Note: Hello!

So, it was pretty interesting that no one mentioned an important thing about last chapter. But I do get it, Harry's choices are more frustrating than anything else. lol.

Hope you enjoy this one!

December 1st, 2003

If it were his choice, Harry would stay in bed. It's 6:30am and he's just on his feet because an annoying owl keeps tapping the living room's window frenetically. Harry has no idea if this is urgent, but Rachel is asleep in her bed and that's what matters. Nothing can be more urgent than his daughter.

Yawning, he fetches the letter, angry with the owl he gives it some food with a sour expression. The letter has nothing written on the envelope. Which is strange. They're often addressed. Holding the envelope he heads to the kitchen to brew some coffee. Tessa was sleeping soundly by his side. So, he sits alone on a stool and rubs a hand on his face.

Since a week ago, when he chose again to give them a chance, things have been better. They're communicating more and trying to be affectionate towards each other all the time, something that's making a difference in his opinion.

He waves a hand and the mug comes to him. Then, with another wave, some eggs start to boil on their own. He squints at the letter, taking a sip on the coffee.

He knows that if it were something from Ginny, Draco or Hermione it would have been a patronus. So, curious, he opens the envelope. There's only a thin note inside. Frowning, he reads it:

It's a waste to see that you killed one of the best wizards in History just so you could have a child with a Muggle. You're a disgrace, Harry Potter. You and your family.

The paper falls from his hand and he feels cold inside. It's a threat. He fists a hand, thinking about a thousand possibilities. He's sure the Aurors won't be able to trace the letter. No one that sends out threats, specially to Harry Potter, is an idiot to a point where they wouldn't erase the traces back to them.

Harry inhales deeply. This is just one letter. He knows the Wizarding Community had a strong reaction about the fact that Rachel's mother is a Muggle. Hermione used to hide the papers from him but he saw some, he's aware that this is a hot topic, aware that people judge him because of this. Not everyone, of course. But those who were inclined in agreeing with Voldemort are always going to be there. These are the ones that think Rachel shouldn't exist. These are the ones that condemn mixing the magical blood with Muggles.

He reads the note again, thinking about what to do. If he alerts the authorities, this could escalate. Harry doesn't want others to feel encouraged to send out threats to him. And he fears this might happen. It's always like this, it's like people want to see that someone is brave enough to do the absurd so they can feel that they also can. No… alerting the Ministry is out of question. Even because Harry can't think of a time that the Minister did something right.

No authorities. Not yet.

He wonders who might be the real target of this threat. Himself? The one that hypothetically disappointed his fellow wizards? Tessa? The Muggle woman that 'seduced' him? Or Rachel? His baby girl that has nothing to do with this, that is pure and has no guilt whatsoever?

It's… Rachel is the result of his union with Tessa. The problem in such people's eyes. So, yeah, she's the target. His heart squeezes inside his chest. Just to imagine that someone might hurt his daughter Harry feels a murderous rage taking over his body and soul. He's never going to let anything happen to her. Ever.

He puts the paper back in the envelope. Whoever sent this might know where he lives. He looks around the house. It's quiet outside. The wards around his place are the strongest, he's certain that no one can simply invade his house, which is comforting. Even so, Rachel is not always at home. She goes to School. She goes to Hermione's. Sometimes she's at the Burrow. Shit. He doesn't want to stop his daughter from living because of this since he's not even sure if this threat is serious. He needs to wait. See if there's going to be a second one, see if Rachel notices someone new in her routine… stuff like that.

Harry folds the envelope and magically tucks it inside the inner pocket of his jacket that's hanging at the entrance. He knows what he needs to do.

Hermione woke up excited today. She's been feeling good lately, free and sure of herself. She loves her life at the moment and that's something truly special. She feels like a winner… because she can actually be happy without Harry, something that seemed impossible months ago.

Humming a song, she leaves a note to Ron. He's probably coming to her place later to eat her food and spend the day with her and Rachel. Then, fetching her coat, she takes a Portkey to Draco and Ginny's.

To her surprise, not only Rachel is there waiting for her, but also Harry. He's never there on these days. He sets his jaw when he sees her. Rachel runs to her arms and they share a tight hug, then she greets Draco and Ginny - who still haven't traveled to their honeymoon since Draco needs to play two more important matches before they go.

