A/N – Coming to end of this fic, just five more chapters and an epilogue. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 87

Telling

7 August 2000

Hermione made her way to Kingsley's office. She hadn't heard anything from him that morning and she had just enough time left on her lunch break to check and see if he was in. She hoped that he had decided to go ahead with her suggestion.

Kingsley's secretary was not as her desk, likely out for her own lunch. Hermione crossed the office to Kingsley's door and knocked quietly.

"Enter," he called. She opened the door and poked her head inside to find him busily scribbling away at a piece of parchment. He looked up at her a few seconds later.

"Do you have a few minutes?" she asked and he nodded, waving her in as he went back to the parchment in front of him. Hermione walked to the chair in front of his desk and sat down, waiting for him to finish. He signed his name, then set the parchment on a stack to the right of him.

"Hermione," he said. "All settled into the cottage?"

"Mostly," she said. "Teddy was a bit disconcerted this morning when he woke up, but he was fine when I left."

"Poor tyke," Kingsley said. "It's going to take a bit for him to get used to it I suppose."

"He's definitely missing Andromeda."

"And she him, I expect." Hermione nodded in agreement. "What can I do for you?"

"I think you know why I'm here, Kings," she said with a wry smile.

"I do," he agreed. He sat back in his chair. "I'm approving your program." Hermione grinned and she nearly jumped out of her chair and hugged him. He held up a hand and her enthusiasm faltered.

"You were right in that I can do this without approval of the Wizengamot," he said. "However, it is limited."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, there is a time limit," he said. Hermione frowned. She didn't remember reading that in any of her research. "At the end of the designated period of time, if the program is to continue, it must have the approval of the Wizengamot, either a committee or the full body."

"What do you mean a committee?"

"We can form a committee of ten which can approve the continuation of the program." Before she could say anything, he held up a hand again. "However, the selection is random, you cannot stack the committee with those you know will support the program and the committee must approve it unanimously. If you bring the proposal before the full body, you only need a simple majority."

Hermione sighed. Going with the committee meant they had fewer people to convince, but it was entirely possible they could end up with a group of people that would never approve of Muggles being involved in the Wizarding world, even if they were technically Squibs and parent to a witch or wizard.

"What's the time limit?" she asked.

"A month."

"That's not enough time," she said immediately.

"It's all I can do, Hermione," Kingsley said regretfully. "And it is better than the week we thought we had."

"What are the chances we'll be able to convince a majority of the Wizengamot?" she asked, already giving up on the committee idea. Unanimous approval would never happen if they couldn't hand pick the members of the committee.

"Right now, I would say less than fifty percent. If Miss Wilkes shows improvement and we can get others who are seeing Dr. Chadwick voluntarily to speak in support, then that number would probably go up. How much, I am not sure." At her look of disappointment, he continued. "Don't forget you are asking them to approve something many of them have never even heard of before, not to mention you're trying to do it with a woman convicted of both attempted murder and using an Unforgiveable who is being treated by a Muggle."

"Squib," Hermione said automatically.

"The same thing for many, worse for some," Kingsley said. Hermione sighed again. Kingsley sat forward propping his elbows on his desk, folding his hands in front of him. "Do not be discouraged. You have worked too hard on this project to give up now. And we have a month. That can only help Miss Wilkes." Hermione nodded.

"I'll need to speak to Dr. Chadwick," Kingsley continued. "There is still paperwork I must fill out, even without needing outside approval. Perhaps you can set up a meeting in the evening if he would be willing? I suspect it would be too difficult to get around both our schedules during the day."

"Absolutely," Hermione said. "I'll speak to him this afternoon. What about Delia's parents?"

"What about them?"

"Don't you think we should tell them what's going on?"

"They won't be able to visit her, Hermione."

"I know that, but wouldn't you feel better knowing your child was in the hospital getting help instead of being in prison?" Kingsley sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of him, his index fingers pressing against his lips.

"My only concern is if the program is not approved by the Wizengamot and Miss Wilkes is sent back to Azkaban. Wouldn't that be harder on them than if they'd never known she was in St. Mungo's at all?"

"Isn't it unfair to keep it from them?" Hermione asked. She had learned her lesson with her own parents when she'd sent them to Australia. And, she suspected, she would get a repeat of that tomorrow when they found out she was living with Remus.

"Let me think about it," he said. Hermione glanced at her watch.

"I've got to get back," she said. "I have a meeting with Margaret in a few minutes." She stood from her chair. "Thank you, Kingsley."

