Eight years ago, Harry left Ginny for Hermione and Hermione left Ron for Harry. Realizing how hard it would be to continue living in London and hurting their friends and family, the two ran far away to Merlin knows where. Eight years and two kids later, Harry and Hermione are back for Luna’s wedding. Ron is still embarrassed, Ginny is beginning to understand, and the truth of the past will reveal itself and help everyone return to how they were before the departure of the Man-Who-Conquered and the Brightest Witch of her Age.
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/7274/
It was graduation. Finally, it was the end of May, the end of another year, the end of Hogwarts, and the end of the war. It was that time of the graduation ceremony where the Salutatorian makes his speech and then introduces the Valedictorian. He was extremely nervous. He had never been good at talking in front of people. He hadn't done something like this in front of such a large expecting amount of people since Dumbledore's Army. That seemed so long ago, days that were full of youth and being suppressed by the ministry. For a minute, he wished that he could go back to the very first day he stepped foot into the castle. He knows he will miss this place. Everyone knows he will.
Nobody, however, knows the one thing he will miss more than Hogwarts. It's not Quidditch, the food or even his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. No, it's Hermione, His best friend. After graduation, she would be leaving him for America to fulfill her dream of professionally continuing her studies at the Salem Witch Institute in Oregon. She had only told him. She planned to announce this huge academic move during the party, which seemed so far away from where the two were standing side by side behind a large red curtain on the stage in the Great Hall.
Her hand gracefully slipped into his, as if it were a practiced move. His fingers tightened around hers, like he never wanted to let her go. He never did, but if it meant her sacrificing what she had always been working for, then he would do it in a heartbeat. His grip tightened more and his arm unconsciously pulled her closer next to him. He bent his head and whispered into her ear.
“I'm really going to miss you” it sent shivers up her spine.
“That's nothing compared to how much I'll miss you” she replied, her eyes straightforward, but her mind with the man standing to her left.
“I have something very important to tell you. Are you listening?”
“Always, Harry”
“Okay, here goes…Hermione, we've been through hell and back together. When Ron couldn't help me, you were there…I want you to go to Salem, but I don't want to loose you…its selfish—”
“No it's not Harry!”
“Let me finish! It's selfish that I want you all to myself when I've already got Ginny and you're with Ron, but I'm sick of pretending like we don't have something more than this.”
“Harry what are you trying to say?” Hermione turned herself to look at him straight in his gorgeous emerald eyes.
“I'm going with you. We'll announce it as soon as possible and then head out to Oregon”
“Harry you're mad! You can't just drop everything—everyone—you love to follow me to the states just to protect me…I'm fully capable—”
“Mione, weren't you listening? I know that you're capable. I want to go with you because I don't want to loose you…I mean, I think that I…that I—”
“Harry you're about to go onstage, whatever you have to say you need to say it now!” Hermione forcefully told him, hoping beyond hope that he would tell her what she's been wanting to hear for so long.
“Hermione I think I'm in love with you. And that scares me to death because I've never said that to someone before, but I know it's true. And if I'm not with you for the rest of my life I'll die from not having you near me. Please, please let me go with you…I'm shit without you!”
Hermione giggled “Language, Harry”
Harry looked hurt. “That's it? You're just going to reprimand me for swearing?”
“Harry I love you very much, but you already knew that, didn't you?”
Harry pondered for a minute and then smiled. “Yeah I guess I did…”
“So what now…”
“Well, we've just decided that we love each other and plan to run off to America together. How about a kiss?” Harry suggested. Hermione nodded. As their faces came closer, the anticipation of their first kiss together grew, and both of them were much to preoccupied to notice when the curtain that hid them from the audience opened. The audience audibly gasped as Harry and Hermione were revealed in a passionate kiss.
“YOU SODDING GIT!” was the only thing to grab their attention. Ron ran out of his aisle and sprinted through the doors of the great hall. A teary-eyed Ginny and a pissed off Weasley family was next out the great oak doors.
Harry looked around nervously and gulped. He looked to Hermione for reassurance. She was blushing madly and tried to smile for him, but it was concealed by the hair she tried to cover her blush with. Harry took comfort from her and approached the podium for his Salutatorian speech.
“Err…hi everyone…” he cleared his throat “My name's Harry Potter and I've had the pleasure of attending Hogwarts for the last seven years. Um…a lot has happened during that time…a lot of it here in this castle and in this very room. I…well I made some lifetime friends who I plan to stay friends with for forever. I learned more than I ever thought I would. I met the girl I love here. Despite what's happened with the fall of Voldemort and many of our loved ones, I'm proud and happy to say that my years here were unbelievable and amazing. Almost as unbelievable and amazing as your Valedictorian for this year and my best friend, Hermione Granger”
Harry stepped off the stage to an astounding round of applause. He was slightly awed because he hadn't said anything that great, yet they were going mental in the seats and aisles. He shook his head with a smile and took Hermione's hand as he led her to the podium and stood back proudly as she wowed the crowd with her elegant and heartwarming speech. It was only too bad that Ron, Ginny, and the rest of Weasley's could not have enjoyed it as much as everyone else had.
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“Five more minutes, Mione”
“Shut the blinds, Harry, dear”
“After seven, it's your responsibility”
“Seven…OH MY GOD! WE'RE LATE!” Hermione shot out of bed like she was catapulted and practically ran to the bathroom. Harry simply lay in bed trying to hide his face from the light streaming through the window.
“Harry, get up! The kids have school today! It's Haylie's first day of Pre-wizarding school!” Hermione quickly shouted at him from the bathroom. He waited until he heard the shower head running before he snuggled into his blankets and tried to catch a bit more sleep.
“Daddy! Daddy!” The sweet sound of his offspring floated to his ears.
Harry groaned. He lifted his head from his pillow and scratched at his eyes. He grabbed his glasses from the bedside table and neatly set them on his nose. One glance at the clock made him groan again. It was way too early to be up! His family was insane.
“Daddy! I need you!” The child called more demandingly from down the hall. She sounded very serious and very helpless (not to mention very cute). Harry quietly padded out of the master bedroom in his slippers and robe and headed down the hall
He passed his son's room, in which no sound was coming from. That could mean one of two things: either he was asleep or he was already at the kitchen table waiting for breakfast. Hopefully, it would be the latter because it was impossible to wake his son up before nine o' clock.
Harry continued down the hallway, passed one more door before he reached his little girl's room. Haylie Potter was standing in the middle of her room dressed in a cute little white dress. Her brown curly hair was pulled back in a ponytail, but a few strands of hair were in her face covering her glasses.
“What's the problem, baby?” Harry asked, smiling at how adorable his little girl was.
“I can't carry all my books!”
“Really? Shall I buy you a little red wagon that you can carry all of your books in?” Harry joked
Haylie seemed to ponder this thought for a moment before she nodded.
“Yes, that'll do!”
Harry smiled and walked over to her. She was surrounded by books on her floor in piles and stacks. He walked over to where she was standing and kneeled down in front of her. Once he was at eye level with his four-year-old he tried to explain.
“Haylie, you know that you don't need all of those books at school, don't you?”
“But daddy, I need to learn. How am I supposed to learn without my books?”
“Your teacher will give you other books to read. You remember your teacher from orientation, Mrs. Wilson, don't you?”
Haylie nodded. And looked at her feet.
“It's good that you want to learn so much, Haylie, and mommy and I are always proud of how smart you are, but if you bring your books than you'll be too distracted to learn new things. We definitely don't want that, do we sweetie?”
Haylie shook her head hastily.
“You're right, daddy. I'll just bring one or two.” The little girl conceded
“Thank you. Now, which books?” Harry asked
“Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan”
“Very good choices. Why Peter Pan, though? Haven't you memorized every word?” Harry inquired to the little girl who was looking for those two books in her big pile.
“I still like the pictures.” Haylie replied as if Harry should already know better.
“Forgive me. I hadn't realized” Harry laughed. He took Haylie's hand and led her downstairs to their kitchen and dining room.
In the Kitchen, Hermione Potter was hard at work with eggs on the stove. She was dressed for work with an apron on and her hair in a messy bun. James was sitting at the table drawing a picture with his new magic crayons.
Harry walked in with Haylie's hand in his and sat her down at the table. He gave her some paper and then kissed her cheek.
“Morning James” he greeted his son who nodded in response. Harry ruffled his hair and went to join Hermione.
“Harry, could you get the toast out please?” she asked of him.
“You got it” The couple went about preparing breakfast for the family. Hermione made the eggs and bacon, while Harry buttered the toast, prepared the table and poured the orange juice. Once breakfast was set in front of the children, Harry and Hermione joined them at the square kitchen table.
“Honey I might be a bit late coming home. With school starting, we're expecting a busy next few days. Can you get the kids from school?” Hermione said to Harry as she forked her eggs. Hermione owned her own Bookstore in a muggle store division. She'd made a fortune out of simply doing what she loved.
Harry nodded “Yeah no problem. I only have two groups and one private client. I should be done in time”
Harry was always expected to be a big bad Auror or a Professional Quidditch player. In all honesty, he would like to be either one of those thing, or perhaps both. However, after they left London he wanted to stay out of the ministry and the spotlight. So he became a Quidditch instructor, and a damn good one at that.
“Dad, can we go flying after school?” James asked
“Don't talk with your mouth full, Jamie” Hermione scolded. James swallowed and then asked his dad again.
“Please?”
“We'll see. If you don't have any homework and if nothing comes up then we'll definitely think about it, okay?” Harry replied. James smiled and went back to eating.
“Mommy someone's at the door” Haylie abruptly announced. Hermione looked to Harry who shrugged.
“No one knocked” he conceded. Hermione wiped her mouth with her napkin before getting up and walking to the door. Halfway there, someone knocked. Hermione stopped and glanced behind to her husband, both of them with eyes wide open in shock. How did Haylie know? Hermione cautiously walked to the door.
Harry got up and quickly rushed behind her. They stood before the door. Harry extended his hand to the doorknob and slowly turned it. The windy outside of Chicago blew the door open a little and a man's silhouette was seen.
“Professor Lupin!”
“Oh my God!”
Remus Lupin dressed in grey fading wizarding robes stood on their front porch with a smile on his face and bags under his eyes.
“Harry, Hermione. It's so good to see you. Perhaps I could come in?” he asked. They immediately opened the door wider and he stepped in.
After two seconds inside the house, Hermione had drawn him into a bone crushing hug.
