Dom was studying in the library with Billie, Peggy, and Lottie. Billie had been absolutely swamped with homework this year, because she was in Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Jones. Professor Jones had been part of both wars against Voldemort, and so she took the subject very seriously. She had been one of the professors who had argued against the reinstating of the Triwizard Tournament, and apparently had done a good job because the idea was rejected.

"Couldn't she just take it easy on us. I mean… I'm in her house. You'd think she would want me to do well," Billie complained.

"She does want you to do well, when you get a job. She's hard on you so you'll be prepared for what's out there," Peggy explained.

"Well I'm not there yet, and I could use a break now," Billie replied.

"I'm taking more classes than you, and I'm not complaining," Peggy retorted.

"Yeah, but you like school," Billie said.

"School's not terrible," Lottie said.

"Exactly. It can be fun to learn. You just have to like what you are doing," Peggy added.

"I like what I'm doing. I just don't like learning about it," Billie argued.

"What do you think about school Dom?" Peggy asked. Dom looked up from her transfiguration book.

"I like school more than I like being home," Dom replied honestly.

"Dom doesn't count," Billie interjected, "she's friends with Professor Dumbledore and Professor Tonks is like her great-aunt or something. The only professor she really has to deal with is Slughorn."

"But honestly, anyone who deals with Professor Slughorn is brave," Lottie said. The girls all laughed. Suddenly, the castle shook as if there had been an explosion somewhere. The four girls all looked at each other.

"Somebody's in trouble," Billie said in a singsong voice. The girls chuckled quietly and returned to their studies. Three hours later the girls were still finishing their work. Professor Jones enter the library looking flushed.

"Dominique, I've been looking everywhere for you," she cried. From the front desk, Irma Pince let out a strangled shushing sound. The woman was ancient and Dom figured that shushing was the only thing she could still do. Dom was startled by Professor Jones's complete disregard for the librarian's scolding. "You must come with me right away." Dom was starting to become worried as she studied her professor's nervous and disoriented behaviour.

"Is something wrong professor?" Dom asked. Professor Jones paused as if deciding what to say.

"Just come with me child," she replied, "the Headmistress would like to speak with you." Dom nodded and gathered her books. She bid her friends goodbye and followed Professor Jones out of the library. The walk was silent which made Dom even more uncomfortable. As they drew nearer to the Headmistress's office, Dom saw more and more worried faces. Nearly all the staff seemed to be gathered, and they each glanced at the pair solemnly as they passed. Outside the office, Professor Tonks was wiping her eyes which were rimmed red. Dom was outright scared now. Andromeda looked at her, but could not hold her gaze as she turned to hide her tears. Professor Jones put a comforting hand on her back as they passed her going up to the office. Professor Jones opened the door and allowed Dom to enter.

"Miss Weasley for you Headmistress," Professor Jones said.

"Thank you Hestia. You may go," McGonagall replied softly. Professor Jones nodded and left quickly. Dom immediately noticed the tears in the Headmistress's eyes that paralleled Andromeda's tears.

"What's happened Headmistress," Dom asked. Minerva rose from her seat. She took a steadying breath.

"Would you care to sit Miss Weasley?" she asked. Dom nodded and sat before her desk.

"Headmistress, I do not mean to be rude, but I would like to know what is going on. People are crying and no one will tell me anything. You're all frightening me. Does this have to do with the explosion earlier?" Dom asked as composed as she could.

"Yes it does," Minerva replied.

"Who's hurt? Louis? Victoire?" Dom asked. The Headmistress shook her head.

"Your siblings are fine Miss Weasley," she said gently, "it's… it's Aberforth… he's dead." A tear has slipped down the Headmistress's cheek as she spoke, but Dom sat unmoved. She hadn't heard right. Aberforth was a great wizard. He would not have died in a simple school accident. He was too good for that. He was… he was too good.

"No… no," was all Dom could say.

"I'm sorry Miss Weasley. I know you two were close," Minerva soothed.

"No!" Dom yelled, "we weren't close… we were… he was… there's no one else… I don't have anybody… he can't be. He wouldn't. He's supposed to be there for me. He wouldn't leave. He couldn't" Dom was screaming at the Headmistress now. She tripped over her words as they came out faster than she could think them.

"He would never have left had he been given the choice dear," Minerva tried to sooth the girl.

"He didn't… he was… I… I don't," Dom was frantic, throwing her hands above her head. She needed the Headmistress to see that Aberforth could not be dead. He couldn't be dead, because if he was dead then she was truly alone. He was her family. The only parent she'd ever truly trusted. The only real parent. Instead she found herself staring into the eyes of a woman who had no idea what this man meant to her. Minerva grabbed her arms and pulled them down. As her hands were brought down, Dom collapsed. Minerva caught her and held her upright as she sobbed. Dom couldn't remember when she lost consciousness. When she awoke, the sun was out. She looked around to see that she was not in her bed. She was in the Headmistress's office, on the settee. She looked up to see the Headmistress bent over her desk.

"What time is it?" Dom asked shakily.

