I do not own Harry Potter.
The next morning Harry woke before Rose and slipped out of bed. He needed to head to Gringotts to pick up Al's gift and also get Rose's keys and cards to his account. He wasn't sure when the Ministry owls would arrive and he wanted to be here when they did, so he hurried out of the house, leaving a quick note for Rose in case she woke before he was back. To his annoyance it took him most of the day to finalize everything at Gringotts and he was worried that he missed the moment when they all opened their letters. He burst through the door in a panic, "Sorry, I got held up at Gringotts!"
"We're in the dining room," yelled Rose back!
"I just have to grab something out of my office, I'll be right in," replied Harry, quickly taking his cloak off and heading to his office. He grabbed the small box he had for Rose and went straight to the dining room.
"Sorry," started Harry but he stopped when he saw a lot more people than he expected.
"Nice of you to finally join us, Potter," replied Malfoy.
"Oh stop, Draco. It's fine Harry, we've only been waiting a short time," replied Astoria smiling.
He looked around the table and, in addition to the Malfoy's, he saw both his sons, Bridget, Lily, Rose, Hermione, Ginny, Cormac, and to his complete shock, Ron. He raised his eyebrows at Hermione but she just shook her head.
"Right, well, Al, here's what held me up," and he placed a large Gringotts envelope in front of Al, making him raise his eyebrows in question.
Harry then moved to Rose's side and said, "And for you my love," handing her a small box and kissing her softly. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach and said, "What's everyone waiting for, open up those letters!"
They all laughed and began opening their letters, at the same time Hermione handed Harry a letter that came for him. "It's the list of new Aurors, I finally get to know their names." Before he could open it Al jumped up out of his seat and said, "Bloody Hell! I got in Scor!"
Scorpius jumped up and said, "Me too!" and they both hugged for a minute before realizing they were hugging and quickly separated making everyone laugh. Bridget and Lily both got up and kissed them.
"Does this mean we finally get to know," whined James?
Everyone laughed and Al turned to Harry and said, "I'm part of your new recruits, Dad. I'm going to be an Auror."
Harry looked shocked for a moment before he grinned and asked, "Why couldn't you have told me this was what you wanted?"
Al shrugged and said, "I didn't want you to feel pressured, to try and find my application and give me special treatment. I wanted to get in on my own without anyone knowing who I was. It was the only way I would feel like I truly deserved it. People will still say I only got in because of you, but I know that's not true and that's all that matters."
Harry grinned and pulled Al in for a hug, he held him for a minute before pulling away and saying, "I'm so proud of you. Not because you're becoming an Auror like me, but because of your strength of character in how you did it."
"Dad," whined Al blushing making everyone laugh. He was quickly smothered by his mother's hug and then when she was finished, Bridget was kissing him passionately, making everyone look away.
"I got in as well. You're looking at the first Malfoy to become an Auror," said Scorpius shocking his father speechless. His mother got up and gave him a big hug though and said, "I'm so proud of you sweetheart," kissing his cheek.
Once his mother released him, Lily kissed him heatedly, but when she was finished she smacked him on the arm and said, "I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
Harry grinned and said, "Scorpius, you were exactly who I was trying to find during selections."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Congratulations," replied Harry shaking his hand.
"Rose, aren't you going to open your letter," asked Hermione?
Harry turned to see she still hadn't opened it and walked over to her and said, "Rose, love, you have to open it."
"I'm scared. What if I didn't get picked?"
Harry pushed his present closer to her and said, "Alright Rose, open your present first then."
She looked at him curiously but picked the small box up and opened it, gasping at what was inside. It was a small flask with white wispy threads inside.
"Rose, I promised you I would give you this when you got accepted. I have no doubt you're going to get accepted. You're too brilliant not to, love."
"Oh Harry, are you sure? This is so personal," started Rose but Harry cut her off and said, "Yes, Rose, I'm positive. Now, will you open your letter?"
