Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is for pure entertainment only.
Summary: Set in the distant future. Hermione and Ron are about to get married, though Hermione isn't sure if Ron is ready. However, when she is given the chance to see all of her options, Hermione must choose the right path for herself.
CHAPTER 9
Hermione opened her eyes to find herself and Tonks in somewhere she had never expected to be; her parent's house, her childhood open. Instantly, she stepped away from Tonks, glancing around, slightly confused.
"We are three years in the future…you and Rose moved back in here together so that your parents could help watch her while you work at the Ministry." Tonks explained before Hermione could even asked.
"So Ron and I never—" Hermione started, wondering if Ron was still around, but she was caught off by a shilling giggle.
As if on cue, a laughing three year old with beautiful red curls, the same color as Ginny's, and bright blue eyes came running through, giggling widely.
"Rose! Stop running!" An older Hermione chased after her daughter, her voice stern though a smile clearly on her face.
Rose turned to face her mother, a devilishly grin on her face, when suddenly the doorbell rang.
"Daadddy!" Rose shrieked happily as she sprinted on her short legs toward the door.
The older Hermione managed to scoop Rose up and hold her under one arm as she opend the front door, a slightly older and even more handsome Ron stepping in.
"Daddy!" Rose giggled.
"Who said that?" Ron glanced around, over the older Hermione's shoulder.
"Me!" Rose giggled from under Hermione's arm.
Ron still pretended not to see his daughter, causing Hermione to smile a bit. Clearly, whether she and Ron were together in this future, Ron was a brilliant dad, which she couldn't help but admit she was bit shocked herself. She was never sure he would ever be mature enough to handle it, but maybe the little bit of childlike ways he had were the perfect combination for a father. So far, they seemed to be.
"Who is me?" Ron asked.
Older Hermione shook her own head, suppressing her own smile as Rose grabbed her father's leg.
"Oh! Rosie! There you are!" Ron bent down to scoop Rose out of the older Hermione's arms. "What are you doing hanging on your mum?"
"Mummy caught me!" Rose giggled as Ron held her in his arms.
"Caught you? Why was she catching you?" Ron asked, very serious.
"Because someone's hopped up on the chocolate frogs her dad bought her for her birthday…" The older Hermione said.
"You had chocolate for breakfast, Rosie?" Ron made a surprised face. "How did you manage to get into that? Surely your mum would have hid them…"
The older Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron's playful comment. "I did…someone taught her how to climb on things…"
"Ah…that would be James…" Ron said.
"Who is James?" Hermione asked Tonks.
"Harry and Ginny's oldest son." Tonks explained.
"Am I gonna see James today, Daddy?" Rose asked.
Ron nodded. "James and Albus over at grandma's…" Ron bent down to put Rose on the ground. "So why don't you go get your stuff…I want to talk you your mum for a second."
Both Hermione and the slightly older Hermione's brows furrowed in confusion as Rose took off down the hall.
"What is is?" The Older Hermione asked Ron.
"Uh…well…there was something I've been meaning to talk to you about…" Ron seemed to be struggling with his words.
"Well, get it out then, Ron…" Older Hermione laughed.
Hermione glanced over at Tonks. "He and I get alone well?"
Tonks nodded. "Ron cares about you…and you care about him…you've always got on alright for Rose's sake."
"But we aren't together…yet?" Hermione asked, watching the older version of herself and Ron. Clearly, it was only a matter of time before they would figure out they still cared in this reality. She was surprised they hadn't already.
Tonks did not respond to Hermione but rather motioned back toward the older Ron and Hermione.
"Right…well…I wanted to see, well, if you are okay with Rose being around Lavender? I mean, she is a werewolf and all, and you are Rose's mum and so if you're not okay with it—" Ron rambled.
Hermione's heart sank. Lavender was in the picture in this reality.
"So…so you are her are rather serious now?" Older Hermione seemed slightly shocked and quickly folder her arms across her chest.
