Chapter 14: Godparents
Harry answered the door on the third knock. "Neville! 'Mione! Come on in!"
Hermione bestowed kisses on both Harry and her best girlfriend Ginny as she and her husband entered the foyer. Neville enthusiastically shook Harry's hand. The Longbottoms were joining their dear friends the Potters for tea, during the 2005 winter holidays. Harry took the kettle off the stove as he moved to the table.
"So: how does it feel to be the first husband-wife team teaching at Hogwarts in over a century, according to McGonagall?"
Hermione smiled bemusedly over the rim of her mug. "Six years of marriage and the gossip mill hasn't slowed down. Some of the first-years have asked me from time to time when I'm going to have a baby."
Harry choked a little on his tea. "They're precocious, I'll give them that."
"I don't mind. They're such little darlings!"
"You're more patient with them than I would be, Hermione," Ginny frowned.
"Bat-Bogey hexes all around for the little ones, I reckon? Take cover!" And Neville made a show of trying to duck under the table. Ginny half-heartedly scowled at her old friend.
"Well, if you think my maternal instincts are going to be that awful, you prat..."
Neville stopped short. "What did you say, Gin?"
Hermione looked between her husband and her two friends, understanding dawning. "Ginny...?"
"We're pregnant!" Harry blurted out, wanting to say the words first, as though it was a race.
A moment's silence. And then Hermione squealed, running around to hug Ginny as Neville punched Harry in the shoulder.
"Oh, Ginny!"
"Yes... and it's a boy," Harry regarded the Longbottoms. "You'll be godmother and godfather? Ginny says no one better."
Hermione burst into tears, splashing them down her front. "OH! I'm going to be an aunt!" She turned to her husband excitedly. "We're going to be godparents!"
Neville leaned back and smiled, almost smug. "Yeah..."
Nine months later, Albus Severus Potter - Harry and Ginny's first child - was born.
The baptism was held at the Black Lake, with Hermione and Neville holding their godson as Nigel lowered him into the water. Hermione looked resplendent, laughing as Albus played with her pearls and tried to stick them into his mouth.
The years passed. 11-year-old Albus Potter had just started his first year at Hogwarts. Sorted into Gryffindor House like his ancestors before him, he quickly made many new friends. Plus, he had his Aunt and Uncle at the castle to keep an eye on him.
Classmates always asked him if it was strange, having Professors Longbottom as his godparents, but Albus shrugged it off. He always granted Uncle Neville and Aunt Hermione with the highest amount of respect. He was a good student, hard worker. Respectful of his elders.
So it was one day after Charms class, when Hermione asked to see her nephew after class.
"OK, not your Professor right now. Godmother taking over: your uncle wants to see you in the greenhouses during your free period, if you have the time."
Albus grinned. "Sure, Aunt Hermione. No problem."
Hermione beamed lovingly at him. "That's my best boy. Off you go." But then she called him back. "Hold on!" And she kissed his cheek. "Now you can go. Love you!"
"Love you," Albus echoed. At least his aunt's kisses were more tolerable than his mother's. Aunt Hermione never smothered him the way Ginny did.
Albus raced down to the greenhouses, where he found his Uncle Neville bent over a Venomous Tentactula, with a fine head of red hair beside him.
"Hey, Uncle Neville!" Albus deposited his satchel. "Hey Rhona."
Ronalda "Rhona" Longbottom, with her long red hair, grinned broadly at her only 'cousin.' When Hermione had first told her husband she was pregnant, she had thought she had been carrying a boy... and knew what she wanted to name him, to fulfill a promise to herself. However, the day she gave birth, Hermione had been surprised to discover that she was having a daughter. Doing some research, Hermione and Neville had decided to fudge it and use the closest feminine version of Ronald. Managing to still teach up until mere weeks before her delivery, Hermione had been moved to tears when her baby had emerged a girl and with fine red locks so that she almost looked like a Weasley. Hermione had taken it as a sign from above, from her lost friend, and had even shaken her head heavenwards. "You prat," she had whispered affectionately. "Only you could pull a stunt like this, Ronald."
At seven years old, Rhona lived with her parents in the staff quarters of the castle, and was a staple figure around the grounds and at Quidditch matches. She couldn't wait to start at Hogwarts, but for now was content with helping her Mum and Dad wherever it was needed.
"Hey, Al!" Neville greeted his godson with a ruffle of the hair.
"Daddy and I are pruning this Tentacula!" Rhona told her cousin excitedly. "We were just about to take a break!"
"How about some lunch?" Neville pulled up a stool for Albus.
And together, the three sat down for a lovely picnic in the greenhouse. Hermione soon joined them, kissing Neville rather indecently as she entered.
"Yuck!" Rhona made a face. "Mummy!"
Albus shook his head. It was scandalizing enough that it was two of his Professors snogging. But, since they were also his Aunt and Uncle, he figured he had it better than all of his peers.
Sitting gracefully in Neville's lap, her head on his shoulder, Hermione realized she had everything she could ever want. A fulfilling career, a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and a wonderful godson/nephew. The fitting ending to an incredible love story.
