Authors' note: Thanks for the great response on the last chapter! This is the chapter you've all been waiting for---the fallout from Jon/Allie's wedding. And at the end---there's a little something extra….
CHAPTER TWENTY
The next morning Neville retrieved the paper and brought it into the kitchen as he and his wife enjoyed breakfast. "Did you hear from Allie or Frankie?" he asked as he sat down and sipped his coffee.
Cho sadly shook her head. "Allison's still giving us the silent treatment. I thought she would have at least written to thank us for the gift. I hate this, Neville."
Neville shook his head as well. "I don't like it either. But I stand by what I've said all along. Allison took advantage of us letting her date at such a young age. I don't even think we should let Frankie do that until she's out of school."
"I just couldn't believe she'd lie to us like that," Cho said. "She's never been like this---sneaking around, lying to us. I hope someday that she realises that we did what we did because we love her."
"She will sooner or later," Neville replied, opening the paper. "Allie's a mature girl, despite all this."
Cho nodded and stood up. "You want some more coffee love?"
"Sure," Neville replied. He turned the page and his eyes bugged out.
"Here you are," Cho said handing a mug. "Neville? What is it?"
Neville's hands shook with rage. "Married yesterday in Muggle London; Allison Longbottom and Jonathan Weasley." his face turned a reddish purple in colour.
"What?" Cho asked taking the paper from her husband. "This has to be a mistake. Allie's at Hogwarts..."
Neville shook his head. "This can't be true. She wouldn't do this Cho."
Cho was speechless as she read over the names again and again. As much as she wanted it not to be true, the evidence of it was staring back at her in black and white lettering.
Neville took the paper back. "I'm going over to his flat," he snapped. "Find out for myself if this is true or not."
"I-I should come with you," Cho said quickly. She was afraid of what her husband might do if he went over there like this alone.
Neville was silent as he pulled his trainers on. "If this is true..." he said as he and his wife left the house.
Meanwhile at Jon's flat, he and Allie were just waking up.
"Good morning wife," he said sleepily.
"Morning husband," Allison smiled and gave him a light, closed mouth kiss.
"I was so scared that I'd wake up and you wouldn't be here," he said softly. "Like it was all just a dream."
"Not a dream," Allison replied. "I'm still here and we're still married."
Jon smiled and was about to kiss her again when they were both startled by the sound of a pounding on the front door.
"Bloody Josh," Jon mumbled. "Probably forgot his keys again..."
"Hurry back," Allison said as he got out of bed and put on some clothes.
"Don't you go anywhere," Jon said over his shoulder as he left the bedroom. The pounding on the door persisted and Jon shook his head and laughed.
"Okay, okay," he called back. "I need to get back to my..."
His voice trailed off as he swung open the door to reveal not Josh, but Cho and Neville Longbottom---a very angry Cho and Neville Longbottom.
Neville glared at the young man who obviously looked shocked at seeing them. "Hello Jonathan," he said coldly. "Is it true?"
Jon stared back at them unsure of what to say. He didn't know how they would have found out. "Yes, sir."
Neville hadn't expected Jon to own up to it right away. "So you pulled my daughter out of school and dragged her into London to marry her," he snapped.
"Dad it wasn't Jon's fault," Allison was standing in the doorway, fully dressed. "I agreed to it."
"Allison," Cho said pushing past her husband and walking into the flat. "What on earth possessed you to do this?"
"I love him," Allison said, crossing her arms. "If you think out of sight out of mind is working you're both quite mistaken."
"But you're so young," Cho said tears welling up in her eyes. An alarming thought came into her mind and she almost didn't dare voice it. "Please tell me that you're not pregnant..."
"I'm not," Allison replied. "Don't worry, I'm not going to be the first to make you both grandparents." she left the doorway and went to her husband's side.
Jon put an arm around her and looked at Neville. "I love your daughter very much, Mr. Longbottom."
"You're both too young to know what true love is," Neville snapped, tossing the paper aside.
"How did you find out about this?" Allison asked.
"The Daily Prophet," Cho replied. "Surely you remember how anytime someone gets married in our world; the announcement appears in the next day's newspaper."
"I didn't know," Allison said softly.
"There's plenty of things you don't know," Neville retorted. "Allison, do you have any idea what you've done?"
