Chapter 2 - An unexpected arrival
See chapter one for disclaimer
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Harry and Hermione apparated from King's Cross and found themselves standing in front of a Georgian style-mansion in the Morningside section of Edinburgh, Scotland. The house was surrounded by electric gates, high fences and Harry spotted several security cameras, ostensibly to deter intruders.
But they weren't intruders, Harry thought. If it weren't for him, Jo Rowling would still be living in a modest, one-bedroom flat infested with mice. Hand in hand, he and Hermione marched to the front door.
"Harry, I can't believe we're doing this!" Hermione exclaimed, looking rather anxious. "What are we going to say to this woman? Look at her home, it's huge! And what's with all of the security cameras?"
"Well, I did a little research on her and it turns out she is very famous in the Muggle world. She's wealthier than the Queen of England and it's all because of the books she's written about me. She has to see us. She owes us that much."
There was a heavy brass knocker on the front door. Harry lifted it and knocked a couple of times.
A young woman in a maid's uniform answered the door and looked at them with a quizzical expression on her face. She stared at the dark haired, bespectacled man and his companion, a slim, pretty woman with wavy brown hair, both looked to be in their mid 30s. They looked vaguely familiar.
"May I help you?" She asked.
"Yes. We're here to see Ms. Rowling."
"Do you have an appointment?"
Harry shook his head. "No, we don't. But please tell her that Harry and Hermione are here to see her. We're old friends of hers."
"Harry and Hermione? As in Potter and Granger?" The woman replied, looking like she had seen two ghosts.
Hermione found her voice. "Yes, although my name is now Hermione Weasley."
The maid cleared her throat. "Would you both mind waiting out here?" The door closed in front of them.
"Well, the least she could've done was invite us into the foyer." Hermione huffed.
"We probably just startled her but I'm sure Jo will see us." Harry said confidently.
"I hope so, Harry. But I still don't know what we're going to tell her."
"We'll tell her how we feel." Harry asserted. "Hermione, I just feel like something is off. One moment I've finished off Voldemort and telling you and Ron all about it and the next moment I'm standing on the train platform sending my sons off to Hogwarts! I feel like twenty years have gone by and sometimes I have no real recollection of how I got to this point in my life. And Ginny! Merlin, she looks just like her mother! I mean no offense to our mother-in-law, but the Ginny I remember was so beautiful. How did this happen?"
"Three pregnancies happened, Harry." Hermione smirked. "But I know what you mean. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I can't believe I'm married to Ron and have two children.
I know I fell for him during the war, but married him? I don't even like the way Hermione Weasley sounds. No wonder I use my maiden name professionally!"
"So you don't like being married to Ron?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. I suppose I love him, but…he's not my idea of Prince Charming. His table manners haven't changed one iota and I'm afraid Hugo is taking after his father."
Harry chuckled. "Yeah, I worry about my kids, too. Especially Lily, Ginny spoils her way too much. I know she's the youngest child and our only girl, but Ginny never says no to her. And now that Al and James are at school, she'll just dote on her even more."
"So why don't you say something, Harry? You're Lily's father - you have equal say in how she is raised!"
Harry sighed. "Well, I did speak up when Ginny wanted to give Lily sweets today. But I just don't want to get into it with her - you know what her temper is like. We kind of have this unspoken agreement - she runs the house and the kids and I'm the breadwinner."
"Sounds like a great romance, Harry." Hermione said sarcastically.
"Romance? I don't even remember the last time Ginny and I…." Harry blushed, realizing perhaps he was sharing too much with Hermione, even though he considered her his closest confidant, even to this day.
Hermione gave him a small knowing smile and blushed as well. "I know. Ron and I are too tired most of the time and well he's kind of let himself go - he's losing his hair like his dad and his famous metabolism is slowing down. Meanwhile, I do my best to stay in shape, but Ron doesn't make any effort."
To be truthful, Harry did notice that Hermione was in great shape. She looked even better than she did during their teen years at Hogwarts. And she finally found a hairstyle and that flattered her curls, which were no longer bushy, but smooth. If only he weren't married to Ginny…
At that moment, the front door opened and the maid appeared, bringing Harry out of his reverie. "Sorry to keep you waiting, you may come in," she said ushering them inside.
Once inside, Harry took in the majestic splendor of the foyer. Something about the design reminded him of the great hall at Hogwarts. The maid led them into a brightly lit drawing room off the foyer.
"May I offer you something to drink? Tea?" The maid asked solicitously.
Hermione nodded. "Tea would be lovely, Harry?"
"Yes, tea is fine. Lemon, no sugar. Um, when will we be seeing Ms. Rowling?"
"She will be down shortly. I must say she was surprised to hear of your arrival. I will be back with your tea soon."
The maid left the room and Harry looked at Hermione. She looked nervous. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "Don't worry, Hermione. I have a good feeling about this."
"But she created us, Harry. I don't want us to sound like spoiled, ungrateful children." Hermione whispered.
"Well, if she created us, she should also want us to be the happiest we can be. Let me handle her at first. But feel free to join in when you are comfortable. I think it's going to take the two of us to get what we want."
"And what exactly is that?" Hermione asked.
At that moment, Joanne Rowling walked into her drawing room and gasped at the sight of two of her proudest creations holding hands on her sofa.
TBC
A/N: Sorry to leave it like this (we will get into the nitty gritty next chapter and I hope to update in the next couple of days).
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