Chapter 37: Sadness

Hermione was released from the hospital two days later and she and Elaine had moved into her and Severus' quarters where the Castle magically accommodated the little baby with a nursery filled with toys and a crib and rocker set. That's where they spent their time as a family for ten days until they got their notification of all of the funerals, thankfully most of them were going to be having one mass funeral instead of having thirty different memorials, Hermione wasn't sure she could handle that. Dumbledore sent one more letter two days before the funerals to confirm who was when

Dear Severus and Hermione,

Sorry to bother you again but it is pertinent that I give you final information on the funerals; we do have some minor details:

Bellatrix and Rudolphus Lestrange Cho Chang

Fred and Percy Weasley

Collin and Dennis Creevey Mike and Annie Bones

Vincint Crabbe Jr. Patricia Pince

Gregory Goyle Jr. Hannah and Maddie Abbott

Kingsley Shacklebolt Katie and Mark Belle

Alastor Moody Padame Patil

Xephonias Lovegood Michel Corner

Rolanda Hooch Seamas Finnigan

Pansy Partison Lee Jordan

Justin McFlinchey Alicia Spinnet

Marcus Flint Connor Shames

Briavious Ollivander Melony Shanders

Daylynn Shamn Corbin James

All those that have passed that are not on this list have decided that they would rather have a private memorial, I am sorry that this has to happen now; I hope my granddaughter is well.

Albus.

Hermione sighed as she put down the letter, "I can't believe that we lost so many, at such a young age it's heart breaking."

"I agree, Braivious and I were close in school, I hope Oliver is taking it well enough."

"How was he related to Mr. Olivander?"

"He was his son."

"Oh My… No parent should have to bury a child."

"I agree," He pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest, letting the sound of his heart sooth her into relaxation.

"I love you Severus."

"I love you too." He leaned in to kiss her when Elaine started crying.

"Wonderful," Hermione groaned.

"Let me get her, you relax."

"Thank you love."

The day of the mass Memorial came into view and in all honesty, no one was ready for it. Hermione met Albus and Minerva in the Entrance with Elaine in her first nice dress.

"Where is Severus dear?"

"I don't know Minerva, he said he was going to go with a walk and then he was going to meet us here."

"I hope he's alright."

"Me, two, burying a friend isn't easy." The family stood and waited for him to join them and then they decided that they had waited long enough, Harry and Ron, had saved the five seats next to them in the first row with the Malfoys. Hermione hugged her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin before taking her seat with the baby. Five minutes before the memorial started, Severus came into the room and sat next to his wife taking her hand in his.

"Love are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine; I am worried more about you."

"Severus, we are all mourning a loss right now, don't worry about me so much, Elaine is here we are all fine." She squeezed his hand and when she slacked it slightly, he brought it up to her lips and kissed it. She smiled at him and then Albus stood to start the ceremony.

"Welcome, family and friends to the Ceremony of all those that we have lost in the final battle. Today we honorBellatrix and Rudolphus Lestrange, Cho Chang , Fred and Percy Weasley, Collin and Dennis Creevey, Mike and Annie Bones, Vincint Crabbe Jr., Patricia Pince, Gregory Goyle Jr., Hannah and Maddie Abbott, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Katie and Mark Belle, Alastor Moody, Padame Patil, Xephonias Lovegood, Michel Corner, Rolanda Hooch, Seamas Finnigan, Pansy Partison, Lee Jordan, Justin McFlinchey, Alicia Spinnet, Marcus Flint, Connor Shames, Briavious Ollivander, Melony Shanders, Daylynn Shamn, and Corbin James. These were brave people who fought for everything we stand for now, family and friends have asked that after the families give their speeches, if others would stand and share their favorite moments with those no longer with us, so will the family of Hannah and Maddie Abbott please come up."

Albus retook his seat next to Minerva on the other side of the aisle as Peter and Abigail Abbot stood up for their daughters that tragically lost their lives. Next was Katie and Mark Belle's two brothers Matthew and Kodie, Mike and Annie Bones's daughter Susan stood for them, Cho Chang had her single mother, Suri, Michel Corner was represented by his only brother James, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyal were represented by Draco, Collin and Dennis had their parents Jane and John, Seamas Finnigan was represented by his little brother Daniel and his parents Corner and Maddyline, Marcus Flint was represented by his sister Candice, Rolanda Hooch was remembered by the staff and her two year old daughter Candy. Corbin James was represented by Harry Potter, Hermione and Ron due to his entire family being whipped out a year prior, Lee Jordan was represented by George Weasley since his family disowned him for fighting, Patirica Pince was represented by her apprentices Shacklebolt and Moody were represented by Minerva and ALbus, Padma was represented by her sister Pavarti, Mr. Lovegood had a few words said by Luna, Justin McFlinchy and Connor Shames were represented by their head of house, Professor Sprout, Alicia was represented by Angelina Johnson, Briavious Olliivander was represented by his father and Severus, Meloney Shander was represented by Her sister, Lauren and Daylynn was spoken for by her brother, Kevin. Each family member had kind things to say, about their individual's hopes and dreams, what they expected out of the war, etcetera.

For Hermione, there were two sets of family that were the hardest, Fred and Percy, and her parents. Fred and Percy came after Hooch and Molly couldn't even speak at the loss of her sons, George had to take over holding Ginny's hand. Hermione stood up with her Aunt and Uncle after professor Sprout was done talking about Justin and Connor.

