A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
There's always reasons,
Reasons for leavin'.
We get caught up in the grievance.
Instead of lettin' go,
And the pain that you and I both feel,
Is a pain I know our love can heal.
So I won't be leavin',
No matter the reason.
~ No Matter the Reason by Hanson
~*~ 9th May 2003 ~*~
Hermione lingered at her desk at the Lily Pad, her fingers resting on the keyboard of her computer with her eyes closed, preparing for her day ahead. Taking a breath, she opened her eyes and shut down her computer, the screen going dark with a soft click.
"You all right?"
Hermione exhaled as she pushed her chair back, then pushed it in. "Harry has been back for nearly a week. Ron's been… around, slowly adjusting to him being back. And tonight," she paused, looking at Misty, "The whole family comes over."
Misty's eyes widened. "All the Weasleys?"
Hermione nodded. "Even Ginny. And Neville is coming too. Charlie, George, Fred, Molly, Arthur, even Bill and Fleur."
"Fuck." Misty ran her hand over her mouth, "No wonder you're nervous. Didn't George punch Harry at the ball?"
"Yep," Hermione said as she stacked her files. "If it goes well, the plan is to spend the weekend together, too, which is why I came in today to make sure orders are set. I won't be here tomorrow."
Misty gasped, stumbling backwards until she stopped at the wall. Clutching it dramatically, "You?! Taking the weekend off?! Since this store opened, you've only allowed yourself Sundays off. And now… an entire weekend?! Who even are you?"
"Don't make me regret it," Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes as she slipped her purse on her shoulder.
Misty grinned. "So, it's just going to be you and Harry all day until dinner?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, he's spending the day with her. Showing her around."
Misty's smile faded. "She's still here?"
Hermione bit her lip. "I was an idiot and told him to give it a month to…" she sighed, "See if things could work between them."
Misty shook her head. "Classic Hermione. Martyr to the end, but I get it. You don't want to live with regret if he goes back to her later. Better let him figure it out now than to always wonder."
Hermione turned the light in her office off, bathing them in darkness as they moved down the stairs together.
"Any news on the saboteur?" Misty asked as they stepped onto the sales floor.
"Nothing new," Hermione stated. "Just that the parchment moved to somewhere before it reached Harry. They're tracking it, so maybe something will turn up eventually. The goblins and Harry's solicitor are working together."
Hermione pushed the shop's door open, and the old bell rang above her head. "If you need me, call. Otherwise, I'll be at home trying to figure out how to feed fifteen plus people without going broke." She bit her lip. "I don't want him to think I'm using him."
Misty rolled her eyes. "Hermione, he was gone for five years. He can afford to buy a few sandwiches. Let the man contribute."
Hermione hesitated at the door, smiling at a customer who came in, then looking at Misty as they walked deeper into the store. "I don't want him to think that I want him here for his money, Misty."
Misty leaned on the door frame. "I know, and I'm sure he knows too. So, relax. Enjoy the weekend for once."
Hermione huffed a slight laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know how to relax."
"Trust me," Misty said with a snort. "We all know that."
Hermione's head pounded between her temples as the oven dinged at the same time as the kettle began to whistle. Still, she barely heard both over the vacuum cleaner that had accidentally eaten one of Rosella's Barbies' hair as it roared a horrible noise in her sitting room, as she tried to run between each area of her house, darting between them, nearly taking herself out on the vacuum cord.
A sudden whoosh from the fireplace made her jump, and she nearly slipped on a bit of sauce that she didn't realize she had spilled.
"Oh, Hermione."
Hermione screamed, wand in hand. "Luna! You scared me!"
"Sorry," Luna said as she paused, looking around at the chaos her house was currently in. The stacked dirty pans, her flour-dusted counter, the pile of half-chopped carrots that she had made too much of. "I just came early to see if you needed any help, and… well…"
Hermione let out a puff of hair that sent a strand of hair flying right into her eye. "I know, it's a disaster in here."
"It looks like dinner tried to fight back," Luna stated as she walked toward the sink. "What needs to be done? I can help." With a flick of her wand, the tap came on, filling the sink with soapy water. "How about you finish your vacuuming and I do the dishes, and you focus on dinner?"
Hermione stopped nearly tripping over the cord again. "Thank you, Luna. I thought I had it under control, but then Charlie said Michel was coming, Harry asked if Andromeda and Teddy could join, and Angelina got off work today, too. That makes twenty-two people, including my parents, which is more than I planned for, with fifteen. I don't even know if my little garden can handle it, and heaven forbid if it rains-"
"We'll be good until sunset," Luna told her.
Hermione glanced at her, then let out a shaky laugh. "I hope you're right."
Together, they moved about Hermione's tiny house. Hermione finished vacuuming, then started on the vegetables as Luna hummed to herself as the dishes scrubbed themselves. As the last pan moved to dry, Luna turned to Hermione. "Now, go upstairs, take a shower, and get yourself ready." She gave her a gentle push out of the kitchen. "I'll make dessert."
Hermione looked at her suspiciously. "Nothing too crazy, Luna."
Luna smiled. "Just a simple pie. Something that tastes of summer. Now go!"
Hermione bit her lip, hesitating, then sighed and sniffed herself, realizing she did, in fact, need a shower.
Fresh from her shower, dressed in a sweater dress, Hermione checked her slow cooker to make sure the pulled pork was getting close to being finished. Opening the oven, she cancelled her warming charm and pulled the Shepherd's pie out. Taking the macaroni and cheese out of the fridge, she placed it into the oven and reset the timer. Glancing at the note on the refrigerator, Luna told her that she ran home to get ready, but biscuits and two pies were on her kitchen table. Glancing over, Hermione was relieved to see that it was chocolate chip cookies, and the pies appeared to be treacle and another with some kind of berries.
