AN: I'm so sorry it's been over a month (again), it took me a while to write and then one of my betas was rather busy (I don't blame her, we all have times when we are busy I'm just explaining) so it took a while to get back to me. But it's here now and the really good news is that chapter 24 is already with her so it should be out soon. Sorry again and on with the chapter.
Public Scrutiny
Hermione awoke, the Saturday after the articles had been published, much the same way she had for the past five days; with Harry's scent still lingering next to her. She smiled rolling over so that she was on the side of the bed he had been sleeping on just minutes ago. She nestled her face into the pillow he'd been using, it smelt like him. She was just drifting off into a fantasy, when she heard her door open softly.
"Go away!" Hermione yelled, though the pillow muffled it.
"Get up 'Mione - time for breakfast." It was Harry and he was too cheery for eight o'clock in the morning.
"No, I was enjoying myself - thinking about you," Hermione informed him as she rolled over. Harry looked wonderful dressed in jeans and a tight sweater, his hair as wild as ever, and his eyes a wonderful shade of green.
"Ah well then maybe I should have stuck around this morning," Harry teased leaning over the bed and kissing her gently.
"I hate that you leave," Hermione declared. They had been sharing Hermione's bed since Sunday night, sleeping next to each other. But in the morning, Harry would force himself to get up and go back to his own room, because the twins still didn't know that they were dating.
"I hate that I have to leave too, but you know, we could always tell the twins," Harry suggested innocently, knowing full well Hermione would reject that idea the instant she heard it.
"No Harry, we can't yet. Last weekend was big enough for them - we don't need to be putting more onto them."
"I know," Harry said exhaustedly getting onto the bed and crawling towards her; he'd already had this conversation with Hermione four times. "But might I remind you that you were the one complaining about me leaving? If we told them, then we wouldn't have to hide anything; I wouldn't have to get up at seven in the morning, something you know I hate doing, and you wouldn't have to miss me in the morning."
"Maybe asking you to stay wasn't such a good idea."
"Oh no - don't you dare say that. I've slept better than I have in years, with you by my side, I won't have you regretting that."
"I'm not regretting, just rethinking."
"You've said that every morning this week, and every night you've invited me to stay."
"Well, it takes me a long time to rethink things."
"Oh I'm sure it does," Harry mocked. "But rethink later because it's time to get up and have breakfast and take the kids to the park like you promised."
"Oh that's right - I did promise them that, didn't I?" Hermione remembered rubbing the sides of her face as she sat up.
"Yes you did, and they've been excited about it since Wednesday," Harry reminded her, getting off her bed.
"Well, I'll be down in about twenty minutes."
"Breakfast will be waiting for you," Harry informed her with a wink as he stepped across the room and walked out the door. Hermione smiled after him and finally crawled out of bed.
No matter what she said, she wasn't really rethinking inviting Harry in, well… not seriously rethinking it anyway. She loved having Harry next to her, she felt safe with his strong arm around her and now she was a little afraid that she wouldn't be able to sleep with him gone.
Hermione emerged from her room half an hour later dressed in a flattering winter skirt and a sweater. She hurried down the stairs and found her little family in the kitchen laughing like lunatics.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked, standing next to Harry and rubbing his back softly.
"Nothing," the three of them said in unison. Hermione glared across the table at the twins, not trusting them at all, and they just laughed harder.
"Harry what evil stories have you been telling them?"
"I've told them nothing," Harry insisted innocently.
"Did you really grow a tail Mum?" James asked through fits of laughter. Hermione groaned as realization washed over her. Harry had told them about the nasty incident with Polyjuice Potion during their second year, which had caused Hermione to grow fur and a tail. She didn't like being reminded of that blunder, which had been entirely her own.
"Yes, but it all cleared up and we don't need to talk about it anymore," Hermione insisted, sitting down next to Harry. Trying to look innocent, Harry offered her the plate he had prepared for her. Hermione glared at him, Harry put on a pouting face and mouthed 'sorry' and she chuckled at that silently, but was still mad at him.
