Normally I leave my notes for the end of the chapter but. FYI: these aren't in order. They kind of jump around. Second. No, that's it.
Scene 1: Flashback
Harry groaned as he paced the length of Katia's living room. She was late…again. For Merlin's sake, he'd told her that they had to be at the Ministry Ball at 8. It was now 7:45 and Katia had just woken from her nap at 7:30. Sometimes Harry wondered why he bothered.
Then the answer came as Katia walked out of her bedroom draped in peach robes. Harry was pretty sure that his mouth had dried completely.
"Did I tell you that Megan got married?" Katia asked as she stumbled in one shoe while putting on her earrings.
Harry picked up the matching shoe and threw it to her. "No, you never mentioned it."
Katia nodded and bent to fix the strap of her heels. "About a week ago. Rumor is that she's pregnant."
Harry couldn't say that the news hurt him, but he and Megan had broken up barely eight months ago. "Really? Who'd she marry?"
"That Michaelson bloke, who invented all those magical muggle products," Katia responded.
Harry froze. "No way."
Smiling smugly over her shoulder, Katia responded. "Yes way. They will be welcoming their baby in like, three months."
"She moves on quick," Harry mumbled as they left Katia's apartment. Then he smirked. The only reason Katia mentioned Megan was so he wouldn't scold her for being late again. "Nice job."
Katia smiled and took his hand. "I thought so. But, I'm sorry. My nap ran over."
"It always does," Harry laughed.
"Oh, but you love me," she sang, letting go of his arm to dance around. "You wanna kiss me, you wanna hug me, you wanna-."
Harry grabbed her and kissed her quickly. "How about I never complain, and you never sing again?"
"Ouch," but Katia smiled. "That hurt."
"The truth normally does," Harry said wryly.
Katia smiled. Harry would have never joked around like that before, but ever since they started dating he'd let his guard down and stopped hiding behind the façade of a cool businessman. "So, you do know that we might run into Megan tonight, right?"
Megan had never forgiven Katia for dating Harry. As far as Megan was concerned, Katia had stolen Harry from her and no matter how many times Katia told her old friend that her relationship with Harry while they were dating was strictly platonic, Megan wouldn't budge an inch.
Katia missed her old friend. It hurt to cut off twelve years of friendship for a reason as pathetic as a man.
"I know," Harry said. "But we can't not show up. I need to you to charm the galleons off of these old aristocrats."
"Like you," Katia teased.
"Not so rich anymore," Harry joked.
"It's not my fault you grow so impatient and pay for whatever I want."
"Sure."
"But you love it," Katia asked more than said.
Harry squeezed her hand. "Of course I do."
Katia rushed into The Leaky Cauldron half an hour after she was supposed to meet Hermione, Ginny, and Luna. It wasn't her fault. Harry had fire-called her and wouldn't let her go. Then she took a short nap and when she woke up it was already 1:30.
"I'm sorry," she said as greeting to the group.
Hermione smiled. "We just got here. We figured you'd be late."
Katia smiled and sat. She plucked a chip off of Hermione's plate and popped it into her mouth. "Thank you. I took-."
"-a nap," Ginny finished with a small sneer. "Yeah, Hermione figured."
Katia's bright smile dimmed. Ginny Weasley's dislike for her only grew after she and Harry started dating. Too bad, Katia inwardly smirked. "Sorry," she said again.
"It's okay," Luna said.
Luna Lovegood. Katia loved her. She was so eclectic and yet utterly grounded and a really non-judgmental person.
"Anyway, I asked you to meet us because we want to throw Arthur and Molly an anniversary party," Hermione went straight to business as usual.
"So you didn't want me for my company?" Katia joked holding a hand to her heart while the other reached for Luna's drink. "No, but seriously, tell me more."
"We want it themed," Ginny said.
"And we're all pitching in to send them on a second honeymoon," Luna added.
"Where?" Katia asked curiously.
