Thank you for being patient with me and for all the nice words. I appreciate you all!
**Harry Potter is not mine**
The burrow was alive with laughter as Hermione stepped straight into the flurry of activities.
"Oh Hermione, dear! Welcome! Set that cake down and give me a hug!" Molly Weasley's voice welcomed her before she even managed to take two steps into the room.
Hermione smiled and immediately deposited the box and paper bag she held onto the nearest table and received Molly's big hug.
"Molly! It's so nice to see you! The place looks fantastic."
Molly released her from the hug and looked around the living room with pride. The ceiling was enveloped in red streamers and floating stars and through the windows, Hermione could already see figures levitating tables and chairs into position.
"Oh wait till you see outside! I got hold of these wonderful tablecloths with the most adorable drawings of lions on them! Arthur helped me in charming the lions into actually moving. Teddy will be so delighted! You know how his eyes always light up when he sees a picture of a lion."
Hermione nodded eagerly as the other woman led her out of the house and into the backyard where a bunch of redheads and a black haired man were setting up furniture for their lunch.
"Hermione!" Ginny's loud squeal filled Hermione's ears as the girl came skipping to her with a huge smile.
"I trust that the cake is taken cared of then?" Ginny teasingly asked.
"Of course." Hermione replied with a small tilt of her chin, "I think it's my greatest creation to date."
"Excellent!" Ginny replied while rubbing her hands together like a villain, "I can't wait to dig in!"
Hermione smiled at her friend and surveyed the view in front of her. A long table was being set up by George, Bill, and Harry while Arthur was levitating a red tablecloth above their heads, ready to be put on top. A bit farther, she could see Fleur enchanting some flowers into a vase for their table's centerpiece.
"Heya Hermione!" George called out upon seeing her. Bill and Harry both smiled at her in greeting and Arthur gave out a loud "Ah Hermione is here!".
"I see Harry is back from auror training." Hermione addressed Ginny.
"Yup! I swear to Merlin, the auror program is dead set on annoying me by taking away my boyfriend every other week."
Hermione chuckled at Ginny's outburst.
"What is it this time that they did?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Merlin knows. Harry's quite tightlipped about it. Something about auror's honor or something of that sort. He did come home bruised and tired again so I can only guess it's probably another training session."
Hermione nodded but kept this tiny tidbit of information to herself so she could question Draco about it the first chance she got.
"They're going to be out of the office again next week?" she nonchalantly asked.
"No, I don't think so. Harry already promised me a dinner date this coming Tuesday evening so it's safe to bet he's staying put at least until then."
Hermione nodded, "I didn't realize auror training was this demanding."
"Oh me neither!" Ginny exclaimed, "Harry did say though that it's only going to be like this for the first 6 months and then they get to choose what they want to specialize in so things will be a bit calmer. We already talked about it and he said he won't be choosing international missions and will be focusing on deatheater investigations here in Britain."
"That's so interesting that they get to choose their own paths," Hermione mused.
"I think Malfoy will be choosing the same as Harry though, since Harry seems already set on having him as a partner. He talks about him like they're getting married, honestly! Sometimes I think I'm just the other woman in this relationship," Ginny joked with a laugh.
Hermione smiled, "That's a pairing I never thought I would see together."
"You and me both, Hermione," Ginny nodded, "They do seem to mesh well - surprisingly so. Harry's been singing praises about Malfoy since he got home this morning. Apparently he's a really good occlumens."
So they did something that concerned occlumency then? Hermione mused, once again keeping the information to herself.
"Apparently he learned from Snape, who was of course the best of the best," Ginny continued.
"If he did learn from Snape then I'm sure he really is quite good. Even I have trouble with occlumency," Hermione muttered.
Ginny patted Hermione's shoulder, "A small flaw compared to how amazing you are at muggle baking! Honestly, Hermione, your sweet treats are heavenly and I cannot believe that you prepare them all the muggle way!"
Hermione shrugged while blushing, "You seem to forget that I come from a muggle family. Muggle baking is really not a chore for me."
