Hermione's eyes flew open as her lungs suddenly filled with air, the swelling and discolouration from that infernal concoction dissipating in less than a second. There was still an ache that filled her body but it was tolerable. The burning, freezing agony she'd endured was no more.

The first thing she saw was the relieved eyes of her beloved Harry hovering over her. A second later his lips were firmly on hers as his arms lifted her to an upright seated position. Ignoring everyone and everything around them, they reaffirmed their love and devotion to each other. The moment they pulled apart, their arms were filled with an almost-hysterical Luna, sobbing with terror and relief as she kissed Hermione full on the lips before burying her face in the older girl's neck.

Hermione held the blonde girl close as she looked at her husband. "How long was I out?" she inquired.

"Just a couple of minutes," he answered, leaning forward for another kiss.

Their other friends closed ranks around them, hugging the trio if they could or simply laying supporting hands on their shoulders if they couldn't.

***FTR***

Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall was still shaken from the morning's unexpected and horrible events. That the Lady Potter had been attacked in such a despicable manner was bad enough, but adding to that the fact that her one-time mentor and former friend was involved in it up to his bushy eyebrows, it was no wonder she felt physically ill. Albus must have really lost the plot if he thought he'd get away with his abhorrent attempt to force Lord Potter to effectively enslave himself, and to bargain with Lady Potter's life like that was beyond reprehensible. Knowing how much the old man enjoyed his plots and schemes, she was surprised at how bold this manoeuvre was. It seemed to her that Albus was desperate to get Lord Potter under control that he lost sight of the inevitable consequences of his actions.

In light of that, Lord Potter's reaction of taking his head was shocking but hardly surprising.

She doubted she'd ever forget that awful moment when the sword flashed in the candlelight. She could still see the headmaster's ridiculous beard falling to the floor, just a couple of inches cleanly shorn left beneath his chin. A moment later a crimson curtain adorned his throat as the pressure of his heartbeat toppled the severed head off the stump of the neck and sent it tumbling to the floor. Another pulse of the heart sent the viscous fluid fountaining up a couple of feet, and then the body collapsed, blood pooling around the severed neck. One final spurt from the prone body shot a thick gout of blood over a yard away.

After Lord Potter's declaration, a statement with which she couldn't argue in the slightest, she had to focus and recollect her scattered thoughts. Glancing at her fellow staff members, she could see shock and horror on almost every face. The one exception was Severus; the expression on his face was abject terror. No surprise there as the sole person willing to protect the miserable excuse for a human, let alone a professor, lay headless on the floor.

Adding to her disorientation, she could feel the school's wards transferring to her as Albus fell. She could tell immediately that they were in a bloody mess. She could also tell that Severus had Voldemort's Dark Mark on his left forearm. The wards should have prevented such an abomination from entering school grounds, and if they permitted such as that, who knew what else they'd let through?

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she arose from her seat and joined the stricken group at the end of the Gryffindor table.

As she reached Poppy, she gently put an arm around the distraught healer's shoulders, moments before Lady Potter jolted back to life.

***FTR***

As Luna began to calm, Harry stood, leaving her in the arms of his wife. He quickly looked around, taking note that the two youngest Weasleys were still rooted to the spot, as well as the fact that McGonagall had joined them.

The Weasleys could wait a few minutes. He could tell they were going nowhere.

"Professor McGonagall," he said as he turned to his Head of House. "May I assume that you are now acting headmistress?"

She nodded tiredly. "You may indeed, Lord Potter."

"Good," he said. "I look forward to seeing how Hogwarts thrives under your leadership. In the meantime, it may be a good idea to contact Madam Bones."

She started at his words and began silently rebuking herself. Of course it was a good idea, and something Albus should have been doing each time there was a major incident – a yearly occurrence since Lord Potter had begun attending Hogwarts, come to think of it. "Of course, Lord Potter," she said, chagrined.

The new headmistress looked around at the pale and shaking students, and berated herself once more. Casting a sonorus on herself, she dismissed them back to their House quarters. "Classes are cancelled for the day," she concluded. "You will be informed by your Head of House when they will resume."

