Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Surprise! We're posting this a day early because it's Amy's birthday! She's the big 30 although I keep saying you're only as old as you feel. Which would make me about 12. Hahaha

We have a little bit of everyone it seems in this chapter- including your favourite villains, Draco and Ginny. But there's some L/S for good measure so YAY to that.

Wonderwall - Oasis

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me ?
And after all
You're my wonderwall

The next day was the warmest since they'd arrived at Hillsdale. Hermione was more than happy to spend the day at the lake. She and Harry were trying to get Ethan to dive into the water, something that he'd still been reluctant to try.

At the moment,Ethan and Harry were standing on the end of the docks while Hermione was treadingwater.

"Dad? I don't know about this," Ethan said, looking down at the water with a terrified expression on his face.

"It's all right Ethan," Harry assured him. "Mum's down there waiting for you. And I'm right up here with you."

Ethan nodded and stepped closer to the edge.

"You can do it, Ethan," Hermione said encouragingly. "Besides, it's really hot out today. You know you want to get in here with me and cool off, right?"

"I guess Mummy," Ethan said uncertainly.

"We're not going to make you do anything you don't want to," Hermione said. "If you don't want to, you don't have to. But you know that your father and I would never let anything happen to you."

"I know," Ethan said as his father patted his shoulder. "Can I just jump in instead of dive?"

"Sure," Harry said. "Whenever you're ready..."

Ethan stared at the rippling water and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and leapt off the end of the dock.

A few moments later, he surfaced and Hermione beamed at him. "Way to go, Ethan!"

"I did it Mummy!" Ethan reached for her. "Daddy! I did it!"

"I know!" Hermione said, hugging him tightly. "You sure did!"

"That was fantastic Ethan," Harry congratulated his son.

Ethan grinned. "I wish Julie could have been here to see it!"

"Well now that you've done it once you can do it many more times!" Harry said, turning as someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir?" an older woman said. "I was wondering if I could set my chair out here. It's much too hot on shore. I thought I'd just sit out here so I can get some breeze from the lake."

"Uh... it's not my dock," Harry shrugged. "It's a public lake."

The older woman laughed. "I didn't want to get in your way. Your boy is quite the diver, isn't he?"

"Yeah," Harry said, something about her making him a little uneasy. "Well... I'll just go join my family, if you'll excuse me..."

"Of course," the woman said, setting up her lounge chair on the dock.

"Mummy? I'm going to do it again. This time by myself, okay?" Ethan asked Hermione.

"Sure," Hermione said, smiling at him. "I'll be right here, waiting."

Harry slid into the water and swam over to his wife. "He's trying again is he?"

"He is," Hermione said, keeping an eye on Ethan as he climbed the ladder to get back on the deck. "I'm so proud of him!"

"Same here," Harry grinned at his son.

"Where are you folks from?" the woman called out to them. Hermione swam a bit closer to the dock.

"London," Hermione answered with a grin. "How about you?"

"Fulham," the woman answered. "My nephew gave me the trip to this resort as a retirement present."

"How lovely of him. This is a really nice place- I take it your nephew used to work here?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," the woman said. "He worked here years ago. How about you? Were you an employee here?"

Hermione was distracted for a moment as Ethan dove back into the water. "My husband was," she replied. "We met here though."

"How romantic," the woman said, smiling at her. "I'm Edith Morgan, by the way."

"I'm Hermione," she answered. "That's my husband Harry, and our son Ethan."

"You're the Minister for Magic!" Edith exclaimed. "It's an honour to meet you, Mrs. Potter!"

"Oh," Hermione said in surprise. "I didn't realise you were a witch."

Edith smiled. "I am. I had no idea that you'd be here, Mrs. Potter. I'm amazed that the Ministry let you go on holiday for such a long period of time."

From the water, Harry was holding onto Ethan, but watching the exchange between his wife and Edith.

"What's wrong, Daddy?" Ethan asked.

"I don't know Ethan," Harry replied distractedly. "There's just something odd going on..."

"How could you go away with all that pending legislation going on in the Ministry, Mrs. Potter?" Edith asked eagerly.

"What?" Hermione asked, confused.

"What's going on here?" Harry swam over with Ethan in tow.

"Did the Ministry pay for your holiday?" Edith asked. All of a sudden a group of men descended on them with cameras flashing.

"Get out of the water, Minister!" one of the photographers called out. "Let's get a shot of you in that swim costume!"

"Merlin," Hermione ducked down so only her head was visible. "Harry!"

"Get a shot of the kid, too!" Edith called out to a photographer. "A photo of one of the Potter kids should land us the front page!"

"You leave my children OUT OF THIS!" Harry roared, suddenly finding himself on the dock.

"You're the most famous wizard in the world, Mr. Potter," Edith said coldly. "Our readers want to see pictures of your children. Come on."

"Mummy!" Ethan called out, as one of the photographers was aiming his camera at him.

Hermione pulled her son to her and turned so the photographer only shot her back.

"We do NOT allow pictures of our children," Harry said furiously. "How dare you interrupt us on our holiday and try to do this?"

"You're both public figures," Edith reminded him. "We just want a few pictures, that's all. We'll leave you alone after that. I promise."

"What's going on?" Seamus asked, coming up to join them. He and Lavender had been sunbathing on the shore and had witnessed the entire scene.

"Just some nosy, hard assed reporters," Harry glared at them all. "Thinking they could just drop in and take a few pictures."

Seamus grabbed one of the cameras from a photographer and threw the camera into the lake.

"You're going to pay for that!" the irate photographer screamed at Seamus.

"Leave them alone!" Lavender hissed.

"No, YOU'RE going to pay for this," Harry's temper had nearly snapped. "I give you interviews, my wife and I pose for pictures agreeably, we ask for A FEW SIMPLE requests like keeping the cameras away from our children and THIS IS WHAT WE GET?"

Ethan was in tears and clinging to Hermione. Hermione wanted nothing more than to get him out of this lake and back to their cabin.

"It's okay, little man," Hermione said, soothingly. "Daddy's taking care of it."

"Our readers want to see your children, Mr. Potter," Edith spat back at Harry.

"Your readers understand far more than you fucking reporters do," Harry shot back.

"Isn't she famous, too?" a photographer said, turning his camera on Lavender. Edith turned and looked appraisingly at Lavender. "Yes, she is. Miss Lavender Brown."

Lavender groaned as Edith rounded on her.

