AN: I just wanted to warn you guys that things get a little hot in the beginning so if you don't want to read that skip down to the fifth paragraph and pretend that they were playing Twister or something. Oh and thank you all for waiting patiently for this chapter, I know it's taken a long time and that I have said this before, but I'm sorry it's taken so long. I honestly think this chapter hated me.
Happiness, A Long Time Coming
Harry moaned in his sleep. He was having such a wonderful dream; a dream of his 'Mione: Her lips against his jaw; her hand working wonders on his hardening erection… He moaned again, louder this time as her lips traveled down his neck and across his collar bone, nibbling tenderly as she went.
"Happy anniversary, love," she purred lustfully in his ear. He mumbled something in response as her mouth trailed down his smooth chest, kissing softly down to his navel. His eyes flew open when her lips suddenly jumped from his chest to his erection; he wasn't dreaming after all. There she was… well, her form anyway; he couldn't quite make her out without his glasses. Quickly grabbing his glasses from the bedside table, he watched as her hands moved to the outside of his thighs and she took him fully into her mouth.
His jaw fell open and he could feel his eyes rolling back as her tongue worked magic on him. He could feel another moan starting at the back of his throat, but it quickly turned into a long low groan as his orgasm took him completely by surprise. His eyes closed in the sudden moment of pleasure, his hands gripping at the sheets bellow him and then letting go again.
When his breath began to even out again, he opened his eyes to find Hermione sitting next to him; her legs tucked under her bum, her chest rising and falling sharply with her own shallow breath, a satisfied grin on her face.
He smiled at her, "Now that is a proper way to be awoken," he said, pushing himself up so he was in a sitting position.
She smiled back at him, placing her hand on his chest, "Well, I thought it would be a nice surprise. After all, it is our two month anniversary."
He let his fingers intertwine with hers. "Two month already?" Harry questioned; it seemed as if she had been with him forever, but at the same time, it felt like they'd just shared that disastrous first date a few days ago. This was a dangerous relationship they were in, if it was going to make time feel so unreal.
She echoed his words, her voice barley above a whisper. "Two months already."
"It doesn't seem like nearly that long," he declared, his free hand resting gently on her cheek, rubbing his thumb in soft circles, watching her watch him.
"What?" she asked when she noticed that his green eyes were focused on her.
He laughed to himself, tucking a loose curl behind her ear, "I would ask you the same thing."
"Oh," she said, laughing nervously when realizing she'd been staring too. "I was just…" her voice trailed off as her eyes looked down and her cheeks reddened slightly.
"You were just…?"
"I was, well, admiring you," she admitted, the blush in her cheeks rising quickly.
"Nothing wrong with that," he joked, shaking his head and puffing out his chest.
She smiled. "I suppose that's true, it's just I feel like a teenager who's been caught staring at her secret lover or something."
He grinned madly. "Now I'm your secret lover, am I? Think I like that title."
"Harry," she laughed, hitting him playfully.
"So what exactly were you admiring?" He questioned, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"You," Hermione answered simply, pulling her hand off his chest and running it through his hair. "The way your hair frames your face; the fact that it looks so much more tamed now that it's longer. Your eyes; seeing the way they come to life when you're happy… remembering the way they blaze when you're angry. Your lips; wondering how many times I've kissed them and how many times I'll get to kiss them in the future. The way -" Harry cut her off, capturing her lips with his in a kiss only lovers can share.
"I love you, Harry," she declared into his lips.
"I love you too, 'Mione," he responded breathlessly. He was about to kiss her again when a ringer went off on her bedside table. He turned to scowl at her alarm clock. "Why in the world did you set that blasted thing?"
"Because," she responded, climbing over him and shutting off the alarm. "The twins have to be ready in two hours; we said we'd get them to Ginny and Daniel's by nine."
"I'd forgotten that," he confessed. They'd made plans to have the day to themselves so they could go shopping for Christmas, which, as James loved to remind him, was quickly approaching.
