Hello, darlings. So good news/bad news. Good news, I work Saturday so this is being posted early. Bad news the next chapter, maybe the one after that will be the last chapter. There will be many time jumps with little glimpses of our characters as they grow.
Chapter 33 Time Marches On
With few exceptions, Wendell Granger kept his promise to keep their initial schedule and be home more. Occasionally special cases came up, but then he emailed to keep Hermione updated. Monica wasn't always best pleased with this, but she knew Wendell wanted to make an effort for their grandchildren. Park outings with their grandparents and great-grandparents became common occurrences. As did play dates with other magical children, including Korrine Burken.
Days became weeks. Weeks turned into months. Months flowed into years. Slowly bridges were repaired, maybe not as sturdy as they once were, but more than they had been with Veronica around. The Flints held the twins' fifth birthday party at the park near the Granger's house. Kaia ran up the Hermione, ten-year-old Victorie trailing behind. "Mummy, Korrine won't let Dom play with anyone else. And Richel said Remus is hers and she doesn't have to share him."
"Oh for the love of Merlin," exclaimed Hermione. "They are too young for this."
Lysander groaned, "I'll go talk to her. We've discussed this."
Dalton, too, stood, "Not your problem, Hermione. We'll fix it." The two headed to find their offspring.
"See, all taken care of, go play." Kaia and Victorie sped off. Hermione looked at Harry holding Lily Hermione while Malin chased two-year-old James Sirius. "I have no frame of reference to deal with this. Neither does Marcus."
"I think Dalton's right. Not your problem. You encourage the boys to not exclude people. So long as they keep doing that, it'll be fine."
"I hope so," she sighed.
Bill's son Louis, Percy's daughter, Molly, and Fred's daughter Georgina arrived within a few months apart from James. Lily, Percy's second daughter, Lucy, and George's son, Fred II created another baby boom for the Weasleys. In between the baby boom, Ginny started dating Graham Montague. When he proposed, she took a month to plan a Burrow wedding. "I learned my lesson, no need for a long engagement." The couple just learned they were expecting their first child.
The third generation of Marauders entered Hogwarts with Teddy following his mother into Hufflepuff. Two years later Victorie maintained the Weasley family tradition of Gryffindor membership. Just after Hugo's ninth birthday Ginny and Graham welcomed Arthur Graham Montague. Over the years friends and family offered to set Ron up. He always refused. "I destroyed the best relationship I ever had for a completely trust betraying monster. Why risk that again?"
Not long after little Arthur's arrival, Ron visited the Grove to talk to Hermione. She asked the elves to serve refreshments and then waited for Ron to compose himself. With a nod to himself, Ron spoke, "Hermione, this apology is years too late. I should have never left you that day. I should have stayed at the clinic, listened to the healer, and talked with you. If I still wanted a drink later I should have gone with mates. I should have gone with friends or avoided my regular haunts. Hundreds of things I should have done and didn't. I am so sorry for everything."
"I accept your apology. It changes nothing and fixes less, but I appreciate it all the same."
"Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had refused to marry her and we shared custody of Hugo," he admitted.
"We would have ended worse terms than we did. I forgave you and we were trying to rebuild our trust. But seeing the evidence of your affair constantly? Having her try to seduce you again and again? It would have broken me, broken us. Even without Hugo, I don't know if we would have survived. If you would have been mature enough to work for it. You did so much for Ronnie because everyone was there to remind you what you already lost. I don't know if you could have done all of that for me."
"I love you," protested Ron.
"But love isn't always enough. Without the growth of losing me, I don't know if you could have dealt with having to account for where you went, where you had been, having to only go out with certain people I knew would keep you in line. And regardless, I care about you, but those romantic feelings are gone. They died a long time ago."
"I know," he whispered, "I just..."
"Want what you can't have?"
"Yeah, that."
"Ron, you have to let go of the past and move into the future. Sometimes life takes unexpected forks leaving others behind."
Ron dropped his head in shame remembering that smug speech he gave Hermione years ago. "I suppose I had that coming."
"You did, and this: you need to stop wallowing and deal with the life you have not the life you want. We're finished and I'm not coming back. This isn't a bad dream, you're not going to wake up. This is reality."
"Wow, I was a complete arse, wasn't I?" he shook his head. "I am so sorry."
"I accept. I know she had some influence there. I would apologize for throwing your words in your face, but getting cheated on, left, and having everyone you know celebrate the affair makes you jaded."
Ron sighed and asked, "Now what?"
"We continue as we have, slightly better friends with each passing year that passes. Though I agree with your mum, you're too young to close yourself off from the possibility of love."
"I had perfection and I squandered it by not appreciating it properly."
Hermione shrugged, "Your life, your choice. No one can make you date."
"Right now my focus is Hugo and making up for my mistakes. Fred and George pay me well, I like running their shop in Hogsmeade. Hugo likes seeing Teddy and Victorie there on weekends."