Ginny waved her reply, "Doesn't matter! It's still amazing. I have access to a wand and a recipe book and you still don't see me churning out cakes and pastries like a mad witch."
Hermione was still shaking her head at Ginny when George and Harry approached them.
"The cake is all set then, Hermione?" George asked with a smirk.
"Of course. Would I ever let you down?" Hermione asked back with a matching smirk.
"Excellent!" George whooped, "What kind of cake is it?"
"Red velvet." Hermione smiled as George rolled his eyes teasingly.
"Merlin, this child has absolutely no choice but to be a Gryffindor at this point. Anything but Gryffindor house would be an insult to this birthday party."
Harry laughed, "Well, he is surrounded by Gryffindors. Not to mention his dad was one too."
"Ermionee! Ow wonderful that you are now here. The cake is here, no?" Fleur waltzed into their conversation with Bill smiling fondly by her side.
"Yes," Hermione couldn't help but laugh, "Is everyone really that excited about this cake?"
"Yes." Everyone deadpanned which only made Hermione laugh harder.
"What is it that makes it so special?" she asked in jest.
"Eet is made by you, ma cherie! With no magic too!" Fleur exclaimed spiritedly which made Hermione blush at her words.
"Not to mention, we all know how wonderful you are at baking, both muggle and magical." Harry bumped her shoulder with his with a smile.
Hermione smiled back at her best friend and spent a couple more minutes chatting with the others until Molly came out of the house with a flourish.
"The birthday boy is awake!" Molly announced while holding a disgruntled Teddy who undoubtedly just woke up.
Everyone immediately left the conversation and crowded around Teddy to give him greetings and kisses. Fleur however, hung back with Hermione while the rest moved their attention to Teddy.
"Eet is nice to see you smiling again, Eermionee. We have not seen you in zee burrow for a while." Fleur remarked as she wound their arms together.
Hermione awkwardly smiled but squeezed Fleur's arm nonetheless, "Thank you. I - uh I've been busy with work."
Fleur smiled brightly at her, "You must come to Shell Cottage again! Eet will be a good change for you. If you need time and a place to relax, Shell Cottage is always open."
Hermione thought back to her memories of Shell Cottage and how it became their refuge during the war. The place was too intertwined with memories of Ron for her to feel comfortable there but she didn't mention it to Fleur.
"Thank you, Fleur. I will keep that in mind."
Fleur nodded with a smile and excused herself as Bill approached them to ask her for help and Hermione was finally free to approach Molly who was bouncing a smiling and cooing Teddy in her arms.
"Look it's Auntie Hermione!" Molly exclaimed.
Teddy's head immediately turned towards Hermione's direction and stretched both his arms towards her, signaling that he wanted to be carried by her.
Ginny laughed as Hermione took Teddy into her arms and bounced him a few times while the toddler grabbed on to her curls.
"Teddy! Be gentle! Auntie Hermione baked your cake, you know. I don't think that pulling her hair will get you another cake next year," Ginny joked.
Hermione only laughed as Teddy's hands now made their way to her cheeks, cupping them.
"Happy birthday, my darling boy," Hermione whispered to Teddy who only babbled back excitedly.
"You have a lot to say, don't you?" Hermione mused as Teddy continued to squirm and babble in her arms as she made her way to the table and set him gently on his high chair at the very head of the table, a pride of place for the birthday boy. Everyone else started to seat themselves along the table, easily finding their place wherever there was an available seat.
Molly came out of the house with the birthday cake and everyone oohed and aahed at the red velvet layer cake complete with cream cheese frosting and a mountain of berries on top. George didn't waste any time in starting a round of the birthday song as Teddy clapped and laughed along, no doubt entertained by all the commotion around him.
Dinner was served and the cake was sliced while conversation flowed easily. Hermione settled into her chair comfortably as she helped Teddy eat a berry from his cake. She laughed gently at his messy face and wandlessly cleaned him up with a spell.
