A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
I have died every day waiting for you.
Darling, don't be afraid.
I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more.
Time stands still.
Beauty in all she is.
I will be brave.
I will not let anything take away,
What's standing in front of me.
Every breath, every hour has come to this.
One step closer.
~ A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
~*~ 16th August 2003 ~*~
On the day of Fred, Angelina, and George's wedding, Hermione twisted her hair and pinned it into place, studying her reflection. Her chestnut curls were swept into an elegant updo that somehow was maintaining its shape without too much Sleekeazy. Sweeping a few loose strands, she caught sight of Harry behind her in the mirror, combing his hair that didn't seem to be doing what he planned.
She smiled. "Come here," she said, turning on the tap.
Harry listened without question as he sat on the toilet seat. Dampening her fingers, she lightly wet his hair and coaxed his hair into a soft spike. A dab of Sleekeazy had his hair not only behaving but also smooth. "There," she said as she bent down and kissed his forehead, "That's better."
Harry closed his eyes, smiling. "If you keep playing with my hair like that, I'm never getting up. I'm going to be a cat forever at your side."
Hermione tapped his nose, "Well, we have to be there in forty-five minutes."
He sighed dramatically. "Fine," his eyes met hers, "Oh, I never officially asked you." He pulled gently between his knees, hands settling on her waist. "Will you be my date to the wedding?"
Hermione laughed, resting her forearms on his shoulders. "I thought we'd already established this. I plan to be your date for this, and every other wedding or special event that we will attend until the end of time."
Harry grinned, reaching up and pressing a kiss to her lips.
From the doorway came a voice. "Mumma and Daddy kissing in a tree… K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
Hermione broke away, blinking as she looked at Rosella, then looked at Harry. "She spelled kissing right."
Harry grinned. "I think she's asking for one."
Rosella's eyes went wide. "NO! Ewww!" as she bolted into the bedroom.
Harry jumped to his feet, nearly knocking Hermione over. "You can't run from me!"
Rosella shrieked with laughter as Harry ran after her. Hermione laughed, shaking her head, and she turned back to the mirror to finish her makeup.
Somewhere down the hall, Rosella squealed, and Harry laughed, talking about betrayal.
Grinning, she reached for her robes, removed her tank top, and put it on over her shorts. Double-checking her hair and makeup, she walked out to the bedroom to see Harry putting his robes on. "Could you help me fasten my robes?"
Harry looked up, and his jaw dropped as she grinned, turning around. Growling, Harry kissed her neck, pulling her back against him. Hermione moaned as she felt him semi-erect against her. "I cannot wait to take this off of you tonight," Harry growled into her ear.
Hermione grinned as she glanced up at him, "Who says you get to take it off of me tonight?"
Harry kissed her hard, "I will rebel if I don't get to. Goddamn, I am a lucky man. You look so amazingly sexy."
Hermione took her thumb and wiped the lipstick from his lips. "Now, no more kissing until after the wedding. I need to go reapply my lipstick now," she said, walking toward the bathroom. Glancing back at him, "Maybe if you are a good boy, we can find out what my lipstick might look like on other parts of your body later tonight."
Harry groaned, "Fuck Hermione, you are going to kill me."
Garlands of flowers were strung through the back garden of the Burrow as fairy lights twinkled bright enough to be seen in the afternoon sun. Their former classmates, friends of the twins and Angelina, and various members of the Weasley extended family gathered near the tent. Inside, tables were draped in gold and cream as an enchanted harp played for the guests.
Harry took Hermione's hand in his, the one not holding Rosella in his arm, as they walked down the well-worn path through the Auror security. The Aurors nodded at them, not subjecting them to the scrutiny that Lee Jordan was having to go through. Hermione grinned as she saw the Auror making him unload his pockets of various Weasley Brothers products.
"Well," Harry said, looking around, "I almost expected fireworks to welcome us."
Hermione laughed as Rosella squealed when she saw Victoire.
"Daddy! I want down!" Rosella said.
"What do we say?" Harry asked.
Rosella rolled her eyes, "Please."
Harry set her down, and Rosella took off through the gates, "Victoire!" she shouted, disappearing into the crowd as Ron's voice drifted over to them.
"Luna, honey, I am fine," Ron said, "No one is looking at me. You are too beautiful. They cannot look at both of us when you look as beautiful as you do."
Luna fussed with the collar of his robes, "Your sleeve is still crooked. It's upsetting the balance of your aura."
Hermione saw her blink rapidly and turn toward them as if she sensed them before she saw them. "Harry and Hermione have arrived," Luna stated.
Ron followed her gaze and smiled. "Blimey, about time you two. We were starting to think you two weren't coming."
"I definitely didn't come," Harry said casually.
Hermione gasped and hit him. "People are around, Harry James!" Hermione hissed, "No lipstick for you tonight."
Harry groaned. "Come on, Hermione. I was joking!"
Luna cackled, loud enough that people glanced over. "You two are hilarious."
Ron frowned as he shook his head, "I don't think I want to know why Harry wears lipstick."
Harry shot him a glare. "Seriously? Could you say that any louder? It's not for my lips, mate. It's gonna be wrapped around my-"
Hermione gasped, covering his mouth, as her face burned, mortified, "I cannot take you two anywhere."
Arthur's voice boomed over the crowd, "If everyone could please come to the ceremony site, we will be starting the wedding soon."
Hermione took Harry's hand and pulled him towards the rows of chairs beside the tent, "You two are not sitting next to each other."
