HP Life After Hogwarts

by Cindra

Part three of my saga. Now that seventh year is done the fun begins for Harry and Hermione and the others as they start their new lives outside of the protective walls of the castle. AU/OOC/HEA story not canon by any means! (Undergoing revision)

14. Say Cheese

HP Life after Hogwarts

HP Life after Hogwarts

Chapter 14

Say Cheese

--

Ron and Luna tell their news to the rest of the family. Harry and Hermione find that bringing the girls with them to a pre-wedding photo shoot wasn't such a good idea. And much more to come in what looks to be a long chapter ahead. They continue to be not so happy with book six while reminiscing about their own sixth year…

--

(The family meeting at Sanctuary)

"Stop pouting Ginny. We'll still have our dinner party." Draco had her cuddled on his lap.

"I'm not pouting about that." She sniffled. "I can't believe that Ron broke the rules again and got away with it."

"I think you're hurt because your best friend, who is like a sister to you, kept such an enormous secret from you." Draco kissed her on the nose.

"Well it is mostly that…" She nodded.

"So what's the big family meeting about?" Logan, Thea, and baby Orry had arrived.

"Oh, it's nothing bad if that's what you're thinking." Harry was changing Ally's diaper.

"No it's really good." Hermione had Dani snoozing in her arms.

"Trust us when we say the days of doom and gloom are over for our world." Ron was changing Mia's diaper.

"Peace is with us to stay." Arthur was watching Ron tend the babe and had a clue about what this meeting was all about.

"It's wonderful having our world at peace again." Molly waited, until Ron had finished with Mia, before walking over, and scooping her up into her arms. "Nana's little munchkin is all better now isn't she." She crooned down at the babe.

Mia yawned, showing off her two emerging teeth.

"The three of them are cutting their first two teeth, so don't get upset if she starts fussing in your arms." Hermione handed her a teether.

"In Merlin's name, the three of them are teething at two months? Darlings there's no reason to hurry, you have all the time in the world to grow." She crooned at what to her were her precious first grandbabies.

"Well, one in particular wants to best her old man." Harry glanced over at his sleeping daughter.

"She was missing us and didn't understand why we kept leaving." Hermione placed a gentle kiss on the top of her sleeping child's head.

Dani opened her big green eyes and yawned. :I angel.:

"I see that communicating with you isn't a problem for Dani." Arthur chuckled. "So she's taking after the two of you."

"Arthur you have no idea." James set Bell in her playpen.

"She can hone in on Harry when he's in a temper. Go to him Merlin style, as the kids call it. And can also call her bear to her, regardless if the toy is in her nursery and she's hundreds of miles away." Lily set MJ next to his sister.

"This is why we need to have a Wizarding primary school for the next generation. I'm pleased the council is going to carry out my idea. I see no possible way for any of them to attend ordinary muggle schooling even as little ones." Molly could just imagine how these little ones would be in three years or so.

"Ducky had to have private tutors, because of her high intelligence level, and breezed through primary school when she was six. She passed secondary school by seven and was completing university degrees by the tender age of nine. The odds are that these three take after both of their parents and in that case any Muggle schooling would bore them to tears and cause them to focus their attention into doing marauder mischief." Wills was setting up the projector screen that they would be using later that evening, but had to pause and put his two cents into the conversation.

"Oh, don't worry big brother. We're well aware of what we have to look forward to." Harry chuckled when Ally grabbed at his nose. "Yes princess that's Daddy's nose." The little one squealed happily patting his cheek with her tiny hands.

:Dada feels funny.: Ally was curious about why his cheek was rough and not smooth like her mama's. So she tried her sister's way of communication. :Not like Mama she soft.: She stared at him with curious hazel eyes.

"I think she's telling you that you need a shave." Hermione giggled.

"I was just about to do that, when you sent me to check on Ron and Luna, so Ally's getting to feel the texture of my face with five o'clock shadow on it." Harry rubbed his cheek against Ally's face and she squealed happily in his arms. "My beard tickles doesn't it, princess."

:That feels funny Daddy do it again.: Ally was enjoying this game with her father.

Mia wanted in on the fun as well and told them so. :Nana, me wants Dada now.:

"Watch out Harry looks like the other two are getting jealous that Ally is getting all your attention." Henry grinned.

"Hold on a sec, Mia. You'll get your turn." Harry hadn't thought that his little game with Ally was gonna start a rival between her sisters. "Ron take Ally for me, until my arm fully heals, I'm not able to juggle two of them at the same time."

Ron also had a five-o'clock shadow as well and Ally focused her attention on that. "Not a problem, Harry. I love cuddling my nieces." He kissed Ally's tiny hand when she started to reach up and explore his face.

Dani watched her sister getting attention from her father and that wasn't going over well with her. :Dada, play with me now.: She pouted.

"Uh-oh someone isn't happy about sisters being in the spotlight." Luna tried to distract Dani with her bear, but she wanted Harry.

"Sorry Danielle, but you're going to have to wait your turn. You got your quality time this afternoon. Let your sisters have some as well." Hermione was not going to have Dani think that only she could compete for her father's attention.

:Dada mine!: Dani started to fuss in her arms. :Want Dada!:

"Danielle Stephanie Anastasia, enough with the tantrum. You will wait your turn or won't get one at all." Harry locked eyes with the oldest of his three girls. "I am not just yours, young lady. I happen to be Ally's and Mia's Daddy too and they deserve just as much of my attention as you do."

Dani screwed up her face and let out an earsplitting wail of frustration.

Hermione set her against her shoulder and patted her back, but Dani was just plain furious about not getting her way. "Dani, making yourself sick isn't going to make your Daddy any happier with you. I'm sorry to burst your little bubble, but Daddy is equally fond of all three of you, and no amount of crying will ever change that." She lectured her angry daughter.

Dani's tantrum faded as quickly as it had started, because Fawkes had appeared on the back of the sofa, and was cooing at her. : Birdy! That tickles!: She squealed in delight when he rubbed his feathery cheek against her own.

Harry made a mental note to thank his Uncle for his wonderful sense of timing, kissed Mia on her petal soft cheek, and set her in Luna's arms. "Cuddle with Aunt Luna for a bit while Daddy sees what Fawkes brought us."

He got up and greeted his feathery friend. "Well hello there old friend what news have you brought us from Hogwarts?" Harry stroked his wing.

Fawkes noticed his injuries. He glared over at Ferria preening her feathers on the perch in the corner of the Common Room. He squawked something rude in phoenix language and she responded by flying over and landing beside him.

"Easy, Fawkes. She's only a young one and isn't able to heal everything just yet. So this..." He pointed to his injure right wrist and arm. "Still being hurt is not her fault."

Fawkes pecked at the cast on his injured wrist and arm, as did Ferria, until the bandages were gone. Then the two of them cried healing tears until his injury was healed. The task of healing his other master now completed, Fawkes focused on preening Ferria's feathers.

"Thanks you two. My arm and wrist feel loads better now." Harry was happy to be able to use both his right hand and arm again.

"Fawkes is smitten with Ferria." Ron smirked.

"That's true, but he sees her as a charge that needs looked after and is happy with that for now." Luna lifted Mia so that she could reach out and touch Ferria.

:Love birdies.: Mia adored the phoenixes and they adored her.

Ferria rewarded her by cooing and rubbing her cheek against Mia's own.

:Me wants touch.: Ally also wanted a turn.

"There you go, sweetie." Ron also let Ally touch Fawkes.

He in turn paused in preening Ferria to coo and rub his cheek against hers.

--

Kane and Lotus walked into the Common Room with the four of the other feathery members of the family perched on their shoulders.

Aristotle was on Kane's left shoulder and Hedwig was on the other. "We were walking Fluffy and the pups, when these four arrived with the mail. It's late for mail, even in your part of the world. I hope that this does not mean bad news for any of you."

Lotus had Apollo and Artemis perched on her shoulders. Happy with their first long trip with their parents, not to mention that they had gotten to carry their first letters. "These two deserve a treat."

Harry held out his right arm and Hedwig flew over and landed on it. "Hello girl. It looks like your kids are also in a rush to grow up."

She walked up his arm, so she could greet him with her usual peck on the cheek.

"I love you too." He chuckled when she held out her leg for him so he could remove the letter. "Thank you for the mail. There are treats for all of you on your perch beside Ferria's."

Hedwig flew over to see what goodies that Harry had put out for them, but went to fly back to his shoulder.

"Now don't give me that look, girl. It's something new that I picked up for all of you in Diagon Alley."

Hedwig nipped at his nose.

"Okay you win here have your usual treat." Harry conjured her one in his hand and she happily ate it.

"Grandpa Harrison and Grandma Violet send their best wishes to a certain happy couple, as do Gramps and Gram. But they are in the middle of a mean card game and have to decline the invitation to the party." He read the first letter that he had in his hands.

"Oh and Gramps wants certain people, who for now will remain nameless, to join him for breakfast tomorrow, before continuing with keeping Mione and I on schedule." He gave Ron and Luna a look and they nodded.

James held out his arm and Aristotle landed on it. "It's tough raising kids, so have a treat on me." He also conjured him a treat, after accepting the letter tied to his leg.

"This one is from, Fred." He read the front of the envelope. "Fred and Katie send their wishes to whomever the lucky parents are this time and are busy celebrating baby news of their own. They however want the scoop on the happy couple."

