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A/N: This takes place in the life of Harry and Hermione… but you'll have to use your imagination a bit as always in fan fiction. I love to hear from you if you liked the story! Please Read and Review, but no flames. I don't feel they are necessary.
Shocks of a life time are in this chapter!
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The next morning, Hermione was still angry with Harry. She didn't show it around Teddy, but she was. Harry knew he screwed up with not telling Hermione. After all, she is his wife and he should be able to tell her everything, but he also understood that she would have flat out said no about him going on that mission. He had an appointment with the healers tomorrow, to see how he was fairing and if he could be sent back to work or not. Harry was sitting in the living room, when Teddy walked up to his room to play. Hermione came in through kitchen and into the room, sitting on the couch across from Harry's chair. She stared at him, as if looking for answers, "What?" He asked.
"You said you owed me an explanation." Hermione replied simply, tapping her foot as she awaited him to speak.
"An explanation about what?"
"What I am still pissed off at you about." She said, her eyes fixed on his blank features.
"What do you want to know?" He asked, sighing, knowing that he couldn't say no to his wife.
"I want to know why you 'Had' to go to work when you weren't cleared."
"I had to."
"Explain." She said, crossing her arms.
He watched his wife's icy stare, her jaw set, and a stubborn streak ran through her brown eyes, "I was having these visions that I needed to get rid of."
"What kind of visions?"
"They weren't ever clear… it was like a dream."
"Was it like when we were in school?"
"No, it wasn't anything like that. It was just, well, I could see Malfoy… I could see where the death eaters were congregating. I was able to see what I needed to r wanted to. I felt like a useless lump during the time I was home. When I zoned out, I was visualizing so much, I needed to see if it was real or not."
"Was it?"
"Some. I just needed to go out there and see it for myself."
"You were so freaking stupid."
"I know."
"No, I really don't think you do. I don't think you do realize how stupid it was to go out there with how you were. Do you even know how off you were? Do you even know how little you recalled when you came back to me? I mean, you left when you went through those episodes. I couldn't get you back! I…"
"I had to."
"NO YOU DIDN'T!"
"Hermione, we're going around in circles."
"You need to listen to me."
"NO, you asked and I'm telling you. Let me talk." He said, as calmly as he could. He watched her body language, and as she opened her mouth, as if to speak, she quickly shut it and waited for him to talk, "Right then. I knew I was having a fit towards the end. I knew that I was going into them by how my body was responding. They were happening more frequent, and, well, I knew I had to do something about it. I figured since the healers couldn't do anything for me I would have to do something about it. I went over to Ron and Claire's and I discussed this with Ron. He didn't agree with me at first. He argued with me, but then I told him that I was seeing things, things that I needed to know if they were true or not. I told him that I needed to see if I could cure myself and finally he agreed. I went to see if by facing the death eaters again, after I was crucioed, if it would stop. I went to set my mind at ease."
"And? Did it help?"
"It's a lot better."
"How?"
"Hermione, you aren't out there… you wouldn't understand."
"Then help me to!" She said, much like she did back in their fifth year when they were standing next to one another in the common room as she tried to understand how he was feeling as Voldemort took over his mind, "I may not be an Auror, but I think I have a bit of an understanding to the job you do, considering the fact that I fought with you, side by side, our ENTIRE seven years of Hogwarts! I went searching for Horcrux's with you! Doesn't that count for anything?! Just because I didn't follow the pair of you and become an Auror doesn't mean I don't understand how you are feeling!"
Harry looked at the hurt in her features, he hated seeing her like this and hated even more so that he was the reason for the look, "Of course it does. I never doubted your…"
"You just did by telling me that I wouldn't understand."
"Hermione…" He sighed, running his hand through his hair, secretly wishing Teddy would come in so he wouldn't have to explain himself. "I was tortured about twenty times, before I finally gave into the curse. I was seeing things that I have never seen before, including you and Teddy dead on the floor of Grimmaulds Place. I thought it was Malfoy, but It wasn't. It was someone else. I knew Malfoy had something to do with this though, and I just couldn't sit back and 'heal' while he was out there. I needed to get back there. I was home and I couldn't stop from going back to that day, the visions as clear as day. I thought by going back I could stop them, and they did stop, for the most part. I think that it was all in my head and I needed to do something about them myself. NO potion would have cured that Hermione… nothing could have. It was almost as if I was fearful of life after I was hexed. I had to prove to myself that my life wasn't over. That I still had the fight in me, and by going back to the field, I was able to show myself that I was able to defeat the dark magic… does that make sense?"
"I suppose, but couldn't you have done that after they approved you to go back to work?"
"I couldn't take the visions."
"And they are all gone now?"
"I haven't had must of the visions since yesterday, no. I mean, who knows…I may start up for all I know, but I did what I thought was right. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, because I know what you would have done. I just needed to do this."
"I can understand that, but I'm getting really sick of you being the hero all the time."
Harry smiled at her, "You married me."
"Sometimes I wonder why." She frowned.
Rolling his eyes, Harry grabbed a cup of coffee, "Sickle for your thought?"
"I just… it's so dangerous…"
"We always knew it would be."
"I wish you would…"
"Would what?" He asked.
Hermione shook her head, "Never mind."
"Are we ok?"
"I'm still mad at you." She said, frowning.
"Figured just as much." He said, shaking his head, "I'm going to go take my godson flying. Do you want to come?"
"No. Next time."
"Right." Harry said, walking upstairs to grab Teddy.
Hermione sighed after the conversation that they just had. She understood now why Harry felt that way, but she didn't like it one bit. She was tired of worrying about him. She loved him too much to sit back and watch him risk his life with something that he didn't have to do. He didn't have to go out last night, but, he did. 'Always the hero.' Hermione said to herself.
Harry got the OK to return to work the next day. The healers decided that the curses he withstood was the reason for his problems. They felt that it was a mental block, and that he had worked through the issues while out in the field the prior day. The healers told Harry that if he were to have any more episodes, he was to return to them and they would complete some more extensive testing. He agreed and left, eagerly awaiting the next work day. When he told Hermione he was cleared, she instantly felt fear. She didn't want him going back to work, but pushed her feelings aside, because she knew she married someone who couldn't sit back and watch innocent people get hurt. Hermione sat in her office every day, hoping that she would see her husband walk through the door at the end of the day. Most of the time she did, but sometimes she didn't.
She went home a week after he returned to work, and picked up Teddy at her mum's. Mrs. Weasley couldn't watch him this afternoon because she was down with Charlie and Ellie, since she was due a little less than one week. Teddy loved the change of scenery at the Granger Household. He loved running up and down the many stairs, and of course playing with the piano in their basement. Hermione's mum loved having a child in the house again, so it worked out. Hermione was grateful to have so many people would be willing to drop what they are doing to take care of Teddy. Hermione apparated to her mum's house, and as soon as the pop sounded, Teddy was heard running full force into the den, "Hermione!" He shouted, grabbing her around the thighs.
She smiled, picking him up, "Hey love. I missed you."
"I missed you too." He smiled, hugging her tightly around the neck. He recently began saying her name perfectly correct, which in a way saddened her, because he was getting older. He went from saying My, to Myme, to Hermyme, and finally, he was old enough to properly pronounce her name.
"Did you have a nice time?"
"Yup! I played outside."
"Good." She smiled, "Where's Nana at?"
"In the kitchen."
"Shall we go see her?"
"Yup. Is Harry home?"
"No, he's still at work, but he'll be home tonight."
"Good." Teddy smiled.
"Yup." She smiled, placing him back down on the floor, "Mum?"
"In here honey." She called.
"Thank you for watching him."
"It's not a problem. He is an absolute joy."
She smiled nodding, "He's a good kid." Hermione ruffled the blue hair, as he stood next to her.
"Would you like to stay for dinner? Jake will be home in a bit and we are eating right away."
"I don't want to impose mum."
"What do you mean impose? I'm offering and you are my daughter. How are you imposing?"
"I just…"
"No, you are just going to say 'Mum, I'd love to stay thank you.'"
"Mum I'd love to stay, thank you." She smiled.
"Good."
"Hermione come play with me." He said, "Please!"
"I need to help Nana with dinner."
Kate shook her head no, "I'm fine Hermione, you go play with him."
