New Lives

Chapter 15 – New Lives

Harry and Ginny had to report to the Order meeting for induction two days after the end of their honeymoon. They'd barely had enough time to settle back in and magically enlarge Harry's quarters in order to accommodate Ginny and her belongings. The third nine-year-old girl managed to get a room of her own, to the consternation of her two half-sisters. Ginny hadn't had the chance to warn Harry about their own daughter's temper; it was that of her paternal grandmother all over again.

In fact, it made even the other Lily's temper pale by comparison, since Rose thought nothing of telling off her half-sisters when they complained that she got her own room while they had to share. But after Rose was through with them, they never complained again ... at least not in her hearing. Of course, it wasn't just from Lily Potter that her granddaughter got her temper...it was from her mother's side as well.

Both Ginny Weasley-Potter and Molly Weasley had tempers that could rival Lily Potter's any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Harry was able to manage because he had gotten a healthy share of that temper, too, although one rarely saw it these days unless he was provoked beyond endurance.

Even at that, the three half-sisters ended up very close, which was what mattered. But something happened that bothered Ginny: David and Daryl had approached her with the proposal that they live with their father full-time and give her visitation rights. Ginny was convinced that Draco had to have been the one who put this idea into their heads, but she finally reluctantly acquiesced, since magic could only go so far in accommodating people in a small space.

Even wizard space wasn't limitless, and the boys liked to have their own large room to themselves and lots of expensive toys ... things that working girl Ginny couldn't give them but their rich father could. He had to have bought their love, pure and simple.

Malfoy Manor was far enough away that she'd do better to stay in a hotel nearby when she wanted to visit the boys. It didn't help matters that Draco was preparing to marry Pansy. She was just a few months away from giving birth, so they would not only have a father but a stepmother and a new sibling.

Harry understood Ginny's fears of losing her boys and suggested she get it in writing that she have a designated amount of visitation time with her sons. And if Draco infringed on any of Ginny's rights as a mother, Harry promised to step in and act in her behalf. Malfoy would give in so that neither he nor his business would be subject to the unsavoury publicity that legal proceedings could bring.

But all this was in the future. Right now it was time to get to the Order meeting and their induction. And as before, they were in for a surprise.

* * * * *

After the official induction, Harry and Ginny were stunned to learn that Remus and Tonks had planned a party to celebrate not only the two new members but their marriage and the success of the Order's international recruiting drive, which had already netted several new members who either kept in touch with them via owl post or Patronus. There was even a rumour that Viktor Krum had joined his local branch of the Order and completed several successful undercover assignments for them. He was still best known for his Quidditch skills, but after age 25 (Viktor was close to 30), one was considered too old to play such a dangerous game, so he had retired and divided his time between teaching Quidditch and working for the Bulgarian Order.

During the party, Ginny kept an eye on Harry and made sure he didn't drink too much, although she was fairly sure that he knew when to stop. She couldn't help noting how reluctant he was to talk about personal things, especially regarding his time with Hermione. Other than his work, he loved talking about his and Ginny's daughters, particularly their intention to have Rose checked for clairvoyance, not to mention their plans for the future and possible further children. But he tended to shy away from anything else.

It was almost as if he preferred not to discuss it unless absolutely necessary...and even then, only with those closest to him. If Order members insisted on details, Harry gave the bare minimum. If they pushed for more, he would say, "I'm trying to put that part of my life behind me, so I would appreciate it if you didn't ask me any further questions on the subject." Usually the ones he said it to didn't argue; they just made a mental note to see if they could get anything out of Hermione regarding their time in America.

* * * * *

It was several days later that something else strange happened. After their customary kiss of greeting and in the midst of their discussion about their classes and certain students, Ginny came out with the last thing Harry had ever expected.

"When did you learn this, Gin?" he asked between bites of food and swallows of pumpkin juice.

"Just yesterday. 'Mione said she got an owl from Viktor about a week ago and that he intended to come visit her. I personally think he heard that you two broke up, and he wants to try his luck with her again. If it happens, that would be good for both of them. I'm even given to understand that he'd told her he'd never married and that he could never find anyone he wanted to get serious or settle down with. I can't help believing that it's because of her.

