Chapter 2

A/N: This chapter took a few re-writes to finally finish. RobisonRocket is my fabulous beta who got this out the day after I sent it to her. I place total blame and responsibility for my slow update upon the talented notsosaintly. If she hadn't written such a great fic (Strega Letteraria), I would have gotten this chapter out sooner. If you haven't had a chance to read SL yet, I highly suggest that you do. Okay, time to get down to business...

Chapter 2

After Severus left Ron's old bedroom, Grace stood from the bed and walked over to the opened school trunk. Crouching down, she started to pull out some of Ron's old school things. There was an old Gryffindor Quidditch uniform. Grace remembered Harry telling her that Ron played Keeper – the same position that Grace played. She smiled at the thought.

Next, she pulled out some of his old school books. She flipped through his Transfiguration text, giggling at some of his artwork that had been doodled on the pages. She would bet her broom that her mother hadn't seen these books. Grace cringed when she thought of the way her mother reacted at seeing Grace's Transfiguration book with doodles in the margin. Gracie liked that this was another of her father's traits that she had inherited.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door open. She only reacted when she realized that someone was taking a seat on the floor next to her.

Blushing guiltily at getting caught, she smiled shyly at Harry. "I'm sorry, Uncle Harry. I know I shouldn't be going through his things. I think Grandmum would have a fit if she caught me, but I couldn't help myself.

Harry grinned at her, but didn't comment on that. "I come up here sometimes when we come to visit Molly and Arthur. When I was growing up, I didn't have a very good relationship with my aunt and uncle, so I came here during the Christmas hols. The Weasleys were so good to me. They treated me like one of their own. They were and still are the best family I have ever known."

"What was he like, Uncle Harry? My mother talks about him sometimes, and so does Dad. They both have different views of him, you know. Mum tells me things about his loyalty and his bravery. Dad always tells me that my father was a very loyal friend, but his potion-making skills were quite abysmal."

Harry laughed. "Yeah, Snape would say that. But, he's right, they were abysmal."

"You knew him best, though. I already know what kind of man he was, and I already know what kind of soldier he was. What was he like when he was being himself? I guess what I want to know is who was Ron Weasley?"

Harry contemplated his niece's request. He knew this day would surely come. If he were being honest with himself, he would admit that he knew that they would be having this conversation as soon as he started up the stairs. He had watched Snape descend the stairs alone. When Snape gave him a silent nod, he felt he had to get her and bring her down. He was no good at these kinds of things, but he really didn't have a choice now.

Harry stood up and reached down to help Grace up off of the floor. Still holding her hand, he guided her to the bed and sat down, patting the place beside him. Harry didn't speak for a few moments, and Grace started to feel disappointed that he wouldn't tell her anything.

Harry sighed in defeat. "Do you see that bed over there? That's the one I used to sleep in when I'd come here – when I'd come home. That's what The Burrow has always been to me, you know. This is the first place, other than Hogwarts, where I felt truly at home. The house is fantastic, but it was the people in this house that made it home."

"Ron was the first friend, besides Hagrid, that I made in this world. Actually, Ron was the first friend I had in any world. I was shy and scared, and I had thought that someone had made a mistake. I didn't know anything about the magical world because I never knew anything about my parents. I was so afraid that I would be the only kid at Hogwarts that wouldn't have a clue. I just knew I'd fail miserably."

Harry became lost in his own thoughts for a moment before he continued. "Ron made me forget that I was The Chosen One. He was always trying to make things look easier than they were. He made things less serious. I don't know if I would have survived without him. He always stood in my shadow. I didn't want him to; it's just the way things were."

"He was real, you know. I could tell him anything. Well, I mean I never told him about my obsession with his sister. He didn't know any of that until the day I kissed her after a Quidditch match." Harry blushed when he remembered who he was talking to.

Grace grinned but didn't say anything. She was too eager for Harry to continue.

"Your father was the best chess player Hogwarts had ever seen. He was fantastic. Nobody could beat him. Snape played him once, during Christmas at Headquarters. It was brilliant. Snape was so angry because Ron beat him, but he gave his best effort not to let Ron know."

Grace laughed out loud at the vision she had created in her mind. "What did he say?"

"He just left the table and nodded to Ron, saying something like, 'Good game.' It was hilarious. I think Ron's head grew an inch or so after that."

They both laughed at the thought.

Harry sobered quickly and studied the beautiful girl for a moment. He'd watched her as a child, looking for signs of his best friend. She had so many of Ron's traits and characteristics that it used to pain Harry, but now he was able to watch her without a sense of loss. He felt blessed that a part of Ron was still on this earth. Harry cleared his throat.

Grace's giggling subsided, and she waited for Harry expectantly.

