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.
Plowin' these fields in the hot summer sun.
Over by the gate, lordy, here she comes.
With a basket full of chicken and a big, cold jug of sweet tea.
I make a little room, and she climbs on up.
Open up a throttle and stir a little dust,
Just look at her face, she ain't a foolin' me,
She thinks my tractor's sexy,
It really turns her on.
She's always starin' at me,
While I'm chuggin' along.
She likes the way it's pullin' while we're tillin' up the land,
She's even kind of crazy 'bout my farmer's tan.
She's the only one who really understands what gets me,
She thinks my tractor's sexy.
~ She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy by Kenny Chesney
~*~ 27th August 2003 ~*~
Their villa in Majorca had gone quiet. Only the sounds of the sea, distant music, and the sound of Hermione and Harry's breathing filled their room. The air smelled of salt, florals, and sweat. Moonlight spilled through the open windows and balcony door, casting grey shadows over the tile floor and the sheets that had been kicked off the bed.
Hermione laid on her stomach, her hair damp and stuck to her face as it flared around her, as Harry traced lazy patterns on her bare back. His fingertips drifted from her shoulders to her spine. At first, she had tried to figure out if there was a pattern, if he was mapping words onto her skin, but she gave up and relaxed.
Lifting her head, she squinted at him over her shoulder. "If the message you are trying to leave me is to say you want to make love again," she murmured, "You will have to get me a recovery potion, or perhaps a new body? My legs feel like jelly. Scratch that," she frowned, "My entire body feels like jelly and deliciously sore."
Harry leaned down and pressed a kiss to her shoulder as he chuckled. "No, between the water, the beach, and the hot tub, I think we have achieved historic levels of sexual pleasure for us for one evening. Let's be honest, after three times, I doubt I could manage a fourth. I am, sadly, no longer nineteen."
Hermione grinned. "Are you calling yourself an old man?"
Harry sighed dramatically lying his arm over his face. "I feel ancient. I can barely keep up with you."
She rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand. "Careful, I could take that as a challenge, and you'd easily win. You are more athletic."
Harry uncovered his eyes, looking at her, "Not at sexual prowess. I think I unlocked a succubus in you or something."
Hermione snorted, "No, just research and hearing the girls over the years."
Harry folded his arms behind his head. "Just seems like you are going to kill me, your vagina strangling me and sucking me dry."
Hermione laughed, "It would be an honourable death at least."
"On a holiday, death by dehydration and probable heart attack… embarrassing," Harry mumbled.
Her gaze drifted to her left hand as it rested on his hip. Lifting it, she watched as her ring caught the glow of the moonlight. The diamond shimmered in the light like a captured star as the emeralds seemed to blink at her.
"Do you like it?" Harry asked.
Hermione looked at him. "I love it," she told him. "The detail and the thought you put into everything."
Harry lazily trailed his fingers down her arm, "You haven't even seen it in full light. You might hate it."
"Never," Hermione said, "Lumos."
The room lit up, making both of them squint at the sudden brightness.
"It's even better," Hermione insisted.
"I put something inside the band," Harry told her.
Hermione took it off and looked inside the band. "HASAT F&B HJP?" She looked at him, confused, "Your initials, I get… but the rest, doesn't spell anything."
Harry replaced the ring on her finger. "Do you remember the first words you ever said to me?"
"The first words I ever said to you?" Hermione asked, confused, "Hello?"
Harry grinned, "Has anyone seen a toad?"
Hermione's jaw dropped, and she hit him, making him laugh. "You did not put that inside my ring!"
"It was a very important moment in my life, and you know, according to that damn poem in the second year, my eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad," Harry stated.
Hermione looked at him, "You do realize that Ginny wrote that to you, right? While under Tom Riddle's influence."
Harry stared at her, "Aw, shite, and I put that on your engagement ring!"
Hermione snorted, "Fresh pickled toad. Voldemort was so obsessed with you."
Harry groaned, "Don't take the mickey out of me. The engraving isn't the toad poem. It's because it was the first thing you said to me. The F&B is for friendship and bravery… two things I hope to have for the rest of my time because of you."
He yawned wide, making his jaw crack. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. Nox"
Hermione rolled into the crook of his arm, tucking herself against his chest. He wrapped an arm around her, thumb brushing up and down her arm in a slow rhythm as she hooked her leg over his. After five minutes, his thumb had slowed to nearly a stop. "Rose will probably have them up early," she mumbled, "We should sleep. I just can't turn my brain off."
"Tell your brain it's bedtime," He mumbled.
Hermione scoffed. "I'm not Rosella."
"Wonder where she gets it," he mumbled, letting out a slight snore before jerking himself back awake.
"Har har," she replied, dryly.
Outside, the moon hung over the sea, making it glitter even in Hermione's blurry distant vision as Hermione stared at it for a moment, thoughts racing through her brain of the house, a wedding, Merlin's mission, before they settled on the one of greatest importance. "What are we going to do about Sirius?"
Harry exhaled, between a sigh and a groan. "Not a clue. It depends on when he wakes up, and how Sirius he is."
Hermione snorted against his bare chest. "Sirius or serious?"
"Both," he said, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. "That pun alone that I walked into proves I'm too tired for thoughts right now."
Hermione smiled into his chest. "You know you love me."
"And you are engaged to me," Harry stated.
Hermione bit her lip, "Engaged."
