Authors' note: This chapter is a little short, but it's all Hermione/Harry. Next chapter, Alexa and Saffron say goodbye.
Due to being the only ones in the Minister's mansion, Harry and Hermione had closed off sections of the house and only resided in one part. It had been difficult adjusting to no one else around again and to cheer his wife up, Harry planned a nice dinner for the two of them.
He had made chicken cacciatore which was one of Hermione's favourites. He'd even lit candles and had turned the Wireless on for some background music. Harry set a basket of bread rolls on the table and looked around at his work. Not bad, he thought to himself.
It had been awhile since he had cooked like this and it reminded him of old times when they had been first married and lived in the cottage.
The good old days were what Saffron would teasingly call them when he or Hermione would wax nostalgic about their time at the cottage. He smiled as he thought of his youngest daughter who finally seemed to be happy at last.
He went to go get changed into something a little more comfortable then poured himself a glass of wine while he waited for his wife.
Unbeknownst to him, his wife was currently sitting in a classroom in a recreational centre in south London. There was a class of about 18 students and Hermione felt a thrill of excitement as she saw that no one here recognised her or knew who she really was.
Hermione eagerly reached for the textbook she had just bought and began looking through it. "Introduction to cooking," she read.
"Good evening," the instructor said. She was a tall woman with her brown hair pulled back into a bun. "Welcome to the first class of Introduction to Cooking. My name is Sharon Burke and I will be your instructor for this course."
Hermione smiled excitedly while the woman took attendance.
"Hermione Potter?" the instructor asked.
"Here," she answered brightly.
To her delight, no one seemed to recognise her. The instructor called the other students' names and then gave a brief overview of the course. "Tonight, we're going to start off easy. I have a simple blueberry muffin recipe that you will see on page three of your textbook..."
The woman sitting next to Hermione leaned over. "Want to team up?"
"Absolutely," Hermione replied with a smile.
"Great," the woman smiled. "Priscilla McDonald."
"Hermione Potter," Hermione said. "It's nice to meet you."
"Are you as bad as cooking at me?" Priscilla asked ruefully.
"Worse," Hermione groaned. "It's kind of a family joke."
"I promised my husband if we lasted 25 years of marriage I'd do my best to learn to cook," Priscilla said as they gathered their ingredients.
Hermione smiled. "So, you lasted 25 years, eh?"
"About a month ago," Priscilla nodded.
"Congratulations," Hermione said. "My---my husband's the chef in our family. We have the house to ourselves now and I have some time on my hands. I thought I would take this class and try to get better."
"I'm sure he'll love that," Priscilla said as they studied their recipe.
"It says we're supposed to cream the butter and sugar together then slowly add the eggs," Hermione read aloud.
"Cream together..." Priscilla said. "I suppose that means we mix them up?"
"I suppose so," Hermione said, reaching for the large bowl at their station.
"I'll let you do that," Priscilla said, looking over the rest of the recipe.
Hermione nodded and carefully measured the sugar and butter. She told herself to think of this like she was brewing a potion.
"Cream together," she said to herself. "I suppose I do this with a regular spoon..."
"I'd recommend using the big wooden spoon on the corner," the instructor told her as she made her rounds.
"Oh thank you," Hermione said gratefully. "I'm such a novice."
"You'll do fine," Sharon reassured her. "And I'm here to help." She watched as Hermione poured the sugar into the bowl with the butter. "That's good, Mrs. Potter."
Hermione beamed. She wondered why she had struggled with this for so long.
Back at home, Harry was looking at his watch. Hermione was a half hour late. Usually she would let him know when she was running behind.
He reached for his mobile and dialled her number.
It rang directly to voice mail. Harry decided not to leave a message. Perhaps, she'd been called into a last minute meeting. He decided to firecall her office.
"Hello?" Harry called. "Hermione?" Samuel?"
Samuel looked up from his desk. "Harry?"
"Hi Sam," Harry said. "Is Hermione still there?"
"The minister left about an hour ago," Samuel said. "I assumed she was going home."
Harry grew worried. "Really..."
"She did mention having to stop at the book shoppe," Samuel recalled. "You know how she is when she's in there."
"Oh," Harry said. "That's very true. Thanks Sam."
Samuel promised to let him know if he heard from her.
