Harry parked the car across the street from Diagon Ally. He didn't want to go in there with James, but Hermione wanted him to get a book from Flourish and Blotts for her. He wanted to be in and out of there as quickly as possible. Pulling his son closer, Harry slipped into the dingy Leaky Cauldron. He kept his head down as he wove his way between the tables towards the back where the magical entrance was. He could feel every pair of eyes in the bar on his back as he kept the baby's face hidden behind his hand.
Harry went through the all-to-familiar process of brick tapping before stepping into the sun lit ally. He quickly made his way towards Flourish and Blotts. The bell jingled when he entered and the owner looked up and smiled as Harry made his way towards the cash.
"Can I help you, Mr. Potter?" he asked kindly.
"My wife has a book here she ordered?" said Harry, shifting his son in his arms.
"Ah yes, I'll go get it out of the back room. It was awfully hard to locate…" he muttered before disappearing behind a stack of books and through a doorway marked `employees only'. James successfully removed the hat off his head and dropped it to the floor. Harry bent down and retrieved it off the ground and jammed it into his back pocket as the man returned with the book.
"Thank you," said Harry moving to remove his wallet from his back pocket.
"It's already been paid for," said the manager.
"Alright," replied Harry and he took the bag and exited the shop. Harry smiled slightly as James looked around, engrossed in his surroundings. Harry held him tighter as he caught several bystanders pointing at them. Harry gently placed his hand on the boy's small head to shield his face as he picked up the pace and headed towards the Leaky Cauldron.
x-x-x-x-x
Harry had just put a sleeping James into his cot when he heard someone stumbling in through the grate. He peered over the railing to see Ron standing in the sitting room with Henry and Sarah.
"I'll be down in a second," he called out the door. Harry directed his attention back towards the baby. He laid a light blue blanket over him, kissed his head, and exited the bedroom. Harry slowly walked down the stairs and picked up Sarah mid run.
"Did you have fun today?" he asked her as he walked into the sitting room.
"Yes!" she said happily. "Daddy took us to the Eye. It was pretty."
"Hey mate," said Ron as he and Henry played a game of Exploding Snap.
"Hey," replied Harry.
"Where's Hermione?"
"Merlin knows. She went with Lavender, Parvati and Padma to some spa."
"I'm afraid to know what they were talking about there," stated Ron.
Harry chuckled as the front door swung open, revealing his wife. Sarah jumped out of his arms and instantly went into her mothers. Hermione smiled lovingly as she hugged her daughter tightly and kissed the side of her head.
"Did you have a good day, honey?" she asked.
"Yes," replied Sarah.
"Wonderful."
"I love you," said Sarah brightly before she jumped out of her arms and disappeared up the stairs to her bedroom. Harry crossed his arms and leaned on the doorframe and watched her as she sat on the couch and chatted happily with Ron and Henry, sharing an occasional glance with him. Shaking his head, Harry disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, she slipped in soundlessly. Hermione flew into her husbands waiting arms and relaxed as he embraced her.
"How was your day?" he asked softly.
"It was very relaxing," she said, "though the masseuse's hands weren't as `clever' as yours."
Harry laughed as his hands lazily trailed down her back and cupped her bottom. "I'll make up for the damage he did later," he whispered in her ear.
"I'll hold you to that," she whispered back, letting her teeth graze his ear before she pulled away, grinning wickedly. "How was James?"
"He was amazing," said Harry thankfully as he slid on top of one of the bar stools. "I took him to a farm exhibition in Surrey… I know he can't register what exactly went on, but there were horses there … the way he was acting, I've never seen him smile so much…"
"I wish I could have seen it," she sighed.
"I knew you'd say that," he mumbled, "but I brought you home bread and muffins…"
Hermione half smiled and kissed his cheek lovingly. "Thank you," she said.
"I ran into my aunt," he said quietly.
"Oh?"
"I-I think it's okay between us now, I think. I don't think it will ever be between Vernon, Dudley and I, but with her, it's different … I know mum would have wanted it. But we talked; she held the baby … thought he was beautiful… I told her if she wanted to have dinner here she could … she has our number and address."
Hermione smiled. "That's wonderful, Harry. It really is."
"It took twenty six years… But I guess you're right," he sighed, pulling her onto his lap and kissed her neck.
"You two never stop, do you?" said Ron from the doorway.
"It's not our fault you tend to walk in every time I kiss my husband," Hermione retorted.
Ron shook his head, "I'm taking off. Henry went upstairs to take a nap, and Sarah's colouring in the sitting room."