Harry pressed a kiss to her hair. "Now it's officially bedtime. No more talking."
Hermione grinned, rolling her eyes, "Yes, sir, already giving me orders."
Harry's snores soon filled the room. Between his breathing and heartbeat, and the waves beyond the villa, Hermione's restless mind eventually settled her into a peaceful sleep.
~*~ 28th August 2003 ~*~
Morning arrived with the feeling of warm air and the sounds of distant waves against the sand. As Hermione stirred, she became aware of the scent of coffee. Oh, sweet Harry, she thought as she opened her eyes.
She spotted Harry standing at the balcony doors, his bare feet on the tile as he leaned against the frame, watching the ocean beyond. The early sun poured over him, making him appear to have a golden outline. The light caught his hair, making it glow as if a halo sat upon his head. For a brief, ridiculous second, Hermione thought he looked like he could be a statue at the Louvre or painted on the ceiling at the Sistine Chapel. Shaking her head, she smiled. "Are you just waking up, or have you already come back from a run?" she asked softly.
He glanced over his shoulder as she placed her glasses back on her face, his grin crooked on his face as he padded toward her with a cup in hand and sat on the edge of the bed. "I attempted a beach run," he admitted. "It appeared very athletic for about seven minutes. Then I realized how dehydrated I was. Slightly hungover on happiness, I suppose, and it didn't help that I cramped up." He lifted his mug. "Winnie brought me some hibiscus tea. I hope that it helps."
She pushed herself up on her elbows. "You cramped up?"
Harry sipped his tea. "Tragically, I am human." He studied her. "How are you feeling?"
Hermione stretched her legs. "Honestly? Achy. You were right last night, or this morning... whichever it was. We are not teenagers anymore, and my thighs are feeling it." She arched her back slightly as she twisted. "I think holding myself up on the beach did my arms and legs in. I refused to risk getting sand in places I might not discover days later."
Harry leaned down and kissed her, slow and unhurried, the taste of toothpaste and his hibiscus tea lingering in her mouth. "I would have cleaned you up."
She curled her fingers into his hair as she leaned her forehead against his, licking her lips. "Maybe I have recovered-"
"Ron already sent a message," Harry interrupted, brushing his thumb along her jaw. "Rose is awake and already antsy."
Hermione dropped back onto the pillow. "Damn." Dragging her hand down her face, she sighed. "Well, I suppose I should get a shower and attempt to appear to be a responsible adult." Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stretched as she stood.
Harry's hand skirted down her hip before she turned, and he gave her a playful swat.
She shot him a look over her shoulder as she went to collect clothes to change into. "If you do not want our daughter walking in on something she shouldn't know about yet, you'd better let me go shower."
His grin widened. "The shower might be soothing."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You, sir, are a terrible influence."
He snorted. "We established that in our first year, Miss Prefect."
She grabbed his abandoned t-shirt from the floor and tugged it over her head, the hem brushing over her thighs. "And yet," she said, going towards the bathroom. "You still proposed to me."
"Best decision of my life!" he called after her as she shut the bathroom door behind her.
She smiled as she opened the bathroom door, sticking her head out, "The warm water might," she gasped as he picked her up, and she giggled as he shut the door behind him.
Winnie had just popped in with their breakfast and set it out on the patio table. Bowls were filled with fresh fruit, browned toast, jams, and steaming coffee, despite the warmth of the sun. Hermione was buttering a slice of toast when she heard, "MUMMA! DADDY!"
Hermione lifted her head to see across the sand from the invisible ward between Ron and Luna's island and theirs, where Rosella was running clumsily across the sand. She stumbled a few times, her curls bouncing around her, and Harry stepped down onto the sand just in time to brace himself as she launched into him. He caught, spinning her from the momentum. "How was your sleepover?" he asked, pressing a kiss into her hair.
Hermione could not tell what her answer was as Rosella unleashed a word storm on poor Harry. Words tumbled from her mouth. Something about pudding in bed, Uncle Ron, and exploding snap, she and Aunt Luna looked for wrackspurts in the palm trees. In the darkness, they only found one, but she suspected it was really Uncle Ron.
Ron and Luna slowly strolled up both barefoot. Ron folded his arms over his chest, "So?"
Hermione grinned from the patio and lifted her left hand. The diamond seemed to glitter more in the morning light, making Luna gasp as she ran over to see it. "Oh, it's so lovely."
Rosella turned in Harry's arms, spotted the ring, and released a squeal so piercing that everyone winced, but poor Harry was holding her and was unable to cover his own. "Rose! My ears!" Harry protested as he sat her down.
Her tiny hands flew to her hips as she looked up at him. "Daddy, you promised me when Mumma got a ring, so would I."
Harry sighed, "You are right. I cannot disappoint my baby girl." Hermione watched Harry reach into the pocket of his shorts and take out a crinkly package.
Rosella's eyes widened. "Is it cherry?"
Hermione grabbed Luna's arm as Harry lowered himself to one knee in the sand.
"Rosella, my amazing, beautiful, slightly deafening daughter. I am here asking your permission to marry your mum," Harry stated. "I promise to love you and your mum for the rest of my life."
Rosella looked at him. "I get to wear a fancy princess dress?"
"Of course," Harry agreed, glancing at Hermione as she smiled.
He ripped open the package and slid the Ring Pop onto her tiny finger. She stared at it as if it were a crown jewel, then licked it.