"We haven't thought of that," Hermione admitted.
"Harry just bought a house in Colombia, uno de mi motherlands," Katia said. "He went over there this afternoon to check out any changes he wants to make, but how about they go there? It's in an exclusive neighborhood near the beach and I saw a picture; it's absolutely gorgeous."
"That would be wonderful!" Luna exclaimed.
"It really would be," Hermione agreed. "What do you think, Ginny?"
"I don't know," Ginny said hesitantly.
"It'd be free," Katia said. "That way the money would be invested only in the party so we won't have a restricted budget."
"What does Harry think about it?" Ginny asked Katia.
Katia shrugged. "Don't know and to tell you the truth, I kinda don't care either. He loves Mr. and Mrs. Weasley though, so I don't think it'd be a major problem."
"How about you talk to Harry and get back to us?" Hermione suggested.
"I will do that. Moving on, what kind of theme were you thinking of?" Katia asked. "Since we're sending them to Colombia, why don't we have a Colombian theme? Pastelitos, plátanos, that kind of thing?"
"Exactly how in tune are you to your Colombian heritage?" Hermione asked.
"I visit my abuela every other year in Barranquilla," Katia offered. "What's your point?"
"I'm just thinking that if we do a Colombian theme, it should be authentically Colombian," Hermione explained.
"Where do you want to have it?" Katia asked Ginny.
Ginny shrugged. "You're the party planner."
Understanding, Katia turned away and posed the same question to Hermione and Luna.
"How about at the Lion's Den, again?" Luna asked. "That was a fabulous party."
Katia took out a notepad and jot down what they were saying. "I'll call and see if I can get a reservation. When do you want it?"
"June 3rd would be perfect," Hermione answered, shooting Ginny a look.
"Okay, I'll call, but where else are you willing to have it? Miles is usually packed in June."
"The Leaky Cauldron wouldn't be bad," Ginny offered.
"Uh huh, okay, how about Harry's garden in his house in Edinburgh?" Katia asked.
"That'd be awesome," Luna exclaimed. "The decorations would lovely with lots and lots of lights."
"Red, blue and yellow colored lights," Katia agreed.
Half an hour later they had the preliminary details outlined. Katia left after promising to speak to Harry. She went into her office in downtown London and greeted everyone. She wrote out the owl to the Lion's Den and sent off a letter to her grandmother for advice about the party.
"Hey, Louise," Katia called when she saw the woman pass her office.
Louise popped her head in and smiled. "Haven't seen you around here in a while."
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Katia said.
"Janet wanted to give you the Ministry Ball for this year, but you never answered any of her owls," Louise teased.
"Maybe I should've. The Ball was horrible," Katia joked.
"Too true," Louise entered. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm planning Molly and Arthur Weasley's anniversary as a favor," Katia began.
"No," Louise said. "You planned Ginny Weasley's birthday party as a favor. Janet won't let you use the worker's if they're not getting paid."
"I did pay them," Katia argued.
"You paid them out of your own account," Louise said softly. "You shouldn't have to."
"I'm sorry. But we ran over the original budget and I didn't want to ask for more. The workers will be paid, but Janet is probably furious, so can you present the bid to her when I'm done?" Katia asked hopefully.
Louise was torn. On one hand she didn't want Katia to have to pay for the use of her workers and supplies like she did for Ginny Weasley's birthday which assuredly put a large dent in Katia's bank account, since the workers are probably the most expensive part of a party, but then again, she understood that Katia didn't want to have her boyfriend's surrogate family pay for her services, no pun intended.
"Okay," she said reluctantly. "But honey, you cannot afford to go over the budget of another big party like that Ginny girl's birthday."
Katia knew this. With her addiction to shopping and only taking on big parties at work, Katia was sure to go broke if she funded another party like Ginny's, eight months previously.
"I'll be fine," Katia hoped. "Look, the Weasley's are simple people; the party won't be too bad."