"Alright, see you at dinner on Sunday," said Harry.
x-x-x-x-x
Hermione had finally gotten Sarah to go to bed. She wanted to stay up and play, but Hermione wouldn't allow it. It was already well past her bedtime. Three storybooks later, Sarah had finally fallen asleep.
She gently closed the door to her daughter's bedroom and headed up another flight of stairs, where Harry was waiting for her, holding a glass of wine. Smiling, she removed it from his light grasp and planted an innocent kiss to his lips. Harry smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her into their bedroom and closed the door.
"It's too early to go to bed," she murmured.
"Who said we were going to bed?" he replied as set his glass down on one of the tables and picked her up.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, laughing.
He grinned as he carried her towards the bathroom and kicked open the door. Hermione gasped. The lights had been turned off, and the room was faintly scented of flowers from the various candles burning; the bathtub had been filled and had a bottle of wine resting on the edge.
Harry gently set her down and pressed his lips to hers. Hermione set the crystal wine glass down and wove her arms around his neck and as he worked on the buttons on her blouse. She shrugged the loose black fabric off her shoulders and cupped him through his jeans, causing him to groan. Harry quickly removed her bra and she pushed him against the wall and forced his t-shirt over his head. Harry stared at her wide-eyed as she undid his belt and jeans. He stepped out of them and she quickly removed her skirt and knickers and stepped in front of him. He leaned forward to kiss her, but she pushed him back against the wall, nearly knocking the wind out of him. She slowly pressed kissed down his toned body and slowly got on her knees.
"Hermione-"
"Shut up, Harry," she growled.
Harry swallowed his saliva and closed his eyes as she grasped him. He could feel her hot, panting breath on his throbbing erection-
"Mummy? Daddy?" Sarah called.
Harry groaned and banged his head against the wall. "Shit, shit, shit…" he cursed as he quickly pulled on his boxers and jeans as Hermione dressed herself. Harry ran a hand through his hair and tried to get the picture of his naked wife on her knees in front of him out of his head as he threw open the bathroom door.
"Sarah, darling, what's wrong?" he asked softly as he pulled her into his arms.
She sniffed loudly. "I had a bad dream," she wined as he picked her up and gently cradled her head as she sobbed into his chest. Harry sat down on the edge of the bed and gently rocked her and kissed her head.
"It's okay sweetheart," he whispered soothingly into her hair as she held onto him. "What was it about?"
"I don't know who he was, but he was trying to hurt everyone," she whispered as she curled into his chest. "He was tall, dark, and scary."
"It was only a dream," whispered Hermione as she joined their side, looking highly dishevelled. Harry looked up and held her gaze. She shook her head at him, and he looked away and exhaled. He pressed a soft kiss to the little girl's forehead.
"It's okay, Sarah. I guarantee you," he whispered as she held on tighter to him.
"Promise?" she demanded as she wiped her nose.
"I swear on my life, Sarah," Harry said seriously. "C'mon, I'll tuck you back in…"
"Okay," she said as Harry stood up and silently exited his bedroom. He gently laid his sleepy stepdaughter on her bed and covered her with her pink blankets and gave her her stuffed bear.
"Night, daddy," she said sleepily as Harry gently stroked her hair.
"Night, love." He whispered. Minutes later, she was asleep.
Harry quietly left her room and slipped back into his own. He closed the door and locked it securely before turning around.
"Is she asleep?" called Hermione from the bathroom.
"Yes, she went fairly quickly," he replied as he pushed open the door and smiled. "Though I am a bit upset at her timing…"
"I'm afraid that ship has sailed, Mr. Potter," said Hermione as they removed their clothing.
Harry groaned, "Do you have any idea-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," she warned.
Harry said nothing as he forcefully pulled her into his arms. Hermione gasped as he stared down at her. Never breaking their eye contact, she lazily dragged her fingernails up his back and tangled her fingers in his shaggy hair. Harry cupped her soft face in his hands and gently rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs before he captured her mouth with his. He loved the way her velvety tongue felt warm and inviting against his; he also enjoyed the things she did with it … things he was sure had always been reserved for him. She broke their kiss and pressed her forehead against his.
"I love you," she whispered, kissing his nose.
He said nothing as he pulled her towards the tub. She slowly climbed inside the warm water and pulled him in. Harry stumbled in surprise and nearly fell, causing her to laugh. Hermione settled herself into his arms and closed her eyes as he gently massaged her shoulders.
"This is nice," she commented.
"Mmm. No screaming babies, sticky five year olds, and no rebellious seven year olds…" said Harry softly as he kissed her shoulder, "I love them to death but sometimes the noise is so overwhelming."
"I know," she agreed, moaning slightly.
