24 Weeks

Harry hurriedly brushed his hair and then tossed his brush back on his dresser. He checked his pockets for his phone, wallet, and wand and then made his way downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning, birthday boy!" Sirius exploded a confetti blaster. Little bits and pieces of paper fell over them. "Oh, that worked better than expected. I need to tell Fred and George."

Harry brushed off the confetti.

Sirius stepped around the table and enveloped Harry in a tight hug. "Happy Birthday, Harry."

Harry brought his arms around his godfather and hugged him just as tightly. "Thanks, Sirius."

Sirius thumped him on the back and stepped away. "Have fun with Hermione," he wagged his eyebrows. Harry rolled his eyes. "I'll see you both here later? For your birthday dinner?"

Harry nodded. "Nothing big, Sirius. Please."

Sirius clapped his hands together. "Don't worry. It'll just be family and friends. It's not even a party, just food, and good company."

"I'll see you later." He walked toward the front sitting room to their fireplace.

"Have fun!"

Harry flooed to Grimmauld Place and stumbled slightly out of the fireplace. Crookshanks was sitting in his usual spot on the wingback chair.

Harry waved. "Hey, it's my birthday."

Crookshanks just stared. He jumped off the chair, making Harry jump and proceeded to rub himself on Harry's leg. "Thanks, Crookshanks."

"Harry!" Hermione walked in wearing mid-length jean shorts and a light blue shirt that showed off her growing bump. "Happy Birthday."

She stepped closer and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. She touched his hair as she pulled away. "What's this?" She held little pieces of paper in her hand.

"Sirius, he used this confetti thing." He shook his hands through his hair. More pieces of paper fell to the floor.

"That's all of it." She settled her purse handle over her shoulder. "Ready to go?"

He nodded and took her hand in his. He helped her step into the floo.

"See you later, Crookshanks," Hermione said. She grabbed a handful of floo powder and with a clear voice called out, "Cardiff Centre."

Harry stepped out of the floo more fluidly this time. Hermione stepped out behind him, her hand still in his. "Alright, brunch, and then the museum?"

The two walked out of the courtyard that held a handful of public floos and turned into the large square that contained various restaurants, retail stores, and the famed Quidditch and Flying Museum. Entry is usually free, but Hermione was able to get tickets for their latest exhibit - Pride of Portree: Through the Ages - which only admitted a few dozen people every few hours.

They found a table at Glenn's Corner Cafe and ate a filling breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs, and coffee. After, they walked down the cobblestone street to the Quidditch and Flying Museum.

"Can you believe I've never visited," Harry said, picking up a complimentary guide book.

"Yes." Hermione's eyes followed the elaborate tapestry displayed over the guest services desk.

Harry nudged her shoulder. "Gee, thanks."

She shot him a grin. "Come on." She pulled his arm and led him up the stairs to the second floor. They placed their tickets into the ticket box and entered the exhibit.

Harry had a lot more fun than he originally envisioned. He wasn't sure what to make of the Quidditch Museum, but he enjoyed himself. They walked through the exhibit looking over various memorabilia, reading over the timeline and history of the team, their most notable players and watched a short film about their stellar '71-'72 season.

After a short rest, He and Hermione ventured into the museum's gift shop.

"Look at these," Hermione held up a pair of earrings in the shape of little firebolts.

Harry watched as she placed them by her ear. "Would you wear them?"

She shrugged. "They are cute though." She set them down and walked past the jewelry and toward another section of the gift shop.

Harry looked over the dishware, picking up and examining glasses, tumblers, and shot glasses. He moved onto the book and print section. His eyes fell on Flying with the Cannons, the book Ron gave him for Christmas more than ten years ago, and Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland, which he owned as well thanks to Hermione.

He skimmed over the titles: The Complete History of the Appleby Arrows, Montrose Magpies: The Miracle Squad, and The Women Who Soared: From Aurora Keen to Gwenog Jones.

Then he came across a section of picture and board books. He picked up a board book entitled My First Quidditch Book. He turned the hard pages and smiled at the pictures. He held onto the book and decided to look for Hermione.

He found her by the clothes. "Hermione?"

"Isn't this the cutest?" She held up a gray-colored onesie with a snitch displayed like it was in motion. "I'm going to get it."

Harry laughed, holding up the board book. "I found this."

She squeezed his side. "Of course. Ruby's personal library wouldn't be complete without some books on Quidditch."

