A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series. This story is a product of my pure imagination.

'Cause saying goodbye is death by a thousand cuts
Flashbacks waking me up
I get drunk, but it's not enough.
'Cause the morning comes, and you're not my baby
I look through the windows of this love.
Even though we boarded them up
Chandelier's still flickering here.
'Cause I can't pretend it's okay when it's not

~ Death by a Thousand Cuts by Taylor Swift

*~*~*July 24, 1998 *~*~*

"Merlin, why the hell did you always come to our house?" Ron asked as he and Hermione landed in her backyard.

"Because you were there, and Ginny, and Harry usually," Hermione explained as Harry and Ginny arrived behind them, "It was easier to meet up with you guys to get my yearly supplies."

"Nice house," Ginny commented as they came out of the trees with Harry's arm around her shoulders.

"Thanks," Hermione said as she unlocked her backdoor, "Welcome to my home."

Harry stirred the sauce in the saucepan, then turned the heat on the burner off, looking at Hermione, "Are you done with the salad?"

Hermione glared at him, "I can do a simple salad."

Harry looked at Ginny, "Ginny, just wondering if you can cook?" Harry asked.

Ginny frowned from her spot at the kitchen table, "I can cook the basics from seeing Mum cook. Why?"

Hermione hit Harry, and he laughed, "He's teasing me because I am a horrible cook."

Harry grinned as he set the bowl with sauce-covered noodles in the middle of the table, "Good luck, Ron. You better learn to cook fast."

Ron quickly dug in, putting food on his plate, "Don't worry, we can always go to Mum and Dad's, Hermione."

Hermione looked at him, surprised, "You aren't going to help with the cooking?" She asked as she sat down.

Ron slurped a noodle into his mouth, "You don't want me to cook. Plus, Dad never did."

Ginny gave Harry a look as she sensed a fight building, "Harry, so ready for our school year?" She asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, it will be neat being together," He said as he leaned over and kissed her.

"I'll learn to cook for you," She whispered with a grin.

"Although, from what McGonagall told me at tea the other day, they are reinstituting a class called Life Skills this year," Hermione said as she took a bite of her salad.

Harry looked at her surprised, "Like Home ec?"

Hermione swallowed, "That's what I said, but McGonagall said it involved a little more because of wizarding traditions. She hopes it will help the community's tensions and bridge the divide between purebloods and Muggleborn. The new Muggle Studies teacher is helping create the curriculum."

"What is home ick?" Ron asked through a mouthful of spaghetti.

"Manners, Ron," Hermione said, slightly disgusted as noodles spilled down his shirt, "Home EC or home economics is something that is in muggle schooling that teaches life skills. It's mostly for muggle girls, but boys can take it too. Of course, they usually don't. Cooking, health, taxes, and babysitting courses. Plus, learning how to sew and mend."

"Might be helpful if they blend muggle and magical practices," Harry supplied.

"That's what I told McGonagall. As a Muggleborn, I wasn't brought up seeing the spells to help take care of the home. Better prepare for the future, you know," Hermione said as she looked at Ron, "How was training this week, Ron?"

"Wait until you meet the head auror, Harry. He has my bollocks in a vice already," Ron said as Hermione elbowed him, "What? He took over for Scrimgeour, so he was trained under Moody and worked with Scrimgeour. Such a hard arse. I'm so sore coming home because of the training program. I thought Neville and I would just start rounding up the remaining Death Eaters, but nope. We are training."

"You skipped your seventh year. What do you expect, Ron?" Ginny asked, frowning, "We won the war but not the whole fight."

"Thank you, Ginny," Hermione said as she sat back.

Ginny smiled as she looked at Harry, then at her brother and Hermione, "Is it just me, or does this feel so… grown up?"

"One more month, and we are all of age," Ron said with a smile.

"Two months, and I'll be 19," Hermione frowned.

Ron grinned, "Seamus used to talk about leopards. You are dating me, and you are older than me. So you are a leopard."

Harry sighed as he nearly saw the steam coming from Hermione's ears, "Cougar, Ron, a cougar. Plus, there is nothing wrong with it. It's only a few months, and my Mum was older than my Dad."

Ginny looked at Harry, "She was?"

"I saw their birthdays on their headstone. Dad was in March, and Mum was in January," Harry told him.

"We aren't even six months apart, Ron," Hermione told him, shaking her head, "You act like I'm some old bitty."

Ron finally realized she was mad, "No, no. You aren't old, and you look good for your age, no matter how much older you are."

Ginny groaned, "Ron, just shut up. Harry, this week Mum wants to have a Sunday dinner again for the first time since everything happened. Everyone will be coming home for it."

Harry frowned, "I don't want to impose."

"You idiot, it's for you," Ron said with a laugh, "Remember, your birthday is coming up."

Harry sat back and groaned, "It's the end of July already? How did this summer fly by so fast?"

"Well, not all of us were globetrotters," Ginny commented bitterly.

Hermione frowned as she looked at Harry, who sighed, "Thank you, Ginny, for letting Harry come. I don't know what I would have done without his support. I'll be glad when they are officially home and can meet you guys, too."

Ginny let out a breath, "He didn't ask me, but I'm glad he could be there for you."

"You didn't tell Ginny you were going to with me?" Hermione asked as she handed Harry a wet plate to dry after Ron and Ginny had left.

"Yeah," Harry said, "Not a good decision on my part. She had left, and I had just made it up to the dorm, and it was a split-second decision so that I'd make it there before you left. I sent a Patronus. Better than a note, but I was gone before she probably got it."

Hermione looked up at him as she handed him a mug, "Is she okay now?"

Harry bit his lip, "She is… getting there. Did you know she is a little jealous of you?"

Hermione looked at him surprised, dropping a plate back into the sink with a clatter, "Jealous of me? For what?"

"How close we are," Harry admitted, "The fact we went on the hunt without asking her. I explained it was because she was underage, but being subjected to last year-"

"Didn't help with the Carrows," Hermione sighed, picking the plate back up, "She has probably romanticized it a little because she was stuck in the castle with the pressure and torture of the Death Eater squad."

