Innocent Eyes

Innocent Eyes

Chapter Five

The next morning Harry woke up, and went through a phase of wondering if last night had just been a dream. Hermione left him a note, in magical writing, on his bedroom door to say that she had gone into work and wouldn’t be home until noon.  She also said to take his mind off of last night and that they could talk about it later.

Harry looked over to the clock and found that she must have gotten a very early morning since it was only seven thirty.  He also felt his stomach churn at the thought of addressing their kiss later.  It was something that he didn’t want to discuss.  Couldn’t they just know it was right and move on?

“Hermione,” Harry breathed wishing that every time he said her name it didn’t leave him with a chill.  There was something about last night and something about how it just happened.  It didn’t sit right with him, and he knew that Hermione probably spent her first hour at work thinking the same, or at least he hoped so and that she couldn’t just blow off a snog that easily.

He decided to shower and make breakfast before Charmain woke up.  After taking a long shower, Harry decided long sweatpants and a plain t-shirt would be appropriate for his first full day with his new daughter. 

He then went in to peak on Charmain, just to make sure she was okay.  He couldn’t believe that the first night she was here he and Hermione had decided it was the right time to snog.  A child enters their house and then they decide it’s the right time?  It all seemed a bit backwards, but faith works in funny ways, Harry reminded himself.

Harry looked at her angelic face as she slept and saw a smile on it.  Her blonde hair was an absolute mess and it looked like she moved a lot when she slept, but it was certainly precious.  Then he reminded himself that he would probably wake her and should go drink some coffee. 

When he got downstairs he felt like something wasn’t right.  It was like an ice cube had been dropped right down the back of his neck and went until it melted from the heat roaring down his spine.  The uneasiness that the contrast created sat low in his gut. 

Again Harry thought of Hermione, but in a worried sense.  He knew Charmain was all right, but he hadn’t seen Hermione that morning.  So he quickly scribbled a note to her and sent Hedwig off to the ministry.  She would most likely scold him for being so irrational and again for sending her a personal owl while she was working.

Harry found that he and Mrs. Weasley shared one thing in common: when they were nervous they baked.  The only difference was that Harry preferred the muggle way.  So by nine the kitchen was decorated with cakes, muffins, and a few pastries.  He had also started a pumpkin pie when Charmain wondered downstairs. 

Harry reminded himself again that she wasn’t a baby.  She had showered and gotten dressed.  He hair was still a little damp.

“Good morning,” she said smiling.

“‘Morning, would you like anything to eat?” Harry asked.

“Yes, what am I allowed to have?” Charmain asked eyeing the cakes, but knowing she probably wouldn’t be allowed something so sweet for breakfast.  They always had hot or cold cereal at the orphanage.  On Sundays though, they usually made something special.

“Well, as long as you can keep a small secret from Hermione, anything you like,” Harry said.

“Oh, and what’s the small secret,” Charmain asked, but not before picking up a blueberry muffin.

“That I let you eat sweets for breakfast,” Harry answered.

Charmain surveyed the kitchen and noticed that the counters were completely covered in everything from pumpkin pasties to treacle fudge. “Do you always bake this much?”

“No,” Harry answered honestly.  He really wished Ron were here, but they weren’t going to see him until later when they joined the Weasleys for dinner.

“Oh, well, for whatever reason you decided to make them, these muffins are awfully delicious,” Charmain complimented and Harry thanked her. “Is Hermione coming home soon?” Charmain asked after that.

“Yes, but how did you know she was gone?” Harry asked.

“I would’ve figured I would see both of you here.  She said you eat meals together, I assumed you prepared them together,” Charmain shrugged.

“Charmain, you don’t have any relatives do you?”

“No, did you find that I do?” Charmain asked suspiciously wondering if there really was an aunt of uncle she didn’t know of.  She always thought it was weird that all of her family was dead.  Most of the other kids in the orphanage were the same, and it was just so surreal.  That people like the Weasleys had family scattered through three countries, and they didn’t have anyone.

“Well, I just wanted to know if you knew anything at all about them?  Perhaps your mother’s name?”  Harry inquired.  He wondered if she was in the same situation he had been at that age, with no knowledge of his parents at all, or if there was something more to her.  As an auror he had a nature for feelings, and the cold one he had felt on his way downstairs today had put a curiosity bug in his system for the whole day.

“No, I don’t, but everyone tells me I look just like her.  I remember hearing some women in the orphanage talking about her ending up with my father.  They called him a…well a bad word, but I’m not sure because it was in French.  I was born there, they told me, but the government allowed me to become a citizen of England since France doesn’t have the orphanages for war orphans,” Charmain said taking another bite of her muffin. 

