Chapter 15

It had been 4 months since Hermione had given birth and little Alice had entered the world. Hermione was enjoying motherhood and taking it in stride. Neville had taken right to being a parent and little Alice was his little princess. It was mid-August and Hermione was getting her things ready to start her second year of teaching. She had right at two weeks to gets things ready for the onslaught of students coming and or returning to Hogwarts. Neville and Draco were playing with Alice on the floor while Harry was getting things ready for his first year as full headmaster of the school. Hermione was soon finished and as she turned around she saw Alice do her first belly laugh. She quickly got on the ground and began laughing along with Neville and Draco. Little Alice was on a blanket on an area rug doing "tummy time". They were all ready for the new school year.

Harry was in the headmaster's office getting last minute things done before the new school year started. McGonagall would be retiring and staying on just as an advisor. Harry set up a new password for the office. He reviewed over the rules of the school and McGonagall advised as to which were the most serious. Harry continued into the evening and soon was done and decided to head back to their apartment. The five of them had gone home right after the end of their first year teaching, but came back a month early to get things squared away. Harry soon entered their apartment and smiled upon seeing his stepdaughter one the floor playing in her octagonal playpen. He put his things down in their proper places and went to help the others cook. Hermione loved cooking and after her years at Hogwarts had become a great cook.

Soon supper was done and put on the table. Hermione went into the sitting area and picked up Alice. Putting her in her high chair and began to feed her while taking small bites of her own plate in front of her. Hermione had gave her a bottle earlier of formula and now was feeding her some muggle baby food. Baby Alice loved sweet potatoes, green beans, chicken, and turkey. Alice was soon full and Hermione gave her a toy to play with while she herself finished eating. After everyone was finished and had the dishes washed, they decided to all go and play with Alice. Alice was lying on the floor and was trying to roll over. Everybody was cheering her on and Alice smiled a lightly laughed as she tried her hardest to roll over. Soon enough she rolled completely over to her back and began to giggle as everyone cheered and praised her.

After seeing the time Hermione excused herself and Alice, "Sorry gentleman, but it's time little miss here had her nightly bath. They all smiled and after Hermione gave Alice a bath she put baby lotion on her and put her in some cute baby girl pajamas. Hermione carried her back out so she could say her good nights to daddy Harry and Draco before going to bed. Harry and Draco both gave her a good night kiss and wished her sweet dreams before Neville and Hermione went to put her to bed. A charm had been put on the apartment and as their family grew the apartment would grow with them. Hermione and Neville took her to her nursery/playroom and laid her down in her crib. Hermione handed her her teddy bear and put the binkie in her mouth before kissing her good night. Neville had turned on her little pink owl night light and then came over and kissed her good night as well. They soon left the room and turned her baby monitor on. The one in the living room area was already turned on. They had all planned on visiting Fleur, Bill, Victorie, and Dominique Weasley the next day.

They soon joined the others and had some time just the four of them before going to bed. Hermione was sleeping with Harry that night and curled up in bed after taking a shower with him. She wore a nice silk night gown to bed and giggled as Harry pulled her close to him. He kissed her lovingly and wished her a good night. She giggled and kissed him back before wishing him a good night as well. Hermione smiled over to Harry. "If I remember right…Fleur and Bill had their second child around the same time Alice was born." Harry thought about it and smiled, "You're right…they should be around the same age. I believe her name is Dominique. I can't believe Victorie is already ready 2 years old." Hermione smiled and replied, "Yeah, I know… it doesn't seem that long ago." They continued talking for a little while before falling asleep in each other's arms.

The next day everyone got ready for their trip to visit Fleur, Bill and their young family. Fleur and Bill were expecting them and had the Shell Cottage all ready for their arrival. Hermione dressed Alice up in a cute little play dress with a cute baby headband. She then got dressed herself while her husbands got dressed. They ate breakfast and then decided to use the item they had turn into a portkey. Soon enough after everyone was dressed and ready to go after eating. They all grabbed the portkey and Hermione held little Alice in her arms as they soon arrived outside the Shell Cottage. Bill came out holding Victorie while Fleur came out holding little Dominique. They all exchanged hellos and hugs. Since Fleur was part Veela they had weren't obligated to follow the new law. Shacklebolt knew that if she was taken from Bill that she would have died. They all went back inside and sat down in the front parlor of the house. Fleur along with Hermione put their youngest in a playpen while Victorie had decided to go play in her playroom.

Hermione and Fleur talked back in forth about being moms. Fleur warned her about possible things that could happen with their children. Hermione asked her about things that had happened with Alice and Fleur just smiled and told her those things were natural. Neville, Bill, Harry, and Draco talked about anything and everything. Everyone was having a great time and watched Alice and Dominique play in the playpen together. Dominique was just a month and a half older than Alice so they knew that they would be in the same year. They all decided to head out to visit Dobby's grave as Hermione held Alice while Bill and Fleur held their kids. Hermione got teary eyed as she looked down at the small grave. Harry was the most tore up about it and Draco walked over to him and rested his hand on his shoulder. "Harry, I am so sorry about what happened to Dobby…" Harry looked up from the freed elf's grave and over at Draco. Harry smiled slightly and said, "It's okay Draco and thank you." Hermione and the others paid their respects and headed back down knowing that Harry and Draco needed to talk.

Draco then said, "Harry, just so you know she has been disowned by my parents and I. She is my mom's sister, but they were never alike in anyway. I'm glad that she is no longer around." Harry smiled and sniffled then replied, "No offense, but me too." They both chuckled and Draco got up pulled out his wand and put a beautiful wreath on Dobby's grave as well as gave him a beautiful white marble headstone with black lettering. The lettering said, "Here lies Dobby. A beloved friend and free elf. May he forever pull pranks and have fun." Harry smiled and chocked back some more tears, "Thank you Draco." Draco smiled, "Anytime and besides he deserved it." They smiled and after a few moments more of paying their respects they decided to join the others down at the cottage. It was lunch time and Hermione along with Fleur had made delicious sandwiches and some nice cool drinks. Fleur and Hermione went inside to feed Alice and Dominique after they had fed them their baby food. Bill sat next to Victorie in her high chair and cut up her sandwich while he talked to the other men. Hermione and Fleur soon joined them again and put the two youngest of the three girls in a playpen in the shade. Everyone joked and laughed as they remember good times while in school. They stayed for a week at the cottage and caught up before they had to leave and get back to Hogwarts.