Chapter 18

Harry's POV

Harry turned to Neville and took a deep breath.

"I knew he wouldn't like it, but he is being an absolute git about this situation that none of us could have predicted," sighed Harry. "He probably won't talk to me for two weeks now."

"Like I said to you at the Hog's Head a couple of months ago…" began Nevile. "This year has been full of surprises. Ron always had severe PTSD, and I'm sure this is triggering some of his worst memories. It's not fair to the kid, of course. But I get why he's upset."

"Neville, you're a better man than me," said Harry. "I get what you're saying. I just wish he wouldn't ruin his whole day over this. He's just a boy."

"Just a boy who's father terrorized him in school, and who's family tortured his wife and locked up his friends," said Neville. "Look, I'm not saying Ron is treating this situation with tact, but maybe he just needs time and space."

"You're usually right, my friend. We should get back to the party," Harry waved towards the group. "I promised Fred we'd play best two out of three games."

Rose's POV

This was the most fun Rose had ever had playing quidditch. She wasn't sure what was different about this year. Her dad wasn't there for the next two games, but Rose thought nothing of it. Frankie Longbottom volunteered to be Keeper. Rose was intently watching every play by play between her Aunt Ginny and her cousin, Albus. And she had no idea Scorpius could fly the way he did, especially in the first game. He did well in the second game and nearly caught the snitch, but it got away, and Uncle Harry was able to catch it. For the third game, her team won by points.

Everyone was exhausted and starving when they wrapped up their last game. Everyone began heading back to the house. Grandma Weasley and Aunt Fleur had prepared trays and trays of finger sandwiches and little sausages and bowls of crisps. Rose's mom noted how they should be eating some vegetables with this, but Aunt Ginny just laughed and said, let them enjoy Christmas.

After Rose ate her fill, it was time to relax before opening gifts. She got up from the table with Alice to go to her dad's old bedroom, where she knew she could find some peace and quiet from all the commotion of over twenty people. Before she opened the door to Ron's childhood bedroom, she heard voices from inside. It sounded like her mum. She didn't notice her mum going upstairs.

"Ron, I know you are upset..and angry, but let's get through today for the kids."

"Hermione, you of all people should understand." Rose's dad's voice sounded strained. Rose looked at Alice, who was frozen in place.

"You always try to see the best in people," Ron continued. "...and that's something I love about you. I'm just really struggling with this. He looks just like him. It's like I'm 15 again, and the school is singing 'Weasley is our King.'"

Rose felt like she and Alice should not be overhearing this conversation. Rose motioned to go back down. They tipped toed back down to the ground floor and went to the sitting room. Albus, Frankie, and Scorpius were playing Exploding Snap.

"You all could get in trouble for using your wands," tisked Rose.

"There's so much magic happening in this house. No one will notice," piped Albus. "Plus, my dad won't let anything happen."

"That's cute," Alice snickered. She rolled her eyes at Rose. The girls went and sat on the couch and chatted about their Christmas wish list.

Hermione came down the stairs and into the sitting room. She looked directly into Rose's blue eyes. Did her mom know she was outside the door? Rose smiled at her mum and turned back to watch another round of exploding snap...to try to cover and redness that she felt creeping up her neck.

"It's about time to open presents," announced Hermione. "Why don't you boys clear up your game and we'll try to fit everyone in this room."

Rose's dad came downstairs while various cousins, aunts, and uncles squeezed in to get a comfortable chair or pillow on the floor. Rose's grandad sat in the big armchair and asked Lily to help him pass out presents. The gift-giving went on for two hours. There were so many people. Rose and Albus had gotten Hogwarts House hoodies from Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur. She put her Ravenclaw hoodie on right away. Grandma had knitted Rose a new pair of socks for school in blue and bronze colors. Everyone got socks from Grandma. Grandma even asked Scorpius what house he was in so she could make him a pair and send it to him. When he had replied Ravenclaw, some of the adults in the room made comments like, Oh really, that's unexpected, who would have thought, good on you lad, etc. Scorpius just nodded and turned back to Albus, who was opening another gift from some random cousin. Rose couldn't keep track. Aunt Ginny handed Scorpius something in an envelope. Scorpius opened it. It was four tickets to an England vs. Ireland quidditch match this coming summer. He was speechless but looked so happy.

"Thank you so so much," he finally squeaked. He reached over to give Ginny a hug.

Rose heard her dad snort. Her mum gently smacked him in the arm. Why were her dad and mum acting so strangely?

Eventually, all the gifts had been given, and it was time to go. Hermione had Ron go gather all their things. And Rose and Hugo had to say goodbye to their friends.

"School will be starting again soon, so we will see each other again soon," Rose said to Alice, Frankie and Scorpius. She was more than likely going to be seeing Albus tomorrow moring.

