Note: Hello, guys. So, the thing is... I'm fed up with FFnet. Really. It keeps crashing. That's awful for authors and readers. As I've said before, I'm enjoying AO3 way more. At least there things work. If you're familiar with the site you can find me there under the same username. I'll update there first from now on. This chapter for example has been up there for more than two weeks now.
About the story: I've changed a few things on these final chapters. They all felt rushed to me and I've added many things, so, the new chapter count is 37 (I think so).
Hope you enjoy it.
July 31st, 2007
Almost three years later
He decided to celebrate at his restaurant. These past years Harry ignored his birthday, but this year he feels he has a lot of good reasons to be happy about it, so, a party at the restaurant it is.
Almost everyone is already there and he can't help smiling while he walks around. He removed all tables and chairs from the main space, that's pretty big, so, people are scattered. Right now he's walking to Ginny and Draco. They're discussing something between them while Linda runs around with her many cousins - Rachel included.
"Guys! You're finally here!" He exclaims, hugging them tightly and thanking the 'happy birthdays'.
"I'm sorry we're a bit late. Linda just refuses to let us dress her to leave home when we're in a hurry." Ginny states, a smile on her face hiding her motherly irritation. "I can't imagine how it's going to be like with another one." Her hand is over her belly. She's five months pregnant.
"Oh, come on, we can magically dress them and so be it." Draco says in a mocking tone and they share a chuckle. "Where's Ron?"
They look around.
"I think he's late too." Harry says, "You know it's always a problem for Tessa to enter Diagon Alley." They share an understanding look. "So, tell me! How are things?"
They still see each other a lot, but not as often as they used to. Life got in their way. And all that mess with Ron and Tessa and the fact that Hermione got married… changed things. Harry got himself deeper into his cooking and when he noticed he was already graduating the classes and building a name for himself. The next step was going through with the restaurant. He didn't falter. He wanted it and everyone encouraged him. It was one of the best decisions of his life. The restaurant makes him happy in a way that nothing else was able to. It fulfills him professionally and he learned that feeding people warms his heart. Each week he takes a day to offer free food for those in need. And it's amazing. Not to mention when he visits orphanages. Which is indescribable.
Ginny is working a lot more now too. Recently she was promoted at the Ministry and her life has been crazy. But she's happy, her only complaint is that she wished she had a bit more time to be with Linda and Draco.
Draco himself finally got to the top as Seeker. This last year he won all the titles he possibly could and he was appointed as the best Seeker of the decade. An award that he makes sure to rub on Harry's face whenever he gets the chance. It always makes them laugh.
And parenthood brought the couple even closer. Harry admires Draco and Ginny's relationship. They talk about everything and they have a solid trust that nothing can shake. Draco is very vocal about how much he loves Ginny and how she saved his life - as he states. Ginny keeps him in line and her love language is always provoking him into doing something she knows will make him better. They work.
Their friendship is the one that probably suffered the less after what happened. Rachel is crazy about Linda and the girls are a solid bond between them.
"Oh, FINALLY!" A male voice calls from the entrance.
They turn to look at the door. Ron and Tessa are entering the place with huge smiles on their face.
"MATE!" Ron yells, excited. "Happy birthday!" He comes to Harry, hugging him tightly.
"Thanks, mate." Harry smiles warmly.
Forgiving Ron was something that took almost a year. Even if Ron never stopped going to his house and begging, Harry wanted to be sure that he wasn't holding any grudge when he finally opened the door and allowed his friend inside his house again. They were able to leave bad feelings behind and their friendship is more deep now. It's like they really talk about their emotions, always trying to be honest with each other. Harry knows he can trust Ron.
He knows that what happened between Ron and Tessa was something strong, true.
Because Tessa is in front of him and she looks absolutely gorgeous pregnant. Harry always wondered how Rachel's pregnancy was - seeing it in photos is not the same as seeing it before his eyes. Tessa glows and it's amazing to see her that way.
They smile at each other. "Happy birthday." She says in a soft voice, hugging him. Harry has to be careful with her big belly. Rachel's little half-brother is almost upon them.
"Oh, shit, you're so big." He jokes and she slaps his shoulder. "Thank you." He kisses her cheek, then he talks to the baby. "I can't wait to meet you, little guy. It's so close now, isn't it?"
