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Chapter 17 Meetings
Harry and Emily sat in the living room waiting for their guests to arrive, Emily nervously twisting a lock of her hair in trembling fingers.
"Relax, no-ones going to bite you," Harry smiled as he rescued the tangled section of hair.
"What if they hate me?"
"They'll love you. Trust me I've known them all for years."
Hermione and Ron arrived first, and Harry recognized Hermione's tact when he noticed they were both dressed in muggle jeans and sweatshirts. Introductions went well as Tonks arrived, dressed in tight leather trousers and a silver stretchy top. Her hair was bright purple. Emily seemed a little nervous of her, when Harry introduced her as his partner, though she relaxed again when Harry added that Tonks was marrying his adopted Godfather.
"You realise that means I can boss you now that I'm going to be your Godmother," Tonks smiled.
"Right, I don't let Remus boss me around, so you have no chance," Harry smirked.
Finally Neville and Ginny arrived, dressed in robes. Emily looked a tad reserved as she was introduced. But she eventually relaxed in their presence. During dinner Emily asked why Remus wasn't there.
"It's a full moon tonight," Tonks replied.
"Emily, Remus is a werewolf," Harry added gently.
"What?" Emily paled. "Are there really such things? But isn't that dangerous?"
"Yes they exist, but not quite the way you've heard about them," Hermione replied, "Remus was bitten as a young child and had to be locked up during full-moons but now there are potions that allow him to remain lucid enough to be safe. He just turns into a wolf and sleeps for the duration. Much like an Animagus."
"A what?" Emily asked warily.
"Oh, hasn't Harry told you about that yet?" Ron asked. "It's really cool. Some witches and wizards can change into animals or birds."
Emily looked extremely confused by this, but asked, "Can you do that, Harry?"
"Yes, I'm a Golden Eagle. Ron is a red setter and Neville here is a lion."
"Are you teasing me?" Emily asked.
Harry smiled at her and stood up, with a pop he turned into an eagle and soared around the room, then gently landed next to her and turned back.
Emily looked slightly green as she asked, "how?"
"It takes years of study and practice, but it can be very useful." Hermione replied.
Harry was staring into Emily's eyes, waiting for her to say something.
"I…wow…I don't know what to say," She finally admitted.
Harry kissed her and whispered, "Don't be afraid sweaty, I'm still me."
"Can children do that?" she asked quietly.
"No, I learned to when I was about sixteen," Harry reassured her.
"Oh," she replied softly.
The others at the table drifted of in their own conversations and Harry started to clear the plates away. Emily offered to help and followed him into the kitchen.
Harry put down the plates and pulled her into an embrace. "I love you," he said before he kissed her.
"I love you too," Emily replied.
"You know, Hermione is a healer – much like a doctor, if you have any questions about having magical children and what that means for you, she would be happy to explain it to you," Harry hoped he wasn't crossing some invisible boundary, and that Emily would not be angry with him. "She also understands about muggle pregnancies and things, since she's muggle-born and has quite a few cousins and things."
"I think that might be a good idea," Emily replied quietly.
The conversation, when they returned with dessert, was already on pregnancy and babies as Hermione and Ginny shared their news and new experiences. Ron looked a bit green at the explanations but Neville was beaming proudly at his wife.
Emily sat and listened for a while before saying, "Is it much different? I mean from muggle pregnancies?"
"No, it is almost exactly the same," Hermione replied, "but sometimes the unborn child's magic can show through the later stages."
Emily looked a bit worried about this, so Harry asked, "What about a muggle who is carrying a wizard's child?"
"Well, depending on the strength of magic that's inherent, some muggles have been reported to display vague magical talents during pregnancy."
Emily squeaked at that, and Harry drew her into a hug, whispering into her ear. "Please don't be afraid, everything will work out."
Hermione seemed to sense Emily's fears and added, "It is only reported about thirty percent of the time though, it doesn't always happen. And even then most muggles describe it as a kind of warm tingling sensation."
Ron blurted out, "So you guys are planning to have kids then?"
Hermione groaned and Ginny slapped his arm.
"I think that's a bit of a personal question, don't you?" Tonks frowned at him.
"Sorry," Ron muttered, and busied himself in a second helping of pudding.
"Don't mind my brother," Ginny said, "He often speaks before engaging his brain. It is none of our business."
"That's okay," Emily muttered, blushing. "I can see that you are all very close and so it's natural for you to want to know about me."
"Emily, I can honestly say that I've never seen Harry so relaxed and comfortable around anyone before, so don't think you have to worry about our opinions," Hermione said. "We just want him to be happy."
"Thank you," Emily replied, and smiled as Harry blushed too.
"Right," Harry stood up and pulled Emily up with him. "Ron, you're cleaning the table and making coffee - that should keep you from putting your foot in it again and the ladies can go relax."
Ron stood up and began to clear the dishes away, Neville stood to help.
By the time the men had rejoined the ladies with fresh coffee, Hermione informed them that they were meeting for lunch in Devon next weekend and none of the men were invited. Harry was delighted to hear the news, and smiled proudly at Emily. They spoke about the distant connection between the Weasley's and the Prewett's and Emily tentatively accepted an invitation for her mother and father to meet with Molly.
It was almost midnight when the guest left with Harry and Emily waving at them from the open doorway.
Harry led Emily back to the sofa in front of the warm fire and they sat together facing the flames.
"Well, what do you think of my friends?" Harry asked.
"They're nice," Emily replied, "And they don't seem too worried about me being a muggle."
"Hermione and Ron have known for a long time that I probably wouldn't be happy with a witch," Harry replied honestly, "I have had too public a life up 'til now. And most of the magical community feel as though they know all about me."
"It must be hard for you," Emily said. "But what do you honestly think will happen when they find out about me?"
"I don't care," Harry replied. "I learned a long time ago that public opinion is fickle….I can't live my life to satisfy complete strangers. It's part of the reason I don't socialise much in the magical community."
Emily nodded her understanding of this and they stayed quiet for a while. Then she said, "Do you think this would have a bad effect on Sarah?"
"Honestly?" Harry asked, "I have no idea. I think it might be big news for a while but it would eventually get boring when something new came along. It always does."
Emily thought about this and Harry kissed the top of her head then pulled her onto his lap. "Will you marry me?" he whispered onto her lips, looking into her eyes.
Emily blushed slightly and then said, "I know this is happening fast and we have so many things to work out, but…I feel like I've known you for years."
"Will you?" Harry pressed, holding his breath and silently praying to all the Gods he could recall.
"Yes," Emily whispered.
Harry sought out her mouth and kissed her deeply. "Soon?" he said.
"Soon," Emily replied.
"Yes!" Harry shouted and stood up cradling her in his arms as he twirled around. "I am the luckiest man alive."
"And I am the luckiest woman," Emily laughed.
That night they made love slowly and tenderly, each moment was like a precious gift. Finally before dawn they fell asleep in each others arms.