Previously on A Tale Of Two Wizards Full Circle: Chapter 14
After the final person had paid their respects to Hermione and the family, Zacharias spoke a few words before opening the floor to speakers.
Blaise, Theo, Marcus, Tracey, Seamus and Dean spoke eloquently as did many others including Gas who had the entire room in tears as he spoke reverently about his mentor. In order to keep to the arranged timeline, Zacharias had to conclude the speaking portion so Hermione could close the service.
Hermione spoke for several minutes about how Draco would be missed by his son, friends, business associates and family. She ended by thanking everyone for coming out to support her and Scorpius.
After Hermione sat down, Zacharias took the floor one last time to invite everyone to the cemetery and the repast after. Then he, Blaise and Theo cleared a path so Hermione and the family could leave first to the cemetery.
The new cemetery was a lovely and serene place. As everyone gathered around, Zacharias called out the spell that uncloaked the amazing Malfoy vault. As the vault came into view, gasps of awe were heard from the guests who then followed Hermione inside to see Draco laid to rest. After the very short service, Hermione, Harry, Hannah, Carmela and Fausto remained behind to offer their own silent prayers. Feeling more emotional than she had since Draco died, Hermione laid her head against the marble drawer to say her and Scorp's goodbye.
With Hannah holding one hand and Carmela holding the other, Hermione walked back out into the chilly, rainy day where an unbidden thought crossed her mind. She hoped Emilio hadn't taken Scorp out in this weather.
A/N: My apologies for being away for so long. Thank you readers for your patience.
A Tale Of Two Wizards Full Circle: Chapter 15
By the time Hermione and the group arrived at the repast, the venue was almost full. Hermione hadn't stepped both feet through the door before Scorp came at her at a full out run.
"Mum. Mum. It was bad weather so Meel read the book in the living room after he cooked the dinner." Sotto Voce, Scorp advised Hermione that Embers had helped Emilio so he could get through faster.
As a small bit of pink appeared across Emilio's nose, he owned up to receiving assistance from Embers. "While it's true I had some help preparing my offering, I assure you the main hand was all mine." Smiling over at Scorp who was very content in his mother's arms, Emilio commented, also sotto voce, that he never thought his charge would reveal the small deception.
Hermione smiled as she answered Emilio's last comment. "Your charge has never been one to hold onto information."
"De-cep-shun mum?" Scorp questioned. "Meel read to me. We didn't do de-cep-shun."
Hermione kissed her son on the top of his head as her eyes connected with Emilio's. "That's right love. Uncle Meel read you your story. No de-cep-shun. It's time we took our places at the table. Everyone is waiting." Nodding in Emilio's direction, Hermione headed to the seats between Harry and Matt while Emilio took the open seat next to Xavier.
The presentation was amazing. The caterer Zacharias had hired had outdone himself. The tables were covered in dishes not only from British cuisine, but Italian cuisine as well. Emilio's special contributions had been placed on Hermione's table, but somehow had found their way to the mouths of many others at the different tables. Emilio sat with a constant mask of pink as the compliments on his dish floated about the room. Even Harry put aside his ill thoughts about the wizard who had caused Hermione so much pain in the past and simply enjoyed the sprouts and celery commenting loudly on the new lemony edition of the mouth watering dish.
"You've outdone yourself Emilio," he said through a mouthful of sprouts and celery.
Appalled by the lack of manners her husband was showing, Hannah sent Harry a withering look as if to say, keep your mouth closed while you are chewing.
Harry caught Hannah's drift right away. He continued to chew, but refrained from offering any more comments until his mouth was clear.
Towards the end of the repast, Hermione grabbed Scorp by the hand so they could have a last visit with the people who had taken their time to come support her and Scorp. There were a few tears, especially from the DLM group who had come from Milan to pay final respects to their well respected former boss.
Hermione tried to move around the room quickly as she noticed Scorp becoming more and more withdrawn. The poor, little wizard didn't know what was going on, but recognized the air of sadness that seemed to permeate every conversation his mother had. With one last general wave around the room, Hermione took Scorp into her arms and headed back to their seats.
