James was still sobbing when he re-entered the living room, repeatedly telling Ginny that he 'wan'ed to say goodbye!'. Ginny put him back on the sofa, where he grabbed a pillow and wailed into it.

Liam looked positively bewildered, and scrambled off Robert's lap, before wriggling onto mine. Helen was tutting, wobbling her weedy head from side to side, and glaring disapprovingly at James.

Mabel took one look at James and started bawling too, leaping into my already full arms, and causing Liam to smash his knee into her chin. She only cried louder.

"Come 'ere, Mabel," Robert muttered, reaching over, and pulling our child off my lap. She didn't protest, rather wrapped her arms around my husband's neck, muffling her cries.

"My heart hurts," Helen remarked snidely, making Ginny frown, "These poor children obviously haven't been brought up properly, you know. No one likes a crying child."

As if on cue, both Al and Lily began to cry too, adding to the overwhelming noise engulfing the room, and making the blood pound against my ears. Liam looked at me in perplexity, his face screwed up in an attempt not to cry too.

"It's okay," I told him, hugging him closer. Ginny had reached towards Lily, taking her from the crib, and trying in vain to calm her.

"What's goin' on?" Liam whispered, clutching my t-shirt, and looking up at me with big, scared eyes.

"I-"

"What happened?" he asked, a little urgently, "Why's everyone cryin'?"

"A lot has just happened, sweetheart," I replied, and Liam shook his head.

"I know that, but no one's told me what happened!" Liam snivelled, "I dunno why everyone's cryin', and I had to leave school, and – and –"

"Look, Liam," I said quietly, pulling him in closer, "Someone came to our house whilst we were dropping you off at school. Whoever was there was a real mean person, ok?"

"Did they take my stuff?" Liam asked, eyes widening.

"No, they destroyed the house, Li," I whispered, looking away. Liam's jaw dropped.

"Why?!" He asked incredulously, clinging onto me fiercely.

"We don't know," I lied, not wanting to tell Liam the facts; that we were being used to get to Harry.

"Who knows?" he persisted, glancing at James.

"James' Daddy," I replied, following his gaze. James had stopped crying and was sitting on the floor, his knees drawn in close to his body. It stunned me for a moment, for he looked so much older than 5. Liam slipped off my lap, and went to sit by James, crossed legged next to him.

"Hi, Liam," James muttered, quickly wiping a tear away from his hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry you're sad," Liam said quietly, "I'll sit with you if you like."

James nodded, before pulling his blue school jumper over his head and tossing it to the side. Liam waited for a second, prior to mimicking his friend, and taking off his jumper. He placed it in his lap and looked questioningly back at James.

"Can my family stay here?" My son asked, making me smile slightly, "Our house been exploded by the baddie."

James' mouth opened a little before he quickly snapped it shut, "I didn't know that."

Liam shrugged, "My Mummy only just told me."

"Is that why we couldn't be at school, and my Dad left without saying goodbye?" James asked, and Liam shrugged again.

"Probably." He reached forward, and hugged James, "But I'm still your best friend."

"I wonder what's happenin' at the school." James sniffed, playing with the end of his gold and blue tie.

"They're learnin' the phonics," Liam said instantly, and James' face fell.

"I like those." He said sadly, finally getting to his feet, and walking over to the window. He reached up, and drew back the curtain a little, standing precociously on his tiptoes.

"James, no thank you," Ginny sighed, looking over to her eldest son, "Come back over here."

"How long till I can leave?" snapped Helen, and I jumped in surprise. I had totally forgotten she was here, "I've called my husband to pick me up."

"Good," muttered Ginny, "You can leave when he gets here then."

"Brilliant," Helen said snidely, "Might inform him of what's happened here."

"Go on," Ginny mumbled, and Robert smiled a little.

"I bet this will be all over the news tonight," Helen continued, "I bet that Knox could get the news through to the BBC within a couple of hours."

"Good for him," Ginny said under her breath, and Robert covered his laughter with a cough.

