The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, I am borrowing them for my own imagination.
Chapter 8 - Happy Birthday, Hermione
"Bill thank you for throwing this party for Hermione. We both really appreciate it." Ron said as he approached his oldest in the garden outside of Shell Cottage were he was finishing setting up the buffet.
"Your welcome. I thought it would be a nice change, and Mom would enjoy herself more. Although, I wish Charlie was here, it is good that Ginny is traveling with her team." Bill replied, "Have you talked with Ginny since she left?"
"Yes, Well through Hermione. They have been writing back and forth, weekly. I don't think they have completely made amends, but it is an improvement. She did apologize for think we only got married because Hermione was pregnant. I hadn't really told her about that, so we did have a bit of a row, but it is all good now. Apparently, Ginny said that the initial training weeks were brutal." Ron replied then turned as he heard his wife squeal with laughter as she and Harry chased Teddy around in the grass. Ron smiled at the shear joy present on his wife's face.
"You really like married life." Bill commented smiling at his brother's reaction as he watched his wife.
"Yes I do. Best decision I ever made." Ron responded.
"So how was Romania? Charlie seemed to have a good time showing you around." Bill asked.
"Great. It was amazing to see Charlie working with the dragons, and I took loads of picture of Norbert to give to Hagrid. He will be thrilled to see how much he has grown. I actually brought them along to give to Remus or Neville to deliver them for me. Actually I am surprise Neville is not here yet. Neither are George or Percy."
"Yes, George volunteered to bring Mrs. Granger as a surprise for Hermione, so I sent Percy and Neville along so she would be around someone that was relatively sane." Bill informed him.
"Are you crazy, George has only had his muggle driving papers for a month." Ron said, worried for his mother in law's safety.
"The reason why Percy is with him." Bill said.
"And George listens to Percy?" Ron asked already knowing the answer.
"Probably not." Bill said growing a little concerned by his brothers tardiness.
"Probably." Ron repeated teasing Bill. "Oh well, I see Remus sitting with Mom and Dad. I should head over and ask him to deliver the picture before I forget."
As Ron was crossing to where Remus and Tonks were sitting and talking with his parents, Teddy came up running to hide behind him.
"Teddy, do you really think Ron is going to be able to protect you?" Harry asked as both he and Hermione stopped in front of Ron while Teddy still hid behind his legs.
"Won big." Teddy stated.
"Yes, Teddy. Ron is bigger than Harry or I, but there are two of us, but only one of him." Hermione replied.
"Won big." Teddy stated again, but squealed with surprise when while Hermione was talking to him, Harry had snuck up on him and swung him up in the air.
"Some teacher you are, Tonks. Can't even teach your son 'Constant Vigilance.'" Harry said as he carted Teddy over to his parents followed by Ron and Hermione.
"He's not even a year and a half old, give him time." Tonks stated in defense of her son. "I am just glad you two are wearing him out now. He will sleep well tonight."
"Remus, can you deliver some photos to Hagrid for me? With Charlie's help, I got some great shots of Norbert in Romania." Ron asked pulling the packet out of his jacket pocket and handing it to Remus.
"Sure, actually, I had been meaning to talk to the three of you about helping me out in my classes." Remus stated.
"You want our help?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. All the kids know the story of The Golden Trio, and considering Professor Binns barely makes it past the Goblin Wars in History of Magic, I think it would be good for the kids to hear the truth from the actual sources. In addition, you can show example of actual spells that you had found useful in your own defense against the dark arts." Remus explained.
"It may actually be fun." Ron commented.
"And a good way to pay tribute to not only the fallen, but the teachers who gave us the skill and knowledge to defeat Voldermort." Hermione added.
"I guess that is a yes from all three of us." Harry told Remus.
"Well, the party can now begin. We are all here with the final guest." George called out as he arrived with Percy, Neville and Mrs. Granger.
"Mom!" Hermione called out shocked to see her mother at Shell Cottage. "I didn't know you would be here."
"Bill arranged to have me brought out here. It is a very beautiful drive, and we took a very scenic route." Mrs. Granger said as she hugged her daughter.
"Scenic route?" Bill asked of his brothers.
"I missed one turn." George said trying to brush it off.
"Yes, but it took about ten more turns for you to get us back to where we started, then head out again. Bill, we literally drove in circles." Percy complained. "If he would have only..."
"Don't start." Bill stated, putting an end to a fight between two of his brothers before it began.
"Don't worry, Mom. Ron and I will take you home." Hermione said while Ron didn't drive, Hermione had been for a couple years.
"I appreciate that. Oh, and Ron dear, thank you for the beautiful roses I received this morning." Mrs. Granger said as she hugged her son-in-law.
"Ron, you sent my mother flowers?" Hermione asked eyeing her husband.
"Always the tone of surprise." Ron said teasing Hermione.
But Mrs. Granger, teary eyed, answered happily for him, "Yes, they were beautiful yellow roses. The card was thanking me for giving birth to the most important person in his life."
"Why would Ron do something so sappy? Not his usually MO." George whispered to Harry.
Harry seeing the look in Hermione's eyes as she hugged and kissed her husband, "I think he is going to be generously reward for his gift to Mrs. Granger." Harry whispered back, George laughing at Harry's observation.
"Well now that everyone is here, we can eat." Bill said as he gestured for Hermione and Mrs. Granger to lead the way to the buffet.
TBC