The students began filing out, quiet and subdued. Draco Malfoy was terrified almost as much as his godfather and Head of House. The headmaster was arguably the most powerful wizard in Britain, not only in terms of magical ability but political authority as well. As much as he hated the old muggle-lover and his policies, he was still a wizard to be reckoned with. Despite Dumbledore's reputation and positions, though, Harry Potter just killed him without the slightest hesitation. Not even the fact that he was the only wizard Lord Voldemort had feared gave him pause. And if Potter was so unconcerned with a wizard as powerful as Dumbledore, what chance did anyone else have? One way or another, he resolved to stay as far away from Potter as he possibly could. He had no desire to wind up on the wrong end of the sword of a hardened killer.

The Potters' friends elected to stay, as did the Weasley twins. Minerva opted not to object as she cast a messenger patronus requesting the presence of Amelia Bones. The ghostly-silver tabby cat disappeared at speed, heading south towards London. She next dismissed the staff, instructing a still-shocked and bewildered Hagrid to await Madam Bones at the front gate. She also directed Snape to wait for her at the headmaster's office.

The only students remaining were the Potters, Miss Lovegood, Miss Delacour, Mr Longbottom, Mr Krum, Miss Greengrass, Mr Diggory, Miss Bones, and all four Weasleys. The stony-faced twins sat quietly, somewhat removed from their siblings, unusually not joking around. In fact they weren't even talking. Ronald's face was white with terror, causing his freckles to stand out even more than usual, while tears slid down the cheeks of a horrified Ginny. Neither of the two youngest Weasleys dare to move so much as a muscle.

"Lord Potter," McGonagall began, "the Weasleys…"

"Will be dealt with in due course, Headmistress." His tone brooked no argument. Ginny began sobbing at that statement, and even Ron whimpered.

Fifteen minutes later, Hagrid escorted Madam Bones and two aurors into the hall. Harry recognised them as his cousin Dora Tonks and her supervisor, Master Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt. Once they were turned over to McGonagall, the upset half-giant all but fled back out to his hut.

When the law officers saw the decapitated body of who had obviously been Albus Dumbledore, they all froze. Auror Tonks paled so white she could have been made of snow, while her hair shifted to the exact same colour. "Dear Merlin," she whispered. Shacklebolt's eyes widened but he showed no other sign of surprise.

Madam Bones kept her expression carefully neutral. "What happened here?"

The headmistress told the entire sordid story, holding nothing back. When the tale was finished, the Head of the DMLE shook her head in disgust.

"I can't believe he thought he'd get away with that," she said.

Harry took that opportunity to speak up. "Madam Bones, if you please, I would like to add the charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder to the case against Dumbledore, as well as interfering with a soul bond and status of a Head of House, and anything else that can be added."

Bones slowly nodded. "You intend to continue the case then," she stated.

"Absolutely. The bastard may be dead but there are still way too many people that think the sun shone out of his arse. I won't have the son of a bitch become anyone's martyr, and that means crucifying him in the court of public opinion, even if it is posthumous. Every crime this fucker has ever committed needs to be exposed. The only way he needs to be held up is as a warning to everyone about the danger of entrusting so much power to a single individual."

"Very well." She turned to her aurors. "Tonks, I want you to collect memories for the pensieve from Lord Potter, Professor McGonagall, and anyone else that has a relevant viewpoint."

Auror Tonks nodded as her hair slowly reverted to the hot pink colour she preferred.

"Shack," Bones continued, "you will supervise the removal of the body, after you've collected the forensic evidence. Don't forget the cup of tea Lady Potter drank from."

"Madam Bones?" Luna spoke up, her voice shaking.

"Yes, Miss Lovegood?"

"Don't forget Ronald Weasley's teacup, wand, and potion vial," she said, pointing to the whimpering ginger. "He was the one who switched Hermione's tea with the poisoned tea."

Shacklebolt immediately walked over to the Weasley boy and demanded the items in question. Wide-eyed and shaking almost as bad as Hermione's earlier convulsions, he nevertheless did not move.

"Weasley!" Harry barked.

