‘That girl will be the death of me, I swear! Amelia hasn’t left her room in days and she only appears to eat some food or go to the bathroom. I’m so sick of her behaviour, Fred! And this engagement is just putting so much stress onto me and... how many times have I told you to not throw your shirt onto the floor?!’ Hermione picked up a blue button up shirt of Fred’s and turned to face her husband who was lying in bed. Fred groaned at her behaviour and managed to catch the shirt as Hermione threw it at his face.

‘Mia... calm down, we still have a few hours left until we go to the Burrow,’ Fred assured her, chucking the shirt into a corner of the room and he watched as Hermione’s eyes followed the shirt and then trailed its way back to Fred, fixing him with a steely gaze. He held out his arms for her.

‘Hours? Hours?! Fred, I need to get ready and do a shower and my dress and make up and.... Amelia isn’t even up yet! She’s going to take so long to get ready and we have mere hours! Get out of bed, right now!’ Hermione yelled, yanking back the bed sheets to reveal Fred’s naked torso. Fred looked at the clock on their side table which read nine o’clock. He rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, pulling her down onto the bed with a high pitched squeal before climbing on top of her, ‘get off me, Fred!’

‘Just calm down, take a deep breath, and let yourself think carefully. It’s only nine o’clock and Mum says that we can get there after one to help set things up for the engagement. Also the engagement party isn’t until six. You’re way too worked up about this. Did you even sleep last night?’ Fred asked and raised his eyebrows as Hermione averted his stare which meant an obvious no. Fred sighed, ‘since we’ve been married for so long, I know you’re never going to sleep if I ask you to so... can I make you some very strong coffee?’

‘Oh, coffee sounds great. I’m going to have a quick shower so can you tell Amelia to get up and get ready? I bet she has no idea what to wear,’ Hermione shook her head and pressed her lips onto his for a quick kiss. She tapped the palm of her hand on his chest twice and Fred sighed grudgingly before rolling to lie down beside her. Hermione stood up, waiting for a second to let the blood pump actively through her again so she didn't have a head rush, and then she turned back to Fred, ‘get up!’

‘Remind me why I decided to marry someone like you again?’ Fred muttered under his breath, sitting up to look at her. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, walking over to the bathroom and banging the door shut behind her. Fred sighed, standing up, ‘I was kidding! I... I love you!’

Fred let out a breath when he heard a very loud scoff and the shower head started up. He walked over to the cupboard, grabbing a shirt and putting it on, before he left the room. Amelia had been holed up in her room after she learned about Hermione and Draco’s affair and said so many horrible things to her own mother. She only emerged to eat food, taking the plate into her room, not talking to her mother and only answering Fred when he asked her a question. It was brutal living with two girls he loved so much that were fighting.

‘Amelia?’ Fred knocked on her door and walked in after he heard Amelia say ‘come in’. Fred opened the door and saw Amelia sitting on her bed, bed sheets already made up, with a book propped open on her lap and that damn scarf, Fred tried so hard to ignore, wrapped around her neck, ‘reading at nine in the morning?’

‘I can’t get to sleep,’ Amelia muttered, closing her book and drawing her knees up to her chest as Fred sat on the bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Amelia cuddled into his side with a sigh.

‘Well, your mum didn't sleep last night either and now she’s going crazy over this engagement party. I’ve been ordered to wake you up and tell you to get ready while I make some coffee,’ Fred said, chuckling.

‘Oh... I-I’m not going to the engagement party,’ Amelia said, slinking out of her fathers arms. Fred frowned, watching her as she leaned over and put her book on the side desk.

‘Of course you’re going, sweetie,’ Fred said, a little confused while Amelia sighed.

‘Scorpius is going to be there and Mr Malfoy is going to be there too... I don’t want to see Mum anywhere near Mr Malfoy. I can never look at either of them the same way!’ Amelia shook her head, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest, ‘I can’t go.’

‘You have no choice but to go. I’m sorry, Amelia, but you need to learn that tough things like this happen in life and you can’t leave your family behind or something so important as an engagement or wedding just because you don’t think you can face a bunch of people. You need to look past that,’ Fred explained, standing up and gently holding the side of her arms so that she looked at him, ‘now, take a shower and get ready, okay?’

‘Yes sir,’ Amelia rolled her eyes as Fred kissed her forehead.

