"You know what you need to do is acquire house-elf," Daphne said the next evening, as they ate dinner at the dining room table. Daphne had been told about Aaron's immortality very privately once the two of them had met and Aaron had gotten a good gauge. She had been rather surprised that such a thing existed, but not as shocked as both Harry and Hermione had been at first. However, Daphne was a pure-blood and knew that many things that Muggles considered fantasy were real and while she hadn't known about immortals beforehand, she had no trouble accepting that they did. She had immediately sworn an oath not to reveal immortality at Hermione's request seeing the wisdom of it. Hermione had then explained what an Unbreakable Vow was to Aaron and why Daphne would never be able to break it.
Daphne of course, was heavily pregnant and it wouldn't be long before she gave birth.
"Someone that can cook and clean and do all the ordinary chores that take so much time. It would save you from having to eat out for every meal," Daphne suggested.
"You know my opinion on that Daphne," Hermione told her. "If they won't let me pay them, then no. I know technically it isn't slavery, but I can't help thinking I'm taking advantage of a being who just don't know any better."
"Think of it instead of taking advantage, as getting a house-elf out of a possibly bad situation and giving them a good home if that makes you feel better," Harry suggested.
"You can give at least one of them meaningful work to do and a sense of family. A house-elf is loyal to those they're bonded to. You would be able to talk in the presence of one and they would never reveal what you've talked about. You might not get the same loyalty from some human servant so you would have to watch what you say around them and considering who you're marrying that loyalty would be a very good thing," Daphne said.
"I hadn't thought of that," Hermione admitted that Daphne had a good point.
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Aaron spoke up. "However, since I don't know much about house-elves or magic in general, I don't think I have any weight in this discussion."
Hermione looked undecided, but finally caved, as the discussion continued for a few minutes as Daphne made several good points.
"She's right about the loyalty of a house-elf once their bonded to me. They need to be bonded to someone magical," Hermione told Aaron. "They would literally throw themselves in front of a Killing Curse for either one of us or any children we have. The only problem is there isn't going be enough work for one to do, which is why they usually only belong to wealthy pure-blood families."
"Don't you worry about that Hermione," Daphne said. "Once you start having children that isn't going to be a problem at least for a few years. In fact, I would suggest you buy wizarding property and have the house-elf clean it when they're not busy serving your family directly."
"That's an interesting idea," Hermione admitted. "You seem to be full of good ideas tonight Daphne."
"I always have good ideas thank you," Daphne said haughtily.
"Well, aren't you modest?" Hermione smirked in return.
"I think I'm very modest," Daphne replied to Hermione's teasing with a fast retort.
Even Harry snorted at that one though he tried to be quiet about it as he didn't want Daphne to hex him for not agreeing with her.
"So now that's been decided when are you due," Aaron asked Daphne. Daphne's stomach was enormous so it was clear she was due soon.
"In about a month," Daphne replied. "Believe me, I can hardly wait. My ankles are swollen, though at least there is a potion that helps with that. Also, I'm hungry all the time and yes I'm well aware that's part of pregnancy and my back aches."
"All part and parcel of being pregnant I'm afraid," Hermione told Daphne not without some sympathy. "I'm sure I'll be going through the same thing myself not too far in the future."
"The house-elves are really helpful when I'm pregnant," Daphne added. "They fix me whatever I'm craving for example, even if that's in the middle of the night."
"That does sound helpful," Aaron said and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"I agree," Hermione said.
"So what are you gonna name this child when it's born?" Aaron asked. "I know it's a boy, as Hermione happened to mention that when we were talking the other day."
"Florian," Daphne said her tone definite.
"That's her father's name," Harry told Aaron.
"That's an unusual name at least in the regular world, but still, it's nice you want to honor your father by naming your second son after him," Aaron said.
"James was named after my father and I suppose my middle name," Harry added. "My little girl was named after my mother and if we happen to have a second girl she'll be named after Daphne's mother, Ramona."
"So there's gonna be a fourth child then?" Hermione asked. "I wasn't entirely sure you were going to have another after this one is born."
"Both the Greengrasses and Potters lines need to be renewed," Daphne said. "While my family isn't in precisely the same situation that Harry's was there still aren't many Greengrasses left after two wars. None of my branch of the family anyway. Just me, my children and my sister Astoria who still doesn't have any kids."
