Chapter 2: And So It Begins
Hermione left breakfast in a hurry with Lily's hand gently tucked in one of her own. The other hand pressed to her forehead as she felt a headache coming on. That had to be the most uncomfortable experience of her life if not sheer torture. Everyone around the table looked so . . . so expensive. While she sat there in her ripped pain spotted jeans and white spaghetti strapped shirt with S.P.E.W. scrawled across it in different colors. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail to keep it out of the way while she ate but beyond that the hair tie served no purpose as it threatened to fall out. She wasn't wearing nail polish, make up, or any sort of perfume either. She hadn't been aware that Harry had guests. She'd felt so out of place the entire time.
They'd all been polite to her and asked lots of questions about her and Lily to which she'd answered as quickly as possible. Her tiny companion hadn't lent her much support as she'd sat there staring around the round not making a sound and scarcely touching her breakfast until Hermione pointed this out with a pointed look. She'd eaten gloomily giving sour looks to everyone in the room, muttering about it not being how her mummy makes it.
Hermione found a quiet place to sit in the courtyard by the rather large pond in the middle. With Lily on her lap as she sat Indian style by the water. She'd always loved water; it had a relaxing quality about it she couldn't explain. She pulled the hair tie from her hair and was finger combing it as Lily reached forward to splash her tiny hands in the water. Hermione began singing another lullaby as she closed her eyes and leaned back against a rock they were sitting beside. Hermione listened the sounds of Lily's fingers trailing through the water and humming along with her.
She only opened her eyes when she heard the soft crunching of grass as another person entered the courtyard. She nearly groaned wondering what Virginia wanted. She felt so low class in this woman's presence. She was the definition of posh. Her long red locks were pulled up into an elegant bun with random, yet coordinated, wisps cascading over it giving her hair a slightly wild look. Her expertly applied make up made her look like something off the cover of a Vogue magazine. She wore a well fitted cream halter with a matching shawl that coordinated well with the cream designer belt looped through tight dark designer jeans. She was bare foot and yet her pedicure made even that look elegant as she approached Hermione.
Hermione wanted to hide she honestly felt slightly unworthy of being in this woman's presence. `I look like a hobo compared to her.' She thought hating herself for caring so much. Ginny offered her a friendly smile as she asked whether or not she could join her. Hermione nodded reluctantly knowing it was best not to make enemies out of anyone here, especially if she took Harry up on his offer.
The two women sat in silence for a while, watching Lily who'd gotten out of Hermione's lap and was trying to catch a butterfly that had fluttered passed.
"He's a good man, Hermione. A little rough on the edges and yes he seems harsh and first but he's really such a sweetheart if you give him a chance." Ginny suddenly said. "He'd treat you and Lily right and it'd be such a joy to have you join us in Italy."
"Did he ask you to come tell me that?" Hermione whispered.
"No, he's rather shocked by his offer as well." Ginny replied.
"Offer? You say it like it's not such a cruel thing." Hermione continued in her soft voice as she was deep in thought despite holding this conversation.
"He doesn't mean to be cruel. He just wants his daughter. He thinks it's cruel to separate you two and that's all he could come up with on such short notice."
"You think I should accept, then?"
"I think it'd be a worthwhile decision, yea."
"I, I just don't know. I can't just pick up and leave my life. I've lived here in England my entire life except for when I was away at school in France."
"Well, why not? You can owl your friends and family. And you won't have to work and so you can spend as much time as you want with Lily. I think you could learn to like Italy. I mean, I could show you some really neat places and introduce you to quite a few of my friends I'm sure they would like you. It'd be brilliant"
Hermione simply starred at her. How could this woman believe it to be so simple to just leave your life? To just leave everything you knew? "What would my parent's say?"
"Good on you, I expect!"
"Somehow, I highly doubt that."
The two women fell silent again and glanced back at Lily. She'd given up on the butterfly and was now picking dandelions a little further off. Hermione smiled saving that picture in her memory to paint later. She had a whole bunch of pictures dedicated to Lily which she hoped to one day put in a gallery. She'd submitted a few to local art shows and placed third and up several times on the portraits.
