A/N: Hello again! I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter. I had a lot of fun "touring" Disney World with you. I had originally thought that this chapter would be a moving day, but I figure that Harry and Hermione can stay put for now. And moving wouldn't be much of a challenge when you're magical. So, I've decided on this instead. I hope you like it!
Also, sorry for the delay, but the only time I really get to write lately is when I'm at work and lately they've been actually making me work! The nerve of some people! ;) Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!
***
As I roll over and glance at the clock, I see 7:32 staring at me. Wait, I've got two more days to stay in bed until noon if I want. Why on earth am I … what's that tapping? Crap, there's an owl at the window.
I untangle myself from Harry's arms and make my way to the window. I let Pig in, take the note and head back to the bed. Pig flies back out the window after taking a quick sip of the water we have by the window for occasions like this.
I sit on the bed and gently open the envelope, hoping to not waking Harry.
Suddenly I hear, "Good morning, Potters! Now that's strange to hear, huh?"
That sounds like … Ron?
"I'll bet you're wondering what this is!" the envelope says.
At this point, Harry is startled awake and quickly pulling the covers up thinking Ron is in the room.
"Well, it's a Non-Howling Howler, made by the fine folks at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. It talks like a Howler, but isn't going to self destruct or yell at you."
At this point, Harry is staring at the envelope with an expression that ranges between anger and curiosity.
"What the hell is that?" he says.
I shush him and let "Ron" continue.
"But maybe I should have sent you a Howler anyway since I just found out that Neville is dating my sister and has been since that little stunt you pulled at your wedding."
I don't have the heart to tell him that they've actually been going out since my bridal shower.
"But I guess if it's anyone from our dorm, Neville is the safest since you're taken, Harry," Ron's note says. "But you wouldn't be allowed to date her either. That would be creepy, eh mate? And at least Neville will treat her better than Craig or Chris or whatever that last bloke's name was. Anyway, the reason I'm sending this note …"
Thank Merlin, there's a point!
"… is because Luna and I want to invite you both and Neville and Ginny over to eat. Luna's been dying to cook lately and she really wants to have a dinner party. So, are you guys free tonight? I know you are, you just got back. Of course, this is providing you have enough coherent thought left since you probably just spent a week shagging each other's brains out." Ron laughs and I scowl. "Anyway, get back to me as soon as you can on dinner. Nev and Gin are definitely coming, so dinner will be at 6. Luna says hello! See you guys tonight."
"Now, see, that's not right. Waking us up and interrupting our alone time!" Harry grumbles as he flops back down onto the bed.
"Harry, we have alone time all the time!"
"Yes, but we weren't doing such fun things before the honeymoon!"
"Oh honestly! We can do that anytime!"
He's pouting now.
"Harry, you can make that face all you want, but we're going tonight!" I run to my desk, grab a quill and some parchment and scurry back into bed. (Unlike some people, I don't want to wake them with a floo call.) I put my fingers in my mouth and whistle for Hedwig. She flies in and lands on Harry's leg. "Hello, girl! I'll have a letter for you in just one second."
Hedwig hoots and turns a bit to face Harry.
"Sorry, Hedwig," he says as he pets her head. "I've got nothing for you."
She pushes her head up a bit as if to say, "This is enough for me."
"I see. Missed us did you?" he asks.
Hedwig continues to revel in her petting and hoots softly.
Harry chuckles. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Of course she missed us," I coo. "All alone for a week!" I say as I pet her a bit as well.
If I didn't know better, I'd say that owl is smiling at us.
Regardless, I finish my note saying we'd love to join them for dinner, tie it to Hedwig's leg and (with a final pet from Harry) send her off.
"I didn't realize how much I missed her while we were gone," Harry sighs.
"Well, it's only natural. She was your first pet."
He nods. "So much has changed," he says softly.
"Since?"
"Since the beginning. Since the day I turned 11. So much has changed. I have friends, I have family, I have a pet - two pets," he corrects after a meow from Crookshanks as the cat leaves the room. "Oh, the most important thing of all … I'm a wizard!"
I stick my tongue out at him and he laughs. "Oh yeah, and I'm married to the most amazing, beautiful, intelligent, loving, talented witch ever. Did I mention that?"
"Not until just now," I whisper.
"Well, I am. And well, she is," he whispers back.
We gaze into each other's eyes and he leans in to kiss me. Just when things begin to heat up …
"Hermione? Hermione, are you awake?" comes a voice from the living room.
Ginny.
"Tell her to get her head out of our fireplace and go the hell away," Harry grumbles.
I pull on my dressing gown and hurry out of the room.
"Ginny! What?" I ask, obviously annoyed.
