Merlin and Venus

Merlin and Venus

Prologue

It was a beautiful spring day. It was the kind of day to be enjoyed by inhaling the fresh scents of new flowers, feeling the light breezes, basking in the warm sunshine, and listening to birdsong, all while standing in a lovely meadow. In the middle of all this goodness, on this one particular meadow, stood a small, quaint cottage of mellowed pink brick. And while many had always referred to it as such, it was actually a lovely residence of two stories. It consisted of four medium-sized bedchambers on the second floor, as well as a well-stocked study/library, and a large bathroom, while the master suite, dining room, living/sitting room, kitchen, and two bathrooms occupied the main floor.

And, most recently, a newer room had been added on to the master suite; small, it was a most sweet to look upon. The walls had been painted a pale green, with a border running along the top near the ceiling containing frolicking lambs, fuzzy ducklings, and tiny peeping chicks. And because this house was unusual, these animals moved seemingly life-like within the border. Dainty white cotton curtains with an eyelet trim fluttered at the slightly open window. Two delicate wall sconces each contained two pure beeswax tapers of a pale yellow hue, to be lit in the darkest of hours. The floor, gleaming like honey in the spring sunshine, was made of fine pine, and had two charming worsted rag rugs in pastel colors placed upon it. Lining one wall was a changing table fitted with two connecting cabinets beneath it, and a chest of drawers containing five drawers. Both were painted a snow-white color, and filled to the brimming point with everything a wee babe might need.

There were cloth diapers; safety pins; powder; lotions; soaps; petroleum jelly; salves; rash ointments; creams; oils; washcloths; towels, hooded and regular; tiny nail trimmers; rubber bath toys; and fresh, thick cotton pads for the changing table. There was clothing of all shapes and sizes, colors and variations, socks, and shoes, and even little caps and bonnets.

On the opposite wall sat a white oaken crib, bassinette, and playpen. And in a corner facing the window, were a comfortable oak glider and footstool, both padded comfortably.

It was very apparent that much love had gone into the decorating and furbishing of this room, including the stuffed lamb, duck, and chick that resided in the crib.

But while this little room was serene for the moment, it was a whole different story in the one next to it.

The master suite, decorated in bold mahogany furniture accented with gold and maroon hangings, was a perfect set of rooms for a Gryffindor.

In the massive, king-sized bed, a young woman with a sweat-drenched brow groaned. With eyes scrunched closed, she said breathlessly, "Oh, God! The pain is intense! MAVIS!!"

The mediwitch standing between the woman's legs did not even flinch at her name being half screeched. She just looked up, and smiled encouragingly. "I can see the head!" This statement generated much excitement; from the mother-to-be, the assistant mediwitch, who was also best friends with the young mother, and the surrogate "grandma" of the coming babe.

"Here it comes... that's it dear! One more big push!"

With one final heave and grunt, as well as a relieved, weak chuckle, Hermione Granger pushed the baby from her body. Everyone laughed softly at the infant's angry cries, while wiping happy tears away.

Very excited, Hermione looked anxiously toward the mediwitches hovering over her baby.

Ginny Potter looked up and grinned. "A son! 'Mione, you have a healthy, beautiful son!"

With happy tears seeping from her eyes, Hermione lay back and waited patiently for him to be cleaned up. When he was handed to her, her eyes feasted hungrily on his features. He had her nose, she decided, as well as the shape of her eyes. She knew the color would be determined later. But for those two things.... Her mouth fell open in wonder. Merlin! Despite the slight alterations, he was his father made over!

Molly Weasley leaned over from her chair, and expressed out loud what she had been thinking. "Dear Lord! He looks like him!" Catching Hermione's eye, she laughed warmly. "You'll definitely have to keep your eyes peeled when he gets older! The girls will be swarming!"

Ginny also leaned over smiling. She felt proud that she was going to be godmother to this wee little person. "So, what name have you settled on?"

After a moment's thought, Hermione smiled. "After both his grandfathers; Johnathan Matthew. I have not discussed it with his father, but I know he will like it." She smiled around the room at the other women.

Mavis came to her side, with a happy smile, and a glimmer of happy tears. "I'm very happy to have been a part of your happiness, my dear!"

Hermione reached out to clasp the older witch's hand, smiling as she did so. "I don't know how to thank you enough, Mavis Halliwell! You've been a big part of my life these past nine months."

