As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter End of Holiday Break
December 27th Hermione was glaring at Harry as he puttered around their room getting ready to spend the day with his father in law attending Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur later that day causing Harry to ask "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Hermione snapped after a look from Harry she added, "I've been a Magpie fan since I figured out what football was and they just landed Alan Shearer for 15 million pounds, so am I going to the match with my father? No I'm stuck here being the prize breeding cow at a get together that has none of my friends here, as it's totally muggle, while some one who shall remain unmentioned goes off with my father on a trip to White Heart Lane to see MY TEAM in action."
Harry was taken back at the venom in her voice but realized there was nothing he could do "Sorry love you know I'd give up my ticket to you if I could."
"I know I'm just worried bout the shower and frustrated about everything. You go with dad and have a good time."
"I would say the same but," Harry said ending with a shrug.
I know see you later." Hermione replied before giving Harry a major kiss goodbye in the privacy of their room.
After the shower was over Hermione was sitting in her father's recliner with her feet up relaxing while Winky had popped over to help Dobby with the clean up releasing Anna to spend time with her husband who had stayed at the house to assist with Hermione's security.
The quiet was broken by two loud males entering obviously still excited from watching the match. Spotting Hermione Harry announced "7 to 1 favor of Newcastle United. Alan Shearer was on fire, scoring, setting up other players. I had no idea one player could control a football match like that!"
Hermione let out a sigh, it sounded like a game she would have loved to watch but Harry was so excited she knew she didn't have in in her to bring him down. So she replied, "Sit down and tell me all about it." Letting him wind down while describing the day's events. Later she'd show him the gifts they'd received for the twins and tell him a few highlights from the shower.
The Saturday before the returned to Hogwarts Harry came down into the kitchen a necklace dangling from the fingers of his right hand. "What are you carrying there?" Hermione asked.
"A necklace for your father," Harry replied.
"Doesn't look like his style," Jane replied looking over at the slightly ornate necklace.
"What does it do?" Hermione asked realizing Harry was up to something then her brain kicked in and she remembered Harry had a game today that she had not planned on attending. "He's going to your game?" she asked.
"Yes the owner's have let me secure one box for him. The twins are going to be there to help him understand what's going on."
"And the necklace is to get around the anti-muggle charms," Hermione said smiling as Harry nodded his agreement.
"I thought Harry was just to practice with them." Jane said.
Harry sighed saying, "I was but then the first string seeker was hurt worse then they thought and seeing as how I'd all ready flown with the first string…"
"And won." Hermione interjected.
"Yes that too, the coach decided to play me until I, in his words, stunk out the joint."
"So why aren't you going Hermione?" Jane asked looking at her daughter.
"I wanted to spend as much time as I could with you," Hermione replied then at her mothers look she added, "Also I have a few things I'm concerned about given what I'm going through, along with some comments made at the baby shower I could use your knowledge," Hermione replied.
Jane was torn she wanted to see this sport of Quidditch for herself but there was obviously something weighing on her daughter's mind and that took precedence. Seeing Alan joining them she said, "You boys go have fun. Hermione and I have a fun day planned."
Once breakfast was over with Harry passed Alan the end of a cricket bat and they disappeared in an instant reappearing in a room overlooking a Quidditch pitch. "Where are we Harry," Alan asked.
"Not really sure, I always just travel to here. I don't know which survey map you'd look on to find it." Harry replied. Twin pops signaled the arrival of the Weasley twins. Harry turned and after introducing them to Alan added, "Fred, George remember I have your word that Alan is safe from your little tricks. Feel free to trick each other, but my father-in-law is off limits.'
"Don't worry, Star Seeker,"
"We have no intent of doing so."
"But it is not your wrath,"
"That causes us concern."
"We both fear what Hermione might feel,"
"Is appropriate punishment."
Alan was watching the twins as they spoke in their alternating pattern. "Do you always talk like that?"
"O yes, they were a right pain to the teachers. Early on Professor McGonagall even had them separated into different rooms and assigned each the same essay. With professors watching both of them they wrote identical essays even with the same corrections on each. After that the staff threw up their hands and while they still had to turn in two essays most didn't bother to read the second one just assigned it the same grade as the first."
"Harry how do you know that?" George asked turning to look at him in astonishment.
"I'm a Professor now and you two are the subject of some of the staff's more favorite stories."
"You must stop by the store and tell us some of those."
"Yes we'd love to know just what… ah, experiences of ours they are aware of."
"I thought I might meet the rest of your family today I understand they are all Quidditch fans." Alan Granger said speaking up.
"Alas our darling younger sister,"
"And Parents,"
"True Fred and Parents"
"Have some social thingy,"
"That we were not invited to,"
"Shame that, Not that we pay attention,"
"To all the goings on in our family to begin with,"
"The rest of our large family,"
"Yes it is rather large isn't it George,"
"Are either out of the Country,"
"With their hot Veela girlfriend,"
"Best not let Bill hear you describe her as hot," Harry interjected just to stir things up further seeing as Alan was enjoying the twins byplay.
