=== June 15 1996 ===
Hermione steps into their usual car, summons Rowena's grimoire then reconfigures the car to be bigger. Changing the benches into comfortable couches and adding carpet on the floor. Harry enters the room with the twins walking beside him each one holding one of his hands. They come up to Hermione and the twins let go of Harry and sit on the floor at Hermione's feet.
The cabin fills up as Draco, Amanda, Neville and Hannah come in, each couple taking up a couch. Shortly after that Lavender and Ron come in and take up a couch quietly. Within minutes the train moves and the newlyweds are asleep against each other.
"They've got the right idea." Hannah says as she snuggles into Neville.
"I agree." Amanda says with a yawn.
#####
The deceleration of the train wakes the sleeping teens. "Are we at the station already?" Ron yawns.
"We sure are." Hermione as she and Harry start picking up the toys the twins were playing with.
"Feels like I've just gone to sleep." Ron says.
"Well, you did tell me you hadn't slept well since we found out about Lavender's father." Harry says. "Probably just catching up to you."
"Me too." Lavender yawns.
"What about everyone else?" Hermione asks.
"We were up late tending to some plants." Neville says. "The greenhouse should be good for the summer."
"We helped Snape pack up his equipment." Draco says.
"No wonder you were all tired." Harry says as the train comes to a stop. "Looks like we're home for the summer."
They all gather their stuff and get off the train. Once off the train each couple heads their own way. Harry and Hermione, each carrying one of the twins, see Helen and head that way.
Once they get close Harry whispers: "Rose, see your Grammy Helen?"
The toddler reaches out for Helen. "Gammy! Gammy!"
Harry puts her down. "Go get her!"
Helen gasps as Rose walks to her. "I missed their first steps! Why didn't you tell us?" She picks up Rose.
"Sorry, we got busy with everything that happened." Hermione admits with a blush. "We almost forgot to celebrate their first birthday."
"What happened?" Helen asks.
"I'd rather wait until we can sit down with you and Dad." Hermione says. "We really don't want to go over it twice."
Helen looks to the floor. "That may be more difficult than you think. "
"Mom, what's going on?" Hermione asks.
"Let's get you all home." Helen says. "This isn't something I want to discuss in the open."
#####
Once home, the Potters quickly call Winky and Dobby and ask them to watch the twins. After the elves vanish with the toddlers the three parents then sit in the living room.
"As you know, your grandmother did not join us this winter because she wasn't feeling well." Helen says. "Unfortunately she has gotten worse."
"How much worse?" Hermione asks.
"She's being admitted to the hospital." Helen answers. "That's where your father is."
"As soon as she's allowed visitors I'd like to go." Hermione says.
"Of course."
=== June 16 1996 ===
Harry and Helen are working on dinner in the kitchen, the twins play on the floor in the next room. The sharp crack of apparition causes Harry to drop what he's doing and pull out his wand as he goes to check the apparition point set up outside.
Harry sighs in relief when he sees that it's Hermione. "Mione, you scared the living daylights out of me."
Hermione blushes. "Sorry, when I saw the apparition point I figured I'd come home for dinner."
"I hope you told your father you were coming home." Helen says from behind Harry.
Hermione nods. "I offered to bring him home too. He obviously passed on that."
"Very well, you might as well get cleaned up dinner's almost ready." Helen says.
"Thanks mom." Hermione says as she heads to the back.
Harry watches Hermione go. "You okay?" Helen asks.
"I'm just worried if she's going to be alright." Harry says. "When Sirius died it was quick, I didn't see him suffer. Now, Hermione is watching Claire die a little every day."
"Aren't we all dying a little every day?" Helen asks.
"You know what I meant." Harry says.
Helen nods. "I do."
Hermione comes out and eats. Then they make a plate for her to take to Richard. Harry walks with her to the apparition point. "Here, I want you to take this." Harry says as he hands her his invisibility cloak. "So you can come and go as you please."
"Thank you," Hermione takes the cloak and tucks it into her clothes. "I love you." She kisses him passionately.
Harry returns the kiss. "I love you too." With that she grabs the food for dad and apparates off.
Harry cleans the kitchen, then plays with the twins until bathtime. After getting the twins clean, and in pajamas he tucks them into their cribs. He sits in the room and works on his summer homework for a while, finally going to bed around 11.
=== June 17 1996 ===
"Da da! Da da!" One of the twins yells, waking Harry up. He feels the bed beside him, Hermione had come and gone while he slept. He looks over at the alarm clock and ses it's 6 in the morning.
