AN: I'm so sorry again that this has taken so long to upload, things come up you know? Well, the good news again is that the next chapter is finished and with my beta so hopefully *crosses fingers* it will be back to me soon. Anywho, on with the chapter…
Truth
Humming tunelessly to herself, Hermione stood in front of her wardrobe, wearing only her white underwear, trying to decide what to put on. The day of the party for Ron and Luna's sons had arrived and they were making good time. The twins were ready and reading in the drawing room, and as far as Hermione knew, Harry was dressed. Now she was the only hold up, but she just couldn't decide what she wanted to wear.
It was funny, Hermione never worried about what to wear until she started being around Harry again; now she thought about it all the time. She worried about looking nice and if Harry would be attracted to her in it. Life was much simpler when one wasn't in love; well, getting dressed was anyway.
She finally decided on a gray skirt and a white fitted shirt. Dressing quickly, Hermione walked over to her mirror doing those final little things. She put her hair up, leaving soft tendrils hanging at the back of her neck and around her face. She put on her earrings; small silver hoops her parents had given her for becoming Head Girl; and garnet studs she had bought for herself after the twins were born, it being their birthstone and all. Finally Hermione began applying what little makeup she planned on wearing.
"You look amazing," Harry sighed from Hermione's doorway. She smiled over her shoulder at him before turning back to the mirror and applying her lipstick.
"You look very handsome as well," Hermione said turning back to him and scanning him from head to toe. He was wearing black pants and a beautiful green shirt that made his eyes sparkle even more than usual.
"Well, I just came in to check on you, since we need to be going pretty soon."
"I'm almost ready," Hermione assured him, turning back to the mirror again.
"I see that," Harry said walking across the room. He came to a stop behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Hermione moaned happily and leaned her body back into him. She traced her hands along his arms and wove their fingers together. Harry began kissing the back of Hermione's neck softly. Hermione moaned happily again, letting herself get lost in his kissing.
"If we don't stop this, we'll be late," Hermione informed Harry, though she made no effort to stop him.
Harry wrapped his arms around her waist tighter, pulling her body further into his, and continued to kiss her. Letting one hand travel up to her chin, Harry turned her head to the side and started kissing her cheek - moving slowly towards her lips.
"Please, Harry stop - I don't want to miss the party, I've been looking forward to it all week."
"You really want me to stop?" Harry asked staring over her shoulder to look in the mirror, locking eyes with her reflection.
"No, but we have to. Ron will want us to be there," Hermione admitted turning her face back to the mirror to meet his gaze. "Besides, after last weekend it will be nice to be surrounded by people I know care for me."
"You're surrounded by someone who cares for you right now."
"I know, Harry," Hermione whispered weakly as his arms tightened around her waist once again.
"And one isn't good enough for you?" Harry teased.
"One is more then enough - especially when it's you; but we agreed, and when we're about to go to a party definitely isn't the right time."
"I know, `Mione, but seeing you just turns me on so," Harry purred in Hermione ear burying his face into her neck once more.
"Soon, love. Ever so soon," Hermione promised turning around in his arms.
Harry smiled at her and kissed the top of her head softly. "I know," he said nodding.
"And I would remind you," Hermione began as she pulled out of his arms. Walking to her wardrobe, she took out a pair of incredibly sexy boots to wear. "It was your -"
"Don't ever say that, Hermione," Harry groaned watching her slip her wonderfully toned legs into the boots. "I know it was my idea, but I thought it was a good one at the time."
"I, for one, still think it is a wonderful idea. Harry, I'm not going anywhere and once you have me - I'm yours." Hermione told him as she straightened herself out and walked back towards him.
"You promise?" Harry asked weakly, studying the way the boots made her body move as she walked.
"Harry - I've no intention of ever being away from you again. I don't know if I could be away from you, even if my life depended on it. So don't worry - we have forever."
"Just promise me one more thing?" Harry asked leaning down and touching his forehead to hers.
"Anything," Hermione told him, moving her head further back, her lips coming closer to his.
"Promise me you'll wear the boots," Harry requested simply. Hermione pulled her head back sharply and looked at Harry. He was looking seriously at her, a wicked grin on his face. Hermione couldn't stop herself from laughing and hitting his chest playfully.
