Disclaimer:Harry Potter is not mine, but this story is.

A/N:Hello guys, I'm back! I am sorry it took a while, but here is the next chapter! I want to thank you all for being with me up until now and know that I am very grateful that I have wonderful readers such as you. This chapter is specially dedicated to my new BETA, FeartheOrdinary, who is now helping me sort out the first chapters of the story. And to everyone who made it this far, I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Before I forget, let me greet you all a Merry Christmas. This chapter is my gift to all of you out there who is reading this. I want you lot to have a good Christmas. Don't forget to be happy and wear a smile on you face and spend your time with your loved ones. Please review this chapter and tell me what you think, it will be your Christmas gift to me if I know I made you happy with this chapter and my story in general.

This chapter contains various information based from the Deathly Hallows, because it has been my inspiration for this one. I also borrowed some elements from the Order of the Phoenix when I tried to describe Grimmauld Place. I know it is not perfect and it is not BETA-ed yet too, but enjoy. :)

"Always realize that you can lose the one you love, and this should help you to have a greater appreciation for what you actually have."

Chapter 24: Family

I woke up feeling rather refreshed.

It has been a long time since I felt like this, especially when certain nightmares still haunted me every night. I sat on my bed and fetched my glasses as a goofy smile suddenly appeared on my face. There was no work today so I've nothing to do, I would also get to see Teddy again so everything was good.

A little light passed through the curtain. I quickly slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I didn't bother fixing my hair and changing my clothes before I went outside.

Still in my pajama pants, I went down the stairs, wand at hand and maneuvered towards the kitchen to cook something but I noticed the aroma of something being fried. Curious, I peeked inside and found Hermione with my little Godson.

The sight melted my heart. She was wearing the familiar robes she wore at work and her hair was wrapped in a neat bun while Teddy was silently dozing on her shoulder. She didn't notice me silently making my way towards her as she continued to cook.

Slowly, I wrapped my hand around her waist and she stopped what she was doing as she stared at me with gentle eyes. "Welcome back."

Hermione smiled at me and kissed me softly in the cheeks while she handed me the sleeping baby. "It's good to be back."

I kissed little Teddy's cheeks as she quickly put out the fire and sent the bacons into the plate with a flick of her wand. "You should've told me you'll be home today, I would've picked you up."

"I wanted to surprise you."

I chuckled. "You should've put Teddy in your room first, though. How was work?"

"It's okay, I guess. I picked Teddy up from Mrs. Tonks' house after handing some papers about the list of registered werewolves to my boss. Sorry I didn't wake you up when we arrived, you were sleeping so peacefully."

Trust Hermione to be very considerate of everyone. "I don't mind the slightest. How was your vacation?"

I silently transfigured a chair into a crib and put Teddy inside. The baby stirred and turned his blue hair into red but at least he didn't wake up. When he was safely tucked inside, I took a seat while Hermione prepared our meal. She chuckled at my question and turned to my direction. "You wouldn't call it a vacation if it includes work in it, Harry. But to answer your question, it has been good. The family went to France for the weekend. I guess I won't be seeing them for a while because they decided to remain there for some time. Come, breakfast."

I nodded at her and we silently ate breakfast. From time to time, I would look at my Godson to see if he would wake up soon and then I would look at Hermione, who only offered me a smile. When I was finished with my meal, my thoughts wandered when we were back at the tent, it made me smile.

"What are you thinking?"

I looked at her and gave her a lop-sided smile. "Nothing. I just remembered how you used to cook for us back at the tent."

She gave me a sigh as she put her hand in her forehead. "Honestly, you're just trying to tease me again. I know that my cooking at that time was hideous, but that's what you get when you don't even have anything to cook on the first place."

She gave me a punch on the arm as a laugh escaped my lips. "I didn't say anything."

"Ohhh you. Stop it." Hermione laughed as she continued to punch my arm. I tried to block her attacks but to no avail.

"All right, all right. You win." Both of us continued to laugh for a while, the memories on the tent seemed a little less dreadful now. I looked at the girl in front of me, it has been so long but she was still here.

She seemed to be lost in thought and stood up to get something near the sink. She turned to me and smiled as she handed me a letter. "Pig sent the letter this morning."

Curious, I opened the letter and saw Ron's familiar handwriting on the parchment. I spent a good part of my time reading the letter as Hermione anxiously hovered to my side. When I've finished, I looked at her, asking for her opinion. "So, what do you think?"