Hermione nodded, and the pair walked up to the office in the attic, a place where Hermione had not been in ages, "Well, what are we doing up in Nana's office?"
"Looking at pictures." He said, "Get me that one please."
"Which one?" Hermione asked.
He pointed to one on the top of her father's old bookshelf, the one that she looked at the night he died and never opened it after that, "Nana said I could look at that one with you. She told me so."
"I don't want to look at it Ted."
"Why not?"
"I haven't looked at it in years."
"Please! I wanna see you when you was little."
"I have other pictures of me when I was little."
"No Hermione, now." Sighing Hermione pulled the book off the shelf and joined Teddy on the couch, "What's it say?" He asked, pointing to the front cover.
"You can read it." She said, "At least a few words."
"To the." Teddy said.
"Yup. Can you read any more?"
"One, One, Nine, Eight, Zero."
"That's September first, nineteen eighty. That's the year I was born, about eighteen days after."
"When is your birthday?"
"September eighteenth."
"Mine's in April!"
Hermione smiled, "I know when your birthday is."
"Oh yeah? When?" He said, testing her.
"February third, smarty pants."
"When's Harry's?"
"July thirtieth."
"When's Rons?"
"March first…"
"When's Vicky's?"
"May fourteenth."
"You're good." He decided.
Hermione laughed, "When's mine?"
"Eighteen." He smiled, proudly.
"Good. Now, it says To the best daddy ever, September first, nineteen eighty."
"Where's your daddy?"
"He died."
"In the war? Like mine?"
Hermione shook her head no, "His heart got sick."
"Potions!"
"No, can't do potions to help your heart like that. He was a muggle."
"Ohhh. Were you sad?"
"I was. Very sad."
"It's ok Hermione." He smiled, hugging her around the neck, seeing that she looked sad as she talked, "I miss my daddy too, and my mummy, and my gram."
Hermione nodded, "You and Harry and I all have something in common then."
"I wanna see the pictures." He said, opening the front cover. "You're little!"
"I was just born." She laughed, "See, that's my father."
"Same eyes." He said, noticing Hermione's eyes in the picture.
Hermione smiled, "You have your daddy's eyes too."
"Harry has his daddy's eyes too!"
Hermione shook her head, "No, Harry had his mum's eyes."
Teddy flipped the pages and listened to Hermione talk to him about what the pictures meant to her. He took it all in. They turned to her third year, at Hogwarts, and saw a picture of the trio and Professor Lupin, "Look Teddy." She said, pointing Remus out, "There's your daddy."
Teddy broke into an enormous smile, "That's my daddy. He's in your picture!"
Hermione nodded, "He was my favorite professor. We learned a lot from him. I forgot we had a picture."
"There's Ron and Harry!"
"Yup." She smiled, "See how happy we all were."
"Yeah." He said. He thought really hard and changed his hair color to match his fathers,
"See Hermione?"
"I see. Now you look just like your father."
He grinned and turned the page. Hermione started to close the book at sixteen, "No Hermione, there's more."
"No there isn't honey."
"Yes huh there is! Turn the page."
"My dad passed away before he finished…"
"Hermione! Turn!" He said stubbornly. Hermione wasn't going to let a five year old tell her something that wasn't true.
"See." She said, turning the page, her jaw dropped. She saw that the five year old was right. There was more pictures.
"Told ya."
"I'll be damned." She said, looking at the pictures. Her mum had finished the entire book, which should have been finished by the time she was eighteen. Hermione pointed out pictures of the last two years at Hogwarts. Teddy pointed out everyone he knew, and then she turned the page again. Hermione saw six out of the last seven pages filled out with pictures of friends, family, and important events, "Look Teddy, you were only about eight months here." She smiled as she saw a picture of her holding Teddy in the Granger Household living room.
"Wow. I was little."
"This was the a holiday we came home. You were adorable." Hermione turned to page six and saw two pictures from their wedding, "Remember this?"
"That's you and Harry!"
"Yup and then here is all of us."
"Yeah! And you have room for more!"
Hermione looked at the last page, "I have room for one more picture."
Teddy closed the book in Hermione's lap, "Ok, I'm done."
Hermione nodded and put the book back up on the shelf, "Let's go downstairs."
"Hermione, will Harry get home when we get home?"
"He should be, or at least a little while after. Do you miss him?"
"Yup. Do you?"
"I do." She smiled as they walked down the stairwell down to the first floor.
"Hi Hermione." Jake smiled at his step-daughter.
"Hi Jake." She smiled, hugging him, "Been alright?"
"Very well thank you. Hey there Ted." Jake smiled, as the blue haired boy ran up to him. He scooped him up.
"Hi Pop-pop." He smiled.
Hermione smiled at the two, "Mum, what can I do?"
"Nothing."
"Nonsense." She said, "What can I do?"
"If you want to set the table, that would be a big help."
"Alright. Teddy are you going to help me?" Hermione asked.
Teddy shook his head no, "I am playing with pop-pop."
Rolling her eyes, she laughed, "Ok." Normally, Hermione would have him helping he out, but she didn't mind today.
Hermione was setting the table when she turned to her mum, "You finished the album."
"I told you I would."
"I didn't think you would be able to."
"It was difficult, and I did it recently, obviously, but I thought it was the right thing to do."
"You left a picture out."
"I did."
"Why mum? Dad wanted it for eighteen years."
"Well, he had a few extra pages, and I didn't have many pictures from your seventh year, obviously, so I decided to take the ones I had and then save some room for your wedding and then your family."
"Mum, we aren't even talking about a family yet." Hermione laughed, "Teddy is enough to keep us on our toes. Adding another child to the mix this early will make me go crazy."
"I don't think it's too far off for you."
Hermione laughed, "I think I know how far off it is going to be and how far off it is not."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you two would be discussing a family in the next year at the most."
"MUM!" Hermione groaned.
"Are you telling me that you haven't thought about what you are going to change the rooms upstairs into? Did you ever turn your friend's old room into an office?"
"Well, no, but." Hermione sputtered.
"I rest my case." She smiled, laughing, "No pressure though."
"You are unbelievable!" Hermione groaned.
"You'll learn once you have kids." She laughed, "Call the boys to eat."
"Jake, Ted, dinner!" Hermione shouted.
"Hermione! Don't yell! Go get them. My god, twenty-four years of age and still shouting through the house."
"You do the same." She smiled.
"What are we having Kate?" Jake asked.
"Chicken." She said, "Now you lot sit down and eat."
The four of them ate, and then talked for a bit longer, before heading home. Harry told Hermione that he would be home by eight o'clock, so Hermione told Teddy he could wait up for him, but while sitting there, they watched eight o'clock, nine o'clock, and nine thirty come and go, Hermione insisted that Teddy go to bed, "But Hermione! You said I could wait for Harry."
"I know, but it's really late, and you're falling asleep sitting here."
"I am not!" Teddy said, frowning.
"You are, now let's go. I'll yell at Harry later for being late." She smiled, promising his godson.
"Ok." He said, giggling.
Hermione and Teddy go upstairs and they said goodnight to one another, before Hermione came downstairs to await Harry. She sat on the couch, alone for another two hours, before she heard the familiar pop. Hermione stood up, ready to yell, but heard more than one voice. She walked into the foyer and her jaw dropped. Hermione watched as Ron and Thomas, another Auror, lugged Harry into the room in an unconscious state.
"What happened?!" Hermione said, waving her wand quickly, silencing the room so Teddy would not hear.
Ron sighed, and lied him down on the couch, "Got hit by a spell, pretty bad. He's got a gash across his back."
"You're bleeding." Hermione said, watching the wound pouring blood from his forehead, "Take this." Hermione said to Ron, sitting him down on the chair with a towel to stop the bleeding, "Are you both alright?"
"Fine." Thomas replied, "He wouldn't let us take him to St. Mungo's. He fought us, so we just took him home."
"Who did this?" Hermione asked, shaking her head, "Do you have any idea?"
"We think it was Malfoy."
Hermione shook her head, standing up to grab her healers book, looking for a potion to wake him up. She pulled off his shirt, exposing the bleeding back, with a piece of long, thick, gauze, Hermione did what she could to stop the bleeding. While she was reading, he ended up waking on his own. Hermione jumped up and walked across to his side, "Are you alright?"
