Authors' note: Quite a reaction from the last chapter. We're expecting about the same for this chapter. Something HUGE happens that will change everything. Please read and review!
Saffron's eyes popped wide open but she was unable to stop herself from kissing him back. It had been so long and she had missed him so much.
He forgot about everything as he kissed her---the party, what had happened that night. This felt right and he couldn't have stopped himself from doing this than he could have stopped himself from breathing.
"Andrew," she breathed. "Please..."
Andrew pulled away to look at her. "Saffy, I can't do this. Natalia---"
"Please," she begged.
Andrew kissed her again.
Saffron closed her eyes and gave in to him as he pushed her down onto the pillows.
"I've missed you so much," Andrew said huskily.
"I missed you too," she said, pushing his hair out of his eyes.
Andrew kissed her again, wanting to do whatever he could to make her feel better. He hated to see her cry.
"Please keep doing that," Saffron said. "I always loved when you would do that..."
Andrew pulled one of the straps of her dress down and trailed kisses down her neck and shoulder.
"Yes..." she said, tugging at the zipper down her side.
Andrew peeled the dress away from her body. She was the most beautiful girl in the world to him. She always had been.
Saffron felt her breath coming short as she tugged up on his shirt.
Andrew pulled away from her for just a moment to lift his shirt over his head. Saffron raised a hand up to touch his taut stomach and smiled up at him, seeming to give her okay that this was what she wanted.
She nodded as she reached for the buttons of his trousers.
His trousers and boxer shorts soon joined her dress in a pile on the floor. They were going way too fast to think of anything but each other and what was about to happen.
They collapsed back on the bed in a tangle of arms and limbs, their lips fusing together over and over again.
"Saffy," he murmured against her skin.
"Yes," she murmured. "Yes... yes..."
He positioned himself carefully over her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.
"Please Andrew," she said. "Make me feel good..."
He kissed her again as he slowly pressed himself into her.
Saffron clutched onto him as if he would disappear, her nails digging into his back.
He pressed deeper into her and Saffron buried her face in his shoulder to stifle her cries.
"Saffy..." Andrew looked down at her.
"Andrew," Saffron whispered looking up at him. This was the first time she'd felt truly safe since she'd returned home.
"I wanted this," he said. "With you...
"I do too," Saffron said softly. "More than anything."
Andrew kissed her again. "Just move with me..."
"Just don't stop," Saffron said doing as he asked. "Don't ever stop..."
"No," he shook his head. "Never, Saffy."
"I love you," Saffron whispered. "I never stopped. Not ever."
He rested his forehead on hers. "I could never stop loving you."
Saffron held him tighter against her. She wanted all of him.
"Saf," he said breathlessly.
"Mmmmm," Saffron murmured.
"You're amazing," he said. "Absolutely... amazing..."
Saffron kissed him again. She'd thought about what this would be like with him so many times. All those dreams paled into comparison as to what the real thing was like. It was always going to be him.
"Oh God, Saffy..." Andrew said as she pushed harder against him.
Saffron again buried her face in his shoulder as she cried out her release.
Andrew felt her clench around him as their bodies pressed together. "Wow..." he managed.
"Wow," Saffron echoed. "Andrew..."
"If I didn't know better," he pushed her hair back. "I would swear that wasn't your first time. You're incredible Saffy."
Saffron smiled up at him. "I can't believe we just did that."
"After all this time..." he agreed.
"All this time," Saffron said happily.
Andrew moved off to her side as she wrapped her arm around him.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked her softly.
Saffron shook her head. "Not at all."
He was leaning in to kiss her when he caught sight of the photograph of Natalia on his bedside table.
"Shit..." he said quietly.
"What is it?" Saffron asked.
"Talia," he said.
Saffron felt the happiness she'd experienced fading away. She'd just slept with another girl's boyfriend. A very nice girl who had made a sobering potion for her and seemed genuinely concerned about her welfare. What kind of person did something like that?
"Merlin," she said, pushing the covers back.
Andrew reached for his boxer shorts. Never in his life had he cheated on a girl before. Hell, she'd been in the next room, oblivious to what he'd been doing in here.
"I'm sorry," Saffron whispered. "I'm just going to go home."
Andrew pulled his shirt on and turned to look at her. "I can see you home."