"We have another little one to cuddle!" Arthur and Molly hugged each other.

"You can't see everything, Wolfe." Hermione grinned at him.

Harry whistled over to the owlets and they two flew over towards him. Apollo landed on his head and Artemis landed on his mother's shoulder.

"Well little guy any landing is a good one." He stowed the letter from Hogwarts in his back pocket, then reached his hand up and let the Owlet hop down onto into his hands, and then onto his arm.

"Let's see who your letter is from?" He carefully removed the compact letter from his leg and then gave him a treat.

He unfolded the letter, so he could read it. "It's from Uncle Sirius and Aunt Jen. They're sorry that they can't make it to the family meeting. The twins are cutting teeth again. They send their happy wishes to whoever is going to be parents this time. They also want an update."

Lily fed Artemis a treat for a job well done. "I'm so proud of you for delivering your first letter."

"Now let's see who this one is from." She unfolded the letter and read it. "George and Trista are sorry, but since tonight is their fourteenth month anniversary together they're staying in tonight. He surprised her with a studio connecting to his workshop. She surprised him with the news that they are going to be parents. He hopes that whoever in the family is pregnant this time is as happy as he and Mel are. They also want an update."

"I was half expecting that. It seems as if our world is in the middle of a baby boom." Harry grinned.

"Arthur we have three grandbabies to look forward to this spring and summer!" Molly was beaming with joy.

"Yes, Molly dear, next year is going to be a happy one." Arthur smiled. "Ron and Luna is there something the two of you wish to tell us?"

"Yes, baby brother, inquiring minds want to know." Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Tonks, Percy, and Penelope had arrived.

"Remus is watching Matt for us and Gene is seeing to Bastion in Hospital Wing. He's gonna be fine Hermione, all he did was take a spill during Quidditch practice. The two of them send their love and I'm to find out what's up." Charlie grinned.

Harry took out the letter from Hogwarts and read it. "Uncle Albus and Aunt Minerva send their love. Bastion was showing off for Moria on his broom, wasn't paying attention to what he was suppose to be doing, and a bludger got him in the arm. All of them are getting top marks in all of their classes and Empress has laid another egg. Now this is for Ron and Luna. He hopes that you have both learned that it is best not to keep things from the family and may both of you cherish what the fates have granted you."

"I've learned my lesson in spades and we are looking forward to the surprises that fate gave us." Ron smiled at Luna.

"Luna dear, are you pregnant?" Molly was crying tears of joy when Luna nodded.

"Twins?" Lily asked her daughter.

Luna nodded.

"Oh baby this is wonderful news! James, we have two more little ones to look forward to!"

"That we do, my love." James winked at her.

"Congratulations! You two! This is wonderful news!" Bill smiled.

"Yes, it is a joyous occasion. Can we expect to see the little ones in May or June?" Fleur was also happy for them.

"Only our baby brother could manage to find a way around a full proof potion." Percy teased.

Penelope elbowed him in the ribs. "Percy, you behave." She gave him a look then smiled at Ron and Luna. "We are both happy for you."

"Oh very well, my darling, I'll behave." Percy winked at her. "Yes, baby brother, this is happy news indeed."

"Well answer the question when's Luna due?" Charlie arched a brow at him.

"Yes, is it late spring or early summer?" Tonks winked at them.

"Yes son, enlighten all of us." Arthur could tell by the way certain members of the family were acting that something was up. "Does this have anything to do with Luna sneaking out of your room at three in the morning last August 12th?"

"Ronnie, you naughty boy, you didn't!" Logan, Bill, and Charlie grinned at him.

"Finally, I was wondering when this was going to get interesting." Kane smirked.

Lotus kicked him in the shin. "Kane, behave do not make me kick your ass!" She hissed at him.

"Lotus Blossom, as delightful sparing with you would be. I was only teasing, so you can retract your claws." Kane leaned over and growled into her ear. "You really do need to not take things so seriously. I'm never going back to my old ways. I happen to enjoy being included in a real family."

"Hold that thought for a second, Ron. It looks as if Kane and Lotus are having a moment." Harry arched a brow at the two of them. "Standing over there in the archway isn't being part of the family meeting. Now join us and please feel free to comment whenever you like."

Kane put an arm around Lotus's waist and the two of them joined in on the family meeting. "I was just saying that knowing Ron had been threatened consistently with Azkaban. It was bold of him to even risk going further in their courtship, before officially promised to each other." Kane gave him his view of the problem. "Lotus, you're the Wizarding World's top profiler for the Auror division. How do you see this problem?" He put her on the spot.

"I also find it hard to believe that someone with Ron's personality profile, someone given a second chance at life again, would willingly take as big a risk as incurring the wrath of his best friend. Even though, Azkaban is something to fear as an outcome. I would assume that facing the wrath of his best friend and the Next Merlin of our time would keep any instinct to do something as impulsive as this in check." Lotus gets all business when backed into a corner and gave them all the official Auror view on the problem.

"By Merlin, she is good at what she does isn't she." Harry was impressed with her observation in the matter. "Dad, Lotus needs a raise. She got it right down to the last detail."

"You should read the profile that she did on you back when they thought you were insane and possibly a danger to the ministry. This was just a short version. Yours is like over a hundred pages long and a captivating read." James chuckled when Harry gaped at him in shock. "Don't get your back up about it; she did one on Hermione, Luna, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Fred, and George as well."

"Look. I was a member of The Order of the Phoenix and was well aware that Voldemort was among the land of the living again. I was also aware that my sister was up to something again and had set her sights on you. It was also clear to certain members of the Order that you had a silly crush on her as well. She was hurting from the loss of Cedric and something in her changed that summer before your fifth year. It was clear that she wasn't at all the way she had been the year before. I was determined to learn as much as I could about Harry and his own army of followers." Lotus had been wondering when her talent was gonna come into play. What she didn't know was how they were gonna react to her findings.

"It was easier to figure out just how your anger over Cedric's death, or Voldemort's rising was going to rule over your emotions that way. I made it as through as I could. The only ones that have ever gotten to read any of them are Professor Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Alastor Moody, Kinglsey Shacklebolt, Tonks, your dad, and grandfather." Lotus paused for a moment collecting her thoughts.

"I suppose it was a godsend in dealing with you, when you were dealing with the loss of Sirius, and the revelation that you were going to have to be the one who killed Voldemort. They decided the best way to keep you out of trouble was to keep you occupied during every minute of your day and nights." She looked at all of them, her gaze focusing on Luna.

"That's why I know that it was Luna, who took advantage of Ron, and not the other way around. I learned that she's the most fascinating one out of the six of you. And one never knows what she's going to do from one moment to the next." Lotus almost jumped when most of them gave her a round of applause.

"Bravo, smashing job solving the mystery and good detective work." Luna smiled happily at her. "I did take matters into my own hands. And as a result our sons are gonna be born in either late March or April. I'm a little over ten weeks pregnant and the two of us are over the moon with happiness about it."

"Lotus, that was fascinating. Here I thought that you mostly went about hunting down the bad guys." Hermione was gaining more insight about the various jobs the Aurors were tasked to do.

"One has to know an opponents mind before devising a means of capturing ones opponent." Lotus answered softly.

"Here we were what between sixteen and thirteen attending Hogwarts and all along we were under a magnifying glass and all because of we're associated with Harry?" Ron arched a brow at Lotus.

"Harry was to be protected at all costs and they took every precaution when it came to whom he called friend and those he saw as his enemy. Fudge didn't take what he had said seriously or the names that he fingered as Deatheaters, but all of us did." Lotus nodded.

"I found in doing Draco's profile that when push came to shove he didn't have it in him to take that next step that would have led him onto the same path as his birth father. Draco's extreme intellect would not allow him do so. Because of this he was no longer the apple of his father's eye. He was weak and slated to be die with Voldemort's other targets. This of course took him off our list of possible threats towards Harry's life." Lotus mused.

"My final conclusion was that it was nearly impossible to protect someone hell-bent on ending it." She said soberly her eyes locking with Harry's.

"You were just too unpredictable, as were the ones around you, and we just had to wing it on the day of the battle. I was there in the Entrance Hall and watched your reaction when Luna died. You hadn't given in to that fury that was just boiling under the surface yet. Amid the turmoil, I saw that Ron and Hermione had both been taken by Lucius and Bellatrix. I wondered if you would give up when you discovered that Voldemort had targeted them as a way to bring you to your knees. It wasn't until we defeated the Deatheaters that any of us were able feel the moment that your temper snapped. The true power within you awakened, and we witnessed the end of the dark era of our world." It surprised Lotus that they were reacting so positively, to what she was saying.

"Lotus Blossom is an amazing witch. When the two of us were five she was analyzing and sizing up everyone. It's fascinating to know that she put that talent to good use." Kane brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

Lotus blushed crimson and said, "It kept you from going over that fine line between darkness and the light. I suppose something in me couldn't believe that all of that goodness that once shined so bright in you. Could be gone and that's why I made it my mission, as soon as I found out that you were alive, to make sure that you never crossed that line."

"Yes, well, you made keeping my façade a hell of a lot more difficult, but then again I've always loved a good challenge." Kane conjured a perfect Lotus blossom and threaded it behind her ear.

