Marriage and Inheritance

Chapter 33: epilogue - entitled: Not everyone gets a Happy Ending

Word count: 13,924 (plus or minus a few, here and there)

Author: Billybob

Category: post O.o.t.P ... AU - Alternate Universe — which means that HBP and DH didn't happen.

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Warning # 1; I will pick and chose items from JKR last two books as it suits my fancy, and disregard other bits of cannon just as easily.

Warning # 2; I hate stereotypes, so don't expect my version of the Harry Potter story to have prefect little Heroes

Pairings will start out HP/GW but will gradually transform into being primarily; HG-RW, as the main focus … but they will earn their happy ending …believe me. There will also be loads of sub-plots with other pairings. …I love JKR to death, but as a romance author …lets just say …I feel she fumbled the Quaffle. So this will fill the couple's gap and contain a HP-GW romantic ship among others. So if I wander off and do another couple's romance, sit back and enjoy the ride! All other relationships as outlined in the Epilog in book seven or in JKR interviews are hereby Null and Void …unless I say otherwise.

Time line: begins late July 1996 summer holiday between HP school terms 5 and 6

Rated: M, - just to be safeguarded from the prudish criticism of the overly sensitive. The rating is what it is for adult language and banter, some UK profanity / slang and implied sexual innuendo. I do not write blow-by-blow smut.

Standardized disclaimer: is there anyone on this planet that doesn't know who has all legal copy rights to Harry Potter, with us in fan fiction just burrowing it for our own amusement and that of our readers.

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Six years later

September 15th, 2002

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HJG POV

Hermione slowly waddled her way toward The Hogsmeade branch of WWW ltd. It was ten o'clock in the morning and she was late getting to work …yet again. "A pox on all Weasley fertility" she mumbled under her breath as the nine month pregnant barrister made her way into the village from the cozy cottage she shared with Ron and her 3.9 children. Every day when she walked to work 'The exercise does me good' …being the standard reply to her spouse often repeated question as to why she didn't apparate.

As she got nearer to her destination, she shook her head in regret that Ron chess shop showroom had proven to be such a disappointment financially. His chess sets themselves were still flying off the shelves as fast as he could make them, but his showroom experiment had been a total bust. He'd paid rent on the shop - to Ginny …indirectly - for two years before acknowledging that ninety-nine point three percent of his sales took place via catalog or on commission at Diagon Alley.

For three years after the closing the former chess-shop side of the Potter building …renamed from Zonko at the insistence of the new owner …stood empty. The WWW side was only open seasonally as well, being open full-time only from September to June to coincide with the Hogwarts school year. During the summer-Hol the shop stood as dark as its empty neighbor. Then, about a year ago Hermione's sometimes thick husband came up with one of his 'so-called' brainstorms.

"Why not open a law office." Ron had said to her one morning during breakfast at the precise moment that little five-year-old Elizabeth was discovered making crayon pictures for mummy …on a legal brief that Hermione had spent two days preparing.

"Because of the way the lease on the Joke shop was written, I still have to paid rent of a galleon a year for my former chess shop. If I don't, Ginny will declare the lease broken and instantly crank-up the rent on Fred and George side of the building to the point where keeping the shop open seasonally will be a losing proposition." Ron argued gently because Rose and Vicky were still asleep.

"If you hang your shingle down in the village, it will be easier for you clients to find you and as a bonus …your important legal-stuff will be less-likely to be found …decorated with grape-jam baby-girl fingerprints.

"Sweet Merlin, I really hate it when Ron's right about something," Hermione thought to herself as she opened the door to the office. Her receptionist/file clerk Millie was already hard at work …which made Hermione cringe in embarrassment. The girl was barely out of Hogwarts and yet was well on her way to becoming a solicitor in her own right. Together with another elderly barrister, the partnership of 'Weasley & Watson' was doing a fair amount of business, by saving the habitants of the only all magical village in the U.K. the bother of travelling all the way to London to get their legal work done.

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"You have a potential client sitting in your office Mrs. Weasley," Millie said not brothering to look up from her work when her boss came through the door. "And before you ask, I did tell her that you're expecting to give birth at any time …and I did try to refer her to John Watson, but she insisted on dealing only with you. She says that you and she have …quote - 'History-together' -.

Oh bother …Hermione said unhappily, "did she give you a name?"

"Yes Madame and I already pulled the file. It was a separation case, from a year ago …Longbottom versus Longbottom."

Hearing this all color drained from Hermione's face, for suddenly she knew who sat in her office …Pansy Parkinson.

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Opening the door, after taking a deep steadying breath, Hermione was confronted with the sight of the back of a Black haired woman dressed expensively in the height of current fashion. With just a glance Hermione could tell that her former friend had regained her hour-glass figure, no-doubt due to a high-priced dietitian and a legion of personal trainers …the Parkinson wealth on display …yet again.

Fighting to suppress her growing resentment, Hermione clinched her teeth, marched briskly around her desk and sat down. She opened the contents of the file and spent a few moments refreshing her memory of the particulars …holding up a hand to stop Pansy's feeble attempts to begin a conversation. Finally, her temper under control at last she looked up at the face of the Ice Queen of Slytherin.

"I have just reviewed the file of your separation Ms. Parkinson; as far as I can tell everything appears to be in order." Hermione said in a legal monotone devoid of all emotion. "Your family has many Barristers and an army of Solicitors at your beck-and-call, so there is no logical reason for you to travel from your townhouse in London to Hogsmeade for legal advice. Which means I'm frankly …at a loss. Precisely what do you think I can do for you that your family legal muscle cannot?"

"Where is my husband?" Pansy demanded her own anger clearly apparent.

"Really Ms Parkinson, you can't sit there and plead ignorance to what is meant by a legal separation that went into force twelve months ago. You and the poor fool that you married and then publicly humiliated, no longer have any logical reason to be in each other's company.

"My Neville is not a fool"

"That's true He wasn't a fool, not until you ruined him, besmirched his family name, and embarrassed him to the point where he couldn't teach anymore.

"I never meant to hurt him, I love him!"

I'm sure that though was foremost on your mind, each and every time you cheated on him." Hermione spat, as her temper flared briefly.

"I made a mistake, I admit that …But I didn't …I didn't plan any of this …I …I …this wasn't supposed to have happen."

"Your father may have bought-into that pathetic line of rubbish, but don't attempt to insult my intelligence." Hermione replied with a sneer. "Everything you have done since dowry-day six years ago had this result in mind and I have the proof of it right in front of me.

It struck me as odd …for someone entering into a life-long marital commitment …that after four years of wedded bliss …you still took all the necessary steps to make damn-sure that no joint Gringotts bank vault was ever established with your husband. In a review of your financial situation when I filled the separation petition I quickly discovered that your inheritance from your deceased mother, the deed to Parkinson Place in Hogsmeade and the deed to your London townhouse were exclusively in your name. Not to mention your obscenely large salary from the Foreign Office and the gifts of jewelry from male …admirers, that came your way during course of your sham of a marriage. All told …not one brass Knut of your imposing personal wealth was ever SHARED with Neville.

"In fact you got a compliment from the high judge concerning your skill at keeping yourself so completely independent – monetarily - from your spouse. She said it was the easiest separation case she ever had to judicate. It was also the same high Judge that first coined the phase 'poor sod' in regards to Neville. Unfortunately this humiliating nickname …along with other too numerous to count …less than flattering descriptions of Neville's …lack of manliness, have become stuck in the public mindset. Slang such as; 'doing the LL' or being a Longbottom loser, at the hands of hump-and-dump …zero ability to love …shrew …meaning you of course." Hermione said with a growl of resentment.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with Weasel," Pansy snarled, "it's unwise to mess with a Parkinson. For example; and for your information …separate Gringotts accounts …were Neville's idea? My husband didn't want to be considered a kept-man, by my social peers …leeching off of my families' considerable wealth. He was the one that insisted …"

"…there isn't one ounce of truth behind that statement Ms Parkinson …that you can back-up in writing or by sworn witness", Hermione snapped. "Besides …whether or not poor Neville 'allegedly' feared being called a gigolo …became relevant with your repeated acts of adultery. Such financial trivialities were trumped by the long standing public perception that Slytherin's use people and then discard them.