"Yes," Allison said with tears in her eyes. "I married the man I love more than anything in the world. I don't see what's so wrong with that!" she shouted.
Neville shook his head. "Get your things. We're taking you back to school. I'm sure this marriage isn't legal or binding."
"Yes it is," Jon replied. "We had it performed by a vicar. Allison and I are both of age."
Cho stared at the two teenagers, hurt beyond belief. She lifted up Allison's hand and looked at the wedding band on her finger.
"Allie," she said softly. "You're married..."
Allison nodded as her eyes teared up again.
"We'll have it annulled," Neville said simply. "You two have no idea what you've done. You're wrapped in some idea that you're in love..."
"WE ARE IN LOVE!" Jon screamed. He hadn't meant to get upset but he wasn't going to stand here and have Allison taken away from him again.
Neville stared frostily at the young man. "That means nothing here." he said flatly.
"Maybe not to you," Jon retorted. "But it means something to us. I love Allie more than anything in this world. I'd do anything for her. We've both been miserable these past couple of months. I know you thought that distance might change things and we'd not think about each other, but it didn't work. It won't work. We love each other and we made a commitment to each other yesterday…"
Cho stared at her middle daughter. "Allison," she said softly. "My baby got married..."
Another pounding on the door interrupted them and Jon opened it. "Dad? What are you doing here?"
"What is this?" Ron asked, holding the same copy of the Daily Prophet that Neville had.
"My wedding announcement?" Jon asked stupidly. Throughout this entire ordeal, his parents had been quite supportive of his and Allison's relationship. He hoped that hadn't changed. He and Allison needed someone in their corner right now.
"Your mum's a bit upset," Ron replied. "That you went and got married without telling us."
"I'm sorry, Dad," Jon said, ushering him inside. "We really didn't have much time to plan..."
"Obviously," Neville interjected. "Your son was too busy kidnapping our daughter."
Ron's eyes cooled as he looked at the Longbottoms. "My son didn't kidnap her. He's never been anything but respectful to this girl." he laid a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Respectful?" Neville asked in disbelief. "He took advantage of her and made her lie to her parents, Ron. Not to mention the fact that he took her away from school and forced her to get married."
"It wasn't like that, Mr. Longbottom," Jon said. He looked at his father. "Dad, you know I wouldn't have done that."
"I'm not especially pleased that you went and got married Jon," Ron ignored his ex friends who were glaring at the three of them. "But if this is what you both want you know Luna and I will support you."
"It is, Dad," Jon said gratefully.
Ron nodded. "Welcome to the family Allison," he gave his new daughter in law a hug, glaring back at Cho and Neville.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley," Allison said softly, hugging him back.
Neville shook his head. "Allison Catherine Longbottom, get your things right now."
"You know something?" Ron asked furiously. "You're acting just like your Gran did when you wanted to marry Cho."
"No, I'm not," Neville said dismissively. "There's a big difference there, Ronald. Cho and I were in love and my Gran thought she was after money. And Cho wasn't still in school, was she? The simple fact here is that they are too young to be sleeping together and they are way too young to be married. Of course, I'm not as lax in my parenting skills as some people..."
"Neville!" Cho exclaimed, shocked at his words.
"So you're saying I'm a bad parent?" Ron asked, his face turning red in his anger. "I can't believe this is you Neville. I'd have NEVER in my life thought you'd be this way!"
"I'd have never thought my 17-year old daughter would run off and get married," Neville spat at him. "My daughter has her whole life ahead of her, Ron. This isn't what she wants."
"Yes it is!" Allison said angrily. "How could you sit there and decide my future for me Dad? Getting married isn't going to ruin anything for me!"
"It's what we both want," Jon said putting an arm around his wife. "We were...we were going to move in together after Allie graduated."
That almost seemed to take the wind out of Neville's sails and he sat down on the sofa heavily.
"We know this isn't going to be easy," Jon continued. "But we want to be together. We ARE going to be together. We'd like your support."
Cho stared at her daughter with watery eyes. "Oh sweetheart," she said, holding out her arms.
Allison hugged her mother. "It was a really nice ceremony, Mum. Josh even took some pictures."
Cho kissed her daughter's head. "I'm so sorry Allie. We both are."