"Miss Brown what do you have to say about the news that your first husband Peter Smythe is engaged to be married to Chloe Spencer, one of your chief rivals?"

"She doesn't have anything to say about it," Seamus defended her, happy to see that Hermione was able to sneak up out of the water with Ethan and grab their towels.

"That's right," Lavender said, bolstered by Seamus' words. "I have no comment."

Edith grinned. "Mr. Finnigan? You were once involved with Miss Brown, weren't you? Are you trying to reignite your old flame?"

Lavender rolled her eyes. "Why can't you just go away? No one wants you here!"

"What's it to you if we are?" Seamus asked. "It's no one's business but ours. Now if you don't mind..."

An angry voice, angrier than Harry's, cut through the lakeside. "I'LL HAVE NO REPORTERS ON THIS PROPERTY!" Steve Van Ark roared.

"We were just leaving," Edith said brightly. "We got what we came for..."

Steve shook his head. "Unless you want to be arrested for trespassing, you'll hand over your film."

"But..." the photographer said.

"He threw my camera in the lake!" the other cried, nearly on the verge of tears.

"You're lucky he didn't throw YOU in the lake," Lavender retorted.

"Hand it over," Steve ordered.

The reporters reluctantly handed over their rolls of film and were forcibly escorted from the property.

"I'm really sorry about this, Harry," Steve said. "I had no idea that they were here."

"It's not your fault Steve," Harry had visibly calmed down. "When that woman came up to me I had no idea she was a reporter either."

Steve nodded. "I'm going to go and make sure they understand they're aren't to come back."

Hermione came back onto the docks, holding Ethan's hand. The little boy's eyes were red from crying and he was still quite shaken.

"Hey little man," Harry knelt down before his son. "I'm sorry you had to see that..."

Ethan nodded and hugged Harry.

"I don't understand how they found out where we were," Hermione said.

"Who knows," Lavender said in disgust. "Those wretched people are worse than the Malfoys!"

Hermione paled. "Harry? You don't think..."

Harry's mouth was set in a grim line. "Lav, I think you just figured out who sent them here..."

"Certainly fits their modus operandi," Seamus agreed.

"I'm going to kill them," Harry said angrily.

"Harry!" Hermione said, motioning to Ethan.

"Sorry," he grunted.

"Mummy? Can we go back to the cabin?" Ethan asked quietly.

"Of course, little man," Hermione said, picking him up. "Of course, we can. It's okay."

"I have a great idea," Harry said. "How about we change and then head into town for some ice cream?"

Ethan nodded and buried his face in his mother's shoulder.

"There we go," Harry said. "We'll see you two later?" he asked Seamus and Lavender.

"Of course," Seamus said. "Bye, Ethan."

"They shelter that kid way too much," Lavender said as her cousin and husband walked away.

"They wanted to make sure he and Julie grew up without the press covering their every move," Seamus said. "What's so wrong about that? I can't blame them for doing that."

"I understand that," Lavender sat down again. "I don't know, I'm not a parent so I can't criticise what they do..."

"Harry told me that someone had tried to kidnap Julie when she was a baby," Seamus said quietly. "I imagine that had a great deal with them doing anything and everything they could to protect their children."

Lavender sighed. "I like to forget about that," she said. "I push it so far out of my mind I don't even remember it happening."

Seamus nodded. "Did you know about your ex's engagement? I didn't mean to speak for you before..."

"Don't know, don't care," Lavender shrugged. "All annulled remember? They never happened."

"Right," Seamus said. "Who's this Chloe Spencer?"

"Another designer. She's always come in after me and hates me for it. She just can't take it that my designs have always been better than hers." Lavender replied.

"I remember her!" Seamus said animatedly. "She was at one of the parties you took me to. Wasn't she the girl who kept making rude comments about your designs? She tried to hit on me, too, as I recall."

"That doesn't surprise me," Lavender rolled her eyes. "She gloats every time she sees me that she's engaged to Peter," she laughed. "She shut up really quickly when I asked why she's always going after my leftovers."

"Good one, Lav," Seamus said, grinning at her.

"Thanks," she grinned back. "And thanks for sticking up for me back there too."

"What are exes for?" Seamus joked. "I probably shouldn't have thrown that bloke's camera in the lake."

Lavender laughed loudly. "That was absolutely brilliant!"

"I think you were right when you said I should have thrown him in the lake," Seamus laughed. He had always liked hearing her laugh.

"Yeah but then he might have drowned trying to find his camera," Lavender teased. "Then you'd feel guilty for the death of a trashy reporter."

"Not to mention I'd probably be thrown in Azkaban," Seamus said with a shudder.

"Right," Lavender said. "You did good."

Seamus was glad he'd put his sunglasses back on so she wouldn't see how he was checking out her curvy figure.

"So, um, how about I go and get us some lemonade?" he suggested finally. "That's still your favourite, isn't it?"

"Oh yes," Lavender smiled at him. "Thank you Seamus."

"Be right back," he said, smiling at her.

Lavender watched him go, her eyes on him the entire way to the refreshment stand. The more time she spent with him, the more annoyed with herself she felt for letting him go in the first place.

For his part, Seamus was more confused than ever. He'd not come back here to Hillsdale expecting to see Lavender again, let alone find out that those old feelings still remained. Lavender Brown had been a hard girl to get over and Seamus realised that perhaps he never had gotten over her.

"Thank you," Lavender said as he handed her the lemonade. "You really are taking the cake today you know that?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, sitting back down.

"You're just being really sweet. Helping Harry and Hermione with those reporters. Defending me as well... remembering what my favourite drinks are..." she shrugged, taking a sip.

"Well, Harry and Hermione are my friends and I'd do anything for them," Seamus replied. "We were together for quite a long time, Lavender. I remember loads of things about you..."

She blushed. "What else do you remember?" she asked a bit shyly.

"That you used to snore like a foghorn," Seamus said.

"Hey!" Lavender said. "I did not! Still don't!"

"You did!" Seamus exclaimed. "And that you used to brush your hair 100 times before you went to sleep. You also tell everyone that your favourite breakfast is grapefruit, but I know that you'd kill for French toast."

"I still brush my hair every night," Lavender said. "And I eat French toast now no matter what."

Seamus laughed. "Well, at least one thing has changed."

"What, that I don't snore and never have?" Lavender said.

"You do snore! Do you remember that time I recorded it so you'd believe me?" he asked her.

