CHAPTER THIRTY
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: 22
Wood Apartment - Friday 25th December 1998
"Ye don' think...?"
"I do," Hermione grinned, she and Oliver sharing a snigger.
Frowning in confusion, Harry crouched down and retrieved the letter addressed to him. Opening it and removing the parchment from inside, his eyes scanned the words before him before looking to the second piece of parchment, his eyes darting to Hermione.
"I have to marry Angelina Johnson," Harry said in little above a whisper.
Hermione's head tipped slightly in thought. Angelina was Fred's ex-girlfriend from when they'd been in Hogwarts, and since, she'd visited the shop a couple of times. Hermione hadn't interacted with her much but from the times she had and from what Fred had told her about their relationship, one that was ended mutually, she didn't think the witch to be bad.
Her eyes slowly analysing Harry's reaction and posture, she found herself realising that she no longer felt anger towards him, not in the way she did for Ron and Ginny. After witnessing his behaviour compared against the others, understanding soon sunk in. Harry wasn't like the others. He was quiet and was only confrontational when his anger reached boiling point, something Malfoy was proficient at causing. Of course, it didn't help that a piece of Voldemort's soul had latched onto and had been living inside of him since he was a baby, something that later proved to manipulate his emotions.
Despite that, Harry was loyal and given his lack of social interactions and friends from his life before arriving at Hogwarts, he was easily led and easily manipulated, case and point, Dumbledore. And Hermione wasn't blind. Dumbledore had manipulated Harry and them over the years, something she didn't appreciate, even if it was for the greater good.
Given his loyalty and lack of family, she never in a million years thought he'd pack up and leave them all behind in the middle of the night, with only a note for an explanation. Harry had always been brave, but he'd taken the coward's way out. She'd known Ron and Ginny were capable of manipulation, she'd seen it before.
When she'd met Ginny, she'd been a shy, sweet girl, but ever since she'd been possessed by Riddle's Diary, she'd changed. That was understandable. Riddle had fucked her up in the head, but Ginny could've tried to put it behind her, she could've tried to fight and not give in to the after-effects and she hadn't. She'd let it swallow her whole, she'd let it consume her, twist and mould her into a horrible person. Ginny had no will power. And it was no one's fault but her own. Hermione had tried in the past to reach out to her, but she'd been turned away at every point and so she'd stopped trying. If Ginny was willing to ruin her life, why should Hermione waste her time when she had others that needed her help?
Harry wouldn't have suggested the idea of leaving. Someone else had and he'd been manipulated into following. She knew Ron and Ginny had little funds, which meant Harry had footed the bill for it all. And knowing that, she wouldn't be surprised if they'd taken advantage of him, ensuring they only visited the most well-reviewed and pricey hotels and the like.
"WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Ginny cried, drawing Hermione from her thoughts.
"Not when you can't keep your legs closed," Hermione shrugged. "You have to follow the Marriage Law or you're sent to Azkaban. Besides, Harry could've worse. Angelina isn't so bad and at least you know who she is. Shall we see which poor sods got stuck with you two?"
Lifting her hand, she summoned the two letters from the ground, seeing the trio's eyes widening at the sight of the non-verbal and wandless magic. They'd never understood how powerful she was. She kept Ginny's in her hand and held Ron's out towards Oliver in offering, her husband crossing to her side and taking from her eagerly. Together, they opened the letter, snorts escaping at the names they found on the parchment.
"Who'd they get?" George asked, clapping his hands together excitedly.
"Millicent Bulstroude," answered Oliver, sharing a laugh with the men in the room, Hermione seeing that even Harry's mouth twitched as he fought his own laughter. She almost felt sorry for Ron.
"Ronniekins has to marry the troll of Slytherin," George roared through his laughter with Mrs. Weasley looking at them all disapprovingly.
"Who'd Ginny get?" Bill asked curiously.
"Miles Bletchley," she replied.
It was silent for but a moment before laughter once more filled the room.
"The male troll of Slytherin," Fred gasped out. "He's even worse than Flint!"
"I wonder how Jenny and Flint are doing, they married a few weeks ago," Hermione commented casually with a grin.
"I AM NOT MARRYING A SLYTHERIN!" Ginny screeched, struggling uselessly against the wall but Hermione's magic was secure and unmoving.
"Then you go to Azkaban," Hermione shrugged, unconcerned.
She climbed to her feet with Oliver tugging her into his side and she silently cancelled the binding magic, Ron and Ginny dropping to the ground and being unprepared, they landed on their arses. Taking the parchment from Oliver, she threw it towards the siblings, it fluttering towards the ground.
"Now, get out of my home before I call Kingsley and have you arrested for trespassing and threatening behaviour." When they didn't move, she levitated them towards the fireplace, dropping them none too gently. "Now."
Glaring at her, they climbed to their feet, their eyes darting about the room before they chose to leave. Once the roaring floo quietened after their departure, Harry shuffled on his feet and awkwardly rubbed at the back of his neck as everyone's eyes moved to him expectantly.
"I... Er..." He cleared his throat and shifted his glasses on his nose. "I'm sorry. I tried to stop them from coming but they wouldn't listen. I better go and make some sense of this mess."
~000~000~000~
Later that night, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned to the Burrow, Mr. and Mrs. Wood the manor, Bill and Fleur Shell Cottage, Percy and Audrey their apartment and the twins and Charlie were staying at Wood apartment. No one wanted to go back to the Burrow where the trio was so they'd decided to stay at the apartment.
Leo, Quaffle, Charlie and the twins were in the media room watching an action film she couldn't remember buying, whilst Hermione and Oliver were in the living room, sitting on the couch with Oliver rubbing Hermione's aching feet as they rested in his lap.
They had been basking in the comfortable silence as sometimes words didn't need to be said, but their peace and quiet was interrupted when the floo roared to life and it was followed by footsteps. Lifting their heads, they saw Harry nervously approaching them.
"Can I talk to you?" He asked timidly.
Hermione scrutinised him before slowly nodding in acquiesce.
"A'll give ye some privacy," said Oliver, his gaze darting between them. "Ye know we cannae leave those lads alone fer tae long."
Leaning forward, he pressed a quick kiss to her mouth before shifting out from beneath her feet and taking his leave.
"How did you get here?" She asked after a few moments of tense, awkward silence.
"Mrs. Weasley."
"What do you want, Harry?" Hermione asked in a tone that gave nothing away as she shifted to make herself comfortable.