Arthur stood at the front of the aisle as the officiant, while the twins stood on either side of him. Angelina came down the aisle with her father, looking positively elegant in a flowing, lacy white robe that trailed behind her.
"I'm first!" Fred announced, walking over to Angelina.
"That's not what we decided on," George stated.
"Well, I'm the older sibling," Fred retorted.
"By like 7 minutes," George defended.
"Best seven minutes of my life," Fred said as Angelina rolled her eyes.
George stood beside Arthur, straight-backed and smiling as Fred and Angelina exchanged their vows. When their vows were complete, Arthur announced them, "I now pronounce you Fred and Angelina Weasley, you may now kiss the bride to bind your matrimony." Fred kissed his bride and then walked over to George. Holding up his hand, they high-fived. "You're up," Fred told him, making everyone laugh as Arthur sighed, shaking his head.
The second ceremony was much like the first, but just before Arthur announced George and Angelina as man and wife, George looked towards Molly. "Don't worry, Mum. We checked. Fred and I are NOT married."
Arthur sighed, "Can I finish yet?"
"Go ahead, Dad," George said.
"I now pronounce you George and Angelina Weasley, you may now kiss the bride to bind your matrimony," Arthur stated.
George grinned as he tipped Angelina, making her gasp as he kissed her. Standing her back up, he looked over at Fred, "Get over here."
Fred walked over, and they took each other's hands.
"I, Gred," George began.
"And I, Forge," Fred continued.
"Promise you," George stated.
"To take care of our wife," Fred stated.
"As your fellow brother-husband," they said together.
There was a stunned pause, then Molly gasped as Arthur laughed so hard he had to lean against Angelina. Hermione had a sting in her eyes as the entire garden erupted into applause, and jumped as, in true twin fashion, fireworks exploded around them. Showering everyone with glitter.
Harry leaned over and wiped glitter from her eyelashes. "They couldn't have had a more perfect double wedding. It's the most Weasley twins thing that I've ever seen."
Hermione smiled as she watched the twins pull Angelina into a hug, then kissed both of her cheeks on the edge of her lips.
Rosella and Victoire twirled in front of them, throwing petals into the air, as Harry pulled Hermione to his side and kissed her cheek.
The reception was much less a formal celebration than it was an experiment into what happened when the twins were given a large budget, unlimited sugar and alcohol, and a dance floor.
Fred and George had outdone themselves. At dinner, each bite of the chicken had a different spice. After a bite of spicy chicken, Rosella glared at them, "That's not funny."
The twins had enchanted the damn mistletoe they had invented to follow certain couples around more than others. Much to Ron's annoyance, Luna seemed to follow it around looking for nargles and would get trapped together with her until they kissed.
By the time for cake, their own figures had started arguing with each other on top of the cake as the Angelina figure stood between them, shaking her head. Both of them gently fed Angelina a bite of cake before shoving cake in each other's faces.
Someone off in the back of the tent burst into feathers upon eating their cake, and Angelina glared at them, "If either of you replaces my cake with a canary cream, I'm annulling everything."
Fred grinned as he rubbed the front of her robes, "We wouldn't do that to either of you, darling."
George grinned over his glass, "But my dear, you knew what you were marrying into."
Hermione snorted into her champagne as she headed back to their table near the dance floor to see that Luna had removed her shoes and was dancing through the music. Her arms were above her head as her feet moved in only a way she knew, looking unbothered that her rhythm was completely her own.
Hermione sat back beside Harry, handing him his glass of champagne as he watched Ron standing beside Luna, swaying slightly, a drink already in his hand.
"Ron," Luna said, grabbing his wrist. "You're dancing wrong."
"I'm not dancing at all," Ron defended.
"Exactly!" Luna said, taking his drink and setting it back on the table. She tugged him to the floor, and Ron stumbled, nearly colliding with a chair. Luna lifted his arms over his head, and Hermione smirked into her glass as Ron somehow found himself twirling around the floor with Luna in her unique way.
"Why are we spinning?" Ron asked.
"To confuse the Wrackspurts," Luna replied.
Ron blinked. "Obviously."
Hermione leaned into Harry's side, laughing.
"Your friends are unhinged," Harry murmured, rubbing her arm.
"Our friends," Hermione corrected.
The band shifted into something slower, and Harry stood offering his hand to her. Hermione took it without hesitation, her small fingers fitting within his larger ones like they were meant to be there.
Together, they swayed gently. The noise of the tent faded around them as if it were just the two of them. Harry rested his forehead against hers. "Have you ever thought about having a wedding?" he asked her quietly.
Hermione grinned, looking up at him. "Well, almost every girl dreams of her wedding in one way or another. Why? Do you think I'll ever get married?"
Harry dipped down and kissed her. "I would ask you right now," he whispered against her lips, "But I can't get down on one knee with Rosella on my foot."
Hermione glanced down as he stood them up straight and laughed softly. Rosella was sitting on Harry's shoe, her arms wrapped around his leg as they swayed, humming along with the music.
"You don't think it's too early?" Hermione asked quietly.
Harry shook his head, "In my heart, I know you're it for me, Hermione Granger. I will propose to you. I just want it to be perfect, and I need to have a ring."
Hermione lifted her hand and cupped his face. "So that you know, I say yes."
Harry laughed, "I haven't even asked yet."
Rosella looked up at them. "She said yes, Daddy. You don't have to ask."
Harry glanced down at her. "Is that so?"
Rosella nodded. "If Mumma gets a ring, do I get one too? I want cherry flavour."
Harry laughed, "I'll have to see what I can do."
Hermione rested her head against his chest as the music played around them.