"I'm jealous…" Hermione breathed aloud, hardly loud enough for even Tonks to hear. She could tell by her future self's body language. She had become standoffish at the mention of Lavender.
"Well…sorta…" Ron seemed to blush, glancing away from the older Hermione.
"I didn't realize you were seriously dating…" The older Hermione said.
"I don't have to be." Ron glanced up quickly at the older Hermione. His eyes said it; he clearly still had feelings for Hermione.
Older Hermione seemed to ignore his words completely. "Well, if you trust Lavender around Rose…then I trust your judgement…you are her father."
"Right." Ron gave a tight-lipped nod, just as Rose and Mrs. Granger came into the hall.
Hermione watched her own mother, surprised at how old the woman looked only four years in the future. Clearly, having Rose running around had worn out Mrs. Granger a bit, though the older woman looked very happy.
"Daddy! I gots my bags!" Rose practically sang.
"You have your bag, Rose." Older Hermione automatically corrected her daughter as she bent down to hug the three year old.
Rose made a face at her mother "Gots it."
"Have it." The Older Hermione corrected again.
"Alright, that's enough you two…we can figure out our proper language later…" Mrs. Granger spoke up, smiling at Ron.
Ron smiled back at Hermione's mother before running his hand over Rose's head. "Come on, Rosie, say goodbye to mum so we can get to grandma's."
"Yes! Cousins!" Rose jumped up in the air before and then quickly clamped her arms around the older Hermione's neck.
"Be good for daddy, Rose…" The Older Hermione kissed her daughter.
"Yup!" Rose giggled before launching herself at Mrs. Granger.
"You sure you are okay with Lavender?" Ron asked again as Mrs. Granger released Rose.
"I trust you, Ron." Older Hermione told him, though the younger Hermione could tell that the older version of herself was lying.
"Alright. See you both tomorrow then." Ron gave a quick wave before taking Rose by the hand and leading her out the door.
"Lavender?" Mrs. Granger asked her daughter the second Hermione closed the door behind Rose and Ron.
Older Hermione simply shrugged.
"Lavender as in…the girl who dated Ron before you?" Mrs. Granger pressed.
Hermione closed her eyes, listening to her own mother's words. She remembered coming home for Easter Break in her sixth year and crying hysterically to her mother over Ron and Lavender. Clearly, even in this future, her mother had not forgotten it.
"Yes. The one and only." Older Hermione spoke up, causing Hermione to snap her eyes open to watch herself and mother in this future.
"What did Ron bring her up for?" Mrs. Granger asked.
Older Hermione shrugged as if she didn't care. "He's dating her now. He wanted to let me know she would be around Rose."
"And you're alright with this?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"She's a werewolf, not a murder. I trusted Lupin just fine to be around all of us…" Older Hermione said.
"Werewolf? Dear, I just meant because Ron's dating." Mrs. Granger said.
"Oh…" The Older Hermione clearly knew that was what her mother had meant. "It's fine. I can't control it. He's free to do what he wants…"
"Hermione…" Mrs. Granger tried.
"Mum, I'm fine, honestly…" Older Hermione tried to pass her mother though Mrs. Granger stepped in her way.
"Honey, he still cares about you…and Rose…you should tell him—" Mrs. Granger started.
"There's nothing to tell him…" The Older Hermione said quickly, though there were a few tears threatening her eyes.
Mrs. Granger let out a sigh before giving her daughter a quick nod and moving back into the kitchen.
Hermione watched the older version of herself allow a few tears to slip down her cheeks before quickly wiping them away and moving to pick up a few of Rose's stray toys.
"I do still love him…" Hermione whispered as she watched herself.
Tonks nodded. "You do."
Hermione continued to watch herself. "And he is great with Rose…"
Tonks nodded again. "He is…"
Hermione turned to face Tonks. She was certain this future would be different then the others. "I want to see more…"
Tonks nodded, offering Hermione her hand.
