"You what!"
"Quit." Hermione put her head in her hands and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry love; you weren't there, he-"
"I don't care what he did! You were only two evaluations from becoming a full Auror! Job security, a steady paycheck and everything! Doing something you love, although it scares me most of the time!" She snapped back. Ron raised an eyebrow and lifted her chin with his hand.
"Hermione, what are you not telling me?" There were tears in her eyes, and he knew that she wouldn't put that much stock in money. They saved enough of the pecuniary awards from their service to wizarding population of England to live comfortably for a while, or at least until Ron figured out what to do.
"I went to see Luna today." She sniffed, wiping her eyes with her sleeves.
"And?"
"And I'm pregnant."
"Oh." A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach until Hermione pushed him away.
"You're not happy are you? I know this isn't the right time, but honestly, I didn't know, and you didn't tell me you were planning on quitting your job. And I wasn't trying to get pregnant, I swear, it just happened." She wrung her hands and flopped back onto the couch. "What are we going to do Ron? Parents at twenty? We never really got to be kids, how are we going to raise one on our own?"
"Well, we're not going to raise it on our own. It has two sets of wonderful grandparents to look forward to. Plenty of Aunts and Uncles and with a godfather like Harry, who could lose?" He said, rubbing her shoulders gently. Hermione smiled and shook her head.
"We're starting to think alike. I wanted Harry as her godfather as well." Ron stopped rubbing and looked down.
"Her? It's a girl?" Hermione laughed and nodded. "Wow… I'm going to have a daughter… we're going to have a daughter." He corrected and kissed the top of her hair. "I can't wait to tell Harry."
"Why did you two quit?"
"You know the training exercises?" Hermione nodded.
"Minister Scurmigour and I have sat in on two of them. What about it?"
"They had a setting in a set called "worse case scenarios"… and they brought up Hogwarts."
"What in bloody hell was someone thinking?" She breathed, suddenly understanding. "They wanted you to go and do everything all over again?"
"Everyone was down there, and it was right after I had to kill Draco, and you were dueling with Nott." Ron sighed. "It took so long for me not to think about it. Don't I wish I could go back and do everything better… but I-"
"No Ron. There was nothing better that you could have done. They caught us by surprise. Come on, I have your lunch ready." He shook his head, already retreating into that day.
"No, I'm not hungry."
> > > > >
Angelina stared at Harry in shock, who was currently pacing in her parlor, fists clenched and eyes flashing. "At least let me tend to your hand."
"He just expected me to go out there and do everything all over again? See the people I had already failed and try and save the people who died in my arms all over again? What if I did succeed, and realize that I was wrong then. I was never really trained… everything was by the seat of my pants!"
"You don't have to defend your actions to me Harry. Just let me look at your hand."
"And he just stood there like I shouldn't have a problem with it. They called it "worse case scenario" for a reason!" He continued to pace, all but ignoring her. Angelina nodded and stood up, grabbing him as he passed her once again.
"Harry, you're burning up with rage. You're skin is all hot and you're going to bleed on my white carpet in a second. Please let me look at your hand, and we can sit down and think about this rationally, okay?" She pleaded.
"You don't think I flew off of the handle did you?" Harry asked; his voice low. Angelina shook her head.
"I'm thinking you didn't hit him enough if it was only once. Someone would have had to pull me off of him. What I am saying is that there should be some sort of recourse. This really isn't your fault."
"I know that." He snapped, and Angelina dropped his hand and walked out of the door. He felt bad the second her ponytail disappeared around the corner. The click of her slippers faded, and Harry walked over to the doorway. "I'm sorry! It's just… I… I don't know." She came out of the kitchen with a small bottle, and slid past him to sit on the loveseat.
"I don't want your apology, just sit down." Patting the seat next to her, she opened the bottle and Harry recoiled as he sat down and presented his hand.
"Ugh, that stuff still smells horrible."
"At least it doesn't sting as bad as it used to." Angelina poured some of the potion onto the cloth and with soft strokes rubbed away the blood and closed the teeth marks. Harry held up his hand and it was as good as new.
"Thanks."
"No problem. I know you didn't want to quit." He shook his head.
"I didn't, but I wasn't going to go through that… that…."
"Blasphemous situation?"
"That's exactly how it felt."
"I know." She stood up and took the bottle with her, and Harry leaned back, closing his eyes. He smelled her scent before she came back in again… and it reminded him of evergreens when something nice and cold was pressed into his hand. "It's just wine this time. I didn't want to remember… just forget."