“What was the word they called your father?” Harry asked.  Charmain looked alarmed that he asked. “You said you weren’t sure if it was a bad word since it was in French.  I won’t scold you for telling me a word you don’t know the meaning to, Charmain,” Harry said trying to coax it out of her.  He figured that might come back to bite him in the arse later on when she was older because children tended to remember those sorts of promises, but this was for investigative purposes.

“I just…don’t want to tell you, okay?” Charmain said looking down at her last bite of muffin.

“I…all right,” Harry sighed and realized that she was his daughter, not a witness.  He needed to learn the boundaries between work and family.

“Did you find out who they were…their names?” Charmain asked.  “Is that why you want to know if I knew anything about them?  Were they criminals or something?” Charmain asked looking absolutely crestfallen.  Her green eyes were glassy and her face just fell.

Harry mentally kicked himself and stopped stirring the brownie mix.

“Charmain, I’m sorry for upsetting you, but I only know their names.  I can promise you no matter what I find out about your past I’ll still love you like my own daughter.  I know what people are like.  They hear a name and jump to conclusions, but I won’t do that, and I certainly won’t blame you or treat you any differently than my own future children,” Harry said caringly.

“So you do want to have children with Hermione!” Charmain giggled.

Harry was caught off guard.  He hadn’t thought about Hermione since that morning, and now the feeling of her lips against his came flooding back.  He began to blush, but knew that was what she wanted.  She was a schemer, and so far she had gotten the best of him.  He didn’t want to think what ideas their visit to the Weasleys would bring her.

“Charmain, why you little,” Charmain got a head start running around the furniture and through the flat.  They went upstairs and downstairs until when passing the kitchen Charmain stopped.

“I got you now!” Harry said running up behind her and swinging her around.  He soon stopped seeing the reason for the sudden halt to their game of chase.  There was a stream of smoke coming from the oven.  Harry had forgotten about his batch of brownies.

“FIRE!” Charmain yelped running for the door.  Harry sighed in relief that she at least knew what to do in case it happened, but quickly pulled out his wand and put it out before she could open the door.  Then a fragrance charm was cast to erase the burning stench.

“Sorry,” Harry said.

“Is it okay now?” Charmain asked sitting.

“Yes,” Harry said letting out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding in. 

“Hermione’s the more practical one of the pair isn’t she?”  Charmain asked from the couch.  She wasn’t being insulting, but making another observation.

“Hey, wait until you meet Ron, I’m at least more responsible than him,” Harry said looking over at her.

“Harry, mate, don’t lie to the girl.  Well, I suppose you are a parent now, I guess I’ll have to live with you trying to make yourself look more superior,” Ron smirked, and Harry about jumped out of his sweatpants.  He had no idea Ron was coming over early, and had long forgotten the fact that he had a key to his flat, as he pulled out his wand. “Whoa, no need to duel!” Ron said putting his hands up.

Charmain’s mouth was agape and she was in complete ah.

“Ron you scared the bloody…hippogriffs out of me!” Harry said quickly remembering that along with no snogging in front of children went no cursing in front of them, or at least he knew Hermione would disapprove.

“Dad said something about you and Hermione getting a marriage license, but she took away your right to curse words too.  Man mate, she’s got you whipped,” Ron laughed.  Harry pulled him into a man hug and Ron added, “Hippogriffs? Harry, that’s just, well bad doesn’t quite cover it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Harry said.  He looked over at Charmain and tried not to laugh at her wide green eyes and surprised beyond belief look.

“So, who’s this, you haven’t brought home a new girl I haven’t met have you?  She’s absolutely beautiful Harry, how could you hold out on your best mate!” Ron said walking over to Charmain who was blushing a furious red.  Ron Weasley had grown out of his awkwardness and was now quite the charmer.

“This, is my daughter, and I expect you to pass on to all your little nephews…hands off until she’s married.  Charmain Aiglentine Granger, this is Ronald Mathias Weasley,” Harry said.

“Pleased to meet you,” Ron said shaking her hand.

“You…I’m a big fan…I…” Charmain was speechless.  Ron grinned.  It was a rare moment that someone noticed his stardom on the Cannons before they immediately ran to get Harry’s autograph.  The little girl had already made his day.

“Charmain’s a big fan of the Cannons.  I figure I’d take her to one of your games as part of her birthday present,” Harry said.

“My birthday!  You know my birthday?” Charmain asked not remembering him reading her papers.  She was surprised and worried at what else they said about her, as anyone would get nervous about someone judging them from a ministry file. 

“Yes, I figured it would be important to know my daughter’s birthday,” Harry said in reply.

“How old will you be Charmain?” Ron asked.

“Ten,” She answered.

