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 still time for you to finish your wine,
Then you should probably leave.
And it's hard to resist, alright, just one kiss,
Then you should probably leave.
'Cause I know you and you know me,
But we both know where this is gonna lead.
You want me to say that I want you to stay,
So you should probably leave.
Yeah, you should probably leave.
Like a devil on my shoulder, you keep whisperin' in my ear,
And it's gettin' kinda hard for me to do the right thing here.
I wanna do the right thing, baby,
Sun on your skin, 6 a.m.
And I been watchin' you sleep.
And honey, I'm so afraid you're gonna wake up and say,
That you should probably leave.
~ you should probably leave by Chris Stapleton
~*~ 31st July 2003 ~*~
"Merlin, you two are freaky, aren't you?"
Hermione jolted awake and immediately rolled onto Harry's chest. Gasping as she looked up and saw Ron staring down at them, she grabbed Harry's arm and pulled it across her back. "Ron!" she hissed, "What are you doing here?"
Ron turned his back to them, but not before Hermione could see his traitorous grin. "Came to grab Rosie's backpack. Guess she left it here. Your mum couldn't get a hold of either of you, so she rang me," he said, looking over his shoulder. "Might want to get dressed. Sun's up, you know. You've got neighbors with windows."
Harry groaned into Hermione's hair. "Ron. Go away."
Ron snorted, "I'm glad that you two finally worked whatever that was out. Maybe now you won't be all randy teenagers in Mum and Dad's bathroom like Ginny caught you two being."
Hermione wrapped the blanket around herself while Harry scrambled for his trousers, hopping awkwardly as he pulled them on.
She began gathering the remnants of their picnic. Plates clinked louder than necessary as she tried to collect everything while still holding her blanket as Harry came over to help.
"Would you stop?" she snapped, "You're in the way. I need to do things my way."
Harry froze, sinking slowly back on his knees, making her feel bad. "Right. I'll just… sit here, then. Be eye candy." Making Ron snort, "It's only dishes, Hermione." (Shoutout to @promptsforthestrugglingauthor)
"I can do it myself," she told him, stacking the dishes.
"I want to help."
"But-"
Harry placed his hand on hers. "Go get dressed. I've got this."
Hermione huffed, "Fine." As she stood, making sure the blanket covered her, she walked to her patio.
As she opened the patio door, Ron spoke. "What crawled up her arse?"
"Honestly, Ron. What do you think?" Harry snapped.
Hermione shut the door behind her, leaning her forehead against the cool glass for a brief second before straightening. Swallowing hard, she checked the clock in her kitchen. It was just after eight, and her parents were keeping Rosella until ten.
Plenty of time to feel mortified.
As she walked to the stairs, she heard Ron and Harry come inside the patio door.
"Oy," Ron said, "Quit glaring at me, I'm not asking for details."
Hermione started climbing them to hear Harry reply, "Good, because you aren't getting any."
Walking inside Rosella's room, she found her backpack just inside the door. Grabbing it, she walked back into the hall, looked over the banister, and dropped it down onto the rug below.
"I'm guessing I upset her," Ron stated. "I'll tell your mum that you're alive!"
"You think?" Harry shot back.
Hermione shut her bedroom door and leaned against it, heat flooding her face. Dropping the blanket, she crossed the room and collapsed onto the bed, groaning into her pillow.
Damn Ron.
A soft knock came to her door. "Hermione?" Harry's voice asked, "Can I come in? Ron left."
Hermione sat up. "Is he really gone?"
"He ran away like a dog with his tail between his legs," Harry told her.
"Come in," Hermione said.
Harry opened the bedroom door. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect to sleep that long. I guess even sleeping on the ground, I can sleep longer with you." He walked over to her and sat down next to her. "I hope he didn't ruin things."
"It wasn't him. Well, it was," she said, rubbing her temples, "I'm just… embarrassed. Fucking, Ron, has the worst timing in the world."
Harry smiled, "That is his one truly reliable trait. He nearly interrupted us when we were at Hogwarts, didn't he?"
Hermione laid her head on his shoulder, "That he did."
Harry ran his hand over her lingerie, "Well, let me just say, I like this even more in the light. How long until your parents bring Rose back?"
Hermione looked at him, "Nearly two hours, and it is your birthday."
Harry groaned as he laid back, "My birthday doesn't count."
Hermione straddled him, "I don't know, I think the birthday boy has been very bad and needs to be punished." She said, leaning down to kiss him, "Wait!"
She tried not to laugh as he pouted, "I'll be right back."
Jumping off the bed, she ran over to Rosella's room and to her crown display. Grabbing one of them, she ran back to her room and placed it upon Harry's head.
Harry laughed as he took it off and looked at it, "Birthday girl?"
"Well, I had to improvise," Hermione told him as she straddled his lap and leaned down, her lips brushing the edge of his ear, "You know what you're getting for your present, right?"
The hands on her thighs gripped them tight as he swallowed hard, "I was kinda hoping it wasn't just cake."
Hermione smirked, rocking her lips, making him groan, "Oh, it's not."
Reaching for the hem of his t-shirt, she yanked it over his head before tossing it to the ground. Running her hands over his muscled chest, she grinned, "You know, when you were doing yoga in my backyard, I nearly melted into a puddle when I saw your new muscles."
"So, to get you interested, it was all about the muscles?" Harry asked.
Hermione flicked his nipple, making him yelp, "You know I've always been all about you." Leaning down, she dragged her tongue over the nipple she had just flicked.
"Fuck, Hermione. Why does that feel so good?" Harry asked.
