Hey! Sorry guys, I was debating whether or not to stick with this chapter or do something else. I dunno if you guys will like it or not, but I hope you do. If you want a chapter about Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley or something of the sort, I'll be sure to make a separate chapter or include in a flashback or something. Thank you guys for the read, follows, favorites, reviews, etc. And as always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact me or, if you are reviewing, stick it in there. As always, JK Rowling owns everything, as she is our beautiful queen. I just own the plot and the children (Mwahahahaha). And without further ado, I give you the 11th chapter of Papa, Who's Mama?
Papa, Who's Mama? Chapter 11:
"Hermione-," Harry nervously gulped.
"And you know if anything goes wrong, and I mean anything, apparate straight to The Burrow. Molly and Arthur won't mind if you're early for dinner." Hermione said, tucking in Harry's violet tie into his black robes, making sure it was straight.
"Hermione, y-," He tried again to stop her.
"Oh and remember that I've tucked the polyjuice potion in the inside pocket on the left side. Oh and remember that you need to dri-,"
"HERMIONE!" Harry shouted. She blinked a couple of times, her eyes wide out of shock.
"Harry, there is no reason to shout. I know you're nervous and everything but rea-," She started blabbering again.
Harry covered her mouth with a shaking hand and clutched her shoulder with the other one. "Hermione, I've been trying to get your attention for the past half-an-hour." He unclasped her mouth once realization showed in her eyes.
"Oh…"
"Yes, Oh." Harry repeated with a shaky smile. "You're not the one going. You being nervous is making me want to cry."
"Well, I'm sorry, Harry. I just…" She sighed deeply. "I'm excited and proud, and a bit trepidatious and scared, I mean yes, everything is tested and we know it works, after all you've gone to Diagon Alley safely and without suspicion but at the same time…I never ever expected you to be doing…well…this." She gestured towards Harry's formal robes and ties. "It's all very overwhelming."
After gulping down a huge knot in his throat, he nodded and mustered a smile. "I'll be fine."
"You don't sound convincing." She mocked.
"Shut up." He laughed.
She patted Harry's robes one more time before nodding. "You look nice."
"You're doing." He smirked.
She rolled her eyes. "You've got the floo powder? Your resume? And I already know you've got the polyjuice potion."
"Yes, yes and yes." Harry smiled. "Where would I be without you?"
"Probably dead." She shrugged.
"I'll try not to be late." He kissed Hermione's cheek. He reached in his left inside pocket, pulled out a gold flask, and raised it up. "Cheers." He said before taking a swig. He cringed at the taste and suppressed the need to belch. He slowly felt his body become taller and lankier. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on anything but his whole body changing.
"Well Hello there Ronald Weasley, you look mighty spiffy today." Hermione's voice declared cheerfully and Harry knew it was okay to open his eyes. He looked down at his fingers.
"Why does he have such long…everything? It's not fair to a rather short guy like myself." Harry pouted.
"The fingers come in handy, if you know what I mean." Hermione winked. Harry's face flew down to the floor.
'Hermione Granger did NOT just make a sexual innuendo, did she?'
"I did." She answered, reading his mind (something she happened to be very good at) while pushing him towards the fireplace. "Come on; be on your way now. Remember, McGonagall's office."
Harry nodded before turning to the fireplace. He sighed and closed his eyes.
'I cannot believe I am doing this. Just two years ago, I was completely protesting the idea.'
Yet there he was, at his stone fireplace, getting ready to go to an interview with Headmistress McGonagall.
'Surreal.' The old thought passed through his head. 'How did I get myself into this one?'
Hermione tapped her foot on the ground. "You're going to be late, Harry. We haven't got all day."
He rolled his eyes. 'Oh yeah, kids and pestering friends.'
"I really think this might be a good opportunity, mate. Ye don't have to go as yourself, you can go as me for all I care. But I really think ye should apply, you'd be great at it." Ron said about a year over firewhiskey.
He was talking about the Defense Against The Dark Arts position that had, as always, opened up yet again. Harry groaned and took a sip from his goblet.
"I dunno Ron." He pulled at his raven hair. "I've got the kids, you know. And I couldn't stay as Ronald Weasley, you know."
