Since then Harry and Hermione locked heads at every turn and living as neighbours become unbearable until Hermione had received a call while having a family day the local fair.
"Hermione, it's Ginny. There's something wrong with Isabelle. She has a severe toothache that's kept me up the entire night" she explained and Hermione had already sobered at the sound of Belle being unwell.
"Bring her to the medical centre and I'll apparate right over" she said hurriedly and hung up.
"Mum I have an emergency at the clinic" she said grabbing her purse.
"But I'm sure it can wait" her mother tried to reason.
"It's Belle, she has a toothache and a high fever" she said cutting her mother off.
"I'm going to apparate over and return after I'm done" she explained and her mother reluctantly agreed. Hermione did a once over and disapparated.
Since the medical centre was closed, she apparated into her office and prepped, a short while later Ginny walked in with an elderly lady carrying Belle, closely behind.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice" Ginny said as she sat in the lounge and Hermione immediately took Belle into her arms and carried her into the ER.
"Belle, sweetheart, it's me" Hermione cooed as Belle opened her eye looked around carefully and then opened the other, giving Hermione a toothy grin startling Hermione.
"You mother says that you have a fever and a toothache, open up so I can take a look and as suspected, there was nothing wrong she was about to question Belle when Ginny walked in.
"Do mind hurrying up because I have spa appointment in a few minutes and then Draco and I have to attend this gala in his honor and I'm already running behind schedule" she said dismissing the older woman and looking at Belle, who was writhing in pain and then to Hermione, who was confused.
"I'm still examining her?" Hermione said but sounded more like a question looking at the writhing Belle.
"Ok then" she said pulling out her phone and walking out.
"Isabelle Potter, what's going on?" Hermione whispered and Belle gave her another toothy smile.
"I missed you, so I told her I had a toothache" she said shyly and Hermione was stuck for a response.
"Please don't tell her, I don't like it living with her, she doesn't play with me and Mr Draco is mean looking" she explained cutely and Hermione couldn't help smile at the girl.
"But it's wrong to lie Belle" she scolded as best she could considering the puppy dog face she was looking at.
"Hermione, there's an emergency at Malfoy Manor and I have to go" Ginny burst in before Hermione could reply to the girl, who happened to return to her writhing state.
"I know this is a lot to ask of you but do you think you could keep Isabelle with you, after you've treated her? I'll send the elf to pick her up when we return" she pleaded and Hermione felt her hand been squeezed beside her and when she looked down, Belle looked at her with expectant eyes.
"No problem, I would love to spend time with Belle" she said squeezing the girls hand in return.
"Good and please could you keep her away from THEM" she requested rolling her eyes but Hermione was too busy smiling at the girl to worry.
"And one more thing, for some reason she doesn't like to be called Belle, it upsets her, so please refrain from calling her that, Thanks. Bye Isabelle, be good for Hermione" she said over her shoulder as she walked out.
"You little sneak!" Hermione said tickling the girl to no end causing the girl to laugh and Hermione it was the best sound she had ever heard.
"I give up, I give up" she squealed until Hermione picked her up and hugged her.
"I missed you Hermy" she whispered into Hermione's ear and Hermione just embraced her harder.
"I missed you too, sweetie and I know a few other people missed you even more" she said and the girl nodded.
"I miss my daddy, GranMa and GranPa too but I know she wouldn't take me to see 'em, so I came to see you" she smiled, wiping the tears from Hermione's cheek. Hermione kissed the girls head and carried her out of the chair.
"Why don't we join my family at the fair" she said and Belle's eyes widened as she smile and then nodded furiously.
"Good then, let's get my stuff, lock up and we can apparated over" she said walking out of the ER.
An hour later, Belle and Hermione were having the time of their lives as they went on the different rides, played the games offered until Belle saw someone familiar in the crowd. She pulled her hand out of Hermione's, causing her to look down and find the girl running through the crowds.
"Belle!" she called out frantically as the girl continued running. Hermione broke into a run and stopped dead in her tracks when she Belle standing at the familiar figure.
