Baby Carrots

Month One

Hermione had been in the toilet for quite a while. Crookshanks had heard some gagging noises at first, making him suspect that she had eaten something bad like the time he ate the green fish. But now the noises had been gone for several minutes and he was starting to wonder if she would ever come out.

"Hermione, you've been there an awful long time," Ron said while leaning his head to the bathroom door and throwing Harry dirty looks. He lowered his voice and hissed at Harry, "I told you not to serve that bloody carrot cake you made. It smelled weird and now you got her all sick."

Harry crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't blame the cake. There was nothing wrong with it."

"It smelled like... carrots!"

"It was carrot cake!"

"So? It's not supposed to smell like carrots! Cakes don't smell!"

"Carrots don't smell!"

"Of course they do. Maybe Muggle carrots-"

The bathroom door clicked open and Hermione stepped out, looking a bit pale. Harry and Ron quickly got to her sides and each grabbed one of her arms gently.

"Are you okay?"

"How are you feeling?"

"Do you need anything?"

"Was it the carrot cake?"

"What?" Hermione asked as she shook Harry and Ron off. They always made her feel cramped when they did that. "No, it wasn't the cake."

Harry shot Ron a triumphant grin. "So it was the sweets!" Harry declared. "I told Ron not to trust anything the twins give him, even if it is supposed to give the eater bigger boobs-"

Hermione shook her head. "I think I need to sit down," she said. Never one to waste time, Harry quickly transfigured the object nearest to him (a big, green plant) into an armchair.

"Show off," Ron mumbled as Hermione sank in the armchair desperately.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Harry asked kneeling in front of Hermione.

Hermione bit her lip nervously. "Well," she looked towards Ron who was leaning under the doorway and was busy glaring at Harry's back. "Ron, I think you should come here, too." He walked towards them, kneeled next to Harry, and took Hermione's hand in his. Both boys looked up worriedly at her. "You see... I'm... well, we're... the thing is... oh sod it, I'm pregnant." She smiled wide.

"What?" Harry asked at the same time as Ron said, "With a baby?"

Hermione's smile faded. "Yes, I should hope so with a baby. Aren't you glad?"

And suddenly she started to cry.

Harry panicked. Ever since that Cho incident eight years ago, he couldn't handle girls weeping. Ron grimaced. Sure, he had seen Ginny and his mum cry, but that's why he had five older brothers and a father to handle it. Hermione did always say he was tactless in situations like this.

"Of course we're glad!" Ron finally replied, his voice filled with hope that she would calm down.

"Is that why you responded so excitedly?" Hermione snapped at him through her sobs.

"We are excited," Harry said, as he rubbed Hermione's back. "It was just a surprise, is all. We hadn't really planned or expected this."

Hermione stopped crying. "Are you saying you don't want the baby?" She looked at Harry angrily, her eyes red and wet.

"No!"

"No! No, of course not. All I meant is that we were surprised," Harry told her. "But we don't think it's a bad surprise in any way," he added. "Having a baby is the greatest thing we could hope for."

"Yeah, Herm, you know we're stupid gits who always say the wrong thing," Ron grinned at her.

"Maybe you should bloody grow up then, and start thinking before you open those wretched things you call mouths!" Hermione yelled as she got up and ran into the master bedroom, slamming the door in her wake.

Ron sighed. The next nine months were going to be really long.

***

Month Two

Harry couldn't stop wondering about it. He felt guilty for thinking about it, but he couldn't help himself. The thought was just so persistent. He figured the best thing to do was to talk to Ron about it. Yeah, that was a good idea. He needed to get things out in the open and then everything would be fine. Decidedly, he put his coffee mug into the sink and walked out of the kitchen.

"Ron," Harry called out as he approached the redhead who was sitting in the living room.

"Yeah," Ron replied, looking up from his game of solitaire. He had become quite fond of Muggle card games throughout the years.

"I wanted to talk to you," Harry told him, as he stood in front of him and fidgeted with the hem of his jumper.

Ron put down his card. "Er, okay. What about, love?"

Harry seemed intent on staring at the ground. "The baby."

