Late

Hermione glanced over at the clock. Six fifteen. Ron should have been home a quarter of an hour ago. Whatever was holding him up? She had places to go and things to do but someone had to look after little Georgia until he returned and Poppy had been asked to babysit too many times this week already.

Sighing, she returned to her writing. She'd hoped to get this chapter of Harry's biography finished by the end of the week but as that was tomorrow, it was looking unlikely. Georgia had played up a lot over the last couple of days, possibly because Hermione suspected she was teething. Still, Poppy had been a godsend as usual and thanks to her help, Hermione had at least managed to re-write the section about Harry's entry into the wizarding world.

By half past Hermione could no longer concentrate. She was starting to worry about Ron and she could never concentrate on Harry once that started. Hoping to busy herself she piled all her documents in the middle of the desk and wandered upstairs to check on Georgia.

On finding the little one in a deep sleep, she found herself gazing out of the window, hoping for a glimpse of the familiar red hair bobbing down the road.

That was one of the benefits of Ron working at the Ministry; the entrance was only a few minutes walk away so he happily walked the short distance each morning and evening. It was lucky really, apparating never had been a strength of his and the floo network was not always reliable as the Ministry were currently trying to improve the network.

Hearing the back door open Hermione returned downstairs to find Poppy had reappeared from the park.

"Did you have a nice time honey?" she asked the red haired teenager, clearing Georgia's dinner things into the sink as she did so.

"Yeah it was fab ta. Any chance of you lending me a couple of galleons?" Poppy held her breath. She rarely asked her mum for money without her father being present at the same time.

"I know you want to go to the concert tonight and I'd love you to but I just can't afford it. You know that. If you want to go out like that you'll have to get yourself a job" Hermione hated playing the mean parent but it was OK for Ron, his job allowed him to give Poppy money whenever she asked. Hermione just didn't have money to spare.

"I know. It was worth a try though, right?" Poppy laughed.

"Of course darling"

Hermione walked over to give her daughter a hug when they were disrupted by the front door opening.

Ron dumped his briefcase by the door before walking over to kiss his daughter on the forehead.

"Hello, how have your days been?" he enquired, not noticing the glare he was receiving from Hermione.

"What time do you call this?" she fumed "You finish work at six and it does not take 45 minutes to walk home. I've been worried and was about to call Gabrielle to see if she knew where you were. I have things to do so please try and be home earlier in future"

It was impossible to stay cross at him, he just had that look which showed how guilty he felt and it melted all the anger Hermione felt inside.

"I'm sorry dear. I got caught up with something at work. You could always have taken Georgia with you, or dropped her off with Ginny." came his simple reply.

"I don't think a meeting is a suitable place for a toddler and Ginny's in France visiting Bill and Fleur, or had you forgotten?"

"Oh...yes...I'm sorry." Ron turned to his eldest daughter "Here's the money for those tickets darling."

Poppy's face lit up as her father placed enough money to cover her whole night out in her hand.

"Thanks dad" Kissing him on the cheek, she darted upstairs to kiss little Georgia goodnight and sped out the door before her mother could object.

"You. Are. Unbelievable. Ronald." Hermione was livid, Poppy needed to learn the value of money, and sooner rather than later as far as she was concerned.

"I'm going. I'm already late. See you tomorrow."

Slamming the front door behind her, Hermione almost walked into Gabrielle as she stormed out the gate.

"Sorry Gabby. Georgia's still been crying a lot but she's eaten all her meals today. I have to go. Goodnight." came Hermione curt comments to the woman. Despite being a couple of years younger, Hermione couldn't help but admire Gabrielle. Not only was she a successful business woman, running her own chain of Quidditch shops, she also juggled being a wife, a mother and still managed to constantly look beautiful.

Shaking her head, Hermione walked out of the gate and promptly disapparated to her small flat.