I'm SO sorry this chapter is a couple of days late. It was a rather busy week, then when I went to check the chapter for posting, I wasn't happy with it and decided it needed an edit! But, it's here now...enjoy :)

On a side note (and totally unrelated :p) I'm off to Manchester tomorrow to see Idina Menzel in concert - so excited - I'm a huge fan of Wicked and much of her work :)

Oh, yes...disclaimers. I'm just a mere fan who adores JK's Magical world and it's characters!

Chapter Eight

Rose and Hugo finally succeeded in pushing me out of bed early the next morning, so I gave up on sleep. I left a note for Molly to explain to the children where I had gone and left The Burrow, heading back to Ron in Woldsea. I hoped I'd be able to have a talk with Ron and still get back to the children in time for lunch. Upon reaching the old farm house, I crept quietly across the kitchen floor, heading for the stairs in hope that I'd be able to grab a quick nap before everyone else woke.

"I thought you'd gone." A voice spoke from the murkiness of the corner. And then Ron's face peered around the side of the armchair.

I gasped audibly as I clutched my hand to my chest with my heart pounding. "Damnit…don't do that," I breathed deeply. "I didn't think anyone else was awake."

Ron shrugged. "It's my turn to milk the cows today, usually done at dawn."

"Oh, right," I nodded and made to head for the stairs again.

"So, where were you?" he wondered casually.

I sighed, turned and took a seat in the armchair opposite his. "I stayed the night with the children. Yesterday was such a strange day, and Hugo needed me. He'd had an accident early on."

"What did he do this time?" Ron asked, the hint of a smirk on his lips, assuming it was something amusing.

"He'd fallen down the stairs, broken his ankle, and..."

"What? How did he…is he okay?" He sounded a little panicked.

"Yes, he's fine. Your Mum had him fixed up in minutes, magic remember?" I smiled. "Hugo thinks it was all an adventure really. But he was still in a bit of pain last night, so I stayed with them."

He nodded understandingly. "Poor little kid," he muttered.

"Yeah…though, it was only a matter of time before he got himself into trouble, he needs boundaries and routine. Which is why," I paused. "Ron, I'm going to have to go home." I said quietly, the thought of leaving him again after living the last two years without him was breaking my heart.

"You're leaving?" he looked up, his eyes wide.

I nodded. "At least for a few days. The children need me, I'm their Mother and they miss me. Not to mention my job and I much as I would like to stay with you, you don't know if you're ever going to be ready and I can't sit around here forever waiting for you to decide if you can come back." I knew I was sounding cruel, but maybe it was for the best? I hoped so.

"Yeah," he mumbled. "I suppose not." He hung his head.

"But, I know where you are now. So, I can visit and…"

"I'm sorry I shouted at you yesterday afternoon, sorry I swore at you." He looked up, pleadingly. Was Molly right, was the idea of me leaving him tormenting him just a bit? He didn't seem to want me to go.

"That's okay," I shrugged. "We both said some mean things. I'm sorry too"

"I just, maybe I am scared," he admitted, barely audibly. "So, you were kind of right about that. I don't know what I'm going to find at…home or what people will be like with me, I don't want to disappoint them or upset them anymore. What if my kids don't even like me?"

"They're your kids Ron, you're their dad…they love you already. I know it will be daunting for all of you. But, your family love you. Everyone will just be glad to have you home, to know you're safe." I was speaking gently. Did this mean he was coming around to the idea I wondered. "Besides all that, I think maybe being in familiar surroundings, with your own things, in the home we bought together would be good for you. It might help the memory to see places from your past. But," I sighed. "It's your decision…I can't force you to come home any more than I can force you to remember us."

Ron nodded, seemingly deep in thought again as silence followed. "So…Hugo's really okay?" he asked again.

"Yes," I smiled. "He'll probably need to rest his foot a bit today, but he's perfectly fine again. Though how Molly is going to keep him off his foot, I haven't a clue, he's always on the go." I shook my head, but smiled as I thought of my wayward son. "Rose never gave us half as much trouble at this age."

