Much Married

Much Married

Chapter 1

Another Wedding

The old house was just beginning to show life for the day. The middle aged couple had gotten used to the quiet after raising such a large family, however several of the grown children had stayed over after talking late into the previous night when they came for dinner.

“Harry’s getting married again,” Mrs. Weasley stated calmly as she flipped through the Daily Prophet.

“Who’s he marrying this time?” calmly asked Mr. Weasley, who was looking through another section of the paper as he drank his morning tea.

“Lavender Brown. Wasn’t she in Gryffindor?” she responded.

Ron bounded into the room and grabbed a bun off the table. “Yeah, she was. Harry’s been dating her? I didn’t know that.”

“Don’t you see him almost every week?” asked Mrs. Weasley in confusion.

“Well, yeah, but he doesn’t talk about that stuff. You know how he is…”

“I bet she’s pregnant…” said George, rolling his eyes as he poured his tea.

“Haven’t all of his other wives been pregnant when they got married?” asked Fred with a smirk helping himself to breakfast.

“Doesn’t he know the charms to prevent that?” asked Ginny scowling into her all ready full teacup.

“The best prevention is to just keep one’s trousers zipped!” lectured Mr. Weasley, eyebrows raised and looking sternly at Ginny, then his sons.

“The poor dear, bless him… never had any one to tell him about these things. He’s having to find out on his own… ” observed a tearful Mrs. Weasley.

“That’s rubbish!” snorted Ginny. “Finding out on your own can explain away once, maybe twice. This is Harry’s seventh marriage at least! It’s disgusting.”

After Harry’s latest news had been fully dissected by the Weasley family, Ron prepared to leave for work. “Thanks for letting me kip here, Mum.”

“You’re always welcome, Dear,” she answered. “This is your home.” Ron kissed her cheek before leaving.

He found Hermione Granger pacing about his office, her hands clenched as she strode back and forth. “Did you hear about Harry?” she asked the moment she saw him.

“Yeah, what’s up with him?” he responded. Ron casually tossed his rucksack on to his desk before turning to face her.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” she stated firmly. “He’s just not been himself since after the battle. He’s so closed off from us. I miss him, Ron.” She dropped her head to her chest.

“I know what you mean. I miss the Harry we used to know. I’m not even in love with him and I miss him.”

“I don’t want to talk about that. Please don’t bring it up,” she grumbled before raising her eyes to Ron. “Do you still meet him every week?”

“Yeah, for all the good it does,” answered a shrugging Ron. “All he talks about is quidditch or his kids. If Lavender is indeed pregnant, and I don’t see why he’s marrying her if she’s not, then he’ll have seven children, just like my dad. That’s an odd idea…”

“Let me go with you next time…” she suggested, her eyes lit up with anticipation.

“Hermione…” argued Ron. He turned toward the desk and made a show of unpacking his bag.

“Just hear me out,” she begged as she followed him. “I haven’t seen him in ages, hardly at all since he broke off with me after…you know. I want to see for myself that he’s alright. He’s been avoiding me, I know it. What I want to know is why.”

“Hermione…” Ron began again. “I won’t betray his trust.” Hermione opened her mouth to argue. “But…” continued Ron, holding up a hand to stall her, “if you were to be looking for me and he happens to be there…”

Ron was temporarily blinded by a mass of brown curls. “You are the greatest friend,” she said as she hugged him. “I won’t forget this, I promise.”

“Just keep in mind; he’s not the schoolboy you remember. The stories of his eccentricity are not just rumors. If he stays once he sees you, one lecture from you will make him leave. Bloody hell, if I say the wrong thing, he’ll leave. Just don’t push him on anything.”

“I’ll remember. Thank you so much. I won’t forget this…ever,” she said in a rush.

The following Thursday, Ron met Harry at the pub. Harry was in a relaxed pose, his arm casually resting on the back of the next chair. His other hand held a lit cigarette. “Hey, Ron,” he said with an odd grin. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming…”

“Sorry, mate,” Ron answered. “I got held up.”

Harry took a long swallow of his drink and closed his eyes against the burning sensation coursing through him. “That’s fine. So, tell me, what’s going on with you?” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Oh, the usual…” said Ron vaguely, knowing Harry didn’t really want to know.

“Good…good,” replied Harry.

“So…how’s Lavender?”

“Fine, I guess…” Harry shrugged.

“’Fine, I guess?’ Sorry, mate, but you don’t sound like a man in love and about to be married.” He studied the other man’s face to see if he could read any emotion in it. He couldn’t, as usual.

“What do you want me to say, Ron? She’s pregnant and we’re getting married. End of story…”

“There you are, Ron!” smiled Hermione in mock surprise. “Your Mum asked me to find you to tell you Charlie is coming home. He’ll be here tomorrow. You are supposed to owl her and let her know if you can make it for dinner. Oh, hi, Harry…” she added as if it were an afterthought.

“Hermione…” Harry stated tonelessly. His eyes changed as if shutters were drawn over them. Ron had seen this before.

“May I join you?” she asked.

Harry waved a hand to indicate she should sit, extinguished his smoke and drained his drink.

The waitress came over. “I’ll have what he’s having.” Hermione stated, pointing at Harry

“Hermione…maybe you’d be better off with something else…” cautioned Ron.

“If she wants to drink, let her drink,” Harry stated coldly. The waitress nodded and left.

She returned and placed a glass in front of Hermione. Hermione took a tiny sip and spluttered and coughed; her eyes red and watery. “How can you drink that stuff?” she said with a grimace. Harry looked her and remained silent.

“How are your kids?” Ron asked in an effort to get Harry to join the conversation.

“They’re brilliant! Amazing!” Harry said with a smile, his eyes regaining their previous sparkle. “Cindy just turned seven. She can ride like the wind. I had her last weekend. She is the smartest kid…”

Ron and Hermione shared a look at Harry’s changed demeanor. Harry continued, “Emmie, she’s five, will be coming next weekend. Bryce and Blair are almost four. I haven’t talked to them in days…what?”

“Is Lavender pregnant?” asked Hermione bluntly. Ron glared at her.

“Why do you want to know?” Harry asked as he lit another cigarette. His eyes faded, the sparkle leaving as quickly as it had come.

“I was just curious, that’s all,” Hermione rushed to say.

“Does it matter to you?” Harry asked, as he began preparing to leave.

“Harry, please don’t go,” Hermione pled with him as she touched his arm. “I haven’t talked to you in so long. Please stay. Do you have pictures of your children? I’d love to see them…”

Harry relaxed and dug out his wallet. He unfolded a long line of pictures. “This is Emmie, and these are of Cindy…These are the twins…this one is Bryce and that one is Blair…” Harry pointed out each child with pride in his voice. “This one is Janie, she’s three and this one is Mee Tao, she’s fifteen months.”

“Quite a brood you have there, mate.” Ron said.

“They’re all terrific kids. I just wish I could spend more time with them, though. One weekend a month isn’t nearly enough…” Harry replied with a heavy sigh.

Hermione tried several more times to get Harry to tell her about his life other than the children. Each time, his eyes glazed over and he prepared to leave. Finally she gave up and kept the conversation to the level of small talk.

Hours later, as the bar was preparing to close, Harry surprised them both by saying, “The wedding is Saturday, if you wanted to come…” They both eagerly accepted.

Hermione and Ron arrived at the church together. They noticed immediately that they were among only a small number of guests attending. Taking their seats, they waited for the service to begin.

Finally, the ceremony began and Harry took his place at the podium by the Minister. He stood aloof, until a line of small children paraded up the aisle, the last one crawling. When they reached the front of the aisle, they each blew Harry a kiss, then each found a seat by a different woman seated in the front row. Harry beamed down at them, looking happier than Hermione had ever seen him.

The Wedding March began to play from seemingly nowhere and Harry tensed. When no one showed up at the door, the music stopped. After a long pause, it began again. On the fifth round of starting and stopping, Parvati Patil, in her ruffled pink bridesmaid gown, rushed down the aisle and gave Harry a note. Harry read it, as his shoulders slumped. He almost imperceptibly pulled himself together and whispered to the Minister, who gave Harry a one-armed hug and whispered back. The conversation went on for a few seconds before Harry shook his head.

Harry faced the crowd. After waving to the children, he made an address to the audience. “I apologize for bringing you here under false pretenses, but there isn’t going to be a wedding here today that I will be involved in.” A gasp went through the small crowd. “But thank you for coming. Do you guys still want cake and ice cream?” he said with a smile to the row of children. The children giggled in pleasure as Harry went down to greet them. The women, a few recognizable, allowed their children to gather around Harry. He embraced them each, and then kissed their mother on the cheek, before walking away to the room where the reception was to have been held. Harry took the youngest in his arms. The other kids gathered around Harry as if he were their hero and followed him out of the room.

Ron and Hermione trailed Harry into the other room, where he was busy cutting the cake. A few women were tying bibs on the younger children. The couple approached Harry.

“Hey, guys, thanks for coming. Want some cake?”

“Harry, what’s up?” asked Ron confused.

“I can’t talk now. Bryce, don’t smear cake on your brother…” Harry scolded. “Kids, these are my friends, Ron and Hermione… Say hello to Daddy’s friends…”

A chorus of greetings ensued. Ron and Hermione smiled at them; offered their own responses and immediately began to help Harry serve the cake.

“Deidre,” Harry began, “You remember Hermione from the Ministry, right?”

“Yes, how have you been?” the woman asked pleasantly. Hermione replied and introductions were made all around.

Red-faced and puffy-eyed, Lavender entered the site of the reception, accompanied by Seamus Finnegan. “Can we talk?” she asked her former groom.

“Sure, let me just get these guys started. I’ll be right out,” Harry responded. “Listen,” He said to Ron and Hermione. “I need to talk to her. Can I meet you at the same place as Thursday? In…say…about two hours?”

A thoroughly confused Hermione agreed. “We’ll be there,” she said as she elbowed Ron.

“Yeah, mate. Order you the same?” Ron added.

Harry nodded and went back to his task of scooping ice cream and keeping order.

Just past dark, Harry strode into the pub, still dressed in his dress robes from the ceremony; which now had white icing spots here and there. His eyes were blank and he already smelled of strong drink.

“Thanks for coming,” he said as he sat down and immediately lit a cigarette.

“Harry, I wish you wouldn’t…” Hermione started. At his fierce look, she broke off.

“What’s up, mate? What happened?” asked Ron.

“Lavender decided she’d rather marry Seamus, that’s all.” Harry tossed back the amber liquid.

“You don’t seem upset by this…” observed Ron, even more confused than he was before.

“No, why would I be? I don’t love her anymore than she loves me. If Seamus can make her happy, then who am I to interfere?”

Hermione suddenly got a look of understanding. “She isn’t pregnant with your child, is she?”

“I never said she was…” answered Harry, signaling the server for another beverage.

Ron shook his head to clear it. Hermione added, “Harry, I looked very carefully at all ‘your’ children and couldn’t find even a hint that favors you. Are any of those children yours biologically?”

“No,” answered Harry as if confused as to why she was asking.

“You mean you married all of those women when they were pregnant by other blokes?” Ron asked incredulously.

“Yeah, so what?” asked Harry. “They were in trouble and came to me. I helped them out, that’s all.”

“You are as mental as everyone says…” said Ron. Hermione was strangely silent.

“Why?” asked Harry angrily. “Why does that make me mental? They needed a husband to make their child legitimate, I provided that. As soon as they were back on their feet, we divorced. In return, I get to know all of these amazing kids and call them my own. They each visit one weekend a month and they are genuinely glad to know me. How can that be mental? It’s a bit unorthodox, I agree, but I get the better part of the bargain, I can assure you.” Hermione silently remembered back to their seventh year when everything went so wrong between her and Harry.

“Hermione, we need to talk about it,” Harry said pleadingly; his eyes full of desperation.

“No we don’t, not yet,” she replied. “I love you and you love me. Let’s not plan for the future until after school…”

“You mean after Voldemort, don’t you?” he asked, his face closing off.

“Harry, we can’t just pretend he doesn’t exist, that he isn’t dead set on killing you…”

“You weren’t thinking about Voldemort last night when you came to my room…”

“Harry, listen to me, please. Just because we love each other, doesn’t mean we have to plan our futures before we leave school. I mean, of course as far as classes go we do, but I’m not ready to settle down. I don’t know if I even want children at all, much less when to have them. Voldemort is still out there…waiting. If you don’t survive the final battle, then where will I be? Alone and pregnant…that’s what you are suggesting. I’m sorry, Harry. I can’t do that. I love you so much, but I won’t sacrifice ‘me’ over ‘us’.”

“I understand,” he answered, his face looking like he was far from understanding.

“You still love me, don’t you?” she whispered to herself, “just like I love you.”

The next day, Hermione arrived at Ron’s office just as he was heading to lunch. “Let’s go to Harry’s tonight. I know you know where he lives,” she suggested slyly, her voice full of anticipation.

“You don’t understand, Hermione,” Ron explained. “You don’t just show up at Harry’s. He’s got wards and all sorts of booby traps. It’s too dangerous.”

“Then owl him and let him know we are coming. It’s not as if he works regular hours. No one knows where or if he works…”

“I’ve got that dinner with Charlie tonight. I can’t just go…”

“Then I’ll go myself. Where’s your owl?”

“Hermione, please, just let this go,” begged Ron.

“Look, here’s what I know. In seventh year, Harry wanted to plan our lives…our futures. I wasn’t ready to do that. Now, I understand that his fear over losing to Voldemort was causing him to seek something he could grasp as hope. I didn’t understand that then. I hurt him. I said that I didn’t know if I even wanted to have children. Within a week, he broke up with me. It all makes sense!” Hermione beamed.

“So, if I’m hearing you correctly,” Ron stated. “Harry keeps marrying pregnant women so he can have kids?”

“Yes, he can have children without risking his heart. They aren’t even his kids, but he loves them and claims them as such so that he can have the family he’s always wanted. He still loves me.”

Ron looked at her dumbfounded. “How in the devil did you come up with that?”

“Simple,” she explained. “Why else would he go to all of the trouble to make sure he had children? He loves me, so he can’t love anyone else. He desperately wants children of his own, so he offers unwed pregnant witches a way out of their troubles. It wouldn’t even surprise me if he pays them all every month to provide for ‘his’ kids.”

“And, just because he has a soft spot for the little snotrags, means he still loves you? You’ve lost your mind…”

“Look at it logically,” she replied. “Has he ever really dated anyone but me? It’s been nearly ten years.”

“It’s a bit hard to date around when you are either in the process of getting married or in the process of getting divorced.”

“That’s my point exactly. None of his marriages has lasted because he wasn’t in love with them. He loves me. He’s always loved me. I haven’t lost him!”

“Let’s say your theory is true, and I am not saying it is, just if…then why has he effectively avoided you for the last seven years? If you hadn’t been there the other night, he’d still be avoiding you.”

“I know that, Ron. Let me ask you a question. Why, after all this time, did he invite us to his wedding? Why did he make a move to fix things between us? Why did he finally tell you the truth about his life?”

“I don’t know.” Ron paced around his office. “But anything is as plausible as what you are describing. I need to eat. I’m starving, so if you want to finish this conversation, it will have to be over food.” Ron and Hermione grabbed some lunch at a nearby cafeteria and finished discussing Harry and his possible motives.

Ron met Harry the following Thursday at their regular pub. Ron had arrived first and was left to wonder when and if Harry would show up.

“Sorry, I’m late…” Harry said as he rushed to the table. “Emmie is sick and Colleen had to work late.” He fished a pack of muggle cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one immediately.

“Do you smoke all the time or just when we are out,” Ron asked hesitantly. “Not that it matters, I was just curious.”

“Just when we are out or I’m out…whatever,” answered Harry. “Why?”

“Dunno…” Ron replied. “The thought crossed my mind so I asked it? Would you rather I didn’t?”

“No, that’s fine,” said Harry with a grin. “That’s what I like most about being friends with you, mate. I don’t have to be on guard all the time. I can relax and just be.”

“So, is it alright if I ask questions about it? It was kind of a bombshell that you dropped the other night…”

“Alright, as long as you drop any question I don’t want to answer…”

“Thanks, mate,” Ron smiled as he thought of all the questions he’d been wanting to ask over the years. “How many times have you been married?”

“Eight total…”

“What happened to the other two? You’ve only told me about six kids…”

“Same as with Lavender. The father of the child showed up and wanted to make things right, so I backed away.”

“How do these women know you’ll do this?” Ron asked in almost a whisper leaning closer to his friend.

“Word gets around…” Harry shrugged.

“Have you slept with any of them?”

“What kind of question is that?” demanded Harry.

“Just asking, you know, bloke to bloke…” Ron gave his friend a sly grin.

“A couple…you know Estelle and I were married for over a year…but I’ve always kept my own place. Fidelity has never been required of me. I’ve never cheated on any of my wives, but I could, you know?”

Ron goggled at his friend’s candor. He thought a minute before hesitantly asking, “Are you still in love with Hermione?”

Harry’s eyes blazed. “This conversation is over,” he said as he stubbed out his cigarette, downed his drink and strode from the pub.

“She was right,” Ron said to himself. “I cannot believe that she was right!”

The subsequent Thursday Harry never showed up for their weekly meetings. Ron had known he wouldn’t, but came anyway, just in case. Hermione joined him hoping to see Harry again. Ron told her what had transpired the previous week.

“…so I asked him if he was still in love with you, right? He got all furious and left. What do you make of that?”

Hermione grinned. “He loves me! I knew it!”

“Well, that may all well and good, but what do we do about it? He won’t discuss it.”

“Leave that to me…” she smirked.

“What are you planning, Hermione?” Ron asked recognizing the calculating look on her face.

“He can’t have changed that much. I think he’s still the same person at heart. I’ve never believed that reclusive eccentric persona he uses as a shield. I can get passed it. I know I can…”

“What do you need me to do?” asked Ron.

Hermione was silent in deep thought for several minutes. “Throw him a party…” she answered at last.

“Are you mad? What makes you think he’ll attend a party?” Ron exclaimed. “What part of reclusive need I define? How are you going to get him to come to a party?

“Simple…” she said. “The party will be for one of his kids. He said that the twins were turning five soon, so let’s throw them a birthday party and invite all of the children. We’ll have it at my house. After the kids are gone, you make yourself scarce.” She smiled almost evilly. “He won’t know what hit him.”

Ron looked at her skeptically. “Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

“Oh, yes…” she said very slowly.

To Ron’s amazement, Harry agreed to the birthday party. Ron enlisted his mother’s help in setting it up. Mrs. Weasley was in her element, hiring clowns, ordering cakes and cooking up a storm.

The day of the party finally arrived. Harry, carrying little Mee Tao, greeted Mrs. Weasley with a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for all this, Mrs. Weasley. The twins will have a blast,” he said as he looked at the preparations.

Ron had invited every child he could think of, nieces and nephews, friends’ children and their classmates in nursery school. Nearly thirty children had arrived. He thought Harry looked like he was in paradise surrounded by all of the children.

Harry gave piggyback rides, rides on his broom, played ‘Duck, Duck, Goose’, ‘Musical Statues’ and ‘Hot Potato’. He’d even let the kids tie him up. He roared like an enraged troll as he broke the bonds, much to the delight of the shrieking youngsters.

Ron and Hermione watched in awe at their friend as they prepared the table for pizza. They had never, in all of the years they’d known him, seen him so carefree. In seeing him like this, as opposed to the brooding recluse at the pub, Hermione reaffirmed her intentions.

After lunch, the presents were opened and the twin boys were amazed at the gifts they’d received. Parents soon came to get their children, most cried when they had to leave.

Soon Mee Tao was the only child remaining, as she was Harry’s for the weekend. Mrs. Weasley, who had developed a bond with the sweet Chinese tot, offered unsuccessfully to mind her for the night. Harry declined as didn’t want to miss a minute of his time with his kids.

“Harry, can I come over tonight?” asked Hermione. “I’d like to talk to you.”

Harry looked her quizzically. “Can’t it wait? I’ve got to get Mee Tao her bath and ready for bed.”

“I can help with that,” she offered. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spare set of hands around?” Hermione paused, and then got what she considered to be a brilliant idea. “I can fix dinner while you spend more time with her.”

“Alright, you win. Here’s the address,” He handed her a small scrap of paper. “When you get there, think of the password to my map of the school. The house will show up…just walk on in.”

