Author Note: I am entering the depressing time of year. This was written to get some feelings out. I was listening to Story of My Life by One Direction so you can tell the mental place. The physical place is I do not own the things you recognize. Not epilogue compliant as usual. Set in my alternate view of the universe. The war was much harder on the students and friends. Things went differently. In the end though for every ending there is a new beginning. The circle of the world goes on. Peace to all and bless you each.

Harry was having a quiet day at his home in Grimmould Place. He had considered getting rid of it after the war but Sirius had left it to him and he didn't have anywhere else to live so he fixed and cleaned and got the place shaped up. He had also inherited Kreacher. The miserable little elf had started getting a lot better after two years of positive reinforcement and treatment he was at least tolerable. He still had a few moments of nasty behavior but not as frequently as they used to be.

Harry chose to relax and be a rich playboy rather than continue fighting dark wizards. He had seen enough death and pain. He told the survivors of the Ministry to fix their own problems and not force a child to rebuild their world. He wasn't a child anymore, he was a 20 year old man but given his life he never felt like he had been able to be a child.

His girlfriend Ginny Weasley was off for several days at tryouts for the Holyhead Harpies. She was hoping to be either a seeker or a chaser for the team. Given her skills and her sleek athletic body that Harry had enjoyed multiple times over the last two years he had no doubt she would be on the team by Friday.

The floo call alert interrupted his musings. Getting up and leaving the library he saw Hermione's face in the floo. Even though she was a muggle-born she had begun to live with Ron in a flat in Diagon Alley. She had refused to live in the rebuilt Burrow as her and Molly had some strained relationship. Always pushing Hermione to eat more and get some more curves, to get married and start a family with Ron, to not worry they would go get her parents back from Australia in due time. Ron was working in the Ministry with his father and oldest brother trying to make things better they claimed. Hermione had wanted to work there as well but she was convinced to help run the shop since George was still very fragile mentally after losing his other half Fred.

"Hey Mione! Hows things going?"

"Harry are you alone?"

"Uh yeah. Ginny will be back Friday. She's off with the Harpies trying to get on the team."

"Oh good can Lavender and I come through please?"

"Lavender? I guess. What's wrong?"

"it's important Harry we need to talk with you. I need your help."

Harry would drop everything to help Hermione as she would for him. So he stepped back and gave the word to permit them to enter. In a few moments Hermione and Lavender where standing in the hall brushing themselves off. Lavender had grown into a curvy brassy blonde haired dreamboat. She had also matured in personality and entered a healer's apprenticeship at Saint Mungos with a desire to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a midwife. Hermione had matured into a fine figure as well. Her body was still toned from their time on the run, even if Molly claimed she needed more curves to be a real woman, with enough curves to be feminine. Her hair had settled into a wavy brown mane that extended to her shoulders. Harry certainly did not mind, or find fault in, her appearance.

Hermione came out and hugged Harry. "Oh Harry I don't know how to tell you this but it's over with Ron. I'm going to move out and need someplace to stay. Can I stay here?"

Harry was shocked but not entirely surprised. "Are you sure it's gotten that bad?"

Hermione sighed and nodded, "Yeah Harry it's that bad. I can't stand it any longer. He crossed too many lines."

"Well what happened? Lets go sit in the library and you can tell me."

Hermione smiled and followed Harry in. Lavender had been silent and observing everything. Aside from the hug when they came in which he held for the minimum time required he had kept a slight distance from Hermione. He did not reach out for her hand or arm, but he walked very closely to her. His eyes never left Hermione. They had glanced at her but locked on Hermione's the moment she started talking.

Sitting in the library Hermione was on one end of the old loveseat and Harry was at the other. His body turned towards hers but his hands where in his lap. Hermione was turned towards Harry with one arm across the back of the seat and the other across her lap.

"So what happened? What did the prat do. Did he hurt you? Physically I mean."

"No Harry he didn't hurt me physically. Just emotionally. A lot. He has been using love potions to keep me tied to him."

"What! No way. I thought you two where dating since school? The day after the battle you guys where kissing and celebrating. Half of us figured you'd be the first to get married not Luna and Neville."

"No Harry that was just relief. Plus you and Ginny had gone off and where doing your own celebrating."

Harry chortled, "Yeah we did kinda have a lot of pent up energy to burn off. The relief of not having died, er at least not permanently in my case." His mood suddenly dropped.

Hermione reached out and took his hand leaning in towards him. "I know Harry. We lost a lot of friends due to the way things happened. But a lot of it was based on a lie."

"If you're talking about the stuff Dumbledore did I've gotten over that. I know he meant well. He just was confused about how to do it and and felt guilty about it. He really tried to balance everything."

Hermione sighed deeply. "No Harry I'm not talking about Professor Dumbledore. I'm talking about Molly Weasley. Um Harry how do you really feel about Ginny?"

Harry pulled his hand back from Hermione and stiffened up. "Mione. I love her. She's great. We're probably going to get married someday." He recited. Lavender's eyes narrowed at how his breathing had become shallow and his eyes had momentarily defocused when he said that.

Hermione looked at Lavender who nodded. "Harry what do you love about Ginny?"

Harry was looking confused at Hermione, "Now is a bit of a strange time to start getting jealous you know. Just because things didn't work out with you and Ron doesn't mean that it won't with Ginny and me."

Hermione softly smiled at Harry, "Harry please just humor me ok? What do you love about Ginny. I mean what do you two have in common?"

Harry's brow furrowed. His mouth opened and closed for several tries to answer her before he finally said, "We both like Quidditch and the sex is great. We haven't talked about kids but I mean shes a Weasley she probably wants them as much as I do. Just we have time after her career."

"And what else? What do you guys talk about? What do you do on an evening?"

"We sit and we talk. We talk about stuff. We..." Harry was looking more confused and rubbing his forehead. His breathing was becoming more rapid and shallow. "I don't know. We go to the movies and and we sit around and talk..."

Lavender leaned forward and cast a health detection charm on Harry while he was distracted. She frowned and started pulling some vials out of her shoulder bag. "Harry you're getting a bit stressed. Here this is a calming draught. It'll help."

Looking at Lavender like he just realized she was in the building he blinked rapidly in confusion before slowly taking the vial and drinking it. "Thanks."

"Okay no problem. Here this one will help a lot too okay?"

Harry just nodded as his breathing became more regular and deeper. He took the proffered vial and drank it. He slid back on the couch with his mouth open after a few seconds.

"Ok Hermione we have about 2 minutes to get him naked and in the shower before the purgative kicks in."

The two of them levitated Harry up the stairs and into the bathroom. His clothes falling off along the way. They had barely managed to get him there when he started vomiting and voiding his bowels. He broke out into a horrid nasty sour sweat. Hermione stripped off and got into he shower with him. Holding his head so he didn't choke or drown. Lavender watching and using a monitoring charm on him.

"Geez he was dosed to high heaven."

"As long as I was?"

"Probably longer. I'm surprised he hasn't lost his mind by now."

"Yeah me too." Hermione fought back tears as she stroked his hair and looked at the scars on his lithe body. Harry had finally overcome much of the deprivations of his childhood. The starvation and the beatings. He had grown up into a fit and toned young man. One Hermione had to admit she did not mind sharing a naked shower with if only it was under more enjoyable conditions.

It took several minutes but Harry eventually stopped shivering and sweating. "Ok I think he's clean. He'll sleep for several hours and be confused and groggy when he wakes up. Probably hungry enough to eat a hippogriff."

Hermione chuckled, "Yeah I remember that."

"I know but it's good practice. We have a class in reminding people of redundant things again..."

Hermione shut the water off and cast a drying charm on herself and Harry. Lavender took Harry to his bedroom while Hermione got dressed.

"I got him tucked in and comfy. You going to be ok?"

Hermione smiled sadly, "Yeah I have everything I own in my bag. I left Ron a note saying goodbye and that I didn't want to ever see him again. So I guess no matter what the die is cast."

Lavender hugged her friend and said, "Well I've done all I can do about the potions. The rest is up to the two of you."

"Yeah it usually is. But no matter what I'll be here for him. I always am." Hermione sighed.

Lavender patted her on the arm. "Ok see you later. Call me if anything happens."

"No problem."

Lavender left and Hermione transfigured the chair by the bed into a cushioned recliner. Making herself comfortable she soon fell asleep. She woke up several hours later with Harry moaning a bit in his sleep. She jumped up and sat beside him. Stroking his hair and gently calling his name.

Harry slowly woke from a nightmare he had been having. His name was being gently repeated by the sweetest voice he had heard. "Mione? When did you get here?"

Her laughter tinkled like bells in the night. "How much do you remember?"

Harry groaned as he rolled over onto his back. He seemed to realize that he was naked under the bedding as he lifted the comforter and double checked then slapped it back down.

He searched his mind for a few moments before clearing his throat and asking, "Um Hermione did we take a shower together? I kinda sorta remember you holding me in the shower."

"Yeah Lavender and I felt it was best to put you in the shower while the purgative worked."

"Oh that's why I feel like I got turned inside out."

"Yeah trust me that was me the day before."

"You had been dosed with potions?"

"Yeah. Ron had kept me dosed with love potions. I know he is shit with potions so he had to get them from his mother. We had this discussion earlier today."

"Oh yeah. Give me a minute to get the wheels all back spinning the same direction. What time is it anyhow?"

Hermione looked up at the bedside clock, "it's almost 2 in the morning."

Harry nodded, "I hate this I'm starving but I'm tired as all get out too."

Hermione hadn't stopped stroking his hair, since Harry didn't seem to mind she felt no desire to stop. "Maybe I could go get us something to eat from the kitchen?"

There was a soft pop and Kreacher was there with a tray of sandwiches and pitcher of lemonade. Hermione was startled but Harry just chuckled. "Thank you Kreacher did I miss anything while I was asleep?"

