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It wasn't often that Hermione Potter had to go down to Gringrotts from the Ministry of Magic. Not for anything other than work, of course. This though, was distinctly personal.
She maintained her composure through long hours of practice as she walked through the front doors, and up to a waiting Goblin. Said goblin was in full battle armor, and stood military parade ground straight as he nodded to her.
"This way, ma'am," the goblin stated.
They went down to a holding cell area, where multiple goblin guards were standing around a door to a cell block, along with a dragon and two tamed manticores. All looking like they were expecting a revived Voldemort to come bursting through the heavily reinforced doors.
"Is... All this really necessary?" Hermione asked.
"You broke in here last time, you tell me," the goblin grunted. "Let her through!"
The goblin guards stepped aside. The door to the cell block slowly lifted. Hermione and her goblin guide walked in, going down the empty cells... To the last one.
Harry was sitting in one of the cells, their son, James Sirius, playing with some toys out of his diaper bag. Harry was wearing sunglasses, and had a five o'clock shadow-As he usually did. His hair was rakishly messy, and his physique was well crafted muscle outlined by a simple white undershirt shirt, an red open button up shirt, and tight blue jeans.
It made him look utterly shaggable (as usual) but Hermione had more important things to worry about.
"Harry," Hermione said, "what did you do?"
Harry shrugged.
"All I asked was..."
And here Harry stood up, his incredible power making the cell go dark, as his eyes glowed with the full power of the Deathly Hallows and his own incredible magic.
" Can I make a withdrawal? I gotta get some groceries for dinner tonight," he rumbled, like the thunder of an oncoming storm.
His baby son clapped happily at the light show. His wife just sighed, and held a hand to her forehead.
"Every time..."
"You love it though," he pointed out. Hermione fought a smirk.
"Not as much as you might think…"
Ron Weasley, now a partner in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes (and married to Luna Weasley nee Lovegood) sighed as he got another annoying call from his former Auror captain:
"I'm just saying," the man said over the enchanted Floo Phone, "it's an utter waste of his talents, being a house husband of all things!"
"Take it up with him mate, not me," Ron sighed.
"But-But a house husband, Weasley!" The older man sputtered, "a house husband, the conquerer of Voldemort!?"
"If you knew Harry like I did, you would understand," Ron sighed.
"Oh yeah? How's that?" The Auror Captain demanded.
Ron's thoughts went to a conversation he'd had with Harry only a few years ago...
The war had ended. Harry and Hermione had gotten together, admitting to falling in love while Ron was gone. That had hurt, but Ron realized it was his own damn fault.
He found it in himself to be happy for his best friends, and visited their house at Number 12 Grimmauld frequently. But the real kicker was when Ron said he wanted to join the Aurors, and Harry wouldn't go with him.
"But Harry!" Ron protested. "You'd get paid to do what you've always done!"
"Yeah, but I hated all that crap," Harry said, working at the stove. "I wanna do things I actually enjoy!"
"Like Quidditch?" Ron asked. Harry smiled and shook his head.
"I could go pro... But it would be all about my fame, regardless of my ability. No, I want to build a home. Have kids." He paused as he stirred some vegetables in a cast iron skillet.
"Cook."
Ron groaned.
"You wanna be, what, a house husband?!" Ron asked.
Harry grinned and nodded.
"Yeah. Why not? Your mum did it."
"You want to be like my mum?!" Ron demanded. "Have you gone mental?!"
"She DID kill Bellatrix, you know," Harry pointed out, adding some spices to the food, "and was an Olympic medalist in dueling."
"Even so, mate, it just sounds..." Ron tried to think of something that wouldn't accidentally insult women, or Hermione, or Harry. As he struggled with this herculean task, Harry smiled as something beeped.
"Oh! The snacks are ready," he said. He got some golden fried things out of the oven. They smelled mouth watering.
"What are those?" Ron asked, curious and hungry.
"Ebi. Japanese style fried shrimp," Harry replied. "Hermione likes to try new things so I went with Japanese food." He held out a plate of the shrimp. "Want to try?"
