Disclaimer: These characters are not mine.
Unexpected
Chapter 1
It was a hot afternoon, like summer days should be. Outside the crooked Burrow were laughing faces enjoying the usual Sunday brunch. At the head of table sat Bill affectingly listening to his mother's lecture about his long red hair. Hiding bemused smiles, his wife Fleur and brother Charlie, watched humorously at the endless topic.
With the growing Weasley grandchildren, were the mischievous Twins sharing their latest stories and inventions. Chuckles escaped with small voices, creating wide smiles across the identical faces. Shaking their heads at their silly husbands, Angelina and Penelope returned to their conversation with Ginny and Luna about the newest robes style.
Completely ignoring their foods, Hermione and Remus debated over the philosophical view points of house elves, which made Molly strictly shove more potatoes onto their plates. Across the in depth topic, the name calling, brief swearing, and arguing Quidditch teams abilities were the odd couple Ron and Draco.
All in all it was a rather normal day for any magical family. But for Harry Potter it was heaven. Taking his pumpkin juice, he contently leaned back, watching these people he called family interact. POP
"Mommy!" Andrew and Nancy called out towards their mother. Giving a brief hug and glance at her 2 year old, she exhaustedly sat besides her husband. Kissing her cheek, Charlie poured a glass of refreshing water.
"How was work?" He helped her out of medical robes.
"Long," Molly Weasley came rushing back with table set in hand. Placing the plate down, she kissed her daughter in law's hair.
"Samantha, I really think you should slow down. It isn't healthy for you to work like this." Molly's face wrinkled in worry.
"Mom, let her be." Bill interrupted pulling his mother down to sit. "Her patients mean too much to her. Besides Sammy only works 4 days at St. Mungo's" Sammy nodded at Bill's statement.
"I still worry." Molly continued unaffected.
"I'll try to slow down mom." Sammy quickly promised, receiving wide smiles with the older Weasleys.
After the table was cleared and a fun Quidditch game, the party moved inside gathering around the fireplace. Children sat playing cards, while the couches were crammed with adults discussing anything.
Nudging her husband, Penelope glanced at George to the front of the crowd. Placing his drink down, he stood before the mantle, ready to speak. "I have an announcement to make." George's serious tone, hushed the family down. Pulling his wife up with him, he wrapped his arm protectively across her stomach. "Penny and I are please to say…we're having a baby!"
Once the shock left everyone's mind, Molly squealed with delight. Excited by the news she hugged the couple feverously. Gently yanking her away, one by one the couple was embraced with congratulations from the large family.
"You Weasleys could make a Qudditich team soon." Draco muttered to Ginny. Smirking with pride, she replied loudly.
"I was hoping league and fan club." Hearing the comment, roars of laughter followed. Sighing in defeat, Draco rolled his eyes upward.
"I'm surrounded by Gryffindors."
"I'm a Ravenclaw." Penelope stated.
"I didn't go to Hogwarts." Fleur added carelessly.
"You're all Weasleys. It doesn't count."
"Oh Malfoy, should I floo Zabini over to make you feel better." Hermione teased mentioning her co-worker.
"Or Snape," Harry smiled receiving the shivering actions around the younger Weasleys.
"No!" Ron shouted at the same time as Draco. Bewildered by the agreement, Ron finished speaking. "No need for our ex-professor to be in our house."
"But he will be at our wedding." Luna stated obviously.
"Only because he's Hogwarts Headmaster. Anyway why are we talking about him? Penny's having a baby. This calls for ale!"
"Is everything celebrated with ale?" Hermione asked clearly knowing the answer.
"Of course," he smirked, winking at his best friend.
"Merlin," she threw her hands up in the air. Patting her back, Harry guided her to the couch, while the family passed glass filled cups around.
Stumbling into his flat, Ron only knew one thing. He was extremely happy or maybe just drunk. Either way life couldn't be better. With an unyielding grin, he gazed goofy at his best friend's face.
Struggling with the weight of his tall friend, Harry couldn't help but smile at Ron's helplessness. His eyes blurred from alcohol and straight lines were incomprehensible for the red head. Grunting with hidden strengthen, Harry tossed him, onto his soft orange bed. Quickly Luna appeared with a bucket and washcloth, while Hermione mumbled to herself about her friend's state of mind.
"Thank you," Luna smiled tucking Ron beneath his sheets. "Would you like some tea?"
"I'll make it." Hermione offered, remembering their last incident waiting for tea. Harry kindly moved the bucket as Luna moved on to the bed.
"He's usually not this bad." Harry grinned as Ron murmured incoherently.
"I think this is Fred's doing." Luna answered. "He mentioned some sort of revenge, while pouring into George's cup."