She bit her lip for a minute before nodding and Harry grabbed the letter and handed it to her, taking the box out of her hands and placing it on the table, where the others looked at it curiously. She slowly opened the letter and began scanning it, making everyone wait what seemed like an excruciatingly long time. Slowly she began to grin and Harry wrapped her in a huge hug and said, "I told you, love. I'm so happy for you."
She cried a little in relief and gave him a kiss that lasted a little longer than the others were comfortable with but when they finally stopped Al asked, "So I take it you got in as a healer?"
She shook her head no making them all frown in confusion.
"What do you mean, Rose," asked Hermione confused?
"I didn't get accepted as a healer, I never applied," replied Rose.
"What," asked Ron before continuing, "All this time, I thought you wanted to be a healer or a dancer, and since you gave up on dancing that only leaves a healer. What did you apply for?"
Rose looked at her Mum before answering, "I applied to be an Unspeakable."
Hermione gasped and said, "Oh my… Rose… It's nearly impossible to get accepted into that program."
"I know. That's why I didn't tell anyone. I figured I would never get in."
"But you're happy, Rose, so you got in, didn't you," asked Al?
Rose nodded, grinning broadly before squealing, "I did!"
Hermione gasped and quickly made her way to Rose, hugging her tightly. Rose was in tears at this point and Harry watched as Ron made his way to her and offered her a hug as well. He watched him like a hawk but Ron didn't try to hurt her, just simply said, "I'm so proud of you Rose, you're just like you're mother; bloody brilliant."
"Thanks Daddy."
Draco seemed to finally snap out of his stupor and said, "An Auror, really, Scorpius?"
"Yes, Father, an Auror."
Draco sighed heavily before moving towards Scorpius and said, "Well, if this is what you want, then Congratulations." He pulled Scorpius in for a hug, surprising him, and clapped his shoulder a few times before saying, "I'm obviously surprised, but don't think that means I'm not proud of you… because I am."
Scorpius only nodded in response because he was getting choked up. Draco pulled away and Lily quickly moved in to hug Scorpius again.
"Well, I think we should all go out to celebrate," said Harry happily.
"As long as it's not for Chinese," said Al making Rose toss the bow from her present at him and yell, "Prat!"
James and Lily laughed making everyone curious, "Why not Chinese," asked Hermione?
"Because it's all Rose ever wants to eat, therefore, it's all we eat," replied Lily smiling.
"Hey, it's not my fault! The babies obviously like Chinese food. Harry, are you sure you're not part Chinese," asked Rose teasingly?
Harry laughed and said, "Yes, I'm pretty sure, love."
"I suppose I can make an exception for one night, Al. Why don't you and Scorpius pick the restaurant?"
"Actually, boys, I think I know of a place. Malfoy, what do you think of taking them to the club," asked Harry cryptically?
Draco seemed surprised but then he grinned and said, 'I think that's perfect. We can have a private room for dinner and then if they want they can go to the club after."
"What kind of club," asked Rose excitedly?
Harry smirked at her and said, "just a regular club with music and dancing."
Draco snorted but didn't elaborate further.
Rose squealed and kissed Harry before saying, "I better go get changed then."
He smiled at her as she left the room and Al said, "Well, what do you think Bridget, care to go dancing with me?"
Bridget laughed and said, "Do you think you can keep up with me baby?"
Al growled and pulled her close and said, "You know I can witch."
There was some chuckling and Draco cleared his throat and said, "Alright, why don't we all meet back here in an hour. Potter, I'll let them know to expect us."
"Thanks," replied Harry trying to dodge Hermione's questions. Everyone soon dispersed to get ready, leaving him alone with Hermione and Ron.
"Have you known all along she was applying to be an unspeakable," asked Hermione curiously?
Harry laughed and replied, "No, not all along. She told me on our first real date."
"Harry!" yelled Hermione slapping his arm, "That was months ago!"
"What? She made me promise not to tell anyone!"
They both laughed until Ron suddenly said, "She said babies."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other confused and Harry said, "I'm sorry?"
Ron sighed and said, "She said babies, as in plural, more than one baby."
"Oh," replied Harry simply.