Harry turned to lean back against the countertop, "Is it bad that I am dreading next week at the Burrow?"

Hermione turned the water off, set the clean plate on the counter, and shook her head, "Nope, it will be weird without Fred, but Molly needs to be needed. So it may help her a little to have all of us there."

"Let's hope," Harry said as he dried the last plate.

*~*~*July 26, 1998 *~*~*

Harry and Hermione stared at the yard of the Weasley family as they landed inside it.

"Ready?" Hermione asked Harry.

"When you are," Harry said as he took in the tables outside that were empty still.

They walked closer to the front door of the Burrow, and it opened as Mr. Weasley appeared at the door, "Harry and Hermione are here!" He announced in the house, "So glad that you two could come," Mr. Weasley said as he shook Harry's hand.

"Thank you for inviting us, Mr. Weasley," Hermione said, holding up the dish, "I brought some pasta salad."

"Sounds wonderful, come in, come in," Arthur said stepping back so they could walk through the doors, "And look, you both are of age. It's time for you to call us Arthur and Molly."

"Alright, Arthur," Harry said slowly.

Arthur patted his back with a sad smile.

"Oh, look at you both," Molly said as she hurried over to them and took Harry's face in her hands, "What are those elves feeding you? You are still too skinny. No worries, plenty of food tonight."

"Actually, I've been cooking for myself, Mrs… Molly," Harry said as Arthur looked at him.

Ron coughed, shaking his head as he jumped down the stairs.

"The elves are letting you cook?" Molly asked, surprised.

Hermione swallowed and squared her shoulders, "Harry has been staying with me at my house. We returned to my house after visiting Australia to see my parents."

Molly looked at Ron, who smiled sheepishly, "I didn't realize you had already gone to Australia. You should have brought your parents."

"Oh, they stayed in Australia. They opened a candy shoppe that is sugar-free and better for your teeth," Hermione said as Ron pretended to cut his throat, "Ronald, I am not afraid to tell your mother. I'm turning 19. I can live without my parents."

"Harry is living with you?"

Hermione looked at Molly and realized why Ron was motioning to her now, "Well…"

"Yes, Ms. Molly, I'm staying at her house. I told her parents that I would watch after her until they return," Harry said.

Molly looked at Ginny, who had just came down the stairs, and Ron, "You went over there the other day?"

Hermione looked at Harry wide-eyed.

"Mum, it's nothing like that," Ron told her honestly, "Hermione and I have barely kissed."

"You are with Hermione?!" Molly said as dishes crashed in the kitchen as Molly's cleaning spell broke.

Charlie clambered down the stairs, grinning seeing the look on everyone's faces, "Hey there, Harry, Hermione."

"Hello, Charlie," Harry said trying to change the subject, "How are the dragons?"

Charlie sat down, grinning as he put his feet on the coffee table, "They are dragons. So what about Ronniekins finally getting the guts to ask out Hermione?"

"How long have you been together?" Molly asked with narrowed eyes looking between Ron and Hermione, "Since you went on the run?"

"No! Goodness, no, Mrs. Weasley. Just since the battle," Hermione told her, looking at Ron with a glare.

Ginny slowly approached Harry, "Harry, want to go check out your cake?" She asked.

"Sure," Harry said, following her.

"Ginny is with Harry!" Ron yelled as they went towards the kitchen and froze at his admission.

"Are you?" Molly asked turning towards them.

Ginny turned around and cast a bat bogey hex, and Ron yelled out before Molly quickly cast a finite incantatem.

"Well, that's an admission if I ever heard one," Charlie said, grinning as he put his hands behind his head, "I love being home."

"Are you really all together?" Molly asked, looking between all of them.

Ginny huffed folding her arms over her chest, "Yes."

"This is cause for more celebration!" Molly hugged them all, nearly knocking Ginny into Harry's chest as she hurried back into the kitchen.

"Hey! Why are you all excited for Harry and Ginny but not me and Hermione?" Ron asked as Molly walked away.

"Because I'm the chosen one," Harry told him with a grin as Charlie laughed.

Charlie grabbed Ron's arm as it rested on the back of the couch, "Just give her this. It's the happiest I've seen her yet."

Ron sighed, "Fine. Still unfair. Maybe I've gotten farther with Hermione than Harry. OW!" Ron said as Hermione hit him, "Don't hit me, woman."

"Oh, Ron," Charlie said, shaking his head, "You have so much to learn. I'm gay, and even I know better to call her woman."

Ron looked at him, surprised, "What?"

Charlie looked at him, then jumped up, "I think I heard Bill."

"That explains a lot," Ginny said after he left, "Shut your mouth, Ron; you are going to get flies in it, and he is still Charlie. He's more interested in dragons than people anyways."

Fleur walked into the house, "'Ello everyone. 'arry, 'appy birthday!" Her accent was easier to understand since they had last seen her.

"Thanks, Fleur," Harry said, accepting a hug from her.

"My sester sends her love," Fleur told him, handing him a wrapped package, "Molly, do you need any help?"

"Let's go outside," Ginny said, grabbing the tablecloths and taking Harry's arm, and Ron offered his own to Hermione, who took it with a huff.

"You did what?" Bill asked from the yard as they got close to the door, "How much did you have to drink?"

"Just some shots of Firewhiskey with George before I came here," Charlie responded as they came outside, "Oh guys, by the way-"

"Charlie, it doesn't matter to us," Ginny told him as she hugged him.

Charlie hugged her back, "I figured it didn't, but I'm not ready to tell Mum and Dad," He said, looking at Ron, "You okay, Ron?"

"Just surprised, is all," Ron told him, shrugging, "Like Ginny said, you are more interested in dragons than people anyways."

Ginny groaned, "You have no tact, do you?" Ginny asked as Charlie laughed.

"They are better for the soul anyway. She is right," Charlie said as they all worked together to put the tablecloth on the table and sat down at it, "So, what are your plans after Hogwarts? I know Ronnie is doing Auror training."

