A/N: OK, time for an update. BE WARNED: This chapter is more graphic than I have ever written. It's now rated M. If you are uncomfortable with that, feel free to skip that part :) Just a heads up.

It's making me sad how I only get two reviews per chapter :( C'mon guys! Show some love! I'm not going to be the type of author who asks for a specific amount of reviews before the next update, but more reviews would be greatly appreciated. =D

Last Time: Her eyes were staring elsewhere, boring into the two people whose lies and hidden truths were coming back to haunt them and causing a catastrophic outcome for the whole family.

Hermione sat, fidgeting nervously with a loose string on the blanket that covered the couch. She had seen the kids looking at her, staring straight through her charade and right into the truth. Or, at least it seemed that way to the paranoid woman. She let out a breath shakily and focused her attention on James, who was opening a parcel containing a whole box full of prank equipment from Uncle George and Aunt Alicia. It wouldn't have been so bad, only that Uncle Fred and Aunt Angelina had also given him some joke objects. She shuddered to think of how much trouble was awaiting in those packages. And more specifically, how much was going to go down during the rest of the holiday. She was dropped out of her thoughts when someone cleared their throat, much too loudly to be a natural cough. She turned her head the slightest bit and glanced at Harry who met her eyes evenly. His eyes flickered downwards and Hermione followed his gaze. In his hands was a small present, wrapped tastefully in a deep green with a thin red ribbon criss-crossing around it. A red bow sat prettily in the middle. She scanned the room and saw, thankfully, that everyone was preoccupied. She grabbed it swiftly with a small smile that was bigger in her chocolate eyes. Hermione tucked the gift safely in the pocket of her jeans and pulled her shirt over the square shaped lump. Slowly, she reached behind her and extracted a long rectangle package. Harry's eyes widened slightly as he thought about the best way to hide that. He decided to cast a simple shrinking spell on it and he slid it into the pouch in his housecoat. He smirked at her and opened a present, breaking eye contact. Hermione breathing slowed, no longer worried. No one had seen them… except Rose. Rose was staring right at her, a slightly smug look splayed across her freckled face. Shit, Hermione thought, quickly looking away. She reached past Harry, pretending to grab a pillow to prop behind her, but she was really tapping him on his broad shoulder. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She jerked her head towards Rose and then nodded slightly. Harry let out a swear word quietly and scooted a foot away from Hermione. Hermione pushed herself to the end of the brown couch and sent another fleeting look towards her daughter. She eyes were still boring into hers boldly. Hermione sent a silent prayer, hoping that Rose would think nothing of it all, the secret present exchange, the sly glances and the sudden seating arrangement. But she knew her Rose was to smart to overlook it. She had raised her daughter well, and if Rosie had done her homework, she'd know what it meant. And she doubted it would be kept secret.

--

Rose kept her gaze on her mom a little longer before rising slowly and walking into the kitchen, throwing Lily a look before she left. She entered the kitchen and went to the refrigerator and took out the carton of orange juice. She grabbed a glass out of the cupboard. She drank a sip and shuddered. Ew, pulp. A moment later, Lily came in the room. She sat down on a bar stool and looked at her cousin expectantly.

"Lily, the presents that I saw and thought were theirs weren't. I just saw…" Rose quickly and quietly told Lily what she had seen. Lily remained still, processing this new information carefully. Leaning back against the chair, she spoke softly.

"This is… interesting. Very interesting." She said, crossing her arms. Rose nodded eagerly. She had done her job well, even if she didn't actually know what the presents were.

"Do you think there's any way to find out what's in them?"

"Nothing guaranteed. All we can do is hope James's bugging system will pick up the conversation."

They sat in a heavy silence before Rose finished her drink, put the carton away and walked to the doorway. She paused and looked back. "I don't know about you, but I still have a lot of presents so... I'll talk to you tonight?" Lily nodded in confirmation and Rose left. Lily allowed herself a pleased smirk before she went back into the living room. If everything else went according to plan, they'd have their answer by Boxing Day.

