Chapter 10: How Things Ended and Started

June 28, 2029

Mione knew that nothing could put her in a bad mood, not on this day of all days. She ignored duck-faced Esmerelda Pitsmouth on her way back to her room, and after realizing that none of her roommates were there, she pulled off her tie, threw it in the air and jumped up and down on her bed with sheer happiness. Hogwarts was done! No more stupid NEWTS! After a particularly large jump she let herself fall on her back, bouncing slightly a few times before finally settling down. She knew she would miss Hogwarts, but now she was finally free to do what she'd always wanted to do, play Quidditch! From the moment she first got on a broom with her Uncle Ron it was all she'd wanted to do, and now it was finally, finally happening!

She rolled over to her bedside table and took the picture of Scorpius in her hands and rolled again over to her back. "It's done, Scorpius! Now I can move into Forthingsgate and you can come over whenever you want and Mum can't say a word!"

Full of high spirits Mione replaced the picture and then went over to her trunk, rooting around in it until she could find what she was looking for. Ignoring the pile of debris that existed around her trunk, old Puddlemere jerseys, some Wonder Witch products and a few old Daily Prophets, she dashed into the bathroom. When she exited, headed for her father's room, she thought everything was perfect.

Not surprisingly Minnie had beat her to her Dad's room, but she was surprised to see her mum there as well, sitting in the big green chair and petting her father's giant, old grey cat.

"Well, Mione, that's a surprise. Didn't you…" Her Dad looked over to her mum. "Didn't she wear that…"

Melody nodded. "On her first day at Hogwarts. Four pigtails with butterbeer corks."

"I thought it was appropriate." Mione conjured a chair and sat down happily. "First and last days. Full circle."

That seemed to be the signal, as Melody pulled out a handkerchief and began dabbing at her eyes. "I can't believe you two, first HR and Lily make me a grandmother, and now you two are out of Hogwarts…"

"Tell me about it." Hank leaned back in his chair. "I know I'm old, but damn, girls." He pointed to Mione. "You're going off to start with the Wasps in two weeks…" He nodded at Minnie. "…you're leaving tomorrow to interview in Wales, Gin's packing for Italy…at least HR is staying put." Hank turned to Melody. "Face it, love, we're old. I mean, hell, I'm over sixty. Sixty! At least you're still in your forties."

"Barely." She looked over at her daughters. "Now I know we promised you we wouldn't do anything to embarrass you, but we're having some people over tonight. A small party. I know you probably have plans with your friends, but we'd like you to attend, just for a while."

Mione started to open her mouth but her dad cut her off. "Yes, Mione, we've invited the Malfoys, don't worry."

Martha and her parents were the first people to arrive at Colony House for the party. After Mione invited them in she understood why Martha talked constantly, as her parents hardly said anything. Luckily they didn't have to endure the awkwardness very long as the Potters arrived, followed very shortly by George and Angelina. There was a brief lull and then it seemed as if everyone arrived at the same time. Mione couldn't believe the house could hold that many people, even more than her father's Muggle Club parties, but somehow it managed. Her godparents arrived along with almost all of the Weasleys, but the person she was looking for hadn't arrived yet.

Mione was talking to Lily when she saw them arrive, Mr. M pushing Mrs. M's wheelchair. Luckily for Mione her Dad was by the door, so he welcomed them in. As they made their way over Mione was confused; where was Scorpius? She nodded at Mr. M as usual, and gave Mrs. M a hug. "Where's Scorpius? Isn't he with you?"

Astoria shook her head. "He's with Hugo, dear. I'm sorry, but he said that he might be a tad late."

HR and Lily arrived next, without Artie. "He's at Molly and Arthur's." HR smiled. "First time we've been sans-son in a long time."

"Very true." Lily hugged Mione. "Now come on, we need to get a drink. Your brother can fend for himself."

"Hey!" HR pushed his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose. "Stupid Gryffindors. Where's Minnie?"

Mione motioned somewhere towards the garden and she and Lily set off for the makeshift bar her father had setup in his office. Before she could tell Lily what she wanted her sister-in-law was behind the bar, mixing things up. "What are you making?"