Harry felt slightly reassured when he pulled his head back out of the fire. He did know how his wife could be when surrounded by books.
Harry walked back into the dining room and set a warming charm on their food.
He sighed and poured another glass of wine for himself.
Back at the recreational centre, Hermione and Priscilla were pouring their batter into the muffin pans. "So how many children do you have, Hermione?" Priscilla asked.
"Three," Hermione answered. "My youngest is getting married soon."
Priscilla smiled. "I have two. My youngest has just started university."
"How lovely," Hermione said.
"Okay, everyone should be ready to put your pans in the oven," the instructor called out.
Hermione looked at their dish. "I can't believe this actually seems edible!"
Priscilla grinned. "Now, we just have to hope we don't find some way to burn this."
"The oven is set to the right temperature?" Hermione asked, opening up the oven door.
"Yes," Priscilla said, setting the timer for 25 minutes.
"Perfect," Hermione said, hardly daring to hope that these would turn out.
The instructor told them to tidy up and Priscilla and Hermione set about cleaning their station.
"Just keep an eye on the oven," Priscilla said. "I have a habit of leaving things in the oven."
"Me too," Hermione said shaking her head. She told Priscilla about the time she'd nearly burned the cottage down.
Priscilla was laughing. "I don't know if I could beat that one!"
Hermione laughed, too. "My oldest daughter still brings it up, though truth be told, she's as hopeless as I am in the kitchen."
"How about your other two?" Priscilla asked.
"Ethan and Saffy are great cooks," Hermione said. "They didn't get that from me, though."
"From your husband, then," Priscilla nodded.
"Yes, he's been cooking since he was a kid," Hermione said. "He's a fantastic cook."
"I'd have starved if it wasn't for Gavin," Priscilla agreed.
"That's me with Harry," Hermione said smiling as she thought of her husband.
Priscilla finished washing the rest of the dishes and Hermione quickly dried them. "Now what do we do?" Priscilla asked. "We still have fifteen minutes until these are ready."
"I'm not sure," Hermione said motioning for the instructor.
"Is there anything else we need to do?" Hermione asked her.
The instructor nodded. "I'd like you all to stay by your stations. We're going to go over some of the things that can go wrong when you bake..." At the mansion, Harry heard a commotion from the sitting room. "Finally," he muttered, stepping out of the dining room and carrying a glass of wine for his wife. "Sweetheart?" Ron dusted the soot from his shoulders, "Awww, Harry. I didn't know you cared."
Harry frowned. "What do you want?"
"Something smells good," Ron said.
"I know," Harry replied.
Ron reached for the glass of wine. "This is hospitality, mate..."
"That's for Hermione," Harry blocked his attempt.
"Where is the little woman?" Ron asked.
"I'm not sure," Harry replied.
"Can I have some of whatever that is?" Ron asked, touching his stomach. "It smells fantastic!"
"No," Harry said shortly. "It's for me and my wife."
"Oh come on," Ron said. "Just a bite?"
"There's never just a bite where you're concerned," Harry told him.
"I resent that remark," Ron said frowning at him.
"I actually think you resemble it," Harry cracked.
"Fine," Ron grumbled. "What I came over here for was to see if you were up to play a match this weekend? Neville's in, so's Dean..."
"A match?" Harry asked. "Yeah... that sounds good."
"Great," Ron said, stepping closer to the dining room. "Can I at least have a bread roll?"
"Fine," Harry said. "Just ONE."
Ron clapped him on the back. "Thanks, mate."
"And I'll see you later," Harry hinted.
"You need to work on your hospitality, Potter," Ron said grabbing a roll from the basket. He popped in into his mouth.
"I'll make sure to do just that," he said sarcastically.
"I'll see you this weekend then," Ron said.
"Right," Harry said. "See you, mate."
Ron headed for the fireplace. "Hermione'll be home soon."
"I hope so," Harry muttered.
She did come home, but it wasn't until nearly an hour later. Hermione was still giddy as she set her briefcase down. She looked at the bag of muffins in her hand and couldn't believe she had actually made them and even better--they tasted really good.
"Harry!" she called.
Harry stepped out of the dining room.
"Hi," she said with a grin.
"You're late," Harry said quietly. "I was worried."
