The Deal by majorqtpie

Rating: R
Genres: Romance, Humor
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 04/03/2004
Last Updated: 05/12/2005
Status: In Progress

Reposted!!! This is an AU fic! When Hermione Granger’s stepsister Fleur Delacour leaves her new
born baby in Hermione’s care, she takes a vow to take care of the child as her own. Two years later
Fleur’s death leaves the baby’s father searching for his child, whom he is determined to have. Soon
it is not just the child he wants. Harry Potter wants his daughter’s fiery step aunt, too.




1. 0. Prologue
--------------



**The Deal**

**Prologue**

Hermione's head ached. She paint stained her finger tips and added random splotches of color
to her hair long curly hair. She enjoyed her job restoring damaged or fading art work but some days
like today left her feeling tired and drained. She'd barely gotten the kettle on for some
relaxing herbal tea when her step-sister showed up looking a dreadful site, which was saying
something considering Fleur lived for appearances. She now sat sobbing at Hermione's kitchen
table as Hermione listened patiently to her latest predicament.

Fleur sniffled looking up at her step-sister through thick eyelashes to make sure she was still
listening intently to every carefully chosen word. Their life-styles clashed severely as Fleur
preferred the fast life among the rich and famous and Hermione chose small town life either tucked
away in the library or at work fixing up dull paintings of dead guys. Fleur didn't see what
enchanted her step-sister so about working for a living. `Why work when you had a handsome wizard
paying for your every need as long as you kept his bed warm?' Fleur thought. It wasn't as
though Hermione wasn't pretty enough. If she just did something with her hair and tried a bit
of make-up she could possibly pass as one of the pretty people that plastered the covers of
magazine and newspaper. `Alas the poor girl would probably be taken advantage of.' Fleur
thought much as she was now.

Fleur hadn't tried particularly hard to connect with the younger woman but she knew enough
about her to realize that her generous heart was more a weakness than a strong point. Just because
her mother fell in love with Hermione's father didn't mean she'd fall into the one big
happy family the two widowers had foreseen. She made contact with her step-sister only when
necessary and now was definitely one of those times because she certainly didn't want to
involve her mother in the whole ordeal. She thought she'd for sure trapped her boyfriend into
marriage when she'd gotten herself pregnant but sometimes that man was too damn smart for his
own good. She'd found herself single, broke, and pregnant not being able to afford keeping up
the appearance of still carrying on the fancy life style he'd paid for her.

“Oh Merlin, you poor dear. I can't believe . . .” Hermione paused her fist clenching.
“Actually I can but it seems so cruel that men could be so heartless. He must be absolutely
horrible to leave you with no means to support your child and his obvious lack of concern for his
own flesh and blood just makes my blood boil. I'd kill him if only you'd tell me who he
is.”

“No `ermione, zat's `ardly necessary. I jus' need to you to take care of `er as if she
were your own.” Fleur replied schooling her features into a well practice affectionate smile. “And
thank you for the money. I know you were hoping to buy that studio apartment so you could paint
more at home. I'll pay you back everything as soon as I find a stable job.”

“Oh nonsense, don't worry about the money Fleur, just take care of yourself. And I promise I
will give Lily everything I can and protect her with my life as long as I live.” Hermione vowed
solemnly.

Fleur stood with Hermione from the table and moved to the door. Turning to give Hermione a
dramatic hug for effect Fleur left, leaving a sleeping girl in Hermione's arms. Hermione
watched sadly shaking her head as Fleur disappeared into the rain. Clutching the little girl tight
to her chest, Hermione smiled down at the pale peaceful face. Closing the door with her foot, she
settled down at her kitchen, writing desk and switched on her laptop. She pulled up all the sites
she'd heard her friends and co-workers talking excitedly about whenever they were expecting or
knew someone who was. Scanning the long lists of childcare items Hermione sighed and began clicking
away determined to give this child the best life she could afford. She kissed the baby's long
white blonde hair and received a soft cooing from the waking child. Hermione smiled again seeing
herself reflected in the child's now open deep emerald green eyes.

-->



2. 1. Meetings & Greetings
--------------------------



**Chapter 1****: Meetings & Greetings**

**Five Years Later**

Hermione sighed into a steaming mug of green tea as she watched her niece, sprawled out on the
floor, coloring in her coloring book. `Oh Merlin, things can't get any worse.' She thought
sniffling as she watched the little girl. She took a deep breath to settle herself for what seemed
like the hundredth time that day. It would only make things harder if she went around sobbing over
this dreadful week.

She walked into the nursery and shrunk several boxes full of toys, books, and pictures to a more
manageable size and packed them all into a couple of larger boxes. Tears she'd been trying to
hold back all week were welling up in her eyes once again and she sank to the floor pressing her
face into her hands trying to stop the emotions. She was trapped in a nightmare and it just
wouldn't end, she couldn't wake up. Her whole world was slowly coming apart and there was
no stopping it.

Fleur had died at the begging of the week and though Hermione hadn't seen or heard anything
from her since she dropped Lily off, she still grieved for her step-sister. She'd tried to make
contact with her to see how she was doing but she had literally disappeared off the face of the
Earth until the news of her death arrived. The pictures from the crash had been horrible. She'd
apparently been arguing with her boyfriend while they were leaving a party and he lost control of
the car in his fury.

The funeral had been short, with only a few close friends and family members there. Hermione and
Lily had stayed with her parents for a day or two. Her step mother and young step-sister had cried
until there were no tears left and Hermione had stayed to help her father console them. Lily seemed
rather unaffected by these events, as she'd never known her biological mother. Hermione had
helped her compose a few letters to Fleur but as with her own, they never got a response.

Upon returning home Hermione had found the court summons that froze her heart. She had been
whisked away to court to battle with a panel of highly paid heartless lawyers for custody of her
beloved niece. She'd hired the best lawyer she could afford but the battle was won before it
even began. Lily's biological father was apparently a very rich man and his lawyers had the
court won over in seconds. Anger flashed in her eyes as she tried to imagine the arrogant man
who'd never even bothered to show up do court to fight for his daughter, but then again it
wasn't really a fight. More like, he just demanded to have his daughter brought to him whether
Lily believed she belonged to Hermione or not. Claiming she was practically her daughter
couldn't measure up to blood ties when money was involved and Lily was too young to decide what
she wanted.

Tears spilled down her face now, as they had done in the courtroom when they'd proclaimed
Lily was to be taken to her biological father on the date of his choosing. The man was ruthless too
sending word that he wanted Lily brought to him by the end of the week. Hermione sealed the box
she'd been working on and looked sadly around the empty room. She told herself she could turn
it back into her art room as it had once been because it had the best view of the garden but inside
she knew she never would. She'd only torture herself by leaving it as it was to remind herself
of the adorable little girl she'd come to love as her own.

She bit her lip, pressing a hand to her mouth trying to muffle the sobs that were racking her
body now. `What am I going to do without her?'

“Mummy?” Lily asked uncertainly as she peeked through the slightly ajar door. “Why are you
crying?”

The soft padding of her tiny feet hurrying across the room to hug Hermione made it hard for
Hermione to pull herself together, knowing that, that sound would be gone now. There'd be no
tiny padding feet, squeals of laughter, bed time stories, early morning cartoons, or tiny body
sneaking into her bed in the middle of the night after a nightmare. She had no reason to plan
birthday parties or drive to the day care center before and after work. She could get rid of the
stepping stools around the house. She sniffled wiping away the tears on her cheeks and holding Lily
close to her. No more bear hugs or sloppy wet kisses. No more adorable little out of tune songs and
surprise arts and crafts.

He'd get to enjoy that now. He got to steal her joy away from her and she hated him for it.
Hermione wasn't a hateful person but a cold hand gripped her heart whenever she thought of
Lily's father. She'd tried to imagine him before and had almost brought herself to look for
him once or twice but then she'd remember Fleur's words and thought it best not to risk
hurting Lily by involving him. She'd always figured if he wanted her, he'd search her out.
It hadn't really occurred to her that maybe he was searching. Based off of what Fleur told her
she'd figured the man could careless about the baby.

With a deep breath she gathered Lily up into her arms and levitated the large boxes behind her
out to her car. She expanded the trunk with a flick of her wand and packed all the boxes inside
before opening the back door and strapping Lily into her seat. Lily stared at her with a sad lost
look on her face. She had a vague idea of what was going on. Hermione had told her about having to
stay with her papa far a while and taking all her things with her but she'd cried and said she
didn't want to go. She was very advanced for her age and easily figured by all the boxes what
was going on. Somehow she knew throwing a tantrum wasn't going to put her back in her room with
all her stuff; especially if screaming and raging about not having a papa, when Hermione tried
explaining things to her, didn't work.

Hermione sat sideways on the back seat stroking the little girl's hair trying to comfort
her. Her little girl wasn't stupid, the hurt look in her eyes let Hermione know she had some
understanding of what was going on.

“I love you Lily, no matter what. You know that right Lily?” Hermione said fighting tears again.
When Lily nodded Hermione continued. “Don't you ever forget that. If anything happens, anything
at all you can always tell me. I don't know when I'll see you again after I take you to
your father but you know how to use the phone and you've memorized all the numbers.”

“I don't want to go.” Lily whimpered.

“I know sweetheart. I know.” Hermione sniffed reaching over and giving her a hug. She pressed a
kiss to the top of her head and then slid from the seat and closed the back door. She paused, her
hand on the car door still looking up at the sky trying to force the tears back in her eyes. `Why
are you taking her from me?' Clenching a fist she strode around the car with a straight face
and let herself in. She glanced at Lily's distressed face in the rear view mirror and offered
her a small smile.

“It'll be okay, Lils.” She said turning the key in the ignition. She'd honestly said it
more for herself than Lily but in the end it didn't really matter. She didn't feel any
better and Lily didn't look any less anxious.

* * *

Harry paced like a caged tiger waiting for release. He hadn't been able to sit still all
day. He'd woken up earlier than usual today as he hadn't been able to sleep due to his
excitement. He'd found her, his only child, who'd been unfairly kept from him.

He scowled thinking of the child's mother who' kept her from him. That woman lived to
make him miserable. And he'd paid the price for upsetting her. Yes, on some level he did
believe he'd loved her at one time and he'd found himself blinded by her faults until they
hit him square in the face. The betrayal he felt had led him to the rash action of casting her from
his side. He hadn't been ready for marriage anyway.

He was twenty-years-old and marriage just wasn't on his agenda at the time. She'd
surprised him when she'd repeatedly let him know it was on hers. He sighed remembering her
anger when he'd finally just flat out told her he had no intention of marrying her anytime
soon. She'd stormed out of his life shouting that he'd regret that decision. He hadn't
taken her seriously until she'd owled him a mediwizard's note. He remembered his heart
stopping when he'd read the news about her being pregnant. It wasn't hard to figure out
what his punishment was.

Regardless, he'd tried contacting her several times but the woman could disappear when she
wanted to. There had been several leads on her whereabouts but they all led to dead ends. She moved
fast. He'd done his homework on her family but her younger sister Gabrielle was too young to
take custody of the child, she hardly made contact with her mother due to her resentfulness of her
mother remarrying, and her step-sister seemed very unlikely to know anything since it seemed Fleur
avoided contact with the young woman. So with her family scratched he knew the baby had to be with
her.

He'd found himself for once hoping she'd go about flaunting her achievements but
she'd meant what she said when she told him he'd regret not marrying her. When Fleur died
he'd been sure the child would be his but it'd quickly come to his attention that he'd
been dead wrong about the child's location. He'd wanted to smack himself for not checking
further into her family despite her resentfulness towards them. Lily had been right there under his
nose the entire time. It angered him to the point of not caring who had her or how it might affect
Lily to bring her home. He'd hired the best of the best and set them to work on getting custody
of his daughter. He wasn't going to let anyone get in his way of claiming what was rightfully
his.

It irritated the hell out of him that all he knew was her age, her name, and any little details
in her file at the Ministry. He'd been unable to access those files until Fleur's death as
he didn't know Lily's whole name. He'd searched all the Delacour's and Potter's
in the book but could only find his mother. She's surprised him yet again with how deeply her
spite went, it was true what they say about a woman's scorn after all. She'd used her
step-father's name on Lily to be sure he wouldn't find her. She knew him well enough to
know it'd never occur to him to check under the name she refused to take as her own. Apparently
when she'd left she had indeed taken on the new surname and placed Lily under it as well. `Damn
her.' He thought once again. She'd actually out smarted him and that seriously pissed him
off. She may have acted like an airhead at times but that woman was no idiot.

“Would you stop that? I'm going to chuck this bloody glass at you if you don't stop. Too
much more of that and you'll have a damn trench in the floor.” Draco snapped from his plush arm
chair. He was holding a scotch in one hand and pinching the bridge of his nose with the other. He
was honestly ready to hit his step-brother. He was driving everyone up with wall his restlessness.
Draco had never seen Harry this anxious before. Of course he and Harry hadn't exactly been
friends for the longest time either. His mother had given everything she knew about Voldemort and
the death eaters to the ministry in exchange for protection after his father's death. He'd
switched his alliance from to the side of the Ministry and eventually been made Harry's
partner. They were more likely to be killed by each other at first rather than by death eaters.
After the war, Harry was adopted into the family and they'd learned to get along after having
to cover each other's backs for so long.

“As much as it pains me to do this, I have to agree with ferret boy.” Ron Weasley drawled from
his chair opposite Draco. The two men flashed glares at each other before looking back up at their
mutual friend.

“Yes, rather than pacing around in anticipation you should be sitting around sulking and
completely guilt ridden. Unlike you I actually attended the battle for custody of Lily and I swear
Harry James Potter that woman looked like her heart was breaking when they declared Lily yours. You
could be taking that woman's entire world away from her.” Ginny snapped as she got up from the
arm of Draco's chair to make sure he saw the harsh glare she was casting him.

“Guilty? Those are hardly reasons to feel guilty. She kept my child from me; she ought to be
feeling guilty. She had her for the first five years of her life; she ought to be feeling guilty.
She was in on Fleur's plan; if anything she ought to be feeling guilty as hell.” Harry snapped
shooting his own glare at her in return.

“Have you ever considered, even for a second, that she didn't know? Not everyone's a bad
guy Harry.” Ginny growled.

“Please.” Harry said rolling his eyes. “It was all a huge plot to keep Lily from me. She had to
of known. Fleur managed to keep her mouth shut to the media but she couldn't keep it to
herself.”

“How would you know? She managed to surprise you in many ways with this whole ordeal. She
planned everything else out by knowing how you think. Why would this be any different?” Ginny
inquired crossing her arms over her chest with a challenging look.

“Because!” Harry snapped not really able to come up with a good reason.

“Oh, because.” Ginny snapped back matter of factly. “That is so childish Harry.”

Her face was turning red from the rising anger and her hands were now balled into fists which
were firmly planted on her hips now.

“You know, you can be a real jerk sometimes Harry. A complete and total ignorant bastard.” Ginny
shouted before turning on her heels and stalking out the door.

“You wouldn't understand.” Harry shouted after her. `Damn woman. Never look at the big
picture.'

He flopped onto the couch muttering and casting stony looks into the fire.

“Do you agree with her?” He snapped. Ron and Draco exchanged looks not knowing who he had
directed it to. They shrugged and decided not to answer rather than put Harry in a worse mood. They
let him brood and continued to sip their drinks and make up their own minds about the
situation.

The soft pop of Dobby's arrival brought them all out of their thoughts and Harry's face
brightened instantly.

“Master Har . . .” Dobby didn't get to finish because Harry was already half way out the
door. Ron and Draco nodded to each other and aparated out of the manor to go find Ginny and calm
her down, knowing Harry would be a while.

Hermione fiddled nervously with Lily's clothes and kept fussing over the little girl's
hair until she placed her hands on her head and frowned up at Hermione. Hermione apologized and
laughed slightly at the annoyed look on Lily's tiny face. Hermione felt so out of place here.
Everything she'd seen of the mansion so far just screamed `don't touch'. `Figures,
Fleur only ever dated guys who could afford her and her every little desire.' Hermione
grimaced. Everything looked and felt so cold in here. This place reminded her of a glass house
she'd seen in a movie. She shuddered remembering that it had been a horror movie. `Please let
my little girl be alright here.

She could take slight comfort in the fact that Lily would definitely be financially well off if
nothing else. She could have any and everything she wanted with this man.

“Don't you turn rotten, okay, and always remember your manners even if your daddy spoils
you.” Hermione suddenly said. For one so young, Lily had a strong sense of values and morals and
she didn't want that spoiled just because her father was a multibillionaire.

There were a million things she wanted to say, she wanted to tell her but she knew she'd
only overwhelm her by trying to cram it all into this one moment. She'd wanted to cry as she
sat here and remembered that Lily was going to be so far away. This may be here home for a time but
Hermione was fully aware that her father owned a string of homes all around the world and his
preferred home happened to be in Italy. He'd be taking Lily there eventually. At least those
easy readers on culture would come in handy to Lily now. Hermione vaguely remembered her liking the
pictures of Italy and telling her they'd visit there one day. A sad smile played on her lips as
she realized Lily was actually going to get to go, she just wasn't going to be going with
her.

Lily seemed to sense her sense the sadness welling up in Hermione and began to fidget on
Hermione's lap. Her earlier distress was returning to her. Hermione caught the signs of the
flood gate about to open and she turned Lily around in her lap and held her close singing a lullaby
Lily had been very fond of as a baby. Lily had begun to calm down and was cooing along when
Hermione felt eyes on her.

She looked up and stiffened, eyes widening, and unintentionally clutching Lily tighter against
her body.

“Oh my.” She murmured without thinking. She couldn't help but stare at the tall ruthless
looking man in front of her. Her expression resembled that of a deer caught in the headlights as
she stared at the frightening man. He honestly scared her as she couldn't see anything soft or
remotely friendly about this man.

She'd only ever seen pictures of the famous Harry Potter. He was always in the papers or the
magazines. When she'd been attending school at Beauxbatons she'd found like all the other
girls she'd had a small crush on the boy-who-lived. She'd buried those feelings noting the
stupidity of them and knowing full well the chances of her meeting him were slim to none. Once out
of school she rarely thought of him any more unless skipping over yet another article about him and
his latest girlfriend or Quidditch feat, or capture for the Ministry. But now, now she realized the
pictures did him no justice. In real life the man was a god. Absolutely breath taking.

She was thankful that those hard green eyes seemed to take no notice of her but were trained
directly on Lily. Hermione almost laughed at the child's obliviousness to the man's
presence as she continued to hum along to the song Hermione had been singing.

The scrawny little boy who'd been plastered all over the papers years ago was no more.
Hermione could think of nothing else to compare him to but a mountain, hard, solid, and imposing.
He may have just been standing in the doorway but he seemed to take up the entire room. It was
difficult to breathe with him standing there.

He had an arrogant nature about him that she'd noted earlier and it seemed somehow sculpted
into his hard features as he stood there unmoving. His shirt did nothing to conceal his muscles as
they stretched over his torso. His arms were probably bigger than her neck but not in an overly
bulgy wrestler type way. He reminded her more of the men in the exercise equipment commercials,
strong without unnecessary bulk.

Her eyes ran briefly over his well sculpted face lined with a strong tight jaw. Her eyes paused
on the lightning bolt scar that was barely visible through his messy hair, it was just long enough
to fall into his eyes and somehow she found that adorable despite here fear of him. She felt the
heat wash over her and the almost magnetic attraction to him. He sparked a new feeling in her that
she really didn't want to explore.

He was the enemy and it was hardly appropriate to be attracted to the enemy. She clenched her
jaw and her eyes set in a cold hard stare to keep from revealing any of her raging emotions. Anger,
hurt, hate, and lust were never a good combo.

Lily's mouth snapped shut as she cocked her head to the side with a curious look clouding
her face. She leaned in close to Hermione's face and wrinkled her nose trying to decide why she
looking like that. She finally decided she wasn't going to be getting Hermione's attention
any time soon and followed her gaze to see what was so startling. Her eyes went wide as she
admitted a tiny squeak and buried her face into Hermione's chest clutching at her, trying to
hide. Her distressed whimpering broke Hermione's stare as she set about rubbing her on the back
and trying to sooth her.

`He is really scary.' Hermione thought as she rubbed small circles in the child's back.
It wasn't her fault she was afraid. Hermione only had a few male friends and none of them were
built like Harry. He was a beast compared to the types of men she'd known all her life. He just
radiated power, charisma, and authority. Hermione noticed Harry frown at Lily's reaction to him
and she felt mildly satisfied. `Maybe if he smiled a bit she wouldn't be so afraid of
him.'

* * *

`Beautiful.' It was the only word that came to Harry's mind as he stared at his
daughter. She was a picture of perfection, long white blond hair and his own emerald eyes,
porcelain skin and rosy cheeks. Long blond eye lashes fluttered against those cheeks when
they'd turned to see him. He'd almost smiled when she'd gone into a fit of distress and
began clutching at the woman holding her. He frowned at the brunet suspicious of her involvement in
the child's fear of him.

He couldn't seem to help his eyes staying on her longer than necessary. She was gorgeous and
for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why she wasn't married with a bunch of adorable
little daughters of her own. Oh yes, he knew everything about Hermione Granger. When he'd found
out Lily had spent the first five years of her life with this woman he'd pulled every file on
her. He'd marveled at how clean her file was. a perfect model citizen. He couldn't even
find a speeding ticket against her. He'd searched desperately for a flaw but couldn't find
any and he had to admit he was thankful that his daughter had been with her and not Fleur. At least
he could be sure the girl had morals.

He'd been glad her lawyers hadn't thrown his files into court with hers for a
comparison. She'd have won on that alone if he had. Well, that is if Harry hadn't been so
determined to get Lily that he was prepared to strongly persuade the court with large sums of
money. So he had the unfair advantage of money and political power, it wasn't his problem that
she was some small town girl who didn't have his connections. He'd decided on this and
stuck to it since so he wouldn't feel the least bit guilty, but looking at her now he felt his
resolve slipping.

She almost looked like a child herself, sitting there looking ever so small as she whispered to
the whimpering girl and rubbed her back. He gave her a thorough inspection, starting with the top
of her light brown head streaked with natural honey colored highlights. It hung in long spiraling
curls, shorter around her face and getting longer as the got to her back. Large innocent brown eyes
with gold specks were set in her heart shaped face as well as a cute nose. Her high cheek bones and
soft jaw set off her very kissable looking full lips which enticed thoughts Harry thought best to
never speculate on. His eyes lingered on the slender slope of her neck yearning to taste her soft
skin. Dragging his eyes away he let them settle on the large swells of her breast. He grinned
noting how generously she'd been endowed and the straining of her t-shirt with S.P.E.W. written
across it. He wondered briefly what it meant but secretly enjoyed how pondering this gave him a
justified reason to continue staring at her breasts. `Merlin, she looks soft.' He thought the
urge to touch her growing stronger by the minute.

Harry took in her long shapely legs and he could see hints of firm toned muscles in them as she
moved. Her hips reminded him of a phrase Mrs. Weasley had once used `child-baring hips'
she'd called them when she'd been speaking of one of his previous girlfriends trying to
convince him to settle down. He'd simply rolled his eyes at her lecture but now he found
himself horrified at the sudden thought that he wouldn't mind seeing this woman walking around
round and bared foot carrying his child. He shook his head telling his brain to erase that thought
forever. `Okay, that was weird.' He told himself trying to shake off this new feeling that
accompanied his desire.

He watched her set the little girl on the floor and felt mildly ashamed of stealing a glance
down her shirt as she did so. He justified his actions with his favorite scapegoat `I'm only
human and what red-blooded male wouldn't?' He smirked congratulating himself on this small
feat, regardless of whether it was appropriate in this situation or not.

* * *

Lily struggled, not wanting to be put down. Hermione finally had to give the little girl a
warning look to make her settle down and cooperate. Almost as soon as her little feet hit the
ground, though, she darted around and hid behind Hermione legs. Her tiny arms locked around one
leg, pleading green eyes staring tearfully up at Hermione.

“Lils, Lils, come from behind Mummy you need to say hello to your father!” Hermione murmured,
reaching down for Lily's hand. “Come on, be a big girl.”

Lily peaked out momentarily from behind Hermione's legs, squeaked and snapped her head back
behind her barrier. She shook her little blond head vigorously as large tears lined her eyes.

“Is she always like this?” Harry asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“No, not really. She's actually quite people oriented but, uh, most . . . most people she
meets aren't so . . .” Hermione paused searching for the right word to use as not to offend
him. “so, um, intimidating.”

“I frighten you.

“I wasn't talking about me. I was saying it from her stand point.”

He stared at her for a moment noticing how just moments ago Ginny had been looking at him the
same way with her hands on her hips in the same manner. Of course, he didn't find Ginny's
hips as enticing as Hermione's but that wasn't the point. There was an electric charge to
the air as their eyes locked in a mutual stare. The charged silence was only broken by Lily's
soft whimpers as she clutched at Hermione's leg, tears now slowly falling down her cheeks.

“I wanna go home Mumma.” She begged. With a sigh Hermione turned her back on Harry and knelt in
front of Lily placing her hands lightly on her shoulders.

“We're here to spend time with your Papa, Lils. Remember we talked about it a few days ago?
And you promised you'd be a big girl, okay. So let's dry these tears.” Hermione cooed using
the pads of her thumbs to wipe away the tear tracks staining her face. “Don't you want to read
him one of your books? I'm sure he'd love to know what an advanced reader you are. We can
go get your things and choose one. How about that?”

She sniffled and frowned at first not wanting to spend another minute here. She looked up at
Harry and stared at him for a long moment. She took a step closer to Hermione and reached her arms
up around her neck to be held.

“You're getting too big for this.” Hermione laughed scooping Lily up into her arms and
pressing a kiss to her nose. Lily giggled and hugged Hermione close, resting her head on her
shoulder. “Let's go choose a book okay?”

Lily finally nodded and agreed to go on two conditions. 1) Hermione held her and 2) Harry
didn't touch her. She was still very wary of him. She glowered at him from over Hermione's
shoulder until Hermione turned to face him putting Lily's back towards him. His jaw was tight
with disapproval at Lily's reaction to him. He didn't say anything, just motioned for
Hermione to follow him. Silently Hermione followed with slow steps knowing that time was running
out and she'd have to give Lily up to this man soon enough. She wasn't sure how long
he'd allow her to stay here with Lily but she knew she was going to treasure every precious
moment that she had left.

Hermione was mildly surprised when he didn't lead them outside but instead to a beautiful
nursery with Lily's open boxes lined against a wall, half unpacked. The boxes hardly held her
attention though, as she took in the magnificent room. It was quite large to say the least and
beautifully decorated. She was certain some interior designer could retire early but the looks of
this room. `If this is the house he doesn't use how does the nursery look in the house he does
use?' She thought as she stared with wide eyes around the enchanting room. There was a full bed
in the center of the back of the room brightened by large bay windows. There were window seats
covered in large plush cushions and an assortment of teddy bears on one and dolls on the other. The
rest of the room was littered toys of all shapes and kinds and the side walls were lined with
bookshelves covered in children's books, tiny tea sets, music boxes, collectible dolls, and
puzzles.

“Merlin!” Hermione breathed stepping into the room spinning around a few times trying to take it
all in.

