Amelia crossed her arms over her chest as she waited, knee deep in snow. Her brown curls were hanging down to her stomach in ringlets while her hood hid the top part of her hair from the raging snow. She was just lucky that she had pulled on a pair of knee high green boots which saved her from getting wet socks. It was freezing so Amelia had stowed her clock away and wore a pair of jeans and a woolly jumper instead that kept her warm. She also had a jacket which she wrapped tighter around herself.

The train hooted loudly, making Amelia nearly jump out of her skin. She peered into the Hogwarts Express to see lots of students in the compartments already, talking excitedly about going home for the Christmas holidays. There was a rapping knock on the window and Amelia turned to see Lily, motioning for her to get in the train. Amelia bit her lip and held up one finger before turned back to the platform that was glazed over with lots of snow.

‘James!’ she shouted as she saw two figures walking towards her hand in hand. Amelia squinted in the snow and James appeared in front of her, straightening his slightly ruffled shirt and not bothering to fix his hair which was sticking up in all places. Amelia glared at her cousin, ‘I was worried you would miss the train! Now, come on!’

Amelia linked arms with her cousin as the train gave its final hoot. They trudged together through the snow that was still pouring down unto the ground. Amelia jumped and screamed aloud when she felt something cold slither down her back and then she heard James laugh, pulling her into the train. Once inside, and still laughing, James shut the door behind them just as the train began to move.

‘You git!’ Amelia yelled as the snow dripped onto the floor when she fanned out her jumper. She picked the snow up before it melted and through it at James who avoided it with a flick of his wand.

‘You’re just so cute, Amelia, thinking you can throw snow at me,’ James pinched her cheek and smiled when she frowned at him. He ran a hand through his hair and droplets of snow floated down.

‘Where were you anyway?’ Amelia asked, folding her arms over her chest. A few people walked past and Amelia found herself wondering where Scorpius was seated. She turned back to her cousin, ‘do you realise how long I was waiting for you?’

‘I never asked you to wait on me. I was with Sophie just saying goodbye since she’s not going home for the holidays,’ James shrugged and then smirked a little when Amelia raised her eyebrows at him, ‘don’t look at me like that.’

‘Hope you had fun and I hope you can go two weeks without kissing your girlfriend... you know I don’t like her,’ Amelia said coldly and moved closer to him as some people walked by in the narrow corridor. Amelia turned behind her to look at the boys that were walking by and her eyes met Scorpius’. He smiled at her as he strode past but glared at James with undisguised annoyance of his sheer existence.

‘I hate that boy,’ James muttered and Amelia watched Scorpius’ well toned back and muscles, that were not hid even in this cold weather, walk away from them. She bit her lip slightly. James was basically her twin and she hated hiding things from him. They shared everything when they were younger and told each other everything when they were teenagers. Amelia couldn't keep what she had with Scorpius a secret... she just couldn’t. James sighed, ‘we should be getting to our compartment.’

‘Listen, James,’ Amelia stopped him from going anywhere by putting a hand on his arm. James stopped and looked at her, raising his eyebrows expectantly. A few people were walking in the corridor so Amelia led James towards the train door where it was a little quieter. She watched the scenery which was plain white with snow, flash past.

‘Did they say anything else to you?’ asked James in a hushed voice, staring at her but Amelia didn't say anything. She shook her head, still watching the scenery. It had never been so difficult to talk to James before, why now? Amelia sighed as James raised his eyebrows. His hand pushed back her hair and he whispered, ‘what is it, Amelia?’

‘James, I want to tell you but you’ll get angry at me,’ Amelia said, shaking her hair out after he pushed it behind her ear. She turned to face him, wondering who would actually be happy to hear that she was with Scorpius now because she knew James wouldn’t be too happy.

‘You know you can tell me anything. Come on, Amelia, we’ve been together since I was born. Tell me or else I’ll assume it’s something really bad,’ warned James, glancing at the people who walked past and lowering his voice, ‘tell me, Amelia.’

‘James, I-’ Amelia started but was interrupted when a boy walked up to them. Amelia raised her eyebrows slightly at how excited the boy was as he talked to James about some guy in another compartment. She watched the two boys talk and then quickly butt in, ‘I’ll see you later, James.’

‘You will tell me what you wanted to tell me later,’ James said, pointing at her and she rolled her eyes before finding her cousins in a compartment down the train.

