A/N: I do not own any characters referenced by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series and do not endorse her comments. This story is entirely my imagination. I do not profit from it and will not pay for any art commissions related to this story.
Stay here in my arms tonight.
There's nothing that I wouldn't do.
I just wanna be the one you're holding onto
And if you wanna run tonight
I'd follow anywhere you want me to
I'm giving you my heart 'cause I
I'm lost without you.
Lost without you
~ Lost Without You by Hanson
~*~ 31st October 2003 ~*~
Hermione carefully worked a brush through Luna's long blonde hair as soft music drifted from the radio. Luna had decided that she wanted to get ready with Hermione at her house, away from the chaos that was sure to ensue at the Burrow with all the Weasleys preparing there.
Luna sat humming to the music in front of Hermione's vanity as if they were preparing for a sleepover instead of her wedding.
Hermione started plaiting her hair. "I cannot believe how calm you are about all this."
Luna opened her eyes and met Hermione's gaze in the mirror. "What do I have to be nervous about?"
Hermione blinked. "Everything?"
Luna smiled, "I'm marrying my soulmate, the man I am meant to be with," she said, tilting her head in the mirror. "Why are you so nervous?"
Hermione sighed as she set the brush down, and the hair she had plaited slowly unwound itself. "I'm not nervous."
Luna stared at her through her reflection, and Hermione sighed again. "Fine, I am. I'm just worried that something will go wrong."
Luna turned around in her chair, "All that matters on your wedding day is that you and Harry end up married."
Hermione opened her mouth, and Luna held up her hand. "And technically, for your second ceremony, you'll already be married. It's just for your Muggle family."
Hermione nodded, "That's true."
"See, if someone forgets their flowers?"
"Neville won't let that happen," Hermione stated, "But you are right, we'll still be married."
"If it rains?" Luna asked.
Hermione bit her lip, "It's inside, and we will still be married."
Luna took her hand and squeezed it. "You've spent years worrying when the next thing is going to happen. We survived a war, we survived grief… you survived being apart and coming back together."
Hermione swallowed back the lump in her throat.
"The wedding is the easy part," Luna assured her.
Hermione wiped her tears as they streamed down her face. "Damn you. Shouldn't I be encouraging you today, not the opposite?"
Downstairs, there was a loud crash, making both of them jump.
"I DIDN'T DO IT!" Rosella yelled.
Hermione sighed, "Rosella is home."
Hermione walked over to the door, "Upstairs in our room!"
Rosella ran up the stairs, her stockings already half off, with one obviously having the knee ripped out of it, "Aunt Luna, you look beautiful."
Briar Rose appeared at the door, "Come on, Rosella. Let's get you washed up," she looked at Hermione, "I'll worry about Rose. You worry about Luna, but she is right, Luna. You look amazing."
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger," Luna said as they left the room. "For what it's worth, Hermione. I think Harry is more nervous about marrying you than you are about him."
Hermione stared at her, confused, "What?"
"From what Ron said, he has been obsessing over the greenhouse to make sure it's perfect," Luna told her.
Hermione smiled, "Really?"
"Are you surprised? If you wanted the moon, that man would find a way," Luna told her. "Relax, there is no need to stress."
Luna took out her wand, and Hermione watched as before her eyes, Luna's hair plaited itself, then wound itself into an elegant knot.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Why did you need me here for then?"
Luna smiled, "Because I wanted to spend time with you."
Hermione smiled, "Ready to get dressed?"
Luna nodded, looking at her reflection, "I've been waiting for this forever."
~*~
Hermione carefully smoothed down the layers of rainbow tulle that covered Luna's skirt. The dress turned out unlike any wedding dress that Hermione had ever seen, which made it perfect for Luna.
As she moved, the sun would catch pale shades of pink, orange, gold, green, blue, and violet. Tiny butterflies were sewn into the fabric, which seemed to be enchanted as they drifted between the layers before disappearing again.
It was something perfectly Luna.
Hermione adjusted her dress, "There."
Luna smiled at her.
Glancing at Rosella, who was twirling around the grass in her fluffy blue flower girl dress. The puffy sleeves bounced with her every movement, and her curls bounced off them. She had her own flower crown in her hair and butterfly shoes on her feet.
"Mumma! Look!" she said as she spun again.
Hermione laughed, "You look beautiful, sweetheart."
Hermione cast a tempus charm, "Alright, Mumma is going to bring you to Daddy first, then I'll come back for Aunt Luna, okay?"
Rosella stopped twirling, looking a bit like she was drunk, then took her hand.
Hermione looked at Luna, "Be back in a moment."
"I'll be here."
The familiar squeeze of apparition surrounded Hermione and Rosella before they reappeared within the private warded area near the Hill of Tara in Ireland.
The late autumn wind swept across them, making Hermione thankful that she had pinned her hair back.
