Well I hadn't planned on continuing this story, but after a few requests, I thought I should at least attempt to close it out in some fashion. So onto part two.
*Denotes a flashback
As I watch the owl fly away after delivering its letter I look at the writing on the envelope, and my heart freezes. I haven't seen this writing for over 10 years, at least not addressed to me, but I would recognise it anywhere. I hesitate to open it. What could she possibly want after all this time? No doubt just condolences as news of Ron's death had travelled quite quickly around the wizarding world. I couldn't stomach any more pity, so I put the envelope in my bag that I was packing as I was heading to my parents house with the children for some time away, to grieve my husband.
"Rose, Hugo, come on it's time to go to Grandma and Grandpas" I called to my children.
I could hear them making their way from their rooms, banging doors as they went. Ron's death had hit us all hard as it was so unexpected.
*He'd left for work as he normally did, and then a few hours later I got a fire call from The Minister asking if he could come visit. Of Course, I'd said, you are always welcome. As the Minister had emerged from my fireplace I knew just from looking at his face that something was wrong.
"Hermione, there's been a terrible accident. Ron has been taken to St Mungos, but the prognosis isn't good. We must go now, if you wish to say goodbye" Kingsley uttered and ushered me into the fireplace.
On the walk to Ron's room, he tried to tell me what had happened, but I couldn't take any of it in. Something about an explosion on the Muggle London Underground, he had been following a person of interest, but no one could have foreseen what happened. As it had taken the muggles so long to get to the affected train car our healers were alerted too late to be able to do anything for Ron apart from make him comfortable. He'd been too near the blast, and had been blown back from the bomb that exploded and had lost a leg and had sustained a very serious head wound.
I stopped immediately as we entered his room. The healers were no longer frantically trying to save him, they had done everything that they could, but it just wasn't enough. Most were now walking towards the door dejectedly, with their heads bowed. A few apologised or just looked at me with pity. I took a breath and made my way towards Rons bed. He was covered with a blanket from his shoulders down. He had a huge bruise over the left side of his face. I pushed a lone strand of his ginger hair back from his face, and let my hand linger, hoping that he could at least feel in some way that I was here. I was completely unaware of the tears running down my face, or the fact that the Minister had not entered the room with me. An undetermined amount of time later the rest of the Weasleys arrived, along with my children and the Potters. It was time for us all to say goodbye. Rose, and Hugo came slowly towards the bed, I placed my hands on both of their shoulders, and told them to tell their dad that they loved him. Rose reached out and took her dad's hand and leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek, "I love you daddy" she whispered. Hugo just looked at Ron, tears streaming down his lovely face, his lip trembling as he struggled to say goodbye.
I pulled the children into me, to give them a hug, and walked them slowly out of the room to allow the others time to say goodbye. We sat on the awful plastic chairs outside his room, holding hands, waiting for the inevitable. Some time later there was an awful sound from the room, that came from Molly, and I knew that Ron had finally succumbed to his injuries.*
As I came back from that awful memory of only a few days ago, the children walked into the room with their suitcases. "Ready Mom" Rose grumbled. Hugo hadn't spoken since Rons death. I was really worried about him. Ron and Hugo had been inseparable. I indicated for them to head towards the door, so we could take the short drive over to the village my parents lived in. I popped the cases in the trunk and got behind the wheel. I was in no state to try to apparate us there, so the short 30 minute drive would have to do. After making sure the kids had their belts on, we started our journey.
I really liked driving, it had irked Ron when I had started lessons not long after finishing my final year at Hogwarts, he didn't understand the need for the car as we could floo or apparate anywhere we needed to go. I'd laughed and told him it was just something I had to do. We rowed about it some more, every time I was due to go for a lesson in fact but that didn't deter me. I passed first time, after only 20 or so lessons. Driving allowed me time to think, to get away from things for a while. To imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn't been a witch, If Minerva hadn't come to visit my parents and I all those years ago. Which brings my thoughts back to Minerva. What was in her letter? Why after all these years of silence? She never forgot Rose or Hugos Birthdays and there was always a present for each of them under the tree at Christmas from her, usually their favourite gift if truth be told. Ron would always get a shadow over his face when the children opened their presents from Minerva. I never got to ask him why, at least not without causing a conflict between us, which normally resulted in Ron storming out the house and coming back drunk and forcing himself on me, whether I wanted it or not. I sighed, my life with Ron had certainly not been everything I had hoped for all those years ago, but I had loved him.
I pulled the car in front of my childhood home and turned the engine off. I could see my mother through the front window looking out for us. I turned in my chair to look at the kids, Hugo was looking sullen with his arms crossed across his chest, and Rose was already taking her belt off in preparation for leaving the car.