"What about the baby?" Ron pressed.

"Ron," Harry stopped looking at the ground and instead focused his gaze on Ron, "Hermione is having a baby. Our baby. We're going to be fathers. Don't you think this is a big deal?"

Ron leaned back into the couch he sat on. "Not really. I mean, in a way, yes, but in a much more important way it feels like everything is finally falling into place."

Harry slumped down next to Ron on the sofa and he sighed. "We're grownups, aren't we?"

Ron smiled. "We've been so for a long time now."

"When did it happen?"

Ron pretended to think. "I suppose it was sometime while saving the world and somewhat sacrificing our childhoods for the better of wizard kind."

Harry snorted. "Or maybe it was when you became the one that started making sense."

There was a moment of silence and then, "Harry?"

"Yes?"

"Do you wonder whose baby it is?"

Harry considered the question thoughtfully and knew that honesty was the best policy. "Yes."

"Me too." Ron paused. "What do you think we should do?"

"Does it matter?"

Ron took Harry's hand. "No. It's our baby."

Harry squeezed him. "Then I don't think we're supposed to do anything," he said as he leaned into him and kissed him.

Crookshanks growled and decided to leave the living room. He hated to watch Harry and Ron snog like mad. It was like watching dogs in heat. He especially hated it because he didn't think they should kiss without Hermione. She was the master. So the cat stuck his tail in the air and took off to the kitchen as quickly as he could.

***

Month Three

It was a rainy day and the Trio sat around lazily. Crookshanks could tell there was an important task at hand, although coming to a decision about it was proving to be tiresome.

"I saved the world."

"Don't be so cocky, Harry," Hermione told him. "Besides, you know that you wouldn't have been able to do it without Ron and myself."

"Yeah, Harry. Don't be so cocky. In fact, I don't think I like you anymore."

Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron. "You sure liked me last night," he smirked.

Hermione looked hurt. "You guys had fun without me last night?"

"You were asleep," Ron reasoned. "And you looked so cute sleeping; we didn't want to disturb you."

"Not to mention, Ron is afraid of having sex with you because you're pregnant," Harry added.

"Am not!" Ron defended himself.

"Ron, how could you?" Hermione was on the verge of tears. Again. "Scientifically speaking, it's impossible to hurt the baby, if that's what you're worried about."

"I'm not afraid, Hermione," Harry told her seductively. Unfortunately for him, he was ignored.

"Don't listen to Harry, Hermione. He's making stuff up. You know how he is when he's bored. You were sleeping, that's the only reason why." Ron looked her in the eye. "I promise."

"It's not what you're worried about, is it?" Hermione began to sob.

"Baby, no." Harry got up from the armchair he was sitting on and went to her side. He looked at Ron, who just glared at him and gave him a look that said, look what you started, you sod. "I was just kidding. The only reason we didn't wake you up was because you were sleeping and we know you've been having a hard time getting to sleep lately. We didn't want to disturb you," Harry said desperately. Hermione just continued sobbing, hunched on the window seat she was seating on. "I'll make it up to you, if you want," he pleaded. Then he smiled, "the truth is that it's just not that fun without you."

Ron who was lying on the couch with his feet in the air as he stared at the ceiling, sat up. "Oh, so I'm not enough for you, Potter?"

"Well, there are some things that Hermione can do that you just can't, Weasley," Harry told him. Ron scowled. Harry just gave him a look, I'm trying to get her to stop crying, you daft git. Quit being a baby, would you?

Hermione hiccupped. "Really?"

Harry kissed her softly, slowly, and thoroughly. "Really."

Hermione grinned, grabbed Harry's hand, and stood up. "Show me then." As they passed Ron who was sitting on the couch in annoyance, she said, "And since you're so afraid to touch me, Ronald - although you should deflate that ego of yours for flattering yourself into thinking that you can touch me in the first place - you can just watch. If you'd like, of course."

"What happened to deciding on a last name for the baby?" Ron yelled after Hermione and Harry's retreating forms, with Crookshanks following closely behind them.