"So there are other Greengrasses not of your branch of the family out there?" Aaron inquired truly interested.
"There are, but they're not exactly on the side of light or even neutral," Hermione said and Daphne nodded sharply once to indicate her agreement.
"Many of them were Death Eaters or were knocked off in the first war," Daphne said. "My branch of the family has always been considered neutral, as we don't take sides and stayed out of the war as much as we could without earning the ire of Voldemort."
"Earning Voldemort ire or anger meant that he went out of his way to kill off your entire family," Harry explain to Aaron. "Because of that prophecy, from a batty old seer, my family was immediately targeted and I was the only survivor. Voldemort didn't realize that he sealed his own fate at least for a time when he tried to kill me as a baby."
"Yes, Hermione told me at least most of it, though I'm sure there are things she only brushed on or we would've been there for days probably."
"Dumbledore, of course, let things play out instead of taking action when he should have," Hermione said. "When I was going to school I had every faith that Dumbledore was a good man, as he had accomplished so much in his long life from all the books I had read about him. He apparently changed a lot from the time he defeated Grindelwald to when Harry and I started school. I didn't want to believe that he would do the things that I learned later that he had done behind the scenes. Things that were very divisive to the light side."
"Dumbledore always had his own agenda and as a Slytherin I never trusted him," Daphne said. "I was right not to.
"Slytherins are just naturally more cynical and suspicious of peoples motives," Harry said fondly kissing Daphne's cheek.
The three continued to talk for sometime before Aaron and Hermione headed home.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~
"I believe it's time I tell the Weasleys about you," Hermione said. "I still go over the Burrow every week or two to catch up on the news and it's been several months since last I visited."
"Sounds fine, though I'm surprised you haven't mentioned me before now," Aaron said.
"There is a reason I haven't," Hermione said. "Molly would ask me if I was sure I was making the right decision and would try to convince me to get back together with Ron, as he's never married. Even though it's been years since Ron and I were a couple Molly still holds out the hope that I'll change my mind. I just didn't want to put up with her very obvious hints, as she's very opinionated. Still, I love the family, even if Molly has certain ideas that are nearly impossible to dislodge. If I'm lucky Ginny will even be home and we'll get to catch up on all the news. Once I tell the Weasleys about you we'll be invited over for a meal."
"So you mentioned before," Aaron said.
"So I did," Hermione said smiling.
"When will you be back," Aaron asked.
"Well, it's around lunchtime and I'll probably be invited for it when I show up so maybe a couple hours," Hermione said looking at her watch. "You'll be on your own for lunch unless I wait till afterwards to go."
"But you said they live in Devon and that's a long trip from London," Aaron said. "It will take more then a couple hours to go and come back."
"If I was going to use Muggle means yes, it would, but wizarding travel is much faster, even if you miss the scenery along the way. I was going to Apparate there and I'll be there in under a minute," Hermione explained as she demonstrated by Apparating to the other end of the room.
"That's impressive," Aaron said. His tone was one of admiration.
"Magicals have several other ways to travel not just Apparition," Hermione said. "Broomsticks and the Floo Network. Broomsticks are the slowest, the Floo Network however, is like Apparition is really fast and nearly instantaneous. Even Muggles can use that method. Oh, I almost forgot Portkeys. It's a spell you put on an object and it'll take you wherever it's programed to instantaneously. Those however, are regulated by the Ministry of Magic so long as we are within English borders."
"Well, I see magicals have different ways of getting around most of them are certainly faster than driving or flying to your destination," Aaron said.
"You miss a lot of scenery though," Hermione said.
"So what?" Aaron shrugged not really caring. "I think the more important thing is you are not exhausting yourself driving for numerous hours to your destination depending on where you're going. Also, flying may be faster but it's also expensive, not that matters to us, but it's a point of consideration. Those method you mentioned are basically free right?"
"The Apparition if you have a license sure. As for the Floo you do have to have your fireplace hooked up to the Network and pay for the Floo powder but it's not that expensive. There are also all sorts of regulations as to who can have a Floo and who can't though and living in a Muggle area like I do well I've never had my fireplace hooked up. Besides, it needs to be a real fireplace and not the gas one my parents had installed years ago. You have to throw Floo powder onto the flames wait until they turn green before you step in and shout out your destination."
