A/N: Ok...again...no reviews. I must really suck. Honestly I don't know how much longer I'll continue with this. As a writer I find no joy in writing something that zero people have interest in.
Chapter 6:
Neither of them could sleep that night. When the sun finally rose and showed itself through the curtains of their bedroom, they were still fully awake to view it, but didn't hurry to get up as they laid there all night wrapped in each other's arms talking. They had spent the hours whispering about their friend, over analyzing every single detail to the point of obsession until eventually they fell into a comfortable silence.
Ron was anxious to get up and go see Harry right away, but Hermione had expressly forbade it. Still repeating to him that they will see him later for tea. She had to find other ways to distract Ron from just storming over there right then.
A couple hours later Ron's stomach gave a loud growl interrupting their activities and indicating they should probably get up then. Hermione made her way to the kitchen to start breakfast while Ron took a shower. Her stomach was in knots, and she felt nauseated, but she went ahead and made a full breakfast and sat at the table with Ron as they both picked at it while reading The Daily Prophet.
She picked up her fork and swirled the eggs around on her plate with it, not really hungry. This was sort of a morning ritual for them, they've developed over the years on weekend mornings. She would make breakfast while Ron read the paper and brought up what he felt was interesting. Once breakfast was on the table and they would discuss it.
She liked this part of the weekend. It gave her a chance to hear about Ron's take on what's going on in the world. He usually just listens to her ramble and agrees with what she said, claiming she's much smarter and knows better from being more informed, but she knows he sells himself short. From these morning discussions she learned really how Ron thinks and it's made her love him more.
"The Harpies won their match last night against the Tornados" Ron commented. He folded the paper for a better view of the article following the scores. "They're two games away from the championship. If Ginny does well, she could be picked to play for England."
"That would be great for her. Does England have a chance at the world cup?" Hermione asked. She wasn't really interested in Quidditch but when your fiancé is and your best friend plays it professionally, she had learned that she must at least know the game enough to hold a conversation.
"Not even close. But they may in the future if they have Ginny.
Hermione paused for a moment as her mind repeated Ginny's name, and she dropped her fork on her plate, startling Ron and placed her head in her hands. How could she forget Ginny? In all the excitement, confusion, and anger of the past 24 hours, she never once really thought of Ginny and how she would take this news.
Especially when hearing he has a daughter.
Questions she should have asked popped into her head. Kicking herself for not inquiring. But she just wanted to keep Harry talking. Keep him there. She was sure he was still as private as always in his life, and she had avoided asking too many personal questions. And while Evelyn is, no doubt, the biggest thing in Harry's life, she's embarrassed to think that she actually had forgotten all about her once she saw Harry and they started talking.
But how would Ginny take it? She acted as though she moved on, though she doesn't hide that the loss of Harry had wounded her deeply. She went out occasionally with other guys but none of them were serious, and none of them stuck around long. Harry was her one true love, her "soul mate" if you believe in that. But how would Ginny handle hearing that Harry had moved on and had a kid, and possibly a wife. Harry, when asked, had said that it was just Evelyn and him but that still left open the possibility that at one time Harry had been married. She didn't dig too deep into his relationship status at the time, but thinking of it now she probably should have.
Harry had proclaimed in their last communication to them, or specifically to Ginny, that he would always love her. And then he goes and moves on with his life and leaves her behind. He had found another woman and had a kid with her. There was no questioning who Evelyn's father was. She looked like a mini female version of Harry so none of them could play it off as he had simply adopted the child. Hermione couldn't even begin to fathom what that would do to Ginny, and as she looked across the table at Ron, she could tell that he hadn't thought that far ahead yet either.
Hermione was broken out of her thoughts by the sounds of the paper being folded and put down on the table, Ron, obviously finished with it. She watched as Ron looked down at his plate then and picked up his fork and started eating his breakfast with the same earnestness he always put in when eating food.
She took her cue from him and took a bite of her own eggs and chewed it mechanically. But her thoughts strayed off again, this time towards the rest of the Weasleys. They would eventually have to tell all of them as well. Mrs. Weasley, well "mom" as she kept trying to get Hermione to call her, was down right as broken-hearted as Ginny was. She had all but legally adopted Harry and cared for him, she loved him like a seventh son, and it had hurt her deeply to see one of her children in such pain. And it hurt her even more to find that he had left while in such a decline, with no trace of where he went or how he'd been.