"Why don't you to go get ready for the park while your Mum eats?" Harry suggested winking at them - letting them off the hook he had created for himself. Lily and James nodded quickly and hurried out of the room.
"Oh don't worry, I wasn't upset at them."
"Well, I can never be sure with you and your glares of death."
"I do not have glares of death."
"Yes, you do."
"If I do, you deserve them. Why would you tell them about that?"
"Oh come on 'Mione - that was a lifetime ago, I thought you weren't bothered by it anymore." Harry said softly wrapping his arm around her waist.
"It doesn't feel that long ago," Hermione muttered half-heartedly trying to push Harry away; she was mad at him, but she still liked the feeling of his arm, "besides, just because it happened a long time ago doesn't mean you have to tell people about it."
"I was only trying to kill time," Harry insisted kissing Hermione in a particularly sensitive spot on the side of her neck.
"You think you are just going to kiss your way out of this?" Hermione asked as a slight moan escaped her lips.
"I plan on trying to," Harry muttered innocently trailing kisses up her neck and across her face to her lips.
"As much as I---" Hermione started to say but she stopped as a moan overtook her. Harry had somehow learned her weak spots and was putting his lips to all of them… well, all the ones on her neck anyway.
"Yes," Harry purred taking his lips away from Hermione.
"As much as I would love for you to keep this up," Hermione assured him bringing his fingers to her lips and kissing them sensually. "I would remind you that it was you who forced me out of bed so that I could take our children to the park."
Harry grumbled in protest.
"It was your idea," Hermione reminded him.
"No - I was wrong you don't have to go to the park with the kids. You and I can just crawl back into your bed, or mine - it's bigger."
"Harry, I promised them I'd take them to the park and I think they deserve to get out of the house after what happened last weekend. They need to run around - they need to be kids." Harry pouted again and Hermione laughed pityingly at him.
"Fine, be a good mother, keep your promises to your children, see if I care." Harry muttered turning away from her as his mouth curved into a smile. Hermione smiled back at him as she turned back to her breakfast.
"The food was wonderful," Hermione said as she finished eating. She kissed Harry softly on the cheek as she stood and took her plate to the sink. "Thanks for cooking."
"It's not a problem, I enjoy cooking - especially for my family."
"All right. Well, I should probably go get my coat and get the kids. You sure you don't want to come along."
"No, you haven't had much time alone with them since you came back to England -"
"Oh, I don't mind that," Hermione lied. She certainly didn't begrudge Harry the time he was spending with his kids, but she did miss having time with them, just the three of them. "You needed time with them."
"Yes I did, and I still do, but you do to," Harry said sweetly, though Hermione thought he looked rather sad about it.
Forming an idea in her mind, Hermione smiled at Harry and left the kitchen. She walked quickly up to the hallway and grabbed the shawl she was planning to wear and Harry's coat and went up to find the twins. They were standing on the second-floor landing, whispering about something.
"What are you two whispering about?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Lily and James insisted together.
"I'm sure - so are you two ready to go to the park?"
"Yes," they answered, again at the same instant.
"I know I promised you that the three of us would go to the park together, but I was thinking - should we invite your father? It's just that when I was saying goodbye to him, he seemed really sad that we'd be leaving him for the day."
"Of course we can invite him along," Lily insisted and James nodded his head enthusiastically.
"Thanks. And I promise we'll go back to the park, just the three of us some other time."
"All right."
"I leave you two to your whispering while I go get your father," Hermione told them as she began descending the stairs. Once she was three steps down, Hermione heard them whispering again; she laughed to herself and kept walking.
When she got back to the kitchen Hermione found Harry exactly where she'd left him; looking a bit sad and lonely.
"Well come on then," Hermione commanded throwing Harry's coat to him. Harry looked over at her in surprise.
"What about your time with the twins?" Harry asked trying hard to suppress the look of happiness that was spreading quickly across his face. He didn't want to get his hopes up just yet.