Not wasting any time he gets up and goes to the nursery. There he finds both twins up and waiting for him. Iris sits in her crib while Rose is standing in hers, she holds her arms up as she speaks again. "Da da!"
"I'm here, Rose." Harry says as he picks her up. "You need changed." Once both twins are changed into fresh nappies he takes them out front for breakfast. In the kitchen he finds Richard eating breakfast, and Ginny at the stove.
"Hey sis," Harry teases. "When did you get here?"
"About 30 minutes ago." Ginny answers. "You just missed Hermione."
Harry nods. "Figured as much."
"Want some scrambled eggs for the twins?" Ginny offers.
"If you don't mind." Harry says.
"Not at all." Ginny answers and starts cooking.
Richard leaves by the time the twins are fed. Ginny helps Harry clean them up, then they put them in the living room, baby gates stop them from getting out. "I appreciate all the help." Harry says.
Ginny nods. "I honestly don't mind, but there is something I want hoping you could help me with."
"What's that?" Harry asks.
"Colin asked if he could take us out on a date this summer." Ginny admits.
Harry smiles. "You, him and Luna are still a thing huh?"
Ginny blushes heavily. "It works for us."
"Good." Harry says.
"I have his number, can you help me call him on the phone?" Ginny asks.
Harry nods and takes her over to the phone. "It's pretty simple."
#####
After getting Ginny setup, Harry works on cleaning the kitchen when Dobby and Winky appear. "Master Harry," Winky says. "We have a question."
"Ask away."
"Will you allow us to marry?" Winky says as she grabs Dobby's hand.
"Yes, of course!" Harry says excitedly. "How can I help?"
Winky shakes her head. "Your permission is all we need."
"I grant it, and if you need it you have my permission to have children." Harry says. "You are part of my family."
"Thank you." Winky says.
"Why don't you two take some time off and celebrate?" Harry asks.
Both elves nod and vanish.
=== June 18 1996 ===
Harry is feeding the twins their breakfast when Hedwig comes in with the mail. "Hey girl," Harry says, giving her a treat and taking the mail before going back to feeding the twins. Once he has the twins safely in the living room he opens the mail.
Dear Lord Potter,
I am writing to inform you that we will be having the funerals for Frank and Alice Longbottom Friday, June 21, 1996. The funerals will be starting at noon. Please let us know if you can make it.
Sincerely,
Augusta Longbottom
Harry puts that letter aside and opens another.
Dear Lord Potter,
As requested I have opened up our family home and have organized a small memorial for Sirius. It will be starting at sunset on Friday, June 28, 1996 at Grimmauld Place.
Sincerely,
Nacissa Malfoy
Harry sniffles slightly as he thinks of Sirius. 'Mione?' He says through their bond. When she doesn't respond he closes his eyes and tries to access her senses. He finds her occulmency shields fully in place.
Harry brings his senses back to himself and gets up as Helen comes in the room. "Hey, I need a favor."
20 minutes later Harry enters Claire's room. "Harry," Claire says weakly.
"Hey, Claire." Harry replies as he gently takes her hand.
Hermione looks up from her book surprised. "Is everything okay?"
"I tried to contact you." Harry says as he hands her the letters.
"Must have been while the doctors were here." Hermione explains as she reads the letters.
"I hadn't considered that." Harry admits.
Hermione nods as she hands the letters back. "Do you want to come here and then we'll go to these together?"
"Sure."
=== June 21, 1996 ===
With Luna and Ginny watching the twins, Harry was able to get a real shower and prepare himself for the funeral. Not being sure of the dress code for this he puts on black slacks and a nice black polo. He pins his griffin pin with his heir robes in it on his collar, just in case.
"How is she doing today?" Harry asks as he enters the hospital room.
"She's been asleep pretty much all day." Hermione says. "So I guess she's doing okay."
Harry nods. "Makes sense."
"Here," Hermione gets up from her seat. "Sit with her while I get dressed."
"Sure." Harry says as he takes the seat. Hermione goes into the bathroom to change. He puts his hand on Claire's and sits there in silence.
Hermione comes out in a short-sleeve black dress that falls to her knees. Her silver eagle pin is set just above her heart. "Let's go."
