A/N: Wow, four reviews so far. That's actually pretty good for me. Thank to everyone who reviewed!! Sry about how long it took me to write this.
Disclaimer: Everything but the plot is J.K. Rowling's.
Perfectly Marvelous
The next day Harry woke up early enough to not have to rush and miss breakfast again. He showered and dressed in his usual work attire and apperated to the Ministry of Magic. Harry looked at the clock that was mounted on his cubicle wall and he realized that he was 15 minutes early. Harry was momentarily perplexed. He was never this early. Harry decided to stop by Ron's cubicle to see if he had the morning's Daily Prophet. He knew that Ron usually got to work early because Hermione left early and like Harry, Ron hated being alone; well, most of the time that is. "Morning Ron." Ron was taking off his coat and scarf and unpacking his things. Ron looked up and saw his friend standing at the entranceway to his cubicle.
"You're never here this time of the morning. What are you doing here this early?" Asked Ron quizzically.
"Ron, I'm only fifteen minutes early." Explained Harry.
"That's equivalent to a half an hour to other people." Said Ron sitting down at his desk. Harry chuckled. Sadly it was true.
"Do you have The Daily Prophet?" Asked Harry. Ron reached into his briefcase and pulled out a slightly used newspaper.
"Here you go mate."
"Thanks. Do you need it back?"
"No, I read the most important parts during breakfast,"
"Quidditch and attractive witches?" Asked Harry knowing exactly what his best friend considered important. Ron nodded and grinned.
"There's a good one in there about a Veela in Turkey who claims she's the long lost relative of Helen of Troy. It's quite interesting really. There's a great picture of her in a low cut dress."
"I'll be sure to keep my eye out for it." Said Harry as he began to walk back to his cubicle.
"Wait Harry! I forgot, I still need to look at the real estate section for Ginny." Said Ron leaning out of the open part of his cubicle. Harry remembered the idea he got last night just before he went to bed.
"I was thinking about that last night and I thought that if Ginny wants she could come live with me."
"Live with you?! Are you insane?" Exclaimed Ron whose ears were about to turn bright red.
"In the extra bedroom...where you used to stay." Ron looked slightly embarrassed.
"Oh. That makes sense then. I'll tell her about it next time I see her." Said Ron.
"Okay. I'd better be going before Shackelbolt come out here." Harry headed back to his cubicle and sat down at his desk filled with papers that seemed to have some how accumulated more overnight.
The workday was long and boring once again. Harry decided to work through lunch and try to get through all of his papers. Harry sighed. Just two weeks ago Harry and Ron were off in Romania capturing foreign Death Eaters. Because they were foreign, not only did Harry and Ron have to fill out forms explaining the details of their capture for Shackelbolt, but for the Minister of the Romanian Ministry of Magic. Towards the end of the day, a note was sent to Harry by one of those winged notes. It was from Dumbledore:
Harry-
Meeting at you know where you know when. Inform the others if they do not receive this message.
Harry crumpled up the note and threw it into the wastebasket. He got vague messages like that at least three times a week all saying the same thing. He was to go with Ron and Hermione to Grimmauld Place at 5:10 pm and have another meeting of The Order of the Phoenix. Normally he'd be excited to embark on a new adventure but lately things have been quiet. Evan at work Harry seemed to be waiting around for anything to happen. The whole situation had begun to get on his last nerve. Harry sighed and looked at the clock: 4:35 pm. There was still a little bit of time before he could leave work so he couldn't just get up and go. That's exactly what he wanted to do: go. He wanted to leave the life he had grown so accustomed to. He wanted to talk to a person that didn't care about his name or his scar and have a normal conversation. He wanted to go to some exotic location and take part in some kind of important battle and finish Voldemort once and for all. Then afterwards, he wanted to start living his own life instead of one foreseen in a prophecy 25 years ago. He was hungry. Hungry for life, adventure, and love
Dating was almost impossible. He'd met women; sure, that was the easy part. Keeping their attention after the first date when they realize he's not at all interested in talking about what made him famous? That was just as impossible as getting a compliment from Snape. They didn't want to date just Harry Potter. They wanted to date the Boy Who Lived. They wanted to be the girlfriend of the Boy Who Lived. Not Harry Potter, the emotional Auror who had a passion for riding his broomstick.
The minutes clicked by and at 5 Harry packed his things and put on his long black overcoat he had got from the twins last Christmas. He met up with Ron and Hermione over at Ron's cubicle where Ron was still sitting in his chair packing up his last few things while Hermione leaned against the desk. Judging by the looks of their faces, Harry could tell that they had been arguing.
"Honestly Ron, do you think it would kill you to tidy up your desk once in a while? Complained Hermione noticing the state of her husband's tiny cubicle.