Taking the handful of toys that Rosella wouldn't miss for the day outside, she transfigured them into picnic tables in her back garden. She was arranging them when the first crack of apparition echoed behind her, and she looked behind her to see Ron with a bag of Butterbeer that he said he would bring as Luna appeared next to him.
"Brought the good stuff," Ron told her as he followed her inside the house with Luna trailing behind them.
"Put it in the fridge, I'm keeping the food in here so that insects don't get into it," Hermione said as she glanced at Luna, "Thank you for the pies."
"I hope you like them," Luna said as she came over to her. "What else needs to be done?"
"Just taking all the food to the table," Hermione told her as the floo lit up and Fleur exited with Victoire.
"Rosie?! Where's Rosie?" Victoire asked.
"My Mummy and Daddy are bringing her from school, but you can go outside and play," Hermione told her as Bill came through, holding Dominque.
"Yeah!" Victoire yelled, taking off out of the backyard.
Hermione grinned at Fleur. "I put the perimeter fence spell up."
"Bless you," Fleur said as she set sausage rolls on the table, "' Ello. Do you need any more 'elp?"
"Sausage rolls," Hermione groaned. "Didn't even think of those. No, everyone is bringing something."
The timer went off, and she pulled the macaroni out of the oven and set it on the stove next to the slow cooker. "We just wait until everyone arrives. Let's head outside. It's warm in here because of the oven."
With a series of pops, the next set of Weasleys to arrive were Fred and George, with Angelina behind them.
"Smells brilliant, Hermione," Fred said as he kissed her cheek and brought the rolls inside. Angelina followed close behind with some sweet potatoes.
When they returned, Molly and Arthur exited the house with them. "Oh, Hermione, dear, I wish you had let me host," Molly said as she hugged her.
"I had help," Hermione assured her. "Luna came by earlier."
Molly patted her face, "Bless her. I left a pie inside. A cheesecake that I thought you would enjoy."
Hermione smiled, "Thank you, Molly."
"How are you doing?" Molly asked quietly as Arthur wandered away to watch Victoire.
Hermione let out a breath, "It's been a lot. It's all I've wanted since she was born, but it's hard too."
Molly pulled her into another hug. "If you need anything, you know I'm always here to talk."
"Thank you," Hermione said, trying not to cry.
She pulled away as Molly gasped. "He brought Michel."
Hermione turned around to see Charlie walk out of her house with a tall, tan man with messy dark hair, wearing a tank top that showed his muscles from working with the dragons. A dragon moved up and down his arm, stalking, and when it reached his shoulder, fire burst from its mouth toward a scar that was obviously a past burn.
Charlie walked over to her, his freckled face grinning as he picked her up and spun her around. "You have a type, my dear, might want to pick your chin off the floor."
Hermione smacked him as he set her down, "I do not."
"Tall, dark, and handsome, just saying. Michel, I would like you to meet Hermione," Charlie said as he put his arm around her shoulders.
Michel extended his hand with a grin. "Pleasure, I've heard many things, only good things. Mostly about how terribly organized you are."
"Only when I'm stressed," Hermione said as she shook his hand.
"Which is most of the time," Charlie laughed.
"I love your accent. Where are you from?" Hermione asked.
"Spain," Michel said as he kissed the back of her hand.
Fred and George came over and started nagging Charlie, as her parents walked around the side of her house with Rosella.
"Mumma!" She said as her tiny legs ran to Hermione and she picked her up, "I made playdough today. It's in my backpack."
"Thank you for letting me know that it's in there," Hermione said, looking at her Mum and Dad. "Thank you for picking her up today."
"No problem, darling," Briar Rose said as she looked around. "Who is that?"
Hermione bit her lip, "Michel, Charlie's boyfriend." She whispered, "Isn't he good looking?"
"Very," Briar Rose said as Camillo walked over.
"What are we whispering about?" Camillo asked, taking Rosella from Hermione as she reached out to him, giving him a big kiss on the cheek before climbing down and running off screaming for Victoire.
"Nothing," Hermione and Briar Rose said together, then laughed.
Briar Rose went over to greet Molly as her father found Arthur, and Hermione smiled, taking in her family, both born and found. Ron and George were already arguing about the upcoming Quidditch season, with Ron admitting that this was the Cannons' year with their recent trade. Fred was teaching Victoire and Rosella to juggle, and Camillo was trying to explain to Arthur the solar-powered fairy lights that Hermione had on the back patio.
A pop made Hermione's heart race as she turned around, then smiled when it wasn't Harry, but Ginny and Neville instead. Ginny looked radiant, her arm linked through Neville's as they walked over with the cooler for the beverages filled with ice.
"Glad you guys could make it," Hermione said as they walked over to her.
Ginny hugged her a little longer than typical, then sighed as she pulled away. "It's so good to see you. I've been wanting to visit the shop and come see you, but after the collision a couple of weeks ago, I've been down at home with this headache that never seems to want to go away."
Neville grinned, kissing her cheek as if he had a secret, "I told her she needs to take it easier."
Hermione grinned as George called Neville over and leaned in, "If there is a certain scent that might bother you, let me know. I also have water and fizzy drinks inside if you don't want Butterbeer."
Ginny stared at her, "What are you talking about?"
Hermione shrugged with a grin, "You know, with your concussion, certain smells might bother you, or the faint alcohol might… upset your stomach. You are practically glowing, though."
Ginny bit her lip, then smiled with tears slightly in her eyes. "Thank you."
Hermione nudged her with her elbow. "I'm here to listen."
Ginny blew out a breath. "Thanks."
Hermione turned to go back to the kitchen to make sure everything was ready to go as her back door opened again. She froze, her heart tight in her chest as she saw Harry standing just inside her house with Teddy. His dark hair loose, blowing slightly in the breeze as Teddy bounced on his toes next to him.