Harry smiled and laughed under his breath. He took the onesie and bought their gift shop purchases. They left the museum and walked to a nearby ice cream shop. He led Hermione to a table and bought some ice cream cones.

"It's nice seeing you in a good mood," she said, taking the offered cone.

Harry sat down across from her. "I've been having a great 25th birthday."

She licked her strawberry ice cream. "I'm glad. I know these last few weeks have been rather eventful.

"I wasn't the only one with an eventful last few weeks." He reached over and squeezed Hermione's hand. "I'm so proud of you."

Hermione blushed.

"You've worked so hard on that legislation. I still think we should do something to celebrate." Harry took a bite of his ice cream, shivering slightly at the chill. "We should do this more often."

Her brows scrunched up. "We?"

His gaze skittered over the table. "Yeah, why not?"

When they finished their ice cream, they decided to walk around Cardiff Centre before heading back to Dogwood Garden for Harry's birthday dinner.

Harry took Hermione's hand and placed it on the crook of his arm. "Thanks for today, Hermione."

She leaned on his shoulder. "Anything for you, Harry."

# # #

It wasn't a formal party in a sense, but Sirius did not spare the expense or time in organizing a sort-of party for his godson.

He had set out tables loaded with food and treats. He enchanted little lights to float around them and made little cozy centers for people to sit and chat.

Harry had given him a tight hug upon arriving home. Remus, Tonks, and Teddy were already there. Remus had baked a cake and it was set at the end of the table. They gave him hugs and kisses before setting themselves up on some garden chairs.

Ron, his brothers, Fleur, and Victoire arrived. Before Ron had a chance to pull him aside, Fred and George gave him birthday slaps on the shoulders and then ran off to get food. Harry and Bill shared a firm handshake and Fleur and Victoire gave him soft kisses on either cheek.

Ron piled up a plate of food. Harry did the same and followed him to a group of chairs that surrounded a lit fire pit.

"How was your morning?" Ron asked.

"It was fun."

"Just fun?"

Harry stabbed his fork through a piece of grilled chicken. "It wasn't any different than any other time Hermione and I hang out."

Ron shrugged. "That's true, isn't it?" He swallowed a mouthful of food and then said, "You know, Jenna thinks you two make a good couple. Said you two look cute together."

Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Can't control if people think I'm cute."

Ron shoved his shoulder. "That's not what she meant and you know it."

Harry smirked. "I'm actually surprised you asked me to tag along with you guys. Meeting her and that chocolate thing. Weren't you worried I'd embarrass you?"

Ron looked at him curiously. "You wouldn't, not with Hermione there."

Harry simply shrugged.

Ron cleared his throat. "I, Harry," he started, "I need to be honest with you."

Harry's brow furrowed. Was everything alright?

"It's okay if things have changed between you. It's great even," Ron brightened. "I'd hate to think you or Hermione are holding back because of me or what you think I might say."

Harry stilled. "What?"

"Well," Ron scooted his chair closer and lowered his head, "I get that you and Hermione are being conscious of my feelings, but I've moved on. We've moved on. Now, I'm in love with a wonderful person. You two shouldn't hold yourselves back for me. Or Ginny. She and I discussed it."

"Ginny?" His jaw slackened. "Ron, Hermione, and I aren't together because of you or Ginny."

Ron's shoulders slumped. "Oh, then what's holding you back? I give you my blessing, you know. That's how the phrase goes right?"

"Ron, it's not. We're not -"

Ron shook his head and crossed his feet at the ankles. "Friends don't look at each other like that."

Harry stared at the charred logs in the fire pit. "What do you mean?"

Ron looked around them cautiously, checking to see if there was anyone nearby. "It's the same way Bill and Fleur look at each other. Remus and Tonks. My parents," he winced. "Longing contentment," he said under his breath, "that's what Ginny calls it. The longing and contentment you feel when you're with the one."

"All my relationships end," Harry confessed. "They just end badly. I'd hate to force Hermione through that."

"You're not even giving her a choice," Ron replied. He suddenly let out a laugh. "We started those movie and game nights because of you. You've always gone to her when you needed comfort. Your ex-girlfriends accused you of caring for her more than you cared for them. Come on, Harry. Can't you see? You love her. I know you do. I think you two fell in love a long time ago and now you can't even realize it. You're both too set in your ways."

Harry took a hesitant breath. He looked around the garden, searching for the witch they were discussing. Hermione lounged on a long garden chair. Teddy was with her, cuddling into her belly and Ginny sat on the end of the chair smiling and giggling about something.