"It might even be that he fell in love with her when he first met her. And if what she said yesterday is any indication, it may be starting up with them all over again...especially if she told him that Ron was happily married and that Luna was pregnant again.

"Ten years of marriage isn't something most people give up easily, even if they want to or choose to, as you and 'Mione did. And Luna's been good for Ron; she loves him and their children dearly. I can hardly wait to see which gender their child is this time. Weasleys generally have sons, but if I can break tradition by having a daughter, so can he. Have another daughter, I mean. Also, once I get pregnant again, I hope we have a son. I love our girls and the boys I had with Draco, of course, but I would really prefer to have at least one son with you, if not more."

"If we're meant to, we will, luv." Harry smiled tenderly and raised her hand to his lips, then placed it on his cheek after kissing it. "For the time being, let's just enjoy being married and being with the children we currently have."

"Oh, I am, I assure you," Ginny crooned, this time raising her husband's hand to her lips and kissing it before placing it on her nearest cheek. "Now we'd better finish our meal before it gets cold."

The look in Harry's eyes told her that it didn't matter to him whether it did or not, but he didn't argue with her.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, Viktor Krum was arriving at the school...or more accurately, in McGonagall's office. He did his duty by checking in with the Headmistress first, of course, but his main purpose was to meet with Hermione, the girl he had never forgotten. He had, in effect, burned his bridges behind him when he left Bulgaria, resigning from his teaching position and the Bulgarian branch of the Order.

* * * * *

After unpacking, showering, and changing clothes, Viktor--armed with the knowledge of Hermione's classes for the day--began his campaign to win her. He was oblivious to all the stares of the young witches as he passed by, intent on only one thing ... or more accurately, one person. McGonagall had given him detailed directions to the Transfiguration classroom, and he made his way there like the proverbial homing pigeon, allowing nothing and no one to get in his way. He was polite to anyone who approached him, of course, but that was as far as his courtesy extended.

His trek seemed endless; yet at the same time, Viktor knew it was the shortest he'd ever taken. After thirteen years, he still wasn't ready to face Hermione again, even as much as he wanted to see her. He doubted he ever would be, frankly; but he also knew that if he didn't make himself approach her now, he'd never have the nerve to do it again...and she had haunted his dreams for far too long to just brush her aside.

He made sure to stay in the shadows upon reaching the Transfiguration classroom; even at that, he stayed close enough to hear her sweet, musical voice. What he most wanted to see, however, was how she looked after thirteen years. Did she look like a human butterball, or had she remained slender and beautiful with her hair as brown and curly as ever? Perhaps she was even a combination of the two.

He checked his watch and noted that there were only ten minutes left of her class. His heart began to pound hard and fast at the prospect of seeing her come out that door, and he pictured himself frozen in awe at her beauty, unable to speak or move. But he couldn't allow that to happen if he ever expected to make any headway with her, either now or later...so he had to pull himself together!

The next thing he heard was a gradually increasing volume of student voices. He made sure that the classroom was entirely empty except for Hermione before he dared to look in and saw her busy scratching away on student parchments at her desk at the front of the room.

For a long time...he had no idea just how long...he stood in the doorway, half afraid Hermione would look up and notice him and half afraid she wouldn't. He was reluctant to speak for fear of frightening her; but as the seconds stretched into minutes, Viktor was increasingly tempted to speak to her, whatever the risk. Then, just as he was psyching himself into speaking, she finally lifted her head. "Yes? May I help you?" she asked, seeming to look right through him for a time, until recognition finally crossed her face. "Viktor, is that you?"

"Hermi-own-ninny?" he made himself say, feeling himself blush for the first time since he was ten years old. "It is bery good to see you again. May I haff a butterbeer vith you?"

"If you don't mind my bringing my lesson parchments along. I've got to get these all corrected by tomorrow, then hand them back to my students...and there are at least six classes' worth here."

"As long as ve can be togezzer," he replied with a smile, offering his arm once she had gathered all her things together.