When Hermione arrived, she found Harry assisting Mee Tao with her walking. The toddler found it to be much more fun to step on Daddy’s feet and let him walk.

“Come on, princess, I’ve seen you walk. I know you can…” Harry chuckled. “I’m beginning to think you are going to crawl into Hogwarts. Walk for Daddy…”

“Anyone home?” Hermione asked letting him know she was there.

“I see you found the place,” Harry responded.

“Yes, it’s a lovely home, if a bit….remote. What did you do with Sirius’ house?” she asked. “I thought you were planning to live there?”

“I did for a bit. Then after awhile it kind of got to me, you know? I rent it out now. I converted it into about six flats.”

“Where do you work?” she asked.

“Who says I do?” he responded. “Isn’t that the story? Harry Potter, wealthy, reclusive nutter, doesn’t work, just keeps getting married…”

Mee Tao took the opportunity to fall on her bum and cry.

“Ah, Princess, you were doing so brilliantly,” Harry said in a soothing tone as he reached for her. “Let’s try it again, shall we?”

Mee Tao raised her arms to let him know she was done walking. Harry picked her up and danced around the room with her. Hermione smiled at the pair.

“It’s almost nap time for you, young lady,” he said as he made a huge show of smelling her with a grimace. “And a fresh nappy wouldn’t be out of place, either.”

Hermione followed Harry up to an enormous nursery. She watched amazed as he changed the baby efficiently.

“So did you want to play a bit before your nap?” he asked the girl

“Pay keen!” Mee Tao chortled clapping her hands.

Harry rolled his eyes. “Maybe Hermione wants to be queen this time…” he offered.

Mee Tao jumped up and down in excitement. “Dada keen!! Dada keen!!”

Harry, obviously embarrassed at the idea, looked over at Hermione, then back at Mee Tao. “Er…alright, I’ll be queen again,” he said with significant reluctance.

Mee Tao crawled over to a child’s vanity and started her preparations, Harry sat down beside her.

“Hermione, when did you want to start dinner, or maybe we could order out…There’s a muggle phone downstairs, or Hedwig could take a note to the Leaky Cauldron.”

Hermione laughed. “If you think I would miss this…” she waved a hand toward the girl getting out a variety of bows and play cosmetics…”then you are a nutter.”

For the next hour, Hermione played ‘assistant’ to Mee Tao as she put all sorts of colors on Harry’s face, an enormous gaudy tiara and bows in his hair. She thought she’d never laughed so hard in her life. Harry didn’t help matters by speaking in a decidedly feminine voice.

“If you tell Ron about this…” he cautioned her. “Or anyone else either….”

“Your secret is safe with me, Madam,” she giggled.

Soon Mee Tao was ready for a nap. Harry washed her hands and face, then put her in her cot.

As she fell asleep, he kissed her cheek and walked from the room, closing the door. “Sonorus,” he called aiming his wand at the child.

He went downstairs with Hermione following. “She’ll sleep for about an hour, maybe longer. She’s had a busy day,” he said as he descended the stairs.

“Did you want to talk?” she asked.

“What about, Hermione? My reputation? I could care less.” He retorted while removing his hair and face decoration.

“About what I said to you back in seventh year…the reason we broke up,” she said.

Harry paused in what he was doing and exhaled deeply. “Why bring that up now? You and I didn’t make it, it happens…” He scrubbed his face viciously with a towel.

“I don’t think anything about that time was typical, Harry,” she replied.

“That may be true, but what happened between us is ancient history. Why bring it all up again?”

“Because I was wrong to hurt you,” she said. “I was wrong to not look at what you were facing and see how you might have been feeling…”

“What will talking about all of that now change?” he asked skeptically.

“Harry, you’ve avoided me for the last seven years. I know why now and I want to fix it between us.”

“What if I like things the way they are? You come here with all of your talk about not looking at how I might have been feeling and yet you are doing it again. I like my life. I… am… happy,” he said enunciating each word; his temper was rising. “Why isn’t that good enough?”

“Why is ‘good enough’ acceptable for you?” she shot back. “I still love you, Harry Potter. I never stopped. What I want for you is a marriage that will last for the rest of your life. I want to give you children that will have messy black hair or vivid green eyes, children that are part of you and part of me...” She stopped and took a deep breath. “You have wonderful children, Harry. They adore you for the wonderful father you are. I won’t take that away from you, but we can build on it, have children who are yours for more than one weekend a month…”

“Why?” he asked in a whisper. “Why this? Why now?”

Hermione leaned against a wall, crossed her arms and bent her head.

Harry gave an almost evil smile. “I think I’ve got this sorted out…” he said at last. “You still are trying to ‘fix’ me,” She shook her head obstinately. “Yes, you are. ‘No one is as perfect as Hermione Granger.’ I have faults, so what? I drink. I smoke on occasion. Well, guess what, Hermione. I’m an adult. I’m allowed. I’ve been married more than once. That’s my choice. I’ve lived too long with people deciding my life for me. I won’t do it again.” He stalked into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Hermione trailed behind him. “Harry, please listen to me. I love you and I know you still love me. I am not perfect and I’m not trying to ‘fix’ you or whatever else it is that you think. All I’m asking is for a chance,” She grabbed his arm and spun him to look at her. “If it takes getting pregnant to get you to look at me, well then, let’s get to it. I want you. I always have. We were great together and we can be again. Why can’t you see that?”

Harry spun away from her. “Maybe because I’m not looking…” A whimper came from upstairs. “I’ve got to check on her…”

Harry returned a few minutes later with Mee Tao rubbing her eyes. Hermione was chopping vegetables and meat. “I didn’t know what you had planned for dinner, so I just dug around until I found something I could make. Is that alright?” she asked.

“Its fine…thanks.” He responded, putting Mee Tao in her high chair. Kneeling down in front of the baby, he made faces at her while she banged a toy off his head while Hermione cooked. “So, that’s the way you want to play, is it?” He grabbed another toy and began hitting her toy with his.

Soon, Harry was dishing up a small plate and cutting everything into tiny pieces. “Mee Tao is a vegetarian,” he stated as he avoided putting meat on her plate.

“How do you know?” Hermione asked.

“Mee wansum…Mee wansum…” called Mee Tao letting Harry know he wasn’t getting her food to her quickly enough. He smiled at her.

“Ming wants it that way,” he replied. “I abide by her wishes.”

“I see,” said Hermione. “Are you listed as the father on all of their records?”

“Yes, unless something else is better. When Estelle got back together with Flint, we had the record changed. Cindy still calls me Da, but Flint is Daddy.” He placed the plate in front of the appreciative child. Mee Tao immediately started picking up bits of vegetables and putting them in her mouth.

After they’d eaten, Hermione helped him bathe the squirming youngster. She was amazed at how skillfully he washed Mee Tao, avoided getting soap in her eyes, and the gentle way he brushed her squeaky clean hair.

“What does her name mean?” she asked.

“Mee means beautiful and Tao means long life,” he responded. “I picked out the name, with Ming’s help, of course. That’s what I want for her, a beautiful long life.”

“Tory time…” said Mee Tao in a sing-song voice.

“Yes, darling, it is story time,” he said lovingly. “Hermione did you want to fix us some drinks? I’ll be down in a bit.”

Hermione returned downstairs and opened a chilled bottle of wine. A bit later, Harry appeared. He poured Hermione a glass of wine and made tea for himself. “I don’t drink if I’ve got kids here, thanks, though,” he explained.

“I’m amazed by you…” she stated evenly.

“Why?” he asked.

“You have totally built your life around these children that aren’t even yours…”

“You’ve got it wrong. They are mine. I may not be their father biologically, but in every reason that counts, I’m their dad.”

“I didn’t mean that like it sounded…” she rushed to say. “You just deserve so much more than being a part-time father…” Harry walked over and kissed her soundly. “What was that for?”

“I don’t know, really,” he answered. “I wondered if you tasted the same and I guess I wanted to find out…”

“Give me a chance to make things up to you. Let me make love to you tonight…”

“I can’t,” he answered. “I don’t…”

“…have women sleeping over when you’ve got children here. Am I right?”

“Well, yes, but…” he sputtered.

“After all you’ve done for them, they won’t let you…”

“It’s not their mums, Hermione. It’s me. It’s my rule. They think I’m mad. Well, more so than normal…” Harry chuckled.

“I don’t think you are mad. I think you are lonely. I think that you want these children to feel wanted and loved, all the things you didn’t feel while growing up. That’s exactly what I want, too. I just want to make you feel those things. Won’t you let me try?”

“Maybe,” he said putting his arms around his waist. “You should maybe come over Monday night. I’ll be alone then...”

Seems like Old Times

Chapter 2

Seems like Old Times

“Are we still on for tonight, Hermione?” Ron asked at lunch on Monday. “You were going to help me and Luna pack for the move.”

“I’m sorry, Ron. I have to cancel,” she said. “I’ve got a date.”

“Really?” shouted Ron with enthusiasm. “That’s terrific! Who’s the lucky guy to drag you on date after all this time?

“I’m meeting Harry…” she admitted. “He’s agreed to see me.”

Ron scowled. “Are you sure you want to do this Hermione? Harry’s …different than he was in school. If even half the stories about him are true, then he could be dangerous. He could hurt you.”

“I’ll be fine. Harry could never hurt me. You should see him, Ron. Sure, he’s grown up since school, we all have. He’s just so amazing. When I visited him on Saturday, he was just so….amazing.”

“You sound like Ginny in her first year,” he observed. “Don’t make him into some kind of saint, Hermione. You’ll be disappointed.”

“No, I won’t. You should have seen him with little Mee Tao. He was a typical father, but so much more. He was thrilled that she was there. He absolutely doted on her. I get the feeling he’s like that with all of his kids.”

“Hermione…” Ron began. “They aren’t his kids. So he enjoys children? Why can’t he be a normal man and get married and start a family of his own?”

“They are his children in every way that counts,” she shot back angrily. “Your view is just archaic. Just because he didn’t father them, doesn’t mean he can’t be a father to them. You are insulting every step-father and father-by-adoption by saying that. It takes more than a shag to be a dad. Harry is more of a dad to those kids than many men are to their own biological children.”

“I hear what you are saying, Hermione. Just be careful, alright? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I won’t be. It’s going to work out this time. I know it will. The next time Harry Potter gets married, it’ll be forever…and it will be with me!”

“Don’t let this go too far,” Harry told himself, nervously. “Don’t let her get to you. Keep your distance and you’ll be fine. You are in control and only you can keep this from going too fast. Don’t let her get to you. You can do this.” Encouraged by the pep talk he had given himself, Harry sat on his staircase to wait for his date.

Hermione arrived at Harry’s just before dinner. They had never stated a time, so she postponed as long as she could stand it. She knocked on the door and waited.

“Come on in, Hermione,” he called. She went inside to find him sitting on the stairs. He looked at her intently before rising and approaching her. He immediately pulled her into his arms, kissing her soundly. He pulled her blouse from her skirt, while at the same time backing her into the wall. His hands were everywhere. She felt her blouse slide down her arms as her skirt also left her body. Her mind was telling her to slow things down, but her body refused to listen. She found herself undressing him as fast as or faster than he was stripping her. She gasped as he lifted her. Clad in only her knickers and bra, she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Harry gently, reluctantly set her down and backed away. “Merlin, I am so sorry, Hermione,” he said.

“For what?” she asked. “I wasn’t complaining. I could have stopped it, too.”

“Do you think I would have listened? This was not what I planned…”

“Tell me what you planned, then. We can still make it happen…maybe.”

“I have dinner on, but it’s probably ruined now. Then, I thought I’d take you to this muggle place I’ve frequented over the years. After that, if things went well, I figured I’d bring you back here and we’d talk. That’s as far as I got. I mean, after what you said the other night, I knew sex was a possibility, but I never meant to ravish you the second you walked through the door.”

“Okay, let’s send Hedwig for some dinner, if it’s burned, skip the muggle pub and get right to the talking,” she replied. “If we decide later that we want to make love, we will.” Harry chuckled.

“I wouldn’t call what we almost did, ‘making love’. That was unbridled, uncontrollable desire,” he corrected. “There are few more choice words for it, but…”

“Anytime passion flames between two people who love each other,” she told him, “it’s making love, regardless of how wicked it is.” She gave him a sinful smile.

“You are that sure of me…of us?” he queried.

“Absolutely,” she replied.

“Let’s go check on dinner, then we’ll talk,” he suggested. He rose and offered her a hand. The meal was indeed burned to an unrecognizable crisp. Hedwig flat out refused to play delivery owl, so they apparated to Hogsmeade to the Three Broomsticks.

“Well, doesn’t this seem like old times,” said Madam Rosmerta, as she offered them a menu. “Are we having our usual or have our tastes improved with age?”

“I believe we might be due for our usual…” stated a smiling Hermione, using every opportunity to remind him of the past when they were together and happy.

“That sounds good,” agreed Harry, knowing what she was up to, yet allowing it.

“Shall we start the discussion while we wait, or hold off until we get back to your house?” she asked.

“Now is as good a time as any. You can ask me anything; however, as I told Ron, if I don’t want to answer, I won’t - so just drop it, alright?”

“That sounds fair…” she agreed. “First off, where do you work?”

“I won’t answer that. Next question,” he said.

“Alright, why won’t you answer question one?” She knew she was pushing her luck but continued anyway.

“I don’t want to…” he replied.

She went on to ask him how many times he’d been married and details about his children and his life. Some questions he answered and some he sidestepped.

“How many women have you slept with?” she asked.

“Why, Hermione? I can’t see that that has any relevance…”

“After what almost happened earlier, I think it has loads of relevance,” she replied.

“Including you? Five...” he responded. “Want me to name them?”

“Yes, please,” she said.

“You realize, I’ll ask the same information in return…” At her nod, he continued, “In chronological order, you, Sally-Anne Perks, Estelle, Deirdre, and this muggle I met at a pub, Your turn…”

“Three, including you,” she answered. “I briefly dated George after we broke up, then a few years later; I dated Steven, the literal and proverbial muggle boy-next-door. It was right after my dad died.”

“Okay, what’s your next question?” he asked casually.

“Do you still have feelings for me?” she queried.

“That’s where this gets a bit complicated, isn’t it? Yes, I have feelings for you. I’ve always loved you since around sixth year…” At her expression he continued. “But, does that mean I want to throw the life I’ve created out the window for another chance with you? No. I heard what you said back then, Hermione, and I agree. I won’t sacrifice ‘me’ for ‘us’.”

“I know that, Harry. I would never ask for a sacrifice. I know we can’t just pick up where we left off. I truly never expected what happened earlier. We can take things as slow as you want. I’ve missed you, not just as a lover, but as a friend. If friendship is all I can hope for, well it’s better than the way things have been for the last seven years.” She looked into his eyes. “If you want more, then we can work on that as well. I don’t want to come between you and your kids. I don’t expect you to change your life just so I can be in it. All I am asking is a chance…a chance to get to know the man you are…a chance to discover if you and I are still made for each other. We thought that once, you know.”

Their food arrived and conversation was postponed. After the meal, Harry lit a cigarette and Hermione wrinkled her nose in distaste. Madame Rosmerta brought Harry a strong whiskey and Hermione a butterbeer.

“I wish you wouldn’t smoke,” she admitted.

“And I wish you wouldn’t butt into my business…” Harry stated as he once again, drained his drink and left.

Hermione knew she had made a mistake. Madam Rosmerta came over to remove their empty dishes. After careful consideration, she spoke, “Hermione, don’t push him. I know you want things to be the way they were, but maybe he wants someone who will accept him as he is now….”

Hermione finished her drink and apparated to Harry’s. “What do you want from me, Hermione?” he asked before she could knock on the door. His voice came from on the porch. She couldn’t see him.

“Harry, come out where I can see you…please?” she begged.

“I’m fine where I am,” he said. “It’s just easier this way.”

“Alright,” she agreed. “Just hear me out, then. I don’t want to change you. I was just complaining because the smoke bothered my eyes. If it helps you to deal with things, then I won’t say another word about it… or anything else.”

Harry snorted. “That’s very magnanimous of you,” he said derisively.

“I want to explain about that night…”

“I’ve heard it before, Hermione. Just save your breath…”

“Alright, I’ll let it go, but first I want to give you something to think about. I was young, Harry, so very young…We may have been the same age in years, but not in maturity level. Please don’t hold that against me…You wanted an adult relationship. I wasn’t ready for that. I needed to grow up some more first. Give me another chance…Please just think about it….”

Harry removed his invisibility cloak. “I’ll think about it. I can’t promise more than that, but I’ll try. In the meantime, there won’t be any repeat of what happened earlier. I can’t deal with that on top of everything else…You have to be strong enough for the both of us, since I seem to lose all sense of control where you are concerned. Can you do that?”

“I will,” she promised. She kissed him gently on the cheek and left.

She stopped by almost every evening after work. Sometimes they made dinner there, other times they went out. Still other times, she never saw him at all. Conversation, though awkward at first, had begun to feel more comfortable. Harry had answered some of her inquiries about his life. She had kept her word by staying distant physically. She knew she was slowly crumbling the wall that he’d erected between them. He refused to discuss his work, which made her curiosity skyrocket. She had narrowed it down to an Unspeakable or a Hitwizard. Either post would require absolute secrecy. Although, she knew se could be wrong on both counts, she didn’t think so. They both sounded so like Harry.

“What happened to being an Auror?” she asked one night bravely. Their secluded table at the muggle restaurant gave her courage.

“Things change; people change…” Harry responded vaguely. “Just drop it, Hermione, please.”

“Well, you are still here. That’s an improvement…” she said resigned.

“Not for long, if you keep questioning me…abut things you know I won’t answer…”

“You are so obstinate! You never used to be like that…” she stated.

“Wasn’t I?” he asked with a derisive scowl. “Or maybe you just remember me in some fantasy tale that has no bearing on reality. Think about it, Hermione.” Once again, he stubbed out his smoke, drained his drink and disappeared, leaving her to stare at the place he was just standing.

“I just don’t understand him anymore, Ron,” Hermione complained over lunch the following day. “He’s so secretive. He used to tell us everything. I used to be able to tell what he was thinking by just looking at him. These days, I’m better off staring at a blank wall…”

Ron waved his fork in the air. “Just what are you trying to accomplish exactly?” he asked.

“I want him back,” she replied simply, stabbing at her salad as if it were alive.

“Why?” Ron looked at her seriously.

“Ron, haven’t you been listening? I love him. He loves me. We belong together. He’ll realize that soon enough...”

“Are you listening to yourself?” Ron asked quietly. “No wonder he avoided you for so long…”

“Ronald Weasley, that’s a horrible thing to say,” she shouted. The other diners looked up at her words.

“Well, the truth hurts,” Ron shrugged. “He opens up to us just a little bit and you go on one of your fact-finding missions. You decided that you want him back, so you basically steamroll your way into his life. Have you ever known him to react well to manipulation?”

“I’m not trying to manipulate him. I’m trying to help him,” she argued.

“Have you asked him whether he wants your help?”

“He’s talked to you about me, hasn’t he?”

“Without betraying his trust, I will confirm that we’ve spoken…” Ron answered.

“He thinks I’m trying to ‘fix’ him or change him. I’m not. I just love him and want what’s best for him.”

“What’s best for him or for you?” At her enraged expression, Ron knew he had hit a nerve. “Hermione, I’d be the first one to congratulate you if the two of you got back together, but you are going about it all wrong. Harry isn’t a book to be studied and debated. He is a grown man, who for more years than even we know, was manipulated by those who he cared about and abused by those that were supposed to take care of him. He swore to me after he had killed Voldemort that he wouldn’t allow that to happen again. Just back off him for a bit. He’ll tell you all you want to know in his own time.”

The look on her face told Ron that he’d been heard and understood. She never noticed that he’d left; as she was so deep in thought.

Ron had already been waiting a half hour when Harry showed up for their weekly meeting a few days later. “I was about to leave…” he said as Harry sat down.

“Sorry,” Harry mumbled without an explanation.

“I talked to Hermione a few days ago. Things alright with her?” Ron asked. Harry shrugged and lit a cigarette. “I told her back off, mate.”

“Why would you do that?” Harry asked simply.

“She was going on about how she couldn’t understand you anymore and how she is trying to help you…I couldn’t hear anymore, so I basically told her how I saw things.”

Harry looked at Ron incredulously. “You didn’t….”

