Chapter 37
"I Just Want You to Know"
"Be careful with that!" Draco stood in the center of his foyer in his new house screaming orders to the moving wizards. "That goes in the study!" He spun around quickly when he heard something hit the ground "Leave it!" He shouted at the wizard who was trying to quickly grab all the contents from the box that broke and slid across the brand new black marble floors of his foyer.
As the man hurried away Draco swore under his breath. He kept swearing as he bent down to pick up the papers and books that had slid across the floor. He stopped swearing when he picked up an open book and a picture of him and Hermione fell out. He closed the book and read the title, "The History of the House Elf Enslavement". Thinking of the day Hermione was laying across his bed reading it brought a smirk to his lips, her and those damn house elves. The photo was of Hermione smiling happily into the camera and Draco was standing behind her with his arms around her waist with his face buried in her neck. My favorite spot, he sighed and sat down on the floor, water under the bridge Draco… He placed the photo back into the book and placed it back in the box. There was a loud crash and he quickly whipped his head around.
The same man who dropped the last box had just dropped another, this time of breakables, Draco grunted and stood, "it's a very simple concept really, DON'T DROP THE BOXES!"
_THE LEAKY CAULDRON_
"Congratulations! The number one witch to look out for Padma," Hannah beamed as she closed the copy of Witch Weekly, "Hermione congrats for making the list as well, next round of drinks on me."
"Thank you," said Padma shyly as Hannah made her way down the bar to help a customer. Hermione and Padma were sitting at the bar in the Leaky Cauldron having a drink because they felt like it. You probably would too after slaving away at the Ministry all day. Padma is currently the Head of the International Magical Law Office and Hermione is the District Attorney for London.
"So tell me how it feels to be the number one witch to look out for," pressed Hermione excitedly.
"Well…" she said placing down her drink, "like there's a lot more pressure to do well and that statement about being Minster… really I'm not ready for that."
Hermione examined Padma for a moment. She smiled and said, "You liar, you like that fact that everyone knows you're doing well!"
She laughed, "you would too if you were just thought of as Aidan Lynch's trophy wife it's nice for people to see that I'm my own person and I have a mind. I'm not some bimbo who is just arm candy," she finished.
"Still not over that Skeeter article are you?" smirked Hermione.
"No and don't make that face it reminds me of Draco," she paused, "am I allowed to talk about him I don't think we ever discussed what the ex-clause was in the girl talk."
"It really doesn't matter now I haven't spoken to him in years," Hermione jumped when someone put their hand on her shoulder.
"Hey," smiled Ron sliding into the seat next to Hermione, "did I scare you"
"Yes, just a bit. What's up?" She smiled politely.
"Nothing much just wanted to know if you wanted to grab dinner tonight?" He asked hopefully.
Ron and Hermione were speaking once again. Hermione just wanted him to understand that the world does not revolve around him and he has to realize that every decision she makes about her life isn't about him. But in true Ron fashion he didn't listen and wasn't accepting so Hermione stayed away. Harry informed Ron that his she'll come running back idea was rubbish. So Ron decided he would beg and plead for her to speak to him again. Hermione got sick of it and gave in.
Are they together? That was the major question, they haven't told anyone they were dating and they have gotten too old to believe that a few kisses and a date here and there counted as a relationship. But just between Ron and Hermione they knew something more was happening between them other than friendship.
"I can't, Padma and I have reservations at Chow tonight," she said apologetically.
"Where is your husband Mrs. Lynch and what will he be doing for dinner tonight," Ron asked Padma.
Padma smiled insincerely, "He's spending the Quidditch off season volunteering at a homeless shelter in Papua New Guinea. Not to mention he's a big boy he's more than capable of feeding himself."
"I don't know how he puts up with you," Ron wondered aloud.
"Because he's more man then you'll ever be," she smirked and picked up her drink.
"That's enough you two," Hermione scolded.
"You're right, why don't you and Ron take the reservation," Padma said pulling out her wallet and tossing some money on the bar.
"That's not necessary."
"Oh no it's cool I'm going home to have two way mirror sex with Aidan," she smiled.
Hermione blushed as Ron said, "you do that."
"I would recommend that you two try it but oh that's right Ronald you're not dating Hermione," she smirked. "I'll see you later at Deans," she kissed Hermione on the cheek before heading for the door.
