Authors' note: We appreciate the great response to the last chapter! Thanks so much for reading and we'll be interested to see what you have to say with this next chapter! Enjoy!
Nick groaned and looked at Julie. "She can't be serious..."
Julie looked just as shocked as everyone else as Molly hurried into the sitting room.
Ginny Weasley Malfoy had tripped over the coffee table in the middle of the room and was giggling.
"Ginevra!" Molly exclaimed, going over to her. "Sweetheart, what on earth are you doing here?"
Ginny stumbled as she tried to get up. "Happy Christmas!"
"She's pissed," Nick muttered helping his grandmother with Ginny.
Molly nodded worriedly. "I'll get her some coffee."
Ginny shook her head and looked over at her son. "No coffee...want Og--Og--Ogden's, Nicholas."
"Mother," Nick shook his head disgustedly. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Your bloody father," Ginny replied. "Worthless bastard!"
"Tell me something I don't know," Nick said bitterly.
Katie and Ashley stood in the doorway. "Good heavens," Ginny giggled. "Whose are they? Ron and Luna pop out some more did they?"
Nick shook his head. "Those are your grandchildren, Mother. My children."
Ginny squinted her eyes. "Andrea----Andrea and Kay, right?"
"Ashley and Katie," Nick said sharply.
"Plain little names," Ginny said dismissively.
"How did you get here without splinching yourself in this state?" Nick asked, trying very hard not to lose his temper in front of his children.
"I don't know..." Ginny's head lolled back. "I just had to get away from that asshole..."
Julie put her arms around her daughters. "Come on, you don't need to see this."
"What's wrong with her Mummy?" Katie asked.
"She's been drinking," Julie replied.
"Can we do anything to help?" Ashley asked. "Grandma, did you get my card? I send you one every year..."
"A card?" Ginny squinted at her. "Oh..." she flopped back and laughed. "That simpleton little thing..."
"I drew it myself," Ashley said, her voice breaking a bit.
Ginny waved her hand. "I don't know what I did with it. Probably... threw it out... or something..."
Nick grabbed his mother by the arm. "Let's take you upstairs..."
"Nicholas, you're---you're hurting me," Ginny protested.
"Good," Nick said through clenched teeth.
Ashley walked back into the kitchen and slumped back in her seat. She wiped at her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Caroline asked, concerned.
"Its okay, Ashley," Hermione said walking over to her granddaughter. "She's the one with the problem, not you. Don't waste your tears on this."
"She's so mean," Ashley said in a small voice. "I just thought maybe if she saw that someone cared... she might..."
Hermione put her arms around her and hugged her tightly.
Darla had told Liam about who the unexpected guest was and the ensuing scene had been a little too close for comfort for him. He excused himself for a breath of fresh air while Darla was helping Molly with the coffee.
When Darla came back downstairs, she looked around the kitchen. "Drew? Where---where's Liam?"
"He went outside," Drew said.
"I'll be right back," Darla said hurrying into the sitting room to grab their cloaks. She stepped out into the cold, night air and found Liam in the backyard by the picnic table. "Here," she said handing him his cloak.
"What?" he asked. "Oh... thanks."
"My aunt sure knows how to make an entrance," Darla said sitting down beside him. "She hasn't made a family Christmas …well… ever… and the one time she does---"
"She's pissed," Liam finished. "I know how that is."
"Oh," Darla said quietly.
"It's not easy," Liam said.
Darla reached for his hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't know she was going to show up like this."
He sent her a half smile. "Not your fault in the least."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Darla asked.
Liam shrugged. "Not much to talk about."
"I can't imagine what it must have been like growing up like you did," Darla said softly.
"It wasn't easy," he admitted. "Not at all... but it made me want to be a better person."
"You are," Darla said squeezing his hand. "In my opinion, you are a great person."
"Thanks," he said. "I appreciate that. I still need the encouragement once in awhile."
"That's what I'm here for," Darla grinned.
"It's cold," Liam said. "I don't want to keep you out here."
"I'm fine," Darla said. "We can go back in when you're ready."
"I'm ready," he said, helping her up. "I don't want you to miss the holiday with your family because of me."
Darla put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
Liam allowed himself to relax in her embrace for a few moments.
"This is going to be a great Christmas, Liam," Darla whispered.
"It already is," he said. "Thanks, Dar."
Darla pulled away to look at him. His arms were still on her waist. Almost instinctively, Darla felt herself leaning in.
"Darla? Sweetheart, are you out here?" Luna called out.
Darla pulled away, her cheeks flushing. "We'll be inside in a few minutes," she said to her mother.
Luna smiled. "Your father is threatening to eat all the cake. You and Liam had better hurry."
"Right," Darla said.
"Shall we go in then?" Liam asked still looking at Darla.
"Yes," she nodded, feeling flustered.
"Darla?" Liam asked before she could go inside. She turned and looked at him. "Thank you....for everything."
Darla smiled at him. "Anytime Liam."
Just upstairs, Nick was getting his mother settled in her old bedroom. Ginny kept wanting to get up, but he kept pushing her back down.