Kissing up his chest, she nipped at his collarbone as her hands worked on the button and fly of his trousers. Reaching into his trousers, she found him already half hard, "Pants off."
Harry quickly pulled off his boxers and his trousers, throwing them onto the floor.
Wrapping her hand around him, she looked up at him, "I'm sorry if this is awful."
Harry hissed, "You are doing wonderfully, a little more pressure," he told her as she adjusted her grip, "Fuck, that's better than any fantasy I've ever had."
Hermione chuckled as she moved to straddle him.
"Wait, I want to unwrap my present," Harry told her.
Hermione looked at him wide-eyed, "Let me turn the lights off."
Harry wrapped his hand around the side of her head, "Leave them on."
Hermione bit her bottom lip, "Do you think I'm weak for having scars?"
Harry shook his head, "Never, that's ridiculous. I think your scars and marks make you who you are, and you're beautiful with or without them. Gorgeous even." He said, running his hands up her thighs.
Reaching down, she pulled the nightie over her head, then groaned as it got stuck in her hair. "Shite!"
Harry laughed, "Here, let me help," he said as he helped her slowly untangle her curls from the lacy fabric.
Hermione huffed, settling back onto his legs as he lay down, "I'm doing wonderfully with this."
Harry grinned, folding his hands under the back of his head, "It's not a test, Hermione."
Hermione grinned, "If it were, what would be my score?"
"1000 points to Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione spread her legs wider, making him groan. "You're so fucking beautiful, you know that?" he asked.
Reaching between them, she stroked him one more time, then moved her hips over him, making him grip her hips. "Shite, you are so wet you are glistening," He growled.
"Good, that will make this easier," she said as she sank on him in one slow move, "Shite! Don't move… wand… where is your wand?"
Harry moved his hand out, "Accio wand!"
It soared into his hand, and he cast the contraceptive spell.
"Thank God, I need to get on the potion," Hermione stated as she braced herself on his chest.
Rolling her hips in slow circles, she savoured the way he slowly dragged against her walls as his fingers dug into her hips.
"You're such a fucking tease, Hermione," he growled as he snapped his hips to meet hers.
Hermione laughed breathlessly as she rode him. "You know you love it," she said as she captured his mouth in a kiss.
His hands slid up her back, tangling in her hair, yanking on it just enough to make her gasp as she flattened her chest onto his, making the angle change as he hit the perfect spot inside her, and he swallowed her moan.
Breaking their kiss, she sat up straight, her hair flowing down her back as her nails raked down his chest. "Touch me," she ordered.
Harry didn't hesitate as his thumb pressed against her clit as she rode him harder, the coil in her belly growing tighter as his thumb pressed harder until she shattered.
"Fuck, Harry!" She moaned, collapsing on top of him.
Harry rolled her onto her back in one smooth motion and hooked her leg over his shoulder, "My turn." Hermione gasped as he drove even deeper inside her than she thought was possible, making her bed creak beneath them. Grabbing onto his back, she struggled to catch her breath as she felt another orgasm quickly building.
Hermione moaned, "Come on, Harry, fill me so full I won't be able to stand it."
With a groan, Harry buried himself within her as he came, making her moan as she followed him again, locking her other leg around his hip to hold him in place as he thrusted through her spasms.
Finally, Harry rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling, and Hermione turned her head, looking at him with a grin. "So, has it been a good birthday?"
"Fucking fantastic one," Harry said, running his hand over his face, "Shite, Hermione. I think I'm addicted."
Hermione grinned as she looked at the clock, "Well, we have a little over an hour until Mum and Dad bring her back… and I can feel your sperm sticky against my thighs. My shower is-" She giggled as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder and slapped his tight arse, "Put me down, you neanderthal!"
"We have a child-free hour, and I'm taking advantage of it!" Harry said, setting her down on the vanity as he turned on the water.
Hermione turned to look at her reflection. Her lips were red and bruised, her cheeks had colour, and the person in the mirror actually looked happy. Harry came up behind her and stared at her through their reflection.
"Like what you see?" Harry asked, kissing her shoulder.
Hermione threw her arms around his neck, "I didn't know I could still feel sexy."
Harry grinned, "You are more than sexy. You're a MILF."
"Milk?" Hermione asked, confused.
Harry laughed, "American slang, MILF, Mum I'd like to fuck."
Hermione jumped down and stepped into the shower, "So that makes you a DILF, a Dad, I'm going to fuck. Or would it be DIGF… and that doesn't… oh!" she said as he picked her up and her back hit the cold tile wall.
Someone barreled into her bedroom door hard enough to rattle it.
"Mumma?" Rosella's voice came from the other side. "Are you in there? I'm home!"
"Shite!" Hermione muttered, yanking her clean shirt over her head and turning wide-eyed to Harry. "Are you good?"
"Mumma?" Rosella called again, louder this time.
"Yeah," Harry said, shoving his shirt into his trousers.
Hermione crossed the room and reached for the handle.
"Rose, give Mumma a second," Ginny's voice said from the other side.
Hermione had just unlocked the door and had started to turn the handle when Harry yelled, "Wait!"
Hermione froze and turned so her back was against the door as Harry scooped up her lingerie and tossed it on the bed, dragging the covers over it in a messy heap.
"Mumma?" Rosella asked, "What's wrong?"
Hermione inhaled and opened the door. "Sorry, sweetheart, I tripped."
Ginny stood there grinning as Rosella spotted Harry.
"Daddy!" She squealed, "Happy Birthday! What are you doing in Mumma's room?"