Saffron shook her head. "RJ will."
Andrew nodded. "Okay."
Saffron could hardly look at her ex. "Tell Natalia thank you for the potion."
Andrew didn't know if he'd be able to look his girlfriend in the eyes after what he'd just done. "I'll---I'll go and get RJ."
Once he was gone Saffron sat down again on the bed and fought back her tears. She'd gone from the bottom of the barrel to the top and back to the bottom again.
Andrew walked into the sitting room and saw his girlfriend chatting with Audrey and RJ. When she caught his eye, Natalia waved at him. With a heavy heart, he walked over to them.
"How's Saffy?" Natalia asked with concern. "Did the potion work?"
"Yeah," he said. "She um... she wants to go home. Can you take her?" he looked at RJ.
"Absolutely," RJ replied. "Aud, you promise not to chuck me for someone else while I'm gone, right?"
"Never," Audrey laughed, giving him a kiss. Neither of them noticed Andrew blanch.
"I'll be back in a bit," RJ promised.
"We only have a few minutes left," Natalia said linking her arm with Andrew's. "Until the New Year."
"Yeah," Andrew nodded. "Good thing I came out here..."
"Natalia was telling me about what a great time you had in Italy," Audrey said. "And how you won over her entire family."
"Mama and Papa loved him," Natalia said. "In fact, I think they want to adopt him."
"We had a good time," Andrew said uneasily as RJ and Saffron came into the room and headed for the fireplace. He tried to avoid her eyes yet watch her at the same time.
"Saffron!" Natalia called out.
The brunette froze.
Natalia walked over to her. "I'm glad to see the colour's back on your face."
"Thanks," Saffron said. "The potion helped- that was really nice of you."
"It wasn't a problem," Natalia said smiling at her. "You might still feel a little sick tomorrow morning. If you drink some ginger ale before you go to bed tonight, that should take care of it."
"I will," Saffron forced a smile. "I hope you... you and Andrew have a nice New Year's."
"I'm really glad that you're home safe and sound," Natalia said patting her on the shoulder. "You had an awful lot of people worried about you."
Saffron wanted to dislike this girl in front of her but found it impossible to do so. "Thank you," she said softly. "I appreciate it."
"Happy New Year," Natalia told her.
"You too," Saffron said before following RJ to the fireplace.
They arrived at Saffron's house a few minutes later.
"Are Aunt Hermione and Uncle Harry home?"
Saffron nodded. "They...they were staying in this year."
"I'll walk you in to them," RJ said, taking her arm.
"Thanks, RJ," Saffron said quietly.
"Anything you need," RJ told her. "I mean it, Saffy."
Saffron gave him a hug. "Thank you."
He hugged her back. "Get yourself ready for practise in a few days. And stay away from O'Neal. He's really nothing but bad news."
"Saffy?" Hermione called out. "Is that you, sweetheart?"
"Hi Mum," Saffron answered.
"What are you doing home so early?" Hermione asked. "Hello, RJ."
"Hi, Aunt Hermione," RJ said stepping forward to give her a hug. "Saffy wasn't feeling too well so I brought her home."
Hermione stood up. "Are you okay, sweetheart? Want me to make you some tea? Do you need me to get a healer--"
Saffron shook her head. "I would like some ginger ale. To settle my stomach."
"Coming right up, baby." Harry said, getting to his feet.
"Thanks, Daddy," Saffron said.
"I should get back," RJ said.
Hermione nodded. "Thank you for seeing her home, RJ. That was very sweet of you."
"It's no problem," RJ said. "See you later, Saffy. I'll ring you tomorrow."
Saffron nodded. "Happy New Year, RJ."
He smiled at her before heading back out.
"You do feel a little warm," Hermione said putting her head to her daughter's forehead. She noticed that her daughter had tears in her eyes. "Sweetheart?"
"I just want to go to bed," Saffron turned away.
Hermione put a hand out to stop her. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Saffron said.
"Here's your ginger ale," Harry said coming back into the room.
"Thanks," Saffron said quietly.
"How about I sit with you until you go to sleep?" Hermione offered.
Saffron shrugged. "If you want to."
"Of course," Hermione said putting her arm around her.
"Where is everyone else at?" Saffron asked.
"Nick and Julie are at Chiaki's," Hermione said. "Katie's staying with Caroline. Ashley's at her sleepover and Ethan and Maddie are at Will and Frankie's."