"Like hell you couldn't, Barty Crouch Jr. did all of our fifth year, up until the very end. And then just don't sign up for next year. Tell McGonagall you'll be there at the head table, watching the kids get sorted. 'Celia is going to be Ravenclaw, don't ya think?
Harry ignored that last comment and laughed sarcastically. "Barty Crouch Jr. locked Alastor Moody inside a trunk for a year, and did get caught. I'm not being sent to Azkaban first thing back in the world and I am definitely not locking you in a trunk. And how to you think I should go about telling McGonagall I have kids to watch? Hmm?"
"Look, mate, that was a criminal. There are other ways we could do the same thing. I could come visit you often, make myself look like Hugo with Hermione. It wouldn't look suspicious, Hermit comes here all the time, freaking nerdy as she is. And telling McGonagall can't be that hard, you freaking wuss." Ron laughed.
"She's not Dumbledore who ignores or rather, permits, unanswered questions and you know it. Do you remember that time we were a minute after curfew and she pulled us into her office, asking why and then we had to go serve detention with Filch for a week? One bloody week for one stinking minute! You can't expect her to not ask about my children." He rolled his eyes and took another swig. "Besides, even if she did permit it without any questions and we did find a way of safely securing your indemnity as a teacher and keeping mine safe, there is always the possibility of being caught.
"Like getting caught has ever been a reason for you to turn down adventure." Ron joined him in drinking and then shrugged, chuckling a bit. "Well I still think you need to apply. Hermione's already gone and convinced you about sending the two to Hogwarts, and I know you- you'll be there flying on your Nimbus 2010, right by their windows, checking up on them any chance you get. Yer gonna be there one way or another. Mind as well get paid for it."
Harry didn't think much of the conversation, just drunk blabber amongst blokes. But as time went on, he watched Arcelia and Davion grow more anxious about going to Hogwarts, and the conversation popped into his mind frequently. He knew Ron was right, he would be checking up on the kids a lot. He hated the thought of being away from them and in the cottage alone. Hated in so much, that here he was, in front of the stone fireplace, ready to go through with the most ridiculous, un-thought-out plan he'd ever had in his life. He swallowed a huge lump in his throat before looking at Hermione for the last time. She nodded confidently and returned the stern nod.
'Griffindors are brave and you are a Griffindor.'
He threw the floo powder into the fireplace and bellowed out:
"Professor McGonagall's office."
And with a flash of vibrant green light, he was gone.
Thanks for the read guys :3 I dunno if I'll be working on this story much, as my mind is currently focused on getting a new one started. (Ideas blooming. Going to post it today, so if you're not busy, maybe you can give it a read? Maybe? I dunno, you're choice.) And I'm also working on Harry Potter, Hogwarts Private Eye. So yeah. But nonetheless, thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you a hundred times more.
Answer to some reviews:
1.) I know that Harry babies his babies. I do realize this, but I always imagined Harry as the kind of father who coddles because he was anything but coddled with the Dursley's. I know perhaps I overdo it, but that's just how I've always imagined Harry. I personally don't believe in coddling children because I believe they need to obtain a certain amount of independence and knowledge of life, such as you don't always get what you ask for and whining will get you nowhere in life. Which brings me to my next thing.
2.) Davion and Arcelia, they are extremely mature for their age, especially Arcelia. I don't think I've overdone it, however. Where I've grown up, it isn't abnormal for kids to make simple dishes by themselves. In the words of my mother "It's a skill you should learn while you're young." But honestly, I never intended it to seem like the kids were cooking for themselves. I thought I had put in a line about Hermione coming over to make meals, but apparently I must have edited it out. And if she hadn't, do you really think the Harry that I have painted would allow his beautiful babies to be anywhere near a stove? No. Cereal and microwaveable ravioli for the kids. Or veggies. Veggies are good. (No, not really.) :P
3.) Guys...stop crying...I don't mean pent up you feels but...just...meep meep, I don't like knowing that my words cause tears.
4.) Hehehe, I can't wait till the kids call him Sev too. I have a scene all planned out in my head, though it's gonna come a bit later, so be patient.
5.) To all of those who've expressed their love or interest with my story: I greatly appreciate it. I really, really do. With school beginning, it's going to be harder for me to update but I'll try my best, I promise. :D
~ Rising Nightengale
