After nearly fifteen years, Ron and Hermione sold their flat and bought a cottage in Ottery St. Catchpole. They initially planned on buying a new place after Ruby Granger-Weasley was born, however they also needed to find a safer place for their family after the events of the past year. Suddenly, Ron's thoughts were interrupted when he felt something bump into his left leg.
"Got you, Daddy!" said three-year-old Hattie Granger-Weasley whose new favourite game was tag. Ron smiled as he turned Hattie around to face the center of the room. Hattie held on to her father's hands as she leaned against his legs.
"Are you going to miss the flat, bug?" asked Ron.
"Mhm," said Hattie as she rocked back and forth.
"That's the last of the boxes, Dad," said Hugo Granger-Weasley coming out of his room with Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, each carrying cardboard boxes.
"The last of your boxes," clarified Ron. "Mum and I told you to pack up a week ago."
"I didn't think I had that much stuff!" argued Hugo.
"Fine - take them to the lorry," said Ron chuckling to himself at his son's procrastination habits. As the boys walked out, Hermione Granger walked into the flat followed by their eldest and Rose Granger-Weasley holding Ruby in her arms walked into the flat.
"Is that it?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah," responded Ron.
"I can't believe we're actually moving," said Rose. "It's so weird to leave here!"
"It's been a good home," said Hermione. "The next family to live here will be very lucky."
A soft ping rang out and Rose looked at her mobile phone. Albus had texted her to come down and help with Hattie, so Rose left the flat with Ruby still in her arms.
This left Ron and Hermione alone in the apartment. The last time it was this empty was the day they looked at it. They immediately fell in love with the space and purchased it the next day as it was a huge step up from their dinky little studio flat. It felt so big to them and at that time, it was the most expensive thing they ever bought and owned. The only colours in the space were the white walls with gray fleur-de-lis, the ivory moulding, and the forest green curtains.
"This is it," said Hermione grabbing Ron's hand and putting her head to his right shoulder.
"Hard to believe," said Ron as he put his head towards hers. "But it's for the best, 'Mione. This is too small for four kids."
"Five," corrected Hermione.
"Five," said Ron realizing he forgot to include Scorpius.
There were twenty years of memories in this flat including job changes, birthdays, holidays, and babies. There were even memories of the more mundane kind such as school mornings, lazy Sundays, and takeaway. The fact is that these memories will stayed with them now, there were new memories waiting for them in Ottery St. Catchpole.
After doing one last walk-through, Ron put his arm around Hermione and they walked out of their flat for the last time.
At seven o'clock, an exhausted Albus arrived to Grimmauld Place after packing things, moving furniture, and unpacking boxes. The moment he walked into the door, the usual Potter chaos was in full swing as the twins using a flying contraption to hover one of Hazel's dollies above her head. As Hazel jumped up and down to grab her dollie, Chessa dusted the staircase and Gornie swept the dust under the rugs.
"Master Albus, welcome home!" said Chessa gleefully. "Does Master want his supper?"
"Yes, please," said Albus.
"There's a plate in the stove," grumbled Gornie. "Master can reheat it if too cold." Eager to eat his lukewarm dinner, Albus walked downstairs to the kitchen where he found his mother, Lily, and James washing dishes.
"Hey Mum," greeted Al as he beelined to the stove.
"Hello sweetheart," said Ginny, her arms covered in soap. "There's a plate - "
As he opened it he found a lambchop, peas, and mashed swedes on the plate. Although he normally didn't care for food, Al was ravenous and started to wolf down on the lamb before he sat at the table.
"Merlin, Al!" exclaimed. "Don't be so crude!"
"Give him a break, Lills," said James. "Poor bloke probably hasn't eaten since breakfast!"
"He's not wrong," said Albus as Ginny put a glass of pumpkin juice in front of Al.
"Mum, Hazel is wrestling Colin!" said Iris barging into the kitchen. Ginny sighed as she walked up the stairs to the parlor to play referee, while Iris continued into the kitchen to get some water.
"Where's Dad?" asked Al with his mouth full of peas.
"Not here," grumbled Iris.
"He's starts his night shifts this week," said James finishing up the last dish.
"Even though we start Hogwarts next week!" said Iris.
"Iris, you know this is part of his job," said James.
"Besides, we'll still see him for dinner," reassured Lily.
"It's not the same!" protested Iris. "I want him home - at least I know he's safe when he's home!"
At that comment, the kitchen fell eerily silent. The three oldest Potter children understood the severity of the situation, especially their father's role in the current atmosphere. This realization left Albus no longer feeling hungry but tense. What if he missed his chance to say good-bye to his father tonight?
Albus did not want to feel this way, but the thought never left his mind that night.