It should be quite obvious, but you'll find in this chapter the lyrics to three well-known muggle songs. Needless to say, I did not write them.

-Gina

3 Days After The Final Battle

After sleeping straight through his alarm and rushing into work to sit in meetings for 3 hours straight, Percy took his lunch hour to apparate to the Burrow and see his family, and to let Ron and Harry know about Hermione.

Mum, Ginny, Harry, and Ron were seated around the kitchen table finishing up lunch when Percy walked in.

"Hello dear," Mum said, rising. Percy stiffened for only a moment when she hugged him, before hugging her back. If Mum noticed, she didn't say, only kissed his cheek and pulled up another chair, handing him a plate with a sandwich and crisps.

"On your lunch break, then?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, Penny has been bothering me to make sure I take the full hour break instead of just working through it,"

"Penny? Penny Clearwater?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, she's Alicia's girlfriend,"

"I thought she was your ex-girlfriend?"

"Alicia who?"

"Alicia Spinnet, she's one of my coworkers. She was in Fred and George's year in school,"

"She played quidditch, Mum, she's the one with the dark hair,"

"Well, her hair is pink now,"

"Oh yeah, I saw her at Hogwarts with you and Arthur,"

This was getting disorganized. Percy took a breath.

"Harry, Ron, I wanted to let you know that Penny and I took Hermione to St. Mungo's last night. She's got pneumonia," Harry blanched. Ron immediately jumped up.

"Last night? Why are you just telling us now?"

"It was nearly 2 in the morning, Hermione was resting and in good hands with the healers, and I needed to get to sleep so that I could work this morning,"

"Of course, you needed to work," Ron scoffed. Percy felt as though he'd been stabbed. He'd made the special effort to come here just as soon as he possibly could, to tell Hermione's best friends about what was going on with her.

And he was being attacked for it?

"Yes, I needed to go to work this morning. The whole of the wizarding UK is being rebuilt, in case you hadn't noticed," Percy fought to keep his voice steady.

"Yes, because the whole of the wizarding UK is apparently still more important than your family, isn't it?" Again, Ron's words cut through Percy.

"Ron, sit down, you're being an arse," Ginny said.

"Ginny!"

"Yes, Mum, language, I know. Sorry," Ginny brushed off her Mum's scolding. "Percy just said, Hermione was sleeping and in good hands with the healers. There is nothing either of you could have done for her at 2am, and honestly, if Percy had come here at that hour and woken us all up, I would have assumed that someone was dead,"

"Percy cares about Hermione, too, Ron," Harry prompted, "I'm sure he didn't keep this news from us intentionally," Harry made eye contact with Percy, and Percy nodded.

Ron probably didn't know, but last winter, Percy had taken himself and his animals camping around Christmas time, By some strange miracle, accident, or coincidence, Percy had ended up at a campsite that was yards away from where Hermione and Harry were camped. He'd been able to get to know Harry a little bit, while they'd spent time together in the Forest of Dean. Harry was a good kid, and Percy appreciated Harry sticking up for him against Ron.

"No, I wouldn't have kept any news about Hermione from you intentionally. That's why I'm here now. She's staying on the same ward as Fred, and I wanted you to know before anyone went to visit him this afternoon or evening and saw her there,"

Percy paused to take a bite of his sandwich. Roast turkey, sharp cheddar, a good smear of mayonnaise, and crispy lettuce that he was sure his mother had picked from her vegetable garden, all on thick slices of toasted brown bread. Damn, it was good. The crisps were good as well, and Percy pulled an apple from the bowl in the center of the table and began to munch on it.

"So, can we go see her?"

"You should be able to. Her healers said that she would be sleeping a lot in the next few days. She's got an infection on her arm, and she's pretty malnourished as well, so I think they want to keep her in the hospital for at least a week, maybe more,"

"We can go see her this afternoon, after we go to the shop to help out George," Ginny said. The conversation changed then, to Ron and Ginny updating the rest of them on how reopening Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes was going.

George had been working hard to repair the broken windows and rebuild the inventory. They'd only been forced out of their shop for about a month, but some of the products had expired, a few others had been activated when Death Eaters had tried (and failed) to force their way into the store. Percy knew that Lee and Alicia had each been spending a few hours at the store to help George with the process, and nearly all of Percy's siblings had been by as well.

The twins' flat above the shop was in decent condition, though it sounded like George hadn't spent much time there since the battle. Percy knew that George had been sleeping in the hospital with Fred at night. Mum had tsked about George's wellbeing a few times, making Percy wonder if anyone had been holding George accountable for caring for himself.