"Yes well, now that I've reminded you," she said stepping off the bed. Harry made a grab for her but she was out of reach already. She was pulling on a pair of her knickers; covering that up with a pair of his boxers she liked to sleep in, and the button up he'd been wearing the night before.
"Oh, that's a lovely outfit," he teased, leaning back against the pillows.
"It works for making breakfast," she retorted, pulling on her dressing grown. "Now, while I'm doing that you get ready to take Lily and James."
"Is that an order, Miss Granger?" he asked, one eyebrow cocked high in a questioning gesture.
She turned, smiling sweetly, "you're damn right it is."
He beamed, getting out of bed, watching the way her hips moved as she crossed the room to meet him. Since that first afternoon, when she had surprised him, he'd become very aware of the way her body moved and how it affected him. "You drive me wild, Granger!" He stated wrapping her in his arms.
"And you, Potter, are insatiable," she answered back, letting him kiss her softly. "Now get showered and dressed."
Harry let his left arm fall to his side and saluted her quickly with his right hand, clicking his bare heels against each other. "Yes, sir! Right away," he said seriously, dropping his right arm sharply so it rested at his side like his left one, mocking soldiers he'd scene in old war movies.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. "At ease there, solider," she commanded, understanding the game he was playing.
"Well, now, I can't promise that, not with you around anyway," he declared, those nefarious eyebrows of his, wiggling dangerously over the rims of his glasses.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed accusingly.
He threw his arms up wildly, looking taken aback. "What?" Harry inquired, acting as though he had no idea what was bothering her.
"Go - get - ready," she ordered, pushing him towards the bathroom, "I'm getting breakfast ready before you come up with any more of these vulgar suggestions of yours."
He flashed that devilishly handsome smile of his. "You love it," he insisted. Hermione laughed, turning on her heels and walking from the room. He smiled at her retreating back and headed into the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, dressed in gray pants and a red sweater, Harry set out for the kitchen. He could smell breakfast from the third floor landing and his stomach rumbled in response, urging him down the stairs faster. He was met at the first floor landing by Lily and James, who were coming out of Lily's room, whispering to each other, as they often were.
"'Morning Dad," they said in unison when they caught sight of him; they sounded very cheerful about something. Harry hated to admit it, but he was afraid to ask them what was making them so happy.
"Good morning Lily, James. You two excited about today?"
Lily nodded. "Oh yes, it should be great fun."
"Yes, great fun," James echoed.
Harry smiled at them. "Great! Well, let's get going; mum is already downstairs making breakfast."
They walked down to the kitchen and found that Hermione already had breakfast laid out for them. She'd made up bacon and eggs; one of James' favorites. They tucked in happily and breakfast passed without much conversation, though Harry and Hermione did exchange a few glances that went unnoticed by the twins.
"Okay," Hermione said when the twins had finished eating. "Why don't you two go up and get ready."
"All right Mum," Lily and James said together, sprinting out of the kitchen.
Hermione looked curiously after them. "They're certainly in high spirits today."
"Yes, they are," Harry agreed grabbing up the dishes on the table and carrying them over to the sink. "I think they are excited about us going shopping for their presents."
"I guess," she said shrugging her shoulders. With a flick of his wand, Harry had the dishes washing themselves. Then, stepping up behind Hermione, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She smiled, her eyes closing blissfully and leaned into his chest, breathing in the scent of him as she went.
"Happy Anniversary, 'Mione. I'm so lucky to have you," he said, kissing the top of her head. She let her hands rub gently over his arms and laced her fingers through his.
"We're lucky to have each other," she corrected.
"Yes, yes we are," he agreed.
She moaned happily, "Can we just stay like this?" She asked, turning around in his arms.
"Oh sure," he said nodding his head adamantly.
"Good," she whispered, burying her face in his chest, "I never want to be away from you."
"You'll never have to be again," he promised, stroking her hair softly.
It was an excited squeak from Lily, sometime later, that finally brought them back to themselves, "They're doing it again." She exclaimed upon seeing her parents licked together as they were.
"At least they're not kissing this time," James said thankfully.
"And what is wrong with your mother and I kissing?" Harry asked, lifting his chin off Hermione's head and looking across to the twins.