---

‘Mia, can I talk to you?’ Fred asked, walking briskly behind Hermione as she made her way towards the tent that was fully set up and the guests were arriving.

‘I’ve got to tend to the guests,’ Hermione said, not looking at him as she waved at some of the guests who noticed her and Fred. Fred also waved, smiling briefly, before he caught Hermione’s elbow and made her stop walking. Hermione turned to him, frowning, ‘I said I’m busy, Fred.’

‘I’m not allowed a few minutes of my wife’s time now?’ Fred asked, frowning right back at her. Hermione sighed, firmly pushing his hand off her elbow but she waited for him to speak with an impatient look on her face. Fred sighed, ‘Malfoy is coming to this party, as you and I both know-’

‘Fred! I’ve already missed the pregnancy announcement and the guests have all arrived at the wedding. I need to tend to them and I don’t have any time to talk about Malfoy. You don’t need to worry about me, why don’t you look after your daughter?’ Hermione said, taking a step forwards, ‘and I’ll take care of Malfoy however I wish. I can’t avoid him and I have a feeling, he won’t be avoiding me.’

‘Dad!’ Amelia yelled, walking over to them. Hermione took a step away from Fred when she realised she was standing way too close to him. Amelia barely glanced at Hermione and talked to Fred, ‘Grandma wants you to meet some guests. Someone you know from when you were younger or something, I’m not too sure.’

‘Pull your dress down, it’s way too short,’ Hermione said, raising her eyebrows. Her daughter looked beautiful, that much was obvious. Amelia wore a dress, that helped enhance her body features, in the colour of dark blue. It was a strapless dress that came to mid thigh and had a habit of riding up which she found immensely annoying. She wore silver heels; that belonged to Hermione at one point, and long silver earrings with the same necklace she always wore: the one with the G.

‘Maybe you should pull yours down too, Mother. Oh, I forgot you need to impress Mr Malfoy, right?’ Amelia groaned, rolling her eyes and walking away before Fred could do anything more than look at her.

‘Well... I think that dress is a perfect length and you look so beautiful,’ Fred commented, looking her up and down. Hermione wore a light pink dress that she had kept for years. Fred then hesitated before saying, ‘but you might want to pull the dress down if you come across Malfoy.’

Hermione gave him a glare before turning around and walking towards the tent. Fred sighed and followed her, looking for his mother as she pulled him over to speak to some guests. Hermione walked over to the drinks table and poured herself some wine that she sipped. Turning around, she found herself grazing her eyes over the entire tent looking for Draco. Instead, Hermione found Amelia who was sitting at one of the tables with James and a bunch of their cousins. Amelia’s eyes were also roaming the crowd of people.

‘Want a drink?’ Fred asked, coming towards her. He noticed the drink in her hand and waved a hand as if to wave the question away. Hermione watched as Fred poured himself some firewhiskey.

‘Not too much, remember,’ Hermione said, taking his hand as Fred leaned forwards to kiss her. Hermione kissed him back for a couple of seconds before her face began to redden slightly as she realised that people could see them. She pulled back, ‘was that your defence?’

‘Pretty much,’ Fred shrugged, smirking. Hermione wiped away the lipstick marks on his lips with her thumb until it was all gone, ‘did you like it?’

‘I loved it but you smudged my lipstick,’ Hermione grumbled half heartedly and put her glass down before extracting a mirror from her purse. She fixed her lipstick as Fred groaned under his breath. Hermione was just putting away her mirror when she realised what Fred was groaning about.

‘It should be a crime for a married woman to look so beautiful,’ Hermione felt the voice touch her ears rather than actually heard it. She turned and was face to face with Draco Malfoy, in a suit that looked like his usual suits. He smirked at her, his eyes travelling lower and lower. Fred coughed loudly but Draco ignored him, ‘how does the Weasel let you leave the house like that?’

‘There you are!’ Hermione cried out, before Fred could say anything, when she saw Draco. She glanced at Fred who had turned his eyes on to her so suddenly that she felt her blush creep back up her face.  

‘Nice to know you’ve been waiting for me,’ Draco commented. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Fred glared at him yet Draco, once again, ignored him and stretched out his hand, ‘I have to talk to you... alone. Can we dance?’