"Mmm.. fine." He said, trying to sit up, feeling the gash in his back pull and the blood start flowing again. He groaned, and lied back down, "You alright Ron?"
"Yeah mate, fine."
"Thomas?"
"Fine."
"What about the others?"
Ron nodded, "They are all fine as well."
Harry sat up, feeling the blood rush to his head causing dizziness, and responded, "We need to get back to headquarters."
"No, we were already there." Ron smiled at his friend, "You insisted you are to come home instead of the hospital."
"Obviously not a wise idea." Hermione scowled, "Since I am neither a nurse nor a healer. I would surely be able to provide the proper medical attention."
"I never said I wanted you to provide medical attention, did I?" Harry shot back.
"So you just wanted to bleed to death? Is that it?"
"And on that note, we're out of here." Ron said, and pulled Thomas along with him with a final goodbye, they left in a pop.
"What the hell is your problem Hermione?!" Harry shouted, regretting it as the pain returned in his head, back, and, well all over. He sat back down.
"I am sick and tired of waiting for you to come home! I am sick and tired of worrying about you and wondering if you are going to return to me or if you are going to leave me a widow at the age of twenty three, with a five year old to raise. I wonder this every bloody day! I hate this! I hate this job!"
"What do you want me to do? Quit? Will that make you happy?"
"YES! I want you to be DONE with the Auror's! IT's getting more and more dangerous as the days go on! The death eaters are back! I just… I want this done! I want this over! I want you to stop this madness! Quit!"
"NO." He said firmly.
"QUIT! I am done with this life or death thing! This is the final straw! I can't take you coming home hurt all the time! I can't do it!"
"You are asking me to do something that I can't do. You are asking me to BE someone who I can't be Hermione! You of all people should know that I can't sit back and watch people die, innocent people die."
"But you have no problem allowing the people who love you, your wife and godson, sitting at home waiting and worrying about you. You have no problem scaring the living daylights out of the ones who truly care about you. You are selfish!"
"NO I AM NOT!"
"Yes you are! Defeating Voldemort once wasn't enough for you! You need to go back and finish everything! Can't you, for once, just let someone else do this?!"
"Just because you didn't choose to be an Auror, doesn't mean you have to condone me. You had every right to join the force like Ron and I did. I know for a fact that there are days in which you regret not being out there with us. You chose your path, we chose ours."
"So that means that I don't feel anything, every damn time you don't come home, or when you are hurt, or when you come home unconscious? I live though the Auror's because of YOU! Teddy does the same! You have a family now to think about! I can't believe how irrational you're being!"
"I'm being irrational?! Who is the one who is demanding I should quit my job because it's a bit tough! Who's the one who is only thinking about herself and how SHE is feeling? I'm sick of having the same fight with you!"
"So quit!"
"NO! I am NOT QUITTING! That is OUT OF THE QUESTION HERMIONE! DEAL WITH IT! THE ENTIRE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU! GET OVER YOURSELF! I do this because I like my job! I feel like I have a purpose in life with it! I… AM…. NOT… QUITTING!"
Hermione glared at him and stormed out of the room, up the stairs, and slamming the bedroom door shut. She couldn't think straight. She couldn't believe him! How could he keep wanting to get hurt? Why does he keep having to be the hero? He has a family now! She understands that he wants to fight for a cause, but she doesn't understand why he continues to do it if he gets hurt all the time! She paced, instead of throwing herself down on their bed. She wasn't tired. Her entire body was on edge. She could feel ever inch of her muscles coil under the strength. He had no idea what he was doing to her, emotionally, nor did he care. She looked at the time, seeing it was almost twelve thirty. She had to be up tomorrow by five. She stripped down quickly and walked into their bathroom, turning on the shower. She made it as hot as she could stand it, hoping that it would sooth her nerves and her muscles. Letting the water flow down her body, she leaned against the wall, and rubbed her sore neck. She took a deep breath, hoping to calm herself down enough that she would be able to sleep. Her mind was racing. So many thoughts were coming into her brain, things that have been bothering her for a while. It was ages since they have had a peaceful night with one another, and, she wondered if that was straining their relationship. It had nothing to do with Teddy, he was a gem. It was all to do with work. His work. Her work was perfectly fine. In the past two months, they have had maybe a week together and not in a row. He would be home, and then suddenly get called out. Sometimes, it was a full week until she saw him again, and others, he was in the hospital hurt. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think straight. She was frustrated beyond all belief, and just wanted him to stop and have a normal, quiet life. She knew that he wouldn't be happy with that. Maybe she was being the selfish one, but in her mind right now, she didn't care. She missed him.
She must have been in the shower for over forty minutes, because the water began to turn cool, and she decided it was time to get out. She wrapped a fluffy blue towel around her body, and brushed her teeth, sighing. She walked into the bedroom and pulled on a tank-top and a pair of black shorts, pulling her wet hair off her shoulders and back into a ponytail. She sighed again, taking her wand out to dry her hair, with a simple incantation. She didn't even want to unlock the door she slammed. She was too tired, emotionally and physically, so she curled up on her bed, taking her normal position when Harry was not in bed next to her, lying her head on his pillow, stretching clear across to her side. She was furious with him still, but it was habit.
Harry, just as furious at his wife, as she was at him, decided to sleep on the couch in his den. He was sore, drinking a potion to stop the pain, he went into the den and pulled down the blanket, pulling it up and over him, he tossed and turned the entire night. He knew he was not going to be the one to crawl back to her. He was ready to go back to work, even after being trampled on. His mind wanders, thinking that she was the one person who always understood him, who always supported his decision, well, most of the time, and now the one person who knew him inside and out asked him to quit his job, one that he had wanted to be in, one that he was making a difference. He needed her to understand him. He made the decision that he needed to sit down with her and talk about this, when they were both more leveled headed, which may take a bit of time, but it will happen.
The next morning, neither one of the couple spoke to the other. Harry took Teddy to Hermione's mum's house, Hermione would pick him up. They came home almost at the same time, but then Harry was called out to work again. Hermione turned to him and scowled. She felt like she was being abandoned. He still gave her a kiss on the cheek, just in case. She felt hot tears stinging her eyes, as he left. He caught the distraught look in her eyes, but there was nothing he could do. He said goodbye to Teddy and then apparated away. Hermione brushed the tear that slid down her cheek away and turned to Teddy, putting her best smile on for him. Harry came home that night, popping into the foyer as usual, but this time he went upstairs, checking on Teddy and Hermione, he quietly shifted Hermione off his pillow and slid into bed next to her. He watched as she rolled to the other side of the bed. It was the first time in about a week and a half that they had been in bed with each other and she moved to the other side. Sighing, Harry accepted that she was still pissed off and fell asleep. The next few days, the same routine occurred. Hermione and Harry didn't speak, except for the occasional snide comment or the pick at one another, they did what they had to in the morning and then went to work.
Five days went by, and it was beginning to wear on the young couple. Hermione was borderline tears all the time, and Harry was angry at everyone and everything. Finally, not being able to take it anymore, Harry arranged Friday night, for Teddy to stay at Ron and Claire's, since they also had Victoire for the night as well. This would free Harry and Hermione of any responsibilities for the evening, and into the next morning. Claire and Ron agreed whole heartedly and were anxious to have both the kids around the house. Vicky and Teddy were also extremely excited. Hermione had no idea what Harry was cooking up and was surprised when she walked in, late, to a quiet house.
"Where's Teddy?" She asked, not even bothering with a hello.
"Ron and Claire's. I figured you and I need a night alone."
"Humph." Hermione frowned, stubborn to the end.
"WE need to talk." Harry replied to his stubborn wife, putting an accent on the word WE.
"About what?"
"About me missing my wife."
"I'm always here, unlike you." She frowned deeper, the creases on her forehead protruding.
"I know, and I'm sorry, but you were completely irrational about asking me to quit the Auror's. That would have been like me coming up to you and saying you need to quit being so smart."
Hermione smiled a bit, with her back turned to him, but quickly allowed the smile to give way back to a frown, "I get so scared. Every time you leave us."
"I do too. I hate it, but it is something that I need to do. I love being an Auror right now Hermione, and yeah, there are days that it is more dangerous than others, and days where I will come home hurt, but I always come home."
