"Harry... Harry!"Ginny shook her husband's shoulder repeatedly, hissing his name in his ear as she did so.

"Whammph?"

Ginny paused, what?

"I'm going to work, darling, all right?"

Harry murmured something and rolled over onto his stomach. Ginny rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation.

"Haaarrry!"She tapped her fingers against the cheek that wasn't squashed against their pillows.

Harry lifted his head, "Mmmph, Gin? Wha's it"

Ginny inched closer to him on her knees, so as to not dirty the bed with her work shoes, "I'm going to work, all right?"she reiterated, speaking slowly so that Harry's sleep muddled mind might actually catch her words.

Harry groaned and rolled back onto his back, causing Ginny to topple over and land with an 'ooof' on her side. She slid off the bed, glaring at Harry balefully, but it didn't have the desired effect as his eyes were still closed.

"Wha' time's it?"asked Harry, yawning widely.

"About nine,"answered Ginny. "You can sleep in a bit longer, have a lie in, but you told me to wake you before I left."

"Yeah.."

Harry yawned again, shifting a bit to prop himself up on his elbow, blinking and shaking his head to wake himself up a bit more. He looked quite a sight with his hair rumpled worse then ever, and his eyelids drawn almost closed in a squint.

"Teddy wants me to drop by and help with Amelia, Victoire's going back to work today."

"They don't want to get a sitter?"

"No, they are, but Ted's off so he thought he'd spend the day with her by himself first."

"So naturally he asked you to stay with him."

"Well... He wouldn't admit it, but he sounded rather like he was ready to bite his finger nails clean off."

"You were like that, the first time I let you watch James alone."

"And that's how I knew Ted was nervous about it. Which is why I offered to stay with him."

"Good boy,"said Ginny, patting his cheek affectionately as she hoisted herself from her kneeling position beside their bed.

She leaned forward to drop a kiss on Harry's lips, pushing him down to rest against the pillows, "Go back to sleep, I'll set an alarm. Victoire doesn't start work for another hour or so."

She moved to get up, but Harry tugged her back down until she lay against his chest, and kissed her soundly, "Now you can go."

He released her, chuckling lightly when she smacked his shoulder, but pulled the duvet up from where it tangled around his waist, back over his shoulders.

"I'll be home by lunch. I love you!"Ginny called back to him on her way down the stairs and to the apparition point beyond the wards.

Harry awoke to the some time later, disoriented and groggy. Sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, which was odd, because he was usually up for work before the sun was high enough in the sky to do that. He fumbled on the bedside table for his glasses, shoving them onto his nose to peer at the muggle alarm clock that still blared loudly beside him.

10:30... what the?

Harry had already jumped out of bed and made it half-way to the adjoining master-bathroom before he realised that was, indeed, off.

His conversation with Ginny came back to him, somewhat muddled, but partially understandable. Getting up wasn't such a bad idea, he did have to be at Teddy's by eleven, when Victoire left for work.

Fifteen minutes later, Harry was washed, dressed, brushed, and eating cereal. He was just washing his bowl out in the sink when Rigel, Lily's beloved barn owl, soared through the open window, and landed neatly in the middle of the table.

"Hullo there,"said Harry, drying his hands off on a tea towel before he stroked Rigel's sleek feathers tenderly.

Lily's bird was rather picky and snobbish in Harry's opinion, but his daughter wouldn't hear a word against the darned animal, not when she'd first seen him in the shop, and definitely not when Harry had brought him home as a tenth birthday present.

Albus and James had teased her relentlessly about the somewhat ugly bird, but Rigel had grown up a bit since then, and was now quite handsome, and if not that, then decidedly ordinary. How could he not be with brown feathers and regular owlish features?

Lily insisted quite vehemently that he was a beautiful and that her brothers were just jealous that their pets weren't as fine as hers.

Albus had taken offense as he considered his little tabby-cat to be a friend and a confidant even now at seventeen. James had shrugged and said that there wasn't much point comparing his owl with hers, 'as they were both birds anyway' as he'd said.

