Happy Saturday, my freaky darlings. I hope you enjoy this next offering. I'm glad most of you were happy, or at least okay, with the baby daddy. For those mentioning things moved fast, I may have mixed up Ginny's due date with my friend's real life due date. Oops. Legal disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 53 Life Goes On
SLAM. The front door nearly hit her in the face as Thorfinn shut it. Ginny gave into her temper and threw the few expensive pieces around the living room. Thorfinn had laughed off her attempts at seduction and called her a dull child. The actions he once seemed to adore, and claimed drove him wild, he now hated and admitted he pretended to enjoy her pathetic attempts. She flung herself into a chair and pouted. She would have to go see Lavender tomorrow. The older girl had managed to keep Ron happy enough most of the time. Merlin knew that wasn't easy. She did not intend to go down without a fight. Thorfinn had also laughed at her attempts to learn Hermione's address. "Wouldn't tell you, even if I knew, since you want it so bad. I suggest you leave that sleeping dragon alone."
Since it was her first offense of any kind, Molly spent three nights in the auror holding cells and was fined 35 galleons. Ron welcomed her home with a hug and a frown. "Dad left, Rowle doesn't have any money, even if he wasn't ignoring Ginny, and Hermione's whoring around with Death Eaters. What are we going to do, Mum?"
"Don't worry, Ronnie. It will all work out. It always does. First things first, let's get you fed. Then we'll worry about other things." Molly bustled into the kitchen.
Having fed her son and cleaned up her kitchen, Molly made her way into Arthur's little used study. He kept the jewelry his mother had left Arthur and his children. Nothing for Molly. Cendrelle Weasley, nee Black, the cow, hated her. She hated her mother-in-law back, though both pretended they did not. After her death, Arthur decided to keep the items for the children, until they were older. She opened the chest in the cabinet and nearly screamed her fury. Several of the most expensive pieces were missing. She knew Bill had collected his engagement ring, she had seen that grubby veela wearing it. Percy must have collected his when he visited. Godric save her, a Flint in the family. A Flint giving birth to her grandchildren. She might have to arrange a little incident in a few years. She would help Percy raise the children. There was still the question of where the other two went. Grumbling to herself she took the remaining items. Borgin and Burke might short her full value, but they asked no questions and kept their mouths shut.
Ron waited for her in the living room. "What about Hermione?" he growled.
"We wait. The twat is well surrounded and expecting us to do something. The aurors said St. Mungo's called them, but that ungrateful brat let them. We lay low like we have been and watch for an opening. We can't make trouble or your father won't come back."
"I loved her and she abandoned me for Flint. She left me," he whined.
"It will all work itself out, sweetheart, just be patient."
-O-
The news that Ginny Rowle's pregnancy resulted in Harry Potter taking custody of his children flew through the gossip lanes. Harry decided to have the party at the beginning of December. Charlie returned to England, visiting his father at Shell Cottage when he was staying with Bill to spend time with his granddaughter. Pulling his eldest brother aside, Charlie asked, "Dad filled me in on everything, so why did I get an invite to meet the future ankle biters?"
"Harry isn't holding the actions of the few against the many. So, we get invited just like the rest of his friends."
"Good man," Charlie frowned, "Do you think this will be awkward?"
"If it was anyone but, Harry? Yes. But he wants to leave it in the past. I tried to apologize and he asked if I knew. I didn't, so he said I had nothing to apologize for. Hermione's been the same way."
"Well, then, awkward or not, I'll be there."
James regarded his godmother as she fed him, his green eyes solemn. Both twins displayed calm dispositions. They seldom fussed for long and seemed patient with Harry's fumbling care. The healers reassured him they were too young to express anything beyond contentment or discomfort. Smiles were still a few months off. The moment he finished eating, Lolly popped and took him to prepare for the party. The house elf insisted quite fiercely.
The house elves had barely glanced at the babies before Kreacher selected Meredith and Lolly took James. Mags explained they could sense which magical signature would fit one house better over the other. Though all the elves jumped at the chance to help with either infant. Harry took care of them as much as the elves would let him.
