"I will say this it was a great day when Fritzy came to work for us, as she's a great cook," Aaron said, as he took a bite of his dinner.
"Yes, she is," Hermione agreed, even as she chewed on a mouthful.
"Yet you objected to getting a house-elf. You would agree to get one and then change your mind," Aaron told her teasingly.
"You know why I kept changing my mind," Hermione said. "And also why I was against the idea in general."
"Yes, I do," Aaron agreed soberly. "You couldn't seem to get past the idea that it was slavery in your heart, not your head."
"I've changed my mind now," Hermione said. "Now, I think laws need to be put in place and enforced to protect them."
"Now that's a much more mature attitude," Aaron approved, even as he took another bite of his delicious dinner. "Because of that decision we don't have to eat out all the time. Yes, we can afford to but that isn't the point."
"It isn't very healthy to do so for every meal," Hermione said, as she ate her food slowly savoring the flavor.
"That's a point," Aaron agreed. "However, eating out for every meal wouldn't have killed us, but it would have made us fat, as even immortals are suspectible to gaining weight. We would have to exercise more than we do now to maintain our fitness level."
"True," Hermione agreed eating the last bit of her dinner.
"Do you want dessert now or later," Fritzy asked them what she had taken the empty plates away to be washed.
"Later, as I am very stuffed," Hermione said patting her stomach. "Aaron is right, you are an excellent cook and outclass my feeble efforts by miles. It was a great day when you joined our family."
"Thank you for the compliment Ms Hermi," Fritzy said blushing at the compliment.
"Which will soon be expanding by one and I couldn't be happier about that. Having dessert later is fine with me as well," Aaron said. "We can have a dessert after our stomachs don't feel so full."
"Very well sir, as you wish," Fritzy agreed popping away.
"Now that we have had dinner I'm going back to reading that book I was working on before you came home," Hermione said.
"I think I'll head to the TV room and watch the game that I recorded earlier," Aaron decided. Aaron was heavily into sports and enjoyed most of them except golf, which to him was boring and pointless. Also bowling wasn't his thing either, but he did enjoy most sports baseball, soccer, basketball and many more. He even enjoyed watching tennis at some of the matches could be very competitive.
Well, Hermione supposed that you had to do something with your immortality and if that meant liking all kinds of sports that was better than some thing's Aaron could be into. He could be into numerous criminal activities for instance unless he was permanently killed by sheer dumb luck he would be able to do it indefinitely. Hermione could think of numerous ways you could use your immortality in a bad way if you were of that particular mindset
Luckily, Aaron was honest and also very brave, though he did have his immortality to protect him so that made a difference when a situation arose that required bravery. Alright, he had to commit a few minor crimes because of his immortality, but mostly he was very ethical and honest. Hermione was proud to be his wife and Aaron showed her every day that he loved and adored her.
And now a baby a combination of both of them. After everything she had been through as a teenager during her Hogwarts years and the war she was finally incredibly happy. She was so happy and content that it should be considered illegal Hermione thought she went back to her book with a very full stomach.
It was sometime later when Hermione finally managed to wrench herself away from her book at the sound of footsteps.
"It's time for dessert," Aaron told her coming into the room.
"That sounds good," Hermione agreed. "You know I haven't even thought about telling Harry and Daphne that I'm pregnant, which is something we need to do."
"You just did that spell before I got home, so it's not like we've been keeping the news from them for months," Aaron said.
"Still, we need to at least let Harry and Daphne know as soon as possible," Hermione said.
"What about the Weasleys?" asked Aaron.
"Them to," Hermione agreed. "You can tell them about your immortality at the same time if you want."
"That's a possibility," Aaron said neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his wife suggestion.
Hermione was secretly disappointed in that answer, but on the other hand, she could understand Aaron's reluctance or at least his caution.
"I need to go see a Healer first to learn how far along I am before we tell anyone," Hermione said.
"How long has it been since you've had you know...Menstrual cycle?" Aaron asked not looking at all embarrassed at a subject that was usually woman's territory only. "If you know that we can figure out how are you've been pregnant."
"You know I'm not quite sure. I've kind of lost track," Hermione said. "I've just been so busy that it never occurred to me that I haven't had a period in awhile. Several months at least."
"Well, get an appointment as soon as you can so we know how much time we have before the baby gets here. We have a lot of shopping to do in order to prepare. Still, we have months to get everything will need for the baby and if we forget anything I'm sure Fritzy can go buy it for us if we are busy," Aaron said.
"A lot of things can be transfigured," Hermione told him. "There's no point to wasting money when we can use magic for a lot of the baby furniture that will be required. I've always been good at Transfiguration. Actually, at most subjects that are taught at Hogwarts."
"Money doesn't matter, but still it will save us a lot of shopping," Aaron said reminding Hermione they weren't exactly poor.
