CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Summary: With the War finally won and a rapid decline in the wizarding population, drastic measures are taken in a bid to save Wizarding Britain with the introduction of a new Marriage Law. Under the law, Hermione is forced to marry at eighteen or face being exiled from the Wizarding World. She must learn to deal with her past and look forward to her future with rising Quidditch Star, Oliver Wood. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: All original characters and canon events belong to J.K. Rowling. Non-canon events and characters are my own. I am not making any profit from posting this fanfic. Characters are likely to be OOC.
Page count: 12
Thursday 24th December 1998
Harry, Ron and Ginny had spent almost eight months travelling the world. Sometimes they went muggle and used trains, buses and coaches and they'd once used an aeroplane -but never again after Ron and Ginny's meltdown- and sometimes they apparated. They'd been careful to remain in the Muggle World where Harry was unknown and they could be regular tourists without being recognised by the public. They'd travelled through Europe, South Africa, both Americas and Australia, sometime staying for a few days, sometimes a week and if they really enjoyed it, they stayed for a few weeks before packing up and moving onto their next destination.
They'd left the Wizarding World behind along with the aftermath of the war and their family. Harry had removed more than enough from his Gringotts vault to fund their travelling, particular after it had been exchanged for muggle currency. After borrowing one of Hermione's bags that were fitted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, (the witch being paranoid and having made more than one) they travelled light with only a duffle bag each, if only to keep up appearances.
With their disappearance from the Wizarding World, brought the start of Harry and Ginny's relationship, and Ron kept himself busy by sleeping with any woman he was able to pick up from a bar or club. When they'd first left Britain, Ron had told Harry and Ginny that he and Hermione were officially together and they'd been happy for him, but the first time Ron had slept with a random woman, Harry had pulled him aside and proceeded to yell at him for cheating on Hermione. Ron had convinced Harry that Hermione would understand that he had needs and with her not being with them, he had to find someone else to help take care of those needs. Since then, the subject had been dropped and Harry never spoke of it again.
It was now Christmas Eve and they were in India. Harry missed the Weasleys and he missed Hermione. He wanted to know how she was dealing, feeling guilty for leaving her behind but he'd always known that Hermione was stronger than him, that if anyone could handle the aftermath and spotlight, it was her.
He just wanted to be free of people's expectations and opinions. He hadn't thought of packing up, leaving everything behind and travelling the world; that had been Ginny's idea, and she'd quickly had Ron's support, which led to his own agreement.
He wondered about the Weasleys and how they were doing; he assumed Fred had died from his injuries and knew that George would be taking it the hardest, given how close they were. He silently admitted that they should've stayed until after Fred's funeral instead of running away, but he was a coward. He couldn't face the death of his friends, of his loved ones or the people that fought for him and with him. He just couldn't. So that night he left, taking Ginny and Ron with him.
"I want to go back," Harry voiced unexpectedly, pushing himself up into a sitting position, his eyes darting from the beautiful waterfall before him and moving to Ginny and Ron who were eating lunch.
"Why?" They chorused, their expressions pinched and disagreeing.
"It's Christmas Eve," he shrugged one shoulder, his hand moving to pick at the blades of grass beneath him. "I want to go back for Christmas. I miss everyone and we haven't contacted them, the least we can do is show our faces and let them know we're fine. We can tell them about our travelling and the things we've seen... Think of their reactions when they see us. Ron, imagine how happy Hermione will be to have you back. I bet she's missed you..." Harry sighed, giving his head a shake. "I wonder if she got a job at the Ministry and is terrorising the house-elves again, or if she went back to Hogwarts."
~000~000~000~
The Burrow - Friday 25th December 1998
Given the short notice of their travel plans, they'd struggled to find appropriate means of travel, and after using magic to help gain access to otherwise fully booked trains, they finally found themselves in England by late afternoon Christmas Day.
