Disclaimer: Could I ever own something as great as Harry Potter?
CHAPTER XIII: THE MIDDLE
"Aunt Ginny, Mum's not letting me eat any more candy," 5-year-old Kelly Weasley complained at the breakfast table.
"Aw Mummy's not letting you have any more candy. Why is that Mummy?" Ginny teased, batting her eyelashes at Hermione, who was busy tying 5-year-old Jason Weasley's shoelaces.
"Ginny, you of all people should know that candy is unhealthy for the stomach," Hermione replied curtly. "Especially in the morning," she added quickly.
"What does unhealthy mean?" Jason inquired innocently, while shoving another Chocolate frog into his mouth, while his mother wasn't looking. Ginny shook her head sternly, while he shrugged his shoulders helplessly.
"It means not good for the tummy," Ginny explained, gently patting Kelly's stomach. She giggled as she took another bite of French toast.
"C'mon kids, hurry up. You don't want to be late for school," Hermione stated, grabbing her children's bags from the ground.
"But Mum it's only 8:30," Kelly protested, but got up from her chair.
"I know, but you usually spend most of the time talking with your other friends so you completely forget that you have to go to school," her mother answered, helping her kids into their bags.
"Is Uncle Fred going to take us?" Jason asked, while trying desperately to straighten the curls in his wavy brown hair.
"He is, and don't do that, Jason," Ginny remarked, whacking her nephew playfully on the arm.
"Ow," he winced melodramatically. "Why shouldn't I do that?" he responded.
"Because those curls belong to your mother and they look very nice on you," Ginny answered, while smiling at Hermione, who shook her head and glanced impatiently at her watch.
"Why couldn't I have red hair?" he whined.
"Why can't you behave like a proper gentleman?" Ginny retorted. "Can't you see that you're twin sister is waiting so calmly for her uncle to arrive?"
Jason grumbled and was about to give some snappy retort when Uncle Fred apparated into the room.
"Whew sorry I'm late," he apologized briefly, while dusting his shoulder free of soot.
"Uncle Fred," Kelly squealed, running towards her favorite uncle.
"Hey," he cried, picking her up and swinging her around. Propping her up on his arm, he asked, "Are we all set?"
"Just about," Hermione replied, giving Jason a kiss on his head. "Bye sweetheart," she murmured into his hair.
"Bye mum," he mumbled, while trying to break free of her grasp.
"Yea see you later, mum," Kelly chimed in and gave her mother a light kiss on her cheek.
"Fred, remember, Kelly and Jason are staying over at their friend's house today," Hermione reminded the twin.
"Hey, no problem. Besides Angelina's busy all day today and it's George's turn to take care of the shop so I'm free," Fred explained. Gripping his nephew's hand tightly, he gave the two girls a small wave and with a pop the trio were gone.
Once they were gone, Ginny heaved a sigh of relief. "I didn't know it's that difficult to take care of kids," she remarked, clearing up the breakfast table.
"Yea well, five years are enough to give me some experience," Hermione replied, dumping the plates into the sink. Flicking out her wand, she muttered a small spell and the plates began to clean themselves.
"Don't you ever think about dating?" Ginny asked out of the blue. The bushy-haired girl glanced up from the counter and answered placidly, "Don't you?"
Ginny sighed. "My case is different. No one seems good enough to qualify to lead a relationship with me. And besides," Ginny pointed out defensively. "I've got five older brothers who would knock the lights out of the boy who dared harm me."
Hermione whispered softly, "Four, Ginny."
"Say what?" Ginny was confused.
She turned to the younger girl and repeated, "Four brothers, Gin. Not five; Ron's dead."
Ginny gasped and clamped her hand over her mouth. "Hermione, I am so sorry." Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "It's all right." There was an awkward silence between the two girls when finally Ginny broke it, by stating "Hermione, I'd better be going. I'm planning on walking to my office. The fresh air would do me good, especially since The Daily Prophet probably has another pathetic article for me to edit."
She nodded her head. "I'm glad that you're editor of the newspaper and thanks for dropping by. The kids love to see you," Hermione responded, walking Ginny to the door.
"Hey," Ginny said in a low voice and placed her hands gingerly on Hermione's shoulder. "We Weasleys are always here for you," she whispered gently. She smiled at her friend and replied, "I know." Ginny gave a small smile and with that she left the apartment.
Hermione leaned her head against the doorway and breathed a deep sigh. Now that the kids were attending school, the days were rather empty for her. For four years, she had stayed at home and taken care of her kids. She lifted her cup of coffee from the kitchen counter and taking a long sip, she sat down on the living room sofa. She thought about what she should do now, since the kids were going to school for three months.
Hermione was sure that she could find herself a decent job, especially since she had graduated with the highest number of N.E.W.T.S Hogwarts School had seen in a long time. She currently worked as an accountant for Gringotts Bank, but she wasn't entirely sure that she was going to pursue a lifelong job working for selfish snotty goblins. She was planning on working for the Ministry or becoming an Arithmancy professor at Hogwarts. So far, both places were willing to let her work for them. But, she wasn't ready. Not yet. She had been through so much; she wasn't ready to start working…not without her two best friends.