Ron hesitated a little... But it did smell damn good. He grabbed one, and popped it into his mouth. He bit down.
His eyes widened, and then rolled back into his head. His foot kicked like a happy dog in a dream. He swallowed, and licked his lips, savoring every bit.
"Good?" Harry asked. Ron grabbed the rest off the plate, hungrily devouring the shrimp. He licked his fingers clean, then grabbed the plate to lick anything left.
He had tears in his eyes as he finished the ebi. Hermione walked in, blinking. Ron looked over at her, and took a deep breath.
"Hermione? Marry this man," he stated.
Hermione and Harry both blushed.
"Wha? What do you-?"
"IF YOU WON'T I WILL!"
Ah, that was a happy memory, Ron thought in contentment. Especially after Harry had taught Luna how to cook. He began to drool, recalling how Luna had shown off her cooking to Ron while wearing an apron... And only an apron...
"Weasley? Hey Weasley? You still there?!"
Hermione Potter arrived back at her home, tired from a long day of work at the Ministry. She took her shoes off at the entrance, and stretched her arms over her head.
"I'm home!" She called out. "Harry? James? Kreacher?"
She heard her baby giggle, and walked into the living room... Only to see it was in shambles. Spell blast damage was everywhere, the furniture was wrecked. James was in his playpen and laughing, as his father... Laid in the middle of the floor, covered in bruises. Hermione gasped and dropped her briefcase as she ran to Harry's side.
"Harry! Harry, are you all right?! What happened?!" She cried. Her husband groaned.
"Shhh... It's here, Hermione, don't move!" He muttered.
"What? What's here?" She demanded.
Bzzzzz... Bzzz...
"DIE!" Harry bellowed, firing a spell at an errant fly. The bug dodged it, and every other spell Harry fired at the insect. James laughed and clapped at the pretty lights and the explosions, while Harry held Hermione close to him.
"HARRY!" Hermione squeaked, but her husband just held her tightly.
"Accio fly!" He cried, and the fly zipped at him... But then dodged his hand, buzzing on its way. "DAMNIT!"
Kreacher nonchalantly popped into the living room, looked around, and sighed.
"Would stupid Master like Kreacher to help him now?" Kreacher asked, exasperated.
"No, stupid master does NOT need Kreacher to help him now," Harry grumbled.
"Yes, stupid Master WILL let Kreacher help or Stupid Master will not see the inside of our bedroom for a week!" Hermione growled.
Harry sighed, and bowed his head.
"... Fine. Kreacher?"
The elf house snapped his fingers, and the fly vanished. He shook his head, looking amused.
"Don't say anything," Harry grumbled.
"Not a word, Master," Kreacher sniggered, before he popped away.
Ginny Weasley, Quidditch star for the Holyhead Harpies and fiance to one Draco Malfoy, sat at an outdoor Cafe with said fiance in Diagon Alley. They were arguing, which was not unusual for the couple.
"I'm just saying, you even considering the Cannons as a team for a few games is insane," Draco said earnestly, "what's wrong with the Harpies?"
"Ugh. I keep getting put into every game even when I'm exhausted because of my fame!" Ginny groaned. "I mean, seriously? I'm being run ragged between the games, the guest appearances-If I join the Cannons I'll have more free time!"
"But the Cannons are a joke!" Draco insisted. He sighed. "But if you want a less demanding schedule, why not just join my team? The Wiltshire Whirlwinds?"
Ginny shook her head.
"Oh yeah. The team my fiance owns. That won't look like nepotism or anything."
"It would give you more excuses to attend public events I choose," Draco said carefully, "or not choose to attend. And you're already sleeping with me."
Ginny blushed.
"Do you have to be so direct about it?!"
"You complain when I conceal my intentions and you complain when I don't," Draco sighed, taking a sip of his drink, "impossible woman."
"Arrogant arse," Ginny shot back with a loving grin. A loud disturbance went off and they both looked to the source, hands on their wands.
Ginny blinked as she spied a familiar looking man-tall, black haired, green eyed, muscular, with a baby in a baby carrier cooing on his chest. A few rough thugs were confronting him, their wands out.
