'He says that I shouldn't have to bear the name Malfoy, that my family'll never forgive me if I go out with him,' she sobbed, leaning into Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione stroked her daughter's cloud of uncontrollable curls, muttering soothing words into her ear, just as she had done when Rosie had been small, and had cried at tiny hurts. When Rose's sobs seemed to have calmed, Hermione set her down carefully on the sofa. Rose hiccupped.

The door opened, and Ron tiptoed in, carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. Hermione smiled as he handed one to each of them.

'I always find,' he said knowledgeably, 'that chocolate is the best cure for tears.'

Rosie hiccupped again, but gave a watery smile.

'Thanks Ron,' said Hermione, and flicked her eyes towards the door. He understood of course. There was no need for shouting these days. He always understood.

'See you later, my two fair maidens,' he said with a grin, and walked out the door.

For a while neither Hermione nor Rose said anything. They just sat there, slowly sipping the hot chocolate.

'You know, Rosie,' said Hermione after a while. 'Men are cowards when it comes to girls. Even the bravest, fiercest ones, or the clever, intelligent ones. They all have a habit of running away when they don't know what to do.'

Rose looked up at her, eyes wide. 'I've never read that anywhere,' she said quietly.

'There are some things, much as I hate to say it, that can't be found in books.'

Rose giggled slightly.

'Lupin ran out on Tonks you know,' said Hermione carefully.

'You mean Teddy's parents? Does Teddy know? Why did he do that? Did they get back together?' she asked quickly.

'Yes dear. They got back together before Tonks had Teddy, and I can tell you that after Teddy was born, Lupin never looked back,' she paused, and Rosie looked at her expectantly. 'The reasons are remarkably similar to your Scorpius's.'

'But Lupin was a Gryffindor, and he wasn't a Malfoy, so how could…'

'Ahh, they may sound different, but both men thought they were doing the right thing for the girl. Or they just weren't brave enough to face the consequences of said girl getting hurt... Harry thought the same when he ran out on Ginny.'

'Uncle Harry ran out on Ginny?' asked Rosie, astounded.

'And Ron ran out on both of us,' said Hermione quietly. She didn't like saying it, but there were some things her daughter needed to hear.

'What! Why did he do that?'

'Well… He was angry and miserable, and annoyed because we were just wandering, and bitter because he was wearing the horcrux… but he told me afterwards that he really just wanted me to stop following Harry. He hoped that if he left, I'd follow. But he got so angry, completely lost his head, and just walked out without me.'

'But why?'

'Because it was dangerous to follow Harry Potter. It was dangerous to be in his company. Ron never told Harry that, because it would have been choosing one friend over another. And he was worried that I liked Harry more than him.'

'So he just ran out! How come you're married?'

Hermione paused, looking down into the pretty face, without any of the lines of age. 'The tip is Rosie, to find a man who will always come back.'

Rosie watched her, wanting more. 'Lupin went back to Tonks. Harry went back to Ginny. And Ron came back to me. So Rosie, will Scorpius come back to you?'

When Rosie was thinking she looked like Ron. Puzzling over a difficult question, brows furrowed.

'Yes,' she said finally. 'He will.'

'In that case Rosie, make sure he knows he can.'

The door opened again, and Ron came in, followed by a pyjama-clad Hugo, not looking moody for once, because Rosie was upset.

'Have you two finished your deep and meaningful conversation yet?' asked Ron, as he walked over and plonked himself down on the sofa. 'Only we were wondering if you girls fancied a game of Wheezes double-sized exploding snap?'

They both rolled their eyes at the same time.