"No," Lavender turned red.

"I think I might still have that cassette somewhere," Seamus said. "I might have to ring my assistant and ask her to dig it up..."

"Don't you dare!" Lavender squealed. "What were you going to say?"

"I was saying that at least you're not hiding your French toast addiction now," he said, splashing some of his lemonade at her. "I read that and thought grapefruit, my arse!"

"Well I have to appear healthy," she said. "French toast nearly every morning doesn't sound like a very couth thing to eat."

"And appearances are everything, aren't they?" Seamus asked her.

"For me, yes." Lavender said. "And I would assume you as well..."

"Unfortunately," Seamus admitted. "You have to go to the right clubs, the right premieres...all I really want to do is stay home and watch movies."

"Same old Seamus," Lavender shook her head and smiled at him. "Promise me you'll never change?"

"You've got yourself a deal," he said grinning back at her. "You French toast eating, hair brushing snorer!"

"Seamus Finnigan," Lavender said. "If you keep calling me a snorer I'll be forced to do something we'll both regret."

"Like what?" Seamus asked her cheekily.

"Like... throw you in the lake!" she exclaimed.

"You and what army?" he countered.

"You!" she laughed, grabbing his arm.

Seamus laughed and hoisted her over his shoulder. "If I go in, you're coming in with me, Brown!"

"Seamus!" she screamed. "Don't you dare!"

"What, it's okay for you to do to me?" Seamus laughed, carrying her into the water.

"Don't you throw me in!" her last word was drowned out by the splash she made as he unceremoniously dropped her in the water.

Seamus laughed as she sputtered, pushing her hair out of her eyes. For a moment he thought she was going to start screaming but instead Lavender dove at him, pushing him flat on his back. "Ow!" he said, laughing.

"Gotcha," Lavender grinned. "Payback time Finnigan."

He splashed her back, making her shriek and suddenly they were involved in an all out water war, both laughing and breathless several minutes later.

"Okay, now I feel like a teenager again," Lavender sat in the shallower water. "You must have that effect on people Seamus."

"Maybe," He said. "That was fun though."

"It was," Lavender's eyes were twinkling. She splashed him again. "Look what you did to my hair. Now I'll have to brush it two hundred times."

"Only two hundred?" Seamus teased. "Not three, or four hundred for added bounce?"

"Seamus!" Lavender hit his shoulder but she was laughing. He caught her hand and pulled her close, immediately pressing his mouth to hers.

She was surprised, but unlike last time she didn't pull away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him as close as she could. They were kissing much like they used to, yet both seemed to realise they were in public which kept hands from wandering.

"I shouldn't have done that," Seamus asked when they finally pulled apart. He was suddenly aware that some of the other guests were watching them as well. "I guess I just got caught up."

"Well I got caught up too," Lavender said. "So it's not entirely your fault..."

"Yes, yes it is," Seamus said, running a hand through his damp hair. "I don't know what the hell I'm doing Lavender."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I don't know," Seamus said quietly. "It's so bloody complicated, isn't it? We've not seen each other in years, but when we're together like this, it feels like how it used to...and I don't know how I feel about that to tell you the truth."

"I know we broke up badly," Lavender ran her hand along the top of the water. "But... I miss you Seamus. I didn't realise until I saw you again just how much I miss you."

"I miss you too," he said, smiling shyly at her. "But, it's not just you and me here, Lavender. There's Summer to consider, too."

"Right," Lavender sighed. "Guess I messed up completely, as usual."

Seamus took hold of her hand. "No, Lavender. You haven't. I just need some time to figure all of this out. Do you think you can give that to me?"

Lavender looked at him a moment. "Sure," she smiled a little. "I can handle that."

He was quite surprised at her response. The old Lavender would have told him that if he didn't know what he wanted, she wasn't going to wait around for him to figure it out. He squeezed her hand. "I should probably get back to my cabin. I have some calls to make."

"All right," she said. "I want to go see how Ethan's doing."

"Will I see you at dinner tonight?" he asked.

"I should be there," Lavender said. "Are you eating with us again?"

"I'd like to," he said, grinning at her.

"Well then consider yourself invited," Lavender gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you later, Lavender," he said, watching her gather up her belongings and walk away. He had no idea what he was going to do.

*** *** ***

Julie begged off from Ethan's swim lesson that next morning, promising she'd go later that day instead. She wanted to go see Maddie and R.J., and she was also hoping to see Nick there as they had planned.

"Hey!" she called out, seeing her best friend on the path in front of her. "Chiaki!"

Chiaki turned around and smiled. "Hey! I just saw Toshio off and I thought I'd pop in to see R.J. and Maddie. What are you up to?"

"Same thing," Julie said. "But I am so glad I ran into you!" she hadn't been able to keep the smile off her face all morning long and her parents and Ethan had teased her mercilessly at breakfast, even though Julie hadn't told them everything that had gone on.

"Okay," Chiaki said, suddenly realising that Julie was practically beaming at her. "It's unnatural to be this happy in the morning, Jules. Unless of course you...wait a minute....wait just a minute...did you?"

Julie giggled. "Uh huh." her face turned red.

"YOU DID?" Chiaki screamed. "Sorry! Didn't mean to say that so loud. But where? I can't imagine your parents would allow him into your room for a quick shag. And I'm positive his parents wouldn't have let you step foot in their cabin..."

"Chiaki!" Julie hushed her friend. "There are three people who know, you me and Nick. Can we keep it that way?"

"Of course," Chiaki said, grateful that she hadn't inherited her mother's big mouth. "So, how was it?"

"Um..." Julie's face was still pink. "It was fast... but it was nice. And Nick couldn't have been sweeter. It was so unplanned but it's all I can think about!"

Chiaki smiled and hugged her friend, but she quickly pulled away and grimaced at Julie.

"Please tell me you did the charm like I told you to," Chiaki said, folding her arms.

"Right before we did it," Julie said. "Don't worry so much Chiaki." she grinned at her.

"I'm not," Chiaki said. "I'm just trying to look out for my best friend. Merlin, you've actually seen my brother naked. I don't know if I want details on something like that."

Julie laughed at her. "All right so I'll spare you the embarrassing stuff. I still can't believe it though. I feel different but at the same time I don't. And believe it or not, that's not even the best part!"

"What else is there?" Chiaki asked eagerly.

"He told me he loves me," Julie said in a low voice. "Right when we left the cove."