"I will still miss you," said Alice, giving Rose a hug. The boys waved and said they'd see her at school and to have a happy Christmas.

Ron came down the hall with the bags and grunted at the boys to let him by.

"Ron…" Hermione leaned up to Ron's ear and whispered something.

"Goodbye, kids, Happy Christmas, and be on your best behavior when you go back to school." Rose's dad looked Scorpius up and down, then turned towards the fireplace. Hermione gave everyone a quick hug then went to join Ron.

"Let's go, Rose, Hugo," Ron said flatly.

Rose obeyed her father and turned away from her friends and took a pinch of Floo powder and went home.

Hermione's POV

All in all, the Weasley/Potter annual family gathering was an absolute joy as usual... until her husband threw a classic Ron temper tantrum. She was grateful he managed to keep it away from the children this time, but she was upset that he was not mentally there with them.

According to Harry, it all went downhill when Ron found out Scorpius was in Ravenclaw and not Slytherin. Ron got mad at Harry (he had already been angry at Harry), but then he had also been mad at Neville for sticking up for one of his star pupils. Hermione was ready to just go to sleep. And she resented Ron, just a tiny bit, she knew it was unfair, for taking the Christmas spirit out of the house.

Before bed, she and the kids put Christmas cookies out on the kitchen table for Father Christmas. Hugo still believed in him, but she wasn't so sure Rose still did. She looked for Ron as Hugo began writing a letter to Santa, telling him about his new pet frog. He had gone to watch T.V. She was done for the night and didn't feel like making it a thing right now. So she helped Hugo finish his letter, then went to tuck her precious children into bed. On this matter, she insisted that Ron be present.

Once they were tucked into bed, Hermione took Ron by the arm and brought him into their bedroom.

"Look, Ron, I'm not going to argue with you on Christmas Eve, I just want you to be there, all there, with the kids in the morning," said Hermione.

Ron sat down on the edge of his bed and held his face in his hands.

"Hermione, I feel like a complete arsehole. I know I've messed up today for you, and probably Harry and maybe Neville. I just need to process... I'm so sorry."

"Ron, you know I love you and support you. But I also love and support our kids. Sometimes we have to put on a strong face for them, even if it's the hardest thing for us to do. And being kind to Malfoy's kid is not the hardest thing I've ever had to do or go through."

"You're right," Ron said a little begrudgingly. After a minute of silence, Ron continued, "Hermione, at some point, we have to tell the kids what really happened."

"Yes, but she's only 11."

There was a knock on their bedroom door. Hermione jumped.

"Mum? Dad?" came the voice of their daughter. "Can I come in?"

"Yes, dear," said Hermione. Ron sat up. Rose slowly opened the door.

"I'm sorry if I did anything today… I feel like you l were not happy about something."

"Honey, it wasn't you.," began Hermione.

Ron took over, "To be honest with you, Rose, you're getting older...I was having one of those hard days that I struggle with sometimes. Something reminded me of bad memories from a long time ago, and it derailed me." There was a beat of silence.

"Was it Scorpius?" Rose asked. She had always been perceptive, mused Hermione.

"Err," started Ron. "Yes and no. Look, there are a lot of things that happened when I was in school and during the war that I will tell you over time, but for now...I don't, err... how do I say it… hate Scorpius personally. I don't know him at all. But certain people in his family bring up some terrible memories for me. And it's hard for me to accept that you might be friends with him."

"What kind of memories?" Rose asked, her face growing more suspicious. Hermione could feel her nails digging into her palms. Her daughter was very persistent when she wanted to find something out.

Ron looked at Hermione for help.

"Well, erm, Scorpius's father, Draco Malfoy, was a bully in school. He used to call me mudblood, and your father got in numerous fights with him over it. And there were other ways he bullied Ron, me, and your Uncle Harry. And many other students at Hogwarts. I have heard that Mr. Malfoy has done a lot to try to make amends for the things he has done in the past. Harry has told me that he donates healing potions to local apothecaries who run low on supplies."

Hermione raised her eyes to Ron. Is that enough, she tried to ask him through her eyes.

"Well...Ok, I guess," said Rose. "Just to be sure, you're not mad at me?"

"No, love, we're not mad at you," Hermione said. She went over to hug her daughter. She knew these talks were going to get harder the older Rose got, and the more she learned about the world she was growing up in.

"Come here to me," Ron said to Rose. She went over and hugged her dad. That hug seemed to put more life into Ron's eyes. "Now go to bed, or Santa won't come to our house tonight!"

"Dad, I'm eleven years old. Please." Rose said, rolling her eyes on the way out.

Hermione closed the door behind her, shaking her head. Rose was growing up too fast.

"Let's get some rest," she said to Ron and climbed into bed next to him. Ron kissed her.