Three Wizards and a Baby

II

Staring out the window of her room at Nott Manor, Hermione found herself still trying to wrap her head around how she had ended up here in the first place. Shifting her weight from foot to foot, Hermione constantly swayed, patting Lyra's little back gently as she slept. They had discovered very early that Lyra liked it when she was moving. She had left St. Mungo's a week prior, Theo and Harry at her side. Everyone had made their promises of discretion and it would remain that way until Hermione was ready for the world to know that the Golden Girl had a newborn daughter. She had worried about how she would fare as a mother but Harry assured her that she had done enough mothering of himself and Ron that she was fully prepared. By the time they arrived at the manor, all of Hermione's thing had already arrived and a room in the east wing had been set up for her, just as Theo had promised, along with another that would become a nursery for Lyra, though Hermione was sure she would have everything figured out before that was needed. She didn't want to impose on Theo's hospitality any longer than was necessary.

"Are you sure about this?" Harry asked, watching Hermione as she rocked Lyra in the rocking chair that sat adjacent to the large window in her room. "You know that you and Lyra are more than welcome at Grimmauld place."

"I'm sure Harry," Hermione answered gently, staring down at her daughter in her arms. "I'm so appreciative of your offer but Theo is right. He has more than enough room, he will barely notice that I am even here where as if I stayed at Grimmauld place, you both would have to listen to a screaming baby girl."

"You know we don't mind," Harry shrugged. "She's my goddaughter. I just... I'm worried about you both here..."

"Please don't start with the whole Slytherin speech again. You know I don't care about any of that. Theo is a loyal and amazing friend. If anyone has been a horrible friend lately it has been me."

"It's not Theo that I'm worried about..."

She hadn't lied to Harry when she said she was going to try to stay out of the way at the manor but Theo made that incredibly difficult. He was very invested in her stay with him and with Lyra in general. Anytime Lyra would cry, Theo would appear out of nowhere as if he was just lying in wait to spend time with her. He would hold the little girl, walk around the room telling her stories.If Hermione needed to take a bath, Theo was the first to suggest that he watch over her. He made sure that Hermione knew that his house elf, Missy, was at her and Lyra's complete disposal. As much as she hated to admit to it, Hermione was grateful to him. She knew she could have done it, but Theo made it possible for her to stay sane and enjoy the first moments of motherhood before the world was bound to close in on her.

Making her way down to the library, Hermione held Lyra gently against her. She wanted to grab herself a new book to read for when Theo would inevitably come and steal Lyra away from her. She hadn't made it two steps into the room before Theo was there as well.

"There she is," Theo smiled, holding his hands out for Lyra as if she was a prize that he was excited for. "Give her over Granger."

"Theo," she chuckled, gently handing her over, watching as he snuggled her close to him, cooing at her as if she hung the moon. "I'm trying to stay out of the way. That's impossible when you pop up every time I walk into a room."

"And why would you stay out of the way? That's no fun. No fun at all right Lyra?" Theo smiled at the little one in his arms before looking back up at her clearly exhausted mother. "Why don't you go take a bath and a nap Granger. Your hair is expanding by the minute."

"I'll take a nap while she's sleeping."

"Hermione," Theo chuckled. "I have this under control. I can take care of Lyra while you take care of yourself. You just fed her right? Besides... I have Missy to help me if something happens."