“No, I didn’t,” answered Ron. “I told her that you and I had talked, that’s all. I told her I wouldn’t betray your trust.”

“She keeps going on about how she wants to give me a child. I want to tell her; really I do, but…”

“But you don’t want to talk about it, I know. Harry, she needs to get to know the person you are now, not try to recreate the kid you were in school. You need to get to know her, as well. Otherwise, the two of you will never make a go of it. You have too many secrets and she is relentless in trying to find them out. If I were the type to offer advice, which fortunately for you, I am, I would tell you to stop trying to be the couple you were in school. Those people may not exist anymore.”

“I hear what you are saying, Ron. When I told you…what I told you last week…I thought I’d just stop coming here to talk to you, but I couldn’t, you know?”

“Yeah, I know, mate. You are used to dealing with things on your own terms, in your own way. If Hermione has started coming around even two weeks earlier, you’d have been able to cut us out of your life. Seeing her has helped you to understand how much we need each other…the three of us.”

“I can’t tell her…” Harry said embarrassed.

“Right now, you don’t have to. She has no reason to know. If things get serious between you again, then that’s a different story. But if nothing else comes of this, I’m glad to have my best mate back…”

Harry grinned. “Me, too. Listen, I’ve added both you and her to my security wards. You guys can apparate over anytime.”

The following evening, Hermione knocked on Harry’s door. A disembodied voice came from the bushes, “Go on in. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“What are you doing down there?” she asked.

“I’m adjusting the wards a bit,” he answered. Hermione entered the house. Harry entered shortly after.

“All done?” she asked.

“Yep,” he answered. “Just a bit of tweaking…”

They started speaking at the same time. “Ladies first,” said Harry.

“I wanted to apologize. Ron was right. I have been trying, subconsciously, to re-establish what we had in school, without considering that we may be different from what we were then. I want to get to know you again, and then we can see if we have something worth building on.”

“I’d like that as well. I’m not the same boy you went to school with. I am in no way, shape or form that naïve. Who knows, you may still love me, but not like me very much.”

“I like you just fine,” she responded. “It just seems like you don’t like you very much.”

“Hermione…” he cautioned.

“I’m not going to pry,” she said holding her palms out toward him. “I was just making an observation. If you want to talk about it, you will. If that time comes, I’ll be here for you.”

“You don’t want to hear about all that rubbish…” he snorted in derision.

“Yes, I do, but only if you want to tell me. I’m finished with pushing you.”

Harry lowered his head and grinned. “Alright,” he said in a disbelieving tone.

“I mean it,” she told him. “Let’s begin by getting some dinner…”

They went to a muggle eatery and deliberately kept the conversation light. Upon arriving back at Harry’s, they decided to have a drink on the porch.

“It’s nice out here. I like it,” she said.

“Well, I’ve determined that it’s easier out here. Inside is where I get myself into trouble,” he responded.

“How do you mean?”

“My brain reminds me of how things used to be and the next thing I know; we are approaching the point of no return. Until things are sorted out, I can’t allow that. I want you to be able to go into this with your eyes open. I want you to know everything before you decide. Not tonight, but one day soon, I’ll tell you the whole story or as much of it as I can…”

“I’ll just wait until that day, then,” she responded.

Harry gave her a sad smile. He felt a small sense of grief at the thought of a ‘new’ Hermione, even though the old one drove him mad on occasion.

Several more weeks went by. Hermione had been spending almost every evening at Harry’s. After dinner the couple would talk about pretty much nothing of importance. Hermione kept her promise of not pushing Harry. While he appreciated it, he also knew that he’d need a prod before telling her the things he needed to.

“You know you can tell me anything…” she whispered late one night while they were relaxing after dinner.

“Can I?” he returned.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

It was the opening he both craved and dreaded. “Hermione…” he began. “I…”

“Close your eyes,” she suggested.

“What?”

“I know you’ve thought about telling me whatever it is that you are going to say, so close your eyes and picture yourself alone deciding what you are going to say…”

He got up from the squashy couch, walked to the stairs and sat on the bottom step. “I need to tell you about the war and what happened.”

“We meet again, Potter…” snarled Lucius Malfoy.

Harry quickly spun around. He’d been so lost in his own thoughts that he never noticed the Death Eater sneak up on him.

“You are a full grown wizard now. The protection of those…” Malfoy got a look on his face as if he smelled something rotten. “…muggles you live with is gone. What will you do now?”

“I’ve keep on just as I have been, thanks,” Harry said in a resolute tone. He mentally berated himself for letting his guard down. He slipped his hand into his robes for his wand.

“Without that mudblood at your side?” Malfoy sneered. “Your defeat of the Dark Lord was a mere stroke of luck, Potter. You think yourself such a powerful wizard. You are nothing, Potter. You are, have been, and always will be an arrogant boy with no future.”

“My future is looking alright…” Harry replied. “I have several job offers I am considering…”

“A job?” laughed Malfoy. “There’s more to life than just a job, Potter. The Dark Lord knew of your dreams, Potter. Remember that little curse he used on you? The Infecundus Curse?”

Harry searched his memory. He knew that Voldemort had used several curses that he’d never heard before. Then it hit him. “Infecundus…” Harry drawled. That was the curse that made his bits feel like they were on fire. “I remember that one. I should have known old Voldy would hit below the belt…”

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?”

“Stupid boy! You think the Greatest-Sorcerer-Ever would waste his time on a ridiculous crotch shot?” cried Malfoy incredulously, before he lowered his voice to almost a whisper. “Think about it, Potter. Use your meager skills of Latin…”

“It means sterile….so? Unless, by sterile, it means…”

“He certainly didn’t intend for it to disinfect….” Malfoy laughed. “Your dream is over, Potter. It’ll never happen. You’ll die alone, as the Dark Lord intended. No woman will want you now…not even the mudblood…”

“Incarcerous!” shouted Harry. Thin conjured ropes flew from his outstretched wand and bound a struggling Malfoy.

Harry looked up expecting to see pity in her eyes. He was wrong. He saw anger.

“Has it been checked out? Is there anything that can be done?” she asked.

“I spent three weeks at St Mungo’s, Hermione. If they could fix it they would have…but it doesn’t matter, really. I’ve got my children.”

“I know you do and you love them dearly, but I also know you’d be happier with children around more than just on the weekends, wouldn’t you?”

“What’s the point of thinking about that? It’s not for me. Voldemort made sure of it.”

“Let me see what I can find out at work. But, Harry, if there’s a way to fix this, will you let me try?” she asked hesitantly.

“I won’t stop you, but just don’t get your hopes up, nor mine…”

“Well, even if nothing can be done, that doesn’t change the way we feel about each other, does it?”

“Oh, come on, Hermione, don’t be stupid. I’ve come to terms with this. Don’t miss your chance at a normal life…I’m not worth it.”

“You are worth it whether you believe it or not. Just because you can’t have children yourself, doesn’t mean that we can’t have a normal life. We can adopt. We can…”

“NO!” he shouted then took a deep breath. “Listen to me, Hermione, we can’t. Look at me. Look at my life. My work is …well, the point is I would never be approved for adoption. That’s not going to change. Don’t you think I’ve tried? I was going to adopt Emmie. Colleen was going to give me full custody…. It didn’t happen. It won’t ever happen. The sooner you realize that, the better.

Weighing the Options

Chapter 3

Weighing the Options

“Let me see if I’ve got this straight,” stated Harry from his usual spot on the steps of his porch. “You found a muggle doctor who knows about us and he’s agreed to see if he can fix this curse…”

“That’s correct,” replied Hermione gently, laying a hand on his knee.

“…and he thinks it’s possible to…”

“That’s correct. He thinks it will be a relatively simple procedure, rather like a vasectomy reversal. He’ll know more after he runs some tests, but…”

“What kind of tests?” Harry asked.

“Well, x-rays, scans, that kind of thing…”

“And he knows who I am…” Harry scowled.

“No, I just said an acquaintance of mine. I’ve made you an appointment for next Wednesday under the name of Jim Dursley. Just talk to him, Harry. If you find yourself uncomfortable or decide that it’s not worth it, then at least you’ll know the option is there. You’ll be in control. Maybe curse injuries act differently, but with the muggle procedure, the longer you wait, the less likelihood of success. I don’t want to push you. If you don’t want to check into this then cancel the appointment and we’ll never speak of it again. I just want you to be happy. If you decide not to go through with it, then we’ll just have to love your children even more.” Hermione went silent to let him think.

“Will he be expecting Galleons or muggle money?” Harry asked and was immediately smothered by brown bushy hair.

“I can’t believe that you want to check into it!” she exclaimed with a wide grin.

“I don’t know yet if it is even possible, but I think I’d be shortchanging myself if I didn’t at least check into it.” he replied.

The following Wednesday, Harry met with the doctor. “Mr. Dursley, I have to tell you I’ve never run across anything like this before. You people don’t mess around when you curse someone, do you?”

“I’m not sure if anyone else has been hit with particular curse in several hundred years…” Harry responded.

The two men talked for several hours. Harry found the doctor to be intrigued by the wizarding world, almost like an Arthur Weasley only in reverse. Soon Harry felt comfortable enough to give his real name and the whole story of his challenges with Voldemort. Finally the doctor said, “Let me look at the test results to see what the damage is and if I can fix it. Be aware, however, that muggle medicine is nothing like magical Healing. There are no guarantees.”

“I understand,” Harry replied. “I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but it’s just something I have to do.” The doctor nodded and with a handshake, left the room.

At their regular Thursday meeting, Harry confessed to Ron what he’d been up to. “What kind of tests do these muggles run?” Ron asked.

Harry vividly described the x-rays and the scans; however he blushed a bright red when he told about the specimens he was required to provide.

“What in the world do they do with that?” Ron asked in amazement.

“They test for fertility, Ron,” stated Harry simply, yet with frustration.

“They can tell all that stuff, these muggles?”

“Yes, you’d be surprised at what they can do. There’s in vitro fertilization, which means they fertilize the egg in a dish and then put it back. There are loads of things they can try,” he explained.

“That’s incredible!” Ron replied.

“Hermione’s very excited about it,” stated Harry.

“Well, she would be. She is just doing the research. She’s not the one getting their…Are you really going to do that?”

“I don’t know yet…maybe,” said Harry wistfully.

“Well, there’s no way I’d let some muggle poke about my privates…”

“That’s because you and Luna know you can have children,” Harry replied, then added with a chuckle, “I mean you are a Weasley.”

“Well, even so…” Ron grumbled before smiling genuinely at his friend.

Harry looked back earnestly. “Put yourself in my shoes, you’ve grown up surrounded by more family than you knew what to do with. I was alone locked in a cupboard, or my room, mostly. I admit that my previous solution was unusual, but it solved both mine and the lady’s problems. I don’t regret a minute of it.”

“I know,” said Ron sympathetically. “I can see where you are coming from, mate. I just don’t think I could do it.” Harry smiled at him. “Then again, there’s loads of things you’ve done that I wouldn’t be able to do.”

“Well, I’m not saying I’m going to do it. All I’m saying is that I have to think about it, if it comes to that.”

Hermione had stopped by Harry’s as usual for several days straight and had yet to find him home. She knocked on his door and was surprised to find herself greeted by a small person.

“Who’re you?” asked the young blond child brusquely.

“My name is Hermione. I met you at the wedding, then at the birthday party for your brothers…”

“I’m Janie,” said the toddler matter-of-factly.

“Yes, I know,” replied Hermione. “Could you call your dad for me? I’d like to talk to him.”

“Hello, Hermione,” said Harry politely as he appeared in the doorway with a smile that did not reach his eyes. She could tell there was something wrong by his tone of voice. She thought, “Well, ‘wrong’ wasn’t the right word; ‘off’ would be a better one.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he lied. “Did you meet, Janie? Isn’t she adorable?” He beamed at the child who was firmly attached to his leg. He swung Janie up into his arms. Hearing her father’s praise, the child seemed to be more accepting of the visitor.

“Yes, we’ve met. Aren’t you the sweetest thing?” she asked the girl as she tickled her tummy.

The resulting laughter gave Harry a genuine smile. “Please come in,” he said. Hermione followed him into the house where Janie squirmed in Harry’s arms for release. Harry sat her down and gave her a love pat on the bottom as she scampered away.

“I asked what was wrong….” Hermione stated evenly.

“I said nothing and I meant it,” Harry responded walking toward the kitchen. Hermione knew by his actions that she would receive no answers to Harry’s apparent emotional distance at the moment.

“Harry, I love you. You know I do. I can help you with whatever it is that’s bothering you. Please don’t shut me out anymore.”

“Who says I’m shutting you out? Huh? Who says I need your help?” Harry questioned almost belligerently. “Just drop it, okay, Hermione? I’m fine. There is nothing I need help with.”

“I know you’re busy right now. Can we talk after Jamie goes to bed?” she asked hesitantly.

“No…yes…I don’t know, really,” he replied. Harry walked away and started for the stairs. Hermione took the hint and left.

It was midnight before she returned and found him sitting on the steps to the dark house. “What do you want, Hermione?” Harry asked harshly.

“I came to see if you were alright,” she prodded, noticing he was smoking and biting her lip to keep from mentioning it.

“By whose standards are we judging…yours?” he snapped, crushing the cigarette in an ashtray.

“I’m sorry, Harry. I’ve tried not to ask, but why are you smoking? I thought…”

“My rules…yeah. It’s pretty sad when you can’t even follow your own rules.” Harry shook his head sadly. “Merlin’s Beard, can I be any more pathetic!”

“What’s wrong, Harry? Please, tell…” she began.

“It didn’t work. They can’t do anything. It’s over,” Harry stated quickly…breathily…like if he stopped talking he’d never be able to start again. Hermione rushed over, laid her head on his shoulder and threw her arms around him. He continued his rant, “What’s the use? Huh? I mean, what was the point? I never asked for any of this! None of it! I never asked to be The-boy-who-lived, hell, I don’t even remember it! I never asked to be ‘The Chosen One’, either. Why me? Tell me that, Hermione. Tell me…why me! I had dealt with it all. I really had. Then here you come to ‘fix’ everything. I told myself it was a bad idea. I told myself not to get my hopes up, but you know what? I did. I thought I could be ‘normal’. What a joke! ‘Harry Potter----Normal’!” He let out a heartrending laugh. “I should never have let you back in. My life was fine. I had the kids. It was fine…”

“I’m sorry, Harry,” she whispered in his ear hoping to calm him a bit. He remained stiff in her arms. “I’m sorry that I put you through this. I’m sorry it didn’t help. I thought it would be better to know that all avenues had been explored. I never meant to hurt you.”

“You never do, Hermione. You never do…” he sighed. He broke from her grasp, turned and strode into the house. Hermione followed at a distance.

“That’s not fair, Harry,” she called after him. “You knew going in that it might not be successful. We talked about that as well as being prepared, just in case. Now that you know for sure, it’s suddenly my fault. I am sorry; Harry, but I don’t accept that.”

Harry’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’m sorry, all right?” he said in an almost child-like tone. “It’s not just that. It’s everything…”

“Want to talk about it?” she asked gently.

“I honestly don’t know if I do or if I don’t…” Harry sighed heavily. “I screwed up so badly this time…”

“Want to talk about it?” Hermione offered again. “I won’t judge you. I won’t say a word, only listen.”

“I only wanted to help these people, honestly. The children were an added bonus…” he began. “I…I’ve got to get out of here. Could you stay here with Janie?” He turned toward the door.

“Harry, stop, please…” Hermione begged. Closing his eyes, he turned toward the wall and rested his head against it. “Running away won’t solve anything. Tell me what’s happened. Maybe I can help find a solution…just like the old days…”

He smiled sadly, never raising his head from the wall. “I’m starting to think a basilisk was child’s play….”

“That bad?” she said as she walked toward him. Laying her head against his back, she began rubbing his shoulders.

“Any of the things that happened today, separately, I could have handled, but…” He turned and faced her. Taking her hand, he led her into the living room.

“Honestly, Harry, we can deal with this…all of it. Just start at the beginning. You got out of bed and…”

“…Went to the office.” Hermione bit her lip hard to avoid asking him about his work. He continued, “The last project disintegrated overnight. It took months to put it all together and for nothing. Then I met with the doctor and received his joyous news. I got a message from a girl who heard about me. I met with her over lunch. She told me her story and I told her mine. I told her that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this anymore; that I needed to think about it. She was so young, Hermione…”

“What happened?” Hermione prompted.

“Her father saw us and caused such a scene. He works in the Department of Magical Births, so he knows about me and why she would have come to me. He cursed her, Hermione! She’s in St Mungo’s. They don’t know if the baby will be alright. I should have just agreed to marry her.”

Hermione wrapped her arms around him. “You can’t marry every witch who gets herself in trouble, Harry. It’s unrealistic.”

“I know that, of course, but…”

She placed a hand on each side of his face, forcing him to look at her. “Harry, listen to me. You couldn’t have known that a man would curse his own daughter. You were horrible at Divination. There’s nothing you could have done. Even if you had agreed to marry her, that doesn’t mean her father would have reacted any differently. Did anything else happen today?”

“Ellen is moving to the continent. I’m losing my boys.”

“I’m sorry, Harry. You’ll still see them, though, won’t you?”

“No, she’s getting married and her new husband thinks it’s best if I’m out of the picture. Don’t look at me like that. I understand, really I do. I feel that way myself sometimes. I don’t like to share them much either…”

“Yet, you do,” she finished for him. “You love kids and enjoy providing for them. You have more money than you need. Why not help on a larger scale?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“I was thinking about this the other night,” she said. “You have Grimmauld Place already divided into flats. Why not use it as a home for these women rather than marry them. You’d provide a place to live and monetary support. If you want, you can offer minding services so the women can work to save money for their future…What do you think?”

“It sounds like a nice dream. I can never afford anything like that…”

“You don’t have to pay for it all yourself,” she said forcefully. “You are Harry Potter! Let the world see the man you’ve become. Flash that scar. Use your fame for a good cause. Solicit donations, set up a foundation and it can be self-supporting. Please say you’ll think about it…”

“I will, I promise,” he said softly. His mind was spinning with possibilities. “You always did know how to lift me from my dark mood. But, that opens up another set of problems, though. What about my work? I don’t want to give that up…”

“Well, I can’t answer about that, can I?” she answered with an innocent smile. “I know nothing about whatever it is that you do….”

Harry laughed. “Good one,” he said as he laid his head against hers. “As soon as things settle down, I’ll talk to you about it. It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that things are…sensitive right now.”

She held him closely for a bit, before raising her head to kiss him gently. He responded to her kiss by lightly touching her lower lip with his tongue. She accepted his probe as the kiss deepened. He lay back on the couch, drawing her with him.

“Daddy?” came a voice from the stairs. “What are you doing?”

Harry gave a soft groan at the interruption as he and Hermione sat up on the sofa. “I’m kissing Hermione, Pumpkin,” he said softly. “Why did you wake up?” The small girl came toward him rubbing her tear-filled eyes. “Did you have a bad dream?” The girl nodded. Hermione looked on, her eyes shining as Harry pulled his daughter into his lap. “Tell me about it, love…”

“I don’t ‘member,” the child answered, hiding her face in Harry’s chest.

“I don’t like it when I have a bad dream and can’t remember it, either,” Harry said as he pulled the child close. “You wake up scared and don’t know what you are scared of. It makes even normal things seem frightening.”

“Does Daddy get scared sometimes?” she asked.

“Pumpkin, everyone gets scared. I bet if you asked Hermione if she gets scared at bad dreams, she’ll agree. The thing to remember when you wake up…” Harry tapped the girl’s forehead. “…is that it’s all up here. Those scary things aren’t really in your room. As soon as you turn on the light, everything will be just how you left it when you get to bed. Want me to show you?” The girl nodded. “Hermione, I’ll be right back…”

Harry carried the small girl back to her room and turned on the light. He showed her how her things were just as she left them, and then put her into her bed. He sat beside her and dimmed the lights wandlessly. “See? Everything is the same.” He tucked her stuffed unicorn into her arms and kissed her brow as she fell back to sleep.

“Where were we?” he asked as he rejoined Hermione on the couch.

“We were thinking of either slowing down or taking this into another room…” she answered silkily.

He laughed softly and pulled her into his arms. “We should continue this another day,” he responded.

“I know…your rules…I should probably go, anyway…” she stated as she picked up the used glasses from the end table.