"So I'll have it with you too because I decided," Hermione explained as Harry stood up to pull on his coat, "that I would miss you too much if I was away for that long."
"What about everything that's happened?" Harry questioned taking her hand and looking seriously into her eyes. "Do you really think it's safe for both of us to go out with them?"
"It's a muggle park, Harry - there shouldn't be many Witches or Wizards there if any at all. I think we'll be fine."
"If you're sure…" Harry began skeptically.
"I'm sure," Hermione assured him kissing him softly on the cheek. Harry squeezed her hand lovingly as they left the kitchen and headed up the stairs. Waiting for them in the hallway were James and Lily who both looked anxious and excited.
"Hurry Mum, we want to go," Lily said tapping her foot impatiently. Harry thought she looked amazingly like her mother doing that, but he knew if he pointed that out to Hermione, he would be smacked.
"Patience is a virtue my dear," Hermione said sweetly pushing the twins along in front of her. "Besides, it was your father who was wasting time."
"Don't go blaming me - you're the one who insisted I go along." Harry whispered in her ear as they reached the door.
"Oh and I'm so glad I did," Hermione whispered back sarcastically. Harry squeezed her hand lightly and they both laughed.
"By the way, do you have your wand?" Hermione asked as they stepped out into the square.
"Yeah it's in my pocket," Harry whispered pulling the handle out a little so she could see it.
"Good."
"Hey you two - don't go running off ahead or we'll go back inside right now and forget about this whole park thing!" Harry called after the twins who had, well, run ahead.
"Sorry Dad," James called back slowing down. Lily fell in pace beside her brother and waited for their parents to catch up.
"Spoken like a true father," Hermione whispered proudly and Harry beamed at her.
"He's beginning to sound like her, have you noticed that?" James was asking Lily as Harry and Hermione came up behind them.
"And what is so wrong with sounding like your mother?" Harry asked playfully ruffling James' hair.
"Nothing," James explained, "it would just be nice if we didn't have parents who thought exactly the same way." Hermione and Harry chuckled.
"We don't think the same way," Hermione said still laughing.
"Yes you do, you're always saying the same things to us."
"That's because we are parents," Harry explained. "We have to say the same things to keep you two in line."
"In the same line," Hermione muttered and Harry laughed.
"Yeah that's an important bit," Harry muttered back.
"Well come on then, we're all here - lets go to the park," James insisted, looking excitedly at his parents.
"What, did you eat sugar for breakfast this morning? I mean where is all this extra energy coming from?"
"We're just excited is all," Lily explained. "We've been inside for a week."
"You've been inside for longer"
"Yeah, but this isn't the same; there's nothing to look at here. You look out a window here and you're most likely looking into someone else's window or just other buildings, it's very boring."
"It can get quite dull I suppose," Harry reasoned. "But this place is practically a paradise compared to the place I grew up, so I never really thought about it."
"Well, we could change that - we could move to Dad's house."
"I don't know if that would be a good idea," Hermione said logically, "at least not right now."
"Why not?"
"Isn't that where you were when the people from the paper got a picture of the three of you?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah it was," Harry answered sadly seeing where Hermione was going with this.
"What does that matter?" James asked. "The worst has already happened."
"I don't really know what would happen," Hermione answered simply. "But I think avoiding that place for a while at least is a good idea."
"Maybe we can talk about moving there in the New Year, when things have settled down a bit." Harry suggested, looking at Hermione.
"That sounds like a plan," Hermione agreed with a wide smile, "a very good plan." Harry and Hermione shared a loving look that the twins missed and continued down the road.
"Is it much further?" James asked fifteen minutes later as they rounded the last corner.
"Not at all," Hermione answered pointing down the street to the park, which James had obviously missed. "And yes, you can run ahead now." Hermione added seeing the excitement on their faces.
Their lives had been very subdued over the past week, though they had, by choice, stayed inside for longer then a week before they'd never been forced to. As a result they'd been in very bad spirits.
