15 YEARS LATER

"Ella, still with me girl?" Hermione asked the furry old lady who's been her best friend for over 15 years now.

The beautiful Bernese lifted her head and nuzzled into Hermione's palm tiredly. She had a few aches these days, especially her back, so Hermione was keeping an eye on her and calling the vet with updates each month since they began the proper calcium treatment. It was quite remarkable for a Bernese to live that long but the vet explained that it might be the fact of living in a magical household, their puppies' biological clock adjusting to their own wizarding ones.

"Rest, girl. I know, I'm getting old as well," Hermione chuckled, tucking in a stray grey curl behind her ear.

Her healer told her that due to the amount of torture she experienced during the war, her body was reacting a little differently as she aged. Now in her late thirties, her hair was beginning to grey at the temples already, a few curls here and there growing near white. That was the repeated strain of dark magic on her body in her formative years. She kept healthy and fit, and having three children certainly helped keep her on her feet. But she very nearly died during her second birth, and the healer strictly ruled out any more pregnancies for her. She speculated it might have been the prolonged and repeated cruciatus and the dark magic from Bellatrix' dagger.

She absentmindedly rubbed her forearm where the red scarred mark still marred her flesh as she headed back into the main area of her ever-growing business. Once their twins Felix and Gabriel were born, Hermione refused to stay idle on maternity leave and insisted on making a career change. Opening a cafe and tea house with a wall lined with books proved to be very welcome by the local community and the people who came to the B&B owned by one of the ladies at the top of the village. Business was booming and she kept adding to both the menu and the space. Just a couple of year ago, she added a section for magical tomes available to all wizarding folk and it was met with great enthusiasm. Her bond mates were certainly proud, and she had great pride in them both as well. Bill has done wonderfully for himself, setting up his own curse-breaking business that involved investigative techniques. Harry, tired of being an Auror, joined him in this venture and they were partners in business and investigations. Charlie, an ever-free spirit grew tired of bureaucracy at the Ministry and took advantage of a new position available at the Welsh dragon reserve. Three years ago he took over as the director, leaving the manager and accountant in charge of the paperwork and worked instead hands on with the teams of handlers. He loved it, and Hermione loved him for following his dreams.

Their children were the joy of their lives as well. George was ecstatic when they followed the twin naming tradition in the family, and stood as a most proud godfather to both Felix Gideon and Gabriel Frederick Weasley. The boys were just finishing their fourth year at Hogwarts and had the reputation of the newest Marauders. Hermione kept receiving letters from Susan Bones who took over as Headmistress of Hogwarts after years of teaching Transfiguration, all informing her of the plentiful pranks, Felix's womanising and Gabriel's experimenting. Bill and Charlie were way too amused by the way both of them kept resembling Hermione more and more with each year they grew. Especially Gabriel.

The twins have always had a special connection, since the day they were born. As they grew, they were a right handful, especially with their sister coming along, but their dynamics kept changing. Felix as the elder by ten minutes was the more relaxed and cheeky twin, but always took advantage of being the elder brother. By ten minutes, but older anyway. Once he got into the big brother mode, he was unstoppable. Hermione always smiled when she received a note about Felix fighting or duelling whoever even looked badly at his twin, ever protective of his brother. Gabriel was a one in a million child. His energy was endless and Hermione was glad there was three of them to help manage him. He was always the more flamboyant, lively, more excitable twin. The one to speak for them both. And Felix was his world. Hermione knew her boys loved her and their fathers, but to Gabriel, Felix was his world and vice versa. The two of them against the world it was. They had her soft honey curls that Felix kept short and neat, while Gabriel let them grow wildly to his shoulder. It was clear who their father was however by their behaviour and the soft blue-grey of their eyes. The only one to rival Charlie's energy was Gabriel himself.

