Hugo smiled as he watched Jean rock Rose to sleep. The Ministry of Magic certainly had a generous maternity leave policy, 2 years. But Hermione just could not take that much time off. She had stayed at home for the first 6 months, having only minimal contact with her very able assistant. Now though she was heading back to work, mornings only for two months and then full time.
There had really been now doubt who would watch little Rose, the reason Arthur and Molly had offered the Burrow to Ron, instead of one of their other children, was because Hugo and Jean lived so close.
Devon's relatively mild climate meant that Rose spent a lot of her babyhood outside. The village got used to her wee ginger head peeking out of the baby carrier on Hugo or Jean's back during the week. She went everywhere with her Grandparents, even on the 4 hour trips to London for meetings and shopping.
Ron and Hermione had kept their little flat in Diagon alley. The whole family used it when work or pleasure kept them in London overnight.
Rose was a easy baby, the only caveat was you had to secure a net over her when she was sleeping. It seemed she and Albus Potter were very strong magically, a trait that showed up often when they were happy. They had a tendency to literally 'lighten up'. Amazing how quickly you got used to floating babies!
Hugo shifted the baby to the other shoulder, Rose had tried her best to stay awake, but the murmuring of voices at the meeting had lulled her to sleep. Mrs. Fig had come to the committee with a family in need and a plan of action was being hatched.
WWW's charity was a benevolent dictatorship, with hints of democracy thrown in. George Weasley had, arguably, the biggest heart in all of England, if it were up to him no family would go without. Angie, his wife, saw to the practical side of things, reigning in the spending and, along with Bill Weasley and Hugo saw to the investments that will allow the charity to give for generations.
Bill handled the magical investments and Hugo the muggle, (a partnership that they in fact preformed for the Weasley and Potter families private money as well).
A heated debate was currently being held between George and Harry, Hugo knew he would be called upon to mediate soon as this involved a potential muggle investment.
Harry loved Mrs. Fig, a squib who had, unbeknownst to Harry at the time. Devoted her life to looking out for him and keeping The great Albus Dumbledore informed of his development.
He wanted to fund the solution to her request personally and George felt equally strongly that WWW should be the one to provide the monies.
The debate was, by necessity, a quiet one. WWW's board meetings were, perhaps, the only ones in England that involved so many adults with babies and toddlers in laps or playing under the table.
George had Roxanne cradled in his arms and Harry was standing, swaying trying to quiet a fussy Albus. It was a comical site, especially when George inadvertently emphasized a point , pointing with Roxie's dummy!
It was just the Bill, Hugo, Harry and George at the current meeting, as it concerned funding, the solution to the problem having already been decided in the larger meeting earlier.
Hugo stood and laid Rose next to Dom in one of the ever-present cots then raised his eyebrows toward Bill, they would be a while, but eventually George and Harry would work it out and then Hugo and Bill could get to the financial end of things.
AN - sorry for the cliffet, lol. Woke yesterday with the next chapter partially formed. Was going to do it as a one shot, but decided it would fit nicely in here.