August 19, 2004

Hermione's p.o.v

"Mama that dress looks beautiful!"

I look at my reflection standing in the mirror. The burgundy dress clung to my figure and showcased my every curve. The slit on the front lets my legs move around comfortably, it was a simple dress only shining because of the jewelry. I meet Evangeline's eyes in the mirror. "Thank you, Evangeline you look very pretty too. Did Luna help you pick the dress?"

"I picked it all by myself." She said proudly. And she had something to be proud of. The black polka dot dress looked adorable on her.

My eyes shoot to her feet. I sigh at what I see. "Evangeline, you can't wear those shoes tonight."

Evangeline clicked her little dress shoes in a pout. "But Mama! You're wearing heels!"

I stop applying my mascara. "Mama's an adult who'll stay inside. You're a kid who'll be frolicking through the garden and being an all-around nuisance." I joke.

"I'm not a nuishance!"

"Ny-uh-sance Sunshine. And of course, you're not, you know Mama's just joking."

"Me knows."

"'I know'." I corrected gently.

"Mhm!"

A House Elf popped into the room. "Miss Grangy, Mistress Luna be asking if little Miss Eva and Miss Grangy need help getting ready? Guests be here in half an hour."

I look at Evangeline and myself. Evangeline needed to change her shoes and I wasn't done with my mascara but, "we're fine Loly, thank you. However, could you get Evangeline's black flats please?"

"Loly bes right back Miss."

In and out the elf popped out with the shoes. "Evangeline," I say.

Brown curls bounced as she pouted but obeyed. "Okay, Mama."

I nod at her and beckon her over. "Come Sunshine. We still need to do your makeup."

"Makeup!" She asked excitedly. I laugh internally. I was never one for girly things at her age.

"Why of course! Lip gloss for your lips and eye shadow for your gorgeous little eyes." I tell her. She runs over and climbs into my lap. I give in to my need to have my child close. "Evangeline."

"Mama?"

I burrow my head into her curly locks. This was my daughter and I would die before I lost her. "Mama loves you very much. You're the world, the moon, and the stars for me. Even when you drive up the walls, I thank the universe for putting you in my life and I thank it each and every day that you're still with me. I love you, Evangeline. Never ever doubt that."

I try to will the tears out of my eyes. It wouldn't do for Evangeline to see me crying and become upset herself. Her small arms wrap around me and a sob escapes me.

"It's okay Mama." She reassured. "Evangeline loves you too."

"Everything okay here?"

Evangeline unwrapped herself from my grasp and went running to her favorite uncle. "Hi, uncle Neville."

Charming away and damning evidence of my episode, I clean the makeup table and grab the gloss and palette for Evangeline. "I'm fine just got a little emotional." I walked up to them and kneeled in front of Evangeline. "Close your eyes sunshine." She does as I ask her and soon dab her with the slightest hint of makeup. I didn't want my little girl to grow up so fast.

Neville extends his arm and I grab it thankfully. "We will be talking about this later." He whispers as he pulls me up. Louder he says, "shall we?"

Evangeline grabs his hands and I keep a hold on his arms conscious of my footing. One glance at Evangeline and I relax. 'You survived Death Eaters, corrupt Ministries officials, and power-hungry crowds that would as sooner tear you down than build you up. You can survive a damn family dinner, Granger.'

Luna meet us at the end of the hallway. "Finally, we have ten minutes before they arrive."

I drop Neville's arm and make Luna loop hers. As their sister, it was my sworn duty to make them spend as much time together as possible. It might just speed up the long-awaited wedding. Instead of walking down to the foyer myself, I grab Evangeline's hand and we descend the stairs as a family. Lady Augusta was waiting for us downstairs.

"Grandmama Gusta!"

I speed walk alongside Eva to the Longbottom matriarch. "Lady Augusta," I welcomed her, "I didn't think you would make it." I hug her and she patted my back before being under attack from Evangeline.

"Now, now, child, you know these old bones can't take too much rattling."

Evangeline smiled sheepishly at the elder lady. "Sorry, Lady Gusta."

Augusta pretends to be affronted. "I thought I was your Grandmama?"

"You are! You are!"