The guest list ballooned from a few family friends once Narcissa began listing people Harry had overlooked. In deference to the mixed group, Voldemort thanked Harry for the invitation and opted to come to see the children privately. He gave a sickly smile, made an insincere compliment, and departed. "He might be worse than Bellatrix when it comes to children," joked Rodolphus.
Hermione dressed for the evening while Marcus showered. He tried to tempt her into joining him. "We're supposed to arrive early, not late. You're showering solo, sir."
"I demand a rain check," Marcus told her.
"If you can be ready in ten minutes, deal."
Nine minutes later Marcus escorted his wife through the floo at Haven. Harry greeted them, "Hermione, Marcus, right on time."
"We are," Marcus smirked, "and I win a rain check."
Hermione snorted, "And we're not late, it really isn't that much of a victory."
"I have a feeling I don't want to know," Harry remarked leading them into the living room. "But thank you for being here." The floo roared to life again. "I'll go see who that is. Nellie created a feast of appetizers spread out in the living room."
Moments later Teddy raced into the room and hugged Hermione's legs. "Mine," he cried.
She picked him up, "Hello, little man. Are you excited?"
"Yea."
Tonks and Remus followed their son at a slower pace, "Ask him why he's excited?"
"Why are you excited, Teddy Bear?"
He hugged her, "Mine!" He gave her a wet toddler kiss.
"Are you excited to meet the babies?"
"Yea."
"Will you help us take care of them?" she asked.
Teddy looked excited, "Yea,"
"Anyone else thinking Hermione is a natural with children?" Tonks teased.
"Which is surprising since I'm an only child," remarked Hermione.
"Are you still waiting for the war to end to have children?" asked Remus.
"While nothing official has been announced, the Chosen One isn't fighting anymore, it feels kind of over. We're not trying, but we're not preventing anything," she admitted.
"The fate approach, as you will," joked Marcus.
The conversation ended as Harry entered with the Weasley twins in tow. Fred looked at the small gathering, "Wow, Harry, when you said a small get-together," he started.
"We thought you meant a few more people, mate," George finished.
"Everyone else will be along shortly. I wanted to ask you something." Harry looked at Tonks, "Dora, would you be Meredith's godmother? Hermione agreed to be James's."
Tonks nodded vigorously, her eyes shining a bit, "Meredith?" They had all expected a girl to be named after his mother.
"I thought Lily and James Potter would be a little creepy since twins often get named together, not to mention confusing. So, James Sirius and Meredith Lily."
George nodded, "You're not wrong."
"That brings me to my next question," Harry said, "do you want to godparent with Hermione or Dora?" Fred laughed at his brother's shocked silence. "Why are you laughing, Fred? Same question."
Both twins stared, gobsmacked. Marcus clapped Harry on the back, "Congratulations, you managed to get silence the Weasley twins."
George recovered first, "I don't know about Fred, but I'm beyond honored and confused. Why us?"
"Why not you? You both always saw me as just Harry. You never turned on me. You support me, sometimes against your family."
"What they did was abhorrent," Fred protested.
"That changes nothing. And as twins, you might have some insight I lack in the future. Hell, as the only ones with any siblings, you'll have insights all of us lack. Well, except Marcus."
"It appears, Gred, we have no choice."
"It does seem that way, Forge. And we will be instructing the third generation of Mauraders."
Dora looked at Hermione, "Meredith and I will take Fred."
"Sounds good, James and I will take George happily."
"Oi, I thought we got to pick?" protested Fred.
"You took too long," Tonks told him. She turned to Harry, "When do we get to meet the rugrats?"
"As soon as everyone else arrives," he answered.
"Who all is invited?" asked Remus.
"Britta, Bill, Fleur, Victorie, Charlie, Arthur, Percy, and Esme. Um, the Longbottoms, the Lestranges, though I doubt Bellatrix comes. A bunch of people from Hogwarts, Luna, Graham, and her dad. Let's see, Headmaster Snape and Professor McGonagall, the Tonks, the Malfoys, and Kingsley. I think that's everyone."
