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.
Remember when,
Never needed each other.
The best of friends,
Like sister and brother.
We understood,
We'd never be alone.
Those days are gone,
Now I want you so much.
The night is long,
And I need your touch.
Don't know what to say.
Never meant to feel this way.
Don't want to be,
Alone tonight.
What can I do to make you mine?
Falling so hard, so fast, this time.
What did I say?
What did you do?
How did I fall in love with you?
~ How Did I Fall In Love With You? By the Backstreet Boys
~*~ 10th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione stood behind the counter of the Muggle side of the Lily Pad, her pen in her mouth as she reviewed the parchment list in her hands. Monthly, the various publishers would send their updated lists of upcoming releases, reprints, and on the magical side, the upcoming Hogwarts lists, so that she could budget and plan which books to stock. Removing the pen from her mouth, she circled the new Care of Magical Creatures text so that she would remember to order it, then moved on to the upcoming releases section. As her eyes scanned across the third book listed, her blood ran cold.
The Last Blood War: What Really Happened with the Order and Dumbledore's Army
By Rita Skeeter
"Jesus fucking Christ," she swore, the pen dropping out of her mouth onto the counter.
Megan, who was fixing the display of children's books in the window, looked over at her. "What's wrong?"
Hermione threw the parchment down and glanced around the shop. Two Muggles were near the café in the cookbook section.
"Fucking Rita," Hermione muttered. "That is all."
Regina's head poked out from the next aisle, "What's she doing now?"
Hermione slid the parchment across the counter as Regina walked over, and she scanned it.
A slow grin grew on Regina's face, "Of course she did. Harry's back, she's gotta capitalize on it when he's hot again." She said, setting the parchment down. "And she knows that she can't make money through the Prophet anymore now that Harry owns it."
Hermione ran her hand down her face. "She's going to twist everything. Especially now that the trial happened and everything came to light."
Regina laughed, "Then Harry should write his own book."
Hermione blinked, "What?"
"I'm serious," Regina said, leaning on the counter, "Doesn't Luna's dad own the Quibbler? Have Harry write something. The truth only. Cut Rita off at the knees before she can lace up her designer boots."
Hermione bit her lip. "That's… actually an idea. I don't know if Harry would go for it, though."
Megan set down the extra books on the counter. "Wouldn't hurt to ask. You know that Luna would be all for it. She'd probably draw the cover herself."
Hermione snorted as her eyes drifted back to the parchment. Harry had spent his whole life being written about. Maybe it was time he finally got to write the truth, the truth in his way.
Hermione folded the parchment carefully and put it in her to-do organizer.
After finishing up her to-do list at work, Hermione realized it was nearly 17:30. "Michael, I'm leaving for the day. When Megan returns, can you let her know?" she asked one of the employees.
He nodded, "Gave a great night, boss."
Heading towards her office, she climbed the stairs and double checked her e-mails on her computer. After answering a few of them, she shut the computer down and then headed towards the fireplace. "Grimmauld Place!" Hermione stated, throwing the floo powder down.
The moment she stepped through the other side, she was nearly run over by Teddy and Rosella as they ran past.
"Don't run in the house!" Hermione yelled after them.
Kreacher popped in front of her, "Mistress, I already told them. Theys don't listen to Kreacher."
Hermione smiled at him, "Well, I appreciate the attempt. At least they are having fun." Something shattered upstairs, and Kreacher popped away. Hermione paused, listening for crying, and when she didn't hear it, she continued to the kitchen, where she found Harry and Andi.
"Turns out she has this blood affliction," Harry told Andi as he saw her walk in and stood up to hug her. "Hey, how was your day?"
Hermione let him pull her into his arms and sighed. "Better now that I'm with you. Remind me, we have something to talk about."
Andromeda looked between them. "Shite, you're pregnant already?"
Harry choked on the tea that he had just taken a sip of as Hermione gasped. "No!"
Andromeda laughed, "But look at your faces."
Harry cleared his lungs, "Lord, Andi."
Andi grinned as she walked over to the stove, "Just saying, you two make cute babies."
Hermione shook her head, looking at Harry, "No, it's because there is a new release coming out. Another Rita book."
"Shite, what is she lying about now?" Harry asked, pulling out her chair for her, then pouring a cup of tea for her.
"The Last Blood War: What Really Happened with the Order or some crap like that," Hermione said, rolling her eyes, "In other words, half-truths and lies."
"Or the truth that she overheard or from the trial and got nosy," Andi stated.
"Yeah," Hermione said as she sipped her tea, "Ooh, this is a good one. What is it?"
Harry grinned over his cup, "Hibiscus and rose hips. I got it from Neville. He might sell it, we are thinking about calling it Love Spell."
Hermione chuckled, "Needs something fruity. Maybe cherry or orange," she said as Andi put the lid on the pot.
"So, what are we going to do about the book?" Andi asked.
Hermione looked at Harry, "Well, I have an idea."
Harry leaned back in his chair. "And what is that?"
"We write our own story, with Luna's dad's help," Hermione suggested.
Harry shook his head, "No," as he stood up.
Hermione looked up at him, "As Regina put it, cut her off at the knees before she can put out the lies. I'm not saying we put out a book. Maybe just an exclusive edition of the Quibbler." She told him, watching him pace.
"No," he said, running his hand through his hair. "Absolutely not."
Andromeda leaned against the counter, her arms crossed over her chest, studying him. "You're rejecting it awfully fast, Harry. I think it's a sound idea."
Harry stopped and looked at her, "I've spent my whole life under a microscope, Andi. Written about, my words twisted. I don't want to give Rita, or anyone else, more to write about."
Hermione looked at him, "That's why it would be better."
Harry looked at her, "Hermione-"
"No, just hear me out, okay?" She said, "This won't be a tell-all. It's not sensationalism. It wouldn't even be a book. It's your voice, your truth. No speculation."
"And it will cut into her money," Andromeda added, "Which would just stab Rita in the back."
Harry sat down with a huff, "She'll still find a way to spin it."