“Hermione, sweetie, he can't breathe!” Harry stopped her. She pulled away.
“Professor I can't believe how long it's been!” she gushed
“It's been, what, eight years? You can stop calling me Professor now”
“Old habits die hard, professor” she responded. Harry shook Lupin's hand and smiled. He put his arm around Hermione's shoulders. His look seemed to darken a bit.
“Is there any specific reason as to why you're here, sir? Has anything bad happened?” Harry asked
“No,” Lupin hastily replied “Actually I'm here for a good reason. But I must say that it was damn near impossible to track you down.”
“That was sort of the point” Both young adults sheepishly avoided looking at Lupin.
“Mommy! Daddy! Jamie took the red crayon! And I was using it first!” Haylie barreled out of the kitchen, the box of crayons in her hands as she ran. The crayons were spilling everywhere as she ran which was creating a huge mess all around the foyer.
“I did not! She's lying!” James yelled from behind as he too sprinted to where their parents were standing.
“Mommy, he really did! I was coloring a really pretty picture of Captain Hook and I needed the red crayon for his coat. I was coloring in his hat when Jamie took it from me without asking!” Haylie accused, close to tears. Jamie simply looked annoyed.
“That's not what happened! Haylie over egarcerated!” James countered
“I think you mean `over exaggerated'” Hermione automatically corrected, “And even so, you guys have to learn to share or you'll never stop being scolded by Dad and I. Why not just take turns using the crayon?”
“Or just break it in half and you can each use it at the same time” Harry suggested. The kids looked to each other before doing what he said and then racing back to the kitchen to finish coloring before they left for school.
“You have kids?” Lupin asked, with his eyebrows raised.
“Yes. That was James and Haylie” Hermione replied softly. She had forgotten that her old Defense against the Dark Arts professor was there for a moment.
“You do know why we left don't you?” Harry inquired. He grabbed Hermione's hand and led her to the sitting room with Lupin trailing behind.
“Not really. Ron and Ginny have told us it was something about a fight between the four of you about you two lying to them about a relationship. Then the rumor was that you'd run off to Australia to have a passionate love affair. I don't think anyone thought you'd get married and have kids” Lupin explained
“Well…that's about it. Hermione broke up with Ron before the graduation ceremony, which I had no idea about. I planned to break up with Ginny after, but right before it was time for our speeches I couldn't help it. I told Hermione how I felt. She felt the same, obviously, so we moved to Oregon for her schooling. After she graduated, Haylie was born and we moved here” Harry told Lupin. The two men sat on the couch as Hermione lit a fire with her wand in their brick fireplace.
“Haylie was born after you Graduated?” Lupin asked Hermione. She nodded. “Then you had James while in school? That must've been extremely difficult.”
“I won't say it wasn't unexpected, but we handled it. I stayed in a dorm for the first year, since it was cheaper while Harry and James rented a really shabby apartment. Then, Harry got his Instructor job and we were able to find a cottage on campus and hire some help until after graduation.”
“You two have come a long way” Lupin said, watching as the two sat on the couch, cuddled up together.
“So,” Harry began, taking Hermione's hand “What's the reason?”
Lupin regarded him cautiously. He sighed and ran a hand through his grey stringy hair. He thought of a hundred ways to avoid bringing it up, but once his eyes met Hermione's he knew he'd just have to tell them straight.
“Luna Lovegood…you remember here, don't you?” the couple nodded.
“She's marrying. Actually, She's marrying into a wealthy family; Charles M. Rowland III of the London Duke Rowland's. Molly Weasley is doing her wedding, by personal request of Luna. The invitations have been sent out, but no one knew where to send yours except for me.” Lupin reached a hand into his coat pocket and pulled out a wrinkled white envelope with an official seal holding it unopened. He handed it to Harry, who didn't take his eyes off of it, but did not open it.
“Luna's invited us? After how long it's been?” He asked
“Of course. She felt that you helped her during a hard time.” Lupin smiled as he watched them have a private conversation with their eyes.
After only a few minutes, both young adults turned to Lupin.
“Open the envelope” Lupin ordered before either could say a word. Harry slowly ripped the seal as cleanly as he could. He took out the parchment inside and unfolded it. The neat handwriting could not be mistaken for Luna Lovegood's.
Dear Harry and Hermione,
It's been a very long time. Of course, you know that. Everyone misses you, none more than Molly Weasley. I happen to miss you as well. I want to thank you both for helping me through the death of my father. I also want to thank you for letting me stay at Grimmauld for the end of my education at Hogwarts. Lots of people say lots of things about the whereabouts of you two passionate lovers, but I know what's true. You left because you thought it would be easier. It's not my decision to say whether it was right or wrong, but now is a chance to come back and possibly redo the whole thing. You'd be amazed at how much people have changed in the last eight years. I hope you will consider coming, it would mean the world to me.
Luna M. Lovegood
Once both Harry and Hermione were done with the letter they looked to one another with odd expressions on their faces. Behind the letter they had read, was the actual invitation telling the date and place.
Lupin watched as they had another “silent eye conversation”, as he affectionately came to call it. They “spoke” for what seemed like ten minutes, but what was really only thirty seconds, before they had their answer.
“Do we floo or apparate?”
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Harry could not remember a time when their small house had felt so small, or the family had ever been this chaotic. His two kids were running around whining and arguing while Hermione tried to finish their packing. Hermione was also trying to clean and cook at the same time, which was making her cranky and short-tempered with him. Harry didn't really know what to do with himself. After eight years of marriage, he'd learned to just stay out of the way.
“Harry, could please zip up the really big suitcase for me, it won't close!” Hermione hastily asked, while silently casting a spell to make the iron straighten out her dress clothes.
“Did you think of using magic?” Harry raised his eyebrows.
Hermione paused and looked at him shyly. “No, it slipped my mind.” She muttered
“It's because you're so stressed. Baby, why don't you take a break and let me handle everything?” Harry soothed, he went to her and began to massage her shoulders. She moaned in approval and closed her eyes.
“I would—but you would screw everything up and you know it.” She whispered, she turned around to face him, “But that's why I love you; cause you need me.”
“Is that all?” Harry murmured huskily
“No, there's also the fact that you're incredibly sexy, and thoughtful, sweet, charming, and caring…should I go on?”
“No I'm good for now.”
He bent his head and caught his wife in a passionate kiss. After eight years, each time felt like the first. He put his hands on her waist and pushed her against the wall next to the ironing board.
“Harry…” Hermione moaned “Harry really I have so much to do…”
Harry's playful remark that she always has too much to do was cut off. James and Haylie burst through the door huffing and puffing out of breathe.
“Mom, Haylie hid my model dragon and she won't tell me where it is!” James hollered
“Liar! I didn't hide it, mommy, I was just playing a game!”
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. She was a little too stressed. Seeing this, Harry decided to take control.
“How about another game, sweetheart? Hot or cold?” He suggested. Haylie nodded happily. They walked into the hallway.
“Am I getting warm?”
“No daddy. Ice cold! Ice!”
Harry walked into James' room.
“Still cold! You're gonna get frostbited!”
Harry turned out of James' room and headed for Haylie's, but at the doorframe she yelled “Daddy it's snowing where you are! You're no good at this!”
“I'm trying baby! How about you give me a hint?”
“Okay daddy…it's not upstairs or in any bedrooms!”
Harry walked down the stairs and into their foyer.
“Warmer!” haylie shouted gleefully “you're getting there!”
Harry made to turn into the dining room, but then Haylie said “no daddy wrong way!” so he turned the other direction, which led him to the coat closet. Harry took a step closer to it.
“You're very hot! Boiling hot! Watch out, you'll get burned!”
Harry opened the closet to find the model of a Hungarian horntail that he had gotten in his fourth year from the first task in the triwizard tournament on top of a pile of blankets and winter blazers. James appeared behind him.
“Thanks dad! No thanks to you, Haylie!” he stuck his tongue out at his sister and then bolted to his room to finish packing. Haylie went upstairs, too, to cause some more chaos, Harry figured. He couldn't believe that he and Hermione were allowing them to miss a week of school for this.
There was a knock at the door. Harry opened it and in came Lupin, looking as tired and shabby as usual, which was a comfort for Harry. They exchanged a handshake and Harry led Lupin to sit.
“Is everyone almost ready?” Lupin asked
“Hermione's finishing up and then helping the kids along. Should only be a few more minutes.” Harry replied, taking a seat in his favorite chair.
“You've really done well for yourself, Harry” Lupin said, looking around the house and taking it all in, “I'm proud of you and I'm sure James, Lily, and Sirius would be, too.”
“Thank you”
“Professor It's so good to see you!” Hermione bustled down the stairs, carrying all of the shrunken suitcases. She ran to Lupin and gave him another one of her painful embraces
“I'm not your professor!” Lupin muttered bashfully
“Are you still teaching at Hogwarts?”
“Yes”
“Then you're a professor”
Lupin rolled his eyes, but nodded. Harry went to grab the suitcases and put them in his pocket. Since there were four, it made a little bulge in his pocket, but that was much better than having to carry them all in full size and weight.
“Are you ready? We're going to the Wandering Hotel, you remember it?”
Harry and Hermione nodded. Harry grabbed James' arm and Hermione held Haylie in her arms as they apparated back to London from Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
After eight years of not being in their home country, the first thing Harry and Hermione saw upon arrival was a dirty brick wall in a dumpster inhabited alley. The smell was literally breathtaking, in the sense that you want to hold your nose or choke to death.
“Welcome home” Harry muttered bitterly to himself.
“Optimist” Hermione called him, smiling at her husband and patting his shoulder.
To the objective outsider, it might have looked weird for one old man, two adults, and two little kids to emerge from a dirty and suspicious alley, but Harry, Hermione, Remus, James and Haylie tried to be inconspicuous as they made their way down the street where the hotel was located.
“Muggle London; never changes” Harry remarked as he witnessed unaware regular people going about their day and hurrying along the streets.
“The city may not have changed overtime, but your friends certainly have” Lupin muttered. Only Hermione heard him and she knit her brows together in confusion.
“Does anybody know we're coming?” she asked
Lupin seemed to hesitate. Maybe waiting to tell the Weasley's wasn't such a good idea after all. At least Tonks would get to say `I told you so' when he got home….if he was still alive.