"I... I'm sorry, Hermione. I really am. I never should've left you. It was my fault. I didn't want to deal with the press, with the deaths, the after. It was Ginny's idea to go travelling and Ron supported her. They manipulated me into going with them. I see that now."
"A bit too late, don't you think? You left me to deal with everything on my own. If you stayed you would've had me to help you, you would've had my support. Because of you, I couldn't leave the flat without getting ambushed and I had to Glamour myself or the twins had to come with me, acting as bloody bodyguards." His gaze lowered to the floor and he shifted on his feet. She sighed. "But, you've always been easily led. Look at how Dumbledore treated you. I'm not saying he wasn't a good man, I'm saying that sometimes his methods were questionable and even you can't deny that."
He lifted his head and nodded. "You're right, I'm honestly sorry that I hurt you. You were the only person that stood by my side, even when Ron left and I betrayed you. How could I do that to you?" He questioned himself, running his hands through his hair and tugging at the roots in distress.
Hermione sighed. She knew she didn't completely blame Harry so she could forgive him. She was pregnant, to be a mother. She couldn't hold grudges anymore, she didn't have the time or energy.
"I forgive you." His head snapped to hers, his expression morphing from self-loathing to surprise. "I forgive you," she repeated. "But I don't and won't forgive Ron and Ginny and I doubt the others will either. Too much damage has been caused for it to be healed."
He nodded understandingly. "Ron and Ginny are planning to leave again," Harry confessed.
"To get out of the law?" She questioned. He nodded. "They won't ever be able to come back here. If they do, they'll be arrested and sent to Azkaban. Are you going with them?" She asked, trying to keep her tone neutral and uncaring.
"No, I'm staying. I don't want to be away from here for the rest of my life. This is my home and I won't give that up; I've lost too much already. Ron and Ginny weren't happy, said that you had me under a spell and you'd corrupted me." Hermione snorted. "I'm staying. Getting married wasn't what I was expecting on my return, but Angelina isn't that bad from what I remember of her from school. They can leave but I don't know how they'll afford it without me. I promise, Hermione, I won't leave you again."
She wanted to believe him, but only time would tell if he would stick around.
"So, where did you go?" She probed, being quite surprised when he revealed the many places he'd visited and that he'd travelled through the continents and not just remained in Europe.
"I can't believe the life you have now. You look so happy. How'd all of this happen?" Harry asked, looking to the photos on the walls, a little dejected, she noted.
"It's a long story."
"I've got time," he shrugged, moving to take a seat opposite her.
"Very well," she agreed, and so she began from the beginning, starting with the end of the Final Battle and moving through to her time spent living with the twins before the news of the Marriage Law broke and she was matched with Oliver.
"What about the twins and Charlie?" He tipped his head.
"Charlie lives in Romania so he isn't eligible and the twins are exempt. They were furious that I was being made to marry, but they were glad I was paired with Oliver. We met and then decided to date so we might get to know one another and make things less awkward. I moved in two weeks later. When the news of our pairing was leaked to the press, I was attacked by Oliver's fangirls at the shop and when I left, I was offered a job as Puddlemere's Junior Coach."
He burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" She asked testily.
"You, Junior Coach of a professional team. You hate Quidditch."
"Actually, I love Quidditch," she corrected. "The team won the league last year. We played fourteen matches and the Final and we won every match. We were the favourite to win and we did. The team were alright when I started but I whipped them into shape and got rid of their bad habits. Oliver's the Captain of Puddlemere, and actually, I was just promoted to Assistant Coach this morning. Coach Burton owled me with the news and said I more than deserved the promotion and the bosses agreed."
He stared at her in surprise, as if he didn't know who he was looking at. Hermione concluded he didn't. She wasn't the same person she'd been in school, that she'd been before or during the war.
"Anyway, Skeeter wrote a few nasty articles about me, so I had that taken care of eventually. Oliver proposed to me and bought me a ring despite my telling him it wasn't necessary. We fell in love after not even a month of knowing each other, and we decided we wished to marry because we wanted to. We wanted to do it for ourselves, not because we were forced to. He truly is my perfect match and I his. I love him with everything in me. He's generous, kind, caring, loving, humble... I could go on all day. We married the 30th July at the Burrow and had the reception at Wood Manor," her eyes darted to the wall and his followed her gaze.
He saw her smiling widely as the twins walked her down the aisle with equally big grins. He saw Oliver's expression as he stared at her adoringly and he saw them kiss and the shower of gold dust that rained on them. He saw everyone smiling and laughing and dancing at the reception and he saw the fireworks Fred and George had set up.
She looked incredibly happy and beautiful and he couldn't believe he'd missed her wedding.
"I'm sorry I missed your wedding," Harry apologised.
"I sent you an invitation" she admitted, "Nobody knows I did, but the owl brought it back. Obviously, you were moving too quickly for it to catch up with you and the poor thing gave up trying to find you."
He felt so guilty when she wouldn't look at him, her hands pressed against her stomach as she brought her knees closer to her chest.
"Anyway, after the wedding and the end of game season, I took my NEWTs at the Ministry..."
"Results?" He interrupted.
"Twelve O's."
"Wouldn't expect anything less," he chuckled.
"We attended the Celebration Ball after the Final Battle in September and I was officially awarded the Order of Merlin: First Class. Then Oliver and I went on our honeymoon to Hawaii for two weeks. We got back and I went on my book tour and..."
"Book tour? You wrote a book?" His questioned in surprise.
"Seven, about the war," she confirmed. "People needed to know what was sacrificed and who the real heroes were. They needed to know the truth. Of course, I left out the majority of information on the Deathly Hallows and the Horcruxes. My books are being released once a month, so far the first three are out, which covers the first three years of the war. It doesn't really revolve around you, it's all from my point of view so don't look at me like that," she chastised when she noticed his scowl and then he looked at her sheepishly. "Sirius' innocence is now known to the public, they all know who the real murderer was. Anyway, the training season has started again and this year we're playing matches against not only league teams but national teams for charity and practice. We spent two weeks straight travelling and playing matches and we've won every game so far. I found out I was pregnant in Germany."
"You have no idea how happy I was that I could give Oliver a child," she sighed. "I had thought I'd be infertile after everything that happened, but it was a miracle. When we got home, Kingsley was waiting for us. Leo's mother had committed suicide. His father died in the war and his mother was neglecting him because she was depressed. Leo and I became close because he visited the shop every week, he wouldn't speak to anyone but me and now his confidence has improved. When I left the shop, he would come to the stadium and sit in the coach's box. Before her death, Leo's mother had made me and Oliver his legal guardians, so Oliver and I picked him up from the orphanage he'd been placed in. We brought him home and three weeks later, on his birthday, we officially adopted him."