"Contrary to the old nursery rhyme, words can not only hurt, but derogatory titles can linger." Hermione said with obvious regret. "So a year or more since you ruined Neville reputation the unearned title of 'loser' still hunts him. As for me …six years after Viktor's death the insult 'Hermione the Harlot' …still exists as a slang-term among the female students of Hogwarts. I have no doubts that Neville is no-more happy about his legacy than I am about mine.

"That's not my fault that you're still thought of as a cock-tease …Weasel. Besides who cares what the common-mob thinks, they're ignorant cattle when all is said and done." Pansy said with a sneer.

"Your father certainly hasn't helped diminish the damage done to your husband's name, with his frequent editorials against married women who want to pursue a career. Although the name of Longbottom is never mentioned in print …per say. Due to Lord Parkinson's insistence …no-doubt. I am sure that he is no more eager that the particulars of your legal separation with the botanist be revealed …than my client is. So editorials along the Line your father has pursued these last twelve months seem at odds with the number of well placed bribes spread to keep your failed marriage secret. But never fear, the real truth behind why Neville parting company with you ...beyond the customary; 'Unrecognizable Differences' will never be known …from Neville himself.

"That you aren't as skilled as my father in manipulating the press …certainly can't be laid at my feet," Pansy snorted denying nothing.

"Still …I can help but wonder if his current crusade against working wives can't be traced back indirectly to your 'failed' marriage to Neville. After-all most of his rants are directed at the husbands …especially those who don't have what your father calls the 'backbone' to keep their women …what term did he use? Oh-yes …controlled. Your father, while locking the broom-cupboard securely with your adulterous skeleton in it …is at the same time standing on his soap-box …demanding that all other wives be kept …in their place …barefoot and pregnant."

"What my father thinks or says in public …doesn't reflect my personal beliefs."

"Who is watching your love-child these days …while you engage in your diplomatic …affairs?" Hermione asked twisting the knife by putting extra empathize' on the last word.

"My son …you'll be happy to hear …died within three hours of his birth." Pansy snapped as sham tears began to pour down her cheeks. Hermione was however …unmoved by this pretended display of emotion.

"You are wrong Ms. Parkinson," Hermione replied sternly. "As a mother my-self, I find no joy in the death of your innocent love-child. He was not consulted when you decided to cheat on your husband and use sex as a tool in diplomacy. It is not his fault that fate prevented him from growing up without ever knowing who his biological father was. It was you and you alone …who decided to advance your career by becoming a prostitute for the Foreign Office.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Pansy shouted jumping to her feet.

"How dare I what, Parkinson? How dare I speak aloud …while alone with you …the truth that your Daddy has paid so much …to suppress?" Hermione sneered back with contempt. "Just because you were shagging your way to the top outside the country …instead of with various M.O.M. Department Heads, doesn't mean that the truth behind your slutty reputation couldn't find its way back home.

"What are you going on about?" Pansy asked in a concerned tone.

"Wizarding tabloids mostly," Hermione causally explained. "Complete with candid photos of bare breasted make-out secessions …with foreign diplomats' …most of whom were old enough to be your father …on the topless beaches of Spain. And then there was your sudden and unexplained reassignment from Spain to the Ambassadorship of Greece …which was due I'm told …to some unidentified scandal".

Pansy was now openly staring gob-smacked at a smug looking Hermione

"Your Husband …the poor sod …remained in denial for the longest time about your extra-marital diplomacy. He utterly refused to think ill of his beautiful wife. And the real tragedy is …you could have gotten away with all of it …did you know that? You could have given up your ambassadorships, come home and worked again quietly in a cubicle in the Foreign-Office in London …You could have saved your marriage at any time …by commuting home each night by the floo network …like you did for the first two years after your wedding. Neville would have welcomed you back at any time with open arms, forgiving everything. But instead you had to go and do something really stupid …you fell pregnant during a diplomatic bunk-up …and worst yet. You didn't get rid of it …before you began to show and before the Wizarding Press took photos of your baby-bulge.

"I procrastinated …alright?" Pansy explained flustered. "I've always been envious of your twins with Krum …" Pansy began defensively.

"…with Ron …I bore no frigging children with Viktor." Hermione shouted interrupting Pansy rant abruptly. "Those two have reddish-brown hair and Weasley temperaments. They' became Ron's daughters the instant I bonded with him. The magic in the ceremony changed them …They don't resemble any of the Krum's …not even remotely …damn-it.

"Hermione …'BOSS' …calm down …please, or you'll go into labor right here and now," Millie said from the suddenly opened doorway. Her wand was out and pointed directly at Pansy's head. Do you want me to hex this high-maintenance BITCH?"

"No Millie, I lost my temper for a moment, that's all." Hermione said as she rapidly regained control of herself. "Mood swings …go figure …all part-and-parcel with being in the Weasley pudding club …I guess. Thank the Lord this is my last one."

"No offense Boss, but your married to a Weasley, and they take 'being fruitful and multiply' …to extremes," Millie expounded. "After all – how many nieces and nephews have you got now?"

"Let me see," Hermione said rubbing her chin while mentally giving thanks for Millie's perfectly timed calming distraction. "Bill a Fleur have-had four little nippers so far, but the triplets had to have been …unplanned. Percy and Audrey had two, George and Angelina have only one, at present …but at the last Sunday brunch at the Burrow Angie was in maternity clothing again …so who knows? Charlie is seeing some Lebanese girl and there are high-hopes that this petite Dragon-handler has Charlie thinking about building a nest.

"I hate to ask …but how about … Seamus and Daphne?" Millie inquired.

"Daphne after giving birth to twin boys …"

"…Hold-on one second," Pansy said interrupting. "Are you saying my friend Daphne actually married that half-blooded pig of an Irishman?"

"You were Owled an invitation Ms. Parkinson …just like Ron and I was. Neville (r.s.v.p) at once and attended the event alone. Daphne of course was highly miffed when you didn't bother to even reply." Hermione said …looking at Pansy with scorn.

Pansy just glared back saying nothing.

"You were her first choice as matron of honor …by the way. But as usual you blew her off her wedding …just like you did all the letters Neville sent you …which were returned unopened. No doubt you were far too busy with your diplomatic relationships to reply …or attend your best school-chums wedding. It was the same thing all-over-again when Neville's parents passed away and then his Grandmother …one month later."

"Neville's Gran is dead?" Pansy asked horrified at the thought of all she had missed.

"Yes …Augusta passed away," Hermione said struggling to be patient …as she glared hatefully at Pansy, "she died on the same day the Daily Prophet published a picture of you on the front page. So …while your father did damage control to quash the baby-bulge news …Neville was spending his time laying his entire family to rest, two funerals that you didn't attend ...or acknowledged in any way.

"What Picture Weasel, I never saw it …your lying," Pansy shouted completely ignoring the reference to her failed duty to support her husband in his grief.

"It was taken by the 'Eastern European Wizarding Celebrity Media' and you were wearing an extra tiny Slytherin-green mono-kini on a beach somewhere in Greece …a super-small swimming costume which made your baby-bulge all the more obvious. Underneath was the caption that read;

"Embassy Healer confirms that Lady Pansy Longbottom and husband are expecting their first child, said to be due in July."

"That's impossible …daddy would have told me," Pansy said in genuine surprise.

