A/N - Thanks for all the reviews last chapter! In this chapter, we are going to start jumping ahead in time a bit, so be mindful of the dates.

Also, I just want to clarify something about the Malfoys' sentencing. Normally, I don't do this in an author's note, however, I've gotten more than one anonymous review about this now and since I can't reply to those, I'm going to do it here.

Law enforcement makes deals with criminals, in order to catch other criminals, all the time. I don't think that Kingsley would be any different in that regard. And per the Harry Potter Wiki, JKR has said that none of the Malfoys were punished because of Narcissa's lie to Voldemort and because Lucius provided information to the Ministry that helped capture his fellow Death Eaters. So, I am following canon on that point. Also, it is possible for characters to feel compassion or empathy for other characters, even if they're not on the same side. That doesn't mean they condone the other character's actions.

I hope that clears things up. If you have further questions and don't want to leave a review, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to try and explain my reasoning. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 16

Recovering

12 May 1998

As soon as the two men were gone, Hermione sank down into a chair at the table and groaned, putting her head in her hands. The nightmare, precipitated by the trial yesterday, she was sure, had been much worse than usual. Besides the usual reliving of the torture she had suffered under Bellatrix, the woman had also followed through on her threat and given Hermione to Greyback. When Hermione had opened her eyes, and saw Remus sitting in front of her, she was so relieved she hadn't even thought about it before she threw herself into his arms.

Her face reddened again as she thought about the fact that Remus' shirt had been open and Hermione had been cradled against his bare chest. He was more muscular than she would have suspected, given how tall and thin he was. She shook that thought from her head.

"Get a grip, Hermione," she whispered to herself. Rising from the chair, she began to clear the tea things by hand. Washing dishes the Muggle way had always been soothing to her for some reason.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she jumped when she heard the Floo activate. Spinning around, groping for her wand where it lay on the countertop, Hermione barely registered Harry's surprised expression as she brought her wand up level with his face.

"It's just me, Hermione," Harry said, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Sorry, sorry," Hermione said, dropping her wand immediately.

"It's okay," Harry said. He took a step towards her and gently took her wand out of her hand, laying it on the table. Hermione turned back to the sink to finish the dishes.

"You didn't sleep much last night," Harry said, leaning back against the counter.

"Couldn't," Hermione said.

"Why not?"

"I was worried about Remus."

"Is that why I found you with all those books on werewolves this morning?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded. "Did you find anything?" Hermione shook her head, looking annoyed.

"Of course not," she said. "Werewolves are just horrible monsters, aren't they? No one's ever bothered to treat them like the human beings they are. Of course, no one would ever ask what it was like for them if they lost someone they loved." Hermione threw her hands up in disgust. "Some of those books are horrible, Harry."

"Knowing they came from the Black library, I don't doubt it," Harry said dryly. Hermione sighed.

"How was Remus when you left?" she asked.

"Sleeping," Harry said. "Andromeda will take care of him, don't worry."

"I know she will." Harry studied her for a moment and looked as if he wanted to ask her something but thought better of it. Hermione's brow furrowed, but she didn't question him.

"You ready to go home?" Harry asked instead. "I'm sure Mrs. Weasley is starting to worry."

"Let me just put the rest of these books away," Hermione said, gathering them up. Harry took half the stack and they walked upstairs towards the library.

"Have you ever thought about living here?" Hermione asked once they had passed Mrs. Black's portrait. Harry looked at her incredulously.

"Here?"

"Not as it is, of course," Hermione said. "But you could fix it up, repaint, change the wallpaper. It could be really nice." Harry gave her a look as if he thought she was mental.

"What about the screaming banshee in the entry? Every house has one of those, does it?" he asked. Hermione huffed.

"Well, we'd have to figure something out about the portrait," she said. "The House Elf heads too. But it's close to the Ministry and it's already got all kinds of charms on it. I bet Bill or Mr. Weasley would even recast the Fidelius charm, if you wanted." They had now reached the library and Harry looked around.

"You know, you can use the library any time you want," he said with a smirk. "I don't have to live here." Hermione slapped his shoulder.

