Title: Little White Lies
Author: eena_angel2001
Email: eena_angel@hotmail.com or igrewal@sfu.ca
Rating: PG-13 to R
Category: HP/BTVS
Pairing: Willow/Harry
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the HP verse, and Joss Whedon owns the
BTVS.
Spoilers: Up to Season Six for BTVS, and Goblet of Fire for HP.
Summary: What if the events after the Triwizard Contest didn't go
down quite like we all thought . . .
Author Notes: Okay, I watched High Crimes this weekend, and now the
idea won't leave me alone. And its not the most convenient time
because I have finals. So I figure that I can get out the first
parts and everything will be okay. Okay, onto the actual notes
section.
I'm going to be changing a lot of things, and it will be
explained along the way. But it is to be noted that this takes place
quite a few years after the Goblet of Fire. Well, nine years to be
exact. And this is going to be very AU, as you will be able to tell.
Part Five
It was just how he remembered it, from all those years ago.
Harry stepped out of the Weasleys car, extending a hand to help Willow out after him. But his eyes were stuck on the structure in front of him, striking him speechless. Was it always this wonderful, or just appearing extra special in his eyes because he had been away for so long? Was it just his imagination?
"Harry?"
He smiled, tearing his eyes from the house and turning to his girlfriend. Her green eyes were concerned, and curious, as they flickered from his face to the home.
"It seems a bit smaller," he confided in her. "But that's probably because I was a lot smaller back then."
She gave a little chuckle of her own, imagining the scrawny little boy the books had always made him out to be.
"None of that," he admonished her, like he knew what she was thinking. The redhead just batted innocent eyelashes at him, before turning her full attention to the house in front of them.
"It's so cool!" came the cheer from the other side of the car. Harry laughed as Dawn all but jumped out of her seat, racing to stand in front of the parked car as she gazed upon the Burrow in amazement.
The entire ride over, the teenager had barely been able to contain her excitement, listing off all the things she wanted to see, a gnome being very high on that list.
Ron seemed to be as amused with her reaction as Harry was, climbing out of the driver's seat and tossing Willow and Harry a wink before turning to Dawn.
"Like what you see?" he teased her. Dawn only nodded, tossing his a wide grin.
"This is like the best thing that has ever happened!" she shrieked, hopping up and down once before stopping. She had a frown on her face the next time she looked up at the house, squinting at it in curosity for a second.
"Will all of us fit in there?" Dawn asked seriously. "I mean, there's us and Xander and Anya once they get a plane over here."
"There's plenty of room," Ron assured her, patting her on the shoulder. "I know it doesn't seem so from the front, but inside, it's much larger."
"Like with magic?" she asked, the bounce back in her step. Ron laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Of course with magic," he rolled his eyes. "You're in the Wizarding World now Dawn. We do everything with magic."
"Cool," was the only thing she had to say before going back to gaze upon the house in awe. Harry was right there with her, gazing up at it with warmth in his heart.
"I never realized how much I missed this place," he murmured softly.
Willow picked up on his words, giving him a small smile before wrapping her arms around his waist and her head resting on his chest. He hugged her back, a smile on his on lips, as he looked over the house.
"About time."
The muttering from Ron drew his attention away from the house. Both Harry and Willow turned, seeing that Arthur, Percy, Buffy, and Giles had finally caught up.
"Percy drives like an old woman," Ron confided in his friends as they watched the car come to park beside their own. Willow bit back a giggle at Ron's comment while Harry laughed outright. He dropped his arms from around Willow, clasping her hand in his own as he pulled her to where Dawn stood waiting impatiently for them.
"Hurry up!" was the irritated command shot her sister's way. Buffy got out of the car, straightened, and shot her little sister a look of pure death. Harry only now realized how dead tired Buffy looked. The Slayer had circles under her eyes, stifling yawns every few seconds. He nearly smacked himself when he remembered they hadn't slept at all since any of this happened. Dawn's exuberance for everything had distracted him, as well as Willow's altercation with Malfoy.
Malfoy. Just thinking about him made Harry's blood boil. Eight years it had been and the man was still as vile as he was back then, if not more so. How dare he even attempt to scare Willow? Or even worse, attempt to hit on her?
"Harry," came the soft whisper from his side. He looked down in shock, seeing Willow's slight grimace before realizing he had tightened his grip on her hand. Startled, he let go, cupping the
hand and bringing it to his chest.
"Sorry," he murmured, looking guiltily at her reddeningly hand.
"It's okay," she assured him, eyes still intent on his face. "But are you okay?"
He wasn't okay, far from it. He had dragged Willow into this mess, making her a target for Malfoy and anyone else that had a grudge against him. Just by being his girlfriend, the poor redhead found herself at the top of a lot of hit lists. But he would be damned if any of his enemies got their hands on her- especially Malfoy.
