We apologise for not getting to review replies- real life got in the way, but we're going to try and answer them all tomorrow sometime :)
Please don't let this deter you from reviewing tonight of course ;) It's a bit of an emotional chapter, so we'd really like to know what you guys think!
The Brighton house was nearly always abuzz with activity. With so many people cohabiting one beach house, it was hard to find any peace and quiet. Most mornings started with the younger children getting up first and waking their parents, eager to go out on the beach and play. Ron or Harry would inevitably end up cooking for the entire house with Ron eating more than he actually cooked.
This June morning was in stark contrast to the busy, boisterous days of the past.
For one thing, the Weasley family was still fast asleep upstairs. The Potters were all gathered in the kitchen looking very sombre and quiet.
It was hard to imagine that a year ago; they'd heard the terrible news about Robert. Saffron felt guilty for not thinking more about her grandfather over the past couple of months. Her mother told her that her grandfather wouldn't have wanted her to shut herself off from life, but she still felt bad. He had meant so much to her and he was gone.
"Seamus, Lavender and Gabriel went on ahead to Mum's," Hermione said quietly. "Ethan and Maddie will join us at the cemetery."
"I'll go and see if Julie needs any help with the girls," Saffron said easing out of her chair.
"That's good of you Saffy," Harry said. "I imagine Ash is probably beside herself."
Saffron nodded wordlessly and headed out of the kitchen.
"How you holding up, love?" Harry asked his wife.
"All right," she shrugged. "I really can't believe it was a year ago today Harry."
Harry moved over to sit beside her. "I'm proud of you, you know that?"
"Why's that?" she asked, her hands around a mug of coffee.
"The way you've held all of us together," Harry said. "Especially your Mum."
"It's not been easy," she admitted. "I think this past year has been one of the hardest of my life."
"You've been amazing," he said squeezing her hand.
"It's all because I have you," Hermione said.
"You're pretty strong without me," he said kissing the side of her head.
"Not especially," she leaned against him as she finished her coffee. "You're a very strong shoulder Harry."
He smiled and they just sat like that for quite some time.
Upstairs, Saffron had finished helping Julie with the girls and went to grab her jumper from the bedroom she shared with Alexa. She tried to be quiet so she wouldn't wake her best friend, but Alexa sat up groggily.
"Hey---" she said softly.
"Didn't mean to wake you Lex," Saffron said apologetically.
"It's okay," Alexa said pushing her covers back. "How are you?"
"Okay," Saffron shrugged.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Alexa asked.
"You spend the day with RJ," she shook her head.
Alexa stood up and walked over to her best friend and gave her a big hug. "When you get back, we'll do something just you and me."
"Thanks Lex," Saffron hugged her back. "You're the best."
"You're my bestest friend," Alexa said smiling at her. "You know that."
"You're mine," Saffron managed a smile as well. "It's only quarter of seven; you should get back to sleep."
"Okay," Alexa said. "I'll see you when you get back."
Saffron nodded and went into the hallway. She jumped when she saw Andrew standing just outside, dressed in a nice shirt and trousers. "What are you doing?" she asked softly.
"Getting ready," he said giving her a half smile. "You think this shirt goes with these trousers?"
"I don't understand," Saffron was confused.
"I thought I'd go with you today," he replied. "If that's okay..."
"You want to go with me?" she repeated. "Oh Andrew..."
"Unless you don't want me to," Andrew said quickly. "I know it's just a family thing..."
"I'd love it if you came," Saffron replied as tears welled in her eyes.
Andrew smiled and took her in his arms. "I love you, Saf."
"I love you," she mumbled into his shoulder. "This really means a lot to me Andrew."
"You don't think your folks would mind?" he asked.
"Probably not," she pulled back and wiped at her eyes. "I was just heading back downstairs."
"Come on," he said taking her hand.
Saffron squeezed his fingers as they went back into the kitchen, where Nick, Julie, Ashley and Katie were waiting.
Harry nodded at Andrew as he walked in with Saffron. Despite what had happened earlier in the holiday, he could definitely tell that this young man cared about his daughter very much and his coming with them today spoke volumes.
"I don't remember what he looks like," Katie said wiping at her eyes.
"Grandma Ellie will have pictures of him at the house," Julie said reassuringly to her daughter. "It's all right Katie."
