Authors Note: We are nearing the end of this fic! I'm think two or three more chapters! R/R?
Chapter 13:
As both Hermione and Ginny enter the room, they notice the quietness of it all. "We were waiting for you," stated Mrs. Weasley stiffly.
Hermione closes her eyes and pinches her nose, "Of course, well, I guess we have a lot to discuss..."
"Yes, we do. How did you let this happen?" Mrs. Weasley demands stonily.
Harry huffs angrily, "It's my fault Molly, I wanted to keep you happy, I did everything you hinted at and all the while I was in love with Hermione. I didn't want to break your heart, I'm sorry..." He stammers.
Hermione reaches for his hand, "It's all of our faults, we were all misguided, wanting what we thought was best for somebody else instead of following our hearts. Harry thought he was protecting you..." She states clearly.
Mrs. Weasley huffs angrily, "Protecting me? What do I have to with this? I only ever wanted what made you kids happy! You're like my own children!"
Harry looks bewilderedly at Molly, "I thought you wanted me to marry Ginny!"
"Of course I did! But not at the cost of your happiness! If I thought you were marrying her only because of some noble reason, I wouldn't have pushed for this wedding! Harry, did you truly believe that I wouldn't care for you or be happy if you got together with Hermione?" She stares at him unbelievingly.
Harry looks down shamefacedly, "I did, I thought, I don't know what I was thinking." He stammers, "Like I've stated before, I'm an idiot, I tried so hard to be what I thought you wanted me to be..."
Hermione squeezes his hand softly, "Maybe we should all cool down before we say anything more." Hermione states, in her lecture voice.
Harry squeezes her hand in thanks and nods in agreement, "I'm sorry again, I just wanted to make everybody happy, I thought Hermione was happy. But Hermione only wanted me to be happy even if she wasn't. I didn't mean for this to happen, but I don't regret anything I've ever done. I have two beautiful daughters. How can I regret two beautiful children I've been blessed with? They're everything I've ever wanted..." He says softly.
"I think right now, what we need to do is focus on the children, they're what matter right now!" Ginny exclaims.
Harry nods resolutely, "She's right," he looks at Hermione who nods at him, "I think it's time we left and decided how were going to proceed from here. We'll be back in a few days."
After getting the girls from upstairs in the playroom, they leave for Harry's home, or well, Ginny's home now. There they let the girls head to Lily's room to read and play.
They watch as they leave the sitting room, a silencing spell later and they all stare at each other quietly. "Well, why don't I start," Hermione says slowly. At their nods she continues, "Rose needs one more month until the summer hols, when that happens, we can come visit and possibly stay for a month..."
"But, I thought that you would move back?" Harry stammers out confusedly.
"Harry," Hermione sighs, "Rose's life is in Italy, more importantly, my job is in Italy. They're all ready letting me have this week, I'm needed there!" She huffs angrily.
"I need to be in Rose's life! What about us? News flash Hermione, we're married! Whether you want to believe or not, we are married!" He yells angrily. All the while Ginny sits there rolling her eyes and their petty argument.
"Are you two done?" She asks loudly, they both stare at her with wide eyes, completely realizing that she was there the whole time. "Good, here's what we're going to do. Harry, your moving to Italy. Your going to be there getting reacquainted with Hermione, and learning to be a father to Rose. As for Lily, I've been thinking of going back to writing for the Harpies. You know it involves a lot of traveling, so I think it would be best if you took Lily with you. I can go there every weekend. I'm not going to miss out on her life. She can come stay with me during the summer hols. When it comes time for Hogwarts, we'll think of something else. Is that satisfactory for you both?"
They both nod resignedly, "Good, now that that's all settled, how about some lunch? I was thinking Leakey Cauldron?" She says with a brisk clap of her hands. "I'll go call the girls!"
Hermione rolls her eyes, "Since when has Ginny been that bossy? Or take charge? I kind of miss the Ginny who would go to me for everything..."
Harry chuckles, "I think it's this whole situation to be honest. She doesn't want to prolong the sadness or bitterness. Maybe the loneliness too...Do you really agree with Lily and I moving to Italy with you and Rose?"
"Of course, Rose and Lily need to get to know each other! I still don't believe I'm your wife! I'm going to need proof! Either you show me this tapestry, or you'll end up trying to romance me for the rest of your life..." She adds with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Hermione Potter, are you playing hard to get?" He asks in a flirting tone.
"I don't know, am I Mr. potter?" She asks with a grin. Just as he's going to reply Ginny enters with the girls.
"Ready?" She asks them with a knowing glint in her eyes.
As they walk through the alley to get to the Leakey Cauldron, there are whispers and pointed fingers. "Ginny, do you mind if I take Hermione somewhere quickly?"
"Go ahead, I can handle the girls just fine until you get back." She's about to take them into the Leakey Cauldron when Rose turns back and rushes into Hermione's arms.
"Bye mummy, be back soon!" She tells her mother, then she does the same to Harry. "Bye daddy! Take care of mummy!" She quickly scrambles out of his arms and then takes Lily's hand and they proceed to the restaurant/pub. There is even more chattering at Rose's declaration.
He runs a hand through his hair in annoyance, "Bloody hell, the things they're going to publish in tomorrow's edition!" He mutters to Hermione.
She shrugs, "Well, where are you taking me? Is it the bookshop?" She asks with an excited tone in her voice.
He chuckles, "No, maybe later though." He takes her hand and leads her to Gringotts.
She looks at him in confusion, "What are we doing here? Do you need to get some galleons?"
"No, but there is a tapestry I need to show you!" He shows the goblin teller his key.
The goblin looks at them shrewdly, "Welcome back Mr. Potter," he looks at Hermione for a minute, "Mrs. Potter."
Hermione stares at him with wide eyes, "Merlin, they weren't lying," she mutters under her breath.
Harry looks at her from the corner of his eyes, a small knowing smile playing at his lips.
As they unlock the vault door, Harry leads Hermione to where the tapestry last lay. With a wave of his wand, the tapestry rose from the ground. And just as it was the last time he laid his eyes on the tapestry, their names were forever entwined on the tapestry. Harry Potter and Hermione Potter, Rosemarie Potter. All connected by a gold line.
"Bloody hell," Hermione mutters. She looks at Harry with wide eyes, emotions mixed. She doesn't know where to go from there. Marriage? She didn't think, well she didn't want to believe it was possible. She believed it was this elaborate prank, or a fluke created by somebody in the wizarding world who wanted to hurt her.
"Hermione?" Asks Harry softly.
"Hmm?" She responds.
"What are you thinking?" He looks at her with hope in his eyes.
"I'm thinking that I really wanted this to be a normal relationship. We'd go on dates, then we'd realize that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, and we'd get married, eventually have children. But we've never been normal have we?" She asked with a wry grin.
"No, we have not. Are you incredibly angry?"
"No," she says simply with a small shrug, "A little saddened by the circumstances. You do know that it's going to take time to get back what we had right? I want a proper date, Harry." she's asks with a soft smile.
"Of course, first we date, get to learn about each other again?" She nods, "Then, we'll go about everything as it comes." He smiles a bright smile and then leans into her and kisses her forehead. "Come on, I think the girls are waiting for us!"
She nods assuredly, a smile playing on her lips, maybe Luna was right and everything was going to be okay...Maybe even better than okay.