As I sit in the park, watching Hugo swing as high as he can, and Rose sat quietly under the tree, I sigh and squeeze the fingers that are holding mine. So much has changed in the last few days. I felt like I was spiralling out of control after Ron died, it wasn't until Minerva turned up, at my request, that I realised quite how much I missed her. As we'd sat in the garden the night before and she was comforting me, the memories she shared in her letters kept replaying in my mind, along with a few of my own. Hearing her talk so passionately of a love that took her breath away whenever they were near, imagining the future she described for her and I, and then realising that Ron and I would never have that, but we could have something, if only I tried hard enough. Had I known then that the love she was describing to me was actually what she felt for me, my future would have been completely different, but as my eyes again travel over to Hugo who is now working his way across the monkey bars, I wouldn't have these two amazing children. So maybe she was right not to tell me.

"Thank you for coming last night Min. I hope I haven't taken you away from anything important" I say quietly.

I hear a slight chuckle "Nothing is as important as you and the children to me, love. Even if the school had been in session and I was conducting a detention, I'd have still come to you. In truth I had just finished up the last of the new term letters for the students that are due back in a few weeks, and was about to prepare for a little night cap when Bowie arrived" she informs me.

"I read your letter and I just had to see you, I hadn't really spared a thought for what you might be doing" I can feel the hand on the back of the bench lightly wandering across my shoulder, its faint, whisper like, and if I wasn't so hyper aware of everything right now I might have missed the touch. It's comforting.

"How is Hogwarts, ready for the new school year?" I ask

"Hmm, of course, I had agreed with Filius to stay until the letters had been written and then I was going to announce my retirement, the school is in a state now that I can leave and it will still be in the best of hands" She confides.

I'm dumbstruck. She's retiring? But Rose is due to start in September, and then it clicks, she's leaving because of Rose, and the deal she made with Ron all those years ago. "Is that still the plan? I had always hoped you would be the one to oversee both Rose and Hugos education" I ask, looking up into her face.

She smiles, "Honestly Hermione I have to leave sometime, I'm not going to be Albus and stay there until my last breath. I've been at Hogwarts for the better part of my life, and it's been incredibly fulfilling, but I do believe it is time for me to leave and let the school enter into its next chapter, and for me to enter mine" she says looking into my eyes. They are glistening in the early morning sunlight, there is an emotion in them that I can't quite decipher, a little regret and hope for the future maybe?

"As long as it's what you want and this has not been predetermined by your deal with Ron, then I guess I'll say Happy retirement Minerva, I hope that your future plans are everything that you hoped" I raise my face and kiss her on the cheek, and pull her towards me for a hug.

"Filius will do a stand up job, taking the school through its next era. The children and the school will be well looked after, you need not worry Hermione. As for myself, well I had planned a few weeks decompressing in my manor in the highlands, and then travelling a little. Of course my plans aren't set in stone and if you were to, Oh I don't know, need me for anything, I'd drop everything to be with you." She mumbles in my ear. A warmth spreads throughout me as those words settle around my heart.

The moment is interrupted by a cry from Hugo, Minerva and I rush over to him. He's fallen from the monkey bars and grazed his knees and hands a bit. "Hugo, your OK Sweetie" I say as I kiss his boo boos better.

"Can we go back to grandma and grandpas now mummy?" He asks, still sniffling.

"Sure, Honey, let me just go tell Rose" I give him a kiss on the cheek and turn around to yell at Rose "Rose, we're heading back now, come on" I turn back round to grab Hugos hand only to find him on Minervas back, with his hands locked tightly around her neck, and the biggest grin on his face. "Wow, Mommy, look how tall I am now" he says in awe.

"You sure are buddy, ease up on your lock a bit, Minervas turning blue" I say as I walk ahead to talk to Rose.

"You ok, Rosie?" I ask, as I slip my arm through her elbow. Rose and I have always been close, when Ron was taking Hugo out on camping trips, Rose and I would sit at home and have movie nights, eating popcorn and talking.

"I miss dad, probably not as much as you and Hugo, but he was still a big part of my life, and I miss him" she sighs and leans her head on my arm.

