Hi everyone!

So, this chapter is going to be like: first half FLUFF and KIDS and CUTE. Second half ANGST and PAIN and... communication, I guess. Smut for the second half of the story. It's gonna be a rollercoaster!

Question to all my readers: I originally planned for Teddy and Harry's bit to be a lot longer as well (they would kind of bond over Harry's Patronus), please let me know that even if it doesn't really add to the plot, you'd want to read it anyway. I might tie it in somehow or release it as an extra chapter after all of this is done if you guys are interested :) I simply love Teddy and Harry together, but I don't want to bore you with too much fluffy fillers. So, please let me know!

I might update a bit later from now on. The country where I live in has lifted some of the travel and contact bans and I will be seeing friends and family (at a safe distance!) more often. So be prepared.

Thanks again to all my bookmarkers, reviewers, commentators, followers and readers. I am so grateful for you all! You make my day.

Love, Flora.

Chapter 24: How Harry didn't think he could be but in fact did get even closer to Hermione Granger

'A Knight bus!' Teddy Lupin gasped, wide-eyed. 'My very own Knight bus! Thank you, Uncle Harry!'

Harry knew he was spoiling his godson, but he hadn't been able to resist buying the replica for him when he saw it at the store that Friday, browsing for an appropriate maternity gift for Fleur. He and Teddy had taken the Knight Bus not that long ago, as Harry knew the little boy was fascinated by cars, trains, busses and brooms.

'D'you wanna play with me?' Teddy asked, eyes glistening with excitement, and Harry laughed.

'Of course! What are we playing?'

'Well, I'll be the chauffeur, and you can buy a ticket from me!' the little boy explained.

'The chauffeur has to drive,' Harry reminded him. 'You know who does the tickets, right? Not the chauffeur, but-…'

'The conductor!' Teddy squealed. 'Now I remember! Yes, I want to be the conductor, and gramps can be the chauffeur. Okay gramps?'

Arthur, who sat adjacent to them, was bouncing little Molly on his lap.

'Of course, little Ted!'

'All aboard!' Teddy started, and Harry laughed.

'Well, if you're a real conductor, you need a proper hat, don't you?'

Teddy nodded fast, a glow in his little eyes, as Harry drew his wand and began to sketch the outlines of Stan Shunpike's hat. Aside from Potions, Transfiguration was one of the subjects Harry had really picked up on, as he had been practicing a lot for it during his Auror training. Disguising and concealing had been one of the biggest subjects, so Harry had been forced to become really adept in clothing spells, as he was supposed to transfigure or summon articles of clothing that would make him blend into any crowd.

It took Harry just a few minutes to create a replica of Stan's cap, and it was a bit too big for Teddy as the visor kept falling over his eyes, but he looked absolutely adorable.

'Where do you wanna go, sir?' Teddy asked.

'I need to go to the Ministry of Magic,' Harry said.

'Okay! That will be… Two sickles, please!'

Harry put some air into Teddy's open palm and he chuckled.

'There we go!'

Teddy picked up his bus and ran across the conservatory, creating a large "VROOM"-sound. The room, with large glass windows that went up to the ceiling, was absolutely packed with red-haired family members of its owners. Bill and Fleur Weasley.

Harry watched as Teddy would ask other family members to buy non-existent tickets as well. Hermione sat a few chairs away from him, Dominique draped across her chest as she usually was, in deep conversation with Nicky. She and Ron had decided to tell the family members about their own pregnancy today.

'Are you nervous?' Harry asked to his best red-headed friend. Ron had been entertaining Victoire with the present Harry had bought her, as he knew how painful it could be to watch others get a present at that age without receiving one themselves. The glistening, pearl-white plushy neighed softly as Victoire cuddled it on her uncle's lap.

'I'm okay,' Ron said, smiling lovingly at the little girl on his lap. 'It's just… Like we talked about on Friday when you guys came over, a normal pregnancy is a lot easier than a twin pregnancy. Nicky is… You know, she's it, for me, there is no one in this world that can amount to how much I care about her. And I don't want any harm to come to her. It's like I know that she's at risk, but there's no way that I can keep her from it, this time. She will be at risk for the next couple of months at least. And that scares the sh-… the shoot out of me.'

Harry nodded.

'I understand. But the Healers at St. Mungo's will keep a close watch, right?'