"Hermione, I need to talk to - Whoa! I interrupted something, didn't I?"
"Slightly."
"Oh, Merlin! I'm so sorry. Gonna take some getting used to, this "you and Harry have sex now" thing."
I grin slightly.
"Ok, you get back to who you were doing," she says."But, later on, can you just get back to me? I need girl talk."
I don't even consider asking why she can't go to Luna, or Fleur, or the other 6,000 women in her family.
"Fine, that's fine. I'll get back to you," I promise.
"Great! Ok. Go get him, tiger!"
And with that, she's gone.
I head back to bed and a very excited husband …
Two hours later, we're showered and ready to go.
"Ok, let me talk to Ginny for a bit," I say as Harry heads to the study.
I floo-call her and she comes right over.
"I'm really sorry about earlier," she says.
"It's ok, seriously. Now, what's the issue?"
"It's Neville."
"Neville? What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing. And that's the problem."
I give her a questioning look.
"Ok, here's the thing. Ever since Hogwarts, I have dated guys that I knew were wrong for me. But Neville is so different. It … scares me."
"So, you're issue is that Neville is a great guy?"
She nods, looking at her feet.
"Oh, Ginny, that's wonderful!"
Now she gives me a questioning look.
"Sweetie, that just means that you're in love and you don't want to lose the best thing that has ever happened to you. All those other guys were jerks. You knew that; we all knew that. And now that you have seen the worst, you're scared that Neville is one of them, too. But the bad boys were easy to love. Neville is right."
"Neville is right, but not easy," she repeats, pondering what I said.
"Exactly. It's like me and Harry. I knew that loving him wouldn't be easy. He's Harry, my best friend. I was too scared of losing our friendship. Or worse, losing him to the war. But I didn't want easy, I wanted Harry. Harry was right. Nothing right is easy, but that's what makes it so worthwhile."
Ginny stares at me for a few seconds. "You know, you're right. That's exactly my problem. Did you ever worry that Harry was the wrong guy?"
"Not really, no. I was too busy worrying about his life. But I figured that if I invested that much time and worry into one man, then he must have been the right guy."
"And that's why you didn't want my brother?" she says with a wink.
"I didn't want your brother because I knew we were from two completely different worlds. I didn't want to go to Azkaban for killing him." Ginny laughs. "And I figured, if I spent so much time on Harry, surely there would be nothing between Ron and I. And I was right."
She nods. "Yeah, you and Ron would have been terrible together. That's why you and Harry are so great together."
I smile. "Yeah, I think so."
"Um, I'm sorry to interrupt," Harry says as he pokes his head in the doorway with Hedwig on his shoulder. "But have you seen Hedwig's treats?"
"Yeah, sweetie. They're on top of the refrigerator," I tell him.
"Oh. Ok. Thanks. Hi Ginny!"
"Hi Harry, how are you?"
"Great. Ok, well, I'll leave you to your girl talk." And he retreats to the kitchen.
"And I should let you get back to your brand new husband," Ginny says, standing.
"It's ok, really," I tell her.
"No, you gave me the answer I needed. I think I may be really falling for Neville."
"I'm so glad to hear it. You needed someone like him."
"I really did. Ok, well, I'll see you tonight at Ron and Luna's, right?"
"We'll be there!"
"Great. See you then, sis," she says, pulling me into a hug.
"See you, sis."
She steps into the fireplace and goes home.
"So, that was different," Harry says as he returns.
"Were you eavesdropping?"
Harry gives a look that says "Who me?"
"Maybe you should have been an Auror after all, Mr. Investigation."
He laughs. "Come take a walk with me."
I never could say no to walks with Harry, so we do just that.
Once we're home, we spend the day cuddling and being disgustingly cute. And before I know it, it's almost time to go to Ron and Luna's.
I put on my new sundress and put out a pair of khaki's and a nice shirt for Harry. He may be the Boy-Who-Lived to the rest of the world, but to me, he's the Man-Who-Can't-Dress-Himself.
Harry walks into the bedroom and looks at his clothes. "Did you think I couldn't do this on my own?"
"Of course you can, honey. I just wanted to get things moving so we're not late," I say as I fix my hair.
"Oh. Ok," he replies and begins to change.
I smile at my reflection and begin to dig for earrings.
"I love that dress," Harry says.
"Thank you."
"Too bad it's on."
"Harry! You've been such a letch since we've got home!"
"Ok, Head Girl, what are you going to do about it?" he says with a sly grin.
"10 points from Gryffindor and a night out with friends."
"Harsh, Miss Granger."
"That's Mrs. Potter to you, mister. Now get your shoes on. It's time to leave."