"We've tickets to the theater for tonight. Why don't the two of you take them and make a night of it instead?" Dromi was content to just cuddle with Henry for the evening and celebrate this wonderful news with the family.

"That's a smashing idea, love." Henry kissed her on the cheek then focused on the two of them. "You do know all about Muggle nightlife do you not?" He asked Kane.

"I can blend into any situation, if that's what you're asking. Yes, I can easily take Lotus out on the town without outing our world." Kane rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I can even drive a Muggle car and have an international Muggle license. I'm still an expert at what I do that hasn't changed."

"You can take the Aston Martin or have Dan drive you. The choice is yours. I would use Dan it's easier, but then that's up to you." Harry understood how unnerving it was to take your love out on the town. But to have it thrown at you on the spot like this, now that was the worst.

"I think having Dan take us would be best, until this one is more familiar with the country, or we can just apparate there. It's going on seven now." Lotus decided that going on a date with Kane might be an interesting excursion.

"Dan already has the itinerary and will be here in an hour, so leaves you two an hour to get ready." Dromi smiled.

"That's barely enough time for me to choose what I wish to wear." Lotus was a little nervous about this date that alone unnerved her. "Congratulations on your little ones." Lotus raced over to hug Luna before rushing out of the room and up to her suite to get ready for her date with Kane.

"That's a good sign, mate. She's nervous about the date." Ron grinned at Kane.

"Ron's right, that's an excellent sign. She's never uneasy about anything, at least that I've seen anyway." Draco gave him some encouraging words.

"What is it that we're going to be seeing tonight?" Kane arched a brow at Dromi and Henry.

"It's a smash hit that's nearly impossible to get tickets for. Henry and I saw it this summer with Rory and Wills in the states. The name of the musical is Wicked." Dromi smiled at him when he grinned knowingly. "I know it's humorous us being magical in nature, but its fantastic show."

"I'm well aware of what it's about and Lotus will no doubt enjoy herself tonight." He took the tickets and reservations from Henry. "I need to go change. Congratulations Ron and Luna on your little ones." Kane vanished instead of exiting the room.

Fawkes and Ferria flew from the couch over to land on Wills and Rory's shoulders.

"I take it you two wish to take a shot at healing Rory's eyes?" Wills arched a brow at Fawkes and he cooed down at Rory.

"Well, it worked on my arm. It's worth a try on your eyes." Harry thought it was worth a try.

"I'm willing to try anything, but this injury might just be too much for our feathery friends to heal." Rory stroked Ferria's wing.

Fawkes puffed up his feathers, as if insulted and squawked.

"Okay, we'll try it. Don't get your feathers ruffled." Wills chuckled.

Rory went over to lie on the LuvSac.

The two phoenixes flew over to work their magic on her injured face and eyes, easily healing the swelling, and did their best to heal her eyes.

"Nice try you two, but this is going to take time to heal. I can see blurry images now, so that's a plus." She smiled at the not so happy majestic creatures. "You did your part and I'm grateful for that. Now all that's left is to have them healed under Master Chen's care."

Lily conjured a pair of lavender tinted glasses for her to wear, "This should help your eyes while they heal. It helps ease the glare and strain on your eyes. James had to wear them, but that was weeks into his treatment. The phoenixes stepped up your healing time by a few weeks, so you should be seeing again in no time."

"So, little brother, how exactly did Luna find out that she's having twin boys?" Rory changed the subject back to Ron and Luna's baby news.

"I gave them a little peak into the future using their fireplace. Luna saved his skin by telling the truth. I was about to banish him to a not so nice spider filled location halfway around the world in Australia." Harry saw this as an opportunity to sneak off into the kitchen and bring out the treats. "I'll be back in a bit. I've got some letters to answer, so everyone can spread the good news."

"Oh, that's right I have to check on the batch of potion that I'm brewing for the girls teething medicine." Hermione also left the room.

"If anyone wishes a peak at our nephews or in their cases grandsons just have a look at this." Wills hit play on the DVD player and the 4D images of the babies were shown on the projector screen.

That instantly got everyone's attention. They were in awe about the images for a few minutes, before the women inquired if Luna was well and what Lucy has said to her about the babies, while the men patted Ron on the back.

Harry and Hermione rolled in two carts loaded with puddings, drinks, and a double fudge cake for the new parents. "Congrat's you two. Now let's all celebrate the newest members of the family."

--

Ron and Luna got a pleasant surprise the following morning during breakfast with Stephen and Anna. They gave them their first baby gifts a set of special plush bears for their twins.

"Ryan and Tyler. I like those names for our boys don't you?" Luna cuddled in Ron's arms, as they waited for Harry and Hermione to appear for their pre-wedding photo shoot.

"Well one thing's for sure, these bears take the guesswork out of pickin' out names." Ron kissed the top of her head.

Luna pouted up at him, "You don't like the names?"

"Oh no, moonflower, I love the names. They're just right for our boys." Ron wasn't yet used to Luna's sudden mood changes, especially her emotional ones.

"I mean, if you don't wish to name them that we can always think of other ones." She sniffled.

"Ryan and Tyler are fine by me, love. I was only pointing out the plus at having the names on the bears." Ron kissed away her tears.

"It's amusing that we have two bears for Fred and George in our bag and know what they're having, even if they don't." Luna was once again her old self.

"I know what you mean. Our bears are a shade of ginger, while theirs are pastel colors of pink." Ron chuckled. "I don't know how they're gonna react to being the fathers of two little girls instead of two little boys."

"Fiona and Tabitha are pretty names for baby girls. It will be good for the two of them and they'll be doting daddies to their girls." Luna yawned. "I don't know why I'm getting sleepy it's barely noon."

"Go ahead and nap on my shoulder, my love. I'll wake you up if they need you." Ron settled her in his arms.

"All right Ronnie, but only for a few minutes." Luna snuggled against his shoulder and closed her eyes for a catnap.

--

"Harry, why won't you take any of Jo's calls," Hermione's voice filtered in from the adjoining room. "I can understand why you're upset. I've only skimmed through it so far, but you have to talk to her eventually."

"I'll think about talking to her again, after I've given the book a through read." Harry swatted Franc away from him, as he was being annoying, that and he hated getting fussed over.

"Franc, it fits fine so back off!" He narrowed his eyes at the man currently circling him.

"Temper, temper, Harry James…" Franc chided him. "You must look perfect for your photos."

"Yeah, well, this is a perfect as I get. I'm in my royal finery! The blasted crown is on my head! Beau worked wonders with my hair and I'm wearin' the frickin sword! What more do you want from me?" Harry snarled at him in frustration.

"Your face has a shine to it, that won't do for the photos." Franc raised the large powder-puff towards his face, but Harry wasn't having any of it. "We'll apply some powder to lessen the shine on your face."

"The hell you will! I draw the line at wearing make-up!" Harry vanished from the chair.

"Don't be a baby. It's only powder!" Franc was losing his patience with him.

"Sorry not happening!"

"Francis, leave him be!" Hermione snapped at him from the doorway.

She was the image of a fairytale princess on her wedding day. She had chosen to wear the gown from their first wedding. The jewels of Mary Queen of Scots that Elizabeth had given her, and matching bejeweled slippers encased her silken clad feet.

"Hermione, you look exquisite!" Franc clasped his hands with delight.

"Why thank you, Francis. Now please try not to scare away my husband." Hermione felt that he was hiding nearby.

"Jamie, behave yourself! The girls are sleeping in their baby carriage, so we need to take advantage of that by going ahead with this photo shoot." She hissed into the shadows.

"He was gonna put powder on me." Harry appeared beside her.

She took the puff from Franc. "It lessens shine, now hold still a little powder isn't going to hurt you."

"Only for you," Harry let her powder his face.

"It's translucent no one will be any the wiser." Hermione tossed the puff back at Franc. "There now that didn't hurt now did it?" She stood on tiptoe and kissed his nose.

"No sweetness. It didn't hurt." Harry drank in the sight of her in the gown and his heart stopped and started again. "What about the designer original with the twenty foot train?"

"This is a Mab original. It's so regal that it doesn't need a train." Hermione did not intend to wear a gown that she had no say in designing. "It has a matching cloak instead."

"I think you look out of this world beautiful in whatever you wear, but this is the perfect choice." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

"Well then, let's get this over with shall we." She turned to look over at Franc cooing down at the sleeping triplets. "I want the girls in our sight at all times."

"It's a pity that they fell asleep in their dresses. They take such perfect pictures." Franc pouted.

"Franc, you can't expect two-month-olds to stick to anyone's schedule." Harry shook his head in exasperation at him.

"They do nevertheless have ones of their own. It's nearly noon. They'll sleep for a while longer and then want our attention again." Hermione noticed the time on Harry's watch.

"Trust us, Franc. It's better that they sleep while we finish this, or else our Dani might do magic in front of the muggles." Harry whispered, as he carefully pushed the carriage closer to where the photos would be taken.

Dani stared up at him and yawned.

"You spoke to soon." Hermione watched as Ally and Mia also blinked their eyes open and yawned.

"Just push them over here and I'll watch them." Ron motioned from his place next to a makeshift worktable set up for the shoot. Luna was sound asleep in his arms.

"Are you sure about that, Ron?" Harry whispered as not to awaken Luna.

