A/N: I had some serious writer's block most of February so that's why this chapter is weeks late. But! I am getting it out with about 4.5 hours left before February ends (on my side of the world) so I'm still making my monthly posting! Made it in the nick of time.
Years From Now
Chapter 22
March 1, 2009
It had been a long time since Ron and Hermione had been out of town at the same time and left Harry by himself. It was Ron's 29th birthday and he and Luna had decided in December to celebrate by leaving the country for the first time since their children's births. The couple chose Greece as its destination and left via Portkey on February 27th, after showering their six month old twins with affection and leaving them in Molly's care. For Hermione, this weekend was the first of two in shopping for her wedding dress. She, Ginny, and Hannah left to Paris the previous morning with the intention of staying overnight and visiting multiple shops and boutiques in search of a gown that would seize her heart. Since Luna was in Greece with her husband and had to miss joining the bridesmaids for the event, Gabrielle was her substitute and honored to do so.
As such, Harry had a weekend without either of his best friends. He spent Saturday totally by himself (apart from Bastet's sprightly company) and enjoyed every second of it, opting to not leave his apartment for any reason. Today, however, he had multiple people to see and a task to which to tend: he was going to visit with Neville and Teddy, and he had to get the keys to his new house from Melvin. As Hannah was in Paris with Hermione, the women's significant others took the opportunity to spend some time together and include the young wizard as well in order to kill two birds with one stone. Accordingly, Harry was making a stop to Melvin's office before meeting with his good friend and godson and he was especially eager for it.
He and Hermione submitted an official although anonymous bid for the home in Reading the same afternoon they saw it, asserting they would pay the full asking price in cash- or Galleons, to be more exact. The owner took five days to accept the offer but accepted it was, and the couple gaily signed all of the corresponding paperwork on the sixth day, at which point their identities were revealed to the former owner. This, consequently, had blown the man away and resulted in the pair receiving a passionate letter of gratitude in which his excitement at having sold to them was obvious. It took the second half of February for everything to process, which included a request to the Ministry to make the property Unplottable, but now the house truly belonged to them and Harry could not wait until Hermione returned from her short trip so they could bask in it together.
With two magical keys in his pocket- keys that could not be duplicated and would not work for anyone that did not reside in the household- Harry Apparated to Neville's and Hannah's inviting home shortly after noon. The dark haired wizard yapped about the house and their plans for it with a grin on his face and brandished a key, so when his old dorm mate asked to see it he was more than happy to oblige the request. Neville was genuinely impressed by the home in the 20 minutes they were there, which fueled Harry's pride and high spirits.
"We're gonna contract someone to furnish it next month but we won't move in until we get back from our honeymoon," he shared as he peered around the living room. He thought it was a shame to leave the house empty for two months but the fact of the matter was that he and Hermione simply did not have the time to move before May.
"Well we have to toast to this, mate, to you and Hermione finding a house! This deserves a pint!" Neville claimed in a bright voice.
"Sounds like a solid proposition!"
"Leaky?"
"Leaky it is." Harry said with a nod and smile.
The two men were done with their drinks by the time it was 1:30PM and then decided it was time to head over to Andromeda's. Harry thought his good mood would last all day but that assumption was quickly tested when the pureblooded witch answered her doorbell's call and welcomed the two visitors inside. She asked how they were, offered them tea and inquired what they would do with her grandson, but she seemed fretful and it was noticeable.
"Are things all right?" Harry wondered, frowning a bit with worry.
"Yes, and no," Andromeda commenced, "I must warn you, Harry, that Teddy's been… he isn't… he's…" She crinkled her brow and twisted her hands, struggling to verbalize whatever the predicament was.
"He's safe, yes? He's okay?" Neville asked, putting out a cautionary hand. He sensed Harry physically tense next to him due to the woman's demeanor and ambiguous words, and he knew his friend's mind was trained to instantly go to a worst case scenario.
"Yes, yes, of course. I'm sorry- I didn't mean to alarm you that way. And Harry, you know I'd contact you immediately if something like that were wrong!"
Harry let out an exhale and visibly relaxed, nodding in appreciation at the clarification.
"What's going on, then?" he inquired.
"He's just… upset. Very upset. He has been for a few days, actually. " Andromeda revealed.
"Days?"
"Yes. His mood hasn't changed."