Every Christmas and Easter, she still set out a place for him at the table. She still made him a Weasley sweater every year, and a chocolate egg on Easter. She still celebrated his birthday by throwing a small party, even though he was not there. The hall closet upstairs was full to the brim with gifts for Harry over the past 8 years that she had gotten or made for him for various holidays, insisting she will not allow him to believe she forgot about him when he finally comes back. Nobody dared say anything against it to her. Except Percy but he was a different problem.
Her thoughts were again interrupted by the sound of the paper once more being gathered up after Ron finished his breakfast. He grabbed his dishes and took them to the sink. Scraping the food off before rinsing the dish. Hermione smiled at that. It's taken many years, but she's trained him a bit to clean up after himself.
He came back over and leaned against the breakfast nook staring at her with his arms crossed. She pretended to ignore him and kept eating her breakfast. The food had no flavor for her. Her mind was racing with other things.
"So when would be a good time to go over?" Ron asked her. She swallowed the bite in her mouth and laid down her fork.
"He said this afternoon Ron, it's only 9:30am. We'll go over in a few hours. You just ate so you'll survive a bit longer." She stood up then and grabbed her own plate, taking it to the sink and began washing the dishes.
"Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure he'll understand if we come over earlier, ya know. We haven't seen him in 8 YEARS" She was pretty sure he was right. Regardless, she didn't think it would be a great idea.
"Ron, it's the weekend, he had school last night and he has a kid. Let him have a bit of a lie in. I'm sure he has to feed Evelyn and get her day started and all." She finished putting the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher and walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. She bent over by the bookcase and started picking up the books that Ron had tossed on the floor that early morning, surprised that her neurosis hadn't forced her to clean it right away.
Ron had followed her in, and with his wand he used reparo on anything that he had broken in his fit of rage. She knew she could just use magic to clean and organize her books again, but it gave her something to do, and it always was relaxing for her to clean the muggle way. Ron sat heavily on the couch once he was done with his part and watched her tidy up. She held back an exasperated sigh knowing it was going to be a long day.
"I'm sorry I hurt your books Hermione." He called over to her. She smiled back at him and continued.
"You should apologize to the books Ron. I'm sure you've hurt their feelings."
Ron was silent after that as he scowled at her.
Ron could feel butterflies in his stomach as they stepped out of the house a few hours later. He hadn't felt this nervous since he attempted to propose to Hermione five years previous. It took him over a month to actually do it after he obtained the ring. He had planned many romantic evenings and such throughout the month due to him chickening out. Eventually though he just spat it out one day as they sat eating breakfast. Hermione had just grinned at him and replied with "Well if you insist." and that was that. He gave her the ring, they spent the day in bed, the end.
He didn't know why he felt that way now. It was just Harry after all. Even though he hadn't seen his best friend in over 8 years, and the last time he saw him, Harry was practically at death's door from his depression. And also, that his best friend had disappeared without a trace and hardly any notice leading him to pursue every possible trace in order to find him and bring him back. But none of that was important now. Harry was still his best friend. All the anger from the previous night had left him and been turned into nervous energy.
He had taken Hermione's cue and started cleaning up the mess he had made the previous night. It distracted him enough that time passed quickly before it was time to go. Though once Hermione held out her hand for him, and told him it was time, all he could do was stand there and think that he wasn't ready.
Sun shined down brightly on them as they walked hand in hand down the block of their new neighborhood. It was a beautiful day in late March. As they walked through the area, they both smiled at the thought that they picked such a wonderful area to live in. There were beautiful tall trees everywhere, Flowers in bloom, the grass was green and cut nicely but not obsessively perfect the way they had always imagined Dursleys had them from what they garnered from Harry.
There were toys on the lawns and bikes on the porches. Neighbors were out attending to their properties and chatting to one another. Ron reached up to snatch a flower off a dogwood tree and hand it to Hermione who smiled and placed it in her hair. They turned the corner and continued walking down the block. They were just a block away from Harry's house and his nerves started to increase.