"Sure." Louise didn't believe that for a second.
While technically Katia owned the company, Funky Town Parties, she never laid claim to her status except to get out of cleaning. She was paid on commission just like everyone else. It made the company prosper and able to hire more workers and it kept the other planners and workers happy as well. Katia had only planned about two parties since Ginny's eight months ago, and she was still paying off the Billy Changs she splurged on. She wasn't allowed to tap into her trust fund until she married, so there was no money coming in that way.
Katia sighed and rubbed her eyes. She was screwed.
Harry walked into Katia's apartment a couple of days later and found Katia eating yogurt and watching old I Love Morgana reruns.
"Kattie?" he asked cautiously. Katia never ate healthy food if she could help it.
Katia looked up and smiled. "Come," she patted the seat next to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Katia shook her head. "I had to return those Peachy robes I bought along with my Billy Changs."
"Why?"
"I can't afford them," she wailed and began to cry.
Harry frowned. "I don't understand."
"We're throwing Arthur and Molly an anniversary party and if I don't go on a b-bu-b-budget, then I won't be able to afford the workers if we go over the budget of the party!"
"Why are you paying for them?" Harry asked.
"Because, this is my company," Katia wailed.
"Kattie," Harry began. "You are a party planner. People pay you to plan their parties and events, why wouldn't you be able to afford your own workers?"
"Because last time we went over the party budget and I footed the bill," Katia said quietly. "By the way, can we send the Weasley's to the house you bought in Colombia?"
Harry allowed her to change the subject. "For their anniversary? Sure."
"Good, and if we can't get a reservation on the Lion's Den, than can we have it in your garden?"
Harry nodded. "Whatever you need, you got it."
Katia leaned over and kissed him. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You won't be thanking me when I force this money issue again," Harry warned her.
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean I can't ignore you," Katia shrugged. "I should be getting to work anyway."
Harry smiled. "Do you ever show up on time?"
Katia thought for a moment. There was that one time, no, she shook her head, she had been about an hour late. "Nope," Katia decided.
"How about I cook for you tonight?" Harry asked as Katia went to her room to dress.
"Are you still trying to seduce me?" Katia called.
"Always," Harry teased.
"Hmm, well…no. But I will take the food," Katia said.
"Your loss," Harry told her.
"I'm sure I'll get over it eventually," Katia assured him.
She walked out of her room a moment later in a skirt and blouse.
"You look classy," Harry commented.
"As opposed to how I usually look, is how?"
"That made no sense, but I'll bite," Harry said. "You look classier than usual. How's that?"
"Not much better," Katia said with a stoic look.
"Oh, melt that heart of yours, babe. You know I think you look wonderful."
"Good," Katia said. "I'm so gone. 7:30 for dinner?"
Harry thought of all the meetings he had to go to. "Make that 8:00."
"8:00 it is," Katia confirmed. She kissed him lightly. "You eat my yogurt, I'll eat your face."
"That sounds kind of kinky," he called after her.
"Eat me!"
"Blow me," Harry teased back.
Right before Katia was going to leave for lunch, Janet, who was in charge of finances, walked into her office. Katia could tell by the older lady's expression that the conversation wasn't going to be a pleasant one.
"We need to talk about this favor thing you're doing, Ms, Reynolds," Janet said without preamble.
"Have a seat," Katia requested.
Janet took one. "You cannot use the company's employees to throw parties without having any money come in. This is not a non-profit business."
"I understand that," Katia assured Janet. "However, all the employees I used for that one party were compensated for their efforts."
"The workers were, but the company wasn't," Janet said.
"Look, this is my company. As long as all the workers are paid regularly and everyone gets their commission, I don't see how my paying workers for a private party would be a problem."
"You're being so unselfish," Janet murmured. "You are only paid commissions on the jobs you do, unlike everyone else who gets commission and a regular pay check. I looked over your bank statements, you cannot afford to foot another bill that high. You will be bankrupt."