“Well, you understand that even though you haven't been around for eight years…you're still a daily thing. Offhand comments here, a retelling of a Hogwarts story with you involved, or maybe a fond picture found somewhere throughout the Burrow. You've been around in memory and it's easier for the Weasley's to have that memory thrust upon them instead of preparing for it. You've seen Molly; they all handle pressure better than anxiety” Lupin explained cautiously. He looked to the young adults for their reaction.
“Wow,” Hermione began, truly impressed. “You really thought that out, didn't you? A simple `no, nobody has a clue' would've done.”
“You know professor Lupin, always overcomplicating things” the adults shared a laugh. Lupin sighed; it was almost like old times.
“Mommy!” Haylie tugged on Hermione's sleeve “Where are we?”
“We're in London, sweetie. Daddy and I grew up here”
“There's a lot of muggles.” James commented. “I don't see one single Wizarding place”
Harry smiled at his son and ruffled his messy black hair.
“You have to know where to look, Jamie” he said.
From somewhere near them they heard a buzzing. Lupin seemed embarrassed as he pulled out his wand which was illuminated and vibrating.
“What the hell, Professor?” Harry questioned
“A new ministry thing. Damn, I'm sorry everyone but I need to run in the office. It only does that for an emergency. Do you guys mind?”
“But I wanted to go see Dagon Alley!” James complained.
“It's Diagon Alley, stupid!” Haylie corrected bossily as Lupin replied, “How about I get us some ice cream as soon as we're out of the ministry, okay?”
“Alright!” the kids agreed happily and Lupin smiled before turning serious.
“Harry, Hermione, would you prefer waiting outside or something? I don't think you going into the Ministry is such a good idea with the kids and all—”
“Nonsense” Hermione interrupted. “London was once our home and we're still a part of the magical world. We'll join you. It should be fun to see the changes after eight years.”
Harry nodded along with his wife and took her hand.
“Oh, there are changes alright” Lupin whispered under his breathe.
He held his head high as they walked down a few blocks and crossed a couple streets before standing in front of the employee entrance to the ministry.
“Don't we have to go through the visitor way?” Harry asked
“After your little debacle with Nagini in the lobby…they decided it was useless. If the booth had notified someone of your entrance then help would've arrived faster and it would've saved Ron the scar he still has on his arm.”
“It's still there?”
“Same as always. I trust yours is still there too?” Lupin inquired.
“Of course” Harry answered. In response he lifted his shoulder sleeve where a small black star looked like it had been cut into his skin. Hermione also showed hers. They matched. It was an attempt to save Ron's life after the snake had bite his shoulder with its large poisonous teeth. Had they not done this advanced and dangerous blood magic than he might not be alive to hate them for what happened at graduation.
“You ready?” Harry whispered in Hermione's ear.
“No sense in avoiding it. Wizarding World…he we come!”
Hermione carried Haylie on her hips and Harry had James' hand as they followed Lupin through the glass door of a rundown old clothing Shoppe.
Lupin made his way through the lobby and down a couple hallways. The Potters weren't grabbing as much attention as they had thought. Everyone was busy focusing on work here. Wizards, Goblins, Ghouls, and House Elves all walked around in suits with files and stern looks. Hermione was shocked.
“Look Harry! House Elves! They're wearing clothes and they're working! I bet they get pay and vacation and everything!” she said excitedly. It was contagious, Harry found himself grinning at the way Hermione was acting. She had always said that if she were back in the wizarding world, she would fight for House Elves, but now it seemed as if she wasn't the only one who cared. This was huge to her.
They turned down another hallway and saw the Department of Magical Affairs with Intelligent Magical Creatures. Hermione about cried. Professor Lupin had forgotten to mention this tiny little detail; Most magical creatures had equal rights and were equally represented throughout the Ministry. Lupin himself was a werewolf senator.
“Harry, Hermione…This is our werewolf department…you'll be happy to know that—”
“Remus did I just hear you say `Harry and Hermione'?”
The world seemed to stop and everyone held their breathe. It was Ron Weasley in the flesh. He looked so much different yet a lot like he had at graduation. His red hair was short and spiked and his blue eyes had sunglasses shading them even though he was indoors. He wore khaki pants and a plain white shirt but adorned it with a shark tooth necklace and brown beach sandals. Where the hell had he gotten so tan?
“Ron, now don't get angry. Harry and Hermione are here for Luna's wedding” Remus explained nervously. He smiled cautiously at the young man before him.
“Harry, Hermione…Ron is part of our traveling Department. He studies abroad to decide which creatures are considered intelligent enough for representation in the Magical Council. His last trip was in Aruba.” Remus tried to keep it friendly, but Ron's face was contorted in anger. His ears had turned as red as his hair and his fists were clenched at his sides.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he muttered through clenched teeth.
“We came for Luna.” Hermione whispered. She seemed unable to talk to her ex-lover.
“After what you did? GO BACK TO WHEREVER THE HELL YOU WERE AND LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY ALONE! LUNA DOESN'T WANT YOU AT HER WEDDING—”Ron began to shout.
“Always a daft git, weren't you Ron?” Hermione retorted with a chuckle. “Luna invited us. And we're going for her, not for you or your family!”
“SHUT THE HELL UP HERMIONE!”
“DON'T TALK TO MY WIFE LIKE THAT!” Harry bellowed. He was getting more and more frustrated by the millisecond. Remus sensing disaster quickly grabbed Haylie from Hermione and took Jamie's hand. He took them farther down the hall away form the commotion and then he returned to the scene. They were gaining attention from the innocent bystanders.
“You're wife? So you fuck a few times while she's dating ME and that's a marriage to you?”
“Ron, you better watch your mouth!” Harry warned.
“Or what? Is the big bad Harry Potter going to kick my arse? Are you going to curse me inside the ministry? Even if you are the “man-who-conquered” I'm a ministry employee and they'll have your arse for attacking me!” Ron taunted.
“You're just pissed that Hermione finally realized how much better off she could be with me! We have a happy family and a good life away from you and all you're pathetic schoolboy drama!” Harry retorted angrily.
“You'll pay for that Potter!” Ron yelled before running and tackling Harry. Ron had buffed up, but Harry wasn't the best quidditch instructor in the state of Illinois for nothing. They rolled around on the ground and Harry got at least one good punch to Ron's eye before ministry officials pulled them away form each other.
Hermione went to distract Haylie and James from the fight and she swore she saw a photography flash go off near the scene. She quickly grabbed the kids and turned the corner hoping that Harry wouldn't suspect her of deserting him.
Back at the fight, Remus was doing all he could to hold Harry back and try not to draw attention. He tried to dismiss the crowd “Nothing to see here. Just leave already!” but they weren't going for it. He grabbed Harry by the upper arm and physically dragged him out of the crowd and down the hallway. He made it down the corner where Hermione was waiting. Immediately Hermione flew into his arms.
“Are you okay?” she asked sadly. Tears in her eyes.
“Better than he is. I can't believe this. After eight years…you'd think he would eventually get over it.” Harry said wistfully.
“Like I said,” Remus began. “You've been a daily thing. So it's been flaunted in front of his face for eight years. He hasn't even had a girlfriend since his Hogwarts graduation. I think he had a thing with Luna…but he's mainly focused his energy on hating the both of you and making a lot of money.”
“What a terrible life to live; Being angry constantly and trying to live happily. Poor Ron.” Hermione muttered sincerely. Harry hugged her to him.
“Dad that was so cool!” James praised him and they all shared a good laugh. For Hermione it was forced. She was anxious to see Ginny. If Ron had been this bad when she had broken up with him before she kissed Harry…imagine what Ginny would be like since Harry was still with her at the time.
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Author's Note: It's a bit short, but that's only because we needed this chapter with the Weasley reactions before we could get to the next part. I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter three
“They're back!”
Ron never attended family lunches. At least, not since Molly had taken up Luna's wedding. He always went to Sunday dinner, but never Wednesday lunch.
“Ron, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?” Ginny asked rudely. Ron and Ginny's relationship had been strained for a long time. Ever since Ginny's graduation and that incident with Luna…
“You'll never believe it. This morning…I just got back from Aruba and I heard Remus in the hallway. But he wasn't alone!” Ron was trying not to ramble and he seemed out of breathe.
“Who was he with?” Molly asked interestedly.
“Why do we care?” Fred joked.
“Harry and Hermione! He was with them and they're married!”
“WHAT?!” Ginny screamed, “They're here? In London? Oh Merlin!”
“They're married…to each other” Ron restated somberly.
“Way to go Harry!” George cheered
“They have kids” Ron said in a disbelieving whisper. It was mostly to himself. He could hardly believe it. His friends had moved on together. He'd never imagined that they would last.
“Kids?” Molly squeaked, “They have children?” Ron nodded reluctantly.
“Two. A boy and a girl. Really young” he muttered
“Damn Harry works fast!” Fred laughed
“His swimmers sure can swim!” George added.
“Boys! Enough!” Arthur ordered. The sitting room became substantially quiet, especially for the Weasley house. Mr. Weasley walked over to his wife and took her hand.
“I think that's fantastic” He said simply. Molly looked away and her face darkened.
“They hurt us, Arthur. They hurt our whole family. Harry was with Ginny…and Hermione broke Ron's heart and then immediately shacks up with him…”
“I think they were together while she was still dating me” Ron said airily, as if he had just realized it.
Arthur ignored his youngest son and continued, “Molly, dear, you can't blame them for being in love. Look at us, we shouldn't have married so young and started having kids. Our parents didn't want us too, but we did and we're happy. I think Harry and Hermione deserve a second chance.”
“Arthur, fist they hurt Ron and Ginny, then they left without an explanation…”
“Think about it, dear. I think we owe them the chance to give us one. I'm happy for them and I think you should invite them for dinner.” Arthur said. He let go of his wife's hand and left the room. The few occupants stood in place all lost in their own thoughts.
“What do you think the press will say?” Fred suddenly interrupted the silence. He was actually serious.
“Ron…what happened to your eye?” Ginny asked, finally noticing his face and the big black shiner that decorated it.
Ron muttered something unintelligible.
“Didn't catch that—”
“I ran into a wall!” he yelled defensively and used his hand to cover his eye. Fred and George chuckled.
“Was this wall made of Harry Potter Brick?”
“No, I think it was Hermione that hit him. She could take him any day!”
“SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!” Ron shouted, “I'm so sick of this! You're supposed to be on my side…I'm your brother.”
“You may be our brother…” Fred started
“But you're such a wanker” George completed.
They laughed and then kissed their mother goodbye before disapparating.
Ron looked to his little sister.
