YOU'LL BE IN MY HEART ALWAYS
Summary: The sequel to 'Beloved' and my first chaptered fic. Fingers crossed that it works.
Disclaimer: they're not mine, they belong to JKR. With a few notable exceptions. Anyone you don't recognise belongs to me.
Rating: PG-13 overall for all chapters.
Warning: Many of the couples mentioned in the story are slash couples. Male and male. If this offends you then you are in the wrong place, my friend. Otherwise, enjoy it.
Dedication: To Ines. Happy Birthday, my darling. This is the only present I could think of.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE (For those who can't be bothered to read the prequel)
ADULTS
Harry James Potter. Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic. Nat's father and long-term partner of Ron.
Ronald Arthur Weasley. Chief Auror of the Ministry. Nat's father and partner of Harry
Arthur Weasley. Minister For Magic. Ron's dad.
Molly Weasley. Ron's Mum.
Percy Weasley. Head of the Department of International Magical co-operation. Ron's brother and partner of Oliver Wood.
Oliver Wood. Quidditch player. Keeper for England and Puddlemere United. Percy's lover.
Lavender Brown. Staff reporter for the Daily Prophet. Successor to Rita Skeeter but not as nasty.
Mr and Mrs Williamson. Oscar's parents.
Everard Small. A wizard with a handy fireplace
Mr and Mrs Jameson. Ministry wizards and Deborah's parents.
STUDENTS
Natasha Weasley-Potter. Gryffindor student. Adopted daughter of Harry and Ron, real parents (Hermione and Viktor Krum) deceased. Heroine of the story.
Deborah Jameson. Gryffindor student. One of Nat's best friends. Has wizard parents and a massive crush on Oliver Wood.
Oscar Williamson. Gryffindor student. Nat's other best friend. Has Muggle parents and is completely unflappable. Definite Hero material.
Robin Creevy. Nat's cousin, son of Ginny and Colin. Gryffindor prefect who has promised to look out for Nat. He's got his hands full...
Daruis McEvoy. Ravenclaw student. Too handsome for his own good. Possible Lockhart material.
Rainer Johnstone. Slytherin student, Quidditch player and a nasty piece of work.
Elisabeth Fernandez. Bolivian femme fatale in training and Oscar's penpal, much to Nat's disgust.
HOGWARTS TEACHERS
Professor Minerva McGonagall. Headmistress.
Professor Severus Snape. Deputy Headmaster, Potions master and Head of Slytherin House. Married to Professor Longbottom.
Professor Neville Longbottom. Head of Gryffindor House. Herbology Teacher and married to Professor Snape.
With full supporting cast of students, teachers and wizards.
CHAPTER ONE - EMPTY NEST
Molly Weasley sang along to the radio as she lit the oven with a poke of her wand. Once it had reached its optimum temperature, she placed the cake inside and closed the door. There was something very satisfying about baking the Muggle way, she thought. She was just about to make a cup of tea when there was a knock at the door.
Drying her hands on her apron she opened the door to find Harry standing there with a grin on his face and a bunch of roses in his hand.
" Harry!" she exclaimed, delighted with her visitor. " You're not usually so formal, dear. Come in and I'll put the kettle on. "
Harry followed her into the familiar kitchen and watched as she made tea for both of them. Silently he handed her the roses.
" Oh, they're beautiful. " she exclaimed as she placed them in the sink.
" How are you, Molly? " Harry asked as he sipped his tea.
" Just fine, dear. It's so nice to have some time to myself at last. That'll all change soon, though. "
Harry grinned. With the advent of her grandchildren The Burrow was every bit as crowded and noisy as it had been when Harry stayed there as a boy.
" How's Ron? " asked his mother.
" He's in Germany at the moment. " replied Harry. " There's been a bit of trouble over there with Dark activity. I expect he'll be back soon. "
" Tell him to owl his mum now and again when he does. " said Molly, mischief dancing in her eyes. To everyone but Harry, Ron was a terrible correspondent.
Harry sniffed appreciatively, " Hey, something smells good. " he ventured.
" It's a plum cake. I'm baking it for Natasha. "
Molly's expression softened even more when she saw the look of bewildered pain on Harry's face at the mention of his daughter's name. The reason for his visit was now obvious.