"Harry? Is there something you've forgotten to mention," asked Hermione?
"No, I mean we don't know for sure but Rose thinks there's more than one. And she's been exhibiting some strange symptoms so I called the doctor and she said it was pretty likely that Rose was carrying multiples. But we won't know for sure for another three weeks," said Harry quickly.
Hermione was gaping at him and she turned and found a chair to sit in.
"So she's having twins," asked Ron?
"Maybe, or more," replied Harry quietly.
"What do you mean more," demanded Hermione?
"I don't know Hermione, alright, it's just what the doctor said," sighed Harry tiredly.
"It was going to be hard enough with one baby, but Harry, how is she supposed to be an unspeakable with more than one baby at home," Hermione asked frantically?
"Hermione, I'll take care of it. Don't worry so much," replied Harry.
Ron laughed cruelly and said, "Yeah, like you took care of my sister? How much help were you when James and Al were younger?"
"Ron," gasped Hermione horrified!
Harry clenched his jaw, it was a low blow, but unfortunately it was true. He was hardly around at all when his sons were younger. Harry took a deep breath and said what he hadn't told anyone besides Rose, "I'm retiring."
"What," asked Hermione shocked?
"I said I'm retiring. No one knows about it besides Rose, Kingsley and my assistant Head. I'm making it public during my speech at the Ministry Ball on Saturday."
"But…but…how…why," stuttered Hermione?
"Why? Because it's time, Hermione. It's been just a job to me for a while now and I want to spend more time with Rose and the babies. How? I'm going to help the assistant Head transition over the next few months. I'll come and do some lessons here and there but gradually less and less as the year goes on."
"I can't believe it Harry. You're still so young. You could be Minister…wait a minute is that why Kingsley asked me, because he knew you were retiring?"
Harry looked at Hermione sternly and said, "Hermione, you were born for that position and you know it. Don't you dare doubt yourself because I'm retiring. You're going to make a great Minister, or Ministress…wait is that even a word?"
They all laughed and Hermione got up and gave Harry a hug saying, "Thanks," in his ear. He nodded and pulled away looking at Ron.
"You're really retiring," asked Ron skeptically?
"Yup."
"Because of Rosie?"
"Not because of Rose, but for her," replied Harry sincerely before continuing, "Look, I know I was a rotten husband and an absentee father when I started as an Auror. That doesn't mean I didn't love Ginny, or my sons, but I'm older now so I understand how important love is, how important family is, and I'm not going to let it go. Not this time. I love Rose, more than I ever thought possible. I'm going to make the most of this new life that I've been given with her."
Hermione started crying and wrapped Harry in a hug, surprising him, "Why are you crying?"
"That…was…so…sweet," bawled Hermione.
Harry looked incredulously at Ron who shrugged and said, "It was kind of sappy, but since it's my daughter you're talking about, I'm alright with that."
"Right. Well, we should get changed. Malfoy will be back soon," replied Harry uneasily.
"Oh. I forgot to ask what kind of place are we going to," asked Hermione pulling away from Harry and wiping her face?
"It's fairly dressy, Hermione," said Harry simply.
"All my dressy things are still at home," frowned Hermione.
"It's still you're home Hermione, I'm not keeping you from going there," replied Ron.
Hermione bit her lip and looked at Harry. Ron noticed this and sighed, "Look, I know I messed up. Badly. I'm sorry. I truly am. If you want I can stay here while you go home and change."
Harry and Hermione exchanged another glance and Hermione said, "No, you need to change as well, so we can go together."
Harry was obviously surprised and he looked like he was going to speak up so Hermione raised her hand stopping him and said, "I'll bring an Auror with me Harry. I'll only be a half an hour and I think Ron has earned a half an hour of my time." When she was finished she kissed Harry on the cheek and left the dining room, with Ron a few steps behind her just as surprised as Harry.
Harry shook his head then proceeded up the stairs to change, knowing he didn't have much time left. He felt much better about things for some reason. He wasn't sure exactly what it was, maybe it was the combination of everything but he couldn't help but feel things were only going to get better for him.