“You know how I feel, don't you? Like they betrayed you and then threw it in your face?” Ron pleaded from Ginny.
“I don't know Ron” She sighed, “I'm trying to move on with my life. I found someone and I just…I want to forget what happened but I know I cant until I hear from them and get an explanation. But I know I don't want to hear it because it'll just hurt me. I'm confused. And I know you are too, but you have to at least hear them out.”
“I don't have to do anything. They did something wrong and it'll take more than apology to make things right again!” Ron's indignantly replied
“Why should they apologize?” Ginny calmly asked, “All they did was fall in love. You can't help who you fall in love with…right?”
“You don't understand, Gin. After Nagini, when they….did what they did to save me…we had a new bond. A No-secrets thing. That's when I told Hermione how I felt. If she didn't love me back then why did she agree? She strung me along!”
“They saved your life, Ron! You owe them a life debt!”
“Like bloody hell I do! I don't owe them a damn thing!”
“When are you going to get over this, Ronald?” Molly quietly interjected.
“Not you too mum!” Ron whined, feeling as if everyone was against him.
“It's been a long time…and we could all use a little more Harry and Hermione in our lives. They weren't trying to hurt you. They were just trying to be happy.”
“But what about me?” Ron was still fighting against it, “They weren't thinking of my happiness, or my feelings, or my future! They only thought about themselves!”
“Wow” Ginny responded “That had to be the most conceded thing I've ever heard from you! I'm leaving. See you on Sunday, mum.” She kissed her mother's check and didn't even glance at her brother while she exited the house she grew up in.
“Why is this happening?” Ron complained to no one in particular.
“You're fighting a loosing battle, dear. Just talk to them. What's the worst that could happen?” Molly got up and went into the kitchen to begin preparing dinner. Ron stayed behind in the sitting room and sat heavily in a big red comfy chair.
“The worst that could happen…” He spat bitterly, “…is that I could forgive them.” He angrily punched the arm of the couch and went back to sulking.
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Author's Note: I'm so sorry for the late update! You have no idea how stressful the last few days have been! First, portkey wasn't working for TWO days! I even tried to access my control panel on two other computers! Then, to make things worse, my little brother got sick which inspired a sort of random and last-minute-edit into the chapter. Consider it as a treat for how bad of an author I've been for not updating. Once again, I am SO SO SO sorry! Please forgive me!
On a better note, I was pleasantly surprised with the understanding and the reactions in the reviews for the last chapter. Mostly everyone understood why Ron was acting that way and could accept that it was a short chapter! Thank-You for being so supportive! Please enjoy and expect another update very quickly!
Chapter four
Ginny Weasley nervously paced the hallway before their room. She had been lucky to have their room at all and she'd had to lie to find out where they were staying. But it was all worth it and it was all for this moment. Should she knock? Could she?
Would she have the guts? And now she stood before the door, bracing as her knuckles lightly rapped the wooden door with a bright red number 616 on it.
Ginny held her breathe and blinked a few times in preparation. Maybe no one was home…she should just leave…She turned on her heel about to walk away but then the door creaked open.
“Ginny?” Someone cautiously whispered.
Ginny looked over her shoulder and saw Hermione peeking out of a slightly open door.
“Hey Hermione” she muttered nervously. She fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.
“Oh Merlin! Ginny!” Hermione cried, flung open the door and went to Ginny. She threw her arms around her old best friend and held her close. As awkward as Ginny felt, she still hugged Hermione back. They were such good friends…she could at least handle a hug.
“Hermione it's…it's nice to…well…it's been a long time” Ginny said softly, “May I come in? I only want a little bit of time…”
Hermione immediately opened the door wide and ushered the embarrassed red head in.
“Just try to be quiet. Haylie is taking her afternoon kip”
“I heard you had kids” Ginny said evenly.
“Yes” Hermione answered “Haylie is our daughter. She's four and a half. Harry is out flying with Jamie right now. He's seven.”
“I heard he looks just like his dad. Except for his eyes…they're your eyes.” Ginny seemed to finally be recognizing the present. Harry wasn't hers anymore and he never really was…she knew it but it was still difficult to take.
“Ginny, Harry and I never meant to hurt you. He was going to end thing as soon as the ceremony was over, but that wouldn't have made it any better. We hurt you and I can imagine you hate us for it. Merlin knows Ron does.”
“Ron is a different person, Hermione.” Ginny interrupted. “I don't hate you and I certainly don't agree with how Ron's behaving. I just…I needed to see you again. It's been so long since we talked.”
“There's not a lot to talk about…”Hermione chuckled nervously.
“Well where do you work?” Ginny made herself comfortable on the Hotel room's couch and folded her hands neatly in her lap. She looked to Hermione interestedly.
“I own a bookstore. `Pages of the Ages'. It's a big hit in America because it has both muggle and wizard classics and modern books. All the Salem and Chicago students get their schoolbooks there. We were planning on sending Jamie there in a few years—”
“Surely he would attend Hogwarts!” Interjected Ginny
“Well, we weren't sure. If we put his down for Hogwarts then everyone would know and we weren't ready yet. I guess we'll see how this whole reunion thing works out. Have you met Luna's fiancée?” Hermione replied
“Yes and he's a real tool.” Ginny huffed, “I just wish that she and my brother had worked out…as much of a prat he is I think he would've made her happy.”
“Wait—Ron and Luna courted?”
“not exactly. They sort of casually got together and then they suddenly stopped. She was really sad for awhile which is, you know, weird for Luna. And he was still high and mighty so I figured it was okay but then she stopped talking to the family. Everyone was surprised when she asked mum to do the wedding…”Ginny explained
“So you don't like Charles Rowland?”
“Like I said, he's a bloody git. He thinks her quirks are weird. He doesn't even read The Quibbler, which's been her life since her father died. He doesn't respect it or help. He think this is all just a phase she'll grow out of; A real tool.”
“I can imagine. And what of you, Gin? Do you have a special someone?” Hermione realized that it might as been too soon to open up a sore subject like this but it felt so much like old times that she felt compelled.
“Well sort of. I mean, Harry's been out of the picture for so many years now. And we're all growing up so quickly. And you've settled down with Harry and so have Bill, Charlie, Percy and now Luna. It seems like only the twins, the Arsehole, and I are left. I can't be last to the altar can I? Though honestly we all thought it would be you.” Ginny shrugged. She took a small butter cookie form the plate on the glass coffee table and delicately bite into it. Every about her was fragile and sometimes Hermione was jealous.
She was saved from a painful cruise of self pity when the doorknob turned and opened revealing her husband and her son.
“Mommy, you shoulda seen us!” Jamie came flying into the room, though not literally, bouncing off the walls with excitement.
“What did I miss?” Hermione smiled, forgetting her earlier insecurities.
“Dad went so high in the air…we went through a cloud! And he did a back flip and a 360 and a—” Harry quickly put his hand over James' mouth to stop him from telling.
“Enough James, I don't think mom wants to hear!” Harry flustered
“Harry how could you!” Hermione scolded him sternly. “I told you not to go too high and not to be careless!” she continued, forgetting about their guest.
“I would never be careless with our son, Hermione, you know that! I was just showing him. It was harmless and everything was safe. I had a good hold on him and nobody could see us!” Harry countered calmly, setting his broomstick against the wall and hanging up his day coat.
“I love you, honey” he said softly to her, and then he noticed Ginny. Harry froze. She was sitting on the couch and looking very awkward about being there and not being paid attention. Harry looked to Hermione who smiled.
“Ginny?” Harry began.
“Hi Harry” she whispered so low that Hermione barely heard her.
“Ginny you know that I liked you very much, and we had a lot of fun, right?” Ginny nodded and Harry went on. “I'm so sorry about what we did. It was so hard to leave you and everyone but we had to. We were in love. We still are. You understand, don't you? You don't have to forgive me, but at least Hermione. She didn't know I was still with you…”
Ginny grinned. “Harry quick being a daft git and give me a hug! It's been eight years!” Harry smiled and did as she asked. He also gave her a friendly peck on the cheek which she quickly returned.
“And this must be Jamie?” Ginny looked down to see the child playing with a model dragon on the floor near the table.
“Yes. Jamie…meet Ginny.”
“Hello Ginny”
“James you look so much like Harry it's amazing. Except for your eyes and your nose. I bet you inherited your father's love of flying, too?” Ginny chuckled
James nodded vigorously.
“I'm going to be a quidditch player when I start Columbia!” he told her proudly. Ginny looked confused.
“Columbia Academy for Magical Children.” Hermione cleared up and Ginny nodded. At that time, all of the adults looked towards the back bedroom where Haylie was waking up from her kip.
“Daddy! Daddy!” the little girl cried. Harry rolled his eyes jokingly.
“If you'll excuse me…I must go get the daddy's girl.”
“Go ahead” Ginny and Hermione went back to talking while Harry made his way out of the room and into the hallway leading to the two main bedrooms.
“Haylie?” he called
“Daddy come here!” she whined. Harry opened the door and peered inside. Haylie sat in a large old T-shirt of Hermione's for her pajamas and had her curly hair crazy in every direction. Her glasses remained on the bedside table and she was huddled under the blankets with her head on the pillow.
“Sweetheart, you don't look so good” Harry took his palm and put it against her forehead. She was extremely warm.
“Hermione!” he called and in less than a second she was there with Ginny and Jamie in tow.
“What is it Harry dear?” Hermione hurriedly asked, sensing an emergency.
“Haylie seems to have a fever. Maybe it's the long distancing apparating. What do you think?” Harry said
Hermione also felt her daughter's face before nodding in agreement.
“Probably too much excitement. I know she wanted to go to Diagon Alley later on.”
“Is Haylie okay?” James asked.
“She needs to sleep some more. Harry, can you get me a wet wash cloth and some Tylenol?”
“Do they have Tylenol here?”
“Check my suitcase. It should be in the medicine bag.”
As Harry left to get what Hermione ordered, Hermione stayed and softly played with Haylie's hair.
“Mommy?” Haylie groggily asked
“Yes, Haylie?”
“I had a bad dream.”
“Poor baby, what did you dream?”
“Someone died.”
“Who died?” Hermione asked nonchalantly.
“A scary man. He was in a grave yard.”
Sensing a familiarity with this reoccurring nightmare that she herself had dreamt multiple times after the war, Hermione went into panic mode.
“Haylie, tell me everything that happened.” She urgently wiped the sweat form Haylie's forehead.