"You can't promise me that." She said, feeling tears welling in her eyes, "I hate waiting. I wish I was next to you, so I could at least help… but I…"
Harry shook his head, "You love your job. You are good at your job. Sure, you'd be a fantastic Auror, but that isn't what you chose, which is fine."
"I know it's fine, but that doesn't make it any easier to come home and see a note saying you'll be gone for hours, days, weeks, months, an undisclosed amount of time. You basically just ask us to wait! It hurts Harry, every day. I have every right to be upset."
"You do, but you have NO right telling me what I should or shouldn't do with my job. I support my family, and I wouldn't leave you for the world. I want you to know that I will NOT be quitting the Auror's until I feel it is time."
Hermione nodded, wiping her eyes, "I was just angry. I don't think I expected you to quit."
"I know you well enough to know that when you are angry, you usually speak the truth. I know that part of you wants me to quit the Auror's, but I can't do it."
"I know, and that's what scares me. I don't want to wake up and not see you beside me. I don't want to be visiting your grave, or wondering what happened to you. It kills me Harry."
"And that's my fears too, but with you. I don't want them to start killing muggles or muggle born. I don't want them to aim for you or any of my friends who don't come from a pure or half blood line. I need to keep you safe."
Hermione nodded, understanding his point of view, but still agreeing with hers more. She sighed heavily, walking over to the island in the kitchen, stopping at the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water.
"So are you still mad at me?"
"A bit." Hermione said, sighing.
"Mad enough to not come out to dinner with me?"
Hermione smiled, "No, of course I'll go. What do you have in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking something in London, because it hasn't been just the two of us for a while."
"So I need to dress up a bit then." Hermione smiled.
"Only if you want." He responded.
"Where are we going?"
"Where ever you want." He smiled.
Hermione thought for a moment, but shook her head, "Let's just walk around and see what we can find."
Harry agreed, and walked upstairs to start getting ready. Hermione dressed in a simple black, sleeveless dress, which hugged her figure. She used a serum to straighten her hair quickly, did her makeup lightly, and pulled on her black sandals, enhancing her height only an inch. Harry pulled on his blue collared button down dress shirt and a pair of black pants, deciding that the nicer he looked, the more likely Hermione would choose a place she wanted to go for dinner. Harry walked into the bathroom to see how his wife was faring. Hermione was just finishing up her little bit of makeup when Harry bent down and moved the hair off her neck, kissing hr softly.
"I'm still mad at you." She said.
"Well you better get over it, because tonight I plan on taking complete advantage of not having any kid around." He smiled, he watched her lips curl, "I'm in, I got a smile from you. I'm off the hook."
"Watch it buddy." She responded, "You still have a lot of making up to do."
"And I plan on it." Harry smiled, "Right after dinner."
Hermione giggled a bit, standing up, "Alright Romeo, let's get going."
Harry and Hermione got into their car and drove into Muggle London. Hermione and Harry walked through the town, taking in the warm air and the night life. They had nice dinner and for the first time in a while, they talked instead of shouting, and his job never came up. They ate in a quiet restaurant and had wine together, sharing delightful conversation, before they retired back home for the night. It was eleven o'clock by the time they stepped foot back into their house. Harry and Hermione walked into the kitchen, as Harry threw the car keys on to the island, before turning back to Hermione, "So, we have the entire house to ourselves. No five year old running around. No worries. What would you like to do?"
Hermione walked up to him, wrapping his arms around his waist, "What do you think I want to do?"
"Why don't you tell me." He said, his breath warm against her skin.
She shuddered a bit as he spoke, "What I want to do, is sleep." She said, watching his face turn into complete confusion, and she pulled away, giggled a bit and ran upstairs.
"I don't' know WHY I put up with you!" Harry laughed, shaking his head, walking upstairs. Hermione was already undressed and under the blankets by the time he came up, "Not wasting any time then?"
"No." She smiled.
"Suppose I should join you?"
"You better." She said, a few curls had broke loose and fell into her face. He walked over, pulling his shirt off, lying next to her, brushing a piece of hair out of her face.
Hermione smiled and reached up and pulled him down, crushing him against her lips. He welcomed her lips and felt their tongues twine around one another. Hermione smiled, feeling him rub her back in circles, she ran her fingers through his hair, knotting it around her fingers as their embrace deepened. Hermione felt him roll her over onto her back, hands groping. After tonight, most would be forgiven. Harry felt her tension melt as they continued their activities. They had the entire night to themselves, and they made the most out of it. They spent the entire night in each other's arms. It wasn't until almost eleven when they woke up and got out of bed. Hermione reluctantly pried herself out of Harry's grip, and stood up, stretching. She stood back and saw his messy hair falling over his face and smiled. She walked into the bathroom and gets her shower, allowing herself a bit of time, feeling the water flowing over. Since Teddy, she had little to no time to actually take a long, enjoyable shower, not that she minded. It was a small price to pay for the joy of having a five year old living in the house. As she thought about Teddy she realized how much she missed him. She couldn't wait to have him back in the house. She was looking forward to him talking their ear off about the night he had at Ron and Claire's.
"How long are you going to be?" Harry teased her, as he walked into the bathroom, brushing his teeth.
"As long as there is hot water." She called back, rinsing the soap out of her long hair.
"Well, I suppose I should get in there so I don't miss out on the warmth then?"
"It wouldn't be frowned upon." Hermione grinned. She waited only a few more moments until he joined her. They spent another half hour together, before the water turned cold and they were forced to get out. Hermione grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body, walking out of the steam filled room, and into their bedroom. She thumbed through her closet, looking for something to wear, "What time is Teddy coming home?"
"I told Ron I'd be over to get him at three."
"So we have a few more hours till we go and get him."
"Yes dear." Harry said, shaking his head, "And what do you have in mind for the next three hours?"
"Absolutely nothing, which is what I plan on doing."
Harry laughed, "As long I am going to be a part of that nothing, I'll be happy."
Hermione laughed, "I wasn't planning on doing nothing alone, that's for sure."
Harry nodded, "Well, sounds like a date."
Hermione and Harry spent the day sitting on the couch, watching television, reading, or talking. They spent the last three hours together, just the two of them, before it was time to get Teddy.
When Teddy came home, he talked Hermione and Harry's ears off about his night, how he and Victoire went flying with Claire and Ron, and Ron took him high and fast. He talked about everything they played with, ate, and talked about. Humoring the boy, they listened, as he rambled on and on about every little aspect, and then informed them that he would like Victoire to spend the night and have as much fun.
Hermione and Harry were getting ready to go to bed, when Harry asked her a question that she had been hoping he would at least bring up so they could talk about it, "Have you thought about having our own?"
"Our own what?"
"Kid."
Hermione nodded, "We have thought about this since before we were married."
"Well, do you want to start trying?"
"I have been thinking about it."
"And?"
"What do you think?"
"I think that I'll be ready when you are."
Hermione smiled, "Well, I mean, do you think we can handle one now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I am working non-stop, and you are working non-stop, going out into the field for days, weeks, sometimes a month, on long missions. Are you ready to stop that?"
"Why would I have to stop?"
"I personally am not going to be a single parent." She frowned.
"Well, I wouldn't stop, because it's my job, but I could be able to slow down a bit."
"I would love to have a child, and having Teddy in our house has made me more ready than before. Then Bill and Fleur had Nicolas, and Ellie and Charlie are having their first one, and it makes me want one even more…"
"But…" He said, sensing it was coming.
"But, I want to make sure it's the right time."
"Ron and Claire have been talking about starting to try in the winter."
"Did he say that?"
Yeah." He laughed.
"I want kids. I just don't know if I'm ready."
"Well, we're twenty four now, you're turning twenty five in a month. We've been married a year and a half…"
Hermione nodded, "I guess I need to know that we're both ready, and that Teddy's ready."
"He'll be fine. He needs a sibling." Harry laughed, "But, obviously you have some doubts right now, so I'm not going to say anything else about this. You just let me know when you're ready."
Hermione nodded, smiling, "Alright."
Hermione leaned over and kissed Harry, before curling up against him, "Night love." He said.
"Night."
"Teddy! Come down here. We need to go register you at your new school!" Hermione called to the boy. It was mid July, humid and hot outside, but nice and cool on the inside.
"I wanna play Hermione!" He pouted.
