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.
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello."
And your eyes look like comin' home.
All I know is a simple name,
And everything has changed.
All I know is you held the door,
You'll be mine, and I'll be yours.
All I know since yesterday,
Is everything has changed.
~ Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran
~*~ 15th June 2003 ~*~
The Burrow was noisy as usual when Hermione and Rosella stepped out of the floo.
"Hermione!" Fleur's voice rang out as she rushed forward to greet her.
Rosella ran off, curls bouncing, between Bill's legs toward the garden, and Bill opened the door for her. "Victoire, Rosella is here!" as he followed her outside.
"It's so good to see you," Fleur told her, hugging her. "How are you?"
"Tired," Hermione admitted honestly. "But happy that life is starting to return to normal."
"Ms. Granger, you are a sight for sore eyes!"
Hermione barely had time to react before George had scooped her off her feet, spinning her around. "George!" she laughed as he set her down, and she hugged him tight. "I missed you, too."
George smiled. "In all seriousness, Hermione. This whole thing was a massive change for you. How are you really dealing with it?"
Hermione smiled, "It was rough two weeks. You know how I am about routines. Harry and Andi have made it as effortless as possible. It's good to be back home, but…" Hermione looked out the window, "I also wish that Rosella could have more of that time to be with Harry, like we were lucky to have."
She turned to Angelina, who was subconsciously rubbing her bump. "And how are you feeling?"
Angelina smiled, "Was your morning sickness more than just mornings? Because I think that name is false advertising."
Hermione laughed, "Absolutely. Apparition made me sick nearly every time that we moved. Of course, I didn't know I was pregnant until the end. Couldn't tell what was bad mushrooms, what was bad fish, and what was morning sickness."
"The mushrooms were particularly awful." A familiar voice came from behind her.
Hermione glanced behind her to see Harry, then looked back at Angelina. "Well, you still look amazing."
"Thank you," Angelina said as she walked over to Fred.
Hermione turned around to face Harry. "How was the clinic?"
"Uneventful, thankfully," he said with a grin as he pulled her into a hug.
"Clinic?" Fleur asked.
Harry released Hermione but kept his arm draped over her shoulders. "I found this small clinic near the hospital. I've been volunteering there for a couple of days, and I think I will keep it up until my tenure at St. Mungo's begins. It will keep me busy but also keep me out of Hermione's hair."
Hermione grinned, "I'm not sure about that. You are always finding trouble."
Harry squeezed her arm before moving toward the kitchen to greet Molly.
Luna appeared beside Hermione, "So, I assume things went well?" she asked, glancing at Harry.
Hermione stared at her. "What are you talking about?"
"Arthur being the Minister now. Kingsley was found guilty. That must be a relief for you," Luna stated.
"Oh, yes. Yes, it is," Hermione said, exhaling the tension she hadn't realized she was holding in her shoulders as she saw Arthur walk down the stairs, "Speaking of the man himself."
Hermione turned as Arthur spotted her. "Hermione," he stated as he walked over and hugged her.
"Minister," she said teasingly as she bowed, then hugged him.
Arthur laughed, "Just a figurehead. They didn't even ask me. They just voted, and I learned about it at the same time as everyone else. I still have to answer them on every decision."
"But it's progress," Hermione said, "And it's the right step forward that our Ministry needs."
Harry came out of the kitchen with dishes floating in front of him, with Molly following. "Dinner is ready!"
After a quiet, uneventful dinner with the usual hijinks by the twins, Hermione had told Molly to go sit down and enjoy her evening after she had cleared a packed table of empty plates. The warm water and simple motion of washing dishes weirdly grounded her. She didn't notice Harry until he appeared beside her, sliding up against her as he set the last of the plates in the sink.
"Hello." He whispered into her ear, making her shiver.
She looked up at him with a grin. "Hello yourself."
The noise behind them faded as Harry took her soapy hand in his, then lifted it gently to his mouth and pressed his lips to her knuckles.
Hermione swallowed hard, "Harry," she whispered, her heart thudding within her chest, "We can't."
He grinned, making her shiver, "I know, but that doesn't mean I don't want to."
Hermione bit her lip, "I don't want Rose to get her expectations-"
"Then he said, oui! And a bunch of French…." Ron trailed off as he walked into the kitchen and saw them, "What's going on?"
Hermione shook her hand, "Harry thought I had a cut from a fork."
"All clear," Harry told her as he turned to Ron, "Want a game of pickup?"
Ron grinned, "Oh, just you wait. You and Charlie at the same time? That will be awesome. Let's go!"
Walking out the back door, Harry glanced at her, and she smiled at him.
~*~ 20th June 2003 ~*~
Hermione was deep into the quarterly reports when she looked at the clock on her computer and realized what time it was. "Shite."
Standing up, she walked out of her office/guest room, "Rosella! Aunt Ginny will be here in 15 minutes. Are you ready?"
Hermione entered Rosella's room to find her lying on her belly with a book in front of her, reading to Crookshanks, who was curled up, his tail happily flopping. "Rose, honey, Aunt Ginny will be here in 15 minutes, and you are still in your pyjamas. Please get dressed."
Rosella sighed, placing her bookmark within her book. "Fine, Mumma. I just wanted to finish my book."
Hermione pinched her nose. Of course, her daughter would be exactly like she had been growing up. She heard the floo alarm. "You have five minutes to get ready."