Harry's head was spinning and he reached up, one hand pinching the bridge of his nose and the other rubbing at his temple.
"After that, I began working on a project for the orphanage. I bought and renovated a manor in Wiltshire and with the help of the family and the team, we moved all the children and staff into the manor. They have four times more space and the building is safe for them." She waved her hand and a photo flew over to her before she offered it to Harry.
He took it and stared at the photo, seeing what must have over one hundred children and staff squished together in front of a large white manor that said 'Wood Home' on the sign above, and they were all waving and grinning happily as snow fell around them.
"The home now houses one hundred and seven children, fifteen night staff and ten house-elves. It's a privately run establishment and Oliver and I fund everything. Despite not wanting credit, the press got wind of what I'd done and they found out that we adopted Leo. The home has received many letters from couples wanting to adopt... A few days after that, I visited a sonographer on a whim and discovered I'm having twins, and well... That's everything. That's my life now."
"I'm so sorry I missed all of that. You're a wife, a mum, the Assistant Coach of a successful Quidditch team, an author, an inventor and a philanthropist," he listed. "All in the space of eight months!"
"There's plenty more to come," she replied, rubbing at her stomach fondly.
"I want to be around, in your life when the twins are born," Harry said hopefully.
"I hope you are," she admitted.
And with those words, Harry had a weight lifted off his shoulders. Summoning a copy of the ultrasound scan, she handed it to Harry, seeing his wide smile as he stared down at the twin bean shapes.
"Mum? Dad said it's bedtime. Will you read to me?"
Harry and Hermione lifted their eyes, seeing step into view before he jumped on the couch next to her and Harry watched with a smile.
"How about Uncle Charlie reads to you, tonight?" Hermione suggested, reaching to push his hair back from his face. He needed a haircut. "I know he hasn't started reading the second book yet and he wants to, and he can do the voices. Have you heard him try to do Gran? It's hilarious; it'll have you wetting yourself. Don't even get me started on Professors McGonagall and Flitwick."
"Cool," Leo grinned. "Who's that?" Leo asked nosily, Hermione already knowing he knew who it was.
"Uncle Harry, he's been travelling but he's back now."
Leo stood and shook Harry's hand like he'd been shown to do by his Grandpa Henry. He had different names for his Grandparents so no one got confused. Grandma and Grandpa were the Woods and Gran and Granddad were the Weasleys.
"Nice to meet you, Uncle Harry," Leo greeted.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Leo," Harry smiled, taking the hand he offered and chuckling. "So, you like your mum's books?"
"They're awesome!" He exclaimed. "I've only read the first one, I can't believe you saved her from a troll."
"Seems fair since she's saved me from a lot more in my life, that'll be further on in the books, I assume."
"I can't wait," he grinned. "Night."
"Night," Hermione and Harry replied.
He ran back in the direction he came from. "HEY, UNCLE CHARLIE?" He yelled and not a minute later Leo was dragging an amused Charlie behind him and through the living area towards his bedroom. "Mum's second book is so awesome. We've only gotten to chapter six but there's already been flying cars, a killer tree, house-elves and jinxed bludgers. But we can start from chapter one so you can catch up."
Hermione laughed as Leo never let Charlie get a word in edgeways.
"He seems like a good kid," Harry observed.
"He is," Hermione agreed.
"I forgot, there was something I wanted to ask you. What's with the band on your wrist and why was Fleur adamant we see it?"
Hermione lifted up her sleeve to show him the golden band.
"This happened at our wedding, just after Oliver and I kissed, completing the ceremony. It wasn't until the Sunday after we were told what they meant."
"And?" He pressed.
"Pureblood's are brought up on stories about witches and wizards who were fated to be together, they were each other's perfect match and it only happened once everyone two hundred years. It turns out, the stories are true. Oliver has a band the exact same as you saw earlier. It is known as 'The Golden Bond'. There isn't much to know about it, believe me; I researched it and everything I found I already knew. Basically, Oliver and I were fated to be together, he's my perfect match, my other half. Our magic has connected and it's bound us together for eternity. We'll never want to be with anyone else. If Oliver and I had never met, we would have married other people and lived separate lives, but we would've never been truly happy or complete. Once we died, in the afterlife our magic and souls would search until they found each other and we would be together for eternity after death, finally happy. Finally at peace. That's why Oliver and I were matched. If the law hadn't have been instigated we likely would've never met. It's why we fell in love so quickly, because we were supposed to be together."
"Okay, this is a lot to take in," he breathed out, sinking back into the cushions behind him. "And Uncle Thompson and Aunt Katie? Who're they?" Harry asked randomly.
"Oh, Thompson and Katie Bell... Thompson's our starting Seeker on the team. He was engaged before the law to this horrible woman but after a while of watching Oliver and I together, he realised that he wasn't happy. So I helped him break off his engagement with his disgusting girlfriend who had her claws stuck into him and his Gringotts vault. He moved in here in August until renovations were done on some of the apartments and he moved out at the end of November, two floors down. The Ministry gave him and his ex new partners. She got Marcus Flint," she sniggered, something she did every time it was mentioned and Harry couldn't help joining in, remembering the brute of a wizard for Hogwarts. "And Thompson was matched Katie Bell. Things are going really well and he's happy. Katie moved in with Thompson as his place was three times bigger. They married about a week ago. They wanted to stay for Christmas and they're leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow..." She trailed off, trying to stifle a yawn and failing.
"It's getting late and I'm sure you're exhausted, especially with today's events. I better go," Harry rose to his feet.
"Where are you staying?"
"Well, not at the Burrow in case Ginny tries to hex me or murder me in my sleep and I can't go back to Grimmauld. So, the Leaky Cauldron, I suppose," he shrugged.
"And have the press get wind that you're back?" She shook her head. "You can stay here, the twins can share a room and you can stay as long as you need to."
"I..."
"Shut up."
"I suppose your right, wouldn't want Skeeter getting her quick quote quill out, would we?" He joked, blinking in surprise when Hermione smirked. It was a look he'd never seen on her face before and he realised she'd picked it up from the twins. "What's that look for?"
"Nothing. Just... You don't have to worry about Skeeter anymore, that's all," she said innocently.
"Why?" He asked slowly.