"He was my great-grandpa though," Katie said guiltily, stealing a glance at Hermione. "I'm sorry, Gran."
"It's okay Katie," Hermione hugged her granddaughter. "You're young, it's understandable. No one's upset that you can't remember him."
"What do you remember most about him, Gran?" Katie asked.
Hermione smiled at her as she and Ashley came closer. "I always remember what he was like when I was younger. When he used to read to me, or when I'd bring home marks from school. He was always very proud of me and Lavender."
"He didn't like Grandpa, did he?" Ashley asked. "Aunt Saffy told me."
Saffron blushed. "I didn't tell them that, Mum!"
Harry laughed. "We didn't exactly start off on the right foot, but we worked it all out. Robert was a fantastic man and he couldn't have been a better father in law."
"You used to sneak Grandma out of the house," Katie said. "That was bad, Grandpa."
"The cabin," Hermione corrected.
"Very, very bad," Katie said folding her arms and shooting her grandfather a disappointed look.
"You look just like your Great-Grandpa when you do that," Harry said.
"I do?" Katie asked.
Harry nodded. "And you're right, sweetheart. I shouldn't have snuck your grandma out of the cabin like that."
"We should get going," Nick said. "Elinore's expecting us at seven right?"
"Right," Hermione nodded. "Everyone ready?"
Ashley gripped her mother's hand. "I don't really like going by portkey," she said.
"I'll hold your hand the entire time," Julie said reassuringly. "I won't let go."
"Okay," Ashley said gratefully.
"What are we using, Dad?" Saffron asked.
Harry held up an old paper towel roll. "Everyone grab on."
"Okay," Hermione said as they all huddled close together.
Several minutes later they all found themselves in Elinore's sitting room. Ethan, Maddie, Seamus, Lavender and Gabriel were already there sitting on the sofas.
"How you guys holding up?" Ethan asked getting up to hug his mother.
"We're doing all right," Hermione replied. "I'm glad you and Maddie were able to make it."
"We wouldn't have missed it," Ethan said.
"Saffy, you look gorgeous as always," Maddie said giving her future sister-in-law a hug.
"Thanks Maddie," Saffron said. "You do too."
"Where's Gran?" Julie asked.
"Upstairs," Ethan told his sister. "Getting ready."
Hermione looked around the house she'd grown up in and couldn't shake the feeling that her father would come walking down those stairs at any moment. She closed her eyes and could just picture him doing just that.
***
There she was on the sofa barely nine years old with a book on her lap bigger than she was. Lavender had been invited to their next door neighbour's birthday party and she hadn't. She tried to act like it didn't bother her, but it had.
"What are you reading, Princess?" her father asked.
"Just a book Daddy," Hermione answered.
Robert sat down beside her. "Lavender promised she'd bring you a piece of birthday cake."
"She'll probably forget," Hermione said quietly.
"If she does, I'll take you to the corner bakery," he said brushing some hair behind her ear. "Just you and me."
"Promise?" Hermione's eyes lit up. "We can have chocolate cake there?"
Robert laughed and nodded. "Biggest piece they have."
She hugged her father tightly. "You're the best Daddy."
"That's because I have the best little girl in the whole world," he said softly. "And don't you let this get you down. If little Rebecca Walden doesn't want to invite you to her birthday party, that's her loss. I can't imagine going to any party where my little Hermione couldn't go."
His words made Hermione feel a lot better. "I bet it's not very fun," she agreed. "All Rebecca likes to do is play dress up."
"I think that explains why she gets along so well with Lavender," Robert said.
Hermione giggled. "I'd rather read my book." she lifted it so her father could see the title.
"You've been in my study again," Robert teased tweaking her nose.
"I like your books in there," Hermione grinned at him. "They're more fun than those magazines that Lavender leaves around here."
"A girl after my own heart," he said smiling at her. "How about we go ahead and go to the bakery? Just you and me? And then we can pop into the museum..."
"Really?" Hermione's eyes lit up again. "That sounds like loads of fun!"
"I'll just go and tell your mum and then we can go," Robert said getting to his feet.
***
"He always knew how to make me feel better," Hermione said softly.
"What?" Harry asked.
Hermione broke out of her reverie and turned to look at her husband. "Just remembering Dad is all."
Harry squeezed her hand reassuringly as Elinore came downstairs.
"How you doing, Gran?" Julie asked.