'Yes. Check-ups every two weeks for now. She has to take these potions to keep her levels up – no idea what kind of levels or what they do, but the potions taste like-… They taste bad,' Ron said, scowling at himself for almost swearing twice in the matter of a few seconds with a toddler with very good hearing on his lap. 'And she has to do it all by herself, under her own power. The only thing I can do is run to the store at 2AM to get her whatever she wants. And you know, backrubs and massages and all that, but it still makes me feel utterly useless. I hate that.'

'You're doing all that you can and you're doing it well,' Harry said. 'Don't worry about that. You and Nicky work as a team and she appreciates all the effort you're making. I talked about it with her when we were in the kitchen preparing the food for our culinary disaster boy- and girlfriend last Friday. She's really happy with all the effort you're making.'

Ron's chest puffed out a bit and he smiled.

'By the way, when I asked "are you nervous", I didn't mean the pregnancy itself. I meant the announcement. Molly and Arthur know, right?'

'Yep. And Gin, but you were there when we told her. She doesn't know about the double trouble, though.'

'Should be fun,' Harry grinned, as Teddy came running back to him.

'We have come at your destination, sir!' he exclaimed, face bright. 'We hope you have a pleasant day! And now, if it's okay Uncle Harry, the bus is feeling a little tired, so can I sit on your lap?'

He climbed on Harry's legs and put the conductor's cap on Harry's head. Harry laughed at what Teddy said.

'Oh, is the bus tired? You're sure Teddy's not tired as well?'

'Nu-uh,' Teddy said, shaking his head with sleepy eyes. 'Just the bus, Uncle Harry!'

He was so unbelievably fond of the boy. He had never experienced anything like it, but when Teddy made little bus-noises, riding his toy across the table, he couldn't help but feel very protective and very… fatherly? It was a good feeling, a feeling he only got when he was with Teddy, something he had felt when he first held him but had only grown stronger and stronger over the years. Ron read the look on Harry's face.

'I know. Just imagine though, having two of my own in a few months' time,' Ron said, lovingly stroking Victoire's head as she had fallen asleep against his chest, the Unicorn pressed tightly against her. 'I mean – when they sleep or play quietly, they are really kind of nice, don't you think? It's probably not so bad. And when they're older, they have each other to keep themselves busy, right?'

They were interrupted when Bill and Fleur entered the room, holding a little bundle in their arms. The family cheered and yelled their congratulations. Everyone lined up for a little peek of the newest Weasley. Harry, Teddy perched on his shoulders, and Hermione gave their presents together. It was nice to be able to wrap his hand around her waist and place a soft kiss on her lips, without the antithesis of having to worry if they looked engaged enough and without having to worry that they looked too close to be just friends. Hermione gave him a heart-warming smile: the kind that made his stomach flutter, and Teddy cooed from Harry's shoulders.

'Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione are in love!'

'Yes, we are,' Harry answered proudly, and Hermione playfully rolled her eyes.

They gave Fleur and Bill their present – a charmed mobile that played both French and British children songs – and looked at the blonde-haired boy. He was absolutely precious. Teddy wanted to look closer and Harry hoisted him over his head and held him in front of the baby, so he could get a proper view. Harry noticed that Bill whispered something to Hermione, with a concerning look on his face. He didn't manage to catch what he was saying, however, and Teddy quickly demanded his attention, before he returned to his chair.

'Now, different subject: how is the engagement going?' Ron teased as Harry sat down again.

'Oh, sod off.'

'No, you said you managed to Confund Philip's professor, how did it go?'

'He's been accepted back into the program,' Harry said. 'Philip called yesterday morning to thank me once again. He's got this grand gesture planned for Lydia this afternoon – flowers, candles, the works. Hermione had been talking with Lydia the last couple of days. She was fuming at first, but Hermione really got through to her. She has a way with words.'

'Sure Hermione didn't use Confundus as well?' Ron grinned. 'Joking, you're probably right. She gets into your head, that one. And if that grand gesture works, the wedding back on?'

'Yep!' Harry said, happily. 'So they'll get off our backs and Hermione and I will probably either lie to Aunty Penelope and Grandma Eugenia and tell we've eloped, or...'

'Or what?'

Harry felt some colour rise to his cheeks and checked if no one was listening in. Teddy was playing on the ground with his Knight Bus, Molly was running after the other grandchildren except for Dominique, who had resumed her slumber in Hermione's embrace. The other Weasleys were either busy with Louis or had conversations of their own.

'Or... You know... It's going really well, so...'