"Because, Potter," began George as he, Fred and Oliver approached. "Mia terrorised her for over a month."
"Yeah, sent her three joke products a day, she did. Some from the shop and some she invented and that needed testing before we could launch them to the public," continued Fred proudly.
"My favourite was the Love Potion laced and charmed bottle of elf wine," George sighed, plopping onto the couch beside her and slipping his arm around her shoulders. "Damn ingenious, it was."
"Nah, my favourite's the charmed seat cushion that sends an electric shock up the arse every time you sit down," Fred sniggered.
"Naw way, mine's definitely the Moodskin Potion. She looked like something aff one af those muggle cartoons with a red face an' smoke coming oot af her ears," Oliver added and they all laughed as Harry stared dumbly. "She's in Azkaban now," he shrugged.
"Well, I'm exhausted," Hermione yawned.
"Let's head tae bed then, we're seeing Thompson aff in the morning an' he won't let us fergot it if we miss them."
Oliver reached out, helping her to her feet.
"Boys, you'll have to share," Hermione told them and they nodded, looking unsurprised and unbothered. "Harry, you can take the room opposite the bathroom, down there," she gestured to the corridor of her meaning before Oliver tugged her to their bedroom.
"Yer've fergiven him then?" Oliver said, as he and Hermione changed out of their day clothes and into their pyjamas.
"Yes," she sighed. "Rule twenty-two."
"Give a second chance, but never a third or fourth," Oliver recited.
"Harry was manipulated into leaving. I'm not saying that he's not to blame, but Ginny and Ron did a number on him. He's apologised a million times and he said he's staying, he's going to marry Angelina as the law said and without a fuss. He admitted that Ron and Ginny are going to make a break for it, but I don't know how they'll do it without Harry's money. I expect them to be gone by Sunday. I said Harry could stay here. Grimmauld's not liveable at the moment, he can't stay at the Burrow with Ron and Ginny being there, and I'm not letting him stay at the Leaky Cauldron."
Oliver observed her carefully as she climbed into bed and snuggled beneath the covers. Harry Potter was her weakness, her Kryptonite –whatever that was, it was a reference he still didn't understand but the twins had been adamant it was correct for this particular situation-, the twins had told him. He'd been preparing for the return of the trio and despite that, he'd still been taken by surprise, he still hadn't known how to react or protect Hermione from all of the feelings that resurfaced.
And knowing what he did about her weakness and Hermione's tendency to be a mother hen, (something that had only gotten worse now that she was pregnant) he wasn't surprised to learn that she'd allowed him to stay at the apartment, nor was he surprised she'd forgiven him.
Looking at her as she looked to him in question, wondering why he hadn't yet climbed into bed, he saw something inside of her. Something that hadn't been there before. A happiness that was associated with Harry Potter. She was hurt he'd left but she was happy he was back and that he'd apologised.
Seeing this, he decided not to push the matter and he climbed into bed, his wife snuggling against him as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
He was happy she had her friend back, but if he broke her heart again, he'd have Kings and Wilks smack bludgers at him. And they'd be happy to do so. Anyone who hurt Hermione had to deal with the whole team. Coach Burton included, and the man was downright terrifying when Hermione was involved. His reaction to what'd had happened with Krum the day he'd taken the day off due to a family emergency... Well, he'd rewarded the team by allowing them to finish training an hour early for them defending Hermione's honour, (and whacking Krum in the face. Twice.) but that day he'd been in a frightening mood and several staff members swore they'd heard the sounds of furniture being broken when they passed his office during their lunch break.
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment – Wednesday 13th January 1999
The morning of Oliver's twenty-third birthday brought him a very special wakeup call from Hermione, one he wouldn't object to having every morning. When they pulled themselves from bed, showered and readied for the day, the headed for the kitchen, Hermione making a start on breakfast.
As Hermione prepared to plate everything up and later move to wake Leo for the day, he made an appearance, dressed in his pyjamas and with bed hair that would put Hermione's to shame.
"Happy birthday, Dad," Leo grinned, shoving a giant present in front of him, wrapped haphazardly and with a bow falling off.
Laughing, Oliver removed the wrapping paper, revealing newly brought Quidditch gloves, pads and boots. Oliver thanked and ruffled Leo's hair, and once breakfast had been eaten and Leo was sent to wash and dress, Hermione took Oliver's hand in hers and pulled him over to the fish tank. His brow furrowed before he crouched down, seeing that yes, he hadn't been imagining things. There was definitely more than there had been the night before. By his count, there was now a total of twenty-seven fish.
"Ye got mae more fish?" He questioned in surprise.
"Hmmm, freshwater fish that are safe to live with goldfish," she nodded. "You have six fancy tail goldfish, they're the ones with the golf balls for eyes." He laughed at her. "There's three black and three silver. Then there are six zebra danios, they are the ones with the stripes and there are three silver and three gold. Then there are six white cloud mountain minnows and they are the silver ones. And finally, we have six rose barbs; they're the red and pink ones. Oh, there's also a few water snails in there because they help to keep the tank clean."
"A love it, thank ye," he beamed, rising to full height and pressing a kiss to her mouth in thanks.
"Not done yet," she told him, summoning a second gift from where she'd hidden it in her library.
Handing him the perfectly wrapped box, he eyed her curiously before removing the wrapping paper and the lid, revealing a shrunken down broom. Lifting it from the box and drawing his wand to resize it, he blinked in awed-surprise. It was a Whipping Gold. A broom that was specifically designed for Keepers. A broom that wasn't due to be released for twelve months.
"That is the first broom that was produced. It's been through all the trials and passed with flying colours. You literally have the very first completed Whipping Gold in the world."
Hermione thought he was going to faint.
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment - Friday 22nd January 1999
It had been a month since Harry had returned to wizarding society, and he was slowly regaining everyone's trust and she quite impressed with how he was handling things, if she was honest. As she'd predicted, Ron and Ginny had fled the Sunday after Christmas and no one had heard from them or seen them, and whilst no one else seemed to care or be bothered, she knew it had broken Mrs. Weasley's heart for a second time. And honestly, Hermione wasn't sure what they'd planned on doing or where they planned on going without Harry's money, so she wouldn't be surprised if they were laying low somewhere in England.
Harry had been living with them for a month, he'd met with Angelina and they'd set a date for their wedding, 20th March. Preparations were already underway with Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Johnson corresponding and planning the wedding and reception together, sharing the workload. With Harry soon to be married, she and Oliver had offered up one of the apartments that had yet to leased, and he'd jumped at the opportunity, quickly signing the tenancy agreement and he would be moving out the following Monday to the floor below them.