"Uncle Bill gave me his recipe for his Specials. Go easy on them; I've heard your mum has a history with this drink, could be genetic."

"Ooooh, I've heard about those. I could use one, though. Can you make it weak?"

Lily snorted. "Not possible. Bill says the weak ones taste awful." After a few more ingredients Lily stirred the drink, poured it in a glass and was about to hand it to Mione when Melody walked in.

"Thank you, Lily." She took the Special and walked out the door.

"MUM! That was mine!" Mione looked over in mock anger towards Lily. "If she keeps that up Dad's going to be pulling shoes out of the ceiling again. Did you ever hear that story? He told me after Grandmum Lane's funeral."

"No, can't say that I have." Lily set about making a pitcher of Specials. "Have you seen Scorpius since the funeral?"

Mione shook her head. "Just a few letters. I need to talk to him, my bracelet has been tingling like mad all day, I think it's broken. Mr. and Mrs. M are here, but they said he was off with Hugo."

Lily stopped stirring for a moment. "Is that a good thing? You know Hugo."

"Oh yeah, I do. I would've guessed he would be with Gin instead of Scorpius, since she's leaving soon for Italy." Mione paused for a moment and watched Lily add ingredients to the pitcher. "Lily, are you sure that you and HR are ok with me living at Forthingsgate? You two have Artie…"

"That's your place now, Mione. HR and I love our house. Besides, HR inherited it along with the shop from Mr. Ollivander. Do you think he'd ever want to sell it?"

Mione laughed. "Hell no. Ok, I just wondered…"

"When are you moving in? You've got two weeks before you start with the Wasps, that's plenty of time. And with all of the family and extended family, there's definitely enough people to help you move."

"Merlin, I don't know. It's not like I have a lot of stuff." Mione took the Special that Lily poured out for her. "I mean, soon, I want to have my own place. Probably should do it before…"

Hugo walked in, smiling broadly. "So here's where they're hiding it. Thanks, Mione, I could use that tonight." He took the Special from Mione, winked at Lily, and walked out of the room.

"Bloody hell! Give me that!" Mione reached over to Lily, took the pitcher out of her hands and poured two drinks. After handing one to Lily she took out her wand and made a series of emphatic gestures at the pitcher. "Anyone else helps themselves to that and they're going to have a rude little awakening."

"Um, Mione?" Lily smirked at her sister-in-law. "If Hugo's here, then wouldn't that mean…"

Mione didn't say a word; instead she turned and went into the other room, looking for Scorpius.

Unfortunately for Mione she didn't make it very far as she was picked up off of her feet by someone. As soon as she heard his voice, though, she knew exactly who it was. "Put me down, Nate! You'll spill my drink!"

He sat her down quickly. "Sorry, Shorty. Couldn't help myself."

"He's horrible, you know that." Her Aunt Lavender gave her a quick hug. "We're so proud of you and your sister."

"Thanks." Mione took a quick sip of her drink and felt as if her brain was trying to leak out of her ears. "Bloody hell!"

Her uncle laughed. "Oh shit, is that what I think it is? Is Bill here?"

Mione shrugged. "Dunno, Lily made it." She paused for a moment. "Bar's in Dad's office."

"Mione!" A waist-high blonde streak hit her full force. "Mione!"

"Hi Claire. Merlin, you're getting tall!" She turned her cousin around and stood back to back with her, the same thing she always did when she saw Claire. "You'll probably be taller than me." After returning to her normal spot she looked down at Claire. "So did you ask them?"

"Yes, and they yelled at each other for a while. Dad said I could go to one of the American schools but Mom wants me to go to Hogwarts." Claire suddenly began giggling. "Is your boyfriend here? Dad said you have a boyfriend now."

"I don't know, Claire." She stopped and laughed. "Yes, I have a boyfriend, but no, I don't know if he's here or not. Want to help me look for him?"

"Sure!" She took a step and stopped. "Who is it?"

"The best looking man, in my opinion. Now help me look for him."

