Arthur Weasley found Ginny and Harry at the Burrow visiting one Friday afternoon as he arrived home after work. Molly was getting the evening meal ready as he stepped through the door.
After going over to give Molly a kiss, he said to the group, "I've got some news. It's not official yet, but it should be announced some time later this week." Pausing to note the expressions of anticipation on everyone's faces, he continued, "The Ministry has decided to create a Memorial Room at Hogwarts, near the front entrance, to be dedicated to all those who gave their lives in the war.
"The room will contain portraits of all those who gave their lives fighting Voldemort. There will be a special section for those who died during the first war and another for those of the second," he explained. After another pause, he took Molly's hand and said quietly, "There will be portraits for Fred and Ron, plus for your brothers as well."
"Oh, my," Molly said, squeezing her husband's hand. "When will this happen?"
"There will be a dedication ceremony later this month," Arthur told her. "All family members and friends will get to see it first before they'll open it up to the general public."
"I'll need to get some things of Ron's and Fred's, and some from my brothers to supply to the artist to put into the portraits," she said, rising from her seat. Magical artists needed something that belonged to the subject of the portrait to incorporate into the painting in order for it to be capable of interacting with viewers.
After Molly had gone upstairs to collect what she needed, Ginny turned to her father and said, "I hope we'll be able to get copies of the portraits. I know George would want one of Fred to put up in the store; it would help him to feel less lonely and as if Fred was almost there with him."
"Perhaps, they'll allow selected family members to use a duplicating charm on the portraits," Arthur agreed. "I'll make sure to mention it to Kingsley when I see him tomorrow."
"I know I'll want one of Ron and Fred for Grimmauld Place," Ginny decided. "I wish we could get rid of that horrible portrait of Sirius' mother."
"I'm still working on that," Harry reminded her. "I'd like to get rid of it before the baby is born, as I know it's scary for little kids." He made a mental note to ask Lucius about that some time when he visited the penthouse. Perhaps he or his wife might have a clue about how to get rid of it.
At that moment, Molly called out from upstairs, "Ginny! Can you come up here and give me a hand?"
"Coming, Mum," Ginny said, then quickly left the room.
Arthur had opened the Daily Prophet to read while he enjoyed a cup of tea, so Harry's thoughts began to wander as he drank a butterbeer. He thought about Hermione, that even though she was happy with Lucius now, she'd still want to pay her respects to Ron once she heard about the Memorial Room portraits. But he knew that the Weasleys would react badly if Hermione attended the dedication ceremony, something which Harry wished to avoid for the sakes of both Hermione and the family he'd married into.
"Arthur?" Harry said hesitantly.
"Hmm?" the older wizard replied, distracted. "What's on your mind?"
"I'm think I'm going to go over to see Hermione," he announced to his father in law. "I intend to persuade her to skip the dedication ceremony for the portraits. I know she'll want to pay her respects to Ron, and everyone else, but I'm going to try to talk her into going some other time. The dedication ceremony is for the family and I know it would ruin it for Molly and Ginny if they ran into Hermione."
"That's for sure," Arthur agreed, nearly shuddering at the thought of another public confrontation with Hermione. "Go ahead and do it now, while Ginny and her mother are busy. I'll tell Ginny you'll see her later."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Harry said, meaning it. "I just wish Molly and Ginny would forgive Hermione."
"Maybe someday," Arthur said slowly. "But I wouldn't expect it any time soon if I were you."
Harry nodded, then said, "I'd better go and get it over with." Moving toward the door, "I'll apparate there, as I'm sure their floo isn't linked to yours."
A short time later, Harry was climbing the stairs to the Malfoy penthouse. He'd not taken the time to owl ahead to let Hermione he was coming, so he hoped she'd be at home and wouldn't have to deal with Lucius Malfoy without Hermione there to act as a buffer.
Breezy answered the door promptly after Harry knocked.
"Mr Harry," the small elf squeaked. "Mistress Hermione and Master Lucius aren't expecting you."
"I didn't owl ahead to let them know I was coming," Harry explained. "Please express my regrets to them for not doing so."
"Please come in," Breezy said. "Please wait in the front sitting room, while I see if Mistress Hermione is available. Master Lucius is not at home."
Harry did as the elf directed, but did not have to wait long. A few moments later, Hermione herself entered the room, smiling.
"Harry!" Hermione said, easing her pregnant bulk down into an easy chair. "What a nice surprise!" Turning to Breezy, she said, "Please bring us a pot of tea and some snacks."
After the elf hurried off to carry out Hermione's wishes, she turned back to Harry. "I can tell that you didn't come by just to pass the time of day with me," she said. "So, what's on your mind?"
"You know me too well," Harry admitted sheepishly. Getting to the point of his visit, he continued, "I heard some news tonight that I thought you should hear personally, rather than reading about it in the Daily Prophet. And I've a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" she asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
"Yes, I'm rather curious myself." Both Hermione and Harry turned to see Lucius standing in the doorway.
"Lucius!" Hermione said. "When did you get home?"
"I just stepped through the library floo," he told her. "The meeting didn't take as long as I'd originally thought. I heard voices, so I came to investigate." Moving to take a seat by Hermione, he looked pointedly at Harry and said, "Do continue, Mr Potter."
"Er, ah, right." Harry said, a bit put off by the elder Malfoy's sudden appearance. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Mr Weasley came home from work today and told us that the Ministry is going to establish a Memorial Room at Hogwarts, dedicated to those who gave their lives in both the wars against Voldemort. As part of this memorial, there will be a portrait of every person who died." After a pause, to emphasize what he was getting at, he said, "There will be portrait of Ron."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Hermione said. "I'll have to go and pay my respects."
"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about," he said slowly. Gazing into her eyes, he said, "I know it's a lot to ask, but could you not go to the dedication ceremony, but go up there later to pay your respects? Molly and Ginny are totally irrational when it come to you, and I know there would be a scene if they saw you there."
Hermione did not reply at once, having mixed feelings about Harry's request.
Lucius, sensing his mate's discomfort, turned to her, taking her hand. "Mr Potter is absolutely right. The Weasley women could not help but instigate a loud confrontation, which would only serve to ruin the event for others. And you do not need such stress this late in your pregnancy."
"I suppose you're right," Hermione said reluctantly. "But I do want to pay my respects. I never got to say goodbye to Ron and this will be my chance."
"There will be plenty of time to do that later," Lucius assured her. "I think your visit would be more meaningful if you did so privately, anyway." He did not mention that it would be best if he also refrained from making an appearance, as his role in the last war would incite protest from more than just the Weasleys.
"That's true," Hermione said. Turning to Harry, she said, "All right, Harry. I'll skip the ceremony."
"Thanks for understanding," Harry said, obviously relieved. "It will be easier on Ginny as well, if her mother doesn't get her all worked up."
Lucius and Hermione exchanged glances at this, both thinking that Ginny was quite capable of getting herself all worked up over nothing without her mother's help, but they diplomatically remained silent.
Harry made small talk with the Malfoys for a few more minutes, even getting the proper spell from Lucius to unstick Mrs Black's portrait from the wall. But he excused himself as soon as it was polite to do so, as he didn't want Ginny to worry about him. He promised to call on Hermione as soon as his schedule permitted.
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A/N Thanks again to my readers and reviewers
A/N This was originally one chapter but it got so long that I've divided it into two parts
A/N Next chapter: A Portrait of Closure, Part II