EPILOGUE
Only four people attended the private funeral of Bellatrix Black; Hermione Gaunt, Fleur Delacour, Narcissa Malfoy, and to everyone's surprise, Harry Potter. The elegant walnut casket was placed next to that of the late Helen Gaunt, and the tomb stone was emblazoned with both of their names:
Here lies
Helen Clytamnestra Gaunt (1957-1979)
Bellatrix Hippolyte Black (1951-1999)
Not even Death could part them.
Under the direction of new Ministry, things began to grow brighter in England. Utilizing his power of celebrity, Harry spoke at length over the hypocrisy of the Partial-Human Security Program instilled by the former Wizengamot. After a landslide victory, Kingsley Shacklebot, the newest Minister for Magic made his first order of business a full abolishment of the offending laws, and promptly every phylactery issued in the country was destroyed. The second was helping to mend the damages of the attack on Buckingham Palace, and immediately the blame was placed upon Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. The muggle Prime Minister was surprising cooperative in working to undo the damages done to the muggle populace. The Dark Lord's body was the face of the attack, plastered onto every newspaper and magazine. With a face to the crime, calm was slowly returning to muggle England.
In that time Hermione returned to Hogwarts to complete her studies. Though her relationship with Ron and Ginny Weasley was never restored, Harry Potter remained true to his word, and the friendship that was once so strained was now stronger than ever. His own relationship with Ginny ended amicably, and the two friends were inseparable for the final months of the school year. During those months Hermione revisited her mother's research, and began some of her own, sharpening her telekinetic skills throughout. Satisfied with her initial findings Hermione, and after unloading quite a lot of revelations, she successfully pitched the idea to Headmistress McGonagall. Minister Shacklebot was more than happy to award grant money to the young witch.
Fleur was given the high honor of aiding the Ministry in issuing reparations to all those affected by the Partial-Human Security Program, along with a handsome salary and small flat in Diagon Alley, in which Helen Gaunt's portrait hung proudly on the wall in the drawing room.
Mere hours after the Hogwarts Commencement Ceremony came to a close, Hermione promptly moved all of her personal effects into the small abode, finally taking the first step toward a new life with Fleur Delacour by her side.
A year later Bill and Karana exchanged their vows in a private commitment ceremony in London. Much to his surprise, the Weasley family accepted his Lyncanthropy, and instantly fell in love with Kara. Fleur and Hermione served as Maids of Honor. It was at the reception that both Fleur and Hermione were given a most precious gift from the new couple; Shell Cottage. Bill expressed a great desire to live and work in London alongside Kara whom already had grand dreams of finally opening her multi-discipline clinic. Both knew of the love both Fleur and Hermione had for the sea, and Bill considered the cottage a fitting home for them both.
They moved to shore a week later. The very first day in their new home was spent upon the cherry red surfboard. Both women perched on it rocking gently in the waves, watching the sun descend below the horizon, painting the sky in a multi-hued burst of color. Several friends came to help Fleur and Hermione decorate the house to their liking, adorning the walls with several picture frames, allowing Helen the ability to move throughout the house. The Grecian woman's melodious singing voice would fill the house every day, radiating happiness with every note and cadence.
Both Harry and Narcissa Malfoy were frequent visitors to the cottage, Narcissa would come to have tea and chat with Helen. And an endearing vivacity returned to the elder witch's life, her face now permanently adorned with a smile. Narcissa also all but adopted Fleur as her own daughter. And the french witch was eternally grateful for the new found family, her own unfortunately having severed ties with her upon learning of her new life in England. But Narcissa spared nothing in showing Fleur maternal affection and comfort.
When Hermione's 20th birthday arrived, Fleur presented the brunette with a rather large gift. Upon opening it however Hermione was rendered helpless to the tears of joy that flowed forth at the sight of a large portrait of a young Bellatrix Black. The woman in the painting awoke almost immediately, overjoyed to be reunited with the family she had grown to love in the final months of her life. There wasn't a moment when Helen and Bellatrix weren't in the same frame. They often sat tangled in each other's arms in the largest frame adorned above the fireplace.
Every night Hermione and Fleur curled up together atop their fourposter bed that faced large bay windows pointed at the sea. A chapter from one of Hermione's many books was their nightly lullaby, lulling each of the lovers into a blissful sleep. The stresses of the day carried away by ebbs of the gentle tide.
"Would you 'old still for just a minute 'Ermy! Must I dress you everywhere we go?" Fleur admonished the younger witch, reaching between them to fix the brunette's collar that had gone slightly askew during the short walk from the train station. Hermione clutched the umbrella tightly, struggling to hold it aloft as the french witch checked and rechecked Hermione's neatly ironed oxford and sweater combination. The light autumn rain spilled all around them, and they huddled close under the meager shelter of the umbrella. Hermione nervously wiped the soles of her boots on the welcome mat of the front steps they were standing upon. Fleur shivered as a breeze swept beneath the umbrella. Somewhere they could both hear the faint cries of a baby coming from within the house.
They exchanged a small kiss and both women heaved sighs. "Are you ready mon amor?" Fleur asked, and Hermione gave a slight nod before reaching with an outstretched finger for the doorbell.
Above the door bell there was a name plate that read: "The Grangers"
A/N:
It's wonderful to be here,
It's certainly a thrill,
You're such a lovely audience,
We'd love to take you home with us,
We'd love to take you home.
-The Beatles, 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'