"Yes, yes it is, good for him." Helen said smugly, "I bet your faces will be plastered all over the front page of the newspapers tomorrow."

"Like that's new." Ginny replied, so quietly, I had to strain my ears to hear her. I did a double-take when I processed what she had said.

"What?" I asked, not thinking before that determiner came out my mouth.

Ginny looked up, looking a bit flustered, "Oh, uh, Harry's work can get us in the papers sometimes, you know, work."

"Ah," Helen said happily, "Obviously been in trouble before, have you?!"

"No, it wasn't for any trouble," Ginny answered, looking at Helen hotly.

Helen had opened her mouth to reply, but the ring on the doorbell broke us all from our vivid conversation. We all looked towards the door, fearing the worst.

"Wait here," Ginny said, placing a wide-awake Lily in my arms, "You too, James." She added as James wandered over to the door. He scowled and sat back on the floor opposite Liam. I looked down at the baby in my arms, and again, I melted. I felt flattered that Ginny had trusted her baby with me, but at the same time, I was nervous. What if something happened, and I was made to look after the sweet thing forever? I shook my head, trying to clear those thoughts out, and refocused on the room around me.

Ginny walked over the front door, her hand, for some reason, clutching something in her pocket, and opened it. It was another of Harry's workers, I realised, and Ginny's hand fell back to her side. She was speaking to the woman, and nodding her head, before standing aside to let her in. To my amusement, Knox Nightingale tumbled in after her, almost falling flat on his face. Helen's face brightened, and she stood up to greet her husband.

"Helen," he said curtly, "What the hell is going on?"

"Ask the host," Helen replied, glaring at Ginny.

"Your Husband is here, Helen, you can clear off now." Ginny answered coolly, looking Knox up and down, "Your husband can go tell the BBC what's happening. You seemed so desperate earlier."

Knox was a large burly man with a tight-fitting suit on that did no justice to his hefty physique. He had smooth black hair that clung onto his head like a starfish and a weird looking moustache. His weedy eyes were blue, and his eyebrows were thick slugs across his lids.

"The BBC?" Knox asked, peering at Ginny, who nodded, "I never said anything about the BBC."

"Your wife said it for you," Ginny replied, folding her arms, "Now, please go, you have some gossiping to do."

I revered Ginny's audacity, but she had obviously not heard about Knox Nightingale before. I glanced at Robert, who looked nervously back.

"Who do you think you are?" Knox said threateningly, glaring at the red-haired woman.

"I'm Ginny Potter, and you are standing in my house, so if you don't mind, I'd rather you both get out," Ginny said coldly, not moving an inch.

"What if I refused?" Knox sneered, "What if I said I didn't want to get out?"

"You'd get arrested. Technically you'd be in my house without my permission." Ginny said shortly, glancing at the woman at the door, and nodding.

"That's been said a lot, but I'm famous within the Police, you know. They wouldn't arrest me." He said smugly.

"Is that so?" Ginny replied, "I do hope you're familiar with my husband's department, then."

"Probably." Knox retorted, "But they won't be able to arrest me. I've donated too much money for them to hate me."

"Please get out." Ginny sighed, "I don't want to deal with you right now."

"Too bad."

"I swear, it won't end in your favour."

"Try me."

"Look," Ginny said, her demeanour changing, "I've got a lot on my mind right now, and I'm sure-"

"Don't we all!" Helen shot, gazing admiringly up at Knox, and shooting daggers at Ginny.

"Exactly," Ginny nodded, "We all have better things to do than wait around for you to be arrested."

"Mummy?" A small voice said from beside me, and I looked down to see Al by the door, his hand resting on its frame, looking utterly bewildered, "Play?"

"Oh Al," Ginny exhaled, walking over, and picking up the child, "You can go upstairs if you want, just stay away from the window, okay?"

"Otay," Al nodded, holding onto Ginny's shoulder firmly, "You?"