"What happened?" Neville questioned. Teddy was an all around cheerful child and it was extremely unlike him to have a volatile or melancholy mood for more than a handful of hours so this was disconcerting to hear.
"I, I told him something important, something that wasn't easy, and he did not react well," Andromeda stated, "Since then, he hardly speaks to me and spends most of his time in his room when he is not with his tutor."
She sounded both hurt and contrite but they were buried under her subsequent sigh. Before Harry could ask what precisely she shared with Teddy, her head came up and she looked resolute yet resigned.
"I told him about the Malfoys. I told him that Narcissa is my sister and that Draco is his cousin," the witch reported. In the following second, it felt like all of the air had suddenly rushed out of the room.
"Oh," uttered Harry, eyes wide but also concerned, "Oh. Damn. Blimey…."
Neville, meanwhile, rubbed the back of his neck and winced, glancing at Harry before he asked:
"What is he upset over? That he didn't know sooner or that he's related to the Malfoys?"
"I'm uncertain, as he won't talk to me. But I know it was overdue. I shouldn't have kept it from him for so long, which is made clearer by his response." Andromeda mentioned with a shake of her head.
"It was going to be difficult no matter when you told him, Andromeda, so don't blame yourself for it. He might've also been too young to really understand before now," Harry slowly remarked, his gaze unconsciously going to the staircase that led to Teddy's room, "But don't worry- I'll talk to him, or see if he'll let me."
"Thank you, Harry," she murmured. She looked at him hopefully and squeezed his hands in supplication.
"Want to handle this yourself?" pondered Neville, knowing it could be a strictly private conversation to be had between godfather and godson.
"Reinforcement can be a good thing, I reckon. Come on," the Auror answered, cuffing his friend's shoulder and walking toward the stairs.
It took two sequences of knocking and a couple entreaties of his name to get Teddy to open his bedroom door, or rather pull it open a smidgen and then disappear. Harry glanced at Neville before carefully pushing the door in and walking inside but the latter chose to remain perched in the doorway. Teddy was seated at his desk and tinkering with one of the Muggle toys he had received from his grandmother Lupin that required construction. He wore a blank expression as he worked.
"Hey Ted," the dark haired wizard greeted.
"Hi," the boy said in an even voice. He did not spare a glance for either of the new arrivals.
"Are you ready to go to Edinburgh?"
"Yeah."
The trio was meant to visit the Wheezes shop there since Teddy had not yet been but expressed an avid desire to go. Afterward, they would stay in the wizarding town square for a few hours.
"Do you still feel up to it?" wondered Neville.
"Why wouldn't I?" Teddy retorted, eyes still glued to his contraption. Neville did not take offense to the answer and appeared understanding but Harry frowned faintly and mentioned:
"Well… you don't seem yourself, for one, and because your grandmother told us that you're upset. That you've been upset."
There was silence for some time as Teddy kept working and they kept watching him but the young wizard eventually replied.
"Of course she did," he mumbled.
"Are you? Upset, that is." Harry prompted after a long moment (during which he took a seat on the bed). It was clear as day that his godson was unhappy but he wanted to allow Teddy the chance to say how he felt instead of making that determination for him. The Auror remembered that he had faithfully resented when others assumed how he felt when he was younger.
Teddy chose to remain quiet and persisted in avoiding eye contact but he shrugged after half a minute.
"Do you want to talk about it? Or do you just want to go to Edinburgh and forget it?" his godfather posed. When Harry did not get a response, and it was evident he would not, he carried on.
"Whatever you chose, I'll respect, Teddy. I couldn't stand it when people tried to force me to talk about something when I was a kid so I wouldn't do that to you," he revealed. Neville smiled, recalling his friend during Hogwarts and knowing he was speaking the truth.
Teddy released an insignificant sigh and stopped messing with the toy, instead choosing to stare at it.
"Did people keep things from you as a kid?" he questioned. Neville started- Teddy was willing to speak about it!- and peered at Harry once more, only to see that the Auror looked deadly serious.
"More than you can possibly imagine," Harry said with a straight face, "And it made me angry every, single time." Teddy peeped at him out of the corner of his eye and gave a conciliatory nod.
"Grandmum doesn't really talk about her sisters but I know a few things, and this whole time I only thought one of them was bad," the Metamorphmagus commenced after a bit of time, "You know, the one who… who took away Mum."
"Yes. The one who hurt my parents," added Neville, nodding.