Harry chuckled lightly at the memory, the familiar twinge of sadness he felt when he thought of past times, when all his children were still, in fact, children.

Lily was a fifth year now, Albus was graduating in a couple of months, and James... James had already been out of Hogwarts for two years and was juggling his long-term girlfriend, Patricia Mandy, and his job working the Hogsmeade branch of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes for his uncles.

James had already moved there as well, the empty room in the house was painful at first, but Harry supposed he was becoming accustomed to the 'growing up and moving out' phase that James had gone through.

Though it hurt a bit to step into Albus and Lily's rooms to say goodnight, then turn into to James' only to remember that he wouldn't be there.

Ginny had confessed that she'd cried the first few times. She'd become defensive when Harry had breathed a laugh that he had meant to be wordless agreement, and accused Harry of making fun.

My baby is all grown up!

She'd wailed, before sniffing and swiping in a futile attempt to hide her tears. Harry supposed he wasn't one to talk either, he'd been rather misty eyed himself during the first couple of weeks. But James visited often, as did Teddy, who was missed just as much even if he hadn't been living with them exclusively. His room remained as well, both ready and waiting just in case either wished to stay a night or two.

The house seemed so big and quiet when the children weren't home, but the walls echoed with memories and laughter, and it was a comforting thought that Lily and Albus would be coming home for Christmas break soon.

Harry shook his head to clear it, refocusing on his task when Rigel hooted indignantly, "Alright, alright..."

Harry removed the letter from Rigel's leg, pouring out a bit of cereal for the owl to peck at.

To: Mum

From: Lily

Was written in Lily's dainty, lilting handwriting on the outside of the tightly rolled and tied scroll.

That was odd, Lily usually didn't addressed her letters and if she did they read, To Mum and Dad. Harry tapped the scroll against the palm of his left hand, his brows furrowed as he thought. The chiming of the grandfather clock in the hallway brought him out of his musings, he really should get to Teddy's. Harry dropped the scroll on the table, resolving to ask Ginny what it said later.

He was reading too much into it anyway, Lily had probably only written about girly stuff that she didn't want her father to see. Yeah, that was it.

With one last glance back at the innocent little scroll in the middle of the table, Harry left the kitchen, heading towards the living room to floo to his godson's flat.

"Has Lily what?"

"Written you anything. Do you need your ears cleaned?"

"No. To both. Why does it even matter?"

Teddy passed Harry the cup of tea he'd been making.

"It doesn't."Harry replied shortly, "I was just wondering."

"Don't you think that's a bit weird to wonder?"asked Teddy sitting down in the seat across from Harry. "I mean... If Lily wants to write to me she usually just sends it to you to send to me. Something about making her owl tired..."

Harry snorted, that definitely sounded like his Lily.

"She wrote this morning."

Teddy sipped his tea, closing his eyes briefly as he inhaled the scent of peppermint and lemon, "And?"

Harry took a moment to sip his own tea before he set it back down on the table and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in his chair, "It was addressed to Ginny."

Teddy raised one bright blue eyebrow.

"Only, to Ginny,"clarified Harry.

"Oh...hmm, maybe she just wants to talk about-"Teddy paused, obviously searching for the right word.

"Girl stuff,"supplied Harry, leaning back far enough in his chair to lift the two front legs off the floor, and then lower them again slowly.

"Yeah."conceded Teddy, leaning back in his own chair, "So... what?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know... she's never done it before."

Teddy chuckled, "You're paranoid, Harry. Maybe she has and you just didn't notice."

Harry let the front legs of his chair fall back down onto the tiled floor with a snap, a very loud snap, causing Teddy to leap from his own chair and rush to the nursery down the hall.

He came back at a much more reasonable pace to find Harry laughing quietly to himself.

"That wasn't funny."

Harry laughed harder.

"Shut up!"exclaimed Teddy in a fierce whisper, his hair flushing red, "You know how hard it was to get her to sleep! What'd you go and do that for anyway?"

