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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.
This chapter events that occurred during the baby's first Christmas and New Years. It has everyday occurrences and Harry being completely oblivious to the feelings of his wife.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"Harry?" Hermione called, as she walked down from putting Lily in her crib for a nap. It was the last day of August, and she was busy getting Teddy ready for school and also corresponding to her boss Jo in the Department of Muggle Relations.
"In the kitchen." He called back, as he began to cook the spaghetti sauce for their dinner.
She walked into their kitchen and sat on the stool at the island, facing him, "Did you think about what I should do?"
"About what?"
"About what?! About the bloody job!" She called back groaning.
"I did, and it's really your decision love."
"That is so not helping."
"Well." He said turning to her, "You have three options. Option one, quit. Option two, go back to work full time. Option three, half time, mostly spent doing work at home. What do you want to do?"
She sighed, "I just love being home right now. I don't know if I'm ready to go back to work yet… full time at least. I don't really want to quit though either. I mean I love my job. I love working, but I love being with Teddy and Lily too."
"Well, going back full time is out of the question for you then. Jo did give you the option to work from home more often, as long as you are in work once or twice a week for a period of time. You're a great asset to the job Hermione. I just really can't make this decision for you, but what I can do and will do is support your decision."
"I don't want to quit Harry…"
"So then go part time. You'll still be home with the kids, and still be able to work. That's a brilliant idea."
"Do you think?"
"Yes. It's the best possible choice for you." He smiled, "We have an office in the house for a reason. Mum, and your mum will be able to watch Lily and or Teddy if we need it. If Claire decides not to go back full time you two can even take turns watching Cassie and Lily. It will work out."
Hermione smiled and nodded, "Ok, I'll talk to Jo."
"Plus you can make your own hours I suppose."
"I suppose, as long as I get the work done on time." She shrugged.
"It's brilliant." Harry smiled, kissing her cheek, "Lily will be happy to have you home, as will Teddy and I."
"Speaking of Teddy, you better take him flying before it becomes too cold. He's been asking and asking but you haven't had a chance."
"I was thinking about doing it tonight."
"Don't think, do it." She said, forcefully, "Not too late, because school starts tomorrow, but right after dinner."
"I was planning on it Hermione."
"Alright." She said, "I can't believe he's going into the first grade. It's unbelievable."
"He's growing up." Harry nodded, "Seven years old… I can't believe it."
"Me neither." Hermione smiled, "Well not quite seven. February."
"It still is almost." Harry replied as Teddy came down, "Hey mate, you up for some flying tonight?"
"YEAH!" He said, jumping up and down.
"Right after dinner, alright?"
"Yup! Harry?"
"Yeah mate?"
"Do you think first grade is going to be hard?"
"I think you'll do fine." Harry smiled.
"Will I like my teacher?"
"I'm sure of it." He smiled, ruffling his hair.
"Where's Lily?"
"Sleeping." Hermione said.
"When's dinner ready?" He asked Hermione.
"No idea. Harry?"
"By five." He responded, "Then we'll fly around six. We can't be out late, because you have to be up early tomorrow, but it will still be worth it."
"Can we get Uncle Ron?"
"I dunno if he's going to come out tonight. Claire's mum and dad are coming over to see Cassie."
"He'll need the distraction." Hermione laughed, "I'd ask him."
"Yeah Harry ask him!"
"Alright, I'll floo him later."
"Can I go too?"
"I'm just going to call him Ted, not go over."
"Oh, ok." He sighed.
"If he doesn't come out today, we'll go over this week, alright?"
"Yup!"
Harry smiled, "Now both of you get out so I can finish cooking."
"Do you need anything?"
"No, just for you to get out so I can finish." He smiled.
Hermione nodded, "Come on Teddy, let's go play chess."
"Ok." He smiled, running out to the den where Harry's wizards chess board sat. He added the rest of the ingredients and aimed his fingers towards the pot, stirring the concoction using wand less magic. He heard his daughter fussing upstairs and he stopped cooking long enough to get her out of her crib, change her, and bring her back down. Lily stayed right with him as he cooked. She gurgled back at him, talking as Hermione had called it, and smiled at him, content to be with him, "Alright princess, you need to sit in your chair for a bit so I can finish cooking dinner." He said, as she sat in her chair smiling at him the whole time, "You're in a fabulous mood. Can I hope that tonight will be a good night of sleeping for you? Your mummy really needs it tonight." He smiled, as she reached her hand up towards him, and he gave her his finger to grab, "What are we doing? Shaking on it?" He laughed at his own joke, getting yet another smiled from the baby, "I guess I should revel in your amusement of me. Pretty soon you'll be rolling your eyes at my jokes." He smiled, running his thumb over her clenched fist. She looked up at him with big green eyes as if waiting to see if he would talk or not, "Teddy and I are going flying tonight. You will be able to come soon enough." He said, "I doubt mummy would like her precious little baby go with us when you are only three months, almost." He laughed, "I wouldn't take you either. When you get old enough to ask, you're old enough to fly, at least if mummy says you can." Gurgling she pulled his finger to her mouth, "You don't want to suck on my finger love, it's got all pasta sauce on it." He told her as he pulled his hand away from her. He loved having time with his daughter alone. He adored the looks that she gave him when she was in his arms, and how she talked to him, and most of all that big gummy smile of hers.
She stayed him through the setup of diner and then during dinner. Teddy could only talk about Quidditch and about flying with Harry tonight.
"I'll clean up tonight." Hermione smiled, as she saw that Teddy was chomping at the bit to get out for a bit.
"Thanks love. I need to get a hold of Ron anyway." Harry smiled as he walked over to the fireplace. He tossed a bit of the floo powder into the fire and waited for it to blaze green. Then he stuck his face into the fireplace, "Ron?" He called, hearing the cry of his goddaughter in the background, "Ron?"
"Hang on Harry, I'll get him." Claire called back.
Harry waited for a couple seconds until Ron knelt down in front of the fire, "Hey." Ron said.
"Hey. Checking in, how's the day going?"
Ron shook his head, "She's bloody crazy… Claire's mum that is." He whispered, "I need a break."
"Well, Teddy and I are going flying. Do you want to come?"
He thought for a second, and heard his mother-in-law tell his wife how to change the nappy appropriately, "Yes. I'll be over in a flash."
"Right. See you in a bit. Oh and Ron?"
"Yeah?"
"What are you doing to my goddaughter?"
"She's just tired." He laughed, "And her gammy insists that she is hungry, though she isn't. I'll be over in five."
"Right." He said, as he backed out of the fireplace, "Teddy! We're leaving in five minutes!"
"Ok!" He called back, as he ran upstairs to get his fall jacket, "Is Uncle Ron coming Harry?"
"Yes." He smiled, "He'll be over in a few minutes."
"How's Claire doing?" Hermione asked.
"Her mum was driving Ron crazy, that's all I know."
"Maybe Lily and I will floo over there later and see how it's going."
"I think she'd like that." Harry said, as he heard a pop, "Hey Ron."
"Come on Mate, I told her I'd be out for less than two hours. That means I should probably get back in one and a half."
"Can I go over Ron and see her?" Hermione asked.
"Sure. Cassie's really fussy though. Claire's a bit on edge." Ron said, "You may be the right distraction." He smiled, "Come on you lot, get your brooms."
Ron casted a disillusionment charm on the three of them and they headed out the front door of Grimmaulds Place. Hermione feeds Lily and then they head over to the Weasley House.
They live four blocks away, but floo is easier with an infant, "Hello? Anyone home?"
"In the kitchen Hermione." Claire called.
Hermione and Lily walk through the familiar hallway of the house and into the kitchen. Hermione hugs Claire and greets Claire's mum, "Hi Mrs. Watson, it's been a while."
"Hello Hermione. Your daughter is beautiful." She smiled.
Hermione smiled, "Thank you very much."
"Those green eyes are amazing."
"Yeah, she gets them from her daddy."
Lily smiled at Claire, and she walked over, "Hello Lily." She said, kissing her.
"Cassie, you are making a lot of noise." Hermione said to the baby in her grandmother's arms.
"She's being fussy." Claire sighed, exhausted with her three week old daughter.
Hermione smiled, understanding how she was feeling, "It's hard being a baby Claire, didn't you get that memo?"
"I must of missed that." Claire said, as she went to pick her daughter up again, "I've fed her, changed her, burped her, and still she cries."
"Lily did that." Hermione said, offering some comfort, "Here, let me have her, and you take Lily. Sometimes babies can feel tension and it gets them all worked up." Hermione smiled, "The first week Harry was back to work she cried and carried on for me. I felt like I was going out of my mind. It lasted from the time she woke up to the time Harry came home. He took her from me and she calmed down. That was at least until we worked out our schedule."
"I'll try anything." She said as they traded, "Come here Lily, come see me."
Hermione gently moved around with her niece as she talked to Claire, "The boys went out flying."
"I know. Ron needed it, and I wasn't going to stop him."
"Teddy was dying to go out. Harry had been promising to take him out since Lily was born, but the time never came… well, once."
"He starts school tomorrow doesn't he?"
"Yes. First grade, I can't believe it."
"Is Teddy your son?" Mrs. Watson asked.
"Yes… well, he's my husband's godson. His mum and dad died in the war, his grandmum when he was four, so we have had him for the past two years."
"How awful."
Hermione nodded, "It was." She said as she laid her cheek against her nieces soft red hair. She was still squirming and fussing. Lily was smiling at Claire as she talked, "Cassandra Rose, I don't think I have ever heard you cry this much or long." Hermione said, rubbing her back.
"I'll take her back Hermione…"
"No, it's fine. She'll quiet down." Hermione said, quite sure of herself, "Are you smiling at your Aunt Claire, Lillian?" She cooed.