"I would think your Ministry would allow you a Floo considering that you are a witch and until recently you lived alone."
"Yes, but Muggles often have visitors and they might see something they're not supposed to, so I can kind of understand the Ministry's stance on it. Green flames would certainly see questions being asked and if there happens to be a head sticking out of the flames because you're talking to them... The Floo can also be used to communicate not just travel."
"Impressive," was all Aaron said and Hermione smiled at him.
"I had better get going or I'm going to be late for lunch," Hermione said. "I'll see you in a couple of hours. Will you be OK here by yourself?"
"I've been feeding myself a long time love," Aaron told her gently with a smile. "I think I'll survive for a few hours without you. I know how to use a phone book with the best of them and most places deliver. It's not like we wouldn't be ordering out anyway since neither one of us can cook."
"All right then," Hermione said smiling, as she took a few steps away from Aaron and then Apparated out of the room.
Aaron studied the spot where his mate had been standing and then headed into the kitchen where the phonebook was in a drawer.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~
"Hello, Weasleys!" Hermione called as soon as she had walked past the wards surrounding the Burrow.
"Hermione!" came the voice of Molly. "You haven't visited in months!"
Molly met Hermione at the back door of the Burrow and gave her a tight hug. "Why haven't you visited young lady?" Molly scolded her.
"I've been rather busy, Molly," Hermione told the matron of the Weasley family not entirely truthfully.
"Come in, you're just in time for lunch," Molly said.
"I know," Hermione replied simply. "Maybe I simply missed your cooking."
"If you had you would've come sooner," Molly said.
"I have some news. It's one of the reasons I came for a visit other than I missed your good home cooking," Hermione said. "I suppose Arthur, is at work?"
"You know he is at this time of day," Molly said.
"Anyone else here?" Hermione asked.
"Nope, I'm the only one," Molly said.
"I suppose I'll just have to let you tell everyone else the news I have," Hermione said.
"Out with it then," Molly said, even as she filled two plates with leftovers.
"I met someone a few months back and he just asked me to marry him a few days ago. I said yes, of course." Hermione said once she and Molly had sat down the kitchen table across from each other.
"This is wonderful news!" Molly said looking at the ring that Hermione had hidden until now. "This ring is beautiful your fiancé has excellent taste. So what's his name?"
"Aaron Dunin," Hermione said.
"That's not a British wizarding surname," Molly said.
"The surname is originally from Poland though he isn't," Hermione explained. "He's something of a traveler and he was here in this country on business when we ran into each other. We got to talking then he took me out for a cup of tea and it just went on from there."
"So what school did he go to?" Molly asked.
"He's not a wizard Molly," Hermione revealed.
"Are you sure marrying someone that isn't magical is a good idea I mean your children might be Squibs," Molly said.
"It doesn't matter if they are," Hermione shrugged. "I know it's likely that I'll have at least one Squib, but it's not a sure thing or anything. Besides, you have to remember I'm Muggle-born so the Muggle world holds no mysteries for me. I know it much better than I know the wizarding one. I'm at a disadvantage in the magical world, even after all these years.
"You know Ron is still not married," Molly suggested.
"No Molly, Ron and I never would work," Hermione shook her head firmly, her tone even. "I hate to shatter your illusions, I do, but I like Ron only as a friend. A marriage would never work between us. I could never put up with his laziness, his poor table manners, him not remembering to close his mouth as he chews his food or him expecting me to do every chore that needs to be done while he sits on his lazy behind. I mean working at his brothers shop is hardly a career and won't be enough for us to live on once we started having children. Also, his obsession with Quidditch, as if it's the most important thing in the world, would drive me nuts in no time.
"I've never understood Ron or Harry's obsession with the game. You and Arthur managed to live on very little, but then, neither one of you has a lazy bone in your bodies and you both worked in your own ways. You might not have worked an actual job, where you made an actual paycheck, but you did raise seven children so that's understandable.