"The due date is in a week." She says. Ron is talking to Draco and Ginny. "And I mean, Harry, talk to Ron. He's freaking out and he's driving me crazy." They share a chuckle.
"Have you decided about the Hospital?"
"Not yet. He wants to go to St. Mungo's, but I mean, I don't know. I'm not comfortable with it."
Harry tilts his head. He sees Tessa and Ron a bit less than Draco and Ginny. Obviously their relationship was shaken for months. It took them a lot of talking and a lot of forgiving to get to a point of love again. Harry was very resistant. But Ron and Tessa never stopped trying. They were always seeking him out, always apologizing, always showing him how much they regretted what they've done. And Rachel was also a bridge between them. Of course. When it comes to her, they do anything to make her happy. And Rach was unhappy with the way things were. So, Harry made an extra effort and then things happened naturally. Slowly, but naturally.
At first it was a bit strange to see Ron and Tessa as a couple, but when he got used to it, he found it so right that sometimes he wonders how the hell he and Tessa even tried. They have nothing in common. Not really. And a few months ago they finally had a conversation that… both he and Tessa understood that they shared an intense passion that would eventually die with time. Even if he had stayed. Even if she hadn't suffered the accident. It wasn't meant to be.
And he's so happy for them. Ron got a permanent position at the Ministry here and he's amazing in what he does. He's even in a partnership with St. Mungo's to develop new kinds of healing potions - Hermione suggested it. He loves his work and he's an amazing husband to Tessa.
Yeah, they got married. Harry was the best man. Hermione the made of honor.
It's also amazing how Tessa turned her job into something huge. She's already on her third book and her photos are always winning prizes everywhere. The eyes through which she sees life is different from most. She said one day that the experience of near death changed her in a way.
But the main issue in Ron and Tessa's life is balancing the Muggle and Wizarding world. The Wizarding Community knows that Ron is married to a Muggle, they know that she's pregnant with his child now and it was a scandal when this news came out. Because of Harry. Because of Rachel. However, the main issue is with the fame that Tessa has in the Muggle world because of her photos. She's always giving interviews and people are always asking about her husband and so. Ron has a hard time pretending that he's also a Muggle. They had to lie that he's an orphan not to involve all the Weasleys. It's a bit complicated but they manage.
"Mummy!" Rachel comes running to Tessa, hugging her tightly and talking with her half-brother - Tessa's belly. Rachel is so excited with this. She can't stop talking about it.
Harry smiles while he watches them. In the end he and Tessa made things work. Rachel loves that she has many families. She stays more with Harry, but she's always with Tessa too. She has her own room at Ron and Tessa's. She has the liberty to choose where she wants to be and it works perfectly. Not to mention the days she has with Hermione - who's already teaching her some French.
When she runs away from them, going back to the other kids, Harry says, "She's so freaking big, Tess."
"Tell me about it. Time flies. Soon she'll be a teenager." She opens a side smile to him, provoking.
He chuckles. "I'm glad she has two mothers, you two deal with her and that's it." He jokes, pocketing his hands.
"Oh, talking about her…" Ron cuts in. "Where's Hermione? She's coming, right?"
Harry wets his lips. "I think so."
Hermione didn't confirm. And… after everything, the way things are between them is a dull pain that is always there, bothering Harry in a way. They often see each other in birthdays and celebrations. She tries to be present in most dinners they promote. She's always trying to be there because of Rachel. It's not that they don't talk anymore, but, yeah. Things did change. After that day, after they kissed and she told him she was married to Gustave-
It was their goodbye, indeed.
They're still friends. They still exchange ideas and talk about life. But there's an aspect to it that Hermione closed off for good and Harry respects her. It's like there's an invisible line separating them. It's a boundary. She's married now. And she loves Gustave. She's loyal to him.
So, they avoid touching each other. They avoid being alone. Harry hates it. But he understands. His love for her is just as strong as it always was. It burns inside him and each time he notices that he can't have her, a tiny piece of his heart breaks. But he learned how to live with it. And to others it may look like he doesn't love her anymore. Even to Hermione. Harry closed off all his jealousy and exceeding tenderness with her. They behave as good friends and maybe that's how things are going to be.
Which is fine. As long as she seems happy with Gustave, he prefers having her this way than not having her at all. And it's not like he's not happy too. He is. Life is good.
"I'm sure she's coming." Tessa says, observing him. "I mean, from what I last heard they weren't traveling. I think she's just late."