Ginny snorted, "Merlin. Hermione. This room absolutely reeks of sex."
Hermione elbowed her sharply as Harry scooped Rosella up into his arms.
"I came early to celebrate my birthday with you," Harry said, pressing a kiss to Rosella's hair.
Hermione heard footsteps on the stairs and went pale. "We have to close the door," she whispered to Harry, "My mum is coming."
Ginny laughed as Harry stepped out into the hallway, confused, just as Hermione shut her door behind them. Briar Rose reached the landing and stopped short.
"Grammy!" Rosella announced, "Daddy's here already!"
Briar Rose smirked, "I imagine it felt like he never left."
Hermione flushed, walking past them, "How about some breakfast?"
"Hermione Jean," Briar Rose said following her down the stairs, "It's ten in the morning, and you haven't eaten yet?"
"Oh, I'm sure she ate something, alright," Ginny said.
Hermione spun around, making her mum stop short. "Don't you start, Ginevra. I've already had to deal with Ronald today. I'm not dealing with you, either."
"Oh, Ron was here earlier?" Ginny asked as Hermione walked down the hall towards the kitchen.
Hermione ignored her, "Rose has already had breakfast, right?"
Briar Rose nodded as Harry set Rosella down, and she immediately grabbed his hand and dragged him towards his present wrapped on the table.
Ginny wandered over to Hermione and leaned against the counter while Hermione dug through the freezer. "So," she said, "While he is distracted…. How was it?"
Hermione gasped, glancing toward her mother. "Ginny! She's right there!"
"Hermione," Briar Rose said, rolling her eyes, "Your daughter is right over there. I'm aware that you and Harry have slept together before."
Hermione groaned, pressing her forehead to the fridge door. "It was fantastic, all right," she muttered, "Until your brother ruined the morning."
Ginny's eyes grew wide. "He didn't walk in on you, did he?"
"No," Hermione said, pulling out fruit and yoghurt. "We watched the meteor shower last night. We… didn't quite make it back inside."
Ginny burst into laughter, making Harry look at them. "You mean you were still outside?" she whispered.
"Hermione!" Briar Rose hissed, "You have neighbours."
"She's out of town," Hermione defended quickly, "I'm collecting her mail for two more days."
Ginny snickered as Briar Rose shook her head and walked away. "So," she whispered, "Are you even going to be able to sit in the stands today? All that… built up tension, you've got to be a bit sore."
Hermione checked the room, then lifted her hand and flipped Ginny off, making her laugh harder.
Hermione looked at Ginny, "Are you sure we can't floo there?"
Ginny shook her head, "Unfortunately, but put your passes on, they key you to apparate right into the stadium. See you there."
Ginny popped away, leaving Hermione, Harry, and Rosella standing in her backyard.
Hermione sighed, "Rose, honey, I know you hate apparition, but there is no other choice."
Harry picked Rosella up, "I've got her. Hold on to me so tight."
Rosella nodded, burying her face in his chest, and then they popped away with Hermione quickly following.
Despite arriving directly in the private apparition point within the arena, there was a large crowd. Walking over to Harry, he took her hand as she took in their surroundings. "You okay?" he asked, "You seem tense."
Hermione exhaled, "It's just… a lot of people, and we haven't really been out together. Not like this," she hesitated, "The few times I was out in the magical population, it didn't go well. I try to stay more toward the Muggle side of the world."
Harry squeezed her hand, "I won't let anyone touch either of you. Ever."
Ginny walked over to them, "There you guys are. Come on, follow me." Following Ginny to a lift, she led them down a corridor to the Harpies' box. "Right, here we are." She said as she opened the door to a wall of sound. "Seats are open, food and drinks are all complimentary." She grinned at Rosella, "Don't eat all the sweets early, you never know how long the match will go."
Someone shouted Ginny's name from across the box, and Ginny waved as she moved through the small crowd in the box.
Harry carried Rosella to the front row of seats in the suite, with Hermione following. "Alright, Rose," he said as he set her down and took the seat beside her, "Rule number one: you stay with me or Mumma at all times. Number two: have fun."
Hermione sat on Rosella's other side, her eyes sweeping the box, then the stands beyond. "No one's staring."
Harry glanced around. "Turns out I'm unrecognizable when I don't let the Prophet splash my face on it."
Hermione smiled, "Yes, being devilishly handsome and muscular probably helps you blend in," she said sarcastically.
Harry stretched out his legs, resting his arm across the back of Rosella's chair. "Makes you wonder if I might've been even taller if Aunt Petunia had ever fed me properly."
Hermione reached up, resting her fingers over his hand, "Well-"
"Hermione?"
She gasped, her head snapping up. "Viktor?"
Harry straightened up. "Viktor?"
"Oh, Hermione, it is so good to see you," Viktor said, smiling down at Rosella. "And you brought Rose."
Harry sat up straighter. "I have something I'd like to say to you-"
"It's alright," Hermione said quickly, placing her hand on Harry's chest, as she stood staring up at the tall Bulgarian. "I have questions for you."
Viktor blinked at the steel in her voice, "I… what?"
"Did Kingsley tell you to tell Harry that Rose was Ron's?" Hermione asked quietly.
Viktor shook his head. "No, I saw the picture of you leaving the hospital in the Prophet, and Ms. Skeeter said she had red hair."
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, "So did Harry's mum."
Viktor stared at her, then noticed Harry, his face draining of colour. "Oh."
"Oh, yes," Hermione said, poking him lightly in the chest. "And you saying that is why Harry didn't come back."
