Chapter 19.
The nest morning Hermione and Harry were sitting in the family living room telling Ben and Emma about their years at
Hogwarts.
'So, I'll get my letter next year then mum?'
'Yes, you and Lincon isn't it?'
'Yeah, they're the same age as your three.'
Hermione smiled and her children were shocked to see the difference that small expression that made on their mothers face.
It wasn't forced, but genuine, filled with love for the person it was aimed at: the married man who was her best friend.
Hermione was sinking back into her old habits as she leaned against Harry with her head on his shoulder, his arms
automatically circling her waist and pulling her closer.
'Hey! You tow are married to each other you know! You've been acting like it all morning.'
'Well, they have been best friends since they were 11 and they fancied each other like hell in 7th year so i'm not surprised.'
Both blushed as Ginny gave Ben this new piece of information, as she walked in giving Jasper a piggy back. Hermione
smiled.
'Don't worry Gin; I'm not trying to steal your man.'
'You better bloody not be my friend.'
'Ben you may want tow gorgeous women fighting g over you, but believe me it's not all its cracked up to be.'
The young boy looked up at the man who was looking after his mother and by the sounds of it had been most of his life. He
suddenly whished he was his father. The way they held each other, the way they acted finishing each others sentences, they
looked perfect. Shame he was already married. Big bugger. But Ben knew it would never happen, he accepted this but
always thought of Harry as a father to him and 2 siblings. Harry would be the one he turned to when he hit puberty, about his
first crush, first girlfriend, about shaving. He would forever be grateful towards the boy-who-lived for what he did for his
mother and them.
'MUM! MUM! HELP! THE TICKLING MONSTER IS TRYING TO GET US! MUM HELP!'
Ginny laughed at he chorus of her 3 children. She motioned to the children on the floor.
'Come and meet he manic Potter lot.'
'Hey! We're not that bad.'
'Of course not sweetie.'
She followed the noise coming from the kitchen with 3 scared looking children behind her, leaving Hermione in her husband's
arms.
Hermione snuggled her head into the crock in h snack and his arms tightened around her. She turned her face up to him and
whispered in his ear;
'Does this remind you of anything?'
Harry, who was suddenly having trouble breathing, nodded, remembering clearly.
'Yeah, that night.' He looked down at her and was faced with her lips taunting him and her eyes pleading with him.
Images and emotions were spinning through Hermione's' mind, remembering the softness of Harry's lips against her own,
kissing her skin. The feel of his touch as he ran his hand over her body. The sound d of his voice, breathless and calling her
name.
'Harry, you've got to come to the Bur—'
Ron stopped dead as he saw his two best friends holding each other. He saw the woman who had refused to keep his
daughter, who had told her she didn't want her and had been abused by her husband, and here she was bruised and
suddenly shaking, eyes wide, even after facing Voldemort with Harry and not being scared.
'Hermione?'
She untangles herself from Harry's embrace and gaze, looking up at the father of the daughter she had hurt to save.
'Hello Ron.'