Chapter 15
Time passed so quickly. It was hard to keep track when most days were like any other. Get up, eat, fix something broken all day, eat, fall into bed exhausted, repeat. She had been working on the spiral staircase to the Divination classroom. What was it about glass windows that the Death Eaters hated so much? It seemed not one had survived, and it took a great deal of patience to get all the little stained-glass pieces lying on the floor back where they should be to make the picture right. Sometimes if she was very tired, the people would look like something Picasso would have created. She had gotten a bit lightheaded while trying to restore it. Severus had insisted that she take it easy for a few days. Of course she ignored him.
After another incident Hermione was on probation. Severus had warned her that if she didn't rest for a week he would confine her to bed for the rest of her pregnancy, and she was only four months. Sitting around all day was too boring to be tolerable, so she started straightening up the Headmasters office. Hermione came across the box of wands. Few were left after the memorial service.
A booth had been set up, with the wands that were left from the burial, on display. If someone could identify the owner of the wand, and were related, the name of the fallen person would be written on the monument and the family member could take it home. A few more souls would rest in peace. All the Hogwarts women students had their wands returned, even the few women faculty that had been hospitalized came much later and claimed their wands. It was heartbreaking for Hermione to see them still battered and bruised from their experience. Their eyes haunted, their brilliant minds silenced. Most would not enter the castle ever again and Hermione had met them outside the gate to give them their wands.
The crowd that day was uncountable. It was meant to only be a few hours that afternoon. After the notice in the paper, people started coming in the early morning and didn't stop until late. Torches had to be set up at night so that those who wanted to, could file by the graves. The flowers that had been sent covered the entire cliff face and filled the courtyard of Hogwarts. Hermione was very pleased that so many had come. She was proud of the monument Severus had made and it showed just how much everyone cared and appreciated what had happened here.
Everyone managed to settle down and assemble for the addresses. There were people everywhere, around the memorial, on the ground, in the air, and on the cliff top. There were many speeches that day. Kingsley had pledged a new era for the ministry. Many of the department heads were there, old and new, giving speeches of hope and renewal. There were testimonials and tributes from friends and relatives of all the fallen.
The two of them sat and listened politely with the others. Severus was nervous about how he would be received. He was ready to apparate them away if necessary. As the last speakers, she and Severus came to the podium together and the crowd began to roar in support. He didn't want to speak and was really only there to support her. Hermione's speech had been simple, and it was a good thing that Severus stood behind her for reassurance. She apologized to The American President Lincoln, for borrowing and altering his words, but they were so appropriate.
We were engaged in a great civil war. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those here who gave their lives that our world might live. The brave men and women, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. It is for us the living, - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion - that we here, highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain and that our world shall have a new birth of freedom. Thank You.
When she finished there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Then the crowd exploded in cheers and Hermione couldn't be heard anymore, even with the sonorous charm the speakers all used. She and Severus could only wave and depart.
Hemione sighed in relief remembering it. The memorial had been a success. All that was left now was restoration of the castle, if she could ever get out of this office and back to work.
oopOqoo
Hermione woke to Severus' arm around her waist. His hand placed protectively on her swelling belly. She could feel the warmth of his whole body next to hers, it was wonderful. Right now she wanted a little more than just sleeping in his arms.
Hermione rolled on her back and began to pull his night shirt up, kissing him gently everywhere she could reach. Looking in his face she saw he was awake. His dark eyes watching her with restrained fire. His hand went to her cheek. "Good Morning my love. Did you sleep well?"
She trembled with need at his touch as he traced her face with quiet kisses. "Yes. I slept well Sev, and you?"
He pulled her into a hug and they held each other for a moment. "I love you Hermione. Always remember that." He pulled away and gently kissed her forehead. He got out of bed and went to the loo. The water to the shower running. When he came out, he began to dress.
The disappointment was plain on her face. This was not the first time he had pulled away from her. She began to wonder if he had lost interest in her. Was she, had she become unattractive to him? It was the same every time, morning and night. He would say he loved her and then go or roll over to sleep. "We'd better head down for breakfast. I want to get started on the south tower today. Are you coming?"
Hermione was too hurt and embarrassed to say anything more and put her feet on the floor, resolving yet again to talk to him about it. He was right. This was no time for staying in bed. She yawned and stretched her sore muscles. It was a good kind of sore. The kind that comes from accomplishment. Her stomach rumbled and she resigned herself to the day.
It had been months since they had started repairs. Voldemort's rooms were the first to go, though she doubted the smell would ever truly go away, there would be few who would recognize it. It was back to a Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. She thought the irony of that quite amusing. His hoard of gold and riches was still in the castle, locked in a tower for now.
Working together with the house elves, Charlotte, Phillip and the auror volunteers they managed to get the roof back on the school. Many interior walls needed to be repaired to make it structurally sound. At this rate it would be a difficult project for some time to come.
Kingsley had been made Minister of Magic right after the memorial ceremony. It didn't take him long to whip things into shape. The ministry was up and running per usual and the Death Eater trials were still to come. Severus and Hermione showed him Voldemort's gold. His eyes nearly fell out of his head. Hermione made it plain that this gold was to go to the people. It would stay at Hogwarts for now, and he could request the funds from her. She would not give it to some committee to squander.
Shaklebolt agreed and gave her a list that day of institutions that needed help and how much he thought they needed. Hospitals, clinics, shelters, even small business grants for repair of war damage. There was a new orphanage and day care. Both named after Harry. But the majority of it would go to those left homeless by the war. A stipend to keep them going until they could get back on their feet. The funds would be given out by the Weasley Family Charitable Trust. An organization officially funded by an anonymous donor. Severus had even found a goblin to administer it, who would shift the whole thing to Gringotts eventually.
