A Fork in the Road

Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter. Everything is owned by J.K. and her crew. (OUTSTANDING book by the way Jo!)



WARNING: This story contains incest (but if you read chapter nine, you would hae gotten that already...hehe) if you don\'t like it...DONT READ IT!



A/N: Enjoy!





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Chapter Ten: An Awkward Christmas



As Harry opened his sleepy eyes, he felt as though his body had gone through bootcamp. His thigh muscles were cramped, his abs felt tight, and everything else seemed unable to hold itself up. He hoisted himself to sit up, and rubbed his eyes, throwing the covers off. He had forgotten he was naked, and suddenly pulled the sheets back over himself, although no one was in the room.



It took Harry a few moments to realize that Avery had gone. He looked around the room to make sure, before standing up and stretching. As he leaned down to put on his boxers and slid into his slippers, his nostrils filled with the magical scent of freshly smoked bacon coming from the kitchen.



Harry followed the smell out of his bedroom, down the corridor, and down the steps into the kitchen. Avery had gotten fully dressed, and had her black hair in a ponytail.



“Hi,” Harry managed to say, leaning in the doorframe, watching as his daughter was frantically making breakfast.



“Hi,” she replied without taking her eyes off the frying pan. Harry detected the tenseness in her voice.



“Everything alright?” He asked, striding over to her.



She nodded quickly making sure everything about the bacon she was making was perfect. Harry put a hand on her shoulder, and she couldn’t help but look up.



“Look,” Harry began, but Avery had freed herself from his grip, and walked over to the fridge to get some orange juice, but Harry knew that it was a diversion not to look at or speak with him.



“Avery, will you please listen to me?” Harry asked kindly, taking a seat at the table, trying not to make her feel vulnerable.



“Sure.”



Harry sat there, watching her scamper across the kitchen like a mouse, trying to cook the bacon and fervently clean as so to avoid him.



“Avery!” Harry’s voice was authoritative and stern. She paused in mid-step.



“You can’t just pretend that what happened last night didn’t happen,” Harry began calmly. She licked her lips and shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Last night was incredible, Av. I never imagined it would be that wonderful…” Harry paused, allowing his words to sink in, but not so far that Avery would think they were cutting into her flesh.



“I’ve only ever slept with one woman, and that was your mother, Ginny.”



“Enough!” She shrieked. Her voice penetrated Harry’s ears like a whistle had just been blown right into his eardrum. “It was wrong! It was very, very wrong on both of our parts!”



Harry sighed deeply before replying, as he watched his daughter’s lips quivering.



“Come here,” he spoke softly. She obeyed. As she came closer, Harry realized she was crying. “Look,” he said gently taking her hand, “neither of us knew it was going to happen. It was out of our control, Avery. Now, I’m not saying that it was right for us to do that, because according to law, I could be in Azkaban right now.”



“Which is precisely why I’m so ruddy irritated with myself! I should have never come to your bedroom. It’s all my fault!” Avery sobbed, holding her face in her hands. Harry gingerly pulled her hands away from her face, and held them in his. Her hands were delicate and soft.



“It’s both of our faults,” Harry reassured her. “But I don’t regret it. Not for one second.” He looked up into his daughter’s gleaming eyes.



“I don’t regret it either, I mean, yes, it was enchanting and enthralling, but Merlin’s Beard, Dad…you could be sent to Azkaban!” Avery cried.



“I’m not going to Azkaban. No one will find out about all this, believe me.”



“I hope you’re right,” Avery said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.



“Well, let’s get ready to go to Ron and Hermione’s,” Harry said changing the subject. Avery nodded, and without having a bite of her own breakfast, headed up the stairs in silence. Harry understood what she was feeling: terrified, slightly ashamed, and overwhelmed. The previous night had happened like a dream; quick and pleasurable. It was almost odd for Harry to actually realize that he had made love to his daughter only hours before he had awakened that morning.



Without further ado, Harry magically packed some of the food away to bring over to the Weasley’s, and dressed in the kitchen. He charmed his boxers to change into pants, socks and shoes, and also allowed for his body to be dressed in an undershirt covered by a white button-down. He checked himself in the window, and nodded approvingly. When Avery had finished getting ready, they both hopped in the car, and drove to Ron and Hermione’s hardly saying a word.



As they neared the house, Avery unbuckled rather quickly, and dashed through the snow up the steps, and entered the house. Harry made no haste to get inside, because even though he knew that no Weasley knew of the previous night, he felt as though some dark symbol projecting his wrongdoing was floating above his head.



“Happy Christmas, Everyone!” Avery said, taking off her boots, and running to give Hermione and Maria hugs. Ron and Jordan were fixing the fireplace with logs, so that they could warm the house. Harry watched as his daughter wrapped herself around his friend.



“Hi Avery! Happy Christmas to you!” Hermione beamed, grabbing her into her arms. Avery hugged Maria next.