* * * * *

If Viktor thought he'd gotten stared at before by himself, it was nothing to what happened when he showed up in the staff room with Hermione on his arm. Naturally some students recognised him on the way ... mostly the ones who had older siblings who had attended Hogwarts ten years before and had told them about him and his legendary Quidditch prowess. But he only allowed half an hour of autograph seekers, then politely turned down everyone else who approached him...at least until the following day. He was here to see Hermione, not to sign autographs, and nothing and no one was going to deter him from his sworn mission. "Please, everyvun!" he finally said. "I cannot sign any more autographs today. I am returning tomorrow. I vill do some more then. For now, all I vant to do is talk vith my friend Hermi-own-ninny."

However, if the students in question had stuck around a little longer, they would have seen something that was definitely not friendly. Instead, it positively smacked of potential romance. Viktor raised Hermione's hands to his lips and kissed them. "Hermi-own-ninny, it is vonderful to be vith you again. I haff missed you bery much and haff not had a more pleasant day in a bery long time."

"Nor have I, Viktor," Hermione assured him, having blushed at the feelings prompted by the warmth of Viktor's lips on her skin. She was unable to help wondering how they would feel on other places on her body and because of this, her face seemed to grow hotter with every passing moment. How could she feel so strongly for someone she hadn't seen for ten years? Not even Harry had ever made her feel like this.

"May I go vith you back to your flat? Ve must talk. I haff something bery important to say to you."

Hermione was hesitant at first; then she smiled and agreed, even though technically she should have turned him down and concentrated on correcting her students' lessons. The lack of companionship other than her female friends and her children every other weekend had begun to wear on her. She had thought she'd known loneliness in America and during the Final Battle before she and Harry had gotten together, but it was nothing compared to what she was feeling now, with virtually everyone she knew pairing off. And now, to have Viktor show up just when she most needed someone ... well, it was as if her prayers had been answered by Someone from Above. And who's to say that they hadn't?

* * * * *

Upon reaching Hermione's flat, she and Viktor seated themselves on her couch and began to talk, each updating the other on what they'd been up to the last ten years. After a time, she even fixed him a meal. Hermione was a good cook; it was just that she was generally too busy to do more than give herself sustenance. The vast majority of the time they had been in America, Harry had been the cook in the family.

But she put that out of her mind almost as soon as she'd thought it; their life together was in the past, and she intended it to remain there. This was here and now, and if she played her cards right, Viktor would be her future. The only part of her past life she intended to deal with was the children she had borne ... and even then, only when absolutely necessary. It wasn't that she didn't love them, but she loved her career just that much more. Her twice-monthly weekend visits with the girls were sufficient; the rest of the time, she was quite happy to have Harry look after them. And now that he had married Ginny, who had always been very maternal, they wouldn't lack for a mother figure when she was unable to serve as such.

"You are a bery good cook, Hermi-own-ninny. Vhy did you not cook more often vhile you vere in America?"

"I was too preoccupied with my work, pure and simple," she had to confess. "I was also more concerned with teaching children than raising them. I left that to Harry."

"Vas that not hard on him to have to raise your children vhile still having a career of his own?"

"Not really. He took a leave of absence to raise them. He had a large inheritance left to him from his parents and late godfather, Sirius Black."

"You also said that the reason you and Harry decided to return to England vas to break up your affair vith the ... principal of your school." Hermione nodded, definitely not proud of her betrayal of her then-husband. "Vhy did you cheat on him?"

"I don't know. Harry did nothing to deserve it. It was really my fault for being so busy all the time that I was never able to spend sufficient time with him. I had no idea I'd missed male attention so much until I had already begun my affair."

"I hope you do not intend to do that again should you become involved vith anyvun else."

"I assure you, I don't. And I doubt I'll ever be able to apologise to Harry and my girls enough, because they actually caught me with my lover once. Can you imagine how I felt when they asked him, 'Daddy, who's that with Mummy? Why is she not wearing any clothes?' I just couldn't meet their eyes then ... nor can I now."

"Did you actually loff the man you had an affair with?"

