A/N: thanks for all the reviews and hits and things. Really made my day aha
It had been two days since the funerals started. Hermione couldn't wait till they were over. She had lost count of all the wooden or stone caskets she had watched lowered into the soft earth, she was getting fed up with meeting with the family and letting go and saying goodbye. Yesterday had been Terry Boot, Daphne Greengrass, Professor Sprout, and Dawlish, the day before that was Emmeline Vance, Elphias Doge, Stewart Ackerley, and Lisa Turpin. She counted on her fingers. Twelve then? They had missed many others, but seriously, how where you supposed to attend to all of them?
Hermione took a swig of Pumpkin Juice that was in all the gold goblets placed on that long table. It had to be at least half the size of the giant tables that resided in Great Hall.
They had also fit in St. Mungo's earlier that day. It had been nice, seeing Neville with his parents and visiting Luna's father, who, thank God, was improving. I have no idea what we would have done with her if her father had died, Hermione thought, looking down the table a bit to see Luna, now playing with baby Teddy, whose hair was now the same shade of dirty blond as hers. While they were there they had stopped by to see Hannah Abbot, Pavarti Patil, Dean Thomas, Professors Sinistra and Vector, Owen Cauldwell-er- Hermione racked her brain. Oh, Ernie Macmillan and Michael Corner. And Lavender Brown. None of their injuries were life threatening, it was concluded, which was the nice thing. Dean and Hannah were even released within that hour. Professor Vector did have a twitch though, which the healers didn't seem to be able to stop, and poor Owen Cauldwell- who, like Colin Creevey had snuck back in the school, had a visible gash from his cheek to his chest.
Not too bad. Hermione thought, taking another gulp of Pumpkin Juice. She just felt so cold, so apathetic. It made her sick.
"…right? And then we bewitched that wall- charms corridor, you know? Well, this was Luna's spell, brilliant really, she made it graffiti itself! We have no idea how she did it, simply amazing, piece of work she is- Oi! Luna! C'm over here and let Hannah know what you made that wall say- simply amazing I tell you- wait till you hear this…"
That was Neville. She smiled into her goblet. Celebrating with a bit of mead, she imagined.
She heard cheerful chatter floating her way from the other end of the table, serious talk coming from Professor McGonagall and- she guessed- the new Minister of Magic, Shacklebolt. How strange, Hermione pondered.
Then there was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley with Andromeda Tonks and Neville's Gran, The Abbot and Finnigin, Vane, and Thomas family near them. Hagrid was talking to Bill, Fleur at his side. Even old faces- Oliver Wood and Katie Bell had stopped by, Katie showing off her engagement ring to the Puddlemore United Keeper. Hermione was especially surprised to find out they were even working in the Order. They had really missed a lot, this past year.
Lee Jordan was talking with George to Hermione's left. She was so happy he was getting back into the swing of things. It was really depressing, watching him, blank and pale, sit around the Burrow. Luckily they were in the Burrow hardly ever, so that didn't happen often.
She reached over to the flagon of mead, pouring a bit into her empty goblet. It wouldn't hurt.
The alcohol burned her throat as she knocked it down. Warmth pulsed through her veins. She shook her head, taking sipping water to clear her mind.
Ginny sat down opposite to her, looking very pretty in new teal robes that set her hair off.
"You look great" Hermione said, trying to sound natural.
"So do you." Ginny replied, her voice strained. Hermione looked down at her pale blue robes. They did fit nicely. Rather like a Muggle dress, Hermione fancied. They picked up new robes and jeans today when they went to London. Sooner or later they figured Ginny would run out of clothes to share.
"Harry and Ron still out?" Ginny asked.
"Yup." Hermione had no idea where they went. She had been with at least one of them for almost every minute for the last year; she felt strange now all by herself.
"Gins, can you take the baby?" Luna came up behind her, holding the infant like she had no idea how it had gotten there.