Harry nods. Hermione and Gustave became a huge deal in the healing field. After Hermione published her amazing first book and research, she never stopped. Gustave is also an excellent healer and they travel a lot around the world to help those in need, or to teach whatever they can. They have many projects together and their marriage is praised by many newspapers and magazines. Harry always makes an ugly face when he sees one.
He respects their relationship, but he doesn't have to like it.
And as the party progresses, he becomes more and more joyous. He talks with his friends and with the many people that are now part of his life because of the restaurant. Harry is surrounded by love. And he couldn't ask for anything else.
But when they're about to sing happy birthday and Hermione still hasn't arrived, he feels… a pang in his chest. The fact that she lives in Paris also puts some distance between them. It's undeniable.
With Rach in his arms, he smiles to his friends. The restaurant's staff made the cake. It's simple but enormous and certainly delicious. His magical camera hovers around, taking many pics. The restaurant has a classical look with light and dark wood mixed inside and a beautiful marble counter at the bar that Harry loves. Another nice touch to it are the two huge chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. They're beautiful. And when people look at the place from outside it seems so little, but like every magical shop and place at Diagon Alley, it is magically modified inside. It has three floors and it's often packed when they're open.
Harry blows out the candles and opens a huge smile, hugging Rachel. She's getting too heavy and he wonders when he's not going to be able to take her in his arms anymore.
"Happy birthday, daddy!" She gives him a kiss and then she's already asking when she can eat the cake. He laughs, immediately giving her a piece and putting her down on the floor. She doesn't look so much like Tessa anymore. Rach is growing into a perfect mixture of both with strong features of her own.
Then, he looks down for a second.
She's not coming.
When he looks up again, there's a smile on his face.
As it became a tradition among them, only Draco, Ginny, Tessa and Ron are still there. Harry magically put a table in the middle of the restaurant and they're drinking together. Everyone else is gone and the kids are asleep on a couch. It's pretty late already, his birthday practically over.
"It was a nice party." Ron says, eating some chips. "Are you feeling old yet?"
Harry snorts a chuckle. "We're only twenty-seven, mate."
Ron makes a face. Tessa laughs and says, "He thinks he already has wrinkles, Harry, I swear, I have to deal with so much…"
"Oh, come on, you love me." And Ron kisses her, hugging Tessa and the huge belly. "Are you tired? Do you wanna go home?"
Tessa sighs. "We can stay a bit longer-"
The front door opens and they stop talking.
Hermione enters the restaurant.
She stops on her tracks when she sees them at the table.
"Oh, shit. I'm too late, aren't I?" She glances at her wrist, but she's not wearing a watch.
Harry inhales deeply when her eyes meet his. But you came. And without Gustave.
The others are already on their feet to greet her and Hermione is smiling and talking excitedly. She hugs Ron tightly and exhaustingly compliments Tessa and Ginny because of their pregnancies. She also hugs Draco and when they're finally in front of each other, she opens a huge smile.
"Hey, birthday boy." Her arms close around him and Harry squeezes her. It's rare for them to share a hug now. It's rare for them to linger. But this time she does and he feels like floating. "Happy birthday." She says into his ear, kissing his neck. Harry almost stops breathing. It's been so long since she last did this that he has no idea how to react. "I'm sorry about being this late."
He clears his throat and moves back, "It's fine. Thank you." She's holding his hand. The others are in silence, observing. "Come, sit with us." Harry pulls her by the hand and Hermione accepts the offer.
They sit again and Draco makes the question Harry's curious about.
"Where's Gustave?"
Hermione exhales heavily. "We had a crisis at the Hôpital. Can you believe that some idiots tried to throw a party inside the Louvre?" She shakes her head. "The Ministère got involved and many people got hurt, many Muggles got obliviated. It was a mess. I just left and came immediately. Gustave is exhausted, but he sends his best, Harry."
He opens a tight smile, "Well, I understand, of course."
And the conversation flows. They laugh and keep drinking - except Ginny and Tessa.
Then, Ron asks, "Mate, what about Jessica?"
Harry snorts a chuckle. Ron and Draco are like his love life's managers. Hermione lowers her eyes and takes a sip from her wine. These kind of moments still happen and Harry's not sure if she's jealous or not. After he ended things with Tessa and the rupture with Hermione, Harry went months without even going on a date. But Draco kept saying that he couldn't stop living. Then when his friendship with Ron went back to normal, Ron kept pushing him to meet new women too. It worked out a few times. He had a lot of flings. But he never fell in love again. He doubts he will. He knows only one person owns his heart.