Apparating to Devon required a few breaks in-between to allow their magic to refocus and their bodies rest and when they finally landed with 'cracks' on the grounds of the Burrow, Harry felt a smile tug at his mouth, feeling the familiar wash of magic and wards brush against his face, it being the only part of him that wasn't covered with clothing. It had been a major shock to their systems, coming from the hot tropics of India to the freezing temperatures of Britain, but Harry hadn't minded. If he was honest, he much preferred the cold to the hotter climates. If he was cold, he could bundle up warm, if he was too warm, he suffered and sweated through every piece of clothing he wore, and his glasses fogged it.
He hadn't realised just how much he'd missed the Burrow and with that, he was the first to begin his approach towards the topsy-turvy house that had been more of home to him than anything else.
Nearing the property, his eyes were drawn skywards, spying the dots that darted about in the air. Merlin, he'd missed flying on a broom. He felt his smile widen, it seemed that some things never changed at the Burrow.
His mind filling with potential scenarios of what might happen when they reached the house, and what they'd find, he halted to a sudden stop, his mouth parting and his eyes widening at the most unexpected sight.
Hermione (and Merlin how she'd changed since he'd last seen her) was pressed against a man's chest, their arms folded around one another as she had her tongue down his throat. Given the angle and Hermione's mass of her, he couldn't see who it was but he was sporting what was unmistakably a Weasley jumper.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Ron's exploded in fury, Harry visibly startling and almost losing his footing on the snow beneath his feet.
Hermione and the man drew back from each other, neither looking embarrassed as they turned towards them, but Hermione's eyes did widen comically and her mouth did drop open, her breath seeming to escape her. In turn, Harry parroted her reaction at seeing who she'd been kissing. Oliver Wood, his old Quidditch Caption from Hogwarts.
"Oh My..." Hermione whispered, trailing off.
It was at that moment that Leo chose to descend to the ground, hopping off his broom and running to Hermione and Oliver, laughing joyously.
"Mum, Dad!" He called, a giggling falling from him when he almost tripped over his own feet on his approach. "Uncle Charlie said I can stay with him in Romania for a few days. Can I go? Please?" He begged, skidding to a stop before them, oblivious to the tension that surrounded him, as well as the three people staring at him in confused surprise.
Harry's eyes widened even further. Mum? Dad? Uncle Charlie?
Oliver cleared his throat, looking down to the hopeful little boy. "Leo, if ye wanna visit with yer Uncle Charlie, tha's fine, but not taday, obviously. Maybe when he returns tae Romania. Why don' ye go inside an' get some hot chocolate from yer Gran?" Oliver suggested, his eyes lifting to the trio that stood opposite, a good few feet of distance between them. He wanted Leo far away from whatever was about to happen, and he knew it wouldn't be pleasant for anyone involved. "Take yer WindRider with ye; otherwise, the twins will have a joy ride."
Leo laughed. "Thanks, you're the best," he grinned up at them as he hugged them both around the waist before drawing back and rushing into the Burrow.
"I ASKED YOU A FUCKING QUESTION!" Ron snarled, dropping his duffle bag to the ground, his hands clenching into fists and his face turning red in anger. "YOU SLUT! YOU'RE CHEATING ON ME!"
Harry darted his eyes between them, seeing Hermione's usually kind features twisting into something dark and cold, hatred, anger and disgust filling her expression as her hands fisted tightly and her hair sparked.
The loud shouting was heard by everyone, bringing those in the air down to the ground, and those inside the Burrow, outside. As expected, they wore matching expressions of confusion and surprise.
"How dare you!" Hermione hissed, blind to Oliver's concerned gaze darting between her and her stomach. If things got too out of hand he would step in, he didn't want Hermione or the babies getting stressed. "We are not dating; you stuck your tongue down my throat at the Final Battle. I never wanted that to happen. I am not now, have ever and I will never date you. You ran away like a damn coward. You have no idea what you left behind, what we had to put up with!"
"HOW LONG DID YOU WAIT UNTIL YOU SLEPT WITH HIM, YOU SLAG?" Ron roared, spittle falling from his mouth.
Oliver honestly tried to stop it but realised he failed when he stepped away from Hermione's side, his hand balling into a fist and he slugged Ron across the jaw. Oliver had speed, height, weight and the element of surprise over Ron, it all combining in a result of the redhead tipping back, losing his balance and falling to the snow-covered ground.