Sniffing and clearing her throat, the older woman gained control of her emotions. Almost briskly she said, " Well, my dear, everything seems to be in order, and I will have his birth registered at the Ministry." With a humorous twinkle in her eye she added, "You do know, of course, that the Daily Prophet will most likely want an interview, considering that you are the first witch in almost two thousand years to have benefited from Merlin's wand?" She chuckled mischieviously. "There are five others awaiting their outcome as well. But you were the first! Good-bye, Hermione." And with a snap, she was gone.

Looking down at her son, she chuckled to see him looking up at her. "Hello, Johnny. I love you very much! Your Papa will love you, too!"

Looking up, she shared a smile with Ginny. "Well, Gin, would you like the honor of introducing your godson to his father?"

Ginny's smile turned into a delighted grin. She eagerly reached for her godson and cradled him lovingly in her arms. Cooing down at him, she left the room.

Molly exchanged smiles with Hermione. "I can't wait 'till six months from now when I will get to help welcome her child into this world! Merlin knows she and Harry have had to wait long enough!"

Hermione nodded in agreement. Molly then proceeded to help her freshen up for visitors.

In a spacious room designated for a living/sitting room, a tall, quite lanky man, stood leaning against an open window. The breezes wafting in refused to dispel his worry. Running a hand nervously over his forehead, he sighed. A snarky voice spoke unbidden in his head; "Admit it, old boy! Not only is fifty-two too damn old to be a first time father, but you're just too damn old to be getting this worked up over a mere slip of a girl." He resolutely told the voice to shut the hell up! Despite the fact that this baby was truly not of his doing, he still felt guilty about the young woman a few rooms away giving birth to the baby she swore was a son. A son! After losing.... "Don't think about it!" screamed the voice. He firmly put his memories from him. Today was DEFINITELY not the day to be remembering THAT! If he did, he would fall to pieces. He was a nervous wreck already.

Lost in his own personal hell, he didn't notice the two younger men behind him smirking at one another over a chessboard. They found the older man quite amusing. They had never seen him act like this; had never expected to after what had happened to him eleven years before. It also made them nervous when they thought of when they would be going through the same thing.

Looking at the two young men, he scowled at them, thinking that right about now he could cheerfully grind both of them to dust for their amusement of his predicament.

Strung tight as strings on a violin, they all turned anxiously when they heard the clipping of feminine shoes on the pine floor. There stood Ginny; with a huge grin... and, oh, God! A bundle! They all moved fast, but none more so than the tall man by the window.

With tentative, shaking hands he took the tiny, warm bundle into his arms. Looking down into two tiny eyes that looked right back, he forgot everything else. He whispered, "He's perfect." With awe, he studied the delicate features until, suddenly, his eyes widened. Sweet Merlin! Except for the shape of his eyes, and the small, slightly upturned nose, the boy was himself made over! He was brought back to his surroundings by Ron's awed voice.

"I'll be damned! He looks just like you!"

Harry nodded in surprised agreement.

Ginny, still grinning, replied, "Hermione was quite thrilled by that."

With happy tears pooling in his eyes, the older man looked at Ginny and whispered, "How's Hermione? Is she all right?!"

Still smiling, she nodded. "Why don't you go see for yourself?"

Handing her the baby, he strode quickly down the hallway to the master suite. Stopping in the doorway, he felt all his emotions gather in his throat, and simply couldn't breathe, speak, or move. Looking at this beautiful, serene young woman, he knew. And felt like the world's biggest fool. As he looked into her eyes he realized with a jolt that she'd known all along; and had not fought herself. Walking over to her, he knelt, never breaking eye contact. Taking her soft hand in his own rough one, he whispered, "How long?" She smiled a smile of such beauty, of such love, that his heart wept.

"For over a decade. Maybe longer. But I was afraid it would lose me your friendship; and I felt that if nothing else, I could be grateful for that."

Staring at her in disbelief, he began to kiss the palm of her hand, then lay his cheek into it. "Foolish little girl. No, that's not true. You're a woman, a wonderful one, and better than I deserve."

Having forgotten that Molly was in the room, they didn't notice when she slipped out, happy tears in her eyes.

Looking up at Hermione, he asked, "What shall we name him?"

Looking down at this wonderful man with love, she replied, "I thought to name after both his grandfathers. 'Johnathan Matthew'." Seeing his face, she asked hesitantly, "It IS okay? If you don't..." His fingers stopped her lips. He looked at her in disbelief and wonderment. She had given him so many gifts already; now she would name his son for HIS father.

With a choked voice he replied, "Thank you my love. It's perfect." Laying his head gently in her lap, he felt his eyes began to get heavy when she softly ran her fingers through his hair, and, began to hum his favorite song.

Feeling complete in this most wonderful of days, they both thought back to when they had found each other, before realizing that they had.