Authors' note: We hope you enjoy the latest chapter---it has Frankie and Hannah along with the end of Saffron, Alexa, Mimi, Beth and Jake's school career at Hogwarts. It seems like just yesterday, we were sending little Saffron off to Hogwarts. These kids are growing up wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too fast! We hope you enjoy it.
Despite the fact that she hadn't slept more than four or five hours at once since the twins' birth, Frankie was enjoying spending time with her children. She'd extended her leave with the team and was doing minor assignments when needed.
She'd stopped off in Harrods's to purchase some new clothing for the children and Hannah had asked if they could go to the park afterwards since the weather was so nice.
"I think that sounds like a great idea," Frankie told her oldest daughter.
Hyde Park was just down the street and Hannah helped her mother with the pram.
"Shhh Izzie," Hannah said as Isabelle let out a little cry. "We're just going to the park. It's really fun there!"
"And your big sister and I are going to get an ice cream," Frankie said.
"Chocolate chip?" Hannah asked hopefully.
"Absolutely," Frankie said winking at her. "I hope your daddy likes the outfits we picked out for the babies. I know I went a little overboard..."
Hannah giggled. "Mummy, you always say that!"
"I couldn't resist," Frankie said. "And we picked up some lovely things for you for the beach, too. That little swimming costume was so adorable!"
"I can't wait to go back to Brighton again and play with Em," Hannah said happily.
"Hurricane Emma and Hurricane Hannah are about to hit Brighton," Frankie teased pushing the pram toward the ice cream stand.
"Em told me we can build an even bigger sand castle this year," Hannah told her mother. "Plus Daddy's going to help us again."
"I think he's already plotting out designs," Frankie said as they joined the queue.
Hannah grinned up at her. "And this time, it'll have an extra room for Nathan and Izzie."
"You are such a good big sister, Hannah," Frankie said affectionately.
An older woman who was standing in the queue behind them was staring at Hannah. Frankie caught the woman's eye.
"I'm sorry, miss," the older woman said. "Your daughter's name---did you say it was Hannah?"
Frankie gave the woman a strange look and put her hand on Hannah's shoulder. "Yes..." she said slowly. "Do we know you?"
"I'm sorry," the woman said hastily. "She reminds me of this little girl that lived beside me. Her name was Hannah too. Hannah Wright."
Hannah turned to look at the older woman and her eyes widened. "Mrs. Miller?"
"Hannah!" Mrs. Miller exclaimed, leaning down and engulfing the little girl in a big hug. "Look at how big you've gotten!"
Hannah remembered how nice Mrs. Miller had always been to her and she hugged her back. "Mummy, she used to live next door to me." she explained to Frankie.
"It's nice to meet you," Frankie said extending her hand. "I'm Frankie Barron."
"Delphinia Miller," the woman shook her hand. "My husband and I always wondered what happened to Hannah after... after... Abbie."
"Frankie's my mummy now," Hannah told her. "And I have a really nice Daddy."
"She's been with us for over a year now," Frankie told the woman. "We love her very much."
"She looks wonderful," Mrs. Miller looked affectionately at Hannah. "I'm so happy for you, darling."
"Why don't I buy us all some ice cream," Frankie said. "And you can catch up with Hannah?"
"I would love to, if you don't mind," Mrs. Miller replied.
"Of course not," Frankie said.
Hannah beamed at the woman who had showed her such kindness when she was little. She remembered how sometimes her mother would drop her off at Mrs. Miller's whenever her father was in one of his moods.
"This is my little sister and brother," Hannah looked into the pram. "Isabelle is in the purple and Nathan's in the blue."
Mrs. Miller peered into the pram. "They're adorable."
"I can already change their nappies," Hannah said proudly. "Mummy says I'm her bestest helper."
"She's a great help," Frankie said. "I don't know what we'd do without her."
Mrs. Miller smiled. "She's the mirror image of Abbie."
Frankie nodded. "She does look very much like her."