"Hi Miney!" A little voice shouted from the house across the street startling the pair. Hermione looked over and saw Mike out front jumping up and down. Laura was sitting on a porch swing waving at them with a book in her lap. Hermione, still holding Ron's hand, dragged him across the street towards them.
"Hey Mikey! How are you?" She asked him politely. He smiled and jumped like any four year old boy.
"Who's that?" he said, pointing to Ron.
"This is my Finance Ron." She introduced, by that time Laura had reached the front gate.
"Nice to meet you Mikey" He reached out his hand to shake, Mike took it and tried to shake as hard as Ron but kind of failed causing Laura and Hermione to laugh.
"Thank you again for taking the children yesterday. It was really sudden." She apologized.
"It was nothing, Is your mother alright?"
"She's fine, thankfully. Mikey said he had a nice time at your house. That you made a 'yummy' sandwich."
"Yea, my specialty, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with some chips. I like to keep things fancy in my house." They all laughed again. Mikey laughed a few seconds later, not wanting to be left out of the grownups.
"So where are you two heading on this glorious afternoon? Heading to see your brother?" They knew that she was aware of Ron's sibling living nearby, though it seemed they hadn't met yet.
"Actually, we are heading over to Harry's" Hermione stated matter of factly. Laura raised her eyebrows a bit at this.
"Oh? I didn't know you guys hit it off so well last night when he picked up the kids." She stated. "Though we didn't really get a chance to talk. It was late when I picked up Mikey." Hermione and Ron looked at each other for a moment.
"Well, we actually already knew him." Hermione said, she bit her lip a bit trying to decide what to actually say. They didn't know how much of his past Laura knew. She looked at Ron again for some direction. He coughed a little and cleared his throat.
"We uh...haven't seen him for a few years. You know, lost touch and all that." With that he cleared his throat again looking decidedly uncomfortable and hoping it ended the line of questioning.
"Oh," Laura said, nodding. "That's nice that you guys found each other then." She crossed her arms over her chest. She looked suspiciously at Hermione and Ron. "He really hasn't mentioned any past friends or family." Ron saw a small smile across Hermione's face at that.
"Harry's always been a very private person. It's like pulling teeth to get anything out of him and when you do, he's pretty vague. It's nice to know that he hasn't changed that much." Hermione said. She squeezed Ron's hand tightly as he tried not to grimace. He looked down at her for a moment before looking past her down the block. He wanted to see him.
"How long have you known Harry then?" Laura inquired curiously.
"Are you writing his biography or something?" Ron replied somewhat forcefully. He continued staring down the block, unable to look at the two women knowing he'd just pissed them both off.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded him. He looked down at her again and moved his head in the direction they were heading, squeezing her hand with a hint that he wished to go. She turned to Laura who narrowed her eyes at him.
"I'm just curious" She stated somewhat offensively. "I've known Harry for three years and he's never mentioned anyone before. You can't blame me for being wary of two strangers."
"Look, I'm sorry but we're not strangers, we're his friends." Ron told her.
"Friends he hasn't mentioned in three years?" Laura asked, making Ron feel uncomfortable as she scrutinized him. The silence dragged on for a few moments before Laura sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry I asked. But I just know I'll not be the only one to ask. Harry is private but he is well liked around here. He teaches at the nearby elementary school and has a young child of his own. There are a lot of parents and kids in this neighborhood who know him and like him. So maybe don't jump down their throats when they talk to you."
Hermione decided then that it was time to go before something was said to cause even more trouble. They hadn't seen Harry in years and this person was close to him. The last thing they needed was to alienate a good friend in his new life. Especially when it sounded like there were even more of them around.
"I'm sorry Laura. He just really wants to see Harry again. We've known him since we were eleven." Hermione said. Laura stopped scowling at Ron at that statement. She could tell from Laura's expression that she understood that they weren't just former friends from his past, but even further back to his childhood. Hermione wondered what Harry had told her about it as the saddened expression from the woman meant she knew at least something.
"Well, I don't wish to keep you from your reunion." She said, putting a small smile back on. She looked around the yard for Mike who had gotten bored with the grownup and was now playing with a toy lawn mower. "How about you come by for a cup of tea Monday after the kids are in school Hermione." She asked her.
Hermione graciously accepted the offer and was practically dragged down the street by Ron as she said her goodbyes to both Laura and Mikey. Mikey looked up and waved enthusiastically at her retreating form.