"The Weasley boy tried to come through the floo without permission but I blocked him. He also tried to apparate in. He did not have good intentions so I bounced him. He seems rather upset."

Hermione sighed and shook her head, "I told that stupid bastard that we where through. Including why we where through. Obviously it didn't get through his head."

"Did I do wrong master?"

Harry looked at Hermione then gently taking her hand he kissed the back of it. "No Kreacher you did just fine. I'll deal with him later."

"Yes sir." And he popped out.

Harry sat up in bed taking the tray and holding across his lap. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable."

Hermione got up and sat across from Harry in the bed. He had let the comforter drop down to pool in his lap. His chest fully exposed in the bedside light. He had grabbed his glasses so he could see her looking back.

"Well I think I'm remembering a lot of stuff. Love potions. I'm not sure Ginny had anything to do with it but every time we'd go to the Burrow I'd feel so much better about being with Ginny and we usually had sex like rabbit's barely making it home. A couple times we did it in her old room."

Hermione shook her head. "You guys did use precautions didn't you?"

Harry opened his mouth then closed it, "I think so. I'm not sure."

Hermione ate her sandwich while thinking, "Well I know I have, over Ron's protests and sabotage. That's how I got tested. He had begun to mess with my potions lab in the flat. So I was using the one at the store when he found out he sabotaged it. So I went to Saint Mungo's and had them check to make sure the monthly potion was still working and to get a prescription from them. Lavender ran a blood test to make sure of things and part of her training. She's almost ready to graduate to full healer now. So she found out the love potions and her supervisor and her got me purged. They took notes and such not that it'll matter much. They've been working harder on getting rid of the blood bigotry but the wizarding world has a long ways to go still."

Harry ate his sandwich and sighed, "Well I hope we have. I wouldn't want a kid brought into the world under false pretenses."

They sat silently for a few minutes. "You know I really thought I loved her. I didn't think twice about it. I was stupid."

"No Harry the potions must have been introduced subtly and in small enough doses we thought it was just natural. Plus you have to admit you haven't exactly had a lot of good examples of love in your life."

He hung his head, "I had one."

Hermione tilted her head, "Oh who?"

Harry looked up and straight into her soul she felt like, "You Hermione. You where the one true example of love I ever had. Everything you ever did was because you loved me. And I was too stupid to notice it."

Hermione hung her head, "You weren't stupid Harry. You just didn't have the framework to understand it."
Harry sighed and closed his eyes. "Do you still love me?"

She took the tray and levitated it over to the chair. She moved forward and kissed him on the lips. A soft gentle touching that promised so much more. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "That means yes?"

"Yes Harry always. Yes."

Harry pulled her into a kiss. A kiss that in the thousands of millions of kisses in the history of kisses ranked within the top three. Both of them felt all the accumulated years of pain, of waiting, of frustration melt out of them. Their lips brushed each other with a hunger, a gentleness. A storm of passion restrained by a ribbon of tenderness. When they broke for air she was sitting in his lap having shifted position to be closer to him. His arms holding her close. Her head on his shoulder.

Harry sighed running his hand up her back, "What are we going to tell Ginny?"

"The truth. That you got purged of your potions. If she reacts badly we deal with it."

Harry chuckled, "And if she reacts by wanting a harem?"

Hermione's expression made Harry cringe a bit but still chuckle. "You have been reading too many of those exploitation rags mister."
"Hey it's amazing all the adventures I got up to that I need to read about. Did you know they want to make a Harry Potter Musical about my life?"

"Oh dear that would make Sweeney Todd look downright charming." Hermione shook her head.

Harry just shook his head, "Well I suppose so. I've never seen Sweeney Todd."

"Maybe we could go once this all gets calmed down a bit."

"Well maybe we can do so in Brisbane."

Hermione pulled back, "Why Brisbane?"

"Isn't that where you sent your parents?"

"I don't really remember. I was under a compulsion to send them out of the country is all I remember. Australia is not exactly small." She bit her lip.

Harry looked thoughtful. "Okay. We spend a few days here getting Ron and Ginny and anyone else that needs it sorted out. We call up the DA and see who can come help. We'll turn that country upside down until we find them."

Hermione almost broke Harry's ribs she hugged him so hard. "Seriously Harry. You'll do that?"

"I'm sorry I hadn't done it yet. Ron kept brushing me off when I'd ask then I'd get distracted by Ginny or Arthur. Or Minerva asking me to come teach Defense. I just let things slide too much and I'm sorry."

Hermione was crying on his shoulder. Harry rubbed her back and held her. Letting her cry herself out. "I hope they're ok. I think I did the memory charms alright. I know they where going to call themselves Wendell and Monica Wilkins. Beyond that I have no idea."

"Well that's a start. And I think before we go there is one more thing I'll need to do."

Hermione wiped away her tears, "What's that?"

"Get my mother's engagement ring out of the vault."

Hermione stopped breathing for a moment. "You want to get married?"

"When you're ready. I think we've waited long enough though."

She hugged him again and this kiss while not as powerful as their first one was very high on the scale. Their physical hunger for food sated by the sandwiches they had another hunger to deal with. Hermione's clothes joining Harry's on the floor let them sate that other hunger then fall asleep in each others arms in a sense of floating bliss.

The next morning woke them with sunlight streaming in through the gently wafting lacy curtains. Another gentle round of lovemaking resulted in them spending most of the morning in bed. Eventually they got up, showered together and went downstairs. Barely dressed.

"Kreacher understands that I do like to cook for myself sometimes and Ginny likes my cooking," he paused then frowned, "Or at least I think she does. it's weird how much doubt there is now."

"I know. I used to think I knew Ron and Molly and now I wonder how much was real."

"What about us?"

Hermione smiled, "I have no doubts. it's like a cloud has been lifted. I remember everything."

"Good. I'm glad."

Harry was cooking omelets for them when the kitchen door opened and Ginny walked in. She froze seeing Hermione leaning over the kitchen table wearing nothing but her panties and one of Harry's shirts. Since he was wearing his boxers and a T-shirt there was no way they would be able to talk around this. So preferring to be brave Hermione turned around and tugged the shirt down as far as she could and stood there. Her wand was still upstairs and she was kicking herself for that but hoped it wouldn't come to that. Harry had his with him, old paranoia habit's not dying easy.

Harry looked up and smiled, "Hey Ginny, want an Omelet?" His other hand held his wand down by his leg ready to cast if she got mad.

Ginny got a strange expression took a deep breath then sat down. "yeah sure if you don't mind. Relax Hermione I come in peace. Even if mom and Ron are ready to hex the house down."

Hermione sat down across the table from the redhead. "So um You don't seem to be angry."

Ginny smiled at Hermione and shook her head, "No. I understand. One of the things before the tryouts was that we had to take a blood test for performance enhancing potions. They discovered a few things and I spent yesterday heaving my guts up due to a purging treatment."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other then back at her, "We had to do that this week too. Ron had been keeping me dosed with love potions." Hermione explained.

Ginny frowned, "yeah sorry about that. I know it was mom. Ron couldn't brew a common antidote potion much less something like a love potion. If it's any consolation I'm glad you guys got together."

Harry laid out their plates and sat down. "So how long has this been going on?"

"I don't know. I haven't gone to the Burrow yet. Mom would probably know. Ron isn't exactly listening to reason. He throwing a right temper tantrum. If I didn't know better I would say you took his toys from him Hermione."

"It wasn't that great. I usually wound up finishing myself in the shower while he went to sleep. Even with a love potion. It just goes to show you can't actually create something from nothing."

"yeah." Ginny softly said.

They ate in silence for several minutes. "I had a lust potion being fed to me to enjoy the sex. Otherwise I'm sorry Harry."

Hermione's loins where still tingling and sore from lat night and this morning. She turned and looked at Ginny, "Really I haven't had any complaints about it. it's been wonderful." Hermione's voice took on a husky breathy quality Harry had only ever heard her use for new books.

Ginny chuckled, "Yeah well that's probably because you like having sex with guys."

Hermione dropped her fork and spun on Ginny who held up her hands. "Whoa wait., I meant that you want to have sex with Harry because you enjoy that sort of thing. I don't."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. Harry was just watching the both of them in confusion. Not sure if having his ex girlfriend and current fiance being friends was a good or bad thing. Especially if they compared notes.

"Ginny are you trying to say you don't like guys?"

"Why do you think I tried out for the Holyhead Harpies?"

Harry suddenly figured it out, "You're a lesbian?"

Ginny and Hermione both stared at him before bursting out laughing. "Yes Harry. Even though I was doped with a love potion keyed to you I knew I liked girls." Ginny explained.

Hermione nodded, "Love potions actually cannot create love or change the way we truly feel. It just causes an artificial infatuation with a person. Sort of like a strong suggestion. That's why Harry and I have always felt so strong and comfortable with each other. That's why in the Forest of Dean we..."

Ginny raised her eyebrow in question. Harry blushed and Hermione picked at her food.

"No way you guys didn't?"

"Yeah we did. Ron had left and we where both scared and frustrated and needed comfort. One thing led to another and we gave each other our virginity. It only happened once but it must have been because the potions where wearing off." Hermione considered looking back at the memory of that time.

"Harry are you ok? You're awfully quiet." Ginny worriedly asked.

Hermione took his hand and held it. Her eyes held him in her love.

"Yeah I'm just confused. This is not exactly how I imagined this was going to play out."

"You where expecting more of a cat fight and less of a reasonable discussion?" Hermione asked.

"Well yeah."

"I don't blame you. I would have expected that too. The Weasley temper is not exactly a slow burn." Ginny chuckled.

"No it's not. But thanks for being understanding."