He pouts and puts his shoes on. At least he's good training for a raising a child.
Once Harry is ready to go, we Apparate to Ron and Luna's.
As we both arrive, all I can hear is "Surprise!"
Surprise?
I look around and there's a huge group of people surrounding us. There's all of the Weasleys from what I can tell, my parents and Neville. Um, wow.
"Welcome home!" shouts a very pregnant Luna.
"Hi!" I reply as she pulls me into a hug.
"Hey there, mate!" Ron says as he slaps Harry on the back.
There's something up these two's sleeves.
"So, ready to eat?" Luna asks Harry.
"Huh? Oh … yeah," he mumbles. He's as confused as I am.
"Hi, honey," my dad says as he fights through the crowd to hug me.
"Hi, Daddy," I say. "What's going on here?"
"I don't know. Ron just said we should be here, so he came and picked us up and brought us here."
"Picked you up?" I ask suspiciously.
"Um … what's the word? Appatation?" Mum says.
"Apparation? He Apparated you here?!"
"Yes?" Dad says, obviously confused. "Is that bad?"
"Not when it's a normal wizard! Ron's ok at Apparating but I don't think he's ever carried two people with him! You're lucky you're all here in one piece!" I shout.
"Mione, breathe. They're fine. And they're here for dinner, so let's go eat," Harry says as he puts his arm around my waist.
The gesture calms me and we follow everyone into the dining room.
"I'll admit, I did have some help from my mother-in-law in preparing tonight's dinner," Luna admits. "But the party grew a bit from what we originally planned."
She sits down and doesn't explain that. Typical Luna.
Dinner, however, is delicious. I have a suspicion that Molly cooked most of this, but that may just be for the army that showed up.
After dinner, we're all sent out of the dining room. The majority of us are sent to the living room.
After the quick cleanup, Ron, Luna and Molly all join us. Molly takes a seat by Arthur and Ron stands in front of all of us.
"Well, first of all, I just want to congratulate Harry and Hermione on a beautiful wedding and a great party afterwards. We want to hear all about your honeymoon - well, not all about it!"
Everyone laughs and I begin the blushing again.
"But there is another reason you're all here. I hate to steal any of Harry and Hermione's thunder, but it's so rare that every member of the Weasley family is actually in one location. Luna, honey, do you want to tell them?"
Luna steps forward a bit. "Ok, only one other person knows this news. Mama Molly figured it out and we had to tell her. Well, we're having twins!"
For some reason, everyone turns to Julie and Joey and then to Charlie and Sarah holding their son, little Charlie.
"Sorry! We just had the one!" Charlie defends. "Didn't mean to break any rules! Besides, Perce and Penny are just having one too!"
The group laughs and causes little Charlie to fuss. Sarah takes him to another room to feed him.
"Well, that's wonderful news!" I say as I stand to hug Luna and then Ron. Suddenly I realize how big she really is.
"I can't believe the rest of us didn't notice," Harry says as he also hugs the parents-to-be.
"Well, you guys were really busy with the wedding," Ron suggests.
"That's no excuse. Regardless, congratulations!" Harry says, slapping Ron on the back in some macho "way to go, you fertile beast" fashion. Men are so strange.
We quickly get out of the way of the herd of Weasleys that come rushing to hug and congratulate as well.
Sarah returns, gives her congratulations, and then tells Charlie that the baby won't calm down, so it's time to go home.
They say their goodbyes and Apparate home.
The others begin talking to each other, glad for this time together.
Harry and I make our way back to Ron and Luna.
"So, do you know what you're having?" Harry asks.
Ron grows silent and slightly red.
"Ron?" I prod.
"Girls. Both are girls," Ron mumbles.
"Aww! Two precious little Daddy's girls!" I exclaim.
"See? Hermione likes the idea!" Luna says.
"What's wrong?" Harry asks.
"It's … well, they're girls! What do I know about girls?"
It takes all I have to not laugh. Truth is, Ron knows nothing about girls. Luna is just quirky enough to see past this.
"Ron, just wait. You're going to be an amazing father. I just know it," Harry tells him.
"Harry's right. It's all common sense. And besides, you aren't alone through this, we've had this discussion. There's Luna and us and your entire family," I say with a laugh.
Ron laughs as well.
Then suddenly, there's a scream. We spin around and find Percy holding Penelope close.
"Her water broke!" he yells.
Molly springs into action.