"I can't believe how big she is getting. Almost three months." Claire smiled, "And my little monster…"
"She's not a monster." Hermione smiled, "Well, she has the genes to be quite the troublemaker, but we'll just hope she doesn't turn out like her Uncle Fred and Uncle George, right Cassie?" She asked, as the baby finally started to quiet down. Hermione looked down at Cassie and smiled, kissing her cheek, "She looks a lot like Ginny."
Claire nodded, "I thought so too, but Ron insists that she looks like me."
"Oh I can see her looking like you as well, but she looks like Ginny too."
"She's definitely a Weasley." Claire laughed, "There is no denying that she is not Ron's daughter."
"That's for sure." Hermione giggled.
"I wonder how the boys are doing?"
"I'm sure they are having a blast."
"Where do they go flying?" Mrs. Watson smiled.
"All around London." Claire smiled as she watched her daughter fall asleep against her Aunt Hermione.
"Is Teddy old enough to fly?"
"Harry and I have a rule that when the kids turn six they are able to pilot their own broom. He wanted them to be four, I wanted eight, so we found the medium. I am not a fan of flying and he loves it, so we compromised."
"I can't believe you got her to sleep." Claire smiled, as she looked at her daughter.
"She just wore herself out." Hermione smiled.
"Can I get anyone some tea?" Mrs. Watson asked.
"Yes please." Claire smiled.
"Hermione?"
"Please. Thank you."
Hermione and Claire sat and talk with their nieces in their arms. They both sit and talk with the girls asleep against them and drink the tea. Ron, Harry, and Teddy end up coming back to the house.
"Have I gone deaf?" Ron asked, smiling, "She's sleeping?"
"Yes." Claire said, as she maneuvered Lily on her shoulder, "Thanks to Hermione."
"I knew I kept you around for a reason." He smiled at Hermione.
"I thought it was to help you succeed in school."
"That too." He laughed.
"How was flying Teddy?"
"It was GREAT!" He said to Claire, "I love flying, and guess what? In the fall, Harry and Ron and I are going to play Quidditch. It's going to be great!"
"It will be." Claire smiled, "Maybe you can get Hermione to play as well."
"No way! Hermione doesn't play."
"She has." Harry said.
"Really?"
"Really. Right Hermione?"
"I have, but not often." Hermione smiled, kissing Teddy, "But that's why you have Ron and Harry to fly with you."
"Why do you have Cassie?"
"Because she was fussy and Aunt Claire needed to give her arms a break, so she took Lily for me. Ron, she looks like Ginny."
"She looks like Claire." He insisted.
"She's a true Weasley." Harry laughed, "Mum's thrilled having a redheaded girl."
Claire laughed, "She is."
"Well, it's almost eight, I believe we need to be heading home." Harry said, standing up. He takes Lily from Claire and placed her against his shoulder, rubbing her back to keep her quiet. Ron picked up Cassie from Hermione and cuddled her. Hermione stood up and took Teddy's hand, "We'll see you later."
"Bye." Claire smiled, "Hermione, thanks for coming over."
"I'm just a fireplace away." She smiled, winking.
"Me too." She grinned.
The Potters went back to their house and left the Weasleys at theirs., "Bath time Ted." Hermione said, "Go ahead upstairs. I'll draw the bath and then you can get in and get washed quickly. Harry, can you give Lily a bath please"
"Alright." He smiled. Lily had woken up sometime between the floo and the walking around the first floor. He walked to the sink and put the baby tub into the sink. Warming it up, he began to fill the tub and he used his wand to get her towel and pajamas. "Ok Lil, let's get you all cleaned and then fed, and HOPEFULLY you'll go to sleep and stay asleep for a little while, so mummy and I can sit and talk a bit." She kicked her feet in the water, spraying a bit of water onto him, smiling as she did so, "Doing this already? Wait till you get older, then you'll love kicking water all over me." He washed her quickly, and got her out, wrapping her in the towel that looked like a little tiger. He pulled the hood over her head.
"Good night Harry." Teddy said, running up to him, hugging him. Harry hugged him back, "Night Lily."
"Night Teddy. I'll see you tomorrow after school ok?"
"Ok." He smiled, as he waited to kiss his sister good night. Harry lied her down on the couch, quickly changing her, "I'm getting good at this Lily." He smiled brightly as she smiled back. She reached up and pulled at his glasses as he bent down to give her a kiss, "No, no, no." He said, as he unwrapped her hand off his glasses, "Don't start pulling on them. Daddy won't be able to see if you do."
Harry picked her up and lied her on his chest, putting on the television, the pair sat and relaxed. Lily was content against her father as she began to fall asleep against him. He rubbed her back in slow circles, as her breathing steadied, and her squirming slowed. He watched her as she put her fist in her mouth, something that Harry recently discovered she did when she was tired or about to fall asleep, and her eyes flickered shut. It was almost ten by the time she was asleep, which meant she would stay asleep, hopefully till around six the next morning. Harry watched the news as she slept and his wife, did whatever she was doing upstairs. He stood up at ten thirty and walked Lily to her crib. He gently placed her into the white crib and covered her with a pale lavender blanket. Turning out the lights, he walked into his bedroom, "Hermione?"
"I'm getting a shower!" She called back to him as she turned on the water.
Harry walked out of the bedroom and down to check on Teddy. He opened the door and saw his godson spread out on the bed sound asleep. He closed the door and walked back into his room, closing the door, stripped down and walked into the bathroom, "Room for one more?"
"Are you serious?!" Hermione hissed, "Teddy is right down the hall."
"And fast asleep. I locked the door, come on." He said, stepping into the spray with her.
"Are you sure he's asleep?"
"Sound asleep." He said, knowing that his wife would give into him. He pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply, "Lily is asleep as well."
"I'm not worried about her yet." She said, running her fingers through his hair.
"I figured you would need someone to wash your back." Harry smiled at her, as she pulled him into a passionate kiss, "You obviously have no problem with that."
"None at all Mr. Potter." Hermione smiled.
It was a shower that turned into an hour. Harry got into bed after their shower, and Hermione went to check on the kids, before following suite. Hermione curled up with Harry as he pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her, they stayed like that until five thirty in the morning when Harry got up, showered, and went to work. Hermione was up at six thirty with Lily, and seven with Teddy.
"Hermione! Did you pack my lunch?!"
"I did." She said, "Eat your breakfast."
"But what did you make?"
"Tuna."
"Ok, that's good for today, but I don't know if I will want it tomorrow."
"Then you tell me and I'll help you make it tomorrow."
"Ok." He said, shoveling food into his mouth, "Are you and Lily going to come to school?"
"Of course." She smiled, "Are you excited Ted?
"I can't wait Hermione! It's going to be so cool! Do you think Samantha will be in my class this year?"
"I don't know Teddy."
"I hope she will. I missed her this summer! I haven't seen her in ages!"
Samantha was a little blonde in his class last year who Hermione found out was a half blood. Her mum was a witch, her father was a muggle. She was Teddy's best friend last year in school.
"What about Kyle?" Teddy asked, "Do you think he will be in my class?"
"I don't know Teddy. You'll have to wait and see." She said, as he talked about his other best friend in the class.
"Vicky will be there this year!" He said excitedly.
"That she will be." Hermione laughed, "She starts kindergarten this year."
"I'll show her around."
"You are going to need to be in class." She laughed, "I'm not sending you to school to play all day."
"I know Hermione!" He said, picking his bowl up, placing it in the sink, "Can we go now?"
"Go brush your teeth and comb your hair and we'll be going. I need to get Lily changed too."
Teddy sighed, but ran upstairs, "Ok!"
Hermione walked up the steps and into the baby's room. She opened the dresser and pulled out a green and white dress, putting it on her, she placed a bow in her wisps of golden brown hair and called to Teddy, "Come on love."
"Ok!" He said, running downstairs, ahead of Hermione.
"Let's go see Aunt Fleur." Hermione said to her daughter, as she snuggled against her mummy's shoulder.
"HERMIONE!"
"I'm coming!" She called back, as they walked into hallway. Hermione put Lily into her car seat and they walk out of the house and into the car, as she locked Lily into place, Teddy buckled himself in. They drive the short two miles to school. Teddy jumped out with his backpack, and Hermione got out as well. With Lily on her hip she walked with her son up to the first grade line, where he would await his class and teacher. Fleur was already there with Victoire, "Morning Fleur." Hermione smiled.
"Good morning Hermione." She said, "Hello Lily."
Nicky reached over for Hermione as soon as he saw her. Hermione traded Lily for Nicky and hugged the one year old while calling over to her five year old niece, "Hi Victoire."
"Hi Aunt Hermione!" She said, hugging her.
"Are you ready for school?"
"Yup! Where's Teddy?"
"Over with his friend Samantha. Go say hello." She smiled, as Vicky ran to Teddy, hugging her 'bestest friend' as she called him.
"So, this school is as good as you say?"
"It's great. Teddy is very happy, and there are all sorts of magical and non-magical students here. Samantha, over there with Teddy and Victoire is a half-blood. Apparently the boy Royce sitting in line is a pure-blood. It's a nice school. You'll love it and Victoire will love it!"
Fleur nodded, and kissed Lily's cheek getting a smile from the baby, "I trust you."
"Shall we do lunch today?"
"That would be lovely." Fleur smiled, nodding, "Would you like to go out or would you like to come to my house?"
"We should go out." Hermione laughed, "It would give us a break from cooking."
"I agree." She smiled, as they heard the bell ring. Both mum's gave their kids a hug and a kiss and a wish of good luck, then the kids ran into the school, and everyone walked back to their cars, "I'll meet you on Diagon Alley at twelve then?" Fleur asked, taking her son back from Hermione, passing her niece.
"Sounds great. See you then." Hermione nodded, "That gives me enough time to get Lily down for a bit of a nap first."
"My thoughts exactly." Fleur smiled.