The music stopped as Angelina climbed onto a chair, making Molly gasp and run over to her.
"Alright!" Angelina called. "Time for the bouquet toss, single ladies!"
Several witches surged forward, but Hermione stayed at the back of the crowd.
"I'm not participating," Hermione muttered.
Fred grinned, "Funny thing about destiny, Hermione."
George appeared at her other side. "It doesn't care about what you want."
Hermione looked at them wide-eyed, "Oh no."
Angelina laughed as she split her bouquet in half, "You didn't think I'd have just one, did you?"
Turning around, she hurled not one, but two bouquets over her shoulders.
Chaos erupted as witches scrambled and someone tripped over someone else's dress. Hermione gasped as something collided with her chest, and she instinctively caught it. Looking wide-eyed at Angelina, who was grinning, she saw that Luna caught the second bouquet.
Luna skipped over to her and laced her arm through Hermione's, "This makes perfect sense."
George wiped his eyes, "Did you see that? Aww, you two could do a double wedding, Ronnie."
"Just like us," Fred grinned, "Such beautiful symmetry."
George nudged Harry. "Potter, you'd better get on it. Ron's going to beat you to the altar."
Harry laughed, sliding his arm around Hermione's waist. "Let Luna and Ron have their time. Our time will come."
Luna took Ginny's hands in hers as she tucked her bouquet into her ponytail. "Dance with me."
Hermione smiled as she watched their friends join them, as Neville, Dean, and Seamus all goofed around as if they were playing around on the dance floor, making a perfect, messy, chaos-filled evening that was wonderful just the way it was.
The evening was winding down. Many of the attendees had already left as Hermione watched Ron and Luna dance around the dance floor with Rosella. Heading towards the house, Hermione smiled at Harry as he talked to Oliver Wood, the twins, and Angelina, most likely reliving their old Quidditch days.
Opening the back door, the cool air of the cooling charms swept over her, making her shiver slightly as she shut the door behind her. For added protection, only family members could enter the house, and a portable toilet was set up outside for the guests. Hermione walked over to the steps, not wanting to risk her robes getting into the toilet, holding them up as she climbed the stairs. Slipping into the loo, Hermione did her business, then checked her hair and makeup. Exiting the bathroom, she stepped out and jumped when Harry was leaning against the wall between Percy's old room and the twins, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Shite, Harry, you scared me," Hermione told him, her hand flying to her chest, "I didn't know you came in after me."
Harry pushed off the wall and took her hand in his. His warm hand within hers gave a striking contrast to the chill in the air. "I can't wait until we get home," he growled, pulling her further up the stairs.
Hermione's heart pounded within her chest as he led her up to the top floor of the Burrow. He turned to her, his hands gripping her waist as he lifted her effortlessly from the ground, pinning her to the wall.
"Tell me to stop, and we stop," he said, his voice low as his leg slotted itself between hers to help her stay vertical. "I don't care what is happening. All I care about is you."
Hermione moaned as she felt his fingers trail down her side, his touch sending shivers down her spine. She reached between them, her fingers fumbling with his fly. "Anyone can walk in," she whispered. "We have to make this quick."
She watched Harry's pupils dilate as he pulled her shorts down her legs, rough and desperate. Hermione pulled his trousers down just enough to free him, her fingers wrapping around his thick length. Dropping briefly to her knees, she wrapped her lips around him with a grin, licking him and slathering him with her tongue, making him groan.
"Get up here, now!" Harry growled.
Hermione stood back up, her shorts loose around one ankle as he lifted her back up against the wall, and his hand slid under her knickers. "Fuck, Hermione," he groaned, testing her, then ripping them from her body, "You are so fucking wet."
Hermione's head fell back against the wall. "Just fuck me already," she begged, breathless as she hooked one of her legs around his hips.
Harry looked into her eyes as she felt him nudge against her clit, and her eyes fluttered shut. "Don't close your eyes, my kitten," he commanded, making her breath hitch, "Look at me."
Her eyes fluttered open, her gaze locking on his as he thrust into her in one swift motion. She gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders as he filled her. His hips moved against hers rapidly, deep and harder than he usually would. Each thrust sent small waves of pleasure crashing through her body, rapidly growing in intensity.
Hermione wrapped her other leg around his hips, changing the angle of his thrusts as the sound of their bodies slapping together filled the air. The scent of sweat thick in the air, Harry's breath hot against her neck, his teeth nipping at her skin as he pulled her higher to thrust harder. Hitting a spot within her that had rarely been touched.
"Fuck, Hermione," he groaned. "You feel so fucking good like a vice gripping me."
Hermione's body tensed, her fingers and toes curling on their own accord as she neared her orgasm. "Harry," she gasped, "I'm close."
He moved his hips faster and harder, chasing both of their releases. "Come for me, baby," he demanded, "I want to feel you all over my dick."
Hermione moaned, her muscles all over her body spasming as she cried out. Harry's thrusts became erratic, and he chased his release. Pulling up her leg over his arm, he hit deep within her, sending her spiralling again as he came, shuddering against her.
They stayed joined for a moment, trying to catch their breath. Harry's lips found hers, kissing her gently as they pulled apart. Hermione couldn't help but laugh, her body still trembling with aftershocks as he held her while her legs stabilized instead of feeling like jelly. "Well, that was unexpected," she said breathlessly.
Harry grinned, kissing her eyelids. "I told you I couldn't wait until we got home. I wish you could see how pretty you look right now. Your skin is so beautifully flushed, cheeks rosy. Just gorgeous."
Hermione gasped as she looked out the window and swatted him, "Harry, what if someone saw?"
