Harry's Watch and the Gift -
"So are you ready to see it?" asked Ginny, sitting down next to Hermione on the couch. Ginny smiled, watching Hermione adjusted two week old Gawyn in her arms as the baby feed from his mother's breast. "When are the guys due back?" Hermione asked, glancing around her sitting room to the mantle clock that sat above the fireplace. "They'll be a good while seeing how Dad wants to re-roof Percy's house the 'muggle way'. With all those men up on there we'll they'll either be bickering over it for hours or we'll be getting a call from St. Mungo's after someone has fallen off," said Ginny. "So Where's Egwene?" she asked, looking around the room. "Your Mum is taking her to visit with Penelope and Maric while the men work," said Hermione. "She'll like that," said Ginny, pulling Harry's watch out from her robe pocket.
"How did you manage to take that? Won't he miss it?" asked Hermione. Ginny grinned holding the watch in her up-turned palm. "Poor Harry, he seemed to have miss placed his watch and didn't have time to search for it before needing to leave to go help," said Ginny, with an innocent puzzled expression on her face before she returned to her prior mischievous grin. "Oh, you're bad," Hermione said, smiling at her best friend. "So," Hermione said, brushing a lock of hair back behind her shoulder before resting her hand against the baby's back as he continued to feed, "Are you going to start it then?" she asked. Ginny chuckled, "Impatient are we?" she teased. Hermione answered by giving her a dirty look.
Ginny took out her wand and gently tapped the crystal of the watch. Hovering above the time piece a transparent screen, roughly a 13 inch square in size, appeared and began to play out what it had recorded prior. It was like being there watching from a few feet away, they could see everyone and everything that was going on, "Almost like a fly on the wall isn't it," Hermione said, looking at the transparent screen closely. Ginny placed the watch onto the coffee table in front of the couch and sat back. The girls watched as the men entered The Two Rivers Lodge. The large entrance gave way to rough log walls, planked floors and log rafters supporting a vaulted ceiling. Men sat at tables all around drinking ale and playing cards in the dim haze of cigar and long pipe smoke. "Urg, nasty smelling things cigars are," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Ginny wrinkled her nose, nodding in agreement. The only thing that made The Two Rivers Lodge different from an average lodge was the far wall which held a large stage, including a cat walk that came out a few feet from the center of the stage with a tall brass pole. "It would have a pole wouldn't it" said Ginny, rolling her eyes. Hermione snorted her agreement.
The entire left side of the club was taken up by the Weasley bachelor party, sitting at round tables made from thick slices of tree trunk and covered in several layers of amber clear lacquer to give a warm glow on the high gloss top. Hermione and Ginny watched as several barmaids wandered around the group of men wearing off the shoulder white peasant blouses with puffy sleeves that went to the elbow. Above this the maids wore leather corsets of a rich brown color that were cinched tight pushing their chests up, deepening the ample cleavage already exposed over the tops of their low blouse. To finish the outfits the maids wore long full skirts of brown that reached the floor with wide leather belts at the waist. "Thank the stars for small favors," Hermione muttered, looking at the skirts.
Several barmaids made their way over, smiling suggestively at the group of men as they took their drink orders. The women laughed and flirted openly. One particular brunette with a mass of curls left to flow freely down her back smiled down at Ron as she leaned in closer to hear his order, laughing gaily at some joke that was lost to Ginny and Hermione's ears due to the loud hum of the filled room. Hermione's eyes narrowed and watched carefully at her husband's reaction to the overly friendly barmaid. "Wedding ring," Hermione muttered, "its right there on his finger. Is she blind?" Both Ginny and Hermione's eyebrows shot up when the barmaids stepped away to begin filling the orders. The women paused reaching down to the hem of their floor length skirts and pulled up a side to tuck it into their belts, revealing ruffled white petticoats beneath and an open view of leg. "Brazen hussies," Hermione hissed.
Lee Jordan stood up after tankards of ale and pitchers were set upon the several tables. "May I have your attention please," Lee called out to the room. "To Gred and Forge, brave lads willing to take on two of Gryffindor's most fierce chasers and live to tell the tale!" Lee called as the men raised their ale filled mugs into the air. "May your days always be full of pranks and your nights full of passion," Lee said raising his mug up higher. "Here, here!" cried the group of men before taking a deep drawl from their tankards. "And now, pearls of wisdom from those poor blokes. . . err. . . I mean brave men who took the plunge of death . . . I mean. . . bravely walked the path before you." Lee said, grinning mischievously before sitting down.
Arthur was the first to stand, mug in hand and a smile on his face. "My boys, I'm very proud of your accomplishments in life, and your wonderful choice for wives." he said, as several of the men in the group grinned at each other. "Don't hurt that they are both stacked like nobody's business," Lee called out. He was answered by a punch on the arm from the twins sitting on either side of him. "Oy! Keep to yourself," said George. Arthur chuckled before continuing, "My pearl to you is, never forget an important date such as birthdays and anniversaries. Otherwise you'll never live it down." Each man took a drink from their tankard with Arthur's bit of wisdom before he sat down. "Better be writing these down," said Fred. "Yes, yes we mustn't forgot," said George, pretending to write on his upturned palm.