Harry gave a self satisfied smirk at Hermione's awed expression and the fact that he finally
seemed to have caught Lily's attention. She was looking just as dazzled as Hermione as her eyes
darted around the room, tiny mouth hanging open. He noticed her mouth wow to Hermione and the nod
the young woman gave back to her.

Harry sauntered across the room and seated himself on the edge of the bed looking intently at
Hermione.

“Take your time; they're all hers and she can eventually read all of them. I wasn't sure
what kind she liked or how advanced she was so you'll find a little bit of everything in here.”
Harry grinned.

Hermione nodded setting Lily on the floor and holding her hand as they began inspecting the
numerous bookshelves. Lily couldn't be certain which one she wanted and Hermione was no help as
she was just as unsure with so many interesting titles to choose from. Eventually those chose one
on an adventurous little hippogriff and took a seat in the rocking chair in a corner with bean bag
chairs all around. Rocking slowly Hermione grinned as Lily easily read through the book. She
chuckled at the label on the back saying reading level ages 8 and up. That was her little girl,
bright as ever. Lily read excitedly sometimes forgetting she was supposed to be reading out loud
until Hermione reminded her. She'd grin sheepishly and start over from where she'd left off
out loud.

Harry smiled at the proud look in Hermione's eye as the little girl breezed through the
book. `And she has every right to be proud, too. She probably taught Lily everything she
knows.' He'd noticed from her file that Hermione had been a precocious as well and started
her schooling two years early. She'd then returned to the muggle world and entered a muggle
college at the age of 15. He'd been extremely impressed by this knowing how challenging muggle
college were. From there she'd become an art student and quickly rose in the restoration of
historical art business. He'd even made a few calls to view some of her work. If he hadn't
been sure already he was definitely then that she was a perfectionist and detail probably mattered
to her in everything she did.

He wondered how much of that rubbed off on Lily. Would she be a genius too and have every
business vying for her employment? Pride welled up in his chest and he reminded himself to thank
Hermione for raising her even if she'd kept her from him. He'd reluctantly admitted in this
short time he'd been with them that Ginny may be right and that he was being somewhat cruel.
The love she had for his daughter was undeniable and Lily simply adored her and separation was
going to be a nightmare. He'd heard of children suffering from separation anxiety and sinking
into depressions that set them up to fail their entire life. He was slightly worried that he was
going to mess Lily up for life by taking her from this woman she loved so very, very much.

He watched as she finished the book with a yawn. Supporting Lily with one arm Hermione closed
the book and carried it to the book she. She hesitated briefly by the bookshelf before approaching
the bed, where he sat, to tuck Lily in. She did so meticulous manner avoiding his eye the entire
time. She lingered by Lily's side, biting her lip nervously not wanting to leave her. A deep
voice made her cringe as she had to accept the truth of his words that Lily was sleep and they had
important matters to discuss so they might as well let her sleep in peace. She followed him
sullenly out of the room and kept her eyes on the ground schooling her features to a blank
look.

“You're extremely devoted to her. The strength of your love for her is very obvious.” Harry
murmured as he led her down the dimly lit hallway. “You don't want to leave her with me,
either. I can see that too.”

“Can you blame me? I've taken care of her, her entire life. I raised her from her first day
out of the hospital. I think I'm entitled to worry about someone I love. There hasn't been
a day of her life that I wasn't with her and now . . . Now you expect me to just up and leave
her here with you, someone she doesn't even know, and just not care about it. That little girl
is my world and blood couldn't make her anymore my daughter than she is now.” Her temper was
boiling and tears burned her eyes again but she refused to let him see them. “She trusts me to be
there for her. She thinks of me as her mother because I raised her. And to just leave her could be
very traumatizing to her. I mean, have you even considered that? How it's going to affect her,
to just be uprooted from everything she knows because it's what you want. That's incredibly
selfish even if you are her father. She doesn't know you and you scare her. Honestly, you scare
even me. She's not used to people like you. We live in a small town she won't just merge
into your glamorous life like an adult would. She can't just change like that. She . . .”
Hermione stopped, shutting her eyes tight and pinching the bridge of her nose breathing deeply
trying not to cry. With a deep sigh she regained control though tears lined her eyes as and fat
droplets stood waiting in the corners of her eyes. “I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive me.
My heart is breaking; you're taking my entire world from me, my sense of purpose. I have
centered my whole life around her and I just . . . I don't know what I'm going to do
without her and I'm afraid. I am so afraid to let her go. I would give my life for her. She
matters to me more than anything, more than . . .” Her voice broke and she couldn't continue. A
soft sound of despair escaped her as the anger that had driven her subsided and washed away to make
room for the floods of sadness that were taking over her body. She desperately tried to recollect
herself but to no avail as a silent tear slid down her cheek. “I'm sorry.” She whispered bowing
her head ashamed of her emotional display. She' told herself she wouldn't do this. She
didn't want his pity. She didn't want a lot of things that seemed to be occurring
lately.

“Done?” He asked lazily, leaning against the wall looking completely unaffected, as though he
hadn't heard a word she said. He was only met with silence and a hard look from her filled with
loathing. “Right then, follow me.”

He turned and continued down the hallway and into a spotless living room, where he took a seat
carelessly on one of the black leather arm chairs and watched her waiting for her to do the same as
he indicated the identical chair opposite him. She gave him a cold look and continued to stand, to
which he shrugged and leaned back in his chair studying her for a moment.

“How far are you willing to go for my daughter, Miss Granger?” He finally asked.

“To the end of the world, if not farther.” She replied without hesitation. “Only I figured
schooling would be easier if we weren't constantly moving. Though if I ever got a black mark on
my record that would be one of the only things worth it.”

“No, no that's hardly necessary. Italy's much closer. I hope you're not
disappointed. The history is quite extensive there. You might enjoy it; I seem to recall you having
a fondness for historical art anyway.” Hermione frowned at his words confusion etched into her
face.

“I beg your pardon?” She said confusedly blinking trying to put together what he was saying.

“Miss Granger, do you believe you could make a good traditional wife and maintain a steady well
respected household? Not just for Lily, mind you, but for more children of your own as well? Do you
mind leaving England and your job? Can you entertain guests and organize meetings and events? Could
you be loyal to your husband and honor him in public and private? Could you surrender to his will,
in the bedroom?” Harry questioned.

His words weren't registering properly because Hermione as at a complete loss. That could be
in part to her drowning deep emerald eyes that bore into her, becoming increasing darker with each
question. His last accompanied by an unmasked hungry look as his eyes roamed her body, causing her
to blush. From the way his eyes slowly dragged down her body on their second trip she felt as
though he were mentally undressing her and she unconsciously crossed her arms over her breasts as
if trying to hide from his gaze. Her scarlet cheeks, wide eyes, and trembling lips did nothing to
slick his lust in that moment. `Who knew innocence could be so damn hot?' He thought.

She licked her lips which were suddenly very dry and began knotting her fingers together
nervously. “Er, forgive me for my dumb question, you might find it really stupid but I just need
you to make it clear. Are, uh, are you saying that if I, um, you know get, get married and, uh,
provide siblings for Lily, I can keep her?”

“To a certain point, yes, Miss Granger I was.” He responded.

“Oh, um, to, ah, to what point exactly?” She inquired.

“To me, of course. It is the only way. The press would eventually pick up on your constant
visits and I have no desire to put up with their stupidity any more than I have to and I'm sure
the flight would become tiring for you after a while. And the media would have a field day if I
hired you as her nanny and she called you mummy in public despite there being no resemblance
between you two. We would both have custody of her and be able to raise her. It's a win-win
situation in my opinion. You would have to quit your job of course and move to Italy but as you
said earlier it is easier for adults to make such a transition. However, if you do not wish to take
me up on this offer you have three days left with Lily. That is when my plane will be ready. That
is when we are leaving. Think about it because this is not something I normally do.” Harry
explained.

Hermione was thankful now that he had chosen the living room to hold this conversation. She sank
gratefully into the chair he'd offered her early, blinking rapidly and taking deep breaths
trying to digest what he'd just said. She frowned licking her lips again and running an
agonized hand through her hair and closing her eyes to think. Had Harry Potter just propose to her
in some twisted round about way? It seemed too unreal. It was unreal. It was blackmail. He was
holding Lily in exchange for . . . in exchange for what? What could he possibly get out of this
arrangement?

`Sex!' Hermione flushed as she came to this conclusion. `But why? He could have any woman he
wanted and sure she had been cursed with this body that drew more than a few stares when all she
wanted was to be left alone but she was still nothing compared to the voluptuous vixens Harry was
used to. She may not have read the articles but she'd seen plenty of pictures of him with some
woman plastered to his side with fake boobs and too much make up. `Why me? What makes me worth such
an offer?'

She jumped as he suddenly answered her questions as if reading her mind, his darkened eyes
trained on her as he spoke. “Miss Granger, most women throw themselves at me when they recognize
who I am. (`Not that you discourage them any.' Hermione thought somewhat bitterly.) There is no
doubt in my mind that you know who I am and what I'm worth if not just from looking around the
manor and yet you have not acted in this manner. (Hermione raised an eyebrow at this slightly
affront look on his face that he'd even thought she'd do that.) In this brief time and from
other sources it's easy to tell that you are nothing like your step-sister and I'm sure
with some time and the help of Ginny and Lavender they can turn you into a suitable wife.”

Hermione was infuriated and sent him one of her harshest glares to tell him just that. `A
suitable wife, indeed!' She thought angrily. She had to bite her lip briefly to keep from
giving him the tongue lashing of his life for his words. `How dare he? Arrogant jerk!'

“And what if I don't meet your requirements? What will you do with me if I'm not
acceptable?” She responded icily shooting daggers at him.

“Trust me Ginny and Lavenders are experts. They decorated this house, you know? Including the
nursery.” He drawled lazily leaning back in his chair again as if he didn't realize or simply
didn't care that he'd offended.

“And you expect me to play this all adoring loving wife?” Hermione snapped.

“Of course! When there is no one around perhaps you can ignore me and curse me to all levels of
hell but as long as people can see us I do expect you to act as a proper wife should.”

Her blood boiled at the words proper wife and she sent him another hateful glare.

“Well that's good because I don't love or adore you in any way shape or form. Currently
I don't even remotely like you and your blackmailing isn't appreciated it only makes me
despise you more. It is cruel of you to hold Lily at such a price.”

“I don't see it as blackmail, merely a bargain from which we both benefit. I get a well
behaved wife and you get to stay with Lily. I have no use for this love business you're ranting
about anyway. Voldemort seemed to fancy killing everyone I loved and I've learned to live
without such trivial affections. Of course, I killed him a few years ago, but I learned my lesson
about love.”

“And what about Lily?” She's a child. She needs to be loved. What do you want her for if not
to love her? I could care less how you feel about me, because as I said I rather dislike you, but
you will show Lily the love and support she needs.”

“That isn't an issue. I love my daughter and have ever since I found out about her, whether
I knew her or not but she is all that I love.”

“Fine.” She was silent for a minute going over his demands in her head. “Oh yes, another thing
don't expect me to just hop into bed with you. There'll be nothing intimate straight off. I
would have to know you a lot better and hate you a lot less.”

He smirked at her, silently chuckling at how once again she looked like a child sitting there
arms crossed and sunken into the plush chair surrounded by the long curly masses of wild brown
hair.

“Are you saying yes?” Harry asked softly.

“No! I'm saying I'll think about it. And you didn't consent to what I just
said.”

“Winky will show you to a guest room for the night. Good-night Miss Granger.”

Hermione opened her mouth to argue that he still hadn't answered her but he was already
gone. `Grrrr, jerk.' She thought as she stood up to follow the house elf that appeared before
her. `Merlin, I hate him.'

* * *

Harry sat in his office leaning back at his work desk and asking himself why the hell he'd
done what he just did. He was in the middle of trying to explain his actions to himself when Ron,
Ginny, and Draco appeared in the room.

“Ooooo, we've just been to peek in on Lily and she has got to be the most adorable thing
I've ever seen!” Ginny squealed as she made herself comfortable on his desk.

Ron and Draco took seats on the couch in front of the desk and nodded in agreement with
Ginny's exclamation. Harry was silent for a moment twisting a pen between his finger tips.

“Er, there's something I have to tell you.” He said slowly as he dropped the pen on a
Ginny-free part of his desk. “I, uh, I might be engaged.”

He was met with silence as they all stared at him like he were stupid or something. Then
literacy began to return to them and he was swamped with a million questions. He explained
everything in a rush and he told him he didn't know why he did it and they agreed that he had
lost his mind as they gave their opinions on his rash action. Ginny seemed rather excited despite
her disapproval of the way he did it and the fact that he didn't know Hermione, Draco told him
he was insane and might want to go get his head checked out, and Ron just shrugged and said `Well
if she's hot'.

Ginny had rolled her eyes at her brother's conclusion and told Harry she'd talk to
Hermione and see what she thought of the whole ordeal in the morning. She kissed his cheek and
hopped off the desk.

“Night boys. Don't stay up too late.” She grinned.

They watched her go each giving a parting word of their own before shutting the door to restart
their conversation.

“You're mental. You're bleeding mental. What possessed you to propose?” Draco
ranted.

“I didn't really propose. I can't, I can't really explain it. I wanted my daughter
but I felt guilty. I don't know how she did it even when she told me she despised me I still
felt guilty. She's different from any woman I've ever met. There's something special
about her. She does something to me, you know. She makes me uncomfortable but in a good way. I like
it and I don't understand it in the slightest but I won't rest until I do. I won't let
her go. I can't.” Harry said wistfully staring off into space as he finished.

“Maybe she's putting some sort of spell on you, mate. You gotta be careful of those innocent
ones. She could be like the others but ten times worse.” Ron murmured.

“No, she's not like that. She's different. Fiery little thing, I'll give her that.
She's got so much passion welled up inside but she bottles it quite well. Her temper is insane
but she's got it under lock and key and I bet you anything she could give you a tongue lashing
like no other if you push her too far. She can get by Rita Skeeter and her lot any day; she schools
her features quite well. Her only give away is her eyes. She has beautiful eyes and there's a
tirade of conflicting emotions going on in there. She's sharp too, not much's gonna get
past her and she isn't afraid to lash back when she feels it's necessary. You'll meet
the little hellion at breakfast tomorrow.” Harry assured them bringing himself back before he got
too lost in his description of her. If he'd been asked to go into detail about her physical
details he was sure he could go on all night about her.

“Fair enough.” Ron and Draco muttered watching his face return to its previous dazed expression
as he got lost in his thoughts again. They shook their heads exchanging looks and left the
room.

Harry's thoughts dwelled on the gorgeous spitfire he'd asked to marry him for quite a
while longer before he shifted his thoughts to Lily. He really hoped he could get through to her.
She seemed like such a great kid, just shy. He finally rose from his desk calling it a night as he
began trying to think of things they could do together to break the ice between them.

-->



3. 2. And So It Begins
----------------------



**Chapter 2:** **And So It Begins**

Hermione left breakfast in a hurry with Lily's hand gently tucked in one of her own. The
other hand pressed to her forehead as she felt a headache coming on. That had to be the most
uncomfortable experience of her life if not sheer torture. Everyone around the table looked so . .
. so expensive. While she sat there in her ripped pain spotted jeans and white spaghetti strapped
shirt with S.P.E.W. scrawled across it in different colors. Her hair was pulled back in a loose
ponytail to keep it out of the way while she ate but beyond that the hair tie served no purpose as
it threatened to fall out. She wasn't wearing nail polish, make up, or any sort of perfume
either. She hadn't been aware that Harry had guests. She'd felt so out of place the entire
time.

They'd all been polite to her and asked lots of questions about her and Lily to which
she'd answered as quickly as possible. Her tiny companion hadn't lent her much support as
she'd sat there staring around the round not making a sound and scarcely touching her breakfast
until Hermione pointed this out with a pointed look. She'd eaten gloomily giving sour looks to
everyone in the room, muttering about it not being how her mummy makes it.

Hermione found a quiet place to sit in the courtyard by the rather large pond in the middle.
With Lily on her lap as she sat Indian style by the water. She'd always loved water; it had a
relaxing quality about it she couldn't explain. She pulled the hair tie from her hair and was
finger combing it as Lily reached forward to splash her tiny hands in the water. Hermione began
singing another lullaby as she closed her eyes and leaned back against a rock they were sitting
beside. Hermione listened the sounds of Lily's fingers trailing through the water and humming
along with her.

She only opened her eyes when she heard the soft crunching of grass as another person entered
the courtyard. She nearly groaned wondering what Virginia wanted. She felt so low class in this
woman's presence. She was the definition of posh. Her long red locks were pulled up into an
elegant bun with random, yet coordinated, wisps cascading over it giving her hair a slightly wild
look. Her expertly applied make up made her look like something off the cover of a Vogue magazine.
She wore a well fitted cream halter with a matching shawl that coordinated well with the cream
designer belt looped through tight dark designer jeans. She was bare foot and yet her pedicure made
even that look elegant as she approached Hermione.

Hermione wanted to hide she honestly felt slightly unworthy of being in this woman's
presence. `I look like a hobo compared to her.' She thought hating herself for caring so much.
Ginny offered her a friendly smile as she asked whether or not she could join her. Hermione nodded
reluctantly knowing it was best not to make enemies out of anyone here, especially if she took
Harry up on his offer.

The two women sat in silence for a while, watching Lily who'd gotten out of Hermione's
lap and was trying to catch a butterfly that had fluttered passed.

“He's a good man, Hermione. A little rough on the edges and yes he seems harsh and first but
he's really such a sweetheart if you give him a chance.” Ginny suddenly said. “He'd treat
you and Lily right and it'd be such a joy to have you join us in Italy.”

“Did he ask you to come tell me that?” Hermione whispered.

“No, he's rather shocked by his offer as well.” Ginny replied.

“Offer? You say it like it's not such a cruel thing.” Hermione continued in her soft voice
as she was deep in thought despite holding this conversation.

“He doesn't mean to be cruel. He just wants his daughter. He thinks it's cruel to
separate you two and that's all he could come up with on such short notice.”

“You think I should accept, then?”

“I think it'd be a worthwhile decision, yea.”

“I, I just don't know. I can't just pick up and leave my life. I've lived here in
England my entire life except for when I was away at school in France.”

“Well, why not? You can owl your friends and family. And you won't have to work and so you
can spend as much time as you want with Lily. I think you could learn to like Italy. I mean, I
could show you some really neat places and introduce you to quite a few of my friends I'm sure
they would like you. It'd be brilliant”

Hermione simply starred at her. How could this woman believe it to be so simple to just leave
your life? To just leave everything you knew? “What would my parent's say?”

“Good on you, I expect!”

“Somehow, I highly doubt that.”

The two women fell silent again and glanced back at Lily. She'd given up on the butterfly
and was now picking dandelions a little further off. Hermione smiled saving that picture in her
memory to paint later. She had a whole bunch of pictures dedicated to Lily which she hoped to one
day put in a gallery. She'd submitted a few to local art shows and placed third and up several
times on the portraits.

“Do you wear make up?” Ginny asked staring out into space.

“What? Oh, no, not regularly, why?” Hermione faltered at the randomness of the question.

“Just curious, and are you particularly fond of your wardrobe? I think it would be easier if we
jut got you a whole new one when we get to Italy? I think the chic fashion style there were totally
suit you and we can take a trip to Paris to find some things to give you that artistic flair since
Harry tells me you're an artist. By the way I absolutely adore your jeans. Where did you get
them? I've been meaning to by a pair ever since the ripped look came in but I just haven't
found time to go get them.”

“Er, I didn't by them like this. They're just worn and the paint's from work.
Sometimes it gets messy or we have paint fights and what not. Lily's hand prints from when she
was two are all over the bottom there from a time I was helping her finger paint.”

“Oooo, you'll have to make me a pair those are too cute.” Ginny raved. “But more
importantly, you only need to pack necessities and things you are personally attached to because we
can replace everything once we get to Italy.”

“But I haven't said yes yet.”

“Well, if you do.” Ginny grinned, a twinkle lighting her eye. “Think about it please, I'd so
enjoy having more time to chat with you.”

With that she left and Hermione watched her go with a wistful expression on her face. She seemed
very sure Hermione would and should accept Harry's offer and the way she talked made Hermione
want to at times. `What do I want to do? Marrying him is best for Lily and it's not like
I'll be completely friendless when I get there. Ginny's making an honest attempt to become
friends.' Hermione glanced down at her jeans remembering Ginny's words. Did she really
think these were designer jeans? She had to admit she had seen a few ripped up pairs of jeans with
silver and glittery splotches all over them on the covers of magazines lately. She shrugged and
continued to way the pros and cons of marrying Harry.

* * *

Harry shuffled the papers on his desk yet again trying to make the pile smaller so it would seem
like he was actually accomplishing something. He knew it was rather pointless and knew that he
wouldn't be getting any work done today as long as Hermione and Lily were in site. He'd
been staring longing out the window ever since he'd come up from breakfast. He'd smiled
watching Lily chasing something around and then decide that picking flowers was a better use of her
energy and he'd been glad when he'd seen Ginny talking to Hermione. A fond smile played
over his lips as he watched them. How badly he wanted to join them like a real family and just sit
there holding Hermione while watching Lily play. He grumbled something profane telling himself once
again to erase that visual. The woman down there probably wanted him dead and here he was thinking
about wanting to hold her in his arms and snog her senseless. He snorted, he wanted to do more than
snog her, more like shag her senseless. He had to remind himself yet again that his focus was
supposed to be his daughter.

“Awww Harry, it's cute how taken you are with her. Of course, she is quite pretty as you
said.” Ginny mused as she sauntered into the open door.

“She's attractive, that's all Gin. I'm watching Lily, anyway. She seems to like the
courtyard.”

“Um hm, whatever you say Harry.” Ginny said rolling her eyes.

Harry was going to tell her to sod off when lots of shouting and loud barking filled the house.
Harry raised an eyebrow vaguely aware of what was probably causing the commotion. He and Ginny got
up and walked to out into the hall was and leaned over the railing that allowed you to see down
into the foyer.

“Oy, Harry come get your bloody hound before I stun it. The stupid beast won't behave.”
Draco shouted up the stairs seeing Harry and Ginny peering down at him.

Harry grinned at his over eager black lab that seemed to take pleasure in tormenting Draco with
his energy. He was just an over grown puppy in Harry's opinion, extremely playful for his large
size. He'd bought him as a tracking dog and he was good at it when given the task. At all other
times he just wanted someone to play with and he stayed with a local friend when Harry was away.
The family had lots of kids who just loved playing with Sirius.

He'd named the dog after his late god father, who'd died when he was fifteen in the
fight against Voldemort and his forces. He grinned as he was making his way down the stairs as he
decided it was time to take Sirius to Italy. He'd have Lily to play with there and be away from
the constant rainy weather so he could go outside more and spend some of his excess energy.

He was almost down the stairs when Sirius gave a mighty tug and finally broke free of
Draco's grip.

“Damnit. Get back here you stupid mutt!” Draco shouted as he began to chase after the dog.

“Uh, oh.” Ginny muttered noticing the direction the dog was heading.

“Oh shit!” Harry shouted jumping the last few steps and chasing after Draco in the dog. It was
pointless, though. Sirius had amazing speed, which was part of why Harry bought him. He made it to
the ajar glass doors that lead out to the courtyard. `Please let her like dogs. She's going to
kill me if she doesn't like dogs.' Harry thought as he skid to a halt at the glass and felt
an intense feeling of dread sweep him as he watched Sirius leap up onto Hermione, who's just
stood up, and the two hit the water with a loud splash. `Oh no, she's gonna kill me for
sure.'

“Well, you're definitely not earning star points mate. If she has a temper like you say she
might just kill you. Won't matter much to her, though, because Lily goes straight to her with
you dead anyway. On that subject, can I have your broom collection if she kills you?” Ron commented
cheerily patting him on the back. He'd run down hearing all the commotion hoping to see what
was going on and this was definitely worthwhile. He chortled imagining all the possible ways
Hermione could kill Harry. Harry shot him a death glare and Ginny swat her brother over the back of
the head calling him an idiot under her breath. Draco didn't say anything he just stared as the
irate woman sat up looking furious.

“Yep, you're a goner because she doesn't look pleasantly surprised.” Draco said
grimly.

“I don't suppose you want to go take credit for letting Sirius go? This is entirely your
fault after all.” Harry said hopefully.

“Nope, I love you man but not that much. She looks ready to kill. And as an auror I'm
admitting that she honestly scares me right now and that's saying something.” Draco
replied.

* * *

Hermione didn't scream, she hadn't shouted. She didn't time to before she hit the
water. She had been getting up deciding to go talk to Harry when she'd seen the huge black dog
hurtling towards her. She hit the cold water and was instantly soaked. She'd sat up with a
sharp intake of breath, coughing up water, and breathing hard as the dog got off of her and barked
happily prancing around her. He nudged her to get up as if he wanted to play. He seemed to take the
hint and scurried away from her at the steely look of promised doom she shot him. `This is why I
bought a cat.' Hermione thought as she swept the water from her face and looked up to see four
shocked looking faces staring at her from the glass doors. She felt her face heat up with red hot
with anger. All except Harry slowly inched away from the door so she set her death glare at
him.

Harry clearly read `you will die' in her eyes as he reluctantly walked into the courtyard.
Lily's giggles were the only sound in the courtyard. He gave a nod of his head towards the
doors letting her know it was best to go because things were not going to be pretty.

“Sirius, Out!” Harry commanded the dog that was now happily prancing around a thrilled looking
Lily. The two left in a jolly manner that Harry wished her could follow but turned to face the
wrath of Hermione instead. She was shouting, that he could tell but not a single word registered as
he was caught up in how extremely sexy she looked sopping wet and angry as hell. Her eyes were
alight with a raging passionate fire and her hair was hanging around her waist and the shorter
front plastered to her shoulders and around her breast. Harry'd be lying to say he didn't
notice how her t-shirt clung to her form now and her tight jeans seemed to be even tighter now
clinging to her every curve.

One of the straps on her shirt hung off her shoulder setting the shirt slightly off. The smooth
creamy skin of her stomach was exposed as the wet shirt stuck to her bunched slightly in random
places causing it to look smaller. However, that wasn't as captivating as the tops of her
glorious water glistening full breasts that were now exposed by the neckline hanging dangerously
low due to the off strap. The need to touch her came back strong as he watched a water droplet
slide from her neck all the way down until he lost sight of it between her breasts. `Sweet Merlin
what I wouldn't give to be that water droplet.' He thought staring longingly at her
breasts. She looked like a raging goddess in his opinion, one he'd like very much to ravish
right then and there.

“Are you listening to me?” She shouted finally catching his attention as he snapped his head up
to meet her gaze. “Uck, stop being a bloody pervert for five seconds and listen to me, you immoral
idiot. I hardly appreciate that beast jumping on me and he honestly shouldn't be let around
Lily. He'll crush her if he tries the same thing on her. Do you even think about these things?
Honestly . . .”

