Looking around, Ron couldn't help but feel some remorse. It had always saddened him to see the way his children and more often, Harry's, had to deal with the media. It was all they had ever known, an inheritance he hadn't meant to give. As soon as they left the sanctuary of their homes, which were well guarded by privacy charms, they were bombarded with reporters, quills and the ever present flash of a camera.
They were at Shacklebolt's official birthday celebrations, a prestigious event that preluded a more homely celebration later this week. As Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt knew all too well the stresses of life in the public eye. It was a grand event, with the Ministry decked out in its finest but Ron didn't like being watched by the many pairs of eyes in the room. After all that time on the run, it made him uncomfortable. His anxiety lessened slightly when he saw his wife making her way towards him and felt a smile slip onto his face. The years had been kind to Hermione. She was as beautiful now as she had been all those years ago. Her brown eyes held the same kindness, although they were now adorned with a few extra wrinkles. Not that he'd ever tell her that. He didn't believe the potency of her hexes had diminished at all.
Though her dress was a lot less ostentatious than some of the others he had seen tonight, it still made his breath hitch. The dress hugged to her curves, subtly outlining the envious body it concealed. Ron couldn't resist wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her closer to himself. A smile on her face, she reached up to kiss, not deeply, but lovingly as if she too felt the gazes on them. Even in her heels, she had to reach up for their lips to meet, something he found endlessly endearing.
"Is that really necessary?" at the voice of their fifteen year old son, Hugo, husband and wife reluctantly separated. Immediately, Hermione set about trying to tame the unruly mop of red hair her son had inherited, something she did religiously whenever she saw him. Grinning at his son's embarrassment, Ron nevertheless decided to save him from his mother's incessant care.
"Where's your sister?" he asked, smirking as his son wriggled from Hermione's grasp.
"I dunno. Last I saw she was talking to the reporters."
Of all the Golden Trio's descendants, Rose seemed to cope with life in the spotlight the best. Unlike her younger brother, she didn't hide from it, but accepted that it was part of her life. Rose had an easy relationship with the media, an easy charm they lapped up like thirsty dogs. She would always find a moment for them. Ron didn't know how she did it. After almost twenty five years of living with them, he never found the knack of it. What amazed him the most was that she never gave too much away, only telling them just enough to sate their appetite, a skill her parents were glad she had acquired. Many a times, Ron had heard his best friend moaning about having to stop things going to print. The Potter children didn't seem to cope half as well; James was forever starring as the loveable troublemaker, to the public's amusement and his parents' annoyance. Harry's youngest, Lily, never quite knew when to keep her mouth shut, which caused endless problems. Only Al had seemed to follow in his cousin's footsteps and escape unnecessary attention.
Ron loved how close the two teenagers were. For as long as he could remember the two had been inseperable. Their trio had been completed when Scorpius Malfoy had been befriended by the two. Although he had never quite gotten over his feud with Draco, he had nothing but time for his son. He was kind, hardworking and had proved time and time again that he was a good friend to both his nephew and daughter for which he was extremely grateful. Rose needed someone to watch her back.
He couldn't help but worry about his eldest child. She had been twelve when they realised that the power she held within her could rival that of a grown adult at the height of potency. But it wasn't her strength that was the problem but her control. There were times when she seemed to struggle to contain the magic flowing through her veins. It scared him that no one really knew the true limits of her powers. Of course, very few people knew about this – he hadn't even told his own mother. Both he and Hermione had discussed it with Professor McGonagall and they had decided that the fewer people who knew the better it would be. It had been nearly a year since her last lapse but his heart still constricted with worry and the thought of it. Knowing that she had two very loyal friends who would do anything to keep her safe eased that slightly.
Both Al and Scorpius had sworn to him that they would keep her secret and most importantly, keep her safe from the nuclear bomb ticking inside her. He could only hope they would always be there to catch her.
What do you think? Please review and give me any thoughts or advice you may have about it; i love getting them :)
I am pretty new to this however so i do ask you to not be harsh. i have no problem receiving criticism as long it is meant to be constructive not hurtful.
Unfortunately, the Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K. Rowling (how I wish I could have her talent!) and so i own nothing.