"She's definitely a crazy one," Ron arched an eyebrow
"Yes but you have to love her."
"No I don't"
"Be nice," she elbowed Ron playfully, "I like having a girlfriend… our reservations at seven."
12 Grimmauld Place
"Harry!" Ginny shouted upon entering the house, she had just finished her interview with Lee.
"Mrs. Potter, Master Potter has not returned home yet," said Kreacher bouncing merrily up the hall.
Ginny giggled at the sight of him, "Thank you, why are you so happy?"
"No reason," he bowed and danced off down the hall.
Ginny only shook her head. She went into the living room and plopped down in her favorite chair. "Ow!" She immediately stood up and pulled a plastic toy dragon out from between the cushions.
Teddy had been staying with them for the past couple of weeks while Andromeda took a greatly deserved holiday. Teddy was always hyper and never seemed to run out of energy. He was really cute with his brown hair that changed colors while he sleeps because he's a Metamorphmagi like his mother and his bright blue eyes. But there were toys everywhere.
Normally Ginny would have known how to navigate her way flawlessly through clutter growing up at the Burrow but she had gotten use to the space and enjoyed it. She didn't like that this morning she almost fell down the stairs from the third floor because she tripped over Teddy's toy wand and then when she tried to read over her plays during breakfast found a Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich stuck between the pages…
The front door opened and Teddy came running into the house. He ran through the drawing room and into the living room through the adjoining doors in his school uniform with a red cape around his neck.
Just two more days, she thought to herself, she smiled at Teddy as he jumped on the sofa, "how was your day dear?" She asked trying to think of a spell that would restore her antique couch to its former glory before it was attacked by a six year old.
"It was fun! I painted you a picture!" he beamed, Ginny could only think of the huge mess he created. "I also learned how to spell tree!"
"I can't wait to see it," she smiled, "Let's hear you spell tree."
"T-R-E-E" he said and then began again "T-R-E-E…" He kept going
The walls in their study were painted a lovely shade of crème and had Weasley family photos, and pictures of Harry and Ginny and their friends. There was one of Hermione laughing as Ron kissed her on one cheek and Harry on the other, Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville in a pile up in the backyard from a barbeque last summer, Ginny, Luna, and Demelza each sitting on a broom hovering over the hill by the burrow, Dean and Ginny making faces at the camera, and one of all of their friends hands making a toast.
They were all in beautiful mahogany frames of different shapes and sizes. The opposite wall was home to two large bookshelves and had a massive bulletin board that hung in between. What hung on the bulletin board was Harry and Ginny's schedules, notes they left for each other, to do list, the Quidditch season calendar, and one or two pictures that Teddy had drawn for Harry in the past. But in the last two weeks the entire board was covered with unidentifiable art and Ginny couldn't figure out where to put another piece.
"Crater," Teddy shouted as Kreacher entered the room completely forgetting about spelling tree once again. He always had trouble-saying Kreacher and now that he was more than capable he decided to stick with crater. Teddy jumped off the sofa with a loud thud and rushed over to hug Kreacher who was about a head shorter than him.
"Teddy please don't strangle Kreacher!" Harry said entering the room looking frazzled. It's hard to apparate with a six year old who won't stay still.
After work Harry had picked Teddy up from Gilda's Preparatory School for Young Witches and Wizards. It was a school for witches and wizards who rather send their children to school before Hogwarts or whatever institution they would attend instead of teaching them at home. The school had only been open for a couple years and was still on a trial bases while the Ministry observed it for accreditation.
They had a wonderful curriculum, small classes, promoted creativity, and knew how to handle a child's uncontrollable magic. The only down side for the students were classes commenced in August. Harry had suggested it to Andromeda telling them they had K thru year 5. She didn't even read the pamphlet before she signed Teddy up. She said anything to get him out of the house until 4pm. While he was staying with Harry he had to stay at the after school program because Harry didn't get off work until five and Ginny wasn't always home.
"He's not Master Potter, I enjoy his warm embrace. Would young master Teddy like some milk and cookies," he smiled at Teddy
"Yes please," he said pulling Kreacher from the room towards the kitchen in excitement
Harry collapsed on the couch, "two more days," Ginny assured him and got up from her seat and joined Harry on the couch. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close.