Leaving Rosella's bedroom, Hermione moved downstairs to the sitting room to see Ginny's face in the Floo. Tapping the hearth, she told her, "Come on through, Gin."
Hermione stepped back as Ginny came through. "Hey, Gin."
Ginny dusted the soot off her body. "Hey Hermione, is Rosie ready?"
"I hope she is getting closer," Hermione said, picking up a blanket off the floor. "She was getting dressed a minute ago."
Ginny sat down on the couch and groaned, "When did this get easier?"
Hermione sat on the other side of the couch. "What do you mean?"
Ginny ran her hands over her expanding belly, "This alien feeling. The feeling that you love them so much already?"
Hermione smiled, "I don't think it ever ends."
Rosella ran into the room wearing a dress with trousers and holding a cardigan.
"Come here, sweetheart," Hermione said as she knelt on the ground to help Rosella put on her cardigan, "Now I want you to listen to Aunt Ginny. Whatever she says, you do."
"Yes, Mumma," Rosella said, looking at Ginny, "Aunt Ginny says we will be sitting near the pitch!"
"Yes, no running off and stay with Ginny at all times," Hermione told her.
"Mum," Rosella groaned, "I know."
Ginny grinned, "Ready, Rosie? I promise you will get to meet some people."
"Bye, Mumma!" Rosella yelled, throwing herself against Hermione, who hugged her.
Hermione kissed her cheek, "Have fun."
As she stood up, Ginny took Rosella's hand and they Flooed away.
Sighing, as she looked around her suddenly quiet house, Hermione decided to do some housework to kill the time.
"Hermione?!"
Hermione was loading the washer when she heard Harry's voice, "In the kitchen!"
Harry walked into the kitchen holding a paper bag.
"Hey, what are you up to?" Hermione asked, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
Harry set the bag on the counter. "I stopped by Ron's, and he said Ginny had taken Rosella with her for the evening, so I hope you don't mind. I thought I'd make dinner for you."
Hermione blinked, "Harry-"
"No arguments," he said, pointing at her with a carrot, "Go sit. I've got this."
Hermione sat down at the kitchen table and watched as Harry got to work. Within minutes, he was browning sausage and chopping vegetables, and delicious smells began to fill her kitchen. "Whatever that is, it smells divine."
Harry pulled a bottle of red wine out of the bag. "Wine?"
Hermione stood up, "Yes, please." She said as she got up and opened a cabinet, grabbing two glasses. Harry poured them each a glass, then poured some into the pan.
Once dinner was ready, a pasta in a rich sauce with sausage, and garlic bread, they sat down together to enjoy it.
"So, any new plans for the store?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled, "Actually, yes. I was thinking of adding a children's craft hour on weekends. Rose loves art. And I want to start a book club, nothing too formal. Fiction and maybe some fantasy. Something fun."
"I like that idea," Harry said, "Something that I could see you participating in."
After dinner, Harry stood up, and she went to follow, "No, sit. I'm just making dessert."
Hermione bit her lip, swirling her wine in her glass, watching him move around her kitchen as if he belonged there. She didn't know if it was the wine or him, but something warm was building in her chest. "So… does this count as our first date?"
Harry paused as he opened her oven. "Do you want it to be?"
"Hell yes," Hermione said, looking at him over the rim of her glass.
Harry grinned. "Then it can be. But for the record, I have real dates planned for us." He placed the dessert in the oven, then walked over to her and refilled her glass. "What do you think about every other week? A proper date, just us."
Hermione pulled her lip into her mouth. "Who will watch Rose?"
Harry chuckled, "Your parents adore her. The Weasleys would fight over her. Trust me, we have no shortage of willing babysitters. We might even have to create a schedule." Harry held out his hand, "Now come on. Rose told me you like a movie called The Princess Bride? I've never seen it."
Hermione froze, "You've never… what?"
Harry shrugged, "I've never watched much tele. The Dursleys never let me."
"Damn them," Hermione muttered as she stood, "Come on, I have to show you. There are so many classics you've never been introduced to." Hermione took his hand, "Come on. My parents had Friday movie nights when I was growing up. We'd order food out and enjoy a movie together, so I know a lot of movies. Dad always made a list of which ones we watched, which we enjoyed, and what we didn't like so much."
Harry sat down and watched her pick a VHS tape and put it into the VCR, then sat down on the couch next to him. Harry opened his arms, and Hermione curled into his side, resting her head under his chin as she started the movie.
As the opening began, Hermione tilted her head up and pressed a kiss under his jaw. "So that you know, these are the dates I prefer. Simple. Easy. Just spending time with someone I want to."
Harry's arm tightened around her. "Good to know."
Hermione relaxed into his warmth, watching a timeless classic from her childhood.
~*~ 24th June 2003 ~*~
The Lily Pad was quiet in the late afternoon as Hermione hummed under her breath as she moved the ladder toward one of the shelves. Opening up a box of new children's books, she grabbed multiple books, then climbed the ladder to shelve the books on the top shelf. Glancing at her watch, she realized the after-school rush would be starting soon.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione spotted a book that had been tossed on top of the shelf. Stepping onto the top rung, she stretched to grab the book, "Honestly, someone had to throw this up here."