"This place," Ginny slurred. "Never, ever---changes."
"Then why are you here?" Nick snapped.
"My mother," Ginny said, her lower lip trembling.
"What do you expect Nana to do for you?" Nick asked.
"She loves me," Ginny replied. "No matter what."
"Yeah," Nick admitted. "I guess she does. That's more than I could ever say for you."
Ginny put her head in her hands and started to cry.
"I'm not falling for it, Mother," Nick said. "You've done this way too many times. Whenever Dad is mean to you or you think that he's not paying enough attention to you, you come back here to me or to Nana."
"But I can count on you," Ginny sobbed. "I can't count on HIM."
"Who is it this time?" Nick asked folding his arms. "Some nurse at the hospital? His secretary?"
"He says no one," Ginny bawled. "But I know there has to be!"
Molly came into the room with a cup of coffee and a plate of biscuits. "Sweetheart, you should be lying down," Molly said setting the tray down on the bedside table.
"I can't," Ginny said miserably.
"Yes, you can," Molly said sitting down beside her daughter and putting an arm around her. "You've always been my sweet girl."
Nick turned around and rolled his eyes.
"Thanks Mum," Ginny said.
"Now if only Percy were here, we'd all be together," Molly said looking at Nick.
Nick forced a smile onto his face.
Ginny looked over at her mother. "You always feel like home to me, Mum."
"The important thing is you're here," Molly said. "And you can stay here as long as you like."
Ginny hugged her mother tightly. "Where's D-Daddy?"
"He's downstairs," Molly told her.
"And George and Ron and Fred? And Charlie and Bill." Ginny asked. "I'd like to see them."
"Now you want to see them?" Nick asked incredulously.
"Nicholas," Ginny put a hand over her eyes.
"And what about your granddaughters?" Nick asked. "Do you even care that you hurt Ashley's feelings? She's never given up on you, you know that?"
Ginny began to sob again. "Nicholas, you always think the worst of me!"
"Why wouldn't I?" Nick asked.
Molly held out her hand. "Nicholas, go and get Arthur, and Ginny's brothers. She'd like to see them."
Nick shook his head. "I'll ask them if they want to come up, but I wouldn't' blame them if they don't."
"Just ask them for me," Molly said to him.
Nick cast them both a doubtful look.
"You can even bring Andrea and Kitty up if you'd like," Ginny said to him.
"Not a chance," Nick said coldly. "Not so you can hurt them again. You can't even remember their names."
"Ashley and Katie," Molly corrected Ginny. "They're wonderful girls. Nick and Julie have raised them well."
"Yes," Ginny waved a hand dismissively. "Oh my head..."
Nick stalked out of the room. His mother had such a knack for taking something nice and ruining it completely.
"Grandpa?" Nick asked as he came into the kitchen. "Nana wants to see you upstairs with Ron, Charlie, Fred, George and Bill."
Ron snorted. "I'm not going up there."
"I'll go for Mum's sake," Charlie said pushing back from his chair. "But only for hers."
"As will I," Bill replied after glancing at Fleur.
"Go for your mother," Luna said putting her hand on Ron's arm.
Ron heaved a sigh. "Fine."
The Weasley brothers trudged upstairs with their father.
Nick didn't go back up, but he watched his uncles go.
"Is she okay, Dad?" Ashley asked in a small voice.
Nick shook his head. "She'll never be okay, sweetheart. All her misdeeds have caught up to her."
"Like they did for our great-grandfather?" Ashley asked.
"Exactly," Nick nodded. He sat down by his daughters. "No matter what she says, you two are very loved. I happen to think you're the best daughters a father could have."
Katie and Ashley smiled at him.
"Thanks, Daddy," Katie said.
Nick smiled back at his daughters. "No need to let her ruin our Christmas."
"Absolutely," Julie said. "Who's up for pudding? We can eat it while the hogs are upstairs."
"ME!" Emma cried out.
Julie laughed. "How did I know you would be the first?"
"Because I love food," Emma said proudly.
"That's my girl," Jon said proudly.
"Adam can have some first," Emma allowed generously.
Adam grinned. "Thank Em!"
Emma grinned back at him. Caroline patted her shoulder. "That was really nice of you Emma."
Emma shrugged. "I can be nice."
Caroline grinned at her.
"Jules sit down," Jon said. "Josh and I can serve."
"If I do that, there won't be any left," Julie said. "Allie, Lizzy and I can do it."
"Good idea," Allison replied.
Saffron looked at her mother. "Don't you wish you could be a fly on the wall upstairs?" she asked in a low voice.
Hermione grimaced. "Not really. I cannot stand that woman."
"I wanted to kick her arse the moment she said what she did to Ashley," Saffron said shaking her head.
"You and me both," Hermione agreed.
"But Nick's right, we won't let her ruin the holiday," Saffron said determinedly.
"Not at all," Hermione replied.
Kiera grabbed her little spoon and banged it on the table like Adam.
"No," Ethan said. "That's not nice, Kiera."
"Eat," Kiera said holding out her spoon.