Bill and Charlie stood up together, "Being the two oldest we feel we have the most to share," Bill said with an all knowing grin. "Save for Dad," Charlie said, raising his tankard in his father's directions. Arthur nodded with a smile listening to his sons. "So for our pearls we say this. If she ever comes up to you asking how she looks, always and I mean Always tell her she looks lovely," said Bill looking directly at the twins, "Otherwise you'll be spending many a cold lonely nights on the couch." The men chuckled from their seats. "And if you value a warm meal, Never criticize her cooking," added Charlie. "If it's burnt you smile and say yum. Otherwise you're on your own, and cold beans on toast will get old very quick," he said with a nod. Again each man in the party raised their mugs to drink.
Percy stood, clearing his throat as he held his mug in his hand. "This should be good," Ron muttered over his tankard to Harry. "My pearl to you is. . . Read the Karma Sutra. . . cover to cover. I found it immensely useful." The group sat in shocked silence looking up at Percy with dropped jaws. "What?" Percy said looking around at the men.
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other in surprise, "Penelope's been holding out on us," said Ginny. Hermione nodded.
Percy looked around at the stunned group of men, "Well what are you looking at? Dad was the one who gave me the book," he said indignantly before sitting down. Ginny and Hermione gasped. The two women watched the men at the bachelor party splutter and choke on their beers. Fred and George sprayed their ale across the table, "Dad!" they cried together. Hermione began to cackle with laughter, "Why with seven children am I the least bit surprised?" she said, shaking with laughter. Charlie shuddered, "It's going to take years of therapy to get me past that mental image." Bill shook his head in bewilderment before taking a very long pull from his mug and reached for the pitcher in the center of the table to pour himself more. "Now boys," Arthur said, grinning into his tankard.
After the shell shock wore off Ron stood for his turn. Ginny nudged Hermione on the shoulder with her own. Hermione looked up to the transparent screen while adjusting Gawyn to her other breast. "Well," began Ron, "My pearl to you is, when your wife becomes pregnant hide your gardening sheers and Never ask for desert." The men roared with laughter while taking their drinks in salute. "Oh honestly!" Hermione huffed. "Your turn Harry," Lee shouted from his seat. Harry stood up looking around at his family and friends. "Well I'd tell you to not piss off a red- headed woman, but you don't have to worry about that." Harry said, holding his tankard in his hand. Hermione grinned over at Ginny as the men in the group laughed. "So I guess my pearl to you is this," said Harry, taking a bit of a breath. "Love her with every fiber of your being. Fiercely protect her with your life. Hold her like it will be your last chance to feel her in your arms." Harry said, looking seriously at the twins. Ginny had to blink back a rush of tears. "Aww," Hermione sighed from beside her.
The group looked up at Harry in silence until Bill and Charlie began to cough rather loudly into their hands -- *cough, cough* "Whipped," *cough, cough* The men began laughing again. "Whew, sorry there mate," Bill said pounding himself on the chest, "Must have been the pipe smoke," Charlie said fanning in front of his face. Harry gave them a lopsided grin, "One more thing then," said Harry, "If your wife ever asks you to go buy her strawberries, for the love of Merlin do NOT forget!" The party of men laughed loudly as they took another drink of ale. Ginny snorted, rolling her eyes. Lee stood up again and held his mug high and the others followed suit, "To George and Fred," Lee shouted. "To pearls," the men cried back.
Ginny and Hermione watched as the party of men played cards and continued to drink. Lee had passed around a box of cigars for each man to take. "I'm so glad they used a deodorizing charm before they returned home," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Her eyes narrowed again as the same pretty brunette from earlier sauntered up to Ron, refilling his tankard before setting the new pitcher down, collecting the empty one. Ginny chuckled watching Hermione out of the corner of her eye. "Well this is getting old," Ginny said after another half hour had passed watching the men play cards, "Let's just speed things up a bit, shall we?" said Ginny, tapping her wand onto the crystal.
Scenes flashed across the transparent screen quickly. "This is pretty funny to watch," Hermione said as the men moved comically in double time. Ginny brought the play back to normal speed as the running lights of the stage turned on. Loud music pulsed an exotic rhythm through the screen as a spot light swiveled around on stage area before centering on a split in the back curtain. "Oh here we go," Ginny said sarcastically, sitting back and crossing her arms over her stomach. "Gentlemen, we introduce to you, the ladies of Two Rivers." A voice boomed over the enticing music. The party of men turned their attention to the stage as the curtain parted to reveal two women standing in a pose before slowly making their way out onto the stage. The room grew in noise as cat calls and cheers joined the sultry music. Each woman was dressed in long lavender skirts made of a transparent gauzy material that flowed with their slightest movement. The veil thin material flowed loosely to ankles before exposing bare feet. A generous amount of bare midriff was exposed showing off large a purple gem stones in their navels. The same gauzy material created the long sleeves of their tops over a darker purple material covering their generous breasts. The women began to move with fluid grace, their motions hypnotic and seductive to the eye.
Ginny saw as Ron nudged Harry with his elbow, they grinned at each other before turning their attention back to the stage.