The centers of attention calmly allowed themselves to be passed around, observing each new face with wide eyes. Andromeda and her sister cooed over them, Narcissa shooting her son pointed looks. For his part, Draco looked nervous and avoided his mother as much as possible. Rodolphus confided in Marcus he wouldn't mind grandchildren in the near future. "Don't tell Bella I said that."
"My lips are sealed. I would like to live long enough to create those children," promised his son-in-law.
Rabastan looked around the room, "How is Potter dealing?"
"He only barges through the floo at midnight once a week now. We don't have any more experience, but Hermione can talk him down. Kreacher and Lolly usually have it handled by the time he gets back."
Britta spent most of the evening glued to Harry's side, guiding him through hosting duties. Hermione flashed her a grateful smile, causing Britta to glow from her approval. The night was a complete success.
Marcus lay on the bed watching
Hermione as she moved around the room preparing for bed. He openly admired her in her tiny shorts and vest. "Enjoying the show?" she asked.
"Immensely, you should come over here and let me show you."
"Hmm, I'll consider it." She placed her earrings back in the jewelry box. She glanced over her shoulder at him, "I do appreciate the view, though. Thank you."
"Likewise," he folded his arms behind his head, causing the cover to dip further down his bare chest.
"Are you even wearing bottoms?"
"Why don't you come over here and find out?"
"You are being super cheesy, you know that?"
"I do, but I have it on good authority you find me sexy."
"You're not wrong." She walked over to the bed. "Did you have any suggestions on how we should deal with this information?"
"Several," he leered, reaching for her. She melted into his embrace as he pulled her top off. She kissed him, tangling her tongue with his, her naked torso pressed against his. She ran her hand along the ridges of his chest. His smoothed circles down her back. She moaned and slid her hand into his pants taking hold of him. Firmly she pumped up and down, squeezing and twisting her hand on the down stroke. With a groan, he pulled her closer and rolled over, looming above her. He yanked off his pajama bottoms. She shimmied out of hers.
Marcus moved to touch her, "Don't have to. Ready, I want you now," she pouted. Quickly he lined himself up with her entrance and entered her with a jerk of his hips. He set a brutal pace, pistoning in and out. He grabbed hold of the headboard for leverage. Hermione moaned and made several mewing sounds before screaming her release. Her walls clenching around him sent Marcus over the edge. He collapsed next to her. Bonelessly, she rolled over, resting her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. "That was incredible. Ten out of ten would recommend. You know, if I was willing to share."
Marcus lifted a finger to her lips, "You're babbling, little dove. Which is assure you is a huge ego boost," he teased.
"Watch it," she warned. Then she laughed, "Love you, brute."
"I love you, too, Hermione." He tightened his embrace as she snuggled into his chest. "Good night."
"Good night," she mumbled.
Harry settled into fatherhood and slowly explored his relationship with Britta as November passed. Hermione avoided holiday planning mode Narcissa by helping Ted and Percy finalize their new curriculum. She also began responding with the Lestrange family muggleborn, Jacoby Morgan, a second-year Ravenclaw with a million questions. He reminded her of herself, wanting to know everything about her new world. She swore he would never lose that sense of wonder and joy at the beauty of magic. Nor would Victorie, Teddy, Meredith, or James.
In time for the Christmas shopping season, 'Dumbledore: The Secret Life' shipped from foreign publishers. Dorian Theras had been thorough with his research, and he shared everything. Dumbledore's father's imprisonment after he attacked the muggles that severely hurt his daughter. His friendship with Gellert Grindelwald, their brief relationship, and falling out. His exit from straight politics and transition into teaching. From there the slide into manipulation, his failure to prevent students from falling into darkness. His near complete control over select students. He showed Dumbledore's lack of support or help to the children he tasked to defeat Lord Voldemort. The use of gray and then morally ambiguous spells, all in the name of his greater good. He avoided naming living people, though since she no longer used that name, Hermione allowed him to detail the suffering of Hermione Granger. He omitted the destiny Dumbledore thought she had. All in all, masterfully handled. He sent Hermione and Harry autographed copies.