"Here," Ethan said, "Here's some pudding."
Kiera grinned at him. "Thank Daddy."
"My little talker," Ethan said affectionately.
Saffron made a goofy face at Kiera.
"B-brat," Kiera said.
Saffron's jaw fell as Ethan doubled over in laughter. "Ethan James! I can't believe you taught her that!"
Ethan coughed. "You're right. I'm sorry. Kiera, that was wrong."
Saffron nodded. "Thank you."
"It's Aunt Brat," Ethan said to Kiera. "Aunt Brat."
"ETHAN!" Saffron threw a piece of bread at him. "You are such a--"
"Saffron Grace," Julie interjected.
"Creep," Saffron fumed.
"She's a sponge," Ethan said defensively. "I can't help if she picks it up."
"You shouldn't say things like that in front of her," Maddie chastised him.
"Mads, come on," Ethan said. "I mean it in the best way."
"Wait until Ellie gets old enough to talk," Saffron said.
"Ellie loves her Uncle Ethan," Ethan said.
"Not for long," Saffron muttered.
"Why do you and Uncle Ethan get along better than Aunt Saffy and Uncle Ethan?" Katie asked as Julie set a dish in front of her.
"Because I'm older than Ethan, and terrorized him when he grew up," Julie said jokingly.
"Very funny, Jules," Ethan said grinning at her.
"Watch it or I'll pinch your cheeks," Julie warned him.
Ashley smiled. She tried to forget about the horrible things her grandmother had said. She had a great family and she felt sorry for her Grandmother Ginny because she didn't realise it. Ashley looked over at Adam who was happily eating his pudding. "We can draw whatever you want after we all finish eating," Ashley told him.
Adam nodded eagerly. "A dragon!"
"Breathing fire?" Ashley asked him.
"YES!" Adam shouted enthusiastically.
"You'll love these crayons I have," Ashley told him. "They make whatever you draw look like it's coming right off the page, Adam."
Adam looked at Ashley in awe.
Allison grinned. "Ash, you have a new fan."
"He's my good buddy," Ashley smiled at the little boy.
"Those crayons are pretty cool, Adam," Katie said.
"Can't wait," Adam said, eagerly eating the rest of his pudding.
Upstairs, things were not going as smoothly.
Ginny was playing the victim role and it seemed that only Molly was buying it.
"You lot never visit me in Sydney," Ginny chastised them. "Charlie, you would love it there. You really would."
"I don't think so," Charlie said coolly.
"What about you, Bill?" Ginny asked. "You and Phlegm---?"
"Fleur," Bill corrected tersely.
"If you can't even get her name right, why would you want her to come visit you?" Ron cut in.
"Come on," Ginny said. "I used to call her that when we were kids. You thought it was funny then."
"Not really," Ron replied.
"Ginevra is going to spend a couple of days here at home," Molly announced.
Ron barely managed to conceal his groan.
"You can stay as long as you need," Arthur said quietly.
Ginny's head lolled back. The coffee had sobered her up some, but her head was still spinning.
"You need your rest," Molly said. "You can catch up with everyone later."
"Of course," Ron said shortly.
They stepped outside while Molly helped Ginny.
"Dad, you're really going to let her stay here?" Charlie asked.
Arthur nodded. "No matter what---she's still my daughter, Charlie."
"She deserted us," George said uncharacteristically serious.
"She's still the same selfish cow she's always been," Ron commented. "She's playing mum like a fiddle."
"Ronald," Arthur said.
Ron sighed. "I'm going back downstairs."
"I'll go with you," Charlie said. Bill trailed behind them.
"What a Christmas," Ron grumbled.
"Let's not let her ruin it," Charlie told his brother. A loud whoosh from the fireplace made all three of them look over.
Ron groaned. "Merlin's beard. As if this holiday couldn't get any worse...Malfoy."
The blonde man sneered at them. "Where's my wife?" he demanded without greeting.
"Nice to see you too," Charlie muttered.
"Where's Ginny?" Malfoy demanded again.
"Hello, Father," Nick said from behind him.
"Nicholas," Draco said coldly. "I guess it's too much to expect the Weasleys to understand plain English, but where is your mother?"
"Upstairs," Nick said tersely. "But I don't think she wants to see you."
"Of course she does," Draco went to push past him.
Nick pushed him back. "You know I'm not a kid anymore."
"Get out of my way you pathetic ingrate," Draco sneered at him.
Nick laughed. "I should be grateful then? To whom? You?"
"Of course you should be," Draco snapped. "I provided a comfortable home for you until you decided to take off to marry that Mud--"
Nick punched him as hard as he could in the nose.
"You bastard," Draco wheezed.
"Good one, Daddy," Katie called out.
Nick grasped his hand- punching his father hurt quite a bit.
"Get out, Malfoy," Ron said glaring at him.
"I'm not leaving without what's mine," Draco said.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Get out."
"GINNY!" Draco bellowed. "GINNY!"
Ginny appeared at the top of the stairs. "Go away!"