"Are you?" Allison asked looking at her father. "Daddy, please?"
Neville stood up. "If this is really what you want Allison..."
Allison stepped closer to her father. "It's all I've ever wanted. Do you think I ever saw myself getting married without you and Mum there? We did what we had to do because you wouldn't listen. We had no other choice Dad."
Neville looked completely deflated and for the first time to Allison, her father looked old. "Allie, sweetheart we just wanted what we thought was best for you--"
"Jon loves me Dad," Allison said looking to her husband who stood by her side. "I'm sorry for lying to you and I'm sorry for what happened at Jon's flat a few months back when you saw us...but I'm not going to apologise for how I feel."
Neville realised as he stared at his daughter that she was right. He couldn't break them up no matter how he tried and he realised now that if he kept acting this way, he would definitely lose her forever. "I'm sorry sweetheart," he said, his voice cracking.
"It's not just me you should apologise to," Allison said her own voice trembling.
Neville hugged her tightly then looked over at Ron and his now son in law. "I'm sorry Jonathan," he said, holding his hand out.
Jon shook his hand. "I'm sorry too, sir."
Neville shook his head. "This is a lot to get through," he replied. "I'm still not pleased that the two of you went off and got married. But I suppose you're right. We can't force you both to get this annulled."
"If this is what you truly want, Allie," Cho said. "We'll support you."
Allison burst into tears. "Thank you both," she sobbed, hugging her parents.
"Mum's really okay with this, too?" Jon asked his father.
"Like I said," Ron replied. "She's upset that we weren't informed."
"I know," Jon said apologetically. "We would have loved to have had all of you there."
"We were hoping that once I graduated, that we could have a reception," Allison said, going back to Jon's side. "Maybe... we could have another wedding ceremony too. A proper one this time."
"Two wedding nights," Jon said grinning at his wife. He looked at Neville sheepishly. "Sorry, sir. I kind of inherited that old foot in mouth thing from my dad."
"That's my boy," Ron clapped his shoulder.
"Of course," Cho hugged her daughter again. "That's exactly what we'll do."
Cho pulled away and looked at the rings on her daughter's left hand. "Those are really beautiful, Allie. Your boyfr-...husband has good taste."
Allison wiped her eyes with her right hand. "Thanks Mum. I think he has the best taste." she smiled at him.
Jon beamed at her. "Josh had to transfigure the wedding bands, though. I only thought about the engagement ring."
"Where did you... get married at?" Neville grimaced at his words. He may have accepted what had happened but he still wasn't overly pleased about it.
"A Muggle church a few streets over," Jon answered.
"And you have a marriage certificate?" Neville asked.
"Yes, Dad," Allison said, trying to keep her emotions in check. She hoped her father wasn't trying to find some loophole to get her out of the marriage. "We're legally married if that's what you're getting at."
Neville stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Just wanted to be sure sweetheart." he was a bit overcome at that moment as he looked at her. "I'm just..."
"What?" she asked coming over to him. "What is it, Dad?"
"Hard for me to believe this," he replied, putting a hand on her cheek. "That you're married."
"I know, Dad," Allison said softly. "It's hard for me to believe too. But it wasn't a mistake or something I want to change. I hope you can accept that. Yesterday when we said our vows, I was so nervous and scared, but I knew that what we were doing was right. Jon's a good man, Dad. We're going to take care of each other and support each other just like you and Mum."
Neville hugged her. "I'm sorry sweetheart." he said, kissing the top of her head. "I'm sorry for keeping the two of you apart."
Allison couldn't believe he was actually accepting their marriage. This was the best present he could have ever given her. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she looked at Jon over her father's shoulder.
Cho looked at Ron. "I'm sorry for the awful things that we said to you and Luna, Ron. We didn't really mean them. I hope you know that."
Ron smiled at her for the first time in a few months. "I'm sure everything will work out now. I'd like to see Harry's face if we went over there," he grinned. "Probably wouldn't know what to do with himself."
Cho laughed. "We weren't very fair to him and Hermione, asking them to pick sides. I just didn't want Allison to end up like me, Ron. Pregnant and alone. I know Jon would never do anything like that to her, but I was still worried. I hope you can understand that."