"Oh yeah," flashbacks of last Friday's scene occurred. "We were having a boys night out and Ron got Fred to eat his own treats. I'll just say that Fred was under Ron's control most of the night."
"I see,' she kissed her future husband's nose.
"Luna?" Ron slurred out. "Sweetie is that you." Hearing the endearing term, Harry took his cue to leave.
"I'll go help Hermione." Closing the door behind him, Harry couldn't be happier for his friend. It must be wonderful to be in love.
Watching green eyes disappear, Ron brushed his fingers through Luna's long golden hair. "I tink I'm druk."
"Yes, you are."
"Sowwy Sweetie," he grabbed her hand, pulling it to his lips.
"It's all right Ronald."
"I'm jest havvy." He answered with an endless smile. "Vill's got a grat job. Mom's havvy with Fleur and their kids. Charlie's vack now to stay. Sammy's working and tacing kare of her twins and her toddler. The twins are vloody vrilliant making galleons. And Penny's pregnant!" He paused in sadness. "But I know Fred's jealous of George, since Angelina can't habe kids. It's okay though vecause they vant to adopt. Hell Luna, I'm havvy Gin's got the ferret. He's rich and doesn't care if she famous with her writing. I don't vant her worrying that men vant her money not her love. I wouldn't know vhat to do if she was hurt. Only Mione and Harry are left without someone."
"These things need their own time love." Luna pressed his back onto the bed. Taking her down with him, she laid her head over his chest.
"I jest wovvy about them. I'm so lucky to have you. They should be as lucky as me."
"They'll find it soon. And when everyone in you're life is loved, you're heart will burst with joy." Looking into her crystal eyes, all thoughts were washed away but a single knowledge.
"I love you." Ron caressed her chin.
"And I you," they sealed their love with a kiss.
"Do you think she'll come back out?" Hermione asked peering from the kitchen stool.
"Probably not," Harry finished his tea. "I'm beat. Ready to go home?"
"Yeah, I have a meeting first thing in the morning." With a quick wave of his hand, Harry cleaned the kitchen instantly.
"Come on Dr. Granger, the world needs its best brain tomorrow."
"So do your kids, Professor." Winking playfully at each, they apparated into Hermoine's modern but cozy flat. Tossing aside his black robe, Harry flopped onto her beige couch. Shuffling was heard in the back hall, revealing Hermione holding a bundle of blankets. Taking the fleece sheets, Harry gestured her to sit beside him. Automatically resting her head on his shoulder, they settled into comfortable silence.
POP
Hearing the sudden noise, Harry woke realizing he fell asleep on Hermione's couch again. Feeling the weight of his bushy hair friend, he slowly wrapped the fallen blanket onto her shoulder.
"How cute? Should I leave so you could sleep longer with my girlfriend?" The sarcastic voice of David Ring bellowed through the living room. Gritting his teeth, Harry stood facing Hermione's boyfriend.
"Nothing happened David. We just got back from the Burrow an hour ago. We were both tired so we fell asleep on the couch." He tried his best to stay calm.
"Really? If you were so tired, why didn't you go home? This is Hermione's place last time I checked." David threw his bag roughly onto the wooden floor. Jolting up from the noise, Hermione opened her eyes to see her boyfriend screaming.
"David what are you doing here?" She rubbed her eyes, still dazed from sleep.
"I finished earlier in Prague wanting to surprise you. Funny how I found you cuddled with your supposed best friend."
"Now listen here David," Harry clenched his fist in anger. "Hermione and I have nothing to hide from you. This is an innocent mistake. You're the one blowing this out of proportion!"
"Innocent mistake!" He closed the distant with Harry, staring straight into his eyes. "Look Potter, you may be the world's hero but that doesn't mean you can take another man's woman. Hermione's my girlfriend, so deal with it."
"David!" Hermione shouted with embarrassment. "We did nothing wrong. I want you to apologies to Harry." Glaring at her request, David reached for his luggage.
"I think Harry's the one who needs to apologies. I'm sick of this Hermione. I'm sick of him always being here when I'm your boyfriend." He pointed his finger at the blazing green eyes. "Grow up Potter! She's my girlfriend. Nothing like this is innocent anymore. Owl me when you want to talk." David directed towards Hermione, before apparating out of her flat.
Unable to hide her emotions, Hermione slumped onto the floor crying heavily. Guilt ridden at his own temper towards her boyfriend, Harry gathered her into his arms. Rocking back and forth, he whispered comforting words into her ear. Minutes passed before she regained her sense of surrounding and pulled away from the warm touch.
"Thanks Harry," she timidly smiled. "I'm sorry about David. He's just sensitive about these things. He was rather spoiled as a child. Always first on everyone's list. He's getting better though."