"Hermione," he said when she'd nearly reached the door. She turned back to look at him. "Your work on this, it's been excellent. Building a program from the ground up is no easy task. I'm extremely proud of you." Hermione blushed, and couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you," she said again. He smiled at her and she left his office. A month. It wasn't perfect, but it was a lot better than what they'd had a few days ago. And she was determined to convince the Wizengamot to continue it once the month was up.

Remus was just finishing the book he was reading to Teddy when the Floo activated. He dropped the wards and turned to Teddy.

"Hermione is home." Teddy sat up in his lap, looking at the Floo expectantly. When Hermione stepped through, Remus set Teddy on the floor. He ran over to her, wrapping his arms around her legs. Remus replaced the wards on the Floo while Hermione set down Crookshanks' basket. She picked Teddy up and hugged him.

"How was your day?" she asked the little boy as Remus leaned in and kissed her temple.

"We see Nanna," Teddy said. Teddy began to chatter away about his afternoon, Hermione listening intently and making appropriate comments. Remus smiled at the two of them. Finally, Teddy had finished his commentary and Hermione set him down. She squatted down next to the basket and opened it. Crookshanks meowed loudly, flicked his tail, and nimbly jumped out.

"Tat!" Teddy squealed. He lunged for Crookshanks even as the cat quickly jumped away from him and landed on one of the armchairs. From there, Crookshanks made quick work of making his way to the top of one of the bookshelves, obviously remembering his previous encounter with the little boy. Teddy stared at him mournfully.

"He pay?" Teddy asked Hermione, his bottom lip quivering. Remus knew she was unable to resist that face and she immediately picked Teddy up again.

"This is a new place for Crookshanks too," Hermione said. "He might want to play later." Remus doubted that Crookshanks would want to do any such thing, but there was no way to make Teddy understand that. Hopefully, the cat would at least tolerate his son's attentions.

Teddy watched the cat for a few more minutes, then squirmed to be put down. He ran off to the bookshelf and put back the book that Remus had been reading to him on the shelf that had designated for his books. He then stood looking at the rest of them intently as he chose another. Remus chuckled and pulled Hermione into his arms and kissed her.

"How was your meeting?" she asked.

"Fine," he said. "Minerva has approved all of my curriculum and I'll be going up later this week to start setting up my office. Did you speak to Kingsley?"

"Yes, he approved the program," she said with a smile. Remus hugged her again but when he pulled back, she was frowning.

"What is it?"

"He can only authorize a pilot program for a month. After that, it has to have the approval of the Wizengamot to continue."

"And you don't think they'll vote in favor of it?"

"Kingsley isn't sure," she said. "If we took the vote now, he doesn't think it would pass. If we can get other testimony besides Aaron's and Delia improves, then it might. But there's no guarantee."

"My-nee, you read me?" Teddy asked as he ran back to them with a book in his hand. She smiled down at him.

"Let me change first and then I will, all right?" Teddy nodded and scrambled up on the couch, opening the book and beginning to 'read' it. Remus turned back to Hermione.

"It will all work out, love." She sighed and relaxed into him again.

"I hope so." Remus kissed the top of her head and then let her go. She hurried upstairs to change.

After they had put Teddy to bed, they came back downstairs and sat down to read themselves. Hermione was leaning against the arm of the couch, her feet in Remus' lap. She kept glancing at him over the top of her book, looking away when his eyes shifted towards her. She still hadn't told him that her parents didn't know she'd moved out. After their conversation about it a few weeks ago, he hadn't brought it up again, obviously assuming that Hermione would talk to them as she said she would.

"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you or are you going to just keep trying to pretend like you're not looking at me?" Remus asked, not looking up from his book. Hermione's cheeks flushed and he squeezed one of her feet. She bit her lip as she lowered her book to her lap. He closed his book as well, shifting slightly so he was looking at her.

"I'm going over to my parents' house after work tomorrow," she finally said. His brow furrowed.

"I expected that you would," he said, sounding a bit confused.

"I might be there for a while," she said.

"All right," he replied, still puzzled. She sighed and swung her feet out of his lap, turning so she faced the fireplace. She propped her elbows on her knees and put her face in her hands. "Hermione, what is it?"

"I haven't told them yet," she mumbled from behind her hands. Remus stilled.

"Sorry?" he said, but she was positive that he'd heard her. She dropped her hands from her face.

"I haven't told them that I've moved out."

"Why not?"

"I've been so busy and all our conversations have been so short, I just," she shook her head. That was true, but she'd had plenty of opportunities to call them. "I just haven't told them." Remus was quiet and Hermione looked back at him tentatively. He was likely upset with her and he had every right to be. She should have told her parents weeks ago. She was surprised to see that he looked almost…sad.

"Hermione, if this isn't what you want," he began softly.

