Author's Note: I am not sure that my writing for the prologue adequately expressed what I want Harry and Hermione to be like. It reads to me like they're too selfish, but I am torn as I want them to be flawed characters here (in that they do have the thoughts) but I also don't want them to act OOC (they only think selfishly in private and haven't acted on their innermost wants). Anyway, that's why I've put this chapter up as well since I think the prologue on its own doesn't quite do the characters or my writing style justice.

DAENERYSTARGARY3N

The past few days had been tense in the Weasley household. Mrs Weasley quickly slipped into a listless depression in the wake of Fred's death and George, who was by far the most affected by the loss of his twin, had taken to experimenting with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes ideas that more often than not required Harry and Hermione to put out fires and administer various remedies to the lonely prankster. The older siblings had found comfort in their partners: Bill spent almost all of his time with Fleur, Charlie was engaged in a casual fling with a girl from the local pub and Percy's longtime love, Penelope, had come back into the picture. Ron and Ginny had taken the middle path of finding comfort in the arms of Hermione and Harry and between themselves. Yet, the Weasley patriarch had surprised everyone in his method of dealing with grief and once it became clear Molly would not accept his comfort or affection, had moved out to the barn and snapped his wand, forswearing magic entirely.

"If we think this is difficult, I can only imagine how difficult tomorrow's going to be," Harry groaned, returning to the dining table where Hermione sat after slipping George a sleeping draught, "what with the eight funerals we've got to sit through."

Hermione scoffed, "Sit through? Harry, you're going to have to give eulogies at most - if not all - of the funerals. Kingsley and everyone else is going to expect it."

The torrent of swear words and vulgar curses that spewed forth from Harry Potter in that moment would have made quite the spread in the Daily Prophet. If his audience consisted of anyone other than Hermione, they would have flinched at the vehemence in his tone and words, but she was accustomed to his releases that had been sporadic but persistent since they had unwillingly moved into the Burrow almost a week ago.

"They can't expect me to speak at all of them! It's not human! Haven't I done enough? I've only killed the psychopathic wizard who wanted to kill everyone! What more does everyone want? When can I be just Harry? I think I've just about fucking deserved it by now!" Harry roared, his fury unable to be restrained any longer.

Hermione sighed, beckoning him to sit beside her, "I know. It's hard. Tomorrow is going to be awful. I just can't believe they're insisting on serial funerals. Putting Remus, Tonks, Professor Snape, Fred, Lavender and Colin on the same day is painful. It literally breaks my heart. If you like, I'll tell Kingsley I can do eulogies at the other two, but they're going to insist you do those. They're people you actually knew."

"Are they not doing Remus and Tonks' funeral together?" Harry asked, only just realising that they were two ceremonies.

Hermione wiped a tear from her own cheek, "No. Because Remus was a werewolf, it wasn't allowed. They're being buried together though but the Ministry wouldn't do a joint funeral for them, even though they were married."

"That reminds me, I appreciate you offering to do eulogies at the other funerals, 'Mione," Harry said, having found his calm again, "I need your help tomorrow morning in between Tonks' funeral and Snape's."

"Professor Snape, Harry. But alright, what do you need?"

Harry held her hand in his, just needing a bit of her strength for himself in that moment, "I'm meeting with Andromeda to talk about taking full custody of Teddy."

And as the new Minister of Magic spoke droves about Tonks' talents as an auror, her unfailing love as a wife and her lost chance at motherhood, Harry's thoughts went back to the conversation he had with his friend and her promise to support him if looking after Teddy full-time was what he truly wanted. Before the Minister's speech, Harry had taken to the podium to deliver his speech co-written with Hermione. Since then all his nervous energy was going towards his meeting with his godson's grandmother.

Hermione thought he he had done brilliantly well that morning, considering public speaking was not his metier and the subject matter was so painful to him, but from the way his entire body was shuddering, his nerves were coming out to play. Subtly and without fuss, she slipped her glove off and placed her hand in his, his grip reacting immediately to keep her there with him.

"It's nearly over. Then we'll go and talk to her," Hermione whispered, "and it'll all be fine."

Harry nodded, turning to look at her hazelnut eyes and finding the comfort and help he always found in them. He wondered how on earth in that moment people ever labelled Hermione as his follower - Ron, perhaps - but Hermione never. She had followed him on his path, but more often it was her leading him and guiding him down that dangerous way, keeping him and the rest of the world safe. When he had doubts or struggled, as he was now, it was Hermione's hand that took his and led him along the way.

Before either of them realised it, the funeral rites for Nymphadora were over and people were leaving for lunch and a much-needed respite between ceremonies. Once two thirds of the Golden Trio snapped out of their funk, Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and went over to the easily spotted Weasley family in search of Ginny and Ron.

