Chapter thirty four
Albus Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts School had so often in the past few years found himself thinking of Harry James Potter almost as his own son. Today was one of those times; Harry had once again shown that what ever came his way he would take in his stride. Things like the springing on him of the NEWT exams a year and a half before he was due to take them.
Harry was all that Albus would have wished for in a son of his own but, he had never been blessed enough to marry the woman he had loved, and so once she had been joined to the one she had been betrothed to at birth, he had lived a rather solitary life as a teacher. Preferring to teach children rather than to have children of his own with anyone other than Daphne Raven, the one girl he had truly loved, and the one girl in his long one hundred and fifty four years of life, he had ever made love too.
Albus had never allowed himself to be emotionally involved with his students until that is little Harry Potter had arrived in his care at the age of just one year. Harry Potter had somehow rid the world, albeit temporarily of an evil wizard. And Albus had literally found himself holding the baby. He had many regrets about how Harry had been treated as he grew up and he blamed himself for that, but his heart was swollen with pride when he saw that no matter how bad his early years had been Harry had grown into a fine good and generous person, a young man who would help anyone in trouble no matter the risk to him self.
Today his pride in Harry was overflowing as he wandered slowly toward the main gates of the school. He would soon dissaparate from outside the school gates to Potter house, where he could offer his congratulations to Harry and his young wife Hermione, they had both completed their final school exams a year and a half early, and they had both exceeded the previous best results by quite a margin. Hermione had in fact shattered an age old belief that the sort of pass marks she had achieved were impossible to reach. The fact that he himself had set the previous best only served to swell his pride in the young couple, and now they were expecting their first child, Albus felt like a real grandfather.
Opening the gates and stepping into the world beyond the school Albus stopped in mid stride, outside the hidden gates standing there amongst a group of people were the two people he had been thinking about, but even more of a shock was the fact that they were accompanied by Daphne Raven, the woman he loved, who he had not seen for over a hundred and thirty years.
"Daphne Primrose Raven," the words had escaped his lips as a whisper as memories of passionate nights with her flitted through his mind. Somewhere in his mind he registered the fact that the woman he was looking at was not old enough to be his Daphne but the shock had over ridden those other thoughts and he moved closer to take a better look. It was then he heard the words she was telling him "Daphne was my great grandmother." A slight feeling of nausea came on him as for the first time in all those years he let himself think of Daphne with another man, giving another man the children she was never allowed to give to him.
Dumbledore pulled himself together enough to listen as Harry and Hermione told of their strange meeting with Merlin, and his even stranger request that they leave the inn they were at and his influence on where they had ended up. He found it odd that they should arrive at the castle gates as he was about to leave, he found it even more unusual that they should arrive with the great grand daughter of his one love, on one of the very few days he now thought about her, he would ask Minerva for her thoughts on the matter up at the school.
Harry watched as Albus kept on glancing at Marjorie, there was something there that Harry just couldn't grasp yet, but he decided to keep watching. Back at the school the castle elves were falling over them selves to be of service when they received news that Lord and Lady Gryffindor had arrived and were in the great hall with the headmaster. Tea was served in the best silverware and preparations for a meal were begun. The Grangers' and Puckle's stared around at the magnificence of Hogwarts, Helen was amazed by the magical ceiling of the great hall. Mr Granger told Hermione that her descriptions of the castle were just a little wrong as the whole place had a splendour she had never accurately described. Granddad Puckle was astounded when through one of the elves he found out that the castle belonged to his granddaughter and her husband, and he finally began to realise just how wealthy the young man was. He was also fascinated by the elves and their apparent loyalty to Harry.
Hermione asked that the Muggles be shown around the castle, taking her mum and dad to visit Gryffindor tower and showing them the common room where she and Harry had grown up together, herself. She showed them their favourite armchairs in front of the fire, their favourite table for doing their home work on, and she pointed out to her mother the sofa in front of the fire where she had spent some of her favourite hours with her husband. she showed her mum the dormitory she had spent so many nights in, laughing as her dad tried to follow them up the stairway, Helen thought the safety precautions for the girls dorms were hilarious as Richard slid down the now slippery slide that had moments before been steps.
Once the grand tour of the castle was complete they all sat in the great hall accompanied by Minerva McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid, Harry shared the news that they were expecting twins around September, he then went on to tell of his visit with bishop Granger, after that Harry called for Dobby to fetch more tea, Hermione told them all about their strange encounter with Merlin.
Unusual for him Dumbledore told them about his thoughts as he left Hogwarts to visit the Potter's, he told them of his shock when he saw Marjorie, who he swore was the image of his only love.
That was when Minerva had her idea, "Why don't we get septimus to take a look at Mrs Puckle's ancestry, maybe we can find something about why she so resembles her great grandmother," she queried.
"Who's Septimus?" Hermione asked looking puzzled.
"Oh you met Septimus on your first day here at Hogwarts," Minerva told him smiling. "I'll just pop over and fetch him."
Harry looked at Hermione but he looked as puzzled as she was, if they had met a septimus then neither remembered him.
It was not long before Minerva returned with the sorting hat, "Hermione meet Septimus," she chuckled.
"The hat has a name?" she asked amazed.
"Of course I have a name, you think I spend my entire year sleeping only waking to do the sorting," snapped Septimus the sorting hat.
"Now Septimus, that is no way to talk to lady Gryffindor," Minerva scolded the hat.
"Lord and lady Gryffindor! Oops I boo booed," the hat chuckled making every one else chuckle.
"Harry place the hat on Mrs Puckle and ask him to sort her ancestry for us," Minerva told Harry as they all waited for something to happen. Harry did as he was told and everyone sat back as the hat rested on Marjorie's head. It was a while before the hat spoke. Then it began,
"Mother Danvers, Mothers mother Griffith's, mo…"
"Hold it, hold it," Harry called to the hat "we don't want the entire history of her family, lets just go back to the great grandmother Raven and take it from there or we could be here all week."
"As you wish your lordship," the hat answered "so do we just want the Raven side or both,"
"I tell you what Septimus, why don't you just tell us anything you think interesting or important," Hermione suggested.
"Yes M'lady," the hat said actually sounding sincere.
"Right then let me see, oh now that is interesting, fascinating well I never, so your grandmother was Lucinda is that correct?" the hat asked
"Yes grandma was called Lucy," Marge answered
"And her mother was Daphne Raven,"
"Yes," she nodded
"And your great grand father was?" the hat asked
"Edward, Great grandfather was Edward," she told the hat.
"Wro-ong, most definitely wro-ong," the hat said melodically.
