Look what I did. I managed to finish the next chapter, decided to post it. I know it is a little shorter than usual, but that's where I wanted to end things. Happy Memorial Day to Americans, and thank you to all of you who served in the Armed Forces not matter what the country. Enjoy!

Chapter 19 Telling the Parents

Bright and early the next morning, Hermione bounded down the stairs. She paused to admire her engagement ring in front of Walburga, "From a pureblood."

"Hermione, are you taunting the portrait?" Harry asked coming up behind her.

"Yep, what to help?"

"Nah, I taunted her yesterday about all the little half bloods that would be running around here soon."

They began walking towards the kitchen, "On a serious note, should we see about removing it?"

"Even Kreacher doesn't know how she affixed it. And it is a load-bearing wall."

"So desperate times call for desperate measures?" she grinned an evil little grin.

"That look always makes me nervous," he confessed.

"Sorry, not sorry." She held open the door for him. "Viktor is going to start moving in tonight or tomorrow. His lease isn't until next month, so he sees no reason to do it all at once."

"I let Annika know she always has a room available to her. She and her siblings are getting themselves sorted. She's the first to get engaged."

"Was she excited?"

"She told me of everyone she's met in England, I was the most forthcoming and truthful. None of our dates felt like business meetings. She liked that."

"I hope you guys are happy."

"Me, too."

Kreacher served breakfast and brought Harry the papers. "Would Runes Mistress like Kreacher to do her laundry with Master's?" the old elf eyed her hopefully.

"Yes, please, Kreacher, that would be most helpful." He beamed at her before popping away. "That elf is going to be over the moon to have a baby to look after."

"Right? He does tell me he wishes we were messier. Sometimes I leave my clothes and towels all over the floor for him." He picked up the Quibbler, "Look, Xeno used your full quote."

"That's nice of him," she responded, somewhat distracted as she skimmed the Guardian headlines for worldwide news. "Anything of interest?"

"This winter should be good for burgundy wixie spores."

"That's good, I suppose. If you're a wixie spore, anyways."

"Shall we stop putting this off and get it over with?" he asked reaching for the Daily Prophet.

"We might as well," she sighed.

Together they read the headlines on the front page, "'Marriage Matches Revealed' that sounds neutral," offered Harry.

"I reserve judgment until we read the article."

"Sure, sure." Being the faster reader, Hermione finished the three column article before Harry did. She waited patiently. "Well?"

"The usual hogwash speculation we have come expect from the Daily Gossip."

"Sweet Merlin, it was like Percy was here with us."

"That's what I was going for. Can you imagine him right now?"

"He'd have a detailed plan ready to go before his appointment for every possibility."

Hermione smiled sadly, "He would. I know he was a prat for a long time, but it is harder to see things from the inside. Moments like this I miss him."

"Yeah," Harry looked down at the paper. "I know I tried to stay out of the limelight, but several of Ginny's dates were photographed, why are they speculating she and I will end up together?"

"Why does it ponder if Malfoy and I will unite the sides of the war in peace? Because I had lunch with him and his mother? Two other men were present, hello?" She shook her head, "If I know anything about how the gossip mongers work, next will be to attack anyone not paired up in what they think are dream couples."

"What do we do? Hold a press conference? Release our lists?"

"In our case, Malfoy loves attention. I would let him remind the press that Viktor and I had a thing fourth year, true love and all that. In your and Ginny's case, I think we need a group date, or rather several. First, the Golden Trio, gods I hate that nickname, then maybe you, me, and Ginny, or you, Ron, and Ginny. Point is, we need to be out there in public playing nice and being happy couples. You invite them over, I'm going to floo Malfoy."

Draco quickly owled back. "Salazar, Granger, why aren't you running a PR firm? If you ever get bored with squiggles and chanting, you're hired. Brilliant idea, thanks! -M."

Ron and Ginny instantly agreed, "Not that I know who he is. I could be one of the unlucky few shuffled into the second round," Ginny groaned.

"On a happier note," Ron rolled his eyes at his sister's dramatics, "Moira loved her ring. She and her mother have thrown themselves into planning to stay ahead of the crowds."