"I'm thinking of going to college," Hermione told him.

"Muggle college?" Bill asked, surprised, "What will you study?"

"Law possibly. I'm not sure if the Ministry is ready for me as a Muggleborn," Hermione told them, "Or if I'm ready for the Ministry as it is. Harry and I learned a lot when we went to Australia. Britain is so far behind the times."

"What is this? You and Harry went to Australia?" Charlie asked, surprised, "I thought you and Ginny were together."

"We are, but Harry went with Hermione to make sure she was safe," Ginny told him with a pointed look.

"So, how are your parents?" Bill asked Hermione, "Were you able to reverse it?"

"Thankfully, yes, but they just opened a sweet shoppe and want to give it a year before they come home," Hermione told him.

"So Harry and Hermione are living together in her house by themselves," Charlie said, taking a sip of his Butterbeer, "That's what nearly set Mom off in there."

"There are almost as many bedrooms in her house as ours," Ginny defended.

"Yeah, we have our bathrooms and bedrooms. Her parents even have their room when they come back. The other rooms are more libraries now," Harry told them.

"Libraries?" Bill asked, surprised.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I have a lot of books."

Charlie grinned at her, "What do you see in my brother?"

"Hey!" Ron said as there was a pop, and Hermione and Harry saw George for the first time since the funeral, "Hey, George."

"Everyone is out here?" George frowned, seeing them all sitting around the table already.

Hermione pursed her lips, trying not to cry as she smelled Firewhiskey on him and saw him looking rougher than she had ever seen him look.

"Yeah, we had to come out here to escape Mum after we found out Hermione and Harry are living in sin, even though they are dating Ronnie and Gin," Charlie told him, holding out a Butterbeer.

George got a slight grin on his face looking at Harry and Ginny, "So, started the romance I walked in on, back up?"

"You walked in on them!?" Ron yelled, surprised his ears turning red.

Ginny groaned, "Kissing, Ron, before Bill's wedding."

Bill cast a nonverbal spell, and Ginny glowed gold, "Whoa, Ginny isn't a dainty little flower."

"I'll show you a dainty little flower!" Ginny yelled as she jumped over the table, and Bill took off.

"Glad some things don't change," George said as he sat down; he looked at them and sighed, "Hermione, I can see the question rolling across your eyes. I'm okay."

Hermione swallowed hard, "I know, but if you weren't, it would be understandable."

"Freddie and I knew it was a possibility after this," George pointed to his missing ear, "We just honestly hoped we'd go together."

Hermione touched his hand, "It might be hard, but I'm so glad you are here."

George gave her a sad smile, and then looked at Ron, "Why don't you marry her already? I like her more than you, anyway. Sure you don't want to go out with a real Weasley man, Granger?"

"You wish," Ron said, pulling Hermione backward and kissing her.

"Ron! Merlin's beard, don't try to eat her face!" George said in disbelief, "Poor Hermione! Is that how he always kisses?"

Hermione put her hand to her face, "Ronald, this isn't the place."

Ginny gave Harry a quick kiss as she came back, "That was mild for Ron. I'm surprised Hermione has lips still, honestly," She said as she sat back down, and Bill rubbed his left buttock.

"Do we need to get you Bertha again?" Charlie asked as George busted out laughing.

"Who is Bertha?" Harry asked as Ron's ears turned bright red.

George leaned forward, "Bill bewitched a sex doll to give me, Freddie, and Ronnie more of a… real educational tutorial to the finer sex," George said with a smirk.

"That is disgusting!" Ginny said, shocked as Hermione frowned and looked at Ron, "Don't you think about trying any of that on me."

"Dinner is ready! Oh, George, you are here!" Molly said as she and Arthur levitated all the food in front of them towards the table.

After filling their plates, Ron asked, "Where's Percy?"

"Working late," Arthur said with a frown as he saw someone approaching in the distance, "I think he believes he can singlehandedly change his department overnight. Who is that?"

Everyone turned and looked.

"Oh, it's Luna," Ginny said as she got up and ran over to meet her, "Luna! Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

"The Nargles made me forget them at the door. The Moon Frogs led me heard saying there was a celebration of Harry's birthday tonight," Luna said as she got closer.

"Or I told her the other day," Ron whispered with a cough.

Hermione elbowed him, "Hello, Luna."

"Hello, everyone. Hope you don't mind me coming for a visit. I got a gift for Harry," Luna said as Ginny moved closer to Harry so that Luna could sit.

"Thank you, Luna, you shouldn't have done that," Harry said, taking it.

"I made it myself," Luna told him with a smile, and Hermione watched as Harry slowly unwrapped an older copy of the Quibbler to uncover a statue.

Hermione laid her hand on Harry's elbow as she saw what the sculpture appeared to be. It was made of clay and had large green balls for eyes and pointed ears.

Harry swallowed hard, "Thank you, Luna. I love it."

Hermione stepped into Harry's bedroom after they had returned to the house to see Harry had placed Luna's sculpture on the bookshelf next to his bed, "That was very sweet of her. Dobby would have loved it."

Harry cleared his throat, "Luna is a good person."

"That she is," Hermione said as she sat on the edge of the bed, "I wish more people would get to know the real Luna. I misunderstood her for so long. I still don't understand most of what she says, but being with her on one at Shell cottage helped me understand her a bit."

Harry sighed and sat beside her, "It was weird without him tonight, but George was better than I thought he would be."

"He has to. He admitted to me that he has been staying with Angelina," Hermione confessed.

"Angelina? Johnson?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Yeah, she and Fred were dating," Hermione told him with a sigh, "They are keeping each other from falling apart."

Harry stared at the ceiling as he lay down, and Hermione laid back beside him, "You know, I know I'm with Ginny, but the nightmares will be bad tonight. You might as well sleep in here. Promise not to try anything to harm your innocence."

Hermione picked up his pillow and hit him with it, causing him to laugh, "My innocence will probably be the safest with you compared to any other wizard."