"Cherry!" She yelled, "Thank you, Daddy!"
Hermione pressed her fist to her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes. "Ignore me."
Harry stood up and walked over to her, giving her a chaste kiss.
Rosella marched over to Ron and held out her hand, "Want a lick?"
Ron chucked, "I'm good, but thank you for the offer." He looked at Luna, "We should probably start packing up."
Luna nodded as she hugged Hermione, then Harry. "Congratulations again. Good job, Harry."
"See you in the lobby at ten thirty?" Hermione stated.
Ron nodded as he took Luna's hand and they headed back down the sand.
Rosella skipped over to the outdoor sofa and lounged on it as she enjoyed her ring. Hermione sighed in happiness as she slid her arms around Harry's waist. "I don't want to leave."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "We'll come back." He said, rubbing her back. "I am going to go get our portkey set up, then I'll be back to help pack up."
Hermione smiled, "Don't be long, Mr. Potter."
Harry grinned as he backed up toward the sand, "I promise I won't, Mrs. Potter."
Their suitcases lay open across the bed as Hermione moved through the room, folding clothes that she found in various places as if they were at home. As each drawer was emptied, the bathroom was cleared, and the swimsuits were stacked, the villa gradually wound down as their time was coming to an end.
Rosella sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed, pouting, her lower lip pushed out as her little arms were folded across her chest. "I don't WANT to leave."
Hermione pushed Harry's trousers down to close the bottom section of their suitcase. "We have to go home, sweetheart. You start school in four days. You cannot do that from here."
Rosella flopped backwards, dramatically flailing out on the bed like a starfish. "I don't want to start girl school. Can I go to mermaid school?"
Hermione snorted, "I'm sorry, honey, you don't meet the mandatory requirements. They have very strict admissions."
Rosella looked up at her. "I know stuffs."
Hermione grinned. "You do know stuffs."
Harry wandered back in the open doors, folding up their beach towels that she had left outside to dry. "What do we know?"
Hermione glanced at him, "Rose is in protest. She doesn't want to go home. She wants to go to mermaid school."
Harry nodded, "I get it, but I think they have requirements that you don't have."
Rosella scrambled up onto her knees on the bed. "But Daddy, I can swim! I know lots of stuffs too!"
Harry set the towels in the smaller suitcase. "One problem, do you have a tail?"
Rosella bit her lip. "No."
"Gills?" Harry asked.
Rosella sighed, "I don't know what those are."
"They give you the ability to breathe underwater without coming up for air. Can you do that?" Harry asked.
Rosella looked at him as if he were crazy. "There is no air in waters! I can't do that! How long do they have to breathe underwater?"
Harry looked at Hermione, "Longer than bath time goes?"
Rosella dramatically threw herself backwards. "This is so unfair! Why do I have to be a human with legs?"
Hermione zipped their suitcase up. "Because we aren't part fish. Although your dad did have gills once."
Rosella gasped, sitting up, "How?"
Harry looked at her, "I had to eat a slimy green plant called Gillyweed that is like cooked spinach."
Rosella looked at him, horrified, "I don't like spinach."
"Exactly," Harry said, trying not to grin.
"And school will be amazing. You are going to be brilliant, and you get to wear your new uniform. You will meet new friends. Annie is still in your class," Hermione stated.
Rosella nodded, "I forgotted that… will there be snacks?"
Hermione sat down beside her, "Of course. They suggested that we send two. Morning and afternoon."
Rosella stared at her. "Books?"
"So many books," Harry told her.
Rosella tapped her nose like Hermione sometimes found herself doing while she was thinking, and Harry laughed. Hermione looked at him, "Shut up."
"I didn't say anything!" He defended with a laugh.
"Fine," Rosella said, "But if I suddenly grow a mermaid tail… I can do both schools, right?"
Harry nodded, "If you randomly become part fish, we will figure it out. How about we just do swim lessons instead?"
"Deal!" Rosella said with a grin. "Can we go find more shells?"
Harry scooped her up, "Let's go find Grammy, Grampy, Nana, and Papa four really pretty shells."
Hermione smiled as Rosella wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder, "I'm just going to miss it here," she whispered as Harry carried her out of the room.
Pausing to look around their little sanctuary as she zipped up the last suitcase, Hermione stepped out the balcony doors and let the breeze hit her face. "I'm going to miss it too," she whispered.
Landing in their backyard felt slightly off balance. The temperature was much cooler, and the air didn't smell like salt, but instead like the freshly cut grass as Robyn's husband mowed their yard in the distance. Stepping out of the spot in the backyard reserved for magical travel, Luna turned to them, "How about dinner on Saturday? We can talk wedding plans."
Hermione hugged her, "Sounds great to me."
Ron set Rosella back down after hugging her before he and Luna disapparated.
The back door flew open at the cracking in the air as Briar Rose hurried out of the back door. "Let me see it!"
Hermione laughed, walking toward the house, and held up her hand. "Did Harry not show you?"
"He showed me a picture," Briar Rose said, taking Hermione's hand in hers and turning it gently in the sunlight, "But in person it's even more beautiful."
She looked at Harry, her eyes shining, and pulled him into a hug. "Welcome to the family, dear."
Harry hugged her back, his ears slightly pink as he smiled. "Thanks, Briar Rose."
