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.
You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on.
We'll stay forever this way.
You are safe in my heart and,
My heart will go on and on.
~ My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
~*~ 6th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione inhaled as she slowly stretched her toes out. Morning had come faster than she thought possible. Pale light spilled across her ceiling as she stirred and glanced at the clock on her bedside table, which glowed, showing that it was 6:03. Rolling to her side, she froze.
Harry lay beside her, sprawled on his belly. One arm flung over his head as his head sat slightly on her pillow. He was still shirtless, asleep peacefully, his hair a mess. For a moment, she watched him breathe, slow and even, as the memories of the night before came back in pieces.
They had visited Godric's Hollow, and the weight of the house took a toll on them both. The way that Harry had gone quiet afterward, she had to disapparate them back to her house after picking up their takeout. Stepping into her sitting room, both exhausted, they sat down to eat with the television as background noise, neither of them was properly watching. Harry sat staring straight through the screen, his chopsticks rarely moving.
She remembered reaching over and taking his carton without asking. He had blinked at her, confused at the lack of weight on his lap.
"You're not eating," she had said gently, "And you are staying here tonight."
He sighed, then nodded as she carried their food into the kitchen. When she came back, he had been sitting forward on the couch, elbows on his knees, and his head in his hands. Reaching for his hand, he had taken it without a word. Together they climbed the stairs carefully.
"What side do you prefer?" she had asked him once they reached her room.
He shrugged, "You're the only person I've slept with before. You always took the right side."
"Go ahead and get settled," she told him, "Feel free to take your shirt off and sleep in your boxers."
She had gone to the bathroom, quietly shutting it behind her. Removing her makeup, washing her face. She braided her hair and tucked it under her bonnet with practiced motions after brushing her teeth. By the time she had returned to her room, he was already asleep, curled up towards her side of the bed.
And now, he was still there. In her bed, in the morning light.
Hermione shifted carefully, trying not to wake him up, but he frowned in his sleep as his fingers twitched towards her on the sheet as if he were reaching for her. Instead of getting up as she had planned, she let him find her. His hand closed around hers, warm, and his breathing evened out again. Hermione swallowed back the emotion pressing on her, taking the moment to study him in the quiet. There was a faint scar along his collarbone. His muscles, even in his sleep, were tense.
Her thumb brushed over his knuckles, "You're safe," she whispered.
Harry shifted closer to her, and as a bird sang outside her window, Hermione closed her eyes again. She would give herself at least another hour before heading to work.
Hermione quietly buttoned her blouse and looked over at Harry as he slept. Taking a piece of paper, she scribbled out a message to him telling him that she was heading to work and quietly slipped out of her room. Crookshanks rubbed against her legs as he headed into her room, and she smiled as she walked down the stairs. Sliding on her flats, she refilled Crookshanks' bowl before flooing to the store. Turning on the lights in her office, she pulled out her phone as she turned on her computer.
Dialing Luna, she set her phone on speaker as she pulled up her e-mail to reply to inquiries.
"This is early for you."
"Well, hello to you too, Ronald," Hermione replied as she read an e-mail from someone asking about their stock in a new series. "Why are you answering Luna's phone?"
"She is showering. I'd only answer for you. How'd the date go?" Ron asked.
Hermione sighed, "Well, Harry had the idea to take me to Godric's Hollow."
"Wait, isn't that where his parents were killed?" Ron asked.
"We explored the house," Hermione told him with a sigh, "It looks like half of it was never touched, then the other half is falling in. I need to speak with Luna about something, too."
"You are in luck. Luna love, it's Hermione. Harry was an idiot and took her on their first date to Godric's Hollow," Ron stated as she heard the phone get passed.
"How is he?" Luna asked once she was on the line.
"Not good," Hermione said quietly, "He… you did that internship at the Ministry before the store, you were in the spirit division, right?"
"They are there, aren't they?" Luna asked.
"I don't think it's both of them, and I don't think James is a ghost. It's more his magical presence if that makes sense?" Hermione stated.
