Chapter 43

December 24, 2008

After the Christmas Party at the Potters, the Weasleys returned home. Rose was on a sugar high from cake and candy, but six month old Hugo was sound asleep, even when they arrived back home by floo.

"I'll get Rosie to bed," Ron said then mumbled, "I hope" as he walked toward the little girl's room, she happily babbling.

"Come on cuteness, your turn," she said softly to Hugo and went to his room, or in Hermione's mind, the only Quidditch shrine in Surrey. Ron went bonkers and practically bought out the entire Quidditch Baby collection at one of the baby stores in Diagon Alley. Only because I was still in hospital when Hugo was brought home!

Ron loved holidays at his parent's home. Although the Grangers were the best, in his mind nothing held a candle to The Burrow full of happy, carousing Weasleys. His kids would grow up with Harry's. The war, horrible as it was, really brought people together. They lost Fred, but as Molly often said, gained Hermione and Harry and in a way, Percy. Ron loved the look of pride in his parent's faces when his Rosie figured out the answer to a kiddie problem before all the other kids.

In January of 2008, Hermione's biggest secret was discovered. Someone finally guessed that Hermione was Haley Goodyear, whose latest book, A Hexed Heart, had sold out after only three hours on the shelves. That someone was Ginny. At the Burrow after a family Sunday lunch, Ginny read from A Hexed Heart while Hermione cleaned Rosie's cake-streaked face and sent her toddling off to play with her cousins.

"I tell you Hermione, this Goodyear woman really writes some good stuff," Ginny said. "After the first book I wasn't sure if Helene was in love with Rouen, but..." She stopped, took a drink from her glass and glanced at the cover. "Oh how funny, the guy on the front of this one looks like Ron!" Ginny said.

What?! I told them not to do so close a resemblance!! Hermione thought, but nonchalantly cocked her head to the side and said, "Yeah, maybe."

Ginny resumed her reading and noticed that Hermione continuously bounced her knee while eating her cake, sparing a glance at the book cover from time to time. Ginny had a thought, (particularly about the Hermione-type dialog and action in part of chapter three) flipped back a few pages and looked at Ron in the kitchen, then Hermione carefully. No, it couldn't be! She had to tread carefully if she were to get to the truth with Hermione. Quite frankly, her sister-in-law was the smartest witch she knew and being a lawyer, would know right off if Ginny tried to get one over on her. If Hermione was indeed Haley Goodyear, then why did she keep it a secret? It might be best to just confront her with what could be an entertaining truth.

"Okay Hermione, confess," Ginny said, slapping the book against her palm.

"Pardon? Confess what? What've I done?" she asked.

"You-know," Ginny sang and casually waved the book.

Hermione stood up quickly with and said, "I don't know what you're talking about" and started to walk away, but Ginny caught her elbow with a grin. Typical Hermione avoidance technique. In the kitchen, Ron and Harry were holding baby Lily and Hugo and saw Hermione close her eyes, sigh and put her head back.

"All right love?" Ron asked. Hermione nodded.

"Gin, you're not teasing Hermione about her flying again, are you?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, just last week she got that broom a whole ten feet off the ground," Ron said.

Both women rolled their eyes. "Come on, let's go outside, it's not too cold," Ginny said and both made their way toward the door, furiously whispering.

Outside on the hammock, Ginny said "Okay, spill it."

Hermione took a deep breath and told Ginny everything about her second mystery career. Ginny was giggling at the end. "Oh Herms, you poor thing. You had the hots for Ron during that Horcrux search? Not the best time and place, huh?"

Hermione shook her head.

"And you had to bathe in creeks and ponds?"

"Ginny, we didn't exactly have bathtubs and showers readily available. We had other more important things to think about."

"Yeah, like lusting after my brother."

Both women fell back laughing on the hammock, then Ginny suddenly sat up.

"Hold on! In chapter five of The Sweetest Curse in that scene with Helene and Rouen by the...you didn't make that up, did you?"

Hermione blushed and shook her head.

Ginny held up the latest book. "And here, in chapter four...?"

"Yes Ginny, most of the-"

"Smut?"

"Yes, the smut as you say, is based on...personal experience, but I really don't like that word. I prefer erotica."

"Oooh, I see. Erotica. Hermione and Ron inspired erotica."

"Do you see why I keep it a secret?"

That night, Ginny sat at Harry's laptop computer, looking at some notes on paper titled "The Love of A Witch" and placed her fingers on the keys. Okay, if Hermione can do this, so can I.

July 3, 2009

Four Oaks Manor, Surrey

The sun was setting, and everyone was winding down after Hugo's first birthday party. Harry observed Arthur entertaining the gaggle of grandchildren while Ron and Hermione were on a blanket across the yard, quietly talking, laughing and occasionally kissing. According to Ron, after all this time, the passion and affection was still there. He glanced wistfully to Ginny, who was talking to Bill. He caught her eye, and she gave him a quick smile. He felt a hand clap on his shoulder and looked up.

"Something on your mind?" Mr. Granger asked.

"Where do I start?" he replied with a chuckle.

