A/N: Hi! Hi Hi Hi! Good to see you all again. I'm sorry I've been away doing NaNoWriMo (Finished for the third time in a row *thank you*) and finishing MY NOVEL! So now it's finished, I've moved on to avoiding editing it lol So. Here's a chapter for your viewing pleasure. There is only this chapter, and one other to go in this story. I wrote it all at the same time, and it just felt right, so I hope that's all right with you guys. There's plenty more for me to be doing once this is done and dusted. Like Age of Healing…and the next instalment of Births and Deaths eventually, once I've dusted off all my notes ;)

Thank you, as ever to Spin, who is so awesome she managed to make this all pretty for you guys even though she's busy! Thanks Spin!

Enjoy guys. More to follow soon, but not immediately – we're good, but we're not magic lol

-0-

We said goodbye to Dave and Cheryl the following morning. The weekend in Sydney had been amazing, and I knew we would do it again if we were ever back in Australia - something I knew we were all planning to do one day. The apparition back to Mum and Dad's house was filled with delays, so much so that Dad remarked that it might have been quicker to fly there. When we finally got to the front of the queue, we discovered a group of medi-witches tending to a wizard who had tried to smuggle a Fijian fire-crab back in his underwear. Min just shook her head, but Dad, Harry and Albus all chuckled as we left the Sydney Ministry and arrived at the Queensland one. I could only imagine the months of treatment the poor, but stupid wizard would have to go through. Fire-crab wounds were slow to heal, especially in such a delicate area.

"Home sweet home," Mum said as we all popped back into existence in front of their house.

Still tired from our amazing but long weekend, we flopped down onto the sofas while Dad popped the kettle on.

"This was an awesome idea Hermione," Harry muttered, his head next to mine as we lay end to end on the couch.

"I completely agree my boy," Albus said from his position beside Minerva, his arm wrapped around her as she leant into his body. This holiday had been so good for them, and I only hoped that it helped them when they returned to Scotland and Hogwarts.

"I don't really want to go home," I said quietly, so that Mum couldn't hear me.

"I don't either," Minerva said suddenly, startling me.

"Oh, but Minerva, you must! School will be back in soon, and you love teaching," I said, even though I could see that she was shaking her head.

"I do love teaching," she agreed, "but I love this place more." She sighed sadly, getting up and leaving Albus' arms and sitting with my legs over her lap.

"So come back," Harry shrugged. "I plan to."

"Just don't leave it too long," Albus said, moving over to us and re-taking his position by Minerva. "I need more time to work on my tan."

We all snorted, knowing that his horrendous sunburn had healed, but he was back to being almost translucent again. It was the golden rule of English skin unfortunately.

"Tea!" Mum called, carrying a tray into the living room and setting out cups.

"That hits the spot," Dad sighed as he lay back in the chair. "So, what's the plan for your last day here?"

I sat up a little, realising the truth in his statement.

"Don't get sad my girl," he said with a wink. "That's for tomorrow."

I nodded, and set about thinking about what we could do with our final hours.

"I'd like to go to the beach again," Harry said, before glancing at Minerva, "but I will definitely be wearing sunscreen."

Minera chuckled, reaching over to pat his hand.

"Are the markets on today, or tomorrow morning?" she asked. "I meant to buy a few presents for the others, but I forgot."

"I'll check," Mum said, leaving the room to check on the computer, no doubt.

"You'll have to excuse her," Dad said, watching her go. "She is a little sad already."

Minerva squeezed my shin and I nodded, getting up and going to her, wrapping my arms around her as she searched the internet.

"I love you Mum," I said quietly.

"Oh, I love you too Hermione, I'm just sad we're such a long way away."

"But we have the mirrors now, and we don't have to rely on phone calls. I can talk to you whenever I need to."

"I know," she said, smiling up at me, "but I still miss my baby girl."

I smiled and remained where I was, wrapped around her shoulders as she went back to click around on the computer until she patted my hands to let go.

"Good news, there's a twilight market tonight so we could go to the beach today, and then head to the market later, and maybe go for dinner?"

"An excellent plan Kate," Albus said, getting up with a groan. "I'm going to change."