"Oh geez, Harry," Ginny winced.
"Can't he go five minutes without getting into trouble?" Draco sighed.
"Potter!" The lead thug growled, "you're pretty hot shit in the UK, but you're nothin' now! Just a shitty wanker who lucked out when he took down Voldemort! Now, the Thule Society is gonna take over and-!"
Harry wasn't even paying attention. He checked his watch. The lead thug gaped.
"The hell is your problem, Potter?!" The thug demanded.
"I'm late for lunch," he stated, "with my beautiful wife."
He looked at them, and Draco and Ginny both shivered. The incredible power that burned in the young man filled the Alley. The thugs hesitated, looking very uncertain. The lead tried to muster some courage.
"Yeah? The mudblood who tamed you? What are-?"
Harry's magical aura became visible, and every one of the thugs fell to their knees in terror. Harry's glare was icy as his baby son laughed happily. He walked up to the leader, and rested a hand on his shoulder. The leader looked up, shaking.
"That word is not welcome here," he stated. "You should use your mouth for something better than dirtying the air." Harry reached inside his jacket. The thug wet himself and began to beg.
"H-Hey, sir, I didn't mean it! I-I just-I didn't-Please don't-!"
Draco rose, maybe hoping to talk Harry down. Ginny held his arm and shook her head.
"I can't just let him-!"
"Look," Ginny said. Draco did.
Harry had pulled out.. A chocolate candy in wrapping? The thug looked just as confused as Harry handed it to him.
"I need a taste tester," Harry said, "you think this chocolate is any good?"
The thug stared... Then took the chocolate. He popped it in his mouth, chewed, then swallowed.
"It's... Pretty darn good, uh, sir," the thug said. Harry glared.
"You aren't just lying to make me feel good, are you?" He growled. "I need honest feedback!"
"N-no, it's really good! Honest! Very nutty!" The thug squeaked. Harry nodded, satisfied.
"Good. Try making some yourself. There are classes at Honeydukes every Thursday night. You lot be there, or else."
"YES SIR!" The thugs all cried. Harry nodded, and headed off, cuddling his son to his chest.
Draco and Ginny watched him go. Draco blinked.
"... I saw it, and I still don't believe it," Draco muttered.
"Maybe you should try the chocolate making class," Ginny teased, "to stay in his good graces?"
"Hmph," Draco grunted.
"And mine?"
"Hmmm..."
It wasn't a no.
Harry, for his part, didn't care much about what Ginny and Draco got up to. He met his wife at the new Diagon Alley Park, and pulled her into a hug and kiss. She eagerly returned it, and embraced their darling little boy James.
The park was filled with the laughter of happy children, as they played on the playground equipment. Birds were singing, old Witches were gossiping, and he had his wife and son.
It was a beautiful day.
"Harry! James! You didn't run into any trouble on the way, did you?"
Harry smirked and shrugged.
"Nothing unusual for me," Harry said. "So, what's the announcement?"
Hermione glowed, smiling brightly. James laughed as he played with her hair.
"I'm pregnant again!"
Harry blinked… Before he hugged her and laughed.
"That's great! That's GREAT!"
"Isn't it?!" Hermione laughed too.
James cheered, happy that his parents were overjoyed.
"Uh… Ahem. Lord Potter," coughed a voice. Harry turned and scowled at the Thule Society thugs from before. Hermione frowned.
"Harry?" She asked worriedly.
Harry's eyes glowed slightly.
"What do you want?"
The thugs shivered. Then stood up straight.
"We wish you and your beautiful wife congratulations, sir!" The lead thug announced. "On the new baby!"
"CONGRATULATIONS!" The rest chorused.
"We will happily protect your family!" The lead cried again.
"Don't need it," Harry growled. "But if you want to keep me happy? I'll see you lot in class."
"THIS THURSDAY. LORD POTTER!" They cried, before turning and heading off.
Hermione stared at Harry.
"Harry," she began sweetly, "why is a Dark Wizard gang pledging allegiance to you?"
Harry shrugged.
"Like I said. Nothing unusual for me…"