Harry chuckled, "We are up on the highest floor. No one saw anything."
"But we heard! Are you two finished?" Ginny's voice floated up the stairs.
Hermione gasped, yanking her shorts up.
Harry grinned, "Well, at least they had a good show," he said as she slid her feet back into her shoes that had fallen off her feet. "Give me your knickers."
Hermione picked them up, and he shoved them into his pocket as she smoothed down her robes.
Slowly walking down the stairs, they found Neville blushing from the couch as Ginny grinned upon seeing them. "Way to go, Potter. Might want to give Neville some tips," Ginny said as she grabbed Neville's collar. "Come on, honey. I'm horny now."
Neville stared at them wide-eyed as he followed her up the stairs, "Yes, dear."
Hermione and Harry exited the house and burst into laughter. "Poor Neville. I hope he never changes," Hermione said as Harry leaned down and kissed her.
Ron looked over at them from his spot at their table, where Rosella was nearly asleep against him. "You two went and did it in my room, didn't you?"
Harry shook his head, "Nope," he said, "Didn't quite make it there."
"You two are sick," Ron said as Rosella's eyes fluttered open, looking up at Harry.
"Daddy, uppies," Rosella said sleepily.
Harry took her from Ron, and she snuggled into his neck.
"Bloody hell, Hermione. You wounded him," Ron said, and Hermione saw blood on Harry's shoulder. Obviously, she had dug her nails into him a little too hard.
Harry glanced over at his shoulder, "Just a battle wound. We've had worse."
Hermione grinned as she got onto her tiptoes and kissed him. "Let me go tell everyone our goodbyes, then we can take her home."
Ron stood up, "Gotta use the loo. Wait for me to get back before you leave."
Harry looked at him, "Might want to go to the outdoor one. Ginny and Neville were heading upstairs when we left the house."
Ron frowned with disgust, "Am I the only one not having sex tonight?"
Luna grinned, "Oh, honey, just you wait until we get home."
~*~ 17th August 2003 ~*~
Harry's new car sailed quietly across the motorway, the headlights illuminating their way through the night. Inside the cabin, the lights were dim, other than the soft glow of the screen in the headrest, playing The Little Mermaid quietly, its colours washing over Rosella, Briar Rose, and Camillo in the middle row.
Glancing behind her, Rosella was already fast asleep in the middle row, her head resting against her car seat and towards Camillo as one socked foot peeked out of the light blanket covering her and Briar Rose as it rested on Briar Rose's knee. She watched her mother rub her socked foot with such tenderness that it made Hermione smile.
"This really is spacious," Camillo said, breaking the silence that had grown once Rosella had fallen asleep. "And surprisingly quiet."
Harry smiled, his eyes still on the road. "I just wanted us to have options."
Hermione glanced over at him. "Which way are you planning to go? Ferry or train?"
"Ferry," Harry said, slipping his hand into hers. "We need a full night's rest. I booked the last one out tonight. It's easier for Rose, too, in case she needs the loo during the night."
Hermione nodded.
"Overnight travel means cabins, too," Harry stated. "So, I got us two. One for us, and one for you two."
Briar Rose looked at him, surprised. "There are cabins on the ferry?"
Harry met her eyes in the rearview mirror. "There are different ships. The one we're taking has quite a few. It's almost like a small cruise ship. Have either of you been on a cruise?"
Camillo shook his head. "No, have you?"
"Nothing fancy," Harry said, "Just a simple one. Point A to Point B. Nothing extravagant."
Hermione studied him, "I learn new things about you every day."
Harry glanced at her, "Is that a bad thing?"
She smiled, "Not even a little."
The kilometres grew as the adults quietly talked. Harry and Hermione traded stories about growing up at Hogwarts in the better times. Hermione realized, as she watched her parents smiling, how many of these stories her parents had never heard.
As they neared Portsmouth, Hermione reached over and ran her fingers through Harry's hair, watching the road signs blur past them as he signalled for their exit.
"So," Briar Rose said casually, "You mentioned neither of you had ever been on a proper cruise. Is that something you'd want to do for your honeymoon?"
Hermione's head snapped toward Harry, eyes wide.
Harry instead grinned. "That's completely up to Hermione."
Briar Rose's face lit up. "So, we are thinking about it?"
Harry nodded, "Since the moment I came back. I just need to find the perfect ring… and figure out how to propose." He glanced back at Camillo, "And of course, ask for permission."
Camillo stretched out, grinning. "You already have it. You know that."
Briar Rose clasped her hands together and leaned forward between the seats. "Oh, Hermione. We have to start planning!"
"Mum," Hermione laughed. "He hasn't even asked yet. Just give us some time. It's coming. Just be patient."
Harry squeezed her hand as the ferry's terminal lights grew bright in the distance.
After helping her parents to their cabin, Harry carried Rosella to their small but cozy cabin on the ferry. Hermione glanced out the window to see that they hadn't started disembarking yet, as Harry gently placed Rosella in one of the bottom bunks. Tucking the blanket up under her chin and kissing the top of her curls. She murmured something as she turned onto her side, hugging one of her stuffed cats.
Harry straightened and looked at Hermione. "So, which bunk do you want? Top… top or bottom?"
Hermione laughed, "I think one of us is going to have to take the top."
Harry pulled her close. "I don't know if I'll be able to sleep without you by my side, even if you are three feet away. When you left for here before, I ended up having Rose sleep with me. I couldn't fall asleep otherwise. It's only been two months, and I've already gotten addicted to sleeping next to you."
Hermione slid her arms around his neck. "Well, good thing that you'll soon be stuck with me forever."