But Jessica is a bit different. Harry likes her. And they've been seeing each other for more than three months now, but they're not together for real. They just like each other's company.
"She couldn't make it." Harry answers. "But, you know, we'll celebrate tomorrow." He winks at them and they share a laugh. Hermione barely moves.
"Oh." Tessa puts a hand over her belly, "Fred is eager to be born." She mumbles, shutting her eyes. They all wait to see if the strong cramps will pass and Ron seems insanely worried.
"He's not going to be born right now, is he?" Ron asks, his eyes wide. Tessa only chuckles. "Because, I mean, at least Hermione is here! She can help you!"
Hermione laughs loudly. "Relax, Ron." She says to him, observing Tessa. "Look, she's fine."
"Yeah." Tessa agrees. "But maybe we should go. I need to sleep." She and Ron rise from the table and Harry follows, hugging Ron first. Then, he and Tessa share a tight hug. "What about our little angel?" She asks in a mocking tone and they look at Rachel. She's practically drooling on the couch. They share a laugh. "Do you want me to take her? I mean, you have a big day with Jessica tomorrow by the looks of it."
He chuckles. "Well, if it's not too much trouble." He looks at Ron and the man snorts.
"Of course not, mate. Please, you know I'm the first one to help you when you wanna have sex in peace."
Draco laughs loudly, Gin rolls her eyes. Hermione is only watching. She doesn't offer to take Rachel which Harry finds a bit odd, but he doesn't prod.
Ron goes to Rach and seizes her in his arms. She keeps drooling. Then, with Tessa, they leave.
"Yeah, we should go too, right?" Draco asks Ginny.
Ginny yawns and agrees. Draco goes to Linda and already with her in his arms, they say their goodbyes to Harry and Hermione.
And then, it's just the two. Which hasn't happened in forever. He barely remembers the last time.
Harry gulps, sitting in front of her. "You look tired." He states.
She snorts. "Yeah, I mean, it was a crazy day. How was the party? Good?"
"Yeah." He smiles. "I-" He stops. He has no idea what he wants to say. The first thing that comes to his mind is: I miss you. Then the next thing: I love you. Come back to me, it's been too long.
"What?" She tilts her head, a curious glint in her eyes.
He exhales heavily. "You look well, though, despite the tiredness." He says, sipping on his drink. "Beautiful as always."
She opens a smile and looks down. Then her eyes go back to his. "You look nice too."
They hold their gazes. What's happening?
"Are things good in Paris?"
Hermione wets her lips. "Yes." It's such a short answer. So odd.
Harry's not sure what to say next. He can't tell her what he truly wants so… "Rach is so excited to meet Fred." He goes to the safest topic he can find. "She keeps talking about it."
She smiles. "She's going to be an amazing big sister. And her anxiety will end soon. I think Tessa will be in labor in two days tops."
"Can you tell by just looking at her?" He sips on his wine.
She shrugs. "I won a prize for the most groundbreaking Healer in the world, so."
They laugh at her smugness. "I'm glad you didn't tell Ron, then. He would have freaked."
"I know." She drinks some more wine.
A small silence invades the room. They keep looking at each other. Harry can't read her emotions. She's hiding everything from him and he's not sure why, so, just because he hates himself, he asks:
"What about you and Gustave? No plans for a child?" His tone is friendly.
Hermione raises an eyebrow. "Well, not that I don't want to, but, our professional lives are just crazy right now… and we know how much it takes to take care of a child." Her eyes are back on his. Telling him something.
"Yeah, I get it."
She leans a bit forward on her chair to put the glass of wine on the table. Then, she inhales deeply and it's clear that she's about to say something, but the door opens and Jessica walks inside.
"Harry!?" She calls before entering. Then she sees them and blinks a few times, unsure.
"Jess!" He's happy to see her, and he rises from the chair, going to her. "I thought you wouldn't be able to come." He gives her a small kiss. She hugs him.
"Oh, I also thought so, but…" She shrugs and gives him another kiss. "Happy birthday." She caresses his hair and Harry gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Aren't you handsome? I'm so lucky." They share a chuckle.