As they made their way through the crowd of people Claire pulled on Mione's hand. "There he is!" After making it past George and Angelina they arrived at the person Claire had picked out. "It's him, right?"

Mione laughed heartily. "No, Claire. Simon, this is my cousin Claire, Nate and Lavender's daughter."

"Hello there." He looked at Mione. "What did she mean?"

Rose walked over and sat down on the sofa next to her husband. "What did what mean, dear?"

"Oh Merlin, I don't know if I should tell you or not…" Mione covered her eyes momentarily. "Claire was trying to find my boyfriend. I told her to find the best looking man here."

"Smart girl, Claire. Very discerning tastes." Simon nodded seriously at Claire. "You're how old?"

"Seven." Claire nodded. "But not for much longer."

"See Rosie, even almost eight-year-olds know I'm the best looking…"

Rosie put her hand over Simon's mouth. "Thanks, Mione. I'm sure I'll be hearing about this for a while."

Everything went dark as hands were placed over Mione's eyes. "Guess who?"

She turned around and hugged Scorpius. "About time you got here. What were you and Hugo doing?"

Scorpius glanced over at Rosie briefly. "Nothing, Mione. Well, I'll tell you later."

Mione took his hand. "Nuh-uh, you're telling me now." She drug him through the room and into the kitchen, where her father said hello to them as he pulled something out of the fridge. After her dad left Mione fixed Scorpius in the eye with what she would have recognized as her mum's famous 'you're telling me' glare. "So, what did you and Hugo do today? Do I need to be worried? Gather attorney fees from my inheritance?"

"This…I…not the place, Mione." Scorpius scratched his head. "I wanted to do it later, but you're obviously not having it. That's how you want it? Fine with me." He reached into his pocket, pulled out something and went down on one knee. "Hermione Boyd, you're the only woman who knows the real me, and even though we haven't been together very long I feel like I know you so well because of the letters. We've had a long time to get to know each other through the letters, and I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you in person. Will you…"

Mione didn't let him finish. She threw herself at him and hugged him tight. "Yes! Of course I will!"

"It's in the back of the fridge, right?" Hugo half-yelled towards the other room as he walked into the kitchen. As he went towards the fridge he saw Mione and Scorpius. "Oh bloody hell, Malfoy, you couldn't wait, could you?"

"I said it's in the back, next to…oh hello, what have we here?" Gin Boyd walked over to Hugo and put her arm around his waist. "Is this what I think it is?"

Mione and Scorpius stood up, and after he presented her the box Mione put on the ring.

"MUM! DAD! CAN YOU COME INTO THE KITCHEN? NOW! OR SOONER!" Gin turned back to her boyfriend. "So that's where you two went off to today. This is going to be good. Should we make popcorn, Hugo?"

"Way to go, Malfoy. Should have known you couldn't follow orders." Hugo shook his head. "We were supposed to…"

Gin turned to her boyfriend. "Huuuuuggggoooooooo…what are you up to? Now."

"Bollocks. Screw it." Hugo pulled a box out of his pocket. "We were going to take you two out to dinner, just the four of us, but somebody had to muck it up."

Mione watched her sister shake her head. Gin put her hand on Hugo's chest. "The big, romantic thing? You know I hate that stuff."

"I know, but Dad said if I was going to do it I needed to do it right, he botched it with Mum, I guess, and she's never let him hear the end of it." Hugo opened the box. "So the hell with all of it. Wanna marry me?"

Gin took out the ring, pretended to bite on it, looked at it for a second and then put it on. "Sure."

Mione watched as her parents walked into the kitchen, her mum concerned. "Gin, what's with all the shouting? This is a party, not a Quidditch match."

Mione looked at her sister and nodded. The two of them held up their left hands together, displaying their rings.

"Holy shit." Hank pushed his glasses to the top of his head. "I definitely need a drink."

Mione sat with Scorpius on the couch, her sister Minnie on the other side of her, while Hugo sat in a big chair with Gin on his lap. Nate leaned down next to Minnie.

"So let's see…your brother runs off and gets married right after finishing Hogwarts, you just got engaged, Gin did it at the right time, just a little after she'd left school…got any news to tell us?"

