I wake in the early morning hours, to find Hermione wrapped around me. Our legs are entwined, and she has a strong hold around my waist. I shuffle down a touch so I can get a better look at her face. Her cheeks are still wet from the tears she must have shed when she came to bed. I admonish myself. I didn't mean to fall asleep before she came up from checking on the kids. She needed me and I was asleep. A feeling of deep shame runs through me. I sigh and pull her towards me, and place kisses on her cheeks. They are salty from her tears.
"I'm sorry love" I whisper over and over. I hold her to me and watch over her until the sun begins to lighten the room. I know she needs to sleep but I also need to wake her. We need to get ready for the funeral, and I need to make sure she's prepared for this.
I kiss her lightly on her eyelids, nose and then I place my lips to hers. I apply a gentle pressure, just enough to wake her. As her eyes begin to flutter open I pull back
"Morning my love" I whisper. I ran my thumb under her eyes, "I'm sorry I was asleep when you came up, when you needed me." She burrows into my embrace, placing her ear directly over my heart. I stroke my fingers through her hair, trying to soothe, rather than arouse.
"Rose was upset last night, that's why I was so long" she explains. "I got into bed with her and let her cry into my shoulder. Today is going to be hard for both of them Min, I just hope I can get them through it" she mumbles sadly.
"We will get them through it, Hermione. If I've learnt anything running a school of children it's that they are resilient. They will bounce back from this, with your love, support and guidance they will come out on the other side stronger and with an appreciation for the good things in their life" I try to reassure. She lifts her head from my chest and looks into my eyes "I hope you are right Min" and she leans up to give me a kiss. I purposefully keep it light, today is not a day that should be about us. I will comfort her this evening, when we get back from The Burrow.
"Why don't you go and get a shower" I suggest. "It'll make you feel better, and I'll get started on breakfast." She nods at me and rises from the bed. I watch as she leaves the room, and I hear the shower turn on. I grab a robe from the hook on the back of the door and make my way downstairs. I start a pot of coffee, and set out the usual breakfast items for the kids.
Hermione enters, along with both Rose and Hugo a few minutes later. I give Rose a hug, and ruffle Hugo's hair as I leave them to it. I pop into the office to see what letters Rhona has left for me over the last few days. I see one from Kingsley, a few from Filius and a few from acquaintances, no doubt trying to get some gossip as to why I left Hogwarts.
I sit at the desk and slit open the letter from Kingsley.
Minerva,
Thank you for the forewarning of your retirement. I must say the news came as quite a shock, as I thought that you would be at Hogwarts forever. I realise that was a rather silly notion to hold, but for as long as I have known you that is where you have been, a pillar of strength, a reliable Head and someone for the children to look up to. I will take this opportunity to wish you well for your future plans.
With regards to Hermione, and the request you so kindly put forth.
May I remind you that you have nothing to do with Ministry Business, just as the Ministry had nothing to do with how Hogwarts was run. How I run my departments, and treat the people under me is up to me as Minister.
I am not a monster, Minerva, and will allow Hermione all the time she needs to mourn her husband. I cannot pay her whilst she is off, it is compassionate leave, but does not come with a pay packet. I'm afraid the ministry's funds won't stretch that far, if I were to offer it to all employees. She will get a small sum from the Auror department as Ron died whilst in service, and on a job. His length of service will be taken into account when this sum is determined by the head of the Auror department. I will see to it that the funds are made available and in her account at the earliest opportunity.
Yours
Kinsgley Shacklebolt
Minister For Magic.
I refold the letter and sigh deeply. Kingsley took my request quite well considering. If I had received a letter with something akin to what I asked I would have been a lot harsher. No doubt our long-standing respect and friendship meant he wasn't quite as scathing in his reply. I pop the letter into the top drawer of the desk, no need to let Hermione see it, I don't want her to think I'm interfering. I'm just thinking of her best interests. She's been so focused on her grief and the kids that I doubt work and money have crossed her mind. As it shouldn't at a time like this. I read over the letters from Filius, there is nothing urgent that needs a reply immediately so I leave them on the desk to deal with later. The other letters I leave in their envelopes. I don't have headspace for such trivial matters right now. I rise from the desk and make my way upstairs to get ready. I take a shower, and pull on my black robes.