---

After a quick and hurried goodbye to James, her cousins, and her Aunt and Uncle, Amelia kicked off her shoes when she arrived home and lugged her luggage to her room. Her mum had been the one to pick her up at the train station, hugging her like she hadn’t seen her in ages. Amelia glanced down the station to see Mr Malfoy and Scorpius walking away, but her mum had lead her out of the station soon after.

‘Your father is working late tonight but I knew he really wanted to see you,’ Hermione said when Amelia came out of her room. She studied her daughter for a second and then said, ‘would you like to go visit him?’

‘It’s cold outside, Mum. Plus, Dad will be busy and I’m sure he wouldn’t want to be distracted,’ Amelia shrugged but the truth was that she didn't want to go anywhere with her Mum. Hermione had lied to her about everything: about being with Ron at first, how everyone was against her and Fred’s relationship, how she didn't plan on getting pregnant, all the fights her and Fred had. She lied but Fred told Amelia the truth eventually which she was thankful for.

‘Well...’ Hermione played with her hands when there was an awkward silence. Amelia crossed her arms over her chest, regarding her mum with blue, sparkling eyes. Hermione sniffed a little as though she had the cold, ‘we’ll be leaving for the Burrow in the morning so that we can spend Christmas there. That’s why I didn’t bother to put a tree up this year. You’ll have to share a room with Victoire.’

‘Who else will be there?’ asked Amelia although she knew Christmases at the Burrow were one of the best she ever had... except for the fact that her grandad seemed not to take notice of her.

‘Victoire, Teddy, Lily, Albus, James, Bill, Fleur, Percy, Charlie, Ron, Harry, Ginny, Mr and Mrs Weasley,’ Hermione counted off on her fingers and then said, ‘Harry, Ginny, James, Albus and Lily will  be coming the day after tomorrow because they need to visit Dudley and his family. Charlie may come a day before. I think we might invite Neville and Luna over too and a bunch of my other friends.’

‘That’s... quite a lot of people,’ Amelia said, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of names. She sighed slightly and held a hand to her head, ‘I think I might go to bed.’

‘I made dinner,’ Hermione said, pointing to the kitchen. Amelia glanced in and saw that her mother had laid out dinner for her on the table. Hermione smiled, ‘come on, darling, let’s eat.’

Amelia had no choice but to follow her mum into the kitchen. She looked at all the food that had been prepared just for her; the perks of being an only child. Although Amelia wished she had a sister or a brother but that was never going to happen since she knew her mother could not have any more children even if she wanted to.

They sat down across from each other and Hermione started to dish out the food. There was spaghetti; Amelia’s favourite. Amongst many other things that she also liked. Hermione smiled at her when Amelia thanked her for making everything.

‘I love you, sweetheart,’ Hermione said as they ate. Amelia responded like she usually would, with a quick ‘I love you too’. They ate in silence and she looked up to see her mother was in a deep thought that couldn't be broken by the clattering of knives and forks. Finally Hermione looked up to watch her daughter. Amelia raised her eyebrows at her mum when she spoke, ‘usually when Professor McGonagall owls me to tell me you got into trouble it’s with James. Isn’t he your partner in crime?’ I’ve seen you two grow up, Amelia, and I couldn't take you apart from him. You cried whenever he had to leave to go home and you followed in his footsteps when he got older even though you’re older than him.’

‘I know. He’s my best friend, Mum. What are you trying to say?’ Amelia asked, sipping at her drink and pushing her empty plate a little away from him. Hermione stared at her, shaking her head in annoyance which made Amelia frown, ‘what have I done now?’

‘I’m trying to ask you... why Scorpius Malfoy? Amelia George Weasley, tell me you are not in love with a Malfoy,’ Hermione said, getting annoyed by her silence. Amelia just stared at her, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, ‘you don’t know the Malfoy’s at all! Tell me you don’t love that boy and you will never feel anything for him!’

‘I’d be lying then,’ Amelia said simply. Hermione ‘s face fell like it had been deflated, as though the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Amelia stood up and stared at her mother with anger raging through her, ‘don’t worry. I haven’t done anything... “stupid” as you would call it. I love Scorpius, Mother, and he loves me. He respects me enough to wait for the right time.’

