Chapter 8
Hermione sat on her bed with her head in her hands. It was the morning after Harry's departure and she was trying to collect herself before the children woke up. It was just so hard waking up in an empty bed she thought as she lifted her head up. Sure she had done it for four years but now that he was back it was different.
She sighed, stood up, and got an aspirin. That bloody Mary had probably been a mistake but she had needed it. She made the bed the overwhelmingly large bed and started to make breakfast for the kids.
Benjy was the first in the kitchen and he sat down at the table surprisingly subdued.
"Hey champ! What is wrong?"
"I miss dad. He was barely home for a month."
"I know kiddo but he'll be home soon." It tugged at her heart to hear him say that.
"Doesn't he love us? He is never home! He barely even knows the twins!"
Hermione couldn't take this she rushed her to the table and grabbed her son by the shoulders resisting the urge to shake him.
"You listen to me young man your father cares about us more than you'll ever know. He's gone out of his way for us! He risked his life for us several times show some respect please Benjy for all our sakes."
"I'm sorry mom "Benjy said meekly "I didn't mean it like that"
"Yes you did Benjy," Hermione sighed "First of all don't lie to me, especially not so early in the morning. Second it's okay. It's natural to be mad at dad. I'm mad at dad. I'm very made at dad but he feels what he is doing is his duty. He needs to help these other kids."
"What about his kids? Why can't someone else save those kids?" My feelings exactly kid.
"He loves you guys. But those other kids don't have families and need to get here soon."
"They don't?"
"They don't. What if it was us? What if there was no me to make your breakfast? No dad to give piggyback rides?"
"I never thought of that. What if some like that happened to you guys?" Oops.
"You don't need to worry about that, you have family and friends that would never let anything happen to you." He nodded satisfied with the answer and the twins called from the bedroom. The day began.
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They had lunch with Ginny that day and the kids were very good. Madame Rosemerta loved them.
"Ginny. I have something to ask you."
"Okay shoot. As long as it's not like the other day." Hermione grinned and then instantly frowned.
"It is something Benjy said this morning. If some thing happened to Lily, James, Harry and me you'd take care of the kids right?"
"Of course Hermione! Those kids are great and you are my best friend. If anything happened to you guys I would take them in without a second thought."
"Thank you."
"This is about what Harry is doing right?"
"Yeah, no nine year old should have to think of that. And that job! Harry feels roped into it. After one day I know it's depressing him. When he comes home it will be even harder to draw him out of his shell. I hope I am up to it."
"Hermione, Benjy is not your run of the mill nine year old. Harry is not an ordinary guy. And you are the strongest woman I know."
"No i'm not. I'm weak. I cry at the drop of a hat. I couldn't kill a dark lord if he was unarmed and on a target."
"Stop it Hermione! Stop putting yourself down! You're human. You raised Benjy from when you were sixteen! Tell me, what other girls in your dorm could do that? Lavender Brown? The boy crazy makeup obeser? Pavarti Patil? Well she was a damn whore!"
"Thanks. And shush little pitchers have big ears."
"Sorry."
"S'okay."
"Where are the kids?"
"With Madame Rosemerta." Ginny craned her head.
"Don't think so, they changed shifts. Damn that bartender's hot. He looks familiar. Hmmm. OH SHIT!"
"What?"
"He's from theantsub"
"Huh?"
"The dance club,"
"OH SHIT!" people were staring and they lowered their voices.
"What is he doing here?"
"They closed the old place in seventh year." She sighed and gritted her teeth and walked to collect her kids. She ducked her head as she approached. Please don't recognize me.
"Mum this is Graig." She was forced to look up and for one fleeting second she thought she saw a look of recognition pass through his face. Years of the incident not being spoken of and suddenly it is all over the place! She must have imagined the look. She had to have imagined the look! Please let me have imagined the look!
"Hello. Great kids."
"Thanks. That's why I bought 'em"
"Ha! Good one Miss- err."
"Mrs actually Mrs Potter."
"Damn." He muttered. "Well I'll see you."
"Right. Bye."
"Bye!" The kids chorused. Yes! Hermione thought but as soon as she reached the door she realised that she triumphed to soon as he called out "Watch the floor! People tell me it'th uneven."
She turned and glared at him blushing like mad but he just winked. Damn damn damn damn damn damn damn. Ginny followed them out laughing and Hermione ignored her until they got to the castle.
"Okay Ginny you've had your laugh! I can't ever go there again!"
"Sorry. Wait no I'm not!"
"Ha ha funny. Soon the whole town will be talking. I can just hear them now. Hermione Potter's a drunk! "
"Okay I'll stop. Calm down! No one heard!" And she did stop. Until she got home and told Draco!
Here I am - this is me
There's no where else on earth I'd rather be
Here I am - it's just me and you
And tonight we make our dreams come true
It's a new world - it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day - it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am
Here we are - we've just begun
And after all this time - our time has come
Ya here we are - still goin" strong
Right here in the place where we belong
Chorus
Here I am - next to you
And suddenly the world is all brand new
Here I am - where I'm gonna stay
Now there's nothin standin in our way
Here I am - this is me