"Fine," he managed to get out. The look on her face told him she didn't buy that for a second. He just flashed her a warm smile, one that he hoped was comforting.
"Honest," he insisted. She sighed and nodded, turning to watch Giles and Arthur make their way up the porch steps. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders, steering the redhead up the steps behind everyone else. He met Ron's eyes over Willow's head, seeing the curiosity there as well.
He gave a mild shake of his head, mouthing the word "Later" silently. Ron gave the barest of nods in understanding and turned his attention to calming the bouncing Dawn at his side.
Arthur had opened the door, stepping inside and making a sweeping gesture with his hands.
"Welcome to the Burrow."
*****
This was it. This was IT. The Burrow, the place where the Wealseys lived, where Harry's family lived. She was going to meet the rest of them, right now.
Oh Goddess she wanted to run and hide.
All those fears she had been entertaining before her run-in with Draco Malfoy came rushing back full force. The redhead felt a small terror slowly seizing her heart, a cold sweat breaking out over her body as she stepped into the home.
It was massive inside. No doubt the use of magic, and recent no doubt. She remembered the books, hearing the descriptions of the Burrow. It fit everything right to the tee, except the proportions were huge.
"Well, the Minister of Magic can't be living in a cramped space you know?"
This was from Ron, who was talking to the stunned Dawn. Willow started at the sound of his voice, and then smiled. Of course, Arthur was the Minister of Magic now, he could afford making his home bigger. A lot bigger.
"Where are they? Let me see them!"
The commanding shout came from where she assumed the kitchen would be. A swinging door opened a little down the hall and a slightly greying woman stepped out. Willow looked at her red hair and wide blue eyes and knew, this was Molly Weasley.
"Harry! My dear boy!"
And then her boyfriend was caught up in a bear of a hug, with soft exclamations coming from Molly. Harry hugged her back fiercely, smiling happily at the woman when they pulled back.
"Oh, how we worried!" she exclaimed, tone disapproving but a smile still on her face. "Such a foolish thing to have done Harry!"
"I'm sorry," he replied automatically. Molly gave a bit of a huff, but her expression melted into warmth again.
"I'm just glad you're all right," she told him.
"I'm fine too Mum," came the teasing interjection from Ron. Molly turned a sharp eye to her smiling son, a teasing grin on her face as well.
"And that's a relief," she tossed back. "Nice to see you back from work and without one fist fight to report."
"Oh Mum," Ron rolled his eyes. "That was only once, and Malfoy had it coming."
"I raised you better than that Ron Weasley," the woman reprimanded him. "But I do suppose this is not the time for that. Now, who are our other guests?"
"I'm Dawn!" Dawn came rushing forward, a huge smile on her face. "Your house is so cool!"
"Dawn's a fan of the books," Percy offered in explanation to his mother. Molly only smiled, patting the young girl affectionately on the cheek.
"Why thank you dear," she murmured, eyes going to the beet-red face of Buffy. "And you must be her sister."
Buffy nodded, shooting the bouncing girl a glare before she stepped forward with her hand outstretched.
"I'm Buffy Summers-"
"The Slayer!" Arthur interjected excitedly. Willow let out a giggle at that, seeing Buffy go a bit redder in the face.
"The Slayer!" Molly repeated, eyes going to Harry. "You always did know how to pick your friends. Except for that misfortunate liking you took to my boy-"
"Hey!" Ron protested, the smile on his face underwriting the tone of his voice.
"And this is Mr. Giles of the Council," Percy continued in a very formal manner. Giles nodded, smiling as he stepped forward to shake Molly's hand. Pleasantries were being exchanged, but Willow didn't really hear them. Only one person left to introduce. Goddess she wanted to be elsewhere!
But those blue eyes of Molly found her face rather quickly. Harry stepped forward at her attention, drawing Willow closer to himself as he introduced her.
"This is Willow," he said simply. Molly understood at once, looking closely at the girl as she came forward. Willow never felt so nervous in all her life as when Molly regarded her so carefully. What if she didn't like Willow? What if she saw the taint from the Dark Arts, the one that Draco had seen? What if-
When the warm smile bloomed over Molly's features, Willow nearly keeled over in relief.
"Hello dear," Molly greeted her, taking her by the arm and leading her a bit away from Harry. "Come on now, all of you. You'll be fed and you'll be put to bed. Of course, the girls should have been brought here hours ago. Look at you poor dears, you look so tired. Honestly Arthur, didn't you at least give them something to eat while you kept them there? Oh you poor girls, lets get you some food and then we'll let you get some rest. You must have had the most terrible time the last few days . . ."
***** Part Six
"Harry!"
