After the War

Epilogue

The Burrow was filled with commotion. People were running through the house, others were shouting, trying to be heard over the chaos, and the few who were doing nothing were focused on dodging those doing something. Harry was one such person, standing by the fireplace with Mr. Weasley as they watched the chaos erupt around them.

"GINNY!" Mrs. Weasley screeched up the staircase.

Harry flinched at the sudden noise.

"HURRY UP! THE PORTKEY IS LEAVING IN FIVE MINUTES!"

"I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!" she shouted back down. Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath that Harry couldn't pick up over all of the noise.

Meanwhile, Hermione had finished packing up her and Ron's bag and set it near the broken set of spectacles that would soon take them to the southern coast of France.

"We're all set," she announced with a confident smile.

"Oh, you're going to have so much fun!" Mr. Granger cried and ran forward to hug his daughter, shaking her from side to side.

Hermione laughed and her smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. She still could not forget the painful months where any touch or outward show of affection seemed like a futile dream. Any moment shared with them was a moment cherished.

"You have everything you need, yes?" Mrs. Granger said, running a hand over the edge of her bag.

"Yes," Hermoine replied, leaning back from the hug but keeping one hand on her father's arm.

"And you'll be okay? You'll be safe?" she insisted.

"We'll be fine, Mum," Hermione said patiently.

"They'll be fine, dear. Don't you remember, our daughter is famous! She saved the world! She can take care of herself!" her father interrupted with a laugh.

"Oh, stop it!" Hermione said, slapping him in the arm and giggling as her cheeks grew redder.

"Why? Can't we be proud of our little bumblebee?"

"Bumblebee?" Ron asked with a smirk, approaching the loving circle.

"Daaaad," Hermione said, rolling her eyes and blushing profusely.

"She was always buzzing around as a little girl-- never stopped doing something, our little bumblebee. And she was as sweet as honey... still is," Curtis explained with a smile and he rubbed Hermione's hair affectionately.

"Oh stop it. You're embarrassing her!" Mrs. Granger laughed. She stepped forward and hugged Hermione, kissing her on the cheek.

"But, really. Be safe, bumblebee," she whispered.

Hermione giggled and replied, "I will."

"And have lots of fun," she added louder, including Ron in her directions.

"We will, Mrs. Granger," Ron answered.

"GINERVA WEASLEY!" Mrs. Weasley shouted again. Hermione jumped at least an inch off the ground.

The wooden steps groaned as Ginny sprinted down the stairs, a bag in hand that she instantly dropped on the floor by the foot of the staircase.

"I'm here, I'm here," Ginny said, brushing hair out of her face.

Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath and arranged her lips into a smile. "Good. Don't want you to miss the portkey."

"Love you, Mum," Ginny said, interrupting her lecture before it began.