"Bababababa," Teddy babbled while pointing at the cake.
"Berries? You want some berries?" Hermione asked gently before leaning over to scoop some of the berries on top of the cake to put in Teddy's bowl.
Teddy clapped and smiled upon seeing the pile of berries and continued to babble while looking at Hermione.
"I know, my love. Berries are yummy," Hermione nodded as she pushed the bowl nearer to Teddy's wandering hands.
Teddy was still munching on his berries when George knelt down beside the high chair and elaborately presented a gift wrapped box with a huge yellow bow.
"For our birthday boy!"
Teddy squealed upon seeing the brightly packaged gift, his berries quickly forgotten. Hermione shook her head while smiling as she scourgified Teddy's face again and placed the bowl of berries away from the toddler's hands that were already opening and closing in anticipation for his gift. George laughed as he deposited the gift in front of Teddy.
"Go on then, little man. Let's see what's inside, yeah?" With a flourish of George's wand, the box unraveled itself and a colorful toy guitar sprung out. Teddy regarded the curious thing in front of him with interest before reaching out a finger to push one of the colored buttons. The guitar immediately started playing a children's song upon Teddy's touch which prompted a tinkling laugh from Teddy.
"I knew you'd like it," George nodded approvingly.
"Oh! That is wonderful George!" Molly complimented the gift, "Thank Merlin you listened and you didn't gift him one of your experiments from the joke shop."
"Of course not, mum!" George fake gasped at his mother's words before sending a wink to Hermione and whispering, "Those gifts are for the years to come."
Hermione giggled and shared a smirk with George before Ginny appeared on Teddy's other side with another gift wrapped box and Harry hovered behind Teddy to tousle the toddler's hair affectionately.
"Our turn! This one is from me and Harry." Ginny excitedly exclaimed while placing the box in front of Teddy.
This time, the box didn't have to fully unravel itself before a flash of gold whizzed through the air - a miniature golden snitch. Teddy squealed in delight as the snitch flew circles around him, barely missing his fingers each time he tried to hold it.
"Teddy's first snitch!" Ginny announced proudly, "We're quite sure he will be a talented player so we already took the liberty of buying him his first snitch."
Harry nodded with a smile, "It's also good for his hand - eye coordination."
The procession of gifts continued throughout the rest of lunch and the table laughed and celebrated with Teddy with each gift he opened. Arthur and Molly got Teddy a muggle toy truck that Arthur enchanted to drive on its own while Bill and Fleur gifted Teddy a brightly colored onesie that changes colors upon the baby's mood, printed with the moon in different stages.
"A little homage to his dad and mum," Bill grinned wolfishly while Fleur smiled.
The afternoon dragged on as the guests jumped from one conversation to another. They asked about Hermione's new job, Harry's auror training, and questioned Ginny about the upcoming start of her Quidditch training. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was quite knackered and was ready to head home. One by one, the guests started to bid their goodbyes until the burrow's residents were the only ones left, together with Hermione and Harry.
Ginny lounged on the couch cuddled next to Harry as Hermione bounced an already sleepy Teddy.
"Poor baby! He must be exhausted from all the love he received today," Ginny remarked.
"No such thing as too much love, I say." Arthur joked as he ate his 4th slice of cake, "This really is something else, Hermione! You're very talented."
Hermione smiled and thanked Arthur for the compliment as she started to put Teddy down on his bassinet near the window. Teddy however was not having it and started to scream and cry once Hermione made any action to put him down for his nap.
"He's being fussy today isn't he?" Molly tsked, "It must be from all the excitement of today. No matter! He just needs his stuffed bear to sleep with and he will be out in a jiffy!"
But the stuffed bear was nowhere to be found. They all searched the living room for it and even accioed it a couple of times but no stuffed bear came out.
"I bet those blasted gnomes took it!" Ginny grumbled.
Hermione worriedly looked around the room as Teddy started to cry once again. She was about to give up when she caught sight of the paper bag she brought with her.