Hermione clears her throat, coming to them. "Hey, Jessica." They've met two other brief times. This is the third one.
"Hi, Hermione, how are you?" Jessica is just an energy ball of excitement. Hermione only smiles.
"I need to go." She says and turns to Harry. "Happy birthday again, I'll send your present home because, I mean I didn't even have time-"
"It's fine." He says, and, feeling a bit drunk, he pulls her for a hug. Hermione squeezes him tightly. "See you soon? Fred's birth?"
"For sure."
With a curt nod to Jessica, Hermione leaves.
He's still looking at the door even after it closes behind her.
August 2nd, 2007
Hermione knew it. When she saw Tessa at the restaurant, the big belly and the cramps, she knew. And here she is, walking inside St. Mungo's. Apparently Ron convinced Tessa that the magical hospital was the best option.
And stepping in this place gives her a strange sensation. She worked her ass off in this Hospital. She learned almost everything she knows here. Her first internship. Her first contact with healing and everything that comes with it. She feels a bit nostalgic.
Truth is, she's been feeling nostalgic for months now. Hermione's not sure why. Nothing changed in her life. It's just the same as it were months before, so, why this feeling is seizing her, she has no idea. And it sucks. She keeps thinking about how much she misses her friends. How much she misses seeing them all the time.
Since she started traveling the world with Gustave her life has been crazy. But it never bothered Hermione. She has a good life. She loves helping people. She saves lives.
But she knows something is missing. She- Hermione is not sure when in these last years it became unbearable to live without Harry again. But it did.
She inhales deeply when she enters the maternity wing. She can see Harry with Rachel at the end of the hallway. They're playing a game with hands and the girl is laughing loudly. Hermione slows down her steps, wanting to observe them for a while. She viscerally misses these moments. Just yesterday she was looking at the photo album Harry gave her on the night she considers the one that changed everything. On that night, Harry chose her, he was there, ready to make it work, they would be free of Tessa and all doubt-
Hermione couldn't do that to Gustave, though. While Harry was with Tessa, Gustave took care of her. Gustave helped her heal. Gustave held her at night and he understood her frustrations. While Harry kind of waited for Tessa to come around regarding Hermione, Gustave listened to her, he listened to her pain and he kissed it away. How could she break things with him after a month of marriage?
No. She couldn't do that. She made a vow to love and cherish that man.
Which never stopped her from thinking about that night obsessively. It's… branded in her heart. In her soul. She made the most difficult choice. She left Harry. She gave up on them. Something she promised she would never do. But she didn't lie. Life indeed moved on for her. She was happy with Gustave and-
Harry laughs loudly and seizes Rachel in his arms, grunting and tickling her. Hermione smiles widely, her heart beating faster, she can't even tell how many times she saw this same scene but with a much smaller Rach.
To think that Tessa is giving birth to Ron's son-
"Mummy!" Rachel sees her first. She always does.
Hermione opens her arms wide and the girl comes running to her. It's a joyous embrace. Filled with kisses and a whole lot of love. Even if everything is different now, the only thing that remained solid is her relationship with Rachel. Her daughter. Because she is. And Hermione accepts it with an open heart now.
"Oh, my love, I've missed you!" Hermione exclaims. It's been a while since she last spent a day with Rachel. The little girl was there at Harry's birthday but she was sound asleep on the couch and Hermione wouldn't interrupt that sleep for nothing.
"Me too!" Rachel says and takes her hand, "Come, my brother is here!"
Harry is looking at them with his hands inside his pockets, that smile on his face. It takes her breath away. Rachel keeps jumping in place when they reach him. Harry pulls Hermione to a hug and kisses her cheek briefly. Oh, shit. She knows it's bad when just these simple gestures are enough to make her pulse quickens. They've been avoiding stuff like this because… well, because. And she can't help wondering if she's not acting like a fool.
Yes, she's not unfaithful to Gustave. But if she knows that she could be, if she still thinks about Harry frequently, then… isn't it the same thing? Is she one hundred percent with her husband?
"He's not here yet." Harry says and smiles to Rach and Hermione. "They've just arrived, we're the first ones here, but I'm sure soon all the Weasleys will be filling this hallway."