***

Month Four

Crookshanks hated to think it, but Hermione was getting fat. She needed to take care of herself more. He was reminded of the time at Hogwarts when he ate so many birds, that he couldn't climb the girl's dormitories for two weeks and couldn't poop for almost just as long. It really didn't help Hermione that dumb and dumber insisted on serving her such unhealthy foods. Those orange and red things they were cutting up were definitely far too colorful to be good for you. The green fish came to mind, actually.

Harry thought that Hermione was starting to show that she was pregnant. Her normally flat stomach was now quite a bit round. He wondered if it was odd that he liked it. Ron was still scared about touching her, but Harry's problem was the opposite of that. He couldn't stop.

He stood side by side with the aforementioned redhead in the kitchen cutting up vegetables for dinner.

"I know someone who swallowed a carrot," Harry announced randomly, while he hacked up a carrot of his own into tiny pieces.

Ron sliced a tomato. "So? Lots of people swallow carrots, Harry."

"It was whole." Slice.

"How do you swallow a whole carrot?" Slice.

Harry lifted his eyebrows and said, "Think about it, Ron. There's pretty much only one way."

"I don't really think a whole carrot can fit through your mouth, unless it's not even through your mouth that you swallow it and-" Realization hit Ron and his eyes went wide. After a moment he said, "Wait, how can you possibly know about this?" Harry shrugged. "Unless you swallowed it!" He pointed his knife accusingly at Harry.

"I did not!"

"Well, you either swallowed it or you're a kinky bastard!"

"I'm not either!" Harry replied, quite scandalized at the thought.

Ron laughed. "You're such a prude, Harry. It's not as if I meant it to be offensive. "

"Well, I didn't and I'm not, okay?"

"Hey, you brought it up."

Hermione walked into the kitchen at that moment, headed straight for the refrigerator, and took out a piece of pumpkin pie. "Hey boys," she greeted cheerfully.

"Hey, Herm, did you know that Harry swallowed a whole carrot?"

"Ron!" Harry smacked his arm.

Hermione grinned wickedly and replied, "You bet I did." Harry turned red. Hermione walked towards him. "Oh sweetie, Ron's just jealous," she told him.

Ron snorted. "Of swallowing a carrot? Not really. Sounds quite painful, actually."

"It was a lot of fun." Hermione grinned even more wickedly and Harry turned as red as Ron's tomato. "Nothing to be embarrassed about, hon." When Harry didn't move, Hermione leaned into him and kissed him. "I love you," she told him.

Harry, still blushing profusely, quietly said, "I love you, too."

Ron scrunched up his nose and threw his hands up in despair. "It's seventh year all over again!"

"Excuse me?" Hermione asked.

"Seventh year? Have you forgotten? The year you two decided to get together? Oh Harry, I love you! No 'Mione, I love you more!" Ron made loud, smacking, kissing noises to go along with his Harry and Hermione impersonations. He turned his back on his other halves and crossed his arms in disgust at the obviously traumatizing memory.

"Honestly, Ronald, I'm surprised you remember. You were busy going through all the Hogwarts girls at the time."

"And boys," Harry added.

"I was a poor, abandoned bloke, and I needed comfort from somewhere."

Harry looked at him incredulously. "Ron, you were already through half of the girls by the time we started dating!"

"Not the point," Ron said as he leaned his arse on the table and waved a knife. He was the type of person that needed to flare his hands about whenever he spoke.

"Oh, come on, we soon realized that our relationship just wasn't complete without you," Harry reasoned.

"Please, we all know you two just use me for sex." Ron pouted as Hermione approached him.

Suddenly, Hermione threw Ron back on the kitchen table and straddled him. "You are such a baby," she said while licking her lips. "Besides, if that were true, we all know you don't have a problem with it."

Ron's breathing seemed to increase notches. "Hermione," he breathed out, "you're... you're... you're a mum!" He declared, as if it was some startling revelation. "Mum's aren't supposed to act this way!" He gestured with his arms at her predatory position.

"Why on earth not?" Hermione whispered as she rocked her hips a bit.

"Oh, damn." Ron closed his eyes.

Harry chuckled beside him and waved an orange vegetable around. "Oh look, Ron, it's a carrot."