"Hermione," Harry warned.
Viktor swallowed, "I.. I am sorry."
"You should be," Hermione said, sitting back down.
Viktor just stared at her in disbelief, then Harry leaned forward. "Don't feel bad, Viktor. She can be terrifying if she wants to."
Harry chuckled as Viktor left without a word.
"Mumma!" Rosella squealed, "Look, they're starting!"
The Harpies burst onto the pitch in streaks of green and gold, and the entire suite erupted in cheers.
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."
Rosella launched into an explanation, hands waving as she pointed towards the pitch. Hermione leaned back, opening her book, but didn't start reading it. Instead, she watched them. Harry listened intently to Rosella as she glowed. The noise, the crowd… maybe it wasn't too bad.
Stepping through the floo after Harry, Hermione yawned. The match stretched to well over five hours, and she was exhausted. Somehow, Rosella had stayed up for every minute of the game and even came to the locker room afterwards to get autographs from the team that had wanted to meet Harry. Following behind Harry as he carried Rosella down the hallway, Hermione watched Rose's head flop onto his shoulder as she slept soundly in his arms. Not even the floo ride had woken her. The trip up the stairs and into her room, Rose didn't stir even as Hermione slipped her shoes off. Harry held her as Hermione peeled her dress off and put her nightgown on, both with practiced ease.
Rosella never so much as sighed.
Setting her down in her bed, Harry tucked the blanket around her and pressed a kiss into her curls before straightening. Hermione shut the door behind them as she smiled at him, "So, did you have a good birthday?"
Harry didn't answer right away. He just pulled her into his arms, holding her close as he rested his chin on top of her head. "The best one I've ever had."
Hermione smiled against his lips as he kissed her. "Good, because tomorrow we have a birthday girl, and I still have a cake to bake and a house to transform."
Harry followed her downstairs, "Just tell me what to do."
"I'm making the cake tonight," she told him, opening the cupboard and pulling out ingredients, "Blueberry cake for breakfast, and I'm attempting to make it look like a castle. But I'm no Vivian, so we shall see."
"Attempting?" He grinned.
She shot him a look as she walked to the closet in the hallway and pulled out a box. "Oh, hush. Did I tell you I spoke to McGonagall?"
Harry's face lit up. "Are we taking her to Hogwarts?"
Hermione nodded, "She said we could have free rein of the castle. Even the common rooms."
Harry let out a low laugh, "She's going to lose her mind."
Hermione grinned, "She thinks she's going to school tomorrow," she told him, measuring flour, "I told her we were going to school. I just didn't specify which one."
Harry grabbed the bag of balloons from the box and started inflating them. "So, what's the plan with these?"
"When I was little, my mum had a tradition. On my birthday, I'd wake up to my room filled with balloons, streamers hanging from the ceiling," she smiled, "It felt like magic, before I even knew magic was real." She swallowed, mixing up the batter, "She's turning five, Harry. That means we only have six birthdays left with her before she gets her letter."
Harry froze, mid-knot, balloon deflating in his hands, "I think I just got lightheaded. Six years?"
She nodded, pouring the batter into pans, "She'll get her letter on her eleventh birthday. A month later, she'll be on the train," she bit her lip, "You've seen her, there's no chance that she doesn't get her letter."
Harry leaned against the doorframe, his eyes looking over Rosella's baby pictures that lined the walls. "Shite."
Hermione slid the pans into the oven and walked over to him and slid her arms around his waist, "I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I didn't know how else to reach you. I never thought of Andromeda."
He shook his head, "No, it's all on me. I'm the one who stayed away."
Hermione rested her forehead against his chest. "You're here now, and we have the rest of our lives together."
He wrapped his arms around her tighter. "I won't miss another one. Birthdays, missing teeth, scraped knees…" his voice cracked, showing his emotions, "I won't miss any of it."
Hermione smiled, "Good."
Harry kissed her, "Want to go make out on the couch while the cake cooks?"
Hermione laughed, "We have like a thousand balloons to inflate. Unless you know a balloon inflating spell that I don't."
Harry let go of her, then reached down, grabbing a balloon, "Gemino."
"No!" Hermione said as the balloon in his hand started duplicating, falling to the ground only to keep going, "It's Geminio! FiniteIncantatem! Lord Harry, you don't want to bury us with balloons!"
"Oops," Harry said, picking up a green balloon, "Geminio."
Hermione shook her head, walking back into the kitchen, "Gemino was what they used in Bellatrix vault."
Harry shook his head, kicking what he had duplicated, "Yeah, we don't want that. I still have one of the burns on my shin from crawling up that mess. What did you do with all of the stuff from it?"
Hermione shrugged, "Kept the money, I let Bill and Fleur organize a crew to go through the contents. They sold some stuff, and Gringotts is keeping the rest." She said, putting away all the supplies.
They spent the next half hour blowing up balloons and filling up the downstairs with balloons until it was time for Hermione to take the cake out. "Well, it will have to cool, and I'll get up early in the morning to decorate it." She said, setting it onto the hob as she looked at her watch. "I guess it's time to head to bed."
Harry kicked a balloon out of the kitchen and walked over to her, "Are you sure you want to go right now?" he asked, sliding his hands down her arms and tugging her closer to him.
Hermione gasped as his fingers laced with hers. "Y…yeah, I… I need to. Rose will wake up early, probably around four," she said as he wrapped his arms around her. "You can't be here then."
Harry groaned, kissing her neck, "Are you sure?"