Katia knew all of this, but she was willing to risk it. "So I'll show up more to pay the party off, big deal."
"Kattie," Janet warned.
"Janet, please, let me handle this," Katia begged. "I can't tell them no, and I cannot ask them to pay for my services in addition to everything else, either. Just let me handle the workers."
"You are willing to go completely bankrupt for these people?" Janet asked incredulously. "Honey, your trust fund won't kick in for a few years yet."
Katia nodded. "I'll be fine. It's time I started taking responsibility, anyway."
"Starting a company from scratch and keeping it afloat for over three years sounds like responsibility to me," Janet said softly. "I can't tell you what to do, honey, but I wish you would reconsider."
Harry walked into Hermione's office. She worked as an Unspeakable for the Ministry. Hermione was sitting at her desk, poring over old tombs, new glasses perched on her nose.
"We have to talk," Harry said and took a seat at her desk.
Hermione looked up and beamed. "Harry! What a wonderful surprise! What can I do for you?"
"Did you know that Katia paid for Ginny's birthday party?" Harry asked.
Hermione frowned. "That's not possible. I gave her access to my account to pay for everything."
"Yeah, but she didn't take her fee or part of the worker's fee because the party went over budget."
"Are you serious?" Hermione asked. "But, that's-."
"That's not all," Harry interrupted. "She's not charging you a planner's fee for the anniversary party, either."
"Why?" Hermione questioned. "Luna, Ginny, and I are fully capable of paying her fees."
"I don't know and I don't understand. All I know is that Ginny's party went over budget and she paid the rest of it."
"She paid the workers?"
"She paid for the waiters, the deejay, and the cleaning crew. The budget covered everything else but that," Harry told her.
Hermione frowned. "Harry, I had no idea."
"I thought you might not. I just don't understand why," Harry said.
"She probably feels weird asking money from us since you are dating her," Hermione offered.
Harry remained silent for a moment. "I'll see you for dinner at the Burrow on Sunday."
Hermione nodded. "Okay. You will talk to her, right? This party is not her responsibility, financially."
"I'll talk to her. Tell Ron I'll see him on the pitch tomorrow," Harry threw over his shoulder as he left.
Katia arrived at Harry's house at 8:15. She smiled at Dobby, who was just about the cutest house elf, and joined Harry in the kitchen. She kissed his cheek and frowned when he remained tense.
"What's wrong?" she asked, plucking a carrot out of the salad he was preparing.
"We need to talk," Harry said.
"Are you breaking up with me? I saw Breaking all the Rules," Katia informed him.
"No," Harry retorted. "Go sit, I'll be in a minute."
Katia sat at the small kitchenette table and poured two glasses of wine. "You never told me how Colombia was," she remembered.
"Hot."
"Wasn't it awesome?" Katia gushed.
"Sure, let's go with that," Harry said quickly.
"Don't lie on my account," she said when Harry presented her with a salad. He took the seat across from her. "Do I really have to eat this?" she asked, eyeing the lettuce with distaste.
"Every bite." To taunt her, Harry forked a large mouthful. "Mmm. Nutritious."
Katia nibbled on her salad until Harry grew impatient and brought her the main course. "Thank you," she said sweetly.
"Uh huh. I actually wanted to talk to you," Harry said. "Did you get paid for Ginny's birthday party?"
Katia looked away. "I'm ignoring you."
"Oh, come on, Katia, there's no reason for you to pay for this. You're the planner, not the Gringotts account."
"It's weird," Katia argued. "I don't want to take money from them. Plus, everyone knows that the Weasley's can't afford very lavish things."
"That doesn't mean that you put yourself into poverty."
"I'll be fine. I'll just start working more and shopping less. Besides, the Weasley's have been so great to you, and I just couldn't ask them for more-."
"You won't listen to anything I have to say, will you?" Harry asked with a small smile.
"Nope."
"Didn't think so," Harry said. "Well, just, don't put yourself in jeopardy."
