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.
And we drive and drive.
Until we found a town far enough away,
And we talk and window shop,
'Till I forgotten all their names.
I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school,
But I know I'm laughing,
On the car ride home with you.
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay,
But I know I had the best day with you today.
~ The Best Day by Taylor Swift
~*~ 2nd August 2003 ~*~
The second floor of the Lily Pad was busy in anticipation of the big day. Hermione stood near the back wall of the children's section, fussing with the projector that she'd spent far too long researching to be used for the party, as well as special events like movie nights at the store. Making sure all the connections were properly plugged in, Hermione hit the power button on the remote and stood back. Nothing happened. "Shite," she said, checking the connections again, then realizing that the power cord was not plugged in. Finally, with the power on, it came on, displaying the brand on the screen she had mounted on the wall. Reading the manual, she adjusted the dials on the top of the device as Rosella's laughter drifted up from downstairs, as Megan, her daughter Gabby, and Michael kept Rosella occupied, while Harry and Hermione set up for her birthday party upstairs.
Hermione searched her laptop for the picture she had saved of Prince Eric's castle to be shown on the projector before it was time. With a flicker and a few adjustments, the image sharpened and settled into place so that the girls could stand before it in their costumes for a picture.
Harry was in the reading nook, carefully spreading tablecloths across the tables while her parents arranged the cardboard castle standups that she had made from boxes against the wall and taped the glittering mermaids onto the fake ocean floor. Taking everything in, everything seemed to be coming together.
Molly Weasley appeared at the top of the stairs. "I'm here. Victoire is downstairs with Arthur and Rosella. Dominque came down with a cold, so Bill and Fleur won't be coming," she said, looking around. "What do you need me to do?"
Hermione was trying to set up the VCR on the cart underneath the projector and glanced at Briar Rose, "Mum, could you show Molly where the food is in the café? Everything should be labeled."
"Got it, Camillo?" Briar Rose asked.
"Taping glittery mermaids to the floor? I think I can handle it. I may die of accidental glitter exposure, so make sure to come back and check on me," Camillo told her, wiping purple glitter from his balding head, making Briar Rose shake her head as she followed Molly downstairs.
Harry snorted, and Hermione looked at him, "What?"
"Your dad is just funny, that's all," Harry told her as he walked over to her. "I know nothing about technology, but the tables are all set. Do you need help?"
Hermione slipped the scrunchie off her wrist and pulled her hair back into a messy bun. "Alright, I think we just need to put out the colouring supplies and the crown kits," she said, looking around, then froze when she saw the empty present table. "Oh! Her presents! I forgot-"
Harry caught her gently by the arms. "Already handled, they're in your office, so she doesn't spot that enormous doll, and we already gave her the dollhouse at home. It's just that dress-up doll that's her size, and the Ariel bookbag and lunchbox."
Hermione sagged in relief, pressing her forehead against his chest. "Thank you for being here for all of it."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," Harry told her, rubbing her arms.
More footsteps sounded on the stairs as Ron and Luna came up them and turned into the children's section.
"Hey," Harry greeted.
Ron pointed toward the stairs. "I might need your help downstairs. I brought that ice box thing you wanted, it's on the other side of the store."
"Brilliant, I'll come help," Harry said as he leaned down and kissed Hermione's temple before following Ron down the stairs.
Luna looked at Hermione. "What can I help with?"
"Honestly?" Hermione exhaled, "Nothing at the moment. I just-" she stopped as the projector light flashed across Luna's hand, "What is that on your hand?"
Luna lifted it, and a ring caught the light, "Ron finally proposed."
Hermione gasped, grabbing Luna's hand. "Luna, I am so happy for you!" she said, hugging her. "How did he do it?"
"Well, you know he's had it for months. Well, we went to my store, and he tried to get one of the dogs to bring it over to me, tied to his collar, which I really love. He panicked, dropped the ring, and then almost wrestled the dog to keep it from eating it. Ended up giving me this speech about how I was what he never thought he needed. It was quite romantic of him," Luna told her with a smile, "We are also adopting the dog. He's adorable, just like my Ronald."