"Leave her alone." Lavender smacked him on the back of his head. "I just got you to stop looking like a frog; you don't want something else to happen, do you?"

"A frog?" Minnie looked over to her Aunt Lavender. "Come again?"

Nate rolled his eyes. "I helped myself to the pitcher of Bill's Specials in there and after one drink I turned green, bright green. Someone obviously did some magic on the pitcher."

"Sorry." Mione grinned next to Scorpius. "It would have faded in a day or so."

When the "old folks" as Hugo called them walked in and sat down in various parts of the sitting room Mione knew that it was going to be interesting. Before she could say a word her godmother gave her one of those special smiles, the sly one that Mione knew from being over at her house all those years meant that she was very happy and was right about something. Her godfather Ron, though, looked as if he'd just been hit upside the head with a Bludger. Her parents, oddly enough, were very, very calm, and that worried her. Usually her mum was not quiet, and it was her father who was the one who sat and listened; this time, however, it was the opposite.

"Girls, please do me a favor and either do a double wedding or space it out, ok? I don't think I can…"

"Don't worry, Dad." Gin glanced at Hugo, and he nodded in agreement. "I'm still going to Italy, so it's going to be a while for me an' Hugo."

Mione saw Mr. and Mrs. M come into the room, and she could tell that Astoria Malfoy was positively beaming. Even Mr. M, who was usually so reserved, was obviously happy.

"Mione, Scorpius? Don't feel like you have to set a date right away…" Hank took off his glasses and looked over to Melody. "…but keep us in the loop, ok?"

"June. Next June." Mione looked over to Scorpius. "Is that ok?"

"Whatever you want, love."

"Oh shit, don't tell her that." HR leaned against the wall, and Lily elbowed him. "Well it's true, Lils. She's a right pain in the arse, especially if she doesn't get her way."

George walked in, green as a green could be, and held up an empty pitcher. "I think we need more of these, and can someone change me back, please? Doesn't really go with my hair."

Later that night, after almost everyone had left Colony House, Mione and Scorpius sat outside in the garden. They were silent for quite some time until Mione tuned abruptly towards her brand-new fiancée.

"So how do you think they're taking it? Really?"

Scorpius rubbed a finger along his eyebrow for a while. "My parents are completely happy, of course. When Dad found out we were dating he sent me a letter basically telling me not to muck it up. They love you, obviously, especially Mum. I think your dad's happy, but Hugo and Gin threw him for a loop, doing it at the same time. Now, your Mum? I'm not so sure. If my name was Weasley or Jones or something I don't think she'd be as ambivalent about things, but…"

"Don't worry about Mum. She'll be fine. And if she's not I really don't care."

"That's not true and you know it."

Mione sighed. "Well…she'll get used to it. Since Grandmum died she's been different, not as shouty. Give her time."

Scorpius nodded and was silent for quite a while. Suddenly he laughed and looked over to Mione. "Your Hogwarts friend, Martha, is that her name? Is she always like that? I swear I've never heard anyone talk so much."

"Yeah, she's always like that. You learn how to tune it out or only listen to a few words, and she doesn't get upset if you're not really listening."

"I need to talk to you about something else, Mione. About my job."

"Yes? What about it?"

Scorpius' foot began tapping rapidly. "Um, well, you know I'm back on at International Relations, obviously, but they're promoting me up next week."

"That's wonderful!" Mione took his hand. "Just think, you're getting a promotion and I'm staring with the Wasps! And I have Grandmum's house now, its closer to London than the Manor, so…"

"No, that's not it, Mione. I'm not moving into your Grandmum's house…"

"Forthingsgate."

Scorpius nodded. "Right, Forthingsgate. I'm not moving in there until we get married, wouldn't be proper. Mione, I'm going to be travelling for work very soon."

"How soon?" Mione gave him a very direct look. "Scorpius?"

"Next week. Peru. For about two weeks, maybe a little longer. Hopefully we can wrap up the trade treaty early, depends on their…"

"It's always going to be like this, isn't it?" Mione sighed. "I'm going to be with the Wasps, hopefully, and you'll be going all over the bloody globe."