"I realise that we are all hurting after Daddy's death, and we will be staying here until the funeral, at least" I informed them. "I'm hoping that being away from home will help you get some closure before you start at Hogwarts Rose, away from the memories of your father" All I received in reply from either was a huff and then my mother was opening the door for Hugo and pulling him from the car into her arms for a hug. I got the cases from the boot and made my way into my parents home.
My dad had taken the kids upstairs to get them settled into their rooms. My mother and I were in the kitchen at the table. I had been staring into my tea cup for the last five minutes, when my mother came over to me and put her arms around my shoulders. That was all the permission I needed. I burst into tears and sobbed into her arms. I couldn't believe Ron was gone, what was I going to do? I'd never planned on being a single parent, how was I supposed to help them through their grief when my own was crippling me? I'd cried so much over the last few days, I hadn't thought I had any tears left. When was this going to start feeling better, or at least a little easier? When the pressure in my chest finally eased, I lifted my head from my mom's arms and smiled at her wanly. "Thanks Mom, for agreeing to let us stay a while"
"Oh Honey, you can stay for as long as you need. You and the children are always welcome here" she reassured me and pulled me into the haven of her arms once more. "I'm going to go and check on the kids" I said as I pulled away.
I passed my dad in the hall, he wasn't one for big gestures, but he squeezed my shoulder as he passed me and gave me a nod to let me know he was here for me too. I climbed the stairs to the first floor and knocked on the closed door to Hugo's room. There was no reply, so I pushed the door open. He was sitting on his bed, with headphones on and a comic book on his legs. I stepped back from the room and closed the door. I had to let him grieve in his own way. If he didn't talk within a month I would look into getting him some therapy. Rose's door was ajar and I could see that she was also on her bed, but she was lying on her side looking through the back window. I didn't want to intrude but I could tell that she was crying from the movement of her shoulders. I entered the room, slipped off my shoes and got onto the bed with my daughter. I curled up behind her, and put my arms around her stomach and pulled her into me.I tried to console her as she grieved for her father. I must have fallen asleep as I woke up a few hours later, to an empty bed and the sun setting outside the window. I could hear my parents and Rose talking in the kitchen, and the clang of utensils hitting crockery as they ate.
I made my way slowly down the stairs. As I entered the kitchen I placed a kiss on both Roses and Hugos head and sat at the empty chair. I didn't feel hungry, but I did pour myself another tea from the pot in the centre. As I warmed my hands around the porcelain I looked around the table. Hugo and Rose were just finishing their food and my parents were looking at me. I don't know what they expected so I said "Sorry, I didn't mean to sleep so long. Thank you for feeding the kids I'll give you some money" I trailed off, I couldn't make small talk right now. I rose from the chair and left out the back door to get some air. I sat on the swing that my dad had installed in between the two oaks trees. I pushed back to get it rocking, and then leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I could feel the tears wanting to make their way down my cheeks again. I fought them back. I didn't want to cry any more today. I concentrated on my surroundings, the smell of the flowers, the rustle from the leaves above me, the dog that was barking in the distance. The neighbour's cat jumped onto the swing next to me, as if it could sense I was in need. I stroked my hand through its fur and it started to purr. I felt a peace settle over me as I sat there slowly rocking and stroking this cat. This was the calmest and clear headed I'd been since the Minister had fire called me 3 days ago.
I watched the lights go on upstairs in the kids rooms, then a white later they went out. My parents' light in their bedroom also came on and was turned off about 5 minutes later. I looked down at my watch. I had been sitting out here for well over 3 hours. I got up from the swing and made my way inside. The kitchen and hall lights had been left on for me by my parents. I placed my cup in the sink and made my way to my room turning the lights out as I went. As I opened the bag I packed earlier I noticed the letter from Minerva on the top. I took it out and placed it on the bedside table. I'd read it when I got back from the bathroom across the hall.
As I settle on the bed, I grab the letter. For some reason my stomach is doing flip flops. I slit open Minerva's distinctive seal and pull the letter from the envelope. I read it, I read it overwhelming emotion currently running through me is anger. How dare she do this now? Who does she think she is? Professing to have fallen in love with me, and never telling me? I never realised that's how she felt. How on earth did Ron figure it out when I couldn't?
As I read the letter through for the third time, the anger begins to dissipate, I can picture every memory she's shared with me.
I want my best friend back. I scamper out of bed and grab some spare parchment from my bag. I write a short message, and head back into the garden. Back when I was at school I purchased my parents an owl so that they would be able to keep in touch with me. Luckily they had kept it and it roosted at the bottom of the garden in its cage. As I approached Bowie's ears twitched.
"Got a job for you boy" I coo. I attach the letter to his leg and watch him fly off into the distance.
I have no idea what my future holds, but with Minerva back in my life, I hope that it will ease some of the suffocating pain my children and I are in.
So, this seems to have taken on a life of its own. What did Hermione write back to Minerva. Can Hermione forgive her? You'll have to wait for the next installment to find out :) Thanks for reading guys.