"That was awfully nice of you," Harry muttered to Hermione as they walked through the gate of the park, the twins already running along the path, laughing madly at something.
"I figured, since we were just down the street and they've been wanting to run for ages, I might as well let them."
"That makes sense," Harry said bringing her hand up and kissing it softly. Hermione smiled at him, kissed his cheek softly and let go of his hand.
"Go on then. I know you want to go play with them," Hermione said reluctantly. She wanted him to stay with her, but if he wanted to horse around with his children she certainly wasn't going to stop him.
"No," Harry said sliding his hand back into hers. "Let them play, they haven't been outside in a while. The last thing they need is their tired old dad trying to keep up."
"Oh come on Harry, you are not old or tired and you could keep up with them even on your worst day."
"I don't know about that," Harry responded with a sigh, leading Hermione to a bench on the grassy area where the twins were playing.
"Don't tell me you're falling apart of something."
"No of course not - well not exactly. But my shoulders are sore most days and my back as well," Harry said with another large sigh as they sat down.
"Well, maybe I could help you with some of those aches and pains," Hermione said rubbing her hand up and down his back.
"Oh really," Harry said turning his face to her and raising an eyebrow at her. "And what exactly do you have in mind?"
"Maybe tonight," Hermione whispered in his ear, "you could lie down and I could give you a nice, long, relaxing massage."
"That sounds nice," Harry admitted closing his eyes and imagining how wonderful that would feel. "Say, you don't think the kids would mind heading back home early - like now?"
"Oh no, I'm sure they wouldn't mind." Hermione laughed. "In fact why don't you go ask them?"
"No, I'll stay here with you a bit longer," Harry said leaning back on the bench; he wrapped his arm around Hermione and pulled her close. She sighed happily, resting her head on his chest.
They sat that way, in silence, simply watching the twins, who were playing some game of their own creation. Harry was lazily running his fingers through Hermione's hair; Hermione tracing soft circles in the fabric of Harry's sweater.
"We lucked out with those two, we really did," Harry said after a while. He was looking lovingly at the twins. "It really is amazing. That we could create something so magical."
Hermione laughed; as a Witch and Wizard they created magical things all the time, "I know what you mean. It's amazing that something so…primitive could create a human being, two at that."
"Do you ever think of having more children?" Harry asked looking her in the eyes.
"I didn't, until I came back here," Hermione answered matching his stare.
"You want to have more children with me?"
"I've thought about it."
"And you think you might like to?" Harry asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I'd love to, when the time is right."
Harry smiled down at Hermione and kissed the top of her head. "I love you 'Mione. I truly love you."
"I love you too."
"Are you two just going to sit there all day?" James asked coming to a halt ten feet in front of them.
Hermione looked to Harry, he was smiling mischievously. "Go on then," she whispered.
"You sure," Harry mouthed back. Hermione nodded. Harry squeezed her shoulder lightly as he sat her back up and rose from the bench.
"Are you implying something young man?" Harry asked sternly, but James wasn't fooled.
"Well, you have just been sitting there this whole time." And they were off; James sprinting away over the grass and Harry right behind him. Hermione laughed, Harry could be such a boy at times.
"Excuse me," a voice said behind Hermione. She turned to see if the voice was speaking to her and indeed there was a man standing behind the bench where she was sitting, looking at her expectantly. If she had to guess she would say he was about ten years older then her. He was tall, very tall, and wore his long brown hair tied back.
"Yes, can I help you?" Hermione responded politely, trying to keep one eye on Harry and the twins.
"Are you Hermione Granger?" The man asked stepping a bit closer then Hermione would have liked.
"Yes I am," Hermione responded tensely, knowing that a complete stranger knowing her name couldn't be good.
"I noticed you sitting with that man, Harry Potter," the man said getting even closer, "and I wanted to say - that I despise what you did to him. He saved us and you broke his heart like that. It's horrible. You don't deserve to spend time around him. You should just hand custody of the twins over to him and get out of his life."
