Chapter 13

Can we eat yet?

It was a long while later and Hermione had finished her novel left on the kitchen table, prepared a 'brunch' for them all [the muggle way since this obviously took more time] and had at least seven cups of tea. She sighed – Harry and Jamie had been talking for hours now and every time she popped her head in, neither noticed.

She was glad she told herself. Glad they were talking so easily, laughing and joking with each other. Just like father and son should. She smiled. Maybe it would all be ok now. She would stop feeling this terrible guilt; Jamie would have his father, and Harry might be happy now he had a child.

He'd be happy wouldn't he? He already loves Jamie, you can see it in his eyes. And looking at him chatting away, doesn't he look happy. Yes – happier than you ever made him anyway. She shook her head and inside knew that things were not just going to be that easy. He was happy sure, he liked Jamie a lot, maybe even loved him already, but that doesn't mean he's going to forgive you. She knew it was true, but dismissed it. You don't get to wallow in guilt you selfish cow – just make it up to them both.

Hermione broke from her thoughts when Jamie entered the kitchen, shortly followed by his father. His father she thought and closed her eyes. She smiled at him, both of them really, and tried to focus on the present.

"I smelt food!" Jamie yelled happily as he ran to her and embraced her in a bone-crushing hug.

"You would!" Hermione said smiling as she squeezed him back.

"Can we eat yet?"

"You washed your hands?"

"Be right back" Jamie shouted, already halfway up the stairs.

Hermione watched him watch Jamie disappear up the stairs and smiled when she saw the look on his face. "... Did you guys have a good time?"

Harry nodded, the grin on his face still evident.

"I'm glad." Hermione said, unsure of what else to say.

He turned to look at her and the grin disappeared. Hermione's happy mood was lifted and suddenly replaced by the usual gloom. She looked away, willing him not to shout, to say he hated her, to say he'd never forgive her or any of a number of heartbreaking things she'd dreaded since the day she'd left him.

"Hermione... I don't know what to say..." Harry steadily let out the breath he'd been holding – "... But - well - I told Jamie we could go to the park later – I hope that's ok – He said he had a favourite place where I could explain better about Quidditch – no flying I promise – I should of said I'd ask you first – I'm sorry..."

He said it all so fast yet quietly that it took her a few seconds to take in what he'd said; she'd not been expecting it-

"...It's fine – no problem. I mean... you don't have to ask – he's yours too. You can take him to the park if you want – that's ok. But no flying!... I mean he's far too young." Harry looked relieved and he let out a breath again. He really is nervous then.

"..But-erm... well I kinda said-erm... you see I don't know where the park is, or this place he really likes there... erm – will you come too?" Harry was looking right at her and she could tell he'd already resigned himself to the fact that she'd say no.

"Don't you want to-spend some time with him on your own?"

"Course I do!" Harry said, a little too loudly. "...Sorry – its just – he really wants to go to this place – I don't know where – I just... I don't want to let him down- I mean it's the first thing I ever promised him and if I can't...." Harry went on like this a little more before she interrupted him-

"Harry!" He went silent. "I don't mind coming along – honestly – I just – I don't want to tread on your toes. I know you want to spend time with him and he definitely wants to spend time with you – I just don't want to get in the way of that." Especially considering it's my fault you don't even know each other.

"No-I want you there too – really... Jamie does too- he said so"" Harry said sheepishly. Don't screw it up now Potter – she said she's come to the park for Jamie's sake – she doesn't want to go with you – she wants to go with her son.

There was a thundering noise down the stairs and Jamie appeared, grinning. They both smiled at him in return and a weird kind of happiness spread through the room-

"So can we eat now?"

Harry laughed, Hermione smiled and kissed her son lightly on his head.

"Course we can greedy guts."