"Are you going to drink with me?" He asked, taking a large swallow and enjoying the feeling of emotion leaving him as the liquid flowed down his throat. Angelina produced the bottle and a goblet for herself.
"If you'll have me."
> > >
Angelina woke up suddenly, unfamiliar with the heavy weight that was lying across her abdomen. The crick in her neck told her that she had fallen asleep on the floor again, and the fire was shining through the empty green wine bottle. Harry was lying beside her on his stomach, and out of the corner of her eye she saw their empty glasses they were drinking from… spinning on their sides beside the bottle. "Harry?" He looked over at her and they stopped spinning.
"I'm sorry. I can't control it sometimes, and it comes out in stupid ways." She sat up and really looked at him, blinking against the fickle light of the fire.
"How long have you been able to do that?"
"Since I choked the life out of Voldermort." Harry still hadn't let her waist go, and Angelina hesitated half a second before patting his arm in comfort. "I'm sorry; if I touch someone, then I don't have to go through all the nightmares. I didn't want to let go right then."
"But you don't like touching people."
"And that's been the problem."
"Do you want to talk?" She asked slowly, stretching and flipping over onto her stomach. He pulled her closer, and they both stared into the fire, eyes not quite watching the flame.
"I don't know."
"What are you thinking right now?"
"How easy it would be to crush Senior Auror Whitman. From here." Angelina swallowed at the serious tone in his voice.
"You're not just joking, are you?"
"I don't know. That's the thing. I don't want to talk about this right now."
"Decided what you're going to do about your job?" She sat up and enjoyed the warmth as it spread along her back. "You could stay here with me for a moment, and think things over."
"As much as I'd like to, I'm going to have to go back to my flat. I know for a fact that Ron's been over four times, and Hermione's been over three. They're worried." Angelina blanched slightly.
"Um… they don't know that you're here, do they?" Harry shook his head and rolled over so that his head was in her lap. "Good."
"Does anyone know I'm over here?"
"I couldn't tell anyone."
"Couldn't?"
"Didn't want to. People complicate things. They ask questions that I don't want to answer, let alone know the answers for. It's just better this way. Did you tell anyone about me?" Harry shook his head again and sighed.
"We're cowards."
"What are we cowards about? What do we have? Physical attraction and morbid appreciation for each other's grief?" Angelina groaned and threw her head back. "See, I don't drink wine much, because it gets me depressed. No wait, that's life."
"You do need to stop drinking so much." He looked up at her and stared her full in the face. "Look, I'm not afraid of you."
"You're not afraid of anything, are you?"
"Yes. I'm afraid of myself. I'm afraid of the things that I've done that I haven't told anyone about. Even Ron and Hermione." Angelina smiled slightly.
"I need a drink."
"No you don't. You drink at night because that's when the memories come back. I drink during the afternoon because I've had to deal with the screams all day. If we caved into it we'd never see each other." Harry sat up as she moved her legs slightly. He watched her stand, and reach angrily for the bottle.
"Don't tell me what to do. I'm not your child."
"Which is very good… considering I think it's horrible for a father to try and look down his daughter's shirt." Angelina stopped and gaped at him in disbelief.
"What?" She doubled over laughing, dropping the bottle onto the carpet before falling to her knees. "You're not serious."
"Oh please." Harry laughed slightly, but he was really serious. "Just curiosity; I am a guy."
"I noticed. Come on, are you hungry?" He nodded and jumped to his feet.
"Now that I think about it, I haven't had anything to eat today." Shaking his head unsteadily, Harry stretched and popped his neck and followed Angelina to the kitchen, where she opened the fridge and peered inside. "What do you have?"
"Do you fancy a midnight omelet, or more wine… I have two bottles of firewhiskey, some muggle vodka and some left over lasagna. What will it be?" She turned around and ran into Harry's chest. "You have to stop sneaking up on me."
"I enjoy it though." Angelina rolled her eyes and gestured into the refrigerator. "I guess the lasagna." He reached around her and grabbed the dish. "I'll heat it." She looked at him with a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Then go right ahead." Harry smiled and looked her in the eyes, and suddenly Angelina felt as if she were in front of a roaring fire, enveloping her body. It was over as quickly as it started. "Cute." She fanned herself and closed the refrigerator. "It's hot in here."
"I didn't want it to be just me." Harry pulled out two plates and divided the lasagna.