Elinore reached for her granddaughter. "I've had better days," she admitted.
"You look really pretty Gran," Ashley said trying not to cry.
"Thank you sweetheart," Elinore smiled at her. "Come give me a hug, both you girls."
Ashley and Katie quickly stood up and walked over to her and Elinore enveloped them in a big hug.
Saffron bit her lower lip as her eye caught a photo of herself with Robert, both of them grinning like crazy while she swung a golf club.
"I like that picture of you," Andrew said from her side.
"I was around seven," Saffron said picking it up and touching the glass. "I tagged along with my dad and Grandpa one afternoon...."
***
"Stand back, Saffy," Harry said as he set his ball on the tee.
"Hit it hard, Daddy!" she said clapping her hands enthusiastically.
"That'll be the day," Robert said under his breath.
"Hey," Harry pointed his club at Robert. "I'll have you know I've gotten loads better."
"I didn't say anything," Robert said innocently. Saffron stood beside her grandfather and watched as her father positioned himself. She crossed her fingers as he hit the ball.
"....and there it goes in the sand trap," Robert said dryly.
"Damn it," Harry cursed.
"Bad word," Saffron chastised pointing her finger at him.
"I do love this game," Robert chuckled.
Harry grumbled as he stepped away from the tee.
"Daddy I think Grandpa's better than you," Saffron said innocently.
Robert beamed at her. "And I do love that little girl!"
Harry rolled his eyes as he went back to the cart to get a bottle of water. Robert busied himself writing something on the scorecard. Saffron looked at her father's discarded club and making sure neither her grandfather or dad were watching, she tiptoed over and picked it up.
She grabbed one of the white balls and placed it on the tee just like she'd seen her father and grandfather do.
"You know what your problem is," Robert said turning to lecture his son-in-law. "It's that you think too much..."
"I just want to hit the ball right," Harry argued.
"That's your problem right there," Robert said as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.
Harry shrugged and looked up to see his daughter about to hit the ball. "Saffy---"
Robert held his hand out to stop Harry and they both watched in awe as Saffron swung.
"I hit it!" Saffron squealed happily. "Look Daddy! Look Grandpa!"
Robert's jaw dropped. "She---she hit it on the green..."
"Damn..." Harry said in awe.
Robert kneeled down in front of her. "Sweetheart, how did you do that?"
"I just hit the ball," Saffron explained. "Did I do good?"
"Did you do good?" Robert asked as he picked her up. "Sweetheart, look at how far you hit that ball!"
"Wow," Saffron giggled, obviously pleased with herself.
"You obviously didn't get this from your father," Robert said with a grin.
"Saffy that was fantastic," Harry said.
"You're not mad?" Saffron asked. "That I did better than you?"
"Of course not," Harry chuckled.
"Did Ethan ever hit it that far?" Saffron asked eagerly.
"Ethan's never played," Harry replied, setting up another ball for her.
Saffron's smile grew even larger. "I'm better than Ethan!"
Harry laughed. "I'd wager you are sweetheart."
"Let's see if you can do it again," Robert said setting her back down. "Hit it just like you did before, Saffy."
"Okay Grandpa," Saffron agreed.
Harry and Robert stood back.
"She's going to do it again," Robert whispered.
Saffron concentrated and just like before, she hit the ball and it soared into the air.
Another group of golfers who were driving by in their own cart, stopped and watched as the little girl's ball again hit the green.
"How old is she?" a woman asked.
"Seven," Robert said proudly. "That's my granddaughter!"
"Fantastic," Harry said proudly. "Saffy you're excellent at this!"
Saffron dropped the club and ran toward her father. "I like this game."
"I bet you do," Harry laughed.
"Saffron Grace," Robert beamed. "I'm taking you to the pro shop and getting you your own set of clubs!"
"Robert," Harry said shaking his head. "She's too young---"
"Nonsense," Robert waved him off. "You like playing right Saffy?"
Saffron nodded.
"She's a prodigy," Robert said happily.
"My seven-year old is better at this than me," Harry said shaking his head.
"And better than Ethan," Saffron said gleefully.
***
Ethan nudged his little sister. "You just love that, don't you?"
"Too much," Saffron said with a tiny smile.
"She hasn't played since---" Hermione said but her voice trailed off.
"You should play," Elinore told her youngest granddaughter. "Saffy, you're so good at it."