"Sounds like everyone's having a good time," Saffron said. Just an hour ago, so had she.
Hermione opened the bedroom door. Puddles jumped off Saffron's bed and hurried over to his mistress.
"Hi baby," Saffron said as he jumped up against her.
Hermione could tell that something was troubling her daughter, but she figured it was something to do with her visit to the Grants this afternoon.
"I'll be okay Mum," Saffron said. "Go back and sit with Dad."
Hermione shook her head. "I don't want to leave you."
"I just want to be by myself," Saffron replied.
"If you're sure," Hermione said.
Saffron nodded and hugged her mother. She wanted badly to talk about what had happened that night, but she wasn't sure if her mother would understand.
"I love you so much, sweetheart," Hermione said. "More than anything."
"I love you too," Saffron said, still blinking back tears. "I'll see you in the morning."
"When you are ready to talk about what's troubling you," Hermione said from the doorway. "I hope you know that I'm here."
Saffron nodded. "I know."
"Good night," Hermione said softly, closing the door behind her.
Saffron waited until she was sure her mother had gone downstairs before breaking down into tears.
What kind of person was she? When she tried to make things right, she made them so much worse than they needed to be.
"I'm horrible, Puddles," she said softly. "I slept with Andrew, but he's with Natalia now."
Puddles cuddled up to her.
"I don't know if I can ever face him again," Saffron rubbed his head.
This was a complete mess and she had no idea how to get herself out of it.
Meanwhile across town, Alexa, Gabriel, Mimi, Jake, Beth and Peter were still at the club waiting to ring in the New Year.
"I'm going to get us some champagne," Jake said. "Peter's paying."
"Hey!" Peter protested.
Gabriel laughed. "He bought the first round. I'll get this one."
"I'll go with and help you sort out the currency," Alexa replied.
"Thank you," Gabriel said gratefully. "I'm still trying to get the whole pounds thing worked out and then you throw pickles and nuts into it..."
Alexa laughed. "Sickles and knuts."
"Whatever they are," Gabriel took her hand. "Are you having fun?"
"Yes," Alexa said. "I'm really glad that Saffy got out of here before that wanker took advantage of her."
"Me too," Gabriel said. "And you look gorgeous tonight, Lexie."
"You look rather handsome tonight as well," Alexa said grinning at him.
He leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"I hope this year brings back the rest of my memories," Alexa said. "I want that more than anything."
"Even if they don't come back, it'll be okay," Gabriel said. "You've got everything in front of you, Lexie. And you'll always have me."
Alexa smiled. "It has been nice getting to know you again."
"It's been especially nice lately," Gabriel wound his arm around her.
"It has been, hasn't it?" Alexa said leaning against him.
"Definitely," he said, nuzzling her ear. "I love you."
Alexa smiled at him. "We should get that champagne."
"Right," he nodded, leading her to the bar.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.
"The best bottle of champagne that you have," Gabriel said.
"Gabe!" Alexa gasped.
"What can I say?" Gabriel said. "I've got the most beautiful woman here as my date. I have reason to celebrate."
"That's very generous," Alexa said resting her head on his shoulder while they waited.
"You deserve the best," Gabriel told her.
Alexa instinctively leaned in and kissed him.
Gabriel put his arms around her, deepening the kiss.
"Wow," Alexa said dreamily when they pulled apart.
"Yeah," he said dazedly.
The bartender came back with their champagne and Alexa helped Gabriel figure out the currency. Alexa carried the glasses back to the table, while Gabriel followed with the bottle.
"Wow," Beth said upon seeing it. "That's good stuff, Gabe!"
"We have a lot to celebrate, don't we?" Gabriel asked with a grin.
"We sure do," Alexa said as he popped the cork on the bottle.
"Three minutes," Mimi told them.
Alexa snuggled next to her boyfriend. "Anyone want to make a toast?"
"I do," Mimi said standing up. "This last year had a lot of good times, but a lot of bad times, too. But, Saffy's home and Alexa is getting her memories back slowly but surely. I think the best is yet to come for all of us!"
"Hear, hear." Gabriel raised his glass. "Good one."
Beth raised her glass. "You forgot your mum's engagement, Meems."