"Um," Hermione stammered, not sure how to defend herself against things she had, at one time, thought about herself. But before she could find the right words a woman came up beside the man.
"It is her, isn't it?" The women asked sounding very sour.
"Yeah it is," the man answered.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, how do you even live with yourself knowing what you did."
"Well, I have his understanding and I guess that's all I can hope for," Hermione responded timidly, shrinking away from these complete strangers who had passed judgment on her without even knowing her.
Hermione was going to say something more, but just then she heard familiar laughter coming towards her. Harry and the twins were coming back towards the bench laughing and winded.
"What's going on here?" Harry asked Hermione, looking suspicious at the man and woman.
Hermione was about to answer Harry when the man spoke up. "It's an honor to meet you. I never even dreamed you would be in a muggle park - what a place to meet a hero." The man said holding out his hand to Harry, but Harry didn't take it.
"What were you saying to Hermione?" Harry demanded holding his arms out to stop the twins from going anywhere near the man or woman.
"Nothing Harry, they were just asking me if it was actually you. That's all." Hermione said softly, but Harry wasn't buying it.
"Were you harassing her?" Harry asked looking at the man suspiciously, still refusing to take his hand.
"We were only telling her the truth," the woman insisted.
"Oh, is that so? And what truth would that be?" Harry asked forgetting that the twins were just behind him.
"Harry don't make this into a big deal - lets just go, do you think that would be possible?"
"No, I want to know - what did he say to you, what truth did you tell her?" Harry asked again.
This time the woman answered. "That she should be ashamed of herself for what she did to you. And that she doesn't deserve you. Because she doesn't."
"You couldn't be further from the truth," Harry snarled at them causing the man to back off a bit. "Hermione is the smartest, most giving woman I have ever known and she would never ever do anything to intentionally hurt me."
"Harry, you don't have to defend me to them."
"No 'Mione - I want to say this. No one has been harder on her about what she did then she's been on herself. If you read the article then you would know that she regrets keeping them from me."
"But Harry, you can have any woman you want, why would you pick the one that treated you like rubbish?" The woman asked incredulously
"Because she didn't treat me like rubbish! And she doesn't treat me like a hero, she treats me like a human being. And she is the one I want; she's the one I've wanted for the past ten years." Harry snapped causing the man to back off even further.
"And she's a brilliant Mum as well!" James insisted ducking under Harry's arm.
"Yeah and she raised us better then anyone else could!" Lily exclaimed ducking under Harry's arm as well and standing next to James.
"James - Lily, don't get involved," Hermione said quietly.
"Why not - they are saying horrible things about you Mum, you don't deserve that." James told her, not understanding why his mother wasn't defending herself.
"Come on Mum, you always tell us not to let other people treat us like this," Lily demanded. "You can't just let them talk about you like that."
"Well, Lily, I can't change their opinion of me because they've already decided what they believe."
"You could at least defend yourself," Lily insisted.
"She knows she's wrong, little girl, that's why she doesn't defend herself," the woman said simply. Lily glared at her viciously, but Hermione dropped her head shamefully. The woman's words had struck true to Hermione. Sometimes she didn't think she deserved Harry or his love and these two were bringing her doubts up.
"Come on," Harry said forcefully walking over to Hermione, taking her hand and pulling her up. "If these people are going to harass us, we'll leave."
Hermione stood up, a bit feebly, and let Harry lead her away. Lily quickly grabbed hold of Hermione's free hand and James grabbed hold of Harry's. Harry was grumbling under his breath as he hurried his family through the park.
"I can't believe you, Hermione," Harry muttered shaking his head. "You haven't let people treat you like that since, well since we were teenagers. You were just cowering there - letting those complete strangers treat you like you're not good enough."
"Harry, can we not do this here," Hermione responded quietly looking at Harry meaningfully. She didn't want the twins involved.
"Fine," Harry muttered, "fine - we'll talk about it at home."