"There isn't anything like outside childcare in the Wizarding World at least here in Britain and I know you couldn't have afforded it in any case, not unless you had a house-elf. Ron simply has no ambition and he also doesn't ever want to grow up and mature. He wants the world to stop so he doesn't have to. He wants things to stay the same as they have always been. He wants to continue living at home feeding of the parental teat instead of getting out on his own. Getting his own apartment, paying his own bills and everything that goes along with being a grown-up and responsible."
"I won't say you're wrong," Molly sighed. "I don't know where Arthur and I went wrong with him."
"He just has a truly lazy personality that's all. I know you want to see Ron settle down with someone, but that isn't going be me. It's not my fault he couldn't maintain his relationship with Lavender Brown and if she couldn't put up with him why do you expect me to? Why should I make myself miserable marrying someone I don't love?" Hermione told Molly as gently as she could.
"This is one reason I haven't been by in awhile, as I knew you would bring it up when I told you about my relationship with Aaron Dunin. Outside the fact that Ron and I just aren't suited for each other, is the fact, that I love Aaron very much and I would never marry anyone else. We just connected when we first met and although I don't usually believe in love at first sight, I believe I fell in love with him from the first moment I saw him. We just share this connection. When he doesn't know something he asks."
"Does he know you're a witch?" Molly asked.
"Yes, he does, as I told him within the last week or so. I must say, he took the news rather well," Hermione confirmed. "He asks intelligent questions when he doesn't understand something, which is how we learn what we want to know."
Hermione didn't tell Molly why Aaron had taken the news so well. Aaron might eventually tell the Weasleys that he was immortal and she was his mate, but she would leave that decision up to him. "I've even introduced him to Harry and the two of them seem to like each other. We had dinner at Potter Manor recently, so he's met Daphne and the children. So long as Aaron treats me well Harry won't have any problem with him."
"When can I meet him?" Molly asked.
"Anytime you like. He's really eager to meet you after all I've told him about you and your family and the role you played in the war," Hermione said. "I would like to introduce him to the whole family at some point, even Percy."
Hermione let her disdain for Percy show on her face and be heard in her tone of voice.
"I know Percy can be rather uptight, but he has loosened up a lot I ever since the war ended," Molly said responding to Hermione's look of disdain.
"Yes, he has, that doesn't mean however, that I want to spend anymore time around him then necessary," Hermione said. "The way he kept urging Harry to support the Ministry of Magic a few years ago, even when it was clear that Harry wasn't interested stands out in my mind. Percy just kept harping on the subject until Harry looked ready to punch him, but was to polite to tell Percy to shut up.
"Percy may think that the Ministry is a good place, but Harry and I know exactly how corrupt they really are, even after the war. We know what they're like though hard experience. Neither Harry or I are pure-bloods, which means that the Ministry isn't interested in making sure our rights are protected.
"I can just see it now if either Harry or I was accused of a crime we didn't commit the Ministry wouldn't be interested in seeing justice done.
"It would be down to luck if we were cleared and possibly a good lawyer. I mean look at what happened to Sirius and he was a pure-blood and yet he still ended up in Azkaban. I won't say the Ministry doesn't have some good people like Arthur and Amelia Bones, but they mostly don't have any power."
"If Percy can't see the corruption at the Ministry or doesn't care about the extreme prejudice of a lot of the people that work there then the more I avoid him the better. I might end up saying what I'm really thinking if he starts on about the Ministry and that would be rude."
"Why don't you and Aaron come to dinner next week," Molly suggested once she was sure Hermione was done with what she wanted to say. She couldn't really disagree with Hermione either about the Ministry being corrupt or about Percy either.
"Sounds fine, as I can Apparate both of us here," Hermione said gratefully getting of the subject of Percy Ignatius Weasley. The pompous windbag of the Weasley family.
"Is it safe to Apparate with a Muggle?" Molly asked. "I would hate for him to have to come to harm, because his body wasn't made for wizarding travel."
"It's fine, as I checked just to be sure sometime back. I thought I might need to use it in emergency for me and my parents to escape Death Eaters," Hermione said. "Aaron probably won't like the sensation of being pulled through a small tube, but it won't do him any harm."
"That's good then," Molly decided.
"Yeah, it is," Hermione agreed, as she finished the leftovers that Molly had fixed.
The two women worked out what day would be best for dinner before Hermione took her leave.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~