“Maybe I will tell my nephews hands off,” Ron said thoughtfully.  He recognized her resemblance to the French Fleur that had been around his fourth year at Hogwarts.  He also noticed her eyes were the same color as Harry’s, but they were more mystical.  “So starting at Hogwarts next term?”

“I hope so,” Charmain said.  It was the first anyone had mentioned about her attending Hogwarts.  She was told that she would have enough money to do so, but wasn’t sure if Harry and Hermione would send her there.  They might want to send her to Beauxbatons

“She’s very smart,” Harry said.

“I’ll bet, how does she handle a broom?” Ron asked knowing that the knowledge was Hermione’s concern.

“She handles a snitch like she was born with one already in her hand,” Harry said enjoying being able to gloat about her.  He really liked the proud father thing.

“Hmm…maybe we can get her a few minutes with the Cannon’s seeker, see if she can show him a thing or two,” Ron said.

“That would be the coolest thing…since chapter books,” Charmain said thinking about the last thing in her life that had been exciting, and with that comparison Ron sent Harry a look. 

“Where’s Hermione?” Ron asked looking around and then he spied that Harry had baked up a storm in the kitchen.  There were cakes and cookies everywhere. “Not trying to out-do my mum are you?” Ron found about Harry’s baking fetish in the summer after their seventh year when they had stayed at Grimmauld Place, and found Harry under a tower of pumpkin pastries.  He found out later that Harry had lost his virginity the previous night. “What happened?” Ron asked grabbing a muffin from the counter.

“Well, um nothing in particular.”

“Come on Harry you only bake when you hope it will get something off your mind.  What…or maybe perhaps who is it this time?” Ron asked and Charmain couldn’t help it she giggled. 

“Harry you didn’t…you just adopted her and you s-h-a-g-g-e-d someone her first night here?” Ron said unbelievably.

“Ron, you dolt, she can read books as thick as your head. She knows how to spell!” Harry said tightly and Charmain blushed.  She had heard a few of the older kids talking about that word, and she knew that it was something very private. 

“Oh, so it is a girl.  Hermione didn’t…” Ron said glancing from Harry’s face to his trousers and Harry blushed wrathfully.  He thanked Merlin that Charmain at least had no clue as to what that meant yet.

“Charmain, would you mind if I talked to Ron alone a moment, before he embarrasses himself anymore,” Harry said.

“I think you’re the one who’s embarrassed.  Did Hermione kiss you goodnight last night?  Was it like fate, when the prince kisses Snow White?” Charmain said wide-eyed.

“Charmain, please,” Harry said tightly not wanting to get angry with her.

“Fine,” Charmain sighed she went to the top of the stairs to listen, but Harry knew better and took Ron into the bathroom and cast a silencing charm.

“Nice choice for privacy, but I thought I’d take the chance to tell you she’s a great kid,” Ron smiled and made himself comfortable on the lid of the toilet.

“Yes, too great, and unfortunately too much like your mother.  She likes to medal in my affairs,” Harry sighed.

“Oh, so you and Hermione are having an affair, is that it now!” Ron said delighted. He was in his first long-term relationship since Hogwarts with Luna Lovegood, and just couldn’t wait until Harry and Hermione cracked and fell for each other.

“No, but you’re right.  There is something bothering me.”  Harry said.  He hadn’t told something so personal to Ron in a long time.  They didn’t see each other as often as they used to, only three times a week instead of everyday, and if he was touring with the Cannons sometimes longer.

“So out with it I don’t have all bloody day, well I do, but it’ll kill me if I have to wait another bleeding second for you to explain why you’ve turned your kitchen into an advertisement for Tessa Mills’ Packaged Pastries (a new shop in Diagon Alley with products similar to Little Debbie).”

“Hermione-and-I-crossed-that-line-between-friendship-and-I-don’t-know-what-to-tell-her-when-she-comes-home,” Harry said quickly and luckily Ron was used to this and just strained a bit to understand.

“So did you do the naughty, what the hell happened?” Ron asked.

“We kissed, well snogged actually, on the couch last night after Charmain went to sleep,” Harry said.

“I bet the little bugger planned it, go Charmain,” Ron laughed.

“RON! I highly doubt she planned for us to snog!  She’s ten!” Harry said.

“And she’s a pretty little girl, probably had the little boys at the orphanage all over her,” Ron laughed.

“No, actually they didn’t seem to like her too well, their attitudes towards her kind of reminded me of when we first met Hermione,” Harry explained.

“Damn, that’s my worst nightmare.  A girl who looks like a veela and talks like Hermione, poor little buggers,” Ron said feeling for the little blokes in the orphanage.

“Hey, Hermione’s beautiful,” Harry said and slapped himself at Ron’s told-you-so look.