"Do you wear make up?" Ginny asked staring out into space.
"What? Oh, no, not regularly, why?" Hermione faltered at the randomness of the question.
"Just curious, and are you particularly fond of your wardrobe? I think it would be easier if we jut got you a whole new one when we get to Italy? I think the chic fashion style there were totally suit you and we can take a trip to Paris to find some things to give you that artistic flair since Harry tells me you're an artist. By the way I absolutely adore your jeans. Where did you get them? I've been meaning to by a pair ever since the ripped look came in but I just haven't found time to go get them."
"Er, I didn't by them like this. They're just worn and the paint's from work. Sometimes it gets messy or we have paint fights and what not. Lily's hand prints from when she was two are all over the bottom there from a time I was helping her finger paint."
"Oooo, you'll have to make me a pair those are too cute." Ginny raved. "But more importantly, you only need to pack necessities and things you are personally attached to because we can replace everything once we get to Italy."
"But I haven't said yes yet."
"Well, if you do." Ginny grinned, a twinkle lighting her eye. "Think about it please, I'd so enjoy having more time to chat with you."
With that she left and Hermione watched her go with a wistful expression on her face. She seemed very sure Hermione would and should accept Harry's offer and the way she talked made Hermione want to at times. `What do I want to do? Marrying him is best for Lily and it's not like I'll be completely friendless when I get there. Ginny's making an honest attempt to become friends.' Hermione glanced down at her jeans remembering Ginny's words. Did she really think these were designer jeans? She had to admit she had seen a few ripped up pairs of jeans with silver and glittery splotches all over them on the covers of magazines lately. She shrugged and continued to way the pros and cons of marrying Harry.
* * *
Harry shuffled the papers on his desk yet again trying to make the pile smaller so it would seem like he was actually accomplishing something. He knew it was rather pointless and knew that he wouldn't be getting any work done today as long as Hermione and Lily were in site. He'd been staring longing out the window ever since he'd come up from breakfast. He'd smiled watching Lily chasing something around and then decide that picking flowers was a better use of her energy and he'd been glad when he'd seen Ginny talking to Hermione. A fond smile played over his lips as he watched them. How badly he wanted to join them like a real family and just sit there holding Hermione while watching Lily play. He grumbled something profane telling himself once again to erase that visual. The woman down there probably wanted him dead and here he was thinking about wanting to hold her in his arms and snog her senseless. He snorted, he wanted to do more than snog her, more like shag her senseless. He had to remind himself yet again that his focus was supposed to be his daughter.
"Awww Harry, it's cute how taken you are with her. Of course, she is quite pretty as you said." Ginny mused as she sauntered into the open door.
"She's attractive, that's all Gin. I'm watching Lily, anyway. She seems to like the courtyard."
"Um hm, whatever you say Harry." Ginny said rolling her eyes.
Harry was going to tell her to sod off when lots of shouting and loud barking filled the house. Harry raised an eyebrow vaguely aware of what was probably causing the commotion. He and Ginny got up and walked to out into the hall was and leaned over the railing that allowed you to see down into the foyer.
"Oy, Harry come get your bloody hound before I stun it. The stupid beast won't behave." Draco shouted up the stairs seeing Harry and Ginny peering down at him.
Harry grinned at his over eager black lab that seemed to take pleasure in tormenting Draco with his energy. He was just an over grown puppy in Harry's opinion, extremely playful for his large size. He'd bought him as a tracking dog and he was good at it when given the task. At all other times he just wanted someone to play with and he stayed with a local friend when Harry was away. The family had lots of kids who just loved playing with Sirius.
He'd named the dog after his late god father, who'd died when he was fifteen in the fight against Voldemort and his forces. He grinned as he was making his way down the stairs as he decided it was time to take Sirius to Italy. He'd have Lily to play with there and be away from the constant rainy weather so he could go outside more and spend some of his excess energy.
He was almost down the stairs when Sirius gave a mighty tug and finally broke free of Draco's grip.