"It could be, Mione. I'm getting my foot in the door, out there with the real stuff instead of just pushing paper like before the war." He looked over his shoulder as the sound of the back door opened and closed. "What's your Dad doing?"

"Well, first of all he's smoking, that can't be good. Looks like he's taking his little back car out for a drive." The two of them watched as Hank left Colony House, headlights illuminating the dark Stintborough night. "Mum must need something. I swear he always goes and gets things for her, I think she takes advantage of him."

"No, I think he does it for her because he wants to. I understand that." Scorpius leaned down and kissed Mione. When they broke apart he smiled. "I think I really understand that, now."

After all the excitement of the previous night Mione, unfortunately, woke up early. She went into the kitchen, angry at herself, as she could sleep in as late as she wanted, today of all days, and she woke up as if she had to go to class. After pouring a glass of pumpkin juice she sat down at the table and opened up The Daily Prophet. If the paper was here, and had been read, then who was up?

Her answer came quickly, as her father walked into the kitchen from the back door, looking quite disheveled. "Oh, Mione, didn't expect you up so early today. Figured we'd have to blast you out of bed for lunch."

"Tell me about it." She watched her father make a cup of coffee. "Coffee? You don't drink coffee very often, usually tea. Why today?"

"Long night. Come on out to the garden with me."

Mione picked up the paper and her juice. She knew that it was going to be one of 'those' conversations, but at least it was with her dad. They sat down in the chairs underneath the umbrella, ignoring the slight misting rain that was falling.

"So, not wasting any time, huh?" Hank took a sip of coffee. "June?"

"It's a whole year away, Dad." Mione flipped open the paper and scanned the front page. After realizing that there wasn't anything interesting on that section of the paper, she knew her father was doing his usual waiting game. "Made a list yet?"

"What?" Hank reached into his dressing gown and brought out a pack of cigarettes. After fishing one out of the package he motioned to Mione. After she shrugged, indicating that she didn't have her wand with her, he started grumbling. Finally he found a crumpled up book of matches and finally produced enough flame to light his cigarette on the fourth match. "Made a list…yes, I have. At least you're waiting until I'm finished with Hogwarts for the year. Most of it, anyway."

"Sorry, Dad, but I didn't even think of that." She made an irritated face at him. "Does Mum know you're smoking?"

He laughed sarcastically. "Oh yeah, she sent me down to the village to get some last night. Tried to smoke one, even. That didn't go so well. You'd better let her sleep today, and if you know how to make one of those hangover potions you should probably have a few ready."

"Mum? Smoking? Wow. I don't know how to make hangover ones, I'll owl Lily; she's the best at potions." Mione watched him exhale a large amount of smoke. "So what's on your list?"

"Well, let's see. I'm over sixty, I have a grandchild, you and your sister both got engaged last night in the kitchen, you're moving out of the house and into Forthingsgate and starting with the Wasps soon, Gin quit her job at Witch Weekly and is going to Italy for a year to study painting, Minnie is currently on her way to Wales for a job interview, and Harry reminded me that Albus is still wandering around in his wilderness days phase with only occasional letters saying he's alive. Oh yes, and now besides the Potters I'll have Ron and Hermione as well as Draco and Astoria as in-laws. If only Rosie could have given me a clue…"

"It doesn't work like that and you know it, Dad. Besides, she wouldn't have seen anything about Hugo an' Gin. She can't see stuff about her family. Well, not her family family, you know what I mean."

"Right." He looked over to her and Mione could see the concern on his face. "So you're sure about this? Hermione Malfoy?"

"Not at first, Dad. I want to have Boyd on the back of my Quidditch jersey for a while." She smiled at him. "But eventually, yes, it'll be Malfoy on the back of my jersey."

Hank looked around rapidly at nothing, and then took another long drag off of his cigarette. "You know your Mum worked for the Harpies when Ginny Potter was pregnant with James. They have stuff in the contracts…"

"DAD!" Mione hit him slightly with the paper. "Do you think I'm going to give up Quidditch to have a lot of babies? Merlin, we just got engaged! I'm seventeen!"