Harry calmed himself somewhat, though he still wheezed slightly as he breathed, "I set a silencing charm, Ted, honestly. We can hear anything that happens in that room, but she can't hear us."He sipped his tea, eyeing his sullen godson, "It's basic stuff."

"Alright, alright, rub it in. I'm sure you were worse with James,"said Teddy, a bit smugly.

Harry flushed dully, "Ah, I see Ginny saw fit to mention that particular story to you?"

Teddy laughed, "No, but Ron did. Really, Harry,"he mock-chided his godfather.

Harry rolled his eyes, the flush in his cheeks receding, "I can't wait until Amelia is ready for potty-training."

Teddy stopped laughing at Harry's expense, "You won't be terribly angry if I floo at some ungodly hour of the night? I might need some reassurance... make sure I'm not mucking things up."

Although Teddy's tone had been light, Harry sensed the undertones in his words.

"Of course."And then, bracing his elbow on the table and using his hand to prop up his chin, "You know,"he began casually, "Molly and Arthur used to help me out when I started watching you by myself."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Listen, a lot of the anxiety you feel about staying home alone with Amelia is unwarranted, it makes you nervous and unsure of yourself, and it makes her anxious and whiny. If you relax, you'll be fine and she'll fine. It's like instinct, Ted."

"Instinct, right."

Harry leaned further across the table to pat Teddy's shoulder, "You'll be fine, son."

Teddy scratched his nose, his face tinged red, "Thanks, Harry."

"No problem. And you can call at any hour you like."

Teddy nodded.

A wailing cry sounded from down the hall, Harry glanced over at his godson who was already out of his chair, "I think you got this one."

Teddy passed by Harry's chair, inhaling deeply, "Yeah. Yeah I can handle it."


Dear Mum,

How are you and Dad? I know it's been a week since I last wrote, but I have some news for you... I've been putting it off for a month now. I just wanted to tell you myself, before you hear it from someone who shall remain nameless -James- or any other of our busy body family members.

Alright, enough stalling. Scorpius asked me out last month and I said yes.

I hope you haven't heard it from James already, but he caught me and Scorpius... snogging, he caught us snogging, last month. Well, we weren't really snogging, Mum! Just kissing. I guess he heard us laughing or something. What was James doing at Hogwarts anyway?

I hope you aren't too angry I didn't tell you when it first started, but I kept thinking about what Dad would say. You know how he is. He's always scowling at any boy that dares to so much as wave to me in front of him. Can't you talk to him, Mum? I mean, I know he likes Scorpius, well, as Al's friend anyway, but what if he snubs him when he finds out we're dating?

Scorpius thinks he will. I keep telling him Dad's not like that, but Mum, what if he does? Scorpius is already worried about telling his Dad, and you know that Dad and Mr. Malfoy don't get along. What if they decide we can't see each other anymore.

Oh, Mum that just can't happen!

Talk to him, won't you? Oh, please! I'll wash the dishes for a month when I come home!

See, I've gone all whinging and mopey worrying about it.

Love, Lily

Ginny laughed as she read her daughter's letter. Lily and Scorpius. If Harry hadn't seen that one coming he was in dire need of a new pair of glasses.

Speaking of Harry, where was he? Ginny slid her feet from the table top, sitting up straight in her chair, using her hand to cover a wide yawn. She stood, gathering the remnants of her sandwich and crisps and tossing it into the garbage.

She wondered if Harry planned to stay with Teddy the whole day, or just until Teddy felt secure enough to care for Amelia on his own. Personally, she hoped it was the former. The sooner he was home, the sooner she could show him Lily's letter and laugh all over again when his mouth dropped open in shock.

Ginny shook her head as she crossed the thresh-hold of their bedroom, Harry could be so blind sometimes. No matter, thought Ginny, dropping gracelessly into their bed and pulling the sheets up over her shoulders, Harry would be enlightened soon enough.

Ginny blinked as she woke, raising both hands to rub her eyes as she yawned, and rolled over onto her back. Or tried to anyway. A body, pressed up against her side impeded her progress, not to mention the sleep-heavy arm draped over her waist. She craned her neck, shifting until her elbows and forearms were behind her holding up her upper body.