"Damnit. Get back here you stupid mutt!" Draco shouted as he began to chase after the dog.
"Uh, oh." Ginny muttered noticing the direction the dog was heading.
"Oh shit!" Harry shouted jumping the last few steps and chasing after Draco in the dog. It was pointless, though. Sirius had amazing speed, which was part of why Harry bought him. He made it to the ajar glass doors that lead out to the courtyard. `Please let her like dogs. She's going to kill me if she doesn't like dogs.' Harry thought as he skid to a halt at the glass and felt an intense feeling of dread sweep him as he watched Sirius leap up onto Hermione, who's just stood up, and the two hit the water with a loud splash. `Oh no, she's gonna kill me for sure.'
"Well, you're definitely not earning star points mate. If she has a temper like you say she might just kill you. Won't matter much to her, though, because Lily goes straight to her with you dead anyway. On that subject, can I have your broom collection if she kills you?" Ron commented cheerily patting him on the back. He'd run down hearing all the commotion hoping to see what was going on and this was definitely worthwhile. He chortled imagining all the possible ways Hermione could kill Harry. Harry shot him a death glare and Ginny swat her brother over the back of the head calling him an idiot under her breath. Draco didn't say anything he just stared as the irate woman sat up looking furious.
"Yep, you're a goner because she doesn't look pleasantly surprised." Draco said grimly.
"I don't suppose you want to go take credit for letting Sirius go? This is entirely your fault after all." Harry said hopefully.
"Nope, I love you man but not that much. She looks ready to kill. And as an auror I'm admitting that she honestly scares me right now and that's saying something." Draco replied.
* * *
Hermione didn't scream, she hadn't shouted. She didn't time to before she hit the water. She had been getting up deciding to go talk to Harry when she'd seen the huge black dog hurtling towards her. She hit the cold water and was instantly soaked. She'd sat up with a sharp intake of breath, coughing up water, and breathing hard as the dog got off of her and barked happily prancing around her. He nudged her to get up as if he wanted to play. He seemed to take the hint and scurried away from her at the steely look of promised doom she shot him. `This is why I bought a cat.' Hermione thought as she swept the water from her face and looked up to see four shocked looking faces staring at her from the glass doors. She felt her face heat up with red hot with anger. All except Harry slowly inched away from the door so she set her death glare at him.
Harry clearly read `you will die' in her eyes as he reluctantly walked into the courtyard. Lily's giggles were the only sound in the courtyard. He gave a nod of his head towards the doors letting her know it was best to go because things were not going to be pretty.
"Sirius, Out!" Harry commanded the dog that was now happily prancing around a thrilled looking Lily. The two left in a jolly manner that Harry wished her could follow but turned to face the wrath of Hermione instead. She was shouting, that he could tell but not a single word registered as he was caught up in how extremely sexy she looked sopping wet and angry as hell. Her eyes were alight with a raging passionate fire and her hair was hanging around her waist and the shorter front plastered to her shoulders and around her breast. Harry'd be lying to say he didn't notice how her t-shirt clung to her form now and her tight jeans seemed to be even tighter now clinging to her every curve.
One of the straps on her shirt hung off her shoulder setting the shirt slightly off. The smooth creamy skin of her stomach was exposed as the wet shirt stuck to her bunched slightly in random places causing it to look smaller. However, that wasn't as captivating as the tops of her glorious water glistening full breasts that were now exposed by the neckline hanging dangerously low due to the off strap. The need to touch her came back strong as he watched a water droplet slide from her neck all the way down until he lost sight of it between her breasts. `Sweet Merlin what I wouldn't give to be that water droplet.' He thought staring longingly at her breasts. She looked like a raging goddess in his opinion, one he'd like very much to ravish right then and there.
"Are you listening to me?" She shouted finally catching his attention as he snapped his head up to meet her gaze. "Uck, stop being a bloody pervert for five seconds and listen to me, you immoral idiot. I hardly appreciate that beast jumping on me and he honestly shouldn't be let around Lily. He'll crush her if he tries the same thing on her. Do you even think about these things? Honestly . . ."