"I'm sorry," she said. "I was at the bookstore then I um... then I stopped by the bakery."
"I made dinner," Harry said.
"Something does smell delicious," Hermione nodded. "Very, very delicious."
"What did you get at the bakery?" Harry asked.
"Some muffins," Hermione held up the bag.
Harry looked at his wife and couldn't hang on to his anger that she'd been late. She was notorious for spending hours in a bookstore. "They look good," he said softly.
"Have a bite," she said with a grin.
"Dessert before dinner?" Harry asked teasingly.
"Just a bite," her eyes twinkled.
Hermione reached into the bag and handed him a muffin.
Harry took a bite. "These are fantastic. What bakery are they from?"
Hermione beamed at him. "You really like them?"
Harry nodded. "One of the best muffins I've ever tasted."
Hermione put her arms around him. "I'm so glad you love them, Harry!"
He was amused. "Why so excited?"
"I just had a really, really good day and I'm glad you like the muffins," Hermione said squeezing him tightly.
Harry chuckled. "Okay... well... I'm glad you had a good day, and here's hoping this will make it better." he led her into the dining room.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione gasped. "You---you did all this for me?"
"Correct," Harry whispered in her ear.
"I'm sorry I was late," Hermione apologised.
"I was starting to get worried," he said.
"I should have rung you," Hermione said.
"Long as you're home safe," Harry told her.
Hermione gave him a kiss.
"Sit," Harry said. "Have a glass of wine..."
"Thanks," Hermione said.
"For your dining pleasure," Harry said. "I have chicken cacciatore..."
Hermione grinned. "My favourite!"
Harry sat down across from her. "I hope you're hungry."
"I'm starving," Hermione said. "I just had a muffin earlier."
"Good," Harry said, bringing out the rest of the food.
Hermione put her napkin in her lap.
"Dig in," Harry told her. "Ron stopped by and I practically had to tackle him to keep him away from the food."
Hermione laughed. "He beg and plead?"
"Like a starved puppy," Harry said.
Hermione took a bite of her food. "Mmmm."
"Only the best for you," Harry said.
"This is amazing," Hermione said. She couldn't wait until she'd be able to surprise Harry with a meal like this.
"I know you've been feeling down lately," Harry said. "I wanted to cheer you up."
"My empty nest," Hermione said reaching for his hand.
"Not completely empty," Harry said. "I'm not going anywhere."
Hermione smiled. "I love you, you know."
"I love you too," Harry said. "Love of my bloody life."
"And you're mine," Hermione said.
"What would we do without each other?" he asked.
"Be completely lost," Hermione said.
"Who even knows where I would be if we hadn't gotten together," Harry said.
"Married to Ginny?" Hermione teased.
"Ugh," Harry said. "Hardly."
"And I'd be married to some boring dentist that my father set me up with," Hermione grinned.
"I don't know who I'd have been married to," Harry said. "Maybe even Cho... who knows."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," he said. "Just... if Neville hadn't stepped in and you weren't there..."
"I don't even want to think about that," Hermione shuddered.
"Me either," Harry shrugged.
"So, how was your day?" Hermione asked.
"It was okay," Harry said.
"Mine was fantastic," Hermione told him. "I just really felt that I accomplished something today!"
"Really?" Harry asked. "What?"
"Just some legislation that I've been drafting," Hermione lied.
"Oh," Harry nodded. "Of course."
Hermione took another bite of her food.
"Seconds?" Harry asked.
"Yes, please," Hermione said handing him her plate.
Harry dished out seconds for both of them.
"It's a good thing you brought those muffins," Harry said setting the plate in front of her. "I didn't make dessert."
"I'm surprised," Hermione said.
"I might have had something else in mind for dessert," Harry grinned at her.
"Oh I see," Hermione grinned back. "I do like that line of thought, Mr. Potter."
Harry grinned. "I was hoping you were thinking the same thing..."
"Always," Hermione said softly.
Harry leaned across the table and kissed her. "Having the house to ourselves can have benefits."
"That is quite true," Hermione said.
"And if you play your cards right, we can have these dinners every Monday night," Harry said.
"Every Monday night?" Hermione asked. "I-I can't."
"Why not?" he asked.
