Ch 51: Advent Comes At The Darkest Time of The Year

As the beginning of the Hogwarts Christmas Holidays approached, Ron, Hermione and Hugo were all getting extremely excited to have Rose come home for a few weeks. In their own way, each of them missed her terribly and craved the balance she brought to the family of four. And the excitement of getting to see Rose helped balance the anxiety everyone had at getting through the first Christmas without the majority of the Creevey family.

Hermione had made a "Count Down To Rose" calendar they had in the kitchen instead of the traditional Advent calendars in everyone else's kitchens. The countdown calendar currently said "3" on it. It was Tuesday afternoon, and they would all go pick up Rose from the Hogwarts Express that Friday evening. Hermione had gone out shopping with her Mum after work, so Ron and Hugo had the evening together. They didn't have a Christmas tree up in the house, as they had decided that they would all be going to Hermione and Rose's house for Christmas itself, so it would make more sense to decorate a tree there. But, they'd decided that they still wanted to put up a few decorations.

Hugo had asked Ron to go up in the attic and get the boxes decorations down so they could sort through the ones that he liked and wanted to have out for the holiday, the ones he wanted to keep but were too hard to have out this year or just wanted to save for another time, and the ones they could give away. So, they had put some Disney Christmas Cartoons on the tele, made some hot chocolate and were ready to sort through the boxes.

"So, how should we start? Do you want to get everything in a huge pile and sort from there, or pull things out one at a time?"

"I think we should pull things out one at a time. Actually – can you use magic to float them out? Kind of makes it more fun."

"Magic it is," Ron said. The two of them plopped onto the sofa, and he proceeded to float one item at a time out of the box. As each wreath, ornament, holiday figure or garland came out, Hugo would consider it for a moment and pronounce which pile it went in. Ron was relieved Hugo was in such a good mood for this project. He had been worried that each thing they looked at would be an emotional landmine. But, so far, it had been a couple boxes of bows, lights and wreaths that had been easily sorted into the "put out now" and "give away" piles. They had completed two boxes and moved to the one marked "ornaments." Hugo looked slightly tentative as Ron moved it to the center of the room.

"We can skip this one if you want," said Ron, reading Hugo's face.

"No," said Hugo taking a deep breath. "Let's do it."

"Ok, we'll tackle it together. But if it gets too much we can skip it and come back to it another time. Alright?"

"Alright," he nodded, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

The first thing that came out was the star that went on the top of the tree. Hugo looked at it with large eyes, blinked and took another deep breath. Finally, he said, "Let's put that away for another year."

"Ok. Done," nodded Ron as he quickly moved the star into another box where the sentimental item was out of sight yet kept safe for years to come.

The next item that came out was a broken ornament they vanished. This was followed by some ornaments that seemed to have no emotional hold on Hugo and were quickly moved to the donate pile. Then there was an ornament that held a picture, with the frame reading "Baby's First Christmas." It held a picture of Fi holding a tiny Hugo next to Dennis wearing a Father Christmas beard. Hugo's eyes got a little damp, but he didn't cry. Then he said, "Um, can we have a fourth pile? I want to come back to some and decide later if I want to have them out this year or not. But I know I won't give them away."

"I think that is quite smart of you," said Ron with a nod, floating it over to a new pile.

They continued to work through the box of ornaments, moving all of the sentimental ones into a "figure out later" pile. But there were a number of fun ornaments that Ron was thrilled to see Hugo moved into a "put out now" pile. There were Father Christmases in kilts, Christmas cows, small milk bottles painted with holiday scenes and sparkly stars decorated with sea shells and reindeer. All of the ones with photos were moved to decide later, as were all of the ornaments they had picked up as souvenirs on holidays or the ones that had been Fiona's or Dennis' as a child. Ron felt the lump in his throat several times at the small camera ornament with Collin's name on it, and the two Gryffindor lions with the names "Collin" and "Dennis" on it and the Auror's Badge ornament dated the year Fi had graduated from the academy. But, Hugo smiled at the Manchester ornament from his grandad and the "my mummy has a sweet tooth" ornament he had given her a few years ago that he had made out of candy wrappers glued to a wooden cut out of a tooth. So, those went into the "display now" bunch, as did ornaments that represented some of his favorite books that he'd read with Dennis.

Once they had slogged through the Christmas tree ornaments, Hugo declared they needed a food break. Ron agreed, and they went and had some sandwiches in the kitchen, bringing cookies back into the living room to fuel the last of their work. The rest seemed pretty easy after the ornaments box, and they quickly moved through boxes of nativity scenes, decorative pillows, red and green candles, Father Christmas statues, boxes of Christmas Crackers, funny looking snowmen and different hangings that went up on the wall. Ron moved the last box to the center of the room and went to levitate the item out of the box when Hugo stopped him suddenly.

"Wait! Don't," Hugo said, walking over to the box. He opened the lid and carefully put his small hand down into the box while Ron walked quietly behind him and gently placed his hand on his shoulder. He slowly and reverently pulled out a blanket. He stared at it quietly for a few minutes as Ron just silently willed him to feel his love and support. Finally, Hugo looked up at Ron.

"It's a quilt," he explained quietly. "We all made it together. We'd cut little squares out of all of these old clothes -my baby clothes, some of Mummy and Daddy's old baby clothes, and even some old tablecloths and things from when Mummy grew up with her parents. Mummy and Daddy had started cutting out squares before I was born. But we cut many more the past few years. And a few years ago, my grandmother sewed them all into a Christmas quilt. And we'd pull it out each Christmas and would snuggle, all three of us, under it as we looked at the Christmas tree, read stories and watched Christmas specials on the tele."