Hermione laughed, wiping her eyes, "I am so happy for you two." She said, looking at the ring. It was a cloudy stone that was shaped like a heart, with tiny diamonds surrounding it. "What's the stone?"
"It's a moonstone. He found it in Romania while visiting Charlie. He came to ask Daddy for my hand, and Daddy gave him the ring for the stone. The diamonds were in my mum's ring, but the stone broke in her accident. You know that Moonstones are magical stones? Only the most beautiful is created when the moon is at its fullest, and there is high magical interaction, such as from a spirit being created and a dragon breathes fire." Luna smiled, looking at it, "It means new beginnings and bestowing protection over me… of course, he didn't know that. He said that it reminded him of me."
Ron and Harry came up the stairs carrying the cooler filled with ice between them.
"Oh, Ron!" Hermione said as she ran up to him and hugged him, making him drop the cooler to catch her, "I'm so happy for the two of you."
Ron patted her back awkwardly, "I am a taken man now, Hermione."
Harry walked over to Luna, "Looks even better on you, Luna. Congrats," he said, hugging her.
Hermione gasped, turning around, hitting Ron in the face with her hair that had fallen from the bun, "You saw it!?" Hermione turned back around and hit Ron, "Why did you show it to him and not me?!"
"Harry, get your woman off of me!" Ron said as he went over to Luna and put his arm around her, "It's last minute, but Luna and I decided that we wanted to get married on Halloween. Harry, I want to make sure that is okay with you?"
Harry looked at him, confused, "Why would I have an opinion on it?"
"Because of what that day means for you, with your parents," Luna stated, "It is Samhain, where the veil is thinnest for my mum's spirit to be there with us."
Harry smiled, "I'd rather it be a positive day for you two than for me to think about anything negatively." He glanced back toward the stairs, "But you might want to hide it temporarily because Molly might freak out."
Ron looked at the stairs wide-eyed, "Bloody hell, Mum will cry."
Luna took it off her finger and put it into her purse as Molly and Briar Rose carried the food trays up the stairs.
"Ronnie, will you be a dear and help us with all this food?" Molly asked.
"Sure, Mum," Ron said, running over to her.
Delicious food made by Vivian was consumed as Hermione watched Teddy, the sticker-peeler extraordinaire, sit cross-legged on the rug, helping Rosella and the girls decorate paper crowns with glittery stickers and jewels. Victoire leaned over his shoulder, handing him another to start, while Annie, Marcie, Rachel, Olivia, and Bella from Rosella's class exchanged mermaid stickers like they were prized possessions.
Hermione lingered a few steps back, just in case they needed an adult, since most of the parents had felt comfortable going down to the café or main level of the store. MacKenzie walked over to her with a grin as she glanced over at Harry talking to one of the fathers.
"So, how are things going? You've been so busy, we haven't had a chance to get together at all," MacKenzie stated as she sipped on her drink from the café.
Hermione bit the inside of her lip with a smile. "Great," she said, turning to her. "Tell me I'm not crazy, I gave him a key to the house."
MacKenzie shook her head, "Look at that fine specimen. No, you aren't crazy. Just… beware of your heart. I don't want you setting yourself up for heartbreak all over again if he signs back up for Doctors without Borders."
Hermione shook her head, "I don't think we have to worry about that. A hospital in London hired him."
MacKenzie frowned, "That will be a long commute for him."
Hermione waved her off, "I'm not worried. He will pull longer shifts as the Head and be home for several days before returning. They fought to get him."
MacKenzie opened her mouth to ask her something when Annie yelled that she was having a crown emergency.
She looked over to see her parents in deep conversation with Molly and Arthur as Harry slipped up beside her. "So," he said, nodding towards the children, "Things going well?"
Hermione nodded, watching Rosella, "Look at her. She's so happy."
Harry bumped her lightly, "Do you have any cousins?"