Luna and Neville followed in soon after. "Lady Augusta. It's good to see you here." Greeted Luna respectfully. This woman would one day be her grandmother-in-law.

"Lady Grandmother, welcome to House Longbottom."

"It's good to see you both as well." Augusta maintained her aloofness until proprieties had been observed. Then they were all hugging and really greeting each other.

I look at the fireplace that dominated the room. "Shall we?" I ask Augusta as the eldest in the room.

"We shall."

We all feel as the wards lower to allow for Floo travel. Somewhere in the manor, a clock chimed the time. Seven o'clock on the dot. The first people start coming through.

A smile forms on my face when I notice who it was. Blonde hair and a tall redhead accompanied by a smaller blond girl standing between her parents had me hugging the trio.

"Fleur, Bill, and little Tory! My you've gotten so big, princess!" I kissed the little girl before moving to her parents. "It's so good to see you all again. We have to catch up."

Bill kissed both my cheeks and I flick his hand away when he tries to mess with the hair. "Hello, Hermione. How have you been?"

Beneath us, Evangeline and Victoire were having their own reunion. "Tory!" "Eva!" There was a fast exchange of words and gestures as the two little girls chattered away.

"Hermione. 'Tiz zo good to zee you! Comment avez-vous éte? Et tu Evangelina?"

We move away from the Floo so the other members of the party could enter the conversation. "Lady Augusta, Neville, Luna, thank you all for having us. It's an honor."

"Oui." Added Fleur.

Luna shook her head and kissed the newcomers. "The honor is ours."

"Too true, I missed my favorite redhead." I tease.

The sound of the Floo activating again had us turning to see who came in. "I resent that comment. I thought I was your favorite redhead Hermione."

I smile at the view of seeing the gangly redhead under attack by his wife. "Hello, Hermione. Ignore my husband. He's all for theatrics these days." Said Angelina.

"Aunty Mione! Aunty Mione!"

Soon I have a handful of little boy in my hands. "Hello there little Fred. Been up to any mischief lately?"

"Yup!"

"Don't you dare encourage him, Hermione!"

"Evangeline come greet your cousins." I needn't had said anything. Victoire and Evangeline were bounding back to the center of the room.

"Freddie!" Yelled Evangeline as she wrapped her arms around her male cousin.

"Eva!"

"Victoire!"

Us adults had a laugh when the little blonde calls out her own name. "It's good to see the little ones so happy." Commented Augusta.

"Who else is coming?" Asked Angelina.

I count them off. "Andromeda who's coming with Teddy, your in-laws, and Harry." I think about the last-minute addition I made. "Also, heads up. I invited Draco and his son." I add sheepishly.

"You did what?" Echoed four voices.

"Remember Monday? He's the one that helped me. I'm just extending the olive branch!" I defended to the Weasleys.

"He's a Malfoy." George pointed out.

I roll my eyes. "And I'm a Granger. What's your point?"

Bill shot a look at Neville. Not even he was brave enough to ask that to Augusta. "You're letting her do this?"

Neville laughs. "You think I can stop her? Beside this is Hermione we're talking about, she knows what she's doing."

"She's also right here you know." I huff.

"Hush Mione. The adults are talking." Fleur's eyes shone with mirth.

I laugh. "You're right I must respect you in your ripe old age of twenty-seven." I tease. "Soon the wrinkles will come out and you'll really be old."

"Perish the thought! I will never look a day over twenty-two."

The fireplace roars again and I'm stopped from meeting the floor by Bill's arms. "Aunt Mione!"

Luna nudged me. "Aren't you popular today Hermione?" She teased.

Angelina grumbled good-naturally. "What are we chopped liver?"

"My own mischief-making nephew ignoring me for a pretty girl!"

"Teddy let go of Hermione and greet our hosts."

"Hello my dear Andromeda, how have you been child?"

It's was a cacophony of voices greeting each other and children running around. Here were people that supported me through the years, people that prove that the ties of friendship can become those of a family's.

The floo roared again and in came the lightest blonde of all with a small child in his arms. Draco smile sheepishly and Scorpius waves before hiding inside his father's chest again. "Umm hello?"

I move to greet but Luna beats me to the punch. "It's good to see you Draco! Is this your son? He looks so much like you. Careful with the Nargles sweetie. Neville refused to put away the mistletoe."