--

Ron was peaceful. He wasn't sure what was going on with his family, but he did know today was Christmas, and it was his favourite time of year. Nothing was going to spoil this day; he would make sure of that. He looked around at everyone. They were all smiling and laughing… except Ginny. Ginny had the look of someone who was about to commit murder. Ginny was also making her way over to him. He paled and tried to get up to run, but she beat him. She wrapped her shaking hands around his freckled wrist and tugged him painfully into the kitchen.

"Ow! Bloody hell, Ginny! What\s the matter with you?" Ron yelped, rubbing his wrist. Ginny had dropped it the second they entered the kitchen. Now she rounded on him, arms crossed and face twisted into a scowl.

"What's the matter?! The matter is that you are just going to sit there and not do anything about your wife's affair!" she snarled, stepping close so she could glare up to him.

Ron looked at her confusedly. "Hermione?"

"No, Ron. You're other wife, Cleopatra!"

"But, Hermione wasn't having an affair!" Ron scratched his head. "I would know if she was. I mean, she'd be leaving the house frequently, staying out late, lacking in…" he trailed off. "Bloody hell! She's having an affair!"

Ginny clapped her hands together sarcastically. "Lo and behold, Ronald's not as thick as he seems!" Ron swatted her on the arm.

"Shut up, Ginny!" he sat down slowly on the counter stool. "I just can't believe I didn't realize it sooner."

"De Nile isn't just a river in Egypt."

Ginny sat down next to her brother and patted him kindly on the shoulder. "You see? This is why she wanted the divorce. This is also why she didn't want to get pregnant."

Ron looked at her, amazed. "How did you - ? Never mind, but what I don't get is why you though it necessary to tell me this. We were getting divorced before I knew this, and we're still getting divorced, with partial custody -"

Ginny jumped up and pointed wildly. "There! Right there! That's what you fight with! You fight for sole custody! That's what I'm doing too."

"Why do you want sole custody?" Ron asked. Ginny sighed and sat back down.

"Harry was adulterous too. You can guess who with."

Ron's eyes widened, jumping up he stalked over to the doorway and glared at his wife and best friend. "How could they?" Ginny came up behind him and tugged him back into the kitchen.

"Ron, shush! To make the sole custody thing work, you need to not let on that you know! Trust me, it'll spoil everything." Ron looked at her from the corner of his eye. He let out a shaky breath but nodded. It would ruin everything. But he would ruin them.

--

At around noon, Molly and Arthur joined the celebration, bringing delicious baked goods courtesy of Mrs. Weasley. After they arrived, Christmas lunch began. It was a quieter event this year. The children still chatted loudly to their grandparents about the previous term, friends, scandals and anything they could think of. Mr and Mrs. Weasley listened, smiling and asking questions at appropriate intervals. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, however were silent, picking at their food and only speaking when spoken when spoken to. And even then their answers were short, inexpressive. Somewhere between this morning and the afternoon, the four had come upon a silent agreement to not speak, as it would wreck the day for everyone. Molly knew something was up, but didn't want to speak about it in front of her grandchildren. Of course, Rose and Lily noticed this and exchanged a knowing look. Once everyone was done, they all gathered in the living room where the grandparents gave them their gifts.

The rest of the day passed lazily. The adults spent the rest of the day in side, drinking coffee and talking quietly. Meanwhile, the kids all filed outside bundled up in their winter clothes. Lily stuffed the ends of her jeans in to bottom of her boots and pulled on her thick woollen mittens Grandma had knitted her. Rose was also in the mudroom, wrapping her scarf around her neck numerous times so it wouldn't dangle in the snow.

"Have you noticed the parent's behaviour lately?" Rose whispered, now tucking the scarf ends down her coat and zipping it up. Lily nodded grimly.

"Yeah, my guess is that Uncle Ron and my mom are starting to think something's up too."

"That was my hunch as well."

