"Welcome home," Aaron greeted his mate as soon as Hermione had Apparated into the foyer.
"Thanks," Hermione said, as she kissed him.
"How did it go with the Weasleys?" Aaron asked.
"Only Molly was home, but she'll spread the word. Arthur was of course, at work and as for everyone else, I'm assuming they were also at work, as Molly didn't say and I didn't ask."
"So did Molly put up an argument like you thought she would?" Aaron asked.
"Not as much of one as I figured she would," Hermione said. "She knows that Ron is lazy it doesn't have any ambition to get himself an apartment, to pay his own bills. She's given up on him making something of himself. She did say that it's possible at least one of our children will be a Squib and I told her it didn't really matter if they were or not. I said the Muggle world holds no mysteries for me and that I knew it much better than the wizarding one, even after all these years. There are still aspects about the Wizarding World I have no idea about and they don't teach it to you at Hogwarts. Even Harry is a disadvantage, even though his father was a pure-blood because his parents died before they could teach him anything."
"And from the way I understand it, even his godfather couldn't teach him anything, because he was denied his legal right to raise him," Aaron said.
"Yes, Sirius was," Hermione agreed, "again at least partly thanks to Albus Dumbledore. In that case, it wasn't entirely Dumbledore's fault, as there are three people that were responsible in throwing Sirius into Azkaban without the benefit of a trial. Bartemius Crouch Sr. who was Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the time, Minister Millicent Bagnold and Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore. In any case, we're invited to dinner next week and Molly and I have already worked out the best time."
"How are we getting there?" Aaron asked curiously. "Are we using a Portkey, the Floo or driving?"
"While Muggles can use the Floo in order to do so we would have to drive somewhere so we could use the public Floo in the Leaky Cauldron."
"Leaky Cauldron?" Aaron asked.
"Wizarding pub that guards the entrance to Diagon Alley," said Hermione.
"Didn't you say something about coming back from Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley," Aaron remembered.
"I did and I'm surprised you remember that considering all the information I have given you," Hermione said impressed. "I was only about a block away from there when we met. I was heading for my car which was park down the street."
"But I don't remember any pub and I've driven past there numerous times when I've been in London," Aaron said. "I always rent a car whenever I come to London, as it's cheaper than taking a cab everywhere, though I suppose there's always the tube. I've been in the area numerous times over the last few years."
"It's invisible to Muggles," Hermione said simply. "There are numerous spells on it and the only way for Muggles to see it is if they are holding hands with a witch or wizard. There is an electronics store on one side. It's on Charing Cross Rd."
"I remember the electronic shop and also a bookstore, but there seemed to be nothing in the spot next to them," Aaron said. "Come to think of it my eyes kind of just slid past the area where the pub is supposed to be."
"I told you there are numerous spells all over it," Hermione said. "Back before the Statue of Secrecy Muggles weren't exactly unwelcome in the pub and it wasn't invisible then, but that was a long time ago. It was in 1692 that the International Statue of Secrecy was signed into law by the International Confederation of Wizards."
"So the Wizarding World is kind of a parallel society invisible to people like myself," Aaron said.
"Exactly," Hermione agreed. Aaron was just as intelligent as herself just in different ways and that wasn't a bad thing at all. In fact, it pleased her more than she could say that her mate was so intelligent, as she wouldn't want to be married to a dummy. Ron's lack of using his intelligence was one of the reasons that they never would've worked on a permanent basis.
"You do understand why the magical at least in England took these measures don't you?" Hermione asked Aaron.
"To protect themselves from Muggles killing them in great numbers," Aaron said. "I've been around awhile and I know how some people react to those that are different. The Amish for example, managed to maintain their way of life, but not without a lot of struggles, as other people tried to force them to conform to the way they thought they should be. I was also around when the Salem witch trials took place I heard all about them, even if I didn't actually witness them myself. I wasn't about to be in Salem when all that was going on because I might've been accused of being a witch due to something I did. Strangers to an area back then were often under suspicion when something bad happened."
"That's a good example yes," Hermione agreed. "The Amish may not be magical, but that doesn't mean that they were accepted by a lot of people. People who try to push their beliefs on them. So many minority groups cease to be, because of others forcing them to change their ways in order to survive."
"I can't wait to meet the family that was so brave in the face of adversity. From all you've said they were about the only ones that were brave enough to stand by their principals in the face of death."
"That's not quite true, as their were other brave people that fought what they believed in, Kingsley Shacklebolt for one and Remus Lupin for another. However, you are right about one thing and that is most of those brave enough to actually fight and not remain neutral were killed in the first war. Molly's twin brothers were among the casualties in the first war. Their names were Fabian and Gideon Prewett. There were many more that died not just them, but I'm using them as an example, because they're the only ones I can think of at the moment."
