Note: So, from last chapter's reactions I'm pretty sure you'll hate me and this story for the near future.

To everyone that gave up on reading and such, I'm sorry for that.

To all of you that still like this, I'm writing it for you!

All I have to say is that everything that happens in the story has a good reason for it.

April 11th

The day before Laura and Lily's birthday

Hogwarts

"So, okay," Lily says as they wait for the stair to move, "we need to do something. Laura! Pay attention!" Laura is reading her transfiguration book.

"What, Lily? I didn't study for this test, I'm flunking, mum is going to kill me, I swear, I need to read it and-"

Lily holds her by the shoulders, the stair stopping. "We have pressing matters to think about!" Laura rolls her eyes, both entering the long hall, walking fast to the classroom.

"You know there's nothing we can do on our own, we need some adult to help us!" Laura says, her eyes still on the book as she walks.

"Yes, that's exactly why we're going to aunt Luna after Transfiguration."

Laura doesn't answer her sister and Lily stops her. "What's wrong, sis? Aren't you excited about our plan? Tomorrow is our chance!"

Laura looks around, unsure. "It's just…" She sighs, "I mean, should we interfere? Really? Think about it, what if we make things worse?"

Lily shakes her head. "I don't think that's possible. Sis, you can feel it too, they're miserable!"

"Yeah, I know, but it's their choice, Lily!"

Lily grunts in frustration. "But something is very wrong with dad, you know I'm right!"

"Ugh, I hate this." Laura says, "But, yeah, okay, it's like dad's thoughts aren't his own anymore. It's so confusing."

Since the day they visited their father at the Hospital they know their relationship with their parents is different, they can tell - most of the time and as a secondary feeling to them - what they feel, how they feel it, why they feel it. They don't know what it means, but this connection is there like a pleasant hum. However, since their mother's coma, it changed for the worse. It's like a dark cloud is fogging their father's mind and thoughts, contaminating his actions, confusing him. And since then the connection doesn't feel as good as it once felt. The girls suffer for them because they're hurting all the time.

Lily lowers her head, "We have to try."

Laura nods. An annoyed Professor/Headmistress McGonagall exits the classroom just a few feet in front of them. "Lily and Laura Potter, are you coming in or not?"

They rush inside.

"So, for next week, don't forget to bring me all the signs you detect on your surroundings, there's a lot Nature is telling us and magic is part of it. I want one hundred lines on that matter. Just write whatever comes to your mind." Luna says to her fourth years as they leave her classroom.

She smiles to herself as she organizes her things, there's no more classes this week and she's free to go to Ron's and stay there the whole weekend. She's glad Minerva is so carefree. Tomorrow is the big party and even if Harry's not the same anymore, Luna's senses show her only good things regarding the event, very different from that day they reunited at the Burrow. So, she's happy, she's glad that after many problems and turbulences these girls will have something nice to remember and cherish.

She sits on her desk, writing down everything she taught this week and planning next week. Maybe she could take her students to the Great Lake, they could search for Nargles there, they're very telling on the art of Divination and not a lot of-

A little cough takes her out of her thoughts. She looks up and Lily and Laura are watching her with expectant eyes. Luna smiles, gesturing for them to give her a hug. "So, how are you, girls? Excited for tomorrow?"

They nod and smile, but Luna can sense that there's something bothering them. "What is it?" She asks.

"It's just…" Laura begins and glances at her sister and they share a look Luna saw once on Harry and Hermione while they were talking inside each other's heads. They nod to one another, clearly coming to an understanding.

"We need your help." Lily finishes.

Luna raises one eyebrow, curious. "Yes, girls, of course, anything." She loves these girls.

"Aunt Luna, hear us out first, because our idea is a little crazy and-" Luna laughs at Laura's words.

"I think it won't be crazier than the ideas your parents came up with, so we should be fine." She takes their hands and squeeze a little. "Come on, tell me."

They relax and Lily says, "We want to trap our parents. I mean, we've been wanting to do that for a long time, you remember we even came up with a plan?" Luna nods, of course she remembers, it was genius, but in her opinion a little impossible to pull off.

"Well," Laura continues, "We know our party isn't the perfect scenario, but-"

"Wait," Luna raises a hand, "you want to do that tomorrow? At the party?"

They nod in unison. Luna doesn't want to disappoint them, but she's not so sure anymore this plan is the best. Things between Harry and Hermione are… terrible. Ron's been keeping her on the loop about everything and just to imagine that Harry immobilized Hermione for hours and made her watch as every prophecy was destroyed is something that gives her chills. To be honest, Ron told her - and she could already tell - Harry hates all of them now. Luna is sure they got an invitation to the party just because it's important to the girls. Laura and Lily are waiting for her to say something. She sighs. What if forcing them together makes things worse?