The press had gotten wind that he was back and Harry and Hermione held a press conference to clear up the rumours and to get them off their backs, something that had only helped marginally and they had to wear Glamours when they wished to go out in public.
Harry had yet to decide what he wanted to do with his life. Working for the Ministry as an Auror out of the question for him and Hermione need him to explain why; she understood perfectly.
They were currently in the library with Oliver reading her third book to Leo and they'd just passed the part where Pettigrew was revealed to be Scabbers.
"I think I've got it," Hermione said aloud, looking up from her own book.
"Got what?" Oliver asked.
"The Falmouth Falcons are holding tryouts."
"Professional Quidditch?" Harry tipped his head.
"Yes, why not?" She challenged. "The only time I've truly seen you at peace is when you're flying. And because you'll be on a different team, we'll have some rivalry between us," she grinned and Harry chuckled at her.
"She's right," Oliver agreed. "A imagine yer've only developed yer skills since yer third year an' ye were the best Seeker a'd ever seen back then. The Falcon's could use ye; they're a decent team but their Seekers are rubbish; they're always getting injured, more so than any other team."
"Exactly," Hermione nodded. "I'll be right back," she told them, snapping her book shut and leaving the library, returning turning minutes later with a pleased smile. "I've floo'd the Falcon's coach. You have a tryout tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."
Harry frowned. "They likely only gave me a tryout because of my name," he grumbled.
"No, I didn't tell them your name, only that I knew of an extremely talented and young Seeker that they might benefit from having on their team."
"They didn't question you?" He arched an eyebrow.
"I'm the youngest Assistant Coach in the history of Quidditch, I helped Puddlemere win the League after two months of training and we've won every match we've played so far. They trust my judgement. If it bothers you, don't go," she shrugged.
"I'll go," he conceded. "Might as well see what happens and it gives me something to do in the morning than sitting around twiddling my thumbs."
Hermione smiled knowingly, retaking her seek and smoothing her hand over her stomach. She was now thirteen weeks pregnant and she'd begun to show, quite quickly actually. One moment there was nothing and the next her stomach swelling, making room for the developing twins in her womb. She'd already snuck off to Muggle London and purchased maternity clothes so she might be prepared, and with her growing stomach brought Oliver's hands and his constant need to be touching her. She'd thought he'd been bad when he'd discovered the news of her pregnancy but no, she hadn't been prepared for him now.
Luckily, the news hadn't yet been revealed or leaked to the press or anyone they didn't wish to know, no one had noticed her growing stomach as she was sure to cover it and the best news yet, her morning sickness had shoved off back to hell and she no longer had to take the Anti-Nausea Potions.
"It won't be long before they find out," Hermione commented absentmindedly.
"An' when they do, they'll not get anywhere near ye," Oliver promised, his protective gaze darting to her stomach.
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment - Saturday 23rd January 1999
"I GOT IT! I GOT ON THE TEAM" Harry barrelled into the library excitedly, almost tripping over his own feet, only just managing to catch himself on the back of the armchair.
"I know," Hermione said unsurprised. "With a natural talent like yours that can only get better with some professional training, they weren't going to say no," she shrugged. "They'd be idiots not to take you, and if they hadn't, I'd have found a way to make you a part of Puddlemere, the bosses wouldn't object even if we don' have any positions open right now."
"Yer one af the best Seekers a've seen," Oliver added. "What position?"
"Well, the starting Seeker retired, so the next in line is obviously the reserve Seeker, that's what the tryout was for. But... When they saw me, they decided to make me the starting Seeker, instead. The reserve Seeker didn't even complain, he admitted that he was nowhere on the same skill level as me, he wouldn't even dare to attempt the Wronski Feint, so he said there were no hard feelings. They were shocked when I turned up, of course, but even more so with my flying."
Hermione smiled. "When do you start?"
"Wednesday," he beamed. "I can't believe it. I'm a professional athlete! Let's celebrate!"
"Pregnant," Hermione pointed to her stomach.
"I'm too young," Leo piped up, sprawled on the ground by the fireplace and cuddled with Quaffle.
"An' a promised a pact af sobriety fer the remainder af Hermione's pregnancy. She cannae drink so am not gonna either."
"That's stupid," Harry snorted, his face paling when Hermione glared at him. "I mean, very noble of you," he corrected, clearing his throat whilst Leo giggled and Oliver smirked knowingly. "Fine," he sighed, "Juice and monopoly it is."
"You could go out, you know?" Suggested Hermione.
"No, thanks, without you there to protect me, I wouldn't make it through the night... And, no, I'm not going out with Fred and George. Merlin knows what'd happen to me," he shivered. "I'll grab the drinks, you set the game up."
~000~000~000~
St. Mungo's - Thursday 4th February 1999
The Weasleys, Woods and Harry were all gathered in St. Mungo's waiting room, Fleur having gone into labour six hours ago. Given the late hour, some had fallen asleep in their chairs, Leo was sprawled across the transfigured lounge chair as he slept, and Hermione sat in Oliver's lap with his hands smoothing over her stomach.
"Jus' think," Oliver began, "It'll be us in tha' room in a few months."
"Oh, don't, you'll set me off again," Mrs. Weasley sniffled as she wiped at her eyes. She was already overcome with emotion and being reminded that her twin Grandchildren would be born in a few months time was the trigger for more tears being released.
They all startled -some of them awake and George actually slipped off his chair and onto the ground- when the doors burst open and Bill stepped inside, his long hair tied back, his face flushed and tears welling in his eyes.
"Would you like to meet her?"
It was one of the most stupid questions Hermione had ever heard. Of course, she wanted to meet her niece! And she all but barged her way past him, Mrs. Weasley quickly following on her heels.
Reaching the delivery room, Fleur could be seen on the hospital bed with her newborn daughter swaddled in a pink blanket and being held against her as she stared down at her adoringly. Despite the fact she'd just given birth and her hair was sweat-soaked and stuck to her neck and she was obviously exhausted, Fleur still looked beautiful, Hermione putting it down to the veela blood that ran through her veins.
At their arrival, she reluctantly lifted her gaze to them, offering a tired smile.
"I would like to introduce you to Victorie Hermione Weasley," Fleur said.