The raven haired dancer slowly bent herself backwards, snaking her arms out at her sides, her stomach began to ripple as if a pebble had been dropped into a still pond. She looked out at the crowd of men with liquid black eyes and gave an alluring smile before turning her attention back to her dance. The second dancer spun in a dizzying whirl of gauze and thick blond hair. She abruptly stop as she began to quickly thrust her right hip out to the side as she took small steps turning in a stationary circle, her arms gracefully moved above her head circling her slender hands in a complicated pattern. She lowered her amethyst eyes down to her hips before slowly raising them up to look out at the crowd with a seductive smile.
"I still say the dancers at Lucky's Charms were better," Hermione said tilting her head at a slight angle appraising the women on the stage. "Jealous?" Ginny said, smirking at her sister in law. "I just gave birth, what do you think?" Hermione shot back sarcastically. Ginny chuckled, looking down at her own very swollen form, "Point taken."
Many dances and even more pitchers of ale later Ginny and Hermione watched as one of the two grooms turned in his seat. "Oy!" Fred drunkenly yelled, holding up his ale tankard with a cheeky grin. Ginny's eyes narrowed, "Don't say it," she hissed.
" Bar wench!" Fred yelled.
" I'll kill 'em," Ginny growled.
Hermione cringed as she shook her head in disbelief. The friendly blond barmaid approached their table as a drunken George reached out with his free hand, holding his tankard up in the other, and jovially smacked her on the rump while laughing. The barmaid jumped and turned to lightly cuff George on the shoulder with a mock scowl before smiling brightly and setting a new pitcher of ale onto the table. Both women's chins dropped as they sat on the couch watching the scene play out above Harry's watch. "He did not just..." Hermione spluttered as she gently patted Gawyn's back to burp him on her shoulder. "I'm afraid he just did," said Ginny, shaking her head in slight disgust.
Arthur had been sitting across the table from his sons, examining the cards in his hand, and caught sight of their behavior. He cleared his throat and looked at them pointedly but otherwise said nothing. Fred and George turned their heads to their father before turning back to the barmaid as she picked up an ashtray, looking up at her sheepishly. "Sorry about that, fair lady" Fred gallantly said, slightly wobbling in his seat. "Yes, so sorry for our atrocious behavior on our last night as free men," said George, cocking a grin at her. The barmaid laughed and shook her head as she walked away.
Hermione and Ginny watched as the evening eventually came to an end. The group of now very drunk men stumbled out of the Two Rivers Lodge and into the night air supporting each other from falling over while singing lewd songs. The transparent screen went blank before completely disappearing. "Well, that was interesting," said Hermione as she stood to lay Gawyn down in a small bassinet beside the couch. "I have to admit, I am proud of Harry and Ron. They behaved like complete gentlemen the entire evening." said Ginny, stretching her arms above her head before brining her hands to rest on her stomach, which at the moment was slightly moving with the twins awake and active within her.
"Especially after Fred and George's behavior," said Hermione, sitting back down beside Ginny. "Remind me to have their wives nominated for Witch of the year;" said Ginny, "Merlin knows they deserve an award for agreeing to commit the rest of their lives to those two." Hermione nodded with a grin, "That or they need their heads examined." Ginny laughed, leaning forward she struggled to reach the watch on the coffee table. "Let me get that," Hermione said, easily reaching forward to pluck the watch off of the table. "Thanks," said Ginny, putting the watch into her pocket. "I feel like a beached whale," she said leaning back against the couch. Don't worry", said Hermione, patting Ginny's knee reassuringly. "It won't be much longer."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny sat on her bed surrounded by a pile of cloths. She held a tiny yellow sleeper up to look at. She laid it gently against her abdomen and smiled down at it while the twins shifted inside her. "I don't think that will fit," said Harry, walking into the room with a basket of freshly laundered clothing. "Very funny," said Ginny, folding the sleeper and putting in onto a pile of new baby cloths to put away. "Why don't you just fold all this with magic?" Harry asked, setting the basket down beside the bed. "Because that would be terribly lazy of me," said Ginny, she gave her wand a slight wave and sent a pile of folded cloths floating over to her dresser as a drawer opened to receive them. Harry looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?" she asked picking up a pair of pants to fold, "You don't expect me to go jumping up and down off of the bed with this do you?" she said, pointing to her large stomach. Harry chuckled, reaching for a towel to fold.
Clark lay curled on Ginny's pillow at the head of the bed, swishing his tail lazily but otherwise not paying attention to his mistress. They looked up together as the front door bell chimed. "Wonder who that is," Harry muttered. Ginny shrugged her shoulders in response. "I'll get it," said Harry, dropping the folded towel onto the bed. Ginny sat down the pants and turned to get up as Harry strode from the room. The first attempt to stand failed as she reached for the headboard to help pull herself up. "Ginny?" she heard Harry call as she struggled to her feet. "Just a minute," she called out, "Not like I can just jump and run," she grumbled under her breath as she made her way out of the room.