The front door opened a crack and Hugo's fiery mop stuck through, dripping water from the ends of his hair. "Are you girls coming or what? Chicken?" Lily stuck her tongue out childishly, but nodded.

"Chicken? Ha. You sissy's are going to have your asses handed to you!" Rose snapped teasingly. Once a competition was on, Rose was a fierce and unstoppable trash talker and teammate. Hugo laughed and closed the door, disappearing with a victorious yell. Lily tugged a hat on her head, her curls framing her face. She turned to her cousin.

"Ready to kick some butt?"

"Ready? I was born to embarrass them!" They linked arms and stormed outside into the snowy white afternoon.

--

"Alright, James! You're the last one! If I get you that means the girls win and you idiots have to admit it!" Rose shouted out from behind her and Lily's snow wall, their only means of protection from the hail of snowballs that had been hurled at them for the past hour. Lily was out, the first person in the game, but Rose was obviously still in… and kicking some major boy butt. She had gotten Albus out second, a mere minute after Lily but Hugo was harder to defeat. He was flexible, which helped with the agility needed to doge the snowballs Rose whipped at him ferociously. So

now it was down to the two of them. Rose and James, which was hilarious as they were both serious hotheads when it came to war. Lily was hurriedly making snowball after snowball, trying to keep up with Rose's fast arm. It was also a slightly unfair advantage as James had two helpers making the weapons. But James didn't have the greatest aim so it evened out in the end.

"I won't have to, 'cause we're gonna win!" James retorted, throwing a ball from behind his shelter. Rose grabbed an armful of the cold missiles and stood up bravely. Lily peeked around the walls edge and saw that James had also stood, his strong arms also carrying snowballs. Rose picked one up and threw it up and down in her left hand. She was ambidextrous. James twirled another around through his hands. Rose sighed, feigning surrender. Lily bit her lip. Would her brother take the bait? James grinned broadly and turned to his fellow teammates. Rose winked at Lily and she tried to keep from laughing.

"Ladies, I do believe that you owe us a lovely phrase or t -" the second he turned around to face his opponents, flanked by the other boys, Rose whipped a snowball directly in the centre of James's chest. He didn't even have a chance to breathe before another one smacked him in the head. And another and another until – "Alright! Alright! You win! Dirty rotten cheaters!" he scowled, clearly put out that he had fallen for the overused trick. Lily clambered over the crude snow fort and high-fived her teammate. They glanced over at their defeated opponents, a smug smirk playing on their lips.

"Now, I do believe its you losers who owe us a lovely phrase or two." Rose said, exaggerating her voice just so. The boys shifted angrily from foot to foot in the deep snow. They were soaked and dripping and miserable. Lily didn't sympathize. Rose and she were in the same boat, but they had won. Beside, they'd get over it… after they rubbed it in their faces just a little bit more. "C'mon, boys! Let's hear it, then!"

"Urgh, the male species are idiot monkeys and the girls present here are the most … er, beautiful women ever created. They are our superior models and we bow down to them and bask in their golden glory glow. They are smarter than we could ever hope to become and it is for this reason, and the reason of their peak physical shape, that we lost so horribly." They recited through gritted teeth, looking at the blinding ground.

Lily and Rose were doubled over, gasping with laughter by the time they had finished. The boys were spared reciting the second verse by Mrs. Weasley shouting out from the doorway.

"Alright, that's enough you five! You've been out there long enough! Come in and have a cup of hot chocolate before Grandpa and I go."

The boys were only too happy to get inside and away from the girls. They scurried away from the two without a backwards glance. Lily and Rose, as cold as they were, ambled towards the big house, taking their time. Victory was sweet.

Lily pushed the door open and was greeted by the pleasant sight of dripping snow clothes and the lovely scent of boy sweat. Trying not to breathe through her nose, she gingerly stepped around the soaked garments and wiggled out of her own. She walked into the kitchen where she found the rest of her family seated around the long oak table in the center of the room. They were all sipping steaming mugs of cocoa. Lily noticed how all of the men at the table were trying not to look and Rose and she, though the adult men looked grudgingly impressed.

