The work was slow and difficult. It was easy to lose hope and perspective. Severus had long ago made it clear to her, that if it were up to him, they would leave Hogwarts and set out on their own. He even showed her pictures of some cottages he had found. They had taken a day to inspect them and picked out one that would be perfect. She knew he had been a virtual prisoner at the school, and she knew well what that felt like. Hogwarts had many bad memories for her as well. She couldn't look down at the courtyard without seeing Harry and Ron lose their fight again and again. Maybe he was right. Maybe the school was a lost cause. Maybe it was just too soon. She decided she would talk to Kingsley about it. If the ministry didn't get behind them soon, there would be no point to these arduous repairs. They had not received a single student application for the new school year.
Hermione was sad at the prospect of this castle falling silent permanently. It had been so full of life and vibrance for all her years here. She cherished them all. Even having the problems that she did, trying to study and keep Harry alive. The sorting ceremony was an experience that today's first years would lose now. She wondered at the fate of Hogsmeade. Would it continue without the school, or slowly disappear?
She sat before the fire in their rooms thinking about the future. Severus was right. It wouldn't be long before she would be too big to help with the construction. Standing on cold stone floors day after day for hours using up her magic wasn't exactly good for the baby. They needed to find a place to settle down where they could raise their child in peace. A proper home. The stress of dealing with everything here had been almost too much now. What would it be when she was twice this size or after the baby was born?
Severus came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders. Hermione looked at his hand, his black tungsten wedding band shining in the firelight.-
They'd had a small ceremony by the black lake in a clearing of trees. It was a beautiful wedding. The elves had out done themselves for her. The trees were full of draping purple wisteria vines all about it. It being spring there were no roses yet, but clusters of white lilies of the valley were fragrant perfection. Kingsley had performed the service as Poppy, Luna, Charlotte, Phillip, and a few of the aurors had looked on. Luna had come as the only representative of the press allowed.
Severus was so handsome and proud in his black and green dress robes, and when he saw her he stopped breathing. Ginevra first, in a lovely knee length purple chiffon dress. Then Hermione came out from behind the curtain of wisteria. She was so beautiful in her white, A-line, formal gown. The chiffon skirt of the dress floated about her as she walked like mist in the morning. The thinnest veil, over her tamed flowing hair, reached her waist in front and fell to her train in back and was secured on her head by a circlet of emerald green crystals that flashed like dragons eyes. A belt of the same green crystal circled her waist. In her hand was a bouquet of ivy and white lilies.
She stopped next to Severus, and it seemed like their world narrowed down to just his eyes looking at hers with such tenderness and joy. The best man, Lucius Malfoy, handed Severus a gold ring with small channel cut emeralds and diamonds. He placed it on her hand and lifted her veil, giving her a passionate kiss. They left no room for doubt to the onlookers of their love for each other.
The small private reception was held in the hall. The cake was a simple three tier white buttercream with green ivy. A symbol of fidelity. They left it to spend a passionate wedding night and weekend in a posh wizarding hotel in London. Courtesy of the ministry.
- Severus brushed her cheek. "Hey there, are you awake?"
She looked up at him from her memories with tears ready to fall. "It really is all for nothing isn't it? The school repairs."
He smiled down at her and sighed, kneeling in front of her, taking her hands in his. "If you want to stay here until the last stone is replaced then we will. But it will only get more difficult from here." He bent down to touch his wife's swollen belly. He was so incredibly happy. "Hermione. You said when you first found out about the baby that it felt like hope. I know now that you were right. We can't give up on the school just yet. As long as we can keep going we should. For all children, for the future. After all, where will we send her when she's old enough? Beauxbatons? I don't think so." He sneered at the mere thought of sending his little genius to that powder puff to learn anything.
Hermione's face slowly had the biggest smile he had ever seen on her. She pulled his face to her and showered kisses on him, shouting. "You brilliant, brilliant man. That just might work!"
oopOqoo
It was August and the ministry still hadn't replied to her plea for help. Not so much for rebuilding, but to rededicate the school. It was true there was much work still needed, but without students and faculty, it was a hollow shell. She decided that a shock to the system was what was needed to remind people that their heritage was in danger. Eighty percent of the witches and wizards alive in England had come through Hogwarts. The school year was approaching fast. If the children went to another school, it would be difficult to get them back.
Hermione asked Luna to come and speak with her. Luna had begun to help her father with publishing The Quibbler. She knew it would be difficult for Luna with all the painful things that had happened here. But Luna had always been different from the rest. She didn't see life and its hardships as anything permanent. The past was done and over. So, when she agreed, Hermione was very grateful.
They met on the front steps of Hogwarts. Hermione gave her a warm hug despite having a quaffle for a belly. "Thank you so much for coming Luna. I know this is difficult. Would you like to talk at the black lake or are you able to come inside?"
Luna, as always, had a far away look and soft voice of clarity. "It's alright Hermione. I'm not afraid of the past. Let's have tea at the Ravenclaw table." Hermione smiled and led her inside. Luna was looking around the room. "It's a lot different from the last time I was here, isn't it? I feel it especially as I'm not naked this time."
Hermione squeezed her eyes closed, remembering the weight of the chains on her wrists and the sound of Voldemort's laughter as they were pulled before him naked and shivering. "Oh Luna, I don't want to talk about it. Let me tell you why I asked you here instead. Hogwarts is in trouble. We have about sixty percent of the damage to the castle rebuilt, but it will be September soon. The start of the school year. We have no students, no staff. If I can't bring them back in time, they may never come back. Even though Voldemort is gone, his shadow hangs over the school like a cloud. I will dispel that cloud and make this place sing again, and I need your help to pull off a little deception."
Luna sat and sipped her tea. "How can I help you Hermione?"
Hermione smiled at her willingness to participate in the small fraud. "I have spoken with Headmistress Maxime of Beauxbatons. She has agreed to allow me a bit of liberty with her school in order to save ours. I need to plant several scandalous stories in the Quibbler. I need it to look as if Beauxbatons is bragging about how they are the only school worth going to, now that Hogwarts is dead. We need to play it up as much as possible. We need to create interviews how only the finest students will be allowed to attend, as Hogwarts was, only a second rate education after all. How it would be unthinkable for any parent, even the British, to send a child to school in England and stunt their minds."
Luna began to grin as Hermione went on. "Perhaps even something about how silly the house rivalries were, when everyone was clearly suffering the delusion that a house affiliation really means anything. How about an expose that an American company has plans to buy it and turn it into a golfing resort and amusement park. Do you see what I'm going for? I want the wizarding world of England so enraged about these insults that they will be willing to defend our hallowed halls. It will only be one more step to a return of classes. It needs to become a patriotic duty. Once the fever is at its height, we're going to announce a tournament. An open house of sorts. Come to Hogwarts and show your school loyalty. A contest between the houses to finish the repairs and restore our honor, and while they are here to see that the old place is not a torture chamber, they can sign up for the new school year. Remember, we must keep this between the two of us, and I may have to object publicly a time or two to make it look legit. What do you think Luna? Can you write it for me?"
Luna smiled and her eyes lit up. "Now I see that Voldemort didn't stand a chance against you Hermione. I think it's clever, brilliant. We need to really pull on their own school memories. How about a feature on the restoration of the trophy case, or the number of quidditch matches won by Gryffindor, how many different times the fat lady couldn't remember the password. How great the food always was. Yes, I think I know what you mean. I'd be delighted to do it. Father will have a great time tweaking noses out of joint." Luna stood and headed for the door, walking backwards to keep talking. "I want to get started right away. I'll send you a proof when it's ready! Goodbye Hermione."