Harry tuned her out again as his eyes dropped to her lips. He believed he should be given credit
for at least keeping his eyes on her face this time. He knew her rage was beyond words and as he
continued to stare at her lips he inwardly shrugged he had no other way of stopping her. He had to
kiss her. It wasn't just because he wanted to it was required as this was a desperate
situation. Although he knew that was crap reasoning he honestly didn't care as his armed shot
out and snaked around her waist and jerked her to him so she was crushed against his body. She
didn't have time to try to stop him as he crashed his lips onto hers. Her gasp of surprise made
him growl as she provided the perfect opportunity for him to slip his tongue into her mouth.

Hermione attempted to pull away but he held her tight. She pushed against his chest trying to
get him away from her but her struggles were useless he was entirely too strong for her. As she
gave up on getting free she relaxed a bit and enjoyed the kiss tentatively responding to him. The
kiss grew more fierce as the sexual tension began to rise between them and Harry's brain shut
down to everything but her. He felt her fingers tangling in his hair and was surprised by how much
this simple action aroused him.

The striking contrast of her cold wet clothes soaking his own against their hot bodies
wasn't helping matters either. As he held her tighter against him pressing her against him he
was certain she could feel what she was doing to him. The small shudder that racked her body caused
him to groan against her mouth as he felt her nipples brushing against his hard chest. He trailed a
hand up her shirt from her waist to cup one of those glorious breasts that had been captivating his
attention more and more frequently. She gaped into his mouth not breaking the kiss as he began to
massage her through the cotton bra she wore. She moaned clutching at his arms and pressing further
still to him wanting more.

“Harry.” She breathed, her head falling back as he moved his lips down to worship her throat
sucking lightly on the junction between her neck and shoulder as he'd been longing to do since
day one. His other hand came up to remove her shirt when a distant childish giggling sounded in the
back of his head.

He vaguely wondered where the sound was coming from as he inched her shirt up caressing each new
surface of skin he exposed. A bark sounded and he paled as he paused with Hermione's shirt
bunched in hands just below her breasts. He snapped his head around to see Lily and Sirius peeking
in the glass door.

He hastily pulled Hermione's shirt back down and released her from his arms turning
completely around to tell Lily to go find Ginny and ask for lunch. The little girl nodded and
giggled heading off with Sirius following behind her.

Harry ran a distracted hand through his hair as he turned back around to face Hermione. He had
to admit he'd been expecting a more breathless scattered looking woman as compared to the
piercing glare of an enraged woman he was met with. By the way she was clenching and unclenching
her fist he go the sense that she'd rather like to hit him right now. `What the hell?' She
didn't looked moved in the slightest by what had just transpired between them. She showed
virtually no signs of having been snogged beyond the swollen lips and the slight hickey on her
neck.

“Maybe, it's not clear to you, but I'm not most girls. So you can't kiss your way
out of everything. It won't work. Don't think you can make me submit to you and forget what
was going on just because you kissed me.” Hermione raged on as if she'd never stopped in the
first place.

Harry just stared at her completely dumb founded. How can she not have been affected in the
slightest? `How does she do that?' He wanted to scream in frustration at the fact that he
simply could not win this woman over. She had to be the most difficult person he'd ever met.
`This is insane.' When he finally recovered he formulated a smooth reply to snap back at her. .
"I wasn't trying to kiss my way out of the situation I only wanted you to stop shouting
and breath.”

“Oh yes because breathing definitely seemed your main focus just them. Don't touch me or I
swear I'll hex you into next year.” She hissed vehemently. “I'm going to marry you but only
for Lily's sake since someone has to look out for her well being since apparently you
can't. You're stuck in some delusion that just because you're Harry Potter you can do
any and everything you want but you're dead wrong and I'm not going to let you be a bad
influence on her. I taught her too well for you to go mess her up with your loose morals and
irresponsibleness.”

With that said Hermione turned on her heels and stormed out of the courtyard leaving Harry to
stare after her. `What have I gotten myself into?' He thought watching her go.

Hermione stormed into her room still in a fit of rage and hit the knob for the shower. She
dropped her wet clothes and stepped in scrubbing furiously at her body, trying to wash him away. `I
absolutely loath that foul man.' She thought angrily as she attacked her skin until it was
light pink from the furious punishment.

“Bloody traitorous body.” She muttered angrily as she stepped out the shower and began rubbing
herself dry. “I don't need this right now. Of all people to want it had to be that immoral,
insensitive, obnoxious, arrogant jerk. Argh!”

When she'd finished screaming into the towel she wrapped it around herself and set about
drying her clothes when a knock sounded on the door. `If it's him I'll kill him.' She
thought as she called out to see who it was. She gave a sigh as she heard Ginny's voice telling
her she was dropping off some clothes since Hermione had only brought one change of clothes with
her. She called out her thanks and waited to here the door close before exiting the bathroom to
find a honey colored tank top and designer jeans lying on the bed.

She attempted putting them on and it was immediately clear how much smaller Ginny was compared
to her. The shirt was much too tight and the jeans wouldn't even come up over her hips. She
grabbed her wand from her night stand and muttered a spell to resize both pieces to fit her
properly. When she was finally dressed and able to breathe properly in the outfit that had been
left for her she heard a soft knocking on the door. Judging by the softness of the knock she
thought it was Lily and told her to come on in. She was mildly shocked to see Ginny come in
carrying a couple notebooks, note cards, post-it notes, and an assortment of colored pens.

“Sirius is such a big dog and he gets excited so easily. He must have picked up your scent and
wanted to aquatint himself. I'm sure he didn't mean it. Harry's really sorry.” Ginny
tried to explain but was only met with a scowl. “Maybe we should talk about something else? We
could start planning the wedding? Making the lists at least, so when we get to Italy and meet up
with the girls all we have to do is revise the list and shop.”

“Couldn't it just be small and insignificant like eloping in America or something?” Hermione
grimaced at the thought of having to plan a huge wedding.

Ginny laughed at the request thinking Hermione was joking as she made her way across the room
and lay down on the bed spreading her things out. She patted the bed next to her inviting Hermione
to join her in lying on her stomach and uncapping a pen.

“Oh Hermione you make me laugh so. You're about to marry the most famous wizard of our time,
nothing is small or insignificant with him.” Ginny stated matter-of-factly, the wink she gave
Hermione told her that statement had more than one meaning. “Come on it'll be loads of fun and
a great bonding experience. I'll be around a lot in Italy since my older brother is one of
Harry's best friends. I'm a fashion designer/interior decorator so I work whenever I please
or a friend asks me to remodel their home or make an all original outfit or something. So whenever
you need me just give a shout because I'm never busy.”

“Oh.” Hermione murmured wondering what it was like to not have to earn your living and working
when you please. `I suppose I'll have to talk to Harry about that. He mentioned quitting my job
and Ginny mentioned spending all day with Lily does this mean they don't expect me to work in
Italy?'

“We have loads to do guest lists, dinner selection, wine selection, seating arrangements, music,
the whole bit. It's so exciting. I've always wanted to plan a wedding. I've been hoping
to add wedding planner to my list of many professions for a while now.” Ginny sighed, a shiny
wistful look in her eye. “I can't wait to get married. It sounds so romantic.”

Hermione just stared at the dreamy looking red head. There was nothing remotely romantic about
her situation. It was all a huge miserable ordeal and she really wished she didn't have to go
through with it but she reminded herself she had to do it for Lily. She had to always be there for
her like she'd promised. With that thought in mind listened to Ginny who was spouting off ideas
and scribbling a list down furiously in her notebook. Hermione glanced at her own and sighed as she
tried to think of things she needed to do.

After a couple of hours all she had down was guest list, send invitations, buy a dress, and find
a reception venue. She felt rather dumb as she wasn't one of those girls who'd been
planning her wedding since the wedding day Barbie came out. Rather she was reading about advanced
spells and alchemical sciences. She paled glancing over at Ginny's list. `Merlin save me.'
She thought as Ginny stabbed a period onto the page and then grinned at Hermione.

“So, what'd you come up with?” Ginny asked.

“Er, most definitely no that much.” Hermione sighed closing her notebook. “I think it's best
if we look at your list.”

“Are you sure?” Ginny asked trying to steal a peek before Hermione's notebook was completely
shut.

“Positive!” Hermione said.

“Alright, here's what I got.” Ginny bubbled thrusting her list into Hermione's hands and
babbling excitedly as she attempted to explain it all. Hermione's eyes were wide as saucers as
she tried to take it all in. This was going to be expensive.


Choose Wedding Date


Decide on Honeymoon


Get Priest


Choose Reception Venue


Make Guest List


Choose Maid of Honor


Choose Best Man


Register for gifts


Arrange for Engagement Parties


Plan Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties


Choose Birds to send invitations


Buy Engagement Rings


Buy Wedding Rings


Choose Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid dresses


Order Wedding Cakes


Decide on Dessert Selection


Hire Caterer


Hire Band for Reception


Order flowers


Buy Shoes


Buy Wedding Dress


Plan Rehearsal Dinner


Order and send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations


Hire Musicians for Ceremony


Choose Theme


Choose ice sculptures


Choose color scheme


Decide on Dress Code


Get Marriage License


Hire Videographer


Hire Photographer


Order bouquets


Order Boutonnières for Men


Order Nosegays for Women


Order Invitations


Decide on Wine Selection


Choose Hair style and make up


Buy gifts for attendants


Buy Thank You cards


Announce Wedding to the Press


Buy Headpiece


Make Table Seating Charts


Decide on Menu


Decide on hors d' oeuvres


Decide on Dinner service


Decide on staff-guest ratio


Decide seated or buffet


Reserve Vegetarian meals


Reserve staff meals


Make Photo list


Choose Hotel for Wedding Night


Hire a limousine for church-reception transportation


Decide on liquor selection


Hire Bartenders


Verify Wheelchair accessibility


Choose Processional music


Choose Recessional Music


Choose Cocktail Music


Choose Reception Music


Choose Ceremony Readings


Prepare Birdseeds instead of rice


Schedule manicure/ pedicure/ wax/ massage


Schedule a Spa day


“Um, Ginny, don't you this is a bit . . . ah, a bit much?” Hermione asked a stricken look on
her face.

“No, of course not, it's just the basics. We'll expand and elaborate on it all once we
get home and get the other's input on it.” Ginny grinned looking proudly over her long
list.

“Eh?” Hermione's eyes widened at the thought of this being the basics. This was going to
turn extremely complicated. She could tell. She saw Harry passing by the ajar bedroom door and
despite how much she still wanted to hit him she called out to him.

“Er, just so, uh, we don't go too overboard, which I already think we have, um what's
our budget?” Hermione asked looking from him to the list and back up.

“Budget?” Harry and Ginny inquired looking confused, as though they'd never heard the term
before. They exchanged questioning looks and then both stared at Hermione like she'd lost her
mind.

“You know the amount we're allowed to spend on this wedding. Surely you don't intend to
go over a set amount? I mean that's outrageous to start planning something without knowing how
much you're willing to spend first, right?” Hermione cried frantically looking back and forth
between them as they continue to give her that look like she was speaking a foreign language.

“Um, well no, actually we don't have one of those. Not really, so ah, just have at it. Spend
as much as you like. I highly doubt you can bankrupt me.” Harry replied nodding, his expression not
changing.

“You can't be serious?” Hermione insisted looking between the two as if they were
insane.

“Why not?” Harry asked shrugging.

“I . . . that's . . . how?” Hermione looked back and forth between them looking for some
sign of understanding in one of their faces but got nothing. “Oh never mind.”

“Right, so, um Lily and I are going to go start on that huge paint by number mosaic I conjured
on the playroom floor.” Harry said.

Hermione nodded to him remembering the enormous play room on the main floor next to the living
room. She'd only been in there once and it just screamed a child's heaven. It housed even
more toys than the nursery.

“Well then since that's all cleared up I'll start making some phone calls and add a few
details here and there to the list, okay? You might want to run home while Lily's preoccupied
and pack up your things, though. We'll be leaving in a day or two.” Ginny suggested as she got
up off the bed and headed for the door. “Smile Hermione, it's not all bad.”

With that last comment thrown over her shoulder she headed out the door whipping out her cell
phone. `Easy for her to say.' Hermione thought as she dragged herself up and decided to go
along with Ginny's suggestion to return home and grab her things.

-->



4. 3. Planning
--------------



**Chapter 3: Planning**

Hermione's head was pounding her last two days in been a huge blur. She'd gone to
collect her things and upon returning had met an overly enthusiastic Ginny who was telling her
about the calls she made and appointments she'd set up for when they get to Italy. Hermione was
somewhat glad Ginny had taken it upon herself to plan the wedding and yet she knew that it was
still going to end up stressing her out.

She'd called her parents that night to tell them she was getting married. They'd been
shocked and had both picked up the phone so they wouldn't have to talk through one another as
they rattled questions off to her. She'd managed to get off with she'd met a “nice” guy who
loved children and was more than capable of taking care of them. She could here the wariness in
their voices and was fully aware that she was a terrible liar and they'd easily figured out she
was leaving out detail. They didn't press her though knowing it'd all come out in time.

“Well good on you dear. It's about time you had someone taking care of you and Lily. You
just haven't had any time for yourself since Fleur left her with you. I do hope you're
happy. You're such a sweet girl and you deserve it.” Her step-mother had told her. Hermione had
said good bye after that and thought about her parents for a while. `If only I could just get
married for love like they did.' Hermione sighed. Her mother had died when she was very young
due to cancer. As Hermione was muggle-born she wasn't aware that there might be a spell that
could have saved her. She'd become very reclusive after that keeping to her books and only
really communicating with her father.

Her father had gone away to France on business and come back telling her he'd met the most
amazing woman. She'd lost her companion and was dressed very oddly but she was beautiful. He
was quite the linguist and was one of the few able to communicate with her in her broken English.
He'd helped her find her way to this café she'd been searching for and never expected to
see her again but the next day she was sitting in the café which he had to pass to get to his
convention and she'd waved him over. He'd spent a majority of his trip talking to the
enchanting woman.

She'd expressed an interest in wanting to learn more about muggle England. He hadn't
been sure what muggle meant but he'd told her he'd love to show her around if she ever came
to England. He'd been extremely surprised when she'd shown up not a week later to take him
up on his offer. She'd simply adored Hermione's pale porcelain complexion and “adorable”
accent.

From there Hermione wasn't really sure how the story went. She just knew that her father
came home starry eyed and raving about witches and magic one day and he was engaged the next.
They'd traveled to France to meet her two daughters and everything had changed from there.
They'd been introduced into a wizarding world and found that, that café she'd been looking
for was the entrance to such a magnificent place. Hermione had been enthralled and enjoyed her time
spent with the French family. As Fleur was already attending Beauxbatons the two younger girls were
sent there as well despite their residency in England. They'd both visited the English school
Hogwarts once for the triwizard tournament. Now that Hermione thought about it she had seen Harry
in real life once before and that was then but she couldn't make the comparison to the boy
she'd seen then and the man he was now. Shaking it off she returned to her thoughts of her
family.

She'd gotten on well with her younger step-sister, Gabrielle, but Fleur only seemed to look
at her and her father as though they were beneath her. Fleur had separated herself from the family
and only really held contact with Gabrielle, being the only innocent party in Fleur's opinion
since she was so young at the time.

Now with their children grown her parents had bought a smaller home in the English countryside
to enjoy their days together awaiting son-in-laws and grandchildren. She smiled remembering the
time they'd told her just that. Well they'd be happy now. Fleur had disappointed them;
though they loved Lily to pieces the whole story of how she came to be had upset them. They'd
wanted their daughters to fall in love, settle down, and raise stable families.

Hermione sighed; well she was settling down and eventually going to be raising a family. She
cringed at the thought of having to raise a family with Harry. The only wish her parents
wouldn't get was the whole love bit but it wasn't like they would know. They'd be
acting the loving family whenever they were around people and that included her parents.

As she lay on her bed with her head buried under a mountain of pillows she heard a soft knock on
the door.

“It's open.” She moaned not removing her head from the pillows. It was probably just Ginny
anyway. She'd jumped when she heard Harry's voice instead.

“What are you doing?” He asked pulling the pillows up only to find the back of her curly brown
head. “Trying to suffocate yourself?”

“No.” She said icily. “I was thinking.”

“Your brain functions better when you have oxygen.”

“I was breathing just fine. What do you want?”

“We have to go get our marriage licenses and your stamps in your passport so you can live in
Italy.”

“I don't want to go. Can't we do it tomorrow? I'm kind of busy.”

“With what? Suffocating yourself?”

“I was not suffocating myself I was thinking. Now can we go tomorrow or not?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said we're going now.”

She glared at him as he turned and strode out of the room telling her she had ten minutes to be
ready to go.

“Jerk.” She muttered as she slipped off the bed and swept her hair up into a messy ponytail. She
grabbed her purse and shoved her passport in it as she grabbed a wind breaker and met Harry down by
the garage entrance.

“Here put this on.” He said shoving a cap into her hands.

“You've got to be kidding me. My hair's not that bad and if you hadn't given me just
ten minutes I'd of actually brushed it.” Hermione snapped pushing the hat back at him.

“I never said your hair was bed. The messy look is rather fitting on you just like the wet
look.” He grinned watching her cheeks flame and the glare return to her eyes. “Hat's because we
don't want paparazzi to recognize you just yet. That'll ruin the surprise.”

Hermione took the hat reluctantly and pulled the cap on and pulled her ponytail through it
before adjusting it to cover her eyes and shadow the rest of her face.

“Hmm, you haven't done this before have you?” Harry asked noticing how she knew exactly how
to angle the cap so she wasn't visible.

“I used to do it in college when I was avoiding this football player who kept asking me out.”
She mumbled. Harry laughed and pulled his own cap on as he escorted her out to the car. He gave the
chauffer some instructions and they were off. She felt like she spent the whole rest of the day
signing papers and answering questions.

The next day she'd spent wanting to bash her head in. It took them all morning to come up
with a rough draft of their guest list. `I think it'd be easier to just list who in England is
not invited to the wedding.' She thought grimly as she'd stared at the list horrified.
Ginny skipped in with Lily and joined them on the floor by the coffee table which as littered with
their notes. Lily moved to Hermione's lap and began rattling off questions about what was going
on. Hermione tried briefly explaining it to her before she picked up the lists again and
groaned.

“What's wrong?” Harry asked her.

“We've revised this list about a hundred times and we still have at least five hundred
people on here.” Hermione pointed to the papers scattered around them.

“Actually I think it's a bit closer to eight hundred.” Ginny grinned. “But I haven't
really counted yet so I can't be sure.”

“I still think we're missing people.” Harry sighed as he leaned back against the couch
watching Ginny skim over the list.

“Yea, we are but once it's in the papers and people start talking we'll be able to
figure it out. Plus if we just do an open guest seating area, first come first serve, for all those
who have supported you but you really don't know very well then that'll take care of the
problem. I'll be sure to add that to the announcement going in the *Daily Prophet* next
week. I've also talked to a couple of magazines so they know to take you off the most eligible
bachelor list and print the wedding announcement as well. I'm sure they'll want to do some
interviews so here are your test prep questions.” Ginny said handing them a manila folder with a
bunch of papers in it. “I've gotten a hold of a couple of muggle newspapers as well to print
the wedding announcement so all of that is out of the way. I've got to go, though, because I
have Lavender and Pavarti on the line looking for a venue for the engagement party.”

“I've got to go see Draco and Ron about being my best men and assembling a party of
groomsmen.” Harry said getting up and following Ginny out of the room.

“I suppose I should find a Maid of Honor.” Hermione sighed to Lily as she stacked up the papers
scattered around her. Lily helped her put them all in a organized piles on the desk in
Hermione's room before going off the find Sirius to play with since the adults were all
busy.

Hermione picked up the phone in her room and spent the rest of the day calling family and
friends to tell them she was engaged. She called her best friends from back school and asked them
if they'd be interested in being a part of her bridal party.

The final day in England seemed to fly by since she and Ginny sat down and began planning the
engagement parties. Why they needed multiple parties, Hermione didn't understand. She just
nodded and listened as Ginny explained it would be a long week of celebration after celebration
after celebration. By day she and Harry had a list of interviews and meals to attend and by night
they would attend their many engagement parties. Ginny saw it as fun and exciting while Hermione
saw it as five days of sheer torture. On top of that Hermione's parents were having a family
get together at the end of that week so that everyone could meet Hermione's fiancé.

When Ginny finally left her to go make phone calls to get everything set up as they decided
Hermione dropped her head into her hands. She sat at the kitchen table like this for quite a while
taking deep breaths and trying not to be so overwhelmed. It was all too much. She'd never been
one to fantasize about her wedding day because she had other priorities but when she did she'd
never imagined anything to this magnitude. She'd always just seen a simple wedding at her
childhood church. Just close family and friends invited and one brief engagement party if any.

She had thought she'd marry a simple man from a small town like herself, not the wizarding
world's multibillionaire playboy. Her head hurt just thinking about how much more there was to
do. It had been difficult enough to put together those “basic” plans for the engagement parties;
they hadn't even touched the wedding. She wanted to cry just wishing it'd all just go
away.

Harry entered the kitchen with Lily cuddled up in his arms. They'd been at the park all day
and had a picnic. She'd been excited to get home to tell Hermione all about it. He froze in the
doorway, though, seeing Hermione sitting at the table head down sounding as though she may be
crying. He eased forward setting Lily on the floor and took a seat beside her. Troubled eyes looked
up at him and he felt distantly hurt as he noticed the defeated look that came into her eyes when
she saw him.

“What do you want because I honestly don't have it in me to fight with you right now?”
Hermione asked looking tiredly at him

“Mummy's all stressed out.” Lily concluded as she came around to give Hermione a hug.

“I'm not here to argue, Lily was looking for you.” Harry stated sounding harsh
unintentionally. He was feeling a bit bitter at the fact that she thought all he was capable of was
pissing her off.

Hermione nodded and stood up taking Lily's hand, “Let's go talk in Mummy's
room.”

Harry watched the little girl nod and head off with Hermione disappearing out the door. He sat
there drumming his fingers on the table for a moment before getting up to go find Ginny. He found
her in the library with the laptop up and several phones around all on speaker phone and her
headset on. He had to admit she did look really professional with her hair pulled up into a tight
bun and a crisp lavender blouse on. There were papers and notes scattered around her that he
figured only she could decode. She was talking quickly and alternating between glancing at the
laptop screen and scribbling notes down on a piece of paper.

Harry headed over and looked down at the desk skimming the titles on some of the pages: one had
interviews scrawled across the top with a variety of magazine and newspapers written on it with
dates and times corresponding to each, another read photo shoots and looked almost identical to the
interviews page, then there was engagement parties 1-5 with checklists and some seemed to be half
way completed.

She had a quill enchanted to rewrite the guest list in alphabetical order. Stuck to the wall
were lists of caterers, cake decorators, florists, bands, churches, and reception venues.

`Wow.' Harry mouthed as he looked around. `This might explain why Hermione's stressed.
It's only day two and Ginny seems to have charged right in. We haven't even decided on a
wedding day yet.'

He looked a Ginny who gave him a small wave and flashed a smile before returning to whoever she
was conversing with. Harry left just as silently as he'd entered decided it was best not to
mess with her.

Hermione was now exiting the airport, a ring of aurors, dressed as body guards, surrounded her
and Harry, shouting at the press to get back. Ginny, Ron, and Draco strode to the exit as if they
didn't notice a thing. Hermione winced at each flash of the cameras and clutched a sobbing Lily
close to her. They'd been swamped the minute they'd gotten off the plane and all the
commotion had woken Lily who'd fallen asleep during the flight. Harry was now looking extremely
pissed off as he shouted at them to back the hell off because they were upsetting his daughter.

Hermione was trying to sooth Lily and hurry as quickly as possible to the waiting limo outside.
Getting in wasn't an easy task as the reporters tried to stop them from reaching the limo. She
jumped hearing the crunch of a camera as Harry smashed one with his bare hands and threw the pieces
back at the photographer who'd gotten too close to her and Lily. Hermione ducked into the car
staring terrified out the window as he continued shouting at them.

“Tomorrow's paper's not going to be pretty.” Ginny sighed as she began filing her nails
and waved to Hermione as she and Ron got into their family car which had just pulled up to take
them to their homes.

Draco was with Harry now seemingly angry at something a reporter had asked him, he gave the guy
the finger and retorted with something vulgar. The aurors were struggling to get Harry and Draco to
go now that they'd gotten so worked up. One of the aurors opened the door and gestured for
Harry to get in. Harry made his last remark before getting in and sitting across from Hermione
looking angry enough to kill. They were silent for a while just staring at each other. Lily's
sniffling was the only sound in the back seat of the limo as it left the airport.

“Is she alright?” Harry finally asked.

“She'll live. They startled her and all the flashes overwhelmed her as she was just waking
up. I'm sure the aurors didn't lessen her spook either. Getting angry and shouting
didn't seem to be helping matters either.” Hermione said stiffly as she continued to rub
Lily's back.

He didn't respond to her comment, simply turned to stare out the window. `Bloody bastards
ought to stay out my business.'

“You'll be paying for that camera you smashed?” Hermione quarried.

“Of course not!” Harry snapped at her.

“Harry!”

“He shouldn't have pointed it in her face.”

“That's the man's job.”

“Well he should get another one. It's rather annoying always having people poking around in
you business, following you everywhere you go.”

“That's their job and as long as you're a celebrity you'll have to deal with.”

“I suppose you'll have to deal with it too. We'll see how you like never being left
alone.”

“I'm not doing it by choice though.”

“Neither did I! Do you think I wanted to be the boy-who-lived? I didn't just wake up in the
morning and think `Oh I hope Voldemort kills my mum and dad today so I can one day defeat him and
get famous.'”

Hermione went silent. She hadn't thought about it like that. She only ever thought about how
he was always in the paper with some woman or for pulling some stunt. She never thought about it as
a life he'd been forced into rather than one he wanted. He always looked like he was enjoying
himself.

“I'm sorry.” She whispered.

“Don't be, I know that's not what you meant. I shouldn't have attacked you like
that.” Harry said.

“Can we just start this day over?”

“If that's what you want.”

She nodded and fell silent looking out the window. Lily had calmed down and was looking back and
forth between the two silent adults. Harry was staring out the opposite window just as stony and
silent as Hermione.

“Look up there.” Harry said after a while of riding in silence. He was pointing out of the
window at a large villa that was coming into view. “That's where we'll be living.”

“Oh my.” Hermione breathed looking out the window as he indicated. It was gorgeous, and
decorated as if by the ancient Romans. “Lily look.”

Harry grinned watching Hermione's eyes light up as she took in the villa and pulled Lily
into her lap, pointing out the window. The tears all gone, Lily's eyes sparkled gazing out the
window. Hermione's eyes roamed over the secluded expanse of land that surrounded the villa and
caught site of a quidditch pitch.

“Uh, Harry I know you play quidditch professionally and have some strong ties with the ministry
but this seems very secluded for someone who needs to be on call at all hours of the day. How do
you maintain it all from out here?” Hermione asked turning away from the window.

“I have an apartment in Naples I usually stay at. I only work as an auror during my off season
so during the season between games every once and a while I come out here. Other than that I
don't usually use the villa but with Lily it seemed better to move out here year-round.
It's a better place for raising a family; I can just apart to Naples in the mornings.” Harry
shrugged.

Hermione blushed again and quickly turned away at the mentioning of raising a family.

