‘You really should get some sleep,’ Harry muttered as he got some milk from the fridge.

Hermione sighed as she cleaned the dishes in the sink, water had already splashed to the ground but she could easily use magic to clean the floor. Of course, she could use magic to clean the dishes but Hermione preferred to do it by hand since it gave her time to think about Amelia and whether Fred would be back tonight.

Everyone else in the house were satisfyingly full after dinner and had left the dishes in the kitchen which Hermione took upon herself to clean even after Mrs Weasley’s rejections. The clock was nearing midnight now but she had been standing at the sink and cleaning the same dish for ten minutes before Harry came in, bringing her back to her senses.

‘I’m waiting for Fred,’ Hermione whispered, coughing a little to sound more like herself than someone with a bad cough. She handed him a glass and he took it gratefully.

‘Are you nearly done?’ Harry pointed to the dishes. Hermione turned to look at him; Harry, her best friend, was wearing his blue pyjamas and his hair looked very messy but it made Hermione smile. He looked like his old, boyish self and she realised she really had missed him. Hermione waved her wand at the dishes and they started to clean themselves. Harry smiled at her, ‘would you like some milk... or something stronger? Hell, I could go for some firewhiskey!’

‘That’d be great,’ Hermione smiled and got two glasses as Harry put the milk back and grabbed some firewhiskey instead. He pulled back a chair and Hermione thanked him and sat down. Harry sat in front of her and poured in the drinks, ‘do you think Fred will be back tonight?’

‘I’m sure he will be. Did you two have a fight?’ Harry asked, handing her a glass of sparkling firewhiskey. Hermione took the glass in her hand and looked down at the contents before nodding a little. Harry nodded back, ‘not serious though, right? I mean, I’ve seen both of you go through serious fights but you’re still together, he’ll be back tonight.’

‘He gets really stressed,’ Hermione said as though Harry hadn’t spoken. She raised her gaze and looked into the green and comforting eyes that reminded her of her childhood, ‘especially when it comes to Amelia. Harry... are you staying here for Christmas? You don’t have to leave because of our family matters.’

‘Yes, James won’t let me leave anyway,’ Harry chuckled a little, ‘remember when James and Amelia were younger and they never left each others side?’

‘They still don’t! When we were coming here, the first thing Amelia said was that she missed James!’ Hermione chuckled too and drank her firewhiskey. It burned her throat a little but she basked in the taste, ‘I love her and I love Fred more than my life.’

‘I know you do and that’s a good thing, Hermione. I... I don’t want to interfere into your family business, that’s the reason I told James to go upstairs. He really cares for Amelia but I know it’s not his place to go after her or to get in the way. I apologise on his behalf, it’s none of his business. It’s your family matter, not mine,’ Harry said, shrugging and drank the firewhiskey. He refilled his glass and topped Hermione’s up too.

‘You don’t have to apologise for him,’ Hermione said, shaking her head so that a couple of curls fell down from her bun, ‘he’s my nephew and I’m glad he cares for Amelia since I know he’ll take care of her in Hogwarts.’

‘So everything’s fine between us? I don’t want you to think I’m interfering into your family matters,’ Harry muttered, shrugging, ‘but I will help whenever you need any help from me.’

‘We’re best friends and that’ll never change,’ Hermione said and took his hand, ‘Harry... who else knows Amelia’s not here?’

‘Ginny and James know. I told everyone at dinner that Fred and Amelia went home to get a few extra clothes and that they were going to grab some dinner outside,’ Harry said and squeezed her hand, ‘they don’t know the truth.’

‘Thank you so much, Harry,’ Hermione said, relief filled her brown eyes. Harry only nodded but looked down at the table, frowning a little. Hermione sighed and drank her firewhiskey before saying, ‘go on, Harry, ask me. I know you want to.’

 ‘I don’t have anything against Malfoy and I’m doing that for my kids. I’m trying to teach them that the blood pumping through his veins is not evil, it’s the choices he’s made that’s got him here. I want them to know that so I don’t mind Malfoy coming to the wedding,’ Harry explained, looking up at her. His eyes searched for something in Hermione’s and then he finished his drink in one gulp before closing his eyes and sighing. He stayed like that for a few seconds and then opened his eyes once more, looking straight at Hermione, ‘you’re married to Fred, not Malfoy, and that was your choice.’