Hermione shrugged, "Then let her. If she contradicts you, she looks like a liar. If she doesn't, her book loses credibility. Either way, the truth is out there. If we get it out before the 1st of September, we beat her."
A crash echoed from upstairs, followed by laughter and Rosella screaming, "I won!"
Kreacher popped in, "Mistress Black, the children broke the picture of Master Phinneas Black."
"Good," Hermione and Andromeda said at the same time, then they laughed.
Harry pinched his nose. "Is anyone bleeding?"
"No, Master Harry," Kreacher said, "But Kreacher's patience is."
"You do a wonderful job with them," Hermione told them.
Kreacher gave her a small smile before popping away.
Harry sank into a chair across from Hermione, "I don't even know where to start."
Hermione reached across the table and took his hand. "You start with what you remember. I can help you organize it. Dates, events, we have my whole store as a reference."
Andromeda nodded, "And if Xenophilius publishes it through the Quibbler, it's independent and protected."
Harry glanced at her, "So you think this is a good idea?"
"I do," Andromeda stated.
Harry looked at Hermione. "An exclusive," he said slowly, "One issue… maybe two. No more than that."
Hermione nodded, "That's what I'm suggesting."
Feet skidded to a stop, and Teddy came into view as he slid on his bottom down the stairs. "Oof, um, is dinner done? Rose is hungry."
Andromeda laughed, "Five more minutes."
Harry sighed as Teddy left, "We'll talk to Luna and see if she will talk to her dad. He technically owes us for nearly getting us killed."
Hermione snorted, "I told him that was an Erumpent Horn! But no! It was a Crumple-Horned Shortstack or whatever they call it."
Harry smiled, "I think it was a Snorkack."
"It's imaginary, more like it," Hermione huffed, making Harry laugh.
"Don't tell Luna that," Harry told her.
~*~ 12th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione was on a step ladder, shelving a stack of paperbacks, when she heard Harry's voice on the Muggle side of the shop.
"Hi, sorry. I'm looking for Hermione Granger. Do you know where she is hiding today?"
Debra, their newest hire, gasped. "Oh! She's… oh hi.. she's… ugh… in the stacks? Or the stock room. Or the office. She moves a lot," she said nervously.
Hermione smiled as she climbed down and peeked out around the end of the aisle. "Here I am."
Harry turned around, "Hey. Thanks."
Brushing the tiny bits of paper from the new books off her trousers, she walked over to him. "How did the interview go?"
Harry exhaled, "It was an interview. No Quick-quotes quill, so that already puts it above my previous interview experiences."
"Low bar set, but progress," Hermione stated.
Harry looked around the shop and saw the cart she was working with. "How much longer do you think you'll be?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "I can wrap whenever. Why?"
He grinned. "I've got a surprise for you. Before our date."
She checked her watch. "Any particular time?"
"17:00."
Hermione groaned, "Harry, that's twenty minutes from now. Is this a reservation?"
"It is," Harry nodded.
Hermione roughly grabbed her step ladder, folded it, and placed it back on her cart. "Harry, reservations are not flexible," she snapped.
Harry followed her with his hands in his pockets. "This one is flexible."
Hermione opened the stock room door and backed the cart into the stockroom. "A flexible reservation? Reservations aren't flexible, Harry James."
His grin widened. "I love it when you use my full name."
"Don't," she warned as she put the cart away and started towards her office, "Did you take Rose to the Burrow this morning?"
Harry scoffed, "I didn't even get her dressed before Molly was at the floo. She arrived just after you left."
Hermione shook her head, "They miss time with her," she said, climbing the stairs.
"I know," he said, leaning in the doorway of her office as she grabbed her purse. "They're better about boundaries. It's just… I'm back now, and they still expect her there all the time."
Hermione looked at him, "Harry, after the war, they took me in. When Rosella was born, I couldn't have done it without them, especially when the postpartum hit. They're not trying to overstep. They're adjusting."
He nodded, "That makes sense."
"They had to adjust when my parents came back," she added, putting her jacket on, "Now that you're back, there are just more people who love her. It's a good problem."
Harry smiled, "That's a good way to put it."
She grabbed her purse, "Alright, I'm ready. Where are we going?"
"The library," He said, his eyes bright, "The British Library at that."
Hermione gasped, glancing at her watch. "Harry, the library is a good half hour away by Underground!"
He laughed, stepping closer to her. "Hermione, breathe. We'll apparate to King's Cross and walk. It's not far."
She paused, then groaned. "Sometimes I forget I can do that."
Wrapping his arms around her waist, "That's my brilliant witch."
With a familiar squeeze, the Lily Pad vanished, and they landed on the familiar platform.
"Hmm… I always wondered if it just sat here until they needed it for Hogwarts," Harry stated, looking at the empty platform.
"It leaves every day at eight, and when it's not going to Hogwarts, it makes multiple stops. It doesn't have all its cars when it's not transporting students, so it goes faster," Hermione told him.
Harry grinned, "Of course you'd know that."
Hermione beamed, "Well, it is in Hogwarts: a History."
Once inside the British Library, they were guided past the public galleries and through a door marked "Staff Only". The temperature shifted, and the sound dulled as the librarian shut the door behind them.
"I am Alice Johnson," the librarian with silver hair greeted, "Mr. Potter. Ms. Granger, thank you for visiting us today. Follow me, and we will begin with the conservation wing."
Hermione was in awe throughout the tour, as, from corridor to corridor, they were shown private collections, watched how books were repaired, and the curator even recommended a rebinding system for Hermione to purchase for the store's older texts.
They were led to a room filled with glass cases, and Alice put on gloves. "Your name is Hermione, correct? By any chance is that from Shakespeare?"
Hermione nodded, "My father's side named their children all Shakespearean inspired names. His name is Camillo."
Alice smiled, "How fitting." Alice walked over to a glass case where a book lay open inside. A key panel lay beside it, and she entered a code, and the case hissed before it opened. "The Winter's Tale," she said quietly, "Handwritten by Shakespeare himself."