"We can also ask Harry and the Weasley's if they have extra baby things that we can have like cradles and cribs."
"That's one idea," Aaron agreed.
The two continued to discuss when the best time was to inform everyone of their joyous news before they ate there deserts that Fritzy brought them
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~
"This is wonderful news, congratulations," Molly and Arthur told the Dunins.
"Thank you were really looking forward to this little ones birth," Aaron said grinning.
"Yes, we are," Hermione agreed, also smiling.
"I certainly looked forward to the birth of all seven of my children," Molly said smiling as she remembered the birth of all her kids from Bill to Ginny.
"So how far along are you?" Arthur asked.
"Over three months," Hermione said.
"You didn't realize it before now?" Molly asked surprise. "I mean didn't you get morning sickness?"
"I've had some queasiness, but that's about it," Hermione said. "I suppose that Fritzy has been thoroughly washing the fruits and vegetables before she cooks them. I just figured it was some kind of stomach virus," Hermione shrugged.
"Well that's surprising," Molly said. "I had bad morning sickness with every pregnancy."
"Some women don't you know," Hermione shrugged not telling Molly the real reason that she and Aaron believed she hadn't had morning sickness. "Who knows what will happen when I get pregnant the second time after this one is at least two years old."
"True, every pregnancy is different," Molly agreed.
"So what are you hoping for a boy or a girl?" Arthur asked pair.
"It doesn't matter either way as we'll love whenever we get," Aaron said. "There will be be several more chances to have others so hopefully, we'll have at least one of each."
"Hopefully you'll get your wish to have at least one boy and one girl," Molly said. "Arthur and I kept trying until we finally were blessed with a girl. Hopefully, you won't have to go through as many pregnancies to get your wish."
"I doubt Aaron and I will have as many as you did, but maybe we will," Hermione said. "I never had siblings and I was often lonely as a child. My mother just wasn't capable of giving birth to anymore after I was born. She had several miscarriages before I arrived and the doctors warned her not to try to have another afterwards, that it could cost her her life."
"Well, I certainly hope you don't have the same problem your mother did," Arthur said.
"I don't think that's too likely," Aaron said cheerfully, not telling the Weasleys why it wasn't likely.
"I am in excellent health according to my last check up so I don't think I'll have a problem getting pregnant or giving birth again, unless something goes majorly wrong during birth," Hermione said.
"That's excellent," Molly said looking pleased. "I'm looking forward to you and your family coming to the Burrow on a regular basis."
"I certainly won't mind," Aaron said with a smile. "I can understand why Hermione loves your family so much. In the short time I've known you I have come to love this family."
"What about your own family your parents or your siblings?" Arthur asked.
"My parents passed many years ago," Aaron shrugged. "As for siblings I'm an only child like Hermione."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Arthur sympathized.
"Yes it's tragic that they can never meet Hermione or their grandchildren," Molly said.
"They would have loved her just as much as I do," Aaron said.
"Also, Molly I am requesting you don't gossip about this. Do not tell anyone I am pregnant. You can tell the family as there'll find out anyway, but I'm asking them not to gossip about it," Hermione added.
"Why not?" Molly asked in surprised.
"Because I don't need the darker pure-bloods to resent me anymore than they already do, because I beat their children in every class we took. I'm trying to prove a point that Muggles are not stupid no matter what the darker pure-bloods believe. If a new generation shows up at Hogwarts and does well in all their classes beating the pure-blood children maybe they'll realize that the Muggle are not stupid and can produce brilliant minds just like they can.
"While a lot of the darker pure-bloods were either put the death after Voldemort was defeated or thrown in prison most of their family lines still exist. Magicals are on the verge of revealing themselves to the Muggles because pure-bloods in particular have refused to learn even the bare minimum in order to more effectively hide themselves from those without magic better. Opening the pure-blood eyes might take generations but I'm hoping to start something."
"I think I understand," Arthur said.
"I do too," Molly agreed.
"Aaron and I live a low-key life on purpose," Hermione told the elder Weasleys. "I don't want some of those darker pure-blood families to get it into their heads to come after Aaron and I and our children. You know they would be very happy to throw me into Azkaban to rot and if I wasn't considered a heroine, because of the war and have the one that finally took out the Dark Lord as a best friend then who knows what might've happened.
"I have no doubt it's something they would've plotted if they thought they could get away with it without too much protest," Arthur agreed gravely.
"I've heard all about what the darker pure-bloods think of Muggle-borns like Hermione and while I can understand that mindset it doesn't make me happy that they hate or at least resent her just because of the part she played in the war and because she's friends with Harry."
"They also dislike me, because I got better grades than their children," Hermione reminded Aaron.