Harry had left his glasses on, again. Ginny sighed as she pulled them off of his face, leaning over him to place them on the bedside table. He was always leaving his glasses on, why, Ginny could never understand. He wore them all the time, you'd think that after all these years he'd remember to take them off.

She snuggled back down into the sheets, turning on her side beneath Harry's arm to face her husband, her nose not an inch from his.

She blew on his upper lip, sliding forward a little to press a kiss to the same spot she had just blown on.

"Mmm-"

Ginny pulled back a bit to make eye contact, only, Harry's eyes were still closed.

"Harry?"she whispered, kissing him again and snuggling closer until her body fit against his.

"Hmm?"

Ginny grinned against his lips, "Are you awake?"she murmured, her breath wafting over his skin.

"Not really..."

Ginny chuckled and pulled away, this time leaning her head on his chest.

"Lily wrote,"she said idly, her finger tips grazing over the soft cotton of his t-shirt and sliding over his shoulders.

"I know... I was here when Reginald came."

Harry's answer was sort of stiff, Ginny stifled a laugh, he'd probably spent the whole day wondering why Lily had written a letter that was strictly addressed to her mother. She decided to draw out Harry's curiosity.

"What's wrong?"

Harry moved to look down at the top of her head, and Ginny felt his lips on her hair, "Nothing,"he breathed in reply.

Ginny smiled against his chest, mischievousness twinkling in her eyes, "Don't you want to know what Lily said?"

She tilted her head back, sliding it along her pillow to do so, Harry's eyes were open now, glittering in the darkened room, he was chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. Perfect.

"It's been a week since she last wrote... she usually writes every two or three days, you know. Very chatty, that girl."

Harry shifted and cleared his throat, "Erm, yeah, what did she say."

Ginny laid her head back on Harry's chest to hide her grin, "Oh, you know, not much."

"Is there any reason in particular as to why she addressed to you, and you only?"

Yes!

"Not reeeaally..."Ginny drew out the word, savoring the tenseness in Harry's shoulders as she trailed her hands over them, the suspense must be killing him.

"Then why..?"

"Oh, pffft, girl stuff, boys and the like,"she replied dismissively, leaning her head back to see Harry's inevitable scowl.

And sure enough, "Boys!"cried Harry indignantly, his brows furrowed and his mouth turned down.

Ginny laughed aloud this time.

"She's fifteen Harry, just as old as I was when we started dating,"she reminded him gently, beginning to think that her daughter's worries weren't entirely unfounded.

"Yeah... Doesn't mean I have to like it. I know all the things I was thinking when I was her age, and I don't want any randy boy thinking them about her,"grumbled Harry, removing his arm from her waist to support himself as he sat up.

Ginny braced herself on one elbow, "Lily's got a level head, Harry,"she told him sternly, "Not a bit like I was as a child, starstruck and elbow-dipping boy crazy. Well, to be fair, I was only like that about you."

Harry slid until he was propped on one elbow as well, "Good."

Ginny rolled her eyes, she pitied poor Rose, what the dear girl had to go through with Ron she just wouldn't know.

"Aren't you going to ask who it is?"she inquired after a moment of silence.

"Who what is?"

Ginny flopped on her back, were all men this clueless, she wondered, or was it just Harry and other Weasley family members.

"Who it is Lily was talking about."

Harry dropped down beside her again, "Wait, she was talking about someone in particular. Like a crush or something?"

Ginny picked her nails idly, "I wouldn't say it was a crush... more like a relationship that's been going on for a month."She flicked one nail from beneath another causing a clicking noise to sound in the silence.

"Rela- a month!"

"Mhm."

Harry sat bolt upright, "Who is it, Ginny?""he demanded sharply. "Is it that Harvey Ferris from Diagon Alley, the one in Ravenclaw?"

Ginny's mouth dropped open, he'd actually remembered the kid's name?

