Cheating Life
Cheating Life
Written by Christina Elizabeth Lupin
A/N: Oh my God… 25 reviews for one chapter? You make me so happy guys! Kudos for everyone! Anyway, I am so sorry for the long wait. I have only about 3-4 weeks left at where I am at and then I will be more open. Once I do, I will a CNA. How fun, yeah? Then in January I will go for my pharmacy technician degree. I don't want to be a CNA for ever.
For this chapter, we will skip ahead to the Christmas dinner, where Harry introduces his girlfriend to his family and friends. I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter. Have fun!
Chapter Two: Christmas and Meetings
Aubrey smoothed out her dark blue dress nervously with one hand while her other was holding her boyfriend's hand. Harry smiled and tightened his grip.
"You'll be fine, love."
"Are you sure about this, Harry? I mean, what if they hate me?"
"I am very sure about this. It's a perfect way to introduce you. And, between you and me, I don't think they will hate you. I know Teddy will be very happy about this arrangement."
Aubrey smiled. "Yes. Your adorable godson was so depressed when we stopped our sessions. I remember the hug he gave me."
The couple heard the knock on the door to Harry's house. He squeezed her hand once more and headed out to answer the door. Aubrey peeked into the oven to make sure the ham was cooking and returned to flattening her dress.
Harry greeted his parents warmly and ushered them in, taking their coats.
"Thank you, Harry," Lily said, smiling. "At least your house is toasty warm to battle the cold."
"Yes. I especially made it warm for you and Tonks."
"You didn't have to, dear."
The thirty-year-old wizard grinned. "Once everyone gets here, I will introduce you to someone very special to me."
James looked excited. "Do we finally get to meet this mysterious girlfriend of yours, son?"
"That you do, Dad. But please be nice to her… she's very nervous."
Lily nudged her husband in the ribs, making him yelp. Harry laughed and returned to the kitchen, where Aubrey was still smoothing her dress.
"Love, relax."
"How many more people are we expecting?" she asked.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. "We got Remus and his family, Ron's family, and a few others. The Hogwarts staff will hear about you through Remus, so they won't be around tonight."
Aubrey buried her face into his neck. "Thank Merlin. I hate large crowds."
Harry chuckled. "Then I shouldn't propose to you? I have a funny feeling our wedding…"
She smacked him lightly. "Oh, you're so mean, Harry! Don't tease me like that."
"Sorry, love." He kissed her gently. "Keep an eye on the ham while I go wait for the others. And don't worry so much. Maybe you should take your own advice and do some meditation."
"You're horrible, Harry Potter!" she said, but was grinning at him nonetheless.
--
Remus, Tonks, and Teddy arrived last and Harry had them all corralled in the living room. He had brought out some snacks and entertained them while disappearing into the kitchen every now and then.
"I bet that he has her stashed in there," Tonks said, grinning.
"And here I thought he had her in the bedroom," James said, rolling his eyes. "Of course he does, Dora. I have a firm belief that she is a chef."
"Stop making assumptions, Prongs," Remus replied. "From what I have heard from your son, she makes him very happy and she is a lovely lady. Don't terrorize her more than you have already."
Everyone's attention went toward the kitchen door, where Harry announced that dinner was ready and that his girlfriend was coming out to help place the food. The guests took their seats at the enlarged table and waited. Finally, Harry and a beautiful woman who looked around his age exited, carrying plates of warm food.
Teddy's eyes widened. "Healer Johansson?"
Aubrey smiled widely. "Surprise, Teddy."
"A very happy surprise. I always wanted you to date my godfather, ever since I met you."
"And I am dating your very handsome godfather." She looped an arm around his waist.
Harry grinned. "See? I knew Teddy would love you." He turned to everyone else. "Guys, this is Aubrey Johansson, a medi-witch who deals with people who suffer from traumatic experiences. Aubrey, this is the main part of my family and friends. They can introduce themselves, but not until dinner starts."
"She's very lovely, Harry," Lily approved, smiling.
Aubrey blushed and Harry's smile widened. "Thanks, Mum. I thought so too."
James roared with laughter while everyone else shook their heads in amusement. The couple finished bringing dishes out and sat down together. The dinner commenced and Aubrey was thoroughly introduced to everyone at the table. James had turned his charm on full-blast, making her blush darkly.
"Don't mind him, Aubrey," Remus responded after Lily smacked her husband. "He's always been a ladies man, even in school."
"Harry told me, but I never expected him to be so… charming," she replied.
"He's still in his twenties, so he hasn't changed," Ron said and he dodged James' swing.
"I have changed!" James said desperately.