Ginny turned the corner of the hall as it opened into the great room and made her way to the front door. Harry stood holding the handle of the front door, his other hand within his robe pocket where Ginny knew his wand was. A man stood, in royal blue robes, on their front door step as Ginny approached. In his hands he held a silver box wrapped in dark green ribbon. The man gave a polite smile when he noticed Ginny approach, "Mrs. Ginny Potter?" he asked. "Yes?" she said hesitantly. "I have a delivery for you," the man said, raising the box towards her. "Uh, Thank you," she said looking over at Harry questioningly as she stretched her hands out to accept the box. Harry gave a slight nod but keep a close eye between the man and the package. The delivery man gave a slight bow, "Have a good day," he said, turning and walking off of the step. He made his way down the front path and opened the small front gate, as soon as he closed it behind him he disappeared with a slight pop. Harry closed the door and turned his attention again to the package in Ginny's hands. "Sit it down there," Harry pointed to the entry table beside them. Harry took out his wand and quickly cast several charms and counter curses. "It's completely clean," he said, furrowing his eye brows. "It's probably just an early baby present dear," Ginny said picking up the package again.
She felt the contents shift to one side within the box. "What in the world?" she muttered as she sat the box back down onto the entry table. Harry watched as Ginny reached up and pulled on the dark green ribbon, untying the elaborate bow. Once it fell Ginny slowly lifted the lid on the square box and sat it aside. Before she could completely move the dark green tissue paper aside in the box a fluffy white head poked out causing both the adults to slightly jerk back in surprise. "Oh my," Ginny breathed as she reached in and pulled the fluffy white kitten out of the box. It mewed as Ginny raised it up to look at it. Its large silver-grey eyes stared at her innocently as it flicked its fluffy white tail. Ginny cradled the tiny kitten to her chest stroking its head lovingly. "I wonder who. . ." Ginny paused as she turned the kitten over and examined it, ". . . he is from?" she said with a grin, learning the kitten's gender. The kitten mewed again before rubbing his whiskered face against Ginny's breast.
Harry reached in the box and pulled out a small silver envelope that had - Ginny - written in crisp letters of dark green ink. Harry opened the envelope and read over the note. A dark frown crossed his handsome face as he finished the note scowling at the small piece of parchment in his hand. "Harry what is it?" she asked while scratching the kitten's head as it purred in her arms. Harry thrust the note to her without saying a word. She raised her eyebrows looking at him before glancing down at the parchment.
Ginny,
A gift, to watch over your children as they grow. . .
Please accept him.
D.
Ginny slowly lowered the note to look at the tiny kitten that was rubbing his cheek against her chest and purring contently before turning her eyes up towards Harry. He was frowning down at the kitten in her arms appearing to be deep in though. "Harry," Ginny said taking a step to close the gap between them. "We don't have to keep him," she said looking up at her husband. Harry reached out and placed his hand on the side of her stomach, gently caressing it with his thumb. The tiny white kitten mewed as he reached out with its tiny paws towards Harry's chest, staring up at him innocently with large grey eyes.
Harry reached up and gently scratched the kitten behind the ear. The kitten turned his head pushing against Harry's fingers, closing its eyes the kitten began to purr. Harry's facial expression softened at the kitten's affection. Clark came sauntering around the corner into the room and paused sniffing the air. He quickly ran to Ginny and meowed loudly as he stood on up on his hind legs with his fore paws against Ginny's leg trying to see up into her arms. "Let's see what Clark thinks," said Harry as he took the kitten from Ginny's arms and made his way to the couch. The kitten purred louder and licked at the collar of Harry's shirt as it cuddled against him. Clark excitedly followed Harry over and meowed again loudly in demand. Harry sat on the couch and placed the kitten on the floor. Clark paused and stood stock still observing the strange animal before him. Harry watched the two cats closely as Ginny made her way over to sit down next to him.
Clark took a tentative step forward to the kitten, who was sitting still on the floor looking tiny and frightened at the large fluffy black creature moving towards it. Clark sniffed the air near it again as the kitten mewed weakly. The kitten raised its nose up and sniffed, curiosity obviously becoming stronger than fear. Clark slowly put his nose forward coming very close to the white kitten's face. Clark let out a throaty meow before rubbing his cheek against the kitten's. All tension broke as the kitten excitedly began to rub up against the elder cat.
"Well if Clark agrees to him then I guess we can keep him," Harry said, looking down at the two cats with a faint smile. "We really don't have to keep him," Ginny said, placing a hand on Harry's arm. Harry reached up and gently squeezed Ginny's hand, "No, I think we'll keep him." said Harry watching the two cats bond. Ginny smiled and relaxed her shoulders that had become tense without her realizing it.
"So what do you think we should name him?" Harry asked, picking the kitten up and placing him onto his lap. Clark jumped up and curled between the two adults watching Harry. "Oh, I don't know," said Ginny, reaching over to scratch the kitten behind the ear. Ginny thought for a few moments while she absentmindedly moved her pendant on its chain around her neck. She broke into a smile and dropped the pendant back down onto her chest, "I know," she said, "Lex." Harry held the kitten up turning to look at the large grey eyes of the fluffy white ball of fur. "What do you think, Lex?" he asked. The kitten mewed and pawed the air in front of Harry.
Harry smiled at the ball of fur, "Lex it is."