Their sister Ava Rosalie Jean Weasley followed three years later. And both the pregnancy and birth were an agony for Hermione. She knew from the moment her daughter would come to the world, she would be unique. The moment she opened her little eyes to stare at the world, they flashed soft golden yellow and whiskey, a perfect blend of her mother and wolfish father. Despite being only eleven and finishing her first year at Hogwarts, Ava was dealing with the curse perfectly. She would never change like her father, but she felt the sickness of the curse in her blood each moon with fever and unrest. Otherwise, she adored reading and was always in thought, patient and observant just like Bill who couldn't get enough of spoiling their little princess. Unlike her brothers, Ava was a Weasley with a thick mane of red curls and soft skin littered with beautiful little freckles just like the rest of the clan. Hermione couldn't stop looking at their family pictures, many of them hung around their home for her enjoyment. It was true that most parents thought their children were special and beautiful, and Hermione most definitely counted herself amongst the sort.

"Hermione?" Bill's soft call brought her out of her thoughts.

She smiled at the handsome curse-breaker. Apart from a few more wrinkles around the eyes, and a golden earring taking the fang's place, Bill changed very little. The wolf in him kept him physically fit and fond of exercise on any day. "Hey. Sorry, I was miles away," she lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck and let herself be pulled into his embrace. "Hmmm hi," she smiled.

"Hello, beautiful," Bill winked and kissed her tenderly. "Ready to go? Charlie just called. The traffic is good, they should be home in about half an hour."

Hermione nodded and called for Ella who made her way over. "Come on girl, let's go home," she smiled and knelt down, pulling Ella into her arms despite her size and appearing them gently home into the living room, out of sight of her staff. They were greeted by a thankfully peaceful house for the moment, Jack sleeping on the sofa deeply. His sleep was deep and long these days, and they just knew he won't wake up one of these days. Overall though, they gave their beloved puppies good fruitful life, and ensured none of them were bored in the last decade. Or so Hermione thought. They missed Rascal greatly, as the retriever left them only a month ago due to an untreatable tumour in his belly. Ella missed him the most, and Hermione knew it won't be long now for her either before she left them to be with her beloved. It appeared Ella and Rascal were love at first sight as well, and instead of traditional pets, each of their children had one of the cute mixed puppies from the couple. Felix had one of the eldest puppies, adequately named Stud because he was awesome, Gabriel took in a beautiful black and golden freckled girl, Gina, and Ava chose the runt of the litter, a boy with the appetite of his golden father, simply naming him Rascal II. Their home was never quiet during holidays, with three adults, three children, five dogs, and a load of family visits. Hermione wouldn't have it any other way though. This was her home, her life, her family, and she loved all of it.

Ella climbed up next to Jack and fell asleep beside him for the few precious moments before she'd be attacked by her ecstatic offspring that traveled to Hogwarts with their owners every year. Hermione headed for the kitchen and put the kettle on for tea, the prepared platters of grilled meats and vegetables, and cold cuts flew to the table under preservation charms.

"What did you make this year, love?" Bill asked, knowing Hermione's cakes at the end of the year were getting better and better with more to celebrate. This year was special as Ava finished her first year at Hogwarts as well.

Hermione chuckled, turning around in his arms. "I thought we'd have a trio this year, since Ava developed those allergies and Gabby is trying out being a vegetarian. Chocolate mousse, lemon cheesecake, and the lactofree strawberry layered cake."

"Hmmm I knew there was a good reason why we bonded," Bill teased, avoiding her swatting hand in order to kiss her deeply.

Hermione pulled him closer and nipped his bottom lip cheekily, her love and desire for her bond mates only deepening over the years despite how difficult life sometimes got. "I thought it was a happy accident."

"Nah, we're just irresistible," Bill grinned and took the kettle off the flames when it began whistling.

They heard car doors slamming outside and the door flew open, Gabriel positively waltzing in. "Mama," he beamed and Hermione hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek happily.

"My babies are home," she beamed and tucked a wild lock behind his ear, noticing a new earring, third in a row now. "Got something to tell me?" she asked with a raised brow, looking into his kohl-rimmed eyes.

