Harry Potter: An Alternate Universe

23) Hot Chocolate

Year: Graduated 1999
House: Gryffindor
Gender: F
Love Interest: Ginny Weasley

This is continuing years from Enough Nerve parts 1 and 2. Hope you enjoy!

Another Christmas to spend with family; your wife and three adopted children.

You and Ginny stood shivering in the cold, watching your two eldest play in the snow. Your youngest, Oliver Weasley, was inside taking his evening nap. Oliver was adopted just last year as a newborn. He was a sweet child, with an eye for trouble.

Oldest from Oliver was Autumn; previously named Arthur Weasley (the second). She was adopted
7 years ago, when she too was a newborn. Her red hair reminded you of her mother's. It took some time to see her developing magic, seeing that she had Muggle birth parents. She recently started taking piano lessons, and liked to sing and dance around the house.

Only a few months older was Dahlia Weasley. You took her in when she was two, born from a Death Eater and a Muggleborn, unwanted and unloved. She was also born with severe hearing loss, and will be receiving her cochlear implant surgery by next week. You and Ginny picked up BSL (British Sign Language) to communicate. She was fascinated with science, especially astronomy and earth science.

Ginny's arms gripped yours tighter. She was shaking from the cold, and you brought her closer to you.

"Why don't you go inside?," you suggested.

"It's alright," she protested. "We'll give them a few more minutes."

"You sure, love?"

"Yeah." She cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled, "Three more minutes, you two! Don't ignore me Autumn!" Autumn paused picking up a handful of snow and tapped her sister's shoulder, holding up three fingers. She seemed to understand, and they continued building their mini igloo. You stood in silence, at least for a little while. "Did you confirm the surgery for next Tuesday?," she asked.

"I did. Should be all set."

"I'm really worried."

"Me too," you said, pushing some of her hair out of her face. She squeezed you even tighter. "I should go in and check on Oliver."

"Okay." She let go of your hand and let you go inside. Dahlia had just been showing her sister how to shake snow off of the trees with her mind. "Times up!" You heard sighs of disappointment from Autumn, and the crunching of their boots back towards the house.

Oliver sat up in his crib, wide-eyed and smiley. His raven black hair stood up in all directions. He made gurgles and sputtered baby-talk while you lift him out of his crib to the changing station. Without much effort, you changed him into a new diaper, and carried him into the kitchen. Along the way, you noticed Dahlia and Autumn cleaning up their toys in the living room.

"I bargained them with hot chocolate," Ginny said, smiling as she saw your son squeal for her. She patted down some of his hair, and you continued to rock him from side to side.

"You're far too good at this," you said, giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Jealous?," she teased.

"Very." You felt a tug at the end of your jumper. Your eldest daughter mimed drinking with her right hand, a questioning expression on her face.

Drink?

Yes, you signed back. You turned to the saucepan on the stove, stirring the chocolate drink on its own. Ginny flicked her wand, and it poured into four mugs on the counter beside it.

Hot.

Okay. Dahlia lifted the cup, holding it carefully in her hands. Her sister was right behind her, claiming her mug. The two of them took theirs to the dining room table, blowing over them. Oliver seemed to notice his sisters take the beverages, and started to whine when he noticed you pull his hand away from them.

Ginny already had his bottle out and warmed, and handed it to him. He started drinking from it immediately. Both you and Ginny took mugs for yourselves, and headed to join the girls. You strapped Oliver to his high chair. Before you could even take a seat, Dahlia and Autumn were already running into the kitchen with their empty cups, then racing to their rooms to play. Neither if you made a comment.

"Can you believe fifteen years ago from today, we've been together?" Ginny finished taking a sip, looking at you from over her cup.

"It's really been fifteen years," she said.

"And do you remember when I kissed you?"

"Um, from what I remember, I kissed you." You thought about this.

"Oh yeah." She bit her lip, playfully.

"You said I made you start liking girls."

"Ugh!," you groan in embarrassment. She laughs.

"You were so cute!"

"Stoooop!" She hugs you tight, enjoying how flustered she made you. You kissed her, the sweetness from her throat in every part of your brain. She smelled like chocolate. You suddenly felt a surge of passion.

"God, you're gorgeous," she said before attacking your lips again, her hands gripping your jumper. You moan in reply, not wanting to pull away, even for a second. But from above your head, you hear heavy coughing. You pull away first, standing up and plucking Oliver from his chair. You pat his back lightly to burp him. Ginny remained seated, flushed and out of breath.

"Mummy!" Autumn's voice rung clear from up the stairs. You handed Oliver to your wife, calling after your daughter.

"Coming, dear!" She had cut herself on some paper she was coloring, and couldn't reach the band-aids. You tapped the wound with your wand, and it healed itself while stopping the bleeding.

"Thanks, mum," she sighed. You told her and Dahlia to get ready for bed. You heard Ginny climb the stairs to carry the baby to his room. You waited in the girls' room until they were brushed and in their night clothes. Autumn picked out The Wizard and the Hopping Pot. She read, while you signed it to Dahlia. You'd gotten to the last page when Ginny appeared in the doorway, smiling pleasantly.

Finished, you signed. Dahlia snuggled further into her bed. You kissed her and Autumn goodnight, with their mother doing the same. She turned off their lights, and you walked behind her into your bedroom, exhausted and still smelling like chocolate.

Ahhhh! The kid's names and their pics took me forever, but totally worth it! Happy Christmas Eve, everybody!!

Comment and vote if you wanna see the kids all grown up at Hogwarts in another chapter.