"I wouldn't," Jon replied. "Allison means a lot to me," he said as she came back by his side.
"We want to someday have a family," Allison said resting her head on his shoulder. "But only when the time is right."
"That's a mature decision," Cho smiled at her.
"So how exactly is this going to work?" Neville asked. "You still have your last year to finish, Allie."
Allison bit her lower lip. "Well... we were going to owl Dumbledore to find a way for me to get back to school today. I'll finish out the year and maybe Jon can come on Hogsmeade weekends like we had planned during the summer. And on Christmas holiday next month we can spend time together as well."
"Uncle George and Uncle Fred have a room over their shop in Hogsmeade," Jon said. "I was hoping they'd let me stay there on weekends."
"Do you think Dumbledore would let you in the school on the weekends?" Allison asked.
"It couldn't hurt to ask," Jon said with a smile.
Allison hugged him as the three adults excused themselves and went into the kitchen. "My birthday wish came true," she whispered. "This is exactly what I wanted!"
"I still don't think your dad's thrilled, but at least he accepts it...accepts us," Jon said hugging her back.
"I know," Allison said, crying yet again. "It all seems too good to be true but I'm not going to question it."
"Me either," Jon said resting his forehead on hers. "I love you, Allie. I'd do anything to make you happy."
"You have," she replied, her arms around his neck. "I'm the happiest wife alive."
"I'm the happiest husband alive," he said, kissing her softly. "I hope we can spend some time alone together before you have to go back to school."
"I suppose we should see what Dumbledore can do to help, if he can. For all I know, I'll have to take the train back from King's Cross." Allison replied, not wanting to be separated from Jon.
"We'll figure something out," Jon promised. "And I'm going to go back with you, Al."
"Really?" Allison asked. "I wish you could stay the rest of the year with me. It'll be better now that we don't have to hide it anymore."
"I know," Jon said kissing her forehead.
From the kitchen, Cho looked at the newlyweds. "They look really happy, don't they?"
"Yeah," Neville nodded. "Happiest I've ever seen either one of them."
"It was a good thing that you did," Ron said to his friend.
Neville nodded. "I guess I was acting a bit like my Gran," he said ruefully.
Ron raised an eyebrow. "Look Neville... I want to let bygones be bygones too. But what you said and did- it hurt me and Luna a lot. Especially Luna."
"How would you have felt if you'd walked in on them like I had?" Neville asked defensively. "What would you have done if you'd caught Drew or Darla or Maddie like that, Ron?"
"I wouldn't be happy," Ron raised a hand when Neville opened his mouth. "But the fact of the matter is- you've known Jon his whole life. You know that he'd never do anything to hurt Allison, but you tried to break them apart and it took them bloody getting married without ANY of us there for you to see that they want to be together."
Neville leaned against the counter for support. Ron was right. His behaviour since Allison and Jon started seeing each other had led them to take desperate, drastic measures. His little girl, who he'd always told time and time again that she could come to him and Cho if she had a problem, had done something so grown up to prove her point.
"What if a couple months down the line they decide they don't want to be married?" Neville asked.
"Then it's their mistake to make," Cho said quietly.
"For what its worth, and I'm not a marriage counsellor by any stretch, I think they'll stay together." Ron replied. "He never stops talking about her. When she came to Ireland after we all came back from Hillsdale they were almost joined at the hip. Luna and I love her like one of our own; we have since she was born."
"You certainly have," Cho said. "And we treated Jonathan so horribly, Ron. Sorry doesn't even begin to make up for what we did."
"Well," Ron said with a smile. "We're trying right? It's going to take a little while but we'll eventually get back to the way things were."
"I'm sorry too," Neville said looking at his old friend. "I went too far..."
"Well you've apologised to me," Ron said. "I hope you'll go talk to Luna. She's really devastated over this. You know how she is about keeping her friends close."
"We will," Cho promised.
The door suddenly burst open and Josh had his eyes covered with his hand. "Okay, newlyweds...I hope you're decent..."
"JOSH!" Jon hissed to his brother. "We're not alone..."
"What?" Josh asked, baffled. "Who else would be here?"
"Hello, Joshua," Ron said waving from the kitchen.