"Hey." Harry comes to her, his face strange. "Can we talk? Alone?" He's talking in a low voice and she can sense that something is wrong. His eyes are telling her so. Ignoring the awful emotion towards him that still lingers since the wedding, she nods.

Draco and Gin can watch Rachel for a while, so, again, they head outside to the backyard to have this conversation. Harry is tense and his nervousness rubs on her.

"What? What is it?" She asks.

Harry sighs, looking inside the house where Draco and Gin are talking to Rachel.

"Do you think this house has good wards? Strong?" He motions with his hands to make a point.

Hermione tilts her head. "I-"

"Can you check? You're the best at this."

She squints, her heart beating faster. "What's going on, Harry?"

He makes an ugly face and it looks like he's about to cry, but, instead, he reaches into his inner pocket and hands her a folded envelope. Hermione gulps. She has no idea what this is, but it can't be good. Not wasting a second, she takes the paper from inside.

When she finishes reading, her eyes go to Harry's. She can clearly see how worried he is. Without a word Hermione takes out her wand to check the wards. They're very strong, like she knows Harry's are.

She hands him the envelope back. There's silence between them, both communicating with their eyes.

"It's just one letter." She whispers and he agrees.

"I know. But I want you to be careful. I want you to be sure of who's with you when you're with Rachel." He gulps, nervous.

"Sure. I'm going to reinforce the wards around my place." He nods, thankful. "Is she staying a lot at the Burrow? Are you going to tell Molly-"

"No. I'm not telling anyone else. This stays between you and me, okay?"

She raises an eyebrow. "I- Aren't you telling Tessa?"

He shakes his head. "I don't wanna worry her. There's nothing she can do, Hermione. Not really."

"Harry, I- I need to tell Ron." Her words make him furious.

"Why?" He snaps.

"Because he's always with me. Sometimes he's alone with Rachel. He needs to know. He needs to be aware of the threat."

Harry scoffs, shaking his head and looking down. "Sure, tell him, then."

The way it bothers him makes her uncomfortable. "Harry. Ron loves Rachel. He's going to take care of her-"

"I don't need to hear this. You can do whatever you want with your boyfriend, Hermione. If you need to tell him, then tell him. But I don't want anyone else knowing about this, is that clear?" His tone is harsh.

"You don't have to talk with me like this. I'm on your side. Fuck." She's also angry now. He snorts. But Hermione takes a deep breath. She can understand why he's so nervous. "Look, this is probably nothing, Harry. And you can be at peace when she's with me. You know I would die for her, nothing is gonna happen."

"I know. Fuck, I know." He seems to be thinking hard about something and Hermione waits… "She's just a child." He whispers. "An innocent child that's going to be targeted because of this fucking thing and-" He points to his scar, running a hand through his hair. "Just because she's Harry Potter's daughter." He sounds so sad.

Hermione inhales deeply. "Listen to me." She takes a step to him, their fronts almost touching. He looks into her eyes. "This is not your fault, Harry. This is whoever sent you this letter fault's. Do you understand this? These maniacs are the ones to blame here, not you. You've done nothing but love your daughter. You've done nothing but save this whole ass Wizarding Community. They're the problem, not you. Never you, Harry." She whispers the last words.

He lets out a shaky breath, painful. It cuts her open. And in a mutual need, they hug. Tightly.

"Thank you, so much." He says into her ear. Hermione kisses his neck and he squeezes her even more. Hugging him is… she misses this on a daily basis. So damn much.

Her hand goes to his hair in a caress and Harry relaxes in her arms. Oh, she knows they shouldn't be doing this. She knows very well. But at the moment she doesn't care. His mouth finds the point under her ear and he gives her a gentle kiss. Then another. Her heart skips a beat and Hermione clears her throat, taking a step back.

He doesn't let her go too far, though. Harry holds her close, his hands on hers. And the way he's looking at her-

Hermione sets her jaw. Shit. Is this thing between them ever going to die? Is she always going to keep feeling it? Even when she thought that she was getting over him… what a fool. She's not even close. She still loves him so damn much. She's still in love with him.

He's with Tessa.

"Don't look at me like that." She whispers. Like she's the most important thing in the world. Like he wants to kiss her. Like he loves her so much that it hurts. Like he wants to devour her.