"No!" she insisted, scooting towards him immediately. She reached out for him, wrapping an arm around him and grasping his other hand. "This is what I want, you have to believe that. This, us, has nothing to do with why I haven't told them."

"Then why haven't you told them?" She sighed again and rested her forehead on his shoulder.

"When I found them in Australia and restored their memories, they were so angry, so disappointed," she said. "I was afraid that they would never forgive me. That we would have some weird, stilted relationship from then on." Remus squeezed her hand and slid his other arm around her waist. She leaned further into him. "I've kind of been afraid to disappoint them ever since."

"Do you think they're going to be disappointed in your decision?"

"I don't know," she said honestly. "And I know that I shouldn't care. I'm nearly twenty-one years old, for Merlin's sake. I don't need my parents' approval."

"Just because you don't need it, doesn't mean you don't want it," Remus said, squeezing her hand again.

"I think I was afraid that if I told them before they got here, that they might change their minds about coming," she said in a small voice.

"Oh, love," he said, pulling her into his arms. "I don't think that would ever happen. They love you; anyone can see that."

"I know I'm being stupid," she mumbled into his chest.

"You're not," he assured her. She shook her head and sat up.

"I am," she said. "Some Gryffindor I turned out to be." He chuckled.

"I think you've built it up so much in your mind, that you're having a hard time thinking about it rationally."

"You're probably right," she said with a sigh.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked. "I know that Andromeda would be happy to stay with Teddy."

"No," she said. "I need to do this on my own. But thank you." He smiled and kissed her fingertips, then pulled her back into his arms.

"Don't worry so much," he said. "I don't think it's going to be half as bad as you think it will be." She didn't respond, simply snuggled into him further. "I can probably figure out a way to take your mind off it." She tilted her head up and smiled at him.

"Can you now?" He leaned down to kiss her.

"I think so," he said when they parted.

"Prove it," she challenged. He grinned and waved his wand to cover the living room in a silencing charm before he kissed her again.

8 August 2000

Hermione hurried from the lift through the Atrium. She had wanted to be at her parents' house before they arrived, but she had gotten held up finishing a rewrite Margaret had given her this afternoon. Hermione glanced at her watch again. She would just make it as long as there wasn't a line waiting to Apparate. She'd left the wards on the Floo when she moved out so she couldn't get in that way.

Hermione was just passing the Floos on her way to the Apparition point when she heard someone calling her name. Biting back a groan of frustration, she turned to see Cressida Wilkes hurrying towards her.

"Miss Granger," the other woman said when she reached her. Hermione was surprised to see the wide smile on her face. "Thank you." Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion.

"For what?" she asked.

"For getting my sister out of Azkaban and into hospital," Cressida said. So, Kingsley had told the Wilkes' then.

"It wasn't my doing," Hermione said. "She was injured."

"Yes, but you're the one that got the Minister to keep her there." Cressida's eyes were shining with tears. "I know that we can't see her but knowing that she's not in that awful place anymore is enough." Hermione bit her lip. She certainly hoped that Kingsley had informed Delia's family that the transfer was only temporary.

"Miss Wilkes, you realize that this is only for a month."

"Yes, of course."

"And that there is no guarantee that the Wizengamot will agree to continue the program afterward?"

"Yes, the Minister explained it all to us," Cressida said.

"Did he also tell you that the doctor, er, the Healer that is seeing her doesn't think that she'll be cured in a month?"

"Well, yes, but that doesn't mean she won't be."

"Even if she is, the Wizengamot would have to agree to release her," Hermione said gently. "And I don't know that they would do that." Cressida stared at her for a moment before her face fell.

"I thought," she began, then shook her head. Hermione put a hand on the other witch's arm.

"Dr. Chadwick is going to do everything he can to help Delia. And I am going to do everything I can to try and pass this initiative," Hermione said. "But you have to be prepared for the possibility that your sister will be sent back to prison once the month is up." Cressida nodded, then looked up at Hermione. The pain on her face nearly took Hermione's breath away. She grasped Hermione's hand in her own.

"I know that you'll do what you can," Cressida said. "Thank you for what you've done already." And then she turned and walked away. Hermione stared after her for a few moments, swallowing over the lump in her throat. The Wizengamot had to pass this program.

Hermione landed in the back garden and took a breath. The conversation with Cressida had unsettled her and she needed a moment to prepare herself for what was to come. Before she was ready, the back door opened and her mother stood in the doorway, sad smile on her face.

"Hello, Hermione." Her mum pulled her into a hug and Hermione looked over her mum's shoulder to her dad. He was looking particularly grim.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked, pulling away from her mother. Her mum looked at her dad.

