Red Heads, Love Potions, Hot Wizards...Oh No!
The next morning Mrs. Weasley was awakened by the morning owl, carrying the Daily Prophet. The owl with pale spots on its feathers accepted the two knuts from Mrs. Weasley. She descended the stairs silently, fearing to wake Ginny up from the headache she had. The Prophet laid neatly on the table waiting for Mr. Weasley to read it.
Mr. Weasley soon came downstairs and started enjoying his morning meal. He picked his fork and started eating the bacon, then drank some of the Oolong tea. He picked up the Prophet and started scanning the latest news as Mrs. Weasley started to clean the dishes. It was their ritual.
"Oh, dear," Mr. Weasley muttered.
"What is it Arthur? Another attack by those Death Eaters?" She cleaned her hands and started serving herself tea in her favorite mug. It was a gift from Harry.
"I, uh, nothing Molly. Nothing at all," he responded.
"Arthur, I know you well enough to realize you are hiding something from me. Now, let me see that paper."
Citizens from the near village of Ottery St. Catchpole wondered where the terrible scream of a woman that had aroused them had come from.
o_O
Boy Who Lives Finds Love
Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Conquered, is now happily married. But not to his beautiful girlfriend Ginevra Molly Weasley, whom he had been going out with for one year. Dear readers, The Boy Who Lived married none other than best friend Hermione Jane Granger, the brightest witch of her age!
You may be wondering why the change of events (or couples) since Ms. Granger was to married Mr. Ronald Bilius Weasley barely a month ago. We can now assume they did not marry because of Mr. Potter.
"She's made a love potion, I'm sure," informed a trusted source. "Hermione has been playing with their hearts since day one."
Could the events of their fourth year at Hogwarts have happened again? After all, Ms. Granger is known for brewing love potions for famous wizards. Perhaps, the answer is…
To say that Remus Lupin was angry did no justice; he was furious.
"Please, Lupin, calm down," Tonks tried.
"The dare! That woman-" he turned to Tonks, " can he ever find peace? Stay out of the papers?"
"I really don't know, love," she touched his cheek, "but I know that he found love and that is enough for him."
"Thank you, Nymph," he kissed her hand, " thanks for standing an old fool like me."
She stood up and sat on his lap. " You are not old Mr. Lupin," she kissed his cheek, "but you're my fool. Just mine." She concluded with a kiss on the lips.
o_O
"I cannot believe she's back at the Prophet," Hermione uttered as she sat with a mug of coffee. It amazed Harry how much she loved that beverage. She once convinced him to go to a muggle café where they could stay and read as much as they wanted. Harry knew she had once spent most of her summer day's there.
"Exactly what I was thinking. I can't believe it… saying you used a love potion on me? What was she thinking? And who is this 'trusted source'?" Harry looked at Hermione and they knew the answer.
"Ginny."
"I know she was good at Potions, but does she not remember that a Love Potion cannot possibly make the drinker be forced to marry the person he is 'attracted' to?"
"Even I knew that," stated Harry. Hermione looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "Well, I do remember Snape explaining it in the past, so I do remember it."
Hermione laughed, but not at him. "Oh, Harry. I do love you, don't I?"
"And here I thought you married me for my good looks," he said chuckling. Hermione stood up and took his hand. "Where are you taking me now?"
"Somewhere."
"But don't we have to meet your parents?"
"They'll wait."
"But what if they don't like it?"
"They'll wait."
Hermione closed the door to their room.
"Hermione, dear, over here," a pretty woman in her forties called her. She was Dr. Mary Granger.
"Mum," Hermione walked to their table and flung her arms around her, "I've missed you."
"We have too," Mr. Granger said.
"Daddy," she hugged him also, "You remember Harry, don't you?"
Harry moved up to shake their hands, "Hello Mr. Granger. Mrs. Granger."
"Well of course we do. How are you, Harry?" Mrs. Granger smiled at him.