“We can attend an opera anytime you wish and take Lily for gondola rides the museums and
cathedrals might interest you as well.” Harry told them as the limo pulled into an archway at the
top of a circular drive way. The fresh smell of wild flowers and the tinkling of several fountains
made a smile spread across Hermione's face.

“I think I love it here already. I'd love to paint your garden.” Hermione said stepping out
of the car taking the hand of a butler who'd opened the door for her. She spun in a slow circle
trying to take in as much of the beauty of the villa at once as she could. Lily was climbing out
behind her and immediately grabbed Hermione's hand as she joined her in staring in awe.

“You can paint our gardens any time you like. You live here now Hermione and the villa's as
good as half yours. You have as much time as you like to try to capture it all.” He said right next
to her ear. He'd come to stand to the side of her, slightly behind. His eyes grazed over her
profile he saw a flicker of something he didn't like cross her face at the mentioning of this
being where she lived from now on. `But I thought she said she loved it. It's a historical
artist dream. What can still be troubling her?' He thought. `This is where she belongs, damnit.
With me!'

Harry placed a hand on the small of her back gesturing towards the great double doors that the
butler had opened; he led her and Lily inside as Dobby, Winky, and several other house elves
appeared to gather their luggage. Hermione frowned slightly seeing them all but didn't comment
for the moment.

She let Harry guide her inside with Lily's hand tucked into her own. She gasped marveling at
just the foyer. The first thing she noticed was the large winding stair case that came up from
three directions and met at one point, only to split off again into two directions. Where two of
the lower stair cases met a sculpture of a Roman goddess stood in that corner with an armful of
fresh flowers. Her brownish clay matched well with the creamy brown marble floor. Hermione's
tennis shoes squeaked slightly as she walked across the beautiful spotless floor. Old stone walls
held archways that lead to the different rooms of the house.

She and Lily were lead up the stairs to the expansive second floor. From there she could see the
magnificent chandelier that hung over the foyer and looked as though it was not only electrical but
could be lit by firelight as well. As they progressed down the halls she realized that all the
lighting gave the option of firelight or electricity.

They were now in the east wing according to Harry. It was the most lived in part of the villa as
the west wing was dotted with guest rooms that had not been used since the villa was built several
centuries ago. There was a large dark door at the end of the hallway that sparked Hermione's
curiosity. She was slightly disappointed when they turned into the room next to it on the right
wall. Upon entering it she found a replica of Lily's nursery in England only in her opinion a
thousand times more beautiful. There were more bay windows that gave an excellent display of the
front gardens below and washed the room in a warm sunny glow. The ceiling was blue with large puffy
white wispy clouds carelessly floating by.

The bed had a plush white comforter with gold trim and a unicorn stitched into it. On the
bedside table there was a music box with a proud looking unicorn figurine on top. There were fresh
flowers on the table as well as a white leather bound diary. The border was white gold and Lillian
Rose Potter was engraved on the front in a beautiful swirling cursive.

Harry stood in the doorway watching Hermione and Lily inspecting the room. He saw the surprised
delight as they discovered the house elves had already unpacked their things and the pictures and
awards that used to be displayed around their house and Lily's room were now placed
strategically around the room.

“This is amazing Harry.” Hermione said joining him at the doorway. “I . . . thank you. I think
she loves it.”

Harry nodded solemnly trying not to let her see just how happy it made him to finally have her
approval of something. “I told Ginny to go all out.”

They watched Lily inspecting a display case filled with dolls. She seemed to be trying to decide
which one she wanted to play with. She eventually stood on her toes reaching for the knob on the
glass doors and pulled it open. She began pulling the dolls down one by one and inspecting each.
Some she kept down by her side and others she put back for now.

“I think she's content for the moment so we should let her play. Come, I have more to show
you.” He steered her out the room silently pulling Lily's door until it was merely cracked open
before he moved across the hall to stand between two doors that looked identical.

“This one,” He said pointing to the door on his right as he faced Hermione, “leads to the room
of requirements. You just have to walk back and forth passed it about three times concentrating on
what you'd like and the room will open for you becoming just that.”

Hermione nodded and listened as he directed her attention to the other door.

“This door will eventually be your art room. It's not completed yet but if you'd like to
see it.” He paused, waiting for her answer. She nodded and he pushed open the door beckoning her
in.

The floor was covered in tarps and the walls were bare of color. He told her he'd had the
back wall redone so it was now completely glass. She was grateful to him for this as she looked out
to see the large expanse of garden behind the house that vaguely reminded her of her trip to the
Chateau Versailles. A large pool sparkled outside and it also followed the ancient roman theme with
its sculptures and fountains adding to its beauty. She could see behind that the area was split off
into four sections: a tennis court, a basketball court, a soccer field, and a quidditch pitch.

“You enjoy muggle sports?” She commented upon noticing this.

“Yea, sometimes you get a bit tired of playing quidditch all day everyday and just need a bit of
change. You don't play any sports do you?” He asked joining her at the window.

“I had tennis lessons when I was younger and played in a junior league for a while but I
haven't touched a racket much since.” Hermione told him with a shrug.

“I suppose we'll have to get you onto the court sometime and see how much you remember. And
if you have a court preference, you can transform it into any type clay, grass, hard, you name it
you got it.”

“I haven't the slightest clue what type of court I was playing on.” Hermione laughed.

“Well then you'll just have to pick your favorite over time. As for this room the view is
probably the most magnificent thing at the moment. Ginny'll get it all painted and whatnot soon
enough.”

“No, don't do that. Leave it as it is. It'll be more homey if Lily and I paint it.
I'll just have to get a few tools and then we can set to work on it.”

“Anything you need you can get from the closet I'm having installed. It'll have a direct
link to the local art supply shop so you'll be able to just get what you need and it'll all
be paid for without the hassle of searching around a huge shop for hours.”

“But isn't that the fun bit? You find the most interesting things while hunting around
shops.” Hermione sighed wistfully.

“I wouldn't know. I don't do most of my own shopping. That's what the hired help is
for.” Harry said briskly, turning to exit the room.

Hermione frowned at his last statement. She didn't like the thought of relying on hired
help. She'd always lived by the rule if `you can do it yourself, do it'. `Why be lazy? But
then again, if you were a busy man like Harry maybe you had to rely on help.' She tried to
reason with herself.

“And alas, here's our room.” Harry announced leading her out and up to the huge dark door
she'd been curious about earlier.

“Our room?” She echoed, not so curious any more, quite the opposite actually. She'd rather
not enter that room alone with him. Frankly, she'd rather not enter at all.

“Yes, our room. I do believe that's what I said.”

“And I'd really rather not as I said nothing right off.”

“I'm not going to jump you Hermione. I said I wouldn't touch you and I won't
presumably until you want me to but I do have a reputation to uphold. It wouldn't do for every
wizard on the planet to know my wife won't share a room with me.”

“I'm not your wife.”

“But you will be.”

“Not for a while.”

“All the same, eventually you will be so you might as well come and see. And just so you'll
feel safe at night you'll have your own room, right next door to Lily's and Mrs. Weasley,
Ron and Ginny's mother, will be coming to stay with us until the wedding.”

“Good!”

“If you say so.” Harry shrugged. “Be it now or later you'll eventually share my bed so the
waiting seems a bit pointless.”

“It may be pointless to you but I'd still rather it later.” Hermione replied stepping back a
bit from him. The dark look that filled her with both fear and excitement had returned to his eyes
and she couldn't stop her heart from speeding up a bit in anticipation of what he might do.

“Why are you backing away? Afraid of me or yourself?” He growled advancing on her until she was
pressed against the door and his body blocked any escape she could hope to attempt.

“I'm not afraid. I'm just . . .” She stopped; she wasn't really sure what she was.
The man put her on edge so often it was hard to tell what she was feeling around him.

“I'm not going to force you into anything Hermione but I won't wait forever either and
your eyes tell me you don't want to wait forever either.”

“Is this why you asked me to marry you?”

Harry brought his head up from how close he'd been leaning to her. He frowned down at her
wondering what had brought the question on.

“Does it matter? I have my reasons some of which you might not like but I don't believe
that's relevant considering you're getting what you want too.” He replied evading the
question. A question he wasn't even able to answer to himself. “We've loitered here long
enough, come.”

With that he reached around her and opened the door. He noticed her sharp intake of breath, when
his body had brushed tantalizing close to hers when opening the door. He gave her a predatory grin
slowly brought his arm back making sure it brushed hers again before gesturing for her to enter.
She gave him a hard look before reluctantly entering the dark room.

She bit her lower lip, glancing worriedly around the room. The whole rest of the house had a
feminine flair about it and she could tell Ginny had been there but this room was completely
different. Dark curtains covered the windows blocking out any and all light. The black, silver, and
dark forest green color scheme gave the room a haunting effect. Emeralds lined the base boards all
the way around the room. There was only a small break in the line where a black door stood.

The black bed hangings were see-through and she could just make out the forest green comforter
covering the large bed. It was all quite gloomy in her opinion and her expression told Harry just
that.

“Don't worry. You and Ginny can change it to however you want. It's more your room than
mine since I'm away so much.” He told her.

She nodded and felt herself relax a bit when he mentioned being away a lot. She continued to
scan the room which seemed to be devoid of any pictures or paintings except for the one large
portrait on looming above the bed, on the back wall. It was a portrait of Harry in his quidditch
uniform.

“It'll be changed soon.” He said following her gaze. “We'll have one painted of you and
me. Now, I'll show you the rest of the house so you can begin settling in.”

-->



5. 4. The Rings
---------------



**Chapter 4: The** **Rings**

Hermione awakened early the next morning and decided to test herself on how much she remembered
of Harry's tour by finding her way to the kitchen. She remembered her mentioning she'd
never need to go in there since the house elves did all the cooking but she'd disregarded this
since she was pushing for the liberation of house elves from their slave lives. They worked just as
hard as people, if not harder and she believed they deserved to be treated with more respect than
they were currently receiving.

She marched into the kitchen and was immediately swarmed by several house elves with cries of
`Mistress need not be in here.' `Mistress' breakfast is already cooked.' `Is Mistress
lost?' `Did Mistress not like the food?' She was rushed out of the kitchen before she could
get a word in.

“I'll be making my own breakfast tomorrow.” She called through the door, though she
wasn't sure they could hear her through the thick oak. She turned and stalked into the
breakfast nook where she saw a laughing Harry flipping through the morning paper.

“You don't like your breakfast? It looks untouched.” He commented grinning up at her as he
indicated an untouched plate across from him.

“I didn't realize they'd cooked.”

“I told you yesterday they do all the cooking.”

“I was hoping I was up early enough to make my own.”

“They wake extremely early and know the instant you leave your bed. You'll never beat `em
down here. So why, may I ask, do you want to make your own breakfast when they'll gladly do it
for you.”

“Because I don't support slave labor.”

“Slave labor?”

“Yes, slave labor, I bet you don't pay them or give them proper credit for what they
do.”

“They don't want to be paid, they're bloody house elves.”

“You think just because they're not people they don't want to be paid or receive proper
accreditation for what they do.”

“Of course not. They just don't want to be paid and they wouldn't do their work in
private if they wanted everyone to know about it. I would pay them if they wanted me to but they
don't. Go ask `em they'll tell you just that. There's only one in there that wants to
be paid and he is. He gets vacation time and everything. I'm not some tyrannical monster that
just walks all over his employees.”

“You don't exactly make it difficult to believe you are though.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means . . .” Hermione was cut off mid shout by Ginny storming in.

“Harry James Potter have you seen the paper?” Ginny shouted.

“Well, yes actually it's quite amusing.” Harry grinned.

“No, it's not amusing and as your self proclaimed publicist I'm not happy. How could I
be so stupid as to not ask about her ring? Harry I can't believe you didn't buy her a
ring!”

“I didn't exactly go to England with the intention of getting married.”

“You could have conjured one to stand in. Now you have to release a statement as to why she
doesn't have an engagement ring on her finger, so you had better get thinking because you
aren't saying it's a marriage of convenience.”

“I don't have to tell them a damn thing.”

As Harry and Ginny continued to rage at each other Hermione slipped beside him and took the
paper from under his arm. There was a horrible picture of her looking quite terrified and flinching
at the flash of the cameras. Lily's face was buried in her shoulder and Harry was beside them
looking ready to kill. She skimmed the article and found it to be a bit of an attack on her and
Harry's character. They had a bunch of made up theories on what was going on and most
weren't very kind to her virtue. She scowled at the paper tossing it down and glaring at
Harry.

She sank into a chair, pushing around the food on her plate listening to them shout. If it
wasn't for the lack of resemblance she really would think they were brother and sister. They
argued as though they were siblings. She sighed as Ginny won and told Harry he'd have an over
the phone interview waiting when he got back.

“Back from where?” Hermione asked suddenly somewhat interested.

“Back from New York City, that's where I've set up a private meeting with one of my
favorite jewelry companies so you can get your rings. You can floo there since the owner is a
wizard and will be waiting for you. He'll keep everything very confidential so you don't
have to worry about the press. He promises to have whatever you order ready by the time your
photoshoots and interviews start.” Ginny explained making more notes in her notebook before using
her pencil to twist her hair up into a bun. “Be ready to go in ten minutes.”

Harry scowled at her as she sent him an acid look before turning to leave. She paused at the
door consulting her notebook.

“Hurry back, Hermione we're going to Paris and Milan today to do some shopping with the
girls. We need to restock your wardrobe and get you some dresses for the engagement parties.
You'll also need something semi-formal for the photoshoots though the cover of the bridal
magazines they'll be giving you a dress but you don't have to worry about going in for
sizing for a while now. Ooo and we'll probably need to get you some suits for one or two of the
interviews if not the luncheons and café meetings. Maybe some sun dresses too for casual afternoon
outings in case the press should make an appearance.” Ginny nodded to herself and flounced out the
door without looking up to see Hermione's bewildered expression.

“You're busy.” Harry commented.

“Apparently, I suppose . . . I suppose I'll have to leave Lily with you.” She said
softly.

“Yea, so?”

“Nothing.”

“You're going to have to get used to leaving her with me. Being my wife will probably be a
twenty-four hour a day job.”

“What?”

“You don't think the interviews, lunches, and stuff will all go away after the wedding, do
you? They'll be hounding you about everything next an interview on being a housewife, living
with Harry Potter, babies, everything.”

Hermione cringed at as he spoke.

“Actually, I was hoping I could get a job as an art student around here somewhere, something
free lance at least.” She said.

“You won't have time. That's why you have an art room. You're not here to work,
Hermione, you're here to be my wife.”

“And when were you planning on telling me all this. This I can't work business.”

“I just did.” He folded the paper she'd set back on the table and strode out the room,
looking arrogant as ever.

Hermione glared after him, folding her arms and muttering. `Well, that completely shoots my
plans. Grr, I can't stand that man!' She got up and stomped after him and met him at the
living room fireplace.

“Ready?” He asked offering her his hand. She rolled her eyes and turned away from him refusing
to answer him.

“Ignoring me now are we?” He smirked, throwing floo powder into the fire. He grabbed her arm and
tugged her in, giving the name of the shop Ginny had scribbled on a piece of paper for him.

The minute they arrived, she jerked her arm out of his grasp and stalked forward to dust herself
all.

“Oh come on, it's not that bad. Who wants to sit around and paint all day anyway? You'd
get bored with it and then your talents would be no good because you wouldn't be passionate
about the things you do have time to paint.” Harry reasoned as he followed her out of the fire
brushing himself off.

“If you think you're helping, YOU'RE NOT! So please do not speak to me for the next hour
or so.” She snapped.

“You're going to have to talk to me. How else will I know which ring you like?” He
smirked.

“Shut up.” She growled.

“Why don't you make me?” He smirked as an old man entered the room stopping her from any
form of retort. She glowered at him and gave an irritated growl as the man approached smiling at
them.

“Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, I've been expecting you.” He smiled shaking their hands.
“Congratulations, when Ms. Weasley called me I told her, I'd be delighted to do your rings.
Come, come she told me you were both quite busy today so let's not waste any times. As soon as
I size your fingers we'll be ready to begin.”

They were ushered to a long black table in the center of the dark room they'd flooed into.
Only a bright over head light stood over the table, probably to make the gems sparkle when shown
under the bright beam. Harry had wrapped an arm around her waist as they moved towards the table
and when the man wasn't looking she smacked his arm and sent him a warning glare.

He just grinned and held her chair out for her. She sat watching him suspiciously as he pushed
in her chair and then proceeded to sit closer to her than she deemed necessary. She gave him a fake
smile before turning away from him, rolling her eyes.

She put on an excited smile as the old man returned with some sizing strips and some black
boxes. He took their hands one at a time into cool fingers and did the measurements while writing
on a tablet.

“Right so now to see the rings.” He grinned, flipping to a new page in his tablet and turning
all the boxes to face them and opening them one by one to reveal layers upon layers of black velvet
miniature shelves of sparkling rings. “The best rings we have. You just choose which design you
like and we can modify it in anyway.”

“Oh wow! Those certainly are, um, sparkly.” Hermione blinked. “There's nothing simpler?”

“Actually I was thinking they were a bit too small.” Harry said.

“What? Those look like they cost a fortune.”

“What's your point? Any wife of mine's going to need something bigger than those.”

The old man nodded and got up to go fetch some more boxes.

“What? No, that's . . . what are you talking about? That's not necessary. Harry
you're not spending a load on this, under the circumstances that seems quite ridiculous.”

“What's the point of having money if you can't spend it?” Harry tossed over his
shoulder.

“Are you serious? You . . . you're unbelievable.” Hermione scoffed throwing him a disgusted
looked after staring at him incredulously for a moment to gage his seriousness.

“Yes, I've been told thought quite often.” He responded with a cheeky grin, knowing she
hadn't meant it that way. Hermione just stared at him with unmasked disapproval shaking her
head and muttering unbelievable under her breath.

“Here you are? These are the biggest things I've got.” The old man smiled placing a silver
box on the table and opening it up. Hermione's mouth dropped open staring at them all. They
were gorgeous but far too expensive. Her eyes lingered for a moment on one that really caught her
attention but shaking her head she turned to glare at Harry.

“I'm not choosing one of those.” She declared.

“Doesn't matter, I'll choose one.” Harry skimmed over the box for a moment then plucked
one out. “What do you think?”

Hermione didn't respond, just gave him a bland expression and looked away.

“If you don't like it I'll choose another.”

“I don't like it and I don't want another!”

“Woman, you're being ridiculous.”

“ME! I'm being ridiculous? You're, you're horrible! You're just so argh!”

Harry rolled his eyes and gave the man an apologetic look.

“She just likes being difficult.” He whispered, as he put the ring back and began hunting for
the one he'd seen her eye linger on. When he found it, he picked it up and held it in front of
her. She gave him a stony look but her eyes flickering to the ring for a split second, wasn't
missed by him.

“This one.” He said. “White gold, full diamond band, and put two emeralds in by the larger one
in the center. Inscribe something sentimental in it and find a necklace or something to go with it
so she had an entire jewlry set to match it at the wedding. Ginny'll send details on the dress
later so you know how low it should hang and whether or not to make the earrings dangling or
whether a bracelet is necessary.”

The man wrote furiously as he tried to take down all of Harry's instructions. Hermione was
looking at him as though he'd lost his mind and he just shrugged at her kissed her frozen
cheek. For once she didn't react to him invading her personal space; she just sat there in
shock.

“Now, you're also here for wedding bands, am I correct?” The old man asked finally done
writing and flipping to a new page.

“We might as well.” Harry nodded as he leaned back in his chair and watching the man collect the
boxes before bumbling off the get down the wedding bands. Harry turned to Hermione who was still
giving him and stony look. “Stop looking at me like that, you know you wanted it.”

“That's too much Harry.” She whispered.

“Nothing's too much.” He told her settling back in his chair once again.

“How do you live with yourself? Just throwing around money like that. You know there are people
who could actually use the money.”

“I don't just throw around money. I spend as I see fit and at the moment I see you have no
diamonds. So I'm starting you out since you're going to need something for the wedding and
engagement parties. I'm sure Ginny will be ordering you all sorts of jewlry to match whatever
clothing you buy today. And yes I'm aware people could use the money when you've gained
access to my private funds, you'll see how much of it goes to charity and whatnot.”

“So someone takes it out of your account every year but do you actually care what happens with
it. Do you even check to make sure it gets where it's supposed to go? What have you done lately
to help anyone but yourself?”

“I'm an auror and I go around saving lives all the time, but let's get something
straight right now. I owe the world nothing. I've already given them my entire life from day
one. I was their child prodigy. I was used to make everything right for the majority of my life and
there was no what Harry wants. It was what the Ministry wants what they felt like letting me know
about myself, my family. So now it is about what Harry wants. I'm in control now and can do
what ever the hell pleases me and I could careless what the world wants or thinks about what I
do.”

“If you think I'm supposed to feel sorry for you and be okay with that, you're insane.
Yes, I'm sorry you were treated like a puppet for the Ministry for such a long time but that
doesn't mean you go around bitter and act like the world is beneath you and you own it. And it
will never be about what you want. Hasn't anyone ever told you with great power, comes great
responsibility? I'd of thought by now you'd have accepted that.”

Harry gave her a cold look. Yea, he'd definitely heard that before. He'd heard that from
the person he'd trusted above all. And even with all his wisdom and greatness he'd been
killed, weakened by someone else's folly.

“You know nothing.” He hissed. She met his eye with a defiant look.

“Then explain it to me because all I see is a selfish boy who has yet to grow up. It's
nothing compared to yours but my childhood wasn't all flowers and sunshine either, Harry.”

Their intense glares were only interrupted by the clearing of a throat as a glass case was set
in front of them and opened.

“Pick one.” Harry whispered.

Giving him a hard look she decided not to argue with him right now and turned the case to face
her. The old man was looking back and forth between them trying to figure out what he'd missed
in the time he'd been away.

“We'll take the diamond bands set in silver.” Hermione decided.

“White gold, I don't want silver to touch her. She's worth more than that.” Harry
interjected. She stared at him confused for a moment. She'd thought he was angry with her but
his words confused her.

“White gold, then and I suppose you'll need to inscribe something in them.” She
finished.

“Alright, we'll start on those today and have the whole lot sent to you as soon as
possible.” The man said closing his tablet and shaking both their hands before closing the case and
disappearing through the doorway.

“Let's go.” Harry said grabbing her hand and leading her back to the fireplace. They were
silent when they returned and just parted ways without any form of good bye.

-->



6. A/N
------



Dear Readers,

I'm sorry this has taken so long and still isn't finished. I think I forgot all my tags
in my rush to get it up so yea, here it goes: I do not own Harry Potter this is not for profit and
whatever else is usually said.

Sorry I've been away so long, but I'm back now and things are definitely underway. I am
still open to suggestions for the story and am trying to work in the ones I've received
already.

<3s

majorqtpie

-->



7. 5. The Wedding Committee
---------------------------



**Chapter 5: The Wedding Committee**

Hermione never made it to the destination of her bedroom as she was met halfway there by Ginny
who grabbed her arm and steered her out the door to her waiting car.

“We're a bit behind schedule but that's alright we have all day to shop. We can cancel
our lunch reservations and just have a café meal instead.” Ginny babbled on as she and Hermione
made their way to the car. Hermione yawned and tried to focus on what Ginny was telling her as they
rode to Ginny's apartment in the near city. It was difficult for Hermione to really comprehend
any of what Ginny was saying with her mind reverting back to Harry every other word. `He's so
complex.' She thought pressing a hand to her forehead.

“We're here!” Ginny sang out as she pulled into the car park. Hermione hadn't really
noticed until now that this was the first time since meeting Harry that she'd ridden up front
in a car. She pushed open her door and smiled slightly also noting that she hadn't done that in
a while either. `And I thought I'd never get used to this stuff.' Hermione thought as she
stepped out of the car and followed Ginny inside and into the elevator.

“Ooo this is going to be so much fun. They're going to love you and it'll be excellent.”
Ginny squealed.

Hermione glanced at Ginny out of the corner of her eye and knew she was in for a headache. She
liked Ginny of course but the wedding seemed to have turned her into a red haired tornado and
Hermione feared meeting more overly excited women she barely knew. Everyone had been lovely of
course but she really just wished she could revert back to her simple close relations wedding
she'd thought she'd have. The lift stopped and Ginny pressed her wand tip to a key pad on
the elevator panel.

“Ensures that no one can get into my apartment without me.” Ginny informed her as the doors slid
open revealing a magnificent living room. Immediately after stepping out of the lift they were on
plush white carpet. The whole room was decorated with a modern art feel. Hermione had a definite
feeling Ginny didn't exactly see children in her future because the whole house screamed do not
touch. The black leather couches looked as though they'd never been touched and they surrounded
a glass table which sat on an expensive looking modern rug. In all it looked as posh as Ginny,
Hermione for once, wasn't surprised. The young woman was after all a high powered fashion
designer. Her whole world revolved around appearances.

“Come, come.” Ginny tittered as she ushered Hermione through the living room and turned
immediately right which lead into a post kitchen a mix of black and white marble and stainless
steel. The utilities were separated from the dining area by an island which housed a bar on one
side and stools with posh expensive looking women perched on them. Hermione froze on the divide
between the carpet and marble. She felt as if another step would lead her into the moving cover of
a Gladrags magazine and she'd be horribly out of place looking like an average joe. `I have got
to learn how they all do that.' She was very aware that she wasn't inferior to these women
but they sure did have a way of making you feel like it without even trying. All they had to do was
lift the corner of those perfect glossed lips in a half smile and you felt as though there was more
a chance of hell freezing over than you had fitting in.

Hermione was trying to think of the quickest means of escape when Ginny latched onto her arm,
grinning like a mad woman and dragged Hermione to the edge of the circle of women who looked as if
they had been strategically placed around the kitchen.

“Hermione I want to introduce to you the most amazing women you'll ever meet: the vivacious
Lavender Brown, tantalizing Pavarti Patil, elegant Cho Chang, darling Luna Lovegood, and the
talented three, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnett, and Katie Bell. Ladies, Hermione Granger.”

Hermione attempted a smile trying her hardest not to cringe under the scrutiny of these
beautiful people. It wouldn't be hard remembering their names as they appeared regularly in the
news and in popular magazines. It blew her mind that she was actually meeting the people her
friends used to only ever dream about meeting their entire lives, gossiping over whatever hit the
papers about these socialites.

“We're going to have so much fun. It's going to be so wonderful having you here.”
Lavender gushed, springing out of her chair to envelope Hermione in a brief hug and pull her deeper
into the room.

“Hmm, yes her aura is so peaceful, an honest innocence about her.” Luna commented, misty eyes
traveling over Hermione.

“Right, whatever exactly that means, I agree with Luna and Lav. This is going to be super fab
having you here.” Pavarti proclaimed.

“You'll love it here.” Angelina grinned. “You'll have absolutely no problem fitting in,
I can tell.”

“Are you a sporty girl? Play quidditch perhaps?” Cho asked.

“We can teach you if you don't” Alicia and Katie put in.

“Er, eh, no actually. More the books and cleverness girl. I don't tempt gravity unless
it's necessary. Though I might try my hand at tennis again.” Hermione stuttered, completely
overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. For looking so unreal, they were so . . . what was the word? She
really didn't have one to describe these people.