"It's lovely to have some time to ourselves once in a while … I refuse to let us become one of those couples who sleep in different beds by the time they're eighty…"
Hermione laughed an arched her back. "With hands like those … you're not going anywhere any time soon."
"That's why you're keeping me around isn't it?" he demanded playfully as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "just because I have good hands?"
"Yes," she joked back, "among other things. I still don't understand why you pined for an old nag for twelve or so years."
"Well," began Harry as she leaned back into his chest, "the nag is kind, beautiful, one hell of a tease, an amazing mother … she's got a fantastic body, if I might add … I can put up with an occasional nag if I can have every thing else…"
"That's one lucky nag," said Hermione as he tilted her head up towards his.
"She's one hell of a woman," he whispered as he kissed her passionately.
Hermione stood up and stepped out of the water and helped her husband up. He stepped out and pulled her wet body flush against his and kissed her lovingly.
"Harry you're soaked," she giggled as she threw her arms around his neck.
"You're wetter than me," he whispered as his hands freely roamed her body, "in more ways than one."
"I should slap you for that," she accused, but gasped as he slid his finger inside of her.
"You were saying," he continued as she slumped against him.
A strangled moan escaped her lips as she clung to his neck while he slid another finger inside and continued his ministrations.
Harry kissed the side of her head. "That's what I thought," he whispered and withdrew his fingers as she came.
"Why do you do that?" she panted as they tumbled backwards on their bed.
"Because I like what it does to you," he whispered as he kissed her neck.
"What would that be?"
"Well," he said as he pressed a kiss to her collarbone, "you don't question me as much, and I'm pretty much free to ravish you."
"I wish the world knew what you were like behind closed doors," whispered Hermione as she cupped his sweaty face in her hands and kissed him.
Harry laughed and returned her kiss. "I'm assuming it'd be best not to piss you off then," he said as he positioned himself at her entrance, "because I'd have to go into hiding when `Harry Potter: Exposed" hits shelves."
"Shut up," she groaned, bucking her hips against his.
Harry said nothing as he ran his hand down her smooth thigh and lightly gripped her hip as he slowly pushed himself inside of her. Hermione gripped his shoulders and locked eyes with him. He gave her a faint smile as he moved in and out of her.
His orgasm hit him hard. Moaning, he collapsed on top of her, breathing unevenly against her neck. She came again soon after him. Panting, Hermione drew the blankets over their naked bodies whilst Harry removed himself from her She wrapped her arms around his head and held him close to her breast. Finally, his breathing became even.
Hermione looked down and saw that he had fallen asleep. She slowly shifted her position so she was in his arms. Brushing his sweaty fringe off his forehead, she reached up and lightly traced the infamous scar on his forehead. Thinking back, she was the first time she had ever touched it. Harry had always had a fringe to hide it; and she never really took notice of it after they met on the train almost eighteen years ago.
Moments later, she drew her fingers away.
"Don't stop," he whispered, opening his eyes.
"I thought you were asleep," she said immediately, "I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay," he assured, "it's just … no one's ever touched me there before…"
"Why?" she asked as she moved into his arms, her breasts pressed intimately against his chest.
"I don't know," he replied honestly, "I suppose it's because it's a former connection to Voldemort. I wouldn't want to touch it either … I'd rather it not be there, but that's when the glamour charm comes in handy…"
A loud whistle, signalling James had woken, broke their silence. Groaning, Harry pulled out of her embrace and kissed her cheek. "I'll get him," he whispered.
"Bring him in here," she whispered back, returning his kiss.
Harry nodded before he stepped into his discarded shorts and walked across the hall and pushed open the door. Yawning, he turned on the light and walked over to the crib. He looked down at his son, who reached towards him. Smiling, Harry bent forward and picked him up. He carried him over to the changing table and quickly changed his diaper and vanished it with an `Evanesco'.
Harry held his son to his chest as he silently crossed the hall. James's tiny face lit up at the sight of his mother. Beaming, Hermione lifted him out of Harry's arms and into her own as Harry slid into the bed beside them.
"I never thought we'd be like this," she whispered. "You, our baby, and I. Together as a family."
"I know," agreed Harry. "I still can't believe everything's gone this smoothly."
Hermione nodded knowingly. "I can't help but wonder," she said softly. "I just have this feeling…"
Harry wove his arms around her shoulders and kissed her cheek lovingly. "Everything's fine, Hermione. We'll be okay."
x-x-x-x-x
The remainder of the year flew by without incident. Harry and Hermione's plans of going to Australia fell through as Harry was forced to return to work at the beginning of September. He was graciously welcomed back with open arms, as many of the aurors would later admit to him that his replacement wasn't as nearly effective as he was. They were glad to have him back.