She blinked, surprised, then nodded slowly. "Technically, yes. But we were always… distant." She shrugged, "My parents were older when they had me. My mum's sisters had their children young. They all stayed in France when my mum came up here for school. By the time I came along, my cousins were all nearly grown." She hesitated. "My eldest second cousin is only ten years younger than I am."
Harry leaned into her, listening.
"My dad's sister died young," Hermione continued, "So did his parents in the same accident. His aunt raised him, and my grandmother…" she trailed off, "She's still in France, but she hasn't been well for years. When I sent my parents to Australia, I went to tell them that they were traveling. She didn't remember them anyway."
Her gaze swept to Ron and Ginny, who were laughing with Neville and Luna. "I think that's why we were drawn to the Weasleys," she said quietly, "Neither of us had big families. Not like them."
Harry nodded, then bent down whispering, "Do you want more?"
Hermione turned to him, startled by his question. "I mean… I've thought about it," she admitted, "Plenty of times."
His mouth curved into a slow grin as one of the fathers called him across the room. "Good," he said simply as he stepped away.
Hermione watched him go, her heart doing something in her chest that she had never felt before, and for a moment, she thought he'd sent her into a heart attack. Rosella caught her eye, her new birthday girl crown lopsided, and her hands covered in glitter. She waved at her as her knee knocked over a cup of crayons, making Hermione laugh. Hermione thought to herself that she could get used to this.
~*~ 8th August 2003 ~*~
Hermione drifted awake to the soft shift of weight beside her. Opening her eyes, she saw Harry easing out of bed, carefully trying not to wake her. She groaned and reached out, fingers catching his own. "Come back to bed," she mumbled.
He smiled, walking around to her side, then bent to kiss her temple, then her lips. "I'll be back soon. Go back to sleep."
She sighed dramatically, rolling towards his side of the bed and tugging his pillow to her. "Fine."
The next time she woke, it was to the sound of running water. She squinted at the clock on the bedside table to see that it was nearly 6:30.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," she muttered, pushing herself up just as the shower shut off. Now that Harry had returned, Rosella was cutting her naps down, and Hermione usually had until 7 to sleep in.
Harry appeared in the bathroom doorway, moments later, his towel low around his waist and his hair damp. "Morning."
Hermione bit her lip, eyes lingering on his slightly blurry shape. "A very good morning. Come here."
He chuckled as he crossed the room, "I'm going to get you all wet."
"Oh, love," she said, reaching for him and pulling him down on top of her on the bed, "You've already managed that just by walking in like that."
Harry hovered over her, kissing her slowly. "Good morning."
"I think," Hermione murmured, sliding her fingers down his back, "That we should start all mornings like this."
"I agree wholeheartedly," he said, his voice low as he moved to kiss her neck.
She gasped softly as she tilted her head so that he could get the sensitive spot under her ear. Her gaze drifted past him to the wall, where she saw the date on the calendar circled for today. Her breath hitched. "Oh, shite!"
Harry lifted his head, "What?"
"Rose's appointment is today," Hermione said, "Damnit, I circled it even. A big, obvious circle, and still forgot."
Harry stared down at her. "Seriously? That's what you're thinking about right now?"
She groaned, covering her face. "I didn't mean to. I just saw the calendar, and I can't take off today. We've got that new author coming in and-"
"Hermione," he said calmly, cutting her off. "I'll keep her home today. I'll take her to the appointment. We'll make a day of it, think of it as a Daddy and Daughter date."
She dropped her hands and looked up at him, her eyes softening. "You've never been sexier than you are right now."
He grinned. "Good," he said, leaning in to kiss her again. "Because our munchkin will be up in about fifteen minutes, and we really don't have any time to waste."
Hermione laughed, pulling him closer.
Hermione came downstairs still warm from her shower, her hair damp and twisted up into a knot, to the sound of sizzling and giggling. Walking into her kitchen, she found Harry standing at the stove, a spatula in his hand, while Rosella stood on her stool beside him.
"Good morning, my little flower," Hermione said, leaning in to kiss the top of Rosella's head.
"Good morning, Mumma," Rosella said happily, "Daddy and I are making pandicakes." She set down her little plastic play knife and tipped a handful of mushed strawberries into the batter.