Minerva chuckled as he rushed downstairs.

"He's been looking forward to going back in the ocean since we left," she explained shaking her head. "We holidayed in Corfu once, and I couldn't get him in the water for anything in the world."

We all laughed and went to change as well, no doubt looking forward to spending a relaxing last day on the beach, as I was.

-0-

"I'm exhausted," I groaned as we trudged up the steps to the house.

"Are you still going to be awake if we go to the markets?" Minerva asked worriedly, placing a hand on my warm shoulder.

"Yeah," I grinned, "I'll be fine later. The sun temporarily sapped me of energy, that's all."

She smiled, cupping my cheek and pressing a kiss to my forehead, disappearing without another word.

"She is so happy," Albus whispered as he appeared, as he often did, behind me. "I can't thank you enough Hermione, you've," he paused, tugging on his beard a bit, "you've made her happy again."

"I think it was a joint effort," I grinned as he hugged me.

"Alright, we'll all get showered and changed," Mum said, coming in from the pool where she'd taken a dip to cool off. "Then we'll meet here in an hour and make our way into town. Sound good?" Everyone nodded and we all moved off to change.

I showered and struggled to get the sand out of my hair, giving up after a few minutes and Summoning it all instead, wincing as it exfoliated my scalp a little harshly. Once I was sure I was sand free, I got dressed and stood before the mirror, staring at my hair. I wanted to try and get it as Minerva had, but I didn't like my chances. Taking a deep breath, I reached up and started, getting frustrated before I was even half way through and groaning as my arms began to hurt.

"Tuck that piece under," Minerva instructed, appearing at the door. "Now take that other piece, no the one on the left." Her reflection smiled as I did what she said. "That's right sweetheart, now clip it."

I let go cautiously as she came to stand behind me.

"Well done."

I grinned like a fool as she turned me to one side to show me how it looked. It was looser, and messier than Minerva had done, but it was a start.

"Thanks," I hugged her impulsively.

"You're always welcome love," she whispered. "I need to ask you something."

I nodded, looking up at her, feeling so at ease with anything she could say to me.

"What have you decided about Ronald?"

"I -"

I frowned. I hadn't really expected her to ask me that just yet. I knew I had to face it soon, but I kept putting it off. "For now, at least, I don't think it would be a good idea for us to be together," I said sadly, thinking of how much a part of me still loved him, but wasn't in love with him. I said as much to Minerva and she nodded, letting me talk. "I just, I think he expects me to be Molly, and no disrespect to Molly at all, but I don't want to be like that."

Minerva pulled me into her arms, holding my head gently to her chest where I could hear her heart beating.

"I cannot say in truth that I am upset," she said awkwardly. I felt the tension in her body and squeezed her gently, letting her know it was okay. "I could see your feelings, and his own. You are right, you both love each other, but I cannot help but think you are not meant for each other." She pulled back and lifted my chin. "If you had said, or you decide later that you and he do want to be together, and try a life with each other again, then I will be your biggest supporter, but for now, I cannot say I am sad."

I smiled, so happy to have the love of such an incredible woman.

"I love you Min," I whispered, leaning back in for another hug while I still could.

"And I you, darling Hermione," she sighed, rocking us back and forth. "Now, let us go shopping. I need your opinion on what to get for Professor Sprout."

I followed her from my room and into the living room, where Harry was just joining us, running his hands through his hair.

"I wouldn't bother my lad," Minerva said, ruffling it up again. "James was the same, it would never sit still."

Harry beamed, looking pleased, even though he knew he had inherited James' hair - everyone said so. But I think the reminder did him good. He stood up a little taller, and offered to apparate Mum to the markets himself, even though she gently, but quickly said that perhaps she would travel with me.

-0-

It took us ten minutes to find Harry, who had appeared in the kitchen of the Chinese restaurant over the road, trying to explain, rather valiantly in halting English how he had managed to do that.

I dragged him out, biting my lip in an attempt to prevent myself from laughing too hard at his expense, until one of the kitchen hands levitated a cabbage out of the door and dropped it on Harry's head.

"You could have put me out of my misery," Harry grumbled to the guy, who laughed just as hard as Minerva, Albus and I. Mum and Dad simply looked bewildered, but stood by gamely as we talked to the wizard.