Hermione shoved her hands into her pockets to resist temptation as she stepped closer to the case. The paper was imperfect and turned to page 13.
HERMIONE
I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until
You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir,
Charge him too coldly. Tell him you are sure
All in Bohemia's well. This satisfaction
The bygone day proclaimed. Say this to him,
He's beat from his best ward.
Hermione laughed, her eyes solidly on the manuscript. "Apparently, my grandfather's favourite play was The Winter's Tale, and that's why they picked my name. My grandmother warned them that I was destined to be difficult and stubborn."
Harry snorted, and Hermione shot him a look. "Excuse me, but I'm sure Alice agrees, Hermione in the play is misunderstood."
"It's remarkable that all these years later, the names are returning," Alice stated, closing the case. "Now we will continue. We have a few private holdings that you may enjoy."
Hermione took Harry's hand, "Thank you," she whispered.
Harry kissed the top of her head, "I wanted to do something that is uniquely you, but this is just the start of it."
After walking back to the Lily Pad, Hermione locked the door behind them, "Thanks for coming back with me. I want to check a few things before I go home."
Harry shrugged, "No problem."
Hermione turned around, taking in the silence, "I think this is the fastest everyone has cleared out."
Harry took her hand, "Come on."
Hermione let him lead her up the stairs to the second floor. The moment she stepped into the children's section, she stopped short, a hand flying to her mouth.
The seating area was bathed in candlelight, giving the whole place a warm glow. The candles hovered safely over a thick blanket that had been laid out near the beanbags and Rosella's corner, which had plates and covered dishes on it. A bottle of wine was chilling in a bucket of ice.
Hermione turned to him, "When did you do this?"
Harry smiled. "Regina helped. I told her what I wanted it to look like, and she did it all while we were gone." His eyes swept the room. "You've made something beautiful here, Hermione. Truly. Just as wonderful as the British Library is."
She walked over to them and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you," She said, "This has been a wonderful date." Her hand slid down from his shoulder, resting on his chest, "So wonderful, that I think we can forget about the fourth date?"
Harry laughed quietly, catching her hand and lacing their fingers together. "Nope, I'm honouring the deal. Fourth date, Miss. Granger." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her neck.
"Harry," she murmured, her breath hitching in her throat.
He smiled against her skin, nipping lightly at her ear. "How do you want me to kiss you, kitten?" Hermione groaned. "I can be a gentleman… or I can be very not a gentleman."
Her answer was to wrap her arms around his neck, and he lifted her with ease, making her laugh. He caught her lips in his, and she made a breathless sound as he kissed her deeply. Suddenly, her back was against the shelves as their tongues battled for dominance.
Pulling back to breathe, he rested his forehead against hers. "Our first time together again will not be on the floor of your store. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves."
Hermione gasped as he pinned her arms over her head, "Harry," she groaned as his pelvis brushed against hers, "You are a damn tease!"
Harry chuckled as he set her down. "Just you wait. I think we'd better eat before the charms end."
She huffed, "Fine," as she walked over to the blanket and took the foil off the bottle, "Wine?"
"Absolutely," he said, grinning as he sprawled out his long frame as she poured.
They ate slowly, enjoying each other and the steak and potatoes provided, sharing bites and stories about the clinic, the store, and Rosella. When Harry took the lid off their dessert, he held out a forkful of cake for her. "Want to try?"
Hermione leaned in, taking the bite off the fork, her eyes fluttering closed, "Mmm, that is very good cake. Did Vivian make this?"
Harry nodded, "What does it taste like?"
Instead of answering, she climbed onto his lap and kissed him.
Harry groaned against her lips. "Mocha chocolate with a hint of you. My favourite."
She laughed as she took another bite and fed him.
"You two are closet freaky, aren't you?"
Hermione yelped, nearly falling into the cake as she jumped off Harry's lap. "Regina!"
Regina was grinning, leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "Yep, still here."
Hermione tugged her shirt down, mortified. "You can leave, you know."
Harry laughed, "Hermione!"
"I can close up the store," Hermione muttered, melting down beside Harry as he pulled her down.
Regina waved her off, "After you pack up and take all this home. I know how this goes, getting freaky on the beanbags. I went to university."
Hermione groaned, pressing her face into Harry's shoulder. "Let's just… go."
Harry flicked his wand, and everything neatly folded itself into the basket. The candles blew out and vanished.
Regina grinned as they stood. "Goodnight, I'll lock up."
"See you Monday," Hermione mumbled as Harry took her hand.
"Have fun," Regina added with a wink, "Use protection! Or not, you make cute babies."
"Regina! I-" Hermione said as Harry pulled her towards her office. "The gull of her."
Harry opened her office door, "You know that you secretly love her."
"Very secretly," Hermione said, tossing the floo powder into the flames. "Way down. Very, very deep down."
Harry laughed as she stepped into the fire, and her office disappeared.
Hermione turned to him as soon as he came through the floo in her sitting room, fisted his shirt, pulled him down to her, and kissed him as she walked backward toward the stairs.
"Nope," Harry said, laughing as he pulled back just enough to kiss the tip of her nose. "I'm sticking with my plan."
"Sod the plan, Harry," Hermione muttered, pouting.
He grinned. "You know you look exactly like Rosella when she doesn't get her way."
Hermione huffed and folded her arms beneath her chest to push up her breasts.
Harry's eyes flickered down for a second before snapping back up. "I see what you're doing," he said, smiling, "And while your… tactics are impressive, they are not working. Next time, my dear."
She sighed dramatically, "Fine."
Harry leaned in as if he were going to kiss her, and stopped short, his breath warm against her lips. "Dream about me?"
"Always," Hermione said, grabbing his collar and pulling him down to kiss him.
Harry groaned against her mouth, then forced himself to step back. "How about we move that date up to next week?"
"Or," Hermione said, "It could be now. I have ice cream, we can have an ice cream date."
Harry licked his lips, then shook his head. "Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight, Harry," she said as he disappeared back into the floo network.
The moment the flames died, Hermione bit her lip. Grabbing a pinch of floo powder, she tossed it into the fire. "Luna Lovegood."