He stilled her arm before pulling her back down onto the couch as they were before. “We don’t have to stop, just slow down…”

For the next few weeks, Hermione rarely saw Harry, though she’d received many owls from him. She knew he’d met with Ron recently on one of the Thursday night outings. She mentioned it at lunch the following day. “How is he?” she asked cautiously.

“Better,” said Ron before biting into an enormous sandwich.

“Good,” she replied. “He was a bit down the last time I saw him.”

“A bit down?” Ron asked surprised. “That’s probably the biggest understatement I’ve heard in awhile…”

“What are you talking about?” she inquired. She didn’t think he was that bad the night she was over. By the time they resumed kissing, he hardly seemed down at all.

“What are you talking about?” Ron returned. He wanted to be careful not to speak out of turn.

“The night I was at his house last. He was down over the medical thing, plus the twins moving and a few other things…I thought he was better but…wait a second! You are talking about something else, aren’t you? What’s happened to him?”

“One of his projects for work went bad, that’s all. He’s fine now…” Ron said soothingly.

“Which indicates he wasn’t fine before….I ask again, what has happened to him?”

“Hermione, please listen to me. He must have kept this from you for a reason. I don’t begin to know the reasons for half of the things he does, but…”

“You won’t tell me because that would betray his confidence…” she finished for him. “I know. I know.”

“Owl him and tell him you are worried about him. I’m sure he’ll let you visit…”

After finishing her meal, Hermione hugged her friend and left to send an owl. As she arrived home, she found Hedwig, Harry’s snowy owl, who was every bit as vain and opinionated as ever, waiting for her.

“Oh, hello, Hedwig. Did Harry respond to my letter already?” she asked the bird. Hedwig just shook out her wings and extended a leg to offer the attached letter.

Hermione took the letter and reached into the desk drawer for a few owl treats. Hedwig nibbled the treats before flying back out the window.

Hermione opened the letter carefully.

Dear Hermione,

I should have told you this sooner, but I didn’t want you to worry. I’m in St Mungo’s. I can imagine your reaction right now, but I’m fine, really I am. If you wish to visit, please ask for Piers Polkiss’ room. (He’s a friend of Dudley’s, don’t ask) I should be going home in a few days and I cannot wait!

Hope to see you soon.

Harry

The More Things Change

Chapter 4

The More Things Change

After taking the steps at a run, Hermione reached the fourth floor of the hospital. She didn’t have the patience for the elevator. Her hands trembled as she read the room numbers. Her eyes lit up as she finally found the correct room. She paused before entering to prepare herself for whatever condition Harry was in. Hearing voices from within, she hesitated further.

“Did you tell her yet, mate?” Ron asked as he took his turn at wizard chess.

“Yeah, I did. I sent her an owl,” Harry replied.

“Did you tell her what to expect?”

“I told her I was fine and I’d be going home soon.”

Opening the door confidently, Hermione entered.She hadn’t prepared herself nearly as well as she thought she had. With bulging eyes, she took in the decidedly pumpkin colored skin of the patient. She fought the urge to giggle and kept her face calm.

“If you are going to laugh, go ahead….” Harry stated as he straightened the blankets that covered him.

“I won’t laugh,” she replied as a giggle escaped her lips. “What happened?”

“Apparently, I am allergic to graphorn horn powder. I had a reaction to it,” he replied.

“Again with the understatements…” said Ron rolling his eyes. “Hermione, since Mr. I-can-handle-everything-myself is going to beat around the bush; I’ll just save time and fill you in…”

“Ron…” Harry growled in warning.

“At work, whatever that is, Harry here, got nailed by a cursed…something. The curse caused his skin to become hypersensitive. He was given a Sleeping Draught, so he would be out cold while the field mediwizard applied a potion to counteract the curse. He was brought here when he stopped breathing…” Hermione’s mouth dropped open in shock. She gaped at Harry, who seemed to be studying the pattern on his blanket, as Ron continued. “It was touch and go for awhile, but he’s going to be fine. He’ll just be orange for another week or so, that’s all.”

“Any residual symptoms from the curse?” she asked looking from Ron to Harry and back again.

“No, not really,” replied Harry. “I just have to stay one more night ‘for observation’.”

“Not really, no or not really, just a bit?” she asked skeptically.

It was Harry’s turn to roll his eyes. He heaved a heavy sigh as he answered. “It’s fine, really, much better than it was. When I first got here, I couldn’t even stand a blanket on me.” Harry pulled at the collar of his pajamas, and then looked at Hermione apologetically.

Ron moved to pack away the game. “We’ll finish playing later,” he said as he discreetly busied himself with his back to the bed.

“Is it okay to touch you?” Hermione asked as she approached the bed.

“Its fine,” he said reaching for her hand pulling her toward the hospital bed. While Ron peered out the conjured window, Hermione leaned down to greet the very colorful Harry with a kiss.

After a few seconds, Hermione pulled away quickly with a gasp. “Are you all right?” she asked with concern.

“Yeah,” he responded. “That was just. Wow…just a simple kiss …and…Wow!”

Ron began to whistle to remind the couple that he was still present.

“Ron, if you don’t mind,” said Hermione. “I’d like to skive off lunch tomorrow. If Harry’s going to be released, I’d like to see him home.”

“No problem,” Ron replied. “I was going to take off the morning from work to help him out anyway.”

“Guys…” Harry grumbled. “I can make it by myself. I’m not an invalid…”

“Don’t be stupid, mate,” said Ron. “You aren’t able to Apparate, Floo is out, so its muggle transport for you. I’ll go along. It’ll be fun.”

Harry looked unconvinced, but didn’t comment further. Hermione looked at him sympathetically. “Think about it, Ron. How is he going to explain to muggles why he’s…well, he’s…” She searched her brain for a term that wouldn’t upset Harry.

“Orange…” Harry completed for her. “I feel like a freaking Oompa Loompa…” he grumbled.

“A what?” Ron asked, while Hermione stifled another giggle.

“Hey, I love that movie!” Hermione exclaimed. “I thought the Oompa Loompas were dead sexy! With that deep voice and that dance….” She sighed audibly.

Harry chuckled and began humming the tune from the movie, causing Hermione to lose control of the laughter she was trying in vain to suppress.

Ron shook his head at the pair. “You lot are mental, I swear!”

The next morning, Hermione arrived just as the nurse was giving Harry a final check to make sure he could tolerate the trip home. She waited outside the door until he was free.

“I just want to sleep in my own bed…I’ll be fine…” Harry stated firmly.

“Mr. Polkiss, you mustn’t Apparate or Floo. That means the underground with people shoving you this way and that. It will be very uncomfortable for you…”

“I’ll be fine. It won’t be that long of a ride, anyway, I can call a taxi….

“The Healer wants you to stay another day to see if the hypersensitivity has lessened. Please reconsider….”

“I’m going home as soon as my friends arrive. I’m going to get dressed now and I’m not shy, so…” Harry said as he boldly tucked his thumbs into the waistband of his pajama pants, raising his eyes to her in a silent dare.

“Here,” she answered. “Let me help you…”

“NO!” shouted Harry. “I can do it for myself, just please leave!”

“His skin isn’t the only thing touchy….” The nurse mumbled exiting the room. “Good luck,” she said to Hermione. “He’s a bit prickly this morning…”

“I’m sure we’ll get him home just fine,” Hermione laughed. “He’s just very independent.”

“On your head be it…” said the nurse.

Hermione knocked at the door. “Are you decent?” she asked.

“Come in,” said Harry. Hermione entered as Harry was pulling a jumper over his head and down his orange torso. With an attempt to lighten his mood, she began to sing, “Oompa Loompa. Doo pa dee dee,” while she bent her knees and then raised up again in dance.

“Very funny, Hermione…” he stated as he adjusted his jeans, trying to pull them away from his skin.

“You are uncomfortable,” she noticed before rummaging through her bag. “I brought you some softer trousers to wear. They were my dad’s so they’ll be big on you…” She pulled the sweatpants from her bag and tossed them to Harry.

“Thanks, Hermione. That was really thoughtful…I’ll go change and be right back.” He stepped into the adjoining loo. Hermione heard Harry make many sounds of discomfort before he returned.

“Everything okay?” she asked him.

“Yeah, fine…” he answered vaguely. “Ron should be here any minute, and then we can decide how we are going to do this. My wards won’t let a taxi within a mile of the house, so we’ll have to walk.”

“I brought Mum’s car. I can drive us,” she answered.

“Oh, brilliant!” he exclaimed. “I can have you stop at the gate and adjust the wards to recognize your car. I didn’t want to do that with a public taxi…”

Hermione smiled at him. “Walking a mile with your condition isn’t the best of ideas. Oh, and just wear your slippers. They’ll be better than your trainers…”

“Yes, Mum…” Harry chided with a grin. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. They were prevented from further banter by the arrival of Ron.

“You ready” asked Ron as he entered.

“Merlin, yes,” Harry answered lifting his head to the ceiling and raising his closed eyes to let the idea of going home wash over him.

“Well, let’s get to it, then…” said Hermione as she began packing the remainder of Harry’s things.

Upon arriving home, Harry immediately placed his owl post in a drawer. Hermione and Ron shared an eye roll at his secrecy. Harry, sweat rolling down his face, sat on the couch. He removed the sopping sweater. His torso was a red-orange color, almost like a sunburned pumpkin. Hermione noticed as Harry removed his slippers and socks that his feet were blistered and bleeding.

“Why didn’t you say something?” she asked angrily as she poured potion into a large bowl for him to soak his feet.

“What good would it have done?” he asked. “We had to get home. Dwelling on it before that would have made it worse…” He lowered his feet into the bowl, sucking air through his teeth as the medicine stung his sores.

“Is there anywhere else that’s bad?” she asked.

“Nowhere that I wish to discuss…” Harry grumbled.

“It’s his bum, I’d wager,” said Ron evenly. “The closer we got the more he squirmed about.”

“Thanks, Ron…” Harry snarled.

Hermione repressed the urge to reprimand him. She walked determinedly into the bathroom and began to fill the enormous tub with warm bubbly water. With a wave of her wand, she summoned the powder she’d gotten from the Healer and directed it into the water.

She found Harry alone when she returned to the other room. “Where’s Ron?” she asked.

“He Apparated home,” replied Harry. “He thought…well…who knows what he thought, but he was uncomfortable, so I told him it was fine to go home.”

“I’ve got your bath ready. I charmed the tub deeper, so you can just float. You really should have told me it was that bad, Harry…Anyway, let’s get you into the bath…”

“I’ve been bathing by myself for quite awhile. If you wanted to leave as well, I’ll be fine,” Harry stated uncomfortably.

“Nonsense! Honestly, Harry! I’m here to help you. I can rub the other potion on after you finish….” Harry gingerly strode over to look out the window and peered out. “What’s wrong?” Hermione asked him.

Harry turned to look at her. “Nothing, really…just…” He turned back toward the window with a shrug.

Hermione walked over and lightly laid a hand on his shoulder. “Talk to me.” Harry shrugged again. She continued, “Tell me what you are thinking...”

He took a deep breath and laid his head against the pane. “It’s just…I…Dammit, Hermione, I’m orange…all over! I don’t want that in your memory the next time we…if we…well, I just don’t want you to see…”

Hermione laughed softly. “Honestly, Harry! You’ve seen me as a cat coughing up fur balls! Did you think of that when we made love?”

“We were seventeen! I wasn’t thinking about anything other than what we were doing,” Harry complained.

“It’ll be the same again, I swear it. Let me help you…” Hermione gently tugged him away from the window. She knew he was unconvinced yet she could sense he was minutely more receptive. She steered him into the bath.

Once he entered the loo, she told him sensitively, “Get in and then call me, okay?”

“No, it’s okay, just…” Harry made small circles with his finger indicating she should turn around. His eyes went wide as she faced the other direction and began disrobing. Harry slid his clothing off and dropped into the bath.

“Okay, you can look now,” he called to her.

She slipped into the tub as well. “Tell me about what you felt when I kissed you yesterday,” she said as she approached him as he floated in the water.

He grinned at her. “That was amazing,” he crooned almost dreamily. “It was just a simple kiss, yet it felt like it was so much more than that…”

“Care to try another one?” she asked silkily as she slid up behind him. He turned and pulled her close, lowering his lips to hers softly. She pulled away after a few seconds not wanting to overload his senses. “I don’t want to hurt you…”

“I’ll worry about that. Besides, it hurts in a good way…” He said with a smirk before he swam away from her daring her to chase him.

Hermione watched carefully as he swam away from her. She caught a fleeting glimpse of Harry’s feet, which looked much better after the soak as well as the bath potion. Attempting to tell herself it was only for his health that she was staring, she was rewarded with a glimpse of his bright orange, otherwise perfectly healthy, bum as he dove toward the bottom of the pool.

By the next week, Harry was looking and feeling much better. He was only slightly colored, making him look like he’d used a weak tanning charm. Since he’d been back to work for a few days, he found himself the subject of an inquiry. Sabotage was suspected in the mission in which he was injured. Sitting at his desk, pondering recent events, he found himself even more reluctant, if that were possible, to discuss his profession with Hermione, even in the broadest generalities.

“Why would they suspect me?” he asked himself quietly. “I’m bankrolling the entire operation. Surely if I wanted to toss galleons away, I’d find another avenue…” He gave a small humorless laugh at the thought. “Someone knows who we are and what we are doing.”

He’d developed PED Assistance with many checks and balances to ensure those who worked for him stayed within the letter of the law as much as possible. No one knew of the company, with the exception of certain Aurors and the Ministry. They were called in when the Aurors were outmatched. They were the crème de la crème of Dark wizard fighters. With the initials of the people he’d lost in the last war, who meant the most to him, in the company name, he didn’t dare do otherwise.

No one was more surprised than himself with his choices of employees. Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy were good choices in hindsight, yet he’d had a difficult time with the selections. Those two, together, were responsible for keeping them all, even Harry himself, on the level. If, at times, desperate measures were needed, they would approve or deny the action and then assist with the backlash, should there be any. If things went unfavorable, they investigated to see what went wrong.

As Harry considered the implications of the inquiry, the sun had set on the horizon. His musing was interrupted by the sound of his name. “Potter!” shouted Malfoy as if he’d been calling awhile.

“Sorry, Malfoy,” Harry responded. “I was just thinking…”

“The investigation is done. Thought you’d want to know….” Malfoy stated evenly, clearly enjoying putting his superior on edge. He’d been hoping for the opportunity since taking the post.

“What did you find out?” Harry asked casually.

“You’re in the clear, if that what’s troubling you…”Malfoy sneered.

Harry sighed. He’d hoped Malfoy would get over his hostility toward him eventually. That clearly wasn’t to be. “Was it an inside job?” Harry asked ignoring the jibe.

“We don’t have enough information to know that for sure,” Malfoy said as he leaned indifferently against the door jamb. “It could be two distinct coincidences. It’s unlikely, yet possible.”

“You are going to keep at it, aren’t you?” Harry inquired.

“Of course,” said Malfoy. “Just because we can’t prove it yet, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

“Thanks,” muttered Harry.

“I’d appreciate the thanks in the form of a stipend in my next envelope, Potter…” suggested Malfoy.

“Find who’s behind all of this and that is a distinct possibility, Malfoy…” countered Harry.

Harry’s weekly outing with Ron was cut short as Harry had received an owl that there was an emergency at work. Apparating directly into his office, he flung open the door and bounded out at a run.

As he approached Neville’s office, he called out, “What’s happened? Where is she?”

“Harry, thank Merlin you’re here! Get to the hospital, mate. They’ve got her there,” Neville told him gently.

“Thanks, Neville!” Harry called as he apparated away.

He arrived at St Mungo’s within seconds. “Ming? Where is she?” he asked the desk clerk panting.

“Ms. Inoh is on the fourth floor, Mr. Potter, in the Dilys Derwent Wing,” stated the clerk.

Harry raced to the staircase, hurdling the railing he took as many as 4 steps at a time. The Healer was waiting for him at the top.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Potter. We did the best we could…” the Healer consoled as they walked down the hallway.

“Can I see her? Where’s Mee Tao?” Harry asked breathlessly.

“I wouldn’t advise going in there. She’s in pretty bad shape. Molly Weasley picked up your daughter. She’s at the Burrow.”

Harry nodded his understanding, however he ignored the advice. He stepped into the room and took in the sight of his marred but beautiful ex-wife. Carved into the flat plane of her stomach were the words:

WHO IS NEXT, POTTER?

Harry knelt by the bed. “I’m so sorry, Ming,” he said. “I’ll get whoever did this to you. I swear it…”

An ice cold rage filled him before he tamped it down. He signed the necessary paperwork and headed for the office. His eyes burning, he composed himself enough to find Neville.

“How is she?” Neville asked gently.

“She’s gone,” Harry answered with no hint of emotion.

“I’m so sorry, Harry…” Neville said with compassion. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, there is…” said Harry. “Contact Colleen, Deirdre, Ellen and the rest. Get them out of the country. Talk to Griphook, tell him it’s a Code Lily. He’ll get you the money you need. If anyone refuses, get Ron and have him escort them to my house. Tell them to STAY THERE! Can you do that, Neville?”

“I’m on it, Boss!” Neville affirmed. “Where are you going? It’s dangerous out there for you…”

“I’ve got to get to Mee Tao. She needs me now.”

Harry arrived at the Burrow. Molly Weasley was watching for him. “Come in, Harry dear,” she said as he approached.

“How is she?” he asked in a whisper.

“She’s sleeping, the poor dear,” clucked Mrs. Weasley. “She cried herself to sleep. I just pray she won’t remember what happened….”

“I’ll get her some help,” Harry stated. “Hermione will know who to contact…Oh, God…Hermione!” Harry rushed to the fireplace, throwing in a handful of Floo powder. “Hogwarts Library!” he shouted as he stuck his head into the flames.

“Shhhh! Harry! What’s wrong?” she asked seeing his face among the flames.

“There’s been trouble. I can’t talk now, but meet me at my house at…” Harry raised his arm to look at his watch, “…nine. I’ll explain everything then. Floo straight there. Don’t Apparate. The password is baby doll. That’ll get you in.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked gently.

“I can’t talk now, just please, do as I ask…” Hermione nodded her assent before Harry pulled his head from the flames.

“It’s starting again, isn’t it, Harry?” said Mr. Weasley as he entered the room.

“Yeah, it is…” said the devastated man.

Harry arrived home with the sleeping toddler to find his house had been taken over by women and children. He quieted the children. Estelle took MeeTao from him and carried her up to her room. Harry smiled his thanks.

He sent the other children to the playroom so he could bring his ex-wives up to speed.

When Estelle returned, the group adjourned to the dining room for a conference. Meetings such as this weren’t a regular occurrence, yet this wasn’t the first. Harry normally told his exes of his impending marriages this way, so the other women could welcome the new bride to the group and offer assistance.

Harry paced by the head of the table, wringing his hands. “What’s happening, darling,” soothed Estelle.

Harry drew a deep breath. “Ming was murdered tonight.” A gasp sounded from the ladies. “It was directed at me.” He looked each woman in the eye. “I am so sorry for this. I was only trying to help. I truly thought all this…stuff was behind me.”

“It isn’t your fault,” said Ellen.

Harry gave her a small sad smile. “I wish that were true, but as it stands, I need you all as far away from me as possible. It’s the only way I can keep you safe…” The women expressed loud dissent. “I’ll give you enough for your relocation and to start you out, but…”

“We won’t leave you, Harry…” stated Deirdre. “We’re all in this together…”

“I won’t risk the kids!” Harry exclaimed. “It’s too dangerous. Mee Tao witnessed her mother’s murder. I won’t put anyone else through that if I can help it…”

The group grew silent in consideration. Hermione rushed into the room and pulled Harry close to her. “Ron is on his way,”

Harry just buried his face in her bushy hair and breathed. She held onto him and allowed him to gather strength from her.

“Just give me a minute…” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be fine.”

“Take all the time you need, Harry,” answered Ellen giving the other ladies a knowing look. They gazed at each other as if saying, “So this is what Harry Potter looks like in love…”

A few seconds later, Harry raised and cleared his throat. A pitiful cry came from upstairs. “Want me to get her, Harry?” asked Deirdre.

“No, I’ll go,” he answered. “Just fill Hermione in on everything, if you would.”