James screwed up his face, "It's just so weird. You're our parents."
Harry had to stifle a laugh as he whispered to Hermione, "How does he think we got to be parents?"
She giggled mirthfully turning around in Harry arms again, "I'm sorry James, but your father and I being affectionate towards each other is just something you'll have to learn to live with."
"I still think its sweet," Lily insisted.
James rolled his eyes and muttered something that sounded like, "girls."
"Someday mate, your opinion of girls will change drastically," Harry assured his son as he released his hold on Hermione. "You two ready to go?"
"Yes," the said in unison.
"Well, all right, say goodbye to your Mum and we'll be on our way."
"Goodbye Mum!" James said quickly.
"Goodbye Mummy!" Lily said taking James' hand and leading him to the fireplace.
Hermione's face fell, "That's friendly," she muttered.
"Give your mother a proper goodbye," Harry insisted, the edge of a threat in his voice.
"Yes Dad," they said together stepping away from the fireplace.
Lily walked quickly over to her mother, hugged her quickly saying, "Sorry Mummy, we'll see you tonight."
"Yeah Mum sorry, goodbye," James said hugging Hermione after Lily had let go.
Hermione's expression lightened, "We'll that's a bit better. Okay you two, you've said your proper goodbye, off you go. I know how excited you are to get away from your overly affectionate parents." Their faces split into identical grins as they sprinted back to the fireplace.
Harry had lit a fire while they were over with Hermione and was now holding out the floo powder pouch to them. "Right. Through you go! I'll be there on the other side, waiting for you."
"We know the routine Dad," Lily insisted, taking a handful of glittering powder from the pouch.
"Yes, but it doesn't hurt to repeat things every now and again."
"I guess," Lily shrugged, throwing the powder into the fireplace, giving the address, and stepping through. James quickly went the way of his sister, leaving Harry and Hermione alone in the kitchen once more.
"Thank you," she muttered quietly, knowing they only had a few seconds before he needed to apparate away.
"Don't take it personally," he insisted, "they are up to something and I have a feeling it has nothing to do with either of us." She smiled weakly at him; he flashed a smile and a wink before disappearing with a loud crack.
Harry popped back into the kitchen of Number Twelve forty-five minutes later to find Hermione, clean and dressed in a well fitting pair of jeans and what looked like one of Harry's button ups. She was sitting at the kitchen table, a book propped open in her hands. It must have been quite the book because she didn't seem to notice he was back.
The intense look on her face made him smile. He'd seen that look of concentration many times during their years at Hogwarts, but that had been a long time ago, and he surprised himself when he realized that he'd missed it. He loved the way her cute nose wrinkled, just at the bridge, or the light that flashed behind her brown eyes. Stepping up behind her, Harry brushed her hair to one side and kissed the back of her neck softly.
She purred in an encouraging way, letting her book fall to the table with a soft thud, "Harry, I didn't even hear you come back."
"Well, that book seemed to have you enthralled," Harry explained, straightening up.
She smiled back at him, "I'd gladly have you interrupt me any day."
"I'll keep that in mind," he promised, "so are we ready to go?"
"Yeah, I think so," she said, rising from her seat, "so did you find out what Lily and James were up to?" She asked, letting him take her hand.
He smiled at her, "Yes I did, but it's a surprise so I can't tell you."
"Harry," she threatened in a warning tone.
He merely shook his head, "Sorry love, but I promised. Now come on, let's get this shopping fiasco over with." He released her hand with a wink and disappeared. She was at his side, in the small square behind the Leaky Cauldron, a few seconds later. He pulled out his wand, tapped the bricks in the right order, and took her hand as the gateway to Diagon Alley materialized in front of them.
"You realize this is the first time we've been out in public, together, since that day in the park," Hermione whispered hesitantly. Harry squeezed her hand softly, reassuringly, and smiled warmly at her.
"Yeah, I knew that," he admitted, leading her through the gateway before it could close on them, "but I think the plan was to ignore people."
She nodded, "Yes, that's the plan."
