Happy Saturday, my darlings. Another weekend, another update.
Chapter 14 Announcements
As he promised, Ron arranged a short honeymoon to Venice over a long weekend. They would depart Thursday night and were due to return Tuesday morning. Bill and Fleur quietly offered to keep Hugo when Arthur and Molly planned on having dinner with Hermione and Marcus. The French witch wished to keep her sister-in-law from derailing plans with some kind of tantrum.
Veronica talked up the trip to everyone in front of Hermione. "As if you're jealous," muttered Angelina.
"Ron never took me on a romantic vacation," Hermione pointed out. "I hear the sunset gondola rides are lovely," she said louder.
"I'm sure Ronald planned one," sneered Veronica primly.
"If he values his skin he will have," whispered Angelina.
"Right?" responded Hermione.
The morning of her three-month appointment, Hermione buzzed with excitement. The morning sickness eased off. She could eat again. And she felt full of energy most mornings. She and Marcus planned to have dinner with his family that evening and the elder Weasleys the next. She intended to email her parents and family that afternoon. Malin watched her flutter around the kitchen, "You're looking better."
"I am," smiled Hermione.
"That was a very long stomach ailment," the Norwegian said in a sly tone.
"It was. Might come roaring back, even," she teased.
"How long might it last?"
"Oh, until September, I think."
Malin clapped her hands, "I am so excited for you."
"We're going to start announcing it today. We're having triplets!"
"Three babies," she exclaimed, "how wonderful." She clapped her hands gleefully, "Congratulations."
"Thank you, you're the first person I've told," Hermione's grin stretched across her face.
"You should tell Harry, he suspects something, but given your history he's terrified to say anything."
Hermione frowned, "I understand that. I would be loathed to ask myself. We're finding out the gender, or genders. So, I'll tell him after the appointment."
"I am so excited for you," her friends hugged her tightly. "I hope you enjoy every moment."
"Thank you," Hermione whispered.
She met Marcus at the clinic. "How are we?" asked Healer Gray.
"The morning sickness seems to have receded," Hermione said. "And I have more energy."
"Your energy may come and go throughout your pregnancy. Listen to your body. It will get what it wants or, rather, needs despite you. Do yourself a favor and just give in." Hermione nodded. "Good. At twelve weeks your little ones are the size of plums, or a sparrow, if you prefer animals. You may start showing sooner than the books say because there is more baby than usual."
"If that was a hint to start telling people, message received. Those plans are in motion," chortled Marcus.
"Excellent, are we ready to hear some heartbeats and take some pictures?"
"Yes, and is it possible to learn the genders?" asked Hermione.
"It is. Let me grab the potion kits," Healer Gray popped out and back in. "I want to start with the ultrasounds, shall we?" Marcus helped her lay back. The healer cast the charm and a grayscale image appeared. "Okay, Baby A, Baby B, and Baby C. And as we thought before one amniotic sac. Meaning one zygote dividing into three, identical triplets."
"That has to be the solstice magic," Marcus said.
"No arguments here," Hermione said taking his hands without looking away from the image.
"Since they are identical we need only one gender kit," Healer Gray said. "Ready?"
"As much as we can be," Hermione squeezed his hands.
A few heartbeats later, Healer Gray spoke up, "Congratulations, the Flint family is about to welcome three little boys. Say hello to your sons." They watched as one moved his arm like he was waving, another kicked, and the last turned to face them.
"So precious," whispered Hermione, "hello, sweeties."
"Boys?" Marcus stammered.
"I'm sorry, did you want daughters?" demanded Hermione.
"I could care less about boys or girls, we're having kids. You're having my kids." He leaned over to kiss her. "Poor Ellie still outnumbered."
"And Victorie, about to be outnumbered."
Healer Gray created three individual shots of each one, then a composite of all three. "There you are, my dears. I'll see you lot in a month."
"Sounds good," Hermione said without looking away from the images in her hands. "I want to tell everyone."
"Let's email my family. Then some friends. We tell your parents tonight as planned."
"Then other people as we come to them?"
"Yes. Or should we tell your parents before friends?" she asked, concerned about upsetting her in-laws.
Marcus glanced at his watch, "Father and Ethan have back-to-back meetings all day. Mother is out lunching by now. Malin knows, so we tell Potter and Adrian, at least, today."