Ahead of them, near the ceremonial spot, stood a sea of red hair. All the Weasleys, Neville, and Angelina had already arrived. Standing next to Ron, adjusting his robes, was Harry.
Hermione smiled as she looked down at Rosella, "Go to Daddy."
She didn't have to be told twice, and she giggled as she ran as fast as her little butterfly shoes would allow her across the small grassy knoll that separated them from the rest of the family.
Harry looked up just as she crested the small hill and saw the blur of blue racing toward him. Dropping to one knee, Rosella launched herself into his arms. Hermione heard Harry laugh as he caught her.
Hermione watched as he lifted Rosella onto his hip and kissed her cheek, making her heart ache in a good way. Harry looked up and spotted her, and she winked at him even if he couldn't see it.
Hermione smiled, "I'll be right back." And even though he couldn't hear it, Harry nodded.
Disapparating back to her garden, Luna was exactly where she had left her, standing beneath the apple tree staring at the clouds.
Hermione smiled, "Ready?"
Luna held out her arm, and Hermione stepped closer to avoid her enormous tulle skirt. Reaching up, Luna adjusted her Pandora poppies crown that was upon her braided crown of golden hair in memorial to her mother. Luna smiled, "So ready."
Hermione took her hand, and together they disapparated, appearing where she had just been.
At their appearance, a man playing bagpipes started playing as Xenophilius walked over to them with a bouquet of the Pandora poppies. "My beloved Luna, you are a sight."
"Thank you, Daddy," Luna said as she handed Hermione her own bouquet.
Hermione slowly made her way over the small knoll to the path of flower petals that Rosella had already been hard at work on while she had retrieved Luna.
The sun was already beginning to colour the sky in slight pinks as she walked over the petals to stand opposite Harry as Luna and her father began their way up the path.
Hermione glanced at Ron, who looked like the sun had lit his face from the heavens.
"Hey," Ron breathed out as soon as Luna reached him.
"Hey," Luna smiled.
Rosella, still scattering flower petals around the ceremonial circle, was tossing the petals with a dramatic flourish.
Not that Ron noticed, as he never took his eyes off Luna.
Hermione felt the sting building in her eyes, and she turned to look at Harry as the magical celebrant started welcoming them.
Harry smiled at her, then winked, and Hermione laughed as she wiped away her tears.
Three weeks. In three weeks, they would be standing where Ron and Luna stand now in front of their family and friends. Three weeks until she would walk toward her future and become Hermione Granger-Potter.
Hermione looked down as Rosella pulled at her hand. "Mumma?"
Rosella had petals in her hair. "I think I used too many," she whispered.
Hermione blew them out of her hand, then kissed it. "I think it's perfect."
Looking up as the celebrant bound Luna and Ron's hands under the Irish sky, Hermione looked around at her makeshift family, thankful that after all the trials and tribulations that they had been through, they had made it to this point.
For the first time in a very long time, she knew everything would work out. It wasn't a frightening concept for her either, as the symbolic weight left her shoulders, and suddenly she could breathe easier.
She had three weeks until the rest of her life, and she couldn't wait.
~*~
By the time everyone had returned to the Burrow, the guests at the reception were already having the time of their lives.
Hermione's parents and Sirius had spent the afternoon helping Molly coordinate the reception while the wedding was in Ireland. The back garden had been transformed with floating lanterns and long tables beneath the large tent that were already overflowing with food.
Hermione smiled at Dean as she saw him mingling with Neville and Seamus as she made her way over to Harry, where he was talking to George and Lee Jordan. Sliding her hand into his arm, she looked around as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "There are a lot of people here."
Lee Jordan grinned, "I hear you two are getting hitched next. Why didn't I receive an invitation?"
Hermione glanced at him, "My Muggle family is attending, and honestly, we kept the guest list intimate because of it."
George snorted over his glass of whisky, "More like she knows you can't handle yourself."
Harry led her over to their table and pulled her chair out as he looked around, "I've lost where our daughter is."
Hermione laughed as she sipped on her champagne, "Probably making trouble with Sirius and Teddy."
Harry put his arm over the back of her chair as he drank his own champagne, "I never thought about the fact that he would be so good with them."
Hermione rubbed his leg, "They are blood to him. Of course, he would love them with all his heart. Honestly, as soon as he is walking without the walker, I have a feeling we will never have to worry about a babysitter. We'll more likely have to worry about actually spending time with our daughter. They are already two peas in a pod."
Hermione saw Arthur out of the corner of her eye move to the podium. "Get ready, best man, the father of the groom is making his way to the front."
Harry groaned, "Can I just skip this part?"
Hermione laughed as Arthur tapped his glass with a spoon.
"If I could have everyone's attention, please!" Arthur announced, "Not as your Minister, just as the Father of the Groom. Thank you."
Arthur looked toward them, "I believe our best man would like to say a few words."
Harry groaned as he stood, glass in hand, "Thanks for putting me first, Arthur."