"Knowing as I did, that you had not been within a thousand leagues of Neville during the previous eighteen months …I instantly went proactive," Hermione said ignoring Pansy's feeble rant. "I quickly obtained a pensive statement from the British Wizarding Embassy Healer in Greece confirming you four months pregnant. I then rushed over with Ron to Neville's place to find him thinking seriously about suicide. I got him to sign a petition of annulment which I had on the desk of the chief judge of the Wizengamot before the ink dried.

"ANNULMENT" - Pansy said once again horrified.

"You really should have had a chat with your dad before coming here," Hermione said again with scorn. "I could prove that your baby wasn't Neville beyond a shadow of a doubt …because magical healers have a spell that can pinpoint to the exact second when conception accrues. Matching that date and time to Neville's whereabouts …he was teaching his fifth-year students …twenty five witnesses. I thought I had a slam-dunk.

"Annulment" a stunned Pansy repeated in a horrified whisper.

"Your dad's barristers caught wind of what I had in mind and moved heaven and earth to arrange a delay in the proceedings." Hermione said clearly disappointed. "That's when I was approached and the negotiations began."

"You were bought off" Pansy said smugly greatly relieved.

"Wrong again Parkinson," Hermione snarled. "I had the law fully on my side, separate bank accounts, all assets already divided - - in your favor by the way - - before the papers were even filed …indisputable proof of adultery …and you don't even want to know about the traditional pure-blood punishment for a wife getting 'knocked-up' with a baby that's not her husband's.

"What is it?"

"Stone-ling"

"You mean stoning …like in the bible, as in; killing the adulterous Jezebel with rocks." Pansy asked

"No …I meant Stone-ling, it's a spell," Hermione replied

"Was it preformed?"

"Oh yes, I insisted on it." Hermione responded with a wicked grin.

"It can't be too bad; after all …I'm still alive, rich and beautiful."

"Again Ms Parkinson, I represented Neville in this matter." Hermione explained. "If you want anymore details on the particulars of your legal separation from your spouse …you should really consult your father's legal firm …and not me. They had full power of attorney to act in your best interest while you were out of the country."

"Do these particulars include the Fidelius Restraining Order Charm that makes it impossible for me to find my husband," Pansy snarled

"Yes, that's correct. Neville could be in this room right now and you wouldn't be able to see, hear, touch, or speak to him." Hermione boasted smugly

"Daddy would never approve of that." Pansy pouted.

"Again you are mistaken. Your father not only knows about it, he paid for it." Hermione said beaming. "He also agreed to finance the improved defenses around Longbottom cottage. For example; the highly expensive unplotable spell and other improvements to the wards surrounding the place …that make's it literally impossible to enter …unless you're invited in by the owner.

"That's utter rubbish, I just came from Longbottom cottage and I had no trouble getting in. No one was there except for the house elves, who told me that my Neville moved out more than two and a-half year's ago." Pansy said.

"Don't be daft …That huge mansion is not Longbottom cottage, if you check the deed; you'll find that upon purchase, your father changed the name officially to 'Parkinson Place' ...isn't it odd that not one Knut of Longbottom money ever went into either of your properties. He did the same thing to the deed of the London place he acquired for you three years ago …to make sure that your name …and your name alone …was the only name on the title of your luxurious five bedroom townhouse."

"Do you know where Neville is …right now?" Pansy said refusing to be distracted.

"Yes"

"But you're not going to tell me."

"You got that in one, bravo."

"Is he on the floo-network?"

"Yes, but it has a highly complex filter on it," Hermione said and then smiled.

"Which will keep me out" Pansy replied in an infuriated tone.

"Correct again" Hermione replied. "I also assume that you have tried to Owl him, and found that your posts were returned un-opened. Honestly, Ms Parkinson, what does it require for you to get the hint? Your former husband wants zero contact with you".

"No-one should be allowed to cut them-selves off from the world."

"Tell that to the Potters …the same ward experts that fortified Longbottom Cottage did the same thing and a-lot more …to the Potter place down the lane from here. After the rest of the Weasleys sided with Ron, by accepting me back into the fold as his wife …Harry and Ginerva renounced the lot of us, and then went on a two year world tour. They got married somewhere along the way …paid for tutors' for Ginerva so she could get her N.E.W.T. And then became silent-partners in the 'Holyhead Harpies' Quidditch team …when Ginerva began her three year stint as a professional Chaser.

"You seem well informed," Pansy said. "And where are they now?"

"The Last thing that I heard from my mother-in-law was that …Ginerva Molly Potter was forced to retire from professional sports due to an undisclosed match-injury and now works part-time as a Quidditch reporter for the Daily Prophet. As for Harry he is an all but a recluse now-a-days his fame making a normal career impossible.

"You seem to know a-lot about the Potters. Can I take it you've kissed and made up?" Pansy asked.

"I wouldn't go that far," Hermione said with regret. "We aren't throwing Hexes at each other anymore …if that's what you mean. Your estranged husband has been instrumental in finding creative ways for us to be …cordial …at family gatherings at the Burrow …but at the end of the day …the Potters aren't welcomed at our place or we at theirs. Ron and Harry are now back on somewhat-friendly terms again …but that cease-fire does not extend to Ginerva and me.

"To bring an already too long story to an end …the golden-trio of old has unquestionably disbanded forever. That exceptional closeness that Ron and I shared before sixth year with Harry is now gone forever. This became painfully apparent to me after the second battle of Hastings landing …two years ago. When Harry the chosen-one-Potter defeated and Killed Lord Voldemort for the last time …after that battle …his celebrity status took on God-like proportions," Hermione explained with a sigh. "I feel sorry for him really. Our estrangement before the last battle became semi-permanent after it. He was mobbed wherever he went …even the Burrow, so he shunned everyone and became a total recluse. The media is semi-permanently camped out in front of all of his homes now …and I mean world wide. He's had to hire a small army of bodyguards to keep his fans at bay and away from his wife and two children. I believe in my heart-of-hearts …that even the Muggle Queen has more privacy.

"On the other hand …I can walk this village and say hello to everyone I meet without a worry. It's been six years since Victor died and the Press has forgotten all about the Countess Krum. To the people around here …I'm just Ron's wife or the Village Barrister and that's the way I like it.

"So you're saying there is a high price for fame." Millie said from the doorway.

"Oh Heavens yes," Hermione admitted – "the first thing that Muggle superstars lose is the ability to go anywhere unnoticed. To the inhabitants of Hogsmeade, if you discount the Hogwarts teaching staff, this village biggest celebrity is Neville the botanist.

"You're pulling my leg," Pansy snorted in disbelief.

"Compared to Harry Potter or even Lord Parkinson …your father …Neville is still a relative no-body," Hermione said. "But time is slowly changing that. Among other magical Herbologist's and botanists, both here and abroad …your estranged husband is regarded as the leading authority on United Kingdom Magical Plants. He has the patents on at least two dozen different hybrids …most with medical applications. He has published two volumes on 'English Magical Flora' that are going to be required reading at Hogwarts next year.

"You're kidding me." Pansy said again genuinely surprised.

"Good-looks fade, gravity drags down the firmest bosom." Hermione said looking pointedly at Pansy chest with utter contempt. "In five years …ten tops …you mark my words …Neville will be a famous botanist. And best of all …he did it on his own, without one Knut of Parkinson money. He even paid for Longbottom cottage with his own galleons.

"Good for him," Pansy said wishfully.

"You had it all, Pansy …a fantastic husband absolutely devoted to you and sooner-rather-than-later …the respect of the Wizarding World …and you foolishly threw it all away. Now your epitaph when you die …if you are remembered at all …will be as a minor footnote to Neville Longbottom's botanist achievements," Hermione said the pity in her voice clearly apparent.

"I wouldn't bet on that Weasel," Pansy snarled.