"Oh yeah," Mimi grinned. "Oliver Wood is going to be my new stepfather... which I can't believe!"
"He is soooooo hot," Beth gushed.
"Gross, Beth." Mimi complained.
"Is this the bloke you told me was a little older than my dad?" Gabriel asked Alexa.
Alexa nodded. "And Beth worships the ground he walks on."
"That's sort of weird, isn't it?" Gabriel asked with a grin.
"Try completely weird," Mimi said. "There were girls in school who deliberately got in trouble so they'd get detention to be near him. And, I was one of them, but that was before he started dating my mum. That kind of put the old kibosh on that."
Jake nudged her. "I'd like to think I had something to do with that, too."
"Oh you had a big something," Mimi grinned at him.
"Good answer," Jake said leaning in to give her a kiss.
The DJ began the countdown and Alexa giggled as Gabriel pulled her into his lap. "I want to be holding on to you right at midnight."
"I'm okay with that," Alexa wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Ten...nine...eight," the crowd shouted.
"Seven," Gabriel rested his forehead against his girlfriend's.
"Six," Alexa said smiling at him.
"Five," Beth and Mimi chimed in happily. "Four! Three!"
"Two....one!" the crowd shouted. "Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year," Alexa smiled at Gabriel before leaning in and kissing him.
Gabriel snaked his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss.
Alexa felt like her body was on fire when they broke apart. "Gabe..." she said softly.
"Yeah?" he asked looking at her.
"I love you," she whispered.
She hadn't said those words to him in so long. He'd thought he'd never hear them again. "You do?"
"Yeah," she said, a tiny smile on her face. "I just... you're such a great guy, Gabe. I'm so lucky you stuck by me through this."
"I love you," Gabriel said. "I'd stand by you through anything, Lexie."
"You already have," Alexa gave him another kiss. "I have some more good news for you too."
"What's that?" Gabriel asked her.
"I'll be going to school again this fall," Alexa said with a grin. "In the States. My parents talked to the admissions office just this morning."
Gabriel grinned. "Really?"
Alexa nodded. "So now we'll be able to see each other a lot more often."
Gabriel hugged her to him. "Lexie, that's the best news!"
"I could hardly wait to tell you all night," Alexa hugged him back.
Gabriel kissed her feeling happier than he had in months. Everything seemed to be falling back into place.
"You two are worse than my mum and Oliver," Mimi teased them.
"We're not that bad, are we?" Alexa laughed.
"It's okay if we are," Gabriel said, squeezing her waist.
"We're proud of it," Alexa said. Tonight, had been perfect. The only thing missing had been her best friend. "Gabe? Do you mind if I borrow your mobile?"
"Sure," Gabriel reached into his pocket.
Mimi took out her wand. "I'll put a quieting charm around you so you'll be able to hear."
Alexa smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks, Meems."
She dialled the telephone number and frowned when she got Saffy's voice mail. "Hey, Saffy. It's me. I hope that you're doing okay and that you're not mad at me for bringing Andrew. I was just worried about you. Happy New Year, Saffy! We all miss you!"
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the rest of the group chorused into the phone before Alexa turned it off.
"I'm sure she's fine," Mimi assured her. "Andrew and RJ will look out for her."
Alexa nodded. "I hope so."
"Saffy's strong," Beth said. "She's going to get through this. We'll help her."
"That's right," Mimi nodded.
Back at the minister's mansion, Hermione and Harry had watched the festivities in London on the television. It was one of the quietest New Year's they'd ever had, but given what they'd been through, they were happy for the peace and quiet.
"I wonder if I should go check on Saffron," Hermione said just after the New Year had rung in.
"Do you think something happened?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded. "But she wouldn't say."
"I wish I could turn back time so she wouldn't have to go through all of that," Harry said wistfully. "It kills me to see her like that."
"Me too," Hermione replied. "I'd have gone through the situation with Gordon all over again if it meant sparing her and Ethan."
"I should have killed him when I had the chance," Harry said staring at the fireplace.
"Then you'd be in Azkaban," Hermione put a hand on her husband's arm.
"And no help to anyone," Harry said putting his arm around her.
"Right," Hermione leaned against him. "So do you think I should check on her or leave her alone?"
"Check on her," Harry said. "It'll ease your mind because I know you. You'll worry all night if you don't."