Hermione smiled behind her glass as Harry made his way to the makeshift stage, and he looked at Ron and Luna.
"I have known Ron for more of my life than I haven't known him now," Harry stated, "He and the Weasleys were my first connection to the Wizarding World, and without me realizing it, took a poor, abused orphan into their family before I even realized it had happened."
"Don't make me cry!" Ron yelled out as some people gasped at Harry's admission of his childhood.
"Ron was my first friend. Little did I know it, but if you know Ron, you know that Ron doesn't share food. Before he even realized who I was, he offered to share his food with me," Harry said as he glanced at her, "Without Ron, and Hermione of course, I wouldn't be standing here today without them."
Harry turned to Luna, "And Luna…" Harry raised his glass to her, "You were one of the first people to care less who I was. Taught me that being different isn't something to apologize for, and that sometimes it's okay to look at the world differently. You believed in me when so many others doubted me. Showed up to help me when you had no reason to do so and stood by me when it was dangerous."
Hermione wiped the tears that came down her face as she watched Harry shake his head.
"Without both of you, I wouldn't be alive, much less standing in front of you all as my daughter tries to sneak cake! NO ROSELLA!"
Hermione turned around as she watched Rosella and Teddy freeze next to the cake.
The entire garden laughed as Briar Rose ran over and pulled them away.
Harry raised his glass to both of them. "You two have been the most loyal people in our lives," he said, glancing at Hermione, "And if there is one thing I've learned, it's that life is better when it's shared with people who choose you every day." He looked back at Ron and Luna, "Here's to a long future, and I cannot wait to see what you make of it."
Everyone raised their glasses.
"To Ron and Luna!" Harry shouted.
"To Ron and Luna!" Everyone echoed as they sipped their glasses.
Harry walked back over to her and sat beside her as Xenophilius came to the stage and started talking about some animal that may or may not have been real and how they sensed their relationship from the start. Harry leaned down, and his breath tickled her ear. "How'd I do?"
"Great," Hermione said as she kissed him, "You delivered it perfectly."
Harry rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb as the dance floor opened up and Ron led Luna out. Soon, the dance floor was filled with all the Weasleys and guests.
Harry moved his chair back and held his hand out, "May I have this dance?"
Hermione smiled as she placed her hand within his, "I thought you'd never ask."
Harry led them to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms as they joined everyone else. Hermione rested her head against his chest, listening to his steady, calming heartbeat beneath her ear. Wishing that she could go back in time to one of the worst days of her life, when she woke up to Harry missing, and tell herself that it would all work out in the end.
Hermione kissed the underside of his chin, and he looked down at her. "Can you believe our wedding is only three weeks away?"
Harry's arms tightened around her waist. "I cannot wait to see you in your dress and have you officially be mine. Mrs. Granger-Potter."
Hermione smiled, "Are you sure?"
Harry nodded, "As I told you, I'd happily be Harry Granger too, but with work, Granger-Potter works better." Harry leaned down and lightly bit her ear, "I do know one thing. Seeing you in this dress tonight, feeling the bare skin of your back… I know no matter what, no offense to Luna, that you will be even more beautiful than she was tonight."
Hermione smacked his shoulder, "You flatterer." He laughed.
Harry leaned down and kissed her, "I love you."
"I love you too," Hermione said.
"Sorry to interrupt."
They both turned to see Camillo holding a sleeping Rosella, their daughter curled against his shoulder, her flower crown about to fall from her head.
Hermione's heart softened. "She didn't make it. She was so excited for it."
"She's had a big day," Harry told her as he brushed back one of Rosella's curls.
"Let us get our things," Hermione told him.
Camillo shook his head, "No, honey, Arthur has already offered to take us back to our house. You two stay and enjoy a child-free night. Feel free to have a couple extra drinks and relax."
Hermione slowly blinked, "Dad, are you telling me to get drunk?"
Camillo laughed, "Well, I hope you don't go that far. You've been so wrapped up in wedding planning, you deserve to enjoy the evening," He said, boosting her up. "We'll bring her home tomorrow."
Hermione side-hugged him to not disrupt Rosella, "Thank you, Daddy."
She leaned forward and kissed Rosella's forehead, "Goodnight, sweetheart."
Rosella mumbled something and snuggled closer to her grandfather as Harry kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight, my Princess."
Camillo smiled as Hermione waved to her mother at the edge of the tent. "We'll see you tomorrow."
Hermione bit her lip as Rosella and her dad disappeared into the crowd, looking at Harry. "For the first time in a long time, we have a child-free night."
Harry slid his hand into hers, "Let's go tell Ron and Luna we are heading home."
Hermione laughed as he practically pulled her, "Harry, we are the best man and maid of honour. We have to stay to see them off."
"Ron!" Harry yelled, making Ron turn away from one of his great-aunts, "We have a child-free night, we are heading home."
Hermione shook her head, "No, we are staying."