"So are you ready to see it?" asked Ginny, sitting down next to Hermione on the couch. Ginny smiled, watching Hermione adjusted two week old Gawyn in her arms as the baby feed from his mother's breast. "When are the guys due back?" Hermione asked, glancing around her sitting room to the mantle clock that sat above the fireplace. "They'll be a good while seeing how Dad wants to re-roof Percy's house the 'muggle way'. With all those men up on there we'll they'll either be bickering over it for hours or we'll be getting a call from St. Mungo's after someone has fallen off," said Ginny. "So Where's Egwene?" she asked, looking around the room. "Your Mum is taking her to visit with Penelope and Maric while the men work," said Hermione. "She'll like that," said Ginny, pulling Harry's watch out from her robe pocket.
"How did you manage to take that? Won't he miss it?" asked Hermione. Ginny grinned holding the watch in her up-turned palm. "Poor Harry, he seemed to have miss placed his watch and didn't have time to search for it before needing to leave to go help," said Ginny, with an innocent puzzled expression on her face before she returned to her prior mischievous grin. "Oh, you're bad," Hermione said, smiling at her best friend. "So," Hermione said, brushing a lock of hair back behind her shoulder before resting her hand against the baby's back as he continued to feed, "Are you going to start it then?" she asked. Ginny chuckled, "Impatient are we?" she teased. Hermione answered by giving her a dirty look.
Ginny took out her wand and gently tapped the crystal of the watch. Hovering above the time piece a transparent screen, roughly a 13 inch square in size, appeared and began to play out what it had recorded prior. It was like being there watching from a few feet away, they could see everyone and everything that was going on, "Almost like a fly on the wall isn't it," Hermione said, looking at the transparent screen closely. Ginny placed the watch onto the coffee table in front of the couch and sat back. The girls watched as the men entered The Two Rivers Lodge. The large entrance gave way to rough log walls, planked floors and log rafters supporting a vaulted ceiling. Men sat at tables all around drinking ale and playing cards in the dim haze of cigar and long pipe smoke. "Urg, nasty smelling things cigars are," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Ginny wrinkled her nose, nodding in agreement. The only thing that made The Two Rivers Lodge different from an average lodge was the far wall which held a large stage, including a cat walk that came out a few feet from the center of the stage with a tall brass pole. "It would have a pole wouldn't it" said Ginny, rolling her eyes. Hermione snorted her agreement.
The entire left side of the club was taken up by the Weasley bachelor party, sitting at round tables made from thick slices of tree trunk and covered in several layers of amber clear lacquer to give a warm glow on the high gloss top. Hermione and Ginny watched as several barmaids wandered around the group of men wearing off the shoulder white peasant blouses with puffy sleeves that went to the elbow. Above this the maids wore leather corsets of a rich brown color that were cinched tight pushing their chests up, deepening the ample cleavage already exposed over the tops of their low blouse. To finish the outfits the maids wore long full skirts of brown that reached the floor with wide leather belts at the waist. "Thank the stars for small favors," Hermione muttered, looking at the skirts.
Several barmaids made their way over, smiling suggestively at the group of men as they took their drink orders. The women laughed and flirted openly. One particular brunette with a mass of curls left to flow freely down her back smiled down at Ron as she leaned in closer to hear his order, laughing gaily at some joke that was lost to Ginny and Hermione's ears due to the loud hum of the filled room. Hermione's eyes narrowed and watched carefully at her husband's reaction to the overly friendly barmaid. "Wedding ring," Hermione muttered, "its right there on his finger. Is she blind?" Both Ginny and Hermione's eyebrows shot up when the barmaids stepped away to begin filling the orders. The women paused reaching down to the hem of their floor length skirts and pulled up a side to tuck it into their belts, revealing ruffled white petticoats beneath and an open view of leg. "Brazen hussies," Hermione hissed.
Lee Jordan stood up after tankards of ale and pitchers were set upon the several tables. "May I have your attention please," Lee called out to the room. "To Gred and Forge, brave lads willing to take on two of Gryffindor's most fierce chasers and live to tell the tale!" Lee called as the men raised their ale filled mugs into the air. "May your days always be full of pranks and your nights full of passion," Lee said raising his mug up higher. "Here, here!" cried the group of men before taking a deep drawl from their tankards. "And now, pearls of wisdom from those poor blokes. . . err. . . I mean brave men who took the plunge of death . . . I mean. . . bravely walked the path before you." Lee said, grinning mischievously before sitting down.
Arthur was the first to stand, mug in hand and a smile on his face. "My boys, I'm very proud of your accomplishments in life, and your wonderful choice for wives." he said, as several of the men in the group grinned at each other. "Don't hurt that they are both stacked like nobody's business," Lee called out. He was answered by a punch on the arm from the twins sitting on either side of him. "Oy! Keep to yourself," said George. Arthur chuckled before continuing, "My pearl to you is, never forget an important date such as birthdays and anniversaries. Otherwise you'll never live it down." Each man took a drink from their tankard with Arthur's bit of wisdom before he sat down. "Better be writing these down," said Fred. "Yes, yes we mustn't forgot," said George, pretending to write on his upturned palm.