At full extension, the ladder wobbled. Just slightly, but just enough that Hermione dropped the book she had just grabbed, and she had to reach for the shelf to steady herself.
Then the ladder slid on the tiled floor.
Scrambling to grab a shelf or the ladder, her fingers scrambled for purchase on the top of the shelf, causing her to slam into it with her hip, books falling onto her as she slid down the shelf, her back slamming hard against the floor as the breath was knocked from her lungs. A book thankfully prevented her head from slamming into the floor.
Someone ran around the aisle at the noise. "Oh, Merlin!" They shouted, "Employee! Any employee! Hermione needs some help!"
Hermione groaned, letting her head rest against the books under her. "I'm good… just… just give me a moment to…" she said as she pushed herself up on her elbows, and a bolt of pain ripped through her arm, "Ow! Bloody hell."
"Hermione!" Regina skidded around the corner and dropped to her knees. "What happened?"
"That damn wobbly ladder," Hermione grumbled, sucking in a breath. "I climbed too high, and it wobbled. I didn't hit my head. Just help me up."
Regina slid an arm around her shoulders, helping her sit up slowly. "You sure you are okay?"
Hermione grabbed onto the shelf and tried to stand, but the moment her weight went onto her right leg, pain rippled through her hip and up to her back, making her hiss and grab onto Regina for balance.
"Okay," Hermione admitted, clenching her teeth in pain, "Maybe I'm not."
Regina helped her back to the ground. "Where's your phone?"
"On the counter," Hermione said, resting her head against the shelf behind her. If only she were on the magical side of the store. One flick and the swelling would be under control.
"Hermione!"
Her eyes snapped open as Harry slid to his knees in front of her.
"Hey," she said with a weak smile. "I kind of fell."
"That's what I hear," Harry said, taking her face in his hands. "What hurts?"
"My pride," Hermione answered immediately, "But my hip, and my back hurt." She shifted, and her elbow hit the shelf behind her. She winced, "And my elbow."
Regina came back. "I cleared the store," she told them, "Megan is locking up now."
Harry nodded as he slipped a hand behind her head, "Lie back for me, I need to assess you and make sure nothing is broken."
Hermione let him guide her back to the floor, too sore already to argue with him. Harry took out his wand, and a glowing rune-scale map of her body appeared above her in shimmering blue.
"Well, good news," He told her, "Nothing is broken. Bad news, though, you've got heavy bruising, and your elbow tendon is already inflamed."
"Perfect," Hermione groaned, "Nothing to overreact about, Harry. I'll go home, lie on a heating pad, and I'll be fine by the time Rose gets home from school. Can you pick her up?"
She tried to sit up, and Harry placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lie down. Don't make me use Petrificus Totalus and drag you home like that."
Hermione glared at him, "You wouldn't."
"Don't bet on it," Harry told her, "Last thing you need is to fall again." He looked over his shoulder at Regina. "Is there a wheelchair or something?"
"There's one in the stock room!" Megan stated running away.
Hermione covered her face with her hand. "This is humiliating. I'm fine."
Harry leaned in close, "Please, Hermione. Let me treat your wounds and heal your injuries. It's the least I can do."
Hermione looked at him, saw the worry on his face, and sighed. "Fine."
Harry looked at her, "Can I at least carry you into the Floo?"
Rolling her eyes, she nodded. "Fine."
Harry lifted Hermione effortlessly in his arms, one arm under her knees and the other gently under her back, holding her so carefully that Hermione wanted to cry.
"Harry, this is unnecessary," Hermione said, looping her arms around his neck.
"Protest all you want," Harry said as he carried her up the stairs, "I'm still doing it."
Regina opened the door to her office for them, then handed Hermione her purse, "Your phone is inside. Let us know if you need anything."
"We will," Harry promised as Regina threw floo powder in for them and Harry whisked her away.
When Hermione opened her eyes, they were in her sitting room, where Harry placed her carefully onto her couch.
"What hurts the worst?" Harry asked as he fluffed her pillows.
"My hip," Hermione stated, adjusting herself and wincing as pain flared through her leg.
"Where's your medicine cabinet?" Harry asked.
"No need," Hermione said as she held up her wand and summoned a bottle that hit Harry in the head before flying onto her lap. "See, it made it to me just fine."
Harry crossed his arms, watching her fumble with the bottle, her fingers trembling as she attempted to twist the cap.
"Hermione," Harry said quietly.
"I am fine," she insisted, her jaw tight as she tried to push down on the lid, which made her hand shake worse as her elbow flared.
Harry knelt beside her, "You can't open the bottle because you're shaking. Your nerves are reacting right now."
Hermione sighed, "So get your ass over here and open them for me," as she handed it to him, and he opened it for her. – Shoutout to Writer's Island for the prompt.
"Let me take care of you, Hermione," Harry said as he placed two pills in her hand, then conjured a cup of water. "Take these and lie back. I'm going to treat your hip and elbow before the swelling gets worse."
Hermione tossed back the medicine, swallowed, then eased herself onto the cushions as the ache in her hip grew too much to argue.
Harry rubbed her arm as she closed her eyes. "Just relax and breathe. Do you want me to put a block on you?"
"As much as it hurts, this is no Bellatrix," Hermione told him.
Hermione heard him whispering healing spells under his breath. The pain in her hip tightened, then grew hot, and finally, it felt as if coolness covered her skin.