"You should come by later for dinner?" he said, shamelessly plugging the very restaurant he worked in.

"We were looking for somewhere to eat," Albus said, looking around to Mum and Dad. "What do you think, do you like Chinese?"

"That sounds like a great idea," Mum said, and I smiled, knowing Chinese was one of her favourite foods.

"Good, we're off to the markets now, but we'll be back," Albus said, holding out his arm for Minerva to latch onto before leading her away towards the stalls that had come alive more so in the waning light than in the day when we were last here.

The energy was different, playful almost as we walked around the stalls, looking at some things and laughing at a few of the funnier curios that were available to buy.

We managed to get a few presents for Professors Sprout, Flitwick and Hooch, though Harry picked that last one out. An Australian rules football, and what could only have been a knock-off jersey. He reckoned she'd get a few laughs out of it, swapping it with the quaffle at school and causing mischief like she usually did.

"I just want to see this," Mum said, dragging Dad over to a little stand full of one-of-a-kind jewellery.

Mum bought a few pieces and I eyed a bangle that looked pretty, but ended up putting it back. I didn't often spend money frivolously.

"If there's one thing I've learned in life my darling," Minerva began as we were walking back to the restaurant, "it's to go after what you want." She reached for my hand and pushed the bangle over to me, winking as I gaped at her.

"Minerva?"

"You should have it. You were right to pick it, for it matches your colouring and looks very pretty." She shrugged. "And I wanted you to have it."

I gaped like a fish for a while, until I shook my head.

"Thanks," I said, hugging her. "Can I give you the money for it please?"

She scoffed.

"Gracious no. It's not like we spend money on things," she said. "We spend most of our time at Hogwarts, and when we do go home, we never want to go anywhere anyway. No, you will just have to become accustomed to me spoiling you."

I thought about Minerva missing out on having children, and how much I loved her, and how much I knew she loved me and found I didn't really mind. I'd just make sure that I treated her to things as well.

-0-

"I promised myself I wasn't going to cry!" Mum sobbed as she clutched me to her.

"I'll be back Mum, that's a promise," I whispered. "We've all loved it here."

"Oh, of course," she said, still crying while dragging Harry into our hug. "You're both - all - welcome back whenever you like. Anytime, truly."

"We will make sure we take you up on that," Minerva said, rubbing Mum's back soothingly as Dad clutched her other hand.

"We've got the mirrors now," I offered.

"Of course we do sweetheart," Dad said soothingly, trying to get Mum to let go of us, so we could start our journey back to England. We only had a window of half an hour to do so, else we would be delayed for however long it took for the Brisbane Ministry to find us another slot.

"Mum, we have to go," I said, feeling tears starting in my own eyes.

"Yes, yes of course. Call me, mirror me, whatever, when you get home please. And then, I know Minerva and Albus are going with you, but I want all the details from your trip to see Ron please."

"I promise Mum."

"Thanks for having us Kate," Harry said happily. "It was one of the best Christmases I've ever had."

"Oh, you're always welcome Harry," she gushed, hugging him again as Dad rolled his eyes.

"Kate, love, you have to let the boy breathe."

"Sorry. Oh Minerva, thank you so much!" Mum said, dropping to a whisper. I didn't need to hear her to know roughly what she was saying. Minerva nodded, patting her on the back before pulling away and kissing both of Mum's cheeks.

"Thank you so much," Minerva said quietly.

"Granger party?" the attendant called, meaning we had to leave.

"Bye darling," Dad said, finally getting a hug from me as Mum hugged Albus goodbye. "You let us know how you get on."

"I will," I said, kissing his cheek. "I love you guys."

I turned to see that my friends, the newer members of my family, had moved off so I could say a private goodbye to my parents.

"I'll call you guys as soon as we get home. Promise. I love you."

I could hear mum crying again as I walked back, joining Harry, Albus and Minerva on the platform.

"You're ready in three, two, one."

We all waved as Albus drew Minerva into his arms and I grabbed Harry's.

"Bye! Thank you!" I called as I turned on the spot and left Australia, and my parents behind.