"Sure." Ginny reaching up and taking Teddy, his hair turning fiery red before Hermione's very eyes.
"It's a game he likes to play." Luna said, patting the boy's head. "I have to explain about Prounts to Mr. Abbot. I think they are in his blueberry bush." Teddy let out a whine. "I'll be back though!" she offered as an explanation to the baby. "He wants to tell me about the pigmy puffs again." She walked away abruptly, leaving Ginny and Hermione to giggle among themselves.
"Want him?" Ginny asked, holding him above the heavily laden table.
"Love too" Hermione stood up to take him. He was dressed in a small, light blue cotton t-shirt with a broomstick on it, his corduroy shorts covered in dust at the knees. Turning his face to meet hers, she watched his big, green eyes scrunch up, and his hair turn a light brown, bushy- just like hers. Hermione laughed.
"We match!" she exclaimed holding him against her robes. Ginny laughed too, as Teddy stuck his legs out, preventing Hermione from putting him down. "Your adorable." She whispered in his teeny ear, his small button nose sniffing the air. She couldn't tell if he looked like either Remus or Tonks, but he certainly loved being the center of attention. She turned to smile up at Ginny and found, to her surprise not Ginny sitting opposite to her, but Ron.
He was watching her, beaming.
She was prevented from an awkward moment as her finger was grabbed by Teddy, who had his small, chubby fist clenched around her pinky. She cooed in his ear once more, trying to deflect Ron's unabashed gaze at her.
"Is that who I think it is?" Thank God, Harry was here.
He sat next to her, his entire face lighting up, reaching for Teddy. She passed the infant over after a quick hug, watching Harry hold him tight, laughing hard when the thick brown hair turned to deep, jet black.
She looked back at Ron, who was still looking at her. She gave him a wide smile, enjoying the happiness flooding her every limb, hoping her heart wouldn't go and burst with love for him in public. Perhaps it was the mead, she thought. But I doubt it, said a tiny voice.
People kept traveling over, thanking and hugging the three of them- usually saving Harry for last, their faces shinning with happiness, awe-
And Freedom, she thought, closing her eyes and soaking in the atmosphere, the warmth pulsing from this happy table. It was so unbelievable that this was happening. She didn't think she would ever be truely happy again. She opened her eyes to see Harry and Ron feeding Teddy pudding, cheering everytime he took a bite.
We're going to make it through this. I know we can.
Right then there was a hollow ringing sound as Professor McGonagall taped her goblet with her wand.
"Now that everyone is here, I would like to give a speech before dessert." Everyone stopped talking, laughing, to take a look at her.
"First of all, I think it is in order to thank the Longbottoms for the use of this hall in this marvolous feast." Everyone clapped politely. For some reason Hermione couldn't image Neville growing up in such a grand place. "Now, I have a few matters I thought I'd bring to your attention." Teddy cried out. "Even you, Mr. Lupin" Everyone laughed, Harry whispering something into the tot's ear.
She continued. "First of all I would like to share with all of our guests who feel they did not receive- or failed to receive completely- an adequate education in their seventh year of Hogwarts, the compensation for this will be a temporary tutoring program at the Ministry of Magic so, with the current seventh years next year, they can take their N.E.W.T.S. at the same time." There was a cheer among the students who should have graduated from Hogwarts in this last month. Hermione, clapping frantically, shared an ecstatic smile with Ron and Harry. She could hear Neville whooping down the table, Dean and Seamus standing up in her line of view, Hannah Abbot apparently crying, hugging her Father.
McGonagall cleared her throat. Hermione really could have exploded, her future now had a chance, all she had hoped for was setting on the horizon, she could still earn those sought out credentials she had been looking too since age eleven. It now would be possible to gain a job in the magical world.
"For all those other Hogwarts students who felt their education was not up to standards, there will be extra classes during the school year for you to attend and take what you need so you too can gain the education you deserve." People clapped now, too, but more out of manners. Extra classes were not the ideal solution for everyone, Hermione thought. But what else could they have done?