She pulled them away and murmured, "Harry and I have some business with Mrs Tonks to attend to but we'll see you at Fred's funeral later. We shouldn't be too long but you two need to stay here. We'll tell you all about it later."

Without waiting for the argument of why Hermione was to be the one to go with Harry and have business with him instead of Ginny, the youngest Weasley siblings just stood by as Hermione strode back to Harry and linked her arm in the crook of his before they both walked over to Andromeda Tonks who stood with the Minister with Teddy sleeping soundly in her arms.

"Mrs Tonks," Harry began unsteadily, "might we go somewhere to have that word now?"

Andromeda looked at him with bloodshot eyes but nodded and took her leave of Minister Shacklebolt. Harry, Hermione and Andromeda moved over to a picnic table away from the others where they wouldn't be disturbed and took their seats, Harry and Hermione sitting opposite Mrs Tonks.

"I know why you've asked to speak with me, Harry," she said, "and I have some requests to ask of you regarding my grandson's care before you take him."

Both Harry and Hermione were stunned by the older woman's blunt candor. They had expected her to be unreceptive to the idea of Harry taking sole custody of her only grandchild, but had not anticipated that she would be so abrupt in her manner with them.

"Erm...yes, of course," Harry stuttered, truly thrown off by Andromeda's attitude, "what are your requests?"

"I would like to be involved in his upbringing. Even though Remus and Nymphadora chose you to take Teddy if something happened to them, I'm his grandmother and I would like to be considered in decisions regarding raising him. I would also appreciate being allowed to come and see him from time to time. I would also like to know what other...influences," she said pointedly, her glare shifting to Hermione's presence at Harry's side, "there will be in Teddy's life."

Harry was not affronted by any of her requests, which, although delivered with spite and antipathy, were reasonable. Yet, when Andromeda turned that same enmity she had towards Hermione, Harry's temper flared.

"Mrs Tonks, I readily agree to all your terms but I think you've misunderstood me. I am not trying to take Teddy away from you or oust you from his life. My aim here is only to raise my godson as his parents wanted and to have you be a defining influence in his life. I had no loving upbringing and my situation was much the same as Teddy's, so all I want is to give him what I never had - two people who can raise him as a family - you and me. While I want you to be fully involved in Teddy's future and have acquiesced to your requests, I will not allow you to dictate who I allow to be in my life and around Teddy, especially when your own judgment appears to be faulty, judging by your animosity towards Hermione, who will definitely be an influence in Teddy's life and mine."

Hermione looked back and forth between her best friend and Mrs Tonks, taken fully aback by Harry's insistence that she remain part of his life and be in Teddy's. The pair were fully staring daggers at each other now in a silent battle of wills, neither willing to be the first to cede over the precious boy who slept while his grandmother and godfather clashed in their desire to give him the best of everything.

"Oh for Merlin's sake," Hermione burst out, "you two are just being so stupid! I'm actually amazed that you're both being such dunderheads! Can't you see that the two of you are just fighting each other because you're trying to accomplish the same thing but aren't sure the other person is? Let me tell you right now as an outsider - no, Harry, I am an outsider whatever you think otherwise - that Harry is the best person to raise Teddy because that's what Remus and Tonks thought and decided upon together and he wants to, and I know more than anyone alive that whenever Harry wants to do something like he wants to be a parent to Teddy he does it and he does it well. So, Mrs Tonks that just leaves you. You have just lost your daughter, husband and son-in-law and for that I am sorry. We have all lost people we loved in the war: Harry lost everyone except Teddy and my parents are...gone."

"Wait...what?" Harry exclaimed.

"Later, Harry," Hermione pleaded, "anyway, I get why you're acting like Harry's a Snatcher trying to take your grandson away. You think he's too young, too damaged from the war, too immature to raise Teddy. They are your fears and I can appreciate where they come from, but I'm going to tell you something and because of that glare you shot me I'm not going to do it as gently as I would have. Harry is young but he's more mature than he should be at seventeen and is financially, emotionally and mentally ready to take care of Teddy. The war has damaged him, but miraculously no more than any of us are damaged. He has nightmares, so do I and I'd be astounded if you didn't have nightmares. You know what, though, he - at least - has the help of his friends and me. You are alone in that house with Teddy and it's obvious that it's too much for you, Mrs Tonks. So, all Harry is offering is to take the hard jobs and the responsibility, leaving you as the role you should have had if Remus and Tonks lived...as Teddy's grandma, the person he looks to for fun, for advice when Harry just won't do because he's too close or pocket money for Hogsmeade weekends. No one is taking Teddy away from you but for some reason, you only want to see the worst in Harry's intentions. So, here's my advice and then I'm finished and I'm walking away, taking Teddy for a stroll while you two see sense: just get over yourselves, the pair of you, and stop bickering."