Hannah beamed up at them both. "What kind of ice cream do you want, Mrs. Miller?"
"I'm just a plain old vanilla fan," Mrs. Miller said with a laugh.
"You're just like Will, my husband," Frankie said placing their order. A few moments later, the three of them sat down on a bench. Hannah held onto Frankie's ice cream cone while she checked on the babies.
"I think they're just going to kip for awhile," Frankie pulled the cover over the top so her two youngest would be shaded from the sun. "Which will give us some time to visit."
"Do you still live in your old house?" Hannah asked.
Mrs. Miller nodded. "There's another couple our age who moved into your old house, Hannah."
Hannah nodded. Truth be told, she didn't miss that old house. The only happy memories she had there was the time she spent alone with her mother.
"Where do you live now?" Mrs. Miller asked her.
"We have a really nice house," Hannah said. "I have my own room! And my Daddy he painted it purple because it was my most favourite!"
"We did a mural on her walls," Frankie said. "It's got dragons and castles and everything."
Mrs. Miller smiled. "Hannah, I know you love that."
"I do," Hannah nodded. "Daddy calls me his princess all the time."
Mrs. Miller couldn't get over the transformation in the little girl she'd once known. It brought tears to her eyes.
"Mrs. Miller?" Hannah asked, her eyebrows coming together. "Are you okay?"
"I am," Mrs. Miller said. "I'm just really happy that you're doing well, Hannah."
"Thanks," Hannah smiled at her.
"The couple that bought your house is still tending to the garden you and your mum started," Mrs. Miller told her. "They were very impressed with how well you cared for it."
"It's still there?" Hannah asked. "Really?"
Mrs. Miller nodded. "It's still there."
"I got to plant a garden at home now too," Hannah said. "It has sunflowers and everything."
"You should see it," Frankie said to the older woman. "She's really worked hard on it."
"I'm sure it's beautiful," Mrs. Miller replied.
Hannah finished her ice cream and asked if she could go and play on the swings. Frankie gave the okay since the swings were close by and she could keep an eye on her daughter.
"I know this may not mean much," Mrs. Miller said once Hannah was occupied. "But thank you. She's so happy now. I always hoped she found a place where someone could take care of her."
Frankie smiled. "It does mean a lot. She's---Hannah changed everything for me and my husband. We love her very much."
"That's plain to see," Mrs. Miller replied. "Abbie loved her too... and it devastated us when she was killed, especially since we weren't sure where Hannah would go. Nigel and I talked about trying to take her in."
"She was put in foster care right afterwards," Frankie told her. "They placed her with friends of my family. That's how I met her and my heart just went out to her the moment I saw her."
"She's very loveable," Mrs. Miller agreed.
Frankie caught sight of Hannah swinging. She waved and Hannah waved back.
"I'm just so glad to see her so happy," Mrs. Miller followed her gaze. "You've brought out something in her."
"She still has nightmares every now and again, but she's really blossomed," Frankie said.
"David Wright was a horrible man," Mrs. Miller shook her head. "There were so many times we tried to help Abbie..."
Frankie shuddered as she thought of Hannah's biological father. "He's in prison and hopefully he'll never be released. I don't want him anywhere near my daughter."
"It was proven without a doubt that he killed Abbie," Mrs. Miller said. "I don't think he's ever going to get a chance to get out of there."
"How long did you live next door to Hannah?" Frankie asked.
"All her life," Mrs. Miller replied. "I remember when Abbie brought her home. She was such a beautiful baby."
"Did David ever care for her?" Frankie asked.
"Not that I can recall," Mrs. Miller answered.
Frankie shook her head. "How could you not love Hannah?"
"It's a foreign concept to me as well," Mrs. Miller said.
Frankie briefly told the woman about how David Wright had tried to blackmail them to sign over his parental rights.
"He is just despicable," the older woman said. "There would be times he just disappeared for days, sometimes even weeks. Those were the good times."