"Then back to my flat for an email or ten." Hermione linked arms with him and side alonged to her flat. She scanned the images into her computer. She quickly typed a message to her parents calling them Grandma and Grandpa. She sent an announcement to her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. She decided to also call her grandparents as they did not check their email as often as the others. The elder Grangers, Albert, and Clara, were delighted with her news but suggested moving up the wedding to avoid shaming the family. The elder Jenkins, Benedict, and Ainsley, insisted on making plans for dinner the next week when they came to London. Ainsely inquired if Marcus had been in Gryffindor, like Hermione. "No, Gran, he was in Slytherin, their colors are green and silver." She answered the next question, "Snakes." She listened again for longer this time before, "Um, the Arrows, their colors are cornflower blue and silver." Then finally, "Love you and Gramps, too, Gran. See you then." She hung up. "That woman is going to make house color baby blankets, and the Appleby Arrows."
"Why the Arrows?" he asked.
"Your favorite team," she answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Oh."
"Oh, indeed." She looked at the clock, "Harry should be leaving for lunch in the next few minutes."
"Lead on, sweet."
They caught Harry exiting the building, heading out. "Hey, guys, what's up?"
"We thought we would join you for lunch," Hermione said.
"Awesome, The deli around the corner?"
"Sure." They spoke of generalities until they were seated with their food.
Harry took a bite of his sandwich, chewed, swallowed then spoke again. "So what did you want to discuss?"
"Malin mentioned a suspicion you two shared and we wanted to confirm it for you. Actually, confirm and correct it."
"Which one, that Ginny stalking me, or that you're pregnant? Mind, I prefer the latter."
"Well, you're in luck, I'm pregnant," said Hermione.
Marcus waited for Harry to take a drink before adding, "Pregnant with triplet boys."
Harry sputtered and sprayed lemonade across the table. "Gross, Harry!" snapped Hermione. She glared at Marcus, "You did that on purpose."
He shrugged, "Yep, worth it." She swatted him. "Still worth it."
"When are you due?" asked Harry ignoring Marcus.
"September 12th, but with multiples you can go into labor early."
"Still getting married in December?" Harry took another bite.
"Yes," confirmed Marcus. "So long as the parents are engaged no one talks in wizard society. And some of Hermione's family has been accepting so far."
"And who cares if they aren't?" she said kissing Marcus.
"Are you happy about this?" Harry questioned. "This has been a lot of change in a short amount of time."
"I'm good, better than good. We've known for around three weeks. We've had a little time to adjust and plan," she assured him.
"Just checking. And you know if you need to you and the sprogs are welcome at Grimmauld."
"Thank you," she smiled. "Try to keep quiet until tomorrow. We tell the Flints tonight."
"But Malin knows?"
"She guessed since she's had a front-row seat for the morning sickness. Oh, you can tell her the gender, she doesn't know that."
"Just didn't want to accidentally spill the beans."
"You can tell anyone you want after tonight." The two friends hugged.
Hermione accompanied Harry back to the ministry while Marcus ran by Adrian's office. Despite having enough money to open his own practice, he accepted an offer to work for England's premier wizarding law office. Rumor held he was well on his way to being the most sought-after barrister in the country. Marcus greeted the receptionist who waved him through. "Got a minute?"
"Certainly. Tell me you haven't made a statement or confession."
"No."
"Are you here for a prenup then? All the rage with muggleborns."
"None of that. Why would you think that?"
"You're in my office in the middle of a workday. You don't play hooky."
"I wanted to show you something, something good," he stressed the last word, "big news."
"I know you're engaged, I've seen the ring," Adrian rolled his eyes.
"Bigger news. But you have to keep it to yourself until tomorrow. Considered it privileged information."
"Okay," said Adrian slowly, "let's hear it." Marcus handed him the composite image. "Grey shadowy bulges?"
"That's an ultrasound image, mate."
"Circe's tits! You're having a baby?"
"Three, Hermione's pregnant with triplets."
"Fuck!" Adrian stared at his friend with wide eyes.
"Right?"
"You're excited though? You always said you wanted kids, but it is kind of fast."
"We're both over the moon. We've known, we were waiting to have the ultrasounds and know the gender."
"And?" demanded Adrian.
"Boys," smirked Marcus.
"Not that girls aren't lovely, too, but yes, no tea parties!" Adrian cheered.
"I hope you have only daughters for that comment," teased Marcus.
"Please, you hated Delphi's tea parties as much as I did."
"Yes, and I routinely have them with Eleanor now,
so, yeah."