“Thank goodness, no offense guys but it's so tough being out numbered by all you quidditch
buffs. To be honest Lavender and I enjoy looking at the players more than the actual sport.”
Pavarti giggled. “Angelina, Katie, and Alicia play on the same team as Harry. They've played
together since we were in school. Quite an unbeatable pairing I suppose. Though Cho does give Harry
quite the run for his money when their teams meet.”

“I have yet to beat that man but I'll get him one day.” Cho grinned.

“Air certainly is his element, isn't it?” Luna agreed.

“But today we are not to dwell on the men folk. It time for some serious female bonding. We
should go out and have some fun. After all, there's lots to do.” Ginny grinned, sweeping up her
purse and linking arms with Hermione. “Shall we ladies?”

Hermione plastered on another sugary grin and nodded though inside she was beginning to truly
wonder what she'd gotten herself into.

* * *

Harry leaned against a wall in his kitchen, muttering irritably to himself. How was it that
woman always provoked him to say something rash. Now she was probably off somewhere thinking he was
the worst person alive. The part that bothered him, was that he actually cared. Were it any other
person he could care less what they thought about him but she was increasingly on his mind and her
opinion was becoming valuable. When that had happened he really didn't know but it pissed him
the hell off that it did. She was changing things, changing him and he wasn't at all
appreciative of it.

Suddenly, he found himself wanting a family, wanting her around, wanting her to be happy. It was
becoming increasingly noticeable that she dropped into his life and was determined to leave her
mark with or without trying. He refused to believe in love that was a bunch of sappy crap used to
sell books and cheesy movies however, he would admit that he was lacking in a long-term female
companion. She was definitely going to be a long-term companion. He didn't mind his ever
growing lust for her. When the time came she'd open up to him and he'd sort all this mess
out. Tell her to take this damn spell off him.

He gave a curt nod to himself, deciding on this plan of action and proceeded to snatch up the
plate of snacks that had long since been sitting on the counter waiting for him. Balancing several
plates and the food tray in his arms, he levitated the cups and beverages behind him to return to
his study. It took everything he had to hold back his laughter at the state of his closest friends
inspecting his daughter as though they'd never seen a child before. It probably wasn't that
they hadn't but that they were all confirmed bachelors and it just blew their minds that Harry
had a child. That Harry was settling down. That they might be called upon to baby-sit and
hadn't a clue what to do with a little girl:

“So what exactly does it do?” Dean asked, watching Lily closely as she sat on the floor by the
coffee table, coloring.

“I dunno, she's pretty darn cute, maybe she just sits around looking all sweet and innocent,
like most women.” Seamus shrugged.

“Then she must be a little devil underneath if she's like any of the women we know.” Fred
and George exchanged grins.

“No, she has to have a purpose and I don't think they're as devious when they're
little as when they get all grown up. I'm pretty sure she talks a little genius if her
step-mother's anything to go off of. She's and adept walker too, like she's been doing
it for years. I've never actually been around a little kid before so I'm not really sure
how she does it.” Ron said.

“You idiots, of course she talks and walks. I've seen her walk and Harry told us she could
read. Do any of you know how to take care of it though?” Draco snapped.

“It's another species. Of course we don't know how to take care of it. It's a girl!”
Seamus replied.

“He's got a point!” Dean replied.

“Buy her something shiny that seems to work with most women.” Draco decided.

“Maybe she could help us play pranks on people?” Fred suggested.

“Yeah, no one would expect her to be in on the pranks and you can't hex her for it.” George
replied. “She's just a kid after all.”

“You aren't going to do any such thing to her.” Bill shouted.

“Because if Harry doesn't kill you for it his fiancée probably will.” Charlie added.

“For once I am stumped. I don't know how she functions so I can't explain how to take
care of her!” Percy grimaced. “Girls are just too complex, even for me.”

“Why do you keep talking like I'm not here?” Lily finally inquired, in a very Hermione like
manner. The room was in an instant uproar as the bewildered men moved away from their now talking
specimen. Lily giggled at their antics. “What are you doing? Is this a game? Can I play too?”

“How can she hear us?” Ron hissed across the room.

“She isn't deaf you git!” Draco glared.

“She sounds so smart for someone so young.” Percy gasped.

“You, prat, I told you she was plotting against us!” Bill grumbled.

“Do any of you speak little girl?” Ron asked.

“Do any of us look like girls?” Dean snapped.

“Let's try simple communication!” Charlie suggested.

“Right, um . . . Seamus first!” Dean said pushing Seamus from behind the chairs.

“Erm . . . uh . . . Hi, I'm Seamus and I'm a friend of your dad. Do you understand?”
Seamus asked speaking really slow and clear.

“Why wouldn't I understand?” Lily asked, face creasing in confusion. “I don't like this
game. Where'd my daddy go? I want to show him my picture.”

She held up the paper she'd been coloring on, grinning broadly. “Do you like it?”

“Well, Harry's not dead, and she is just a little kid, I mean, she can't be too
dangerous.” Ron declared.

“Hold your dragons mate, I don't know much about little kids but I do know, they're like
exploding snaps. They look harmless but the slightest thing can set them off. They scream and shout
and it's scary!” George responded.

“Maybe we shouldn't go near her then?” Seamus responded.

“Honestly, Harry plays with her all the time so she can't be that bad.” Draco grumbled
before getting up and going over to Lily. “Are you some form of little disaster waiting to happen
or not because I'm not spoiling you rotten if you're a bleedin' nightmare?”

“But I don't want to be rotten.” Lily whimpered. “I've been a good girl.”

“Oh now you've done it. Look her lips quivering. Any minute now it's going to start.
You've set her off.” George scowled.

“Er, chocolate, we need chocolate. Kids like chocolate.” Ron announced.

“Then someone find some chocolate.” Charlie shouted.

Harry decided now was his time to make an entrance and slipped in silently to stand beside Dean.
He slipped a chocolate frog wordlessly into Dean's hand wondering what exactly it was they
planned to do once they found some chocolate. Dean hadn't seemed to register just who gave him
the chocolate at he held it up triumphantly and shoved it into Ron's hands.

“What are you giving it to me for?” Ron cried.

“You're the one who gave us the tip about chocolate. You try it.” Dean snapped.

“Cowards.” Ron muttered under his breath as he inched closer to the sniffling girl. He plastered
on an overly bright smile as he dropped to one knee holding out the chocolate to her.

“We come in peace.” Ron declared offering her the treat.

Harry burst into laughter, unable to contain himself any longer at his friends' antics. `I
hang out with nutters.' He decided and he clutched his sides in laughter, having put down the
tray of refreshments minutes ago.

“I wish I had, had a camera because that would have been priceless. You lot can be so stupid.
You're all supposed to be big tough guys and you were afraid of a little girl.” Harry
laughed.

“Shut up Harry. You never know with females. They're weird they have those mood swing
things.” Ron muttered getting off his knees.

“Yeah!” The others grumbled trying to reclaim their dignity.

Harry just continued to laugh at them, shaking his head and wiping his eyes.

* * *

Hermione couldn't believe how incredibly fat she was suddenly feeling. She'd absolutely
despised all those weight obsessed girls in her school days but it was near impossible to not feel
as though it was time to hit the gym when you were in the only four in a world of zeros. The other
girls didn't seem to care what size she was, they were simply interested in dressing her up but
the manager insisted on being the personal shopper to his favorite customers was making it
increasingly clear that four simply wasn't done. He hadn't said much beyond his first
comment upon learning her size. `I don't believe anyone around here carries anything that
large.' Ginny had shot him a glare so fierce he'd been mostly silent where Hermione was
concerned unless he was muttering under his breath about trying to find something in size four.

“Oh Hermione just ignore him, he spends his life chasing after male models. He's just
jealous that Harry isn't gay and will find any reason to complain about you because you're
the woman Harry's about to marry.” Cho whispered in her ear as she held up a shirt to Hermione
for her to try on.

“He better get over it fast or he won't be the first to boast Ginny's newest line.”
Lavender smirked.

“Or maybe we should just cancel the shopping trip and I'll go into town later. I can't
even begin to imagine the price of these clothes when that belt over there is over three thousand
dollars.” Hermione suggested. The tinkling of Ginny's laughter told her she was about to have
another budget what budget moment.

“Hermione stop worrying so much about cost and just enjoy it. Harry'll take care of
everything else later. He wasn't kidding when he said it's probably impossible to break the
man's bank account.” Ginny informed her.

“But I don't want to break his bank account; I don't want to even dent it.” Hermione
interjected.

“Trust me with the way you shop, you don't have to worry.” Pavarti tossed over her shoulder
as she passed by with a shop assistant informing him that Hermione would have the skirt she was
currently modeling in every color because it looked absolutely smashing on her. Hermione's eyes
went wide as she watched him move to the shelves and begin pulling down skirts.

“I can't afford all those.” Hermione whispered.

“Hermione does it comfort you at all that those are Virginia originals and I promise I won't
be ripping my sister in law off.” Ginny pleaded. “Just relax and enjoy this. For once just go
shopping and don't think about the clothing's worth. Just fall in love with the fabrics,
the colors, the accessories. Let's play dress up, as though we were little girls.”

Hermione looked around at the pleading faces around her as she stood on the cat walk that led
from the dress rooms. With a sigh, she dropped her shoulders closing her eyes asking herself what
harm it could do to play along for a while. After all, what woman hadn't dreamt of at least one
all expense paid shopping trip in her life.

“I suppose, if I'm going to be Mrs. Potter, I might as well look the part, right?” She
sighed. The women around her nodded eagerly seeing as they'd won her over. “Then you'll
have to help me because I haven't a clue what I'm doing.”

Ginny emitted a short ecstatic squeal as she waved over a handful of attendants arms with
clothing items and accessories. “We're going to make you a posh Italian diva!”

-->



8. 6. Learning to Adjust
------------------------



**Chapter 6: Learning to Adjust**

Hermione was half asleep; trying to take very accurate notes on everything Ginny was telling
her. Her series of engagement parties were looming ever closer and before such it was highly
important that Hermione memorized the names and stasis of everyone worth knowing. If she was going
to pull off being Mrs. Potter she had to know everything there was to know about “his world” as
she'd come to call it in her mind. It all seemed to so unrealistic when this all started weeks
ago but by now Hermione was beginning to find that this wasn't just some bizarre dream. People
really did live like this and it wasn't exactly a cake walk. She'd wanted to strangle
herself the first time she'd thought it but it really did take work to keep up with the fast
life and maintain the posh appearance everyone around her seemed to pull off with no effort at
all.

Ginny and the girls had put her through a crash course of charm school and were filling in her
important peoples and places gaps. For all the things she'd thought she'd known having
always been top of her class, Hermione hadn't known the half of the people and places she'd
ingested over the last few weeks. She constantly chastised herself feeling as though she was
neglecting Lily to put on some show for people she didn't really care to impress but found Lily
had a schedule busier than hers if possibly. She was constantly off somewhere with Harry who was
determined to make up for all the years they'd spent apart in a matter of days. Lily's room
consisted of every toy the world had seen, she'd been taken to Disney World, sat first class at
quidditch matches, been dressed in clothes more expensive than their former house, and treated like
some lost princess finally returned to her people. She'd made the transition into “his world”
quite smoothly. She was even beginning to get used to the cameras, Hermione had noted at one of
their many photo shoots for some family magazine cover. Everyone wanted to plaster her and Lily on
the cover of their magazine, sell a poster with them on it, even make a doll out of them. It was
crazy.

Hermione spent several long nights on the phone with her step-mum and dad convinced they were
her lifeline to reality. She refused to let herself be swept up by all this. They'd had to
reschedule their family get together because Harry was out of town at a match and Hermione and Lily
had shown up alone with Ginny. Ginny had raved for hours about the quaint little town and how she
loved its unhurried peaceful manner. She'd talked about the wedding the entire dinner and had
assigned each of Hermione's family members some task before they left. Hermione had been glad
she brought the red haired tornado with her, it lessened the questions about Harry's
whereabouts as everyone was so overwhelmed by Ginny's enthusiasm.

All Hermione craved now was a day off. Harry hadn't been kidding when he'd told her
getting involved with him was a twenty-four hour job. The longer she stayed there, the more she
began to worry that maybe this life just wasn't for her but Lily seemed to be enjoying being
with her father so much and if Hermione would stop and be honest it really wouldn't be so bad
if she'd just allow herself to be one of them. She didn't have to keep herself at the
distance she was but how could she just throw caution to the wind and completely change her life,
everything she'd taught herself to believe.

“Maybe we should finish later?” Ginny's suggestion cut into Hermione's thoughts, having
noticed Hermione seemed to be in her own world despite the fact that she had never stopped writing.
“A bit of a break's in order by now, yea?”

Hermione sighed nodding. A bit of a break was definitely in order. “Maybe we can just pick this
up tomorrow? I mean, we have time right?”

Ginny looked at the tired woman in front of her and offered her a gentle smile. “Of course we
do. Let me know when you're ready. Get some rest.”

Hermione nodded again and watched Ginny gather up the papers around her. With another small
smile she turned to leave, flipping out her cell phone and plunging into another facet of wedding
plans. `Merlin, does she ever stop?' Hermione thought. `Better her than me I guess.' She
made slow progress to the stairs and eventually found herself outside Lily's room. She leaned
her head against the door for a moment then pulled back and knocked gently before opening the
door.

“Hey you.” Hermione murmured quietly seeing Lily lying on the floor reading a book, with Sirius
curled up beside her.

“Hi mummy, are you not busy right now too?” Lily asked, forgetting the book in an instant and
hugging on to Hermione's side.

“Thought it was about time I take a breather. Where's your father?” Hermione asked.

“He's at practice; we're going to dinner after.” Lily grinned, in a way Hermione noticed
she always connected with her father. Lily seemed to simply glow under his affection and never
missed a chance to spend time with him.

“Oh, and where are you two off to this time?”

“Three, you're coming too. He'll know you're not busy now, so you come too.” Lily
pouted.

“We'll see.” Hermione responded not wanting to say anything that might upset her daughter.
“How about we go paint my art room now? Daddy says it's done.”

“Yay, I wanted to paint with you again.” Lily whispered as if it were some secret that no one
else was supposed to know. “I missed painting with my mummy.”

“I missed being with you too Lils. I missed being with you too.” Hermione murmured picking the
child up and carrying her to the art room she hadn't entered since day one which now seemed so
long ago.

Hermione paused in the doorway, taking a deep breath. For a room that was still bare it was
extraordinarily beautiful. The floor was no longer covered with tarps and shiny, smooth oak wooden
floors gleamed before them. Staring straight ahead, she could see out into the gardens below. The
pools sparkled beyond the gardens and the beauty of it all overwhelmed her momentarily as she set
Lily down beside her and they both pad quietly into the center of the room. There were easels set
up around the room and a couple smaller ones placed lower to the ground for Lily. A sideboard lined
the right wall and was lined with paints and tools for her. On the left wall, she spotted what she
figured was the art door Harry had mentioned before that would allow her access to restock her art
supplies.

“Well, how should we decorate this Lily?” Hermione finally asked.

“Can we make flowers?” Lily murmured uncertainly.

“Flowers? Not a bad idea. An extension of the garden, and make it look like there's no wall
there, it just goes on.” Hermione murmured to herself as she spun slowly taking in all the room.
She moved closer to the glass and surveyed the garden for a minute as Lily watched her. Picking up
a blank sheet of paper and a pencil from the sideboard then began sketching out the room she was
envisioning. Lily clambered up onto the sideboard and watched over Hermione's shoulder as the
idea began to take life on paper. The upper walls would be blue with clouds and enchanted to change
with the weather outside so it would look as though they were outdoors. The lower walls would be
covered with flowers and shades of greens and yellow for grass and be enchanted to sway with the
wind whenever a breeze made the flowers outdoors dance.

Hermione removed her wand from her back pocket and flicked it, turning the walls a beautiful sky
blue. Leaving Lily sitting on the sideboard, Hermione found some sponges and ventured into the
closet to find a dark green paint and some trays to pour the paint in. Setting them down on the
sideboard, next to Lily, she gave her wand another flick to protect the floor from spills. Hermione
checked the labels on the paint cans to be sure there was nothing harmful in the paint and cast a
spell the vent the fumes from the room. After prying open a can she filled two trays, set them on
the floor near a wall, and gestured Lily over. Taking the sponges into their hands, the sat on the
floor as Hermione instructed Lily to simply pat the walls to give it a sponged green look, that
would be the grass. She flicked her wand once more to turn on the wizarding wireless and fill the
room with music, before putting her wand away and beginning to pat the walls with green paint.

* * *

Harry let out a breath as he set down the weights he'd been working with. Grabbing a towel
from the nearest rack, he swiped at the beads of sweat covering his face and neck.

“Alright there, Harry?” Oliver Wood asked as he plopped down on a bench across from Harry.

“Splendid.” Harry replied, motioning for Oliver to toss him, his water bottle.

“Hey Harry, we're going to the pub after we get done here, you interested?” Seamus called
from across the gym.

“Can't, I'm taking Lily out to dinner.” Harry winced, knowing what was coming next.

“Yea, Seamus, Harry's a family man now. He can't just go out and get hammered whenever
he fancies. He's got to ask the Mrs. first.” Dean grinned as he and the rest of Harry's
close friends crowded around him, laughing.

“Oh, you're funny Dean. Real funny.” Harry said, rolling his eyes.

“I do try.” Dean grinned.

“So when are we going to meet this fiancée of yours.” Anthony Goldstein, a fellow auror, asked
as he joined the huddle.

“Yes, we're absolutely dying to meet her.” Percy commented as he shoved his wave into the
group.

“She's gorgeous, you're all going to falling over yourselves in a jealous rage once you
see her.” Collin Creevy commented.

“You've met her then?” Fred asked.

“Of course, I've met her, I'm the most sought after photographer in all of Europe. Who
do you think put her on every magazine from here to America?” Collin rolled his eyes.

“He isn't lying. She is definitely a looker. Though I do believe, Harry will be lost to us
once this is final. I'm sure she'll be whipping him into shape.” Ron joked.

“Ron, she'd have more luck training Sirius than she would with me. I'm not cashing in my
lifestyle, I'm just getting married to keep Lily happy.” Harry growled.

“Of course you are mate. It always starts that way. Just think about poor Lee Jordan. He got
married too and now . . .” George stopped for a dramatic pause and pretended to sniffle. “now, you
never see the poor bloke any more. He's off being a family guy. Doing family things. Merlin
rest his soul.”

Harry burst into laughter. “That's because he moved back to England and is the head of the
department of magical games and sports, you dolt.”

“Just the same, he'd of never gone if he hadn't gotten married.” Fred put in
stubbornly.

“He'd of never gone if he hadn't gotten promoted. Do stop being so dramatic. Hardly
anything is going to change.” Harry pronounced getting up. “Now I really must be off. You'll
all meet Hermione next week at the first engagement party.”

“Oh come on Harry, it's not even dark yet. The sun's just setting. Surely you can stay a
while longer.” Draco demanded.

“No can do, I have to shower and find out where Hermione's gotten off to so she won't
throw a fit when she gets back and Lily's missing. Heaven forbid Lily go missing with her
father.” Harry said.

“Like I said, gotta ask the Mrs. first.” Dean quipped, waggling his eyebrows.

“Shut up, Dean.” Harry muttered as he broke through the ring around him and made his way to the
locker room. `I don't have to ask her anything.' In reality this was mostly due to the fact
that she probably still wasn't talking to him since their little episode at the jewelry store
but he didn't have to admit that.

He apparted home after collecting his things and took a minute to stretch as he made his way to
the stairs. Mrs. Weasley had apparently arrived some time during the day and informed him that Lily
was getting dressed, before disappearing in the direction of the room she had chosen for herself.
Harry was momentarily bewildered until he remembered that she'd be staying with them until the
wedding. Shaking his head, he continued toward his room. Upon, entering his room, he peeled off his
sweat soaked shirt and made to move towards the en-suite bathroom when the sound of music caught
his ear. Turning back, he stuck his head out of his door trying to determine the source. He'd
been self assured Hermione was out with the girls and surely Mrs. Weasley would allow Lily to have
music playing that loudly in her room. Picking his way down the hall, he stopped outside the art
room, which was clearly the source of the playful beat. Shower forgotten in the stead of curiosity,
he pushed the door open to see what was going on.

His mouth went dry upon opening the door and being greeted with the site of Hermione's
nearly bare back and the knee length peasant skirt swishing around her legs as she danced in a
world of her own. She was making a sweeping motion with her hand, dragging a sponge dipped in white
paint along the wall. She stood on her toes as she created clouds on the wall. Her hair was up in a
clip, allowing him to watch the muscles in her back work as she reached up. There was a knot at the
nape of her neck and at the middle of her back telling him that she was wearing a halter that only
covered the front. Normally seeing a woman dressed this way was no big deal, less flashy that what
he was used to but this was Hermione. His conservative Hermione who he assumed never pranced around
showing this much skin in her life. Ginny had definitely been to work here, he decided.

He watched the skirt cling to her hips then flow out to swish and swirl around her muscled legs
as she did a brief spin to dip down and get more paint on her sponge. He flickered his gaze around
the room briefly seeing that the walls were now blue and the bottom half of the wall she was
working on had been sponged green. He watched her calf slip into his vision once more and he
followed the pale skin up to the skirt to settle once more on her hips. She was so wrapped up in
her song; she hadn't yet noticed his intrusion into her haven. Forgetting she was probably
still angry, he couldn't stop himself from advancing into the room until he'd come up right
behind her, placing his hands on her hips and gently pulling her back into his arms.

A gasp of surprise escaped her as she suddenly found herself enveloped in his embrace. Any
lasting anger she'd felt towards him was forgotten as he pressed his face into her neck and
pressed soft kisses to her pulse point.

“You really are the most tantalizing vixen, I've ever come across.” He breathed into the
junction between her neck and shoulder.

“That had better be your way of saying you're sorry.” Hermione admonished, shaking herself
and trying to reach for reality once more. If they were fighting, she could be sure that she was
still herself.

“Sorry for what?” He asked dumbly.

With much effort Hermione fixated her features into a glare and turned around in his arms.
`Focus Hermione, you've told him he can't kiss his way out of everything, now stick to
it.' Hermione coached herself to keep from losing herself in his eyes.

“You know very well what. I already told you I won't tolerate your selfish, childish views
on things, it's about time someone taught you, you can't have everything you want, starting
with me.” She snapped wriggling out of his arms and folding them over her chest.

“You're not honestly still on about that are you?” Harry growled, folding his arms as well
and letting out an aggravated huff.

“You can't very well think I'd just forget about it.”

“Actually you could but instead you are choosing to remain upset over something that's not
going to change, so you might as well get used to it.”

“I won't. I'm not about to let you screw up all the morals and values I've instilled
in Lily.”

“You think I'm going to screw Lily up. I'm glad you have so much faith in me as a
father.”

“Have you given me any reason to think better of you. Merlin, if I had to sum you up in two
words or less the first words that come to mind are insensitive bastard. I think that's pretty
accurate.”

Harry glared at her. The audacity of this woman. How the hell was she going to insult him in his
own home? He was really considering the possibility that she was bi-polar, one minute she seemed to
be fine and the minute he opened his mouth she was snapping at him. Somehow he'd managed to
really upset her because out of all their encounters he couldn't recall her ever swearing at
him. To be honest he was really quite fed up with her attitude towards him and decided two could
play her infuriating game.

“Well if we're hurling insults why don't we add frigid bitch to the pot.” Harry growled
back.

“Oh, I'm frigid because I don't degrade myself by throwing myself at everyman I see or
because I have absolutely no interest in you.”

“No interest in me! Ha, now we both know that's not true in the slightest. You want me but
you're too damn insecure to admit it.”

“You know absolutely nothing about me so don't even try to pretend you understand how my
mind works.”

“Fine, I may not know how you're mind works but I definitely know how your body works and
you want me. Even now when you want to despise me, you can't help but want me.”

“Ugh, you're so full of yourself, it's no wonder my sister liked you. I don't need
some bogus relationship like you guys had. The only interest I have in this relationship is for
Lily's sake.”

His eyes flashed at the mention of Fleur and she knew she'd hit a soft spot. There was no
time for apologies though, as she found herself up against the wall his hands on either side of her
head and dark green eyes glaring down at her. The challenge she saw there made it impossible for
her to back down or apologize anyway.

“Define bogus, Hermione. I'm curious to know what's going on in that head of yours,
since as you said earlier I clearly don't know.” Harry demanded.

“Fake, unrealistic, fantasy, imaginary, take your pick. I have more.” She bit back.

“You think this is fake.” His voice had dropped to a sensuous rumble as he brought a hand over
to trace her bottom lip with his thumb; holding her eye with his own as he let his hand trail down
her throat, over the curve of her breast, and down her flat stomach to rest on her hip. “'Cause
I don't think what's going on here is fake or unrealistic in the slightest. This attraction
is very real, there's something going on here, between us but you seem to be doing everything
in your power do avoid it.”

`Merlin I love her angry. How does she keep doing this to me?' Harry thought suppressing a
groan as he leaned in closer to her, eyes roaming hungrily over the soft full curves before him. He
could feel her breasts rising and falling quickly against his hard chest as he continued to lean in
until his lips were mere centimeters from hers.

“I don't know what you're talking about.” She ground out, squirming to try to get away
from him despite being against the wall. Thank Merlin for drying spells of she'd have paint all
over her hair and clothes.

“Really?” He smirked trailing hot kisses up her throat and bringing his other hand down to her
hips as well to still her against him.

Hermione's eyes widened and she stopped squirming the moment she felt how very much he
wanted her. She wanted to be disgusted if not with him at least herself for enjoying the feeling of
him against her but she couldn't bring herself to loath this moment.

“Are you absolutely certain you don't know what I'm talking about?” Harry whispered
against her ear enjoying the feeling of her shuddering against his body when his breath made
contact with her ear. “You don't feel anything, right now?”

“I never said that.” Her voice dropping to the same level of whisper as his.

“Then what? Hot maybe?” His words were accented with the cool air that suddenly made contact
with her skin as he pushed her shirt up.

“A bit.” She responded without thinking. If she had been thinking she'd have never given him
the satisfaction of verbally letting him know that he was really beginning to affect her. So far
she'd prided herself on not giving into the attraction between them. She'd be a fool not to
notice it but it was another factor she considered as giving into “his world”.

Desire flooded him at the innocence he saw in her eyes as she gave the reply automatically.
“Then I suppose it's only right that I cool you down.”

Closing the space between them he captured the lips that had teased him since their first kiss,
wrapping her lithe form in his arms. Harry made sure to take his time slowly exploring the soft
warm mouth offered to him. He couldn't out right make love to her but he'd sure as hell
make love to her mouth in hopes of changing her mind on the waiting until their wedding night idea.
He felt her fingers digging into his arms as if trying to hold him to her forever.

Yet again he found himself thinking that there was no other woman he'd ever wanted as much
as this hellion in his arms now. He wanted more than just one night with her, he wanted to possess
her, to know her, but first he wanted her to recognize her own desire for him in return.

Her hands had slipped from his arms and her own were now looped around his neck drawing him
closer searching for satisfaction she knew only he could bring. He loved the feel of her, the taste
of her, and the soft whimpers that were threatening to push him over the edge.