"We heard that you beat the boys, that right?" Hermione asked, smilingly at the girls. Rose grinned smugly.

?Beat? We destroyed them! Ha, James fell for the fake surrender trick and then I whipped him! It was hilarious!"

James ducked his head further, blushing madly but Lily could see him trying not to laugh. She knew he wouldn't hold a grudge very long. Lily and Rose sat down next to each other and drank the warm liquid, heating their insides. Lily glanced out the window, but only saw blackness. The sun had fallen recently, leaving only a faint glow in the distance. Molly stood up and motioned for her husband to do the same.

"Well, we best be off. It's getting late and I dare say that these youngsters wouldn't mind turning in early, considering how early you lot were up!" she said, moving to the coat rack just outside the door. She and Arthur pulled on their coats and everyone stood up to give them a goodbye hug.

"Are your brothers coming tomorrow?" Molly asked as she hugged Ginny.

"Yeah, they should all be here round noon, and I think Fred, George, Alicia and Angelina are staying the night. Are you guys going to drop by to see everyone?" Ginny replied, pulling back.

"We might, depending if I have to go to work tomorrow." Arthur answered, taking his turn in hugging his daughter. Ginny frowned in confusion.

"But you're on holidays!"

Arthur sighed, "I know, but the Ministry's going through a bit of a rough patch and they need all hands on deck. I wouldn't be surprised if Ron, Harry and Hermione are called in too."

"Oh." Ginny tried not to linger on how she wasn't included in that list. Not that she worked for the Ministry, she was a stay at home mother, but it still made her feel a little bit left out when the Golden Trio started talking about work.

After making sure that the grandparents had hugged everyone, they gave a final wave and disappeared with a pop. Hermione then rounded on the kids.

"OK, you heard your Gramma, up to bed. Tomorrow will be even more hectic and even longer." Surprisingly, the kids didn't argue and said goodnight before running upstairs. They were at the last landing when Albus looked over the edge to make sure they were alone.

"OK, everyone get in their pyjamas; brush your teeth and whatever you do before you go to bed. Then grab any notes you took or anything you have from your assignment this morning and meet me and Rose in our room, got it?" Lily whispered quickly. They all nodded in understanding before breaking away in separate directions. Lily and Rose tiptoed to their room and quickly shimmied out of their damp clothes and into their snugly PJ'S. Hugo popped his head in, eyes shut.

"You guys decent?" he whispered.

"Yeah, it's safe." Lily answered, pulling the door open slowly so it wouldn't creak. Hugo came in, followed by James and Albus. Rose came out of the conjoined bathroom, still brushing her teeth. She waved with her free hand and went back in the bathroom. Once both girls were done in the bathroom, they settled down in the circle the boys had started.

"Alright, everyone toss in your assignment notes etcetera in the middle. We'll look over them together." Rose said, picking up each piece of paper that was tossed in and stacking it in a neat pile.

"Alright, lets see what we've got from… Albus and Hugo." Lily quickly read through their brief notes. "OK, so they said that Mum and Uncle Harry sat right next to each other, with their thighs pressing tightly together. At one point she was pressed right against him as she grabbed a pillow. Albus scribbled a note that said she was actually tapping his shoulder. That's all they have"

"I have something to add to that!" Rose interrupted.

"Go on."

"I saw that too, but before the tapping thing, did anyone else see them exchange a secret gift. Almost everyone saw them give each other a large gift, but my guess is that it doesn't have anything in it. I saw Uncle Harry give Mum a small square gift, and Uncle Harry got a long rectangular box, which he shrunk. They both hid the presents in their clothing. They never opened those presents, so I don't know what's inside them." Rose finished breathlessly. Everyone stared at her as Lily calmly picked up Rose's neat notes and placed them with Albus and Hugo's.