Hermione groaned. She hated when he pouted when she saw him, but she hated it even more when he pouted and she could hear it, "Teddy! Come down here."
"But Hermione!"
"Don't you dare Hermione me!" She said to him, "You have to the count of three to hightail it down here, one…" She said, shouting up the stairs, hearing him mumble about something being unfair, probably her, "Two…" she heard toys drop and heard footsteps running to the top of the stairs. He knew the consequences of making Hermione mad, and he didn't like them one bit. Frowning, he ran past her, pulling his shoes on, "Let's go Teddy." Hermione recently forced Harry into taking his muggle driving test, which they both passed with flying colors. Hermione wanted to have a way to get Teddy to and from the muggle school down the road. The grammar school was a wonderful place, and quite a find for a family of witches and wizards. While researching, the school she found out that they were very open to having children of magical background. It was natural for a class to have magical students, though they don't discriminate. The teachers were trained to accept and deal with accidental magic. One of the teachers Hermione had found out, was a squib. Hermione and Harry decided together that this was the place to send him. Hermione knew of three children who had magical parents who were already signed up. She was more excited than Teddy, as he moped and frowned after having to leave his toys at the house.
Hermione and Teddy drove to the school, and his mood began to change a bit as they stepped out of the car, "Where are we?" He asked, looking at the large building before him.
"At school." Hermione responded, "Come on." She said as he unbuckled and jumped out of the car. Hermione watched the boy as he changed his hair color to a brown color, similar to her own. She smiled and took the five year olds hand as they walked towards the doors. There were lots of people signing their children up for their first year of school.
Hermione filled out all the necessary papers as they sat in the office. Teddy watched as children walked into the large room with their parents, a couple of boys talked to Teddy as Hermione worked quickly to get everything finished. Teddy and Hermione along with a few of the other parents and their children were allowed to go into the classroom where he would be starting the first Monday in September. He nodded a lot as Hermione talked to him. He was quite overwhelmed, and Hermione could tell he was a bit nervous as the teacher talked. Hermione smiled at Teddy as he grasped her hand. Though he didn't speak much during their visit, he talked her ear off about everything he saw. He had a million and one questions which she did her best to answer. The school was the big dinner discussion. Hermione knew that he would be thrilled to go to school, though she felt a bit saddened that he was getting older. Hermione was beginning to feel like she was ready to have a new child in the house. She thought long and hard that night. She would be almost twenty six by the time she had the new child. She started to get excited thinking about a new child in the house. She knew it would be only a matter of time, besides, it wasn't like she hasn't been a mother for the past two years.
September came quickly, and Teddy was thrilled about school. He came home every day to either Hermione or Harry and they would spend the evening discussing what he learned that day and finished the little bit of homework the kindergarten class had. Hermione noticed a change when Teddy came home on the fourth day of school. It was Thursday and his hair had gone a bit pale. He was not as happy as he had been in the past. "What's the matter Ted?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing." He grumbled, frowning.
"How was school?"
"Don't care." He replied.
"What happened today?"
"Nothing." He said, as Hermione watched his blue eyes fill up with tears.
"Teddy, why do you look so sad?" She questioned.
"I'm NOT!" He yelled at her, before running up to his room, slamming the door.
Sighing, Hermione decided she would let it go for the time being. She opened up his backpack and pulled out his homework for the night. She looked over the sentence he had to write and it stated that they are to tell one thing about their mum and dad that made them the happiest. Hermione shook her head, understanding that the boy was upset that he didn't have his mum or dad around to complete this sentence. She also found a letter from the teacher which said that he was very rude today when they were given the topic to write about. She let Teddy be, deciding that she would talk to him later on or have Harry talk to him when he got home.
It was four o'clock when she called Teddy to come downstairs. He came down, moping. "Teddy, let's do your homework." She said, taking a step to have him talk to her about his day.
"No." He frowned.
"Why not?"
"I don't want to."
"Well, let's see what we have to do then."
"NO!" He yelled at her.
"Don't yell at me Teddy."
"I can't do it Hermione."
"Sure you can."
"No I cannot."
"Why not?"
"Cause."
"Come on honey."
"NO, NO, NO!" He shouted at her pushing his backpack onto the floor.
"Teddy, stop it."
He started frowned at Hermione, his hair a scarlet color, "I said no."
"And I said yes. I am not arguing with a five year old about this."
"No. I don't do this one. I cannot."
"Why?"
"Cause I don't have a mummy or daddy." He said, outraged that she made him say that.
"Well, you have Harry and I."
"No, you are NOT my mummy and daddy. I don't have them!"
"Teddy…"
"No!" He said, as she pulled him over to her, "Don't talk to me."
"I know I'm not your mummy and Harry's not your daddy, but you're good as our son."
"Don't say that!" He cried, shoving Hermione out of the way to get past her.
"Ted Remus! Don't you DARE shove me."
"Don't talk to me! I don't love you! You're not my mummy!" He said, and ran out of the kitchen, slamming bedroom door once again.
Who knew a five year old could hurt someone eighteen years older than him. She felt for the child. She knew he was hurting, and there was nothing she could do about it. She knew a bit about how he was feeling, but Harry would know better. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she heard the familiar pop of apparition.
"Hermione?"
"In here." She sighed, wiping the tears away from her eyes.
"Hey, how was your day?"
"Mine was fine, until I came home." She sighed.
"What's the matter?"
"Teddy."
"Is he alright?"
"No, I don't think he is." Hermione sighed, "He had a sentence that he had to write today about what was their favorite, I suppose memory about their parents. He apparently got angry at it and was disruptive in class. We got a letter home saying that he was rude."
"I can see him acting out."
"Me too, but he can't do this Harry."
"So is that it?"
"No he told me he didn't love me and I'm not his mummy. I feel like he thinks that I'm trying to not allow him to remember Tonks, but that isn't the case. He was too young to remember. We talk about them a lot, don't we?"
"We do, when he asks." Harry sighed.
"I guess we do treat him like our son, don't we?"
"As we should. He needs that Hermione. I knew he'd start to act out, but… I didn't expect it to be this quick."
"I felt horrible. I still do." She sighed. Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him in a tight embrace.
"Don't feel horrible." He sighed, "It's going to happen."
"I just want him to be happy."
"Hermione, he is just upset. He doesn't know any different. I'll see if I can talk to him."
Hermione nodded, "Ok, because he wouldn't listen to me."
Harry walked upstairs and opened Teddy's door, seeing his godson laying on his bed, "So, I hear you had a rough day in class."
"No." Teddy said, frowning.
"Want to talk about it?"
"No." Teddy said, looking at the wall.
"Well, I think that we do need to talk. Ted, you need to be able to let me know what's bothering you. I know that Hermione and I aren't your mum and dad, but we love you just the same. The three of us are a family, and, well, we need to talk. Families talk to one another."
"I'm not."
"Not what?"
"Family."
"Teddy, I consider Mr. and Mrs. Weasley my family. I spend time with them, I love them like I would my own mum and dad. I consider the boys and Ginny my brothers and sister, though they aren't truly that. That's what you, Hermione, and I are Ted. We're family. Hermione and my kids will have an brilliant older brother to look up to, and to have teach them things. That's going to be you Teddy. I think of you as my son, but we both know you aren't really. Mum's and Dad's are who raised you, and as godfather it was my job, not that I would have every thought anything else. I want you to know how much I love you and Hermione loves you."
Teddy remembered what he said to Hermione and his lip began to quiver, "Hermione is mad."
"No she's not."
"Yes she is, I made her mad." He said, sobbing against his godfather's chest.
"No you didn't Ted. She knows you were upset. She didn't mean to do that. She loves you just as much as me."
"I hurt her feelings." Teddy said.
"She'll get over it." Harry replied, "Now, what are we going to do about this homework assignment?"
"Can I write about you and Hermione?"
"You can, or I can help you write about a time with your parents."
"No, I want to write about you and Hermione."
Harry nodded, "Alright. Let's go downstairs and while I'm making dinner, we'll be able to write your sentence."
"Ok." He smiled. He walked into the kitchen and found Hermione starting dinner. He ran up to her, and hugged her, "I love you Hermione."
"I love you too Teddy."
"I'm sorry."