She remained quiet for a while as she tried to decide on the matter. Personally, I think it was okay to spend the Christmas with them, seeing that I've been away the last time. But I also thought of Hermione's parents and what Hermione wanted to do, especially when this would be the first Christmas that I would spend here after the war.

"Why not? I mean my parents won't be around for Christmas so we could spend it there."

My face crumpled in concentration. Somehow, I wanted to spend it here, in Grimmauld. But then again, I was afraid that they wouldn't like it. For a while, I contemplated on the idea and looked at Hermione, who was waiting for me to say something.

As if asking for her consent, I spoke, "What if we spent it here, in Grimmauld? I mean, the elves could help us and we could lessen Mrs. Weasley's load. We could invite our close friends."

A small smile crept on her lips. "Harry, I think that's a great idea! Especially now that you have your own house."

"Hang on." I quickly strode out of the kitchen and into the office, looking for a quill and parchment to write on. I opened up the table and scribbled down the invitation, making four letters of the same content. When I've finished, I went back to the kitchen to show Hermione the letters. "One for the Weasleys, Hogwarts, Luna and Neville."

For a while, I looked at her as she read the letter at hand. When she's finished, she handed them to me and smiled. "I think you'd better send them now, if you want an early reply. Christmas is four days away."

With a nod, I silently went back to my room to fetch Prongs.

We spent the remaining days mulling over Christmas decorations and groceries after we received an affirmative from almost all of our friends, excluding those at Hogwarts who would be busy preparing for a Christmas feast. Hermione would often fuss that everything was still a mess but I would only shrug at her and proceed on the task at hand. She would often work tirelessly, cleaning and decorating the whole house with our help. By the time that Christmas Eve came, the house was barely recognizable.

The chandeliers, like the last time, were covered with garlands of holly and gold and silver streamers and magical snow glittered in heaps over the carpets. We bought a huge Christmas tree, decorated by muggle Christmas lights with an angel on top. Somehow, I hoped that Mr. Weasley would not attack the tree because seeing the elves' large eyes mesmerized by the lights made me laugh. The rooms were also cleaned and addressed with the names of the people who would sleep there.

All that time, Teddy was the one who kept us sane. Whose mental idea was this on the first place anyway?

Christmas came and everyone gathered around the magically enlarged living room, which Hermione decorated. Christmas songs played over the muggle stereo, both handpicked by me and Hermione when we went shopping for the tree.

Mrs. Weasley and the girls were all gathered on a corner, talking to the soon-to-be-bride. Even Hermione was there with Teddy, talking animatedly to a very enthusiastic Fleur. Ginny and Luna were content sitting on the couches with Mrs. Weasley and Audrey, who seemed to be nervous as they smothered her with questions.

On the other side, George and Ron started a game of Exploding Snap with Angelina and Neville. After every five minutes or so, Ron would look at the direction of girls, as if expecting Luna to come and join him. Mr. Weasley was sitting beside the fireplace, observing the muggle apparatus with such gleam in his eyes while talking to his son, Percy.

Meanwhile, I was keeping the elves company as both of them enjoyed their Christmas presents. Every now and then, Winky would shout something about being a free elf, and how that would make Dobby very proud of her and Kreacher would just grunt and resumed in his self-absorbed thoughts.

"Happy Christmas, Harry." I looked around and saw Bill staring at me with a grin on his face.

"Happy Christmas. I reckon that this would be the last time you'll be walking without booties on your head."

Bill looked at Fleur's direction and smiled when he saw his wife having fun playing with Teddy. "And I don't regret it."

Then, someone suddenly nudged my ribs and I saw George Weasley grinning at me sinisterly. "What about you Harry, are you considering having baby Potters soon?"

I felt heat rise up on my cheeks at his words and I suddenly found the floor more interesting. "I don't think I am."

George suddenly looked at Ron and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Well, I think ickle-Ronniekins would be the first out of your lot to marry."

He quirked one of his eyebrows on Ron, who was now trying to beat Neville in a game of Wizard's Chess. Ron just looked at him in mock annoyance and resumed his game and Bill laughed at the scene, his scars stretching over his face. "I guess it'll be another few years before we should think of that, unless, someone here is already trying to propose?"

Bill eyed me suspiciously and I just smiled at the gesture. Ron and Neville stopped their game when they heard Bill's question and even George quirked his brow and grinned. When Ron realized what was up, he chuckled. "Oi, Ginny!"