Hermione chuckles. "Indeed." And they lock their eyes. She feels drawn to him. Like the moth to the flame. It's a pull that she thought was fading away, but, if anything, it feels stronger now. She was so jealous when she heard about him and Jessica. She knows he's been seeing this woman for some time now and she wonders if he likes her. She wonders if he might fall in love with her. It shouldn't bother her, but it does. However, that doesn't mean she's doing something about it. Harry has every right to be with whoever he wants to.
"So, you were right." Harry states, "Two days tops."
"I'm always right." She jokes and he snorts. "Can you believe this?" She lowers her voice, not sure if she should enter this matter with Harry. "Tess and Ron are having a baby."
Harry chuckles sincerely. "You know, it is a bit crazy, isn't it?" He tilts his head. "This is a twist I never expected but it makes me glad."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Very much. They're perfect. And I mean, Ron is the best man I could think of to also be Rachel's 'dad'."
Hermione wets her lips. Rachel indeed loves Ron a lot.
"True."
Harry nods-
"Where is he?" Rachel asks, trying to jump and look over a window that leads to delivering rooms and such. "I wanna see him!"
Hermione takes her hand. "It's going to be a while, sweetie. Why don't we sit a bit?" And she steers Rachel to some armchairs, Harry goes with them, sitting by Hermione's side, Rachel on her lap.
"A story, then!" Rachel exclaims.
Harry snorts and Hermione shares a look with him. They're so close, the three. It feels so nice. So… right.
"What story?" Harry asks, his hand close to hers on the armrest.
"The magical three friends!"
"Oh, that one." Hermione says, shaking her head. "I guess I haven't finished it yet."
"You haven't?" Harry makes a face. "You started telling this story years ago." He points out. Hermione inhales deeply. She remembers pretty well. They were just like this on that night. Close together. "Where did you stop?"
"I'm not sure." Hermione squints.
"They were hunting!" Rachel says, her eyes big. "Trying to end evil." She moves her hands in a spooky way. Hermione chuckles.
"Oh, so, it's close to the end." Harry says.
And Hermione doesn't know if it's because Rachel is looking at her dad and thinking about the story, but for the first time she points out the obvious, "You have a scar just like the boy with glasses, daddy." Her finger goes to his forehead and Hermione watches the scene with fascination.
Harry opens a small smile, letting Rachel trace the scar with some kind of admiration. "But no glasses, right?" He winks at his daughter and the girl giggles.
Hermione would be able to feel her heart being taken by them if she were paying enough attention.
"Okay, so, the three friends-"
"No, mummy! The red-haired friend left!"
Harry cracks his knuckles and Hermione looks at him. Those endless weeks they were alone together were… tough. So tough. But she never considered the option of abandoning him. She never even entertained the idea. She was ready to die with him. Ready to die for him. Hermione presses her lips together. Would she die for Gustave?
"Do you want me to tell it?" Harry asks Hermione, squinting at her.
"Yes, daddy! Tell it!"
Hermione makes a face and Harry chuckles softly. Rachel always preferred anyone else over her telling stories.
Harry clears his throat. "Okay, so, did the two friends already encounter a giant snake?" He widens his eyes to give it some flair.
"Yes! The boy with glasses got hurt." She pouts, sad.
"Oh, no, Rach." Harry sighs. "Don't worry. The very smart girl took care of him." He winks. Hermione gulps. Her heart is pounding, she has no idea what's happening, Harry's there by her side, but it's like she misses him immensely. The sensation is so strong that she feels dizzy. "When the boy with glasses woke up from a fever, he thanked her." He glances at Hermione. "She'd saved his life again." Rachel claps. "And then, while on watch one night, the boy saw something in the woods." He moves his hands, making a face and taking Rachel with him through the dark woods.
Hermione has her eyes fixed on him while he details the patronus he saw that night. Then the way he saw something shining at the bottom of a lake and how he dove into freezing water. She internally snorts, shaking her head.
"What is it, mummy?"
"Rach, baby, the boy with glasses was a bit… dumb, wasn't he?" Harry laughs. "You never dive into freezing water, okay, my love? Don't you ever do that." She says in a serious tone and Rachel nods, comprehending. "So, tell us, daddy, what the boy found at the bottom of the lake?"
Harry inhales deeply. "He found a sword!" He exclaims and Rachel widens her eyes.
"To end evil, daddy?"
"Yes! To destroy a piece of evil." Rachel is excited about it. "But the boy had trouble while coming out of the water, sweetie. Someone helped him, though."