Hermione groaned, "You should probably leave. Not… not that I doubt us, but… God, Harry, right there," she said, tilting her neck up as his teeth ran lightly across her earlobe, "I want to make sure we're solid before she knows."
Harry sighed, "Fine."
Hermione walked with him to the floo. "Come over bright and early after your workout."
Harry nodded as he kissed her again, "Goodnight, I love you."
"Goodnight, love you too," Hermione said, letting go of his hand as he walked into the floo.
~*~ 1st August 2003 ~*~
Hermione was in the kitchen as she heard the floo, then heard Harry swearing as he navigated through all the balloons scattered across the floor. Harry was tall enough that his head hit the streamer that she had hung from the ceiling and door frame, where he found her in the kitchen, standing at the counter in her tank top and bed shorts, carefully icing the blueberry muffin castle cake that she had assembled.
"She still asleep?" Harry asked quietly.
Hermione laughed as he leaned in and kissed her. "She woke up at three and barreled into my room, yelling that it was her birthday. So yes, I'm sorry for kicking you out, but I knew she'd be up early," she smiled tiredly. "She fell back asleep around four. I managed another until I woke up with her feet in my face."
Harry laughed, "Anything I can do?"
"Could you cut up the fruit?" Hermione asked, trying to put detail to the castle, "It's in the fridge. You don't have to do the blueberries that were left."
"On it," Harry said as he walked over and washed his hands. Together they worked side by side in relative silence as Hermione finished up the castle and Harry sliced up strawberries until Hermione's wand on the counter started vibrating. She looked up and smiled, "She's awake."
"MUMMA! I'M FIVE!" Rosella yelled from upstairs as she tore through the house, balloons flying through the air in her wake and into the kitchen, "DADDY!"
Harry barely had time to set the knife down before she launched herself at him. He caught her easily, laughing. "Happy Birthday, baby girl."
Rosella wrapped her arms around his neck, clearly vibrating with excitement, then gasped when she spotted the counter. "Mumma?! Is that a castle cake?"
"Well," Hermione said, "It's a blueberry muffin cake for breakfast. I'm no Vivian, but-"
"I LOVE IT!" Rosella shrieked directly into Harry's ear, making him wince.
Hermione smiled, wiping her hands, "I'm glad, but we've got a big day ahead, so you need to eat and get ready."
Rosella wiggled free, and Harry set her down. "Where we goin'?" she asked, dragging over her stool and hopping up to wash her hands.
Hermione met Harry's eyes as she grinned, "Somewhere you're going to love."
Rosella's face fell. "Is it school?"
Harry bit his lip and turned away to put the remaining fruit away to prevent himself from laughing.
"Sort of," Hermione said, taking her bowl of fruit over to the table. "Now come on, birthday breakfast first."
Rosella climbed up into her chair, her feet swinging, "But what about my cake?"
Harry laughed, "Yeah, Mum, what about her cake?"
Hermione shook her head, "You carry it, I'll light it."
Harry picked it up and gently carried it over to the table as he and Hermione sang "Happy Birthday". Setting it down in front of her, Hermione lit the five candles on the towers and held her hair back, "Go ahead and make a wish."
Rosella closed her eyes and blew out the candles. "Let's eat!"
Hermione smoothed down Rosella's dress, adjusting it until it sat just right. "There," she said, "You look like a perfect little princess."
Rosella swished her dress around, then bounced once, "It's perfect."
Hermione filled Crookshanks' bowl as her grumpy familiar gave her a slight meow before chowing down. Grabbing Rosella's cardigan from the closet, she held it out to Rosella, who eyed it suspiciously. "Mumma, it's hot outside."
"It might be," Hermione agreed, kneeling to help her into it.
"But where we're going," Harry told her, "It can get a bit chilly."
Rosella folded her arms across her chest in a way that was so unmistakably Hermione that it made Harry laugh. "Then where are we going?"
Harry scooped her up. "Where are we flooing to, Mum?"
Hermione shook her head. "She can walk, you know," she said, smiling, "I talked to Rosmerta. We'll floo into her office and walk down. Minerva is meeting us at the gates."
"I know she can walk," Harry told her, grabbing a handful of floo powder, "But I can only carry her like this for so long." He tossed the powder into the fireplace. "The Three Broomsticks!"
Green flames roared around them, and moments later, Hermione followed, and they stepped out into Madam Rosmerta's private office. Leaving her office, Rosmerta glanced over at them from behind the bar as she poured a tanker of Butterbeer and froze. "Merlin's beard," she said softly, "She's a little Lily."
Harry smiled, adjusting Rosella on his hip. "Madam Rosmerta, this is our daughter, Rosella. Rose, this is Rosie, Madam Rosmerta."
"Well, hello there, doll," Rosmerta said warmly as she looked at Hermione. "You're welcome back later for a drink or a treat."
"It's my birthday!" Rosella announced proudly.
"Well then," Rosmerta laughed, turning as someone called for her, "You absolutely must come back. I'll have a big slice of cake awaiting you."
They slipped out into the village, keeping their heads slightly bowed as witches and wizards passed by. The familiar cobblestones carried them past the familiar shoppes from their childhood, and over the bridge, to the winding path towards Hogwarts.
Hermione lifted her wand once she was far enough away from Hogsmeade and cast her Patronus. Instead of her silver otter, a lioness leapt from her wand, surveying the surrounding area before turning to a wide-eyed Hermione, "Tell Minerva… we're on our way," Hermione whispered in shock as she turned to Harry, "Why did my patronus change?"
Rosella gasped, "What was that?"