"Legally speaking, your father is convinced that he got everything of any value in the legal separation he arranged for you, all of your inheritance wealth, your big salary, Parkinson Place …and the London townhouse. From your father's point of view what did he give up in exchange, really? He renounced on your behalf …any future claim to what he considered to be Neville's miniscule sources of income, book royalties, hybrid patents, lecture fees …etc. Chump-change - in comparison to the Parkinson net worth most certainly … but perhaps …that will change with time.

"I just don't believe it," Pansy said with deep contempt. "Neville was a shy nobody when I met him, and nothing is ever going to change that. Now I'll ask politely one last time …I demand that you take me to my husband.

"Why should I,"

"Look, I've already admitted to making a few minor marital mistakes." Pansy said in way of explanation. "Being a diplomat is a lonely profession, there are foreign languages to deal with, bad food and deadly long …totally boring negotiations. Now believe it or not …I really do love my husband …in my own – unique - way. But Neville refused to give up his silly plants and teaching brats …to travel around the continent with me. We didn't need his silly salary or his go nowhere job. His stubborn pride got in the way of my career …so I left him …not permanently - mind you - …but just for a-bit!"

"As you can plainly see …I'm a healthy young-woman with normal sexual needs. So when I see a good looking bloke that I fancy, I give him a quick 'Slap and Tickle'. No strings …no emotions …no harm …just a mindless quick-shag and then we both move on. Now I'd rather bunk-up with my Neville, because he's really great in bed, best I ever had …to tell the truth. But that dimwitted stud was back in England and I was randy as hell in Spain. My undoing …as you call it …was also Neville's fault. All of my old school-chums started having babies back home and I got jealous …oh my - me bad! Greg and Lavender had an adorable baby girl and I wanted to have a baby too. Now …I know it would have been wiser to have come home - long enough - for Neville to do the deed him-self …more enjoyable too. But I just couldn't see myself wasting an entire month in Hogsmeade 'dullsville' …just to get a bun in the oven.

"I realize that this might offend your middle-class morality, but my daddy picked out a spineless husband that I could dominate. So what …if I got into the pudding club and have no idea who the dad was ...that's none of your bloody business …now is it? When my family paid all that dosh to get rid of Alice and Frank Longbottom medical debts, my family by doing so …gained full title to Neville's arse ...lock …cock and buttock. He knew this, so when I say jump, the only reply Neville should utter is …how high?

"But your dog of a husband didn't jump on command …now did he?" Mille pointed out only to be totally ignored

"Draco the ferret …abused me because I let him gain power over me …and that was a mistake that I vowed to never repeat. If you hadn't stuck your goodie-two-shoes nose into my business, and goaded my wimp of a spouse into signing those stupid papers, we wouldn't be having this discussion now. My daddy would have made perfectly clear to my …indentured up to his eyeballs - husband …that the prudent thing to do would be to issue a press release about how delighted he was about the birth of our first child …and then keep his ruddy gob shut.

At this point Mille and Hermione were both staring hatefully at the Parkinson Bitch.

"I had things under control until you stuck your nose where it didn't belong," Pansy said as she continued her diatribe. "I admit that in the last few years, Neville has been a little neglected by me. This was a mistake that I have come home to ratify. The untimely death of my …in-convenient love child …although regrettable …was perhaps in the long run a kindness to all concerned.

"By a kindness you are referring too of course …that uncertain parentage translates to uncertain blood status." Millie said glaring hard at Pansy

"Exactly, Now as you said, according to law, I will remain Neville's wife until death do us part." Pansy said standing up with unbridled self-confidence. "His only change to continue his bloodline with legitimacy …is with me. I would have preferred to conceive the next Longbottom today …as my calculations indicate that I will be the most fertile during the next twenty-four hours.

"You have parried my direct thrust this time Granger, but Let me assure you that this restraining order will be lifted and this separation decree set-aside as soon as I can speak to my father. I will reconcile with Neville and there is nothing you can do to stop it. With that …Pansy Parkinson-Longbottom stood-up and stormed out of Hermione's office.

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"Is that the Slytherin Ice Queen I've heard about?" Mille asked.

"How could you possibly?"

"I may have been just a second year Ravenclaw during the battle of the Hallway …but we knew about the ice-queen. At the time my classmates wondered how kind-hearted Longbottom ended-up with that frigid-sow and now I know …indenture …they bought him!"

"Yes they did, the Parkinson's do that sort of thing all the time." Hermione exclaimed

"How does someone end a magical indenture?" Mille asked.

"When it interconnects with the Marriage Law, there is no easy way out." Hermione replied. "I was in the same situation with Viktor; as long as he was alive I was stuck with being his wife. Unless Pansy drops dead, Neville cannot remarry and visa versa.

"That sucks"

"Tell me about it. My barristers negotiated a separation with The Bulgarian Government on the Krum's behalf …but the stone-ling addendum was never discussed. My father-in-law wasn't concerned about any future offspring's I might have …because he was sending hired assassins every day to kill me and my twins …Elizabeth and Victoria who were at that time …still growing inside of me. Under the existing law, a separated wife such as Pansy …if still fertile …can have as many children as she wants and as long as her husband is still alive, those children are legally born Longbottom's. There are however …severe social penalties for a 'love child' …"

"…No legitimate blood-status," Millie interjected. "So that's why Ms Parkinson wants to reconcile with her spouse so badly. Its clear to me that she wants a baby desperately …and the only grandchild that Lord Parkinson would accept as a blood-purist would have to be sired by Neville."

"Exactly, but unlike me after my separation decree went into force …Pansy can't have any more children," Hermione said feeling extremely smug.

"Why?" Millie asked and then she had it. "The Stone-ling spell"

"Very good …Mille, Pansy is going to be furious when she finds out."

"What does it do?"

"As I use to tell Ron when we were in Hogwarts," Hermione said snort. "You won't learn anything if I do your homework for you! Go look it up in the office Law Library. Now I off to Longbottom cottage to plan our next move, this is far from over. Did the post arrive yet?"

"Yes boss," Mille said. "There is a huge package from the Chief Justice of the high tribunal of the Wizengamot ..."

"Shite …" Hermione swore accidentally, as the wheels in her head spun. And then she said thinking out-loud. "Pansy didn't come up here blind at all. This was a carefully calculated opening gambit."

"What?" Mille said puzzled.

"Quick …where is the package?"

"Top right drawer of your desk …what's wrong?"

"I'm not to be disturbed, for any reason". Hermione said firmly. "I also need you to floo my home and tell my husband what you overheard. Don't bother denying that you weren't eavesdropping, there is no time. Tell Ron to go to Neville's, and raise the extra wards …tell him the cloak is here and I'll use it to meet up with him there after I review the high courts decision.

OoOoOoOo

One hour later, foot prints appeared in the mud mixed with snow path leading toward an empty clearing at the edge of the forbidden Forrest. The footprints paused for a moment at what appeared to be a natural break in a rough stone wall …and then abruptly disappeared completely.

Once inside the outer barrier defense Ward, Hermione pulled off the famous 'hallows' invisibility cloak and made her way to the small cozy Longbottom cottage. Standing in the open front door of the cottage was her husband with a worried look on his face. He kissed his pregnant wife as she stepped into the cottage, taking her brief case from her …while pulling her into a long overdue welcoming hug. She saw two additional sets of winter cloaks hanging on pegs in the mud-room entrance to the cottage proper.

"When did they get here?" Hermione snarled suddenly in a foul mood.

"Calm down Luv, they were here when I arrived." Ron replied. "They're fresh back from the continent; the Quidditch World Cup was held last week in Holland and Ginny covered it for the 'Prophet'. The paparazzi are camped out in-front of all their homes again …as Harry went with Ginny to watch New Zealand trounces Ireland in the finals.

