Epilogue – Part Two

It took three days to find out where Hermione's grave was and arrange for transport. On the 6th of May 1998, the entire Order found themselves portkeyed into a graveyard in Paris. Due to Fleur's connections, they knew that Hermione was buried with Clopin in the magical side of the graveyard. Harry and Ron couldn't help but exchange small chuckles when they realised that they were buried where it all started. Harry was almost sure that they could probably go down and visit the Court of Miracles if they chose to.

Sighing heavily, Harry looked up at the clear sky. He felt as though the weather should mimic his emotions rather than continue as though nothing had changed. He had lost his best friend, and whilst he tried not to be sad, for she had lived her life happily, Harry couldn't stop his heart from breaking all over again when he spotted her grave.

Staring down at the stone, Harry couldn't help but think that the simple words just weren't enough to describe his friend or her husband.

Here lies Clopin and Hermione Trouillefou

Friends, lovers, soulmates

King and Queen who reigned in this life

and shall do so in the next

Gulping, Harry knelt before the grave with Ron by his side. Ginny, Luna, Neville and George knelt behind them, leaving the adults to watch over them and stare at the grave themselves. Harry could hear sobbing from behind him but he couldn't cry. He wondered if he had no more tears to shed but knew that wasn't true. Sighing, Harry's lips twitched a small smile as he created a bouquet of flowers, similar to the ones Hermione had created for his parent's grave.

"Hi there, Hermione. Sorry we took so long. Took us a while to find you I'm afraid. Thank you, for your memories. We're glad to know that you were safe. Well, save enough after you pissed off that judge."

Harry couldn't help but give a watery chuckle at that memory. Shaking his head, he took a deep breath but Ron beat him to it.

"You certainly lived a crazy life, Hermione. I lose two galleons because you decided not to become a librarian! What's with that, anyway? The only book we saw you with was that blasted Hogwarts: A History! Are you still trying to get us to read it?"

Ron chuckled as Ginny piped up from behind them.

"Just so you know, I am so, so proud of you! You pushed yourself beyond your comfort zone so many times! I completely approve of your friend, Selina's, fashion choices!"

Ginny could be heard sobbing afterwards, leaving George to wrap his arm around his sister in comfort.

"Who would have guessed it, huh? Hermione Granger, bookworm extraordinaire, Gryffindor Princess, spat in the face of an official judge! I've never felt so proud."

"Glad you approve, George."

The entire group froze. Blinking, Harry slowly looked up to see a smiling Hermione looking out at them, a few steps behind her grave. She was translucent, almost as though she was a ghost but not pale enough. If anything, she looked golden. Wiping his eyes, he whispered to the others.

"Guys, I think I've finally cracked. I think I see Hermione."

Harry almost cried when Hermione simple shook her head at him, the others telling him that they all saw her too.

"Oh, honestly! Can you not just say you're happy to see me?"

Harry bawled heavy sobs at her words. It was Hermione alright. Reaching out to her, Harry could watch as she looked down at her grave with a soft smile, reminding him that she wasn't really there, only there in spirit.

"Do you guys have any idea how strange it is to look down at your own grave?" Harry chuckled.

"I'm not surprised. Hermione, how are you here?"

Hermione gave him a beaming smile. It was then that he really took her in. She was wearing her wedding dress and the circlet that Clopin had bought for her at Christmas. She looked every bit of the Queen she is, but she wore none of the glamours.

"I've spent the past five hundred years, gathering up magic to make sure I could come and see you all when you eventually turned up to visit my grave.' She threw them a wink. 'You're all late you know." Harry heard George snort from behind them, drawing Hermione's attention.

Hermione looked over the group gathered before her grave and frowned before letting out a small sigh. Biting her lip, she asked the one question that Harry really didn't want to answer.

"Who did we lose? I didn't spot anyone on my way here but that means nothing." Harry sighed as he turned back to get George a sympathetic smile. George looked up at Hermione though.

"We lost Fred, Remus, Tonks, Snape, Colin Creevy and many others, Hermione."

Hermione closed her eyes before letting out a shaking breath.

"I'm so sorry, George. I'll make sure to kick his ass for you!" George let out a small chuckle as he nodded.