Ron grinned as he leaned over to them, "Go in the house. This is the one time I am giving you permission to go into my old room. Just make sure you lock and silence the door. There is a ward to go beyond the bathroom. Just say please, and it will let you pass."
Harry grabbed Ron and kissed his forehead, "You are such a good friend. Come on, Hermione."
Hermione giggled as they rushed toward the house and Harry led her up the stairs. When they hit the ward, Harry whispered, "Please," and it allowed them past. The landing for Ron's floor was dimly lit as Harry shoved the door open.
With a quick locking and silencing spell, Hermione looked at Ron's bed, "Not on the bed. I'm sorry that is too weird, plus it's revolting orange."
Harry laughed, already unfastening his trousers. "No worries, we are getting to be pros at up against the wall."
She had just removed her knickers when he slid his arms under her dress and lifted her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing.
Hermione gasped, her legs wrapping around his waist as her back hit the wall, the wallpaper lightly scraped her back. "My favourite is the shower… or the laundry room."
All she could focus on wasn't her back against the wall, but the way his length was pressing against her, rubbing against her with not the friction she needed, and the way his hands were gripping her hips, his fingers digging into her in a way she hoped left tiny bruises. "I love you so much, Harry," she breathed as she reached up to ground herself down onto him, her nails lightly scraping his scalp. "Put a baby in me tonight?"
Harry growled, his mouth crashing down onto hers in a bruising kiss. "I'm going to do my best."
Hermione gasped as he lined himself up and thrust inside her in one deep thrust.
"Fuck, how do you always feel so good?" Harry grunted, his hips snapping against hers with every thrust.
Hermione's head hit the wall with a thud. "Harder," she gasped, "I need it rough, Harry."
Harry adjusted his grip on her hips and pulled her thigh up higher on his hips. She gasped as he hit a different angle, and she could feel her orgasm building in her core. Panting, she lightly bit his ear, "I am so fucking hot for you right now, Daddy."
Harry's hand, holding the wall, reached between them and found her clit. "Come for me, Mummy. So that you can squeeze my cock so hard and I can make you a Mummy all over again."
Hermione cried out as her head hit the wall again, and her orgasm hit her in waves, clenching down on his hard. Harry groaned as his thrusts became erratic as he tried to reach his release.
Unsteadily thrusting as she felt him spilling deep within her, she bit down on his ear, "Come on, Daddy, give me every drop."
"Shite, Hermione. Don't say that," He said as she felt him jerk within her as she squeezed down on her muscles as hard as she could through her aftershocks, "You are going to make me come again if you keep doing that."
Hermione laughed, resting her forehead against him, "That's the point." She kissed him, "I want you inside me all night if possible."
Harry kissed her slowly, "You are going to kill me, strangulation of penis in vagina…sucking me dry."
"Is that a medical diagnosis?" She asked, rolling her hips.
Harry lifted her hips, and she grabbed onto his neck, "Sorry, just making sure all that good baby juice gets where it needs to be."
Hermione giggled, "Baby juice, Chief Potter?"
Harry kissed her neck, "It's in the ICD and the OPCS. Look it up." He looked up at her, "How long do we need to stay for before we can leave?"
Hermione set her legs down, even though they still felt like they were jelly. "Behave, they are our best friends. They will celebrate us. We need to celebrate them. Plus, he let us sneak away for a quickie in his childhood bedroom. What better friend can you have?"
Harry pulled up his trousers. "Ron has really grown up."
"Luna had a lot to do with it, and helping me with Rose," Hermione said as she found her knickers and put them on.
Harry pulled her to him and nuzzled her neck. "Are you sure we need to go back? All I want to do is spend the rest of the night in bed."
"Promises, Promises, Potter." She said as she took his hand and led him out of the bedroom.
~*~ 5th November 2003 ~*~
Sirius was off at rehab. Rosella was back at school. Harry was at work, and Hermione should have been working on finishing her last translation.
If only her brain would let her. Instead, she was vacuuming the sitting room with music blaring when she thought she heard a noise. Hitting the power button on the vacuum, she stopped to listen and heard a knock at the door.
"HERMIONE!? Can you hear me?!" MacKenzie's voice came from the other side of the door.
Hermione picked up the remote for the sound system and turned it off. "Coming!"
Hurrying over to the front door, she unlocked it. "Hey, Mac. Come on in."
"I need you to be my voice of reason," MacKenzie said as she walked into the house with an envelope in hand. "I just left the courthouse, and here it is, signed by the judge. I'm officially divorced. He has to even pay alimony and child support."
Hermione looked at her, "That's a good thing, right?"
MacKenzie threw herself onto Hermione's couch and looked up at her, "I should be torn up about it, right?"
Hermione sat beside her, "Honestly, no. You had a bad marriage. I'm more sad for Annie."
MacKenzie slowly inhaled and bit her lip, "I have another weird question… even… more out there."