"I was so afraid I was going to come in and have to drag you to Saint Mungos to get you purged or worse that you really did love me and then I would have to break your heart." Ginny glumly shoved the remains of her breakfast around.

"So what do you want to do?" Harry asked.

Taking a deep breath. "Well I wouldn't mind staying here. If I get the position I'll be gone most of the time. And I think we could be better friends than we would lovers. That and I don't want to go back to the Burrow."

Hermione nodded to Harry who smiled and took Ginny's hand with the hand Hermione wasn't holding. "Ginny I'd love to have you stay here. You can pick any bedroom you want but Hermione is going to be moving into the master one. I'm going to send Kreacher to Gringott's and get the Potter engagement ring."

"They still don't like you guys?"

"Well they got over the fact we broke into one of their vaults and released one of their dragons. I mean Voldemort killing about half the clans did kinda show them they where wrong to ally with him."

"I thought they just tried to remain neutral?"

"No we found out that they had actually helped him when we went to try and work things out with them. So we came to a peaceful accord. Unless Harry needs to go there personally for something he sends his house elf."

"Okay cool so speaking of house." Ginny squeezed his hand then got up and hugged Hermione. "You'll be okay with me being here?"

"Well I think we can work it out. Since we won't be competing for Harry's affections especially."

Ginny was grinning, "Even if I said I think you're really pretty?"

Hermione sighed deeply and seeing Harry smirking just shook her head, "As long as you understand I'm mostly hetero ok?"

Harry stopped smirking and started blinking, "Mostly hetero? What does that mean?"

Hermione took her turn to smirk. "It means that back in 5th year Lavender and Parvati convinced me to join them in some play time exploration of our inner selves. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't drop you for a girl."

Harry's silent "oh" made Ginny and Hermione laugh.

Ginny hugged Hermione again and said, "I think I can handle that."
"Good. Now lets go get things moved around and you can tell me about your tryouts."

Harry just sat there confused but glad that the two of them where not going to start throwing spells around. After finishing his breakfast he left the dishes for Kreacher and went to go get dressed. On the way the floo alert dinged again.

"I swear if that's Ron I am going to blast him to Mars."

"No Harry it's me Neville. Can I come over."

Having spent 6 years in dorm living with Neville he didn't bother worrying about being in his underwear so Harry gave permission. Neville came through. Tall and good looking in his suit. He was working on a herbology apprenticeship, had ascended to his lordship after the death of his Grandmother and was involved in several business dealings.

"Hey Harry. Why in the name of Hades deepest pit's did Ron show up on my doorstep this morning blathering on about you stealing Hermione from him?"

"Oh that's because Hermione found out he had been using a love potion on her for who knows how long and she left him."

"Well that explains a lot. So no big deal then."

"I guess not. I'm sorry about that."

"Oh don't be. Luna is moody right now with only a month to go so she told Ron off and when he didn't leave quick enough she set his underwear on fire."

Harry unconsciously winced at that. "Damn. That's harsh."

"Whats harsh Harry?" Hermione asked coming downstairs followed by Ginny. She had put on some jeans but was still wearing Harry's favorite t-shirt.

"Luna set Ron's underwear on fire for bothering her and Neville this morning."

"He was in them I hope." Ginny grinned.

"Uh yeah since he was in my sitting room yelling about how Harry had stolen Hermione and needed to give her back and all kinds of other stuff I half tuned out. Luna got grumpy and told Ron off and to get out. When he didn't move quick enough she set his underwear on fire. Wandlessly. I swear she is a handful right now."

Ginny laughed loudly, "Oh remind me to give Luna a call and congratulate her. That's probably the hottest action Ron's gotten ever."

Hermione had put her arm around Ginny to support herself she was laughing so hard. "Serves him right. I left him a letter and I know he got it because I charmed it to let me know when he read it. He knows why I left him that jerk."

Neville was looking at the two of them standing relaxed and Harry in his underwear. "Um I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Neville suddenly seemed to figure something out.

Hermione patted him on the arm and went to hug Harry. "No Ginny and I where just shuffling the bedrooms. Since I'll be sleeping with my fiance." She said as she put her arm around Harry.

Neville's confused expression was spectacular. "Wait I thought Harry and Ginny where going to get together."

"No Neville. Harry and Hermione will. I'd rather not interfere with my sister. Besides I don't know if my girlfriend will want to share when I find her."

"Oh that's cool then." Neville said relaxing before he frowned, "Girlfriend?"

"I was potioned too. So was Harry."

"Damn. Who did all that?"

"Probably Molly Weasley for some reason. We where thinking about going and talking to her. Get this all settled out."

"Well if you're going to talk to her you should probably put some pants on Harry." Neville pointed out.

Harry started to say something then just nodded, "Yeah probably a good idea. Thanks Neville. I'd not have thought of that." He thumped him on the arm as he went up the stairs to general laughter.

By the time Harry had gotten back downstairs. Luna was sitting in the library with the others. Her huge pregnant belly exposed by the midi shirt she was wearing over her shorts. Her sandals had been kicked off and she had her feet up in Neville's lap.

Harry came in and kissed Luna on the forehead, "Hey Luna. How're the twins behaving?" he said as he rubbed her belly. Luna was such an open and friendly person she didn't mind her close friend's expressing their affection for her and the babies. She said that her children where going to have plenty of family. Especially since hers had all been killed in the war. Neville got used to it. Luna was a free spirit and he was just happy to be along for the journey.

"They are doing much better now that Ron has stopped bothering us. Although they have been causing a bit of a craving for pickle treacle."

"Nice that sounds tasty."

"According to Neville not really."

"Oh ok. I'll take his word for it."

"Coward."

"Absolutely."

She then giggled and then oofed as a small hand printed itself on her abdomen. "That was Frank the second. He has quite an arm strength. Unfortunately he has his feet on my bladder." She said as Neville and Harry both helped her vertical and she went off to the loo.

"Ok well. Cool. Since you're all here.." Harry stepped over to the side and called for Kreacher. Sending him off for his task he was soon back with a small jewelry box. Luna had come back from the bathroom and settled on the loveseat again. Grinning at Harry getting down on his knee in front of Hermione. Luna mumbling "about time" under her breath though only Neville heard her. He just lightly swatted her rump causing her to giggle.

"Hermione. I know that traditionally I should have asked your father for permission first but we have never been one for traditional lives. I'll ask him when we see him but I have always had you by my side and I want you to be there beside me for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"

Hermione's squealed "Yes!" was only equaled by Ginny and Luna's applause as Harry slid the ring on her finger. It sparkled and glittered as it settled on there perfectly.

After much hugging and squealing Harry settled down with Hermione in his lap. "You know lets have everyone from the DA over for dinner. I want to celebrate with our friends. And we need to make plans to go to Australia."

Neville tilted his head like his wife, "Australia?"

"That's where I wound up sending my parents during the war. I don't know why I chose Australia. Dad hated Australia. He said it had a few nice things to maybe visit but it was the last place on the planet he'd want to live. They loved France."

"Love dear love. Let's not talk in the past tense about them." Harry said hugging her tightly.

"Hope is the most fragile of emotions but the most powerful." Luna intoned deeply.

Everyone just nodded and sat silently with their thoughts for a few moments. Luna though in her own way broke the silence, "Ginny when did you start liking girls?"

"What? How did you know. I've only told Harry and Hermione yet."

Luna laughed her gentle dreamy laugh, "I'm really quite observant. Better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt you know. Besides I was the first girl you ever kissed."

Ginny grinned, "Luna we where 5 and playing..."

Luna grinned, "Yes I know. What where we playing."

"Playing Harry Potter and the Princess and you where playing Harry." She blushed the Weasley red. "That still doesn't explain how you figured it out."

"You have not been looking at Harry the way you have Hermione. Also you keep looking at my breasts which have swollen quite a bit since I got pregnant. I suppose hoping for a peak under the shirt since I'm bra-less."

Ginny's blush only deepened and spread.

Harry coughed "Hey anyone ready for some lunch?"

"I'm sorry Harry I'm not lactating yet so you'll have to cook something."

Neville almost fell off the couch laughing at the expression on Harry's face. "You know she sometimes does that just to get a reaction out of you right?"

"Yeah sure. Ok Neville." Harry chuckled.

"Are you sure you haven't just gone over to her side?"

Neville just shrugged, "it's not a bad side to be on you know. Or front, or back either..." He joked with a smirk while rubbing Luna's feet.

"How are you going to deal with the Weasley situation?" Luna went on ignoring the humor going on around her.

"Well I don't know. Ginny what do you think?" Harry turned to his former girlfriend.

"Ron's probably going to bluster and be pissed still. Mom I don't know. Maybe we should write her a letter and see how she reacts. Maybe arrange for a neutral ground meeting place."

Hermione was nodding, "That sounds good. Maybe the memorial in Hogsmeade. A little guilt trip can't hurt things."

"Plus more witnesses available if anything goes bad." Luna pointed out.

Harry gave Hermione a little nudge to get up and went over to the writing desk. He wrote a letter out requesting Molly and Ron to meet them at the war memorial in Hogsmeade tomorrow at 1. Everyone signed it as they wanted to be there to support their friends and each other. He had Kreacher take it over and wait for a reply. He missed Hedwig too much to ever get another owl. Kreacher though was effective enough.

He popped back after delivering the letter with a foul expression. "The red haired ones have said they will be there. They are not happy but they will be there."

"Ok Good job Kreacher. Take lunch off and relax. We'll get it taken care of. But we are going to need to have a good dinner. I'm not sure how many will be here though."

Sighing dramatically Kreacher nodded and went off muttering.

"Are you sure House elves can't go emo?" Harry grumped to Hermione.

Hermione just glared at him.

"Now that's resolved how about lunch for real?" Harry changed the subject.