"You know - Neville …generous to a fault …he offered his place as a sanctuary until the media feeding frieze died down. Their kids and ours are playing in the storage Greenhouse with Dobby in charge of keeping the damage to a minimum. So take a deep calming breath and tell us about Pansy". With another kiss, and holding Ron's hand for moral support, Hermione entered Neville's lounge where Neville, Harry and Ginerva waited.

There was only one regular seat available, which Ron promptly guided his wife into. It was nearest to the fireplace and as far away from Ginny as possible in the small sitting room. Neville was waiting with a steaming cup of coffee. It was a forbidden substance to Hermione at this point in her pregnancy, due to the caffeine …but after the stress of meeting Pansy she needed it desperately.

"Well …what did the Ice Queen really want", Harry inquired softly.

"Her eggs back" Hermione replied casually.

"But they're destroyed aren't they, almost a year ago." Ginny snarled.

"Nope" Hermione said in between sips of her coffee. "The stone-ling spell as part of a legal martial separation removes a woman's ovaries and by pure-blood tradition they are instantly destroyed with a pure silver hammer in front of two witnesses. However, the Law does not actually require the destruction of the eggs to take place the instant they are removed. It's assumed, but the law is actually quite vague on the subject.

"But they have been out of Parkinson's body for a year; human tissue dies after a period of time …everyone knows that". Ginny said coldly.

"Time is the key", Hermione said smugly. "And your wrong Ginerva, Pansy's ovaries haven't been out of her body for more than fifteen seconds in real time."

"What?"

"Did Harry ever tell you about my time turner?"

"Yeah …he did …so what …" Ginny began irritated to no end …that Granger had used her birth-name …something she hated so much. But before she snapped back she had a thought. "You brilliant bitch …you put them into a time box."

"Ginny?" Ron said in a warning growl.

"Don't Honey, I deserved that insult," Hermione snorted in an amused tone. "Besides from her I take it as a compliment".

"Okay Hermione, you've proved you're the smartest witch of our age …once again. But what good does keeping Pansy's eggs fresh do," Harry asked trying to keep the peace.

"One, it prevents any more love-children coming out of Parkinson," Hermione said very pleased with herself …"and second; it means the Longbottom bloodline doesn't end with Neville".

"You've lost me there," Ginny said.

"There is a legal president actually …the 1899 case of Malfoy versus the Ministry of Magic. I personally founded it hilarious …that it was a Malfoy that established the legal concept of a magical reproductive surrogacy.

"Reproductive surrogacy?" Harry said puzzled.

"Yes, in the 1899 case, the Malfoy family was facing extinction; the wife of the only male heir at that time …was unable to carry a child to term. The poor woman would have a miscarriage in the middle of the second trimester. So the Malfoy's petitioned the high Court for permission to use an experimental spell that would transfer an active fetus into a surrogate who could then carry the child to term safely. The Malfoy's won there case …which resulted - many generations later …in Draco.

"I recently petitioned the court for a ruling on a combination of things. But it basically boiled down to three points of law. One; who owns a wife's eggs …and answer was naturally …the husband. During my bonding ceremony and repeated at my wedding, I surrendered myself in a physical and magical sense …and all my body contained to my spouse. It's an utter barbarity, but in the magically legal sense it meant that Ron exclusively owned my eggs or more properly …the fruits of my womb …my children. So that translates in our current situation to Neville owning Pansy's eggs and by extension her legitimate children …a critical point of law.

"Secondly; assuming that the Stone-ling spell is agreed to by both parties in a legal separation …as it was in Neville's case. Are the removed ovaries that belong to the husband under point one …require to be destroyed? The answer …which I received today was no. Pansy's ovaries are legally the property of the Longbottom family and are to be disposed of at their sole discretion.

"Third and lastly; As Neville is the last surviving Longbottom and his bloodline faces extinction due to the no divorce clause of the Marriage Law …could the contents of Pansy's ovaries be used to save the name of Longbottom as in the 1899 case of Malfoy versus the Ministry of Magic.

"The high court …just this morning …in a unanimous decision declared …that for the sake of continuing a pure-bloodline …a magical surrogate could be utilized to produce as many legitimate Longbottom heirs as required to ensure the continuation of that bloodline."

"Neville did you know about this?" Ginny asked gob-smacked.

"Not until Hermione prepared the legal brief last month," Neville admitted. "She gave me the choice of destroying my property with a silver hammer, or giving the surrogacy a go. My grandmother …on her deathbed …pleaded with me to have children, to not let my surname die with me. Hermione warned me it was a long shot, legally speaking. But after I found out about Pansy's adultery, and her father's refusal to permit an annulment, this became my only chance to extent my family name beyond my life time."

"Wow" …Harry said amazed.

"Ditto" …Ginny added.

"So I take it we won," Neville summarized. "I can use Pansy's eggs and my seed in a separate pot to cultivate an entire garden of Longbottom's." Putting it this way caused laughter which eased the thick animosity in the room …a bit.

"Yes, that's right …and with the primitive semi-chattel status for witches in the UK. Pansy does not have even the basic right of a divorced Muggle woman, to joint-custody or visitation." Hermione said smugly. "As children are considered the sole property of the husband's family …any surrogate produced offspring will fall under the same Fidelius Restraining Order Charm that already keeps Pansy from finding you.

"Then what did she hope to gain by badgering you, Hermione?" Neville asked.

"She was testing the outer defenses," Ron said thinking out loud. "She did mention an unsuccessful trip to 'Parkinson Place', so your office wasn't her first stop. If we assume that she was being honest about her desire to have a legitimate child and coming to Hogsmeade was to gain sexual access to her botanist stud. Then my guess is she knows loads more than she let on.

"That's what I thought too," Hermione said thinking hard.

"But she didn't get anywhere near him?" Ginny said smugly

"A frontal assault sometimes work, I'm sure she thought it was worth a shot," Ron said. "But more importantly she did succeed in one objective, and the timing is interesting …the very same day …that you get the legal go-ahead for the surrogacy, Pansy shows-up to remind us all …that she would be happy to make a Longbottom baby for Neville. Why go to a stranger, when your separated-slut with all that love-child experience under her belt …is nearby."

"Don't be daft, Ron?" Ginny snarled. "Neville isn't that gullible,"

"Isn't he?" Ron retorted with heat, "Just look at him …he's thinking about it …aren't you Neville?"

"Yeah …I am," Neville admitted softly, as he looked at his suddenly fearful friends. "Just as you said, it was her goal …to force me to consider her for this. She is no-doubt counting on my Gryffindor loyalty, and whatever remains of my love for her.

In this she was correct, part of me will always love my wife of two years."

"Neville you colossal Git …you've been married five years," Ginny snorted.

"No Ginny, this time you're wrong," Neville said sadly. "I was engaged for one year and married for two. My then two year marriage ended when my wife moved to London permanently three years ago. She walked away from me and her marriage vows on the day she welcomed a man …other to me …into her bed. On that day she murdered our marriage with a deliberate act of premeditated adultery."

"She did it more than once, old chum," Ron said sadly. "My dad at the ministry says …"

"…Yes Ron, I know …she's bunked-up with loads of blokes." Neville said interrupting his best-mate with tears streaming down his face. "And then her luck ran out and she fell pregnant and to add insult to injury she apparently doesn't even know by whom.

"As a response to the Greek baby-bulge photo, she then disappears off the face of the earth for twelve months, to have her love-child out of the public eye. She makes no public comment to the press when she learns of her marital separation. During all of this time …with traumatic changes in her life that - in all but name - ends her marriage. She still can't find the time to attempt to save her marriage by explaining her actions to me ...her husband. She doesn't even have the time to send a single letter to me …or even a Christmas-card."

"Neville I'm sorry mate," Harry said sadly.