"You absolute horn-dog," she proclaimed, shaking her head and continuing to laugh.
"Horn-dog?" Harry questioned.
"It's an American saying - it means all you think about is sex," Hermione explained, walking to the door.
"I don't think only about sex - but I can't help it if you're incredibly sexy, especially in those boots," Harry informed her. Hermione stopped at the door and looked over her shoulder to him raising her eyebrow questioningly. "What? - You are."
Hermione smiled at him, returning his wicked grin, and walked into the hallway. Harry was sure she was swinging her hips that way intentionally, but he wasn't about to complain as he followed behind her.
"Lily, James - time to get going!" Hermione called as she and Harry started down the stairs.
"Coming," James and Lily called back. Harry could hear them moving quickly out of the drawing room and hurrying down to the front hall.
"They certainly are excited about the party," Hermione commented as they reached the first floor landing.
"Well, can you blame them - they've been stuck around with just the two of us for the past two weeks."
"I happen to think we are fascinating," Hermione insisted.
"Oh sure - their parents are just the most interesting people in the world to them."
"I guess that's true," Hermione admitted as they came to the bottom of the stairs. She knew that her children would always love her and Harry, but they were also growing away.
Soon enough they would be going to Hogwarts, making friends, and becoming young adults. They wouldn't depend on Harry or Hermione anymore, they most likely wouldn't come running to her when they had problems anymore, but then wasn't that what she wanted? Wasn't the whole point of being a parent raising children who would grow to be responsible adults? Well that might be true, but it didn't stop Hermione from wanting them to be small again; at that age where they depended on her.
Hermione continued to stay lost in her longing thoughts as they pilled into the car and made the twenty-minute drive to The Burrow. In fact she didn't even realize they had stopped until she felt Harry's hands cover hers.
"You've been so quiet," Harry said softly.
"I've just been thinking," Hermione admitted looking to the back seat, but the children weren't there.
"I sent them ahead so I could make sure you were all right. You are all right aren't you?"
"Yes, Harry I'm fine. I've just been lost in thought."
"Oh, something new for you," Harry teased causing Hermione to smile ever so slightly. "Hey cheer up," Harry demanded taking hold of her chin and making her look at him.
"I'm just worried that I won't be needed anymore. What am I to do when that happens?"
"'Mione, I'll never stop needing you," Harry assured her kissing her hand softly.
"You promise?" Hermione asked meekly slightly ashamed that she was asking him for reassurance again and not just accepting what he was saying to her.
"I swear," Harry said softly. Hermione couldn't stop herself from smiling brightly at him. "I love it when you smile," he told her surveying her face lovingly which caused Hermione's smile to widen.
"I'm glad you're around to make me smile."
"I always will be `Mione," Harry told her squeezing her hand lovingly. She leaned across the car and kissed him softly on the lips. "And as long as you are around to do that, I'll always smile."
"I'll do my best," Hermione said blushing.
"I think we'd best go in now," Harry said after a long pause.
"Yeah probably - I don't think we are allowed to spend the entire party in the car. Luna and Ron would probably kill us."
"That's true. Come on, lets get going," Harry said opening the car door and stepping out. He managed to jet around the car just as Hermione was opening her door. Smiling sweetly, he offered her his hand and she took it, stepping out of the car gracefully.
"You know I can manage to get out of a car without your help," Hermione informed him, though she didn't sound put out.
"I don't remember saying you couldn't," Harry responded. "I just prefer to be a gentleman whether you ask it of me or not."
"You really are wonderful," Hermione whispered kissing his cheek softly.
"Thank you. I do try, and apparently I've been successful," Harry admitted smiling at her.
"You've been very successful, I assure you."
"Successful enough?" Harry asked raising one eyebrow jokingly.
"Harry!" Hermione accused smacking his arm, knowing exactly what he was asking.
"I was only teasing Hermione," Harry said opening the door to the Burrow. No one was in the front room so Hermione stole one last kiss before stepping inside.
"Well that's enough teasing for today," Hermione insisted taking off her coat and throwing it on a nearby chair - where all the others were piled.
Harry stepped through the door and threw his own coat on top of Hermione's. "So where is everybody?" Harry called out.