Feeling highly satisfied within him (he wasn't sure which felt better, punching Krum or Ron) he turned to look over his shoulder at the sound of applause and whistles, seeing it belonging to the twins and they gave him a proud thumbs-up, followed by more applause and cheering.
Containing his amusement at their response, he turned back to Ron, his expression morphing into dislike and anger.
"A'd be more careful with hoo ye speak aboot me wife, if a were ye," Oliver warned, ignoring the surprised eye-widening of the three newcomers.
He felt Hermione move to stand beside him, her hand reaching for his silently and her magic gently washing over him, taking away any pain and preventing any swelling. In thanks, he threaded his fingers through her and squeezed gently, allowing Harry to catch a glimpse of their wedding rings.
She tugged at him until he stepped back, everyone else soon flocking to them, surrounding them in support.
"You're alive," Ginny choked, her eyes locked on Fred, as if seeing a ghost.
Fred glared at his sister in disapproval and disappointment, he and George stepping closer to Hermione and Oliver, moving to stand on either side of them.
"Evidently," he replied frostily, his expression serious and closed off, his arms folding over his chest. "Of course, you wouldn't know that because you left the night I was taken into hospital on my death bed."
A sudden laugh drew their attention as Ron rose to his feet, giving his head a shake. "How'd she get you?" He looked to Oliver, his expression one of amused pity. Oliver didn't care for it and he wanted to punch him again, but Hermione's grip tightened on his hand, as if knowing. "Did she prance around in tight clothing? Naked? I always knew she was a galleon digging whore. Did she put out? I bet she doesn't anymore, right?"
It wasn't Oliver that closed the distance, it was Fred and George, the former hitting Ron in the face with the force only a Beater was capable of, and when on the ground, George took the opportunity to deliver a swift kick to the stomach until Ron gasped out a groan of pain.
Gasping in horror, Mrs. Weasley made to step forward and intervene, to tend to her son, but her husband held her back, knowing they had to get it out of the system.
The trio had hurt everyone when they left, but no more so than Hermione. She'd been devastated, lost, and when she'd formed her friendship with the twins, they became a part of each other. If one was hurting, they were all hurting.
"She sleeping with you as well, isn't she?" Ron sneered from the ground, his gloved hand reaching up to wipe away the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Charlie stepped forward, plucking Ron from the ground by the lapels of his coat before setting him on his feet and shoving him backwards, barely being caught and righted by Ginny.
"Actually, you dumb prick," Charlie began, looking to Ron in disappointment. "Hermione was wealthy before she married our brother-in-law here," Charlie clapped Oliver on the shoulder.
"She's not family," Ron sneered.
"She's our sister," was unintentionally chorused by the twins, Percy, Bill and Charlie, but it seemed to help drive their point home.
Ginny, her cheeks flushing and finding her voice, cried, "I'M YOUR SISTER!"
"No, you're not," Fred scoffed. "Hermione's our sister. You abandoned us when we needed you. Hermione stayed."
"She took care of us," George added, looking down his nose at her, "Of Fred when he was on his death bed."
Harry had been silent since their arrival, taking the time to slowly take in the obvious changes that had occurred in their absence. One, Ron and Hermione had never been together despite what Ron led him to believe. Two, Hermione was married to Oliver Wood and apparently had a child even though he couldn't understand how given the age of the child, and that they'd only been gone eight months. Three, their protectiveness over Hermione was evident in the way they'd defended her, harmed Ron and were flanking her.
The only one who looked to be pleased to them was Mrs. Weasley, but she was being held back her husband who wore a grim expression.
"What iz going on out here?" At the sound of the French accent, all eyes turned towards the Burrow, a heavily pregnant Fleur waddling towards them, holding the hand of the young child and a large, fluffy dog walking beside her protectively. The trio's eyes widened.
Fleur, seeing the trio, paused in her steps and muttered a French swear word, one Leo neither heard nor understood. Continuing with her steps, she stopped before Bill, her husband slotting his arms around her. Leo moved to hold Hermione's hand, standing before Oliver.