"What do you mean wrong, I know my great grandfathers name was Edward,"
"Your great grandfather was Albus, Percival, Wulfric, Brian Dumbledore," Septimus said to gasps from his enraptured audience.
"Bloody hell," Harry gasped.
Hermione just gasped as the words soaked into her brain, Dumbledore was her great, great grandfather, this was going to take some getting used to.
Then the thought struck her 'why if they were related to Dumbledore were they Muggle's apart from herself they were all Muggle's, it made no sense', she had to ask Albus about it. As she was gathering her thoughts together it was Harry who asked what was to him a most obvious question,
"Albus, if you are their ancestor why are they all Muggle's except Hermione?"
Harry got no reply as Albus Dumbledore was also taking in what the hat had told them and all the implications, not least of which would be Hermione being his great, great grand daughter. Albus Dumbledore was as surprised by the news as everyone else, he had on several occasions spent nights of passionate love making with the love of his life but he had never had the slightest idea that she may have been pregnant when they took her away from him. She had never made any indication she was having his child, he wished for a few moments that he could do as Harry had done and go back in time to be with her just one more time. The thought that the young woman he was so very proud of was actually his own flesh and blood suddenly hit him like a hammer, and he let drop a tear that he had been holding back. He Albus Dumbledore had a family, his brother Aberforth would be overjoyed at the news that he had a great, great niece and she was Lady Gryffindor, they the two lonely brothers had a real family.
"Is anyone interested in the interesting part of Mrs Puckle's ancestry," the hat was suddenly shouting, everyone had ignored him since he revealed that Dumbledore was one of her ancestors and Septimus was getting annoyed. Septimus took advantage of the silence his shout had brought about, "Right well Daphne Raven was the last direct descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw."
'So Lady Gryffindor, no wonder you are the greatest witch alive, not to mention the greatest wife alive as well, descended from both Ravenclaw and Dumbledore you just had to be great' Harry thought to his wife as she sat taking it all in.
'I'm a little puzzled Harry, if we are descended from such great people, why are my family all muggles, it makes no sense that the magic just came to an end, then started back up when I was born, there must be some reason some cause behind it' Hermione thought back.
'I'm not sure about this but I either read or heard somewhere that a broken heart can rob a witch or wizard completely of their magic. I don't know if that would be passed down through the generations like some sort of, oh what do the muggles call it, oh yes like some sort of genetic defect or something, a defect that would be put right by the opposite of a broken heart, like the love your mum and dad have for each other. So if Daphne had a broken heart and lost her magic, which from what your grand mum says sounds about right, then your mum comes along full of love for your dad like we have for each other, and everything gets put right. But don't quote me on it'. Harry said adding a chuckle.
'Oh Harry love you really are a romantic under all that manly exterior, it does sound like a good explanation though' Hermione replied.
After the chatting, shock and the thinking about the words of Septimus had settled down Albus stood and called for the attention of the family, it felt strange to him as he looked at the people around the table and knew they were nearly all one family.
"Can I have your attention please" he asked when he stood.
Everyone fell silent as all eyes looked at Albus, "It would seem that for some reason the powers that be chose today to bring this family together, I think that Merlin had you leave the inn you were at so that you would arrive at Hogwarts just in time to intercept me as I was leaving, I think this is the case because I was meant to meet Marjorie, I don't suppose there would be many opportunities for us to meet in the normal way of things.
Now that we have met, this day has made an old man very happy, not only have I discovered a family, I find I am the great, great grandfather of one of the two people I love and respect most. I don't yet know why we are meant to find these things out at this time but I can tell you that I will enjoy getting to know my family."
"Profes… er Grandfather, do you have any idea why gran could see Hogwarts but only vaguely?" Hermione asked faltering on his title.
"Well all I can say for now is that what ever it was that made Daphne's children like Muggle's must be breaking down, failing if you will." Albus answered with a huge smile, Hermione had called him grandfather.
"Granddad seems a little odd for someone my age to be calling someone, but never the less, granddad grandma Daphne only ever had the one child," Marge told him as he smiled at Hermione.
A great feeling of relief and joy spread through Albus at the words of his granddaughter, his beloved Daphne had only ever had his child, she had not been the mother of another mans children, for some reason it warmed his old heart to know.
'You know Hermione Potter since you told me you are having my baby, our family keeps growing, I wonder what tomorrow will surprise us with' Harry chuckled as he saw the happy faces of those around him.
Chapter thirty five
Having left Hogwarts as the first lesson of the day got under way, Harry stood by the carriage door and looked out at the almost deserted platform, they had said their goodbyes to Ginny and Neville at breakfast in the great hall, now he was waiting as Hermione gave a last hug to her family before she joined him on the ancient steam train that served as Hogsmeade's main supply route.
All his in-laws were staying at Hogwarts as guests of Dumbledore, Marjorie was having some tiny increase in the trace of magic that Madam Pomfrey had found in her, so Albus wanted to keep an eye on her, or so he said, though Harry felt there might be an ulterior motive, like keeping his family around him as he got to know them, he had seemed a little disappointed when Harry and Hermione said they were leaving. Helen and Richard Granger were staying behind to get reacquainted with the grandparents, all three of them, David Puckle had just agreed to go along with what was happening around him, Harry felt just a little sorry for him as he had so suddenly been immersed into a world of magic, that less than a week ago he had never even known existed.
Mr Granger walked the few steps to stand next to Harry "Take care of her Harry, make sure she doesn't over do it again, you know what she's like, and if she's anything like her mother was with the changes she's beginning to go through, she's going to become rather difficult to deal with."
Harry looked at his father in law and wondered just what kind of changes he was referring to when Hermione finally joined him, together they climbed into the drafty old carriage and Harry closed the door. Leaning through the window Hermione gave her dad one last kiss on his cheek as the train began to move slowly away from the platform and left the station. The long train ride was far from comfortable, the ancient old carriage they were in was the only passenger carriage on the train and though they had tried nearly all the seats none were as comfortable as those on the Hogwarts express. Harry thought about all that had happened in the past week, meeting and telling the Grangers, then meeting and telling the Puckle's followed by the strange meeting with the bishop. all followed by meeting and discovering that Albus Dumbledore, the head teacher and friend that they both thought of as a grandfather figure was indeed Hermione's great, great grandfather. 'Yes, this has been just another odd week in the life of Harry Potter' he chuckled to himself and got an odd look from his wife.