Harry tuned her out again as his eyes dropped to her lips. He believed he should be given credit for at least keeping his eyes on her face this time. He knew her rage was beyond words and as he continued to stare at her lips he inwardly shrugged he had no other way of stopping her. He had to kiss her. It wasn't just because he wanted to it was required as this was a desperate situation. Although he knew that was crap reasoning he honestly didn't care as his armed shot out and snaked around her waist and jerked her to him so she was crushed against his body. She didn't have time to try to stop him as he crashed his lips onto hers. Her gasp of surprise made him growl as she provided the perfect opportunity for him to slip his tongue into her mouth.
Hermione attempted to pull away but he held her tight. She pushed against his chest trying to get him away from her but her struggles were useless he was entirely too strong for her. As she gave up on getting free she relaxed a bit and enjoyed the kiss tentatively responding to him. The kiss grew more fierce as the sexual tension began to rise between them and Harry's brain shut down to everything but her. He felt her fingers tangling in his hair and was surprised by how much this simple action aroused him.
The striking contrast of her cold wet clothes soaking his own against their hot bodies wasn't helping matters either. As he held her tighter against him pressing her against him he was certain she could feel what she was doing to him. The small shudder that racked her body caused him to groan against her mouth as he felt her nipples brushing against his hard chest. He trailed a hand up her shirt from her waist to cup one of those glorious breasts that had been captivating his attention more and more frequently. She gaped into his mouth not breaking the kiss as he began to massage her through the cotton bra she wore. She moaned clutching at his arms and pressing further still to him wanting more.
"Harry." She breathed, her head falling back as he moved his lips down to worship her throat sucking lightly on the junction between her neck and shoulder as he'd been longing to do since day one. His other hand came up to remove her shirt when a distant childish giggling sounded in the back of his head.
He vaguely wondered where the sound was coming from as he inched her shirt up caressing each new surface of skin he exposed. A bark sounded and he paled as he paused with Hermione's shirt bunched in hands just below her breasts. He snapped his head around to see Lily and Sirius peeking in the glass door.
He hastily pulled Hermione's shirt back down and released her from his arms turning completely around to tell Lily to go find Ginny and ask for lunch. The little girl nodded and giggled heading off with Sirius following behind her.
Harry ran a distracted hand through his hair as he turned back around to face Hermione. He had to admit he'd been expecting a more breathless scattered looking woman as compared to the piercing glare of an enraged woman he was met with. By the way she was clenching and unclenching her fist he go the sense that she'd rather like to hit him right now. `What the hell?' She didn't looked moved in the slightest by what had just transpired between them. She showed virtually no signs of having been snogged beyond the swollen lips and the slight hickey on her neck.
"Maybe, it's not clear to you, but I'm not most girls. So you can't kiss your way out of everything. It won't work. Don't think you can make me submit to you and forget what was going on just because you kissed me." Hermione raged on as if she'd never stopped in the first place.
Harry just stared at her completely dumb founded. How can she not have been affected in the slightest? `How does she do that?' He wanted to scream in frustration at the fact that he simply could not win this woman over. She had to be the most difficult person he'd ever met. `This is insane.' When he finally recovered he formulated a smooth reply to snap back at her. . "I wasn't trying to kiss my way out of the situation I only wanted you to stop shouting and breath."
"Oh yes because breathing definitely seemed your main focus just them. Don't touch me or I swear I'll hex you into next year." She hissed vehemently. "I'm going to marry you but only for Lily's sake since someone has to look out for her well being since apparently you can't. You're stuck in some delusion that just because you're Harry Potter you can do any and everything you want but you're dead wrong and I'm not going to let you be a bad influence on her. I taught her too well for you to go mess her up with your loose morals and irresponsibleness."
With that said Hermione turned on her heels and stormed out of the courtyard leaving Harry to stare after her. `What have I gotten myself into?' He thought watching her go.
Hermione stormed into her room still in a fit of rage and hit the knob for the shower. She dropped her wet clothes and stepped in scrubbing furiously at her body, trying to wash him away. `I absolutely loath that foul man.' She thought angrily as she attacked her skin until it was light pink from the furious punishment.
