Brixham House (On Temp. Hold)

5. Cold Wedding Rings

June 2007

Ginny stepped into the dining room, with the help of potions of course, cradling Arthur Gideon Potter against her chest and a wide grin on her face.

A name, that had properly dissolved Arthur and Molly into a mess of tears.

Hermione stood just behind her, now properly showered and smiling softly at her new nephew.

"Oh he's gorgeous." Fleur gushed at once, racing forward to get a good look at the infant.

Harry took Hermione's spot, James cradled against his chest and Teddy sat up on his shoulders so they to could meet their brother. An adored thing, with chubby cheeks and pinched brows.

"I want Mum to come sit with us." Rose pouted, tugging on George's ear. He winced, gently batting her hand away and urged her to go running across the tile floor to crash against her mother's legs.

Hermione hoisted her into the air happily, pointing at Arthur Potter but Rose scrunched her nose and pulled away.

"Don't want." George heard Rose mutter, turning to press her face into her mother's neck. "Gross." She grumbled, earning a loud laugh from Ginny. Who waved Hermione away even as she sprouted apologies.

"You mustn't say that Rose." Hermione berated quietly, taking a seat at the large wood dining table next to George. "It's rude." She whispered, drawing Rose's coloring page closer to her.

"I don't like babies Mummy." Rose sighed, as if she was explaining it to a two year old. "They are gross and stinky." She pretended to gag, plugging her nose for affect.

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest to glare at her daughter.

"You were a baby once." Hermione pointed out, and Rose's eyes went wide with horror.

George bit his lip, turning away to grab his coffee and stifle his laugh.

"Never again." Rose declared, tightening her hands into fists. "Mummy promise you won't ever have a baby?" She asked, leaning forward to press her hands to Hermione's cheeks.

George choked, his coffee shooting up his nose. He spluttered, hurrying to sit up and breathe probably while his cheeks colored violently. Charlie glanced at him uneasily, while Bill was struggling to stifle his own laugh behind his mug.

Hermione stared at her daughter in shock, her large doe eyes matching Hermione's with sincerity.

"Rose." Alex began, and George squirmed pushing his coffee away. "I think Mummy has her hands too full with you to even consider having a baby right now." Alex grinned at her, shooting a wink at George who refused to even act like he knew what she was doing.

"Mummy?" Rose asked, looking between Alex and her mother confused.

"Who wants to go down to the market?" Charlie declared, shooting up in his chair sending it back a few feet.

"Me." George and Hermione rushed out at the same time, their own chairs flying backwards.

George followed Hermione into the bedroom, cheeks still colored as he rifled through his suitcase for something appropriate to wear today. It was an outdoor market, with stalls selling all sorts of things. From exotic produce to trinkets to jewelry. It was easy-it lacked any sort of trouble and it-

"George?" Hermione called from the bathroom.

George cursed under his breath, tugging his shirt over his head and made his way over.

"Yes?" He called, straightening his shorts as he neared.

"Do you know where my sun hat went?" She shouted, muffled by the door that was left ajar. He could hear Rose fighting shoes that Hermione was trying to force on her feet.