"Hey, maybe in another universe," Harry joked as he sighed, "I'm serious, though. Just stay in here tonight. When the nightmares are bad, you usually end up in here anyway."

"My bed is bigger," Hermione said, grabbing his hand.

Harry followed behind her as she walked to her room and pulled the sheets up, "Why don't you have all those pillows no one uses?"

Hermione looked at him, confused.

"You know, the ones for show. Aunt Petunia used them, Ginny uses them, and the guest room has them even though I don't use them," Harry said, getting in on the right side as she got on the left side.

Hermione pulled the covers up on her chest, "Why waste the time when you aren't going to use them? How do you know Ginny has them?" She asked, turning on her side.

Harry laid back on the pillow after placing his glasses on the bedside table, "We may have snuck up to her bedroom tonight for a short time."

Hermione gasped, "Harry James, you didn't!"

"No, God, no. Not with everyone downstairs," Harry told her as he groaned, "But it was close when Bill busted in on us. Her hand was in my pants."

Hermione laid on her back, "Oh my God, Harry, such a… sleeperarounder, got one girl touching you down there and sleeping with another in her bed."

Harry laughed turning towards her, "Sleeperarounder?"

"You blew my mind with the whole hand job thing," Hermione said as Harry choked on his spit, "Why? Didn't get that far?"

"She just… touched me," Harry admitted, "She always is the one that does it. Is that bad? I haven't… you know, touched her there."

Hermione whispered, "Nox," to cover her blushing, "We shouldn't be talking about this."

Harry groaned, "Come on, as a girl-"

"Thanks for finally noticing," Hermione stated.

"You wouldn't expect it just one-sided, right?" Harry asked.

Hermione sighed turning to face him, "No, but God, this is too weird," Hermione huffed, "Why do you want to wait?"

"She isn't 17," Harry admitted, "You know, in the muggle world, age is a big thing. I remember hearing the conversation Vernon gave Dudley. Parents can press charges if…things happen."

"I don't think Molly would worry about that. You heard her on Bill about expanding the Weasley family. Still, I think it's admirable that you are holding out," Hermione told him honestly as she laid on her back, "Remember, the wizarding world is about a century back. I'm surprised they don't give out chastity belts as part of the uniform at Hogwarts."

"There is a spell for that," Harry told her looking up at the dark ceiling.

Hermione turned towards him again, "Seriously?"

Harry nodded in the darkness, "Sirius and Remus gave me the speech and told me spells to use when that time comes. Too much graphic detail of their own experiences," Harry admitted as Hermione snorted, "Too much about the times they found my parents in spaces. It overwhelmed me so much that I read the book Remus gave me when he knew it was too much for me and there was a spell for fathers to put on their daughters."

Hermione shook her head as she folded them up next to her head, "Of course. So, your parents?"

"Yeah, Sirius said, because they were Head boy and girl; they had freedom of the castle and took advantage of it. Remus was mad when he shared the spots with me. I could never go to them, though. I'd just think of them," Harry told her, looking over at her to see her eyes glowing in the moonlight as she fought to keep them opening, "Go to sleep, Hermione."

Hermione let out a breath, "I'm not tired."

"Yes, you are," Harry said as he turned on his side to face her.

After five minutes, Hermione felt her body jerk like it always did when she fell asleep and opened her eyes to see Harry asleep.

"I win," Hermione said as she turned over and closed her eyes.

*~*~*July 31, 1998 *~*~*

Harry and Hermione appeared in the backyard of a modest London home as per the coordinates on the card he had received.

"What if I'm horrible at it?" Harry asked Hermione staring up at the home in front of them.

"He is a baby; just be everything the Dursleys never were for you," Hermione told him, grabbing his arm, "And you will be perfect. Tonks and Remus picked you for a reason, Harry. They wanted him to have a family connection. Remus' family was your father and Sirius. They will forever be part of you."

The screen door slid open, and Hermione gasped as she saw the woman at the door.

"She isn't her sister," Harry told her, squeezing the hand on his arm, "Hi, Andromeda."

Andromeda smiled as they got closer, "Thank you for coming, Harry and Hermione. Happy birthday, Harry. Please come in."

"Thank you," Harry said as he entered the house.

"Teddy is asleep," Andromeda explained as she shut the sliding screen, "Want anything to drink?"

"Sure," Harry said as Andromeda left the room, and Harry pried Hermione's fingers from his arm, "Hermione breathe. Think of the difference in them. She has brown hair and is pretty. Not crazy. Tonks looked a lot like her. Again, not crazy."

"What did my sister do?"

Hermione looked at her sadly, "I'm sorry."

"No, I am for my family," Andromeda said sadly, "My sister was always not right, but at one time, she was a good person. What did she do?"

"We were captured at Malfoy Manor, and she tortured me to gain information," Hermione said, rubbing her arm self-consciously.

"She cut Hermione with a dagger," Harry admitted to Andromeda, "You two don't look alike-"

Andromeda set the tray down, "But enough," She said as she put her hands out, "I'm taking my wand out. Did it scar?"

Hermione nodded.

"Was it a pointed dagger shaped like a triangle with a black handle?" Andromeda asked quietly.

Hermione just nodded again.

"I'm a healer, but also a Black. I may be able to help," Andromeda told her as she saw her neck, "Is that scar on your neck from it?"

"Yes," Hermione said quietly.

Andromeda sighed as she pointed her wand at Hermione's throat whispered several spells, and her neck started to sting. Then she felt like it was stitching together, "It will itch for a couple of days, but the scar should be gone afterward."

Hermione went to a mirror and saw her throat was red, but the mark had faded already.

"What about her arm?" Harry asked, "Can you help that?"

Hermione looked at him, scared.

"Show her," Harry told Hermione, taking her hand, "Her husband was a muggleborn too, remember?"

Andromeda watched as Hermione pulled her sleeve up, and she gasped, "Oh dear, you poor thing. She did this to you?" Andromeda asked running her fingers over the scars.

