Hermione decided that they should have a dinner party that evening, and she would cook something special and they could all dress up for it. She knew it would be hard on all of them, so this would provide some kind of distraction.
The "boys", including Ron, immediately set up a Wizard Chess tournament and Rose sat down to watch them. Although she could play it at a basic level, she wanted to see just what good players could do. The matches between Ron and Roland were particularly fascinating, of course, because they both thought in the same way.
Whilst things were cooking, Hermione took yet more washing upstairs; having four children in the house certainly meant there was a lot more to do. She went to put some things away in Rose's room.
Jane was sat quietly on the bed. Her new top was laid out in front of her, and she was staring at it, and occasionally stroking it. She was crying, silently. Hermione felt her heart melt, and went to sit down with her.
'That's a really pretty top, you know. Are you going to wear it tonight?' Jane nodded. 'What about doing your nails, as well?'
Jane handed her the bottle of nail varnish, and Hermione started to apply it. They sat in peaceful silence for a while.
'I've loved being here, with you and Rose. It's been like having a sister.'
Hermione smiled. 'I know. I missed not having brothers and sisters, but I've got Ginny and Harry now.'
'Hermione, was Ron your only boyfriend?'
'I suppose so. There was one other boy.' She laughed. 'It happens in your next year! His name was Viktor, and he was quite glamorous, actually. Eighteen and an International Quidditch player! Me! All the other girls were very jealous.'
Jane looked quite shocked. 'Honestly! What…I mean…well, you know. What happened?'
'Not much to be honest, though we did kiss. In the end I decided he wasn't my type.'
'But Ron is?'
'Yes. I don't know why, really; I just like him. He's different to me, not bookish, always laughing and joking; but he's strong and solid, and he makes me feel safe.'
'I'm glad. I'm glad I end up happy, like you.'
Hermione painted a couple more nails. 'Jane, thank you.'
'For what? I should be thanking you for looking after us.'
'For giving me back my daughter, for making me see she isn't just a little version of me.'
'I think I must be very hard to live with.' They both laughed. 'Hermione, when you meet her boyfriend, will you judge him by who he is, not what he is?'
Hermione wrinkled her brow. 'That sounds ominous, what's wrong with him?'
'Nothing, that's my point. He makes her happy.'
'And I suppose you're not going to tell me who it is?' Jane smiled but shook her head. 'Ok, I'll try, but I am a mum, and Ron's a dad.'
-o0o-
Dinner was almost a success, and everybody almost enjoyed themselves. Soon after eleven, Hermione decided it really was time they started to think about bed, and went off to make a nice calming potion for them all. She made the children's just a little bit stronger, reasoning that they would have problems sleeping otherwise.
Roland and Hugo lay in their beds, talking Quidditch and Wizard Chess strategies until they slowly drifted off to sleep.
Jane and Rose also lay talking, mainly about the future. Rose had decided that what she wanted to do most in the world was work for a magazine, writing about fashion. Aunt Ginny was already a journalist, and could maybe give her a helping hand.
'Lots of girls want to do that, I bet' said Jane.
'I know. I'll need good exam results to stand a chance. I think I might have to buckle down a bit next year. It'll please mum anyway.'
'And you, Rose; it will please you as well. By the way, I think you should introduce Scorp to them, you know.'
'You're kidding! They'd kill me.'
'I'm not so sure; they'll be OK.'
'Have you said anything? Oh Jane, you've not told mum who it is?'
'No I haven't, honestly. I've just…smoothed the way a bit. Rose, trust me. Your mum's one of the nicest people I know. She'll be OK, trust me…and her.'
-o0o-
The next day found them standing in the Headmistresses Office at Hogwarts. Everyone was a little bit tearful. Roland and Jane were dressed in the same clothes they had arrived in, all those weeks ago. Rose looked at Jane critically.
'Yep, now I know you're my mum – the fashion victim.' She was trying so hard not to cry.
Then Professor McGonagall said it was time to say goodbye.
Roland and Hugo wanted to hug, but they were boys so they contented themselves with punching each other on the arm.
'Keep practicing, mate. One day you'll be as good as me.'
'I'll be better; I've got a good teacher.' Hugo forced himself not to cry.
Then Roland shook hands with Ron, who pulled him in to a hug so he could whisper 'Hang on in there; she's worth it.'
Roland waved to Rose and went to shake hands with Hermione, who was having none of it. She pulled him in to a hug, then stroked his cheek and hugged him again. 'Oh, Ron…one day.'
The Jane hugged Hugo and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he blushed. 'I'm allowed to kiss you' she said. 'I'm your mum.' He laughed and wiped his face with his sleeve.
Ron gave her a hug and said 'Be good to him, he's a great bloke, honestly.'
Jane and Hermione hugged, and the tears started to flow. 'I'm going to miss you so much' said Jane. 'I'll always be right next to you' said Hermione.
Then Rosa and Jane looked at each other, and howled and clung to each other fiercely. They weren't capable of saying anything, they just hugged and hugged.
'I think you should go, now' said McGonagall, who also looked as if she was going to cry – just a little bit. 'It is all set up; you just need to give in one half turn, then release.'
'I'll do it this time, Ronald' said Hermione.
McGonagall put the chain around their necks and picked up her wand. 'Goodbye, children. Miss Granger, I forgot to write that note to myself, but as long as you return the time-turner straight away I think a warning will suffice. Now, in the nicest possible way, I hope we do not meet again.
On the count of three then…one, two, three…Obliviate!'
-o0o-
Ron laughed. 'Hey, that's great! Can I have a go?'
'No, Ron, you can't. Professor McGonagall let me have it under strict rules. Anyway, I have to give it back to her. They're dangerous things, and you can be arrested for misusing them.'
'Oh come on, Hermione. Just a few minutes. It'd be fun!'
She stared at the floor, chewing on her lip, and then looked up at him. 'No, Ron, I'm sorry. I'm going to give it back now.'
'I knew you wouldn't. You're no fun!' He laughed as she stuck her tongue out at him. 'I'm off to find Harry, I'll see you later.'
As Hermione walked across the Great Hall, she felt something bumping in the pocket of her robe. Putting her hand in, she pulled out a bottle of nail varnish.
'Strange,' she though, 'Lavender must have put it in there by mistake.
She looked at it; it was a rather shimmering vivid red and called "Volcano." She decided she rather liked the colour, and thought she might try some on that evening; after all she was nearly fourteen, it was probably about time she started wearing a little bit of make-up.
She wondered if Ron would notice, then wondered why she was wondering about Ron. Then she smiled; one day, when they were older, perhaps.
Smiling to herself and humming "My love is like a red, red rose" she knocked on the Professor's door.
Fin