Once they were halfway down the block, Hermione ripped her hand from Rons and walked a few steps ahead of him in a puff. She was so angry at him. He had no right to be so rude.
"What?" He asked, confused. She stopped as they turned the corner again and turned back to him angrily. Not expecting her to suddenly stop he bumped right into her. "Hey! What's going on with you?" He looked at her angry face.
"You were very rude to Laura." She scowled at him.
"She was asking too many questions."
"She only asked a couple Ronald. And you were very rude." He raised his arms in defeat and impatience.
"Fine, I'll apologize later; can we go now?" He went to step around her, but she made a move to block him.
"Don't, use that attitude now Ron. Don't be rude to the people who are in Harry's life now, and don't do anything stupid that will push Harry away from us."
"I don't understand why you're upset Hermione. I'm sorry I snapped at the woman. I said I'd apologize."
"You don't get it Ron!" She cried out exasperated, placing her hands over her face as she tried stopping the tears that were starting to well in her eyes. She felt Ron wrap his arms around her and pull her close. She lowered her hands and rested her forehead on his chest as she took some deep breaths, taking comfort in the scent that was distinctly Ron.
"Why don't you explain it to me, Hermione. You know I can be thick." He offered. Hermione looked up at him and wrapped her own arms around his neck.
"I'm afraid Ron, that's what it is. There are so many unknowns. There are so many scenarios in which this could go wrong. We must be careful while we try to get back to Harry. He's not the same person. His life is different, and we know nothing about it. You can't go around alienating the people in his life. You must be more in control and more flexible regarding Harry or we won't have a place in his life."
"I feel like we're on eggshells, and I haven't even seen him." Ron confessed.
"That's because for now we are. We must be until we get a better lay of the land Ron. We are probably overthinking everything but that's how it must be for now. She said, "But I don't think it'll be like this for long. Harry seemed genuinely very happy yesterday that we had met again."
With that she turned around and continued walking towards their destination. They finally came up to Harry's house and stood in front of it for several moments before Ron reached down and grabbed Hermione's hand again.
The house was beautiful, there was no denying it. Not that anyone needed to. It was a two-story building with a front porch with a swing on it. There were many windows around it, many which seem to probably be added as additions. The upstairs had a balcony with several chairs and a telescope on it. There were bushes all around it with green leaves sprouting. Flowers lined the path leading up to the door and a variety of rose bushes along the front. It was painted pale green paint with brown trim.
Both Ron and Hermione stood there staring at it with bated breath. Fear coursed through them. What if Harry did run again?
"They're here!" A little girl's voice screeched in delight.
Ron broke out of his thoughts by looking at the open window to the left of the porch where a little girl was standing looking out. "Hi Miney!" She shouted excitedly.
Hermione reached up and waved her hand at the little girl as Evelyn ran from the window. Ron looked down at Hermione and with one more glance at each other and a squeeze of the hand they opened the front gate and started up the path.
They were about halfway up when the door opened suddenly, and the little girl ran out towards them. They both watched her as she stopped in front of them with a big smile on her face.
"HI!" she shouted. Evelyn reached out and grabbed Hermione's other hand in both of her little ones and looked up at the pair. Ron took a moment to take her in. Now that she was confirmed to be Harrys and no longer just the possibility, he allowed himself to fully see the similarities between the two of them, noting that there was no question who she was.
"Hey there Evelyn. This is Ron," she said.
"You're Dominique's Uncle from the park!" She simply stated. She glanced up at Ron, who gave her a slight nod before looking up and freezing in place as he looked towards the house again. He felt his breath catch as he stared ahead and there stood Harry, simply leaning casually against the post on the porch. He was smiling at them as if this was an everyday occurrence and Ron couldn't help but feel relieved at how alive his friend looked. Evelyn reached for Ron's hand then and tugged on it as she started dragging them towards the house.
"Look daddy, it's Miney and Ron." she stated as they approached. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, his smile getting bigger.
"Yes, darling I see that" he said to her. "You two look well." He stated, staring at Ron particularly.
"You look well too considering the last time we saw you." Ron stated. Harry's smile fell a little. Hermione squeezed his hand hard, trying to convey to him to stop whatever he was doing.