He laughed, "So after work on my way to pick up Teddy from school, I was stopped by several people. They all congratulated me for being a dad to be…"
"What!" she looked at him questioningly
"Apparently you announced on Lee's show that we were expecting little ones," he raised an eyebrow
Ginny snorted, "I didn't he asked if we were and I told him that we'd only been married three years and we hadn't even discussed children."
"So how do you feel about children," he ran a hand through her hair
"I guess I want one someday…" she trailed off as Teddy came running back into the room singing God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs. With milk all over his shirt and Chocolate from the cookies on his face
"We've got time," Harry said watching Teddy take laps around the couch.
Later that Night
Dean's House
"What should we drink too?"
"How about the fact that we're mature adults now, who know better than to go out and get pissed on a Wednesday night knowing good and well we have to be at work in the morning," offered Dean
"Or the fact that it's Thursday and we're not so mature and we only live once," countered Seamus
They all looked at each other, "CHEERS!" they all shouted as they threw back their vodka shots. Three years and not much has changed, the entire crew still had their nights of debauchery. It's just they wised up a bit instead of going out and being bothered by nosing sods they simply did a house rotation. They took turns on who would host their annual get together bringing the party to them, only inviting who they want without the concerns of Skeeter and the rest of the tabloid world. Tonight they were living it up at Dean's brand new home in Muggle suburbia, by way of his Head of Magical Games and Sports salary. Recently decorated by Sonia Duccet with lots of clean sleek lines and modern furniture Dean had no idea how to actually use. But he did think it looked quite cool.
(***)
"This is just what you need to unwind"
"A bender in a muggle suburb," Draco said sarcastically as he eyed Justin Finch Fletchery as they walked up the street
"Oh come on, you promised me a chance to show you I'm not as lame as you like to so often claim."
"Fine you're not lame, you get to do dark things legally for a living and tell no one," said Draco
"Relax Malfoy, besides there are places more exclusive other than being on the guest list at Population."
"Actually there isn't a list you have to be invited and then if they like you granted a key," Malfoy corrected as he followed Justin up the path of a house
"Well these events are invitation only as well"
"I wasn't invited"
"I was"
"That's not saying much"
Justin rolled his eyes as he rang the doorbell…
"Whose house is this?"
(***)
"Pump it!" Dean shouted as he magically raised the volume of the music whilst his guest swarmed the house and out into his backyard complete with pool. The doorbell rang and he boogied over the front door.
(***)
"Dean Thomas"
"What!" Draco exclaimed just as Dean opened the door.
"Hey!" Dean said excitedly his expression shifted a bit as he looked over to Malfoy. "Hi Malfoy long time"
"Ah yeah sorry, Justin invited me. If I knew this was your house I wouldn't have come, so I'm just going to go."
"Nonsense," Dean stepped aside to let them both in and leading them into the living room. "Here have a shot," he picked two up from the coffee table, "there's a keg and more drinks in the kitchen and water in the pool stay have a goodtime." He said before walking away
"See it's going to be great," Justin bopped his head to the music as he wandered off.
Oh yeah great, Draco thought to himself as he downed his shot and went for another.
(***)
"So thank you for picking up the tab for dinner," Hermione said as she and Ron pulled up in front of Dean's house, "but that wasn't necessary."
"I couldn't let my best girl buy her own dinner."
Hermione looked over at Ron and smiled, "I'm your only girl."
"See that's why I couldn't let you pay," he smiled
"Let's go in," she turned off her car and climbed out
"You know one day I'm going to be able to drive one of these things," Ron said joining her on the side walk
"But I thought you could drive."
"Oh well, not that well considering my Dads Ford has taken to being wild in the woods of Hogwarts."
Hermione laughed, "Well then there's not much hope for you."
"Of course there is, I'm full of hope."
"Oh yeah"
"Yup, in fact I'm feeling so hopeful I'm going to give you something."
She stopped walking and turned to face him, "what," she smiled.
He handed her a red velvet box she looked up at him for a moment, her heart quickened and she was hoping that this wasn't what she thought it was. She looked down at the box and opened it, "it's empty"
"Of course, what did you think was in there an engagement ring?" Ron laughed
"RONALD!" Hermione threw the box at him and laughed as Ron ducked.
