Authors' Note: Here's the promised Jon/Josh flashback! We hope you enjoy it!
As summer came to a close, Josh was starting to work on his next book. He was going to use the time to work at home and spend time with the triplets. Josh was always one for schedules and he'd planned out his day by saying he'd work for a couple of hours after getting up and then he'd feed the babies and while they played, he'd work some more. There was no reason to think that wouldn't work perfectly. That was how he'd written the last book.
Of course, the triplets had been babies then and spent most of their time sleeping.
"DADDY!" Casey shrieked. "No-ah Daddy!"
Josh pushed back from his desk chair and turned around to see his daughter standing in the doorway.
"What's wrong, Case?" Josh asked.
"No-ah," Casey's lower lip was trembling. "Mean!"
Josh crossed the room and picked her up. He'd left the three of them in their nursery happily playing just a few minutes ago. "What did he do?"
Casey let out a little choked sob. "My bear."
"Let's go and get it back from him," Josh said patting her back in a comforting fashion.
"Kay," Casey rested her head on his shoulder. "Love Daddy."
"I love you too, baby," Josh said softly.
He carried her into the nursery where Aidan and Noah were playing with Casey's teddy bear.
"Boys," Josh said. "Let Casey have her bear back."
"MINE!" Aidan exclaimed hugging it to him.
"That's Casey's," Josh said firmly. "You boys have your own bears."
"GIVE BACK!" Casey screamed right in Josh's ear.
Josh winced. "Case... calm down baby. Aidan, please give your sister her bear and Daddy will go find yours."
Noah toddled over to his father and kicked him hard on the shin. "NO!"
"Ow!" Josh had to set Casey down. "Noah! That's very bad! You're going to have a time out in your crib."
Casey reached for the bear, but Aidan pulled it away causing Casey to fall on her bum.
Casey began to howl at the top of her lungs, as did Noah as Josh set him in his crib.
Josh put his head in his hands. He'd thought this would be easy. No matter what he did here, all three of them would be angry and upset.
"Josh?" Ron asked tapping on the door. "Son, I've been ringing the bell for about ten minutes. Didn't you hear?"
"Over this?" Josh asked, looking up
"Gampa, Daddy mean!" Casey exclaimed pointing at Josh.
"What?" Ron crouched down. "Why is your daddy mean?"
Casey shook her head and threw her arms around Ron's neck.
"There needs to be three of me," Josh said with a sigh. "One for each of them."
"You're doing all right," Ron said, patting Casey's back. "I was the same way with you and Jon."
"We weren't THIS bad," Josh said shaking his head.
Ron chortled. "You want to bet?"
"Jon maybe, but not me," Josh said defensively.
Ron sat down in the rocking chair with Casey. "Let me just tell you a story about your Uncle Jon and your daddy when they were about your age..."
***
It was the first weekend Ron ever had to care for his sons by himself. Luna was away on an assignment until Sunday evening.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Molly asked. She'd dropped off a casserole for him and the twins.
"Nah," Ron said. "How hard could it be?"
"You can owl me if you need anything, Ronald," Molly said giving him a hug.
"Thanks Mum," Ron resisted the urge to ask for biscuits. "We'll be all right."
Molly gave her two grandsons a big hug. "You boys be good for your Daddy," she cooed.
"Bye! Bye!" Jon said waving at her.
"Bye Gamma," Josh wagged his hand too. Of the two boys, he was a little more articulate than his brother.
"The boys and I are going to have a good time," Ron assured his mother.
"Da!" Jon pushed himself up.
Molly grinned. "Good luck, boys."
"Byeeeeeee," Josh said, throwing himself at Ron's legs.
Molly gave her son one last look before she Apparated away.
Ron tousled Josh's hair. "Okay, boys. I say we eat first."
"Eat," Jon nodded. "Eat oodle."
"No noodles tonight," Ron said. "Your nana has made you both a really good casserole with chicken and vegetables..."
"Yuck," Josh said, making a face. "Want oodles."