Andromeda had just stepped down onto her terrace with the air that only a Pureblood could hold. "Hermione, thank you for inviting us."
"Teddy!" Rosella shrieked as she came running across the garden, bringing a weird hush from her guest to the back garden.
Hermione exhaled, then smiled. "I'm so glad you could join us, Andromeda."
Andromeda walked over to her, "Please call me, Andi. Everyone else does."
Hermione nodded, then looked up at Harry as he walked up behind Andromeda, "Hey." She said softly.
"Hey," Harry said, his eyes not leaving hers.
"Daddy!" Rosella yelled, breaking the spell between them.
Harry dropped to a knee, catching her in his arms. "Hey, sweetheart." He pressed a kiss to the top of her curls before standing up as if he had done it all her life, balancing her on his arm as he listened to her rattle off about her day at school.
Hermione turned away from him, her throat tightening, to see that every eye in the back garden was on them. Molly was the first to move as Harry set Rosella back on the ground, and she ran off with Teddy and Victoire. Tears trailed down her aging face as she walked in front of him, looking up at him.
"Harry James Potter," she whispered, "Don't you ever disappear like that again."
Harry shook his head, "I don't plan on it."
Molly pulled him into a hug and broke the trance on everyone else, as Arthur walked over to him and shook his hand. "So good to see you, Harry, my boy."
"Good to see you too, Mr. Weasley," Harry replied.
George walked over with Angelina and Fred trailing behind, "Sorry about the nose, mate." George stated.
"I deserved it," Harry said, shaking his hand.
Fred grinned, his arm around Angelina's waist. "You definitely did."
"Good to see you, Angelina," Harry said.
"It's good to have you back. Now maybe the teams won't get blown out of the water when we play pickup Quidditch," Angelina remarked.
Harry barked out a laugh, "I don't know about that. I'm rusty."
Charlie walked over next with Michel. "You were a hard man to track down, Potter. I'd like to introduce you to Michel. Michel, this is Harry."
Harry shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, Michel."
"You as well. Glad to see the ever-elusive Harry that Charlie has told me about," Michel stated.
Bill walked over next. "I've heard things, Harry, in my world. Let's talk."
Harry nodded, "I agree. I have a lot of questions, but not here." Harry said as he looked at Dominque in Bill's arms, "Who is this?"
"This is Dominque, and my little girl, Victoire, is playing with Rosella and Teddy right now," Bill told him.
"Shite," Harry said, running his hand through his hair, "When did we all grow up?"
Harry bent down to hug Fleur as she opened her arms to him and kissed his cheek. "You look well, 'Arry. We 'ave missed you."
Harry looked pained for a moment, "I missed everyone else, too." He told them as Victoire ran over.
"Maman, can I climb the tree?" Victoire asked.
"Rosella Lily! What did I say about climbing trees?" Hermione asked.
Rosella rolled her eyes, "No."
Victoire looked at Harry, "Maman says you fought a dragon once with her."
Harry crouched in front of her, "Wasn't exactly fighting it, more trying not to get eaten by it, but don't tell Teddy that. He wants one as a pet."
Victoire laughed as she ran back over to Teddy and Rosella.
The rest of the family moved off to talk amongst themselves as Andromeda reintroduced herself to them, and the children's giggles filled the air.
Harry let out a breath as Ginny walked over with Neville following her.
"You're an arsehole, you know," Ginny said, folding her arms over her chest.
Harry nodded. "I know, Ginny, and I'm sorry… for how I left things." His eyes flicked over to Hermione briefly before looking at Ginny. "For how I left everyone."
Ginny sighed. "Just don't vanish again. Some of us are finally able to breathe again."
Harry frowned. "I won't."
She nodded, then turned to Neville, who took her hand.
"I heard congratulations are in order," Harry said.
Neville froze, "What did you hear?"
Hermione tried not to grin as Harry looked at him, "You two are married… right?"
Ginny hit Neville in the stomach as he blushed. "Yes, and thank you for the gift."
Harry shrugged, "It was the least I could do. It's an indigenous Mayan tradition for newlyweds. Their shaman, the ticitl, blessed it in a fertility ritual for a happy life."
Neville looked at him wide-eyed, then at Ginny as she smiled. "Thank you, come on, Neville."
Harry glanced at Hermione as it was just the two of them again, "She's pregnant, isn't she?" he whispered.
"I think that just confirmed my suspicions," Hermione stated with a sigh. "You got them a gift?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, it was for you and Ron when I thought the two of you were married, but I sent it to them when I found out it was Ginny who got married instead."
"That went better than I thought it would," Hermione said as Ron yelled Harry's name, and Harry glanced at Hermione. "Go, I have to go make sure the food is ready for everyone."
"Do you need help?" Harry asked, turning to her.
"No, go. I'll be fine," Hermione told him, "They are all so glad to see you."
Harry nodded, "We need to talk tonight, though."
Hermione's stomach dropped. "Did they find someone?"
Harry nodded, "I was there earlier with my solicitor discussing it. We have to figure things out," he told her as Ron called for him again. "I'm coming!"
"Go," Hermione told him, swallowing hard.
Harry nodded as he walked off toward Ron, Luna, and Neville.
Hermione glanced down at the picnic tables from where she sat, to see the Weasley family getting along and eating. The tables were filled with plates of various dishes, and conversation flowed easily as she slid into her spot beside Harry. Rosella sat beside him on his other side, talking about the garden gnome that she had seen earlier, while Ron sat on her other side with Luna. Across the table sat Andromeda and Teddy, along with her parents, who listened to Andromeda talk about her practitioner's office.