"Sure I'm sure." Ron whispered. "Trust me you don't wanna keep this guy waiting. He isn't the most patient of blokes. Now the pretty fille with him, well, she's really nice."

:All right you three. We're going to be right over there. There will be no magic. No linking, unless it is privately between your mother and I, and be nice to your Uncle.: Harry laid down the ground rules.

:Yes, Dada. We be good.: Dani spoke for all of them and only in his mind. :We go back to sleep now.:

"Let's get this over with." Harry and Hermione went over to where the photographers and their crew of assistants were waiting.

--

Dani awoke two hours later, not happy that her parents were still not finished, or that they weren't home yet. Now her sisters on the other hand were still snoozing the early afternoon away.

Ron heard her start to fuss, got to his feet and scooped her up into his arms. "All right there, princess. What's the matter are we in the need of a change?"

Luna walked over to check her and she was dry. "No she's fine, maybe she wants her bottle." She fished a bottle out of the diaper bag.

"Is that it Dani are we hungry?" Ron took the bottle that Luna handed him.

Dani refused to take her bottle. She wanted her parents to feed her not her Uncle. She let the world know that she wasn't happy.

"Nope that's not it either." Ron felt her forehead to see if she wasn't feeling well. "No fever, so her teeth aren't acting up again."

"She wants us." Harry and Hermione walked over to them despite the photographer's protest of displeasure.

"So you reckon that Dani's patience ran out and now it's anything goes?" Ron watched as the babe stopped crying as soon as she saw her parents.

"Ally and Mia are still in dreamland." Hermione checked on the other two.

"Yeah Ron, I reckon that she figures two hours is an eternity, so times up, hold me." Harry took her from him and cuddled her against his shoulder.

She instinctively snuggled into the soft velvet of his royal robes.

"See princess, we're still here so there's no need for tears." He crooned softly, as he patted her gently on the back.

"This is all well and good! Hell the two of you are parents of the year! Baby brats cry! That's life! Time is dosh, so let's get back to work!" Nigel Osborn stalked over to snarl impatiently at the two of them.

Hermione bristled at his tone. "She's only two-months-old! She's not a brat! We are not getting paid for this! You are! Tell them to take a thirty minute break! Now get out of my sight before I do something rash!"

The fool used to getting his way and did not take her wishes or warning seriously. "Look your royal bitchiness! This is my gig! I rule the roost, not you alright! The rugrat has stopped howling. Give her back to the help and let's get back to…" Nigel suddenly lost his ability to speak and an itching sensation started up on various places of his body.

Cassiopeia Roberts, his willowy, sunny blonde, co-photographer in the shoot, tried her best to keep a straight face. But it was hard to do when her usually Nordic handsome partner had interesting hives spreading across his perfect face. "Nigel, it's obvious that you've come down with some allergy. I'll finish the shoot, while you go to hospital and get checked over."

An eager assistant held up a mirror, so he could see his face. Nigel's eyes widened in horror, his face was marred by horrible welts. He wasted no time and bolted from the location for the nearest hospital.

"Nigel is a prat sometimes, but he's excellent at what he does." Cassie turned her focus back on the crew. "We're breaking for lunch, be back in forty minutes." She then smiled at Hermione and the others. "That should give you plenty of time with your girls."

"Thank you, Ms. Roberts. Our girls come first in our lives, and the rest of this is second." Harry liked her more than he did Nigel. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn't place what that was.

"Oh, I understand completely. Your girls come first, and that's how it should be. It amazes me that you can juggle all of this and still take care of your little ones." Cassie smiled at them.

"Harry and I have always taken challenges head on, so this is nothing that we can't manage." Hermione was also trying to figure out where she had seen her before.

"Ron and Luna volunteered to be our right hands. They're both godsends for the two of us." Harry made sure that she knew that Ron and Luna were much more than just help.

"Yeah, well, we enjoy the challenge." Ron smirked.

"We've been a team for too long to break it up, so this seemed the perfect way for all of us to be together." Luna yawned. "Oh goodness, excuse me. This is so unlike me to get sleepy like this all the time." She yawned again.

"Baby sis, we've got this. Why don't you go home and catch a nap." Harry suggested.

"But you might need me here."

"Sweetheart, your brother is right. We've got this. This is it for the day. Go home, crawl into bed, and snooze the afternoon away." Ron placed a protective hand over her middle, as he crooned into her ear.

"You can't win, Luna. Believe me I know. So just give in and go take that nap." Hermione remembered all too well her first trimester with the girls.

"All right, I'll go, but call me on my mobile if you need me." Luna kissed Ron good-bye and then glided off to a place where she could pop home unnoticed.

"Well just come and find me when you're ready. I'll be at the computer going over the shots that we've taken so far." Cassie left them to tend the girls. It was clear to her the two of them were trying to figure out where they had seen her before and she wanted to keep her other life private.

--

Ten minutes later they had an unexpected guest. Wills had decided to check on how things were going.

Cassie, as soon as she spotted the prince coming her way, tried to keep her composure. "Your highness, no one told me that you were stopping by today."

"I'm not expected. Aurora sent me to check on them, since she can't spy on them herself because of her riding accident." He flashed the smile that melted hearts around the world.

"These shots are good. Is the shoot over?" He arched a brow at Cassie.

"No not yet, but when one of the triplets called her parents then it's time for lunch." She picked up her camera and took some touching snaps of Harry and Hermione tending Dani. "What astonishes me the most is that they don't have a nanny. I mean, isn't it tradition or something like that?"

"Firstly, those had better be for the two of them." Wills rarely trusted anyone with a camera; it was too easy for them not to sell their snaps to the highest bidder.

"S...s...s...orry it's just h…h…habit to want to capture s…s…such rarity with my camera." Cassie took a deep calming breath to try to stem her stuttering. It was something that happened when she got nervous.

"Especially, after all t…t…hey have b…b…been through." She gritted her teeth in frustration, but continued to speak to him. "S…s…s…orry it's j…j…ust habit to w…w…want…"

She squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to calm down enough so she could speak properly again. "S…s…s…orry I stutter w...h…en I get flus…tered." When taking deep breaths didn't work she took a long swig from her water bottle.

"Hey, it's okay. I didn't mean to get you flustered. I'm just a little overprotective of them sometimes." Wills instantly relaxed. This one was an innocent and not a shark.

"I've worked with Nigel before. I know that he's sold the occasional money shot to the tabloids…" He paused when it dawned on him that Nigel was nowhere to be found. "Is he off brooding because of the delay?"

"N…n…o actually it's qu…i…te funny. The princess j…inxed him a…a…nd he had to l…l…eave." Cassie was getting furious at herself for not being able to calm her nerves in front of the prince. "D…d…rat it t…t…akes a while t…t…o stop."

"Here try a mint." Wills produced a roll of peppermints from his jacket pocket and handed her one. "It helps my friend when his stuttering acts up."

"Thanks." Cassie eagerly accepted the mint and popped it into her mouth.

"You're very welcome. Now why did you say that my cousin jinxed Nigel? I can assure you that if Nigel came down with an aliment of some sort that she did nothing of the sort to him." Wills frowned.

"My professional name is Cassiopeia Roberts. I use my Mum's maiden name." Cassie explained. "My father's surname isn't very professional sounding and I was never taken seriously by my peers when I used it."

"Go on I'm listening." Wills took in the flaxen blonde, willowy figured, azure eyed woman's appearance. "Aurora and I took in one of your shows. It's no wonder that Nigel likes working with you. You're an up-and-coming star in your field."

Cassie smiled shyly at him. "That's kind of you to say."

"Oi Sis! I'm free for the rest of the day, so as promised I'm at your service." Colin Creevey came rushing over to her.

"Are you really or are you trying to get a scoop for the twins?" Cassie crossed her arms in front of her and shot him a knowing look.

"Your Colin's older sister?" Wills stared at her in surprise. This was yet another twist that Jo had gotten wrong in her books.

"Yes, I happen to be a Hogwarts graduate for eight years now. You see being Muggle born, I have always fancied the muggle way of life as well as I do the magical side." Cassie wasn't happy that her brother had just popped in for the day.

"She was in Ravenclaw and it's because of her that I love being a photographer." Colin sat down at the table and studied the snaps on the screen.

"Oh, I'm a good role model all right." Cassie reached down playfully ruffling his hair. "Mum blames me for you dropping out of school."

"I've got a choice job at the biggest paper in the Wizarding World. I love what I do, so N.E.W.T'S weren't for me." Colin shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't a big deal. "Sis these are really good."

"Hey Sunshine. They let us off the hook for the day…" Mac Flamel came a calling on his girlfriend. "Well, well, well, the gangs all here. Hello, your highness, aren't you supposed to be seeing to my partner instead of spying on them?" He growled softly.

"I left her with Chen for her afternoon treatment. She sent me to check on them. Need I remind you that it's your fault that she got hurt to begin with or did that little detail slip your mind?" Wills squared off with him.

Cassie narrowed her eyes in displeasure at Mac. "You have a new partner? What about Lotus was she reassigned elsewhere. No scratch that! What were you thinking endangering the princess on what must have been her first time-out?"

"Sunny, you know I can't answer that. Max would skin me alive." Mac hated it when she gave him the evil eye, it made him feel like he was three again.