"You love chicken casserole," Ron said. "Let's get you in your chairs..."
Josh kicked out his legs. "NO!!!" he howled.
Ron struggled with him. "Calm down, Joshie. Hang on..."
"No want!" Jon banged his little fist on the floor. "Want oodle!"
Ron wasn't going to make them eat the casserole. "Okay....fine. I'll make some noodles, but you don't know what you're missing out on."
"Down," Josh kicked at his chair. "Down!"
"Okay, you two can play while I make some noodles," Ron said setting Josh down on the floor. "Come on, you guys. We're going to have a boy's weekend, right?"
Josh looked up at his father for a few minutes before glancing over at his brother.
Jon picked up one of the toy trucks that his Grandpa Ernie had given him and Josh. "Vroom!'
"Vroom," Josh echoed, reaching for another truck.
Ron smiled at them. Crisis averted, he thought to himself. He walked over to the pantry and pulled out a box of noodles. Truth be told, he was kind of glad he wouldn't have to share his mother's casserole with his sons. "More for me," he said with a grin.
"More!" Jon shoved the truck towards Ron's foot as he backed up, stepping on it.
"Da!" Jon frowned.
"Whoa!" Ron wobbled dangerously for a second.
Josh wheeled his truck in Ron's direction. "Vroooooooooom!"
"Boys!" Ron was glad his hands weren't full. "What are you trying to do to Daddy?"
Josh laughed and tugged on Ron's leg. "Joos?"
"What's that?" Ron asked. "You want some juice?"
Josh shook his head. "See Joos!"
"Joos?" Ron asked. "Oh... Jules. You want to see Julie!"
Josh nodded and clapped his hands. "Joos!"
"Joos," Jon echoed, slamming the toy truck repeatedly on the floor.
"Stop that, Jonathan," Ron said. "And as for Julie, she's at home with Aunt Hermione and Uncle Harry."
"Joos NOW!" Josh demanded.
Ron looked down at him. "Let's finish those noodles, eh?"
"NOW!" Josh hollered.
Ron didn't notice that the water was starting to boil behind him on the stove.
"Da!" Jon pointed.
"Just a minute, Jon," Ron said. "Joshua...you know that you cannot yell like that..."
"Da! Look!" Jon pointed.
"Jonathan," Ron said sternly. "I'm talking to your bro--"
Jon pointed again. "Mess!"
"What?" Ron spun around. "SHIT!"
He turned off the burner and reached for a rag to mop up the water.
"Shit," Josh echoed.
"Hey!" Ron spun around. "Joshua Lawrence Weasley, you do not say that!"
"Shit, shit, shit," Josh sing-songed.
"Joshua!" Ron said sternly. "Stop that right now!"
Josh nodded and sank down onto the floor.
Ron sighed. "Okay, I'm just going to clean this up and we'll start over...right, Jon? Jon?"
He turned around, but Jon was nowhere to be found. "Jonathan!"
The little boy, meanwhile, had gone into the sitting room and was currently trying to tug down his box of blocks from a higher shelf on the book case.
"Mmmph," Jon said reaching for the box, but it was out of reach. He looked up at the shelf for a few moments before deciding to climb up there to get them.
He pulled himself onto the bottom shelf, not noticing as a few loose trinkets fell to the floor.
Paddington looked up from his perch on the sofa.
"Shhhh, Paddy!" Jon whispered.
The dog pushed himself off the sofa and nudged Jon with his nose.
"Jonathan!" Ron called out. "Where are you?"
"No tell, Paddy," Jon shook his head as he pulled himself up on another shelf.
Ron looked in his and Luna's bedroom and then in the nursery. His son wasn't there. "Where is your brother?" Ron asked Josh.
"Don't know?" Josh raised his little hands.
"He's almost two," Ron reasoned. "He couldn't have gone far."
"There?" Josh pointed to the loo.
"Let's look," Ron said.
Meanwhile, Jon had gotten up about four shelves and was reaching for his box of blocks.
He had his hands on the box and he gave one last tug.