Hermione nodded, "It doesn't seem to want to heal completely."

"That sadistic bitch," Andromeda stated as she did the same spells, and Hermione watched the letters start to bleed again, turned black, faded to red, then slowly dull to barely be seen through the redness, "I'm so sorry that she did that to you. When you said tortured…" Andromeda trailed off.

"Thank you," Hermione said, pulling her arm close, "Even if it's not gone, if it's not noticeable, it will help."

Harry pulled her close to his chest as Hermione let the tears fall, "Thank you, Andromeda."

"I'll be back," Andromeda told them softly.

Harry rested his cheek on her head as Andromeda left the room, "I'm so glad she could help."

Hermione looked at her forearm at the redness on her skin, "I may be able to wear short sleeves again."

Leading her to the couch, Harry helped her sit down and took in the house they were in. Warm sunlight filtered through lace curtains, casting shapes onto the floor before them. A television sat against the wall to their left.

"I thought something a little stronger was appropriate," Andromeda told them, carrying a bottle and glasses.

They watched her pour three healthy glasses full and tilt her own back. Sitting back in her armchair, she looked at them, "Remus told me that you had to go on the run, and they were hunting you both. I didn't realize how bad it was."

"It wasn't a walk in the park," Hermione told her as she sipped her wine.

"Thank you for coming here. Remus and Nymphadora picked you two for a reason, and I wanted to honor their chosen family for that reason," Andromeda told them.

Hermione frowned looking at her confused, "Us? Both of us?"

Andromeda looked at her, "I thought you knew. You were named godmother. Dora picked you because she thought if something happened to them and me, the two of you together would be best to raise Teddy."

A cry was heard through the house, and Andromeda stood up, "I'll be right back."

Hermione swallowed hard to attempt to push down the sudden lump in her throat, "Oh, Harry."

"What was it that you said to me?" Harry said with a smile as Andromeda returned to the room with a tiny baby in her arms, already with a full head of sandy brown hair.

Hermione stood up and looked into Andromeda's arms, "He is adorable."

Andromeda looked at her, "Would you like to hold him?"

"Sure," Hermione said, surprised as Andromeda slowly handed him over to her arms, and Hermione sat on the couch next to Harry.

Harry stared at him, and Teddy slowly opened his eyes. His blue eyes slowly turned green, matching his own, "Whoa, he's a metamorphmagus like Tonks?"

"Yeah, suddenly, about two weeks ago, he started being able to change eye color. She was about three months old when she started too," Andromeda said as she sat down, "He was born with black hair."

"That turned red by the time Remus left," Harry said as he swallowed gazing down at Teddy, "He is three months old," Harry said sadly, thinking of Remus in the forest.

Hermione looked up from Teddy, "Want to hold him?" She asked Harry.

"No, no," Harry shook his head, "I have never held a baby before."

Hermione stood up with Teddy in her arms, "Sit back," Hermione told him.

"Hermione!" Harry insisted as he moved back onto the pillows at her insistence causing Andromeda to smile as she walked over to them.

Andromeda moved his arms into position, "The biggest thing is just watching his head and neck."

Hermione gently placed Teddy into Harry's arms and smiled as Harry stared at him wide-eyed and stiffly, "Breathe, Harry." Hermione assured him.

When green eyes met green, Teddy put his hand in his mouth as his hair turned to Harry's own hair color, but with Hermione's curls.

Harry bit his lip as Hermione sat next to him and placed her hand on his arm for support, "He's beautiful, even if he looks like a weird mixture of us right now," Harry said softly as he gently ran a finger over Teddy's face as he saw Sirius do to himself in a picture, years ago.

Teddy's hair turned blue as he cooed, sucking harder on his fingers.

"When his hair is blue, he's happy," Andromeda told them, "He is happy with you, Harry."

Harry swallowed hard as Hermione leaned on his shoulder, looking down at Teddy, "Hey there, Teddy. I'm your godfather, Harry. This is your godmother, Hermione. I hope I can be half the godfather to you that Sirius was to me. Our Dads were best friends, Teddy. I hope we can be best friends too. Your Mum and Dad loved you so much."

Harry reached up and wiped his tears.

"Whatever you want to do, however much you want to see him, you can. It's totally up to you," Andromeda told him as Teddy closed his eyes.

Harry looked up at her, "I promise, Andromeda. I'll do everything I can to be there for him, just like they wanted me to."

Hermione lightly touched Teddy's foot, wiping her tears as his hair slowly turned sandy brown again.

"He's asleep," Andromeda told him quietly, "Didn't even want a bottle, just wanted a cuddle."

"Does he sleep well?" Hermione asked looking up at her.

"He's the best baby," Andromeda said with a smile, "I'm a lucky Grandmum."

Harry gently started rocking him, still staring down at him.

Hermione smiled as she rested her head against his again, "You are doing great."

"We are going back for our seventh year," Harry told Andromeda quietly, "But I'd love to see him on breaks or Hogsmeade weekends?"

"Of course," Andromeda said as she got up and went to the kitchen to give them time with him.

Harry sighed as he and Hermione landed in Hogsmeade. Hermione intertwined her arm with his and walked beside him, "I miss him already. Is that weird? We just met him and I miss him," Hermione sighed as they walked down towards the Three Broomsticks.

"I want to be a part of his life," Harry admitted.

Hermione nodded, "I'm going to talk to Mum and Dad. I want to make the study into his room. I can always use the library upstairs. They may even have things we can use. That way he has a place in our home."

Harry sighed as he took in the area as they approached the Three Broomsticks, "Who will all be here?" Harry asked noticing people pointing at them already.

"No clue. Ron said he invited people," Hermione told him as she opened the door and they walked inside.

Madam Rosmerta looked up, "Harry and Hermione! So good to see you!" She said as she grabbed two tankards of foaming Butterbeer, "The party is in the back room."

"Thanks," Harry said as the other patrons whispered as they walked past them.

Opening the private room door, they were hit with a wall of sound as they entered.

