Two chapters yesterday, Two more coming today!
I hope you enjoy reading them. If you do, let me know!
As you probably guessed, english is not my native language so, I do my best ;)
ooooooooooOooooooooooo
Christmas was approaching fast now and Ginny dragged Harry into shopping day telling him he needed new shirts. He let her choose for him.
Their children were awaited the next week-end, so Harry and Ginny also bought new Quidditch robes for James, an advanced lunascope for Albus and got Lily a nice golden Chess set.
They also bought a variety of Weasley Wizards Wheezes for all the kids. Harry had a hard time convincing George to let him pay for it.
And of course, Harry got a set of books about Defense against the Dark Arts for Teddy.
They had seen him for dinner almost every night since he had come back.
At first, Teddy had seemed happy to be on his own, to go out and do whatever he wanted. His hair had been shiny black, his eyes deep blue. But now, Harry thought Teddy looked grim. His hair had lost their glow and his eyes were grey.
He tried to talk to Teddy about it but he did not get anywhere. He had gone out with Teddy himself a couple times. They had drinks, lengthy talks about their jobs - Teddy was very frustrated by his these days - and a fun encounter with Seamus, Lavender and Neville. Teddy never showed the slightest interest in women on these nights, as far as Harry could see.
When Harry asked Teddy if he wanted to invite Andromeda to join them for Christmas, Teddy explained that his grandmother was not well and that he should probably stay with her for the holidays.
Harry understood and felt bad for Teddy, Andromeda was his only living relative and she had raised him with a lot of love. She was now very old, and though Harry occasionally visited her when Teddy left for France, he had no idea her health was bad.
Harry suspected that Teddy might not be very comfortable with the idea of facing a lot of the Weasley's after his breakup with Victoire.
"You know Teddy, we'll only go to the Burrow on the 25th… you can stay with us until then, I understand if you don't feel comfortable to see Molly and Arthur right now..." Harry offered.
Teddy nodded, full of gratitude.
"Will Victoire and her family be there?" he asked, in a quiet voice.
"I think Bill and Fleur are going to Gabrielle's this Christmas. And I guess Victoire, Dominique and Louis will follow…" answered Harry.
Teddy nodded again.
Christmas at the Burrow was sometimes very crowded. Last year, they had all spent a couple of days there. All six Weasley children plus their partners and kids and Teddy. Harry remembered the noise with all the children laughing and joking at each other. Most of the kids were at Hogwarts together, but when they were all at the Burrow it was a real mess. A good one. And of course they were thrilled to see Teddy and Victoire again, since they had left the country one year ago. Harry had loved it. Having such a big family was a dream he never thought would come true.
This year however, would not be as crowded. Only Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, George and Angelina were staying at the Burrow. Plus the kids. Still, Harry was looking forward to it.
For New year's eve, Harry and Ginny had planned a big party at their house. Friends were awaited, some they had not seen in a long time.
Ron and Hermione of course would be there, but also Neville and Hannah, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Cho and Michael, Angelina and George, Ginny's old Harpies teammates (Harry was concerned they might blow up the house) and of course, Luna and Rolf. Harry was thrilled to see Luna again. She had been traveling for the past two years with Rolf, as Magizoologists. Harry thought Ginny might have invited a few more. To be honest, he had lost track and simply let her organize the whole thing.
With the buzz of the holidays approaching and all the organization it meant, plus the work waiting for Harry, he and Hermione had simply not found the time to have lunch together again.
ooooooooooOooooooooo
"Chief Potter!" said Eliza, as Harry was about to go home on his last day of work before his kids were supposed to be back from school. "I have something you asked for!"
Harry was already putting his cloak on when she handed him a file. He looked at her inquisitively, hoping it was no urgent business.
"It's the personal informations you asked, about that application for Auror training" Eliza explained. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get it but it was tricky. That one did not want us to know who he was, at least not until you had agreed to interview him based on his Newts and professional experience" Eliza went on.