It took them no time at all to get home; mostly because Harry was practically running them along. He was so furious that he couldn't help himself. He was furious at Hermione for not defending herself and because she didn't even try.
When they reached number twelve Harry pulled out his wand and the door nearly flew open. Ushering them quickly inside Harry closed the door with a snap and walked down to the kitchen in quite a huff.
"Go on upstairs, you two - I'm going to go talk to your father," Hermione said sweetly taking Lily and James' coats; trying to act like nothing was wrong.
"But what happened back there?" Lily asked.
"Why didn't you stand up to those people?" questioned James.
"Because," Hermione sighed desperately. She didn't want to tell her children that she believed those strangers; that their hurtful words had made her weak and defenseless.
"Because why?" James and Lily asked together.
"Because…I have always tried to be honest with the two of you, but there are some things that you don't need to know and wouldn't understand even if you did. This is one of those things."
"But --" Lily started to say, but Hermione held up her hand to stop her
"But nothing. Just know that I'll be fine and there is nothing for you to worry about. Now go on, get upstairs, both of you," Hermione insisted turning them towards the stairs. James and Lily walked up the stairs reluctantly, dragging their feet behind them.
Hermione sighed again as she turned and headed to the kitchen. She felt like it was the day of the World Cup again and she was heading into a conversation she knew wouldn't end well. Reaching the kitchen door and pushing it open, she found Harry in the same place she had found him that night; sitting and facing the door.
"I just don't understand you 'Mione. You were always for not letting people walk all over you, but you were just sitting there - not even bothering to tell them to get stuffed."
"I just couldn't," Hermione said looking down at the floor.
"Why not!" Harry demanded, jumping up from his seat.
"Harry, they're right," Hermione said dissolving into tears. "I don't deserve you. I don't deserve you or the twins. I don't deserve your forgiveness or your love."
Harry was so shocked by Hermione's doubts that he didn't know what to do. He just watched as her face fell into her hands and she started crying even harder. Shaking himself out of his shocked state, Harry marched across the room and wrapped his arms around her.
"No, 'Mione no - they aren't right. I love you and I wouldn't know what to do without you."
"But I hurt you. I took you children away and you didn't get to know them -"
"What is it going to take for you to understand that I've forgiven you for that? How many times am I go to have to tell you that before you to believe me."
"You've never said you forgive me," Hermione whimpered looking desperately at him. "You said it would take time to forgive me, but you never said you had."
"Oh God 'Mione. Of course I've forgiven you," Harry said wiping the tears off her cheeks. "You've done everything you can to make it up to me, and I know you regret what you did."
"I was being stupid, wasn't I?" Hermione asked with a slight laugh.
"Well, kind of, but if you doubted how I felt 'Mione, you should have talked to me about it."
"I guess I just brushed it off as normal doubts," Hermione admitted. "But when I heard other people saying those things, I was afraid they were right."
"Promise me something. Promise me that if you ever have doubts you'll bring them to me."
"I promise, Harry. If I have anymore doubts, I'll talk to you about them."
"Good," Harry said kissing her cheek softly.
"I guess I was wrong about that muggle park being safe theory," Hermione said resting her head on Harry chest.
"Well, maybe it was just too soon," Harry offered, stroking her hair softly.
"Maybe," Hermione agreed. "It's so wrong that our lives have to stay on hold until public opinion has come back into our favor."
"Well, to hell with that," Harry said forcefully.
"What can we do about it?" Hermione asked leaning her head back and looking at him.
"We can't care," Harry insisted. "Let's make a deal we won't listen to what they say and we won't let them run our lives."
"We just ignore them?"
"Exactly. If we don't ignore them, they'll have the power to control our lives, and if we do ignore them, they'll lose interest."
"It sounds like the perfect plan," Hermione said with a smile.
"Right, we're agreed. No more listening to complete strangers who know nothing about us."
"Agreed," Hermione said seriously. Harry smiled at her and they both laughed a little. Hermione looked at him lovingly and ran her hand through his hair. Sighing at how stupid she had been, Hermione returned her head to his chest. She really was lucky to have him and his love.