"I'm well, thanks. And you?" Anyone in the restaurant, on listening range, could tell that he sounded nervous.
"We're fine, thank you. But please, sit," Mr. Granger said.
"What was so important that you wanted to tell us?" Mrs. Granger asked. "Knowing you, I'm surprised you arrived late. I thought something had happened to you."
Harry shifted uncomfortably on his sit. Hermione looked down, blushing.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," both Harry and Hermione said.
"Everything is going well," Hermione smiled at Harry and took his hand under the table.
"Excellent," Harry added with a look that reflected that of Hermione's.
Mary and Edward Granger looked at each other, questioning the actions of the young adults in front of them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger," Harry looked at his in-laws and gulped. He could do this, he silently prayed. " Hermione and I are-"
"Mary Granger? Is that you?"
They turned to meet their intruder. Harry cursed. A middle aged woman with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes stood in front of them. Next to her, a handsome young man in his early twenties smiled as he realized who the people in front of him were. He had dark brown hair and wore thick, black-rimmed glasses that covered his brown eyes.
"Theresa Barrymore? How lovely to see you again," Mrs. Granger got up and greeted her friend. So did Mr. Granger. "Michael, you're all grown-up now. You were ten when we last saw you. Do you remember him, Hermione?"
"Of course she does," Mr. Granger spoke for her. " Little Michael used to visit us almost every day, just to play with Hermione. But you're not little anymore," he spoke directly to Michael, "look at you, you are as tall as me; just like you used to wish."
"Yes Mr. Granger. I do remember well. I hope I can become half the man you are. You were, after all, a perfect father figure," Michael honestly said.
"I'm certain you will become someone better than me. But do join us if you don't have another engagement," Mr. Granger offered.
"Why, thank you. We will be glad to. We have so much to catch up on," Theresa -whom preferred to be called Tess- said.
While the endless greeting occur, Harry looked pale and tried to cover it up. To his horror, Michael sat next to Hermione and he felt a beast in him emerge. It was called jealousy. He did have his reasons. Didn't Mr. Granger mentioned that they used to play? Almost everyday?!
"Who is this lovely young man?" Tess asked looking at Harry. She was trying to hide the obvious flirting.
"Excuse my manners. He is Harry Potter, Hermione's friend from school," Mr. Granger stated.
Harry nodded. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Barrymore."
"Oh, Harry, no Mrs., it makes me feel old. Call me Tess."
"As you wish… Tess," he politely told her.
As Tess spoke of today's youth - I am so glad to know there are still young man, such as Harry, with manners in this country!- Harry never stopped paying attention to what Michael and Hermione were talking about.
"How are you, Hermione?" Michael asked, smiling warmly.
"I'm doing fine. And you?"
"I've been well. But now that I finally see you again, I realize that I have missed you. Has it been that long?"
"Almost ten years," Hermione tried to sound as enthusiastic about their meeting as he. But had trouble grasping the feeling. Harry was going to tell her parents about them and she had felt anger when Mrs. Barrymore - Tess, dear, Tess. It sounds lovely, doesn't it? - had interrupted them.
"Do you remember that time when we were playing away from everyone at a party and that girl Cla - oh, I forgot her name," he confessed.
"Claire."
"Yes, Claire. She started telling everyone we were together and that we had been playing house with your doll. She did not know that we were only friends. I don't think I had blushed so much in my life," he laughed sincerely.
"I remember," she smiled at him.
"I wouldn't mind being called your boyfriend now," he smiled.
"Ah," Hermione tried to laugh. "We were only six. We knew nothing about being with someone else in a romantic sense or what it meant to be in love. We didn't know what to love someone for the rest of your life meant." She looked at Harry and smiled at him.
"We do have an idea of it now," he looked at her hand and took it. Hermione was taken by surprise. "Say, my friend is having a birthday party this Saturday. Would you like to come with me? I wouldn't want anyone else to be by my side. It could be a date."
"No."
Everyone looked at Harry. He was surprised he had said it in such a bitter way. So did everyone else.