"Anyway, I tracked him down, in the end" she added proudly.
Harry beamed at her. Eliza was very efficient and loyal to Harry.
"Thank you Eliza! I have been curious to know more about that one before I meet him!" Harry answered, "Have a nice holiday Eliza!" he added, smiling warmly at her.
"You too, Chief!" beamed Eliza, clearly thrilled that Harry was happy with her.
Harry put the file under his jacket and was off.
By noon the next day, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were all standing on the train platform, waiting for their kids.
When Lily got out of the train, she ran towards her father, shrieking with glee, jumping in his arms.
She then hugged her mother warmly and turned to high five with Ron while she hugged Hermione. Albus was right behind her, smiling timidly at his parents. They hugged. Albus then went to cheer his aunt and uncle. He was close with Hermione. He always had been. Somehow Harry thought that Albus was so alike his father (not only in looks), it was only natural that he should feel so at ease with Hermione. She had been Harry's best friend forever and knew him so well, she probably saw right through Albus too.
Hugo was running towards his parents now, a big smile on his face. And Rose was following. She had grown up. She looked like Hermione a lot. Except she was ginger.
But she was all bushy hair and smarts, that one. Harry loved her very much.
Last to arrive was James. Almost sixteen, tall and dark, a brooding teenager.
Harry heard Ginny say "oh oh" when she spotted her elder son.
He sure did look grumpy today. They were not used to it. James was usually all jokes and laughs. Harry was not concerned for too long tough, because once James had hugged his parents he looked at Ron straight in the eye and said :
"Uncle Ron, did you swallow a love potion again? you look way too cheerful!"
They all laughed.
"Your father told you about that one heh?" asked Ron, amused but scowling. "Be sure to ask him about the time he arrested your mother someday…"
Harry gaped. That was not a story he wanted to share with his kids. At least not until they were all off age.
But of course, James had gasped and turned to Harry and Ginny at Ron's word.
"Smart one, Ron" Harry said, shaking his head at his friend.
Ron laughed. Ginny looked furious.
They made their way back to Harry and Ginny's house for lunch and Harry was happy to see his home full of children laughter again.
James was joking at everyone, catching up with his favorite uncle Ron (him and George were both James favorites) while Lily was snuggled against her mother.
Rose and Albus were talking OWLs with Hermione. Hugo was reading a book on the floor.
"Come on, Al, you can't be serious about OWL's yet? I'm the one taking the exams this year! Do you see me worrying?!" James laughed at his brother, in disbelief.
Rose frowned.
"Sorry if we are being serious about our studies, James!" answered Rose smuggly.
These two, James and Rose, had the same dynamic that Ron and Hermione used to have. Except they were cousins.
"It's not only the studies you are serious about these days… or did you take Slytherin studies too?" James blurted out, in a tone full of implication.
Rose blushed hard. Harry had to suppress a laugh, she looked a lot like her mother when she blushed.
Albus seemed tense, his teeth clenched together.
Ron frowned. Harry saw Hermione shake her head at her husband to prevent him from asking anything.
But it was Hugo that broke all hell loose when he simply said:
"I like Scorpius"
Oh my…
Ron turned deep red. Hermione was livid. Rose left the room, crying.
"James you stupid prick!" said Lily as she ran after Rose.
James scowled and left for his room too.
Albus got up in silence, his teeth still clenched, closed his book and left without a glance to his parents.
Now only Hugo was left with them.
"Sorry… did I say anything I shouldn't?" he asked, his ears red.
Hugo was like Ron, loyal and gentle but sometimes he just had no idea he could say stupid things.
"No, honey, don't worry, I'm sure it's fine…" started Hermione
But she was cut across by Ron.
"Hugo, is Rose going out with Scorpius Malfoy?" he asked, looking terrified.
Hugo simply nodded and looked at his feet.