"Come inside, Princess," he said. Hermione followed them in, her dad closing the door behind them. "Why don't you sit down?"

"Dad just tell me what the problem is," Hermione insisted, worried now.

"We've been here for nearly an hour," he said. Hermione swore in her head. Their plane must have landed early. Even if she'd left work on time, she wouldn't have gotten here before they did. Their expressions made sense now.

"I can explain," Hermione said, at the same time that her father spoke.

"We're so sorry about Crookshanks." They both stared at one another for a moment.

"Wait, what?" Hermione said.

"What do you mean, you can explain?" her mum questioned. Hermione looked between her parents while they gazed back at her, both brows furrowed in confusion.

"Let's start over," her dad finally said. "After we'd been here for a bit, we realized we hadn't seen Crookshanks. When we went looking for him, we didn't find any of his things either."

"That's because he isn't here," Hermione said.

"We know, sweetheart," her mum said, that sorrowful look on her face again. "We're so sorry." Hermione looked at her in bewilderment before she realized that her parents thought Crookshanks had died.

"No, Mum, Crookshanks is fine." It was her mother's turn to look puzzled.

"Then, where is he?" Hermione sighed and rubbed at her forehead with her fingertips.

"Let's sit down," she said, echoing her father's earlier words.

"Hermione what is going on?" her mum demanded.

"Just, sit down, Mum and I'll explain." Her parents glanced at each other, then walked to the couch and sat down. Hermione sat in one of the armchairs next to them.

"I have something to tell you," she said. They both looked at her expectantly.

"I should have told you weeks ago, but I was so busy with work and this isn't something you just slip into conversation and then the more time that passed and I still hadn't told you, I just, well," Hermione trailed off, biting her lip and looking down at her lap. "I'm sorry." She shook her head. It shouldn't be this hard to tell them.

When she looked up, her parents were exchanging concerned glances. Her dad shook his head slightly and Hermione saw his jaw clench. She frowned. She would have thought her dad would be more accepting that her mum. Of course, she hadn't really said anything yet. Out with it, Hermione.

"I want you to know that this is what I want," she said. "I know it's soon, and I wasn't expecting it, but I'm really happy about it and I hope that you will be too." Her parents looked at each other again, having a silent conversation. Her dad crossed his arms over his chest, jaw clenched tighter and her mum closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she looked up at Hermione and gave her a smile that Hermione could tell was forced. Not so happy then. They had obviously figured it out.

"Or at the least, I hope that you'll understand," Hermione said. Her mother moved to the very end of the couch and reached for Hermione's hand, giving it a squeeze. Her dad was still staring straight ahead, not looking at her. Hermione sighed.

"It's all right, sweetheart," her mum said. "I think we know what you're going to say." Hermione nodded. Of course, they did. If they'd been looking for Crookshanks, they would have seen that her room was empty. Hermione opened her mouth to tell them, then closed it again, brow furrowing. That didn't make sense. If they knew Hermione had moved, then why did they think Crookshanks had died? Her mum continued talking.

"You know that your father and I will support you, whatever you decide to do, but, Hermione, you're so young."

"I know, Mum, but I love Remus. This is what I want." Her mum looked concerned. Wait, whatever she decided to do? Wasn't it obvious that she'd already decided? Not to mention, her dad didn't look very supportive right now. Her mum either, for that matter. She was trying, but Hermione could tell that she wished it weren't happening.

"You know you can stay with your father and I for as long as you need. We can move back here permanently if you need our help." Hermione was completely confused. What on earth was her mum talking about?

"Stay with you?" Hermione repeated. Her mum nodded.

"We'll help you however we can," she said.

"Help with what?" Hermione asked. Her mum glanced at her dad looking a bit concerned now.

"Well, with the baby, of course."

"Baby?" Hermione said. "What baby?" Her mum looked completely perplexed and Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what her mum was getting at. "You think I'm pregnant?"

"Well, aren't you?" her mum said.

"No!"

"But you said that it wasn't something to just slip into conversation and that you knew it was soon but that you loved Remus and it's what you wanted," her mum said. Her dad finally looked at her.

"And you went straight to assuming I was pregnant?" Hermione asked in indignation.

"Well, what else could you possibly be talking about?" her mum retorted. "There's no ring on your finger so you obviously aren't engaged. I'm guessing that means you didn't run off and elope either."

"Oh my god, Mum," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"What is going on then?" her dad asked.

"I moved in with Remus," Hermione said, throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation. Her parents were silent.

"Moved in," her mum repeated.

"Over the weekend," Hermione said. They both stared at her as if unable to process this information. She huffed in annoyance. "Remember, I told you that he was teaching again next year? He moved into a cottage in Hogsmeade, the village near the school, and asked me to come with him." After a few more minutes silence, her dad spoke.