"A patronus, it can protect you from bad things called Dementors, but also can send messages," Harry said softly, "Remember how Tonks' patronus changed when she fell in love with Remus?"
Hermione nodded as Harry took his wand out of his pocket and cast his own Patronus. Rosella gasped as a fierce looking lion sprang from his wand, looking around the area to see if there was a threat before turning towards them. Upon seeing Rosella, he bowed down on his front paws to her.
"Can I touch it?" Rosella asked.
"You can try," Harry said, bending down so that she could reach her hand out.
The lion nuzzled her hand, then disappeared, making her giggle. "It felt funny," Rosella told him.
Once they had cleared the trees and had reached the overlook, Harry set Rosella down and crouched beside her. "See that?"
She squinted, then her eyes widened, "Is that… a castle?"
Harry smiled, glancing at Hermione. "More than any castle. That's Hogwarts."
Rosella grabbed their hands, "Come on! We can't wait!"
Hermione laughed as Rosella tugged them forward, "It's not going anywhere. Slow down, my flower."
Walking a little faster, Hermione looked at Harry, "When did you patronus change?"
Harry shrugged, "I never used it after the final battle until I was in Africa. I was with some healers who were investigating the pyramids and had opened one. It unleashed this evil spirit, and the only thing I could think of was casting a Patronus. Everyone was suddenly in awe of me. I guess they are rare, although from what someone told me, finding my lioness to match would be even rarer," he smiled.
Hermione blushed as they continued to walk and finally reached the bridge over the edge of Black Lake. Rosella ran her hand over the stone wall as they walked over it, staring in awe at the opening between the stones. "This is really where you went to school?"
Harry nodded, walking over to her, "And you will too, when you are eleven."
Hermione raised her camera, capturing the two of them with the castle in the distance between them.
"Reallys?" Rosella asked.
"Reallys," Harry said, taking her hand again, "Come on, there are people who want to meet you."
As they walked, Harry glanced at Hermione. "Has she met many of them?"
"McGonagall met her when she was very little," Hermione told him, "Flitwick's seen her a few times when he has stopped by the store. Hagrid hasn't, though. He doesn't leave the grounds much, and when he stops by the store, she hasn't been there." She hesitated, "And, when she was a baby, I wasn't… allowed to attend things."
Harry frowned, "What?"
Hermione sighed, "It was in the letters you never got. The governors didn't want me here. Unmarried mother and all, Muggleborn didn't help." Her jaw tightened, "McGonagall and Flitwick fought for me with Slughorn to help arrange owl lessons."
Harry's expression darkened. "I didn't know."
"I know," Hermione said as, through the trees, they could see Hogwarts again.
Rosella sighed dramatically, "It's still so far."
Harry laughed as he picked her up again. "See those?" he pointed to the winged boars ahead of them, "That's the gate."
"Let's go!" she said, her face lighting up.
Harry took Hermione's hand in his as they walked closer to the gate, "I wish we'd walked this path together back then."
At the gates, Hermione smiled as she saw a familiar face. "Hello, Professor Flitwick."
He smiled at them as he opened the gates. "Hermione, dear, we are both adults now. It's just Filius." He looked at Harry, "Mr. Potter, it is wonderful to see you again."
"You too, sir."
Flitwick beamed at Rosella as Harry set her down. "My goodness, how you've grown!"
She skipped over and hugged him, coming up nearly to his height. "I'm five!"
"Happy Birthday!" he said, "Come, everyone is eager to see you."
"Does Hagrid know?" Harry asked as they walked through the gates that closed behind them.
Flitwick shook his head as they slowly made their way down the path. "We thought we'd surprise him."
Soon they reached the crossroads between Hagrid's hut to the left, the Quidditch pitch to the right, and Hogwarts straight ahead. Hagrid's distinct flute drifted through the air.
Flitwick smiled, "I'll fetch Minerva and tell her you are here. Go on."
They took Rosella's hand and headed down the hill. Circling to the back of his house, he froze mid-note when he saw them.
"Harry? Hermione?" His eyes dropped to Rosella, "Well, aren't you cute as a bowtruckle?"
"Hello, Hagrid," Hermione said, smiling.
Rosella tugged Harry's hand, "Who's that?"
Harry knelt, "This is Hagrid," he said as Hagrid stood, "He's one of the kindest people you'll ever meet."
Hagrid wiped his eyes, "Bless me soul. You must be Rose."
She grinned as he dropped to a knee in front of her, and she walked over, holding her hand out. "It's my birthday, and I'm five!"
"Well," Hagrid laughed, "Tha' calls fer a celebration. I'm glad yeh came here today."
Hagrid, of course, insisted on tea. Rosella was in awe of his new home that had been built after the final battle as Hermione pulled Rosella onto her lap, "I'm glad you have a bigger home here now, Hagrid."
"Well, when I became gameskeeper, the previous one had used tha' hut an' I never wished ter change it. There was no need. Now McGonagall begged me ter make it big fer meself," Hagrid said as he poured them each a cup of tea, "Poor Fang is gone now, but I got meself a new dog." Hagrid whistled, and from another room walked in a smaller version of Fang, but with reddish blonde fur. "This is Pumpkin."
Rosella looked at her wide-eyed as the dog's head nearly came up to her own, "That's a big dog!"
Hagrid, Harry, and Hermione spent the next hour delighting Rosella with stories of their years at Hogwarts. "Loyalist two parents yeh will ever have, Rose," Hagrid said with a smile, "Yeh are a lucky girl."
Harry stood up, "We will stop by on our way back through, but we should be going."