The flames flared, and Hermione dropped to her knees, peering through and scanning the room beyond. "Luna? Are you home?"
A groan sounded, followed by footsteps, as Luna appeared through the fire wearing an oversized t-shirt of the Chudley Cannons, her hair wild and seemingly unbothered.
"Hello, Hermione," Luna said, dropping to her knees in front of the fire. "How was your date?"
"Did I interrupt something?" Hermione asked.
"Yes!" Ron's voice yelled from somewhere in the flat.
"Ignore him," Luna said calmly, tucking the t-shirt over her knees. "You need my help?"
Hermione smiled, "Would you mind watching Rose next Saturday?"
"Of course," Luna nodded, "Why?"
Hermione's grin grew, "Because I intend to seduce one Mr. Potter."
Luna's eyes lit up, "Oh, I have several ideas."
Hermione laughed, "You get back to Ron, we will… plan later. See you tomorrow." Hermione said as Ron appeared in boxers behind Luna, "Bye, Ron!"
"Next time we lock down the floo," she heard Ron say, and Luna giggled as Hermione closed their connection with a laugh.
~*~ 19th July 2003 ~*~
The sound of coughing pulled Hermione out of a deep sleep. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was 2:24 in the morning and wondered if she had imagined it when she heard it again. Bolting upright, a small sob accompanied it, followed by, "Mumma?!"
Throwing her covers aside, she hurried to Rosella's room. The moment she flicked on the light, Rosella looked up at her, "Mumma-" and Hermione didn't have time to react before Rosella got sick all over her rug.
"Oh, honey," Hermione said, summoning the sick bucket from the bathroom wandlessly.
Rosella grabbed her stomach as she pitched forward, whimpering. "My belly hurts."
"I know, sweetheart," Hermione said as she set the bucket in front of her and brushed her damp curls away from her face. "Sit right here. I'll be back in a moment."
She rushed to her room, grabbing her robe, wand, and phone. In the bathroom, she snatched up the thermometer and then hurried back to Rosella.
With a flick, she vanished the mess on the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, vanishing the new sick from the bucket, and pulled Rosella gently against her.
"Is your tummy feeling better now?"
Rosella shook her head. "No," she whimpered.
"I know," Hermione murmured, pressing a kiss into her warm hair. "It hurts, doesn't it?"
She slid the thermometer into Rosella's mouth as Rose leaned into her, mumbling around the thermometer. "My froat…"
The thermometer beeped, and Hermione removed it, her chest tightening. "38.4," she read, "You've got a fever, love."
Rosella coughed and groaned as Hermione helped her lie back down.
Pulling her phone from her robe pocket, she stepped back a bit and kept her voice low as she called Harry.
"Hermione?" he answered sleepily. "What's wrong?"
"Don't come over," she said immediately. "I don't want you getting sick. Rose is sick. She's been vomiting, and her fever is 38.4, her throat hurts, and she's coughing. Do you think it's the flu that's been going around her centre?"
Harry sighed, "Yes, it sounds like it. I'll be over-"
"Harry," she interrupted, "There is nothing that you can do right now. As much as I want you here, please get some rest and call me in the morning."
Harry sighed, "Call me if anything changes," he said quietly.
"I will," Hermione promised as she hung up.
Climbing into bed with Rosella, she ran her fingers through Rosella's hair as she drifted back into a light, restless sleep. Hermione leaned back against the headboard, staring at the wall, exhaustion settling on her, while her mind refused to slow.
After half an hour, she pulled her phone out again and called Harry back.
"Did she get worse?" he answered.
Hermione exhaled, "No, I just… I forgot what I was going to say."
"That's okay," he said gently, "Is everything alright?"
Hermione bent to kiss Rosella's forehead. "Everything's fine."
"You sure you don't want me to come over?" Harry asked.
"I don't want you catching this," she whispered. "I probably will. We don't both need to be down with this."
"Is your phone charged?"
"Yes," Hermione said softly. "I just took it off the charger."
"Keep the call going," Harry said, "I'm here."
Hermione laid back beside Rosella as she shifted, curling into Hermione's chest, as she rubbed Rose's back slowly. "Should I give her anything?"
"If her fever climbs, yes," Harry replied, "In the morning, I'll bring soup and juice."
"Thank you," Hermione murmured.
"Try to get some sleep," Harry told her.
Hermione closed her eyes, then groaned.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Our date," she whispered.
"It can wait," Harry said, "Don't worry. I'll wait for you as long as it takes."
Hermione smiled, holding their daughter close. Eventually, the father and daughter's dual snoring lulled her to dreamland.
~*~ 25th July 2003 ~*~
"Did Rose go back to school yet?" Megan asked as Hermione finished tidying up her desk.
"Her fever finally broke on Tuesday. Harry stayed home with her on Wednesday to be safe, but she went back yesterday. Molly picked her up from school, though," Hermione said as she shut down her computer, "Do you need anything else from me before I go to get her?"
Megan shook her head, "Have a good night."
"You too," Hermione said as she stepped into the floo. "The Burrow!"
As Hermione stepped out of the floo, she froze. Streamers crisscrossed the ceiling in red and gold. Floating balloons bobbed near the rafts, and a massive banner ripped along the far wall, glittering as it read: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSELLA & HARRY!
"Um," Hermione said as Molly looked up from where she was pinning a plastic sheet to the wall with a castle backdrop and the words Pin the Tail on the Dragon, as a dragon sat upon the castle.
"Hermione! Is it five already?" Molly asked.
"Mumma!" Rosella yelled, racing in from the kitchen, flour dusting her curls. "Do you wanna help me bake my cake?"
Hermione blinked, "Cake?"
"Yes, dear," Molly said as Harry stepped through the floo behind Hermione. "Remember, I asked you both last week about throwing Rosella and Harry a party? Charlie and Michel can only come tomorrow, so we thought-"
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment and looked at Harry before looking back at Molly. "Molly, I completely forgot in the chaos of Rose being sick, and I made plans."