"No, it's alright …call it a learning moment. I just learned a bitter truth …not everyone gets a happy ending, Harry". Neville replied with a resigned sigh and then he shook his head and took hold of himself. "Shite …alright then …my Gran use to say the best revenge is living well. I figure the best revenge against a baby-hungry slag is to leave her childless. While the Longbottom's are fruitful and multiple all over the place …and with that in mind …what's the next step?"

"I don't really know …honestly," Hermione admitted with a blush, "Find a reproductive surrogate I guess".

"And exactly how do we do that?" Ginny asked sarcastically.

"With a half-page advertisement in the Daily Prophet …of course," Ron said with a huge grin on his face.

OoOoOoOo

Mid-afternoon, Sixteenth March

Law office of Weasley & Watson

OoOoOoOo

Hermione's office door slammed open as a infuriated Lord Parkinson stormed in with Mille …wand drawn in hot pursuit …threatening sever bodily harm …'if his lordship didn't get his sorry arse back to the waiting room at once'.

"Never mind Mille" Hermione said dismissing her receptionist with a wave of her hand. "His Lordship's visit today, was not totally unexpected."

"Quite so," Lord Parkinson said.

"Would you care for a cupa, or coffee?"

"All I want from you is an explanation".

"Concerning what?

"This advertisement …it violates the agreement of eleven months back."

"No sir …it does not." Hermione countered. "Where for example is your name mentioned …your daughter's name, or my client?"

"Well nowhere actually …but rumors are flying all over London."

"I am not concerned with rumors, Milord, only facts," Hermione said

"Have you read the thing?"

"I've done more than that …I wrote the advertisement, in fact I have a copy here, lets review it shall we?"

OoOoOoOo

Wanted; a reproductive surrogate: An ancient Wizarding family of England, with untainted blood on both sides for ten generations and more …due to circumstances beyond their control - finds itself facing generational extinction. Having gained the approval of this countries highest magical court …permission has been granted to obtain the services of a surrogate for the purpose of producing heirs to continue this family name.

What is offered is a standard contract of indenture covering a period of thirty-six months to sixty-months … or the birth of five healthy children …whichever comes first? The applicant will be expected to provide proof of reproductive health, in so far as the ability to carry an implanted fetus in a healthy uterus to term. Functional ovaries and fallopian tubes are not required.

The accepted applicant will be required to live on-site at the Family residence during all gestation periods, with all food, lodging and medical care costs provided. A modest stipend will also be paid to cover any and all unforeseen expenses incurred by the chosen surrogate. The surrogate will be paid three thousand galleons in gold for each healthy child produced.

Application for the surrogate position may be made via Owl-post or in person at the law office of 'Weasley and Watson' in Hogsmeade, Scotland during normal business hours after nine in the morning on the seventeenth of September.

OoOoOoOo

"Again, where is your daughter's name, your name or the Longbottom name mentioned? More importantly …you insisted that the real reason for the separation to remain secret. Where in what I just read …was any separation decree mentioned?"

"Even if this advertisement does not technically violate our separation agreement …per-say …its very existence is an implied insult to the Parkinson Family." Lord Parkinson declared sternly. "My daughter is and always has been …fully prepared to do her duty in regards to any Longbottom offspring's. It was you that insisted that the stone-ling spell being preformed. So this totally unacceptable situation is entirely your doing, Mrs. Weasley," Lord Parkinson said outraged. "Your unsolicited interference in my daughter's marriage has caused a huge rift to be formed between her and my son-in-law. I warn you here and now …any further meddling on your part will not be tolerated".

"Milord, with all due respect, you have no legal standing in this issue, nor will I be intimidated by your threats," Hermione said calmly. "The high Court's ruling on this matter reinforced the very pure-blood traditions that you have been the advocate for during the last two decades. So objecting to those traditions now would reveal you to be a huge hypocrite …and you wouldn't want that bitter truth made public.

"Is that a threat?"

"No Milord …I'm merely pointing out the harm to the Parkinson reputation if a public fight over my client's right to continue his untainted bloodline was openly challenged by you."

"You wouldn't dare,"

"Nor is your sudden concern for your daughters failed marriage believable. It has been a whole year since the separation agreement came into force …and during all the time …neither you …nor your daughter has protested the thought of the end of the Longbottom bloodline. In fact as I recall it …at the signing you seemed delighted by the prospect".

"The situation has changed," Parkinson said.

"Indeed it has," Hermione retorted. "My client is exercising his pure-blood right to continue his surname. Your claim of an attempted reconciliation by your daughter with my client is also factually inaccurate and you know it. So let's face reality …Milord. If your daughter had been interested in saving her marriage then she should not have moved out of their home, left the country or …committed repeated acts of adultery. When she fell pregnant, she should have gotten rid of it at once …instead she kept it, until she was foolishly caught-out by the Wizarding media."

"So you're saying?"

"I can see that you are trying to be a good father" Hermione said calmly. "But blaming me or my client for your daughter's mistakes and deliberate destruction of her own marriage …is not going to do anything that will help your family or my client in the long run.

"We are prepared to drop all objections to the surrogacy in exchange for one of Pansy's ovaries, successfully restored to her body." Lord Parkinson said.

"No"

"Don't be a fool; Weasley. I can petition the court to …"

"That would violate our separation agreement, and that means that the secrecy clause would end. Do you really want a public airing of the Parkinson dirty laundry?

"You wouldn't dare?"

"Milord, it would only take one tiny push to bring down your house-of-cards …hypocrisy. Your slag of a daughter publicly exposed as violating dozens of the same blood-purity traditions …that you yourself preach to the rest of the Wizarding world to follow.

"How about …just one fertilized egg?"

"No sir," Hermione. "Not even one. For your daughter would never agree to surrender her new born child for Neville to rise."

"Why should she?"

"Milord, please …don't act innocent? The Marriage Law and pure-blood tradition makes all offspring the property of the husband's household. I will take your family to court over this point and win easily – and you know this. However … in the name of peace …I'm prepared to offer one non-negotiable compromise. If your daughter was to adopt 'one' of the orphans from The War, I will personally guarantee that my client will forgo the right to bring-up this 'single' child. In exchange neither you-or-your daughter will directly or indirectly oppose the Longbottom surrogacy.

"That's not acceptable,"

"As you wish, Milord …but rest assure on one thing. It is my attention to pursue this surrogacy in a low-key fashion, respecting the secrecy clause of the separation agreement that you signed. If you challenge the surrogacy in any way you will also be challenging the four other pure-blood families that have used the 1899 case to continue their bloodlines. As a barrister, I beseech you not to open this can of worms.

"I want a written non-interference pledge signed by Longbottom over this orphan proposal."

"That's do-able …as long as it is for 'one' child only, and as long as this adopted child inherits no more or less of the Parkinson estate than does any of your other surrogate grandchildren."

"Don't push me Weasley."

"Milord, there are ways to get around this provision," Hermione said with a chuckle. "Disinherit all children attached in anyway to Pansy, and then take out insurance policies to cover what the adopted kid would have inherited.

"You're good"

"So my husband keeps telling me,"

"Alright, you've got a deal," Lord Parkinson said in a resigned tone

"Keep her away from Neville, she had her chance with him and she blew it," Hermione said with a hiss. "Oh and by-the-way I've just added another addendum to our deal. Your daughter is to cease-and-desist all use of the Longbottom name, change it legally back to Parkinson if you must. But she is not to call her-self Pansy Longbottom ever again.

"She won't like that you know". Lord Parkinson said getting up slowly to leave. I've come to believe that in her heart-of-hearts my daughter really does love your botanist."

"She has a very strange way of showing it."

"My daughter has always followed her own path. She has made a huge mistake with your client …I admit that," Lord Parkinson said sadly. "She took him for granted …undervalued his place in her life. Letting him go …I fear …will be one of her greatest regrets,"

Hermione had nothing to say to this as she suddenly realized that she had been guilty of the same sin to a point. She too had taken Ron for granted; she too had undervalued his place in her life. The only difference was that Pansy had walked away from love …of her own free will. Whereas Hermione had been taken by force and had fought like hell to get back to her man.