In the background you could see Crookshanks running as fast as he could out of the kitchen.

***

Month Seven

They were ungrateful, that's what Crookshanks thought of them. She did so much for them and they couldn't even manage to hear her speak. The one with glasses was already asleep, and the unusually tall redhead was being his usual annoying self to her. Crookshanks couldn't take it anymore and so he decided to go outside instead.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat on the living room floor with sheets of paper spread around them. Harry and Ron tried to listen to Hermione talk, but Harry was barely awake and leaning his head on the couch beside him.

"Do you really think it should be blue? And are you quite sure it should be the room with the big window?" Hermione asked.

"Do we have to do it now?" Ron whined. "Didn't we say the baby would sleep in our room the first couple of weeks?"

"We did, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared. The baby's room has to be ready before it's born. We won't have any free time once he or she gets here."

"Fine, then. Blue. Blue is good. If it's a boy, blue is a boy's color. If it's a girl, blue is good, too. We don't want her to be too girly, eh, Hermione?" Ron laughed to himself, his sleepiness making his comment particularly funny.

"Right," Hermione responded as she bit her lip, not paying much attention to Ron, but instead observing closely a sheet with different shades of blue.

"And the room with the big window is really nice for a nursery," Ron continued.

"Yes, but is it safe?" Hermione questioned. "Someone could steal the baby or he or she could fall out of the window-"

"Hermione, stop it. This is the safest house in all of Britain. And I really doubt a baby that cannot walk would be able to fall out a window."

"You never know," Hermione rationalized. "What do you think, Harry?" A pause. "Harry? Harry!"

Harry opened his eyes suddenly. "Sure. Yes. Uh, what?"

"Harry, you were sleeping!" Hermione scolded him, her arms on her hips even as she sat.

"It's late and I'm tired," Harry explained.

"But this is important! We are discussing the safety of your child!" Hermione exclaimed.

Harry shook himself and sat up straight. "I'm awake now. I'm all ears."

"Do you think the room with the big window is good for the nursery?" Hermione asked him with obvious annoyance. Ron looked at her and figured that being as big as a hippogriff would make an already snappy person even more irritating. Poor woman, really.

Harry scratched his head. "Well, it's so big. What if the baby falls out?"

"That's what I said!" Hermione pointed her finger at Ron.

Ron gave a look of disbelief. "You two are so paranoid! A baby cannot fall out of a window unless you throw it out."

"If it has any of your genes, I'm sure it can. It'll probably be able to do magic the day it's born and be able to open the window itself," a fourth voice commented. The threesome suddenly stopped talking and turned towards the fireplace.

"What do you want?" Ron snapped at his sister's head in the fire. "It's late."

"I know. But I forgot to pass along a message from mum. She told me to tell Hermione to come over to the burrow tomorrow morning. She said, and I quote, I've had seven children and I know the cure to every discomfort that comes along with pregnancy. She also said to ignore Percy."

"Apparently he's just a narrow-minded git who won't ever understand your lifestyle." A blonde head appeared next to Ginny's.

"What the hell do you want, Malfoy?" Ron became even more frustrated at seeing his brother-in-law. "It's late, why don't you go to sleep?"

"I just wanted to greet my three favorite people in the whole wide world," Draco said with mock cheerfulness. "But you're right, I need my beauty sleep or else I'll wake up looking like you, Weasley." He smirked and then his head vanished quickly.

"Dammit, Gin! I've told you to keep him away!"

"Hush, Ron. I just wanted to pass along my message. I'll be going now, and by the way, you look wonderful, Hermione! Goodnight!" Her head disappeared just as quickly as her husband's had a moment earlier.

"I hate Malfoy," Ron said with a scowl.

"We know, sweetie. You've mentioned it before." Hermione patted Ron's knee. "Harry, Ron, there's something I want to talk about."

Ron threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine, Hermione, if you think the baby is going to fall out the window, then we'll just put him in that room without any windows-"

"No, that's not what I was going to talk about," Hermione said. "Although it's a good idea," she added. "What I was thinking about is science."