Katia shrugged. "I'm going to be fine. Someone in my family will die eventually."
Harry looked horrified.
"I was joking," Katia said hastily. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to any of them. Well, maybe except for Ashley. She's a little heifer."
Harry shook his head.
"Anyway, do tell me there is something sweet," Katia begged once she finished her plate.
"One day, your teeth will rot," Harry told her.
"That is why they invented dentures," Katia said impishly.
Katia received note that the Lion's Den was unavailable for June 3rd and began to make plans to have the party at Harry's house. She went over the budget and realized that Hermione had set aside enough money to cover about everything now that they didn't have to pay the rental fee of the restaurant.
She was just about to make a list of items needed to present to the decorating committee when Hermione walked in.
Katia smiled at the older lady and waved to the seat before her. "What can I do for you?"
"I just popped in to see how the planning was going," Hermione answered. "I figured that if you weren't home you might be here."
Katia nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to get a head start on the Ministry Ball for next year because the one last week was just, pitiful."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Incidentally, I forgot to mention, I saw Megan there."
"I did too," Katia said, twirling her quill. "She looked ready to pop. Bet you 15 galleons she names her child Charles if it's a boy."
"You're on," Hermione said. "How do I know I'm going to be out of 15 galleons?"
"Because Megan's planned on naming her first boy Charles since she was about six," Katia smirked.
"How are we on the budget?" Hermione asked.
Katia looked down at her calculations. "Well, I've never been good at arithmetic, but, according to my calculations, we're good. The Lion's Den is unavailable so we're having at Harry's house. That's 500 galleons we don't have to spend. The house in Colombia is free so that's good; we won't have to pay for that. I thought it'd be great to have them fly since Mr. Weasley is still obsessed with muggles. If we order the plane tickets now, the fee won't be too steep."
Hermione nodded and took the paper from her desk. The calculations were done carefully and checked twice. "This is wonderful."
"Oh, my abuela totally offered to cater the party, so we won't need any caterers. Fully authentic Colombian food," Katia said excitedly. "You'll love her flan. It's amazing."
"You're absolutely amazing," Hermione exclaimed. "However, I insist to know how much over budget we went for Ginny's party."
"Don't worry about it," Katia said, waving her hand.
"I will worry because you didn't have to do so," Hermione pressed.
Katia sighed. "The waiters were there from 7 to midnight. That's five times 10 galleons per hour; 50 galleons for five of them. The deejay was there from 7-2 so that was 100 galleons. The members of the cleaning crew were each paid a hundred galleons. So all together it was about 750 galleons."
Hermione whistled. "You didn't have to do that, Katia."
Katia nodded. "I don't mind. The party already cost so much, I didn't want to add another bill on top of that."
"You didn't mention yourself," Hermione commented.
Katia flushed. "Don't worry about it."
"Katia," Hermione warned.
"I'm fine," Katia insisted. "Harry put you up to this."
"No," Hermione said honestly. "He only informed me of this."
Katia looked away. "I'm not a pauper. I just spend more than I bring in because I only go to work when I'm bored. My trust fund kicks in when I get married, so I'm going to be fine."
"What happened to your parents?" Hermione asked, curiously; realizing that she never knew.
"They died when I was about 8," Katia answered. "My mum was terribly sick. I don't know what it was but my father died of a broken heart."
Hermione frowned. "That's not possible."
"You're too literal, Hermione," Katia said quietly. "Theirs was a love that I can only dream about finding."
Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Katia said. "They never had to live without each other. I think that's beautiful."
Hermione smiled softly. "It is."
Scene 2: Michaelson Meeting the Potters
Maleah twittered nervously as the train finally came to a stop. Michaelson was doing nothing to alleviate her nervousness, only making it worse by laughing every time she took a deep breath. It was funny! Had she ever had a therapist, he/she would have labeled Maleah's breathing technique as a 'deep, cleansing' breath to make her feel better.