As though they were reading Hermione's mind, both Carmela and Hannah appeared at her side volunteering to take Scorp for a bit.
Reaching his arms out to Carmela, Scorpius went willingly into her arms whispering that he was sad.
Hearing her son's words, Hermione knew it was time to finalize this chapter of their lives. She wouldn't let Scorp forget his father, but neither would she allow him to be enveloped by a wall of sadness. She had a bright future planned for Draco's little wizard and herself.
Hermione rose from her chair to stand beside Hannah and Carmela. "I think we've done Draco proud ladies. It is time for Scorp and I to go home." Looking around, she realized the room was almost empty except for a few friends who were in conversations with Matt, Sal and Gas.
Hannah motioned to Harry and the others that Hermione was ready to leave, and almost as one, those who still remained at the table stood. After one last expression of appreciation and thanks to Zacharias, Hermione let herself be guided out to the waiting Portkeys.
/*/
As Hermione stepped through the doors of Malfoy Estate, Dusty and Crissy immediately appeared at her side. Dusty spoke. "We's glad you back Mrs. Hermione. Embers and Crissy been scared you been going away for good too. I wasn't scared though Mrs. I'se knowing you wouldn't leave us 'cause we your family."
Hermione smiled to herself. Dusty took liberties the other two would never take. At some point in time, Hermione knew she would have to address the issue, but not today. Today she would let the elf speak her mind.
"That's correct Dusty. You, Embers and Crissy are as much my family as Scorpius. Now. It's been a very long day. Please see that Scorp gets his bath while I have a shower."
Taking Scorpius by the hand, Dusty remarked, "Yes Mrs. I be cleaning Master Scorp up real clean" before popping them both upstairs.
"A bit mouthy that one," joked Carmela.
Hermione made a small snort of laughter. "That she is. I'll have to deal with that sooner than later." Suddenly, Hermione made an unexpected utterance. "I love you both so much," she gushed before blowing Carmela and Hannah a kiss. "I don't know what I would have done without the two of you. Hold down the fort. I'm sure the rest of the family will be coming through in no time. I'll be back down after I shower and see Scorp to sleep."
/*/
Hermione had been right. Not more than ten minutes passed before a stream of family began landing in the back Apparition area. It was a solemn group that entered the main area of the house acting as though they were walking on eggshells.
Carmela sighed. The last thing Hermione would want was a bunch of turned down at the mouth wizards gathered en masse in her living room. There was something that needed to be said, so she said it.
"I know you all loved Draco and you love Hermione And Scorp. However, the last thing she and Scorp need at the moment is to come downstairs to a houseful of gloomy faces staring at them. I don't mean you need to jump up and down, but loosen up a bit. Hermione has made it through the worst of it. She'll have all the time in the world to be sad, but not now. Not this evening."
For several seconds, there was complete silence as the men mulled over Carmela's words. The first to agree was Matt as the others followed suit. There was a consensus. Hermione and Scorp had had enough sadness to last them a good, long while.
/*/
After her shower, Hermione sat with Scorp just watching him as he began drifting off to sleep holding his well worn family photo. It was fairly early, but her little wizard had had a long day. Lying there, Scorpius looked so much like his father it was uncanny. The thought made Hermione's eyes sting. Bloody stupid git had killed himself and left a little boy fatherless. Thoughtless, bleeding prick. A soft sigh escaped Hermione and hung heavily in the air.
Getting up from the side of Scorpius' bed, Hermione thought, if Draco was to appear before her, she would kill him again. Small sighs continued to escape her lips as she tiptoed to the bedroom door.
Earlier, Hermione had heard someone say, the worst is over. Her question; for whom? With one last weary sigh, Hermione headed downstairs expecting to commiserate with her closest friends and family when all she really wanted to do was pretend her irresponsible husband hadn't left her holding the bag of life.