Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling and none of her wonderful characters are mine. Sigh. This was written for Cheeky Slytherin Lass' Next Generation Family Challenge and the prompt was "perfect" - I hope you enjoy!
This was it. The day Hermione Weasley had both dreaded and longed for. At long last, both her children were heading to Hogwarts. Hugo, nervously fiddling with his shirt, had a smudge of dirt across his nose. With a burst of nostalgia, Hermione wiped it off and watched with amusement as he squirmed away.
Whether she liked it or not, her children were growing up.
Rose, red curls cascading down her back, had almost made them late. She'd spent nearly half an hour in the bathroom, trying desperately to tame her mass of hair. Her little tomboy was suddenly paying attention to her appearance. Ever so often, an expression would cross Rose's face and Hermione was rewarded with a glimpse into her future. She was beginning to discard the child-like features and a hint of the woman she would become was barely discernible. In a couple of years, the inevitable interest in boys would rear its ugly head and Ron would be practising his darkest glare. Remembering her own foray into that area, and determinedly ignoring all thoughts of Lockhart, Krum and – she suppressed a shudder - McLaggen, Hermione fervently hoped Rose would have an easier time of it.
Stifling a little sigh, Hermione chivvied her family along the platform. Greeting Harry and Ginny, her own children converged with theirs. Rose and Albus were soon talking at the speed of light, exchanging news, and Hermione was pleased to see Lily taking Hugo under her wing. In some respects, her youngest felt the burden of notoriety more strongly than Rose. Rose, in the main, was an outgoing child. Hugo, although equally bright, was slightly more reserved. She only hoped Rose would look out for her brother.
Intending to say something to Rose, she opened her mouth and sought a means of separating her daughter from the group. Surprisingly, Ron got there first.
"So, Rosie," he inquired, "going to keep an eye on Hugo for us?" Rose rolled her eyes at this, but Hermione could tell she took the words to heart. Hugo, predictably, had other ideas.
"I don't need looking after!" he exclaimed, sounding highly indignant. Clearly, he saw his sister as the worst form of embarrassment. "Anyway," he continued triumphantly, "James said he'd take care of me." At this, the adults – even James' mother – exchanged concerned glances. The boy in question, however, slung an arm around his cousin.
"Don't worry," he said cheerfully, "I'll teach Hugo all he needs to know."
"Probably means he's going to rope Hugo into pranking the Slytherins," muttered Harry, under no illusions. Hermione grimaced in disapproval, but Ron's expression was oddly pleased. Despite countless evidence to the contrary, her husband still held a grudge against the house and probably endorsed James' plans. James made Rose's treatment of Malfoy look amateurish, and was endeavouring to live up to his names. The Marauders would have been proud, Hermione thought wryly. Ginny seemed to be thinking along similar lines to her sister-in-law, and fixed James with a stern expression.
"You are so like Ron," she said, not for the first time.
"Hey!" they both yelped, causing the rest of the party to laugh.
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, and a quick subject change by Harry, Hermione managed to corner Rose. "You will look after him, right?" she asked her daughter, absently playing with her daughter's curls. Slapping her mother's hand away, and patting her hair, Rose nodded.
"Of course I will," she said, keeping her voice low. Hugo was chatting with Lily again and was too busy to hear her words. "We bicker like mad, but I'd… I'd adopt a Blast-Ended Skrewt before I let anything happen to him." Hermione smirked slightly. Despite the intervening years, Hagrid's "pets" still inspired fear in those who crossed their path. Rose's declaration, therefore, meant a great deal.
"I know," she whispered, pulling Rose in for a hug and kissing her head. "But don't forget to look after yourself either." Rose nodded into Hermione's shoulder. Taking a deep breath, Hermione released her. Her little girl was growing up fast, but that didn't make goodbyes any easier.
"Tell you what," she said mischievously, "if you promise not to murder Hugo, I'll try not to kill your Dad. Fair?" Her parents' arguments were legendary and Rose's expression indicated a certain reserve. If Hermione didn't know better, she'd suggest that Rose wasn't entirely sure her mother was joking. Coming to a decision, Rose grinned widely, before pecking her mother on the cheek and grabbing Hugo's arm.
As Rose hauled him onto the train, Hermione reached for her husband's hand. Whatever Rose thought, Hermione knew the truth. As much as anything, their arguments were an excuse to kiss and make up. Returning his look of love, Hermione returned her attention to the Hogwarts Express and their children. Their faces were lit up with excitement and, gazing from Rose and Hugo to Ron, Hermione couldn't suppress a rush of happiness. Despite everything, her life had worked out just fine.
In fact, everything was perfect.