"The smart girl?"
"No, for once it was the red-haired boy." Harry chuckles and Hermione does too. "He pulled the boy with glasses from the lake and helped him with the sword!"
She widens her eyes. "Are they friends again?"
"Do you want them to be friends again?" Rachel vehemently nods. "Yes, pumpkin, they're friends again!" She opens a smile. "And together they'll destroy a piece of evil!"
Hermione wets her lips. The whole thing about loving her like a sister happened that night. Harry looks at her, probably thinking about the same thing. And his hand seeks hers on the armrest. Hermione accepts the contact and they interlace their fingers. Her heart swells.
Harry doesn't give Rachel details about a lot of things while he explains that the dark locket had a piece of evil and the red-haired boy had to stab it. Of course they downplayed a lot while telling this story to a little girl.
But when Harry says - in a sarcastic tone - that the red-haired boy went back to his friends because of the smart girl, because he loved her, Rachel makes a face and says:
"No!"
Hermione frowns. "No?" She asks Rachel. "It's like the princes and princesses-"
"No!" Rachel says again. "The smart girl and the boy with glasses love each other, mummy!"
Harry squeezes her hand. Hermione blinks several times, shocked. She's about to refuse Rachel's words when a voice comes from the hallway. Hermione looks up at Gustave and she immediately releases Harry's hand, gulping. Harry sighs by her side, lowering his head, but standing from the armchair, politely going to Gustave to greet him.
She also rises from the chair and Rachel goes with her. Hermione kisses her husband and smiles at him, he hugs Rachel and they exchanged a few words in French.
But Hermione is looking at Harry. And he's looking at her. His chest is moving up and down fast. Hermione knows he wants to say something to her but he won't. Harry never disrespected the boundaries she set up for them after she married Gustave. It- it must all come from her. If anything at all.
"Mon couer." Gustave calls her and she gives him her attention. "I can't stay long, do you think Tessa will mind if I'm not here-"
"She won't, love. It's fine." She kisses him, trying to ground herself again. "I have the rest of the day off so I'll stay, okay?"
He nods. "Okay." And he proceeds to talk about a case that they were analyzing together. Hermione is not listening, though. Her focus is on Harry and Rachel talking. The girl is in his arms now and he's trying to explain to her - in appropriate terms - that her baby half-brother will be here soon after he leaves Tessa's tummy.
Gustave asks her a question and she blinks, not sure of what to say. Thankfully, she's spared. All the Weasleys arrive at once and it becomes a mess while they all greet each other. Their presence makes her focus on other things.
Ron is crying. But it's happiness coming out from his eyes. With his son in his arms he tries to comprehend this unexplainable love. The immensity of it crushes his heart and seizes his soul. Nothing else will ever be as important as this. Nothing else will make him feel this way. It's the purest and honestest form of love.
Tessa is lying on the bed, a bit sleepy. Baby Fred is mumbling in his arms. And he's completely fascinated. He never imagined he would have a son with Tessa, he never imagined he would love her so damn much. And that's amazing. That's the best aspect of life. Those things we never see coming. Those good things that take us by surprise and turn our lives upside down.
"Hey." Tessa whispers from the bed and he looks at her. This incredible woman that gave him the most unbelievable joy in his life.
With the widest smile on his face, he goes to her. Tessa sits on the bed. She's feeling good, after all, she took some magical potions.
"He's beautiful." Ron says, tears running down his eyes. She smiles and they share a long kiss. Ron pulls back and touches her forehead with his. "I love you." He states. "I love you."
"I love you too." She answers, her hand caressing his face. "Now, let me take a look at this little guy."
Ron hands her little Fred. Tessa talks to the baby in a gentle tone, happy. She puts him on the big pillow that's resting on her lap, facing her. Ron sits by her side and puts one arm around her shoulders.
"He has red hair." Tessa states. "Oh, my God. He's so cute I could bite him!" Ron laughs and they share another kiss, his thumb on Fred's little head. The baby is holding Tessa's thumbs with both tiny hands. Fred yawns, barely opening his eyes. "Is everyone outside waiting?"
"Yeah. But I can tell them to piss off if you want to."
She chuckles, kissing him. "No, come on, Rachel must be going crazy." Tessa inhales deeply. "Could you ask them to let her, Harry and Hermione to come first? Just them."
Ron smiles. "Of course."