"It's not about that, you prat. I just thought if you wanted your own place or something." She shrugged. Harry glanced around the room again, thoughtful look on his face.

"Maybe," he replied. He turned to look at her again and Hermione frowned at the serious look on his face. "Is all this talk about me moving in here your way of avoiding what happened this morning?"

"I don't know what you mean," Hermione said, turning her back to him to replace the books on one of the shelves.

"The nightmare, Hermione."

"I'm sure it happened because of the trial yesterday," she said. "It's nothing to worry about, Harry."

"You woke up screaming. I think that's something to worry about."

"I told you I was having nightmares," she said with a shrug of her shoulders.

"But you haven't woken up screaming since that first night," Harry pointed out.

"I told you, it's probably because of the trials," she said. "It brought everything to the forefront of my mind again." Harry was silent, studying her. "I'm fine, Harry."

"I don't think you are." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You were sobbing, Hermione."

"I don't want to talk about it," she said quietly.

"Talk to Ron about it, then," Harry said. Hermione looked up at him.

"What?"

"Just do it, Hermione." He turned towards the door. "Come on, let's go back to the Burrow." Hermione stared at Harry's back for a moment before she followed him from the room.

"Hey," Ron said as she and Harry came into the kitchen.

"What are you doing up already?" Hermione asked as she slid into the seat beside him.

"Waiting for you, of course," he said with a smile. He took her hand where it lay on the table. "How did it go?"

"It was…difficult."

"Remus didn't get out or something, did he?" Ron asked in concern.

"No, no, nothing like that. He was just," Hermione trailed off, feeling like she was betraying Remus somehow if she explained what had happened. "He was restless. Throwing himself against the bars of cage, howling, things like that."

"Oh, well, he's okay though, right?"

"Some bruises and cuts this morning, but otherwise, fine, yes."

"That's good," Ron said. Mrs. Weasley bustled into the room, levitating platters and bowls in front of her.

"Morning, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said as the woman settled the food on the table.

"Good morning, Hermione, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said. "And enough of this Mrs. Weasley nonsense. You and Harry are family. Call us Molly and Arthur."

"Erm, all right," Hermione said. She hid a yawn behind her hand.

"Didn't get much sleep?" Ron asked in concern.

"No," Hermione replied. He put an arm around her and rubbed her back. Hermione glanced at Harry across the table, who simply stared at her pointedly. Hermione resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. She turned back to Ron.

"Can we talk after breakfast?"

"Course," he said immediately, looking at her in concern. "Everything all right?"

"Yes," Hermione said. She glanced at Harry again who wore a tiny smile on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to her breakfast.

"So, what's going on?" Ron asked. They had gone outside, walking towards the pond. Hermione didn't say anything until they reached the edge of the water, then turned and looked at him.

"I had another nightmare last night, well, this morning actually," she said quietly. Ron took hold of her hand.

"The same as before?" he asked.

"Yes," Hermione replied, choosing to omit both that she woke screaming and the addition of Greyback to the dream. She felt Ron stiffen and his mouth narrowed.

"It was because of the trials, wasn't it?" he asked. Hermione shrugged.

"I suppose so," she said. She let go of his hand and crossed her arms in front of her. "Go ahead and say it."

"Say what?" Ron asked.

"I told you so." He stared at her for moment and then shook his head.

"I wasn't going to." Hermione snorted.

"You don't have to lie to me."

"I'm not," he insisted. She looked at him skeptically.

"You had to be thinking it," she said.

"Even if I was, I wouldn't have said it." They stood in silence for a few minutes, Ron stone-faced and staring at the pond. Hermione bit back a sigh. She wasn't being very fair.

"I'm sorry, I'm tired and I'm probably not thinking straight," she said. "The truth is, yes, the trials likely did cause the nightmare last night. But I still don't regret that I went."

"I know," Ron said. His posture relaxed somewhat and he took her hand again. "How bad was it?"

"Not that bad," Hermione said immediately. "Remus was there." She felt Ron's arm go rigid.

"Remus?" he questioned. Hermione nodded.