She remembered how shocked everyone had been after she had announced that she was pregnant with Ron's child. Sure, everyone knew they had been dating but nobody realized they could have become so close to one another. Even Ginny was surprised. Dumbledore, however, was uncertain about allowing Hermione to finish school. But with the help of Sirius and Mrs. Weasley, he was finally convinced that she needed to graduate, especially since she would be a single mother of twins. Her children hadn't inherited the famous Weasley hair, but they got the beautiful blue eyes of Ron that she loved to gaze into.
And now five years later, her two children, Kelly and Jason were without a father. Blinking back tears, she remembered what Jason's first word had been..."Da da." But, there was no dada for him. He reminded her so much of Ron...so stubborn, so indignant, so quick to anger. When they had asked her where their father was she had immediately replied saying he was dead. And yet there was no photo of him or Harry in the house visible for anyone to see. She sighed heavily and rested her mug on the coffee table. If only Ron was here now. He would be working and she wouldn't think it was necessary to work. But, no one can raise a family without money. She was just going to her room to change into some proper clothing and visit the Ministry when her doorbell rang.
Hermione glanced at her watch, which read 9:30. No one visited her this early in the morning. She hurriedly walked towards the door and was surprised to see Reubus Hagrid standing in the doorway.
"Hi Hagrid," Hermione stated from the door.
"Lo Hermione," he replied, pushing his ragged black hair back.
"What are you doing here?" she inquired curiously.
"How are the kids?" he asked gruffly.
"They're fine," she answered, apparently confused about why he was avoiding the question.
"What are you doing here?" she repeated.
"I need to talk to you about something," he answered shortly.
"Uh okay."
"I think it would be better if we talked inside," Hagrid suggested.
"Sure," Hermione answered, standing aside so Hagrid's large body could enter her apartment.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked, heading for the kitchen.
"No Hermione. I really don't have time," Hagrid answered, following after her.
She turned to face him and took in his appearance. He did seem quite anxious and ruffled.
"Hagrid is everything all right?" she queried worriedly.
"Not really," he replied, wringing his hands.
"Hagrid, I'm a big girl. If something's wrong you can tell me," she reassured him, placing her hand over his large one.
"Nothing's wrong," he remarked, avoiding her inquisitive gaze.
"Then has something happened?" she questioned. Her heart skipped a beat when he nodded his head.
"Well then what is it?"
Hagrid looked up at her and she was surprised to see his face streaked with tears.
"Hagrid," she tentatively spoke.
"Hermione, they found Ron and Harry..."
***
CHAPTER XIII: THE MIDDLE
"Aunt Ginny, Mum's not letting me eat any more candy," 5-year-old Kelly Weasley complained at the breakfast table.
"Aw Mummy's not letting you have any more candy. Why is that Mummy?" Ginny teased, batting her eyelashes at Hermione, who was busy tying 5-year-old Jason Weasley's shoelaces.
"Ginny, you of all people should know that candy is unhealthy for the stomach," Hermione replied curtly. "Especially in the morning," she added quickly.
"What does unhealthy mean?" Jason inquired innocently, while shoving another Chocolate frog into his mouth, while his mother wasn't looking. Ginny shook her head sternly, while he shrugged his shoulders helplessly.
"It means not good for the tummy," Ginny explained, gently patting Kelly's stomach. She giggled as she took another bite of French toast.
"C'mon kids, hurry up. You don't want to be late for school," Hermione stated, grabbing her children's bags from the ground.
"But Mum it's only 8:30," Kelly protested, but got up from her chair.
"I know, but you usually spend most of the time talking with your other friends so you completely forget that you have to go to school," her mother answered, helping her kids into their bags.
"Is Uncle Fred going to take us?" Jason asked, while trying desperately to straighten the curls in his wavy brown hair.
"He is, and don't do that, Jason," Ginny remarked, whacking her nephew playfully on the arm.
"Ow," he winced melodramatically. "Why shouldn't I do that?" he responded.
"Because those curls belong to your mother and they look very nice on you," Ginny answered, while smiling at Hermione, who shook her head and glanced impatiently at her watch.
"Why couldn't I have red hair?" he whined.
"Why can't you behave like a proper gentleman?" Ginny retorted. "Can't you see that you're twin sister is waiting so calmly for her uncle to arrive?"
Jason grumbled and was about to give some snappy retort when Uncle Fred apparated into the room.
"Whew sorry I'm late," he apologized briefly, while dusting his shoulder free of soot.
"Uncle Fred," Kelly squealed, running towards her favorite uncle.
"Hey," he cried, picking her up and swinging her around. Propping her up on his arm, he asked, "Are we all set?"
"Just about," Hermione replied, giving Jason a kiss on his head. "Bye sweetheart," she murmured into his hair.
"Bye mum," he mumbled, while trying to break free of her grasp.
"Yea see you later, mum," Kelly chimed in and gave her mother a light kiss on her cheek.
"Fred, remember, Kelly and Jason are staying over at their friend's house today," Hermione reminded the twin.
