A/N: Finally finished this chapter! Sorry for the late update, but I've been away on holiday, plus I keep getting distracted by random bits of stories that pop into my head and then have to be written down. But here it is at last, and it's extra long to make up for the very long delay. As usual, please review and let me know what you think. The more reviews I get, the faster I write! :)

Disclaimer: The characters don't belong to me any more than they did in the previous eleven chapters.

Growing Up Fast

Dear Grandma,

I'm sorry I haven't written recently, but I've been so busy over the last few weeks. Rose, Al and I are going to Diagon Alley on Wednesday (without Sarah, thank goodness) to get all our school stuff. I can't believe I'm going into fourth year already! That seems so grown up! It's been a whole three years since I started Hogwarts, but it's gone so fast.

Thanks for visiting at the beginning of the holidays, and I know you weren't sure if it was a good idea to bring Grandad, but it was. Dad's been in a really good mood since then, so I think he and Grandad must have finally made up. And Grandad didn't say a single word the whole week about my house or my subject choices or my friends, even when the rest of you weren't around, which is what he used to do. He just congratulated me on my exam results and asked me about my teachers and how I was getting on and stuff. It was nice to talk to him properly again. I like Grandad. I've missed him over the last couple of years. He always seems so sad, though, like he's too tired to bother being happy anymore. I guess the War must have been really awful for him, just like it was for you and Dad.

Anyway, I've got to go now, but write back soon.

Love, Scorpius


Ginny,

How are you? Did you enjoy the rest of the summer? After that week at the Burrow, we didn't get to see each other again. Ron dragged us all off to Romania for a few weeks, which I actually enjoyed more than I expected, though I really don't like dragons, and then the last bit was so stressful what with trying to get the kids ready for school and Ron being called off somewhere by the ministry. Hopefully we can meet up at some point now the kids are gone and catch up properly.

I bumped into Albus when I was taking Rose and Hugo to Diagon Alley. She'd agreed to meet him and Scorpius there, and I was so glad Ron wasn't with me. Especially as Albus had discovered that his girlfriend Sarah was in Diagon Alley the same day and was planning to go off shopping with her, leaving Rose and Scorpius on their own together. Not that it's really a problem, after all the two of them are just friends, but I don't think Ron would have seen it that way.

Anyway, I had no idea Albus even had a girlfriend! He only just turned fourteen; doesn't that seem a little young? Time's flown so quickly. It seems like yesterday you and Harry were arguing about names and he was insisting that you name your next child after Snape and Dumbledore. I remember you took a lot of convincing, and I don't blame you! Harry always is so stubborn when he wants to be, though. At least you managed to persuade him that "Albus" should be first. Can you imagine having to call your kid Severus?

Look at me, reminiscing away. But I really am starting to feel old. It wasn't so long ago we were fourteen. And Harry managed to get himself entered into that awful Triwizard Tournament. At least we don't have to worry about that sort of stuff happening to our kids. Better that we stress about them getting girlfriends and growing up quickly than wonder how exactly Voldemort is going to try and kill them this year.

Sorry for rambling on. I guess I just needed to talk, and Ron's still not back from his top-secret, very important mission for the ministry.

Hope to see you soon,

Hermione


Hermione,

I know exactly what you mean. Fourteen. It seems so old.

I've never met Scorpius. Al keeps going on about having him to visit, but we never get round to it. I think I keep putting it off, actually. It would mean talking to Draco Malfoy in order to arrange it, and that would be unbelievably awkward. I mean, I know in theory that everything's behind us now and he's not such a bad person anymore, but I guess I'm just a little nervous. Anyway, did Scorpius seem nice? I keep picturing him as Draco Malfoy all over again, even though I know that's ridiculous. Al would never make friends with someone like that. Old prejudices are hard to get rid of, I suppose.

I reacted just like you when I heard about Al's girlfriend. He does seem far too young. James has been dating since he was twelve, of course, but that's James for you. The school heartbreaker. It never bothered me the way Al having a girlfriend does. Harry thinks I'm being stupid. He pointed out that I was fourteen when I started dating, and that Al is perfectly capable of figuring out what he wants for himself. He's right, of course. You were fourteen when you went out with Viktor Krum, remember. And I had a crush on Harry from the age of twelve.

Sarah Clearwater won't last, though. I feel awful saying that about my son's girlfriend, but it's true. She's not the right girl for Al. Not that I've ever met her, but I can tell from the way he talks about her. He likes her a lot, but it's a temporary thing. Like Cho was for Harry. They'll have broken up by the end of this year, I can tell you that now.

I know how you feel about Ron. I hate it when Harry goes away on those stupid missions. I get so lonely, rattling around alone in our house, without him or the kids. Feel free to come over anytime if you get bored or need to talk to someone. I'm never very busy, and Harry won't mind.

