Hello everyone! This chapter is slightly longer than usual because I have a couple of one shots going up to the Epilogue to show some happy memories of the two. I've enjoyed writing this story immensely and I cannot believe that it is finished. I hope you've enjoyed reading and I thank you for your time to read and share your thoughts about this story.

Chapter 38

Hermione POV

Harry's messy black hair was guiding Ron and Hermione towards the gargoyle that guarded the head's office. The statue allowed the trio to climb into the spiral, stone staircase. When her friend pushed the door to enter the office, they were caught off guard by the applause that filled the room.

All of the portraits of the past headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts were giving him a standing ovation. He went over to the largest painting of Dumbledore and he held up the Elder Wand. "I don't want this."

"What? Are you mental?" Ron cried out loudly as his blue eyes bugged out in disbelief at the words that Harry just said.

"I know it's powerful. But I was happier with mine." He began to rummage around in the pouch that hung around his neck, and pulled out the two halves of holly still just connected by the finest thread of phoenix feather. He laid the broken wand upon the headmaster's desk, touched it with the very tip of the Elder Wand and uttered, "Reparo."

"I don't believe it." Hermione let out a small whisper, knowing that his wand was beyond ability to be fixed by even the best and most established wandmakers.

His wand resealed, red sparks flying out of the tip. He smiled and picked up the holly and phoenix wand. "I'm putting the Elder Wand back where it came from. It can stay there. If I die a natural death like Ignotus, its power will be broken, won't it? The previous master will never have been defeated. That'll be the end of it?"

Dumbledore nodded and the two smiled at each other.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked.

"I think Harry's right." She insisted, smiling at her friend. "The wand's more trouble than it's worth."

Harry nodded in agreement. "And quite honestly, I've had enough trouble for a lifetime. Do you think Kreacher would bring me a sandwich to the Gryffindor dorms? I think I fancy a nap."

Ron and Hermione let out a laugh as they helped their friend to his destination of choice. Ron decided that a nap sounded pretty good as well and the two boys began to drift away after sinking their teeth into a roast beef sandwich.

She was good at keeping her promise and went to search for George. Her heart dropped slightly when she found him sitting next to Fred, waiting for it to be his brother's turn to be taken away from the battle scene. His hand was clutching his twin's.

"George?" She asked in a small voice as she sat next to him.

"I can't leave him here. Not until they take him to the funeral home. He's next in line to go. They just took Tonks and Remus." It looked like he had been crying.

"I wish I would've known you were all alone." Hermione said as she rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "I wish I'd been here with you."

"I needed this time." He smiled and kissed the top of her head as the two funeral home directors apparated to the spot in front of him. "Fred Weasley. My parents had already given you lot the will."

The two tired looking men nodded and waved their wands, raising the late prankster's body up and onto a gurney looking object. "We will OWL your family with more information as soon as possible with arrangements."

George gave a single nod as the Portkey that the men had took Fred with them in a pop. Hermione squeezed George as tightly as she could, willing for him to feel her in the moment and not be lost in the sea of grief about losing his brother. "There's time for mourning, I think I'd rather walk around the Lake. Would you join me?"

She smiled at him and took his hand as they walked towards the Black Lake in companionable silence, just happy to have the other's hand in their own.

August 1998

After several months of mourning and rebuilding, Hogwarts was opening back up. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was doing so well that Ron had decided to work there and help his brother and Lee. He didn't want to become an Auror when he realized how much tests went into being one.

Hermione smiled as she walked up to George as he was changing the sign from OPEN to CLOSED. "Good day?"

"Back to school season is causing all of the young Hogwarts students to go crazy with the idea of pranking. I'm not surprised with how strict last year was… McGonagall has got her hands full." He let out a chuckle as he cast the wards and threw down his apron onto the bright countertop. "Ready for dinner?"

She reached her hand out to him and was surprised when his other hand reached over to the shelf next to the door and grabbed at a marble she didn't notice before. The secret porktey pulled them away by their naval and she landed onto the grass with a thud. "I hate you, George Fabian Weasley! Warn me next time we travel by Porktey!"

"Sorry, love." He kissed her cheek. "That would've ruined the surprise." His bright eyes danced with mischief and nerves.