"I got you shells, Grammy!" Rosella announced, digging into her little backpack. She held up one of her bags of shells, "And I played with mermaids!"
Briar Rose took her hand. "Did you now? I cannot wait to hear all about your adventure! Were they nice?"
Rosella nodded, "Very polite. Look at my hairs! They did my hair!"
"We might never get her to wash her hair again," Harry muttered under his breath as they followed Briar Rose to the house.
Inside, the house smelled like home and freshly made bread. Hermione smiled. While vacation was a nice break and lovely, there was no place like home, either.
"CROOKSHANKS!"
Rosella dropped to the floor as Hermione's old familiar strutted into the room, looking slightly offended at her volume, until Rosella scooped him up into a tight hug and pressed her cheek into his fur. Crookshanks gave a meow of protest that did not actually seem to be a cry of distress.
Harry blinked. "I think the old man actually missed her."
Hermione shook her head in disbelief as Rosella rubbed her face against Crookshanks as he meowed at her and butted his head against her chin. "Yes, sure seems like he did."
Rosella looked at Camillo as he walked into the room, "Grampy, did you not play with Crookshanks? He has been very bored."
Camillo stared at her, surprised. "All he did was sleep! Mostly ignored me."
Crookshanks wriggled free and wound himself around Rosella's legs, purring happily.
Rosella shook her head, "His mousey is stuck under the table!" She said as she crawled under the kitchen table to retrieve it and threw it to Crookshanks, who bit it and ran off as she chased him.
Hermione's jaw dropped as she and Harry looked at each other. "Luna might be right."
Harry slipped his hand into hers and kissed the back of her hand, "We have an amazing daughter."
Briar Rose turned to them, "I made a lemon cake and some treacle bread. Let me put tea on, and you two tell us all about Majorca."
Harry's face lit up. "Treacle bread?! I didn't know that was a thing." He walked over and inhaled it.
"Hermione said treacle tart was your favourite, and this was my aunt's old recipe," Briar Rose told him.
Harry leaned down and hugged her, "Thank you."
Briar Rose patted his face, "Go put the luggage away, and it will be ready for you when you return."
After getting Rosella to bed, Hermione had taken a shower. Stepping out of their bathroom, her hair damp as she smoothed lotion over her arms, she walked out to see Harry sitting up against their headboard, one arm tucked behind his head as the other held his mobile to his ear.
"All right, thanks for the update, Nathan. I'll probably stop in tomorrow for a bit to check on him. Have a good night." He ended the call and let the phone drop to the mattress.
"How is Sirius?" Hermione asked as she sat at the edge of the bed, smoothing lotion onto her legs.
Harry pushed himself upright. "No change. His heart rate is stabilized. They've started nutrition potions, but slowly. They don't want to shock his system." He rubbed the back of his neck. "His kidneys are already struggling. Between his past with Azkaban and being on the run. It all adds up. Slightly concerning that his brain activity is so low, but we have him under heavy sedation too."
Hermione's hand stilled as she looked at him.
"He is in critical but stable condition," Harry added as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her shoulder, "For now."
She nodded as she reached up and turned off her lamp. Sliding under the covers, she curled into his side and rested her head against his chest. His arm wrapped itself around her. "No place like home," she murmured.
Harry kissed her temple. "I have a question."
"I'll see if I have an answer," she told him.
"Do you want a long engagement?"
Hermione shook her head as she traced the lines of his tattoo with slow precision. "I want to marry you as soon as possible." She bit her lip. "Actually… I've been thinking of the twenty-seventh of November."
Harry looked at her. "That's very specific."
Hermione sat up, turning her lamp back on, and scrambled out of bed, rummaging through her purse for her phone.
Harry propped himself on his elbows. "Why the twenty-seventh?"
Hermione scrolled to the calendar app. "It was the first time I told you I loved you," she said, glancing at him. "And that we had sex. We don't have to tell people that part."
Harry grinned. "Probably not a great idea to put on the invitations. Your Aunt would pitch a fit."
Hermione groaned. "Shite, I remembered right. It's a Thursday."
Harry shrugged. "So, we have a private magical ceremony that day. All we need is your parents, the Weasleys, Andi, and Teddy. Then, if you want something larger, we do a reception or ceremony that weekend."
Hermione dropped her phone onto the bed and launched herself on him, kissing his cheek, jaw, and the corners of his mouth. "I love that."
He laughed softly, wrapping his arms around her. "That way, the reception can be Muggle-friendly. You can invite your Aunt Chloe or MacKenzie."
Hermione scoffed, "We should invite MacKenzie and Annie to our craziness. When Annie was over last week, she couldn't stand the lightbulb flickering and glared at it to turn it off. She's definitely magical, no wonder she and Teddy butt heads." Hermione shook her head as his hands moved to cup her bottom. "You are insufferable."
"And you are stuck marrying me in less than four months," Harry told her.
"Are we insane?" Hermione asked.
"Babe, we have enough money for a wedding planner. We will figure it all out," Harry told her. "Get some sleep. I love you."
"Love you too, goodnight," Hermione said, settling into his neck.
~*~ 29th August 2003 ~*~
Hermione rolled over and whispered a tempus spell towards the floor.
3:30 am
Rolling back onto her back, she stared at the dark ceiling. Beside her, Harry slept on, his left arm on her pillow as if he was reaching for her and missed. In a solid, blissful sleep. Lucky.