"Ah, but he's a boy. Boys like to run about and get up to mischief."

"You haven't heard the story of why he fell down the stairs. He's not so innocent."

"What happened?" he looked genuinely interested in finding out about his children.

I laughed once, before telling him the story of our son trying to make dolls fly out of windows on sticks in place of brooms. "I'm not surprised Dominique pushed him, it was just bad judgement that the stairs were so close."

Ron was roaring with laughter. "He sounds great. I can't wait to meet him," he suddenly blurted out and then looked at me surprised, as though he couldn't believe he'd said that.

"Really?" I asked, filled with warmth that maybe he wanted to meet his kids. That he was even considering it was a good sign.

He shrugged his head. "Well, I think maybe all this talk of them is beginning to work."

"You mean you remember them?" I asked, inching to the edge of my chair, hardly daring to hope he might have had some memories.

"Well, no. But…just hearing you talk about home and the kids and everything, I'm curious and I think you might be starting to convince me that it's what I need to do."

"Come home you mean?" I asked, a smile growing on my lips. My heart was fluttering against my chest as I clasped my hands to myself, thrilled he was even mentioning it.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I mean, I'm thinking about it. I don't... don't want to lose you, not now that you found me again. And…"

"You'd never lose me Ron. But…it's your decision," I yawned. "Sorry, sleeping in a bed with two squirming little kids is not advisable. I hardly got any sleep and then our son pushed me out!"

Ron laughed and then checked the clock on the mantelpiece. "Well, I usually head back upstairs for another couple of hours kip once the milking is done. If we go now, we can still get in an hour."

"Sounds like a plan," I yawned again, getting up.

Ron followed and we trudged sleepily up the stairs together. "I'm glad you didn't leave." Ron muttered quietly once we reached the landing.

"I'd never just leave you," I promised him, rubbing his upper arm gently. Surprisingly he reached over and have me the briefest of hugs. Squeezing me tight once and then letting me go, a blush on his cheeks and ears. "Sweet dreams," I whispered, watching him head to his room.

He held a hand up in a wave. "Night," he whispered, with a little smirk on his face as he closed his door.

I went into my own room, still smiling as I fell onto the bed. It wasn't long before I was out like a light.

The tantalizing smell of bacon sizzling finally reached my room and woke me sometime later, hunger making itself known with a loud rumble of my stomach. I dragged myself from the bed and shuffled over to the mirror above the chest of drawers. "Eurgh," I muttered to myself and dragged my fingers through my hair – it was bushier than ever after sleeping on it heavily. A quick visit to the bathroom later and I was following that scent down the stairs, into the kitchen.

Ron was sat alone at the table, a cup of tea in his hand whilst flipping through the newspaper with the other. "Hey," he turned as the bottom step creaked and he gave me a smile. "Nearly missed breakfast," he commented, returning to his perusal of the newspaper. I couldn't imagine Muggle news interested him much, but his hands liked something to do – I'd always noticed that about him.

"What time is it?" I mumbled, taking a seat and helping myself to tea from the huge pot that was thankfully still warm on the table.

"9.15," he replied, finally giving up on the paper and tossing it aside. "You slept over two hours," he grinned. "Think Mildred left you something in the oven, hang on." He got up to check.

"Where is everyone?" I wondered, sipping my tea.

"Mildred is outside, hanging out the washing. And Max is with his cows. Here you go." He placed a plate of still sizzling bacon, scrambled eggs and grilled tomatoes in front of me, before returning to his seat.

"Thanks, I'm so hungry," I delved in.

"So…I have something to ask you," Ron began, watching me eat.

"Go on," I told him once I swallowed my mouthful.

"I erm," he coughed and drank some more of his tea. "I had this dream," he blurted out. "Whilst we were napping and…I think it's more than just a dream. I think I remembered something."

My knife and fork clattered to my plate as he had my full attention. I waited with baited breath for him to continue. "What do you think you remembered?" I whispered.