"The main thing I wanted from him was attention, but he got the wrong idea. However, I was foolish enough to agree to sleep with him that one day, and that was the day Harry and the girls caught us when they came home early from school and work. He went back to work once the girls became old enough to go to school."

"Did you truly loff your husband?"

"I thought I did at the time I married him. But as it turned out, I eventually realised that I only loved him as a friend. I still do and always will...but I ended up apologising for using him. He's always been too nice for his own good, so he ended up forgiving me. But I doubt I'll ever forgive myself for using him and for pretending we had died in order to run off together. I swear, neither of us ever meant to hurt anyone. We believed that it would be best for everyone if they thought we'd died. We know that was wrong now and can only hope those we've wronged eventually forgive us."

"One last question. Vhy did you stop vriting me?"

"Harry, Ron, and I were too busy preparing to go away to fight the Final Battle. Then in the midst of it, Harry and I decided to run away together."

"Vhere was Ron? I assumed you loved him rather than Harry."

"Strange ... I can't recall. He hadn't been around for some time, likely fighting elsewhere or something. I couldn't say for sure. I don't think Harry really remembers, either."

"That does not sound right at all. I am told the three of you vere bery close. How could you simply ... misplace him like that?"

"I don't know. I only know he wasn't around...and for a long enough time that Harry and I were inclined to spend romantic times together quite often before Ron made his way back to us. Then after Harry defeated Voldemort, we somehow, inexplicably, got separated again."

"I can vell imagine how everyvun reacted upon your return."

"Oh, we were ostracised for a long time, that was for sure. Harry was even disowned by his surrogate godfather, Remus Lupin. The Weasleys wouldn't have anything to do with him either. Only Luna, Ron's wife, was anywhere near friendly to either of us for a long

time.

"It made me sick when Harry told me later that Ron had gone through a tough drying-out after becoming an alcoholic. He still has counseling and takes antidepressants. Luna and everyone around him keeps a sharp eye on him to see that he doesn't have a relapse...but I blame myself for his setback. If I'd not left him, it would never have happened."

"You had no idea how he vould react," Viktor tried to soothe her.

"I knew him for years. I should have known," Hermione berated herself. "Luna once said he'd never stopped loving me. But since her latest pregnancy, Ron has decided to stay with her, because she truly loves him and has always been a good wife and mother. I don't blame him for doing it, but it hurt nonetheless."

"I am sorry you haff endured such difficulty...but you must know that it vas your own doing." He reached out and caressed her nearest cheek.

Hermione reached up to cover his hand with hers. "I do, Viktor. Believe me, I do...and I feel sure that I'm going to spend the rest of my life attempting to make amends for it. Just the same, there are times I just want to be held, kissed, and loved by someone special who cares for me fully and unconditionally. I may be the smartest witch of my age, but I'm also a woman."

Viktor knew that all too well. Hermione was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever known. He wished that he had the nerve to ask if he was that someone special to her, but knew it was too early in the game for him to ask such a thing and expect an accurate answer. It would take time, but he knew she was worth the wait. He just hoped she would be willing to give them both that time. For the time being, all he wanted to do was be with her.

They had become so engrossed in each other that Hermione totally forgot the lessons she had to grade. She would have a fit once she realised this, but at the moment, all that mattered was being with Viktor. He knew he was taking a chance when he did what he did next, but he just simply could not resist any longer. "I loff you, Hermi-own-ninny. I loff you." That was the last thing either of them remembered happening that night ... until they woke up together in her bed the following morning.

* * * * *

He didn't want her to leave, of course, but she had no choice; it was her duty to teach the children, and besides, she couldn't be easily replaced. In a dire emergency, McGonagall could substitute for her, but Hermione seriously doubted that the Headmistress would consider the current situation a dire emergency.

Fortunately she had awoken in time to shower and dress. As she scurried out the door, she promised Viktor she would see him at the end of the day. He didn't want her to leave, of course, but she had no choice; it was her duty to teach the children, and besides, she couldn't be easily replaced. In a dire emergency, McGonagall could substitute for her, but Hermione seriously doubted that the Headmistress would consider the current situation a dire emergency.

