Empty souls

Chapter 21.

“No one said it’d be easy, love.” Said Harry massaging Hermione’s back at 4:38 am.

It had passed the first month since they arrived in Potter Manor and the baby girl wakes up crying in the night every three hours for her milk and Hermione wakes up too... crying tiredly. By now, her breasts were double their size and sored tremendously... her back hurted too from differents positions she’d been forced to fed little Ginny, not to mention her hormones, something that made her swing moods, from cry like her daugther to laugh histerically. Without Molly’s help it’s harder than Hermione thought it would.

When Harry caught her one day trying to massage her back, but failing miserably, he stilled her hands and did it instead. Hermione moaned at the comfortably movements in her back’s muscles, easing the tension, though he always did it through her t-shirt or camisol that she was wearing at the moment. And Harry never pressed her about her bdy, which, she argued, was awful. She needed time and he knew it.

“I know ... I just, I don’t know how long this will last... I’m so tired.” Replied Hermione letting her head hung forward for Harry’s wounderful-as-heaven hands. better access.

“Shh... it’ll pass. Relax, ‘Mione.

“Hmmm” she groaned when his hands slided to her lower back over her t-shirt and was Harry’s old one. She sat on one side of their biggest bed ever, enjoying this bit of attention, but couldn’t help feel aroused. Even when it wasn’t direct contact, it was obvious that, between her love for him and the supressed desire since she was eighteen, this moments were so enticing... leaving her with a hot feeling down below her belly.

Right now she felt that if she didn’t stop Harry, she would jump on him... and the healer and Madame Pomfrey had said they’d need to wait. So, she stilled Harry’s hands with hers and squeezed them affectionally. “Thanks, Harry” whispered Hermione, trying to convey that it was enough. He took the hint and hugging her, he pushed her back under the mattress, whispered an ‘I love you’ with a kiss on her forehead and both drifted off to sleep once again. Hermione faster than Harry.

Nights like this were frecuent, and Harry sometimes felt frustrated by her lack of response. He of cousre undestood what she was going through, he had a good talk with Healer Jacobson after a week later since they started to live in the manor. She still felt insecure about her body and its changes, but the healer reassured him that it was just only the first three or four months. Harry sighed resignatedly.

Molly visited frecuently to see her lovely red-head gran-daughter and helped her when Hermione was studying or just sleeping. They had good chats and tips about a baby’s care while Harry was out. He was giving a time at the thought of becoming an auror. Hermione, for her part, supported him completly, but he wasn’t sure about auror’s living style, either way, both were closer.

Now, almost four months of living in Potter Manor, Molly, Hermione and little Ginny were out in the courtyard surrounded by bushes full of variety of flowers. It was april and the weather was comfortable and had both women and the baby sat on the green grass. Bill and Fleur were in Gringotts waorking, but Remus was helping Harry organizing the big athic when an owl entered like a blur from an open window.

It hooted to Harry extending a leg where a letter was tied. Harry and Remus looked at each other. He’d been recieving letters from the ministry, wrote by Karl Klein, Minister Scrimgeour’s secretary, remainding him of the offer that they had once disscussed and, everytime, Harry sent them back saying that he would think on it. But this owl brought him a different partchment.

Harry took the partchment and the owl flew out again, not waiting for a reply. He unrolled it and read it out for Remus to know what it said:


Estimated Harry James Potter.

This missive is basically to inform you about an offer for tryouts with us as a seeker. Your ablities had been passed to my knowledge by an enterview with the recurrent Headmisstress of Hogwarts and Madame Hootch, and told me personal and different aspects of your skills through the years, and aply for this position.

If you accept, please meet me in my office the Ministry of Magic on the seventh floor in april 28th at ten o’cloclk, bringing with you this letter. Then we will disscuss the date for tryouts as well as the location for the event.

Sincerily

Johan MacNopulos.
Manager of the Puddlemore United.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

“Stop pacing, Hermione!” reprimanded Tonks sat on one of the couchs in Potter Manor’s living room. “You’re making me sick... and, I remind you, I’m pregnant!” Hermione stopped and looked around to see Tonks holding her small rounded belly with one hand and pressing her temple with the other.

“I’m sorry... it’s... oh! I’m just so nervous. I had wanted to go for the tryouts but they wouldn’t let me get inside. Harry was so excited!... he really wants seeker’s position!”

“His skills are good enough. He has hundred chances to get it. I know he’ll do fine.”

Hermione sighed and sat next to Tonks, holding her head with both hands. “I know. It’s just... what id...? No. They’ll going to give him the seeker’s... if they don’t...” her voice turned threatening, placing her sweaty hands on her knees, turned to Tonks’s face and she was surprised to see Hermione so... scaring “I’ll curse them into oblivion.”

“Wotcher, Hermione!” replied Tonks “Don’t you think that would be... overreacting? I mean_”

“Won’t you do the same if it were Remus?”

“JA! I won’t curse them, rather like killing them.”