"I was playing Quidditch, not at school. It seemed like a paddock or a field or something, surrounded by trees. A short distance away I could see a, well a rather strange looking house. Kind of tall, wobbly looking and crooked. It wasn't anything to look at, but it just seemed safe and familiar. You know, like…home," he shrugged, feeling stupid at saying that.

I nodded eagerly. "That's your parents home, affectionately known as The Burrow. Where you grew up," I clarified. "I know what you mean about it being crooked, I think as the family grew, your dad just added on an extra floor each time. It's probably held together with magic to be honest," I chuckled. "And the Quidditch pitch, that's in an orchard on your parents property, you often played there. No Muggles could see you if you didn't fly too high. Were you playing alone?" I wondered.

He shook his head. "There were some other boys there, all red heads. About four of them I think. As well as a young girl just sat watching. She was a red head too."

"Your brothers and sister," I nodded, knowingly. "Wait you said four? Oh…hang on, that actually makes sense. Your brother Percy, he never liked to play Quidditch much. Must have been before Bill left home," I sighed. "But…Ron, you remembered something. Your family, your siblings and your home. At least your childhood home, when you weren't in school of course, and before you lived with Harry for a bit, and then we moved in together. But…still…you remembered something about your family, this is fantastic, amazing, I'm so…."

"Okay, okay, calm down." Ron laughed at me rambling on. "It's all real then? It wasn't just a dream."

"It's real. Your childhood is coming back to you, slowly and in short bursts, but it's there, I knew it was all still there." I grinned at him. He grinned back. "This is great!" I chuckled once, over excited.

"I'm glad you think so, because…" he faded off.

"You don't think it's great?" I asked, feeling my heart drop.

"Oh, no…it is. It really is. I lay there thinking about it for awhile after I woke up. I could still picture the house so clearly and the little girl, my sister. And, I've made a decision." He announced. "I…I want to come home, with you."

I gasped loudly as I clasped my hands together, staring at him. "You do? You really do?" I asked, a wide grin forming on my face.

"Well, yeah, if the offer still stands," he shrugged awkwardly.

"Of course!" I leapt up out of my seat, unable to sit still. "Oh, this is brilliant. You don't know how happy I am." I was grinning like an idiot as I bounced on the balls of my feet and having to physically restrain myself from throwing my arms around him.

"Though, I don't know if it's going to be what you're hoping for. And…it might only be a few days or something. I just want to see what happens and how everything goes. And, I do want to see where I lived and my things and…our home. But f things get awkward…"

I was barely listening to him, I was still beaming away and mentally planning everything I needed to do before he came home. Telling the children, his family, my parents. Tidying up the house and perhaps doing some grocery shopping. And…oh goodness – he was coming home. My Ronald was really coming home. "So, when?" I blurted out, cutting him off mid sentence from whatever he had been saying.

He shrugged. "I dunno, hadn't really thought that far. I mean, obviously I need to talk with Max and Mildred. I can't just leave Max in the lurch with no help on the farm."

"Oh. Yes, of course." I realised, a little discouraged. He was right, obviously he couldn't just up and leave like that, not with all the help he provided them with – I think Max relied on him now. But, I knew it could take days to find a replacement for him.

"Don't worry. I think I know someone who will take over for me." He added and my spirits raised a little again. "Even if they can't though, maybe I could come over with you and just see things? You know, before I move back." he suggested.

Move back? He'd said move back! I liked those words, they sounded more permanent than 'for a few days,' they sounded like he really wanted to come home, to be in his own house, to return to his family.

"…thinking tomorrow maybe?" he looked at me and I realised he was still talking. "Hermione? Would that be okay? Can I come to the house with you tomorrow?"

"Yes...of course. Yes." I wanted to shout it, but managed a giddy little squeak instead. "That would be wonderful. And that gives you time to talk to Mr and Mrs Bridges, and I can go talk to my parents, because they have no idea we even found you. And obviously I need to go see how Hugo is today and…tomorrow is perfect." I couldn't stop smiling. For the first time in almost two years I felt truly happy and this was probably the longest I had smiled in all that time.