"Daddy!" Jon called as he began to topple backwards.
Ron heard Jon call out for him and he ran into the sitting room. "Jonathan!"
Ron set Josh down but not before Jon toppled backwards, luckily his fall was cushioned by Paddington, who had situated himself beneath the toddler. The same could not be said for the room, which was in complete disarray.
"Oooooh!" Jon said surprised at what had happened.
Ron sighed. "Jonathan Arthur, what did you do?"
"Fall," Jon replied innocently.
"Mess!" Josh said happily, kicking the blocks across the room.
Ron sank down onto the sofa. "Luna doesn't come back for two whole days."
"Miss Mummy," Jon said at the sound of his mother's name.
"Me too," Ron said morosely. "Me too."
"Want Mummy," Josh threw a block at the window.
"Me too," Ron said picking up a block and throwing it.
"Throw!" Jon whipped one as well.
"What in the world?" a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Mama!" Jon exclaimed scrambling to his feet.
"Luna, what are you doing here?" Ron asked.
Luna looked around the sitting room. "It looks like something blew up in here...."
"We um... had a little accident," Ron said sheepishly. "But what are you doing home?"
"I missed my boys," Luna said as Jon and Josh toddled over to her.
"We all missed you too," Ron said, relieved that she was home.
Luna gave the twins a hug. "I missed you soooooo much!"
"Mess, Mummy!" Josh said happily.
"I can see that," Luna said kissing his cheek.
"Fell down," Jon chimed in.
"He climbed the bookcase," Ron said wearily. "I burned water. I don't' know why I thought I could do this alone."
Luna carried the boys back over to the sofa and sat down with them. "Ronald, you did fine. I mean, I was kind of expecting the house to be burned down..."
"Gee thanks," Ron said sarcastically.
"I'm kidding," Luna said leaning in and giving him a kiss. "You're a great father."
"Love Dada," Josh climbed over to him,
"Thanks, Josh," Ron said hugging him. "I love you, too, mate."
***
"See?" Josh said. "Jon caused much more trouble than I did."
"Yes, but you both nearly drove me crazy that weekend," Ron pointed out. He looked down to see that Casey was fast asleep. "And I apparently bored your little girl..."
"Thank goodness," Josh said ruefully. "Aidan's the only one awake now." Noah had also fallen asleep in his crib.
"You're going to have your hands full," Ron said. "But you knew that..."
"Yeah," Josh nodded. "And I wouldn't trade it for anything..."
"You're a good dad, Josh," Ron said grinning at his son.
"I try," Josh sat down next to Aidan. "Do you want to take a kip?"
Aidan shook his head. "Read?"
"We can read," Josh nodded. "Why don't you show Grandpa your favourite book?"
Aidan nodded and went over to the bookshelf. He pulled out a blue book and handed it to Ron. Ron took it gingerly trying not to wake Casey.
"The Cat in the Hat?" Ron asked.
"We can go in the sitting room and read there," Josh said with a grin.
"Kay," Aidan said happily.
Ron grinned. "Let's put Case down first."
Josh picked up his son as Ron gently laid Casey in her bed. "Sleep tight sweetheart," he said softly.
"Love Daddy," Aidan said resting his head on Josh's shoulder.
"I love you too buddy," Josh said, happy now that he was able to spend time with his children this way.
*** *** ***
Ashley had been at Hogwarts for a little over a month now and was loving every minute of it. Much to her surprise and delight, she had been sorted into Gryffindor with her aunt and Alexa. During the weekends, while the weather was still nice, Ashley would go outside and draw as many pictures of the castle from different angles as she could.
Saffron was throwing herself into her position as Head Girl and was also juggling her role as Quidditch captain. She was in the middle of holding tryouts and Alexa was watching from the stands.
"Okay," she said briskly. She had decided to keep on Imelda from before without even making her try out and the two of them were standing together. "What should we try out first? Keeper?"
"I think so," Imelda replied. "How many people are trying out for that position?"
"Four," Saffron consulted her sign up sheet.