"Dad?" Josh blinked. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if your brother had actually gotten married," Ron said, standing back as Cho and Neville walked out of the kitchen. "And so did they..."
"Oh," Josh froze at the sight of the Longbottoms. "How... how did you all find out?"
"The Daily Prophet," Allison said softly. "It lists all the witches and wizards who get married, despite where they actually do get married at."
"Oh," Josh said. "I remember that!"
"Yes, well I wish you would have brought that to our attention yesterday," Jon teased his brother.
"Sorry," Josh replied. "But seeing as how we ran out of here and were looking for a church it slipped my mind."
"I'm just having a go at you," Jon said.
Josh looked at his brother and Allison and saw that both of them were smiling. Even more confusing to him was the fact that Cho and Neville while not smiling, did seem okay. "Am I missing something?"
Ron smiled at his son. "A lot of air has been cleared up by this," he replied.
"Good," Josh said. "All this fighting went on entirely too long, if you don't mind me saying."
"It did," Cho agreed. "Jon," she put a hand on his shoulder. "We trust you'll take care of our little girl."
Jon smiled. "Well, she's probably going to have her hands full with me. But, thank you, Mrs. Longbottom. I love her very much."
"Then I guess that's all we can ask for," Neville spoke up.
Ron grinned and put his arm around Cho. "How about we take everyone out for breakfast before Allie has to go back to school?"
"Nice to know that hasn't changed," Neville grinned at him. "You being hungry all the time. Did I not just see you eat a bag of crisps in the kitchen?"
"That was just a snack," Ron said defensively. "Besides, Luna and I were getting ready to eat when we saw the paper. She said I couldn't have breakfast until I found out what was going on. And just for that, Longbottom. You're buying. You are the father of the bride, after all."
"All right," Neville agreed. "But you only get one meal Weasley. Not three."
"How do you figure that one out?" Ron asked. "Come on, Neville. If my entire family was here, that'd be Luna, Drew, Darla, R.J., and Maddie. They're not. So, that's...five meals right there."
"Dad you're the only one that could pack that much food away," Jon teased, his arm around his wife's shoulders.
"I just wish I knew where it went," Cho said frowning. "He eats and eats and never gains a stone. It's bloody unfair!"
Ron grinned proudly. "That's my secret," he replied, clapping Josh on the shoulder.
Allison grinned at Jon as they left the flat. "I'm still in a bit of shock here," she whispered. "I'm not dreaming right?"
"I was thinking the same thing," Jon said clasping her hand. "I thought your dad was going to kill me when I first saw him."
"You and me both," Allison replied. "Pinch me."
"Do I get to choose where?" he asked cheekily.
"Better be somewhere appropriate for now," she giggled.
Jon pinched her arm. "You're not dreaming, Al."
"Good." They fell a step behind everyone else and she gave him a kiss. "I love you so much Jon. I'm glad we got married."
"Me too," he said pulling her close. "Me too."
*** *** ***
With the help of Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, Allison managed to sneak back into Hogwarts later that afternoon as if she hadn't left at all. She knew the Daily Prophet must have arrived with lunch but she guessed that no one had paid attention to the wedding announcement for not a word was said and she passed many people in the corridors.
Once back in Gryffindor Tower, Allison went and knocked on the third year girls' dormitory. "Frankie?" she called out.
Frankie had been studying on her bed and she looked up in surprise when she saw her sister. "Allie? I can't believe you stayed out all night at Jon's. I mean, I got your owl, but I was so worried..."
"I'm okay," Allison replied. "Thanks for helping Jon arrange that."
Frankie hugged her sister. "I couldn't think of what else to get you for your birthday."
"Best present ever," Allison laughed hugging her back. "Listen... I want to tell you something rather important. A few things actually."
Frankie nodded and sat down on her bed. "What is it? Mum and Dad didn't find out about Jon, Allie. I swear, I didn't tell them!"
"Well that's part of it." Allison had to suppress her grin as she held out her left hand so Frankie could see the rings.
Frankie's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Is that…oh my God! Allie, did you get...oh my God!"
"Jon and I got married yesterday," Allison said hugging herself. "In London."
"Oh, Allie!" Frankie said nearly bouncing up and down on the bed. "That's so romantic!"