By the time the ancient old train had reached Manchester both Harry and Hermione were feeling the strain of the longer than usual train ride, the Hogwarts express had been comfortable and fairly quick, whilst the old thing they now rode in was rattling and rolling all over the place, the ride was bumpy and definitely uncomfortable. Harry suggested they get out while the train sat in the station as goods were off loaded and new goods were loaded, 'We could get the knight bus home, then I can apparate to Poole and settle our bill there' he suggested as he opened the carriage door.
Hermione didn't like the idea of riding on the knight bus, she remembered only too well how she had been thrown about by the erratic way it was driven the last time she had been on it, not wanting to do anything at all that would put her babies at risk helped her make the decision.
"We should hire a car or taxi to take us to Potter house, it's only about eighty miles from here," she told Harry as he helped her from the carriage.
With their arms around each other like two new lovers laughing and joking with each other they walked to the huge hotel next to the station, after ordering a meal in the restaurant, Harry using his new found influence in the Muggle world that being a Lord brought him, inquired about where they could hire a car to take them home to Wales. All the arrangements were made by the hotel staff for them, and an hour later they walked from the hotel and climbed into a nice comfortable car, sitting in the back seat Harry chuckled quietly at a thought he had.
'Ok Mr Potter what was that all about?' Hermione enquired looking at his grinning face.
'I was just thinking of some of those movies I saw when I was younger, the one's with the young couple's kissing and cuddling in the back seat of a car, and I had the thought that it's one of the few places we haven't snogged' Harry told her chuckling again at the picture in his mind.
'I saw that Harry' Hermione said before laughing herself, 'and since when do we call it snogging?'
'Well when in Muggledom, do as the Muggles do' Harry thought before he burst out laughing, earning him an odd look from their driver.
'Muggledom?' Hermione said.
'It seemed to fit' Harry said still laughing.
Nearly two hours later Hermione woke to find the driver following Harry's directions was just turning into the lane that would lead to Potter House, she was wrapped in Harry's arms and together they were snuggled into the corner of the seat behind the driver.
"Did you enjoy the ride love?" Harry asked smiling at her.
"Mmmm," she answered as she stretched a little, she would soon be home and she looked forward to getting out of her clothes and soaking in a nice hot bath, it was as she had these thoughts that the car stopped and the driver got out and rang the bell to the house. Harry stared at the driver and suddenly realised the man must be a wizard, how else would he have been able to see the Potter house gates. Harry knew even before she spoke that Hermione was going to ask.
As the driver got back into the car and waited for the gate to open Hermione asked him "How come a Wizard is driving a Muggle car for a living?"
"How, on earth did you know?" the driver asked turning around to look at his passengers for the first time.
"The gate, only someone from the magical world could see them," Hermione told the surprised man.
"I never even noticed they were charmed, I usually notice that sort of thing but I have a few things on my mind," the driver said as the gates swung open for them.
"I'm not a wizard M'lady, the wife and I are both Squibs, and a man has to do something to earn a crust," the driver said a little sadly as he drove them up to the front of the house.
"We have a 'cure' for squibs, if you were to enrol in our class we could help you and your wife to learn how to perform some simple charms and spells," Hermione told the driver as he climbed from the car to open the door for them.
Harry could see some sort of torment in the mans eyes as he politely refused the offer to enrol, there was something not quite right and Harry picked up on it as the driver shut the car door, the man seemed to have slumped a little or something Harry thought.
"Will that be all sir?" the driver asked turning toward the driver's door.
"Not quite, if you could follow me, I'll have a cup of tea made for us before you return to Manchester, that's a fair drive without a drink," Harry said walking to the now open front door where Glanry waited patiently as always.
The driver dutifully followed Harry through the house to the kitchen, it was part of his job to render an excellent service to his customers, and if they wanted him to share in a cup of tea as Lord Gryffindor had just asked him, then he would do so, keeping the customers happy was what got him extra work, and he needed all the extra hours he could get.
As promised Harry asked Erin to make them all a cup of tea, Hermione decided she would take hers in the bathroom while she took her awaited soak in the hot water.
Sitting at the table with the driver Harry asked him why he had refused Hermione's offer "And is there any chance of the truth this time, please," Harry said as he sipped his tea and gave a sigh, it was good to be home at last, even if he did need to go out again later.
"Well we just cant afford it sir, it's hard enough having the two boys at Hogwarts without having to pay for myself and the wife," the driver answered quite honestly "I make as much as I can from this job and the wife does a little cleaning job, we both do all we can for the boys, you know getting their books and the school fee's but that doesn't leave us anything for luxuries."
Harry noticed how uncomfortable the man looked, "Yes I know just what it's like to have nothing," He told the driver, thinking of his time with the Dursleys.
'Hermione love, you in the bath yet?' Harry asked hoping he had caught her before she had got undressed.
'No, not yet love I was just getting an update on the household gossip from Erin' Hermione replied.
'This driver, do you think we could perhaps buy a car, and hire the guy as our driver, he would be perfect for the job, mind you we would have to let him have one of the cottages down the lane, you know the two that used to be the gate house, I think we could make one of them quite nice if we got stuck in to it, I'm sure that Dig would help' Harry asked as he thought through an idea.
'Yes I suppose it would come in handy having a car of our own, now how about you tell me why you are asking' Hermione said as she took a sip of her tea.
'Well the fellow has two boys in Hogwarts and the only reason he refused your offer earlier is he cant afford it, so I've been thinking about something, I'll talk to you about later, now would you do me a favour and come down here and offer the man the job, I don't want to make the offer because we have just been talking, and I don't want him to think I'm offering him a job out of pity or something, I don't want to offend the guy or something' Harry hurriedly told her.
'Harry James Potter you really are a soft hearted hero, ok I'm on my way down, do you want me to offer him the cottage as rent free, and how much pay do we offer him' Hermione asked as she made her way back down the stairs.
'Yes he can take his pick of the cottages if he is willing to help fix the place up' Harry answered.
Harry gave a little smile before taking another sip of tea then asking the man how much he made as a driver.
"Well if we have a good week, me and the wife can earn as much as hundred and fifty pounds, of course sometimes it can get a little thin if nobody needs a chauffeur, then we just have to muddle through as best we can." the man answered being honest again. He liked Harry who didn't act like the usual money men the fellow had to drive around.
'Hermione love, offer him the cottage and a hundred and seventy five pounds, if his wife is willing to help out occasionally' Harry managed to tell Hermione just before she entered the kitchen.
Hermione entered the kitchen and looked at the driver, she thought that there was something vaguely familiar about him but decided it may well have just been the journey.
"Ah I'm glad I caught you Mr?" she said looking at the driver.
