A/N: It sure seems like a lot of you are interested in the Sims 2 Hillsdale crew. A bit more information: Please make sure you have University, we've done our best to make sure that there isn't any custom content in the downloads, but we will make a list of sites that offer downloads we use in our games.
As always, we hope you enjoy this chapter, and please leave a comment when you're done reading so we know what you think! It'll only take a few seconds of your time ;)
It was later that evening and most everyone had retired for the night. Ron and Luna were finishing the cleanup from the dinner they'd had and were about to head to bed themselves when Maddie stuck her head into the kitchen.
"Could I have a word with you both?" she asked. While she knew her mother had told Hermione about her visions, Maddie had wanted to tell her father about them.
"Sure sweetheart," Ron said leaning back against the counter. "What's on your mind?"
"Well..." Maddie rubbed her hands together. "It's... kind of about the time that Allie went into the coma back in January... and it's about when that thing on the beach stung Caroline the other day."
Ron pulled a confused face. "I don't understand, Maddie. What do those two things have in common?"
"Well..." Maddie looked at her mother who reached over to give her daughter a comforting squeeze. "I had visions of these things happening, before they actually happened."
"Visions?" Ron asked. "Are you sure?"
Maddie nodded. "They happened I'd say... about ten to twelve hours before it actually happened to the person. And it's not the only time I've had them." she blushed.
"What sorts of things have you seen?" Ron asked memories of how he and Harry used to make up things for their Divination class with Trelawney.
"Well..." Maddie said. "When I was four I had a vision of me kissing Ethan. I thought it was just a dream but that's part of the reason I drove him mad when we were kids." she told him of a few other things she had seen. "Mum's talked to Aunt Hermione about me possibly working in the Department of Mysteries once we establish if I'm a true Seer or not."
"The Department of Mysteries?" Ron asked still trying to take all of this in. "Maddie, do you really want to make a career out of something like that?"
"Ron," Luna began. "It's not so much a career as it is a calling."
"Come on, Luna," Ron said with a slight laugh. "You had Trelawney, too. You know what a hack she was."
"I do but she did foretell that Prophecy about Harry," Luna replied quietly. "And I think our daughter is telling the truth about what she sees as well. My mother saw visions before she died."
Ron stared at her. "You never mentioned that to me, Luna. Not once."
"It never came up Ron," Luna replied. "Not until now."
"Daddy I just wanted you to know," Maddie said. "I'm going to look into this- I have to."
Ron put an arm around his daughter. "I'm sorry, Madeline. It just...it's not everyday that you hear that your youngest daughter is seeing visions. You know that I'll support you in whatever you do."
"Thank you," Maddie hugged her father tightly. "That means a lot to me Daddy."
"YOU mean a lot to me, Madeline Molly," Ron said hugging her back. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you or your brothers and sisters."
"You're the best," Maddie said.
"Tell your mum that," Ron said with a laugh. "She doesn't believe that."
Luna laughed. "Go on with you Ronald. I wouldn't have married you if you weren't the best."
"That's why I married you," Ron said pecking her on the cheek.
"I'm going to bed," Maddie got up. "Thanks for hearing me out."
"Sleep well, sweetheart," Luna said.
"I will," Maddie kissed both her parents on the cheek. "Good night."
Luna smiled after her. "She wanted to be the one to tell you about all this Ron."
Ron nodded. "I wish she would have said something earlier."
"She's just been trying to take it all in," Luna explained. "She didn't know they were visions until just a few days ago. It really scared her."
"I can imagine," Ron said softly. "So your mum was like this, too?"
"From what I remember of her, yes," Luna nodded. "I don't remember any visions specifically but I know she had them."
"Did you ever have any?" Ron asked. "Visions, I mean."
Luna shook her head. "No gift of that sort was passed down to me."
"You really think something like this could be considered a gift?" Ron asked. When he saw the look on Luna's face, he touched her hand. "I just mean that it can't be very pleasant to see visions of people you love or care about getting hurt or...worse, Luna."
"It's not pleasant but it's definitely a gift," Luna said. "If Maddie's getting these visions hours in advance, she could do something about the people they happen to. People who are supposed to die might not- families could be spared."
"I didn't think about it like that," Ron said.
"It's not something easy but I think Maddie is strong enough to handle this." Luna smiled at her husband.
"I think so too," Ron said grinning back at her. "I just know how she is. She's got such a big heart, Luna."
"Aye and Ethan's managed to capture quite a bit of it," Luna laughed.
"Anyone who saw them on the beach today would have figured that out," Ron said with a laugh.
"What do you think of that?" Luna asked softly.
"Ethan's my godson," Ron said with a shrug. "He's a good kid, Luna. Don't worry. I'm not going to go all Neville on him because he's dating my little girl."