Ron knelt down next to Hugo to be at his eye level, keeping his hand on his shoulder, but remained silent. Hugo stuck his face into the quilt and inhaled deeply, and Ron took the opportunity to quickly wipe some tears threatening to spill from his own eyes with his free hand. When Hugo brought his head up again, he was crying but smiling.

"It still smells like them a little," he said. "Smells a bit like the attic too, but they are still there."

Ron smiled at him. "They will always be here in a lot of ways," he said tenderly.

Hugo nodded as he started crying harder, folding into Ron's open arms. After a few moments Ron leaned back, allowing himself to sit on the floor and lean against the sofa while Hugo continue to cry against his chest, now wrapped in the quilt. He held and rocked Hugo as he cried until Hugo fell asleep in his arms. Once he was sure he was asleep, Ron allowed himself to cry as well, trying hard not to shake his arms for fear of waking him. It was just too much for a little boy to bare.

He was sitting tear stained in front of the fireplace, holding the sleeping Hugo when Hermione got home late that night. She bustled in the front door with all of her packages, but stopped abruptly when she caught Ron's grief-laden face. She tiptoed quietly into the room, and saw Hugo asleep in his arms.

"What happened?" she asked in a whisper, easing herself into the spot on the floor next to Ron.

Ron leaned against Hermione, allowing her to brush his hair away from his face, and wiping the still remaining tears from his cheeks.

"He wanted to sort the Christmas decorations. And it went brilliantly right up until the last thing. And then he pulled out this quilt that they had all made together, and it was just too much for him. If I had known this was in there I never would have brought it down tonight. How could I do that to him?" he asked quietly, his voice breaking.

"Oh Ron," she sighed. "You couldn't possibly have known what this was or how he would react. And really, it's probably good for him to work through this here and now in such a safe place."

Ron nodded, trying to hold on to his composure.

"I miss them," he croaked out. "And if it hurts me this much how is he still putting one foot in front of the other. It is just too much."

"I know. I know," she assured as she put her arm around him, kissing his temple. "I miss them too. But Hugo will get through this. All things considered he is doing bloody fantastic, you know? And the next month will be really, really awful. But then we will be through the firsts. And then it will get easier. I just have to believe that."

Ron nodded, taking some more calming breaths and allowing Hermione to hold him and sooth his raging emotions. They sat together there for some time, until Hermione finally said, "Do you want to sleep here with him, or put him up to bed?"

Ron thought for a moment and replied, "Here I think. I don't want him waking up alone tonight."

"Can I join you? I can go up and bring down some pillows and blankets."

"That would be great, love. Thank you."

"Of course, Ron. Of course."

She cleaned up the piles they had made, changed into pajamas and brought down the pillows and blankets. Then she turned out all of the lights for the night and returned to them in the living room. She spread the blankets down on the floor, and helped Ron move Hugo to a spot in front of the sofa. Then they bedded down next to him, encompassing him in their love as he faced his grief in his dreams that night. As they had expected, his nightmares woke him, but they wrapped him in the quilt, held him, and sat vigil with him there on the floor together as a family until he was able stop the tears and to fall back asleep.

Hugo was the first to wake, and he woke to find Ron with one arm around him and Hermione holding his hand, all while he was tucked snuggly in his quilt. While he could feel the salt crumbles in his eyes from all of his tears the night before, somehow the morning made everything feel lighter. And surrounded by the sleeping Ron and Hermione, he felt both safe and loved. He smiled at this thought, and then saw Hermione start to stir next to him. As she opened her eyes, she saw him smiling at her.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"Morning, Hermione."

"Shall we see if we can sneak out of here without waking him up? We can go to the kitchen and I'll start breakfast."

Hugo nodded, and the two crept out of the living room, leaving Ron sprawled on the floor snoring lightly. Hermione cast a silencing charm so they wouldn't wake him and started to make breakfast. Hugo walked happily up to the countdown calendar and pulled off another number.

"Only two more sleeps as Mummy would have said," grinned Hugo.

"Oooh. Good way to think of it," said Hermione as she started cracking some eggs. They enjoyed their breakfast and chatted animatedly about what they each hoped to do with Rose while she was home for the holidays.

After a while, Hugo said, "Thanks for sleeping with me on the floor last night. I'm doing much better this morning. It was one of those nights where I had to move through the sad to get to the happy I think."

"I'm glad we could be with you while you moved through it, Hugo. And we will be anytime you need that in the future too, you know."

"I know," he said. "And I'm glad about that."

"Good. I'm glad about that too."

By Friday morning, all three of them were bursting with excitement over knowing Rose was coming home that evening. It was Hugo's last day of school before the holiday as well, and unfortunately Hermione had to be in court that day, so Ron planned to get Hugo from school. Since he still hadn't learned to drive a car, they were to floo to Harry's and ride with them to King's Cross where they would meet up with Hermione and then greet Rose. Before leaving home that morning, they had decorated the kitchen with banners and posters Hugo had made, and put the finishing touches on the "Welcome Home Rose" cake they'd baked the night before.

Ron felt like he was on muggle roller skates that day. He had floo'd from home to the auror academy to teach a class that morning, and then headed to WWW to help George out with the pre-holiday rush until leaving at the last minute to apparate to the alley near Hugo's school. They walked home, traded Hugo's school things for a snack and floo'd to the Potters just as they were all piling in the car. Unfortunately, as it was evening rush hour on the Friday before Christmas, London traffic was at a crawl. Lilly and Hugo chatted away about the holiday activities they'd done at their schools that week, but the three adults kept their eyes on the clock as it continued to move forward while they all sat still on the road. They were still at least half an hour from the station, but the train was due any minute.

"This is ridiculous," declared Ginny.