"I know," Saffron replied. "I just haven't really felt the drive to play since Grandpa's been... gone."
"I'd love to go sometime," Ethan offered. "You can show me up and everything."
"I might hold you to that," Saffron knew her brother was trying to make her feel better.
"Maybe you can teach me as well," Andrew said. "I've wanted to learn how to play for awhile now."
"You can't do it on a broom," Ethan warned. "Which is one of the worst things about it."
Andrew grinned. "I'll survive somehow."
"Gran, is this you?" Katie asked picking up an old photo of a couple in wedding clothes.
"That's me and Robert on our wedding day," Elinore said fondly. "He was so handsome..."
"I love your dress," Katie said softly.
"Thank you dear," Elinore stroked the young girl's hair back.
"Uncle Robert said he'd never seen anything more beautiful," Lavender said smiling at her aunt.
"That's right," Hermione echoed.
Elinore set the picture back down and looked around the room at her family. "I'm so happy that you're all here today. I couldn't have made it through this last year without you. Family---family was always important to Robert. Because of him, I have all of you..."
Lavender and Hermione moved beside her. "And we're glad that we still have you," Hermione said to her mother.
"My girls," Elinore said smiling at both of them.
"We should head over to the cemetery," Harry said. "That little chapel said that we've got it from eight to half past and then we'll all go out for something to eat."
Saffron took her grandmother's hand. "You ready?"
"I'm ready now that you're all here," Elinore said, comforted by her family's presence.
Seamus had arranged for two cars to carry them all to the cemetery. Saffron sat beside her grandmother holding her hand the entire time.
"I think it's great that you've been there for her through all this," Andrew told his girlfriend after the small ceremony was over and they were headed for Robert's gravesite.
"I've always been really close to them," Saffron confided. "And I feel bad for not being here more for her."
"From what RJ told me, you were there for them a lot," Andrew said supportively.
"She needs me though and I let her down," Saffron said looking down at the ground. "I was too worried about my marks or the team...."
"You did not let her down," Andrew pulled her aside. "Saffy you're amazing. You're there for so many people when they need you."
She shook her head and felt fresh tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm going to be a better granddaughter starting today."
Andrew stroked her cheek. "Whatever makes you feel better..." he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. "Thought you might need this today."
"Thanks," she said gratefully taking it and wiping her eyes. "I wish you could have met him, Andrew. He would have liked you."
"Of course he would have," Andrew teased gently. "I'm such a likeable bloke, remember?"
Saffron realised what he was trying to do. "Yes you are."
"I'm here for you today," Andrew told her seriously. "Whatever you need me to do, all right?"
Saffron hugged him and rested her head on his shoulder. "You're here for me always."
"Guess I just love you too much," Andrew kissed the side of her head. "Not that it's a bad thing..."
Saffron smiled up at him. "Not bad at all."
She looked ahead and saw her family gathering around Robert's grave and she pulled on Andrew's hand. "They're waiting..."
"It'll be all right," Andrew said to her.
"I hope so," Saffron whispered.
Harry saw his daughter and her boyfriend join them as his wife reached for his arm.
"Robert Granger and I didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things," Harry began. "But we were alike in many ways..."
Seamus smiled. "I'm just glad he always liked me," he joked gently.
Lavender nudged him.
"Yes, well he never knew that you used magic on the golf course," Harry said.
"Grandpa was the best," Saffron said loyally, reaching for Ashley's hand as her niece began to cry in earnest. "He always made time for all of us, no matter what."
Ethan nodded. "And he was one of the strongest people I'd ever met. Even when he had that first heart attack, you could see how important it was for him to recover and get back to how he was before."
"That's a wonderful way of putting it," Hermione said gratefully to her son. "Thank you."
"If Robert could---" Elinore started to say, but her words were cut off when she started to cry.
"Mum," Hermione rushed to her mother's side.
Elinore shook her head. "Most days, I don't want to get out of bed, actually. I see all of you getting on with your lives and I see so much of what Robert and I had in so much of all of you..."
"That's understandable Aunt Elinore," Lavender reached for her aunt's hand. "He was your husband, the love of your life."
"It doesn't get any easier," Elinore said looking at Lavender. "I'm trying..."
"Just know that we're always here for you Elinore," Harry said. "All of us."