"Sounds delicious," Hermione said as she walked over to the counter and poured herself a mug of coffee. "Megan called while I was getting ready. She said there's already a line outside the store."
Harry glanced over his shoulder, surprised, "Already? Who's the author again?"
"It helps that he is also a cyclist," Hermione told him, adding milk to her coffee, "His name is Lance Armstrong, he won the Tour de France."
Harry whistled, "No wonder you can't miss today." He slid a plate to Rosella, "Rose, go eat."
Rosella hopped down from her stool and took the plate as Harry handed Hermione her own, "Come on, Mumma."
Together, the three of them ate at the kitchen table, Rosella telling them all about her dream where she and Teddy fought against a dragon that was trying to take over Hogwarts. Both Hermione and Harry were being kept captive by the dragon in a tower, and Harry had been trying to protect her.
"Daddy was stabbing the dragon, Mumma. You were yelling at him, too, cheering him on. You were going, 'Daddy, yes! Right there… harder.' As he was stabbing it," Rosella said, her little feet excitedly moving under her chair.
Hermione dropped her fork and looked at Harry wide-eyed, "Did you cast the silencing charm?" she hissed.
Harry groaned, "No."
"And then, Teddy and I killed the dragon!" Rosella said excitedly.
"Awesome," Hermione mumbled, stabbing her pancake.
/\/ <3 /\/
After breakfast, Hermione had headed upstairs to get dressed while Harry and Rosella tackled the dishes. Harry washed them and handed them to Rosella, who dried each one with great care before placing it in the drainer to finish.
When Hermione returned, her hair in an updo, makeup polished, wearing a blazer, fitted blouse, and ironed dressy trousers, looking every bit the professional she was. Rosella looked at her, "Mumma, you look amazing."
"Very, very good," Harry agreed as he threw the towel he was drying his hands with onto the counter and walked over.
Hermione placed a hand on his chest before he could lean in, "Sorry, I don't want to mess this up."
Harry grinned, leaning around to press a kiss just under her ear. "Fine, I'll behave," he murmured. "But wear that outfit tonight. With your glasses."
He grinned as Hermione cleared her throat, her cheeks red under her makeup. "You have the address for her office?"
Harry nodded, "Dr. Opal at nine, then St. Mungo's at noon."
Hermione pulled a magnet from the refrigerator and tucked her insurance card under it. "Here's her insurance card. If you need me-"
Harry chuckled, "Hermione, I may be a healer, but I also trained with doctors. I've got this. Go worry about the store."
She kissed the top of Rosella's head, then Harry walked her to the floo.
"Relax," He told her, "Everything will go great."
"I hope so," Hermione told him, stepping into the green flames as they swept her away.
Rosella came up beside him, and Harry looked down at her, checking his watch. "All right," he said, "We've got about an hour until we have to leave. What should we do?"
Rosella tapped her lips, "Um… ice cream?"
Harry laughed, "Nice try. How about the park near your doctor's office?"
"Yes!" Rosella shouted, running toward the stairs.
"Walk!" Harry called after her.
Rosella came back down the stairs, appearing as if she was floating, swishing her skirts from side to side through the hallway. The new Cinderella dress sparkled as she moved, revealing the rainbow wellies that thumped against the floor. The whole ensemble was completed by a tiara crooked upon her head. "What do you think, Daddy?" she asked, spinning and nearly losing her balance.
Harry rubbed his hand over his face, smiling, "We're going to the park before the doctor's office. Are you sure you want to wear that there?"
"Yes," Rosella nodded, "Doctors and new friends both like princesses."
Harry sighed, realizing it wasn't a battle he wanted to have. "Fine. Let me check Crookshanks' food and water, and then we'll go. Did you brush your teeth?"
Her eyes, a few shades darker than his own, widened, "Ummm… I think?"
Harry bent down and sniffed. "Syrup. Ummm… no, you didn't," he said, pointing toward the stairs, "Let's go."
Rosella marched back upstairs, Harry following her to the hallway bathroom. Grabbing her toothbrush, he put a dab of toothpaste and handed it to her.