Harry raised his head a bit and marveled at her strength as she fought to draw him back to her,
standing on her toes as not to lose contact.

Despite her thoughts to stop and the warning bells going off in her head, Hermione couldn't
bring herself to let go. She' long since lost control of her body to lust. Her back arched
against him and her hips moving of their own accord. She felt his hand slipping between her thighs
and parting them to make room for him. The warning bells were almost deafening as they sounded in
her head telling her she'd let this go too far but she couldn't stop, she couldn't push
him away.

He thrust his hips against hers and she felt the hard length of him push between her thighs,
pressing against her softness sending electric shocks all through her body. She moaned at the
sensations he was causing her by repeating this action.

Harry froze at the sound of her moan and let out a growl of frustration. This had gone farther
than he meant it to and if he didn't stop now she'd more than likely kill him in the
morning, if Lily and Mrs. Weasley didn't interrupt them first to remind him about dinner. It
took all his will power to release her and he berated himself for the instant cold he felt without
her body pressed against his.

“Any cooler?” He rasped slightly, running a hand through his dark hair.

Hermione was silent for a moment catching her breath, leaning against the wall for support. Her
heart was racing and it felt as though fire were coursing through her veins. `Why the hell did he
stop?' She wanted to shout at him but couldn't bring herself to use that much energy.
Instead she settled for snapping at him for his little comment.

“No.”

“That's funny,” He said staring into her darkened eyes once more. “Because if this were fake
you ought to be rather cool if not cold by now. People who don't like each other, aren't
interested in each other, don't get this turned on by one another.”

“That's not true.” She snapped fighting back the blush that threatened to flood her cheeks
at his words and as the realization of what she almost let herself do began to set in, but she
couldn't let him see. No, she had to at least appear as though she were still in complete
control. “Anyone can be turned on by sex.”

“Yes, but that wasn't sex, was it? It was me. Me taking care of your needs because you know
I can. And when you stop being so damn stubborn and just admit what you want I'll gladly take
care of those needs.” Harry growled his eyes sweeping her body once more before pressing a short
kiss to her lips and disappearing out the door.

`Damn him.' She cursed angrily to herself. He'd succeeded in completely throwing her
off. She was absolutely furious with herself for giving in to him. How could she be attracted to a
man with such infuriating views on the world around him? `He's selfish, over bearing, head
strong, childish . . .' her internal rant was cut off by a knock on the doorframe. She threw a
furious glare in that direction expecting it to be Harry back with some snide comment but
immediately blushed and replaced the glare with a smile, seeing Mrs. Weasley there. She had to
suppress a wince seeing the woman. If she'd thought Ginny was overly enthused she'd been
sadly mistaken. She'd made a grand entrance and dragged Hermione and Lily out of the art room
for tea and absolutely raved over how darling Lily was, what a beauty Hermione was, and how glad
she was that Harry had decided to settle down with such a sensibly girl. Hermione thought they
wouldn't be able to escape once the topic of the wedding came up but Ginny decided to drop in
at that moment and mother and daughter began talking amongst each other. As soon as an opening
provided itself, Hermione had slipped out of the tea room with Lily right on her heels. They'd
retreated back up to that room and stayed hidden there until Mrs. Weasley had come to collect Lily
to dress her for dinner.

“Hermione what are you doing in here? Come, come girl. You should be getting dressed. You're
dinner reservation is in less than thirty minutes.” Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, prodding Hermione out
of the room.

“I didn't know we had reservations. Isn't it for two if it was reserved?” Hermione asked
over her shoulder as she was ushered to her guest room.

“Of course not, I had Ginny change the reservation. How are the three of you to be a family if
you never spend time together as such? Starting today, I'm going to see to it that you three
spend more time together. I'm here now so you don't have to worry yourself over the wedding
plans any longer. Everything will be just perfect. Now hurry along dear. Hop into that shower and
I'll find you something to wear.”

Hermione wasn't given the chance to respond, she'd already been such inside her
bathroom. Sighing she did as she was told, resigning herself to endure the most uncomfortable night
she'd ever experienced in her lifetime.

-->



9. 7. Getting Serious
---------------------



*(A/N: The actually wedding dress description will once again be in the wedding scene not
here. Though to save you detail overkill the other dresses will be in this chapter.* *W00t,
this one's kinda long. At last, I'm making progress again. I'm terribly sorry about
this wait.**)*

**Chapter 7: Getting Serious**

**Engagement Week**

**Day 1**

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep from showing how uncomfortable she was in
this moment. Mrs. Weasley had been true to her word and after the art room experience Hermione had,
had an almost wedding free week. Of course she'd spent most of it completing her art room with
Lily. If Harry wasn't such a busy man she might not have gotten away with it. For this reason
Mrs. Weasley gave him quite the tongue lashing whenever she saw him, claiming he was neglecting his
intended. Now it seemed Mrs. Weasley's personal goal was to throw them together whenever she
got the chance. In fact, at this moment they were sitting on the love chair in the spotless living
room, Harry's arm thrown carelessly around her shoulders. She'd shot him a pointed look
when he'd done so and he'd simply pretended as if he didn't notice how much it was
bothering her to be this close to him. `It's dangerous being this close to him.' She'd
decided that long ago but there wasn't anything she could do about it with Mrs. Weasley and
Ginny going over their wedding check list with them letting them know where they stood on
preparations.

So far they'd learned that the Creevey brothers had been contacted about the photographer
and videographer positions. Hermione and Harry had chosen their music selections earlier in the
week and Ginny had secured the most prominent musicians in the wizarding world telling them all
she'd get back to them with a date. Ginny had already begun work on Hermione's wedding
dress and the bridesmaid dresses following the idea Hermione had described to her and had the temps
approved. Harry assured them Ron was taking care of the men's dress robes. A blush stained
Hermione's cheeks as she had to once again bite her cheek until she was nearly drawing blood
when the matter of bachelor and bachelorette parties came up. Ginny assured them, plans were
underway by herself and her brother. While they'd been out shopping Ginny and the girls had
experimented with different make ups and hair products on Hermione and they'd already decided
and ordered make up and planned a hair style for the wedding, so that was one less last minute
decision they wouldn't have to worry about. Ginny had presented them with a book to select
their ceremony readings out of and told them to get back to her on it. Out of her monster list at
least a third of it was over and done with. However, that brought them to the problem at
present.

“Well.” Ginny demanded tapping her foot. “Have you decided on a date yet, because we honestly
can't move even a single step more until we have a date? The first engagement party is tonight
and everyone expects to have a date to mark on their calendar. I have newspapers, magazines,
musicians, vendors, and hotels calling constantly about the date and I still have nothing to give
them.”

“Um . . .” Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. They hadn't discussed a date. When they
spent time together they were either fighting over something irrelevant or completely ignoring each
other. Hermione was constantly berating herself for dropping to his level of this childish game of
back and forth.

“Err, how about a spring wedding?” Hermione offered.

“Spring? What about rain, bugs, pollen?” Ginny asked.

“Winter's nice too.” Hermione tried again.

“Too cold, the ice sculptures would melt with the heating charms in place to keep the room warm
since there's no way it could be held outdoors.” Mrs. Weasley put in.

“Summer then.” Harry snapped.

“It'll be far too hot, with that many people it'll be terribly uncomfortable.” Ginny
murmured. Harry smacked a hand to his forehead, why bother asking if no season was good. `They
might as well just decide on a date and just let us know when to show up.' Harry thought.

“Fall it is then.” Hermione proclaimed. Both Weasley women were silent as they contemplated the
season. Finding no real conflict with the season they shrugged and looked expectantly at the seated
couple waiting for a date. Hermione felt the intense urge to hit Harry for getting her into all
this. “Well as you know we haven't exactly spent that much time on it so um, how about late
August, early September. It should be just cooling down but still sunny and warm.”

Hermione glanced at Harry for his input but he just looked passive as he always did where the
wedding was concerned. This only served to annoy Hermione who wished he would at least pretend to
have some interest in their wedding. She quickly chastised herself, his opinion didn't matter.
This wasn't a real wedding. It was . . . well she wasn't sure what it was since bogus and
all it's similes were no longer at her disposal when referring to what was happening here.

Ginny was silent for a moment, then with a click of her pen she was scribbling in her notebook
again and murmuring to her mother before looking up at the confused pair waiting on the love seat
for her response. “Right, it'll be on August 23, thank-you. We have precisely three months to
set this all up. I'll be seeing you two later; I have so venues to call now.”

With that she was gone again; her mother beside her, the two once again chattering about how
much there was left to do.

“Did you say August 23?” Harry asked.

“No.”

“Then how did she . . ?”

“I have no idea. I like it though.”

Harry gazed at her for a moment. There was a slight twinkle to her eye as she grinned up at him.
He couldn't resist returning her grin, since it was rare that he received any form of friendly
look from her. “Alright then, three months it is.”

“Your birthday is going to come before that.” She murmured.

“How'd you know that?”

“Your birthday is like an unofficial national holiday back in England, I don't believe there
is a magical Brit that doesn't know when your birthday is.”

“Interesting.”

Hermione laughed shaking her head at him as she rose from her seat. “I need to call my mum and
dad. Then I'm supposed to go to Ginny's London studio for fittings with the girls. Where
are you going to be?”

“I have a meeting, then fittings as well and I suppose the guys and I are just going to hang
around the house the rest of the day.”

“I'll take Lily with me then, she needs to be fitted for her dress, anyway.”

“Fine by me.”

“Right then, bye Harry.”

“Ciao.”


Choose Wedding Date


Decide on Honeymoon


Get Priest


Choose Reception Venue


Make Guest List


Choose Maid of Honor


Choose Best Man


Register for gifts


Arrange for Engagement Parties


Plan Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties


Choose Birds to send invitations


Buy Engagement Rings


Buy Wedding Rings


Choose Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid dresses


Order Wedding Cakes


Decide on Dessert Selection


Hire Caterer


Hire Band for Reception


Order flowers


Buy Shoes


Buy Wedding Dress


Plan Rehearsal Dinner


Order and send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations


Hire Musicians for Ceremony


Choose Theme


Choose Ice Sculptures


Choose Color Scheme


Decide on Dress Code


Get Marriage License


Hire Videographer


Hire Photographer


Order bouquets


Order Boutonnières for Men


Order Nosegays for Women


Order Invitations


Decide on Wine Selection


Choose Hair style and make up


Buy gifts for attendants


Buy Thank You cards


Announce Wedding to the Press


Buy Headpiece


Make Table Seating Charts


Decide on Menu


Decide on hors d' oeuvres


Decide on Dinner service


Decide on staff-guest ratio


Decide seated or buffet


Reserve Vegetarian meals


Reserve staff meals


Make Photo list


Choose Hotel for Wedding Night


Hire a limousine for church-reception transportation


Decide on liquor selection


Hire Bartenders


Verify Wheelchair accessibility


Choose Processional music


Choose Recessional Music


Choose Cocktail Music


Choose Reception Music


Choose Ceremony Readings


Prepare Birdseeds instead of rice


Schedule manicure/ pedicure/ wax/ massage


Schedule a Spa day


“Right, err, Ginny could you be sure to pencil in that Harry, Lily, and I are going to at my mum
and dad's tomorrow. We're having a second family get together. They really want to meet
Harry.” Hermione said as she leaned back in the passenger seat of Ginny's car. They could have
used wizarding transportation and arrived in London much sooner but Ginny had so many stops along
the way Hermione was glad they hadn't tried apparting to each separate location.

“It's already been penciled in. I promised you'd be free all day and you are. You
don't mind if I pop in for a bit and check on those few little tasks I assigned when I met your
family.” Ginny replied

“Oh, of course not. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see you again. They quite enjoyed
your visit.” Hermione responded, grinning to herself at the look of delight on Ginny's face. It
seemed odd but try as she might not to, Hermione was beginning to see the petite red-head as
family. If she'd had a sister she'd decided she'd want her to be like Ginny. The other
woman was inspiring with her energy and willingness to lend a helping hand. She'd been so
overwhelming in the beginning but now Hermione was trying to think of how she'd of made it this
far without her.

Stopping outside Ginny's studio, which was becoming increasingly familiar as the wedding
neared, Hermione stepped out of the car and opened the door for Lily to get out of the back seat.
Holding her hand, the two made their way into Ginny's “in-progress” room. Inside, the other
women had once again already assembled, with the addition of Hermione's close friends who
attended Beauxbatons with her, her step-sister, and a friend of her step-sister. In all, Ginny was
making a wedding dress, two maid of honor dresses, fourteen bridesmaid dresses, four junior
bridesmaid dresses, five flower girl dresses, and something special for Hedwig and Crookshanks who
were the ring bearers. The men of course had to order Harry's dress robes, two official best
men robes, fourteen groomsmen robes, four junior groomsmen robes, and two bible bearer robes. The
clothes alone should have been a good deal of stress for Hermione but Ginny was in complete control
of the entire situation despite the fact that the men were supposed to be handling their own robes.
Hermione had discovered that Ginny often popped in to check on the tailor creating the men's
dress robes and had done most of the designing herself.

Scanning the work room now, she could see Lavender and Pavarti flitting around adjusting and
pinning the other women in the room to save Ginny some of the trouble later. In the center of the
room stood four adorable little girls, two with the darkest brown hair, Hermione had ever seen, a
girl with pale blond hair which she was informed was one of Draco's cousins, and a girl with
flaming red hair whom she easily guessed was an extension of the Weasley family. They were dressed
in identical pale blue dresses, trimmed in white lace, with dainty little white gloves with a
single button and the wrist. The dress was accented with hints of green and an exposed lining of
pale green crinoline with a satin trim hem. It hung just long enough to be seen underneath the
white lace trim of the outer pale blue skirt. There was delicate green embroidering on the front,
telling of time, effort, and concentration Ginny had put into making them. There was also a thick
pale green ribbon tied around each little waist, which Hermione considered to be the most adorable
part of the dresses. There was a fifth little dress of a similar make only it was the reverse of
the other girls. It was a pale green with white lace, a pale blue crinoline underskirt, a pale blue
ribbon, and blue embroidering. All of them were short sleeved with a simple scoop neck.

“I wanted Lily to stand out.” Ginny informed her before Hermione got a chance to ask. “Supposing
the aisle is wide enough they could go in a formation of a square with Lily in the center. What do
you think? I've played with the placing of the colors a bit so they'd look fuller without
being to warm for the girls. If they are of course there are cooling spells but to keep from having
to enchant every little aspect of this wedding, I was trying to keep it somewhat simplistic by
using tricks of the eye.”

“That's . . . that's a lovely idea, Ginny. They're beautiful.” Hermione grinned.
Ginny thought of everything. Hermione hadn't even considered formations and accents and colors
that would draw attention to different things. She flickered her eyes past the little girls, next,
she examined the junior bridesmaids, they were teenage girls dressed in pale green whisper chiffon
dresses with a pale blue satin ribbon around the waist that tied at the side at a bow with it's
ends billowing to ends of the mid calf length gowns. It was strapless and the top was lined with a
matching pale blue one and a half inch satin ribbon, they came together at the zip up the back
leaving no extra ribbon hanging. Like the flower girl dresses, it had an exposed pale blue
crinoline and a satin trim hem. Hermione could see the girls were thoroughly enjoying the
swishiness of the skirts as they spun around watching it lift the faster they went.

Next, her eyes came into immediate contact with the bridesmaid dresses as her step-sister
Gabrielle came rushing up to greet her. After a quick air hug as not to snag the dress she stepped
back and did a slow turn to allow Hermione to take in the dress. The pale blue dress had a single
one and a half inch shoulder which swooped down to a fitted top that clung to her figure until it
reached the hips where several different layers of whisper chiffon overlapped at different angles
giving the dress a fun dancing feel. It laced up the back with green strings and elbow length pale
blue gloves covered her hands and arms and fastened at a single green button.

Hermione closed her eyes for a moment imagining the actual day. They'd decided the flower
girls would wear their hair down in spiraling Shirley Temple curls and everyone else would wear a
high pony tail with Shirley Temple curls spilling down. Ginny was still playing with different
flowers to put at the base of the pony tails. They'd wear matching dangling diamond earrings or
clip-ons for those who didn't have their ears pierced. They'd all have their make-up done
professionally and a single white gold chain bracelet around their right wrist. As Hermione had
always hated the idea of corsages and had decided on the bracelets instead.

“Right, now this will take just a moment, you sit right here, Hermione. We'll put on a nice
little show for you to preview your bridal party and we'll both take notes on what we'd
like to see improved.” Ginny told her before disappearing into the mesh of females to get everyone
organized. Hermione waved to Lily as she was scooped up but Gabrielle to get dressed.

Sitting where she'd been instructed to stay, she picked up a notepad sitting on the end
table beside her. Her name was written across the front of the pad assuring her that this was where
she was supposed to take her notes. She wrote dress observations neatly at the top of the page with
the quill that had been beside the notepad. Looking up expectantly she found that the room was
suddenly empty besides at catwalk which she hadn't noticed when she first came in. Glancing
around confused she saw Ginny appear at the head of the catwalk and make her way to the end before
hopping off the stage and taking a seat beside Hermione grinning.

“Just keep in mind, they're not all finished yet, so there is tons of wiggle room left if
you want anything added or taken away, `kay?” Ginny grinned.

Hermione simply nodded in reply and Ginny clapped her hands twice murmuring `let the fashion
show commence.'

* * *

Harry leaned back in his chair at his office in the Ministry. His meeting had been relatively
short as it was an update on the non-magical/magical relations campaign that had been going since
Voldemort's end. He'd spent the entire meeting thinking about Hermione, crazy as it
sounded. He hadn't been able to shake the thought of her all day. His mind had covered a wide
range of topics each relating back to her and he surprisingly found himself missing her. It seemed
odd to miss someone that irritated him so but he was beginning to question his irritation. Was he
really irritated at her or their situation? Knowing he could have her body but never her heart. She
was only doing this for Lily after all and all their arguments pointed to the same thing, she
wouldn't change for him, she wouldn't be happy with him, she wouldn't love him. It
irritated him that he couldn't make her fall head over heels for him and it irritated him more
that he actually cared whether or not she was happy with him, whether or not she loved him.

He wasn't being fair, how could he demand her love and not return it. He'd outright told
her when they first met he wouldn't and as far as he could tell he wasn't . . . he was just
concerned about her happiness. After all who wants a grudging wife, right? He shook his head, that
wasn't it. Perhaps he was in love with her. He snorted at the idea but turned it into a violent
cough as he realized he was attracting the attention of the other men in the meeting with his
internal battle that was rapidly coming out. He couldn't love her. He loved no one, except his
daughter. Love caused pain and he was tired of pain, he was invulnerable to the heartache called
love for any but his daughter. Lily was safe. Lily was his child and loved him seemingly as much as
he loved her. It had only been a short while since they'd found each other but unconditional
love for one another came as naturally as breathing.

Why couldn't she have been like Fleur? Why couldn't she have been undesirable? Why
couldn't she have at least been a little ugly? Damn that woman. They said no one was perfect
but Harry had decided Hermione was a close as any woman could hope to get. This would seem a
contrast to his statements earlier when he'd decided she wasn't glamorous but who needed
glamour? She was a natural beauty she didn't have to try to be impressive, she just was! Harry
frowned. Why was he thinking this? Why was she plaguing him? Why couldn't he have just left her
alone?

* * *

Hermione grinned as she sipped her tea, laughing with the women around her. The little girls and
junior bridesmaids, other than Lily, had all gone home. Now it was just all her new friends and all
her old friends. They'd spent the last couple of hours working on the dresses, making
adjustments where necessary, changing little details, adding embroidered designs to all the
ribbons, discussing other wedding details. They now sat on the floor looking through a bridal
magazine for any ideas or details they might like to add to their dresses. Lily was having the time
of her life being baby by the women who just couldn't get enough of her. She got to play dress
up modeling several different ideas for touch up on the flower girl dresses because the others had
gone home. Their ribbons had been extended to trail to the end of the dress like the junior
bridesmaids dresses.

By now the women were discussing past weddings they had been too and the horrors of
bridesmaids' dresses they'd worn before. They'd been repeatedly thankful to Ginny and
Hermione for choosing something that wasn't hideous.

“Where's your dress mummy?” Lily suddenly asked. It finally occurred to Hermione that in all
this time they hadn't even looked at her dress. Ginny let out a gasp as that very same thing
occurred to her.

“How in the world could I have forgotten that? I suppose we got so wrapped up in the other
dresses that we simply didn't even think about the most important one of all.” Ginny exclaimed
hopping up and disappearing through a side door. The others giggled at their folly and gave Lily
little compliments for remembering. Lily beamed under all the attention and looked up to Hermione
with a grin. Ginny reappeared momentarily with a mannequin. Setting it in the center of the group
of women she gave a flick of her wand and the dress began to materialize.

“It's my most secret creation. Unless I'm working on it, it's completely invisible.
No one will be able to replicate or create anything like it until after its wedding day debut.”
Ginny grinned. Everyone had drawn in a sharp breath staring at its magnificence no one able to
think of anything they could possibly say about it. It took several moments and several attempts by
silent mouths before anyone was able to break the silence.

“That is by far the most beautiful dress I've ever seen.” Lavender grinned.

“I can't really think of anything that needs to be done.” Pavarti murmured.

“All is well as far as my inner eye can see.” Luna's whimsical voice proclaimed.

“We're here for a fitting and to add any extra glamorous touches.” Ginny announced giving
them a `you will find something to add to this dress' look. As a designer, Ginny didn't
believe in perfection. There was always room for improvement and they were going to find some.

“Oooooo hurry and put it on I want to see it on you.” Cho urged.

“Can I?” Hermione asked enchanted by the dress. It was quite elegant in her opinion and she
wanted to touch it, just to feel its silky smoothness.

“Of course you can. It's your wedding dress and to get it fitted and designed perfectly to
your person you have to wear it.” Ginny laughed.

Hermione blushed as Angelina and Katie got the dress off the mannequin and passed it to her.
Alicia showed her to the bathroom and she put it on quickly. She starred into the mirror at her
reflection. She didn't believe she would ever been in a gown so beautiful. Of course currently
it was falling down a bit without someone to tie it up in the back but it still looked splendid.
Hermione was a bit confused by the zipper and numerous buttons on the dress but over looked it as
she took in the rest of the dress. When she finally came out of her thoughts she made her way back
to the living room where the other girl's grins turned to 100 watt smiles when she entered,
even Lily was grinning from ear to ear proclaiming her mummy looked like a pretty princess.

Angelina quickly tied the dress up and did up all the buttons. Lavender on the other hand was
pulling up a stool for her to stand on so they could check out the dress properly since Ginny had
receded the cat walk after the earlier dress showings.

“Can you breathe?” Ginny asked, coming up beside her.

“Kind of!” Hermione breathed trying to properly catch her breath now that Angelina had tied the
dress up.

“Perfect. You're probably wondering why put strings, a zipper, buttons, and a few snaps on
the dress, aren't you.” Ginny grinned.

“It did come to my attention, but I figured you had a good reason.” Hermione answered.

“They were all applied strictly to annoy and completely frustrate Harry. He'll probably die
when he gets the buttons undo and realizes he has to undo the snaps too. And after he finally
undoes the snaps he's got to untie it and finally unzip it. He could always do it all by magic
but he never refuses a challenge.” Ginny laughed.

Hermione blushed, thinking of Harry trying to get her out of the dress.

“What do you think about the dress?” Alicia asked.

“It's lovely. I love it!” Hermione responded.

“Did you have anything certainly in mind about what you definitely wanted?” Ginny pressed. “So
far I've managed to get in everything we discussed on the first round but I love feedback.”

“No, I just knew I had always wanted one of those amazing sparkly white dresses you see in the
movies. This is above and beyond what I had ever imagined.” Hermione murmured.

“Sparkly!” Ginny squealed. “That is so perfect. The embroidery gives a bit but we could totally
make this like a . . . explode the moment, especially if we can talk to the lights guy. Brilliant!
Someone get me some glittery fabric on the double.”

“Exactly! It'll be amazing.” Pavarti cried.

Everything was a blur as the other girls began rushing around finding glittery fabric and
needles and silvery white thread.

“Do you want me to take it off so you can do this?” Hermione questioned.

“Oh no, of course not, we can get this done in a sec don't even worry about it.” Ginny said
flippantly. “That was such a great idea.”

Hermione inwardly grinned. Maybe this wedding wouldn't be so bad after all. Everything was
beautiful and Lily was happy. That's all she needed to know.

* * *

Harry glanced around his office; his nearest friends had been assembled there to help him come
to terms with what was going on. The trouble was, there was he didn't know where to start, what
to say, or how to say it without sounding pathetic. So far they'd only managed to discuss the
fact that all they ever did was fight. They were in the process of coming up with ways to make
peace.

“Maybe she'd open up to you and give you a chance if you guys found common ground. Some
thing that interests you both, you know?” Dean suggested.

“Yeah, have you ever tried talking about anything, non-wedding related?” Seamus put in.

“I can't remember, and as I've said before it usually turns into an argument.” Harry
sighed.

“Perhaps you should start by paying more attention to what you're talking about.” Colin
interjected. “Women like men who listen; clearly you don't listen if you can't remember
what you've been arguing about.”

“But we argument about everything, it's like she's looking to pick a fight.” Harry
groaned.

“Perhaps she is, ever considered she'd resisting conforming to your idea of the world?”
Colin interjected again.

“What could we possibly talk about, beyond wedding plans we really have no reason to talk?”
Harry demanded.

“Well, what does she like? You could just start up a casual conversation when neither of you are
busy.” George shot back.

“Pranks, really good ones maybe?” Fred asked hopefully.

“Highly doubt it.” Harry grumbled.

“Dragons maybe?” Charlie suggested.

“I dunno. Ferocious animals don't seem her thing.” Harry replied thoughtfully.

“She's muggle-born and probably enjoys the study of magical things. So maybe she might like
them.” Colin supplied.

“I'll look into it.” Harry nodded.

“Books, clearly she is a smart girl and would enjoy an intelligent discussion about something
worthwhile.” Percy commented.

The others nodded but looked off in all different directions knowing they'd never stoop so
low as to actually read for a woman. What kind of bachelor read books that lead to intelligent
discussion? Ron's eyes darted to Percy, nerds! Then to Colin, gay guys! Harry was neither.

“Er . . . I'll have to think about that one. We probably have totally different book
interests.” Harry mumbled. Ron's mouth dropped open at the found that Harry actually sounded
like he'd consider it.

“Flying, since you said she isn't fond of quidditch.” Draco suggested.

“Isn't fond of quidditch!” Fred and George cried.

“You heard me.” Draco replied.

“I don't know. Perhaps there's a connection between her distaste for quidditch and
flying.” Harry asked.

“All right, food! Everyone likes food. You could talk about what she likes to eat.” Ron threw
in.

“She's really into healthy stuff and the occasional sweets. I think I'd end up getting a
lecture on my unhealthy diet, which is sure to change after the wedding.” Harry muttered.

“I'm running out of ideas.” Charlie mumbled.

“Ditto!” Draco agreed.

“You two are pretty much opposites.” Bill added.

“ Opposites attract, though.” Seamus thought out loud.