"Do you mind if I see your hip?" Harry asked.
Hermione opened her eyes, "Harry, if you want to undress me, all you have to do is ask," she grinned.
"Smart ass, are you okay with it or not?" Harry asked.
Hermione took her good hand and started pulling down her trousers just enough to bare her hip to him. Settling back down onto the pillows, Hermione closed her eyes, "Ignore the stretch marks."
Gentle fingers ran over the slivery lines that ran from her stomach to her hips, "These aren't stretch marks."
Hermione scoffed, "You liar." She said, looking at him.
Harry met her gaze, "These are a badge of honor. You held our daughter in your body, through torture, through pain, and strife. These aren't something evil or ugly, Hermione… these are proof that you are a survivor."
Hermione swallowed hard as tears welled in her eyes. "Damn you."
Harry examined her skin and paused on a spot between her hip and her belly button, "This area appears very blue. Can I-"
"NO!" Hermione said, making him jump back. "It's… It's not bruising."
She bit the inside of her lip as their eyes met.
"Hermione, do you have another tattoo?" Harry asked, surprised.
Hermione slowly nodded.
Harry blew out a breath, "You surprise me more every day. What is it?"
Hermione let out a slow breath. "Promise not to make a big deal about this?"
Harry frowned, "Why would I?"
Hermione hooked the edge of her knickers with her thumb and pulled them down just enough to uncover the tattoo that she had never shown anyone else. On her hip was an otter lying on its back in the water, with a stag running through, splashing the water up in an arch. When she had given it to the artist, she instructed them to make it look as if they were playing. Without realizing it, to her, the otter was looking lovingly at the stag. "As soon as the store was successful, I already had the house paid off, thanks to the Lestrange vaults, and the store was mine. I got the tattoo on my ankle with the girls, but… this one was just for me." Hermione looked him in the eyes, "And I hoped, sometimes in the future, for us."
Harry reached behind him and removed his shirt, then tapped his wand to his chest. Before her eyes, an open book rippled into sight on his chest over his heart. "Friendship and bravery," Hermione whispered.
"You said that to me when… I was about to go off to fight him for the first time. You said it was more important than the books you loved so much and told me to be careful. Hermione, you were the first person who actually cared about me. Ron was always slightly jealous, like Dudley, but you cared about Harry. Not Harry Potter, the boy that he tried to kill and couldn't, but me," Harry told her, "And you don't know how important that was to me. The time turner was because I wished I could go back in time and change it all to make it right."
Tears came to her eyes, "Harry…"
He reached out and brushed a stray curl from her forehead, "You matter to me. You always have."
Hermione swallowed, "Thank you."
Harry kissed her forehead, "You don't have to thank me. I'll always take care of you." Harry stood up, "Let's get you upstairs to bed, and I will go pick Rose up."
Harry picked her up so effortlessly, it was as if she were made of pillows, then walked her up the stairs to her room. Gently lying her down on the bed, Harry stood up. "Anything you want before I leave? You can walk better, but I don't want you stressing yourself unless you have to."
"What are you just going to keep me in bed for a couple of days?" Hermione asked.
Harry grinned, "Nah, I'm saving that for the honeymoon. I'll be back."
Hermione laid her head back, "I'm in trouble."
~*~ 26th June 2003 ~*~
Hermione sighed as she threw yet another book into the stack next to her bed.
"Knock, knock."
Hermione removed her glasses as her bedroom door opened, and her mother's face appeared a moment later. "Hey, Mum. What are you doing here?"
Briar Rose stepped inside with her famous mother glare, "Hermione Jean Granger, why didn't you let me know that you are hurt? Why didn't you call me right away? We've talked on the phone each night, and nothing was mentioned."
Hermione sighed, "I didn't want you to worry. Harry came to my rescue rather quickly."
Briar Rose sat on the bed next to her, "That man would love to dote on you. Let him. You know he called me today."
Hermione folded her arms over her chest, "I figured."
"He said that you had been hurt and he promised to do a clinic shift, so he wanted me to check on you today," Briar Rose told her.
"Of course he did," Hermione groaned.
"How's the hip?" Briar Rose asked.
"The hip wasn't really my issue. Harry did some healing on it, and the potions helped," Hermione told her. "It was more my elbow. It's still sore and goes numb at weird times. Harry said that tendons are harder to heal."
Briar Rose nodded as she looked around to her window seat, where a blanket was laid out and folded, "Has he been staying with you?"
Hermione felt the blush grow on her face, "Only to help me out. He didn't want me to go up and down the stairs alone."
"Darling, it's not a bad thing," Briar Rose assured her. "In fact, I think it's wonderful. I know some things happened in the past, but I am so glad he is back in your life, Hermione."
Hermione swallowed, "Me too."
"No, I don't think you understand. When he is around, you light up. Since he has been back, you… I've never seen you so happy," Briar Rose stated.
Hermione blushed, "Mum."
"What? I'm your mother. I'm allowed to make these observations," Briar Rose told her.
Hermione sighed, "Mum, it's complicated."
Briar Rose rubbed her leg, "Is it really? From what I see, he cares for you, Hermione. You care for him just as much, and Rose… she adores him. To me, that doesn't look very complicated."
Hermione bit her lip, "He asked me… well, he wants us to go out on dates."