James's first birthday came and went with Christmas, and with it came his first steps, and word (mama). He was Harry's pride and joy, and James knew it. Nothing made his day like running as fast as he could on his chubby little legs towards his father when he came home from work every night.
Lavender had left Ron. Why, no one was quite sure on, but it was quite spontaneous and shocking. Ron didn't show his face around work, Henry, or Sarah for weeks. Everyone was starting to worry about him, as he hadn't left the flat that he and Lavender had shared for weeks. It was mid-February when Hermione decided to pay him a visit.
She had bundled herself up in her winter coat, scarf, and mittens and dissaparated across London. She had only set foot in the flat perhaps three times in the span that Ron and Lavender lived there. It was normally Ron who brought Henry and Sarah home; never she or Harry had to get them.
In the past several months, Ron had been worrying her. She had never voiced her thoughts to Harry, as she knew he would investigate into it, and she didn't want to pry into Ron's personal life. But since Harry's `incident' in Bolivia, Ron had been coming around less and less. He used to be there every week for Henry and Sarah. They lived with him every second week for months following their divorce. But it started changing. Ron was making up excuses, saying that he had to go away with Lavender to meet her parents, or he was getting called away for business meetings. It seemed he was avoiding her, Harry, and their children. He had even gone as far as not showing up for Sunday dinners at his mothers.
Her cheeks were tinged pink from the cold when she entered the building. She climbed the stairs and quickly located the staircase that led up to the small landing. The sound of her heels clinking off the shiny oak stairs echoed off the walls as she walked towards the door with a brass `4' on it. Sweeping her disarrayed curls out of her eyes, she knocked loudly on the door. There was shuffling on the other side of the door, then the faint sound of the locks clicking. Finally the door swung open to reveal a very tired looking Ron.
"Hermione," he said warmly as he instantly enveloped her into an uncomfortable hug.
She tensed. "How are you, Ron?" she asked as she gently pushed him off of her.
"Wonderful. You're here," he said brightly beckoning her inside.
Hermione said nothing as she flicked on the light switch and gazed around the untidy flat. She allowed Ron to take her jacket from her and hang it up in the closet as she moved away from him.
"When was the last time you cleaned this place?" she asked quietly.
"Never. Lavender always cleaned." He responded. "Do you want tea?"
"No," she replied as he sank down into the armchair.
"I'm sorry," he whispered finally. "I didn't think it would go that far with her. I always loved you."
Hermione blinked. "Ron…"
"No, no…" he said as he gazed at her intently, "I want it to go back to the way it was. Sarah, Henry, You, and I. One big happy family. I still love you, Hermione. Even you said you still love me. We should put our family back together."
Hermione remained silent as she stared at him. "Are you inebriated?" she asked finally.
"No. That's why she left me, Hermione. Because I still love you. I thought I loved Lavender, but she was just a fling. I want it all to go back to the way it was. Tell Harry to go back to Australia … he's doing no one any good staying here. He's getting in our way again. I lost everything after he came back."
Hermione felt the anger bubbling inside of her as she drew out her wand and stormed across the room to her ex-husband.
"Don't you dare say anything about Harry." Her voice shook as she spoke.
"It's always about Harry-"
"IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT HARRY!" she shouted, "I LOVE HARRY! AND YOU KNOW THAT!"
"NO YOU DON'T!" he shouted back, "YOU'VE ALWAYS LOVED ME! YOU SAID YES WHEN I ASKED YOU OUT, YOU SAID YES WHEN I ASKED YOU TO MARRY ME, YOU SAID YES WHEN I WANTED TO START A FAMLY, AND I SAID YES TO YOU WHEN YOU WANTED A SILLY DIVORCE! YOU WERE JUST UPSET! IT'S OVER BETWEEN LAVENDER AND I, WE CAN GET BACK TOGETHER!"
"I WAS ALWAYS SOME PRIZE TO YOU, WASN'T I? SOMETHING HARRY COULDN'T HAVE! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED YOU RON, AS MY BROTHER. YOU KNOW THAT! WE BICKER TOO BLOODY MUCH!"
"We'll work on it!" he shot back.
"Ron, I'm married to Harry, I love him so much, and you're a fool for asking me to leave him for you. I understand you're upset that Lavender left you, but you have no right blaming it on Harry and I."
"Harry ruined everything!" he yelled at her, causing her to flinch. "Everything was great while he was gone, wasn't it? We were happily married, we had two wonderful kids, everything was perfect, but I hadn't made that mistake of giving into Lavender's temptations, we would still be together!"