"Remember 'Mione, there is nothing they can say to make me stop loving you," he promised squeezing her hand again. She looked at him and smiled, knowing he was being completely sincere. She'd never felt more loved in her life then in that moment, except perhaps when her twins were small children and they depended on her for everything.
Leaning up she kissed him quickly on the lips, "That has got to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," she admitted as their lips came apart. "I'll have to reward you for that later."
"Mmm, does that mean you'll wear the boots?" He asked hopefully, linking her arm through his and taking hold of her hand as he started down the Alley.
She laughed, "Yes keep that dream alive."
He squeezed her hand softly, "I intend to hold on to it as long as it takes."
"I hope you got a good grip because you'll be holding on for the rest of your life," she teased. "So, where to first?" she asked trying to change the subject before her face could turn red. As much as she loved Harry, and being with Harry, she still got embarrassed joking about such things in public.
"Gringotts," he said motioning to the marble building a few meters ahead of them, "it's my first Christmas, I intend to spoil them, and to do that I'll need money."
"Harry, promise me you won't spoil them too much. I've worked very hard trying to get them to stay level headed."
"I promise nothing," he declared stubbornly; though he couldn't keep the smile from creeping across his face. "Fine, I won't spoil them, well I won't spoil them to much. But it is Christmas; I get to be a bit frivolous - don't I?"
She smiled, rubbing his arm softly, "Yes, you can be a bit frivolous, that's what Christmas presents are for I suppose."
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he promised, "especially when I'm shopping for you."
"Oh Harry, don't, you don't have to buy me anything," she insisted, she wanted this holiday to be about Harry and the twins. Plus she didn't really didn't need anything; she already had everything she wanted, right by her side.
Harry laughed and kissed the side of her head, "No one said I had to, 'Mione, I want to. There is something I wanted to get you for Christmas for many years, but it would have been inappropriate, now however, it's perfect."
As they walked up the white stairs together, Hermione couldn't stop herself from wondering what he was planning to get her. She didn't care what it was, particularly; if it came from him she'd love it, she was sure of that. It was just, the way he said it. What could he want to get her that would have been inappropriate?
She was only vaguely paying attention as Harry spoke to one of the available goblins and the goblin called for another to take him down to his vault. In her mind she was going over the gifts that he'd given her for past Christmases, trying to guess what he might be planning, but trying to deduce what was going through Harry's head, especially when she'd only been given vague clues, was absolutely impossible.
When Harry returned from his vault he nearly had to shake Hermione out of the trance she'd put herself in. "Where were you just now?" He asked, tucking her arm into the crook of his once more
"What?" She asked distantly, slowly coming out of her thoughts.
He smiled and squeezed her hand, "You've seemed kind of out of it; actually you've seemed out of it for a while now."
She shrugged, "I've just been thinking."
"I guessed as much," he said, as they walked out of the bank, "what have you been thinking about?"
"Actually I've been trying to guess what you're planning to get me," she admitted, feeling her cheeks flush; she was supposed to be more mature then this.
He laughed, his deep, rumbling laugh, which meant he was highly amused. "Isn't that cheating?" Harry asked, coming to a stop halfway down the steps and turning to look at her.
"I suppose it is, but now you've got me curious."
"A little curiosity never hurt anyone," he explained simply, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You're enjoying this," she accused, pointing a finger at him.
He shrugged innocently, "Maybe."
"Oh you are, I can tell, and you're enjoying it far too much."
He smirked, "Well I don't know what you're getting me either, but you don't hear me complaining."
"No, because you're too busy enjoying my pain."
Harry laughed again, "Come on love, lets get on with things. We have quite a few stores to get to."
"Indeed. so where too first?" She asked, letting him take hold of her hand.
"I figured we could start as the game store," he suggested, pointing to the shop halfway down Diagon Alley from them. "Play With Magic, or what ever such nonsense it's calling itself now. I wanted to get Gobstones for Lily and James."
"Oh," she gasped, "they'd love that." The twins had, more then once, expressed an interest in the game, but Hermione had never been any good at it. "Anything else you've got planned."