Elinore nodded and received a warm hug from Lavender.
Gabriel stood beside his father and he could definitely relate to what they were all feeling. Not a day had gone by that he'd not thought of his mother and how much he missed her.
Saffron noticed the faraway look in his eyes. "You all right Gabe?" she asked softly.
Gabriel nodded. "Yeah, I was just thinking about my mum."
Saffron nodded. "It's really nice that you came today. I know my Gran really appreciates it."
"Family, right?" he said smiling at her.
"Right," she reached for his hand and squeezed it. "You're stuck with us now you know."
Gabriel smiled at her. "Thanks for being so great to me, Saf. It really meant a lot to me."
"You're a cool guy Gabe," Saffron said as Andrew moved away to talk to her father. "I'm really glad you came over here."
"Me too," Gabriel said. "And I hope you'll come and see me in LA, too."
"Definitely," Saffron agreed. "I'm glad you and Andrew are here today. It's made things a little bit more bearable." she looked over at her grandfather's plot. "Sometimes I still don't want to believe, he's gone, you know? I think I'm going to pick up the phone and hear his voice, or ring him up for an impromptu game of golf."
Gabriel knew all too well what she was going through. "Lavender said you were really close to them. It's kind of like how I am with my grandparents."
"You're lucky to still have both of them," Saffron wrapped her arms around herself. "I mean, I still consider myself lucky to have my Gran of course... she's fantastic."
"What about your dad's parents?" Gabriel asked. "Are you close to them?"
Saffron shook her head. "They died when he was a year old. None of us ever knew them."
"Oh," Gabriel said. "I'm sorry...."
"It's all right," Saffron said. "I've got my parents here and that makes me happy."
"And your sister and brother," Gabriel said.
"Sometimes my brother," Saffron smiled a bit. "Although when it comes down to it, the difference in our ages makes it easier for us to get along."
Gabriel laughed. "I imagine if you were a little closer in age, you might be like your nieces."
That made Saffron laugh. "Merlin forbid..."
To their credit though, Ashley and Katie had managed to call a small cease fire and neither of them had said a disparaging word all day. Ashley knelt down beside her great-grandfather's grave and touched the headstone.
"Hi, Grandpa," she said softly. "I miss you every single day and I hope that wherever you are...you're happy and not feeling bad."
Katie knelt down beside her sister. "And maybe Grandpa's mummy and daddy can look out for you. What were their names, Grandpa?"
"I forget what they were," Ashley reached for her sister's hand.
"James and Lily Potter," Julie said from behind them.
"Right," Ashley nodded. "Thanks Mummy."
"Wouldn't it be cool if Grandpa Robert was up in heaven right now playing golf with Grandpa James and Grandma Lily?" Katie asked her older sister.
"I bet they have the biggest golf course ever," Ashley agreed. "And Grandpa Robert would probably beat everyone."
Katie smiled. "And he can eat all that food Grandma Ellie never let him eat." Her smile grew larger and she turned excitedly to look at her parents. "Mummy! I remembered him!"
"Yes you did," Nick scooped her up. "I knew you would Katie Bear."
Maddie leaned against Ethan. "I can't imagine what this has been like for your Grandma."
"It's been hard for all of us," he said. "But especially her. I never feel like I do enough for her."
"We've been so busy with the wedding plans," Maddie said guiltily.
"We'll make sure she has a great time at our wedding," Ethan said determinedly.
"I hope she does," Maddie said smiling at him.
Ethan tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm lucky to have you Mads."
"I hope we'll be as happy as your grandparents were," she said smiling up at him.
"I like to think we already are," Ethan slid an arm around her.
"We are," she said resting her head on his shoulder.
Ethan kissed the side of her head as they watched Hermione sit down with Elinore.
"Mum?" Hermione asked gently. "I know today was really hard for you...."
"I miss your father so much," Elinore clutched a soggy tissue.
Hermione put an arm around her. "Oh, Mum..."
"I don't know what I'd do without you," Elinore said. "Or Lavender... or Harry or any of the kids..."
"You're never going to have to find that out," Hermione said. "Mum, we're not going anywhere."
"Thank you sweetheart," Elinore hugged her daughter tightly. "I love you so much Hermione. You've always been such a special girl."
"I think you and Dad had a hand in that," Hermione said as her own tears fell down her face.
