A/N Before you get started, I just wanted to say thanks for all the reviews. I really enjoy reading them. I also want to say thanks to my beta Karatekid-Ninja who is amazing at catching things I don't. Happy reading!
Ch. 37
Friday 11 December 1998
The next week and a half went pretty smoothly for the family. Harry was trying to split his time between looking after Hermione and spending time with Teddy. As far as Harry is concerned, his morning routine with Teddy was non-negotiable, though he spent the rest of his time is with Hermione. The arrival of Sarah and Jordan changed the dynamic of the Playhouse; they were able to provide a much-needed friendship for Dora and Teddy that they were previously missing. Sarah, a young mother with a very similar in personality to Dora, found a confidant and friend in the younger women. Depending on the weather and how tired they were after classes, the two women started taking the kids on walks around either the castle or around the Black Lake, just to have time to chat and get the kids out and about.
HP
While Hermione was acting more like herself, she was noticeably more quiet than usual and was sleeping a lot more than previously. Dan and Emma returned home a week ago, Hermione made sure to talk to Emma at least once a day, sometimes more if the need arose. Since they started talking, everyone had noticed a remarkable difference in Hermione; it was like a weight was beginning to lift from her shoulders. Hermione found it challenging to speak about the miscarriage with anyone else, Emma knew what she was feeling having gone through the same thing, it was hard with Luna, while she could empathise having not experienced it herself made it difficult. She was too worried to talk to Harry about it, knowing she had scared him with her previous behaviour, but what scared her more was that he was so focused on her that he wasn't processing the loss himself, she didn't want to put any more weight onto his shoulders. With Hermione almost back to normal, things around the playhouse started to return to a new kind of normal, Sirius continued to worry about the two, mostly because Hermione still showed no interest in her Hobbies, such as inventing.
At breakfast that Friday the 11th, Sirius suggested, "It's Alliance weekend, and I think we should go home."
"Sounds like fun." Sarah grinned at Dora. "I've never been there."
"Well, it's not that different from here hon," Mark explained.
"Anyway, why don't we pack up after classes and go home then. Just remember we have to be back here by 4 pm on Sunday for the staff meeting." Sirius grinned at the Heads. "That means you four as well. Minnie wants to talk about next term."
"Sounds good." Dora smiled.
HP
That evening, they floo'd home around six, the group split up Mark and Jaime showing Sarah around the Madhouse. An hour later, while the group were making their pizzas, Dora turned to Sarah "Brianna, Susan and I are going out to lunch tomorrow in London. Wanna come with me?" she asked.
"Sure. We leaving the kids here or taking them?"
"I usually bring Teddy," Dora replied laughingly. "Brianna would kill me; I think if I didn't bring her Godson."
HP
When Hermione woke up the next morning, she was wrapped in Harry's arm, her head laying against his shoulder as he awoke, he squeezed her lightly around the middle.
"You feel good, love." He whispered into her hair.
"So do you." Hermione looked up at Harry and grinned seductively. "So, what do you want to do this morning?"
"What do you think? I'm male." He grinned back.
HP
Around 11, Sarah suggested that she and Dora go to Diagon Alley for a walk around before they met the others for lunch. They began walking through the cobblestoned streets when Sarah asked. "How are you doing with this Yule season coming up?"
"What do you mean?" Dora asked.
"I mean, you would have been spending this season as a true nuclear family if Remus hadn't died. Yet you seem to be flying past it like nothing's wrong. I know you loved him, so I'm wondering what's up?"
"I'm trying my best to focus on my teaching and Teddy. The family needs me right now, and anyway I can't grow all maudlin when Mione and Harry need me." She shrugged.
Sarah stopped and pulled Dora to a stop in the middle of the street. "Dora, that's not healthy. You need to take care of yourself, not only everyone else."
"What exactly am I supposed to do? I don't know how to grieve without breaking down and blubbering. I've always been a happy person; this is what everyone expects. And I have to be there for Sirius and Teddy." She said a little panic in her voice.
"Well, for one, you don't have to be there for everyone. Sirius has Jaime, and I know they talk a lot about Remus. Secondly, yes you have responsibilities to Teddy, but he has Brianna, your parents, Harry and Mione and they can pick up the slack if they need to." Sarah put her arm around Dora as she moved them over to the side. As she was saying this, Dora's face was getting even more stricken looking than usual. "You've got me. I'll listen any time you want to talk about Remus."
