Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!

Quick note to everyone. I'd like to say thanks for coming back to my story. I've been getting some mixed reviews and I know that I promised a couple of chapters ago that the Harry/Ginny conversation was coming… I'm letting you know that I'm writing it for the next chapter, so things will begin to be answered shortly. I'd also like to say that I haven't ever mentioned rape in my story. A lot of you are jumping to conclusions about Ginny's attack… please don't. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 11.

Mia

It's the first game of the season… my first proper game. My gut's in knots. Staring at your breakfast for the better part of an hour will do that to you. I just can't stomach it this morning. I don't care what James' says, I'm only gonna hurl it up on the field if I eat it now. Pushing the eggs away from me I stand from the table. It feels as if fifty heads turn at once to stare… and I know what they're all thinking. I did not get on the team just because I'm a Potter. I'm on the team because I deserve it! I know it, and in an hours time so will they!

"Hey Potter! Reckon it's about time you let someone that's not related to you on the team?" Malfoy's voice calls out from across the Great Hall. Dating Lilly sure hasn't brightened his mood this morning.

Usually James would ignore him but this morning has him on edge… we all know why… Daddy's coming to the game. "But Malfoy, if I did that I wouldn't have the satisfaction of watching my twelve year old sister kick your arse now would I?"

Malfoy smirks at me before I can make my way from the table. "Mia where are you going? We start in an hour." James questions.

"I've gotta get some air. I need to be on the pitch for a bit by myself."

He just nods his head and gives me the look pretty much reserved for me. Something's not right in my gut and he can tell. He can tell because he can feel it too. He can feel how messed up everything is. I'm so tired of everyone and their worried looks. I want them to just leave me alone. All I ever want to be these days is alone… alone on the pitch, away from where anyone can touch me… where I'm unbeatable… indestructible… up there no one can hurt me and at the moment that's all I want.

My kit bag is heavy on my shoulder and the day is going to be a cold one. I should have worn a jumper under my robes… but I never remember and if no one reminds me… well… I just don't ever remember. I can see people mulling around outside the stands already. Last year, watching James, Lilly and Ant, I knew that I was going to be up there one day. And now that's today and I'm freaking out! I'm almost at the change room when someone grabs my arm. It startles me right out of my skin and I jump about a foot in the air.

"Amelia!" His voice is so familiar my stomach flips. I know I'm supposed to be mad… I am mad… but I miss my Dad! "Mia honey…"

Then I'm throwing myself into his chest and I can feel the tears streaming down my cheeks. "Daddy…" I'm hiccupping and he's pretty much keeping me standing upright.

"Hey now… come on. Let's get you to the locker room and have a chat." Daddy's always been able to do that… calm everything. I used to think it was magic but now I recognise it as the tone. The change rooms are lit up in preparation for the team's arrival. "Come sit down and tell me what's going on."

"I don't want to." I've recovered my wits and have remembered my anger.

"You nervous about the game?" I just nod in response. "You angry with me?"

What do I say to that? I nod again. He's sighs really loudly. "Well kiddo you're allowed to be… but not today. Today you've got to get that head of yours in the game… this game that you're so damn good at! Better than me! Better than your Mum… better than most."

"It's hard to forget. It's hard until I'm flying… and when I'm flying I don't ever want to stop. I don't want to come down and be angry." His eyes are sad. "What can you say to me that's going to make that stop? I've realised that there's nothing you can say… only something you can do."

"Mia…"

I stand to go to my locker, my back and neck straight up, head held high. "You should go now. I'm gonna get my gear on. I'll see you after the game."

He kisses me on the forehead before turning to leave. "Good luck Kiddo."

"You know I don't need it… I want to win… so we will!"

Then he's gone and my head's in the damn game!

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Ginny

"Ron! Hermione!" I call out over the throng of people in front of me. I'm supposed to be meeting Oliver but it's just after noon and he has yet to arrive. Standing in the chilling wind isn't the greatest. I pull my coat tighter and jog over to where they are standing near the locker room entrance.

"Gin!" Ron is quick to hug me and I find that it isn't too bad at all. The same goes for Hermione's tight embrace.