Harry leaned down and kissed her slowly. "I can't wait."
She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as she looked at the tiny bed. "Or… do you think we can manage sleeping together on a twin?"
Harry eyed the bed. "I think we're so exhausted that we don't have much choice."
Hermione climbed in first, moving as far back toward the wall as she could and holding her arms out. Harry followed, squeezing in beside her with a low chuckle. "Smallest twin I've ever seen."
Hermione giggled, tugging the blanket over them both. Her feet brushed his legs, and she sighed as his warm skin warmed them. "My feet are cold."
Harry shivered. "Merlin, yes, they are."
She shook her head, smiling into his chest. "You know… if that grimoire is right, he's like my fifteenth or more great-grandfather or something absurd like that."
Harry's hand moved in small circles against her back. "What do you think about that?"
Hermione shifted to rest more against him as he manoeuvred to lie on his back. "I always assumed there had to be magic somewhere in my family line. The odds were too high for there not to be. But Merlin and Morgana?" She exhaled. "Two of the most influential figures we ever studied. It just… blows my mind a bit."
"Do you think you'll be able to bring it back with you?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded, pressing a kiss to his chest above his heart. "Mum told me to take it when we leave. It doesn't belong to anyone else anymore. It has our names literally within it. No one else's."
Harry glanced at his watch. "It's 23:25. We've set sail by now. If we want breakfast before landing, we'll need to be up by six."
Hermione sighed, her eyes already fluttering closed. "Then we should sleep." His hand soothingly ran up and down her back. "Thank you, Harry."
"No need to thank me, love," he said quietly, tucking the blanket more around her. "Goodnight. I love you."
Hermione smiled, "Love you too."
~*~ 18th August 2003 ~*~
The gravel crushed beneath their tyres as Harry pulled their car onto the long dirt lane, the fields stretching seemingly endlessly on either side. Harry inched slowly down the drive, taking in the open fields and weathered paddocks.
"Shite, Hermione," he muttered, "All this was theirs?"
Hermione nodded. "It was."
Briar Rose sighed from the back seat. "It's going to be awful to sell. We'll probably have to parcel it off. No one can maintain all this anymore." She leaned forward slightly. "The house is just ahead. Looks like people are already here."
Hermione glanced at Harry, "Aunt Chloe had three kids," she told him, "Marceline, or Marcie, with whom I share a birthday. She has… how many kids now, Mum?"
"Two," Briar Rose stated. "Sara and Josh, twins who are in their teens. Then there is Louise, who has Luke. He has to be near a teenager at this point. And then there is Jules, who is Chloe's youngest. He has Heidi and…" she paused, thinking, "Karissa, she is about Rosella's age."s
Harry parked the car next to another and glanced at Hermione. "They're all significantly older than us, right?"
Hermione snorted, "By more than 10 years."
She stepped out of the car and moved around the back to the driver's side just as the front door of the house opened. Her Dad was already opening the boot as Aunt Chloe emerged.
"Oh, hello there," Chloe said, looking at Harry curiously.
"Aunt Chloe," Hermione said, looking over her shoulder, "This is Harry. Harry, this is my Aunt Chloe."
Harry stepped forward and offered his hand. "Hello, it's very nice to meet you."
"Oh, none of that," Chloe said, pulling him into a hug. "You're tall."
Harry laughed. "Didn't use to be."
"He left for Doctors Without Borders and came back half a foot taller with muscles," Hermione said, lifting Rosella out of the car onto her hip, "I was doomed."
Chloe got her first glance of Rosella and gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh my word, she's gorgeous, Hermione."
"Thank you," Hermione said, shifting Rosella. "Rose, sweetheart, this is my Aunt Chloe. Can you say hello?"
Rosella studied her for a moment, then thrust out her hand. "I am this many," she announced, spreading all five fingers out. "That is five. I am five now."
Chloe grinned. "You're such a big girl. My granddaughter is your age. She's inside. Her name is Karissa, and she's been waiting all morning to meet you."
Rosella's eyes lit up. "Does she like princesses?"
"Have you seen Beauty and the Beast?" Chloe asked, "That's her favourite."
Rosella nodded, "She has lots of books, just like me, but Ariel has my hair."
Briar Rose stepped forward and hugged her sister. "Hey sis."
Chloe squeezed her tightly. "I'm so glad you are all here. Come on in, it's loud and chaotic, and Rosella will fit right in. Maman would have hated it."
Briar Rose snorted, sliding her arm around her sister's waist, "Decorum is of the utmost importance, girls."
After dinner, the house settled as her relatives went their separate ways. Some went to their bedrooms, and others stayed in the dining room where a game of Canasta was underway. Most went downstairs to her grandfather's home theatre to watch a movie.
Hermione caught Harry's hand and gave it a slight squeeze. "Come with me?"
Together, they slipped from the dining room and walked to her grandfather's old office. Opening the door, she found the air heavy as she gently shut it behind them. Crossing the room, she stopped at the tall bookshelf against the wall. Finding the grimoire, she slid it from the shelf.
"Here it is," she said, setting it on the desk.
Harry leaned over, "It looks in better condition than some of the books that were in the Restricted Section."
Hermione nodded as she opened the cover. "There is a log inside. Caretakers, repairs made, rebinding's," She traced her finger over the log. "Last rebinding was in 1932, I believe it was my great-grandmother."
Harry let out a breath. "So, this thing has survived wars, generations of muggles passing it down, and no one has even questioned it?"