As expected, she about had a fit when she realised she hadn't graded any of her students' parchments, but all she could do was make the best of it and correct them during class. She gave her students their current assignment, admonishing them not to disturb her unless absolutely necessary since she would be correcting their parchments from the previous day. And even when the time for break came, she dared not take it; she needed all the time she could get to catch up on the correcting of the students' parchments. Unfortunately, since she generally saw Ginny at least part of the time (that is, provided she wasn't occupied with Harry), her friend was bound to come looking for her if she didn't show up.

And she was right. About ten minutes into the break, she heard Ginny's voice at the door. "'Mione, why are you still here? I thought you were going to meet me for lunch."

"I'm behind on correcting yesterday's lessons. I got sidetracked last night and wasn't able to do them as I usually do."

"That's not like you, 'Mione. Could it be you had a guest of the male persuasion?" Ginny gave her friend a sly wink.

Hermione fought not to blush but was unable to stop. "I suppose you could say that."

"May I hazard a guess that Viktor hit town last night? You said he was coming to see you, as I recall."

"He did, and he has," she had to confess. "Do you think you could help me? Otherwise I don't think I'll ever get caught up, especially since I promised Viktor I'd see him again tonight."

"If it wasn't for the fact I'm meeting Harry in half an hour, I would," the younger woman explained, trying to seem apologetic, but Hermione knew her well enough to know that she wasn't. "And you know how he is if you make him wait."

Not that Hermione really blamed Ginny for acting as she was, but she really did need help. In that case, it might be best for her to call her bluff. "In that case, why don't both of you join me? That way we could get it done three times as fast."

"Neither of us are as good at Transfiguration as you are. I don't know how much help we could be to you, constantly asking questions," Ginny pointed out.

"It's either that or you don't see him at all," Hermione returned coolly. "I've got to get the parchments corrected, and I can't delay any longer."

"That's blackmail," Ginny threw back, her brown eyes shooting sparks. "You're lucky I don't have my wand right now, or you'd get Bat-Bogey Hex between the eyes."

"I would think you'd know how to do it without a wand by now," came the reply. "For the moment, I suggest you go get Harry and report back here." Ginny glared at her but turned to leave. "Tell you what. If you cooperate, I'll tell you what happened with Viktor and me last night."

* * * * *

Of course, neither of the newlyweds were pleased at Hermione's blackmailing them, but there wasn't much they could do. The only good thing they could say for the situation was that they had managed to get their own students' papers corrected, so they wouldn't have to worry about that on top of everything else ... other than the fact that Hermione had promised to tell them about her time with Viktor, that is. And after being blackmailed, they intended to see to it that she kept her promise.

Unfortunately, in the end, Hermione was proven right, and even though Harry and Ginny were both sure they'd made mistakes, Hermione was convinced it hadn't taken her nearly as long to correct the lessons as it would have by herself.

* * * * *

Both Harry and Ginny hoped to be around when Ron and Luna found out about Hermione and Viktor, since they could well imagine what they would say about the situation. But it had not surprised them when Hermione had confessed that Viktor had told her that he loved her and that he intended to stay around Hogwarts as long as it took to win her completely over. They were firmly convinced that the man had to be very serious if he had willingly burned all his bridges behind him upon leaving Bulgaria. Even at that, only time would tell as to just what would happen between them. For the moment, however, they had their own lives to live and children to raise...not to mention give birth to.

FIVE MONTHS LATER

As it turned out, Pansy was the first of them to give birth, then Luna. Ginny, now six months pregnant with her fourth child, had to remain at home with their other three children while the others waited at St. Mungo's. The boys now lived with Draco, but she kept in close touch with them and visited as often as she could. Pansy had given birth to a daughter, Regina Narcissa. The baby, named after her grandmothers, was the image of her mother.

As for Luna, Ginny was anxiously waiting for news and wished that Harry had allowed her to accompany him...but he had insisted that she remain at home to be as safe as possible. She wasn't fond of his mollycoddling; but at the same time, knew he was only showing his love for her and couldn't really object. Again, as it had been with Ron and his drinking scare a few months back, it was quite late before Harry returned. Ginny was awakened by her husband's gentle kiss shortly after one a.m.