Harry set his hands on Hermione's shoulders. "It's alright," he said, rubbing her shoulders. "We can always reschedule."
Hermione shot him a look, "Seriously?"
Harry laughed as Rosella launched herself at him, and he scooped her up. "Yes," he said, kissing her temple. "We'll celebrate the birthday girl with Nana and Papa this weekend, and next weekend we'll do her friends' party."
Hermione growled under her breath as Harry carried Rosella into the kitchen.
Molly walked over to her. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I should have reminded you."
Hermione smiled, "No worries. Harry and I were just going to go on a date tomorrow."
Molly looked towards the kitchen, then back to Hermione. "I can always watch her for Harry's birthday, so you two can do something special?"
Hermione shook her head. "My mum's watching her on the 30th for me. Rose and I are taking Harry to the Quidditch finals for his actual birthday. Ginny got us tickets."
Molly beamed, "Oh, that will be marvelous."
"Nana!" Rosella called.
"Coming!" Molly answered, turning towards the kitchen.
Hermione watched her go, then muttered under her breath. "I'm definitely not coming tomorrow."
~*~ 26th July 2003 ~*~
The Burrow was like it always was when every Weasley member was home. Too loud, too full, but with warmth to it that wasn't because of the weather outside.
Teddy, Victoire, and Rosella were shrieking with laughter, trying to outdo each other as they took turns at Pin the Tail on the Dragon. Charlie had enchanted the dragon himself, and it snorted smoke every time they missed, making it just as fun to miss.
"Left! No! The other left!" Victoire yelled, making Rosella giggle, the blindfold slipping as she reached out. "It moved!"
"That's because it's a mean dragon," Teddy stated.
The adults were scattered on the couches and armchairs, and, with everyone home, they even had to pull chairs from the table into the sitting room.
"Can you move over? I love you, but I need my space," Ginny told Neville, as he moved over and touched Fred.
"Hello, there, Neville," Fred said with a wink, and Neville got up, making him laugh.
Ginny fanned her face, "Thank Circe, we're not outside. I'm officially in the stage where the heat is awful."
Neville handed her a glass of ice water, then sat back down beside her. "Weather should break soon."
Angelina snorted from the loveseat next to George, "It's only going to get worse in August."
"We've actually been lucky this summer," Hermione said, curling her legs under her as Harry's hand settled on her knee. She glanced at him, "Yes?"
Harry shrugged, "Nothing."
Angelina looked at him. "How'd the Clinic been going, Harry? We've had fewer transfers since you started visiting."
"Not bad," Harry said, "Nothing severe enough to transfer except the blood affliction case."
Angelina nodded. "I still can't believe she didn't know, or that her parents never told her. Did you hear who she's engaged to?"
Harry nodded, his thumb beginning a slow, absent-minded circle against Hermione's knee.
"Wait," Hermione said, looking at Angelina, "Are we talking about Astoria?"
Harry looked at her, surprised, "You know?"
"She came into the Lily Pad looking for books on blood afflictions," Hermione said, "So I assumed. Who is she engaged to?"
"Malfoy," Angelina stated.
Hermione winced, "Of course."
"Thankfully mild symptoms," Angelina continued, "But if she were to get pregnant, it would worsen."
"I saw a case like it in Africa," Harry told them, "It's extremely rare now."
His hand slid higher, making Hermione inhale sharply, as Harry's fingers brushed the middle of her thigh, distracting her.
"Hermione?" Charlie cut in, grinning. "You with us?"
Harry stilled.
"Sorry," Hermione said, clearing her throat. "What?"
"I was asking how the shop is doing," Charlie said, "Thinking about a second location yet?"
"Not yet," Hermione said. "The Muggle side is outperforming Diagon Alley's side. Wizards treat the Alley shop more like a specialty shop. They've been very receptive about crossing over to the Muggle side. I actually moved one employee over because of it."
Luna perked up from her spot on Ron's lap. "Daddy secured me a storefront next to Neville's. I'm opening a magical pet shop, and non-magical pets too. Even with the high rate of adoptions, we are nearly full of cats and dogs."
"That's brilliant," Charlie told her, "I know someone who can get you non-fire breathing bearded dragons."
Harry's hand crept up higher to the edge of Hermione's shorts, making her heart race. Clearing her throat, she uncrossed her legs, gripping his hand once before standing. "Excuse me."
She fled upstairs to the bathroom, where she braced her hands on the vanity, exhaling slowly, willing her pulse to settle along with her hormones.
The door opened quietly.
"Hermione?" Harry asked softly. "You okay?"
She nodded without turning. "Just give me a moment."
He closed the door and stepped up behind her, easing her hair aside to kiss her shoulder. "Feeling sick?"
She met his eyes slowly in the mirror. "It's entirely your fault."
Harry chuckled, with a low rumble that moved through his chest to her back. "Oh, that's what's wrong."
"Yes," she said as she turned in his arms, "That's what's wrong."
He lifted her easily and set her on the counter. "Well, you wore those shorts."
Hermione threaded her fingers into his hair and leaned down to kiss him.
"Are you two doing something gross, or can I pee?"
Hermione groaned, resting her forehead against his.
Harry helped her down, straightening her shirt as she opened the door.
"Sorry, Ginny, I felt nauseous," Hermione explained.
Ginny grinned, "Sure, you did. Might want to fix your hair, Potter."
Harry flattened it uselessly as they exited, and she walked past them. "I really need a haircut."
"Why did you grow it out anyway?" Hermione asked as they headed downstairs.
"Well, with Aunt Petunia, I could never have my hair the way I wanted it," he said. "When I was in Africa, I just… stopped cutting it. But I forgot about the humidity here."
"Welcome to my life," Hermione laughed, "That's why I straighten mine. I nearly kept up with cutting it short, but I hated it."
"You had to cut your hair short?" Harry asked.
"I fell and hit my head, knocking myself out, when I was working on the Lily Pad. Primer got all up in my hair and solidified… it wasn't pretty," Hermione told him.
"Hermione, I swear. You are more accident prone than Tonks was," Harry said.