Willow was startled by the shriek, and then a little offended as she was all but pushed out of the way as a human figure propelled herself into her boyfriend's arms. The redhead had to stamp down the flare of jealousy she felt when seeing some strange girl throw herself at Harry.
Just who the hell was this chick? And why was she hanging all over Willow's boyfriend?
Harry let out a grunt, falling back against Ron his feet almost slipped out from under him. The impact had startled him, causing him to almost fall back on his butt. It took him a second to realize that there was a girl in his arms, a girl that was crying while hugging and hitting him at the same time.
"You big jerk . . ." he managed to make out of her babble. "Left without a word . . . no thought to your friends . . . bloody out of my mind with worry . . . stupid stupid wizard! I missed you so!"
He frowned, listening to her banter for a bit. He looked down, seeing only wavy brown hair and a blue Muggle sundress. It felt oddly familiar, though he couldn't figure out quite what it was.
And then it clicked.
"Hermione?" he ventured slowly. Willow felt her eyebrows go shooting to her hairline as Harry uttered that name. She looked closely at the girl in her boyfriend's arms, noting the long wavy brown hair and then it made sense.
"Of course it's me Hermione!" came the reply. She pulled back, looking up at Harry with those warm brown eyes, swirling with happiness and anger at the same time. It was definitely his Hermione. He gave a laugh, pulling her closer.
"Oh God," he breathed, placing a kiss on the top of her hair. "Hermione, it's really you!"
It was her. The very same Hermione, though older and far more lovely than before. She smiled up at him, letting him see that little fourteen he had left behind with everything and everyone else. His best friend Hermione, all grown up.
And she was pregnant!
"Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, holding her out at arm's length. It wasn't very noticeable, but you could tell. A slightly round belly was his only indication of her condition. A few months along the way no doubt.
"What? Who? How?" he was at a loss.
"You don't know how?" came Ron's question. He cuffed his friend lightly, sending a teasing wink Willow's way.
"You haven't taught him how yet?"
She went as red as her hair, laughing when Molly slapped Ron upside the head.
"Watch that mouth!" she commanded, making her way over to Willow to give the girl a brief hug. "Don't listen to him dear. He just doesn't know how to talk, to anyone!"
"Reminds me of Anya," Buffy muttered. Willow only managed a small smile, one that blossomed as Harry gave Ron a wallop of his own.
"Sod off you jerk," Harry grinned, before turning back to Hermione. "But really, who and when?"
"It's lovely to see you again as well Harry," Hermione answered with a roll of her eyes. "So glad that you want to exchange pleasantries first before charging headfirst into everything."
Harry had the decency to blush, planting a quick chaste kiss on her cheek before hugging her.
"It's good to see you again Hermione," he murmured. "It's been-"
"Eight years," she finished for him, giving him a hug back. "Eight long years. You could have wrote."
"Ron already hit me if that makes you feel any better," Harry shrugged. "You can get a lick in of your own if you want."
Hermione rolled her eyes, turning to smile at the other people in the room.
"Eight years and still as silly as ever," she shook her head, sending a smile Ron's way. "And why didn't you tell him?"
"Tell me what?" Harry demanded, looking between his friends suspiciously. Ron grinned, waving his left hand in Harry's face.
"Didn't you notice?" he asked, pulling Hermione into his arms. Realization dawned on everyone quickly as the couple kissed. Dawn let out an ear- piercing shriek of joy before commencing to bounce on her feet.
"I knew that would happen!" she declared. "You could so tell by the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire. I mean, it was so obvious."
Willow bit back a giggle as Buffy admonished her sister quietly. But the teenager wouldn't be stilled that easily, jumping up and down for joy at the revelation. An exuberant thumbs up was sent Ron's way before Buffy grabbed her by the hand and forcefully stilled her. Willow didn't have to look to know Giles was about to lecture the girl on proper behaviour in front of hosts, but she didn't care. Her eyes were on her boyfriend and Harry was shocked silent, looking at his friends in confusion.
"Well," he sputttered.
"Well," Hermione mocked back at him. She smiled before giving him another hug.
"If you bothered to keep in touch . . . " she trailed off, giving him a look. Harry just shook his head, a great smile coming over his features.
"I suppose this shows me," he agreed before clasping Ron's hand. "Congrats you two."
"Yes, yes, that's all good and well," Molly dismissed, pushing Willow and the Summers into chairs before hustling Harry into one as well. "But you four haven't eaten anything in a while and right after, you're going straight up to bed. Poor things, kept at that awful office for so long-"
"Hey!" Ron protested, smiling easily at his mother. "The office isn't awful."
"It is when you're being held prisoner," Molly retorted, pushing plates of food in front of her guests. "Now eat up and we'll get you all settled."
Willow didn't need to be told twice, digging into the bowl of soup placed in front of her. The redhead hadn't realized exactly how hungry she had become, but now that she thought on it-she was starving!