"He did!" Chiaki squealed. "That's so sweet! Oh, Jules!"

"I know," Julie grinned even wider. "It was all so amazing. I couldn't wait to tell you all about it!"

Chiaki smiled. "So did you tell him that you loved him, too?"

"Yes," Julie said. "When we talked the other day I didn't really know yet but I really do love him too. I feel so much more for him than I ever have for any other guy."

"Even Ryan?" Chiaki asked.

"Even Ryan," Julie confirmed. "I realised once he pushed me away that what I had felt for him wasn't love. This is so much different."

"Just be careful, okay?" Chiaki said. "Don't look at me like that, Jules. I'm being serious. This isn't going to be easy on either of you. I'm not saying this because I'm not completely happy for you, because I really am."

"It's a little scary, and I promise I'll be careful. But I could tell he was being honest- he wasn't saying it to get me to shag him." Julie said.

"I know," Chiaki said, as they approached the Weasley cabin. Luna was sitting on the porch swing reading story to Maddie. When Maddie saw Julie and Chiaki she made a beeline for both girls.

"Look at how big you're getting, Maddie!" Chiaki said, kneeling down to give her a hug.

"I'm almost five now!" the little girl announced proudly.

"I know!" Chiaki said, laughing. "And getting so tall!"

"Hey you," Julie picked her up and spun her around. "I heard you missed me!"

Maddie nodded and held out her hands. "This much!"

"Hi girls," Luna said, smiling at them. "Maddie's been hoping you'd stop by."

"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Julie kissed her cheek. "Where's RJ?"

"Inside with Ron," Luna replied. "He's running a small fever. We thought it best to keep him inside."

"Oh no," Chiaki said. "I hope he'll be all right!"

"He will," Luna said, sitting back down. "Thank you so much for letting Jon and Allie tag along with you last night. Jon said they had a really nice time."

"Yeah we were glad they had fun," Chiaki said. "It was so cute to see them on their first date."

"He was so nervous beforehand," Luna said laughing. "Don't you dare tell him that I told you this, but he must have tried on every single shirt and jumper he brought with him."

Julie and Chiaki laughed- so did Maddie, although she had no idea why. "That's so cute," Julie said.

"Guess what!" Maddie exclaimed.

"What?" Chiaki asked.

"Mummy said we could go on a hunt for Cornish pixies!" the little blonde said excitedly. "And I might get to keep one as a pet!"

Chiaki grimaced. "You want one of those, really?"

Luna laughed. "It's either that or a flobberworm."

"That being the case, I guess I'd go with the Cornish pixie every time," Chiaki giggled. "What does your dad think about this, Madeline?"

"As long as its not a spider, he said it was okay," Maddie answered simply.

They all laughed at that. "Did you have fun with Nana and Papa at the Burrow?" Julie asked, toying with her blond curls.

Maddie nodded. "Nana made me chocolate biscuits and I even helped her with the gnomes."

"That sounds like fun." Chiaki said, taking the seat next to Luna.

"Mummy, Nick's coming!" Maddie said animatedly pointing down the path. "Look!"

Julie turned to see. She tried to control the red colour that was spreading across her cheeks but it was futile. "Hey," she grinned as he came up to them.

"Hi," he said, smiling back at her. Maddie launched herself at him and he picked the little girl up and twirled her around just as Julie had.

"I see you've won her over quickly," Luna commented from the swing.

"He has a way with the ladies, don't you Nick?" Chiaki asked, earning a glare from Julie.

"Maybe," Nick laughed. "How are you Maddie?"

"Good," Maddie said shyly. "I was going to go swimming with Ethan today, but R.J.'s sick so we didn't get a chance to go."

"Well that's a shame," Nick said. "Did you all hear what happened just a little bit ago?"

"No," Luna said. "What?"

"A bunch of reporters snuck in and started bothering your parents during Ethan's lesson," Nick replied, looking at Julie. "That guy Seamus actually threw one of their cameras in the water."

"Oh no!" Julie groaned. "I-I should go and check on them to make sure they're okay. My dad probably went ballistic."

"They were pretty ticked off, but Steve Van Ark had them escorted out, and then I passed them on my way back and they were taking Ethan to town for ice cream." he said.

Luna shook her head. "How on earth did they find out they were here?"

"We don't know yet," Nick said. "But whoever it is I feel sorry for them- they also started bugging your aunt Lavender."

"I wish they'd just leave us alone," Julie said, sitting down on the steps.

"They will now," Nick laughed. "They had to hand over all their film or they'd be charged with trespassing."

"Yes, but that's just for now," Julie replied. "They never go completely away."

Maddie ran onto her mother's lap. "Mummy can we finish our story?"

"Sure," Luna said, picking Maddie up. "Chiaki, why don't you come inside with us to see R.J.?"

"Are you sure?" Chiaki knew her aunt was giving Julie and Nick a chance to be alone. "He's not too sick?"

"He's fine," Luna reassured her. "Come on inside. At the very least, you can give Jon a hard time about Allie."

"Right," Chiaki grinned. "Behave you two," she laughed at Nick and Julie.

Julie didn't laugh back. She was too preoccupied thinking about what had happened with her parents and Ethan at the lake.

"Are you all right?" Nick touched her arm once they were alone.

"Not really," Julie said, shrugging.

Nick helped her up and they went behind the cabin where it was more private. "I'm sorry if that news was upsetting to you," he said, hugging her.

"I should be used to it by now," she said, hugging him back. "If it's not some reporter, it's some random person wanting to know about our family. Some reporters crashed my parents' wedding reception. They camped out at St. Mungo's when I was born. It's just...frustrating."

Nick kissed the side of her head. "I can understand that. It's hard to get some private time with the people you love when there are reporters lurking about."

Julie smiled. "We're doing okay at the moment, aren't we?"

"We are," Nick smiled back at her.

"Did Seamus really throw someone's camera in the lake?" Julie asked, laughing. Just being with Nick was making her feel better already.

"Yes," Nick said. "Wish I'd been there to see it, but your parents told me when I saw them back there by your cabin. I feel bad for your brother though. He looked really freaked out."

"He's definitely the baby of the family," Julie said. "We all shelter him a bit- but he's just so sweet, we can't help it."

"I can definitely see that," Nick ran his hand though her hair.

Julie nodded. "So...how are you? Are your parents leaving you alone?"

"No," Nick said. "They gave me the third degree this morning about where I was last night. And since they haven't forbidden me from seeing anyone ELSE... I told them I was out with Chiaki and Allie."