"Well, I can't say that I'm completely surprised." Hearing that seemed to shake her mother from her stupor.

"Hermione, are you sure about this?"

"I'm very sure," Hermione replied.

"It's only been a few months," her mum continued. "And you're so young."

"I'm old enough to know what I want, Mum."

"You're not engaged?" her mother asked, somewhat hopefully, Hermione thought. Not that her mum necessarily wanted her to be engaged, but it would make them living together more palatable for her, Hermione supposed.

"No, Mum." Her mum sighed. It was Hermione who reached for her hand this time. "I know this is a surprise, especially after thinking what you did." Her dad snorted. "But I'm really, really happy." Her mother studied her for a moment, tucking a curl behind her daughter's ear.

"Sometimes I can't believe how quickly you've grown up." Hermione smiled.

"I want you and Dad to be okay with this," she said.

"You're going to have to give me some time to adjust," her mum said. "I expected to come home and have you with us."

"I know, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner." Her mum looked at her sadly.

"I feel like we've missed out on so much of your life. I suppose that having you living here with us was a way of trying to get some of that back." Hermione took her mother's hand again.

"Just because I'm not living here doesn't mean you're not a part of my life. Remus and I want you to come for dinner this weekend and see the cottage." Her mum squeezed her hand.

"We'd like that." Hermione leaned in and hugged her mother. Her mum clung to her a little longer than she usually did, but Hermione didn't complain. And when her dad hugged her, she was surprised to find herself tearing up a bit.

"We love you, Princess."

"I love you too, Dad."

Remus stood from the couch when he heard Hermione Apparate outside. He hoped that the talk with her parents had gone well. She had been very worried about it, even if she hadn't admitted as much to him. He stepped around the couch and leaned back against it, waiting for her to come in.

When she walked through the door, she looked tired, but not overly upset. She smiled when she saw him standing there.

"How did it go?" he asked as she stepped towards him. Sighing, she tucked her face into his neck and wrapped her arms around him. Remus returned the embrace, kissing her temple. "That bad?"

"No, it was all right," she replied. "They were much more accepting than I thought they would be."

"Well, that's good then, isn't it?" Hermione nodded.

"Of course, it was likely because knowing I had moved in with you wasn't near as shocking as thinking I was pregnant." Remus went completely rigid and looked down at her in shock.

"Sorry?" he finally spluttered. Hermione laughed lightly.

"Apparently, the way I started telling them about moving in with you led them to believe I was pregnant." She looked up at him. "That was after they thought Crookshanks had died." The cat in question looked up from where he was lying in front of the fireplace and then went back to grooming himself. Remus stared at Hermione incredulously and she started to giggle. Clapping a hand over her mouth, her eyes danced in amusement as she tried to stifle her laughter.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's been a very strange evening."

"It sounds it," Remus said, still trying to figure out just how her parents had come to that conclusion. She took his hand and pulled him towards the couch, recounting exactly what had happened.

"They're coming for dinner on Saturday," she finished.

"And you're sure that they're all right with this?"

"Well, it's going to take them a bit of time to get used to it, my mum especially. She was more sad than anything. Not about my decision, just that I wasn't going to be living there with them." Remus nodded.

"Are you all right?" She smiled at him.

"Yes," she said. "I don't have any doubts or regrets about moving in with you." He leaned forward and captured her lips in a searing kiss. When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

11 August 2000

"Happy Birthday," Hermione said, hugging Ginny as they arrived at the restaurant. Remus kissed Ginny's cheek and they greeted everyone else. Ron and Susan, Luna and Rolf, and Neville and Hannah were also there. Harry had gotten a private room in the back so they weren't gawked at by the public, which seemed to happen every time they went somewhere together. Separately as well, but it was when they were all together that it was the worst. The photographers outside the restaurant had been bad enough. Hermione was sure the Prophet would have a full-page story the next morning. She rolled her eyes. Honestly, didn't people have anything better to do with their time? They weren't that interesting.

"Neville how are things going with Professor Sprout?" she asked as she and Remus claimed the empty chairs between Neville and Hannah and Harry and Ginny.

"Really great," Neville said with a smile. His last day at the Ministry had been near the end of July. He had been working with Professor Sprout ever since.

"Are you going to be teaching right away?" Susan asked.

"Not the first term," Neville replied. "After Christmas I might take a few first year classes."

"Do you miss the Ministry?" Hermione asked.

"I miss the people," Neville admitted.

"We miss you too, mate," Harry chimed in. Neville grinned.

"But the job, not really."