It was then that Dora burst into tears, as though she'd been holding it all in and simply couldn't anymore. She collapsed into Sarah's arms as Sarah sat them down on a bench, her head dropping to Sarah's shoulder.
Sarah just kept murmuring consolations in her ear, rubbing a hand up and down her back, keeping her tone soothing.
She heard Dora whispering, "I miss him so much. Why couldn't I go with him? Why'd he die instead of me? I don't deserve this. Teddy doesn't deserve to grow up without his Dad." Eventually, her crying became soft, hiccupped cries rather than the great wracking sobs. She looked up at Sarah. "I don't know what to do anymore." She said.
"You take it a day at a time and let yourself feel, rather than pushing it off like you have been doing," Sarah replied as Dora finally pulled herself into a sitting position. They sat on the bench for a few minutes in morose silence, slowly Dora started to pull herself together again.
Dora looked at her sheepishly. "Sorry about that." She waved at Sarah's shoulder.
She chuckled. "That's no problem. Are you feeling better?"
Dora nodded as she tried to smile. "It's amazing how much better I feel after a good cry." She waved her wand over her face to make the puffiness disappear.
"Sometimes, a cry is what you need." Sarah smiled. "Are you sure you want to go to lunch?"
"Want to? No, not really. But if I don't, I'll stay in the house all day." She grimaced.
"Okay, then let's go." Sarah hugged her. "Just remember I'm here if you need me."
"Thanks."
HP
That evening, the Alliance members discussed the changes in committees and what committees they were put on.
"Now, as most of you know, the Wizengamot and the Ministry have gone through an extensive reorganisation over the last six months." Sirius began, he started handing out packets of papers. "One thing we have not discussed with the heirs is how they are being handled. Here are the old and new departments and what's in each one. You'll see two brand new departments: the Department of Small Business Regulation and the Muggle Relations office. You will also see Magical Creatures has been changed to Office of Diplomacy with Magical Races. There are now Liaison offices for Goblins, Centaurs, House-Elves and Werewolves."
They all laughed when they heard Hermione's comment of "Brilliant!" as he mentioned House Elves, they all remembered SPEW.
Sirius couldn't help grinning. "There is also an Office of Budget, that all budget requests will go through before us."
"Also, we have created an oversight committee for each department, that all Wizengamot members serve on," Silas added. "There will be an oversight committee of the Minister's Office for the Wizengamot as well."
"I thought we were just handing assignments to committees, yeah?" Elaine Ogden asked.
"We decided to put forth a revamping of the ministry and the Wizengamot, young lady," Augusta informed.
"We had a meeting and talked about what we should do next, and Arthur thought this would be a good surprise for you." Sirius laughed at the kids' dumbfounded expressions. "What? We can't have ideas?"
"They think we're just old fogies who don't want change." Elphias Doge smiled.
"Well, you guys are hard to convince of things." Bill reminded them. The oldsters laughed at that.
"What's going on with our ideas about representation?" Ernie MacMillan asked.
"Nothing right now. The opposition has put it off until after Yule." Augusta apprised them only to receive groans from the heirs. Towards the end of the meeting, Augusta reminded them, "Now remember, we are hosting a Wizengamot Ball on New Year's Eve at Longbottom Estates. This is not just for our alliance; you will see members of families we don't necessarily agree with there-be polite."
HP
The next day was very quiet for the family; it was also the first time since the miscarriage that Harry felt comfortable enough to focus on Teddy rather than Hermione. Consequently, he spent most of the morning with Teddy on his hip (when he wasn't sleeping that is).
After lunch, they floo'd back to the Playhouse; everyone split up to do their own thing, Hermione and Luna went to the kitchen to do their Charms homework. With Harry returning to teaching this coming week, Mark offered to lighten Minerva's load by teaching transfiguration; so he dashed off to consult with Minerva as soon as they returned. The other fulltime teachers went to their offices to work on lesson plans and mark what remaining work they had from the previous week. Harry was sitting at his desk going over the lesson plans Mark had previously made making a few small adjustments to fit his teaching style better, keeping his ear on his wand in case Teddy woke up.
Nev went to his greenhouse; he was planting something no one else could pronounce. Harry had learnt not to see Nev in there unannounced after he was attacked a few weeks ago by a plant Nev was mucking around with.
HP
At around half three, Sirius went to find everyone so they could go to the staff room for a meeting.
"This is going to be so much fun," Hermione whispered to Harry as they walked.