"Bea said something similar when Mum tried to drag out planning. There is no time for agonizing and second-guessing. Pick something and get it ordered. Though Dad managed to convince her that not every wedding needs to be at the Burrow. It just isn't feasible.",

Afterward, Hermione apparated to her parents' house in Fulham. She swept through the house removing months' worth of dust. She turned the thermostat up to a comfortable level. Once she finished airing out the house, she snatched the car keys off the hook, canceling the notice me note and muggle repelling charms on them. She checked the fluid levels and backed her mother's sedan out of the garage. Once she adjusted the controls and mirrors for comfort, she backed out the driveway and headed to Heathrow to collect her parents.

Giggling to herself, she joined the limo driver and business drivers holding signs. Martin Granger rolled his eyes when he noticed her sign. Helen Granger laughed so hard she had to stop walking and doubled over briefly. "What?" inquired Hermione innocently,

"Darlingest Mumsy and Popsicle?" he questioned.

"You are."

"So does that make you Glinda?"

"Sure. Go grab Mum and we'll collect your luggage."

The other passengers and drivers chuckled at their antics. "Come one, darlingest," Martin directed his wife towards the luggage carousel, "our good witch is waiting."

"How was your trip?" Hermione asked as they exited the airport.

"So rewarding," Helen smiled, "helping people fix their teeth, something so basic and vital, so many of us take it for granted."

"The program is hoping to sponsor some of the villagers to come get training." Martin shared.

"Here in Britain?" Hermione asked opening the boot.

"Here, or in France or Spain, anywhere they want in Europe, really." Martin placed the suitcases in the car, slamming the lid with a thud. "You drive, sweetie, I'm still used to the other side. Going to need a day or two."

Hermione shrugged, slipping behind the wheel, as Helen climbed into the backseat. "We're considering hosting one or two in the future. I know that will affect your ability to pop in and out, but we still want to help once we're slowing down our trips."

"Are you planning that anytime soon? I know you said you were going to take longer breaks now that I'm home."

Martin looked a bit uncomfortable, "We were thinking, well, that is," he took a deep breath, "we want to be home more for grandchildren, not off in the wilds."

"We know that is still down the road," Helen assured her.

"Actually, it could be closer than you think." Taking a steadying breath, she held up her left hand, flashing it at the backseat. "Viktor proposed last night."

Helen squealed in excitement, slipping the ring off her daughter's finger so she could admire it without distracting her from driving.

Martin narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "That feels awful fast. You just reconnected."

"There may have been a barbaric and antiquated government decree speeding up the timetable. But we both agree we would have arrived here eventually."

"And he agrees to wait until you're ready for kids? He is older than you."

"See above statement," she cringed waiting for the explosion.

"Would you care to elaborate?" her father asked in a flat tone.

"No," whined Hermione in a small voice.

"Try anyway."

She sighed again, then focused on changing lanes. Once traffic resumed a flow, she addressed her parents again. "For the last thirty years, most of the wizarding populations have seen a decrease. The two wars with Riddle on the heels of World War Two and Grindelwald did not help an already decreasing trend."

"Without the professor mode, if you would," he snapped.

"Nope, you want an explanation, that requires a foundation of solid information so you can understand. Now, where was I? Oh, yeah, at least thirty years of decline. And current fertility rituals are barbaric and short-sighted. All of the Continent and Eastern Europe have had marriage laws on the books since the end of the second war with Riddle. But continued low birthrates have finally forced Britain to follow suit."

"Can't you make one that's what your degree is in?"

"Can't you just stop cleft palates and cavities? You're a dentist." Hermione snapped back. "Yeah, not that simple. And even if I can, that doesn't change the law now. Much like muggle experiments, these things take time."

"Did you have any choice?" asked Helen.

"I did. Viktor and I agreed we would have ended up married anyway. This really did just sped things up."

"So, when's the funeral?" Martin asked darkly.

"We have a few ideas, but if you keep this crap up we can just neglect to invite you." She spared a second to glare at him. "I could have lied to you. You would have never known. But I chose not to. Just like I chose not to erase your memories without asking your opinion. This is my life and my choices. If you don't want to be involved in it anymore, just say so."

"That's not what I meant," muttered Martin.

"Then act like it, and accept that while this hasn't been perfect, it could have been so much worse."

"How?"

"Ron. A Death Eater. A Chelsea fan."

"I think we could have managed the first two." The family laughed, the tension broken.

Helen caught Hermione's eye in the review mirror. "What are your ideas, sweetheart?"

"The Ministry is only giving us six months to get married."

"Oh, goodness."

"That may be an understatement. And Viktor's family is still in Bulgaria. Add to that most of my family has no idea magic exists."