Harry shook his head. "Hermione, honey, I'm kind of tired now. We'll talk about your theory on whether we really exist or not some other time-"

"Harry, shush! I don't want to talk about that. At least not now, anyway. I was just wondering about whose baby this is."

Ron looked confused. "I think it's yours, Hermione. It's in your stomach." He touched her belly in emphasis.

"I mean," Hermione said as her patience started to run, "don't you two wonder whether I'm having your baby," she pointed at Harry, "or your baby?" She pointed at Ron.

Ron finally understood. He nodded. "Yes, but we decided that it doesn't matter."

Hermione seemed doubtful. "You have?"

"Yes, because that baby will have a piece of all of us," Harry explained.

"Scientifically speaking, that's not possible-"

"Hermione-"

"Sorry."

"We're okay with it. Really."

"Well, if you two are okay with it, then I am, too," Hermione decided. There was a moment of silence and then, "But are you sure?"

"Completely," Harry and Ron answered in unison.

"Good." Hermione grinned. "Now about that room without any windows-"

"Hermione, without windows he won't breathe or know what light is!"

***

Month Eight

They had already resolved the bloody problem and yet they were arguing again. Crookshanks was getting annoyed. He was beginning to think that sometimes they bickered just to pass the time. Didn't they realize how frustrating it was to the cat that was forced to live with them and witness their childish behavior day after day? Crookshanks glared (as much as cats can glare anyway) at his owners, but they weren't paying attention to him. Hermione and the raven-haired man sat on the couch, while the rat-loving, freckly-faced, same-hair-color-as-his-own-fur man paced in front of them.

"As the only person here who hasn't slept with Draco Malfoy, I declare the fact that I'm the sane one, and therefore, the only one here correct in judgment. Any objections?"

"I was drunk!"

"It was dark!"

Ron ignored the remarks and continued, "Didn't think so." Ron paused for a moment and then seriously said, "Look, you two, I love you. So very much. You two are, well, my everything. And I know that whether it was Harry's or my chromosomes that created that baby inside of Hermione, it doesn't matter. I know it doesn't. I'm still going to love that baby, Harry, you're still going to love that baby, and Hermione; you will damn well love it, too. It's a whole new life that will be a part of all three of us. Screw any scientific shite that disagrees. Besides," he grinned, "we have our whole lives to make lots and lots of more babies and for each of us to have our turn in doing so."

Hermione's eyes welled up at that and she starting shaking. "Hermione, I didn't mean..." Ron inwardly scolded himself. You're so stupid. Think before you speak. "Oh, Merlin. I didn't want to... don't get me wrong... I mean... I like science!" He kneeled in front of Hermione. "Don't cry, please," he pleaded.

Harry laughed. "You stupid git, I don't think your distaste for science is the reason she's crying."

Hermione's crying increased into those hiccupping sort of sobs. "Oh, Ron. That was so beautiful!" She threw her arms around his neck. She pulled back and looked at him, "Who knew you were capable of being so sweet!" She then pulled him back to her tightly.

"Merlin's sake, what he said wasn't that great," Harry mumbled beside them.

"Er, Hermione? Have you been eating Harry's carrot cake again? Your stomach just hit me," Ron said, his voice muffled against her shoulder.

Hermione gasped. "The baby is kicking!"

"What?" Harry pushed Ron away, making him fall over, and he put his hand on Hermione's stomach. "It's... your stomach... it's moving! The baby! It moves! In your stomach!" Harry laughed, finally able to feel the baby kick after never being there when the baby had done so in the past.

"Real eloquent, Potter." Ron pushed Harry's hand away and leaned his head to Hermione's stomach. After a couple seconds of the Trio relishing the moment in silence, Ron smiled and said, "I can feel it. I think he or she is getting impatient to come see us."

Hermione smiled, grabbed both of her boys' hands, and kissed them both lightly on the lips, "I think so, too."

Crookshanks jumped into Harry's lap and purred. He was glad they were finally quiet and he was glad they seemed happy. He was, however, a bit worried that his master was now the size of a small bear, resembling the creature he saw in the forbidden forest once.

***

Several months later and one lovely afternoon in the park.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Ron?"