Ron's eyes immediately darted over to his ex-best friend.

"Without saying a goddamn word, you will carefully give each of the items Luna named to Auror Shacklebolt. You will not even think of destroying the smallest bit of evidence. You will do nothing else until Auror Tonks collects your memory, and you will give any and all memories that have anything to do with this incident. When she is done you will remain seated and silent. Nod if you understand."

The redhead frantically nodded, tears leaking from his eyes. He handed over the items in question without a word before returning his hands to his lap.

Shacklebolt's eyes crinkled in distaste as the boy's movements, slight as they were, caused the faint but unmistakeable acrid stench of urine to waft up into the air. "I think the lad's pissed himself," he remarked, his bass voice easily heard by everyone remaining in the hall.

"Yeah, that was about half an hour ago when he tried to sneak out and I called him out."

After checking the last spell cast with Ron's wand – a switching spell performed a little over a half-hour earlier – Shacklebolt put the wand in an evidence bag and then moved to place the youngest Weasley boy in magic-suppressing handcuffs.

"Madam Bones," Harry called out. "I am invoking my rights as the Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. For the involvement of Ronald Bilius Weasley in the murder of my wife and bound soulmate, I demand the right of restitution."

The Director pursed her lips before nodding. "Very well, Lord Potter, though I wish you'd allow his testimony under veritaserum for Dumbledore's trial."

Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry, Madam, but his memories will have to be sufficient. We have suffered his arrogance and bullying ways for far too long as is. Never did we think he would participate in such a heinous deed. There will not be another opportunity."

"As you say, my lord," she sighed. "For what it's worth, I understand."

Ron whimpered again, but everyone ignored him.

The twins looked at each other, then Fred (or George) stood. "Lord Potter," he said quietly.

"Yes?"

"If we may ask, what do you intend for our sister?"

He gave them a level, meaningful look. "We will see in just a moment." He walked over to where the Weasley daughter stood and lifted her tear-stained face by the chin. "Ginevra." His voice was quiet but cold as steel. "What is your role in this atrocity?"

She took a shuddering breath. "I… I…" Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I was supposed to distract you," she whispered.

"Did you know your brother was going to poison my wife?"

She shook her head, tears flowing again. "No! I didn't know what he was going to do, he didn't say! All he said was that he needed my help and all I had to do was distract you."

"And what was in it for you?"

Utter misery filled her voice as her gaze dropped to her feet. "He… he said that if it all went right I might be able to have you in the end."

"Did you even once stop to think about what that implied for a soul-bound couple?"

She shook her head. "No," she squeaked. "I… I'm sorry, I never meant…" She buried her face in her hands and wept.

Harry glanced at Hermione, who gave him a resigned shrug. He nodded and turned back to the sobbing ginger girl. "Ginevra."

No response.

"Ginevra!"

Still no response.

"Ginny!" he yelled.

With a yelp of surprise, her eyes shot up to his. Her weeping stopped but her sniffles remained.

He sighed as he looked at the stricken girl. "Ginny, you're an incredibly selfish, stupid little girl, but I actually believe that you had no truly malicious intent towards either myself or Hermione. However," he continued, holding up his hand, "intent or not, she still suffered a painful death, and you were involved. That is not something that we can tolerate or allow to happen ever again. Therefore:" He stood straight looking every inch the powerful Head of House that he was.

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, I, Lord Harrison James Potter, call due the life debt you owe me for saving your life in your First Year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the malignant shade of Tom Marvolo Riddle, at the extreme risk of life and limb to myself. Do you contest my claim?"

"No, my lord," she whispered, her head bowed.