“Mommy, I don't feel good”
“It's `well', honey. Say `I don't feel well'.” Hermione corrected automatically before moving on, “I know you feel sick, but Haylie you can't go to sleep until you tell me. Daddy will be back with the medicine in a few minutes but I need you to explain what happened”
“He was really big and scary looking” Haylie muttered without argument.
“Who was?” Harry reentered the room with the warm washcloth, the bottle of Tylenol, and a glass of juice.
“Haylie had a nightmare” Hermione looked significantly to Harry and Harry raised his eyebrows.
“How many should she take?”
“One”
Harry took out on pill and handed it to Hermione. Hermione propped up Haylie on a pillow and gave her the pill. The little girl limply swallowed the medicine and then took a few gulps of pumpkin juice. She coughed once or twice, but then lay back down. Hermione placed the warm towel over her forehead and moved her fringe out of the way.
Ginny was watching the entire exchange from the threshold of the room and couldn't stop the sadness in her eyes. She imagined what her life could have been like. She held nothing against the Potters, for she too knew how it felt to be in love with someone you shouldn't. But after everything that happened, all she had wanted was a family with a nice and wholesome family man. Maybe she could find that in the man she was currently seeing…
“Haylie, tell me what this man looked like in your dream.” Hermione pressed the four-year-old who was quickly falling asleep.
“He had red eyes and no nose.” She told them slowly. Her striking emerald eyes were closed and her breathing was reaching a thumping and comfortable pace.
“What happened to him, Haylie?” Harry asked. Haylie was too tired to ask, but Harry prodded further. “As soon as you tell us, you can go to sleep, baby, but we need to know.” James looked on with interest. He had his model dragon on his shoulder and seemed to be deep in thought over what was going on.
“Somebody stuck a sword in him. Then a shadow came out and he died. But the shadow tried to get me. Then I woke up.” Haylie finally relented. Harry rubbed her back soothingly and listened as her breathing evened out.
“Alright sweetheart, thank you. Sleep well.” Harry whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek.
“Feel better Haylie!” James said loudly, causing the adults to grin. Harry and Hermione stood back and watched their daughter sleep peacefully. They had forgotten Ginny was there.
“I think I'll make her a calming draught and a dreamless sleep potion for next time. I don't want to rely on the pills to get her asleep.” Hermione decided before kissing her husband lightly on the lips and turning around, noticing Ginny.
“I'm surprised you used muggle medicine. Didn't you always want to be a healer?” Ginny inquired.
“Well I could be if I want too.” Hermione responded, “My schooling is all paid for, but it wasn't the time. Tylenol seems to knock Haylie out whenever she can't sleep. She rarely takes them, though. And we try to mostly use potions on the kids.”
“I see” Ginny said, she watched the parents leave the room and take James with them, who's dragon was shooting fire all over the place.
“Mom?” He called for attention.
“Yes?” Hermione answered distractedly, grabbing ingredients form her suitcase. They were common ingredients that she carried with her always. She supposed she would use the sink with the plug as her cauldron and just warm it up with her wand.
“I've had that nightmare, too.”
“Don't be silly James; you can't have had the exact same nightmare as your sister.”
“Yes I have. I have it all the time; it just doesn't scare me anymore. The man gets stabbed by a big thick sword with a golden handle and then you run up to dad an give him a big hug while Haylie and I stand off to the side watching. You guys never seem to notice us and you're never aware when the shadow of the dead guy comes out and flies towards us. I always wake up right before it gets to us and I push Haylie behind me.”
“James go play in the living room. I need to think!” Hermione rubbed her temples and sighed frustratingly.
“Hermione? Dear? Are you alright?” Harry calmly approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her middle.
“I'm fine, Harry, just stressed. First Ron, then Ginny, now this. James has that dream, too, Harry. Could it mean something?”
“We're just being paranoid. Voldemort is dead and can't possibly be reaching our children's dreams.”
“They're seeing the last part of the final battle as if they were in a pensieve. James just described it. Both of them stand there and watch as you kill him and then I give you a hug. And behind us, Voldemort's shadow is trying to attack our kids and we don't realize it because we don't see them there. It's painfully ironic. I used to have nightmares, too, but the faces of the other two people were never clear…”
“…same here, but I don' think it's a big deal. I think everything is fine.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Ginny timidly interrupted them in the kitchen.
“No, Ginny we've got it. It's just been a difficult few days so far. And it's still a week until the wedding.”
“A lot can happen in a week. Great to see you guys. I'll come by another time.” Ginny smiled and hugged them both before waving and apparating out of their hotel room.
“A lot sure can happen. It's only been two days so far.”
“yeah…” Hermione absently replied.
“Honey, what's bothering you?” Harry asked, pausing for her to answer.
“I'm thinking about your scuffle with Ron. Do you remember seeing a flash?”
“Err…I was a little busy.”
Hermione looked disapprovingly at him before saying “I imagine you were. IBut I swear I saw something…like a camera.”
“You think there was a photographer there? Or a journalist! Shit, Hermione that could end up in all the papers!” Harry angrily realized.
“Harry, just calm down, I'm sure it was nothing!” Hermione urged her husband.
“A photographer? Hermione this is a big deal! We'll be officially announced and everything will turn sour. All I wanted was a nice trip back home for Luna and to catch up with old friends and I get this.” He referred to the busted lip he was now sporting from his brawl with Ron.
“I don't know, honey.” Hermione sighed, “Things are so different. I imagine the world figured we were dead and they lost hope. Our return could be a good thing; a positive reinforcement.”
“You always know what to say, don't you?” Harry smiled at her and stopped pacing. He went over to her and took her in his arms. They melted into one another and shared a long passionate kiss.
James walked in at the precise moment.
“Gross! Cut it out!” he complained before commandeering Harry to play with him as Hermione went back to brewing her potions, still with a mind full of worries and a brain full of questions.
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Author's Note: A special thanks to PJ my new and wonderful Beta who should make the reading smoother and the grammatical errors nonexistent!
Chapter five
Ron had never condoned drinking. He had thought it was cool when the twins did it underage, but was always intercepted by Hermione when he attempted to join them. There he went again, thinking about her. It seemed like everything he did reminded him of Hermione and Harry; either the good times or the bad. Not even in his drunken stupor could he escape their memory.
If he couldn't forget them while he was pissed, then what was the purpose for drinking? What was the point of entering that bar last night and demanding a never ending amount of alcohol? He must've spent a fortune. He could recall at least four times of buying drinks for the entire bar. He groggily opened his eyes.
He was in bed, which surprised him. He couldn't remember if he put himself there or had required help. All he knew now was that his head felt like he had been hit by the knight bus and his stomach was disagreeing with every action of the last twenty-four hours.
Quickly throwing the covers off of his sweating body, he launched himself across his room at the Burrow and ran for the bathroom across the hall. Emptying the contents of his stomach while leaning over the toilet bowl, Ron decided he wouldn't ever drink again. No matter what the reason was.
“RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!” Ginny stood at the door to his bathroom with her hands on her hips and frown. She looked raging mad. It was scary how much she was like their mother.
“Stop yelling!” Ron winced.
“NO I WILL NOT! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU THINK YOU'RE SOME BIG BAD ARSE ALCOHOLIC NOW? THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR YOUR BEHAVIOR LAST NIGHT! NO EXCUSE AT ALL! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?”
Ginny cut him down harshly. Ron was still on the floor of his bathroom with his hands holding his aching head.
“Ginny, you just don't get it.” Ron weakly tried to explain
“BULLSHIT RON! YOU'RE UNBELIEVABLE! THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF HARRY AND HERMIONE ISN'T IT? YOU FEEL LIKE SHIT `CAUSE YOU'RE AN ARSEHOLE SO YOU DECIDE TO GO GET PISSED? WELL GOOD JOB RON! YOU'VE MADE AN EVEN BIGGER PRICK OF YOURSELF! NOBODY THOUGHT YOU COULD GET ANY WORSE BUT CONGRATULATIONS; SOMEHOW YOU'VE DISCOVERED A NEW WAY TO SHOCK US ALL!”
At an alarming rate, Ginny's face became as red as her hair while her voice carried throughout the entire house.
“Let me explain, Gin!” Ron moaned but to no avail. His sister was in no mood for any of his lame excuses.
“NO RONALD, I'M DONE WITH THIS!”
It was the second time in his life Ron had heard a woman he loved say that to him, while yelling in a disappointed voice. He felt like crying, but settled for groaning instead, because his head felt like it was going to explode.
“YOU BETTER CLEAN YOURSELF UP AND GET YOUR BLOODY ARSE DOWNSTAIRS BEFORE I SHOVE MY WAND UP IT? UNDERSTAND? LUNA IS DOWN THERE TRYING ON HER DRESS AND YOU BETTER BE FUCKING HAPPY FOR HER, GOT IT?” she left no room for argument. She turned on her heel and left the bathroom slamming door shut when she exited.
Ron stayed in his position on the floor and felt one tear fall from his eye before his stomach flipped and he had to hug the toilet again. He felt lost. There was nothing he could do about the way he felt. Everything would've been fine if Harry and Hermione had not shown up. And Luna had invited them. So everything would be fine if Luna hadn't invited them. She wouldn't have done that if she wasn't getting married and she wouldn't be getting married—at least not to that jackass—if he hadn't screwed up so badly with her all those years ago.
So it was his entire fault. He felt so crappy that he just wanted to go back to sleep. He was scared of Ginny, though, so he figured he could endure a few minutes of the women downstairs fawning over Luna and Charles.
***
“So, Ginny, how'd it go?” Luna asked conversationally to her best friend. They were in the living room adjusting her beautiful white wedding gown. It had a corset back which Molly was currently tightening, though she was hanging on to every word of the younger girl's discussion.
“Extremely well. The kids are so cute! Haylie wasn't feeling well when she got up from her kip, but James was as exuberant as ever. He's everything I would have imagined in Harry's son, He looks just like him” Ginny happily answered. She'd had a nice time at the Potters even with that little mishap. They hadn't asked her too, but Ginny felt compelled not to mention it. It wasn't her business anyway.
“What color eyes?” Molly asked quietly. The two girls looked at her oddly.
“Mum, I didn't hear you” Ginny said
“I asked what color eyes do the children have?” The elderly Weasley repeated stiffly.
Ginny smiled knowingly and shared a glance with Luna.