"Gracie, has anyone ever told you how much you look like Ron? I know you have your mother's crazy hair, and her dark eyes, but everything else is so him. I know you've been told this a million times, but he would be so proud of you. And I bet you could have given him a run for his Galleons on the chess board."

"Maybe that's why Dad won't play with me. I've tried to get him to sit with me, but he always makes excuses."

"Maybe you're right," Harry conceded.

Grace eyed Harry for a stretch. "Uncle Harry, can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure you can, Gracie. That's what uncles are for. Okay, maybe you can't trust all your uncles, but you can trust me."

"I'll be starting my fifth year at Hogwarts soon, you know. Mum said that our Head of House always talks to us about our career choices in the fifth year. I know what I want to do, but Mum is going to freak. I have to tell her because she's the Head of Gryffindor, but I don't really know how I'm going to tell her that I want to be –"

"Yes?" Harry prompted.

"I want to be an Auror. I know it's strange, me being a girl and all, but I really want to do it. I want to fight the Dark Wizards just like you and just like my father did. I know it's dangerous, but there's nothing else I want to do, Uncle Harry."

"Calm down, Gracie, calm down. There's nothing strange about girl Aurors. I know lots of girl Aurors that are really good at their jobs. But, I don't think it's your mum that you've got to worry about because Hermione's always been a feminist. To be honest with you, it's your dad that you've got to convince. And if you can do that, you will have to put up with Molly Weasley's resistance. When that's all said and done, it will be all of your uncles that will be worried to death for you – me included."

Grace blanched. "But, you just said that there's nothing wrong with being a girl Auror."

"I didn't say that it wasn't dangerous. It also doesn't mean that I won't be worried about you. I have to worry more, Cubby, because I'm your godfather. I think there's a whole chapter on it in the Godfather's Handbook." Harry grinned and bumped her shoulder with his own.

Grace rolled her eyes. "Uncle Harry, you haven't called me Cubby since I was little."

"Well, honestly, you're still little. On a serious note, though, I think you're brilliant. I will never go behind your parents' backs, but after you talk to them, I'll help you with the training. By the time you graduate Hogwarts, I'll make sure you're prepared."

Grace threw her arms around him. "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you."

"You'd be a bookworm or a greasy git," laughed Harry, earning himself a slap on the arm from Grace.

"That's my dad you're referring to. You'd better lay off, Harry Potter, or I will tell Aunt Ginny."

Harry paled. "You wouldn't. I thought we were a team."

"We are, but my dad is off-limits."

"Okay, no more Snape jokes," Harry said.

Grace sighed. "I don't know how to approach him about becoming an Auror. He still sees me in nappies. What would you say if Lily told you she wanted to be an Auror?"

Harry grimaced. "That's not fair. Lily? An Auror? Ugh, I don't think I could stand it. Besides, she's only twelve; that's too young for her to be thinking of such things."

"Weren't you only twelve when you rescued Aunt Gin from the Chamber?" Grace crossed her arms over her chest and eyed him.

"I really need to tell Hermione to stop telling you things," Harry mumbled.

The door to Ron's bedroom opened, and Ginny stood with her arms crossed. "There you two are. We are about to start lunch and then we're going over to the Memorial. Afterwards, Gracie, your mum and dad want to go over to Ron's grave and leave some flowers. Harry, we're going with them."

"Yes, dear. Come on, Cubby, I'll race you."

"You'll do no such thing, Harry Potter," said Ginny. You'll walk like the adult you are supposed to be.

Harry nodded and then winked at Grace conspiratorially. As soon as Ginny left the room, they both took off, nearly knocking Ginny down the stairs. An angry outburst from Ginny was on the tip of her tongue. She changed her mind as she decided her husband looked dead sexy running around like a naughty child.

**********

Instead of the usual chaotic affair, lunch was somber. Even the Weasley twins were able to contain their practical jokes for the occasion. Though the rest of the Wizarding world was celebrating the anniversary of Voldemort's defeat, the Weasley family and their guests still felt the pang of loss.

One by one, they Apparated in front of the gates of Hogwarts in order to attend the Memorial service for the lost heroes of the Final Battle. The Memorial had been the act of conspiracy between Harry and Severus. It was an idea they had come up with before the first anniversary. They wanted to honor the heroes without the sort of fanfare that had plagued Harry his entire life. This Memorial was, if nothing else, a gift to the people who really didn't feel like celebrating.

The silence stretched throughout the crowd of mourners. They took their time reading the names that were etched into the stone that had been erected under the tree by the lake. There were occasional sniffs and soft murmurs that were carried off with the calm summer breeze.