Elinore smiled tearfully at her daughter and niece. "You're both special, wonderful girls who turned into beautiful, talented women."
"And we became best friends," Lavender said grinning at her cousin. "Uncle Robert always said we would someday, didn't he?"
"He really knew what he was talking about," Hermione smiled back
"He loved being right," Elinore said smiling for the first time that day.
"That he did," Hermione said. "Especially when it came to driving my husband mad."
"That's MY job," Lavender said proudly.
"That too," Hermione said as Elinore hugged them both again. "Mum, why don't you come back with us to the beach house- we'll only be there a few more days... and it'll be good for you to get away and be around family."
"You already have enough people there," Elinore said shaking her head.
"Nonsense," Hermione replied. "We'd love to have you there."
Elinore looked thoughtfully at her niece and daughter. "Okay, I'd like that."
"Great," Hermione beamed. "Lav and I will go back and help you pack a few things."
"Gran's coming back with us?" Saffron asked.
"Aye," Hermione nodded. "For the rest of the holiday."
Saffron hugged her grandmother. "I cannot wait to take you out on the boat."
"Oh I don't know about that," Elinore said as they got up. "I think I'm a bit old to be tossing around out there."
"Well maybe you'd like going for one of our walks," Saffron said smiling as she linked arms with her grandmother. "Like we used to do."
"I'd love that," Elinore hugged her granddaughter to her. "You're my girl Saffy."
"Are you ready to go for a bite to eat, Elinore?" Harry asked joining them.
Elinore nodded. "I think so, yes. I only nibbled at breakfast this morning."
Julie stepped forward. "How about you all go on ahead? Give me and Ethan and Saffy a few moments? There's something we need to do."
"Sure," Harry nodded at his children. "We'll meet you back by the chapel."
Julie nodded and she watched with her younger sister and brother as everyone departed leaving them alone.
"We've all been so busy the last couple of months," Julie said to them. "I just thought it'd be nice if we just had a moment, just the three of us..."
Saffron nodded. "Good idea Julie."
"I'm ashamed that I haven't been out here more often," Ethan admitted. "And I didn't go and see him and Gran nearly often enough as I should have...and now he's gone and I feel like I'm making the same mistakes with Gran."
"Maybe we all need to make sure we spend time with her at least a few times a month," Julie said thoughtfully. "And Saffy- you know how much she loves getting letters from you- since you're at school and can't see her unless you're on holiday."
Saffron nodded. "I'll write to her every week from now on."
The three siblings stood close together and looked down at Robert's name etched into the stone. "I really miss him a lot," Saffron whimpered.
Ethan put his arm around his youngest sister. "We all do, Saffy."
"Sometimes it's just hard, like today," Saffron wiped her eyes with Andrew's handkerchief as Julie wrapped her other arm around her shoulders. "But I want to be strong for Gran at the same time."
"That's why I figured it'd be nice for the three of us to have this time," Julie said. "Today, I just had all these memories of being with him, you know? And being in that house..."
Ethan nodded. "It was the same way for me."
"We're really lucky," Saffron said thoughtfully. "Aren't we?"
"To have each other?" Ethan asked. "Definitely."
"I think about what I said to dad at the beginning of the summer," Saffron said looking at the ground. "I'm surprised he didn't knock the stuffing out of me. I said some really terrible things to him."
"He knows you didn't mean it Saffy," Julie reassured her.
"I hope so," Saffron said softly.
"He does," Ethan said his arm still around his sister. "Come on Saf, you know you practically do no wrong in Dad's eyes."
"No, that would be you," Saffron said with a slight laugh.
"What does that make me?" Julie teased. "Chopped liver?"
"We lurve you too Jules," Ethan said grinning at her. "You were the firstborn..."
"And the completely perfect one," Julie tossed her hair, making her brother and sister laugh. "And I did teach you to swim Ethan James."
Saffron giggled. "That's right! You were scared of the water!"
"Only a little," Ethan said defensively as they began to make their way towards the chapel.
"He used to be," Julie said. "But Nick and I helped him."
Saffron shook her head. "The big bad Auror was scared of water."
"You used to be scared of the dark," Ethan said nudging her. "And don't even get me started about the time you thought some monster lived in the closet."
"Who was the one who built a fort around my crib when I was a baby?" Saffron asked. "To protect me from monsters that used to live under his bed?"