“And Harry,” Hermione said turning towards him, “Happy Christmas as always!” She wrapped herself around him, and kissed his cheek. It felt nice to have someone like Hermione, a sisterly sort of figure, to be with on Christmas. Besides, if it weren’t for Avery, Hermione and Ron would have been the only family Harry had in existence, besides the Dursley’s.



As Harry let go, Ron came into the room, hugged Avery, then made his way over to Harry, arms outstretched.



“Come here, you!” He said clasping his sturdy arms around Harry’s shoulders. “Happy Christmas, mate!”



“You too, Ron,” Harry said smiling. Harry offered the breakfast food Avery had prepared to Hermione. “It just needs to be heated up a little bit and it should be fine.”



“Oh, Harry!” Hermione blushed. “You didn’t have to bring us anything!”



“Well, Avery made it, so…I just thought I’d bring it along since neither of us ate it this morning.”



“Well, that was thoughtful of you anyway. I’ll warm it up and put it on some plates right now,” Hermione said bustling away. Ron rolled his eyes and lead Harry in the direction of the family room, where the fire was crackling away.



“Nice fire, Ron…did you do it all by yourself?” Harry teased, taking a seat on the soft-cushioned couch.



“Shut up,” Ron muttered, chuckling quietly at Harry’s mockery. Harry watched as Avery sat with Maria by the tree, grabbing presents and shaking them.



“Hey! You two better stop cheating,” Ron suggested. “If your mother finds out, Maria, that you went through your presents and shook them, you know she’ll have a fit about it.”



“You honestly think I care what mum says, dad? It’s Christmas!”



The two girls giggled, and Harry couldn’t help but be pleased by how beautiful his daughter looked when she was laughing with glee.



Hermione had set the table with the finest dishware and silverware for the Christmas dinner. She had cooked smoked ham, had mashed some potatoes, and had made a pumpkin pie. Everyone had wine, including the kids, since everyone was almost of age.



The six of them laughed and talked over the delicious meal, Harry reliving the story account of his and his best friend’s first Christmas together and how they had to find the Sorcerer’s Stone. The children, especially Avery, had loved hearing about Harry’s adventures as a boy. She seemed lost in thought as he told them, and he loved when she had that dreamy look on her face.



After dinner, the adults cleaned up as the children went into the other room to wait for the opening of gifts. Harry helped clear the table while Hermione started to charm the dishes in the sink to wash themselves.



“Here you are,” Harry said handing her the dishes. “It was a fine meal, Hermione; absolutely delicious!”



“Why thank you, Harry,” Hermione smiled getting rosy in the cheeks.



“You know, he makes you blush more than I have in years,” Ron complained playfully as he, too, handed his wife his dishes.



“Oh, Ronald! Stop that, you know you make me blush when we—“



“Alright,” Harry interrupted holding his hand up to silence her, “I get the point. Why don’t you just let me go into the other room before you finish that sentence?”



He heard Hermione and Ron chortle as he left the room and accompanied his daughter on the sofa.



“Nice meal, huh?” he asked her. She looked at him and nodded, seemingly unable to speak.



“Alright! We’re ready!” Ron announced entering the room, Hermione tagging along behind him. They both took seats in two different recliners, while Jordan occupied himself to a footstool near Maria, who sat cross-legged on the floor.



“Who’s the first to open?” Maria asked, looking at her parents.



“Just pick one, darling, and read whose name is on it,” Hermione said taking a sip of fresh tea. Maria closed her eyes, and felt her fingers around until she felt one that seemed to have grabbed her attention. She lifted it, opened her eyes and read.



“To Harry, from Hermione and Ron.”



“Aww, guys, c’mon! We said just the kids!” Harry sighed, taking the box. “You know you two spoil me!”



“Just open it for Merlin’s sake!” Ron said gesturing for Harry to unwrap his gift. Harry tore away the paper, and opened the box to see a nice sweater that Hermione must have knitted.



“Tradition, mate,” Ron said, laughing. Harry found it amusing as well and thanked them. He then pointed to a red and silver box on the floor.



“Maria, give that one to your mother, would you?” She grabbed the small box and handed it to Hermione. Hermione shook it slightly, then unwrapped it and opened the tiny box.



“Oh, Harry! You shouldn’t have!” Hermione blushed for the third time.



“What is it?” Ron asked fidgeting in his seat to see. “I’m your husband, Hermione, let me see it!”



“He bought me a beautiful necklace with the children’s names on it. And look! There’s your name, too, Ron!” Hermione said, showing him the necklace.



“Harry, really now, you shouldn’t have gotten this. It must have cost a—“



“Don’t worry about how much it was. Do you like it?”



“It’s wonderful, thank you so much!” Hermione beamed.



“Wow, I’m a lousy husband, then,” Ron said sulkily, putting his head down onto his chest. Hermione rolled her eyes.