"We're just going to step out," Giles spoke up, referring to himself, Percy, and Mr. Weasley. "Have to go see about Xander and Anya."
Buffy nodded, not bothering to speak, to busy shoveling food in her mouth. The Slayer offered her former Watcher an offhand wave, eyes never leaving her plate. Dawn didn't give much notice to anything else, too busy firing questions at Hermione and Ron to even care about the food that had been put in front of her.
"When did you two finally hook up?" were the first words out of the girl's mouth. Hermione looked a bit taken back, shooting Harry a quizzical look.
"Dawn!" Buffy barked, putting fork down for a brief second. "That's rude! Don't pry!"
"It's all right," Ron assured her.
"Hermione, meet Dawn," Harry introduced them. "Dawn here is a rabid fan of the books."
"Oh," Hermione nodded, understanding at once. She smiled at the younger girl.
"We'll tell you everything later," she assured her. "But right now, you best eat and then get some rest. You four have been through quite an ordeal."
"It wasn't that bad," Willow murmured. "You know, aside from Harry being held prisoner and that whole thing with Malfoy, it wasn't that bad."
"What thing with Malfoy?" Ron barked.
"What's a Malfoy?" Buffy asked at the same time.
"Malfoy is a Slytherin," Dawn answered, tearing off a part of a biscuit before sticking it in her mouth. "He's Harry's old nemesis."
"I thought Vault of Worts was Harry's nemesis," Buffy frowned. Harry and Ron laughed at Buffy's variation of the Dark Lord's name, silenced almost immediately by Molly.
"No more talk," the older woman commanded. "Finish up your food and then to bed. And I don't want to hear any complaints. Hop to it!"
And all were silent, obediently eating as instructed. Only once Molly's back was turned did anyone dare to speak again.
"And you would be?"
This was directed at Willow. The redhead blinked at Hermione, sending Harry a cautious look. Harry just grinned, taking her hand in his.
"This is Willow," Harry introduced in a hushed whisper, eyes intent on the bustling figure of Molly in the kitchen. "She's my girl."
Willow bit back a proud grin at the way he said that. His girl, the second he referred to her as such. Once with Draco and now with Hermione. She could get used to such a title.
Hermione nodded sagely at the introduction, eyes skipping over to Buffy.
"And you are?"
"Buffy Summers," Buffy managed to get out between bites. Hermione
gasped, hand going to her chest.
"You're the Slayer!"
Ron rolled his eyes, sighing before offering Buffy an apologetic smile.
"Are you ever in for it."
*****
"Oh, my tummy!"
Harry laughed at Willow's antics, following her into the room Molly had directed them to. The redhead huffed at his laughter, pouting as she shuffled her way to the bed.
"Don't laugh," she sniffled. "My tummy really hurts."
"Well, you shouldn't have eaten so fast," he reprimanded her.
"But I was hungry!"
And again, he could only laugh. Willow just gave him a look before crawling slowly to the top of the bed. Once she had collapsed on it, turning over onto her back, he began to follow suit, crawling until he hovered over her. He smiled suggestively down at her, causing her to blush briefly.
"No way," she wagged her finger at the look on his face. "I'm too tired."
He pouted, sinking down until his chin rested on her stomach.
"But I missed you," he whined in perfect imitation of her earlier complaints.
"I haven't left your side in hours!" Willow protested, shooting a look to the closed door. "And besides, this is the Weasleys'
home . . ."
"I could a silencing charm on the room," he offered with a grin. She giggled at that, shaking her head.
"Nuh-uh," she disagreed, closing her eyes as she settled in. "Too tired."
Harry pouted, though it went unnoticed by her. With her eyes closed, the exhausted redhead found herself beginning to drift. Harry smiled softly at the picture she made, sliding off to the side and settling in next to her. Pulling her into his arms, he placed a kiss on her head.
"Willow?" he asked softly, watching her expectantly.
"Uh-uh?" she murmured back, relaxing herself in his arms with a contented sigh.
"I love you."
"Mmmm," she mumbled. "Love you too. Sleep now Loud Boy."
He chuckled, drawing the covers over the both of them before settling down again. He fingered a strand of her red hair lovingly, smiling as he heard her soft breathing. Already she was asleep, hands clinging to him while she slept.
Harry gave a sigh of his own, though his was more weary than Willow's had been. He loved her, and now because of that, she was drawn into the gigantic mess that was his life. Already Draco tried his hand at getting to her, Harry wondered who would be next.
It didn't matter, he supposed. He would kill each and every one of them before he let them put a hand on his Willow. They may have dragged him forcibly back, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to put up a fight. Once all this was settled, he was taking Willow back to the life they had together before all this.
It was all he wanted, all he needed. And he wasn't going to let anyone take that away from them.