"Your life, your choices."
"Thanks, Hermione."
"You're welcome, Ron."
Before Hugo went to Hogwarts the family sat down with him to discuss the war and Veronica. Because of Hermione's part in the second story, they included the triplets. Which led to including Dominique so she didn't feel left out. The children listened with rapt attention. When they finished Arthur asked, "Any questions?"
Dominic looked thoughtful, "So, you almost married Uncle Ron?"
Remus scowled at him, "That's your takeaway from all of this?"
Their mother ignored the squabble and answered, "Yes."
"I'm glad you married Dad instead," remarked Benedict.
"Me, too, buddy," Marcus ruffled his hair.
"Does Hugo have to go visit his mum?" asked Remus looking concerned.
"No," said Harry, "he's not old enough to enter Azkaban. She won't be released before he's finished Hogwarts."
"Do I have to see her then?" asked Hugo in a small voice.
"If you want to you can, if you don't I won't make you," Ron answered. "If you want you can start writing to her. Or meet her parents."
He did write Veronica, told him of his life, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and being sorted into Gryffindor. Her answers generally were filled with grumblings about how unfair her sentence was and blaming everyone else involved. She seethed about Hermione's hand in his education and upbringing. Over Christmas break, he met her parents. Calling it a disaster would be generous. All they wanted to talk about was his mother's supposed innocence. And again everything was Aunt Hermione's fault. She should have stopped being part of her family. They called her selfish and cruel. When he objected they yelled at him. His father stormed in from the other room throwing hexes, "A move I learned from Aunt Hermione. Let's go home." He led Hugo from the house. "I'm sorry, son. I used to let you visit them when you were younger, but stopped when they upset you about this."
"It's okay, Dad. Like Nana Molly says, we tried."
"Wise woman, your nana. Maybe we should visit. I'll bet she has pie."
"Uncle Harry calls that a sucker's bet. Of course, she has pie, it's Nana Molly."
Before they turned around twice, the triplets, Dominique, Richel, and Korrine headed to Hogwarts. Hermione kissed them goodbye and fretted, "They'll be fine," Marcus kissed her forehead.
"I know. I worry how they'll cope being in different houses, especially the boys."
"I'm sure they'll manage," he assured her. They waved until the train left the station and made the first turn out of sight. That night a letter arrived at the Grove, delivered by Benedict's owl. The remaining five Flints eagerly read it. Gryffindor gained the triplets and Dominique, while Richel and Korrine were sorted into Ravenclaw together.
"I admit surprise all three went to Gryffindor," said Grandpa Dominic.
"Benedict went first," stated Aurora like that explained it all.
At their confused looks, Kaia explained, "Remus and Dom would follow Benny, just like he would follow them. "I'm glad Richel and Korrine are together."
"No little Slytherins," sighed Marcus.
The twins moved as one to kiss their father's cheeks, "Don't worry, Daddy," started one.
"We will," promised the other.
"Then you can buy us ponies."
Hermione chuckled lowly. "Oh, he can, can he?" she crossed her arms.
"Uh, perhaps little ceramic ones?" suggested Aurora nervously.
"Or more plastic ones like Gramps?" said Kaia.
Two years later at their sorting the Flint Twins followed their father into Slytherin. Their parents sent them identical silver horse charm necklaces. The following years James, Lily, Georgina, and Fred II joined Gryffindor. Molly followed her mother into Ravenclaw, and little Lucy began the second family Hufflepuff. Life continued smoothly until the triplets' fifth year.
Departing the Express for Christmas break, Kaia and Benedict bickered as they made their way to their parents. Hermione watched her daughter stalk across the platform. "Mother, I need you to hex your sons," Kaia gestured
dramatically.
"May I know why first?"
"They," seethed Kaia," threatened the boy I fancy and now he's avoiding me. I spent weeks getting his attention properly."
Hermione gave her son a look, "What?" he protested, "Malfoy needs to keep his eyes, hands, and lips off our baby sister."
She turned back to her daughter, "I assume Aurora has a similar problem?"
"Yes," huffed her daughter.
Hermione eyed her other offspring. Aurora glared at the boys and they ignored the looks. She addressed her husband, "Do you want to address this before I step in?"
"I think the boys should remember to mention their father is a hit wizard, too."
Hermione interrupted, "If the next words out of your mouth were going to be they are too young, I will remind you your male offspring were encouraged to explore dating in their third year. And I abhor double standards."
"I wouldn't dream of it, darling."
"Uh huh, will you be helping me stop this?" she demanded.
"Um..."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "This is your only warning: stop harassing boys away from your sisters.
"Or?" asked Dominic with the confidence of someone not really believing anything would happen.
"You will discover firsthand why people call your mum brilliant but scary."
"Oh."