"Ginny come on," Draco's mouth was tight. "We're going home."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Ginny shouted. "Go back to that tart you've been seeing!"
Saffron rolled her eyes and looked at her mother. "Dramatic, much?"
"You have no idea," Hermione said. She stepped forward between Draco and the stairwell. "Listen, you two need to keep it down and work it out and LEAVE. There are children here that don't need to be exposed to this nonsense."
"Go save an elf, Mudblood," Draco said dismissively.
"You don't talk to my wife that way," Harry said angrily. "Get the hell out of here."
"Thank you, Harry," Ginny said looking pitifully down at him. She knew that would drive Draco mad.
Harry shook his head. "Just get the hell out of here. Both of you. We're all trying to enjoy our holiday."
"I'm not leaving," Ginny said defiantly. "I'm staying here with people who love me."
None of her brothers would look her in the eye as she said this.
"I had an emergency surgery, Red," Draco said folding his arms. "What did you expect me to do?"
Ginny let out a choked sob.
"There's no one else for me," Draco said looking up at her.
Ginny's face softened and her lips trembled.
"Come here," Draco said opening up his arms.
Ginny took two steps to him but stopped, horrified when her husband suddenly sprouted feathers out of his ears.
Fred hid his smile.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?" Draco roared, outraged.
"Us?" George asked innocently. "You're the one who has feathers coming out your ears and you're asking what's wrong with us?"
"How could you?" Ginny was suddenly defensive of her husband. "How could you do this to Draco?"
"Ten minutes ago you were calling him a selfish, egotistical bastard," Fred reminded her.
"I didn't mean it," Ginny said hastily. "Draco is my husband and you should treat him with respect!"
"Like he's always treated us?" Ron asked shaking his head. "You deserve each other."
"You have no loyalty, Ron." Ginny complained. "If you all had just accepted him--"
"We'd be one big happy family," Ron finished.
"Yeah right," Draco snorted.
"I accept you," Molly said. "I want you to be a part of our family."
"I'm sorry," Ron said. "But there's no way. You would never even accept us."
"Please," Molly pleaded. "We were just having pudding, Draco. Ginny, you both can join us."
"I don't think so," Draco said coldly.
"Your granddaughters are here," Molly said. "Ashley---Ashley's a very talented artist. Katie, she's---"
"In Slytherin," Katie announced proudly from the door.
"And what about you?" Draco asked settling his gaze on Ashley.
"Gryffindor," Ashley answered, raising her chin proudly.
Draco laughed. "Well, one out of two isn't bad. Do the Malfoy name proud, Katherine."
"I will but I'll do it for myself," Katie said.
Draco patted her on the shoulder.
Katie beamed proudly. Her grandparents accepted her but not Ashley!
He reached into his pocket and handed her a ring. "My great-grandfather gave this to me. Your father was too soft for it. But, I think you are worthy of having it, Katherine."
Nick pushed Draco's hand away. "Don't you give her anything that belonged to him."
"I want it, Daddy," Katie said reaching for it.
"No," Nick snapped.
Katie pouted. She could just imagine the looks on Jemima and Piper's faces when she showed up with that ring.
"If you won't let her have it now, I'll just send it to her at the school," Draco said, smirking.
"Get out," Nick said firmly. "Now."
"You shouldn't speak to your father that way," Ginny said. "He's only trying to be nice. First you complain we don't talk to your daughters then when he tries to give a gift you turn it away."
"What are their names, Mum?" Nick asked. "Hmm?"
"That one is Katherine," Ginny pointed.
"And?" Nick prompted.
Ginny paused a moment. "Ashley."
Ashley looked at her in surprise.
"See, I know them just fine," Ginny retorted.
"Stay, Grandmother," Katie said.
"We can't," Ginny told her.
"They're leaving," Nick said grabbing his father by the arm.
Katie watched in dismay as her grandparents went to the fireplace. Everyone had stopped to watch them.
Katie felt something in her pocket. She grinned when she realized it was the ring.
Draco crooked up the side of his mouth before he threw some Floo Powder into the fireplace.
"Happy Christmas," Ginny said linking arms with Draco.
Molly's eyes filled with tears. "Ginevra, you don't have to go."
Ginny stepped away from her husband for a moment. She gave her mother a hug. "I love you, Mum. But, I don't belong here."
"Of course you do," Molly insisted.
Ginny shook her head. "No, but--but I love you."
"I love you too," Molly sobbed.
"Take care of her," Ginny said to Ron.
"I always do," Ron said. "Not that you would know."
"Goodbye," Ginny said before turning her back and rejoining Draco.
Katie watched them go. For the first time in her life, she wished she knew her father's parents.
Molly wiped at her eyes.
Ron shook his head. He couldn't believe his sister had shown up like this just to break their mother's heart yet again.
"I'll get you some tea." Charlie said to his mother.
"Come and sit down with me," Luna said to Molly. She took her mother-in-law's hand and led her over to the sofa.
"I just don't understand," Molly sniffled. "I just miss my daughter so much..."
Nick sat down on the other side of his grandmother. He took her hand. "I'm sorry she did that, Nana."