"Miss Weasley," McGonagall exclaimed as she rose from her seat, "how are you feeling?" Dom just looked into her eyes, and the woman's shoulders sagged. "I know," she said as she helped Dom up. "Your friends came looking for you earlier, as did your brother." Dom nodded. She didn't know what to do, how to move forward.

"Do I have to go to class now?" Dom asked with a childlike innocence.

"Not today Miss Weasley," the Headmistress replied, "we have some things to discuss." Dom looked up questioningly. "I know it is very soon, but… Aberforth's will must be settled." Dom flinched when the Headmistress spoke his name. She did not want to talk about it, but she nodded softly. "He left most of his estate to you. He left you his house and the bar along with all the possessions therin." Dom looked up shocked.

"Really?" she asked hoarsely.

"Really," Minerva confirmed, "I was there when he wrote it. I know it's hard, but I need you to sign some papers." Dom nodded and signed where she was told. "If I may advise you dear," Minerva vetured, "sell the bar. It's of more profit to you, especially while you are still in school."

"No," Dom said abruptly. She suddenly felt a strange attachment to the place. As if running it would bring her closer to Aberforth even in death. She collected herself when she saw the Headmistress's expression. "I appreciate your council, but the bar is mine and I intend to keep it," Dom said.

"Quite alright dear," Minerva replied.

"Is there anything he didn't leave to me?" she asked curiously.

"He had a number of painting, an unknown artist, that he requested be given to the London museum. I guess he thought the muggles would appreciate them," Minerva replied. "I apologise if you had wanted them dear," she said upon seeing the tears in Dom's eyes. Dom could not speak. She was overcome with both grief and gratitude. The only words she could form were the truth.

"They were mine." It came out in a whisper, so Minerva nearly missed it. She had heard though. She had seen the paintings in his office and they were beautiful, but all she could feel was sorrow for this young girl shriveled up in her office chair. After Dom had regained her senses, she finished the formalities and left the Headmistress's office. She wandered rather aimlessly, but ended up in Aberforth's office. The pictures were still there adorning the walls. She sat in his chair. It smelled of him. She wept.

Dom started going to classes again two days after Aberforth's death. Andromeda was very understanding. Slughorn seemed disgruntled about her absence, but the Headmistress had ensured he allow to catch up. She refused to attend transfiguration classes, which were now being taught by the Headmistress. Her friends tried to console her, but she avoided them. Angus had been the only one she spent any time with, and she had refused to cry. She had never felt so alone. Since first year, it had been Aberforth who made her feel like Hogwarts was home. He had noticed her when she was invisible. He had been her confidant. She didn't know how to cope. She buried herself in her studies. As weeks went by, she was slowly able to spend more time around people. The pain hadn't stopped, but she was better at hiding it. There was nothing to fill the hole in her heart. She no longer cared what Victoire thought of her, what her parents thought of her, or what she did after Hogwarts. Ab had kept her grounded in reality. Nothing seemed real anymore. She was slowly able to spend time with friends and even her family. People had stopped asking how she was doing or if they could help. They went back to normal. Dom was looking forward to Easter. She was not going home, and would be able to spend her time alone in the castle. Angus came to her the week of with a request. He asked if she would spend the Easter holiday with him and his parents. Seamus and Katie had agreed that Dom was welcome to live with them over the break. Dom wanted to say no, but Angus convinced her. He begged her not to spend so much time alone, and told her that he was still here for her. She eventually consented, and so here she was arriving at the Finnigan's small cottage on the moors outside Little Hangleton. Dom liked the cottage and felt very welcome. Seamus and Katie were very kind. Angus let Dom have time to herself when she needed it. Dom felt terrible, because it had become awkward to talk at all. She feared that their relationship would not survive this. She was thinking about this as she walked over the moors. As she made her way back to the cottage, she saw Katie working outside in the garden. She walked over to the older woman.

"Hello Dominique," Katie greeted from her position on the ground.

"Hello Mrs. Finnigan," Dom said.

"Are you enjoying yourself dear?" Katie asked.

"Yes," Dom responded, "... Mrs. Finnigan why are you working?"

"I like to garden," Katie replied, "and you can call me Katie if it's easier dear."

"I know, but why not use magic… Katie?" Dom stuttered out.

"I think it's nice to work with your hands, to get dirty and put time and effort into it. I think it makes the result more rewarding," Katie replied. Dom smiled.

"Could I help you?" she asked tentatively, "I could use the distraction."

"Of course dear," Katie smiled, "just grab some gloves and go ahead and pull those weeds there." Dom did as she was told and they worked in silence for a while.

"May I ask what's bothering you Dominique?" Katie asked after a while. Dom paused.

"I... ," She didn't know whether she could trust Mrs. Finnigan with her fears, especially when they had to do with her son, but Dom was looked and saw her encouraging expression and felt it was safe to tell. "I am afraid that Angus and I will not be able to talk anymore." She paused and continued prompted by Katie's confused look. "Since… it happened, it's been so hard to talk to him. I don't know what to say. I don't want to make everything sad, but I can't help it." Dom had tears in her eyes that she tired, fruitlessly, to stop from falling. Katie stopped working.