"Hey, no problem. Besides Angelina's busy all day today and it's George's turn to take care of the shop so I'm free," Fred explained. Gripping his nephew's hand tightly, he gave the two girls a small wave and with a pop the trio were gone.
Once they were gone, Ginny heaved a sigh of relief. "I didn't know it's that difficult to take care of kids," she remarked, clearing up the breakfast table.
"Yea well, five years are enough to give me some experience," Hermione replied, dumping the plates into the sink. Flicking out her wand, she muttered a small spell and the plates began to clean themselves.
"Don't you ever think about dating?" Ginny asked out of the blue. The bushy-haired girl glanced up from the counter and answered placidly, "Don't you?"
Ginny sighed. "My case is different. No one seems good enough to qualify to lead a relationship with me. And besides," Ginny pointed out defensively. "I've got five older brothers who would knock the lights out of the boy who dared harm me."
Hermione whispered softly, "Four, Ginny."
"Say what?" Ginny was confused.
She turned to the younger girl and repeated, "Four brothers, Gin. Not five; Ron's dead."
Ginny gasped and clamped her hand over her mouth. "Hermione, I am so sorry." Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "It's all right." There was an awkward silence between the two girls when finally Ginny broke it, by stating "Hermione, I'd better be going. I'm planning on walking to my office. The fresh air would do me good, especially since The Daily Prophet probably has another pathetic article for me to edit."
She nodded her head. "I'm glad that you're editor of the newspaper and thanks for dropping by. The kids love to see you," Hermione responded, walking Ginny to the door.
"Hey," Ginny said in a low voice and placed her hands gingerly on Hermione's shoulder. "We Weasleys are always here for you," she whispered gently. She smiled at her friend and replied, "I know." Ginny gave a small smile and with that she left the apartment.
Hermione leaned her head against the doorway and breathed a deep sigh. Now that the kids were attending school, the days were rather empty for her. For four years, she had stayed at home and taken care of her kids. She lifted her cup of coffee from the kitchen counter and taking a long sip, she sat down on the living room sofa. She thought about what she should do now, since the kids were going to school for three months.
Hermione was sure that she could find herself a decent job, especially since she had graduated with the highest number of N.E.W.T.S Hogwarts School had seen in a long time. She currently worked as an accountant for Gringotts Bank, but she wasn't entirely sure that she was going to pursue a lifelong job working for selfish snotty goblins. She was planning on working for the Ministry or becoming an Arithmancy professor at Hogwarts. So far, both places were willing to let her work for them. But, she wasn't ready. Not yet. She had been through so much; she wasn't ready to start working…not without her two best friends.
She remembered how shocked everyone had been after she had announced that she was pregnant with Ron's child. Sure, everyone knew they had been dating but nobody realized they could have become so close to one another. Even Ginny was surprised. Dumbledore, however, was uncertain about allowing Hermione to finish school. But with the help of Sirius and Mrs. Weasley, he was finally convinced that she needed to graduate, especially since she would be a single mother of twins. Her children hadn't inherited the famous Weasley hair, but they got the beautiful blue eyes of Ron that she loved to gaze into.
And now five years later, her two children, Kelly and Jason were without a father. Blinking back tears, she remembered what Jason's first word had been..."Da da." But, there was no dada for him. He reminded her so much of Ron...so stubborn, so indignant, so quick to anger. When they had asked her where their father was she had immediately replied saying he was dead. And yet there was no photo of him or Harry in the house visible for anyone to see. She sighed heavily and rested her mug on the coffee table. If only Ron was here now. He would be working and she wouldn't think it was necessary to work. But, no one can raise a family without money. She was just going to her room to change into some proper clothing and visit the Ministry when her doorbell rang.
Hermione glanced at her watch, which read 9:30. No one visited her this early in the morning. She hurriedly walked towards the door and was surprised to see Reubus Hagrid standing in the doorway.
"Hi Hagrid," Hermione stated from the door.
"Lo Hermione," he replied, pushing his ragged black hair back.
"What are you doing here?" she inquired curiously.
"How are the kids?" he asked gruffly.
"They're fine," she answered, apparently confused about why he was avoiding the question.
"What are you doing here?" she repeated.
"I need to talk to you about something," he answered shortly.
"Uh okay."
"I think it would be better if we talked inside," Hagrid suggested.
"Sure," Hermione answered, standing aside so Hagrid's large body could enter her apartment.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked, heading for the kitchen.
"No Hermione. I really don't have time," Hagrid answered, following after her.
She turned to face him and took in his appearance. He did seem quite anxious and ruffled.
"Hagrid is everything all right?" she queried worriedly.
"Not really," he replied, wringing his hands.
"Hagrid, I'm a big girl. If something's wrong you can tell me," she reassured him, placing her hand over his large one.
"Nothing's wrong," he remarked, avoiding her inquisitive gaze.
"Then has something happened?" she questioned. Her heart skipped a beat when he nodded his head.
"Well then what is it?"
Hagrid looked up at her and she was surprised to see his face streaked with tears.
"Hagrid," she tentatively spoke.
"Hermione, they found Ron and Harry..."
***