"Milord, it has been seven months since the unfortunate death of your daughter's 'love child'. If she had any desire to return to married life she would done it sometime during that time," Hermione said getting to her feet. "With all due respect I believe that your daughter …the diplomat …is actually a consummate actress that only assumes a specific role to fill a specific need. Poor Neville was just a pawn …a stepping stone that she utilized to avoid marrying a Malfoy".

"You may have a point there," Lord Parkinson said. "My Pansy is cunning enough to pull-off something like that …in fact we Slytherin's are known for that kind of skullduggery …as you said …its apart of our form of Ambition. But selfishness makes it hard to sleep at night for you can't rest all that much with one eye open. Even someone like a Parkinson needs a special person …like a lover …to guard our back when we sleep. I failed as a father to pass-on that vital lesson to my only daughter.

"Indeed" Hermione said sadly. "Pansy tossed Neville aside, betrayed his trust. Publicly stomping on a lover's manliness by sleeping with other men can easily destroy a lesser man."

"And Neville Longbottom isn't destroyed?"

"No he's not, she has hurt him …badly," Hermione said with grim determination. "However, it's been almost a year now, and he's slowly mending. I won't allow your daughter to reopen a freshly scared-over wound. I think you understand that now.

"She won't be happy"

"Some people never get a happy ending - Milord," Hermione said sadly

OoOoOoOo

Soon after Lord Parkinson left Hermione's office, Mille came in with a cup of coffee.

"Now Mille you know I'm not suppose to drink that." Hermione said although every ounce of her body craved it.

"You need this 'BOSS' …you know it …and so do I. Dealing with Parkinson's can be a bit draining", Millie said with a shrug. "Besides you have another new client waiting in the outer office.

"Mille …Didn't I tell you to refer all new clients to John Watson?"

"Yeah-yeah you did. But this lady is a special case. She's from Ravenclaw like me and she had a real hard life …since school. When I proof read that advert for you …I instantly thought of her. We had dinner together last night after work and I showed it to her. She's very-very interested in the posting …"

"We aren't accepting applications until tomorrow morning - Mille; it would be unfair to the others …"

"…Be honest with me Boss," Mille asked interrupting her employer. "You had someone in particular in mind …all along …when you wrote the advert …didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. But I shouldn't force my choice on Neville," Hermione said resolute.

"So …should I send her away?"

"No" Hermione said. "She's here already; I won't have you look foolish in front of a fellow Ravenclaw. Has she filled-out the form?"

"Yes Boss"

"Let me see it," Hermione asked in a sad resigned tone. But the moment she stretched out the parchment in front of her …a smile began to appear on her face.

"Show her in,"

A small black-haired woman of Eurasian decent entered the office and sat down on the wooden chair facing Hermione without making a sound. She was only one calendar year older than the Barrister but appeared so care-worn and frail, as if hard pressed by long hours of brutal physical labor …that the age difference appeared far greater.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked suddenly very concerned.

"You don't recognize me …do you?" the worn-out woman asked. "Have I changed so much since my annulment?"

"I read your case with great interest. An infection as a child as I understand it."

"Yes, I had hoped that the injured ovary that remained inside of me when I entered puberty would give my husband the children his family craved." The black haired woman said. "Alas …it was not meant to be. My fallopian tubes had apparently dissolved as well …due to the infection. The combination has rendered me irreversibly sterile.

"Naturally, when my barren state was revealed six months after the wedding …Eddie had every right to demand the annulment which of course was granted by the courts. I feel no bitterness over what happened to me. The law and the customs of my family' who's ancestral home was originally in the magical-conclave of Hong Kong render a girl incapable to having children into having zero value. I was sent back to my family in disgrace and treated accordingly.

"The Carmichael's I hear have arranged a more fruitful bride for your former spouse." Hermione pointed out.

"So I have heard, and I sincerely wish him joy with her."

"What has happened to you since then?" Hermione asked with sympathy

"As my very traditionalist father considers me damaged goods …of zero value; he was kind enough to find me employment in one of my families business as a scrub-woman. I get food and board …a cot to sleep on and minimum wages."

"But that is a waste of talent; I understood that you were considered a brilliant student at Hogwarts. The leading student in Herbology and Potions for your class year", Hermione said.

"That was true enough," the jet-black-haired Eurasian said with a sad half-smile. "Regretfully, my life long ambition to become a Potion-Master came to ruin the same year as my dream of having children. In light of Lord Parkinson's recent crusade against working women …when combined with the Slytherin monopoly in the field of potions …which is – mind you - dominated almost exclusively by men. My family's utter shame in my infertility has translated into no support …monetarily or spiritually …in fighting the stereotypes of male-only potion masters in the UK.

"My father tells me constantly now, that I should consider my-self fortunate that he took me in after the Carmichaels cast me out. When Mille showed me the advertisement for a surrogate last night …I saw it as a way out of the drudgery of my family's charity. It was as if the advert had been written with me specifically in mind," Hermione's guest declared with obvious hope.

"To be honest …it was," Hermione said fighting back a smile

"What?"

"I said that the advert did indeed have you in mind," Hermione said calmly. "As I said …I was aware of your case, and you fit the bill for this particular surrogacy perfectly …in my option. I have a Ravenclaw working in the outer office and with her connections among other alumni …have given me an insider's look into your house. You were a Prefect for two years with a reputation of nurturing the younger members of your house in a maternal fashion. This surrogacy is intended for a gentleman, who lives alone. Although a pure-blood ...he was an only child raised by an elderly-relative …which means he has no experience in handling toddlers".

"So does that mean that you envision an indenture that extends beyond sixty months?"

"Yes …would that be a problem for you?" Hermione asked

"Not particularly as it is my desire to stay free of my family's charity for as long as possible. Can I assume that we are now speaking of surrogacy and then a Nanny/governess position …until the youngest reaches Hogwarts letter age …is that correct …or are you implying more than that?"

"Depending on the chemistry …if any …that is created between yourself and the children's father …yes I am. The gentleman is married, but he is also legally separated from his wife …who I might add …is still living. It will be …in fact …her eggs that we will be using in this surrogacy. "

"Why don't they just reconcile?"

"It's rather complicated,"

"So now we are discussing a …surrogacy …followed by becoming a governess for several nippers …along with perhaps …a part-time role …as the in-house mistress …to master of the house?"

"I envisioned a common-law wife status …rather than the kind of 'kept woman' that some pure blood families are famous for. The gentle-man involved this arrangement ...is a very kind-hearted and generous soul and with your shared interests …I can easily foresee a more personal relationship quickly developing".

"Shared interests?"

"Yes, I have been told that the most successful Potions-Masters are those that cultivated an extremely close relationship with a botanist/Herbologist", Hermione said smugly.

"Two sides of the same coin, I've heard that too."

"What If I was to tell you that this particular surrogacy is with a man who will soon be regarded as the leading botanist/herbalist in the entire United Kingdom?"

"You mean …Neville Longbottom …don't you?"

"Yes …you've heard of him then?"

"I'm a subscriber to 'Herbology Monthly" the magical botanist magazine …and have read his frequent articles with great interest. Working as his Potion partner would literally be a dream-comes-true for me …in fact ...there is little I wouldn't do for a chance like this. To be fair …however, I must give warning …for you can't realize that there are fully qualified Potion Masters that would gladly pay Mr. Longbottom for the chance that you are so casually offering me.

"My concern is for my client, his wellbeing and life-long happiness. Neville was the best man at my wedding …as well as a dear friend. The traveling diplomat and the rustic botanist was a bad fit …right from the off. He needs a stay-at-home girl who shares his interest in plants …a girl like you.