For the first time since the two older wizards got to his bedroom, Teddy looked away from his desk and at up at the pureblood. Harry, who had felt a jagged sense of fury at the initial mention of Bellatrix and the fact that she stole Tonks from her infant son, gazed at Neville as well, although his look held admiration.
"The one that made me lose my godfather." Harry added, putting a hand on the boy's right shoulder.
"Yeah. Her. She was awful," Teddy agreed, glaring at the floor.
"She was." Neville confirmed.
"But... Grandmum never told me more about her other sister. She never said who she was, and now I know it's because she wasn't good either, and she's still alive! Why… why wasn't having one bad sister enough? Why did Grandmum's other sister have to be like that too? Why does she have to be a Malfoy?"
"Teddy-" Harry attempted to say.
"Why didn't she tell me sooner?! I don't want my family to be the people who supported someone evil! They all supported Voldemort! He tried to kill you, God-Dad! He killed your parents!," Teddy ranted. He shot up from his desk and roughly pushed the chair into the space he just vacated, "I don't want to be related to them! I don't want to be connected to them at all!"
There was a shelf above Teddy's desk that held various knickknacks and books and, at his exclamation, everything on it was flung off to either the desk or the floor. He, however, did not seem to notice his accidental magic while the adults grimaced at one another over the display. They allowed him to sulk in silence as Neville removed his wand and gently righted the shelf's objects back to their home. Teddy's distress was understandable and he likely had not expressed it to anyone if he shut out Andromeda shortly after learning the truth, so they wanted him to have his moment.
"Take a seat, Sir Ted." Harry finally directed in a comforting voice. He reached for Teddy's arm and the boy perched next to him on the bed without any resistance.
"What do you know about the Malfoys, Teddy?" Neville pondered.
"I know that no one likes them. I know they were close to Voldemort during the war," came the sharp answer, causing the pureblood to snort in amusement.
"You're definitely right in that they're not liked..."
"And your aunt's husband Lucius was very close to Voldemort, yes," admitted Harry, "But Narcissa- your aunt- and your cousin Draco weren't like Lucius. Not in the end."
"What do you mean?" Teddy asked, looking at Harry.
"They did bad things but they aren't bad people. And I say this because Narcissa and Draco both saved my life."
"What?!"
"It's true." Neville said.
"How?" demanded Teddy.
"Well, Narcissa lied to Voldemort and said I was dead, which let me fool him and get out of the Forbidden Forest alive. As for Draco, he lied too. I got captured with Ron and Hermione and he was asked if he recognized me; he said he didn't but it was obvious he did, even with my disguise. That kept me from being turned over to Voldemort," shared Harry.
"So Grandmum's sister was the one who lied to Voldemort for you…."
"She was."
Teddy's knowledge about key points of the war's final year varied. While he was not aware of the incident at Malfoy Manor, he did know about Harry's confrontation with Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest and the aftermath. And now he knew that Narcissa had been the tide turner for his godfather's victory. After reflecting on this new information, he peered at Harry again and inquired:
"Do you like them? The Malfoys."
Neville snorted again and hid his grin behind a hand while Harry gaped at the young wizard.
"Er, it's very complicated!," the Auror remarked before laughing, "I went to Hogwarts with Draco and we hated each other." Teddy's expression became skeptical and Neville laughed as well.
"But, despite that, he and his mother still helped me when I wasn't expecting it. So I'll say what I said earlier: they're not bad people. People can change and I think they did. I may not be here if it weren't for them."
It was quiet yet again while Teddy continued contemplating what he had just learned and the adults were content to let him think in peace. He was entitled to his feelings and thoughts but they wanted him to have a little more context at the start since this was a complicated topic that Teddy would have to mull over for, likely, years to come.
"I dunno. Maybe Grandmum can tell me more about her sister when they were young. And maybe you can tell me more about, about my c-cousin," he hesitantly suggested, toeing the carpet.
"Of course. If you'd like." Harry calmly replied.
"But not today," With a shake of his head, he stood from his bed and faced both men with a tired smile on his face, "I want to get to Edinburgh instead."