Hand in hand, Severus and Hermione made their way through the crowd toward the stone. Grace followed behind them with her head bowed. Once they had reached the stone, Hermione traced Ron's name with her finger, the same way she did every year. Severus watched her closely for a sign of sadness. Hermione's eyes were dry when she smiled up at him.

He smiled back at her. "Are you alright?"

"Better than I thought I'd be. Severus, I know we just got here, but I think I'm ready to go. I want to take some flowers to Ron's grave before it gets too late. Then I'd like for you to take us to dinner."

Severus' eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm quite sure. I have some things I need to say to Ron before I lose my nerve."

Severus regarded her for a moment. "What of the Potters? I believe Ginevra had planned to go with us."

"Could you just tell them that we're going now? I wouldn't dream of telling Ginny that she can't visit her brother with me, but you have a way with words, my dear. I'm sure you can find some way of getting us out of here," Hermione said flirtatiously.

Severus narrowed his eyes at her. "Very well, I will make our excuses. Wait for me outside the gates."

Hermione watched Severus disappear into the crowd and then turned to go toward the gate.

"Mum, are we leaving already?" Grace asked, surprised.

"Yes," Hermione answered simply.

"Um, okay. I'm just going to go say goodbye to Devon."

Hermione gave her daughter a knowing look, but didn't comment. Instead, she told Grace to meet them at the front gate.

Several minutes later, they were leaving the flower shop. Severus had asked Hermione if she wanted to Apparate to the cemetery, but she declined.

"I think I'd rather walk."

The cemetery, where Ron had asked to be buried, was at the edge of Hogsmeade, just a mile from the main road.

Finally reaching Ron's grave, Hermione sat down on her knees in front of it. She laid the bouquet of wildflowers in front of the large marble stone and smiled.

Ron's stone was very simple. His name was written in large letters across the top with his dates of birth and death inscribed directly underneath. A Gryffindor lion separated the dates from the epitaph, which read: HERE LIES OUR BELOVED SON, BROTHER, FRIEND, AND FATHER. MAY THIS TRUE GRYFFINDOR FIND PEACE KNOWING HE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF SO MANY.

Severus touched Hermione's shoulder to get her attention. "Would you like some privacy?"

Taking a deep breath, Hermione said, "No. I think I need you and Gracie here with me for what I'm about to do."

Without waiting for a response, she took both of their hands and pulled them down with her, so that she was flanked on either side by the two people that meant the most to her.

Taking another deep breath, Hermione spoke to the headstone. "Hello, Ronald. I've got Severus and Gracie here with me. Oh, you wouldn't recognize Severus. He's not the man we remember from school. And you would be so proud of your daughter. She's quite the beauty that we always knew she would be. She's so smart, Ron, and she stands up for what she believes in. She can play a mean game of chess, just like you. I honestly think she could have beaten you."

"I'm here today, Ronald, to let you know that I have to let you go." Hermione's voice cracked a bit, but she continued on. "I will never forget you, Ron. Your laughter and your spirit will live forever in our Gracie. I hope you understand my decision because I would hate for you to feel betrayed."

"Your tombstone tells the truth, you know. You are a true Gryffindor. You have touched so many people, Ron, even in death. I can't imagine what my life would have been like if you and Harry hadn't rescued me from that troll."

Hermione tried to hold her tears in check as she stood, still holding hands with her husband and her daughter. "Severus gave everyone your message, Ron. He told your dad that you were proud to fight like he did. The twins were thrilled to have your permission to corrupt your daughter. Ginny stood by Harry when he blamed himself for everything, just like you said he would."

"And your brothers, Ron, all of your brothers hold you in the highest regard. They are all so proud of you. Charlie named his firstborn son after you. Ronnie's twelve now, and he tells all of his friends that he got his name from his brave uncle, who died a hero. Sometimes it makes me angry because I know how badly you wanted everyone to be proud of you, and you're not here to enjoy it. You're not here to see how much you are loved and honored."

Angry tears were dripping from her eyes now, and she let go of the hands she was holding in order to wipe them away. She took a few deep breaths and whispered to the headstone. "Your story will never end, but it would be easier to tell if you were here to tell it."

Hermione placed a kiss on Ron's name. "I'll be going now, Ronald. You will always be my best friend, but I have to let you go now. Please, forgive me."

Hermione turned to go, once again grasping the hands of Severus and Gracie. As they made their way through the maze of headstones, a strong gust of wind burst through, causing a whistle to echo around them.

Grace tightened her grasp on her mother's hand and whispered, "He forgives you, Mum, and he understands."

Hermione laughed out loud, finally freeing herself from the ghost of Ronald Weasley.

A/N: I have to admit my elation when RR told me this last part made her cry.