"That's what Hannah told us," Frankie said nodding. "She loved spending time alone with her mother."
"Abbie was a very good mother," Mrs. Miller confirmed.
"I haven't tried to take her place," Frankie said. "I know how important she is to Hannah. We encourage her to talk to us about her and we have some photographs..."
"Abbie would appreciate what you've done for Hannah." Mrs. Miller replied. "She tried so hard to leave David several times, but he wasn't above using Hannah as leverage."
Frankie shook her head. "Just when I think I've heard the worst about him..."
"He once even threatened to sue her for custody," Mrs. Miller looked back at Hannah, who was swinging high.
"No judge in his right mind would give him custody," Frankie commented.
"Abbie wasn't sure about that," Mrs. Miller said. "For all his faults, David could come across as quite charming if you didn't know him."
"I suppose," Frankie said. "I just---I'll do anything in my power to make sure he doesn't do any more damage to Hannah."
Mrs. Miller smiled. "I'm so glad she's found you and is your family now."
"Thank you," Frankie said. "And now that she's found you again...if you'd like to keep in touch..."
"I would love to," Mrs. Miller grew misty eyed. "I can't wait to tell Nigel about this."
Frankie took a piece of paper and a pen from her purse and scribbled down their address and phone number.
"I'd like to invite you and your family over for dinner some evening," Mrs. Miller said. "I'll ring you with a date if that's all right."
"That would be lovely," Frankie replied. "We'd like that."
"Wonderful," Mrs. Miller stood up.
Frankie motioned for Hannah to come back over to them. The little girl jumped out of her swing and ran over.
"I'll see you soon, darling," Mrs. Miller gave her a hug. "I'm so happy for you."
"It was good to see you!" Hannah said hugging her back. "I missed you."
Mrs. Miller kissed the top of her head. "I've missed you too. And you and your family are coming to dinner sometime soon."
Hannah grinned. "I'd like that and you can really meet with Nathan and Izzie when they're not asleep!"
"I'm really looking forward to it," Mrs. Miller said.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Miller," Frankie said giving the woman a hug. "Thank you for being kind to Hannah and to Abbie."
"I'd do it anytime," Mrs. Miller said warmly.
Hannah's old neighbour walked away and Frankie leaned down and picked up her daughter. "I saw you swinging high, Miss Barron."
"I was having fun," Hannah said, peeking into the pram at her brother and sister. "I never went that high before."
"You are a little daredevil," Frankie said kissing her cheek.
Hannah giggled. "What's a daredevil?"
"Someone who likes to go high and fast," Frankie explained.
"Oh," Hannah nodded. "That's like Em!"
"Two little daredevils," Frankie nuzzling her daughter's nose.
Hannah hugged her tightly.
"You're my girl," Frankie whispered. "My sweet girl."
"I love you so, so much." Hannah said.
"I love you too," Frankie said patting Hannah's back. "You and your brother and sister are the most important people in the world to me."
"And Daddy too right?" Hannah asked.
"And Daddy too," Frankie said smiling at her. "So...where did you want to go next?"
"Um..." Hannah thought. "I don't know?"
"Monkey bars?" Frankie asked. "Merry-go-round?"
"Merry go round!" Hannah said excitedly.
"You know that when I was your age, it was my most favourite thing to do next to the swings," Frankie said setting her daughter back down. "I used to beg your Grandma Cho to let me go on there."
"She didn't want you to?" Hannah asked.
"Well, it was more like I didn't want to get off once I got on," Frankie admitted.
"I don't want to either!" Hannah took her hand. "Come on Mummy!"
Frankie laughed. "Wait! We have to get the pram!"
"Oh yeah," Hannah said sheepishly. "Sorry!"
Frankie laughed as she pushed the pram just behind Hannah.
Hannah hopped on the merry go round. "Will you push me?"
Frankie positioned the pram so she could keep an eye on the twins while she pushed her oldest daughter on the merry-go-round.