Hermione stared in surprise before she promptly burst into tears, Oliver chuckling and allowing his wife to cling to him and cover his shirt in tears and snot. Once the Grandparents had held the newborn, Hermione had all but wrestled her from them, staring down at her niece and she was beautiful. The perfect blend of her parents; she had her mother's blonde hair and her father's hazel brown eyes, Fleur's nose and mouth shape, but she had Bill's freckles and pale complexion.
"She's beautiful," Hermione remarked, completely mesmerised by the little beauty in her arms. And she couldn't wait for the day her own babies were there.
~000~000~000~
Bulgaria - Monday 22nd February 1999
The time had come for Puddlemere to play against the Vrasta Vultures. With Hermione now being seventeen weeks pregnant, it was no longer safe for her to travel by port-key and apparition, so she and Oliver had floo'd to the hotel the night before everyone else as a precaution, not willing to risk her health or the twins'.
With her stomach being larger than ever, it growing more difficult to cover it and she was soon expecting the world to catch on to her secret. In fact, she was amazed it had been kept quiet for so long, if she was honest.
Wishing to be comfortable and with a winter chill still in the air, that day she'd opted to wear white converse, grey tracksuit bottoms and the matching overly large hoody, the Puddlemere logo sitting above her right breast and 'Wood, 32' scrawled across her back. Given the low temperatures in Bulgaria, Leo was visiting Charlie in Romania for a few days whilst the twins were caring for Quaffle, Ali and Boo until they returned.
Hermione was both nervous and excited about the match. She was nervous that the team -but mainly Oliver and Thompson- would cause trouble with Viktor, but she was excited because she knew the team was just as good as the Vultures, and Thompson was just as good as Viktor.
They were currently gathered in the opposing team's locker room at the Vultures stadium, and with the ending of Coach Burton's passive-aggressive speech, everyone looked to her in expectance of a more encouraging pep talk.
"The last time we saw Viktor he was punched in the face twice and thrown off the grounds," she began, laughing when cheering rang out and Oliver and Thompson were slapped on the shoulder as they stood taller in pride. "Viktor holds grudges and I have a feeling the Vultures will be playing dirty, so I want you to be on the lookout; they will be sneaky about it so the referee won't notice. Do not sink to their level. We are going to beat them fair and square. Remember everything that we've done over the last year, alone. Remember all of your accomplishments. Since the start of the training season, we've played thirteen matches and we've won thirteen matches. Last year, we won all fourteen matches including the Final." Cheers rang out once more. "The Vultures didn't win the World Cup and this season, they've played ten matches and have only won eight of them. Our average is better than theirs. I don't want you to go onto that pitch and doubt yourselves, you are just as good as they are, better in my opinion but I'm biased," she admitted and they laughed her. "I believe you can do it, you need to believe that you can do it. Don't be cocky pricks but be confident in your abilities. So, let's go and show them why we won the League."
The team cheered loudly, clapping each other on the shoulder and berating each other whilst making bets about who could make the most goals and who could knock the most players off their brooms, something Hermione had come to understand was part of their pre-match ritual.
As they made their way towards the pitch, she lagged behind so she might walk beside an agitated Thompson.
"You feeling okay?"
"Just nervous," he admitted. "I'm going up against Viktor Blood Krum!" His voice rose in panic.
She snorted. "You broke his nose," she reminded him, seeing a smile tug at his mouth. "You can do this, Thompson. You've been practising exceptionally hard and I'm proud of you. You've perfected the Wronski Feint, and now it's time to bring it into play. We've refrained from using it because we didn't want word getting to Viktor. And just imagine we're back in our stadium playing catch the levitated golf ball. Imagine the look on Viktor's face when you catch the snitch right in front of his nose. Not only will you have beaten who is referred to as 'the Greatest Seeker in the World', you'll prove to the world that you are a force to be reckoned with... And just think of happy Katie will be."
"Hermione!" He cried, scandalised, understanding her meaning.
"What? It's not my fault," she said innocently. "You win this match, and the moment you get home, she'll be jumping your bones."
"Hermione!" He cried once more, his cheeks actually tinting pink.
"What?" Her eyes widened, showing doe-like innocence. "How do you think I got pregnant? Whilst it wasn't because I jumped Oliver after winning a match, given the twins were conceived during our rest period, it certainly didn't and doesn't stop me."
"Hermione!"
"She's your wife, you have sex, just like Oliver and I do."
"Please stop!"
"My, how the tables have turned," she grinned. "It used to be me that blushed like a schoolgirl being winked at by their crush... Look at your cheeks," she teased.
"Merlin, help me," he whispered, mortified.
"Imagine, Thompson, you win this match and Katie will be incredibly pleased, you know she hates Krum, too, right? I don't know if she ever told you, but he hit on her whilst he was still with me, and the loyal Gryffindor that she is, told him to shove his celebrity status and his affections up his arse before she told me what he'd done. She's actually the reason I found out about him cheating," she shrugged, seeing Thompson blink in surprise at the reveal. "So, as I was saying, you win this match and beat Viktor, not only will Katie jump you, but you might conceive a baby, too," she patted her own stomach.
"Hermione!"
"What? It's a requirement of the law. One I don't agree with, obviously, but you have to admit, it is rather fun."
"What happened to you? You used to be so sweet and innocent, you used to get embarrassed and flushed."
"Oliver knocked me up and I found all of my insecurities and shame go flying out at the window. I like it," she grinned. "So, you might make a baby if you win this match."
"Merlin," he grumbled. "I'm not ready to be a dad, no matter what the law requires."
"And you think Oliver and I are?" She arched an eyebrow. "I'm still a teenager and Oliver's still in his early-twenties, we're the youngest on the team. By adopting Leo, we've skipped the whole newborn, toddler and terrible twos stage. Instead, we've gotten an adorable, incredibly polite and well-behaved young boy, one that will be off to Hogwarts in a couple of years. I'm terrified, so is Oliver, but we're not alone. We've got help and we have people that care about us to help support us. So, to recap, if you win this match, your wife will jump your bones and perhaps a baby might be conceived... And, I'll give you my digestive biscuits," she added. He looked to her before snorting and shaking his head.
"I'm being serious. The twins are doing a number on me. I'm hoarding them like a damn squirrel. I'm devouring them like a dementor does souls!" He laughed. "I've got five packets in my bag and another twenty in my suitcase," she exclaimed. He laughed louder. "You think I'm joking? Look!"
Opening her beaded bag, she drew her wand and summoned her digestive biscuits, not five, but nine packets gently bobbing in the air.
He halted mid-walk, doubling over on himself with laughter after seeing her surprised, horrified but pleased expression upon the reveal she had more biscuits than she'd realised.