‘Something tells me I’m not allowed,’ Hermione said, glancing at Fred and keeping a tight hold of his hand even though he could break out of that hold if he wanted to. Draco finally acknowledged Fred’s presence and they stared each other down. Hermione patted her husbands chest, ‘Fred, stop it.’

‘I can’t believe you told my wife you’re in love with her while your son could hear you! It’s completely your fault, you slimy little ferret, that my daughter is upset. I could punch you until it made up for Amelia’s tears but even that wouldn’t be enough!’ Fred growled, taking steps towards Draco while Hermione tried to stop him.

‘Well, the daughter ranks higher than the wife?’ Draco smirked, ‘you seem to care more about your daughter’s tears than the fact that Granger and I have spent time alone in my own home. How do you know that what she told you is the truth? Perhaps she left out the juicy details...?’

‘Don’t listen to him,’ Hermione said, feeling Draco’s hands on her hips as she was forced backwards into Draco since Fred was advancing on him. Hermione slapped Draco’s hands off of her and she managed to get Fred to take a couple of steps backwards. Taking her face in her hands, she looked into his eyes, trying to cool the flames in them, ‘Fred, I love you so much and I didn’t lie to you. Don’t let him come between us, please?’

‘Let me tell you something, Granger,’ Draco said, grabbing Hermione’s hand and turning her around to face him. Hermione frowned at him, taking her hand away from his. Draco smirked nonetheless, ‘the best way to tell if you truly love someone is to let them be happy, even if that means that you wont be a part of their life. I have no doubt that I love you, Granger, and I know that because... I’m leaving.’

‘Leaving?’ Hermione echoed him, losing the frown and being unaware of the protective hands on her hips from Fred, ‘leaving for where?’

‘Well, Scorpius has proclaimed that he’s moving out as soon as he leaves Hogwarts. I’m giving him the Malfoy Manor, he’ll probably sell it and buy his own place, but at least he’ll have money and something to live off of. Since my whole life basically revolved around my son and he wants nothing to do with me, I’m going to make sure he’s financially stable and then leave for a different country,’ Draco shrugged and then said, to lighten the mood, ‘maybe move somewhere hot.’

‘Scorpius is leaving home because of... of us?’ Hermione asked, ignoring Fred as he frowned at the word “us”. Draco simply nodded and shrugged. Hermione frowned, ‘I know how it is having a child that doesn’t listen or care about you.’

‘Did your child say she hates you? Didn't think so, Granger. I’m done with trying to win you over. I... uh, want you to be happy so this is probably the last time you ever see me,’ Draco said, taking a step forwards as Hermione frowned at him even harder. He smiled at her, ‘I’ve made your life hell for so long and I loved every second of our affair. Especially the kisses. I love you, Granger.’

Hermione saw something in those deep grey eyes that made her emotions fight with each other. A part of her was extremely angry at every little thing Draco had done to annoy her but another part of her didn't want Draco to leave. Hermione fought these feelings down and grabbed Fred’s hand tightly as though not wanting to drift away from him. Draco gave her a small smile and a wink before turning and walking out of the tent.

‘What a git,’ Fred muttered, standing a little behind Hermione as she turned to watch Draco walk out of the tent. Hermione was too busy with her own thoughts to think of Fred or anyone else. She looked at the entrance of the tent, tilting her head and supporting a frown. Fred tapped her shoulder, ‘love?’

‘Fred...’ Hermione shook  her head, recoiling at his touch when he tried to take her hand. Fred grimaced at her behaviour but Hermione just let out a strangled sigh, ‘I have to go to the bathroom.’

Hermione turned on her heel and walked out of the tent, not noticing when she passed Amelia and James, hoping Fred wouldn’t follow her but luck wasn’t on her side tonight. Fred followed Hermione out of the tent, nodding appropriately and shooting fake smiles towards people, and they went into the house where a few people were standing just to get away from the music and noise. Hermione climbed the stairs, glowering straight ahead when she heard Fred right behind her.  

‘Do you mind?’ Hermione asked, turning to face her husband when she got to the bathroom door.

‘Not at all,’ Fred said, and opened the door, waiting for her to go in. Hermione, sighing since she knew he would follow her in, entered the bathroom and Fred was hot on her heels, closing and locking the door behind her. Hermione turned to face him, ready for his lecture, as Fred sighed, ‘why does it seem to affect you so much when Malfoy said he was leaving? Isn’t that what we wanted, to get rid of that vermin? Now, he’s gone and he won’t get between us but you don’t seem too happy about that. Are... just tell it to me straight... are you, or some part of you, in love with Malfoy?’

