The atmosphere seemed eerily terrifying. I lead Ginny into the living room, and into brighter lights, and studied her carefully. Her eyes seemed empty, but I didn't see any sadness there, still only worry.
"I don't think I've had a chance recently to say thank you" she said, not speaking loudly, nor quietly, "People have said it for me, but…"
"Look, it's a pleasure to be some sort of help, otherwise I'd feel useless" I admitted, sitting down. She gave me a smile, though it didn't really reach her eyes.
"Is everything ok? Any news?" Robert said from the corner. I scowled at him, as I had purposely avoiding this question this soon. Ginny looked round at him, and shook her head.
"No news. No sign" she said, looking at the floor.
"Nothing at all?" Robert added, but Ginny shook her head, and sat next to me on the sofa.
"How were James and Al?" she asked, clearly wanting to change the subject for the time being.
"Brilliant, and very polite" I smiled.
"Good" she said, softly nodding her head.
"But, Al… he, well-" I continued, and she instantly looked up, looking at me, egging me on, "He, um, cut his head. On the bed, we think" I said, feeling a tad stupid for injuring her child in my household after the first visit.
"Is he ok?" she asked, bewildered, eyes trailing to the stairs.
"He seems to be" Robert nodded, looking anxiously at the young woman.
"Was the cut bad?" Ginny asked, looking back at me urgently.
"No, it was fairly small" I replied, feeling flustered now.
"It definitely wasn't James, then? Definitely the bed?"
"I don't think it was James" I said slowly, not knowing how a 5-year-old could even cut someone's forehead like that anyway.
"Was he speaking ok?" Ginny continued. I was feeling guilty now, for I knew Ginny seemed protective of her children.
"Yes" I said firmly, nodding.
"Walking alright?" she said. Again I nodded.
"He doesn't usually get hurt, but when he does it's usually James. The fact he was born 7 weeks earlier than expected also means we have to monitor any injury - no matter how small - just in case it has implications on his development." Ginny sighed, relaxing back into sofa.
"We're sorry" Robert apologised, looking at me reassuringly, "He was upstairs with Mabel when it happened"
"They're the best of friends now" Ginny grinned, eyes lightening up a bit, "last Saturday Al was telling Harry all about the buildings they made together"
"Let's hope they stay just friends" Robert grimaced. Ginny laughed.
"You're like Harry. Won't let another man hold Lily unless he's family" she told us, making me laugh too.
"Where is Lily?" I asked her, when our laughs had quietened.
"She's at home with my Dad" Ginny replied, brushing a piece of her hair out from her eyes.
"Has her sleeping improved?" Robert questioned.
"No. She's the worst out of all three" Ginny said, rolling her eyes, "It's even worse when Harry's not here"
"Do you know when-" Robert began, before I shot him a look that screamed 'Don't you fucking dare'. Ginny, however, got the whole sentence.
"The other department that keeps everything controlled and private are making a meal out of it. When I went to wait for Harry, the doors were shut and so were everyone's mouths" she told us.
"How long has it been now?" Robert asked, much to my dismay.
"Just over a day" Ginny muttered, playing with her fingers, "It's not how long it is, its just the fact we know people have been killed, and the stupid department aren't telling us anything" I glared at Robert. "If he's not here by tomorrow, I'll use the advantages of the name Potter to get through to those bone heads in London" she said in an undertone, though I very well head everything she said. Ginny suddenly looked up again, and glanced at the watch on our living room wall. Her eyes widened, and she stood up.
"It's late, Katie, I've got to get the boys home." She told me, and I nodded, and got up myself.
We both walked up the stairs in silence, and I directed Ginny to the biggest bedroom. We both smiled when we saw the boys curled up next to each other, Albus looking particularly small next to James.
"They're adorable" I commented, picking up the bag from the floor. Ginny grinned.
"Not usually, I haven't seen them this close for ages"
"Still adorable. Liam and Mabel have never been like this" I sighed.
"They're usually fighting, don't you worry" Ginny told me, gently picking up Al, and brushing his hair out the way.
"Oh, I see the cut" she murmured quietly, brushing his hair back over it, and looking up at me, "It's not bad at all. He'll live" I smiled gratefully as she quietly woke James up
"Jamie, Mummy's here, lets go home, yes?" Ginny said softly, and James opened his eyes.
"Daddy home?" James muttered, pushing his fists against his eyes, and rubbing hard. Ginny sighed slightly, and shook her head. James' eyes filled with tears as he launched himself upon his Mum.
"Liam said his Daddy never leaves" James cried, "Why does my Daddy leave and not Liam's or Presley's or Josh's or anyone's"
"It's Daddy's job, sweetheart, you know that" Ginny said quietly, pulling James in as close as a sleeping Albus would allow.
"No I don't" James muttered.
"Yes you do." Ginny said firmly, releasing James, and helping him off the bed.
"No. I don't" James repeated stubbornly.
"Don't start that James, please" Ginny told him, as she picked up the 2nd bag.
"Jus' wan' Daddy" James said tearfully.
"It's not just you that wants Daddy home, Ok James? Lily doesn't sleep, and Al doesn't talk when Daddy's not home so try and be the big brother and stay happy for them, got it?" Ginny said, a little stiffly.
"I don't wanna be the big brother!" James wailed, and I was worried that Liam and Mabel might wake up, but they didn't.
"I'll ask Albus if he want to be the big brother when he wakes up then" Ginny muttered exiting the room, with me helping her with the things.
"No. Al has to stay the little brother" James almost yelled.
"Well then, you have to be the big brother then" Ginny winked at me, and I noted this as a good parenting technique when Liam isn't setting a good example to Mabel
"Fine" James huffed, jumping down the last step.
"Good" Ginny nodded, reaching the front door. She turned back around.
"Thank you, really, Katie. You're honestly a life saver. I know there wasn't that meeting tonight, but you gave me time to find out what's really happening" she muttered to me, before telling James to say thank you too.
"Fanks" James muttered, holding out his hand to me. I shook it a little apprehensively.
"Jamie you don't have to shake hands with Liam's Mum, you know" Ginny frowned.
"Oh" James said, dropping his hand, and sticking out his bottom lip.
"Why does he offer it anyway?" I asked curiously.
"When people higher up than Harry in the department want to meet him, he's been taught to do it properly." Ginny said, looking down at her eldest child.
"Right" I said, nodding, though slightly confused.
"Well, lets go" Ginny nodded, letting me past to open the door. I noticed that neither the black Bentley nor the red were parked in our driveway.
"We've parked along the road" Ginny said, noticing my expression.
"Sure" I replied, handing her the other bag. She slung it over her shoulder and headed off, James trailing behind her, and Albus' head lolling on her shoulder.