The soft hum of conversations filled the garden as Hermione glanced at Rosella, to see her stirring her macaroni and cheese into her pulled pork. "Eat the sausage roll too, honey," Hermione told her, "It's good."
Rosella frowned, her little nose scrunching. "It's too big. I'd choke."
Harry and Ron both reached for it, knives in hand. "Let me-" they said, then froze.
Hermione's gaze flicked between them as the tension at the table rose. Ron cleared his throat, cutting the roll into smaller bits. "I got you, Rosie, honey."
Harry hesitated, then slowly set his knife down.
Dinner continued, Rosella keeping the table light. Fred cracked jokes that made George snort wine out of his nose, and Luna passed around her moon-berry salad that only Teddy seemed to enjoy. Molly fussed over everyone, while Ginny picked at her food, stepping away twice to use the bathroom.
Harry tried to catch up with Ron and Luna about W3s and the pet shop, then discussed Camillo and Briar Rose's plans, now that they were back. Everything seemed to be settled until Rosella, who hadn't had a nap, started leaning on Ron. Ron pushed the rest of her macaroni closer to her, telling her to have four more bites since she was four.
Hermione watched Harry swallow hard, trying not to watch them. As the laughter between Teddy and Rosella grew again to giggles, Harry excused himself from the table. She watched him slowly walk, his hands in his pockets, back into her house. Waiting a few moments, she stood, wiping her hands, and walked back into her house.
Outside, the darkness was growing, but inside, the light was softer, and the noise outside had muffled as Hermione found him standing at the kitchen sink, staring out the window toward the garden. His shoulders hunched, and when he heard her enter, he turned slightly, and she caught him quickly, swiping a hand over his eyes.
"You okay?" she asked.
Harry inhaled, his jaw tense. "Yeah," he said, then shook his head. "No, I… I just needed a moment."
Hermione's heart sputtered at his face. "This is about Ron and Rosella, isn't it?"
Harry bit his lip and looked at his trainers. "I was gone. I get it," he said softly. "But seeing him just… know her, how she eats, when she's getting tired, the way she tilts her head just before she is going to say a little fib…. Fuck, Hermione…" his voice broke as his fingers curled around the counter edge. "It was Kingsley. Through an elf."
Her stomach dropped. "What?"
"From what Kraglin's investigation found," Harry said, his voice tinged with anger, "Our mail, every letter that I wrote, or you wrote. Every letter going to me, and probably you, was first going through one of Dumbledore's old elves. A personal one, that after he passed, was… reassigned to Kingsley."
Hermione clenched her jaw. "So, it was Kingsley all along."
"Yep," Harry said, letting out a hollow laugh, as he ran his hand down his face. "He intercepted everything. Every time I thought about coming home, Kingsley would tell me about some brilliant new healer, therapy, or experiment I should see. I thought he was helping me." His voice cracked. "But he was keeping me away."
Hermione stepped closer, "Harry…"
Harry looked up at her, his eyes dark with pain. "That should be me out there, Hermione. Knowing how she likes her meat cut. Reminding her to take small bites. I should've been me."
"It will be," Hermione told him. "Just give it some time. You also have to understand that, from the moment she was born, he has been there for us. He can be an annoying git, a bit overbearing because of Molly, but he is her godfather. It would be like Sirius to you if he weren't in Azkaban all those years. He was the closest male she had in her life. He helped us more than I can even explain. The Weasleys gave us a roof over our heads, food in our bellies… I know outside of my parents, they are the people I can depend on no matter what. Yes, Ron can be a royal arsehole too, but Rose loves him a lot."
Harry swallowed hard, squeezing his eyes shut. "I'm so sorry, Hermione."
She bit her lip. "You know I've forgiven you."
"I should've come home," he whispered. "I should have known. Every time I said I was ready to come back, he… he found another reason to keep me away. I should've seen it. I should have known it was wrong."
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, her chest aching at his heartbreak. When she opened them again, she saw him, not the war hero, not the grown adult, not even the father, but the little boy that had been locked in the cupboard under the stairs. "We have the rest of our lives now," she told him softly. "You're already her favourite person, Harry. Just… give it time."
Harry let out a shaky breath. "Time," he echoed.
Hermione stepped closer and brushed her hand against his. "Come on, I bet she talked Ron into letting her go play. I don't see her at the table anymore."
Luna had been right, and right around eight, there had been a brief rain shower that had come out of nowhere, cooling the air and leaving it damp while it soaked the grass. Teddy, Rosella, and Victoire had played in the rain until they were soaked, making everyone smile as they shrieked with laughter, stomped in the puddles it created, and chased each other. Luna had even joined them under the grey sky until the clouds retreated as the sun set on the horizon, giving them a beautiful sunset. The rest of the adults sat under the awning over her back terrace, while Molly and Arthur retreated to the safety of the Burrow.
After drying the kids, Bill had flooed home for their tent and came back, setting it up. After the exciting evening, all three were asleep in the tent. Teddy sprawled on his back, Rosella with her hand on his arm, and Victoire's little blond head tucked under his chin. Dominque was beside the adults in Rosella's old Moses basket, sound asleep as well.
The adults had gathered around Hermione's firepit, the flames dancing in the dark, casting a warm glow on all their faces as they sat in their transfigured chairs around the fire.
Bill leaned back in his chair, his arm around Fleur as she sat in his lap, looking across the flames to Harry. "So, Harry, where all did you visit?"
Harry, who was sitting closest to Hermione, stared at the fire. "I started at Durmstrang. Only for a short time, before moving into the Scandinavian mountains. The plan was to come home after that."
"What changed?" Neville asked, rubbing Ginny's leg as she leaned against him.
Harry hesitated. "I was at their Ministry, and I ran into Viktor of all people."
Ron sat up, "Krum?"
Harry nodded. "He asked if I was coming home to see Hermione and Ron's baby, 'Rose Veasley, '" he said, mimicking Viktor's accent.