"Gin, there's not a lot I can do about the traffic," said Harry.

"Maybe not. But, I am a damn good witch, and I refuse to miss seeing my boys at the platform because of muggle traffic."

"What do you suggest?" asked Harry, trying to maintain a calm voice.

"I'm going to apparate, and I'll meet up with Hermione. Then the five of us will meet all of you at Kings Cross whenever the car happens to make it through this nonsense."

"You're going to apparate from the car?"

"Yup. See you there," she said as she unbuckled at turned in her seat.

Harry and Ron stared blankly at the seat that held Ginny only seconds before.

Finally, Ron turned to Harry, "You're wife is barmy."

Harry chuckled, "When she's doing something brilliantly she's your sister, and then moments like this she's my wife, is that it?"

"Pretty much, mate," Ron nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. He unbuckled from the back seat and crawled up to occupy the seat Ginny had occupied.

The old friends sat in the front of the car as the two kids continued to play in the backseat.

"Couldn't you go all Knight Bus on these roads or something? Channel your inner Shunpike, Harry. I know you can do it."

Harry laughed again. "I haven't ever actually figured out how they do that, or I totally would."

"Maybe we could just put muggle repelling charms all around the car that made anyone who was near it suddenly have an urge to pull over and check their tires or find a loo or something."

"Tempting, but I think it would be a bit obvious when every car suddenly had tire trouble. The memory modification would take more time than just waiting out the traffic."

"Ahh, yeah. But a wizard can dream, right."

Harry glanced back at the kids and noticed they were now playing some sort of game. He cast a quick silencing spell so he and Ron could talk freely.

"So, there is a muggle Christmas song where on the fifth day of Christmas they get five golden rings. Any rings under your tree this year?"

Ron laughed. "No. No ring, and certainly not five rings. Muggles are so weird. They really give someone five rings?"

"No," Harry laughed. "It's a song where they give, well – oh, never mind. So, no ring?"

"Not for Christmas. We have to get past the anniversary of the accident as a family, well, an unofficial technically not blood related or married family or whatever. But, anyway – after January."

"So Valentines?"

"Nah. That seems a bit cheesy, even for me. I have a plan though, and I have already talked to the jeweler about the ring, so he is working on it."

"Yeah?" said Harry with a smile.

"Yeah," nodded Ron, allowing his grin to creep across his face.

"You going to share your plan?"

"Well, I dunno, mate. It's a bit embarrassing, you know?"

"Ok, ok. Spare me the details. How about timing – will you tell me at least that much?"

"Uh, well," he glanced back at Hugo to be sure they couldn't hear. "You have to swear not to say anything, especially to Gin. They're closer friends now, and I don't want to mess up the surprise."

"Of course, Ron," Harry said with a slight eye roll.

"Well," Ron blushed, "I was going to ask her on my birthday."

Harry smiled, nodding his head and added in an impressed tone, "That's good. Really good. You came up with that on your own?"

"What's with the tone of surprise? No, you know – don't answer that that."

"Ok, sorry. It's just, I am not yet used to this sensitive, romantic Ron. It's a bit of a change from the rugged bachelor auror I've known all these years."

"Nah. Same me. Just hadn't found the right witch."

"So – do you have everything worked out then?"

"Not totally, but I will. Have to get through Christmas first."

"How is he?" Harry asked, quickly glancing back to Hugo.

"Well, he's a little boy, you know? One minute he is excited about toys and Christmas, and the next the grief is overwhelming."

Harry grimaced, and then Ron continued. "He really wanted to go through all his parents' Christmas decorations a few days ago. We sorted stuff into things to donate, things to decorate with, stuff to keep but store away and such. It had gone pretty well, a few tears but nothing horrible – and then he found this blanket thing they'd made as a family and the damn burst. He just crumpled under the weight of the memories and collapsed into tears. Sobbed so hard he fell asleep in my arms right there on the floor."

"That's awful," sighed Harry.

"It was. And it was just the two of us as Hermione was off with her mum. Anyway, she found us there on the floor. It was pretty rough. Actually, the three of us ended sleeping on the floor that night as we knew his nightmares would be bad that night. But you know, after he worked through it he was much better. And, of course, now he is sleeping with that quilt, but it helps him, so I am glad for him."

Harry was quiet for a moment. "You know, I've seen Ginny give birth to each of our three kids. And that process of labor is hard to watch. The witches work so hard, and it is clearly so painful and exhausting, and there is literally nothing the bloke can do. But then when those babies are born there is this incredible bond that they have both worked for. I guess that's why they call it labor. Anyway, from where I sit, these nights you are up with Hugo, these painful milestones you work through with him – it looks a lot like labor. And, in some ways I am envious of how tight you and Hugo are. I don't have that same bond with any of my kids. Don't get me wrong – I love them, and they love me. But luckily so far their lives have been relatively smooth. They haven't had these moments to work through that cause those intense bonds. You and Hugo – you are clearly bonded for life. It's pretty incredible to see."

Ron looked down at his lap, both appreciative and uncomfortable with the compliment. "Thanks Harry. That – that means a whole lot," he said quietly.

Just after he said that, the car ahead of them inched around an accident they hadn't realized was blocking the traffic. As they followed the car ahead of them, they both smiled as they saw the road clear up ahead of them.

"You didn't do that magically did you?" asked Harry skeptically.

"Nah. But I would've if I knew how," he grinned. "Let's go get the kids."

Hermione had arrived at Kings Cross straight from her court appearance, which had run later than expected. She's remembered to leave the wig in the car but still had on her muggle barrister's robes. As she stood waiting for Ron and Hugo, she chuckled to herself that they looked somewhat like witch's robes anyway. She waited patiently at the meeting spot for everyone to come. But, as the clock ticked forward, she began to worry she'd miss the arrival. Her phone buzzed, and she grimaced when she saw the text from Ron letting her know they were stuck in traffic but to look for Ginny who would meet her and the kids.

