This is a slightly shorter chapter, reflecting on how Harry and Hermione are going to move on after they recover from their trauma a little. Discussing what they'll do once they're ready to come forward and introduce Arielle, and how they're going to pick up on life.
I don't own Harry Potter.
Enjoy!
Lupin Home, three days later:
Hermione's P.O.V.:
Almost two weeks, that's how long it had been since we escaped from Parkinson Estate. Harry and I were starting to come along with our new start. Arielle enjoyed being around Teddy and the others, but she mostly loved the toys Fred and George gave her, including a little doll George bought from a muggle toy shop.
Remus and Severus loved our company, or so they said at least. We were starting to bond as a family again, only this time it felt…stronger. Our kids playing, us being together, talking, laughing, spending time with new and old friends, we were finally getting our spunk back. I can't imagine how many times I've thought that already, but part of me kept thinking this was a dream, and that I would eventually wake up in that cell with the death eaters torturing me and Harry, threatening Arielle, just making me think it would be over soon; but thankfully I had Harry help me realize this was all real.
"Mummy." Arielle came over holding her doll, and climbed onto the couch next to me. Only she, Harry, and myself were here today. Remus and Severus took Teddy to Andromeda's for a Sunday dinner, and wouldn't be back until later tonight so we had the house to ourselves.
I had been trying to teach Arielle more words, but so far all she could say were Mummy, Daddy, Hungry, and Sleepy. She was smart, but her speech was still in the works; she had Harry's eyes and dark brown hair, but it was curly like mine. She was perfect, in every way I could see she was and so could Harry.
"You hungry sweetie?" she rubbed her stomach. "Hold on let's find daddy."She could also sign when she wanted something, and that I think she learned from Harry. "Harry?" I peeked my head into the kitchen seeing him staring out the window.
"Oh hey girls." He came over and Arielle reached for him. "Hey baby girl are you hungry?" she rubbed her stomach again and he tickled it a little. Arielle giggled and Harry held out a strawberry yogurt, one of her new favorites.
"Harry, after Arielle eats can you put her down for a nap?" he nodded. "And then come see me in the den."
"Alright." I watched as Arielle was fed, and when she finished Harry carried her into Teddy's bedroom. I went out into the den and sat on the couch, waiting for him to come back. We needed to talk, but I didn't want to mention anything in front of Arielle.
"Hm." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, and then I heard footsteps coming into the room.
"She's out like a light." Harry sat beside me and I sighed.
"Harry…we really need to talk about this. I mean about me, you, and Arielle, what we're gonna do once we come out."
"You mean come forward?" realizing what I said before I nodded quickly. "I agree we do need to talk, and I also agree we can't hide forever. I mean face it Hermione, we need to find a way to start our lives."
"Harry…I agree with you, but…" I looked away.
"What is it?" I wasn't sure where to begin, there were so many obstacles we hadn't talked about.
"Harry you know that before any of this happened you and I both were already in love with Ron and Ginny. I know what everyone will say once we bring Arielle along, but…"
"You don't want Ron and Ginny to think we did this on purpose." I nodded. "Hermione if I know those two as well as you do then they're going to think that regardless, remember 4th year, when Ron accused me of purposely entering the tournament? Or while we were on the run, when he thought we would never find anything and left us?" I had to agree, Ron was stubborn and his pride made him look and feel as if nothing ever goes the way he hopes for.
"He's stubborn, but…Harry do you still love Ginny?" he looked at me strangely, and then put his arm around me.
"I do, but not as much as I used to." I sighed. "Hermione…there's something I need to tell you, but I'm not sure if you're ready to hear it."
"What is it?" Harry sighed and looked directly at me.
"Ginny wasn't my first love, and neither was Cho." He gently grabbed my hand. "It's you, it's always been you." I felt a blush come to my cheeks, and I felt my eyes widen larger than they'd ever done before.
"Me?" he kissed my hand.
"Hermione I know we've never been an actual couple, but it took me so long to realize that you are the only woman I'd ever want to spend my life with. And when Ron left and we were alone, it took everything I had not to hold you and kiss you because I knew you were upset about Ron and you might've thought it wasn't a good idea since we were in the middle of a war."
"Harry…you're telling me the truth? You've always been in love with me?" he nodded. "Why didn't you ever say so?"