"I know, Mione, but things happen. Trust me, I know. Your brother and Lily weren't planning on having Artie right away, and look what happened. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade Artie for the world, but if you're going to play Quidditch you might have to delay things for a while."

Mione let her head fall to the table with a muffled thump. "I can't believe you're talking about this right now."

"Your mom brought it up last night. Don't get me wrong, Mione, I like Scorpius, always have. It's just that…well, you know the Malfoy family history probably better than most of the Malfoys with the exception of Astoria. I know about your conversation in Ron's office, of course. I think you know what to expect from some people, but I also know you well enough to know that you don't really care what other people think. Am I right? Don't answer that, I know you don't. Your mom, though, it's going to take a while for her to get used to the fact that she's related by marriage to Draco Malfoy."

Mione lifted her head off of the table and sat back in the chair, letting the misting rain fall on her. "Once she gets to know them like I do she'll be fine with it. You and Mr. M get along great, right? Didn't you do some stuff together before HR was born?"

"Mmmm…you could say that. Since I wasn't here for all of, well, the whole war with Voldemort, I get along better with Draco than most people. I know why he and Astoria spent so much time over in New Orleans. Speaking of that, I have a suggestion for you. I know you don't have to report in to the Wasps for a while, so why don't you and your sisters go over and visit your grandparents in Florida? I know they'd love to see you, especially since y'all have big news now." He hesitated for a moment. "Maybe you could take Scorpius and Gin could take Hugo. I don't think your brother will take time off from his shop, and Lily said something about a restaurant the other day. Know what that's about?"

Mione shook her head. "Scorpius can't go, Dad. He's going to Peru next week for work. His stupid boss is making him go for two whole weeks, maybe longer."

"Might have to talk to his boss, then, see if he can't come later."

"Dad, what can you do? You don't work at the Ministry."

Hank rubbed his cigarette on the damp grass and put the spent part on the table. "No, I don't work at the Ministry, but I believe his boss owes me a favor or two. Maybe more. I'll send him an owl."

Mione shook her head again. "Won't work, Dad. Scorpius said Mr. Sawgrass is a really tough boss."

"True, but he's one of my former students, among other things. I think he'll understand."

"Hank? Anybody home?" Hermione's head poked out the back door. "Sorry, came by Floo and nobody answered inside." She walked over and sat next to Mione. "I can't believe it, you and Gin. You're so grown up now, Mione." She looked over to Hank. "I found three grey hairs today. Three!"

Mione watched her father laugh and point to his mostly bald head. "At least you've got hair."

"Leeky, did I miss anything?" Mione stood back and looked at the Christmas decorations that wound around the living room. Garlands hung across the fireplace mantle, and the huge tree stood in the corner of the room, lit by small, twinkling red and gold fairy lights.

"Only the Christmas pictures, Mistress." Leeky waddled over to her with a stack of picture frames in her arms, depositing them softly on to the sofa. "Mistress Lane always put these up last, she did."

Mione picked up the first picture and saw herself throw a snowball at HR, knocking his glasses off. As he chased her out of the picture frame her mum came into view and tried to restore order. The other pictures were a succession of her and her siblings, growing older and in HR's case definitely getting taller, and soon Lily joined the pictures then finally Artie. When she got to the last two pictures, though, she sat down on the sofa.

"Leeky, do you remember when these were taken?"

The house-elf nodded her large head, causing her ears to wobble. "Oh yes, yes Leeky does. That one was Boxing Day, Mistress Gwennie brought over Professor Muggle. Bad end, Mistress Lane and Mistress Gwennie had a row." When Leeky saw the last picture, though, she started crying. After blowing her nose on her Wimbourne Wasps shirt she looked up at Mione. "Mistress Lane and Master Hieronymus. So happy." Leeky blew her nose on her shirt again as she headed back towards the kitchen.