"Parker's trying out?" Imelda asked rolling her eyes. "He can barely stay on a broom!"
"I know," Saffron sighed. "The joys of being the only pros, right?"
Imelda shook her head. "We're going to get creamed by Slytherin."
"No we aren't," Saffron said. "Not on my watch."
"Positive thinking," Imelda said thoughtfully. "I can do that."
Saffron smiled. "Okay....let's see...Mimi Doyle?" Mimi was trying out for Quidditch?
"Here," Mimi bounced forward.
"You hate Quidditch," Saffron pointed out. "You're always telling me what a complete and utter waste of time it is."
"Can't a girl change her mind?" Mimi asked.
Saffron looked quizzically at her friend. "Um...okay. Well, how about you show us what you can do?"
Mimi came forward. "Um... I got a lot of tips this summer," she said quietly. "From Ol-- Professor Wood. But don't tell anyone I told you, okay?"
Saffron nodded. "So you're getting used to the idea of him dating your mum?" she asked in a low voice.
"Kind of," Mimi shrugged. "It's soooooo weird just like... seeing him sitting around my house."
"I can imagine," Saffron said. "But I'm all for you taking up Quidditch, Meems."
"I just hope I can pass your tryout," Mimi replied, getting onto her broom.
"Good luck," Saffron said.
"Thanks," Mimi took off into the air and headed for the goal posts.
"Think she's going to be any good?" Imelda asked Saffron.
"I'm not sure," Saffron said. "If she's been getting instructions from one of the greatest Quidditch players in the world, she might have an advantage."
"Aaron, Thomas," Saffron said to two of the boys who were trying out. "Go up there and see if she can defend the goal."
"All right," Aaron said, taking off, Thomas following behind.
Mimi was flying back and forth between the three goals and Saffron was expecting her to let the Quaffle go straight through. Thomas threw it right at Mimi and she expertly deflected it to Saffron's surprise. There was no time to relax though as Aaron caught the ball and he too sent it hurling toward the goal.
Mimi dove for it and used the back of her broom to knock it away. Saffron recognised that move as one of Oliver Wood's classics.
"Whoa," Imelda said in an impressed tone.
"She's doing great!" Saffron was impressed.
"Unbelievable," Imelda agreed, watching as Mimi deflected every attempt by Aaron and Thomas.
"She's definitely on my list," Saffron wrote her name down. "What do you think?"
Imelda nodded and smiled at Mimi when she landed. "Great job, Doyle."
"Thanks," Mimi said breathlessly.
"I'm very impressed, Meems," Saffron said clutching her clipboard to her chest. "Does this mean Beth's going to try out for beater?"
Mimi laughed. "Hardly. She can't believe I actually wanted to try out."
Saffron laughed. "Well you did a great job. I'm really proud of you."
"Thanks, Saffy," Mimi said. She spotted the headmaster standing over by the stands. "I'll be right back."
"Say hello to your stepfather," Saffron teased before turning back to the rest of the students.
Mimi was still getting used to the idea of her mother dating Oliver Wood. It was quite bizarre to see him sitting in their kitchen or coming by to pick her mother up for a date. The divorce had taken quite a toll on her mother and Mimi was happy to see her mother smiling again.
"Excellent flying, Miss Doyle," Oliver said smiling at her.
"Thank you sir," Mimi blushed. "I mean um... am I supposed to call you Oliver here?"
"Probably not," Oliver replied. "Cheryl will be pleased when I tell her how well your tryout went."
"I hope me being friends with Saffron doesn't make everyone think she just handed me the spot if I make it," Mimi replied.
"Miss Potter takes her Quidditch seriously as everyone here knows," Oliver told her. "And if you make the team, you can believe that it's because you earned the spot, fair and square. She's not going to put you on the team if she doesn't believe you can cut it."
Mimi blushed again, but this time with pride. "Thank you. And thanks again for those tips. I never knew playing Quidditch was more fun than watching it."
"Best sport in the world," Oliver said with a grin.