"I'm going to change. I've been in these clothes entirely too long." He nodded and bit his lip, not turning around. Interesting, I was thinking the same thing. Turning around, she was gone, and Harry smiled. He wasn't the only one who could move silently.
Half the lasagna was gone from his plate before Angelina returned, and he yawned and smiled as she slid into the chair next to him. "Is it good?" She asked, picking up her fork and digging in.
"Yes, better than I thought. Or maybe I'm just hungry and my expectations are low."
"That could be." She felt sort of round the bend now. On the way up the stairs, it was all she could do to keep her clothes on before reaching her room… Harry's heating charm was definitely affecting more than the food. Slapping on a purple tank top and a pair of black shorts, suddenly she felt kind of undressed.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked shrewdly. Angelina shrugged and didn't look at him, preferring to stab at her food. "I'm sorry. Like I said, I'm told I act sort of stupid sometimes, and I can't help but show off inappropriately."
"You sound like you hear that often."
"Well, Hermione said that I haven't gone through the natural grieving process, so my real feelings come out in unexpected power surges and inappropriate thoughts and behavior." Angelina smiled slightly.
"I've been told that my drinking problems stems from my inability to deal with the present, so I'm just a run of the mill alcoholic."
"Nothing about you is run of the mill." He said seriously. "We're both spectacularly screwed up. At least people aren't afraid of you."
"Well… you are a bit intimidating sometimes."
"To you?" Harry felt that familiar sinking feeling. Angelina laughed, throwing her head back and pounding on the table with her fist.
"My god, you sound like a two year old. Of course not. In your own words, "you don't scare me." That's rich…" She snorted and continued eating. Harry didn't know wither to be happy or sour, and decided for indignant.
"I am scary you know. I'm the great Harry Potter."
"I know. I've been thinking."
"About what?"
"About you getting your job back." He looked at her and put down his fork.
"Well?"
"Well, you know the ball? The St. Mungos' fund raising ball?"
"What about it?"
"Well, my parents are throwing it this year. My mother is on the board. We're having it at one of our houses, and you can come." She smiled as if that explained the whole plan.
"Tell me there's more." Angelina nodded.
"Of course there is. As you would think, the Minister of Magic himself, Rufus Scurmigour."
"But I could talk to him anytime I wanted."
"Yes, but with an audience? Whitman will be there too. My father has had him over a few times. He came over personally to talk about security, especially since… anyway, he's a pompous ass."
"That sounds like Whitman." Harry said cheerfully, enjoying the memory of his hand smashing into the man's mouth over and over and over… "What did you say?"
"I said, you come to the ball, and then embarrass the man in public." Angelina smiled and threw up her hands. "Ta da!"
"I couldn't do that. That's not my style." He groused, pushing his plate away. "That's kind of petty."
"But it's all in the name of righteous fury. Besides, if you don't embarrass him, you'll have to deal with him sooner or later. Rather sooner and in public, where you have the upper hand. Besides, you did hit your commander."
"I know. It was one of the best moments of my life." Harry sighed and looked at his watch. "I'll think about it. These balls really aren't my scene, and I give plenty of donations to St. Mungos without them."
"I know, but that's not the point. The point is you're going to talk to the Minister about the stupid little twit Whitman is, and he can't do a thing about it, because he's not going to risk his "reputation" so to speak around the high society types. He's a pureblood whose family fortune ran out about three generations ago… but that doesn't mean he didn't grow up with the urge and thirst for money and power. And he's jealous of you."
"How do you know that?" He asked, fascinated. Angelina brushed it off.
"I'm a woman, we can tell these things."
"Oh, well, excuse me. What time is it?"
"There's a clock on the wall." Harry looked over to the far wall and squinted.
"I think I need a new prescription. It's almost three in the morning."
"Well, you don't have work. Will you come back later?"
"Sure. Would you like to go do something?"
"No. But let's do something anyway." He looked at her strangely.
"I don't want to force you to do anything you know…" she nodded.
"I know. But I said I wouldn't lie to you. I don't want to leave the house, but I do. I don't really want to do anything but drink my memory away… but I don't want to become weak. So take me somewhere where no one knows us, and we can go do something."
"Sounds good to me. I'm going to head home. Are you going to be okay?" Harry asked, standing up reluctantly.
"Yes. I've been in this big house alone for a whole year. Another night isn't going to be as bad as it once was." Angelina stood up as well, and gave him a big hug. "I kind of don't want you to leave though."