She sighed, "He lost his life in such a traumatic way. From what I heard, he was trying to protect them at all costs. While he did not leave his soul behind fully, murder may have left behind a piece of it. I'd have to visit the house to find out for sure. He could be a spectral presence at the very least. So, you didn't see anything?"
"More like I felt a familiar magical presence. I did trip on the stairs, and I felt like there was a hand on my back, but the glasses in their bedroom did move," Hermione told her.
"Sounds more spirit than ghost with the possibility of manipulating objects," Luna told her, "Poor Harry. What was it like inside?"
"They put a stasis spell on everything, but the years of dust and grime have taken their toll. The box of pizza from their dinner that night was even in the kitchen, Luna. What broke him, though, was in their bedroom, where there were still presents," Hermione told her, "This handknit blanket with snitches on it."
"He can save it for your son," Luna stated.
Hermione paused, "What?"
"Don't worry about it. That won't happen until much farther in the future," Luna told her.
Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, "Luna, hold up, what are you talking about?"
"I do tarot readings occasionally to make sure that the forces are in balance, and they have confirmed that in the future we will both be pregnant at the same time. You shall have a boy, and I will have twin girls. Don't tell Ron, though, I'm not sure he would be prepared for it to happen even if it's in the future," Luna told her.
"Okay, I'll keep it our secret," Hermione told her as she sat back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. "My lord, Luna, why weren't you ever in Divination?"
"Trelawney's sight was so foggy that I would be surprised if she actually made proper predictions," Luna told her, "Mummy was a seer, though. She knew I would marry Ronald even before she died. She was excited about our future coupling."
"I never knew that," Hermione said, surprised.
"Not all seers are proper ones, but Mummy was. Does Harry want me to go to the house to see if his father is there?" Luna asked.
"No," Hermione told her as her office door opened, and Hermione waved off Misty, "I just wanted your opinion. I don't know when he will even be ready to go back there. He said he wanted to clean it up a bit and take Rosella there."
"Oh, Rosella being there would be marvelous. If James is actually there, she could bring forth his presence so that we could release him fully to the afterlife," Luna told her.
"Thanks, Luna. I'd better get to checking our stock before everyone shows up," Hermione told her, "Stop in later."
"I'll see you then," Luna said as Hermione hung up and sighed.
"You look like you've had a long day already," Misty stated.
Hermione sat up, "One that you wouldn't believe. Thanks for holding down the fort for me yesterday."
Misty held out a cup of coffee for her. "No problem. Anything I can help with?"
Hermione stood up, "No, unfortunately, I don't even know how to help. If you need me, I'll get the craft set up in the children's section. Thanks for the coffee."
~*~ 8th July 2003 ~*~
The air stepping out of her floo was warm and heavy as Hermione stepped into her sitting room and realized that she needed to reactivate the cooling charm. The house smelled of chicken and spices from the crockpot dinner as she quietly took off her shoes. Pulling her scrunchie out of her hair, she walked towards the kitchen and paused in the doorway when she saw them.
Harry sat at the kitchen table, his sleeves rolled up, showing his muscled forearms. Rosella leaned over a coloring book beside him with crayons scattered everywhere. Both of them were so absorbed in their task that neither of them noticed her.
Hermione smiled as she leaned against the counter, watching them.
Rosella paused as she looked at Harry, studying him. "Daddy, why are you so sad?"
Harry froze, then looked at her. "How can I be sad when I am with you?"
Rosella shifted onto her knees on her chair and reached up, cupping his cheek. "No, Daddy. You are sad. Why are you sad?"
Harry exhaled so loudly that Hermione could hear it as he lifted her onto his lap and put his arm around her. "It was a long day for me, baby girl," he told her quietly, "But you make it so much better."
Hermione crossed the room and bent down, kissing the top of Harry's head, then Rosella's forehead. "How are my two favourite people?"
Rosella rested her head against Harry's shoulder. "Daddy is sad."
Hermione's hands slid to Harry's shoulders. "Did you go to Godric's Hollow?"
Harry nodded. "I made sure it was stable enough. Luna said she was free tonight." He grabbed her hand on his shoulder, looking up at her, "Do you think it's a bad idea to go?"