She looked around at her surroundings and saw that they were in the town that was near Shell Cottage. "Georgie. What on earth are we doing here?"

He walked them alongside the cliff that overlooked the sea with his hand firmly around hers. "I remember thinking about this place a lot during the war. It was the place that I got to see you when you were on the run. I knew you were safe, well, you were alive."

She squeezed his hand firmly. "You and I always found our way back to each other."

He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. "That's kind of why I wanted to be here right now." George stopped walking and turned to her with a big smile plastered on his freckled face before he sank down onto a knee. "Hermione Jean Granger… you're the most brilliant and brave woman that I know. You make me feel like the most amazing and loved man in the entire world. We fought a war and came out on the other side with each other. We've faced so many battles and hard times, I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. I wouldn't want to face any of my demons or my victories with anyone else but you, Hermione. I love you so much. Will you do me the incredible honor to spend the rest of our lives together? Will you marry me?"

Tears spilled out of her eyes and she nodded her head furiously. "Yes! Yes! Of course!"

He put the beautiful and simple diamond engagement ring onto her finger before pulling her into a tight embrace and kissing her full lips. The waves in the background crashing onto shore with the wind wipping her hair around them didn't stop the moment from being perfect as their magic swirled together, causing her to feel like she was soaring.

When he pulled away, he gave her a quick peck on the tip of her nose before smiling proudly down at her. "Should we have dinner, now?" He smiled with a teasing sound on his voice before apparating them with a pop to Shell Cottage where excited voices filled the air.

"What did she say?" Ginny asked as she rushed towards her best friend with a hopeful look on her face.

"Obviously yes, she's crying, Gin." Harry teased his girlfriend before clapping George on the back. "Remember what I said, George. Treat her like a queen or I end you."

"I'll help." Ron and Ginny said in unison before giving their brother a hug.

Mrs. Weasley ran up to Hermione and began to cry about how she was so happy to have her as a daughter soon in her family. She was passed around Shell Cottage, showing off the diamond ring and crying with love and happiness filling her. Hermione kept kissing George and promising him that she would love him forever and always.

June 1999

George lost his breath as Hermione gave him a large smile from the other end of the floral aisle in the garden's of the Burrow. She was being escorted down the aisle by Ron and Harry, both looking as emotional as George was feeling.

He hadn't realized but he had started crying and Lee handed him a handkerchief from his side. George just stared, transfixed like he was under a love spell on the beautiful witch that was walking towards him in a simple and beautiful white dress.

When Hermione met him at the end of the aisle, the ministry official asked in a proper voice, "Who gives away this witch, Hermione Jean Granger?"

"I do, Harry James Potter of the Potter House."

"I do, Ronald Bilius Weasley of the Weasley and Prewett House."

"Who receives this witch?" The ministry official smiled and gestured for George to speak, but he was so lost in the gorgeous chocolate eyes of Hermione.

Lee shoved his shoulder slightly which brought him back to the present. "I receive her. George Fabian Weasley of the Weasley and Prewett House."

"Please take each other's hands while we tie the sacred vow around your wrists. This signifies staying tethered to the other during the highs and lows of your life." He waved his wand over the golden ropes as Ron and Harry secured them before sitting down in the front row. With the magic now flowing through the ropes they began to glow slightly. "Now, you'll each repeat the vows to the other and the magic at the end will bound you to the other in marriage. George, you may begin:

Do you George Fabian Weasley of the Weasley and Prewett House, accept Hermione Jean Granger as your lifemate and one true love, promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for her in times of plenty, as well as times of need, to support her with your magic during times of need and plenty, to soothe her in times of pain, and to support her in all endeavors, big and small, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I, George Fabian Weasley, accept you Hermione Jean Granger, as my constant companion and my loving wife I promise to care for you, honor you, and cherish you, for as long as we both shall live. I also vow to prank you as long as we both shall live and drive you mad." He winked and caused her to let out a giggle while hearing some chuckles from the crowd.

"And do you, Hermione Jean Granger, accept George Fabian Weasley of the Weasley and Prewett House as your lifemate and one true love, promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for him in times of plenty, as well as times of need, to support him with your magic during times of need and plenty, to soothe him in times of pain, and to support him in all endeavors, big and small, for as long as you both shall live?"