"Oh love, you're allowed to miss your dad, we all are. We have to grieve, he loved all of us and wouldn't have wanted to leave us the way he did, but he also wouldn't have wanted us to be sad forever. He'd want us to grieve him, and move on. When the pain hits us at different times throughout the rest of our lives, remember a good memory you have of the two of you, and then get on with life. I know that may sound difficult right now but time is the greatest healer. I'll always be here for you, and I think Minerva would love for you to confide in her too if there's something you don't wish to share with me". I try to console my daughter. I feel better prepared to help my children through their grief now that I've got a good support system. We walk the rest of the way back to my parents in silence.

"Mom, dad? We're back" I announce as I open the front door. Rose heads straight upstairs, Hugo follows after Minerva places him down. I make my way into the kitchen to put the kettle on. I find my mother preparing potatoes for lunch at the sink.

"Everything go OK, sweetie?" she asks.

"I got to have a chat with Rose, I think she's finally coming to terms with things. Hugo's been better since Minerva arrived, don't you think?" I say as I grab a couple of cups from the cupboard.

"A few letters arrived whilst you were out, they're on the table in the hall, and I'm glad the children are doing better" she finishes.

I can hear Minerva conversing with my dad in the lounge as I walk back into the hall. There are two letters, one addressed to Minerva and one to myself, which looks to be from Molly. I go and finish making our drinks and bring them along with the letters into the lounge. "Min, a letter has arrived for you" I say as I hand it over. She looks at me over the top of her glasses as she takes the letter from my grasp, "Thank you love" she smiles and looks down to read the letter. I sit in the chair on the opposite side of the room and slit Mollys seal from the envelope.

Hermione,

I hope you are getting the space you need at your parents, but I would really like to discuss the plans for the funeral with you. I'd also really love to see my grandchildren. This is hard on all of us.

I'll prepare a family meal for tomorrow evening.

Please come.

Yours

Molly

I sigh as I refold the letter, I have been putting this off, but the sooner it's done the sooner we can all move on. I can feel eyes on me, and I look up, Minerva is still reading her letter, with a frown on her face, but my dad is looking at me inquiringly

"Molly, wants to discuss funeral plans" I tell him. That gets Minerva's attention, her head comes up and she looks at me, she doesn't say anything, but the look in her eyes tells me all I need, she'll help where she can. She goes back to reading her letter and I sit back and take a sip of my tea. The kids come noisily down the stairs, and enter the lounge, just as my mom enters with a jug of juice and a couple of glasses for them. Hugo comes over to sit on my lap and Rose goes over to grandpa. Minerva suddenly stands and announces "I'm sorry but I'm needed back at Hogwarts, there's an emergency with one of the staff that was due to arrive today. Jean, Chris thank you for your hospitality, Rose, Hugo I'll see you soon, Hermione, if I can have a moment with you in the hall, please?" She makes her way out of the room, I can see the children are already upset that she is leaving so soon, I indicate for them to wait here, and I make my way into the hall.

"I'm sorry Hermione, I don't want to leave you and the children right now, but Filius has just informed me that a new member of staff that was due to arrive today, hasn't arrived and he has been unable to get a hold of them. I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing, but as I am still Headmistress, for a few more days anyway, it's my responsibility. I would like to extend an invitation to you and the children to come to the castle either tonight or tomorrow, as we still have much to catch up on." As she was explaining her hands had grabbed both of mine and was caressing the top of my knuckles. I squeeze the hands in mine and after some quick thinking I say "Mom has already started preparing food for this evening, and Molly has implied that there will be a family meal tomorrow, which I would like you to attend, if you don't mind? Would it be acceptable to come to Hogwarts after lunch this evening, around 7? I too would also like to spend some more time with you, and I'm sure the children would like to too."

Her answer is immediate, "Of course, whatever you need I'll have the house elves prepare the spare rooms in my suite for you." She lets go of my hands, takes a step away and turns on the spot. Just like that she's gone.

Thanks for reading folkes. I hope you are still enjoying.