As I descend the stairs back to the main floor. I see the children sitting quietly in the library. Hugo has his teddy bear in his arms, and Rose is staring out of the window. Hermione isn't here. As much as I would love to go and find her, and make sure she is okay, I realise that today she may need her space so I go and sit next to Hugo. There is a light patter of rain on the window, and the fire crackling in the background. The mood is very somber. Hugo frees one hand from his death hold on the teddy and places it on my leg to get my attention.
"Min, what's going to happen today?" he asks quietly.
"Well, Hugo, we are going to go to the church near Grandma Mollys, and there will be a short service, where a few people will talk about your dad and what he meant to them, and how much he will be missed. Then your dad will be buried in the Weasley plot, and you and Rose and your mother will say your final goodbyes. Then everyone will make their way back to the burrow for the wake, which is where people will reminisce over good memories of your dad, and share anecdotes and celebrate his life" I explain. "Crying and showing your pain is perfectly acceptable at any time but especially today, today everyone will be upset. If it gets too much for you, either of you, you come find me and we'll find a nice quiet spot out of the way to go and sit for a while until you're ready to rejoin the others. Okay?" I look over at Rose and receive a nod and Hugo squeezes my hand to let me know he understood.
Hermione enters the room a few moments later. Her eyes are red and I can see a tissue sticking out of the cuff of her robe. "Ready?" She inquires.
I pull Hugo up from the couch and watch as Rose walks to her mother and gives her a tight hug. Hugos hand remains in my grasp, as we make our way to the apparition point on my property. Once there Hermione takes hold of Rose, looks at me briefly and then turns on the spot. "Ready Hugo?" I question as I pull him towards me, and lift him up. I get a shy nod and he lays his head on my shoulder. I picture the little church in my mind and turn on the spot, just as Hermione did a few moments earlier.
We appear in the little courtyard of the church. Hermione is looking around, looking a little lost, so I make my way over to her. I place Hugo down and grab his hand and then I grab Hermione's with the other and give it a squeeze. "You've got this" I say to her. I get a little smile in return and then I see a concealment charm cover her face. The redness around her eyes disappears, and the frown lines that had begun to take root around her mouth smooth out. I frown at her but she shakes her head at me. We make our way, together, into the main hall of the church, and take a seat in the front pew. Rose is sitting to Hermione's right, I'm to her left and Hugo is to my left. We are all holding hands, a united front in this time of grief.
Molly, Arthur and the other Weasleys take the pew on the opposite side.
Jean and Chris come and sit behind us, they squeeze Hermione's shoulder in comfort. The Potters sit behind the Weasleys and the other guests sit where they want further back.
The service passes quickly. Molly is sobbing, being comforted by Arthur. Hugo and Rose have tears running down their faces. I'm running my hand over Hugos back to try and comfort him. Hermione is stoic. Or she seems it thanks to the concealment charm. I can feel the tremble in her hand, that has gripped mine since we sat down. I hear the odd sniffle from her direction, but I don't look over, I just tighten my grip and rub my thumb over her palm, reminding her I'm here. Poor Rose is sobbing into Hermione's shoulder, and Hermione has placed her hand around her shoulders to comfort her. After Harry has read his eulogy and retakes his place next to Ginerva and we sing the last hymn Rons coffin is levitated and taken to his plot. We all file out and follow after him. For this part I place Hugos hand into Hermione's, and take a step back. As Rons coffin is slowly lowered into the ground and the priest says his bit, Hermione steps forward to grab a handful of soil to throw on top, as is tradition.
"Goodbye Ron. I'll make sure the kids are happy" she whispers and drops the soil.
Rose and Hugo step forward next "goodbye daddy. We miss and love you" and they both drop the soil. They retake Hermione's hands and step back from the grave side.
"We therefore commit this body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection of eternal life" the priest finishes.
The mourners begin to drift away, heading off to the burrow for the wake. Those that come to Hermione to pass on their condolences don't linger long. I hover in the background waiting for the last mourner to leave, if it wasn't for the death hold the kids have on Hermione's hands I'm sure she would have fallen by now. As a work colleague of Rons turns his back to head toward the burrow I step forward and turn Hermione into me. She immediately collapses, her knees no longer able to bear the weight of her grief. I manage to assist her to a nearby bench where I pull her into my lap and rub my hand over her back. Trying my best to offer comfort. I don't say anything. I know whatever I say now won't be heard or remembered, I just hope my presence is enough to get her through. I motion for the kids to come over to. Hugo climbed up onto Hermione's lap and Rose stands between my feet with her arms around all of us. I hope to Merlin that this circle of love is penetrating through to Hermione. That she feels how much she is loved. We sit there, sharing in this circle of love and grief for maybe twenty minutes before Hermione manages to raise her head. She pulls Hugo closer, and gives Rose a kiss. "Thank you" she whispers to them. And then wipes their tears. ."I'm okay now. Let's head to the wake"
Rose helps Hugo down and begins to walk towards the burrow holding his hand.
