Raise What's Left Of the Flag- Flogging Molly- Hermione/Seamus

His eyes they closed and his last breath spoke

he had seen all to be seen

It had already been 6 years since the war began, that fateful night when the world's most powerful sorcerer was killed. A weight settled over my heart that night, one that this many years later won't subside. It speaks of pain, suffering and a tiresome wanting for the end of the fighting.

A life once full, now an empty vase

Wilt the blossoms on his early grave

I stand at the white tomb next to the school where I had not a care in the world. With a small Ireland flag in my shaking hand., I sigh and stare up into the sky, wondering where he is, if he's thinking of me.

Walk away me boy, walk away me boy

And by mornin' we'll be free

Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear

And raise what's left of the flag for me

On top of the grave there's a hole, for flowers, or in this case, a flag.

"Hope you don't mind Professor." I say quietly. " You see, I have no where else to put it. I know that you're gone, but…"

I falter.

"Maybe you can watch over him, give him and those boys strength."

Tears fall from my eyes, falling softly over the grave.

"Please, bring him back to me. It's been too long"

Then the rosary beads count them one,

two, three

Fell apart as they hit the floor

I gasp as I enter our house. There were men standing in the living room, in black suits. One was playing with his glasses, another with his rosary. None look me in the eye, they know what they're here for. I hold back tears. Seamus and I were married 2 years after the war began, and I've feared this day since we recited our vows. I've seen it in his eyes, he want to join the fight. But he's also seen the fear in my eyes, to loose the man I love.

In our garb of black we must pay respect

To the colour we're born to mourn

I storm to the bedroom and there I see him. Sitting on our bed, head in hands, in the same black suit. The symbol of their band, black suits, black shirts, black ties. All black, the color of despair and dissolution.

He looks up and me, and stands. His suit doesn't fit, it's a little too big. Was his brother's he told me one day, the same day when he told me he'd never wear one of those suits.

"Hermione" he says softly and tears start to fall from my eyes.

"What is this!" I yell " you told me you'd never do this!"

In his place there grew an angry festered wound

Filled with hatred and remorse

Where I'd pick and scratch till the blood it matched

The silent rage not that fills my lungs

"I can't stand just sitting here anymore!" he says back, there's fear in his eyes. "I need to be out there."
"then be with Harry, or with Ron, but not them, not them Seamus."
"they're family Hermione."
"they killed your brother!"
"Voldemort killed my brother!"

But son a bullet fired from a shapeless guise

Leaves but the shell of a Thompson gun

Anger is in his eyes now. My worst fear has come true.

"you see those men out there, they're in the same situation as I am. They have lovers, wives, children, but they're all willing to out and fight. They're willing to take me in, even though I've never had training. This is a great honor. You know this is what I've always wanted.."

"all I know is that you told me you'd never do this."
"It's been 5 years since this war started, someone needs to do something."
"and you think that you and the Black Irish are going to do just that?"

"we're going to try." He stands and slings his bag over his shoulder. "I love you Hermione, but I need to do this."
"please don't leave me." I fall to the floor, sobbing.
He kneels down.

"I'll be back love, it's not forever."
He kisses me, and leaves me sobbing on the cold floor. Some days I think that I've never left that spot.

Walk away me boys, walk away me boys

And by morning we'll be free

"it's been over a year Professor and I've heard nothing. No one has heard anything from the Black Irish, I fear the worst every day."

I place the flag in the little hole on top of that white tomb.

"Please come home."

The sky grows dark and night approaches. I sit at the grave, just staring, wanting nothing but peace.
I head soft footsteps behind me, and I turn to look. A silent gasp escapes my lips.

There he stands, in the same black uniform, but now it looks as though it fits. He's grown, but still there is fear in his eyes.

"But the war."

"it will be over soon." He drops his bag and wraps his arms around me. "I'm sorry, I couldn't contact you."
Tears are falling freely now.

"I'm back for good Hermione, I left them. No more Black Irish. It's just you and me from now on."
We kiss and I hear soft footsteps.

"Hermione?"

I turn to see Ginny holding a baby boy. But the child didn't have flaming red hair, but sandy blonde hair.

"Hermione?" Seamus asks hesitantly.

"Me and you Seamus" I say smiling as I take the baby from Ginny. " and Patrick."

He weeps openly now, holding his son close. All is forgotten, except this moment.

"thank you professor, I knew you could do it."

Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear

And raise what's left of the flag for me