Hello, my freaky darlings. My lucky darlings. I say this because Wednesday morning my laptop freaked out. I thought I lost everything. Work templates, apps, saved chapters. You see where this was going. But the universe smiled and the wonderful tech company down the road and Jesus healed the laptop. (They have no idea what happened, but were able to force a restart and it was miraculously better.) You all have a wonderful day, I'm off to melt at my movie premiere. (I was a producer.)

Chapter 20 The Arrivals Begin

Harry requested to host his birthday party, or rather his and Neville's party. "I want all of my guests to feel comfortable." He looked at Hermione, "Or as comfortable as they can." She threw a pillow at him. "If someone feels uncomfortable I want them to be able to leave."

Sensing he meant Ginny, Arthur agreed with that wisdom. He promised they would bring the cake, knowing Molly would insist. "You shouldn't have to make your own cake." Harry laughed and agreed, knowing the thought process behind the offer.

Kreacher initially protested until Harry asked him to provide Neville's cake and the rest of the refreshments. The house elf outdid himself. Streamers stretched across the ceiling of every room. A banner wished Harry and Neville many happy returns. Trays of appetizers filled most available shelves. He created a place for Molly's cake next to his.

Malin stayed close to Harry's side for the first two hours. Then she began finding friendly faces and branched out socially. Several times Hermione observed Harry watching his girlfriend getting on with his friends with a goofy grin on his face. Suddenly, Ginny plopped down next to her, "Be honest, did he ever look at me like that?"

"Absolutely," she assured the brokenhearted witch.

"When did it stop?" she asked.

"I'm not sure I can answer that without sounding bitter?"

Ginny rolled her eyes, "You're about to explode with your fiance's sprogs. I think you're safe from being accused of bitterness."

"Not long after Veronica appeared you stopped making time for each other. Everyone was busy helping them throw together the wedding. You fell into a pattern. The looks stopped somewhere around Hugo turning four months. To be fair that's around the time you stopped looking at the baby and then at Harry. You started looking at Hugo and then at Veronica."

Ginny looked down at her lap, "I don't know what happened. I mean, I don't know why? Or how?"

Hermione shrugged, "Who knows why some people fall out of love? Sometimes you have to make yourself, and sometimes it just happens. You have to let go, Gin. You both fell out of love."

"Maybe," the redhead shook her head. Veronica's suggestion floated in the back of her mind. So harmless. Just one last attempt to win him back. "I'm off to mingle."

Hermione looked down at her large abdomen, "Yep, I'm going to stay right here, have fun." Ginny laughed and waved farewell.

Not long after that Harry plopped on the sofa next to her. "What did Ginny want?" he asked.

"To ask about the end of your relationship. I think she's coming to terms with it, or at least trying. These things take time." She patted his leg.

"As long as she doesn't cause trouble."

"I don't think she will, probably, most likely. Hell, who knows. Now, I talked down your ex, go tell mine to stop glaring at Marcus and giving me soppy looks."

"Noticed that, did you?" Harry chuckled.

She snorted, "His wife is about to notice."

"And you think I should go save him?" inquired Harry.

"Your call. He is one of your best friends."

Harry sighed, "Life was easier when he thought he was stupid in love with her."

"I'm sure it was," she reassured him. Harry went to distract Ron, while Marcus and Adrian headed her way. "Hello, handsome."

"That's where you're confused, love," Adrian said joining her on the couch. "I'm the handsome one."

"You keep telling yourself that."

"Ouch, so cruel," he clutched his chest. "You wound me."

"Sure, I did," she patted his leg.

Ignoring Adrian's antics, Marcus asked, "Where did Potter hurry off to?"

"Saving Ron from himself. Reminding him to suck it up and knock it off before his wife notices."

Adrian looked at his friend, "How do you put with that shite?"

Marcus took a swig of his firewhiskey, "I remind myself I won. I have everything he threw away and wants back. He can sulk all he wants." He kissed Hermione. "Unless he upsets Hermione. Then I will pound some sense into him. Behave and you can help."