Fleur gasped, "You thought she was Ron's?"
Harry nodded once. "Yeah, and I… panicked. I thought Hermione had actually moved on, so I wrote to Kingsley, telling him I wanted to keep traveling and see the world. He already had another destination lined up for me because he figured I would, and that it would broaden my healing expertise. Should have known it was too convenient." Hermione watched him as he took a slow sip of his beer. "From there, I went to the Pyrenees Mountains."
"You were at Beauxbatons?" Fleur asked, leaning forward.
"Briefly," Harry said, "Mostly working with healers, herbalists, learning herbal lore that goes back centuries. After that, I went to Egypt." Harry looked at Bill, "I know you lived there for a while, but the magic feels alive there. I swear I could feel it coming from the pyramids."
"Locals believe magic started in Egypt," Bill said as Fleur leaned back into him.
"I could see it. From there, I went to Uganda, then I went to Siberia, where I trained at Koldovstorez School." He let out a scoff, "That's when I should've realized Kingsley was trying to get rid of me. The place is practically in the Arctic Circle."
George frowned. "Who's trying to get rid of you?"
Hermione saw the muscle in Harry's jaw twitch. "Kingsley," he said quietly, "From what we understand, he's been trying to keep me away from here."
Fred sat up straighter. "Why would the Minister want you gone?"
Harry's eyes flickered between everyone. "Control. He's built the government on a certain balance, one that… my return could upset. I think he wanted to make sure I never returned long enough to cause trouble for him," he paused, "And I was too trusting to question it."
The fire crackled between them, briefly popping, making the growing silence seem louder.
"After Siberia," Harry continued, "I came home briefly. Saw Andi, and Kingsley had my next Portkey ready the next day. I barely had time to handle Gringotts' business. Another red flag."
Hermione's fingers tightened around her warm mug as she sipped on her tea.
"I went to India next," Harry said, "That one fit me the best. I learned about meditation, yoga, and the importance of balance. It changed me. Then I came home for a few days around Christmas. I went to Diagon Alley, and that's when I saw…" He trailed off, looking at Hermione, "The Lily Pad."
Hermione frowned. "You never told me that."
Harry looked at his bottle. "I saw you and Ron dancing inside. I thought you were…" He laughed, "I thought you were together, and I was a jealous fool."
Ron scoffed, "What? Why would we have been dancing?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "It was the day of Greyback's conviction!" she groaned.
"So, I handled business at Gringotts, stopped at the Burrow, but no one was home, so I left a gift under the tree, and I left. I went east to China. That's where I finally became a full Healer. They called me the 'Emerald Healer.' They even fixed my eyesight," Harry stated.
Fred grinned, "So that's how you are without the famous frames."
Harry chuckled. "From China and Asia, I went to Australia. That's where I found Briar Rose and Camillo, by pure chance. After that, I crossed the ocean to America. I never realized how massive it was. I planned to hike it, but that didn't last long. I went from Washington to California, worked with healers there." He paused, "That's where I met Melinda."
Ginny looked at him. "Your fiancée?"
Harry nodded. "She was different. She is a yoga instructor. She was passionate about helping others, but we didn't connect during our time in California. Not until New York, at another retreat, months later. She reintroduced herself and asked if I was heading to Florida for the next one. I wasn't."
Hermione's stomach made a funny twist.
Harry continued, "Healers Without Borders found me in New York, and I signed on, but before I left for Texas, I came home again." He glanced in her direction, "I was at St. Mungo's when Rosella was brought in."
Ron's head snapped toward him. "Why didn't you say something?"
Harry looked at him, "I was jealous. I saw you two and thought… why disrupt that?" Hermione saw him swallow. "But I treated her."
Hermione blinked, "You what?"
"I treated her," Harry repeated, "She had a cut on her hairline, an abrasion on the back of her head. I healed both and used a swelling prevention charm I learned."
Hermione's throat tightened. "Harry…"
"She called me Daddy," he said, his voice hoarse. "But I thought she meant Ron. I didn't see her eyes. If I had, I'd have known."
The fire popped sharply, making everyone jump.
Harry exhaled. "I told St. Mungo's that I'd take the position this September as Chief Healer."
"That's awesome," Angelina stated.
Harry exhaled. "Then I left again. I went to Texas and then to Mexico. Melinda started traveling with us. When my contract ended, we were in the Amazon. After that, I went to Brazil. That's where I was when the Gringotts office there told me about the Remembrance Ball." He told everyone as he stared into the flames. "And I knew it was time to come home."
Charlie leaned forward. "So, you're staying?"
Harry nodded. "I am. I asked for the summer off to settle in and be here. Well, now to be with Rosella."
Ron grinned, "We call her Rosie, by the way. Easier for her."
Harry smiled. "Rosella is a Lily in Asia, Ron. Hermione named her after my Mum's family tradition. I love it."
Ron froze, "I didn't mean-"
"I'm just saying, it's perfect," Harry told him.
Hermione smiled, "It was Neville who found it, actually."
Harry turned to Neville, who shrugged. "I didn't know about your mum's family tradition. I just thought Hermione was honoring your friendship. Harietta would have been weird."
Harry nodded. "It's fitting for her. She has my pale skin, my mum's hair, and Hermione's freckles. It works."
Luna nodded, "Beautifully circular."
Ginny smiled, "So what about Melinda? When did you propose?"
Harry scratched the back of his neck as Hermione set her empty mug down. "Well… I didn't. She proposed to me."
Ron spit out his drink. "She what?!"
Harry groaned, "I knew you'd take the mickey out of me. I'd just read about the Remembrance Ball and saw something about the Weasley wedding. I thought-" He grimaced, "I thought it was you and Hermione's."