"It's not your fault, Nick." Molly told him.
Nick felt like it was. He could wring his mother's neck for doing this to his grandmother, who was one of the sweetest, kindest, trusting people in the world.
Kiera toddled into the room and looked sweetly at her great-grandmother. "Nana, hold!"
Molly lifted her great granddaughter onto her lap. "Hello darling."
"Sad?" Kiera asked softly.
"Yes," Molly said. "But not with such a smart little girl on my lap."
Kiera put her little arms around Molly's neck.
Luna smiled at her granddaughter.
"Ginny used to sit in my lap like this when she was Kiera's age," Molly remembered. "I'd read to her and it was just the two of us..."
"And you did the same for Maddie," Luna said. "She always loved that so much."
"I bet Kiera would love for you to read to her," Nick said.
Kiera grinned at him.
"I'd like that," Molly said.
"We'll take care of the kitchen," Julie told her.
"Absolutely," Ashley agreed.
Julie put a hand on both her daughters' shoulders. "Come on girls. We can get this done in a flash."
Katie nodded and followed them back into the kitchen.
She discreetly stuck her hand in her pocket, feeling the ring her grandfather had managed to put in there.
Piper and Jemima would be green with envy when they saw this Malfoy heirloom.
"Come on, Katie," Ashley said. "Mum's right- this won't take us long."
Hermione and Fleur helped also. Fleur kept muttering something in French that Julie had a feeling were remarks about Ginny.
"Thank you Fleur," Hermione said as the blonde helped her stack some dishes in the cupboard.
"Poor Molly," Fleur said softly.
"I don't understand it," Hermione said. "I'd give just about anything to still have my mother around."
"Truth be told, I never liked Ginevra," Fleur commented, keeping her voice down so the younger girls couldn't hear.
"She tried to frame Harry for theft at one point," Hermione said. "I never liked her at all either."
"Hard to believe she came from this family," Fleur commented.
"I know," Hermione agreed. "Everyone else is so wonderful."
Ashley was drying off the dishes and handing them to Katie to put away. Or at least that was the plan, Ashley thought. She waved a dish in front of her sister's face. "Hello? Come on, Katie. Pay attention."
"What?" Katie asked irritably.
"Where's your mind tonight?" Ashley asked her.
"No where," Katie retorted.
"I just hope Nana's okay," Ashley said motioning to the sitting room. "That was a terrible thing that our grandmother did to her.'
"She wants to be with her husband," Katie shrugged. "I feel bad for Nana but still..."
"They're just as horrible as everyone always said they were," Ashley said.
Katie didn't say anything. She recalled the look on her grandfather's face when he heard her say she was in Slytherin. No one except him had been proud of her being in Slytherin.
"I'm never sending them anything else," Ashley said firmly.
Katie wanted to say she was sure they didn't care, but held her tongue. "You can send all that stuff to Nana then. You know how much she likes it."
"Or Grandma and Grandpa," Ashley said handing Katie another dish.
"Right," Katie replied. "It's nice artwork, Ash. I can see why that University in France wants you to come there."
Ashley smiled at her sister. "Thanks, Katie."
Katie smiled back. She had to admit she liked it when she and Ashley weren't fighting all the time.
"You promise to visit me there even if it is just to shop?" Ashley asked her.
"Of course," Katie said. "ESPECIALLY if there's shopping involved. Paris is my favourite place for that."
Ashley smiled. Her mother had mentioned taking Katie there again during the summer hols for a shopping trip if Katie's marks were still high. "We'll have lots of fun."
"I'll go to all the high fashion stores," Katie said. "And one of the best designers will want me to model for them."
"Remember me when you're rich and famous," Ashley nudged her.
"You too," Katie nudged her back.
"You girls make a great team," Julie said coming over to them.
"Thanks," Katie glowed.
"Happy Christmas," Julie said smiling at them. "I love you both so much and I just hope we are always as close as we are now."
"We have to stay this close," Ashley nodded in agreement.
"We will," Katie said.
They all finished cleaning up the kitchen and joined everyone in the sitting room. Katie reached again into her pocket and felt the ring.
"What are you doing?" Caroline asked.
"Nothing," Katie said. "My... my hand was cold."
"Oh," Caroline said. "Come on then...you said you wanted to plait my hair, remember?"
"Sure," Katie replied. "It's gotten longer, Caroline."
"I want it to be as long as yours," Caroline said smiling at her.
Katie twisted her hair around her finger. "I guess. I don't know if I'm going to keep it like this or not."
"What do you want to do to it?" Caroline asked curiously.
"I don't know," Katie shrugged. "Maybe some highlights, and cut it. Jemima and I were talking about it before I came home."
"But your hair is so pretty," Caroline protested.
"I can make it grow back if I don't like it," Katie responded.
Caroline sat down on the floor while Katie grabbed her hairbrush and begin brushing her hair. The two girls sat in companionable silence.
In the corner of the room, Darla handed Liam another mug of hot apple cider. "Never a dull moment around my family," Darla said dryly.