Bill and Charlie stood up together, "Being the two oldest we feel we have the most to share," Bill said with an all knowing grin. "Save for Dad," Charlie said, raising his tankard in his father's directions. Arthur nodded with a smile listening to his sons. "So for our pearls we say this. If she ever comes up to you asking how she looks, always and I mean Always tell her she looks lovely," said Bill looking directly at the twins, "Otherwise you'll be spending many a cold lonely nights on the couch." The men chuckled from their seats. "And if you value a warm meal, Never criticize her cooking," added Charlie. "If it's burnt you smile and say yum. Otherwise you're on your own, and cold beans on toast will get old very quick," he said with a nod. Again each man in the party raised their mugs to drink.
Percy stood, clearing his throat as he held his mug in his hand. "This should be good," Ron muttered over his tankard to Harry. "My pearl to you is. . . Read the Karma Sutra. . . cover to cover. I found it immensely useful." The group sat in shocked silence looking up at Percy with dropped jaws. "What?" Percy said looking around at the men.
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other in surprise, "Penelope's been holding out on us," said Ginny. Hermione nodded.
Percy looked around at the stunned group of men, "Well what are you looking at? Dad was the one who gave me the book," he said indignantly before sitting down. Ginny and Hermione gasped. The two women watched the men at the bachelor party splutter and choke on their beers. Fred and George sprayed their ale across the table, "Dad!" they cried together. Hermione began to cackle with laughter, "Why with seven children am I the least bit surprised?" she said, shaking with laughter. Charlie shuddered, "It's going to take years of therapy to get me past that mental image." Bill shook his head in bewilderment before taking a very long pull from his mug and reached for the pitcher in the center of the table to pour himself more. "Now boys," Arthur said, grinning into his tankard.
After the shell shock wore off Ron stood for his turn. Ginny nudged Hermione on the shoulder with her own. Hermione looked up to the transparent screen while adjusting Gawyn to her other breast. "Well," began Ron, "My pearl to you is, when your wife becomes pregnant hide your gardening sheers and Never ask for desert." The men roared with laughter while taking their drinks in salute. "Oh honestly!" Hermione huffed. "Your turn Harry," Lee shouted from his seat. Harry stood up looking around at his family and friends. "Well I'd tell you to not piss off a red- headed woman, but you don't have to worry about that." Harry said, holding his tankard in his hand. Hermione grinned over at Ginny as the men in the group laughed. "So I guess my pearl to you is this," said Harry, taking a bit of a breath. "Love her with every fiber of your being. Fiercely protect her with your life. Hold her like it will be your last chance to feel her in your arms." Harry said, looking seriously at the twins. Ginny had to blink back a rush of tears. "Aww," Hermione sighed from beside her.
The group looked up at Harry in silence until Bill and Charlie began to cough rather loudly into their hands -- *cough, cough* "Whipped," *cough, cough* The men began laughing again. "Whew, sorry there mate," Bill said pounding himself on the chest, "Must have been the pipe smoke," Charlie said fanning in front of his face. Harry gave them a lopsided grin, "One more thing then," said Harry, "If your wife ever asks you to go buy her strawberries, for the love of Merlin do NOT forget!" The party of men laughed loudly as they took another drink of ale. Ginny snorted, rolling her eyes. Lee stood up again and held his mug high and the others followed suit, "To George and Fred," Lee shouted. "To pearls," the men cried back.
Ginny and Hermione watched as the party of men played cards and continued to drink. Lee had passed around a box of cigars for each man to take. "I'm so glad they used a deodorizing charm before they returned home," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Her eyes narrowed again as the same pretty brunette from earlier sauntered up to Ron, refilling his tankard before setting the new pitcher down, collecting the empty one. Ginny chuckled watching Hermione out of the corner of her eye. "Well this is getting old," Ginny said after another half hour had passed watching the men play cards, "Let's just speed things up a bit, shall we?" said Ginny, tapping her wand onto the crystal.
Scenes flashed across the transparent screen quickly. "This is pretty funny to watch," Hermione said as the men moved comically in double time. Ginny brought the play back to normal speed as the running lights of the stage turned on. Loud music pulsed an exotic rhythm through the screen as a spot light swiveled around on stage area before centering on a split in the back curtain. "Oh here we go," Ginny said sarcastically, sitting back and crossing her arms over her stomach. "Gentlemen, we introduce to you, the ladies of Two Rivers." A voice boomed over the enticing music. The party of men turned their attention to the stage as the curtain parted to reveal two women standing in a pose before slowly making their way out onto the stage. The room grew in noise as cat calls and cheers joined the sultry music. Each woman was dressed in long lavender skirts made of a transparent gauzy material that flowed with their slightest movement. The veil thin material flowed loosely to ankles before exposing bare feet. A generous amount of bare midriff was exposed showing off large a purple gem stones in their navels. The same gauzy material created the long sleeves of their tops over a darker purple material covering their generous breasts. The women began to move with fluid grace, their motions hypnotic and seductive to the eye.
Ginny saw as Ron nudged Harry with his elbow, they grinned at each other before turning their attention back to the stage.
