-oo0oo-
Chapter 3.- The Potter family and their new friends.
It was a lovely day for a beach picnic and Hermione got a close example of how a magical home functioned. Winky was indispensable to Harry's children as the house-elf in question snapped her fingers and it applied a sunscreen charm on the spot for all. The Potter children then said in stereo, "Thank you Winky."
Winky then snapped her fingers and Hermione's dress changed into a red and gold bikini and, after, Hermione felt the sunscreen charm applied to her. She smiled at Winky and added: "Thank you Winky."
The regal woman attired in tasteful beach-wear in crimson and gold took a seat close to the twins, while the triplets built a sandcastle.
Dan and Emma too joined the scene after being properly attired by Winky. The elders asked if they could lend a hand in building the sandcastle.
Paddy didn't ask, he knew he was a part of the building crew. His expertise in sand digging made everyone a recipient of a sand bath.
Everyone was laughing out loud at the big, shaggy dog's antics.
Only then, a fresh voice interrupted. "Oh Sweet Merlin, Hermione is that you?"
Hermione turned to the man calling out to her. "Theo, what are you doing here?"
Again, Paddy began growling. Daphne appeared and said, "Well, you heard her, what are you doing here?"
Paddy yelped in fear as Daphne asked and Harry smiled coyly behind her, as he added, "Ah counselor Nott, good day. Allow me to present my PR, attorney Daphne Greengrass."
Theo mumbled in response. "I'm here because today is my day off, plus there's a music festival due to it being Valentine's day. Look?"
He pointed at a big gathering about three kilometers away. "I was walking, and I noticed Hermione here. I just couldn't believe she took a day off, so I had to be sure."
"Well, now you have seen her. It was great meeting you again, but if you'll excuse me, I have to tend to my guests, take care," said Harry dismissively.
"Oh, ah, right, Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger, good day?" Both Grangers nodded but did not take their eyes away from the receding figure of Theodore Nott, returning to the huge gathering three kilometers away.
Daphne too did not lose sight of Nott until he was away. She then turned to Winky and added, "Winky, could you place a mild Confundus and repelling charm so no one comes close, please?"
Winky looked at Harry. He softly nodded, and the new repelling charms got defined and in place. Daphne turned to Harry and said, "I have to return to the office; you have family and friends to entertain, rain check on our talk though?"
Harry nodded and said, "Okay, thanks though, for being one in a million."
Daphne smiled sadly and then, with a roll of her eyes, she added. "Yeah, yeah, anyway, I've got to run, talk to you later."
Without a big fuss, she turned to the audience behind her and added, "Winky, Tim, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Madame Puckle, children, good day to you all." She nodded and shifted away. A moment later, Harry asked, "Well, who's hungry?"
Paddy trotted to Harry who said, "Paddy you're always hungry, but that's okay. I've got a steak with your name on it." Paddy's answer to this promise was immediate. He jumped and slobbered on Harry's face. Harry protested, "No Paddy, not on my face, get off me, ugh."
Dan smiled and said to Emma, "I got the feeling that he's pretty amazing."
"What makes you say that?" asked Emma.
"I don't know. That Mr. Potter has the charisma to have anyone eating out of his hand, his beautiful children, a loyal crew, and a big dog that adores him. That, plus the smile on Queenie's face. I hate this, Emma. All my life it has scared me that my Queenie might choose a clown, like that Weasel boy in her teens, or an athletic moron like that Krum in her mid-twenties, or heaven forbid that stupid leech of a lawyer. But never someone like that guy." He pointed at Harry, now busy firing the grill. "I mean, I'm supposed to be the big overprotecting father here and, from the start, he's outmaneuvered me and enchanted my wife and daughter. All I can do is wonder, why can't I hate him more?"
Emma smiled and hugged her husband and replied, "I know sweetie, I'm scared too. Being here... It's like my dreams and my nightmares are taking form. We knew, ever since Hermione was born… Well, I knew, I felt like she was meant for great things. Not even once has she failed to deliver on those great promises. But I too was afraid for her heart or heartache. After so many years of watching her being alone and afraid of people, claustrophobic, workaholic, and so many other things. To see her so happy for a change, so full of hope and genuinely enjoying children, next to that man. Well, as you can guess, I'm breathless. How do you cope with the promise of joy and separation in one place?"