"Great," he returned my grin.

"Great," I repeated with an excited giggle.

My poor dad almost fell head first into the rose bush when I suddenly appeared in my parents back garden. Both of my parents were in their 60's now and had comfortably retired from dentistry. Dad now spent most of his time tending to his perfectly landscaped garden.

"Sorry Dad," I rushed to help him right himself.

"Blinking heck, Hermione," he grumbled "I wish you'd give us some warning before you do that." He sat back on his gardening stool and dropped his secateurs back into his bucket beside him that was full of dead rose heads. "So, what brings you here?"

"Is Mum home?" I wondered, giving my Dad a welcome hug.

"She's in the house, baking I think," he waved in the general direction of the house. "She has one of her coffee mornings tomorrow."

"Good, I need to talk to you both," I started, ominously.

"Is something wrong darling?" Dad asked, getting up from the stool.

"No," I shook my head and smiled. "I just…I thought you should know what's going on."

"Well then," he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Let's go find your Mum then. I suppose it is about time I stopped for a tea break," he decided and we headed indoors.

Mum was just taking a tray of perfectly raised scones out of the oven when we walked through the kitchen door. "Hermione!" She put the hot tray down quickly, whipped off the oven mitts and rushed to hug me tight. "Now, what on earth has been going on?" she held me at arms length. "You look tired," she then commented upon scrutinising me closer.

"That's your Grandson's fault. I slept in his bed last night. Never again," I arched my back, it was still a little sore. "Anyway…as for what's been going on, that's what I came to talk to you about."

Mum nodded, knowing something important was coming. "Let me make us some tea and we can have a chat in the front room," she decided, already busying herself with the kettle and teapot.

Ten minutes later we were sat comfortable in the lounge with a cup of tea and some of Mum's freshly baked jam tarts. "Now, what is it Hermione? You called me the other day with some cryptic message and said you'd talk to me soon. I was worried."

"I'm sorry Mum. I've been busy. You see, the thing is…" I set my teacup down on the coffee table. "We found Ron," I blurted out, whilst sitting back up.

"Oh," Mum put her hand to her chest, shoved her cup on the table and came to my side. "Oh sweetheart," she pulled me to her. "I'm sorry. But, well…at least now he can be laid to rest, properly," she spoke softly and held me.

It took me a second to realise what she was talking about and I was horrified once I understood. "No, Mum," I pushed back and looked at her. "You don't understand, we found him. Alive."

"What?" Dad asked, shocked. "You mean…all this time, he's been, alive?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"And he let you go through all that horrid mess? For the past two years he's just let everyone think he was dead whilst you've been so hurt and depressed?" I could see he was getting riled up and becoming overly protective of his only daughter.

"It's not what you think Dad, it's not his fault." I felt the need to defend my husband. "He didn't know."

"And what's that supposed to mean? Where the hell has he been?"

"Dear, let her talk," Mum put in, frowning at my father.

"Ron has amnesia. He doesn't remember anything much. I mean, somehow he knows he's a wizard and about a few Wizarding world things. But, his family, me, the kids…he doesn't remember any of that at all."

"I don't understand," Mum spoke gently again.

"I'm sorry Mum, I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. We found him about a week ago and I've spent the last few days with him, where he's been living, trying to help him to remember something about us and hoping he'll eventually come home. It's…well it's not been easy." I admitted.

"How did he suddenly just turn up then? And how did he lose his memory? Are you sure he's telling the truth?" Dad grunted.

"Edward!" Mum snapped at him.

"Well, I'm sorry, but this all sounds like some terrible movie plot," he added gruffly.