Hermione looked up at him. "I'm sure they didn't know what it was, but the fact was that it was an heirloom to protect. And they did, painstakingly, page by page. I could have been lost, burned, or even sold. But here it is."
Harry flipped through a few pages. "Some of these spells, I've never even heard of them."
"They are long-lost spells. Things that we've lost or rewritten. Between this and whatever that crystal in your vault does… imagine what we could learn." Hermione told him.
Harry slowly closed the book, swallowing hard, "Or what we could become."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't you dare finish that sentence."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm serious, Hermione. Knowledge like this… brings power, you know how it goes. Look how power corrupted Dumbledore."
Hermione looked at him. "Harry, one Wizengamot member speculating that you might be corruptible because of your history with Voldemort doesn't make it true. I know you. That's NOT you."
Harry opened the book to look at the family tree on the front pages. "Wait."
Hermione leaned over, "What?"
"There," he said, pointing, "There's a second box next to yours."
Hermione frowned, "I don't remember that being there before."
The ink shimmered as if it were waiting to branch out and write the name within the box.
Hermione gasped, her hand flying to her stomach instinctively, "You don't think-"
"No, no," Harry said quickly, "It's not another line from us. It's nearly parallel to Rosella, as if someone else has yet to be acknowledged."
Hermione flipped to the next page and saw it was blank. "What do you think it could be?"
Harry looked over at her. "Do you think one of your cousins could be secretly magical?"
Hermione shook her head, "I would have thought someone would've said something, or even noticed who I am. It's no secret who I am within our community," she hesitated. "Unless they didn't want to."
Harry shrugged, "Families hide stranger things. Look at mine. They hid me."
Hermione let out a long breath, "I suppose we'll find out either in the morning or maybe at Gringotts."
Tapping her wand to it, she shrank it and placed it into her pocket. Resting her head against his shoulder, she swallowed hard, "I'm so tired."
Harry rubbed her arm, "I'm sure that bedroom has a huge bath. I can draw you a bath."
~*~ 19th August 2003 ~*~
The morning was grey as Harry pulled up to the old stone chapel of Christ Church, where clouds sat heavily over it. Hermione smoothed down her dress as Harry set Rosella's feet onto the ground after pulling her out of the car.
He knelt in front of Rosella, "Now, Rose, honey, we can't run around inside here, and we have to be on our best behaviour. Just like you are when you go to the library."
Rosella nodded. "No running, only whispering."
"Exactly," Harry said, glancing up at Hermione, "And some people might be crying. That's okay. They're sad because Grammy's mum passed away."
Rosella looked at him, "What is passed away?"
Harry pursed his lips together, searching for the words. "Well… we're all only here on Earth for a certain amount of time, and when our time comes, our bodies go to sleep, and our souls go to the heavens or the afterlife, and we pass away."
Hermione sighed as Rosella's eyes widened, her hand reaching for Hermione's skirt. "When you are hopefully very old," Hermione added. "My grand-mere was very old, and we're magical, remember? People with magic live even longer."
Briar Rose looked at her, surprised, "They do?"
Hermione nodded, "Something about magical blood heals and renews our cells faster. Professor Dumbledore was nearly 115 years old when he passed. Without the curse, it is a possibility that he could have lived to 150 years."
Rosella shook her head, "That's a big number."
Harry smiled, "Do you think you can sit quietly until the funeral is over?"
Rosella nodded as Camillo took her.
Inside the chapel, the air smelled of burning candles, flowers, and the death that Hermione hated. Too many funerals that she had attended, too young. The sun was trying to come out as pale sunbeams filtered through the stained-glass window, scattering colour across the room. Hermione's chest tightened as she saw the casket in front, open with large bouquets all around it.
Aunt Celine was talking to Aunt Guinevere when she saw them and pointed, making her turn around. Aunt Guinevere's jaw dropped as the reverend called everyone to take their seats.
"Psst, Hermione!"
Hermione frowned as she turned around and gasped. Tears streaming down her face, she walked down the aisle and pulled Luna into a hug. "What are you two doing here?"
Luna rubbed her back, "You are family, we had to be here for you. The others are here, but they weren't sure if it was appropriate to come in."
Hermione looked up to see Ron staring at the doors, "No, please come in. I can't believe that you guys came here."
Aunt Chloe walked over to them, "Hermione, are these friends of yours? They can come sit with us."
Hermione wiped her eyes as she put her arm around Luna, "Aunt Chloe, this is one of my best friends, Luna. She is engaged to my other best friend and Rose's godfather, Ron here." Hermione saw Molly and Arthur, Fleur and Bill, even Charlie, come through the doors, "Oh, you guys. I cannot believe you came."
Molly patted her cheek, "We are all family, dear."
Hermione laced her arm within Luna's as she led them all to the pews. Walking past Aunt Guinevere's family, a little girl gasped upon seeing them as Hermione slid into the pew, Luna and Ron following her.
Harry reached over and shook Ron's hand, "Thanks for coming."
"We weren't sure it was appropriate, but we wanted to be here for Hermione," Ron told him as Rosella clambered off the pew and climbed onto Ron's lap, "Hey there."
Rosella laid back on his chest, "I missed you, Uncle Ron."
Ron kissed the top of her head, "I missed you too."
The service was quick. Her Aunt Guinevere gave a eulogy in French. Various family members spoke of a businesswoman who ruled an empire behind the scenes until her grandfather passed. Cousins told stories of memories that never included Hermione, and she stared at her hands as she listened to them. Harry's thumb brushed her knuckles as he soothingly circled them.