She couldn't move. Her legs wouldn't move. Michaelson wasn't laughing now. He stood next to her, rather impatiently and Maleah didn't see any reason for him to be impatient. These were her parents. Father, and step-mother, really.
"Potter?"
"I'm coming," she snapped. She stood up and pulled down the large shirt she'd slept in the night before over her shorts. Maleah never felt a need to dress up to go home for summer holidays.
"Any day now?"
Maleah was not amused. And to show him her displeasure, Maleah shoved her owl cage into his arms. "Let's go, then."
Maleah took Michaelson's free hand. She looked ahead to where Maria, Ananda, and Jake were waiting with reassuring smiles. Feeling rejuvenated, Maleah stepped off the platform with Michaelson and walked to where Ginny and Harry stood.
Ginny was hugging James while Harry and Sirius hung back a bit, looking for her, presumably.
"Hello," she greeted her father. She dropped Michaelson's hand and stepped into her father's embrace. It was awkward, but not as bad as she thought it would be.
Sirius was busy introducing himself to Michaelson.
"Who is this?" Ginny asked, referring to Michaelson.
Maleah took Michaelson's hand again and smiled, politely. "Daddy, Ginny, this is William Michaelson."
"Michaelson, you say?" Ginny said, sending an approving eye over him.
"Yes," Maleah took a deep breath while pinching Michaelson's hand for smirking at her. "He's my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Harry asked.
"Boyfriend," Michaelson confirmed.
Harry stared Michaelson down for a moment but William didn't disappoint her and held her father's gaze. Finally, Harry shook Michaelson's hand and Maleah breathed. She shoved Michaelson for chuckling at her obvious relief.
Scene 3: Sirius at Hogwarts
Sirius frowned as he stared at the girl's staircase. He'd been waiting over half an hour for Maleah to come down so they could spend the day together. He'd even convinced James to come along with them. Sirius glanced at his watch: 10:00. Where the bloody hell was she?
A minute later Maleah bounded down the stairs, flushed. "I am so sorry I'm late," she panted.
"What happened?" Sirius asked as they walked to the Great Hall where they would meet James.
Maleah blushed. "I had to sneak out of Michaelson's room early this morning and fell asleep."
Sirius groaned. "Man, I shouldn't have asked."
Maleah turned her nose in the air. "Nope. You shouldn't have."
Scene 4: Let's Talk About Sex
Later that evening, Jake, Maleah, and Maria sat in the common room with Ananda hanging out instead of doing it in one of their dorm rooms. Maleah had just begged Ananda to give the details of her date with Kevin Alexander earlier that day.
Ananda took a sip of her butterbeer before launching into her story. "Okay. So we met up at the quidditch pitch and instead of riding a carriage into Hogsmeade, we walked. Normally, I'd turn my nose at anyone who expected me to walk to my own date, but it was sweet. We just talked about classes and what we planned to do after Hogwarts and stuff. Then, we went to a quaint restaurant at the end of the village. The food was amazing, but the most awesome part was that we," Ananda broke off as she blushed.
"Keep going," Maria insisted.
Ananda shook her head. "I can't," she whimpered.
"Come on, Nana!" Maleah exclaimed.
Ananda averted her eyes. "We kinda fed each other the desert. It was like, the most sensual thing I'd ever seen or did in my life!"
"She's blushing!" Jake cried as he, Maleah, and Maria laughed.
"Sod off," she threw a Bertie Bott bean at Jake. "You guys act like you're slags when you're practically pure as the driven snow. Except you, Maria, you're a slag. Sorry."
Maleah ducked her head as her shoulders shook with laughter.
"Jake isn't a virgin!" Maria cried, outraged.
Jake nodded sadly. "Sadly, I am. Sorry."
"But, the Hufflepuff," Maria flailed.
Jake shook his head. "Close but no cigar."
"Maleah?" Maria asked, imploringly.