"I know Dad, but it's true and I'll explain as much as I can." As best I could, I told them everything I knew. What we understood to have happened to him upon his disappearance two years ago. How we managed to track him down after all this time and what he's been doing the last two years. It wasn't easy explaining things to my parents, even after all this time of having a witch for a daughter and being related to one of the largest pure blood wizarding families since I married Ron, there was a lot about the magical world they simply didn't or couldn't understand.

"He's had a few brief memories since we've been with him. Just short flashes of things. But last night he had a dream about his siblings and his parents house. And well…he's decided he wants to come home with me. So I thought it was time I came and explained things to you."

"Well, I'm happy for you darling," Mum hugged me again. "I know how utterly lost and miserable you've been without him. You must be thrilled!"

"He is being honest with you, isn't he?" Dad was still wary – he always had been. He'd been the only one totally sceptical that time Professor McGonagall had turned up to inform them their daughter was a witch and had a place at a school they had never heard of. For both my Mum and I, it had all made a lot of sense. "I mean…he's not just…"

"Dad, you only have to see him, to know. His face was so blank when we first saw him. He has a totally lost look in his eyes. And he totally freaked out when I told him he was my husband and that we had children together. Ron is amazing at a lot of things, but acting isn't one of them. I know it's all true."

"Well then, if you're sure and you're happy, then I'm happy for you too. Do you think he'll get his memory back?"

I shrugged and sighed softly. "I hope so. I know it's not going to be easy and it will take time, but I'm willing to work on it, if he is. He's worth it."

Mum smiled. "He always has been where you're concerned darling," she patted my leg.

"Well…can't that weird hospital of yours just hocus pocus his memory back or something. I mean, you did ours that time you sent us to Australia." Dad looked confused.

I shook my head. "The couple he's been living with, she was once a healer, erm…a wizard Doctor. She's tried various things, but nothing has worked. We think that because the damage wasn't caused by magic, then magic can't fix it."

"Oh," he muttered, but still looked utterly bemused, as though thinking what use was magic if it couldn't fix this? I had to confess I agreed with him there.

I stayed for awhile longer enjoying my tea and jam tarts – Dad and I even persuaded Mum to let us try her fresh scones, which were delicious. They filled me in on all their news and I caught them up to date with the latest exploits of their grandchildren. Both were horrified to learn that Hugo had broken his ankle. Mum didn't understand how a simple spell could possibly mend a broken bone and insisted I should take him to the hospital as well to get it checked out. But I assured her he was perfectly fine.

After a couple of hours of chatting and catching up though, I bid my parents farewell, promising to visit sooner the next time, and headed off to my in-laws to see the children and let Molly know the latest news.

Hugo came tearing past me in the garden when I got there, quickly followed by James and Albus. "Hey, young man," I caught hold of him, stopping him in his tracks and crouching down to his level. "I thought you were supposed to be resting that foot, hmm?" I asked, gently feeling around it to check his ankle wasn't swollen or anything.

"I is Mummy," he insisted and squirmed out of my hold. "Look, I hop!" he grinned and proceeded to show me how he was hopping everywhere.

"Oh Hugo," I laughed. "What am I going to do with you?"

He thought about it for a moment and looked up at me innocently. "Give me chocolate frogs?" he asked, hopefully.

"You'll get chocolates frogs mister!" I ruffled his hair and then stood up. "Where's your sister?" I asked, after giving him a kiss.

"Playing stupid dollies," he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"I thought we talked about the word stupid?" I warned him gently.

"Sowwy Mummy," he hung his head. "She there, with Lily," he pointed and then tore off to join his cousins, hopping all the way. I just hoped he didn't do himself further damage with his antics.

Rose saw me approaching the doorstep of The Burrow, where she was sat with Lily brushing their dolls' hair. "You left!" she told me angrily, standing and placing her hands on her hips. "We woked up and you gone!"

"I'm sorry sweetheart," I bent to hug her and kiss her cheek, but she squirmed away from me, obviously not having forgiven me. "Your brother pushed me out of bed. And then I had to go and talk to some important people."

"You left us asleep," she pouted.