"Harry is here!" Seamus yelled as he saw them.

"And Hermione," Ron said as he walked over and kissed Hermione.

"But it's Harry," Seamus stated as he walked over and smacked him on the back, "Glad to see you, Harry."

After talking to some people, Harry ran into Neville, who was talking to Ginny and Luna, "Neville! Happy birthday."

Neville stood up and hugged Harry, "Happy Birthday man, how was Australia? See any neat plants?"

"Actually," Harry said as he looked around the large group of people, "Hermione! Come here!"

Hermione excused herself from her conversation with Dean and Ron, and walked over to him, "Happy Birthday, Neville!" Hermione told him as she hugged him and then kissed his cheek.

"Did you put the plant we got Neville, in your bag?" Harry asked her.

"Oh yeah!" Hermione said as she opened her beaded back and stuck her arm down into it," I put a preservation charm on it. This is a Lobelia Erinus or a trailing lobelia. At the magical shop we visited, they said the aboriginal people believe it could be a tea to help with memory. I know you still love plants, Harry and I just thought… oomph!" Hermione felt the breath be knocked out of her as Neville hugged her.

"Figured it was better than any remembrall," Harry told him, "If it works."

Neville hugged Harry again, "Thank you."

Harry patted him on the back, "It's nothing."

"They got me these earrings," Luna said, showing him a pair of kangaroo earrings, "Such interesting animals."

"Hey, I didn't get a gift," Ron said.

Hermione huffed, "Yes, you did. I gave you those cookies and the vegemite."

"The cookies, I forgot about, but that jelly was gross," Ron said, handing Harry a shot glass, "Neville, interested in some Firewhiskey?"

"Nope, I'm good," Neville said as Seamus and Dean walked over to them.

"Ready? 3…2…1," Ron said as they all tossed back their shots and steam came out of their ears, "Merlin's beard, that's good stuff."

Hermione cuddled into Ron's side as she closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth coming from him as he played with her hair.

"We should do this more now that we've graduated," Seamus slurred.

"Some of us," Ginny said, sitting back against Harry's chest as she sat on his lap with his arms around her, "Some of us haven't graduated yet."

"Potter, why aren't you going into the Aurors? You're crazy to go back to school," Seamus told him.

"I just want a normal year of school," Harry told him as he drank his Butterbeer.

"I wonder who will be head boy and girl this year," Neville said, playing with the label on his bottle.

"Is anyone else coming back to repeat their 7th year?" Hermione said.

Ron looked down at her and laughed, "You are so drunk."

"Am not, just tipsy," Hermione told him as she buried her face in the side of his chest, "You smell so good."

"Definitely drunk," Ron chuckled.

"I thought about it since I missed half the year running," Dean admitted, "I got a job in Diagon Alley at Flourish and Blotts."

"That's awesome, Dean!" Ginny said with a smile.

"You can also visit me in the alley, George has hired me on," Seamus admitted his accent stronger with the alcohol, "I was going to apply to the Aurors, but I'm done with the fighting for the rest of me life."

"We need to keep in touch," Ron said, pulling Hermione closer to him, "Like once a month, we get together, here even."

"I like that idea," Luna said softly, "It's good to have friends."

Neville took her hand, then kissed the back of it, "That it is."

"Whoa, wait. Neville! What is this?" Dean asked as Neville blushed.

"Neville wanted to go out on a date, and I accepted," Luna said, "We've been seeing each other this summer, and he is a fabulous lover."

"Luna! Merlin, you can't tell people stuff like that!" Neville said as Ron spit out his Butterbeer, coughing on it.

"Disgusting," Hermione said, pulling away from him.

"Wait, you guys have had sex?" Ginny asked, surprised.

"We were influenced by the-"

"Enough. Can we not talk about this," Neville said, turning even redder.

Luna looked at Ginny, "I'll come over, and we will talk."

"Yes, we will," Ginny said with a laugh.

"So, who will be the first of us to get married?" Dean wondered, looking around at everyone left.

"Padma is already engaged from what I heard," Neville told him.

"Really? Why get tied down that early?" Seamus asked, "No lassy gonna tie me down young!"

"Lassy?" Dean asked.

"You know what I mean," Seamus stated, "So Padma is probably out, but I mean of us here."

"I say, Harry and Ginny," Neville said, looking at them.

"Wait, no offense, Gin," He said looking at her, "But I don't want to rush anything. My parents did, and I just don't want to do that," Harry admitted.

"When the time is right, it will be right," Ginny said looking at them, "Who will have a baby first?"

"I want a lot of children," Luna admitted, looking at Neville, "What about you, honey?"

Neville looked at her wide-eyed, "Not yet! But maybe a few."

"What about us?" Ron asked bluntly as Hermione cuddled back into his side.

"Granger will finish Hogwarts and go into the Ministry, and then won't have a kid until she is in her 30s because she will be more married to her work. Just prepare yourself for it, Weasley," Seamus told him.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to solidify my career first," Hermione defended.

"Exactly what I said," Seamus stated as he downed the rest of his Firewhiskey, "I'm officially pissed. Who's taking me home?"

"This is an inn, Seamus," Ron said, hitting the back of his head as he slowly pulled out from under Hermione, "But Rosmerta has us set. Sober Up potions, anyone?"

Everyone took one from Ron. "Cheers!" Ron said to everyone as they drank the potion, "Bloody hell, that's awful."

"Oh, my head," Hermione said, holding her head.

"I think it's time we all headed home," Harry said as Ginny got off his lap, "No offense, I learned too much about most of you tonight."

"But we should do this, maybe less Firewhiskey, but get together for dinner at least," Neville stated.

"How about every month? Maybe the last Friday night of the month? That way, the school kids can join us. Say 7 pm?" Seamus suggested, "We can invite the DA and catch up."

"Sounds good to me. We will see what our schedules look like, but we should be free," Ron said as Neville agreed.

*~*~*August 1, 1998 *~*~*

Harry walked down the stairs early in the morning to find Hermione sitting at the kitchen table, "Sober Up potion doesn't help the headache."