"Hopefully, this will complete everyone's schooling on time and on schedule." McGonagall took a breath.
"My next announcement will refer to everyone who helped the Order of the Phoenix, and Hogwarts, for each and every one of these participants will receive - in gold -compensation for helping us down the dark movement that has been stalking our shadows for all these long, dark years."
Hermione clapped again- this would mean Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would have enough to continue on until Mr. Weasley could start his job again. She knew that he had to hide from the Ministry for the longest time, and that the gold was running thinner then usual.
"Rounding off this little speech nicely will be the plans for the fallen." A different kind of silence took hold of the room, one draped in sorrow and memories, tears and fear.
McGonagall flicked her wand, a giant piece of canvas stretched itself out behind her, large enough for even those at the far end of the table could see the drawings that were springing up upon it. It was a picture of many people, standing and holding hands, all different sizes, men and woman, teenagers and children…
The picture zoomed in as the crowd gasped and murmured- each of these faces of someone they knew or recognized, there was a statue of Tonks, Hermione realized with a jolt, and holding her hand was Lupin, and holding his hand was Fred- a strangled cry came from George- the line continued with all of the fallen faces showing up in this out-ward facing circle, in the middle of them a fountain, which sent out beautiful fans of water, each face, as the canvas image turning around, like watching a movie, Hermione thought, one of those who had died either in the Battle of Hogwarts or in the Order…
"These statues are planed to take the spot in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic as soon as the Masonry Witches and Wizards finish each, and every one of our beloved friends and family." McGonagall said thickly, as though she was holding back tears. "The vile sculpture previously in the atrium was destroyed, and we feel nothing would be better to replace it then this."
Applause broke out, Hermione's hands now getting a bit sore from clapping so much, but she simply loved the idea, it was spectacular, what a better way to pay their respects to the fallen then to have them holding hands, looking bravely to the future.
"Brilliant." She heard Harry say.
"This is not all, however." McGonagall said flicking her wand so her canvas folded itself up and disappeared, "There will be a stone memorial outside Hogwarts, with the name of every single person who attributed to the success of the Order engraved upon it."
More clapping.
"And-" McGonagall said, raising her voice to be heard over the ovation, "And there will also be portraits lining a hall in Hogwarts for each brave warrior who left our midst that night."
The room burst out in tremendous applause, even McGonagall was smiling broadly, people where banging their goblets on the heavy wood, the faces of everyone excited, tears here and there but mostly joy and surprise lacing the guests.
Hermione looked around, her mouth dropping open as she saw George, hollow, vacant George, smile and stand up, tears flowing freely into his open mouth, clapping hard and strong, life blooming back into his face. Hermione kicked Ron, who had still been watching McGonagall, and jerked her head toward George, watching his face as he burst into joy at seeing his brother look truly alive for the first time in days.
"Now that we have that covered," McGonagall wobbled, brushing the tears of happiness off her face, "I would like to formally thank many people in this hall. First, all those in the Order, who brought about these happy times. To our children, and students, who keep Hogwarts alive in their troubles. To my collegues- nothing would have happened without you." She took a deep breath and turned to look straight at Harry..." To Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley and the Boy Whose Sacrafice Enabled Us To Live With Him- Harry Potter. It- It is an honor to s-share this meal with you." She broke down, head in hands, their friends, family was standing up around them, clapping hard- Hemrione didn't know what to think- what to say, it was all so surreal- Her pulse was beating with the claps, her soul alight with that contagious cheer- it was amazing. Beautiful. Tears rushed down her face, Harry and Ron were crying too- She looked them, taking both Harry's and Ron's hands and squeezing them tightly, her eye's meeting Ron's- blazing with a love so strong it picked up her heart and sentt soaring right through the rafters.
They had done it. They had made history. They had made a future.