Lost War

It had been 19 years since the end of the 2nd Wizarding War, and 22 since that fateful day where Harry had gone into the Maze, the third Task of the Triwizard Tournament and never come out. It was equally as long since the disappearance of Cedric Diggory, who had likely been with Harry, and the death of former Auror, Mad-Eye Moody. The eccentric man had been found dead in his own chambers, locked away in a large chest, the Dark Mark looming threateningly over the Castle.

The Order had gone into hiding as soon as they realized they couldn't win, but refused to give up until the very last of their resistance was forcefully cut down. The Weasleys had given up early on, deciding that the safety of their many children was more important than their freedom. Hermione had hidden with them until the persecution of muggleborns had died down.

Some 5 years after the war, the Dark Lord had announced that muggleborns, married into a wizarding family would receive the status of Half-blood, and shortly after, Hermione Granger had married Ron Weasley, both as protection and love. She hadn't seen her own parents since she was 15 years old.

Today, she was seeing off her oldest child, a daughter she and Ron had named Rose. She was a first year at Hogwarts, and Hermione was very happy she was able to say goodbye to the red haired girl without having to look over her shoulder every second, the wedding ring would keep her safe, even surrounded by half-bloods and purebloods as she was here on platform 9 ¾.

She knew very well Hogwarts wasn't what it used to be anymore. The Dark Lord had relocated the school to the other side of Hogsmeade and turned the Castle into an elite school only for the rich and talented. So, unless Rose would graduate with highest marks, her school career would end at 16 instead of 18.

"Good luck, love," Hermione whispered as she kissed her daughter's cheek.
"Be a good girl for us now, alright? We'll miss until you get back this Christmas."

"Don't worry so much," Ron told his wife, smiling.
"It's not like she'll be all on her own, she's got all her cousins looking after her."

He was right, of course. All of Ron's siblings, aside from Ginny and Charlie had children, and most of them were already at Hogwarts.

Bill and Fleur's oldest daughter, Victoire, was in her last year, their second daughter, Dominique, was a 5th year student and their son, Louis, was a 3rd year. Percy's oldest, Molly, was in 3rd year as well, and his youngest, Lucy, was 9, just like Hermione and Ron's son, Harry. Fred had married Alicia Spinnet, and they had together three kids. The oldest was a son whom they had named George, 12, just two days older than his cousin Fred, George's oldest son. Jake and Jane were twins, both only 10 years of age. George and Angelina's daughter was named Roxanne, and she too was 9.

"At least don't let your cousins bully you into breaking the rules," Hermione eventually chuckled.

"Study hard and get that scholarship when you graduate," Ron suggested lightly.
"Be sure to show Malfoy's kid that us Weasleys aren't defeated just yet!"

Rose beamed up at her dad and nodded before saying her goodbyes one last time and boarding the train. Hermione, Ron and little Harry stayed a bit longer, waving after the train alongside the rest of the Weasley clan and their too young kids before they left by floo back to their apartment near Diagon Alley.

As they arrived, they found a large, grey owl sitting in front of the window. It wore the Dark Mark, meaning it was an official letter from the Dark Lord's circle. Fear gripped Hermione, as she shakily reached for the letter attached to the bird's leg. The large owl just watched with bored yellow eyes as she undid the ties around the letter and read it. Her eyes widened and she gasped.