"Then as repayment for this debt, you will cease and desist any and all efforts to interfere with my marriage to the Lady Hermione Jane Potter née Granger, you will forget about me completely as a romantic interest of any sort, and you will actively work to prevent anyone else from interfering with my marriage to the utmost of your abilities, from this day forward to your last. This will include any attempt to harm or kill either one of us by any means – directly, by proxy, or by failure to act – of which you become aware. A breach of any of these conditions will forfeit your magic, if not your life. Do you understand these terms?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Ginny," he said, his tone softer. She looked back up at him with watery eyes. "You could have been a close friend of ours," he said. "I considered your family to be as my own for a time. We both did. Your desire to possess something that did not belong to you ruined that. Let this be a lesson for the future, and perhaps you will have close friends and a love who appreciates you for you. Yes, you are bound, but only so far as my wife and I are concerned. Grow up, live your life, and find your happiness. Just understand that Hermione and I cannot be part of it. And remember that you are granted this mercy solely because you did not plot against us, not really." He shifted his predatory gaze to Ron. "Your brother cannot say the same."

"Thank you, Lord Potter," she whispered.

He nodded and turned to join the twins. "Fellas," he said, "I am so sorry it came to this."

"We warned him, my lord," Fred (or George) said. "We warned him repeatedly." He sounded weary and resigned, lacking his usual exuberance.

"Dad warned him a couple of time," George (or Fred) added. "Hell, I think Mum even warned him once or twice, and you know how set she was on pairing up our two youngest siblings with the two of you."

"He never was the sharpest knife in the drawer," the first twin said regretfully.

Harry nodded his understanding. "I'm grateful that you can see that he brought it on himself," he said. "I reiterate, I have no desire to declare blood feud on the Weasleys. I understand too that this will change our relationship forever. The Weasleys shall not pay for the sins of just one of their number, but I cannot afford to dismiss this incident. You know as well as I that this will always stand in the way of any continuing relationship with your family, no matter that it was due solely to his jealousy and stupidity, no matter the necessity of what I have to do for the good of my own family." He gave a bitter laugh. "With all the eyes upon us and our position, especially being as young as we are, if we do not respond I may as well dissolve House Potter, empty my vaults on the streets of Diagon Alley, and flee with my wife to the nonmagical world overseas somewhere, never to return."

"We understand," the second twin said. "Mum probably won't, but Dad and our older brothers certainly will. We appreciate your leniency towards our family. We're sorry about all this as well."

Harry nodded. "Appreciate it," he said. "It's been good knowing you, fellas. Take good care of your sister, okay?" He turned away and walked over to where his cousin was finishing collecting Luna's memory. "Hey, Dora," he said.

"Wotcher, Harry," she greeted. "This is some crazy shit, innit?"

"That's for bloody sure," he agreed. "You mind going ahead and collecting my memory?"

"Not at all," she said. "You know how it's done?"

"Yeah." He focused on the entire sequence of events from the moment Ginny approached them at breakfast to the moment Hermione woke up again. "I'm ready," he said.

Auror Tonks muttered a quick incantation before touching her wand to Harry's temple and drawing forth a silvery strand of sticky, viscous fluid. Twirling her wand around as if she was spinning molten glass, she extracted the memory and let it fall into a large glass vial. "This is a copy," she said. "You still have the original in your head."

"Good," he said. He proceeded to tell her the time frame of the memory. "Will you need anything beyond that?"

"We should be good," his cousin said. "If not I'll send you an owl."

"Thanks. Would you mind getting Ron's memories now?"

"Sure."

The two walked over to where the terrified youth sat. "Ronald," Harry growled, "it's time. I want everything you did this morning from the moment you woke up to the moment I told you to sit your arse down on that bench there. Nod if you understand."

Ron nodded frantically.

"Understand something, fuckwit," Harry said, leaning closer. "You committed murder against the one person I love more than anything else in this universe. The fact that she came back is irrelevant. You didn't just cross the line, you utterly trampled it. I am in no mood to fuck around and deal with any more of your shit. When I ask for your memories, by god you will give me every bit of it. I'll know if you lie to me too – you couldn't hide it to save your life. And for every lie you tell me, I'm taking a finger." He whipped out his kukri and slammed it into the table beside his hand. "And I'm not using the cutting curse like your fucking rat did," he sneered.

Ron screamed as the blade sunk an inch into the tabletop beside his fingers and pissed himself again.

"Is the memory I asked you for ready?"

"Yes!" he cried.

Harry nodded. His ex-best friend was telling the truth. "Take it," he told his cousin.

She did so, but not before giving him a concerned look.