"OK. Great job you three. That's crucial information. Let's see if we can add to it, and possibly get our conclusion. Do you want to listen to James's bug recording or hear my analyzed informa -?"

"JAMES!"

Lily looked slightly taken aback, but reached into the middle and took out the recording tape from her brother. James silently handed her an old muggle cassette player. There was a little clock on the device, reading 10:45pm. She slid the tape and pressed play.

--

Hermione looked out her bedroom window at the perfect starry night. She pulled her housecoat around her, trying to stay a little warmer. Ron was in bed downstairs on the couch, where he had been for the past few nights. She sighed, resting her head against the cool window. It was awful that her marriage was ending, as she did love Ron… but as a brother. On the other had, though, she felt that this divorce was… releasing. She was now free to do what ever she wanted without Ron questioning her about everything. If Hermione played her cards right, this time next year it could be her and Harry, free to be together at last. A sudden movement in the frozen garden caught her attention, dragging her out of her thoughts. It was a tall, dark figure and he was about to send harmless green sparks at her window. She smiled, and threw open the window, letting in a gust of cold air. She shivered and motioned for Harry to come up. She saw his shadow nod and a moment and a pop later, he was behind her. She turned around and was in his arms. Her sigh, muffled by his shirt made Harry grin broadly. He loved just holding her, and he felt as though it had been years since he had done it, even though it had just been yesterday. Hermione turned her face up to his, and then glanced at the clock. It now read 2:36am. Surely everyone was asleep… Keeping her arms locked around her lovers waist, she pulled him to the four poster bed. Harry raised an eyebrow at her dubiously. Was it really wise? He could tell from the burning look in her eyes that she wasn't thinking at all about the consequences. Ginny and Ron were bother very heavy sleepers, and both were downstairs, at the other end of the house…

"What the hell." He murmured in her ear. Brown clashed with green as their eyes met, each pair reflecting what they felt inside. One look into Hermione's chocolate pools and something sparked inside of Harry. A burning fiery need that coursed through every inch of him, every vein and every bone urged to be touched by her. He was alive with a passionate lust that he knew matched Hermione's craving. He couldn't take it anymore. He roughly grabbed her delicate face and pulled her up to kiss her fiercely. Hermione immediately responding, kissing him hungrily. Their mouths clashed heavily, each scrambling to feed their need. Hands flew over their bodies, reacquainting themselves with the familiar curves and dips of each other. He slid his hands up under her nightgown and gripped her thighs. She pressed herself closer to him, pushing herself to keep from whimpering. He brought her thing legs up and around his waist, and she locked her ankles so she wouldn't slip. As the kissing grew even more intense, they fell back against the bedclothes, a tangle of arms and legs. They broke a part, cheeks flushed, breathing heavily. Harry looked down at Hermione lovingly, hoisting himself above her on his arms. Hermione smiled softly. He leaned down and pressed the side of his face next to her cheek so his lips were at her ear.

"I've waited for this a long time." He sighed, his breath tickling Hermione's neck and sending glorious shivers down her spine, tingling her whole body. She struggled to compose her voice, trying to think of something sexy to say back. All she could think of was:

"I know." She reached up, tugging at his shirt, demanding it to be off. Harry chuckled softly and slipped it over his head. Hermione, pleased that things were finally heading this way, shrugged awkwardly out of her housecoat. Harry lifted up, giving her a little room to peel her clingy nightgown off her body. In the three times they had done it, they had never bothered with the whole undressing each other bit. Hermione was now completely naked, squirming expectantly under him. His eyes darkened, his pants becoming tighter. In fact, his pants were the only thing that was separating them. Using her feet, Hermione fiddled with the cotton pyjama pants and after a second, had them laying crumpled on the floor.