*****
Author: eena_angel2001
Email: eena_angel@hotmail.com or igrewal@sfu.ca
Rating: PG-13 to R
Category: HP/BTVS
Pairing: Willow/Harry
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the HP verse, and Joss Whedon owns the
BTVS.
Spoilers: Up to Season Six for BTVS, and Goblet of Fire for HP.
Summary: What if the events after the Triwizard Contest didn't go
down quite like we all thought . . .
Author Notes: Okay, I watched High Crimes this weekend, and now the
idea won't leave me alone. And its not the most convenient time
because I have finals. So I figure that I can get out the first
parts and everything will be okay. Okay, onto the actual notes
section.
I'm going to be changing a lot of things, and it will be
explained along the way. But it is to be noted that this takes place
quite a few years after the Goblet of Fire. Well, nine years to be
exact. And this is going to be very AU, as you will be able to tell.
Part Five
It was just how he remembered it, from all those years ago.
Harry stepped out of the Weasleys car, extending a hand to help Willow out after him. But his eyes were stuck on the structure in front of him, striking him speechless. Was it always this wonderful, or just appearing extra special in his eyes because he had been away for so long? Was it just his imagination?
"Harry?"
He smiled, tearing his eyes from the house and turning to his girlfriend. Her green eyes were concerned, and curious, as they flickered from his face to the home.
"It seems a bit smaller," he confided in her. "But that's probably because I was a lot smaller back then."
She gave a little chuckle of her own, imagining the scrawny little boy the books had always made him out to be.
"None of that," he admonished her, like he knew what she was thinking. The redhead just batted innocent eyelashes at him, before turning her full attention to the house in front of them.
"It's so cool!" came the cheer from the other side of the car. Harry laughed as Dawn all but jumped out of her seat, racing to stand in front of the parked car as she gazed upon the Burrow in amazement.
The entire ride over, the teenager had barely been able to contain her excitement, listing off all the things she wanted to see, a gnome being very high on that list.
Ron seemed to be as amused with her reaction as Harry was, climbing out of the driver's seat and tossing Willow and Harry a wink before turning to Dawn.
"Like what you see?" he teased her. Dawn only nodded, tossing his a wide grin.
"This is like the best thing that has ever happened!" she shrieked, hopping up and down once before stopping. She had a frown on her face the next time she looked up at the house, squinting at it in curosity for a second.
"Will all of us fit in there?" Dawn asked seriously. "I mean, there's us and Xander and Anya once they get a plane over here."
"There's plenty of room," Ron assured her, patting her on the shoulder. "I know it doesn't seem so from the front, but inside, it's much larger."
"Like with magic?" she asked, the bounce back in her step. Ron laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Of course with magic," he rolled his eyes. "You're in the Wizarding World now Dawn. We do everything with magic."
"Cool," was the only thing she had to say before going back to gaze upon the house in awe. Harry was right there with her, gazing up at it with warmth in his heart.
"I never realized how much I missed this place," he murmured softly.
Willow picked up on his words, giving him a small smile before wrapping her arms around his waist and her head resting on his chest. He hugged her back, a smile on his on lips, as he looked over the house.
"About time."
The muttering from Ron drew his attention away from the house. Both Harry and Willow turned, seeing that Arthur, Percy, Buffy, and Giles had finally caught up.
"Percy drives like an old woman," Ron confided in his friends as they watched the car come to park beside their own. Willow bit back a giggle at Ron's comment while Harry laughed outright. He dropped his arms from around Willow, clasping her hand in his own as he pulled her to where Dawn stood waiting impatiently for them.
"Hurry up!" was the irritated command shot her sister's way. Buffy got out of the car, straightened, and shot her little sister a look of pure death. Harry only now realized how dead tired Buffy looked. The Slayer had circles under her eyes, stifling yawns every few seconds. He nearly smacked himself when he remembered they hadn't slept at all since any of this happened. Dawn's exuberance for everything had distracted him, as well as Willow's altercation with Malfoy.
Malfoy. Just thinking about him made Harry's blood boil. Eight years it had been and the man was still as vile as he was back then, if not more so. How dare he even attempt to scare Willow? Or even worse, attempt to hit on her?
"Harry," came the soft whisper from his side. He looked down in shock, seeing Willow's slight grimace before realizing he had tightened his grip on her hand. Startled, he let go, cupping the
hand and bringing it to his chest.
"Sorry," he murmured, looking guiltily at her reddeningly hand.
"It's okay," she assured him, eyes still intent on his face. "But are you okay?"
He wasn't okay, far from it. He had dragged Willow into this mess, making her a target for Malfoy and anyone else that had a grudge against him. Just by being his girlfriend, the poor redhead found herself at the top of a lot of hit lists. But he would be damned if any of his enemies got their hands on her- especially Malfoy.