‘I know that-’

‘It’s Amelia’s choice who she likes and if it’s Malfoy’s spawn then why are you so against it?’ Harry asked, interrupting her. Hermione glared at him, ripping her hand out of his, and Harry sighed, ‘it’s none of my business, I know, but-’

‘Harry, please,’ Hermione pleaded him and stood up. She lifted the glass to her lips and drank the contents in one swift movement before waving her wand. The glasses flew over and got washed before nestling in the cupboard as the firewhiskey went back to where Harry had found it. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, ‘I don’t want to talk about this.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Harry stood up and sighed, ‘go to bed, Hermione. Get some rest, please.’

‘I will,’ Hermione said and hugged Harry despite feeling a little annoyed at him; who was Harry to tell her what to do? Hermione pulled back and looked into his eyes, ‘goodnight, Harry.’

Harry said goodnight and left the room, running a hand through his midnight black hair that matched the sky tonight. Hermione sighed and sat down on the chair, burying her face in her hands. A sudden urge to cry washed over her but she suppressed it. What she knew from watching Ron leave while they were camping for the horcrux hunt was that crying never was the solution. Patience really was the key to the door she wanted to open for her and her family.

The back door opened and Hermione looked up. She got out of the chair and covered herself a little better by wrapping her arms around her when the cold swiftly blew into the house. She had no idea who could be coming into the house at midnight and from years of living in fear, her hand twitched to her wand. She let the hand relax when she saw Fred walk through the door.

‘Mia,’ Fred whispered.

Hermione was about to run to him but then someone else came behind her husband. Amelia walked in with a jacket, that looked to be Fred’s, wrapped tightly around her. Hermione saw that she still had her Quidditch attire on and her eyes were a little blotchy like she had been crying. Fred was the first to hug Hermione and his arms around her gave Hermione the strength and warmth she desperately needed. He pulled back and they stared at each other for a second before Fred pressed his lips to her. Hermione pulled back almost instantly.

‘Not yet,’ she whispered and turned to Amelia.

‘Sorry, Mum,’ Amelia whispered, playing nervously with the tip of her beautiful and truly admired hair.

Hermione hugged her and Amelia hadn’t secured her arms around her mother’s waist before tears streamed down her freckled face. Fred stroked her hair with a gulp and Hermione felt her own tears sting at the back of her eyes. She stood like that for a second, hugging her daughter before she pulled back.

‘Mum, I-’

‘Amelia, go to bed,’ Hermione whispered, ‘it’s really late.’

Amelia turned her blue and widened eyes to her father. Fred raised his eyebrows at her and hugged her which meant she should probably listen to Hermione after everything that had happened. Amelia, Fred and Hermione went upstairs. They said goodnight and Hermione led Fred to their bedroom, closing the door firmly behind her and casting a silencing charm.

‘Is Scorpius back to his own house?’ she asked, watching as Fred lay down on the bed.

‘I told the boy to go home,’ Fred said, shrugging. Hermione sat down next to him and Fred got up so that they were sitting side by side. He turned and took her face in his hands before lightly kissing her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck but he pulled back a little, ‘I’m sorry for what I said.’

‘I think you’ll have to make it up to me,’ Hermione whispered before her hands moved to his shirt. She smiled at him and Fred knew he was forgiven. Hermione kissed him again, ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too, Mia,’ he whispered back and his lips pressed onto hers as Hermione unbuttoned his shirt.

---

*Amelia’s POV*

‘James?’ Amelia whispered as she edged the boys door open and peered in, ‘James, you awake?’

There were three beds in the room that previously belonged to Fred and George. The window was cracked open a little and the curtains were billowing in, creating a smoke like effect. Louis was curled up in a ball nearest to the window, probably because of the cold. Albus was in the next bed and was snoring lightly, looking pretty cute in a cousinly sort of way. James was in the bed the farthest away and sat up when Amelia called him.

‘Amelia?’ he asked as though not believing that she was standing there in a Gryffindor vest top and some leggings that were good attire for sitting on the broom, ‘you’re back?’

He leapt out of bed and Louis grunted a little in his sleep. James ran a hand through his hair and Amelia raised her eyebrows when he came out into the hall, closing the door behind him. He was shirtless and only wore grey pyjama bottoms with his hair sticking up, quite like his fathers. James hugged Amelia tight and she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.