"Is there anything else?" Harry demanded. "Any time you met with the headmaster, talked with him, or anything else to do with your actions here today?"

The memory of the meeting when the headmaster had first shown him the switching spell popped into his head and he frantically nodded.

"Good. Think about the entire event, leaving nothing out. Let me know when it's ready."

"It's ready."

"Good. Go ahead, Dora."

That memory too was retrieved.

"Is there anything else?"

"Just me practicing the switching spell," he mumbled.

"I doubt we'll need that," Harry said. "This is just about nailing Dumbledore's reputation to the wall." He nodded to his cousin. "Thanks, Dora," he said. "I think we're done here."

"You okay?" she softly asked as they walked back to the others.

"Not really," he admitted. "But I will be. Thanks for asking."

She threw an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, that's what family's for, little cuz."

"I wouldn't know," he snarked, but then slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "I'm learning, though."

By this time Auror Shacklebolt had collected the evidence and completed an analysis of Harry's katana to ensure there were no illicit spells or poisons on it. Neither Harry nor Hermione complained about the auror's analysis, knowing that any British wizard or witch would have no clue who Hattori Hanzo was, or that the very idea of tainting one of his swords with magic or poison was unthinkable. If the auror had been Japanese, they would have simply shown the stylised lion engraved on the blade and the auror would have bowed and apologised for the insult. A couple of assistant coroners had arrived and were starting to put the body and severed head into a body bag under Shacklebolt's direction.

"Madam Bones," Harry called. "Do you need anything more from the students?"

"I don't think so," she said. "Auror Tonks?"

"Think I've got all I need from them, boss," she replied.

"Very well, Lord Potter, you're all free to go. We'll be in touch."

"Thank you, ma'am." He gave his cousin a hug goodbye and joined his friends and family, immediately pulling his wife into his arms, along with Luna who was attached to Hermione's side like a limpet.

"I can't begin to tell you all how much we appreciate your support and friendship," he told the others. "Since classes are cancelled for the day, we can hang out in our flat, if you'd like. Don't know about anyone else, but I sure could use a beer or twelve."

There were a few smiles, but no one felt like laughing after this morning's events.

"A beer would be good," Cedric agreed.

"Even if it's still morning," Fleur added.

The others also nodded their agreement.

"Thanks, mates." He traded a look with Hermione, briefly flicking his eyes to Ron, who was now sitting with his head in his hands. Her expression grew stony and she gave him a single nod.

"We, uh, have one last thing to take care of," Harry told them. "If you'd like to give us a few minutes, Hermione and I will be up there shortly."

"And Luna," Luna said, still clinging to them both.

Harry gave her a concerned look. "I don't know if that's a good idea, Luna love," he said.

She stubbornly shook her head. "I'm going with you," she said.

"Luna…"

"No, Hermione. Don't ask me to leave either of you right now, please. Anything but that." She looked up at the older girl and stroked her cheek with her thumb. "I almost lost you today like I lost Mummy," she whispered.

"Oh, Luna," Hermione said as she pulled the girl close. "Just… please don't think any less of us, okay? This is not going to be pleasant. We just wanted to shield you from it."

"I know. You and Harry are my best friends, I know you'll always take care of me. Just like I'll always take care of you."

Harry nodded his acceptance. "Just so long as you're certain," he said. "If you change your mind at any time, we have Dobby for help, okay?"

Luna smiled up at him. "Thanks for that, but I'm certain I'll be alright."

"Very well." Harry looked at his wife. "Let's get this over with."

As the rest of their friends filed out to go to the Potters' flat, the Weasley twins collected their subdued sister and returned to the Gryffindor Tower. Harry, meanwhile, followed by Hermione and Luna, walked back over to Ron. "On your feet, Weasley," he growled.

Trembling, the lanky redhead got to his feet.

"You have been an unbelievable bastard to us this year, and for no other reason than your jealousy and greed. If it was just your verbal sniping and snide comments, we could ignore it, and you. Poisoning Hermione, though, was an overt and blatant attack on my House and cannot be overlooked or ignored." His glare could have stripped paint from a wall.