"No, it doesn't," Hermione groaned as she got up and heard the screech of an owl, "Look like our Hogwarts letters finally arrived." She opened the window, and the owl landed, holding out its leg. Removing both envelopes, she gave it a piece of her bacon. It hooted a thanks, took a bite, then dropped it on the floor as it flew out.

Harry laughed, "Did it just spit out your bacon?" He asked, taking his letter.

"I may have burnt it," Hermione said, opening her letter and gasping as a badge fell out, "Oh my God."

"Hermione," Harry said slowly.

"I'm Head…" Hermione paused as she saw Harry holding a badge in his hand, "Are you Head Boy?" Hermione asked, "Or is that Quidditch captain again?"

"No, it's Head Boy," Harry said as Hermione squealed, sending her chair backward to the floor as she jumped up to hug him, "I can't believe it."

"You so deserve it!" Hermione said as the fire lit up, and she walked towards it, "I bet that's Ginny."

The fire turned green, and Ginny's head appeared in the grate, "Good, you're up. Did you get your letters?"

"McGonagall is off her rocker. She made me and Hermione, the Head Boy and Girl!" Harry said, getting to his knees in front of the fireplace.

"I'm Quidditch captain. Are you going to come back to the team?" Ginny asked him.

Harry looked at Hermione, "Will I have time?"

"I don't see why not," Hermione told him, "I'm sure your father did both."

Harry looked back at Ginny, "Yes."

"Thank Merlin, I need to start planning," Ginny said as she disappeared.

"Bye?" Harry said as Hermione laughed.

"Good luck working under your girlfriend," Hermione laughed as she coughed on the bacon, "Nope, don't eat this. Awful, just awful."

"Some of the supplies are the same, but there are new ones, too," Harry said, looking at the list, "There is a cookbook here."

"For life skills. I assume Home Management for the Wizarding Family and The Magic of Life are for Life Skills as well," Hermione said, "We need to purchase the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7. All the rest of the books appear to be the ones we used in the sixth year. Probably should get some new robes for you, too. They have to be too short after two years. A new potion kit, too. Most of my ingredients I used when we were on the run."

Harry got up and started fixing himself a bowl of cereal, "When should we go?"

"We can always go today and get it done so that we avoid the Hogwarts rush," Hermione told him as she walked over to her beaded bag, "I wonder what time Ron eats lunch?"

Harry swallowed his mouthful of cereal, "One o'clock, I think."

Hermione looked up from her list, "If we time it right, we can send him an owl to meet us at the Leaky Cauldron on his lunch break."

"Sounds good to me," Harry said as he put his bowl in the sink, "I'm going to go take a shower."

Walking down Charing Cross Road, Harry opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron when they reached it.

"I don't think Remus would appreciate it if you give Teddy the map," Hermione admonished Harry.

"Just saying, he was the creator, and it wouldn't be the map itself. Maybe, just a blanket or something of it. I think it would be a good gift," Harry said as he nodded to Tom as they walked through the pub to the alley's entrance.

"Harry! Hold on," Tom said as he moved around the bar and walked over to them, "Won't you stop for a drink? My treat."

Hermione smiled, "We are returning for lunch with a friend."

"I'll reserve a private parlour for you then," Tom said as people started murmuring, "Go before there is too much attention. I suggest glamours."

"Thank you, Tom," Hermione said as they walked through the backdoor to the alley entrance, and she turned to him, "Give me blonde, straight hair."

Harry focused and pointed his wand at her head, "Crinus Muto," He watched her hair straighten out as it turned the color of Luna's, "No offense, don't go blonde."

Hermione pointed her wand at him, "Oculos Muto, crinus muto, crinus mutas crescere."

Reaching into her purse, she opened a compact mirror, "What do you think?"

Harry looked and nearly didn't recognize the person in the mirror. They both cast a quick glamour on themselves to confuse their features.

"I hope it is okay. I tried to make you look a little like the Black family. Sirius' hair color and length and his facial hair," Hermione said as Harry ran his hand over the facial hair, "Is it okay?"

"Looks great. How long do you think these will last?" Harry asked.

"After an hour, they start fading," Hermione said, pointing to her eyebrow, "Remember your yellow eyebrow?"

"Oh yeah," Harry said as he opened the wall with his wand, walked into Diagon Alley, and saw Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes still had a sign saying it was closed.

Hermione grabbed his arm as the crowds got heavier, "Let's go to Flourish and Blotts first."

"I'm going to go send the owl to Ron. I'll meet you there," Harry told her as she nodded and walked off ahead.

After browsing Flourish and Blotts, finding her books and Harry's as well, she turned to the next aisle and stopped short, making the books she had floating behind her fall to the ground.

"Sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean to scare you," Dean said as he bent down and helped her collect her books.

Hermione giggled, "Thank you, Dean."

Dean looked up as he handed her the large stack and chuckled, "Should have known with this many books. I like the hair."

"Thanks," Hermione said as she heard Harry say 'Jean,' the name she was going by in public today, "Over here, James!"

"Sorry, there was a line. Hi Dean," Harry said as he walked over.

"If I didn't know your voice, I'd doubt who you were," Dean said.

"We just don't want to deal with people today," Harry told him as he looked at Hermione, "Here, let me take some of those."

"Sir, can you help me find this book?" A witch asked.

"Duty calls," Dean said as he walked over to the customer.

Harry glanced outside, "How about I take our school books, and I'll be going to Madam Malkins."

Hermione handed off their books, "Thank you. I swear, only 15 minutes."

After getting a new pair of robes and dress robes since the list said to get another set, he walked out of Madam Malkins and looked at his watch to see it had been nearly 30 minutes. Sighing, he wished they had the mobile phones as they were becoming more widespread in the muggle world.

Hermione hurried out of Flourish and Blotts with two more bags, "Sorry, I found a new section."

Harry laughed as he shrunk her bags and put them into his pocket with the rest of their purchases, "I'm surprised you don't have the whole store."