He blinks many times and releases her hands, embarrassed. But before he heads back inside, he says, "You were never a substitute. I hope you know that."

He doesn't wait for an answer and she stays there, her heart beating like crazy. She gulps, trying to ignore his words.

Hermione watches while he says goodbye to Rachel. How someone dares threatening this little girl?

Furious with the situation, but happy that she gets this day with Rach, Hermione goes to her.

December 10th, 2003

When Tessa enters the house with a crying Rachel, Harry immediately leaves the food he's cooking and walks over to the door, insanely worried.

"What happened?" He asks in a high pitched voice. Rachel yells 'dada' and moves her arms, wanting him to take her. Tessa makes a face when the girl goes to Harry's arms. "Is this blood?" There's a cut on her cheek. "Tessa!"

"Harry, calm down." Tessa says in an angry tone. "She just fell and cut her cheek. That's normal. It happens."

His heart is beating fast. "What do you mean? Where were you?"

Tessa clears her throat, looking down and taking off her coat. "Okay, fine, don't be angry." Rachel is still crying and Harry kisses her head, trying to remember the proper healing spell to stop the little bleeding and close the cut. It's superficial, but even so… "I received a call from that famous editor that wants to put together some of my photos into a book. I had to meet him immediately so I left Rachel with my father-"

"What?" He seethes. And the spell comes to his mind. Tessa shuts her mouth, making a face when Harry utters the spell and the cut closes. Rachel slowly stops crying. "And what was Leonard doing that he didn't see her-"

"This is not my father's fault." Tessa cuts him, angry. "And you should have just washed her face, it would close eventually. You know, the normal way of doing things."

He sets his jaw, furious. It's not the first time Tessa indirectly talks about his magic as something that's abnormal. She's sounding more and more like Leonard and he can't deal with this. He can't accept this. He's losing touch with his friends because Tessa doesn't want to hang out with them. He's not attending the magical cooking lessons anymore because it bothers her when he cooks that way. And she already complained a number of times about the School that Rachel goes. Tessa keeps saying that she's too young for that, that she should be with normal kids of her own age. Harry stated that Rachel is doing exactly that.

"Rach, sweetie, is it still hurting?" He asks his daughter, kissing her head again.

"No." She sniffs and he smiles.

"Good. It was just a boo-boo, right?"

"Want mama Mi." Rachel whines.

Tessa scoffs loudly. "It was nothing, sweetie. You're fine."

Rachel buries her face on Harry's neck, repeating that she wants Hermione. Harry sees the clear… contempt in Tessa's expression. This keeps happening. There are times that Rachel cries because she wants Hermione. It makes Tessa furious.

"Not today, pumpkin." He says to Rachel, kissing her head. "But there's a slice of cake waiting for you in the kitchen, how about that?"

"Chocolate?" She asks, her eyes bright now. There's nothing more effective than bribing her with chocolate.

"Of course!" He smiles and puts her down. Rachel goes running to the kitchen. He shares a look with Tessa, allowing his anger to surface. "We need to talk, now."

And he walks to their bedroom. Tessa sighs angrily but follows him. Harry wastes no time when they reach the room.

"How could you leave your daughter like that because of a fucking editor-"

"You're talking as if I left her with drug dealers, Harry! She was with her grandfather! And I was gone for barely half a hour!"

"Doesn't matter! She's your responsibility!" He says a bit louder. "What if she had hurt herself more? What if she had hit her head? What the fuck was Leonard doing that-"

"Don't talk about my father!" She says louder. "He loves Rachel and he wants the best for her! This was an accident! Fuck! You're such a control freak!"

"Of course I am! I worry! You have no idea what I've been through-" He stops, shutting his mouth and inhaling deeply. "And I've had enough of you talking about magic like it's something-"

"It's not normal!" She almost yells. "You act as if kids that don't have magic are dying from little cuts! This happens, Harry! It's part of growing up!"

He squints. "Rachel is magical, Tessa. And you're not going to take that away from her. Do you understand?" His voice is lower now, but he's even more angry than before. "What were you doing with Leonard? Talking about the Muggle School that he wants her to go?"

Tessa sets her jaw. "I assume you have no idea how offensive the word Muggle can be." She spits the word. "I know she's magical, but she's also my daughter and I have the right to want something different for her. Something similar to the life I had."