"I'm sorry!" Ron blubbered.

Harry shook his head. "I don't care," he said. "I can't afford to take the chance that you'll never bother us again. I will not risk Hermione's life for your sake."

Hermione extended her hand like she was flinging water from her fingers, not even drawing her wand. Ron went rigid as her silent and wandless full-body petrification hit him.

"Dobby!" Harry called.

The elf appeared at Harry's side. "What's happening?" he asked.

"Do you remember the worst-case scenario we discussed?"

Dobby's head swivelled around to affix the petrified Weasley with a hate-filled glare. Though he couldn't move a muscle, Ron could still see and hear clearly. He never wanted to see such an expression on an elf ever again. "I do indeed," he spat. "Does that mean…?"

"Yes," Harry replied. "Please take us to the clearing." He and his wife both were capable of blowing through the Hogwarts wards and apparating out, but that was not an ability they wanted to advertise at the moment, even after semi-revealing their wandless and wordless spellcasting capabilities.

"Excellent," Dobby hissed, sending a jolt of terror down Ron's spine. Harry, Hermione, and Luna joined hands as Harry grabbed Ron's shoulder and Dobby took Luna's free hand. With a snap of the elf's fingers, they disappeared.

***FTR***

They reappeared a moment later in a clearing in the woods. Hermione and Luna had never been here before, but both had heard Harry's stories and knew where they were. Ron recognised the place as well and would have shit himself if he had not been petrified. Harry, meanwhile, cast a protective shield around them all as soon as they appeared in the clearing.

Thick canopies of webbing stretched between the gnarled old-growth trees of the Forbidden Forest, interspersed with ropy strands as thick as steel cables that criss-crossed much of the empty space. There was movement all around as a multitude of giant spiders became aware of the intruders in their midst. The monstrous arachnids ranged in size from slightly bigger than a large dog to a small handful as large as automobiles. One whom Harry and Ron both recognised as Aragog was bigger than a lorry.

They were in the very heart of the acromantula lair in the Forbidden Forest.

It was doubtful Ron would have been able to move even if he hadn't been petrified.

Hermione faced Ron with Luna clutching her left hand. Without saying a word, she extended her right hand and jabbed her fingers into Ron's chest five times, each one at a specific pressure point. After the fifth strike she stepped back, exhaling a sigh of relief that seemed to emanate from her soul. "It's done," she said.

"What did you do?" Luna asked curiously.

Hermione smiled. "That, my dear, was the deadliest move in all martial arts. It's called the Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, and it is one hundred percent fatal." She looked Ron dead in the eye. "You can't move or respond, Ronald Weasley, but I know you can hear me. Listen and understand: you are going to die in just a few minutes and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. The pressure points I hit just now have begun a chain reaction in your body that will react with your movement. When you take your fifth step from this moment, your heart will explode violently and painfully in your chest. You should already begin feeling a tightness and sharp pain behind your ribs. You may, of course, hold it off for a time by not moving."

She deliberately looked around at the massive spiders beginning to rally on the other side of Harry's shield. While the shield kept the nightmare creatures from getting to them, it did nothing to stop the sound of chittering mandibles and skittering legs through the underbrush. Luna shivered and drew closer to Hermione, a little freaked out by the acromantulas but confident that her two best friends would keep her safe.

"You should also know, Ronald, that we will be leaving you soon. When we leave, your petrification will end and the shield will fall, and I'm sure you know what your eight-legged friends out there will do next. How you die, therefore, will be somewhat up to you. Will you choose the quick, agonising death of having your heart explode, or will you let the big spiders get you, pump you full of venom so your insides liquify, and then drink you dry, leaving you as nothing more than a bag of bones? Of course, if you choose the quick option, the question becomes, will you have enough time to take five steps before they get you? Not even I can answer that one."

She sadly shook her head. "And just think, Ronald, all of this could have been avoided if instead of attacking us, you had offered your congratulations and support. Now? Poor choice after poor choice got you here into a mess of your own making, and now this is all you have left to show for your wicked life. We're done with you, Ronald."