Ginny


Ginny,

Well I only met him for a few minutes, but Scorpius struck me as a lovely kid. So polite and mature, and he didn't seem the slightest bit frustrated by Al ditching them to spend the day with his girlfriend, though Rose was furious. He's certainly nothing like his father. I've met his mother, Astoria, once or twice, and he's not really anything like her either, though she's a perfectly nice person.

Are you sure about Sarah? She seemed absolutely besotted with Al when I saw them, and he adores her just as much. It's hard to imagine them breaking up. I certainly can't imagine them arguing the way Harry and Cho did before they broke up. Then again, he's your son. You probably know best. And he's also half-Weasley, half-Potter. He's bound to be a little unpredictable sometimes.

I think I may take you up on that offer, actually. I'll pop round on Wednesday morning, if that's okay with you? Let me know if it's not, and if I don't hear from you I'll see you on Wednesday.

Hermione


Scorp,

I know it's really late and everything but if you're still awake then I have to tell you something. I tried to find you earlier but I couldn't. Send an owl back straight away if you're awake.

Rose


Rose,

Well I wasn't awake, but I am now. You're stupid owl wouldn't stop pecking me until I woke up. It's 2am! I'm sorry I wasn't around earlier; I was talking to Professor Longbottom about a test we did in Herbology. But can't it wait til morning?

Scorp


Scorp,

I'm really sorry I woke you up, but no it can't wait til morning. I saw Sarah sitting with Cameron Jordan this evening, and she was giggling and flirting and I swear at one point they were holding hands! She's supposed to be going out with Al! And I always thought she seemed so nice. What should we do?

Rose


Rose,

Okay, you're right, that couldn't have waited til morning. I can't believe Sarah would do that to Al! And it's obvious what we have to do. We tell him. What else would we do?
Scorp


Scorp,

Are you sure? About telling him, I mean. I don't think I can hurt him like that.

Rose


Rose,

It would hurt him more if we didn't tell him. And besides, we're his best friends! We couldn't keep something like this from him.


Scorp,

You Hufflepuffs are so damn honest all the time! Fine, we'll tell him. But you're doing it, not me.


Rose,

Okay, I will. In fact, I'll send him an owl right now.


Al,

Sorry to wake you up at such a ridiculous time, but Rose told me she saw Sarah flirting with Cameron Jordan today, and I thought you should know. I'm really sorry, mate. I thought Sarah seemed like a decent person, but obviously not.

Scorp


Scorp,

Sarah and I broke up a week ago. Didn't you know? I thought I 'd told you. She's entitled to flirt with anyone she likes. Especially Cameron, who's liked her for ages. In fact, it was me who set them up together. They're such a perfect couple, don't you think. Much better than her and me, anyway. Did you wake me up just to tell me that?

Al


You broke up?‼! No, you didn't tell me that! How can you be so calm about it? You and Sarah were going out for ages. Shouldn't you be upset or something?

Scorp


Sorry, I guess I never thought it was important enough to make a big deal out of telling you and Rose. And no I'm not upset? Do you think I should be? Going out with Sarah was fun, but her and Cameron are made for each other. She shouldn't be with me when Cameron likes her so much more. She deserves him.

Anyway, talking of people going out, did you see Daniel Macmillan talking to Rose the other day? He's clearly mad about her, and I think she likes him too. It's always so hard to tell with girls, though. Uncle Ron will kill her – or maybe him – if they start dating. He's always so protective of Rose. I really feel sorry for any guy she dates.

Al


Daniel Macmillan? And Rose? Are you sure? I mean, surely she can do better than Daniel Macmillan? And Uncle Ron is right to be protective. Rose is way too young to date. Isn't she?

Scorp


What's wrong with Daniel Macmillan? I thought you two got on really well? And don't be stupid. Rose is my age, and I started going out with Sarah ages ago. Of course she's not too young.

Al


I don't like him. He's a jerk and Rose shouldn't go out with him.


Scorp, what the hell has gotten into you? You're never that horrible about people. Normally it's Rose who says stuff like that, and only if she's in a massive temper. What have you got against Daniel Macmillan?


Sorry, I guess maybe I'm just tired. I don't know. It's a little weird thinking about Rose dating. We've been friends for so long, maybe I'm just being overly protective too. But it's not like they're actually dating yet, is it? They were just talking. Which doesn't mean anything.

I should go to sleep. I've got homework to finish off tomorrow morning before breakfast. Night, Al.


No I guess it doesn't mean anything. Yet. Night, Scorp.


Rose,

Al doesn't care. Long story, and I'm too tired to explain right now. Let's talk at breakfast. Night.

Scorp


Dear Mum and Dad,

Sorry for not writing earlier, but the term up until now has been pretty uneventful. Except that something really exciting happened yesterday. Daniel Macmillan asked me out! You probably don't know him, but he's a really great guy. He's in sixth year and he's captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He plays chaser and I never thought someone like him would ask me out, but apparently he's liked me for years!