"No, I've got to stay here, sweetheart," Ginny said sadly, kissing him on his forehead, and putting him down on the stairs, "I'll be down here if you want me."

Al nodded and tottered up the stairs. I glanced over at Mabel and flapped my hands in the direction of Robert.

"She can go play with Al, too," I told him, and he dipped his head, gently placing Mabel on the floor, and encouraging her to play with Al upstairs.

"You stay here, okay?" she told us, and after we both agreed, she hurried up the stairs after Al. James was looking longingly at her retreating figure, but after Liam suggested they follow, he quickly shook his head and said he was waiting down here for his Daddy.

"Is this house under attack or something?" Knox asked nervously, after hearing the small conversation between Ginny and her son.

"We won't know until the killer is caught," Ginny said bluntly, and Liam's face paled. He looked at me in terror, before leaping to his feet, and situating himself right next to me. Lily wriggled, and let out a huge sigh, curling her fingers around my thumb, and smacking her lips together. Liam looked down and smiled sadly at the baby.

"I'm not allowed another sister, am I?" he said quietly, and I shook my head firmly.

"Killer? As in Murderer?" Knox said, goggling at Ginny, "Is this some stupid joke?"

"Why would I joke about that?" Ginny asked incredulously, and Liam started to whimper.

"I don't wanna die!" He told me, "Where's the baddie?!"

"Hey, Li, it's fine," I soothed, placing my hand on his back, "You're safe here, ok?"

"You can stay here," James offered from his spot on the ground. He too looked a bit pale.

"Thanks." Liam murmured, "Can my Mummy, Daddy and Mabel stay too?"

"I think so," James replied, looking over at Teddy, who had, until now, remained silent.

"I'm not staying tonight, James." The older boy said, "My Gran will collect me later. Probably when Harry's back."

"Oh." James sniffed, "But you'll come tomorrow?"

Teddy shook his head, "Probably not." He looked down, "I didn't expect my visit to be like this."

"Right, c'mon Helen, we're off," Knox finally announced, walking over to the door, "I don't want anything do to with a murderer."

"Thank you," Ginny said, standing aside to let the Nightingale's pass, "Safe journey home."

"Will do," Helen said sweetly, "Let's hope your husband and his, uh, team, get a hold of this person before they start targeting more people in Downlow, ay?"

"They're great at their job," Ginny muttered.

"They better be," Helen said, walking out the door, and hopping into the BMW. Knox took one look back at Ginny, nodding appreciatingly, making Ginny scowl, and making to get into his car, he paused, however.

"Who's cars are those?" he asked, turning back around to look at Ginny questioningly.

"Our house, our cars, now scarper," Ginny said coldly. Knox, however, didn't get into his car. He walked over the scarlet sports car and ran his hand over the bonnet.

Ginny growled in annoyance, but Knox only carried on goggling at the gleaming vehicle.

"Look at this beauty," He muttered, peering inside.

"When you've finished running your hands all over mine and my husband's property, I'd rather you leave," Ginny said, and Knox looked back at her.

"How much did this cost you?" he asked in awe, "Must have been over £300,000."

"Not really your business," Ginny replied, "And how many times do I have to tell you to leave?"

Knox ignored her and looked back around at the car. He did a double-take when he saw the 2 Bentley's there too.

"Sweet Jesus," he said, ambling over, and checking them out. Ginny groaned and looked back around at me. I shrugged, and she frowned.

"Is he always this weird?" She asked me, and I nodded.

"What's he doing?" Robert asked, walking over beside me.

"He's running his filthy hands all over their cars, look," I told him, and Robert grinned.

"Pretty impressive though, aren't they?" he offered, and I shot him a look.

"Don't you be standing up to Knox bloody Nightingale," I told him, and he looked at me in shock.

"That's harsh, Katie." He said, looking hurt, "I wouldn't stick up for him."