"Brush your teeth," he told her, "Your feet are going to get hot in those wellies. I'm going to find your trainers."
He stepped into her bedroom and stared at the shoe organizer. Plastic princess heels. Ballet flats. Even slippers shaped like unicorns. No sparkly rainbow trainers that Hermione's parents had given her for her birthday.
Harry sighed as he checked under the bed, then scanned the room again. He finally spotted them. Her Just My Size Ariel doll sat propped against her pillows, wearing the trainers. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he removed the shoes from the doll and headed back to the bathroom.
"Rose, honey, why-" He stopped short. It looked like Rosella had gone feral. Toothpaste foam coated her mouth, trailed down her chin, and splattered down her dress and onto the counter like some rabid scene. Harry blinked, "How did you do that?"
She spoke through the foam, it flying to hit the mirror with every word. "It wasn't enough. I did it myself."
Harry grabbed a cup, filled it with water, and handed it to her. "Rinse."
As she swished the water in her mouth, he took his wand from his sleeve, cleaning the toothpaste from the counter, fabric, mirror, and tile. "It was plenty of toothpaste," he told her, wiping her chin with a towel.
She barred her teeth at him. "My teeth are clean now."
/\/ <3 /\/
Harry adjusted Rosella on his hip as they walked through the glass doors of St. Mungo's. The familiar scent of antiseptic and potions mixed washed over him, making him feel oddly comforted. Rosella held him by the neck as she took everything in.
Walking up to the welcome witch's desk, Harry smiled. "My daughter has an appointment with Healer Amanda at noon."
The witch looked up. And froze. "… hi," she breathed out.
Harry kept smiling, "Hi, could you refresh me on where I need to go?"
She blinked, nodded, "Um… children's department is on the sixth floor. Check in at the desk up there."
"Thank you," Harry said, lifting Rosella a bit higher.
They stepped into the lift, its doors sliding shut. Harry leaned forward so she could reach the buttons. "We need six."
Rosella stretched and pressed a button. "This one?"
"Exactly that one, good job." He said as the lift jolted up.
They just passed the first floor when the lift stopped again.
The doors opened to reveal Nathan Scott. "Just take him to accidents," Nathan told someone out of sight as he froze seeing Harry, "Harry?"
"Nathan," Harry nodded as he came into the lift. "Hey."
"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked, looking at Rosella, "Wait…"
"My daughter has a checkup today," Harry told him calmly as the doors shut again.
Nathan stared between Harry and Rosella as the lift started climbing, "Daughter?"
Harry nodded. "I'll explain later."
Nathan laughed once, then held out his hand. "Well then. Hello, ma'am."
Rosella studied him before shaking his finger instead of his hand. "Hello. I am Rosella. Who are you?"
Nathan grinned, "I am Nathan. I'll be working with our dad."
She stared at him, "I sees you before."
Nathan looked at Harry. "You did," Harry told her. "You had a bump on your head and came here."
Rosella nodded. "I got a bad ouchie."
The lift chimed as the doors opened.
"Well, this is us," Harry said, stepping out. "Let me know when you want me for that orientation."
Nathan nodded. "I will."
Rosella tightened her arms around his neck. "Daddy, you are working here?"
"Sometime soon," Harry said, setting her down on the reception desk. He leaned forward to the receptionist witch. "I'm checking in Rosella Granger. Appointment with Healer Amanda at noon."
The receptionist looked up, staring at him for a moment before masking it with professionalism. "All checked in. You can have a seat in the waiting area."
Harry thanked her and walked over to the waiting room, setting Rosella down and opening the bag that Hermione had packed for her.
"Here you go, baby girl," he said, handing her crayons and a colouring book.
"Thank you," Rosella said, arranging them on the chair before plopping onto the floor.
A witch nearby rocked a baby in her arms and smiled warmly, "She's adorable."
Harry returned the smile and reached for Quidditch Weekly. "Thanks."
"Daddy," Rosella said, "Why are you on that book?"