Hermione shook her head without hesitation. "No. Dinner is in the crockpot, waiting for us when we get back. I think it is time to close that book."
Harry inhaled and then nodded. "After today, if I get answers, I think I will about that feeling we had… I'll go back tomorrow. Ron said he would come with me. I'll take anything of value, then contact a company about tearing it down."
"Tearing what down, Daddy?" Rosella asked, lifting her head from his shoulder.
Hermione watched Harry swallow, his Adam's apple bobbling. "Daddy used to live with his mummy and daddy before they passed away," he said carefully. "Our house is still there. It's been sitting since I was one. I want to tear it down. But first… can I take you there?"
Rosella looked up at Hermione. "Is it yucky?"
Hermione smiled gently, "A bit, but Daddy cleaned it up a little so you wouldn't be scared."
Harry rubbed Rosella's back. "It will be dark, though. No lights."
Rosella nodded, "I can be brave. I'll put my princess explorer tiara on."
Harry laughed, burying his face in her curls. "You go do that."
She slid off his lap and ran out of the kitchen, talking about her explorer uniform.
Hermione took her place on Harry's now vacant lap, looping her arms around his neck. "Are you sure that's what you want to do?"
Harry frowned, "Do you think we shouldn't take her?"
"No," Hermione said, shaking her head. "Rosella can handle it. It is no different than visiting Hogwarts someday."
Harry rested his forehead against hers. "Thank you, Hermione."
She ran her fingers through his hair, "For what?"
He kissed her slowly, "Everything."
The floo alarm chimed, followed by Rosella screaming, "Aunt Luna!"
Harry sighed. "I guess it's time."
Hermione scratched lightly at his scalp. "If it gets to be too much, just tell me."
Harry kissed her collarbone, and Hermione stood to greet Luna. Rosella dragged her into the kitchen moments later, her tiara already on her head atop a hard hat, and wearing pants with a skirt attached.
"Hello, Harry," Luna greeted, "I have some instruments that might help us."
Harry nodded as he stood up, "If everyone is ready. Let's go see."
'
Landing on the outskirts of Godric's Hollow, the sun slowly started to make its way to the horizon. Harry held Rosella to his chest as Hermione landed beside him. Luna was already peering around the area.
Rosella looked around, her eyes bright, "Oh! This is where Gramma Lily and Grandpa James are."
Harry blinked, surprised, then smiled, "Yes, this is where I was born."
She nodded, "Where's your house?"
Harry glanced at Hermione, who shook her head. "I never took her to the house," she told him, "Just the cemetery and the playground."
Rosella's face lit up, "Can we play after we visit your house?"
"Of course, baby girl," Harry said, pressing a kiss to her hair as he started down the narrow lane that led to the former Potter cottage.
As they reached the gate, Luna stopped and rummaged through her bag, pulling out a small brass instrument that hummed as its crystal core glowed. "Oh yes," she said quietly, "Definitely energy here. Rosella, will you hold this?"
Rosella took it in both hands as Luna pulled out another device, this one spun lazily beneath the glass. "It's only positive energy," she told them, "That's good."
Harry opened the gate with his free hand, and the instrument Rosella held glowed brighter, warm light spilling across her face.
Hermione followed them, slowly opening the front door. Inside, the house was different. Lighter. Cleaner. Harry had worked hard to make it friendly for Rose.
"Rose, sweetheart," He said quietly, "This is where Daddy was born. I lived here until I was about one."
Luna set the spinning device down on the banister and pulled a silver device shaped like a bell from her bag as Rosella squirmed in Harry's arms. Harry set her down on her little boots.
"Don't go far," Hermione reminded her.
Rosella walked over to a row of picture frames that Harry had set up after cleaning and tilted her head. "She looks like me."
Harry came up behind her. "That was my mummy."
Rosella looked up at him, "Grandma Lily."
Hermione looked at Luna as the bell instrument in her hand chimed, "What does that mean?"
"Hold on," Luna said calmly, tapping it with her wand.
Rosella reached for the frame. "Can I have this for my room?"
Harry nodded, "I will make sure you have a copy. Want to see my room?"
