-Epilogue-
It had been nearly thirteen years to the day since Hermione and Ginny had walked down the aisle at their wedding ceremony at the Burrow. Hermione Flooed in to the fireplace in the sitting room of her and Ginny's house with a bouquet of red roses in one arm and her briefcase in the other, she was greeted by the smell of something delicious cooking. She walked through the sitting room and into the kitchen and saw Ginny at the counter, dicing a clove of garlic.
"Hey love, picked these up for you." Hermione put her briefcase on the kitchen counter, walked over to her wife and slipped her arms around her waist, holding the flowers in front of her.
"These are beautiful, thank you! Our anniversary isn't for a couple of weeks though!" Ginny turned around and kissed Hermione.
"I know. Someone was selling them in the atrium at the Ministry to raise money for refurbishing the tea room at St. Mungo's. What are you cooking? I've never seen you chop anything by hand before."
"I was in London this afternoon for a quick interview with the Puddlemere captain and when we went to lunch at this Muggle café I saw the chefs in the back working and it looked like fun so I thought I'd give it a go and cook dinner from scratch tonight," Ginny said, turning around back to the stove and carefully picking up the diced garlic with her knife and dropping it into the pot of hot, bubbling soup. "Mum helped out with the kids while I was gone. Right now Rose is in her bedroom either reading or coming up with a list of things the others did wrong today, I think Ty is trying to feed his snake, and Gideon is doing lines because he decided to throw another fit today about not being able to go to Hogwarts. He's worse than I was when my brothers were getting ready to go off, I swear it. Lennox, Arthur, and Iris are downstairs, I think."
No more than four months after they were married and plenty of research, Hermione and Ginny had decided to see a specialist Healer to start growing their family. Much to their surprise the procedure was similar to the "Muggle way" of artificial conception. Ginny (to no surprise, considering the fertility of her mother) conceived twins after the first try.
Arthur and Iris were born a few weeks after Hermione and Ginny's one year anniversary. Both sported bright red Weasley hair but the two couldn't be more different in personality. Even though he was more than two years younger, Arthur was close with James and Albus, if their parents couldn't find them anywhere then chances are the three of them were somewhere causing trouble. Iris and the Potter twin's younger sister, Lily, were close as well. Both had an affinity for books and writing and spent most of their time following Luna and Ginny around their publication offices. Hermione was delighted when she found Iris in the study one day over the summer curled up with Hogwarts: A History. The oldest Granger-Weasley twins were apprehensively waiting to begin at Hogwarts that year with their older brother who was now in his sixth year as a Gryffindor.
The same Healer tried four times with Hermione. After the fourth failed try the women consulted a Muggle doctor who tried twice more but to no avail.
"Maybe...I should just...go out and get drunk!" Hermione sobbed.
"Baby, listen to me, I know you're frustrated but we can try again in a few months, okay?"
"We've tried six times, Ginny! Including the others we should have more than enough for entire Quidditch team by now!"
"Maybe...maybe I could try again."
To no shock Ginny again conceived on the first try. Gideon, also sporting the bright ginger hair inherited from Ginny, still had two years to go before he started at Hogwarts and he was not pleased about it. Just like Ginny in personality, he was feisty, adventurous and had a love for breaking the rules. He'd been in trouble more than once when his little sister told their mothers he snuck into the garage over the summer to steal a broom to ride around on without permission.
"You know you can't punish him for this, Gin. You did the same thing."
"Yeah and I damn near broke my neck a few times! He can fly but only if I know he's doing it; those were the rules for Lennox and Arthur, they just never broke them!"
"You know that George will tell him you stole your brothers' brooms when he complains about it, right?"
"He'll get over it. What are you going to tell the kids if they want to take a year off of school to go on a prolonged camping trip?"
"That's...totally different, Ginny! There was a reason for all of that!"
"Just let me handle this, okay?"
"You're so damn stubborn."
"You love me."
After two different Healers tried twice again and another try from a team of Muggle doctors Hermione was told that she just couldn't conceive and it was a miracle she had Lennox to begin with. After begging and pleading with the doctors to just try one last time Ginny and Hermione were shocked to find out that not only was Hermione expecting but...
"You're having twins," the doctor said after putting away the ultrasound machine.
"Wh-what!? I...what?!"
"Merlin's beard, Hermione! Twins!"
"Yes, Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Weasley. Twins. However because of the difficulty we had with your conception you must take it easy. Do you want to know what you're having?"
"I...do we, 'Mione?"
"No, I want to be surprised. We have boy and girl things so we're all set."