All in all the night was a success. Everyone loved Malin and many joked they already knew. "Worst kept secret ever, really," joked Seamus.

Paranoia over going into labor early had Hermione making lists and working hard to complete them. The nursery lacked only three little ones to use the things there. She selected invitations and Lise sent the order to the printers. She arranged a preview of the castle and engagement photos.

The photographer admired the grounds. He began making a list of all the places they should take photos that day and on the big day. They were wrapping up when a silvery fox burst out of a bush, "Hermione," Laureen's voice came from the spectral vixen, "help. The goblins are making all kinds of weird demands. I need you."

Hermione groaned, "Those three are starting to get on my nerves." She turned to them, "Simeon, thank you. Marcus, love you, see you at home." She kissed him.

She arrived at the ministry annoyed at having to deal with greedy short sighted cretins that perpetuated every negative stereotype wizards held about goblins. She knew which ones were giving them trouble. The middle managers, desperate for advancement. And like their counterparts in the rest of the world, annoying to anyone dealing with them. Laureen nearly ran to her. "I am so sorry to have to call you in. They want to start over unless they are dealing with you." She wrung her hands. "I tried everything. They remained silent and refused to leave."

Hermione nodded, "I expected this. I this is personal and not the goblin nation." She scribbled a note, transforming it into a letter and handing to an assistant. "Send this for me, maximum priority. Laureen, follow my lead.

She threw open the door open and stalked into conference room. She sat at the head table instead of across from goblins. She raised an eyebrow and said nothing, simply looked at them waiting. The silence stretched for ten minutes before she spoke, "Well? What was so important you had to drag me away from more important matters?" They said nothing. "I'm waiting," she snapped.

"We began negotiations with you, Miss Granger, we expected to finish them with you," one finally said.

"Then you should have come to the table the fifteen times I invited you. You wanted to play games and demand absurdities. You were given a deadline to work with me. A deadline you ignored." She glared, "I told you quite clearly we are not playing games. You are not in any place to make sweeping demands. We wanted your input. You wanted to grandstand. I'm waiting to hear what is so important I need to be here, beyond your egos, that is."

"I, too, wish to hear this." Rogbert, Gringotts's president, entered the room. "You three were told to cooperate with the ministry's new vision. Why are we here? Why are we interrupting Miss Granger's sabbatical?" He sat at Hermione's right hand.

"Ugh, that is, Great Rogbert, we wish to bring prestige to the Goblin Nation."

"And negotiating with Miss Granger would have done that. But you played games. Miss Granger has kept me abreast of matters. I share her frustration with your antics."

Hermione resumed speaking when the head goblin stopped. "You will work with whomever the ministry deems fit. Do you understand? Any shenanigans will be reported directly to President Rogbert."

All three hung their heads, "We understand."

She looked at all four goblins, "This will be concluded by the end of business next week, or I will know why. I have far more important matters to focus on. Get onboard or get left behind. You have dragged this out long enough. Any longer and the public will know why." She stood, causing Rogbert to leap to his feet. The other goblins follow. "Get this done. Good day." Laureen followed her out the room. "Anymore issues, contact Rogbert. Not his office, not Gringotts, him. We're done playing." The other witch nodded. "Now, I'm going home for a foot massage and ice cream."

"Go relax, I doubt I have anymore problems." Laureen assured her.

Hermione returned home. Her personal elf, Nyx appeared, "Mistress, yous be needing rest. What can Nyx being bringing you?"

"Some of the ice cream Dominic bought me. Is Marcus home?"

"Yes, Master Marcus bes in the telly room with Master." The elf popped off after Hermione thanked her. Hermione headed for the family room. Once Dominic discovered the joys of television he started spending more time in the media room. She found her fiance and his grandfather watching a cartoon about Merlin, King Arthur, and Excalibur.

"Hello, lovely, annoying meeting?" asked Dominic.

