Thank you every one who followed or reviewed! I'm so excited. Well still no Beta... but if any of you great reader want to help please don't feel shy to offer your time and service. Please forgive the errors in this chapter.
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September 1st 2022
Hermione smiled at her three children who all had their trunks and the cat in his portable cage towards the corner of the room. They all stood in their foo room excitement and sorrow evident on their faces. Hermione couldn't help as the tears came to her eyes. James immediately moved forward and engulfed her in a hug.
"Mum," He said softly.
"I'll miss you." She said and pulled away from James and looked at her other two children. "I'll miss all of you." Hermione turned her attention to James. " Now, James stay out of trouble, It's your last year and get you need to leave your legacy but you also have to think of your future Hogwarts won't protect you forever." James gave a side smile and nod.
Hermione then moved to Albus hugged him tightly. "Don't you feel pressured to help James with any of his outrageous plans." She whispered so that only Albus heard. "Make sure your brother and sister are taken care of and they keep their grades up ok?" She asked louder as she pulled away from the hug and looked into his eyes.
"Sure mum, I will try my best with James." He smiled.
Hermione smiled and then moved to Lily. She cupped her face. "Lily, my sweet little Lily." The tears found her eyes once more. "Be good, and if you need me I'm just an owl away if you need to have some girl talk and be sure to kick your brother's bottom at quidditch this year."
"Good luck, girlie." James said which received an annoyed looked from Lily.
Lily grinned. "Sure mum I'll show him who is the true king of the quidditch pitch."
The fireplace came to life and three of the best aurors stepped through the fire. "Morning Mrs. Potter." The oldest looking of the three said.
"Go get your dad, tell him the aurors are here." She instructed to Lily who sprinted out of the room.
"Ah, Callahan no need for formalities." She said and engulfed him in a hug. "Williams, I do hope your wife is doing fine, last I heard she was on bed rest with her pregnancy. Give her my regards." She said and moved on to the other man.
"Will do My Lady. She is much better since now the morning sickness is gone." He told Hermione and she beamed at him.
"Can't wait to meet your son." Hermione said and moved on to the last man. "Wakefield." She said with a smirk and embraced him in a hug. "Nice to see you again." The young man fumbled with his words not really giving a response. He was a huge fan of Hermione's work and although was lethal on the battle field he turned to mush in front of her.
"Ah, good timing." Harry said and walked into the Potter's foo room.
The aurors grabbed the trunks and shrunk them each securing one. Hermione watched as Albus and Lily both said their good byes to their father and she turned to James and gave him a look for him to say bye to Harry but he shook his head at his mother. Hermione sighed and took Harry's hand before he could go over to James. Now was not the time for James and Harry to fight, Harry's colleagues were here.
"Alright kids. Ready to leave?" Callahan inquired.
The all mumbled their agreements and left the foo room after Hermione hugged them one last time they all left the room.
Hermione turned to Harry the instant the room was empty of children and aurors. "I hate this. We should be able to see them off like normal parents."
"It's against protocol Hermione." Harry tried to explain. "I mean saying bye here and saying bye at the train station isn't much of a difference. It won't hurt any less when we see the train leave. It's for all our safety that it happens this way."
"Doesn't change the way I feel about your bloody protocol." She said with an eye roll and left the room.
September 4th 2022
Hermione and Harry shared looks. They both felt the exact emotions: Anger and disappointment with a hint of shame. This was not how they wanted to spend their Sunday Morning. It was only three days since the children left and now Hermione and Harry were being summoned to Hogwarts on a 'very serious matter' as the letter which summoned them stated. Hermione looked at her daughter who looked ashamed and maybe even disappointed and the Mafloy Family across from her. She looked at Neville who felt the same way she did.
Then there was Edward Weston. The Vice President of the Head of Governs for Hogwarts. Oh how Hermione dislike him. He was a middle aged American widow, who thought little of the British education system. The man was nothing more than a pig-headed sexist idiot in Hermione's opinion and hated working with him.
"Why is Mr. Weston here?" Hermione asked almost in anger.
"Because Potter, you're asked here as a parent and not the head of governors." He responded with an heir of arrogance.
"Mr. Weston I ask you watch your tone when speaking to my wife." Harry practically spat. Hermione felt good to know Harry felt the same way towards Weston as she did.