"Creevey, M'lady, Peter Creevey," the man answered with a small bow.
"Well Mr Creevey, I was just wondering if you might be interested in a job here, we were thinking of buying a car of our own, but we would need to find a driver as well, I can pay you hundred and seventy five pounds a week plus there is a cottage, mind you the cottage needs quite a lot of work doing to it, any way if you are interested you might be able to help do the work on the cottage when you aren't driving," Hermione said in her best business voice.
"Creevey, those boys you were talking about, they wouldn't happen to be Collin and Denis would they?" Harry asked thinking what a small world it was.
"Yes those are my two, sir, I take it you know them," the driver said smiling; the man had no idea that Lord Gryffindor was the one and only 'Harry Potter', the Creevey boys hero.
"You take the job the wife has offered you and I'll give you the cottage just to see their faces when they first get here," Harry chuckled; he was joined by Hermione who was also chuckling.
Peter Creevey left Potter House having promised to return at the weekend with news about whether his wife would be willing to move home, he personally would welcome a steady income and the idea of living in a cottage in the countryside appealed to him. Hermione went back to the bathroom to take her now seemingly long awaited bath, while Harry left the property then disapparated to Pool to pay his hotel bill, hoping that Mr Peter Creevey would take the job as chauffeur.
Chapter thirty six
Saturday lunchtime was just a couple of hours away as Harry helped Dig in cleaning out the stables, they both stopped working and looked up, and then they both walked to the door. They had heard a car approaching, not just any car, this one was just about the noisiest they had ever heard coming up the lane. Both curious as to who would be driving such a vehicle Harry and Dig moved closer to the house to get a better look, they could see a bright orange red car that was smoking rather badly and sounded as if half the engine was dragging on the floor struggling up the lane. As Harry and Dig watched the beat up old car struggling up the hill they both wondered if it would make it to the top. It stopped outside the Gates to Potter House and Harry knew even before he saw the driver that Peter Creevey had arrived.
The old car pulled up outside front of the house at the same time as Harry and Dig reached the front door, Peter Creevey and his wife climbed out of the car as it gave its very last gasp then with a shudder and a rather loud clunk it fell silent.
Peter introduced his wife to lord Gryffindor "This is the wife Georgina, M'lord."
They had come to take a look at the cottage they had been offered, looking at the car Mrs Creevey sighed "It looks like we will be staying here for a while so that you can repair the car dear."
Harry would have sworn he saw a crafty smile on Peter Creevey's face just for a fleeting moment, he was about to remind Mrs Creevey that a simple wave of his wand could do a Reparo spell on the car, but thought better of it as he thought about it, it seemed highly possible that Peter Creevey may well have known that the car would never be able to do the complete round trip. Harry invited the Creevey's in for a cup of tea "You deserve one for getting here at all," Harry chuckled as he looked at the column of smoke rising from the car, "Fancy a cuppa Dig?" he added as he walked into the entrance hall followed by Mr and Mrs Creevey.
"Yes sirree," Dig said as he removed his wellingtons before entering the house.
Hermione came to join them from upstairs, and as she walked slowly down the stairs Harry noticed for the first time that she had a small but distinct bulge on her previously flat stomach, and it made his stomach flutter, the first real outward sign he had noticed showing that his wife was pregnant with his children, it stopped him mid stride making his heart swell with love for her. Ignoring the fact that he had guests following him he rushed up the stairs to meet her half way and then he held out his arm for her to take, just has he had done at the Yule Ball. Feeling like a king Harry led them into the kitchen where Erin soon had a pot of tea ready.
It took Harry a while to tear his eyes from the now definite bulge of his wife's stomach, he actually missed the first part of the discussion they were having, he was instead dreaming of the future, realising that he was staring he managed to bring his mind back from its wandering and listen as Hermione explained to Mrs Creevey about the job she had offered Peter.
"Now that I'm pregnant I can't disapparate, and I don't really like to use the floo network, we have decided that we should get a car of our own instead of hiring one," Hermione was saying to Mrs Creevey.
"Yeah and it'll save us having to walk down to the village, or ride the quad bike in the rain," Harry added nodding his agreement with Hermione.
"So this is just a temporary job, while you're pregnant?" Mrs Creevey asked.
"Oh no, with my husband being a lord there are times when we have to go visit places or people, but can't reveal that we are magical, so the job will be permanent. Of course we won't use the car as often as a Muggle family would but that would give Peter more time with his family, and less time working." Hermione answered.
The little formality that there had been between Hermione and Mrs Creevey disappeared as they discussed the cottage and the various things that might need to be done to make it fit to live in once more. Hermione even suggested that if they liked one of the cottages and decided to take the job and to stay, then they could use a room in the main house while the repairs were carried out to the cottage, they were talking like old friends even though Mrs Creevey was about the same age as Hermione's mum. As the tea pot was emptied Harry suggested that he take Peter and show him the cottages so that he could chose which one he liked. Both Hermione and Mrs Creevey looked at him as though he had gone insane.
"What?" he asked as they both stared at him.
"I don't think for one moment that I am going to have a say in this M'Lord," Peter said chuckling at the look on Harry's face.
"You're not?" Harry asked a little confused, then it dawned on him Mrs Creevey was the one who had to decide if they would move.
Before anything had been decided they heard the unmistakable whoosh that accompanied the arrival of some one through the floo network. Moments later they were joined by Albus. Hermione was the first to move as she rose to meet her great, great grandfather with a hug and a kiss on his cheek, which surprisingly made the old Wizard blush a little.
"So how is my favourite grand daughter?" Albus asked smiling.
"I'm fine thank you granddad, have you met Mr and Mrs Creevey, Collin and Dennis's parents," she said as she introduced Albus Dumbledore to the slightly awed couple.
Harry quickly explained why the Creevey's were there, adding that they were about to go to take a look at the old gatehouse cottages to see how much work would be needed to make them fit to live in. Albus suggested he go back to Hogwarts and collect the Creevey boys, "It will give them a good opportunity to practice their magic in a useful way," he said as he turned to leave again. Harry agreed with him and informed him that they would be at the cottages when he returned.
"Er, Harry before I leave, I wonder, might I ask a favour," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Yes sir, ask away," Harry replied happily.
"Do you think I could maybe use that three wheeled contraption," Albus asked his eyes lighting up.