" You're missing her, aren't you? "
" It's awful. " Harry admitted. " I think I'm going round the bend. I keep finding things in unexpected places, like a pair of her socks down the back of the sofa or a half-read book and it hits me again that she's not going to run in the room in the next five minutes and hug me or tell me the latest joke from school. And I can't stand the fact that I don't have to hurry back from the Ministry so that she doesn't have to come home to an empty house. She left Eric at home, you know. How will she ever sleep without him? I found myself in her bedroom crying my eyes out yesterday. That's when I knew I had to talk to someone. Am I going nuts, Molly? "
Molly reached over and squeezed the hand of the man her youngest son loved so much.
" No, you're not. It happens to every parent. All you can do is bring them up as best you can and let them go in the hope they'll come back to you. You and Ron have done a wonderful job with Nat. You should be very proud. "
" But I miss her! " Harry wailed.
" I'm sure she misses both of you every bit as much. But you'd have to let her go someday. Nothing prepares you for an empty nest. "
" I suppose there's always the holidays. " said Harry, brightening slightly. Molly smiled.
" And there will be time for you and Ron as well. Time for you to realise you're more than just Nat's dad. You're Ron's lover as well. "
She managed not to laugh as Harry went absolutely scarlet as the implications of her words sunk in.
" Er, right. " he said, avoiding her eye.
" So, tell me. " she went on, changing the subject completely. " What's the latest thing in the sports world? I've got to have something to talk about next time Robin visits. "
Harry visibly relaxed and by the time he returned to Stoat's End Lane, he was feeling almost cheerful.
Hedwig was waiting for him and she clicked her beak in annoyance at the fact he hadn't been there to welcome her. She nipped his finger affectionately as he relieved her of her post.
The letter was from Ron; a brief scrawled note to say he would be home that night. Harry, remembering Molly's words grinned to himself. This could prove interesting...
Their reunion was every bit as passionate as Harry could have hoped. And if Ron was taken aback by the ferocity of Harry's desire for him, he certainly didn't show it, nor did he complain when his romantic dinner ended up a charred inedible mess.
" I'd rather have you like this any day. " he whispered to Harry as they lay together on the sofa. Harry smiled and held him tighter.
TBC.
Summary: The sequel to 'Beloved' and my first chaptered fic. Fingers crossed that it works.
Disclaimer: they're not mine, they belong to JKR. With a few notable exceptions. Anyone you don't recognise belongs to me.
Rating: PG-13 overall for all chapters.
Warning: Many of the couples mentioned in the story are slash couples. Male and male. If this offends you then you are in the wrong place, my friend. Otherwise, enjoy it.
Dedication: To Ines. Happy Birthday, my darling. This is the only present I could think of.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE (For those who can't be bothered to read the prequel)
ADULTS
Harry James Potter. Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic. Nat's father and long-term partner of Ron.
Ronald Arthur Weasley. Chief Auror of the Ministry. Nat's father and partner of Harry
Arthur Weasley. Minister For Magic. Ron's dad.
Molly Weasley. Ron's Mum.
Percy Weasley. Head of the Department of International Magical co-operation. Ron's brother and partner of Oliver Wood.
Oliver Wood. Quidditch player. Keeper for England and Puddlemere United. Percy's lover.
Lavender Brown. Staff reporter for the Daily Prophet. Successor to Rita Skeeter but not as nasty.
Mr and Mrs Williamson. Oscar's parents.
Everard Small. A wizard with a handy fireplace
Mr and Mrs Jameson. Ministry wizards and Deborah's parents.
STUDENTS
Natasha Weasley-Potter. Gryffindor student. Adopted daughter of Harry and Ron, real parents (Hermione and Viktor Krum) deceased. Heroine of the story.
Deborah Jameson. Gryffindor student. One of Nat's best friends. Has wizard parents and a massive crush on Oliver Wood.
Oscar Williamson. Gryffindor student. Nat's other best friend. Has Muggle parents and is completely unflappable. Definite Hero material.
Robin Creevy. Nat's cousin, son of Ginny and Colin. Gryffindor prefect who has promised to look out for Nat. He's got his hands full...
Daruis McEvoy. Ravenclaw student. Too handsome for his own good. Possible Lockhart material.
Rainer Johnstone. Slytherin student, Quidditch player and a nasty piece of work.