"Girls," She's not sure how to put this, "I don't think your parents are in a good place right now and maybe forcing them together isn't the-"

"See?" Laura turns to Lily, "I told you, we shouldn't interfere! Aunt Luna agrees."

"But, aunt Luna, please, there's something wrong with dad! We should at least try, maybe mum can help him!"

Luna shakes her head and tries avoiding their pleading eyes, but deep down she knows what she needs to do, deep down she knows they're right. "Fine." She closes her eyes, already doubting her decision. "Tell me your plan."

April 12th

Laura and Lily's birthday

Animus Mansion

Hermione apparates inside. The house is dark and a little cold and she flicks her wand to give it light and warmth. She needs to get ready for the party and just the thought of it makes her heart beat faster. She grunts while she climbs the stairs, her head hurting from all the anxiety she's been feeling throughout the day. She felt Harry casting spells all day, preparing, and it drives her crazy to imagine a party for their daughters without her by his side, without it being at their house, without them as a family. She wished she could skip it, but she would never do that to Lily and Laura, they want her there and Hermione wants to show them that they don't need to worry, that all the bad things are behind them. She wants them to understand that their parents are not together, but they love them very much. She wants them to feel loved and safe after having their mother at a Hospital bed for so long, after having their father in prison for weeks.

So, she holds her head up and high and tries to cope with the fact that Harry is with Cho now, she's been convincing herself they deserve each other every hour of every day, but them walking into the living area at Draco and Ginny's holding hands is a scene she wished she could obliterate from her mind. One thing is to hear about them, to imagine them as a couple, other is to see it, to have to pretend she doesn't care. But I'll get there. It will come the day I won't really care. Hermione can only hope.

At first she was sure nothing could come between her and Harry, she was certain their love was bigger and stronger than anything, and she convinced herself that she could bring him back to her, but after the things he said when he thought her baby was Jack's… maybe there isn't a way after all. If prophecies are inevitable, if they talk about the future and are really impossible to avoid, she has to accept it. Their prophecy is fulfilled and there's nothing more she can do about it. The Wicked One won. Marga won. There's nothing Hermione can say to Harry to change his mind, there's no miracle she can perform for him to see her differently. That's who I am.

She feels awful and at the same time she feels just tired. She's tired of caring so much, and tonight she decided she's just going to enjoy the party, enjoy the Weasleys, and most of all enjoy Lily and Laura.

"Yeah, fuck this prophecy." She says to herself as she walks inside her room.

"Talking alone?"

She completely freezes. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Hermione tries not to scream in frustration. Can't I have a moment of peace? Never?

"How the fuck do you keep apparating inside my house?"

She doesn't wait for an answer and aims her wand at him. Hermione feels a little murderous and it must show in her eyes because he raises his hands, an expression of fear on his face.

"I-"

"Stupefy!"

Jack falls unconscious on the floor and Hermione smiles. She then performs another few spells, tying him to a chair in the middle of the room. She knows there's no way of him going anywhere. She realized every spell she casts with the Elder Wand has a more enduring effect. She observes the tied up Jack and wonders what he wants with her. She sighs. Taking off her clothes she heads to the shower, expecting him to be awake when she's done. Yes, Jack, let's have a nice conversation.

The moment she enters the shower Harry's voice comes to her. "Hermione?" She thinks she stops breathing. They haven't talked since that exchange in her kitchen. And she doesn't know what to do, should she answer him? Does he want to talk about the party? "Are you okay?" It's such a strange question for this new Harry to be making. Then she realizes he must have felt her performing a stupefy followed by binding spells… it really sounds suspicious.

"What do you care?" She says to him as she feels the hot water hitting her body.

"I don't." And that's it.

While she showers she comes to the conclusion that they need to break this magical connection, there's no way of them living, moving on with their lives with this. But at the same time… he can't hurt me like this. She's not sure he actually would, especially knowing that she's pregnant, even if he thinks the baby's Jack's.

She exits the shower and covers herself with a towel. Jack is already awake and she rolls her eyes as she hears him from inside the bathroom.

"Come on, Hermione! This isn't necessary! Hermione! Hermione!" He's practically yelling.