"Round and round we go!" Frankie said, pushing the circular ride.
Hannah held on to the bar and giggled as the wind played with her hair.
Frankie laughed too, happy to see Hannah so vibrant. Things had changed so much for her in the past few years but it seemed as if the bad times were finally behind her.
*** *** ***
Saffron walked into the Great Hall with Mimi, Beth and Alexa feeling more than a little sad. This was the last time she'd ever enter this room as a student. Maybe she'd come back here for visits like RJ and Andrew had, but it wouldn't be the same.
Seven years and it was over. There were so many happy memories here. It was hard to believe it was all coming to an end.
Beth sniffled. "Our last breakfast here," she said, wiping her eyes.
"The last time Peeves decides to replace my hair potion with paste," Mimi said touching her hair to make sure it wasn't sticky anymore.
"I think we got it all out, Meems," Alexa reassured her.
"Thank goodness," Mimi said. "I wouldn't want Jake to see me like that."
Saffron led the way over to the Gryffindor table. "There is one bright side...no more Severus Snape."
Alexa laughed. "The silver lining..."
"No more Oliver Wood," Beth said looking longingly at the faculty table. When her friends gave her a look, Beth blushed. "I am so over that. I was just saying that I'll miss seeing his....leadership."
Saffron, Alexa and Mimi burst out laughing. "Is THAT what you call it?" Saffron teased.
"I am absolutely head over heels for Peter," Beth said defensively.
"I sure hope so," Peter came up and slid an arm around her.
"Beth was just talking about your leadership," Mimi said with a grin.
"My leadership?" Peter asked, looking at his girlfriend.
"Nothing," Beth said hastily. "Come on...let's get something to eat before the rug rats eat it all."
Saffron sat down next to her best friend. "So when's Gabe coming back to London?"
"A week," Alexa replied. "What about yours? When is he finished with University?"
"Same time," Saffron answered. "I can't wait to see him."
Alexa felt a little teary when she realised that this would be the last summer she'd spend in London before she would head to the states for school.
Saffron squeezed her arm. "Lexie--"
Alexa gave her friend a hug. "Are you sure you can't come with me? We could have our own dorm room. You could play for the school golf team..."
Saffron laughed. "Tempting, but Puddlemere awaits me!"
"When you are counting your millions and millions of galleons, you can remember your poor friend slaving over her books," Alexa joked.
"I'll come take you out for a night on the town," Saffron promised her.
"I'm going to hold you to that," Alexa said smiling at her. "No matter what, we're always going to be best friends."
"Always," Saffron hugged her again.
Mimi wiped at her eyes. "This is it, isn't it?"
"Meems we'll still see each other," Saffron said. "And you are all invited to ALL my matches."
"You could have had your pick of any job in the Ministry though," Beth said. "I mean, you received 'outstanding' in every single one of your N.E.W.T.s, Saffy."
"Quidditch is my dream though," Saffron said, pouring herself some juice. "I've wanted to play for as long as I can remember."
"Since you came out of the womb, probably," Peter said.
"That sounds about right," Saffron joked as Ashley, Brittany and Zander came into the Great Hall.
"Do you smell that?" Brittany asked happily. "I smell...summer. You know what that means, right? No more books. No more tests. No more getting up at ungodly hours."
"You act as if we're up at the crack of dawn every day," Zander rolled his eyes.
"We are," Brittany said. "Classes shouldn't start until at least ten, Zander. A person can't be expected to think at that time."
Zander and Ashley both looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Come on," Zander said. "I'm starving."
"Me too," Ashley agreed. "And we won't get to eat like this for three months!"
"You have that cool nanny though," Brittany pointed out. "She's a great cook."
"I can't wait to see Sophie too," Ashley said wistfully.
"Even Katie?" Brittany asked.
Ashley laughed. "Yes, I've missed Katie as well."
"She probably won't even miss us," Brittany said to her cousin with a wink.