"See you then." Hermione smiled as she got Lily back into the car and drove home. She walked into the house and realized how quiet it was. She couldn't believe how silent it was. The only noise she heard was Crookshanks walking around the floors and Neve hooting around somewhere, "It's going to take some getting used to Lil. The quiet that is." She said. Lily babbled to her mummy and smiled brightly as they walked through the house. Hermione placed her down on her tummy to play with a couple toys with her. She and Lily played for an hour before she had enough and got fussy, wanting to eat and sleep. Hermione did just that, put her down for a nap and then got some chores done around the house and worked on a few reports that were due soon for work. It was a productive day for her. Everything she needed to get done she got done while Lily was napping, which let her plenty of time to talk to Teddy about his whole day when he came home.
By October, Hermione was quite irritable. She was moody and unreasonable at times. Harry couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. He went over to the Burrow with Lily and Teddy for a bit, to give Hermione some time alone, but that obviously was not what she wanted. Her cold stares were occurring more often and though they didn't last long, they were shown a couple times a day. He sighed as he entered the Burrow, "Hello?"
"Hello Harry." Mrs. Weasley smiled brightly, "How are you?"
"Good thanks, and you?"
"Fine, fine." She smiled, bending down to kiss Teddy hello, "Victoire's here, you might as well go see her."
"Good!" Ted smiled and ran into the other room.
She plucked Lily from Harry's arms, kissing her softly on the cheek, settling down against the chair, she rocked the baby, "What brings you here? Hermione not coming?"
"No, she's in a bit of a mood as of late."
"Why's that?"
"I don't know, she's just been grumpy. She's been shooting me horrid looks for no reason, and if I ask her what's wrong, she gets all huffy and says 'nothing'. It's annoying really."
"Maybe you aren't listening to her."
"I am. I'm not going to force her to tell me what's wrong if she doesn't want to tell me."
"Have you two been out at all?"
"Out?"
"Gone out… dinner, drinks, anything without the kids, since Lily was born?"
Harry shook his head, "No. We really haven't had a chance to. I've been so busy with work, and she has been really busy with the baby and work, it just hasn't happened."
"In four months you two haven't had a night alone?"
"Not like a date or anything mum."
"And you wonder why she's grumpy?" Molly shook her head, "Merlin Lily, your father is clueless."
"I'm not following mum."
"When I had the kids, I wanted nothing more by the second or third month to get out and spend an evening with dad. With Bill I was so involved with him, that I needed just a day away from responsibility. I was irritable, and wanted to just go out. Finally, dad took me out, and my mood changed. She needs to be away from the kids for a night, and just spend it with you."
"She's gone with the girls though…"
"No doubt, but still, it's usually with the kids, and NOT with her husband. Can I make a suggestion?"
"Get a babysitter and take Hermione out?"
"There's hope for your daddy yet." She laughed, as the baby smiled back at her, "I would of course love to babysit for the kids. Just let me know where and when."
"How about Saturday?"
"Saturday would be fine." She smiled, "What time?"
"Say five?"
"Ok."
"Don't tell her anything, because I want to surprise her."
"You have my word." Mrs. Weasley smiled.
"Thanks mum." Harry smiled.
Saturday came and Hermione's spirits had still not changed. She wanted to go out with just Harry, but every time she thought about that she kicked herself because she felt like a neglectful mother. She loved being with the kids, but still needed a break. She was biting everyone's head off at the drop of a hat. She hated feeling so moody. Harry was upstairs doing god knows what, probably working, while she was down in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. Harry walked downstairs in a nice pair of pants and a shirt. Hermione turned to him, "What are you so dressed up for?"
"You and I are going out to dinner. Go get dressed."
"What?!" She said, looking at him as if he were mad.
"I figured we could use an evening to ourselves, unless you don't want to."
"But, the kids…"
"Mum's watching them." Harry said, "I'm dropping them off in a half hour. You have an hour to get ready, starting now."
"Where are we going?"
"You're favorite restaurant. Unless you don't want to go, then I can cancel."
"No no!" She said, hugging and kissing him quickly, though her kiss lasted a bit longer than the hug, "I'm going."
"One hour Hermione!" He called up to her as he heard her run up the stairs.
"I'm going!" She called again, as she proceeded to get a quick shower.
He walked upstairs and quickly packed Lily's diaper bag, while the baby slept. He found Teddy and got him to get a few things around to keep him occupied. Which he did quite quickly. In a half hour Harry dropped the kids off, kissed 'mum' thanks and apparated back home. He waited for Hermione to come downstairs. She was quite punctual, even a few minutes early. She walked down the stairs in gray dress pants and a black silk shirt, which hid her 'baby pouch' as she called it. Harry had no complaints of her body and often told her that she was too hard on herself. She was not happy with her body yet, but was working on it. Her hair was straight and sleek, which hit midway down her back. She very rarely wore it this way, unless she was going out somewhere nice. She walked into the kitchen and Harry smiled brightly, "Hey love. You look very nice."
Hermione blushed, "Thank you. Are you ready?"
"I have been for an hour." He smiled, as he took her arm, "Side by side apparition then?"
Hermione nodded, as they walked to the foyer. Harry apparates them to the restaurant and they enjoyed a pleasant conversation. Hermione smiled most of the night, excited to be out on a date.
"So, what made you do this?" Hermione asked as she sipped her drink.
"I just figured we haven't been out of the house, just the two of us, since the baby was born, and you deserve some time away. It's been ages since we've been together."
Hermione smiled, "It has. I guess I've been a bit moody lately."
"I haven't notice." He lied.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You've never been a good liar."
"What?"
"Harry, I've been moody."
"You've been busy with the baby, and with working from home, and with the fact that your husband is a blind git. I haven't been tuned into your feelings as of late."
"Yes you have…"
"If I had, I would have taken you out sooner." He smiled.
Hermione nodded, "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For tonight. I really needed it." She grinned.
"That's why I did it. We need to make sure that it's just the two of us going out more often. What do you say?"
"I say sure." She smiled, "I love you."
"I love you too." He said, taking her hand across the table.
Just one night turned her entire mood around. In her eyes, the entire evening was perfection. Nothing could have stopped her from enjoying this night. Nothing at all.
All too soon it was Christmas. Hermione was shocked how fast six months had gone by. Lily was turning into a little girl, and looking more like her mummy each day, with the exception of the eyes. Her hair was growing longer and she was babbling and playful all day long. She had turned into a complete daddy's girl as well. When daddy came into the room from work, or even from being somewhere away from the baby for less than five minutes, her eyes lit up and he had to immediately pick her up or talk to her in some way or she would be an unhappy baby. She was perfectly content sitting with either mummy or daddy, even when she was sad or upset. She loved her big brother too, and smiled every time she saw him. He loved playing with her, most of the time.
"Hermione?"
"Yeah Harry?" She called up to the attic.
"Where's the ornaments for the tree?"
"They should be in the box labeled ornaments!" She called back up with a smug tone to her voice.
"Funny." He called back.
"Look up in the left hand corner, that's where I put it last year." She called, as she continued to bake cookies with her daughter sitting in the highchair watching her, "You're still a bit too young for cookies love, but this time next year I'm sure I'll be sharing my cookies with you."
Lily babbled back to her mummy, "bababababab."
"I hear you." Hermione said humoring the baby.
"HERMIONE!" Harry called again.
"Your father is going to drive me mad." She told Lily as she walked to the doorway of the kitchen, "Yes Harry?"
"They aren't up here!" He called.
"They have to be up there! That's where I put them last year."
"Well fine, you come up and find them."
"Honestly." She grumbled, pulling her wand out of her pocket, "Accio ornaments!" She said, as she heard her husband jump backwards with a 'Bloody Hell!' The ornaments came floating down slowly and carefully through the hallways, down the stairwells, and she placed them on the table in front of Lily, "Sometimes, I think your daddy forgets he's a wizard."
"No. Daddy just didn't want Mummy to jump down his throat for using magic for simple household chores." He called to his wife as he walked through the foyer.
Lily, upon hearing his voice turned her head towards the door, smiling brightly, and babbled as her father walked into the room.
"Where were they?"
"Behind the boxes on the left." He said. Harry walked over and kissed Lily's cheek, "Did Mummy feed you lunch yet?"
"I was about to. Can you do it for me? There are carrots in the cupboard."
Lily banged her teething ring on her highchair, biting it as she brought it up to her mouth, "Are you ready to eat Lily?" He asked, as he walked over to the cupboard, pulling out the small jar of baby food. At her last doctor's appointment, they told Hermione that she could start feeding her vegetables, which Lily loves. She was beginning to teeth a bit, so Hermione weaned her off of the breast and she was strictly on formula. Harry tied her bib around her neck and sat in front of her. She loved carrots and Harry couldn't feed her quick enough. She was always a mess after she ate, still getting use to the swallowing of her food. She would open her mouth wide as she waited for her daddy to put more of the orange pureed food into her mouth. Harry turned to his wife, "Hermione, as soon as I am finished, do you want me to string the lights on the tree?"
Hermione watched her daughter, grab for the spoon which was dripping with carrots, and wrap her tiny fist around it, instantly turning orange. She then proceeded to rub her fist in her mouth, then cheek, then all over her hair, she smiled and shook her head, "No, I want you to give your daughter a bath."
"She doesn't need a bath… she's… Oh Lily!" He said, as he saw the orange throughout her hair.
Hermione laughed, "That will teach you to turn your back on her."
Lily looked up at her daddy and giggled, reaching for the spoon again, "No, no, no." He smiled, quickly placing the spoon into her mouth.
Teddy came running down the stairs, "Can we trim the tree yet?!"
"I have to put the lights up first." Harry said, "And before that Lily needs a bath."
"She's messy." Teddy said, smiling.
"Very." Hermione laughed, "Are you hungry?"
"Yup! Can I have a cookie?"
"After you eat lunch you can." Hermione replied.