She wandlessly shuts his mouth and stops in front of him. Then, just because she wants to, she slaps him hard on the face. It gives her immense satisfaction. "Look, Jack. I've been having some really shitty days, but well, you know that, don't you, darling? You are the cause of most of it." She leans closer to him, her wet hair dripping on the floor. "I'm not feeling very forgiving and I would love to have a reason to hex you all night. But I guess it's your lucky day since I have to be somewhere in about an hour. I have no idea why you're here and honestly I don't care," She walks to her closet, choosing an outfit, "and I'm willing to make a deal with you." She fetches a flattering blue dress, that is just above knee length and tries to convince herself she's not picking this just to provoke Harry. "I won't call Draco here to arrest you if you answer all my questions, how about that?" She gets rid of the towel and starts getting dressed inside the closet, away from his eyes. She hears him mumbling something and lifts the hex. "What was that?" She's putting on her underwear.

"I said I came here just to talk, dear."

"So, talk."

He looks around. "Are you really letting me go after?" She shrugs, putting on the dress. Jack whistles. "Hot." He says as she comes into view.

"I know." He laughs at her words. "Look, Jack. It depends on what you're going to tell me and on my mood… I guess you'll have to risk it, right?" She sits at her dresser and watches him on the mirror.

"Fine. First I want to apologize for everything I did to you," Hermione widens her eyes, she wasn't expecting an apology at all, "I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I really regret a lot of things… I-" She knows what he's about to say, she remembers Marga saying that he was stupid to fall in love with her.

"Okay," she cuts him, "Enough with the sentimental crap. Just tell me whatever it is you came here to say." She magically dries her hair and starts putting some light make up, still watching him on the mirror.

"I'm not the Wicked One." Hermione raises an eyebrow and turns to him. She laughs.

"Is that it? Wow, Jack, come on, you can do better than that."

"Marga is the Wicked One." Hermione's expression turns serious. Is he betraying her? What's going on? "She's been plotting and acting to separate you and Harry for years, Hermione."

She snorts and turns around to face the mirror again, "You expect me to believe you? Marga has done nothing but help us since all this madness started."

"You have to believe me!" He seems desperate, "You can even give me some Veritaserum, or read my mind or whatever!"

"Why would she do that?" She's extremely curious now, especially knowing that he's telling the truth.

"I don't know." Liar.

"So, what should I do with this information, Jack?" She gives her hair some waves, "And haven't you heard? Even if what you say is true, Marga already won."

"Let me help you, Hermione."

She gets up. "Help me, Jack? Where were you when I needed the most? Ah, yes, threatening me, manipulating my feelings, spying on me. Should I go on?" He purses his lips. "What's you relationship with Marga?" He sets his jaw and she waits.

"She came to me and offered me power. So, I helped her." Liar, liar… She shakes her head.

"Why you wanted the prophecy that day you and Cho attacked us?"

"I didn't want it for myself. Marga wanted it!"

"Why?"

"I don't know!" Hermione rolls her eyes, "But I don't think it's over, I don't think Marga got her revenge." Hermione narrows her eyes. "She, Cho and Harry are plotting something."

"And she left you out of her plans? That's why you came here?"

He seems annoyed. "Now that Potter is by her side, she doesn't need me anymore."

"Oh, no, boo-hoo." Hermione goes back to the closet and picks up a pair of black stilettos. "Is that all, Jack? Should I call Draco now?"

"Come on, Hermione! I'm trying here."

"Does Harry know Marga is the Wicked One?" She tries to play cool, but her heart beats faster, because if he knows…

Jack frowns a little. "I don't think so." She turns away from him, hiding her relief, "She's manipulating him, messing with his mind." Hermione perks up at that. "I don't know details, but I can try to find out. Please, give me a chance, we can work together to bring her down. I want to clear my name."

"Oh, really?"

"Let's say I'm not a big fan of the life of a criminal. So, what do you say?"

Hermione ponders while she chooses an overcoat. "Yeah, okay," She has nothing to lose. "But you get nothing from me, Jack. I don't trust you," She comes closer to him, leaning, supporting her hands on his thighs, her mouth inches from his as she says, "And if I doubt you, even for a second, I'll kill you, Jack." Her voice is low, her eyes on his. "Do you understand?" He nods slightly. "Say it."

"I understand." He swallows dry and she smiles a little.

"Good." She takes a few steps from him, loosening his restrains. Jack gets up from the chair, Hermione is really trusting him at the moment, maybe she can use his resentment on her favor. He puts one hand inside one of his pockets and takes out a little box.