Aubrey let out a giggle and passed the mashed potato bowl to Tonks, who thanked her.
"So, you were the one who helped Harry deal with the aftermath of the final battle?" Hermione asked, after she swallowed the ham. "And by the way, I love the ham."
"Thanks, Hermione," the medi-witch said, smiling. "And yes, that is how we first met. He had a lot to deal with, but I helped him. It was only after our sessions were finished when he asked me to have dinner with him. We began to date casually after that and we fell for each other." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "I couldn't ask for a better guy to fall in love with."
"And who better to date than the woman who fixed me?" Harry teased, bringing their joined hands up to his lips so he could kiss her knuckles. The entire table burst out into laughter, including Aubrey.
"So, when are you planning to tie the knot?" Teddy asked excitedly.
Harry and Aubrey smiled at the young man. "You'll have to wait and see," Harry said, sharing a glance with his girlfriend.
Teddy huffed. "I want it soon."
"You never know, love," Aubrey replied. She kissed Harry and blushed at the wolf-whistles and cat-calls they received.
--
While the men gathered the presents, the women and Teddy sat down on the couches and chairs in the living room.
"You are good for Harry," Tonks said, smiling at the younger female. "He is much happier with you than he was with Ginny. I don't doubt that you two will make a perfect couple and parents."
Aubrey beamed. "Thanks. It was hard for me to not swoon over him when he first came into my office."
Tonks, Hermione, and Lily laughed. Harry, who overheard her reply, winked at his girlfriend. She sent him a sly look back and made the women laugh harder. Remus shook his head in amusement while James nudged his son, wagging his eyebrows. Teddy just sat and watched, smiling happily.
"I know I am irresistible," Harry said, sitting down next to her.
"No, that's your ego talking, love," she shot back, grinning.
He put a hand over his heart, looking hurt. "You wound me, woman."
She laughed and shoved him. "Oh, stop being a baby and open your presents. That goes for all of you too," she added to the group.
Everyone laughed and opened their presents. It was mostly quiet except for the gasps and screams and squeals that happened after certain presents were opened. Aubrey especially loved the gifts she received from the others, who knew they were going to meet her but didn't know her well enough.
"I have to get another jewelry box, love," Aubrey mentioned to Harry, staring down at the beautiful gold hoop earrings given to her by James and Lily.
"Yes, you will have to," he said, grinning. "I see you left my present for last."
She smiled and tore into the blue and gold wrapping, done in her two favorite colors. She gasped when another jewelry box slipped out. "Not more jewelry!"
Harry smiled. "You'll love this one, darling."
Aubrey sent him another sly look and opened the small box. Only to slam it shut. She stared at him, tears filling her dark brown eyes. "Oh, Harry…"
He grabbed the box and her left hand. Everyone was watching, their eyes wide. They knew what he was doing. "Aubrey Helen Johansson, I could not have found a better partner than you, not in my lifetime. I ask you, in front of my family and friends, to be my wife, to be the future mother of our children, to be there to comfort me through the dark times, to make me laugh and to love me unconditionally. Will you marry me?"
She swallowed thickly and smiled shakily. "Of course, Harry James Potter. I will marry you." She kissed him passionately. "I love you so much it hurts."
Everyone cheered as Harry slipped the beautiful ruby and aquamarine ring onto her left ring finger. He kissed her again and held her close.
"Congratulations!" Lily squealed, pulling the girl closer. "Welcome to the family, dear."
Tonks and Hermione admired the ring and also offered their congratulations. James and Remus hugged her as well. Teddy was smiling widely that Aubrey wondered if his face hurt.
"You'll be my godmother," he replied.
"She'll be more than that, son," Remus said, smiling. "If Harry was your adoptive father while I was gone… she'll be like your adoptive mother." Both he and Tonks smiled when their son yelled out happily and pulled her into a hug.
"YES!" he crowed.
Aubrey laughed and hugged him back. "I can see you are very happy about that, love."
"I'm more than happy. I'm excited."
She kissed the top of his head and shared a smile with Teddy's godfather. "I am too, love. I am too."
--
End of chapter
A/N: Wow. That chapter came out a lot faster than BB and MC's did. Maybe because it was easier to write? I don't know, but the other two stories will be updated within the week. I just need to light the fire under my butt and force myself to sit down and write those stories and not my novel. (sigh) Anyway, I hoped you have enjoyed the chapter and please be ready for the next chapter.
Next Chapter: Harry and Aubrey get help planning their wedding, the Hogwarts staff and students hear about his fiancée, and we learn more about the mysterious Lord Kaiser. Just who is he?