"Do you need money? Harry and I can help until-"
"No, no," MacKenzie said quickly, "I appreciate the offer, but…" she bit her lip, "Is poly relationships a thing in the wizarding world?"
Hermione looked at her, confused. "Poly… you mean three people or more?"
MacKenzie nodded as she stood up, "I mean, aren't Ron and Charlie's brothers in a relationship with the same woman?"
Hermione nodded slowly, "Yes. Fred dated her in school, then George at some point played a trick on her and… yeah, she ended up falling for them both." She stared at her, "This is about Charlie and Michel?"
MacKenzie pulled at her hair, "I'm just crazy. Tan, muscular, tattooed Charlie was ridiculously hot, and then he brought Michel, who is tall, dark, and handsome on his own. They wrestle dragons for a living. Are they even interested in women?"
Hermione shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know. I haven't ever asked exactly." She watched as MacKenzie paced, "I have to do the final counts for the wedding today. Are you still coming?"
MacKenzie threw herself down next to Hermione, "As long as Annie can come."
Hermione scoffed, "Rosella would protest if she couldn't." She bit her lip, "So… you are interested in them both. I told Harry something was going on between you and Charlie… I just never imagined Michel, too."
MacKenzie sighed, "Nothing has happened, other than I saw Charlie shirtless when they took us to the property they bought, and he took his shirt off when he put something in the ground he called a ward stone?"
Hermione's jaw dropped. "They took you there?"
MacKenzie nodded, then looked at her wide-eyed, "Why? Do you think that means something? They showed us inside the house and wanted to know what we thought of it. Asked what I would do to it. Showed us the house, the land, the lake…" she trailed off as Hermione continued staring. "What?"
"They showed you the house?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, they wanted my womanly opinion on decorating suggestions," MacKenzie stated.
Hermione sat back slowly, "They wanted decorating suggestions?"
"Yes?"
Hermione shook her head, "Molly was complaining on Sunday that Charlie wouldn't even show her the property yet."
MacKenzie stared at her, "Oh."
"Yeah, so…" Hermione said, folding her arms over her chest.
"Do you think it means something?" MacKenzie asked.
"Well, I know Charlie, and he doesn't do anything especially involving those dragons unless he wants to," Hermione told her.
MacKenzie grabbed a cushion and put it over her face, "Please tell me that means he might be interested."
"Not a clue," Hermione said as MacKenzie threw the pillow and it hit her seating chart, "NO! not the seating chart!"
"Shite, sorry," MacKenzie said as Hermione got up and picked it back up.
"I hate this damn thing," Hermione grumbled.
"Want help?" MacKenzie offered.
Hermione looked at her sceptically, "You don't know any of these people."
"True," MacKenzie said as Hermione set it in front of her, "But I can have opinions. Like… Aunt Petunia... just sounds dreadful."
"She is," Hermione said, "I don't even know why Harry is inviting her. She won't come, most likely."
MacKenzie pointed to another pin, "Put her beside Flitwick. Sounds like two interesting names to sit beside each other."
Hermione snorted, "That would be hysterical."
"See? I helped," MacKenzie told her.
"It would also be cruel and unusual punishment for sweet Flitwick," Hermione said as she looked at the list of people still to be seated, "I'll just put him, McGonagall, and Slughorn at the table with her and Dudley."
"To supervise?" MacKenzie asked.
Hermione grinned, "More like she hates magical people, and that whole table will be magical."
MacKenzie laughed, "You are an evil woman." She looked at her chart, "Wait, you have Charlie, Michel, and Sirius at mine and Annie's table already?"
"Because I like you," Hermione told her.
MacKenzie grinned, "Are you plotting for me?"
Hermione shrugged, "I told you I sensed something was happening between the two of you. Well, now three. Even if there wasn't, I know you are comfortable with him, so I'd put you with him anyway."
~*~ 14th November 2003 ~*~
Hermione rubbed her eyes as she studied the monthly budget ledger for the Lily Pad, accounting for different receipts and the deposits that had gone into both of the store's accounts. Thankfully, it appeared that the magical side had a better month of October than was projected after the last two years of lesser performing months once students went back to school.
Her eyes were tired, though. After two call-offs this morning, she had come in to cover instead of going to her final dress fitting and had woken up much earlier than she had anticipated when she had received the calls one after another. She found the numbers blurring in front of her.
Only two weeks into the month, and she felt that she had never been so busy as she had been this week since her Hogwarts days. Between Sirius's rehab appointments, Rosella's school activities, planning a wedding, and somehow keeping the Lily Pad afloat, she was exhausted.
A knock sounded on her office door, just before its opening for Megan to poke her head inside.
"Um, Hermione?"
Hermione looked up from the books to see Narcissa Malfoy behind Megan.
"She said that she needed to come up to see you?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, let her in. Thank you for checking, though."
Narcissa swept into the office with all the poise of a Pureblood, shutting the door behind her.