"Hang Max and the rest of that lot! This world is at peace now, so the hell with all of this bloomin secrecy!" She hissed at him. "If you won't tell me then Stephen will! He owes me for…well he owes me a shed-load of favors!"

"Will you keep your voice down this is a location not your studio!" Colin glared at her.

"I would suggest that you lower your tone, unless you wish to alert Harry and incur his temper on you." Wills had heard more than enough. "Rory is her own person. She's also very much like her father and brothers that's why she was there. Flamel has a curious streak in him and that's why she was injured. He wears glasses so all he got from the incident was to see spots before his eyes."

"However, it's because of their mishap that we captured two of the darkest wizards at large, made a new ally, and that ally returned to the family stolen from." Harry came over to see what was up. "Look Dani, it's Uncle Wills, Uncle Colin, and Uncle Mac."

Dani looked up at the three of them, but wasn't about to leave her Daddy for anyone.

"She's attached to me at the moment." Harry kissed the top of her downy head. "So you're his sister and Mac is what your boyfriend?" Harry looked from Cassie to Mac and then waited for one of them to answer.

"Yes Colin is my little brother. And as for the other well that depends. You see boyfriend means that he's around to take me out on dates and such. Mac tends to cancel them and send I'm sorry gifts, more than he follows through with the date." Cassie blew the bangs out of her eyes and shot Mac another look.

"Babe, my job keeps me busy! I don't intentionally stand you up!" Mac's brow furrowed and he scowled at her.

"Mac, does make a valid point. The job makes trying to date a living hell. Not so much now considering that our world is at peace." Harry arched a brow at Mac. "So how long have the two of you been dating?"

"We dated at school then went on to focus on our separate careers. We saw each other again at the Millennium Ball. We've been trying to be a couple, but it's hard to work that into our busy schedules." Cassie went back to reviewing the snaps, because talking about this was too much of a sore spot for her.

"If Fred and George managed to make it work with Katie and Mel, then the trust me there is hope for the two of you." Ron came over with Ally cuddled in his arms.

"Ron's right. Harry and I never had one successful date until our honeymoon last July, which mind you was just before our girls were born. I married him because he's my other half and I love him. I didn't need a date to tell me what my heart has always known." Hermione gave them some good advice.

"He just needed seeing you almost die to realize the two of you were meant for each other." Ron smirked.

"Yes, well, let's not go there again." Harry changed the subject. "The results speak for themselves."

"We're ready to finish this, but the girls aren't willing to leave us at the moment." Hermione cooed at Mia who was currently playing with her necklace.

"That's not a problem. We have enough shots of the two of you in your wedding finest. The girls are awake now, so I can finish with shots of you and your girls, that's if you'd like me to." Cassie suggested.

"Franc is sulking as it is, so sure that's fine by us." Hermione smiled.

"This way the girls feel included in what we've been doing all week." Harry was in complete agreement. "Girls you're getting your picture taken with Mummy and Daddy."

The three girls adored Colin and getting their photo taken, so they squealed happily.

"They're such darlings." Cassie cooed at Ally. "Can they do magic or is it too soon?"

"Sunshine that's the understatement of the year." Mac chuckled. "Dani's the show off of the three, at least from what I've seen she is."

"Mac's right. They're extremely magically gifted, but Harry told them all no magic, so they're being good right now." Hermione kissed Mia's cheek. "All of you are doing so good today. Mummy is so proud of her girls."

"Well, we didn't want them outing our world, so I took precautions to not scare the muggles." Harry lifted Dani high into the air and she happily kicked her feet. "Daddy is proud of all of his girls and Dani especially for being such a good girl."

"The only sign of magic that I've seen this entire shoot was when Hermione jinxed Nigel. He deserved worse because he was way out of line." Cassie smothered a giggle.

"I didn't jinx him. I thought Harry did."

"I used Silencio to stop his ability to speak, but I didn't jinx him with that rash." Harry frowned. "I thought you did, after all it's your signature jinx."

"Don't look at me. I didn't jinx the git. I was tempted mind you, but I didn't." Ron shrugged. "No magic means just that and I didn't wish to be a bad influence on my niece."

Harry stared down into Dani's eyes.

She blinked innocently up at him, as if to say who me, and continued to suck on her pacifier.

"If she's moved on to jinxing, we're all doomed to bathing in calamine lotion." Wills groaned.

"I wouldn't exactly start panicking yet if I were you. It's obvious that she was protecting her Mum. Nigel got testy with her and ran his mouth off a little too much, so she called him on it." Cassie came up with a reason Dani had used magic.

"She doesn't like rashes and knows what they feel like, it does make sense." Hermione stared down at Dani who instantly reached for her. "Here Wolfe, take Mia. I want to cuddle my brave girl for a while."

:Mama nice. He meanie. I makes itch just like Mama.: Dani, knowing now the ones around her were safe, broke her silence. :You pretty like Mama. I's like you.: Dani focused on Cassie. :You smart too.:

Cassie smiled down at the babe and said. "You're a sweetie to say that about me. Nigel deserved what you cast on him, not that what you did was good mind you." She added hastily, as not to offend Harry or Hermione for praising her little slip of control. "Magic is not for little ones to play with, none of us would wish to see any of you harmed from a try at magic that went awry."

"Nice save Sunshine." Mac leaned down to growl into her ear.

Harry stared down at his daughter, who stared intently up at him.

She however did not utter a single mental word.

"She's thinking about it." He locked eyes with Hermione, who merely smiled serenely at him. "She's a miniyou. We don't stand a chance at reining her in."

"Wolfe, you're making too much out of an innocent situation." She handed Dani to Cassie. "Watch her for a few minutes for us while we change into something less formal for our snaps with the girls."

Cassie happily cuddled the babe in her arms. "Take your time. We'll be fine."

"Good idea Hermione. You two change while we watch the girls." Wills took Mia from Harry.

"We'll see you in a little while then." The two of them headed back inside the estate to change into something a lot less formal.

--

Harry resisted the urge to find a dark closet with which to ravish his wife in, as they disappeared indoors to change.

"Come here." He pulled her to him for a long kiss that lasted nearly ten minutes, before he finally let her go.

"Really Wolfe, we're…" She once again found herself lost in the arms of her husband.

"Say it again and we'll find the nearest closet…" He nibbled on her earlobe.

An excited thrill ran down Hermione's spine at the thought of them doing something as wicked as having a tryst in one of the many closets at the estate they were using for a location. "Wolfe, you can think of something better than that use your imagination…" She purred back then smothered her laughter when he swept her up into his arms and they vanished.

--

Nearly forty minutes later the two emerged from the estate dressed for the photos with their girls and in glorious moods.

"We're all set to continue the shoot. Were the girls any problems?" Harry had three bears in his arms.

:Teddy!: Dani reached for her bear.

:Want teddy!: Mia and Ally also wanted their plushies.

"That's why she said what she said a while ago." Ron shot them both a knowing look. "You two popped home to, uh, fetch the girls plushies."

"Or thereabouts…" Wills handed Harry a handkerchief. "That lip gloss isn't your color."

"Yes well," Hermione blushed crimson as she wiped away the evidence from Harry's face.

"That's what happens when you're in love." Harry winked at Hermione. "Isn't that right Mione..."

Hermione's response was to kiss him mindless.

After five minutes, when they still hadn't come up for air, Ron took his life into his own hands and tapped Harry on the shoulder. "Playtime's over. You two are seriously snogging in front of all us and the girls."

Harry opened one eye to gauge the situation, sure enough everyone including the crew were grinning knowingly at the two of them. "Sorry about that. Lovers react spontaneously when the other says certain things." Harry reluctantly broke off the kiss.

"Oh, there's no need to apologize." Cassie envied what the two of them shared.

"I'll take her now." Hermione once again had Dani cuddled in her arms.

"Now you stay here while we set up the location for the next shots." Cassie and her crew headed off to set up on the lawns near the gardens.

"Mac, career isn't everything. Try focusing on your relationship with Cassie while you still have her attention." Hermione was in the mood to play matchmaker. It was clear that all these two needed was the proper push in the right direction.

Mac stared off after Cassie and sighed. "She's enjoying her shinning success now," He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, as he continued to watch her thrive at what she loved to do more than anything in the world.

Colin shook his head at Mac and frowned. "That's because you're never there to share any of it with her. Hermione is right, Mac. My sister is the best thing in your life, so don't bungle it." He got up and went to see if he could help with the shoot.

"Yeah well, Evangelina thinks you love the camera more than her, that's why you dropped out of Hogwarts, and why you didn't show up at Hogsmeade like you promised!" Mac stalked after him.

"Eve wants to be a Healer, Mac! She needs to focus on her N.E.W.T'S and not on me! I care about your sister! I don't wish to be a distraction for her during her final year!" Colin turned on his heel and rounded on Mac. "Just like you stepped aside while my sister followed her dream, only I don't plan to ditching Eve for eight years, before starting up a relationship with her again!" Colin stalked off.

"I didn't ditch her for eight years! There was a major conflict occurring around us and besides that she was doing that project for Harry's grandfather and was impossible to date!" Mac stalked after him.

--

Harry and Hermione grinned knowingly at each other as the mystery of whom also helped with their scrapbook was solved. "Cassie must have been the one to snap many the pics for the scrapbook."