"I'm sorry. But, I have some good news. Two more days and we're all going home," I hugged her. I had decided that I wouldn't overwhelm Ron with the children straight away. I'd let him have at least 24 hours at home without them first. He'd need to get his bearings and look around.

"We are?" she asked me.

"Yes," I kissed the top of her head. "I promise." I added. "Now, I'm going to go talk to your Grandma. Keep an eye on your brother for me?" I asked.

She nodded and returned to the steps, picking up her dolls again.

"Hi Lily," I kissed the top of my niece's head as I passed.

"Hi Aunty Hermie-nee," she grinned up at me. None of the children had been able to pronounce my name, so Hermie-nee had become my name given by the children in the family.

Inside, Molly was sat at the kitchen table, along with Arthur, Ginny and to my surprise, Harry. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Lunch break," he replied, through a mouthful of quiche.

"Oh, yeah, right." I realised, taking a seat whilst Molly was already getting me a cup of tea and fixing me something to eat. "Well, it's probably good that you're all here. Because I have some news," I began. Molly paused in her actions, stared at me for a moment and then slowly returned to her seat at the table. "He's coming home." I simply told them.

Silence followed for a few rare seconds, and then everyone began to speak at once, all asking me questions and exclaiming their joy. "I can't believe it!' 'Oh, he is? Really?' "About time." "Finally." "What did you do to him Hermione?" That was Harry, who laughed at his own words.

"I didn't do anything to him thank you very much!" I replied a little indignantly and jabbed his upper arm with my index finger. "He made this decision on his own. Though I might have put the suggestion in his head."

"So, when is he coming back?" Molly asked eagerly.

"Tomorrow," I smiled at her. "Though it might only be for the afternoon for now. He doesn't want to leave Max at the farm until he has someone to take his place. I think he feels responsible, they've done so much for him and Max seems to rely on him. So, I have to understand that. And, even once that's sorted, he said it might only be for a few days. I think he's curious now and wants to see things for himself, meet the children and everything, but he's still really anxious about it all." I tried warn them not to get their hopes up too much.

"Well, that's totally understandable," Arthur agreed.

"Why would he be anxious about his own family?" Ginny didn't understand.

"Because he doesn't know you, any of you. I think he's afraid you won't like him or that he'll be a huge disappointment to you all."

"Silly boy." Molly chuckled once. "So, when can we see him? Is he going to come here? Should I make dinner one night and…"

"Molly…" I began tactfully. "Don't overwhelm him yet. I think it would be best if we kept things quiet for awhile, just me and him for a couple of days. I want to let him settle back in and get used to things before he meets everyone." I tried to explain to her, but I could see by her face how disappointed she was at that.

"But, we're his family, we want to see him too. You can't keep him all to yourself," Ginny blurted out indignantly and folded her arms.

"Ginny…" Harry hissed, frowning at his wife. He understood better than anyone what I was trying to do – he'd seen Ron after all, knew how lost he was.

"Look," I sighed, "I know that..."

"I'm his mother," Molly cut in, looking at me with un-shed tears in her eyes.

"Oh Molly, I know," I went to hug her. "And, believe me, I'm not keeping him from any of you at all. I know how bad you need to see him and I totally understand. It's just, he's so anxious about all this, terrified even. Of the unknown I guess and not knowing anything about his life here. I just, I don't want to rush him with everything at once. That will only freak him out and send him scurrying back to the farm. We have to go slow." I tried to explain to Ginny and Molly. The last thing I wanted to do was upset them or make them feel pushed out. But I'd thought about this for hours and this was the way it had to be.

"Hermione's right love," Arthur murmured, holding his wife's hand. "We can't scare him off. This is going to be really hard for him. We have to go slow."

Molly nodded slowly, but she'd lost that excited smile from her face. I know she was trying to understand and I understood this was frustrating for her, but Ron had to come first right now. And I hoped by taking things slow, we had more of a chance of him sticking around.

"Maybe, in a few days, you could come over for coffee or lunch…and see him. Something low-key and relaxed?" I suggested.