"Ok Except Ginny never explained when she started liking girls."

Ginny shook her head knowing that when Luna got on a subject it was worse than a dog with a bone. "I dunno. I tried playing with guys. I dated Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan in my 5th year. They liked to share. Had sex with Seamus first. So he at least didn't die a virgin. But I didn't ever really like it. There was a girl in our year in Gryffindor. Do you remember an Abigail Perkwith?"

Hermione racked her brain and came up with "Quiet, shy, had long brown hair she always wore in pigtails?"

"Yeah I remember seeing her around the common room. She was always very nice. She said she believed me about Voldemort. had me sign a copy of the Quibbler for her." Harry softly said.

Neville seemed lost in thought, "She's the one that jumped off the astronomy tower isn't she?"

Ginny bowed her head for a minute, "Yeah she was my girlfriend, I guess, while you guys where off on the Horcrux hunt. The Carrows found out and raped and beat her until she could barely walk. We tried to comfort each other but she just wasn't strong enough to take the pain." Ginny softly started crying. Hermione and Harry pulled her up into a hug and held her until she was cried out.

Lunch was subdued as they sat and talked about their friends. About who they missed and who they had lost contact with. Two years didn't sound like a long time except after the devastation of the war; a war so many students lost their lives over. So many people decided to change their lives by changing their location. By changing their circle of friends. Many had actually decided they had enough with the wizarding world and walked away from everything.

Just after lunch Harry pulled out one of the coins from the DA. "Hermione you want to do the honors? Set the meeting for the hour before dinner."

She smiled holding the coin, "Mines upstairs in my bag."

Ginny smiled, "Mine is still in a necklace I put it in." She pulled it out of her shirt.

Neville pulled his out of his pocket. "Always. It's been a lucky charm."

Luna pulled hers out from a pocket she had sewn into the waist band of her pants. "I carry it just in case someone wants to call a meeting."

Hermione took her wand and tapped the coin. Whispering the date and time. The coin glowed briefly then all the others felt their coin heat and buzz in vibration. They took their wands and acknowledged with the main coin buzzing once for each. Then after a few moments four more buzzes came. They waited while talking but no more buzzes came.

Harry harrumphed softly, "Four others. I wonder which four?"

Hermione shrugged. "I think Lavender still has hers but I don't know about anyone else."

Ginny sighed, "I hope one of those isn't Ron."

"Well if it is we'll deal with it."

The afternoon was spent with Luna falling asleep with her feet in Neville's lap. The rest of them sitting in the library chatting and reminiscing about their school days. Not having done so for the last two years. As the time set on the coins approached Lavender came through the floo. Followed by Susan Bones. Padma Patil had apparated to the front steps of the house. Hannah Abbot was the last to show up coming through the floo. Harry had wanted to wait until everyone arrived before he told them what was going on.

"Thank you guys for showing up."

"No problem Harry. Are we it?" Susan was looking around the room. Her auburn hair cut short and framing her face in a nice bob. Her skin tanned from her hours outside working with magical creatures at Hogwarts. Nicely muscled figure not obvious but noticeable in her coveralls.

"Yeah I guess everyone else moved on." Harry sighed.

"Some more than others." Padma swallowed. Like George she was half a twin package now. She and her twin sister Parvati had not been as close as the Weasley twins but they had still shared the bond of siblings, made all the more by being a twin. The pain of having a part of you ripped away was still a pain that did not easily fade. Luna was sitting next her former Ravenclaw house mate. So she put her arm around the young woman.

Hannah shook her head, "I still see some of them in the Broomsticks. Some of the stupid git's get kinda handsy with me and Barbara."

"Sorry to hear that." Hermione empathized with her. Ron not always taking the word no as an answer.

"so whats the emergency?"

"Well it's not exactly an emergency but we need to do two things. Somehow Hermione, Ginny and I were dosed for an extended period with Love potions. We're meeting with Molly and Ron tomorrow to confront them up at the war memorial in Hogsmeade at 1. A nice public place so hopefully they don't feel like causing any trouble. I was hoping some of you might be there as witnesses and maybe extra insurance that nothing happens."

"Hannah and I can take lunch and meet you."

"Yeah so can I." Lavender confirmed.

"I can probably do that too." Padma said nodding.

"Ok cool. That would be great. We can have lunch at the Broomsticks I guess. Hopefully it won't take too long but we'll see."

"And the other thing?"

"Well I was hoping we could go next week to Australia and find Hermione's parents. She had memory charmed them into believing they where Wendell and Monica Wilkins."

Susan shook her head while Padma gasped. "Harry have you ever looked at a map? Australia is big enough to swallow the UK like 30 times over."

Luna tilted her head, "Actually approximately 32.1573 times Padma. With a population of 19 million and some change. Out of that the magical community is a little bit over a million people spread across the entire country counting indigenous peoples."

Harry frowned at his blonde friend but plowed ahead, "Yes I have noticed that it is a rather large country and the task is going to be a bit difficult but I'm hoping we can do some research to narrow down the possibilities. You guys are all the smartest and best witches in the entire UK. I'm sure you can figure it out."

"Average looking male and female Caucasians who are speaking with an English accent. Moved there approximately 3 years ago, possible occupation is dentists. Padma dear how many dentists are there in Australia?"

Padma looked at Luna with a smile. "I don't know but I work at a library and can check for you."

"That should help reduce the odds dramatically. Assuming they didn't do something stupid. However memory charms are incredibly difficult to wipe a person's core personality and occupational training, especially if it's a highly skilled one. Like being a dentist. So it is possible they remember bit's and pieces or have had a total recall occur. Will you have pudding with dinner?"

Hermione was staring in shock at Luna's flow of logic. Harry had started grinning at how much better it was going to be.

Kreacher popped in, "There will be butterscotch pudding for you miss Luna."

"Oh good. Thank you Kreacher you're terrific. Now where was I?"

"Pretty much in the middle of solving the entire problem."

"Do your parents have any survival skills?"

"Um no. Aside from camping a few times we've stayed mostly in hotels and resorts."

"So that means mostly concentrate in large cities. Ones with well developed infrastructure. Popularity and large populations from the UK would be helpful. That way they would be comfortable with their cultural norms. I am going to estimate Sydney or Melbourne."

Susan spoke up, "Both of those cities have large magical communities. I can contact a couple associates in the magical creatures business to see if they've heard of any muggles trying to contact the magical world."

Luna nodded, "If they had any remembrance occur they might do so. It would be good to perhaps officially reach out to the Australian Ministry Neville dear and ask them if they have had any muggles suddenly start trying to contact the magical world."

Neville agreed, "Good idea."

"Luna I love you. How can I repay you if this all comes out right?"

"Name your first born daughter after me." She said with her eyes closed and her usual Mona Lisa smile. Harry did not see a problem with that either and nodded his agreement.

"Deal." Hermione said.

"Now how much longer until dinner?"

"About a half hour miss." Kreacher's voice called out.

"Ok good. Now if you'll excuse me I must visit the loo again." She got up stretched flashing everyone her breasts and wandered off to the loo.

Susan laughed. "I forgot how unfiltered she can be."

Neville joined in, "It is one of her charms. Although I think Harry and Ginny have seen her breasts almost as much as I have."

"Well if she would wear clothes that might not happen." Harry was chuckling.

Neville shrugged, "Shes a free spirited exhibitionist. Besides you wanna try and boss her around?"

Harry laughed holding his hands up in front of him playfully, "NO thank you. I like having all my parts where they are and not enflamed."

Seeing the looks of confusion on their guests they explained how Luna had set fire to Ron's underwear while he was still wearing it. Just one more in a long line of examples of how Luna may be the kindest, sweetest, loving person on the planet but if you crossed her she would end you with extreme prejudice.

When she came back and found everyone laughing happily she sat in Neville's lap and sweetly asked, "Did I miss something."

"No dear we where just discussing your sweet lovable personality." He said as he kissed her.

"Good answer. Your training is coming along quite well." She laughed and kissed him back.

Neville convinced Luna to get up and asked Harry if he could use the floo real quick as he needed to contact the Australian ministry. The time difference should make it just early morning there.

Harry was more than happy to agree to that.

Dinner saw more discussion of the past and some about the future plans. Hannah excused herself to get her corset off. Saying being in the damnable thing all day was torture but Rosmerta favored a traditional look.

Ginny and Hannah seemed to hit it off quite nicely Hermione noticed. When Harry introduced Hermione as his fiancee all the girls except Luna squealed in delight. They congratulated the two of them and where looking forward to the wedding date.

After dessert Harry got out a bottle of wine and poured a glass for everyone except Luna who got more seltzer. Raising a toast to Absent Friends they hugged each other good night and went back to their homes leaving Harry, Hermione and Ginny alone. Harry and Hermione started clearing the table and setting the dishes to cleaning.

"Well I guess it's time to call it a night. You going to be okay Ginny?"

"Yeah Harry. I'm going to be ok. I still like you. And I hope you like me but just as friends."

Harry shook his head, "No more like family. Okay?"

Ginny hugged him and agreed, "Family is fine with me."

Hermione hugged her goodnight and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight sis."

Ginny smiled back "good night sis."

Harry and Hermione just cuddled that night. Too pent up and worried about the meeting the next day. Too melancholy from the dinner discussion of lost friends.

The next morning was one of nerves and excitement. Breakfast being made and eaten the three of them where sitting making plans when the mail came. Ginny got a letter from the Harpies.

"They want me to come back Monday to tryout. They where impressed and hope that my personal issues have been resolved to the point where we can have a good working relationship."

"That's great news. it's what you've always wanted." Harry said patting her on the back in congratulations.

"Yeah but how am I going to help you look for your parents Hermione?"

