Hurt

So we've made it. This is the final chapter. Sorry it took so long. College finals and a move got in the way of my creativity. But never fear! The end is here! Enjoy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hermione sighs and shakes her head when she hears running on the stairs. “Boys! I told you not to run in the house!” she calls. Isaac and Ian look at her when they reach the bottom step.

“Sorry mum!” the boys chorus before dashing out the front door. She shakes her head again then turns her attention to the toddler sitting in the highchair throwing food.

“No, we do not throw food,” she says and gently taps the boy’s hand. He gives her a startled look then his eyes fill with tears. “Now, now, none of that. It did not hurt you in the slightest. Isabella, could you get Benjamin out of the highchair and take him up to the nursery?”

The girl nods and picks the boy up out of the highchair before taking him out of the room. Hermione sets about cleaning up the chair then blinks when mashed potatoes splatter on the side of her face. She raises an eyebrow at the little boy in the second highchair. “Bradley, that was very mean of you. Just because Benjamin does it, does not mean you have to. Where is your father? He should have been home half an hour ago,” she murmurs and washes the food from her skin.

Remus enters the kitchen followed closely by Sirius, Eamon, Isaac, and Ian. Hermione eyes the group when they grin at her and try to keep a box hidden from her. Isabella totes Benjamin back into the room and puts him in the highchair again.

“Happy Birthday!” the kids intone. Remus steps out of the way so Hermione gasps. Sirius floats the box to the table as Eamon carefully places a cake next to it.

Hermione smiles at them then hugs the boys. Remus laughs when Sirius blushes a brilliant shade of red when Hermione kisses his cheek. She moves over to Remus and pulls him into a kiss. “All right, break it up. Nudity is not allowed in front of the children!” Sirius orders and covers Eamon’s eyes.

Isabella takes the empty bowl from Bradley and cleans the tray while Hermione looks the box and cake over. “Open it mum. The box won’t bite, honest,” she says. Hermione smiles at her then carefully takes the lid off the box.

Hermione’s eyes widen at the books stacked neatly in the box. Remus shrugs when she looks at him. “They did most of it. I only charmed the pictures to stay,” he murmurs. She lifts the very top book and opens it. A soft giggle escapes her lips as she looks at the pictures. “We found those in the bottom of your old trunk. It was their idea to make an album out of them. And these are the books that Ginny wrote about your adventures with Harry and Ron. I never thought that she would grow up to be a brilliant author.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Remus sits up in bed and listens carefully. Hermione blinks at him then sits up as well. “Remus? Whatever is the matter?” she asks sleepily. He quickly gets out of the bed and pulls a pair of sleeping pants on.

“Someone is in the house,” Remus says softly. Hermione gets out of the bed and wraps her robe around herself before following him out of the room and down the stairs.

Lightning flashes outside illuminating the person in the living room. Hermione gasps and moves over to Ginny. “Merlin Gin! You gave us such a fright!” she says and pulls the other woman into a hug. “Why are you here so early in the morning?”

Ginny grasps at Hermione’s robe as she starts sobbing. Hermione gives Remus a startled look then returns her attention to her friend. “I couldn’t think of any place else to go! Mum and dad are in Romania with Charlie and Harry’s away for work!” the distraught woman cries. Hermione rubs her back as she hugs her.

“Tell me what has you so worked up,” she whispers. Ginny opens her mouth to speak but cries out in pain instead. “Oh dear,” Hermione says then carefully pulls Ginny up off the couch. “Remus, fetch Poppy. Isaac! Ian!”

The two eleven year olds in question hurry down the stairs. “What’s wrong?” Ian asks.

“Aunt Ginny’s baby is coming,” Hermione says as she guides Ginny to the boys. “Help her up to my room then get back to bed,” she orders. Isaac takes Ginny’s hand as Ian takes her other one.