He exits the room with a huge smile. All his family is there, and when they see him, they all move forward, asking questions. He knows they've been waiting for about three hours and Ron raises a hand in the air, asking for silence.
"She's fine! Fred is fine and healthy!" A collective relieved gasp takes over. "Tessa is a bit tired and I hope you do not take this personally but she wants Rach, Harry and Hermione to go in first. Just the three."
Ron only hears Rachel's excited yell before his parents come to him. His mother hugs him tightly and his father also. His brothers and many nephews and nieces also hug him, many congratulations being said. They all understand that they are way too many and just hearing that everything is fine is enough, so, they'll come back tomorrow with more time and a well rested Tessa. Leonard is not there. He's only going to visit when they go back home.
Ron sees Hermione talking to Gustave in hushed tones at a corner. Ginny and Draco hug him tightly, announcing that they're staying to go in when Harry and Hermione come out.
Harry approaches him with Rachel by the hand.
"Mate." Harry says, "I'm so happy for you." They share an emotional hug. Ron can't even express how much it means to have Harry there, happy for them. It fills him with joy.
"Thank you so much, mate." Ron says while still hugging Harry. "I'm so happy we're all like a huge family."
Harry chuckles. "We are."
Then, Ron looks at Rachel, crouching a bit. "Are you ready to meet your little brother?"
"YES!" She claps, her excitement going through the roof and Ron and Harry share a laugh. Hermione is finally walking to them. Gustave is gone.
She hugs him tightly.
"I'm so, so happy for you, Ron."
He squeezes her in his arms, kissing her cheek. "And I'm so happy that we're here together." His eyes go to Harry and he pulls his friend into the hug. Harry puts his arms around Ron and Hermione. She sighs heavily. They stay there for almost a minute and when they separate, Hermione is crying.
"Happy tears." She states. "Come on, let's meet the little guy."
Harry takes one of Rachel's hand and Hermione takes the other. Ron goes in first and then, the three enter the room together.
Tessa opens a smile so bright that Ron is sure it could illuminate the entire city. Rachel darts inside, shrieking. Kissing her daughter's head, Tessa moves a bit to the side and Rachel sits on the bed to look at Fred.
The little girl is bewitched. "He's so pretty! And tiny!" She exclaims, her little hand in the air going to him. She asks for permission to touch him and Tessa nods. Ron is already close, but Harry and Hermione linger behind for a second. When Ron looks at them, they're holding hands, both clearly very emotional with what's happening. Ron turns back to Tessa, a small smile on his face. These two.
It's not that Ron doesn't like Gustave. Hermione married a very nice man. But… when it comes to her and Harry, Ron can't help thinking that they're real soulmates. It would be idiotic to waste more of their lives apart. And he can tell that something is wrong between Hermione and Gustave. Her eyes tell him so. It feels like something is missing in the happiness Hermione used to show them… it's not the same anymore. And Ron has been perceiving this for a while now. More than six months for sure.
"Oh, Tess." Hermione is now close to the bed, wiping her tears, both hands on her face, a look of sheer bewilderment in her eyes.
"Mi." Tessa's chin trembles. Ron knows she's thinking about the day Rachel was born. They shared it together at the time. "He's perfect." Hermione nods, agreeing. Ron feels like a peacock, puffing out his chest, proud.
Hermione puts one hand on Rachel's shoulder and then she leans to Tessa to kiss her cheek, both very emotional. They don't say a word, but their eyes say everything. And then, Harry is behind Hermione, acting naturally while he puts one hand on her lower back and moves his head to look at Fred. Harry opens a huge smile.
"Oh, he looks like you, Tess. We know he's going to be handsome, then." He jokes and they all laugh.
Ron's heart is full.
Harry also leans to kiss Tessa's cheek. Then he touches his forehead on hers. Rachel is still fascinated by her half-brother and when Harry moves back, his arms are hugging Hermione's middle from behind. Ron blinks two times to be sure of what he's seeing. Hermione doesn't move away from the embrace.
It's like the emotional moment allows them to behave how they truly want.
As a couple.
Hermione's hands go over his and they interlace their fingers, squeezing, still smiling. Tessa is also looking at their hands, a bit confused. She glances at Ron and he shrugs back at her.
Harry and Hermione keep looking at Fred and talking to Rach about it. It's an undeniable sweet moment and the happiest in Ron's life.