"Fine," he managed to get out. The look on her face told him she didn't buy that for a second. He just flashed her a warm smile, one that he hoped was comforting.
"Honest," he insisted. She sighed and nodded, turning to watch Giles and Arthur make their way up the porch steps. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders, steering the redhead up the steps behind everyone else. He met Ron's eyes over Willow's head, seeing the curiosity there as well.
He gave a mild shake of his head, mouthing the word "Later" silently. Ron gave the barest of nods in understanding and turned his attention to calming the bouncing Dawn at his side.
Arthur had opened the door, stepping inside and making a sweeping gesture with his hands.
"Welcome to the Burrow."
*****
This was it. This was IT. The Burrow, the place where the Wealseys lived, where Harry's family lived. She was going to meet the rest of them, right now.
Oh Goddess she wanted to run and hide.
All those fears she had been entertaining before her run-in with Draco Malfoy came rushing back full force. The redhead felt a small terror slowly seizing her heart, a cold sweat breaking out over her body as she stepped into the home.
It was massive inside. No doubt the use of magic, and recent no doubt. She remembered the books, hearing the descriptions of the Burrow. It fit everything right to the tee, except the proportions were huge.
"Well, the Minister of Magic can't be living in a cramped space you know?"
This was from Ron, who was talking to the stunned Dawn. Willow started at the sound of his voice, and then smiled. Of course, Arthur was the Minister of Magic now, he could afford making his home bigger. A lot bigger.
"Where are they? Let me see them!"
The commanding shout came from where she assumed the kitchen would be. A swinging door opened a little down the hall and a slightly greying woman stepped out. Willow looked at her red hair and wide blue eyes and knew, this was Molly Weasley.
"Harry! My dear boy!"
And then her boyfriend was caught up in a bear of a hug, with soft exclamations coming from Molly. Harry hugged her back fiercely, smiling happily at the woman when they pulled back.
"Oh, how we worried!" she exclaimed, tone disapproving but a smile still on her face. "Such a foolish thing to have done Harry!"
"I'm sorry," he replied automatically. Molly gave a bit of a huff, but her expression melted into warmth again.
"I'm just glad you're all right," she told him.
"I'm fine too Mum," came the teasing interjection from Ron. Molly turned a sharp eye to her smiling son, a teasing grin on her face as well.
"And that's a relief," she tossed back. "Nice to see you back from work and without one fist fight to report."
"Oh Mum," Ron rolled his eyes. "That was only once, and Malfoy had it coming."
"I raised you better than that Ron Weasley," the woman reprimanded him. "But I do suppose this is not the time for that. Now, who are our other guests?"
"I'm Dawn!" Dawn came rushing forward, a huge smile on her face. "Your house is so cool!"
"Dawn's a fan of the books," Percy offered in explanation to his mother. Molly only smiled, patting the young girl affectionately on the cheek.
"Why thank you dear," she murmured, eyes going to the beet-red face of Buffy. "And you must be her sister."
Buffy nodded, shooting the bouncing girl a glare before she stepped forward with her hand outstretched.
"I'm Buffy Summers-"
"The Slayer!" Arthur interjected excitedly. Willow let out a giggle at that, seeing Buffy go a bit redder in the face.
"The Slayer!" Molly repeated, eyes going to Harry. "You always did know how to pick your friends. Except for that misfortunate liking you took to my boy-"
"Hey!" Ron protested, the smile on his face underwriting the tone of his voice.
"And this is Mr. Giles of the Council," Percy continued in a very formal manner. Giles nodded, smiling as he stepped forward to shake Molly's hand. Pleasantries were being exchanged, but Willow didn't really hear them. Only one person left to introduce. Goddess she wanted to be elsewhere!
But those blue eyes of Molly found her face rather quickly. Harry stepped forward at her attention, drawing Willow closer to himself as he introduced her.
"This is Willow," he said simply. Molly understood at once, looking closely at the girl as she came forward. Willow never felt so nervous in all her life as when Molly regarded her so carefully. What if she didn't like Willow? What if she saw the taint from the Dark Arts, the one that Draco had seen? What if-
When the warm smile bloomed over Molly's features, Willow nearly keeled over in relief.
"Hello dear," Molly greeted her, taking her by the arm and leading her a bit away from Harry. "Come on now, all of you. You'll be fed and you'll be put to bed. Of course, the girls should have been brought here hours ago. Look at you poor dears, you look so tired. Honestly Arthur, didn't you at least give them something to eat while you kept them there? Oh you poor girls, lets get you some food and then we'll let you get some rest. You must have had the most terrible time the last few days . . ."
***** Part Six
"Harry!"