The raven haired dancer slowly bent herself backwards, snaking her arms out at her sides, her stomach began to ripple as if a pebble had been dropped into a still pond. She looked out at the crowd of men with liquid black eyes and gave an alluring smile before turning her attention back to her dance. The second dancer spun in a dizzying whirl of gauze and thick blond hair. She abruptly stop as she began to quickly thrust her right hip out to the side as she took small steps turning in a stationary circle, her arms gracefully moved above her head circling her slender hands in a complicated pattern. She lowered her amethyst eyes down to her hips before slowly raising them up to look out at the crowd with a seductive smile.
"I still say the dancers at Lucky's Charms were better," Hermione said tilting her head at a slight angle appraising the women on the stage. "Jealous?" Ginny said, smirking at her sister in law. "I just gave birth, what do you think?" Hermione shot back sarcastically. Ginny chuckled, looking down at her own very swollen form, "Point taken."
Many dances and even more pitchers of ale later Ginny and Hermione watched as one of the two grooms turned in his seat. "Oy!" Fred drunkenly yelled, holding up his ale tankard with a cheeky grin. Ginny's eyes narrowed, "Don't say it," she hissed.
" Bar wench!" Fred yelled.
" I'll kill 'em," Ginny growled.
Hermione cringed as she shook her head in disbelief. The friendly blond barmaid approached their table as a drunken George reached out with his free hand, holding his tankard up in the other, and jovially smacked her on the rump while laughing. The barmaid jumped and turned to lightly cuff George on the shoulder with a mock scowl before smiling brightly and setting a new pitcher of ale onto the table. Both women's chins dropped as they sat on the couch watching the scene play out above Harry's watch. "He did not just..." Hermione spluttered as she gently patted Gawyn's back to burp him on her shoulder. "I'm afraid he just did," said Ginny, shaking her head in slight disgust.
Arthur had been sitting across the table from his sons, examining the cards in his hand, and caught sight of their behavior. He cleared his throat and looked at them pointedly but otherwise said nothing. Fred and George turned their heads to their father before turning back to the barmaid as she picked up an ashtray, looking up at her sheepishly. "Sorry about that, fair lady" Fred gallantly said, slightly wobbling in his seat. "Yes, so sorry for our atrocious behavior on our last night as free men," said George, cocking a grin at her. The barmaid laughed and shook her head as she walked away.
Hermione and Ginny watched as the evening eventually came to an end. The group of now very drunk men stumbled out of the Two Rivers Lodge and into the night air supporting each other from falling over while singing lewd songs. The transparent screen went blank before completely disappearing. "Well, that was interesting," said Hermione as she stood to lay Gawyn down in a small bassinet beside the couch. "I have to admit, I am proud of Harry and Ron. They behaved like complete gentlemen the entire evening." said Ginny, stretching her arms above her head before brining her hands to rest on her stomach, which at the moment was slightly moving with the twins awake and active within her.
"Especially after Fred and George's behavior," said Hermione, sitting back down beside Ginny. "Remind me to have their wives nominated for Witch of the year;" said Ginny, "Merlin knows they deserve an award for agreeing to commit the rest of their lives to those two." Hermione nodded with a grin, "That or they need their heads examined." Ginny laughed, leaning forward she struggled to reach the watch on the coffee table. "Let me get that," Hermione said, easily reaching forward to pluck the watch off of the table. "Thanks," said Ginny, putting the watch into her pocket. "I feel like a beached whale," she said leaning back against the couch. Don't worry", said Hermione, patting Ginny's knee reassuringly. "It won't be much longer."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny sat on her bed surrounded by a pile of cloths. She held a tiny yellow sleeper up to look at. She laid it gently against her abdomen and smiled down at it while the twins shifted inside her. "I don't think that will fit," said Harry, walking into the room with a basket of freshly laundered clothing. "Very funny," said Ginny, folding the sleeper and putting in onto a pile of new baby cloths to put away. "Why don't you just fold all this with magic?" Harry asked, setting the basket down beside the bed. "Because that would be terribly lazy of me," said Ginny, she gave her wand a slight wave and sent a pile of folded cloths floating over to her dresser as a drawer opened to receive them. Harry looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?" she asked picking up a pair of pants to fold, "You don't expect me to go jumping up and down off of the bed with this do you?" she said, pointing to her large stomach. Harry chuckled, reaching for a towel to fold.
Clark lay curled on Ginny's pillow at the head of the bed, swishing his tail lazily but otherwise not paying attention to his mistress. They looked up together as the front door bell chimed. "Wonder who that is," Harry muttered. Ginny shrugged her shoulders in response. "I'll get it," said Harry, dropping the folded towel onto the bed. Ginny sat down the pants and turned to get up as Harry strode from the room. The first attempt to stand failed as she reached for the headboard to help pull herself up. "Ginny?" she heard Harry call as she struggled to her feet. "Just a minute," she called out, "Not like I can just jump and run," she grumbled under her breath as she made her way out of the room.