Draco looked overwhelmed but it was so Luna so I wave him closer. "Come on in Draco. Promise we don't bite."

"Speak for yourself." Before I could reprimand George, Andromeda was hitting him in the head with her fan.

"If Hermione invited him then the least we can do is be polite. Hello Draco, my name is Andromeda, I'm your mother's eldest sister. You can call me whatever you want."

Draco fidgeted but Luna dragged him to the group. "Thank you for having me. It's nice to meet you, Aunt Andromeda. This is Scorpius. He's two. Mother also says hello."

There was a tense second of silence before Andromeda sighs. "It's about time we buried the hatchet, isn't it? Tell Narcissa that she can expect an owl from me tomorrow. And please, call me Andy."

"Of course, Aunt. Scorpius, meet you great aunt Andy and our hosts the Longbottoms plus two."

"Hey!" Luna and I chime.

"Hello." The little boy whispered.

Angelina clapped her hands. "Okay, everyone. Roll call. Kids get over here."

All four children come running and stare at the boy in Draco's arms.

"Mama, is he a new friend?"

"He's so blonde!"

"He's tiny."

"I won't be the only blonde?"

A laugh rolls through us. "Well, now we know who spends most of their time with Victoire." Says Neville.

Another round of laughter and even Draco joined. "Guys this is Scorpius. He's- how old is he again?" I ask Draco.

"Two," Draco answered.

"Right. Scorpius here is two so you have to be a little gentler with him okay?" The quartet nodded. "That means not making fun of his hair. Scorpius these are our kids. The brunette with fuzz for hair – 'Mama!'- is Evangeline, my daughter. She just turned six. The redhead is Fred and he's three, the jealous blonde is Victoire and she's four. The one who can't stop changing his hair color is Teddy. He's six and the eldest. Kids introduce yourselves before running havoc on the mansion."

"Hi!"

"Hola!"

"Bonjour!"

"Wotcher!"

Draco put Scorpius down and before Scorpius could run back to his dad Evangeline took charge and pulled her with him. "I've traveled the world you know. Mama's taken me everywhere!"

Neville calls out two elves to keep an eye on them. "Loly, Topsy, can you please keep an eye on them?"

"Yes. Master Neville. Loly keep a good eye on them."

"Topsy wonders when little Master Neville order Topsy take care of Master's babies."

That last comment got a blush from said man. "You know things are bad if the elves are commenting on it!" Said Fleur.

"Too true."

I meet Luna's eyes and she looks at the clock. Half-past seven and five people were still missing from the dinner.

"I thought he'd be the first one here."

"Bill?" I ask.

"It's all over Britain Hermione. Your row with Harry is still fresh on people's minds and everyone knows that this dinner is happening. If I was him I'd want to know why my best friend was pregnant with my child and didn't tell him."

"It's good to have you on our side William dear. Hello Hermione."

"Good evening Mrs. Weasley."

Hermione Granger and Harry Potter Have A Love Child!

Witch Weekly

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you'll have heard about the new drama that popped up between the Golden Trio members, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Yes, THE Hermione Granger!

Hermione Granger disappeared from British shores six years ago and we just finding out the why.

She.

Was.

Pregnant.

And with Harry Potter's child nonetheless!

The self-proclaimed "Brightest Witch of the Century" got a bun in her oven and squirreled her way outside the country with no one none the wiser. (Then again the Longbottoms seem to know the little rascal well. Some would say too well if you catch my drift).

While rumors had swirled around her disappearance, I don't think anyone could have thought she'd actually make off with the Man-Who-conquers child. And judging by his reaction he did NOT know he had a child with the witch.

Let me repeat: Harry Potter Did Not Know he had a child. A CHILD.

Shocking. I know.

So let me recap: Hermione Granger mysteriously gets pregnant, leaves the country, and doesn't tell the father. Doesn't that make you wonder about the circumstances this baby could have happened? I mean Hermione Granger has been accused of using Love Potions to enchant men before. (Not that I'm saying she did but there wasn't an official investigation so who knows.)

We can only pray that the Gods of Old bless us with the answers we need in tonight's dinner.

Stay tuned magical readers and we'll keep you posted!

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