"I felt bad about it, I mean he was hurt and tired and there he was comforting me."

"Where was Harry?" Ron asked.

"He had gone upstairs to get the bruise paste for Remus," she said. Ron's brow furrowed.

"Wait, where were you, Hermione?"

"Oh, right, I forgot about that part. I was in the kitchen."

"You were sleeping in the kitchen?" She nodded.

"After Harry fell asleep in the library, I took some books and went down to the kitchen so I wouldn't bother him. I fell asleep at the table, I guess. Harry found me before sunrise and transfigured a bed for me."

"Why the kitchen?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if Harry fell asleep in the library, why didn't you go to the drawing room or a bedroom or something? Why the kitchen?" Hermione shrugged.

"I don't know, I just went to the kitchen." Ron stared at her for a few moments.

"What?" she asked. Ron shook his head.

"Nothing," he replied. He took a breath and let it out, then gave her a forced smile.

"I'm glad you told me." Hermione smiled faintly.

"Me too," she said. They stood there for a few minutes, the silence growing awkward.

"Maybe you should stay home from Hogwarts today. Get some sleep instead," Ron suggested. Hermione contemplated this for a few minutes. She was exhausted.

"Maybe I'll just take a nap and come over after lunch," she finally said. Ron nodded.

"That sounds good." He stuck his hands in his pockets and they began to walk back towards the Burrow. Hermione glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and wondered why their conversation had felt so stilted and uncomfortable. She rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. She was just tired, that was all. They could talk again when she'd gotten some sleep and felt more coherent.

Remus sat up in bed, scrubbing a hand down his face. He was still tired and sore, but hunger had forced him awake. Glancing out the window, he figured it was mid-afternoon and a look at his watch confirmed his guess. He winced as she stood, the bruise on his ribs still painful, not to mention the normal aches and pains after the full moon. Fumbling in the pocket of the trousers he'd worn earlier, he found the jar of bruise paste and spread some more on his side. He hissed as his fingers found a particularly sore spot. Hermione had been much gentler about it when she had applied it this morning.

When he was finished, and had pulled on some clothes, Remus made his way downstairs, hoping that Teddy was awake and he could spend some time with his son.

"Remus, how are you feeling?" Andromeda asked as Remus came into the kitchen. She was feeding Teddy who looked nearly finished with his bottle.

"Tired, sore, the usual," Remus replied with a yawn.

"Well, next month you will definitely have the Wolfsbane," she said as Teddy finished the bottle. She shifted him to her shoulder, patting his back.

"I'll take him," Remus said, feeling the need to be sure his son was all right. He knew it was the wolf, still so near the surface. He trusted Andromeda would never let anything happen to Teddy, but Remus couldn't ignore the feeling.

"Of course," Andromeda said with a smile as she handed the baby over. "I'll just get you something to eat."

Remus cradled Teddy to his chest, breathing in the baby's scent and letting it calm him. Teddy squirmed slightly and Remus forced himself to loosen his grip, cradling the boy's head and bringing him around in front of Remus.

"How was your night, then?" Remus asked Teddy. "Were you a good boy for your grandmother?" Teddy blinked solemnly as he stared at his father. Remus chuckled.

"He was an angel as always," Andromeda said as she came back into the room with a plate of eggs and fruit. "Do you want me to take him while you eat?"

"No, it's fine," Remus said, shifting Teddy to his left arm, so he could eat and hold his son at the same time. When he finished, Andromeda made to take his plate, but Remus put a hand on her arm. "Sit down for a moment, please."

"Is something wrong?" Andromeda asked, brow furrowed.

"Why didn't you set the silencing charm last night?" he asked. Andromeda faltered for a moment, opened her mouth to say something, then closed it with a sigh.

"I suppose it will do me no good to deny it," she said.

"Why, Andromeda? Why did you subject them to that?"

"I wanted to know," she said quietly. "I wanted to make sure that you did not hurt yourself too much."

"And if I had?" he said. "They couldn't have done anything about it."