"Mum, what's wrong? Who are these people?" The little boy questioned, his eyes darting between them before it seemed to click in his mind. He'd seen their photos before around the Burrow and in the newspapers. They were Harry Potter, and his Uncle Ron and Aunt Ginny.
"Nothing, I'm fine," Hermione answered, forcing herself to soften her tone as to not make him think she was upset with him. "They're no one, don't worry about it. Why don't you take Quaffle and go and pack your things? We're going home, find Boo and Ali and put them in their cages."
"Okay, I'll be in my room. Let's go, Quaffle."
Quaffle looked up at Hermione in confirmation and she nodded. Quaffle turned around and snarled at the trio and they took a step back, the twins sniggering as he and Leo headed for the Burrow. With Leo out of earshot, she looked to the trio, her displeasure once more resurfacing.
"You have no right to question me or anyone else, you worthless pile of shite... I don't owe an explanation to any of you. You left me and your family. We didn't know where you were, what you were doing, or even if you were alive. You went muggle, didn't you? You had to, otherwise, there would've been sightings of you. If you hadn't, you'd know everything that's happened. You'd know that Fred was in a coma for two weeks before he woke and was released from the hospital. You'd know that I married a kind and caring man that I love in July, that Percy married a wonderful woman in August..." The trio's eyes went to Percy and the woman stood beside him. "You'd know that Fleur and Bill are due to become parents to a baby girl in February, or that the twins have opened a second shop in Hogsmeade. You gave that up for your own selfishness. And honestly, I never want to see you again." Pinning them with a glare, she turned and made to head towards the Burrow, being followed by Oliver and the twins, but she paused. "By the way, Ronald, I was a virgin when I married Oliver," she admitted, putting the emphasis on 'was'.
"Whoa, whoa!" The twins complained, covering their ears.
"Hermione dinnae have tae do anything tae get me attention," Oliver added.
"That's because of the Marriage Law," Bill pointed out amusedly.
"Marriage law?" Ron spluttered, laughing soon following. "That's why you married her? Because you were forced to? I feel sorry for you, Mate, she's not exactly a looker and I bet she's a right frigid cow. Does she make you sleep on the couch or use pillows as a wall?"
Ron's laughter suddenly turned from laughter and to screams, balls of snot fitted with wings surrounding him but he'd also been hit with a Sticking Charm, preventing him from moving. They looked to Hermione expectantly, but she was looking to Fleur, her mouth twitching in pride.
Fleur's expression was angry and unforgiving, but she did release Ron from the hex when Hermione gestured to him with a slight nod of the head.
"Zat is enough you horrible little boy... Hermione and Oliver married because zey love each ozher. Everyone has witnessed it. Zey are perfect for each ozher and nozing you say will change zat fact. Ze Marriage Law brought zem togethzer, but zey married on zer own, because they wanted to." Waddling over to Hermione and Oliver, she reached for their wrists and lifted their jumper sleeves, the golden bands shimmering proudly. "You can say what you want about zem, you can call Hermione a slut and Oliver an idiot, but zey are meant to be togethzer. You are just an inzignificant little child. Hermione and I have become very close and I love her like a zister, she does not dezerve your terrible treatment of her. She does not dezerve to have hideous people like you in her life."
Hermione gave a sniffle, which seemed to be Fleur's trigger as she hugged the younger witch.
"Hormones," Bill rolled his eyes good-naturedly, sharing a knowing look with Oliver.
"Let's go, Cherie, we can continue our feztivities at your apartment where certain people will not be."
They took their leave, being followed by Oliver's parents, Bill and Charlie. Percy remained behind for a moment before he took Audrey's hand looked to the trio and they made to follow.
"Not you too, Perce, she's turned you all against us," Ron said angrily.
Percy paused, turning to look at his younger brother. "No, you turned us against you when you left. You betrayed this family, worse than I did during the war. You have no idea what Hermione's been through. Do you know what happened to Hermione's parents?"
"They're in the Muggle World, obviously," he folded his arms over his chest arrogantly.