"Yes, well, that was a long time ago." Harry said quietly.
"Stop," Hermione whispered to him as he opened his mouth to reply. He looked at her for a moment, seeing the worry in her eyes before closing his mouth and looking back at Harry.
"Sorry, just, I'm glad you're ok." He stuttered. "I'm really happy you're ok Harry." Harry's smile came back, and he stepped down the stairs and grabbed Ron into the tightest hug possible. Ron, without any hesitation, wrapped his own arms around Harry tightly, afraid to let him go. Ron heard Hermione try not to sniffle next to him as he tried to hold his own tears in. Ron wasn't expecting the amount of emotions that was washing over him as he held Harry close. He had searched for the longest and hardest for Harry over the years. He searched all around the globe for him. Ron never once gave up hope that he wouldn't find him. All the stress of the past 8 years of Harry missing seemed to begin unraveling for Ron.
"I'm fine Ron." He heard Harry mutter quietly so only Ron could hear. Harry lifted his head and looked over to Hermione, who had no fear of showing tears being a girl and all. Ron was so grateful Hermione was there with him now. She alone knew how Ron had felt about the whole ordeal.
"Daddy I'm hungry" Evelyn stated next to Hermione, breaking the adults out of their quiet reunion. Hermione laughed a little at her bluntness and Ron admired the innocence of children. For this little girl, it was as if nothing was the matter. As if the past 8 years meant nothing, which for her, it was nothing.
Harry stood there a few minutes longer, still not letting go of Ron. Harry had allowed Ron to be the one to break up the hug they were in, and Ron was grateful for it. Though he wasn't one to go around hugging chaps, he could not deny that he was afraid to let Harry go.
As Ron pulled away, he looked upon Harry's face. Showing no fear of how unmanly it would look, he brushed his hands softly on his face, feeling his cheeks, his chin, through his hair, as though memorizing his friend again. He took in Harry's eternally thin pale face, lightly tracing the scar that still marked his friend's forehead. His friend looked good, he looked healthy, and if the glint in the man's green eyes were anything to go by, Harry was happy. Harry let him do it, even though Ron knew how uncomfortable it was for his friend. He knew Harry was most likely aware of the hell he probably put everyone through and had figured this would happen.
After a few moments of that, Ron finally dropped his hands to his side, where Hermione grabbed hold of it again. It was her turn to be hugged by Harry. Though it wasn't quite as desperate as Ron, mostly since she let some of it last night when first seeing him.
"Welcome to my home." He said after pulling apart seemingly drinking his friends in. "How about we go inside, I believe lunch is about ready." With that statement, Evelyn proceeded to drag Hermione and Ron into the house with Harry just behind them.
The house was just as beautiful inside as well as outside. The walls were painted a soft solid pale blue. There was a staircase in front of them as they entered the house which presumably led upstairs. To the right was a small sitting room with a fireplace. There were bookcases lined up along the walls full of books, the top shelves were obviously for Harry while the lower shelves held children's books for Evelyn. comfy chairs littered around with bright lights for reading. To the left was a living room with a TV system as well as standard living room furniture such as a couch and a recliner. They could see the dining room through there and further on the kitchen.
They followed Evelyn though the living room, glancing all around at the items that littered the place. There was a standard clutter of toys around, some clothes. There were DVDs lying around the place making the house look lived in but not necessarily a mess. But what caught Rons attention most was the pictures. There were dozens upon dozens of them. On the walls, on the shelves, on the table, everywhere. They were all still photos but showed a happy childhood for Evelyn that was being provided for by Harry.
Ron picked up one off the shelf, near the television and felt his heartbeat quickly in joy. It was an old picture in which Harry had been asleep on a couch and in his arms were a tiny infant whom Ron presumed was Evelyn. He was in awe at how peaceful his friend looked; how natural he looked holding the baby. Another one nearby was of Harry and an unknown woman holding a newborn baby. Ron presumed the woman to be the child's mother and wanted to ask but decided to wait for another time.
Pictures of Harry and Evelyn were everywhere. They were mostly just one, the other, or the two of them together but there were a few photos with other people. None of which were the woman from the other photo of the newborn, however. He went up to another one on a bookcase and poked it a little, seeing if he could make them move. Hermione chuckled at him as he made a face at them. Harry turned around from where he was in the dining room, setting Evelyn up in her booster seat at the table to see what was going on. Ron heard Harry approaching him and he looked back on his friend.