Ginny looked at our direction and stood up. Her fiery hair danced in the lights as she made her way towards us. "What?"

George put his arm around his sister's shoulder. "I reckon, dear sister, that you have an idea whether these two are up to something because we smell something fishy here."

Ginny frowned at George and looked at us as if we sprouted antlers then laughed. "I think, you're getting the wrong impression, brother. Harry here is afraid of Hermione's dad and Ron is a chicken when it comes to proposing to Luna."

"Oi, I am NOT. I actually think that I should wait until we both have decent work before I pop up the question."

I laughed as George guffawed at Ron's words and Ginny gave out a wide grin, even Bill found it amusing. "So it seems that our brother finally decided to grow up and make little blonde babies."

"I guess this house will be full after a few years more, Harry. You should consider Christmas at the Burrow when that happens," Bill said.

"Oi George, at least I thought of proposing to Luna. What about you, when do you plan to propose to Angelina?" Ginny suddenly felt the urge to get closer to the group that even her eyes flashed a curious glance at her brother.

All of us looked at Angelina, who was happily talking to Hermione and looked back at Geoge, who had a triumphant smile on his face. Then, George drew closer to Ron and raised a hand on his chin, as if he was pondering on the question. "Don't worry dear brother, I already have the ring safely tucked on the drawer of my cabinet. Let Perce have his fun first, and then maybe, I could break the news to Mum."

He gave us a satisfied wink and nudged me, "One day, you sir, need to re-evaluate the circumstances and make the move."

Ron looked at Hermione, who was now happily bouncing Teddy on her lap and turned to his brothers. "They look like they're already married, so why bother with the ceremony and all?"

A smile crept on the corner of my lips as all of us dispersed after Mrs. Weasley's shout. I went to Hermione's direction to pick up little Teddy before going to the dining room. As I looked at all this people, merrily talking to each other with a thread of happiness in their eyes, I realized that I was contented, somehow, I knew that this was enough and I was happy to be here. This indeed, was my family, something that I found on my own.

I could hear the various inhabitants of the house calling "Merry Christmas" to each other as I followed Hermione down the kitchen. She seemed to be content and happy as well at our little gathering. When we were finally seated at the table, everyone began to hand one another their various presents. After everything, everyone began to dig-in and we spent the day with smiles on our faces.

But as I looked at the scene before me, of the people who were busy eating after opening their presents, I couldn't help but smirk as George's words echoed on my mind. Little did they know, everything has already been set, all I needed was the proper time.

The sky was dark and the night's first stars glimmered feebly. Icy air stung my face as I passed the cottages and the golden streetlights. I gazed at the familiar snow-burdened houses, remembering the time that I first saw them.

I passed upon the several shops, the post office and the familiar pub, quickly taking in the familiar Christmas decorations, the colorful lights that hung around the houses. Then, I heard the familiar tune that they always played inside the little church and remembered the flashes of memories that has now been associated with it.

I maneuvered my way around, there was a light breeze as people continued to celebrate around the small town. I could hear laughter and a chorus of songs as I passed down the cottages, it made me remember the little celebration we were having back home. Still, I had my fair share of fun and it was time to remember the people who made this life of mine possible in the first place.

I remembered visiting this place for the first time, how Hermione reached for my hand and took the lead towards the kissing gate and into the graveyard, where I saw my parent's graves for the first time. Up until now, nothing has changed when you would visit this place on Christmas Eve. The snow still lay deep and untouched, it always carved deep trenches as I walked around.

It has been like this for me after the war. Even when I was in France, I used a Portkey and travelled here, just to see my parents, celebrate with my family.

The row upon rows of snowy tombstones now came into view, protruding from a blanket of pale blue. Every now and then, the dazzling lights would cast reflections on the snow, like it used to. I waded deeper and deeper, searching for the familiar tombstones as both darkness and silence enveloped my form.

Then, I stopped at the familiar place, the headstone that was two rows behind Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore's and touched the white marble. Up until now, it still stood out from the rest.

I knelt in front of the gravestone and wiped the snow that rested on the top. I could still see the intricate carvings engraved upon the stones and smiled when I saw the wreath of wilted roses. For a while, I stood there and read the words slowly and repeatedly, as if it was the first time I've been here.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Has it been so long since I first came here? The former emotions that enveloped me when I visited this place have now been replaced with something more, much more. As I let the familiar hot tears fall, a smile formed on my lips.