"You look gorgeous Ginny." Hermione… always with the sweet words.

"Yeah yeah." I try to laugh it off. I'm wearing my long emerald green coat and a new pair of black jeans. My leather boots are comfy and I've got a silk scarf tied around my short locks. I feel so much like the old me it's surreal.

"No Ginny, Mi's spot on. You look bloody tops! Here I was expecting-" Ron's words are cut off by a sharp jab to the ribs by his wife.

I'm sure there's a smirk plastered right across my face. My brother always seems to be putting his foot in it. "So where are the kids?"

Hermione's face perks right up. "Oh, with my parents for a couple of days. Ron and I have had some much needed alone time."

"HERMIONE!" Ron's as red as a tomato.

I'm laughing heartily now. "Ron I've given birth to four children. You've got two of your own. Don't you think it's about time we stopped pretending we don't know what sex is?"

Trust Oliver to arrive at that exact moment. "What's all this talk about sex?" Now I'm as red as a tomato. He gives me a gentle kiss on the cheek and I stiffen… surprisingly though I relax pretty quickly and give him a quick hug to say hello.

Both Ron and Hermione are staring at us aghast. "H-hello Oliver." Hermione stutters.

"Wood." Ron coughs.

"Hey guys!" As usual Wood is all charm and grace. The two of them are obviously completely thrown by my ability to let Wood touch me, let alone hug him voluntarily.

Then there's another voice from the locker room entrance behind me. "Yes… Hello Wood!" Shit!

I know if I turn around he'll be there. It's been so long… so long since I've seen him in the flesh. I turn… and he looks just as I remember.

"Hello Harry." Oliver is quick to shake Harry's hand before returning to my side. Harry takes it without removing his eyes from mine. He looks both shocked and livid. I can see how it would look to him… and I don't give a toss! This is what you bloody well deserve Harry Potter! This is the bed that you made. Now fucking sleep in it!

"Come together did you?" His voice is directed at the four of us.

Ron of course is quickly on the defense. "No mate. We ran into them here."… and Merlin does it make me mad!

"Stop it Ron! So what if we did come together? What business would it be of yours? They're my friends too. He's my bloody brother!" I'm almost yelling. I can feel people beginning to turn.

Harry's face is bright red. "Come with my wife did you Wood?" How dare he! Oliver looks to me, unsure if he should reply or not. I can feel my chest beginning to heave.

"Ginny…" Hermione's voice is soft. "Let's go sit."

"No I damn well won't go sit. I came with Oliver. Harry, I came with Wood. We're going to sit together. And if I want to sit with my brother and best friend I'm going to and there's nothing you can do to fucking stop me!"

His face blanches at my language. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me!" I turn my back on him as much as I can and grab Wood's hand. I try as hard as I can, not to flinch… and surprisingly I don't. Walking towards the stands I hear one last thing… it makes my stomach fall clear to my toes. "… so you can touch him…?" But you couldn't touch me? That's what he's saying.

"We're almost up a whole flight of stairs before Oliver breaks the silence. "You all right there Weasley?"

Then I crack and the tears come streaming down my cheeks. "No. Not really Oliver." I sob for a full five minutes… right up until voices reach us from below.

"Here." He hands me a bunch of tissues from his pocket. "Let's go watch your kids win. Quidditch solves everything remember?" He's smiling and I can't help but give him a watery smile back and a quick nod. I feel like a complete imbecile. What happened to the mantra?

I have to pull my coat tighter around me as the cold air whips around us up in the stands. I watch as my children come marching out of the change rooms… the crowd is going crazy. Instantly I'm thrown back to my own time on the Gryffindor team. Merlin do I miss it! My heart gives a little lurch as Mia comes bounding out… all pigtails and nerves. Antonia of course is all arrogance, Lilly looks as if she's bored… and of course James looks completely fierce… my children's inner characters are always more obvious before a match.

It's a good game… a great game actually. Oliver and I are up cheering and yelling most of the time. My voice is hoarse by the time James catches the snitch… and what a catch it was!