Rose and Tybalt "Ty" were welcomed excitedly by their family eight years ago the passed summer. Rose was the mirror image of Hermione at age eight, her brown hair was nearly untamable without the use of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, she was incredibly stubborn, and was the first to inform someone if they had broken a rule. Tybalt looked remarkably like his oldest brother but was definitely less calm but not as stubborn or outspoken as his twin. They were extremely excited after hearing about Hermione's adventures with S.P.E.W. and so the youngest Granger-Weasley twins were determined to find some cause of their own to champion. Over the summer they had started bringing home random creatures they found to keep as pets. Hermione was almost horrified when Molly remembered that Charlie had been the exact same way when he was younger.
Lennox had sprouted up the year before, he was taller than both Ginny and Hermione now. He retained his chocolate brown hair and his eyes were still almost exactly like Hermione's. His build was rather muscular, he spent plenty of time lifting his younger siblings and enjoying early morning runs with Ginny and lots of time playing Quidditch with his cousins.
"Speaking of our Hogwarts students, any letters today?" Hermione asked while she searched for a vase for Ginny's roses.
"Post came earlier but I haven't had a chance to go through it yet. I stopped by the office and talked to Luna for a little bit today and she said that Al is still protesting about James being in Gryffindor and him and being in Ravenclaw. You'd think he'd be fine with it by now. Lily is fine with being in Ravenclaw, not sure why Al can't get over it."
There was a thunder coming down the stairs and also coming from the basement and Hermione was nearly tackled by the six children that greeted her.
"Ma! Gideon had to do lines again today! He was so mad!" Rose squealed. "And Ty and me found a toad! Can we keep him Ma? Can we please?"
"Did our Hogwarts letters come yet?" Lennox asked.
"When do we get to go to Diagon Alley to get our stuff?"
"Can I get a cat?"
"Rose is tattling again! It's none of her business I had to do lines!"
"Ma, what are we supposed to feed the toad?"
"Calm down! One at a time, guys. Rose, you can keep it only if it stays in the woodshed. I don't know if the letters have come yet, Lennox. Arthur, we will go when we have your list. Iris, we'll see about the cat. Gideon, we'll talk about it in a little while. Ty, owl your Uncle Charlie or Aunt Luna and ask them. Now, all of you except for Gideon go wash up for dinner."
Five of the six kids thundered up the stairs and Gideon looked at the floor, his red hair falling in his eyes.
"Gideon," Ginny said as she stirred the soup, "do you want to talk about your fit today and apologize or do you want to do more lines?"
"I'm sorry Mum," Gideon groaned. "I'm just gonna be bored without everyone around. Rose and Ty just want to play with their animals and I wanna play Quidditch!"
"You're too young to be playing right now, I told you this summer," Ginny said. "You can fly when I am watching but no playing Quidditch until you get to Hogwarts. That's the rule and you know it."
"But you…"
"Go wash up for dinner," Hermione said before he had another outburst. She ran her fingers through his bright red hair. "You need a haircut this weekend."
Gideon ran back upstairs and Hermione sorted through the post.
"Three Hogwarts letters, The Daily Prophet, and a thank you card from Victoire and Teddy for the wedding gift."
"Finally! I thought their letters would never get here. Lennox has been driving me up the wall for a week about it. Guess this means we'll be going to Diagon Alley this weekend."
"Letters? Did they finally come?" Lennox asked as he sprinted back into the kitchen.
"Well I would assume so since that one is addressed to one Mr. L. Granger-Weasley and it has a Hogwarts seal on it," Ginny teased. She tasted her soup and smiled, satisfied.
"Funny, Mum!" Lennox grabbed his letter and tore it open, a small badge fell out onto the countertop.
"Quidditch Captain?!" Hermione squealed as she stared at the badge Lennox picked up and admired. "Ginny! Ginny! Lennox made Quidditch Captain!"
"Fantastic!" Ginny dropped her spoon and hugged him.
"Oh Lennox, honey this is so wonderful, we're so proud of you! When we go to Diagon Alley this weekend is there anything special you'd like?"
"Well…" Lennox said quietly, looking at Ginny, "I think I might have cracked my broom handle the other day, it's got some awful turbulence. I-I know you save those big things for Christmas and birthdays but…"
"Say no more," Ginny said. "We'll take a look at brooms this weekend. Still thinking about switching to Keeper?"
"Yeah, Uncle Harry said I'd make a good one last weekend when we were at Gram and Grandad Weasley's for dinner. I'm just not quick enough to be a Seeker anymore. James said he is going to try for Beater and Al wants to try for Seeker for Ravenclaw."
"You're gonna be a Keeper, Len!?" Gideon said as he bounced back into the kitchen followed by the rest of his siblings.