‘No! No, of course not! I love you, Fred, just you and no one else. It’s just all so sudden that Malfoy’s leaving and his child seems to hate Draco and I... I think it’s my fault and I don’t want to be the one to drive the two Malfoy’s apart from each other,’ Hermione shrugged, walking forwards and wrapping her arms around his waist.

‘It’s not your fault. You do remember the horrible things Malfoy has done to us, right?’ Fred asked and Hermione nodded just as someone knocked on the door to the bathroom, ‘we should probably leave.’

Hermione just nodded and kissed his chest before moving towards the door. She opened it, with Fred behind her, to reveal Mr Weasley standing there. Hermione’s face blushed bright red as Mr Weasley’s eyebrows raised when he saw the two of them. He stood back, letting them leave the bathroom and giving a quick explanation of how ‘Molly had ordered him to check every room in the house for stragglers.’

Hermione, still blushing, and Fred, glancing at her with a smirk plastered on his face, made their way to the engagement party again. They were not aware that just down the hall, Amelia was having a conversation with Scorpius Malfoy.

---

Hermione stormed out of the tent with Fred hot on her heels, a look of annoyance, disbelief, and even a little fear etched on his face. Amelia sighed, same old. They were standing just outside the tent and to the side, silently, regarding the silver pepper of the stars. James was drinking some firewhiskey from a cup, successfully hiding it from his father. Amelia watched as her parents stormed up to the Burrow, still not speaking to each other. The silence between James and Amelia broke ten minutes later, whilst James caught her trying to search for Scorpius.

‘To your right,’ James said, looking at his glass. Amelia glanced at him, rubbing her arms up and down as it was so cold. James sighed, and pointed to the right, towards the Burrow door, ‘there’s the git.’

Amelia spun around, looking at the Burrow in all its glory. At that moment, Amelia finally realised what James was talking about. The boy in the shirt, that was not tucked into his trousers, and the tie was walking right towards her. Her heart beat faster in her chest as Scorpius Malfoy lifted a hand and ‘fixed’, or messed it up again would be a better choice of words, his hair, looking like he wasn’t sure if she would want to speak to him.

‘What the hell do you want?’ James asked, stepping in front of Amelia swiftly making her blink as her view was obstructed. She peeked at Scorpius over James shoulder as Scorpius glowered at her cousin. James glowered right back, ‘you’re not needed here, Malfoy.’

‘Let’s leave that up to Amelia, shall we, Potter?’ he spat the last word at him and then moved his eyes over to Amelia who was chewing on the bottom of her lip, ‘Amelia, I really need to talk to you right now. Just hear me out and then if you want me to leave, I will go without another word.’

‘You said you didn’t want to be with me,’ Amelia said, quietly, resting her hand on James’ arm and moving him aside so that she could talk to Scorpius. James moved but stared at him through narrowed eyes.

‘I made a mistake... a huge mistake. I can’t give you up and I never should have listened to my father when he told me to do this! I love you so much and I haven’t stopped thinking about you,’ Scorpius pleaded, taking her arm and moving closer to her. Amelia jerked her hand out of his and he gulped, running a hand through his hair, ‘fine... fine! Just let me explain.’

‘You have a minute,’ Amelia said, lowering her head and glancing at James with her eyebrows raised. James gave her a shrug back, telling her that he wasn’t leaving her alone with him. Amelia sighed, pushing a strand of her behind her ear, ‘talk, Scorpius.’

‘Alright... your mother came over to our house one night, the night I was grounded, and I saw her and my father talking. This may be hard to hear but-’ Scorpius said.

‘My mother and your father had an affair. Mr Malfoy is in love with my mum. I know. Carry on,’ Amelia said, ignoring James’ shocked expression and his stuttering as he tried to make sense of everything. Scorpius’ eyebrows raised and he sighed an ‘okay’.