Harry was really surprised by the request but informed Albus he could use it when ever he wanted to, and where the 'quad' bike was kept, adding that he felt sure Dig would help if any help were needed. Try as he might he could not picture Albus Dumbledore riding the quad. With that sorted out Albus left the kitchen. Harry led the way out of the kitchen followed by Hermione and the Creevey's. Ten minutes later they were standing outside the first cottage they had entered, things did not look quite as good as Harry had hoped, it was obvious that the place had not been lived in for a great number of years, there was very little plaster left on the walls, and the floor and ceilings had huge holes in them, the interior doors were missing, and there was no bathroom. Slowly making their way to the other cottage Harry hoped that this one be a little better.
The second cottage which was the larger of the two houses was in a much better condition. Harry thought that maybe sometime in the last ten years the house had had residents who had done a lot of modernising. Apart from the accumulated dust, a Bogart in the bedroom and a rather large population of Gnomes wandering around, the house was in good condition, in fact as Hermione pointed out with just a few charms it would be ok for some one to move in, once the Gnomes were gotten rid of.
Harry tried to catch one of the Gnomes but unlike their garden cousins these Gnomes seemed to know they were about to loose their home and they ran for it, jumping over some of the furniture and hiding under any thing that had enough space under it. Hermione and Georgina Creevey stood laughing at the antics of Harry and the Gnomes. After fifteen minutes Harry finally managed to catch one of the slippery little beasts, having done a flying tackle as it tried to scurry under an old armchair. With both women now in hysterics, tears streaming down their cheeks and both of them holding onto their ribs Hermione begged him to stop "Come on Harry I haven't laughed so hard in ages," she said as he pouted.
Now he had caught the little being Harry wondered what he should do with it, "Shall I chuck it out of the window? Do you think?" he asked Hermione once she had stopped laughing.
"Are you trying to kill me?" a tiny little squeaky voice asked.
Harry stared at the little creature "You can talk then?"
"Of course I can talk, I'm not a blinking garden Gnome you know," the little voice yelled indignantly.
"Well then what am I to do with you, you can't stay here I have employees who are going to live here," Harry said to the what he thought might be a male, Gnome.
"I suppose now you've caught me you're just going to throw me out into the cold and wet," the Gnome said looking rather miserable.
"It is rather cold out there I suppose," Harry said as an idea formed "I could let you have the other house, it needs some work but you can stay in that one as long as you like," he told the little creature.
"You mean like forever, or are you going to be throwing me out of that one too?" the squeaky voice asked.
"No if you promise to stay out of the other houses and cottages you can have the one next door for as long as you wish, no one will throw you out," Harry promised.
The Gnome tried to wriggle into a more comfortable position in Harry's hand, "Ok but you have to take me there, I'm quite pooped with all that running around," the little Gnome replied.
"So do you think you can talk your friends into joining you?" Harry asked hopefully.
"I could try but it would do no good, they are not going to want to miss out on all the fun of the chase, I'm afraid you will have to catch them and remove them from this house, then they will be happy to live next door," the Gnome was making an odd noise Harry thought might be a laugh.
Harry looked around at the many tiny pairs of eyes that watched him from under the furniture, he even noticed a couple sitting on top of a cupboard, "Hermione love, could you help out here, sort out Mr and Mrs Creevey and teach them the immobilus charm, while I take this talkative little guy next door."
Harry left Hermione and the Creevey's still chuckling at his attempts to catch a Gnome. Five minutes later he returned to find Hermione teaching the Creevey's the Immobilus charm using her wand. "I'll be back in about fifteen minutes," Harry told Hermione before he vanished with a slight pop sound.
Moments later Harry reappeared outside Ollivander's in Diagon Alley, entering the shop Harry was surprised to see the old wizard sipping tea at the counter. "Do you have any sort of all purpose wands, I need some for the class we are running at Hogwarts" Harry said as he leant on the counter opposite Mr Ollivander.
"That would be the squib classes I assume Mr Potter," Ollivander replied looking over his teacup. "As a matter of fact I do have six wands left from the time when I tried to create an all purpose one, you could have those, try them out, and if you promise to give me a report on them you can take them as my donation to the school," Mr Ollivander said smiling.
Harry returned to the cottage twenty minutes after he had left, Peter and Gina Creevey were taking it in turns with Hermione's wand catching Gnomes.
He had them both try all the wands to find one that suited them best. He told Hermione of Mr Ollivander's generosity in donating the wands for the class. With the four of them chasing around the house after the rather fleet footed little Gnomes, they never noticed as Albus arrived with the two Creevey boys.
Chapter thirty seven
Collin and Dennis Creevey could see their headmaster Albus Dumbledore stood along side a large black dog in the door way to a strange cottage, the two Creevey boys standing behind him were both wondering what was happening, and why they were here. Dumbledore had told them nothing, they had been told by professor Flitwick to go to the headmasters' study there they had found a note for each of them, as they read the note they had found themselves whisked away by a portkey to the house they were now standing out side of.
The boys watched as the headmaster walked from their sight in through the door way, and from inside they could hear what sounded like several people laughing, once or twice they saw a flash of light before they then heard a huge cheer coming from the house. Just a few seconds later they both had a shock as their father walked from the house carrying two gnomes, one in each hand.
"Hi boy's, back in a jiffy," Peter Creevey said to his two shocked sons.
Peter then rushed into the garden of the house next door, both Collin and Dennis followed him, wondering what on earth their father was doing with gnomes, muggles couldn't even see gnomes never mind carry them.
Peter Creevey was having the time of his life; he was performing spells with a wand for the first time in his entire life. He had hidden from the wizarding world and all its insults and the stigma of being a squib, along with his wife Gina, and they had lived the past twenty years as Muggles, they had even been married as Muggles never expecting to have anything more to do with the world of magic, that is until their sons had both shown early signs of being wizards, now thanks to Hermione he and his wife were both able to perform magic.
Rushing from the empty house he bumped into his two offspring as they peered into the dark interior. Inside the house next door Gina Creevey fell backwards over the old sofa as she grabbed a rather energetic female gnome, "I got one, I actually got one," she shouted as both Harry and Hermione laughed at her, all they could see of her were two feet sticking up from behind the sofa.
Albus unable to resist joined in the laughter as Mrs Creevey lay on her back her legs and feet rising up the back of the sofa she had just fallen over, behind her head a rather tired looking gnome sat down and wiped its forehead before it shouted "Oy Missus, how about catching me as well."
Gina Turned her head a little and held out her hand to the tired old gnome, "Not as young as I once was," the old gnome said as he climbed into her hand.
"I don't think I've had this much fun since I was a little girl," she told the gnome as she carefully dropped her legs to the ground then spun around so she could sit up.