Allison laughed. "It was terribly romantic, really." she gave her sister some of the details but kept the ones of the wedding night to herself. "Well... the announcement was in the Daily Prophet this morning. And you know what Dad does every morning when he has his coffee..."
"Oh," Frankie's face fell. "Mum and Dad found out. Did they do anything to Jon?"
"Quite the opposite, actually. They didn't like the fact that we went and got married but they're not going to make us keep apart anymore." Allison grinned.
"Wow," Frankie said, stunned. "I can't believe it..."
"I had to make Jon pinch me to see if I was dreaming," Allison confessed. "And when they first came over I thought Dad was going to kill Jon right there on the spot."
"What made him change his mind?" Frankie asked.
"I guess just the fact that we both said we were married and that we weren't going to take being apart anymore," Allison said pensively. "I still don't think they're very happy but they'll get used to it."
"Does Chiaki know?" Frankie asked. "You probably told her first, didn't you?"
"Actually I haven't talked to her at all yet," Allison said. "I'll send her an owl later. You're the first person I've told straight out. I haven't even said anything to Lizzy yet."
"Really?" Frankie asked excitedly. "You told me first? No one ever tells me anything first..."
Allison laughed. "You've been so great lately Frankie. I know I haven't told you that before but you have. I'm glad you're here at Hogwarts with me."
Frankie beamed at her sister. "Well, I felt bad for what happened. You were so sad, Allie. It wasn't right what Mum and Dad did."
Allison hugged her again. "Well it's all right now."
"Did you get into trouble with Dumbledore?" Frankie asked.
"Not really," Allison replied. "You know how he is. A detention for leaving Hogsmeade grounds and a bit of chastising and that was all really."
"Where's your husband?" Frankie asked giggling. "That's so strange to think that you actually have one!"
"I'm still getting used to it," Allison replied. "He's at home- but he's going to try and get his uncles to let him stay at the flat over their shop in town on the weekends, and he's going to see if Dumbledore will let him come into the school from time to time so we can see each other." she grinned. "We're going to have a proper ceremony when I finish school next year. I hope you'll be one of my bridesmaids Frankie."
"We have so much to plan!" Frankie exclaimed excitedly. "And don't let Chiaki talk you into that orange monstrosity that she wanted to put us in at her wedding. This is so great, Allie!"
Allison laughed. "We'll have fun planning this. And you can wear any colour you like."
"Do you think you'll want to wear a dress?" Frankie asked. "Or dress robes? Because I honestly think you'll look beautiful in anything, Allie. Really, you would. And you should see the letter that Jon wrote to me after I wrote to him. And I knew that I'd get in trouble if Mum or Dad found out, but I couldn't help it. Oh, Merlin. I'm talking way too much, aren't I?"
Allison laughed. "You're not in trouble, and we won't say anything to Mum or Dad, don't worry." she got up. "I'm going to go talk to Lizzy. She reads the Prophet from cover to cover so I know she won't have missed the announcement."
"Thanks, Allie," Frankie said. "For telling me first. It means a lot to me."
"Thank you," Allison said. "For helping me and Jon work this all out." she was about to leave when she turned back around. "Hey Frankie?"
"Yeah?" Frankie asked.
"If you want to go to Hogsmeade next time we have a weekend with one of your guy friends... Mum and Dad won't hear a word from me about it," Allison grinned at her conspiratorially. "And since they don't have anyone else here... guess they'd never find out if you had a couple dates... before you turned 15."
Frankie smiled. "You're the coolest, Allie."
She laughed. "I try."
*** *** ***
This little snippet is an add-on…it takes place when Saffron is a year old. This is for you guys who've been clamouring for some good, old-fashioned Harry and Hermione fluff.
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon and both Harry and Hermione were home for a change. Ethan was over with Nick and Julie playing video games at their house and they'd given Greta the afternoon off. Currently they were sitting in front of the fire playing with Saffron, who had grown by leaps and bounds over the past year.
"I swear, she walked a few steps the other day," Harry said. "It was right before you came home."
Hermione laughed as Saffron knocked down the tower of blocks Harry had constructed for her. "Did you just knock down Daddy's tower?" Hermione asked causing her little girl to laugh.
"You little devil," Harry reached to tickle his baby girl. "What did you do?"
"Down," Saffron said clapping her hands.