"Ok, we're off to St. Mungo's. Percy, you're going to have to floo with her, Apparation is a nasty feeling when you're in labor. I'll go to the hospital now and tell them you're coming. Fred, George, go home and get that blanket I've been knitting and that bag of other baby things. Bill, take the twins to Charlie's. He and Sarah can get them to sleep since they're at home with little Charlie. Arthur, tell the Clearwaters what's going on. Everyone else, I'll see you at the hospital!"
And with that, she Apparates out.
For a second, we're all standing dumb. Even Penny appears frozen. Then we all remember what's going on and hurry to what we've been assigned to do. There's a huge pop as most of the Weasleys seem to collectively Apparate out.
"Well, Mum, Dad, seems like this party has been cut short," I say to my parents.
"That's ok, sweetie. It was a wonderful dinner and we love the Weasleys," my dad says as he hugs me.
"Call or owl us when she has the baby, alright?" Mum says, hugging Harry and I.
"Of course," I reply.
"Ron, Luna, always a pleasure," Daddy says to them.
"No problem, Robert. Hope we'll see you again soon," Ron replies and shakes his hand.
"Shall I get you home?" Harry offers.
"Yes, Harry, that would be great," Mum says.
They wave goodbye and disappear with Harry.
"So, now what? I've never been to a Weasley birth," I ask Ron.
"Well, when Harry gets back, we'll Apparate to St. Mungo's. Normally, Weasley kids are born very quickly, but this is Percy's kid, so it'll probably be as stubborn as he is. You may want to pop home and get a book," he says.
"Ronald!" Luna chastises. "It might not be that bad."
Ron seems to mumble a "yes dear" and begins to wander off.
Just then, Harry returns. "Ok, two Grangers safely at home."
"Perfect. Well, Luna, is there anything you should take? A pillow or something? This may take a while."
Ron comes back then with a bag.
"Ok, one pillow for the uncomfortable and tired. One book for the lady who refuses to believe me. And one portable chess set for the two uncles-to-be. Anything else?"
"No, that should do it," Luna replies. "See you in the maternity wing!"
She and Ron Apparate out.
"Think you're ready for this?" I ask.
"A Weasley birth or a birth of our own?" he replies.
"Um, either."
"Not much of a choice on the first count, and I think I could handle one of our own."
"But we should wait a bit," I say.
"Yeah, we need time for us."
"Exactly. Ok, Uncle Harry, here we go!"
I wink at Harry and we both leave.
When we arrive there, it's a sea of red hair in the waiting room, dotted with the occasional dark hair of an in-law.
Ron spots us and waves us over to where Luna and he are sitting. She's reading a pregnancy magazine … upside down. What's with that girl and upside down reading?
"Hi guys. Um, Luna, what are you reading?" I ask.
"Well, there's a diagram in here about the babies' positioning. I'm just trying to get a better look at it," she responds.
"Sounds great," Harry says. "Ron, want to get some coffee?"
"Excellent. Do you ladies want anything?" Ron asks.
"I'll take a coffee," I reply.
"Tea for me," Luna says.
"Great. Be right back!" Harry says as he practically pulls Ron away. I take Ron's seat by Luna. Seating is at a premium here.
"Harry's scared," she tells me without looking up from the magazine.
"I'm sorry?" I ask.
"Harry's scared," she repeats. "Look around. Here's the one thing he's always wanted - a family. There are tons of "brothers and sisters" here and especially you. It's overwhelming for him. He wants to love everyone and embrace it all, but coming from what he came from … well, that's rough."
"How do you know all of that?"
"Harry and I talked a little bit back in Hogwarts. We understood each other with the thestrals. He didn't do much talking, but what he said spoke volumes."
"Yeah, he does that," I murmur.
"You're not upset are you?"
"Upset? Why would I be?"
"Well, I didn't want you to be mad that Harry and I talked."
"Luna, I'd never be so jealous. I'm a rational woman. Harry is allowed to speak to other women. And if your talk helped him, then that's great."
"I'm glad to hear it. For the record, he actually spoke a great deal about you."
I blush. Harry speaks about me a great deal to a lot of people.
"He loves you a lot. He wants to have all of this with you," she says.
I nod. "I know. And I can't wait to give it to him. He won't say it, but he's jealous of you and Ron. He can't wait to see that baby - sorry, those babies. Twins, wow."
"Yeah. I'm so happy. Two more little redheads," she says softly and yawns a bit.
"How do you know they've got red hair?"
"I can just feel it. Red hair, blue eyes, one has Ron's temperament and the other has mine."
"They sound adorable."
"They are." She closes her eyes.
"Are you tired?" I ask.
"A little."
"Lay down and close your eyes. Everyone will understand. A lot of the people here know all about what you're going through."
Luna laughs. "Certainly a fertile group."
