Hey guys I am so sorry this is long long overdue. I really don't have an excuse except I kind of hit a slump in life, and just didn't really have the ambition to write. But I hope this ties up some loose ends for you. I might have one more chapter I'm kind of waffling over it because I have an idea for it but I also kind of like this ending too? But at the same time I feel like I have a few more ends to tie? Let me know what you think in a review, and I promise it won't take a year to put the next chapter up if there is one.

Thank you to everyone who is coming back a year later and reading this I really appreciate you sticking by me.

I do not own Harry Potter. Thank you for reading, reviewing, favouriting, and following my story.

Chapter 21

"Sorry doesn't cut it anymore Ronald," Hermione stepped in front of Rose. "You can't just walk away when things don't go the way you want anymore! You're a grown man and you have kids."

"I know," Ron's voice was strangled, "I know I messed up bad this time. Just tell me how to fix it 'Mione,"

"I don't know if you can. Rose, Hugo, go downstairs." Ginny turned and tried to usher both of them downstairs but Rose pushed past her.

"No. This started because of me. Why'd you do it dad?" Rose met her father's shiny eyes, and realized he was crying. Rose searched her memories but, she couldn't remember her father ever crying.

"I was scared Slytherin was going to change you, I was scared that I couldn't protect you, and I was scared I was going to lose you. And I know it's no excuse. I know."

"Don't you see dad, it was you who pushed me away! It was what you did that made you lose us, not something I did," Rose felt the water brim in her eyes and fall over.

"I know. If I could go back and change it I would Rosie, believe me I would but, I can't. I know I'm going to have to work to rebuild your trust Rose. I'll do whatever it takes." Rose looked at her mum and Hermione could see the indecision written across her face. Hermione hesitated herself. She knew she couldn't forgive Ron, not right now anyways but, she could try for Rose and Hugo.

"It's your choice sweetheart." Rose looked at Hugo, and saw how he was looking hopefully at her, and knew she had to make her family whole again, or at least try to, for Hugo. Rose ran forward and threw her arms around her father.

"I love you daddy," Rose sniffled. Ron's arms immediately wrapped around her, holding her close. Rose felt her father stumble as Hugo slammed in to him, wrapping his arms around Ron's waist. Ron removed an arm from around Rose, to wrap it around his son.

"C'mon, it's Lily's birthday. You should say hello." Rose grabbed her father's hand and dragged him past the others and downstairs. When they entered and people noticed who was with her, the room fell silent. Bill approached them as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"If you hurt Rose again Ron…"

"I know. Thank you Bill. For supporting her when I was too thick-headed to." Bill looked at Rose, and she smiled, nodding.

"Then welcome back brother," Bill hugged Ron, and conversations resumed. Rose remained by her father's side until it was time to help her cousin's with the prank.

"Okay, James. So transform the icing into mayonnaise? That's all you want to do."

"Yes, did you figure out the spell?"

"Yeah," Rose leaned in and whispered it into his ear, and then slipped back into the crowd grinning.

"Happy birthday to you," the group began singing as Ginny carried the cake towards where Lily was excitedly waiting by the head of the table. As they sung the final words, Rose saw James mouth the spell and move his wand in a quick, tiny circle. Lily blew out the candles and reached for the knife to cut the first slice of cake. Ginny helped her cut the rest of the cake, and together they served it to the rest of the family. Rose declined to take a piece. Rose watched as her dad took a bite of his cake, gagged, and immediately spat it back out. Ginny turned at the sound, and narrowed her eyes at Ron.

"Is there a problem with my baking Ronald?" Ginny's tone was dangerously low, and Rose noticed the wand resting easily in her hand. Her father gulped and quickly shook his head,

"Nope, just tried to go down the wrong pipe that's all Gin," Ron rubbed the back of his neck, and Rose fought the smirk trying to make it's way across her face.

"Well go ahead and take another bite," Ron looked around, as if looking for someone to bail him out but, the rest of his siblings just stared back at him. Ron took a deep breathe and took another bite, and swallowed.

"Really good Ginny," she turned away and Rose watched her father grimace and grab his drink to wash the taste away, before setting his cake down. "That is the most disgusting cake I have ever eaten," he whispered conspirationally to Rose, who merely giggled in response. "I should've followed your lead and not gotten a piece,"

"When have you ever turned down cake, dad?" Rose laughed shaking her head.