"How exactly does your dad feel about you hanging out with your half sister?" Julie asked. "He knows who Chiaki is, right?"

"They don't acknowledge it," Nick said. "I haven't heard one word about who she really is, and I haven't brought it up. The less we all see of him, the better off we are."

Julie leaned in and kissed him, not really wanting to spend their few moments together talking about Draco Malfoy.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close as possible. "I can't stop thinking about last night," he murmured when they pulled apart.

"Neither can I," Julie whispered.

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are we meeting later?" he asked quietly.

"I hope so," she said, grinning shyly up at him.

"Same spot?" he asked. "What time is best for you?"

"Around 11?" Julie suggested. "I know its late, but that way no one will see us..."

"No that's fine," Nick said. "The later the better for me- my parents will be involved in their own affairs by that time and I can get out with less problems."

"Okay, so it's a date then?" Julie asked.

"Definitely a date," Nick leaned in and kissed her.

"So, how about we go in and see your cousins?" Julie asked when they broke apart. "Maddie might get mad if I monopolize you the entire time."

"Or maybe the other way around," Nick teased.

"Come on, Malfoy," she said, taking his hand.

Nick slid his arm around her as they went into the cabin. "Hey everyone," he said.

Josh looked up from where he was playing with Maddie and he scowled at Julie and Nick.

"Hey!" Jon got up. "We've got to triple date again some time, last night was a lot of fun!"

"Did you have anyone in mind that you'd want to take?" Julie teased, mussing Jon's hair.

"Gee I don't know Jules, maybe the same girl as last night?" Jon said sarcastically but he was grinning. "What's eating you?" he asked his twin, who still wore a dark scowl.

"Maybe the fact that you've been grinning like a hyena since you woke up this morning?" Josh asked angrily.

"Why should that bother you?" Jon asked lightly.

"I don't know," Josh said. "Maybe the fact that YOU got to go out with everyone while I got to sit around and watch R.J. drool."

Ron placed a hand on their shoulders. "Boys..." he said, quietly but both of them got his meaning perfectly.

"Okay, Dad," Jon said. "And before you say it, yes I'm going to clean up my room..."

Ron laughed. "You can do it later... let's enjoy everyone being together right now okay?"

"Who are you and what have you done with our dad?" Jon asked, grinning.

Josh glowered as his father and Jon joked around, and Nick and Julie sat on the sofa cuddling RJ like he was their own baby. Why was everything falling apart here now?

"Don't be sad, Josh," Maddie said, sitting in his lap. "It's going to be okay."

Josh couldn't help but smile at his sister. "Thanks Maddie," he said, giving her a quick squeeze.

"You can help Mummy and me look for a Cornish pixie if you want," Maddie said. "But he's going to be my pet."

"You want a Cornish pixie for a pet?" Josh shook his head. "You're a crazy four year old you know that?"

"I'm a Weasley," she said grinning at him.

Nick watched everyone interacting with a slightly heavy heart. He wished he could be a true part of this- knowing past jokes and stories that made them all laugh.

"What's wrong?" Julie noticed the look on his face.

"Everyone's been really great trying to include me in things," he answered. "But I just can't help wishing I knew about all the inside jokes and stories. I still feel like an outsider."

Julie shifted RJ over to him. "Then start feeling like an insider," she smiled at him.

"How do you propose I do that?" he asked, cuddling R.J.

"With him," Julie smiled at the baby. "He makes loads of funny faces when he's happy."

"I don't have that much experience with babies," Nick admitted.

"I haven't either in awhile," Julie said, stroking RJ's head. "But the only way to get experience with babies is to play with them."

"You're great with him," Nick said admiringly. "No wonder you want to be a teacher."

"Well I love kids," Julie said. "And they seem to like me a lot too," she grinned at him.

"What's not to like?" Nick whispered, his eyes twinkling. R.J. gurgled and Nick laughed. "He agrees with me, obviously."

Julie laughed at him. "You've become biased."

"Would you look at that?" Luna asked her husband, motioning toward Julie and Nick.

Ron grinned. "Shall I give him the old talking to?" he joked.

"Don't you dare!" Luna said, swatting at him. "I think it's very sweet."

"Right- that's Harry's job at any rate. And I'm glad. Julie's the best and Nick's a good bloke." Ron stole a kiss from his wife.

"You know what I think?" Luna asked him, leaning against him. "I think you're a good bloke, too."

"I should hope so," Ron's eyes twinkled at her. "What other husband would let his wife protect him and their family from spiders?"

"A husband very secure in his masculinity?" Luna guessed.

"That's it," Ron replied jokingly. "Hey who's hungry?" he called out.

"I'm going to take a wild guess, Dad and say that YOU probably are," Jon joked.

"Well of course, but who else?" Ron cuffed his son's head.

"I am, Daddy!" Maddie yelled in Josh's ear, causing him to grimace.

"That's my girl," Ron scooped her up.

"What did you have in mind?" Luna asked him.

"Who wants... ice cream?" Ron asked.

"I do! I do!" Maddie exclaimed, bouncing in Ron's arms.

"Can we stop by Allie's and see if she wants to come, too?" Jon asked.

"Sure we can," Ron agreed. "How about you Josh? Julie and Nick, you're welcome to join us." he grinned at them. "Chiaki?"

Nick looked at Julie who nodded enthusiastically.

"Sure," Nick said, thinking his parents couldn't fault him for going out on what was technically a family outing.

"I'll stay here with R.J.," Josh said quietly. He didn't want to spend any time watching Nick and Julie moon all over each other and Jon flirting with Allie.

"Are you sure?" Luna asked concernedly. "I don't mind staying if you want to go with them Josh."

"No," Josh said, shaking his head. "You go ahead and have a good time, Mum. You deserve it."

Luna looked at him for another minute. "If you say so love," she said.

"Yeah," Josh said, looking at Julie and Nick. "I'm sure."

"Okay," Ron said. "I know my little Maddie here's going to have double chocolate, but what about you Nick?" he asked as they all walked out the door.

"Maddie's a girl after my own heart," Nick said. "That's my favourite, too."

Chiaki hung back a little and pulled on Nick's sleeve. "So..." she said. "Had a little heart to heart with Julie before we got here..."

"About...?" Nick asked, being deliberately coy.

"You know," Chiaki gave him a look.