Once home, Hermione encouraged both girls to invite their boyfriends over, promising their brothers would behave. Fourth-year Scorpius Malfoy and third-year Liam Wood visited the same day as Korrine, Richel, and Dominic's girlfriend, Violet Davies. Every time the boys tried to disturb their sisters their mouths sealed shut. When they tried to do the things the younger boys against a house elf popped in to clean the room.
Ron entered the front parlor to hear the triplets complaining to their father. "Boys, your mother warned you. While I might want to agree with you, your mother does not and has pointed out the hypocrisy. She loathes double standards. Leave your sisters alone unless they ask for your help."
After being filled in, Ron chuckled, "Don't think anything changes when you go back to school. If anyone can keep you chaperoned there, it's your mum." Both men laughed at their frowns.
"What brings you by, Ron?" asked Marcus and the triplets left.
"Needing to talk to somebody and thought Hermione's the smartest person I know, and Marcus can keep her calm."
"Should I be worried?"
Ron shrugged, "Don't know. It's big and could hack her off, or not."
"Okay," Marcus called an elf asking her to summon his wife. Before pouring himself and Ron a tumbler of fire whiskey.
She entered the room kissing her husband and greeting their friend, "What's up?"
"The ministry wants to start releasing rehabilitation prisoners. Meaning Veronica, she's been a model inmate and they feel she doesn't need more time behind bars, she needs to start rehabbing her life."
"Are they asking or telling?" Marcus inquired.
"Telling. As a courtesy. So we're prepared and not blindsided when she shows up." Ron ran his hand through his hair. "I thought Hugo had at least another year, nearly two. At this point, he has two weeks. She's being released four days before Christmas."
"Such a shame we'll all be away at our anniversary party on Black Island," Hermione sniffed.
"We will?" Marcus looked at Ron confused.
"We will now, as soon as Harry knows he offered we'll finalize plans.
Ron nodded, "Shame if we decided to stay a few days. I doubt she's brave enough to walk into the Burrow full of family."
"Can't be helped, been planned for months," she shrugged elegantly. "You need to tell Hugo. Assure him he has your support whatever he decides about her."
"I know, I will," promised Ron. "I just hate this."
"I'll get a hold of Harry and plan our last-minute Yule getaway."
She explained everything to Harry, "This way she can't pop in on them uninvited. Hugo deserves to control the if and when, not Ronnie. Not after the way her parents treated him and those awful letters."
"Good plan. Do you want a big party?"
"Gods no, I just want them to be unapproachable."
Arrangements made the extended family retreated to the tropics. The holiday passed peacefully with only one small surprise, Teddy Lupin proposed to Victorie, much to Fleur's delight. She promised to be available for wedding planning at the beginning of the next year. They returned to dreary England in time for the Ministry Ball since many of them were obligated to attend.
Early New Year's Eve morning a tentative knock on her office door drew her attention. Shuffling his feet, Hugo stood in the doorway looking nervous. "Good morning, Hugo," she greeted him with a smile. "Can I help you?"
"May I come in?" he asked quietly.
"Of course, have a seat." He lunged in and sat, continuing to make nervous movements. She observed him silently. Now sixteen he resembled Charlie more than Ron, stocky build, darker red hair, and bright blue eyes. She smiled fondly her herself remembering a time she once despised him. Time and compassion changed that. "How can I help?"
He hung his head, "Am I a bad son for not wanting to see my mother?"
"No."
He blinked slowly twice, "That's it? Just no?"
"You aren't a bad son for not wanting to see someone who doesn't know with no warning. That you don't know her is her fault. Instead of writing to you, she made demands of you. You owe her nothing."
"Grandmother and Grandfather think I do."
"Why?"
"Why what?" he looked confused.
"Why do they think you owe her anything?"
He shrugged, "Because she's my mother."
"So? Blood doesn't have to mean anything. Why do you call me aunt? I'm not your parents' sister, I'm not married to their sibling."
"Because you're my aunt. You're family."
"Why?"
He looked incredulously at her, "I've known you my entire life. You helped me learn to read, write, and do maths! You helped Dad take me school supply shopping when he had that emergency!"
"I barely had any contact with you for the first two years of your life," she pointed out.
"You've been here for the last fourteen. And Remus and I read the court transcripts, you should hate me. I'm the reason Dad left you."
"No, his infidelity is the reason. You were an innocent victim. And after your mother was gone you needed me."
"Because I'm family."
"Because you're family," she agreed.
"I love you, Aunt Hermione." He surged forward, dropping to his knees and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"And I love you. Not for any other reason than you, just being you."
"I don't like my mother or her parents."
"I understand. No one likes to feel like a prop or an accessory."
"Why don't they seem to love me?" he asked mournfully.
"I don't know. I also don't care. I do care however if you know that your Dad and our family love you?"
"Absolutely."
She hugged him tighter, "That's good to hear. And you don't have to like them. They both stood. "Goodness, when did you get so tall?"
"Dunno, just did," he smiled down at his aunt. He left the Grove in much better spirits than he entered.