"Thank you to Min, I couldn't have gotten through today without you by my side" she gives me a hug and then pushes herself up from my lap. I rise behind her.
"You're welcome" I swallow the ball of emotion that is still in my throat "I'm glad I could be here for you and the children" we follow quietly behind the children. Our fingers brush as we walk. It's been left unsaid that we aren't to show what is bubbling between us today, and I agree with that. As I thought this morning, today is not about us. Today is about Hermione, the kids and the Weasleys getting to say goodbye to Ronald, so that they may attempt to move on from his death.
We've been at the wake for about an hour. Hermione is circulating between friends and family, accepting their condolences with aplomb and listening to their anecdotes. The children have congregated with the other children present and are in their own worlds. I stay within range of Hermione, just in case it begins to get too much again. I don't know where she's found the strength from, she hasn't faltered once since we arrived. If it's at all possible, I fall in love with her more seeing her cope with today's events. She is so strong and fiercely independent.
I've managed to have a word with Filius about what was in his letters, as he popped in for a half an hour to pay his respects. A few of my former colleagues also attended. We had a quick chat and then they left. I can see Kingsley making a beeline for Hermione and I make a mad dash to intercept him.
"Kingsley, so nice of you to attend" I begin and shake his hand
"Minerva" he nods "I would really like to talk to Hermione if you don't mind"
"Before you do, about what we discussed"
"She won't hear it from me" he mumbles. "I am only here to pay my respects. A letter should arrive in the next few days from the head of the Auror department with regards to recompense" he informs me. I nod and let him through.
I sigh in relief. I really need a drink. I make my way into the kitchen, which is where the alcoholic drinks are being dispensed, and grab a glass of firewhiskey and knock it back. I feel it burn all the way down to my stomach where the warmth spreads throughout my body. There is no one else in the kitchen at the moment so I refill the glass with every intention of doing the same when Hermione enters.
Her eyes find mine, and I can see that she's tired.
"You ready to leave, love?" I ask placing the glass back on the side.
"About an hour ago" she jokes. "I saw you intercept Kingsley, anything wrong?"
"Nothing, that won't keep til tomorrow" I say gently, approaching slowly.
She falls into my arms, letting herself find some comfort for a while. She then straightens her back, grabs the firewhiskey I had poured for myself and says "another half an hour, then we're leaving" and knocks back the drink. She turns away from me and sweeps back out into the well wishers. I look longingly once more at the firewhiskey, but turn away and make my back out to the main area. I decided to check in on the kids, and advise them that we will be leaving soon.
I arrive just in time to see Rose punch Scorpius Malfoy right in the face. "Don't pick on my brother again!" She spits vehemently and turns around. She sees me and her face screws up into the cutest mix of anger and embarrassment I think I've ever seen.
"Rose Weasley, what on earth do you think you're doing?" I say with a bit of the old Professor tone injected into my voice.
Surprisingly it isn't Rose who answers me, rather Scorpius
"It's okay HeadMistress, I deserved it. I was being unkind to Hugo, Rose was just defending her brother"
"Is this true Rose?" I question.
"Yes, Min. Scorpius had been taunting Hugo about how he still had both parents and that he was going to have a better life and presents than him" I raise my eyebrow. "So I said well at least he has me, and then I punched him" she says with not an ounce of regret in her tone. I'm rather proud of her, but I can't tell her that.
"Fighting is not how we resolve disagreements, or bullying Rose" I admonish. Now in normal school circumstances I would give them both detention, however that's hardly a punishment I can give out now. So I settle for
"Scorpius, you will apologise to both Rose and Hugo for being unkind. Rose, you will apologise to Scorpius for striking him and that will be the end of the matter. I don't see the need to tell either of your parents. Not today" I see relief in both of their eyes. They both apologise to each other as instructed and then I say
"Rose, Hugo, grab your things, please. It's time to go"
I make a note to inform Filius of this little episode so that they can be kept an eye on when they start at Hogwarts. I'd hate for this to boil over later in the year.
Once the children have grabbed their belongings, I grab each of their hands and we start hunting down Hermione, so that we can leave and go back to the manor.