"That's okay," he replied. "Thanks."
Darla didn't want to bring up what had almost happened outside. It was not something she was ready to deal with just yet.
"We'll have to go for a long run tomorrow to burn off all these calories we consumed," Darla joked instead.
"You weren't kidding when you said to come hungry," Liam replied.
"I told you," Darla said. "Nana does it every year and you just wait, she'll send some home with you, as well."
"That'll be great," he said. "I don't have enough decent food at my place."
"That icebox of yours," Darla laughed and shook her head. "Butterbeer and an old block of cheese."
"No butterbeer," Liam joked. "Just the cheese now."
Darla laughed again. "Liam, what are we going to do with you?"
"Cook for me," he teased.
"I can certainly do that when you're not working," Darla said. "Rafe and I would love to have you over."
"I'll keep that in mind," Liam said.
Darla smiled. "After all you've done for me; it's the least I can do."
"I haven't done that much," he said.
"Next to Drew, you're my best friend," Darla said sincerely.
"We have become pretty close," he agreed.
Darla nodded. "Who would have thought it, eh?"
Liam grinned at her.
"Are you having a good time?" Darla asked.
"Aside from earlier, yes," Liam said. "I'm glad I came today."
"Me too," Darla said softly.
"Have you thought about New Year's yet?" he asked.
Darla nodded. "Yes. I think we'd have a good time at the Ministry ball."
"I'm pretty sure I have the evening off," he said. "The new healer Liz and I took on is on call."
"So it's a date," Darla said with a grin. When she realised what she'd said, she blushed. "I mean---"
"Right," he said hastily.
Darla looked over at her parents. Her mother was whispering something in her father's ear. Her father turned to Luna and laughed. They'd been together for so many years and they were still as close and in love as they'd always been. That was what Darla wanted.
"I'm actually on call tonight," Liam said. "So I should probably get going soon."
"Oh," Darla said trying to hide her disappointment.
"I sort of offered awhile back," Liam said. "I'm sorry."
"I understand," Darla said. "I'm just really glad you came tonight."
"I am too," he agreed. "I had a nice time with your family."
Darla led him over to where her grandparents and Ron and Luna were sitting. "Liam's going now. He's on call tonight," Darla told them.
"Thank you so much for having me, Mrs. Weasley," Liam said.
"You're welcome anytime," Luna told him. "Thank you for joining us."
"Wait," Molly said standing up. "You must take some food with you..."
Liam opened his mouth to protest, but Molly pushed past him and hurried into the kitchen.
Darla nudged Liam. "I told you."
"Well I'm glad to have it," Liam said.
"She lives for this," Darla said. "Right, Dad?"
"You better believe it," Ron said. "But I better make sure she doesn't give you everything..." he got up and hurried into the kitchen.
Darla laughed. "Dad has to protect his leftovers."
"Ronald," Luna went into the kitchen. "Honestly--"
"Mum, that's the other half of the cake!" Ron protested when Molly set the cake in a basket. "He can't eat all that!"
"Ronald I have another just for you," Molly said in exasperation.
"Oh," Ron said calming down.
"See," Luna nudged him.
Ron nodded. "Sorry, Mum.'
"He's our guest," Molly said.
"Yes, he is," Luna said. "And he's Darla's friend."
"She's smiling again," Ron said.
"She deserves to be happy," Luna said softly.
"Yes she does," Molly finished Liam's basket.
"Are you okay, Mum?" Ron asked.
Molly didn't answer at first. "I'm fine." she said finally.
Ron gave her a hug. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault Ronald," Molly said. "I just wanted her to stay..."
"I know you did," Ron said quietly. "And I know she loves you but she has a funny way of showing it sometimes."
"Yes well..." Molly said. "I should get this out to Liam before he leaves."
"Right," Ron nodded.
"She's really upset," Luna said. "More than any of us know."
"It's like she doesn't remember any of the bad stuff Ginny's done," Ron said thoughtfully.
"Part of me wishes she could have seen what Ginny was like when we were at Hillsdale," Luna said. "But that really would have broken her heart."
"More than it already is," Ron said putting his arms around his wife.
"I say we have them over for dinner this week," Luna said. "Keep her mind off it. I'll have my dad there too."
"Why do you always know the right thing to do?" Ron asked with a grin.
"It comes naturally," Luna said.
Ron gave her a kiss.
"Come on," Luna said. "Let's get back to our kids."
"And grandchildren," Ron said. "Like the little redhead hiding behind the counter who thinks that I didn't see her sneak in here for a piece of cake..."
Emma stood up. "Grandpa!"
"Caught you," Ron grinned at her.
"I thought I was quiet," Emma frowned.
"You were," Luna reassured her. "But you know how your Grandpa is."
"Especially when it comes to my cake," Ron said.
"My cake," Emma protested.
"How about 'our' cake," Luna picked her granddaughter up and sat her on the counter.
"Okay," Emma agreed.
"Hey now," Ron joked. "I never agreed to that."
Emma gave him her best 'Maddie' look.
"She's good," Luna began laughing.