He gave her a half smile. "A couple things, actually, but let's start with the Gobstones and go from there." Harry squeezed her hand softly and started down the Gringotts steps again.
"They really do this place up for Christmas," Hermione commented as they made their way through the bustling street. "I'd forgotten how enchanting it can be."
"Yeah, it really is wonderful," Harry agreed. It was impossible to deny, Diagon Alley was in top form: Enchanted snow was falling gently above them, disappearing as it met with the heads of the crowd; the store fronts had been decorated with frosted windows and fairy lights. There were even bits of holly here and there, not to mention the mistletoe hidden in a few interesting doorways. Despite the crowds, Harry loved shopping in Diagon Alley at Christmas; it was, for a lack of a better term, magical.
The game shop wasn't very crowded, maybe a handful of people mulling around. There was one man waiting in the queue, having an argument with the wizarding chess set he was intending to purchase. Apparently the set was under the impression that the man didn't know how to play the game. It seemed to have a very high opinion of itself and didn't want to belong to someone who wouldn't put it to good use.
Hermione was fighting so hard not to laugh aloud at the man's misfortune that she had to fake a coughing fit, though it wasn't at all a convincing one. "That's the funniest thing I've seen all day," she admitted as Harry steered her out of earshot of the man and his chess set.
He let himself chuckle a little. "I've never known a chess set to be so argumentative. Poor bloke, it'll be months before he gets those pieces to listen to him."
"I prefer muggle chess myself. I like a nice game where the pieces can't think for themselves."
"Yeah," Harry agreed, "it takes some getting use to but once you've built a rapport with the pieces, they can be very helpful."
She smiled at him. "Listen to you, using fancy words like rapport."
"After nearly two decades of friendship, it seems some of your intelligence has rubbed off," he commented, looking at the large display of Gobstones on the back wall. After a few moments of contemplation, he picked up a set of silver and deep purple ones and showed them to Hermione. "Lily would like these, wouldn't she?"
"She'd love them," she insisted. Silver had always been Lily's favorite color, along with purple -especially darker shades- coming in at a close second.
He smiled, picking up a navy blue and gold set for James, who'd quickly become a fan of Puddlemere United, and its team colors, in the months he'd spent around Harry. "I think these are the ones I want," he decided, giving the display one last perusal, making utterly sure there weren't any better sets.
"You know," she commented gleefully as they made their way back towards the front of the store. "This means they are going to beg you to play Gobstones with them, nonstop, for the next two months or so."
"That's all right," Harry said with a shrug, "I love spending time with them."
"I know you do," she affirmed, trying to control the smile that was fighting to take over her face. She couldn't exactly say why she wanted to smile so bad; it was something about Harry; him loving the twins so much, him loving her so much. Something about being where she was, with the father of her children, shopping for Christmas presents made her suddenly realize how truly blessed she was.
They joined the queue at the front of the store and waited patiently as the four customers ahead of them made their purchases and left. At the counter, the assistant did the smallest of double takes; looking from the scar on Harry's forehead to Hermione at his side, to Harry's scar again. He gave them the smallest knowing nod and went about treating them like any other customer. They were grateful for that. Their presence in the store had already begun to attract unwanted attention and an outburst from the assistant would only make things worse for them.
Ten minutes, four galleons, and fourteen knuts later, with Hermione on one arm and a rather weighty bag on the other, Harry stepped back out in the street, making their way to the next stop on his itinerary.
Across the street and four doors down was Stars Hallow, a store with everything for astronomy. Something Harry had quickly learned about his son was that he loved astronomy, he was fascinated by the why and how of planetary movement, and though Harry didn't have any idea where the interest came from, he appreciated that fact that his son was passionate about something that wasn't sports. At least it proved that James had a mind, even if he did like to let his sister do the thinking for both of them.
When Harry first learned of James' obsession, he knew what he'd be getting his son for Christmas. He'd once thought of buying something very similar for himself, but that was so he could skip classes, James would actually use this, James would love it.