Ginny turned the corner of the hall as it opened into the great room and made her way to the front door. Harry stood holding the handle of the front door, his other hand within his robe pocket where Ginny knew his wand was. A man stood, in royal blue robes, on their front door step as Ginny approached. In his hands he held a silver box wrapped in dark green ribbon. The man gave a polite smile when he noticed Ginny approach, "Mrs. Ginny Potter?" he asked. "Yes?" she said hesitantly. "I have a delivery for you," the man said, raising the box towards her. "Uh, Thank you," she said looking over at Harry questioningly as she stretched her hands out to accept the box. Harry gave a slight nod but keep a close eye between the man and the package. The delivery man gave a slight bow, "Have a good day," he said, turning and walking off of the step. He made his way down the front path and opened the small front gate, as soon as he closed it behind him he disappeared with a slight pop. Harry closed the door and turned his attention again to the package in Ginny's hands. "Sit it down there," Harry pointed to the entry table beside them. Harry took out his wand and quickly cast several charms and counter curses. "It's completely clean," he said, furrowing his eye brows. "It's probably just an early baby present dear," Ginny said picking up the package again.
She felt the contents shift to one side within the box. "What in the world?" she muttered as she sat the box back down onto the entry table. Harry watched as Ginny reached up and pulled on the dark green ribbon, untying the elaborate bow. Once it fell Ginny slowly lifted the lid on the square box and sat it aside. Before she could completely move the dark green tissue paper aside in the box a fluffy white head poked out causing both the adults to slightly jerk back in surprise. "Oh my," Ginny breathed as she reached in and pulled the fluffy white kitten out of the box. It mewed as Ginny raised it up to look at it. Its large silver-grey eyes stared at her innocently as it flicked its fluffy white tail. Ginny cradled the tiny kitten to her chest stroking its head lovingly. "I wonder who. . ." Ginny paused as she turned the kitten over and examined it, ". . . he is from?" she said with a grin, learning the kitten's gender. The kitten mewed again before rubbing his whiskered face against Ginny's breast.
Harry reached in the box and pulled out a small silver envelope that had - Ginny - written in crisp letters of dark green ink. Harry opened the envelope and read over the note. A dark frown crossed his handsome face as he finished the note scowling at the small piece of parchment in his hand. "Harry what is it?" she asked while scratching the kitten's head as it purred in her arms. Harry thrust the note to her without saying a word. She raised her eyebrows looking at him before glancing down at the parchment.
Ginny,
A gift, to watch over your children as they grow. . .
Please accept him.
D.
Ginny slowly lowered the note to look at the tiny kitten that was rubbing his cheek against her chest and purring contently before turning her eyes up towards Harry. He was frowning down at the kitten in her arms appearing to be deep in though. "Harry," Ginny said taking a step to close the gap between them. "We don't have to keep him," she said looking up at her husband. Harry reached out and placed his hand on the side of her stomach, gently caressing it with his thumb. The tiny white kitten mewed as he reached out with its tiny paws towards Harry's chest, staring up at him innocently with large grey eyes.
Harry reached up and gently scratched the kitten behind the ear. The kitten turned his head pushing against Harry's fingers, closing its eyes the kitten began to purr. Harry's facial expression softened at the kitten's affection. Clark came sauntering around the corner into the room and paused sniffing the air. He quickly ran to Ginny and meowed loudly as he stood on up on his hind legs with his fore paws against Ginny's leg trying to see up into her arms. "Let's see what Clark thinks," said Harry as he took the kitten from Ginny's arms and made his way to the couch. The kitten purred louder and licked at the collar of Harry's shirt as it cuddled against him. Clark excitedly followed Harry over and meowed again loudly in demand. Harry sat on the couch and placed the kitten on the floor. Clark paused and stood stock still observing the strange animal before him. Harry watched the two cats closely as Ginny made her way over to sit down next to him.
Clark took a tentative step forward to the kitten, who was sitting still on the floor looking tiny and frightened at the large fluffy black creature moving towards it. Clark sniffed the air near it again as the kitten mewed weakly. The kitten raised its nose up and sniffed, curiosity obviously becoming stronger than fear. Clark slowly put his nose forward coming very close to the white kitten's face. Clark let out a throaty meow before rubbing his cheek against the kitten's. All tension broke as the kitten excitedly began to rub up against the elder cat.
"Well if Clark agrees to him then I guess we can keep him," Harry said, looking down at the two cats with a faint smile. "We really don't have to keep him," Ginny said, placing a hand on Harry's arm. Harry reached up and gently squeezed Ginny's hand, "No, I think we'll keep him." said Harry watching the two cats bond. Ginny smiled and relaxed her shoulders that had become tense without her realizing it.
"So what do you think we should name him?" Harry asked, picking the kitten up and placing him onto his lap. Clark jumped up and curled between the two adults watching Harry. "Oh, I don't know," said Ginny, reaching over to scratch the kitten behind the ear. Ginny thought for a few moments while she absentmindedly moved her pendant on its chain around her neck. She broke into a smile and dropped the pendant back down onto her chest, "I know," she said, "Lex." Harry held the kitten up turning to look at the large grey eyes of the fluffy white ball of fur. "What do you think, Lex?" he asked. The kitten mewed and pawed the air in front of Harry.
Harry smiled at the ball of fur, "Lex it is."