"Dominique, you are going through a difficult time. It's ok to grieve and you should let people help you through that. You and Angus are both smart, and you care for each other. I won't tell you what to do, but I have faith that if you put in the work you both will come out stronger for it. These are times in relationships when you find out what you really mean to each other," Katie said. Dom nodded, still trying to keep her tears from falling. Katie put a hand on her shoulder. "It will get better." Dom nodded and surrendered to her tears as they fell in silent streams down her face. Katie gave her a quick hug. "But it helps to have something to do in the meantime," Katie finished handing Dom a spade. Dom smiled and they set to work on the garden. At dinner, Dom made small talk about school and other light topics. After, they played a game of Rune Riddles. Dom won, but Angus argued that it was unfair because she was a Ravenclaw. They all laughed, and Dom relished the feeling of being able to laugh again. She slept well for the first time in a month. She was not so lucky every night. The next night she woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. She made her way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. While she was there she heard a loud thud followed by a soft scream. She crept towards the noise and watched as Seamus darted across the hall. She stayed where she was and watched as Katie rushed to the door and jiggled the handle.

"Seamus… Seamus please let me in… sweetheart please," Katie begged at the door. Dom could hear shuddered sobs coming from the other side of the door. To Katie's visible relief, the door opened and Seamus stood in the doorway. Katie embraced him and led him back into their room. Dom crept to the door and continued to watch. Katie seated Seamus on the bed and carefully sat next to him. He leaned over and cried into her shoulder as she soothingly rubbed his back. After a while, Katie spoke.

"What was it this time?" she asked softly. Seamus took a shuddering breath.

"He… he was back. He killed Harry at Hogwarts, when they were in the center of that circle. But… but then… you were there… and Angus was there… you took Harry's place and he… he…"

"He's gone," Katie said, "Harry killed him. He destroyed every part of him. We are safe. Angus is safe. You are safe." Katie was holding his face and looking straight into his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Seamus murmured.

"No," Katie assured him, "don't be sorry. War is terrible, and you shouldn't have had to endure it. I am so sorry that you had to do the things you did, but it's over now. I am so grateful that you survived that war, because it allowed us this moment to be together. You are so brave Seamus."

"You always did know what to say," Seamus replied with a smile, "thank you. I don't know where I'd be without you."

"Probably coercing Dean Thomas into some scheme that would no doubt lead to your premature deaths," Katie smirked.

"Well I guess we can all be grateful that I found you," Seamus laughed. He caressed her face. "I love you." Katie kissed him and he responded in kind. When they separated, she grabbed his hand.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied softly. She got up and headed to the door. Dom shrunk away from the door as Katie came to close it. When the door was closed, Dom returned to her room. She thought about the way Katie had comforted her husband. She knew about the war, and that some people had a harder time dealing with the trauma of the experience. She admired the trust that Seamus had to reveal his weakness to his wife. She realized that was how she felt about Angus. She fell asleep comforted by her trust in Angus.

The next day, Dom approached Angus.

"Can we talk?" she asked. He nodded and they walked out onto the moors. They settled down by a tree in a clearing. Angus waited for Dom to talk.

"I'm afraid," she finally said, "... I'm afraid that we'll never be able to talk like we used to. I'm afraid that all I'll ever think about is Ab and how he's gone. I'm… I'm afraid that no one will ever know me like he knew me. I'm afraid I'll never love anyone as much as I loved him." Angus caught Dom as she sobbed. He let her cry before speaking.

"Dom, I know that no one will ever replace Aberforth, but I love you. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone outside my parents. I love your smile, your sense of humor, your intelligence, and the way you protect those you love. Dom we will talk again. You will get through this, but you don't have to do it alone." Dom looked up at him through her tears.

"Thank you," she choked out, "I love you too. I trust you more than anyone else in my life. I just don't know what to do without him."

"You'll live. I don't know much about Aberforth, but I know he wanted you to be happy and be yourself." Dom nodded as she sobbed once again. Angus held her until she had cried herself out. When she was done, they headed back to the house. As they walked Dom leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You know," she commented, "I own a bar now."

"He left you the Hog's Head?" Angus asked.

"Yeah… Angus will you help me with something?"

"Anything."

"I don't want to stay the same… like his death just happened and now it's over. I want to remember… always."

Katie was relieved when she finally heard the door open. Angus and Dom had been gone all day. She knew they needed to talk, but it was starting to get late. She left the kitchen to greet them.

"He-" She stopped short when she saw Angus walk in with his arm around Dom, whose hair was now an electric shade of baby blue. "Wow." Katie stared at Dom's hair and then slowly smiled.

"Woah, what happened to your hair?" Seamus exclaimed as he entered the room.

"Seamus!" Katie scolded, "I think it's lovely. It suits you."

"Thank you," Dom said with a blush. They all sat down to dinner together, and Dom finally felt comfortable for the first time since Aberforth's death.