All of a sudden, a huge pang lurched through my body, and as if on its own accord, my head turned back towards the cars. All 3 were slotted in carefully in a line; encased in my car, and the Nightingale's. I knew for a fact that we had parked here before Harry had arrived, so how had his car got here? There was no space for it to slide in between mine, and unless he flew, there was no other way he could have got the car in that specific spot. I looked across the road and noticed that it was deserted. No other cars. So, how did all the other Police get here? I turned away and forcefully pulled myself back into the present.

Ginny was still scowling, arms folded, standing by the door whilst Knox ogled with his watery blue eyes. Helen's hand was clenched rather tightly over the passenger door handle as she opened her mouth to address her husband.

"Knox, let's go. We don't need to be here anymore."

"Right, yes, ok," Knox said, straightening up, and adjusting his tie. He turned to face Ginny.

"Call me if you need me, ok hun?" he said, and Ginny slammed the door in his face.

"Fucking creep," Ginny shuddered, speaking quietly.

"He'll be sucking up to you now, just you wait," I warned, "Don't let him near you, I advise."

"Never want him near me or my family again," Ginny said firmly, taking Lily from me, and sitting down on the sofa, in-between me and Robert, "Hun? Is he joking?"

"Probably not," Robert said, rubbing his fist against his eye, "It's what he does. Hit on random married woman."

"Bit of a psycho," I added, making Ginny scowl.

"Just a bit?" she added sarcastically. I grinned, hugging Liam closer to me, and revelling in the fact that he pulled me in further.

Time went on and on, and before I knew it, it was lunchtime. Harry had not yet returned, and I could tell Ginny was steadily getting more and more nervous.

"I'll go and make lunch," she announced, and I instantly stood up.

"I'll help you," I offered, and Ginny nodded. She turned to Robert.

"Are you ok here with Ted and the kids?" she asked, and he nodded. Liam and James were quietly sitting on the floor, school books out in front of them, adding numbers together, Al and Mabel – having returned from upstairs – were stacking blocks behind the sofa, Lily was sleeping soundly in her Moses basket, her miniature hand, palm up, above her head, and Teddy was sitting cross-legged on his chair, engrossed in a book.

I followed Ginny out into the kitchen and asked what I could do to help.

"Uh, you could peel the potatoes if you like," Ginny said, grabbing pots and pans from the shelves, and placing them on the side. I nodded and took the peeler and potatoes from her hands.

"Do you have any idea how long until we can go back to our house?" I asked, watching the peels fall into the bin by my feet.

"I'll ask Harry when he comes back, but right now, I have no clue," Ginny replied quietly, placing 8 chicken breasts into the oven.

"Oh," I said, looking down again.

"I don't think you'll be here too long, Katie, I promise," Ginny added, looking at me, her brown eyes full of guilt.

"It's just," I started, "It doesn't even feel like my life." I confessed, "I'm so used to ordinary, that all of this just feels so surreal if you get what I mean."

"I get exactly what you mean," Ginny nodded, "I was all normal until Harry turned up in my life."

I raised an eyebrow.

"I mean," Ginny said quickly, "He's so busy, and the world just seems to move quicker when he's around. Not that it's a bad thing."

"Oh."

"Anyway," Ginny continued, "I'm sure you'd like to see where you're sleeping."

"But the-"

"It's ok," Ginny smiled, "It won't take too long."

I nodded.

She walked out the door and gestured for me to follow her. I trailed after her as she led us up the stairs, and began to head right down the long hallway. She finally stopped outside the door furthest from the stairs and pushed open the door.

The room was much bigger and much neater than mine and Robert's room at home, but the sight of it made me ache in the longing of our own home. It was strange. Strange to think that our house would never be the same, ever again.

"I know it's not your home, but I'm sure it will do," Ginny said quietly, watching me closely.

"Yeah," I replied, swallowing the fat lump that had arisen in my throat. I turned to face her. "Thanks."

"I'm so sorry." Whispered Ginny, looking away, "We didn't mean for you to get right into the midst of this, this, misery. I knew it was a risky move sending James to school, but I never knew it would be this bad. I'm so so sorry, Katie."