Releasing a deep sigh, he straightened his posture and took a calming breath.
"Alright, I'll make sure we win this match, for the team and for the Puddlemere twins," he patted her stomach before jogging to catch up with the rest of the team.
~000~000~00~
The match had been going for four hours and currently, Puddlemere was in the lead, 350 – 200 points. The entire team was playing at their best, better than they had in the Final the previous year, but Hermione knew why. They had a score to settle with Krum, this was personal for them after witnessing his treatment of her. They'd always been protective of her, with her being the only female on the team and she was the youngest, but like Oliver, they'd gotten worse upon the discovery of her pregnancy.
The snitch had been spotted several times but had yet to be caught, it disappearing from sight before either Viktor or Thompson had the opportunity to reach for it. As another hour and a half passed, Hermione knew Thompson was becoming frustrated and when he did that, it affected his mindset which in turn, affected his performance.
When Hermione had asked Coach Burton to call a time out, he didn't question her and simply did it. When the team arrived in the coach's box, allowing them to grab a quick drink and to rub the feeling back into their numb hands and fingers, she pulled Thompson aside.
"You're getting frustrated and that'll be your downfall. I know you want to win, but not at the cost of your mental state... Forget about Viktor, forget about the match. It's just a regular day at the stadium. Malloy running off his mouth and me hexing him, Kings using Bishop as target practice, me threatening to slap Oliver if he gets hit with another bludger and Pallie falling down the stands," she said, seeing Thompson's tense form relaxing, a smile tugging at his mouth and a snort falling from him. "Okay, don't allow this to get to you. You love Quidditch so have fun with it. And remember, digestive biscuits are on the line here... You know how series a prize that is." He laughed, shaking his head. "Better?"
"Better," he nodded. "A Wronski Feint coming up, followed by the winning snitch."
Once the team were back in the air, it was evident her talk with Thompson had done some good, seeing he change in his flying technique, in the ease of his body and the effortlessness of his flying.
He lazily circled from above, almost seeming to be in a daze before he unexpectedly became a blur as he darted across the pitch, being following by Viktor who was hot on his tail. Hermione's hands gripped the railing tightly and a smile pulled at her mouth when Thompson suddenly took a dive, not only dodging a bludger, but forcing Viktor to follow.
At little above twenty feet above the ground, he pulled into a sharp turn, heading skywards and speeding off in the opposite direction, Viktor barely managing to pull up in time with the crowd and commentator going wild.
"DID YOU SEE THAT? NOW THAT IS HOW THE WRONSKI FEINT IS DONE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THEY SHOULD RENAME IT THE THOMPSON FEINT AFTER THAT MAGNIFICENT MANOEUVRE! WE'RE LOVING THE NEW SPIN HE PUT ON A CLASSIC SEEKER MOVE! COMPLETELY BRILLIANT! YOU'RE MY NEW HERO THOMPSON!"
Hermione couldn't help laughing and cheering along with an incredibly impressed Coach Burton as he dropped his clipboard to the ground and yelled encouragements. But that was when she noticed that Thompson had flown to the opposite side of the pitch for a reason. Before Viktor could even follow him, Thompson caught the snitch, his fingers curling around the golden ball before it could escape.
"AND THOMPSON'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH! PUDDLEMERE WIN 550 – 320! LOOK AT THE GAP IN THE SCORES! LOOK'S LIKE KRUM NEEDS TO WATCH HIS BACK, THERE'S A NEW SEEKER IN TOWN AND HE MAY JUST TAKE THE TITLE AS 'THE WORLD'S GREATEST SEEKER'! CONGRATULATIONS PUDDLEMERE, COMMISERATIONS VULTURES!"
As Hermione and Coach Burton cheered and laughed, there was a victory lap and a quick reluctant shake of hands before the team flew down to the coach's box. Hermione hugged Thompson tightly, exclaiming how proud she was of him and he pulled back grinning, smugly holding out the snitch in the palm of his hand.
"I'm going to have this framed and set in the trophy cabinet," she told them.
"One snitch for the Puddlemere twins as promised," he beamed.
The entire team had taken to calling the babies that and when she'd pointed it out, they'd exclaimed that they were going to be Uncles and they had a duty to the twins to give them a nickname and make them a part of the team.
At that point, Hermione burst into tears and they all laughed as Oliver was dragged into a hug that had him turning purple with a lack of oxygen. Hermione knew that her children were the luckiest in the world. They had a mother and father that loved them more than anything in the world. They had Grandparents that would spoil them, Uncles and Aunts that would dote on them and an entire Quidditch team that would love them like family.
After she was pried from Oliver and his oxygen flow returned, the victory interview was conducted and they returned to their designated locker room. After taking their showers, most of them were still wandering around shirtless with damp hair as they replayed their highlights from the match, but the moment silence filled the room, she twisted to look behind her, scowling at the sight of Viktor and his teammates having entered the room, all still clad in their game attire.
Oliver's movements were quick and silent as he moved to stand closer to her, being mimicked by his teammates. Being pregnant had its advantages.
"Sparrow, would ye like mae tae take care af this?" Oliver asked, his tone of voice evident that he hoped she'd say yes.
"No, I've got this, thank you," Hermione said calmly.
Viktor's eyes slowly scanned the unhappy expressions of those in the room, before he spied the sparrow tattoo on Oliver's chest, and given how he'd referred to Hermione, Viktor laughed.
"She's had you branded," he commented, his teammates laughing behind him.
Oliver was unphased and unembarrassed, as a smirk tugged at his mouth. "Well, it only seems fair as a branded her. Me autograph was written across her boobs..." Hermione fought the urge to smack him and his teammates either sighed, chuckled or grimaced, remembering that day in the locker room. "And 'it's me name she took, me jersey she's wearing under her jumper an' me name she's got on her back."
Viktor's laughter had stopped, giving Oliver an unimpressed glance and as he took a step forward, Oliver took a step closer to Hermione, her hand automatically moving to lay protectively against her stomach with Oliver's following. Seeing this, Viktor's eyes followed, understanding seeming to sink in and a smirk set on his mouth.
"Oh, just piss off, Viktor," Hermione said irritably, eyes widening in surprise at her use of language.
"I see it didn't take long vor you to get knocked up," he commented with a look in his eye she didn't like.