"Idiot," he shook his head. "She Obliviate'd them during Christmas her sixth year and she sent them to Australia. They were found by Death Eaters, tortured and slaughtered, and she received word about their deaths before Bill's wedding." Ron's arrogant expression fell from his face and Harry felt bile rising in the back of his throat. "Did you know that in her third year she took the brunt of Lupin's attack and as a result, she has lupine traits and is affected by the full moon? Did you know that Hermione was surviving on four hours of sleep because she had nightmares every night? Or that she starved herself when you were on the run so that the two of you could eat? She was almost skin and bones after the war. How about that she was tortured for hours when you were captured by snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor? What about that she was distraught when she had to tell Oliver that she may never be able to give him children because her body had suffered too much?"
Percy deliberately left out the fact that she was pregnant, just to add to the guilt. He had the feeling they wouldn't be sticking around for long, so it was none of their business.
"When Fred was released from the hospital, she moved in with the twins, and they spent every day and night together; they were inseparable. She became a part of them, just as they became a part of her. They were up every night comforting her when her screams woke them, they watched what she ate and helped her to improve her health. They were there when she cried because of you. When Hermione couldn't leave the flat without being ambushed by the public or reporters, Fred and George were with her, protecting her. Face it, you don't have a part in her life anymore. The twins filled the gap in her heart and she's better with them than she ever was with you. Hermione's too kind and loyal for her own good; you caused all her suffering because you dragged her through it. We picked up the pieces when you left and you are not welcome in her life. She is happy with her family, with her husband and her son. She moved on, leave her alone."
Mr. Weasley was staring at Percy in pride, Audrey love and Mrs. Weasley shock.
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment
Stepping out of the floo with his wife at his side, Percy followed the voices that led him towards the kitchen. As they approached, he saw the table had been enlarged, chairs had been conjured and they were sitting around it, with the exception of Leo and Quaffle, the latter he could hear out on the balcony.
The twins, Charlie, Bill, Oliver and Mr. Wood all had a muggle beer in hand, Mrs. Wood a glass of wine whilst Fleur and Hermione looked longingly at the alcohol and disappointed as they sipped at their non-alcoholic beverage. Seeing their arrival, Percy was handed a beer and Audrey a glass of wine.
"Where's Leo?" Percy asked.
"In his room deciding what tae take tae Romania," Oliver answered amusedly.
"What happened after he left?" Hermione looked to Percy, all eyes moving to him expectantly.
"I put them straight," Percy answered, seeing the questioning expressions he received but he didn't elaborate further.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"You should've seen him, it was amazing," Audrey said proudly, Percy being teased when the tips of his ears turned pink.
An hour later, they'd moved from the kitchen and to the living area. Bill and Fleur sat together on the couch with Quaffle being asleep, his head resting on Fleur's swollen stomach as she absentmindedly ran her hands through his fur. Oliver's parents, Percy and Audrey had taken seats on the corner suite, the twins, Leo and Charlie on the floor, surrounding the glass table as they played a muggle board game, and Hermione and Oliver occupied the armchair, Hermione on Oliver's lap with her feet hanging over the side of the armrest and her back pressed against the other.
When the floo roared to life, all eyes turned to see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley approach.
"You forgave them, didn't you?" Hermione said knowingly.
"Yes, they're staying in their rooms for the time being. Hermione, Dear, if you just..."
"No," Hermione interrupted. "I understand they are your children and that you've chosen to forgive, but don't even think about trying to convince me to do the same. It's not going to happen. They abandoned us in the time we needed them and they left behind a shit storm. They're cowards and that's nothing something I can forgive. I am not forgiving them, no matter what you and anyone else might say."
"Neither are we," the twins agreed, a hardness to their tone.
"But..."
"No," Hermione, Fred and George chorused.
"It's their choice, Molly. If I weren't their father, I likely wouldn't forgive them either," Mr. Weasley confessed.
She looked to everyone else expectantly, sighing when they all shook their heads, signalling they weren't going to forgive them either. She allowed her husband to guide her towards the corner suite and she took a seat.
"Well, Ron was reacquainted with the wooden spoon, as I promised," she told them, receiving snort sand sniggers.
"I hope they stick around," injected George, seeing their confused stares.
"Do you know how many products we've designed specifically to be tested on them?" Fred explained.