Stars Hallow was practically deserted, though the sales associate assured them it was normal for this time of year. They spent much less time in this store than they had in the last because Harry had flooed ahead. He'd wanted to make sure that the item he wanted would actually be there.
The assistant already had it ready for them when they stepped up to the counter. There, packaged up and ready to go. It was the perfect gift for James; a small glass sphere which showed every movement of the stars and planets. After a few polite words, Harry handed the clerk, Fredrik, eleven galleons and the man gave Harry the packaged up gift.
After a quick apparate home to drop of the gifts they'd purchased, Harry and Hermione started towards the last store on his list: Flourish and Blotts.
"I suppose we are shopping for Lily here?" Hermione asked, her voice filling with what could only be called glee. She loved to be in book stores, even if she wasn't buying anything, she loved being surrounded by them.
Harry smiled at her happiness. "Yes, I thought I could get them each something for their individual interests; the galaxy model for James and a couple of books for Lily."
"Did you have any in mind?" she asked, letting her fingers brush along the spines of the books on the nearest shelf.
"I was thinking of the updated edition of Hogwarts: A History, and a very basic introduction of Ancient Runes."
Hermione was impressed, he knew the twins so well after only three months it was amazing. "You truly are a wonderful father," she said softly.
He smiled and gave her a quick kiss; his own silent thank you for the vote of confidence. "Listen, do you think you could find those books for Lily?"
"Sure."
"And then do you think you could kill about twenty minutes? I have to go pick your gift up."
"Harry, are you asking me if I can spend twenty minutes in a book store?" Hermione questioned, giving him a surprised look.
"Right," he said shaking his head, as if to clear his mind, "how stupid of me. I'll be back in about twenty minutes, maybe a little more." He gave her another quick kiss and left, fully aware that she was watching him, and would be watching him until he was out of sight. Luckily for him, the store he was heading for was around the corner and well out of sight of Flourish and Blotts.
Down the same side-ally as Weasley Wizard Wheezes, was E.J. Turner's, a jewelry boutique. It was the last store in the bustling wizarding center, and it was the finest jewelry store in the magical world, or so everyone said. Harry walked to the store with one thing on his mind, the gift he'd wanted to buy Hermione for at least the last five years, a certain ring.
The only free sales associate in the store, an aged man named Cedric, greeted Harry jovially, recognizing him immediately of course, and asked with great fervor how he could help Harry.
"I have a couple things I'm looking for, actually," Harry explained, taking the man's overzealous attitude in stride. "First, I'm looking for a pendant, just a simple one, with a purple stone, white gold or silver."
"I have a few that fit that description, if you'll follow me," Cedric guided Harry to a glass case in the middle of the store; full of necklaces of every style Harry could imagine and quite a large number that he would never even dream of. Immediately Harry knew which one he wanted. Almost dead center, there was a white gold pendant, simple just like he wanted, with a single teardrop shaped purple stone hanging on a delicate but sturdy chain.
Cedric, who'd been watching Harry closely, unlocked the cabinet and pulled out the necklace Harry was admiring. "That's exactly what I wanted," Harry explained as the salesman placed the necklace carefully in Harry's hand.
"That's a white gold chain and amethyst pendent. One of our nicer necklaces, I'd say."
Harry was sure that Cedric would say that about any necklace he picked out, but then it was the man's job to sell things. He had to get people to buy things somehow. "Yes, well the second thing is a ring I've placed on order. I received a letter yesterday saying it was finished and that I could pick it up any time I liked."
"Right, let's step over here and I'll look for it." Again, Harry followed Cedric, this time to a counter at the side of the store. Once behind the counter, he pulled open a drawer that was crammed with green velvet boxes. They seemed to be organized by type so the ring was easily spotted. Cedric pulled it out and handed the box to Harry.
Inside was the ring he'd ordered, as perfect as he'd imagined it would be. The platinum ring shown out from the green velvet, the square diamond in the center nicely offset by the smaller, square, deep purple stones set on either side.
"Is it to your liking?" Cedric asked hopefully.
Harry nodded. "It's perfect."
"Good, is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No, I think this is everything I need."