Having never been holiday shopping with Hermione, Marcus envisioned hours of browsing and agonizing over the choices. But the reality was far different. When unsure, Hermione bought everything. For her godchildren, Victorie, and Meredith she bought muggle educational toys and fun wizarding toys. She also spoiled her friends and family. She sent Severus a copy of Theras' book with a note that he should read it aloud in his office. Or just the reviews.
Maisie brought out the holiday decorations the second week of December after Hermione suggested decorating the house. The house elves threw themselves into creating a winter wonderland throughout the ground floor. The only thing she asked them to leave was the tree. "My parents and I decorated it together. I was hoping we could continue that tradition," she tried not to wring her hands.
"Of course, little dove. I have something for you in that vein." He handed her a box. She opened it and pulled out a delicate crystal ball. Inside a snake wrapped around the handle of the broom, an orange cat sat upon it. She smiled at him. "A bauble every year that has some significance. You got your familiars back and I played in a World Series."
"I love it," she hugged him. "Put it on the tree?"
"If you want," he reached over and hung it on one of the higher branches. She began pulling out the ornaments that Malcolm and Eleanor had left behind when they left. The result twinkled cheerfully a multicolored field of shiny balls, snowmen, angels, and other Christmas bits.
Social events dominated the month of December again. Even their immediate families kept them busy. Christmas Eve, they planned to spend with the Flints, Christmas morning with Harry and the twins, then host Hermione's extended family for Christmas dinner. Penelope reported her parents were passive aggressively trying to manipulate her into hosting something. "I might give in and do something Boxing Day," she admitted. "Merlin, I'm pathetic."
Rodolphus eyed his sister-in-law, "Not pathetic, unsupported. Like most old-fashioned purebloods, your family expects you to curry favor for them, basically doing their bidding to further the family. And they placed you in a position to do so if we were old-fashioned purebloods."
Bellatrix sniffed, "We are not. And we support our own. Invite your family for Boxing Day. Rodolphus and I will invite some guests of our own."
"We will? Who were you thinking?" her husband asked.
"Yaxley, the MacNairs, the Crabbes, the Goyles, Snape, the Carrows, Dolohov, and some of the lower rungs. They want to social climb, we'll let them social climb." She grinned evilly.
Rodolphus laughed, "that crowd will horrify them, or verbally destroy them."
"That is the plan," she smugly patted his cheek.
Penelope laughed, "Simply brilliant. Oh, Merlin, they might never ask again. "Let's do this."
Bellatrix looked at Hermione, "should we include you and Marcus?"
Hermione shrugged, "Depends on if you are planning afternoon or evening. We have afternoon plans."
"Evening it is," Rabastan replied. "I expect Severus and Corbin will enjoy playing off of you."
"May I suggest Luna and Graham, Peregrine, Cassius, and Adrian? Once you explain the assignment they will run with it."
"Not Harry?" asked Penelope.
"No, he doesn't have any reason to dislike your family. That will dull his edge. In his natural state, Harry is quite diplomatic. He would feel bad and try to make peace or defend the Clearwaters."
"Even if we played the gold digger angle?" asked Rodolphus.
"He could go either way. They aren't trying to take his money. And Penny is already married to Bas. See where I'm going here? He would try but could fail. Let him enjoy the evening playing with his kids."
Sensing an opportunity to change the subject, Marcus asked when Britta would be returning from Bulgaria. "Um, the 27th. She'll be back in time for the Malfoy Ball. She convinced Harry to get matching outfits." She glared at Marcus briefly.
"No," he replied.
"All I suggested was wearing the same color," she protested.
"And then you suggested red."
"You'd look good in red."
"No," he answered.
"Tsk, fine. I'll remember this," she pouted.
"I'm sure you will."
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" she shrieked, jumping to her feet.
"Run, son, run," Rodolphus told him dryly. Hermione advanced towards them causing Marcus to leap to his feet.
"Because that will save him," laughed Rabastan. Bellatrix merely smirked when they heard Marcus cry out from Hermione's hex.