'No way! You're thinking about asking her?' Ron almost yelled and Harry looked punishingly at him.

'Maybe shout a bit harder for the people in the back, I don't think everyone got that,' Harry groaned.

'Oh, shit,' Ron cursed, and then he looked around to see if there were no kids around. 'Sorry. But, wow! You're sure?'

Harry shrugged, playing with the hat on the table.

'It's something I've been thinking about for a week or so. As you say, Nicky is "it" for you, well... I don't need to tell you how much Hermione means to me. And the thought of her marrying another guy has given me murderous tendencies for the last couple of days. That's telling, don't you think?'

'I'm sure she'll say yes,' Ron said, determined. 'She is crazy about you. I mean - she's always been crazy, but... You know what I mean.'

Harry smiled and looked at Hermione, who casually kissed the top of Dominique's head as she lifted her up from her chest and gave her to Fleur, so she could take her nap.

'I'm not sure if she'd have me, though. Eventually - sure. But with this whole engagement thing... I don't want to rush things just because I wanted to make an ass out of her cousin. The same cousin I'm helping now, mind you. It's too soon, right? We've been dating for a month. It wouldn't be... appropriate.'

'Sure, that's a fair point for almost every couple on the planet,' Ron nodded, 'but not for you two. You don't have to go through all the same rules normal couples do. You've done a lot of those things already without the official relationship label. Hard situations? Check. Camping trip for a few months? Check. Seeing each other at your lowest points and still supporting each other? Double check. Loving her, not just when she's dressed up but also if she just got out of bed and smells like a proper health-hazard? Check!'

Harry laughed.

'Ron, we all know you had the worst morning breath out of all three of us.'

'Not the point, mate. You get what I'm saying. When Nick and I started out, we needed to get to know each other. You don't. You know her better than anyone and, if I'm honest, Hermione knows you better than you do yourself. She always has.'

Ron sighed, and caught on a signal that Nicky was sending him.

'Time for the reveal, I guess. But still, Harry: you guys dated since at least our fifth year and you can't convince me otherwise. I know Gin and I got in the middle of there somewhere, but that's beside the point. This was always supposed to happen and frankly, the only new thing about your relationship is the shagging. Or, is there?'

'Stop prying, prick,' Harry chuckled. 'I'm not going to tell you anything if you're such a dick about it.'

'I'll take that as a hard no, then,' Ron said cheekily and Harry punched his arm.

Ron stood up, picked up his glass, walked over to his girlfriend and cleared his throat.

'If I may have your attention, please? Thank you. Nicky and I have an announcement to make.'

It took a while for the family to fall silent, but they finally did. Harry saw that Ron was nervous by the twitching of his fingertips, but he tried not to let anyone notice.

'Right, here's the deal. Seeing as mom is doting on her grandkids so much, Nick and I thought it would be selfish to deprive her of our own any longer. So, in short: Nick is pregnant.'

The family was silent for a moment, but then they reacted audibly, with cheers and yelps of surprise and joy. Nicky beamed: the smile on her face couldn't have been brighter.

'And,' Ron continued, 'because we don't do anything half-assed, we made sure not to just make one - in June we're expecting the arrival of not one but two new Weasley's!'

Even more reaction. Harry laughed out loud as he looked at the astounded looks of Ron's siblings.

'Twins! That's incredible!'

'Congratulations!'

'So I'll be an aunt four times? Four?! Merlin, Ron!'

'Make sure to add enough space to the living room for Christmas, mum!'

And then, finally, the family turned their attention to George, who Harry had not seen look as sad as on that fateful day in May. There was that moment where everyone realized that something might be painful to someone present - and a deafening silence fell. Angelique, who sat next to George, tilted her head at him and whispered something to him. He nodded, blinked a couple of times, then cracked a smile and stood up.

'Being a twin was the best thing that ever happened to me, Ron. I am really happy for you. And for you as well, Nick.'

Angelique looked up at her boyfriend and took his hand, squeezing a bit for comfort. George looked back at her and winked.

'And please note that I see it as my personal duty to teach them how to properly torture their parents,' he added, with a devilish grin. 'It's kind of a family tradition, after all. They'll have a reputation to live up to.'

It was a lot later than anticipated when Harry and Hermione returned to Hermione's apartment. Celebrating the birth of Louis, the pregnancy of Nicky and Ron and their imposing engagement prompted a zest for partying in the Weasleys that they hadn't known for a while. When Harry and Hermione left, the largest part of the family was still present, sipping a drink and cracking a laugh, but his girlfriend had insisted that they had a long day ahead tomorrow and he hated it, but he had to agree.