"Excuse me, but I do believe it was Hermione the one I was asking," Michael looked at Harry directly in the eye. "I don't see any reason why you should butt in."
"She's my wife, that's why!" He stood up scaring everyone as the cup he was holding shattered into pieces in his hand. He didn't know if it was his magic acting or his force.
The table looked from Hermione to Harry. Waiting for a response. A movement. Any sign. In those seconds, even a clip could be heard falling onto the floor.
"Hermione?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"Yes mum, Harry and I married two weeks ago. He's my husband." It was the first time she had announced it to someone and she felt pride fill her body, running warmly though her. She got up and stood next to Harry, taking his hand. "He is my husband."
o_O
Harry opened the door to their home and let Hermione in. It had been a tough day. It had also been one of the most awkward lunches he had ever had. In his life, and that said something.
After their announcement, Tess had frowned (Hermione teased Harry about Mrs. Barrymore having a crush on him and wanting to make him her new boy-toy), Michael had apologized, Mrs. Granger had started crying - Why did you not tell us? Oh, it doesn't matter. I'm happy. So happy - and Mr. Granger was caught between being happy for his daughter getting married or hitting Harry for marrying his daughter unexpectedly.
Afterwards, they went to the Granger household where they explained everything. Harry apologized but told them he did not regret it. He clarified the facts: he had wanted to marry Hermione at the moment and wanted to be with her, for the rest of their lives. Mrs. Granger found it lovely.
At the end, Harry had been accepted to the family and Mr. Granger had invited them for a special dinner to celebrate. It was schedule for next Sunday.
The Potters, sounds lovely doesn't it, arrived home close to nine o'clock.
"I'm exhausted," Harry yawned.
"Agreed."
As they walked up the stairs they were startled by a voice coming from their fireplace. "Harry. Hermione." The head of their best friend appeared. "Thank goodness I found you. Listen, mum knows. I don't know what she's going to do. But I think she is on her way over there. I just wanted to warn you."
"Thanks Ron," Harry smiled.
"No problem mate. I'm just glad I'm not in your position now. I have to go. Catch you later." His head disappeared into thin air.
A minute later they heard a knock on their door. It didn't wait for a reply as it was opened seconds later. The burning flame of Mrs. Weasley walked into their house.
"We need to put some wards on this house, especially one to prevent any Weasley female from entering," muttered Harry.
Hermione tried to suppress her giggle. "Yes, we should."
Sensing that Mrs. Weasley was going to start talking -rather, screaming- nonsense, Hermione spoke up.
"Mrs. Weasley, before you say anything, let me talk. Yes Harry and I are married. No, I did not use a Love Potion. You cannot force anyone to marry you under the effects. How many times must I repeat myself? Even you should know that since you used it once. Now, Harry and I are really tired and we'd love to go to bed. Please excuse us for our manners. If it had been another day and another situation we would have made this a very welcoming visit, but we can't as you know," she started walking up the stairs when she stopped; obviously remembering something. "Oh, next time wait for someone to open the door. You never know but Harry and I could have been in a very compromising situation. Good night."
"Good night Mrs. Weasley," Harry said as if nothing had happened and he was going to his room at the Burrow.
After closing the door to their room, they could still hear her yelling something about betrayal and shame. Hermione cast a quick Silencio and went to bed.
"Good night, love."
"Good night."
It had been a very long day and they needed their rest.
A/N: Sorry for the wait, but now I'm back. Hope you liked it. So please review! It'll make my day because I cut my right hand (and it hurt liked Hell!) and it's been difficult to type. But I had to write this because I knew it had been a while and you guys wanted it.
Hmm… I got my info from HP Lexicon. I don't know if the owls get 2 knuts or not. Correct me if I'm wrong. Oh, and the Love Potion, it didn't say anything about someone not being able to marry under the effect. I'm guessing they can't…
Anyways, thanks to my beta! My lovely (and very annoying) sister helped me.
-Valia