Ron burst out laughing. "You thought we were getting married? Blimey, mate. Have you been sniffing too many potion fumes?"
"I know how it sounds," Harry muttered, his ears visibly red in the firelight.
Hermione sighed. "I have told him that he should give it a chance. She followed him across the world, Ron. The least he can do is see it through."
Ginny snorted. "You're too good, Hermione."
Hermione glanced at Harry and met his gaze. His expression softened as their eyes met.
"That she is," he said quietly.
~*~ 10th May 2003 ~*~
Hermione pulled her blazer down as she followed Harry into Gringotts. It was early in the morning, and her parents had stayed the night so that she and Harry could meet the goblins and his solicitor before Gringotts officially opened. The marble lobby was eerily quiet as her heels clicked on the marble as they walked across the polished floors to where a pair of goblin guards stood.
Kraglin was awaiting them, "This way, Lord Potter, Miss Granger."
They were led down a corridor to a conference-style room. "Lord Potter, Miss Granger, this is Murgan. He is in charge of our legal department."
A woman stood and walked over to Hermione, "Hello, I am Olivia Stark, Mr. Potter's solicitor." She said, shaking Hermione's hand. "Mr. Potter gave me your correspondence that you saved, and those he had saved. From that alone, we have quite a foundation to proceed with."
Harry pulled a chair out for Hermione as everyone took a seat. "We have proof that our post, mine and Hermione's, was intercepted and altered more than once. Kraglin's investigation found that Kingsley was directing the entire thing through a single elf assigned to handle my mail."
"I've investigated it a bit," Hermione added, "It's both a Muggle and a Magical offense. It violates at least two UK laws and two Wizarding ones." She set her file folder down, and Olivia took it.
Olivia nodded, "You are correct with what you found, but we have to be very careful with this. We'll need to establish intent. The fact that he is Minister of Magic complicates things. It also makes the offense more aggravated."
Murgan leaned forward. "Gringotts takes interference with its clients' communications very seriously. The goblin nation will have its own penalties, if found, against the House of Shacklebolt. Still, as far as magical law, the Magical Postal Integrity treaty protects any correspondence sent between Gringotts and its clients."
"You're saying the bank can join the case?" Harry asked.
"Indeed," Murgan said, "Should your evidence hold, Gringotts can file a claim against the Ministry itself for a breach of magical treaty as he is serving as the head of the Ministry."
Hermione sat back, "That would strengthen our case in the eyes of the Wizengamot."
Olivia slid a paper forward. "With what we have alone, we could bring charges against him for the Postal Services Act of 2000, the Theft Act of 1968, and RIPA 2000. Each of these charges, for the multiple occurrences, carried a criminal penalty. With imprisonment, fines, or both." She looked at Murgan, "From what Murgan and I have discovered, magical statutes are even more damning."
"Law 455.15 of Wizengamot law, sections one and two cover unauthorized interception and tampering with the post. Together, they have penalties of up to four years in Azkaban. Section two holds a heavier offense because he altered your mail." Murgan stated, "As for law 63.4 section three, we could potentially get an additional five years because of the coercive deception regarding parentage."
Olivia looked at them, "Parentage?"
Harry sighed. "Kingsley knowingly manipulated the mail that told me about my daughter's birth and parentage."
Olivia looked at Murgan, "That qualifies as aggravated, and if we can prove he used his public office to do so…" Looking at them, she cleared her throat. "We will have to construct this case very carefully. You have more of a Wizengamot case, but we could take this to Muggle courts, but then we face the question of how to deal with it without the statute of secrecy."
Kraglin spoke up. "Do you intend to pursue compensation?"
Harry shrugged. "What compensation can you get for missing the first four years of my daughter's life? I just want the truth to be made public, I want it known what he did to me, to Hermione, to our daughter, and… for him to pay. He shouldn't be in office, because what else has he done if he is doing this to us?"
"We need to make sure no one else has had their lives rewritten in this," Hermione stated.
Murgan folded his hands in front of his face. "Gringotts will provide documentation of all correspondence logged under your vault's communication. If there are missing entries, we can proceed."
Hermione sighed, "I don't understand how or why he did this? To gain power politically? We were 17 and 18."
"And war heroes that lived in the Muggle world, Miss Granger, which is so much more progressive than the wizarding one. Minister Shacklebolt was raised in the magical world," Olivia stated.
"And was being controlled by Dumbledore even from the grave," Harry sighed.
Murgan looked at him sharply, "What is this?"
"Dumbledore and Kingsley, before his death, made a plan that if I were to win and defeat Voldemort, I would have too much political clout, too much power in our world, so he was to make sure I was gone," Harry told him.
Murgan glanced at Kraglin, who nodded. "I have seen the memory of the Minister stating this. It is on record."
Murgan looked at Olivia, "That is interesting."
"We will work together and draft an initial petition through the weekend. We will have you sign it before I bring it to the Wizengamot's Ethics and Oversight Committee myself. Out of the eight members, we should have at least half on our side. If they accept it, they will review it and bring charges against the Minister."
Harry looked over at her, "No one is immune."
After their meeting was dismissed, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm as everyone walked past them. "Harry, we know the junior lieutenant of the Magical Law Enforcement."
Harry frowned, "We do?"
"Susan Bones," Hermione grinned, "She followed in her aunt's footsteps. Do we go to her?"
Harry sighed, "What if she is loyal to him?"
Hermione shook her head, "I don't think she would."
"Let's see what they come up with, and before he is served, we'll talk to her. She would be part of the charges, possibly," Harry told her.
Hermione nodded.
"Now come on," Harry said as he threw his arm around her shoulders. "Let's get ready to take our daughter and my godson to the zoo."
Hermione shook her head, "I don't think you realized what you signed up for, Harry."
