The air was crisp as Harry stood with the two marauders in the cemetery. The gravestone was still as elegant as it was the day they placed it in the dirt. His heart was heavy as he set down the rose and shook his head while staring at the words.

Hermione Jean Granger

1979-2001

Loving Friend, and Daughter.

The Smartest Witch of Her Age

Gone, but never forgotten.

"I still can't believe she's been gone for six years," Harry sighed.

Sirius pouted as he patted Harry's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Harry. If it's any consolation, Death isn't that bad."

Remus rolled his eyes as he stared off toward the stones in the distance. "It wasn't as if she died in the battle. I should have told her not to go."

The animagus scowled over at his moody friend. "It's not your fault, mate."

"It's mine. I told her to go find her bliss after Ron and her split. I never expected her to go running in jungles," Harry huffed as he took off his glasses.

Sirius squeezed the Potter's shoulder and gave him the personal space to cry. Remus paced forward and pressed his fingers to her headstone. "You were too smart for this world. If I ever find out who took you from us, there will be retribution," Remus grumbled and walked off.

Sirius stepped away from Harry and lit a cigarette, smoking it with a deep measure. "Why didn't Ron come?"

Harry wiped his eyes and breathed. "He can't keep doing this. He said he needed to move on."

"I can understand that," Sirius mumbled.

"I just don't understand it, Sirius. I don't understand how I could lose her and get you back. Why can't we stop losing people we love?"

Remus was in the distance gazing out to the forest. Sirius felt this grimy film stuck to his emotions. The werewolf never admitted what happened that she just up and left for Greece to hunt for ancient magic. He was the last person to see her alive. It was a difficulty that seemed to blend with the loss of his wife. Sirius missed all of it and came back just in time to save his friend from the darkness.

There were things that the werewolf didn't speak of to Sirius. He understood after their odd history of honesty, suspicion, and loss. They were boxed away and placed distantly from their bond. Uncertainty clouded the hypothesis that Remus was connected to the little witch that was gone. It didn't much matter now. She was lost to the depths of the sea.

"Should we go have dinner?" Sirius asked after he breathed in another puff.

Harry replaced his glasses and nodded. "Yeah, probably best. Gin will have it set by the time we get back," Harry paused and straightened his coat. "Remus, are you ready?"

Remus glanced back at them and nodded. "Yes, quite," he announced and returned to the duo. "I hope Andromeda doesn't mind keeping Teddy tonight. I don't think I can be sad about her in front of him and deal with the questions."

"She'll be fine. We'll owl her when we get back," Sirius said as he wrapped his arm around Remus's shoulders. "We'll drink and get snookered."

"Good plan," Remus mumbled.

Harry glanced back at the headstone and cringed. It still, even after six years, didn't feel real. How could she really be gone?

Remus had recovered from his days of mourning and was back at work. McGonagall was generous enough to give him the days he needed. He was ready for the coming holiday time— at least it would bring happiness to his family. He was dusting the chalkboard by hand. Hermione told him how much she enjoyed that about him, and then it became a ritual. He missed her…

"Professor Lupin," a small feminine voice announced.

For a split second, he thought it was her. He pivoted to see a young Gryffindor fourth year. "Yes, Miss Rickens?"

She glanced down at her bundled books and pursed her lips. "Do you really believe there's Death Eaters left?"

He tilted his head as he turned to her entirely. "Well, it's plausible to think there might be. However, the laws placed in the ministry make it near impossible to act on their beliefs."

"So, Fulks and Grisom aren't training to be Death Eaters? Angelica told me they were. They're always threatening me and calling me names."

Remus could see the discomfort in the little muggleborn's expression. "You have nothing to fear, Miss Rickens. They are just silly schoolboys who use insults to have power. Remember, there isn't any power to a word unless you give it," he announced.

She tucked her face among her black curls. Remus had seen this expression before, and it tore at his heart. "Did you want some hot chocolate, and we could talk about it further?"

"No, thank you, anyways, Professor. I was making positive that they aren't going to kill my family."

"Your family is safe. I once knew a young witch, much like yourself. She was so intelligent that it frightened other students and caused them to call her sour names. This girl grew up to be the smartest witch I ever knew, and she helped save everyone from the Dark Lord."

Miss Rickens smiled and nodded as she wiped her face. "Hermione Granger is my idol. I even made S.P.E.W. badges like her!" She held up the hand made badge on her robe.

"Then you know she always held her head high, no matter where she came from. Don't forget how much power you have by remaining who you are."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll see you tomorrow in class."

Remus waved her off and shut the door to his empty classroom. He covered his face with a hand and breathed. There was so much to be happy about. She made him a list when they lived together. He pulled the piece of parchment and read it.

Teddy

Family

Love

Acceptance

Books

More Books

Knowledge

Chocolate

Remus wiped a lingering tear away from his eye and chuckled before folding it with care and placing it in his pocket. Missing her wasn't going to grow any easier. At times her loss felt worse than Dora's. He had time to say goodbye to his late wife… he never said unspoken promises to the little witch who helped him find his joy after the battle. After the loss. After his new beginning.

The weather grew fierce as Remus walked through Diagon Alley. He still had to complete his shopping for Christmas now that the holiday began. His coat billowed behind him as he trekked around people. There was an extreme dislike for the smells and loudness of the alley, but he had to get it done.

Harry's tall form lingered near the entrance to Blot's with Sirius. Remus waved as he approached, and Sirius stomped out his cigarette. "Afternoon, Professor Moony. What dragon shite you gonna teach us today?" he teased while embracing the werewolf.