Remus slips his boots on then pulls his cloak off the hook. “I’ll return shortly,” he murmurs and kisses Hermione’s forehead before leaving the house.

~~~~~~~~~~

Harry smiles at Hermione as they watch Ginny coo at the tiny baby. “Lucky I was at Hogwarts when Remus showed up, huh?” he murmurs. Hermione nods then looks to the doorway when Remus knocks on the doorframe.

“Proud grandparents want a turn,” he says. Ginny looks up as Molly and Arthur enter the room.

Molly immediately pulls Hermione into a hug and starts crying. “Remus told us and we came as soon as we could. Thank Merlin you were awake!” she cries. Hermione pats her back and pulls away.

“Remus is the one who knew she was in the house. I have enough experience that I know what I am doing. Harry, I need to speak with you privately please,” Hermione says and takes Harry’s wrist before dragging him out of the room and down to the kitchen.

Harry frowns at Hermione when she pushes him down into a chair then sets about preparing breakfast. “What did you want to talk about ‘Mione?” he asks.

Soft footsteps sound in the hallway to the back staircase so they look up to see Bradley and Benjamin yawning and rubbing their eyes. “Mommy?” they chorus. Hermione moves over to the boys and ushers them into chairs across the table from Harry.

“Harry, I want you to be very helpful now that the baby is here. Do not let your job get in the way of your family. Ginny is just as important to me as she is to you. That baby is extremely delicate. You were not here when she delivered so you did not see the reason she went into labor so early. The baby was under a lot of stress because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, strangling her. She is doing fine now but that may not always be the case. Take good care of both of them,” Hermione murmurs. Harry nods slightly then grins at the two boys in front of him.

Benjamin blinks sleepily at Harry then grins at him. Bradley holds his plush dragon out to him so he takes it. “You know, I fought a dragon once. It was h—”

“Not this early in the morning Harry. By the way, happy birthday,” Hermione says and sets a cup of tea in front of him along with a plate of food. She kisses the top of his head so he raises an eyebrow at her. “And happy birthday to you two as well,” she murmurs and ruffles Bradley and Benjamin’s hair before placing plates in front of them as well.

The two boys giggle at each other so Hermione smiles. “Mum, what’s for breakfast?” Eamon asks as he trudges into the kitchen followed by Ian, Isaac, and Isabella. Harry nods to them when they settle around the table. “Morning Uncle Harry.”

Remus enters the room and kisses Hermione’s cheek after she finishes dishing out food for the four. “Ron and the others should be here shortly,” he murmurs as he wraps his arms around her from behind. They watch the others chow down so he chuckles. “At least we aren’t scraping food off the walls anymore,” he says.

Molly appears in the doorway with the baby in her arms. She moves over to Harry and allows him to take her. “Ginny is sleeping,” she murmurs. He nods slightly as he rocks the tiny girl. “What have you two decided to name her?” Molly inquires.

“Victoria,” Harry murmurs. He smiles down at the little bundle.

The front door banging open and hurried feet sound in the front hall before five men storm into the kitchen. “Where is she? Harry don’t hog my niece!” Bill and Charlie both proclaim at once. Fred and George make a beeline for Bradley and Benjamin so the two boys grin with excitement.

Ron moves over to Hermione and plants a kiss on her cheek but quickly steps away at hearing the threatening rumble of Remus’ chest. “Well ‘Mione, it’s your turn again,” Ron says loud enough for all to hear. The clamor dies down in an instant as everyone turns their eyes on the happy couple standing near the stove.

Hermione throws up her hand in a defensive gesture as she giggles. “Six children are enough for me,” she laughs and looks to the six kids sitting at the table.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lucius looks up from some parchments when Ian runs into the room and trips over Isabella. “What in Merlin’s name are you doing?” the older man demands. Ian scrambles to stand up and apologizes profusely to his sister. Isaac barrels into the room laughing and collides with Ian before falling over Isabella. Lucius raises an eyebrow at the three fourteen year olds.

“Father, take us somewhere. Today is the first day of summer vacation. Mother would not care,” Isaac says. Lucius snorts derisively in response as he returns to the parchments in his hands.

Isabella glares at the two boys as she strokes the head of the tiny kitten in her hands. “Where is Draco?” she asks.

“Draco is in Paris. He is visiting some relatives and is due back any day now,” Lucius replies.

Hermione enters the room with Bradley and Benjamin trailing behind her. She glances at the man then clears her throat slightly. “Lucius, I need to speak with you,” she murmurs.

The man sets the parchments aside and stands. “Very well. Lead the way,” he says and motions her ahead of him. She leads him into the kitchen.

“The children want to go on a trip. Since you have not done anything so far to cause harm to them, I will permit you to take them somewhere,” she murmurs. Lucius quirks an eyebrow at her when she takes a step toward him. “Please make sure they have fun,” she whispers.

Lucius sighs and nods slightly. “Would you like Eamon to accompany us?”

“No, he is spending the summer with Severus. We’re having a party for Harry and the twins on their birthday, if you could have them back by then…”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The adventure is officially over. Have a good summer everyone!