"I'm gonna try."
"And," Hermione said with a huge smile, "your big brother is now not only a prefect but Quidditch Captain, too!"
There was a series of "ooohs" and "ahhhs" from the younger Granger-Weasley children as they admired their big brother's shiny new badge.
"Dinner is done," Ginny said as she took several bowls down from the cupboard and handed them to Arthur. "Iris, will you get the spoons out of the dresser? And all the rest of you get your glasses and help set the table. 'Mione can you get the bread out of the oven?"
Ginny and Hermione joined their children at the table. Over all of the excitement and noise at the table it was a wonder the two women could hear themselves think let alone carry on a conversation. Once the children had started eating though it was much quieter.
"How are things at work, Gin?" Hermione asked.
Ginny had quit working at The Daily Prophet after one Quidditch season so she could raise the children. After Luna got The Quibbler up and going again Ginny started writing columns from home. After Rose and Tybalt were born Ginny was getting restless with writing monthly columns so as soon as the youngest twins were old enough to Floo, with Luna's help Ginny had started publishing her own monthly magazine dedicated to Quidditch. The response was such that after only two years of publication Ginny and Luna expanded their offices and were now running the publication of five magazines out of the buildings surrounding the Lovegood House.
"Good. We finally got another printing press in so now we don't have to worry about what happens if one of them breaks down. Firebolt wants to run an exclusive advertising campaign with us so I am meeting with them next week to start negotiating."
"That is fantastic, Ginny!" Hermione beamed. "And the soup is fantastic as well, of course!"
"It's from one of Mum's cookbooks, I just didn't use magic. How was work for you?"
After having co-written legislation for the equality of house elves, Hermione transferred to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She had co-sponsored or written legislation for the equality or ethical treatment of werewolves, half-giants, and centaurs, just to name a few. She was quickly working her way up in the Wizengamot and practically transforming the Ministry singlehandedly.
"It was very busy. The passing of the non-pureblood equality laws is going great but trying to get the Department to enforce them is an entirely new hurdle. Harry and Ron have been extremely helpful in the Auror department but all of the others seem resistant. I guess it is just like the all the others, it will just take some time." Hermione sighed.
"Speaking of Ron," Ginny said, "Willow wants us to come in to Grimmauld Saturday night. She wants us to talk Ron out of naming the baby after himself since he's sure this one is a boy."
Ron and Willow had bought Number 12 Grimmauld Place when the Potters moved into the Lovegood House permanently after Luna and Ginny started working on their second publication. The eldest of Ron and Willow's three daughters, Emma, was to start Hogwarts the next year. Their second daughter, Rachael, was Tybalt and Rose's age and the youngest, Kate, had just turned four.
"It had better be a boy, he's driving me mad at work going on about needing another man around the house," Hermione said.
"I happen to like having girl cousins!" Rose piped up. "Are we going on Saturday? Please can we go? I know Rachael will want to know about the new toad! And can we go to Diagon Alley? I want to go to…"
"Let me guess," Gideon groaned, "Magical Menagerie? We always go there!"
"Well we always have to go to the Quidditch store because you want to!"
"The Quidditch store is fun though!"
"Animals are more fun than your silly broomsticks! Don't you think so Ty? You like animals better!"
"I like both..." Ty whispered.
"You're my twin! You're supposed to agree with me!"
"Nuh-uh! He's supposed to 'gree with me 'cause we're boys!"
"I can like both, can't I?" Ty looked at Ginny then to Hermione, wide-eyed.
"Of course you can, sweetheart." Ginny smiled and tousled his hair. "And as for Saturday, we are definitely going Diagon Alley to get everyone's Hogwarts things. We have to go to both stores so there is no sense in arguing over it, all right?"
"Yes Mum," Rose and Gideon chimed.
After dinner and getting the youngest three children settled in to bed and saying goodnight to Iris who was in the study reading and Lennox and Arthur who were in the sitting room playing Wizard's Chess, Hermione and Ginny retired to the master suite.
They were sitting in bed, Ginny was reading a book. Hermione was going through a stack of papers and let out a frustrated groan.
"Something wrong, love?" Ginny set down her book.
"It seems as though no matter how much legislation we pass there is always someone that is going to complain about it. I cannot believe some of these memos and letters, it's just ridiculous."
"Aw baby, I know things will be fine. You were worked up about the werewolf equality legislation not working, too, but look how much progress has been made! You're brilliant and stubborn, I know you'll find a way to get through to them."
Hermione sighed. "The werewolf legislation was easy though since Andromeda had the Lupin Facility built to help make sure most of it was possible. I know you're right but sometimes it is just so infuriating how little some of them care about others. Sometimes I feel like just giving up."