George looked up at them with a knowing grin as he saw them. "Everything all right?"
"Just nauseous because I'm getting hungry," Hermione told him.
"Perfect timing," Fleur announced from the kitchen, "Dinner is ready. Go wash your hands."
As everyone shifted towards the kitchen, Harry took Hermione's hand and pulled it up to his mouth. "Sorry that whatever plans you had for tonight aren't happening."
Hermione shrugged, looking at their makeshift family, "This isn't bad either."
~*~ 29th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione tucked the blankets up around Rosella's shoulders, smoothing her curls away from her neck after finishing the last page of Rosella's book. Without Harry being here alongside, the room felt quieter.
"Sleep tight, my love," she whispered as she kissed Rosella's temple.
Hermione slipped out, closing the door softly behind her.
In her bedroom, she began taking off her bracelets and her watch, stopping before the mirror. Tugging at her hair, it didn't spring back up, showing how dry it was. Her skin looked dry and tired. Older. Pressing her lips together, she noticed lines along her face that she hadn't seen before.
With a sigh, she walked to the bathroom and flicked on the light.
Reaching into the shower, she turned on the water to warm it. As she waited for it to heat up, she leaned in closer to the mirror and frowned at her reflection. Her brows were definitely overgrown.
Opening the cabinet, she grabbed her tweezers and started plucking, which made her eyes start watering, "Ouch," she muttered as the tweezers slipped from her fingers and dropped into the sink. "There has to be a better way… shite, Hermione."
She walked back into the bedroom, grabbed her wand, and returned to the bathroom. Leaning closest she could on the sink with careful motions shaping her brows, then removing the peach fuzz along her cheeks. Opening her mouth to check if there was any on her upper lip, she noticed her teeth and pulled down her lip. "How are they so yellow?" she whispered, horrified.
A quick whitening charm later, she ran her tongue across her teeth and shuddered. "I hate that taste." Grabbing a cup, she rinsed her mouth just as the mirror began to fog, reminding her that she had started a shower.
"Shite, the shower!"
She stripped quickly and stepped under the spray. Washing her hair with one round of conditioner, she decided to do another. Anything to try to tame the frizz.
After washing off, she grabbed her razor and put way too much shaving gel on her hands. Smoothing it onto her leg, she began shaving one leg, halfway through when her foot slipped in the dripping gel.
Catching herself on the side of the tub, just in time, her heart pounding, she sank into the tub. Sitting with her head between her legs as water streamed over her back, she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes landed on her thighs and her hips, where the faint silver lines trailed along her skin. "I can't do this," she whispered. The words echoed through the shower as the water poured over her head, and she started spiraling, "I can't do this."
A knock cut through the roar of the shower. "Hermione?"
Her chest tightened, "Luna?"
She heard the door open. "Oh, Hermione," Luna said, her outline outside the bathtub glass. "I thought you might be worrying yourself."
Hermione pushed the shower door open. "I can't do this. My hips are bigger, I have stretch marks, my belly-"
"You're just in your head," Luna told her calmly. "Time to come out."
Hermione turned the water off as Luna held out a towel for her. Standing, she nearly slipped again on the shaving cream and stepped into her towel as Luna wrapped her in it.
"Thanks," She murmured, sitting on the toilet, elbows on her knees, hands in her hair.
Luna sat on her sink, looking at her. "Do you think Harry truly cares how your body has changed?"
Hermione looked up at her, "No, but I do."
"Well," Luna said, "Stop it, that man has been falling over himself since he got back. I think he's more excited about you two finally being together than you are."
Hermione stretched her legs out. "I didn't even finish shaving."
Luna pulled her wand from the bun in her hair. "Hermione, are you or are you not a witch?"
Hermione snorted as Luna took her leg and cast a hair-removing charm, and both of her legs were smooth in seconds.
"There," Luna said, placing her wand back in her bun, "As for anything more, that's a personal thing."
Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile.
"I left Ron at home thinking I was in the shower," Luna stated. "I put two potions on your bedside table. A mild calming potion and a low strength Dreamless Sleep. You'll still wake if Rosella needs you, no worries."
Hermione stood and wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you."
Luna hugged her back, "That's what friends are for. Now get some rest. Tomorrow will be busy."
Hermione dried off, changed into soft pajamas, and saw the vials on her bedside table. Quickly checking on Rosella, she walked back into her bedroom and downed the potions. Climbing into bed, she felt her body relax. Tomorrow was another day.
~*~ 30th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione came home after a half day and stepped through the floo when voices drifted from the stairs. Setting her purse down, she left the sitting room and went to the foot of the steps. "Hey Mum," she said, seeing Briar Rose, "I thought I was picking up Rose."
Briar Rose turned around, "I thought I'd save you the rush," she said as she came down the stairs to meet her. She studied Hermione's face. "You look nervous. Your lip's raw. You've been biting it again."
Hermione subconsciously bit her lip, then caught herself. "It was just… a day."
Briar Rose glanced up the stairs, "Or are you nervous about tonight?"
Hermione froze, "Mum."
Briar Rose smiled, "Ah, there it is. I will just say this. I adore that little girl upstairs, but please… use protection this time."
"Mum," Hermione groaned, covering her face.
"I'm assuming there's a magical solution," Briar Rose continued. "Harry is a doctor after all. He should know."
"He knows," Hermione muttered through her hands. "And so do I."
"Good," Briar Rose said, nodding, "Give yourselves a few months before you even think about that conversation, and if it could be a wedding before more babies, even better."
"Mum!" Hermione laughed, half-mortified, half-hysterical.
"Rosella!" Briar Rose called up the stairs, "Are you nearly ready?"
"Just grabbing my knickers!" Rosella yelled back.
"Well," Hermione muttered, "At least she remembered them this time."
Footsteps thundered across the upstairs, and Rosella barreled down the stairs.
"No running on the stairs, Rose," Hermione warned.
Rosella slowed down on the last few steps. "Grammy says you and Daddy are having fun tonight. Why can't I have fun with you, too?"
