Author's Note: I will warn you, I was in a fluffy mood as I wrote this (everything else I'm writing is heavy so this went the opposite way). All I can say is, enjoy. Thanks to all who are reading. MNF
Chapter 30:
"I don't think I've ever seen him this jumpy," Harry said to Remus as he watched his father pace around the gazebo in their yard.
"He's been so much better lately," Remus confirmed. "He was like this when we were younger, especially when James, Lily and you were in Godric's Hollow. I swear he lived on cigarettes, sugar and Firewhisky."
"I don't think he's drinking that much," Harry said, "and Azkaban cured him of the cigarette habit. The sugar is still his thing, and those onion crisps he makes he buy him at the market. They're so disgusting. I give him a single-serve packet like twice a week. He still hasn't figured out that Hermione keeps them at her house."
"I was wondering where they were. He'd searched the house for them and was surprised when he couldn't locate them."
"I learned from living with Ron that if you wanted to keep anything hidden, give it to Hermione. That boy would eat anything he could lay his hands on," Harry explained. "Why did I put up with him for so long?"
"What do you think?" Remus turned the question back on Harry.
"Dr Phillip suggested it was because he was my first real friend, and I assumed that was how friends acted. I think it was more than that, though. The Weasleys treated me like I was part of the family, and if it meant I belonged to someone I was willing to put up with it. Once I had you and Sirius, and the two of you loved me unconditionally and would do anything for me, I guess I saw Ron for what he was."
"That was very insightful, Harry."
"Well, and Neville and I have much more in common. I mean, I like to play Quidditch because I can fly while doing it, but I don't live or die by a professional team. You really shouldn't root for a team who's jerseys clash with your hair." Harry said it with such a straight face that it made Remus laugh. Hermione chose that moment to come in, wondering what the pair of them were laughing at.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Just passing time and watching Padfoot pace," Harry said. Hermione shook her head at him and then looked out the window.
"Should one of us go out there any attempt to calm him?" she wondered.
"If memory serves," Remus began, "it will only make him worse. Once he knows Amy isn't leaving him at the altar, he'll be fine. That said, I think I will Floo over to her house to see how soon we need to bring him over. The guests should start arriving in the next fifteen minutes or so. Harry, perhaps you should bring him over in five, unless I message you to come sooner. Hermione, are you bringing your parents?"
"I am, we are Portkeying though, as Amy was kind enough to give us a timed card. Kingsley is meeting us at the arrival area and helping me walk them through the enchantments. My mum and dad will feel like they should turn around and walk the other way otherwise."
"Ah, the beauty of Muggle Repelling Charms," Remus said and then had a far-away look in his eyes. "Never mind, see you in a few." Harry and Hermione watched him leave.
"I should go out there and talk with him," Harry said. "I'll see you after the wedding?"
"Yes, you will. We're sitting with Arthur and the boys," Hemione said. "My dad and Mr Weasley should have a good time quizzing each other about things in each other's worlds."
"That is one conversation I want to be nowhere near," Harry said. "By the way, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, you scrub up pretty well yourself." Harry blushed and smiled and then ducked outside.
As Harry approached the gazebo, he took a good look at the man he now called his father. Sirius was dressed in the most expensive, yet understated, set of robes he had ever seen. The pale grey silk was chosen for its similarity to the groom's eyes and was pared with a white waistcoat and tie in a fine brocade with silver thread used to highlight the geometric pattern. Modern but perfectly refined – something like the man wearing the robes.
"Hey, Dad, you doing okay?" he asked as he came closer.
"Why am I doing this again?" Sirius asked his son. Harry clasped a hand on his shoulder.
"Because you love Amelia, and you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Plus, I want a little sister or brother, and this is how it's going to happen," Harry said honestly, and it made Sirius smile.
"You're getting a stepsister of sorts in Susan."
"True," Harry said with shake of his head. "But I don't think Susan is looking for a stepbrother. I'm hopeful we can at least be friendly with each other."
"This isn't going to be a problem, is it?" Sirius looked stricken at the thought.
"Not on my part," Harry said. "We can be cordial enough, and she's coming around, but I think that Susan sees me as a walking disaster, which is fair. Based solely on what anyone would know from the rumour mill at Hogwarts, I am a walking disaster. I hope my life with be quieter now, and with that quiet will come a better understanding between the two of us."
"That was a very mature answer."
"I figured it you were giving growing up a go, then I would as well," Harry said with a straight face, but could only hold it a moment before breaking into a wide smile and a suppressed chortle. "Come on, we need to get you to Amy's house so you can greet your guests and get married." Sirius grabbed Harry and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Thank you, son. You will always be my boy; you have been since James laid you in my arms the night you were born. I love you, Harry."
