Chapter 33 - Epilogue - Two Years Later
Hermione Granger-Potter was exhausted. She lay in her hospital bed at St. Mungo's happily but drowsily realizing that she was a mother yet again. Twice over. She had just given birth to twins, as yet unnamed boy and girl. They had been whisked off to the nursery for a post-birth check-up.
She had wanted to give birth in a Muggle hospital, but Harry convinced her that if there were any magical issues that came up during childbirth or after, it would be best if they went to St. Mungo's. Hermione realized that Harry was right. One of the things she learned in her first year of marriage to Harry was that she wasn't always the one with the right answer, as she thought in her marriage to Ron. Since she respected her husband, she always wanted his opinion, even if it didn't quite match her own.
Harry had been by Hermione's side during childbirth. One of the advantages of giving birth in a magical hospital, there were spells to make the procedure less painful and quicker than natural childbirth. He knew they were having twins, but he didn't know the sexes beforehand. As he returned to the waiting area after kissing his exhausted but happy wife, he couldn't wait to break the news to his waiting family.
Both his and Hermione's children were impatiently waiting in the lounge, but there were more than five people present. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were also waiting and James had brought his fiancée, Samantha. They had just graduated from Hogwarts and were planning to get married in a year. Although they were just seventeen, James had heeded Harry's advice to hold onto her.
But Samantha wasn't going to become a housewife as she had accepted an internship in Hermione's office at the Ministry. She wanted a career and eventually a family. She looked to Hermione as a mentor.
When the family saw Harry coming, they all stood up in anticipation. Seeing Harry's joyful expression, Elizabeth approached her son-in-law and gave him a tight hug.
"How are our babies?" She asked.
"Perfect, just perfect." Harry managed to choke out as he let go.
Lily tugged at her father's sleeve. "Dad, do I have little sisters or little brothers?"
"Both." Harry announced. "Hermione had a boy and a girl!"
Soon everyone was chattering with excitement and of course, clamoring to see Hermione and the twins. Harry let everyone know that Hermione was getting some well deserved sleep but they could go watch the twins in the nursery after they had their check-ups.
While the family went to wave and make faces at the newest members of the Potter-Granger family, Harry went to the communications station to send the birth announcement to the Weasley family. Although Harry still considered the Weasleys part of his family, there had been a subtle shift since his marriage to Hermione. They were their children's grandparents and former in-laws, but they had less influence over their day-to-day lives. He wrote three quick notes - one to Ron and Luna, one to Arthur and Molly, and one to Ginny and Viktor.
Ginny and Viktor had gotten married six months ago, and Viktor and his son Alex moved to Ottery St. Catchpole. Ginny stopped traveling with the Harpies and she had Viktor became a husband and wife team of Quidditch commentators on Wizard radio, proving very popular with the locals.
Ron and Luna were married as well and were expecting their first child in a few months. Ron indeed proposed during their holiday in Sweden. Luna never found the Crumple Horned Snorkack but she did find herself a husband who doted on her.
Once Harry sent the announcements off, he went to join his family as they watched the twins, swaddled in tiny robes; each wearing a blue or pink cap to distinguish their sex. He then snuck off to check on his wife.
He entered the room to find Hermione fast asleep. In truth, she looked like a mess with her hair wilder than ever, but Harry just saw his sleeping beauty. He was practically bursting with pride and love for his wife.
He sat at her bedside and stroked her hand as he intently watched her face. Hermione broke into a smile and opened her eyes, knowing whom she would find watching over her.
"Harry." She whispered. "You're supposed to be letting me sleep."
"I know, but I just couldn't help myself." Harry chuckled.
"How are the twins?" She asked, stretching a bit.
"Perfect, they are in the nursery wondering who all those strangers are who are making faces at them."
Hermione laughed. "People sure act strangely around babies, don't they?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, they do."
"I can't wait to be with them again." She sighed. "They took them away so quickly, that I didn't get a chance to bond with them."
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to bond with them, since you'll be on maternity leave for a few months."
"Harry, I've been thinking about that. I don't think I'm going to return to the Ministry after my leave."
Harry widened his eyes. "Really? But you love that job."
"I do, but I only intended to take it for a year or so. And I've had it for nearly three years. I really don't want to be traveling and be away from the babies, you know?"
"I know." Harry nodded. "But I just can't picture you as a stay at home mum."
"I've never been one of those before. It's just that I returned to work after I had Rose and Hugo while Molly watched them for me. This time around, I really don't want to miss anything."