Harry laughed. "Did you knock it down?" he teased. He loved seeing her eyes light up when she talked.
Saffron reached out for his hair but Harry pulled away just in time.
"Daddy's gotten too quick for you," Harry swept his daughter into his arms.
Hermione smiled as she watched them. At one year old, Saffron definitely had Harry wrapped around her little finger. Hermione started to stack the building blocks again knowing that nothing gave Saffron more pleasure than knocking things down.
Harry lifted his daughter's shirt and began to blow raspberries on her stomach.
Saffron giggled. "Dada!"
Harry loved hearing her say that word. "I'm going to tickle you!" he said, leaning over and wiggling his fingers.
Hermione laughed. "Come here, baby. Mummy will save you!"
"Mama!" Saffron reached for her mother.
Harry helped Saffron get to her feet and held her hands as the baby gingerly took some steps toward Hermione.
"Ooh look at my big girl!" Hermione praised.
Hermione scooped the little girl up in her arms and hugged her tightly. "Want to try walking to Daddy now?"
"Dada!" Saffron said excitedly. "Dada!!"
Harry stepped back and held out his arms as Hermione placed Saffron on her feet again.
"Come on baby," he said crooking his finger at her. "You can do it."
Saffron put out one chubby baby leg in front of the other and with the help of her mother, toddled unsteadily over to Harry.
Hermione and Harry smiled at each other. "That's my girl," Harry said grinning at Saffron. "We're going to have you on a broom before you know it!"
"Dada!" Saffron held out her arms to him.
Hermione bit her bottom lip as Saffron took steps on her own toward her father. "That's it Saffy. That's it!"
Harry's grin grew even wider as his littlest walked her first steps by herself. "I can't believe it!" he said in delight.
"Who's a big girl?" Hermione asked, wiping a tear from her cheek.
Harry scooped Saffron up and then tossed her in the air. "My smart big girl," he said with a goofy grin.
Saffron giggled. "Dada...walk!"
"That's right baby," Harry said. "Saffy's a good walker!"
Hermione beamed at her daughter. "How about some juice to celebrate the milestone?"
"Mama!" Saffron screamed excitedly.
Hermione laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."
Harry passed his excited child over to Hermione. "I'll go get the juice," he said with a smile.
Hermione nodded and kissed Saffron's cheek. "You are getting so big!"
"Big!" Saffron repeated with a toothy grin. "Big girl!"
"That's right," Hermione said. "And I bet your Daddy brings you a treat with your juice. What do you think? "
Saffron giggled as she reached out to topple the tower of blocks. "Down!"
"You are getting too good at that," Hermione said as Saffron plopped down on the floor and started rebuilding the tower herself.
"Help Mama," Saffron said.
Hermione sat down beside her daughter and helped Saffron build the tower up again. "Want to make it really big and tall this time?"
"Help!" Saffron placed a block on top of her mother's. "Tall Mama!"
"You want to use a blue or a red one next?" Hermione asked. She hadn't noticed Harry as he came back into the sitting room.
"Red Mama!" Saffron clapped excitedly.
Hermione handed Saffron the red block. "Be really careful so you don't knock it down, okay?"
"No down Mama," Saffron said, placing the block on top. "No down!"
"We won't knock it down baby," Hermione promised. "Not until you're ready. How about a green one next?"
Saffron excitedly took the block and placed it on. Harry was pleased that his youngest daughter was smart just like her mother and he was still grinning as he handed Hermione her bottle of juice and then Saffron's special cup.
"Thank you kind sir," Hermione said smiling at him. Saffron kept building her tower of blocks and Hermione winced as the tower nearly fell as Saffron placed a purple block on top. Somehow the blocks steadied themselves and tower remained intact. Hermione raised an eyebrow at her husband who looked away.
"You do that?" she whispered to him.
"Maybe," he muttered. "Look how excited she is."
Before too long the tower was taller than Saffron and she couldn't reach the top. "Dada!" she cried out looking at Harry.
"Do you need help baby?" Harry asked, setting his juice on the table.
Saffron's lower lip began to tremble as she realised the tower was now bigger than she was.
"Daddy will help you Saffy," Hermione said soothingly.
"Help Dada," Saffron said, holding out a block. "Help!"