I laugh a little as well. "Here, I'll go sit over there so you can stretch your feet out," I say as I stand up.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, get comfy."
"Thanks," she whispers as she already begins to fall asleep.
I sit next to Neville who looks very nervous.
"Neville, what's wrong?"
"Well, this was my first real experience with the Weasleys. There are a lot of people."
"Yes, but you knew that. Are they intimidating you?"
"Not on purpose. Well, except Fred and George."
"They do that naturally. Just don't show any fear, ok?"
"Don't show fear. Got it," Neville says with more confidence than I expect.
Just then, Ginny walks over. "Hey, Hermione."
"Hi, Gin."
"Mind if I steal Neville for a bit? I need a walk."
"Not at all. Remember what I said, Neville."
He nods and the two of them walk off. As they're leaving, Ron and Harry return.
"I guess she won't be wanting her tea anytime soon," Ron laughs.
"Nope. She finally tuckered out," I say.
"Well, I'll keep this warm for her. Here's your coffee," Ron says, handing me my cup.
"Thanks."
The three of us retreat to a corner and talk like old times. After a while, I pull out the book Ron brought for me and he and Harry play the chess. Suddenly it was exactly like old times. I realize just how much I've missed all of this.
I don't even know how long we spend in that corner before Percy runs out (it must have been a while since I've almost finished this huge book Ron brought for me - a book about Harry Potter's life at Hogwarts. What a joke).
We all sit up, ready to hear the big news … probably two more hours. He goes back into the delivery room leaving us all disappointed.
"See? I told you! Percy's kid would be the stubborn one!" Ron shouts.
"Amen!" Fred yells.
"Preach it, little brother!" George adds.
"Be nice, guys. I'm going to go buy us some doughnuts and call Charlie to see how the twins are doing," Bill says as he stands, stretches and leaves as Sarah falls back to sleep.
"Well, this is just completely uncomfortable," I complain about the hard floor. "I transfigure the stupid book into a sleeping bag and stretch out onto it. "Hmm, better."
"What about us?" Ron whines.
I conjure up 3 pillows and the boys sit on theirs and I put mine on Harry's lap and decide to get at least a little sleep.
But just as I get back to sleep, Percy comes rushing out.
"It's a girl! We had a girl!"
I raise my sleepy head and look at the excited new father.
"Congratulations, Percy," the others and I say.
As he goes back in to be with Penny, Molly comes out then and tells us all about the baby.
Bill comes back with a huge box of doughnuts and hears the good news.
"Typical Percy! His kid says one thing and does another!" Bill says.
"Bill! Be nice!" George and Fred say in unison.
The eldest Weasley flips his brothers off as Molly turns to speak to Ginny.
"When can we see her?" Harry asks.
"Well, they're cleaning her up and testing her now. I'll come back and tell you when. It shouldn't be long." And she leaves again.
Bill passes around the doughnuts and we all eat happily - especially Luna who's wide-awake now that there are pastries nearby!
Finally, Molly comes back and leads us all to Penny's room. She's out like a light.
"Ok, two at a time, come say hi to your new niece!" Molly instructs.
Two by two, we go up to meet the baby girl. When Harry and I finally get there, I'm amazed. It's not like I haven't seen babies before; I've held other babies. But now that I'm married and a family is something on the agenda, this one is special. Percy is absolutely beaming.
"She's beautiful." I stroke her cheek and she opens her eyes. I smile brightly and look at Harry. He's awestruck with her. He's going to be such a terrific dad.
As we leave the room, I notice tears in Harry's eyes.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" I ask.
He nods his head.
"Someday, sweetie," I say softly.
"I know. Let's wait just a little bit, though. I've got enough nieces and nephews to keep me occupied for now. I want you all to myself for just a bit longer."
I smile. "I can agree with that."
"Ready to go home?"
"Yeah, let's just say goodnight to Ron and Luna."
We do so and Apparate home.
As we climb into bed, Harry holds me close.
"I hope our little girl has your eyes," I tell him.
"Her grandmother's."
So that's the problem - he's thinking of his own parents.
"They were probably bursting with pride the day you came along," I tell him.
"I know. Remus and Sirius tell me that all the time."
"Well, they're right. You were an adorable child."
"Things will be different for our children," he says.
"Yes, they will."
"I can't wait to see them," he says, yawning.
"Me neither. Get some sleep, Harry. I love you."
"I love you too, Mione. Good night."
"Good night, Harry."
***
A/N: Ok, to be honest, I had no idea where this chapter was going, but it kinda just wrote itself. Not much about their new marriage, but the family thing hit home for them.
I don't even know where the next chapter will take us, but I hope you'll come along!