"It's for Laura. And Lily." He extends the box to her, "Can you give it to them?" Hermione doesn't know how to react and Jack comes closer. "It's just a present, Hermione, I swear. You have to enlarge the box." Keeping an eye on him she does as he says and the box triples its size. "It's that book collection Laura wanted, remember? You couldn't find it anywhere and well," He shrugs, "I came across it, I think she'll like it and in a way it's for Lily too."

Hermione doesn't know why, but the way Jack says the words and the small brightness in his eyes makes her want to cry. It's a nice gesture and one she can't refuse, she wouldn't refuse. It's something for the girls, something they'll cherish even if he's not the man Hermione thought he were. "There's no card." She says.

"They don't need to know it's from me." He laughs humorlessly, "I think they'll enjoy it even more if they don't know who gave it to them. And," He looks down, ashamed, "I'm very sorry I threatened hurting them… I would never."

She nods. She believes him in a way. Hermione puts her hand above the box, Jack's hand under it. "Thanks, Jack." They stay that way for a while, staring into each other's eyes, measuring one another. "How do you keep apparating inside my house?" She asks again.

"I have a little vial with your blood in it, so I just need another little spell for the wards to recognize me as you or one of the girls." Hermione takes a step back, holding the box and raising an eyebrow at him. He rolls his eyes and takes the vial from a chain around his neck. "Here." He gives it to her. "I'll just knock next time."

"You better. Do I even want to know how you got my blood?"

"I don't think so. I'll come to you when I have some new information." She nods.

He looks at her one last time before exiting the room, descending the stairs and going out the mundane way, through the front door.

Potter Manor

The party

She knocks on the door. She didn't even try to apparate inside, she knows she won't be able to, so she spared herself the stress. She can hear loud voices coming from the house, everyone is probably there already. She's late, of course.

Harry is the one to open the door. And he looks absolutely dashing all in black. They don't say a word for a few heartbeats, both measuring up the other.

"You're late." He finally says.

"Yeah, well. I'm here, that's what matters."

"MUM!" Lily and Laura come running from inside, their enthusiasm so overwhelming, they almost knock Hermione to the floor.

However, Hermione laughs out loud, glad to be with them, glad they're so happy. She kisses their heads and hugs them. She already talked to them through the floo, first thing in the morning, and even if she disagreed at first, she must say she's also happy Harry insisted on the party. They begin to explain that the party is happening on the backyard, Lily is overexcited with the little Quidditch field her father put together. Hermione listens to them, glancing just once in the direction she knows Harry is watching and to her displeasure, Cho is there now, by his side.

"Hermione," Cho says, faking sympathy, "Please, come in, welcome to our house." She smiles.

Hermione totally ignores her, her mind rejecting the word 'our', but she finally steps inside, taking out her overcoat. Harry is behind her in a blink, taking the coat, and she knows the moment he realizes her dress has an open back because he stops mid motion. She turns to him and actually sees his eyes widening and his mouth opening slightly. Her dress also has an opening on the front, showing her sternum, the 'straps' coming together at her neck.

"Mum, you're so beautiful!" Lily exclaims and Hermione can't help smiling at the sourness on Cho's face. Well, maybe this evening can be better than I expected.

"Did you bring us gifts?" Laura asks.

"Of course!"

They walk to a big couch near the entrance, sitting while opening the presents. Hermione first gives them what she got, to Laura an elaborated self-inking quill and to Lily a beautiful broom compass. While they're opening them, Hermione can see Draco and Ginny talking a little far inside the house. They look suspicious, talking in hushed tones. Harry and Cho are behind Hermione, and she can tell they're watching her closely. There's no sign of Ron and Luna and most of the kids that were allowed to come must be outside with the Weasleys. Hermione's parents were invited, but she convinced them they shouldn't go, she wouldn't feel comfortable with her muggle parents around Cho Chang, and on Sunday, before the girls go back to Hogwarts they're spending the day with them.

Laura and Lily enthusiastically thank Hermione for the presents. Harry and Cho walk a little away from them, talking, but she sees them stopping as she takes out Jack's present.

"There's one more." She says.

Laura holds the box. "Is it from you too? There's no card."

Hermione smiles, "No, it's from a friend of mine." Harry comes immediately closer, obviously curious.

Laura tears the wrapping and gasps. "MUM! You finally found it!" She's delirious with happiness, Hermione knows how much she pestered her because she wanted this book collection.

"It wasn't me, sweetie." She kisses her head.

"Who was it then? Only you and Jack-" Laura stops, looking at her.

Hermione shrugs, "Well, yeah. It's for you too, Lily, of course!"

