Chapter 1: Light Gone Out

Harry Potter parked his Muggle car next to the cute little brownstone in Ottery St. Catchpole. Though the air was crisp enough for September, the sun was blazing bright, forcing him to charm his spectacles into shades as he exited the vehicle and walked up to his sister-in-law's house. A brief rap on the door, and the red head of his niece answered.

"Hullo, Rosie," Harry smiled kindly. "Is your mother still in bed?"

Rose nodded. "You know how it is, Uncle Harry. She never leaves her bed on his birthday. Or their wedding anniversary. Or the day of his..."

"I know, I know," he patted her head and stepped inside. "I just didn't think she would stop getting up to see her kids off to school."

Ron Weasley, Hermione Weasley's husband, had passed away in the line of duty several years before. His widow and the mother of his two children was inconsolable, the funeral a blur. Since then, the Greatest Witch of Her Age, had emotionally shut down at a gradual rate. First it was major anniversaries like the ones Rose just described, that would leave her bed-ridden. Then, it began to appear on normal days. Hermione was working part-time now for the Ministry of Magic, but she had needed to step down as Minister and returned to her old position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. How long that would last, Harry couldn't say.

"I'm worried about her, Uncle Harry," Rose voiced his own thoughts as she followed him up the stairs. "Hugo and I can't leave her alone."

"You let me worry about that," Harry told her. "With your Uncle Charlie finally moving back from Romania, I thought he would look after her."

"About time he retired! Gran will be pleased," Rose said.

"And at least he will have something to do," Harry added. "He's grieving too, you know, just in a different way." In Charlie's opinion, his retirement from working with dragons had come too early.

Rose and Harry met Hugo in the master bedroom, where Hermione was still lying amongst the blankets. Hermione smiled wearily at her best friend.

"I'll get them to the station, Hermione, don't worry. Gin's gone ahead with Al and Lily."

She nodded. "Thank you," she murmured.

"Anything for family," Harry shrugged, pecking her cheek. "Come on, you lot! King's Cross isn't a hop around the pond!"

Harry knew he really had to trade in for a faster car. The old Ford Anglia - a wedding present from his father-in-law - held sentimental value in the family, but there was no denying it had seen better days. He had barely gotten Rose and Hugo there and through the barrier on time. Thank goodness he only had to make one final stop.

If Charlie had had his way, he would have flown home to England on the back of a dragon. But that would frighten the Muggles, so he had to settle for flying in on a plane into London-Heathrow. It was jammed this time of day, but Harry hoped he could get in, round up his brother-in-law, and go home.

Charlie stepped into the terminal with a booming greeting and giant hug for his baby sister's husband. He and Harry got on well enough. Harry preferred him and George over, say, Percy, because at least Charlie knew how to joke around. The man had never married nor had children, and had always seemed content playing the role of the bachelor, fun uncle.

"We're glad you're here," Harry told him as they exited for his car. "I have a job for you, so you're not sitting around and twiddling your thumbs in retirement." He thus handed Charlie an official Auror badge. Charlie looked confused.

"Fighting Dark wizards? Not exactly my cup of tea, Potter."

"Oh, don't worry. This badge is honorary. It will allow you to do some patrols for me. Specifically, checking in on Hermione."

Charlie's expression turned sympathetic. "Has she gotten any better?"

"Not according to Rose. In fact, she's declined. Grief does horrid things to people. She was never this bad, even in postpartum after the kids. All I want you to do is go over to Ottery St. Catchpole every day and check in on her. Make sure she isn't dead. Sit there, talk with her. Encourage her to become active again. I've tried with other colleagues, but nothing doing. I thought a family member might get better results."

Charlie sighed. "Well, like you said, mate, it's better than twiddling my thumbs all day. I'll give it a go."

Harry grinned. "Excellent."