"Quit it," Hermione huffed, looking around, "We need to go to Mullpepper's for some more hard-to-find ingredients."

After coming out of Mullpepper's, they walked next door to Slug and Jiggers to get cheaper supplies.

"Frog eyes have gone up," Harry commented as people started whispering behind them and he glanced back, and they immediately looked away. He glanced at Hermione to see her hair was curling again, "Hey Jean, what's my hair look like?"

"Messy as always, I need, oh!" Hermione said wide-eyed as she noticed his hair was short again, "Your eyes are hazel now, too. You look a lot like your Dad."

"Shit," Harry said as more people started looking towards them, "Let's make this quick. Where else do we need to go?"

"The healer shop. I need more dittany," Hermione said as Harry looked at his watch.

"We have 20 minutes," Harry said, taking her hand and leading her to the register.

After purchasing her ingredients, they left the store and walked towards the healer shop, trying to keep their heads down.

"Harry darling, Hermione."

Hermione stopped, narrowing her eyes as she saw Rita Skeeter standing against the wall at the Magical Menagerie with her Quick-Quotes Quill hanging over her notebook at the ready.

"Rita," Hermione said coldly.

"Can you tell us what you have planned for your year at Hogwarts? A little bird told me you were both going back," Rita grinned.

"Are you sure it wasn't a bug?" Hermione asked, reaching for her wand.

Harry put his hand on her arm, "Hermione, public."

Hermione sighed and glared at the reporter in front of her, "We are looking forward to finishing our education and helping the school. We hope to have a nice, calm year."

"Harry?" Rita asked her Quill, moving fast over the paper.

"We have our N.E.W.T.s to prepare for. We will be busy," Harry said as a small crowd started gathering, "If you'd excuse us, please."

Hermione grabbed his arm and hurried him to the healer shop, saying, "We need to make this quick."

"Agreed," Harry said, watching the door.

"Harry… Harry Potter, sir, can I get a picture with you?"

Harry looked down at the young child, whose eyes were shining as they jumped up and down, "I guess, sure," Harry said warmly as he posed for the mother to take a picture. Hermione walked over, and the mother asked if she could get them both in a picture.

As they walked out, a small crowd had gathered, and Harry groaned as people started yelling his name, "Sorry, we are running late!" Harry said, taking her hand, "Let's go."

When they finally returned to the Leaky Cauldron, Tom opened a door for them, "Go, get in there. I'll try to get them to leave."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she sat down at the large table, "That was crazy. Someone tried to pull my hair as we went through the bricks!"

Tom entered the room with a tray of Butterbeers, a bottle of wine, and some glasses, "Not sure what you would want, so brought this. It's on the house. Thank you, Harry, Hermione."

Harry sighed as soon as the door shut, "When will this die down?" Harry asked frustrated.

Hermione grabbed a tankard of Butterbeer, "Has there ever not been attention on you since we entered the wizarding world?"

"No," Harry said bitterly as the door opened and Ron shut it behind him, "Hey, Ron."

"Merlin's beard," Ron said, feeling his body, "That was utterly crazy. I thought I lost my left cheek when a witch pinched it."

"At least you didn't have to deal with Rita," Hermione said bitterly.

"Is she in your bag or a jar again?" Ron asked as he sat beside her and kissed her, "How was that?"

Hermione laughed, "Better. Practicing?"

"Read a book," Ron said as he looked at Harry, who coughed and laughed.

"The How to Charm Witches?" Hermione asked Ron.

Ron blushed, "You know?"

"Yes," Hermione said as an elf appeared, and she screamed, "I'm so sorry!"

"It's alright, ma'am. Tom sent this food for you," The elf said, putting the tray on the table and disappearing.

Ron looked at Hermione, "You aren't going to eat this anymore, are you?"

Hermione huffed, "I researched a bit since Dobby died about elf magic. Turns out, they have to be bound to someone to be healthiest, and it helps their magic because they pull from us. I still think they should be paid," Hermione mumbled as she grabbed a roll.

Harry asked Ron, "So, what case are you working on?"

"No cases yet," Ron said as he bit into a chicken leg, "Just training."

"Did Ginny get her letter before you left this morning?" Hermione asked him.

"No, let me guess, you are Head Girl?" Ron asked with a grin.

"Yes!" Hermione said as he kissed her, and she wiped away the chicken grease, "And Harry is Head Boy."

Ron looked at him wide-eyed, "McGonagall is off her rocker!"

"Are you sure you don't want to return to finish our final year too?" Hermione asked him.

Ron looked at her as he put his arm over the back of her chair, "Why?"

"Just wondering, I will even let you copy my homework. It will be weird without you there, too," Hermione told him.

"Nope, I'm excluded. I'm good," Ron said as he took a large drink of Butterbeer.

Hermione put her hand on his chest, "We will spend more time together."

Ron stared at her then grabbed her glass and sniffed it, "Shit, do you think someone spiked it?" He asked Harry.

Hermione huffed, folding her arms over her chest, "I'm just saying because Harry will have Ginny there, I'll miss you."

"Look, Hermione, I want to, but school isn't me. If I don't have to return, even if you are there, gorgeous, I don't want to," Ron told her, kissing her forehead, "Don't be mad." Downing the rest of his Butterbeer, he looked at his watch, "I have to head back, or Roberts will have my arse. I'll floo you tonight, but dinner on Sunday at Mums?"

"Sounds good," Hermione said as he kissed her, then left, and she sighed.

"Well, you still have your lips," Harry joked.

"I'd almost be scared that he was practicing with another witch, but it's Ron," Hermione frowned.

"Charlie probably got Bertha out," Harry joked as he ate a chip.

Hermione frowned.

a/n: Thank you for all the new followers and those who have favorited this story. It's up to 37 followers and 16 favorites! I truly appreciate it! First week of Masters semester done and I still was able to write another chapter, so I thought I'd post this chapter. Don't expect it every week, and more than likely not next week. Hope you all enjoyed this week's chapter. Please review! Thank you!