AN: I know Hermione is kind of weak in the park, but haven't you ever doubted something you did and then heard other people criticize you for the same thing? I have and I've got to tell you it brings your self-confidence down to zero, so that's what happened to Hermione, but no worries after Harry's reassurance she's all better.
ginnymalfoy21 - I got that (that you are a sucker for D/G) I don't know maybe because of your name - well anyway we are fast (in terms of the story anyway not the rate the chapters are being released) approaching them coming together, well coming back together, well you'll see when we get there Chancellor - Percy doesn't actually have the power to punish Rita, but he will get the evidence to the right people (though we don't talk about that until next time). No the twins don't find them in bed just yet Hdawne - Yes you did mention you loved it and I'm glad you loved it. Sorry for making Hermione kind of weak in this chapter (since I know you like her strong willed) but she'll be strong again in no time diggingupophelia - yes your review fed my muse, but she still refused to help me, she can be an awfully stubborn one when she wants to be :D but thanks for calling the chapter brilliant fenriswolf - thanks HHRLVR - yes it would be a good time however in this story it would be a little late, but you'll understand that when we get there tabitoo - no I could never for get this story it just sometimes takes long to write the chapters and the really getting together is coming quite soon spaz141 - you're welcome Lajo1013 - thanks you don't have to wait to much longer for Draco chapters wise (he makes his grand entrance in chapter 27) I have no idea how much time it will take me to write to that point, but hopefully it wont take to long Larissa - : ) BartyD - : ) Div - thanks I appreciate that Muddratt - : ) paochi cute - of course it wont be happening anytime soon that would just be to simple :D anywho Rita will get what she deserves trust me Sprklnbabe14 - : ) MichelleRadcliffe - you I hade one of those detentions once for swearing at my catholic middle school, they aren't to bad. Well I hope you like this chapter as well Muirnin - well originally I was going to have all this happen then but it didn't fit the story well, (actually it kinda killed the story), but what I decided is people did talk when they saw Harry with the kids in Diagon Alley but there was no proof so it was just talk. Yeah the twins writing an article is an interesting idea, but they don't "know" what's going on with their parents yet so that wont really work, but maybe in the future…*considers idea*…maybe…I hope you do start getting your alerts again Mani12191 - : ) HnH4EvA19 - : ) Gorgena - : ) Mochie - : ) laila - : ) DreamAngel - : ) Luna Tyler - thanks, especially for reviewing twice :D and yes I try to slip canon characters whenever possible (hence reporter Seamus) harryhermione731 - I know I am and that's part of what makes this interesting frecklegirl87 - : ) 1poshgurl2 - : ) scorpio-1983 - : ) Austenlover - ah but innocent cuddling leads to more - eventually shellbell18 - I don't know if I'm going to write about when they are at Hogwarts, but maybe hrhermione - : ) funky faerie87 - : ) Tomlove01 - : ) Misadies1 - it take a while for me to write sometimes, I can become easily distracted by other stories I'm writing bookxluver - : ) tootles - : ) PJ - : ) sailor girl - actually the idea of Draco as a painter started in this story and spawned The Painting, but like you said it's so uncharacteristic of him that it fits : ) greenevans - thanks for the heads up and the offer, but I'm already getting help with that from one of my betas so it's improving over time sannihun - sorry, but I can grantee that it wont take my beta a month to get chapter 24 back to me so I should be updating sooner next time eRiN GRyFFiN - : ) thanks for not being too lazy this time, but don't worry I understand my beat yells at me because I'm to lazy sometimes too ;)
P.S. Thanks again you guys and to both my betas I really appreciate your help. Oh and just a little aside to all of you who read my story The Painting, if you really like it you can vote for it, it's up for a portkey readers choice award in the category of Best Short Fic (Fluff, Non-H/Hr) ; ) - you don't have to vote of course I'm just saying you could if you wanted to