"Papa has earrings too?" he tried innocently, knowing mama loved him way too much to really be annoyed.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and stirred him into the kitchen. "Make the tea while I greet your siblings, and no buts," she said before turning to the door where Felix was levitating all their luggage in.

He smiled at her and pulled her into a quick hug, bending down to kiss her cheek. "Hi mum. You sure you aren't shrinking?" he winked cheekily, yelping when Charlie's stinging hex hit his left derriere.

"No making fun of your mother," he waggled his finger warningly.

Hermione just swatted him away. "You keep growing so much these days. I swear you grew by another two inches just this year. We'll have to get you new robes and uniforms for next year! Soon you'll be taller than your dad," she chuckled. Charlie may have been the shortest of the Weasley men but he was still a good 5' 10". The boys were gaining up on him very quickly with their lanky teenage forms.

"How are you, mum?" Felix asked softly, always worried for her a bit. When the twins were three, Hermione went into labour at home. Gabriel slept through it but Felix sensed her distress and his magic manifested in the form of a magical burst to the house wards that alarmed both Bill and Charlie to something happening at home before Hermione even had a chance to call for help. Ever since, perhaps unconsciously, he always showed the most worry for her.

Hermione smiled and caressed his cheek. "I'm very well, sweetie, don't you worry about me. How are you? How is your girlfriend?" she asked, remembering something about a Vica..Viva…something like that.

A snort from the kitchen cut through though. "Which one?" Gabriel sniffed, ignoring the glare his twin sent him.

Hermione raised a brow at her eldest. Felix just shrugged. "I like to keep my options open."

"Options my arse…" Gabriel grumbled.

"Don't you talk about your ass. It's enough you show off in those," Felix growled, motioning at Gabriel's tight skinny jeans, "for all the assholes from Gryffindor that want to get in there." And off they were, bickering back and forth, little stinging hexes flying. Her boys may be in Slytherin and always complaining about the Gryffindors, but sometimes they behaved exactly like the lions.

Hermione just shook her head and smiled at their daughter who came in last, a book tucked under her arm. "How's my beautiful baby girl?" Hermione hugged her tight and kissed her forehead.

"Hi mum," she smiled and settled her book down before hugged Bill tightly. "Hi daddy," she sighed contently, glad to be around pack.

"Hello princess," he smiled and kissed her forehead as well. Ava was the only one who called Bill daddy and Charlie papa, something she naturally did since she was little so they never tried correcting her. She was also the only one in the family to ever be a Ravenclaw, and Bill was so very proud of that.

"WANKER!" Gabriel sniffed and threw a stinging hex at his twin.

"BOSSY BITCH!" Felix retaliated and the next moment they both froze and fell to the floor like a couple of potato sacks.

"Language," Hermione said calmly and went to stand above them both, hands going to her hips in a reprimanding stance that she was famous for since her teen years. "We don't insult each other in this house. You two better remember that boys or you'll be grounded for at least two weeks, girlfriends and boyfriends none-withstanding. Do I make myself clear?" she asked with a raised brow and released them from the spell.

They both got up and shared one more ugly look before turning to her at once. "Yes, mum."

Hermione just rolled her eyes and shooed them off to wash their hands before eating. "Is dad coming?" she asked Charlie who put away the car keys and stretched his wide shoulders tiredly, pulling Hermione into his arms for a quick kiss. She missed Arthur who's been so busy for the past two weeks they didn't even have time for a cup of tea.

"He said he'll be here for dinner. Something about helping Violet in the greenhouse or whatnot," he shrugged and kissed her once more with a soft hum.

Hermione smiled and she nipped his jaw before dancing out of his embrace back to the kitchen.

Gabriel was humming some song or another while he made tea, tapping his foot and shimmying his hips, never quite remaining still. Felix stood perfectly calm, leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed over his chest. They would send each other a quick look sometimes, but it seemed the argument was over and for that Hermione was grateful. The twins once had an argument when they were ten and their magic ruined nearly the whole top landing of the house. Never again...