"We're in the kitchen at the moment!" George called and they heard him being silenced by many other voices.
"You'll wake them," Molly chided as Harry and Hermione came around the corner to find the entire Weasley family and the twins gathered around the kitchen table. Hermione pushed her way up to see what they were all looking at even though she had a fairly good idea already. She forced herself in between Fred and George, who both stepped a bit behind their wives to make room for her. Sitting on the table were three basinets; one for each of the triplets.
"Oh Ron, they look more like you then they did when they were born," Hermione cooed. She and Harry hadn't seen the triplets since they were a week old - since that night Harry took the initiative and asked Hermione out.
"Yeah, but some how they've still come out looking quite adorable," Fred whispered and George snickered.
"Yeah, we had to pay extra for that feature," Ron joked. "It's about seven Galleons a month per child to keep them cute, but Luna and I decided it was a sound investment." The adults in the kitchen smiled mirthfully.
"Has it gotten any easier at all?" Hermione asked, suddenly feeling guilty for not helping Ron and Luna over the past three weeks.
"A bit, but not much," Ron told her. "They have more of a schedule of when they eat and sleep and that's helped, but it's still challenging." Hermione was about to apologize for not helping when Luna unintentionally cut her off.
"Speaking of which; it's time they were fed."
"All right Mum, we'll just be -"
"I'll go with Luna, you stay here and entertain your guests," Molly said kindly gathering Oliver and Harry into her arms. She'd obviously had lots of practice carrying two babies at once because she managed it with a great deal of ease.
"Thanks Mum," Ron said smiling weakly.
"It's no trouble at all dear," Molly said smiling at her youngest son.
"My poor tired husband," Luna said honestly, sweetly pushing Ron's long hair off his face.
"It's all worth it, love," Ron assured her as she bent over and kissed him softly. It was then that Hermione realized why Ron looked so exhausted - Quidditch practice would have just started up again.
"Well, we'll be right back," Luna declared scoping Jason up into her arms and following Molly up the stairs.
"This is boring," Little Arthur said after his Aunt and Grandmother had left.
"No one said you had to stay in here with us," Charlie told his son frankly. "You and your cousins can go and play." The children didn't stick around to be told twice. They disappeared up into the house and could be heard running around, playing a game of some sort.
"Well they were just waiting for an invitation to leave, weren't they?" George asked chuckling a bit.
"Babies are so boring to them George," Hermione explained, having introduced her twins to babies of friends a few times, she knew how this worked. "Babies that small just don't do anything."
"True," Fred nodded looking down at his daughter, cradled against her mother's body. Fred loved her but she certainly didn't do much.
"Oh Harry, Hermione I wanted to show you something," Percy said suddenly after a bit of a lull, pulling something out of his back pocket. He unfolded a piece of parchment and handed it to Harry and Hermione. It was a news clipping saying that Rita Skeeter had been arrested though the details of her arrest still hadn't been released to the public yet.
"When did this happen?" Hermione asked excitedly gesturing to the picture of Rita being arrested.
"Just last night - that was in this morning's paper, but I assumed that since you don't get the paper you wouldn't have seen the clipping."
"No we didn't, that is such great news. Thank you Percy."
"Well it was all thanks to your tips," Percy said referring to Hermione's letter, which she had remembered to send the morning after she wrote it. "Without the evidence you had collected, Hermione, we wouldn't have been able to arrest her."
"Thank you Percy, I truly thank you," Hermione said honestly and then added looking at Harry, "finally that woman will be out of our lives forever."
"It's very exciting," Harry assured her smiling. "I never thought I'd be happy about someone being arrested."
"Well, we've never known anyone who deserved it so much," Hermione said. "It's like an amazing weight has been lifted - we don't have to worry about that woman writing false stories about us anymore." Harry smiled at her.
Within ten minutes of the triplets being taken off upstairs, Ron, Harry, and Hermione were left alone in the kitchen. Angelina had wondered off to a deserted room to feed Olivia, Fred following right along with her. Percy went up to check on the kids upstairs since he was sure he's heard a child slamming into something. Fleur, Miranda, Penelope, and Lauren were all fussing over Ginny, and they eventually convinced her to go sit in the living room while their husbands, and Arthur, wandered out into back garden making small talk, possibly just going out to watch the sky.