They thank her again and head to the backyard. Hermione glances at Harry and Cho, both with an unbelievable distaste on their expressions. She didn't plan for them to know the gift came from Jack, but since it happened there's nothing she can do about it. Barely acknowledging them again she heads to Draco and Ginny.

They greet her with hugs. "Merlin, I wished I could drink." Hermione says.

"What just happened there?" Ginny asks, discreetly gesturing to where the girls were opening the presents. Harry and Cho are talking, their faces serious.

"I'll tell you later. Where's Ron? Luna?"

"Why?" Ginny says fast and Hermione frowns at her, then she clears her throat and says, "I mean, they must be outside."

"Oookay, is something wrong?" Hermione asks, they're not acting normally.

Draco sighs, "No, it's just… strange." He looks around and leans closer to Hermione, whispering, "I saw an old witch outside that I'm sure was one of my father's friend. A death eater."

Hermione widens her eyes. "Are you serious? What is she doing here?"

"I have no idea. Look, don't go crazy about it, but I saw Harry talking to her, they seemed pretty close." Immediately Jack's words about it not being over for Marga comes to her mind, he said Cho and Harry are plotting something with Marga.

Ginny is pursing her lips. "I don't like it."

"None of us do, love." Draco says. Ron and Luna approach them. Both look worried too.

"Look," Hermione begins, "I don't care, okay? I really don't. Harry can do whatever he wants as long as this is a good party for the girls, as long as this is a nice memory for them. And please, let's just enjoy the evening. Please?" She asks them. "We have all day tomorrow to worry about whatever we want, but for now I would love if you all could wipe out this troubled expression from your faces."

"Yes, Hermione's right." Ron says. "Let's just enjoy the moment." He lifts his hand, there's a sandwich in it. "The food is amazing, at least."

They laugh a little and head outside.

And for a few hours Hermione really enjoys the party. It's always a pleasure to meet with Molly and Arthur and everyone else, for brief moments she even forgets that Harry hates her, she forgets he's there with Cho, but then when someone laughs a little louder, his absence is bigger than anything else. Harry never came to them, he stayed with Cho all the time, only taking time to talk to some other parents and especially Lily and Laura. A few parents were totally opposed to the party and to letting their children come, but most of them don't see Harry as this monster the Prophet wants to sell.

Laura and Lily are having the time of their lives. And that's what matters. And while the kids are playing some improvised Quidditch, she excuses herself to go to the bathroom, but the moment she enters the house, she wishes she hadn't. Harry and Cho are sharing a kiss inside the kitchen and Hermione is so shocked she doesn't move. An anger so strong invades her she thinks she might go blind. The way he holds Chang and how she travels her hands all over him is Hermione's worst nightmare performed live. She finally looks down and takes a deep breath, they don't notice her and she walks fast to the other direction. Unshed tears blurring her vision. She hurts physically.

Where's the bathroom? She finally founds it at the end of the hall and locks herself inside. She leans against the door, her heart beating faster, her breath coming short. She grunts and splashes some water on her face. "Put yourself together." But it's hard and something she knows she won't be able to do. So, she lets herself cry a little. She cries for them, for everything they lost in the past and for everything they're losing now. She massages her belly, I promise I'll be stronger for you. And then she cleans herself up and decides it. No more crying for Harry. No more.

She exits the bathroom, ready to ignore Harry's existence, but she stops as she feels him performing… not exactly a spell, but- Then she sees what he's seeing: she and Jack staring at each other, the box in their hands. And it abruptly stops. She purses her lips. Harry was tracking the present. She hears him coming in her direction and she turns to meet him head on. I won't run from this. They meet in the middle of the hall, his eyes wild. Before she can say anything he grabs her by the arm and opens the door in front of them. It's the study.

In a blink Harry is already fuming, saying everything he wants, "To imagine that I felt bad about the way I treated you," He laughs humorlessly, "And here you are, all friendly with that bastard, exchanging looks with the man that threatened our daughters, the man that almost killed you!" He's crazy. And he keeps going, "Letting him into your house, into your room! Allowing him to be near you, after everything!" He's not even looking at her anymore, "But of course, of course," He presses one hand against his temple and Hermione squints at the gesture, she's sure she saw him doing that a few times before, "You're a liar, I shouldn't be surprised." He looks at her with accusatory eyes. "You're, after all, carrying his child."

Hermione crosses her arms, fed up with his scene.