Harry and Hermione appear in the courtyard at Longbottom Manor. They walk inside and see Hannah wearing a set of robes with yellow highlights at the wrists and neck, and the Hufflepuff crest on her chest. A silver badger pin completes the outfit. "I see our recommendation worked out for you." Harry says as both he and Hermione tap their pins, their new heir robes with the Potter crest next to their heir crest appear on them.
"Thank you for suggesting it." Hannah says.
"How are you doing?" Hermione asks.
"I'll be better when this is over." Hannah says. "We still need to finish planning the wedding."
"I forgot all about that!" Hermione says. "I should be helping you!"
"You've been busy." Harry says.
"What's going on?" Hannah asks.
"My grandmother is dying." Hermione says sullen.
Hannah gasps. "Oh, no! Do I need to find someone else to help with my wedding?"
Hermione shakes her head. "To be honest I could use the distraction."
Hannah nods. "Let's go find Neville."
They venture out of the house and into the greenhouse where they find Neville sitting staring at a plant. Hannah smiles mischievously as she makes the plant reach up and stroke Neville's face. Neville jumps in surprise, then he sees Hannah and the Potters. "What was that for?" Neville asks.
"You didn't notice us coming in." Hannah says as she goes over to him and kisses his cheek. "Sorry."
Neville smiles slightly as he takes her hand. "You know I can't stay mad at you."
Hannah nods. "Are you ready for this?" Neville shakes his head and she squeezes his hand tightly.
Harry comes and puts his hand on Neville's shoulder. "We're all here for you."
Neville nods and they all walk to a nearby statue of an angel looking skyward, both hands empty, palms up to the sky. "Ut angeli nos per.*" Neville says, with the command the statue starts to move: the angel puts her hands together and bows her head, as if in prayer. The pedestal the statue stands on rises from the ground revealing an opening.
Wordlessly they all go through the opening and start down a long set of stairs. As they do the entrance closes behind them. Harry immediately looks backwards. "How are we supposed to get out?"
"All will be answered in its own time." Neville says as they continue downward
Once they reach the bottom they see Augusta sitting in front of a pair of coffins in a side room. "You have reached Longbottom crypt." Augusta says as soon as they walk into the room. "Today I have the privilege and honor to place the remains of two of those deeply beloved to me in their final resting places."
Augusta sniffles slightly. "Frank Longbottom, my beloved son; Neville's beloved father; and beloved husband to Alice, whom we have beside him. Alice; who I loved as the daughter I never had before she even married Frank; who gave her very life protecting both her son Neville and his betrothed Hannah Sprout. Does anyone wish to say anything?" Augusta asks.
Neville steps up. "Mother, Father, thank you for everything. I will do everything I can to live up to your legacy." He steps back beside Hannah.
Hermione steps forward. "I ask your permission to place these coins on their eyes before they are sealed in their tombs." She holds out four Greek drachma.
Augusta gasps, tears in her eyes. "I didn't know anyone else practiced the old ways." She smiles at Hermione. "Thank you, but I have already done so."
Hermione nods as she puts away the coins. "I wasn't sure. Most muggles think we're crazy to continue to do it."
"Most wizards have stopped too." Augusta says. "Though I don't know why."
"Leave them to their decisions." Hermione says.
Augusta nods. "If nobody wishes to say anything else then we will seal them in the crypt." She pulls out her wand and levitates the coffins to two cubicles adjacent to each other. "Here they shall lie for all eternity, beside each other in death as they were in life." She seals the cubicles.
"Now, to symbolize their journey to the other side we will proceed through the crypt and out the other way." Augusta leads then through the crypt and up another set of stairs, somehow they come of the same statue they went into. Augusta claps her hands, "thus concludes the funeral. Thank you Lord and Lady Potter for attending."
"Thank you for the honor of being allowed to attend." Harry says.
=== June 21 1996 ===
"Harry! Nice to see you!" Claire says excitedly.
Harry smiles as he fully enters the room. "It's nice to see you awake."
"I just finished dinner so the meds are in full effect." Claire says.
"She has about an hour before she falls back asleep." Hermione says. "I've been telling her what she missed."
"How far are you?" Harry asks.
"End of winter break." Hermione answers.
"Unfortunately it'll have to wait until tomorrow to continue." Harry says, the sadness now obvious in his voice.
"What's going on?" Claire asks worriedly.
"We're going to a memorial service." Hermione answers. "For Sirius."
The silence in the room is pierced only by the beeps of the hospital equipment. Finally after a few minutes Harry speaks. "We should go."