"I have another meeting next week," Hermione said. She was a terrible liar and she knew that being an Auror, Harry would see right through her.
He looked at her pensively. He was sure his wife wasn't' being quite truthful, but didn't say anything.
"We could do it on Fridays," Hermione suggested.
"Okay," Harry nodded. "Fridays it is."
Hermione smiled. "Let's dance, Harry."
He smiled. "I'll pour us some wine. You go pick us some music."
"Deal," Hermione said pushing back from her chair.
Harry refilled their goblets and headed into the sitting room. Hermione had just put on some soft music.
"And you didn't even have to carry a watermelon to get here," Harry teased.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"You forget so easily?" Harry asked taking her hand. "That night you snuck into the employee disco. When I asked Neville what you were doing here, you told me that you carried a watermelon."
"Oh," Hermione turned red. "The first thing I ever said to you. It was really quite ingenious."
"I thought you were adorable," Harry said putting his hands on her waist.
"I'm sure that was your thought," Hermione said dryly.
"It was," Harry said.
"You didn't like me at all," Hermione reminded him. "Not at first."
"You grew on me," Harry said pulling her close.
"It only took me a week," she smiled at him.
"I did think you were a bit of a busy-body when I first met you," Harry said. "Thought you were some rich, spoiled girl coming to socialise with the peons."
"Little did you know," Hermione kissed him.
"Little did I know," Harry agreed.
Hermione kissed him again and he dipped her backwards.
"Hermione Jane," Harry said. "You've still got it."
"So do you," she said as he pulled her back up.
"I've always had it," Harry grinned, spinning her around.
Hermione laughed. "Yes, yes you have."
"It helps when you have a great partner," Harry said.
Hermione wound her arms around him. "I have the best partner... in every way that matters."
"You just love me for my cooking," Harry teased.
"That's part of the reason," Hermione laughed.
"There's more?" Harry asked.
"To me loving you?" Hermione asked. "Of course there is."
"I'm smart, handsome and brilliant?" Harry asked, dipping her again.
"That too," she said, laughing as he brought her back up.
"You're not so bad either," Harry said.
"Just not so bad?" Hermione poked him.
"Better than average?" Harry asked with a grin.
"You can do better, Potter." Hermione said.
"Let's see," Harry said pretending to think for a few moments. "You're beautiful...brilliant...classy...funny..."
"Keep going," Hermione said softly.
"...brave...loving...caring," Harry continued.
"Keep going," she said, resting her head on his chest.
Harry smiled. "You have the most brilliant brown eyes that twinkle when you're excited about something."
She grinned. "You have such a way with words."
"Those aren't the big words that you like to use so much," Harry pointed out.
"I don't need big words from you," Hermione said.
"No?" Harry asked. "Good, because I don't know that many. Half the time, I don't understand what you're saying."
"I'll buy you a thesaurus," Hermione teased.
Harry laughed. "Thanks, I think."
Hermione gave him another kiss.
"What's another word for 'wow'?" Harry asked when they pulled apart.
"I'm not sure," she answered dazedly.
"Stupendous?" Harry suggested.
"Amazing," she said.
"You smell like blueberries," Harry said nuzzling her neck.
"I do?" she asked.
"Mmmhmm," Harry whispered.
"Maybe because of the muffin I ate on the way home..." Hermione said.
"Maybe," Harry said, his eyes darkening as he looked at his wife.
"What's that look for?" she asked.
"I think you know," Harry grinned.
"I might have an inkling," Hermione said, letting her head fall back.
Harry trailed kisses along her jaw and neck.
"I suppose it's nice that we don't HAVE to go upstairs if we don't want to..." Hermione said lazily.
Harry grinned. "That's very true."
"To the sofa," Hermione said in his ear.
Harry picked her up. "Whatever you say."
They fell onto the sofa and wasted no time in removing each other's clothes.
A little while later, they were wrapped in a blanket on the sofa; Hermione's head on Harry's chest. "You still awake?" Harry whispered.
"Mmmhmm..." she said.
Harry kissed the top of her head. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said, her eyes closing.
"We have to do this more often," Harry said.
"Maybe every Friday," Hermione said impishly.
"Once a week only?" Harry poked her in the side.
"This?" Hermione asked. "Oh no... not this. This... should happen nearly every night..."