Percy recalled a moment, last summer or the summer before, in which Percy had most definitely NOT been taking care of himself properly. Hermione had noticed, called him out on it, and held him accountable.

Maybe he would check in on George tomorrow, just to be sure.

Percy allowed himself to eat his food slowly and enjoy his full lunch hour with his family, occasionally asking questions or answering them, but mostly just trying to soak in how good it felt to be sitting around his mother's kitchen table again.

4 Days After The Final Battle

The following day, after welcoming all of the Ministry's employees back to work, hopping in and out of several departmental meetings, and duplicating countless copies of the new employee handbook, everyone in the executive office closed up shop and headed over to Hogwarts.

From the time of Dumbledore's death through the aftermath of the final battle, over 100 witches and wizards had been killed. Fleur and Luna's fathers were among them. Marklin Funeral Homes had been working over-time to see to it that every single body was identified, properly cared for, and prepared for burial.

Professor McGonagall had stated that the area of Hogwarts where Dumbledore was buried was to be dedicated as a cemetery and memorial for any person, muggle or magical, who had been killed by Voldemort or his followers. Today was the dedication ceremony for the place, and also served as a memorial service. Over 30 witches and wizards were being laid to rest today, with others having yet to be identified, many undergoing muggle autopsy to determine cause of death to assist with prosecution, and a few claimed by their families for burial in other resting places.

Percy wore his best black robes and neatest hat. Everyone was solemn. They opened with Professor McGonagall giving a brief welcome, followed by Kingsley giving a eulogy of sorts. Harry then stepped up. He had volunteered to read aloud the names of each of the dead, while a piano and guitarist filled the space with solemn, delicate music. One by one, as Harry read their names, teams of pallbearers lowered the caskets into the ground.

It was a beautiful ceremony. Percy shed more than a few tears. Thousands of people were in attendance, and the weather was mild and cloudy.

Harry's voice rang out with the final name on the list, a name that Percy was sorry he did not recognize. The piano player and guitarist paused.

"We will now take a moment of silence in remembrance of those we have lost," Harry said. Percy watched him closely. Harry's hands were shaking.

The silence was louder than Percy thought he could bear. A few sniffles came from around the congregation. Everyone breathed deeply.

Finally, the piano player spoke.

"There are many muggle comfort songs often played at funerals. I hope, even though these songs may not be familiar to all of you, that you might still take comfort in the words and tune," The crowd rustled.

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

There were enough muggleborns gathered to sing the song along with the musicians. More tears were being shed now.

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high

There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby,

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue

Clouds high over the rainbow, makes all your dreams come true.

The ceremony was over. People were beginning to move around now, walking to see the graves of their loved ones, or simply joining each other to stroll and talk quietly. Percy was prepared to head back to the office, when he realized Harry was sitting alone, partially hidden behind the piano. The musicians played on as Percy headed over. Harry looked up, but didn't say anything as Percy sat down beside him.

The musicians played on as the crowd began to thin, people walking in twos and threes to the apparition point at the end of the walk, or walking back to the school to continue the clean-up.

"Harry, lad, we're headed to Rosmerta's," A wizard that Percy didn't recognize, but Harry seemed to, had wandered over to them with a few of his friends.

"I don't know, Ernie,"

"Come on, let me buy you a drink. Least I can do," Ernie pressed. Harry sighed.

"Sure mate, I'll be along in a minute," Harry stood, and Percy stood too.

"I'll head back to work for a few hours," Percy said, unnecessarily. They began to walk, side by side, to the apparition point.

"There's just so many people," Percy didn't know how to respond, so they continued to walk in silence.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see.

5 Days After The Final Battle

Percy finished a long day at the office, bidding Alicia adieu before apparating to St. Mungo's to visit with Hermione and Fred.

Hermione's room was empty, save for her. She was asleep, taking one of many, many catnaps that the medications made her prone to. Percy went into Fred's room instead.

"George?" George was asleep, slumped in the chair next to Fred's bed, holding his hand. George stirred. It was evident that George had come straight from a long day at the shop; his clothing was mussed, dusty, and had a few smears of what appeared to be Bruise Vanisher down the front.

"Hmmm? Oh, hi, Percy," George was, now that Percy got a better look at his brother, wearing the same clothes that he had been in when Percy had seen him a few days ago. It was obvious he had not showered or shaved since then, and Percy wondered what George had eaten recently, since there were no trays or snack wrappers in the room.