"Boys' night to celebrate as soon as you publicly announce it." declared his mate, clapping him on the back.
"Sounds like a plan."
Arriving home later, Hermione contemplated begging off dinner but settled for a short nap and shower. She checked her email while waiting for her hair to dry. Most of her family responded with excitement. Nothing from her parents. But they didn't always have ready access to phones or the internet. A note from her cousin reminded her of a special doll her aunt got them when she was pregnant. She dressed and popped out to a toy shop. She bought five baby boy dolls. She returned home in time to greet Marcus. "Ready?" he asked.
"Yep. I got these for the kids. They teach them how to care for babies. I know Tobias, Jonathon, and Teddy might not like them, but I didn't want them to feel left out." She shrank three of them and slipped them into her bag.
"Good idea. Even if they don't want one, they won't make a fuss."
Niobe greeted them, "You made it. I know weekday dinners can be difficult."
Marcus hugged his mother in greeting, "We have news to share."
"Did you pick a wedding venue?" she perked up excitedly.
"No, we're going to look at some next week," he promised.
"You're not leaving the country for work are you?" she covered her mouth in horror.
"I promise you will love this news. Is everyone here?"
"We're only missing Johann. Delphine can fill him in later."
"I suppose that works," Marcus escorted Hermione to the parlor. He addressed his family as a whole, "Hermione and I recently learned she is pregnant. She's due in September with triplets." Hermione held up the images and the adults surged forward to off their congratulations.
Four-year-old Eleanor frowned, "Why do we need more babies?"
"Because that's how you become a mummy or a daddy," her mother told her. "Aunt Hermione has to have a baby so Uncle Marcus can be a daddy."
"Oh."
Tobias rolled his eyes, "It's so you're not the baby anymore." Ellie's face fell further.
Hermione intervened, "And that means that you get to help take care of the new babies."
"Like nanny elves?" asked Jonathon, wrinkling his nose.
"We can't let them have all the fun," answered Hermione. "I have something for you." She pulled out the dolls. "You can practice taking care of them. They cry and you have to determine if they want to be fed, or need to be changed, or if they just need love."
Tobias eyed them with interest, "Even me and Jon?"
"Yes, if you want them." They cheered and each claimed a doll.
"I'm glad they like them," she said to Marcus.
"You implied childcare was fun."
"You disagree?" she arched a questioning eyebrow.
"At three am I do."
"A house elf once told me that was her favorite time of the day. The household needed her. She explained their magic depended on mutual respect and affection of the family they care for. So if we have one, that is when they can get the baby."
Malcolm addressed both of them with his questions, "Have you considered where you will live? A two-bedroom flat is no place to raise three children."
"We agree. We decided to pick a wedding venue, then start looking for a new place," Marcus said slowly.
Hermione nodded, "In one scenario people bend over backwards to convince you to pick them. The other just causes stress."
"I understand," replied the older man kindly.
Gemma watched her sons fuss over the dolls, "Do you want boys or girls?"
"We found out the gender, as rare as it is, the boys are identical."
Eyebrows raised, "Incredible."
"Can you trade them for girls?" asked Ellie.
"Sorry, kiddo, Marcus crouched next to her, "that's not the way life works." She pouted. "But you will be older than them, so you get to boss them around sometimes."
"Good," she glared at Tobias and Jonathon, "somebody has to." The adults laughed. Dinner proved to be a jovial event with stories of children and grandchildren as babies.
The next evening they met Arthur and Molly at the Burrow. Arthur asked for a brief word with Marcus in private before they left. As they sat at the kitchen table waiting, Molly wrung her hands. She opened and closed her mouth several times before finally speaking. "Arthur did want a word with your young man, but I asked for a few minutes with you. I hope you don't mind. I owe you more apologies than either of us can count. I have no clue as to why I acted the way I did. I am so ashamed of how horribly I treated you, and let you be treated. I am so sorry, Hermione. I understand if you can't forgive me, but please, for Arthur's sake, stay a part of our family."
"I appreciate the apology. And I would never throw Arthur's kindness in his face like that. But I will not tolerate past behavior. Veronica will keep her catty judgments and snide comments to herself. We will discuss the lives of everyone not just Hugo. And Ron remembers he is married. He left me. I am allowed to move one."
"I agree, again, I have no idea how or why things occurred like they have, no excuses or explanations."
"No one does. But, I propose we move forward. Not a clean slate, too much has happened for that. If you backslide I will speak up."