Hermione however, was still taken aback by Edward's tone. "Because I'm a mother doesn't mean I'm not just and impartial. I know how to put emotions aside and get the job done."
"Protocol. You can't represent the board once it affects your family." He said with a smirk.
Hermione immediately knew this situation would be more serious than she originally thought about it. She felt the butterflies in her stomach increase but before she knew it she opened her mouth to answer the man in front of her; "Well as a parent I would like to you to follow the protocol which falls under section 7 I. II. IV paragraph four which states that a parent may ask for the removal of a board member when his or her child is being punished or reprimanded by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A representative, however, may asked to be present by either the headmaster or any of the parents whose child is affected- only if the administration and parents cannot reach an agreement." Hermione spat venomously. "I know the Protocol Weston, don't imply that I don't." She said. He quickly he walked out of the room looking defeated.
The room got eerily quiet.
"Headmaster, why have you summoned us this Sunday morning?" Astoria asked breaking the silence.
"There was an incident involving your children." Professor Longbottom replied.
"What did he do?" Draco asked instantly and very much like his father- emotionless and withdrawn.
"It wasn't so much him but more Ms. Potter."
"Lily?" Hermione asked. "What happened Professor?"
He took a deep breath and scanned the parents who all looked at him expectantly. "Last evening Ms. Potter was caught performing oral sex to Mr. Malfoy."
"Did you force yourself on my daughter?" Harry asked softly, too softly as far as Hermione was concerned.
The young Malfoy looked at Lily for a split second, she didn't look at him. "Yes. She didn't want to."
All the men in the room stood up. "You did what?" they exclaimed at the same time.
"How dare you! After everything I have done to rebuild the Malfoy name!" Draco almost screamed and moved towards his son blocking Harry from reaching him. "Sweet Merlin! I told you Astoria the bloody boy needs more rules. Look at what he does."
"Who do you think you are to force yourself on a woman? Much less one who is so much younger?" Neville continued the rant for Draco.
"Malfoy I hope you know I'll bloody be pressing charges! He's not getting away with this!" Harry said in anger.
"Stop all of you!" Everyone in the room looked at Hermione after she interrupted the men. "He's lying. He's protecting her. The small look he gave her before he answered said it all."
Draco was filled with relief.
"Lily tell us the truth." Hermione said sternly. Her daughter didn't open her mouth she stared off into the distance. "Young lady if you don't start speaking I'm going to have to question you under vertiserum."
"That's not legal." Scorpius spoke up.
"Well, that's true, if I don't get permission from the Minster of Magic." Hermione answered and turned to Harry. "Minister Potter, as the head of Governors at Hogwarts I have a request to be made."
"That's not fair! He's your husband!" Scorpius spoke up once more.
"Shut up!" Astoria snapped at her son not wanting him to get into anymore trouble.
"What could that be Mrs. Potter? And it better be important it after all is a Sunday Morning." Harry responded just as he would have had it not been his child was involved.
"We have a situation at Hogwarts and I know how much you disprove of the use of vertiserum on minors but the students involved refuse to be truthful. I have consulted with the mother of the young lady in question and she has no problem with the use of the potion. I ask that you approve the use for this situation here at Hogwarts."
Harry looked at his wife. He turned to his daughter almost as if wanting to say sorry. "Do what you must Mrs. Potter. I however, will need a formal request made along with the report of the incident on desk first thing on Monday morning."
"Perfect." She said and turned to the headmaster. "Pease provide us with a dose of the potion."
Neville nodded and sent a potrouns out of the room to the potion master.
"Who found them?" Draco asked trying to ease the tension.
Neville looked a little taken aback by the question. "Well, James and Albus Potter."
"The map." Hermione muttered to herself.
The room grew in an awkward silence. However that didn't last long as Professor Zabini walked through the door with the serum in his hand.
"Professor you requested vertiserum?" the Zabini asked not looking at his two students. Forcing Hermione to wonder if he was disappointed in them as much any other parents.
"Yes we did. Could you administer the smallest dosage to Ms. Potter?" Neville asked after getting a nod of approval from both Harry and Hermione.
"Lily just talk to them. Don't take the potion." Scorpius pleaded and took her hand almost turning to completely face her and blocking his Head of House.
"Young man please do not to touch my daughter." Harry seethed.