She nodded and reached her arms up to be picked up again.
As Hermione turned toward the stairs, she noticed Luna go still, her brows knitted together as she tapped the instrument with her wand.
"The energy is different. I'll find it," Luna mumbled.
"What are you-" Hermione started to ask, then stopped as a shimmer of light rippled on the stairs. "Luna?"
Luna turned to the stairs, grinning. "Finally."
She tapped the device one more time, and James Potter shimmered into existence. Not translucent, not ghostly. He appeared almost real and solid, in a way that made all the air leave Hermione's lungs.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," Luna said brightly.
James opened his mouth, and nothing came out. So, Luna tapped the instrument again, adjusting it.
"Hello?" James said, blinking.
Harry inhaled sharply, and Rosella dropped the glowing device, causing it to clatter to the floor.
Hermione swallowed, "Hello, James."
James smiled, "You must be Hermione. Right?"
She nodded, "Yes, sir."
His gaze went past her. "Harry."
Harry's voice shook, "Dad."
James grinned, "Potter genes stayed strong, I see. But Lily's clearly won the battle with your little girl."
Hermione rubbed Harry's back, gently urging him forward, and together they approached the stairs.
"Dad," Harry said hoarse, "I want you to meet your granddaughter. Rosella, this is your Grandpa James. Dad… this is our Rose. Rosella Lily Potter."
James bent slightly as if bowing, "Well, hello there, princess."
Rosella grinned. "I'm an explorer princess!"
James laughed, "Naturally." He looked at Harry, "What year is it?"
"2003," Harry answered.
James stared at him. "Twenty-two years?" He stared at Harry. "So, you're 23?"
"Not yet," Harry told him, "I'm 22, it's only the beginning of July."
James shook his head, "Merlin, and she's…"
"Four and a half," Rosella said proudly, "I'll be five on the first of August."
James laughed, shaking his head. "Hogwarts got a bit wild, then?"
Harry shook his head, "No, we were on the run. I didn't finish Hogwarts."
James frowned, "You didn't finish Hogwarts?"
"I took my NEWTs later," Harry said, "While traveling."
"Hold on," James said, "On the run from what?"
Harry looked at Luna.
"He's bound to the house by protection magic," Luna explained, "He won't know."
"Won't know what?" James demanded. "The last person I saw was Sirius, years ago. He looked awful, by the way," he squinted at Harry, "You wear your hair like he did. Obviously, Sirius's influence on you."
Harry let out a breath, "Luna, could you take Rosella to the playground? Maybe thirty minutes to an hour? Just let her play until it starts getting darker."
Luna nodded gently, setting the bell device down as she took Rosella's hand, "Come on, my explorer. Let us hunt Wrackspurts!"
Rosella waved, "Bye, Grandpa James!"
"See you soon, sweetheart," James said, watching them go.
He turned to Harry, "I missed a lot, didn't I? I hoped… after I died… that Lily wasn't here when I… reappeared. That her blood magic worked."
Hermione bit her lip, "It did, but only for Harry."
James swore, "But Lily isn't here."
Harry shook his head, "No, I don't think she is."
James groaned, pulling at his hair in a way that reminded Hermione of Harry, "I never meant to stay. I do not think I'm a ghost."
"You're a protective spirit," Hermione told him.
James snorted, "Figures, I never paid attention in Care of Magical Creatures or History of Magic. I don't know the difference."
Harry scoffed, "Was Binns a ghost back then, too?"
James stared at him, "They still haven't sacked him?"
Harry shook his head.
"Bloody hell," James muttered, "Dumbledore is off his rocker."
Harry's jaw tightened, "More than you know."
"What did he do?" James asked.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Mum did what she did, and it worked. I survived when Voldemort came for us that night. You and Mum didn't."
James nodded, "But what did Dumbledore do?"
"He knew you'd switched Secret Keepers, right?" Harry asked.
"He did the spell," James said simply.
"Yes, and after Sirius realized Peter betrayed you, he went after him. Dumbledore had sent Hagrid to get me, and Sirius listened to him. He gave me to Hagrid, so I'd be checked over, then he went after Peter," Harry explained.