"Oh? Did you say yes?" Briar Rose asked.
Hermione smiled, "Yes."
"Good, because he told me that you did. He has already reserved us for the last Saturday of the month," Briar Rose said as Hermione stared at her incredulously. "I talked to Molly, and she is going to do the second Saturday of every month. It's time for both of you to be young and enjoy yourselves," Briar Rose told her, "You both deserve something good."
Hermione nodded, "Harry is something good. I definitely don't deserve him."
"You do and more. Now, do you need anything? Tea? Lunch? Coffee?" Briar Rose asked.
Hermione patted her bed, "Just your company. Want to help me decide our first book club book?"
"Of course," Briar Rose said as she went to climb onto the other side of the bed, "Now, nothing has happened here… has it?"
Hermione blushed, "Mum. We just started seeing each other."
"And just saying from what you said before, that didn't stop both of you then," Briar Rose told her.
Hermione ran her hand over her face, "No, Mum. Harry and I both agreed that we want to take things slow. We want a relationship, but we aren't going to go public. We aren't telling many people, but we are taking things very slow. Rosella doesn't even know."
~*~ 27th June 2003 ~*~
Hermione was halfway through her book of the day when the Floo chimed. Frowning, she looked for her wand as she wasn't expecting anyone. Ginny and Luna were at girls' night, and Ron was out with the twins.
"Hey Hermione!" Luna said as she stepped through. She stepped aside, and Ginny came through, with Susan, Hannah, Parvati, and Padma all following suit.
"What are you all doing here?" Hermione asked, surprised.
Ginny grinned, "Harry summoned us. He said you were climbing the walls with boredom."
Before Hermione could say anything, her doorbell rang, and Harry rushed down the stairs.
"Hey, guys," Harry said, waving as he opened the door. "Hello, please come on in."
Harry stepped aside, and two women carrying large objects walked into her house. Hermione sat up as Harry led them into the sitting room, "Hello."
"Surprise," Harry said, "I thought you guys could use some relaxation. This is Meredith and Callie, they are massage therapists." He checked his watch, "In about 15, a manicurist will be here as well."
Hermione stared at him, surprised, "You organized all of this?"
Harry shrugged, "You have had a tough few days, and your muscles are all tense after the fall. You deserve a good night."
Parvati snorted, "A good night? You have brought an entire spa into her house. If you ever want to date someone, let me know."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, "Um… I'll be upstairs with Rose if anyone needs me."
He squeezed her shoulder before heading upstairs.
The next hour was filled with relaxation, and the smell of polish and lotion once the manicurist arrived. Luna was doing everyone's hair, while Padma and Parvati argued over which film from Hermione's library they would watch.
"Question for you, Hermione," Padma stated as she put the movie in the VCR.
Hermione's head was in the massage chair as the masseuse worked her own kind of magic on Hermione's muscles, "Hm?"
"Can you hook a girl up?" Padma asked.
Hermione glanced at her, "For what?"
"Harry, he's grown into his body," Padma stated. "Is he single?"
"Not single," Hermione stated as her doorbell rang again.
"I got it!" Harry yelled as he ran down the stairs and to the door. Hermione glanced up from the chair to see Harry come back inside with six boxes of pizza. "I hope everyone is hungry. I ordered too much pizza, I think."
Susan practically dove for a box. "I am starving!"
The massage therapist rubbed her shoulders, "All right, honey, you are done."
Hermione sat up, rolling her neck, "My shoulders feel amazing."
Harry walked over to her and set the smallest box beside her, "This one is all yours. Cheese, light mushroom, and green peppers."
Hermione's mouth watered as she took it. "Thank you."
Harry kissed her cheek, "If you need me, you know where to find me."
Hermione bit her lip as he disappeared up the steps, leaving the room in silence.
"Oh, Merlin," Parvati gasped, "You are banging Harry!"
Hermione gasped, "I am not banging anyone. I am seeing Harry, but it's new and… I don't want it going all over the place."
Parvati raised her hands, "Fine, I'll behave."
~*~ 5th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione stood upstairs in her bathroom applying mascara when she heard her doorbell ring three times. Grinning as she heard Rosella scream, "Grammy!" Then, the sound of the door opening downstairs, she yelled, "I'm upstairs. I'll be down in a second!"
"Take your time, darling!" Briar Rose yelled from downstairs.
As she applied her lip gloss and capped it, she did one last check of her hair to make sure that her curls were behaving before she smoothed her blouse down. Taking a big breath, she flicked off the light and ventured downstairs.
Walking into her sitting room, she found her mum and dad sitting, watching Rosella act out a book she was reading while wearing a purple crown.
"And the unicorn fell fast asleep," Rosella stated as she pretended to faint.
Briar Rose looked up as Hermione entered the room, "Oh, Hermione, darling, you look wonderful."
"Thank you, mum," Hermione stated as her little unicorn jumped up from the ground and ran over to her.
"Mumma, why did you paint your eyes?" Rosella asked.
Hermione laughed, "I don't wear it much, but honey, it's called makeup." She looked at her parents, "Thank you for taking Rosella tonight. She's been looking forward to this."
"Grammy and Grampy said we are having a sleepover!" Rosella said excitedly.
Hermione frowned, "We didn't agree on a sleepover. I'll come get her after our date."