"It's adult fun, sweetheart," Briar Rose said, "You'd be scarred for life."
"Mum," Hermione laughed. "I'm done with you."
Briar Rose kissed her cheek. "But you're laughing now. My mission is done. Come on, Rose. Give Mumma some love."
Hermione scooped Rosella up in a hug. "Be good tonight. Tomorrow is a big day, remember? We're taking Daddy to the Quidditch match."
Rosella's eyes went wide. "My broom!"
"Already found it," Hermione promised, kissing her cheek before setting her down.
"Thank goodness," Rosella said, grabbing Briar Rose's hand, "Let's go, Grammy."
Hermione leaned against the doorway, watching them walk to the car. "If you need me-"
"I won't," Briar Rose said, buckling Rosella in. "Relax and enjoy yourself."
Hermione nodded. "I'll try."
She waved as the car pulled away, then closed the door and checked the time on her watch. She had almost two hours until Harry arrived at 19:00.
Exhaling, she rolled her neck and turned to the kitchen. Dinner wasn't going to cook itself, and she needed something to keep her hands busy.
Hermione checked her watch to see that Harry should be arriving at any moment, and the chicken should be done near the same time. Checking her makeup in the mirror, she heard the floo flare downstairs.
"Hermione?"
She swallowed, "Be down in a second, Harry!"
Turning back to the mirror, she checked her hair and then smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. Drawing in a steady breath, she left the room before she could psych herself out.
As she came down the stairs, Harry was by the door, tugging off his shoes, when he looked up.
"Holy shite, Hermione," he breathed, "You look amazing."
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Thanks."
He met her at the bottom of the stairs, hands warm on her waist. "Hey."
Hermione threw her arms around his neck. "Hey," she said as she kissed him.
"Whatever you have in the oven smells incredible," Harry said as she led him to the kitchen.
"It's a recipe I found in one of the new cookbooks at work," She told him, "Cream cheese, parmesan, mixed with ranch dressing mix on top of chicken. I steamed broccoli and found fresh peaches for a crisp."
"My mouth is already watering," He said, following her.
She glanced over her shoulder. "I set up the table out back. Want to eat outside? There's a chance of shooting stars tonight."
Harry nodded, "Doesn't look cloudy. It should be a good night for it. What can I help with?"
"Take those two dishes out," she said, nodding at the two stacked dishes.
He leaned in and kissed her quickly. "Thank you for doing this."
Hermione watched him go, then pulled the chicken from the oven. She plated everything, then tucked it neatly into the picnic basket and carried it through the patio doors.
The lanterns were already lit as soft music drifted from the boombox. Harry stood looking out at the meadow.
"So," he said, looking at her, "Are we going to have the neighbor spying on us again?"
Hermione laughed as she set the basket down. "Robyn is out of town."
"Brilliant," Harry said, pulling her chair out for her. "Then I don't have to worry about what she sees."
They ate their meal slowly. The food was good, but the conversation was better. Reminiscing about the good days at Hogwarts. Every so often, Harry would lean on his hand and stare at her. "What?" she asked, taking out the peach crisp.
"Nothing, I just love the woman that you've become," Harry told her as she set out a bowl of crisp for him. "You made your own path when everyone fought back against you. Now you are Miss Popular."
Hermione snorted as she sat back down, "I wouldn't say Miss Popular."
As they finished, the sun had finally set, and a few stars were beginning to make their appearance.
Hermione leaned back, looking up at the sky. "We should lie down if we want to see anything. Let me put the lanterns out."
Harry grabbed the blanket and spread it out towards the middle of the yard near Rosella's swing set. Hermione walked over after kicking off her shoes, spreading her toes in the cool grass. Looking up as she walked over to the swing set, "I see two stars." She said as she sat down on the swing.
Harry sat down next to her, "Will this hold me?"
Hermione grinned, looking over at him, "Ron loves swinging on it, so yes."
Harry kicked off slowly, swinging, "I can't see him swinging."
Hermione slowly pumped her legs, feeling the air in her hair, "He's fallen off and hasn't wanted to do it since. Luna dared him to go the highest he could go, and he lost balance."
Harry laughed, "Not surprised." As he looked up, "Wait, was that one?"
"Harry, honey, it was a plane, and it streaked because you're moving," Hermione laughed.
Harry used his feet and slowed to a stop, "I'll keep an eye out."
Hermione looked back as he got behind her, "I'm going to hit you."
"I'm going to push you," Harry said as he gently pushed her forward.
After five minutes of Hermione giggling, feeling free, she told him, "Stop, it should be dark enough now."
Harry helped her stop and led her over to the blanket, "I could see you enjoyed that. Now, why don't you like flying?"
"It's more about the height and the control with a broomstick," Hermione stated as she lay down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder as they stared up at the sky. "I'm really glad you're home."
"Me too," Harry whispered as he leaned over and kissed her. "I would have come back eventually. I had to, for you. Even if you were with someone, I think I would have eventually gotten the guts to admit it to you."
"Admit what?" Hermione asked.
Harry touched her face, "That I think I started falling for you the moment you scolded me in our first year. That bossy know-it-all that knew all about me did something to me, and when you fixed my glasses without me asking… You were the first person to do something for me because they wanted to, not that they had to."
Hermione pulled him down on top of her, "I will take care of you for the rest of your life if you want me to."
Harry stared at her, "You sure?"
Hermione smiled, nodding, "Of course, give it until Christmas, though. Just in case you get tired of me."
"I'll never get tired of you," Harry said, "Everyone during all my travels knew who you were, because I talked about you way too much, because your name feels like home on my tongue."
Hermione started crying, "Damn you. I love you, I love you. Do you understand that?"
Harry grinned, "Good, because I love you too, bossy, swotty or not."
She pulled him to her, running her fingers through his hair as an owl hooted in the distance.
"Better not be bringing a message," Harry mumbled against her skin.
"Probably Cinnamon. I don't use her much, so she flies around," Hermione told him as she saw a meteor streak across the sky, "There! I saw one!"