He looked at her sceptically and raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"We get to talk to other teachers about what we're doing."
"I don't think she wants to talk about that. She mentioned hiring more teachers. I think that's what she's gonna want to talk about." Sirius informed her.
When they got there, it seemed everyone else was already sitting at the large table. "Welcome." Minerva smiled at how eager Hermione looked as everyone got comfortable. "Most of you know we get the names of the next class of students from the Hogwarts Book, yes?" At everyone's nod, she continued. "Well, in the next few years each class is about 180 students. Some of us have been here longer than others and we remember the numbers were about this high in between Grindelwald and Riddle. However, our teaching staff has shrunk to fit the lower number of students since the First War. Well, now we need to hire back more teachers."
"Good." Babbling sighed. "I could use the help."
"Me too." Sirius grinned. "I'm having a hard time grading all my students already; I'll need help."
"What Filius and I are proposing is hiring two more teachers for each class except Defence, Charms and Herbology. There we'll only hire one as we have assistants in those classes." She said. "We intend on making all of you Heads of your Department. We'll start advertising now, and we'll want your advice on candidates." Then she turned to Mark. "Would you be willing to stay as a full-time Transfiguration teacher so that I may be part-time? Sarah, you could stay on as a history professor."
They looked at each other, and Harry noticed them "talking" silently. "Let us talk about it, but I think so. I took a leave of absence from Winchester, so I'd have to leave officially." He sighed. "As I said, let us talk about it. I can definitely extend my leave until the end of the year."
To that, Minerva gave a rare smile. "Thank you, Mark."
Everyone laughed when they heard Jaime squeal and jump up. Mark got up quickly, recognising an excited Jaime, so that he could catch her. It was a maneuver that they had been doing since her first day of kindergarten. She jumps as fast and excitedly as she can while he tries to catch her without falling and breaking their necks. So far, so good. He thought as he caught his balance.
"I am assuming you four will be here next year, yes?" Minerva asked as they all settled down.
All four Heads nodded. "Yeah, we will. However, we'd like to fill you in on the Yule Dance, if that's okay?" Nev answered. As she nodded, he took a deep breath. "We would like to make it a Valentine's Day Dance."
"We've tried to get a band for this, but it seems everyone is committed through December," Luna said softly. "Knights of Avalon will be able to come on 14 February, and I was hoping to give the students that Monday off?" She smiled at Flitwick.
"I think that's a wonderful idea." Filius smiled at his favorite student.
"That sounds good to me." Minerva concurred. "I'll make the announcement this evening." She slapped her hands to her thighs. "Now, how are all of you doing with your actual classes and students."
They went around discussing how to help several of the students, which took up most of the time until dinner.
HP
On their way back to the Playhouse, Hermione, Jaime and Sarah were having an in-depth discussion on the history department and what they'd like to see done.
Meanwhile, Sirius had pulled Mark back to talk to him. He said in a low voice. "I'm thinking that since you and Sarah are staying here for Yule that we might have your family over for the holidays. It's not fair that your mum and dad don't see their granddaughter for her first Yule. What do you think?"
"I think that'd be a great idea but only if Hermione is okay with it." He grinned. He and Sirius had become close in the past week, and he really enjoyed some of the pranks Sirius had pulled in the time he'd been here. He recognised that concentrating on pranks was Sirius' way of dealing with the miscarriage. As Mark had never had something so tragic happen in his life, he didn't know how to help, so he was simply trying to get to know Jaime's new family.
That Jaime was going to be a part of this family for a long time was obvious to Mark. He thought some people like Augusta and Dromeda knew this was a foregone conclusion but others, such as Harry, were in the dark.
"Can we keep this a secret from Jaime? I'd like to surprise her." Sirius' eyes gleamed with mischief.
Mark grinned. "Of course."
Tuesday 15 December 1998
The week leading up to Yule Break was busy for the family. School was hectic because not only were three of the Heads giving exams, they were also taking their own plus looking after their other Head duties.
Tuesday morning Sirius and Harry finally went for another ride together. It was the first one-on-one time they'd had in over a week. On the way back to their quarters, Sirius asked, "How is Hermione doing?"
"Okay, I think. Sometimes it's hard to tell with her because she hides behind her books and she seems to be doing that more these days. She still cries at night, but it seems to be a release for her. Why?"
"I'm just worried about her. I want to make sure she's okay."