Harry clicks his tongue, not believing this. "She loves being magical. She loves her School and she loves her friends. Everyone in her life is magical-"

"I'm not. Fuck, Harry. I'm not." She says through her teeth. "She's my daughter." Tessa squints. "And I've had enough of this bullshit of her wanting Hermione. I've had enough."

Harry grits his teeth. "You're not separating her from Hermione."

"Watch me."

"Don't you dare, Tessa."

Tessa shakes her head and scoffs. "Instead of taking my side, instead of fighting for my daughter not to be away from me, you keep defending Hermione!" She yells the last words. "When you ask yourself again why we might not be working out, Harry, have in mind this moment. Have in mind the way you're treating me." She fetches a bag from under a chair in the room. "I'll pack. I need to travel and take some new photos, because, even if you don't care, my book is happening."

Harry crosses his arms. Tessa ignores him while she keeps packing. He's so angry. Of course she doesn't know about the threat, but he doesn't want Rachel to stay with Leonard anymore. Harry can feel that the animosity towards magical people - that had apparently vanish - is becoming an issue again. He fears Leonard might mistreat Rachel if she accidentally performs magic - something that's common with kids. But how can he say this to Tessa while she's so angry all the time? She talks about him not taking her side, but she never takes his. She never understands his needs or wants. She doesn't understand why he worries so much. And he has a hard time opening up to her. She doesn't talk to him either.

Sighing heavily, he lets her pack her stuff, deep down relieved that they'll have a few days away from each other.

December 12th, 2003

Ron is looking at her with a strange expression.

"What?" Hermione asks, sighing. "I need to work, Ron."

"You look different." He states, squinting. "What's different?"

She clears her throat. "Nothing." Her eyes go back to the file in her hand.

"You're not fooling me." He leans over the little isle in her kitchen that's separating them. "Did you change your make up or something?" He tilts his head.

Hermione chuckles. "No." He raises an eyebrow. "Fine." She sighs and he opens a smile. "I- I'm seeing the therapist."

He widens his eyes. "For real? Oh, bloody fuck that's amazing! Finally!" He yells the word to the ceiling.

She shakes her head. "Yeah, I know. It's-" She inhales deeply. "We had four appointments already."

"So?" He asks, taking a bite on the sandwich Hermione made for him. "How it's going? You know, my therapist changed my life. It was my best decision by far. In fact, my therapy is the whole reason why we're here together right now!"

She opens a smile at his excitement. Ron has been pushing her to do this for months, since they reconnected actually. And she's glad she finally gave in.

"I guess I'm… saying goodbye to a lot of stuff." Her voice is low. "I mean, the life I had in London, what I shared with Harry… it's all over, Ron. I was having a hard time accepting it but now I'm at peace. I understand that I did everything I could have done and I'm never going to regret loving him. Loving Rachel." He's absorbing her every word, insanely curious. It's the first time she's actually opening up to him. "At first I felt like she were my own, you know? But when things began to get serious between me and Harry, when I saw that- that it could all be true I started to refuse the idea of Rachel seeing me as her mother." Hermione looks down to her hands, a bit sad. "I know my place in all of this. I wouldn't have done a thing differently. But life goes on." She opens a small smile. His eyes are soft while he listens. "I- it doesn't hurt that much anymore."

He winks at her. "See? I'm glad. I really am."

She inhales deeply, "Yeah. I'm thinking about… living here. For good."

"Oh?" He widens his eyes. "That's a… big step."

"I know. But maybe it's what I need. The way things are I don't see myself back in London." She shrugs. "And… Gustave said yesterday that he might be feeling something more for me."

Ron opens his mouth. Hermione knows she's blushing.

"Look at that!" He says, crossing his arms. "I thought he was a free spirit and all that."

She chuckles. "Indeed. Apparently because I'm not madly in love with him he's fascinated by me." Ron snorts.

"Do you still love Harry?"

Hermione lets out a long frustrated sigh. "Yeah, terrible, right?" She makes a face and Ron shakes his head.

"It's not something that you can control." He states in a low voice. Hermione nods.

"But I want it to go away. I want him to be happy with Tessa. Who knows? Maybe I can have a French kid with Gustave."

They chuckle lightly. Then, Ron turns serious. "No more threats, right?"