"I don't want to leave either, but I have to go. If I stay, I'll end up doing something improper."
"You weren't inappropriate last night."
"You weren't wearing those shorts last night either. I like your legs." Angelina smiled and kissed Harry quickly.
"You better go. I'll talk to you tomorrow." He nodded and hugged her tightly, hoping that would be enough to get a good night sleep.
> > > > >
Hermione looked at Harry as he walked through the door. He wasn't surprised to see her reclined on the couch, but he didn't want to hear what she had to say. "I heard what happened."
"I don't want to talk about it right now Hermione. It's almost three fifteen in the morning. Why aren't you home?"
"I wanted to talk to you." She said, sitting up and moving her legs off of the couch so Harry could sit beside her.
"I don't want to be lectured right now, or ever about what happened." He warned. Hermione held up her hand and shook her head.
"I promise, that was the furthest thing from my mind. I'm actually proud of you. Proud of you both."
"Really?"
"Yes. I understand how hard it was to walk out. It's been your dream to be an Auror for so long. I'm just sorry that Whitman came between you and that dream." She took his hand and sighed. "So how are you holding up?"
"I don't know. I don't think it will hit me until tomorrow morning."
"That's understandable. I'm going to talk to the Minister tomorrow. It's not right what happened."
"Don't do that."
"Why not! That's the very least that could happen… you get to have your dream job without some thankless jerk breathing down your neck." Harry looked at her briefly.
"You don't sound like yourself. You sound… you sound like Ron."
"Well, he is my husband." Hermione said irritably. "Look, I'm going to see what I can do."
"I appreciate that Hermione." She pushed him playfully.
"What are friends for?" He thought about it for a moment.
"Eternal embarrassment and laughter?"
"Try again. I'll see you later. Want to come to dinner at the flat tomorrow?"
"I might be able to come by… but I think I might do something."
Hermione laughed before she realized Harry was serious. "Oh. You have plans. So what are you doing?"
"I'm just going to be out."
"Oh. Alright then. If possible tomorrow, could you come and check on Ron while I'm at work? Yesterday's events really shook him." He's not the only one. Harry nodded and yawned.
"Sure. I'll come over in the morning."
> > > > >
"How about horseback riding?"
"I have two horses at my parent's estate. That's not really something interesting anymore. Ice skating?"
"I can't understand the logic of someone trying to stand on ice with blades strapped to uncomfortable shoes. Besides, I don't ice skate anymore."
"Why not?"
"Because that's where I promised Ginny I'd marry her." Angelina smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not. I loved her dearly. More than life itself probably."
"I understand. Dating is difficult." Harry sighed and nodded. "Did you get some sleep last night?"
"Sort of. I had a lot on my mind."
"I know. How was Ron doing?"
"He's doing better today than yesterday, but in some ways worse. He's starting to doubt whether or not he did all he could do."
"But he mounted a brilliant defense of Hogwarts. Even the Auror tactical advisors praised his strategy."
"I know that. But all he sees is the mistakes he made."
"Sounds like someone I know."
"But it's different. He's-"
"He's what? Not you?" She sighed and looked out over the balcony. They were at her house yet again, trying to figure out where to go and what to do, and muster up the courage to go do it. Harry looked at her from across the stone table and raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know." He admitted. "I just know he did all he could, and I didn't do all I could."
"Harry, you're doing it again. Trying to take all the guilt and keep it for yourself, so that other people can move on. I think that you're still trying to save everyone. You did what many couldn't do, many wouldn't do. You took a life so that others may live, and you were willing to sacrifice your own life to do so."
"I just wish…" Angelina nodded.
"I was at the hearing when they denied you a time turner."
"They were being spiteful since during my fifth year we ended up destroying the inventory they had. It wasn't our fault. God, we were so young." He looked out over the wintry wonderland and shrugged. "I'm out of ideas."
"So am I. We've both been shooting down each other's suggestions for almost forty five minutes."
"Because they involve unpleasant situations for one or the other." Harry looked back at her and hesitated.
"What?"
"Well, what did you and Fred do on your first date? Not that I want to do the same, just because I'm curious." The look on her face made him regret asking. "I'm sorry; I put my foot in my mouth yet again. You don't have to-"
"We went to the kitchens at Hogwarts."
"What?" Harry asked, confused.