I looked down at my feet, trying to hold in my tears that threatened so hotly to fall.

"It's ok." I managed to mutter, still not looking up.

"I'm surprised you even want to be involved in us anymore, considering…"

"It's not your fault," I said, pulling my head back up, "You wouldn't have done any of this on purpose."

Ginny looked slightly stricken for a second, before she answered, "Of course not! You've been so kind to us, the kids especially, and we've felt so welcomed here."

"I'm glad," I sniffed, "I'm glad I'm not a Helen."

Ginny grinned a bit, "Imagine. A whole town of Helen's."

I grimaced, "Please don't put such horrors into my mind, Ginny."

She laughed, before walking back out into the hall, and closing the door behind us both. I glanced at my watch.

13:57 glared back.

We were about to walk back down the stairs to the kitchen, before 2 little pairs of legs came into view. It was James and Liam, and they were both clutching identical bits of paper.

"Hi boys," I said uncertainly, trying to catch a glimpse of what they were holding, but they were carrying it impressively out of view.

"Hi, Mum," Liam replied, smiling hesitantly.

"You ok?" Ginny asked, looking at James with the same expression that I had used on Liam. They both nodded quickly, glancing at each other whilst doing so.

"We're just goin' to my room," James said, and Liam nodded in agreement, "See ya."

And with that, they both ran off and turned right into a room (I assumed it was James', given what they had said seconds prior).

I looked at Ginny, and she shrugged, before we both continued down to stairs, and headed back into the kitchen.

"It smells really good," I commented, and Ginny grinned.

"I hope it does," She told me, reaching towards the oven door, "I don't want to poison you and your family."

"You know what," I replied, smiling, "I'm surprised I haven't food poisoned the kids or Robert by now. I'm a terrible cook, but Robert's worse, so I suppose I have to be the one who does it."

"I've told you before that Harry's the cook in this house," Ginny grimaced, "My Mum's incredible, but apparently I only inherited her red hair, and not her remarkable skills in the kitchen."

"It still looks good, though, thank you," I said, and Ginny smiled.

"Thanks." She responded, before opening the oven and pulling out the tray of chicken.

Several minutes later, Ginny shook off the oven gloves and began to pull out the plates and cutlery.

"Here," I offered, stepping over, "Let me help."

"Thanks," She smiled, handing me 8 plates, and grabbing knives and forks from the drawer in front of her. I followed her to the dining room, and set down the plates were Ginny told me too. She then served all the plates with food and placed a jug of water in the centre of the table.

"Right," she grinned, "Let's go gather the children and your husband."

"Righto," I replied, and we both wandered back into the living room. Robert was sitting cross-legged on the floor, Lily held firmly in his arms, building a tower of blocks with Al and Mabel. He looked up when he entered, and quickly scrambled to his feet.

"Sorry I got Lily out, Ginny," He said hurriedly, placing the baby back in her Mum's arms, "She was whimpering, and I knew you were busy in the kitchen. Lunch smells nice, by the way."

"It's fine," Ginny grinned, "She likes being held by different people."

"That's what Teddy said," Robert said in relief, and Teddy put his thumb up, not taking his eyes off the book he was still reading.

"Well, lunch is now, so you can all come through," I said, and Ginny nodded in agreement.

"What for lunch?" Al asked, tearing his eyes away from their 17-block high tower.

"Chicken, potatoes and vegetables," Ginny answered, lifting him to his feet, and running a hand through his black hair.

"I like tatoes," He said, wrapping his arms around Ginny's leg.

"I know you do," Ginny smiled, "Is your brother still upstairs?"

"Up'tairs," Al nodded, releasing himself, and stretching out his small hand towards Mabel. She smiled and stood up to take it.

"Ted, you don't mind getting James and Liam, do you?" Ginny asked, and Teddy finally dragged his eyes away from the book.