Hermione shakes her head, "Not that I know of. I'm sure Harry would have told me, though. I think that one letter was just a provocation. Deep down no one wants to mess with the man who ended Voldemort."

Ron points a finger at her, agreeing with her point. "Fuck, I feel bad for Harry." He shrugs.

"Why don't you try talking to him? It's past time you two go back to being friends."

"He's not gonna talk to me if he thinks that I'm with you."

"That's nonsense."

"He still loves you, Hermione."

She makes a face. "I doubt that." But the way he looked at her the day when he showed her the letter, it- it contradicts her own words. "Regardless, he chose Tessa." Her tone is final and Ron doesn't try refusing her words.

"Yeah." He mumbles, his eyes lost while he thinks hard about something. "There's something I-"

There's a knock on the door. They share a confused look. Hermione has no idea who might be. She'll visit her parents tomorrow and Gustave often apparates inside later at night when he ends his shift. Another knock sounds and Hermione raises from the stool, walking to the door, wondering who-

It's Tessa.

Hermione's pulse quickens and she gulps, for a long minute they only look at each other. Tessa seems good. Healthy. As beautiful as always. But there's a hint of sourness on her expression that indicates this conversation won't be a nice one.

Without a word she steps aside to let her cousin in.

Ron comes from the kitchen and widens his eyes when he sees Tessa. To Hermione's confusion, Tessa also tenses when she sees him there.

"I- Hi!" Ron says in a high pitched voice, coming closer to Tessa. "What a surprise, how are you, Tessa?"

Hermione frowns. What? They never interacted like this, and Tessa-

"Hi, Ron, I- I didn't think you would be here-" She stops, cracking her knuckles - something Hermione knows is a nervous tell. "I need to talk with Hermione, but maybe now is not the best moment-"

"Nonsense!" Ron says fast. "I'm leaving."

Gulping, his eyes go to Hermione's. He seems… scared. Hermione has no idea what's happening. This is so strange. And just with a fast kiss on her cheek, he leaves. Tessa visibly lets out some air through her mouth, nervous.

But then, another silence fills the room.

It's awkward. Since the wedding they haven't seen or talked to each other. And it's not like Hermione is suffering with their distance, she realized this is something she needs. To be away.

"Sit." She says.

"I prefer to stand." Tessa says, crossing her arms.

"Suit yourself, then." Hermione doesn't sit either, nervous. "What's this about, Tessa?"

"I thought about calling you, but then I remembered you don't own a phone."

"I'm all ears."

Finally, Tessa shows some emotion. Inhaling deeply, she purses her lips. When she talks, her voice is shaky:

"I never thought you would do this to me, Hermione."

"Do what?" They already talked about Harry… and she really can't have this conversation for a second time. Not now. Not ever.

"I- You took away the most precious thing-" Hermione sets her jaw, waiting, "My daughter. My Rachel, she-"

Closing her eyes, Hermione takes a breath while Tessa tries to organize her thoughts. She knew this was coming. And it fucking hurts. It's worse than anything related to Harry. Much worse. Because Rachel is like a part of herself… she's also my daughter.

"Is Rachel okay?" Hermione asks in a neutral tone.

And that's what it takes to send Tessa over the edge. She completely loses it.

"You were like a sister to me, Hermione." She begins in a low voice, but then- "YOU BETRAYED ME!" She yells, transformed and angry. Using a high tone, she keeps talking, "It's like I can't be the mother my daughter needs because she's talking about you all the time! Talking about how she used to do stuff with mama Mi! How she used to sleep in your arms or the way you read to her! She flinches away when I hug her and I can tell that she always chooses Harry whenever she has a chance. Not to mention how she behaves after she spends a day with you! It's like she's another child, disobedient and whiny! Again, because she misses mama Mi!" Tessa is moving her arms, her eyes wide while she lets it all out. Hermione can feel the anger building inside her, but she waits, she stays quiet. "How could you? YOU'RE NOT HER MOTHER!"

"Maybe you should leave." Her voice comes out low, very different from the tone Tessa is using, Hermione tries to calm things down.

But Tessa snorts. "Why? Because you can't hear the truth? Yeah, you played house with Harry for a while. Was it everything you ever wanted? My boyfriend and my daughter! Not yours! Never yours."