"Well, I think you'll be an excellent teacher," Remus said. Neville blushed.

"Thanks, Remus."

"What about you?" Ginny asked Remus. "Ready for classes?"

"Just about," Remus replied. "I have to finish organizing my classroom and my office, but my lessons are all planned."

"Those kids don't know how good they're going to have it," Ron said. "Your classes were brilliant."

"Thank you, Ron." Hermione squeezed Remus' hand under the table. They all broke off into smaller conversations as the drinks were delivered and they put in their dinner orders.

"How's the cottage?" Ginny asked Hermione while Remus continued talking to Neville about Hogwarts. Hermione smiled and Ginny smirked. "Well, that answers that question."

"Have you ever had an idea of how something is going to be in your mind and then when it actually happens, it's even better?" Hermione asked. Ginny smiled and looked at Harry.

"Yes," she said. As if he sensed her eyes on him, Harry turned and smiled softly at his fiancée. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it, keeping hold of it when he went back to his conversation with Ron. Hermione gave them both a fond look.

"It's like that," she said.

"How did your parents take it?" Ginny asked. Hermione rolled her eyes and Ginny laughed. "That well, huh?"

"Merlin, Gin, it was just," Hermione shook her head and lowered her voice. "They thought I was pregnant."

"What?" Ginny shrieked. The entire table turned to look at them. Hermione's cheeks turned pink and she gave Ginny a look. "Sorry, everyone, just got a little carried away there. Carry on." Ginny smiled at everyone as they went back to their conversations.

"All right, love?" Remus asked quietly.

"I'm fine," Hermione said. "Just telling Ginny about my parents."

"Ah," Remus said, chuckling a little now that he understood the redhead's outburst.

"How in Merlin's name did that happen?" Ginny demanded in a whisper now that everyone was no longer looking at them.

"They misunderstood what I was trying to say," Hermione said. "And when I finally told them I'd moved out, they were so relieved that I wasn't pregnant, that they just sort of accepted it."

"Well, that's one way to do it," Ginny snorted.

"They're coming to dinner tomorrow night. I hope now that they've gotten over the shock, they're still all right with it."

Dinner came shortly afterward and they all continued to talk and laugh as they ate. While they waited for the cake that Harry had requested, Hermione moved around the table and sat down next to Rolf.

"I wanted to thank you again for introducing me to your cousin," she said. "He's been so amazing helping us get this program started."

"I'm just glad I could help," Rolf said. "Aaron's told us that he's really enjoying working with you. Even though he's known about magic his whole life, he hasn't spent much time in the magical world. With Leah starting Hogwarts soon, I think it's helped him to be more familiar with it."

"What are the two of you planning on doing now that you're back in England?" Hermione asked.

"We're taking another trip in a few weeks," Luna said.

"Really?" Hermione replied.

"Just a short one," Luna said. "We'll be back before the wedding."

"But after that, we're going to be gone for another year at least," Rolf said. Luna nodded.

"Doing what?"

"Researching creatures," Luna said. "There's a very interesting population in South America."

"We're planning on writing a book," Rolf said and Luna nodded. Hermione smiled. They really were perfect for one another.

"I look forward to reading it," Hermione said. The cake was brought in then and Harry asked them all to gather round while he made a toast to Ginny. Remus stepped up beside Hermione and put an arm around her waist. She leaned into him and he kissed her temple before they toasted their friend.

"How's the shop?" Hermione asked Ron when they'd all had their fill of cake and were mingling again.

"Really great," he said. "We've got a few new products coming out just in time for school to start." Hermione laughed.

"I'm sure Filch will love that." Ron grinned.

"How are things going with you?"

"Really well," Hermione said.

"Living with Remus is good?"

"It's perfect," Hermione said with another smile. Ron fidgeted a bit and looked away from her. Hermione's brow furrowed in concern.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking that maybe," he sighed and ran a hand through his hair as the tips of his ears turned red. "I might ask Susan to move in after the wedding." Hermione grinned.

"That's great, Ron."

"You don't think it's too soon?" he asked. Hermione laughed.

"I'm not really the person to be asking that," she said. Ron smiled sheepishly.

"Right," he said. Hermione put a hand on his arm.

"If you think it's the right time, then it is."

"Yeah," he said. He got such a sappy look on his face that Hermione couldn't help but smile fondly at him.

"I'm so glad you're happy, Ron." He smiled and then reached out and tugged on one of her curls.

"You too, Hermione." She hugged him and he held her to him tightly. For all that they had been through, Hermione was so glad that their friendship had survived. She wasn't sure what she would have done if it hadn't.