"Should I make one for grandpa as well, mama?" Gabriel asked, stirring his own sugar-loaded cup, his hips still twirling to a tune only heard by his own ears, and maybe Felix's.

"Grandpa is coming later, little love. He might bring Violet with him as well," she smiled, pulling out some plates and calling for Ava to join them at the table. Arthur's new wife was a delight. They met ten years ago at a horticultural show and have been inseparable ever since, bless them.

"Will we go visit grandma? I want to make her a flower wreath from our garden, with lavender," Gabriel set her tea down and looked at her hopefully.

Hermione shared a quick look with her bond mates before Bill spoke up. "Your grandpa wants to go see her as well. He will take you there," he promised.

"Why do you never go?" Felix asked curiously as he began pilling the meat onto his plate, ignoring the disgusted looks from Gabriel who went straight for the vegetables and cake.

"We do. We just go when you three are at school," Hermione offered. Okay, she was lying, but the children never knew Molly, and just because she herself rarely visited the woman's grave, it didn't mean they shouldn't know they heritage and family.

"Patricia Nott said grandma died because she was crazy," Ava piped up in between mouthfuls of her sandwich.

"Patricia Nott and her gossiping mother should mind their own business, love," Hermione said immediately. Seriously Pansy? Spreading rumours after all these years? Some people just had way too much time on their hands.

"Grandma loved us and all your uncles and aunties very much, and she gave us all that love. There was nothing left for her and her body was too tired so she went to sleep," Bill said simply, and Ava just nodded her head, accepting the version of the tale.

Felix and Gabriel shared a look and it was clear that the twins doubted such a simplistic explanation but neither said a word. Their lunch picked up in good mood and soon the household was filled with sound again, the twins chasing and running around with their puppies and Ava hiding away with her book to get some peace.

Hermione felt two pairs of lips on her cheeks and smiled. It was madness. It was ridiculously loud. It was love. It was her heaven.

"Mama?" the soft voice nearly made her jump in fright.

It was two in the morning and Ella was in a bit of pain so Hermione was tending to her and staying up with her best friend. If this was her night to go, she would be there with the old lady all the way. She opened the cabinet above her and began making another cup of tea, knowing Gabriel had trouble sleeping sometimes just like herself. "What is it, little love?" she asked gently, hearing the hesitation in his voice. Ava always went to Bill, as she felt their connection the strongest. Felix rarely talked about his issues with them, only with Gabriel, but on the rare occasion that he did, it was often Charlie because he didn't want to worry his mother. Gabriel, her baby Gabby, always came to her thought when something bothered him.

She turned around to look at him and her heart nearly broke at the sight of her tall, lanky son appearing nearly half his size. The large t-shirt he slept in was huge on him but he had his arms wrapped around himself tightly, defensively, and he appeared so tiny. She looked down and noticed his bare feet, ushering him in on the rug in front of the fireplace to warm up and not catch a cold.

"Come on, little love. Sit down, here's your cuppa, and tell mama all about it," she smiled and kicked of her fluffy socks, warming her naked feet close to the flames instead.

Gabriel curled his long skinny legs against his chest and held onto his cup tightly. "It's bad mama."

Hermione set her cup down and pulled him into her side. "Whether good or bad, a problem shared is a problem halved," she repeated the words Bill once told her, years ago in the early hours of a the morning.

Gabriel picked on his nails before sighing. "Mama, did uncle Freddie and George ever date the same person at the same time?" he asked softly.

Hermione suppressed a smile. She saw this one coming to be honest. "They did. A wonderful lady called Angelina Jones. If your uncle Freddie hadn't left us during the Final battle, they might have even bonded in as a triad. Just like your dads and I," she explained.

"But when you're twins, it is allowed?" he asked, chewing on his bottom lip nervously.

"It is, baby. Magic always has a way," Hermione smiled, thinking back to her own beautiful bonding night. It always does.

Who knew what life held for her children, especially the talented twins, but one thing she knew without a doubt. Magic and love ruled their lives above all.