"They're muggle photos, Ron they aren't going to move" he said. Harry picked up the picture and stared at it for a moment before putting it back on the shelf. "This was Evelyns first day of school in September. She didn't want to go. She had been so upset." Ron looked at the photo again, seeing Harry hugging Evelyn closely as she cried onto his shoulder. It made Ron think of his own future children. Would they be the same? Would they cling onto him for dear life as he took them to their first day of school?
Ron looked over at Evelyn to see if she reacted to the word Muggle. The girl didn't even blink at the phrase. Harry followed his gaze.
"She knows about magic, don't worry." Harry said and he walked back to the dining room.
"How come everything's Muggle here? Did you give up on magic?" Ron asked, looking around some more to see if he could spot anything. Hermione did the same but was a little more discreet at him.
"No, I didn't give magic up. It's just that we live in a Muggle neighborhood, and I have Muggles coming in and out of this place. It was just safer to not keep magical items lying around. Not that it always works, especially with kids. I've had my fair share of explaining to do." He motioned towards the table for them to join him. Ron and Hermione sat down, Hermione sat next to Evelyn, who grabbed Hermione's napkin and handed it to her.
"It goes on your lap" she stated knowingly. Hermione smiled at the little girl and put the napkin on her lap.
"Why thank you." She leaned over and whispered loudly to her. "I don't want to be the odd one out." Evelyn giggled loudly and leaned over to Hermione to whisper loudly back.
"It's ok" She patted Hermione's hand. "Stick with me and you'll learn."
"I hope you like it. We debated for many a minute on what to feed you two, and we decided on spaghetti." Harry announced setting the rolls on the table with a salad.
"Its my favorite." Evelyn said. "Dad wanted to make something boring like pot roast, but I said no, I think Miney will like pasketi. Or a sandwich."
"Excellent choice Evelyn. You seem to know me quite well." Hermione praised, causing Ron to chuckle as Evelyn beamed in her praise. He had a feeling the two of them would be getting along quite well.
"Would you guys like a soda?" Harry asked the two of them as he set the dish of spaghetti on the table. "I have Cherry Coke and Dr. Pepper."
"Yeah!" Evelyn shouted.
"Not for you, you get milk" She pouted at that. Harry dished out some spaghetti for her and handed her a roll.
"I'll have Milk too. It's only fair, right Evelyn?" Hermione stated. The little girl smiled at that and nodded. Ron watched the two of them. He always enjoyed watching Hermione with children. He knew she didn't believe she was very good with them, but all he could see was what an amazing mother she would be someday.
"So, magic…" Ron asked. Hermione rolled her eyes as she took a bite of her lunch. "I'm just asking. No need to get huffy." He stated. Harry laughed at them.
"As I said I keep them upstairs where people don't really go." Harry replied.
"Do you do magic too?" Evelyn asked them. Ron watched as she took a sip of her milk, causing Hermione to smile. Ron could tell she was comparing Evelyn's similarities with Harry. She had gone over a few things with him the previous night but seeing the two of them together it was hard to ignore the similarities between the two.
"Yes, we do." She told the little girl. "What about you?"
"Only a little. Daddy says I'll get better when I grow up. I can't wait!
"Really?" Hermione asked interested. "Well, if you're anything like your father I'm sure you'll be handful once you're trained up a bit."
The rest of lunch was full of fun as Ron and Hermione showed tricks with their wands for Evelyn. Harry had sat back and watched contently, his smile growing brighter with each bit of laughter that came out of the little girl. Soon the main meal was consumed, and Harry brought out a fruit tart with some cream.
"Watch this," Ron whispered to Evelyn as Harry stood up to start clearing the table. Ron waved his wand and all the dishes rose up and started dancing towards the kitchen to an invisible tune where they promptly started to clean themselves. Evelyn clapped and giggled madly as she watched. A few more flicks of his wand and the food were put away and the counters were cleaned. In no time at all the kitchen was spotless.
"Good job Ron" Evelyn congratulated him by patting him on the arm. He took a long deep bow blowing kisses all around as if he were performing on stage.
