Chapter Text
Chapter 20
Epilogue
One Year Later - May 1999
"Can you see the boats yet?" asked George.
"Not yet," said Fred. "Should be any minute now, though."
"They set out as soon it gets dark, you said?" asked Hermione's mother.
"Yes, just like they took us all across the lake to the Castle at the start of our first year."
Fred smiled at Mister and Missus Granger, fully recovered with their memories completely restored, now staring eagerly across the glassy waters of Black Lake awaiting the boat carrying their daughter back from Hogwarts.
During the time Hermione's parents lived in Australia they'd not only fallen in love with the country, they'd also managed to build a thriving dental practice in Melbourne so they'd opted to continue living there even after their daughter and Fred tracked them down and reversed the obliviation spell following the last battle.
However, the couple didn't like the idea of missing their only child's graduation, so Fred and George enlisted Percy's help in navigating the labyrinth of Ministerial red tape so they could sneak the Grangers in as a surprise for Hermione's special day.
"There! In the distance!" called Molly. "I can just make out the lights!"
Eventually more and more lanterns could be seen reflected in the water and soon they spotted Hagrid in the first boat, leading his charges safely back the same way they'd arrived all those years ago. He disembarked with a grace borne from many years of practice before lifting each student to shore one final time.
He set Hermione on the ground and she immediately started towards Fred before realizing who was standing beside him.
"Mum! Dad!" She ran to embrace her parents. "What are you doing here?"
"We weren't about to miss this," smiled Mark Granger.
"But how...?" Hermione asked.
Alice Granger tipped her head towards Fred. "Do you really think this one wasn't going to move heaven and earth to make something happen for you?"
Hermione fought back tears as she hugged Fred. "Thank you. Thank you so much. This is the best present you could've ever given me."
"Oh...I wouldn't say that..." said Mister Granger.
Hermione released Fred and turned towards her father. "Excuse me?"
"The graduation isn't the only reason we're here, darling," said Missus Granger.
Hermione appeared lost. "Sorry? I don't follow."
"I thought you might want them around for this as well..." said Fred from behind her.
Hermione spun around to find Fred on one knee holding a small velvet box towards her.
"...Of course, if you say 'no' it'll be a bit awkward but at least not an entirely wasted trip...."
Hermione inhaled sharply when he opened the box to reveal an elegant gold ring featuring an exquisite diamond solitaire. Fred swallowed hard before launching into his prepared speech.
"Hermione Granger. Over the past few years I have been fortunate enough to call you my friend, my confidante and my partner in crime — all under totally legitimate and justifiable circumstances, sir — "
Fred rushed to explain that last point to Hermione's bemused father before turning his attention back to the witch in question.
"You have tolerated my crazy ideas, encouraged my dreams and ambitions and taught me more about life, love and magic than I could have ever hoped of learning. You've also been more than willing to smack me upside my thick skull when I've needed it — which has been more often than I'd like to admit."
"Amen!" interjected George.
"Here, here!" seconded Bill, causing the assembled crowd to laugh out loud.
"Oi! Pipe down, you lot," said Fred with a roll of his eyes and a wink towards Hermione.
"In light of all that, it would be my sincere honor and privilege if you would consider also allowing me to call you my wife. If you find that arrangement acceptable I swear that I will spend the rest of my life protecting you, providing for you, entertaining you and loving you. Forever and a day."
He held his breath as he raised the ring box. "So...what do you say? Do we have a deal?"
Hermione wiped a tear from her eye and struggled to contain the emotion in her voice.
"Fred Weasley. You and your brother were not only the first friends I made in this world, you were the first real friends I'd ever found. Through your influence I learned to accept who I am and came to realize that anything is possible if you've got enough nerve. It has been through your support and encouragement that I've also learned how to protect, entertain, provide for and love myself."
She took a step closer and extended her trembling left hand towards him with a smile.
"However, even though I can do all those things on my own, I'd much rather do them with you by my side. So the answer is yes, Fred Weasley. We have a deal."
The entire shoreline erupted in cheers as Fred slipped the ring on Hermione's finger then pulled her into a passionate embrace while George set off a several clusters of Whiz Poppers in the background.
xxx
Three Weeks Later
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Weasley?" Fred asked as he clicked his heels and gave a formal bow.
"You may, Mister Weasley," replied Hermione, gathering the folds of her wedding gown in one hand while taking Fred's hand with the other.
She giggled happily as Fred literally swept her off her feet and onto the makeshift dance floor that had been laid out under the tent in the backyard of the Burrow.
Hermione grinned at the sight of Arthur and Molly trying to learn the latest dance moves from Ginny and Harry while Neville, Ron, Lee and Angelina looked on in amusement.
"Has your mother forgiven us yet for only giving her three weeks' notice?"
"Not to worry. She's so excited about the impending arrival of her first grandchild she's willing to forgive almost anything at this point."
He tipped his head towards the very pregnant Fleur, who was sitting in the corner with her feet propped up on a chair, engaging in an animated conversation with Garrick Ollivander and Xenophilius Lovegood.
"It's good to see Luna's Dad out and about," said Hermione. "It looks like he's improving."
"They say he's doing much better," agreed Fred. "Still has his bad days, of course, but the same could be said for all of us, I suppose."
"So when is Georgie planning on popping the question to Luna?" asked Hermione as she spotted the couple in question chatting with Charlie and Griphook about the condition of the Gringott's dragon.
Fred leaned forward and whispered, "You didn't hear it from me but he's thinking about giving her a ring at Christmas then getting married on her birthday in February."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Bold move. Best have the eggnog spiked before telling Molly she has another short notice wedding to plan."
"Nah. It'll be fine. We'll make sure she's holding the baby when George tells her. She won't try anything too violent whilst holding her grand-daughter."
Fred twirled Hermione in time to the music then spun her back into his arms. She smiled as she gazed over at Remus and Tonks, who were showing off young Teddy's metamorphic abilities to Hermione's delighted parents.
"It will be nice for Teddy to have a playmate when the baby comes."
Fred nodded. "Who knows...maybe one day he and Bill's daughter can babysit our children."
Hermione laughed. "While I look forward to that happening one day, can we finish the wedding reception before we start planning the nursery?"
"Sorry," Fred grinned. "Wasn't pushing you. We've got loads of time. I was just allowing myself the luxury of dreaming about the future."
"You're right. That is a luxury," Hermione sighed and rested her head against his chest. "It's funny to think of how close we came to not having any of this."
Fred tightened his grip on her and said in a low voice, "But we do, Kitten. And that's the important thing."
They danced in contented silence until Hermione looked up and said, "Fred? Will you make me another deal?"
"Anything. Name it."
"Promise me that we'll never take any of this for granted. That we'll remember how it felt to have everyone we love here, safe and sound. That we'll always be aware of how lucky we were to have made it through everything — together."
Fred lowered his face towards her and kissed her tenderly.
"Absolutely. You've got yourself a deal, Kitten."
The End