“That’s what I thought.” Hermione shook her head but continued “Harry would be depressed if they don’t pick him. I talked to him about Scrimgeour’s offer... and Harry told me what they had talked last year, and I agreed with him. Being an auror was his dream, but not if he had to make a fool of himself like a trophy. Besides, he’d had enough of Dark Lords and their scum. He wants a normal life and Quidditch’s his passion. I’ll feel terribly alone if he’s choosed and leave for practices, or when season’s begin... but if he’s happy, then i’ll support him, in whatever he wants.”

“And what about you? Don’t you want to persue a carrere?”

“Sure I do, but not now.”

“For little Ginny?”

“And Harry as well.” Hermione let out a sigh and closed her eyes smiling “He asked me the same and I told him I want to finish school first, eve I had a talk with McGonagalla and she said it was ok if I wanted to finish by tutorial seasonship. After that, I’ll be able to aply options for a job in the Ministry. I’m still chacking out house-elves rights... everyone should have.”

“It’s sounds like an utopy.”

“Yeah. It’ll be difficult, but I know that Professor Dumbledore would agree with me... Harry looked at me as if I was insane! In the end, I won.” This last came with a smirk of both women.

“You’re happy, aren’t you?” asked Tonks, placing a hand on Hermione’s shoulder.

“I am. I miss Ron and Ginny, though. They should be here.”

“They’re here... in your heart_” Tonks was interrupted when suddenly, Harry apparated right behind Hermione and hugged her placing his chin on her shoulder. His fiancé jumped off a bit at this and Tonks looked at them, mostly Harry’s face, but it was obscured by his long hair over his eyes.

“Gods, Harry!” cried Hermione covering his hands around her waist. “Don’t scare me like this!”

“Sorry.” He mumbled.

“Well, what happened?” urged Tonks, but Harry just shrugged. Hermione disentangled from his arms and swirled to see him directly to his face removing his hair with her hands. His features were unreadable and the brunette feared the worst.

“They didn’t chose you, did they?” Asked Hermione sadly, but Harry just leant on her and placed his lips with hers, lingering there for a moment. When they broke it off, slowly, he smiled... until the biggest grin decorated his face.

“They did” as soon as this came out of him, Hermione flung her arms around his neck and almost choked him.

“Oh my God! Oh my God! I’m so happy for you!”

“Hermione!” yelled Tonks “You’re suffocating him!”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Harry!” said Hermione releasing his neck and he tried to breathe again.

“It’s ok” replied Harry placing a chasting kiss on her lips “I like to see you’re happy.”

“Sure I am!” the brunette exclaimed almost offended.

Tonks barely could stand up from the couch and approached Harry. “Congratulations, Harry!”

“Thanks. Where’s Remus?”

“Oh... he’ll come for me in about...” she checked the wall’s clock “a minute.”

“Why here?” asked Harry, amused at the boredoom face of Tonks.

“Well... he said I shouldn’t be alone, no matter where I am. He left me here just after you went for your tryouts. Remus said something about not being careful enough and he prefered I was here, at least while he goes to work. Since I’m on my pregnancy license, I just would be alone in home. I don’t know who he thinks he is.” Tonks huffled and crossed her arms over her chest while Harry released Hermione and both looked at the pregnant woman pacing back and forth, her brows furrowed, fuming “I can take care of myself... I’m a bloody auror for goodness sake! Does he really thinks I’m that stupid? I know I’m a bit distracted... but just a little bit!” Tonks choose that instant to change the course of her wake and stumbled with the edge of the coffee table, balancing precauriously to her right side.

Harry reacted quickly and caught her by the waist just in time. She lost her balance and almost fell if it wasn’t for Harry’s seeker instincts. Hermione gasped adn immediatly ra to her side to help Harry estabilize Tonks on her feet. Harry blew out a breath of relief and both, he and his fiancé, led her cautiously to make her sit on the couch. When Hermione saw the pregnant auror safely sat, she stood up right infront of her.

“Damn it, Tonks! This is the second time this day you almost fell! Would you please be more careful!”

“WHAT!” exclaimed a voice that came from the hall. Almost running, Remus appeared inside the living room, his face contorting in worry. Harry, Hermione and Tonks turned their heads to see him and Remus seemed furious. “Second time this day?!”

Hermione’s face showed regret for scolding at Tonks when she was supposed to not let Remus know about the incident. Harry mumbled an ‘o-oh’ sounding like there would be a fight, and his soon-to-be-wife elbowed him on the ribs to which Harry just scrunched his face in pain.

Remus walked to where Tonks was sat and fuming, he let himself fell on his knees infront of her. He was going to reprimand her, but the pregnant auror lowered her eyes to her lap in shame and Remus felt bad for being so angry. “I’m sorry” mumbled Tonks. Remus took her hands in his and sighed heavily.

“What am I going to do with you?” asked Remus chuckling and Tonks, slowly, lifted her eyes to his with a puppy face “Tonks, I love you the way you are, but... please, don’t scare me.”

“I promise I’ll be cautious.”

“I really hope so.” Grinned Remus and sat next to her and hugging her, kissed her forehead. He turned to Harry and Hermione, both holding hands and smiling at them. “Sorry.”

“It’s ok.” Replied Hermione.

“Are you going to tell me or not?” asked Remus urging Harry “Did they chose you?”