"Which is just another stupid reason to dislike or hate someone," Aaron said. "They need to justify their behavior and so come up with reasons to dislike or even hate someone, reasons that really don't mean anything."
"The darker pure-blooded families don't really need a reason to dislike someone though," Molly said. "The only ones they like are the ones that hold the same beliefs that them, themselves, do.
"That is so true," Arthur agreed. "We might be pure-bloods but we also don't hold a lot of the same beliefs that some families do. For one thing we don't believe in arranging marriages for our children and think they should be free to choose their own spouses. We also don't believe in keeping our bloodline supposedly pure."
"And that is why you are such good people," Hermione told the elder Weasleys. "You don't believe the Muggle-borns need to be eliminated from the Wizarding World.
"You'll let us know how your pregnancy is going won't you Hermione?" Molly said blushing at the compliment.
"Of course, I will Molly," Hermione promised. "I know you'll be a grandmother to them, since neither Aaron or I have one of those."
"I'll be happy to mother them and smother them with love," Molly said looking very happy at the prospect.
"Fritzy is really looking forward to the baby's birth, just as much as you are," Aaron told them with a smile.
"Of course, she is. House-elves love children and it will give her more to do," Arthur said.
"You'll be surrounded with even more family soon enough since Angelina is also pregnant again," Hermione said.
"I can hardly wait," Molly said enthusiastically.
"Just think you'll soon have some eager test subjects for whatever you create," Aaron suggested with a smile. "I've certainly enjoyed the samples you send over to our place."
"Oh, yes they, have been delicious," Arthur agreed kissing Molly's cheek. "Molly has a real gift with making delicious treats now that she has time on her hands thanks to all the children being grown she has time to experiment. Who do you think has been one of her guinea pigs? I gladly fulfill that role thank you," Arthur added patting his tummy.
Molly blushed at the sincere compliment her husband paid her.
"Oh, they were nothing special, just some things that I threw together," Molly protested.
"Both Aaron and I think she should start a catering business, as she'd make a fortune, but she seems resistant to the idea," Hermione told Arthur.
"What would be required to do that?" Arthur asked interested.
"Well, you'd have to put an advertisement in the Daily Prophet for one to get the word out," Hermione considered. "It would also be good to have a slogan of some sort. You also need to work up a menu. She might have to start out small at first, but I wouldn't be surprised if she started catering bigger, bigger events like weddings and things like anniversary or birthday parties."
"You really should go into business Molly. You're a great cook and while I know your family appreciates it, why not let other people enjoy what you create and make a lot of money while doing so," Aaron told her sincerely.
"We could even loan you Fritzy if you needed extra help for large events, because she's not busy enough for her. She'll be busier once the baby arrives, but still, could be loaned to help out when needed. Also, I know Harry would be glad to loan you one of his house-elves whenever you needed the assistance and that way you won't have to hire anybody, which would cut into your profits."
"It will give you something to do since all the children are grown now," Arthur told Molly. "You should really think about it."
"I will," Molly promised the other three people in the room. "Its certainly an intriguing idea and I've already been thinking about it because Hermione and Aaron have both brought it up several times. It would certainly be a new thing for the Wizarding World as I don't think there is anybody doing catering."
"That's probably because most of the people that would hire such a service were pure-bloods who have house-elves so the idea never occurs to them," Hermione said.
"That was in the past though and this is a new age, one without the fear of Voldemort. The pure-bloods movement have been thoroughly defanged and are either in prison or dead. It's past time to try to modernize the wizarding world. Things like electric lights are a cheaper than using candles or gas lights," Hermione explained. "My point is it was the pure-bloods that have a kept the Wizarding World as primitive as it is. There are so many things that Muggles have created for themselves that those with magic could use and not just electric lights. I know that you, Arthur, has always been fascinated with what Muggles can do."
"That's true, I have," Arthur said with a little smile.
"Don't encourage him," Molly told Hermione.
"I'm afraid he doesn't need any encouragement at all," Hermione told Molly with a smile. "Besides, if you had electricity, which is for cheaper then using gas lamps which require oil that would save you money.
"Electric lights are also far brighter than candles or gaslights," Aaron added.
"They have electric lights in places like in the wizarding section of France you know," Hermione told the Weasleys. "Me and my parents used to go there in the summer for a couple of weeks. I, of course, checked out the wizarding section what I found out where it was."
"That's certainly fascinating," Arthur said and even Molly nodded reluctantly.
The Dunins finally took their leave, as they'd been there for a couple hours just chatting and it was time for them to go home.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~
"So Arthur has always been fascinated by the Muggle World," Aaron asked Hermione, as soon as they were back home.
