This Could Get Awkward
It took Hermione and the twins only a month to pack up the house, put it on the market, and get it sold. She had kept it in good order and it was in a great neighborhood so she wasn't really surprised. Her friend Meredith said she would be more then happy to take over the shop, as it was like her second home. And like that they were on their way back to England, with no plans to return.
Hopefully everything would go well and her children would have a family.
Harry had worked hard over their month apart to get the house ready for his new family. He scrubbed out three bedrooms that hadn't been used in ten years, making them livable again. He even cleaned out the office-type room so Hermione could use it for the writing he knew she loved to do, but never talked about.
"You did all this for me?" Hermione asked as Harry showed her the office. There was a large desk in one corner and the walls were lined with bookshelves.
"Well I never used the space and I knew you would."
"Thanks, I think the kids love their rooms by the way."
"I'm glad they do"
"It will take them a while to get use to working without electricity. Though I think they'll like the not going to muggle school thing."
"Well you know this is a muggle neighborhood we could bring in some power for them if you wanted."
"No, they'll live, it'll take some adjusting, but they'll survive."
"It's good to have you back in my life Hermione." Harry said softly, turning from the room and walking off before she could respond. She was glad to be back in his life as well, but the way he said it made her think this meant something more. Hermione shook it off; maybe she was just reading more into it then was there.
The process of moving in took most of the day. Hermione helped Lily while Harry helped James. It didn't get any of Hermione's things put together but it got the kids settled and she decided that that was more important. Around five Hermione left Lily to her work and went down to the kitchen to make dinner.
At dinner Harry told Lily and James all about his career and life over the past nine years. It kept them on the edge of their seats all through the meal. After dinner Hermione went to work on her office and bedroom while Harry spent time with the twins.
At around seven, when she decided her office was organized enough for the time being so she went to check on Harry and the twins. They were sitting on a couch in the sitting room looking at the photo album Harry had full of pictures of his parents. The photo album was in his lap and Lily and James were on either side of him with their heads leaning on him.
"How are you three doing?" Hermione asked leaning on the doorframe, her arms crossed across her chest, watching them. Before she could stop herself a large smile appeared on her face. Her children had their father and the three of them had bonded so fast it was like Harry had always been a part of their lives.
"Good," Harry said looking over his shoulder to her. Seeing her smile Harry's smile, which seemed to be attached to his face since she and the twins moved in, broadened. He motioned for her to join them in the room, but she shook her head and mouthed to him "This is your time."
"Have you seen this book Mum?" James asked from the couch pulling the photo album out of Harry's hands and holding it up for Hermione to see.
"Parts of it," Hermione said smiling at James.
"Well I was just telling them about finding Sirius. When I found out that he was the best man at my parents wedding I ran back to my room and looked at this picture. It was the first time I had seen a picture of him where he wasn't laughing like a maniac…" And Harry plunged into the story of his godfather - one of two stories that Hermione had never told them. Though she had been closely involved in saving Sirius it wasn't really her story to tell.
Hermione watched Harry as he told his children about the closest thing to a father he had ever had. Lily and James listened intently. They were completely wrapped up in Harry's life, as were most people who heard any of the sorted details, but unlike with most people Harry seemed to be enjoying sharing his life with his children. She watched in awe as Harry easily took on the roll of being their father.
Perhaps she had underestimated Harry all those years ago. Maybe he would have been able to handle the responsibility of being a parent and a Quidditch player. Watching the three of them on the couch Hermione couldn't imagine how she lived her life so long without Harry.
For her children's sake of course.
But he was so cute when he was with them. There was a sparkle to his eyes that was only there when his children were around.
Wait, since when is Harry cute? Hermione thought to herself as she turned from the room and walked back to her office. She didn't think of Harry like that, she never had. He was her best friend and the father of your children. Well of course he was that, but that didn't mean anything. She had been with him all those years ago because he was her friend and he asked.
But no, he didn't ask, you offered. Yes she had offered, but only because Harry hadn't wanted to say it. That hadn't meant anything to her - had it?
No of course it hadn't, she'd known that since it happened - but, was that true? She had said that to herself so many times since the day she had been with Harry, said it so often that it came as a natural response. God, it happened so long ago she didn't really now what it meant anymore.
Harry had been nervous and timid and she greatly suspected that he didn't want to be a virgin anymore. He couldn't even undo her bra without help. But the way he kissed her and the way his hand felt against her thigh. I can't think that, Hermione said to herself trying to force the thoughts of Harry away. She had to live with Harry, for their children's sake, and she would be able to do that if she thought of the way he made her moan, or the way the green of his eyes deepened when he was full of passion.
All right, so maybe Harry meant more to me then I knew, Hermione thought as she sat down at her desk, but that was just a memory nothing more. Besides Harry didn't want anything more from her. All he wanted from her was for her to be his best friend and be the mother of his children. But was that all she wanted?
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