"Oh Bill describes her the same way,"
"True brother mine but you know Harrykins might have a point,"
"Possibly but on to the rest of our family,"
"Both of whom are too big a prat to accept Harry's invitation."
Alan nodded his understanding not wanting to risk opening his mouth and breaking out in laughter.
"I've got to go get ready. Why don't you two give him some idea of what to expect," Harry said taking his leave of them.
Back at the manor Hermione was setting in to her favorite overstuffed chair with a cup of tea this was what she'd been looking forward to for a while now. While Madam Pomfrey could describe the effects of pregnancy on one's body and emotions there was no one at school she trusted as much and had gone through what she was dealing with. She could have owled either her mother or Molly Weasley but this was far better.
"So what's your first question?" Jane asked settling into her own chair.
"What is ahead for me and do you have any suggestions for dealing with it?"
"Hermione let's take this in order. How are things between you and Harry right now."
"Wonderful."
Alan watched is two companions yelling and generally carrying on like the diehard fans they were. He'd borrowed a book from his daughter when Harry had invited him reading up on what to expect. His son-in-law was far more active than he'd expected flying through formations with abandon. "This is quite a different than what I'd expected from the book Hermione loaned me." Alan commented.
"Quidditch must be seen." Fred said.
"Harry appears quite fearless." Alan ventured hoping to draw one of the twins into talking more about Harry.
"Nah, He's actually flying quite a controlled game at the moment. Wait until he spots the snitch then you'll see flying."
Alan wondered about that for a while watching the match progress more or less evenly between the two sides. Then he saw Harry really take off he appeared to be hugging his broom he was bent so low over it. flying towards something that appeared to be in front of him. Suddenly he flipped upside down before turning into a near vertical dive gaining speed the opposing team's player had started after him and was slowly catching Harry.
"It's a feint!" George said a tone of awe in his voice.
"What?" Alan asked loudly as Harry leveled off for a short moment.
"Watch the opposing seeker. See how he's slowing gaining on Harry."
"Yes."
"If Harry had truly seen the snitch Harry would be leaving him behind. What most people don't or refuse to realize is a wizard or witches' magical power that powers their broom.
"I thought brooms varied greatly?" Alan asked noting Harry was changing direction again.
"They do but it is more how efficiently the charms on the brooms use magic than the broom itself. YES! I said it was a fake!" George screamed as Harry rose to normal seeker level while looking over his shoulder to the other teams seeker who had plowed into the pitch. The team's Medwizard was rushing to his assistance as the referee was calling a timeout.
"You mean to tell me that was an intentional move by Harry to cause that player to crash?" Alan asked wondering about Harry's scruples.
Fred caught Alan's concern quickly replying, "If the other player had been looking for the snitch on his own instead of marking Harry that close it couldn't have happened. As I'm sure Hermione's pointed out Quidditch is a brutal game but no one's been killed in years. Compared to some of our school matches this one is actually quite polite."
The match resumed after a few minutes with a patched up and far slower seeker on the other team. Harry caught the snitch fifteen minutes later giving his team a resounding win.
Hermione noticed Harry and her dad ere happy when they arrived back home, "Good game?" she asked.
"Amazing just amazing." Alan replied while Harry just smiled.
"Harry?"
"We won."
"And?" Hermione persisted knowing Harry's natural reluctance to say anything that could be interpreted as bragging.
"Their seeker fell for that Wronski feint with the hesitation in the middle that Ron came up with. He was stove up a bit but kept flying after they patched him up." Harry finally said.
"Alan did you enjoy the game?" Jane Granger asked.
"It was amazing, Jane. Harry had the Weasley twins there to explain the game. Honey you should have seen Harry fly, he does things on a broom that defy description… and that feint thing I watched it and still don't believe he didn't crash." Alan replied ending with a shudder.
All too soon it was time to pack for their return to Hogwarts. Hermione was disappointed to leave she could feel that the next time she was home it would be all different. Despite the slight discomfort her pregnancy was causing her at the moment. This visit home it still just Her, Harry, and Her parents in the main house. The next time she returned she would be bringing their children rather it was to visit for a few days or home for the summer still had to be decided between her and Harry but their days of going where they wanted, when they wanted with very few restrictions would be over.
Harry and Hermione entered Hogwarts castle with her guards when the deputy headmistress approached saying, "Mrs. Potter the headmaster has requested you attendance in his office."
Having been alerted to the events at Gringotts Hermione replied, "Does he wish to speak with Hermione Potter or Ambassador Dager Potter?"
Her whole body conveying the offence she felt at her directions being questioned Professor McGonagall replied, "I wasn't informed."
"Then as my husband's presence was not requested I am forced to believe he was intending to talk with me in my ambassador role. As such I am not at his beck and call. Please inform the headmaster that should he wish to converse with Mrs. Hermione Potter as I'm a married witch and he is a single wizard it is only proper my husband also be present. Should he have intended to talk with Ambassador Dagar Potter an audience can be arranged through one of the goblins guarding our rooms," Hermione stated before walking off towards the great hall and the awaiting meal leaving a quite annoyed Professor standing all alone.