"Tell me, Hermione. What is it like to die? Do you fell any pain?" Hermione stared at him for a long moment before realising that he was just worried about Fred. Smiling softly, she knelt before him, forcing Ron, Neville and Luna to shuffle over, and gently rested her hand on his cheek.

"Like falling asleep. No pain, no worries; just sleep."

George burst into tears at that point. It was incredibly hard for the others not to as well but they were just so moved by Hermione coming to visit them when they were at her grave, they didn't want to waste a moment. George pulled himself together long enough to tease Hermione.

"Don't think we didn't notice all the missing memories, Hermione! You and your husband needed a hobby!" Hermione gave him a smug smirk.

"George, I went on to have a grand total of nine children. We had a hobby, and I was damned good at it!"

Hermione winked at them, making them all laugh after staring at her in shock, the adults stood behind them included. Hermione had nine children! Bloody hell! Harry shook his head as he stared at her.

"Hermione, mon amour?"

The group were stunned to hear another voice. Hermione smiled as she stood up and looked over her shoulder. She held out her hand and waited. Harry's jaw dropped when he recognised Clopin materialise with a smile on his face. Clopin looked out to them before raising an eyebrow at Hermione. She simply nodded with a warm smile. Clopin grinned before turning back to them and bowed, removing his hat as he did so. He too was dressed in his wedding clothes.

"I'm Clopin Trouillefou, King of the Gypsies, at your service."

The Order simply stared for some time before Harry stood up and bowed back, surprising everyone.

"Thank you, Clopin. Thank you for looking after my sister in all but blood. Thank you for giving her such a happy life." Clopin smiled at Harry before sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

"Admittedly, I was worried you would all end up hating me for getting her into trouble." Ron snorted loudly as he too stood up and bowed.

"Nahh, Hermione can find that without anyone's help! She's had plenty of practice over the years. After all, she kept me and Harry alive!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron, making him pale slightly, before sticking her tongue out at him. The group chuckled as Hermione looked around at them all with a soft smile. Hermione took a hold of Clopin's hand and beamed.

"So, tell me. How did it all end?"

The Order told Hermione their versions of what happened at the Battle of Hogwarts, what they had all seen. She nodded along with each tale as she kept her eye on Harry and Ron. Perhaps it was just habit but it made Harry smile nevertheless. He watched as Clopin would look confused now and then and without even looking at him, Hermione would quickly explain something.

Harry shook his head in awe of the couple before him. They really knew each other well. He was surprised why they hadn't appeared before them, well, looking older than they should have done. Harry was tempted to get an explanation out of Hermione but simply shrugged it off, not wanting to ruin anything. Not on that day. He could always ask her when his time was up.

Once all was said and done, George just couldn't help but tease the couple.

"So, Clopin, I hear you guys had a lot of fun! Nine kids! That doesn't sound like the Hermione we know! You must have had some kind of trick."

Clopin smirked as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Oui, she can't resist me! Just think of all the practice we had!"

They all laughed loudly as Hermione hit Clopin in true Hermione fashion, a firm whack on the arm. Ginny stared at the couple for a minute before smirking. Harry wasn't sure what to do but couldn't stop himself from laughing as she asked what she deemed to be the most important question.

"Clopin, tell me. Are you an arse or a tits man?"

Hermione sighed and shook her head. Harry didn't fail to miss the small smirk on her face though, as though she knew the answer to that. Chuckling, he waited with the others for the answer, ignoring Molly's shocked gasp at her daughter's question. Harry knew that Molly wasn't going to say anything though, not now. Perhaps later on when they had left though. Harry winced slightly at the thought of the coming lecture when Clopin drew his attention back to him.

"Well, I like both but I'm more of a cu-"

Hermione grabbed a hold of his ear in mock rage, even Harry could tell that she didn't mean it. Didn't make it any less funny though.

"Don't even go there, monsieur Trouillefou. You'll find yourself in deep trouble if you do."

Clopin nodded quickly to his wife before she let go of his ear. A small smirk on his face, he winked at Ginny as he wrapped his arm around Hermione.

"Not worth my afterlife, mon cher."