Zander glared at her.
"Of course I'll miss you two," Ashley replied. "But you're coming to Brighton for a few days, right?"
"Absolutely," Brittany promised.
"It's going to be so much fun," Ashley said enthusiastically.
Zander smiled. "And maybe I can ask your grandfather for tips on flying."
"He told me he'd give you a lesson or two if you want," Ashley told him.
Zander beamed at her. "Really?"
Ashley nodded. "He loves to talk about flying."
Brittany opened her magazine of Witch Weekly and a dreamy expression came over her face as she saw a picture of a male model. "Maybe I can see a bloke who looks like this on the beach!"
Ashley grinned. "That's Hans."
Brittany gaped at her. "You know him?"
"Yeah," Ashley said. "He's married to Darla, my aunt Maddie's sister."
"SHUT UP!" Brittany exclaimed. "Really?"
Zander rolled his eyes. "She's drooling again..."
Ashley giggled. "Brittany you are a little boy crazy."
"When there are so many great looking guys out there, who can blame me?" Brittany turned a page in her magazine.
"Six more years of this," Zander grumbled.
"You love every minute of it," Brittany retorted.
Saffron caught her niece's eye and waved. "Morning, Ash."
"Hi Aunt Saffy," Ashley smiled at her. "Enjoying your last breakfast here?"
Saffron nodded. "I'm a little sad."
"I would be too," Ashley said. "It's going to be weird without you here next year."
"You're going to be just fine," Saffron said. "And you can write me any time."
"Thanks," Ashley said gratefully.
"Hello, Potter," Mary Ellen came up behind her old nemesis.
"Mary Ellen," Saffron said coolly. "Can I help you?"
"I just wanted to say goodbye," Mary Ellen said looking disdainfully at her. "Have fun playing your little...game."
Saffron smiled sweetly. "I will thanks. And I'll enjoy my millions of Galleons with it."
Mary Ellen rolled her eyes. "I'm interning at the Ministry. I expect that some day I'll be the Minister for Magic and I'll do a damn sight better than your mother ever did."
Saffron stood up angrily. "I'd like to see you try, you stupid cow."
"I will," Mary Ellen countered, not backing down. "Mark my words."
"My mum is the best Minister there ever was," Saffron advanced on her, making Mary Ellen stumble a step. "And if I hear you spreading anything otherwise--"
"Go away, Mary Ellen," Alexa said.
"Sod off you follower," Mary Ellen sneered.
Alexa rolled her eyes. "That really hurt."
"That girl has a screw loose," Brittany said in a voice loud enough for them all to hear.
"She's a wannabe," Mimi said. "And that's all she'll ever be. The day she's Minister is the day that I'll leave the country."
The entire table laughed at that and Mary Ellen stomped off in a huff.
"What's this about her interning at the Ministry?" Saffron asked. "Apparently her father works with the Goblin Liaison Office," Jake said. "I heard her bragging about it last night. He was able to pull some strings to get her in."
"She won't last long," Alexa shook her head. "Too much work and too little glory."
Mimi groaned. "I hope I don't have to see that much of her." Mimi was also going to work at the Ministry for the Department of Magical Games and Sports.
"I doubt you will," Jake put his arm around her.
"How are things with Headmaster Hottie and your mum?" Brittany asked boldly.
"Brit!" Zander shook his head. "I knew you had no tact, but this is ridiculous."
Brittany looked at him. "What?"
Mimi laughed. "It's okay, Zander. Brittany, you will be happy to know that they are still dating and seem to be really happy."
"She's so lucky," Brittany cast a dreamy glance at the staff table.
Ashley could only shake her head.
"So what are you guys doing until the train takes us home?" Saffron asked her niece and friends.
"I still have to pack," Ashley said.
"Me too," Brittany answered.
"Me too," Saffron said. "I've kept putting it off."
"I packed last night," Alexa confessed.