"Mr. Malfoy, please stand aside while I administer the potion to Ms. Potter" Zabini instructed.
Everyone watched in silence as she slowly drank the potion.
"Lily what happened tonight?" Harry asked as Professor Zabini finished.
"I pulled Scorpius into the broom closet and gave him head. He didn't want to do it, but I wanted to." The potion forced the truth out of her.
"Why did you do it?" Harry continued to grill his daughter.
"Because I wanted to. I missed him he is my boyfriend." She replied. "Not like I can see him during the hols."
"When did this start?" Both Astoria and Hermione asked at the same time.
"Last year January." Lily answered.
"How?" Harry asked.
"Because some idiot called mum a power hungry unworthy sluty first lady addict mudblood." She answered buntly due to the potion but you could tell she was uncomfortable. "And Scorp punched the prat and we started talking and I started liking him because we both have to live up to our family names and we both know what it's like to be in the shadow of our parents and its not easy to like a Potter. We're always in the media and most people just want us for five minutes of fame, but Scorpius wants me not all the extra because the Malfoy's are just as bugged by the media as we are."
"I don't care what he wants. Your actions were reckless and stupid. You know better than that. Your actions don't only affect you they affect your mother and myself- hell even your God-Father. I am highly disappointed in you young lady. I don't even want to look at you right now. All the things your mother and I go through to make sure you're happy and this is how you repay us?" Harry ranted.
The tears filled Lily's eyes. Hermione felt her heart break into a million pieces.
"You have taken everything for granted and disregarded the rules your mother and I set for you as well as the rules of this school. Gosh Lily I am so dis-"
"Stop it Harry. If this was James or Albus you wouldn't react this way. Did you even listen to what she just said? We- our lives and positions drove her to this."
"Hermione would you stop making excuses for these children?" Harry practically yelled.
Hermione although taken aback with Harry's voice remained calm when she responded; "One of us need to be on their side! Harry our daughter just said to us that she wants love where she doesn't feel like she has to prove her worth for it. What kind of parents are we that our own daughter feels that way?"
"Of course you would believe that." Harry replied in annoyance.
Hermione took a deep breath and she visibly turned on her professional features. "According to the Hogwarts regulations you both are suspended from school for three week, however, all assignment are to be completed and submitted. Also, one hundred house points will be deducted from each of you. The Hogwarts governing rules state that only fifty points can be deducted from a student for one action so apart from your incident activities you each lost your house points for lying to the headmaster and also unwillingness to cooperate. Please note that you will be on a strict probation period where if you get into any more trouble you can be expelled. All team participation will be forbidden for the entire school year. Before joining the quidditch team again next year you both have to pass your probation and get cleared by your Head of House. Lastly Mr. Malfoy I ask that you turn in your prefect badge. It's such a shame too, you were in the front running for Head Boy. Do you both understand these terms?" both adolescents nodded. "Then you both should get your things." Hermione said with finality. "Professor Zabini I ask you accompany them." Zabini nodded and turned to the children to start moving. "Thank you."
The room grew quiet as the students left. None of the adults looking at the others. Hermione sighed. "So, what should we do about the kids? I mean it won't do us any good asking them to break it off now will it?" she threw out into the room looking to Astoria.
"Well, I mean we can't tell them to stop being- well you know intimate." Astoria replied.
"They should break up!" Harry demanded. "She's fourteen, he's sixteen. He is much too old for her."
"I dated Viktor when I was fifteen and he was nineteen." Hermione said cutting Harry off who was going to start a rant.
"But you're my Hermione. You play by the rules and no one dares cross you. Lily is a child and Malfoy is almost an adult."
"Your Hermione? I'm not a possession Harry but I do believe I raised my daughter with the same morals and values my parents raised me with. Look if we keep the kids apart this will continue once they are back at Hogwarts."
"Hermione is right. There is no way to keep them away from each other we have to support them and help guide them correctly." Draco said cutting him off.
"So he can receiving oral sex?" Harry asked dangerously.
"No, so that our children know we love them and support them that way they will not do things like this again. Draco argued.
"He's right." Hermione said silencing Harry from his rebuttal.
"We don't have to figure this out now." Astoria offered. Silence entered the room once more. The adults all awkwardly avoiding each other.
It wasn't long before children returned. Astoria quickly left through the foo with her son while her husband and the Potters stayed behind.