"Mia scored five goals Weasley, and set up another three! Yet another brilliant addition to the team!" Oliver is beaming next to me. He always did love Hogwarts quidditch. For him it's where it all began. Or rather, it's where it began for all of us… and for some us it wasn't just the quidditch. The years are flashing in front me, memories that appear out of nowhere. I can still remember the first time I actually spoke to Harry, the first time he touched me… I knew I'd be his from the moment I laid eyes on him. I never imagined there would come a time when he wouldn't be mine… but there was… is.

"She is wonderful. In all honesty Wood, she's probably the best player in the family. We knew it from the first time we caught her sneaking Ant's broom from the shed." I laugh, remembering Harry's expression as he watched our four-year-old zooming around four storeys above us at five in the morning. If only I'd had a camera. He couldn't decide if he was more scared, or in awe of her. It was priceless!

The crowds are moving and I'm looking forward to seeing my children. "Shall we go down? They should have changed by now." I ask beginning to walk towards the staircase.

"By all means lead the way. I'd love to see them again, and I'm pretty sure I saw Simon from The Harpies on the fifth stand so I should say hi."

There have to be a hundred people or so in front of me but I'd know my eldest daughter's voice amongst a thousand. "Mum! Over here!"

She's running towards me, her long red hair whipping about her face. It's so much more strawberry than mine. She is a beauty. "Lilly" I engulf her in a hug.

"Did you get my owl? About Scorpius? About the two of us?" Her eyes have gone wide and I can see the expectation written there.

"Yes sweetheart I did. And you know that as long as you're happy so am I… you are happy?"

Relief is evident in her voice. "Oh Merlin yes." She hesitates slightly. "He's different with me than he is with others. We're in love. I love him."

Lilly my innocent young daughter… If he hurts you I'll rip his throat out through his eye socket!

"That's all anyone can ever ask dearest." I whisper into her hair, as I pull her in for another hug. It's only then that she notices Oliver, her cheeks flushing as she no doubt realises that she's just discussed her love life in front of the most eligible bachelor in the world of quiddich!

"Oliver Wood! Wow I haven't seen you in a few… what's the latest?" They begin to chat over The Cannons' most recent recruit, but my eyes are drawn to three people traipsing over.

"Mummy!" Mia screams, beginning to run towards me. I catch her just as she flings herself into my chest. "Did you see how great I was? Did you? I scored FIVE goals! My first game!"

"Yeah yeah but you still caught that bludger in the leg!" James chastises from my right.

I lift my arm and he gracefully steps into my embrace. "Hello my only son. Might I say that you made a brilliant catch? Almost as fabulous as those five goals." They both squeeze me a little harder. Antonia. I can see her standing a couple of feet in front of me. Why haven't you closed the distance my stubborn daughter. Letting go of Mia and James I take two steps forward and pull her into my arms. All I can see is the top of her dark red hair, as her face buries itself in my shoulder. By the time she pulls back her eyes are a little less red.

"You look great Mum. Your hair looks wonderful." She says, albeit softly.

"Thank you sweetheart." I run my hand down her cheek. "You had an attack. You didn't write to me about it. I had to hear it from Lilly."

She shifts out of my grasp. "It was nothing. I was mad… it happens. You know that these days I just want to pretend like they don't exist."

I'm your mother Antonia Potter and I want to know when you're hurt! "I can understand that. I can… but in the future please write to let me know. It may be your body, but I still created you… made you from scratch. So next time, six weeks, months or years from now, I want to know! Got it?" My tone is firmer and I can see the surprise in her eyes. I haven't chastised my children in a long time.

"Yes Mum." I feel myself relax.

"Are you coming up to The Great Hall for a while? Do you have time?" James asks, throwing Mia up onto his shoulders.

How do I broach this topic? "Of course I have time. All the time in the world for you four… but perhaps you should go and talk a little with your father. I know he's here and would love to see you all.

James' face hardens immediately. "Count me out. Mia shall I put you down so that you can go?"