"Yes it would kill me. Besides if I did, what would you complain about when you came over to see me at work?" Asked Ron somewhat playfully.
"Oh believe me, I'd be able to find something." Said Hermione. Ron stood up and kissed his wife on the forehead. Harry smiled. "Oh hello Harry. Ready to go?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Replied Harry. And with that the three apperated 5 blocks away from headquarters and headed towards Grimmauld Place.
"So who do you think is going to be there tonight?" Asked Harry.
"Oh probably the usual: Lupin, Dumbledore, Moody, Mum, Dad, Fred, George, Tonks, and Ginny." Replied Ron casually. "It's a shame nothing exciting has been happening, eh? I wouldn't mind getting into a duel with a few Death Eaters."
"Ron! How could you even suggest such a thing? You know I need you, especially now..." Said Hermione tenderly. "Wait, does Harry know?"
"Of course Harry knows. I told him the other day at lunch." Said Ron putting his hand on the small of Hermione's back.
"Where you surprised when you found out?" Asked Hermione turning to Harry.
"Yes but I bet a hundred gallons I wasn't more surprised than Ron when he first found out." Answered Harry. Ron and Hermione both looked at each other and smirked.
"I'm not arguing with that." Said Ron truthfully.
"Either am I. Um, Ron?" Hermione motioned for Ron to come closer. He did so and she started whispering in his ear. Harry tried to read Hermione's lips and got somewhat annoyed. Hermione stopped and Ron looked at her and nodded. "Now?" She asked.
"Why not?" Replied Ron.
"What's going on?" Questioned Harry feeling a little confused.
"Harry, we know it's a bit early for all of this but Hermione and I want you to be godfather." Said Ron happily. Hermione smiled.
"You don't have to if you don't want to Harry." Started Hermione. "We just wanted to ask you because there's no one else we want. If anything happened to Ron or I, we know that the baby would be safe with you." Harry was deeply honored that his two best friends trusted him as much as they did. He wanted to say yes but something deep inside hesitated.
"What do you say?" Asked Ron with excitement.
"I'm honored and all, its just...well, I may need some time just to think about this." Said Harry trying not to sound rude.
"That's completely understandable." Said Hermione calmly. "Just let us know when you have an answer."
"Okay. So you do have you decided to be godmother?" Asked Harry.
"We don't know yet. It's probably either Ginny or Luna Lovegood." Said Hermione.
"I don't see why you're even considering Luna. Do you want our child possibly being raised by a looney or a member of my own family?" Asked Ron annoyed at his wife for not agreeing with him.
"Keep your voice down!" Whispered Hermione. She obviously did not want many people to know about her condition, or the wrong people to overhear.
"Luna isn't a looney!" Exclaimed Harry. "She may be a bit odd and slightly outlandish but she's as sane as you and me." Harry had always had a bit of a soft spot for Luna ever since his 5ht year at the end of term festival. Ron and Hermione both looked at Harry then at each other.
"Er, why don't we change the subject?" Asked Hermione trying to remove the awkward silence. "When do you think you boys are actually going to start doing some real work?"
"I don't know...I hate all of this useless paperwork. It's so draining. I'd rather study flubberworms again than do this shit everyday." Said Harry.
"I completely agree. Maybe we'll find out why everything's been so quiet at the meeting." Suggested Ron The two stopped at the location of where 12 Grimmauld Place was.
"The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve Grimmauld Place." Said Hermione. The house appeared suddenly and the three walked into the old house.
Not much had changed since the first time Harry had step foot in the house. It was cleaner of course but the walls were still dark and dusty. Harry looked around at the dark walls that would always remind him of his godfather. Everything he saw screamed Sirius. In his remembrance, Remus Lupin along with the Weasleys collected pictures from everyone that knew Sirius containing him with his friends, some even with Lily and James. They were all pasted upstairs on a wall in the master bedroom where Buckbeak used to stay (he had passed on last year).
Out of the parlor came an aging Molly Weasley. She was wearing a cooking apron and her hair was somewhat messy. She had obviously been babysitting her grandchildren. "Hello! Come in. Would any of you like anything to eat? I've made some dinner if anyone wants something." She said lovingly.
"No thanks, Mum." Said Ron going over to his mother and giving her a hug.
"Does she know?" Whispered Harry into Hermione's ear. Hermione nodded no. Harry smiled to himself thinking of how Mrs. Weasley would react to the news.
"Harry. Hermione don't just stand there!" Beckoned Mrs. Weasley to her adopted family members.
"I'm sorry." Apologized Harry wrapping the closest thing he ever had to a mother in a big hug.
"How are you dear? I haven't seen you in at least two weeks. You must remember to come round the house more often, that is, if you're not too busy." Said Mrs. Weasley in a very motherly tone.