"Hermione, you don't need to apologies for him. He's right, there are some things I think we should be more aware of." Harry helped her stand firmly, while moving a few steps back. "But the way he treats you is absolutely uncalled for. You're not an object. You're a human being with emotions. He shouldn't make you out to be a possession."
"I know." Hermione mumbled softly. "It's late and I have a long day tomorrow."
"Yeah, I need to go before Remus freaks." Harry reached for his robe, gazing gently into Hermione's eyes. "Goodnight, and if you need anything, I'll always here."
"I know you are." She leaned over, giving him a brief kiss. "Say hello to all the children and staff. I'll owl you later this week."
"So as the man fell to his death, the world rejoiced in glee. For evil was gone in its dark pit, and joy could fully live again." Looking up from the storybook, Harry grinned at the slumbering children. Quietly leaving the room, he weaved through the maze of beds. Once closing the door, he turned to smacking into a sneering figure.
"Never pictured you a fairy tale reader, Potter," Severus Snape grabbed the material out of the younger man's hand. " I take it the juveniles are in bed." His brooding eyes commanded that be the answer.
"Yes they are." Harry tugged his book out of pale hands, briskly walking the opposite direction. "Follow me, before you found some way to wake them." Silence fell between them, as they traveled through the quiet castle. Since it was summer, the halls of Outreach School for all magically gifted beings, was empty of students. Those who had no family or no home to go to stayed on the invisible island along the British shore.
After the battle and Harry's auror training, he felt he had no real purpose. True evil was gone; with left him lost of what to do. Ron was envied for his amazing strategies, while Hermione was respected around the whole magical community. Of course everyone still loved him, but he felt useless.
Then one day visiting Hogwarts, he stumbled upon children mocking a young Scottish boy. Angry at the display of teasing, he yelled at each student there, even if they didn't say anything. Later while having tea with Snape, Harry found out that the little boy had the ability to empathize with animals. His classmates picked on him because he would talk with owls, cats, and everything on Hogwarts ground. He was an outcast because of this gift or curse.
Understanding the loneness and unfairness of people, Harry opened the school for all students. For the past seven years, he accepted anyone who had the ability to do magic. Even if they were young or orphans, he took them in. He created a place for those who needed a place to learn and grow.
Finally reaching the giant portrait of the English Channel, Harry mumbled the password. Hearing the word, the waters parted, revealing a detailed wooden door. Opening the door, the room flickered with light from the burning fireplace. The walls were surrounded with tapestries and banners. Soft velvet chairs were neatly placed on top of woven carpets. Waving his hand, Harry handed his old professor a cup of tea. Taking the set, Severus sat on the cushy emerald chair.
"This isn't your usual office. Should I be honored with this privilege?" Severus asked clearly unimpressed.
"These walls are sound proof and accommodate to my every needs."
"So you copied our Room of Requirements."
"Basically," Harry shrugged uncaringly. "If it's about that letter, then the answer is still no." His voice turned hard and cold.
"Why not? You open you're school for werewolves, veelas, and even vampires. Orphans roamed the halls, while magic is taught diligently. You take outcasts of society, yet you will not take him."
"I don't take spawns of vile creatures." Harry spat with furry. Sighing with resign, Severus stared into the orange flames.
"Ablus would say all people deserve a chance." His usual sneer was gone, with plea. "Harry, the boy
hasn't done anything. Give him a chance to learn and return honor to his name. Let the past be done."
"Then you take him! I want nothing to do with him." Harry threw his cup, soaring in the air. Soon glass
shattered against the once clean wall. "His father was a traitor. His mother did more damage than Voldemort. My
hate has not passed. Letting the boy into my school, is signing his own death warrant. Just looking at him, would evoke
memories I have desired to erase. I can't do it Severus. It still hurts to much." His knees crashed to the
floor, creating invisible waves trembling beneath them. The tension was thick and Severus geared his mind thinking of
what to say. Ironic how the boy who lived had yet to truly live in life.
"I knew this boy once, who grew up following his father's path. He did not chose it or enjoy it. But like all things he did, it was forced onto him. Then the unexpected hands of the fate saved him from it all. The unlikely savior gave him a chance to fight for what he wanted to do. He gave him a chance to live his own life. And so they fought side by side, defeating not only evil but the past that wouldn't let go." Severus placed his long fingers into Harry's tousled hair. "You gave Draco an opportunity when he did much worst things to you. Why not his kin? The boy's innocent to it all Harry. He has no one to choose his fate. Give the boy a chance to make a life for himself."
A.N.
This is my own take of what happens to the lovely Harry Potter characters in ten years. I know there are hundreds of others story like this, but I thought I add one more to the list. My story is in no way as good as Lori's POU or Lissane's LIAB, but if you read this, than maybe you might like it as well. I would love to hear feedback of any kind, as long as it's honest. Thanks for reading and hope you stay tune for the next chapter. J