Harry looked up to see a copy of Witch Weekly in her hands. His face from the Quidditch match stared back at him. From Quidditch Savior to Hunky Hero: The Evolution of Harry Potter. Harry groaned, "Because Rita Skeeter cannot help herself."
Rosella held it up proudly to the witch, "This is my daddy! He is Harry, and I'm Rosella!"
The witch's jaw dropped.
"Rosella Granger?"
Harry was on his feet instantly, scooping Rosella up.
"No, Daddy! My crayons!" Rosella protested.
He sighed, set her back down, swept the crayons into the bag, then picked her up again. "Rosella is here," he said gently.
The healer smiled at Rosella. "Hello, Rosella. How are you?"
"Miss Amanda, this is my daddy," Rosella said proudly.
Harry caught the whispers behind them. "Look, could we go to the room? I don't want to rush you, but I think we've accidentally made a scene. I'm Harry."
The healer studied him for a moment, then nodded, "Of course, come with me. We didn't get a chance to meet when you were touring last year. I'm Healer Amanda."
"Nice to meet you," Harry said, following her down the corridor.
Inside the exam room, Harry set Rosella on the bed as Healer Amanda washed her hands.
Healer Amanda dried her hands and looked at Harry, "Rosella comes in every year for a full checkup," she said, throwing her paper towel away. "Mostly because of her time in the Little Wizards unit. To check on those powerful lungs."
Harry nodded as Amanda took out her stethoscope. "She's been perfectly healthy. Strong lungs, her magic is amazingly stable for her age. I don't know if you have done any tests of your own on her since you've been back?" Amanda asked.
Harry shook his head. "Nothing invasive. She falls a lot, and I did a brain map, knowing her history, to see if there was a correlation, but nothing came up abnormal. Just ends up with injuries like her dad."
Healer Amanda laughed as she projected her body map, "All right, Rosella, let's see how powerful those lungs are."
"I've grown this big since Monday!" Rosella said, showing her arms out, "The doctor said so."
Healer Amanda laughed, "I bet you have."
After Rosella's appointment, where she was given a clean bill of health, Harry drove them to the outside entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, where he got them both lunch.
Lunch was simple, and Harry wiped her hands and face, then picked her up, leading her to Diagon Alley for a treat at Florean Fortescue's.
Her little face pressed against the glass, staring at the wide selection of flavours. "I want four scoops."
Harry looked at her, surprised, "Four?"
She nodded, "Yes."
Minutes later, Rosella was sitting proudly in a chair on the patio holding a cone stacked nearly as large as her head with scoops of lemon, blueberry, pistachio, and strawberry.
Sitting beside her, Harry took a lick of his own caramel. "Living dangerously. Your mum might kill me for your sugar high."
She beamed up at him, "It's a Hogwarts cone."
"Is it?"
"Strawberry is Gryffindor, pistachio is Slytherin because it's green," She told him, licking the strawberry first, then taking a lick of the pistachio. He watched her wrinkle her nose, "It tastes weird."
Harry muttered, "Slytherins were weird."
She giggled and moved on to the blueberry. "This is Ravencla… oh no!" she yelled as the top of the cone started to slide off. Rosella gasped, holding out her hand, and the ice cream froze mid-air. "Get back on there, you silly thing."
Harry watched in disbelief as the scoop settled back on the cone. "Well then."
A passerby had stopped watching her in disbelief, then looked at him, "Oh Merlin…. You're Harry Potter."
Harry sighed, caramel dripping onto his knuckles, realizing that he probably wasn't going to be able to finish his ice cream. "Please don't make a big deal of it. I'm just enjoying the day. It's nice to meet you, though."
It didn't matter. Within seconds, people began to slow, whisper, and point. Rosella's grip on his hand got tight. "Daddy," she whispered, scared.
Before Harry could respond, one of the café's umbrellas tipped over, shielding them from view. Rosella was getting overwhelmed. Harry crouched, scooping her up. "Come on, baby girl. Let's get out of here."