"Have you talked to your in-laws?" Harry smirked at the horrified look on Sirius' face.
"I've talked to Jaime's parents." He said imperiously, then in a more relaxed tone, "They said they'd be here Sunday. Speaking of next week, we have to talk to the family about Yule Rituals we'll do this week."
"Isn't Yule the same thing as Christmas?" Harry asked curiously as they walked into the kitchen. Hermione perked up and came over.
"Merlin!" Sirius groaned as he shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment. "I guess my not being there, you didn't grow up with much of our religion. We'll fix that. All you youngsters! Gran and I and anyone else that can help are going to give you a little lesson on Yule on Saturday morning." He said decisively.
The rest of the week went fine with everyone boarding the Express on Friday. Thanks to Dobby and Mitzy, the Head compartment was filled with Christmas music, eggnog, fruitcake, Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies. Again, when most of the Prefects were not on rounds, they were in the Heads' Carriage.
"This is my third year being a Prefect. None of the previous Heads served up a good meal like this. Or any meal for that matter." Blaise sighed.
"I'm glad you like it." Luna smiled as she laid her head on Nev's shoulder.
"You guys have been doing a great job this term." Nev added.
"Maybe none of the other heads did this cause they didn't have Dobby and Mitzy." Hermione suggested.
"Yeah. Dobby is amazing in the kitchen." Daphne grinned. "And his peach cobbler is terrific."
"Hey! That's Mitzy's peach cobbler!" Nev corrected as everyone laughed. Most had seen Nev inhale her cobbler at Alliance Dinners.
HP
When they all got back to London, Sirius, Jaime, Dora, Mark and Sarah were waiting for them. "Long time no see." Sirius ruffled Harry's hair as he came up to him.
"Yeah, you old dog." Harry grinned back as Sirius turned into Padfoot and began barking and running around.
He ran to a little girl who was around nine or ten who immediately got down on her knees to cuddle into him. "You are such a pretty boy. Don't you have an owner? If you don't, maybe we could take you home." At that Padfoot yipped and licked her face as she hugged him right back. "You're so soft."
She just kept petting him and cuddling him until a first year boy he recognised came up to the girl and said "Professor Black, I'd like you to meet my sister McKenna. McKenna, this is Professor Black."
"Blaine? You have a dog for a teacher? How cool!"
At that Padfoot turned into Sirius. "Sorry to disappoint, little love." He said as he leaned down and ruffled her hair. "But I teach potions, not my alter-ego. But when you come to Hogwarts, you'll see Padfoot around a lot."
Her eyes went wide as she looked to her brother for confirmation. "Yeah, Padfoot's around all the time." Blaine confirmed. "Come on Kenna." He turned her towards their parents. "See ya Professor Black." He threw out there as they left.
"Done being a show-off now?" Jaime sighed as she came up and wrapped her arms around him.
"Just trying to have a little fun." He grinned right back.
HP
When they got home, everyone began to unpack. Well, the women began to unpack, the men went to the game room. Harry lounged out on the sofa near the fireplace and watched as Mark and Sirius started playing pool.
"How are you doing, kiddo?" Sirius was pleased by his godson's relaxed posture.
"Pretty well. I know to stay out of Mione's way when she gets to packing and unpacking." He grinned.
"Luna just kicked me out." Nev added as he came up the stairs grinning. He took up the same posture as Harry on another sofa.
Harry chuckled lazily and summoned a butterbeer for his brother. "Looks like we're in charge of the children." He replied as Sirius and Mark started arguing about the dart game they'd moved on to. "Guys, don't kill yourselves with those things." He yelled at them as they glared at each other.
"We wouldn't if Padfoot would just simply admit I'm better than he is at this game." Mark complained.
"You are not! You're a bloody cheat!" Sirius reached to grab the darts.
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Sirius! Do I need to box you in the ears to get you to behave?" They all heard Hermione yell as she came up the stairs. She glared up at Sirius. "You are a respected teacher now. I expect better of you than this childish behavior. He is our guest, treat him as such."
He looked at his feet and mumbled as he handed Mark the darts, "Yes Mione."
Mione went over to him and kissed his cheek as she patted his head. "That's my good Pads." She giggled as he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder and dumped her on Harry's lap.
Harry caught her easily because he recognised the mischief in Sirius' eyes and was ready for it. He looked down at his fiancée and smiled as she cuddled into him a bit.