Harry laughed, "How hard can it be to take two kids to the zoo?"
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, laughing, "Just you wait."
Together, they exited Gringotts, and Harry looked around as people were now slowly starting to venture into the Alley. Seeing W3s in the distance, Harry looked at Hermione, "I have a weird question."
"What is that?" Hermione asked as they started walking toward the Lily Pad.
"Since when have Angelina and George been together?" Harry asked, "I thought she was with Fred?"
Hermione paused and stared at him, "She is with Fred."
Harry shrugged, "I came inside to use the loo and found her and George snogging on the wall." Harry pointed at his ear, "You know, holey and all, it was definitely George."
Hermione gasped, "Oh my god, do you think…"
Harry barked out a laugh, "Well, they do share everything now, don't they?"
Hermione grabbed his arm as they walked further down the Alley, "Oh my God… my mind is blown. They have even said it! They told Molly that they were dating someone, and she asked why they never brought them over. They even asked her why she thought it was more than one witch! Oh, Merlin."
Harry snorted as he put his arm around her neck, "Oh, sweet and innocent Hermione, polygamy is more common than you think. Especially in the magical worlds. I saw a lot of sister wives in my travels."
Hermione looked at him wide-eyed, "You don't ever want to do that… do you?"
Harry shook his head, "No, darling," he said as it rolled off his tongue, making something inside Hermione do a flip, "If and when we get together again, you are enough woman for me."
Hermione swallowed hard as she fumbled with her keys at the door to the Lily Pad, making Harry laugh. "Laugh it up, that was rude."
~*~ 30th May 2003 ~*~
27 days. It had been 27 days since Harry had walked back into their lives, and Hermione still wasn't sure when the strangeness of it all would wear off. Hermione padded into her kitchen, looking out the window at the brightening sky as she started the coffee pot. Maybe it was the fact of how easily he had fit into their lives, and into her life, how she knew, nearly as soon as the coffee started percolating, that the sound of the Floo igniting would happen in her sitting room. Harry would slip in, fully dressed and ready for the day.
He would make Rosella an omelet and toast, just the way she liked it. He even slipped diced ham or sausage into it, and she would actually eat it. After breakfast, Harry's low, calming voice would motivate Rosella through brushing her teeth and getting ready for the day. From there, the three of them would be out the door, on time, and not arriving at the door of her school minutes before the day started.
He had learned their morning routine so well that it was disorienting, as if he'd always been there. She would go to work, and he would go to be with HER, then at bedtime he would return. Sometimes at dinner. Except for last night. Last night, he sent a text, saying he couldn't come, but to continue reading Rosella's favourite book for him.
As the coffee started pouring into the pot, her floo lit up just like clockwork.
Hermione tried not to grin. "Coffee is just getting started."
"Thank God."
Hermione turned around to see Harry standing in the doorway of her kitchen, wearing the same outfit he had been wearing when she had gone to work the day before. Dark circles were under his eyes, and he looked like he had been up all night, "Harry." Setting down her mug, Hermione padded over to him and touched his face. "What happened?"
Harry squeezed his eyes shut. "She was in on it all along."
/ \/ <3 / \/ 29th May 2003 / \/ <3 / \/
The restaurant was warm, crowded, and the hum of conversation was buzzing in his ears as his thoughts ran through his head. He'd spent all day with his solicitor trying to formulate the plan. Tomorrow was the day, the day that the goblins and his solicitor would march upon the Wizengamot Ethics Committee meeting and drop the damming evidence against Kingsley.
He stared down at his plate, pushing a piece of chicken across it with his fork while Melinda talked animatedly about something that she had read in a magazine earlier in the day.
"… and apparently, she's been seen again with that weird singer from the Weird Sisters," Melinda stated, her bracelets making him glance at her as they clinked as she gestured wildly. "I read about it in Witch Weekly, in this cute little bookshop that I sat in nearly all day with adorable kitties that I found downtown. What was it called… the Lily Pond or something-"
Harry's fork stilled, as his stomach twisted.
"The Lily Pad?" he asked.
Melinda blinked, "Yes, that's it. Why?"
Harry lifted his eyes from his plate. "That's Hermione's store."
For a moment, Melinda's mouth hung open, then she sighed, setting her fork down with a clatter on her plate. "It always comes back to her, doesn't it?"
Harry frowned. "That's not fair, Melinda."
"Fair?" she said, her voice becoming sharp. "Harry, I left my family in New York for you! I followed you to Texas-"
Harry's chair scraped against the floor as he sat back, staring at her. "Wait. You followed me to Texas? You told me we met there by chance."
Melinda froze, looking away from him. "I didn't mean it like that, I just-"
Harry dropped his napkin on the table. "No, you did mean that." Standing up, he pulled out his wallet, throwing a handful of bills onto the table, far more than he knew the meal cost. "We're done here."
"Harry!" Melinda stood as he stormed toward the exit, her heels clicking across the tile behind him.
But he didn't stop. As he pushed open the doors, the cooling night air hit him, the smell of rain on the asphalt assaulting his senses as he crossed the wet car park. He was halfway across when her voice caught up to him.
"Harry, listen to me!"
He spun around, his jaw tight. "Tell me the truth."
Melinda froze. "I… I always have."
Harry looked at her. His healer training had sharpened his senses. Her breathing was uneven, her pupils were wide, and in the dim light, he could see her pulse hammering at her throat. "Your eyes are dilated. Your carotid's fluttering," he said quietly. "You're lying, and I know how to brew my own Veritaserum to know for sure."
She gasped, stepping back. "You wouldn't-"
Harry stepped close to her, dropping his voice low. "Trust me, Melinda. There are many people who don't want to cross me right now. Don't make yourself one of them."