Harry finished feeding Lily, wiped her hands off, and took her right upstairs, giving her a quick bath, dressing her, and then he brought her downstairs. Teddy was sitting on the couch with Hermione, waiting patiently as he munched on a cookie. Harry used his wand to quickly swirl the multi-colored lights onto the tree. Teddy was excited to decorate. They all spent the next hour and a half making the tree glimmer. Harry picked Teddy up and he put the angel on the top of the tree.
"Decorating apparently takes a lot out of Lily." Hermione said as she watched her daughter sleep in her baby swing.
"Apparently." Harry laughed, as put Teddy back down on the ground.
"There are more things to go on the tree." Teddy smiled, and walked over to the box.
"So, go on then." Harry smiled.
Hermione smiled as she watched the holiday spirit in her house, "Hermione, you help too." Teddy smiled, as he passed her a ball.
"You need to tell me where to put it." She said.
"Not on my half of the tree." He said, "Put it up higher."
"Alright." She said, raising on her tippy toes."
"You're going to fall into the tree." Harry laughed, as he watched his wife stretch.
"No I won't." She said, as she wanted to prove him wrong for making such an assumption. After successfully placing the ornament onto the tree she smiled and stuck her tongue out at Harry, "Told ya so."
"Teddy, I believe Hermione just turned into a six year old." He laughed, getting poked in the sides from her.
They finished the tree and sat down in front of it, admiring their work, "It's the best tree yet." Hermione said. Both boys agreed and they immediately went into the kitchen for yet another cookie. Hermione sighed, and looked at her sleeping daughter, "I'm glad you won't be the one eating me out of house and home. I'm also glad I hid the rest of the cookies."
"Hermione, do you want a cookie?" Harry offered.
"No, thank you." She smiled, as she picked Lily up from the swing and laid her in her playpen so she could be a bit more comfortable, "You, Lily, and Teddy are on your own tonight."
"Where are you going?" Harry questioned.
"Claire, Ginny, Luna, and I are going to head out shopping. I need to get a few more gifts for the holiday."
"Well then it's going to be Me, Ron, Teddy, Lily, and Cassie are on our own."
"Figured just as much." She smiled, "Just make sure that Teddy is back home and in bed by eight thirty."
"What kind of father do you think I am?" He asked, laughing.
"A wonderful father, however, I believe you and Ron tend to get caught up in your times together."
"Nah, he'll be flooing over here then."
"Just as long as he's asleep. It's a school night."
"Yes dear." Harry smiled, rolling his eyes at his wife, "So, what are you getting me?"
"Coal." She giggled, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "You've been annoying the past few months."
"Have I then?" He asked, smiling, "Not what you told me last night."
"Harry!" She squealed, rolling her eyes, "Don't be vulgar."
"The kids aren't around."
"Still! They could be!"
Harry laughed, kissing her on the neck, "You worry too much. What time are you leaving?"
"In about twenty minutes. I'm apparating to Ginny's and then we are heading to the stores'."
"What are you getting?"
"I have a couple things for Teddy and Lily to get still. My mum and mum, Jake, and dad are all finished. Um, I got the Weasley's their gifts, but I need to pick up Julie something. Oh and of course you, Ron, Claire, and Cassandra I need one more thing for."
Harry nodded, "Well, enjoy yourself."
"Thanks." She smiled. He winked at her and went back into the kitchen for his third cookie, "Get away from the cookies Harry James!"
"Or what?" He asked, opening the cupboard.
"I'll hex you."
"Fine." He smiled, as he ate a cookie, "Go on then."
"Eat them all… you won't have any left for Christmas."
"It's only a week and a half away." He rolled his eyes.
"You drive me crazy at times."
"But you love me anyway." He said, handing her a cookie.
"Alright, I'm leaving." She said, "Don't forget to feed the kids."
"This is me you're talking about." He rolled his eyes.
"I know." She smiled, "I'll see you later." He kissed her, and then she went to the stairs, "Bye Teddy!"
"Bye Hermione!" He said, running down to hug her. She looked in on her sleeping daughter and then apparated out to meet up with the girls. Hermione was in for a surprise when she apparated in and she heard a man's voice coming from the kitchen, "Hello?"
"In the kitchen!" Ginny called back as Hermione walked through the small flat and into the kitchen.
"Hey Gin." She smiled, hugging her best friend.
"Hi. Oh, this is Aidan. Aidan, this is one of my best friend's Hermione."
"Pleasure." He smiled, shaking his hand.
"Mine as well." Hermione smiled, "We are going shopping right?"
Ginny nodded, "Yes. Aidan just stopped in for the morning into the afternoon."
"Well, if you two want to stay at home…"
"Nonsense. I will not stand in the way of her going out with friends." Aidan smiled.
"Your family know?"
Ginny shook her head, "No, well Ron does, but only that I have been dating someone… not who it is. They have never met him."
"Are you coming for Christmas?"
"We haven't gotten that far in planning yet." Aidan smiled, "We'll see."
"How's my Lily?"
"She's good. Sleeping last time I checked."
"And Teddy?"
"Anxiously awaiting Father Christmas" Hermione laughed, "Trying his best to be well behaved."
"How's that working out for him?"
"Could be better." Hermione laughed.
"Your children?" Aidan asked.
"Yes. I have a six month old daughter, and Teddy is six, who is my husband's godson. He has lived with us for about two and a half years. His parent's died in the war."
"What are they doing today?" Ginny asked.
"Going over to Ron and Claire's. Speaking of Claire, where is she?" Hermione asked, "I figured she'd be the first one here."
"She was running behind. Cassie was apparently being a bit fussy, but she'll be here in a few moments. Luna is due here any time."
"Speaking of Luna." Hermione said turning to the pop that occurred in the living room.
"Hello!" Luna smiled, walking over to the girls.
"Hi Luna." Hermione smiled, kissing her friend on the cheek, "It's been a while. Are you well?"
"I am very well, and you?"
"Wonderful." She smiled, "Hello Ginny."
"Hi Luna." Gin smiled, "Luna, this is Aidan."
"Nice to meet you." She smiled, shaking his hand.
"You as well." He said, eyeing the strange girl in front of him.
"Where's Claire?"
"Late." Ginny smiled, "If she doesn't come soon we'll go get her."
The girls wait another ten minutes for Claire who arrived late. Aidan had left as soon as Luna arrived.
"Sorry ladies." Claire said, looking a bit flustered.
"Alright then?" Ginny asked her sister-in-law.
She nodded, "Cassandra's just been really fussy today. I don't know what's going on with her. She didn't nap really, she was up through the night, she'll eat, but won't want too much."
"Teeth?" Hermione asked.
"At four months? I hope not." She shrugged, "But perhaps."
"Lily's teething, but she has not been too cranky yet. I'm not looking forward to when they start to push through her gums." Hermione sighs.
"Well, let's go because I still have to get gifts for all my brothers." Ginny sighed, "I'm going to be broke by the end of this trip."
"Does Aidan know how big your family is?" Luna asked.
"Not yet. I really haven't talked to him about my family. His family is the exact opposite of mine."
"How so?" Claire asked.
"His parent's are both healers in Ireland, he has only one brother and one sister, they are extremely well off, he lived in a manor outside of the city with grounds that are rather expansive, and well, he's just the opposite." Ginny sighed.
"And you're worried to have him meet yours?" Hermione asked, a bit shocked.
"Not worried, just not sure if he is ready to meet my family yet. I'm not sure if he's ready to be introduced to the Weasley Clan yet."
"If he likes you, he'll like your family." Claire smiled.
"Claire, you were married into this family. Did you like them at first?"
"Well… I liked most."
"Most. You do remember how nervous you were to have all eight, including Hermione and Harry, to like you. My mum and dad as well."
"It was difficult, but I loved your brother too much to give up."
"Well, I'm not sure where Aidan is going, and after Draco, I really don't want to rush into showing him off yet."
"I'm sure Aidan will NOT turn out like Malfoy." Hermione said as she spat out his name.
"I know that, but the boys will be more likely to be a bit less likely to have a new guy in their sights. I mean, you saw how Ron was Hermione, when I told him about Aidan. He didn't even meet him yet."
"Ron's like that though…"
"And Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, but Percy is the only one who wouldn't care, I believe."
"It will be fine." Hermione reassured the redhead, "He seems like a nice enough guy who is quite into you."
"Thanks Hermione, but still I'm leery."
"Be leery, but don't worry." Claire smiled.
"You're no help at all." Ginny groaned, laughing.
"It will be fine Gin." Hermione assured the girl.
"I know. Come on girls, let's go." She said, as they got into the car and drove to Muggle London.
Luna was wandering around looking for anything she could get for her beau. She and Neville had become fairly chummy over the past few years and started officially dating within the past year. Hermione was thrilled about the news, and a bit shocked, as were the rest, since Luna is a bit strange and Neville is a bit clueless. "So how's Neville?" Ginny asked.
"He's doing wonderfully." She smiled dreamily, "He really is enjoying his training for a herbologist."
"I'm glad to hear that." Hermione smiled, "He was quite good at Herbology. I actually had to go to him once for a question. I believe I shocked the hell out of the poor boy."
"Probably wanted to hex yourself for having to ask someone else for help." Ginny giggle.
"Oh hush!" Hermione laughed, rolling her eyes, "I owed him one of my papers. If it wasn't for him…"
"You would have gotten a E instead of an O?" Ginny teased.
"NO!"
"But you did get an O?"
"I did." She blushed.
"Figured." Ginny laughed, "Hermione, our perfectionist."
Hermione nudged Ginny and laughed as they continued on their way, "Any talk of marriage Luna?" Claire asked.
"Not much as of now, but I'm really not rushing anything."
"That's the way to be. You want to make sure that he is the true one for you."
"He is. I know that. I just don't need to be married yet. I'm ok with dating him for the time being until that occurs." She said dreamily.
"That's good." Hermione smiled.
"Are you two coming to The Burrow for Christmas?"
"Neville and I will make an appearance. We just don't know when. I have to go with him to visit his parents, and then over to his Gram's house, but after that, or before, we'll be there."