"Not a problem love." She responded, kissing his forehead. Hermione knew that this was just the beginning of Teddy's understanding that he had no parents. She knew that they would have several more times where he had issues with living with his godfather rather than his own father. She knew this from personal experience and from also knowing Harry for thirteen years. She would be on the receiving end of his anger several more times, not only from his grief, but for just being a child, growing up.
That night, while Harry and Hermione were lying in bed, Hermione turned to him, "I'm ready for kids." She smiled.
"You sure?"
Hermione nodded, "Yeah, I'm sure."
Harry's green eyes sparkled and he smiled at his wife, "Well you know, the best part about getting pregnant is trying to."
Hermione laughed, "It always is."
"So, how soon?"
"Well, I suppose when ever. I mean, it's probably going to take a while, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't know." He laughed, "You know though, I hope that Ron's kids and our kids are able to be in Hogwarts with one another."
Hermione nodded, "I'm sure they will be, especially if they are going to be trying as well."
"I hope so."
Hermione yawned and looked at Harry, "I know that I am too exhausted tonight."
"Me too." He said, smiling. "Oh, I'm at the office tomorrow, so I'll drop Teddy off at school."
"Great." She smiled, "So I get to relax a bit more." She giggled.
"God, do you know that this time next year, we could be parents?"
"Yeah, it's scary." She giggled.
It was December, a week before Christmas when Harry came into Hermione's office, "Hey."
"Hi." She smiled, as he kissed her cheek.
"I just got a call from school on my mobile that Teddy's running a temperature. I'm going to go and take him home."
"Oh man." Hermione sighed, "He told me his head hurt this morning, but I didn't think anything of it."
"Not your fault."
"Are you able to leave, or do you need me to get him?"
"No, I'll get him, it's fine." He said, buttoning his cloak, "I have nothing going on, since no new activity is going on with the Death Eaters."
"Alright." She said, "If you're sure…"
"It's fine. What time are you due home?"
"Um… I have to stay a bit longer. I have a meeting at four, so probably not till around six."
"I'll have dinner ready by then."
"Great. Thank you." She smiled.
"Anything work, or do you want something specific?"
"Anything."
"Alright, I'll see you at home then."
"Alright." She smiled, "Love you."
"You too." He said, kissing her, before heading to the annex to apparate home to get his godson.
Hermione was exhausted when she came home from work, which had been happening more and more often. The eight to twelve hours of work a day were taking toll on her, and how, upon apparating home, she had a five year old with wizard's flu. She couldn't believe her luck. Yawning, as she entered the house, she heard silence, which was odd for six in the evening at their house. She walked upstairs to check on Teddy, finding him sleeping in their room with the television on. She brushed a piece of blue hair out of his eyes, alarmed at the heat radiating from his forehead. Grabbing the muggle thermometer from the bed stand, she stuck it into his mouth, waking him up a bit, "Hey you, how are you feeling?"
Teddy shrugged his shoulders, getting a kiss on the forehead from Hermione. She heard the familiar beeping and check reading the temperature as 40.1 Celsius. Sighing, she looked at him and said, "Did Harry give you any potion?"
"No." He said, shaking his head.
"Alright, I'll have to see if we have any left. I'll be back."
"Ok." He said, as Hermione walked out of the room. She walked into the kitchen and saw that dinner was just about finished. She used her wand quickly to set the table, and then she set off to find Harry. She found him in the den, looking over a file he must have brought home from work. It was on Malfoy. Sighing, he ran his hands through his hair, "Hey." She said softly not to startle him.
"Hey. You are right on time." He smiled, noticing the clock.
"Yeah, I know." She smiled, "I just checked on Teddy."
"Yeah, he's not feeling too well, that's for sure."
"No, his temperature is 40.1"
"Not much of a change."
"Do we have any potion for him?"
"Not one that is strengthened for children. I checked. I figured I'd apparate over to the Burrow to see if Mrs. Weasley has any. I know that she gave some to Bill a few days ago when Vicky had witches flu. I didn't want to bring him with me though, so I figured he'd be alright until then. We had some Tylenol for him, which I gave to him a little while ago. All it did was let him sleep a little while."
"Didn't do anything?"
"Well, dropped the fever two degrees. He was at 41.5 the last time."
"Geeze."
"I'll head over after we eat. I know he won't be hungry."
"No, but he needs to eat something."
"We have soup for him in the refrigerator. I'll heat that up for him after the potion."
"Right." She said, as Harry stood up, kissing her on the cheek, "How long will you be?"
"I'll come back right after I get the potion, unless she has to make it, then I'll come right home, and pick it up later on tonight."
"Alright."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, I'm just really tired."
"It's only six."
"I know."
"Busy day today?"
"I suppose."
"You've been tired lately."
"I know. It has just been work. I'm going to go to bed early tonight."
"I already told them that I wouldn't be in tomorrow. I'll stay with him."
"Alright, and if he is still sick on Thursday, I'll stay with him. I have meetings all day tomorrow."
"Alright, that's fine, because I have to be in work Thursday. We're heading to France for the night."
"Ok."
"I'll be back in a few minutes." He said, walking to the hallway to apparate.
Hermione walked back upstairs and into her room to lay down with Teddy for a bit. He curled up against Hermione, lying his head against her stomach. She rubbed his back as they waited for Harry to come back. Teddy talked to Hermione about the TV show that was on, his cheeks bright pink, eyes glassy, and she humored him by talking back to him. Hermione heard Harry walking up the stairs and presented her with the small vial, "Here Teddy, drink this."
"I don't like it Hermione." He pouted.
"I know, but it will make you feel better."
Teddy knew it was a losing battle and took the potion. Harry looked at him and smiled, "You'll feel better soon."
Teddy nodded and lied back down onto the pillows, rubbing his eyes. Hermione and Harry walked downstairs to eat, and then forced the five year old to eat a bit.
Hermione was true to her word and was in bed asleep by nine thirty leaving Harry to his work and caring for his godson. Hermione slept straight through the night, waking up tired sill, but she didn't pay attention to how she was feeling. She had work to do, and nothing would stop her from doing just that. Teddy was better after two days at home. Hermione was able to take him to school for the last day before their Christmas Holiday. The entire ministry was closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Claire all took off for that week, which proved to be a blessing. On December twenty-third, Hermione woke up, sick to her stomach. She brushed it off as the flu as it seemed to only last a few hours, and since Teddy was sick only days before. She took it easy that day, hoping that she wouldn't be sick for Christmas Eve, considering that they would be at the Weasleys and at her mum's house for a bit of each. Waking up on Christmas Eve was difficult. She got up and got sick, several times that morning, even before Teddy or Harry were awake. At eight, Hermione was back in the bathroom, this time with Harry holding her hair back, "Still sick?"
"Obviously." She said a bit snippy before she repeated herself, in a more pleasant manor, once she was able to speak, "I think so." She brushed her teeth and got right back into bed, "I can't believe I'm sick on Christmas Eve."
"Let me get something for you to settle your stomach." He said, walking to their potions cupboard. Hermione drank it, not feeling much better, and eventually throwing that up as well, "I'll let Mrs. Weasley know we won't be coming over."
"No, I want to go over." Hermione sighed, "I felt better in the afternoon yesterday, hopefully I'll feel the same today. I'm fine."
"Well, don't push yourself Hermione." He said, kissing her on the forehead, "I'm going to go get Teddy breakfast. I'll be back up to check on you after."
"I'm fine." She repeated herself.
"Sure you are." He smiled.
After her fifth trip to the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror. It looked as if she hadn't slept all night, "What's wrong with me?" She said, before a thought dawned on her. She was late, and not to dinner. Thinking back to the last time she had her, visitor, she recalled it not occurring since November. She had almost skipped her second month in a row. Emotions welled up in her soul, fear and excitement the more predominant feelings. She knew she could possibly be pregnant, but she didn't want anyone to know until she was sure, including Harry. She didn't want to get her, or his hopes up. Making yet another dive to the porcelain bowl, she emptied her stomach and got back into bed, closing her eyes, and not waking up until almost noon. Harry came in to see how she was fairing a couple times an hour, but never wanted to wake her up. Seeing her awake, he was able to talk to her, "Well? Are you feeling any better?"
"I am, a bit." She yawned.
"Do you think you can go to your parents today?"
"No, I think I'm going to just see them tomorrow."
"What about the Weasley's?"