‘Well, I saw them together and after that, Father and I had a huge fight and I got angry and he got angry. It was horrible but, you know, I don’t care about him anyway. He’s never stood by me. I was having doubts and my mind was all confused about us and what this would mean if you found out. My father convinced me to break up with you just to see if you would come back, to see if you cared. I knew you loved me, Amelia, and I don’t know why I agreed. I was so confused! Now I realise that he wanted your mum to come to him and that didn't happen,’ Scorpius took a deep breath and continued, ‘you didn’t come either and I got more and more anxious, jumpy and depressed. I... I’ve decided to move out after Hogwarts. I don’t want to live with my father and I want you in my life.’

 ‘Scorpius, you can’t leave your father for me,’ Amelia shook her head, frowning.

‘I hate him, Amelia, I hate everything about him. I keep thinking about the times he would drink and talk about that beautiful girl he loved so much that just so happens to be my girlfriend’s mum!’

‘Ex... girlfriend,’ James interrupted.

‘Shut it, Potter,’ Scorpius glared at him and James took a step forwards, trying to intimate him. Scorpius pushed him away but James retaliated by pushing him back. They were face to face, chest to chest, sizing each other up as Scorpius said, ‘you really going to pick a fight with me, Potter? Haven’t you learned anything from the times I kicked your ass?’

‘James,’ a voice called out and Amelia turned to see her parents coming back from the burrow. James still glared at Scorpius, not one of the boys backed down. Fred lay a hand on James’ shoulder, ‘back off, son.’

Scorpius smirked as James took a step backwards, never breaking eye contact. Hermione stood a little behind them all and Scorpius’ eyes travelled to her, making her look at the ground and rub her arms due to the coldness. Fred frowned at Scorpius, clicking his fingers in front of his eyes so that he was looking at Fred rather than Hermione.

‘Your father went home. You should leave too,’ Fred said.

‘I just need to finish talking to Amelia,’ Scorpius said, trying to make himself taller than Fred but it wasn’t working. Fred stared at him, his eyes not blinking, and Scorpius added, ‘if that’s alright with you... sir?’

‘You sure as hell cannot talk to her. Do you know how upset she’s been?’ Fred asked him.

‘I’m sorry for making her upset but I love her and  I would do anything for her! I’m not like my father which is why I’m leaving after Hogwarts. I want to get my own place and earn my own money and I want Amelia in my life, right by me. I can’t imagine myself without her,’ Scorpius said, looking at Amelia, ‘please, give me another chance?’

‘I love you too, Scorpius,’ Amelia whispered, smiling at him.

‘Okay, stop, stop, stop it!’ Fred yelled before Amelia could even finish saying Scorpius’ name. Amelia pursed her lips tight as she looked at her father, ‘go home, Malfoy. Leave.’

Scorpius was about to object but the look on Fred’s face made him stop. He just nodded and glanced at Amelia, ‘I’ll see you at the station then.’

Amelia nodded, smiling at him as he walked away. He was so happy that he had Amelia back that it made her smile too. James, Fred and Hermione were all frowning at the blonde boy’s back and they kept it up until he had disapparated into thin air.

‘I could use a drink,’ Amelia said happily before she could stop herself. Fred turned to her suddenly, hearing the familiarity of the phrase which scared him a little.

‘Where have I heard that before?’ Hermione muttered and Fred rolled his eyes at her.

‘Okay, first of all, you’re not allowed to drink ever, no matter how old you are,’ Fred said, knowing he was too harsh but he didn't care, ‘second, did you forget your heart break?’

‘Did you forget the fact that your wife kissed a Malfoy yet you still married her?’ Amelia asked, biting her lip at the end since she didn't want to be rude to her father but it just came out of her naturally. Amelia took a step back, ‘I love Scorpius and I want to be with him. Just... let me do this.’

‘Amelia, your father is right,’ Hermione said, stopping when Amelia grit her teeth and glared at her.

‘Don’t you lecture me on-’ Amelia started, balling her hands into fists.

‘That’s enough. We can talk about this later. We’re missing the whole party,’ Fred said, taking Hermione’s hand and leading her to the tent, ‘come on, love.’

‘Firewhiskey?’ James asked, holding out the cup for her hesitatingly. Amelia took it and drank it in one go, making shivers criss-cross down her spine as James raised his eyebrows, ‘whoa there, tiger.’

Amelia ignored him and went into the tent to get another drink, hoping her parents wouldn’t notice. Of course Fred did see her as she poured in some firewhiskey and he felt an unease settling to nest in his chest.

Like father like daughter.