"I suppose you're right. Perhaps this time I'll learn," he put his arm around her shoulders, hugging her to his side. Rose watched as George carefully set his cake down without taking about, winking at her. Rose heard retching and turned to where Percy was emptying his stomach in a trash can.

"Ginny, what was in that cake? It was disgusting," Percy choked out. Ginny looked affronted,

"Well that's rude. There is nothing wrong with my cake," Ginny put her fork in her slice bring it to her mouth and taking a bite. She quickly spat it back out and her face turned red. Her eyes travelled the room finally setting on James and Fred Jr who were both snickering.

"James Sirius Potter what did you do to my cake young man?" James paled as his mother marched over to him, standing in front of him with her hands on her hips.

"I- well,"

"I believe they turned the icing into mayonnaise," Rose offered up. James shot a glare at her, and she just smiled sweetly back at him.

"Mayonnaise. I spent hours working on that cake, and you ruined it with mayonnaise?"

"I um… sorry mum?" There was a peel of laughter and Ginny and James both turned to face Lily,

"It's okay mum, it was funny, and harmless. They could've done much worse," Lily skipped over to James, holding her cake. "I think James did it because he likes mayonnaise, here, try some" Lily grinned and then shoved the cake in his face.

"Blech," James wiped his face and Ginny walked over the table, grabbing two slices.

"Well boys, if you thought people would enjoy a cake with mayonnaise for icing, then here you go. I insist you eat the whole piece." James and Fred exchanged a look, as the slices were pushed into their hands.

"Aunt Ginny, I'm really sorry-"

"We promise not to mess with your food again mum-"

"Just, please don't make us eat it," Ginny sighed,

"Only because you said sorry. Now, change it back," James ruffled his hair, a nervous tick he'd picked up from his father.

"Well, see we don't know the counter spell…" Ginny sighed, and waved her wand over the cake.

"Okay everyone, it should be okay now. I'll deal with you later James." Rose watched her dad pick up his cake and start eating it again,

"This is more like Ginny's cake, this is great!"

"Maybe you won't learn from that mistake then dad," Rose laughed, and Ron grinned back.

Rose spent the next few hours surrounded by family, until people began leaving. Eventually it was just Rose, Hugo, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, James, Albus, and Lily left.

"C'mon kids, we should go home, it's getting late." Hermione reached out a hand for Hugo but, he didn't take it.

"What about dad?" he said quietly. Hermione hesitated, but before she could say anything, Ron jumped in.

"I think I'll keep living at my apartment for now sport, but I promise you'll see me okay? At least once a week."

"Promise?" Hugo looked at Ron warily until Ron nodded.

"I promise," Hugo wrapped his arms around his father tightly, "We'll go get some ice cream sometime this week okay?" Hugo nodded before going back to his mother's side.

"Can I have a minute alone with Rose?" Ron looked up at Hermione, who contemplated his request for a minute before nodding. She lead Hugo out of the room, with Harry, Ginny, and their children following.

"So, are we okay Rosie?" Rose felt the yes almost leap out of her before she paused, remembering all the hurt her father had caused her to feel. Remembering how quick he was to leave.

"No," she whispered quietly, watching the sad, pained look appear on her father's face, "but we're getting there. We can get there. But dad you can't do that again. You can't walk out because you disagree with something I'm doing. You have to talk to me, and by talk I mean have a conversation. You can't just yell at me and not listen to my response. I know you're my dad and that means you're trying to do what's best for me, and that you do get to tell me what to do, but only to a certain extent. You have to let me be me. This is uncharted territory for both of us, but I think we can figure it out as a family," Rose set her chin, wanting to make sure her dad knew she was serious.

"I promise I'll do my best Rosie. I promise to try and listen more, and to not walk out on you ever again. I just don't want to lose you. I missed you Rosie," Rose only hesitated a moment before hugging her dad tightly.

"I missed you daddy, I love you."

"I love you too."

Rose went home that night with her mother with hope that everything would be okay. She knew things wouldn't get better overnight. Her father had a long way to go to regain her trust, and her mother and brother's trust. But he was trying and for now, that was enough for Rose.