"Mione are you sure it's ok that I'm here for the party because I'm not really family and my parents said I could join them in Spain but I really don't like Spain because its kind of weird and the last time I was over there I had too much Sangria and chucked it all up and I don't want to do that again on Christmas but if you want I can leave for a while, maybe Gilbert and I could come by later or I could just spend it with Gilbert and his parents though I don't think his mum likes me very much but his dad nods a lot and laughs so I think…"

"Merlin, Martha, its fine! You're my roommate, and you live here, why shouldn't you be here for Christmas?"

The Floo was heard from the other room, causing the conversation to cease. Shortly thereafter Minnie came into the room and hugged her sister.

"It looks wonderful, Mione. You did a great job."

"Not me, Minnie, Leeky. I just helped."

"I'm going to go help Leeky in the kitchen because everyone will be here soon and there's a lot of food because everybody's coming and…"

"Thanks, Martha!" Mione took Minnie by the hand and drug her over to the sofa. "Look at this, can you believe it?"

"Is that Grandmum and…"

"Yes, it is. Grandpa Hieronymus. Look how young they are…ok, enough about that, tell me all about Pryderi."

Minnie leaned back on the sofa. "Not much that I haven't told you in my letters. Still the same, the History of Magic professor decided to stay on a few more years so I'm stuck teaching Muggle Studies and working in the library. You know how we always used to make fun of Madame Pince? Trust me, that woman is a saint. Enough about that, what about you? The papers even over in Wales are talking about you. I saw the match against the Cannons on WeasleyVision at a pub, you were great."

"Yeah, Aunt Hermione's letter said Simon wasn't very happy, but if you can believe it Uncle Ron didn't sulk like he usually does after a Cannons loss. Next up's Puddlemere, though. You know James and that lot is going to be hard to beat."

"So where's Scorpius? Is he here yet?"

Mione shook her head. "No, he's in Moscow, but he's supposed to be home today or tomorrow. I had tea with his boss' wife the other day. It was so weird, Franny Sawgrass is always quiet at the things I've been to with Scorpius when the spouses are there, but when it was just us two she couldn't stop talking. Not Martha-level, of course. Did you know Dad and Mr. M helped them out when they were at Hogwarts? They even got engaged at school. Remember that picture in Dad's office, the one in the corner, by his raven?"

Minnie racked her brain for a moment. "Yeah, the one where people are out in a garden, the wedding picture? The one where we never could figure out who it was? No!"

Mione nodded. "That's the garden at Colony House. Scorpius' boss got married in our back garden. Weird, huh?

"Our whole family is weird, Mione, think about it." Minnie laughed. "There's never been a family like ours, has there?"

"Well, HR's weird, we all know that. Do you think he and Dad will wear kilts to the wedding? I haven't talked to Mum about that yet."

"Speaking of which, have you decided where? You could do it at Colony House, in the garden. That would freak out Scorpius' boss."

"Definitely not at Malfoy Manor. Even Mr. and Mrs. M agreed with me on that one."

"You don't pretend to work there anymore, Mione, you can call them by their names. They're going to be your in-laws, you know."

"They'll always be Mr. and Mrs. M to me." Mione looked around the room and her eyes fell on the pictures. "Why not here? I've definitely got the room. Hold on a sec." She looked towards the door. "Leeky, can you come here for a moment?"

Leeky came into the room. "Ah, Mistress Minerva, so good to see you again, it is."

"It's good to see you too, Leeky. I really like your shirt." Minnie winked at Mione.

"Leeky, can you tell me where my grandparents were married?" Mione leaned over and picked up the picture of Grandmum Lane and Grandpa Hieronymus. "Can you tell me about this picture?"

"That is in the back parlor, the day after they were married. Master Hieronymus even gave me a small present for helping. A small present."

"But where were they married, Leeky?" Mione glanced over at her sister, eyebrow raised.

Minnie's eyes lit up. "No way."

"They were married here at Forthingsgate, Mistress." Leeky bobbed her head for a moment. "Leeky has to finish cooking she does. Does my mistress need anything?"

"No Leeky, thank you." Mione took the picture and handed it to Minnie. "I think I know exactly where I'm getting married. Here, right here."