Hermione leaned back in her chair. "What can I do for you, Narcissa?"
Narcissa dusted off the chair in front of her desk and sat down. "The seamstress called."
Hermione nearly groaned, "And?"
"You missed your final fitting."
Hermione frowned, "No, I didn't. I called and cancelled this morning because I had to fill in here this morning."
Narcissa looked at her, eyebrow raised.
"They are squeezing me in tomorrow," Hermione assured her.
Narcissa looked at her sceptically.
"The dress fit perfectly. They just want me to try it on one last time to be sure, and then I can take it home," Hermione told her.
Narcissa nodded, "Very well," then reached into her handbag to retrieve a shrunken box. She placed it on Hermione's desk, "These are your welcome gifts."
Hermione looked at her, surprised. "Welcome gifts? We are gifting people gifts for coming to the wedding?"
"It's a small token of your gratitude for them coming to your wedding. With the library, I kept them book-related. There are personalized bookmarks with pressed lilies and roses with your names and various important dates, such as the date you met each other and your wedding date, printed like a checkout card. There are moleskine journals embossed with Literary Journal on them and inked quills for each guest, as well. I do not have them yet, but we will also have custom biscuits decorated with a book saying 'Harry and Hermione's love story' on them to add closer to the time. I also included scented candles that smell like old books, and I purchased from downstairs a stack of old romance classics like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and, of course, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, because of your family."
Hermione slowly blinked, looking at the shrunken box. "I just didn't realize we were doing these."
"And you'll need to prepare them," Narcissa said, "I'd make sure they are done within the next week."
Hermione inhaled. "Right."
Narcissa shifted so slightly, "Have you picked up your wedding bands?"
Hermione froze, then she covered her face with her hands. "Oh no."
"You forgot."
Hermione ran her hand through her hair. "They called yesterday to remind me they were ready, even. I was picking Rose up from school, and she had an appointment afterward, and I was rushing and-"
She stopped as Narcissa simply stared.
"I just forgot."
"Ms. Granger, there is a great deal to accomplish in a short amount of time," Narcissa reminded her. "You mustn't let things slip through the cracks."
Hermione nodded, "I'll add it to my planner now so that I will pick them up tonight."
Narcissa rose. "See that you do. I will see you next week."
She swallowed hard, "Thank you, Narcissa."
As soon as Narcissa was out of her office, Hermione groaned.
Pushing her budget ledger to the side, she grabbed her planner and immediately wrote PICK UP RINGS in large letters.
Then paused, seeing written at the bottom of yesterday in a handwritten note, START OF PERIOD.
Hermione frowned. Yesterday had come and gone, and no period had come.
Shifting in her chair, she felt her breasts. They had been sore for days, and she had known it was coming, thankful that it was two weeks before the wedding and not sooner.
Hermione sighed as she closed her planner. Since Rosella was born, she had been quite regular. The lack of sleep, the stress, helping with Sirius, and the wedding nerves probably didn't help matters any.
Hermione shook her head. Of course, in the primetime stress of the wedding planning, her body would decide to be difficult.
Glancing at the date, she swallowed hard. Two more weeks. In two weeks, she would marry Harry and become Mrs. Hermione Granger- Potter. For the first time in years, the future felt like it would all work out.
~*~ 18th November 2003 ~*~
Hermione closed the front door after sending Rosella off to the bus. Rosella had immediately found Annie and had sat beside her without even a wave. She was growing up too fast.
Hermione locked the door and headed toward the kitchen, trying to be as quiet as possible, as Sirius was still sleeping.
Harry had left for work nearly an hour ago, so Hermione practically had the house to herself.
Walking into the kitchen, she poured another mug of coffee for herself and added some milk. Heading upstairs, she walked into her office, and her planner caught her eye as she sat down. Taking a sip of her coffee, her eyes landed on the notes she had made earlier in the week, then froze as she saw START OF PERIOD.
Hermione counted backward. Three times for good measure, still saying the same thing. She was six days late.
Setting her mug down, she bit her lip. At first, she thought it was just all the stress she was under. Closing her planner, she stared at the calendar on the wall, then stood up. Walking into their bedroom, she opened the linen cabinet and reached toward the back of the shelf.
Buried behind the extra towels was a small box, and Hermione pulled it out. Only three pregnancy tests remained.
Months ago, shortly after she and Harry had gotten back together, she'd purchased a four-pack while shopping at Tesco. She'd been late then, too. Only by one day. After taking the test, she started her cycle hours later, so the remaining tests had been shoved behind the towels.
Hermione stared at the open box. She hadn't taken her contraceptive potion in a while. They had agreed they wanted another child. Hermione inhaled. It had to be stress. But still, she was never six days late.
Five minutes later, she found herself washing her hands while refusing to look at the counter.
She heard Sirius's voice downstairs and closed her eyes briefly, knowing that she was safe. He still hadn't braved the stairs on his own. A few moments later, 70s rock was blasting through her floorboards.