Ginny just chuckled, knowing the answer like everyone else there did. Harry was surprised that neither Molly nor Professor McGonagall said anything about the language but Harry quickly spotted them wiping the tears out of their eyes, whilst being comforted by Arthur and Kingsley. He spotted Bill comforting Fleur and Percy as well. Neville gave Hermione a small, shy smile.

"Any advice for us, Hermione?" Hermione actually thought about it when she shuddered.

"Don't have triplets. Twins are fine, triplets are a no go!" Clopin pulled back from her in mock shock.

"But you love Leo, Hugo and Minerva!" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Just because I love them doesn't mean their pregnancy wasn't worse than Blake's! I would have gladly taken that three more times than the three together!"

Hermione shuddered at the memory of it and Clopin quickly found himself with nothing to say and simply nodded in understanding. Harry saw the small tear roll down McGonagall's face before he stared at his best friend in shock. She had had twins and triplets. Wincing, Harry was surprised Clopin hadn't died a lot earlier. Narrowing his eyes in mock suspicion, he allowed himself a small smile. No, they would have gone together, like true soulmates. Neville chuckled.

"No triplets, got it!" Ron just had to pipe up with a small shake of his head and a rueful smile.

"You just had to go on another mission, huh, Hermione? First the House Elves, then the Gypsies, what's next?" Hermione smirked.

"I'd be very careful if I was you, Ronald. You forget that I'll get to meet your favourite Chudley Cannons players before you do!"

Hermione laughed along with the others at Ron's apologetic look before she quickly looked over her shoulder. A sad smile shared between her and Clopin told Harry that their time was up. Blinking back the tears, Harry smiled warmly at the couple.

"Time to go, huh?" Hermione nodded with a small smile.

"Don't worry, we'll all meet again one day. However,' Hermione gave them all a glare, even Professor McGonagall. 'I don't want to see any of you for at least another fifty years! Got it?"

They could do nothing but nod quickly, not wanting to piss her off. Smiling warmly, Hermione sighed as Clopin took her hand and the pair turned to walk back behind the grave. Biting her lip, she turned back towards them with a small tear rolling down her cheek.

"Look after one another. Live your life to its fullest. If you want to travel, then go. If you want to stay at home, then do it. If you want to go on another crazy-ass adventure, then go out there and fucking do it! Have no regrets, mes amies. I have none, I want you all to arrive at the afterlife with no regrets too." Clopin chuckled lightly.

"Listen to my wife, mes amies. She's the brightest witch of her age, she knows what she is talking about!"

With those words of advice and a warm smile, Hermione vanished into thin air, alongside Clopin. The group by the grave were silent for a long moment before it hit them all at once. Harry let his tears roll freely down his face as he held Ginny close to him, letting her sob into his t-shirt. He looked up at the sky and smiled.

He was grateful to have had that time with Hermione. It was more than any of them could have hoped for after watching her memories of the past. Gulping passed the lump in his throat, Harry beamed and let out a loud laugh as he continued to look up. It wasn't long before the others started laughing too. They had caught on quickly and were mentally thanking Merlin for the additional time with her.

Slowly but surely, the group stood and prepared to leave the gravesite. Harry wasn't sure if he had the strength to leave for long but knew he could do so for the day. Standing up once the others left him alone with Hermione and Clopin's grave, Harry rested his hand on top of the memorial and whispered.

"Thank you, Hermione. For all you've done for me. You'll always be my best friend."

Harry felt a small gust of wind blow around him and smiled. Without another moment's hesitation, Harry spun on his heel and left. He walked through the graveyard and found the Order waiting for him. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny and pulled her close.

"Are you alright, Harry?"

Harry nodded and gave the red-headed girl a grin.

"Yeah, yeah I am.' He looked back at the grave and could have sworn he spotted Hermione waving goodbye to him with a warm smile. 'I'm going to do what she wants. I'm going to live life to the fullest. I'll see her again, and I'll be able to look her in the eye and say I honestly have no regrets."

Harry beamed at the others, even as he wiped his eyes free of the tears. Straightening his back, Harry lifted his head high. He knew he would see Hermione again, but for now, he had to live.