"Good." Hermione smiled.
"When are you and Harry coming?"
"Around two. We need to go to brunch with my family first. My mum always has it. Then once we're done that, we'll head to the Burrow. I'm actually looking forward to both stops this year. A lot of my family haven't seen Lily for a while, nor Teddy. It will be nice. I'm the only one with a baby so far, so it will be full of excitement."
Shopping went on for hours and by the time Hermione came home everyone was in bed. Hermione checked on the kids at almost midnight and went in for a quick shower and then she went to sleep, only to be woken up at six by her bright eyed daughter.
Christmas Eve came and Lily was extremely fussy. Her teeth hurt and she was not a happy baby. She only wanted her parents to hold her and if they put her down she would cry. She slept more than usual, and wanted nothing to do with anyone else. Christmas day was no better, it was actually worse. She woke up at five thirty, after not going to sleep till after midnight, and would not go back down. Harry woke up with her and allowed his wife to sleep in. He heard her cries and went in to get her, before she woke up Teddy. The six month old curled against his neck as he walked around the bottom floor, making coffee for himself and his wife, when she woke up. He gave Lily her morning bottle and fed her the cereal which she ate half of. He gave her a frozen teething ring which she bit, but it offered little comfort. She was tired, but wouldn't sleep, "I know it hurts Lil." He said, rubbing her back as her green eyes filled with tears. He checked her forehead with the back of his hand, happy that she wasn't fevered. They went into the sitting room and rocked in the chair, as she looked up at him. The presents were scattered around the tree. Harry closed his eyes again as he rocked her. Sometime between six and six thirty they both fell asleep, only to be woken up again at seven by the cry of his daughter in his arms, "Not going to be a good day is it Lily?" He asked her, sighing, "That's alright. I can't blame you for not being happy. Teething is not something that is fun." He kissed her forehead and she snuggled against his neck, closing her fist around the flannel fabric of his housecoat, her other fist in her mouth biting as her teeth tried to make their way through her soft, sore, gums. He heard footsteps pound down the upstairs hallway and into his bedroom, "Hermione! It's Christmas come on!" Teddy squealed as he woke her up. Within five minutes the pair were walking downstairs to the sitting room.
Hermione greeted her husband and daughter with a 'Happy Christmas', taking Lily from Harry's arms, she settled down on the couch. Teddy ripped into the packages as Hermione helped Lily with her few presents that were wrapped. The other presents were unwrapped so she could just play if in fact she was up to it. They were finished their opening within an hour, and Teddy, to his delight, was happy to have a new and a bit faster broom. His new one wasn't built for learning Quidditch. Harry had promised him that this spring he would start showing him and teaching him Quidditch. Hermione smiled, as he was excited about every present from the books to the broom he received. Lily as expected, lied against Hermione as she watched her toys, clothing and books be opened by her daddy. Harry gave her a toy that made lots of noise. She watched her daddy play with it, through the safety of her mummy's arms. She fussed and whined a bit, but mostly stayed quiet against her neck.
"Harry, can we go flying?"
"No mate, we need to go to Nana's house for breakfast at nine."
"But it's only eight thirty!"
"And I'm not about to have you get all dirty."
"Can we go out later? At the Burrow?"
"Perhaps." He said, smiling.
"Ok." He said.
Harry went and took Lily from Hermione, so she could shower and dress. He got Lily into her green and black dress, that matched her eyes perfectly. The top was velvet and black, the bottom silky and green. She fussed when she realized that she wouldn't be held during this chore. He talked to her, kept her from crying much, changed her, and picked her right back up. Next was trying to talk his rambunctious godson into wearing a complete suit and tie. After several minutes, and a lot of bribing, Teddy was in a suit and tie with a horrid look on his face, "It's uncomfortable."
"It's necessary."
"I hate ties Harry." He frowned, pulling at his neck.
"Well get use to it, because when you get to Hogwarts you'll be wearing one for a long time."
"And it makes Hermione happy." He said, as Harry fixed his tie.
"Yes, it makes Hermione very happy. Now, I have to get ready. Go ahead down and play." He smiled.
"Ok." He replied, as he ran down the stairs.
Harry walked into their bedroom and put Lily down on the bed, much to her dismay. Realizing her daddy wasn't picking her back up she began to cry. Harry propped her between pillows, making sure that even though she could and would roll over to look at him more, she wouldn't fall, "You're fine Lillian." He said to his daughter as she screamed and carried on. He went into their massive closet and searched for his suit. When he came out, Lily was lying on her stomach, with her head lifted up, crying, "I need to get dressed, you can wait." He said to her.
"What are you doing to my daughter?" Hermione asked as she came out with a towel wrapped around her body.
"Your daughter? She's irritated that she's not getting her way. I'm getting dressed."
"She's not feeling well at all is she?"
"I dunno. Ask her." He said, sarcastically.
"I can only imagine what her mouth feels like."
"We'll give her some brandy later."
"We will NOT!" Hermione said.
He laughed, "I'm just kidding."
Hermione grabbed her wand off the dresser and dried her hair. She put the serum into her hair and waited for it to de-curl itself, "Is Teddy dressed?"
"He is."
"In a suit and tie?"
"Yes."
"Good. Thank you." She smiled.
"The only thing you have to is choose a bow to go into Lily's hair and fix it how you would like it. Oh and of course get dressed. I'm not sure if our mum's would appreciate your attire, though I find nothing wrong with it." He smiled, as he sat down next to Lily on the bed to put his shoes on. She quieted down for a few moments being so close to one of her parents. Rubbing her eyes, she fell asleep on her parents' bed, exhausted from the pain, waking up at five thirty in the morning and crying. Hermione pulled on her velvet knee length dress and a pair of black shoes, before going into the bathroom to finish her hair and do her makeup, "Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"I figured we'd drive to my mum's, and then floo to the Burrow later.
"That's fine." He smiled.
By nine thirty, they were in the car and driving to Hermione's mum's house, with Lily asleep in her car seat. She woke up as they pulled into the driveway, which was already crowded with cars. Teddy and Harry walked up to the door with Hermione who had Lily in her arms. They walked into the house which was full of noise. Lily shyly put her head down against Hermione's neck as several people came to say hello and get their first view of the new baby. Lily stayed quiet while she was in Hermione's arms, chewing on her fist to stop the ache in her gums.
"There are my grandchildren." Kate smiled, hugging Teddy and kissing Lily on her cheek. She buried her face deeper against her mum's shoulder, as Hermione patted her back, "Not happy today, are we?"
"No, she's been miserable. Her teeth are coming in." Hermione sighed.
"Well, did you give her anything?"
"Tylenol this morning, but it hasn't done much. It just made her sleep a bit."
"Well, come see Grandmum love." She said, as she pried the baby out of her arms.
"She's been really fussy mum…"
"I can handle a little crying."
"She cries a lot." Teddy said.
Kate smiled, as she felt her granddaughter tense, "None of that."
Lily's face scrunched up and she screamed, wanting to be back with her mummy and daddy. Kate tried to console her granddaughter
"What in the world are you doing to her Katie?" Jake asked, as he hugged his step-grandson and his stepdaughter and shook his stepson-in-law's hand.
"I'm not doing anything." She said, smiling, bouncing the baby a bit.
Jake kissed the baby and shook his head, "Well she is certainly not happy."
"She's teething." Hermione sighed, "She's been crying as soon as Harry or I put her down for even a second."
"Has she had a fever yet?" Her mum asked.
"No, not yet. She's just been, well, very clingy." She sighed.
Kate smiled at her daughter, "You were the same way when you were sick or teething. No one compared to your mum or dad." She passed her back to Hermione, and instantly Lily quieted down, clinging to her dress, her free fist in her mouth again, "Come on Teddy, I have a couple presents for you." Kate smiled, "Would you like them?"
"Yes please!" He smiled, as he followed 'Nana' into the sitting room, followed by Harry and Hermione. Lily was cooed over and kissed. Every time she tried to be held by someone else,n she cried until she was back with her parents. Hermione apologized to whoever was holding her, explaining that she was teething. They ate brunch, and opened presents under the tree. Sometime during brunch, around noon, Lily fell asleep on Harry's shoulder. He walked upstairs to Hermione's old bedroom and placed his daughter in the crib that was always set up for her. He covered her up and walked out and back down to the party, "Hopefully she'll stay asleep for a while." He said to his wife. She nodded in agreement as they stood in the empty kitchen.
"She's going to be a mess tonight at the Weasley's."
"She'll be a bit better." Harry assured her, "She knows everyone there better. She's meeting a lot of your family for the first time."
"I suppose, but you saw how she was with my mum."
"True, but still." Hermione replied, "I hope she sleeps for a while."
"Well if she is still asleep when we have to leave, I'll leave you the car, you stay with your family and we'll apparate over to the Burrow."
"How are you going to manage that? The only place in here you CAN apparate to is in my father's study in the attic."
"I've done it before." He smiled.
"True. Alright, that's fine."
"Unless you want me to stay."
"No, I agree, we need to get to the Burrow on time, at least one of us. I just don't want to wake her up."
"Definitely not."
"Harry, when are we going?"
"At two." He told his godson, "You and I are going to apparate over if Lily isn't up yet."
"I want to fly my broom."
"You will." He laughed, "Are you bored?"
"Not really."
"Well, you have a ton of kids your age to play with."
"I know, but still." He said, "I can't be myself."
Hermione nodded, "I felt the exact same way my whole life, around my cousins that is."
"It's ok Hermione. I know your family are muggles." He smiled.
Hermione laughed and hugged him, "Go play."
"Ok." He replied and ran out of the room to play with a few of her younger cousins.
At almost two, Lily still was sleeping, so Harry and Teddy said their goodbyes and quietly went upstairs to the den, where they were able to apparate out. Harry checked on Lily once, before they proceeded to the top floor. They apparated over to the Burrow into a room full of chatter, "Hey Harry." Fred said, clapping him on the back, "Happy Christmas."