Maleah shook her head. "Heavy snogging. That's it. Slag."
She and Ananda high-fived each other as Jake laughed at Maria's outraged face.
"Well-," Maria began.
"Nuh-uh," Ananda shook her head. "Please, let us recount the list of men Maria has known."
"That Ravenclaw," Jake started.
"The two Slytherins," Maleah said, shaking her head.
"A Hufflepuff," Ananda said.
"No! I never slept with the Hufflepuff," Maria exclaimed. "Besides, you're forgetting one more person: Michaelson."
The mood sobered immediately. While Maleah had ultimately forgiven Maria after she and Michaelson got back together two weeks ago, it was unspoken that they would never mention the fact that Maria knew Maleah's boyfriend in the physical sense.
Maleah let out a breath. "I'm done," she threw her box of Bertie Bott beans on the ground and bounded up to her room.
"Nice job," Ananda snapped at Maria.
"You all ganged up on me!" Maria exclaimed.
"About the truth," Jake cried. "Whatever. Let's just call it a night."
Later that evening, Maleah snuck into Ananda's bed and poked the girl awake. Ananda grunted and opened one eye.
"What?"
"Maybe I should sleep with Michaelson," Maleah said.
"Whore."
"Ananda!"
"What?"
"Be serious."
"Ask during daylight hours," Ananda shot back.
"Please?"
Ananda sighed. "You do not have to sleep with Michaelson just because Maria got to him first. You're not ready for that step and if you were seriously considering doing it just because of Maria, I believe you won't be ready for a long time. Happy now?"
Maleah contemplated Ananda's words. "Happy."
"Good. Now shut up."
Scene 5: Another Interlude
Ginny Potter marched through her home, steaming mad. She barged into her husband's office and the sight before her did not alleviate her mood one bit. Harry was seated at his desk, an old photo album spread before him, smiling a bittersweet smile. That was the same look her had whenever the topic of Katia came up and Ginny was sure he was looking through the album Katia had made before she died.
This wasn't the first time Ginny found Harry looking through it. It was, however, the first time that Ginny chose to call him on it.
"What the bloody hell are you doing?" Ginny snapped, sweeping into the room.
Harry looked up; the lack of guilt on his face incensed her. "Looking through an old photo album," Harry said cordially. "Come look."
Ginny turned up her nose. "I'd rather not."
Harry sighed. "Sit down, Ginny, and tell me what's got your knickers in a bunch."
"Let's get away," Ginny begged.
"Away?" Harry shut the album.
"Let's just leave England for a while. Sirius and James are at school; we can just have a little holiday," Ginny explained.
"Where did you want to go?" Harry asked, sitting back and watching her closely.
Ginny shrugged desperately. "I don't know. Anywhere."
"It's been a while since we've been to Colombia," Harry offered.
"No!" Ginny didn't want to go anywhere where Katia left her imprint. "Australia?" Katia hated Australia.
"I hate Australia," Harry reminded her.
Of course. "Germany? Brazil? Japan? Harry, please."
Harry gave in. "Germany sounds nice."
Ginny smiled. "Germany it is."
Scene 6: Epilogue
"And they lived happily ever after," Maleah concluded the story to her eight year old daughter.
"I think you should be a writer, Mummy," Laela told her mother. "You have the best stories."
"She does not."
Maleah turned to see her 15 year old son, Landon, at the door.
"You used to love my stories," Maleah teased him as he joined her and Laela on Laela's small bed.
"Yeah, when I was stupid," Landon joked.
"Don't call Mummy stupid," Laela commanded her brother.
Landon tweaked Laela's nose but hugged her to him. "I thought Dad was supposed to be back by today," he told his mother when he saw that Laela was falling asleep.
Maleah said nothing, but her sadness was revealed by her expressive eyes that Landon inherited; along with her dark unruly hair. Laela was the classic beauty; her features took after her father along with her pale skin while Landon took the coloring of his mother. Maleah's children bother inherited, though, the infamous Lily Potter nose.