‘I’m sorry,’ Amelia whispered but James pulled back immediately.

‘I never thought you would have left with that... that creature! You’re brave, obviously, since you’re in Gryffindor but you would never go against your father!’ James growled at her, taking a step closer, ‘you’ve ruined Christmas!’

‘I had to show my parents that I’m serious about Scorpius-’ Amelia retorted back and James narrowed his eyes at her.

‘Don’t you dare say his name!’ he hissed under his breath. Amelia glared back at him; how exactly could he be the person that’s so annoying yet the one she really wanted to talk to.

‘Scorpius!’ Amelia frowned at him. She wasn’t trying to annoy him but he was so infuriating at times. James sighed at her, closing his eyes. Amelia took his face in her hands and he opened his eyes to look at her, ‘I love Scorpius, James... I thought out of everyone, you’d be the one to stand by me.’

‘You thought wrong,’ James whispered, twisting his face out of her hands, ‘I came after you; I flew and tried to find you. I couldn't get to sleep because I was so worried for you! Damn it, Amelia, I... I need you to choose; Malfoy or me?’

‘That’s hardly fair!’ Amelia snarled at him, ‘I can’t choose between you and him! Don’t make me do that, James!’

‘Fine, don’t choose. It’s not like I can avoid you forever but I  sure as hell don’t have to talk to you,’ he shrugged and took a step backwards, ‘if Malfoy makes you happy then go for it. I don’t want anything to do with you.’

James gave her a final look but Amelia was surprised when she couldn’t find any anger behind it. He wasn’t angry... he had just given up on her. That hurt more, Amelia thought. James went back into his room, shrugging Amelia’s hand off his arm when she tried to stop him. She groaned and tried to open the door when he shut it behind him but the door wouldn’t budge even a centimetre. Magic; how Amelia hated it at times. She tried alohomora but that didn't work either.

There was no answer and Amelia sighed dissatisfied. She wished Scorpius was with her but she would see him in a couple of days at Victoire and Teddy’s engagement party. Amelia went back into her room and took a long shower before wearing her pyjamas and getting into bed. She lay awake a long time... so did James.

---

*Scorpius and Draco*

‘Home already?’ Draco asked when the door opened and Scorpius walked in at one o’clock in the morning. His eyes were red around the edges and Draco knew what that meant; Scorpius was tired.

Scorpius’ eyes zeroed in on the glass in his fathers hand and the cane he supported himself with. The huge house had only two people in it and Scorpius couldn't help but feel... cold and distant. He hated his house even though most of his childhood was spent roaming these halls and exploring rooms that Draco let him in.

‘I can leave if you wish, Father,’ Scorpius said firmly but walked into the house. He walked past Draco but the cane his father had, hooked around his arm and he staggered backwards a little. Scorpius shoved the cane off his arm and glared at Draco, ‘I don’t want to hear anything about it. I love her and you can’t stop me being with her!’

‘You sound like an incessant child,’ Draco muttered and finished his glass of alcohol before waving his wand so that it floated into the kitchen. His eyes followed the glass for a second before turning to his son, ‘I know you love her. I can see it in your eyes.’

Draco couldn't help but think if that twinkle that resided in his son’s eyes were in his own when he looked at the woman he loved; Hermione. He hoped not, the twinkle in the eyes was a huge give away. Draco laid a hand on his son’s shoulder, fully expecting him to shrug it off. To his immense surprise, Scorpius let his father keep his hand on his shoulder.

‘We’re going to the engagement party in a couple of days and Granger’s spa- I mean, Amelia will be there. Try and keep yourself under control, we don’t want to cause a scene when they are being civil towards us,’ Draco warned his son. Scorpius frowned at his father for a second before deeming it to be acceptable and nodding, ‘now, go to bed and don’t leave the house before breakfast like you usually do. It’s Christmas tomorrow and I want to spend it with the family I have.’

Scorpius shrugged, ‘as you wish, Father.’

Scorpius went upstairs, trailing mud behind him. Draco scowled a little and flicked his wand so that the mud disappeared. He walked upstairs, flicking his wand to make the ground spotless, and went into his room. Draco changed from his suit to pyjama bottoms and lay in bed.

As usual his mind drifted off to a certain curly haired woman whose last name had been changed forever to be Weasley.