Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and her licensees.

Back to the Burrow

12 Grimmauld Place
London

At five till four Hermione was still rushing around the house looking for Lily's changing bag. "It isn't here, Hermione. You've tried to summon it from every room in the house. We can stop off at Fortescue's on our way to the Burrow."

She flopped down onto the bed in defeat. "No, take Emma with you and I'll go get it. I have to come back and repack it before I meet you."

"You're going to send me in alone? Are you afraid of them? Afraid of what they are going to say or think."

"I am hoping that this does not cost us our friendship with Ron. Merlin, Harry, not only am I pregnant, we already have a baby and are married. There is no way that this is not going to come as a shock to him. Even if he didn't have hopes of he and I being together, we kept this from him."

Harry walked over to the bed and lifted his daughter out of Hermione's arms. "I'm not sure that there were any other options. We talked about them for months. There is no one that would disagree that she would have been used by the Death Eaters and probably Voldemort. In a choice between Lily and Ron, she wins hands down and as for the new baby, well that is really his fault."

Amused, Hermione looked at him and asked, "How do you figure?"

"What exactly do you think the consequences are of leaving a boy and girl alone for two months in a tent?"

"Oh, Harry, just... We need to not get upset with how he reacts. We need to just take it and eventually he'll come around, but you are right about one thing. If he hadn't left it is unlikely that I would have got pregnant." Her face darkened and she looked at him. "Does that still bother you?"

"That you didn't tell me about the baby until after it was over, yes, but I understand your reasons."

Hermione shook her head, "No, that he left."

Harry sighed then looked at a photo of the three of them from third year that was on a bedside table. "Yes. It hasn't been right since, but that also might be because of the locket and what it said when we destroyed it. I think he was waiting for me to contradict it, say that I only loved you like a sister or something, but I couldn't do that. I just told him that it was okay and we went back to the tent. You were angrier than I was."

"He thought I was going to leave you. He thought that there was a chance that I wouldn't stand at your side through everything. He was supposed to be our best friend and he just... just walked away. It wasn't the first time he's done it."

"Tournament?" he saw her nod then continued, "It is likely to happen today. Just have your shield charm ready to go."

"Go on and take Emma with you. I can't Side-Along both of them and I have no business taking the Floo."

Harry kissed her then called to Emma. Hermione watched as they walked out on to the front step and disappeared with a soft pop. Looking down she saw her baby grinning at her. "Come on, little one, it is time to go meet the family."

*~*HP*~*

The Burrow
Ottery St. Catchpole

Harry looked around and got his bearings and pointed off in the direction of an odd shaped house that looked like it was held up by magic. "Why are we all the way out here?" asked the child at his side.

"This is how far their wards extend, just like we have at home. It would be rude to just show up in someone's garden. Now come on, Mrs. Weasley has seen us and we'll get a tongue lashing if we keep her much longer."

Emma slipped her arms around Harry's waist and was holding on tightly. He knew that there was little chance of her letting go anytime soon. All of a sudden a woman was running toward him as fast as she could. "Harry! Oh, Harry dear." She pulled him into a bone crushing hug. Harry heard Emma give a little oof, but still held on tight.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley, it's good to see you and thank you for inviting us to dinner."

"You look... I can't complain, I don't know where you have been, but at least this time someone is taking care of you."

She noticed Emma for the first time and was about to say something when a young witch pulled him away from Mrs. Weasley and gave him a kiss on the lips. Startled Harry stepped back. When he looked down he saw Emma scowling at Ginny, but Mrs. Weasley was beaming at her daughter. "It's good to see you, Harry. I've missed you."

"Oh, hello, Ginny." Trying to be somewhat dismissive Harry looked around and asked, "Is Ron around?"

"Behind you mate." The two of them embraced in the odd sort of way that only men will and then quickly broke apart.

Realizing that she wasn't going to be introduced, Emma stuck out her right hand at Ron and said, "I'm Emma Granger, by the way, who are you?"