"You never did like to do things the easy way," laughed Martin.

"Our thoughts were to fulfill the obligation by popping into the Ministry before the deadline. If you wanted us to have a muggle ceremony we could, and a Bulgarian one. We would give you and Viktor's mum a list of wants and don't wants, find our outfits, and you could plan the rest. We would reserve the right for the final say. Those of our friends who feel comfortable can attend the muggle one. And they all can be invited to the Bulgarian one. I expect you at all three."

"That is impressively practical of you." Helen complimented.

"Viktor and I will start on our lists then. We can talk more Saturday during dinner. I don't know if he has told his parents about the wedding plans."

"Will we be able to attend the actual wedding?"

"If you can't come into the Ministry, I will have Kings perform the ceremony somewhere you can," Hermione promised.

She left her parents to settle back in at home, promising they would talk more later. She apparated to Grimmauld Place in time to greet Viktor emerging from the fireplace. "Hello, there."

"Hello, sunbeam." He adjusted the box he held to kiss her cheek. "I come with enough belongings to be able to stay night."

"Let me show you to your room. Then I can show you mine," She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Such naughty suggestions," he teased. She started up the stairs, slowly rolling her hips as she moved. "And was thinking I would be marrying a good girl."

"Sorry to disappoint, and took late now. You're stuck with me."

On the landing large hands grasped her hips, "Teasing is not playing nice," a rough voice whispered in her ear.

"Maybe I don't like playing nice." She turned her head and kissed him fiercely. "And who said I was teasing?" She resumed walking, his hands still on her hips his box floating along behind them.

She stopped on the third floor. "This one is you, this one over here is me. After much deliberation, Harry kept his room on the second floor and Annika will be at the far end of our floor if she wants. We all have our own bathrooms, praise the lord."

"Why did Harry stay on the second floor?"

"That way he and his future wife are both moving into a new bedroom together. And he wanted to wait and redecorate it with her. And if she isn't quite ready to share a room yet he's a floor away. She can feel secure Harry expects nothing."

"And you?"

"Oh, I've never expected anything from Harry. We have flaming rows when he tries to pay for things."

"Not what I meant," he growled tightening his grip.

She chuckled lowly, "No, Harry is my brother, that would be icky."

"You are purposely misunderstanding."

She turned in his embrace, "Yep," she pecked the tip of his nose. "You and I are in a different place than other people under this law. We will move at our pace, just as everyone should. Go unpack your stuff and come find me, Mr. Krum." She gave him a quick kiss and sauntered down the hall to her door. "I'll be waiting," she called with one last searing look over her shoulder.

Viktor hurried into his room taking a second to admire the Puddlemere poster Hermione hung for him, before resizing his belongings and using magic to put them away. He took several deep breaths before knocking on Hermione's door. He knew his face fell when he walked into the room to find a female Weasley sobbing on the bed. She gave him an apologetic look, he shrugged, "Is all things okay? I can go."

Ginny sat up, "No, I'm being stupid. Just because Nott has his meeting and I haven't heard from him doesn't mean anything. He has two weeks to propose."

"And if it isn't him you don't have to marry anyone, you could have a contract arrangement," Hermione assured her.

"Mum would love that," Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm intruding on smoochie time."

"Nonsense," Viktor told her, "smoochie time isn't until nine. No, I moved in here to help Hermione support her friends, is fine."

"Harry will be back from proposing to Annika soon. There may not be time for smoochies tonight."

"At least you guys are happy," Ginny grimaced.

"Gin, be patient. I told Nott to avoid grand gestures at first. He might want to go big for this." Hermione told her.

"Easy for you to say."

Hermione held up her left hand, "Viktor kept things simple and private. The way we both wanted it."

"Holy hell, look at those rocks! The man did good." Gin grabbed Hermione's hand, pulling her to the window for better light.

To welcome Viktor, Kreacher pulled out all the stops. He subtly inquired after the Bulgarian's favorite dishes and prepared several that evening. Heavenly scents wafted from the kitchen, and the food tasted even better. Ron arrived as Kreacher served dessert. "Merlin's saggy balls, something smells amazing."

"Join us. It's Viktor's welcome meal," Harry told him.

"Cheers, mate, Good luck living with these two."

"Oi, and what's wrong with us?" demanded Hermione.

"You're both mental. We all are really," Ron teased. She mimed throwing food at him.