Lily noticed the elder Grangers talking in sotto voices. She couldn't read lips but noticed their feelings. It was her gift. However, when Mrs. Granger asked the last question in a higher tone, Lily understood the question better than anyone. She got close to Mrs. Granger.
"I can tell you." Both elders turned to the little girl and noticed her emerald eyes, kindness, and open demeanor. Lily blinked and gently took a seat next to them. She took each of their hands and formed a circle. As she began talking, the sand started shifting inside the circle and creating a miniature sand scene. The scene displayed a hospital bed, on the bed, a beautiful woman, and next to her, a small girl. "When my mommy was about to depart, she called me. I was so small, but she told me I would always be the strongest of my siblings and gave her last secrets. One was that she was a fairy that had taken form as a woman, because it was a fairy reward for her, that through her life as a woman, she would meet a wonderful man, and she would have five children. But, after the last baby had arrived, her heart would return to her normal fairy size, and she would have to depart. It was true, after my baby sisters Celeste and Selene appeared, her heart suffered. She called me and asked me not to cry too much for her, because she was returning home. However, she still had a little fairy power to pass on one last message. I would be the sister to six siblings and not four, and that the next pair would be a gift from another fairy. But not just any fairy, this would be a Fairy Queen. A unique fairy that would shine like the sun, would be as fierce as a lioness, and would make my daddy her King. I still cried a lot, and I was happy for my mommy that she was going back to her home. But I was also broken-hearted that she left us. Still, daddy did it, he found the fairy Queen. Now I just have to wait for the Queen to marry him, and for them to send for the babies."
"Send for the babies?" asked Dan.
"Yes, send for the babies. There's a baby catalog, you choose and after nine months you pick them up at the hospital, just like Selene and Celeste."
Both Grangers cried and laughed which confused Lily. Lily asked, "Are you okay?"
"Oh Lily, wonderful Lily, would you mind if Dan and I give you a Granger hug?" asked Emma with clear joy.
Lily nodded, and both Grangers held her happily. Paddy jumped into the hug and started licking both Grangers and Lily.
Hermione rose from where she was sitting and approached while the elders and Lily laughed themselves silly. Lily said, "Paddy. stop it, don't be jealous. They love you too." And then the little one dissolved into laughter again.
Hermione smiled, everything was going too fast. But then again, a ride to her vault in Gringotts was just as fast, and that too led her to treasure. According to Lily, she was a Fairy Queen. She would be brave too as soon as her knees stop trembling and she could avoid the fidgeting.
"Wow, look at them, my children are fuzzy and don't like people off the bat, but your parents are wonderful. It makes sense you know, they created you," said Harry.
"How old is Lily?"
"I'm not sure. Her birth certificate says six, but I think she's close to thirty, thanks to her maturity," replied Harry with a smile.
"You are a wonderful father," said Hermione.
"I love my children. I'm still learning how to be a good parent. Winky, Tim, and Paddy have been crucial for my sanity. Still, I'm only human."
"Yeah, I'm learning too, to be human that is," added Hermione.
"Well then, you're at the perfect spot to develop your humanity." He drew her in a hug. Tim took the cooking prongs out of his hand and made a gesture for him to join his guests. Harry nodded in thanks and walked hand in hand with Hermione.
Hermione smiled and said to his ear, "I'm still scared."
Harry drew a lump side smile and replied in a sotto voice, "Oh, you mean I'm not the only one who's afraid that this might be a dream?"
"I'm pinching myself silly and this doesn't seem like a dream. I'm just not used to things like this happening to me, I'm used to heartbreak, of always fighting tooth and nail for my goals, and constantly being told by circumstances. 'Oh, you didn't get it your way, better luck next time!' I'm so familiar with the disappointment that it's part of my subconscious. I had to grow claws instead of nails, to make my skin thick just to resist all the taunting and jabbing. Then, suddenly, you step into my personal space and for a moment remind me how to feel, how to be vulnerable and not this shell in the shape of a woman. I mean, who does that nowadays? Only the one person my lawyer is trying to take to court! Merlin! I've never felt so stupid."