"It's not till two, so I can definitely see them… I hope."
"Well, we'll go over together. I'll wait for you."
"No, don't worry about it. I'm going to sleep a little longer, then grab a shower, and I'll meet you over at the Burrow. I'm sure Teddy's down there going crazy knowing that everyone will be there soon. Just make sure he looks nice."
"I always do. He and I will be wearing green."
"I suppose I'll go for my black dress then."
"If you don't feel well enough to come, don't worry about it."
"I'll be alright Harry." She smiled, as he kissed her on the tip of her nose.
"Don't push yourself."
"I'll be there by two, I promise."
"Alright. Well, we're going to be leaving by one, I think."
"Alright. I'll be there." She said, rolling back over, she fell asleep and was woken up by her boys right before they left. She got up, showered, brushed her teeth, and actually felt a lot better than she did before. Putting a serum onto her hair to straighten the curls, she pulled on her dress and apparated over to the Burrow. She was immediately enveloped in hugs and kisses, and had Teddy pulling her towards the Christmas Tree they were decorating. She stayed with Teddy for a bit and then went into the kitchen to see if she could help Mrs. Weasley. A sea of Redheads were in the kitchen, as well as blondes and her husband.
"Are you feeling better Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I am."
"Do you think it was the flu?" Claire asked.
"Probably. Teddy was sick the other day, I am sure I picked it up from him." She lied.
Mrs. Weasley looked at her, "You still look tired dear."
"I am, but I'll be fine." She smiled, nodding.
"Harry said you were throwing up the past couple days."
"Yeah, in the morning I was really sick. Yesterday too." She said, cursing herself silently as she realized what she had just said. She watched as most of the people in the kitchen brushed off the comment, but it did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Weasley. Hermione watched her pass off the comment thankfully, and they went on.
"Wine for everyone!" Mr. Weasley smiled, levitating many glasses and placed them in front of everyone. Harry walked up behind his wife, and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Here Hermione."
"No, thank you." Hermione smiled.
"Hermione, it's your favorite wine." Harry said.
Ron looked at her, "You should have some."
"No, I'm really not in the mood to drink tonight, but thank you."
"Are you sure?" Harry said, raising his eyebrow up at her. Normally, Hermione was never one to pass up a glass of wine.
"Positive."
"Hermione, are you…" Mrs. Weasley questioned, before getting cut off by the brunette.
"I don't know yet." She said, quietly enough for only Mrs. Weasley to hear.
Mrs. Weasley nodded to her, smiling as she did so, but she did not ask any more questions or say any more comments to her at the moment. Fleur also smiled at Hermione, in a knowing way.
When it was just Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen, Hermione walked in and asked if she could help her with anything.
"No dear, you sit down and rest."
"I think I could be." Hermione said to her.
"I figured you did." She smiled, "Harry doesn't know?"
"No. I don't even know. I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to see if I am or not."
"Have you two been trying?"
"We started in September."
"How far along do you think you are?"
"Two months at the most. I've skipped one month, I realized as I was sick this morning. Two months will occur in another few days. I just don't want to get Harry's hopes up if I'm not. I'll tell him after I know for sure."
"Well, I remember when I was first pregnant with Bill, I did the same thing. I waited to tell Arthur. I felt the same way you did."
Hermione smiled, "I'm nervous."
"Naturally." Mrs. Weasley smiled, "But it is a wonderful feeling. Otherwise I wouldn't have done it seven times."
Hermione laughed, "I don't think I'll be having seven, but two or three would be nice."
"Ron said that he wanted three, Claire said she wanted six. We'll see how many they end up having."
Hermione laughed, nodding, "I'm sure they are in the same boat as Harry and I are."
"So you've been trying for three months?"
"Yes. I am anxious to know."
"I was too." She smiled, "Congratulations Hermione."
Hermione smiled, "Thank you mum."
Fleur walked into the kitchen with her son on her hip. He was fussing like mad. Fleur sighed, as she tried to settle Nicky down, "Mum, have you seen his pacifier?"
"It was on the counter the last I saw it." Mrs. Weasley smiled.
"He's miserable." She sighed, "Overly tired, but he won't take a nap."
"Here Fleur, let me take him." Hermione said, "Give your arms a break."
She passed her son off to her 'sister-in-law' grateful, "Thank you Hermione."
Hermione smiled and nodded, cooing at the child in her arms. Hermione talked to him and settled him down, "You'll be a great mum someday Hermione." Fleur said, taking a swallow of her water.
"Thank you." She smiled.
"He likes his Aunt Hermione." Bill smiled as he walked into the kitchen.
"It's my Aunt Hermione!" Victoire said, frowning.
"I'm both of your Aunt Hermione's."
"No, just mine." Stated the four year old.
"Victoire." Fleur warned.
"Just mine." Victoire said under her breath, before Charlie came into the kitchen with his five month old son in his arms.
"What's with the sour face Vic?" Charlie said.
"He's on MY Aunt Hermione."
"Hermione is NOT just YOUR Aunt, jealous girl." Charlie said, "Stop being jealous."
"I not!"
"You are!"
"No."
"Yes." Charlie teased the girl.
"No!"
"Yes."
"NO!"
"Y…"
"Charles, knock it off." Mrs. Weasley said, "You are thirty two years old, act it please and stop teasing your niece."
"You're no fun Mum."
"Now, let me take my grandson." She smiled, "Come on love, come to Grandmum."
She takes her only redheaded grandchild, so far, out from his father's arms and coddles him, "And how are you today Andrew? A bit calmer than your cousin?"
"Lots." Fleur said, smiling at the redhead.
"Pretty soon mum, you're going to have to add onto this house. Claire and Ron are trying, Hermione and Harry I'm sure won't be too far behind, Fred and Julie, I'm sure will be starting soon enough, and all of us plan on having at least three kids. That's going to be at least twenty one grandchildren, unless you count Ginny who I'm sure will also have kids."
"And they will grow up just like you did. Loved." She said, smiling.
Hermione laughed, as Bill clasped his brother on the back, "I believe you've just been told little brother."
"Not the first time." Charlie said, laughing, "Next to the twins, I'm probably the most out spoken."
"I'll drink to that." Bill said, tipping his wine down his throat, "Let me take him Hermione so you can go and rest."
Hermione agreed. She was exhausted, so she passed Nicholas back to his daddy and walked in to find her husband. She found him sitting on the couch with Ron and Claire. She leaned against Harry, and he wrapped his arms around her. They sat around talking, before Hermione and Claire were left alone in the room, "Finally, it's just us." Claire smiled, "I need to tell someone this, and I wanted you to know."
"What's that?"
"I think I'm pregnant."
"That's wonderful!" Hermione smiled.
"Yeah, I mean, If anything I've only missed a month, but still, I mean, I haven't had any morning sickness or anything like that."
"That usually happens into the second month." She smiled.
"Well, still, Ron doesn't know yet, so…"
"I won't say anything." She smiled.
"Anything with you and Harry yet?"
Hermione shrugged, "Nothing for sure yet."
"I'm sure it will happen."
"Me too." Hermione smiled, "You will let me know the second you know, right?"
"Of course! And you need to tell me."
"I will."
"Well if it's sooner than later, both our kids will go to school together. I mean, I would be due in the beginning of August I suspect."
Hermione nodded, smiling, "I hope so."
At nine O'clock, the Potters went home, to await Father Christmas. Christmas, the same thing happened, Hermione was sick in the morning, and it was beginning to worry Harry, "Hermione, maybe you should go to the healers."
"I'm fine Harry." She sighed, "I already feel better." Which was the truth."
"Three days in a row Hermione. Something is obviously wrong."
Hermione sighed, and nodded, "I have an appointment with a doctor Tomorrow."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No, it's fine. It's not necessary."
"Alright, if you're sure."
She nodded, "I'm positive."
Teddy came running into their bedroom. It was seven on the dot, "Come on! It's Christmas! Happy Christmas!" He was saying, bouncing on the bed, "Hermione, are you better?"
"I feel better, yes, thank you." She said, as he bounced into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas." Teddy smiled, "Can we go open my presents now"
"Sure." Hermione smiled, getting out of bed, pulling on her bed jacket. Harry, doing the same, grabbed Teddy and picked him up, throwing him over his shoulder, "Come on you two." Harry said, carrying a giggling Teddy down the stairs and into the sitting room where presents littered the floor, "He's not spoiled is he?"