"I promise. Next time I find that I have nothing to do I'll make sure to come over." Promised Harry knowing exactly what to say to get on her good side. Mrs. Weasley then turned to Hermione and gave her an equally big hug and made a face.
"Hermione dear, you must be starving yourself to death working on this election! You're practically skin and bones." Said Mrs. Weasley with concern. Ron and Harry looked at each other and smirked knowing that in a few months Hermione's stomach would be ballooning.
"Don't worry Mrs. Weasley, I'll be fine." Said Hermione reassuring her mother-in-law.
"You mustn't call me Mrs. Weasley anymore, that's your name now! Call me Mum. All of Fred, George, and Bill's wives call me Mum and I've only known them about the half the time I've known you." Suggested Mrs. Weasley. Hermione chuckled nervously.
"Okay...Mum." Said Hermione hesitantly.
"Um Mum, Hermione and I have something to tell you." Began Ron. Just then four little red headed boys ran by the trio's knees.
"Daniel! Troy! Andrew! Simon! Stop running at once!" Yelled Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum, stop yelling! George and Bill sent me to pick up their little devils this afternoon." Said Fred who just walked through the front door.
"Daddy!" Cried the second oldest and youngest boys out of the group of four. Fred leaned down and picked them up. "Daniel, Andrew, were you two bad for Grandma?" The two boys giggled and nodded. Fred chuckled. "Good."
"Fred, don't encourage their behavior. What kind of father would you be?" Exclaimed Hermione outraged at her brother-in-law's irresponsibility.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist! Fred has always been like this. Where have you been for 13 years?" Ron said trying his best to calm down his wife.
"I'm sorry," she whispered quietly, "it must be the hormones." Ron kissed Hermione on the forehead. She smiled.
"Ron, I hope she's not this hostile all the time. You'll probably wind up hanging yourself by your first anniversary if she keeps up like this." Said Fred briskly. Mrs. Weasley put her hands on her hips.
"Fred I love you but take your sons and nephews and leave before I jinx your mouth shut! The meeting will be starting any minute now and I daresay you were not needed tonight." Said an angered and annoyed Mrs. Weasley.
"Fine. I supposed Angelina would be expecting all of us home then. Oi, Troy! Simon! Let's go! Say goodbye to your Uncles and Aunt." Four goodbyes were uttered and the five boys headed back to their homes. Molly sighed.
"Thank Merlin they've gone." Said Mrs. Weasley seating herself in an old armchair. "I love them to death but sometimes they're just too much for me to handle. Troy is nearly 7 and he's just starting to barely mature!" Ron and Hermione looked at each other wearily. "Now what was it you were going to tell me Ron?"
"Er, nothing Mum. It can wait until later." Said Ron quickly. Out of the front door came Severus Snape, same as ever: he was dressed in all black as usual with the same depressed look in his face.
"Hello Severus." Said Mrs. Weasley regaining her usually happy tone.
"Are those little grandchildren of yours gone?" Asked the Potions Master lazily.
"Yes. Fred just came round to pick them all up." Said Hermione. Mrs. Weasley got to her feet.
"Thank Merlin...Has Dumbledore arrived yet?" Asked Snape to no one in particular.
"Not yet. I supposed he should be here any moment." Said Lupin apperating into the foyer from one of the upstairs rooms.
"Good evening, Professor Lupin." Said Hermione politely.
"Hello Ron, Hermione, Harry." Said Remus Lupin looking shaggier and older than ever before.
"Hello Professor." Said Harry.
"Everything alright?" Asked Lupin. Ever since Sirius's death Remus Lupin tried to look after Harry as best as he could. Although Harry was a full-grown man, every original member of the Order of the Phoenix still thought of Harry as Lily and James's little boy.
"Sure, why wouldn't it be?" Lied Harry. Suddenly Dumbledore entered through the front door accompanied by the Transfiguration Professor.
"Come along now. Into the parlor." Said an old Minerva McGonagall. All of the members walked into the parlor and took their seats. Every member had his or her own chair that faced a center podium, which the main speaker of the meeting stood at as he talked.
"Is everyone here?" Can everybody hear me? Good. Now I know that things have been quiet but- -" There was a loud slam of the door that made everybody advert their eyes to the front of the house. There stood a gorgeous and wet beauty. Her long wavy red hair was made even wilder by the sudden down pour of rain that had just occurred. She was wearing very stylish red work robes with black pumps. The dim light form the window shined on the young woman and Harry had never seen anything more heavenly in his life. Ginny Weasley panted and tried to regain her breath.
"I'm so sorry Professor but my meeting with my boss ran late and- -"
"Never mind, Ms. Weasley. Please take your seat." Said a very understanding Dumbledore. Ginny's ears where a bright red as she took her seat between Hermione and Tonks.