Hermione took this opportunity to corner the senior Malfoy. "I'm sorry you and your wife had to witness that. It seems anytime my family is having a bad moment you're there."
"Hermione you don't have to explain anything to me." He said softly. "How's your memory?"
"Same old." She replied after a deep sigh. She opened her mouth and then closed it again.
"What is it?" Draco asked with a small smile playing at his lips.
"Can I schedule sometime where I just talk to you about the past and well how we became friends and worked together and all that jazz."
"Sure, whenever you would like. I should get going before Astoria lets him get away with this without any punishment. She is totally clouded by her love for that boy." He said and shook his head.
"I'll see you soon Ma-Draco." She replied softy.
Draco nodded his head and stepped through the fireplace.
"What was that about?" Harry asked as he and Neville stood talk, with Lily a few feet away from them. Hermione could tell Lily was crying while she was away from her parents and now trying to be strong.
"My medical condition." She said shortly and turned to Lily with a soft smile. "Ready to go?" Hermione asked softly and ignored the eye roll from Harry. Lily gave a stiff head nod and Hermione took her arms and went through the foo. Within a few minutes the foo room at the Potter house came into view and Lily immediately took off in the direction of her room. Hermione quickly followed and although Lily was faster than her she was able to stop the bedroom door from being slammed and closed.
Hermione looked at her daughter who was looking at her angrily. She dropped her things down.
"I'm sorry! I had to be tough and mean today but I heard what you said." Hermione said and gently closed the door and moved towards her and despite the rejection Hermione held Lil' tightly. "I'm most sorry that you feel you have to prove your worth to us. You never have to. You don't compete with our jobs or your brothers. We love you so much sweetheart."
"Whatever." Lily mumbled. Hermione looked at her waiting for her to expand what that meant. When she didn't Hermione responded; "Today, it's a day off, I won't yell or be pushy for you to talk but if you need to cry or talk about anything- I'll listen and with no repercussions tomorrow."
After a few moments of silence she tightly hug Hermione and started to gently sob. "I'm so sorry mum. I didn't think about the consequences and I didn't want to hurt you and dad and Uncle Nev and I'm sorry."
"Sweetheart, It's alright. We all make mistakes."
"You don't. You're perfect." Lily argued.
Hermione sighed. "Let me tell you a story." Hermione said and lead her daughter to the bed. "I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger."
"Like what?" Lily asked in disbelief.
"I was all those things that little child called me." Lily looked at Hermione in shock. "I had post-traumatic stress disorder and I was addicted to alcohol and potions. I wasn't a slut but I wasn't a saint. I had one boyfriend and he was no good for me. He enabled me."
"Are you making this up because there's no way that was you. Mum you're the most put together person of all time." Lily said looking at her mother.
"It's true. Your father is the reason I'm where I am today." Hermione answered. The silence grew in the room. "After the war, we had a lot of pressure on us. Especially me- I had to keep a certain kind of appearance and I couldn't because honestly I was still going through the emotional things."
"I kinda know what you mean. I feel that way. I always have to be put together and perfect. I feel that way." Lily explained to her mother.
"Why?" Hermione questioned.
"Because mum, You're Hermione Potter- world renowned author, brightest which of this age and head of the governing body of the most known school in the world, one third of the golden trio most loved first lady of Britain's Wizarding Community. And dad he's the boy who couldn't die- the chosen one and savior and the Minister of Magic. I have to be everything the wizarding world wants. I have to be a lady and put together. They expect me to be you."
"But I don't expect that Lily. I want you to be the best you, you can be." Hermione reassured her.
The room got silent and Hermione could tell Lily was contemplating what was just said to her.
"Thank you mum, but I feel sometimes that's not enough." Lily admitted.
"I feel the same way sometimes like today I had to be hard on you because of my job. What mother does that?" Hermione admitted and the room got silent once more.
"I still love you even you questioned me under vertiserum and kicked me off the team. You had to and you would have done the same if it was James." Lily said after watching the uneasiness build in her mother.
"The same way I love you even if you did something I don't particularly approve of." Hermione said and hugged her daughter once more.
"Do I have to break up with him?" She said with much more ease. Hermione could tell her mood was improving.
"Well, no but that doesn't mean you are free to keep this behavior up. Your father doesn't want you two to stay together but it will all work out." Hermione said honestly.