"Good thing we both decided to go commando." She whispered, tracing her fingers up and round his chest. Harry let out a soft growl, scooping his arms around her back and pulling her up into the center of the bed. Hermione guided his lips to hers and the lovemaking began, hot, heavy and entirely pleasurable. His mouth was everywhere, kissing her neck, her breasts, and at one point his head ducked below, pushing his moist tongue into her. Hermione whimpered, rocking in ecstasy. She pulled her hands through his hair, clamping his head in place with her thighs. She couldn't take it anymore, and she ripped his head up and grappled him, shoving his mouth onto hers, where she tasted herself on his lips. Harry looked her in the eye, asking her permission to enter. Always the gentlemen, Hermione thought. But tonight she knew he would be anything but gentle. This was just how she loved it. She nodded, kissing him again. He lowered himself onto her, pulled down and then rammed her. Hermione let out a muffled scream, her nails clawing his back as she tried in vain to pull him in closer, to have him filling her up completely. He kissed her hungrily again, forcing himself even deeper. Hermione bucked, raising her hips to help him get inside. She was on the brink of an orgasm; both she and he knew it. The feeling was insane, she lost all thought of anything, only thinking of how much she needed him. Harry pushed one more time and she lost was lost in the incredible, enjoyable feeling that was close to being painful. And then everything slowed down, slower and slower Harry withdrew himself until their breathing slowed. In a minute, he was just lying on her, kissing her slowly and sweetly. He rolled over, bringing her with him so she was on him. He grinned. Hermione laughed slightly, crossing her arms over his chest and resting her chin on them, taking pleasure in the up and down motion his breathing caused.

"Do you remember the first time we did this?" Hermione asked, smiling down at him. Harry placed his hands on her back, tracing light patterns with his fingers.

"Of course I do. It was the best night of my life." He answered simply, kissing her collarbone. Hermione sighed, happy. She closed her eyes.

"Tell it to me."

Thinking for a few minutes on how to start, Harry looked at her, and seeing her eyes closed, obliged.

"It was Christmas night, thirteen years ago. You had just put Rose to sleep and were still angry from a ferocious row with Ron. You called me right after, you were on the brink of tears. You told me to come over as soon as I could. I was really freaked out, you sounded so upset. I apparated into your bedroom, where you threw your arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder for a long time." He smiled suddenly. "You stained my shirt, and I remember you apologizing over and over again. I asked you to tell me what happened. You said that Ron was being an arse, and you told him to get out of the house. Apparently, he had gone out that night and drunk himself into a stupor. He came home wasted and decided to take advantage of you," Harry's hands clenched into fists. "Your screeching woke up baby Rosie. He swore and then stormed back out of the house. The next morning he sent an owl saying he was at him mums. You had stopped crying at that point, and you were telling me about what a great friend I was. And then you kissed me."

"I think it was a mutual happening." Hermione interrupted, opening her eyes and glaring teasingly at him. Harry chuckled and continued.

"Fine, we kissed. And then…we did what we just did now. Except I think it might have been a bit wilder then as it was the first time. We didn't speak of it until three weeks later when you called again. You sounded terrified so I was over in a second. You sat me down in the bathroom, Ron was downstairs feeding Rose. He didn't know I was here."

"And I told you I was pregnant." Hermione said softly. "Pregnant with Lily."

Harry nodded, smiling. "One of the best things that ever happened to us." Hermione sat up, straddling him waist.

"We've done a pretty good job keeping it secret, haven't we?" she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

"A very good job indeed." Harry agreed, his voice tinged with regret. "The only awful thing is that Lily can never know. It would destroy her, us and the whole family."

"I know. One day, maybe. Maybe." Hermione sighed, sliding off him. She went around the bed and grabbed her nightgown, tugging it over her head. He picked up Harry's pants and shirt and tossed it to them. They redressed in silence. Hermione finished first, and sat back down on the bed. Harry pulled the shirt over his head and then walked over to her. He smiled, and kissed her again. They looked at each other a moment, before Harry turned away, went to the window an apparated. Hermione smiled stupidly a moment before reality came crashing down. Reality said that she was still legally married and to bring this publicly would be considered adultery. She sighed. Things had gotten way too complicated. But there wasn't any more time left in the day to think about it. The only thing she could do now was sleep. And sleep she did.