"Make a wish," Harry told her.
Hermione closed her eyes and made one simple wish. 'I want to be happier than I've ever been before.'
Lacing his fingers in hers, Harry asked, "Did you make a wish?"
Hermione smiled in the low moonlight, "Well, if I tell you, it won't come true."
"I think I have an idea," Harry said as he kissed her.
Hermione parted her legs to pull him closer, as the kiss made her body sing, sending sparks of desire through her body.
Harry's hand trailed down Hermione's side, making her shiver as his growing erection pressed against her thigh. Hermione gasped as she reached down and brushed against him. "You going to put that to good use?" she asked, making him groan.
"You're driving me crazy," Harry murmured, his breath hot on her ear. Reaching for the bottom of her dress, she sat up so he could slowly lift it over her head. His eyes widened in the moonlight as he saw her silver lingerie, "Is this what you bought at the store?" he asked, his voice full of desire.
Hermione bit her lip, her pulse going crazy. "Like it?" she asked.
"I'd like it even better if I could fully see it," Harry groaned, his hands roaming over her body, "Bedroom?"
Hermione shook her head, pulling him down for another kiss, "I can't wait."
"Me either," he said as he trailed kisses down her neck, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. His hand found the strap of her lingerie and slid it off her shoulder, making her breath hitch when her breasts were exposed. "You still have such beautiful breasts."
Hermione moaned as his tongue swirled over her sensitive nipples, his hands kneading her breasts. She arched her back, "Harry."
One hand trailed down her body, his fingers moving to the edge of her lingerie where it met her thigh. He gripped her thigh, pushing them apart, and when he reached her centre, he discovered that she wasn't wearing any knickers. "You are going to kill me."
Hermione moaned when he found her wet and ready, "You've had me so turned on for weeks." She grabbed his shoulders as one finger entered her, his thumb circling her clit. Groaning as he kissed down her stomach, she gasped out loud as his tongue replaced his fingers, "You make such sweet sounds for me, sweetheart. Almost as sweet as you taste," he murmured between her thighs.- - Thanks urfriendlywriter
Hermione trembled, her orgasm quickly building with every flick of his tongue.
Gripping her thighs, he pulled away from her, resting his head on her thigh, his breath hot against her skin. "You're making me want to lose my damn control. Is that what you want?"
"Yes! Please, yes, get up here now," Hermione demanded.
Harry moved up, his body covering hers as he unbuckled his belt and kicked off his shoes while she pushed down his trousers enough for him to spring free. He kissed her deeply, and she could taste herself on his lips, causing her to moan. "Wait."
Harry looked down at her, "What?"
"I'm not on anything," Hermione reminded him.
"Shite," Harry said, looking around, "Where's my wand?"
Hermione handed him hers, "You know it will work for you."
Harry pressed the tip against her stomach and muttered the charm before doing the same to his own and then throwing it to the side. "Better to be safe than sorry." As he pressed against her entrance.
Hermione wrapped her legs around him, and he slid slowly inside her, causing her to moan his name.
"Fuck," Harry said, resting his forehead against her shoulder, "Were you this tight before? I swear you are tighter. I need a moment. Am I hurting you?"
"No, god no," Hermione said as he slowly surged forward, letting her slowly adjust to his size all over again before finally filling her completely, "Lord, I think you've gotten bigger."
Slowly, he began to move, his thrusts slow, their bodies moving together as if no time had passed. Harry's hands moved over her body, playing her like an instrument. "Wait," he gasped, "I know what I want for my birthday."
"What?" Hermione gasped as he grabbed her hips and flipped her over, so she was on top. "Oh shite! How are you deeper?"
"Ride me, Mommy," Harry said.
Hermione moaned as he grabbed her hips, helping her as he thrust up into her harder and faster, sending her closer to the edge.
Reaching between them, Harry's fingers found her clit as he rubbed and teased it. Hermione gasped, her limbs becoming stiff as she tumbled over the edge, crying out as her orgasm washed over her.
Rolling them back over, Harry let her calm down for a moment before he started moving again, before his body tensed and he reached his own climax. Collapsing onto her, he kissed her sweaty neck, "Why did we wait until the fourth date to do that again?"
Hermione hit him, "That was all on you."
Harry slowly pulled out of her, rolling onto his back, "That was incredible. Did you get your wish?"
Hermione smiled, "Very much so. Shite… my body is still tingling and spasming. I can't believe you remembered the mommy thing."
Harry pulled her close to him, his lips finding hers again. "Don't think I don't notice that Rose doesn't call you mummy."
Hermione shook her head, "Never felt right, Daddy."
"Fuck," Harry said, kissing her hard again, "You're in for a long night."
"Promises, promises," Hermione said, pulling him down on her again.
Preview of Chapter 40 - You Should Probably Leave
Harry leaned over behind Rosella, smiling. "So… what book did you bring?"
Hermione gave him a suspicious look, "Who said I brought a book?"
Harry smirked, "The only time you ever paid attention to Quidditch was when I was playing."
"Egotistical much?" Hermione stated, folding her arms over her chest.
"Honest much?" he shot back.
Biting her lip, she reached into her bag and pulled out a hardback book, making Harry laugh.
"I just bought it yesterday," she said defensively, "They only had one copy left. It's The Lovely Bones."
"Knew it," Harry said, "You never like Quidditch."
Hermione scoffed. "Of course, I didn't. It's barbaric. Intentionally knocking people off brooms, breaking bones. You landed in the hospital three times in four and a half years, and that doesn't count the fourth year you missed completely! Of course, I hated it."
Harry leaned back behind Rosella, who was perched on the edge of her seat, cheering wildly. "So, you admit you only went for me."
Hermione rolled her eyes, lips twitching. "I'll never admit it."
The crowd roared around them as Harry slipped a hand behind her head and pulled her in, kissing her. "Liar."
She blushed and pulled away, smiling. "Fine, you caught me."
"Daddy!" Rosella cried, "Did you see that?"
"Nope," Harry said, sitting back up, "You'll have to tell me everything about it."