Mine Forever ( a Harmione fanfic )

Chapter 19

The warm aroma of Kreacher's cooking filled Grimmauld Place as the Weasleys, along with Andromeda and little Teddy, gathered in the dining room for dinner. The long table was piled high with roast chicken, beef stew, mashed potatoes, and various side dishes that looked like they belonged on the cover of Witch Weekly's Feast Edition.

Teddy, perched in a highchair between Andromeda and Harry, was already the center of attention. Barely two years old, the little boy was gleefully showing off his Metamorphmagus abilities. His hair cycled through shades of vibrant turquoise and pink before finally settling on jet black, identical to Harry's.

"Look, Uncle Harry!" Teddy squealed, pointing to his head.

Harry grinned, ruffling Teddy's hair. "You've got the Potter look down, mate."

"He does it better than you, Harry," Ginny teased, reaching for a bowl of carrots.

Andromeda chuckled softly, her face lit with pride. "He's been practicing all week. Keeps saying he wants to look like his godfather."

Hermione leaned over to tickle Teddy under his chin, making him giggle. "He's adorable," she said, her eyes warm.

"Adorable and a handful," Andromeda replied with a tired but affectionate smile.

As the family began eating, Kreacher emerged from the kitchen with an air of newfound contentment. He had spent the afternoon outside on Harry's insistence, and it seemed to have done him a world of good.

"Kreacher, this meal is wonderful!" Molly exclaimed, smiling warmly at the house-elf.

"Kreacher is most honored," he said, bowing deeply.

"You've outdone yourself," George added, holding up a forkful of stew. "Might even be better than Mum's."

"George Fabian Weasley!" Molly scolded, whacking him lightly on the arm as Ginny followed suit from the other side.

Everyone laughed, including Kreacher, who looked both pleased and surprised by the kindness directed his way.

Hermione leaned toward Harry and whispered, "You've really changed him, you know. He seems... happy."

Harry smiled, his gaze following Kreacher as he cleared plates and poured drinks. "He deserves to be."

Ron, overhearing, smirked. "All right, Hermione, calm down. Don't go starting SPEW 2.0."

Hermione swatted his arm playfully, and everyone laughed again, the warmth of the moment settling over the group like a soft blanket.

After dinner, the group moved to the living room, where Wizards' Monopoly was set up on the coffee table. Butterbeers were passed around as everyone settled in.

"Right, who's ready to lose?" Ginny asked with a smirk, setting her game piece—a miniature broomstick—on the board.

"Lose?" Ron scoffed. "You've got no chance, Gin."

"Sure, Ron," Ginny quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "If you suck at life as much as you do at Monopoly, you'll be bankrupt in a week."

The room erupted into laughter, and Ron turned red. "I'll show you, Ginny. Just wait."

The game quickly descended into chaos. George kept slipping fake Galleons into his pile, much to Percy's dismay. "You're cheating!" Percy accused.

"It's called strategy," George retorted.

Meanwhile, Teddy was crawling between the players, babbling happily as he tried to grab game pieces. Every now and then, he'd change his hair to match whoever was holding him, much to everyone's delight.