"Bloody traitorous body." She muttered angrily as she stepped out the shower and began rubbing herself dry. "I don't need this right now. Of all people to want it had to be that immoral, insensitive, obnoxious, arrogant jerk. Argh!"
When she'd finished screaming into the towel she wrapped it around herself and set about drying her clothes when a knock sounded on the door. `If it's him I'll kill him.' She thought as she called out to see who it was. She gave a sigh as she heard Ginny's voice telling her she was dropping off some clothes since Hermione had only brought one change of clothes with her. She called out her thanks and waited to here the door close before exiting the bathroom to find a honey colored tank top and designer jeans lying on the bed.
She attempted putting them on and it was immediately clear how much smaller Ginny was compared to her. The shirt was much too tight and the jeans wouldn't even come up over her hips. She grabbed her wand from her night stand and muttered a spell to resize both pieces to fit her properly. When she was finally dressed and able to breathe properly in the outfit that had been left for her she heard a soft knocking on the door. Judging by the softness of the knock she thought it was Lily and told her to come on in. She was mildly shocked to see Ginny come in carrying a couple notebooks, note cards, post-it notes, and an assortment of colored pens.
"Sirius is such a big dog and he gets excited so easily. He must have picked up your scent and wanted to aquatint himself. I'm sure he didn't mean it. Harry's really sorry." Ginny tried to explain but was only met with a scowl. "Maybe we should talk about something else? We could start planning the wedding? Making the lists at least, so when we get to Italy and meet up with the girls all we have to do is revise the list and shop."
"Couldn't it just be small and insignificant like eloping in America or something?" Hermione grimaced at the thought of having to plan a huge wedding.
Ginny laughed at the request thinking Hermione was joking as she made her way across the room and lay down on the bed spreading her things out. She patted the bed next to her inviting Hermione to join her in lying on her stomach and uncapping a pen.
"Oh Hermione you make me laugh so. You're about to marry the most famous wizard of our time, nothing is small or insignificant with him." Ginny stated matter-of-factly, the wink she gave Hermione told her that statement had more than one meaning. "Come on it'll be loads of fun and a great bonding experience. I'll be around a lot in Italy since my older brother is one of Harry's best friends. I'm a fashion designer/interior decorator so I work whenever I please or a friend asks me to remodel their home or make an all original outfit or something. So whenever you need me just give a shout because I'm never busy."
"Oh." Hermione murmured wondering what it was like to not have to earn your living and working when you please. `I suppose I'll have to talk to Harry about that. He mentioned quitting my job and Ginny mentioned spending all day with Lily does this mean they don't expect me to work in Italy?'
"We have loads to do guest lists, dinner selection, wine selection, seating arrangements, music, the whole bit. It's so exciting. I've always wanted to plan a wedding. I've been hoping to add wedding planner to my list of many professions for a while now." Ginny sighed, a shiny wistful look in her eye. "I can't wait to get married. It sounds so romantic."
Hermione just stared at the dreamy looking red head. There was nothing remotely romantic about her situation. It was all a huge miserable ordeal and she really wished she didn't have to go through with it but she reminded herself she had to do it for Lily. She had to always be there for her like she'd promised. With that thought in mind listened to Ginny who was spouting off ideas and scribbling a list down furiously in her notebook. Hermione glanced at her own and sighed as she tried to think of things she needed to do.
After a couple of hours all she had down was guest list, send invitations, buy a dress, and find a reception venue. She felt rather dumb as she wasn't one of those girls who'd been planning her wedding since the wedding day Barbie came out. Rather she was reading about advanced spells and alchemical sciences. She paled glancing over at Ginny's list. `Merlin save me.' She thought as Ginny stabbed a period onto the page and then grinned at Hermione.
"So, what'd you come up with?" Ginny asked.
"Er, most definitely no that much." Hermione sighed closing her notebook. "I think it's best if we look at your list."
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked trying to steal a peek before Hermione's notebook was completely shut.
"Positive!" Hermione said.
