Amnesia

            Meanwhile, in Hermione’s closet, Lavender was getting things together to make a ball gown with Ginny’s help.

            “Thanks so much, guys,” Hermione said.

            “Don’t worry about it, honey.  We’re going to get things back on track in no time!” Lavender said with a hug.

            “Are you excited, Mummy?  You’re going to the ball with Daddy!” Lily chimed in.

            “I’m very excited, pumpkin.”

            “Good!  You’re going to look so pretty!”

            “I hope so,” Hermione said dreamily.

            “You thinking about what Harry’s gonna look like?” Ginny playfully asked.

            “A little,” Hermione admitted.  If he could look so good even in the formal wizard robes he was in today, what would a regal prince costume look like on him?  “I think he’s going to be pretty se--” she stopped herself before saying “sexy” in front of Lily.  “Handsome.  Very handsome,” she corrected.

            Ginny and Lavender could only stifle laughs, as Lily looked confused.

            “Yes, Hermione, I’m sure he will look very . . . handsome,” Lavender teased.

            Hermione stuck her tongue out at her friends and then looked around the room.  She noticed the bed.  'Hmm, that’s the bed that I share with Harry,' she thought to herself.  Wasn’t so bad to wake up with him this morning.  The whole idea made her a little uncomfortable and yet a little excited.  What could be so bad about sharing a bed with a man who was so handsome and loving and . . . ‘Ok, Hermione, get a hold of yourself,’ she thought as she glanced at the walls.  There were tons of pictures hanging in beautiful frames.  She zeroed in on one of three young ladies outside.  She recognized them as herself, Ginny and Lavender.  Then she saw one of her wedding day.  It was a picture of her and Harry’s first kiss as a married couple.  Even from that one second in time, she could tell how much love she shared with this man, this angel.  The next picture made her heart melt.  It was taken in the hospital the day Lily was born.  Hermione was holding the tiny baby and Harry was sitting next to her with his arms wrapped protectively around the both of them.  “This is a perfect family,” she sighed. 

            Giggles from Lavender and Ginny snapped Hermione back to attention.

            “Yes, Hermione, this is a perfect family and yes, this is the bedroom you share with that handsome man out there,” Lavender teased.  “I don’t need a Divination class to see that thought crossing your mind.”

            As Hermione blushed, Lavender leaned over to Lily, “Are you ready to get your parents back?”

            “Oh, yes!  I just can’t wait to see their costumes!” the little girl replied.

            Ginny and Lily began to help Hermione with her makeup.  Hermione styled her hair in the exact way she wore it on her wedding day.

            “I recognize that hairdo!” Lavender said.  “Would that be how you wore it when you became Mrs. Potter?”

            “Yeah, I saw it in the pictures.  I thought it might be kinda symbolic.”

            “I like it!” Ginny encouraged.

            “Oh, Mummy, you are going to be such a pretty princess!” Lily sweetly said.

            “Thank you, sweetie.  I hope Daddy thinks so,” Hermione sighed.

            “Hermione, do not worry about that.  You could wear a burlap sack, or a pile of rags, or one of his robes -- actually I think he likes that -- but anyway, he thinks you are beautiful no matter what you are wearing.  So, please, do not fret over what you look like.  You’re going to take his breath away.  Now, let’s get you into your gown, your majesty!” Lavender said.

            “I’m gonna go wait for Daddy!” Lily said as she ran for the door.

            “Ok, I’ll go with you,” Ginny said as she took off after the girl.

            After Hermione was dressed and she slipped her feet into the clear “glass slippers” they had enchanted from an old pair of Hermione’s shoes, she looked into the mirror.  She smoothed out the dress and smiled.  Harry was going to love this costume.  The back was a little low and it showed a good bit of shoulder.  She didn’t know how she remembered that he liked that, but she did and she took it as a good sign and took another sip of the potion.

            “You look beautiful, Hermione,” Lavender said as she hugged her friend.

            “Thanks.  Are you sure this will work?”

            “Believe me.  You are going to knock him out of his wizard socks!”

            Hermione smiled and wondered about that.  There was so much about Harry’s world (and her’s as well) that she didn’t remember.  But she pushed it out of her mind and decided to just let the night take its course.

            Just then, little Lily burst into the room.  “Mummy!  Prince Daddy’s ready and he looks very handsome!” she said, proud that she pronounced handsome correctly after Aunt Ginny taught it to her.

            “You should have heard her.  She told him that he was not allowed to come near the bedroom at all because you needed to make a grand entrance!” Ginny told them.

            “Ok, pumpkin.  Good job being a bodyguard.  Tell Daddy that I’ll be out in a minute,” Hermione said.  The girl smiled and took off.

            “Are you ready for this?” Ginny asked.

            “No, but I think I can handle it.”

            “Ok, then I am going to go wait with his majesty,” Ginny said, leaving the room.

            “Time to go, your highness.  Prince Charming awaits,” Lavender said with a hug.

            “All right, let’s get this show on the road,” Hermione sighed as she left the room.

            As she slowly opened the door, Harry finally came into view.  He couldn’t have looked more handsome to her.  This was turning into an actual fairy tale to her.  Her friends were truly fairy godmothers making her dream come true.

            Once Harry spotted her, he got the overwhelming feeling that everything was going to work out that night.  She looked as beautiful as ever.  She wore her hair just like she did on the day they got married.  The dress showed off her figure very nicely and the shoes were a cute touch.  This was going to be a great night.

            “Good evening, m’lady,” Harry said as he got down on one knee and took her hand.  He looked into her eyes and kissed her hand gently.

            Hermione instantly blushed.  But she caught herself in time to play along.  “Hello, good prince.”

            Lily giggled wildly.  She loved fairy tales and watching her parents play one out was just a wonderful thing to the little girl.

            “Why, little princess, what do you find so funny?” Harry asked as he pulled his daughter closer and tickled her.

            “Daddy!  You and Mummy look just like Cinderella and Prince Charming!”

            “Thank you, sweetheart.  Now be a good girl for Uncle Hagrid, ok?” Harry said as he hugged her.

            “Ok, Daddy.  I love you!”

            “Love you, too.”

            “Bye-bye, sweetheart,” Hermione said as she kissed Lily.  “I’ll love you forever.”

            “I love you always, Mummy.”

            Then Harry stood and offered his arm.  “Ready to go?”

            “Yeah.  Let’s go,” Hermione replied, taking his arm.

            “Ginny, will you wait until Hagrid gets here?  We’ll meet you guys in the Great Hall,” Harry said.

            “No problem,” Ginny replied.  “Have fun!”

            And with that, Harry and Hermione headed off to their second first date.