"I agree," Mimi grinned back.
From the stands, Ashley watched a few more minutes of the tryouts. She'd been working on a sketch of her aunt that she hoped to give her for Christmas. It was of Saffron flying high above the Quidditch pitch.
"Nice weather isn't it?" someone asked.
Ashley looked up to see one of the first year boys coming toward her. She hadn't had a chance to get to know her fellow first-years. Mostly she'd spent her time getting used to her classes, sketching, and eating meals with Saffron and Alexa.
"Oh... yeah." she said shyly.
The boy looked out at the Gryffindors on the pitch for a few moments before sitting down beside Ashley. "I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Zander."
"I'm Ashley," she said. "Ashley Malfoy."
"Are you trying out?" Zander asked.
"No," Ashley shook her head. "I don't think first year students are allowed to."
"Harry Potter was," Zander said and then laughed. "But, of course, you'd know that."
"Right," Ashley blushed. "He's my grandfather."
She was used to people trying to be her friend because of who her father was or who her grandfather was. She hoped that this wasn't the case. Ashley waited for him to ask her about her father's latest tour or her grandfather's battle against Voldemort. But, he didn't.
"I'd try out, but I'm complete rubbish," he said.
"Maybe you should take some lessons during summer hols," Ashley said.
"Maybe," Zander said leaning back on his elbows. "What were you drawing?"
Ashley blushed again. "Just a picture," she said shyly.
"Can I see?" Zander asked.
"Promise you won't laugh?" she asked uncertainly.
"I promise," Zander said. "I'm not one to judge, Ashley. I can't even draw a stick figure."
Ashley smiled and held out her sketchbook.
Zander opened the first page and grinned. "That's the castle!"
"Yeah," Ashley said. "I've been drawing it every chance I get."
Zander looked at the next six pages which were all different angles of the castle.
"These are really, really good," Zander complimented her.
"Thanks," Ashley said proudly. "I love to draw. I never want to do anything other than be an artist."
Zander handed the sketchbook back to her. "I wish I knew what I wanted to do."
"We're only eleven," Ashley said. "You've got loads of time to figure it out."
"That's what my mum and dad say," Zander said.
He and Ashley watched the tryouts for a few moments and Ashley stifled a laugh as she watched her aunt chastise one of the students.
"She's intense," Zander commented. "Remind me to never get on her bad side."
"Aunt Saffy's not so bad," Ashley said thoughtfully. "She's really sweet, but only when she's not mad at you."
Zander laughed. "Again, remind me never to get on her bad side."
Ashley giggled. "I'll tell her to take it easy on you if you do make her mad."
He grinned at her. "Thanks, Ash."
"Hey Zander," a girl with long dark hair was climbing up the seats. "What're you doing?"
"Hey Brit," Zander greeted her. "Just talking."
"About what?" Brittany asked sitting down beside him.
"This is Ashley," Zander introduced. "Ash, this is Brittany Murray."
"Hi," Ashley said shyly. She recognised the girl from her dormitory, although they hadn't spoken.
"We live in the same dorm, Zander," Brittany laughed. "I know who she is."
Zander made a goofy face at her. "I wasn't sure if you two knew each other or not."
"Ashley lucked out and got the bed beside the door," Brittany told him. "I have to sleep beside Corinne who snores."
"She is pretty loud," Ashley agreed.
Brittany smiled. "Thank you. I tried to tell her that."
"Maybe I can ask my aunt about silencing charms?" Ashley suggested. "Or maybe she can come up and put one on Corinne's bed."
"You'd do that?" Brittany asked. "Thanks..."
"Sure," Ashley replied with a shy smile.
"Brit," Zander sat up. "You should see how good Ash is at drawing."
"Oooh, can I?" Brittany asked eagerly.
Ashley was still uncertain about so many people wanting to see her work but she handed the other girl her sketchbook. "They're really not THAT great," she said self consciously.
"She's lying," Zander said. "They're fantastic."
"Oh my gosh," Brittany was wide eyed. "You drew that? For real?"