Her eyes lock with mine and I give her a wink. I can see the desperation to see him all over her face. "Yes James, please." Once on the ground she turns to the other three. "Aren't any of you coming with me?" It's a small voice but it does hold some authority with her siblings. The tension is fizzing between them. Please speak to him.

"Yes Mia I'm coming with you." Lilly takes her hand and kisses my cheek. "We'll see you up in The Great Hall Mum… we'll be quick. Bye Oliver. It was great seeing you again."

"You too LIl! Actually Ginny I'm going to find Simon, so I'll get going and you can go hang with your brood."

"Oh of course. Thank you for today… for everything… and earlier. Let's have lunch again soon okay?"

"Definitely. Great game you lot. You make me wish I was back on this pitch!" And then he's gone… disappeared into the ground.

James' mouth is a thin line, obviously still smarting from Lilly's decision. "I can't believe they can speak to him?" Ant mutters to James under her breath.

"Just let it go Ant! Not now." He states throwing a glance my way.

"He's your father… that's not going to change… you can choose not to talk to him if you like, but do not criticise your sisters for doing so." I say as we make our way up to the castle.

"Mum after everything he put you through… after what we've had to go through, you've got to understand that our anger isn't going to fade overnight?"

"Of course not James. Each of you is different and has a different relationship with your father and therefore will take different amounts of time to understand what's happening and how to move forward. You can't blame Lil and Mia for wanting to see him."

Antonia is silent as James continues. "We understand what happened Mum. He pretty much told us and frankly I don't ever want to speak to the basta- to him again!"

I sigh running my hair throughway hair. "Alright James, just leave it for now then." I can't help but feel the hole in my chest stretching and we continue on towards the castle. My children shouldn't have to go without their dad… Look what he's brought upon them!

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Lilly

His face is just as it was those few weeks ago when he was here last. No don't think about that. "Did you see the goals? We won! Did you see the side flip I made in the second half? Did you… " and on it goes, Mia questioning almost every move she made. They were fantastic moves. I spend half of practice wishing I was as good on a broom as she is.

Our Dad nods his head and offers pointers on this move and that save. It feels so much like old times… before last year. We'd play for hours out in the yard and then we'd spend hours debriefing over which play was better and why. Dad was never too busy to have a game with us… talk to us. Then it all changed, and it was just us that played… and we didn't debrief anymore.

All of a sudden I notice the silence. Mia's stopped speaking and both her and Dad are looking at me. "Lilly?" He's lets me come to him, hugging me tightly when I step into his arms. "I've missed you sweetheart."

There's awkwardness when I step backwards out of his grasp. "Yes I know I haven't written. I just… I didn't… I didn't know what to say to you." My voice in low and I can't help but feel the tears pooling. Blinking them back I look away.

"You can tell me whatever you want Lil. I'm still your father… you could have started by telling me about Scorpius Malfoy and yourself." I can hear the hurt in his tone. No I couldn't start with that Dad. I'm silent as he continues. "Lilly he's a Malfoy. You know what kind of people that family are. Why would you-"

"-He's not his family Dad!" My voice is stern as I cut him off. "He's my boyfriend. We're together!" Who do you think you are Dad? "You of all people should know that you can't judge someone by who their family is. If that was the case I wouldn't have anyone at all seeing as how I'm associated with my father the lying adulterer!" My hand flies up to my mouth. I can't believe I've just spoken to him that way. His mouth is turned down, his head hanging lower than before. Mia looks between us as my father blinks back tears.

"There were reasons Lilly… Things that you won't understand. I love your mother… I've always loved her. I've made-"

Mia interrupts him. "Lilly we should go." She takes my hand and steps away from our father. "Bye Daddy. Thanks for coming to the game."

I feel her pulling on my hand. She's squeezing it gently but my eyes are fixed on his expression. I turn to leave but I can't help the words I throw over my shoulder. "You know it's all true." We're ten steps away and I feel my resolve crumble. Why can't I just admit to myself that even after everything he's put us through I miss my Dad. I pull free of Mia's hand and run back to him. I hug him quickly, my arms wrapping around his tightly. "I'll write Dad." Then I'm gone, and we're on our way to see Mum.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

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