Hermione raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
"I thought everything was okay, Ronald," she said as he stared at her. "But now, I'm making sure that you don't go anywhere near Henry or Sarah unless Harry and I are around. Do you understand me? Harry is my husband. I love him more than I'll ever love you. You're to come nowhere near us, or our home. You won't even lay eyes on James.
"You've been such a dead beat to Henry and Sarah these past few months. Hell, for the past year and a half, Harry's been around them more than you have. He's been more of a father to them lately than you have. They call him daddy because you aren't around. Yes, it is about Harry right now because I'm married to him, and I will stay married to him. I love him so fucking much, Ron. I've always loved him. He looks at me like I'm the only woman in the world, and he makes me feel like I am. He makes me feel like I'm the only thing that matters. I could have been anyone for all you cared, because all I was was a prize to you. I don't know why I didn't see it before. You never loved me. I was something Harry couldn't have. Harry and I could have had years together if it weren't for you.
"So I'm promising you now, Ronald Bilius Weasley, until you get your act together and I believe you're acceptable, you won't be near Henry, Sarah, or I, unless it's scheduled or supervised."
"You can't do that," he rasped.
"Consider it already done. You know how our laws work. What I say goes." Said Hermione before she grabbed her coat out of the closet and stormed out of the flat.
"Hermione wait," Ron called desperately.
She said nothing as she dissaparated.
"Mama!" James babbled happily as Hermione hung up her coat. She smiled as her baby ran towards her on unsteady legs. She bent down and picked him up, causing him to squeal in delight. He was a spitting image of his father, whom was presently in the sitting room with Sarah swung over his shoulder, while Henry looked on, laughing.
"Mama!" James said again as Hermione directed her attention to him.
"Yes sweetheart?" she asked softly, smoothing out his unruly raven hair.
"Loooooooooove you," he continued, causing his mother to break out into a smile.
"I love you too," she whispered, kissing his head as she sat down on the couch.
"Mum are you okay?" asked Henry.
Harry spun around quickly, causing Sarah to burst into giggles.
"Daddy put me down," she demanded. Harry set her down carefully.
"Henry, take your sister and brother upstairs," she instructed finally.
"Okay," he said, lifting James out of her arms and led him out of the room.
Harry lowered himself onto the couch beside her and looked at her worriedly.
"Are you alright, love?" he asked as she swung her legs over his and buried her face in his chest.
"I'm horrible," she whispered. He could feel her tears seeping through his jumper.
"What happened?" Harry inquired as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I activated the magical restraining order on Ron," she continued.
Harry remained silent.
"He was saying such horrible things about us … He wanted to get back together with me, Harry. He came right out and told me to leave you and go back to him so we could be a family … I told him he wasn't allowed near us until he got his act together."
"Are you sure it was absolutely necessary?" he asked calmly.
She nodded as he entwined their fingers together. "I've never felt scared when I was with him, until tonight. The things he was saying, Harry…"
"I'm going to put wards up," he said quietly. "He won't be able to appearate or floo in. He won't come near us. I'll assign an Auror to him tomorrow to tail him to see if he's a threat to anyone. I can put someone undercover near your store to make sure he doesn't go in, if you like."
"I-I don't know."
"Did he threaten you as a person?" he asked her seriously.
"No," she replied.
"Did he threaten Henry, Sarah, James, or myself?"
"No."
"I need you to come in tomorrow to tell me exactly what he said, and what went on between you two."
"Why can't we do it here?"
"Standard procedure," he explained calmly.
Hermione stared. "What for?"
"When a magical restraining order is put into place, for example, you had the verbal power to do so whenever you divorced Ron. All you had to do was say it, and the spell was activated. It's normally not necessary for Aurors to get really involved unless the problem involves domestic violence. But I do need you to come in tomorrow to confirm everything, as I said earlier. I also need you to come in so I can know what the R.O involves, in case Ron attempts to break it, and he can be notified about it in court, in the event that occurs," explained Harry. "Restraining orders are in my department, they all have to go to me to get established. I'd rather handle this one myself than let someone else do it," he added.
Hermione nodded. "Being married to the head of the Auror department has its perks," she said.
Harry half-smiled and wove his arm around her shoulder and kissed the side of her head. "I love you," he whispered in her ear as they peered into Henry's room, where Henry was trying to get his brother to colour inside the lines in his colouring book, and was failing horribly.
"Da!" exclaimed James as he noticed Harry in the doorway. Harry's face cracked into a smile as he bent down to pick him up.
"Hey buddy," he whispered as Hermione sat down on the floor with Henry and Sarah.
x-x-x-x-x
Hermione leaned back into Harry's chest as she read her book. She had been reading the same sentence for the past hour, she was sure Harry must have noticed she hadn't changed the page yet.