"George, let's go back to my place so you can get a quick shower. I'll even make you some dinner,"

"No,"

"That wasn't a request. Everyone else is being kind and leaving you be, but look at you. You haven't been taking care of yourself. You need to eat a real meal, and you need to bathe. Come on. We're going," All of Percy's big brother instincts, long forgotten, were coming back to him in full-force.

"Says who?" Percy bit back a chuckle at George's belligerent, child-like expression.

"Says your bossy, annoying, pompous older brother," It was easy to manipulate the exhausted George. Percy took his shoulder and half-dragged, half-escorted him to the floo, George grumbling and weakly struggling the whole way.

Once at his apartment, Percy shoved George into the bathroom adjoining his bedroom, taking George's wand from his pocket and pointing out the towels, soaps, and other toiletries, instructing George to use them all, and locked George inside. Percy stood just outside the door until he heard the water start. Finally.

Percy was taller than George, but he found a pair of clean joggers and a t-shirt, as well as a pack of unopened boxers and some clean socks from the clothing he'd kept for the refugees who had stayed with him. After laying all of the clothes out on his bed for George to see, Percy went into the kitchen to start something for dinner.

Eventually, George came out, looking calmer and much cleaner. He'd shaved, and apparently given himself a bit of a haircut, since the scar from his missing ear was clearly visible. Percy set a plate of pasta with red sauce and meatballs down in front of him, and George began to eat, first reluctantly, then ravenously. Percy ate his own portion, sitting across from George and trying not to stare at the gaping hole where his brother's ear used to be.

Finally, when his plate was clean, George looked up at Percy.

"God, I really needed that. Thanks, Percy. Everyone else was letting me fester when I really needed a kick in the arse,"

"You're welcome, I suppose," Percy chuckled. He pushed the salad bowl towards George, who took a large helping and dove in.

"You still haven't told us the story yet, you know," George piped up after a few more minutes, crunching through a cucumber.

"What story?"

"The story of...you. You know, the last 3 years? How you were secretly on our side the whole time. Being a spy, or whatever the hell you were up to? And more importantly, how you and Hermione came to be snogging last week after the battle for all to see?"

"It's a long story," Percy hesitated, fighting to keep his face from turning red.

"Fred's been stable and sleeping for days, I doubt anything will change in an hour,"

"Well," Percy began, "Do you remember when you and Fred and I had that fight, summer after Cedric died? That was sort of when it all started,"

"Oh yeah, I remember," George winced, "I've been meaning to apologize for that. Fred and I...we used to be pretty terrible to you. Ron and Ginny were, too," Percy searched briefly for the punchline on George's face, but he found only sincerity.

"I was pretty uptight and snooty, I think I deserved it,"

"No, mate. You really didn't deserve it; we went beyond what we should have," the unexpected closure and validation Percy felt upon hearing George's words encouraged him to continue talking. It took a long time to hash out the story in full, because George asked question after question. Percy found himself remembering out loud detail after detail, however unimportant. Percy did try to leave out most of the parts about he and Hermione being together, but George was too nosy to let that go.

"So you and Hermione have been writing letters to each other this whole time?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"

"That sounds pretty romantic. Late night letters signed "Yours, Hermione." Sharing war secrets and thoughts and dreams and everything," Percy blushed. George's summary of their letters back and forth was remarkably accurate considering how intentionally vague Percy had been about that particular part of the story.

George grinned, "You know, I always knew she had a thing for you. She stood up to all of us for you, in my fifth year. We were taking the mickey out of you for breaking up with Penelope Clearwater, and she just absolutely screamed at us. Told us we were all terrible people for being so cruel to you,"

Percy was touched; he did remember that day. He could picture the scenario: 14 year old Hermione, hands on hips, curly hair standing on end. Percy chuckled, and George smiled, pleased with himself. Percy thought to himself that he liked seeing George's smile, which had been very scarce in the last week since the battle.

Percy and George headed back to the hospital. George promised that he would shower and eat more regularly and Percy promised that he would drag George out of the hospital again if necessary to make sure that it happened.

When they walked down the hall to Fred's room, they heard the voices of their family. But...they heard sobbing. Mum was crying and everyone was talking at once, loudly. Percy's heart dropped into his stomach. George took off at a sprint down the hallway, much like he had at the final battle. Percy was close behind.

Everyone was standing around Fred's bed, so tightly crowded that Percy couldn't see. George shoved his way through and dropped to his knees beside the bed. Charlie reached out and embraced Percy, shoulders shaking. It took Percy one heart-stopping moment to realize that Charlie wasn't crying. He was laughing.

Fred was awake.