James scoffed, "Sirius is such a hot head. Lucky Peter is a shite wizard."
"He wasn't lucky," Harry said, making James still, "Peter got the upper hand, blew up a city block. Cut off his own finger and turned into a rat and disappeared for years."
"What happened to Sirius?" James asked.
"He was sent to Azkaban, stayed there until my third year, when he broke out. He saw Peter was alive and at Hogwarts," Harry explained.
James dragged his hand through his hair, "So Frank and Alice raised you? Or Remus… I know that the Ministry wouldn't be happy with that, but-"
"No. The Lestranges tortured Neville's parents into insanity the day after you died, and Remus… the Ministry wouldn't allow a werewolf to raise me," Harry hesitated, "I was raised by Aunt Petunia."
The curtains around the room moved violently as James exploded, "Petunia and the fat-arse Dursley? Absolutely not what we had in our will. We would never have allowed," he stopped, "Merlin, Dumbledore is insane."
"He knew that they wouldn't treat me right," Harry told him, "And they didn't. They neglected me, abused me. When I finally got to Hogwarts, Dumbledore played the kind Grandpa. He knew exactly what a starved kid would respond to."
James' voice dropped. "Why did he need to manipulate you?"
"Because Voldemort didn't die that night," Harry told him, "He made horcruxes, bits of his soul in objects to keep him alive. Dumbledore trained me from my first year to fight him. When Dumbledore knew he was dying, he passed everything onto Snape. The plan was for me to destroy the rest of the horcruxes."
"Snape?" James spat out, "What does the greasy bastard have to do with anything?"
Hermione gently sat on the stairs. "He was our potion master."
James blinked, "Dumbledore hired Snape? Knowing he was a Death Eater?"
"He trusted him," Harry said, "Because he was a double agent."
James swore under his breath.
"Our seventh year, we didn't go back to Hogwarts," Harry told him, "It wasn't safe for Hermione, and we went on the run to find the horcruxes."
James looked at her, "Why wasn't it safe for you?"
"The Ministry and Hogwarts were infiltrated," Hermione told him, "Muggleborns were being rounded up."
James broke into a grin, "You're Muggleborn?" He looked at Harry. "Potters always had good taste."
Harry smiled, "Remus called her the Brightest Witch of our Age."
"So was Lily," James said sadly. "So, you found them all?"
Harry nodded, "Together we destroyed every one of them."
"You said you were one?" James asked.
Harry nodded, "I was the last one."
James looked at him, confused, "But Horcruxes have to be destroyed beyond repair."
"He died," Hermione said softly, "But only the piece of Voldemort's soul inside him. Harry survived."
James let out a shaky breath, "Bloody hell. So how did the old bastard finally die?"
"In the Great Hall, he tried to kill me, but his magic rebounded, and his own curse killed him," Harry told him.
James nodded, "Good. But something doesn't add up. Was Rosella born during or after the war?"
"Right afterwards," Hermione told him, pulling her knees to her chest as she leaned against the wall, "We didn't realize that we were even pregnant during the war. After everything had settled, Harry left, and I found out I was pregnant."
James turned on Harry, "You left her pregnant?!"
"I didn't know!" Harry defended, "And going back to Dumbledore, he wanted to maintain power, so he worked together with the person who became the Minister of Magic to manipulate me out of the country. I thought he was trying to help me learn to be a better healer by getting me experience, it turns out he was manipulating our owls to keep me away from here. I misunderstood who Rose's father was. Our best friend, his name is Ron Weasley-"
"Ah shite, a red-headed Weasley? You thought she belonged to him," James finished.
Harry nodded as the front door opened again.
"We will have to try to find the Wrackspurts another day, but that was a fun swing," Luna said, stepping into the house with Rosella in her arms.
Rosella wiggled free, "Daddy!"
Harry caught her easily, "Hey, baby girl."
Rosella smiled at James, "Hi again, Grandpa James."
James's face softened. "Hello again, Princess."
Rosella studied him, "You look like Daddy, but with short hair and glasses. You don't have our eyes evether."
James laughed, "That's true. You have your grandmum's eyes. I loved her eyes very much."