"You do know me too well," Hermione nodded, getting up.
"I'll get us another glass of wine," Harry said giving her a kiss.
"Sounds good," Hermione said, heading for her daughter's room.
Hermione gently knocked on the door. "Saffy?"
There was no answer so Hermione pushed the door open. "Sweetheart?"
Her daughter was in bed and the lights were off save for the lamp on her daughter's bedside table. Puddles was resting comfortably at the foot of the bed.
"Saffy?" she whispered. "Are you awake, baby?"
Saffron wiped at her eyes. "Yes," she said hoarsely.
"Why don't you tell me what happened?" Hermione urged gently.
Saffron shook her head. "I can't, Mum."
"How come?" Hermione sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'm a terrible person," Saffron sobbed.
"No you're not," Hermione gathered her in her arms.
Saffron sobbed into her mother's shoulder, feeling that she didn't deserve her mother's comfort, but wanting it just the same.
"Baby," Hermione soothed her. "Let it out..."
"Mummy," Saffron said looking at her. "I don't want you to hate me."
"I could never hate you, sweetheart." Hermione smoothed back her hair. "Not ever."
"I can't talk about it just yet," Saffron said resting her head on her mother's shoulder. "I just can't..."
"Why not?" Hermione urged.
"Something happened tonight," Saffron said looking away.
"Did someone hurt you?" Hermione asked. "Or say something?"
Saffron shook her head, debating whether or not to tell her mother what had happened.
Hermione's heart broke for her daughter.
"We----we were at the club," Saffron began. "I felt like a fifth wheel, but they were all being so nice and trying to include me. But, I just couldn't stop thinking about the Grants."
"I'm sure it was very difficult going over there," Hermione said.
"I had a shot of Firewhisky," Saffron continued. "And one shot turned into two and three...."
"You were drinking?" Hermione asked in astonishment.
Saffron nodded sheepishly. "I shouldn't have, I know. But, I was just feeling so sad and I wanted to forget..."
"That's not the way to forget things, baby." Hermione said softly.
"I know that now," Saffron said wiping at her eyes. "I---I met this bloke from Puddlemere, Daniel. He was charming and he seemed to know all the right things to say."
"That's the one who's been filling in for you?" Hermione asked.
Saffron nodded. "He and I kept drinking and dancing and I guess Lexie was scared about what might happen since he's got a bit of a reputation."
"What did happen?" Hermione asked.
"We kissed is all," Saffron told her mother. "I'm sure he would have liked it to go further, but..."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "You didn't. I'm glad."
Saffron wondered what her mother would think once she heard the rest of the story. "Anyway, Alexa left to get RJ, but I guess he was having his big party and she brought Andrew instead."
"Was that awkward?" she asked.
"I was so pissed," Saffron said looking down at her lap. "And Daniel...he looked so much like Sean."
"Oh baby," Hermione kissed her forehead.
"Andrew took me back to his flat," Saffron said. "And his girlfriend Natalia, she made a sobering potion for me."
"That was very nice of her," Hermione said assuming that was the reason Saffron was so upset.
"It was," Saffron said as new tears welled up in her eyes. "She's a very nice girl. I wanted to hate her, but she's so....nice."
"That's the hardest part," Hermione nodded.
Saffron nodded and ran a hand through her hair. "Andrew sat with me afterwards. We talked about what had been happening and I just felt so safe and warm with him, Mum. I haven't felt that way in so long."'
"I don't think first loves ever go away," Hermione said. "I wouldn't know for sure, since I wound up with mine."
"You and Daddy are so lucky," Saffron said softly.
"You'll find love again, when you're ready," Hermione hugged her tightly.
"Mum," Saffron said trying to stave off her tears. "Andrew and I---"
"You and Andrew what?" Hermione asked.
"We...slept together," Saffron whispered.
For a moment, Hermione didn't comprehend what her daughter said. "You what?"
Saffron pulled away. "It just happened..."
"You slept with Andrew?" Hermione asked again.
Saffron's lower lip trembled and she couldn't meet her mother's gaze.
"Oh, baby," Hermione said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Saffron couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
Hermione drew her daughter back to her again and hugged her tightly.
"You're disappointed in me," Saffron said quietly.
"Yes," Hermione said honestly. "But I could never hate you."