"Well if the research Padma and Luna and Susan are doing and the contacts Neville made work We should be back in touch with my parents within a week. So don't worry. Go tryout. If we need your help we'll let you know. I'm hoping it won't be a big deal."

Ginny was grinning. Hermione looked at her funny. "What?"

"you're already saying we. Harry and I never talked like that and I don't remember you and Ron doing that either."

Harry looked back over his memories and noticed Ginny was right. Hermione blushed but when Harry held her hand smiled.

Soon it was time to go to Hogsmeade. They arrived at the apparate zone and walked through the village. The battle had ranged through the village cross the grounds of Hogwarts. The damage to both had been extreme and even today there where still signs of it. Recovery was obvious, though. Families had begun to move back to the village and stores where open.

As they reached the tall white obelisk that had the names of the fallen carved around it's base Harry tensed up. He had had to fight with the ministry to get them not to put a statue of him on the monument as it was more about the ones they lost than his role. He did not feel like he needed to be honored for doing the right thing and fighting evil. Those who gave their lives, who paid the ultimate sacrifice where the ones who deserved the honor.

Hermione felt him tense and held his hand tighter. Squeezing it to remind him he was not alone. He walked up and slid his hand over the names. Faces flashing before him.

"Good afternoon Mr Potter. I often do the same thing." A familiar voice called to him softly.

Turning to the person sitting on one of the benches placed conveniently he and Hermione smiled. "Professor McGonnegal. So nice to see you."

"Thank you. it's a pleasure to see the two of you again as well."

They joined her on the benches. "How are you ma'am?"
Sighing she smiled at them, "I am well enough. The leg bothers me when it's a bit chilly or damp."
"Ma'am you live in a castle in Scotland. That describes most days."

"Yes it does. But it also reminds me I lived at least. Too many did not." She said looking back at the plinth.

Harry sighed, "Yeah."
"On a happier note I notice that the two of you seem to be together. A little bird even mentioned that there was a ring involved." Their former professor chuckled.

"Yes ma'am. We are engaged now."

"Given that Miss Weasley is giving you some polite distance and not throwing hexes I take it your parting with her was amicable."

Ginny stepped up, "Yes ma'am. Harry and I where not entirely compatible after all."

Minerva nodded gently. "I sincerely hope your mother is as accepting of these changes."
They nodded to Susan who had sat at a bench a little further around the memorial from them. They saw Padma and Luna walking up to sit on a bench just behind them in the little park surrounding the memorial. Neville joining them a moment later with a smile and some ice cream for Luna.

The old professor pulled a pocket watch out and looked at it. "Well it is now just 1 o'clock Mr Potter. All of your forces seem to be here. So now I suppose the only players yet to come are the antagonists of this drama."

"Ma'am?"

A gentle smile at Harry reminded him that this woman had a mind like a whip no matter what had happened to her body during the war and over the years. "I spoke with Ms Bones this morning at length. You are never going to be alone Harry. We owe you too much to just walk away."

"But this is just something minor and between..."

"No Harry," The professor reached out and patted his hand, "please just let us help you one more time for all that you have done for us. At the very least it is a pleasant afternoon and sitting talking to an old friend is never a bad thing. I feel there may not be as many days such as this left for me."

"Ma'am?" Harry's worry rose to the front. Hermione studied the professor. Noting the thinner skin, the extra lines and slight tremor.

"Do not worry. I'm not going to keel over today or anytime soon. Though the term soon is rather relative. But while Albus may have reached a century and more not all of us will be as lucky. I'm not worried. I've lived a good life and I will be happy to know that my part in making a better world will be carried on with by your generation."

Harry started to say something but couldn't think of anything to say. Hermione smiled though, "Yes Ma'am. We'll do our best to live up to the guidance we've received."

They chatted a bit more about their plans for the future. About how the last two years might not have been wasted just a slight wrong turn on the adventures of life. After a few minutes of Harry beginning to fidget he spotted walking towards the Plinth Molly Weasley and a rather scowling and angry looking Ron who seemed to notice the crowd gathered around his targets.

"Good afternoon Molly, Ron." Minerva warmly greeted them.

"Hello Minerva. I'm surprised you're involved in this." Molly didn't seem as willing to hug everyone today.

"Well I'm just spending a nice afternoon talking to some of my favorite former students. Why don't you sit and join us."

"Yes well I suppose we can. Don't you think so Ronald?"

Glaring at Hermione who was still sitting holding Harry's hand on his left they sat on the bench opposite his. The benches where arranged in a U shape facing the plinth and Minerva seemed to be in the middle of two forces tense and ready to begin fighting in a moment.

Molly turned to focus on Ginny, "So you're looking well. How did the tryouts go with the Harpies?"

"I haven't tried out. They did a blood test for potions and found the ones in my system mom. They purged me and sent me home." She let the anger and fear she had felt when they sent her home show through. The pain of trying so hard only to fail. She was not going to tell her she had another chance unless she actually made up with her mother.

"Oh. I'm sorry dear. So they cleared all of them out of you?"

"Yes mom. All of them."

Molly was wringing her hands. She turned and smiled at Hermione only to find her glaring daggers at her. "And you've been purged too eh?"

"Yes at Saint Mungo's. There is an official record. Harry has been purged too."
Ron was starting to loose his glower. He was looking at his mother in confusion. "Mom?"

Sighing deeply Molly shook her head. "I had hoped that it wouldn't matter with you and Ron Hermione. That maybe Ron would grow up and realize that he was given a real gift with you. I can see he didn't."

"No he didn't. He took advantage of me and held me back from finding my parents. Harry and our friends have done more in the last day than Ron did for me in the last 2 years."

"Yes I know. I thought if you had your parents back you wouldn't need us anymore. That you wouldn't want to be with Ron anymore. That's why I had you get rid of them. I made you send them away with a compulsion."

"What are you saying mom? That you, that you purposely. That you made Hermione send her parents off to Australia? That you did give her those potions?" Ron was spluttering and turning red.

Molly smiled sadly, "You've always been such a good boy. Even in spite of your limit's you tried. You did."

Ron looked like he had been hit in the gut. He spun to Hermione, "Herms I didn't know. I honestly didn't know."

Molly stopped him, " Of course not Ronald. You're a good boy but you just don't know the first thing about being an adult. I babied you far too much I guess. It was my fault. I had the other boys and Ginny and thought they'd carry on for us. They'd give me grand-kids first. But after all that happened. After Percy and Fred left us, and George well... and Charlie is in Romania with his dragons again. And Ginny...I'm sorry dear. We never told you. But after the torture you went through at Hogwarts you can't have children."

"So you rigged things to keep Hermione and me apart? To make Ginny love me when she doesn't even like being with guys. You purposely did all that knowing what you knew?" Harry was straining not to shout but his anger was building up. He wanted to smash things. Only the hand of Hermione holding his, Only Ginny putting her hand on his arm kept Molly Weasley from feeling his wrath. Old woman or not. Surrogate mother to him during some of his most painful times or not. She had betrayed not only him but the people he cared about, the people he loved.

Molly hung her head. Ron had gotten up and moved away from her. Either because he was afraid Harry was going to lash out at her or because he didn't want to associate with her anymore. He was shaking his head like a horse with a fly.

"Yes Harry I did. The war took so much away from us. Away from my family. Arthur has no eyes now. The Burrow was burned to the ground. I lost 3 of my sons. I...I lost so much...I just wanted us to be a happy family again. To...to have a full house again." She broke down and started crying.

Ginny got on her knees and held her mother. She tried to comfort her. Harry stopped talking and looked around. This was not going the way he thought it would. Instead of a lying manipulative harridan he found a sad, desperate woman whose pain at losing her family and seeing her dreams shattered had broken her. Had made her think doing reprehensible things would make it better. He looked at Hermione she was staring at Molly in shock. He looked around at his friends and they where wearing expressions of sadness, of pity, of shock. Lavender was waving her wand in a pattern at the matriarch of the Weasley clan that meant she was casting diagnostic spells.

Ron stepped up and hugged his mother. Her crying became more labored as did her breathing. "Ron...Ron look at me. Don't be angry with Hermione. She has to follow her heart. I knew it was Harry she loved but I knew you loved her. That you had hoped to work things out with her. I knew you wanted to spend your life with her..." Her voice began to grow weaker as her face began to become pale and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She grasped at her chest.

Lavender pushed forward and started running diagnostic spells over her. Ron and Ginny stood there silently watching. Their mother's rasping breaths interspersed with low groans. Lavender pulled out some potions and shoved a pair of them down Molly's throat.

Lavender pulled a mirror out of her purse, "Saint Mungo's Emergency Communication. Healer technician Lavender Brown"

"Comm center Please state the nature of your medical emergency."

"I have a female, 50 years old. She appears to be having a heart attack. Severe chest pain. Pulse is elevated. She is becoming stuperous. Breathing is labored. Calming draught and pain reliever administered. I need to clear the portkey receiving pad in 30 seconds."

"Affirmative receiving has been notified. activate portkey on the jump in 30 from my mark. MARK!"

Lavender turned "Grab on Ron, Ginny." She said as she pulled a small rope out of her bag and looped it around her wrist and Molly's. Ginny grabbed on.

Ron froze. He looked at Hermione who said, "Go Ron. We'll talk later." He grabbed just as Lavender's portkey activated and they where whisked away.

Everyone froze staring at the empty spot. Neville came up, "What happened?"
Luna shook her head, "The shock of facing what she did was too much. In the end she was just a sad scared old woman who hurt too much."

"Do you think she'll be alright?" Hermione was looking worried.

Luna tilted her head. "She is overweight, out of shape and her magical core has been weakened by her emotional trauma. She has a 40% probability of surviving. Quite sad."

Everyone turned and looked at her. Neville put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Everyone knew Molly Weasley and none of them wanted to see her die. They had been upset she had potioned Harry, Hermione and Ginny but they just wanted her to apologize. Nothing more.