"I bet that even when we tried to be together you were with him, weren't you?" He nods to himself, "I can't fucking believe you called him your friend in front of MY daughters! What do you want with this, Hermione? Huh?" He comes dangerously close to her.

"Is that all, Harry?" She says, her voice firm, her chin up. He takes a step back, startled. "Are you done?" He opens and closes his mouth and she turns to leave, but his next words stop her.

"Are you with him?"

She sees red. It's absurd to think that Harry thinks so little of her now, to a point that he considers her being with Jack. And just to annoy him she says, "What if I am?" She turns to him, their faces an inch from each other, "What does it matter to you? I thought it didn't, I thought I was just a lying bitch you wanted to stay away from!" He sets his jaw, "We are nothing to each other now, and I don't owe you any kind of satisfaction, regarding what I do and especially whom I date!"

She at last turns and leaves the room, banging the door on her way out.

"Come on, everyone! Its time to sing happy birthday!" Harry announces and people gather around the table. Hermione stays behind, watching. She won't impose herself, Harry probably wants to be alone with the girls and the cake and such, but Lily comes to her.

"Aren't you coming, mum?" She's already taking her hand and leading Hermione to stand with them behind the cake, she tries stopping Lily, a little uncomfortable.

But then, "It's fine, Hermione." She glances at him. He's not looking at her, his eyes on the cake and on Laura. So she stays there, Lily and Laura in the middle, she and Harry flanking them.

It's a beautiful scene, a memorable moment. "Come on, make a wish." Hermione says to them after the song ends. They glance at her and Harry at the same time before blowing out the candles and people erupt in cheers.

"Come a little closer!" Hermione sees Arthur yelling in front of them, an old muggle camera in his hands. "I need to take a picture!"

Harry glances at her and takes a step closer to Laura who is by his side, Hermione does the same, leaning a little, her hand on their back. And then she feels his hand on hers. She doesn't react, no one notices a thing, they open their best smiles and Arthur takes the picture. But just before she retrieves her hand, Harry's thumb caresses it. It's natural and it feels like true affection. She wants to take his hand, to hug him, but as fast as she thinks about it, Cho is there and Harry pulls his hand fast, embracing his girlfriend. Hermione distances herself from them, going to stand with Ron, Luna, Ginny and Draco.

"It's time for our present!" Cho says.

"Merlin, are they giving presents together now?" Ginny says by her side, snorting.

Cho waves her wand and a big box appears in the middle of the yard. Harry tells them to go see what it is. Laura and Lily open the box and both shriek in excitement. "A PUPPY!"

"Isn't he the cutest?" Cho says, kneeling on the grass with them and Harry, all four around the puppy. Hermione can see it's a little Golden Retriever. "He'll stay here in our house." Cho continues and Hermione is sure she looks directly at her when she says 'our house' again. They stay there and soon other kids are petting the dog, Dominic included.

Ron gives her a nudge with his shoulder. "They have a dog, so what?" He says.

"Yeah, so what?" She mumbles. "I think I'm gonna go."

"No!" Luna exclaims and Hermione looks at her questioningly. "It's just that… I think- I think you shouldn't give Cho the satisfaction! Yes, in fact, you should be the last one to leave!"

Hermione sighs. "But," She yawns, "I'm actually very tired."

"Come on, Hermione, stay a little longer." Draco says.

She shakes her head. "No, really. I need to sleep, this little guy is draining my energy." She rubs her belly. "I'll grab my coat and then say goodbye to the girls."

She heads inside, her mind working slowly, at least I'm not hungry. She ate a lot, she thinks even more than she should have. Not minding a few things here and there, the party was a success and her daughters are happy, so she's leaving with a warm heart and a good feeling.

"Mum," Laura calls, running in the hall after her, "Are you leaving?" Laura embraces her and they stay that way for a while, swaying in place.

"I'm tired, pumpkin. It was a great party, wasn't it?" Laura nods. Hermione can tell she's a little anxious, their connection clear to her. "Is there something wrong?"

"I just wished you could stay, I wished it were our house, you know? Mine, Lily's, dad's and yours." Hermione closes her eyes, her hand running through Laura's hair.

"It's okay, sweetie. It's okay." She says a few times.

"Mum, before you go… dad said he wanted you to meet him at the wine cellar."

Hermione frowns. For what? "He did?" Laura confirms. "Well, okay. Is he there now?" Laura nods and Hermione kisses her head. "Don't worry, I won't leave without saying goodbye, okay?"

"Okay. Love you, mum."

"Love you too."

And she heads to the wine cellar wondering what Harry could possibly want with her.