She buried her face in his chest, and Harry apparated them back to the car. The street was thankfully empty. Setting Rosella in her seat and buckling her in, he climbed into the driver's side. Turning toward her, he looked at her face. "Are you okay? I know that was scary."
Rosella sighed, resting her head back on her car seat. "Is that why you used to be sad all the time?"
Harry stilled, "What do you mean?"
"In Mumma's pictures, when you were little… you looked sad. Did people not leave you alone? I hate it when Tommy and Billy bother me all the time."
Harry swallowed, taking a moment to think about it. "When I was younger, people either loved me or hated me because of how my mummy and daddy died. They thought I should be able to do things I didn't understand. They forgot that I was just a kid."
Rosella frowned, "That's not fair."
"No," Harry agreed, "It wasn't."
She looked at him again. "Okay, but you're happy now, right?"
Harry started the car. "I have you and your mum. You two make me happier than I've ever been."
Rosella smiled.
"Now," he said, glancing in the mirror, "I have a question for you. Have you ever gone fishing?"
She shook her head. "No."
Harry grinned, "I know the perfect place for us to try, if you are okay with a little road trip."
"Yes!" she shouted.
Harry laughed as he signaled and pulled away from the sidewalk.
/\/ <3 /\/
Rosella had taken a short nap on their way as Harry parked the car in the parking lot of the small lake labeled with an old wooden sign: Rosie's Retreat.
As he stopped the car, Rosella opened her eyes and stretched. "Is this my place?"
"We're here," Harry said as he got out.
It was quiet. Only a few families were scattered around as Harry walked her to the store to purchase bait and two rods. The pond was barely moving, and Rosella giggled as a dragonfly nearly skimmed her.
Setting her bag next to him with extra wipes, he put the tin of worms between them. Carefully baiting Rosella's hook, he handed her pole to her.
Rosella stared at the water as the line dropped into it, making it ripple.
"They tell me there are a lot of catfish here," he said, handing her the pole.
Rosella stared at the water. "Reallys? There are catfishes?"
"Apparently," Harry said, setting up his own pole and sitting beside her.
Rosella gasped, "I want one. No," she shook her head, "I want a golden doggy fish. They're cute."
Harry chuckled. "They aren't actually cats. Though they do have whiskers, and I don't think there's such a thing as a golden dog fish."
Rosella sighed dramatically. "Too bad."
She gasped as the pole jerked hard, nearly sending her into the water, her eyes going wide. "Daddy! It got me!" she shrieked.
Harry lunged, grabbing her around the waist with one hand and bracing the pole with his other. "Whoa, I've got you. You're okay."
Rosella clutched the pole with both hands. "It's a strong cat!"
Harry slowly tried to wind it up, but the fish fought back against him and slowly came out of the water.
Rosella stared at it. "That's not a cat," she said, peering closer.
Harry laughed, "Careful, don't fall in. Let me take it off, and we can throw it back."
Rose looked at him, "I don't get to take the fishy home?"
"It needs to go back to its family," Harry said as he gently took it off the hook and threw it back.
"Bye, Tony!" Rosella yelled.
Harry laughed, "Tony?"
Rosella shrugged, "It looked like a Tony."
/\/ <3 /\/
Harry relaxed as the road stretched out in front of them, the afternoon sun warming the car as they drove with the windows down, Rosella belting out the CD that Hermione had in the radio.
"DADDY!"
Harry nearly swerved as he glanced at her in the mirror, "What's wrong?"
"I gotta potty," Rosella told him.
"Bad?" He asked, glancing back at her to see her nodding, clutching the front of her dress with her legs twisted.
"Shite," he muttered, scanning the road. It had been a while since he'd seen somewhere to pull off. With luck, he saw a sign saying that a petrol station was 5 km away. "Hang on."
He barely turned the car off at the station before jumping out, scooping Rosella up, and sprinting inside. "Where's your loo?" he asked the clerk.
The man jerked his thumb towards the back, and Harry took off. Pushing the door to the men's room open, he was met with a startled look from another man at the sink.
"Sorry," Harry said quickly, "She's gotta pee."