“James has honey brown eyes and Haylie's are green; Just like Harry's” Ginny replied with a little more excitement, “They're absolutely adorable, mum, you have to meet them”
“Well…it would be nice to see Harry and Hermione again.” Molly muttered, mostly to herself. She bent down and began pinning up Luna's gown, making sure it looked right. She had made this dress specifically to Luna's every wish and size. It was a perfect fit and a perfect dress for Luna. This would be their last fitting before the big day.
“I think you should invite them over for dinner” Ginny suggested softly, fluffing the bottom of Luna's dress.
“I agree” the blonde added airily
“We'll see” Molly replied. She continuing pinning and checking the dress for aproper fit.
It was then that Ron thundered in loudly saying in a booming voice, “Morning everybody!”
Ginny rolled her eyes, but Luna decided to stare at the wall.
“Ronald, there's cookies and milk in the kitchen for you. Try to save some for the rest of us.” Molly told her youngest son, waving vaguely toward the kitchen as she continued her work.
“Thanks mum, but you know I can't promise that” he smiled and then caught sight of Luna. Ron froze. She wouldn't look at him, but he took in her appearance from her hair to her toes. Ginny watched in delight at the look on her brother's face. He was stunned by how beautiful she looked.
In Ron's mind, Luna had never looked so breathtaking. Her hair was in loose blonde curls and pulled up with a barrette. She had no traces of make up that Ron could see and she was staring at everything but him. The way she held herself expressed confidence and success. Her skin was radiant, glowing with sunlight through the window. The dress itself left nothing to be desired. It accentuated her every curve and hugged her softly. Ron wished he could be that dress. In this very moment Ron wanted nothing more than to be the man Luna would walk down the isle to. He wanted her. He took a step forward, maybe just to get her attention so he could see her beautiful big blue eyes…
“Ronald is something wrong?” Ginny playfully asked. Ron came to his senses and quickly cleared his throat.
“Err…no. I'm just gonna…I'm gonna…”
“Why don't you go in the kitchen for your food?” Ginny giggled. Although she was still angry with him, she realized that there was hope left for her favorite couple.
He nodded dumbly and stumbled out of the living room, still looking like a lost puppy.
“Wow Luna. You've made Ron stop thinking about food. Imagine what that dress will do to Charley…”
“I prefer to be called Charles, if you don't mind” The previously mentioned soon-to-be-groom interjected from the doorway.
“Charles!” Molly beamed and welcomed him in.
In his usual condescending manner, he replied “Molly, I took the liberty of letting myself in because the door was unlocked…”
“Still could've knocked, rude bastard.” Ginny muttered angrily.
He scowled slightly at the remark he heard from Ginny but plastered his smile back on and continued. “…and I brought gifts! Luna, darling, you look exquisite!” Charles went to his fiancée and kissed her lightly on the cheek. He handed her a bouquet of roses. He also, unceremoniously, passed a bottle of white wine and The Daily Prophet to Ginny.
Luna blushed and smiled at him. She truly did love him. She looked almost embarrassed as she said shyly, “Honey, I think it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. All of the gillard's will be afloat and frolicking about the guests!”
“Sure, Luna, whatever you say” Charles humored her and turned his attention to Ginny.
“Ginerva, how are you? I see you chose a light pale blue theme for today's outfit. Maybe Luna should borrow that sometime” Charles playfully suggested, but Ginny only frowned.
“My name is Ginny, Charley. I like the way Luna dresses and I think I'd like to hear more about gillards.” She growled softly and began a starring contest between her and her best friend's fiancée.
“Ginny, Charles, how about some tea?” Molly said, sensing trouble.
“Sure thing Molly! Let me help you!” Charles amicably responded. He smiled cockily at the red headed girl and made his way behind Molly into the kitchen…where Ron was.
Ginny could no longer contain herself. She asked exasperatedly, “Ugghh! Luna how can you stand him! He's always so bloody smug and he doesn't give a damn about you! He thinks he's better than everyone!”
“I'm marrying him. Not you.” Luna simply replied like it was the obvious answer. She turned to the mirror and gazed at her reflection. She really did look beautiful, but Charles had barely even mentioned it. Luna had actually preferred Ronald's reaction. She could see through the corner of her eye that he was amazed. She liked amazing Ronald. She'd like to do it more…and permanently. Yes, Luna would love to permanently settle down and amaze Ronald for the rest of her life, but it wasn't going to happen. And now, after everything she had gone though internally after her and Ronald's breakup, Charles was the perfect man for her. She knew that he cared about her. She also knew, unlike Ginny, that he had difficulty expressing it sometimes.
“I'm going to go yell at Ron some more.” Ginny said.
“Why?”
“Because it makes me feel better.” Ginny told her, laughing slightly and making her way through the same door her brother, her mother, and Charles had gone through. She carried the wine and the Daily Prophet.
“Charley?” Ginny called with a false cheeriness in her voice, “Why the bloody hell would you bring over the Prophet when you know all they do is slander your soon-to-be-wife and her newspaper?”
“Oh Ginerva, don't be silly. The Quibbler could never amount to the standards of The Prophet. Sure, it's a nice hobby for Luna but she can't make a career out of it. The Prophet is just too well-known and traditional. They also report very well…unlike some of Luna's…fabrications.” He smiled disdainfully at her and then continued making tea on the counter.
Lucky for him, Molly was busy in the dining room setting up for tea so she couldn't hear what he was saying. Ginny had realized long ago that Charles would never act like himself around either Luna or any parents. He was a two-faced guy. Ginny hated two-faced guys. Hearing Charles' words, Ron accidentally spit milk out of his mouth.
“Wait! Are you telling us that you don't even read Luna's magazine? And when you do, you only insult it? How could you do such a thing if you are going to be marrying the woman that runs it?” He asked shocked. Even he read her paper and they'd split up almost seven years ago.
“Of course I don't read it on a daily basis nor take it seriously. It's all rubbish! Surely you people realize that?”
“Surely you recall a certain time when Harry Potter was considered a raving lunatic, right?” Ginny began her retort smugly.
“Of course, it was terrible what the ministry did to him. What does that have to do with anything?” a confused Charles inquired.
“The Quibbler was the only periodical to report a complete, accurate and interesting report on everything that Harry Potter had to say. They were the only ones with the truth while the Prophet reported how mad he was. Sorry Charley, but it's not rubbish. Especially not since Luna's taken over.” Ginny finished her counter with venom in every word. She was seething mad at Charles and had not liked him from the beginning.
Ron stood in the corner of the kitchen with an empty plate of cookies and a glass of milk in his hand. His face was slowly darkening to a light purple color and his hand clenched the cup that contained his milk.
Charles was saved an answer when Molly Weasley came barraging through the door ranting and raving about needing new china and perhaps a bigger table, too. Charles was home free for now, but Ginny swore she would expose him for the tool he really was before Luna made the biggest mistake of her life in less than four days.
***
The Potter family was calmly eating ordered-in Pizza and sitting on the couch watching TV as a family. The kids rarely ever watched the telly and were getting a special treat for being on vacation; it was well past their bedtime.
Suddenly, everyone in the room heard a loud crack and looked as Ginny Weasley appeared seemingly out of thin air.
“Hi Potters!” she greeted enthusiastically. Harry and Hermione sat on the couch, with his arm over her shoulders and a slice of pizza for each of them on the plate on Hermione's lap. James was laying on the floor with a blanket and a pillow while Haylie took up the recliner with a warm rag on her forehead.
“Hey Gin, why so late?” Harry asked gently
“Is Haylie still sick?” Ginny questioned worriedly, looking over at the considerably pale four-year-old.
“Yes, but she'll bounce back. She's like her father, always in need of hospital care.”
“I wasn't that bad!” Harry replied defensively, bumping into his wife with his shoulder.
“Oh Harry, you were always in the infirmary with some new injury. Just admit it. Anyway, Ginny what brings you here after midnight?” Hermione changed the subject.
“Well I just got out of the Burrow…we were having tea and celebrating the happy couple and I've been told to formally invite you to The Weasley family Friday Night Dinner party. We usually do it on Sundays, but since the wedding is then and the reception is the night before…we thought we could make it a little early get-together. What do you think?” Ginny propositioned them. James and Haylie were in their own world with the telly, mesmerized by a late night cartoon show, and not paying one bit of attention.
“Well, if Molly has really invited us…and everyone wants us then…” Hermione began to reason.
“Believe me; we all want you to come. Especially mum.” Ginny informed them, though she conveniently left out the part of Ron's little binge. “Please come?”
“I think it's a great idea.” Harry said, looking at Hermione, “It'll be a good time to catch up and sort of ease everyone into the idea of us with our family before the wedding. We don't want a scene to ruin Luna's special day.” Hermione nodded.
“We'll be there.” they said together.
“Splendid! I'll tell mum!” Ginny grinned before waving and Apparating out. She sure had a lot of planning to do if this party was going to go smoothly with no tussles, issues, or press involved.
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Author's Note: Thanks again to PJ who wonderfully edited this and talked to me about a few things I should begin to change. Thank-You!
Chapter six
“Hermione! Have you seen my tie?” Harry called throughout the hotel room, while he was searching it. He was in black slacks and a white dress shirt. By his feet, were his shoes and Hermione's purse. He stood in front of the mirror and tried to comb his hair.
“Harry, don't yell I'm right behind you. You're tie is in the second drawer on the right.” Hermione calmly replied, walking into their hotel bedroom in a towel with another one holding her hair.
“You're not even dressed yet, honey?” Harry asked alarmed.
“Don't even go there, Harry! I had to dress the kids, feed them, and everything! I'm not even unpacked completely yet AND I still have to iron my dress! So don't even start with me!” Hermione's temper rose with frustration at her lack of organization.
“I was just saying, Hermione.” Harry said softly, “I'm sorry. You know I love you.” Harry went up behind Hermione who was drying her hair with a towel in front of the other mirror.
“I shouldn't have yelled, but I just feel so stressed.” Hermione apologized. Harry kissed her bare shoulder.
“You're forgetting to say something…” he teased.
“What?” she responded worriedly.
“You love me too, don't you?”
Hermione chuckled.
“Of course Harry, I love you too. Happy?”
She turned her neck as he leaned down to kiss her. The kiss went on, until Hermione's towel was almost taken off. Harry planned it that way and he would've succeeded if it weren't for those darn kids…
“Mommy! Daddy!” Haylie barged in. Hermione quickly redid her towel and Harry stepped back.
“What is it honey? How are you feeling?”
Haylie sighed. “I'm fine daddy, but Jamie needs help!”