She broke into peals of laughter and every time she tried to calm down she'd catch sight of his face and break down all over again.

"Oh- oh- Harry, you've spent too many years as an Auror, darling."She chuckled and hiccuped her way into soberness, "Just too many. I don't even remember a Harvey Ferry-something-or-other."

"He's that bloke that had his hands on her when we went shopping for school. Earlier this summer."

Ginny gave him a look that clearly stated her opinion, though she voiced it anyway, "Really Harry, he's not a criminal."

"I know that..."mumbled Harry, tracing that patterns in the duvet, "So who is it?"

Ginny narrowed her eyes, "You're not to fly off the handle,"she warned him sternly, fixing him with a pointed look. When Harry did nothing but set his jaw in grim determination she sighed before answering, "Scorpius."

"Malfoy!"

"That is his name, yes."

"She's dating -My Lily- is dating Scorpius, Al's best friend, Malfoy?"

"Don't know his middle name, then?"commented Ginny dryly, settling in just in case Harry's tirade lasted more than five minutes. Best to give him a bit of time to adjust, she mused.

Harry threw his hands up exclaiming most dramatically (in Ginny's opinion), "She's not even old enough to be dating anybody!"

Ginny snorted and reiterated, "She's just the same age as I was when we started dating,"adding, "That was an awfully Ron-at-sixteen thing to say,"for good measure.

Harry crossed his arms over his chest, "Yeah, and he's two years older than her. Two years. That means that not only is he thinking about all the things I was thinking about, but he's probably already done them!"

Ginny's eyebrows shot towards her hairline, "Well I know you didn't do any of those things at seventeen. And just what makes you think he has? For Merlin's sake Harry, it isn't like Scorpius is some stranger! He's been coming over here since, since- since... I can't even bloody remember."

"Yeah well, I don't like the idea of him running his hands all over our Lily. It was fine when he was just Al's friend, him coming over here, I mean. But if they're dating I can't have them both here, can I?"

Ginny shot up, pushed the sheets of her legs and stood, he hands poised on her hips, "And just where was it you stayed when we first started dating again? I don't remember my Dad throwing you out on your arse!"

"This is different!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes it is!"

"How?"

"Because this time I'm the dad!"

"And what am I? Chopped liver?"

Harry grumbled, slumping down on the bed and leaning against the bed post, "They'll have to have chaperons."

Ginny hid a smile, "So did James and Albus."

Harry frowned and crossed his arms over his chest, "I still don't like it."

"I never said you had to."Ginny climbed up on the bed to kneel behind him, carefully kneading the knots in his shoulders, "But Lily does know how to take care of herself,"she reminded him, "And Scorpius is a good boy, you said so yourself."

She stopped her motions to lean over Harry's shoulder and press a kiss to a scratchy cheek, "Wouldn't you rather it be someone we know?"Ginny slid her arms around his shoulders, clasping them together in front of him, her lips curving upwards when he kissed her fingers.

"I guess... Makes it easier to keep tabs on him."

Ginny chuckled, "Better write Lily and let her know she can stop wringing her hands."

Harry sighed deeply, "I suppose..."He turned his head to look at Ginny, "All our children are all grown up. Aren't they?"

A nostalgic little smiled curved around Ginny's mouth, "Yes," agreed Ginny, tilting her head to the side as she reminisced.

"Yes they are."


Dear Tiger-Lily,

Your mum told me about you and Scorpius. Don't worry, I'm not angry. It just takes some getting used to this 'my children are no longer children' thing, but I think I've got the hang of it.

Just try not to hold it against me if -when- I go barmy at one point or another. I still don't much like the idea of you dating anybody, but your mum is quite a force to be reckoned with once she's set her mind on something.

You let Albus know if Scorpius gets pushy. And we'll be discussing a few rules when you come home for the hols.

Your mum sends her love, as do I.

-Love, Dad.


A/N: Maybe I will keep going with this one... Perhaps one more chapter. Check my profile for ways to contact me or receive updates and/or spoilers.

Regards, Marie