Harry bound up the stairs and into his youngest daughter’s room. He picked her up gently. “Daddy’s here, princess. I won’t let anyone hurt you…”

The toddler, recognizing her father’s voice, settled immediately and went back to sleep in his arms. He attempted to replace her in the cot, but she opened he eyes unhappily each time. He quickly found the sling Ming provided for the baby and put it on, supporting and cuddling her against his chest.

He walked carefully down the stairs and rejoined the group. Ron had arrived and was conferring with Hermione in the corner. Upon seeing Harry, they rushed over to him. Harry allowed Ron to remove the sling and don it himself.

Harry sat at the head of the table and buried his face in his arms. Hermione placed a strong drink by his elbow. Harry raised his head and gazed at her. “Relax your rules for the night. We’ll take care of the kids….”

Harry nodded and downed the drink in one swallow. A Ministry owl flew into the room and dropped an official looking parchment before Harry. Harry winced before opening it. He knew what would be inside. He scanned the letter briefly.

“That was fast…” he said as he looked at his sleeping daughter safe in Ron’s arms. “This is good…” he added in an unconvincing tone. “Ming’s parents will be here shortly. They are taking Mee Tao back to China with them. She’ll be safe there….”

Harry heard gasps of “No!” and “They can’t take her!”

He looked at each of them determinedly. “They can and they will. Ming must have told them of our…er…arrangement. They’ve ordered a paternity charm…” Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts. “That’s her squared away. What about the rest of you?”

“Harry, you can’t push every one away! It didn’t work when we were younger and it won’t work now!” exclaimed Hermione.

“What options are left?” he asked her heatedly. “With Voldemort, the evil had a name and a face. I don’t even know who did this! I went into this to help, not to risk people getting killed and worse…” Harry sighed and continued in a soft almost inaudible voice, “You didn’t see her, Hermione. You didn’t see what they did to her…”

Several hours of discussion proceeded with no decisions being made. Harry was firm in his belief that they should all be as remote from him as possible, while everyone else argued just as adamantly that they wouldn’t.

“Harry,” said Hermione at last. “We aren’t getting anywhere with this. It’s very late. Let’s just sleep on it and talk more tomorrow…”

“That’s a good idea, Harry,” agreed Estelle. “We can each kip in the kids’ rooms. Things may look different after a good night’s sleep…”

Harry’s ex-wives made their way upstairs, leaving the trio as the lone adults in the room. Ron mumbled something about putting Mee Tao to bed before he left and followed. Hermione took Harry by the hand and led him up the stairs.

“Which one is yours?” she asked having only been in Mee Tao’s room. Harry inclined his head to the right. The double doors at the end of the hallway opened to a large suite. She started to comment on the opulence of the room, but glimpsing Harry’s dazed expression, she refrained.

She quietly disrobed and slid into the cool sheets. Meeting her there, he pulled her close. With a wave of his hand, the lights dimmed. “I don’t think I can go through this again,” he sighed.

“We’ll figure this out, my love. We always have before…” she crooned.

She stroked his hair as he lay across her bare chest. Soon his breathing evened out and she drifted off as well.

Cutting Losses

Chapter 5

Cutting Losses

Harry awoke before dawn and after silently checking the on children, slipped out of the house and Apparated to his office. He rummaged through his files for the reports.

Hours later, Neville found Harry with files and parchment strewn all across the massive desk. “Harry…” he murmured softly, “Go home. We can handle things from this end.”

“I can’t...” Harry responded as he went for another file. “They’ll kill them all. I know they will.”

Neville could tell Harry was near his exploding point, therefore he tread carefully. “You’ve written several feet of notes. Figured out anything?”

A gentle breeze blew thought the room. “No,” Harry replied. “Nothing, yet…”

The gust got stronger as the lights began to flicker. “Harry, mate, let’s go down to the Secure Room, so we can let off a bit of steam…”

“I can’t right now, Neville. Thanks, though,” Harry replied in a mock casual voice.

“Don’t make me pull rank, Harry…” Neville cautioned almost timidly.

“Don’t make me sack you…” Harry retorted with a scowl as several windows burst.

“Harry Potter,” Neville stated in an official tone. “As Deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs, I-I-I order you to the Secure Room…immediately!” then added a plaintive, “Please?”

Harry grimaced as he raised his eyes to the ceiling in an attempt to rage building within him. “I don’t have time for this, Neville. I’m sorry for being short with you…but…”

“ Harry, you put these safeguards in place for this very reason. You aren’t giving me any choice here…”Neville stated regretfully. He straightened into an almost military stance before adding, “Immediately, Potter!”

Harry smiled a dangerous smirk. He looked over at Neville, who gasped as Harry’s eyes flickered red for a infinitesimal second before he replied, “You want a piece of me, Neville? Have a nurse standing by…” He then stalked out of the office. With a tiny whimper, Neville followed.

By the time Neville had arrived in the cellar. Harry was seated atop a table in the middle of the room. Neville gulped as he entered. “Sorry, Neville,” Harry said sheepishly. “Why don’t you just go into the Control Room and just chuck stuff at me…”

Neville nodded, warded the room and went into the booth. After casting the additional protective wards, Neville began putting Harry through his paces. Harry used no wand, words or hand gestures as he disposed of or blocked the many creatures and curses Neville threw at him. It looked as if he had scared them into nonexistence with a glare.

Harry looked calm and collected as Neville emerged from the booth after an hour. The only sign of effort was his shirt damp with sweat. “Great workout, Neville,” Harry said with a grin. “I’m going to hit the showers. I must reek!”

“You’re still going on report, Harry…” Neville called after him. Harry just raised a hand in acknowledgement and kept walking.

He found Malfoy waiting in his office. “I know what this is about, Malfoy and I’m sorry. This thing with Ming has just got me on edge. It won’t happen again.”

“Damn right, it won’t!” said Malfoy with a scowl. “You need to go home, Potter. Let us handle things here. Fight for your daughter. Grieve for your ex-wife. Give the Saint Potter act a break, for Merlin’s sake!”

“I hear what you’re saying Malfoy, but…”

“But, you feel entirely in control of the situation, which is exactly why you flashed your Voldie-eyes at Neville…” Harry’s head dropped in shame. “Now do you have any further arguments or shall I write this up permanently?” Harry shook his head without raising it. “This is the safeguard you put into place, Potter. We’ve dealt with cases like this before and you know it. Page 24 section 3 paragraph iii of the job description you wrote says, and I quote, ‘If any company executive becomes too close to a case to be objective or if founder is too emotionally involved, it is mandatory that the Deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs remove him/her from active involvement in the case. It is at the Deputy’s discretion when to remove and when to re-enact said individuals to duty…Potter, you knew this was a possibility when you developed this company.” Malfoy watched as a lone tear splashed against the tile floor. “Harry, go home. Let us handle it for now. We’ll let you come back when you’ve dealt with things a bit more.” Harry nodded and disappeared.

He arrived in his back garden and stayed there until he was able to pull himself together. Entering the house, he saw Ellen calling to her twin boys, who happened to be traversing the upstairs railing from the outside. “Accio, boys…” said Harry with arms outstretched. The giggling twins came flying through the air and into Harry’s waiting arms. Ellen gasped and greeted him with a smile.

“Gentlemen, what did I say would happen the next time you tried that?” he asked.

“You said we’d get sent to bed,” said Bryce with a pout.

“…no matter what time of day it was,” finished a remorseful looking Blair.

“Yep,” said Harry.

“But that was when you were still our dad!” argued Bryce.

“You can’t still punish us, can you?” asked Blair.

He set the boys down and gave them his ‘Serious Dad” look and said, “Want to try me?” With a gasp, the boys scurried up the stairs and into the room they shared.

He gave Ellen a hug and asked, “Where is everyone?”

“Your girlfriend is at work. The kids are in the playroom. The rest of your harem is meeting in the dining room again to discuss what they are going to do. I stayed away since we are moving with Anthony anyway…” she responded. “I’m surprised you are home so early. It’s not even noon….”

“I’ll be home for a few days with…you know…” he replied vaguely.

Knowing by now she’d get no answers from him, Ellen nodded, gave him another squeeze and set him off to join the others.

Harry entered the dining room and took his regular place. The room fell silent. Estelle brought him a cup of tea, which she’d liberally spiked with a calming draught. Harry brought the cup to his lips, sniffed, raised an eyebrow at her, but still drank deeply. “That bad, is it?” he said at last.

“Harry,” she began. “We can’t all move overseas. It’s just not practical. And we can’t all move in here…”

“Why not? There’s plenty of room…” Harry interrupted.

Deirdre answered him. “The space isn’t the issue, Honey; we are all women you’ve helped to become independent individuals. As much as we care for each other and genuinely like each other, it wouldn’t work…”

“Besides,” began Colleen, “That wouldn’t be fair to your Hermione. Would you want her to be living with a bunch of men she once had a relationship with?”

“I just want to protect you all…” he argued. “I can do that here. No one gets through my wards without my permission.”

Estelle came over and placed a hand on his arm. “Harry, listen to us, we don’t want to be prisoners…to the wards…to the house…”

“We appreciate all that you’ve done for us, but we can’t go back to being totally dependent on you. That just wouldn’t work,” Deirdre said gently.

“What’s the answer, then?” Harry asked. “I just wash my hands of the lot of you?”

“We haven’t figured that part out yet,” said Colleen.

The conversation was interrupted by Hermione who came through the Floo. Brushing the soot off of her jacket, she rushed over to Harry. “Are you alright?” she asked as she encircled him in her arms.

He nodded and laid his head back against her chest, closing his eyes. Deirdre filled Hermione in on the discussion.

“How many renters are at Grimmauld Place?” Hermione asked Harry.

“Well, none at the moment, actually. I was going to do some refurbishing, you know carpets, and wallpaper...I just haven’t had time to get it done yet.”

“There you are, then,” she said. “Six flats, five families, hire a couple for minding and security for the other flat and problem solved…”

Harry looked around at the impressed and pleased expressions. “Brilliant solution, as always, Hermione…Is everyone in agreement?” he asked.

All decided it was a perfect solution. After arguing over the rent payments, which Harry was adamantly refusing, it was decided that they would forego their monthly child support payment from Harry in exchange, as well as complete the work he’d planned.

After lunch Harry left to meet with his barrister regarding Ming’s custody. There he was told that even if the Inoh’s were agreeable to relinquishing custody to Harry, the Ministry’s stance was that Harry’s violent history would prevent them from approving it…again. The barrister confirmed that Ming had wanted Mee Tao to be raised by Harry if anything happened to her, yet the law was entirely on the side of the Inohs.

“We can fight this, if you wish,” stated the barrister. “I can’t advise it, though. Ming’s parents know you are not the child’s biological father. They are asking that you submit to a paternity test to prove it publicly. With Chinese wizarding government is fully behind them, we have virtually no chance of success.”

“’Virtually no’ means what in terms of percentages?” asked Harry.

“Less than 5 percent…” said the barrister. “In the meantime, Mee Tao would be shuffled back and forth, caught in a tugging match. In the documents their barrister sent over, it stipulates that if you will relinquish custody to them without a fight, they will allow you to visit her yearly.”

“That’s blackmail…” scowled Harry.

“No, that’s legal negotiation. It’s their starting point. We come up with a counter and the game is on. I know you desire full custody, Mr. Potter, but quite frankly, that is not going to happen. I’m going to try for as much as I can get, but I need you to help me. I’d like you to meet with them, get them to see you as a human being…as a father. Show them they have nothing to fear from you…”

Harry agreed to a meeting after the funeral in two days time. Upon returning home, he found the house in pandemonium. Mee Tao was missing. She had been terrified when she noticed that her father wasn’t home. Harry raced up the stairs and found her immediately in his wardrobe. After calling to the others that he’d found her, he crawled in beside her and took her in his arms. He sang to her as she cried and wondered how he could possibly give her up.

“That went well, didn’t it?” Harry said as he and Hermione returned from the meeting with the Inohs. The emotional meeting with Ming’s parents went better than Harry ever anticipated. Harry had spoken frankly about his desires for Mee Tao, his past, and his future. They, in turn, spoke of their loss, their past and their fears. They were mostly concerned that Mee Tao would not know them or never learn of her heritage, if they gave custody to Harry, plus the fact of the danger associated with him.

“You were wonderful,” Hermione replied as they reclined on the sofa with a glass of wine. “I think, by the end, they were sad that you and Ming divorced…”

“Why do you say that?” asked Harry.

“You were so open with them. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you like that before.”

Harry rolled his eyes at her, before changing the subject. “I like this, knowing my children are sleeping upstairs, safe under my roof…I only wish the circumstances were different…”

Neville stopped by the following morning. The house was in chaos. He found Harry, with a sleeping Mee Tao cuddled in the sling on his chest, working on some files he’d brought home, oblivious to the mayhem surrounding him.

“Hey, Boss,” he called approaching the table covered in files, photographs and parchment notes.

“Neville, how are you?” greeted Harry.

“Fine, fine,” he answered. “Feel up to dropping by the office this afternoon?”

Harry’s eyes went wide. “The team has picked up on something…” he gasped.

“They might have done. They want you to look it over and see if the same pattern emerges.”

“Let’s go now…” stated Harry rising quickly enough to wake the sleeping child. “Oh, er….”

Neville chuckled. “Be there in a half hour’s time. That should allow enough to square things away here, shouldn’t it?”

“Yeah, okay. See you there...” he said as he returned his attention to his fussing daughter. He took her out of the sling and put her over his shoulder.

Estelle was watching the kids for the day. Harry found her attempting to straighten the play room. The twins, however, were destroying as fast as she could straighten.

“I need to run into the office for a bit,” Harry told her as he set Mee Tao down on the floor, where she immediately grabbed his leg in a death grip. “I don’t know when I’ll be back…”

Mee Tao shrieked as Estelle picker her up. Harry leaned close and said, “Princess…I need you to be good for Auntie E for me. Daddy will be back by bedtime.” The child sniffled as he spoke. He looked up at Estelle. “If she wants to hide, she’ll be in my room…”

“The kids aren’t allowed in your room…”

“Well, if anyone needs a safe spot about now, it’d be her.” Estelle nodded in understanding. “Just don’t drag her out of there. Have Cindy sit with her or something until she’s ready to come out on her own. She’s been scared enough…”

“You be careful, Harry,” Estelle cautioned.

“Aren’t I always?” remarked Harry with a smirk.

Harry stopped by Malfoy’s office to sign the reinstatement forms before heading in. “Don’t make me regret this, Potter,” Malfoy snarled. Harry didn’t allow himself to react, he just signed the forms and left to begin the meeting.

The conference room was set up for what appeared to be a long session. Over the next few hours, Harry was presented with the facts in evidence in Ming’s murder, as well as the failed missions. As he took notes and drew conclusions, a clear picture of the crime became unmistakable.

Harry looked down at his parchment filled with his spiky writing…

1. Suspect knew we used coins for communication…DA?

2. Suspect references to failed adoption attempt…Ministry?

3. Suspect knows about PED…High Level Ministry

4. Traces of photographic chemicals found on victim….photographer?

5. Suspect attempts to aim suspicion toward Dark Wizards…. Not a Death Eater?

6. Suspect has ties to Daily Prophet…..freelance photographer?

7. Magical signature indicates Muggle-born…can’t be…

8. Suspect thinks he’s helping me?...

9. Blonde hair fibers found at crime scene

Harry closed his eyes at the realization before writing a name across the page:

COLIN CREEVEY

“Why?” Harry asked taken aback.

“He’d been dating Ming to get information on you. It seems his hero worship has turned into a bit of an obsession…” said Tonks.

“We believe he killed her to get her out of the picture and leave you with the baby,” added Mad-Eye Moody.

“Why would he carve her like that, though?” Harry wondered aloud with a repulsed expression. “That’s just twisted…”

“That would add to the belief that it was Death Eaters committing the crime…” answered Moody. “He was trying to cover his tracks.

“Also keep in mind, Harry,” said Remus Lupin, “that the murder itself was not violent. The poison he gave her was peaceful. She never even felt nauseous. She just fell asleep and never woke up. The message wasn’t carved until much later. It was if he didn’t want to hurt her, yet…”

“…wanted her dead,” finished Harry.

“That’s right,” remarked Remus. “He didn’t believe the public persona you created for yourself, so after the last divorce, he got close to her to find out what you’d been up to.”

Harry gave a short sad little chuckle. “She’s the only one I told about PED…and he was in DA. He works for the Ministry….” Harry tensed as a hot wave of fury washed over him. “I will KILL that bastard…”

“Harry…” called Remus; however he was too late. Harry had already strode from the room. Moody gestured for Remus too follow Harry. He reached the hallway in time to see Harry enter Draco Malfoy’s office.

“Request permission to use an Unforgivable…” stated Harry firmly, as he crossed the threshold.

“Request denied,” replied Malfoy.

“Request permission to use lethal magic…”

“Request denied.”

“Request permission to use lethal force with no magic involved…”

“Request denied, Potter.”

“You are enjoying this, aren’t you, Malfoy?” Harry said through gritted teeth.

“Actually, I’m not. I know how you must be feeling, Harry. This just isn’t the way. We’ll get him, I promise you that. We just have to use legal channels…”

Harry’s shoulders slumped in defeat. While he could see how pitiful the Colin situation was, the anguish he’dput Harry through, not to mention Mee Tao, was unforgivable. “I’m going home, then. Let the Aurors take him,” Harry said at last.

“One thing before you go, Potter…” Malfoy said. Harry turned and waited at the door. “Come in and sit…” At Harry’s glare, Malfoy added, “P-please…” Harry, astonished to hear the nicety from his childhood foe, complied. “You need to be aware that this case will bring PED out in public. I figure we’ve got a day, two at the most before this blows wide open. I’d like your authorization to launch a full-scale media blitz, press tours and the works…”

Harry grinned and said, “Permission denied,” before opening the door to leave.

“You are just doing this to get back at me!” Malfoy sneered. Harry grinned much wider. “We need to do this before word leaks out and what we do is misinterpreted! What do I do to convince you this is the best way to protect your company?”

Harry remained silent and looking as smug as a niffler in Gringott’s. Malfoy sighed and dropped his head. With an irritated sneer, Malfoy said at last, “You were always a superior Seeker,” at Harry’s raised eyebrow Malfoy added through clenched teeth, “Gryffindor deserved the quidditch cup…”

Harry inclined his head at the blonde in front of him and smirked. “Permission granted.”

“When are you two ever going to grow up?” Remus grumbled.

Harry gave Remus a look and returned to his office. Emerging a few seconds later, he handed Malfoy a bank draft and said, “Use this for the press party I know you’ve been avoiding asking me for. Go ahead and plan for it as soon as Creevey is in custody...just give me tonight to come clean with my girlfriend…”

“Please tell me you aren’t getting married again…” Malfoy moaned.

“Not any time soon, no…” Harry replied.

“So, she’s not…er...”

“No. If you must know, Hermione and I got back together…”

“That’s wonderful news, Harry!” smiled Remus while Malfoy grimaced.

Harry stopped by the Burrow and asked Molly to mind his brood while he met with his houseguests. He relayed the pending charges against Colin and its ramifications, as well as his belief that they would no longer be in danger once Colin was in custody.

“I still think the flats are a good idea,” said Colleen. “I’d still like to take you up on that offer, if it is still open…”

“Same here,” added Estelle. “If my rent goes up one more time, I won’t be able to afford my flat anymore anyway.”

“I’d be honored for you to have the option available. Just think most of my kids will be under one roof! That should make visitation simpler.” The smile on Harry’s face faded as another thought crossed his mind. “If I’d thought of it sooner, maybe Ming would…”

“Stop that, Harry…” warned Ellen.

“We spent more time with her than you did and we didn’t see anything wrong,” said Deirdre. “Besides, you are NOT going to approve our dates for us.”

To their surprise, Harry agreed with her. “That would be a bit too weird.”

He went on to explain about his company and how the news would be going public. He invited them each to the press party and offered to watch the kids.

“You aren’t going?” asked Estelle. “This is your big night! You have to go!”

“Yeah, Harry,” said Deirdre. “If for no other reason than to rub it in to the press how wrong they’ve been about you…”

“I don’t give a damn what the press thinks of me or anyone else,” Harry said evenly. “Ming died because of me. I don’t plan to celebrate the result.” Harry strode from the room having said all he intended to.

Hermione and Ron arrived just before dinner. They found Harry in Mee Tao’s room reading to her. He looked up as they arrived. “Oh, you’re both here. Good. I wanted to talk to you both anyway,” he said.