The meeting lasted only an hour, just enough to bore Harry and the other members. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron stayed afterwards to have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The six were seated around the long dark kitchen table. They were about half way through dinner when Mrs. Weasley and Ginny started bickering non-stop.
"Ginny, do you have to wear that to a meeting? You look like some kind of escort." Scolded Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum, you get upset at me when I wear anything that shows any bit of skin besides my arms and face. I'm not a little girl anymore. You can't force me to not wear something!" Exclaimed Ginny.
"Ginny, can't this wait until we get home?" Asked an annoyed and tired Arthur Weasley.
"No because I'm not going home with you!" Spat Ginny.
"Oh, and where would you be sleeping tonight?" Asked Mrs. Wealey angrily.
"I'll stay with Ron and Hermione." Said Ginny briskly.
"Um, actually Ginny, Harry said that you can stay with him since he has an empty bedroom in his flat. Besides, our place is still really messy with all of the election stuff." Said Ron.
"Fine then. If you need me, I'll be at Harry's. Come on Harry, let's go." Ginny apperated and the rest of the Weasley family sat there staring at Harry. Harry stood up.
"I, er, better go and see if she needs anything." Said Harry nervously. Harry apperated back home leaving Ron and Hermione alone with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"So, have you heard the good news?" Said Ron trying to think of anything to say.
Harry apperated to his flat to find a very angry Ginny Weasley rummaging through his kitchen. "Er, Ginny? Are you alright?"
"God I can't stand that woman! She's the most controlling person I've ever met. In her house everything has to be just to her liking. I don't know how Dad can put up with her rubbish everyday. Harry, don't you have anything to drink in this place?"
"I think I have some orange juice or water in the frig." Said Harry.
"Any alcohol?"
"...No."
"Damn." Ginny sighed, went into the living room, and sat down on the couch. "Were you serious about you letting me stay here?"
"Yeah, sure. Why not? I don't mind. Besides, its nice to have some company once in a while." Said Harry sitting down next to her. There were two cracks and Ron and Hermione had just apperated into the flat.
"We told them." Said Hermione sighing.
"Told what?" Asked a confused Ginny.
"How did they react?" Asked Harry with concern.
"My Dad took it well and Mum broke out in tears. She kept weeping 'My little Ronniekinns is going to be daddy!'" Said Ron disenchanted.
"Whoa, hang on. Hermione, you're pregnant?" Inquired Ginny astounded by what she just heard. Hermione nodded and smiled. Ginny screamed and ran up and hugged her best friend. "How long have you known? Why did you not tell me the very moment you found out?"
"Well we want to keep it under wraps for as long as possible but telling a few good friends and family members won't hurt much will it?" Said Hermione beaming.
"Not unless your Mum tells anyone." Said Harry.
"I hope she won't. Just think if Malfoy got a hold of the news. He'd use that against me in the election and say that I'll be too busy changing diapers to keep everything in order." Said Hermione with a sigh.
"That won't happen. I'll make sure of it." Said an ever-reassuring Ron.
"I hope not. That would be just dreadful. We all know you can do it, Hermione. You're the best witch for the job. Everybody knows that." Said Ginny.
"I do hope you're right about that. Anyway, we better be heading home. Come on Ron, my feet are killing me." Said Hermione
"Bye everybody." Said Ron as he and his wife dissapperated their home. Ginny stood there smiling.
"I can't believe that the entire time they were here they didn't get into an argument." Pointed out Ginny. Harry chuckled.
"They haven't been arguing as much as they used to. They're to excited to think about anything else." Said Harry walked over to the sink to get a glass of water.
"Can you believe it though? I mean, that's just insane that two people our age are married and about to start a family. It seems like everyone I know is in a- -"
"Relationship?" Finished Harry.
"You feel the same way, huh?"
"Yeah." Said a disheartened Harry.
"It's so annoying because they all look at single people like we all have some sort of disease. Ugh, I better stop talking about it or I'll be complaining all night...Thanks again Harry for letting me stay here. Are you sure you won't mind?" Questioned Ginny.
"Not at all. You're not that bad." Said Harry in a very playful tone. Ginny gasped in mock offense and threw a pillow at him. Harry and Ginny laughed.
"But won't your neighbors talk? I mean it's not everyday that a gorgeous, sexy woman lives with you." Said Ginny walking towards the hallway.
"You're right, but I don't care. They'll just have to get used to it I suppose."
"Harry you're quite possibly one of the most understanding person I've ever met." Said Ginny gently. Harry smiled.
"Come on, I'll show you to your room." Harry led Ginny to the small room next to his own. Ginny smiled and hugged her friend.
"Thanks." She said as she walked into her new room and closed the door. And for just one moment as Harry stood there in the middle of his hallway, all of the troubles of his currently mundane life seemed to have disappeared only to be replaced by thoughts of hopes, dreams, and something that had been missing for long time.