"What's all this then?" Harry asked as he wandered over to them. "Hermione?" She pulled back from Ron with a small laugh, wiping the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

"Nothing, just me being emotional." Harry looked between the two of them and smiled softly, seeming to understand. He put an arm around Hermione and clapped Ron on the shoulder. Hermione squeezed Ron's hand and glanced up to see Remus looking at her in concern. She gave him a reassuring smile. He watched her for a few more moments, then turned back to his conversation with Rolf.

She, Ron, and Harry talked for a bit longer, then they all drifted back towards the other conversations that were going on around the room. Neville and Hannah left shortly after, Hannah needing to get back to check on the Leaky as they were always busy on Friday nights. Hermione finally found herself next to Remus again. She slipped her hand into his and he smiled at her as she leaned against him.

"Tired, love?" he asked.

"Mm, a bit," she said.

"You looked upset before," he said. She shook her head.

"Happy, actually," she said. He let go of her hand and put his arm around her instead, pulling her closer to his body.

"I'm glad," he said.

"Me too," she said, sighing happily as she relaxed into him, content to watch her friends talking and laughing.

12 August 2000

Remus was more nervous for this dinner than he had been for the one when he'd first met Hermione's parents. Of course, knowing that just a few days ago her father had thought that Remus had gotten Hermione pregnant was a large part of it. It was one thing to suspect that your daughter was sleeping with her boyfriend, another if there was physical evidence of it. Not that there was, obviously, but the suspicion was enough for Remus.

"It's going to be fine," Hermione said as she walked into the living room and slid her arms around him from behind. She rested her cheek against his back. He covered her hand with his where it rested on his stomach and squeezed her fingers.

"Daddy, look!" Teddy called from the corner where his toys were. Remus turned his head and saw a wobbling tower of blocks. "Me do it!"

"That's excellent, Teddy," Remus said, glad for the distraction his son provided. The little boy had been trying to build a stack of blocks for days, but it had always fallen over before he'd finished. Remus had been tempted to use magic to stabilize the blocks, but he hadn't, wanting Teddy to have the satisfaction of doing it himself. Hermione let go of him and Remus walked over to where Teddy stood proudly in front of the block tower.

"It tassle, Daddy," Teddy said and Remus noticed the other smaller stacks of blocks around the tower.

"So it is," Remus said, ruffling his son's hair. Teddy grinned up at him. Just then the shaking tower began to lean a bit too far to the left. Before Remus could get his wand into his hand to keep it from falling over, Teddy's hand shot out, anger clear on his face.

"No!" he cried and the blocks steadied themselves, the tower evening out a bit. Remus stared at his son, then turned to Hermione who was watching equally slack-jawed.

"Did he just," she began, looking at Remus. Remus couldn't help but grin.

"He did." He had known that Teddy was magical, his morphing ability proved that. But his son had never done any accidental magic. He reached down and picked Teddy up, throwing him up into the air and laughing. Teddy squealed in delight.

"Gain, gain, Daddy!" Remus did it again, then hugged Teddy to him as the boy continued to giggle. Hermione smiled at them both, a bit misty-eyed. Remus held out an arm and she stepped into his embrace, kissing Teddy's cheek and wrapping her arms around Remus' waist.

"It's time to get my parents," Hermione said. She was going to Apparate to the house and then bring them through the Floo to the cottage.

"All right, love," Remus said.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him. Remus' hand tightened on her waist as he returned the kiss.

"Goin', My-nee?" Teddy asked when they'd parted.

"I'm going to get my mum and dad to have dinner with us," Hermione said. "I'll be right back, all right?" Teddy nodded and Hermione waved before she stepped outside. Remus dropped the wards on the fireplace and then put Teddy down. The little boy ran back to his castle and Remus kept one eye on him to keep him away from the Floo. Remus looked up at the photograph of Dora on the mantel and smiled a bit wistfully. He hoped that wherever she was, she had seen what Teddy had just done.

The Floo flared a few minutes later and Remus put a hand on Teddy's shoulder to keep him from running towards it. Hermione stepped out with her mother a few seconds later. Hermione stepped back in and returned with her father by the time Remus had cleaned the ash from Jean's clothes.

"Remus," Richard said once Hermione had given him the same treatment.

"Hello, Richard," Remus said shaking the older man's hand. "It's good to see you again." Remus didn't comment on the fact that Richard's grip was a bit tighter than usual or that the handshake lasted a bit longer than necessary. Jean, however, seemed to notice as she gave her husband a look before stepping forward and hugging Remus in greeting.

"Hello, Teddy," Richard said and Teddy immediately began showing off his castle to both of Hermione's parents.

"Would you like a tour?" Hermione asked once they had admired Teddy's castle.

