Chapter 14

What do you think?

They'd eaten and talked in a semi-surreal kind of way. It half reminded Hermione of the times she'd spent with Harry after Hogwarts and this blissful image was supported by the input of their friend that thought food solved all; it made them miss Ron. They were laughing and joking and there wasn't any awkwardness. She'd expected there would be. So had he. But there wasn't. It was probably because Jamie was there chatting away about wanting to go to Hogwarts and visiting Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley; it just seemed to allow them to block out the bad stuff – the pain and hurt that lay silently between them.

All too quickly they were off to the park. True to his word Harry wouldn't take Jamie flying, no matter how much he persisted and for that Hermione was grateful. She'd sat on the bench while they talked Quidditch. She'd watched as her little angel grew happier by the minute as his father talked for ages about something that ultimately was just a silly sport. Or so she thought. She'd always accepted that Harry felt differently about Quidditch, it seemed Jamie was the same and she wouldn't begrudge them something in common.

They'd played together and laughed together and included her in as much as they could. By the time they were ready to leave, they were all happy with spending the afternoon in the park, although only Harry could appreciate how much it had meant to him. Jamie was totally wiped by it all. He'd barely slept the night before, woke up early to meet his father and then spent the day talking and running about with his Dad in the park. It was hardly surprising that by six o'clock he could stay awake for more than five minutes.

He's not grumpy though Harry reflected as he carried him across the living room – I'd probably be grumpy. He laid Jamie gently on the couch and went to join Hermione in the kitchen.

"He's asleep in the living room." He said, trying to keep his voice light – it was going to be hard enough saying what he'd decided to say without making it worse from the beginning. "-I need to talk to you.... .... Is that ok?"

You shouldn't be surprised – why are you?

"OK-that's fine... I'll just put Jamie to bed then we'll talk – that ok?"

"Yeah-course..."

Hermione turned and started towards the kitchen, but stopped herself-

"You can take him up-if you want to."

Harry just looked at her. Eventually-

"Put him to bed you mean?"

"Well yeah – I'll come up to say goodnight-but if you want you can put him to bed."

"Ok" Harry said, not at all certain he would be able to do even this small task right. But he walked through to the living room, picked up his son and delivered him to his bedroom. He kissed him goodnight after taking off his shoes, turned off the night light and with a final look at him, left the door open for his mother to say goodnight. They passed on the stairs; he knew he'd been a while but he wanted to make sure he wouldn't forget what Jamie looked like. You sound pathetic Potter he'd told himself, but he couldn't bear the thought that he might forget anything about Jamie. When he looked at her, she smiled and Harry swore to the heavens How come you give me him, but keep her from me? He shook his head and went to wait for Hermione in the living room.

Hermione, however, found it all a little daunting. She had had Jamie since he was born and now she had to share. Things like bedtime were going to be hard she thought, but if she'd shared him from the beginning she's be used to it by now. She'd not stopped beating herself up about keeping them apart, since she'd told Harry and watching them together in the park had only increased her guilt. She looked down at her sleeping son and knew finally that Harry should be with him. She kissed him softly and made herself leave to face the scene she knew awaited her. She couldn't blame Harry at all. She drudged down the stairs and told herself that it didn't matter what he said; the important thing was that Jamie and Harry knew each other. It didn't make her feel better. In fact, it made her feel worse.

When she entered the living room, he was facing the fireplace, studying the photos it seemed. He heard her and turned around-

"He still asleep?"

"Yeah – out like a light..."

"Good..."

Yeah Great! She thought.

"Hermione-listen- I know we've lots to talk about... but I think- I need to tell you something first." Harry stopped and braced himself. It must be bad she thought. "You see I want you both to come live with me..."

What!? "Pardon me?"

"Jamie – I know him a little and I want to know him a lot and I think he feels the same and the only way we can be close is to live in the same country and the same house and he needs to know I love him and..." Harry took a breath from the babbling-"I want my son to know me. I want you to consider moving back home – I know it's a lot but-I think its important for us; all of us.... What do you think?"