Harry heard Dumbledore laugh as he watched Gina Creevey disappear backward out of sight. Looking up at the head master he wondered where the two Creevey boys were, Albus joined them in chasing and catching the gnomes, he was soon followed by Peter, Collin, and Dennis as they returned from the house next door, the look on the faces of the two Creevey brothers caused both Harry and Hermione to laugh hard and loud, to say they looked surprised would be an understatement, they had just entered the room when Gina crawled awkwardly out from behind the sofa, a gnome held carefully in each hand, gripped in her teeth was the wand she had been using.
Collin stood with his mouth wide open as he watched his mother covered in dust having a mumbled conversation with a tiny red faced gnome, Dennis was gaping at Harry his eyes wide with surprise, his mum and dad were doing magic with Harry Potter. This was a surprise he had never expected, even in his wildest dreams. Dumbledore suggested that the boys take a seat for a moment until they recovered from the shock. Both boys did as he said without question and sat on the sofa staring from Harry and Hermione to their parents, they were still wondering what was going on.
Mrs Creevey offered her two captives to her husband then took a seat between her sons, "Welcome to your new home boys," she said still chuckling a little.
"So you're going to take the job then?" Harry asked smiling.
"Oh yes, we'll take the job, I have a feeling it could well be the best thing we ever had offered to us," Gina Creevey answered "besides I think I have a new friend here," she said taking the old gnome back and she set him down on her knee.
The arrival of more humans into the house had an odd effect on the gnomes, they were all getting tired, they loved being chased but now tired and with the odds of being caught increased they began to climb from their hiding places and gathering around Gina's feet, they all looked up to the old gnome and seemed to be waiting for him to say something.
"Is it true we get to live undisturbed next door?" the old gnome asked Gina.
"Yes dear, thanks to Lord Gryffindor we will be neighbours," she replied smiling at the tiny creature.
"Well you heard the lady, get all our things together we're moving house," the old gnome told his waiting family.
The two Creevey boys still sat staring at the things going on around them as the most unusual sight of a large family of gnomes carrying their possessions walked in single file through the room and out of the door. Collin was the first to get over his shock enough to ask what was going on, Peter Creevey crouched down in front of his sons.
"Your mum and I, we were never true Muggle's, we were both born squibs and well you know how squibs are treated by the wizarding world, anyway we decided to live as Muggle's till lord Gryffindor offered me a job as his driver, now thanks to lady Gryffindor we can do magic," he explained to them, "we get to live here in his lordships property and we will have a secure income every week."
"Harry, you're lord Gryffindor?" Dennis asked in awe.
"Yes Dennis, that's me, oh by the way Peter as I told you before the house is now yours," Harry replied.
Peter Creevey looked up at Harry with a look of surprise "Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?" he said.
"Yes dad, this is Harry," Collin told him as the headmaster stepped forward.
"Collin, and you Dennis, this house will require a good cleaning, I hope you know sufficient cleaning charms to teach your parents or you will be doing the work by hand," Dumbledore said a huge grin on his face.
Collin turned to Hermione "Help," he whispered as he looked around at the dusty room.
Hermione stood chuckling at the faces of the two boys as they both looked pleadingly at her, "Ok everyone back up to Potter house, its time for a nice cup of tea before we do anything else," she said as she took Harry's hand "all that gnome chasing has me worn out."
Once outside the cottage Albus told Hermione that she was to take the odd shaped three wheeler back to the house, "You shouldn't be doing so much in your condition," he said as he pointed to where he had parked the quad.
Harry agreed with Albus and held Hermione's hand as she climbed aboard the bike, then they watched as she roared off out of sight up the lane.
"Blimey Harry, Hermione goes a little crazy on that thing don't you think," Collin said as she sped off.
"She is a little fast I suppose," Harry answered as they started the walk up the lane "Still I think she's safe enough."
"Harry I wanted to ask you about that thing, as you know I do like to read those muggle magazines when ever I get the opportunity, well the one I read had an article about those machines and I am quite certain that your machine has to many wheels, the article I read described them as three wheeled motor cycles made for farmers," Albus said as they walked.
"The one we have is called a quad and it has the correct number of wheels," Harry said with a chuckle "there is now a six wheeled version as well, and I do believe that there are people trying to make a version that will float."
"The things that Muggle's will make is always a constant surprise to me," Albus said as they neared the gates to Potter House.
As they reached Peter Creevey's old car Harry did a Reparo charm on it then they all stood back and watched as the car made some rather odd noises, then after a minutes silence and with a nod from Harry, Peter got in and turned the key, the engine flared into life almost instantly, and Peter hoped that the spell Harry had just used was one that he would get to learn.
"Sounds as good as new," Peter said as he walked up to the front door with his new boss "thank you M'lord."
"Now Peter, we'll have less of that, the name is Harry, ok," Harry said grinning.
"Ah, Mr Creevey, might I ask a question?" Albus said as Glanry opened the door for them, with out waiting for a reply he carried on "do you think you could acquire one of those three wheeled quad bikes for me, the version with six wheels would be excellent."
Harry Peter and Gina all turned to look at Albus then they all burst into laughter, Albus looked a little confused "Did I say something amusing?" he asked.
Collin and Dennis then joined in the laughter as they all walked into the entrance hall of Potter house. The laughter died almost as soon as they were inside, Gina's two sons stared around at the huge hallway in awe, none of them had ever been in a house like this before today.
"Her ladyship is in the kitchen M'lord," Glanry said as they entered.
"Glanry you know if Hermione hears you saying that she will give you an ear full," Harry said chuckling at the formality of his head house elf.
"Yes M'lord," Glanry said as he stuck out his chest "no etiquette at all," he mumbled as he closed the door.
Harry led the way to the kitchen followed by the Creevey's, three of them were looking around them in awe at the house and its contents, the two boys had never once in all their time at Hogwarts thought Harry might be rich, he had after all, nearly always worn old baggy clothes and shoes that were falling apart, it all seemed so unreal to them that he was in fact a lord and that he was now their fathers employer.
Harry had a pleasant surprise when he entered the kitchen, Mrs Weasley greeted him with a bone crushing hug as she usually did, "Hermione said you could use a little help," she said as she squeezed the air from his lungs.
Harry had to wait until she let him go before he looked at Hermione 'We need some help, in what way love?' he asked Hermione.
'Cleaning spells sweetheart, unless you know them all,' she replied.