She let out a small, happy tear fall from her brown eyes as she gripped his hand tightly as the ropes glowed even a brighter and more magnificent shade of gold. "I, Hermione Jean Granger, accept you, George Fabian Weasley, as my constant companion and my loving husband. I promise to care for you, honor you, and cherish you, for as long as we both shall live. I vow to put up with your pranks and try to get you back as long as we both shall live."

The ministry official chuckled and waved his wand, vanishing the ropes, signaling that the bound was sealed. "And now, by the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife, forming the new Granger-Weasley household. You may kiss your bride."

George pulled Hermione into him tightly by the waist and dipped her while he kissed her, ignoring the cat calls and shouts from their friends and family as their magic swirled together and he was filled with such joy that Hermione was now, Hermione Jean Granger-Weasley.

October 2001

Ginny's bright red hair was tied up in some elaborate braid with some black cat ears on her head while she walked around Grimmauld Place, handing out refreshments to all of the guests at the Potter residence. Ron was drinking heartily as he had an arm slung casually around Lavendar's slim shoulders. They were dressed up as some fortune tellers that neither Hermione or George recognized, not following Divination as closely as the newest Weasley.

"Butterbeer, Hermione?" Ginny asked with a smile as her cheeks blushed from the alcohol she had been consuming that Halloween night.

"No thanks, I'm not feeling very well tonight, actually." Hermione bit the inside of her cheeks as she saw her friend's eyes narrow and stare at her and then at George.

"No…" Her friend smiled largely and glanced between the pair. "You're not."

"Well shout a bit louder, Gin. I'm sure some of the people hear haven't heard you just yet." George rolled his eyes in a joking manner. "We were going to announce it in a bit."

"Do it now!" Ginny squealed and went to go grab Harry and Bill who were in the corner discussing somethings from work.

Hermione let out a giggle. "Your sister."

"Your sister, too." George teased as he cleared his throat and stood dramatically on a coffee table in the living room. "Hello lovely party guests. Hermione and I have something exciting to announce—" he stared deep into her eyes with pride and love before turning back to the room. "She will not be joining in with the drinking festivities tonight because she's pregnant."

All the women guests swarmed Hermione and began asking her a million questions. George's brothers came up and began congratulating him. Through the sea of people, the two caught each other's eyes and smiled at each other knowing that this was the beginning of their little family.

August 2017

The vapor was dense at Platform 9 and ¾. "Where are they?" Fred II called out in annoyance. His brown eyes searching for James in the sea of people.

"They'll be here. The Potter's haven't missed the train, yet. Well except for in 1992 of course." George joked as he helped Rose push her trolly with all of her first-year items.

"George!" Hermione lightly smacked the back of his arm in a joking but scolding manner. "Don't give them any ideas."

"There, I see them!" Rose pointed with her small hand and waved over to her cousins. She ran up to Albus and gave him a big hug. She was already wearing her brand-new Hogwarts robes and beamed up to him. "Are you nervous?"

The two began to talk animatedly about the Sorting that would happen to them soon. George waved over to Ron and Lavender who were escorting their two children over to the group. "'ello, Weasleys!"

"Weasley-Granger's, how's it going?" Ron smiled at them as Lavender fixed the scarf around her neck, trying to cover the scars that were on them. "Ready for the school year?"

Hermione frowned. "We'll have an empty house. I'm not sure I'm ready for it." She looked down longingly at Rose who was inviting Stella into their conversation about the first year.

"Thankfully we still have Hugo." Lavender glanced at the youngest of their children as he talked to Lily in hushed voices. "I don't know what I'll do once he's gone too."

"Oh no. Did you see where Fred or James went?" Ginny asked with a worried look around the platform.

"I don't want to know." George said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Probably already playing a prank on someone if I had to guess."

"George! We have to take these actions seriously. McGonagall said that they were going to pass up your and Fred's record if they keep it up." She frowned and shook her head. "You should be taking it more seriously."

"I am! I am seriously proud." He winked as the two boys appeared.

"Guess what we just saw!" James called with a shout and an excited look in his eyes.

"Teddy's back there!" Fred II added.

"Snogging Victoire!" The two shouted in unison.

The adult's must not have given the boys the reactions they wanted because the two pranksters' began to continue with their rant. "Do you believe it?" Fred exclaimed and shook his head. "Our Teddy."