“Yes!” replied Harry with a big grin and Remus stood and hugged him tightly clapping his back.

“Congratulations, Harry. I would like to stay here and chat, but it’s getting late and I think Tonks’s tired.”

“I’m not.” She argued.

“You say so.” Argued Remus back, turning to see his wife right in the eyes, telling her something with a meaning glare. Defeated, she sighed and nodded. Remus helped her to her feet and saying their goodbyes, left.

“Would you like somthing to eat?” asked Hermione sweetly.

“No. I just ate right after they choose me. Where’s Ginny?”

“Molly said she would like to take care of her this night, so she took her to the Burrow. I’ll pick her up tomorrow morning.” Hermione wanted to say something else, but she gazed at Harry’s face. Something wasn’t normal. Harry didn’t seem surprised that Molly had taken little Ginny, nor Remus’s sudden desire to leave. Hermione rised a brow analizing the blank face of her fiancé. “Ok, tell me what it’s going on.”

“Nothing is going on. Why do you ask?” Harry’s innocent face couldn’t last long.

“You’re plotting something... I know you, Harry James... spit it out.”

For a response, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist in a swift movement and captured her lips with his, kissing her tender and slowly, licking and biting lightly her lower lip asking permission for his tongue to get in and she accepted it almost immediatly. When the kiss depened, Hermione forgot everything else. The intensity of the kiss grew when her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers were toying with his hair. Harry pressed her against him and she moaned in the kiss. They suddenly felt that her clothes were on the way, mostly Harry, who choose to slip his hand under Hermione’s shirt, grazing the skin of her waist. Instantly, she did the same and Harry couldn’t resist it. His hand wandered on her stomach up to the base of her covered breasts and she shuddered when he cupped one through her bra and gasped in his mouth. Harry broke the kiss and directed his lips to her cheeks and jaw... kissing his way to her ear.

“I love you, ‘Mione.” Whispered hotly in her ear while his hand squeezed lightly “I need you.” Scared by this, Hermione released herself from his arms and turned her flushed face from his sight. Harry, bewildered, looked at her.

“I-I love you too, but...” she couldn’t continue. She still felt awkwardly ugly and fat. Harry sensed it and cautiously approached to her, took her chin and gently, made her see him straigh at his eyes.

“Hermione, you don’t need to say you love me. I knew it already.” He sighed and hugged her. “I had wanted you to myself... if you’re not ready yet, then I’ll wait. It must be difficult for you, but I understand.” Harry released her and turned to the kitchen for a pair of butterbeers to celebrate, when Hermione stopped him by the shoulders and, forcefully, made him turn back. Before he opened his mouth, she kissed him with a pent up passion, pressing her boody against his. He was surprised but didn’t complaint, and was more surprised when both her hands slipped under his shirt and stroked his chest, he responded by groaning in her mouth and wrapping his arms around her waist again. She broke the kiss and stared into his eyes. Hermione’s ones were filled by love and lust... and his were equally bright.

“It’s not... I’m ready, it’s just... I’m... I feel, Oh! I’m sorry, Harry!”

“I know how you feel” puzzled, Hermione looked at him “Well, I don’t know, but I’ve been told” Harry took her face with his hands and his thumbs rubbed her cheeks “You feel insecure. It’s normal... but I love you anyway.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing all the time.” Harry chuckled.

“I want you too, Harry, but... I’m affraid that you won’t like... won’t like the way my body is now... I’ve been working on get back to my normal appearence, but I_”

“Shhh” he silenced her with a quick kiss “ who said that? No matter what you think of yourself... to me, you’re the most gorgeous, sweet woman in the world... even more now, because you’re body showed me that love can be carried in you.” He said placing one hand her belly, now flatter than two months ago “It’s just a little souvenir that life left in its wake. Love and life in the same place... and I must confess, I’m a little intrigued.”

“Of what?”

“On how long you can expand your love for me... because I want to be there with you, inside you... no matter you and I will be fat and old, with white long hair in thirty, fourty or fifty years. Our bodies will change, but I don’t care as long as you’re with me.”

“I-I don’t want to dissapoint you.”

“You’ll never dissapoint me. I love you like you are... and always will.”

“You promise?”

“No” Harry replied. Hermione looked at him confused but he smiled down at her “I swear I will love you the way you are, forever ‘till the day I die.” Hermione smiled and on her toes, kissed him and Harry kissed her back deeply. When she started gazing the skin on his chest, he groaned at the contact and dissentangled himself from her. She was going to say something but Harry didn’t let her. He just took her body in his arms with a little yelp of surprise from Hermione and carried her up the stairs.

“Where are we going?” asked his fiancé, holding on for dear life with her arms around his neck.

“To our room.” Replied Harry smirking, his eyes sparkling at what was to come.

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A/N: Sorry, it was a short one, but I’ll make it up with the next one. I’ve been busy with my other two fics, one of them about to end, the other right behind and this fic it’s almost there! And, again, I apologize for my awful grammar and spelling. My beta just failed me and I’m all alone in this for now, but I asked for help to one of my friends and soon I’ll be editing my fics. Thanks for being so understanding with me and used your valuable time on reading. See you soon!!