"I can't believe that in a few months someone else is going to be sleeping in our room," Mimi said frowning. "That's been our home for seven years and now..."
"Meems, it's just a room," Jake said.
"But it's OUR room," Mimi objected.
"I guess it's different for blokes," Alexa guessed. "They're not as sentimental as we are."
Jake shared a look with Peter who shook his head. "I already got my stuff out," the Ravenclaw replied.
"Me too," Jake said.
"Aren't you going to miss this place?" Mimi asked him. "Sure, you can come back and visit, but it's not going to be the same, Jake."
"Long as I get to see you often enough, it doesn't matter where I am," Jake sent her a grin.
"Good save," Saffron said laughing.
"That was no save," Jake put his arm around Mimi.
"We'll still see each other," Saffron tried to reassure her friends.
"As much as possible," Beth replied.
Alexa smiled. "Absolutely."
"You're going to be in sunny California," Peter pointed out. "You're not going to come back to rainy, old England."
"I'll be back," Alexa returned with a grin. "You can't get rid of me that easily."
"She'd better come back every now and again," Saffron said pulling a stern face. "Or I'll come and drag her back."
"What happened to our night on the town?" Alexa asked with mock indignation.
"Yes, well, it's not the same as home," Saffron said wistfully. She was happy for her best friend, but she really was going to miss her when she was gone. "You're probably going to meet some airhead named Bambi and you'll become her best friend."
Alexa rolled her eyes. "Yeah right, Saffy. You're rather irreplaceable."
"And you shouldn't look down your nose at someone with the name Bambi," Jake joked. "Seeing as you're named after a spice."
"I am named after an ACTRESS," Saffron informed him.
"Sure thing, spice girl," Jake said with a grin. This caused Saffron to throw a grape at him.
"Very mature," Mimi smacked his arm.
"Aunt Saffy's name is unique," Ashley chimed in.
"Thanks Ash," Saffron grinned at her.
Ashley grinned. "Do you need me to help you with your packing, Aunt Saffy?"
"I think I'm okay Ash," Saffron told her. "Lexie will help me, right?"
"Of course," Alexa said. "We can get started after breakfast if you like."
"We'll have to," Beth said with a groan.
"We only have a few hours," Mimi said starting to sob again.
"Meems," Jake said. "Come on--"
"I'm sorry," Mimi said throwing her arms around him and crying onto his shoulder.
"I think I'll feel the same way when it's time for us to go," Ashley told her friends.
"Me too," Brittany said.
Brittany looked expectantly at her cousin. "Zander?"
"What?" Zander asked. "Oh... yeah. I'll miss it here too."
"But we have six more years to go," Ashley said smiling at him. "And hopefully no more nights in the forest."
"That wasn't so bad," Zander grinned back at her.
"No, it wasn't," Ashley said softly. "Not at all."
Brittany rolled her eyes. Despite being too scared to stay with her cousin and best friend, she was jealous of having missed seeing the unicorn.
"I'll never get over the look on Sam's face," Ashley said. "When he found out you'd done it."
"It was so great when I walked in with the camera," Zander replied. "He would hardly talk to anyone all day. Smarmy git."
"You and Ash got the best of him twice this year," Brittany said with a grin. "She got your cards back and even though he doesn't know it, she was there in the forest."
"Shhh," Zander shushed her. "Don't tell everyone Brit."
"Right," Brittany said looking around to make sure no one had heard.
Saffron was about to get up when suddenly she felt herself being picked up with such force it nearly took her breath away.
"Saffy," Hagrid blubbered, hugging her to him.
"Hagrid!" Saffron wheezed.
"I remember when you was just a babe," Hagrid said releasing her. "And now---"
"You'll have to come to my matches," Saffron said. "I'll definitely hear you over the crowd, Hagrid."
Hagrid wiped at his eyes. He'd watched Harry grow up and he'd also had the privilege of teaching his three children.
"Hagrid," Julie said coming over to join them. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I think so," Hagrid pulled out a handkerchief the size of a blanket and blew his nose.