Willow was startled by the shriek, and then a little offended as she was all but pushed out of the way as a human figure propelled herself into her boyfriend's arms. The redhead had to stamp down the flare of jealousy she felt when seeing some strange girl throw herself at Harry.
Just who the hell was this chick? And why was she hanging all over Willow's boyfriend?
Harry let out a grunt, falling back against Ron his feet almost slipped out from under him. The impact had startled him, causing him to almost fall back on his butt. It took him a second to realize that there was a girl in his arms, a girl that was crying while hugging and hitting him at the same time.
"You big jerk . . ." he managed to make out of her babble. "Left without a word . . . no thought to your friends . . . bloody out of my mind with worry . . . stupid stupid wizard! I missed you so!"
He frowned, listening to her banter for a bit. He looked down, seeing only wavy brown hair and a blue Muggle sundress. It felt oddly familiar, though he couldn't figure out quite what it was.
And then it clicked.
"Hermione?" he ventured slowly. Willow felt her eyebrows go shooting to her hairline as Harry uttered that name. She looked closely at the girl in her boyfriend's arms, noting the long wavy brown hair and then it made sense.
"Of course it's me Hermione!" came the reply. She pulled back, looking up at Harry with those warm brown eyes, swirling with happiness and anger at the same time. It was definitely his Hermione. He gave a laugh, pulling her closer.
"Oh God," he breathed, placing a kiss on the top of her hair. "Hermione, it's really you!"
It was her. The very same Hermione, though older and far more lovely than before. She smiled up at him, letting him see that little fourteen he had left behind with everything and everyone else. His best friend Hermione, all grown up.
And she was pregnant!
"Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, holding her out at arm's length. It wasn't very noticeable, but you could tell. A slightly round belly was his only indication of her condition. A few months along the way no doubt.
"What? Who? How?" he was at a loss.
"You don't know how?" came Ron's question. He cuffed his friend lightly, sending a teasing wink Willow's way.
"You haven't taught him how yet?"
She went as red as her hair, laughing when Molly slapped Ron upside the head.
"Watch that mouth!" she commanded, making her way over to Willow to give the girl a brief hug. "Don't listen to him dear. He just doesn't know how to talk, to anyone!"
"Reminds me of Anya," Buffy muttered. Willow only managed a small smile, one that blossomed as Harry gave Ron a wallop of his own.
"Sod off you jerk," Harry grinned, before turning back to Hermione. "But really, who and when?"
"It's lovely to see you again as well Harry," Hermione answered with a roll of her eyes. "So glad that you want to exchange pleasantries first before charging headfirst into everything."
Harry had the decency to blush, planting a quick chaste kiss on her cheek before hugging her.
"It's good to see you again Hermione," he murmured. "It's been-"
"Eight years," she finished for him, giving him a hug back. "Eight long years. You could have wrote."
"Ron already hit me if that makes you feel any better," Harry shrugged. "You can get a lick in of your own if you want."
Hermione rolled her eyes, turning to smile at the other people in the room.
"Eight years and still as silly as ever," she shook her head, sending a smile Ron's way. "And why didn't you tell him?"
"Tell me what?" Harry demanded, looking between his friends suspiciously. Ron grinned, waving his left hand in Harry's face.
"Didn't you notice?" he asked, pulling Hermione into his arms. Realization dawned on everyone quickly as the couple kissed. Dawn let out an ear- piercing shriek of joy before commencing to bounce on her feet.
"I knew that would happen!" she declared. "You could so tell by the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire. I mean, it was so obvious."
Willow bit back a giggle as Buffy admonished her sister quietly. But the teenager wouldn't be stilled that easily, jumping up and down for joy at the revelation. An exuberant thumbs up was sent Ron's way before Buffy grabbed her by the hand and forcefully stilled her. Willow didn't have to look to know Giles was about to lecture the girl on proper behaviour in front of hosts, but she didn't care. Her eyes were on her boyfriend and Harry was shocked silent, looking at his friends in confusion.
"Well," he sputttered.
"Well," Hermione mocked back at him. She smiled before giving him another hug.
"If you bothered to keep in touch . . . " she trailed off, giving him a look. Harry just shook his head, a great smile coming over his features.
"I suppose this shows me," he agreed before clasping Ron's hand. "Congrats you two."
"Yes, yes, that's all good and well," Molly dismissed, pushing Willow and the Summers into chairs before hustling Harry into one as well. "But you four haven't eaten anything in a while and right after, you're going straight up to bed. Poor things, kept at that awful office for so long-"
"Hey!" Ron protested, smiling easily at his mother. "The office isn't awful."
"It is when you're being held prisoner," Molly retorted, pushing plates of food in front of her guests. "Now eat up and we'll get you all settled."
Willow didn't need to be told twice, digging into the bowl of soup placed in front of her. The redhead hadn't realized exactly how hungry she had become, but now that she thought on it-she was starving!