Briar Rose stood up and took her hands. "Hermione, honey, don't rush tonight and just let things…happen. This date was already put off too long."
Hermione gasped, "Mum, I am not going to… sleepover with him tonight."
Briar Rose winked, "Sure, sweetheart. I know what it was like to be young and in love. Just… enjoy yourself."
Hermione blushed as her father picked up Rosella. "Behave for Grammy and Grampy."
Walking them to the door, she waved as they backed out of her driveway. Shutting the door and locking it, she sighed as the quiet house seemed even more silent. Walking down the hall, she walked into her kitchen and started the washing up water only to hear Harry's voice as he came through the floo.
"In here!" Hermione replied.
Harry walked into her kitchen and came up behind her. "Why are you doing dishes?"
Hermione looked up at him, "I had the time," she told him, turning off the water and noticing his button-down and trousers, "You clean up well, Mr. Potter."
Hermione turned around as he put his arms around her. "Hey."
Harry leaned down and kissed her, "You look amazing."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, you know," Hermione told him, grinning as she grabbed her coat.
Harry offered his arm to her, "Ready? I thought we'd have a picnic, possibly dessert that isn't treacle tart to give you some variety."
She laughed as she leaned into him, "You're learning already."
"Slowly," Harry admitted, "But for you? You're worth it."
Hermione blushed. "I already locked up after Mum and Dad left," she said, taking his arm. With a familiar twist, the world folded in on her, pulling her away to the location of their date.
When they landed, Hermione looked around to see the familiar quiet village square and the old stone that held so much history. "Godric's Hollow?" she asked, surprised.
Harry nodded, glancing around. "I know it's… weird for a first date." He exhaled, "It looks different than it did last time we were here, at least from what I remember."
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said quietly. "I've been here multiple times, so has Rosella."
Harry turned towards her, shocked, "You have?"
Hermione nodded, "Every Christmas Eve, before we head to the Burrow, I put up a wreath on their graves, and on their birthdays." She looked up at him, "I wanted her to know them, to know where she comes from."
She watched him swallow hard. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Harry took her hand and led her through the town square, "I've been reading my mum's journals. She kept more than I realized. Little things. Like dates and such. Turns out that today was their wedding anniversary."
Hermione's breath caught, "Oh, Harry…"
Harry stopped beside the old fountain as the water gently spat into the air. "From what she wrote, and the picture I have… this is where they got married."
Looking around, he guided her to the front of the fountain and turned back to make sure the bush was still there. "And right here, this is where the picture of them dancing was taken."
Hermione remembered seeing the picture so many times when Harry was sad, and they would sit together in the common room late at night, his photobook between them, the one Hagrid had made for him. In their later Hogwarts years, she and Harry would make up stories to match the pictures, since he lacked the memories to go with them. Closing her eyes, she could imagine James laughing as he held Lily in his arms, her head tipped back with a smile on her face.
"They were happy," Hermione told him quietly, "All those old photos Hagrid found, you can tell that, despite the chaos, they were happy."
Harry nodded as he pulled her close to him, "She wrote that she loved how, when it was just the two of them, how ordinary things felt. No spectacles of Pureblood traditions that she expected from him. Just love, and his bad taste in music, and the people that they had made into family."
Hermione pushed a piece of hair behind his ear, and he sighed, moving into her touch.
"I wanted to bring you here," he told her, "Because this place… even if I don't fully remember it, it means sadness and grief for me." He closed his eyes, "But it was also supposed to be my beginning, and I wanted tonight to be about that. Mum and Dad wanted this place to be my first start." He looked at her, "So… this will be a place for our first start."
Hermione took his hand into hers, "Show me your childhood home, Harry."
Harry swallowed hard, "Will you come inside with me? Kraglin told me they cast stabilization spells to keep it standing. If you don't want to-"
Hermione cupped his face, "If you want to go inside, I'll be with you every step of the way."
Harry inhaled, "Thank you." He started to lead her towards his former home.
Walking to the edge of the village, the condemned cottage came into view. Since they had been there last, the bushes had grown taller, and the gate appeared loose. The sign that held the messages had grown more covered, along with ivy.
Harry slowly opened the gate, and as they walked inside the yard, Harry paused, closing his eyes.
Hermione rubbed his arm, "Take your time."
"No… I felt…something," he murmured, shaking his head. "I felt… safe. It's like… it knows I'm home."
Hermione squeezed his hand. Slowly, he led them up to the front door. Harry slowly reached for the handle, and when his hand touched it, the door creaked open on its own.
"Welcome home," Hermione whispered.
Harry stepped inside. Wood crunched beneath his boots. Letting her eyes adjust to the dimness within, she looked up to see bits of the floor above where the ceiling had collapsed partially as Harry looked around.
"This must have been the sitting room," Harry said softly. "Where I flew around on my first broomstick in that picture Sirius had," Harry told her as he let go of her hand and stepped over a large chunk of wood, walking over to the aged plaid couch. "Dad left his wand here on the couch. Sirius said he found his wand. I wonder where it went."
Hermione swallowed, "Possibly your vault?"
Harry moved to the far wall, where a bookshelf was against it. Looking back at her, he smiled at Hermione. "You own some of these books."
Hermione smiled, "Not surprised, your mum was supposedly a lot like me. Studious and such."