With only two minutes until the train was to arrive, she decided she was done waiting. She couldn't quite remember how to get to the platform since she'd been in such a daze the day they'd put Rose on the train in September, but she watched a few families who seemed to be dressed in not quite muggle-style clothing head towards Platforms 9 and 10, so she followed. She watched a couple walk straight up to a brick wall as if it wasn't there, and then they suddenly walked through it. She watched one other family do the same, and figured that she should do the same. She walked tentatively up to the wall when another woman walked up behind her.

"Are you alright?" the woman asked.

"Oh, uh, yes, thank you," Hermione said flustered. But she quickly glanced at the woman and realized she was definitely a witch. "It's just I have only done this once before, and I wasn't alone that time, so I wanted to be sure I was doing it correctly," she laughed.

"I'll help you," said the woman. "My son is in his first year as well," she said with a smile.

"It's my daughter," smiled Hermione. "And I can't wait to see her."

"Oh I know what you mean," said the woman. "He is my only child." Then she took Hermione's arm and they strode confidently up and through the brick wall and onto Platform 9 ¾.

"Thank you so much," said Hermione. "I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger," she said as she extended her hand.

"So pleased to meet you, Hermione. I'm Astoria, Astoria Malfoy. Oh, look, we're just in time. Here comes the train."

The women chatted while the train pulled in and children began pouring out of the exits. They both stood on tip toes trying to eye their children. At the same time they saw Rose and Scorpius come out of the train with Al on their heels.

"Mum!" called Rose.

"Mother!" called Scorpius at the same time.

The kids jogged up to the women, engulfing them in embraces. Rose quickly hugged Al as well.

"Mother, I didn't know you knew Rose's mother," smiled Scorpius.

"Well, I didn't until a few minutes ago," Astoria laughed. "And we didn't quite make the connection that our children were friends!"

"Your mum found me staring at the wall trying to figure out how to get through and very kindly helped me out. Everyone else is stuck in traffic with your dad, Al. But they're on their way. And, Scorpius, so good to see you again as well. Are you all excited to be on holiday?"

"Yes, ma'am. Quite excited. But it will be strange not seeing Al and Rose for a few weeks. We've all gotten quite accustomed to seeing each other every day."

"Well, we shall have to make sure you all can see each other over the break. You'll have to come 'round some time."

"Oh yes, and we'd love to have you all for dinner some time as well," Astoria said kindly. "But for now, Scorpius, we to need to hurry. Your father couldn't find a place to park, so he is circling out front with the muggle taxis, which is simply a recipe for disaster. Let's get your things and go relieve him, shall we?"

"Absolutely," he said. He turned to his friends and gave a feeble wave, and then Rose tackled him in a hug.

"Happy Christmas, Scorp. I'll owl you soon, and we'll arrange getting together." Then she turned to Astoria, "Happy Christmas, Mrs. Malfoy. It was so lovely to meet you."

"You too, dear. It is so wonderful to meet the friends Scorpius has told us about in his letters. And I am so pleased I got to meet your mother. We shall all see each other soon."

With that, Scorpius and his mother disappeared into the steam of the train. Hermione turned to Al and Rose. "So, shall we find James and track down your things while we wait for everyone?"

The kids nodded and headed off to gather all of their things. Just as they had returned with their trunks, Ginny came jogging along the platform, and Hermione waved her down.

"Ginny," she waved, "over here."

"Oh, Hermione, where are…James! Al! I've missed you!" she said as she crushed her boys with hugs. The boys feigned embarrassment while they hugged her back. "I'm so sorry I was late. Stupid muggle traffic. Anyway, let's get all of your things and we'll see where your Dad is with the car."

They found the trunks, hugged the various Weasley cousins who were still there along with some of their parents and headed back to the main part of the train station. The five of them decided to get some tea and pastries while they waited on the rest of the families and catch up.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Ginny. Just before you got here I got to meet their friend Scorpius' mum. She actually saw me staring at the brick wall and offered to help me through to the platform. We were just chatting while we waited for the kids, and only one these three ran up to us did we realize who each other was."

"That's great," said Ginny. "I can't wait to get to know your friends, Al."

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "We all agreed we wanted to try and get the kids together over the holiday and maybe the parents too if it works out."

"Lovely," smiled Ginny. "James, how about you? Any big plans for the holiday break?"

They all chatted about the holidays and things that still needed to get done before Christmas, and before they knew it, they saw Ron, Hugo and Lilly come running in from the main exit. Lilly dove for her brothers, while Ron and Hugo both went straight to Rose.

"We've really missed you, Rose," said Ron as he lifted her up off the floor in his hug. Hugo nodded behind him, and hugged Rose again as soon as her toes hit the floor.

"It's really good to be back," grinned Rose.

"Ok, so Harry is outside waiting on you four," Ron said, gesturing to Ginny and her children. "And, we will head home with these lovely ladies," he smiled, looking at Hermione and Rose.

"We'll see them Monday at The Burrow," said Hermione in response to Rose's unasked question. Rose smiled, hugged the two boys, and they all said their goodbyes.

Hermione had asked Rose ahead of time if she wanted to go to their old house or stay at Hugo's house for part of the holiday. Rose had said she was fine either way as long as they did Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in her childhood home, which ended up working well with what Hugo wanted. So the plan was to stay at their current home for a few nights, head back to the Granger home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and then return back again. Hugo would sleep in Dennis and Fi's room and Rose would be in Hugo's room. Hermione fretted it was a lot of bed switching and it could make everything feel complicated, but Ron just laughed and told a few stories of the many times growing up at The Burrow he had ended up heading to bed only to discover he didn't have one because there were too many house guests.