"No way." Hermione laughed at Harry's sarcasm. She sat on the couch, as Teddy opened all the presents. Harry got him a broom this year, since all he has talked about was becoming six so he could fly one. He would be six by April, so it wasn't too long until he could fly it himself, though Hermione figured he'd be flying a bit earlier, since the gift would be the highlight of the day, which it was. Ron had gotten him a Chudley Cannon Quidditch robes which he would also be thrilled about. From their house, they will head to brunch at Hermione's mum's house, and then over to the Weasley's for dinner. It was what they had done since they had been out of Hogwarts. Brunch was the time when all of her father's family came, along with her mum's side of the family. Dinner was always with Jake's family. She knew that once they had a child it would still stay the same. Hermione and Harry watched Teddy rip open the presents and once the broom came, which was his last gift, he was thrilled, begging Harry to teach him to fly, even though there was snow on the ground and the temperature was about twenty outside. He was disappointed, but understood that it wasn't going to happen, and that Harry would take him when the weather got a bit warmer. Teddy got another load of presents at Hermione's mum's house, and then again when they got to the Weasley's. Victoire and Teddy were running all around the house, playing with every toy there was. The two new babies were passed around the entire family. Ginny was the only one who was not truly happy. She was still upset about her breakup with Malfoy, even though that was almost three months prior. Hermione, Claire, and the other girls did their best to keep her mind off of her ex, but as Hermione could see, failed miserably. She still worried about him, because she truly did love him, but she would never be with him again. The boys were less than understanding. They couldn't believe she would still be missing him after what a git he turned into, well, what he always was.
Wednesday came and at nine in the morning, Hermione was at the hospital anxiously awaiting her test results. The healer told her it would be a half hour until they had the results. She waited, and waited, and waited, feeling like she had been there for hours. Finally the healer came in and said, "Well, I have your test results Mrs. Potter."
"And?"
"You are six weeks along. Congratulations." She smiled.
"Thank you." Hermione grinned. She was beyond thrilled, morning sickness and all. Her smile could have lit up the Gryffindor Common Room.
"You're due date seems to be in the beginning of July. July sixth to be exact."
"Brilliant!"
"Have you had much morning sickness?"
"A bit, the past few days."
"Well, we'll give you a potion to take, and some to keep you and your child healthy."
"Alright. Great." She breathed.
"Quite a lovely Christmas gift."
"It truly is."
"I expect to see you in February for your second checkup."
"Alright. Thank you." She said, still smiling.
"The receptionist will set you up for your next appointment and by t"hen, we'll have your potions ready."
"Thank you again!" Hermione said, her smile the biggest she ever had been. She apparated home. Harry and Teddy were in the basement, trying out his broom a little bit. It was big enough that he could fly about two feet off the ground, and Hermione approved because he wouldn't be getting hurt doing it. She walked downstairs and smiled as Teddy was zooming all over the place, "He's a natural."
"Like Godfather, like Godson." Harry smiled, walking over to her, "Did you get your test results?"
"Yes."
"Are you alright?"
She nodded, smiling, "We're fine."
"We're?" Harry asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, before something clicked, "We!"
"We." She smiled.
"Bloody hell! You're pregnant."
She laughed, and nodded, "Six weeks along."
"Bloody hell!" He said, picking her up, hugging her tightly, kissing her full force.
"Ew!" Teddy said, as he saw them kissing.
"I don't… bloody hell." He said again, in disbelief.
"Harry you said a bad word." Teddy frowned at his godfather.
"Teddy, don't correct me." Harry said, "So… I'm going to be a father." Hermione nodded. "We're going to be parents."
"Yes, we're going to be parents." Hermione smiled.
"I don't… I don't believe this! This is the BEST Christmas gift ever!"
"It is." Hermione smiled, "I put two and two together a few days before Christmas, when I was sick. I have been so busy I really didn't realize that I missed my… well, that I skipped a month." She said, realizing that Teddy was still in the room, "And that was almost two months ago."
"So, when are you due?"
"July sixth." She smiled.
"Good month, July."
Hermione laughed, "It is."
"What is going on?" Teddy asked, confused at his guardians conversation.
"You're going to be a brother Teddy." Harry smiled.
"I am?"
"Sure you are. Hermione's going to have a baby."
"And it's my brother?"
"Or sister." Hermione laughed, "What do you think?"
"I am ok with it." He smiled, before turning serious, "He won't touch my new broom will he?"
"No Teddy, the baby will be way too small to touch your broom, or ride it."
"Ok, then I'm really ok with it." He smiled.
Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her lips yet again, "Didn't take us long did it?"
"No, not too long at all. Two tries at the most. I figured I conceived October, so it's been six weeks."
"Wow… this is.. wow." He smiled.
"I know." She grinned, "Wow."
"Does anyone know yet?"
"Not officially. Mrs. Weasley and Fleur had an inkling, Mrs. Weasley especially."
"Can't get anything past that woman can we?"
"No, but I promised I'd tell her."
"Can we tell Ron?"
"Of course we can." She smiled, "All our close family and friends should know."
"I'm going to go over now and tell him. Unless you want to."
"No, you go ahead." Hermione laughed.
"Great. Teddy, you stay here. I'll be back in a bit." He smiled, and apparated away. He arrived in the house, and called for his best friend.
"Ron!"
"Yeah mate?" Ron said, walking into the room where he arrived, "Are you alright?
You're looking a bit…"
"Excited?"
"Is that what it is?" Ron teased him, "What's up?"
"Hermione's pregnant."
"What?! Oh my.. well that's amazing! Brilliant! Congratulations! I knew you two were trying!" He said, hugging his best friend, "CLAIRE! Harry and Hermione are having a baby!"
Claire squealed, "That's amazing! Wonderful! Congratulations!"
"Yeah, I can't believe it! I didn't even know about it. I mean she has been sick a bit, but I never thought that we'd be pregnant all ready!"
Claire was thrilled because if she were pregnant that they would have their children growing up together. Ron broke out the fire whiskey, "This calls for a toast! Claire, we need three glasses!"
"Better make it two." Claire smiled, "I really don't feel like drinking at ten in the morning."
"Lightweight." Ron smiled, "Well…"
"I'll get you two." She smiled.
"Right, two then. Wow, amazing. Two shots, and then two more, for Hermione and for Claire."
Harry laughed and drank his two shots, before deciding to leave, "I just wanted to make sure you were the first to know."
"Congratulations mate."
"I need to go tell the others."
"Right. I'll be over later on tonight to properly congratulate Hermione."
"She'll love it." And with a final hug from Ron and a kiss from Claire he went back to his house.
The morning sickness only lasted another week or two, because she refused to take the potion. She was stubborn, and refused to use anything during her pregnancy that didn't need to be taken. Once the morning sickness finished, Hermione felt better and had more energy. She and Claire became extremely close over the next few weeks, since they both were going through the exact same things, only about a month apart. When Ron informed Harry that they were due in the beginning of August, he and Harry talked about being father's a lot. The Weasley's and Potters knew that lots of changes were going to be happening over the next few weeks, months, and years, and they were excited and nervous, but couldn't wait for the two new babies to come. Hermione and Harry sat down one night at dinner, and the topic of Hermione's father came up and how different it would have been if her father hadn't passed. Would it have been the same? Hermione got emotional when she thought about him, more so then before, but it was all part of the hormones. It was difficult for her, but she'd be fine. Harry was there, and would be for the duration, just as he was there for her during the tragedy, just as she supported him. Nine months didn't seem too far away, but there was much to do before that happened. There would be difficulties and enjoyable moments, but that was their lives, how it always happened. "Nine months." Harry reminded himself, "That's all." Each day he got more excited and so did she. They were going to be parents, to an infant, lots would change, but it was going to be worth it.
A/N: So like it? Love it? Comments? Review please! Teddy's going to be going through a rough patch as he comes to grips with the new addition to the family, not to mention trying to make sure he fits in… Hermione pregnant can only be reason to be completely annoyed and ready to fight anyone and anything that comes along, but the baby can change that... with a bit of a twist.
Forgive the small mistakes. I am excited to finally get this chapter out, and can't wait till the next part.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! You are all awesome! Please keep up the reviews!
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