Her brain, however, had decided it would not shut off as it made multiple mental lists.
Guest lists. Venues that might be available on short notice. Would November weather hold up? What will Sirius be like? What flowers would be available that Neville could help with? Would they need a magical marriage license like a Muggle one? Seating charts for their friends, and which ones could sit near her Muggle relatives. Which magical friends couldn't attend because of the Muggle family, too?
She turned onto her side, closing her eyes. Then to her stomach. Then back to her back.
At 3:45, she gave up. Sliding out from under the covers, she tucked them closer around Harry as he made a soft sound but did not wake.
Pulling on her robe, she padded out into the hallway. Avoiding the creaking floorboards, she walked downstairs to the kitchen and flicked on the light. Opening the tea cabinet and starting to reach for Harry's tea, before shaking her head, shutting the cabinet.
Walking into the sitting room, she took a pinch of floo powder from the jar. "Lily Pad!"
Stepping out into her office, the alarm charm started to go off. Waving her wand, she silenced it and exited the office. Flicking the switch to turn the lights on, she descended the stairs to the ground floor and walked over towards the corner. Looking over the various texts about Weddings, Wedding Planning, a Bride's Guide, Floral Arrangements, Modern Ceremonies, and many others, she started pulling random books and reading over them. A small stack started accumulating beside her as she tried to search for a book with planning timelines. After selecting five books, she stacked them in her arms and walked back upstairs. Resetting the alarm, she returned home through the floo.
Wandering back upstairs, she stepped back into their bedroom to see that Harry had shifted closer to her side of the bed, his hair sticking up in a multitude of various directions, blissfully unaware that she had even left.
Hermione placed the books carefully at the foot of their bed and set her notebook beside them as she hung her robe back up. Climbing back into bed, she opened up her notebook and started taking notes.
Magical Ceremony Muggle Ceremony and Reception Things to Do Timeline
Biting her lip, she stared at the blank page in the Timeline section and wrote 29/08. Flipping twelve pages, one for each week, she wrote 27/11.
Opening the first book, she began reading it, making various notes.
Find a venue Create a guest list Dress/Dresses? Bridesmaids/Wedding party Rings Food/Cake Officiant Music
Opening the next book, the mattress shifted as Harry moved.
"Are you studying?" Harry's sleepy voice asked.
Hermione looked over at him, "Did my light wake you up?"
Harry blinked. "Why are there so many books? What time is it even?" He asked, looking at his watch, "Blimey, Hermione! It's four in the morning. Have you slept at all?"
"There is so much to do!" Hermione told him, "I couldn't sleep, and there is so much to plan. None of these books has a timeline for a three-month plan, so I have to create my own."
He pushed himself up on his elbows, "Hermione?"
"What?"
Harry blinked at her, "You can't plan our wedding in the middle of the night in one night."
"I can get what I can done," Hermione told him.
She could feel his eyes on her as she went back to her book. Feeling his hand on her arm, he pulled her back so she toppled over on him with a gasp. "Harry!"
He slid the pen out of her hand and closed her notebook, placing it on the nightstand. "It will all be here in the morning."
"But we need to figure out a venue-"
"You cannot do everything in one night. Let me handle some things," Harry told her. "Your job right now is just to get some sleep."
"But we have to find out legal-"
"Morning." He insisted as he turned off the light.
She huffed as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"There is always tomorrow to conquer the world. Now, sleep," Harry mumbled.
Hermione huffed as she lay there for another five minutes. Her mind was still reluctant to turn off. "Fine." She bit her lip. "Do you think we should have our magical wedding at-"
Harry groaned against her shoulder. "Hermione…" he warned, "Do I need to shut you up?"
"And just how would you do-" Hermione said as he disappeared under the covers, "Oh… oh," she said as her eyes fluttered shut as he pulled her shorts down.
As Hermione walked down the steps from her office, Regina looked up from the counter.
"What are you doing here?" Regina asked.
Hermione lifted the books in her hands, "I couldn't sleep last night, so I came and borrowed these books. I don't need them, so I'm returning them to the wedding section."
Regina's eyes dropped to Hermione's left hand, and she froze for a moment. "OH MY MERLIN!" Regina jumped over the counter and ran over to her, taking Hermione's hand and yanking it close to her.
"That is attached, Regina!" Hermione hissed, "And volume! We are attempting to keep this low-key for as long as possible."
Regina turned Hermione's hand. "It's gorgeous! Megan! Get your arse over here!"
Megan's voice drifted out of the shelves, "They heard you in space, Regina. There is no need to yell. Hey Hermione. What are you-"
Regina waved Hermione's hand toward Megan. "Look!"
"Volume," Hermione repeated.
Megan slowly walked over and looked at the ring. "Potter has good taste," she said with a smile, "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Hermione smiled.
"Look how tan you are," Regina said.
"The island was wonderful," Hermione stated, "I didn't want to leave."
"I thought you weren't coming back until Monday after you dropped Rosella off at school," Megan said.
Hermione sighed, sliding the books back on the shelf. "I had to return these books." She looked at them, "Apparently, Harry and I have lost our minds, and we decided we are getting married in November."
Regina's jaw dropped, "This November?"
Megan closed her eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Prepare yourselves, world. This is about to become stressed and organized chaos, Hermione, in full panic mode." She opened her eyes, "Please do not become a bridezilla."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I will not become a bridezilla."