Ashley nodded. "I told you..."
"This is amazing!" Brittany was highly impressed. "I mean, they look just like pictures!"
Ashley blushed. "You really think so?"
"Definitely," Brittany looked through the rest of the book. "You should see my stick people. They're awesome."
Ashley giggled. "We'll have to see them sometime."
"Definitely," Brittany smiled at her.
"So did you two know each other before you came here?" Ashley asked.
"You could say that," Brittany rolled her eyes playfully. "He's my cousin."
"Oh," Ashley replied. "That's cool. You knew someone already."
"It helped," Zander replied. "And you're all in with the older crowd." he teased.
Ashley blushed again. "Well, it's just my aunt and her best friend. They've been looking out for me."
"It's still pretty cool," Brittany brushed her hair out of her eyes. "I mean, Saffron IS Head Girl. And Alexa's really, really nice."
"She is," Ashley agreed.
"Would you want to eat dinner with us?" Zander asked.
At first, Ashley wasn't sure she heard right. "You want me to have dinner with you?" she repeated.
"Absolutely," Zander replied.
"Okay," Ashley said, with a flutter of excitement. These people wanted to be her friends- and not for who her family was! They had not once asked her anything about her father or grandfather.
"Great," Zander smiled at her.
"Thanks," Ashley smiled shyly at them.
"We should get back to the castle," Brittany said. "I wanted to work on my Charms essay before dinner."
Ashley tucked her sketchbook into her bag. She'd wanted to stay and watch more of the tryouts, but she wanted more to spend time with her new friends. "Okay." she agreed.
"I just want to say goodbye to my aunt," she said. "Can you wait for me?"
Zander nodded. "Sure."
"Thanks," Ashley headed down towards the field.
Saffron was going over some things with Imelda when Ashley tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Ash."
"I just wanted to let you know I'm going back to the castle," Ashley told her. "Um... I met a few people and we're going to do homework before dinner."
Saffron grinned. "That's great, Ash!"
Ashley smiled. "I'm going to eat dinner with them too, I hope you won't mind if I don't sit with you and Alexa tonight..."
"Look at you," Saffron said nudging her. "I told you that you'd make friends."
"They're really nice," Ashley said, glancing back at them.
"Zander Murray," Saffron said following Ashley's gaze. "He seems like a nice bloke."
"He is," Ashley nodded. "And that's his cousin Brittany."
"Have fun," Saffron said giving her a quick hug.
"Good luck," Ashley said. "I'll see you later." she waved as she headed back to her new friends.
"Thanks," Saffron said watching her niece for a few moments before returning her attention to the tryouts.
"No way," one of the boys was saying. "This is going to be Andrew Kirke's year."
Saffron couldn't help but perk up her ears at the name.
"I don't know," the boy's friend said. "He might not get playing time."
"Rubbish," the boy said. "He really came into his own last season."
"He did win that game against Puddlemere," the boy's friend nodded. "And I did hear he's in the starting team this year."
"Saffy?" Imelda asked. "Saffy? Hello...."
"Sorry," Saffron shook her head. "Um... next up, Beaters."
"I guess that'd be me," Imelda said grabbing her broom.
"You've already got a spot," Saffron took her arm. "Melds, you're one of the best. I already know that."
"I should try out like everyone else," Imelda argued.
"Save yourself the effort," Saffron replied. "I'm picking you for one spot."
"Saffy---" Imelda protested.
"Don't argue with me," Saffron replied. "You're a Beater. End of story."
"Okay," Imelda relented. "Thank you, Saffron."
Saffron beamed at her. "You're like my second in command here."
Imelda grinned. "I like the sound of that."
The two girls watched the students up in the air. "That one over there, he's pretty good." Saffron said. "Jack, something or other?"
"Jack Logan," Imelda said. "Yeah...he is."
"I like his style," Saffron nodded.
"He's a fifth year," Imelda said. "I think he tried out last year and didn't make it."
"He might this year," Saffron wrote something down on her clipboard.