"I'm so sorry, Mum," Saffron said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"It's not me you should apologise to," Hermione said gently.
"She was worried about me," Saffron said wiping at her eyes. "Before I left, she was telling me what to do to make sure I wasn't sick in the morning. I couldn't even look at her, Mum!"
"You and Andrew owe her an explanation," Hermione replied. "And a very big apology. But that's up to the two of you."
"She didn't deserve this," Saffron said unable to look at her mother.
"No she didn't," Hermione agreed. "But you're a grown up now, Saffron. When you do something like this you've got to take the repercussions that go with it."
"Is everything okay in here?" Harry asked from the doorway.
Saffron jumped and Hermione nodded. "We're just talking."
"Saffy?" Harry asked, seeing her tear-stained cheeks.
"I'm okay," Saffron turned her face away.
"You're obviously not," Harry said stepping into the room. "Did someone hurt you?"
"No one hurt her," Hermione assured him.
"Can I do anything to make it better?" Harry asked.
"No one can," Saffron mumbled.
"I'm going to stay with her for awhile," Hermione told her husband.
Harry nodded, his eyes full of concern. "If there's anything I can do..."
"She knows," Hermione said.
"I'm going to bed," Harry replied. "Good night."
"Good night, Harry," Hermione said smiling reassuringly at her husband. "I'll be in shortly."
"Night Daddy," Saffron said softly.
"Good night, sweetheart," Harry said. "I love you."
"Love you too," Saffron managed a tiny smile.
Saffron pulled back her covers and got back into bed. Hermione climbed in beside her and Saffron cuddled up to her. When she was a child, doing this would instantly make her feel better. But, she wasn't a kid anymore.
"Just go to sleep, baby." Hermione said. "Things will look up in the morning."
Saffron doubted that.
"And know that despite everything, your father and I will love you no matter what."
"I love you too," Saffron whispered. "I'm sorry I disappointed you, Mum."
Hermione kissed her forehead. "You've got a lot to work out, baby."
"Stay with me, Mum," Saffron said closing her eyes.
"I won't leave until you're asleep," Hermione promised.
It didn't take long for Saffron to drift off to sleep. Hermione gently got up from the bed and tiptoed out of the room.
Harry was waiting up for her. "How is she?"
"Sleeping," Hermione said closing the bedroom door behind her.
"Did she tell you what was wrong?" he asked.
Hermione nodded.
"And?" Harry raised his eyebrows.
"She's dealing with a lot of things right now," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Was tonight some sort of catalyst?" Harry was curious.
"You could say that," Hermione said with a sigh.
"You're not going to tell me any more than that, are you?" Harry said as she changed into her pyjamas.
"She was barely able to tell me, Harry," Hermione told him.
"She wasn't hurt, right?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No, she wasn't. She's just going need some time to figure some things out is all."
Harry nodded. "Okay. I won't pry."
"Thank you," Hermione said hugging him.
"Let's hope this year turns out better than the last," Harry said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Merlin, I hope so," Hermione said resting her forehead on his.
"I can't imagine how it wouldn't be," Harry kissed her.
"I love you," Hermione whispered.
"I love you too," Harry tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Thank you for my dinner," Hermione said. "You outdid yourself as always."
"Only the best for you," Harry replied.
"Do you think everyone's having a good time at the Ministry ball?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure they are," Harry said. "But I was glad to have you all to myself tonight."
"It's the first one we've missed, but I just couldn't deal with all of that tonight," Hermione said.
"I think everyone understands," Harry said, waving his hand to make the lights go out.
Hermione grinned. "Do you remember the ones we used to go to when you were a young Auror and I was just a student?"
"We felt so out of place," Harry nodded.
"And we'd dance," Hermione said with a grin.
"And show off," Harry said. "Really, really show off."
"And raise a few eyebrows," Hermione said. "Of all the old, stodgy types."
"And then you became Minister," Harry nuzzled her ear.
"And we became the old, stodgy types," Hermione laughed.
"Never stodgy," Harry replied.
"Never stodgy," Hermione agreed.
"Night, sweetheart." Harry said, holding her close.
"Good night, Harry," Hermione said softly. "Love you."
"Love you too," Harry replied.
Hermione closed her eyes and said a silent prayer that her youngest daughter would be able to figure things out and find some peace.