"Makes sense to me. You're lucky that you don't have to work."
"Well, you know I only married you for your money." She joked. "But just because I plan to stay at home, doesn't mean that's all I'll be doing."
"What do you have planned?"
"I'm thinking about writing a book. Or perhaps books."
"About what?"
"It's an idea I've had. I'm thinking about writing a fictionalized account of what happened to you as a boy. I'm thinking of doing it for the Muggle market. My mum and dad have a friend who is a children's book publisher and they are looking for new stories. Apparently, what they call "fantasy stories" are very popular with kids. Perhaps they would want to read about a boy wizard who defeats evil along with his misfit friends?"
"Would one of those friends include a bushy haired bossy witch named Hermione?"
"Of course, she is the heroine of the story. But I can't use my real name, I'm thinking of Harriet or Harmony or something like that."
"I like Harmony." Harry said. "What about me? What will I be called?"
"Would Henry Porter be too close?"
"A bit, but you have time to think about it. Will Henry and Harmony get together at the end?"
"Of course they will, but I won't make the mistake of pairing off with a couple of redheads first."
Harry chuckled ruefully. "Speaking of names, what are we going to call our newest additions?"
"Well, these are my ideas." Hermione said. "I would like to name our daughter Emma Jane. I like keeping the J initial that you and I have, plus that's also my middle name. But it's also after my favorite author and book, Jane Austen's Emma. What do you think?"
"I think Emma Jane Granger-Potter is a beautiful name." Harry agreed. "It's settled."
"And for our son, I'm struggling a little. I would love to honor someone you loved who has passed. You already have Albus Severus."
Harry cringed a little. "You know, I'm glad we call him Al. Do you know that was Ginny's idea? I thought it was a great idea at the time but it's kind of a mouthful, don't you think?"
Hermione laughed. "A bit, let's try to avoid that."
"Well, I have James Sirius and Albus Severus already. I've never named anyone after Remus, but that's
Teddy's middle name." Harry paused. "We don't have to name our son after someone who has passed, so
why not someone who is living?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"How about Harry?"
"Harry, Jr?"
"Yeah, but with a different middle name."
"How about Jacob? I've always liked that name."
"Harry Jacob Granger-Potter." Harry stated, trying out the name. "What do you think, Hermione?"
"I love it, I think it's simple and beautiful."
"So it's settled, we have Emma and Harry, Jr." Harry leaned down to kiss his wife. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"So easy. I love being married to you. Ron and I had huge fight when Hugo was named."
"You didn't like it?"
"Not really, now I love the name because it belongs to my son, but at the time I hated it. Ron guilted me into accepting since Rose was my choice."
"Naming your children should not cause a fight." Harry said, shaking his head.
"I know, you think I would've gotten the message that Ron and I weren't compatible?"
Just then there was a knock on the door. A nurse came in carrying both babies.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter, would you like to see your twins?"
Hermione sat up, her face shining. "Oh yes, please hand Emma to her dad and Harry Jr. to me."
"You've named them, then?"
Hermione nodded as she took little Harry into her arms. "Emma Jane and Harry Jacob."
"Wonderful, I'll make sure that's on the birth certificates."
The nurse handed Emma to her father and headed for the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Harry sat down on the bed again and looked at his daughter in wonderment. She had small tufts of brown hair sticking out of her pink cap. She opened her brown eyes while reaching up and grabbed his finger tightly.
"Ouch." Harry joked. "I think this one takes after you, she knows how to grab on tightly."
Hermione stared at little Harry, who was sleeping. "Oh, he's just an angel."
"So he takes after me, huh?" Harry teased.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Like father, like son."
"These two are going to be handfuls, aren't they?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but they are our handfuls. And I couldn't be happier."
"I love you, Hermione." Harry said, gazing into his wife's tired, but beautiful deep brown eyes.
"And I love you, Harry." Hermione gazed back.
Of all of the moments of his 40 years of life so far, now sitting with Hermione holding their newborn twins, Harry realized that he had never been more content. This was the way things were supposed to be.
The End
A/N: Happy endings all around - hope this wasn't too toothache inducing and notice the digs at JKR. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed over the past few months, especially the regulars.
In your last review, if you can I would appreciate it if you could tell me which was your favorite or least favorite chapter in this story and why, that would help me become a better writer.
I will probably take a break from H/Hr stories for a while, but if inspiration strikes, I will be back here soon.
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