"Still, I wanted to know, Remus," she said. "I only want to help." Remus looked at the tabletop, having Teddy in his arms the only thing keeping him calm. He wanted to lash out at her for going against his wishes, for forcing Hermione and Harry to hear whatever they'd heard. Instead, he took a breath and forced himself to relax.

"What did they hear?" he asked. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know. The only positive of being without the Wolfsbane that month was that he wouldn't remember anything about the transformation or how the wolf reacted to their loss. He had more bruises and cuts than usual, sure, but that could have happened even if Dora hadn't died.

"It was as you suspected," Andromeda said quietly. "Harry said it sounded as if you were…mourning." Remus closed his eyes, his jaw clenched. He hadn't wanted anyone to hear that, not Andromeda, and certainly not Harry and Hermione. His grief was private.

"Remus, I am sorry, I just thought," Andromeda began, but Remus held up a hand to stop her.

"Did you think about what I would want?" he asked flatly.

"I only wanted to help."

"There's nothing you can do, Andromeda," he said, his voice rising. "Dora is dead and there's nothing that will change that."

"I know that, but-"

"No!" Remus nearly shouted. Teddy startled in his arms and Remus forced himself to lower his voice. "No, you forced Hermione and Harry to hear something they should never have had to hear. And you knew how I would feel about it, but you did it anyway."

"I only wanted to help you, Remus," she protested.

"How? How are you going to help me now that you know the wolf mourned for Dora as much as I do?"

"I don't, I don't know," she whispered. She looked up at him, her eyes full of tears. "I am sorry."

"So am I," Remus said as he rose from his chair. He left the kitchen without another word.

Remus sat in the rocking chair in Teddy's room, slowly rocking the boy to sleep. He had retreated to Teddy's room after he left the kitchen, entertaining his son by making his stuffed animals dance until Teddy had grown sleepy. Remus had calmed considerably since his conversation with Andromeda, although he was still hurt by what she had done. He wasn't sure how he was going to face Harry and Hermione knowing they had heard his secret grief.

Looking down, he saw that Teddy was asleep and Remus slowly stood and transferred the baby to his cot. He stood looking down at Teddy for a few minutes, before he quietly left the room. Remus had made it back to his own room and had a hand on the doorknob when he heard Andromeda behind him.

"Remus?" she said tentatively. Remus sighed and turned around to face her. "I want to apologize again for not setting the silencing charm. I know I invaded your privacy and I am sorry."

"I know you are," Remus said. She watched him for a few moments, but when it became clear he wasn't going to say anything else, she turned and began to walk down the corridor.

"Andromeda," Remus called quietly once she had reached the top of the stairs. "I accept your apology."

"Thank you," she said before she continued down the stairs.

Remus sighed again and walked into his bedroom. He closed the door behind him and sat down in the armchair in the corner, letting his head fall back. He was emotionally wrung out. He wondered again what Harry and Hermione had thought about what they'd heard after his transformation.

To be fair, neither of them had treated him any differently this morning. They were both a bit tentative, but Remus figured that had more to do with the fact that he was injured than whatever he'd done in werewolf form. Hermione had certainly had no problem clinging to him after her nightmare, although he was quite sure that she hadn't been completely aware when she had first thrown her arms around his neck. He wondered again, just what the dream had been about.

There were plenty of possibilities, given all that Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone through in their years at Hogwarts. Remus didn't know everything that had gone on this past year while the three of them were on the run, but he knew enough. He suspected there was much more to their break-i at Gringotts than anyone knew. The goblins hadn't been too forthcoming with information about it, given their pride in making their bank impenetrable. And Remus wasn't so naïve as to think it didn't have to do with the Horcruxes somehow.

Sighing, Remus rose and stripped off his shirt and trousers, climbing back into bed with a yawn. He would likely sleep until morning, unless his stomach got the better of him in the middle of the night. Just before he drifted off, he realized he had forgotten to ask Harry about access to the library at Grimmauld Place. Making a mental note to send an owl in the morning, Remus closed his eyes and was asleep within seconds.

28 May 1998

Hermione walked into the Great Hall for lunch. Work had continued on the castle over the last couple of weeks and Hermione and Remus had finished the tower the week before. She had been helping Neville and Professor Sprout in the greenhouses, as the professor had received a large shipment of plants to replace those that had been used in the battle.