"It's clear to me that this Order you spoke of didn't have a decent strategist or things probably would've gone better and more people might a lived," Aaron mentioned and Hermione nodded.
"You're not wrong," Hermione said. "Really, the problem was that Dumbledore's charisma was so strong that most magical thought he could do no wrong. As far as I know, none of them objected to the way he ran the Order, even when they should have. Somebody should've insisted on Unbreakable Vow for example and that way Pettigrew wouldn't've been able to betray the Potters or the Order and Harry's parents might have lived. Just so you know I will be Apparating us to the Burrow."
"Is that safe for people without magic?" Aaron asked.
"I never have suggested it if it wasn't," Hermione said. "I did my research years ago, as I thought I might need to use it with my parents to get us to safety. Just a warning you'll feel like you're being pulled through a small tube and some people have been known to throw up once they arrive at their destination."
"Well, that doesn't exactly sound pleasant," Aaron said grimacing.
"You'll get used to it if you do it often enough," Hermione said with a laugh.
The subject was changed as they had talked enough for awhile about the war.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~
"It's nice to meet you Mr Dunin," Molly greeted the man that was with Hermione.
"It's nice to meet you to Mrs. Weasley. Hermione has been telling me all about your family and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance," Aaron said sincerely shaking the matron's hand.
Molly blushed at the admiration Aaron had in his tone of voice.
"Come in, dinner is about ready," Molly said she bustled back into the house.
"It's certainly smells wonderful," Aaron said obviously sniffing the air where the delicious scents were circulating. "I had several of those mini cakes that Hermione said you had made and they were absolutely scrumptious. You could start a business of your own with the way you cook," Aaron told her.
"I've often told her that she can make a fortune catering," Hermione said. "Catering big events like weddings could bring in plenty of extra Galleons. I know that you and Arthur don't have to worry about money now that all your children are grown and out of the house, but still, it's something to consider. It will certainly give you something to do now that you don't have any underage children. I mean only Ron is still living at home and that's only because he refuses to get an apartment of his own."
"I totally agree with Hermione," Aaron told Mrs. Weasley, as she made herself busy at the stove where several pots were bubbling away. The stove looked like an antique they should've been in a museum since there was no electricity. "There's a lot of money to be made in catering and it would also keep you busy."
"I would have no idea how to even get started on something like that," Mrs. Weasley protested blushing at all the compliments.
"You advertise in the Daily Prophet of course," Hermione said. "You might start out doing small events but as your reputation spreads you'll be very much in demand."
"I would love for you to cater our wedding for example," Aaron said.
"I would love to, but Hermione is like a daughter to me so I could never charge you for it," Molly said.
"Yes, you can and Aaron and I agree that we want you to cater our reception and you will be paid for your time and the food," said Hermione firmly and Molly looked ready to protest again. "Caterers in the Muggle world can make quite a hefty amount per event depending on how famous they are and how many people they are serving."
"We can talk about it later. Dinner is ready and I'm sure everyone is hungry," Molly said changing the subject starting to put food on to serving platters.
"We are talking about Weasleys and every single one of them has bottomless pits for stomachs," Hermione said laughing a Molly's comment. "Even Ginny usually has at least seconds if not thirds. I don't know how she stays so slim."
"It's a medical marvel," Aaron suggested with a smile.
"It must be," Hermione said, even as she directed Aaron to sit beside her at the large round kitchen table.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Dunin," Arthur told Aaron.
"There's no reason to be so formal. You're all welcome to call me Aaron."
"Let me introduce everyone," Hermione said. "That's Bill and his wife Fleur."
Hermione pointed out a handsome man with several scars down his face. Fleur was a gorgeous woman but Aaron wasn't attracted to her at all. Sure he could acknowledge she was a beautiful woman but she seemed too beautiful to be human.
"And that's their daughters Victoire, Dominique and their son Louis," Hermione introduced.
The three children acknowledged the introduction but didn't say anything.
"It's a pleasure," Fleur told Aaron shaking his head cordially.
"It's very nice to meet you Aaron," Bill said shaking his hand.
"The pleasure is mine," Aaron told them sincerely with a small smile.
"And this is Fred, one of the ones I told you about that owns a joke shop in Diagon Alley and this is his wife Angelina," Hermione continued. "George and his wife Katie, Percy and his wife Penny and their son, Henry."
Hermione went ahead and introduced everyone else and Aaron just tried to keep them straight as there was so many of them."
"When can we eat I'm starving," came the voice of Ron Weasley.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley don't be rude," Molly told her youngest son her tone implacable. "Aaron is our guest. Since you have refused to move out on your own, you are subject to the rules your father and I sat down when you were a child."
"And the rude one of course, is Ronald Weasley," Hermione finished.
"I can't help it if I'm starving," Ron said looking at Hermione trying to excuse his boorish behavior.