"Hey, you're not stupid, nor alone. You're a freaking Fairy Queen that kissed a clown. The only one who could see through my hidden faces, that doesn't mind all my baggage; the being that has what my world was lacking: desire, ingenuity, brilliance, and the promise of new dreams. Look around you and now tell me what you see?"
"What?"
"Stay still and look."
In front of them, Emma and Daniel were enjoying the way the triplets finished building the sandcastle, while gently rocking Celeste and Selene on their chests. Paddy drooled happily next to the Grill, while Tim tended and seasoned the steaks. Winky was smiling at the table she had just finished dressing up as a proper feast, for very exclusive friends.
Harry felt Hermione close up in a hug. "If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up. If this is real, I want to stay. I don't want to be afraid anymore and I don't want to be alone and one more thing." She pulled on his face and hissed. "You are not a clown! You are a very brave and sexy man and I love your easy way of talking yourself out of a tight spot."
"Stay."
"You seriously don't mind going so fast?" asked Hermione.
"No, if I win, I win. If not, I'll lose."
"What about the children? Moving your life to join mine, our lawyers biting each other's heads off, my workplace and my work."
"We will have to make compromises. You will make space to fit us into your tight schedule, plus I'm an excellent cook and I'm certified masseuse," said Harry.
"Are you trying to convince me to take you because you're a masseuse?" Asked Hermione.
"Definitely." Answered Harry with a grin.
"We could do a trial period, or get your money-back guarantee?" Probed Hermione while tapping her chin.
Harry smiled and said, "I can't believe that you're the same HJP that was planning to have me for breakfast if I continue using the beauty brand initials."
"I promised to take action, didn't I?" Asked Hermione.
"Yes, you did." Harry blinked and blushed.
"Oh, dear Merlin. Are you going to play the sexy slave and I'm to be the female version of Jabba the Hutt?" Asked Hermione.
"I was thinking more about the plotline of Star Trek when Tasha Yar wears that sexy sarong and bikini top and seduces Data?" Answered Harry.
"Oh my God, you have got to be kidding me. You geek!" said Hermione.
"Yes, guilty. I mean, yesterday I was trying hard to keep myself in check while I had this gorgeous woman on top of me trembling… You woke the nerd in me, not just Captain Caveman, plus I have a ton of scenarios to go on for years. But I'll keep it simple. I'm not frail, and whatever you want is yours, as long as I get to kiss every inch of your body before we fall to sleep."
"Only if you promise to be patient and remind me it's only one day at a time, that could make this, us, work. I mean, I've already had two boyfriends or passing fancies. Both of them convinced me I was not compatible with love. One kept calling me a nightmare know-it-all, and the other kept mispronouncing my name, Hermi-o-ninny, and comparing me with the Veela cheerleaders from his team. In short, inadequate," said Hermione in a sotto voice.
"Well, you showed them, didn't you?" asked Harry.
"That I could build myself up? That I could create beauty products to mimic and reproduce the Allure of Veela? Yes! And with muggle-magical ways, so that muggles and magical could use them? HELL YES!"
Harry smiled and took Hermione's face in his hands. "Then, let's make this, us, shine. Let's get back at life, and fuck our lonely journey, up to now," said Harry while he lifted his middle finger at the sky.
Hermione laughed at Harry's rude gesture.
"Daddy!" exclaimed a shocked Lily.
Harry cringed.
Emma and Dan smiled at Harry's and Hermione's interaction. They could only hope that the relationship would develop beyond the courtship.
To Winky and Tim, it was a significant change.
To the children, it was great news. Their father was lucky.
After, the day at the beach was at a close. Hermione invited the Potter family to come to visit her home. Tim drove them as the children prepared for dinner. Paddy received a bath.
They dropped Emma and Dan at their home with their vehicle in a small size. When they arrived at Hermione's home, the five children were asleep. Tim and Winky retreated while Paddy kept guard of the nursery.
Hermione said as she guided Harry to her bedroom. "Come on, I'm too tired to do naughty things to you. I just want to hold you, boyfriend."
Harry stopped before the door frame, took her into his arms, and carried her to her bed. As he placed her on the bed, she kissed his cheek and pulled him next to her.
Before their heads touched the pillow, both were out like a light.