"I was eight years old, Saffron," Ethan said defensively.
Julie grinned at her siblings. "I think we were all scared of the dark and monsters at some point."
"And then we grow up," Ethan said nodding.
"Oh," Saffron said staring sideways at him. "Have you done that yet?"
"Funny Saf," Ethan cuffed his sister.
"I really do love you guys," Saffron said. "Even when I'm being a brat, or Ethan's being stupid or Jules is being superior..."
"I am not superior!" Julie exclaimed.
"You are a little bit sometimes," Ethan teased her.
"Come on, Jules," Saffron said. "I admitted I can sometimes be a brat..."
"We know that's true..." Julie replied.
"She's the baby," Ethan said mussing his little sister's hair. "She's supposed to be the brat."
"Andrew doesn't think I'm a brat," Saffron replied.
"Just like Maddie doesn't think I'm stupid," Ethan said. "And Nick probably doesn't think Julie has a superiority complex. Love is blind, Saffy."
"Obviously," Saffron answered as they joined up with the rest of the family.
Hermione glanced at her three children and felt an overwhelming feeling of pride and love. She had done a lot of things in her life, but being the mother to those three continued to be her biggest accomplishment. They were all healthy, happy and well-adjusted.
Ashley ran over to hug her mother. "What did you guys do over there?" she asked.
"We just talked," Julie said smoothing down Ashley's hair. "How are you holding up, Ash?"
"I'm okay," Ashley answered. "I'm really glad Grandma Ellie's going to come stay with us."
"Me too," Julie said looking over to where her grandmother was deep in conversation with Seamus, Lavender and Gabriel. "I think it's going to be really good for her to be with her family."
Ashley nodded. "Maybe when we get home me and Katie can even draw her some pictures."
"I don't have anything to draw with," Katie said from where she was standing with Nick.
"You can use some of my art supplies," Ashley offered.
"Really?" Katie asked. "Even some paints?"
Ashley looked thoughtfully at her little sister. "If you're really careful, sure."
"Thanks Ashley," Katie said sincerely. "I promise not to make a mess with them."
Julie put an arm around both of them. "I'm glad to see you two getting along."
"I am too," Nick said. "In fact, I think it deserves a reward later on."
Ashley and Katie grinned at each other.
"You girls pick," Julie agreed. "We can go into town for some ice cream, or go to the arcade..."
"Can we do both?" Katie asked.
"That all depends on how you two act for the rest of the day," Nick replied.
"We'll be on the bestest behaviour," Katie promised.
"Right," Ashley said. "We promise."
"Okay," Nick said smiling at his two little girls. "We'll be watching you."
"You're silly," Katie leaned against her father.
Nick tickled her side. "You're silly, Katie Bear."
Saffron watched her brother in law with her nieces and a smile crossed her lips.
"What are you grinning about?" Andrew asked joining her.
"Just happy that I've got a great family," Saffron said. "And that I've got you... Lex... Puddles..."
"You do," he said putting his arm around her. "Always."
"Are you hungry?" Harry asked his youngest daughter. "You just picked at your breakfast today..."
Saffron nodded. "Starving actually."
"Good," Harry said. "I was worried you wouldn't eat at all today."
"I'm feeling much better now," Saffron said smiling at her father. She gave him a big hug. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too sweetheart," Harry kissed the top of her head. "Very, very much."
"Even when I'm being bratty?" she asked smiling up at him.
"Oh yes," Harry teased. "You're like your old man."
"You don't look old, Mr. Potter," Andrew said. "In fact, you look quite young for your age..."
"Thank you Andrew," Harry smiled.
"He's sucking up, Harry," Seamus teased. "He doesn't mean it."
"I do," Andrew nodded quickly.
"Andrew's a good kid," Harry said winking at his daughter.
"Thank you sir," Andrew replied as Saffron squeezed his hand.
"Reminds me a bit of how you used to act around Hermione's dad when you were trying to get in with her old man," Seamus grinned.
"No Robert finally accepted me when he saw how bad I was at golf," Harry said.
"I'm rubbish at it, if that helps you any," Andrew said. "I've never played before...ever."
"I'll teach you a few things," Saffron promised as they all left the cemetery. She couldn't help but sneak a look back at her grandfather's headstone.
"I love you, Grandpa," she said softly before hurrying to catch up with her family.