Hermione groaned. She needed to call Andromeda. Only she possessed the ability to convince Sirius to leave the house without her or Harry.
Stretching, Hermione rolled her neck and tried to work out the knots that had settled there. She saw the box filled with things for the welcome bags on the dresser. She still needed to assemble the welcome bags. And call the hotel to figure out whether Narcissa's personalized toiletries needed to be delivered directly to guest rooms or if the staff would handle it.
Harry at least picked up the wedding rings finally.
She sighed as she grabbed the test. One line.
Hermione set out a slow breath. Not pregnant. A strange mix of disappointment and relief settled over her. They'd only been trying for a short while, and conceiving took time. At least that is what Harry kept telling her.
Her eyes drifted to her reflection in the mirror as she threw the test into the rubbish bin and made sure it was buried.
Not that she expected it to happen quickly, but Rosella had been conceived when they were starving, sleeping in horrible conditions, and actively being hunted by dark wizards.
Downstairs, Sirius's music got louder, followed by awful singing. Very bad singing, making her groan.
Maybe she needed to put calling Andromeda as the first thing of the day just to get Sirius out of her house.
~*~ 21st November 2003 ~*~
Hermione stood in the kitchen, a cup of tea warming her hands as she watched Andromeda try to motivate Sirius out the door. He was moving as slowly as he could and even refused his cane, which he had graduated to.
"You know, most people don't look this miserable when they are taken out somewhere," Hermione commented.
Sirius glared at her as Andromeda helped him put on his coat, "I'm not miserable, and I can put my own coat on."
"All you've done is complain for the last twenty minutes," Hermione told him.
Sirius zipped up his coat. "I don't cook. Going to a cooking class is pointless," Sirius told her.
Andromeda snorted, "That is exactly why we're going. If you are going to live with Hermione and Harry, you need to pull some of your weight."
Sirius looked offended. "I can cook."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "I thought you said you don't cook."
"Don't cook and can't cook are two different things," Sirius snarked back.
"The last thing you attempted was toast," Hermione told him.
"And it was perfectly acceptable," Sirius told her.
"You tried to toast it over the fire, and it caught fire," Hermione stated.
Rosella giggled, "It was funny."
Sirius looked at Andromeda, "I feel ambushed."
"Well, you've spent weeks either in rehab or sitting in my house. You need to get out of my house for a bit," Hermione told him.
Andromeda took his arm, "Come on, Sirius."
Sirius sighed dramatically, "Fine, but I'm going under protest."
Hermione smiled into her tea as he and Andromeda disappeared to the floo. Looking at Rosella, she saw she was at least completely dressed. "Do you have everything for your sleepover?"
Rosella nodded as the doorbell rang and she jumped up, "I got it!"
Hermione poured the rest of her tea into the sink as she heard Rosella yell, "GRAMPA!"
Walking into the hallway, she saw her father holding Rosella, while her mother picked up Rosella's suitcase.
"Ready for our sleepover?" Briar Rose asked.
Rosella nodded, "I packed three books. I can read them to you!"
Hermione looked at her mother, "She also has three stuffed animals."
Rosella looked up at Camillo, "Can Crookshanks come too?"
"I think Crookshanks should stay home tonight," Camillo told Rosella.
Hermione leaned over and kissed Rosella's temple, "Be good for Grammy and Grampa."
"You have fun doing boring stuffs," Rosella told her.
Harry walked down the stairs, buttoning up his shirt, "Love you, Princess."
Rosella leaned over and kissed him. "Love you too, Daddy."
Hermione looked at Harry as their house was quiet for the first time in nearly a week. "When was the last time this house was this quiet?"
Harry pulled her close to him, "It's been a while, but…" he looked at his watch, "We have an appointment to get to."
~*~
An hour later, Hermione and Harry exited the registrar's office, their marriage certificate tucked into her purse. One of the final things checked off their list, and she felt lighter than she had in months.
When they reached the car, Harry opened the door for her.
"Thank you," Hermione said as she climbed in.
Harry walked around and started the car, and Hermione closed her eyes, relaxing, having a bit more weight off her shoulders.
Hermione felt the car take a left when it should have taken a right, and opened her eyes. "Where are we going?"
Harry grinned, "For a couple's massage."
Hermione's eyes immediately filled with tears, and she watched his smile vanish. "Oh no. I'm so sorry, I should have asked-"
"No, no," Hermione laughed through the tears.
"Did I do something wrong?" Harry asked, "I can cancel-"
"Harry, how did I get so lucky with you?" Hermione asked him as she wiped her eyes, "I've been so stressed and tired and buried under all the wedding stuff, and Sirius." She swallowed hard, "But you think of things like this. You've been taking care of me and Rose."
Harry pulled into the parking lot, and Hermione leaned over for a kiss. "Thank you, I love you."