"Harry?" she asked softly.
"Mmm."
She looked up and smiled. He was still engrossed in his Quiddich magazine.
"I think we need to clean out that room across from Sarah's," she said without taking her eyes off him.
"If you think you need to, go right ahead," he said nonchalantly. "I'm not stopping you."
"I was thinking we could paint it yellow," she continued.
"I've never been too fond of yellow," he replied. "How about green?"
"James's room is already green, love."
"I forgot."
"I suppose we'll decide once we find out what the baby is," said Hermione casually.
She watched as Harry's eyes widened, but never left the page he was reading.
"That damn husband of yours got you pregnant again, did he?" said Harry finally.
"He did. He never stops. All he does is eat, sleep, work, and shag," replied Hermione, smiling as Harry met her gaze.
"Bastard," he whispered, throwing the magazine across their bedroom and gathered her in his arms.
"I love you," she whispered back wrapping her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him.
"How far along are you?" he asked between kisses.
"About a month and a half."
"So mid-September."
"Sounds about right," she responded as he carefully lowered her down on top of their bed, "I have to see the healer tomorrow."
"What a busy day you have," he whispered as he dipped his tongue into the hollow of her throat.
"Yes," she groaned as she roughly ran her fingers through his hair.
"Four's an awful lot of children," continued Harry.
"Not really. Look at the Weasley's."
"True," he said, "but I don't know about you, but with four children running around, I wouldn't want to stay in this flat. It'd be crowded."
"What are you purposing, Mr. Potter?"
"That we relocate somewhere far more nicer, with a beautiful lawn, private, in the middle of nowhere," explained Harry, looking up at her from between her legs as his fingers looped into her knickers, "a lovely house is much more accommodating to our growing family."
"Any ideas?"
"None whatsoever. I want it far from here."
x-x-x-x-x
Harry looked up from his papers as his office door swung open. He smiled and stood up to greet his wife. She smiled warmly as he wrapped his arms around her and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. She smiled faintly and pulled away from him. Harry closed the door and turned around. She had seated herself in the chair in front of his desk. Harry said nothing as he walked across the room and produced a file folder from one of the many filing cabinets before walking back over to his desk and sat down in the chair across from Hermione.
"Did you go to your appointment yet?" he asked softly.
"No, I didn't," she replied. "I'm heading to St. Mungo's after we finish here."
"Would you mind if I went with you?"
"I'd love that. Then we could have lunch."
Harry's serious expression was interrupted by a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She could tell he was trying to keep it as professional as possible, and not allowing his personal feelings to get in the way.
Hermione watched her husband as he remained silent, with his head bent down over the parchment on which he was writing. She could see clear down his shirt. Hermione reddened and forced herself to look away.
"What?" said Harry.
"Nothing," she muttered.
Harry arched an eyebrow.
"Button up your shirt, would you?" she said finally.
Harry looked down and frowned. "I never button it up all the way."
"It's bothering me," she argued.
"How so?"
"I don't want every bloody woman in the Ministry to know what's down your shirt," she snapped. Harry grinned.
Harry shook his head and reached up with his left hand, and to her dismay, undid another button.
"Harry, as the mother of your children, all I'm asking you to do is-"
"Don't wear such short skirts around me," he interjected.
Hermione scoffed. "Harry, it's well past my knees."
"I rest my case. If I button my jumper up all the way, I'd suffocate," he said dismissively. "Moving on, I need you to answer some questions for me."
Hermione nodded.
"What was your motivation to activate the restraining order on Ronald Bilius Weasley?"
"Ron was not acting normally, he was telling me to divorce my husband, Harry Potter, because he believed that I still wanted to be with him, and that I only remarried because I was on the rebound. I told him repeatedly no. I believed that he would have posed a threat to our two children."
Harry nodded. "Under what circumstances is Ron allowed to have visitation rights to Henry Arthur and Sarah Louise Jane, if any?"
"Supervised visits by either myself, or my husband. Under no condition will they be allowed to be alone in his care. He is not allowed near my son, James Noah, until further notice, until I'm sure he won't harm him."
She watched Harry's Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed. He didn't meet her gaze as he wrote. "Ronald Weasley is not allowed to be within 200 feet of you. He is not allowed any contact with you, or any of your children, unless supervised, excluding James Noah Potter, whom he is to have no contact with. If he violates this order, Aurors will instantly be notified, and he will be taken away. If he resists, he could be facing Azkaban. Do you agree to these terms?"
"Yes, yes I do," whispered Hermione as she added her signature to the parchment. She set down the quill carefully and met Harry's gaze, which had softened considerably.