"Because you were more wrapped up in school than having a boyfriend, and then Viktor Krum came along during the tournament plus I was busy trying not to get killed. Fifth year we were both being cornered by Umbridge, and sixth year I was too busy trying to work over Dumbledore's missions and then the war started. Hermione I wanted to tell you many times of my feelings for you, and I want you to also know that…" he held both my hands that time, and looked directly into my eyes.
"Harry?"
"I still love you Hermione, and not just because of our daughter. I've loved you for years and though I'm sorry that I didn't say anything sooner; but I don't want you to think that just because we have Arielle that all this is coming out now. I love you and I want to be with you and Arielle forever." I took a few seconds to comprehend all that, and then I realized something.
"I love you too Harry, and not just because of Arielle." He smiled and kissed me on the lips. It made my entire body melt inside, a warm and rich feeling far more intense than I'd ever felt with Ron. Harry and I had been friends for years, and despite how sick the events had been, all it took were two years of agony to make me realize my true feelings.
My shock increased as Harry got down from the couch and knelt down on one knee. "Hermione Jane Granger, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I was so stunned I almost didn't hear that last part, and then I realized that, even though Harry and I were kept prisoner, I did in fact fall in love with him.
It was true, I was in love with Harry Potter and I wanted to be with him. I wanted Arielle to have both her parents in her life, and I wanted us to live together as a family.
"Yes…yes!" Harry shot up and picked me up off the floor. I kissed his lips passionately and wrapped my legs around his waist. He ran a hand through my hair and when we finally broke away he set me down on the couch. "Oh…! Hold on Harry!" he looked at me like I'd slapped him. "W-We need to think about this…"
"What…what is something wrong?" I shook my head and held his hand.
"Not with the engagement no, but where will we live? How are we going to provide for Arielle? I mean we need to…"
"Whoa whoa whoa Mione, I didn't say get married right away. I mean you're right we need to prepare first, and as for providing for our daughter I have the Potter fortune remember? We'll have enough money for a while until we can get jobs. We have time to find a home, I was considering my parents old home but…that's part of their resting place."
"It's ok Harry." I took his hand. "We can just rent a flat until we can get an actual home. We only have one child, so we can save up for a home when we…" I trailed off and Harry looked at me funny.
"Exactly how many children do you want Hermione?" I thought for a minute.
"At least four, I've always wanted a big family." he smiled at me and suddenly wrapped me in his arms.
"I'm glad." He whispered in my ear.
"Mummy…daddy…" we turned seeing Arielle in the doorway.
"Hey sweetie." I went over and picked her up. "Did you have a good nap?" she nodded.
"Wanna play horsey?" Arielle's face brightened up and she squirmed out of my arms and let Harry down on all fours before jumping on his back. He neighed like a horse and I laughed watching them together, she kept bouncing on his back but he didn't care.
"Giddy up baby girl!" I clapped at her and she giggled. "Now you two stay here I'll go get us some drinks." I walked into the kitchen and grabbed three glasses from the cabinet, then summoned the pumpkin juice from the fridge.
Now not only was I a mother, but I was engaged to my baby's daddy. Harry and I weren't going to rush this, but we would soon come out; I just wasn't sure when. Using the wand Remus lent me I levitated the other two cups before going back into the living room.
"Who's thirsty?" they raised their hands and took the cups.
"So when are Remus and Severus coming back?"
"Sometime tonight, but they did say that Teddy was looking forward to seeing Andromeda so it could be longer." Harry laughed, he had really grown attached to his godson and Teddy adored us both. He would soon be my godson too.
"Daddy." Arielle pulled on Harry's shirt holding a storybook.
"Alright baby daddy'll ready you a story." He took the book and looked at me. "Does mummy want to join in?" I laughed.
"Sure." Arielle settled between us and we took a side of the book opening to the first page.
Not fully sure what to do with the next chapter, should I bring them in, or let them discuss it again after revealing their engagement to Remus and Severus? I'm still a bit fuzzy but after they come out it'll be easier to continue. Here's a few options though:
Show up at the Burrow with/without Arielle
Head to the Ministry to press charges against Lord Parkinson
Summon the Weasleys to the Lupin home
Head to Diagon Alley for whatever reasons
Which of these sound better? I know some of you don't mind what I choose but I'd like some opinions to be safe, so please tell me in a review.
R&R please.
Later!