Jake and Peter would have made a joke if Hagrid wasn't a half giant. They stared up in awe at him.
"This place isn't going to the same without our Saffy," Julie said and Hagrid nodded. He patted Saffron on the top of her head. "She's sommat special."
"Thanks Hagrid," Saffron hugged him again. "I'll miss you too."
Ashley stood up and walked over to Hagrid. "I made something for you, Hagrid. It's a goodbye present. Maybe it will make you feel better."
Julie smiled at her daughter. "How sweet of you, Ash."
Hagrid unfolded the paper and grinned. "That's---"
"It's your hut," Ashley said looking up at him. "I used watercolours on it."
Large tears leaked out of the half giant's eyes.
"I think he likes it," Brittany whispered.
"I love it," Hagrid wiped his nose again.
Ashley beamed at him. "Really?"
Hagrid nodded. "Thank you Ashley."
"Professor Malfoy, do you have big plans for the summer hols?" Peter asked.
"Just being with my family," Julie replied.
"She's the best Defence professor we've had since Remus Lupin," Hagrid declared.
"Thank you," Julie said graciously.
"And you were the best Care of Magical Creatures professor," Saffron told Hagrid.
"Always," Mimi agreed.
Hagrid grinned. "Well, I'll see you lot at the station."
"I should really go pack before we run out of time," Saffron said.
"I'll come with," Alexa said. "We'll catch up with you guys later, okay?"
"See you in a bit," Mimi replied.
Alexa linked her arm with Saffron's. "How are you holding up?"
"Fine," Saffron answered.
"It's hard to believe that it's all coming to an end," Alexa said.
"Too fast," Saffron agreed.
Alexa smiled at her best friend. "Would you change anything if you could?"
Saffron thought for a moment. "I'm not sure," She said truthfully. "I mean... not school wise, but personally, perhaps."
"Such as?" Alexa asked.
"That whole thing with RJ," Saffron said. "Sometimes I think... if I'd only let go of all that earlier, I'd still be with Andrew. But now I have Sean... and I care about him so much too."
"But it's not the same?" Alexa guessed. "As what you felt for Andrew?"
"Not... yet." Saffron answered hesitantly.
"Everything happens for a reason," Alexa said thoughtfully standing back so Saffron could open the door to her suite.
"I know," Saffron answered. "And it makes me feel guilty for missing Andrew when Sean loves me."
"Andrew was your first love," Alexa said following her into the room. "You never really get over your first love."
"Are you saying you still have feelings for RJ?" Saffron asked her.
Alexa sat down on the edge of Saffron's bed. "I will always feel something for him, Saffy. But, I made a choice to move on and I love Gabe."
Saffron smiled at her. "And I'm sure you can't wait to see him."
"I can't," Alexa said grinning back at her.
Saffron tossed a few jumpers into her trunk. "When we were home for Easter, Sean told me he wanted to get intimate."
"Are you ready for that step?" Alexa asked.
"I don't know," Saffron said. "I guess if I say that, then probably not."
"Don't let him pressure you into it," Alexa said.
"I won't," Saffron said. "He promised not to pressure me. He said he'd wait until I was ready. And part of me really, really wants to, Lexie."
"But if you're not sure---"
"I suppose I'll figure it out when the time comes," Saffron sighed.
"If you need to talk," Alexa said. "I'm here."
Saffron hugged her tightly. "Thanks Lexie."
"It's going to be a great summer," Alexa said getting to her feet. She helped her friend load some books into her trunk.
"Back to Brighton," Saffron said. "I'm glad you'll be coming with again. Wouldn't be the same without you now."
"Your family has always treated me like one of their own," Alexa said. "And I love getting to see Emma, Caroline and Adam."
"They love you still," Saffron said with a grin.
"I love them, too," Alexa said. "They're growing up way too fast!"
"I can't believe Emma's going on five already," Saffron shook her head as she dumped a pile of clothes into her trunk.