"I love you too, Dad."
The ceremony went off with only one small problem. When it came time for Sirius to put the ring on Amy's finger, he was so nervous that he dropped her wedding band. The small ring bounced under the chairs of the congregation, and it took a few minutes to locate it in the grass. Once found, it was quickly placed on the bride's finger and the wedding ceremony continued.
Dinner was a bountiful feast created by several elves on loan from the Ministry, and now the marquee was filled with dancing couples. Harry and Hermione were dancing together, and Harry smiled at Neville who was with Hannah.
"How are you feeling, Harry?" Hermione asked him.
"Happy. I feel happy. It's such a strange experience, Hermione. I'm not worried or anxious or making sure I know how to get out of the room I'm in. I'm happy…and I'm content," he explained.
"Those are good things."
"They are. A year ago, I was afraid I had been forgotten. Now, I have a dad and someone who could be my stepmom. I don't really remember having parents, but I have them now. I also have an awesome uncle who is a great teacher. We are going to learn so much. Plus, I know my friends are my friends and not because they're being spiked with potions to like me." Harry said the last with a glint in his eye and a laugh in his tone.
"True," Hermione said with a sweet giggle. "I can promise you that Neville is your friend for the right reasons. And Harry, I have always like you just as you were, but I must confess, I like the new Harry even more. I like that you're calm and truly, truly happy."
"I like the new me more, too. And so we are clear, I like you very much, Hermione." Harry and Hermione looked at each other for a long moment before she gained the ability to speak.
"What are you saying, Harry?" Harry suddenly felt terrified. If he was honest, it might mess things up between them, but if he stayed quiet then she'd never know the honest truth.
"I'm saying that I like you, Hermione. You're my best friend, but you have to admit, we're more than friends. You take my hand, and it calms me down. Your smile, that big toothy one you'll give me, it warms me. I'm saying that I would like you to be my girlfriend."
The word was barely out of Harry's mouth before Hermione leaned over and kissed him. It was a quick kiss, lips barely meeting for more than a second, but it was both of their first kiss. And if you asked them, it was perfect.
Around the room, different couples noticed the shared kiss between the teens. Sirius saw his son kiss the girl he'd been liking all summer and smiled. He then pointed them out to his new wife, and she too smiled and took it as a cue to kiss her husband. Their kiss lasted far longer than the young pair. At a table not far away, Remus was sitting with an old friend, Emmeline Vance, and smiled. He appreciated love of any kind, especially since he believed he was never destined to have it. Neville saw his two best friends finally give in, and two thoughts crossed his mind – glee and relief. Glee at their finally moving forward and relief that the tension between the pair was over. Lastly, the doctors Granger saw the kiss and while the female doctor was happy for her daughter, the male was already considering what talk he would need to have with the boy.
After another few dances with Hermione, Neville cut in to dance with his friend and gossip with her so Harry sought out Susan and took her to the dance floor.
"So, you finally told Hermione how you feel?" Susan asked.
"Neville said the same thing. I wasn't sure about anything until that moment."
"That's because you're a boy, Harry. You're not so good at reading the emotions of others. Neville, Hannah, and I have known for weeks," Susan admitted.
"Why didn't anyone clue me in?"
"Because it's something everyone needs to figure out for themselves," she said softly. They danced quietly for a minute or more. "My auntie and your dad seem happy."
"They do," Harry said. "To hear Sirius talk about it, he was ready to propose to her when he was arrested. Can you imagine if they had been married before our parents were killed? We would have grown up like twins and with little sisters or brothers. There's part of me that wonders what that life would have been like."
"We would be different people, that's for sure," she said, considering the idea herself. "How are your spells coming along? Still not coming to Hogwarts this fall?"
"For safety reasons I am doing most of the work out in the garden, although I did do a Wingardium Leviosa with a feather in the house yesterday. It was still stuck to the ceiling, but unlike the incident with the book, I did not destroy any plaster medallions."
"That sounds like progress."
"Slowly," Harry said. "Where are you staying while Amy and Sirius are gone?"
"Hannah's, as usual. We can go to the beach, so it's okay," Susan said.
"Well, Remus is staying with me so if you ever want to come over just Floo call and I'm sure it's fine, as long as I'm not in lessons. We have lots of lessons already."
"But it's summer!" Susan moaned.
"I'm years behind on etiquette and wizarding traditions and laws. My maths are abysmal as well, and Sirius keeps telling me how important they are for estate management. I don't mind the schooling much, and it's with Neville and Hermione so that makes it fun." The song ended and the two parted ways.
Harry had sat down with Hermione and her parents, and her father glared at him. For a fleeting moment, he had second thoughts about confessing to Hermione, but then she took his hand and the feeling was gone.