Ron swore loudly. Hermione said : "Ron!" in a reproachful tone.
It was only fifteen minutes later that Harry went to find Ron outside. He was hiding behind the guest house, rolling a joint.
Harry looked at him in incredulity.
"Really Ron? A joint with the kids here?" he asked, full of reproach.
"Yeah, well, sorry mate if I don't cope great with my little girl snogging a Malfoy!" Ron spat.
Harry laughed. Sure he had been surprised when Albus's had finally confided in him about his friendship with Scorpius two years ago, but he had gotten used to it.
"I was surprised too, at first, when Albus told me they were friends…" Harry started.
"Friends? Friends?" Ron shrieked hysterically. "Sorry Harry but it's nowhere near the same. It's not your kid the git is snogging! What am I going to do when they wanna get married and fucking Draco is standing there? or worst, Lucius!" Ron spat, looking very disturbed.
He still hadn't managed to roll his joint for his hands were trembling so much.
Harry wanted to laugh. But then he realised Ron's anxiety was genuine.
"Okay, relax mate, they are 13', not getting married!" he started.
"And besides, I'm sure Scorpius is cool and a good kid, otherwise Albus would not be friends with him. And nor would Rose." Harry added, trying to calm Ron down.
Ron snorted.
"Yeah, as if! Malfoy' son, a good kid? And should I remind you that I married my Hogwarts girlfriend!" Ron answered, still looking beside himself. "Fuck that shit" he growled, tossing the tobacco and pot on the ground, incapable of rolling the joint.
Harry breathed deeply and put his hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Well, technically, you never dated Hermione at Hogwarts" Harry reminded him "And not a lot of school old couples lasted. I think you just need to relax and let them live what they have to…" Harry tried.
Ron inhaled and exhaled loudly.
"Still" Ron started in a calmer voice, "I don't like the idea of that git snogging my girl!" he said, horror in his eyes."They're too young anyway" he stated forcefully.
"I think we were the retarded ones, on that matter" snorted Harry.
Ron actually laughed at this and nodded in agreement.
"We were…" Ron conceded. "I heard from Neville that James is nowhere near as prude as we were…" he added, looking at Harry.
Harry suddenly looked very serious.
"Yes, so have I… He seems to move from girl to girl quite easily... " said Harry, now concerned. "I hope he's not breaking too many hearts"
"Too many knickers, more likely" Ron snorted.
Harry looked up. He did not know if he wanted to laugh or feel concerned. James was only sixteen. And the girls he was dating could not be much older… He pushed the thought aside.
For now.
When Harry and Ron re-entered the house, Ron's spirits were good again. Hermione watched them carefully and when she saw Ron smiling, she silently mouthed "thank you" to Harry, who nodded.
He was used to stop Ron's tantrums. Even though he certainly did understand about his friend's concern on that particular subject. Harry was not looking forward for the day Lily would have a boyfriend…
As for Scorpius, he had never actually met the boy. Albus had never asked to invite him home and Harry had only ever glimpsed him on the train platform.
Thankfully, Scorpius had not asked Albus home either. Harry thought hard about how he would cope with that if it ever happened.
True, Draco had changed. He had served for the ministry after the battle. He had been penniless but still found a way to pay his huge fine to the Ministry after a few years of hard work. He was now working for a private company who dealt with gold exchange at Gringotts. He was never reported of any dark activities and his wife actually seemed to be a nice person. On the rare occasions Harry had seen him, Draco had politely nodded in his direction, his face neutral. But delivering his son to Draco…
Thank god the boys know better to ask…
They were not stupid. Far from it. Scorpius was the best student of his year, after Rose of course. And Albus managed to get fair grades too. Harry was very proud of him.
They knew about their fathers enmity and probably thought they should not ask.
All in all, this family reunion had not gone the way Harry had expected. Rose had been hiding in her room with Lily. James was strutting the house as if nothing had happened but Albus was still skulking in his bedroom and Harry could not understand why. Maybe he didn't like to have to share his best friend with Rose?