"Hoo are ye doin', Hermione?" Mr. Wood checked, concerned for her. "The twins alright, not tae stressed?"
"We're fine, I really wish I could have a drink though," she said sadly and they laughed at her.
Unknown to them, three people had waited to hear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley call out the address of Hermione's residence, allowing a few minutes to pass before they followed, their entrance being covered by laughter.
When they stepped out of the floo, their eyes widened in surprise at the size of the living area before they landed on the walls covered in wizarding photographs, but some muggle photographs too. There were photos of Hermione and Oliver, photos of the family, photos from the wedding, photos of Leo, photos of Hermione and the team, there was a photo of Quaffle in his Wood jersey and there was a large photo frame Hermione had moved next to Oliver's Puddlemere Quidditch jersey with a photo of the team after the League Cup win, plus, a framed copy of the newspaper article written after Puddlemere's win. They had also put up photos from Leo's birthday party and the photos of him with underpants on his head.
That's when Harry realised that he truly had missed out on so much of Hermione's life and he'd only been gone eight months. What would he have missed if he'd been gone a year or two? As far as he could see, there were no photos of him, Ron or Ginny; every photo seemed to be taken after the war and after Hermione met Oliver.
Maybe leaving wasn't the best decision I've made, he thought sadly, that sadness morphing into surprise at the next words that flittered to his ears.
"Am not having ye get our boys drunk befere they're even born," joked Oliver.
"It could be girls. Hell, we could have one of each," Hermione argued.
"They're boys," Oliver shrugged confidently and Hermione rolled her eyes. Leaning down, Oliver lifted the hem of Hermione's jumper until her stomach was revealed. "A'll stick up fer ye lads, Anno yer boys even if yer mummy doesn't wanna admit tha' yer dad's right."
He pressed a kiss to her stomach before following that with blowing a raspberry against her skin, Hermione's laughter peeling from her as she wriggled and struggled to break free. He wasn't releasing her and he doubled his efforts, avoiding her swatting hands as her laughter mixed with that of the others.
"Mum, Dad, those people are here," Leo's voice cut through the laughter, silence immediately falling.
The twins, Charlie, Bill and Percy were quick to stand to their feet whilst Oliver lifted Hermione from his lap and also stood, his unhappy gaze meeting the trio.
"How the hell did they get in here?" Fred said angrily.
"The floo's keyed to allow the team, Woods and Weasleys into the apartment. Harry was accompanied by two Weasleys, whether I intended to allow them access or not, they were able to pass through the wards as they share your DNA," Hermione answered. "I'll be putting up tighter security from now on," she promised.
"Why are ye here?" Asked Oliver. "Ye have naw right tae be in me home."
"I HAVE JUST AS MUCH RIGHT AS ANYONE!" Ron bellowed.
Quaffle woke with a start before jumping from the couch and walking towards Hermione, standing before her protectively as she growls rumbled in his chest in warning. The twins smirked when they saw Ron, Ginny and Harry take a slight step back, reminding themselves to buy him a new chew toy.
"Quaffle," Hermione said softly, reaching out to run her hand through his fur and although he didn't lose his defensive stance, he did stop growling. "Leo, why don't you take Quaffle out onto the balcony and feed Ali and Boo."
"Okay," he agreed, standing from the floor and doing as she asked, disappearing onto the balcony with Quaffle by his side and he closed the door behind him.
"Shouldn't he have a coat?" Fleur commented in concern.
"The balcony's warded against weather, it's the same temperature as it is in here," Oliver answered, his eyes remaining to the trio. "As fer ye three, ye have naw right bein' here. It's not yer home, ye don' own the property, ye don' pay rent an' more importantly, ye weren't invited."
"And I made it perfectly that we didn't want to see you, any of you," Hermione continued.
"Hermione..." Harry began, his voice sounding for the first time since she'd seen him.
"No, Harry," she interrupted firmly. "Don't go there with me. My magic's unstable at the moment."
"What because you're pregnant?" Ginny sneered.
"Is that how you trapped Wood in a marriage?" Ron snarled.