Regina gave her a look.
"I won't," Hermione insisted. "Anyway, I've already put in calls this morning to a few venues and contacted some planners. One of them laughed at me, so I suspect that I am on my own."
Regina gasped, "Someone laughed at you?"
Hermione nodded.
"Give me their name, and I'll go online and leave them bad reviews," Regina said.
Hermione glared at her, "Please don't."
Megan leaned against the shelf next to her, "We will help however we can."
Regina nodded, "Research, taste testing. Wait! Vivi can do your cake!"
Hermione smiled as some of the tension in her shoulders eased, "Thank you. Truly. Look on Monday, can you put the word out that we are going to have a staff meeting? I'll do it at 10 before the lunch rush."
Regina saluted her, "Got it, boss."
Hermione ran her hand through her hair, "I need to run. Harry is at St. Mungo's with Sirius. I have appointments with two planners this afternoon that would talk to me, then I have dinner with my parents tonight."
"How is he?" Regina asked.
Hermione shrugged. "Stable. Critical, but stable." She sighed, "If you need me. You know where to find me."
Regina grinned, "Bye, Mrs. Potter."
Hermione grinned. She could get used to hearing that.
Parking in her parents' driveway, she got out of her car and pulled the bag filled with binders from the boot. Three large, thick binders filled with more information than Hermione herself could wrap her mind around. After an afternoon spent meeting local planners, Hermione felt overwhelmed as the sky turned her parents' yard a soft peach colour. The porch light came on as she closed the boot, and her Mum met her at the door.
Hermione practically melted into her arms. "I need your help."
"Come on in," Briar Rose said, stepping back so that Hermione could step fully into the house.
Toeing off her shoes, she marched straight to the dining room as she heard her Dad and Rosella giggling upstairs.
Briar Rose set out two mugs and poured water for them. "All right, sweetheart, what do you need?"
Hermione pulled out the first binder. There were examples of various other weddings. But also so many tabs. Sample timelines. Budgets. Hermione felt her eye twitch. "These are sample binders from the two planners I met with today. All who were willing, for a very large fee, for it being last-minute, to help us plan our wedding." She exhaled. "There is so much to do, Mum. Figuring out a venue. Permits, which I didn't realize were a thing. Catering, seating charts, are we having an inside or an outside wedding? Transportation and guest lists."
Briar Rose took the binder that Hermione wasn't flipping through. "It will all work out, Hermione."
Hermione pressed her lips together not to disagree.
"Where's Harry?" Briar Rose asked, turning past a worksheet about budgets.
Hermione rubbed her tired eyes. "At the hospital. He's been there all day with Sirius, I assume. They still have him in a coma, but Harry's been sitting with him and just talking to him. Doubtful that he can hear any of it, but it makes Harry feel better."
Briar Rose closed the binder and looked at her. "No offense, Hermione… do you really think you can handle a November wedding?"
Hermione slowly blinked at her, confused. "Why wouldn't I?"
Briar Rose squeezed her hand. "Because you are you, honey. You tend to go a bit… overboard."
Hermione opened her mouth in protest. Then closed her teeth as she grimaced. "I don't go overboard."
Briar Rose stared at her, and she sighed. "Occasionally I get a bit over enthusiastic about my endeavours."
"Hermione, you colour-code your grocery lists," Briar Rose stated.
"That is efficiency," Hermione defended, "It helps match the aisle with the product and if they need to be refriger…ated" she trailed off at her mother's look, "Fine."
Hermione folded her arms over her chest.
"I just want you to remember your limits," Briar Rose reminded her. "This doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to impress anyone. As long as you and Harry are married at the end, that's all that matters."
Hermione took a deep breath and stared at the ring on her finger. "I know. I just want it to feel right."
"It will," Briar Rose assured her.
The front door opened after a brief knock. "Knock, knock!"
Harry stepped inside the house, his jacket slung over his arm, his tie loose around his neck.
"Harry, come in," Briar Rose said as she stood up.
He smiled sleepily. "Evening."
Briar Rose greeted him with a hug and a traitorous whisper as Hermione went back to the binder in front of her, attempting to ignore it.
Harry walked over, leaned down, and kissed her, "Hi."
"Hi," she said, closing her eyes as he rested his forehead against hers. "Any change?"
"Today's tests show levels are steadily improving. Just still concerned about a lower level of brain activity," Harry told her as he sat down beside her. "What do you have here?"
She let out a breath. "Strategic planning," Hermione told him, sliding the binder to him.
Harry looked at it, "This suggests a twelve-month planning schedule."
"We have ten weeks," Hermione told him.
Briar Rose poured him a mug of tea. "You could always elope."
Harry and Hermione looked at her.
Harry sighed, taking a sip of his tea, "I did some calls of my own while I sat at Sirius's bed. Turns out that we have an unlikely ally."
Hermione frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"I was making some calls and in breezed none other than Narcissa Malfoy," Harry told her.
"Malfoy?" Briar Rose asked, "The kid that always bullied you?"
Hermione nodded, "What was Narcissa doing at St. Mungo's?"
"She heard that Sirius was back. I guess that Andi has tea with her every Friday, and mentioned to her that Sirius was back, so she came back to see him, not realizing he was in a coma." Harry sighed, "Overheard me trying to talk to a planner that you were talking to, obviously earlier, who was copping an attitude with me, and told me to hang up."