Elisabeth Fernandez. Bolivian femme fatale in training and Oscar's penpal, much to Nat's disgust.
HOGWARTS TEACHERS
Professor Minerva McGonagall. Headmistress.
Professor Severus Snape. Deputy Headmaster, Potions master and Head of Slytherin House. Married to Professor Longbottom.
Professor Neville Longbottom. Head of Gryffindor House. Herbology Teacher and married to Professor Snape.
With full supporting cast of students, teachers and wizards.
CHAPTER ONE - EMPTY NEST
Molly Weasley sang along to the radio as she lit the oven with a poke of her wand. Once it had reached its optimum temperature, she placed the cake inside and closed the door. There was something very satisfying about baking the Muggle way, she thought. She was just about to make a cup of tea when there was a knock at the door.
Drying her hands on her apron she opened the door to find Harry standing there with a grin on his face and a bunch of roses in his hand.
" Harry!" she exclaimed, delighted with her visitor. " You're not usually so formal, dear. Come in and I'll put the kettle on. "
Harry followed her into the familiar kitchen and watched as she made tea for both of them. Silently he handed her the roses.
" Oh, they're beautiful. " she exclaimed as she placed them in the sink.
" How are you, Molly? " Harry asked as he sipped his tea.
" Just fine, dear. It's so nice to have some time to myself at last. That'll all change soon, though. "
Harry grinned. With the advent of her grandchildren The Burrow was every bit as crowded and noisy as it had been when Harry stayed there as a boy.
" How's Ron? " asked his mother.
" He's in Germany at the moment. " replied Harry. " There's been a bit of trouble over there with Dark activity. I expect he'll be back soon. "
" Tell him to owl his mum now and again when he does. " said Molly, mischief dancing in her eyes. To everyone but Harry, Ron was a terrible correspondent.
Harry sniffed appreciatively, " Hey, something smells good. " he ventured.
" It's a plum cake. I'm baking it for Natasha. "
Molly's expression softened even more when she saw the look of bewildered pain on Harry's face at the mention of his daughter's name. The reason for his visit was now obvious.
" You're missing her, aren't you? "
" It's awful. " Harry admitted. " I think I'm going round the bend. I keep finding things in unexpected places, like a pair of her socks down the back of the sofa or a half-read book and it hits me again that she's not going to run in the room in the next five minutes and hug me or tell me the latest joke from school. And I can't stand the fact that I don't have to hurry back from the Ministry so that she doesn't have to come home to an empty house. She left Eric at home, you know. How will she ever sleep without him? I found myself in her bedroom crying my eyes out yesterday. That's when I knew I had to talk to someone. Am I going nuts, Molly? "
Molly reached over and squeezed the hand of the man her youngest son loved so much.
" No, you're not. It happens to every parent. All you can do is bring them up as best you can and let them go in the hope they'll come back to you. You and Ron have done a wonderful job with Nat. You should be very proud. "
" But I miss her! " Harry wailed.
" I'm sure she misses both of you every bit as much. But you'd have to let her go someday. Nothing prepares you for an empty nest. "
" I suppose there's always the holidays. " said Harry, brightening slightly. Molly smiled.
" And there will be time for you and Ron as well. Time for you to realise you're more than just Nat's dad. You're Ron's lover as well. "
She managed not to laugh as Harry went absolutely scarlet as the implications of her words sunk in.
" Er, right. " he said, avoiding her eye.
" So, tell me. " she went on, changing the subject completely. " What's the latest thing in the sports world? I've got to have something to talk about next time Robin visits. "
Harry visibly relaxed and by the time he returned to Stoat's End Lane, he was feeling almost cheerful.
Hedwig was waiting for him and she clicked her beak in annoyance at the fact he hadn't been there to welcome her. She nipped his finger affectionately as he relieved her of her post.
The letter was from Ron; a brief scrawled note to say he would be home that night. Harry, remembering Molly's words grinned to himself. This could prove interesting...
Their reunion was every bit as passionate as Harry could have hoped. And if Ron was taken aback by the ferocity of Harry's desire for him, he certainly didn't show it, nor did he complain when his romantic dinner ended up a charred inedible mess.
" I'd rather have you like this any day. " he whispered to Harry as they lay together on the sofa. Harry smiled and held him tighter.
TBC.