When the final hymn ended, the chapel slowly emptied. One of her cousins' kids was still staring at her as they followed the pallbearers as they carried the coffin toward a waiting hearse. As the family stood together as her coffin was loaded into the back, Rosella reached down and plucked two wildflowers from the grass. She held one out to Hermione, "For your grandma."
Hermione wiped her tears as she kissed the top of Rosella's head, "I love you so much."
Briar Rose walked over to Hermione, "Your father and I are going to ride with Chloe so that they can pretend to ride with you to the cemetery."
Hermione glanced at the Weasleys standing behind the family in the background. "Okay." She said as she hugged her mom.
Hermione walked over to Harry and the Weasleys as the rest of her family climbed into her Aunt Chloe's car, "Mum and Dad are going with Aunt Chloe. We are going to go to the cemetery. You are all welcome to join us if you would like."
Molly looked at Harry's car, "Would we all fit?"
Arthur winked, "I'm sure we can make do."
"Now, Arthur Weasley, you have bewitched one vehicle, don't ruin Harry's car too," Molly stated.
"Mollywobbles, don't you worry," Arthur said, climbing into the car.
Hermione looked at Harry, "Go make sure he only adds one additional seat."
Harry nodded as he climbed into the backseat and shut the door.
Luna hugged her, "How are you doing?"
Hermione sighed, "I don't know how to feel. For years, my family basically forgot that I existed. Now, suddenly, they are interested in me, well, certain family members. Then I will have to tell you and Ron about a recent discovery."
Harry opened the door, "All right, everyone in."
Hermione climbed into the passenger seat and looked back to see Molly and Arthur sitting on one side of Rosella, Charlie on the other with Ron, Luna, Fleur, and Bill all squeezed in the back. She looked at Harry, "This looks like a clown car now."
Harry winked, "It just looks like a tight fit."
Arthur leaned forward as the screen built into the headrest came on, and Harry put the car into drive and joined the back of the procession. "There is a fellyvision in your car?"
"Television," Harry corrected, "And yes, I figured it would make things easier for Rosella."
Rosella's little feet moved under her seat. "It helps me not to wiggle."
"Amazing things that Muggles can do," Arthur said, gently touching the screen, and Molly hit his hand away from it.
Bill called out, "Hermione, is your cousin named August, by any chance?"
Hermione looked back at him. "No, I don't have a cousin named August."
"There was a man back there that I recognized. August Raymund. He works at the Paris Gringotts office. He is a curse-breaking liaison, so I've worked with him a few times."
Hermione looked at Harry, then back toward Bill. "My cousin Jade married someone named August, I think. They have a daughter. She'd be… maybe, eleven now."
Harry nodded slowly, following the cars in front of him. "It could be what we saw. Unlikely, but not impossible."
"What is all of that about?" Ron asked from the back.
Hermione turned towards them. "None of this can leave the car." She exhaled, "Last week I found a book in my grandfather's study. On the spine, it said Pendragon Grimoire."
Bill leaned forward, "As in King Arthur?"
Hermione nodded, "But this is more like Merlin." She sighed, "If the book is correct, my family descends from an affair that Merlin had with Viviane, who became the Lady of the Lake. When she banished him and essentially killed him, magic punished her in return. It stripped her bloodline of magic entirely. Her daughter, Morgana, was the last to have it… before me."
Luna nodded, "That explains a lot."
Bill looked at her, confused. "What does?"
"Before I met Hermione, her aura had always hummed like a ley line. Magic was dormant and focused. Magic must have chosen you for a purpose if it lay dormant within your family for so many decades," Luna stated.
Bill stared at her for a moment before looking at Hermione. "Was it a curse? What broke it for your family through you, if it was?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. The book doesn't say. It just… recognized me. And when I placed my blood within the book, it recognized Harry and Rosella as well."
Molly gasped, "That's impossible. Families chart their trees within grimoires, but adding a child is one thing… but Harry really appeared?"
Hermione nodded, "It's unusual."
Molly looked at them, "Did you two do a blood binding?"
Harry glanced at her in the rearview, "Is that a thing?"
Molly shook her head, "Not so much anymore, it was old, grey, and black blood magic. It's not practiced anymore, but at one time it was done during the handfasting."
Hermione looked at Harry, "Well, we haven't done a handfasting ceremony or a blood binding. I think it's recognizing our relationship through Rosella, honestly."
"I'll look into it. I don't know much about grimoires, but whatever ancient magic this is, it sure sounds like it chose you," Bill told her.
The procession slowed to a stop as the cemetery gates came into view.
The cemetery made Harry shiver as they stepped out of the car and walked through the headstones to the site where her grandmother was to be buried next to her grandfather. Hermione squeezed his hand as he remained at her side, while Luna and Ron walked on the other side of her.
Hermione glanced over as car doors closed one by one. Her parents, with Aunt Chloe and her uncle, Aunt Guinevere's family, behind them. Hermione noticed it at once, a pause by Aunt Guinevere's granddaughter.
The little girl stared at Hermione and her found family, her eyes wide as they swept over the Weasley family, then settled on Fleur. Hermione caught the whispered French as they came close.
"Maman… they are the Weasleys. And that is Fleur Delacour. She was my school's Triwizard Champion."
Hermione didn't acknowledge it, but she looked sideways at Fleur, who was looking back at her. "After the ceremony," Hermione murmured, making Harry glance between them.
Fleur nodded in agreement.
The service itself was short, and Hermione couldn't help but glance at the young girl and her father, who was also glancing in their direction. What Hermione heard was the priest speaking of long lives and rest being earned. When the casket was finally lowered, Hermione looked up to meet her cousin's eyes across their gathered family. Lifting her head, Hermione nodded towards her car. "My car."