"Sorry to be so late, luv, but I was just able to get away a few minutes ago. Girls are asleep, I take it." Harry sat down on the couch after moving her legs aside and gathered his wife into his arms, her head on his shoulder and arms locked around her.

"Two hours ago," Ginny replied after a deep yawn. "How's Luna?"

"She's fine, although she had a rough time about halfway through her labour. It turns out the baby was a breech, and the Healer had to go in and turn him around."

"Him? They had another son?"

"Him," Harry confirmed. "And guess what they're calling him ... Lawrence Arthur. Lawrence after Luna's father and Arthur for yours and Ron's." After a time, Harry stroked his wife's hair, then kissed it and rested his cheek on it. "Which reminds me, I think it's about time we thought about names for our child."

"I suppose you're right," Ginny agreed. "And since it's already been determined that it's a son, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if you've already decided what name you want."

"Let's just say I've narrowed it down," Harry amended. "How does Jonathan Harrison Potter grab you?"

"May I ask where that came from? Just curious, mind you," Ginny assured him, since she had assumed Harry would choose from the male names in his circle of family and friends. But "Jonathan" was not among the names in question, unless you counted Remus's middle name, and even then, that was just plain "John."

"I did some research and come up with the top hundred baby names in the UK. After trying hundreds of combinations, I came up with 'Jonathan Harrison'."

"It seems strange that you would go to such trouble," Ginny was unable to help observing.

"It's for our child," Harry returned indignantly. "I wanted something he could live with his entire life."

"Not that it isn't a nice name, luv, but what about 'Robert Harrison'? Isn't Robert the name of your paternal grandfather?"

Harry had to nod affirmatively, but he still said, "I also wanted a name that wasn't obviously chosen out of the fairly narrow pool of male names in my family."

Ginny sighed deeply, knowing Harry had a point, but she was just as convinced that she did, too. "Okay, what about this? Harrison Robert? Either way I suggest, he'll probably end up being called Harry, Jr."

Harry frowned and shook his head after thinking some more. "How about Jonathan Robert? We can keep my Christian name for another son to use as a middle name. And maybe this one will end up being called by his initials...J.R."

Ginny still had some reservations, but had to admit that the name Harry had just mentioned was as good a name as any to choose ... and again, he was right. They could always use Harry's Christian name as a middle name for another son. "All right, Jonathan Robert it is."

However, just a short time later, Remus's head popped into the fire and said, "Harry, Ginny! So glad I caught you! Dora's going into labour, and I'm going to need help getting her to St. Mungo's!" This time, Ginny wasn't about to be left behind and nothing Harry said stopped her. They couldn't Apparate in her condition, but Flooing was as safe a mode of transportation as any for a pregnant woman.

"Don't worry, Moony, we'll be right there." After helping Ginny to her feet and throwing some Floo powder into the fire, Harry wrapped himself protectively around her, knowing she would be taken care of at St. Mungo's in the event of an emergency, and called out their destination upon their stepping into the heatless flame. "Number twelve, Grimmauld Place!" With that, they were gone.

* * * * *

It wasn't until they'd actually gotten to the London branch of St. Mungo's via Muggle taxi (Harry's suggestion; they just told them to come to Grimmauld Place since the customers would be waiting outside) that Harry thought to owl Molly and tell her to go pick up his and Ginny's girls and take them back to the Burrow, then wait for his communication regarding Tonks. He was sure that Ron and Luna's other children were probably there already, so they would have others of their age to play with to pass the time.

Tonks' labour and delivery went like clockwork, even though it lasted nine hours (her first labour and delivery had lasted sixteen). It was quite late by the time Tonks and the new baby, a girl who they named Rebecca Leigh, had been settled into a private room on the birthing floor. Harry insisted on it, in fact, and told the Chief Healer to send him the bill.

Naturally everyone was floored by this, especially Ginny, but he simply smiled and said, "Don't worry, luv. I'll do the same thing when our child is born. Besides, it was the least I could do for Moony."