"That's fascinating you two, now about this new change of mind to display your love in public, care to tell me what's brought that on." Wills hadn't expected this sudden change of behavior in public especially not from Harry who valued his privacy.

"We wish to show everyone, that we're together forever and Jo can go hang herself for all I care." Harry was still not pleased about Jo's way of keeping their world secret.

"She turned me into a lovesick teenybopper, more interested in what Ron was doing than helping or listening to Harry! I Confound someone just to get Ron on the team! It's rubbish is what it is!" Hermione bristled at the thought of HBP.

"I realize that it's not what happened, for once it's a farce, but it was all in your best interest. It insures that our world remains a secret."

"I've only skimmed it, but she leaves out or barely writes in Luna, Neville, Seamus, and Dean only when he's snogging Ginny. Cho well no loss there. Lavender only when she's all over Ron. Uncle Remus and Tonks are done horribly wrong. Charlie isn't even in it at all. Fleur is done harshly, and to sum up the whole manuscript is a mess." Hermione cuddled Dani closer to her. "I understand her reasoning for doing this, it just stings a little when you've lived through the real thing and this isn't even close to what happened that year."

Wills stared at them in utter disbelief. "You finally got what you asked for and now you aren't happy with the results. You harped about invasion of privacy and we agreed that this next book, since she had two versions would be the one that is pure fiction."

"I was fine with how she wrote what truly happened; now I have to write my own sixth year version for our world." Harry grumbled.

"Maybe Jo can release the original version in our world that is if you're up for something like that." Wills came up with a compromise. "There is no need for you to write all of that or revisit that time."

"We'll think about it, as it is Harry is refusing to take any of Jo's calls." Hermione made sure that no one was around before she conjured a table with which to change Dani's diaper on. "Magic is useful for some things." She cooed down at her daughter as she changed her diaper. "It allows mummy to change you in comfort and now Dani is all dry again." She kissed her tiny feet.

Harry noticed someone hiding in the hedges and swore in Parseltounge.

:Dada no say bad words.: Dani scolded him.

:Mummy used magic and was seen by a muggle reporter. Daddy has a right to swear.: Harry narrowed his eyes at the hedge and it vanished, revealing the reporter, who most likely wet himself when his hiding place vanished into thin air. He held out his hand and the items that interested Harry, that being the man's mobile, and any camera equipment left the reporters person, and landed at his feet. The reporter then found himself hanging upside down by one leg and unable to utter a sound. "You picked a bad day to skulk around mate." Harry stalked up to the reporter.

The stout, balding member of the paparazzi stared at him with bulging eyes when Harry pointed his wand at him.

"Uh, Harry, I understand why you're peeved, but Cassie and her crew will be back any minute now, then we'll really have a problem." Ron walked up to Harry with Ally in his arms. "Not to mention the girls are watching."

"I'm aware of that Ron." Harry was aware of whom was where because of his training. "I've got five minutes to alter his memory."

"Harry you're not really that great at using Obliviate. The last poor bloke forgot his entire life history, ended up saying 'who am I' all the time afterwards…" Ron shook his head in sympathy at the poor man. "He had to be locked away for his own protection poor fool."

"Look it's not my fault he twitched and landed in a mental institution. I told him to stay still." Harry shrugged his shoulders as if this weren't that big of a deal. "Like the professors always say practice makes perfect."

"Let Ducky do it or she'll pout." Wills casually strolled over with Mia cuddled in the crook of his arm. "Can't say I feel sorry for you though..." He turned his nose up at the reporter. "You lot deserve what you get."

The man was so terrified now that he was visibly trembling and sweating like a pig. It reminded Harry of how his cousin Dudley used to react around magic.

"You're right Wills, Mione does deserve first go at him." Harry put his wand away. "Mione would you like to do the honors?" He glanced over at his wife who was frowning at him. "Don't be that way love, he saw you use magic, and now all of this has to be done."

"Oh honestly, Wolfe, you're enjoying this because of that silly book being utterly false this time round." Hermione set Dani in his arms, so she could take out her wand and point it at the reporter. "They are right you know, spying is a nasty habit, and you do deserve to learn a lesson out of all of this." Her wand pointed at the reporters head. "This isn't going to be pleasant and please try not to move."

The terrified man was shaking so badly that his press badge had fallen out of his pocket. It stated in bold letters that he was from The Royal Watcher.

That wasn't good for him, because they hated The Royal Watcher and everything that it stood for.

"You're one of the scum that's stalking our family," Wills snarled darkly. "No mercy on this one Hermione, he's only in it for how much dosh he can make!"

"Oh well, look on the bright side, you'll be in a comfortable padded cell with no worries for all ofyour feeble pathetic life." Hermione adjusted his memory, so he thought he was Wills deceased Uncle Charles, and erased everything else. "I'm all finished you may release him now."

"Well old bean you won't be in need of these items anymore." Harry bent down and picked up the man's press id and wallet, before setting him right again.

"This isn't Highgrove?" The man scowled in annoyance as he looked around him. "William? Whatever are we doing here? Where has your brother gone off to?"

"The name is your Royal Highness Prince William of Wales. Who the hell do you think you are, addressing me in such a manner!?" Wills had no trouble letting the man have it.

"Don't be ridiculous William! I am your father! Now where did you brother get off to!?" The man narrowed his eyes at Wills as if put out by his attitude.

"My father is Prince Andrew and my Uncle died a year ago last August thirtieth! How dare you have the cheek to mimic any of my family! I will have you put away for this insolence!" Wills was going all-out and to anyone around looked positively outraged.

"I hate pushing this, but it seems like the right time as any." Hermione pushed her panic button.

In moments, an elite security team consisting of muggle and Wizarding World members converged on them.

"This lunatic is scaring the girls!" Hermione pointed at the haughty, put out, balding man, and the team converged on him.

"HOW DARE YOU AIM A WEAPON AT ME? I AM PRINCE CHARLES OF WALES! I WILL HAVE YOUR JOBS FOR THIS OUTRAGE!" The purple faced man bellowed.

"Enough, with the act, Darby! You are a photographer with The Royal Watcher and out of bounds!" Smitty the leader of the muggle half of the royal watchdogs snarled at him.

"I AM PRINCE CHARLES!" Darby snarled at them. "MY SON AND I ARE LEAVING!" He made a step towards Wills and they tackled him to the ground. "UNHAND ME YOU RUFFIANS! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS FOR THIS INSOLENCE!" He bellowed, as he was cuffed then dragged off grounds of the estate.

--

Kingsley Shacklebolt walked over to them, an amused expression on his face. "That's one-way of dealing with the press, but you should have let us deal with him. Obliviate is a tricky spell even for the most schooled of our kind."

"The man is slime, besides that he scared our girls." Harry didn't feel the least bit guilty of what happened to the man.

"Oh come now, Harry. I have known you far too long to believe that, besides Dani would have given him a rash like she did to Osborne a while ago." Kings winked at Dani. "We're all well aware about your displeasure about JK Rowling's latest creation, so it was a given that you'd take your aggression out on a member of the paparazzi." He locked eyes with Harry.

"It's true that I'm not happy with Jo," Harry tried to keep his temper in check. "Darby what's his face saw Hermione doing magic. Therefore, I did what I needed to do to protect what's mine and our world."

"I don't blame you for being annoyed by a cousin to your former keeper. Next time let us handle it…" Something in Kingsley's pocket rang and he took it out to glare at it as it played the Quidditch fight song.

"I didn't know that you guys carried muggle mobiles now?" Ron stared at it in disbelief.

"Your brothers took the Muggle mobile and adapted it, so we can be keep touch with headquarters and not have to wait for an owl." Kings reluctantly answered the call. "Yes it's been handled…no everyone is fine…No need for the Obliviator Squad they handled it on their own…" Kings held the phone away from his ear. "Who did the spell, uh, that remains to be seen…I plan on getting to the bottom of it, sir. The bloke thinks he's Prince Charles…Who was he? Uh, Darby Dursley from The Royal Watcher. I'll tell him, sir…No the shoot is still on schedule. It's the girls turn to take snaps with their parents. Yes, I will stick around in case any other git from the press turns up. Very good, sir…I will tell him that…Good afternoon to you as well." The call now ended he put the phone away.

"Let me guess, Uncle Max is peeved by this current turn of events." Harry looked up at Kings, as he expertly changed Mia's diaper.

"Max doesn't oversee us anymore, no it wasn't him." Kings shook his head.

"I just figured that it was because you called whoever it was sir." Harry finished his task of changing Mia and was now tending Ally. "He's all business when it comes to the job, where as Dad or Uncle Sirius, at least I would assume wouldn't be as much." He glanced up at Kingsley, who merely arched a brow at him.

"James wishes an audience with you as soon as the shoot has ended. Sirius, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the results of your adjusting Darby's memory. I could hear him laughing in the background. I called him sir because that is procedure. Now which one of you cast the spell?"

"I did. He scared Ally and invaded my privacy, had I known that he was a Dursley it would have been much worse for him. I would have done a Lockhart on his worthless mind and been done with it." Harry, not wishing for Hermione to face the fire, took full responsibility for the incident. "Hermione came up with the idea of having him think he's Will's deceased Uncle, but I cast the spell."