Picking up a dusty frame, he ran his finger across the glass to see faces appear. Taking out his wand, he said, "Scourgify." The picture within the frame was of a blonde woman, a man with reddish hair, and two girls. "I think this is Mum's family."
Hermione carefully walked over to him and looked at the picture, "Wow, Rose looks so much like your Mum."
Harry smiled softly at her as he placed it back on the shelf, "I see more of you in her." He picked up another and revealed a photo of an older couple, and a younger Sirius and his father, "This must have been my grandparents."
Hermione bit her lip, "Harry, you should take these photos with you. They belong to you."
Harry shook his head, "This is another life, Hermione. The life I was supposed to have, not the one I got."
Together, they moved deeper into the house around the couch and through the doorway. Following behind him, she nearly ran into his back as he was stopped just inside the room that had been their kitchen.
"It's like they just left this room," Harry said, looking around, "This room is untouched. They even put a stasis charm on the pizza box, Hermione." He stated as his voice cracked. "Why didn't they just throw it away? My God, Mum and Dad's last meal was pizza."
Hermione cupped his face. "Harry, if this is too much, we can always come back."
Harry took a deep breath, "No," he said as he swallowed, "I need to do this, Hermione. I was running from more than you for five years. I was running from this. Now we have Rosella, and she deserves to know her family history." He looked around, "I don't know if I'll even get answers here, but it's the only thing I have. Without Sirius and Remus, this place has the only answers I'll ever have."
Hermione slid her hand back into his, "If you think it's best. Let's go explore then."
Leaving the kitchen the way they came, they approached the foot of the stairs. Right at the foot of the stairs was a door. Slowly, Harry turned the door handle, and the hinges creaked as they opened.
"Lumos," Hermione whispered, "This looks like a bedroom."
Harry walked over to the bedside table where a picture frame lay, "Dad, Sirius, Remus, and the traitor… this must have been their guest room."
Hermione smiled sadly, leaning against the doorframe. "I could see your dad, Sirius, and Remus drinking and your mum making them sleep it off overnight here." Harry glanced at her, "I could see her hiding the hangover potion until they admitted they were wrong."
A breeze rushed over Hermione as she heard Harry lightly chuckle.
"I could see that," Harry said as he softly shut the door, then looked up the stairs, "Hermione, this is where he died. Dad didn't have his wand, but he thought he could beg Voldemort for our lives, but Voldemort just killed him. Killed him while he tried to protect mum and me." Harry swallowed hard, looking up the stairs, "Poor Sirius had to step over his body to check on Mum and me. He was here when Hagrid arrived."
Hermione placed her hand on his back, "Harry, honey, if this is all too much, we don't have to do this."
Harry inhaled, "No, I need to do this." Harry looked back at her, "I want to tear this place down. It's time to put it to rest."
Hermione nodded, "Understandable. It's your family home, only you should be able to decide."
Harry tested the stairs, "Feels sound."
Hermione gnawed at her top lip as she followed him slowly up the stairs, the wood creaking under her feet. Her foot nearly fell through a step, and she grabbed onto the banister for balance. Harry turned around, "You okay?"
"Fine, that step right there is a bit soft. Be careful going down," Hermione told him.
Harry nodded, turning back to continue carefully climbing, but Hermione glanced behind her. She could have sworn that she had felt a hand on her back steadying her when she lost her balance. Shaking her head, she continued slowly following Harry as he reached the landing.
Straight ahead, the door had been blasted off at the end of the hallway, lying scarred and slightly charred. She watched Harry pause in the hall before turning to his left, where another door was. He slowly turned the handle, and with a low creaking noise, it swung open. Glancing past Harry, Hermione could tell that this used to be his parents' room. Trying the floor, he stepped inside, and Hermione cast her wand inside to light the room. The curtains were still closed over the windows, but the room looked mostly untouched other than by time.
Stepping farther into the room, Harry moved slowly, making sure that the floor wouldn't give way under his feet. Hermione stood back, her wand's light sweeping the web covered walls. The air in this room felt different. Not cold, but it had a familiar feeling that settled deep within her that she couldn't explain.
Sweeping her wand light across the room, she lit the bed for them to see. The right side of the bed was neatly made, the blankets smoothed flat with care. The left side was a mess, its sheets twisted and thrown back as if someone rushed to make the bed.
Harry crossed the room and rested his hand on the yellowing pillow, "Mum wrote that he hated making the bed. Claimed that it was pointless since you were going to sleep in it again."
On the bedside table was a pair of glasses, folded over a piece of yellowed parchment. Picking up the frames, she whispered the cleaning charm and hesitated before placing them on her face.
Through the blurry lenses, she watched Harry looking at her. "You had a similar prescription," Hermione said quietly.
Harry reached out and took them from her, slipping them on his face, making her inhale sharply. He blinked a few times, then gave her a crooked smile. "Guess so, glad I don't have to wear them anymore." He glanced at her as he removed them and looked at her, "What?"
Hermione shook her head, "It's just weird seeing you with glasses on again. That's all."
Harry placed them carefully back on the bedside table. He turned and opened the wardrobe. The hinges creaked in protest, but clothes still hung neatly inside. At the bottom of the wardrobe were several small presents. He froze, "There are gifts in here."
Hermione stepped closer, peering over his shoulder. "I imagine that she planned ahead," she told him, "With everything going on. Open one."