"No," Nick said, trying hard not to laugh. "I don't..."

"Nicholas!" Chiaki said. "I know we just met but I'll have you know I come from a family of very nosy people. And we find out EVERYTHING."

Nick laughed. "I had heard something about that. So, are you okay with it? Me and Julie?"

"Of course I am," Chiaki said. "But you be good to her. She's my best friend in the world."

"Do you think I'm crazy?" he asked her. "Chiaki, if I even thought about hurting her, I'd have people lining up to hex me. You don't have to worry. I'll do right by her."

"Good," Chiaki grinned as the girl in question turned around.

"What are you two going on about back here?" Julie asked.

"Oh nothing," Nick said as she slowed down a few steps. He slid an arm around her and one around Chiaki. "Those people at the ice cream place are going to wonder how I got two such good looking girls on my arm," he teased.

"Three if you count Maddie," Chiaki said.

"Hey!" Drew and Darla called out.

"Okay, okay," Nick said, grinning at the two girls. "Five girls."

"Quite the ladies man there Nick," Ron teased. "Sure you can handle it?"

"I think so," Nick said, grinning at Julie. "I think so."

"You'd better," she bumped his shoulder.

"Ouch, Potter," Nick teased. "That hurt."

"Wuss," Julie replied. "I like my men strong."

"I was only kidding," Nick said quickly. "It didn't hurt. In fact, after the ice cream, I'm going to go on back to the resort and do some weight lifting."

Julie laughed loudly. "You have nothing to prove to me Nicholas. I love you just the way you are right now." she whispered in his ear.

Nick didn't tell her how much those words meant to him. Instead, he just smiled down at her and squeezed her hand.

*** *** ***

Ginny squealed with delight as Draco popped the cork on the champagne bottle. "Did you see the look on her face when she brought that brat back up on the shore?" Ginny said, laughing. "It was priceless!"

Draco smirked. "I love seeing Potter all pissed off. Makes me feel randy."

Ginny winked at him as he poured some champagne in her glass. "They deserved it...walking around here all smug and superior. "

"That they did love," Draco said.

"And did you see that bathing suit she had on?" Ginny asked her husband. "That is so last season. And she doesn't have enough up top to carry that look off."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Draco snorted. "She has a decent rack on her."

Ginny glared at him. "She does not!"

"Not as nice as yours," Draco said.

"Good answer," Ginny said, sitting down beside him on the sofa. "I was beginning to think you were attracted to the Mudblood."

Draco snorted. "If I ever am, please hex me." he slid an arm around his wife. "So where is our dear son today, out gallivanting with said Mudblood and friends?"

Although she knew that was precisely where her son was, out of respect to her deal with Nick, Ginny decided to keep that quiet.

"He said something about going to visit Ron or something. He's spent more time with Ron and that Loony than he has with us."

Draco shrugged. "Personally, I really don't care what he does with his time as long as he stays away from Potter and his brood."

"I think he will," Ginny said thoughtfully. "He knows what you'll do if he doesn't."

"That useless Greta," Draco rolled his eyes. "I had half a mind to sack her before coming here."

"She's not that bad, Draco," Ginny said. "She's a decent cook and she keeps a good house. She's just so...judgmental."

"I don't need any judgemental people in my home," Draco said firmly. "She's trained Nick to be way too independent. He's an ungrateful brat."

"It's partly our fault," Ginny said quietly. "We left him alone with her. He loves her and hates us."

Draco was completely unaffected by this. "His loss."

Ginny stared at him. Obviously Nick's indifference to them didn't affect Draco as much as it had her. "You don't care that our son is happy spending as much time away from us as possible? You don't care that our son cares more for his nanny than he does for his own parents?"

"Not really," Draco finished his champagne and poured another glass.

"Oh," was all Ginny could say to this.

"Look," Draco said. "You know how I felt when we found out you were pregnant. Despite that, I married you and I've provided an excellent home for you and our son."

"I know," Ginny said quickly. She was about to tell him how much it had hurt to see him interact with her mother the other night and how he'd taken to her family. They, in turn, had welcomed Nick with open arms. "It just hurts sometimes that he doesn't care."

"Well that's his own problem." Draco said. "We've provided for him- we got him someone to take care of him when we couldn't be there- and this is how he repays us. Going on with that music nonsense instead of following in my footsteps like he will be doing when we go back. He's making a mockery of me and it pisses me off."

"He told you he didn't want to be a healer," Ginny said. "I don't really see how you're going to get him to change his mind, Draco."

"He will when I pull my financial support away from him," Draco said firmly.

"You mean cut him off?" Ginny asked incredulously.

"If that's what it takes," her husband replied emotionlessly.

Ginny put her champagne glass down on the coffee table. Suddenly, she didn't feel much like celebrating. A part of her wanted to hurt Draco as much as he'd just hurt her when he'd reminded her of how he'd married her because she'd gotten pregnant. She didn't know what she could possibly say to him though. Sometimes, she wondered if he had any feelings at all.

"What?" his voice cut into her thoughts. "You're angry with me now aren't you?"

"No," she lied.

"You are too," Draco set down his glass as well. "I can tell your moods Ginny. I know you better than anyone, whether or not you want to admit it."

"I just find it hard to believe that you don't care that our son hates us, Draco," she said angrily. "You act as if you don't care about him at all. I know he acts ungrateful and all that, but a part of the reason he is the way he is, is because of how we've raised him."

"We didn't raise him," Draco pointed out.

"Which is precisely the problem," Ginny said quietly.

Draco exhaled slowly. "Look Ginny- you knew when you took up with me that this is how I am."

"I just thought it would be different with me," Ginny said, standing up. "I saw how you just signed away your rights to Cho Chang's baby and I thought it would be different with me because you loved me."

"I do love you," Draco said. "You."

"And what about our son?" Ginny asked. "It's not too late. We can build a relationship with him."

She could by the way he was looking at her that he was wondering where all of this was coming from. She wasn't about to tell him that she'd seen her mother and it had caused her to ask herself questions that she hadn't liked the answers to.

"He needs to reform before I could ever picture myself getting... close or anything else with him," Draco said coolly.

Ginny nodded and resigned herself that Draco wasn't going to change and if she kept acting like this, she was going to lose him.

"What suddenly brought this on?" he asked. "Back in Australia none of this ever seemed to matter to you."

"It didn't, not really," Ginny admitted. "It's just that I was able to spend some time here with Nicholas before you arrived and he acted as if he'd rather have a root canal than spend time with his own mother."