"Sure," he shrugged, letting the book fall down his knees and drop onto the floor. He stretched his arms up, twisting them round, before getting to his feet. He must have forgotten his discarded book, for he tripped over it, catching himself before he fell face-first into the pile of blocks on the floor.

"Just as clumsy as your mother," Ginny said fondly, making Teddy grin sheepishly as he walked out the door, and plodded up the stairs.

"Come on," Ginny suggested, and we all trailed her back into the dining room.

"I sit next to Al," Mabel said decisively, crawling up onto a chair on the left, dragging Al with her.

"Otay," Al agreed, reaching up to grab the seat, before lifting himself up onto it.

"Well done, Al," Ginny said in surprise, "You got up by yourself."

"Got up," Al smiled, placing his palms on the table.

Just then, we heard the squeals of Liam and James as they thundered into the dining room, Teddy in tow.

"Lunch!" James cried, running full force into the room, scrambling onto a vacant seat, and looking innocently up at Ginny, who was frowning.

"Please don't yell like that," she sighed, putting Lily down in a bassinet which I swore wasn't there minutes before.

"I'm hungry," James said, completely ignoring his Mother's request.

"I'm sure you are," Ginny replied, "Just be patient."

"What d'you reckons happenin' at school?" James asked Liam, again, disregarding Ginny's demand.

"Shapes 'n colours," Liam answered, "It's Wednesday."

"We're missing all the good stuff," James huffed, crossing his arms, and swinging his feet under the table, "We could have missed bad things."

"You'll be back at school tomorrow," Ginny said, sitting herself down, "You won't have missed too much."

"Still missed it," James muttered, putting his chin in his hands, "Wednesdays are good days."

"There's still next Wednesday," Robert said, and James turned to look at him.

"That's 7 days away," he said smartly, "We have to do the whole week again."

"It will fly by," I added, and Liam nodded hopefully.

"Right let's eat." Ginny grinned, and we all tucked in.

3 quarters of an hour later, Albus announced he was done, and James let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Finally," James moaned, "You take forever, Al."

"Just because he's not as fast as you, James," Teddy smirked, and James scowled.

"He was the last to finish, though," James defended, pointing an accusing finger at Albus, "And, he's always the last to finish."

"Mabel's slow too," Liam added, wanting to be a part of the conversation. Mabel's face screwed up in annoyance, and she opened her mouth to retaliate.

"You know what," Robert said quickly, sensing the imminent argument arising, "Everyone's finished now, so we can all drop this conversation, and leave the table, eh?"

All the kids immediately pushed their seats back and scurried back into their respective rooms.

"Well saved," grinned Ginny, "I usually just let them get on with it."

"Mabel and Liam can get ferocious," Robert said, and I nodded in firm agreement. Liam was the speaker, but Mabel could kick, pinch and bite till the death.

"Not just my kids, then," Ginny laughed, gathering the plates, "Poor Al always gets the brunt of the damage, too."

"Ours are evens Stevens," Robert grinned, "Katie and I had another child in the hopes that he or she would be exactly like Liam; calm, easy-going, and gave not a care in the world, but nope, we got the complete opposite. Not that we would trade Mabel for anything." He added hastily, and Ginny smiled.

"Al's quiet, so at least we got 1 calm child," she said, "James and Lily are little demons."

As if on cue, Lily began to stir yet again, and Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure she can understand what I'm saying sometimes, too."

A couple of hours later, I looked at my watch and was slightly taken aback for it to read: 5:20. I glanced over at Ginny was sitting on the sofa, Al on her lap, one hand running absentmindedly through his hair. I privately thought that she should be more worried, considering her husband had not yet returned, but I had the sense not to voice that particular thought out loud. I then turned my gaze to Mabel, who was dozing on Robert's chest, using her hand as a pillow, snoring ever so quietly.

I slumped back against the pillows, and along with the quiet lull of the house, came by doodling thoughts.

So, so many questions. Why me? Why my family? I racked my brains right into the distant past and found nothing wrong with how I lived my life. Was it fate that the Potter's moved here, or rather unfortune?