Hermione turned away from her former friend, her face betraying no emotion but her hand gripping Luna's tighter than it had been. She put her hand on Harry's shoulder. "Let's go, love," she said.

He nodded his agreement. "Dobs, you mind popping us up to our room?"

"Right away, Harry." The loyal elf grabbed Luna's hand and the quartet disappeared along with the shield. Hermione's petrification spell fell away at the same moment, leaving Ron stranded and alone without his wand in the heart of the acromantula lair. It was the last time anyone ever saw of him.

***FTR***

It wasn't until they were safely ensconced back in their flat that Hermione broke down. She flung herself into her husband's arms and wept on his shoulder. He simply held her close and rubbed her back while Luna embraced them both, laying her head on Hermione's shoulder. "He was our friend!" she cried. "Why did he betray us like that?"

"I don't think he really was a friend," Harry said. "Remember what he did to us both, love."

"Ronald was not a nice person," Luna added, squeezing Hermione tighter. "He's the one that started the Looney nickname when we were small, years before Mummy died. He's always been horrid to me."

Hermione nodded into her husband's chest. "I know," she sniffled. "I didn't have any problem cutting down the Death Eaters at the World Cup, but this was a little different. They've always been the enemy, and while I know in my head that Ron was just as bad in his own way my heart still remembers a time when we considered him a friend. Even if it was a lie."

"That's what makes you a decent person, Mione," Harry said.

"It's okay to grieve what should have been," Luna spoke up. "A decent person would've never done the things he did to any of us. A true friend would've done everything possible to support, encourage, and take care of us."

They held each other in silence for a few more minutes, taking comfort in each other's presence.

It wasn't long before Dobby came in. "Your friends are waiting outside," he said. "Shall I let them in?"

"Yeah, go ahead. Thanks, Dobs." He turned to his wife. "You okay now, love?"

"I'll be alright," she said, wiping her eyes. "Just need to pop off to the loo and wash up. You and Luna go ahead and get everyone settled, I'll be out in a minute."

The friends spent a quiet day together, talking about nothing of major importance, and primarily snuggling with their significant others on the settees and couches. Harry's flask of Guinness was given to Dobby, who kept all their drinks filled, and along with the recently recovered Winky he made sure that plenty of snacks were available, as well as sandwich ingredients for lunch. As none felt like going down for dinner either, the elves made a massive shepherd's pie for them to enjoy.

After seeing their friends back to their respective quarters, Harry, Hermione, and Luna returned to their flat. Inside, they returned to the sofa for a bit longer. After curling up into Hermione's side, Luna asked the question that had been on her mind all day.

"Did the Reapers say anything, Hermione?"

Her arm tightened around the younger girl's shoulders as she leaned back into her husband's embrace. "Just a little," she said. "Mostly that we've been doing a good job so far, but Shepherd wanted to know why we were still fucking around with Riddle. Her also said to tell you hello, by the way."

"Come again?" Harry asked, nonplussed. "I thought we were actually ahead of the game there."

"So did I," his wife ruefully agreed. "He reminded me that we had a team of goblins constantly monitoring Riddle, Pettigrew, and the snake, so why not have them take out all three at once? Since we've got all the horcruces taken care of besides that fucking snake, that should finish him off for good."

Harry just stared at her as he considered, then groaned. "Motherfucker," he said, sinking down into the sofa. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, that was about the same reaction I had," she sympathised.

"Goddamn it." He exhaled wearily. "Okay, let's go ahead and kip for the night, then we'll get up early and head over to Gringotts right after we finish breakfast. We'll let Professor McGonagall know then that we've got business that can't wait."

Hermione went on to share Dumbledore's judgement with them, as well as meeting their Reapers' boss. At the eager expressions on both her husband and their best friend, she laughed and summoned their pensieve so they could all watch the memory.

When they retired for the night, Luna followed them into their bedroom and crawled in beside Hermione, cuddling up to her as close as she could. Wrapped up warmly in the arms of her husband and her best friend at the end of one of the most stressful days she could remember, an exhausted Hermione was sound asleep within minutes. Harry and Luna followed close behind.