"So how is this fatherhood thing treating you really?" Harry asked sitting down in a chair opposite Ron.
"It's good, really exhausting, especially now that Quidditch has started up again, but very much worth it."
"So you're still going to do Quidditch?" Hermione asked skeptically, stepping up behind Harry and massaging his shoulders. She knew what a challenge two babies could be, but she could imagine raising three and playing a professional sport - even with Luna's help this couldn't be easy for Ron.
"Well, I hope I'll be able to, so does Luna. It might turn out that, when my full schedule starts up again, I'll be away too much, but we'll see - we'll see how much time I have with the boys. If it's not enough, I've told the team that I will retire."
"You seem to have your stuff together," Harry said nodding.
"I've tried. So mate, how is this fatherhood thing treating you?"
"It's been very nice, I'm enjoying it immensely. Lily and James are exceptionally bright, like Hermione."
"I don't know if the world can handle many more like her," Ron joked. Hermione glared at him, but didn't say anything so that Harry could finish what he was saying.
"Well, they are bright like her, whether the world can handle it or not. And they are full of life and energy and it's just the best thing."
"Yeah I can't wait until my boys are the age of your twins. Don't get me wrong I love them they way they are, but three of them at once who are completely dependent on you for everything - it's a bit overwhelming."
"I'm sorry we haven't been there to help you," Hermione interjected feeling very guilty again.
"Don't worry about it. What with the two of you just starting your relationship and Harry just getting to know the twins, Luna and I don't blame you for being busy. Besides, the others have been helping."
"That doesn't make it all right," Hermione insisted.
"Hermione, you have your own life to focus on right now. Luna and I understand that and we know that if we ever need you two you'll be there for us. But enough of this talk about kids - tell me how things are going between you two?" Ron demanded raising his eyebrows at his childhood mates.
"Well things are going really good for us," Harry said proudly patting Hermione's hands on his shoulders.
"How well is very well?" Ron asked with a wink to Harry.
"We are actually taking our time," Harry said and Ron nodded with a wicked grin.
"Hermione, come help me!" Ginny called from the front room.
"Coming Ginny," Hermione called back and, giving Harry's shoulders one last loving squeeze, she walked out of the room.
"So you're taking your time?" Ron asked skeptically leaning back in his chair.
"Yes we are," Harry assured him mimicking Ron by leaning back in is chair as well.
"Are you really or is she taking it for both of you?"
"Actually, it was my idea."
"What?" Ron asked incredulously, "Harry, mate, that has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard."
"Ron, I love her and I suggested that we wait for the perfect moment. And she really likes that idea. Honestly I think she's a little scared."
"Of what - you've shagged before."
"She's been with a grand total of two people. Krum, who turned out to be an ass, and me. And the only reason she shagged me was because I asked her to, she only did it as a favor."
"She hasn't been with anyone since you all those years ago?"
"Basically."
"You are going to die one very repressed man," Ron informed him sadly.
"Oh no, I'm not," Harry promised Ron. "On our second date, when I came up with this brilliant idea of mine, we were this close to it. But I wanted it to be special, like I've said, and she agreed with me that we were going to wait till we were both ready."
"And what makes you so sure she's ever going to be ready?"
"Let's just say she drops her own clues about it; like inviting me to spend my nights in her bed."
"But you haven't gone any further?"
"Not yet," Harry said, confident that this answer was soon to change.
"Give it up mate, you've got it bad and you're not getting anything from it."
"And the last time you -"
"Don't finish that question. It's been ages, but I'm waiting patiently."
"Well, that's the same thing for me and `Mione. It's been ages, but I'm waiting patiently."
"If you say so mate," Ron said simply. Harry shook his head at his friend's stubbornness just as Luna came back down the stairs with little Harry in her arms.
"You know you shouldn't do that too often," Luna told Harry wistfully. "You could shake your brain loose."
"All right Luna," Harry said skeptically looking over to Ron, who merely shrugged his shoulders and laughed silently. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
"Well if you keep shaking your head you won't be able to," Ron whispered before he could stop himself. Harry had to cover his laugh with a loud cough so that Luna wouldn't hear him.