No, I thought, it was definitely not unfortunate for the Potters to move here. Liam is happy, and I'm finally making friends here in Downlow because of it.

Who were the people who had gone to visit our home? Again, why target us? How on earth did they manage to blow up half, if not all, of our 4-bedroom family home without making a huge amount of noise? Our home is really only a 10-minute direct drive from the school, so surely we would have heard something if a bomb was used.

As the time ticked on and on, Mabel began to stir, and with her came Albus. It was about 6, and the sun was not yet set, but unfamiliar drowsiness had filled the room, drifting over the house like some horrific invisible gas. Al was the first to speak, breaking the quiet.

"Where Daddy?"

Ginny sighed, glancing at the clock on the mantle.

"I don't know, Al, but it's almost time for Teddy to go home."

"Teddy?"

"Yes, he'll be back next week."

Al sniffed, wiping his nose on his sleeve, "Teddy stay."

"You know he doesn't stay overnights on Wednesday's, Al."

"Today?"

Ginny shook her head, and stood up, uncurling her legs as she did so.

"I'll go get the boys, Katie." She said, and I nodded, having no intention to get up myself.

Once she had left, Al dropped down from the sofa, and wriggled up beside me, clutching onto my right arm for dear life.

"You alright?" I asked, slightly bewildered at this extreme physical touch I had not at all expected.

He looked up at me with his huge, startlingly green eyes, and nodded.

"I alonely." He said quietly, pointing to the spot him and his mother had just left, "Mama leaves, so I alonely over dere."

I smiled and wrapped my arm around him, my motherly instinct taking over almost instantly.

He felt so delicate, so light. I felt that if I squeezed him too hard, he would break apart in my hands. Both Liam and Mabel are short and stocky, both built on chunkiness, but Al was different. He had obviously outgrown the rolly toddler stage, but then I had to think. Had he ever been a rolly baby? According to Ginny, Al was a preemie, and I, personally, had no idea what that must be like.

He acted and spoke as any 2-year-old should, but, it was different. Part of me regretted deciding not to have any more children, losing all the possible children I could have had. Could I have had a mini-me? Twins? I would never know, and that part still sucks.

But I'm happy with Mabel and Liam, and I wouldn't change them for a million other perfect children.

I slowly faded back into the present, deciding I was delving too deep through my amiable yet morbid collection of thoughts.

I glanced over at Robert, only to see he was asleep, one hand resting on Mabel's back, the other laying atop of the back of the sofa. I grinned, knowing only Robert would get this comfortable in a house that wasn't his.

Footsteps across the hall made me turn my gaze to the door, and I was pleased to see Liam and James looking happy and content.

"Hiya," My son greeted cheerfully, jolting Mabel awake. She began to cry, and her crying woke Robert, who was almost instantly rocking her soothingly in his arms. Liam's smile faltered, but I grinned at him, assuring that it was alright.

He shot me an uncertain smile, before leaping onto me. Al frowned, and uncoiled his arms from around my arm, hopping off the sofa, and scrambling onto the armchair instead.

What happened next is all a terrible blur. I only remember Teddy walking into the room, and as I turned my face back around, I recall seeing the flicker of green flames in the fireplace.

I've tried and tried to remember what happened after that, but I just, can't.

It's all a great big white foggy mist, and I don't recollect any audio either. It's weird, to describe, but it feels like that particular memory had been quite literally ripped from my brain.

It all comes back together after a small gap full of this strange white mist, but it feels like I've missed a part of time. For one thing, James is now sitting cross-legged on the floor, right next to the fireplace, with Al sat beside him, holding out one of his toy wooden blocks.


Everyone in the living room looked over when Teddy entered, Al looking delighted as he hopped off the seat, and into Teddy's arms.

"Mama, the floo!" James cried, making everyone jump. Ginny swore and dashed over to where the fireplace was roaring full of green flames.