Ron tickled Emma's side. "Yes, she is."
Emma giggled. "Grandpa! Stop!"
Ron picked her up and carried her into the sitting room. "I caught a little thief, Jon..."
"I didn't take anything," Emma said.
"Because I stopped her," Ron said spinning her around.
"I was going to share," Emma said innocently.
"We'll put her in the kitchen jail, then, shall we?" Ron asked.
"What's that?" Emma asked, a worried expression crossing her face.
"Kitchen jail?" George asked shuddering. "Ron---you wouldn't do that to the poor girl, would you?"
"Perhaps," Ron said, keeping a straight face.
"Yeah!" Adam chimed in.
Emma cast an angry look at her brother.
"I spent most of my sixth year in kitchen jail," Charlie remembered. "Poor little Emma..."
Emma's face grew pale and her eyes filled with tears.
Ron took pity on his granddaughter. "Hey---we're only joking, sweetheart. There's no kitchen jail."
"There's not?" Emma asked in a trembly voice.
"If there was, I'd never have gotten out," Ron said hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry for scaring you."
"It's okay," Emma sniffled.
"Bad Grandpa jail," Maddie said.
"Bad Em jail," Adam echoed.
"Adam," Emma glared at him.
"Adam that wasn't nice," Allison said. "Apologise to your sister."
"Sorry, Em," Adam said waving at her.
"It's okay Adam," Emma relented.
Adam yawned. "No jail."
"For any of us," Ron kissed Emma's cheek. "But I do think that my little partner in crime here deserves an extra large piece of cake."
Emma hugged her grandfather. "I love you, Grandpa, but you scared me."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Ron told her.
"It's okay," Emma said softly.
"Let's go get that cake," Ron told her. "Before everyone else does."
Emma smiled. "'Kay."
Allison got up. "I better go supervise or Emma will have three quarters of the cake eaten."
Adam momentarily forgot about his colouring with Ashley and toddled over to his mother. "Want cake, too."
"Just a little bit," Allison told him.
Caroline laughed. "Mummy, do you need help?"
"Sure, sweetheart," Allison said.
Chloe was sleeping in Drew's arms and Darla gingerly sat down beside her sister.
"Liam left?" Drew asked.
"He was on call," Darla nodded.
"You two looked really cosy earlier," Drew commented.
"We were just talking," Darla said.
"I wasn't implying anything," Drew reassured her.
"I know," Darla said.
"Did you ask him about New Years?" Drew asked.
"I think he's going to come with me," Darla said. "I don't know what I'm going to do with Rafe yet. I do hate spending the evening away from him..."
"I was the same with Chloe," Drew said looking down at her sleeping daughter.
Darla smiled at her niece. "I can't believe how big she's gotten."
"You can't?" Drew laughed. "I can't."
"What is she, three?" Darla asked. "I remember the day she was born."
"Me too," Drew said softly.
Darla tucked a lock of red hair behind Chloe's little ear. "I can't wait to see her as the flower girl in Saffron's wedding."
"She's excited," Drew said.
"She loves Saffy so much," Darla looked at the brunette who was holding her own daughter on the other side of the room.
"Sassy," Drew grinned.
"Where?" Chloe asked sleepily.
"Hiya, Sleepyhead," Drew said affectionately.
"Sassy?" Chloe asked her.
"Over there," Drew motioned.
Chloe pushed herself off Drew's lap and rubbed at her eyes as she headed for Saffron.
Saffron smiled. "Chloe!"
"Hi Ellie," Chloe said to the infant, who gazed up at her.
"How was your kip?" Saffron asked her.
"Good," Chloe said. "I had a dream."
"What about?" Saffron asked her.
Chloe blushed and pointed to Andrew. "He was a prince."
Saffron grinned. "He is a prince."
Chloe giggled.
"What were you in the dream?" Saffron asked her.
"Rapunzel," Chloe told her. "My hair was this long." she held her arms out wide.
"That long?" Saffron asked. "Wow...."
"And he rode a dragon," Chloe said. "Saved me."
"And did you let down your hair?" Saffron teased, causing Chloe to giggle.
"All the way," Chloe nodded.
"Princess Chloe," Saffron grinned.
"I like that," Chloe twirled around.
"You know, you'll have to come by and see me again some time and we can make biscuits," Saffron said to her.
"Can I play with Ellie?" Chloe asked.
"She's ready to go to sleep," Saffron told her. "But, you know what I'm sure she'd like? What if you told her a bedtime story?"
"I know lots of stories!" Chloe brightened.
"Well," Saffron said, moving over so Chloe could sit down. "You have a captive audience in Ellie."
"I love her," Chloe touched the infant's soft cheek.
"She loves you too," Saffron said smiling at Chloe. "Just as much as I do."
"You're my favourite," Chloe said.
Saffron beamed at her. "Thanks, Chloe."
Chloe grinned at her. "Time for a story."
"Ellie's ready," Saffron said.
"Once up a time," Chloe began. "A princess was in a tower. Big dragon would watch her..."
Ellie cooed.
