Chapter 2

Harry, Ginny Ron and Hermione stood on the platform a while longer, watching as the scarlet steam engine disappeared around the bend.

After a while Harry stretched and turned away, motioning Ginny to follow him.

"I better get back to the Ministry," Harry said, "I'm lucky Kingsley likes me and doesn't send a Howler after me."

Ron chuckled under his breath.

"Kingsley loves you Harry, you're still one of the best Aurors he's got."

"Oh come off it, you two," Hermione scolded as she reached to take her youngest from her husband, "Kingsley knew we were going to be off part of the morning and our heads of department know."

Harry shrugged as he followed Ginny and his youngest daughter back through the barrier, continuing his conversation with his two best friends as they reappeared on the Muggle side of the station.

"I don't know, I just feel guilty I guess… Like I'll be missing something if I stay out much longer."

Behind him, Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Harry, you're practically head of the entire bloody Auror department as it is," Ron exclaimed, "surely Kingsley would let you off now and then."

Hermione shot Ron a nasty look as she covered Hugo's ears.

"Language, Ronald." She hissed before Ron suddenly looked contrite.

"Harry," suddenly Ginny cut into their conversation, "we better get everybody home I know you, Ron and Hermione have to get back to work."

Harry nodded.

"Right."

"You take Lily and I'll be on my way I guess," he smiled and leaned down to kiss her before turning away and Ginny knew he was looking for a spot to Apprate without being seen by the Muggles. When Ginny looked again her husband was gone.

As she walked back towards a deserted area of the street Ron and Hermione continued behind her and clearly having a similar conversation.

"As soon as we get to that deserted bus stop across the street you head for the Ministry while I take Hugo home," Hermione instructed, "the head of my department knows I will be later, besides," she added importantly, "she knows I get the work done."

"The sitter should be there than?" Ron asked glancing from Hugo to Hermione and back again.

"Yes," Hermione replied, "I told her sometime after 11… I wasn't quite sure when we would be back."

"I'm taking Lily back to Number 12," Ginny interjected, "Merlin, I will be glad when she starts school."

At that moment Lily Potter looked up at her mother.

"Me too mummy, me too."

Ginny, Ron, and Hermione continued talking as they walked down the sidewalk. "Teddy said he would be by later, but I think he's going to be at Shell Cottage for a while." Ginny added this comment as an afterthought thinking of her husband's godson, who was currently dating her niece.

Ron snorted at his sister's comment.

"Yeah, I wonder why."

Half a block later the three adults still found the bus terminal deserted, took their children and Apparated home, their minds already on the work they had to do that day after seeing their older children off on the train.

.