"Indeed, but it is done. Nyx is bringing me ice cream and I have

a strong man to rub my feet."

Marcus patted his lap, "You most certainly do."

Dominic smiled at them, "Get plenty of good pictures today?"

"Yes, and lots of ideas for wedding photos," she answered.

"How goes that planning?" he asked.

"With the Save the Dates sent out and the invitations printing, we are all done until October. Everyone gets their clothes and we settle the food. I highly recommend hiring a wedding planner."

"Nips reports the nursery is complete."

"They've been angels." She flashed him an impish grin, "All of this means I have no distractions to keep me from trouncing you in Scrabble tonight."

"Challenge accepted," he laughed.

July flew by. Veronica Weasley's parents homeschooled her after a basilisk terrorized Hogwarts her first year. Being a Ravenclaw she hadn't been in prolonged close quarters with the Weasley twins before her marriage. Her pregnancy spared her in the beginning, but now the gloves appeared to be off. They spiked her drinks and her food. They replaced multiple items with prank ones. Her hair had been every shade of the rainbow, as had her skin. She'd been a canary, a donkey, and a monkey. Ron tried to stop them when the bathroom mirror began mocking them. Eight long weeks of pranks wore on her. On top of that, she still wasn't pregnant. And everyone kept talking about Hermione's pregnancy. Jeffery began spending more time with Ginny. That simultaneously relieved and annoyed her. Jeffery not hovering with long lingering looks kept Rom from getting suspicious. But she missed the fawning attention. Ron paid attention, but since the bubble burst not as much as he had. She also had to share his attention with Hugo. Though, he'd begun raving about her cooking. Claimed it rivaled his mother's. Sometimes she forgot it was takeaway and basked in his praise.

At her August prenatal appointment Healer Gray went over Hermione's preferences for delivery. "My parents are still Merlin knows where. The rest of my family will wait for us to invite them to meet the infants. St Mungo's is fine."

"Good. The staff are aware anyone leaking information will be turned over to the Weasley twins to test products," the healer informed them. "A threat they take serious. Bless those boys."

Marcus stared at her, "How did that start?"

"Some reporter tried to get photos when their niece was born. They offered their services. Then began circulating stories of testing gone wrong. Very effective."

"Awe, using their powers for good," joked Hermione. "Remind me to reward them."

"Last reminder, my dears, multiples generally come early. All three are measuring healthy. At this point they are finishing up little tweaks of development. Beginning next week if labor starts, I won't stop it."

"We're as ready as we can be," assured Hermione.

"Sleep when you're tired. Eat when you're hungry. Put your feet up and relax," instructed Healer Gray. "I will see you in two weeks unless someone else has more pressing opinions."

Malin edited the first book on centaurs while Hermione penned a children's book about two friends meeting a centaur herd in the forest behind their houses. Firenze promised to review them both before publication. Hermione checked her email four times a day hoping her parents had responded. She tried not to be disappointed when she had nothing from them.

When Malin flooed home Dominic would join her. They watched telly and played different board games. She was losing Risk when a strong abdominal cramp twisted causing her to knock the board. She took deep breaths. "Are you alright?" asked Dominic, concerned.

"I, uh, I," she felt a gush of fluid between her legs. "I think my water just broke."

He blinked, "Anything to avoid losing." She gave him a pained smile. "Tell me what to do."

"Have Nyx bring my hospital bag." She pulled her wand and summoned her patronus twice. "It's go time," she sent one to Marcus and one to Harry. Both promised to stay in the office for the time being, but things happened.

Dominic returned with her beaded bag. "Is this the one, Hermione? It doesn't look big enough."

"Expanding charms," she huffed through a contraction, "everything but the kitchen sink is in there."

"Let's get you to the hospital then." Dominic ushered her to the floo, supporting her as she walked.

Marcus stared at Hermione's patronus as it faded. Go time? The words swirled through his brain trying to find something to connect with. Potter raced into the office. "Why are you just standing there? We need to get to St. Mungo's."