"Look at her," Imelda pointed to a girl flying near the goalposts. "She's not too bad, either."
"Nellie MacFarlan," Saffron said. "Her great, great, great grandfather was Hamish MacFarlan. He was the captain of the Magpies a long time ago."
"Seems like great-granddad taught her a few tricks," Imelda commented.
"I think she's in," Saffron nodded.
"So," Imelda said. "That leaves us with you at Seeker; Mimi as Keeper...."
"You as a Beater," Saffron added. "I think Nellie's a bit better than Jack as the other Beater, but maybe we can see if he's any good as a Chaser, too. I like his style up there."
Imelda waved at Jack and he flew down to see what she had to say.
"You ever play Chaser, Jack?" Imelda asked him.
"Once or twice," Jack replied. "Why?"
"We'd like to try you out for that position," Saffron told him.
"As a chaser?" Jack asked uncertainly.
"There's a lot of great players here," Saffron told him. "And you're one of them. We just want to see how you do at that position, Jack."
"Okay, I guess," Jack replied.
"Off you go," Saffron said.
"I think he'll do good," Imelda's eyes followed him up into the air.
"We'll see," Saffron said thoughtfully.
It took several hours, but Saffron was glad when tryouts were over. "Okay!" she motioned for the students to gather around. "You all did great, but unfortunately we only have a few spots to fill."
Mimi hadn't realised how much she'd wanted this until she'd tried out a couple of hours ago. She knew that she wasn't as experienced as the other players here.
"Okay," Saffron looked at her clipboard. "Imelda here has one position as Beater, and the other goes to Nellie MacFarlan."
"Jack Logan, Aaron Reynolds and Thomas Patterson will be our chasers," Saffron continued. "I will be Seeker and last, but not least, playing the position of keeper will be...Mimi Doyle."
Mimi's jaw dropped. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" she shrieked.
Saffron nodded. "Congratulations to you all. I will be posting a practise schedule tomorrow morning."
Mimi was still in shock and when she looked over towards the stands, she saw Oliver Wood standing there with a proud grin.
Saffron approached her friend. "You really surprised me today, Meems."
"I did?" Mimi asked. "Really, Saffy? You didn't just pick me because we're friends?"
"You don't see me putting Alexa on here, do you?" Saffron asked her. "Meems...I want to win. I picked the best possible team. You should know that I don't play favourites."
Mimi smiled. "Thanks."
"Your parents are going to be really proud," Saffron said.
Mimi blushed. "Oliver's right over there. Um... I mean Professor Wood--"
"I can tell he's proud," Saffron said with a grin. "But I'm sure your dad is going to be excited, too."
"I-I haven't really spoken to him," Mimi admitted.
"You haven't?" Saffron asked.
"The divorce was over two years ago," Mimi told her. "They told me that they'd just grown apart, but the truth was...the truth is...my father was cheating on my mum."
Saffron gaped at her. "No way!"
Mimi nodded. "He's written to me, but I've not written him back. I just don't know how to react to that, Saffy."
"I understand," Saffron hugged her friend. "I'm sorry Meems."
"Thanks," Mimi said. "It's been hard. I haven't even told Beth about it."
"Well if you want to talk about it, I'm here," Saffron said.
"Thanks," Mimi said. "I appreciate that."
Saffron smiled at her. "Well I'll see you at practise in the morning, Doyle. Bright and early!"
"Yes, ma'am," Mimi said giving her a mock salute.
"I like that," Saffron teased. "Respect."
Mimi laughed. "Oh no. Now you'll expect me to do that every time I see you. I'd better get out of here."
"See you later," Saffron said gathering up some of the gear. She noticed a discarded magazine by a Quaffle. The smile on her face fell when she saw the cover. Quidditch Weekly's cover boy was none other than Andrew.
She sighed as she picked it up. Merlin, she missed him more than anything.
His smiling face stared up at her and she wondered if he was missing her. Probably not, she thought. He was probably on a date right now.
She was only partially right. He wasn't on a date, but he was getting ready for one.