"Snogging our Victoire! And I asked Teddy what he was doing—" James was cut off by his mother.

"You interrupted them? You are so like Ron."

James huffed. "He said he'd come to see her off! And then he told me to go away! He's snogging her!"

"Oh, it would be lovely if they got married." Lily said with a sweet smile. "It would be such a pretty wedding. Then Teddy would really be part of the family!"

"It's nearly eleven." Hermione said with a sad tone in her voice as she pulled Fred and Rose in for a tight hug. "You better be off."

"Don't forget to give Neville our love." Ginny said to James as she hugged him.

"Mum! I can't give a professor love." James said as he looked at his mother like she was hit in the head with a bludger. "See you later Al, Rose, and Stella. Watch out for the thestrals."

"Thestrals are nothing to worry about." Harry huffed as he gave Albus a tight hug.

Rose wrapped her parents into a tight embrace again and let out a small tear. "Promise me you'll write all the time?"

"Only if you do, little lady." George gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Please write us how you got into Gryffindor."

"Or any other house." Hermione pushed his arm. "We will be happy with whatever house you end up in."

"I just hope I'm with Stella or Al." She frowned. "What if no one likes me."

"No one liked your Mum until she found these gits." George said with a smile. "You always find friends at Hogwarts."

"Did you have a hard time making friends?"

"Me?" George smiled. "I had a built in one when I came to Hogwarts with Freddie. Then Lee latched onto us. I'm sure you'll have just as easy of a time making friends, darling."

She gave them both another quick hug before darting off onto the Hogwarts Express. The others followed and the adults and younger children waved at them vigorously as the train took off towards Hogwarts.

Later that night, an owl pecked furiously at the window and George fed it a treat before sinking onto the couch with Hermione. He unfolded the parchment and saw Rose's neat handwriting on the page.

Mum and Dad

How are things at home without Fred and I? I'm sure it's rather lonely. I miss you dearly and Fred teased me and told me to get a grip since it was only the first night. I put a Ton-Tongue Toffee in his bread pudding for teasing me. (Sorry Mum, I know you had hoped I wouldn't prank anyone the first week but it's Fred so it doesn't really count!)

I got sorted into Gryffindor just like Fred and you two! Did you know that there are pictures of all of the 'famous' Gryffindor's in the common room? Mum, you and Uncle Ron and Uncle Harry have a ton of them hanging up! There're pictures of the entire family, talking about the war heroes and all. There's also a really nice picture of you, dad, and Uncle Fred standing in front of the joke shop on the grand opening. You look so young in those pictures! Professor Longbottom said that he was very proud of his alumni that he went to school with. He tried not to favor any of us even though we've seen him at family parties loads of times.

Anyways, I forgot to tell you both! Stella got sorted into Ravenclaw and Al got sorted into Slytherin so I was really nervous that I wouldn't meet anyone nice. However, my roommates and I stayed up playing Exploding Snap and they're so nice! Their names are Natalie Finnigan and Amanda Wood. Their dads knew you both they said! A Seamus Finnigan and an Oliver Wood. Apparently, the same Oliver Wood that is a professional quidditch player! She showed us a picture to prove it.

Anyways, I have plans to sit at lunch with Stella and Albus but I'm a bit nervous because Al said his friend is going to sit by them. His Slytherin friend… some kid named Scorpius Malfoy. I don't know. I'm going to keep some WWW products on me just in case he tries to mess with Stella or I. Fred and James have said that they have a bet on when I'll be caught! It's so rude, I only prank when someone is deserving of it.

Well, I should be off to bed! I have a big day of classes ahead and I want to be the top in the classes so I want to be able to pay attention! I love you both so much and.I miss you like crazy!

Yours,

Rose

Hermione let out a small giggle before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "They're all grown up now."

"Hopefully they won't have to battle a mountain troll in their first year." He chuckled and carefully tucked the letter onto the coffee table to keep for a while and read, thinking of his daughter and son. "It's strange not having either of them here, don't you think?"
"I think there's some advantages too." She smiled coy fully before climbing on top of her husband and snogging him like they were teenagers again, without a care in the world. They couldn't think of any way to spend a more perfect evening besides being wrapped into each other's arms knowing that their family was safe.

The End