"Fred and I went to the kitchens at Hogwarts. After everyone was sleep we snuck down and convinced the house elves that we only wanted half of what they were trying to give us. They're very enthusiastic to anyone who comes to visit them." Angelina smiled and looked up at the sky. "It was the beginning of our fourth year, second day of school, and already we were endeavoring to get into trouble."
"That was a date?"
"That's the wonderful thing about Fred. He could turn the most amazing things into the most normal, and the most normal into the amazing." She laughed and sighed, truly happy. "I told him that we can't keep sneaking out at night, with my not having a boyfriend, people would talk."
"Oh no… I can only imagine what he said."
"He told me that no one would think it weird that I'm out with my boyfriend. Actually they'll just be wondering what we're doing." Harry laughed and shook his head. "And just like that he had asked me out. So our little foray was our first date. He even let me actually take a bite of a treacle tart before smashing it into my face. Such a gentleman. We didn't go public, so to speak, until later."
"Unfortunately for me, my relationship started quite publicly."
"Yes… Fred told me the day after it happened, who heard it from Ron. He was surprised it took so long to begin with. He would go on and on about how enamored she was with you."
"I just didn't want to see it. Besides, it sort of came out of the blue for me… then crept up and clubbed me on the head." They both laughed slightly. "See, I can't talk about her with other people. They start to cry."
"The only person who can stand to hear me talk about Fred is George. He and I get together sometimes, after Alicia's is sleep, and talk about the gaping hole in our lives. I lost my husband, but he lost a part of himself. After the funeral he was so upset he would slip into instances where he thought he was Fred." Angelina sighed. "He knew things he couldn't possibly."
"Ginny and I were expecting a baby."
"Pardon?"
"She said she thought she was pregnant. The first and last time we had sex."
"Oh my."
"Indeed. I… I told her to keep it a secret, because if Voldermort found out, he would take her from me, and I wouldn't be held responsible for what I was going to do." Harry rubbed his temples and brushed a snow flurry from the table surface. "I told her to get a test."
"And it was positive?"
"She didn't get to tell me. That was the day before the attack. Hermione woke up that night and told me that something horrible was going to happen. It's a little strange for her to say something like that, because she's never put stock in Divination, but she was distraught. She wouldn't go back to sleep. It freaked me out, and Ron knew that something was going to happen. We talked to McGonagall, who was going to authorize a-"
"I know the rest. Fred and I were in Hogsmeade, looking at the possibility of another shop, since Diagon Alley was such a smash. Fred wouldn't let me into the Order, but when he received the call for help, he wouldn't leave me behind. A piece of him died that day, when Ginny fell."
"A piece of me did too. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I hate it. I hate that she's gone and I'm still here. I wanted to kill myself many times."
"Did you ever do it?" Angelina asked lowly. Harry looked at her and nodded mutely.
"I tried twice. The last time I almost did it. I blacked out, and then she came to me and said that I can't kill myself, because I'm still needed. That my family will be waiting for me when I'm able to rest. But that's a long way away… and that my son is going to look down and watch his father be a good man." He watched the tears fall down Angelina's face, and shrugged. "I couldn't ignore that. I always promised Ginny I would listen to her. That was one of her biggest fears, that she wouldn't be heard."
"Oh Harry… we say we're going to do something, and we end up talking about the bad stuff."
"I guess we're around people who can't or don't want to hear it, and when we get around each other… it just pours out." She nodded and wiped her face. "Do you want to go flying? I have two of the new Stratus 334."
"How did you get those?" Harry was intrigued. "They don't come out for another two months. I know, because I've placed the first order and mine is coming in a week." Angelina laughed slightly and shrugged.
"My father knows the owner of the company. Somehow he managed to get his hands on four. Two of my cousins have them, and one is for me."
"The other?"
"…Fred."
"Are you sure you want me riding it?"
"He wouldn't mind."
> > > > >
"Sir, might I have a word with you?" Minister Scurmigour looked up from his papers and smiled tightly.
"Mrs. Weasley, yes of course. Have a seat." He motioned for her to take the somewhat imposing chair in front of the large desk. Hermione obliged, and handed him a memo.
"Sir, before we start, the Swiss Ministry has agreed to meet with you in two weeks. Is that suitable?"
"Yes it is. Make sure Minister Verena is clear that we will not be dancing the night away this time. It's all business."
"I'm sure she'll be crushed. Sir, what I wanted to address is the regretful display of disrespect that transgressed just yesterday."