Luna smiled. "I wouldn't think you're the type Ron. You never went mad on any guy who dated Drew or Darla. And Ethan's a good boy- he's obviously as crazy about our daughter as she is for him."
"That's true," Ron said turning out the lights in the kitchen. "Remind me again why you and I ended up cleaning up when it was our family who won today?"
Luna laughed. "Because Harry knows your weakness when it comes to Katie and Ashley and he made them give you THAT face? The one you can never refuse?"
"The one that Maddie perfected so well?" Ron asked shaking his head. "I'm a sucker for that face."
"Aye and she's taught it well to all the kids," Luna was still laughing. "And besides that, it actually gave us a few minutes to be by ourselves."
"Time to ourselves?" Ron asked putting his hands on Luna's waist. "What could we do with that?"
"I can think of one thing but you'll have to lean closer to hear it," Luna smiled at him.
Ron did as he was told. "Like this?"
"Mmmhmm..." Luna leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Ron pulled her close as he deepened the kiss.
Luna held onto her husband as he sat her on the counter. "I've missed having you to myself like this," she murmured.
"It's not easy to be alone when you have so many people sharing the same space," Ron said before he peppered her skin with kisses.
"I know," Luna's head fell back. "But I need you so much sometimes Ronald..."
"I need you too," Ron said huskily.
"Shall we take this to our bedroom?" Luna asked, pushing his red hair back.
"We have a history of being interrupted," Ron said picking her up. "I think that would be a good idea."
"You're so romantic to carry me upstairs," Luna said dreamily. "Just like you were on our honeymoon. When we were inside you carried me everywhere."
"I don't remember us ever going outside when we were on our honeymoon," Ron said as he carried her up the stairs.
"Me either," Luna giggled quietly. "But I don't think my feet ever hit the floor once."
Ron laughed. "It was the greatest week of my life even though you exhausted me."
"I exhausted you?" Luna asked. "I slept for almost an entire day when we got back!"
"That's because you couldn't get enough of me," Ron said smugly.
"I can never get enough of my Ron. Weasley is my King," she hummed a few lines of the song.
Ron beamed at her as she opened the door to their bedroom. "We're going to be sleeping in tomorrow, aren't we?"
"I hope to tire you out tonight," she whispered.
"I have the best wife in the world," Ron said loudly before kicking the door closed.
"And I have the best husband, who's given me six amazing children," Luna laughed as he put her on the bed.
"Want to go for seven?" Ron asked impishly.
Luna laughed. "If you think you could manage, then we should try."
"A baby at our age?" Ron asked. "I was only kidding, Loony."
"You'd never know if you try," Luna replied cheekily.
"Are you saying you'd like to have another baby?" Ron asked her. "Luna, we have two grandchildren."
"If it happens it happens," Luna replied, stroking his hair. "I'd like to think at this point we're done raising our children and can simply spoil our grandchildren instead."
"Exactly," Ron said kissing her. "And right now, I want to spoil you."
"Well I definitely won't say no to that," Luna laughed as his lips moved over her neck.
"That's what I like to hear," Ron said smiling down at her.
"We're going to have to set aside more time for us," Luna said a few minutes later. "I know taking over the Quibbler is going to be keeping me busy but now that you're only managing two shops instead of all the ones in the entire country of Ireland... I think we'll find the time."
"It's good to be home," Ron agreed. "I know we built a life in Ireland, but it never felt like home, you know?"
"Not like England," Luna agreed. "Where everything started for you and me."
"If we're getting technical," Ron said. "It started in Scotland for you and me. Though I was a complete prat to you while we were at Hogwarts."
"Well we don't have to count that," Luna pressed her lips back to his.
*** *** ***
Later that evening, Ethan slipped into Maddie's room again and asked her to come and sit on the beach with him. He'd told her they could look at the stars again, but so far they hadn't done much stargazing. In fact, for the half hour they'd been outside, they'd been snogging like there was no tomorrow.
When he pulled away for a moment so they could catch their breath, he was surprised to see Maddie trying and failing to stifle a yawn.
"Am I that boring?" he asked, pretending to be hurt.
"No," she leaned against him. "It's just late and I get so sleepy."
"I shouldn't have woken you up," he said softly. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to spend some time with you without having to worry about sisters or cousins or parents barging in on us."
"I don't really mind," she kissed his cheek. "I love spending time with you so much."
"One of these days, you might get sick of me," he said as she rested her head on his chest.
"No way," Maddie laughed. "If you weren't already sick of me when I bothered you when I was four..."
"You didn't bother me," he said defensively. "I was just a stupid boy."
"I'm just glad I don't bother you now," Maddie kissed him again.
"You don't," he said smiling at her. "So, you never said how it went with your dad. What'd he say?"
"Pretty good actually," Maddie replied. "He said he'd support me in whatever I do."
"I told you he would," Ethan said. He knew she'd been worried about how her father would take the news.