Minerva sighed, "it's not surprising. She has been under a lot of stress. We all have. I'm sorry that had to happen though, I know all of you are."

Luna nodded, "Yes we are. I am also hungry. Did you bring the lunch basket Hannah?"

Hannah standing with a pair of baskets floating gently behind her seemed to snap out of her stupor. "Uh yeah. I brought some sandwiches and crisps and butterbeer and some seltzer for you Luna."

"And some pudding?"

"Yeah we had some vanilla."

"Good." She moved back to the picnic tables and lengthened one for everyone to fit around. Harry helped Minerva to join them. As the friends began to pass their food around and make small talk Luna hummed a small soft song.

Eating quietly Luna looked to Padma, "So how did your research go?"

"Oh it went pretty good. Out of all the database there was only about a dozen dentists named Granger or Wilkins or any variant of those."

Hermione started looking hopeful at that. "That's not a very large number to work with."

"No it's not. Also looking at the records for death certificates none of them are dead. Also immigration controls showed that only 4 Wilkins and 2 Grangers immigrated there in the last 3 years. They did so a little over a year ago."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. "Two Grangers? Mom, Dad?" She whispered

Padma smiled pulling some pieces of paper out of her bag and handing them to Hermione. "Yeah out of the entire Australia database there was only one dentist in Sydney who was named Daniel Granger. Residing in the same office according to the license was a dentist named Emma Granger. Address and telephone number in Sydney is on the printout."

Hermione's face was aglow with joy and hope. "Thank you. Thank you. How did you figure all of this out Padma?"

"Your parents are muggles. They would have done things the muggle way. I just looked in the internet public databases through the library computers and there you go."

Hermione shook her head, "I am really out of touch with things."

Neville chuckled, "Well I have something too you know. I heard back from my friend in their ministry. Apparently there was a muggle couple about a year ago who was causing a major fuss taking out ads in newspapers in Sydney wanting to contact any wizards or representatives of Gringott's bank. They were also going to all kinds of those new age shops trying to find the wizarding world, being quite loud about talking about wanting to get a wand or to see Gringott's. They didn't know what happened to them but there wasn't an obliviate order or anything on file. So it must have been dealt with because the ads stopped about 6 months ago."

Hermione laughed. "That sounds like my dad. He was never the subtle type."

Harry wrapped Hermione in his arms, "We can grab an international portkey and be there by breakfast local time. Or fly there I guess."

"That's a long way on a broom." Hannah shivered.

"Um actually I was going to suggest an airplane." Harry chuckled.

Hannah actually blushed, "Oh yeah. I forgot."

Hermione was still staring at the printout like it would open a magic doorway to her parents. "I think we can forgive you Hannah." Harry said.

"Thank you all. I thought we where going to have to go door to door or something stupid. You've shown me why you guys are the best friends a person can have."

"Of course Harry. Remember Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure. Padma is a Ravenclaw too."

"Of course guys. I knew there was a reason I kept you around."
"I thought it was just because you get to see my breasts frequently."

"That too." Harry said laughing, burying his head in Hermione's hair.

"Hermione?" Susan tugged at her sleeve to get her attention.

Hermione was on the verge of tears but she smiled to Susan. She leaned back into Harry's arms. "I'm going to see my parents. They're alive and okay. OH dear god what if they don't want to see me?" She suddenly looked like she was going to have a panic attack. Harry was hugging her and nuzzling her hair trying to calm her down.
Luna came around and took her hands, "Hermione. If your parents are the Daniel and Emma Granger in Sydney and they have tried to contact the wizarding world it seems that they would not reject you out of hand. They would be wanting to give you a chance as they must have tried to contact you."

Hermione's breathing settled down as she looked into Luna's silvery blue eyes. The love and peace she felt in those eyes made her nod and accept that.

"You're right Luna I'm just panicking."

"Only natural given the way things happened. Love does conquer a great many things."

Hermione hugged Luna gently. Afraid to hurt the girl or the babies.

"Okay we should go to Saint Mungo's and check on Molly. Then pack and catch the evening portkey to Sydney?"

Harry nodded, "If that's what you want to do then that's what we'll do."

Everyone agreed and wished them good luck. Harry and Hermione thanked everyone for their help and promised to let them know what happened. Harry gave Hannah some Galleons to pay for their lunch which she reluctantly accepted saying Rosmerta had sent the picnic when she found out who it was for but Harry would have none of it.

Professor McGonnegal did manage to get Harry and Hermione to promise to come and visit her a few more times before school started again. She also hoped to be able to be there at their wedding, hinting that they should not tarry much.

Arriving at Saint Mungo's it took them a few minutes to find the ward where Molly had been moved to. When they did they counted the redheads and saw that all of the remaining Weasley's where there except Arthur. Ginny saw them first and came over.

"Hey guys. She's in recovery right now. Lavender says she had a heart attack and needs to sleep for a few. Dad is in sitting with her now."

"Ok. Is her... Will she recover?" Harry had to compose himself.

"Lavender says that they got to her in time so it's likely. She's just going to have to slow down and take it easy. Ron's going to move them into his flat now that he has some room."

Hermione flinched a little at that which made Ginny grab her arm. "No it's okay. We talked and he understands now. I think. As much as he can with his thick skull."

Speaking of Ron must have gotten his attention as he slowly carefully came over. Like a beaten dog afraid to approach a person. "Hey Hermione, Harry."

"Hello Ron." Hermione neutrally replied to him. Observing that he had used her name instead of the nickname he thought was a term of endearment that she hated.

"Can we talk?"

"Yes Harry and I came to see how you guys where doing."

Ron's smile flickered briefly before he nodded. They sat in the corner of the waiting room away from George and Bill. George was sitting staring into space, occasionally nodding to nothing and no-one. Bill's werewolf scarred face with his eye-patch never left the magazine but Hermione felt that he was aware and watching them. His predatory senses on alert for any conflict. It was a shame that Fleur had died as she was the only woman who had managed to look past his visage and beastly problem as she called it to see the man he still was.

"So um. About what mom did. Like I said I had no idea. I thought you and I had just finally worked things out."

"No Ron. There never was an us. There could never be an us in that way. I like you. I really do but as a brother, as a friend. Too much happened. You let us down one time too many."

"Yeah I know. I've been thinking about that. I was a right prat a lot."

Harry chuckled, "Yeah but you where a good friend too at times. So I guess it evened out."

"So now what?"

Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "Can you accept that I love Harry and WILL be marrying him. I've really loved him since our first year. I should have made it clear but we where all so distracted and caught up and broken."

Harry hugged her, "Hey I wasn't exactly paying attention either."

"No you weren't. But here we are now."

"I'm willing to try. I do care about you too Hermione. And I want to still be your friend. We where the golden trio they said."

"yeah."

They settled into a silence. Every time the door to the room opened with a nurse or healer coming or going they expected to hear bad news. Eventually George seemed to drift off to sleep.

"So how is George handling this?"

Ron sighed with a frown, "I'm not sure he understands whats going on. Hes really out there still."

Harry sighed, "If only we could have done more."

Ron shrugged, "You couldn't be everywhere. And you had a bigger problem to deal with."

"I know.

Silence ruled again for what seemed ages. The slow ticking of the clock in the corner sounding louder and louder. Eventually Lavender came over and sat beside Ron. "Your mom is coming around. We'll know if there's going to be any long term affects soon." She then got back up and went in with the other healers.

Ron hung his head and stared at the floor. Ginny turned to Hermione, "So how did the research go? Did they find your parents?"

Hermione nodded with a small smile. "Yeah Padma tracked them down using the internet and government databases. We have their address and phone number and everything."

"Wow that did not take long."

"No it didn't it was almost like they where leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for us."

Ron looked up and smiled, "Well that's cool. When are you leaving?"

"Tonight. We'll get an international port-key and be there for breakfast."

"Nice. Well good luck."

"Thanks Ron. We'll stay here a few longer and then go."

"Okay thanks."

Silence. Silence stretching as the waiting continued.

Finally Lavender came out said something to Bill who smiled and went into the room. She came over to the others who stood up and looked hopeful. "Okay She's doing good. She's resting comfortably and is awake. Healer Bricker says that only 2 can visit right now. She needs her rest but it looks like we got her here in time. She should make it."

Ron looked like he was going to collapse back into the chair in relief. Ginny turned and hugged Hermione and Harry then Lavender. "That's good news." Harry was relieved. "Can you tell her we visited and that we are not angry with her."

Ron nodded. His voice still lost.

"We need to go now Ron. But we can talk more later." Hermione said giving him a brief hug. Nothing more than you would a sibling.

"Okay. And really Good luck and ..." He couldn't finish. His emotions where piling up like a train wreck. Clearing his throat he tried again. "Good luck guys. I am happy for you."

"Thanks Ron. And We're glad your mom is going to recover." Harry said giving him a gentle one armed hug too. With a hug for Ginny they left.

Going back to Grimmould place they each packed an overnight bag. Told Kreacher that Ginny was still allowed to come and go as she pleased and that Ron could as long as he was with her. Kreacher grumped about that but didn't argue.

They went to arrange travel to Australia which took a couple of hours. By the time they arrived in Australia it was Saturday morning. The local customs official saw their names on their paperwork and called over a supervisor. This made Harry a bit concerned.

"Mr Potter? Miss Granger? Welcome to Australia. I'm Adam Beckworth. Could you come with me for a few moments."

"Whats this about? Is there any problems?" Harry was ready and on alert. Hermione tensed beside him.

Beckworth laughed, "I'm sorry. No there is no problem. There was just a flag on your names by the ministry to let them know if you arrived here. It's good news. You're not in trouble."