"I don't need to hear this. Are you done, Tessa? Maybe you should be at home taking care of your daughter instead of attacking me."

"You had the audacity to let her call you mama!" She practically spits the words.

"I-" This squeezes Hermione's heart. "She did it naturally, I never-"

"Oh, please!" She's yelling again. "Stop! Stop trying to be the little perfect Hermione you've always forced yourself to be! I don't buy your act, Hermione!" Tessa points a finger at her. "Can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me it didn't feel good to shag Harry and be a mother to Rachel?!"

Silence. The only sound is the heavy breathing coming from Tessa. She looks absolutely mad.

Hermione fists a hand. If this conversation was happening maybe two months ago - and before the therapy - she would be on her knees, crying and asking for forgiveness. But things are different now. She's different.

"I'm just gonna say this once, Tessa. So, you better listen carefully." There's pure disdain all over Tessa's posture and expression, but she's listening. "When you suffered that accident, the only thing I could think about was how I was going to completely change my life to raise your daughter. To take care of her. Harry had no clue of what he was doing and as my best friend he needed me." 'Bullshit' Tessa murmurs, Hermione ignores. "We had to deal with the fact that you were in a coma while taking care of a little girl and you have no idea how it was like, you have no idea what we went through-"

"And it gives you satisfaction to throw this at my face, doesn't it?"

"I'm not done!" Hermione snaps. "Ginny suggested that Rachel should stay with me, you know this, Tessa! What was I supposed to do? Abandon your daughter for you to wake up from that coma and hate me because of it? Do you see how it's impossible for me to be the good guy here? How it's impossible for me to explain myself in a way that-"

"You should have let her father take care of her!" Tessa yells. "Harry was there! He didn't need you!"

"Have you asked him that?" Now Hermione is yelling. "Because I'm pretty sure he would clarify this to you! What's the fucking problem here, Tessa? Huh? Don't you finally have the life you've always wanted? Harry and Rachel and a job, and an amazing house and all that? So, why the fuck are you here? Blaming me? For what? FOR WHAT? TELL ME THE CRIME I'VE COMMITTED! WAS IT LOVING YOUR DAUGHTER AS MY OWN? LOVING HARRY? WHAT?"

"YOU'VE MADE YOURSELF IRREPLACEABLE FOR THEM AND NOW THAT I'M HERE YOU PURPOSEFULLY DISAPPEAR FROM THEIR LIVES JUST SO I CAN BE THE ONE THAT IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE AS GOOD AS YOU!" Tessa begins to cry, desperate.

Hermione blinks, taken aback. Tessa is crying and sobbing but she doesn't move to comfort her cousin. She stays frozen on the spot.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asks in a low voice, exhausted now.

"I- I- this is-" Tessa takes a deep breath, trying to control herself, "Every time Harry touches me I can see in his eyes that he's thinking about you." Hermione opens her mouth, making a face. Extremely surprised. "He's constantly quoting you or saying how you used to do things or remembering what you like to eat." Tessa seems defeated now.

"Harry's crazy about you, Tessa." Her voice is barely there. "His heart is yours. You're not making sense-"

"You repeat this to yourself only to feel better about your decision of moving here." It's a slap to the face. "But with Harry I can deal, our relationship is ours for us to solve. But with Rachel-" She cries some more, brushing her hands on her face with force, wiping the tears, "She's a little girl and she misses you. And I have to deal with the fact that I wasn't here for more than two years. I have to deal with the fact that I'm not magical and I can't help her when it comes to this. I have to deal with the fact that I'm a stranger to her." Tessa makes a face. "I have to answer her when she asks when mama Mi is coming. I have to hear her cry to Harry that she wished you could live with them-" She stops abruptly.

"What do you want me to say? I don't understand why-"

"Fuck, I don't even recognize you anymore, Hermione. You're like a bitch now-"

"Just because I stopped doing everything you want I'm a bitch?" The anger finally seizes her. "I've done nothing but make things easier for you, Tessa! Do you think I spend my time with Rachel doing what? Of course I talk about you, I've always done that! But I can't solve all your problems, I can't live your life for you-"

"Not anymore, right? Not like you did!"

Hermione shakes her head, clicking her tongue. "You're not listening to me."

"You're right, you obviously only care about yourself."

"I'm not even going to answer that, honestly."

Tessa takes a step to her.