The tired but happy friends went back home and fell into bed after assuring Moony of their return and leaving a note for Luna with the mediwitch at the desk that they would be back sometime the next day. Of course, once they had gotten some rest, Harry decided that he and Ginny had best have some quality time alone while the girls were away.

There was one position they hadn't tried that would be perfect, especially now that Gin was too big to do it the regular way. Once she had awakened, Harry whispered suggestively into his wife's ear what he wanted to do. It didn't take long to get themselves in the proper position, and they found it every bit as pleasurable as the other pregnancy-related positions they had tried. They would have to keep in mind to try it again after she'd had the baby and see if it was equally pleasurable to a non-pregnant woman and her partner.

For the time being, though, they intended to go with a perennial favourite that both he and Ginny found equally pleasurable, whether she was pregnant or not: the simple use of the fingers, lips, and tongue, the use of same being limited only by the imaginations of the partners involved ... and one may be assured that both Harry and Ginny were most imaginative!

* * * * *

Of course, they did still have other things they needed to do, and having Rose checked for clairvoyance was one of them. Even at that, the tests were lengthy and grueling, especially to a child, much less an adult, so they would have to be divided up into several different sections.

From what he understood from Ginny, his ex-wife seemed to be dividing her time between her work and Viktor. It also seemed that Hermione had been making sure to have her work done before having any quality time with her new beau. That certainly suited him just fine, for he had no intention of allowing her to rope him and Ginny into helping her again if he could avoid it. It was fortunate that the girls spent most of their time with him and Ginny since rumour had it that Viktor had all but moved in with Hermione, even though he technically had his own quarters.

He probably only kept them for the sake of variety in shagging spots, if his reputation with the ladies was any indication, Harry thought wryly. But strangely enough, that was one thing he hadn't heard of, at least not recently. Viktor hadn't been seeing anyone other than Hermione for all the time he'd been here, and it was close to a month now. If he didn't get some answers from Ginny soon, he would likely have to ask Viktor what his intentions were regarding Hermione...if only for the sake of the girls. After all, she still did have some parental obligations, even if he was their primary caregiver.

* * * * *

Two weeks later, they were well into the clairvoyance tests, and if the results he had been receiving were any indication, Harry was all but convinced that his oldest daughter would one day be either a Seer or Divination teacher. Certainly they needed a bona fide teacher at Hogwarts after so many years of Trelawney. From what he understood, Rose held the potential for even surpassing the renowned Seer, Cassandra Trelawney, Sybill Trelawney's great-great-grandmother...and that was saying something. They had even had Rose make some tentative predictions. The most noteworthy were the following:

According to her, he and Ginny were likely to have ten children, surpassing even the prolific Arthur and Molly Weasley. In which case, he would have to make sure they eventually had a big house built...that is, if he didn't find that there was actually a family mansion specifically for Potters. And considering the fact that the family wealth was old money, handed down through many generations, it wouldn't surprise Harry one bit. The first chance he got, he intended to investigate this possibility and see what he came up with.

He was also given to understand that Ron and Luna's next child (or more accurately, set of children) were to be identical twins...but not necessarily boys, as generally happened in the Weasley family. That is, if the whole prediction had been known at this point, which it wasn't. The problem was that Rose was unable to see more than a few years ahead ... ten at the most. But her ability was, considering her age, unprecedented, so the Panel made note of her predictions and made sure to tell her parents to keep them informed of which predictions came true and which didn't, at least not immediately.

She even foresaw Hermione and Viktor getting married. That was definite, according to her. It was too early to say for certain if they would have children; but they were still young, so it was a definite possibility.

Harry also intended to encourage Rose to tell him if she happened to See anything else concerning their family, so he could take steps to prepare for virtually any possibility...especially the possibility of his ending up the patriarch of his own large family...and whatever she told him, he would make note of in a special journal that he would keep under lock and key in a special place which only he and Ginny would have access to.

For the moment, though, particularly once the tests had been completed, both Harry and Ginny intended to see that the girls had as normal a childhood as possible. That is, as normal as any childhood could be in the wizarding world, when it came to children with abilities such as Rose's and equally magical parents.