"Thanks mum." Lily said with a small smile.
"No problem. Now if your father asked I yelled at you about how disappointed I was. I'm also taking your broom, you're grounded through Christmas Holidays and I will be taking your all electronic device from now. You will get them back after the school year is complete. Get your things unpacked."
Lily sighed as her mother left the room. She knew it wasn't a real punishment except not having her electronic devices when she was home. But that was minor and she would live. She felt a sudden rush of affection towards her parents especially her mother. She deserved so much worse than what she just got.
Harry had not said a word to Hermione all day since coming home from Hogwarts. He locked himself in his office. So when he came to bed Hermione took the opportunity to talk to him.
"Har-" she started but was cut off by her husband's voice.
"I'm sorry. I said My Hermione. You're not a possession but you allow these children to get away with murder." Harry quickly said.
"Because you're so hard on them Harry. What happened to all the talk of when I have children I will always be there for them?" Hermione replied.
It was just past 3 on Christmas Morning of 1999. Harry and Hermione sat near the small bonfire at the back of Wesley house. Everyone else had call in for the night even Ginny which was strange since Ginny hung on tightly to Harry every chance she could. Hermione sat close to Harry the pair not saying anything just enjoying the silence and the company. Hermione would every now and again fill her cup with some firewhiskey and although she was on her fifth glass Harry went against his mind and body to tell her stop. He kept saying it was in the spirit of the holiday.
"Are you nervous?" Hermione asked finally breaking the silence.
"About?" Harry asked her not removing his eyes from the small fire in front of him.
"Asking Gin to marry you." Hermione replied like it was the most obvious answer." I mean New Years is a just a few days away."
"I'm not really. I think she will say yes." He said with a small smile. Hermione had she been thinking straightly would have seen how nervous Harry really was but she didn't and he was grateful.
"She will." Hermione reassured. "How soon do you want kids?"
"It's not my decision, now is it?" Harry chuckled.
"It is. Just don't just the contraception potion and don't ever pull out." Hermione answered bluntly.
Harry was taken aback by what his bestfriend told him. "I would rather Gin tell me she was ready for children than just sneakily get her pregnant."
"Always the gentleman." Hermione teased. "You will be a great dad."
"I'll try, but I will be the fun parent like my dad would have been. I will always be there for them and they will always talk to me first." Harry said confidently
"That's definitely how it's going to be. Ginny with her temper- children will love you." Both friends chuckled.
Harry sighed pushing the memory from his mind. "People change and children sometime need a firm hand." He said and got out of the bed. "I'm going to get water." and with that Harry left the room.
Hermione sighed as the bedroom door was left slightly ajar and Harry left. She waited a few minutes for Harry to come back to bed. Did she say something wrong? Was it because that memory she spoke about was with Ginny and not her? Sighing Hermione made her way out of bed and down the stairs to find her husband. The closer she got to the kitchen the more nervous she got. Her nerves got magnified when she heard talking in the kitchen. Who was he talking to?
Hermione silently made her way to the kitchen and noticed her daughter sitting on the island with Harry Standing next to her. Harry indeed had a glass of water in his hand and Lily sat drinking orange juice. The pair did not notice Hermione and she remained unnoticed by slipping behind the wall to listen.
"Let me make you something to eat Lily. You haven't left your room all day and you must be hungry. Orange juice isn't going to fill you. What would you like?" Harry asked opening the refrigerator.
Lily gave a shrug. "I don't know. Whatever."
"Lily,"
"I'm sorry dad about today. I never wanted to embarrass you or make you disappointed or hate me. I shouldn't have done it but I don't want to stop seeing him." Lily stated flatly.
"Lily, you're my little girl. I don't hate you. Yes I am disappointed but you're my little girl." Harry said and Hermione knew although she didn't see she knew Harry engulfed her in a hug. "So what should I get you to eat?"
"A turkey sandwich?"
"Sure." Harry said and Hermione heard him rumble through the kitchen. She quickly made her way back upstairs in fear of her presence being made aware and spoiling the moment for the two of them. They needed it.
Hermione wouldn't help the smiled that formed on her face as she tucked into bed. Harry listened to what she had just told him and he treated Lily so sweetly. For the first time she felt as if the Harry she lived with now was the Harry she always knew.