Maddie leaned back over and kissed him again. "Thank you for believing me too." she said quietly.
He was still sceptical about the entire Seer profession, but he knew Maddie wouldn't make these things up. She wasn't like that. And with her so confused by what she was seeing and what it all meant, the last thing she needed to hear from him was that he had doubts. Maddie yawned again.
"Come on," Ethan said, lying down on the blanket. "Lie here with me. I won't be upset if you fall asleep."
"Okay," she said, lying in the crook of his arms. "It's nice to just be here with you Ethan." she said sleepily.
"I couldn't agree more," Ethan said kissing the top of her forehead. It wasn't long before she was asleep. Ethan, however, wasn't tired. He was thinking about all of the wonderful things he wanted to share with this sweet, beautiful girl asleep in his arms.
What seemed like a short time later, Maddie felt herself being lifted up. "Hmmm..." she murmured, still rather ensconced in sleep. "Where are we going?"
She couldn't see the person that was leading her down a long, dark corridor but she could feel their grip on her hand. As they passed a room, Maddie could see a dark-haired woman fast asleep on her bed. Maddie saw two black cloaked figures pass by her whispering something to each other as they went.
She followed curiously into the room, looking around. In one corner she could see a small crib, with a baby wrapped in blankets inside. A photo of a man was on the table next to the sleeping woman.
As Maddie took all this in, one of the black cloaked figures pointed a wand at the woman and a sickly green light filled the room as the killing curse filled her ears.
"NOOOOOO!" Maddie screamed, but no one heard her. One of the men walked over to the crib and looked down at the baby who had begun to wail. Maddie made a move to stop the man, but she couldn't seem to walk. It was as if her legs were bolted to the floor.
"Stop!" she screamed, bolting upright. "No don't do it!" she began to sob.
Ethan had just closed his own eyes when he felt Maddie tense in his arms. She was shaking. Ethan put a hand on her shoulder. "Mads? What is it?"
Maddie didn't answer him. Her eyes were closed tightly and she was still shuddering. "Maddie?"
"Don't do it," she sobbed. "Please don't do it!"
"I'm not doing anything," Ethan said softly. "Maddie?"
Still, Maddie didn't react to his touch. Ethan didn't know what to do. His own hand was shaking as he placed it on Maddie's shoulder.
"I'm going to go and get help, Maddie," he said. "I'll be right back. I promise."
In her mind she could still see the men standing at the crib- and the motionless woman lying in the bed. "Please..." she couldn't stop saying.
Ethan ran up the stairs at breakneck speed. He knocked on both his parents' bedroom door and Ron and Luna's.
"Wake up," Ethan said knocking again on Ron's door. "Please! Maddie needs help!"
Ron was the first one up and out the bedroom door. "What's wrong Ethan?" he asked.
Hermione also came to the door. "Sweetheart what is it?" she was struggling into her robe.
"It's Maddie," Ethan said urgently. "We were on the beach and she fell asleep. The next thing I know, she's in some sort of trance. I can't get her out of it. Uncle Ron, I don't know what's wrong with her. Please..."
Ron immediately charged down the stairs and out the door. Hermione put a hand on her son's shoulder. "Do you think she's having another vision?" she asked as they hurried behind. Luna was right alongside them once they reached the beach.
"I don't know," Ethan said, not able to think about anything else. "She scared me, Mum."
Ron knelt beside his daughter who was still shaking uncontrollably. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Madeline," Ron said gently. "It's Daddy, sweetheart. I'm here."
"Please don't do it," she whispered frantically.
Ron put his hands on her shoulders. "Maddie? Do what, sweetheart? No one's going to hurt you."
Maddie's eyes suddenly flew open. "They're going to kill the baby!" she wailed.
"What baby?" Luna asked kneeling down beside Ron. "Emma?"
Maddie finally focused in on the people in front of her. "I don't know who it was," she tried to steady her voice but it was shaking. "It was some woman... she had dark hair and there was a baby in the corner of the room.... they killed the woman." she began to sob again.
"We should get her inside," Hermione said. "I'm going to contact the Ministry."
Ron gingerly picked his daughter up and walked slowly up the beach with her clinging to him.
"Its okay, Maddie," Ron whispered. "It's okay."
Ethan followed behind with Luna. "Will she be all right?" he asked her quietly. "Honest- we weren't doing anything- she was asleep and she just started shaking and crying like that."
"It's okay," Luna said squeezing his hand. "She's going to be okay, Ethan. My dad said my mother used to wake up in the middle of the night like that when she had a vision."
Ethan nodded but he wasn't reassured as he followed Ron, his mother and Maddie inside. Ron set his daughter on the sofa and Ethan pulled a blanket around her shoulders. She was still sobbing and he hugged her, trying to assure her that things would be all right.
"They were going to kill the baby, Ethan," Maddie whispered, holding on to him tightly. "I can't let him kill the baby."