"So, Harry, would you like to hold your godson?" Luna asked unaware that her husband and his best mate had just been laughing at what she said.
"I'd love to," Harry said holding out his arms. "Which one is he?"
"This is Harry," Luna said passing her first born to his namesake.
"Oh he looks just like me," Harry joked and Luna smiled. "Hey little guy - your Mum and Dad been treating you all right?" Harry asked sweetly running his finger down his cheek. Little Harry shuffled a bit in his blanket and opened his eyes to look at his godfather.
"I think that's about as close to a yes as you're going to get," Ron told Harry as he got up from his chair.
"Unless it's secret code for no," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Oh, they pawned one off on you too," Hermione's voice said from the doorway. Harry repositioned himself in his chair so he could look at her, standing just inside the room a bundle of blankets with a red hair cuddled safely in her arms.
"Yeah, but mine is named after me," Harry boasted, "who do you have?"
"Oliver," Hermione told him stepping up behind his chair and then added to Luna and Ron, "Molly still has Jason in the living room."
"Thanks, I'm going to go check on him," Ron said grabbing Luna's hand and leading her out of the room. Harry got the distinct impression that they weren't so much going to check on their son as they were giving Harry and Hermione time alone.
"So, what did you and Ron say about me when I was in the living room?" Hermione asked letting Oliver suck on her finger.
"What makes you think we were talking about you?"
"Because I know Ron," Hermione stated simply.
"He was just asking me about us," Harry admitted.
"I thought as much. So what did you tell him?"
"That we had agreed to wait for the perfect moment," Harry told her truthfully pushing out the chair next to him so that she would sit. "I think he was hoping that if he wasn't getting shagged then at least his best mate was."
"Luna will be looking to change that pretty soon I'm sure. She just feels very uncomfortable at the moment."
"Yeah I'm sure she does. Listen, I've been thinking," Harry started turning to Hermione, "I want to tell Lily and James about us - I'm tired of having to hide my affection for you."
"Harry, I'm not so sure about that - I don't want to hide you either, but with everything that's going on right now -"
"'Mione, if we wait until things calm down the twins will never know we're together."
"I guess that's true."
"You know our lives are always going to be a bit crazy."
"I do know Harry - all right lets tell them. In fact lets tell them now," Hermione insisted standing up again and managing to take little Harry in her arms without losing her hold on Oliver.
"How did you -?" Harry started to ask in amazement.
"A great deal of practice," Hermione explained simply smiling at him. She disappeared into the living room and came back sans the babies, but with the twins. "They were in the living room playing with Jason."
"What did you want to talk to us about?" Lily asked sitting in Hermione's chair.
"Well your father and I have to admit something to you," Hermione said sitting on the other side of Harry. Before she could continue James crossed the room to sit in her lap. Pushing his hair from his face, Hermione smiled at Harry, he smiled back and continued for her.
"Yes, I'm afraid we've been keeping something from you. For the past three weeks now, your mother and I have been seeing each other," Harry explained.
James and Lily stared at them expectantly, but when neither of their parents said anything more Lily asked, "And?"
"Well we love each other and plan to continue seeing each other."
"We'd figured that much out," Lily said still expecting there to be more. Harry and Hermione exchanged a look; they were both only slightly surprised, Lily and James were both intelligent and observant.
"But why didn't you just tell us?" James asked turning around to look at his mother.
"We were afraid that if things didn't work out between the two of us, you'd be attached to the idea of us being together. We just didn't want to get your hopes up before we were sure of what we were doing."
"And what are you doing?" Lily asked.
"I've just told you we are seeing each other."
"Dose everybody know?" James asked.
"Some of them do, because we asked them to watch you so we could have dinner together. The others have probably guessed by now."
"But you've only been seeing each other for three weeks - is it serious?" Lily asked. One look at her, and Hermione could tell that Lily didn't really understand what she was asking. This was obviously a question she'd heard asked of others, though Hermione couldn't think of when that might have happened.
"Fairly serious," Hermione answered truthfully. "You're father and I have been very close since we were eleven, so our relationship comes very easy to us."
"But I thought you told us you didn't love him that way?" James asked.
"When did you tell them that?" Harry asked not at all knowing what they were talking about.
