Disclaimer: Don't own anything at all!

A/N: Well...as the time of the year is approaching rapidly, this isa Christmas chapter (it is most likely that I make a Christmas Triology)! I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for all those who reviewed and special thankts for my beta who made this story even better!

Rest

Since their last encounter when he escaped, they had not met again. Both sides were silent and still. The month passed and the temperature continued to steep downwards. Before she knew it, it was Christmas. A time which she used to celebrate. Used to.

There wasn't much to celebrate anymore. They were at war. Yet this moment, a party, albeit not a big one, was raging in 12 Grimmauld Place.

"C'mon, 'Mione," Ron said good-naturedly as he moved to her corner and laid his arm across Hermione's shoulders. "It's Christmas. Lighten up! At least have an eggnog!"

A chorus of agreements was heard by the members of the Order close to them.

Hermione looked up from her book- 'Potions in Life and Death Situation', and smiled softly. She appreciated the fact that they were making an effort to include her…even though all she wanted was solitude. The self-isolation. To meditate, to prepare and to lose herself. To linger in the past.

"I'd-" she began, trying to think of a diplomatic way to avoid the festivity. But before she could, a glass of warm eggnog was pushed into her hand.

"Nonsense!" Ginny berated with a splitting smile and a huge amount of enthusiasm. "You're having fun for one night at least! Now, put down that scruffy and depressing book and join us!"

At that, Hermione was pulled by Ginny into the crowd of people with the sounds of Christmas music blasting. Hermione tried to look for an escape. She really was not up for this. Ginny had left her in the far end of the dancing floor while she went dancing with Harry.

"C'mon, Hermione! Smile, leave the frowns for after Christmas when you find out that you didn't get a present from me!" Remus joked as he approached her. He pulled Hermione into a dance when she finished her drink. "C'mon, dance with your old professor!"

Hermione laughed, finding herself enjoying the company of a good friend and respected teacher. "You're not old, Remus! If anyone's old here, it would be Professor Dumbledore, but I don't see him calling himself old!"

"Just the figure of speech." Remus grinned.

Maybe, only for tonight, she would enjoy herself. Her troubles and him could bother her another day. Not tonight. She would enjoy Christmas with her family.

"May I cut in?" Ron hollered above the music. His face was red from the excitement or the alcohol. He smiled widely as Remus moved away politely and let him dance with Hermione. "My turn."

"Yes, your turn," humored Hermione in a very motherly tone at Ron's rather childish statement.

"Aww… 'Mione!" Ron whined. "Stop treating me like a kid."

Hermione laughed as the couples around burst into laughter as well. It was a funny sight, seeing a veteran of the war being childish and young again. After the laugh, they danced in silence. Enjoying each other's presence.

Ron and she were best friends. Ron was one of her constants. Just like Harry. They argued a lot, but they were close. He was the body, while she was the mind. He protected her from physical harm. In return, she guided their roads. Making sure that they wouldn't get themselves killed. They were siblings. Just that simple. Nothing more and nothing less.

That was the way they were. The relationship they wanted.

The evening wore on as Hermione slowly and truly relaxed herself. She allowed her guard to drop. She was the woman that would've been, unstained by the war. She was the girl not long out of school, the girl untouched by blood. She was young.

As the night continued, she took in an increasing amount of alcohol and made more merry with her friends. They sung, they danced and they enjoyed.

For it wasn't often that they could gather. It wasn't certain if all of them would be here at the end of this. So they lived for the moment for once. They lived in the present and did not think about the next day.

The clock struck twelve as everyone sobered up. No matter how drunken or how light-headed one would feel. It was a tradition. A new one. One started with the war. It was for remembrance. Hermione stood next to Ginny as they watched Dumbledore, the sole icon of their side, ascend the makeshift stage. It was silent. Not a silence of anticipation though.

They knew why he was up there.

"Tonight, I am once again, the bearer of ill news." Dumbledore began, his voice grim, "I'm sorry to say, the party ends. It is time for us to remember, to mourn the lost of our comrades. We have lost many great friends in this war. It is unfortunate that they can no longer stand amongst us. But we will always remember their sacrifices, as will those that will live in their triumph."

After all was said, the elderly professor flicked his wand. Small and delicate wooden boxes appeared before them, each bearing the names of the martyrs in gold. Into these boxes, they would put their final well wishes to each comrade. Then these boxes would be sent to the graves, where they would lie with the bodies.

Hermione and Ginny made their way to Luna's box. Although Luna and her had never really been close, like Harry and her, they had been there for each other. And in Luna's final moments, she had stood next to her. Screaming curses to defend them.

Ginny went first, as she was closer to Luna. She pointed her wand at the opened wooden cavity and closed her eyes. Golden specks collected at the tip of her wand. Forming into a soft golden ball of light. Ginny opened her eyes and with a soft flick of her wand, the ball of gold left the tip of her wand and sunk into the box. She then gazed softly at the name scrawled across the delicate craft before she stepped aside and let her stand before the last monument for their friend.

She stood there, wand out, eyes closed and remembered.

The ritual worked similar to collecting a Pensive. It helped with mourning. She collected her fondest memories with Luna and allowed these thoughts channeled through her arm into her wand. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel the tingle of magic and knew that a globe of memories and final wishes collected before her.

When she was done, she opened her eyes and softly propelled these memories into the container before her. She still remembered everything with Luna. Their first encounter. Their disagreements. The insights they had shared.

But her heart was lighter, knowing that these memories were known to Luna too. Knowing that they shared those times together.

She moved away from the box and with Ginny, they proceed to another deceased member. Thanking them for their sacrifice.

As the ceremony completed, the boxes were collected and put in a room, where the next day, they would be buried next to their owners. One by one, the members disappeared. Harry went back to his room. As did Ron.

She sat there until the last one of their members disappeared. Hermione then picked up her book from where she left it and made her way to her room.

There, she found rest. For herself.

A/N: Those who had reviewed in the past, many thanks and those who had yet to review, please do (Make it my christmas prezzie). I don't know what else to say...how about an early MERRY CHRISTMAS?! -excuse me, I'm rather hyper today- tell me what you think about this story!! PLEASE, PLEASE, REVIEW!