However, he soon detected an ulterior motive. As soon as they stepped out of the hearth, Hermione's lips were on his. Harry yelped against her mouth, and his surprise continued as Hermione eagerly started to massage her tongue against his. She tasted of wine – a lot of wine.

'Hmm? Where's this coming from?' he said, breaking off the kiss, but allowing her to press her frame up against his so she could feel what her snogging did to his loins.

'Watching you with Teddy the entire afternoon,' Hermione said, linking her arms around his neck. Harry grinned as she kissed him again, but he broke her off another time.

'Oh? And why would that… excite you?'

'Ovaries,' Hermione mumbled against his lips, straight-up refusing the lack of contact. 'Exploding. Too much. Clothes.'

Harry erupted with laughter as Hermione pushed him against the wall, nibbling at his neck. His joy was soon swept over with lust however, as she reached that place behind his ear, and he bucked against her with want. His mind clouded – it had already been clouded with alcohol, as was Hermione's, but he felt the lust take over as he felt her delicate hands rub him through his jeans. He moaned embarrassingly loud.

'Harry,' she panted, against his frame, struggling with his blouse and his belt at the same time. 'Harry, I want to… Feel you. If you know what I mean. Are you… Do you want to?'

Harry couldn't think. His blood wasn't exactly providing his brain with enough oxygen to function properly, and he could only reason with the throbbing need that rushed through him like adrenaline. The fact that he was drunk didn't really help. So he nodded, as they both stumbled towards the bedroom, shedding articles of clothing along their way, pressing each other up walls and furniture in the process. When they finally reached the bed, Harry was wearing his boxershorts and his socks, Hermione was wearing nothing but her bra.

She soon cast that aside as well, tearing the last remaining clothes of Harry's body, kissing his chest and shoulders, pushing him on his back. Harry had no idea what happened to Hermione – she wasn't usually so upfront; then again, she wasn't usually as sloshed – but he did agree with himself to spend a lot more time with Teddy if it meant getting this in return.

Hermione wasted no time and planted herself in Harry's lap, cradling him against her chest, settling herself on top of him. He felt his member align with her entrance and felt her shifting, but he stopped her, fighting his intoxication.

'Hermione… Are you sure? We haven't done foreplay, we can take it slow, it's really-…'

'I want it,' Hermione emphasized, and he read in her eyes that she meant it. 'Do you want it?'

'Of course I do, it's just… This will be your first time.'

'And I'm sure there will be a first second time and a first third,' she said, with laboured breath. Harry couldn't tell if it were nerves or just excitement. 'And I want to spend them all with you. Really Harry, I'll be fine.'

He realized she did seem honest. And, if he thought about this, this was the perfect opportunity. It happened so quickly, there was no way for him to lose himself to doubts or to act like someone he was not. Yes, they were drunk, but not too drunk, right? They didn't slur their words, they would still remember this night. So he nodded and, after casting the appropriate spell, let her position herself on top of him, kiss him softly, and then he felt her entrance open up slightly to him, encasing him just a little bit. He drew in a deep breath – the pressure was already enough to make him explode, which was incredibly embarrassing, but it was Hermione. There was nothing he craved more, he realized.

She pushed down an inch, and then another one, and then she inhaled sharply. He felt her walls tighten against his tip as she forced herself lower on him. Another sound – a whine, and now not only her walls clenched, but her whole body did. Harry removed himself from her chest, to check on her face.

Pain. Hermione was clenching her teeth and looked like she could cry. A sickly feeling landed in his stomach, like a brick, and he guided her off of him. She was wincing and when Harry checked, he saw that Hermione was bleeding a bit.

She was bleeding. He felt two other bricks fall down on top of the previous one, taking the breath out of his lungs. She was bleeding, she was bleeding.

He was speechless. The situation was too much. The damn alcohol made his brain unable to function properly anyway and he could only think about how he hurt her. How he hurt her. How he hurt her.

'I'm… I'm sorry…' Hermione stuttered, breaking the long silence.

That sobered him up a bit. He shook his head.

'What?'

'I'm sorry. This-… I thought I wanted you enough… And I-… I ruined everything… Oh Harry, I'm so-…'

'Don't you dare,' Harry roared, a lot louder than he meant to. 'Don't you fucking dare say you're sorry!'