She walked back over to the couch. "I was thinking that we might spend Christmas with my family this year..."

"What?" Draco narrowed his eyes.

"I just got to thinking that its been years since I've seen my parents," Ginny replied, looking away from him. "And I think it would be nice to spend Christmas at the Burrow. We wouldn't have to stay long. Just a day or so...that wouldn't be so terribly bad, would it?"

"Your family hates me Ginny," Draco snapped. "Why would I want to go spend any time at all with them?"

"Mum really wants to meet Nicholas," Ginny said. "And I think if she talked to my brothers, they'd behave."

"Sure in front of her and you," Draco said. "We're not going."

"Draco, I really want to go," Ginny said. "And I think Nicholas would want to go, too."

"Then go," Draco said dismissively. "I'll go to the Gold Coast myself."

"We always go where you want!" Ginny exclaimed. "For once, can't we do what I want? Would it kill you to go and be with my family for two minutes? You should remember that I've played the dutiful wife for you more times than I care to count and never once complained. This is important to me."

"No," Draco said. "I prefer my head where it is. I don't trust your brothers or anyone else in your family for that matter."

"I bet if I'd married Harry, he'd go!" Ginny shouted.

"WELL YOU DIDN'T!" Draco yelled back. "YOU MARRIED ME!"

"HEY!" Nick said, coming inside the cabin. "I could hear the two of you shouting from outside. What the hell is going on?"

"And just where have you been?" Draco turned on his son. "Out gallivanting with the poor?"

"If you mean MY family," Nick said icily. "Then, yes...I have been with them. Since when do you care where I've been?"

"Since I knew you could be publicly destroying our name by associating with the Potters," Draco snapped.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Whatever..."

He noticed his mother was in tears and although he knew the best course of action would be to go back into his room and stay out of this, he couldn't stop himself from asking his mother if she was okay. "Mum? What's wrong?"

"Nothing Nicholas," Ginny said.

"Are you sure?" Nick asked her. "You've been crying..."

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine," Ginny replied.

"Your mother and I are having a private discussion," Draco said coldly.

"Sounded to me like you were fighting," Nick retorted, glaring at Draco.

"What's it to you?" Draco asked. "You've never cared before so why start now?"

Nick laughed. "I ask myself the same question about you, Dad."

"Look, Nicholas," Ginny said, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "I'm fine. Really. I appreciate your concern."

Nick shook his head. "You're both pathetic," he said. "You really are."

"I think its pretty pathetic to be latching on to someone else's family," Draco shot back. "They're beneath you, Nicholas."

Nick snorted. "That's your opinion, not mine."

Ginny couldn't take this anymore. If Draco insisted on pushing their son further away, he could do it without her. She was halfway to the door before Draco stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"For a walk!" she retorted, shaking off his arm. "I don't need your permission to do that, do I?"

Nick looked at his father. "You've pissed off your arm decoration," he said sarcastically.

Ginny slammed the door behind her and Draco couldn't remember the last time he'd ever been this angry.

"Look what you've done," Draco raged at Nick, who was standing with his arms crossed.

"Me?" Nick asked. "That was all you, Pops."

"If you hadn't come back in here we'd have worked things out fine!" Draco shouted.

"Blame it on me like you always do," Nick said. He saw the champagne bottle on the coffee table. "A bit early for champagne, isn't it?"

Draco's eyes narrowed into angry slits. "What are you implying Nicholas?" he asked dangerously.

"I wasn't implying anything," Nick said. "Defensive much?"

Draco picked up the bottle and threw it at the wall where it shattered over Nick's head. "You watch your mouth," he said angrily.

Nick stared at his father. Over the years, he'd seen his father angry. He'd seen his father upset. But, he'd never seen him like this. "Fine, Dad," Nick said quietly.

Draco's fists were clenched as his son turned and left the room. "Better stay out of my sight," he growled.

*** *** ***

"So you think he's all right?" Julie asked her mother, watching her father and Ethan kick around a football outside the cabin. "I think he's more embarrassed about crying in front of everyone than anything else."

Hermione looked at her son who was currently running at full speed after his father. "I think so, too. But, I can't blame him. It scared me too how fast they all descended on us like they did."

"They're like bloody vultures," Julie said, pushing off the porch floor so that they were swinging gently. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to try and help."

"I'm glad you weren't there, Julie," Hermione said, patting her on the knee. "One less Potter for them to photograph."

"If you put it that way," Julie smiled at her mother. "Then I'm glad I wasn't there. I would have been if me and Chiaki and Nick hadn't been going to see Maddie and RJ."

"Your entire face just brightened when you mentioned Nick's name," Hermione teased.

Julie laughed. "Stop teasing me!"

"I will," Hermione said. "If you tell me details...you've been deliberately vague and infuriating!"

"Mum I can't tell you everything," Julie said, blushing. "But he's very sweet. And last night..." she lowered her voice. "He told me he loves me."

Hermione bit back her instant retort that Julie had only known him for a short time. That would have been very hypocritical for her to do as she had fallen in love with Harry in the same amount of time. "He did?" she finally asked Julie.

"Yes," Julie leaned against her mother. "I'm in love with him too. It happened so quickly but it has to be real. He makes me really happy, and I can hardly stop thinking about him when we're not together."

"I can certainly understand that," Hermione said softly, looking in Harry's direction.

"I've always told myself I want what you and dad have," Julie looked up at her mother. "It's a bit unrealistic, since I don't think anything could top your love story, but this definitely shows promise," she grinned impishly.

"Jules," Hermione said, grinning back at her. "I'm very happy for you. I just don't want you jumping into something so soon after Ryan. This isn't some rebound thing, is it?"

"Chiaki asked me the same question," Julie said. "I don't think it is- I mean, I know I'm thinking too far ahead but I can still see me and Nick together down the line. And I could tell he meant it when he said he loved me."

"I'm happy for you," Hermione said. "I am. Anyone who can make my girl smile like that is okay with me."

"Thanks Mum," Julie grinned and hugged her.

"Are you two just going to sit there all day or are you going to play?" Harry asked, teasingly. "Ethan and I think we can take the two of you."

"Oh please," Julie scoffed. "We're talking about stuff if you don't mind!"

"They're scared, Dad," Ethan scoffed.

Hermione grinned at her daughter. "Come on Jules, I think we can show them who the real athletes are."