Harry relaxed a little bit and nodded. They followed Beckworth into a nice lounge and not a secured room. "Would you care for anything to eat or drink? It must be dinner time back in the U.K. right now."

"Something light would be good. Its actually past dinner. We've had a hectic day."

Beckworth spoke to someone outside the room and then sat down. "Judging form what I've read about your civil war that could mean anything from a dragon horse attack to you misplaced your shoes."

"Somewhere in between." Harry chuckled.

They chatted about local weather and other polite subjects. Beckworth treating them like normal people. A small tray of light foods and some drinks was brought in. Local foods that Harry had never tried before and found interesting.

After a bit a tall attractive blonde man came in wearing a suit that screamed government agent. "Hello Mr Potter, Miss Granger. Sorry if we scared you any. We had flagged your names to speak with you a bit before. Is Mr Weasley going to be joining you?"

"Uh no. He has some family issues going on right now." Hermione explained.

"Oh that's unfortunate. I hope it turns out okay."

"It should. His mother had a heart attack but she was resting well when we left."

"Oh my. That can be rough. Okay speaking of mothers. I take it you're here about your parents Miss Granger?"

They sat up and she almost dropped her drink, "Yes I am. Do you know what is going on with them. I have an address for them a friend found."

"Okay, Okay. Just relax and breath they are fine. They are no doubt at the address you have. We just wanted to know about why they where memory charmed in the first place. I understand the war up there was a bad time. Oh and we really appreciate you taking care of that before it spread. We where wondering how bad things where going to get before we needed to step in. But uh anyhow you're not in trouble we just like to have all the paperwork in its proper order you know."

Hermione buried her face in her hands. Harry put his arm around her and explained.

"My Fiancee was placed under a compulsion spell by a person who thought they were helping and doing the right thing. She regrets that happened and that it took so long to get things straightened out so we could come here."

"Ah yes. After talking to the Grangers we determined that it did seem out of character for her to do so. Although given the circumstances we could understand the desire to protect family. I have no idea how I would have reacted."

Hermione looked up. "Thank you for that. Have you told them yet that we're here?"

"No I'm the agent in charge and wanted to meet with you first. Your parents are very formidable people when they choose to."
"So what happened with them?"

"Oh they entered the country as Wendell and Monica and where living their life when they suddenly had total recall. At that point they began to attempt to contact the wizarding world or otherwise get our attention."

"Sounds like my dad." Hermione smiled.

"Yes well they managed to finally attract our attention enough which led to an investigation of how two muggles seemed so well versed in our culture. When it was discovered who they where we placed them under protective observation. Although we did not see much trouble from your dark lord he did send a few feelers out to recruit some of our less polite elements."

"Where they ever in danger?"

"Not entirely. However it was only by sheer luck. Most of the local criminals where not aware of their connection to you."

Hermione gasped, "But they're okay?"

"Oh yes. They have a very nice practice in a medium scale neighborhood. They have friends on both sides of the magical fence here. So all in all they are doing pretty good I would say."

Hermione's face fell, "Oh."

"You don't seem as happy."

"I am I was just kinda hoping they wanted to come home."

"Well I don't know what they want beyond asking that if we ever heard anything about you to let them know."

Hermione sighed and bit her lip. A childhood habit that looked like it was never going away.

"Now this person who did the compulsion they felt they where trying to help?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah they wanted to see that Mione's parents would not be in the way of anything that happened."

The agent looked at Hermione who nodded. "Yeah that's what happened."

The agent sighed but nodded, "Okay well then lets move on. Will you be staying long?"

"I don't know. Nor do I know where we will be staying. Probably a hotel. We don't want to impose on anyone."
"Ok Mr Potter that will be just fine. We'll give you a 30 day tourist visa to give you plenty of time to get things figured out and maybe enjoy the local sights. Also here is a packet with the local information like applicable major laws, location of magical districts and such. Contact information for the various agencies including appropriate code words to use when contacting muggle officials." He said handing each of them a slim official looking welcome packet. Harry and Hermione took them. Standing after the agent did understanding that the interview was over.

"Okay I leave you in the capable hands of Beckworth here and welcome you to Australia. Thank you for what you've done." He said shaking the both of their hands then leaving.

"Well I'm sure you're more than ready to get on with things. Lets get you a car and send you on your way." Beckworth said standing up and leading the way out.

"You're being rather helpful do you do this for every tourist?" Harry joked on the way out.

"No. But then the two of you are not exactly common tourists are you? I must admit we where a bit concerned when your parents first turned up and told us what happened to them. And I know you left a few things out of your description but we can understand and forgive it."

"Thank you. It really was an accurate description if only a little bit vague." Hermione explained.

"No problem." Beckworth spoke to a few people on the way out. Soon they where standing in front of a low glass building not far from the airport. A car pulling up to drive them to her parents. The address already known by the driver.

The trip was done mostly in silence. The driver trying to make some small talk and point out various sights along the way but realizing that the passengers where more anxious than interested eventually lapsed into silence. Hermione stared resolutely straight ahead. Gripping Harry's hand like a lifeline. Harry knew that trying to do anything to get his beloved to calm down right now would be useless. She had faced death eaters, torture from Bellatrix, fought Nagini by his side, but facing her parents scared her more than anything else. She loved her parents and where afraid that they would no longer be close. That they would be so angry they would turn her away and reject her.

They arrived in a nice neighborhood with pretty houses set back from the street. A pale pink single story house with an orange tile roof was their destination. A Green Range Rover sat out front in the driveway. The yard neat and tidy with a few ornaments.

The driver asked if they needed him to stay and Harry shook his head. They would stay and talk and get a taxi if they had to. Then they turned and walked up the short path from the driveway to the front door. It had already opened and tall brown haired man with a receding hairline stood there staring with the beginnings of a smile on his face, his brown eyes never leaving the two walking up his path. The woman that was behind had long wavy brown hair. Her hazel eyes watering up with tears already. When Hermione and Harry where only a few feet away she leaped off the front patio and enveloped Hermione in a hug that Harry could feel the love from. He also noted when she after uncountable moments turned that hug on him that this was where Hermione had learned how to hug. His ribs where compressed and breathing was becoming questionable when her mother released him only to hug Hermione again.

Looking over his shoulder he saw the driver smile and wave as he departed back to his other duties. By the time Harry had turned back he was facing Hermione's father. He was grinning like a fool and taking his turn at hugging the two of them in an awkward manly way. But given how few time he had been hugged by people who wanted to hug him he did not mind.

After several minutes of nothing but hugging and crying they broke apart and composed themselves.

"Mom, Dad, this is Harry Potter. My fiance."

That set off another round of handshakes and hugs and crying. It was several more minutes before they could get inside and sitting down. The cool air helping refresh everyone.

"Wow you look a lot better than even your pictures Harry." Hermione's mother said smiling at him.

"Oh and to properly introduce ourselves I'm Daniel and this is Emma."

"hello sir, ma'am."

"You're family I think Dan and Emma will do or mom and dad if you want. Or hey you. That will work too." He said with a grin.

"You guys are okay? I didn't hurt you when I, When I did that to you?" Hermione's voice quavered with the emotional effort and feelings she had tumbling inside

Emma and Dan looked at each other before sighing, "When we first woke up and remembered who we were and figured out what happened we where angry. Then we realized that there must have been a reason for it." Emma said.

"Only thing was we where in a foreign land, no idea how to contact the magical people, no idea what was going on back home. So we started trying to get their attention." Daniel pointed out.

"We remembered how much they wanted to keep things quiet you said so we started a massive attention seeking program. Newspaper ads, going to various new age stores, even finding people who looked odd and talking to them using terms like Quidditch and butterbeer. Asking the way to Gringott's"

"Eventually we got contacted by a member of the Australian government and we convinced them that we had a magical daughter in the U.K. Apparently a very famous daughter." Daniel said swelling with pride.

"They helped us get information about you, about what was going on, what had happened. We saw how bad things had been. How many people died. So we understood more about why you might have done that. Why you might need to take some time to wait before coming back to talk to us."

"And now you're here. So how are you doing? Obviously things worked out rather well." Daniel was smiling again.

Harry held Hermione's hand radiating joy. "Yeah in the end it has."

They spent the day talking. Learning that the Granger's had been getting copies of various magical magazines and newspapers including the Daily Prophet. They had remembered who they where far too late for the Quibbler as Xeno had died.

They told the Granger's about their being potioned and controlled. How they had managed to be released and how their friends helped them with their fight, with their research, with their recovery.

It was several days when everything that had happened over the last 3 years with both pairs had been finally brought to the current date. The Grangers had waited for her to come to them but admitted if she hadn't in another year they where going to go back and find her. They introduced some of the friends they had made in Australia and their new life. Showed Hermione and Harry their new office.

They toured the magical area of Sydney and contacted their friends back home to let them know how they where doing and to ask after Molly Weasley. They learned that she and Arthur had moved in with Ron. George and Bill where living over the shop. Bill was dating Millicent Bulstrode. Who it seemed had been scarred by Greyback herself on the orders of Voldemort as her parents had wavered in their support. The two where not full lycanthropes but shared enough characteristics that others shunned and feared them. But she was kind and gentle with George feeling that his fragile personality needed a strong protective sister.

Ginny had gotten her position as chaser and reserve seeker on the Harpies. Apparently her and Hannah had also begun to date as Hannah came out to her. This made the both of them happy.

The Grangers had adapted to Australia and while they still had friends and family in the U.K. They where not sure they wanted to go back. With magic now that they knew she was safe and that both Hermione and her parents wanted to remain family it would not be as difficult to live in Australia and visit. Aside from the time difference.