Hugo was still feeling bad about his blunder.
So when Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione finally sat together late that night for a last drink, they all sighed deeply.
"Teenagers" roared Ginny slouching on the couch, looking exhausted."I just spent an hour trying to make Lily go to bed… she said she can't, Rose needs her because the boys were so stupid…" explained Ginny, "Well I can't really argue with her…"
"James was foolish" said Harry, "He didn't think, he just wanted to be the joker, as usual.."
"I know Harry!" answered Ginny, "but look a the mess he's made! And it's only the first day of the holidays too!" she growled.
"Rose is going to be fine" Hermione said calmly. "She just needs to digest that her secret is out…" she said, ruefully.
Ron looked a her with narrowed eyes. He got up and rounded on his wife.
"Wait, wait, Hermione… Did you know about all that?" he asked, menacing. "She told you in a letter, didn't she?"
Hermione sighed and looked at Ron "Yes. She was very worried of your reaction… obviously…" said Hermione, eyeing him reproachfully.
"You should have told me!" Ron shouted at once. "I looked like a bloody idiot! If I had known, I could have prepared for it!"
"You did look like an idiot" confirmed Ginny, pitiless.
"Gin!" Harry tried to warn her
"No Harry, it's fine, just let my sister tell me what she needs to tell me!" said Ron, savagely and glaring at Ginny.
"Only that you are a fool, if you think you can have any control over Rose on that matter" Ginny answered, pitiless, also jumping on her feet.
Ron growled. He knew she was right. But he did not like to hear it, especially not from Ginny.
"Calm down, both of you" intervened Harry. "This is stupid. Our kids are growing up, they are bound to make mistakes, we all did!" he added.
Hermione nodded in earnest.
"Anyway, Scorpius is really nice, according to Albus" Ginny tried, in an attempt to defuse the tension.
Ron snorted again.
"It might take me awhile to get used to the idea" he shivered "brrrrr Malfoy's hands on my Rosie"
Ginny actually laughed.
"Ron, Scorpius is not his father. He's Albus's best friend and a top student." she said, reassuringly. "And quite handsome, I must admit" Ginny added simply.
Ron mimicked vomiting.
"I've never really paid any attention to the kid… when I saw him I just thought he looked like a mini version of Malfoy" said Ron looking expectantly at his wife.
"Well, he is" confirmed Hermione.
Ron eyes were narrowed again and he looked from Hermione's to Ginny's amused faces. And horror struck him.
"No way. No, no, can't hear that." he said, looking horror struck towards Harry.
Harry was not so prompt to draw conclusions as Ron was, so he just sat in silence, trying to make sense of what he had just heard.
Hermione and Ginny were looking at them both with pity.
"Come on boys, after all this time? You still resent Draco so much?" asked Hermione looking at them, amused.
"He tortured you!" shouted Ron, outraged.
"No he didn't, Bellatrix did." answered Hermione, simply.
"Still! He was an awful, treacherous, evil, ugly beast!" Ron spat at Hermione.
"Well" Ginny said "he was, awful, treacherous and evil. But he never was ugly…"
You're kidding right?
Harry got to his feet to. He looked madly from Ginny to Hermione to get a confirmation.
"He was actually quite good looking" consented Hermione, paradoxically taking a disgusted face.
Ron just whimpered and looked at Harry, lost for words.
Harry didn't really know what to say either because he never even imagined that Ginny and Hermione might have thought Malfoy was fanciable.
The girls laughed again, looking at the boys' bewildered faces.
"Well that's… that's… something I never thought I would hear…" Harry admitted in a faint voice.
And then he started to laugh. Hard. The situation was just too ridiculous. Ron frowned at him but after a few seconds his solemn face broke into a smile and he joined in.
The four of them were laughing more than they had in very long time.