Our Life

November 4^th, 2003

Dearest Mum and Dad,

This has got to be the hardest letter I've ever tried writing. I wish I could talk to you about this in person, but try as I have to get time off work, we're just too busy. I mentioned to you the other day when you called that I was looking to move out of this small apartment, and find somewhere a little more comfortable and homely to live. Well, I have found a place. Harry, Ron and I are renting a house in the residential part of Hogsmeade. Don't worry about my traveling time to London each day, remember, Floo Powder is a lot quicker than any Muggle forms of transport. Now, I know you always told me to be careful when deciding to live with others, but honestly, there are no two other people I'd rather live with. They are my best friends, and I love them. And I know they feel the same way about me. I suppose what I'm (inarticulately) trying to say is that we are not living together as housemates; we are living together as adults in a relationship. Please don't be angry with me about this, I wish I could have found a way to tell you in person, but this way of communicating is not only easier for me, but this gives you some time to think about anything you wish to say to me.

Harry and Ron say that they both love and respect me, and for me to tell you that this is not some childish fetish, but a true loving relationship.

There is little to add now, I think. I understand if you need some time to think before responding to this letter.

Your Loving Daughter,

Hermione

*******************

December 1^st, 2003

Our Dearest Daughter,

As hard as this had been for us to hear, we would like to be able to support you, and accept your lifestyle with ease. However, this is anything but easy. Hermione, are you sure this is the way you want to live your life? We'd always imagined a lovely springtime wedding for you, but now it doesn't look as though you will ever end up married, unless the Wizarding Community has some sort of laws that allow for a marriage in a situation such as yours? I just hope that this relationship doesn't affect your work in any way; although you say that being a Healer is very different to being a Doctor, it sounds the same to us, Hermione.

I hope you will understand if we don't invite you to our annual Christmas family and friends dinner; not only would your situation create too many questions and potentially uncomfortable circumstances for our guests. However, I assume that Harry or Ron's parents would be quite happy to have you. Your father has just reminded me that Harry no longer talks to his Aunt and Uncle, but from the few times we have met Mrs. Weasley, we are sure she would be most accommodating to you.

I am not sure of the appropriate etiquette for signing a letter such as this; however, I suppose I must take this opportunity to remind you that your father and I love you very much.

Your Loving Parents.

Hermione folded the letter and placed it back in its envelope. Hearing a loud creak on the stairs, she jumped.

"Hey, it's just me," Harry said quietly.

A relieved look came over Hermione's face, quickly replaced by a look of urgency as she tried to find somewhere to hide her letter. Unfortunately, a letter is hard to hide when all you are wearing is a singlet and a light pair of cotton shorts.

Harry noticed her fumbling, and saw almost immediately the letter.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing at the letter that was half visible behind her back.

A guilty look came over her face. "It-it's a letter from my parents," she stuttered.

"Oh, how are they? I haven't heard your talk about them for such a long time."

"Well, they seem a little disappointed with me at the moment, to tell you the truth," she replied.

A confused look came over Harry's face. "Really? Why?"

Hermione looked at the floor. "Well, I - er..." her voice trailed off.

"Hermione, what is it?" Harry asked, starting to look concerned. He sat down and patted the couch for Hermione to join him, which she did.

Hermione took a deep breath. "I wrote to them a few weeks ago, and I told them about ... about the living situation. This is the first I've heard back from them."

Harry's face was a picture of surprise. "Hermione, I had no idea you were ready to tell your parents about us."

"I know. The urge to just get everything out in the open just came over me, I couldn't keep telling white lies to them."

Once again, Hermione heard the stairs creak, and Ron came around the corner, yawning widely. Seeing Harry and Hermione sitting on the couch together, he said, "Hey, is there a party here I wasn't invited to?"

Sensing that Hermione didn't want to repeat her story, Harry said, "Hermione wrote to her parents a few weeks ago, telling them about us three living together. She just got a reply."

Comprehension washed its way across Ron's face. Kneeling in front of Hermione, he looked up at her, "Hermione, what did they say?"

Not sure what to say, as her emotions were rushing around so fast, she held out the letter. Ron wiggled his way onto the couch between them, and together he and Harry read the letter.

Ron's reaction was immediate. "Of course you know we're going to mum and dad's for Christmas, don't you Hermione? They said that they'd be happy to have us a few weeks ago."

Hermione nodded, tears starting to fall down her face.

Reaching his arm around Ron, Harry patted Hermione's shoulder gently. "Oh, Hermione, they didn't say that they didn't want to ever see you again. They just need some time to adjust. Remember what happened when Ron told his family?"

Hermione nodded, remembering the reactions. Whilst Mrs. Weasley went into an almost catatonic-like shock, Mr. Weasley started swearing at their clock, asking it why it didn't have Ron's hand at the 'mortal peril' position. Bill had just nodded, said that they were free to do as they pleased, but that he was late for work. Ginny had seemed a little sad at first, which Hermione had interpreted as her realisation that she would never be with Harry, even though she was still happily involved with Dean. Hermione knew how hard it was to get over your first real crush. Of course, the twins had found the whole situation funny, and, throughout the rest of the commotion, had sat there bouncing threesome joke ideas off each other.

In the end, Mrs. Weasley had snapped out of her shock, and started making dinner, her personal sign that she was accepting of the situation. Bill and Ginny treated them the same as ever, once their initial shock had passed. Mr. Weasley had taken the most convincing to accept the situation, sure that this relationship spelled the end of Ron's career at the Ministry.

Hermione nodded again, feeling surer of herself already. "I suppose I can't blame them for wanting to take some time to get used to the idea, it must have been a shock."

Harry and Ron smiled at each other, recognising that Hermione's common sense was starting to come back.

Hermione looked up, and saw her two boys smiling at each other. "What?" she asked curiously.

"Nothing," said Harry.

"How about I cook us some bacon and eggs?" suggested Ron.

"Sounds great to me," Hermione replied. Ron started to get up, but she pulled him back to give him a quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you, both of you."

They didn't need to ask what for; such was the strength of the bond between them.

Harry moved over so that he could comfortably keep his arm around Hermione, and there they stayed, relaxing in each other's company, with the soothing background noises of their other partner cooking in the kitchen just behind them.