--

A burst of static awoke Lily and Rose with a start.

"Argh, what the hell is that?!" Rose mumbled, sitting up. She glanced at the clock. "Ugh, its 3:00 in the freaking AM!" Lily groaned, and rolled over to turn off the bugged cassette player. As she was about to flip the switch, she heard voices. She paused, hand hovering over the power button.

"Do you remember the first time we did this?" it was Aunt Hermione's voice. Rose had frozen as well. This was the best clue they had gotten so far… and it was proof! Lily hit the record button and popped a blank tape in.

"Of course I do. It was the best night of my life." It was dad's voice that answered. Lily turned down the volume.

"Wait here, I'm going to get the boys!" Rose nodded, suddenly very pale and looked back at the offended device. Lily stepped into her slippers and tiptoed out of the room, leaving the door open a crack. She silently crept down the hall, two doors down and pushed open Hugo's door. She held in a laugh. Hugo was flung across his bed horizontally while James was stretched out on the floor, his feet shoving Albus under the bed. All were sleeping peacefully. She kicked James in the back and he woke with a start. She pressed her finger to her lips to tell him to be quiet.

"Wake the other guys and then meet us in Rose's room. You have to hear this." Lily whispered before departing. She went back to her room and sat on the floor next to Rose. They both started at the cassette player, curiosity and horror burning in their eyes. A moment later the door creaked open loudly. Both girls spun round.

"Shhhh!"

All three boys made a quick gesture with his hands, flashing their palms upwards as they sat in the circle. Lily reached over and turned up the volume. It crackled with feedback for a second before it settled on the room the two were in.

"It was Christmas night, thirteen years ago. You had just put Rose to sleep and were still angry from a ferocious row with Ron. You called me right after, you were on the brink of tears. You told me to come over as soon as I could. I was really freaked out, you sounded so upset. I apparated into your bedroom, where you threw your arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder for a long time. You stained my shirt, and I remember you apologizing over and over again. I asked you to tell me what happened. You said that Ron was being an arse, and you told him to get out of the house. Apparently, he had gone out that night and drunk himself into a stupor. He came home wasted and decided to take advantage of you; your screeching woke up baby Rosie. He swore and then stormed back out of the house. The next morning he sent an owl saying he was at him mums. You had stopped crying at that point, and you were telling me about what a great friend I was. And then you kissed me."

"Oh my God. This has been going on for thirteen years?" James said, shocked. Rose and Lily smacked him from either sides.

"Shush!"

"…might have been a bit wilder then as it was the first time. We didn't speak of it until three weeks later when you called again. You sounded terrified so I was over in a second. You sat me down in the bathroom, Ron was downstairs feeding Rose. He didn't know I was here."

"And I told you I was pregnant."

Everyone turned to Hugo, dumbstruck. Hugo pointed at his hair. It can't be me, he mouthed. They all looked back at the cassette player eagrly. Was there a secret child somewhere? Did the baby die before its time? But the words that came out were nothing that any of them could be prepared for.

"Pregnant with Lily."

Lily was as white a sheet, she froze. Her mouth hung open, and she tried to close it but it just fell open again. Aunt Hermione… was her mum? It wasn't possible… Ginny was her mum. She tore her gaze away from the black machine. She saw that everyone was staring at her, eyes popping out of their heads. Lily felt dizzy. She tried to hang onto consciousness for a little longer.

"The only awful thing is that Lily can never know. It would destroy her, us and the whole family."

Lily lost the fight with her brain, and she slipped silently away from reality.

A/N: BAM!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the word count is… 5,825 words. Longest chapters I have ever written. I really hope you like this! This is one of my favourite chapters :) The only suckish thing is that because I was at my cottage, which has no internet, I was unable to update. :( Forgive me, and REVIEW!