"Now if only he would do that more at home, we'd have a cleaner house." Hermione teased.
"Alright, enough theatrics. Go upstairs and clean yourself up then we'll head to the park." Harry told Evelyn. She shouted enthusiasm and ran upstairs. "Don't forget to brush your teeth too!"
"Wow, what a not annoying kid" Ron stated, leaning up against the counter. And he meant it. Ron loved each and every one of his nieces and nephews, but he'd be lying if he said they weren't slightly annoying at times. He had just spent the last two hours eating a messy meal with Harry's four year old and he hadn't gotten irritated once.
"Well thank you, I try my best." Harry said. "So, tell me more about you guys." Even though the kitchen was practically spotless Ron noticed that Harry started going around and tidying up. The act reminded Ron of Hermione and how she would do the same when feeling out of sorts.
"Well, what do you want to know? We're more curious about you than anything. I'm sure you can easily predict what's happened in the lives of the many Weasleys." Ron stated. Harry turned around and jumped up and sat on the counter next to the fridge.
"Probably, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know. How's George doing?"
"He married Angelina. They have two children, Fred and Roxanne." Hermione Answered.
"Fred huh? That's a nice tribute." Harry commented softly, looking away from the two of them.
Ron nodded in agreement and looked to the floor. "I think things have been hardest for him, you know. With Fred being gone. But he's doing well. He has Angelina and the kids, and his joke shop. He has all of us. I think he's happy."
"I'm glad." Harry said, letting the silence stretch between the three of them for a few moments before Harry cleared his throat and looked back up at them. "Hermione told me he's been thinking of making you partner. I think that's fabulous."
"Yeah, I mean, there's a slight snag that's been holding it up." Ron told him. "After Fred died, his share in the company went to George. But apparently there was a third partner, the person who gave them their initial investment."
Harry narrowed his brow at him and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Really? And they made this person a partner?"
"I guess so." Ron said.
"Did George say who this person was?"
"No, he wouldn't say. All he would tell me was the investor was a silent partner that unfortunately he had lost contact with."
"So, this move to make you partner is in permanent limbo?"
Ron shrugged and looked over at Hermione who was staring at Harry, seeming to scrutinize him. For what he didn't have a clue.
"No." She answered for Ron. "George had to file some paperwork for an injunction to make Ron partner. However, there is a ten-year statue that George needs to wait for before he can move forward with making Ron a partner without the consent of the other one.
Ron watched as Harry, who just nodded as he listened. The conversation stilled for a few moments after that before Harry asked another question, this time about Bill.
The trio talked about the Weasleys a while longer as they waited for Evelyn to come back downstairs. After about 15 minutes she finally did reappear but to much laughter. Her face and hands were washed, and she tried to change her clothes, but sadly kind of failed as her clothes were all crooked and badly buttoned.
Harry jumped off the counter to help her and fix her clothes. He told her to grab a sweater once he tied her shoes.
"You could have just used your wand to straighten her out you know." Ron mentioned as they headed towards the front door. Harry grabbed a sweater for himself off the banister of the stairs.
"I try not to use too much magic around Evelyn. I want her to be familiar with how muggles do things, so she won't slip up in front of them. It also gives her an appreciation for being lucky with having magic, but also appreciation for the ingenuity of muggles. I don't even carry my wand anymore." He stated.
"Don't carry a wand? What if something happens?" Ron asked incredulously. Harry looked over at Hermione, who had the same questioning look. Ron didn't like the saddened expression that crossed his friends face briefly at that statement.
"Well, after the first few years alone I didn't really need it anymore. But I'm guessing since you two are here and Bill and Fleur as well, more wizards will find out where I am, so I may need to start again." He said easily as he pulled the sweater over his head, missing the somewhat guilty and concerned faces that Hermione and Ron passed between each other.
A/N: So funny thing yesterday. My niece named Lilly age 6 is just getting into Harry Potter and she discovered Harry's parents names: Lilly and James. So her little brother's name is James and she says "Wait...Harry's parents are Lilly and James, and his kids are Lilly and James?" And she just looked at us and said "You guys are such fucking nerds"
I'd like to point out that the whole naming the kids such was a complete accident that my sister and bro in law didn't catch onto until it was too late. Thought you'd all like that anecdote.