He stayed low to the ground and got on one knee and pulled another small box from his pocket, this time black. He took Hermione's left hand in his, "All joking aside, I know that we've been through it all and all the stuff that's not typical including but not limited to life-size games of chess and dragons but I never could have gotten through it without you and quite frankly I don't want to go through anything without you. Hermione I want you, I love you. Will you marry me?"
Hermione wiped the tears that were forming in her eyes, "this is why you wanted to go to dinner?"
"No if I planned something elaborate then I would have asked in advanced. I've been carrying this ring around for weeks waiting for the perfect moment and the truth is there isn't one. They're all perfect."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious! I'm kneeling on Dean's neighbor's dewy front lawn."
Hermione laughed and pulled Ron to his feet. "Of course I'll marry you. Ah!" She screamed as Ron picked her up and spun her around and kissed her. He put her down, "Oh my gosh," she looked at the ring on her finger.
"Are you ready to go in," asked Ron
Hermione thought for a moment, "no," she wrapped her arms around Ron's neck stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, "Let's go back to your place."
(***)
"Draco?"
Draco turned around to see who was calling him. "Hey Padma"
"What are you doing here," they hugged
"Oh you know just dragged against my will by a coworker desperate to prove that he isn't the bollocks I think he is..."
"And…"
"He's the bollocks I think he is," he smirked as Padma laughed.
"So how are things with you?"
"Oh you know the same since the last time we spoke. Why don't you ask the question?"
He looked down "Is she here?"
"No, but she will be."
"Great," he downed another shot, "I'm going to go before she gets here, give Dean my regards."
"Hold it Malfoy," she grabbed his arm. "Come join the fun…"
"This isn't exactly my scene and I rather leave before I create one."
She began pulling him towards the kitchen, "what fun would life be if it isn't a bit scandalous and everyone talking about it."
"Malfoy" Harry raised a questioning eyebrow as he stood next to Padma who took a seat on the table top.
"Potter"
"What a surprise," Harry said unpleasantly
"Well you know me, I'll go anywhere that makes you uncomfortable," Draco grabbed a fire whisky from the cooler.
"HEY!" as always Parvati made her loud entrance already swaying to the beat of the music blaring through the house. "You're dancing with me," she said grabbing Draco's arm and heading straight for the dance floor or Dean's patio that was being used for one.
"Dancing's not my thing"
"Children aren't mine but I manage to teacher year three thru five literature at Gilda's Prep."
"Shake it Parvati," Lavender laughed and bumped hips with her. Before continuing dancing with her favorite dance partner of all Lola, a blonde muggle with blue streaks in her hair who owns a tattoo parlor, Lavender has her own line of cosmetics. To the shock of all her friends except Parvati who said she saw it coming, announced she was a lesbian. She was always so boy crazy no one saw it coming but you they couldn't help but love her all the same.
The party was in full swing and everyone was there. Ginny and Hannah were sitting on the edge of the pool with bottles of Fire Whisky and their feet dangling in the water. Hannah's first order of business when she acquired the Leaky Caludron was to hirer a larger staff so she could leave the Pub on occasion. She and Neville live together on the third floor. She and Ginny were giggling as this thirty year old marketing rep from Finnegan's P.R Firm who was floating in an inner tube flirted with them. They were loyal to their significant others but there was no denying he was cute.
Harry and Neville were watching them carefully from the kitchen window pretending to be involved in conversation with Susan Bones, a hit wizard Harry met in the break room at the ministry and Todd Rowley beater for the Appleby Arrows.
Neville is enjoying his job as Herbology professor and Head of Hufflepuff House at Hogwarts. Not only does he love the school he gets to instill his passion in others everyday even if they aren't responsive. This party would be his last hurrah before he has to head back to Hogwarts to prepare for the students return. He taught a two-day interactive seminar at Gilda's Prep. Now those children acted appreciative although Neville was convinced it was because they can't use magic yet and they yearn for any possible taste of Hogwarts. He also works freelance for nature magazines when he's not teaching.
"Excuse me a moment," Harry excused himself to go outside and lay claim to his wife but was stopped by Angelina.
"Where's the fire?" she asked
"Some bloke is chatting up Ginny."