Harry and Hermione enjoyed their time visiting with her parents. They had magical friends with children that they where honorary aunts and uncle to. Their life was really different and they wanted the Potters, as they had already called Hermione and Harry, to be involved. Harry was a bit embarrassed when he was shown the scrapbook with all sorts of news articles about the Golden Trio. Daniel though told him he knew that no matter what his daughter was going to marry him given how she had written about him since that first year.

Eventually though all good things must come to an end and Harry and Hermione returned home. Hannah and Ginny where very happy to see them and wanted to make sure that if Ginny moved in with Hannah would they be made. Harry and Hermione gave their blessings and even helped her move. It would be a rough relationship with Ginny spending a lot of time on the road with the team but she wanted to try and make it work with Hannah.

Ginny had also gone to the healers to find out what her mother had talked about with the lack of her producing children. Apparently some of the dark curses and potions she had been forced to be on the receiving end of during the time the Carrows where ruling the school had left her sterile. Her ovaries shriveled and destroyed. Her womb torn and unable to accept an egg even if artificial insemination had been tried when Hermione told her about the muggle procedure. The dark magic having hurt her internal organs far too much to be healed.

A month later Luna had the twins. Frank and Alice Longbottom the second. Fraternal twins who shared blonde hair and blue eyes. Luna and Neville where both happy and proud to have such beautiful children. The remains of the DA made sure the children never lacked for love or physical contact. Luna's nursing was as her usual personality in front of whomever happened to be there when the babies where hungry. Everyone got used to it.

By Christmas of that year Harry and Hermione where shuttling back and forth to Australia at least once or twice a month for several days. Hannah and Ginny where living together in Hogsmeade and doing quite well at it. Their friendship with Harry and Hermione was still going strong. Ron and Lavender had begun to date and where looking to be a serious thing as Ron had grown quite a bit once he realized who and what he was and accepted it. His family had grown stronger by selling the shop and moving to a smaller place in the edge of Hogsmeade. Floo travel making London just a step away.

Harry took up his seat on the Wizengamut when it was back in session and along with Neville began to work on passing werewolf rights laws and other progressive reforms. His fiancee Hermione just happening to be his chief secretary and advisor had nothing to do with some of the reforms he began to push.

Bill and Millicent discovered that they had a lot more in common than just their furry problems. They shared a love of food, adventure and wilderness. Taking long hikes through the valley and hills around Hogsmeade. So they decided to go ahead and get married the week after Christmas.

Padma had begun a relationship with a muggle patron of the library. He was a nice guy and very much into computers and cooking. Susan as she lived at the castle helped Lavender out with George sometimes too. Her patience with animals being very helpful to bringing George out of his shell. He begun to respond and rejoin the human race slowly.

Winter turned to spring which turned to summer. Harry and Hermione got married in the summer, Luna was expecting again which was not a surprise. Neville stood beside Harry along with Ron and his brother George who was far better than he had been. Luna was Hermione's Matron of Honor and Hannah, Susan, Ginny and Padma her maids. Her father had a proud smile as he walked her down the aisle to Harry's side. She took Harry's last name as she said some husbands where worth it.

Ir was only a month later that Hermione joined Luna in the pregnancy club. Her son came the following spring and was named after her father and Harry's. Daniel James Potter had deep brown eyes that melted the hearts of everyone but a fine shock of raven black hair. Luna gave birth just before that to another son. This one she named Phoebus Alexander Longbottom. That way he would always be their pal. Neville just shook his head but they had to scrape him off the ceiling he was so proud to have another son.

Ron and Lavender married a few months after that. Their baby already on the way as they had patience problems.

Arthur never got to hold his grandson as he passed away the winter before he was born. They named their child after him and Fred. Molly Weasley was a kind and doting grandma to him until she passed the next winter.

Hermione began to work on various charms and potions to see if she could help people with serious health problems. Including Ginny who Hermione saw hold her nephew with a bittersweet look. The research would eventually pan out as she discovered a cure for lycanthropy and the ability to regrow organs that had been destroyed by dark magic. She even figured a way to magically repair eyes to perfect vision. Something that had never been done before.

She had two more children with Harry, a daughter named Lily Luna, and another son William Sirius. Their three children grew up to carry on the Potter name with honor and grace. Lily Luna becoming a great healer in her time, Daniel James played professional Quidditch then became a teacher of charms and eventually headmaster of Hogwarts. William Sirius was the least like his namesake and became a solicitor. He eventually became the last minister of magic as the muggle and magical worlds reunited. Lily Luna married Phoebus Longbottom to the surprise of none. They had grown up together and been inseparable as long as anyone had known them.

Neville and Luna had several more children. Some with nice normal mundane sounding names and some with more magical names. None of them where made to feel less than special and important. Each of them were encouraged to find their own path and follow their heart. One was a poet, another became a scientist helping infuse herbology and potions into muggle medicine. One daughter was a housewife. Another became an actress.

When the legal process caught up with the heart Hannah and Ginny married. They had loved and cared for each other many times over by then the paperwork just made it official they joked. Harry having been asked to be a donor to help them have a child each with Hermione's permission. Ron half-joking that if their mom could see them now she would have been excited since Ginny had her Harry baby. Ginny only halfheartedly slapped him as she knew the truth was not far off.

Ron and Lavender had a small handful of children. Fewer than Luna and Neville amazingly enough. Each of their children shared the blazing red hair of the Weasley genetics but fortunately took after their mother in the brains department, according to Ron himself. Ron's middle son was a miracle worker in that he led the Chudley Cannons to their first league championship. Ever. Ron tried to push for him to get an Order of Merlin which the ministry actually considered briefly in shock at the achievement.

George finally begun to live again and realized that Susan was the reason why. He asked her to marry him and she was proud to say yes. They had a pair of children and many animals on the farm they moved to in the valley.

Hogsmeade began to grow and thrive. The village became a town and eventually became the middle of wizarding culture. Hogwarts had been repaired and expanded. Minerva passing the torch on to others who carried on the finest traditions of imparting wisdom and knowledge to the magical youth of the UK.

Time passed and all good things had to come to an end. The Granger parents passed, Minerva, Filius even the little half goblin buried with honors by the Goblin nation. Bill crossed over first out of the generation who had faced Voldemort's rebirth. Millicent had given him two fine sons who did not carry their problems. Although they did enjoy their steaks a bit on the bloodier side.

George was next to go. Leaving to be with Fred again, the two halves united once more.

Hermione reached her 118th birthday and crossed over. She had lived a long full and happy life with Harry. Achieving many reforms of wizarding society in her time as Harry's aide on the Wizengamut and then on her own standing as Minister for Magic. Her children had children and they had children. Harry joined her only weeks later unable to live without her and dying of a broken heart everyone agreed.

Ron crossed over a year later. His wife by his side still. Their children had found them together holding hands having crossed over in the same night. No foul play or accident was discovered it seemed they had simply both met death as an old friend sitting on their couch and going to sleep watching the television.

Padma and her husband had a good life together. Since he was a muggle he crossed far before her. Their children where a good mix of magical and mundanes. She loved all of them equally though and told them of her sister. Keeping her memory alive. Parvati welcomed Padma home in love proud of how she had lived.

Susan and Hannah and Ginny passed within months of each other in their 130s. Hannah outliving her spunky firebrand as she called her by only a few months.

Neville and Luna knew as the only ones remaining from the original group that they did not want the legacy of their friends, their family to be lost or forgotten soon. Neville spent the last years of his life getting the memorial at Hogsmeade modified to add all those who lived through the battle but had fought and stood together with honor. He did not get to see the results as he passed over just as construction began.

Luna was sitting alone on a bench at the memorial. The sun was setting and she knew she would be joining her friends soon. She looked up and saw the shining dot of the Granger Station in orbit far overhead. Her grandson had a sense of humor when he took command and renamed the place after his maternal grandmother. She felt a small shiver as she looked at the shadow standing nearby, quietly waiting. She felt an urge to walk one last time around. Touching each of the sides of the plinth. Not reading the names as she knew them all by heart. Her friends. Her family. Her classmates and teachers. She had outlived them all.

She stopped at the smaller plinths along the outer edge of the circle. Each one holding a set of names. Those who had survived the war. Had fought in these streets of Hogsmeade, in the halls of the school. Those who had rallied against the fall of the Ministry. Her dear husband Neville's name she stopped and kissed with her fingers. "It won't be long my sweet Bumperskin. I hope there's pudding there."

She sat back on her favorite bench. The one that had the best view of the valley, the school and the memorial. She saw that the shadow had joined her.

"Hello Harry. It turned out to be a nice evening."

The shadow resolved itself into the form of her friend Harry Potter. The grin on his face and chuckle was healthy and warm, he looked so young Luna thought. "Hello Luna. How did you know it was me?"

"You were the Master of Death you know. So it's finally time?" She smiled softly at him.

"Yeah. I asked to do this as a favor. I wanted a friend to come for you. So you ready?"

"I suppose. It has been rather lonely without all of you, especially Neville."

Harry Master of Death Potter chuckled, "Well he's been waiting patiently for you. He's got a great spot picked out he wants to show you in the gardens. And Hermione is going crazy talking to all the great researchers and authors. Let's just say the library up there is second to none."

"Up there?"

"Yeah up there. Believe it or not we all made it. Your mom and dad are proud of you."

"Will it hurt?" She asked suddenly child like in her voice and concern.

Harry hugged her. "Never for you my sweet moon-child. We will be there as easy as stepping across a door."

Standing up Luna sighed, "Then I suppose its time. Shall we Harry?"

He stood up and took her hand. A small breeze blew across the monument stirring the silvery white hair of the elderly woman who might have fallen asleep on the bench. The last rays of light illuminated the plaque on the entry to the memorial.

"This memorial is dedicated in peace and love to all who crossed through the veil before us and in the hopes that we shall meet them again. May the memory of them never be forgotten."