Hermione returned to England on Sunday evening but Harry was not available to greet her, as she discovered that he was still out with Neville and Teddy after sending him a text message. Her trip to France had not proven too fruitful. The group had visited four bridal shops but there was only one dress out of all the dresses she tried that she liked. What was more, Hermione merely liked it- she was not wowed or overwhelmed by it- so she put it in her mind as a possibility and went home empty handed. Additionally, the witch had not anticipated the emotions that came with shopping for her wedding dress and she felt assaulted by anxiety, disappointment, vexation, and sadness at various points during the weekend. Hannah, who had been a bride, and Gabrielle, who worked with brides, assured her that her feelings did not mean she was odd, overreacting or would be unable to find a dress. As such, the brunette told her naturally anxious brain to not get caught in a worry trap and to prepare for the work week, the business of which she knew would wipe away any unease about dress shopping.
On Tuesday, Robards met with Harry to discuss his replacement as Captain. He'd had the past two months to consider the Auror he wanted to replace him and, with his induction the following month, the Auror needed to begin shadowing him, a process that would last until summer and meant Harry would have to juggle two roles.
"So, let's talk about who is going to take your place as Captain, Potter." Robards instructed as he waved his wand and moved a stack of paper on his desk out of the way. He then sat back and peered at Harry.
"Deciding was harder than I thought it'd be," the younger man mentioned, flashing half a smile.
"Aye, that it can be. But, before we go into that, I want to discuss something first."
"All right."
"It may even affect your choice so I should apologize for not bringing it up before now. It was set in place two weeks ago and got away from me since then." Robards commented with a deprecating shake of the head.
"Oh?" uttered Harry, appearing interested.
"Yes. The leadership structure of the Aurors is going to change in that a new rank is being added."
"Oh!"
"I proposed it to Madam Granger two months ago although it's something I've considered for the past year." Robards explained.
"What is it?" the dark haired wizard inquired.
"The title of Commander. Each team will have two Aurors designated as Commander and they will serve under the captain. Captains have sizable teams and a large workload, as you are well aware, and I thought instating commanders could alleviate some of their work. It'd also provide space for outstanding Aurors on a team to be recognized and given responsibility."
"Possible captains in training."
"Exactly," the Head Auror chuckled, "What are your thoughts about the position?"
"I think it's a very good idea," Harry acknowledged with a firm nod, "It will help out the captains, especially the weeks they have to teach the trainees. And it'll be a chance for stronger Aurors to showcase their leadership abilities, like you said. Commanders will likely make things run easier for the teams."
"I'm glad you think so, Captain. It's something you will get to see unfold as the new chief… although I imagine you would've appreciated this idea much more if it had been incorporated a year ago when you could've benefited from it."
They both laughed a bit and then Harry wondered:
"When will that position begin?"
"The day you are inducted, since it's the same day as the new captain's induction. I thought announcing commanders would work well when the new captain takes over. However, it won't be official as with Chief or Captain so the commander announcement will just be between the Aurors," his boss relayed.
"Understood."
"So, that means you have to also appoint two Aurors on your team as Commander, Potter. Do you think that may change whom you've chosen as your replacement?"
Harry looked somewhat surprised and took some time before answering.
"If it does, you can have the remainder of the week to think on it." Robards continued.
"I don't think it does, sir… I also think I know the Aurors for my team's commanders," came the reply.
"Please, do share."
"Well it may not be traditional because she's not on my team, but I want Taylor Thorpe to take my place as Captain," Harry attested, which caused some surprise for the Head Auror, "She's the best Auror on Cassandra's team and she was already in her last year of the Academy when I started."
"I see! Have you spoken to Clayton about how Thorpe's promotion will impact both of your teams?" Robards posed.
"I have. A few times, actually. Kaz isn't keen on losing her best Auror but she knows Thorpe is her best, and she wants her to be able to move forward, to get what she deserves. And I know we have teams but all of the Aurors work together and get on, so I don't imagine Taylor will have trouble taking over mine."
The older man nodded languidly and then peered at the ceiling for a handful of quiet moments.
"Auror Thorpe is excellent, yes, and has been in the ranks longer than you, as you mentioned…. I will speak to Captain Clayton about it myself and, unless she shares something important that gives me pause, then we will induct Taylor as the new captain," he claimed.
"Sir." Harry stated with a smile.
"And your commanders? You said you think you know who would be appropriate for the positions."
"Yes: Aurors Simpson and Philips. I can see both of them becoming Captain one day."
"As can I. They are both strong Aurors with good heads," agreed Robards, "Very well then, Captain! Thank you for your input. Philips, Simpson, and Thorpe will receive new titles next month; I must also inform Noah and Cassandra so they can pick their commanders. It seems we will be moving a few things around like gobstones but it is all for a better Auror division, of which you will be the leader."