“Hmmmmmmmmm . . . ” they all sat in silence trying to think.

“Perhaps you're just shit out of luck, mate.” Draco decided.

Harry shot him a glare along with his sarcastic response. “I'm really loving your support
here, really, I am.”

* * *

“All finished!” Ginny grinned, stepping back. The girls all looked at the dress on Hermione one
last time as she did a slow twirl for them, before taking it off. They put it back on the mannequin
and Ginny flicked her wand once again, making the dress slowly vanish. `It's perfect.'
Hermione thought as she watched it slowly disappear. She didn't really want to take it off. She
ran her fingertips lightly over the barely visible dress once more before it could no longer be
seen or felt. Never in a million years would she expect this. If someone had told her she would be
marrying Harry Potter in the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen she'd have laughed until
she could barely breathe. She was a plane-Jane but lately she didn't feel like one. She felt
special, as if something had changed. She realized she didn't feel as stressed and she
didn't spend all her time cooped up reading. Everything around her was so full of life and
beautiful. Everyday was magical.

“What do you say, Hermione?” Cho grinned.

“I missed that sorry?” Hermione blushed.

“We were planning to go back to Ginny's apartment for a bit before going to the first
engagement party tonight.” Cho replied.

“That sounds like fun. I'd love to go.” Hermione grinned. “I should probably take Lils home
first, though.”

“We'll apart back, mum'll take care of her and put her to bed. I'll send someone for
the car later.” Ginny grinned, linking arms with Hermione. “We'll see you girls soon.”

Ginny blew a kiss, then she and Hermione apparted out of the room.

* * *

“Maybe you should spend more time together. You know? Just the two of you . . . so you can get
to know each other. Lily on the other hand can . . . well, I dunno what you'll do with Lily but
somehow we'll make her disappear.” Ron suggested. “Mum'll be thrilled to watch her. She
keeps banging on about when she's going to get grandkids.”

“Where would we go that we could spend more time together?” Harry mused.

“You really don't have to go anywhere!” Colin pointed out.

“He's right you could both spend time at the villa.” Bill agreed.

“I could make dinner and surprise her. I suppose.” Harry said thoughtfully.

“She's muggle born isn't she? You could go see a movie. I bet she'd like that!”
George suggested.

Harry nodded, writing this on a note pad. “What else? She is going to push me away until I break
the barrier she clearly put up to keep me away.”

“Go for a walk. In the park so you can take Lily. If you run out of conversation start talking
about her or what she's doing.” Draco told him. Everyone stared at him. That was surprisingly
sensitive coming from Draco Malfoy. “Shut up.”

“I suppose there's a bit of a romantic in us all.” Colin laughed.

* * *

Hermione was sitting on the floor curled up in a warm blanket, her back leaning against the
sofa. She sipped lightly at a glass of wine she'd been handed at the beginning of the night.
She was studying each of the women and how they sipped their wine and handled their wineglasses.
She found herself trying to mimic these elegant actions in hopes that by her wedding day she'd
be able to look as posh sipping her champagne.

They'd been flipping through magazines giggling over gossip and shrieking over pictures of
themselves. They mentioned the wedding here and there but mostly kept to a lively upbeat
conversation about life in general. Hermione found each one so interesting, their careers, their
upbringing, the event that caused such misshapen stories to appear in gossip columns of magazine.
Flipping through a business magazine, Hermione came across a picture of all of the girls hugging
and grinning together dressed as if coming out of a black tie event.

“You know, it seems so odd that I've never asked this but I'm sure with your age
differences and interests you all couldn't have always been the best of friends. How is it you
lot all came to know each other?” Hermione asked. Her friends Mandy Brocklehurst, Lisa Turpin,
Sally-Anne Perks, Hannah Abbot, and Susan Bones, whom she'd grown up with perked up at this
question. These were after all women they'd never once in their life expected to meet. Serena,
Gabrielle's friend was an avid follower of trends and was rarely seen without the latest
magazine, had made a study of these women all her life, she too was quite curious.

“Oh, it's simple really.” Cho said with a wave of her hand. “We met through Harry.”

“Really?” Susan asked. Cho was quite right, that was surprisingly simple.

“Our only real connection to one another is Harry, either by siblings friends, previous
relationships, school, or career. Harry's an absolute genius as a host. He rarely throws
soirées but when he does you'll bet you want to be on that list. He definitely knows who to mix
and mesh to get a party started.” Ginny explained.

“A social butterfly one might say.” Angelina laughed. Alicia snorted at the idea of anyone
describing Harry as anything as delicate as a butterfly.

“So then, next question: how did you all meet Harry?” Hermione asked.

“Well, as for me,” Cho started, “Harry and I went to Hogwarts together as you very well know. We
dated all of his 6th year, my 7th year. We decided we were better off as
friends and split up when I graduated. We kept contact and often made appearances together to stir
up a story. As you know he's known as quite the playboy in part to some of the more risqué
parties we attended and came out of all smashed up.”

“My story is quite simple really. I'm Ron's little sister. Harry and Ron are best
friends, so inevitably we met. I had been completely obsessed with him when I was younger. I had
heard all these stories and wonderful things about him. I'm was like that crazy stalker chic
that security always had to remove. Colin and I started the first official Harry Potter fan club.
Colin would pop up everywhere and take pictures. We'd snag a piece of gum he chewed or steal
hair from his brush. We were absolutely mental. So he's always thought I'm a bit off but
that's ok. During his seventh year we dated for a time, had a bit of an off and on relationship
out of school but we eventually just gave it up seeing as to how I was over my childhood fantasy
and we were mostly together for the fact that everyone was expecting it.” Ginny grinned, laughing
at the memories of their Hogwarts days.

“Quidditch, of course.” Angelina, Alicia, and Katie jumped in.

“We played together while at Hogwarts, and still do.” Angelina told her, Alicia and Katie nodded
with the contribution of ditto.

“I used to date Ron. So naturally I met Harry through Ron. Sometimes we went on double dates
together.” Lavender recited.

“Same as Lavender, however, he always thought I was a bit crazy. I haven't the slightest
clue as to why he'd think that.” Luna supplied.

“Lavender is my best friend. I met Harry through her and we dated for a while. We just sort of
ended and I started going out with Dean and he chose a new flavor of the week.” Pavarti
shrugged.

“That's very interesting.” Hermione nodded, thinking about this for a moment.

“So then you knew him while he was dating Fleur.” Gabrielle suddenly asked. They nodded but
didn't say anything, knowing it was best to just wait for the question.

“You probably don't know the answer to this question but if you do . . . how . . . how did
Harry feel about her?” Hermione asked quietly. There was silence for a long moment after that
question. Gabrielle had grown tense waiting for the answer to the question she herself had been too
afraid to ask.

“I think he liked her a lot, possibly even loved her at one time. I think the way they ended
hurt him though.” Cho supplied.

“Yeah, he sort of went into a depression for a while after she left.” Alicia added.

“Um hm, he practiced terribly, but every game he cleared his mind and got to business.” Katie
thought out loud. Everyone was silent once again making their own conclusions about the
information. It seemed an eternity before Ginny broke the silence.

“So what about you and Harry? I've noticed he's been oddly distracted lately?
Intrigued?” Ginny grinned.

“Yea, how's that going?” Hannah asked.

“Inquiring minds need to know.” Luna added.

“I dunno, we fight a lot, I suppose. He gets on well enough with Lily but between us we find any
and everything to argue about. There's something there but it's dangerous territory. Even I
agree that perhaps it's best unexplored.” Hermione sighed.

“Or perhaps it needs to be explored. Passion is not your enemy.” Luna told her. Hermione opened
her mouth to say she highly doubted it was passion but was cut off by Luna. “Neither is lust.”

Hermione snapped her mouth shut giving her a bewildered look. Then a blush crossed her face.
I'd be lying if I said there was no lust but lust isn't love.

“Perhaps this is love.” Gabrielle supplied. Once again Hermione didn't get a chance to
speak. “We part veela are very sensitive to pheromones, you know.”

Hermione blushed again. She was caught. She'd toyed with the idea of love but decided lust
was all they had between them. However, she knew enough about veela's to know that even a
quarter veela could sense emotions and hormones to some degree. She couldn't bring herself to
look at Gabrielle after she said this. What if she was right?

“Come on Hermione, we're not experts, as none of us are married, but maybe we can bring you
some piece of mind.” Ginny smiled.

Hermione was silent considering her next move. What did she have to lose? They wouldn't tell
him, they were her friends and maybe they could reassure her that she wasn't going crazy.

“Well, well, he's really sweet when we aren't fight and an amazing father to Lily.
They've only just met and he's been so loving towards her, like they'd never been
apart. I suppose most of it's my fault, I've been extremely difficult and he still puts up
with me. He's a great kisser, too. He makes me feel . . . I've never it felt before. I
don't have any words for it. And . . . and maybe, just maybe I might, possibly, be in love with
him.”

* * *

Harry kissed Lily's forehead lightly, watching her sleep. Mrs. Weasley had put her to bed
earlier because she would not be attending tonight's engagement party. It was a black tie
affair at the most ritzy building in all of Italy. She'd be dreadfully bored and he'd
agreed with Hermione to wait until tomorrow night for the one in England with her family.

“Shouldn't you be getting ready?” Mrs. Weasley whispered, entering the room. “Let the little
dear sleep. She's not going anywhere. Dobby'll pop in if she wakes up early.”

“I know that. I just wanted to watch her for a bit.” Harry said, quietly. Giving Mrs. Weasley a
small smile, he got up and stretched before following her out of the room. “Has Hermione returned
yet?”

“No, not yet, none of the girls have. I'll let you know when she gets back.” She told him.
Harry nodded then departed down the hallway to find his dress robes for the evening.

* * *

Hermione sprinted up the stairs to her room, glancing at her watch for what seemed the millionth
time. She was running late. For what was possibly the first time in her life, she was not on time,
not on schedule. When would the madness end? Mrs. Weasley was waiting for her when she arrived and
Hermione rushed through apologies. The elderly woman simply laughed and motioned for her to begin
undressing while she worked on her hair. At one time in her life Hermione would have been
uncomfortable changing in front of a woman she'd just met but Mrs. Weasley had such a motherly
aura it was impossible to be uncomfortable around her.

“Don't worry. The guests of honor are never late, everyone else just arrives too early.
I've sent Dobby to Harry to tell him you've arrived so you needn't worry about him.”
She said as she gave a flick of her wand to straighten Hermione's hair. She had the sides
pulled back in minutes and a large emerald hair ornament clipped at the center of the back of her
head to hold it out of her face. She gave a few more flicks and her hair twisted into tight spiral
curls to bounce against her back when she moved.

By now, Hermione had pulled on her dress which matched the emerald in her hair. It was a
strapless sleek creation, which tied in the back. It clung to her form, only until just below the
hips where it released into a full skirt that allowed for movement. She pulled strappy black high
heeled shoes onto her feet and sat quickly for Mrs. Weasley to apply her make-up. She loved the
glosses Mrs. Weasley used on her. With just the right amount of color and gloss, she always managed
to make her lips look more lush and fuller. With several quick thank-yous to Mrs. Weasley, she
grabbed her shawl and was out the door.

“You know, you'd make a much more elegant entrance if you weren't running down the
stairs.” Harry grinned from the bottom of the stairs.

“Harry!” Hermione gasped, not realizing he'd been standing their waiting. She missed the
last step in her hurry and was easily caught by him. “Sorry. I'm late I know. I'm
sorry.”

“Don't worry about it. The guests of honor are never late.” He grinned helping her
straighten herself back up. “Are you ready?”

“No, I just ran down the stairs like a madwoman because it's always been a fantasy of mine.”
She quipped brushing by him.

“Strange, you might be the only person in the world who fantasizes about such things.” Harry
returned.

Hermione threw a scalding look over her should as she entered the garage. Rather than retorting
she inquired as to which car they'd be taking.

“Hermione when have we gone anywhere in a car?” Harry asked, catching her elbow and steering her
towards the circle driveway, where a limo was waiting.

“What's the point of having so many cars if you never use them?” Hermione asked.

“I've driven them all at least once in my lifetime but if you haven't noticed I collect
cars and brooms. So using them isn't really their purpose.”

“That's a waste.”

“Actually it isn't it. Since I bought them that means someone got paid to make them. I'm
helping the economy.”

Hermione stared at him for a moment. “Tell me something, were you thinking that when you bought
it?”

Harry sighed, honestly, he just couldn't win. “No, I was thinking that's a really great
car but looking back on it I see that I was in fact helping the economy so I can't be a bad
guy.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, stepping into the limo. “You're awful.”

“And you look beautiful.” Harry smiled.

“What?”

“It's a compliment.”

“Shut-up Harry.”

* * *

Harry's arm was wrapped lightly around her waist as they entered a beautiful Romanesque
building. Hermione was glad for his arm or else she would sure she would have smashed into a wall.
Half blind was an understatement, after that brief walk from the limo to the foyer; she'd
decided the paparazzi's goal in life was to blind anyone who attempted to enter a building
gracefully. Or maybe that was just the goal for people who hadn't been celebrities all their
life. Harry seemed completely unfazed by having to walk down the flashing aisle of doom. He just
strode through as though he didn't notice a thing.

She shivered as his finger tips brushed her arms, while removing her shawl. She watched him
primp and adjust his robes inspiring her to glance in a mirror to make sure still looked alright.
Once satisfied she turned to find him watching her.

“I, err, didn't want to look . . .” She stammered. Her eyes went wide as she suddenly leaned
in and kissed her cheek.

“You look gorgeous.” He confirmed. She just stared at him, mouth slightly open. Harry chuckled,
tucking two fingers under her chin and snapping her mouth shut. “Let's go.”

He offered her his arm, which she lightly slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. Trying
to will away the blush staining her cheeks, Hermione allowed him to lead her to a set of double
doors.

“Alright, someone is going to announce us, and then those doors will open. There's a grand
staircase leading down to the actual ballroom floor. Don't let all the people overwhelm you.
Remember deep breaths and I'll be by your side as much as I can so no worries.” Harry told
her.

Hermione looked at him once again. He was helping her. He was going to stay with her. She
hadn't realized she'd been holding a breath in fear that she might embarrass them both
somehow. Oddly enough, he gave her confidence. Nodding, she turned to face the door, holding her
head high like his as the first strip of light from the parting doors fell on them. Taking a deep
breath like he'd suggested, they proceeded onto the balcony. There, they paused for a moment as
several flashes went off at once, before making the slow descent down the grand staircase.
Hermione's eyes darted around the room, everything looked so shiny and expensive and there were
people everywhere. She decided all of Milan and then some must have found their way into the
ballroom. `Oh Merlin.' She did a mental check going through all the names and faces she'd
had to memorize for nights like this. No one stood out. What if she forgot a name? Or a title of
some sort? What if she forgot which couples were divorced and no longer wished to be associated?
Who was having an affair to avoid mentioning in a conversation? Hermione was reeling trying to
recall it all. The deep breaths forgotten she felt her breaths become short and shallow, tension
sweeping her body.

Harry noticed the sudden panic Hermione seemed to have worked herself into. He was glad that
once again, at the bottom of the staircase they had to stop for pictures. Giving him a chance to
lean in and remind her to relax. The photographers went crazy when he pressed a soft kiss to her
left temple. She glanced up at him, eyes looking like a scared child. He fought the urge to take
her home and snog her senseless. Merlin, he loved those eyes, those innocent eyes that in this
moment cried out for his help.

“I'll be right here, love.” He repeated, taking her hand from the crook of his elbow and
into his own.

* * *

He'd been true to his word and right here lasted for at least the first two hours of the
party in which Hermione had been introduced to and scrutinized by every soul in the building.
He'd only disappeared from her side when he'd realized they'd been through everyone and
only Draco, of his groomsmen, was there. He'd gone off to find out what was holding them up
because he wanted to introduce them to Hermione.

She'd gone right back into her panic when he said he'd be right back, she'd finally
relaxed and become somewhat comfortable with him there holding her hand, squeezing it reassuringly.
He'd been thoughtful enough to help her find Ginny before leaving to berate his best mates.
Ginny glowered when asked about their whereabouts.

“They're going to be fashionably late.” Was all she said, Luna took it upon herself to
explain that this meant it was a black tie affair and Ginny had thrown a fit at their casual robes
demanding they go find some for the party and not to set foot inside that building until they were
presentable. This wouldn't have been a problem if every prominent designer and store owner
hadn't closed early to be able to get to the party. Hermione had laughed, deciding then
that'd she'd like Harry's friends probably as much as she liked these women she'd
come to call friends.

* * *

“Harry, we're really sorry we're so late mate. Ginny went absolutely bonkers on us mate.
Apparently we weren't posh enough to set foot in her black tie affair.” Ron muttered, rolling
his eyes. “She's a right cow sometimes, you know that.”

“Anyway, we're through the door now so she'll just have to approve. We transfigured our
robes, ourselves since no one was open and she told us we couldn't wear anything old or that
had been seen before.” Dean said.

“I think we look really good, actually.” Seamus grinned.

“You look like a mess.” Colin interjected coming up beside Harry. He'd just come from
chatting with Ginny and Hermione, and he absolutely adored Harry's fiancée. The woman was just
too charming. He'd be damned if she had to meet anyone looking like some two-bit designer knock
off model. He whipped out his wand and gave two flicks, making their robes more elegant and black.
He'd only noticed them entering the room because they wore every color under the sun, navy,
brown, deep greens. `Dolts!' With a sniff he declared his work done and disappeared back into
the crowds of mingling people.

“What was wrong with our robes?” George inquired.

“This is a black tie event.” Harry said rolling his eyes.

“Yea, and?” Fred asked.

“For heavens sakes you lot were dressed in anything but black dress robes.” Harry snapped.

“Well if Ginny would have stayed perhaps she could have given us some of her clothing spells but
our knowledge in such areas are limited. It's the best we could do.” Dean shrugged.

Harry rolled his eyes again, shaking his head.

“So then Harry, where's this fiancée of yours?” Oliver asked.

Seamus suddenly whistled drawing their attention before Harry could answer the question. “We can
deal with that introduction late, my question is who is that?”

He pointed to a petite girl in an emerald dress, long brown curse dancing down her back. She was
standing with the Creevey brothers and a couple of well known designers including Ginny, laughing
at something Colin had just said.

“She is a looker, isn't she?” Fred grinned, peering around George to get a better look.
Ginny touched her arm and pointed to them, whispering something to her. She smile and gave them a
brief nod of her head, before turning back to Ginny.

“All right mate, I need a name, I saw her first.” Seamus said.

Harry found it impossible not to laugh at them. Putting a hand over his mouth he tried to keep
to quiet chuckles as they continued to gawk at Hermione.

“Well?” They all demanded. Seeing that Harry wasn't going to answer, Ron took it upon
himself to clue everyone else in.

“That my dear friends, is Harry's fiancée, Hermione Granger.” Ron grinned.

“What?” They exclaimed.

“That beautiful woman is Harry's future wife!” Dean demanded.

“Indeed.” Ron nodded.

“But you said . . . how are you . . . I mean you haven't . . . even though she's . . .
ARE YOU MAD?!?!” Seamus nearly shouted. He snapped his mouth shut, ducking his head, noticing that
they were drawing attention to themselves.

“No, we haven't. I already told you that.” Harry ground out, not wanting to be discussing
this here.

“You're an idiot. If my future wife looked like that, there's no way in hell she'd
be sleeping by herself.” Fred said.

“Ditto.” Oliver murmured.

“Well I suppose that's why none of you are engaged. Do you want to go meet her now or not?”
Harry snapped.

“Touchy, touchy. Getting a bit possessive there, mate.” Ron laughed. Harry growled to himself,
walking briskly back to Hermione's side, glaring daggers at any man who so much as gave her an
appraising look. She was standing between Draco and Ginny now, who were discussing wine selections
for the wedding. Not knowing much on the subject Hermione simply listened and took mental notes on
things to know about wine and vineyards.

She was surprised when Harry suddenly came up behind her and pulled her into his arms. She
glanced at him confused as his arms came around her waist and she was suddenly locked in his
protective embrace. She was tense for but a moment before relaxing into his hold and leaning back
against him. `This is nice.' She couldn't help but smile. The smile dropped off her face as
she glanced up at the angry look on his face. `Or perhaps I've done something to upset
him.' She chewed her bottom lip trying to recall what she could have done to make him so
annoyed.

She pasted a smile on her face as his friends came up to introduce themselves. She smiled at Ron
recognizing him and went to give him a polite hug but Harry didn't release her for such, so she
shook his hand instead. She could have sworn she heard Draco snickering beside them, and glanced at
him confused but his face didn't portray anything. Dean and Seamus both shook her hand
enthusiastically raving about how pretty she was until a growl from Harry shut them up. His friend
Oliver was amusing asking her if she was interested in attending a quidditch match and promising to
have the best seats reserved for her and Lily to come see one any time. Percy introduced himself
quite eloquently and brushed a light kiss to the back of her hand. Fred and George decided to
imitate their brother and made a big show of kissing her hand and talked animatedly with her for a
moment about their joke shop. Bill and Charlie were much more simply in their greeting and she
smiled at their cool composure despite having such animated company. She met Terry Boot, Blaise
Zabini, and Anthony Goldstein who were aurors with Harry and were a bit harder to get a hold of
because they were always on top secret cases but they promised they'd be there at the wedding
no matter what. Lastly, Ernie MacMillian and Neville Longbottom had just arrived from England gave
Hermione a quick update on the latest news in England. Of course, it wasn't the kind of news
she usually looked into because a) they lived in completely “different worlds” and b) she had read
Herboligist Daily only once or twice in her lifetime, not really that interested in the
subject.

`Things are going to be very interesting.' She grinned watching them spread throughout the
room. Laughing loudly, greeting friends, and adding an extra flavor to the party that she
hadn't realized was missing.

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10. A/N (sorry sorry)
---------------------



Dear Readers,

I'm going to be away from a computer for the next two weeks and thus will not be able to do
too much with my story until I get back. I'm very sorry that this will increase the waiting
time but I wanted to let you know so you understand why there is no update for a long period of
time.

<3s

Luff,

majorqtpie

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11. A/N: I'm Still Here
-----------------------



Dear Readers,

I'm still working on it I swear but marching band 6 days a week, 3 honors classes, and a job
are really cutting into my writing time. The season ends on the 28th and then I'll
be able to work on chapters pretty much daily again instead of just on Sunday afternoons that I
don't have a crap load of homework. I know it's been two weeks, and I have been
writing:

Hermione took the hand, Harry offered her as she stepped out of the limo onto the dirt path of
her parents home. Since Hermione had left they'd bought a cottage out in the country to get
away from the hubbub of city life. Hermione grinned looking over her step-mother's prized
garden, the soft twittering of birds playing in the bird bath, brought a smile to her face. She
could hear laughter and see the smoke of the grill coming from around the back and figured her some
of her aunts and uncles had decided to make an appearance too.

Lily followed Ginny out of the limo and quickly bypassed the adults, heading straight for the
door. She didn't make it to the door before it was thrown open and she was met by her
grandmother, who swept her up into a large hug.

“Oh my goodness, Lily dear, you're getting so big. And look just how pretty you are.” Mrs.
Granger cooed setting her back down.

“Is that my Hermione?” Mr. Granger's voice sounded from inside the house. “I thought I heard
something.”

Hermione grinned, dropping Harry's hand and dashing forward into her father's arms.

“Daddy!” She squealed giving him a tight hug.

“Ah, that is my little girl.” He grinned affectionately dropping a kiss on her cheek. “And I
remember Ginny, so this must be Harry.”

Ginny shook his hand and enthusiastically before pushing Harry forward to greet the man. Mr.
Granger took a second to remove his glasses and clean the lenses before resettling them on his
nose. Looking up and down he took in the man his daughter was about to marry with an aloof hand
shake.

Harry wasn't easily intimidated but he found himself a bit wary of the way the elder man was
looking at him. Judging by their enthusiastic greeting Harry was sure Mr. Granger was in no way
ready to give up his daughter into the care of another man.

“It's a pleasure to be meeting you see.” He forced out with a small smile.

“Um hm.” Mr. Granger continued to eye him for a second more before looping his arm through his
daughter and inviting her inside along with Ginny and Lily.

Mrs. Granger giggled, smiling up at Harry. “Don't mind him. He has no sons and is taking
full hazing upon himself and his nephews to complete but I'm sure he'll come around.”

“Thanks, somehow I have a feeling I'm going to need your confidence.” Harry laughed as Mrs.
Granger tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led him out back.

Sorry, all I can give you is this clip of what I've written so far because the chapter
isn't done yet. I will take suggestions on things her family might say or do during the lunch.
Humor is always appreciated. I am really, really sorry about having to ask you to be patient again.
The season is almost over, I promise.

<3s

majorqtpie

-->



12. 8. Meet the Granger
-----------------------



**Chapter 8: Meet the Grangers**

**Engagement Week**

**Day 2**

Hermione got up and stretched grinning into the warm sun. Last night had been oddly fun, in that
playing dress up kind of way. Harry had been relaxed after a while and they seemed to have
forgotten any disagreements between them as they made a show of being a couple in love. The twins
were an absolute riot, pranking those not watching their drinks carefully enough. Ginny nearly
threw her brothers out she was so furious. Chuckling to herself at the memory, Hermione slipped out
of bed and headed for the shower.

She made the trip quick before pulling on her favorite pair of trainers, jeans, and a camouflage
tank top. She didn't bother with make up before traipsing out the door to Lily's room. She
froze in the doorway, a bewildered look etched on her face as she found Lily dressed and Mrs.
Weasley brushing her hair.

“Err, morning?” Hermione said, entering the room.

“You'd be better off with afternoon, dear.” Mrs. Weasley grinned, waving a hand at the clock
on Lily's nightstand. Turning instantly, Hermione's eyes went wide as saucers. How had she
not looked at the time? She had realized it was bright when she woke up but not that bright. It was
almost noon.

“Oh my God. I don't believe I've ever slept that late in my life. I am so sorry, Molly.
I'll …” Hermione was cut off by Mrs. Weasley's tutting.

“You'll be doing nothing but scurrying off to breakfast. Lily will join you just as soon as
I'm done with her hair. Harry ought to be down there already, you just let me know if he's
gone off and disappeared. I'll give that young man a tongue lashing he'll never forget.”
Mrs. Weasley said, waving Hermione out of the door. “Off you go now dear, don't eat too much
though, I expect your mother will be wanting to cook for you.”

Hermione nodded dumbly, waved to Lily, and turned to leave. Once the door shut behind her, she
stopped to assess what had just occurred. `Mental, I'm going absolutely mental.' With no
other choice, she made her way down the stairs to the breakfast nook. Harry, fortunately for his
sake, was already there, buried behind the Daily Prophet, plate empty. Ginny was there as well,
tapping away at a laptop, cell phone firmly attached to her ear. Hermione almost laughed. It was
her first time, since the first day, really seeing either of them in what a normal person would
consider casual clothes. Harry wore and emerald polo shirt, dark blue jeans, and trainers, while
Ginny was wearing a black lace up tank, low rise jeans, and strappy black sandals.

“Alas sleeping beauty has awakened.” Harry grinned, lowering his newspaper, grinning.