Leander looked at him confused, "Why do you and Potter have to get to the hospital? Oh, go time." He clapped Marcus on the back. "Don't let her break your fingers, mate."

"During labor, right," muttered Marcus. His brain engaged and connected the sentences. "Because the babies are coming. Let's go, Potter." The two hurried to the floo bank.

By the time they arrived the staff had Hermione checked into her room and settled in for the labor. Dominic clapped his grandson on the shoulder, "I'll notify your parents and the Weasleys. You go be with Mummy." He nodded farewell to Harry.

The mediwitch let Harry poke his head in to say hello. Hermione had her hair pulled up in a bun atop her head. She gave Harry a weak smile. She held out her arms to Marcus. "I changed my mind. I can't do this."

"I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you it is too late for that." He rubbed her back.

"I know," she sighed. "I just needed to whine to someone."

"I understand. Have you had anything for pain yet?"

"Yes, I get more in three centimeters."

"I will pretend I understood that, shall I?" he smoothed her hair back. "I love you."

"I love you, too. In five centimeters I might change my mind."

At two in the afternoon on the twenty-sixth of August, almost 16 hours after labor kicked off, Marcus emerged from the delivery room grinning madly, "Everyone is here, and they and Mummy are healthy. Ready to come meet them?" His family and her magical family and their friends piled into the room to coo over the new arrivals.

Hermione looked around the room. Each boy wore a different colored hat for quick identification. She'd spelled a toenail that color to help until they knew they personalities. She noticed the six candidates for godparents were present. She poked Marcus and indicated that Adrian was holding Remus. "We can ask them if you take the baby."

"On it." He took his son from his best mate's protesting arms, "No, we want to announce names and you can't be holding Remus Adrian when we do it." The other wizard jolted comically. "See? You would have dropped your namesake." Everyone laughed.

Hermione drew their attention, "Niobe has Dominic Alexander. And Fleur has Benedict Marcus." She paused, "We want to ask Delphi and Harry, Ethan and Malin, and Adrian and Padma to be godparents."

"In those pairings?" asked Ethan.

"Yes, Malin will need you for English traditions. Harry needs Delphi for pureblood ones, and Padma is the most prepared to keep Adrian in line."

"Any particular baby" asked Padma.

Before she could respond, Adrian scooped Dominic from Niobe, "Dibs. Remus has my name, Dominic has Marcus's, this little guy needs me."

"He is named after my grandfather," pointed out Ethan.

"Still dibs. Also named after Delphi's granddad. This will keep you from fighting."

Using Adrian's logic, Harry suggested he and Delphi take Benedict. Leaving Ethan and Malin with Remus. Malin snuggled the baby, "Hello, my little wolfie." Hermione smirked that each set had selected the baby she had originally suggested.

Ron was the first to duck out, "Veronica and Hugo are waiting for me." Hermione acknowledged him with a wave. Others began leaving shortly after.

Healer Gray assessed Hermione that evening, "The pediatrician gave the little ones a clean bill of health, and I am giving you one. We can discharge you in the morning. Questions?"

"No, we're set, we hope," answered Hermione.

"Good. I'm sure you'll have plenty of help," Healer Gray patted Hermione's foot.

"That we will."

Hermione had Marcus go call both of her grandparents offering to bring the boys to the Jenkins' place so everyone could meet them on the way home. The Grangers swiftly agreed. "And why wouldn't they?" she said to Marcus. "Granddad and Gran have a fancy old family house. So posh to be seen coming and going from there."

"Speaking of going, Benedict wants to send a car. He says you know which one to call."

"I do. We'll walk down to a muggle place down the street and get picked up there. I've done this dance before, remember?"

"A dance you perform very well, my love." He kissed her. And before I forget, thank you for my presents."

"What presents?" she asked.

"The sons you gave me," he kissed her forehead.

"I had some help with that."

"Sure, sure. Next time, we try for a girl."

"We'll see. Not so sure about a next time just yet."