Harry rarely swore like that. He didn't register the shock on Hermione's face.

'I was the one who hurt you, wasn't I? I hurt you – the one person I promised to never hurt. And now… I… I…'

The little spec of blood hadn't been much, but it poisoned his vision and it was all he could see. He felt panic rise to his throat, and then he realized it wasn't just panic. It was bile.

He made it to the toilet just in time. They had been a lot more drunk than they thought, Harry realized, as he emptied his stomach. He was shaking, violently, and he couldn't help but hear a screaming in his head. Her screaming.

He was back in the basement of Malfoy Manor. The cold tiles beneath his knees enhanced the sensation of the marble stone. He was there, he was there again, with Ron, and her voice smashed through the ceiling, like daggers stabbing him. Not real, Harry's magically enhanced voice boomed. Not real. He imagined Bellatrix constraining Hermione, carving cruel letters in her arm - he saw the blood seeping from her the wound, spelling that awful word. His fault, his fault… All his fault… If he hadn't… Then she wouldn't…

It was the first memory his Healer had removed from his head and the one of the last ones she'd re-implanted, because it caused so much hurt. So much pain. It had taken him weeks to recover properly, to be on top of it, to stop the nightmares.

The screaming continued. Not real, he repeated. Not real. Focus on what is real. Focus on why you're here. Focus on your senses. You know what you learned. Use it. He focused on his feet, on how cold they were, on how his mouth tasted foul, on how his hands clasped unto something that felt like porcelain. Something porcelain? That couldn't be in Malfoy Manor, right?

Of course – it was the toilet. He had thrown up. He had thrown up, because Hermione bled, because they had been stupid and careless and thought they could just jump each other's bones without proper foreplay, without taking into account that Hermione was stressed and always tensing and that now, of course, her muscles had strained themselves in their first time because she didn't take the time to relax them, and he hadn't allowed her.

Hermione.

She was alone. He was retching in the bathroom, and she was alone, confused and afraid on the bed. Bleeding.

He slapped himself hard on his face, forced himself violently to stand up, even though he slipped a bit and stumbled back into the bedroom.

'Hermione,' he tried to say, but his breath choked and he cried a bit. He didn't want to, but it was those stupid nightmares, they changed him, they warped him.

'I shouldn't have run, are you… Does it…'

He climbed back onto the bed. Hermione looked worried and hurt, but it didn't look like she was in physical pain anymore. She allowed him touching her face, as he did his best to force away his tears.

'I am sorry. It's a mess, it's all a mess… I should have protected you… I didn't protect you…'

And the dam broke. Harry felt the sadness take over his body like he had only allowed once or twice during therapy. He began to sob and sob and sob, like a child, as he clasped onto her tightly, like the world would end if he didn't. He apologized. Over and over and over, as the tears stung his cheeks. He felt broken, he felt humiliated by his own weakness, he felt defeated.

'I d-didn't p-protect you,' he repeated. 'I f-failed. I f-failed you, Herm-, Herm-, Herm-io-…'

'Sshh,' she soothed, and she took his glasses from his face and embraced him. He knew she knew he didn't mean just now, just this moment. She understood. She let him. She drew soothing circles on his back, as he had gotten accustomed to over the last couple of weeks.

'M-my biggest re-regret, it h-haunts me, I'm so s-sorry, Hermione, I'm-…'

'Don't you ever apologize for that, Harry,' she interrupted him, sternly.

'I sh-should have taken your p-place,' he countered. 'If I h-had any decency, I-I should-…'

'And be exposed? Harry, your life was more important than mine or Ron's in that war. You know that. If Voldemort would have gotten hold of you, it would have been disastrous. I knew what it meant to go on the hunt with you. Ron knew. We were willing to die for you.'

She kissed him on his temple.

'I know you hate to hear that, but it's true. Ron and I decided that it was worth the risk. We brought it upon ourselves – it was our decision. Just like it was my decision tonight. Can you accept that?'

Harry shrugged, but when he felt her lips on his face again, he felt himself relax a bit. It took a few minutes for him to stop crying, but eventually he managed, furiously wiping his tears away and sitting up straight.

'Pff. I don't like all this weakness I'm showing,' he grumbled, as he put his glasses back on. 'The Dursleys hated the sound of me crying. They told me very early on that they loathed it and they would punish me for it, so I learned myself not to, from an early age. But, well… Sometimes it just comes out.'