"Before the World Cup match Lily asked me if I loved you," Hermione explained. "I told them that I loved you as a friend."
"Ah, how things change."
"Indeed," Hermione said with a laugh. "Well, James, I didn't love him that way, at least if I did I didn't realize it. But spending time with him has made me realize that I do love him - and not just as a friend."
"And what about you, Daddy?" Lily asked.
"I've loved your mother for a number of years now," Harry admitted. "Since about the day she left to America."
"Then why didn't you ever come and see her?" James questioned.
"I think we've strayed into dangerous territory," Harry said looking to Hermione who nodded in agreement. "This is more of a conversation for when you are older." Lily and James frowned at him, but Harry refused to say anymore. This was something he'd rather talk about with the twins when they were adults, not children.
"What are the four of you doing in here?" Bill asked coming in from outside.
"Just talking," Harry answered and Bill gave them a knowing nod.
"Well, come on out, I think we're moving this party outside, since we can barely fit everyone in one room," Bill said loudly stepping towards the living room so everyone would hear him.
"We're coming," Ginny called.
"What did she need your help for?" Harry asked as James got out of Hermione's lap so she could stand up.
"They were fussing over her and she wanted someone to divert their attention to," Hermione explained.
"Ah so they were fussing over you instead."
"Kind of - they wanted to know how things were going between us, if we were getting serious."
"What did you tell them?"
"That we loved each other and were moving at our pace," Hermione explained as Harry took her hand and started to lead her outside.
"We seem to be saying that a lot today," Harry commented.
"Yes, we do," Hermione agreed.
"You know what the best thing is about us telling the twins?" Harry asked as they stepped out onto the back porch.
"What would that be?" Hermione questioned as Harry wrapped their linked hands around her back.
"I can do this whenever I want," Harry said pulling Hermione's body into his and kissing her passionately. The Weasleys in the garden erupted into catcalls and cheers at the site of Harry and Hermione kissing, causing the two of them to start laughing. Hermione buried her beet red face into Harry's chest as he leaned his head back in laughter.
"You're not going to be doing that all the time are you?" James asked disgustedly from the kitchen. Harry looked back to his son and saw him staring at them, a look of total revulsion on his face.
"Aren't you a bit young to be embarrassed by you parents?" Harry asked pulling his arm from around Hermione and ruffling James' hair.
"Not if you're going to be doing that," James insisted ducking out of reach of Harry's hand.
"I think it's sweet," Lily said from the other side of them, she'd made it outside before Harry and Hermione's display.
"You would," James told her coming around their parents. "Because it means you were right." Lily merely smiled at him. Looking at his daughter just then, Harry was reminded of a much younger Hermione and the victorious look that spread across her face whenever she knew something he and Ron didn't.
"That daughter of yours sure has the same smug look as you, Hermione," Ron called from the table where he was sitting. Apparently Harry wasn't the only one with a long memory.
"That's because she's smart like I was - she's often right," Hermione informed Ron glaring dangerously at him.
"What a beautiful day," Ron said suddenly, looking away from Hermione and attempting to change the subject. "Couldn't have asked for a better day for a party for my sons; my sons who I love and want to see grow up."
"Don't worry Ron, she wont kill you." Harry laughed, his arm wrapping around Hermione's back again as they walked towards the gathered Weasleys.
"No, she'll just gouge my eyes out," Ron insisted.
"You're the one who poked the sleeping dragon - you'll have to suffer the consequences," Harry told him.
"Since when am I a sleeping dragon?" Hermione asked pulling away from Harry slightly, sounding a bit hurt.
"First year," Harry and Ron said together.
"It's nothing bad," Harry explained. "In fact, it's come in handy quite a few times, like in third year when you slapped Malfoy."
"Or fifth year when you lead Umbridge out into the forest," Ron offered and Harry nodded.
"When you get riled you're dangerous - that's all I meant," Harry said pulling Hermione back into his arms and kissing her cheek softly. Her anger at Harry evaporated very quickly.
"All right you two, enough of that," Bill said walking out of the kitchen. "We're all happy you're together, but it's time to eat."
"Never come between Weasleys and food," Harry told Hermione who smiled and nodded.
"Well, technically we're not coming between them; we're just standing here minding our own business."