Ron was visibly stunned by the girl's declaration. He dumbly took her hand and said, "Ron Weasley."

"Oh, so you're Ron. My sister and Harry talk about you all the time."

Mrs. Weasley furrowed her brow and said, "Your sister, dear?"

Clearing his throat, knowing that he had to prevent the situation from getting worse, Harry said, "I'm sorry, this is Hermione's sister, Emma. Emma, this is Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and you just met Ron." Harry looked at the Weasley matriarch and said, "I am sorry for not letting you know we had one more in advance, but Hermione's parents are going to a dinner party tonight and we agreed to bring Emma with us. She is starting Hogwarts in the fall."

"I think that is how Hermione introduced herself to me on the train," said Ron shaking his head. "Blimey, I didn't know she even had a sister. Did you? I mean before you got stuck with the midget for the night."

"I am not a midget. And of course Harry knew about me before tonight. Honestly," Emma's voice was rather indignant at the insult.

The five of them had slowly been walking toward the house. Harry was amused that Emma was placing herself purposely between Ginny and himself, almost as if she was protecting her interests. When they finally got inside the young girl's eyes got huge. "Harry" she whispered. "It's not like at home."

Mrs. Weasley eyed them then said, "I imagine that a Muggle kitchen would be very different."

Harry was thankful that she didn't clarify that home did not have a Muggle kitchen. He pulled out a chair and instead of taking the one right next to him; Emma climbed into his lap and continued to look around. "It's washing the crockery by itself, Harry, look."

He chuckled, "Makes you wish you were of age doesn't it."

She looked back at him and nodded. "It's going to be a long six years."

"You will be at school for most of it," placated Harry.

Looking at the interaction Ron spoke up and asked, "Wait. Does this mean that you've seen Hermione since you got back or she got back, whatever?"

"Yes." It was obvious that everyone was waiting for him to expand on the statement, but he didn't.

"So, mate, where have you been?"

"I was looking for a few things that I had tucked away for safe keeping."

Ginny Weasley was not a stupid girl; in fact she realized the situation as soon as Emma crawled into Harry's lap. Thinking that there might be a way to turn it in her favor she said, "We've done a bit of work to the garden since you were here last, why don't we go for a walk and I will show it to you. I'm sure Ron will show Hermione when she gets here."

Harry looked at the girl on his lap and said, "I think that Emma is overwhelmed, I'll look at it later."

"Mum will stay with her," Ginny offered.

Emma's grip on Harry tightened and he kissed the top of her head. "This is all so new for her. I think it best if she stays with me."

Mrs. Weasley looked around then said, "Where is your trunk dear?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley. I didn't realize that you were planning on me staying. I'm-"

He wasn't able to finish. Before he could say anything else George Weasley entered the room holding a toddler with Hermione right behind him. "Look who I found in Diagon Alley."

"Hermione!" exclaimed Ron, but before he could hug her he stopped short and took in her appearance. "Hermione?"

Acting as if she hadn't noticed his hesitation she pulled him into a hug. "Hi, Ron, I've missed you." She took the baby back from George and said, "Thank you, honestly I could have carried her and the bag at the same time."

"No trouble, she and I are bonding. That is what they say to do. Didn't you read all the books, Hermione?" Hermione, Harry, and George chuckled. "Besides, she likes her Uncle Georgie."

"Well when you feed her ice cream it is bound to make an impression," said Hermione as Lily looked at George and laughed.

Ron was looking between the baby and Harry, it was when Hermione's hand moved up the child's back that he saw the gold band on her finger. His face to the tips of his ears turned red. He threw both Harry and Hermione a rather foul look and stomped off up the stairs.

Knowing that there could be no doubt in any of their minds as to who the baby's father was, Harry dropped all pretense and said, "I see you found it."

Nodding, Hermione said, "Mr. Fortescue had it in the back. He figured that one of us would be by sooner or later to pick it up."

At that moment Mr. Weasley, Bill, and Fleur walked in from upstairs. "Oh Harry, Hermione, it's good to see you."