James turned to Harry, "You survived. You built a life of your own," he said as he looked at Hermione, "And you found love," James's voice broke, "You did better for yourself than we ever dreamed. I'm so glad you came here and brought her here."
Harry looked at him, "I just wanted her to know where she came from."
James nodded with a smile, "Then tear this place down. It's the right choice. The house did its job. It protected what mattered. Build a bigger, better home on its foundations for all the future Potters." He winked at Hermione, "You make him happy. Thank you."
"I plan to do it for the rest of my life," Hermione told him as she stood up and slid her arm around his waist.
"Good," James said as he looked at Luna, "Now, how can I get some rest? I am ready to see my wife."
"You just have to choose to move on," Luna told him, "The only thing keeping you here was your attempt to protect this place. Your job is done. He is safe. You can rest." She smiled, "He's one of my friends, I will make sure of it."
Harry swallowed hard, "Tell Mum, Sirius, and Remus that I said hi."
James smiled, shaking his head, "You're poor Mum has been stuck with them without me? She's going to kill me all over again. I love you, Harry James." He looked at Rosella, "And you too, Princess Rosella. Lily will be ecstatic that you share her name."
"Love you too, Dad," Harry said.
James disappeared before their eyes, and all of Luna's instruments grew dark.
"He's gone," Luna whispered.
Harry sank onto the stairs beside Hermione. "I got to meet my dad."
"Did he leave us?" Rosella asked.
Hermione nodded, wrapping her arms around them, "He had to go to be with Grandma Lily. It was time."
Harry sighed, resting his head against Hermione's, "This place comes down."
Hermione nodded, "And if you want to build a home on it, I would be fine with that."
"Maybe in the future, but right now, it has to go," Harry told her, looking up at Luna, "Let's all go home."
~*~ 10th July 2003 ~*~
Hermione put her sunglasses on as she climbed out of the car. It was a bright and warm day, and she and Harry had decided that they wanted to do some shopping together in hopes that Rosella would give them some ideas on what she wanted for her birthday, other than 'more tiaras' as she said every time that they asked. Hermione also secretly hoped that she would see something catch Harry's eye as well. What did you get the man who could buy anything he wanted under the sun?
Harry was quieter than usual since Godric's Hollow, more a shadow of himself, and had slept over the last few nights. Hermione had pretended not to notice the nightmares and had just rolled over, cuddling him when he woke up, pretending to be still asleep.
Rosella frowned as Harry picked her up from her car seat, "I don't need new clothes. I like my clothes."
"You're growing like a weed," Hermione told her, "Most of your summer things from last year are too small on you."
Once inside the department store at the mall, Harry set Rosella down and looked around. The store was full of families with summer energy, and Hermione took Rosella's hand, leading her towards the children's section. At the same time, Harry trailed behind, hands in his pockets, taking everything in.
"Alright, Rose," Hermione said, looking at the shirt and short outfits, "I want to get you at least two new outfits. Maybe a bathing suit." She glanced at Harry, who was watching a family, "Maybe we can talk to daddy about going to the swim park soon." She bit her bottom lip, thinking about Harry in his swim outfit, and didn't notice him come over to her and tap her lip.
"Ms. Granger, what are you thinking about?"
Hermione looked up at his eyes and grinned, "Nothing," she said, glancing over at the section next to the children's area, "Want to take her around a bit and see if you can get her to tell you what she might want?"
"Come on, Rose, let's see what we can find," Harry said as he picked her up. "I think I see toys over there."
"I want a dollhouse," Rosella told him.
Hermione shook her head as she watched them walk off. "I've been asking her for a month, and the only thing she'll tell me is crowns," she mumbled, grabbing a couple more outfits to try on before moving on to the next section.
After corralling the two of them towards the fitting room, Hermione changed Rosella into the first outfit.
A few minutes later, the door swung open just enough for Rosella to get out, and Hermione watched through the crack as Rosella marched out proudly in a yellow sundress patterned with tiny white roses. Twisting back and forth with her hands planted on her hips, she looked at Harry. "How's do I look?"