Harry laughed. "That's my girl."
Hermione kissed him again.
"Did you buy me anything at the book shop?" Harry asked.
"No," Hermione said. "I pretty much just browsed..."
"You walked into a bookstore and walked out without buying anything?" Harry asked teasingly.
Hermione smiled to hide her lie. "There's a first time for everything."
"That would be like me leaving the Quidditch shop without buying something," Harry said thoughtfully.
"I'm sure it could happen," Hermione said.
"Yes and you're going to start flying to work," Harry said dryly.
"Harry James--" she began.
Harry tickled her. "That would NEVER happen."
"Stop!" she cried out, laughing.
"Hermione Granger Potter zooming around in the sky on a racing broom," Harry chuckled.
"That'll NEVER happen," she informed him.
"That would be like Ron deciding to eat nothing but raw carrots and celery," Harry laughed.
"That will also never happen," Hermione grinned at him.
"Or you actually making toast," Harry teased. "Or boiling water..."
"Potter," Hermione poked his shoulder.
"Granger," Harry countered.
"Stop calling me Granger," Hermione said. "I haven't been Granger for many, many years now."
Harry laughed. "I know, love."
"And you should be nice," Hermione said. "Or I'll never make my lasagne again."
"Okay," Harry said. "I'm shutting up now."
"Good idea," Hermione rested her head on his chest again.
"Did you hear from Saffy today?" Harry asked.
"An owl, this morning," Hermione said. "Julie's planning a baby shower."
"Oh?" Harry asked.
"Probably not for another few months," Hermione said. "But now that we know it's a girl, it'll make it easier to plan."
"Ellie," Harry said.
"I think it's so sweet she wants to name her after Mum," Hermione said. "I miss her."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "I know you do."
"She and Dad should have been here to see all this," Hermione said.
"They would have spoiled Ellie rotten," Harry said with a wistful grin. "And little Kiera."
"They sure would have," Hermione nodded. "And Ethan and Maddie's new baby as well."
"At least they were able to see Ashley and Katie," Harry said. "And I like to think there's a little bit of Robert and Elinore in each of them."
"I think so too," Hermione nodded.
"They loved you very much," Harry said.
"They were great parents," Hermione nodded.
"And you're a great mum," Harry said.
"You're a great dad," Hermione said.
"I've made a lot of mistakes," Harry said quietly.
"We both have," Hermione said, looking up at him. "Neither of us is perfect. Nor are any of our children."
Harry gave her a kiss.
"I think we should just sleep here tonight," Hermione said softly.
"I think so too," Harry said.
"I'm very, very comfortable," she said, snuggling closer.
"Are you?" Harry asked. "Because I was hoping you'd get up and go and get me one of those muffins..."
"There's this thing you do called wandless magic," Hermione said. "Summon them..."
"I just wanted to see if you'd get it for---ow!" Harry yelped as Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
"Harry James!"
"I should have known better," Harry said smiling at her.
"I suppose since you made dinner I could go get you a muffin," Hermione told him.
"No, no," Harry said, waving his hand in the direction of the kitchen. "Allow me."
Hermione laughed. "You always did like to show off."
Harry lifted his hand as two muffins landed perfectly in his palm. "Me? Show off?"
She grinned at him.
"Maybe just a little," Harry said taking a bite of the muffin. "Mmm...These are really, really good, Hermione."
Hermione fought to keep from smiling too big.
She gave him another hug.
"What's that for?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"Just for being you," She said softly.
Harry smiled. "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too," Hermione said. "And now you taste like blueberry."
Harry laughed. "You like that."
"I do," she said.
What she liked even better was the fact that he'd actually liked something she'd made that wasn't lasagne.
Harry stuffed the rest of the muffin into his mouth. "Any chance of you bringing more of those home?"
"Maybe," Hermione said coyly.
"I hope so," Harry hinted.
"They had some nice looking chocolate chip biscuits," Hermione said hiding her smile as she remembered one of the things they'd make next week.
"I'm always up for those," Harry nodded.
Hermione closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest again.
Harry looked down at his wife as he pulled a blanket over both of them.
"Good night, Hermione," Harry said softly.
"Night," she said softly.
She was still smiling as she drifted off to sleep.