Dinner that night was just as fun as they had all hoped. Ron had made a casserole ahead of time and they heated it up when they got home, adding a salad for good measure. But what mattered most to each of them was that they slipped easily into the dynamic of a family of four, telling stories and enjoying each other's company.

Once dinner was done, Ron was stationed at the sink cleaning some of the dishes while Hermione got down plates for the cake to enjoy while they played cards as a family.

"Rose, did you tell Ron I got to meet Scorp's mum?" asked Hermione.

"You did?" Ron said. "I'm so sorry we were late. I had hoped to meet your friend too. Obviously I know Al but it sounds like this Scorp fellow is a good bloke. Are you going to get together over the holiday?"

"I hope so. We chatted a bit about it today, but we didn't come up with anything firm," said Rose.

"His mum seemed nice," Hermione shared. "I couldn't quite figure out how to walk through to the platform by myself, and she approached me quite kindly offering to help. We were just chatting and waiting for the kids, and didn't realize until they got off the train that our kids were best mates."

"He is nice. He and Al were really supportive after all that Daily Prophet nonsense in October. I really can't imagine Hogwarts if I didn't have them there," agreed Rose.

"I understand that. I couldn't picture Hogwarts without Harry. I mean, I had other friends and such, but most of my memories – good and bad – involved him," said Ron.

"Do you spend much time with the other Gryffindor girls in your year?" Hermione asked.

"Well, obviously we all sleep in the same room, so we certainly spend a lot of time together. There are five of us girls in there together. Two of them are pretty gossipy and frilly. It's not that they are mean or anything, we just don't have much in common. The other two, well, they are nice and we sit together in some classes or sometimes at meals, but we aren't tight. I see more of James and some of his friends from the second years more. Well, and Al and Scorp obviously."

"Hey, does Scorp have any little brothers or sisters who would be in my year?" asked Hugo.

"No, sorry Hugo. He's an only child. I think he was really dreading spending the whole holiday at home by himself. I think he gets along fine with his parents, but it will just be lonely compared to what Al and I will get to do."

"Well, we'll have to have him over a couple times then. His mum said maybe we could all come to their place for dinner one night too."

"Good. More people I can beat in Exploding Snap," declared Hugo.

"Hmm. Big talk there, Little Man," said Ron.

"I'm hitting the loo before cards," said Rose as she headed out of the kitchen.

"Did you catch Scorp's parents' names, Hermione? I'm wondering if I might know them," asked Ron.

"Oh. I'm not sure. I am terrible at names. I think she said her name was Tory? Maybe? I don't think I know the husband's name. They had hit the same traffic so he was out in the car since they didn't have time to park. I'll have to ask Rose."

"Yeah – that's something I'm still adjusting to. I used to be known as Ron Weasley, and sometimes as Harry Potter's best friend. But now when I pick Hugo up from school the other mums all say something like 'oh, you're the one with Hugo' and it cracks me up. I guess it goes for these folks too – I'll never figure out their real names, but will just know them as Scorp's mum and dad."

Hermione chuckled and agreed as Ron carried the Welcome Home cake over to the table. As Rose walked back in, Hermione said, "Rose, I couldn't remember to tell Ron. What are Scorp's parents' names? Is his mum named Tory?"

"Close," said Rose. "It's Astoria. Astoria and Draco Malfoy. Do you know them, Ron?"

Ron snapped his head up to look at Rose, feeling the color drain from his face and the bile rise in his throat. FUCK he thought. She couldn't possibly be best friends with Malfoy's son, could she? Maybe he was having some sort of psychotic break because everything was too good or something. As he tried to take some deep breaths he knew he had to check.

"Sorry," he stuttered trying to place the cake carefully on the table before he dropped it. "I, uh, I think I must have heard you wrong. Did you just – I mean – you didn't say he's Draco Malfoy's son did you?"

"Yes," said Rose in small voice. "Draco Malfoy is Scorp's dad. Why? Um, are you ok, Ron?"

"I have to find the loo," Ron managed to stammer as he bolted out of the room.

Hermione, Rose and Hugo watched in confusion as they saw Ron dash out of the kitchen and heard him run up the stairs and slam a bedroom door. Hermione felt lost as she saw the two sets of questioning eyes looking at her.

"Mum?" Rose said, "what's going on? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, honey, no. I am not really sure what's going on, but whatever it is I know it isn't your fault. Why don't you two have some cake and play cards a bit while I go check on Ron, ok?"

Rose and Hugo simply nodded and watched as Hermione headed off after the upset redhead. Hermione quietly climbed the stairs, listening for Ron, but as she couldn't hear a thing, she concluded he had put a silencing charm up. She knocked gently on the bedroom door but didn't wait for an answer before she walked in.

"Ron?" she said quietly as she walked in. She saw him pacing back and forth in their room, muttering, running his hands through his hair. His face was red, almost purple really, and she could see his eyes were wet. He seemed to have broken into a cold sweat, and his hair was starting to stick to his forehead. Still pacing, he gave no sign that he had noticed Hermione coming into the room.

"Ron?" she said again as she closed the door behind herself. "Want to tell me what is going on?"

He looked up as if he had only just noticed her presence. "Uh, sorry," he muttered.

"Ron, seriously, please tell me what just happened. Why are you up here suddenly acting like a caged lion or something?"

"Ironic choice of phrase," he said as he continued to pace erratically, only causing more confusion on her face.

"Ron, do I need to get Harry or something? You are starting to worry me."