"Starving or not you could be polite for a few more minutes," Hermione told him. "You act like you're going to starve to death if you don't shovel the food in as fast as possible in the next five minutes. I would think now that you're 30 you would've outgrown the stage of being hungry all the time."
Ron looked contrite for a minute as Hermione scolded him but then that look faded away.
"Unfortunately Ginny couldn't make it," Molly said. "She's away with her Quidditch team."
"I'll just have to introduce Aaron to her another time," Hermione said hiding her disappointment.
Everybody started to eat without another word now that all the introductions were out of the way.
"Why would you want to marry Hermione Granger?" Ron finally came up from where he was consuming his meal at a rapid pace. "She's just a bookworm and a know-it-all. I mean I couldn't put up with someone that was so bossy all the time."
"There's nothing wrong with being a bookworm or a know-it-all," Aaron told him his tone less than friendly. "Just because you can't maintain a relationship doesn't mean nobody else can. As for being bossy you only see it that way, because you didn't want to do what she asked of you and that's your homework and studying for exams back when you were in school you just want to coast by instead of working hard. According to what I've been told you did everything you could to avoid studying or doing your homework until the last minute and that's only when Hermione didn't do your homework for you, because you were too damn lazy. Hermione has already told me quite a bit about you and most of it wasn't complementary."
"Why you...!" Ron began his ears starting to turn red at the tips. A sure sign of an intimate explosion.
The rest of the Weasleys watched the tennis match between their brother and Aaron with every sign of interest. It was clear that Aaron had no trouble defending himself and Hermione and that was a good thing because Ron had been rude. It wasn't like Aaron had lied and what he had said, no, he had been truthful as all the Weasleys knew the quality of their brother so weren't exactly surprised to learn that the only reason Ron had passed his classes was because Hermione had basically held his hand all through his entire Hogwarts school career.
Ron sputtered and started to get red in the face a sure sign he was about to blow his top.
"Ron enough," Arthur ordered finally. "Just because you don't want to settle down doesn't mean nobody else does. Being a bookworm is not a bad thing or nor is being a know-it-all. You will not insult a guest in my home right under my nose is that understood, Ronald Weasley?"
"Thank you Arthur for the defending me, but I can handle him," Hermione told the head of the Weasley family. "Ron, I could hex you into oblivion until you are unrecognizable as one Ronald Weasley. Don't test my patience. You're not only insulted me you insulted Aaron as well, because you let your mouth run away with you. I know your parents tried to teach you manners but apparently they didn't take. You would've failed Hogwarts if not for me, because you were too lazy to study. You should know that annoying me or making me mad is a bad idea."
Ron looked at Hermione and saw her expression making him gulp. He knew from past experience that Hermione had a temper on her and he should know better than to get it riled.
"I did try to teach him manners, just like I taught all my children," Molly sighed giving her youngest son a disapproving look for the friction he had caused at the dinner table.
Ron shrunk away from his mother's disappointed and furious look that promised retribution and continued eating his supper without another word.
Once dinner was finished George stood along with Katie.
"Everyone before we all head home Katie and I have an announcement," George said.
Everybody stopped and waited for George to continue.
"I'm pregnant due next year sometime in May," Katie announced.
"This is wonderful news," Molly nearly squealed in excitement. Molly came around the table hug George and then hug Katie as well. "Congratulations."
"Yes, congratulations to the pair of you," Arthur said grinning from ear to ear.
Everybody else congratulated them as well and Hermione gave George hug. "I'm very happy for you George you deserve it after all that happened during the war."
Hermione was referring to the fact that George had lost an ear do to Dark Magic rescuing Harry from Privet Drive the night before his 17th birthday.
"Congratulations to you too Katie. Let's hope it turns out to be a girl since we could use a few more around here," Hermione said
"From your mouth to god's ear," Katie said. "Congratulations on your engagement and I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you," Hermione said smiling, even as rubbed Katie's tummy. "I can't wait to have my own children with Aaron, but that's still probably at least a year away, as we need to get married first. I'm only sad my parents aren't going to be there and my father isn't going to be there to walk me down the aisle."
"We could use a few more female Weasleys," Molly who had overheard Hermione earlier comment agreed.
"I'll see you in a few days Molly," Hermione said. "Aaron and I need to head home."
"You're always welcome here," Molly told both Aaron and Hermione. "Come for a meal or just to chat you'll always be welcome."
"I can see what Hermione was talking about now. You're all so warm and welcoming," Aaron said. "Also, the food was out of this world I'll be happy to come again for another meal, especially since I can't cook to save my life and neither can Hermione."
Molly blushed at the compliment that Aaron had paid her, because if there was one thing she was proud of it was her cooking skills.
Aaron and Hermione headed out the back door and Hermione immediately grabbed Aaron's arm and Apparated them away.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~