Harry swallowed, "I don't know if I can."
"They were meant for you, Harry," Hermione assured him, "Not for the boy who lived, but for their son."
His hands trembled as he reached for the top box. He picked it up and sat on the edge of the bed before opening it. Inside lay a soft knit blanket, pale green yarn woven with tiny golden Snitches that caught her wand light as it passed over them.
"It's like she knew," she whispered.
Harry stared at it for a moment before closing the lid. Shrinking the box, he looked at her, "Can you put this in your purse?"
Hermione nodded, slipping it into her bag without a word.
Harry pulled her close, between his legs, and rested his head under her chin. Hugging him, she felt a strange warmth in the room. It seemed to brush against her, familiar yet not intrusive. It was similar to standing next to Harry when he cast a spell.
Glancing around the room, she glanced at Harry, who was looking at her wide-eyed.
"Hermione…" he said.
Hermione swallowed hard, "Do you feel it too?" she asked, "It feels like your magic when it brushes up against me."
The glasses he had carefully folded on the bedside table fell onto their legs as the feeling in the room grew warmer. The closed curtains behind it softly fluttered, letting sunlight filter through them.
Harry closed his eyes as a tear fell from it. "Dad?" he whispered.
Hermione felt it, a brief brush against her, before the warm and protective feeling seemed to settle into the background.
"Do you think he's a ghost?" Harry whispered.
Hermione shook her head, "No, Headless Nick never made us feel warm like this. Ghosts feel cold because they have unfinished business. If anything, I could see his spirit being tethered here after the traumatic event. Luna has done some research into it. We should ask her."
Harry nodded as he stood and took her hand, leading her from the room. The door on the right opened to a small bathroom, where its ceiling had partially collapsed into the tub. The ceramic was cracked and shattered across the tiled floor. Harry gently pulled the door shut and led her down the hall toward the splintered doorway at the end.
Pushing aside the broken wood carefully, her eyes looked at the exposed beams above.
"I can't believe these joists are still holding the roof," he murmured, stepping over debris.
Hermione followed him inside. The nursery was small, painted in what had once been a soft yellow. It's wallpaper peeling from the walls. Time had dulled the colours, but inside the room the magic hummed against her skin as if sensing if she should have been there.
"I remember this," Harry said quietly, making her breath hitch. "I was sitting there. Crying." Hermione squeezed his hand. "I didn't understand why she wasn't moving, and the man who was yelling was just gone."
Harry looked around, "Sirius… he came in and when he saw her, he… he dropped to his knees and pulled her into his arms. I must have yelled for him, and he realized I was still alive, so he gently laid her down and came over to pick me up."
Harry carefully crossed the room and stared at the crib. It stood after 21 years, but was crooked. His teeth marks are still evident on the railings. Hanging above it was a mobile, with stars and moons spinning as he touched them, a golden snitch suspended at the center.
Hermione's chest tightened. She could feel the brush of magic again, closer now. Swallowing hard, Hermione let out a shaky breath.
Harry dropped to his knees beside his old crib, resting his forehead against the wood. Hermione knelt beside him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders as he cried.
Harry lifted his head. "Before I tear this place down, I want Rosella to come here." He looked around, "But not like this. I need to clean it up a bit first so it doesn't look so scary. I want her to see where she came from."
Hermione squeezed his hand, "We'll make it safe, and when you are ready, we'll bring her here."
Harry inhaled a shaky breath as he looked around, "Before I tear this place down, I want to find things that I want to keep. I don't remember hardly any of it, but… this was my first home."
Hermione smiled, "Of course," she looked up at the mobile, "I think you need the mobile for sure, you know, for the future."
Harry stared at her, "For the future?"
Hermione ran her fingers through his hair, "Harry, I waited for you for five years. I don't know for sure how the future will go, but I don't see it going any other way than the long haul."
Harry leaned down and kissed her, resting his forehead against hers. "Thank you, Hermione." He sighed, "Instead of the picnic, how do you feel about getting dinner and taking it to your house?"
"Sounds great to me," Hermione told him as she helped him up.
"It doesn't hurt as much when you are here. Thank you for being there for me." Harry told her.
"Let's go home," Hermione said as she kissed her cheek.
Harry looked back at his former bedroom, and with a wave of his wand, the broken pieces were gone and the dust removed. "I'll see you soon… Dad."
Preview of Chapter 38 – My Heart Will Go On
Hermione looked up at him to meet his eyes with a smile, "I wouldn't be anywhere else."
A sharp knock on the window made them both jump.
"Are you done kissin'?" Rosella asked, "I've got to potty!"
Harry snorted, "The princess awaits."
Hermione walked around to the driver's seat and looked back at Rosella as she sat in the seat, "Do you need to potty before we leave? It's a bit of a drive home."
Rosella swung her feet happily. "No, I'll be good until we get to the park."
Hermione glanced at Harry, who shrugged as he fastened, "Who said we were going to the park?"
Rosella grinned, "Well, it's close, and it has a potty."
Hermione laughed as she started the car and looked at Harry. "I see."
"Well, she's not wrong," Harry said, "And there is that ice cream place next to it."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Manipulation must be genetic," she mumbled.
"What was that?" Harry asked with a grin.
Hermione smiled sweetly, "Nothing, dear."