A figure appeared, wiping the soot off her cloak, and looking at her company in surprise. Robert yelled in fright, scrambling away with a terrified Mabel in his arms, whilst Katie screamed. Liam looked in up utmost terror as he darted away from the room, his head reappearing uncertainly at the doorway.

"No, no, no, no," Ginny muttered, as she stumbled over to greet Andromeda Tonks, who was looking at the muggles in astonishment.

"Who are they?" Andromeda asked Ginny, who was glancing at Katie and Robert, biting her lip tentatively.

"James' muggle friends," Ginny replied, turning to look at Andromeda, one eyebrow raised, "And I'm going to have to oblivate them now. Did you not get my owl saying to apparate outside the door?"

"No owls," Andromeda said, "Why are they in your house?"

"Theirs has been blown up," Ginny said bluntly, whilst the older woman's eyes widened in shock.

"Merlin," Andromeda said, clutching at her heart, "I hope everyone's alright."

Ginny nodded, glancing at the horror stuck muggles sitting on her living room sofa.

"What just happened?" A tiny voice whispered, and everyone looked around, to see Liam holding on the doorframe, his knuckles white from the sheer force of it.

James looked up at Ginny in bewilderment, pushing himself up onto the sofa.

"It's ok, James," Ginny assured her son, "He won't remember what's happened, ok?"

"What?" Robert said shakily from the sofa, holding onto Mabel so tight, it looked like he might squeeze her to death.

Ginny looked away, not wanting to meet her friend's eyes, and turned her attention back on Andromeda.

"We'll have to make this quick because I don't want to make it hard to oblivate them." She swallowed, "I hate it."

"It's ok," Andromeda said, "You won't feel too guilty after a bit."

Ginny nodded thickly, before taking out her wand and summoning Teddy's day bag from by the front door.

Katie and Robert gaped, bodies tense as they watched the bag fly straight into Ginny's hand.

"Magic wand," Mabel said in awe, her eyes fixated on the thin wooden stick, but Katie shook her head fearfully.

"There's no such thing," she whispered, and Ginny lowered her eyes, handing the bag to Teddy.

James' eyes were static on Liam, watching his best friend closely. The friend in question was still grasping onto the door, his body trembling. As Ginny stooped down to hug Teddy, James hopped off the sofa, and made his way to Liam.

"What that a real magic wand?" Liam breathed in dreadful wonder. James glanced at his Mum, before nodding slightly.

"But my Mummy and Daddy said there's no such thing as real magic," Liam replied sceptically.

"But you won't remember," James said sadly, trailing his eyes away, and watching as Andromeda stepped into the fireplace, her hand held tightly onto Teddy's arm.

"Why not?" Liam persisted, "I'm good at memembering things."

"With magic," James muttered, flapping his hand vaguely in the general direction of his Mum. Liam looked on with dubious eyes but jumped back in fright as the fireplace suddenly roared with vibrant green flames, sending a wave of warmth through the room.

'Wait!" James yelled, "I didn't say bye!"

Ginny sighed, brushing off her hands on her clothes, and turning to look at James.

"I said goodbye for you, ok?"

"Oh."

James wandered over to the fireplace, and sat down next to it, refusing to watch his best friends mind me altered.

"Hey, it's ok, Jamie," Ginny said softly, whilst Katie and Robert looked at each other in terrified confusion.

"It's not fair," James replied, "Why can't he know?"

"The time will come, James," Ginny said, "But now's not it."

James nodded solemnly, whilst Al resumed the playing of his wooden blocks at the base of the sofa, happily oblivious to what was going on around him.

"What's happening?" Robert asked hesitantly, probably wondering when he would wake up from this strange dream.

Ginny ignored him; she had to, to get this done, anyway.

She sucked in a deep breath, determinedly keeping her eyes locked on the edge of her wand as she shifted it in her fingers, casting a non-verbal oblivation on each member of the Williams family. One by one, their eyes glazed over, their pupils dilating, before the spell retracted, leaving the 4 muggles unknowledgeable of anything that had just happened right in front of their very eyes