Whoops, sorta forgot about this fic as the summer ended, didn't I? XD But there are still quite a few chapters to go, yet, so I'm determined to see this one to the end! (Aw, no love for Roxie?) It took me a while to settle on which character to do, but eventually I settled on Hugo. (I wanted to give him the middle name of Hermione's father, but since we don't know what that is, I had to scrap that idea.)

Enjoy!

Hugo is definitely a Weasley.

Although Rosie is the one who has inherited her mother's intellect and her father's stubborn streak, it is often remarked upon that he very much takes after his paternal grandfather. Rose is ambitious in her own peculiar way, but Hugo often finds himself playing peacekeeper when he's with his mass-numbered cousins during family get-togethers. He's a calm boy, which makes him a somewhat stabilizing influence on his more volatile family members. It's been this way since he was young, which is strange when he thinks about it.

But it makes sense.

Because if there is one thing that shakes Hugo down to his very core, it's the idea of his family falling apart or breaking somehow. He has heard of stories of his uncles fighting, of friends turning against each other in the dark times of his parent's past, and it scares him. Hugo likes stability, the secure knowledge that no matter how bad things may seem at the time, everything will be all right in the end. His cousins are a myriad of personalities, all vying for individuality and attention, but Hugo quite likes being ordinary. It's something he can depend upon. He wonders if this practicality also stems from the fact he has Muggle grandparents, whom he loves just as dearly as he does his wizarding relatives. His mother was insistent that her children didn't grow up ignorant of non-magic people like Ron did, and Ron, surprisingly, agreed with her.

"Well, that's how prejudice starts, I s'pose," he had said, obviously recalling things gone by but not forgotten. "Not knowing anything about each other."

It's a secret that only Hugo knows, but when he was little, he used to worry about being a Squib. Growing up in a family full of talented people makes you worry about what you have to offer and Hugo's magic came later than was the norm. Especially when you took a look at his parents, his father, Ron Weasley, being from one of the largest, oldest wizarding families, and his mother, Hermione Granger, possibly the brightest witch of her generation, from a Muggle family…who was to say he, Hugo, might not end up the reverse? A non-magic child, from a Weasley father and a Muggle-born mother. Like a damp spot in the middle of a fire.

But hanging out with his grandparents, he's ashamed he was ever so afraid. Magic is a wonderful thing, but, as Hugo is discovering, there is more than one way for it to manifest. And so, even with doubts in his head about where he might end up in Hogwarts- something he and Lily discuss frequently, and at length, in truth, when he repeats the mantra in his head, it starts to not matter so much. When Rose is sorted into Ravenclaw, Ron tries to hide his shock, and Hugo almost wants to laugh. You'd think after everything he had seen, what house his child was sorted into wouldn't matter so much.

"Oh, honestly, Ron, stop being so melodramatic." Hermione says, clicking her tongue as her husband scans the letter sent by his daughter.

"I am not." Pouts Ron, looking remarkably like an eleven-year-old, despite his stubble. He glances at the chessboard sitting between himself and Hugo across the breakfast table.

(Hermione is usually too busy to play chess, and Rose doesn't like to play games that she knows in advance she won't win.)

Hugo smiles wryly. Typical Rose, has to do everything her own way and make a point about it. He doesn't doubt that she probably ordered the hat to put her somewhere else. He nudges forward a knight without paying too much attention.

In a year's time, he will be a Hogwarts student, too. His talent- whatever it is- will make itself apparent in one way or another, and if there's anywhere that it will happen, it's Hogwarts.

He is content to wait.

Personally, I think Hugo would be a good Hufflepuff.

As usual, reviews would be appreciated.