They quickly rose to their feet and Harry pulled her into his arms. Hermione took his face in her hands and kissed him hard. His hands wove around her neck and into her hair as she slid on top of his shiny oak desk. Harry had quickly hiked up her skirt and slid her knickers down to her ankles as she undid the button to his trousers. She could feel him pressed against her thigh as he prepared himself to enter her.
"I love you," he breathed against her ear.
"I love you too," she replied as she kissed his neck.
Hermione closed her eyes as Harry slowly brought her to the edge of his desk.
"POTTER? ARE YOU IN THERE?"
"Oh fuck," whispered Harry as they sprang apart. Harry quickly did up his trousers, tucked in his shirt and did up the buttons while Hermione wrenched her knickers up her legs and smoothed down her skirt. She grabbed Harry's arm and turned him towards her and wiped off a bit of her lipstick off his neck and put on her jacket. Harry pulled on his and she took his arm. Harry pulled open his office door to come face-to-face with Lyon Bates.
"Mrs. Potter," he acknowledged kindly.
"Minister Bates," she replied.
"How can I help you, Minister?"
"Are you on your way out?"
"Yes, my wife has an appointment. She wanted me to accompany her. Is anything wrong?"
"I just received a letter from the Australian Minister. They're desperate…" he said awkwardly.
"Tell them I send my deepest regrets, but I'm perfectly fine here in England. If they needed me that bad, they'd contact me themselves," said Harry seriously.
"Alright," he said. "I don't understand why they want you back so bad…"
"The demand for Aurors in Australia is greater than it is here," explained Harry. "If you don't mind… we're going to be late…"
"Of course. I'm sorry for taking up your time," said Bates, stepping aside. Harry let Hermione out ahead of him and he magically locked his door and strode off down the corridor.
Hermione took Harry's hand and allowed him to lead her out of his department. They were silent as they headed up the lift and dissaparated to St. Mungo's. Many people in the waiting room looked up curiously as they entered, but they both kept their heads down and walked briskly towards the Maternity Ward.
x-x-x-x-x
"Well Mrs. Potter," said their healer, Janet Earle, "You are indeed pregnant again. I suspect
you'll be due around September 9th."
"That's wonderful," said Hermione as Harry hovered protectively behind her while she lay on the
examination table. "Is it to early to detect the gender?"
"Of course not. I'll just perform the charm…"
She felt Harry's hand tense on her shoulder as Healer Earle waved her wand over her mid section. A bright pink puff of smoke soon emitted from her wand and she smiled.
"Congratulations, it appears you'll be having a girl."
Hermione looked up at Harry, who's serious expression had cracked into a boyish grin.
"Thank you, Healer Earle," said Harry finally as he shook her hand.
"The pleasure's all mine, I assure you. Congratulations, again," she said kindly before exiting the room.
Harry whipped around and turned to Hermione who jumped into his arms and allowed him to spin her around the room. Harry smiled as her tinkling laugh filled the air as he placed butterfly kisses all over her face and neck.
"A daughter, Harry…" she whispered into his chest.
"I know … it's so hard to digest at the moment. I never thought I'd have any children … but now… I have Henry, Sarah, James, and now our little girl…"
"You have no idea how happy it makes me to know that you acknowledge Henry and Sarah as your own," said Hermione seriously.
Harry sighed. "Ever since that day I met Sarah in Flourish and Blotts, I had this feeling… I felt strangely content holding her in my arms … it just felt right."
"We could have had so many years together…" whispered Hermione as she sank down onto the plastic chair.
"Don't think about what could have been, love," Harry replied as he crouched down in front of her and kissed her forehead, "think about now. We're married; we have three amazing children, and another one on the way. Remember that."
x-x-x-x-x
Harry gently stroked Hermione's head as she lay comfortably in his lap reading. He knew they should be in bed; they were both worn from their day at work. Yet, they knew if they went to bed, they would be unable to sleep. They were to excited about their daughter. It was to early to tell their friends and family, so they decided to wait a while so they could be fully prepared to tell everyone. Hermione yawned and set down her book and looked adoringly up at her husband.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," he replied as she sat up and sat in his lap and kissed him lazily.
A light coming from their fireplace soon interrupted them. Harry looked over at it.
"Who's trying to enter?" he called towards it.
"Molly Weasley," said a clear female voice.
Harry looked at Hermione, who nodded. "Alright."
Hermione climbed off Harry's lap and stood up. Harry wove his arm protectively over her shoulder as a flustered Molly Weasley stumbled out of the grate.