After Hermione had already hugged all three of them, Harry stood and shook hands with the two Weasley men and hugged Fleur. "Oh 'arry," Fleur kissed him on both cheeks and beamed. "I'm glad that you could come. We 'ave some news, but it looks like we are not zee only ones I see."

In order for Hermione to hug the three newcomers she had handed Lily to Harry. The toddler laid her head against her father's chest and wrapped her little arms around him as far as she could reach. Hermione then settled into a chair and smiled up at the French witch. She had guessed long ago that there was something between the two of them and had cornered Hermione the summer before sixth year to ask about it. It wasn't until they spent time together at Shell Cottage that Hermione finally admitted that she and Harry were together and had been for a long time, but swore the older witch to secrecy. "Well why don't you tell us your news first and then we will let you in on ours. I have a feeling that our story will take longer."

Bill was elbowed, having been staring at Lily and glancing up the stairs every once in a while.

"Well, before we begin we should head outside. We set up the tables already and this way we can all sit down. George, why don't you help me get some drinks," calmly stated Mr. Weasley. Harry looked around and other than Fleur beaming at them the rest of the Weasleys were stunned. Mrs. Weasley was wearing a forced smile and Ginny was looking at Lily and Hermione as if they had been covered in stink sap.

"That sounds like a good plan, Mr. Weasley." Harry stuck out his hand and pulled Hermione up out of the chair she had just settled in.

On seeing the grin that he was wearing she chuckled and said, "It's not funny, Harry."

"Yes dear." Hermione playfully swatted his arm then grabbed the baby bag and took Emma by the hand as they walked out into the yard.

Emma looked back at Ginny then leaned over and whispered something to her sister, "That girl kissed Harry, he didn't like it and moved away from her, but she kissed him. Don't worry though. I protected him for you."

Smirking she leaned over to her husband and said breathily, "Harry, what is this about you kissing another witch?"

"Which witch?" he teased. Seeing Hermione's eyes flick over to Ginny, he started to laugh. "She tried, but I put her off once I recovered from the shock of it all. Emma has been acting as bodyguard ever since. But, um, Hermione, does it bother you that you weren't the last girl to kiss me, that someone else's lips have touched mine since yours have?"

Laughing, Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. It wasn't the longest most passionate kiss anyone had ever seen, but it was open mouthed and got their point across.

"Oi, it is time to come up for air," George called out to them. "Isn't that what got you two in trouble in the first place?"

"Trouble is a relative term, mate. From where I sit, it isn't a bad thing." Harry saw the upstairs window open and a hand drop something onto the ground. Smiling he looked at Hermione who had just seen the same thing. Ron was obviously interested in what they were saying and to make sure that nothing was missed, donned a pair of Extendable Ears. "So Bill, Fleur, what is your news?"

"'Arry, I am pregnant. Almost three months. The 'ealer told us zat it will be born in February."

"Oh, congratulations you two," said Hermione beaming at the couple. "That is fantastic."

"Now tell us about you. You have some news too, quite a bit it looks," said Bill.

Hermione cleared her throat and said, "We do, first we should probably introduce you to our daughter. This is Lily and she is a year old, just yesterday actually. We are sorry that we weren't able to tell you about her, but... but we were afraid that she would be used by Voldemort as a pawn, a way to get back at Harry. I am sure you can imagine what Bellatrix or Fenrir Greyback would have done if they knew about her. Dumbledore was adamant that no one be told, not even our closest friends. Afraid for our daughter, we agreed."

Mr. Weasley saw the pain in their eyes and smiled at them sadly. "Where has she been this whole time?"

"With Hermione's parents in Australia," replied Harry. "That was one of the reasons that we sent them away."

"And the two of you are married, Harry dear? Legally married?" asked Mrs. Weasley with a high pitched strain.

"Yes, um it has been or actually will be a year and a half on Wednesday."

"And Hermione's pregnant again?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione. "I am due at the beginning of August."

"So do tell us 'Ermione, how did eet 'appen?"