"We're just going to step out," Giles spoke up, referring to himself, Percy, and Mr. Weasley. "Have to go see about Xander and Anya."
Buffy nodded, not bothering to speak, to busy shoveling food in her mouth. The Slayer offered her former Watcher an offhand wave, eyes never leaving her plate. Dawn didn't give much notice to anything else, too busy firing questions at Hermione and Ron to even care about the food that had been put in front of her.
"When did you two finally hook up?" were the first words out of the girl's mouth. Hermione looked a bit taken back, shooting Harry a quizzical look.
"Dawn!" Buffy barked, putting fork down for a brief second. "That's rude! Don't pry!"
"It's all right," Ron assured her.
"Hermione, meet Dawn," Harry introduced them. "Dawn here is a rabid fan of the books."
"Oh," Hermione nodded, understanding at once. She smiled at the younger girl.
"We'll tell you everything later," she assured her. "But right now, you best eat and then get some rest. You four have been through quite an ordeal."
"It wasn't that bad," Willow murmured. "You know, aside from Harry being held prisoner and that whole thing with Malfoy, it wasn't that bad."
"What thing with Malfoy?" Ron barked.
"What's a Malfoy?" Buffy asked at the same time.
"Malfoy is a Slytherin," Dawn answered, tearing off a part of a biscuit before sticking it in her mouth. "He's Harry's old nemesis."
"I thought Vault of Worts was Harry's nemesis," Buffy frowned. Harry and Ron laughed at Buffy's variation of the Dark Lord's name, silenced almost immediately by Molly.
"No more talk," the older woman commanded. "Finish up your food and then to bed. And I don't want to hear any complaints. Hop to it!"
And all were silent, obediently eating as instructed. Only once Molly's back was turned did anyone dare to speak again.
"And you would be?"
This was directed at Willow. The redhead blinked at Hermione, sending Harry a cautious look. Harry just grinned, taking her hand in his.
"This is Willow," Harry introduced in a hushed whisper, eyes intent on the bustling figure of Molly in the kitchen. "She's my girl."
Willow bit back a proud grin at the way he said that. His girl, the second he referred to her as such. Once with Draco and now with Hermione. She could get used to such a title.
Hermione nodded sagely at the introduction, eyes skipping over to Buffy.
"And you are?"
"Buffy Summers," Buffy managed to get out between bites. Hermione
gasped, hand going to her chest.
"You're the Slayer!"
Ron rolled his eyes, sighing before offering Buffy an apologetic smile.
"Are you ever in for it."
*****
"Oh, my tummy!"
Harry laughed at Willow's antics, following her into the room Molly had directed them to. The redhead huffed at his laughter, pouting as she shuffled her way to the bed.
"Don't laugh," she sniffled. "My tummy really hurts."
"Well, you shouldn't have eaten so fast," he reprimanded her.
"But I was hungry!"
And again, he could only laugh. Willow just gave him a look before crawling slowly to the top of the bed. Once she had collapsed on it, turning over onto her back, he began to follow suit, crawling until he hovered over her. He smiled suggestively down at her, causing her to blush briefly.
"No way," she wagged her finger at the look on his face. "I'm too tired."
He pouted, sinking down until his chin rested on her stomach.
"But I missed you," he whined in perfect imitation of her earlier complaints.
"I haven't left your side in hours!" Willow protested, shooting a look to the closed door. "And besides, this is the Weasleys'
home . . ."
"I could a silencing charm on the room," he offered with a grin. She giggled at that, shaking her head.
"Nuh-uh," she disagreed, closing her eyes as she settled in. "Too tired."
Harry pouted, though it went unnoticed by her. With her eyes closed, the exhausted redhead found herself beginning to drift. Harry smiled softly at the picture she made, sliding off to the side and settling in next to her. Pulling her into his arms, he placed a kiss on her head.
"Willow?" he asked softly, watching her expectantly.
"Uh-uh?" she murmured back, relaxing herself in his arms with a contented sigh.
"I love you."
"Mmmm," she mumbled. "Love you too. Sleep now Loud Boy."
He chuckled, drawing the covers over the both of them before settling down again. He fingered a strand of her red hair lovingly, smiling as he heard her soft breathing. Already she was asleep, hands clinging to him while she slept.
Harry gave a sigh of his own, though his was more weary than Willow's had been. He loved her, and now because of that, she was drawn into the gigantic mess that was his life. Already Draco tried his hand at getting to her, Harry wondered who would be next.
It didn't matter, he supposed. He would kill each and every one of them before he let them put a hand on his Willow. They may have dragged him forcibly back, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to put up a fight. Once all this was settled, he was taking Willow back to the life they had together before all this.
It was all he wanted, all he needed. And he wasn't going to let anyone take that away from them.
*****