Harry smiled and nodded again, excited to see how things would play out for the Auror department in the coming months.
Three days later on Friday evening, Hermione showed Jean Granger the newly purchased home she and Harry were still absolutely giddy over. Robert was unable to join them since he was helping his mother with a few tasks after her week long illness, but his daughter guaranteed him that Harry would show him the house on Sunday while she was in New York. Her fiance, of course, had been more than willing to do so.
"This is such a beautiful home, Hermione." Jean claimed with a dreamy sigh. Their tour was finished and they took a seat on the kitchen nook's padded bench. Floating string lights illuminated the garden and Mrs. Granger smiled at their luster through the window.
"We both loved it straight away. And now it's ours!" her daughter noted with a pleased grin, glancing around the room.
"All of the trees surrounding the property are wonderful. You've got your own little grove!"
"Harry loves them as well, partially for the privacy it affords, I think. I just wish we could live here now!"
"Your father and I can stay here in your place with no fuss, until you're able to move." Mrs. Granger quipped. Hermione grinned and then said:
"We'll have you two over regularly! Well... provided you won't mind the drive from Bedford. I know we're quite far from you."
"Oh, that's no matter, dear. You're our daughter and a visit here is surely worth the distance!"
"Though, you won't be able to show up or find it on your own since we made it Unplottable. You'll need me or Harry with you each time," Hermione reported, "I may convince him that we should get a car. You and Dad are probably tired of us borrowing yours when we need one."
"Pish posh. It doesn't happen often and we have two cars," Jean commented, waving a hand before changing the subject, "What's magical life like in Reading?"
"Oh, it's booming! I did research a couple days before we came to see the house. The magical center is called Kennet Court and it's tucked right near The Oracle, the city's main shopping mall. There's a bank and a small medical clinic, and Reading has a semi-professional Quidditch team, which Harry was thrilled about. It's great because, with everything so established, it means we won't have to go into London nearly as much if we don't want to."
"And I'm sure you'll want to get to know the town more, especially once you have little ones. This is where my grandchildren will be raised, after all." Jean wore a sly smile.
"Yes, Mum. Grandchildren," the witch said, blushing a tad, "But that's well after Harry becomes Head Auror, we get married, and we move into this home."
"I know, sweetheart, I just love teasing. And speaking of the wedding... Amber asked me for updates about it just yesterday," revealed Mrs. Granger.
"She's sweet. Be sure to take lots of pictures for her."
"I will, and I'll make sure half of them are strictly of Harry. It'll knock her on her feet. She's got the biggest crush on him, you know."
"I know she does. It's rather obvious," Hermione acknowledged with a grin, "Gods, everyone has a crush on Harry! And who can blame them? But I win." She then stuck out her left hand and haughtily flashed her ring in a playful manner before delving into laughter. Her mother joined her.
"Now tell me all about dress shopping in Paris!," instructed Jean shortly thereafter, "I know you said there was a dress you liked but 'liked' is not good enough for your wedding day, Hermione."
"Yes. I'm hoping my experience in New York tomorrow will be much different, that I have more luck. And Mum, I hope I'm not so emotional this time! It was just the strangest thing..."
Both Hermione and Harry were a bit hesitant to see her leave the next morning, if only because it was a second, consecutive weekend that she'd be gone and they had not gotten much quality time together during the week. Harry slept at her apartment on Monday night after an unexpected 12 hour shift and they spent all of Tuesday evening in each other's company, during which they had a pleasant dinner, but that was the extent of it. They knew they would have the following weekend for themselves, however, and realized the promise of those two days would have to do in the meantime.
"This time when you get back from dress shopping, I'll be here here," Harry informed her with a kiss to her cheek, "Waiting for you. Naked." He laughed as Hermione grinned and pushed him away, and then she Apparated to the Ministry in order to catch the international Portkey with her three bridesmaids.
It was 6AM when the four women arrived in Manhattan, five hours behind the time in London. Their first of two appointments of the day was not until 11AM so they had a handful of hours to spare, which suited Hermione just fine since this was her first time in the city and she wanted to sight see. The quartet had coffee and tea at a chic, little cafe and then saw as much of Muggle Manhattan as they could before the appointment. They made it to the shop on time and Hermione's first observation was of how high end it was, whereas her first impression was that she would not find anything. While the attendant assigned to them was benevolent and did her best to find dresses that matched Hermione's taste, the brunette's instinct proved true. Three hours had been allotted for the appointment but they left in just under two, so the women ate lunch while they waited for the second one to begin at 3PM.