Harry looked up from the bench he was waiting on, and his voice dropped to that rich baritone that made Hermione's insides tingle. "Well, that might be the best outfit I've seen all day."
Rosella showed off her new sandals, "You can see my toes!"
"Perfect choice," he said, glancing towards the fitting room, and Hermione slowly closed the door. "But does Mumma have an outfit on too?"
"She looks amazing, like a queen," Rosella told him.
She heard movement as his feet scuffed the carpet as he walked towards the door. "Well then, why isn't she coming out?"
Hermione leaned against the inside of the door, grinning. "I don't know if I should show you."
"That sounds suspicious," Harry told her.
She unlocked the door again, opening it, and Harry sucked in a breath. Hermione stood before him in a soft-fitted tank top and a pair of denim shorts, the kind she never wore anymore. "What do you think?"
He swallowed visibly as his eyes dropped to her legs. "You have short shorts on."
She bit her lip, "Do you think they are too short?"
Harry shook his head. "Not even a little. Lord, look at your legs. They look… very long."
Hermione laughed, feeling the blush on her cheeks as she reached for Rosella's hand. "Alright, sweetheart. Why don't you change back into your clothes, and then Daddy can help you look for more things? You need a new swimsuit."
Harry's eyes met Hermione's as Rosella came back into the room, "And what are you going to do?"
Hermione shut the door, leaning out so he could only see her face. "I already found some outfits while you two were busy," she said, lowering her voice, "They're for the future. Found them near the bathing suits."
Harry groaned. "Isn't that where the... intimate area is?"
She winked, "Maybe." As she closed the door.
As Hermione started helping Rosella out of her dress, she heard something from the outside hitting the door lightly. "Granger… you'd better be ready." He growled.
Hermione grinned, biting her lip as she helped Rosella put her dress back on. "Alright, go back out with Daddy, and Mumma will be back out there in a bit." She said, opening the door only to be met with Harry standing right outside of it, "Sir, are you trying to sneak a peek?" she said with a fake gasp, "How dare you? How scandalous."
Harry crooked his finger at her, and she came closer, wrapping his hand around her neck. He kissed her hard, then pulled away, "Just some incentive when it comes to choosing."
Hermione swallowed hard, then licked her lips as she shut the door and looked at her reflection, "I am in so much trouble."
Hermione waited just past the register, bags tucked at her feet, waiting for Harry and Rosella to come back from their adventure in the shoe section, when she heard Rosella talking about glittery trainers that she was trying to talk Harry into, when Harry stopped short upon seeing Hermione.
"Wait," he said, glancing at the bags at her feet, "Did you already check out? I was going to buy them."
Hermione nodded, "I can buy my own clothes, Harry. Did you find any shoes for you?"
Harry shook his head, taking the bags for her. "No, everything was too expensive. My trainers are fine the way they are."
She reached up and gently booped his nose. "You know you're allowed to spend money on yourself, too. Not just on us."
Harry just smiled at her as she took Rosella's hand, leading them towards the exit. He opened the first door, then the second for them, like the gentleman he was. "I know," he told her, "I'm just not used to it. If my clothes aren't ratty, I keep them until they're unusable. Probably the way I was raised."
Hermione softened as she looked back at him as he held the door for a woman walking up. "What did you think about the you-know-what for R-O-S-E that you saw?"
Harry froze, staring at the woman he was holding the door open for, as she stared back at him, her eyes wide. Hermione glanced between them as a man their age walked up behind her.
"Mum," he said gently, nudging her forward, "He's holding the door for you. Go ahead in."
Hermione frowned, "Harry? What's wrong?"
The man looked at Harry. "Harry?" he said slowly. "My lord… You look different, but those eyes. It has to be you. How are you doing?"
Harry swallowed, "Hey, Dud. I've been wondering about you."
Dudley blinked, then looked at Hermione. "Wait… aren't you the girl that would go on the train with him?"
Hermione cleared her throat. "I'm Hermione."
"That's it," Dudley nodded, looking at Petunia Dursley, "Mum, are you alright?"
Rosella tugged Harry's hand. "Daddy, who are they?"