"You too." Harry said.
"Happy Christmas Uncle Fred." Teddy smiled, as he got picked up and thrown over his shoulder.
"Happy Christmas Ted. Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?"
"Yup and I got a broom! One that I can learn Quidditch on!"
"Did you bring it?!"
"No, Harry can you get my broom?"
"Why?"
"Why?! Why you ask?" George asks as he came into the room, "Because you prat, we're getting a pitch going as soon as Ron and Bill arrive."
"And if Teddy is going to play, he needs some practice first."
"You best grab yours as well." George smiled.
"Right, I'll be back in a pop." Harry said and apparated away.
"So what position do you want to be today Teddy?"
"Um… probably chaser. I can catch the ball and throw it."
"We'll let you and Victoire play a bit and then we need to get a hard game going. You understand right?"
"That's ok." He smiled, "Harry!"
"Yeah?" He said as he came back with two brooms in tow.
"I get to play with you first then you are going to have a real game."
"Sounds good." He smiled, walking into the kitchen to find his mum, "Hey mum. Happy Christmas."
"You too love." She said, kissing his cheek, "Happy Christmas. Happy Christmas Teddy!"
"Happy Christmas Grandmum." He said, hugging her.
"Where are Hermione and Lily?"
"Lily's asleep still at her mum's house so Hermione hung back until she is up. She had a rough two days. Her teeth are bothering her."
"Well, after dinner, I'll see what I have to make a potion to stop that."
"That would be wonderful."
"Not sure if I have anything to make but I'll see."
"Thanks mum."
Ron came shortly after Harry arrived and then came Bill. Ginny was going to be late because she and Aidan would be going to his family's house earlier. Molly already gave the boys a fair warning about treating this one with respect, to what Fred and George turned to her and said, "Mum, we'll treat this one as well as we treated the others."
Harry had taken Cassie from Claire earlier, with a simple, "Give me my goddaughter please." She laughed and passed her over to him and she gave him a big smile. She was given back to her mum when all the boys and Victoire went outside to play Quidditch. Vicky was a natural as was Teddy. They had fun catching and playing the game for a half hour, when the divided up and began a real pitch. Julie and Jenna, Fred and George's wives also decided to play. Fred and George ended up eloping one day out of the blue, successfully pissing off their mum, but it was expected. Neither one of them wanted a huge wedding after a long engagement. So the teams broke up as followed:
Ron, Harry, George, and Jenna and on the other team was Fred, Julie, Charlie, and Bill. The pitch lasted for twenty minutes, before Ginny and Aidan arrived. Fleur and Ellie introduced themselves as the new boy came into the house. Claire had already met him, just said hello again.
"Everyone's outside in a pitch." Molly smiled, "I'm sure they would love to have another person on their team."
"Come on Aidan." She smiled, "Quidditch."
"Alright." He agreed. They walked out to the pitch and he saw a sea of redheads, "And they are?"
"The rest of my brothers." She said, shrugging her shoulders. "I told you I had a big family."
"You did, but I didn't expect that many." He said eyes wide as they dove in the sky. Ginny shrugged, "I know, I just didn't know how to say, I have six brothers. Up there are Ron and Charlie are the keepers. The nightmares up there doing the beating are Fred and George, and Bill is flying around across from Harry. Percy isn't here yet, but he is older than the twins, but younger than Charlie and Bill. Harry is basically my eighth brother, Hermione is like my sister, you met her. The others in the sky are my sister-in-laws."
"Hey, Ginny! You're on our team." Charlie called down to his kid sister, "Grab your broom and get up here!"
"Um, I'm not sure…" She said looking at Aidan, "Do you want to fly?"
"Sure." He said, "Though I'm a bit rusty."
"It's alright."
"I guess we have the other guy then." George called, "Get him a decent broom Gin."
"I will." She said, pulling his hand to join her in the broom shed, "You're team is Harry, Ron, George, and Jenna. Ron's keeping. George is beating, Jenna is chasing, and Harry is seeking. You'll be a chaser as well."
"That's fine." He smiled, "I'm better at chasing anyway."
"Don't let them rouse you."
"It's all part of the game Ginny. I can take it and I can give it."
She laughed, "Oh and by the way, I'm the baby."
"And the plot thickens." He said, kissing her cheek, "Come on."
Ginny and Aidan join the pitch, "Gin, you're chasing." Bill said as she nodded.
"So who is he?" Fred asked.
"My boyfriend, Aidan." She said, "Please be nice to him. I really like him."
"No promises." Fred smiled, winking at her.
Groaning Ginny grabbed the quaffle from her sister-in-law and off she flew dodging the large bludger that was after her. She scored easily on Ron and winked at George.
"She's good." Aidan said amazed at his girlfriend's ability.
"She's learned from the best." Jenna smiled.
"Yeah, me." Harry laughed and set off after the snitch.
They played until they got the snitch which took almost an hour. During that time, Hermione came to the house immediately engulfed in hugs and kisses. The baby cowered against her neck still looking sleepy after her two and a half hour nap. She refused to go to anyone and cried if someone even looked as if they would pick her up.
"She doesn't look too happy." Claire said, kissing the baby on the cheek.
"No, she's not. She's downright miserable. She's teething." Hermione sighed, "My husband and son here?"
"Vicky and Teddy are playing upstairs and everyone else is outside playing Quidditch."
"That didn't take them long."
"Bout thirty minutes after they came in." Fleur stated, sitting next to her 'sister-in-law'.
Molly, not caring walked up and said, "Let me see my granddaughter."
"She's really clingy mum."
"No bother." She smiled, plucking the baby out of her arms, and cuddling her, with a kiss on the cheek, "Oh now hush, you're fine." She told the baby as she began to cry, "Would you like to see some Quidditch?" She asked her as she walked her outside with a warming charm placed over the pair of them, "We can see daddy then, and give mummy's arms a break." Molly and Lily walked out the side door and into the field, where she talked to the crying baby. She pointed to her father who was walking towards the house with his broom slung over his shoulder. He walked up and kissed his daughter's cheek, as she instantly reached over to him, clinging to her shirt while still in her grandmum's arms. He took her as she sobbed, and leaned against his neck, as he kissed her forehead, "Still miserable I see." He groans, "Not even going to grandmum now?"
She continued to cry as he walked back into the house with her. He kissed his wife hello and sat down in the chair next to her as their daughter slowly quieted down. She watched everyone, with barely a smile, until her godfather came up to him, "Hey Lily." He said, "Come see me."
"Ron, she's not going to go quietly." Hermione said, warning him.
"Sure she will. Come on love."
Harry gave him his goddaughter. She started to fuss a bit, but decided that her Uncle Ron wasn't so bad to be with. She leaned her head down against his neck and stayed quiet, "Told you." He said to Hermione.
"I don't believe it…" Hermione said.
"She loves her Uncle Ron, don't you? You are my favorite goddaughter."
"She's your only goddaughter." Ginny said rolling her eyes.
"Which makes her my favorite." Ron replied, "By the way, who's that?"
"Aidan, he was on your team."
"I know that. Boyfriend?"
"Yes." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Fresh meat." The twins grinned.
"Fred, George, don't even think about it." Ginny groaned.
"Well dear sister, then I believe you…"
"Better introduce us then." Fred said, finishing his twin's sentence.
Ginny looked at Hermione and then nodded, "Fine." She went into the kitchen and pulled Aidan back into the lion pit, "Aidan, that's Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Harry. You know the girls. Lily is my niece, along with the other nieces and nephews running around the house."
"Nice to meet you." He said pleasantly.
"You as well." Bill said, shaking his hand.
Ginny cringed as her brothers found out every little detail about the new boy who had suddenly stolen their baby sister's heart.
"Shall I do it or do you want to?" George asked Fred.
"I believe we both should."
They leaned over and looked at him, lowering their voice, "Keep in mind that there are six of us… well eight of us and one of you. If you hurt her in any way, we will make your life a living hell."
"I don't plan on hurting her in any way. So nothing to worry about."
"Besides, you lot will make his life a living hell anyway." Charlie laughed.
"Fred and George, get in here." Molly called to her sons, "I need some help."
"Right mum." Fred said, standing up and walked into the kitchen getting a firm warning from their mum about any jokes they were or would be playing, "Mum, we're twenty eight years old."
"Going on eight." She replied, "I mean it."
"Right mum." They said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
Harry and Ron spent their time talking about what was going on at the office while holding each other's daughters. Cassie giggled at her Uncle Harry while Lily sat contently in her Uncle Ron's arms for the moment. They all enjoyed dinner and then it was present time. Lily at that time decided that crying would be the best thing to do and was basically inconsolable as her mummy held her. Harry stood up and picked her up out of Hermione's arms and walked her upstairs where it wasn't as loud. He hoped that it would calm her down. Harry walked up and down through Bills old room, which was now the children's room when they stayed overnight. She cried and he sat with her. She bit down on her fist, as tears flowed down her face. A half hour later, she quieted down, and stared up at her daddy with green eyes, "That's better." He said, "No reason to cry so much. I know your mouth hurts, and I wish I could do something for you, but I can 't. Do you think that you'll go to sleep a bit or will you stay quiet?" She looked at him and the pair walked back downstairs. Hermione had opened up Lily's presents and for the second time at night, Lily smiled. Hermione showed her how to play with a toy which she did from her daddy's lap.
At two thirty, Harry and Hermione were awoken by the screams of their daughter. The cry was something that they were not use to and they both bolt out of their beds and into the nursery, throwing on the light, Hermione reaches in and picks up their distraught daughter, "She's burning up."
"She's teething."
"That doesn't make her alright." She said kissing her daughters forehead, "Where is the thermometer?"
"In the bathroom, I'll get it." He said. Returning they stuck the thermometer in her ear and waited for the five seconds for the temperature to register. "40 degrees." He frowned.
"What do we do?"
