Family Ties

A tinkle in the air jerked Hermione from her thoughts. The tinkle was the sound of the front door bell. It had once been a loud dong but Hermione had changed that as soon as she realised it could wake Ella. Without a word Binky placed down the cloak and popped out of the room.

Hermione climbed to her feet, knowing who the callers were and rushing to meet them. She rounded the corner to the sounds of “Mummy!” Being gurgled amidst a disarray of half formed language.

“There’s mummy’s angel!” Hermione said, dropping to her knees and gathering her daughter to her, “Did you have an nice day?”

An affirmative came from the toddler albeit a little confusing to the untrained ear. Hermione stood with her daughter on her hip to see Ginny leaning against the doorway, her stomach preceding her into the house.

“Wow.” Was all Hermione managed.

“I know,” Ginny groaned, “It’s just not fair, you never got this big.”

“When did that happen?” Hermione asked, beckoning them in with a hand and watching as Harry took Ginny’s arm to support her into what they’d made into their main living room. “I saw you last week and you weren’t that big, I’m sure.”

“She is eight months gone ‘Mione.” Harry reminded her, leading Ginny to a chair and standing back when she was seated.

“Yes but…” Hermione gave up, there was no point to the conversation really. “Were you alright with Ella?”

“Yeah we took a tour of the park and when carrying was required Harry took the lead.” Ginny sat back and rested a hand on her stomach. “She loved mums scones by the way. Had to stop her scoffing the lot. Didn’t we El?” Ginny added to the toddler.

“Were you being a piggy with Nana Molly’s scones?” Hermione asked, tickling Ella’s stomach.

“Is Barty around?” Harry interjected a little abruptly.

“He’s around somewhere.” Hermione replied, giving Harry a sideways glance from her seat by the fire. “Why?”

“I wanted to talk to him about something, it’s kinda important.” Harry looked at Ginny who appeared to be scowling at him.

“What is it?” Hermione asked.

“It’s nothing,” Ginny said before saying to Harry, “You’re blowing this all out of proportion you doofus.”

“No I’m not,” Harry replied firmly. Hermione caught his eye and he sighed, pulling a scroll from his pocket. Hermione accepted it.

Reading aloud she said, “Beware Potter, there’s a threat to you and yours out there. Do not leave your little wife unattended.”

“Like I’m a bicycle or something.” Ginny grumped, suddenly hissing before explaining the noise with, “Kidney shot.”

“Where did this come from?” Hermione asked, passing the scroll back and looking between them.

“It was nailed to our door last night,” Harry replied, tucking the note in his back pocket. “I heard the noise but when I got downstairs they were gone.”

“What do they mean?” Hermione asked, thinking aloud, “There’s always a threat to you and us out there so that’s too non-specific. The last part sounds more like what they wanted to convey. Do not leave your little wife unattended?”

“Not really little anymore.” Ginny grumped.

“It’s a threat on their child.” A voice from the doorway said, making them all turn and look at Barty. He stood there, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed wearing a white shirt and jeans. “Someone either wants your baby or doesn’t want your baby to be born.”

Hermione had seen Harry tense at Barty’s sudden entrance and she stood, carrying their daughter with her and passing her into Barty’s arms, “Hi Ginny, feeling alright?” Barty asked, walking to the fire with his daughter absently stroking his hair.

“Feeling very pregnant.” Ginny replied, her eyes darting to Harry and back quickly.

“And you Harry?” Barty asked.

“Well I’m not feeling very pregnant but I’m fine thanks.” Barty smiled a little at Harry’s quip, “Are you alright after our run in with-”

The look on Barty’s face made him freeze mid sentence. Harry realised why when Hermione floated in front of him with her hands on her hips, “Run in with who?”

“Just some troublemakers, nothing special.”

Hermione turned slowly to look at Harry who visibly shortened in height, “Is that true?”

“Yeah,” Harry said with as much certainty as he could manage. “They were only making dustbins dance and stuff like that.”

“I see.” Hermione turned back to Barty slowly before going over to retrieve her daughter from his arms and sitting on the sofa. Barty joined her there, indicating for Harry to sit down with Ginny.

“I’d take this seriously if I were you Ginny.” Barty said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

“I am but the way Harry has things rigged up I’m not even in danger of making myself a cup of tea.” Ginny said, shifting herself so she could lean against Harry, sighing as the baby moved off her back.

“To be fair Gin, you look like you shouldn’t be doing much.” Hermione said, Ella dozing in her arms.

“That’s really not the point here is it?” Barty said, cutting in, “You have, what? A month to go?” Ginny nodded and he continued, “Whatever they are going to do will go down in the next month then. Can I see the note?”

“Sure,” Harry replied, twisting so he could pull out the note without disturbing Ginny’s newly comfortable position. “It’s so simple. Am I right in thinking it’s a warning rather than a threat.”

Barty scanned it for a few seconds before looking up and holding it out to Harry, “Yes it’s a warning. Someone involved isn’t happy with the plan and they’re warning you. That tells me what they’re planning is bad.”

“Barty,” Hermione kissed touching his arm. “Don’t talk like that around Gin.”

“He might as well,” Harry said, his arm going over Ginny’s shoulder to rest on her stomach. “She’ll only threaten it out of me later.”

“He’s right.” Ginny confirmed.

“What do you want to do about it?” Hermione asked, unsure of how they could increase their already tight security.

“Well…” Barty stood and moved back to face the fire, absentmindedly chewing on a nail.

“What?” Hermione asked, never able to wait for an answer to anything.

“Safety in numbers. Choice for you; your mums or here.”

“What?” Ginny asked, her half closed eyes suddenly open and wide awake.

“You need to be somewhere there’s going to always be someone around. This place has centuries of old magic and the odd bit of new protecting it. Your mother’s house was protected for the war and she told me it was never reversed. Either will do but you need to be in one or the other.”

Hermione looked at Ginny then Harry, “Stay here. It’s already a bit crowded at your mums and I could use the company while I plan my next great project.” Ginny smiled at her.

“I don’t know, this seems a bit drastic for something so-”

“Say small and I’ll biff you with a pillow, pregnant or not.” Hermione warned, receiving a laugh from Ginny.

“Fine, fine. You win. We’ll stay here.” Ginny relaxed back again, her eyes trained on the fire. They all lapsed into a pensive silence. Hermione stroked Ella’s back as the toddlers sleepy sighs filled the room and Harry rubbed Ginny’s back gently, relieving the tension.

Suddenly Barty spoke, making them jump, “Right. Harry, you and me’ll go and get whatever you need. Ginny, go to bed. Hermione, get Ella to bed and meet me and Harry back here. We won’t be long.”

“You think too much,” Hermione said smiling, knowing he’d been working that out while they were silent. “You alright to get up Gin?” Hermione asked, quirking an eyebrow and her friend.

“Har-de-har.” Ginny snipped back, pulling herself to the edge of the seat and pushing herself up. “You guys sure about this?”

“Defiantly, I’d rather have you here then anywhere else.” Hermione climbed up, and kissed Barty’s cheek before reaching out an arm to link with Ginny, “You guys be careful. I’ll show Ginny to bed, I’m guessing you’ll want an en suite?”

Ginny smiled, “You can tell you’ve been pregnant before.”

Harry brushed a kiss on Ginny’s lips before standing back to let them leave. He locked eyes with Barty for a moment, a silent promise passing between. Whatever had happened in the past was in the past. What they had to protect was the present and future. A future they both wanted their families to see.