"How to drink in moderation, Pads," Remus snickered and patted his friend's back.

"That's not fun," Sirius pouted as he pulled the werewolf from him. "What books are we buying the kid today?"

They all went inside the book shop and shook off the cold. "Well, I actually have Teddy done for gifts. I was here to buy something for Drom."

"Really? What could she need?" Sirius questioned.

Remus walked up to the counter. "Pick up for Lupin," he announced.

The young shop worker smiled and nodded. "Mr. Blott was waiting for you, Sir."

Harry glanced out the window and exhaled. "So, just so you both know. Gin is pregnant again," he murmured.

Sirius jerked and gasped. "Harry, why, that's excellent!"

"What's wrong, Harry?" Remus asked.

"It's just hard. Hermione promised me she'd be here for the babies. Life keeps moving without her."

Remus pursed his lips with a nod. "I know. Teddy asked about her again. He remembers her faintly, but I know Drom talks about her. Calls her his guardian angel."

"We all don't talk about her, do we?" Sirius inquired as he scrubbed his face. "Not even Molly mentions her."

"Well, she's going to announce it at the Burrow this Sunday. I just wanted to let you both know," Harry mumbled as he ran fingers through his hair.

"Mr. Lupin," the shop worker returned with a smile. "Mr. Blott said he'll be out momentarily with your package. If you wanted to look, we have a sale on curse breaking and herbology up on the second floor."

The werewolf bobbed his head. "Let's have a look at some books for the children. I bet Victoire could use another book on unicorns."

Sirius escorted Harry behind the werewolf as they climbed the staircase. It was an odd silence. None of them wanted to talk after bringing her up again. They've been talking more about Hermione lately than they have in five years. Unlike the losses from the Battle at Hogwarts, losing her after the healing process began, was worse in many ways. The glue for the families affected in many ways. She was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone expected her to lead them to peace.

Remus thumbed through books as Sirius was talking to Harry about the children. It was a warmer conversation and helped rub the ruffles of their previous demeanor. The werewolf was pensive as he glanced at two different books. He had one of them for Teddy that was saved from a long time ago.

A shopping trip that stemmed their close friendship. She was collecting books for Teddy and bought about twenty that day for the boy. It was by far the sweetest and generous thing that witch had done as the toddler wriggled in her arms. He was a stupid werewolf. He should have coveted her instead of releasing her to the world.

"Hey Moony, this book looks good for a little girl," Sirius teased as he held up a witch's fake beauty spellbook.

Remus smirked over at him and rolled his eyes. "You should get it for her. Fleur will yammer in french about how much of a nightmare you are."

"Or this one," Harry offered out a book on magical flowers.

The werewolf paused and tilted his head.

"Do you have a section for beautification potions?" A gentle voice asked from below.

"We moved those to beauty and age spells down to the left," the shop keeper announced.

Remus rushed to the ledge that overlooked the lower shop. He saw curly brown hair disappear below him. That smell. Those footsteps. Remus breathed as he silently stepped down the stairwell. This wouldn't have been the first time he saw a phantom version of Hermione in some other witch. He had to be positive.

He heard Harry and Sirius call back at him, but he didn't stop his stalking. Mr. Blott waved him over, but Remus held up a finger and glanced around the lower aisles. His heart was hammering as he scrunched around for the witch.

Remus turned down another section and huffed. Maybe he was going insane? It wouldn't be a far stretch. He breathed and pressed a hand against the bookcase as he slowed himself down. There was a good chance he had imagined the whole thing, but he had to be sure.

The feeling of a presence behind him and that familiar smell he had never forgotten invaded his nose. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as his breath grew shallow. If he turned around and she wasn't there, he might have to check himself into St. Mungo's.

"Remus, I wasn't expecting to see you here so close to the full moon," her voice filled his ears in a small whisper.

The werewolf turned, and his eyes grew. Hermione Granger was standing in front of him. No, was it really her? She was dead, wasn't she? Her face was aged. Her beautiful curly hair had highlights of white as she matured within milliseconds before him. There was no way that the bright and young witch he knew could have grown so matured over six years. This couldn't be her.

"Hermione?" He choked.

The witch exhaled and tilted her head. "I didn't want you to see me like this."

"Hermione?" He repeated as he took a step toward her.

She dropped the pinch in her wrinkled brow and smiled. "Yes, Professor. Who else would I be?"

Remus scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tightly. "Where have you been?" He asked with urgency.

"How about we talk about easier things," Hermione murmured. "How's Teddy?"

Remus pulled away and scowled. "Hermione, how?"

She pursed her lips as she cleared her throat. "It's a long story. One of which isn't fit for a bookshop."

There was a crash behind her, and she turned to see Harry had knocked over a shelf. "Hermione?" He breathed.

Hermione smiled and nodded. "I'm finally home, Harry."

He rushed forward and snagged her into a giant hug as tears ran down his face. "I missed you! How?" He cried while lifting her off her feet.

Hermione winced and grunted. "Please put me down."

Harry released her and scowled. "What happened?"

"I will tell you, but first, I need to go see Kingsley." Sirius approached the group, and Hermione laughed. "Sirius! Oh, Sirius!" She exclaimed as she passed Harry and hugged him.

Sirius blinked and lifted his arms away from her. "Love, not that I'm not flattered, but how are you as old as Moony?"

She glanced up at him and patted his chest as she pulled away. "I will explain later. Come, tell me how it's been," she coaxed while pulling him toward the exit.

Harry and Remus rushed after them. The werewolf quickly paid for his package and shuffled after the newly found witch. What the bloody hell was going on?