Hermione frowned, "Why?"
Harry gave her a tired smile, "Turns out that all those huge Malfoy parties that we've heard of, the galas, and spectaculars… Narcissa plans them herself." He looked between both Granger women. "And she reminded me that she owes me a rather significant favour because of the final battle. Also, I wrote a letter to the Wizengamot that may have assisted in her clearing her name and avoiding Azkaban like her husband."
Hermione stared at him, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"She made calls," Harry said. "Ruthless and efficient ones. The sort that get calls back and don't get you laughed at."
Hermione stared at him, still confused.
"She secured us a venue," he added. "I went this afternoon, and I put down the full payment so no one else could take it."
Hermione sat up straight, "Harry!? What? I don't even know where it is. I appreciate the initiative, but I would have liked to see it first."
Harry leaned back, grinning, "Have you ever heard of the Signet Library?"
Briar Rose gasped, hands flying to her mouth as Hermione went still.
"Luna told you," She breathed out.
Harry nodded. "I called them before we left for the holiday. They never rang me back. I suppose Narcissa is more… persuasive."
Hermione's voice cracked. "We have the Signet Library?"
The room seemed to tilt around her. The candlelit shelves. Arched ceilings. Rows upon rows of books. The place that she had dreamt of since she was a child… was theirs.
Harry watched her. "We still have to figure out where to have our private magical ceremony on Thursday, but they were suddenly available to us for Saturday. Ceremony and reception."
Hermione pressed her hand to her mouth in shock.
"Oh, Hermione," Briar Rose said with tears in her eyes.
"It's perfect," Hermione whispered, choked up.
Harry took her hand, "I want you to have the wedding of your dreams."
Rosella ran into the room, sliding in her socks, "Why is Mumma crying?"
Hermione pulled her into her lap. "Happy tears, sweetheart. They are happy tears."
She looked at him. "Harry Potter… I just… I cannot believe you."
Harry grinned, "And you are stuck marrying me."
~*~ 31st August 2003 ~*~
Hermione's eyes snapped open on their own accord as her natural alarm clock kicked in. No real alarm. Just instinct as she looked at her new alarm clock beside her bed to see that it was exactly 6 AM.
The house was quiet, and the other side of the bed was empty. Hermione assumed, with the early hour, that Harry was out for his morning run. Hermione slid out of the bed. "Come on, Crookshanks." She said as she slid her feet into her slippers and put on her robe.
Her familiar barely raised his head in acknowledgement before settling back in.
Coffee first.
She moved into the kitchen. Fill the coffee pot. Grounds. Start the toast and eggs. Cannot forget Rose's new favourite granola with fruit and yogurt.
Lunch was next. Sandwiches cut into triangles, crusts removed. Apple slices were brushed with lemon to prevent browning. She even wrote a note, as her mum used to, for her.
You are brave. You are amazing. You will do brilliantly. Love, Mumma.
She paused after writing it, pressing her lips together to prevent the tears that she knew would come eventually.
Placing the lunch container in her lunch bag. She filled her water bottle and made sure it wasn't leaking before packing it all inside her backpack. She knew the lunch would go to waste, as instead of going to school, she would have lunch at the Burrow.
Walking back upstairs, she passed Rosella's room to see that the door was slightly ajar. A soft snore drifted out as she saw a swish of Crookshanks' tail at her feet, then he circled and lay back down again. Hermione knew that her familiar was no longer hers. She had lost him to Rose somewhere around Rose's third birthday.
Continuing down to their bedroom, walking inside, the bathroom door opened, and Harry stepped out, steam curling from his skin, the towel low on his hips.
He blinked at her in confusion as he looked at the covers that were haphazardly bunched, as if they could have been a body. "What are you doing up?"
"I am mentally preparing myself for tomorrow," Hermione explained. "I've made Rose breakfast and lunch. I set her clothes out for today last night. Now that you're out of the shower, I'm going to get ready. I cannot be the messy mum of the school."
She brushed past him into the bathroom, and he followed her, leaning on the doorframe, his wet hair swept into his eyes. "Rose won't be up for another forty-five minutes."
Hermione reached for her moisturizer. "I don't have time for sex or the ability to do so." She told him as she started washing her face.
He frowned, "There is always time for sex."
Hermione splashed water on her face and dried it off. "Not when you won't be here to help. So don't."
Harry stared at her. "Seriously, Hermione?"
"Go, scram. Vamos," Hermione said as she opened her moisturizer.
Harry dropped his towel. "I can think of something useful."
She groaned, "Harry, you aren't helping."
Harry sighed dramatically as he retrieved his towel. "I will go be responsible elsewhere then."
Hermione applied her makeup after he vacated their bathroom. Twenty minutes later, makeup was applied, she was dressed, and her hair was perfect. In the mirror, she looked more in control than she felt.
Walking out of their bedroom, she heard Harry talking to Rosella downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, she found Harry pouring kibble for Crookshanks while Rosella told him about her vivid dream about mermaids feeding a dragon.
Hermione ran her hand over her shirt. "Rose, honey. How about after breakfast, we get dressed and drive by your school? Just to check it out."
Rosella blinked at her. "But it's Nana and Papa day. Nana Molly said she's making cake. I want cake."
Hermione glanced at Harry, who quickly looked away from her. "We will absolutely still go to the Burrow. We are simply… pretending that you are getting ready for school first."