"Hermione, remind me to never get you upset at myself or anyone I know for that matter. It will be a miracle if they can sort him right again." Kings suspected that Harry was taking credit so Hermione was in the clear. "This makes one less shark for all of you to deal with, it's clear you were protecting your girls, and the git got what he deserved."

"I don't like anyone skulking around my girls. He's lucky that I didn't do anything worse to his sorry hide." Hermione was like a lioness protecting her cubs.

"I was going to cast it, but, Mione deserved her shot at him. I had already used a few spells, so it was her turn." Harry kissed Hermione on the nose.

"I told her no mercy, as soon as I saw the scum's press credentials fall out of his pockets." Wills admitted to his part in the incident.

"I played good cop to his bad, because I was holding my niece at the time." Ron shrugged.

"Are those his items?" Kings eyed the lot at Harry's feet.

Harry nodded, "I'm afraid that none of them are in working order anymore, but yes those are his tools of the trade."

Kings pointed his wand at the items in question and then they were no more. "I will need his ID and wallet to give to Smitty." He held out his hand for the items in question and Harry gave them to him.

"It's all set for us to shoot some smashingly choice photos" Cassie returned with Mac and Colin on her heels.

"Hi ya Kings. What did we miss?" Mac grinned at him.

"Nothing of importance to you, Mac," Kings frowned at him. "Why aren't you training Draco?"

"Max let us have the afternoon off, so I came a calling on my babe." Mac kissed the top of Cassie's sunny blonde head. "Why are you out of hiding? Did some moron try to take snaps of Hermione and the girls?"

"Something like that." Kings pocketed Darby's ID and wallet. "Well, make yourself useful, check the area for any other fools, and then report to me." He decided to put Mac back to work.

"Come off it Kingsley, I'm off duty!" Mac grumbled.

"You are an Auror! We are never off duty! Now move your arse!" Kings snarled.

"Mac, it will ease all of our minds if you make sure that no one else is skulking around the grounds." Cassie turned to look up into his eyes. "Then after the shoot we can go out for a bite to eat or catch a muggle movie." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

Mac pulled her into his arms and kissed her back, before reluctantly ending the kiss and growling. "Fine, I'll do it for your piece of mind and because I don't like the muggle sharks skulking around my friends."

"That's why I love you so much." She beamed up at him. "Your protective nature towards those you care about."

Mac stared down at her in disbelief, as if he were hearing things. "Say that again…"

"She loves your worthless hide…now move your sorry arse." Kingsley smirked.

"You are hopeless." Colin shook his head at him is disbelief.

"She's always tolerated me and my antics, but this is the first time she's ever told me that she loves me." Mac had a silly grin on his face.

"Yeah, well, I do now get going so I can work my magic." Cassie laughed when he kissed her again.

"I love you too." Mac kissed her a third time, before letting her go, so he could make sure the area was clear.

"Colin show them the location while I gather my camera equipment." She was once again focused on the task and they continued with the shoot.

--

(Later that afternoon at Auror headquarters)

James sat behind his desk, while Sirius casually sat in a leather chair with his feet propped up on the desk. They were both eyeing Harry, who had come to see them with Dani still sound asleep in her baby sling.

"You can't take matters like this into your own hands that's what the Obliviator Squad is for." James kept his tone neutral as not to awaken his granddaughter.

"James has a point, Harry. Jinxing them with a rash or pox marks is understandable, but altering their memory is a bit overboard even for you." Sirius agreed with James.

"Obliviate is a complex spell to cast, even if you are The Next Merlin. You have to be in control of your emotions or accidents like this one occur." James got up and began to pace the front of the fireplace in his office.

"The git saw Hermione conjure a changing table for the girls, so I acted accordingly." Harry also kept his tone neutral, as he responded to what they were saying.

"Which was well within your right to do so, but you should have let Kingsley handle the problem." James frowned at his son. "You are Half-Blood Prince, not some unknown wizard protecting his pack, so like it or not there is protocol for you to follow."

"We know that this is a pain in the arse pill for you to swallow, but when out in the muggle eye that's what you're to do from now on." Sirius couldn't believe that he was saying this to him.

"You're lucky that I didn't do a Lockhart on his arse and banish him to another country." Harry muttered under his breath, but then got serious about the situation. "I will try to let Kingsley handle things from now on, but I make no promises when it comes to protecting what's mine." Harry was dead serious and meant every word. "Now if that's all you two wanted, then I'm returning home to relax before the whole Royal headache begins tomorrow."

"Son, Kingsley and the others are there to make things easier on you please try, and remember that." James placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I've been taking care of what's mine for seventeen years; maybe you should remember that before assuming anything about me." Harry glared defiantly into his fathers eyes. "I take care of what's mine, always have, and always will. I do not care for nor do I need handlers. No matter if it's protocol or not."

"No one is trying to leash you kid, but now the dark times are over it's time to let someone else handle protecting the pack for a while. Now who better than someone that has been watching over you since fifth year and who you trust with your life." Sirius got up walked over to him and placed his hand on his other shoulder. "You deserve a break, after all that you've been through, so let us be the ones to keep the pack safe all right."

"Look it's not something that I can turn off, but I will try to let Kingsley do his job." Harry decided the only way he was getting out of here was to compromise.

"That's all we want you to do." James was pleased that their lecture had worked on him.

"Good then I'm going home that is unless there is something else you two want to lecture me about." Harry was impatient to get home.

"No, that about covers it. I'll see you at home." James bent down to kiss Dani's forehead, "You be a good girl for your daddy."

Dani opened one eye to glare at him for disturbing her slumber.

"She's graduated from porting to me, to jinxing those who annoy Hermione now." Harry placed a pacifier in her mouth that Dani angrily began sucking on.

"Osborne?" Sirius chuckled. "She did that to him?"

"Yeah, that was Dani's first try at jinxing someone for not being nice to her mum." Harry grinned.

"Then get this little one home and happy again." James scratched at his arm.

"Sorry about that Dad, but I guess she didn't like it that you got me upset and then woke her up as well." Harry chuckled.

"Like mother like daughter." Sirius smothered a laugh as the rash spread up James arm. "In spades."

"I'll tell mum that you might have to stop by St. Mungo's before you come home." Harry glanced down at Dani, clearly pleased with herself. "No more jinxing family members Danielle Stephanie Anastasia. Your grandpa was not meaning to wake you up."

:Mama protect us from bad man.: Dani growled. :Dada protect us. Gampa no right be mad at Dada.:

"Hermione cast that spell on Darby?" James ignored the rash that was spreading at an alarming rate and focused on his son.

"I used Levicorpus and Silencio on him, but Mione cast Obliviate." Harry grinned sheepishly. "After all her and I are a team."

"We suspected as much since the bloke didn't end up mumbling who am I." Sirius smirked.

"Yeah, well, I didn't wish for her to get into any trouble, so I took the blame. For the record Lockhart was using Ron's broken wand all it did second year was backfire on him. In a sense he did that to himself. Besides, it was either him or the two of us at the time and I had a job to do that being saving Ginny." Harry reached out his hand and took hold of his father's wrist. "This one is on me." He concentrated on healing the rash and it slowly faded away.

"Thanks son, now as for Hermione, well, she was a mum protecting her girls."

"Just try to let Kings handle it from now on." Sirius grinned.

Harry's mobile rang and he answered it. "Hello sweetness, no everything is fine. I'm just chatting with Dad and Uncle Sirius…Yes I know that it's past her bedtime…she's sleeping in her sling. All right be home in a few minutes…love you too, bye." He ended the call. "I'll see you back home. Mione requests that Dani be tucked in her nursery with her sisters." Harry vanished.

"Prongs you missed your chance to make him promise not to do anything rash this weekend." Sirius went back to going over some files.

"I'll find time tonight." James went back to reading the dossiers on all the Aurors under his charge.

--

(Back at Sanctuary)

Harry had stopped into a bookstore and bought several copies of HBP and two sets of audio book CD's as well. He was determined to hear or read what JK had written. "Dani's safe in her crib. I'm going to…" Hermione was wearing a gown of sheer white silk chiffon lace and by the smell of it had powdered herself with the creamy kissable body shimmer. The only lights in their bedroom were coming from the candles that she had lit throughout the room. Any thought of reading skipped his mind, as he drank in the sight of her in the sheer transparent gown.

Hermione glided over to him and slinked up against him like a cat. "You're going to what Wolfe?" She purred up at him.

"I'm going to let my beautiful wife have her way with me." Harry gave up any hopes of reading HBP, with a wave of his hand sent the tote filled with his buys onto the bookshelf in the corner, and focused on Hermione.

"I thought you might see things my way, Wolfe. Last time I wore this was Valentines Day night. I thought you might be more cooperative this time round." She walked her fingers up his chest, as she purred into his ear. "You see, I'm much more enjoyable than reading something that would only upset you." She trailed kisses across his jaw line.

"Mione, I'm at your mercy at the moment." He growled between kisses. "I am going to read that book, maybe not this weekend, but after that." His mind was shutting down and he just barely was able to get that out before succumbing to her mercy.

--

Later that evening…

Harry had snuck the audio CD's into his Discman and was listening to it as he was making dinner that evening. "That's just wrong is what that is." He muttered as he fixed the soup that he was preparing for dinner.