Disclaimer: Everything but the plot is J.K. Rowling's.
Perfectly Marvelous
The next day Harry woke up early enough to not have to rush and miss breakfast again. He showered and dressed in his usual work attire and apperated to the Ministry of Magic. Harry looked at the clock that was mounted on his cubicle wall and he realized that he was 15 minutes early. Harry was momentarily perplexed. He was never this early. Harry decided to stop by Ron's cubicle to see if he had the morning's Daily Prophet. He knew that Ron usually got to work early because Hermione left early and like Harry, Ron hated being alone; well, most of the time that is. "Morning Ron." Ron was taking off his coat and scarf and unpacking his things. Ron looked up and saw his friend standing at the entranceway to his cubicle.
"You're never here this time of the morning. What are you doing here this early?" Asked Ron quizzically.
"Ron, I'm only fifteen minutes early." Explained Harry.
"That's equivalent to a half an hour to other people." Said Ron sitting down at his desk. Harry chuckled. Sadly it was true.
"Do you have The Daily Prophet?" Asked Harry. Ron reached into his briefcase and pulled out a slightly used newspaper.
"Here you go mate."
"Thanks. Do you need it back?"
"No, I read the most important parts during breakfast,"
"Quidditch and attractive witches?" Asked Harry knowing exactly what his best friend considered important. Ron nodded and grinned.
"There's a good one in there about a Veela in Turkey who claims she's the long lost relative of Helen of Troy. It's quite interesting really. There's a great picture of her in a low cut dress."
"I'll be sure to keep my eye out for it." Said Harry as he began to walk back to his cubicle.
"Wait Harry! I forgot, I still need to look at the real estate section for Ginny." Said Ron leaning out of the open part of his cubicle. Harry remembered the idea he got last night just before he went to bed.
"I was thinking about that last night and I thought that if Ginny wants she could come live with me."
"Live with you?! Are you insane?" Exclaimed Ron whose ears were about to turn bright red.
"In the extra bedroom...where you used to stay." Ron looked slightly embarrassed.
"Oh. That makes sense then. I'll tell her about it next time I see her." Said Ron.
"Okay. I'd better be going before Shackelbolt come out here." Harry headed back to his cubicle and sat down at his desk filled with papers that seemed to have some how accumulated more overnight.
The workday was long and boring once again. Harry decided to work through lunch and try to get through all of his papers. Harry sighed. Just two weeks ago Harry and Ron were off in Romania capturing foreign Death Eaters. Because they were foreign, not only did Harry and Ron have to fill out forms explaining the details of their capture for Shackelbolt, but for the Minister of the Romanian Ministry of Magic. Towards the end of the day, a note was sent to Harry by one of those winged notes. It was from Dumbledore:
Harry-
Meeting at you know where you know when. Inform the others if they do not receive this message.
Harry crumpled up the note and threw it into the wastebasket. He got vague messages like that at least three times a week all saying the same thing. He was to go with Ron and Hermione to Grimmauld Place at 5:10 pm and have another meeting of The Order of the Phoenix. Normally he'd be excited to embark on a new adventure but lately things have been quiet. Evan at work Harry seemed to be waiting around for anything to happen. The whole situation had begun to get on his last nerve. Harry sighed and looked at the clock: 4:35 pm. There was still a little bit of time before he could leave work so he couldn't just get up and go. That's exactly what he wanted to do: go. He wanted to leave the life he had grown so accustomed to. He wanted to talk to a person that didn't care about his name or his scar and have a normal conversation. He wanted to go to some exotic location and take part in some kind of important battle and finish Voldemort once and for all. Then afterwards, he wanted to start living his own life instead of one foreseen in a prophecy 25 years ago. He was hungry. Hungry for life, adventure, and love
Dating was almost impossible. He'd met women; sure, that was the easy part. Keeping their attention after the first date when they realize he's not at all interested in talking about what made him famous? That was just as impossible as getting a compliment from Snape. They didn't want to date just Harry Potter. They wanted to date the Boy Who Lived. They wanted to be the girlfriend of the Boy Who Lived. Not Harry Potter, the emotional Auror who had a passion for riding his broomstick.
The minutes clicked by and at 5 Harry packed his things and put on his long black overcoat he had got from the twins last Christmas. He met up with Ron and Hermione over at Ron's cubicle where Ron was still sitting in his chair packing up his last few things while Hermione leaned against the desk. Judging by the looks of their faces, Harry could tell that they had been arguing.
"Honestly Ron, do you think it would kill you to tidy up your desk once in a while? Complained Hermione noticing the state of her husband's tiny cubicle.
"Yes it would kill me. Besides if I did, what would you complain about when you came over to see me at work?" Asked Ron somewhat playfully.