‘You will not see him, Amelia. I’m telling you right now, I’m warning you,’ Hermione said, pushing her chair back and getting to her feet. She leaned across the table at her and Amelia could see the same anger in her mum’s eyes that were in her own, ‘I will not have my daughter running off with a Malfoy... especially not Draco Malfoy’s son!’

‘What have you got against Scorpius’ dad? Did you sleep with him too, Mum?’ Amelia asked, knowing she had stepped over the line when Hermione’s eyes widened at the rudeness. Amelia rolled her eyes, her anger was overtaking her now, ‘let me live my own life!’

‘Amelia... Amelia!’ Hermione yelled but Amelia had stalked off and shut her door with a bang, ‘Amelia...’

---

*Hermione’s P.O.V*

‘She... what?’ asked Fred, loosening his tie.

It was nearly past midnight and Fred had only just got home to a red eyed Hermione. When he checked on Amelia, she was asleep and hugging onto a teddy that James had bought her for their eleventh birthday as a joke. Fred had dinner but Hermione refused to speak of what happened until they got to their room.

‘Exactly what I said, Fred. She accused me of sleeping with Malfoy! My own daughter!’ Hermione said, outraged and pacing the floor of their room while Fred got changed into his night clothes, ‘what in Merlin’s name has gotten into that girl? Do you remember, Fred, when she was younger and hugged you when you came home from work? That same girl is now shouting at her own mother... over a boy!’

‘Calm down, Mia,’ Fred said as he climbed into bed. He watched her with his hands behind his head as Hermione turned to him.

‘Fred Weasley, I’m worried about my daughter and you’re telling me to calm down?!’ Hermione stated, annoyed. She glanced at her husband, shirtless in bed, and felt a blush creep over her cheeks. She looked away as he smirked.

‘Listen... hey, listen to me,’ Fred whispered, getting up and taking her face in his hands. Hermione turned to look into his blue eyes that were the exact same as her daughters. Fred stroked her cheek, ‘she’s seventeen years old and doesn’t like her mum getting involved in her business. She’s normal, Mia, just like any other girl. I’m sure she’d exaggerating about being with Malfoy just to annoy you so don’t worry.’

‘But what if she does like Malfoy? What if she finds out about Draco Malfoy and what he done to us? She’ll be heart broken and I don’t want that for her,’ Hermione whispered softly, ‘I want to protect her.’

‘You think I don’t? I love that girl more than my own life and I promise you, I will do everything to help her. She doesn’t like Scorpius Malfoy so don’t you worry about her,’ Fred said confidently and hugged Hermione, ‘we’ll go to the Burrow and have a great time. She’ll forget everything by morning.’

‘I hope so,’ Hermione muttered against his bare chest. She couldn't imagine life without Fred now, she was just so used to him being around all the time but she never took him for granted. Hermione smiled, ‘I love you.’

‘I know,’ Fred smiled and Hermione hit him playfully, ‘I love you too.’

‘We’re going to the burrow tomorrow and I’ve already packed your clothes,’ Hermione said, pulled back a little and wrapping her hands around the back of his neck. She kissed him softly, ‘please promise me you won’t fight with your dad or your brothers.’

‘If my dad says anything to Amelia, I won’t be held responsible for my actions,’ Fred muttered, kissing her lightly, ‘and I’m sure my brothers won’t say anything. I’ve been talking to Bill and Charlie recently and they sound quite excited to see Amelia since they haven’t seen her for... well, it’s been a good couple of years.’

‘That doesn’t sound like them,’ Hermione said, furrowing her eyebrows a little. Fred just shrugged and lay back down onto the bed, pulling Hermione with him. Hermione smiled a little as she cuddled up closer to him.

‘You know, Mia,’ Fred started, trailing patterns on her leg. Hermione turned her face up to look at him with a small smile.

‘What, Fred?’ she asked, in a whisper.

‘It’ll be really busy and noisy in the Burrow and we probably won’t be together so much. This is the last night that we have some privacy,’ Fred said, quietly and kissed her again suggestively.

‘Our daughter is sleeping-’

 ‘Down the corridor, far away from our room. We can do a silencing charm,’ Fred suggested and pulled her up so that she was sitting in front of him. He smirked slightly as she turned red. Fred kissed her again, ‘what do you say?’

‘I say... yes,’ Hermione whispered into his ear, giggling slightly as if they were still nineteen years old and had no child.