“Er, sorry about that.” Hermione blushed sliding into the seat across from Ginny.

“Don't worry about it, you've been needing the rest.” Harry said before flipping the
paper back up and obscuring himself from view again.

“Eat up, I asked the house elves to make a light breakfast since your mother will probably be
cooking lots.” Ginny instructed, never looking up.

Hermione nodded silently and reached for the tray of fruits, cheeses, and breads before her. She
marveled at the arrangement and found herself thinking she was on some exotic TV show. The marble
floor, the stone walls, the windows flooding the breakfast nook with natural light, it seemed so
unreal at times. With a sigh she fixed herself a plate and leisurely ate a small breakfast.

* * *

Harry's eyes skimmed the page before him but never picked up a single word. His eyes kept
drifting back to Hermione. His mind hadn't wandered far from her since the night before. He
went to sleep thinking about her, woke up thinking about her, he even dreamt about her in between.
To be perfectly honest he was starting to think he needed help, he'd never been an obsessive
person but she was more captivating with each day. Yesterday had only made him more concession of
how much he wanted to be with her and take care of her. He found himself coming to terms with the
idea of possibly falling in love with her. Not that he was, he reassured himself, it was just a
possibility that wouldn't be so horrible as one might think. Being in love might not be that
bad with a woman like Hermione. She was kind, beautiful, honest, and . . . oh there were so many
more ands there were dozens of words he could have chosen for this woman and seemingly not enough
to describe how he felt about her. All his pondering always led back to the word love but . . .

`Gah, make it stop!' He shouted at himself. `Can't I have five seconds peace without
thinking about her and this love business. Give me a break!'

“I'll be outside.” Harry muttered, throwing down his newspaper. Perhaps if he got away from
her . . . no, dumb plan, he'd been away from her all morning until breakfast and that
hadn't stopped his conscience giving him the third degree about what was going on in his life
right now. Sweeping out of the room he decided to battle his conscience for a new topic
elsewhere.

* * *

Hermione watched him go before turning to Ginny with a confused look. “Did I do something?”

“Why would you think that?”

“He just sounded kind of . . . I don't know, exasperated or something and it wasn't
until after I showed up.”

“Nope, he's just been kind of moody lately. He'll come `round before we get to your
house though. Are you ready?”

“Yea, I guess so. What about Lily?”

“I've had a plate prepared so she can eat during the drive.”

“Alright then, let's go.”

* * *

Hermione took the hand, Harry offered her as she stepped out of the limo onto the dirt path of
her parents home. Since Hermione had left they'd bought a cottage out in the country to get
away from the hubbub of city life. Hermione grinned looking over her step-mother's prized
garden, the soft twittering of birds playing in the bird bath, brought a smile to her face. She
could hear laughter and see the smoke of the grill coming from around the back and figured her some
of her aunts and uncles had decided to make an appearance too.

Lily followed Ginny out of the limo and quickly bypassed the adults, heading straight for the
door. She didn't make it to the door before it was thrown open and she was met by her
grandmother, who swept her up into a large hug.

“Oh my goodness, Lily dear, you're getting so big. And look just how pretty you are.” Mrs.
Granger cooed setting her back down.

“Is that my Hermione?” Mr. Granger's voice sounded from inside the house. “I thought I heard
something.”

Hermione grinned, dropping Harry's hand and dashing forward into her father's arms.

“Daddy!” She squealed giving him a tight hug.

“Ah, that is my little girl.” He grinned affectionately dropping a kiss on her cheek. “And I
remember Ginny, so this must be Harry.”

Ginny shook his hand and enthusiastically before pushing Harry forward to greet the man. Mr.
Granger took a second to remove his glasses and clean the lenses before resettling them on his
nose. Looking up and down he took in the man his daughter was about to marry with an aloof hand
shake.

Harry wasn't easily intimidated but he found himself a bit wary of the way the elder man was
looking at him. Judging by their enthusiastic greeting Harry was sure Mr. Granger was in no way
ready to give up his daughter into the care of another man.

“It's a pleasure to be meeting you see.” He forced out with a small smile.

“Um hm.” Mr. Granger continued to eye him for a second more before looping his arm through his
daughter and inviting her inside along with Ginny and Lily.

Mrs. Granger chuckled, smiling up at Harry. “Don't mind him. He has no sons and is taking
full hazing upon himself and his nephews to complete but I'm sure he'll come around.”

“Thanks, somehow I have a feeling I'm going to need your confidence.” Harry laughed as Mrs.
Granger tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led him out back.

“I'll just go see where Lily disappeared off to and don't you worry about a thing.” Mrs.
Granger grinned, leaving him at the back door of the house.

With a deep breath, he stepped through to the backyard where there were a number of people
covering an array of ages. An elderly couple, he assumed to be her grandparents, sat at a picnic
table holding little children. There were a few people around that seemed to be his and
Hermione's age that must be her cousins. Judging by the way the men were giving him a once
over, he was certain they were her cousins, the other couples that were older than them seemed
rather indifferent and happy to be with the family, `must be the aunts and uncles.'

He couldn't help the smirk that crossed his face seeing a few small dogs running around the
yard. They weren't nearly as big a Sirius but at least he could claim she wasn't a 100%
bona fide cat person. Harry nearly jumped out of his skin when Ginny popped up at his side from
seemingly no where. “What are you doing just standing around there? Mingle! This is about to be
your family!”

“You know funny as it sounds, I don't know a single person here and the majority of the male
party here is still deciding whether I live or die so excuse me if I take a moment to assess the
best strategy for meeting the family.” Harry quipped.

Ginny stared at him blankly for a minute before a huge grin split her face. “Oh my God, Harry I
completely and totally forgot, you've never had to do this before.”

“Do what?”

“Meet the parents.”

“Aw, this is absolutely priceless, your first serious relationship, though I wouldn't tell
them that. Not good for your first impression.”

“I figured that much out on my own thanks.”

“What are you two over here whispering about?” Hermione asked, coming up on Harry's other
side.

“Gee, what is it with you two and popping up today?” Harry snapped.

“Um, sorry?”

“Don't worry about him, he's just jumpy because he's not sure how to go about making
a good first impression.” Ginny informed her.

“What? I never said that. Stop putting words in my mouth Ginny.” Harry cried.

“You see, he's completely on edge.” Ginny grinned.

“Oh Harry, there's nothing to worry about.” Hermione smiled at him.

“I'm not worried, where'd you get that idea from?”

“He's in denial too, that's absolutely adorable.” Ginny laughed.

“I'm not in denial, I'm . . .”

“ARE YOU THREE GOING TO STAND OVER THERE ALL DAY OR DO WE GET TO MEET YOUR FIANCE SOME TIME
TODAY HERMIONE?” One of her cousins shouted across the yard.

“WILL YOU HANG ON A SEC?” Hermione shouted back, with a glare. “Eh heh, so sorry, Jonathan's
the outspoken one in the family.”

“He's also the funny one, reminds me of Ron actually.” Ginny grinned.

“Peachy, they're not all like her brothers are they? I have to admit, I pity the guy who
tries to marry you Gin.” Harry said.

“Nope besides John they're not similar at all. My family's quite reserved actually. My
parents are dentists, and most of my cousins either own book shops or small businesses of their
own. My aunt and uncle by the lemonade own a small café and the two by the kiddy pool with their
grand children own a day care center. My aunt sitting with my grand parents is a nurse and her
husband is a lawyer, they're John's parents, he's a lawyer too, by the way, so
don't let him try to talk circles around you.” Hermione informed him.

“Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.”

“Good then, come on.” Hermione tugged gently on his arm, leading him towards her family. Harry
followed sullenly trying to remember why he agreed to this.

“Harry, this is my father's only sister Amelia and her husband Cameron. They're John and
William's parents. And these are my grandparents on my father's side Alice and Rupert.”

Harry smiled and shook hands with both elder couples, linking each to the description she'd
given him. He really hoped he wasn't going to be expected to know anything about muggle
nursing, though he was sure he could keep up with muggle law. Thankfully they merely made small
talk about what he did for a living which he decided to just say law enforcement and be very vague
with descriptions. He was having mild difficulty keeping a straight face whenever Hermione turned
her head to muffle her laughter as he tried to keep all his answers vague. Her grand parents were
much simpler to please they just made inquiries about the wedding which Hermione could easily
answer and some Ginny had tested him on at breakfast. He was almost reluctant to leave knowing
they'd be the easiest people he'd talk to all day.

Next he was introduced to the couple who owned the day care. He mentally named himself the king
of BS as he was grilled about his philosophy on children. They asked about his family and were
animatedly sympathetic as he gave his simple they died when he was young answer. Hermione excused
them before he had to go into any detail. She knew her aunt could be just a bit too curious
sometimes.

The last of the indifferent elder couples was the couple who owned the café. They were
surprisingly easy to get along with. They invited the Harry to stop by for tea any time and briefly
discussed the latest flavors they'd come up with. He found it peaceful how in sync the couple
was, finishing each others' statements and explaining how they bounced ideas off of each other.
He grinned thinking maybe he and Hermione might be that in sync one day once they sorted out all
their differences. He stole a glance at Hermione wondering if she was thinking the same thing he
was. She was just smiling, her arms wrapped around his as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
He couldn't help but grin. He liked that idea maybe they could balance each other out with his
more extreme nature and he reserved. It could work.

Harry was extremely reluctant to leave the harmonized aura the café couple had created. The part
he was dreading the most was coming up. Having to deal with Hermione's male cousins wasn't
something he was looking forward to. Somehow the thought of having to prove himself worthy of her
just didn't thrill him. What if he didn't pass? Would they convince her to call off the
wedding? Would she actually agree to calling off the wedding? Would Rupert battle his lawyers for
joint custody or full custody on her part? She'd definitely have more knowledge about him to
build a strong case now. He paused to study her for a moment. Would she really do that?

Hermione frowned, she didn't understand the look Harry was giving her suddenly but she knew
she didn't like it. She questioned him with her eyes but he simply shook his head and pointedly
looked elsewhere. With a sigh, Hermione shrugged off his mood and turned to begin the trek towards
her cousins. She honestly didn't know how they'd respond. She was sure her father probably
told the men to act tough but there certainly wasn't anything threatening about a shop owner
with glasses and a permanent cold, which is how she'd describe all of them but John. He was
definitely the black sheep of the family but by far the most fun when growing up. She'd been
tempted on more than one occasion to tell him about her magic just because he'd be the only one
to find it cool rather than call her insane. It was impossible to stop the grin that spread across
her face as she approached her favorite cousin.

“Well, it's about time. I was beginning to think maybe you'd forgotten about your
favorite cousin.” Jonathan grinned, pulling Hermione into a hug.

“I don't think it's at all possible to forget you, that'd be too much a miracle.”
Hermione joked.

“You're funny.” He grinned rolling his eyes. “And you must be Harry, whom I've heard
nothing about.”

Harry took the hand offered to him, not quite sure how he was supposed to respond. “That'd
be me indeed.”

“You'd have heard of him if I thought you were important enough to tell. Just be content
that now you are.” Hermione quipped, taking Harry's hand and steering him towards her other
cousins. “Harry this is…”

“Thomas and his wife Felicity, Tom, Fee this is Harry. So what do you do for a living?” John
jumped in.

“Very nice to meet you, Thomas, Felicity.” Harry grinned, shaking their hands. “And as for what
I do, I do a lot of things, sports and law enforcement being my main fields.”

Harry flickered a glance to Hermione who was grinning at the loose description of his jobs.

“I'm a lawyer myself but what kind of sports are you into?” John jumped in again as Tom was
about to return Harry's greeting.

“Anything really, rugby, football (soccer), tennis, etc.” Harry shrugged.

“I'm not really a sports person myself.” Thomas jumped in giving Jonathan a sharp glare. “I
own a bookstore with Felicity. Do you like books Harry?”

“I'm rather fond of reading when I have the time but work keeps me busy most of the
time.”

“I suppose I ought to introduce myself because if I don't I doubt I'll ever get the
chance. I'm William and this is my wife Victoria. And since we seem to be spinning this
interview off with jobs I'm a banker.” William interjected.

Harry found it difficult to contain the laugh that threatened to escape him at William's
introduction. Despite what Ginny said William instantly reminded him of Percy.

“It's very nice to meet you both.”

“Well I suppose before they start throwing fits as well this is Simon, Calvin, and Daniel.” John
stated gesturing to the three single men left. They exchanged brief waves but there was no time
left for conversation as Mrs. Granger called everyone together for a light lunch.

* * *

Hermione grinned watching Harry's face. When they were at the villa it was everywhere that
he'd never had a real family experience but when they were out together, sometimes it was easy
to forget. But she could see it now, as he looked half in awe half in wonder at the easy flow of
the people around him. How the children played and laughed at their table and the dogs periodically
begging someone into sharing something from the table, the husbands and wives finishing each others
statements, brushing hands, and laughing together. He seemed most fond of watching her
grandparents, so old by still so in love. Sometimes he'd watch her for a bit when he thought
she wouldn't notice but she'd always bask in the glow of his attention for a bit before
grinning at him, letting him know he'd been caught again. She'd blushed when he'd
subtly slipped his fingers between hers. She blushed even now as she looked down at their
intertwined hands. Her step mother had grinned and poked her father, less than subtly, pointing to
their hands when she noticed. He gave Harry a warning look then stabbed into his potato salad but
Hermione had seen the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth afterward.

“So Harry, my brother tells me you live in Italy?” Amelia asked.

“That's correct.” Harry agreed.

“Well, dear tell us about your home.” Amelia prompts, laughing a bit.

“Ah well it's a villa, Romanesque style, very old, mostly stone.”

“It's beautiful.” Ginny jumped in. “I have pictures.”

`Pictures?' Harry mouthed at Hermione, who simply shrugged. Ginny flashed him a grin after
digging the picture out of her purse and passing them around.

“Well it certainly is beautiful.” Amelia commented.

“And big.” Cameron added.

“Yes, that too dear.” Amelia laughed.

“You're moving there Hermione?” Felicity asked.

“Yes, actually most of my things are already there.”

“Already?” John cocked his head.

“Not what I meant.” Hermione blushed as her grandparents exchanged words among themselves about
impatient couples these days.

“Well it's a fine place dear but awfully far away to be raising my grandchildren.” Marpessa,
Hermione's stepmother commented.

“Mum! Ten pages ahead, we haven't even talked about that yet!” Hermione exclaimed.

“Really Mara, don't encourage them. They aren't even married yet.” Her father added.

“They're already living together Uncle, I don't know what you're trying to protect
her from.” John threw in.

“Must you always be so...?” Hermione started.

“So what?” John challenged.

“Don't even get me started with you.” Hermione snapped.

Harry glanced at Ginny who was covering her mouth trying keep in the laughter. He had to admit
it was awfully amusing how suddenly animated everyone was. Giving their opinion on them living
together, whether or not they should move back to England, and what baby names they liked. He
listened for a moment as Hermione's parents argued over whether she should be living at home
till the wedding at which point Ginny jumped in assuring everyone she was there constantly and her
mother was staying at the villa to keep an eye on things. Slowly things dulled back down and talk
returned to the wedding. He opted to zone out as he really didn't have much to say unless asked
a direct question. He was pulled out of his sudden interest in the clouds but none other than
John.

“You ever play paintball, Harry?” He asked.

“No, I've heard of it though. Why?”

“Well this afternoon, before the engagement party of course, some friends of mine invited me for
a round. Naturally I told them I couldn't make it but if you're interested in trying it out
we can take the guys and go do something because talk about flowers and dresses. We'll do some
male bonding, what do you say?”

“I suppose I've got nothing better to do.” Harry shrugged.

“I'd be careful, those things shoot rather fast and John's leaving out that he and his
friends are nerdy enough to compete in their ridiculous paintball game thing.” Hermione whispered,
having heard the offer.

“I'm a seasonal aura, love. Whatever this paintball is, I think I can handle it.” Harry
grinned, kissing her on the cheek. “I'll see you later.”

“Be careful anyway.”

“I'm always careful.” Harry grinned as he followed John, who'd persuaded the others to
join them.

Hermione gave a half wave as she watched them go as Ginny slipped into the seat beside her.

“So we should talk about venues and menus. Anyone know a good priest to perform the service?”
Ginny grinned pulling out a pen and notebook.

“You were just waiting for them to leave weren't you?” Hermione whispered.

“Of course.” Ginny grinned. “Now we have our fun.”

“Mmm, more wedding planning, how fun.” Hermione returned sarcastically.

*** * ***

“Must we really play this, John. It's such a barbaric pointless game.” Thomas
complained.

“Come on Tom, don't be a nancy boy. Just put on the gear and pretend you're having fun.
It's Harry's first time, don't ruin it.” John told him. “Now, I've promised me
mates we'll get in some practice for the big tournament coming up so I'll have to play on
their team but I trust you lot can hold it together. The rules are rather simple as I told you so
best of luck, have fun, and try not to get too shot up, that'd just be too embarrassing.”

“We'll keep that in mind especially as I'm shooting you, don't embarrass John.”
Calvin grinned.

“You barbarians have fun.” William waved sarcastically, as he found a bench to read on.

“How did he get out of playing?” Thomas griped.

“Because he is a nancy boy. Now come on.” John gestured them into the field to meet his team.
“It'll be fun.”

* * *

“Hermione? Sorry, I never did get the chance to ask you, how did you and Harry meet? I mean,
this all seems to have just come out of no where.” Victoria asked. There was a general murmur of
agreement throughout her aunts and a few heads popped up from down in the garden where the
remaining men were playing cards.

“Oh well ah, it, it isn't much of a story is why and I guess it just slipped my mind to tell
you. I ah, I met him because of Lily, of course. As he is her father…”

“Oh, so you've been dating quite a few years now. I mean, I never got the full story on how
Lily came into your life but I know Aunt Marpessa has mentioned her visiting with you a few times.”
Victoria grinned.

“Um, yea, yea, we'll go with that.” Hermione grinned. She suddenly found herself grateful
for not bringing Lily around the entire family more. Glancing up she noticed the expectant looks
around her, minus her mother's slightly confused face. They were expecting something more.

“Oh, let me tell the story. I've heard it so many times.” Ginny grinned.

“Er, by all means.” Hermione forced a smile hoping Ginny could come up with something.

“It's my fault really. We were in England on business for a few weeks and Lily was in day
care. Hermione was restoring a mural in the building across the street. Well I was completely lost
and couldn't think of the name of the day care Lily was staying out and Harry's meeting was
going late so I couldn't call to find out where she was so while I was running all over England
trying to find his daughter it was time for the daycare to close. Lucky, Hermione was finishing up
for the day and noticed the lone child at the daycare that was well past closing time. Being the
kind heart she was she said she was Lily's nanny and signed her out. Lucky again, there was a
café across the street so she and Lily were able to get an early dinner and watch the daycare.
Harry arrives, furious at me but more worried about Lily. They meet and the rest is history.
Hermione picked up Lily from daycare fore the week Harry met them at the café. Coincidentally Harry
had more business trips to England than usual and here we are, planning a wedding.” Ginny smiled,
spinning the tale, eyes shining at her little romance, face poised as if she believed every
word.

If it wouldn't give them away Hermione was certain her jaw would have hit the floor
presently she couldn't allow for that so she just put her all into faking a smile. Everyone
oohed and awwed over the story and she found herself once again showing off her ring while giving
Ginny a pointed look and trying to avoid her stepmother's questioning gaze. She finally gave in
a mouth a brief `we'll talk later' before shifting the conversation back to favorable
wedding venues.

* * *

A horn sounded somewhere in the general direction of the main building, signaling the beginning
of the match. Following instinct Harry slipped behind a blow up obstacle to assess the situation.
Holding his gun ready, Harry made a quick careful check of everyone's positions. Paint
splattered on the obstacle just left of his shoulder. *`Missed one.'* Pivoting to the left
he made two shots one hitting his opponent in the chest and the other in the center of his
forehead. *`One down.'*

* * *

“The priest from my old church can probably do the service. He'll be at the party tonight,
right mum?” Hermione suggested. Since getting back on track they'd hashed out all the food
allergies in the family that would need to be avoided at the wedding and come up with a few
possible venues at which to hold the wedding.

“Yes, he'll be there. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to do the service.” Marpessa
nodded.

“And he'll be okay with coming to Italy if the venue we choose ends up being there?” Ginny
asked.

“Possibly, we can ask him tonight.” Marpessa shrugged.

“Oh, I've brought along dresses for everyone to try on; I need to get sizes just right.
I'll just be a moment to call the car back with the dresses.” Ginny grinned, hopping up from
the table.

* * *

*`I should probably treat this a little more seriously.'* Harry decided taking a brief
look off to the side and doing a mental check, noting only Daniel and Simon remained with him,
while John's team still had five, having only lost one player. Closing his eyes for a moment,
he listened, opting to use aurar skills rather than continue to pretend he had little to no skill
at this, making a bold move he ran to another obstacle and pushed it over so it was low enough to
shoot over but high enough to block most incoming shots. From there he easily took out two guys
with a single shot to the back each.

By then he'd been spotted and had to move quickly to avoid being taken out himself. In an
attempt to help, Simon squirmed around the obstacle he was hiding behind and shot at the guy
advancing on Harry. Unfortunately he left his back uncovered and was shot several times in the
chest.

“Thanks for that.” Harry couldn't resist calling. He highly doubted Simon could hear him
through the muffling of the mask but it couldn't hurt to try to be friendly. Simon grinned
holding up two thumbs before hustling out of harms way. *`Two more!'*

* * *

“Mum, you're gorgeous!” Hermione exclaimed, twirling her mother around, admiring her elegant
suit.

“It is very fetching isn't it, dear. Ginny, I don't know where to begin. I love it.”
Marpessa smiled.

“Oh it's not done yet. There has to be a lighter lining and some glitter added. We really
must look for a nice wedding broach to put on that'll be lovely.” Ginny tittered.

“So Hermione have you started collecting?” Felicity asked.

“Collecting?”

“You know, something old, something new, something borrowed…” Felicity listed.

“And something blue.” Victoria jumped in.

“Er, no, am I supposed?” Hermione asked. *`It's possible, I've said the wrong
thing.'* Hermione winced at the shocked faces she received for that comment.

* * *

*`Where the bloody hell is he?'* Harry crept around a circular obstacle careful to make
as little noise as possible. It was just him and John now. All he had to do was find him. *`Find
him or lure him out!'* Making a quick decision Harry strolled out in the open, looking
around as if trying to find a team mate. He heard him before he saw him. Dropping to the ground and
rolling out of the way, Harry narrowly avoided getting hit but John was quick and didn't give
in easy. Gaining his feet, Harry ran for the nearest obstacle as John ran along side the obstacle
he was hiding behind, shooting quickly as possible. *`Not the best plan but effective.'*
Harry thought as he glanced at the fresh paint spot on his leg. *`Do I fake a limp?'*
Shrugging off the dumb thought, he looked for the best angle to get John from now that he knew
where he was. *`Be creative.'*

* * *

Hermione had managed to escape the women for a brief bit to spend time with her father. With
Lily holding her hand, the trio walked slowly around the backyard.

“Daddy, do you like Harry?”

“How could I know, I've only just met the boy.”

“But you've formed an opinion.”

“As a father it is my job to give the impression I don't like him at all so my true opinion
is a complete and total secret.”

“Then you like him.”

“Who says I said I like him?” He grinned. “Course he does just appear out of nowhere whisking my
daughter off to Italy, planning a lavish wedding, and still we know so little about him.”

“I like him.” Lily grinned from Hermione's side.

“I bet you do poppet.” He grinned picking her up.

“Daddy don't hurt you're back.”

“I'm fine my dear. Fit as a fiddle in fact, fully ready to march you up that aisle. Darling,
you what this all comes down to, don't you?”

“What, what comes down to?”

“If he makes you happy love, that's all I need to know. He's fine with me if he meets
that single requirement.”

“He does Daddy, I really think he does.”

“Think?”

“Know. You know what I mean.”

“Course I do, I just like giving you a hard time.”

Hermione grinned as her father pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “I love you too,
Daddy.”

* * *

Running as fast as he could, Harry bent his knees and sprung into the air, landing on a blow up
obstacle he bounced into the air. He grinned as John's shocked face as he flipped himself in
the air, aimed, and shot. After landing, he turned back to see John still standing stunned,
touching his face guard between the eyes and coming down with paint on his fingers.

“You shot me?” He murmured still staring at his fingers. “No, you flew through the air
*and* shot me. . . You're, you're bloody amazing. Now that, that display right there,
definitely deserves a drink!” John exclaimed laughing jovially. “Let's change it up and have a
round, yea? Not to get all lashed up or anything but definitely to celebrate. OY, YOU LOT OVER
THERE! STOP GAWKING AND LET'S GO!”

*** * ***

Harry found the house fully decorated for the second engagement party, upon his return with the
others. As promised they hadn't had much but they'd definitely spent the better part of
three hours hanging out at the pub getting to know each other better. Now, back at the house he was
directed upstairs to find Hermione. She was sitting on her bed from when she lived with her
parents. He figured not much had changed as the room still looked as though it belonged to a
teenage girl. The girl was definitely a bookworm but she was well liked, judging but the wall
completely covered in a collage of shaped photos. The wall her bed leaned against, he figured
she'd painted herself. It was the beginning of a mural that looked like it would have
eventually been the entire neighborhood, had she finished it.

“Hey.” He murmured, knocking lightly to announce his presence before entering.

“Hey yourself.” Hermione grinned.

“Watcha looking at?”

“Some old pictures. Mostly my dad and me.” Hermione offered, holding them up. A brief shudder
slid down her spine as he sat next to her, taking the pictures. She was silent, staring at his
profile as a small smile graced his features while he admired the pictures. “This must be some sort
of record.”

“What?”

“We've gone almost all day without fighting.”

“Really.”

“Yea.”

“I didn't think we fought at all today.”

“No, we haven't, have we?”

Even knowing she'd never hear the end of it if one of grandparents decided to pass by the
door, Hermione couldn't resist the look he was giving her now. Slowly, looking into his eyes as
if asking for permission, she kissed him, a slow sweet kiss, like a lazy Sunday morning. Another
shudder coursed her spine as his hand trailed up her back to wrap lightly around the back of her
head. She let her head fall back into his hold, as he tilted her face up more to meet his loving
kisses.

“FOUND `EM!” John shouted down the stairs from the doorway. Jumping at the sudden noise,
Hermione snapped up and knocked foreheads with Harry and they both drew back clutching their head,
glaring at John. “I wouldn't be interrupting anything would I?”

“I hope you have a good reason for being here.” Harry grumbled.

“Now remember celibacy is key, children.” John joked, snickering to himself.

Harry smirked as Hermione caught him full in the face with a well thrown pillow. “Now that was
uncalled for. Haven't you heard the phrase, don't shoot the messenger. Geez, you're
guests are arriving.” John grinned, dancing out the room.

“This early?” Harry asked.

“I should have known. You're meeting “the neighborhood” after all, where early is on time
and on time is far too late.” Hermione grinned.

“Oh fun!”

“Fun fun fun. Oh did I mention Ginny invented a how we met story.”

“No, be quick, I'll need to learn it before we get downstairs.”

“It's a long one; we'll just let her tell it. She does love it so.”

“I'm sure.”

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