"I'll see you tomorrow grandmum." Hermione kisses Claire's cheek.
"You two take care of each other." Claire says.
"We're doing our best." Hermione says.
As the owners of number 12, Harry and Hermione apparate straight to the foyer, their heir robes already on.
"Welcome, Lord and Lady Potter." Kreacher says with a bow.
"Thank you, Kreacher." Harry says.
"Dowager Malfoy is waiting for you in the parlor." Kreacher says.
Harry nods and they go into the parlor where they find Narcissa sitting with McGonagall." Good evening, Dowager Malfoy, Professor McGonagall."
"Good evening, Lord and Lady Potter." Narcissa says back.
McGonagall smiles slightly. "Good evening, I hope you don't mind if we skip the formalities."
"Not at all."Harry says.
"We would need another memorial service if we had to keep that up all night." Hermione says and they all laugh.
"So who all are we expecting?" Harry asks.
"I only invited those you would care to see." Narcissa answers. "Your cousin should be here soon with Draco."
"I thought you said you only invited those I'd want to see?" Harry asks with a smirk.
Hermione slaps him playfully. "What's wrong with my cousin?" They all laugh.
"I also invited my sister and her family."
"Just to be clear, not Bellatrix right?" Harry asks.
"No, not her." Narcissa answers.
Harry nods. "Good."
A few minutes later Amanda and Draco come downstairs. Hermione hugs Amanda. "How's Grandma?" Amanda asks.
"She's hanging in there, the doctors are doing everything they can." Hermione answers.
Amanda nods. "I'll have to come visit her."
"What have you two been up to?" Hermione asks.
"Mostly scutwork for HIM, nothing dangerous, or more demeaning than I've had to endure before." Amanda says.
Hermione nods. "I figured HE was the reason you hadn't been to visit."
The fireplace flares and Andromeda, Ted, Tonks and Remus come through. "Hey Ted.' Harry says.
"Harry, Hermione, how are the twins?" Ted asks.
"Good, hopefully not driving Ginny and Luna too crazy." Harry answers.
"It doesn't exactly get any easier." Ted sat as he looks over at Remus and Tonks.
Harry follows Ted's gaze and sees the two holding hands. 'Hermione, are Remus and Tonks dating?' He mentally asks.
Hermione looks over at them. 'I think they are.'
'Good for them.' Harry says.
Narcissa clears her throat, getting everyone's attention. "We are gathered here in memory of Sirius Orion Black, beloved brother, friend and godfather. Would anyone like to sat a few words?"
"I would, if you don't mind." Remus says, drawing the attention his way. Hearing no rejection he continues. "When I first came to Hogwarts I was concerned I wouldn't have any friends because of my.. condition. For most of my first year I managed to hide it with carefully planned detentions. Somehow I still managed to become friends with Sirius, James, and Peter." He says the last name with more than a little spite.
"However Sirius knew something wasn't right as my detentions always lasted all night. So first Sirius and James started intentionally getting detentions in an attempt to end up in detention with me. When that failed he and James followed me and found out my secret. They cornered me a couple of days later, giving me time to recover. They told me they knew the truth and asked if there was anything they could do to help."
Tears form in Remus' eyes as he speaks. "Thus started the Marauders, they would plan and execute pranks that I would take responsibility for. That responsibility of course led to the necessary detentions I needed to hide my secret from everyone else. Then one day Sirius comes in with a book and announces that he was going to become a animagus, James of course wouldn't back down from the challenge. They rest, as they say is history."
As he finishes Narcissa wipes tears from her eyes as speaks. "Thank you, Remus for that lovely story."
"Sirius was a good man, a truer Gryffindor never lived." McGonagall says her voice breaking as she does.
"I probably didn't spend as much time with Sirius as I should have." Harry admits, openly crying. "He never complained, he was there when I needed him. Even when I didn't know I needed him." He pauses as he cries, then he speaks, his voice breaking as he does. "He, like too many before him, gave his life protecting me. Sirius, I'll never forget you."
"Really?" Sirius' voice comes seemingly nowhere. "That's the best you have? No promising to name a child after me?"
"What's going on?" Harry asks, confused.
"You have all just been part of Sirius Black's greatest prank." Narcissa says as she waves her wand and suddenly a portrait of Sirius can be seen.
"Thank you, Cissy for playing along." Sirius' portrait says.
"You cheeky bastard." Harry says.
"I resemble that remark." Sirius' portrait replies.