Julie nodded and followed her mother off the porch. "Face it, Dad. You're not as fast as you used to be."

Harry smirked. "Come down here and say that."

Julie did as she was told and stood in front of her father. "Bring it on, Dad."

Hermione laughed at her husband's expression. "Come on Harry, show us what you're worth."

Ethan started down the lawn, kicking the ball. Julie and Hermione were hot on his heels and Harry was laughing as he ran alongside him.

"Come on Hermione," he teased. "Jules, show us those all star moves that you were bragging about."

That was all the incentive Julie needed as she was able to kick the ball away from Ethan and kicked it in Hermione's direction.

"Hey!" Ethan shouted.

"All's fair in love and football, little man," Julie called over her shoulder.

"Who said anything about love?" Ethan ran after his sister.

"Not me," Hermione said, running as fast as she could after Harry, who had managed to get the ball away from her. "Harry James Potter, you stole that from me!"

"That's the name of the game dear," Harry grinned.

"Go Dad!" Ethan called out.

Hermione caught her daughter's eye and they both took a running leap and tackled Harry to the ground. "Take that Potter," Hermione laughed.

"Yeah, Dad!" Julie giggled. "Where are those photographers now?"

Ethan jumped on top of them, not wanting to be left out.

From behind a tree, Ginny had watched the Potters having fun. She'd found herself walking past their cabin and hadn't meant to stop, but the sounds of their laughter had kept her in her place.

"Remember I can take on all of you!" Harry was shouting between fits of laughter.

"You're at the bottom of the pile," Hermione pointed out.

Harry quickly manoeuvred himself out. "Now I've got you," he grabbed Ethan first.

"Dad! I'm on your side!" Ethan exclaimed.

Ginny could picture a seven-year old Nick playing football with Harry, too. This could have been her life, if she hadn't fallen in love with Draco Malfoy, she thought morosely.

"Potters!" Ron came striding from the opposite direction and Ginny slid back behind the tree. "Break it up will you?" he grinned.

Julie laughed. "Mum and I just took on Ethan and Dad. This is Dad being a sore loser."

Ron laughed heartily at that. "He likes to do that after losing a chess match too Jules."

Julie nodded and helped her brother to his feet. "Come on, little man. Let's go get something to drink."

"Okay," Ethan said. "Can I have some sweets too?"

"Save some for me!" Ron called out as Ethan and Julie walked back into the cabin.

"What brings you by, Ron?" Hermione asked, dusting herself off.

"I wanted to talk to you about what happened by the lake," Ron replied.

"Steve had them taken from the property." Harry replied.

"Harry thinks it may have had something to do with our favourite little troublemakers," Hermione said with a sigh.

Harry nodded. "Who else would have sent them here?" he asked.

"In their defence," Hermione said, putting a hand up as Harry started to protest. "It could have been anyone. Those reporters could have gotten my itinerary from someone at the Ministry."

"Get real, Hermione," Ron said, folding his arms. "This has my little sister's name written all over it. Admittedly, it's not as bad as framing Harry for theft, but it's still right up her alley."

Harry shook his head. "We're only too glad to stay out of their way. I wonder why they want to cause so much trouble?"

"It's Ginny and Draco Malfoy," Ron said simply. "Come on, Harry. They're not happy unless everyone else is miserable. You should have seen her the other night when Mum dropped the kids off. She kept calling Darla by the wrong name. She looked as if she wanted to be anywhere, but where she was and she wouldn't even give Mum ten minutes of her time."

None of them heard Ginny huff angrily and stalk back in the direction of her cabin.

Harry shook his head. "How did your Mum deal with that?"

"She was upset," Ron replied. "But, it's par for the course where Ginny is concerned, isn't it?"

"At least she got to meet Nick right?" Hermione asked.

Ron nodded. "Mum was over the moon about that. She couldn't stop going on about what a handsome, charming grandson she had. He's such a great kid, you know? He certainly deserves a lot better than what he got from the two of them."

"You can say that again," Harry said.

"He's certainly got Julie infatuated," Hermione said with a smile.

"That goes double for him," Ron said, smiling. "You should have seen the two of them this morning when they came by to see the kids. I think you just may have the pleasure of having a Malfoy in your family someday, mate."

"Don't you think you're jumping too far ahead there Ron?" Harry frowned. "Julie's not getting married anytime soon."

"Don't get him started Ron," Hermione slid her arms around her husband.

"You know from this light, you look a little like Robert Granger," Ron teased. "Scary, overprotective father."

"Ron! That's my father you're talking about!" Hermione said, swatting him on the arm. "He's not scary!"

"That's right Ron, what are you saying?" Harry teased.

"Just that Hermione's father's somewhat...you know...frightening. Of course, he's not as bad as her grandfather. Now, HE was downright terrifying."

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, picking up the ball and throwing it at him.

"Ouch!" Ron said as it hit him square in the face.

"Come on Ron," Harry grabbed his wife's hands and held them behind her back. "Tickle her. I give you full permission."

"Harry!" Hermione said, turning her head to glare at him. "You are so going to be in trouble when I get free!"

Harry grinned. "If we let you go that is."

"I don't know," Ron said, looking unconvinced. "Harry, your wife can actually be pretty scary, too..."

Hermione grinned. "See, Ron knows his place Harry James."

"Ron's a wuss," Harry said, grinning at his best friend.

"But a smart one at that," Hermione twisted free of her husband's grip.

"Uh-oh," Ron said, laughing. "You're in for it now, Harry."

"You'd better run Potter," Hermione threatened lightly.

"Someone's not going to be getting any tonight," Ron called out to Harry as he took off running. "Later, Rabbits."

"He's not telling the truth is he?" Harry asked as Hermione chased him back up onto the porch.

"Yes, he was," Hermione said seriously.

"But Hermione, I wouldn't have let him tickle you," Harry put on his best wounded expression- one that Ethan had picked up straightaway.

"Sure," Hermione said sarcastically. "What was it you said? 'Tickle her. I give you full permission.' Ring any bells?"

"But I was just kidding," Harry explained appealingly.

"Were you now?" Hermione asked.

"Of course," Harry slid his arms around her.

"You're really hard to stay mad at, you realise that right?" she asked, already weakening.

"I do my best," Harry grinned.

"Well, if you wanted to make it up to me later," Hermione said, nuzzling his neck. "That would be okay..."

"That sounds like a plan," Harry let his hand wander down her back.