Rosella stared at her so much like Harry that it was scary. "Why?"
Harry snorted, and Hermione shot him a warning look.
"Just go with it," Harry told Rosella, "It will make your mum feel better."
"Don't do this just to appease me," Hermione snapped quietly.
Harry looked at her. "Hermione, you are staging a mock school morning. Do you hear yourself?"
She huffed and placed their breakfast plates on the table with slightly more force than necessary. "Breakfast is ready."
Rosella happily climbed into her chair, unaware that her mother was spiralling.
Harry stepped behind Hermione as she walked over to the sink and gently pulled her into his arms. "Don't be mad at me."
She resisted for half a second, then melted into his arms. "I hate change," she admitted, turning and lying her forehead on his chest. "You are going to full hours. Rose is starting school. I have to begin translating the Merlin scrolls, plan a wedding, and manage the shop." She exhaled into his shirt. "And I woke up to Aunt Flo early this morning."
Harry blinked as she looked up at him. "You don't have an Aunt Flo…oh."
Hermione sighed. "Just spotting. Probably stress. It's earlier than planned."
He rubbed slow circles on her lower back. "Let me help."
"You'll be leaving before she even wakes most mornings," she said quietly. "I need a routine."
"I'll help at night," he promised. "As much as I can."
She nodded, pressing her forehead briefly against his collarbone.
Rosella looked up from her cheesy eggs. "Are the Nargles making you hug?"
Harry grinned. "Yes, the Nargles are very emotional."
Hermione huffed out a laugh. "Damn Nargles." She sighed. "Let's eat."
Hermione hurried Rosella out of the car and up to the house after returning home from their school run. Unlocking the door, she shoved Rosella through the door, "Go!"
Rosella rushed, her little legs crossed as much as they could, to the half bath downstairs. When she heard Rose start singing, she knew she had made it. Growing louder as it came closer, she heard the low hum of the lawnmower from the back garden. "Rose, get ready to go to Nana and Papa's house. I'll be in the back garden," she called.
Shutting the door, she walked around the side of the house and found Harry.
Sitting on the riding tractor like some sun-kissed god of agriculture, he was shirtless, wearing sunglasses and a hat. One hand on the wheel, the other holding a bottle of beer. The sun showed off every line of his muscles across his shoulders and back, turning him into a moving work of art.
Hermione stopped walking, frozen. Somewhere in her memory, she heard Ginny's voice as if she were leaning against the house next to her.
"You'd better be careful, Hermione. You have to learn to resist him somehow or else you'll be… what is it the Muggles say? Oh, barefoot and pregnant for the rest of your life."
Hermione swallowed. "I'd give him a Quidditch team at this rate," she muttered to herself.
The tractor hummed louder as it came closer, and Harry spotted her. His mouth curving as he slowed to a stop beside her, cutting the engine. "Back already?" he asked, pushing his sunglasses into his glistening hair.
Hermione nodded, staring at him.
He frowned. "Everything okay?"
"I have a song playing in my head," she said, stepping closer. "It's an American country one called She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy. I totally get it now."
Harry barked out a laugh, his head tipping back.
She folded her arms, biting her lip as her eyes trailed the line of sweat beading down his hair-covered chest. "Are you nearly done?"
"I've got the back half after this strip," he said, gesturing toward the longer section of grass. "I want it finished before I start work tomorrow. Give me another hour."
He leaned down from the seat and stole a kiss.
Hermione groaned against his mouth. "Curse Aunt Flo."
Harry laughed, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Only five days left."
She blinked, surprised. "You keep track?"
He gave her a look. "I am a healer, of course I do."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "That is both impressive and slightly alarming."
"Always be prepared," he said, sliding his sunglasses back onto his eyes as he restarted the engine.
She stepped back as he drove off. Tomorrow would change everything, and she didn't know if she was ready.
Preview of Chapter 48 – The Black Dog
Soft white gowns in various shades covered the walls. Mirrors stood strategically placed, and the place even had a haute chandelier glittering overhead. Hermione stood under it as if someone had dropped her into a foreign country.
She felt the clawing of panic growing as Luna drifted towards a rack of lace, while Ginny perched herself on a velvet chair. Briar Rose sensed her daughter's growing panic and rubbed her back as the stylist approached them.
"I am Kandi. What are we looking for today?"
Hermione blinked. "Should I have known already? I… I have no idea," she admitted. "I'm overwhelmed."
"What she means is her name is Hermione," Briar Rose stated.
The stylist nodded. "Welcome, Hermione. Being overwhelmed is normal. Tell me about your wedding."
"It's at the Signet Library," Hermione said, wringing her hands together. "Classical. Romantic. Candlelight."
Kandi nodded, making notes. "When is the big day?"
"The twenty-ninth of November," Hermione said as Kandi looked up, and she winced. "I know, we are slightly unhinged attempting this so quickly. Trust me, I'm already overwhelmed with everything."
Ginny snorted. "You thrive on timelines."
"Why did you wait so long to look?" Kandi asked.
"We just got engaged," Hermione admitted.
Kandi tilted her head. "If you don't mind me asking… do we need to plan for an expanding waistline?"
Briar Rose gasped, and Hermione groaned. "No, I'm not pregnant. We simply do not want to wait to get married. We got extremely lucky that my dream location was available."