"Oh believe me, I'd be able to find something." Said Hermione. Ron stood up and kissed his wife on the forehead. Harry smiled. "Oh hello Harry. Ready to go?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Replied Harry. And with that the three apperated 5 blocks away from headquarters and headed towards Grimmauld Place.
"So who do you think is going to be there tonight?" Asked Harry.
"Oh probably the usual: Lupin, Dumbledore, Moody, Mum, Dad, Fred, George, Tonks, and Ginny." Replied Ron casually. "It's a shame nothing exciting has been happening, eh? I wouldn't mind getting into a duel with a few Death Eaters."
"Ron! How could you even suggest such a thing? You know I need you, especially now..." Said Hermione tenderly. "Wait, does Harry know?"
"Of course Harry knows. I told him the other day at lunch." Said Ron putting his hand on the small of Hermione's back.
"Where you surprised when you found out?" Asked Hermione turning to Harry.
"Yes but I bet a hundred gallons I wasn't more surprised than Ron when he first found out." Answered Harry. Ron and Hermione both looked at each other and smirked.
"I'm not arguing with that." Said Ron truthfully.
"Either am I. Um, Ron?" Hermione motioned for Ron to come closer. He did so and she started whispering in his ear. Harry tried to read Hermione's lips and got somewhat annoyed. Hermione stopped and Ron looked at her and nodded. "Now?" She asked.
"Why not?" Replied Ron.
"What's going on?" Questioned Harry feeling a little confused.
"Harry, we know it's a bit early for all of this but Hermione and I want you to be godfather." Said Ron happily. Hermione smiled.
"You don't have to if you don't want to Harry." Started Hermione. "We just wanted to ask you because there's no one else we want. If anything happened to Ron or I, we know that the baby would be safe with you." Harry was deeply honored that his two best friends trusted him as much as they did. He wanted to say yes but something deep inside hesitated.
"What do you say?" Asked Ron with excitement.
"I'm honored and all, its just...well, I may need some time just to think about this." Said Harry trying not to sound rude.
"That's completely understandable." Said Hermione calmly. "Just let us know when you have an answer."
"Okay. So you do have you decided to be godmother?" Asked Harry.
"We don't know yet. It's probably either Ginny or Luna Lovegood." Said Hermione.
"I don't see why you're even considering Luna. Do you want our child possibly being raised by a looney or a member of my own family?" Asked Ron annoyed at his wife for not agreeing with him.
"Keep your voice down!" Whispered Hermione. She obviously did not want many people to know about her condition, or the wrong people to overhear.
"Luna isn't a looney!" Exclaimed Harry. "She may be a bit odd and slightly outlandish but she's as sane as you and me." Harry had always had a bit of a soft spot for Luna ever since his 5ht year at the end of term festival. Ron and Hermione both looked at Harry then at each other.
"Er, why don't we change the subject?" Asked Hermione trying to remove the awkward silence. "When do you think you boys are actually going to start doing some real work?"
"I don't know...I hate all of this useless paperwork. It's so draining. I'd rather study flubberworms again than do this shit everyday." Said Harry.
"I completely agree. Maybe we'll find out why everything's been so quiet at the meeting." Suggested Ron The two stopped at the location of where 12 Grimmauld Place was.
"The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve Grimmauld Place." Said Hermione. The house appeared suddenly and the three walked into the old house.
Not much had changed since the first time Harry had step foot in the house. It was cleaner of course but the walls were still dark and dusty. Harry looked around at the dark walls that would always remind him of his godfather. Everything he saw screamed Sirius. In his remembrance, Remus Lupin along with the Weasleys collected pictures from everyone that knew Sirius containing him with his friends, some even with Lily and James. They were all pasted upstairs on a wall in the master bedroom where Buckbeak used to stay (he had passed on last year).
Out of the parlor came an aging Molly Weasley. She was wearing a cooking apron and her hair was somewhat messy. She had obviously been babysitting her grandchildren. "Hello! Come in. Would any of you like anything to eat? I've made some dinner if anyone wants something." She said lovingly.
"No thanks, Mum." Said Ron going over to his mother and giving her a hug.
"Does she know?" Whispered Harry into Hermione's ear. Hermione nodded no. Harry smiled to himself thinking of how Mrs. Weasley would react to the news.
"Harry. Hermione don't just stand there!" Beckoned Mrs. Weasley to her adopted family members.
"I'm sorry." Apologized Harry wrapping the closest thing he ever had to a mother in a big hug.
"How are you dear? I haven't seen you in at least two weeks. You must remember to come round the house more often, that is, if you're not too busy." Said Mrs. Weasley in a very motherly tone.
"I promise. Next time I find that I have nothing to do I'll make sure to come over." Promised Harry knowing exactly what to say to get on her good side. Mrs. Weasley then turned to Hermione and gave her an equally big hug and made a face.