For a moment, the only sound was from car tyres on wet pavement, then Melinda's shoulders slumped. Her voice finally came as a whisper. "My grandparents knew Albus Dumbledore," she began. "They kept in touch even after the war. Kingsley came to America about ten years ago and stayed with them. He told my parents you'd be coming eventually, and that… you were fragile. It would be helpful if you had someone to keep you… sane."
Harry's chest tightened. "He sent you?"
"He asked me to meet you. The famous Harry Potter. To become your friend. That you were a loner and needed someone." Melinda bit her lip. "I swear, Harry… it became more than that. You're-"
"Don't," Harry said, holding a hand up, "Don't lie to me again."
Melinda's eyes filled with tears. "Please. I didn't mean to hurt you. I love you."
Harry stepped back, shaking his head. "No, you don't. You love the story. The idea of the man that Kingsley told you I was."
Melinda reached for his arm, and he stepped away from her. "Harry, please!"
"I want you out of my house," He told her, "By tomorrow."
"Harry, you can't just-"
"You can't fix this," Harry told her. "You betrayed me in the worst way."
Harry stepped back from her and turned on the spot, leaving Melinda standing alone in the middle of the parking lot.
~*~ 30th May 2003 ~*~
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Hermione asked gently.
Harry sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, I wandered for a bit, trying to get some clarity, I guess. I couldn't go back to Grimmauld. I didn't want to bother you, and the only other place I have is the Burrow…" he trailed off, "And I don't feel comfortable there."
Hermione nodded slowly. Glancing toward the stairs, she reached out and took his hand, "Come with me."
Harry followed her up the staircase, past Rosella's closed bedroom door. The soft sound of her snores came through it.
At the end of the hall, next to her own, Hermione pushed the door to open the guest room. The one that her parents used when they visited. After months of being closed, the smell of her lavender potpourri and parchment overwhelmed her. "It's not much," she told him softly. "And you'll have to excuse the mess. After Mum and Dad got the house, all my extra books started piling up in here." Hermione said, glancing at the full bookshelf that had also become piles on the floor. "But until she leaves… You can at least sleep here."
Harry frowned, "Hermione-"
"No, Harry," She said, "It's the least I can do. There should be shampoo in the shower. Take one, clean yourself up, and sleep before the meeting tonight."
Harry leaned against the doorway, "They told me it's better if I'm not there. My solicitor's taking all the evidence to the Ethics Committee. They'll contact me once the review starts."
"That's probably wise," she said quietly, "But you are falling asleep standing up. Go rest."
Harry hesitated for only a moment. "You're right," he said quietly. "You always are."
Harry stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. It wasn't romantic, but the weight of everything sat heavily between them.
"Thank you," he murmured into her hair.
Hermione swallowed and nodded against his shoulder. "I'll see you when I get home."
She stepped back, and he stepped into the room, gently shutting the door. She stood there for a moment, listening to the muffled sounds on the other side of the door. Then she sighed as she heard Rosella moving around in her own room, knowing she needed to get ready for the day.
Her computer screen came to life, casting a pale glow across her desk.
"He what?" Regina asked. "Harry Fucking Potter… the boy who lived, the man who conquered is in your bedroom right now?"
"He isn't just Harry Potter. This is Harry, the boy who saved me from a troll, the one who saved me from death in our second year, who trusted me in our third year, and protected me from the press in our fourth. That trusted me to help him run a revolution in our fifth… who was always there when I needed him," Hermione told her.
"Until he wasn't and gallivanted around the world," Regina stated.
Hermione winced, "He is asleep in my guest room," she admitted. "Turns out… Melinda was working with Kingsley. Harry's solicitor is taking everything to the Committee today."
Regina shook her head. "Merlin's fucking left bollock, Hermione. When this scandal hits. Harry's not going to be able to go anywhere without being mobbed. The press will crucify everyone involved. They might even show up at your door."
Hermione's throat tightened as she brought up the budget reports. "It needs to come to light, Regina. All of it. What Kingsley did. The letters, the interference. It's gone on too long. And yes…" Her eyes flicked to the framed photograph of Rosella on her desk. "It's going to cause a scandal."
Regina frowned. "What do you mean?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "Because when it all comes out… so will the truth about Rosella's father."
"Bloody hell," she whispered. "Hermione, the press is going to eat that child alive. We have to protect her."
"We will," Hermione said quietly. "Whatever happens next, we'll protect her."
Preview of Chapter 34 – When Did You Get Hot?
The cold floor awakened a kind of urgency that happened first in the morning. Groaning, Hermione walked to the adjoining bathroom, opened the toilet, tugged her shorts down, and sighed in relief.
Still half asleep, she flushed, stood, and started washing her hands, only to freeze at the reflection of someone moving in the mirror.
Blurred, but unmistakable through her nearsighted vision, was the reflection of a very bare, very toned man turned away from her. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw the unmistakable shape of Harry Potter's back, and below that, his very bare buttocks, which were most definitely not wearing a towel.
Her brain caught up as she turned away. "Harry!" she yelped, covering her eyes with her wet hands.
"You didn't see me when you came in!" He said, his voice muffled toward the door.
"I don't have my glasses on, and I'm half asleep," Hermione blurted, mortified as she opened her fingers to look between them.
Harry grabbed a towel from the rack, wrapping it around his body before daring to turn around. "You wear glasses?"
"Yes!" Hermione said her voice was much too high. Realizing that her hands were still wet and that there was no towel to dry them on, she wiped them on her pyjamas, smearing water across her chest. "Years of reading tiny print caught up with me."
"Right. Makes sense," he said, nodding too much.
"Okay, well… sorry!" she squeaked before darting out of the bathroom and slamming the door behind her.
She leaned back against it, her face burning at how warm it was, "Oh shit," she whispered to herself, as she bit her lip. "I'm not going to survive this."