The second shop was not as upscale as the first but it was larger and had its own glamour. The attendant helping them was named Nora and her gregariousness was evident the moment she introduced herself.
"So which one of you is Hermione, our blushing bride?" she asked, looking between the four. The Muggleborn raised her hand shyly as her blonde friends eagerly pointed at her.
"Ah! This is Hermione Granger! I get to meet her in person," Nora remarked, "It's a true pleasure!"
"The pleasure is mine." Hermione answered with a smile.
"Now, I will admit that your name was familiar to me when the appointment was booked but I wasn't sure for what, so I had to look into it. I just knew I was going to be helping a famous witch from England."
They all laughed before the bride-to-be noted:
"It's quite nice being here and not being immediately recognized everywhere I go."
"Oh, darling, this is New York. You'd fit right in and no one would even blink twice at you! We have so many famous witches and wizards here, we don't know what to do with them! That's just how it is." Nora relayed, making Hermione's smile grow.
"Though, I must say, with all of this gorgeous hair, fitting in may not be possible for you. People would do double takes," the attendant added, circling the bride-to-be and appraising her, "Just look at it! So many wonderful curls- I love it. And this lovely figure you have!… does your partner ever leave you alone?"
The quartet was laughing again and Hermione's cheeks stained red as she shook her head. It was refreshing hearing someone compliment her features so readily, features she had struggled with during adolescence.
"His hair is just as fascinating as hers." Ginny said with a grin.
"Is that so? What's his name, darling?" questioned Nora.
"Harry. Harry Potter." Hermione responded.
"Harry Potter?! Oh my!"
"Yes."
"Darling, I would've known who he was even if I hadn't researched you." Nora pointed out.
"Famous no matter what." Hannah stated with a chuckle.
Nora could have shared that New York had an influx of magical Brits come over during the second half of the 90s once Voldemort's return was cemented and his threat rose. She could have shared that the East Coast of the country had dark activity of its own due to American wizards becoming wannabes and falling in line with Death Eaters, but she did not. She knew the topic was grisly, inappropriate and irrelevant right now, and she wanted to keep a smile on her bride's face. Instead, she offered:
"Yes, we know your fiance on this side of the country. I mean, he's no Eli Stanley, but then again who is?"
Once again, Nora made the other women laugh without trying in her reference to Stanley: a massively successful American wizard, singer and heartthrob whose music was also known and well received in the UK. (His fame in the US was comparable to Harry's in the UK).
"Tell me when the wedding is," she directed next before snapping her fingers. Paper and a lavish pen then came flying toward her and she grabbed them out of the air.
"The middle of May." Hermione replied.
"Two months away- okay. What are the colors?"
"Lilac and sage."
"And don't forget the wheat." Luna chimed in.
"Do you want color on your dress?" Nora pondered, making notes.
"I wouldn't mind if color is incorporated somehow but I want a white or off white dress," the Muggleborn informed.
"Got it. Any deal breakers when it comes to the dress? Anything you refuse to consider?"
"I don't want to drown in my dress. No big skirts."
"No poof, all right," Nora stated, earning more giggles, "What about sparkle?"
"Only if it's done tastefully and there's not loads of it," Hermione relayed, "I know I like lace. And I know I don't want the dress to be conservative or provocative."
Nora stopped writing and peered at the brunette, a hand going under her chin and the other resting on her hip.
"Mmm… something sophisticated that shows that you are a woman," she reflected, "A woman with a killer body and hair, and who's going to marry Harry Potter." Hermione looked at her friends and their happy expressions, as none of their grins had truly dropped since meeting Nora.
"Sounds good," she confirmed, smiling brightly.
"Let's get started then, darling! I have lots of dresses in mind and I think this is gonna be fun!"
A/N: My Hannah doesn't manage the Leaky Cauldron. I haven't thought of a career/job for her yet, even though this story is almost finished, but I know it isn't that. Neville isn't the Herbology professor at Hogwarts, either; in this fic, he's a successful, freelance Herbologist.
I also experienced a nice shock when I realized that there are only about 3 or 4 chapters left for this story. I got a little wistful there for a minute.