The young girl's eyes widened, and she nodded back. Hermione turned to Harry, "Let's go to the car."
Harry squeezed her hand as they led everyone away from the grave slowly.
"So," Harry said quietly, leaning closer to her, "Are we going back to the house?"
"No," Hermione said, glancing over her shoulder, "I have someone coming to meet us."
The young girl had moved away from the rest of the family, slowly walking over to the group they had gathered, her family, both biological and extended.
"What is Marie doing coming over here?" Briar Rose asked.
"This is what I've been wondering about," Hermione said quietly.
The girl stopped a few feet away from them, her hands twisting her skirt nervously. "Hi."
"Hi," Hermione said softly. "I'm Hermione. This is Harry-"
"I cannot believe I'm related to you!" The girl burst out. "I'm Marie, I'm at Beauxbatons!"
Hermione laughed, lowering her voice, "We have to be quiet. Are you a second year?"
Marie shook her head, "No, next month I'll be going. My Papa says it's very prestigious." She leaned closer, almost bouncing, "I know you went to Hogwarts. I've read all I could that Papa let me. I cannot believe you know Fleur Delaclour."
Hermione smiled as a tall man approached. He must be August.
The man nodded towards Bill, "Mr. Weasley."
"It's Bill," Bill said, offering his hand.
"August," He stated, shaking it, his gaze moving across the Weasleys before settling on Hermione. "Jade didn't know you were magical."
"None of my family does," Hermione stated, "Other than my parents. As far as I knew, I was Muggleborn and the only one with magical abilities."
"Magic has a way of resurfacing," August stated, "I was first in a line of Squibs. The last magical relation we had was with my great-grandfather, before me. We weren't sure if Marie would be magical. We struggled in the past with having children. She didn't show signs until more recently."
Marie walked over to Hermione, "Could we talk about spells? I read you were in a war. Is that true?"
Hermione nodded as she glanced at August, "How about I give your Papa my information, and you can reach out to me if you have questions?"
Little Marie nodded, "That would be awesome!"
Her cousin Jade, looking so much like Aunt Guinevere, walked over, "Everything all right?"
"Maman, Hermione fought in a war! She helped Harry Potter kill the bad guy," Marie said excitedly.
"I didn't kill him, he killed himself," Harry said as he reached out and shook Jade's hand, "Harry Potter, ma'am. I am your cousin Hermione's partner."
Briar Rose snorted, "In simpler terms. They are practically married."
August looked at Jade, "Much like Marie suspected, Jade, Hermione is who she thought she was."
Jade stared at her in disbelief, "So that boarding school for the gifted?"
"Hogwarts," Hermione stated.
Jade shook her head, "You were at Hogwarts when you all dropped off the radar?"
Hermione nodded, "My parents didn't know how to explain why I wasn't with them, so after a while they stopped going." She glanced at her parents, "Then I sent them away to Australia to hide during the war."
Jade sighed as she glanced over at her mother, "She knows a bit about Marie, but… I am sorry for how she has treated you all. She cast judgment where obviously it shouldn't have been."
Hermione sighed as she glanced over at her aunt, "I cannot control what other people think, I can only control what I do and who I surround myself with. My parents learned very early and removed me from the situation. While my mum hates that she lost her sisters, it was better for all of us." She looked at Marie, then back to Jade, "But I am here if you have questions."
Jade smiled warmly, "Thank you, Hermione." She took Marie's hand as August held out his phone for Hermione to enter her information.
After they walked away, Briar Rose shook her head, "Can Muggles sense magic? Could this be why Guinevere acted weird towards us from the time you were young?"
Hermione shrugged, "There is so much we don't know." Watching August, Jade, and Marie rejoin Aunt Guinevere's family, she sighed, "And so much we probably will never know."
=
Preview of Chapter 45 – What I Sounds Like
Hermione frowned, "Is something…" she asked as she turned around.
Harry stood just inside the door, blazer hooked over one finger, slung carefully over his shoulder as if he had just stepped out of a magazine. His sleeves were rolled up, leaving his forearms bare. His veins bulged beneath his tan skin. Those damn trousers fit him too well, and the shirt clung to his muscles just enough that Hermione had to bite her lip not to groan.
Hermione swallowed hard as her pulse skyrocketed when Harry turned to Regina and grinned, earning a flustered wave before his eyes fell on her.
"Hey," Harry said as he walked over, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. Glancing at the woman waiting for her assistance, her own mouth slightly hanging open, "Oh, sorry. You're with a customer. I'll leave you to it." He nodded towards the stairs. "I'll be upstairs."
She and the customer watched him walk away, their eyes tracking every step, before the customer turned back to Hermione in a daze.
"I… don't even remember what I was looking for," she admitted, "But you are one very lucky woman."
Hermione snorted, "Don't I know it."
After some prompting, Hermione finally successfully found the book the woman was looking for, then excused herself and climbed the stairs to her office.
Pushing open her office door, she found Harry sitting in her chair. No, not sitting. No, he was fully settled, legs sprawled with slight arrogance. His tailored trousers stretched tight over his thighs that had no business looking like they did beneath the fabric that encased them. He twirled his wand between his fingers as his gaze found hers.
Hermione shut the door and locked it with her wand. "You did that on purpose."
Harry's mouth curved into an infuriating, trying to be innocent grin. "I did nothing."
Hermione shook her head as she crossed the room. Without breaking eye contact, she reached beneath her dress to remove her knickers. "Pants off."
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, standing up and unbuckling his belt.