"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall called as Hermione was about to sit down beside Ron.

"Yes, Professor?" Hermione replied, turning towards the Headmistress who was walking briskly towards her.

"I have something for you," the professor said, holding out an envelope. Hermione's brow furrowed. Why would she be getting post at the school and in a Muggle envelope to boot?

"I am not sure why they did not just send it on to the Burrow, but it was in a delivery from the Ministry yesterday," Professor McGonagall continued. Hermione continued to eye the envelope dubiously. "I have checked it for any kind of hex, jinx or Dark Magic. It is clean."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, finally taking the envelope from her hand. Hermione's name was scrawled across the front, but there was no return address or postmark. She slit the envelope open as she sat down next to Ron.

"What is it, 'Mione?" he asked around his mouthful of food. Hermione pulled the sheet of notebook paper from the envelope and opened it.

"It's from Claire," she said in surprise. Hermione had been so busy in the last few weeks, she hadn't had the time to call and see how the girl was faring.

"One of the little Muggle-born firsties?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded as she began to read.

"What's she say then?" Ron asked. Hermione summarized the letter as she read.

"She's settled in at home and David is still living with them. Annie stayed with them for a few days, but then her sister came and got her." Hermione's brow furrowed as she continued to read.

"What's the matter?" Harry asked.

"Claire's mother isn't sure if she wants to let Claire and David come to Hogwarts next fall," Hermione said.

"Honestly, that's not all that surprising, Hermione," Harry said sadly. "I mean if it had been your child or sister that was thrown in prison for months just because of their blood status, would you let them come back here?" Hermione sighed.

"I don't know," she said honestly. "And from the sounds of it, Claire isn't sure if she wants to, anyway. David seems to though." Hermione paused in her reading, lips pursed in thought.

"What are you thinking?" Ron asked.

"If Claire's parents don't have formal guardianship of David, then he's considered an orphan. If that's the case, then technically, he's a ward of the Ministry since he's a wizard. Claire's parents wouldn't have any say in his returning to Hogwarts. It would be up to him."

"I don't know, Hermione," Harry said. "Wouldn't that cause issues if Claire doesn't enroll here?" Hermione nodded.

"Yes, he'd have to get a magical guardian and move, most likely."

"And that might not be the best thing for him," Ginny said. "I saw how attached he was to Claire and Annie."

"I know," Hermione said with a sigh.

"Is there anything else?" Ron asked, indicating the letter with his fork." Hermione read a bit more.

"Claire is worried about Annie," Hermione said. "The last time Claire called her, Annie told Claire that her sister wouldn't let her visit Claire anymore."

"Why not?" Ginny demanded.

"From what Claire says, it's because Annie always wants to be at Claire's house. She begs to stay whenever her sister comes to pick her up and she's caused a few scenes." Hermione glanced up at her friends. "Accidental magic scenes."

"Annie's sister decided it would be better if Annie just stayed away altogether," Hermione continued. "But Annie managed to call Claire the other day and Claire said Annie didn't sound like herself."

"That poor kid," Ginny said sadly. Hermione turned the paper over to continue reading.

"Sarah, Claire's mother, has tried talking to Annie's sister about it, but her sister hasn't been interested in Sarah's help."

"Why is she telling you all this?" Ron asked.

"She wants me to talk to Annie's sister," Hermione said, lowering the letter to the table.

"Do you want to?" Harry asked.

"I don't think that's my place, Harry," Hermione said quietly.

"That's not what I asked," Harry said.

"Of course, I want to talk to her," Hermione said. "Annie needs support and help after everything she's been through and isolating her from her friends is not the way to go about it." She huffed in frustration.

"Maybe you should pay them a visit," Ginny said, popping a grape into her mouth.

"You said you'd visit them this summer," Ron reminded her.

"I don't even know where Annie lives," Hermione said.

"No, but you've got Claire's phone number and her mother said you were welcome to visit them," Harry pointed out. "I'm sure Sarah knows where Annie is."