“Did you hear the news, mate?” asked Ron.

“Not here,” said Harry as walked to the playroom and gave Mee Tao to Ellen, whose turn it was to watch the children. He motioned for Ron and Hermione to follow him.

He opened the doors to his suite and walked in. Ron followed, looking around incredulously. “This is some bedroom, Harry!” Hermione closed the door and cast silencing charms on the room.

Harry walked over to the bar and poured three glasses before turning to face his friends. He motioned for them to join him by the roaring fireplace. He and Ron each took one of the chintz chairs while Hermione perched on the sofa curling her legs under her.

“Colin Creevey has been arrested for murder!” Ron exclaimed.

“Yes, I know,” said Harry softly. “I built the case against him…”

“You what???” Ron and Hermione shouted in tandem.

Harry sighed before telling them his story. He finished with, “and I haven’t had a bloody cigarette in twelve days!”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” asked Ron. “Let’s go get a drink!”

The trio arrived at their regular pub. Hermione opted for a butterbeer while Ron and Harry had their regular stiff drink. Harry almost immediately lit a cigarette and drew the smoke into his lungs with a satisfied expression.

Hermione shared an eye roll with Ron before speaking. “Why didn’t you tell us about the business? We’d have been proud of you no matter what. You know that…”

Harry shrugged and said, “When I started it up, you and I weren’t speaking and Ron and I weren’t on the best of terms. You both seemed happy enough to accept my reputation on a surface level, so I saw no reason to correct it. Besides, I quite enjoyed the privacy the image gave me.”

“So you kept us at a distance so that we wouldn’t figure out the truth,” Ron surmised. Harry shrugged again and sipped his drink.

“How are you going to handle all of this going public?” Hermione asked.

“My plan is to ignore it as I’ve always done. I never wanted any of this and I don’t want it now…” Harry drained his drink and signaled for another.

“Whoa, mate, ease up a bit,” cautioned Ron. “You’ll be pissed in no time…”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Harry replied. “Within a month’s time, I will have lost a woman who meant so much to me, and three of my children. If anyone deserves a bit of peace at the bottom of a bottle, it would be me…”

Hermione jumped at his statement. “I just…I need to…I’ll see you later, Harry…Ron…” She kissed Ron on the cheek and Harry on the lips before heading out the door at a run.

“I hate it when she does that. I always have,” complained Ron staring after her.

“I think it’s cute,” stated Harry. “Her mind is going so fast that her words can’t keep up. That and the fact that she’s worked something out and wants to make sure it works before she brings us in on it.”

“You lot and your secrets…” grumbled Ron. “You deserve each other…”

“Thanks, Ron,” Harry said genuinely.

“It wasn’t a compliment. I meant that you are both mental!” retorted Ron.

“I’m taking it as one anyway…” grinned Harry.

“You haven’t told us everything, have you? You’ve still got an arseload of secrets, don’t you?”

Harry raised an eyebrow at his friend. “I will neither confirm not deny that theory…”

Ron wasn’t sure, but he swore for a split second Harry’s green eyes were red. “Nah,” he told himself. “It was just the lighting…”

Author’s note: Hello, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read and/or review my story. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank first, my lovely beta, Jax Granger. She’s wonderful. I had so very much trouble with Chapter 5 and her suggestions made it into something I actually liked, which is quite a change from the first email of “I HATE THIS CHAPTER!!!” Thanks, Jax! I’d also like to take a second to give a verbal wave to my friends at that other site.

Slip of the Tongue

Chapter 6

Slip of the Tongue

Hermione had searched everywhere, the dance floor, the bar, she’d even sent Ron in the loo, to find Harry. Surely he wouldn’t skive off his own party. Then it hit her. He’d said earlier that he would only go if the kids were there. He could only be in the nursery. The Ministry had set up a room for parents to drop off their children before the party. When she thought about it, if he were there, it would only help her plan. She’d asked the Inoh’s to the party so they could see what kind of man Harry really was. This would be perfect.

With Mr. and Mrs. Inoh in tow, she cast a viewing charm on the nursery wall. She had to laugh as she saw her beloved bow to his oldest daughter, before taking her in his arms, with his youngest daughter clinging to his leg. She watched the older couple smile as Harry, in full dress robes, waltzed with his daughters.

“This is the Harry I wanted you to meet,” she said to them. As you’ve found out tonight, the Harry the world sees and who the man truly is are widely different.”

They watched for a few minutes more as Harry danced with the children in turn. For the twins, he switched the music to a wild Weird Sisters tune. Hermione laughed as Harry imitated a head banging guitar player.

Ron rushed up to them frantically. “They’re calling for Harry. Did you find him? He’s getting another Order of Merlin, the lucky sod…”

Hermione pointed at the transparent wall, where Harry was again waltzing, only with Emmie. Ming Tao was still firmly attached to his leg, giggling. Ron smiled. Hermione waved her wand at the wall and it returned to its original opaque institutional beige. She led the group around the corner to the door of the nursery.

“Harry,” she called. “They are waiting for you…”

Harry grimaced and looked very much like an obstinate child. He picked up Mee Tao and swung her into his arms, knowing she would shriek if he left her. “Want to see Daddy get made a fool of?” he asked her.

Mee Tao clapped her chubby hands, “Dada Foo!! Dada Foo!!” she cried.

“Can we come, too, Da?” asked Janie.

Harry started to shake his head before reconsidering. “Let’s all go! Potters past and present…” he called. “…in formation, please.”

His children lined up by age and readied themselves to follow their father. As Harry and his troupe entered the ballroom, the hall went silent. After a few awkward moments, Ron began clapping. Everyone else joined in as the room was filled with a deafening applause.

Draco Malfoy returned to his speech. “The man that defeated the most horrible Dark wizard of our time; the man who allowed each and all of us to ridicule him in order to maintain his privacy, the most powerful wizard of the age, I present the founder and owner of PED Assistance, Harry Potter…”

An ovation began anew as Harry, still holding Mee Tao, stepped up on stage. “Thank you,” he mumbled nervously. The Minister hung the medal around his neck and motioned for him to give a speech.

Harry reddened but began speaking hesitantly. “I started the company we are celebrating tonight to honor the people whose influence and sacrifice made me the man I am today. PED Assistance…Potter, Evans and Dumbledore… was begun so that my children and yours won’t have to live through what we all faced.

I’d like to introduce my children to you now. Emmie is the oldest. She’s going to give Gryffindor their next Chaser!” he said beaming with pride. At Marcus Flint’s choking sound, Harry added with a chuckle, “…or possibly Slytherin. Next is Cindy. She is so quiet you almost forget she’s there. Then, there’s my twins, Bryce and Blair, who won’t let you forget they are there. If you can’t remember the Weasley twins when they were young, just watch these two. Sadly, they’ll be moving away soon. I’m going to miss them terribly. Next is Janie, who is the sunniest child on this planet. And finally is Mee Tao, my baby, who will be soon joining her grandparents in China. These are the reasons for the choices I’ve made,” he said extending his arm toward the children, “The children of the wizarding world deserve to grow up without fear…without the terror that some megalomaniac will destroy our world again.”

“While we are participating in a ‘Mutual Admiration Society’, I’d like to thank a few people, myself. To my team, without their help, none of this would have been possible. Remus Lupin, who handles the never ending paperwork and scheduling. Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dean Thomas, Zachariah Smith, Oliver Wood and Blaise Zabini, I couldn’t ask for better field support. I owe them my life, quite literally actually. Neville Longbottom is the one who keeps us all in line. And finally, Draco Malfoy; this is the man who challenges me when I’m ready to give up.”

“Thank you for this honor, I accept it on behalf of my team. These people have kept my secrets over these many years. I can’t thank them enough for their sacrifices and their hard work on my behalf.” He looked each member in the eye as he said, “None of this would be possible without you. I’d also like to mention a couple of people who have accepted me unequivocally since our first trip on the Hogwarts Express. Ron Weasley is a friend who will never leave your side. Even when he thought I was mad…”

“I still think you’re mad!” Ron called out with a grin that Harry returned. Luna slapped at Ron’s arm for interrupting.

“...he stood by me without pressure, without prying. He just let me know that he was there. And Hermione Granger, the love of my life…” He looked at Hermione and saw tears rolling down her cheeks, “…I’m sorry I pushed you away for so many years. I hope you understand why I did that and can forgive me. I love you.” Hermione mouthed the same back to him. Mee Tao gave a huge yawn. Harry laughed and concluded, “Now that I’ve sufficiently bored everyone, including my daughter, I’ll close. Please enjoy the evening. Thank you again…”

Harry stepped from the stage as Malfoy called out, “Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be a press conference tomorrow at the offices of PED. We’ll give a tour, and then answer questions from two to three.” Harry glared at him. Malfoy just smirked.

Harry took the children back to the nursery, with the exception of Mee Tao, and returned to the ballroom. He was accosted as soon as he entered, which frightened the baby. Harry held up a hand and begged off answering questions until the press conference. He quickly found Hermione. Giving Mee Tao over to her grandmother, he led Hermione to the dance floor.

“We’ve never danced, you and I…” he observed.

“You were never much of a dancer…” she answered as went into his arms to dance.

“I’m still not,” he grumbled. “I’m better than I was in fourth year, though.”

“We’ll soon see about that…” she challenged. Harry retaliated to her cheek by spinning her before bending her into a low dip. “Very nice, Mr. Potter…I stand corrected.” Harry smiled as he pulled her close.

The next afternoon, Ron met Hermione in her Ministry office before they went over to PED. They were offering Harry moral support, knowing he’d rather have his toe nails removed than answer questions to the press.

Harry visibly relaxed when he saw them. “Thanks for coming,” he said. “I didn’t want to ask…”

“You didn’t have to…” Ron answered. “We know you.”

“You two are the best!” Harry replied. “Maybe Malfoy can handle it. He lives for this stuff…” The second Harry finished speaking, Malfoy opened the door.

“It’s time, Potter,” he said and received a glower in return.

“I don’t want to…” Harry whispered. “Please don’t make me do this….”

“Potter, you have to,” Malfoy said urgently. “It’s you they want to talk to. They were already disappointed not to see you in your office.”

“Draco, give me a minute with him…” urged Hermione.

Draco nodded and turned to leave, saying, “So…Weaselby, how goes it at...”

Hermione pulled Harry close. “You have to do this, you know that…” Harry nodded. “How about this…” she leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “…since the house will be empty other than Mee Tao, why don’t I come over and fix dinner. After we put her to bed, we can try out that lovely bathtub you’ve got…I won’t even wear a swimsuit this time…”

Harry’s mouth dropped open. “Y-y-y-you don’t fight fair. Did you know that?”

Hermione chuckled before bringing his lips to hers. The kiss broke off at a muffled, “Sorry…” They looked up to find a very red Neville at the door. “We need you down there, Harry.”

“I’ll be there in a minute…” Harry replied before devouring Hermione’s mouth again.

Harry and Hermione, hand in hand, arrived in the courtyard where the conference was held, only a few minutes late. They were immediately blinded by flashes as they moved to the podium.

Harry, more patiently than expected, answered question after question. He was asked from the final battle against Voldemort to how the company was funded to his future plans. He brilliantly gave non-answers to questions that would compromise the security of the company. Finally, two hours later than scheduled Malfoy called a halt to the conference. The employees, along with Harry’s guests, returned to the building. They met in the conference room, where Malfoy had sandwiches and an assortment of beverages. Harry quickly drained a glass of Ogden’s and reached for a sandwich.

“I know that was uncomfortable for you, Potter, but as much as it pains me to say it, you were brilliant. Some of those questions were ridiculous and they never even knew you talked in a circle, but didn’t say anything at all. I’m impressed.”

“I never want to do that again…” Harry stated as he tossed back another glass of firewhiskey and reached for his cigarettes.

Remus looked concernedly at Hermione. She shook her head, answering his silent question. The group rehashed the conference before calling it a day. Harry, despite having consumed a volume of alcohol, didn’t appear impaired in any way.

Before he could leave, Harry received an urgent owl from his barrister. He Apparated to the legal office and stormed through the door. His barrister met him and quickly led him to his private office. “You’ve had a busy week, Mr. Potter,” the barrister began. “I’m about to make it better…” Harry didn’t respond, but listened intently. “I don’t know how you did it, but I obtained a document today from the barrister representing the Inohs. According to this document, as long as you agree to the stipulations provided therein, once you sign it, in sixty days, you will have full permanent custody of Mee Tao.”

Harry’s eyes grew wide as his mouth dropped open. “What are the stipulations?” he asked skeptically.

“They want two weeks every summer, every other Christmas; you have to provide lessons in Chinese culture, heritage, etc., and finally according to the grandmother, ‘Feed that child some meat!’ Apparently, they don’t share Ming’s vegan lifestyle. They want her to experience and decide for herself.”

“So much for a five percent chance….” Harry beamed.

“I almost feel like I shouldn’t charge you for this. I really didn’t do anything…” At Harry’s raised eyebrow, the barrister added, “Almost, I said. You’ll still get my bill.”

Harry chuckled. “I’d hate to be the cause of barristers getting a good name…”

“Sign the bloody form and go pick up your child, Mr. Potter,” the barrister stated laughing.

Harry stopped by Grimmauld Place to see how everyone was settling in. He liked the couple they’d hired. The young witch was formerly a nursery school teacher and her husband taught Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts for a year. Harry was pleased with the choice and the couple was happy with the arrangement as well.

Arriving home, Harry was pleased to see that Mee Tao was busy with Hermione in the kitchen. Hermione was dashing around preparing dinner, while Mee Tao sat in her highchair engrossed in the birds that Hermione must have conjured to fly above the child just out of reach. A feeling of giddy happiness that nearly took his breath away swept through him as he leaned against the doorjamb.

“Dada!” Mee Tao squealed, spotting him first. Hermione spun to look for him. Their eyes met and she knew something wonderful had happened.

“How was your day?” she asked with a mock casual tone.

Harry frowned. “The day was lousy, but the evening is starting off rather nicely…” he grinned.

“Did anything…er…happen that I would need to be aware of?”

“If you are asking if your little scheme with Mee’s grandparents had any effect, then, yes, something happened….”

“Oh, Harry!” she cried as she launched herself at him. “That’s wonderful news! They are going to let her visit you! I’m so pleased! This….”

“Hermione…” Harry interrupted. “Mee Tao won’t be ‘visiting’…I’ve adopted her! They gave me full custody…with certain conditions, of course, but in sixty days, she’s mine!” Tears streaked down Hermione’s face as Harry’s news sunk in. “No one can take her from me…ever…So, no matter why you did whatever it was, I am eternally grateful.”

“Honestly, Harry, I didn’t do that much. I just made sure they attended the party last night and got to see the real you. It just wasn’t fair that they judged you on all that rubbish that wasn’t even true!”

“What ‘real me’ are we talking about?” asked Harry suspiciously.

Hermione blushed and said, “I may have shown them you in the nursery, dancing with the kids…but after the party, they had many questions about you. I just answered them truthfully…”

Harry snorted. “And without prejudice, I’m sure…but no matter…” he smirked. “You’ve enacted something my barrister said I had nearly no chance of accomplishing and I promise to try to never get on you for your manipulations again…”

“I’m not manipulative!” shouted Hermione in pretend outrage.

“Hark! Rita Skeeter ring any bells?” he grinned. “You are only calculating when you see an injustice that needs righted…Better?”

“No,” she purred as she hugged him, “but it’s true, so I can’t complain.”

Harry helped her finish supper, and then got Mee Tao ready for bed. He was mentally noting everything that happened….her first bit of ham…her first bath as officially his daughter, his first kiss from his child as her legal father…

He reluctantly left his sleeping daughter and went into his bedroom. There he found Hermione drinking a glass of wine and staring into the flickering fire. “Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey,” she replied.

“You look deep in thought. Anything you wish to share with the class?” He gave her a warm smile.

“I was thinking about you,” she returned.

“That sounds ominous…” he said hesitantly.

Hermione laughed softly. “No, not at all... This room seems to be your only personal extravagance. This tells me that this is where you escape. It’s so very opulent…I could daydream all day and still not envision a bathroom as grand as yours…”

Harry shrugged. “I guess I may have overdone it just a bit…”

“Of course not! If anyone deserves a bit of extravagance, it’s you. Your house is so homey, yet this room feels like an entirely different world. I could just get lost in here…”

“I’d always find you…” Harry said as he crossed to join her on the sofa. “Anyway, let me check on Mee Tao and then you can tell me more about this bath you mentioned earlier…”

As he left, Hermione smiled before heading to the bathroom. She was awed by the gold fixtures and Gryffindor coloring. She drew a warm bath in the enormous tub with lots of bubbles and climbed in up to her neck. She was swimming an even backstroke when Harry returned.

“Don’t stop,” he said. “You look beautiful.”

Hermione stopped anyway and snorted. “Next you’ll tell me I look like a mermaid…”

“Er…no…” said Harry with a disgusted expression. “Since our fourth year, mermaids hold no attraction for me…”

“Is Mee sleeping peacefully then?” asked Hermione.

“Yeah,” replied Harry. “I used a combination locator charm. If she stirs much, her nightlight will go on. If that happens, I’ll be alerted as to the frequency and severity.” Hermione looked at him astonished and impressed. “It’s just something I was tinkering with last week for work and decided to see if it would perform in other applications…”

“You should register it at the Department of Experimental Charms….” Hermione chided.

“Remus takes care of all of that…He registers my charms under a pseudonym, so that they can’t be traced back to me…and I can’t get into trouble for using them. It’s a great set up…”

“It sounds perfect for you…you ignore the rules and someone else maneuvers the situation to where no rules were actually broken…” she retorted teasingly.

“Well, that just sounds dishonest when you put it that way…” he chided just as mischievously.

She gave a high tinkling laugh before submerging into the water. Harry slipped off his robe and slid into the foamy water. Hermione swam over to him. He pulled her into a hug. He rested his head against the top of hers, his arms around her bare midriff. His fingers were toying with the straps of her bikini top.

“We’ve been very good at restraining ourselves. We haven’t let things get out of control once since that first night…” she reminded him.

He mumbled, “Mmhmmm…,” against her wet hair.

“I think that calls for a reward, don’t you?” she asked coquettishly. He looked her in the eye as she continued. “I know your rules state that women don’t sleep over when there are children here; but that seems a bit unfair, since Mee Tao will live here permanently…”

“A bit of alteration might be in order…” he replied with a smirk as he pulled the bikini string. His hands lowered to play with the strings at her hips.

As the bikini bottom sank to the bottom of the pool, Hermione pressed her body against him. Her hands dropped to his bum and pulled him tight so that there was no part of her body that wasn’t in contact with his.

“I want you so very badly….” He kissed her soundly before he added, “Maybe we should take this into my room…” He slid his arms to her knees and lifted her carefully. She kissed and nipped at his neck as he ascended the pool steps.

He strode toward the bed and laid her down on the massive bed among the many pillows. “You look so amazing….My fantasies haven’t done you justice….” He, still wearing his dripping swimming trunks, climbed up beside her.

“You’ve had fantasies? About me?” she asked stunned.

Harry snorted. “Of course I have. I purchased this bed for that very reason. Remember when we fell out of my four-poster at Hogwarts?”

“I remember,” she replied. “We were so tangled in the hangings that you had to call Ron to free us…”

“Exactly, I’ve never been so mortified in my life,” stated Harry. “This bed allows the occupant to roam, so to speak, at will with no danger of falling off. I think of it every time I come in here.”

“Very clever of you…” she said as she rose to meet his lips in a fiery duel. Panting when they parted, she added, “You seem to be a bit overdressed…not to mention soggy.”

He cast a drying charm on his shorts, not allowing her to remove them just yet. “You first…” he whispered trailing kisses down her neck and beyond.

Upon fulfilling her craving for that ever eluding plateau, he moved over her and made her his own once more. In what felt like minutes, yet could have been much more, he felt his impending pinnacle approach.

She began kissing his neck as she curled her fingers in his tousled hair. She thought she heard him sigh, “Bite…”, so she nipped as well. The satisfying growls he voiced convinced her to bite harder, which promptly sent him right over the edge.