"That would be lovely, Hermione," her mother replied. Hermione glanced at Remus.

"I'll stay down here with Teddy," he said.

"Me go," Teddy said immediately. Hermione laughed.

"I'm just going upstairs for a few minutes."

"Me go," Teddy repeated, holding his arms up to her. Hermione smiled and picked him up.

"Do you want to show my mum and dad your room?"

"Yes," Teddy said excitedly. Remus saw the fond smile on Jean's face and relaxed a bit.

After a tour of the cottage, which lasted twice as long as it normally would have since Teddy had to point out every single thing in his bedroom, they returned to the living room and Remus offered everyone drinks. Teddy had returned to his toys and Remus was keeping a close watch on him, wondering if he would perform any more magic.

"Something wrong with Teddy?" Richard asked after a few moments. Remus looked up, realizing he had been mostly ignoring Hermione's parents.

"I'm sorry," he said. "No, there's nothing wrong. Teddy just did a bit of accidental magic before the two of you arrived."

"Ah," Richard said in understanding. "The first time, was it?"

"Except for the morphing, yes," Remus said with a proud smile. Richard nodded.

"I remember when Hermione first did magic," he said. "Of course, we had no idea it was magic at the time so were a bit more alarmed than proud." He chuckled.

"What did she do?" Remus asked curiously.

"She was just two," Jean said. "I'd baked a batch of biscuits for one of the women in our office that had just had surgery. Hermione wanted one but we weren't letting her have chocolate yet and we rarely let her have sweets at all. She threw a little tantrum when I said no, then I turned around to clean up the kitchen. I heard a thud and then a giggle and I looked over to see the plate of biscuits overturned on the floor next to Hermione. She was sitting surrounded by chocolate chip biscuits happily eating one." Hermione's cheeks turned pink and Remus chuckled.

"I nearly had a heart attack. As Richard said, we had no idea what had happened. We finally convinced ourselves that she must have reached up to the counter and pulled them down, even though I knew there was no way she could have done without me noticing."

"You were a bit strict with the sweets, Mum," Hermione said.

"We were dentists, Hermione, what did you expect?" her mum replied with a smile.

The tension broken by the talk of accidental magic, the rest of the evening went rather smoothly. Remus offered to help with the dishes after dinner, but Jean insisted she and Hermione would take care of it and shooed the men and Teddy from the kitchen.

Remus felt a bit of the nervousness return as he and Richard walked back to the living room. They made small talk about Richard's retirement and Remus' job; their discussion punctuated by awkward silences. Remus was just waiting for the other man to say something about Hermione living with him. When Teddy climbed up on the couch next to Remus and snuggled into his side, yawning widely, Richard finally spoke.

"I have to say, Remus, I was a bit hesitant when Hermione told us she had moved in with you."

"I'm sorry that we didn't tell you sooner," Remus began, but Richard shook his head.

"That was Hermione's decision. I don't blame you for it." He looked up at Remus. "I suppose her mother and I are just worried that this is all going a bit fast." Remus nodded. Hadn't he thought the same thing himself? He took a breath and met Richard's eye.

"After my wife was killed, I never thought I would find someone else," Remus said. "I wasn't even looking. Hermione and I were friends, but I never thought we would be more. Then, one day, my feelings for her changed. I wasn't planning on pursuing her for a variety of reasons, most of which she told me were ridiculous once she'd told me she returned my feelings." Richard chuckled and Remus smiled.

"I realize that we haven't been together that long, but I love your daughter."

"That, I know," Richard said with a smile.

"She makes me happy and I hope I do the same for her. My son adores her and she loves him as if he were her own." Richard looked down at Teddy, who was nearly asleep at Remus' side. "I have no intention of leaving unless she asks me to go." Richard opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Teddy.

"Pa'foot, Daddy," Teddy mumbled, eyes drooping further. Remus smiled at his son, drew his wand, and silently summoned the stuffed dog. He caught it when it came zooming into the room and tucked it into Teddy's arms. When Remus looked up, Richard was shaking his head.

"No matter how many times I see it, I don't think I'll ever get used to it." Remus chuckled.

"It does come in rather handy." Richard laughed as Hermione and her mother walked into the room. Hermione looked at Remus nervously, but he simply smiled. He saw the tension leave her shoulders and she walked over to him.

"Shall I take him up?" she asked.

"No, I'll do it," he said. He picked Teddy up and then kissed her cheek. "You visit with your parents. I'll be down in a bit." Hermione squeezed his hand and Remus walked towards the stairs. He looked back into the room and his eyes met Richard's. The man nodded once and Remus took it for the acceptance it was. He returned the nod, then began to climb the stairs, careful not to jostle his sleeping son.