"Alright, here's what I got." Ginny bubbled thrusting her list into Hermione's hands and babbling excitedly as she attempted to explain it all. Hermione's eyes were wide as saucers as she tried to take it all in. This was going to be expensive.
Choose Wedding Date
Decide on Honeymoon
Get Priest
Choose Reception Venue
Make Guest List
Choose Maid of Honor
Choose Best Man
Register for gifts
Arrange for Engagement Parties
Plan Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
Choose Birds to send invitations
Buy Engagement Rings
Buy Wedding Rings
Choose Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid dresses
Order Wedding Cakes
Decide on Dessert Selection
Hire Caterer
Hire Band for Reception
Order flowers
Buy Shoes
Buy Wedding Dress
Plan Rehearsal Dinner
Order and send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Hire Musicians for Ceremony
Choose Theme
Choose ice sculptures
Choose color scheme
Decide on Dress Code
Get Marriage License
Hire Videographer
Hire Photographer
Order bouquets
Order Boutonnières for Men
Order Nosegays for Women
Order Invitations
Decide on Wine Selection
Choose Hair style and make up
Buy gifts for attendants
Buy Thank You cards
Announce Wedding to the Press
Buy Headpiece
Make Table Seating Charts
Decide on Menu
Decide on hors d' oeuvres
Decide on Dinner service
Decide on staff-guest ratio
Decide seated or buffet
Reserve Vegetarian meals
Reserve staff meals
Make Photo list
Choose Hotel for Wedding Night
Hire a limousine for church-reception transportation
Decide on liquor selection
Hire Bartenders
Verify Wheelchair accessibility
Choose Processional music
Choose Recessional Music
Choose Cocktail Music
Choose Reception Music
Choose Ceremony Readings
Prepare Birdseeds instead of rice
Schedule manicure/ pedicure/ wax/ massage
Schedule a Spa day
"Um, Ginny, don't you this is a bit . . . ah, a bit much?" Hermione asked a stricken look on her face.
"No, of course not, it's just the basics. We'll expand and elaborate on it all once we get home and get the other's input on it." Ginny grinned looking proudly over her long list.
"Eh?" Hermione's eyes widened at the thought of this being the basics. This was going to turn extremely complicated. She could tell. She saw Harry passing by the ajar bedroom door and despite how much she still wanted to hit him she called out to him.
"Er, just so, uh, we don't go too overboard, which I already think we have, um what's our budget?" Hermione asked looking from him to the list and back up.
"Budget?" Harry and Ginny inquired looking confused, as though they'd never heard the term before. They exchanged questioning looks and then both stared at Hermione like she'd lost her mind.
"You know the amount we're allowed to spend on this wedding. Surely you don't intend to go over a set amount? I mean that's outrageous to start planning something without knowing how much you're willing to spend first, right?" Hermione cried frantically looking back and forth between them as they continue to give her that look like she was speaking a foreign language.
"Um, well no, actually we don't have one of those. Not really, so ah, just have at it. Spend as much as you like. I highly doubt you can bankrupt me." Harry replied nodding, his expression not changing.
"You can't be serious?" Hermione insisted looking between the two as if they were insane.
"Why not?" Harry asked shrugging.
"I . . . that's . . . how?" Hermione looked back and forth between them looking for some sign of understanding in one of their faces but got nothing. "Oh never mind."
"Right, so, um Lily and I are going to go start on that huge paint by number mosaic I conjured on the playroom floor." Harry said.
Hermione nodded to him remembering the enormous play room on the main floor next to the living room. She'd only been in there once and it just screamed a child's heaven. It housed even more toys than the nursery.
"Well then since that's all cleared up I'll start making some phone calls and add a few details here and there to the list, okay? You might want to run home while Lily's preoccupied and pack up your things, though. We'll be leaving in a day or two." Ginny suggested as she got up off the bed and headed for the door. "Smile Hermione, it's not all bad."
With that last comment thrown over her shoulder she headed out the door whipping out her cell phone. `Easy for her to say.' Hermione thought as she dragged herself up and decided to go along with Ginny's suggestion to return home and grab her things.
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