"I suppose," Ginny sulked.

I smiled at my sister-in-law. "He remembers you, you know." I told her.

"He remembered me?" Her head shot up.

I nodded. "He had a dream about playing Quidditch with his brothers in the orchard. I think it's what made him decide to come home. You were in his dream, sat watching them play."

"Yeah," she interrupted, thinking back with a smile. "I used to do that a lot. They'd never let me play when I was younger, mean gits." Her smiled turned to a rather indignant scowl.

"In the dream he could also see the house. When he woke up, he lay in bed for awhile just thinking about the little girl that he knew was his sister, and the house he saw. He said it felt familiar to him, like home."

"Oh," Molly gasped and finally the tears escaped and rolled down her cheeks. "I can't believe my little boy is coming home. That we get him back," she sobbed as Arthur tried to console her. "It's just, it's…"

"More than we ever dared to hope for," I finished for her, feeling the exact same way. "He's really coming home." I smiled at the people around me.

"Mummy?" A voice spoke from the back door. "Who's coming home?" asked Rose when we all turned to look at her.

"I er…oh…I…"

"A friend of ours," Harry jumped in for me. "You remember Uncle Neville?" She nodded. "Well, he's been away training, he's going to be a new teacher at Hogwarts soon. And, we're just looking forward to seeing him again. He's been a good friend for years."

"Oh," Rose looked positively bored by all that. "Can me and Lily have some pumpkin juice, please? We hot," she changed the subject completely.

"Sure," Ginny got up. "You go on back outside and I'll bring some for the boys as well." She smiled and headed off to get the children some drinks as Rose happily skipped back outside into the summer sunshine.

Twenty-hour hours later and Ron and I were stood in the kitchen of Apple Tree Farm. A bag sat at his feet, containing the few possessions he'd accumulated over his last two years here. Everything had worked out better than we could have hoped for, Max already had someone to take over Ron's work on the farm. Pete Baggin's son, Leroy, was after some summer work since he was home from agricultural college for the summer.

Ron had spent the morning showing Leroy the ropes and now, after he'd showered and packed, we were ready to leave.

"I'm really going to miss having you around here," Mildred gave Ron a hug, not wanting to let him go.

"I'll be back," Ron grinned at her, sheepishly when she finally let him go.

"No you won't," she shook her head knowingly. "But, that's okay…you're going back where you belong, where you're meant to be. Just, promise me you won't be a stranger."

"I won't," he agreed.

"We'll come and visit. Maybe bring the kids," I added. "Rose would love to see all the animals. And, maybe when we're settled, you can come and visit us? Meet the family?" I suggested.

"Sounds lovely. I look forward to it." She smiled through the tears she was holding back.

"Well, thanks for all your hard work these last couple of years." Max shook Ron's hand whilst us ladies were chatting. "Won't be the same around here."

"Sorry…I could come and help…"

"Nonsense. Mildred is right, you're going where you're meant to be."

"We'll both miss you, but we're so happy for you, that you found your family, your past," Mildred spoke.

Ron smiled nervously.

"Thank you so much for everything you did for him, for saving him…keeping him safe for me," I hugged Mildred. "And thank you for your hospitality these last few days. We'll keep in touch?"

"I hope so. We'll need to get an owl," she laughed. "And, there's no need to thank me. I just did what was right and I'm glad it's all worked out." She hugged me and then hugged Ron again. "We'll see you both soon, right?"

We nodded. "Soon," I repeated and looked at one another in the quiet kitchen. "So, you ready?" I asked Ron finally.

He took a deep breath and then nodded. "Ready," he gave me an anxious little smile before bending down to pick up his bag and then took hold of my outstretched hand.

"Take care, see you soon."

"Bye…and thank you," I waved quickly, before taking out my wand and picturing home firmly in my mind, we turned together, disapparating us away, both of us filled with a mixture of trepidation and hope.

Thank you as always for your incredible reviews :) They're always most welcome!