Hermione knew her husband was using wandless magic to keep the tower upstanding. Without it, the tower would have fallen long ago.
"Okay," Harry said scooping her up. "There you go Saffy. Put it right there on top..."
"No down Dada!" Saffron wiggled excitedly as she set her final red block on the top of her tower.
"No, we won't knock it down baby," Harry said laughing. "Look at what you did! That has to be the tallest tower I've ever seen!"
Saffron clapped her hands excitedly then reached for her juice. "Me drink!" she screamed happily.
"Here you go," Hermione said handing her the cup.
Saffron eyed up both her parents as she drank thirstily. "Down?" she asked.
"After all that hard work you want to knock it down?" Hermione asked pinching Saffron's nose. "You're sure? You really, really, really want to knock it down?"
"Down Mama!" Saffron said, jumping as Harry held her little hands.
"Okay," Hermione said laughing. "On the count of three, okay? One. Two...."
"Down!" Saffron squealed as Harry propelled her towards the tower.
"Three!" Hermione called out as Saffron knocked the tower down sending blocks everywhere. "And they all fell down!"
"Yay!" Saffron squealed and giggled as Harry laughed.
"I could listen to her laugh like that forever," Hermione said smiling at Harry.
"Same here," Harry replied as Saffron grabbed for her cup again. "She's just so amazing to watch. Even when she's just sleeping."
"When I was pregnant with her, I was wondering what I was thinking getting pregnant now with all that was going on," Hermione said thoughtfully. "But every day with her has been a blessing. She's a gift."
"She really is," Harry said, grasping his daughter's hands again as she tried to toddle her way over to him. "Does my little Saffy want to walk?"
"She's going to be going all over the place now," Hermione laughed as Saffron stumbled, but got herself right back up. "And she is not going to be getting on any brooms anytime soon, Harry. You can get that idea out of your head right now."
"Oh come on Hermione, she'll be the one to break the mould and love flying," Harry protested.
"I can barely stand to watch Ethan up there," Hermione said stubbornly. "I'd have a heart attack to see my baby girl up there..."
"Maybe once she's not a baby anymore," Harry said mischievously, still holding on with one hand as Saffron did her best to stay on her two little feet.
"Okay, we'll talk about it then," Hermione relented. "But I've got to tell you the odds are not in your favour. Julie took after me about flying. And I think Saffron will be the same."
"Shall we wager on that?" Harry's eyes glinted as he let his gaze wander over Hermione's figure.
"Depends on the terms," Hermione said.
"One night of love with your rabbit king," Harry grinned wickedly.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I can get that anytime I want."
"I can make it extra special," Harry bragged as he gingerly let go of Saffron's other hand but not leaving his spot behind her.
Saffron took steps toward Hermione who beamed at her daughter. "She's a natural! That's it! Come on, Saffy! One more step....there you go!"
"Mama!" Saffron grinned proudly. "Walk!"
"Yes you did!" Hermione said clapping her hands. "You just wait until Ethan and Julie find out what you did today!"
"Big girl!" Saffron threw herself at her mother for a hug.
"Big girl," Hermione agreed hugging her tightly.
"Fly," Saffron said as she hugged her mother. "Fly Mama."
"DID YOU HEAR THAT?" Harry crowed. "FLY!"
"Yes I heard that," Hermione said. "And I think they heard you in Spain. So she said the word fly, she probably just picked it up from you and I talking about it. Babies do that, you know..."
"Fly Mama," Saffron said again.
"You want to fly Saffy?" Harry ignored his wife's glare. "On a broom?"
"Boom!" Saffron grinned. "Fly! Boom!"
Hermione sighed and looked at Harry. "You are so loving this right now, aren't you?"
"Of course I am," Harry replied. "Maybe I'll take her out--"
"Over my dead body," Hermione interjected. "Not until she's older, Harry."
"I can wait until she's two," Harry teased.
"I was thinking more along the lines of 11," Hermione said. "That's when I had my first flying lesson."
"She'll love it long before that," Harry replied. "Especially living in this house with me and Ethan around."
Hermione wanted to argue with him, but she had a feeling he was right. Saffron already loved to do whatever her father and brother did and Hermione knew that flying would probably be no exception.