“Oh, come off it, Ronald! This is Harry we’re talking about. Stop moaning, it’s Christmas!”



“Yeah, but Harry bought you a necklace, how am I supposed to top that?” Ron asked feeling disappointed in himself.



“Ron, I’m not trying to win your wife’s heart, alright?” Harry said chuckling. “Relax mate, I’ve got another woman I’m after, anyway.” Harry had spoken without thinking. He had not even thought twice that he had just admitted to liking a witch, who happened to be sitting to his immediate right. He felt Avery shift in her seat. He didn’t dare look at her.



“What? You never told us!” Ron exclaimed, forgetting about the necklace. “Who is she? Can we meet her?” Harry went scarlet.



“Uhh…not quite, see—she—err—doesn’t know that I like her, so it’s not like we’ve gotten together or anything,” Harry said trying to cover up his horrid lie.



“Well, what’s her name? Where’s she from?” Hermione asked in total interest.



“Um, her name?” Harry asked stupidly. “Her name, well, see, the funny thing—I don’t even know her name, because…well, I’ve never even spoken to her before. She’s a muggle.” Hermione and Ron both exchanged ‘oh’s’ before shrugging off the piece of news in realization that Harry was in no mood to discuss his situation further.



They continued unwrapping gifts until the wrapping paper was all over the room.



“Well, that about wraps it up, eh?” Ron joked, pointing his wand to all the loose paper, and using magic to clean up. Harry chuckled under his breath, still feeling idiotic for revealing something he should have kept to himself.



As everyone made their way to the door, Hermione and Ron stopped Harry to talk to him.



“Harry, is everything alright?” Hermione asked in her concerned maternal voice.



“I’m fine,” Harry shrugged, watching as both she and Ron exchanged glances.



“Look, mate, we’re your best friends, you can talk to us if something is bothering you,” Ron assured him.



“Trust me,” Harry began, “it’s nothing. Look, everything was great today; the food, the presents, everything. Thanks for being my best mates!” Harry said hugging them both, hoping for no further questioning.



“You’re more than welcome, Harry,” Hermione said squeezing his left arm. “Just know, if you change your mind, we’re here for you.”



Harry nodded approvingly, then without another word, he followed his daughter out to the car.



As soon as he had shut the door in the car, Avery burst out.



“What the bloody hell did you say that for?!” She screeched.



“What?!” Harry asked, shocked by the sound of her shrill voice.



“What you said about being after a woman! What was that about?!”



“Look, it slipped!!” Harry bellowed.



“Well, you might as well just have told them, then!” Her voice was high-pitched and ringing in Harry’s ears, causing his head to begin throbbing.



“Would you stop yelling?” Harry said sternly. “You’re giving me a headache!” Avery immediately stopped, heaved an irritating sigh, and then turned to look out the window. Neither spoke on the rest of the way home.



When they reached their house, Avery jumped out of the car, and ran into the house using “Alohamora” to open the door. Harry followed behind her at a slower pace, kicking a patch of snow as he made his way up the walkway.



When he entered the house, he saw her on the couch with her face buried in the pillows, sobbing. He made his way over to her, unsure whether to comfort her or not. He didn’t want to make things worse. And knowing that she was upset with him made his stomach feel queasy.



“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” he said quietly, enough so she could hear. She picked her head up and looked up at him, puffy-eyed.



“I miss mum,” she blubbered. “I feel like she hates us.”



Harry sat down next to her and brought her sobbing face into his chest. He felt the wetness after a few moments, bleeding through his shirt from her tears. He sat there holding her for a few moments before speaking.



“She doesn’t hate us. In fact, I don’t think Ginny could hate at all, she was such a loving woman,” Harry said brushing Avery’s hair out of her face, trying as hard as he could to encourage her that everything would be alright.



“But I’m your daughter!” Avery sniveled. “If I were her, I’d just think I’m scum.”



“You’re not scum,” Harry said reassuringly. “Trust me on that.” She smiled slightly and took a deep breath.



“Well, I’m worn out. I think I’m going to bed.”



Harry nodded. “Yeah, me too.”



They stood up and hugged, holding each other tightly, feeling loved and secured at the other’s touch.



“Goodnight Daddy,” Avery whispered, kissing his lips softly. Harry felt a tingle in the pit of his stomach. He licked the spot where her lips had just been.



“Goodnight beautiful.”



Harry watched as she climbed the steps, her hair bouncing slightly on her back. He couldn’t help but think how he wanted to ask for her hand in that moment. It was impossible, but Harry couldn’t help but picture the look on Avery’s face if he had gotten down on one knee and opened a box with a diamond shining up at her.





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A/N: Am I hearing any \'hoo-rahs!!\'? I like this chapter a lot...it\'s just sweet, sexy, and simple. Just my style...anyway, I hope everyone is satisfied