"Minding it in the middle of the back garden. Now come on, sit down and eat," Charlie's wife, Miranda, said motioning to two open chairs right next to each other. Harry stepped up to the table and pulled one of the chairs out for Hermione.
"You're so sweet," Hermione whispered running her hand along Harry's cheek as she sat in the chair.
"Harry, mate, are you trying to show us all up?" George asked. Harry merely shook his head and smiled as he sat.
"Well now that we're all here," Ron said standing up, "I think it's time we toast to the newest Weasleys. Luna and I are very proud to introduce you all, though you have met them at least once, to our sons, Harry, Oliver and Jason." The family cheered and raised their classes to welcome the three little ones.
"So now we have two `littles'. Little Arthur and Little Harry," Molly said proudly.
"I don't know," Hermione considered, turning to Harry, "we could always just call this one Big Harry."
"How about we don't do that," Harry said seriously shaking his head. Hermione smiled at him and ran her hand through his hair. Harry tried hard to keep a straight face, but looking at Hermione smiling and he couldn't help himself.
"I'm with James," Fred joked, "you're not going to be doing that all the time are you?"
"As often as possible," Hermione responded moving her chair a bit closer to Harry's. He smiled at her, placing his hand on her bare knee, and she smiled back.
Lunch was filled with lots of laughter and stories. Molly and Arthur told a number of stories about when their children were babies, including many of Ron who apparently had a fascination with daisies when he was a small child. Which was why, to this day, a large portion of the Weasley back garden was full of different colored daisies.
"Mum, do you really have to tell people about that?" Ron asked his face and his ears turning the same color as his hair.
"Oh I think its sweet, my Ronald," Luna said linking her arm through his and squeezing his hand softly.
"Sure it is," Fred said nodding his head.
"It's absolutely adorable," George muttered rolling his eyes.
"I could tell a good number about you two as well," Molly warned.
"Stories of how terribly clever we were?" Fred asked puffing out his chest a bit.
"More like how you use to dress up in Mum's jumpers and following her around the house like you were her two little girls," Bill offered and laughed with delight as Fred and George's face fell.
"We did no such thing," George insisted.
"I still have the pictures to prove it," Molly promised them laughing right along with everyone else at the table.
"You see," Bill began to explain turning to Harry and Hermione. "This was right around the time Mum was pregnant with Ron and she was hopping that he would be a girl. Fred and George here, struggling desperately for attention, decided that if they were little girls for Mum, she wouldn't have another baby. Obviously, they didn't understand that wouldn't work."
"So Mum, anymore stories you wish to share about Ron?" Fred asked, he and George were now the same shade as Ron.
"How about we just stop telling these stories all together," Ron offered, too glad for the subject change to let it turn against him once more.
"You guys are boring again," Little Arthur said getting up from the table. "May I be excused?"
"Of course you may," Miranda told her son sweetly. He ran back inside quickly, followed shortly by everyone else under the age of 25 - well, those that could walk at least.
"Now that the kids are gone, there is something that Miranda and I wanted to run past you," Charlie said taking his wife's hand.
"Do you think it's the right time?" Miranda asked Charlie softly.
"I can't think of any better time. We're all here as a family," Charlie said and Miranda nodded her head, agreeing silently with him. "We were thinking of adding another member to our family. Little Arthur has seen all his cousins with their siblings and he wants a little brother or sister. And we found this woman who wants to put her baby up for adoption so we thought that would be the perfect opportunity."
"But we wanted to be sure you would be okay with it first," Miranda explained turning her eyes down. It took Hermione a minute to understand why Charlie and Miranda were talking about adoption, but watching Miranda looking a bit ashamed, Hermione remembered. Miranda couldn't have more children.
After Little Arthur's very difficult birth, Miranda had gotten an infection that left her totally barren. Ginny had told Hermione that Miranda blamed herself for it and told Charlie, during a very desperate time, that if he wanted to leave her she wouldn't blame him. But Charlie had stood by her side insisting that if she could only have one child, then that meant he could only have one child and he was fine with that.
"Oh I think it's wonderful," Molly said bursting into tears.
"Yeah, it's great. Another baby can only be a good thing," Bill said clapping his younger brother on the shoulder.