Ron cut through the sudden silence. "She may not do anything about it either. I might lock you two in a room if this gets dragged out any longer."

Harry continued to watch Hermione. She sat up slightly and took the plate of food Sirius had offered her.

"It's either that or someone is going to sweep Hermione off her feet, I doubt someone will turn your head," he muttered the last part. "Are you ready for when that happens?"

Ron, he was right. Harry didn't have some sort of claim over Hermione. He couldn't and wouldn't stop her if she found someone to spend her life with.

"You won't stop being friends." Harry jumped slightly at his words, Ron seemed to have read his thoughts. "But, I don't think any boyfriend or future husband of hers will be comfortable with you being alone with her, despite how much they'll claim to trust her. They just won't trust you." He scoffed. "Cause you know, you two are having a baby together. So you two obviously enjoy sleeping together."

Harry's hands clenched. "What if it doesn't end well?"

Ron sat back. "Harry, this is Hermione we're talking about. Do you really think she'd let you slack off at being a good boyfriend?"

# # #

Hermione set her empty plate aside. "I'm so full."

Ginny handed her a cup of water. "Make sure you take it easy for the rest of the day. You walked a lot today."

Hermione sighed. "I know."

"You and Harry had a good time today," Ginny said softly, "He looks happy."

"It was fun, even if it was Quidditch," Hermione teased. "We found the cutest things for the baby. I have to show you."

Ginny gripped her knees, her eyes scanning the garden. "I'm going to miss this."

Hermione held out her hand. Ginny placed her hand on top of Hermione's. "I'm going to miss this too, Ginny. Both our lives are changing so drastically. But, it'll be a good change." She squeezed her hand. "Anyway, I can't wait to visit you in Germany. Ruby and I will have a blast."

Ginny grinned. She glanced at something over Hermione's shoulder. "Just promise me one thing, Hermione."

"What is it?"

"What you're feeling in your heart, just go with it."

Hermione's brows furrowed. "What?"

Ginny shook her head. "Just go with it." She stood up. "Harry, happy birthday!" She wrapped her arms around his torso. "You're old now."

Harry scoffed. "I'm only a year older than you."

"Yes, older." She stepped back. "I'm going to get some more food before my brothers eat it all."

Harry sat down in the space Ginny had just vacated. "How are you feeling?"

She stretched her legs. "Tired, but I'm fine."

"Do you want me to get you anything?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'm good for now."

Harry's gaze wandered across the garden, finding Ron sitting with Ginny, their heads bent together and talking heatedly. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"What's on your mind?" Hermione asked.

He rested his hand on her calf. "Thanks for today."

"I hope you actually had a good time."

"I did. I swear. Besides, I was with you."

Hermione chuckled. "And what? That guarantees a good time?"

His eyes met hers. The low light in the garden made her brown eyes flash almost playfully. "I always have a good time when I'm with you."

She leaned back in her chair, feeling relieved. She was a little worried about dragging him to a museum of all places, but he usually humored her when she did. She was glad he enjoyed their outing.

He smiled at her. "I had a good day. Besides, we don't all want to head off to Paris for our birthdays."

She gasped. "Hey, that was your gift for me! Honestly, how could I say no?" She pulled on her shirt nervously.

He scooted closer, placing his hand on her belly. "How is she?"

"Fine. I think she likes chocolate cake." She rested her hand against his. "She was moving a lot earlier while Teddy was here."

He pressed his fingers a little more firmly. "I think they're going to get along really well."

"Oh, I know it. You should have seen Teddy's face when I told him the name we picked. He's adamant he chose it. He said he's going to drag her around playing Pokemon something." She moved their hands to the top part of her stomach. "There she is."

Harry felt movement beneath his fingers. He let out a contented sigh. "Hello, princess. Were you good for mummy today?" Their baby moved again, two rapid bumps against his fingers, before stopping. "Did you have fun at the Quidditch Museum today? I don't know if your mum did because, you know, Quidditch. But, it's late now and it's time for bed."

She gasped lightly. What did he just call her?

He sat back, removing his hand. "What?"

"Princess?"

He shrugged. "It just came out."

A big grin came to her face. "So," she licked her bottom lip, "what are you going to do for my birthday?"

"Damn, I have no idea. Nothing will probably be as good as Paris." He stretched his legs out in front of him.

"I don't know," she said softly, cradling her belly, "there might be some things."