"Do you think it's possible that you could have a baby from Harry and me at the same time?"

"No, I don't think so, Ron."

"I think so," Ron said as he pushed an empty stroller through a park near their home.

"That's stupid," Harry said while a baby boy with similar jet black hair wriggled in his arms.

"Is not! How else can you explain why Emma looks like me and James looks like you?"

"How do you figure that?" Harry asked.

"Emma has red hair and freckles, and James has black hair and green eyes," Ron stated matter-of-factly. "Although bloody hell, both babies have your unmanageable hair," he added as an afterthought. "And crap, they're twins! Twins run in my family!"

"My mother had red hair. Hermione has freckles, her mother is a twin, and have you seen her hair? It's a wreck. Oww, Hermione, you know it's true. Anyway, and I don't know if you've noticed, Ron, but you have green eyes as well. Not as bright and grand as the shade of green of my eyes, but green all the same."

"So what you're saying is that Emma came from your little swimmers and James from mine?"

"No," Harry said patiently while putting James in his stroller, "what I'm saying is that I'm sure they both came from only one of our set of swimmers, but you can't figure out who's based on the color of our babies' eyes and hair."

Ron shook his head. "Merlin, Harry, you lack faith. You're becoming Hermione."

"Ack-wah!" Emma squealed, nestled in Hermione's arms.

Hermione laughed. "Oh, that's right, baby!"

"What's right?"

"Emma said "aqua," which is the Latin word for water."

This time Ron laughed. "Emma doesn't speak Latin, honey. Emma makes noises that sound like Latin."

"She said "aqua" as soon as she saw that fountain, Ronald." Hermione pointed at the water fountain they stood next to. "She knows what she's talking about. Don't you, baby?" Hermione asked Emma.

"So here are the Golden Trio's ickle Latin speaking sprogs," a voice drawled behind them.

"Draco, be nice," Ginny Malfoy scolded her husband. Right in front of the Trio, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy stood. A little girl with strawberry blonde hair held on to Ginny's hand, looking quite bored in the process.

"Did I say anything rude?"

"It wasn't what you said; it was the tone you used," Ginny said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, what's wrong with our sprog?" Ron asked Draco defensively.

"Nothing, Ron. Emma and James are absolutely adorable!" Ginny clapped her hands excitedly and leaned in to Hermione to gush over Emma, who just stared at her aunt in bewilderment. Draco snorted, but didn't make any remarks contradicting his wife.

It was rare seeing Draco Malfoy in a Muggle park, actually. While Ginny seemed perfectly content for a stroll in her red, flowing summer dress, Draco looked like he couldn't wait to get home. His face showed a look of utter impatience, much like the look his daughter wore.

"So what are you three doing here?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, nothing much. It was such a beautiful and warm day that we thought we'd take Stella out for some air."

Ginny, Hermione, and Harry then proceeded to go into a conversation about how wonderful the day was and how important it was for people to be outside. Draco leaned towards Ron and whispered, "Don't you ever wonder if it's Potter's or yours?"

"What?"

"You heard me."

Ron thought for a second. "Sure, but we know it doesn't really matter." He looked Draco in the eye. "Would you love Stella any less if she weren't yours?"

"Are you daft, Weasel? That's different. She's my daughter, with the same blood running through her veins and all," Draco snapped at Ron. "Who else's child would she be?"

"Oh, no one but Gin's and yours, of course," Ron said encouragingly. "Although sometimes I can't help to notice how much Stella resembles Neville Longbottom, with the big baby blues, the same shade of hair, and even how round she is."

"Are you calling my daughter fat?" Draco demanded.

"No, just healthy," Ron responded coolly.

"Take that back, Weasley," Draco ordered.

"Or what, Malfoy? Besides, I didn't say anything the least bit offensive-" Ron didn't get to finish his sentence because he was suddenly in a pool of water. Draco had pushed him into the fountain. How mature, Ron thought. He wasted no time in getting up, and before anything could be done, he had punched Draco Malfoy in the jaw.

"Ron!"

"Daddy!"

"Draco!" Ginny rushed to her husband.