"Take a good hard look at me, Mrs. Weasley. How am I …nothing but skin and bones …going to seduce …?"

"By being yourself …of course …by sharing you're in-common interests with him," Hermione explained carefully. "I'm not looking for a Scarlett woman, a seductress. Instead I hope to bring two good people with a lot in common together and then let nature do the rest. You don't start in his bed right from the off …but you could end up there within a year …with patience …lots and lots of patience …and resolve.

"He wouldn't want to marry me."

"He can't, no divorce in the Wizarding world …remember," Hermione countered. "But with that said …who says you can't have all the perks of marriage …the companionship …the mind-blowing sex …without a bonding ceremony. In my research into previous magical surrogacy's I have discovered two oddities. For one thing; I found-out that almost all reproductive surrogates stay with the families they contracted with …for years after giving birth …as wet-nurse and then later as Nannies/governesses …and that's 'with' the wife around".

Secondly, and this is far less known, due to the magic of being a witch, part of you will be imparted into the babies you carry. In the Malfoy case of 1899 which had been a family of ten generations of nothing but brunettes …suddenly transformed into white-blondes after the utilization of a single platinum-blonde surrogate. And then finally and speaking from personal experience with my own twins, sired by a Bulgarian man with jet-black hair and yet both of my twins came out of me with reddish-brown hair.

"So you're suggesting that part of me …"

"I'm saying that although you are using another witch's eggs, your imprint will most certainly appear on your surrogate offspring. If you also stick around in a semi-nanny 'mothering role' and as the only feminine figure within Neville's cottage …these surrogate offspring will most likely copy your core-beliefs …which will make these children even more yours and Neville …than his and the egg source Parkinson.

"You're looking for more than just baby factory …aren't you?" Don't think me ungrateful but …why me? What do you gain by playing matchmaker for me and Longbottom?"

"Right from the off …You need a safe home and a gentle-man who will take care of you …whereas my client, needs someone special in his life after the bitter disappointment of his marriage to Parkinson. He handicapped because he can't get divorced under our law and your handicapped by your infertility - - which means …if I may be blunt - - you're not worth getting married too. All-in-all the twin negativity of your separate misfortunes makes a potential positive because …again to be blunt …you need each other. In my humble option," Hermione said, "you two are a match made in heaven. For the both of you …this is the ultimate win-win.

"Finally; if no sparks fly between you two …if my feeble attempt at matchmaking fails completely. That in itself doesn't mean you can't become friends and as I said before …a potion/botanist partnership with Neville's could be mutually benefital in the long term for both of you …financially …so it's still a win-win.

"I'm not dimwitted …I can see the shared-interest potential in this." The young Eurasian woman said. "Nor does the idea of having a lover again diminish the appeal of having even a tiny part of me live on after I gone. The original surrogacy offer was very tempting; the possibility of a long term relationship with a man who would support my dreamed-of career ...puts icing on the cake. This all sounds too good to be true …so may I ask …what's your real motivation in all of this …?"

"Speaking for myself, I hoped that you would apply for this for very selfish reasons. I have a sister-in-law that I frankly despise. I must pretend to be cordial with this evil woman at family gatherings …a person who has done loads in the past and continues to do loads in the present …and I mean everything in her power …to subtly undermine my marriage to my husband. My brother-in-law is also I fear …a semi-unwitting coconspirator in the attempted sabotage of my marital happiness. So hooking you up with Neville will irritate my adversaries …the Potters to no-end …I won't deny that."

"The Potters …as in …Harry?"

"Yes, Cho" …Hermione said with an evil grin. "You were Harry's first crush, the first girl he took on a date and most important of all …his first Kiss. Ginerva hates the very thought of you. The only genuine connection my husband and I have with the Potters is through our only mutual friend …Neville. So I openly admit to you …here and now …that you're presence in Longbottom cottage will be similar to pouring raw salt into an old wound as least as far as Ginerva Potter is concerned.

"Then she'll vote against me," Cho said disappointed.

"The Potter's have no vote in this, nor do Ron and me …really. Neville will make the final selection himself. In fact Ginerva and Harry are leaving tomorrow for a private Island that they own, and won't be back in England for a month. I don't expect them back until Saint George Day on twenty-one April. Harry doesn't want to jinx the surrogate selection process.

"What do I need to do to enhance my chances, I have to get away from my family," Cho said with a desperate edge in her voice.

"Relax – Cho," Hermione said smugly. "The one thing that the Potters and the Weasleys did agree wholeheartedly on last night was compatibility. Even Ginerva agreed that with a surrogate living in Neville small cottage for a possible; sixty-months …which is five years of non-stop co-inhabitation …was the ability of any baby-maker to exist, live and work together with Neville in a small living area without conflict. Oddly enough it was Harry that suggested that Neville examine the applications very closely for common points of interest".

"Cho's tiny smile slowly returned."

"Your 'Outstanding' mark in herbology will be a huge selling point with Neville. For I doubt the other applicants will be as motivate as you would be …to spend the next five years working by his side …in one of the four greenhouses on his property. Compatibility will be the key to Neville search for a surrogate. It is also the foot-in-the-door for you; your future with him will depend on what you do with this golden opportunity. Ginerva will naturally suspect me of conspiracy and the beautiful thing is, in my own defense, I can honestly say, that I didn't seek you out for this …myself."

"It was all Millie's doing …yes I see."

"Exactly"

OoOoOoOo

The end

OoOoOoOo

POST story notes:

There you have it, I know I disappointed some, angered others. And in a way I'm leaving you all with a cliffhanger. In my defense, JKR left loads of sub-plot-line stuff dangling. This tale of mine has gone on long enough and I think its time to end it.

So my dear loyal few, those who read this to the end …it is for you to decide.

Who wins Neville heart …Cho Chang …or does Pansy find a way back into my favorite botanist's bed.

Will this fourth daughter really be Hermione's last child?

What happened to Draco and his marriage?

oooooo Odds and ends oooooo

Hermione's painting was placed in the library facing the epic 'Battle of the Stairways' magical painting. The painted Hermione being the only thing that kept the painted Ron on the canvas during those hours when there were living people in the library. After hours however …well …you-know …what teenage lovers do when alone.

Harry semi-permanently loaned the 'hollows' invisibility cloak to Ron as a peace offering for not attending the formal wedding of his best-mate at the Burrow …or inviting the other two members of the trio to his wedding-bonding ceremony to Ginny.

Ron and Harry resume their friendship in spite of Ginny's opposition

Hermione never goes back to Norton Island for a visit, nor does Ginny ever step foot in Ron's cozy cottage near Hogsmeade. However Ron's four daughters do spend the first fortnight in July at Norton Manor each summer ...until they graduate from Hogwarts. They spend half of the second fortnight in July …at Ron and Hermione's cottage for one week …and the last week of July at the Burrow with Grandmum Molly and the rest of the Weasley brood's numerous grandkid offspring.

Neville's five children ...three boys and two girls …all from Pansy's eggs …also spent a solid month of their summer-hols each year with the Potter's and the Weasley's, thus fulfilling the Norton Island Ghost prophecy about the three families children playing together on the beaches of Norton Island.

Fred never marries.

Luna a Rolf …live-in-'sin' for a decade before getting married. And have two children as cannon dictated.

Explanation: I always apposed the Hannah Abbott Neville match-up that JKR so casually created after all the books came out. For I believe she didn't gave any real thought to how unworkable such a match-up would actually be. Consider it: A Hogwarts professor living full-time in Scotland and the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron living full-time in London …when except for holidays would they ever get together. Long distant relationships of two people with no interests in common rarely work. That's why I had Neville foresee how his relationship with Pansy would end. The botanist and the world diplomat is as likeliy to fail as a professor and a pub keeper.

Thanks for the reviews

Bye