Hermione did not wait for either addressee to respond to her diatribe before she scooped the bundle of Teddy up out of Andromeda's embrace and stalked away cooing to the slumbering child.

"Well," Andromeda said, "she's something. Doesn't shy away from the truth at all, does she?"

Harry chuckled, "No, that she does not, but I love her for it...God knows it's saved my behind on more than one occasion. She is right though, Mrs Tonks, I don't want to take Teddy from you and you would always be more than welcome at our home."

Now that there was no delicate sleeping child in her arms, Andromeda fell forward onto her arms on the table and wept. Harry, in true shock, waited a moment before moving beside her and pulling her into his arms so she could let out her sorrow in comfort rather than onto the cold wood of the table.

Once Andromeda regained her countenance, she pulled away from the man (she did wonder when she had begun to see him as such, considering that before the funerals she referred to him as the boy). She saw the desire to help in Harry Potter's emerald eyes along with the desire to have a future in this post-war world he never expected to see. She had done him wrong and misjudged him and it had taken the woman, whose presence in Harry's life she wasn't sure she understood or approved of judging by their intimacy during the three funerals that had taken place that day, to berate her and Harry for quite some time to see it.

"I'm sorry I was harsh earlier, Harry," Andromeda confessed, "I was angry at myself for being too old and tired to look after Teddy properly. I'm sorry you and Hermione bore the brunt of it. She's quite the firecracker when she wants to be though and I can see her defending the son of a werewolf in the future. She really ought to consider a career at the Ministry, the way she takes to an argument."

Harry's eyes shone at the common ground they had found thanks to Hermione's outburst and replied, "She does love to put me right when I'm being a dunderhead, as she puts it. She'll never work at the Ministry though, Mrs Tonks, she's doesn't trust people in politics and she doesn't like being a public person any more than I do. I don't know what her plans for her future are, despite sharing mine with her. We've just been so trapped at the Weasleys helping them deal with losing Fred that we've barely had time to consider what we'll do. I just knew the first step was talking to you about Teddy's future."

She nodded, "First, please call me Andromeda, dear, there's no need to be so formal. And, I have to ask, when do you want to move Teddy in with you?"

Harry sensed she was about to say take Teddy, but was grateful she didn't. He couldn't have the same fight with her again. He was pleased they were on cordial terms and now just had Teddy, Hermione and Ginny to think about in his future.

"In two weeks, if that's okay with you. I mean, I can get him sooner but while I find a place to live and set it up for him, I thought you might like to spend that time with him. If that's too soon or too long for you, I'm open to your suggestions."

Andromeda smiled, pleased she wouldn't lose her only company instantly, "No, Harry. A fortnight is perfect. It gives me enough time to pack up Teddy's things and spend time with him and it gives you time to set up your home without a young child to consider."

"It's settled then. Now, I believe I need to go and find Hermione. I think we have some things to discuss and I'll get her to bring Teddy back after she kind of stole him."

The older woman chuckled, "Yes, she kind of did. I don't mind though. She more or less took care of you for seven years. She won't find a sleeping baby a challenge at all. I didn't know she lost her own parents though, Harry, so please pass on my condolences."

Harry nodded, "I will, but first I want to ask her about that myself, because I didn't know she lost her parents. She didn't tell me."

Andromeda popped her lips open in surprise. She was under the impression from Hermione's closeness to Harry that they shared everything. She could only imagine how the loss of her parents had affected the young witch for her not to confide in her closest companion.

"I'll owl you soon, Andromeda," Harry promised, rising from the picnic table bench, "once things are a bit more settled."

With that he went in search of Hermione, avoiding the sea of redheads like the plague, unwilling to imprison himself in his girlfriend's clutches while Hermione was his priority. He found her swaying with Teddy gurgling in her arms while she spoke with Headmistress McGonagall. He didn't want to interrupt them as it seemed they were engaged in a serious discussion but his old Head of House caught his eye and beckoned him over.

"Well, Mr Potter," McGonagall said, a smile gracing her thin lips, "I must say you spoke very well at all three funerals this morning. You made me quite proud."

"Thank you, professor, though Hermione wrote most of the speeches."

While Hermione blushed at the credit due to her, Professor McGonagall smirked, "Yes, I know. I recognised her voice in what you were saying. That's what made each speech brilliant, they all contained Miss Granger's smarts and sense of loyalty along with your own of bravery and courage, Potter. Now, I have just asked your friend here a serious question about her future and she flat out refused to answer me without discussing her options with you."

"What is it, Hermione?" Harry asked, giving his friend all of his attention.