"Oh! I have just the thing!" She hurriedly accioed the paper bag and took out the stuffed lion which immediately caught Teddy's attention. Hermione gave the lion a squeeze which made sparks fly out of its butt and a cute roar to come out of its chest. Teddy was quickly enamored as he laughed at the sparks that were coming out of the lion and even tried to catch some of it with his mouth. Hermione laughed and wasted no time in setting Teddy down for his nap and gave him the lion to cuddle.
"I forgot! Malfoy asked me to give that to Teddy as a birthday gift."
"Malfoy?" Harry questioned.
"Uh - yes. I mentioned that it's Teddy's birthday and he asked me to bring the gift with me."
"Huh." Ginny remarked.
"Huh." Harry repeated in the same tone.
"Oh shove it, Harry. You're not the only one allowed to talk to him," Hermione blushed.
Ginny looked at Hermione curiously, "I did notice that the two of you were talking a bit last week at the hibiscus."
"Yes. That's when I told him it was Teddy's birthday," Hermione answered nonchalantly. "I thought he ought to know, considering how they're cousins. He also helped me with something at work before that."
Harry nodded, "See. I told you he's quite alright."
Ginny stared at Hermione a couple of beats longer before replying to Harry, "Hmm, I'm still skeptical especially because of our past records."
"He also said that if Teddy ever needed anything, he's willing to be there and offer assistance," Hermione added.
Molly chewed her bottom lip for a moment before looking at Harry, Hermione, and finally at Arthur.
"Well, Harry has been working with him these past few weeks and he's said nothing but good things so far," Molly thought out loud.
Harry nodded and squeezed Ginny to his side.
"I guess - I guess he has every right as us to meet and spend time with Teddy if he so chooses."
Hermione's eyes widened and her lips formed a gentle smile, "That would be nice."
Arthur regarded Harry with a knowing look, "You trust the bloke, Harry?"
Harry nodded, "Yes. He's been nothing but a stellar partner and he even saved my arse a couple of times during training."
"Then I don't see a problem with him meeting our Teddy boy. We'll all be here anyway so there's no concern of Teddy being harmed," Arthur agreed.
Hermione nodded, "He did say though that he's not quite ready to come over and meet everybody so I guess we'll see. I think he's quite nervous."
"He better be nervous," Ginny muttered, which earned a lighthearted pinch from Harry.
Molly looked at a now sleeping Teddy cuddling the lion and nodded quietly to herself, "Teddy's already lost so many people in his life. I think we owe it to him to at least meet someone that he's related to."
Arthur smiled at a sleeping Teddy and approached Molly to bring her into his arms, "He's a sweet boy and he deserves the world," Arthur muttered with a smile.
Hermione softly smiled at the two couples in front of her before approaching the bassinet to give Teddy a kiss goodbye.
Mondays at the Ministry were always chaotic. It always seemed like there was an emergency and Hermione was getting quite used to it so she didn't think anything was amiss when everyone on her floor was running around in a hurry. She didn't take it personally either that none of the people she greeted good morning reciprocated her greeting.
Tough monday, she thought to herself but shrugged it off.
She did start to be a bit suspicious by lunch time when she went down to Harry and Draco's office only to find it empty, files and chairs strewn haphazardly as if the both of them left in a hurry. She trudged back upstairs to the break room but it was also empty. Hermione worriedly chewed on her lip and went back to her office to check her calendar to make sure that she didn't miss any memo for today. After checking the office announcements and owls thrice, she just concluded that everyone was busy that day and decided to eat her lunch in peace and continued on with her work afterwards.
It wasn't until late in the afternoon that her day started to take a turn when a usually put together Kingsley barged into her office with a loud bang.
"Hermione, you should come with me," Kingsley panted while holding out his hand for her to take.
Hermione was instantly on alert. She immediately dropped what she was doing and didn't ask any more questions as she gripped her wand and took his offered hand to apparate together.
I'll update again in a couple of days! I just need to finish the next chapter and I don't want to keep you guys hanging.