"Oh fuck – Harry! I wonder if he even knows yet?"

"RON!" she snapped, standing in front of him, holding his arms in her hands. "You need to tell me what is going on. And you need to tell me now," she commanded in her barrister voice.

"Malfoy. Fucking Malfoy."

"Ok. Scorp's family name is Malfoy. I'm taking that is not a good thing?"

"Not a good thing?! Hermione, don't you remember?" he roared.

She trembled at his rage, but refused to back down. "No, Ron. I clearly am not making whatever connection you think I should be making. Can you please tell me what is wrong with the Malfoys?"

His face turned several shades deeper crimson as the tears overflowed out of his eyes. He was clearly so angry that Hermione noticed the blood vessels popping out along side of his neck and forehead and briefly wondered if wizards had strokes or if that was only a muggle condition.

"It's fucking Draco Malfoy!" he screamed as he started flying around the room in a rage. "That's the bloke I told you about from school. His father is the reason Ginny was possessed by fucking Voldemort and almost died. He is the reason Dumbledore was killed. He let the fucking Death Eaters into Hogwarts that killed Fred – and Collin! It was his house I was taking to – Malfoy Manor, where Harry was locked in the dungeon and his Aunt Bella tortured me while Draco watched. He WATCHED her TORTURE me, Hermione. He stood right there next to her the whole time – FUCKING WATCHED her," Ron bellowed as his voice finally broke and the rage turned to sobs as he crumpled to the floor.

Hermione flew to his side as he hit the carpet. "Oh, God, Ron. I didn't know. I swear I didn't know. I didn't know the name. Oh, God. I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry." She put her shaking arms around him as he continued to cry, and she held him to her chest, gently rubbing his back. She felt the tears come to her eyes as well at the cruelty of the situation. Of all the people in the entire world, Rose's best mate had to be the son of the man who stood by and watched Ron be tortured. What were the damn odds of that? And could Collin's death really be his fault too? Really? They cried there, clinging to each other for several minutes until he started to calm his breaths again.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," he whispered, stroking her hair. "I've ruined Rose's first night home. I really didn't mean to. I'm so sorry."

"Hush, Ron. Don't be silly. This is obviously not remotely your fault. It's just rotten luck I suppose. Really, bloody awful rotten luck."

"We can't let her go to that place. I just can't. I know she's your daughter, and he's her best mate, but please, please, Hermione. I just love her too much. I can't - I just can't let her go there with him," he said, almost begging her to concede to keep Rose away from Malfoy Manor.

"Ok, slow down, Ron. Let's take this one step at a time. First we need to figure out what to tell the kids, because they were pretty stunned when you left the kitchen and hustled out after you."

"Fuck," Ron exclaimed as he shrunk back with his face in his hands. "I really don't want them to have to know that shite. They're too young. Hell, I was too young when I happened to me."

"I don't disagree. But we have to tell them something."

"Well, can we just be vague?" asked Ron in a pleading voice.

Hermione chuckled. "It's like when we first started dating, and we had our 'vague but honest' approach."

Ron laughed too, which eased Hermione's heart a little. Then he added, "I think I can explain a little more to Rose, but Hugo doesn't know anything about the war yet. I thought maybe I could wait and tell him before Hogwarts like I did with Rose."

"I think you need to tell him too, Ron. I know he's only 9, but his heart and soul understand pain and suffering in a way many adults never will. He deserves to know the truth. He can handle it. I am sure of it."

Ron ran his hands through his hair again, taking a deep breath. "Ok. I'll talk to him. But, what do we do tonight?"

"We are going to go downstairs and tell the kids that when you discovered Scorp's last name you realized that he is the son of someone who has hurt you deeply in the past. And that it doesn't mean Rose and Scorp can't be friends, but that we are just in a much more difficult situation than we realized."

"Maybe it would be best to just talk to them both tonight and then have some one on one time with Rose over the next few days," said Ron sadly. "And that way Rose will know what Hugo knows, so there won't be any secrets in the family – which is best in the long run I think."

Hermione nodded and sighed. Then she asked quietly, "What has he done all of these years? Scorp's father, I mean – have you kept an eye on him, so to speak, or is this the first you've heard of him in twenty years?"

Ron sighed. "It's complicated."

"I would expect nothing less."

"Well, his father, Draco's father I mean – Lucius Malfoy, he was one of Voldemort's right hand guys. Pure evil. But, he went to Azkaban after the war and died there in prison. Draco's mum, Narcissa – sister of the woman who tortured me but also sister of Andromeda Tonks, Teddy's grandmother, well, well she is really complicated. At the end of everything, she helped save Harry's life. She lied to Voldemort and told him Harry was dead when he wasn't. She really loved her son. All she wanted was to have him come out ok. And Draco, well, he tried to kill me many times. Including that day. And he did let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. But, to be fair, he was in a no win position. After the war, he was placed on probation. He had to live without a wand for five years, which to someone like Draco was a fate worse than death."

"How does one live in the magical world without a wand?"

"Well, he didn't. I heard he went to muggle university somewhere. I honestly can't even picture it – him living as a muggle, going to a muggle school. I mean, he is someone who had house elves as servants his whole life. So, no – I have no idea how he learned to take a bus or use a computer or make bangers and mash. No idea. They were still really wealthy, so maybe he still had elves, I have no clue. But, he was a potioner and a business man all along. In that time in university I think he studied muggle potions – pharmacy stuff I think – as well as business. And when he was allowed to return to his magical life, he had made a lot of money in both muggle and magical business. Lots of potions and medical stuff."

"Was he in that potion supply sting last year?"