"You really mean that?" Miranda asked hopefully.
"Of course we do, what did you think would happen? We'd tell you not to give an unwanted child a loving home?"
"But he or she wouldn't be ours," Miranda said, sounding on the edge of tears.
"Miranda, if there is one family willing to take anyone in, you should know it's the Weasleys," Harry assured her. "I mean look at Hermione and I. We aren't related to Molly and Arthur and they've loved us like there own."
"Thank you all, for being so wonderful about it," Miranda said smiling.
"When is this woman due?" Molly asked stepping around the table and hugging Mirada.
"In February and she's a Witch so the baby will be as well."
"Oh, that's just wonderful. A wonderful month for a baby to be born. This has turned out to be such a wonderful day," Molly said almost too excited for words.
"But tell us Molly how do you really feel?" Harry whispered to Hermione who laughed.
"Harry?" Hermione said softly.
"Yeah," Harry said turning to her. Without warning Hermione kissed him softly and passionately. "What was that for?" Harry asked when she pulled her lips away again.
"I don't know," Hermione said truthfully. She didn't know why she had the urge to kiss Harry all of a sudden, but she knew in that instant that she wanted to be around to kiss him forever.
Despite what she had told Harry earlier that day, it was in that moment, for whatever reason, that she decided she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. It was also in that moment that she decided that the next time the twins were away she and Harry would play.
AN: play…ah, what a fun concept. I personally adore the next chapter *wink wink* and I hope ya'll will to, when I get it up
div - why thank you, I thought so too, even strong people have there weak moments and yes Harry will always be Harry PJ - : ), I hope I answered all your questions in my original response sailor_girl - : ) Tomlove01 - they were just whispering about their parents and if they are ever going to admit what's going on GK Eren - wow, I can't even read this story in one sitting, I'm glad you like it and I hope stick with us as we are on the home stretch (only 9 more chapters to write) diggingupophelia - aw, thanks *blush*, that is all very sweet of ou to say Sprklnbabe14 - sorry that it's taken so long LupisNoctis1286 - : ) Lady Starlight - lol, something like that, the twins are up to something, that's for sure JayaMioneDurron - I know those people are just bad, though I did right them that way intentionally so I guess I did my job well tabitoo - well as it says at the end of the chapter, next time they are alone *wink wink* shaz124 - : ) pottergranny - well I hope you enjoy the more chapters and the other stories Lajo1013 - well I don't know that the twins are going to be getting into to much mischief, but there might be some *raises eyebrow* I might just have to find a place to slip that in eRiN_GryFFiN - YAY lazyness is over, you know many of my friends, not to mention my mother, says I should write these stories and change the names and settings, maybe I will, I don't know, it certainly is an idea, I'm glad you enjoyed my other fics as well, I appreciate the vote, even if I didn't win, and I don't know who that quote is by, I'm not even sure where I got it from, I just kinda found it and latched onto it because I found it so inspiring, definitely how I try to live my life LilHPGirl - are you kidding me, I want a boyfirend like Harry, lol hrhermione - oh that's all right, it's nice to hear from you again though SeK19005 - I think we are all waiting for that, but don't worry you won't have to wait much longer jangel0982 - : ) vikkala - now come on lets be fair, I'm not a terriable speller, I don't spell words wrong I just put the wrong words in the wrong places, lol, yeah that's always been a problem of mine, but I'm getting better, or so I've been told GPGA - they'll most definitely be making that move…eventually Kalina Malia - : ) sannihun - yeah no that probably wouldn't be wise, lol Luna_Tyler - I think we all have those moments in our lives (and those who haven't are probably young kids), and yeah take charge Harry is very sexy, I'm sorry I took so long to update Misadies1 - I know, but some people just can't keep their mouths shut KJ Bridgerton - : ) DreamAngel - : ) paochi_cute - : ) Shellbell18 - well nothing is ever that easy, but they will try Dizzy025 - : ) Egla - I think so too Sindy Perceval - : ) MooMooAshley - 1st, thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it so much…2nd, I'm glad your stubborn gave the story a chance and like it…3rd, my whish is my command (at least this time it is since my beta returned this chapter about two hours after I got your review)…I hope you both like this chapter : )
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