"Daddy" she called excitedly and tugged on Harry's coat to get his attention. He looked down and almost leapt for joy as he picked her up and spun her around hugging her causing the girl to giggle.
"Belle" he smiled placing a kiss on her head.
"How did you get here?" he asked and looked as she pointed to Hermione, who was stuck in the same position.
"Did you come to the fair too daddy?" she asked innocently and Harry looked down at her.
"Well, I'm here to meet a client, who has children that love the fair" he explained to the girl who frowned then nodded in understanding.
Hermione stood watching the reunion then started getting anxious once she remembered Ginny's request, but she was broken out of her thoughts as Belle called her over.
"How did you?" Harry asked looking at Belle
"She faked a toothache just so she could visit and then Ginny had to leave so she asked if I could keep Belle for the night" she explained and Harry clenched his jaw.
"Will you have fun with us daddy?" she pleaded making both Harry and Hermione freeze.
"I already told you I have a meeting, so I can't" he tried to explain but the girl looked ready to cry.
"Harry!" someone called out from behind them as Harry turned and smiled awkwardly at the trio heading towards them.
"Seamus, Amanda how are you?" he greeted as Belle sadly went to stand besides Hermione.
"It's so good to be back home in London after all these years. I want my daughter to experience everything we grew up with, especially the muggle part" he said pointing to his daughter who was talking in everything with amazed look on her face.
"Well family's always first right. So how are you enjoying your time back so far?" Harry asked and Seamus laughed.
"Couldn't have asked for a better vacation and business trip."
He looked over Harry's shoulder and saw Hermione reassuring Belle, "Why don't we make it a family day?" he suggested and Harry looked confused.
"What do you mean?" he asked and Amanda smiled and stepped in, "ask your wife and daughter to join us" she said looking at Hermione and Belle.
Harry was taken aback by their request, he was about to correct their assumption but then thought about the account that he would jeopardise. He had a dilemma, play nice with Hermione for a few hours, even though he would probably kill her before the day ended or lose any creditability with Seamus, who would probably end up signing the business deal with Malfoy. He didn't have time to dwell on it because Amanda had already introduced herself to Hermione and Belle and asked them to join them with "her husband" and Belle had already convinced Hermione, who looked ready to blow a gasket.
"Do you mind if I talk to Harry first" she said through grit teeth, leaving Belle to acquaint herself with Abigail, their daughter.
"What do you think you're playing at Potter?" she hissed quietly and he rolled his eyes.
"Oh please, like being married to you would be a joy" he retorted.
"You're so full of yourself. I don't think being married to the Grinch would be a picnic either!" she scoffed and he scowled.
"Look we can stand here all day and agree that we hate each other, but it won't help the situation. This is a rather lucrative contract and I'd really not want my personal life to jeopardise this. And apart from that I really want to spend some time with Belle, even if that means that you tag along" he said exasperatedly making her frown.
"I hate this! I'll only agree to do this because of Belle and her wanting to spend time with you" she conceded and Harry looked physically relieved.
"Thank you" he said and with a single nod.
"There's just one more thing" she started and he looked at her waiting for to continue.
"Ginny asked me to keep Belle away from you and your family" she said choosing her words carefully and Harry scowled.
"Look Ginny can go fly a kit for all I care, she's my daughter" he ranted and she held her hand up to him and he stopped.
"I understand, and all that ask is that we keep a low profile. The last thing I would want is for Ginny to rip Belle away from anyone" she explained and he seemed to take the hint.
She bent down to explain to Belle the change of plans and the girl was ecstatic and that's how they spent the rest of the day. They did their best not to give away the lie and kept Belle busy to enough not to even call Hermione. They did have an awkward run in with Hermione's parents and after she asked them to go on ahead, she quickly explained to her parents and sister what had transpired. After having a good laugh at her expense they left her to continue her family day with "her husband."
"Thank you both for the spending the day with us, it was amazing experiencing it with you guys" Amanda said hugging Hermione and Harry.