~*~ 24th November 2003 ~*~
Thankfully, their bathroom was large enough for two people, because Hermione had overslept. Harry stood beside her, shaving as Hermione brushed her teeth, her hair still a messy bun upon her head from bed.
Harry glanced over at her as he rinsed his razor, "This razor has seen its last day." He said as he ran his thumb over a slight nick. Opening the cabinet door where the rubbish bin was stored, he went to remove the razor head, and the handle fell into the bin. "Bugger it all."
Harry sighed as he reached down to retrieve it, and Hermione saw him freeze at the same time as she realized that she had never taken out the trash after her pregnancy test.
Standing up, he held up the test. "Hermione? A pregnancy test? Are you late? I mean, I thought you were, but I didn't want to ask."
Hermione groaned as she spat in the sink before rinsing her mouth. She bit her lip, "Ten days."
"I didn't realize you were that late," Harry said, looking at the test.
Hermione leaned against the vanity. "I took it a few days ago. It wasn't positive." She shrugged, "I figure it was just stress."
Putting her toothbrush away, she sighed, "My luck, we'll finally relax on our honeymoon, and that's when my period will come."
Harry looked at her, "You were nauseous yesterday."
Hermione glanced at him, "I also had a headache. It was probably a migraine."
"But you barely touched your dinner," Harry retorted.
"Because my head was pounding," Hermione told him.
"I can do the test," Harry offered.
"What?"
"No one has to know," Harry told her. "My wand is downstairs. I just have to get it."
"It's just stress, Harry."
Hermione felt his eyes on her as she finished her makeup.
"Will you take another one?" He asked quietly.
She closed her eyes, "Harry…"
"Please? For me?"
Hermione sighed as she went over to the linen cabinet and pulled the box from behind the towels. "You are lucky I bought a four-pack."
She took the test out and looked to see him still watching her, "Are you seriously going to stand there and watch me pee?"
Harry frowned, "That wouldn't exactly be a first for us."
Hermione stared at him. "You in the shower when my bladder can't hold it is different."
"How?"
"There is frosted glass!"
Harry laughed, "I can still hear you."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she pulled down her pyjama trousers and sat. "My bladder is being shy. Could you at least turn around? Humour me, please."
"You're impossible," Harry said as he turned around.
A minute later, they were both staring at the test on the counter.
"Happy now?" she snapped more than she intended. "I'll just be disappointed again."
"Hermione…"
Hermione dried her hands to the point they were bone dry. "I don't understand it," her voice cracked. "We were starving and sleeping in the tent," she said as tears came to her eyes, "We were running for our lives, and somehow Rosella happened."
A tear rolled down her face. "This time…" she said as she looked at him, "You should have just had to look at me, and I'd be pregnant."
Harry wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her face into his chest. Feeling a kiss to the top of her head, "We are also different people now. We're older, and I know it may not matter…" he hesitated, "But we don't know what my dying did to me." Hermione closed her eyes as he rubbed circles on her back. "We went through a war, Hermione. Our bodies and our minds." He tipped her chin up, "Maybe nothing is wrong, and we are just… normal."
Hermione scoffed, "Normal. Nothing is normal about us."
Harry smiled, "Normal people don't conceive on the first try."
Hermione nodded, "I know… it's just…"
He kissed her forehead, "We'll keep trying."
Hermione glanced at the test on the count, "What does it say?"
"How long is it supposed to take?" He asked.
"The box said three minutes," Hermione mumbled.
Harry squinted, "It almost looks like…" he said, turning it, "No. I think it's still one line."
Hermione let out a breath, "Not pregnant."
Harry cupped her face with both his hands, "Then we'll keep trying." He said as he kissed her gently. "We have a whole week in Italy."
Hermione looked at him wide-eyed, and he groaned, "Italy?"
"Damnit," Harry swore, making Hermione laugh, "Well, I'm not telling you where in the country we are going."
She threw her arms around his neck, "Well, no matter where, we'd better make the most of it."
Harry kissed her again, "Well, I don't plan on leaving our bed for the first two days at least."
Hermione looked up at him, grinning. "Promise?"
Harry groaned, "I'd give you a preview, but I have to get to work."
A/n:
We are quickly coming toward the end. It's bittersweet, but no worries, there is more in the pipeline!
Preview of Chapter 53 - Marry Me
Briar Rose walked over to her, "How did you sleep?"
"Amazingly, actually," Hermione told her, surprised, "I figured without Harry, I wouldn't. I slept through the night, though."
"Wait, you slept?" Camillo asked, surprised.
Hermione looked over at him as she licked her fingers to get the mango juice, "Apparently, that is surprising."
"Honey, you were sleepless before most of your big tests, before you went to Hogwarts, and nearly every year after. The fact that you were able to sleep last night is just surprising." Camillo said as Hermione took her bowl of fruit to the table and sat beside Luna, who pushed a plate of cherry pastry to her.
"Thank you," Hermione said as she took a bite and moaned, "This is so good."