"Dunno." He sighed, "Do we have anything to give her?"
"It's in our bathroom on the top shelf. I have baby Tylenol. Downstairs in the middle drawer, I have the dropper."
"Which middle drawer?"
"The one by the sink."
"Hermione there are seven middle drawers that have miscellaneous items in them. Which drawer?"
"Never mind, I'll get it." She said as she felt annoyed at Harry, though she was more fearful for her daughter than anything. She passed Lily to Harry and went quickly downstairs to the kitchen, grabbing the needed item and went right upstairs to give the baby her medicine. Hermione filled the dropper and did her best to get the baby to take it. She spit out the first round of it, but the second, she took it. Hermione took her back from Harry and sat down with her. Still crying, she clung to her mother's shirt, as Hermione felt the need to hold back her own tears, "Go back to sleep. You need to be up in a few hours for work."
"Hermione…"
"We'll be fine." She sighed.
Knowing better than to argue with her, he went back into their bedroom and listened to his daughter's cries as he tried to sleep again.
Hermione sat with Lily in her room until five in the morning. Lily would doze off and then wake herself up by crying. Hermione did all she could to keep the baby comfortable, but it didn't help. Finally, when Lily slept for more than fifteen minutes straight, Hermione decided to try yet again to put her into her crib. She had hoped that the medicine kicked in and she would sleep for a bit. She walked into her room just as Harry's alarm went off. Hermione crawled into bed, as he woke up, "She sleeping?"
"I hope for a bit." Hermione yawned.
"Her fever break?"
"Not even a bit." She sighed.
"Do you want me to stay?"
"No, you need to go to work." She yawned again, "She'll be alright."
"And will you?"
"I'll be fine. I just feel so helpless. I can't do anything for her. She is miserable."
Harry pulled on his clothes and went into the bathroom brushed his teeth and hair, feeling more guilty than ever for having to leave Hermione with Lily. He wished he could help out, but he had to work. Walking out of the bathroom, he kissed his wife goodbye and told her he'd be home on time. She told him not to worry about it and got as much sleep as she could before Lily woke up crying yet again at seven. Hermione was irritable running on only three hours of sleep that night. She was exhausted and nervous because the fever hadn't broke yet. She called her mum at the office to ask what to do, and she told her to wait it out, which wasn't want she wanted to hear. By noon, Hermione sent Teddy downstairs to play, while Hermione did everything in her power to comfort her daughter, Lily was inconsolable. Hermione did everything she could think of to comfort the baby. She rocked her, walked with her, kept her warm, and talked to her softly. "I know you don't feel well Lily, and I wish I could make you feel better. Those teeth are hurting you, you are burning up, and you don't know what to do, though, I don't either." She said to her, as she got her to quiet down a bit, but still had tears, "You know, I've read almost every baby book I could find, and still it's nothing compared to what I am doing now. They don't know you do they? It feels like when I had to take flying lessons in Hogwarts. It's flying all over again, and I'm sorry. I wish I could make you feel better Lily, I wish I could help you, I do, but I don't have the answer right now." Finally, when Lily began to cry again, Hermione broke down as well. Silent tears flowed down her cheeks as she stared down at her daughter, who was still crying, even louder than before. Hermione felt like a failure at the moment and decided that joining her daughter in tears would be the right thing to do. After crying a bit with her daughter, she stood up, took her temperature again, seeing that it hadn't change, she went to the floo to call Ginny, "Gin?"
"Hang on Hermione." She called, as she walked from the room, "Hey, are you ok?"
"Yeah, just tired. Listen, are you busy?"
"No, Aidan and I are just taking the day to relax, why what's up?"
"Lily has a high fever and I don't have the items to make the reducer potion. Could you possibly go see if mum has any?"
"Of course." She said, "What do you need?"
Hermione listed the items and stated, "I'll make it here, I just need the ingredients."
"Sure, I'll be over as soon as I have them. I'll apparate now."
"Thanks Gin."
Within a twenty minutes, Ginny and Aidan were there with the potion, "Mum says to only give her a tablespoon. She won't need more than that. It's also not going to drop it completely, just make it not as high."
"Thanks Ginny for doing that."
"Here, let me take her, while you mix it." She said, trying to help her stressed out friend.
Hermione nodded and passed Lily to her, where she instantly cuddled against Ginny's neck, too sick to care who was holding her, "She's hot."
Hermione nodded, and walked into the kitchen, "Too hot for my liking. 40 degrees is very high."
"It's no fun getting those teeth is it Lily?" Ginny asked her niece, kissing her forehead. Aidan sat down next to her on the couch, "Hermione? Where's Teddy?"
"Downstairs playing."
"I'll take him with me if you want. We can go flying or something."
"He'll be fine. Harry and Teddy are going to be going out later I believe."
Ginny nodded, and rubbed the baby's back, "Maybe we can talk mummy into taking a nap while we're here. What do you think Lil?" She looked up at Ginny through glassy eyes, dulled with fever, and clung to her like a second skin.
"Did your mum say how long it will take?"
"Stir it for twenty minutes while it's cooking on the stove, and let it cool for ten."
Setting the stirring to magic, she walked back into the room. Seeing her mummy, Lily immediately began to cry and reached out to her. Hermione sighed picking her back up, looking exhausted. She leaned her daughter against her shoulder and once again fought back tears of exhaustion.
"I suppose her crying would take toll on you." Ginny said, "Do you want to get some rest? I can watch her for a bit."
Hermione shook her head, "I couldn't sleep even if I tried."
"Hermione, I'm hungry, can we have lunch?" Teddy called from the kitchen as he walked towards his guardian, "Hi Aunt Ginny."
"Hi Teddy. How are you?"
"Good. Lily is sick."
"I know. I told Hermione to go to sleep, but she won't."
"Harry said it's because she's stubborn." He giggled, getting a smile from Hermione.
"Is that so? Well, Harry and I are going to have a talk when he gets home." Teddy giggled some more and asked about food again, "Alright." She said and stood up, "Maybe your sister will go to Aunt Ginny again while I make you something to eat. Are you two hungry?"
"I don't want to impose." Aidan said.
Ginny laughed, "Imposing? Here? Not bloody likely. I'm family. Sure Hermione. Anything would be fine. Thanks."
"No problem." She said, passing Lily back to Ginny. Lily stayed quiet in her Aunt's arm, as Hermione made lunch. Hermione forced her to take the potion before they sat down to eat, and she stayed quiet in her playpen, eventually falling asleep as her temperature magically dropped to 39 degrees, still high, but it relaxed Hermione a bit.
"You have quite an interesting name Hermione. Any reasoning for it?" Aidan asked.
"My father loved Shakespeare." Hermione smiled.
"Any siblings?"
"None, counting the six Weasleys. I'm also born of muggles, so it was quite a surprise for my family."
Teddy begged Ginny to take him flying which she agreed. Aidan joined them on Hermione's broomstick, something that Harry had gotten her for Christmas as a bit of a joke. That left Hermione to tend to her daughter and actually take a nap even though she only got twenty minutes or so before Lily woke up again, "I don't know about you Lil, but I want this tooth to break it's skin so you aren't so sick and miserable. Your first Christmas wasn't too memorable was it?" She sighed, "Grandmum's potion made you feel a bit better though, didn't it?" Just then a pop sounded in the foyer, "You're early." She smiled as her husband entered.
"I left early. I wanted to check on Lily and you." He said as he kissed his wife and pulled his daughter out of her arms, "She feels cooler."
"Mum sent a potion up, well the ingredients, and I made it."
"Where's Teddy?"
"Flying with Ginny and Aidan." She yawned.
"Why don't you take a nap and I'll keep her with me."
"I did already." She yawned.
"For what five minutes?"
"No, around twenty."
"Her temperature drop?"
"To 39." She told him as he sat down next to her, she leaned against him. He kissed her cheek and Lily whined, "She wants a kiss as well."
Harry smiled, "She's jealous." He kissed her warm cheek and maneuvered her to make her a bit more comfortable.
Just then, Teddy came running into the house with his broom, "Harry!You're home!" He said, hugging him.
"Yeah, how was flying?"
"Great! Aunt Ginny is really fast." He said as Ginny came up behind him.
"That's because Aunt Ginny was a seeker for a while." She laughed, "You're getting fast yourself."
"That's a decent broom you have there Hermione." Aidan smiled.
"Thanks." She said, "Harry thought it would be a proper present for Christmas, since I'm an avid flyer."
"Do I sense sarcasm?" Aidan asked.
"A bit. I'm not much of a flyer. I don't enjoy it."
"She's getting better." Harry smiled.
They spent the evening together, and that night, Hermione and Lily both went to bed early. Lily stayed asleep the entire time with the help of the potion. The next morning she woke up with a brand new tooth poking through, and her happiness mostly restored. Her fever was gone, but the affects of it were still in her body. She was moody right before and after she went to sleep, but other than that, she was all smiles. They survived her first fever, which Hermione and Harry knew it wouldn't be the last. New Years flew by just as quickly as Christmas, though more peaceful at the burrow with Lily feeling a lot better.
"Aidan, would you like some candy?" Fred asked smiling as he held out the bright colored candy, "It's delicious."
He looked dubious and turned to Ginny who was frowning at her brother, "No thanks. I'm set."
"Well, maybe later then." He teased, "It's delicious though."
"I'm sure."
"Why Ginevra Molly, why are you giving our dear brother a look like that?" George said.
"You know bloody well why. Will he be vomiting or bleeding after eating it?" She said, as she picked up Nicholas off the floor as he tried to get into the food on the coffee table, "Bill your son is getting into things."
"I believe it." He laughed, "Having Uncles like Fred and George does that to you."
Lily was sitting on the floor started babbling at George, who picked her up, "So, what story are you going to be telling me Miss Lily? You're six months, you can't possibly have that much to say, that could possibly be meaningful."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "More meaningful than you ever say."