"I can't just show up out of the blue, Harry," Hermione protested.

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"Because. Because, it's not, you don't just, I," Hermione trailed off and Harry smiled smugly at her. Hermione stuck her tongue out at him. Harry looked at Ron.

"Is there a telephone box in the village?" Harry asked.

"Ottery St. Catchpole, you mean?" Ron replied. Harry nodded. "Dunno, but I'm sure there must be. It's a Muggle village, isn't it?"

"There is one," Ginny said. "I saw it when I was there with Mum once."

"There you go," Harry said to Hermione with a smile. "You can call Sarah tonight after we get home and set it up." Hermione scowled at Harry, but the truth was she did want to see the three children again. She had thought of them quite often in the last few weeks. And what Claire had said about Annie worried Hermione. She didn't want it to be another situation like the one Harry had grown up in.

"All right, fine," she finally said. "I'll go down to the village after dinner." Harry grinned and Hermione just rolled her eyes before going back to her lunch.

Remus sat in the sitting room, flipping through a book on Transfiguration. He had elected not to go to Hogwarts today. Instead, he had made another foray into the library at Grimmauld Place, collecting a few more books for his tutoring assignment that would start in a little over two weeks.

Things since the last full moon had been a bit strained. Although Remus had forgiven Andromeda, they were still tentative around each other. It reminded him of the first few weeks he'd lived here, once he'd come back to Dora after trying to run away. Andromeda had been polite and cordial, but he knew she had been expecting him to leave again at any moment. Remus felt like their positions were reversed now and Andromeda was the one trying to get back into his good graces.

"Remus!" Andromeda's shout startled Remus from his reading and he was instantly on his feet, wand in hand as he rushed up the stairs and into Teddy's room.

"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, frantically searching the room for whatever the threat was.

"Oh, no, it's fine, Remus," Andromeda said quickly. "Everything is fine." Remus turned to look at her and saw the tears in her eyes.

"Clearly, it's not," he said, not lowering his wand.

"No, it is," she said again. "I am sorry I shouted. I did not mean to worry you."

"Andromeda, what is going on?" Remus demanded.

"It's Teddy," she began, but Remus interrupted before she could finish.

"What's wrong with him?" Remus said in concern as he hurried to the cot where his son currently lay.

"Nothing is wrong with him," Andromeda said. "I came to get him up from his nap and he-" but Remus was no longer listening. He had been looking his son over for any signs of an injury or illness. When he found none, he had smiled at the baby and Teddy, Teddy had smiled back.

"He's smiling," Remus whispered.

"Yes," Andromeda said with a laugh that sounded a bit like she was trying to cover a sob. "That is why I called you. He smiled at me as well." Remus reached down and lifted Teddy from his cot. He cradled Teddy's head in his hand and held the boy out in front of him.

"Hey, little man," Remus said. "Can you give Daddy another smile?" Remus smiled widely and Teddy stared at him for a moment before mirroring the action. The grin on Remus' face grew wider and Andromeda laughed again.

"Oh, you clever, clever boy," she said, bringing a hand to her mouth, laughing even as the tears ran down her cheeks. Remus simply stared at his son, unable to keep the wide smile off his own face. Teddy smiled one more time before he began to squirm, likely hungry after his nap. Remus brought the baby up to his shoulder and looked back at Andromeda. Her laughter was gone and she was simply crying now. Remus wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and he felt the tension that she had been under these last two weeks, leave her.

"She should be here," he said, his voice shaky. "She should see this." Andromeda leaned into him slightly but said nothing. It wasn't until Teddy began to voice his displeasure at being made to wait for his lunch that they moved.

"I will get his bottle," she said quietly. She moved to the doorway and then stopped. "And Remus?" Remus looked up at her from the changing table where he had laid Teddy. "She sees him." With a small smile, Andromeda left the room. Remus pulled in a shaky breath as he turned back to his son. He quickly changed Teddy's nappy and then picked the baby up to cradle him close.

"You keep smiling for her, all right?" Remus said into the boy's hair. Teddy flailed his arms in response and Remus forced himself to calm, before carrying Teddy downstairs for his lunch.