"For as long as I've known him," Hermione said her lips curving into a smile. "He has his own plug and battery collection if you please and often does things in his shed like taking electric devices apart trying to figure out how to put magic on them to make them work without electricity. Molly often gets exasperated with him and if she gets mad enough she makes him sleep in the shed for awhile."
Aaron's lips carved in amusement once learning that Arthur was fascinated with Muggle technology. "Everyone has to have a hobby I suppose. It's a rather strange one for Muggles at least, but maybe not for those with magic."
"Yes, it is amusing when you think about it," Hermione agreed. "A lot of his children got the same bug, except for Percy and maybe Charlie."
"I don't believe I've met Charlie," Aaron said with a raised eyebrow.
"He lives and works on a dragon reserve in Romania. While he fought in the war, he doesn't often come home and I think that's to avoid Molly who can be a bit much when she gets going."
"There's a reserve for dragons?" Aaron asked in amazement.
"There's more than one actually, but the closest is in Romania," Hermione said. "They can't just be allowed to run wild, as Muggle would eventually kill them all off, even if that was many years later, you know. Many deaths would likely be the result if the Muggles learned about dragons, since they can breathe fire and also, swipe you with their tails. They also have very sharp teeth and claws and can fly."
"I hadn't thought about that, but you're right," Aaron said. "So are there different breeds?"
"There are," Hermione agreed. "There the Antipodean Opaleye, Chinese Fireball, Common Welsh Green, Hebridean Black, Hungarian Horntail, Norwegian Ridgeback, Peruvian Vipertooth, Romanian Longhorn, Swedish Short-Snout and finally the Ukrainian Ironbelly, which are nearly extinct, because they're scales make great armor that will block several Killing Curses. Their skin is very thick, much thicker than the other species, which is why it will block even a Killing Curse. Afterwards though, it is best to replace it if possible."
"That's a lot of different species and I don't know how you keep all this hidden from people like me," Aaron said
"Magic," Hermione answered simply with a smile. "There are spells to hide that kind of thing. That's not to say that there aren't some dragons in the wild though. It is said that there is a dragon, a Welsh Green, who wanders the London underground, but that could be just an urban legend."
"I'm learning more all the time. I never knew such creatures existed. Oh, I thought they might have existed at one point in time, which is how humans got the idea to write so many fantasy novels about them as there are so much folklore, so many legends and myths. I mean, those stories had to come from somewhere after all, but I certainly didn't realize that they still existed. I figured they had died out thousands of years ago, which was long before my time."
"True," Hermione agreed. "You'll discover that a lot of things you believed fantasy actually do exist, even if it's hidden from Muggles."
"Dwarves?" Aaron asked and Hermione nodded.
"Absolutely real," Hermione responded verbally.
"Mermaids?"
"Yes," Hermione answered with a smile, "as well as merman."
"Of course, you can't have one without the other," Aaron chuckled "or there would be no little babies to continue the species.
"There are some in Black Lake at Hogwarts, just so you know they're not exactly very friendly to land dwellers," Hermione said. "Dumbledore could speak the language, which is known as Mermish."
"I believe you mentioned one of the tasks was in Black Lake during the Triwizard Tournament," Aaron said.
"I did, but I didn't really explain indepth," Hermione said.
"Selkies?" Aaron asked.
"Yes," Hermione answered.
"Gnomes?" Aaron asked, searching his mind for creatures he had read about at sometime or either.
"Yes," Hermione said.
"Unicorns?" Aaron asked,
"Definitely," Hermione said.
"Centaurs?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "There's a whole herd of them in the Forbidden Forest that's on one side of Hogwarts. It is forbidden to students unless you're with a professor. That doesn't mean that students don't manage to sneak in just like Harry, Ron and I did and also the twins when we were at Hogwarts. I'm sure other students did as well for our generation. Lots of students for every generation have snuck into the forest for every generation that attends the school. The centers are very friendly to anybody who invades their territory, but luckily, their more forgiving of what they consider foals."
"Pixies?" Aaron asked and wasn't surprised when Hermione nodded. "That's all I can think of right now, but I'm sure I'll think of more at some point."
"There many creatures that are never written about," Hermione said.
"Such as," Aaron inquired.
"Acromantulas, Chimaeras, Lethifolds, Dementors, Manticores, Nundus, Quintapeds, Demiguises, phoenixes, giants. Well, the list goes on and on," Hermione said. "Some of those are more dangerous than others but none of them are considered beings, just beasts.
"Wow! I had no idea," Aaron said amazed all over again.
"I have learned that there are many wondrous creatures in the world ever since I got my Hogwarts letter when I was 11. Things I didn't believe existed until then," Hermione said.
"I understand why you thought that, as the world just isn't geared towards the magical or the mythical," Aaron said.
"That's the truth," Hermione chuckled at the irony of it considering both she and Aaron were immortal.
~~~Aaron and Hermione~~~