"Damn. Bloody. Weasel." Draco spit out, while he wiped the blood off of his lip.

"You started it!" Ron said, sounding like a five-year-old.

"Honestly, Ron, you hit him-"

"Hermione, he pushed me into the fountain!" Ron motioned to his wet state.

"He called Stella fat!" Draco yelled in defense.

"I did not, you lying ferret!" Ron yelled back.

"Ron, that's no excuse-" Hermione began.

"But Hermione-"

"No, Hermione, we're leaving," Ginny announced loudly, interrupting them. "We're leaving now." Ginny looked menacingly towards Draco, who was glaring at Ron, who was glaring at Hermione. Picking her daughter up in her arms and steering her husband away from the park, the Malfoys walked off without another word.

"Ron-" Hermione started.

"Just let it go, Hermione," he said as he took a few steps forward and slumped to the grass. Hermione bit back her tongue and sat next to him, Emma on her lap. Harry got James out of his stroller and followed tow. There was silence between the Trio as the sun shone brightly on their faces. Voices were heard in the background, birds chirped in the trees, and Emma and James giggled in baby talk.

After a few minutes, finally no longer able to keep silent, Hermione asked, "what did you say to him, Ron?"

Ron sighed. "Nothing, really."

"Ron..."

"I might have implied that Stella was Neville Longbottom's daughter and not his," Ron admitted.

"Why would you do that?"

"He started asking about Emma and James, and whether we wonder..." Ron trailed off.

"Whether we wonder what?" Harry pressed.

Ron threw himself on the grass, lying on his back. "Whether we wonder if Harry is their father or I am."

"So?" Hermione didn't understand why this was a problem.

"I'm just tired of people asking that question, is all," he said quietly.

"Ronald Weasley, you really need to learn to control your temper. You can't hit everyone who's a bloody nuisance," Hermione stated. "Hitting him makes it seem like it bothers you what people think."

"It doesn't," Ron answered truthfully. "I'm just sick of people thinking it does."

Harry grabbed his hand and squeezed. "I know." He then had a sudden thought. "How about we go home and eat ice cream?"

Ron looked up at Harry, his eyes blinking under the sunlight. "You think you can automatically cheer me up with food, Potter?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "What do you think?"

Ron sat up. "Right, let's go eat."

"Tomato!" Emma screamed at Ron.

"Pickle!" James shrieked at Harry.

"Hermione, this is your fault that they call Harry and I vegetable names," Ron accused, although he was smiling. "I mean, I guess it makes sense to call me tomato, with my red hair and all, but why is Harry 'Pickle'?"

"Maybe they've seen something of mine that reminds them of that particular veggie?" Harry smirked.

"Oh, shut it, Harry, and stop being a pervert in front of your children," Hermione chided, shaking her head in disapproval.

Ron picked his daughter up. "Off we go, Baby Carrot." The red-haired baby girl just giggled up at her father.

And then the fivesome began to walk through the park, laughing and talking about nothing that would seem of merit to anyone.

Eventually Harry said, "Er, Ron?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"You're wet."

Hermione slapped Harry's arm. "Didn't I say to stop being a pervert in front of the children?"

"No, I mean literally."

"Yes, Harry, I've noticed," Ron said sourly. "Damn Muggle parks, can't even say a spell and use a proper drying charm..." Ron mumbled off. In the distance a musical tune was playing and its noise seemed to be getting nearer. "Useless being a wizard if you can't... oh, look, an ice cream truck!" Ron sprinted off towards the vehicle, Emma laughing madly in his arms.

Harry and Hermione exchanged looks, shrugged, and took off running after Ron, leaving the empty strollers behind.

Crookshanks stared out from the window. The sun was finally setting, casting a lovely glow upon the Trio and their children. Standing on a street eating Muggle ice cream, the Granger-Potter-Weasley's looked happy, and despite whatever world saving tragedies had occurred in the past, they seemed to have had reached that level of normalcy at last.

It all looked quite boring, really, if you thought about it. Then again, happiness is boring to those looking in on it.

Crookshanks leaned his head down on the window sill. He was just happy to finally be able to get some peace.