"You know what, Hermione? I don't want you to see Rachel anymore." Hermione widens her eyes.

"You can't do that." Now she feels like crying.

"I can. She's my daughter." Tessa presses one finger against her own chest. "And since you have your own perfect life now, maybe you should get your own daughter." Tessa goes to the door. Hermione has no words. She's petrified. "Stay away from us. If you really are this generous and amazing as you like to think you are, then you're going to stay away. You owe me this. This chance to have my family without your presence looming over our heads."

Tessa doesn't wait for an answer. She exits the apartment and Hermione slowly sits down on the couch, her eyes blurry. She's crying. Deep down she knows her cousin will do exactly that. If she doesn't refuse to see Rach, Tessa will forbid the girl from coming. That's how selfish Tessa is, how she's always have been. She's unable to recognize Hermione's sacrifices, unable to see what she's been through, how much she tried to be in Rachel's life without getting too involved.

And Harry-

'I can see in his eyes that he's thinking about you.'

Hermione shakes her head. She doesn't want to believe in these words. It's quite hard for her to imagine that Harry and Tessa's relationship isn't perfect. They finally got everything they always wanted. They're together. They have a beautiful daughter and-

How come the tables turned so much that she's the one looming over their lives? How come it's her absence that's making things harder for them?

That's none of my business.

Not anymore. But the way Tessa wants to keep her away from Rachel is just… And what Hermione can do about it? Tessa is indeed Rachel's mother. If Harry agrees with her, there's nothing Hermione can say or do to change this.

She inhales deeply. There's no way of changing this now, there's nothing she can do at the moment, so, she goes back to her kitchen and, fetching a glass of wine, she resumes her reading. She needs to study this case, it's important.

The silent tears that keep falling from her eyes are just a nuisance. They only stop when Gustave apparates inside much later.

Ron is at the stairs, waiting for Tessa. He lives at the same building Hermione does, his flat one floor bellow. He was able to hear some loud voices but not understand what they were saying. And indeed, when she bangs the door and starts to come down the stairs, he seizes her by the arm, opening the door to his own flat and pulling her inside.

"What the fuck, Ron?"

She's been crying. She looks devastated. "Why do you keep fighting with her?" He asks in a low voice. "You love each other, you're family."

Tessa shakes her head, brushing away her tears and snorting. She's not even aware of where they are. In reality Ron should be comforting Hermione right now, but… something in Tessa calls to him. He's not sure if it's because he can't forget about that kiss they shared or-

"It doesn't matter anymore." Tessa whispers. "Nothing matters anymore. It's all a huge fucking mess-" She chokes and he moves to hug her. She goes willingly to his arms.

Her cry is desperate. A cry that hurts inside. That suffocates. And Ron feels for her. He can't imagine how hard this is. He knows it also is for Harry and Hermione, but life happened to them, they lived these years, they had time to understand the situation while Tessa was in a limbo. In a matter of days she had everything thrown at her. It's no surprise that she clings to Harry. He was the only thing she thought about before the accident.

She's stuck.

He gulps, soothing her. His arms embracing and warming her, soft words coming out from his mouth in practically a whisper. But after a while she takes a step from him.

"Ron, I-" She blinks, confused. Her eyes go to his mouth and he stops breathing for a second. "Oh, shit, what am I doing?" She shakes her head and takes another step back. "I need to go, I need to-"

He holds her arm. "Tessa, look, I know that kiss was a mistake, but I'm here, now, in this moment, talking as a friend. You need to talk with someone that's not Harry or Hermione or a child. You need to rely on someone, even if for just a second. I know your life is not the same you left when the accident happened, but you need to build new bridges, Tess." He moves closer to her again, cupping her face. "I'm not gonna lie. I would like to kiss you again." She makes a face. "I won't. But, please, stay. You're not well to go, and you need a friend. I know you do."

She closes her eyes and he kisses her cheek, tenderly. It crosses his mind that Harry and Hermione might kill him if they find out about this. Oh, well. When do they not want to kill me? Tessa practically melts in his arms, sniffing.

"It's- I don't know what to do." She whispers.

He touches her forehead with his. "So, let's talk about it, maybe we can find solutions, what do you think?"

She purses her lips and looks into his eyes for a long moment.

"Okay."

"Okay."

She stays.