The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.
This just popped into the story and demanded an audience before I could go on.
Ginny Potter was fretting. Harry had promised to be back from the local pitch ten minutes ago. At this rate they were going to be late for Lottie's party.
Lottie's party, the idea of it started another train of thought in Mrs. Potter's mind. Hermione had a daughter who no one knew about before a few weeks ago. Add to that Charlie is home after years of exile and poof he is Lottie's father. When did this exactly happen?
Ginny smiled as she stopped in mid thought at looked down at her son playing on the floor. He had recently turned two years old and was fascinated with his birthday present from Ron, magical building blocks. He was currently tearing down a lovely bridge.
Ginny was more than curious to finally met the newest Weasley. Her mother had been adamant about the family not visiting while they were still at St. Mungo's and had asked that everyone wait until the party before coming to the Burrow. That had just irritated Ginny to no end. Any information Ginny had been able to piece together did not make much sense. Hermione and Charlie? When did that happen? She and Harry had been waiting to leave on their honeymoon when they had been found. As far as she knew Charlie took off as soon as they returned. Hermione left not soon afterwards for Hong Kong. So where did Lottie fit in?
Ginny was going to find out.
The sun was hiding behind the clouds, peaking out occasionally to warm up the day. It was pleasant in the Burrow's garden and Molly had gone all out for her granddaughter's third birthday. Streamers and banners floated on the breeze around the tables and chairs that set out. Pink gingham bows were wrapped around every vertical surface and buckets of daisies were on each horizontal surface. It was the perfect setting for a little girl's party.
Breaking the serenity of the scene was the guest of honor's hiccupping sobs of "I wanna wear dis!"
Molly Weasley was beside herself. Never in all of her years of mothering had she encountered such a head-strong three year old. Lottie was standing on one side of her father and Molly was on the other side. Lottie having gotten dressed for the party all by herself; had proudly stomped in to the kitchen to show everyone. Her ensemble consisted of a ratty old pair of Wellingtons discarded years ago and one of Charlie's Quidditch jerseys from Hogwarts.
The dirty and ripped jersey puddled around Lottie's feet hesitating her grabbing and lifting it with both hands to walk. It was only when she lifted the jersey that the Wellingtons were revealed.
Lottie's face beamed with pride at her accomplishment and Charlie did not have the heart to scold his daughter.
Clutched in Molly's hand was a color coordinated party dress complete with smocking, lace, and bows. To Molly's horror, Lottie was standing her ground.
"Lottie, dear," Molly tried again, "I think this dress would look lovely on you. Please be a good girl and change out of those rags before the guest arrive."
Lottie's forehead wrinkled, her eyebrows almost touching in a frown as she stared down her grandmother. Taking her thumb out of her mouth with a pop, Lottie pulled on Charlie's pant leg, "Daddy, I don't wanna, I wanna wear yous."
Charlie knew he was screwed. He seriously began to hope for a tornado or earthquake or eclipse, something, anything so that they would have to cancel the whole event. Looking at his daughter and then looking back at his mother his attention was drawn to the white fluttering in the corner of his eye.
Turning to look, he saw Hermione as she entered the room. She had borrowed a dress that sister had left in her closet years ago. The white gauzy dress fit Hermione much better than it had ever fit the athletic build of Ginny. The skirt was full and floated around Hermione's knees as she walked. The v-shaped neckline of the halter bodice was not inappropriate for a family gathering. Charlie noticed the bounce of the single curl that had escaped Hermione's ponytail as she walked towards Lottie.
"Lottie! Who helped you get dress?" Hermione asked her daughter once she realized exactly what she was wearing.
Lottie's thumb once again popped out her mouth and she looked a little worried as she told her mother, "Nobody, I got dressed all by myself."
Hermione's eyebrow rose at the answer. "Well, thank goodness for that because I was going to be very worried if your father had dressed you!"
Charlie's attention was quickly drawn away from Hermione's bare shoulders. "Hey!"
Both Hermione and Molly laughed. Hermione noticed the dress in Molly's hand and surmised the situation. Kneeling down in front of her daughter she asked, "Don't you want to wear Grandma Molly's pretty dress? She made it especially for your birthday."
Lottie frowned again, this time at her mother and shook her head.
Hermione was not worried; getting dressed with Lottie almost always meant compromise. "Right then, how about we strike a bargain. What is your favorite part of the outfit you have on right now?"
Lottie thought for a moment and looking at her mother she lifted the hem of the jersey and showed her mother the boots. Smiling, Hermione nodded, "Alright how about you take off the jersey, put on the dress, and keep the boots."
Lottie nodded and lifted her arms up so her mother could change the items. As soon as Hermione had the jersey off, Molly gasped. Hermione looked down and then looked at Lottie trying not to laugh. "Lottie, what happened to your knickers?"
Very innocently Lottie looked at her mother and answered, "I forgot."
Charlie couldn't help himself, he barked out a laugh. Hermione was biting her lip to keep from joining him, clearing her throat before speaking she very seriously replied, "Well we should go find them before the guest arrive." Snatching up her daughter and the dress she whisked Lottie up stairs just as the first guest arrived.
Partly based on true events.
As I explained then to my mother at least my daughter's shoes and dress matched.
The underwear I forgot!