"And I will correct my behavior if unwarranted," Molly promised. The men rejoined them. "So, Arthur, my love, where are you taking us for dinner?"
"Forbey recommended a place in Devon. Any objections to pub fare?"
"No, sounds fun," Hermione said. They flooed to the quaint village and entered the Yellow Lily. The hostess let out an epp when she saw the Weasleys and Hermione.
"This, this way, please," stammered the young woman. She seated them, handing them menus. "Charlie will be your server this evening. He will be with you shortly."
"Thank you," replied Arthur nodding his head. He looked over the menu. "I think I'll have the lamb roast."
Charlie approached looking nervous. Marcus chuckled, "It helps if you remember they get dressed in the same order you do."
"She killed Bellatrix Lestrange," he whispered, looking at Molly with large eyes.
"And my lovely bride ended Fenrir Greyback. She still has to put on her socks one at a time."
Arthur shook his head, "We did those things because we had to, not because we wanted to. Now we live as ordinary lives as we can."
The waiter nodded, "Cook says to tell you he can fix anything you like on, or off, the menu."
"Nonsense," waved off Molly, "that's too much fuss. I want to try the quail with a glass of the house red." She placed her menu on the end of the table. Arthur put his on top of hers after giving his order.
"Steak and kidney pie and a pint. Something stout, surprise me," Marcus ordered
Hermione surveyed the menu one last time, "Shepherd's pie, please, the lamb and." Suddenly a craving hit her hard. "Apple or grape juice if you have it, in that order of preference. If you have it," she stressed.
"On it," called out the nearby busboy as he rushed out the door.
"We have an account at the local muggle grocer," explained Charlie. "He'll get whichever they have."
"Thank you. He didn't have to."
"We like to accommodate when we can, muggleborns request muggle dishes and we like to offer variety."
"Not feeling the wine tonight?" asked Arthur.
"I suddenly just really wanted juice," she answered honestly.
"I'm glad they could get it for you then."
"Me, too," she grinned. "Why is it the wizarding world only seems to drink pumpkin juice?"
After consideration, Molly answered, "I have no idea. We have recipes with apples and make wine from grapes. Yet, we don't make juice from them."
"That's it. Next family dinner I'm bringing juices. I may even share them."
Arthur changed the subject asking Marcus about his job as they waited for their food. Hermione's eyes lit up when Charlie placed the frosted glass of apple juice in front of her. "As the lady ordered. Your food will be right out."
She sipped the tan liquid and groaned, "Glorious."
Arthur chuckled, "That good?"
"Yes," she sighed.
"Miles bought three bottles, so don't be shy about asking for refills."
"I will not," she assured him. She took another happy drink. "Hmm, Marcus, remind me to get juice on the way home."
"Craving it?" teased Molly.
"Yes, the nausea abated and my appetite has improved, thank you very much," she replied primly.
Arthur and Molly exchanged a glance. Arthur spoke, "Hermione, dear, have you considered the possibility you might be pregnant?"
"We know the healer said things, but sometimes magic has other plans." Molly quickly added, "We don't want to upset you, but..."
"If I was in that condition I would need prompt treatment," Hermione supplied. Charlie appeared with their food, so she remained silent until he left. "We know. We considered it as well. And we're expecting triplets in September."
"How wonderful," Molly beamed. "I'm so happy for you two. Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
"Can we tell the rest of the family, or are you keeping things quiet?" asked Arthur.
"Tell anyone and everyone you want. We've told our families, including Harry. If everyone doesn't know by Sunday, we'll tell them at dinner."
Molly shook her head, smiling fondly, "Multiples have dilemmas all their own. Please know we're here if you need any help."
"I appreciate that so much. You're the only people I know who have dealt with twins as the parents." Hermione took a bite of her pie. "Sweet Merlin, this is almost as good as yours, Molly."
"High praise, indeed," Arthur, "but accurate."
"I have to agree," added Marcus between bites. The others enjoyed desserts, but Hermione opted for two more glasses of juice. "I see a trip to the grocers is definitely in order."
"Yes, yes it is." Everyone laughed.
As they parted ways after dinner, Arthur promised to invite Andromeda and Teddy that Sunday to celebrate the new Flint family. Marcus took
her hand as they strolled towards the grocers. "Adrian wants to do a boys' night to celebrate, which is poker and cigars at my place by the way. I'm thinking Friday night, thoughts?"
"Sounds good to me. I'll see if Malin wants to do something similar with Luna, Padma, and Pavarti."