"Hermione dear, you must be starving yourself to death working on this election! You're practically skin and bones." Said Mrs. Weasley with concern. Ron and Harry looked at each other and smirked knowing that in a few months Hermione's stomach would be ballooning.
"Don't worry Mrs. Weasley, I'll be fine." Said Hermione reassuring her mother-in-law.
"You mustn't call me Mrs. Weasley anymore, that's your name now! Call me Mum. All of Fred, George, and Bill's wives call me Mum and I've only known them about the half the time I've known you." Suggested Mrs. Weasley. Hermione chuckled nervously.
"Okay...Mum." Said Hermione hesitantly.
"Um Mum, Hermione and I have something to tell you." Began Ron. Just then four little red headed boys ran by the trio's knees.
"Daniel! Troy! Andrew! Simon! Stop running at once!" Yelled Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum, stop yelling! George and Bill sent me to pick up their little devils this afternoon." Said Fred who just walked through the front door.
"Daddy!" Cried the second oldest and youngest boys out of the group of four. Fred leaned down and picked them up. "Daniel, Andrew, were you two bad for Grandma?" The two boys giggled and nodded. Fred chuckled. "Good."
"Fred, don't encourage their behavior. What kind of father would you be?" Exclaimed Hermione outraged at her brother-in-law's irresponsibility.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist! Fred has always been like this. Where have you been for 13 years?" Ron said trying his best to calm down his wife.
"I'm sorry," she whispered quietly, "it must be the hormones." Ron kissed Hermione on the forehead. She smiled.
"Ron, I hope she's not this hostile all the time. You'll probably wind up hanging yourself by your first anniversary if she keeps up like this." Said Fred briskly. Mrs. Weasley put her hands on her hips.
"Fred I love you but take your sons and nephews and leave before I jinx your mouth shut! The meeting will be starting any minute now and I daresay you were not needed tonight." Said an angered and annoyed Mrs. Weasley.
"Fine. I supposed Angelina would be expecting all of us home then. Oi, Troy! Simon! Let's go! Say goodbye to your Uncles and Aunt." Four goodbyes were uttered and the five boys headed back to their homes. Molly sighed.
"Thank Merlin they've gone." Said Mrs. Weasley seating herself in an old armchair. "I love them to death but sometimes they're just too much for me to handle. Troy is nearly 7 and he's just starting to barely mature!" Ron and Hermione looked at each other wearily. "Now what was it you were going to tell me Ron?"
"Er, nothing Mum. It can wait until later." Said Ron quickly. Out of the front door came Severus Snape, same as ever: he was dressed in all black as usual with the same depressed look in his face.
"Hello Severus." Said Mrs. Weasley regaining her usually happy tone.
"Are those little grandchildren of yours gone?" Asked the Potions Master lazily.
"Yes. Fred just came round to pick them all up." Said Hermione. Mrs. Weasley got to her feet.
"Thank Merlin...Has Dumbledore arrived yet?" Asked Snape to no one in particular.
"Not yet. I supposed he should be here any moment." Said Lupin apperating into the foyer from one of the upstairs rooms.
"Good evening, Professor Lupin." Said Hermione politely.
"Hello Ron, Hermione, Harry." Said Remus Lupin looking shaggier and older than ever before.
"Hello Professor." Said Harry.
"Everything alright?" Asked Lupin. Ever since Sirius's death Remus Lupin tried to look after Harry as best as he could. Although Harry was a full-grown man, every original member of the Order of the Phoenix still thought of Harry as Lily and James's little boy.
"Sure, why wouldn't it be?" Lied Harry. Suddenly Dumbledore entered through the front door accompanied by the Transfiguration Professor.
"Come along now. Into the parlor." Said an old Minerva McGonagall. All of the members walked into the parlor and took their seats. Every member had his or her own chair that faced a center podium, which the main speaker of the meeting stood at as he talked.
"Is everyone here?" Can everybody hear me? Good. Now I know that things have been quiet but- -" There was a loud slam of the door that made everybody advert their eyes to the front of the house. There stood a gorgeous and wet beauty. Her long wavy red hair was made even wilder by the sudden down pour of rain that had just occurred. She was wearing very stylish red work robes with black pumps. The dim light form the window shined on the young woman and Harry had never seen anything more heavenly in his life. Ginny Weasley panted and tried to regain her breath.
"I'm so sorry Professor but my meeting with my boss ran late and- -"
"Never mind, Ms. Weasley. Please take your seat." Said a very understanding Dumbledore. Ginny's ears where a bright red as she took her seat between Hermione and Tonks.