29 May 1998

Hermione made her way quietly down the stairs to the kitchen. Another nightmare had woken her and even though it was early, just after dawn, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep again. She was surprised, therefore, when she saw that the kitchen wasn't empty.

"Mrs. Weas-, er, Molly," Hermione said, having trouble remembering to call Ron's mother by her first name since the woman had insisted on it a few weeks ago.

"Hermione," Molly said in surprise. "What are you doing up?"

"Just couldn't sleep," Hermione replied, sliding into the chair next to Molly's. Molly had a cup of tea in front of her and something else. Hermione turned her head slightly to get a better look at it and realized it was Fred's hand from the clock.

"I've kept it in my pocket, ever since," Molly said quietly when she noticed Hermione's stare. "It makes me feel closer to him, somehow." Hermione was unsure what to say. Molly looked up and gave her a sad smile. "I suppose that makes me sound quite mad."

"No, not at all," Hermione said.

"You're sweet to say so, but I think my sons would have a different view."

"It's no different than keeping a picture of him with you," Hermione said with a smile.

"Perhaps you're right," Molly said after a few moments. "Tea?"

"Don't go to any trouble," Hermione said, but Molly had already waved her wand and the tea tray floated to the table. Molly poured Hermione a cup and added cream before passing it to her.

"Was Mr. We-, erm, Arthur, able to get the morning off today?" Hermione asked after a few moments of silence. George was reopening the shop and Molly wanted the entire family to be there.

"Yes, thankfully," she said. "Kingsley rescheduled the trials for this afternoon." Hermione nodded. The Death Eater trials had been going on for the last two weeks but were nearing their conclusion. Rabastan Lestrange and a few others had been captured due to information given by Lucius Malfoy. Mulciber was still missing, although the Aurors had a lead on him in France and the Minister had sent a team over to work with the French Ministry in his capture. The British Ministry suspected he was trying to get to Belgium where he had relatives.

There were some in the Ministry that had actively worked with Voldemort although they had never taken the Mark. Dolores Umbridge was one, of course, and Hermione had attended her trial personally, just for the satisfaction of seeing the cow sent to Azkaban for the rest of her life. It was the only time Hermione regretted that the Dementors were no longer the guards of Azkaban, though she would never admit it to anyone.

She glanced at Molly again, who was now looking down at Fred's hand from the clock. Hermione could see the emotion on the older woman's face and she reached over and put her hand over Molly's, giving it a squeeze.

"I never told them how proud I was of them," Molly said quietly and Hermione stilled. Molly rarely spoke of Fred, nor had she shown this kind of emotion in front of any of them since the funeral.

"That shop of theirs," Molly trailed off and shook her head, but she was smiling. "It's the most brilliant thing I've ever seen." Hermione smiled. She'd had the same thought the first time she'd walked into Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

"They only got three O.W.L.S. each and I thought they'd never get decent jobs. I was always so worried about their grades and all the trouble they got up to at school, I never stopped to look and see what they were really doing." Hermione wasn't sure what to say. She wasn't a mother, but she imagined if she were, she would feel similarly, wanting her children to excel and succeed. Molly was quiet for a few moments, staring across the room, lost in thought. There was a brightness in her eyes and Hermione was just about to say something when Molly spoke again.

"Oh, look at me, carrying on like this," she said, rising from the table and beginning to clear the tea things away. Hermione saw her put Fred's hand from the clock back into her pocket. "I had better start breakfast; everyone will be waking up soon."

"Molly?" Hermione said as the other woman moved into the kitchen.

"Yes, dear?" Molly said absently as she pulled eggs and bacon from the ice box.

"I think that Fred knew that you were proud of him," Hermione said quietly. "Even if you didn't say it." Molly blinked rapidly a few times and then managed a smile.

"Thank you, Hermione." Hermione nodded and turned to head upstairs to shower before everyone else woke up. She glanced back one last time and saw Molly standing in front of the sink, her head bowed, holding the hand from the clock once again. Hermione watched for a few moments more before she hurried upstairs, not wanting to intrude any longer.