do you'ze command, Master?"

"Please Dobby, just call me Harry, and can you bring Winky here?"

Dobby popped away, and came back with a very sick looking Winky. She reeked of Butterbeer and the front of her dress was covered in stains.

"Winky, would you like to work for us?"

Winky immediately became more alert. "You'ze would want a disgraced elf, like Winky?"

Hermione was about to tell Winky she wasn't disgraced, when Harry cut her off.

"You are a good elf Winky, and we need good elves."

Winky repeated Dobby's chanting from earlier, with the same golden glow. She already looked marginally better, colour had returned to her cheeks and her ears were a little less droopy.

"Your first command is to rest, until you are fully better, ok?"

Winky bowed low. "Yes Master, Mistress." And poped away.

Dobby was still about to explode with happiness and excitement. "Dobby, you need to look after Winky, and help Kreacher clean Grimmauld Place."

"Yes Harry Potter Sir!"

With a final silent pop, he was gone. Harry and Hermione began the short walk back to the Gryffin's beard.

'Harry! You forgot to pay them!'

Harry could feel Hermione's hate for enslaving them, even if kindly. 'Winky would never have agreed with we forced it, we can bring it up later. For now, keeping her alive is the main goal.'

Reluctantly, Hermione agreed and they flooed back to Hogwarts.