"No. He wasn't, though he was definitely my first suspect. Harry and I kept a pretty close eye on his businesses, but they seemed to be squeaky clean. Harry would say he thought maybe time away from Lucius was what Draco needed to turn his life around. I was never able to be that generous in my thoughts of him."

"His wife seemed really nice."

"Astoria Greengrass Malfoy. She was younger than our year at school – a Slytherin, of course. I am sure it was an arranged marriage."

"An arranged marriage? Really?"

"Oh yeah – most of those old pureblood families arranged marriages to ensure their children - and their money - stayed in pureblood relationships. But I am surprised they went through with it. The Malfoy name was mud with both the winners and the losers of the war. But, he definitely has a lot of money. When his father went to prison, he became the heir of the Malfoy fortune, which makes our fortune look like pocket change."

"So, maybe she married him for the money. Or, maybe she actually loved him and married him despite knowing it would be the death of her reputation."

"Something like that," he muttered.

Hermione remained quiet, and Ron eyed her. "What? I can see your brain churning, and I know you think you shouldn't say whatever it is you want to say – but please just say it."

"Well," she said cautiously. "It just sounds like maybe Harry has a point. Draco Malfoy could have changed. I'm not saying he is a great guy or that I want Rose spending time hanging out at their house or anything. But, the opportunity to make a lot of mistakes was there, and I am confident you would have caught him if his toe had crossed the line, which he would have deserved. So, maybe time in the muggle world did him some good."

Ron clenched his eyes shut. "I have seen too much to think anything is impossible. But he was so evil as a kid, Hermione. Made my life a living hell. Not just jabs about being poor or about my parents being blood traitors who reproduced like rabbits, he was just a scum bag. When I was poisoned in my sixth year it turns out it he was the source – but it was supposed to go to Dumbledore and not me. My life would have been very different if the Malfoys hadn't been in it."

"You were poisoned?"

"Oh, uh, yeah – I thought I had told you that? Maybe I forgot. It was pretty bad. Harry's quick thinking saved my life when he shoved an antidote down my throat immediately, but I was still unconscious for a month or so and missed classes even longer."

"I am pretty sure I would have remembered hearing that. But, anyway – Draco was the poisoner?"

"Yeah. And almost killed a girl Katie too. But we both lived. And when he tried to kill Dumbledore face to face he couldn't do it. Snape did it. Snape was Draco's godfather and had taken an unbreakable vow to protect him. But later I learned Dumbledore knew it ahead of time and asked Snape to do it in the end."

Hermione just shook her head. "Your childhood was really complicated. Somedays I think I need to be taking notes to keep everyone straight. Would make a great story but no one would believe it."

Ron gave a sad laugh. "Did you know Al is named after Snape?"

"Wait, what?"

"So, Snape actually loved Harry's mum. Desperately, as it turned out. And Harry's dad pretty much mde his life hell and was an arse to him but then his mum chose James over Snape. But Snape still tried to protect her. Did a rotten job of it and got her killed. But then he became a double agent. We all thought he was working for Voldemort until the end. But it turned out he was on our side all along, though he still managed to be a royal pain in my arse. He was our potions teacher and just mean and cruel – really awful to Harry. But when he was dying, he gave Harry his memories and we learned the whole story. So, anyway – Al's name is Albus Severus Potter, after Dumbledore and Snape."

"So the guy whose middle name Al has murdered the guy whose first name he has?"

Ron nodded.

"Fuck."

Ron laughed, "You never say that. It's quite a turn on, actually."

Hermione blushed. "Seemed an appropriate use of the word."

Ron laughed and kissed her pink cheek. "Thanks for coming to find me up here and talking me off the ledge."

"There is nowhere else I would be, Ron. I hope you know that."

"I know, but I still appreciate it."

"Right. We need to go check on those kiddos," she said as she leaned on the bed to get up off the floor.

"Yeah – let me send Harry and owl and see if I can pop over there in the morning. Knowing him, he won't get as worked up about this as me. But, he needs to know." He got up off the floor and soon felt her arms tuck around his waist.

"I love you," she said, looking up into his blue eyes.

He smiled at her, kissed her gently and said, "I know. It's how I am still standing." She smiled and hugged him, and they headed down to the kitchen to talk to the kids.

They walked into the kitchen holding hands to be met with two sets of wide eyes staring nervously at Ron. His face softened at the sight and smiled at them.

"Hey, I'm sorry I bolted out like that. I didn't mean to scare you or mess up our fun night," he said pulling up a chair at the kitchen table next to Hugo and across from Rose.

Hugo leaned over to hug him. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah – definitely. But, I need to explain to both of you why I reacted the way I did." He looked up at Hermione who gave him an encouraging nod as she took the chair next to him.

"Well, Rose knows a bit about his, but Hugo I need you to know too. Do you remember when you found out I was on a chocolate frog card?" Hugo nodded with a confused look on his face. "Good, well, I want to tell you a bit more about why I ended up on that card and how it has something to do with my little moment here tonight, alright?"

Rose and Hugo nodded again, and he took a deep breath. "Well, before I was born, there was a really, really bad wizard named Tom Riddle. And he was just an evil, evil guy. To try and make other people more scared of him he wanted people to call him Lord Voldemort, or even He Who Must Not Be Named, but he was just a jerk named Tom in the end. And we don't need to go through everything he did, but there are a few things you need to understand. Tom believed that he could be immortal if he killed Harry- which is of course insane, but it is what was. When Harry was a year old, Tom Riddle killed Harry's daddy, and he tried to kill Harry. But Harry's mummy loved him so much that she jumped in front of the curse and died protecting Harry."

"Like you loved Mummy and Hermione so much that you jumped in front of the curses meant for them?" asked Hugo innocently. Hermione smiled instantly as Ron was caught off guard.