He collapsed against her and whispered into her ear, “Merlin, I love you…Will you marry me?” His eyes flew open and he flung himself from her as if he were doused in icy water, clapping a hand to his mouth. “I’m so sorry, Hermione…I didn’t mean to say that…”

“Why would you be sorry?” she asked. “I’ve wanted you to ask…”

Harry rose, donned his dressing gown and began pacing. “You deserve a proposal that you can tell your friends about, not just tossed out in the throes of passion…I wanted to plan the perfect setting, something special…”

She called him over to her and held him as she explained, “I don’t need all of that,” she replied. “I only want honesty. You can’t get more honest than the way it happened. Personally, I find it kind of complimentary. You have erected this wall around your feelings that I seriously doubted ever breaking through. Your words came straight from your heart.”

Harry rolled his eyes at her. “I’ve been married before…which could be an understatement, I understand. The first thing any female friend will want to know is ‘How did he ask? You can’t tell them this…It’s just…dirty…besides there’s a few more secrets I need out in the open before you make your decision.”

Hermione chuckled. “You are so sweet. You don’t need to tell me every secret. You are a complicated man. I long ago accepted that you would have secrets from me. As far as what I’ll say...I will just say that I came over and made dinner, we put Mee Tao to bed, and you asked as we were relaxing…Nothing dishonest…as long as you meant it...”

“Of course I meant it…I’ve been trying to keep from saying it since I got home!”

“Well, then, I accept your proposal, Harry. Nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife.”

“Wait! Wait!” he stopped her. “Let’s at least finish the thing correctly…” He sprang from the bed and began dressing hastily. “Meet me in the living room.”

Humoring him, she dressed and made her way down the stairs. He was there waiting with two glasses of champagne. He handed her one and dropped to one knee and looked up at her. “Hermione Granger,” he began. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved…to have a loving family. I wanted someone to love me for who I am not for what I’ve done, because believe me, I’ve done quite a bit that I’m not proud of. You’ve always been the one to see that person and for whatever reason, want me anyway. I cannot imagine living the rest of my days without you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small box and opened it to reveal a ring with a large solitaire diamond. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears shone in her eyes as she accepted with a breathy, “Yes.”

He stood and placed the ring on her finger. “I still need to tell you some things, though,” he said as he tipped the champagne glass to her lips.

“You can tell me everything you need to on our honeymoon,” she stated assuring him that she would accept him regardless.

Secrets, Wine and Ears

Chapter 7

Secrets, Wine and Ears

Harry opened the door with difficulty and carried his bride into the suite. Setting her down carefully, he lowered his lips to hers, while raising a hand to spell the door closed. The Muggle porter gasped at the action, then shook his head as if to clear it. He immediately saw that his demonstration of amenities was going to be ignored, he cleared his throat.

“Oh, sorry… forgot you were there…” mumbled Harry as he reached into his pocket for a gratuity.

“No need, sir. Gratuities are included in your package,” the porter explained.

“I’ll make you a deal,” stated Harry. “If you leave us to muddle about on our own, we promise to ask if we need anything, I’ll double the tip, if you catch my meaning?” Harry gave him a meaningful glare. “Otherwise, I’ll continue to ignore you and we’ll both end up embarrassed.” He held out a few notes toward the porter.

Hermione watched, torn between chiding Harry for his behavior and cheering his urgency. The porter took the proffered money and made a hasty exit. “That wasn’t very nice…” she said unenthusiastically.

“I don’t care,” Harry replied evenly as he wrapped his arms around her again. “I based my decision on the amenities offered; therefore I don’t need a tour. What I do need is my wife…in bed…naked…soon.”

“We can afford this, can’t we?” she asked hesitantly. “I mean this is the ‘Sleeping Beauty Suite’; only the most expensive suite in the entire resort…”

He laughed. “I see you did your homework as well. We’re fine, Hermione,” he reassured her. “I’ve plenty of money, both galleons and Euros. We’ll discuss finances another time. Now, if memory serves, we were about to rumple that ridiculously expensive bed in the next room…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry and Hermione spent their days either sightseeing in the city or roaming about the park. Harry had purchased the customary Mickey Mouse hats for everyone he knew.

Hermione giggled at Harry’s childish enthusiasm. “Why do we need those?” she laughed looking at the huge bag of Mickey Mouse hats.

“I wanted them. They are brilliant! It’s just a hat, yet it tells anyone who sees it, ‘Hey, I know how to have fun!’” Harry grinned pointing at the hat.

“No,” she replied. “It says, ‘I wasted money on a stupid tourist gimmick, which was overpriced by at least one hundred fifty percent.’”

“Relax, Hermione. I’ve plenty of money. A few hats won’t break us. Besides, this is the first holiday I’ve ever had. I’ll look at this hat maybe twenty years from now and remember it.”

“What do you mean, ‘this is your first holiday’?’ Surely on summer break…”

“Exactly what I said,” he interrupted. “Just because you had a family that enjoyed taking you places, doesn’t mean we all did. The Dursley’s went on holiday; I stayed either with Mrs. Figg or locked in my cupboard or my room. I did get to go to the zoo once, though. It didn’t turn out well.”

“But you said you’d been to the sea…”

“Yes, well…that was just to avoid the letters from Hogwarts. My Aunt and Uncle didn’t want me to read it, Uncle Vernon tried to escape them, and there were loads of them, by driving us all over the country. Finally, as you know, Hagrid caught up with us and gave me my letter…”

Hermione finally understood. She marveled at the fact that he seemed so undamaged by the abuse he’d grown up with and strived to make this trip soothing to his inner child.

They’d ridden Space Mountain-Mission 2 numerous times, even though Harry stated after each ride, “Eh, I’ve flown faster on my broom…”

They found the Phantom Manor hilarious, as well as the dragon. Hermione had to shush him several times as he boasted about the Horntail he’d faced being much scarier.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On their second day, a wizard park employee had recognized Harry and discreetly connected their fireplace to the Floo Network. Every evening Harry talked to his children, who relaxed him further by assuring him they were fine.

“Harry! Aren’t you coming?” Hermione asked as she re-entered the suite. She smiled as she saw her new husband in his finest dress robes with his head once again in the fire.

“Be a good girl for Daddy, would you?’ he said as he blew kisses to whatever child was on the other end. “Now go and get Emmie for me. I love you and I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

Harry chatted with Emmie, and then Deirdre for a few minutes more before giving his final farewells. “Sorry,” he mumbled to his new bride as he brushed the soot from his robes.

“Don’t be…” Hermione said. “Dinner can wait.”

“Not anymore it can’t! I’m starving!” he said with a mock exasperated tone before taking her hand. On the way out the door, he grabbed his mouse-eared hat.

“You are NOT wearing that ridiculous hat to dinner!” she scolded. He had taken to wearing the hat everywhere since arriving at the resort in Paris.

“Yes, dear…” he grumbled. “But if anyone else is wearing one, I’m summoning it!”

“Since this is our last night, I’ll agree to a compromise. If anyone older than seven is wearing one…” she offered. “…you may conjure another one while in the bathroom. We are at a Muggle resort, keep in mind!” Harry made a face at her. She chuckled. “If I knew you were going to regress while here, I wouldn’t have suggested it. You are making me feel old!”

“Then let your hair down,” he suggested as they reached the lift. “Besides, you suggested Paris. I’m the one that thought of Disneyland…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a night of fine dining and dancing, the newlyweds returned to their spacious suite. Harry filled the Jacuzzi while his wife made drinks. Tonight was the night for ‘The Conversation’ he’d been both looking forward to and dreading.

“We should bring the kids here someday,” Hermione offered. “They’ll love it.”

“That’s a great idea, love! We can book a suite of rooms so each family can come. I bet even Ellen and Anthony would go for that,” he said as he slipped into the churning bubbles. “I’d want to wait until Mee Tao is a bit older, though.” Hermione nodded her agreement while she disrobed and joined him.

“This is wonderful!” Hermione moaned as the pulsating water relaxed her muscles.

“Yes, I think I need to be adding these jet thingies to my tub at home…” He sipped his drink waiting for her to start the discussion he was not looking forward to.

“How can you drink so much? I’ve had much less and my head is spinning…”

Harry sighed in resignation. “That’s all part of what I’ve wanted to tell you, yet didn’t want you to know. Now, I realize we should have talked about all of this before the wedding, but you gave me an easy way out and I took it. I’ll make you the same deal. If what I’m about to tell you makes you afraid or not want to be married to me, then I will understand and grant you a divorce as soon as we get back.”

“Don’t be stupid,” she said.

“I’m not,” he answered. “I’m being realistic. Off we go then, I suppose …remember how we found out in second year that Voldemort transferred some of his powers to me?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“When I killed him, I ended up with the rest of him or something. I hear his voice in my head, like that evil voice you hear as a child urging you to do something naughty. I feel his power in my veins. I spent the first two years afterward trying to drink my troubles away. I couldn’t, not just because I’m a Gryffindor, either. Alcohol has no effect on me, other than keeping him quiet. I can’t get pissed; I never have, no matter how much I have to drink. That’s where the imbalanced recluse thing came from…that first two years.”

“I don’t need a wand or words to cast spells. All I need is focus and intent. If I feel extraordinary rage, he attempts to take over. A few times he’s been successful for a second or two before I can force him back into submission. I’m told that my eyes will flash red when that happens.”.

“…told by whom?” she asked concerned.

“Malfoy and Neville, that’s why I hired them. Their main task is to keep me, thereby him, in line. Malfoy calls it my ‘Voldy-eyes thing,’” Harry said with a grin that quickly faded. “They have ultimate power over the company. I can hardly do anything without their permission. I know I can control him permanently, but I created these safeguards so that if my secret were known, it wouldn’t be possible to harm the company.”

“Why Malfoy?” she asked.

“Can you think of anyone better? Malfoy and I have a history. He loves to hold over my head that he can suspend me if I get out of line. Neville is more willing to see my side of things, to give me a reasonable doubt. I wanted someone in that position who would be biased against me. It’s a good balance, if I do say so.”

“Is…is…is the biting thing part of this?” she asked not really sure if she wanted the answer or not.

“Noticed that did you?” he replied, his face reddening. “Yeah, a bit… Since the final duel with Voldemort, I’ve noticed I’m a bit harder…rougher, therefore sex follows suit. I don’t know if it because I’ve killed him or that’s just the way I am, my upbringing, or even, perish the thought, that’s the way he likes it. I meant it when I said it hurts in a good way….”

“I understand…” she whispered.

“D-d-d-does it bother you? I don’t need it by any means…” he stuttered.

Hermione smiled at him before taking his hand. She kissed each fingertip before moving to the section between his thumb and index finger. She bit down hard on the fleshy skin. Harry gave a short yip before quickly pulling her into his lap and kissing her. She felt another type of reaction making itself known below the surface of the water. She reached down to stroke him. Before long Harry was carrying her back into the bedroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She knew if she wanted information, she’d have to continue the discussion they had begun earlier. “What about the smoking?” she asked, feeling bold.

“What about it?” he responded.

“Well,” she hesitated, since he’d reacted badly to the question before. “Is that linked to this somehow?”

Harry grinned mischievously, “Yeah, a bit,” he replied. “He just hates it when I do that…”

“This will take some getting used to…” Hermione admitted. “This is quite a…revelation, Harry.”

“I know,” Harry mumbled, before sitting up to speak looking directly into her eyes. “Like I said, if you need time or want to…”

“No!” she exclaimed, sitting up as well. “Stop trying to push me away. I won’t leave you regardless. I can’t say that it is a total surprise to me. I figured something like this had happened. You’ve certainly given me enough clues along the way…”

“I wasn’t trying to…”

“I know you weren’t,” she said. “I just know you and I know how you handle things. When I figured out that you loved me still after all this time, I knew there was something that kept you away for so long. I just need to wrap my mind around the fact. That’s all. I mean, this is certainly better than I had imagined….”

“Dear Merlin, Woman!” Harry exclaimed. “What did you think it was? I thought this would be the one thing that causes you to leave me…I just wanted a little bliss all my own to live on when that happened.”

“That will never happen,” she reassured him. “I envisioned pretty much the same thing, but you wouldn’t be able to suppress him, that he’d be able to take over from time to time.”

“I have safeguards against that as well…” he said sadly. “He doesn’t possess me, not like in the past or like Ginny’s thing. His essence, not his soul, just exists within me. The thing is, Hermione, and I hope I don’t sound like a complete prat when I say this, but…I’m really powerful. I have my power from before in addition to his. Power is an addictive element. I know and can perform efficiently every Dark curse known in history, because he could. If the Dark overcomes me, I would rather take action than risk becoming a Dark Lord myself.”

“What type of safeguards and actions are you referring to?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“Neville and Malfoy are instructed and have taken a blood oath to eliminate me, if necessary. When the Creevey thing started, they thought, at first that it was me. They had good reason because the sabotage was very ‘Gryffindor trying to act Slytherin’. I knew it and they knew it. If I had been in their shoes, I would suspect me as well.”

“You could never do that, Harry. Your heart won’t let you.”

“I agree, but I just can’t take that chance.”

“If I can do something to help, will you let me?” she asked as her eyes gleamed.

“Sure,” he said. “I’m not sure what you are planning, but feel free to try…”

Late into the night, despite their early departure the next morning, the couple talked about anything and everything. “I just wish I could give you a child, Harry. I mean, I understand that it’s impossible, but it doesn’t make the wish go away.”

“Will you miss not being able to experience pregnancy?“ he asked tenderly.

“I hope not. I’ve never felt the rumored ‘biological clock’ ticking, but if it happens, I’ll talk to you about it. For now, I just want to enjoy Mee Tao... and spoil her”

“Well, we’ve already researched the options in the Muggle world. If you want to see what can be done magically, I’m behind you,” he said.

“I did read about an experimental charm once. I’ll check it out more when I get back to work, but remember Harry; I married you for you, not your ability to father children. If it works out, we’ll talk about it when the time comes. If it doesn’t, and we want more kids, we can adopt. Since the Ministry learned the truth about you, we should have no trouble adopting. None of these decisions need to be made now, though. When we get back, I want to concentrate on the little family we have and let the future worry about itself.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, they left early and caught a portkey to Yangshuo where they were greeted by Mee Tao’s grandparents. Mee Tao squealed with glee upon seeing her father after ten days.

Harry had studied protocol relentlessly in the days before the wedding, so he felt prepared when he arrived. Hermione was proud of the way he prepared the gifts with red and gold wrapping. Mr. Inoh wore the Disney hat to dinner, so Harry quickly donned his own, much to Mee Tao’s delight. Harry dressed her in a pink fleece outfit with a black hood which sported its own set of mouse ears.

Mrs. Inoh commented that Mee Tao had not been eating very well while she was there, even though they’d attempted to give her foods to which she was accustomed. Now that her Daddy was near, the toddler ate with enthusiasm, so much so that Hermione was worried of stomach upset later.

Harry’s family stayed overnight in Yangshuo . The women took Mee Tao shopping, while Harry and Mr. Inoh sampled the wizarding nightlife, although in the afternoon. Harry quickly found the local Rice Wine, although lower in alcoholic content than he was used to, did not have the effect of other drinks. Harry was aware that it was considered rude to become intoxicated and attempted to decline more drinks. Mr. Inoh, contrary to protocol, kept refilling Harry’s glass.

When Hermione and Mrs. Inoh arrived to join the other witches and wizards at the bar, having left Mee Tao with their other daughter, they were speechless at the sight of Harry singing karaoke much to the delight of Mr. Inoh. When Harry had finished his deep baritone rendition of ‘I Am Woman’, he spotted Hermione and went toward her. He truly thought he was walking in a straight line, but found with each step the tables kept moving. Finally, disgusted with the nonproductive journey, Harry sat down in the middle of the aisle and summoned Hermione to him with a wave of his hand.

The bar went silent at the show of power. Oblivious, Harry just attacked Hermione’s mouth. Hermione pulled away and noticed that everyone in the establishment was staring at them, with the exception of their hosts who were looking at them with pride.

Mr. Inoh spoke in a rapid Chinese, although everyone seemed to speak at least broken English prior. “I tell them he is Harry Potter. We have heard of him even here,” he told Hermione. Harry, still intent on making time with his wife, paid no attention and continued to nibble her neck.

“He’s drunk…” Hermione observed.

“Yes, Mrs. Potter, he is,” said Mr. Inoh. “We have old story about man who has great power, yet cannot do something very simple. Rice wine very different from other drink. I wanted to see if affect him differently.”

Hermione rose, pulling Harry with her, giving Mr. Inoh a glare. “I’m glad you were able to satisfy your curiosity,” she stated with a scowl. “As for me, I’m going to take him home.”

“Don’t go, Hmine…” slurred Harry as he swayed his hips against her. “Dance with me…” Hermione ignored him.

“You misunderstand. Mr. Potter, very proud man. Lack of drunkenness viewed as weakness. Allow him to save face, if only to himself.”

At his words, Hermione understood and felt a swelling of admiration toward the older man. She smiled at him, while attempting to pull Harry’s hands from beneath her shirt. “I apologize, Mr. Inoh. You seem to know him very well. ”

Mr. Inoh shared a look with his wife who smiled encouragingly before stating, “I know pride. I make terrible mistake with Ming. Mr. Potter help her when her family turn her away. I only repay debt.”

Harry had tired of the talking and tugged his wife to the dance floor. Rocking gently in place, he laid his head on top of hers. “This is nice…” he sighed.

“You won’t feel so nice in the morning…” Hermione cautioned.

“Don’t care, really,” sighed Harry. He giggled. A sound Hermione found, now that she heard it, very appealing. “Can’t say that I care about much of anything….”

“I can tell,” she agreed.

“I told’m all ‘bout Ming’s and my relationship. I never touched her, you know. I don’t know why I’m tellin’ you, or why I told him about this, but it seems ‘mportant that you should know….”

“Ah, so not only are you a cuddly drunk, you are a confessing drunk…” she teased gently.

“M’not drunk. I don’t get drunk, remember?” he argued.

“Of course you don’t…” she said with a smile. “And it won’t be a hangover that you wake up with, either.”

“I like waking up with you. D’say I like goin’ to bed with you, too, but that sounds crude….”

Hermione laughed before getting an evil gleam in her eye. “Did you really feel up Ginny behind Hagrid’s hut the week after we broke up?”

Harry got a repulsed look on his face. “Course not! NO!” he garbled. “She jus’ made that up to take the mickey outta Ron.”

“What is the worst thing you’ve ever done to me?” she asked, knowing she may never get another opportunity.

“B’sides lettin’ you go?” he asked. At her nod, he responded, “I followed you on your date with Terry Boot to Hogsmeade with my ‘nvisa…’nvisa…my cloak thing. No, I jinxed Justin b’fore he could ask you out. No, it was prolly the time I kissed Luna ‘cause I knew you’d be coming that way. No, I think…”

“That’s enough,” Hermione laughed. The next couple of hours were spent dancing. Harry attempted to own up to every misdeed he’d ever committed. When his eyes began to droop, Hermione led him back to the Inoh’s home. The older couple had already retired. While she checked on Mee Tao, she left Harry to get ready for bed.

To her extreme annoyance, she found several burn marks on the ceiling. Harry was attempting to light the candles around the room. She saw another flash of fire, before hearing a mumbled, “Whoops, heeheehee” from the floor in the corner. “Honestly, Harry!” she said in an exasperated sigh. She lit the candles with her wand before surveying the damage and repairing it.

“How’m I ‘sposed to light ‘em if the bloody things keep moving!” Harry complained.

“You said you need focus and intent. You truly have neither at the moment. Let me handle it…” she said approaching him.

She toyed with the idea of a Sobrietus, but decided against it. If he wanted to feel the effects of alcohol, then he’d feel them all, she determined. After getting him into bed, she found another pleasant effect of her drunken husband. The cuddly aspect had returned. He made love to her as tenderly as he had back in school; however the notable difference was the increased stamina of adulthood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She awoke to a loud groan. She opened her eyes to see Harry facing away from her, his hands clutching his head. “Got a headache, Sweetheart?” she teased.

“Shush!” he replied.

She sat up and grabbed the vial on her bedside table. The previous evening Mr. Inoh had left the potion with a note on the table. “Drink this and you’ll feel better.”

Harry downed the potion with a grimace. He blinked a couple of times, and then smiled. “That’s loads better. Thanks.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A leisurely breakfast was followed by more sightseeing. With promises to keep in touch, they took their daughter home. The portkey landed them in the middle of Diagon Alley. Harry was immediately swarmed by well-wishers. Hermione took a cranky Mee Tao into a private dining room of the Leaky Cauldron to avoid the crowd.