"She, that is, the Headmistress has asked me to join the staff at Hogwarts and teach Defence Against the Dark Arts."

Harry was blown away by her revelation. He knew she was the perfect candidate for the position: she was excellent at the subject, had first-hand experience of duelling and fighting the dark arts and she would be a force to be reckoned with in the classroom inspiring and teaching everything that was stored in that colossal brain of hers to students. He was sure the wizarding world would be a much safer place if the witches, wizards and aurors being turned out by Hogwarts were being instructed by the brightest witch of the age. He was so proud of her.

"That's amazing! Are you going to accept?" He asked, not entirely certain what her answer would be.

"I'd like to, Harry, you know I'd love to! Teaching is what I've wanted to do forever, but I can't help but think me moving up to the castle in a few months once the repairs are complete is going to upset a lot of people...redheaded people, and I don't want to do that when they're going through so much sadness and when they've done so much for me."

Harry groaned, since the Weasley predicament was troubling him regarding his need to move away to be with Teddy in their own home. He knew it wasn't right that Hermione even think about throwing away her dream career just to enable the Weasley family through their grief. He knew that both their boyfriend and girlfriend were members of the family and grieving over their brother but since the battle had finished, neither had really spoken words to them about their relationships that started in the calamity that ensued after the fighting was done and were uncertain at best. Both knew that Ginny and Ron would find it hard to accept their plans for their futures, but hadn't figured out how to break it to their partners that the things both wanted did not feature extended stays at the Burrow.

"Professor, can we have a moment and would you mind taking Teddy back to Andromeda? I think Hermione and I need to have a talk."

Once the Headmistress had left with Teddy, Harry pulled Hermione into his side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders so they could walk together. He let her acclimate to their gait before he began his own tirade, mirroring that she had embarked on against himself and Andromeda.

"Hermione, first, tell me what happened with your parents, please. I thought they were still safe in Australia."

He saw her bite back a sob before she answered, "They died. I got there too late. It's funny, isn't it, that I sent them away to save them from dying at the Death Eaters' hands but they died in a stupid car accident? They died two months ago. I apparated to Australia on Monday to find them and I asked a neighbour of theirs who said that the Wilkins died when a truck crashed into their car on the freeway. At least it happened instantly. They didn't suffer. Better than being tortured for hours before being put out of their misery, I suppose."

"Oh, sweetheart..." Harry crooned as he stopped and pulled her into his chest for a hug, kissing her hair softly as he held her while she let her tears loose.

He didn't know where 'sweetheart' had come from but it felt right to call her that. She did, after all, have the sweetest heart of any person he had ever known and that heart had been carrying the burden of her parents' deaths alone for two days, sharing it with not a soul.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She looked up at him with sad, sorry eyes, "I didn't want to be one more person you had to comfort in their grief. I know how tired we are and how the Weasleys don't seem to be getting any easier to take care of despite us staying up all day and all night to do so. I don't want to be one more burden on you, Harry."

"You have never and could never be a burden on me and I'm kind of hurt that you don't know you can tell me anything, anytime, anywhere. I will always want to help you and that's why I'm going to say probably the harshest thing I've ever said but I've been thinking it since the end of the battle. The Weasleys, though they've helped us in the past and been there for us, are not our family. Just because we are dating two of them does not make us honorary Weasleys or whatever they think we are. I'm Harry Potter and you're Hermione Granger. We're not married to Ginny and Ron and our future is not the Burrow if we don't want it to be and feeling sorry for what that family is going through should not affect our lives. I need to find a place in the world where Teddy and I can learn to be a family and I have no intention of making that place the Burrow. You, sweetheart," he said it again and was glad when it made Hermione's smile reach her eyes, "need to accept McGonagall's offer and go to Hogwarts and teach dunderheads like I was how to defend themselves, though I hope they'll never need to, and all that other amazing stuff you've got crammed in that brilliant brain of yours."

Hermione hugged him and said, smiling more than she had in days, "I'll accept but will you and Teddy find somewhere close?"

That request was more like the Hermione he knew and loved, and he replied grinning equally as hard, "I was thinking about that since McGonagall said she'd hire you. I'll look for a place in Hogsmeade, 'Mione."

She smiled and wrapped him harder in her hug, elated that he wanted to be near to her. Only when she thought about him living with Teddy did her smile falter and she pulled away.

"What about Ginny and Ron? How are we going to tell them and the rest of the Weasleys? They're going to be so angry, Harry..."

The Boy Who Lived grimaced but replied, "They will, but if they love us, they'll understand and if they don't then we're getting out just in time, sweetheart."

Hermione agreed but was having too much trouble moving her diligent mind away from how she liked being called Harry's sweetheart to consider the effects of their decisions to move away from the Burrow and the Weasleys.