"Good so, the ring and the pendant combined come to 2,150 galleons even."
Harry nodded; it was steep, but 'Mione was well worth it. He quickly filled out a bank note with his vault number and the money he wanted removed, and handed it to Cedric who smiled broadly. He's probably on commission, Harry thought as he laid the necklace in a rectangular box, put it in a small bag with the ring, and handed the bag to Harry.
"Thank you for your custom sir," Cedric said, a rather false smile spreading across his face. "I do hope you'll do business with us again."
Harry smiled politely and left the store. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders now that he had the ring, bought and paid for. It was exactly how he envisioned it, and in his mind's eye he could see how it would look on her left hand.
He imagined dropping to his knee on Christmas evening and pouring out his heart to her, asking her to be with him forever. In fact, he thought he could almost make out the expression on her face, a bit of surprise mixed with happiness, maybe even a little confused that he was asking her so soon. But he was sure she'd say yes, he wouldn't have gotten the ring if he thought there was even a chance she'd say no.
Checking his watch casually, he saw he'd already been gone twenty minutes. "Damn," he cursed quietly to himself. He hadn't actually meant to be away even this long and he still had one more stop to make, luckily it wasn't far away.
Ducking quickly into Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, Harry found it exceptionally crowded. Making his way to the front, he found both twins working behind the counter. "Do quite a trade this time of year, don't you?" Harry said, stepping behind the counter and searching for what he needed.
"Never been 'round this time of year?" George questioned, handing a customer his change and turning to face Harry.
"No," he answered, straightening up again, a medium sized bag in his hand.
"Oy! What do you want that for?" George inquired motioning to the bag in Harry's hand.
He smiled. "I've just been to pick up Hermione's gift," he said quietly, holding up the small green bag in his hand. "I need to disguise it in something."
"Clever," George admitted, turning to the next customer, who was becoming impatient at the lack of attention being paid to her.
"Yeah, well, she's a clever one; I can't take any chances," Harry explained, tossing the E.J. Turner's bag in the trash and slipping the velvet boxes into the vivid orange colored bag with three W's that Weasley Wizarding Wheezes were known for.
"See mate, that's the problem with dating one of the smart ones. Myself, I never had that problem," George stated with a laugh.
"Watch yourself," his wife called to him from across the store, where she was helping another customer.
George laughed again. "I love you," he called back to her over the crowd and she smiled at him. "Every time, no matter how busy we are," he muttered to Harry.
"Women always know when you are talking about them, brother," Fred commiserated. "Always; you can never get anything past them." The three men laughed at that, knowing that it was all too true.
"Well, I need to be getting back to 'Mione, thanks for this," Harry said holding up the bag in his hand as he slipped around the corner again.
George nodded. "Anytime mate," he called as Harry ducked back out of the store.
Down the street and around the corner again, he got back to Flourish and Blotts, just as the half-hour mark passed. Well I did say I might be a little later, he thought as he began to search for her among the shelves.
He found her, tucked in a back corner, scanning the shelves for a book. Figures, Harry thought stepping up next to her, what else would she be doing, standing around twirling her thumbs. "Find anything interesting?" he asked glancing over her shoulder.
"Quite a few things, I found the books you wanted, plus an absolutely fascinating book about the history of magic in China. I've been looking for it for ages. A customer told me about it and I've been dying to read it ever since."
Harry smiled. "Well then, I'm glad you found it. So what are you looking for now?"
"Nothing in particular," she informed him with a shrug. "Why? Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, not to mention I said I'd be back to pick Lily and James up at two, and it's already half past one."
"All right, let's get going," she said turning to face him. When she caught sight of the bag in his hand her face visibly fell. "You've been at the joke shop."
"Only for the bag," he explained. "I couldn't have you seeing where I actually went, could I?" She brightened up instantly. "What kind of man do you take me for? Thinking I would buy you something from the joke shop." he teased, linking their arms and steering her towards the front.
Harry paid for the books quickly, since there wasn't a line, and the two of them apparated to Number Twelve with just enough time to stash the gifts out of sight. Hermione tucked the twin's gifts into her wardrobe while Harry snuck away to hide her gift somewhere in the house.