She hadn't done that for a while—just cuddled. Harry had missed his Hermione and had kept hoping she would return to him. "I love you Mione." He whispered.
"I love you too." She snuggled even deeper into him.
Saturday 19 December 1998
The next morning, Harry woke up his favourite way. His Mione was running kisses all down his chest and her hair was tickling the same chest. "Mmmm. This is a nice way to wake up." He looked down at her.
Her beautiful chocolate eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "Thought you'd like it." she smiled as she kissed her way up his chest to his mouth. He flipped her over and hovered over her as he kissed her deeply. "My Mione." He muttered as he stripped off her nightclothes.
HP
When they finally made it downstairs, they were both smiling and holding hands. Dora and Sirius looked at each other and just grinned and nodded at the pair.
"Hey, what are you planning on doing today Mione?" Luna asked.
"Well, I was thinking we might head to Shell Cottage. We need to talk about mass marketing of Monopoly at least with Fleur." Hermione smiled.
"Okay. Then maybe this afternoon you could look at the design I have for the Magical Game Boy and the first game?" She asked hopefully.
"Sure. Why not." Then she looked at her lover. "What are you up to today?" She prodded.
"I need to check in with LAR." He grinned as she ruffled his hair.
"You mean you need to see a certain redhead." Nev teased.
With a shrug and a sheepish grin, he nodded. "I'm hoping she's there."
"Well, I want to check in with some of the Allies, so I'll be out this morning as well." Sirius smiled. "We'll meet back up here for lunch?"
"Sure." Everyone agreed.
"Then I need to do some Yule shopping." Hermione grinned at the women at the table. "Wanna join?" All the women agreed at the same time the men groaned.
"Lads, our wallets will be a lot lighter tonight." Mark sighed dramatically as Dan and Sirius just laughed.
As breakfast broke up, Harry took Hermione aside, "Are you feeling up to doing all this. It seems like a lot."
She patted his arm and kissed him. "I'm fine, love. Just worried about the store. I've been avoiding it recently."
"Been a little busy, sweetheart." He reminded her playfully.
"Well, it's time to get back to my life and not dwell on what happened." She smiled at him as the two couples left from the entrance hall.
HP
When Harry apparated to the orphanage, he noticed that the place looked like it was lived-in. He looked over to the Quidditch pitch and saw people playing. He smiled as he noticed a few Claws from school practicing.
He walked into the front door and there was a new check-in desk in front of the stairs and a woman behind the desk. "Hello Mr. Potter. Venus said you might be coming by today. She said to let you know where Penny is. She's in the library on the second floor."
"Thank you." He smiled at her as he walked into the library and up the stairs. He found her sitting on a bay window looking out at the yard. "Hey there sweet girl." He whispered. Penny turned toward him and her face lit up.
"Harry!" she jumped at him and she landed in his stretched-out arms.
"Miss me sweet girl?" He laughed as he kissed her hair.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" She kissed him on each cheek as she bounced in his arms.
"So, would you like to go to Gringotts with me to pick out Hermione's Yule present?" He looked down at her as she bounced in his arms again.
"Yes please!" She grinned.
"Okay. We better check you out."
A few minutes later, Penny was on his shoulders as he walked out the door and apparated to Diagon Alley. He put her on the ground and grabbed her hand. Diagon Alley was busy, like anyplace during the Yule season.
"Stay with me so you don't get lost, love." Harry smiled.
"Okay." She smiled back.
"So, what are you learning in school?" He asked her as they walked into Gringotts.
"We're learning our letters and numbers." And she was off, telling Harry all about her classes and her new friends.
When they got to the front of the line, Harry asked, "I'd like to go to my vault if it's possible?"
"Of course, Mr. Potter." The goblin nodded as he got someone to take them down.
As they got in the cart, the goblin said "You'll want to put the little girl in front of you Mr. Potter. That way she'll be safe."
"Thank you, Gorsack. Call me Harry please." He smiled at the surprised expression on Gorsack's face.
At first, as they started out, Penny held her hands over her eyes. When Harry figured this out, he pulled her hands away and wrapped his own around her waist. "Feel more secure, Penny?" He asked as she nodded and opened her eyes. As they went farther and farther down the tunnels, she screamed louder and louder. Harry could tell she was enjoying it because she was also giggling.
When they came to a stop, he helped her out. "Come on little one." He smiled as he caught her from falling over. "Dizzy much?" he grinned at her.
"That was so much fun. I wanna do it again." she grinned back as he laughed.