Hermione, who was baking biscuits for dessert narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. "What's that you're listening to?"

Harry finished with the veggies adding them into the pot with the chicken and noodles already stewing inside. "I was constantly visited by everyone. No one let me be for a fortnight," He continued to grumble about what he was listening to. "Bill and Charlie came and got me in a Ministry car. Uncle Albus was acting MOM. We were all still at Number Twelve. This is all rubbish."

"Are you listening to an audio version of book six?" Hermione noticed the earpieces in his ears and reached over to jack the volume up to high.

Harry whipped the earpieces out of his ears and glared at her. "What the hell were you trying to do bust my eardrums!?"

"Well it got your attention did it not?" Hermione hands on her hips, met Harry's glare with an even darker one of her own. "Are you listening to an audio CD of HBP or not?!"

"She makes me out to be…" Harry yelped in pain when Hermione reached up and yanked on his ear. "Oi! Hermione! It's my life! My name! I have a right to see what she created with it!"

"After this weekend is over maybe, but not a moment before, you are not going to take your temper out on everyone because of that book!" She pinched his earlobe so hard that he was stooping and their eyes were now level. "Do we have an understanding or not?!"

"All right, Mione, You win! Now let go of me ear!" Harry admitted defeat.

"I should have known that you had a back up plan, Wolfe! Swear to me the book is off-limits for the next three days!" She yanked even harder on his ear.

"Woman I said you won! Isn't that enough for you!?"

"Swear to me that you are at my mercy all weekend and will not think of that book!" Hermione increased the pressure on his ear.

"I'm at your mercy with just a look…" He yelped as pain shot all the way to his toes. "I swear it! What do you want from me an Unbreakable Vow!?" He shouted in pain and frustration at being caught.

"I know you never break your word, so isn't necessary." She finally let him go then stood on tiptoe to kiss away any pain that she may have caused.

"What's burning?" James poked his head into the kitchen.

"Son of a bitch! Now I have to start all over again!" Harry grumbled and with a wave of his hand sent the smoking pot over to the sink.

"Want me to fix dinner. You look distracted." James offered to take over.

"No, Dad, I can fix dinner just fine thanks. Mione and I were just having a disagreement about something and I got distracted." Harry once again had soup brewing on the stove.

"Anything I can do to help solve it?" Asked James.

"Find all the copies of book six that he bought today and keep them out of his reach for the next three days."

"Come off it Hermione! I promised you and that should be enough!"

"Give him your Discman, Harry James." She went as far as to point her wand at him.

Harry eyed her in disbelief that she was this hell-bent on keeping him from reading or listening to the book. "Sure, my lioness, giving it all to dad," He handed over what he had on him involving book six. "See just like I promised now put the wand away."

"One sweep of the manor coming right up," James retreated from the kitchen and out of harms way.

Harry managed to save his soup before it started to burn again. "So homemade bread as well for dinner?" He eyed her warily.

"That would be lovely, Wolfe." She calmly went back to baking her double fudge chocolate chip biscuits, as if nothing had gone awry. "I'm only doing this for your own well-being. I've read it and it's as if she was influenced by darkness while writing this version."

"Yeah, I got that much from listening to the first few chapters. It's like she wants the bad guys to win this round, at least in this one. I skimmed the book and wasn't pleased with any of it." Harry put the bread in one of the ovens.

"Ron dated Lavender for less than a week sixth year. Luna went out with Neville for a while, but only to catch Ron's eye. Ginny dated Dean until just before Valentines Day, after that she was determined to change Draco. You were a Prefect as well as Quidditch Captain. Snape was told to let you in potions by Uncle Albus and Mad eye Moody taught DADA. You used your Dad's copy of Advanced Potions Making and it had all sorts of hints and spells. I researched the HBP ring not book and you never let on about the prophecy to either of us or about your secret nightly training agenda. Uncle Albus gave you lessons in Legilimens, Occlumency, and the list goes on. You didn't stick your head in a pensive all the time nor were you obsessed with finding out what Draco was up to. Everyone was broken out of Azkaban. Sirius talked to you through his portrait and the two-way mirror, not only that but you also got to talk to your parents. You were only obsessed with playing your role as good as you could, keeping us safe, and training so you wouldn't get dead facing Voldemort. Everyone went into hiding, but the Order managed to keep most everyone safe. Uncle Severus did not betray any of us at all. Tonks and Charlie fell for each other. Fleur wasn't near as annoying as she portrays her in the book. Lupin kept a constant eye on us as did the rest of the Order and those are just a handful of things that happened that she got wrong." Hermione surmised some of their sixth year.

"You are amazing my Mione, but the book did say Property of the HBP as well as Prongs. That's why you knew the ring had to be my family heirloom and not a trap of some kind." Harry took the bread out of the oven and her tenth batch of biscuits. "I read all about my hot steamy romance with Gin. My god! I only kissed her twice that was because she got me under the mistletoe and once when she got me on Valentines Day as the Kissing Bandit. You caught me, as did Luna that year under the mistletoe. Ron didn't speak to me for a month. You followed me or tried to wherever I went and even had Moaning Myrtle spy on me when you couldn't. The DA was my stress relief and she didn't even include that. Luna commentating well that did happen, but she knows more about Quidditch than that. You never tried to play even when we asked you, so part about you being horrible at Quidditch was a cheap shot."

"Well, how did you feel when you caught Ron kissing me under the mistletoe?" Hermione remembered all too well the look of jealousy and confusion on his face. He nevertheless continued to speak to her regardless of his feelings that told her how he felt even if he still hadn't realized it yet.

"I was jealous and hated myself for it, because Ron was my best mate and you were my best friend whom I couldn't live without. I focused on training, class, and everything else instead." Harry set more bread and two more trays of biscuits into the oven. "It didn't help that I was dubbed 'The Chosen one' or that only telling you half of what was said in it made you hell-bent on finding out the rest."

"You were the catch of the year in all the girls eyes that's why I checked everything you ate for love potions." Hermione giggled when he goosed her. "No seriously. I will admit that seeing you kiss Ginny made me see red more than that innocent kiss with Luna."

"Oh really, I hadn't noticed. You sent one of your conjured canaries at me just for peaking at your essay. That yellow little devil chased me all the way into Uncle Albus' office and still it chased me for over an hour. He was highly amused by the way. I had to figure out the counter myself. Then if memory serves me correctly, you refused to look over any of my essays for weeks. While you gladly helped Ron with his. Lucky for me Dad's journals came with his Advanced Potions Book." Harry found himself kissed senseless by his wife. "Kissing Gin was like kissing a sister there was no spark. It was the same with Luna. Now you on the other hand, well, I fantasized a lot about snogging you. You caught me under the mistletoe for a full ten minutes, before you glided off leaving to run to the prefect bathroom for a Glaciusly cold bath."

"I know. Moaning Myrtle told me all about your nightly cold baths that occurred sometimes in the middle of the night." Hermione laughed when Harry blushed. "Oh and Harry that Kissing Bandit sixth year that pulled you into a corner and snogged you for over ten minutes more than once, that was me not Ginny."

Harry lifted her until they were eye to eye. "I wasn't that caught up in everything not to notice who was kissing me, but then you never once let on that it was you."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes shining with love for him, and said causally. "Ron was in a fix over his feelings for Luna and his belief that he was also crushing on me, so I chose my moments around you carefully. Especially, after the way Ron reacted about our kiss under the mistletoe, but that was more about Luna than it was about me."

"That was one interesting Christmas holiday that's for sure, not even a Nimbus 2004 got him to talk to me. I guess he was also toasted at me, because Luna got me a present and so did you. Luna got me a dragon tooth medallion to ward off dragons and she got Ron a card and some chocolate frogs. You got me a set of DADA books that helped me in my training. Ron got a journal to write in, which by the way he threw at my head…" Harry trip down memory lane was cut off when she kissed him.

"Some of us would like to eat before Spring." Rory stood in the doorway.

"Dinner is in five minutes, Rory. We were just discussing our sixth year." Harry set Hermione back down onto her feet.

"Sixth year," Rory frowned. "You aren't going on about that other version of Book Six are you?"

"Don't worry yourself over it. We were just reminiscing about old times. Dad is making the book scarce until Mione thinks otherwise." Harry went back to finishing dinner.

"I'm not worried little brother, just concerned about this weekend is all." Rory went back to Wills, who was setting the dining room table for dinner.

Harry went after his sister to soothe her hurt feelings. "Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm fine. It's a sore spot with me, but that's as it should be. I promised Mione to leave it lay for now and that's what I plan to do." He hugged her.

"Wills called Jo this evening about printing the other manuscript in the Wizarding World. She thinks it's a good idea. She saw the broadcast yesterday, she knows that you are not happy, and admits that this other version came about in one of her darker writing moods. Fred and George are just waiting for your approval to start printing it." Rory thought he'd be all for the idea, but she was wrong.

"I want to write it myself, but she can have the twins publish her version of it as well." Harry had his mind-set on it.

"We could write it from yours and my view." Hermione liked his idea.

"Now that would be an interesting read." Dromi joined them.

"Yes well, we shall see what the cards hold, but for now it's time to have a nice family dinner." Harry headed back into the kitchen with Hermione on his heels.

--

Chapter 15

Pomp en circumstance

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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.

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Cindra 2004-2008