"You're talking about the altercation between Senior Auror Whitman and Harry Potter, to which Mr. Potter and your husband have now left the program, correct?"
"Yes sir. It is unfair the training exercise they were being asked to participate in. Surely sir, you can understand their unique position."
"Considering the serious nature of the transgression, do you honestly expect me to have him reinstated with no consequences?" Scurmigour looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You've worked here long enough to know that I am all about consequences."
"And sir, what about Whitman? He was out of order, surely you must see that!" Hermione said calmly, feeling anything but inside. "He asked my best friend and my husband to participate in a recreation of a battle they were integrally linked."
"Mrs. Weasley, you were there. Tell me, you don't believe it to be a valuable training session?" She looked at him for a second and smiled.
"Sir, I believe if anyone was going learn from the way I managed to stab Theodore Nott Junior with his own wand, I would let them have at it. But my statement, and Harry's, and Ron's are all located in the Hall of Records. You personally viewed the pensives and denied Harry the time turner so that he could make a difference, sooner. What would you have done?"
"I, Mrs. Weasley, would have reported Whitman. Mr. Potter has continuously refused to work with this administration. If he had been more obliging, then I would not hesitate to reinstate him. But as to your husband, he could be restored."
Hermione took a deep breath and steadied herself. "And what would be required for that reinstatement?" The Minister of Magic smiled.
"That's why I hired you for my personal assistant. You're remarkably insightful."
> > > > >
"I'm going to have to do what?" Ron asked, not quite trusting his hearing. "You've got to be kidding."
"Ron, you should think about it. He's right; I'm the one who hit Whitman." Harry said heavily. He was just feeling above the clouds just a moment ago, before Hermione arrived home looking white lipped with anger. "All you have to do is apologize."
"For what? That was wrong!"
"And the peculiar thing is that the Minister agrees, but he won't take action against Whitman because he feels that the position of Senior Auror will lose its respect. Even if we concede the case of one of our most famous aurors." She mimicked the man with an air of viciousness.
"I don't want you getting fired for pushing this Hermione." Ron said heavily. "You've wanted a job like this too long for you to throw it down the drain for something stupid."
"Anything that you do, I will support. That's what a wife is for. How could I think what you did was stupid? It's them that's being stupid, that's what's going on." Hermione looked at Harry briefly. "Where have you been? Your cheeks are red."
"Just flying. I wanted to clear my head. I guess something or someone listened when I said I wanted a vacation."
"Don't say that Harry."
"What do you want me to say? Minister Scurmigour is intent on punishing me because I won't be his little walking advertisement."
"I don't know. I don't know what to do anymore."
"We wanted you to come over because we had good news for you." Ron said ruefully. Harry perked up slightly at those words.
"What is it?" Hermione took Ron's hand and smiled.
"We're-"
"Going to have a baby." Harry finished to their surprise.
"How did you know?" Ron asked, scratching his head. "I just found out yesterday!"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "I just guessed."
"Great guess." Hermione looked at him appraisingly. "But you took the surprise away from the expectant mother. You'll have to pay with ice cream."
"And he should, being the godfather and all." Harry blinked and smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"What do you mean, are we sure?" Ron shook his head and looked around playfully. "What would you think if we picked someone else?"
"That it's probably safer."
"Harry, the war is over. We still have people to find, but for the most part, we're stable. Or as stable as we're going to be. I think I would like to give my daughter the best chances at life, which means that she'll have a godfather who I know will take care of her if something were to happen to us." Hermione rubbed her stomach protectively.
"Well?" Ron asked, shaking Harry from his reverie.
"Well what?"
"You're going to have to accept mate!" Ron laughed at the look on his face. "So will you or won't you?"
"What! Of course I will. I'm honored!" Hermione took his hand and smiled at Harry and her husband.
"Our family is growing."
> > > > >
"Well?"
"We need to stop meeting like this." Harry looked at his glass and then back up at Angelina. She cocked her head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we're avoiding people. Hermione says that's not healthy."
"We're going to the ball. We are, aren't we?" He looked up at her again, somewhat surprised.
"Together?"
Angelina thought for a second. "Um… I don't know."
"I would like to." Harry admitted. "But you don't have to if you don't want to."
"I do, but what would people think?"
"The Angelina I knew wouldn't care." She laughed hollowly.
"I don't know if I'm that Angelina still."
"You are."
"I guess I am. What are you going to wear?"
"Clothes." Angelina choked on her wine and laughed.
"Oh Harry."