Hermione scooped her up. "Honey, that's rude," she murmured as her eyes stayed on Petunia, and her hand flew to her mouth.
"She looks like Lily," Petunia whispered, her voice shaking.
Harry exhaled. "Aunt Petunia," he said, "this is my daughter Rosella."
Rosella smiled. "She's my aunt? Like Aunt Luna?"
Petunia stared, and Hermione leaned closer to Rosella, "She was Grandma Lily's sister," she whispered.
"Oh!" Rosella said, looking at Petunia, "From my picture? With the yellow hair?"
Petunia nodded, tears in her eyes. "You have a picture of me?"
Rosella nodded, "From Grandpa James and Grandma Lily's house."
Petunia stared at Harry, "You have a daughter."
Harry nodded, "It's been six years, Aunt Petunia. I'm sure you knew I didn't die when you came out of the Order's protection."
Dudley cleared his throat. "We… we didn't know where you were. No one told us. Mum never talked about it."
Harry scoffed, "That doesn't surprise me."
Petunia wiped her eyes, "She would have loved her. Lily, that is."
Hermione felt Harry take her hand as he straightened. "We should get going," he said quietly. "It was… good to see you, Dud."
Dudley nodded, "Yeah, you too. Mum, go ahead inside."
Petunia nodded, then waved as she walked inside, and Dudley sighed, "Look, Harry, I'm sorry for everything that went on when we grew up. Dad… he was a large part of it, but he died last year. It's no excuse for the things I did, or that they did, but I am terribly sorry."
Harry nodded, "Thanks, Dud."
Dudley looked between them, "I am in uni to become a solicitor. Dad wanted me to do something else, but I plan to practice family law. I want to help kids the way you weren't."
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand.
"What are you doing, if you don't mind me asking?" Dudley asked.
Harry cleared his throat, "I have become a healer, our version of doctors. A little bit of everything, so more general practice."
Dudley nodded. "Look, would you mind getting together to talk over coffee or tea?" He looked at Hermione. "You are free to come too."
"I don't know, Dudley," Harry hesitated.
Hermione squeezed his hand, "Harry, I think you should. This could be healing for you and… in the future, any of Dudley's children would be Rosella's only biological cousins."
Harry sighed as he took his mobile out and handed it to Dudley, "Go ahead and add your number. I am honestly not ready yet, Dudley. It has been a hard month so far, but in time, I will be."
Dudley nodded as he added his number and handed it back to Harry. "Just let me know when you are ready. I…" He looked at him and Hermione. "I have some questions."
Harry nodded, "I'll see if I can answer them then."
Dudley held out his hand to Rosella, "Nice meeting you, was it, Rosella?"
Rosella hit his hand, "Like the flower."
Dudley chuckled, "Fitting." As he walked inside the store.
Harry let out a breath as he finally let the door go, "I'm so done with this month already."
Hermione rubbed his back with her free hand as they walked to the car, "It's been an emotional one for you. But also, maybe a bit of closure?"
Harry opened the back car door for her to put Rosella into the car, "I guess."
Hermione buckled Rosella into her seat, pulling on the straps to check it, then shut the door. She turned to Harry and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head under his chin. Harry relaxed in her arms, "Thank you for being with me through all of this."
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 is 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."
Rosella started singing "A Whole New World," bobbing her head back and forth. "Daddy, what flavour should we get? Peanut Butter is good. So is chocolate chip."
Harry leaned his head against the window. "I like caramel."
"Eww, that's sticky!" She giggled as Hermione smiled, turning on the main road.
Preview of Chapter 39 -How Did I Fall In Love With You?
Harry nodded, "What does it taste like?"
Instead of answering, she climbed onto his lap and kissed him.
Harry groaned against her lips. "Mocha chocolate with a hint of you. My favourite."
She laughed as she took another bite and fed him.
"You two are closet freaky, aren't you?"
Hermione yelped, nearly falling into the cake as she jumped off Harry's lap. "Regina!"
Regina was grinning, leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "Yep, still here."
Hermione tugged her shirt down, mortified. "You can leave, you know."
Harry laughed, "Hermione!"