"Hello mum, dad," I started. Another Christmas passed without them here and all I could hear was the steady beat of my heart as it pounded against my chest. I wished they were here to share this with me. I let out the breath I was holding as tears continued to fall. "I wanted to. . .visit you, keep you company."

After I casted an enchantment and there, the roses bloomed again. I observed as snow slowly covered the glittering white roses. "We spent Christmas at Grimmauld today, I'm sure Sirius would've been very happy. The Weasleys were there and we spent the day catching up with each other's lives. Did you know that Percy's getting married?"

I paused, as if expecting a reply. "We talked about Sirius and Fred today. I reckon that you need to keep an eye on them, else they would cause mischief."

I chucked and after a while, I stared at nothing as streams of memories flooded my mind. Somehow, I wanted to remember them clearly, vividly. I wanted to remember my father's hazel eyes, how his glasses were a little lopsided, his hair was as untidy and ruffled as mine. I wanted to remember his mischievous smile and how he would look at my mother with such love. I also wanted to remember my mother, her gentle face and shining, emerald eyes. I wanted to remember how she smiled at my father and how she held me lovingly in her arms. I only had a few memories with them. . . yet, I cherished them so much.

Slowly, I opened my mouth but closed it again. The muscles of my jaws tightened as I tried to hold back a sob. For a while, I put my hand on my mouth as the tears fell and my face crumpled halfway between a frown and a smile as a half-choked chuckle escaped my lips. "Teddy's growing too fast, he can now speak more words. Hermione has been teaching him about many things and would always tell him stories about his parents. There were times when he would smile when he saw pictures of them and it made both of us happy. Tell Lupin and Tonks that I am very. . .happy that they made me his Godfather. I love him so much, Hermione does too."

I stood up and wiped the snow that accumulated on my trousers. Still, my eyes went back on the grave. Then, I closed them, as if relieving the moments I spent with my parents, bits and pieces of memories from pictures and from the pensieve, Sirius' tales and Lupin's stories. "I. . .miss you."

I wanted to tell them so much, to talk to them and see their faces again. I wanted so much to tell them how happy I am right now, ask advices whenever Hermione and I had misunderstandings.

But most of all, I wanted to hold them, experience their warmth, their love. . .and give mine in return.I've seen how Mrs. Weasley fussed about her children and how Hermione held Teddy with her eyes filled with so much love. I also. . .wanted to tell them about Hermione because I wanted them to know about the girl who was the reason that I smiled every day.

As if on cue warm hand suddenly found its way on my own and gripped it tightly. I didn't have to look at her to know who she was as I returned the pressure. After a while, she let go and knelt at the grave as another wreath of beautiful roses bloomed before us.

She whispered something on the grave, but I wasn't able to catch it. For a while, I watched as she silently prayed, her eyes closed in deep concentration. It was during these times that I would always find myself grateful for her presence, she always knew what to do. Always the perfect white roses, in a color that glistened in the darkness, like a light that shined. . .like her.

With a smile, she turned to me and put her head on the crook of my neck as we stood there, the pair of us looking at the grave. She kissed my cheek and looked at me, as if reassuring me that she would always be there. She always knew where to find me, even when I didn't tell her. My lips suddenly quirked into a smile as I wiped the tears off my face.

I knew it was different now. They were here, I could feelit. And even if I wanted them to be here, to see their faces again, the longing I once felt inside my heart has already vanished. Even when there were still times that I wished for them physically, I knew that I just had to close my eyes and I would see their smiling faces, along with the family that I had built. What I have now, although it was not perfect, made me complete. It took me a while to realize it but now that I did. . .I felt content.

When I closed my eyes, I relieved the words that Hermione once explained, living after death. At first, I never quite understood it, because for me, they were gone and I would never get to see them again. It was after a while before I realized its meaning, they live in me.When they gave me the best kind of love that one has to give, it remained forever etched on my being, the most painful kind of love, one that sacrificed its own for the sake of another's.

I put my arm on her shoulders and held her closer as she put hers around my waist. She whispered something in my ear that made my heart skip a beat and I smiled as I kissed her forehead. Then, in silence, we walked away from the tomb after one last goodbye, past Dumbledore's mother and sister, back towards the dark church and the out-of-sight kissing gate.

A/N: So, did I make you happy with this chapter? Please hit the review button and tell me what you think, I want to know your opinions. I'll post the next chapter before the New Year. :)