"Hey, hey! I don't want to hear you talking like that. Since when have you ever given up on anything? You're too stubborn to give up."
Hermione sighed.
"You know I would've walked down the aisle wearing jeans and a t-shirt if you hadn't demanded otherwise!" Ginny laughed.
Hermione smiled and leaned over and gave Ginny a quick kiss.
"I love you Ginevra, you know that? I don't know what I would do without you." Hermione smiled.
There were quick footsteps coming through the hallway followed by Rose's voice.
"Milton! Milton come back! I don't want you to get eaten! Milton come back!"
"Well for starters, you wouldn't have an adorable eight year old worrying about her pet mouse getting eaten by whatever is living in her brothers' rooms." Ginny smirked. Seconds later there was a screech from Gideon's room followed by Rose and Gideon arguing about how messy the room was and then Rose cooing to her recaptured mouse and hurrying back to her bedroom. "And you wouldn't have an adorable nine year old yelling at his sister because she's exactly like her mother."
"Yes, thank you for that," Hermione replied, oozing with sarcasm.
Ginny continued reading her book and Hermione went back to her papers and they listened as Iris came upstairs and joined Rose in their room for bed which meant Arthur and Lennox were probably settled in their rooms in the basement. After another hour when she was sure everyone was asleep Ginny set down her book
"Kids are asleep," Ginny gave a seductive smile to Hermione who was still ruffling through her papers. "You know, it has been a while..."
Hermione set her papers and quill on her bedside table.
"What are you suggesting, Ginevra?" Hermione said and turned off her bedside lamp.
"Mmmm a little something like this." Ginny leaned over and kissed Hermione, her tongue pushed passed the brunette's lips. Hermione climbed on top of Ginny and began kissing down her neck. She nipped at her collarbone and Ginny let out a little moan. Hermione smiled and started slipping off Ginny's shirt. Just as she got it over her head they heard a crash in the hallway followed by Gideon and Rose yelling at each other again ("You're not supposed to be out of bed!" "Mind your own business, Rose!"), followed by even more yelling from the other two.
"Rose why do you have to be such a snitch?"
"I'm not a snitch, Ty! Besides, Gideon is the one breaking the rules!"
"Rose just come back to our room before they wake up!"
"No! Gideon is breaking the rules!"
Hermione dropped her head into Ginny's neck and sighed then giggled.
"You think they do it on purpose?" Ginny laughed and pulled her shirt back down.
"Sometimes I wonder. When did we decide to have six kids? I thought we decided not to have that many." Hermione rolled back over and got out of bed.
"You said you didn't want seven kids. Six is less than seven last time I checked. And as I recall you were the one that wanted to have more after Gideon."
"Yeah…well…not the point. Ten to one odds Gideon was sneaking down to the kitchen."
"Probably." Ginny groaned and got out of bed as well. After quite a fight Hermione and Ginny separated the four squabbling children with help from Lennox who had heard the commotion all the way in the basement, got them back to their rooms, and the two women collapsed back into their bed.
"I have so much more sympathy for Mum having to deal with all of us kids now," Ginny said as she rolled over and snuggled against Hermione. "I wouldn't change a thing though, Mrs. Granger."
"Neither would I, Mrs. Weasley. Neither would I."
"You want to try for another?" Ginny smiled.
"Are you serious?"
"Sure. With three off to Hogwarts…"
"Ginny, you really think we can handle another one? We're not young anymore, you know?"
"Oh come on 'Mione, forty isn't that old."
"I'm still thirty-nine. Don't even mention the 'f' word until next month…even then I probably won't like it."
"It's not that bad, love."
"Says you. You're not there yet! Back to the original point, I think six is enough. I thought we agreed after Rose and Ty were born that it was perfect because we'd each had three."
"I know we did but…I don't know. I just love being a mother, you know that."
"Yeah well knowing you, you'd have triplets or something."
"We could handle it..."
"I'll tell you what, when Ron and Willow's new baby gets here we can babysit for a day and if we can handle it with all the others we'll talk about it then. Okay love?"
"Deal."
Ginny spooned her stomach against Hermione's back. The scent of sweet peaches and summer air filled her nose and she smiled. Hermione turned her head back to Ginny, the two lovers kissed and the world stood still.
Author's end notes: Wow. I can't believe this is the end! I want to thank all of you that read from the very very beginning all the way through! An especially big thanks to all of my reviewers, I love reading every single comment. You're all awesome and I appreciate it so much! Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
As of the day this was published (10/20/09) I am toying around with a few new story ideas but nothing ready to be published yet so just keep a look out!