"Oh! Before yeh go," Hagrid said, standing up and walking out of the room. He came back and knelt before her and placed a tiny wooden unicorn into Rosella's hands, "Happy birthday, Miss Rose. Made it meself."
Rosella threw her arms around his neck, "Thank you!"
Hagrid lightly patted her back and sniffed loudly. "Come back an' visit."
Leading Rosella back up the hill to the front of the castle, Harry paused at the entrance.
Hermione looked at him, "Are you okay?"
Harry swallowed, "Yeah, it's just bringing back more things I ran from."
Rosella held up her arms, and he picked her up, and she kissed his cheek. "I have you, Daddy."
Harry hugged her to him, "Thank you, baby girl."
Inside, the air was much cooler. The evidence of the battle was long gone, outside of the occasional colour difference in the stones.
Rosella looked around, her eyes darting in disbelief, "It's so big."
Hermione pushed open the doors to the Great Hall and smiled as the sky was sparkling, "This is why your room has stars on the ceiling."
Harry let Rosella peek in. "It's magic," Rosella said in awe.
"It is," Hermione said as they turned around and a translucent figure drifted toward them. "Ah! Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, it's a pleasure to see you as always."
Hermione smiled, "Hello, Sir. Nicholas." She turned to Rosella, "He is the ghost of Gryffindor house where Daddy and I were."
"I'm five!" Rosella announced proudly.
"Splendid age!" Nick said, "Future Gryffindor, do you think?"
Harry snorted, "Sometimes I think more Slytherin."
"Whatever house she will be in, will be all because she should be in it," Hermione stated as something rubbed against her legs.
"Potter, back again?"
Harry looked up as Filch walked by, "Hello, Filch. How are your courses going?"
"Don't let her grimy hands touch anything," he grumbled, "Come, Mrs. Norris."
Sir Nicholas shook his head, "The man never changes. Well, enjoy your day."
Taking her hand again, Harry and Hermione led her up the grand staircase and through the one-eyed witch passage. Walking down the corridors, pointing out all the classrooms they had gone to, they walked down the corridor leading to Gryffindor's common room, where the Fat Lady still protected the entrance.
She frowned when seeing them, then smiled, "Welcome back, Potter… Granger."
"Thank you, could we enter?" Hermione asked.
"Certainly," she said as she moved aside.
"Paintings can talk?" Rosella asked, surprised.
Harry nodded, then looked at Hermione as they climbed through, "I need to go to the vault and see if I can find any old family members."
Stepping into the common room, Hermione inhaled, "It's like we never left."
Rosella spun around, "Whoa."
"So, this is the common room where everyone in the house hangs out, plays games, does homework if you are your mum, and our favourite place was here in front of the fire," Harry said, walking over to the fireplace and sitting down, sighing, "The couch feels the same. Do you think they'll notice if we just take it to your house?"
Hermione curled up next to him, smiling, "Sadly, yes."
Rosella walked over to the far side of the common room, where the stairs were to the dormitories. "What's up there?"
Harry leaned over the back of the couch, "The dorms."
"What are dorms?" Rosella asked.
Harry got up and walked over to the stairs. "When you come to Hogwarts, you live here from September until the end of June."
Rosella shook her head, "I don't want to live here."
"You miss home, but you also make friends," Hermione assured her, "Want to see where we lived?"
Rosella nodded.
They walked up the stairs to the first landing, where the girls' dormitories split off from the boys, and Harry grinned, "I wonder if I can go up the stairs now. You see, Rose, boys can't go up to the girls' rooms."
Harry put one foot on the stairs and then another, slowly climbing, making Hermione laugh.
"Harry, in the summer the charm is turned off, don't you-"
"Read," Harry finished, making her laugh, "I remember, I always wondered what yours looked like."
Hermione led him to her dormitory, "This one was ours in the first year."
Rosella walked in and looked around. "Everyone sleeps in the same room?"
Hermione nodded.
Harry frowned, "It's cleaner and has more windows in here."
Hermione grinned, "We have personal tubs in the bathroom too."
Harry looked at her, "You're kidding?"
Hermione shook her head, "Nope. How about we go see Minerva?"
As they made their way down the stairs, Rosella frowned, "Did that metal just move?"
"That's knight's armor, and yes, they do," Harry said, picking her up again as they exited the dorm and walked back down the stairs. Looking up towards the boy's dorms, he smirked, "Want to go relive a memory?"
Hermione hit him, "You don't have your cloak. Whatever happened to it by the way?"
"It's at Grimmauld. I left it there, I was afraid it would get lost on my travels," Harry told her as they walked back through the common room.
As they made it all the way to the Headmistress's office, the griffin spun, letting them climb the stairs. They found Minerva sitting at her desk, her tartan robes the same as they had been.
Looking over her glasses, she smiled. "Happy Birthday, Miss Potter."
Rosella smiled, "Thank you!"
"Have a seat," McGonagall said, pointing to the chairs.
She passed out some biscuits and caught up with them until Harry looked at her, "Why do the girls get more windows and a better bathroom?"
"Mr. Potter, finally made your way into the girls' dormitories, I see." She said, making Hermione laugh, "The founders thought that the girls needed better accommodations."
"How sexist," Harry stated as he looked around, "Is Dumbledore's portrait still here?"
McGonagall frowned, "No. I had it moved. It's in my personal storage."
Harry nodded, "May I see it?"
With a sigh, she nodded. "Very well." She said, pointing to a door.
Harry got up and looked at Hermione, "Stay here."