"Mum," Landon sighed. He settled Laela against her pillow instead of against him and stood.
"Don't," Maleah commanded him, walking out of the room.
"Someone has to," Landon insisted.
"No one has to do anything," Maleah stressed.
Landon leaned against his mother's vanity as she dressed for bed. "Mum."
"Landon," she used his tone. "It's not his fault."
Landon nodded; knowing it was the truth.
"If he could come home he would."
"It's happening more and more often, Mum. You're pregnant for Merlin's sakes. He should be here."
Maleah rubbed her swollen belly. "This baby isn't due for another two months. Relax. I'll talk to your father when he comes back. Will that make you happy?"
Landon grumbled as he left her room. "He had better have brought me a present!"
Maleah laughed as she slipped into bed. Her children always made her happy. Instead of conforming to old wizardry when it came to naming her children like many of the old wizardry families did, she and her husband chose fitting names.
One look into Landon's hazel eyes and she knew the very devil was in his soul. His precocious mannerisms as a child confirmed that Landon was the perfect name for him. When seven years later Maleah found out she was pregnant again, she planned on naming the baby after her mother in some way. Laela Katia was born.
For this baby, however, Maleah rubbed her belly. She was lost. She didn't feel the certainty of this baby like she felt for Landon and Laela.
"Frowning will wrinkle your beautiful face," a deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
Maleah's eyes flew open and she found herself face to face with the man of her dreams. "Jake, you ass!"
Jake laughed and climbed into the bed with her. "How's the baby?" he asked rubbing her belly.
Maleah sighed and leaned into his arms. "Perfect. Except, I can't name it."
"You'll find the perfect one."
"I hope so. Landon wanted me to talk to-."
"Am I interrupting?"
Maleah sat up and knew her heart flew into her eyes. "Baby!"
Michaelson walked into the room and kissed his wife. "I knew I shouldn't have let Jake get a head start."
"Head start on what?" Maleah asked.
"Good news, babe!" Jake hopped out of her bed. "We are launching a new line of baby clothes to be named L. So. You better name that baby something with an l."
Maleah's eyes lit up. "After the kids?"
"No, after the kids, you idiot!"
"Go home to your wife!" Michaelson shot at Jake.
"Fine. I know when I'm not wanted," Jake left after kissing Maleah goodbye.
Maleah watched Michaelson change. "Landon's upset."
Michaelson groaned. "What's bothering him now?"
"Don't say it like that," Maleah admonished him. "You're never home."
"I know," Michaelson said as he got into bed. "Charles is a beast. He's angry that he's got a third girl."
"While you've got a son, primed for the entertainment industry," Maleah teased.
"Exactly," he gathered Maleah in his arms and kissed the crown of her head.
"Poor Charles. Following society didn't seem to get him anywhere."
"I'm just glad he hasn't pulled the plug on the clothing lines," Michaelson said. "Ananda would tan my hide."
Maleah laughed. Ananda and Jake were co-presidents of Michaelson Clothing Company while Michaelson was vice-president of the entire firm while his brother was President and CEW (chief executive wizard).
"And Laela? Does she have a problem with me traveling?" Michaelson asked.
"Not as long as you bring her presents. By the way, Landon is expecting his."
"Spoiled brat."
"Just like you," Maleah teased.
"We've got one like me; one like your mother; maybe you'll deliver a clone of yourself this time?" Michaelson said.
"I like being an individual," Maleah assured him.
That's all she wrote, folks! This was my baby and now she's completely done. I might go back and write a new story with the same characters but hopefully not as angsty as this. In case you were wondering, the reason why the Michaelson children are so spaced out is just cause. As i wrote it, it just came. Who am I to change what was written? Um. They aren't old yet though, maybe...mid 30's? Landon was born when Maleah was in her early 20s. That's it. Thanks for all the awesome reviews, you guys rock!