"She likes it!" Chloe exclaimed.
"She does," Saffron agreed.
Chloe kept going with her story. Saffron could tell the little girl was just saying whatever was popping into her head, but Ellie seemed to like it very much.
Andrew came up behind them. "Hiya, Chloe."
Chloe blushed. "Hi Andrew."
Andrew mussed the little girl's hair. "What are you three up to?"
"Telling Ellie a story," Chloe told him.
"El loves stories," Andrew said looking fondly at his daughter.
"Guess what," Chloe said.
"What?" Andrew asked.
"You were a prince," Chloe told him, giggling.
"In your story?" Andrew asked.
"My dream," Chloe said.
"Don't let it go to your head," Saffron said to Andrew.
"Funny, Saf." Andrew said.
"You rescued me," Chloe said. "Big dragon."
Andrew puffed out his chest. "Really..."
"Very handsome," Chloe said, still giggling.
"He is, isn't he?" Saffron grinned.
"I think I like sitting over here," Andrew joked.
Chloe giggled again. Brian called her over to him and she reluctantly left.
"I think she has a crush," Saffron said to Andrew.
"Nah," Andrew said.
"I think someone wants her Daddy," Saffron said handing Ellie to Andrew.
"I'll take her anytime," Andrew said.
"She survived her first Christmas at the Burrow," Saffron said.
"And at my parents' house," Andrew added.
Saffron laughed. "Your mum and dad were so cute with her."
"Everyone's just taken in," Andrew made a goofy face at the infant.
Ellie let out a yawn.
"Let's go put her down upstairs," Saffron said. "It's time for her kip."
Andrew nodded and stood up with the baby.
Maddie came into the room with Gwyn. The newborn had just woken up and had been hungry.
"How is she?" Ethan asked.
"Very happy and full now," Maddie sat down.
Ethan laughed. "Well Kiera's sleeping on the other sofa."
"She's had a very big day," Maddie replied.
Ethan put his arm around his wife and together they looked down at their youngest daughter. "So has Gwyn."
Maddie smiled at the baby. "She's perfect isn't' she?"
"She looks just like her mum," Ethan said.
"There's some of you in there," Maddie said. "That mouth and that nose, for instance."
Ethan laughed. "Hers are much cuter."
Maddie grinned. "I'm inclined to agree."
"Can I get you anything?" Ethan offered
"I'm okay right now," Maddie said. "But in a little while, I'll have some dessert."
"Just let me know when you're ready," Ethan said.
"I will," Maddie said as Kiera's eyes blinked open.
"Dad-dy," Kiera said sleepily.
"Hi baby," Ethan said.
"Buh?" Kiera asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Not right now," Ethan told her.
Kiera's lower lip trembled.
"Kiera Faith," Ethan said. "You'll see Blue when we get home."
"Come and look at your little sister," Maddie said to Kiera. "She's awake."
"Baby?" Kiera asked as Ethan brought her over.
Maddie nodded.
"Hi," Kiera said, looking down at Gwyn.
Gwyn smacked her lips.
Kiera fixed her eyes on her sister's.
"What's she doing?" Ethan whispered to Maddie.
"Communicating," Maddie said.
"Wow," Ethan marvelled.
"You can always tell when she really wants to talk to you," Maddie said. "And it isn't like words. It's more like... sensations. Colours... things like that."
A smile played at Kiera's lips, but her gaze never left her sister's face.
"What are you talking about, baby girl?" Ethan asked his daughter.
"Hap-py," Kiera replied.
"You're happy?" Ethan tickled her side.
Kiera giggled. "Baby, too."
"I'm glad to hear that," Maddie said with a grin.
Kiera climbed into Ethan's lap and gave him a hug.
Ethan hugged her tightly. "I love you baby girl."
Kiera smiled. "Love, Daddy."
Ethan kissed her cheek. "How about you go with me to get your mummy some cake?"
Kiera nodded.
Ethan picked her up and set her on his shoulders.
Kiera giggled. "Go!"
"Make it a big piece," Maddie called.
"Of course," Ethan called back.
"Big," Kiera echoed.
"Big piece for your mum," Ethan said.
Ethan came in just as Allison was cutting the last half. "Save a slice for Maddie," he called.
"Oh," Allison nodded. "Sure."
"Aunt Mad always gets a piece," Emma said loyally.
"And my piece," Ethan joked. He laughed as Emma took a big bite of her piece of cake.
"I'm on my third piece," she said.
"Oh to have her metabolism," Allison mused.
"You do," Emma piped up.
Allison handed Ethan a plate. "I wish I did, Emma."
"But you're still pretty," Emma replied.
Allison grinned. "Thank you, baby."
"Loyal till the end," Ethan said with a grin.
"Pretty," Adam agreed before taking a bite of his cake.
Allison smiled. "Thank you both."
Kiera looked at Allison with a strange look on her face. "What is it love? Do you want some cake, too?"
Kiera reached out her hand and pointed at Allison's stomach.
Ethan nearly dropped his plate. "Um..."
"Baby," Kiera said softly.