Harry nodded she was right he had never had to use a cleaning spell in his life except the Scourgify one, and he knew that would not be of great help to Mrs Creevey. Mrs Weasley took Gina to one side and explained that she was there to teach her some of the house keeping spells she would need to use on the cottage; she also volunteered to call back in the morning and to help out if she was needed. Mrs Creevey was so pleased she had a small tear in her eye as she accepted the offer of help. Georgina Creevey had quite an audience as Molly Weasley taught her a charm to get the dishes to wash themselves, Molly taught her how to get rid of Doxies and other pests and she also promised to loan one of her favourite books to Gina till she could get a copy of her own.
Gina suddenly realised that she and her husband, now for the first time since they had met owned a house of their own, tears filled her eyes as she thought about how she had been against the idea of even coming here just a few hours ago. She felt at home with the Potters, they might be rich and famous but they had treated her as an equal, something that had never happened to her before, not even as a muggle. She and Peter had always had to struggle always saving pennies, never seeming to get a real break or a little bit of good luck, now all that seemed to have changed.
Hermione poured them all a cup of tea and as they all sat around the table they were joined by Dig, Harry asked Dig if he would be willing to take Peter into the local town and show him around, then help him to pick a car for them sometime in the morning. Dig as usual was willing to do as he was asked and made arrangements with Peter to leave straight after cleaning out the stables.
As the tea cups were emptied Hermione told the Creevey's that they would be staying in the main house until their own house was ready, she called Erin to show them their rooms before she spoke to Harry about the type of car they should have, together they decided that they should have a simple family car, maybe a five door or an estate, their eventual decision was for the estate car as it could carry more.
Collin and Dennis stood in the room they had been shown into and looked around, it had two single beds though they were large and comfortable ones, and they had their own bathroom.
"This is bloody fantastic," Collin said as he sat on the bed he had chosen.
"Strange dad working for Harry," Dennis said as he sat on the other bed "who would have thought it?"
"Its about time dad had a decent break, he has worked darn hard to pay for us to go to Hogwarts," Collin replied.
"Wonder what its like working for Harry," Dennis said as he lay back.
"I'll bet he's a great boss, I mean he is such a nice bloke," Collin said as he got up to examine the bathroom.
Half an hour later having showered the boys went back down to the kitchen where they joined Harry, Dumbledore, Dig, and their dad, in a butterbeer. Hermione, Molly and Gina were sitting talking in the living room; Hermione was asking what it would be like for her as her pregnancy progressed.
"Well I was always a little bit emotional, something to do with the magic I think," Gina said.
"When I had the twins I had allsorts of odd things happening," Molly said smiling at some memory, "it can be a bit tricky for us witches you know, what with accidental magic and things."
"We'll find out soon enough I suppose," Hermione said as she relaxed into her chair and listened to the older women talking.
Chapter thirty eight.
Harry Potter woke up late on the morning of August the fourteenth, after sleeping soundly for the first time in more than a week, his wife Hermione and his as yet unborn twins had done nothing to wake him all night. Unlike the rest of the past few weeks, when the accidental magic that kept happening had kept him awake night after night, while Hermione slept on blissfully unaware of what was happening around her as she slept.
Sleepily he walked into the bathroom, he was bursting to empty his bladder, as he looked bleary eyed down into the toilet bowl he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water. He had to finish what he had started before he gingerly crept toward the mirror; he could not believe what he had seen in that quick glimpse of himself, taking a breath he stepped in front of the mirror with his eyes shut, slowly he opened one eye then snapped it shut again, he could still not believe what he was seeing. Opening his eyes he stared at his reflection, he just could not believe the sight that gazed back at him. "HERMIONE!" he yelled as he stood rooted to the spot looking at himself in the mirror.
"HERMIONE!" he called again a lot louder.
Seconds later a slightly flustered Hermione came rushing into the bathroom as fast as her bulging stomach would allow, she stopped dead in her tracks just inside the doorway when she saw Harry; her eyes went wide for a moment then she suddenly burst out into peels of laughter. To say Harry was a little annoyed would not come close to how he felt, he had an appointment at the bank in just over two hours and he wondered how the heck he could go out of the bedroom at all never mind go out to Diagon Alley.
Hermione was laughing so much she was hanging on to the door with her legs crossed, it was she decided not a good idea for an eight months along pregnant woman to be laughing so hard, suddenly Hermione could hold back no longer as her waters broke, Harry stared at the slightly pink tinged pool of water that lay at his wife's feet, two seconds later Hermione had her first contraction.
Harry stood in disbelief "Hermione Potter, I know you once said you want to be like Mrs Weasley but do we really have to have twins like Fred and George," he asked seriously.
'Harry James Potter, you had better get my suitcase and get me to St Mungo's rather quickly' Hermione thought, then she called for Erin.
Erin, Hermione's favourite house elf appeared next to Hermione, and having glanced at the small puddle that Hermione stood in she knew what she had to do, first thing she did was to clean away the mess with a quick wave of her hand then she looked up at Harry.
"I'll just fetch the portkey sir," she said, quietly
Harry could see the little elf was trying hard not to laugh, and she was doing a good job of hiding the fact until she walked into the bedroom to fetch the special portkey supplied by the hospital, she could no longer resist the giggles that were building up and she burst out laughing. She re-entered the bathroom trying to apologise as she handed Harry the portkey.
Hermione gasped as she grabbed the large lump that was her stomach, 'Harry love, Hospital' she said as the second contraction pain subsided.
Harry tried casting a few spells on him self as he rushed around the bedroom getting dressed, nothing seemed to work, what was even worse was when he changed out of his dressing gown into some every day clothes his clothes changed.
"I'm gonna kill the first person who laughs," he said as he wrapped his arms around Hermione and activated the portkey.
Moments later they arrived in the reception of the maternity ward at St Mungo's, Harry helped Hermione to the nurses station and declared their names, "Harry and Hermione Potter, the wife's labour has begun," he said wishing he could be back in his bathroom with the door firmly locked. The reception nurse casually looked up then turned her attention back to the form she was filling in, she then quickly snapped her head up again and stared at Harry, "Oh dear, oh my," she said before chuckling to herself.
The nurse pressed a button in front of her, and a voice answered "Yes June what is it?"
The Nurse was unable to speak as she held her breath and suppressed her laughter, she then rang the bell three times, it was obviously the signal for the healer to come to the reception as fast as she could. Hermione's healer rushed from her office stopping as she saw Harry, "Bloody hell Harry," she said before attending to Hermione.
All arrangements for Hermione's stay at the hospital had been made in advance, it had been something that Hermione had insisted on, hearing the reception nurse laugh as she tried speaking to someone Harry turned to her just in time to see her finish a floo call, "Tell me June, you did not just call the Weasleys?"