He rushed Rosella into the stall, barely managing to tug her shorts down and lift the skirt of her dress before she started going.
Rosella sighed in relief, her little feet swinging. "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you fink my collection's compete?"
"Rose, love," Harry said, "Not in here."
She continued. "Want thingamabobs? I got twenty-"
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you done?"
She shook her head, "No, I gotta poops."
From outside the stall, Harry heard a muffled laugh, followed by the door opening.
Leaning back against the stall door, he stared at the ceiling.
"Um…" Rosella added, "I fink I got five poops in me."
Harry closed his eyes. "Five, right."
"There's one!" She announced proudly.
He checked his watch, "We're definitely not going to make it home before Mum gets off work. We should have flooed."
Rosella looked up at him, "Can we get Mumma a present? She works hard. She likes treats."
Harry softened. "Yeah," he said, "We can do that."
"And fish and chips? With lots of chips?" she asked hopefully.
Harry smiled, "That sounds perfect."
She scrunched her face one last time. "Yep. My bottom is done."
Harry laughed, reaching for the paper. "Alright. Let's get you cleaned up and go get dinner."
Hermione stepped out of the floo and paused.
It was quiet. Too quiet.
"Harry?" She called.
Nothing.
"Rosella?"
Still no answer.
Crookshanks wound himself around her ankles, purring, and Hermione bent down, scratching behind his ears. "Hello, Crooks. Where are Rosella and Harry? Hmm?"
He lovingly headbutted her and then ventured off somewhere else in the house.
Walking to the front window, she peeked out. Her car was still gone.
"Huh," she murmured, "Must be having fun."
Checking her watch, she saw it was just after five. Rolling her neck to loosen the tension she hadn't noticed, she stared at the stairs. Maybe she could sneak in a bath.
Soon she found herself submerged in warm water, candles glowing around her tub, steam curling around her skin. Sighing, she let her head rest back against the tile and closed her eyes, breathing in the quiet.
"That looks amazing."
Hermione's eyes flew open to find Harry standing in the doorway, Rosella asleep in his arms. "She's asleep? We'll never get her to bed tonight."
Harry nodded, "She fell asleep about thirty minutes from home. I'm going to lay her down on the bed and then go grab dinner."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You ordered dinner?"
"Rose's request," Harry said, grinning, "Fish and chips. I'm going to lay her on the bed so you can hear her if she wakes."
"Thank you," Hermione told him.
Harry disappeared, then returned alone, kneeling beside the tub. "Before I forget, how was today?"
Hermione bit her lip, warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with the bath. "Amazing, it went really well."
Harry bent down and kissed her slowly. "I'm glad." Then stood up.
She smiled up at him, "Be careful."
He gave her a mock salute, "Yes, my queen."
Hermione looked at him wide-eyed, and he gave her a lopsided grin, "Well, Rose thinks she's a Princess for it's only right that you are the Queen of this castle. Be back."
As he left, Hermione leaned back listening to him walk down the stairs and out the door, and sighed. She couldn't ever remember being this happy.
Preview of Chapter 42 – Lose Control
The Potter tapestry covered from Linfred of Stinchcombe to Ignotus Peverell, all the way to Harry himself and Rosella.
Harry stepped closer, "I'm here." His finger traced Rosella's name, "And so is Rosella."
Hermione walked up beside him, "Family magic," she said quietly. "It's woven into the fabric. It knows."
Harry stared at it, and Hermione took his arm in hers. "We should take it, have it cleaned and restored. Hang it in your next home."
Harry turned to her, "Our next home."
Hermione froze, and he took her face in his hands.
"When I tear down my parents' cottage at Godric's Hollow, I don't plan to rebuild it for myself. I plan to build it for you, me, Rosella… us rebuilding it together, for any future children we might have."
Harry leaned down and kissed her, "I'm in this for the long haul, Hermione. I can't imagine my life with anyone else."
Hermione's breath caught as tears fell from her eyes before she could stop them, as she stepped into his arms. "I can't either," she whispered, "I love you so much."
Harry held her close, pressing his forehead to her. "Good, because I love you too."