"Ouch Hermione, that really hurt." He said, clutching his chest as if really hurt.
"It's true George." She grinned.
"On that note, Men, let's go play some Quidditch."
"Men love?" Jenna smiled, "And what are we going to do? Work in the kitchen.?"
"Of course not. You can play if you want to."
"I think you guys should stay in and the girls should play a bit. What do you think Claire?"
"I'm up for that." She smiled, as Cassie giggled from her Godfather's arms.
"Hermione, if you play, we could have a decent game going on." Harry smiled.
"Um…"
"Come on, I brought your broom. We can leave the kids inside to play for a bit, if that's alright with you Mum."
"That's fine. It's only six of them. I'm use to watching seven on my own." She laughed.
"Fine." Hermione agreed.
"Excellent." Harry smiled.
"Harry and Bill, you two are the seekers." Charlie said.
"Naturally." Bill smiled.
Their teams divided into Ron, Claire, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Fred, and Julie on one side. Bill, Fleur, George, Jenna, Charlie, Ellie, and Aidan. Bill changed the yard into a pitch and they began to play the first even matched game. They played until the snitch was caught and enjoyed the cooler air. Harry caught the snitch first, meaning that he won. Hermione actually had a lot of fun this time, being that several of the girls weren't too interested in Quidditch. They didn't play as hard as they would have if everyone had been on the team at one time or another. Hermione had actually scored a goal or two, but spent most of her time passing the quaffle to Claire or Ginny. They enjoyed their day and then went inside to feed the kids and then eat themselves. Lily spent most of her time smiling brightly showing off her first bottom tooth. She giggled and babbled to all of her Aunts and Uncles, and had her Godfather pick her up every chance she got. Ginny sat with Lily in her arms until Ron came into the room. Squirming Lily reached as far as she could to be picked up by him, "You are actually going to leave me?" She said to the baby.
"Of course she is Gin." He laughed, "She likes me better, don't you Lily." He took the baby into his arms and laughed as she smiled back at Ginny.
"She'll learn." Ginny rolled her eyes laughing.
"So when are you two giving me grandchildren?" Molly asked the twins.
"Mum, we have all the time in the world." George laughed, "Don't rush us."
"You sure as hell rushed out of Hogwarts." She said.
"Complications Mum, you know that. It was being controlled by a toad." Fred laughed, "Besides, you have enough grandchildren to keep you busy. What are you up to already? Six?"
"Never enough grandchildren around." She laughed, "Is there Arthur?"
"No, but you can always have too many children." He said, laughing.
"You were just waiting to have the best dad." Ginny smiled.
"Yeah, so why didn't they stop after me?" Charlie asked, sitting with his son on his lap.
"They only stopped after Ginny because they knew what a pain the bloody ass she would be." Bill laughed.
"WILLIAM! Language!"
"Sorry mum." He said rolling his eyes.
"I!" Ginny started, her eyes wide."
"Know it's true." Fred laughed, nudging his little sister, "See even Lily agrees." He continued as the baby began to laugh.
"Keep it up, I'll bat boggy hex you."
"You will do nothing of the sort." Arthur smiled.
"It is a brilliant hex though." Ron smiled.
"I'm not a fan." Fleur said playfully, remembering when Ginny hexed her years ago.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Ginny giggled.
"So when's Percy coming over?"
"Tonight. Apparently he is becoming engaged or something."
"He finally found someone to actually put up with him?" Fred laughed.
"She's going to have to be an extremely patient person." George replied.
"We should warn her George."
"If Destiny doesn't know how he is by now, there's no warning her."
"I expect the pair of you to behave." Molly said.
"Always." The twins smiled.
"Merlin, if any of you have twins… so help you." Molly laughed, "Especially if they turn out like these two."
"We keep you going mum."
"Give me gray hairs is more like it."
"I don't believe I've met Percy." Aidan said to Ginny.
"No, he wasn't at Christmas." She explained.
"He's one of a kind that's for sure. Quite a perfectionist." Ron rolled his eyes, "Prefect for two years, head boy for one. Nothing like the rest of us."
"And I love him for it." Molly grinned.
"Sometimes." The twins say, smirking.
"Cassandra Rose." Ginny said, turning to her sister-in-law, "Come sit with me."
She giggled at her Aunt and went to her easily.
Hermione sat down next to Harry and sipped her wine as she watched Ron interact with Lily, keeping her giggling as he talked to her.
"Six months old… I can't believe it." Hermione said to her husband.
"Almost seven." He smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Then we have a seven year old almost."
She nodded, "It's insane."
"Where are the older two?" He asked, looking around.
"Dunno. Upstairs playing probably." Hermione said.
"Speaking of the devils." Harry said as Teddy and Victoire came into the room.
"Harry?"
"Yes Teddy."
"Can we stay up till midnight?" He asked, smiling brightly.
"I dunno, it's pretty late for a six and five year old."
"Please!" Vicky begged her dad and mum.
"We'll see how you two are behaving by the end of the night." Bill replied, "Depends on how moody you two are."
"We won't be." They said and ran back out of the room giggling.
"No, they will be fine tonight, tomorrow will be another story." Hermione sighed.
"Ginny was always the one who stayed up the latest on New Years. She always competed with the boys." Molly laughed.
Ginny smiled, "Well, that's only because they would give me hell if I didn't stay up with them." Fred and George laughed and nodded their heads, "See? I remember Ron went to sleep early one night, I don't even remember how old I was, and when he woke up, the twins had turned his hair violet and he had no eyebrows left. Do you think I wanted to end up like that?!"
"It was purple with green stripes, thank you very much." Fred smiled.
"And, we only had time to shave one eyebrow. Mum was wandering around before we got to the second one. You were around eight, I think. It was the year before Hogwarts."
"And you both were in loads of trouble." Arthur smiled.
"No more than usual." The twins laughed.
"Don't worry Nick and Andrew, we'll teach you our tricks soon enough." Fred told the boys sitting in their laps.
"You will NOT!" Fleur and Ellie said, firmly with a smile though.
Fred and George laughed, and winked at Ron who frowned, "I was not amused."
"We know." They laughed harder.
Hermione smiled and leaned against her husband, watching her daughter play with Ron's fingers, smiling up at him, babbling louder if he doesn't pay attention to her for too long. After talking a bit, Ron and Ginny put the girls into the playpen to play for a while, and Ron grabs Harry and they head into the kitchen for a round of fire whiskey. Hermione joins then and actually takes a drink herself, "Can I have one?"
"Course." Ron smiled and got another glass down for her, "Bottoms up."
The three drink the shot. Hermione coughs a bit, "Been a while since I've had that."
"That's what you get for getting knocked up." Ron laughed, getting backhanded from the brunette.
The three of them sit in the kitchen and have a second drink, just spending time together, "The noise out there reminds me of the Gryffindor common room." Ron laughed, "Us and them."
Hermione and Harry nodded and drank their drinks. They spent an hour talking just the three of them about everything and anything they could think about. Two drinks later for Hermione, four drinks for the boys, they headed back out to the living room. Lily and Cassie fell asleep in their playpen sometime during the time they were in the kitchen, "Should we take the girls upstairs?" Harry asked Hermione and Claire.
"No." Claire said, "They are fine."
"They look cute together." Hermione smiled.
"Those two are either going to grow up loving one another or not being able to stand one another." Aidan laughed.
Ginny shook her head, "No, they will end up in Gryffindor and best friends. Considering that they spend a lot of time together." She laughed, and looked at the clock, "It's eleven."
"I'm going to go check on the older pair." Fleur said as she stood up with her sleeping son and walked upstairs. She put Nicholas into the crib upstairs and left it partly open, before checking in on Victoire and Teddy, "Are you lot still awake?"
"Yes mummy!"
"What are you doing?"
"Vicky and me are playing a game and watching TV." Teddy smiled as Fleur ruffled his hair.
"Alright, you two behave."
"Ok Aunt Fleur." Teddy smiled.
She walked back down to the family and smiled as she sat next to her husband, "What did I miss?"
"We're trying to get Claire and Hermione drunk." Charlie smiled, "I think Hermione is a go for it, but Claire needs more persuading."
"Hermione is NOT a go for it." She said firmly, "I am more or less done… after this drink."
"Hermione is already getting a bit tipsy." Ron laughed, "Come on Hermione another shot of fire whiskey."
Hermione laughed, "We'll see."
"That's a yes. Bring it on little brother." Fred said as Ron stood up.
"Anyone else?" Ron asked, getting almost all with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Levitating the glasses, he handed them the drinks and they each did a shot.
"Alright." Hermione said after the shot, "I'm done."
Harry laughed, "As soon as the drinks kick in you will be." She giggled at him, "That is if they haven't already done so."
"Oh hush." She smiled, slapping him on his chest. She drained her drink and placed the glass back onto the table.
"One more?" Fred asked.
"I'm in for that." Julie smiled, "If Hermione does another shot with me."
"Bloody hell." She said, but agreed, "One more. That's it."
"Sure it is." Ron rolled his eyes.
"No, it will be." She smiled.
Ginny smiled as the girls did one last shot of fire whiskey for the night, "Hermione, your cheeks are red."
She giggled, "I believe it."
New Years, comes and they all exchange kisses with their significant others. They spend another hour, before deciding to head home. The fireplace got more work than ever when they were all together, especially during nights like this, where apparating wasn't a good idea. Hermione puts the kids to bed and then joins her husband in bed. She gets to sleep in a bit, until eight thirty when Lily wakes up. The night went too fast and the morning left Teddy in a mood because he was exhausted and Lily off schedule. Hermione spent her time trying to keep peace in the house, which worked until the bed time routine. The year had come and gone and they had a lot of exciting things happen to them.
A/N: So like it? Love it? Comments? Review please! The first birthday is quickly approaching, and Lily will be growing up. The Auror's have had a quiet time, perhaps more exciting events will occur again. Chapter 30 coming up next time!
Forgive the small mistakes.
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