"Well, the beginning is always good."

Harry rubbed his face and looked carefully at Ian, who raised an eyebrow.

"Come now, it can't be all that bad."

"It's not bad exactly, just...oh, I don't know...confusing," Harry said. "I

love my wife more than my own life, she an amazing woman. It's just... well, you see Ron and Hermione over there?"

"Yes, I was about to suggest they get a room."

"I wish I could remember the last time someone said that about us. Ever since she had Lily..."

Ian nodded knowingly and ushered Harry into the house, to the den where he prepared a glass of bourbon for each.

"So, as my wife would say, the romantic fire between you two is somewhat lessened as of late?" Ian asked.

"Yeah, it used to be like a bonfire, but now it's...kindling?"

"Have you ever talked about it?"

"No, I don't want to embarrass her." Or myself!

"How would it embarrass her?"

"I overhear her talking to her mum about how she feels about herself after having the kids."

"How do you feel about her?"

Are you sure you're a dentist and not a shrink?

"She's more beautiful to me than ever."

"Then tell her that, and go beyond by showing her. Surprise her with romance, let her know that she's still the only woman in the world in your eyes. I know where you're coming from, Liz and I went through this after Hermione was born."

"I was thinking about taking a holiday, just the two of us."

"See? That's good. I understand you're successful, with an important job, but what do you think your wife wants at the end of the day? You or your job?"

Three days later, Ginny was looking over a report that had scores from all the past weekend's professional Quidditch matches. She had an article due that afternoon. At lunchtime, Harry strolled into the office, plucked the paper from her hands and urged her to her feet.

"Hey, what gives?" she asked.

Harry surprised her with a searing kiss and a quick squeeze on her bum.

"Get your purse, we're leaving," he said cheerfully.

"Now? Where? I have an article-"

He placed a finger over her mouth. "As of three minutes ago, your boss agreed to your week long holiday. We have a port key connections to Hawaii in twenty minutes."

"What? Hawaii? Harry, I'm not ready or-"

He again placed a finger on her lips. "I'll explain everything when we get there, okay? Just trust me."

"Of course I trust you," she mumbled behind his finger.

He picked up a suitcase outside her door and the two left The Daily Prophet building. Twenty minutes and five port keys later, they arrived at the American Magical Administration's Hawaii Division international port key point. Two women stepped forward, greeted them and placed a lei around each of their necks and spoke. "A representative from our International Liason office will arrive shortly. You can relax from your trip in one of the lounges down the hall and feel free to use the provided stomach elixirs and snacks available."

An hour later, after the briefing about the magical quarter of Hawaii, they were taken by Pegasii-drawn carriage to their seaside bungalow. Ginny was amazed at first by the magical flying horses then the isolated bungalow.

"Harry, I-" she started but was stopped by another searing kiss.

"Come inside, I'll explain everything," he said.

Inside, she giggled at the sight. "It's one big room! And look at the bed, it takes up half the room!"

"You like the bed, do you?" he asked with hooded eyes. "I hope so, because I plan to keep you in it this week."

He held true to his word. That week, they rediscovered the "romantic fire" and once again, set it ablaze.

For the most part, the years passed happily for all involved. Rosie was turning out (unintentionally of course) to be the smartest child out of all the bunch, and what a bunch it was. Bill and Fleur had their third child, a boy named Louis. Percy and his wife, Audrey, had two girls, Molly and Lucy. George and Angelina finally married and produced Fred and Roxanne. Not many families could boast 12 grandchildren. The day after Rose's first day at Hogwarts, Hermione received an owl at her office. She could tell from Rose's writing that she was excited and thinking fast as she wrote.

Mum-

I miss you and Daddy, and even Hugh, but I've settled in all right. The beds are so different from my bed at home, and our dorms are a little spooky at night, but the older kids tell us that'll pass. Now, to what you probably already know, I was sorted into Ravenclaw! I guess Daddy lost the bet! Everyone was kind of surprised. Weasleys have always been in Gryffindor, isn't that's what I've heard for years? You know what Headmistress McGonagall told me? Change is a good thing. In private she said I can still call her Auntie Min, but in public, Professor or Headmistress.

Want to know another surprise? Scorpius Malfoy (a bigger mouthful than your name, Mum) was sorted into Ravenclaw too. We don't know about him yet. From what I've seen so far, he seems to keep to himself, has a falcon, and likes to read. One of my roommates has a cat that looks exactly like Adan, only bigger. Another one of my roommates is an orphan, and she's really nice. I think we'll be friends. I'm writing this during breakfast, but now the plates are disappearing. I have to go to class now, Charms. When I get some spare time later, I'll send you my timetable. Tell Daddy I miss him!

Love, Rosie the Ravenclaw

I feel the need to thank everyone from the whole of my heart for their kind and encouraging reviews! This story, although fun to read and write, has also been the hardest. Between my jobs as a wife, mom and soldier (throw in a move from Oklahoma to Germany mid-story) and college, it's a wonder I've gotten this far! It's almost done! I haven't forgotten about my other open tales either, so keep an eye out...now on with the story.