'That's not weakness, Harry,' Hermione corrected him. 'That's strength. And I'm really proud you've shown that to me. I don't think you've ever been so brave with me.'

Harry smiled weakly.

'Yeah, well, you weren't there when I slew the Basilisk, so, I guess that's fair.'

'I saw you battle a dragon.'

'Touché. I hadn't thought about that.'

Hermione kissed him softly and the last bit of tension that was still residing in his shoulders, let go.

'Are you hurt?' he managed to ask softly.

'I'm fine.'

'No, really. Have you checked?'

'I have,' Hermione said, hesitantly. 'But I already cleaned the sheets. I realized it triggered you.'

'I mean, your body,' Harry clarified. 'Are you hurt?'

Hermione shrugged this time.

'If I don't touch it, it's fine.'

Harry nodded and summoned his bag, retrieving some health salve from it.

'Can I take a look? I know if it's bad.'

'Harry, really, it was nothing, you only penetrated me for like 2 and a half inches, it happens sometimes-…'

'Still, I want to check, if you'll allow it,' he interrupted her. 'I have better healing skills, you know that.'

'But… It's my vagina,' Hermione said.

'I know,' Harry countered. 'I have seen your vagina many times up close. I think I'll be able to tell where you're hurt and what I can do to ease the pain a bit. Please let me help you – I was the one who hurt you, so-…'

'No, I was the one who hurt myself,' Hermione interrupted. 'Really, Harry. You were hesitant about it, we were both high from alcohol and lust, I went too fast because I wanted to please you and… I don't know. Take you like a woman, satisfy you like "I should", or whatever crap was running through my mind.'

'Don't ever think that again,' Harry replied directly. 'You have no obligation to do whatever with me. I want you to want it, or I don't want it at all.'

'I know that! That's what I'm saying – I know how sweet you are, I know you'll accept me, but I put that pressure on me myself. I feel like I should do more or be more for you, so that's why I… Went too far. It's not your fault. It's mine.'

'I didn't stop you and I noticed that you were tensing,' Harry said. 'So it's my fault too. I should have been more careful. Now, please, can I examine you?'

Hermione sputtered a bit, but finally complied. Harry noticed a few lacerations on the skin, but nothing too big. He applied one of the healing salves on her wounds – it wasn't sensual or sexual, but it was loving.

'Maybe apply something inside of you as well,' Harry thought out loud. 'If there's an overstretch or small laceration there, it will heal more easily, and it helps with the soreness of your muscles too.'

'Sounds good,' Hermione replied promptly. 'I want you to do it.'

'Me? But you're tender down there.'

'That's why I want you to do it,' Hermione said. 'Because you are more mindful of my body then I am. I know, that if you're in control, you won't hurt me.'

She looked at him directly and Harry felt a warmth spreading through his limbs. I know you won't hurt me. That's what she thinks. I won't hurt her. Trust her word.

And so he did.

Then they showered together, tenderly and sweetly, and they both thanked each other a lot without saying what they were thanking the other for. They knew. It was everything.

Hermione spooned against him, and Harry snuggled against her, pressing her body against his, feeling her warmth.

'I never knew you were such a snugglebug, Harry.'

'I'm not,' he chuckled. 'Just with you I am. I promise you – I'll be suave and manly again tomorrow. I'll try, at least.'

Hermione laughed out loud.

'Suave and manly… Suave and manly!'

'Don't say it like it's something I never am,' Harry protested jokingly. 'I was sorted in Gryffindor.'

Then they both heard the *BEEP* that announced the recording on Hermione's answering machine. It didn't take long for them to recognize the voices.

'This is the answering machine of Hermione Granger. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you!'

'Yes – Hi Hermione!'

'Hey Hermione!'

'We just wanted to call you and say thank you, also to Harry, because we just had the greatest night together!'

'Yes, yes – Phill had this big dinner planned, it was truly amazing, and I thought a lot about what you said to me and well… We're still getting married! He also told me about how he got kicked off Cambridge as well but how he's back on the program because of you, and I realized that I am here to support him every step of the way. Through sickness and health! And I need to practice what we're preaching, right gum drop?'

'That's right honey bear, so, we will still be taking up the spot on August 3rd! But we'll be sure to talk about it with grandma – maybe she can arrange something else? Anyway: thank you both so much for letting us find each other again, we're eternally grateful, bye bye!'

'Oh thank Merlin,' Hermione sighed and they both shared a laugh. Good. That was one less thing to worry about.