"Yes I did sir that's what it says to do here in these notes," the nurse said keeping her eyes facing down.
"Oh sh*te," Harry cussed under his breath, Helen and Richard his mother and father in law were staying at the Burrow with the Weasleys, and he himself had left instructions that they were to be informed if and when Hermione was brought in.
They would be here within minutes and he had nowhere to hide, Hermione was having another contraction as Healer Jennings led her into a room.
There was no way he would leave Hermione now so he gritted his teeth and tried to prepare himself for what was to come.
"How far apart are your contractions Hermione," the healer was asking when the slight panic of a father to be finally got through to Harry, oddly, though Hermione could not say how far apart the pains were Harry knew, "Just over four minutes," he said as Hermione had another contraction, "Correct that to just over two minutes."
"Looks to me like this is going to be a rather short labour," Healer Jennings said as she helped his wife into the bed.
By the time Hermione was having her next contraction Ginny appeared in the door way, she took one look at Harry and began to laugh. Seconds later Helen, Richard, Molly, entered the room. The looks on their faces were enough for Harry "Ok go on have a laugh, Harry Potter, Lord Gryffindor is vivid pink from the tips of his toes to the tip of his hair," he said as the funny side of things began to over come his shock.
"Don't forget the spots," Richard laughed.
"Spots! what spots?" Harry asked, he knew he was bright fluorescent pink all over but he had had no spots when he looked into his mirror.
"The orange ones that are roaming all over your face," Ginny said laughing harder at him.
"HARRY POTTER!" Hermione shouted at him as she had yet another contraction, "this is all your doing,"
Harry forgot his own slight problem as he moved closer to hold Hermione's hand, even in her condition Hermione chuckled a little as he took her hand in his bright pink one. The next contraction Hermione had was one that Harry really felt as she crushed his hand in a vice like grip, "Potter I hope one day you have to suffer this," Hermione hissed through gritted teeth as yet another pain made her squeeze his hand even harder.
Healer Jennings was rushing around the room trying to get everything ready, she ushered the visitors out of the room, as she turned back and began to pull on a rubber glove Harry called her over.
"Its to late for that, they are here," he said as the first of the twins suddenly appeared between Hermione's thighs.
"Heck Hermione you could wait for me, I am your healer you know," Healer Jennings was saying as the second twin arrived.
Harry stood with his mouth open as the two babies nestled between Hermione's open thighs. He did not have time to stare for long as Healer Jennings nudged him in his side "Go grab a nurse quick," she told him.
Harry rushed from the room and yelled for a nurse to come quick, Molly Weasley was the fastest one to respond and she was at Hermione's bed before Harry realised she had moved. Having given birth to seven children of her own Molly knew just what needed to be done, she lifted one of the babies as the healer took the other one, both babies had their cords cut and their airways cleared before a nurse had arrived.
A young healer arrived just in time to help with the after birth while Jennings and Molly placed a little girl and boy into Hermione's waiting arms. Harry looked down at his wife and he saw the instant love she had for her children, it lit up her eyes as she looked from one to the other.
"Oh Harry, look at our babies," she said a tear running down her cheek.
Harry leant over and gently kissed his wife's forehead, then he turned to Healer Jennings, "Are they ok, I mean they are a month early."
"They are both big and strong Harry," she said as she waved her wand over the two new Potter's "and they are both fit and well."
Harry sat down in a chair next to the bed and simply stared at his two babies, a feeling of pride in Hermione filled him till he nearly burst before he shed a tear, leaning over he gave Hermione a kiss, "Thanks sweetheart," he said.
Healer Jennings walked out of the room and told those waiting out side that they could go back into the room now, before she went on to her next patient, who she hoped would not give birth quite so quickly.
Helen and Richard were waiting and had been rather worried when Harry had called for help, what they saw when they rushed into the room was quite a shock for them both, Hermione had had the babies and was lying in the bed with a small bundle in each arm. Both of Hermione's parents had tears in their eyes as Hermione introduced them to her children for the first time.
"Mum, dad, meet Guinevere Helen Potter, and…" she looked at Harry.
"And this little one is Richard Neville Potter," Harry said proudly.
Harry lifted his son and passed him to Richard "Rich say hello to your granddad," he said as Richard lovingly took his grandson in his arms.
Hermione nodded to her mum "I think you should meet your grand daughter, mum," she said looking at the tiny bundle of new life, "Ginny go say hi to your Nan."
Helen lifted her granddaughter after she had kissed Hermione on her cheek "Well done sweetheart," she said as she lifted the little girl into her arms.
It was just then that Harry noticed Ginny was missing, "Did anyone see Ginny," he asked looking around.
The door to the room opened before anyone answered and Ginny came in "Did I miss anything?" she asked as she entered,
"Come say hello to Ginny Helen Potter," Helen said, the pride obvious in her voice.
Ginny stopped and her mouth dropped open, "You had them, and you named her after me?" she finally managed to ask as she stepped up to see the newborn.
"Well her full name is going to be Guinevere," Harry said "but that's just the English version of Ginevra."
"This other little one is Richard, Neville," Hermione's dad said holding the baby where Ginny could see him.
Helen passed the baby on to Ginny for her to say hello to her soon to be goddaughter.
"I went to call Albus, he should be here soon," Ginny said as she gently swayed with the little girl asleep in her arms, she could not believe it was all over so quick.
Albus Dumbledore arrived a few minutes later accompanied by his brother Aberforth, he was surprised to see that he already had two new members in his family, Harry saw the tears as they ran slowly down beneath the headmasters glasses and disappeared into his long white beard.
"Hello granddad, uncle Abe," Hermione said as the two old men looked at the new family members, she suddenly felt very proud of her family.
A small commotion outside the door caught the attention of them all, Albus then noticed Harry was bright pink, chuckling he prodded Abe in the ribs and nodded in Harry's direction. For an unknown reason Abe blushed then said "It's not just me then," both he and Albus then chuckled before saying a quick little chant waving their wands at Harry. Harry's colour returned to normal as Dig entered the room.
"Silly woman out there said you had more than enough visitors," he gasped then continued "I have some one out side, can I bring him in."
"The more the merrier," Hermione said as she looked at the room full of people.
Dig went out of the room only to reappear a few seconds later, the man with him caused a silence to fall on everyone in the room.
A/ Note, sorry about it ending there but I'm getting a little tired and I do love to leave a cliffie occasionally, no to worry the next part will be along quite soon.
The Quick birth was based on personal experience though I did elongate the time and increase the number of contractions a little for Hermione.