Her mum was putting Joan to bed when the little girl's nose began twitching; Hermione hugged her daughter to her and asked what was troubling her.
"I heard some people talking and they were saying Britain was now safe with the bad witch and wizard gone, does that mean we'll be leaving here?" asked the clearly worried girl.
Like Harry, Hermione wouldn't lie to her daughter or fob the little girl off with some excuses. "We have no plans to return to live in Britain, things might change in the future but if they do we'll sit down as a family and discuss our options. If you can look back six months and think of the changes in our lives then you'll understand why I'm not ruling anything out but I'm pretty sure Italy will be our home for many years to come."
This seemed to settle some of her fears but Hermione could sense there was something else bothering Joan, "Mum I was frightened today, not when the bad witch had me because I knew you'd come for me. When you left me with aunt Ginny and everyone walked away I wasn't sure if I would see you again, I was really scared mum." The sight of her daughter's tears broke Hermione's heart.
"I just kept repeating what you told me, no harm could come to you while dad was there and it's true mum."
She held her daughter tight, "we'll never leave you again sweetie, that should be the last of them and we can live our lives in peace now." She kissed Joan before tucking her in, Millicent was going to be staying with her 'niece' tonight after she finished saying goodnight to Ron in the infirmary.
...
Amelia looked at the pieces of parchment that might grant her freedom sooner than she thought, both Drumstrang and Beauxbatons realised their contestants were massively outclassed by the Potters so with one contestant dead and another disqualified they were proposing the competition be cancelled. As they had already competed in the first task there was no danger of anyone losing their magic if the ministry declared it over.
She was certain Harry and Hermione would jump at the chance since they had already achieved their objective and it was going to save Amelia trying to choose who would be their hostages that were going to end up awaiting rescue at the bottom of the lake.
The headlines in tomorrow's papers would be spectacular and Amelia could throw fuel on the fire by citing bigotry and bias as her reason for quitting as the minister of magic on Monday. She truly wondered if the British magical community could survive and was certain it wouldn't without changes, that would be the job of the new minister and they were welcome to it.
Amelia could honestly swear she'd done the best job she could and with Harry's very public display of displeasure at toad woman, Deloris was effectively out the running to replace her. She was sure there must be a hell of a story there somewhere and perhaps one day the Potters would tell her the tale.
...
Neville lay cuddling his blond betrothed, it had been quite the few days and tomorrow Harry and Hermione were going to attempt to awaken his father. Neville Longbottom's life changed beyond all recognition the day Harry Potter said he wanted him at his side, all three Lestrange's were dead, his mother was back and he was positive they would help his father return too. When you factored in that the beautiful witch currently in his arms was going to marry him then Neville knew his lonely days were well and truly over.
Luna felt Neville's arms tighten around her and smiled, they were so close now she could almost read his mind. Her heart was filled with happiness for him and the fact that their friends could begin to lead normal lives. The blond witch could now concentrate on her studies because passing her NEWT's granted her the ultimate reward, becoming Mrs Luna Longbottom.
...
Amber was staring again at the ring on her finger, put there by the wizard who was currently sleeping beside her after their earlier exertions. The emotions currently racing through her body left her more likely to be dancing rather than snoozing, she was sure that she must be glowing in the dark with happiness.
They hadn't even thought about using potions or spells and neither was worried, a Christmas wedding was their future and if she became pregnant by then so much the better. Another Lupin boy would be best friends with a Black once more, if she and her aunt Pomona had any say in the matter there would be a whole tribe of Blacks and Lupins pulling pranks at the Potter Institute.
That thought had her snuggling back into her wizard, with some encouragement he just might wake up and discover what was waiting for him.
...
Dan Granger held his weeping wife, their bracelets told him this was exactly what she needed. The pressure had been steadily building towards today and now that it was over and they were all safe Emma needed to let it all out, her tears were those of relief as she hadn't expected them all to emerge unscathed from their ordeal.
Their lives had been a rollercoaster ride ever since that day in the bank, they would never want to return to their old lives but their emotions had been rubbed raw with all the peaks and troughs. They now had a daughter, son and a granddaughter but needed some level and steady track to catch their breath and enjoy their new family.
With the danger to their family now gone both Grangers were looking forward to what their children would do next, they were certain it wouldn't be boring but just hoped it didn't include armour and bullets.
...
Hermione was getting ready to join her husband in bed when she had a thought, "Do you think we could invite the Macdonalds to spend at least some of Christmas with us, Natalie and Joan seem quite close."
Harry chuckled, "Hardly surprising love as Natalie reminds me quite a bit of a certain Miss Granger in her first year, at least she doesn't have two clueless first year boys to corrupt her into telling lies to Minerva. I think that would be a great idea and will phone Roy tomorrow and we can maybe surprise both girls."
Hermione climbed in beside her husband, "Thanks for today Harry, when that bitch took our Joan I would have lost it without you in my head keeping me from going insane. I'm glad Joan kicked the bitch as every time I looked at that statue I would want to rip its head off and spit down the bitch's neck. Only the fact that I knew Neville had a prior claim on her stopped me from killing the bastard as painfully as I could."
Harry kissed his wife's anger away before she cuddled into him, "Do you think it will be easier to get Neville's dad back?" she asked.
Hermione could physically feel the heat radiating off Harry with embarrassment, a raised eyebrow was enough to let her husband know it was time to spill the beans.
"My beloved godmother whispered a phrase she assures me will get Frank out of there like a shot." Harry's hope that his wife wouldn't require him to repeat the phrase was so slim that it really was no hope at all.
"Apparently they were going to try for another child so she told me to tell Frank that 'mother needs her snuggle bunny for a midnight picnic so they can make a brother or sister for little Neville."
Hermione was doing her trout after flies impression before giving herself a mental shake, "Are you taking the piss?"
"I wish I was, we may need to obliviate each other when I come back."
After such a harrowing day it was something of a relief to hear the sound of laughter reverberating around the Potter Institute for Sorcery and Spells.
THE END