"Most of you think my sister was dark and evil and most of you would be right. She was loving and cared a lot about her family and fought to make them proud of her every day, however, she didn't truly loose her mind until she gave up her daughter. After gaining her back, she had a whole new spark to her, she was smiling again. Not a day went by that she didn't have remorse for what she had done to Alice and Frank Longbottom, when she returned; I remember her crying herself to sleep every night. My sister was demented and hurtful at times but she still had a heart." Narcissa had to stop speaking for a while and looked down at her feet, Hermione took over from there.

"My aunt is right, my mother had her fits but I remember when I first came home, anything I needed, she helped me. My mother loved me I have no doubts, so did my father, we were only a family again for a year but we were still a family that stood up for each other. My mother wasn't all that loyal to the Dark Lord or she wouldn't have had me marry my husband who had his loyalties to the light, she even told me so," She smiled slightly before continuing, "My father put everything concerning my mother and I first, friends second and the war last, I think I'm going to miss his hugs the most. I think the hardest part about today…"She paused and got her tears under control, they wouldn't stop running but she felt a small hand on her upper back so she looked up at the congregation and brokenly said, "The hardest part about…today is…is that my parents lost their lives at such a young age, and they are going to miss their granddaughter growing up, everything that she will do. I don't care how many of you actually like my parents or if you wanted them to die, they were good people till the end, and they will be missed." Her face now stained with the tears running down her cheeks she grabbed her aunt's hand and walked down the steps to her husband and child. However, she was stalled in getting there; Neville Longbottom came up and hugged her deeply and she returned it.

He repeated over and over how sorry he was that she lost her parents, how sorry he was that she was going through this. she lost it and cried on his shoulder for a moment before she retook her seat next to Severus, To her surprise, Ginny, Ron, Neville, Luna and Susan sat at her feet each had a hand on her for support; Ginny and Susan held her hands, Ron and Neville had theirs on her knees, Luna sat by Ginny and had a hand on her forearm and harry had his hand on her feet as he was sitting in front of her leaning against her legs. Each mourned their loss and comforted each other. The groups stood up and spoke of the lost in positive light, a lot of Dumbledore's Army stood and recalled practices and fooling Umbridge, Ginny spoke highly of how her brothers pranked Filch into eating one of their candies and he had puss bubbles all over his face ticking off Umbridge. Severus stood and spoke of Bella and Rudolphus, Minerva spoke of Bella, the Bones, and the other lost Gryffindors and the lost staff. A few others stood and spoke and then Albus gave the closing statement and everyone stood and hugged each other.

Hermione stood and took Elaine from Severus and held her close she leaned into him as he pulled her to his side. All of her friends and family came over and talked with her and Severus, mostly of how she was holding up, no matter how many times she tried to ask someone else how they were, it always was pointed back to the new mother. Molly hugged her twice without crushing the baby; others gave her comforting pats and smiles.

"So Madam Snape, how are you going to handle the New Year with a new born baby?" George asked holding up a fake microphone, "The friends want to know, make sure that you don't need a nanny."

Hermione laughed for the first time that day, "Well Mr. Weasley, I must say that it won't be easy but we are working it out as we go."

"We hear rumors of a nanny."

"Well yes I have asked Ginny if on her off periods she will help but we will be using mostly house elves and her grandparents." George's face was amazing so once again she laughed.

"Can I give you a hug?"

"Um, duh we are friends," She passed Elaine to her godmother and George pulled her into a tight hug and he started to cry, she knew the loss of his twin was going to be extremely difficult, and he was trying to be strong for his family. "You know, this room seems a bit crowded, shall we go to our rooms?" She looked at Severus for an answer, he nodded. She helped George settle before they moved apart, and then she took her husband's hand and they walked down to the dungeons. Thankfully there wasn't too much damage to the school during the war so they didn't have to take a detour. She got to the portrait the hid their rooms and she spoke the password, "Elaine."

The portrait opened and the family stepped in and Severus made to go make tea just as Elaine became fussy. Hermione took the baby to the nursery and closed the door, She let her tears fall as she held her adorable daughter, she grabbed a blanket and then move to the rocker; she sat down and rocked her daughter into a calm state.

"Where's Hermione?" Severus asked.

"She just took Elaine to the nursery, I think she's feeding." Minerva said.

"Oh," He set down the tea telling everyone to help themselves to anything they needed and then he went to the nursery door. He cracked it open and heard her humming a soft song, which he recognized from her singing it a year ago.

La da da
Da da da da

And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
Cuz all I need
Is you, my valentine

You're all I need
My love, my valentine

"You are my life little angel, you and daddy are my light in the darkness, I love you."

Severus slowly approached the rocker and knelt down beside her. For the first time since he first laid eyes on her he noticed that she had been crying. He gently whipped away the tears and looked at the sleeping baby, "you are a wonderful mother."

"Barely."

"No Hermione, your mother would be proud of you, I know she is smiling over you know."

Hermione silently cried as she watched her baby sleep, "I suppose I should lay her down."

"Yes, come on, the family is waiting for you," He looked at her and said, "Separate we are weak and vulnerable Hermione, together, we will be able to heal."

Hermione nodded and laid the baby in the crib and then she went with her husband to join her family and friends.