"Listen up you," Hermione stepped forward, glaring up at him no matter of the height difference. "First of all, it was a requirement of the law that I get pregnant within one year. Second of all, I thought that I was infertile after everything my body suffered through, and finding out I was pregnant was the best news I'd ever received. And lastly, I was a virgin when I married Oliver, which means I've only been with one man and I will for the rest of my life. I know for a fact that you've been with more men than I have." Eyes widened at the reveal and mouths dropped open as Viktor glared at her. "Oh, don't act as though that's a secret, you've been pictured with men before," she snapped. "You're bisexual, no one cares; they're more concerned with their damn blood status... We won fair and square, get over it and move on. Thompson was on point and he did 'your signature' move better than you, something you fell for given that it allowed him to catch the snitch. Even if you were the one to catch the snitch, we still would've won by eighty points. Drop it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm exhausted and I need some rest."
With her head held high, she barged past him and his teammates, forcing them to part for her so she might leave. Seeing this, the team burst into sniggers and Viktor stepped forward, his glare on Oliver.
"A wouldn't do tha' if a were ye," Oliver warned, "Not unless ye want tae be reacquainted with the floor, tha' is," he smirked.
"Or a broken nose," Thompson added, his features set hard, daring him to challenge him.
"She vill not stand vor it," Viktor sniffed.
The entire team snorted and even Coach Burton shook his head in amusement.
"She's pregnant with me children, her hormones are all over the place. An' ye do realise tha' she wisnae mad at mae fer hitting ye, right? It was all an act."
"It's true," Pallie confirmed. "We've seen her raging mad, hair sparking with magic, face flushed red, hands clenched... She was far from mad with Wood. It was a cover up."
"In fact, she was pleased tha' a defended her," Oliver gloated. "Ye lost an' a won. Am the one she loves. Am the one she cuddles up tae at night. Am the one she goes tae when she's upset. Am the one tha' makes her smile an' laugh. Am the one tha' supports her in ev'rything she does. An' am the one she shares The Golden Bond with. Leave her alone, Krum. Am not saying tha' she cannae defend herself 'coz ev'ryone knows she can, but she does have an entire Quidditch team an' family tha' will do anything tae defend an' protect her."
It was that point which Hermione waltzed into the room, lobbing a packet of digestive biscuits at Thompson.
"As I promised, your prize."
~000~000~000~
Muggle London - Monday 29th March 1999
Hermione was now twenty-two weeks pregnant and the news had been leaked after the Vrasta Vultures match, being completely unsurprised and already knowing who was responsible, but she honestly couldn't find it in herself to care.
As predicted, the press had flocked to them, wanting photoshoots, interviews and articles. As a result and to quell all rumours, Hermione and Oliver agreed to answer a few questions -when she was due, how far along she was, how they were feeling- and then they asked the press to leave them alone as the stress wasn't good for Hermione or the child and surprisingly they backed off. But they'd been sure to remain quiet about the fact she was expected twins, not wanting anyone to know yet.
She'd already attended her latest appointment at St. Mungo's and the records had been updated to say that she was having twins and they were perfectly healthy and on track developmentally.
With that out of the way, Hermione wished to visit the muggle doctor's surgery again so they might get an updated ultrasound scan, and Oliver had wished to attend this time as well. So, during their lunch break, they'd left the stadium and headed into Muggle London.
When they stepped through the doors and approached the desk, Hermione saw the same man from before and she was witness to the smile that slipped from his face, his eyes darting to her husband in surprise.
Yes, he was quite handsome, wasn't he? Hermione thought.
Having already booked an appointment, they simply had to check-in and wait to be called and thankfully, it wasn't too long a wait. They were on a bit of a time crunch after all, not that Coach Burton would penalise them, that is. But still, it was always polite to return by the time they said they would.
When Oliver was introduced to Tully, Hermione hadn't been able to hold back her glare at the sight of the older woman taking in her handsome husband appreciatorily, but the moment she caught sight of Hermione's expression, she'd cleared her throat and promptly put her attention elsewhere. Chuckling, Oliver pressed a kiss to her temple and took her hand in his, hoping to help calm her. Not only was she hormonal, but the full moon was in two days and it wouldn't do good to have her losing control of her magic or hexing a muggle.
One Tully began the scan, Oliver's eyes were glued to the screen, his breath catching in his throat at the sight of the twins growing in Hermione's womb.
"At this point, the twins are approximately twenty-six centre meters in size. Their hair is beginning to grow and they are developing their senses of sight, taste, touch, smell and hearing. Their eyebrows, eyelashes and fingernails should have also developed by this stage," Tully explained, printing out a copy of the ultrasound, showing the larger, more developed twins. "You have reached the stage in your pregnancy that we might possibly be able to identify the sex of the twins, if they are cooperating. Would you like to try?"
"Naw, we want it tae be a surprise," Oliver answered, pressing a kiss to Hermione's smiling cheek. "Although, anno they're gonna be boys."
"They could be girls," Hermione argued.
"Me family has only had..."
"Boys in your family for as long as you can remember and that is recorded on your family tree. Yes, I know, I've only heard this argue three times a week, after all. But they've also only had one child per generation, we're having twins. I think we're an exception... Anyway, she be going, we can invite everyone for dinner. Harry and Angelina don't leave for their honeymoon until the morning."
Harry and Angelina had married nine days ago, they'd had a simple ceremony with the Weasleys, Woods, Jonhsons, their friends from Hogwarts and a few professors, the Puddlemere team and the Falmouth Falcons and their partners in attendance, and Kingsley had officiated the ceremony, too.
From what Hermione knew, things between Harry and Angelina had been going great. They got along rather well, they'd both admitted to having feelings for each other but not being quite ready to call it love yet, but Hermione suspected it wouldn't be long before they did, giving the way they looked at each other, and their wedding had gone off without a hitch. Not unlike hers which had been ambushed by Oliver's crazed fan.
Leaving the doctor's surgery and making their way towards the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione suddenly paused in the middle of the street.
"What is it?" Oliver asked, looking to her in concern.
She looked up at him with her eyes wide, mouth open and her hand pressed against her stomach.
"The twins are kicking," she admitted.
"Really?" He checked, reaching out to set his own hand against her stomach when she nodded.
"You won't be able to feel it; I'm not that far along yet."
"Doesn't matter, they're still kicking."
"I love you," she said suddenly, her eyes watering as she sniffled.
"A love ye, tae, Sparrow."
"I love you, Mum, Dad," Leo added.
Hermione and Oliver laughed. "We love you, too," they chorused, smiling down at Leo when he hugged them both around the waist and grinned up at him.