The meeting lasted only an hour, just enough to bore Harry and the other members. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron stayed afterwards to have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The six were seated around the long dark kitchen table. They were about half way through dinner when Mrs. Weasley and Ginny started bickering non-stop.
"Ginny, do you have to wear that to a meeting? You look like some kind of escort." Scolded Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum, you get upset at me when I wear anything that shows any bit of skin besides my arms and face. I'm not a little girl anymore. You can't force me to not wear something!" Exclaimed Ginny.
"Ginny, can't this wait until we get home?" Asked an annoyed and tired Arthur Weasley.
"No because I'm not going home with you!" Spat Ginny.
"Oh, and where would you be sleeping tonight?" Asked Mrs. Wealey angrily.
"I'll stay with Ron and Hermione." Said Ginny briskly.
"Um, actually Ginny, Harry said that you can stay with him since he has an empty bedroom in his flat. Besides, our place is still really messy with all of the election stuff." Said Ron.
"Fine then. If you need me, I'll be at Harry's. Come on Harry, let's go." Ginny apperated and the rest of the Weasley family sat there staring at Harry. Harry stood up.
"I, er, better go and see if she needs anything." Said Harry nervously. Harry apperated back home leaving Ron and Hermione alone with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"So, have you heard the good news?" Said Ron trying to think of anything to say.
Harry apperated to his flat to find a very angry Ginny Weasley rummaging through his kitchen. "Er, Ginny? Are you alright?"
"God I can't stand that woman! She's the most controlling person I've ever met. In her house everything has to be just to her liking. I don't know how Dad can put up with her rubbish everyday. Harry, don't you have anything to drink in this place?"
"I think I have some orange juice or water in the frig." Said Harry.
"Any alcohol?"
"...No."
"Damn." Ginny sighed, went into the living room, and sat down on the couch. "Were you serious about you letting me stay here?"
"Yeah, sure. Why not? I don't mind. Besides, its nice to have some company once in a while." Said Harry sitting down next to her. There were two cracks and Ron and Hermione had just apperated into the flat.
"We told them." Said Hermione sighing.
"Told what?" Asked a confused Ginny.
"How did they react?" Asked Harry with concern.
"My Dad took it well and Mum broke out in tears. She kept weeping 'My little Ronniekinns is going to be daddy!'" Said Ron disenchanted.
"Whoa, hang on. Hermione, you're pregnant?" Inquired Ginny astounded by what she just heard. Hermione nodded and smiled. Ginny screamed and ran up and hugged her best friend. "How long have you known? Why did you not tell me the very moment you found out?"
"Well we want to keep it under wraps for as long as possible but telling a few good friends and family members won't hurt much will it?" Said Hermione beaming.
"Not unless your Mum tells anyone." Said Harry.
"I hope she won't. Just think if Malfoy got a hold of the news. He'd use that against me in the election and say that I'll be too busy changing diapers to keep everything in order." Said Hermione with a sigh.
"That won't happen. I'll make sure of it." Said an ever-reassuring Ron.
"I hope not. That would be just dreadful. We all know you can do it, Hermione. You're the best witch for the job. Everybody knows that." Said Ginny.
"I do hope you're right about that. Anyway, we better be heading home. Come on Ron, my feet are killing me." Said Hermione
"Bye everybody." Said Ron as he and his wife dissapperated their home. Ginny stood there smiling.
"I can't believe that the entire time they were here they didn't get into an argument." Pointed out Ginny. Harry chuckled.
"They haven't been arguing as much as they used to. They're to excited to think about anything else." Said Harry walked over to the sink to get a glass of water.
"Can you believe it though? I mean, that's just insane that two people our age are married and about to start a family. It seems like everyone I know is in a- -"
"Relationship?" Finished Harry.
"You feel the same way, huh?"
"Yeah." Said a disheartened Harry.
"It's so annoying because they all look at single people like we all have some sort of disease. Ugh, I better stop talking about it or I'll be complaining all night...Thanks again Harry for letting me stay here. Are you sure you won't mind?" Questioned Ginny.
"Not at all. You're not that bad." Said Harry in a very playful tone. Ginny gasped in mock offense and threw a pillow at him. Harry and Ginny laughed.
"But won't your neighbors talk? I mean it's not everyday that a gorgeous, sexy woman lives with you." Said Ginny walking towards the hallway.
"You're right, but I don't care. They'll just have to get used to it I suppose."
"Harry you're quite possibly one of the most understanding person I've ever met." Said Ginny gently. Harry smiled.
"Come on, I'll show you to your room." Harry led Ginny to the small room next to his own. Ginny smiled and hugged her friend.
"Thanks." She said as she walked into her new room and closed the door. And for just one moment as Harry stood there in the middle of his hallway, all of the troubles of his currently mundane life seemed to have disappeared only to be replaced by thoughts of hopes, dreams, and something that had been missing for long time.