“I really think this kid’s going to be good for you Harry.  I mean we’ve been trying to get the two of you together for months, well my mum has for years, and I think a ten-year-old has managed to make you more uncomfortable than you’ve been around a girl since fourth year.  It’s bloody hilarious when you think about the irony of it all.”

“Yeah, well stop thinking about that and start thinking about what the hell I’m going to do.”  Harry said.  Ron wasn’t helping him at all.  They’d been in the bathroom ten minutes and gotten absolutely nowhere.

“Nothing, just talk to her about it.”  Ron said.

“That’s it?  I haven’t spoken to her since last night!”

“What did she say after the kiss?” Ron asked.  So to make things easier Harry went into a full story of what had happened starting after they put Charmain to bed.  He even told Ron about her parents and his face grew very surprised when the Malfoy name was mentioned.

“Damn if I had known Draco had a sister that was part veela I might not have hated him so much, nah,” Ron laughed as they moved on through the story stopping at when Hermione shut her bedroom door and Harry went to his room.  He even told Ron about the chill he got this morning.

“Yeah, I think you’ve got it bad if she’s giving you chills.”

“No, that had nothing to do with it I wasn’t thinking about Hermione when that happened…it was very random. Then, I got scared and thought about her, but I’ve done that since I was fifteen.” Harry said.

“Yes, and we’ve all thought you’ve had a thing for her since then.  I was always surprised she wasn’t your first shag, and Merlin knows that I was pissed for a few weeks because I had had a crush on her myself, but I got over it.  In fact I think it was good for me,” Ron said.

“So, you weren’t mad at me for making you fly fifteen laps around the pitch at that one practice?” Harry said.  He had been captain and punished Ron.  Ron was very peeved at him the following weeks, but Harry thought it was because of the practice.  In fact it was because Hermione had come to watch Harry coach instead of him practice and he thought foolishly that Harry was trying to make himself look superior to Ron.

“Hell no, but I suppose it was better you thought that,” Ron replied.  “That’s not the point.  What are you going to tell her?” Ron asked.

“That’s why we’re in the damn bathroom, to figure it out!” Harry said frustrated.

“Well, I know you aren’t really great with words, but you have to say something.  You can’t just go and snog her without telling her where that puts you in the relationship,” Ron said.  ‘I’ve been hanging around Ginny too much,’ Ron decided.

“You’ve been hanging around Ginny too much,” Harry remarked.

“Yeah I know,” Ron said, and then they heard the door to the flat open.

“Charmain, Harry, I’m home!” Hermione called.

“She wasn’t supposed to be home for another two hours,” Harry said frantically as he heard Charmain come downstairs.

“She’s going to rat us out isn’t she?” Ron said in reference to Charmain, and sure enough the next thing they heard was Hermione’s stern voice, “What are they doing in the bathroom together?” She was thinking they were brewing a potion.  Ever since they made one in Myrtle’s bathroom when people secretly met in bathrooms that was the first thought that came to her mind, until she walked in on Ginny and Draco in the prefects bathroom, but she hoped that wasn’t the case with Harry and Ron.

Harry quickly cast a charm to temporarily remove the apparition wards from the flat and Ron winked and popped out.  He then tried to exit the bathroom as inconspicuously as possible.

“What were you and Ron doing in the bathroom together?” Hermione asked suspiciously.

“Nothing,” Harry chirped.

“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” Charmain laughed.

“Seems someone says that isn’t true,” Hermione said looking to Charmain.

“Fine, we were talking about manly stuff,” Harry said not thinking of anything else.

“What kind of manly stuff?” Hermione inquired.

“Top secret, sorry but you’re a girl, you too Charmain,” Harry said going to the kitchen.

“You know what I’ll find out later, but I came home early to talk to you,” Hermione said to Harry and Charmain smirked behind her.

“Oh, uh, why?” Harry asked not quite ready to jump into discussing the previous night.

“It’s about something I was researching for a case,” Hermione lied.

“Oh,” Harry’s face fell.

“Can we go to your study and talk?” Hermione asked starting up the steps.  Harry was thinking how adorable she looked in the muggle suite she wore to work.  It was a cadet blue and her hair was drawn back into a bun. 

“I’m sorry to have to leave you again Charmain,” Harry said.  He was supposed to be spending the day with her.  Now, he and Hermione would both be working.

“That’s alright, take all the time you need,” Charmain said walking to her room as they stopped in front of the study.

“I’m sorry I had to lie to you Harry, but what I really want to talk about is Charmain,” Hermione said after they entered the study, which had a permanent silencing charm on it.

“Oh,” Harry said again.  He was mad at himself for being disappointed they weren’t going to talk about last night.  ‘Uh, Ron’s right, I’ve lost it,’ Harry said and sat down at his desk.