Oh, and Al broke up with Sarah, but he doesn't seem that bothered really. He keeps going on about how she's supposed to be with Cameron and it was never meant to be a long-term relationship anyway. Apparently it was him who broke up with her, but she's not upset either. She's going out with Cameron, and they're really sweet together, so maybe Al was right. It was just so unexpected.

Lots of love,

Rose


Ginny,

Well, you were right about Sarah and Al. Rose tells me they broke up. Apparently they didn't fight or anything. Rose didn't make it particularly clear. Maybe you know more? Is Al upset? Rose says he isn't but it seems incredible that they could just break up without either of them being the slightest bit bothered by it.

Anyway, Rose had another piece of news, and I was suddenly very glad that Ron is still away on his mission. Rose has a boyfriend, a boy called Daniel Macmillan. He's two years older than her and captain of the Quidditch team, and Ron would probably have exploded if he'd read that letter. You remember how protective he was about you? He looked ready to murder Michael Corner most of the time, and you're only his sister. Can you imagine how he'll be when it comes to his only daughter? I certainly don't plan to be the one who tells him.

To be honest, even I don't really like the sound of Daniel Macmillan. I mean, he's sixteen! Rose shouldn't be going out with a sixteen-year-old! But I'm being hypocritical. Viktor was seventeen when we dated. It just feels different when it's your daughter.

Hermione


Hermione,

Of course I was right. I do know my own son. Though, to be honest, I don't know much more about the reasons for the break-up than you do. As far as I can tell, they just drifted apart. Al didn't even think it was important enough to tell me about properly, and just stuck it in as an afterthought in the PS. I genuinely believe he's not upset about it, though, and I don't think Sarah is either. Apparently she was going out with Cameron Jordan within three days, at Albus' suggestion.

Don't worry about Daniel Macmillan. He sounds like the sort of guy all the girls fall for, so Rose was probably just so flattered that he chose her that she managed to convince herself she really liked him, but she's too sensible a girl to be besotted with him for long. I know how you feel, though. I know I'll be terrified when Lily starts dating. I suppose we just have to trust that they know what they're doing and let them get on with it. It's not like there's anything we can do about it.

Ron, however, you should be worried about. I wouldn't put it past him to go storming up to the school once he finds out and forbid Rose from ever seeing the guy again. And, Rose being Rose, she would yell right back at him and refuse to let him run her life. And then she'd keep seeing the guy for ages, or find an even less suitable one, just to get back at him. She and Ron are so alike sometimes. Though she's a lot like you, too. She's got your temper. And your impatience with Ron when he's being an idiot, which is most of the time.

Oh, well. I suppose there's not much we can do about it anyway. Take my advice and don't sit around worrying about them. I learned a long time ago that doing that just makes you stressed. They'll figure it all out in the end.

Ginny


Dear Grandma,

Wow, lots has happened since I last wrote. Al and Sarah broke up. But they didn't fight or anything and now Sarah is going out with a boy called Cameron Jordan and Al is always talking to this Ravenclaw girl, Gemma Taylor. I wouldn't be surprised if he asked her out; they get on really well.

And Rose is going out with some guy called Daniel Macmillan in sixth year. He treats her really well and she seems happy and everything, but I can't seem to be pleased for her. I don't understand why. I mean, Rose is really pretty and popular and has guys falling over her all the time, so it shouldn't be a surprise to me that she's finally going out with someone. I just … feel so angry whenever I see the two of them together. Am I just overprotective? I'd certainly kill him if he ever did anything to hurt Rose. Well, if her cousins didn't get there first.

That's the funny thing, though. Normally it's Roses cousins who would be really protective, but none of them seem to mind her going out with Daniel, though they do keep warning her not to tell her dad. Then again, he's the Gryffindor Quidditch captain and, in James' eyes at least, a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team can do no wrong.

One thing I don't feel, however, is jealousy. About the fact that I'm not dating anyone, I mean. I suppose I do feel a bit left out sometimes when Al is sitting at Gemma's table to eat and Rose is with Daniel and I'm the only one out of the three of us without a date. But the idea of going out with any of the girls in our year, or even the years above and below us, just doesn't appeal to me. Why is that, do you think?

Sorry for rambling so much and asking so many stupid questions but, as usual, I think I'm using you a bit like a diary.

Love, Scorpius


Scorpius,

Don't be silly; they're not stupid questions and you shouldn't apologise for asking them. I don't think you really need me to answer them for you, however. A bright boy like you; I'm surprised you haven't figured out the answers already. It's fairly obvious really, don't you think?

Lots of Love,

Grandma


Dear Grandma,

You're right. It is obvious and I can't believe I didn't realise before. I'm such an idiot. I suppose I just needed someone to point it out for me. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Love, Scorpius