Hermione nodded as Harry walked into the storage room. Dust floated around as he closed the door and the torches lit. On the far wall, two portraits hung. Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. Snape was quiet and appeared asleep, but Dumbledore's eyes were open.
"Harry," he said warmly.
Harry stepped forward, his hands clenched, "You used me."
Dumbledore blinked, "My boy, I guided you-"
"You manipulated me," Harry snapped, "You let me be neglected and abused, letting me think I had no other choice. I never got a chance to live, so that you would let me die."
Dumbledore's smile faded. "I feared that if I told you, you would not go."
Harry laughed bitterly, "That doesn't excuse it. It didn't give you the right to decide MY life. I could have lived with Sirius and had an amazing life, but he died still seen as a guilty man because of you. Then, having Kingsley controlling me once you died? I'll never forgive you. If I could blast your portrait into smithereens, I would."
Dumbledore just stared at him, "Where is Kingsley? He hasn't spoken to my other portrait lately."
Harry grinned, "He's in Azkaban, where he will stay for a long time. You're lucky you're dead, Albus, or you'd be there too."
Leaving the room, he closed the door behind him.
Hermione rose, "Ready to go?"
Harry nodded, "Let's go home. Remind me to tell the Aurors that Kingsley had a portrait of Dumbledore somewhere in his home."
Hermione shook her head, "Of course he did. Minerva, we will have to have tea sometime soon. Before term?"
"I will stop by the store," Minerva stated.
Harry swallowed, "I'm sorry for bringing everyone down."
Hermione took his hand, "Not at all, let's go have an early dinner at the Three Broomsticks and get home."
Getting Rosella ready for bed turned out to be harder than either of them thought. She was so sleepy that she was fighting it.
"No," Rosella whined, holding onto her cardigan, "I'm not tired, and I am warm."
"Honey, you fell asleep on the couch watching the movie," Hermione said, unbuttoning her cardigan.
Rosella groaned, "It was a nap."
Harry wrestled her socks off and grinned, "That nap was for nearly forty-five minutes."
Rosella scowled, "Still not bedtime."
After some negotiations of a story, Crookshanks snuggles (much to his dislike), and more stuffed animals in her bed with her than Crookshanks seemed comfortable with, Rosella finally laid down. By the time Hermione tucked the covers around her, Rosella was nearly asleep, her eyelids fighting to remain open as Harry chose a story.
"How about…Click, Clack Moo?" Harry asked.
"Don't let the piggy get it," Rosella mumbled.
Harry brushed her hair from her forehead, "Night, Rose," he whispered.
She mumbled something as Hermione gathered her dirty hamper that might have been "love you," and soon after started snoring.
Hermione looked over and set the hamper down. Walking over to him, she rubbed his shoulders, "Come on, she's asleep."
Harry stood up, and she took his hand, leading him into the hallway, quietly shutting the door behind them. Pausing, she looked up at him, "Stay."
Harry blinked, "I thought… You didn't want her confused."
"I was wrong," Hermione said quietly, making him grin, and she rolled her eyes, "Even I can be wrong occasionally." She touched his face, "I don't want you to be alone tonight, and I sleep better when you're nearby." She sighed and gave him a tired smile. "I'm exhausted, just sleeping."
Harry studied her face, then nodded. "Alright."
Taking his hand in hers, she led him to her bedroom. Shutting the door behind them, Hermione picked up her purse and reached inside, taking out her keys. She removed one as Harry looked at her, confused, murmured the Duplicate Charm, then held the new key out to him. "I know this is more symbolic, and I may be rushing things. Call me mad if you'd like, but when you are ready, there's room for you here. Whether that's the room down the hall… or this one."
Harry pulled her into his arms, resting his forehead against hers. "I love you, Hermione."
She smiled, "I love you too."
Pulling him toward the bed, she yawned, "Now, I am going to get ready for bed before I fall asleep standing up."
Harry laughed as he took off his shirt, and she grabbed her pyjamas and went into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, removing her contacts, and washing her face, she plaited her hair under her bonnet, then applied her face crème and moisturized her skin. Turning off the light, she walked into the bedroom to see him sitting up in bed on his side. Holding out her arms, as he looked at her, she spun around, "Well… here's the real me at bed."
"You're so cute," Harry grinned.
Hermione pulled her covers back and then climbed into bed next to him. Reaching up and turning off her lamp, Harry laid down, pulling her into his arms, "This okay?"
Hermione grinned, "It's perfect. Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Hermione," Harry whispered.
Preview of Chapter 41 – The Best Day
Rosella gasped, "I want one. No," she shook her head, "I want a golden doggy fish. They're cute."
Harry chuckled. "They aren't actually cats. Though they do have whiskers, and I don't think there's such a thing as a golden dog fish."
Rosella sighed dramatically. "Too bad."
She gasped as the pole jerked hard, nearly sending her into the water, her eyes going wide. "Daddy! It got me!" she shrieked.
Harry lunged, grabbing her around the waist with one hand and bracing the pole with his other. "Whoa, I've got you. You're okay."
Rosella clutched the pole with both hands. "It's a strong cat!"
Harry slowly tried to wind it up, but the fish fought back against him and slowly came out of the water.
Rosella stared at it. "That's not a cat," she said, peering closer.
Harry laughed, "Careful, don't fall in. Let me take it off, and we can throw it back."
Rose looked at him, "I don't get to take the fishy home?"
"It needs to go back to its family," Harry said as he gently took it off the hook and threw it back.
"Bye, Tony!" Rosella yelled.
Harry laughed, "Tony?"
Rosella shrugged, "It looked like a Tony."