Only a couple of hours later I'm sitting around the table in Charlies and Cleo's place. It's Sunday, I completely lost track of time but I'm glad they are here.
Hugo was overjoyed to see me; he is growing up very fast but thankfully he is still a child, not afraid to show that he loves his mum. How good it does to one's heart to be welcomed by a child smile in all his ingenuity and purity. It fills one with love and benevolence for the entire world. He was eager to show me a very good grade he got in school and he is growing very excited by the idea that is now close for him the moment when his magical powers will begin to show.
I have no idea how I'll explain him about me and Ron separating nor how he will take it. I'm sure Rose will understand, she is old enough, she will suffer for sure being so attached to Ron but I'm sure that her, like me, had enough of the tension in the house and she will support me in this, but Hugo is still so young.
I'll tell him in the course of the day, now he is playing with his broom in the garden, and I don't want to spoil his felicity.
Charlie and Clea's expression are grim. On the floor there are two luggage. I filled them with Ron stuff, and they have consented to guest him until he won't find another place.
'I can't say I'm surprised' Charlie says stroking his red hair, uneasy.
'Nor do I' Clea adds with her strong accent caressing her round belly. She is waiting for her second child. It was a long time they were looking for it and finally they have succeeded. Another boy, to be born in three months.
'However, despite not being a surprise it's still a bit of a shock' Charlie continues 'Especially because we were planning to announce, in stark opposition to your announcement, that me and Clea are getting married' he says taking her hand while she beams serene.
'That's wonderful! Congratulation!' I exclaim struck. I always thought they would never get married. It didn't seem that important for them.
'Thank you' Charlie says with a coy smile 'Now that a second child is coming, we thought best to take this step. The Harry and Ginny's accident made us reflect. I have a hazardous profession too and I don't want Clea and the children having to face problems in case anything happens to me' he says looking fleetingly to Clea on his side which smile gets slightly uneasy.
'It seems sensible' I acknowledge.
'We hope this news will pacify Molly against yours' Charlie adds with a smirk 'We were thinking to ask Ron to be best man and, if you agree, we would like you to be godmother of little Adrian'
I wasn't expecting this, and I feel a warm sensation of gratitude. I was so worried about losing this family I'm so attached to, divorcing Ron. So worried they would turn their back on me, and they are just showing me kindness and sympathy.
'I'd be delighted' I answer with a thankful smile.
Clea nods taking my hand and squeezing it affectionately 'What are you planning to do now?'
'I'll surely stay here until Hugo finishes primary school. And then we will see. I may move back to England. I didn't decide yet.'
Charlie nods slowly 'Yes, it's better not to move Hugo again for the moment. When he will go to Hogwarts or Durmstrung it will be different. By the way' he adds suddenly as an idea struck his mind 'now that I think of it, I've seen a small house in sale at the end of the street. We could go and have a look. It would be perfect for Ron. It's so close, the kids could run back and forth very easily'
'That would be lovely' I reply brightening. A solution of that kind is exactly what I was hoping for. I don't want Ron to have to be too far from the kids. He would go mad, I'm sure.
'When he will be back, I'll talk to him' Charlie says steadfast while Clea is clearing the table from the cups we used for our tea.
'Do Molly and Arthur know already?' She asks bringing everything to the sink.
'I send them a letter this morning so they should know' I reply, a bit uneasy. I didn't get an answer yet, not surprisingly as I'm moving constantly.
'Why don't we call them?' Clea suggests 'We can announce them of our wedding, so our good news will swipe away the sad one' she concludes with an encouraging smile in my direction.
'Brilliant idea' Charlie says standing up purposefully 'Shall we?' he asks me.
I nod grateful. It's going to be so much less awkward to talk about it with their support.
We need to shout their names two or three times before Molly appears. We were almost about to think they weren't at home.
She looks agitated and worried when finally kneeling in front of the fireplace. Seeing me together with Charlie and Clea, she startles in surprise 'Hermione, what are you doing there? Are you back in Rumania? Since when? I was about to call you at Harry's'
'Didn't you read my letter?' I ask a bit taken aback by this remark.
'Did you send one? No, I didn't, dear. We have been much busy this morning' She is talking fast keeping glancing to the other room, her attention clearly somewhere else 'We were a bit undecided whether to call for you, I think Harry should come here. Actually, we were about to call for Ted too, but he is out with Victoire, we don't know where'
'Why, what's wrong?' I ask alarmed.
She falters, throwing glances at me and on the door 'I don't know dear. Something is wrong with Sunrise'
'What do you mean?' I ask my voice faint.
'This morning she woke up whining. It's not the first time, there had been some pretty though moment lately, and we are always on the lookout for any seizures because when she doesn't stop, it's always a bad sign. She kept on wailing for two solid hours and then…'
'Then what?' I press on urgently.
'She went quiet all of sudden but in an odd way. It's not a seizure. She is not speaking, and her gaze is empty, she doesn't respond to any of our approach, she only sucks her thumb convulsively'
My heart starts to pump faster with a slight hunch.
'Did you try to talk to her?' Charlie asks.
'Yes, of course, Charlie dear, but she seems not to hear us'
'Did you try to hold her?' Clea follows.
'Yes, yes, we tried everything.'
'When did she start to go into this strange mood?' I ask with a small voice, a creeping suspicion making way in me.
'This morning, I wouldn't know exactly when'
This is wrong. Something is going very wrong there. And recalling our parting, the suspicion becomes a scary certainty.
'We wanted Ted to check on her…' Molly kept going but I interrupt her 'No!' I shout and everybody looks surprised at me.
'No Molly! You must look for Ted, wherever he is, check everywhere, ask Arthur to send a Patronus, find him and tell him to go straight away to Harry!'
'But why?' Molly falters 'It's Sunrise …'
'Molly, listen to me!' I interrupt her again with urgency 'Find Ted straight away and tell him to go to Harry, now! This is important! Trust me on this!'
Molly is surprised, she opens her mouth to speak but with a sudden brainwave I precede her 'Molly, check the clock! What does it say?'
She bolts up and peeps in the living room, all what we hear is a gasp which answers all my doubts.
'Do it now! We'll leave you the fire free!' I bellow pulling back my head and pulling away roughly both Charlie and Clea's.
I run to take my wand while Charlie is standing up with a bewildered expression 'What's going on?' he asks while Clea is still kneeling in front of the fireplace.
'I have no time to explain. I gotta go! Take care of Hugo please, tell him I'll be back as soon as I can' I blort out while I'm already throwing some floopowder in the fire. I get back only an astounded expression from both as I'm already shouting the name of the first border checkpoint.