“What's the problem?”
“His tie is.” She rolled her eyes and giggled.
Harry grinned. “Alright. Lead the way.”
Haylie took her father's hand and dragged him out of her parents' bedroom. She took him across the little hall into the room she was sharing with her brother. James was also in black dress pants. He already had his shiny black shoes on and his blue dress shirt was button up all the way. He currently was wrapping the tie around in every possible way, attempting to magically find the way to tie it.
“Careful or you'll strangle yourself.” Harry joked.
“Funny, Dad. Haylie was lying; I don't need any help!” He claimed feverishly.
“Looks like you do” Harry reasoned. Haylie ran out of the room to cause more trouble probably.
“I don't! I can do this and I don't need you!” James yelled defensively.
“Whoa calm down, buddy! I was just offering…what's wrong?”
“Nothing” James muttered.
“Liar. Tell me what's bothering you.”
James was silent for a minute.
“I want to do it by myself. You had to do it by yourself at Hogwarts and I can do it now.” He said with determination while still attempting to work on tying his own tie.
“James, everybody needs help every now and then. Your mother is the person who taught me to tie a tie. And now I'm going to teach you.” Harry went to his son and stood behind him. He wrapped the tie around James' flipped collar and began to tie it.
“First you cross it and wrap it around. Then you pull it through. And you use both hands to tighten it. Don't do it too tight” Harry explained patiently as James watched the reflection in his mirror.
“Thanks dad.” James murmured apologetically.
“It's okay to not know how to do something James. And you can always come to your mother and me for help, got it?”
James nodded reverently and smiled at his father.
“We've got about ten minutes and your sister still needs to finish getting ready. Why don't you play in here for a bit?” suggested Harry. He left the room and looked around for Haylie. Hoping that she was already dressed and they could actually leave on time for once.
***
At the Burrow, things were ten times as hectic for the Weasley's. Every Weasley, with the exception of Percy, had cleared their calendars for this big night. Every child and adult was dressed in either a nice suit or a pretty sundress. The boys even had bowties and shiny shoes on; something they didn't attempt often.
Fred and George watched the havoc in the house from afar. A lot had changed since Harry and Hermione had left.
“So, Gred, you ready for Ron duty?”
“You bet, Forge. I just wish it wasn't necessary. I'd rather spend the evening with junior than keeping an eye on Ickle Ronniekins.”
George took a sip of his drink before replying, “I still think mum should've warned him. It'll only make our job harder.”
“Just remember, grab, drag, dress, and spy. When he starts off, we grab him and drag him up stairs to get dressed and then we watch him for misbehavior. Sweet and simple.”
“We could have some fun with him while we're doing it…” Fred suggested evilly. George grinned.
“The hair stuff, perhaps?” His twin responded with a wicked grin on his face, while rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
“Read my mind, brother. Let me go ask Angelina if we can borrow Freddy's innocent messiness.” The twins ran off gleefully as the house rocked with insanity. Instead of helping, they were working on a plan to throw Ron off-guard and force him to accept Harry and Hermione as a couple.
Ginny wasn't having such a good time in the pre-party phase. She was in her room, dressed for the dinner in a nice fitting sun dress. Her nails were done and her hair was newly cut and styled for this special night. Not only were Harry and Hermione to be properly welcomed back with their family, but she had her own news to share and she was scared as hell.
Ginny sighed and began to pace. In her hand was the letter. Merlin, she hated this letter but it changed her life. It was too late to change everything. She'd already informed the necessary people, excluding anyone in her family and tonight was the perfect night. She could only imagine the reactions from her brothers; they'd kill her and then they'd kill him. They'd already wanted to kill him for years anyway. Her mother would be crushed. Already, Molly had Fred and George; unmarried with one child each. They refused marriage saying that they couldn't do it until they knew they wouldn't hesitate. It was an extremely wise excuse from the twins and an extremely emotional time for the family. Just recently had everything turned back to normal…and now here was Ginny ready to shake it up again.
She was ready to be someone's wife. She knew she could do it. She had been following and watching her mother since she could remember. She knew how to act, what to do, and what to say and how to run a family smoothly. She wasn't the problem…it was him. He didn't want to get married so young. He was only twenty-six. He wasn't ready to settle down and raise a family, but now he had no choice.
Ginny only had two wishes; to have a happy, healthy family and to bare Malfoy's last name, as her own. Things were so complicated. She threw herself on her bed and began to sob. The letter with her pregnancy results stung like a wasp and she let the paper fall from her hand. A baby. She wasn't ready for one of those. She was still a baby herself in retrospect. She was so scared. She had to tell someone…but so far only Luna knew. And when she'd told Luna she was pregnant with Malfoy, then the other girl had returned by telling her secret. Luna and Ron had broken up for a good reason and Luna was better off without her brother screwing up like he did all those years ago. Ginny promised herself she wouldn't try to interfere with Luna and Charles any longer. The airy blonde could make her own decisions and Ginny would just make sure she was there for support.
Ginny slowly stopped crying and wiped her face. She had ruined the majority of her makeup, but simply rubbed it off. She wasn't in the mood to feel glamorous. She just wanted this night to be over. Ginny was rudely interrupted from her self-pitying thoughts when a knock on the door reached her ears.
“Auntie Gin-Gin, Auntie Gin-Gin!” it was one of Bill and Fleur's girls. They had twins. Sometimes, Ginny could tell them apart but not usually.
“Hold on, girls, wait a second!” Ginny made sure she looked presentable and then opened her bedroom door.
“Aunt Ginny wait until you hear this!”
“Yeah guess what?”
“What is it, girls?”
“Uncle Remus is coming!”
“Really?” Ginny smiled at their exuberance. With Bill's accident rendering him a slightly different man with a different taste in meat, He and his wife had been clear to the girls about that night. They had explained the entire story down to the very last scary and unfortunate detail. Lukas had thought his dad was amazing for it, while the twin girls had been scared at first. Remus had been a constant in Bill and Fleur's life considering that Bill also worked in the Werewolf Division of the Department of Equal Representation of Magical Creatures in the Ministry of Magic, as well as an additional seasonal job as a curse breaker for Gringotts.
“He said he got us all presents!” Nicolette, Ginny guessed, said excitedly.
“Uncle Ron got us presents from Aruba, too!” Antoinette mentioned happily. Ginny's looked darkened at this.
“If he did, I'll be surprised. Your Uncle Ron is a selfish guy.”
“What's selfish?” Nicolette questioned innocently.
“Your Uncle Ron.” Ginny conceded, she took hold of, in each hand, one girl and walked downstairs to the party. Ginny decided she would fret or worry. She concluded that either everything would eventually work out or her family wouldn't accept it. Either way, she was having this baby and she would be together with that stupid Slytherin whom she loved very much.
***
From the other side of the room, Ginny smiled as she watched her brothers whispering mischievously. Ron was asleep in his room and Ginny could only imagine how they planned to torture him. She hoped it hurt badly. She put her drink back on the table near her and went to see if her mother needed any help.
In the kitchen, Molly Weasley was Queen. She made the rules, set the standards and punished those unfortunate enough to stand in her way. Quivering in the corner was Jessie Belle Weasley, George and Katie's two year old daughter. She looked genuinely scared of her grandmother as she flittered about the kitchen.
“Hey Jess, what're you doing?” Ginny asked kindly. She had a feeling that George was supposed to be watching his kid, but was distracted by his plot with Fred.
“Gamma mad!” replied a wide eyed and shaking toddler.
“Why's grandma mad?” Ginny was curious because the house had not started to shake with her mother's booming angry voice yet. But soon, she smiled and was elevated from her curiosity when the walls began to quake.
“UGGHH! I CANT BELIEVE THAT RONALD HAS THE INDECENCY TO COMPLETELY STUFF HIMSELF WITH EVERY BISCUIT IN THIS HOUSE! NOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE GUESTS! DAMN HIM!” Molly burst out angrily; even Ginny cowered by the end of it. She took Jessie Belle in her arms and carried her over to the table where she sat her on her lap.
“You think grandma's mad?”
“Yep!” Ginny could not help grinning because at least this time her mother was not mad about her.
“Wait till Harry and Hermione get here. Mad won't even reach what Ron's going to be. He has no clue yet. Grandma thought it would be better to surprise him. I only agreed because when Ron's surprised, his aim and agility are bloody awful. Well…when he's not surprised they're about the same, but this way there's no chance of him cursing anybody. Dueling the muggle way isn't beneath him though and you should be a little proud, I guess, that your youngest Uncle Ron has buffed up and can kick some serious a—”
“Ginerva Molly Weasley, if you say that word to that child I will refuse to feed you, understand?” Molly threatened brandishing a dirty spatula, in Ginny's direction.
“I'm not Ron, mum. I can go without a few meals and survive.” Ginny replied annoyed.
“Not with your figure now, dear. You're just skin and bones! We'll put some meat on there. Men don't like women who can offer nothing substantial” Molly assured her daughter.
“Mum please, I don't need to hear this!” Ginny whined, imagining how she would look in a few months' time.
The toddler clapped her hands and blew bubbles in her mouth.
“I sure hope that Harry and Hermione are hungry! I've made enough for an army!” Molly said excitedly.
“And with Ron attending, you'll need double.” Ginny giggled.
Molly responded sternly. “Ginny, behave. Your brother is going through a rough time. Is it too much to be sensitive to his feelings?”
Ginny pretended to think about it for a moment, and then said “Yes. It's way too much.”
Molly shook her head and repressed a chuckle. She continued preparing dinner while Ginny played hand games with Jessie Belle.
“Auntie Gin-Gin! Auntie Gin-Gin!” someone called from the doorway. Looking over her shoulder, Ginny saw that Nicolette and Antoinette were trying to get her attention. Even without their veela traits inherited from Fleur, they were impossible to resist. Ginny carried Jessie Belle in her arms as she walked over to the door.
“You need me, girls?”
“Yes! Auntie Gin-Gin, the boys keep taking our stuff!” Nicolette exclaimed.
“And hiding it!” Antoinette added.
“Which boys?” Ginny inquired calmly.
“Luke and”
“Bryan!”
“Okay, what have they nicked?”
“Luke took my doll and”
“Bryan took our crayons!”
“Do me a favor, okay girls? Stop finishing each others sentences! I'm going to give you some advice; the boys nicked your stuff, right?”
“Yes.” Both answered.
