ssedme,andeveryonewasnaked.well,”heamended,“ginnywasn’tnaked,butmalfoywas,andsowasi,andtherewastouhing,andkissing,anddidimentionthenakedness?”

ron’seyeshadwidenedunderharry’sbabbling,hiseyebrowsslowlyraisinguptowardshishairline.“hermione!”heyelled,andharrybreathedasighofrelief,beausehermionewouldfixeverything.“harry’shere,ithinkit’sfinallyhappened!”

asrondraggedhimthroughthedoorandintothekithen,harrywonderedifhistwobestfriendshadatuallytakenbetsonwhenhewouldfinallylosehismarbles.heopenedhismouthtoauseron,butstoppedshortatthesightofahighhairsittingtothesrubbedwoodentable.

“whatisthat?”harryasked,pointingatthehighhair.

ronraisedaneyebrow.“thatismyson.”hegredharryintoahairandthensighed.“irealiseyou’reprobablyabitonfusedrightnow,butthere’snoneedtoberude.”ronmovedofftoputthekettleon,andharrystaredwarilyatthelittleboysittinginthehighhair.hehadpeinhisurlyredhairandalloverhisfingers,andwhenhegrinnedatharryheouldseetheboyhadtwolittleteethonhisbottomjaw.

“whydothesethingsalwayshappenwhenit’smyturntoliein?”

harryturnedashermioneappearedinthekithen,sleepmussedandyawning.herhairwasshorterthanharryremembereditbeingstweek,pulledbakintoalowponytail.sheworeanextraringtohereandweddingrings,harrynotedassheyawnedintoafist.harryvaguelyrememberedsomethingaboutwizardingtraditionsandeternityringsgivenwhenafirsthildwasborn.heturnedtolookattheinhabitantofthehighhairinshok.

“whatisgoingon?”harryburstout,startlingronashereahedouttohisnewwifewithaupofoffee.

hermioneranaritialeyeoverhimasronleanedupthespilleddrinkwithhiswand.