Molly stared at the young man whom she had taken under her wing, and loved as if he were her own. Harry Potter would always hold a special place in her heart. Standing next to him was her son's ex-wife, who now proudly bore the name `Potter', instead of Weasley. For months following Ron and Hermione's divorce, she pondered the reason why they had decided to separate. When Harry and Hermione finally revealed that they were together and were even expecting a child, she was furious on the inside. She blamed Harry. And she knew it was wrong.
Weasley's didn't divorce. Never. They stuck together through thick and thin. Never in a million years had she thought Ron and Hermione would have divorced. It had always seemed it would be Ron and Hermione, and Harry and Ginny. It was obvious her only daughter was in love with her older brothers best friend. It was only time before he felt the same.
Soon enough, in his sixth year, her fifth, they got together. Finally, it seemed, everything was going to work out. All Ron and Hermione needed to do were set their worries aside and get together. Finally, they did during the war.
Everyone changed during the second war. It was made painfully obvious in its aftermath. Harry was far more distant; it seemed, far wiser than his eighteen years. She had tried getting Harry and Ginny back together. It seemed that they should be. It was only right. But, her attempts failed. Ginny had tried her hardest to capture Harry's attention, and he drove her away. He made it very clear to her that there was no chance for them. Within three weeks, Harry had gone on a `vacation' to Australia. He never came home or made contact with anyone but Remus Lupin for years.
Remus had always forwarded Harry's letters to her, which came once every four or five months. She never said anything to Ron or Hermione that she had been receiving news on Harry. She knew it was a touchy subject. Ron was furious with him for taking off like he did, and Hermione simply avoided the subject of Harry all together.
So the years went by and Harry still hadn't come home from Australia. In his letters, he never said anything about his personal life. He hadn't given any indication if he was married, single, dating, or had a child. It was normally "Work is fine, the weather is beautiful. Talk to you soon, Harry." She had always worried about him. Was he eating enough in Australia? Was he feeling okay? Where was he living? Soon, she learned to suppress these thoughts. Then, on one glorious April morning, Harry showed up on her front doorstep. It seemed everything changed from that moment.
"Well?" she asked hotly.
"Molly…" began Harry gently.
"I want to hear it from Hermione, Harry."
"I don't want to be with Ron, Molly," said Hermione seriously, "I have no idea what he told you, and I'm sure it's an exaggeration of the truth. I'm not sure if he was intoxicated when we spoke yesterday, Molly, but I assure you if I didn't think Ron was going to do something, I wouldn't have done what I did."
"He deserves to see his own children, Hermione."
"I never said he couldn't. His visits with them have to be supervised."
"Is that necessary?"
"Yes."
Molly exhaled and said nothing.
"Molly, please understand this. We wouldn't do it if we didn't think it was absolutely necessary. Whether you want to believe it or not, Ron hasn't been around for Sarah and Henry much these past few months. Harry has. I'm not asking for them to forget about Ron and let Harry be their only father, I could never do that. But Ron was saying these things about us … I don't trust him around Henry or Sarah. Regardless of what you think," Hermione continued. "We need your support in this decision Molly. I don't want to put a strain on our family."
"I understand," she said softly. "Ronald is my son, and I love him. But you two do have my support on this."
Harry let out the breath he had been holding in relief. "Thank you, Molly, so much," he whispered as he embraced her.
"I love you like my own son, Harry. Never tell a word of this to anyone, but I know you speak the truth more than any of my children put together."
Hermione laughed as Molly turned to her and smiled. "Thank you, Molly," she whispered as her second mother held her close.
"Anything you want to tell me, darling?" Molly asked as she held Hermione at an arms length.
Hermione locked eyes with Harry, who nodded.
"I'm a month and a half pregnant," she confessed. "Harry and I are expecting a daughter."
"That's wonderful!" Molly exclaimed instantly wrapping both of them in one of her infamous hugs.
"Thank you, Molly." Harry whispered as he returned her embrace. "Please don't tell anyone. We've only just found out. We haven't informed the kids yet."
"Of course, Harry," assured Molly, "frankly, I'm amazed you two kept the mum about James for as long as you did."
"It was all Hermione," Harry laughed as he kissed her on the side of her head as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I just wanted to wait for the right time," she whispered guiltily. "I don't regret a minute of it," she added softly.
"I should get home," Molly said finally. "Arthur will be wondering…"
"That's alright," Harry assured as she embraced him again.
"Congratulations, again," she said softly before stepping into the grate and disappeared in a flash of green flames.
Hermione let out the breath she had been holding before turning to Harry.
"I didn't expect that," she said quietly.
"Nor did I," he responded, wrapping her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too, Harry."
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