Harry finally escaped and joined her there. “I think I liked being the delusional recluse better…” he panted, winded from his escape.

“Mee some!” fussed the toddler.

“I know you’re hungry, Princess. Love, can I get you anything?” She nodded never taking her eyes off of the crawling child.

Hermione found a highchair for Mee Tao and entertained her until her father returned. Harry returned with drinks, butterbeer for the adults and apple juice for his daughter. He dragged a spill-proof cup from her bag and prepared it for Mee Tao.

“About time you lot got back from where ever you went?” called Ron as he entered. “Is this like a newlywed moment or can anyone join?”

The couple greeted their friend with many hugs and laughter. Mee Tao squirmed and fussed in her chair wanting a hug from “Unka Won”, too. Ron released her and danced her around the room. Harry took the opportunity to kiss his wife.

“Not in front of the K-I-D,” chided Ron, who had his hand over Mee Tao’s eyes. “She’ll be damaged!”

After their stew and crusty bread, Ron assisted them in bringing their things home. Ron left wearing his mouse-eared hat, taking the others to the rest of his family. Harry checked the post and needed to go into work for a bit.

“Promise you won’t be late?” Hermione asked as bathed Mee Tao before bed.

“I promise,” he replied.

Harry read over the reports and journals that had been completed in his absence. He worked over an hour before calling it a day. He left notes on everyone’s desks to request more information on the items he didn’t understand and cases he needed to be brought up to speed on.

Once back at the house, he found the sight that he’d dreamed of his entire life. There in the darkened room, the love of his life was rocking and singing to his sleeping child.

Only the Beginning

Chapter 8

Only the Beginning

Hermione exited the Minister of Magic’s office both encouraged and discouraged. Her team in the Department of Experimental Magic office had found in an ancient tome, a charm that would possibly eliminate Harry’s parasite. The danger was that once loose, there were no guarantees they could contain it. The essence would be free to inhabit someone less powerful and they’d be back where they started.

She knew her talk with Harry about it wouldn’t go well. “I sacrificed my entire childhood for this cause,” he argued. “I cannot believe that you’d want that sacrifice to be in vain…”

“That isn’t it at all…I want you to be free at last. I want you to be able to live with that horrible creature gone forever.”

“I won’t take that risk! I am strong enough to control him.

“Harry, please consider it…” Hermione begged. “There’s no guarantee that will happen…”

“Is there a guarantee it won’t?” he asked. When she shook her head to indicate a negative response, he said, “Then I won’t do it!” His tone let her know that the conversation was over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione arrived home from work a few weeks later in a horrendous mood. It was one of those, ‘We’re going to fight-You pick the topic’ sort of moods. It was a good thing that Mee Tao was visiting her grandparents.

Harry was charming various knives to chop vegetables and meat for dinner. He was also practicing his magic by using less focus. Hermione watched as he glanced from the pitcher of butterbeer to the table. The pitcher flew across the room and landed exactly where he’d intended. He closed his eyes and attempted to return it to the counter. The flagon seemed to lose interest and crashed to the floor midway.

“Harry!” Hermione shouted. “Be more careful. If Mee Tao was home, she could get hurt…”

“If Mee Tao were home, I wouldn’t be practicing in the kitchen…” Harry countered with a smile. “I’ll clean it up.”

“No, I’ll get it,” she snapped. “You’ll only make it worse…”

“Er…alright…” Harry agreed reluctantly. In the almost six months they’d been married, they’d never had a serious argument. Considering her apparent mood, Harry feared that could change tonight. He went back to his cooking and left her to clean up the mess.

Hermione went to change for dinner when she’d finished cleaning up the spill with a few charms. Returning to the kitchen, she stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “I thought you were going to finish charming the room for my office…” she complained.

“I will, love. I just got home myself and started dinner. I was going to work on it after…” he explained.

“I’d like to start organizing and decorating in there this century, Harry. You said last night that it would be done by the time Mee Tao gets home. It’s just like you to promise to get something done and then skive off until there’s no time to do it right.”

“That stuff is very easy for me. I’ll have it done by bedtime tonight. Better?”

Hermione walked into the drawing room and spotted a collection of packages. “What’s all this now?” she demanded returning to the kitchen.

“I did a bit of shopping during lunch today,” he answered. “Trying to get a head start on Christmas, you know…”

“You can’t possibly mean to give them all of that?” she snorted. “You’ll spoil them…”

“And what’s wrong with that?” he asked as he slid the stew back into the oven.

“Christmas is about choosing the perfect gift for someone you love, not bombard them with so many presents that they don’t know where to turn…”

“Well, I wouldn’t know about that, would I? I must have just walked into a store and said, ‘I know nothing about my children, can’t really remember their names, come to that. Just give me twelve of each of your best sellers…that should be sufficient. I can’t be bothered to know even how many I’ve fathered, so…’

“Technically, you haven’t fathered any, but…”

“Thanks for pointing that out, Hermione. I tend to forget….” Harry growled. She gasped as he looked at her; his eyes flared into a deep angry red.

By the look on her face, Harry immediately knew what had happened. “I’m going into the office for a bit. Enjoy your dinner.” With that he stomped out the door.

Draco Malfoy found him in the practice room on his knees begging, interspersed with feeble cries of ‘Riddikulus’ as boggart-Hermione ridiculed him and threatened to take Mee Tao and leave. “Riddikulus!” Malfoy called waving his wand. With a loud crack, the boggart changed into Lucius Malfoy. He waved his wand once more and the elder Malfoy disappeared in a puff of smoke. Harry stayed on his knees and began sobbing, his face pressed into his palms. “Want to talk about it?” Malfoy asked softly as Harry’s sobs faded. Harry remained silent. “I don’t want to guess. I received the signal that you were here, which by the way interrupted a lovely dinner with a witch that…Anyway; I don’t want this to be a wasted trip.”

“I was so angry with her…” Harry began.

“By ‘her’, I assume you mean Granger…”

“It’s Potter now,” Harry corrected.

“Whatever…” sneered Malfoy. “Now, what happened?” Harry swiped his hand across his nose and told Malfoy about breaking the pitcher. When he’d finished, Malfoy looked at him puzzled. “This is what caused you to lose it? That must be some flagon…”

Harry rolled his eyes at his associate. “No, that isn’t all; it’s just all I want to tell you.”

“See here, Potter. I came down here to help you,” explained Malfoy. At Harry’s disbelieving glare, he added, “I could have written this up tomorrow just as easily. I thought maybe you needed me. Obviously I was wrong.” Malfoy stood and headed toward the door.

“I’m sterile….” Harry stated which effectively stopped Malfoy in his tracks.

Malfoy spun in place to face him. “What did you say?”

“I said I’m sterile. I got hit with the Infecundus curse…” Harry admitted.

“Who would use a curse like that?” asked Malfoy incredulously. He walked over to sit beside Harry in the floor.

“Who do you think?” asked Harry as if he couldn’t believe Malfoy had to ask.

“But, you’ve got kids…you’ve gotten….” Malfoy trailed off as he fitted the pieces of the puzzle together. “Merlin’s Beard! Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

Harry raised an eyebrow at the other man. “Would you?”

“Of course not! I w…Ah, I see your point. Well, isn’t this a day for the record books. Saint Potter has the same male insecurities as the rest of us mortals,” Malfoy chuckled.

“We were arguing over the presents I bought the kids and she threw it back in my face. I couldn’t believe…”

“Of course she did,” interrupted Malfoy.

“What?” asked Harry. “Why would she do that?”

“She apparently was spoiling for a fight and you wouldn’t cooperate, so she upped the ante. She wanted a reaction so she pushed the envelope…”

“What are you talking about? You’re mixing metaphors all over the place…”

“We’ll talk about my grammar later, Potter. Here’s the way I see it…she comes home in a snit, I’d guess PMS, but I don’t want to go there. She is looking for a sparring partner and there you are, except you won’t play along. You give in to her and that makes it worse. I’d wager she knows more about you than anyone else on the planet. Am I correct?”

“I don’t have any secrets from her…”

“So there you are. She needs a knock out punch and you’ve given her the ammunition she needs to force you to lose control. It’s a fact of married life. She hits you at your weak point and it gets her more of a reaction than she bargained for. She gets scared that she went too far. You are here sniveling over the Voldie-eyes you hit back with and both of you are probably sorry for the whole thing…”

“Why would she do that?” Harry asked again genuinely.

Malfoy snorted, “You’ve obviously never had ‘make-up sex’…” When Harry opened his mouth to speak, Malfoy held up a hand and added, “No, don’t…I don’t want to know. The thought of Granger and sex in the same thought process is enough to give me nightmares…”

Harry smiled. “Thanks, Malfoy.”

“Don’t mention it. Besides, if there’s anyone who knows about ammunition being used against you, it’s me. I grew up with it and learning to defend against it. What you need to do is take away its power to hurt you. ‘Harry Potter shoots blanks’…Big bloody deal! The rest of the world sees you as some sort of stud muffin with about twenty-seven kids…”

“It’s six,” Harry corrected.

“Whatever…The point I’m trying to make is that it can only hurt you if you let it. I’m sure Voldie chose that curse because it would hurt you the most. You have to keep your defenses up and, for Merlin’s sake, quit wearing your heart on your bloody sleeve. Your abandonment issues are out there for anyone to see….Now, go home and have wild make-up sex with…” Malfoy made a disgusted face. “…Granger and don’t let me see you at the office tomorrow unless you’ve got hickeys all over your neck. Don’t bother coming in otherwise…”

“We don’t do that...” Harry stated.

“My God, what a prude…”

Harry grinned evilly. “I prefer that she bites….”

“Teeth marks, then,” Malfoy groaned and mumbled. “Bloody hell, I’m going to have night terrors for a month over this…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Harry walked in the door, Hermione flung herself at him. With her legs wrapped around his waist, he staggered to lean against the counter. “I’m so sorry, Harry. I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t have said that and I truly don’t know why I did,” she sobbed into his neck.

“I’m sorry I got so angry. It’s the truth, so I shouldn’t have lost control…”

She cried for a bit longer as they talked things out. Between kisses she assured him that she loved him and would never leave him. He assured her that he would work harder at keeping his temper.

When she started nipping at his neck and ear more than kissing, he carried her up to bedroom. Laying her down gently, he vanished their garments, making her stare at him wide-eyed. He began to kiss his way up her body. She stopped him and pulled him up to where she lay. “You first, this time,” she whispered as she straddled his body. She leaned into him and began nipping at his chest. He nearly lost control in an entirely different way as she closed her teeth carefully around his nipple. She smiled at his sharp intake of breath and moved lower.

About an hour later, as Harry was dressing, he spotted himself in the mirror. Intrigued, he went closer and examined the red teeth marks on his shoulder, neck and chest. “Malfoy will be proud…” he said under his breath.

“What did you say?” asked Hermione not believing her ears. “Please, before I have you committed; tell me how Draco Malfoy could possibly enter your mind right now…”

Harry reddened as he laughed. “When you put it like that…He met me at the office earlier and we had a long talk. In summary, I was to come home and make up with you. If I didn’t, I’m suspended again. That’s all…”

“Malfoy...talked to you…about us…I’m sorry, Harry, I just can’t see that happening. I know you have to be nice to him because of work and all, but what could he possibly have to say that would influence you?”

“He can see more than it seems. He nailed our argument dead square and sent me home for make-up sex.”

“What did he say?” she asked hesitantly.

“Basically that you weren’t trying to hurt me, you were just looking for a sparring partner. I wouldn’t give in, so it escalated to something nasty…I have decided that next time, you should just maybe let me know and I’ll challenge you to a duel or something or some other ‘winner take all’ activity. I’m sure I can think of more pleasurable contests…”

Over a reheated dinner, Hermione confessed to one of the reasons for her bad mood. The curse making Harry sterile was nearly an Unforgivable. It couldn’t be blocked and it certainly couldn’t be reversed. Harry accepted the news without emotion. He knew it was a long shot and wasn’t bothered. “Besides, you’ll officially be Mee Tao’s Mum in a few weeks, that’s good enough for me. If later we want something different, then we’ll talk again,” he said.

As they talked, Harry turned away from her occasionally and mumbled, ‘shut it’ under his breath. She figured the voice was particularly forceful tonight with the roller coaster of emotions Harry had experienced. She handed him his cigarettes and fixed him a drink before joining him on the porch.

“I wish we could do something about that…” she consoled him. “We just haven’t come up with anything you’ll agree to…”

“I’m not risking him being released, Hermione. Just drop it, okay? I’m fine.”

“There’s truly no other way, Harry…” she pled.

“Then that’s the end of it, then, isn’t it? It’s not that bad really…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry arrived at work the next morning to find Malfoy sitting at his desk. “Let’s see it, Potter…” he said.

“No way!” Harry said. He couldn’t believe Malfoy was even asking.

“That’s the deal, remember? Don’t tell me. You are above using making up just to get a little. What is it…Saturday nights only?” Malfoy taunted.

Harry swore and unclasped his robe and began working the buttons at the top of his shirt. Malfoy grinned.

Neville knocked once before opening the door. Upon seeing Harry in what seemed to be the process of disrobing, he mumbled a confused, “Oh sorry!” as he backed out.

“No, Longbottom, you’ll want to see this, too,” said Malfoy. Harry’s face bypassed red and went straight for purple. “Our Harry here had a bit of trouble last night while arguing with his wife. I met him here and long story short, he has to prove that everything is better now. I’m waiting, Potter…”

“I’ll just…I’ll just…take your word for it, Draco,” stuttered Neville. Harry smiled his thanks. Once he and Malfoy were alone again, Harry pulled the collar of his shirt down and turned to face Malfoy.

“Good Lord!” Malfoy exclaimed upon seeing the marks. “You weren’t kidding!”

Harry refastening his clothing, he said, “May I get to work now?”

Remus entered the office. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt…”

“You aren’t. Just a little guy talk…” said Malfoy. “It seems Harry here got lucky last night…”

“Seeing he’s recently married, I wouldn’t find that to be news…” Remus answered.

“So, Malfoy,” said Harry, “any developments with that witch you were bragging about?”

“I could lie, you know,” said Malfoy, his smirk fading.

“No you wouldn’t,” replied Harry. “Your pride would never allow you to lie about that when you know I didn’t.”

“Smug bastard…,” mumbled Malfoy as he left the office.

Harry and Remus shared a triumphant grin before Remus stated the reason for his visit. “The foundation is all set up and rolling. Now that the Ministry is funding a majority of your operations, you should have plenty to use to fund this endeavor.”

“That’s wonderful news, Remus!” Harry beamed. “I can’t wait to tell Hermione about it!”

“The counselors are all in place and the word is spread.”

“I won’t be linked to this, will I?” asked Harry, concerned that if it were known, then he’d get the publicity rather than the center.

“No, it is designed just as you’d planned. No one even asked where the money was coming from actually…” Remus answered. “St Mungo’s was just pleased to receive the help.”

“Well done, Remus. You can expect that bonus we talked about…”

“I don’t want another bonus, Harry. You pay me too much as it is…besides I get to earn a living doing the work I enjoy…”

“You wouldn’t happen to want to repeat that “Pay me too much” part in front of Malfoy, would you?” Harry teased. It was a known fact around the office that Malfoy found himself grossly underpaid. He may have forfeited his family’s riches when he joined the side of the Light, but he never lost the wealthy attitude.

After a busy day at work, Harry rushed home to be with his family. Mee Tao and her grandparents were arriving shortly. Harry raced to get the toys into the attic prior to their arrival.

As he was carrying the last load, panting with effort, Hermione turned up. “Why didn’t you just use magic?” she asked. “Now you’re all sweaty…”

“Imagine that,” Harry said with a smirk, “I have an hour to kill and in need of a bath…”

“I don’t suppose you need someone to wash your back…” she offered flirtingly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mee Tao squealed with delight when she saw her adoptive mum and dad. The Inoh’s brought gifts. Hermione received a gorgeous blur silk dressing gown, while Harry got cases of various rice based liquors.

“Everyone needs to feel normal, Mr. Potter, “ Mr. Inoh had told him.

After seeing their guests off and seeing Mee Tao to bed, Hermione noticed Harry was acting oddly. He seemed to be bursting with energy and deliriously happy. “Is there something wrong?” she asked when they reached their bedroom.

“No, not wrong,” he answered. “I do want to talk to you, though.”

“What about?” she asked.

“I did something for our half year anniversary and I hope you are pleased. The Ministry is now paying us for the work we do and people all over the wizarding world have sent galleons to me as thanks or whatever. I don’t want the money and I don’t need it. Plus,” he said with a grin. “I’ve got the small fortune you are saving me in child support every month.”

“Harry, you can’t send it back. That would hurt their feelings…” she advised.

“I know. That’s what Remus said, too. So, what I’ve done is create a foundation. All of the extra money goes there. It will fund scholarships for children who can’t afford Hogwarts, counselors so that witches and wizards will have the same access to help as Muggles, and a few other things. I’ve named it The Trio Foundation in honor of our friendship, the three of us.”

Hermione had tears in her eyes. “I’m speechless. Where did you come up with the idea?”

“From you…” he replied. “Talking to that doctor showed me that we don’t have many of the options Muggles do and I wanted to even it out a bit. St Mungo’s supports it and agreed to hire to fill the counselor posts. It should be fully functional by summer.”

“It’s a wonderful thing you are doing, Harry Potter. You are such an amazing man…”

“Well, I do have ulterior motives, as well. I’ve inherited an enormous amount of books I’ll never read, plus Malfoy’s collections, Dumbledore’s, The Black’s…How would a ‘Library and Research Center for the Magical Arts’ grab you?”

Hermione squealed and leaped off the bed to blind him in a nest of curls. “You did that for me?”

“I’d do anything to make you happy,” he replied. “I figured if you wanted to join the research team, you could; or if you just wanted it to be a hobby…The thing is, Hermione, it won’t be able to be traced back to me easily. I didn’t want my name attached other than as a supporter.”

“Why not?” she asked. “You deserve the recognition.”

“I don’t want it, though. I get more than enough recognition, I think.”

“I think it’s wonderful. I think you are wonderful. Thank you.”

He tightened his arms around her. “I just want you to be happy.”

“Oh, I am, Mr. Potter. I certainly am.”

Shortly after Mee Tao turned four, Hermione felt the distinct stirrings of wanting another child. In her heart, she knew she wanted to go through the experience of motherhood from the beginning. She had discussed it at length with her husband; however no decisions had been made.

Harry wasn’t pleased that Hermione had offered him up as a guinea pig for the Research Center for study on that particular curse, but he agreed to the testing anyway.

An exhausted Hermione had arrived home late to find her daughter in bed and her husband working in the library. “Can I get you something?” he asked after greeting her properly.

“No, I just want to talk,” she said slumping into a chair.

“Want to talk here or I can conjure more of those jet thingies in the bath…” he offered.

“That sounds wonderful…just don’t make it too hot this time, please,” she said.

Once in the warm water, Harry snuggled into her chest. “What do you want to talk about?” he asked, knowing they would be having another baby discussion.

“I don’t know how to say this…” she whispered with an uncharacteristic hesitant tone.

“Just say it…you can talk to me about anything…” he encouraged.

“Harry…I just…Harry…”

Harry rose to look at her scared expression and began to feel nervous. “Just say it…What are you afraid of?”

“I’d never betray you, Harry. You know that, right?” she asked tentatively never looking him in the eye. He nodded anyway. “Remember when the Center told us two years ago that the chance of us having a baby is nearly a trillion to one?”

Harry grinned widely as he worked out what was coming. “Yes...” he said attempting to hide his enthusiasm in case he was wrong.

“Harry…it’s just…I…just say it, Hermione” she told herself aloud. “….Harry, I’m pregnant…” She timidly raised her eyes to his. The relief she found from the tears and the joy in his eyes made her feel foolish that she’d been so scared. “We’re going to have a baby,” she said with pride and elation before embracing him.

“Why were you so scared to tell me?” he asked at last.

“I thought you’d think that since you are supposedly sterile and I wanted a baby so very badly that I must have cheated…It’s only natural to think…”

“That never crossed my mind…” he reassured her.

“Why not? I’m not sure I could be so trusting if the situation were reversed…”

“It’s simple,” he said as he beamed at her. “I believe in magic…”

Finite