Hermione's anger spiked and before she realised she'd done it, she raised her hands and Ron and Ginny were thrown off their feet, their backs slamming against the wall. Mrs. Weasley gasped, Oliver did nothing to hide his smile and the others darted their eyes between Hermione and their siblings in surprise.
"Don't test me you traitorous bastards," Hermione warned coldly.
"Mum..." Leo stepped from the balcony and into the room. "Boo and Ali have been fed and they're sleeping now."
"Thank you, Sweetie," Hermione looked at him over her shoulder, smiling kindly. "Why don't you go and see Thompson?" She suggested. "I think he said something about having a gift for you."
"Okay, I'll go see Uncle Thompson. Is Aunt Katie with him?"
"I think so," she nodded. "Do you remember what floor he's on? The passcode to gain access to the floor?"
"Yeah, he's on the eighteenth floor, and dad told me all the passcodes and I remember them all," he beamed, proud of himself.
"You told him all the passcodes?" Hermione arched a questioning eyebrow, directing it to Oliver.
"Aye, he's gonna inherit this place someday, may as well teach him whilst he's young," he shrugged.
"You know the passcodes?" The twins looked to Leo with a gleam in their eyes.
"Cor, Fred, imagine the pranks we could play on the tenants," George gave a mischievous smile.
"Ah, don't forget Thompson and Katie," Fred added with a smirk.
Turning back to Leo, they said, "Tell us the passcodes o'bestest nephew in the world" they chorused, crouching down to his level and looking up at him pleadingly.
"NO!" Hermione and Oliver yelled when Leo opened his mouth and everyone burst out laughing.
"Leo, don't ever tell anyone the passcodes," Hermione warned and he nodded. "Okay then, off you go. Be careful and remember to knock, it's the polite thing to do."
"I'll be back before bed," he promised, heading for the door and closing it behind him, thankfully not noticing Ron and Ginny pinned to the wall.
Her eyes returned to them, seeing their murderous glares and spying Harry stood off to the side, silently observing.
"I married Oliver in July, our babies were conceived in October, do the math... And you're one to talk, you lost your virginity to the Gryffindor Queen of sluts." Ron's face flushed in embarrassment. "As for you, Ginevra, the things I know about you would put Lavender Brown to shame," she said and Ginny looked at her defiantly.
Ginny gave a look of defiance. "You know nothing about me, you frigid bitch," she hissed.
Hermione smiled sweetly, clasping her hands before her. "I didn't lose my virginity until my wedding night, you, however..." she trailed off.
"What does she mean?" Mrs. Weasley said quickly. "Ginny, what does she mean?" She demanded.
"Nothing, Mum, she's a lying cow."
Hermione snorted. "I'm as honest as they come."
"What did she mean, Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley moved to stand beside her, her hands coming up to her hips and her stern gaze darting between them.
"You tell her anything and you'll live to regret it," Ginny threatened.
"Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but since you've threatened me, something I find highly terrifying," she rolled her eyes, sighing tiredly. "Did you know that Ginevra lost her virginity when she was fifteen to Blaise Zabini in the broom shed at Hogwarts?"
"WHAT?"
"You told me I was your first," Harry frowned.
Hermione laughed, "Sorry, I couldn't help it; that's the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. No, she slept with Zabini, then later tried to convince him she was pregnant so that she could trap him in a marriage like they did in the 1800s and early 1900s, because she was clearly and as Zabini put it, 'desperate to be a high society harpy, and too much of a bitch to find a wizard to marry her willingly.' Of course, she wasn't pregnant as Zabini was careful and cast a Contraception Charm on her before he left her, so that plan backfired. Then she tried to proposition Malfoy but he shot her down. Hard. Then she slept with Dean and then Cormac McLaggen, then there was Michael Corner, and finally, there was someone else before Harry, but I can't remember his name."
"Seriously?" Harry choked out. "Zabini and Malfoy? How d'you know?" Harry asked, looking to Hermione, his expression one of betrayal and upset.
"They told me, we're sort of friends now," she answered, moving to take a seat on the corner suite, her feet killing her. "Now..." She paused when three owls flew into the room through the open balcony door, dropping three letters on the floor before taking their leave.
Hermione shared a look with Oliver.
"Ministry owls."