“First, use Matt to find out where it's hidden and then you wait and hide next to the spot. When Luke and Bryan go to check on the stuff, you jump out and scare them. That'll teach them to stop bothering you.” Ginny advised.
“But Uncle Charlie just put Matt in time-out for throwing a ball in the house and it hit Freddy! He started crying…”
“…but Aunt Cheryl got him to stop. She can make any crying baby shut it!”
“What did I say about the sentences? Your stuff is probably hidden near the pond. Why don't you go look for it?”
The doorbell rang at that exact moment. Ginny stopped and looked up. She was still holding the fidgety toddler, Jessie Belle, in her arms.
“On second thought, our guests are here so you should probably worry about it later?” Ginny suggested softly. The entire house had frozen. Nobody talked or moved. Everyone stared at the door like it was keeping them safe from some sort of monster behind it. Ginny walked out of the kitchen purposely, Molly hadn't even noticed the distraction, and made her way to the door. It was either the Potter family or Malfoy. Either way, trouble was going to start. She imagined that the loud doorbell woke Ron up. “The twins better have control over him.” Ginny silently hoped to herself.
She stood in front of the door and carefully extended a hand, she pulled it open. The pale, arrogant, pointy face of Draco Malfoy was revealed. He caused an instant uproar.
“Malfoy what are you doing here!” Charlie shouted, this caught the attention of her other brothers except for Ron who was thankfully still asleep and Percy who was still too busy to join his family for this huge event.
“Did I just hear someone say Malfoy?” Fred asked dangerously. He walked over to the scene with Malfoy looking puzzled. He shared a look with Ginny and then realization seemed to hit him. She had lied to him. Ginny told her boyfriend that her family knew and was alright with it. Then she had invited him over, leading him under the impression, it was to be with just her parents for a little get together. Now he felt like a roast about to feed her entire lineage.
“Ginny…” Malfoy sighed disappointedly.
“Don't talk to my sister!” George yelled. “Talk to us instead! What the bloody hell are you doing here?”
“Ginny invited me.” Malfoy calmly replied.
“You expect us to believe that our sister would even talk to you a ferret like you?” Bill laughed. He wasn't one for prejudice, but he knew the Malfoy family very well. And he knew that Draco was more like his father than he cared to admit.
“I expect she'd do a bit more. Ginny, would you like to tell them or should I?” Malfoy replied coolly, not even looking in his girlfriend's direction.
“Err…maybe I should. It's my family. Um...Everyone could I have your attention!” It was completely unnecessary for Ginny to call their attention, for everyone had been staring for a long time now.
“Um…I did this on purpose. I lied to Draco to get him here tonight, which by the way I am really sorry for having to do to you Draco but you wouldn't have come here otherwise. We'll talk about that later though, it had to be done.” She paused to look at Draco to get some courage. He gave her a slight smile and nodded so she would continue. She took a slow deep breath as she looked at her brothers scowling and the rest of her family watching in interest. “We have to share some important news. Draco and I…well…we're dating. We have been for about a year now.” This elicited growls from the boys, gasps from the women and squeaks from the children that were excited by the reaction of the adults.
Ginny rolled her eyes and moaned in frustration. She had expected this sort of reaction. It would have been foolish of her not to. She just wanted to get the worst over with and hoped for the best, if only her dratted brothers would shut up! She held up her hands and continued a bit louder to try and make herself heard over the angry mutterings of her brothers. “Would you all please just listen to me? Let me explain will you?” She growled at the protests and suggestions to just chuck Malfoy out on his arse. “Shut it you lot! Let me talk! We are not chucking Draco out! I did invite him! If he leaves, I leave!” This got the families attention. They let her continue. “Now look, I remember him from school, as most of you do, but I know that he's changed. I'm sure you all remember the final battle? Well, Harry Potter could not have gotten close to Voldemort without Draco's help. He put his life on the line and betrayed Voldemort to help us.”
“He could just as easy betray us, now, Ginny. Don't you understand? Death Eaters are still a threat and he could be spying for their sake!” George said angrily, Fred, Charlie, and Bill nodded in agreement.
“If he was still a Death Eater, why would he be dating me?”
“He secretly hates every minute of it, Ginny. It's all a scheme!”
“You don't know that! Draco and I love each other!”
“You've been tricked, Gin, no Malfoy has ever loved anyone. He'll just use you for what he wants and then drop you. We don't want to see you get hurt!”
Ginny finally couldn't take it anymore and screamed, “I'M PREGNANT WITH HIS CHILD FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!”
Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Cheryl, Fred, Alicia, George, Katie, and even Ron stared at her dumbstruck. Ron was on the stairs looking like a real idiot, opening and closing his mouth dumbly like a fish. Apparently, he'd just woken up.
“What was that?” Molly asked quietly.
“I'm pregnant. Draco is the father.”
“Please…no!” Molly cried hopelessly. Arthur took his wife in arms and looked scornfully at Ginny.
“How could you do this? You sneak around with a true enemy of everything this family believes and not only that, but he's got you carrying his child? Ginny, we raised you better than this!” Mr. Weasley said in a disappointed voice while Molly cried in his chest.
“Ginny, I don't believe this…” Fred began stunned.
“What happened to you?” George finished. They both morosely shook their heads and walked away.
“Hello?! Have you all gone nuts?” Ron yelled from the stairs. His face was bright red, as well as his ears and he looked madder than ever. Ginny shivered and stepped closer to Draco. “Malfoy, you're a dead man!” Ron jumped the rest of the stairs and stormed up to his arch nemesis.
“I'm really scared of you, Weasel. I'm quivering” Malfoy cockily replied, ignoring his girlfriend's elbow in his side.
Ron reared back his fist and punched Malfoy in the nose; Malfoy teetered, but didn't fall.
“Weasel, you'll regret that.” Malfoy muttered with vengeance, holding his nose with two fingers.
“What are you gonna do, Ferret? Run to daddy?” Ron had provoked Malfoy too far and Malfoy jumped on him. Both men landed on the floor, Malfoy on top of Ron, punching with everything he had. Ron was struggling badly, but still swinging and taking everything hit for hit. When blood began to drip mostly from Ron's nose and lip, Fred and George jumped in.
“Ronald! Stop this right now!” Ginny screamed. She was shocked that nobody was doing anything to stop this fighting. Everyone seemed to be just standing around, watching with interest. Ginny went over and tried to pull her boyfriend off of her brother, but on accident, Draco slapped her across the face with all his strength.
“Oh!” Ginny fell and slammed her forehead into the wooden floor. Ron and Draco stopped fighting; Fred and George immediately went to Ginny.
“Gin? Gin, are you okay?” Fred patted her cheek and tried to wake her. He looked to George who looked to Ron who was staring daggers at Malfoy.
“Now look what you've done!” accused Ron. He was seething angrily with blood running down his nose and from his lip all the way over his chin.
“It was an accident! I would never hurt Ginny!” Malfoy defended himself. He went over to his girlfriend and used his fingers to gently brush a strand of fiery red hair out of her face.
“I think you should leave.” Arthur said flatly, staring at his unconscious daughter.
“Mr. Weasley, all I need is five minutes, that's all. Please let me have five minutes?” Malfoy pleaded. As satisfying as it was to see his rival's son begging for his time, Arthur nodded and prepared to listen to the boy who had just bruised his only daughter.
“I was at a bar about a year ago drinking a little bit after work. I looked over and saw this gorgeous red head having a martini in a booth not to far away. I ordered another drink for her and then went over and introduced myself. It was Ginny. I hadn't recognized her as the Weasley I used to mock and tease. She had grown to be so pretty. When she saw me, instead of insulting me or being disgusted, she laughed and commented on how small a world it was. I knew then that Ginny and I would last and that we would be together. We understand each other, sir. Mr. Weasley if your daughter were awake right now, I would propose. I have the ring in my pocket, sir. I love Ginny and I always will. Even more so, since she's carrying our child. We've already made a vow with each other, sir, either with or without your permission, we'll get married and raise our family, but I'd rather have your approval and your blessing. Sir.” Draco added quickly. He winced as Mr. Weasley and all the adult Weasley family members stared at him from top to bottom. It seemed as if they were evaluating him. He became nervous quickly, but tried to keep his cool. He knew that his nerves made his words tumble out of his mouth in a hap hazard way but they were said with feeling and he hoped that Mr. Weasley could tell he meant them honestly.
“Go home, Malfoy, and Ginny will stay here. I'll make sure she owls you when she wakes up.” Arthur finally said. He didn't say it nicely, but at least he was polite. Draco knelt down and kissed Ginny's forehead before shaking Mr. Weasley's hand and waving goodbye to everyone. Not surprisingly, no one waved back except for the children who had never seen so much excitement and tension in their whole lives.
“Charlie,” Arthur called. “take Ginny to her room and lay her down. We'll need to check on her every now and then. It wasn't that bad of a hit. I expect she'll be up soon enough.”
Charlie did as ordered and the general atmosphere of the party returned somewhat to normal. Ron was awake now and filtering about in his pajamas.
“Ron, get your suit on.” Fred said, snacking on a vanilla wafer biscuit.
“Where'd you get that?” Ron's greedy eyes homed in on the object being eaten by his brother. He licked his lips unconsciously as his brother munched on.
“Suit. Or. No. Biscuit.” George repeated slowly as if Ron couldn't understand him.
“Fine, but this better not be some sort of prank. I've been fucked with enough recently.”
“It only gets worse, Ron, it only gets worse.” The twins laughed as he walked up the stairs and to his room.
The guests of honor were yet to be here and the entire house was abuzz. After that kind of revelation, one could only imagine how much worse it would be when Harry, Hermione, James, and Haylie arrived. Maybe someone should've told Ron ahead of time?
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All I can say is that I'm so so so sorry. It's been FOREVER and I know. I don't even have a promise like “I have the next chapter almost done and I'll upload it ASAP” because I don't =( its so sad and I feel horrible. I cant even remember the last time I updated. But I know it was before book 7 which crushed my spirit and zeal for Harry Potter.
So I have busied myself with other things, but today I found myself cleaning up “my fav links” in my email account and I came across chapter and stores I had saved that I enjoyed reading on portkey. Ones that inspired me. Stories that made me laugh or made me cry. And I realized that I missed that. So I am now making a promise that this story will get finished. I will write this next chapter and many more and I swear to make it worth the wait! I'm so sorry and thanks to all of those who have read the beginning and plan on sticking around. God I'm ready to get back into this awesome shit!!!
Love, Mariah.
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