"It's good to have people who have the same family values as us. It means alot Harry" Seamus added.
"You're welcome" they said in unison.
"You know, tomorrow I wanted to go to do abit of muggle shopping before we left on Sunday, so I was thinking about going to Stratford. Why don't you guys join us?" she asked and Hermione was stumped.
"I... I don't know, I mean Belle.. and Harry.. and then I have to" she stuttered looking at Harry, who looked at her with an unreadable expression. She just could not find the right response to the question. Amanda looked at Seamus and frowned and was about to speak when.
"Can we go, pleaseeeeee. At least we can have fun with daddy again" Belle interrupted with her best puppy dog eyes and pout rendering Hermione helpless. She looked between Harry and Belle and then up to a confused Seamus and Amanda.
"You see, Harry spends so much time at work that Belle doesn't see much of him and as you can see, any time with Harry is cherished" she said sparing a glance at Harry, who scowled at her insult.
"Well we can't have that now can we Belle?" Amanda asked Belle who smiled and shook her head.
"So it's settled, Harry you will join us tomorrow, or else Seamus here will reject the contract. Isn't that right love?" she asked turning to Seamus, who was smirking.
"I'm sorry Harry, but the misses is right. Besides I don't want to be alone while they shop" he whispered loudly and with a reluctant nod of agreement, the day was set.
After bidding farewell to Seamus and Amanda, Harry, Belle and Hermione were left alone.
"Can I give you a lift home?" he asked in an even tone.
"It's fine, we'll grab a taxi" she said not looking up at him, which annoyed him to no end.
"I know you can, incase you hadn't noticed, I'm your neighbour and Belle is my daughter, it wouldn't appropriate if my daughter has to use a taxi, when her father is standing right here" he said clearly annoyed and Hermione was about to retort when Belle grabbed their hands and pulled them to the exit.
"Hermy, we're going home with daddy" she said excitedly.
After they had reached home, she was once again at the mercy of Belle, who wanted to visit her family and even though she promised Ginny she wouldn't, she couldn't help it. It was wrong of her to prevent the Potter's from seeing their grandchild, whom they loved dearly. It was difficult getting Belle to her place because the Potter's were reluctant to let her go. She went on to explain to Lily the reason as to why Belle couldn't be seen with them and Lily understood her reasoning and hugged her lovingly for what the gesture.
She tucked Belle into bed later that night and sat down with a book near the fireplace. She stared into the fire, book now forgotten and reflected on the day's events. She couldn't believe how much her life had changed ever since they moved. Belle had become such a huge part of life and she couldn't imagine her life without Belle in it. The beautiful, innocent little girl had so much love to give but she couldn't understand why she didn't like Ginny. No child would ever open dislike anything unless they were hurt in some way, so probed as to why she didn't like her mother and the reply she got was heartbreaking. Ginny and Draco planned to admit her into a boarding school until she was ready to attend Hogwarts.
She turned and looked at the sleeping form and a small smile formed on her face, Belle certainly had her wrapped around her finger. She usually never bends to the requests of people, regardless of who it was, however she realised she could never refuse the little devil, no matter how hard she tries. She sighed deeply knowing that the hearing was in a weeks time and she that she would go but only to support Belle. Because it seemed that neither parent wanted what was best for the child as long as they had her in their custody. She closed her book and left it aside as she made her way to bed.
The next morning, breakfast at the Grangers was a treat. That's if your name was Isabelle Potter, that is. Dan and Emma had arranged a breakfast date with the Potters as a surprise for Belle and boy was she surprised. All attention was on her and she was eating it up. Everyone had a great time, except for Harry, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else and Hermione, who didn't to be anywhere near him. Eventually they had to leave and Belle said her goodbyes and they didn't come without tears and promises but it was Lily's request that would hold the most promise.
"Don't worry sweetheart, everything will be alright. You'll be home very soon and I bet Hermione will be the one to bring you home to us. Isn't that right Hermione?" she asked looking expectantly at her and all she could do was nod in agreement.