At five to two, they apparated to Ginny and Daniel's front garden. The moment they appeared, they could hear a commotion coming from the front room. As they stepped up the garden path they could hear Daniel telling Lily and James to settle down, that their parents would be around any minute now. Surprisingly, the twins settled down. But the quiet was followed by the sound of running about, and Harry gave Hermione a dark look.
"Are you as worried as I am?" he questioned.
Hermione nodded. "Yeah, actually I am. But then again, you are the one who knows the big surprise they're planning."
Harry shrugged; the only surprise he knew about was that the twins had planned to go shopping for their mother's Christmas gift that day. Daniel had promised he'd take them into Hogsmeade and help them search for the perfect gift. He knew nothing about what was going on in that house. Cautiously, Harry knocked on the door, rather afraid of what might meet him on the other side.
It was pulled open relatively quickly by Ginny, who smiled at them and nodded towards the front room. Carefully they stepped into the front hall and around the corner into the room. Almost immediately, they were tackled. Knocked to the ground as Lily jumped onto Harry and James leapt at Hermione.
Taken completely by surprise, Harry's first reaction was to laugh. Once he was laughing, Hermione started to laugh and then the twins joined in. From somewhere above them, they saw a flash go off. Looking up they saw Daniel with a camera, smiling broadly as he wrapped his arm around Ginny's back.
"Quite a lovely family you make," he commented. "Very happy."
AN: I honestly don't think I can tell you lot how amazing it feels to have this chapter up - and to know that I only have nine more chapters to write, since chapter 27 is already written and with my beta. It should be up soon. Onto the not so happy news, I'm not going to have a lot of free time between now and the middle of July to do any writing. You see, my family is planning to move across country around the 15th (I might actually be on the road, since we are driving, when Half-Blood Prince comes out), and basically between now and then I get to clean house, which is no easy task. We've lived in this house 25 years, and have gathered a lot of junk over the years. I will work on chapter 28 as often as I can, but I can't promise it'll be up anytime soon.
Oh and PS, I'd like to thank my two wonderful betas Jen and Rosali, I've often thanked them in email, but now I'm going to thank them here
paochi_cute - There won't be a sequel to this one, I've decided, I love this story, but I truly feel that it wraps up nicely. I like the way it ends and it feels complete to me. I might do a companion story about Ron and Luna though, that might be possible. CrimsonTemplar - : ) Lady Starlight - yes, though I don't have children myself I've heard from a friend how things change and thought it was very Hermione to worry about that - I'm glad you found her insecurities realistic Lajo1013 - : ) Austenlover - there will be more scenes like this, though they wont be in every chapter, that would spoil it tabitoo - : ) GPGA - : ) Anu - no, it's the one month anniversary of their first date, I know it kinda goes quickly, but they actually have been dating for an entire month - well two after this chapter. And I plan on having the story be 36 chapters long, so only ten to go harryhermione731 - I don't know about perfect, 'cause I don't know that my writing will ever be perfect, but I was trying to make it the best that I can and have it be something I was happy with Creepy Susie - : ) Mani12191 - : D sailor_girl - : ) Lady Celmer-Malfoy - thanks that really means a lot to me, especially since I am working on a book or at least I'm working on the details and will start writing it once EYEW is finished diggingupophelia - thank you, I tried to make it sweet and tender, I hope I succeeded Luna_Tyler - : ) Tomlove01 - : ) hernndzzz - I'd say they definitely deserve some nookie, they've been through so much Shaliza - : ) pottergranny - : ) Shellbell18 - : ) DreamAngel - : ) greenevans - : ) Lee Anne - : ) ginnymalfoy21 - : ) overdrive - : ) div - : ) Americangirl2001 - : ) sunnihun - : ) Green_Eye_Sparkle16 - that's all right, a review is a review late or not, I'm glad you enjoyed it strider - sorry it took so long to update Misadies1 - no I didn't have writers block, I was writing all the time, I just wasn't happy with anything I wrote so I had to keep rewriting