"Um, well, yeah. I guess so," he said, trying to push down the lump in his throat. "So, Harry's mummy died, and then Tom tried to kill Harry too, but it didn't work. And he was the only person ever to not die when hit with the killing curse. Harry didn't die, but it left him with a scar on his forehead. And for a long time nobody knew what happened to Tom, but when Harry and I were eleven he started to try to come back again. And all throughout school Harry kept trying to stop him with the help of a lot of people like the amazing Headmaster Albus Dumbledore-"

"Is that who Al is named after?"

"Yes," Ron said.

"But you helped too, didn't you?" asked Hugo.

"Also yes," said Ron, trying not to lose his momentum to get through the story. "But the bad wizard had a lot of people who wanted to help him come back to power."

"Why would people want a bad person in charge?" asked Hugo.

"Well, that is a brilliant question, Hugo. And unfortunately one without a good answer. But some people liked what he said about pureblood wizards being better than others. And they thought muggle born witches and wizards shouldn't be a part of everything, which is rubbish of course. But, I think that most people joined his side for one of three simple reasons. They were either crazy, scared or thought that they would be more powerful and more rich with him in charge. But, there were also so many people willing to do anything they could to stop him from winning."

"And you were one of those people."

"Yes. I was. Along with Harry and Ginny, my parents, and Professor Dumbledore and Headmistress McGonagall and loads of students including your dad and your Uncle Collin, my brothers, Neville and many others. And finally by the end of my fifth year at school things got really bad, and a student was killed. Much of the sixth year Professor Dumbledore spent training Harry for a special mission that he had for he and I. And at the end of the sixth year, Dumbledore was murdered. And so instead of coming back for our seventh year, Harry and I spent the year living on the run fulfilling the special mission he had for us."

Ron paused and looked at the two children making sure they were following the story. He didn't want to talk about the next part, but he knew he had to.

Taking a deep breath, he continued. "During the time Harry and I were on the run, well, it was bloody awful honestly. And at one point we were captured and taken to the house of one of Tom Riddle's greatest supporters. At that house, well, Harry was locked in the dungeon. And I was tortured. And then I was saved by the sacrifice of a free house elf named Dobby. Dobby helped get Harry out of the dungeon and rescue me. During that torture we learned some important things. And, after I had healed up, we were able to finish the special mission. It all culminated in the Battle of Hogwarts, and that is when Harry was finally able to kill Tom Riddle, but it is also when we lost many, many people I loved very much, including my brother Fred, Hugo's Uncle Collin, Teddy's parents- Lupin and Tonks, and many, many others."

He was quiet for a while, and finally Rose said softly, "But I still don't understand why you were upset this evening."

Ron glanced at Hermione, and she gave him an encouraging smile and placed her hand on his leg.

"Well," he sighed looking at Rose, "the right hand man to Tom Riddle was named Lucius - Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. And the place we were held captive was Malfoy Manor. Draco, well, Draco had a very significant role in many horrible things throughout the war. What of it he believed and what of it was forced on him by his evil git of a father, well, no one could ever know. But, when I learned tonight that Draco was Scorp's father, I was completely taken by surprise."

He took Rose's hand. "Rose, I am so sorry if I upset you this evening. But as soon as I heard the name Malfoy, I had this horrible vision in my mind of you being in Malfoy Manor. And it absolutely undid me, which is why I ran out of here. And that was of course a bloody stupid reaction, as Scorp is not his father, and he is definitely not his grandfather. And so I don't want you to think that I don't want you to be friends with him. But I do have to tell you it could be a long, long time before I feel safe even considering the idea of letting you go visit him at his house. I'm sorry for that, Rose, but you have to understand that place still haunts my nightmares."

Hermione spoke up, "Rose, we're not saying it will never happen. But it wouldn't be until Ron and Draco can get to a point where Ron could be assured you would be safe there."

Rose was nodded, trying hard to not let the tears spill from her eyes. Hugo just looked at each of the others at the table weighing the silence that had settled upon the room.

Soon the silence was broken by the sound of a kitchen chair scraping against the floor as Hugo scooted back and stood up. He walked over to Ron and gave him a large hug, kissing him on the cheek. Ron hugged him back, and then Hugo said simply, "I am really sorry all of that happened to you, Ron. And I am so glad you are so brave and strong and that all of those bad things didn't hurt your heart so much that you couldn't love anymore. Because I love you, and I know you love us too." With that he hugged him again, but didn't let go. Finally, Ron simply pulled Hugo up on his lap and buried his face in Hugo's neck.

"I do. I love each of you so, so much. So much so that I can tell you this story. There are very few people who know this. Harry and Ginny know. Hermione knows, obviously. And several others know parts of the story. But not even my parents or my brothers know all of it. The whole story has certainly never made it to the history books, which is how I prefer it. I need to trust each of you not to talk about this with your friends, or even with your cousins, ok? It is really very important. I couldn't have told you these things if I didn't trust you completely."

They each nodded. "Now, Rose, you and I can talk some more about what you and Al and Scorp can talk about, ok, as you are going to have to explain why you can't come round any time soon. But, not tonight, ok?"

"Of course, Ron," she said as she stood to hug him as well. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I never meant to say anything to cause you pain."

"I know that, Rose. There was no way you could have known. This isn't your fault or Scorp's. It just is. And now we'll just work through it or around it."

"I love you so much, Ron. I am so glad you were ok," she said as she started crying harder. Finally Ron lifted her so she was on his lap on one leg while Hugo was on the other. He had an arm around each, and felt very much at peace with his two children in his arms and the woman he loved at his side. He thought of Dobby and gave up a silent thank you to the elf who had made the moment possible.