"And the triplets will be starting Hogwarts before we know it," Alexa said.
"Don't even say it!" Saffron squealed.
"Maybe someday, we'll both have little girls," Alexa said with a grin. "And they'll be best friends like we are."
"Of course they will be," Saffron said. "Best of best friends."
Alexa looked at Saffron's bedside table at the framed photograph of the two of them. "Were we really this young?"
"Feels so long ago," Saffron sat down next to her. "Look at those pigtails!"
Alexa giggled. "And me with those buck teeth. Thankfully, I was fitted for my braces a few weeks after that."
"And now you have an absolutely gorgeous smile," Saffron said loyally.
"As do you," Alexa said grinning at her. "I was so glad that we both had braces at the same time."
"They looked terrible on me," Saffron tucked the picture away. "Ethan never let me live them down."
"They looked great on you," Alexa said.
"No way," Saffron shook her head.
"They did," Alexa said hitting her in the arm. "You are just fishing for compliments."
"Look who's talking," Saffron nudged her back. "Buck teeth my arse!"
"I looked like a rabbit!" Alexa exclaimed.
"Whatever," Saffron grabbed the rest of her clothes from the dresser.
"You have the most books of anyone I know," Alexa said putting some more of Saffron's collection into her trunk.
"Thanks to my Mum," Saffron replied.
"You could start your own library," Alexa teased.
"Maybe I will," Saffron returned.
Alexa laughed. "You're well on your way, Miss Potter."
"I'm still in shock at the offer Puddlemere made me," Saffron said, throwing her robes on the heap of stuff in her trunk.
"You deserve it," Alexa said. "You're one of the best players in the country."
"I just hope it all works out," Saffron said fervently.
"It will," Alexa reassured her. "This is only the beginning."
"For all of us," Saffron said. "You're going off to school- but at least you'll get to be with Gabe more often."
Alexa smiled. "He's going to have a full schedule, but we'll fit in time when we can."
"You'll figure out a way to see him every day, if I know you." Saffron answered.
"Maybe," Alexa grinned. "So...what do you want to do with these papers?'
"I should pass them to Ash," Saffron said with a grin.
"I'll pack them," Alexa said putting them in the trunk.
"Lexie!" Saffron laughed.
"What?" Alexa asked laughing.
"Come on, they could help her out." Saffron said. "She'd never hand them in as hers."
Alexa took them back out and handed them to Saffron. "I know she wouldn't."
"I gave her all my potions texts already," Saffron said.
"She doesn't need them," Alexa said. "From what Brittany told me, she's Snape's favourite student."
"Amazing isn't it?" Saffron shook her head.
"The fact that her last name is Malfoy and not Potter probably has something to do with that," Alexa said thoughtfully.
"Maybe," Saffron shrugged. "In any case, I'm glad she's doing good here on her own."
"She is," Alexa said.
"I think that's it," Saffron looked around her room.
"Don't forget this little guy," Alexa said petting Puddles.
"Never," Saffron swooped her dog up. "Are you excited to go home, baby?"
Puddles let out a bark.
"I think that's a yes," Saffron grinned.
"Well," Alexa said looking around. "I guess this is it."
Saffron nodded reluctantly. "Part of me doesn't ever want to leave."
"Me either," Alexa agreed, her eyes tearing up.
Saffron put Puddles down and hugged her tightly.
"Do you wonder if RJ and Andrew hugged like this before they left Hogwarts?" Alexa asked in a choked voice.
"Probably not," Saffron answered. "They both seemed pretty eager to get out of here."
"Boys," Alexa said rolling her eyes.
"They never change, do they?" Saffron asked, waving her wand over her trunk to shrink it down.
"No," Alexa laughed. "They never do."
"But we still love them," Saffron picked up Puddles's leash and hooked her arm into Alexa's.
"This isn't the end," Alexa said. "We're just beginning a new chapter in our lives."