She shook her head in shame, "I thought the man who was asked to head the Auror office was past the whole jealousy thing."
"I am," he defended, looking pass Angelina to the poolside action. Harry finished Auror training to his relief, was immediately offered the position to head the office which he turned down right away saying he was in no way prepared and he hadn't even been a Junior Auror yet. "They should have offered you the position. You're the one with the Order of Merlin."
"You killed Voldemort," Harry rolled his eyes still wishing people would stop bringing that up. "Besides I don't want the head of the department coming down on me when there's a screw up. Everyone knows it will be you eventually anyway."
Harry smiled, "Fine but if ever I head the office your senior Auror."
"Deal"
"How come you're not listening to the Fucking Truth," Lee yelled entering the front door with George. Lee was still broadcasting from above Weasley Wizarding Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Although he and George no longer lived above the store, the flat was turned into corporate office space for Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, which now has stores in Diagon Alley, Hogsmead, Paris, Barcelona, and Tarapoto.
"Because sometimes people wish you'd shut your trap," Angelina commented leaving Harry and walking towards them. George wrapped her arms around her waist she flung her arm around his neck and kissed him.
"Yuck," Lee scrunched nose and walked off. "Is that Draco Malfoy dancing?"
"Dean you should fire up the grill!" Seamus said digging through the fridge.
"Why didn't you eat before you came," asked Padma
"Because he thinks he lives here," Dean said entering the kitchen, "I'm not firing up the grill just for you, find something to pop in the microwave!"
"You and your muggle contraptions," Seamus is still working to make Finnegan's P.R Firm bigger and more successful than it already is. Publicizing everything he can get his hands on.
"Perhaps that would hurt if you weren't a half blood."
Padma shook her head shamefully as Dean found something in his kitchen for his best friend to eat. "Hi Luna how's the Quibbler business, those darn Nargles," Padma asked hopping off the table going over to talk to her.
"It's going okay, can I profile you for the magazine."
"I don't think so," Padma smiled
"She's not really the type of person the Quibbler features," commented Demelza who still works her desk job at Gringotts and to Ginny's surprise she also shagged Charlie three years ago after Christmas dinner, just as she said she would.
"Do you own a house plant?" Asked Luna
"Not a live one"
"You're head of the law department perhaps you can comment on some conspiracies," smiled Luna.
(***)
The patio was filled with people dancing and the music had slowed and Draco found his way to a lawn chair trying to think of the least rude and noticeable way to slip out of the teen after school wireless special he got himself into.
"This is the end of an era," Lavender plotted down in the grass next to Draco's chair. "Everyone's getting hitched, buying houses…"
"And now your swinging a different way," Draco took a swig of his drink.
Lavender rolled her eyes, "You don't fool me Mr. Malfoy you have a softer side. You know I though you were like the hottest thing back when we were in school."
"What happened?"
"She realized you have a penis," Parvati plotted down next to her
I'm going to kill Justin, Draco thought to himself.
"No," laughed Lavender, "you opened your mouth and kind of killed the fantasy."
"Oh well this has been nice have a goodnight," Draco quickly rose from his seat and retreated through the back gate.
"But doesn't everything seem final."
"Next Ginny has to pop out a kid and the saga will be complete," Parvati added.
"Hey!" Ginny shouted from her poolside seat.
"It's not the end only the beginning of new adventures," encouraged Angelina.
"Stretch marks and headaches," laughed Parvati. Angelina rolled her eyes.
"We've known each other since we were eleven forced to room together and take classes together," Lavender went on, "Neville! Grab your camera." She shouted as she rose from the grass and pulled Parvati up with her.
"Where the hell is Hermione and Ron," wonder Susan
"Hermione was weird back then," Parvati noted as wrapped her arm around Lavender and pulled Susan into the photo.
"She was not!" Susan protested.
"She was," commented Neville from behind his camera
"You're one to talk!"
"It just makes us love both of you more," Lavender said. "Padma, Hannah get over here don't think you're going to miss this photo opt."
"But we don't have all the girls from our year without Hermione," Hannah said tiptoeing through the grass as fast as possible to get as little grass stuck to her wet feet as possible.
"Her loss" Cheered Padma, they all smiled as the camera flashed.
"I Just Want you to Know" The Backstreet Boys