"Who's going to kill the baby?" he asked softly, brushing some tears from her face.
"Two men," Maddie said looking into his brown eyes, wanting him to believe her. "I tried to stop them, but I couldn't move and they couldn't hear me..."
"I never knew... I didn't think the visions could be so bad," Ethan admitted. "Do you think that's what you had?"
"I-I don't know," Maddie said in a small voice. "It seemed so real, Ethan. But I don't know who the woman was or where the house is..."
"Well my Mum's trying to get a hold of someone at the Ministry now," Ethan pushed her hair out of her eyes. "So we'll take you over there if we have to and they'll help figure this out."
"What if we're not in time?" she asked gripping his arm. "I feel so helpless, Ethan."
"You've said you've usually had your visions hours in advance right?" he asked.
"Yes," she said weakly.
"Then if this is a vision I bet you're still in time," he said as confidently as he could. "I'm here for you Mads." he caressed her cheek. "It's okay to be scared."
She was comforted by his words and his presence, but she didn't know how they'd be in time to save the woman and her baby. "I don't know who they were, Ethan. I don't know where they were. Most of my visions before were about people I knew."
"I'm sure they'll figure it out," Hermione pulled her head out of the fire at that moment. "Maddie we're going to need to go to the Department of Mysteries. Just you and me."
"Just the two of you?" Ron asked concernedly.
"Its okay, Daddy," Maddie said getting to her feet with Ethan's help.
"But sweetheart," Ron objected. "I don't want you there alone."
"It's a highly confidential area Ron," Hermione said softly. "I promise to bring her back as soon as I possibly can." she looked at Ethan. "Will you go tell your father where I went?"
Ethan nodded. "Sure, Mum."
Maddie walked over to her parents and gave them a long, lingering hug.
"I'm scared, Daddy," she said quietly. "But I have to do this."
"I know sweetheart," Ron kissed her cheek as Luna went to grab a robe from the hall closet.
Maddie gratefully took the robe from her mother and Ethan helped her with it.
"I'll wait up for you, Mads," he whispered in her ear.
"Thank you," she gave him a tremulous smile as Hermione put her arm around the girl.
"Ready?" she asked, forcing a smile onto her face.
"Ready," Maddie said with a nod.
Hermione tossed some Floo Powder into the fireplace and a moment later she and Maddie were standing in her office at the Ministry. "All right- I'm going to give you a... briefing... as we head down."
"Okay," Maddie said. "I've only been here a few times. Mostly to visit my Grandpa and my Uncle Percy."
"The Department of Mysteries is rather heavily guarded," Hermione explained. "There are some things in there that people can't explain at all."
"I know all about it from my dad," Maddie said sitting down. "I know about Uncle Harry's prophecy and how his godfather died..."
"Yes," Hermione frowned. She wished she'd been a part of Harry's life then- she might have been able to convince him that it had been a trap. "Well it's also where we keep some of our best Aurors. Not people like Harry who everyone knows is an Auror but ones who are undercover. In the past we've had Seers whose true identities are kept for safekeeping there." she led the younger girl down a few flights of stairs. "What happens is, they would get set up with some sort of clerical job when really they were foretelling the prophecies and having the visions that were recorded by specialists and used to determine what and when they were going to happen."
"I didn't know that," Maddie said fascinated.
"It's a bit of a complicated process," Hermione replied. "I won't be one to sugar coat it Maddie. It's hard on people and for the most part, I don't believe in it. I believe in what lies behind it- and I don't think you're making any of this up. But only time will tell if this is all for real."
"Ethan feels the same way," Maddie said softly as they walked down the corridor. "I know you think it's a woolly discipline, Aunt Hermione. And maybe it is, but it means a lot to me that you believe in me; that you believe I actually saw something."
Hermione stopped a moment and smiled at the young woman in front of her. "You're a very strong girl Maddie. I've known you your whole life and I'd never believe for a moment you'd lie about anything. I'll do what I can and stand behind you but there are a lot of things you'll have to face by yourself."
"Thank you," Maddie said smiling back at her. Hermione turned around to lead them back on the way, but Maddie grabbed her arm. "There's something else, Aunt Hermione. I didn't say anything to Ethan or my parents, but there was someone else with me in my vision...."
"I've never heard of that happening..." Hermione mused. "We'll ask when we get down there all right?"
Maddie nodded and followed Hermione.
They finally reached the Department of Mysteries after walking for what seemed like forever. Hermione spoke the secret password that verified her identity and she led Maddie inside.
Maddie looked around and suddenly remembered something her mother used to say about this place. She said that The Quibbler once published an article that said that Cornelius Fudge, the former Minister, used to use this department to develop terrible poisons which he would feed to those who disagreed with him.
Maddie followed Hermione into the circular room with its twelve plain, black handle less doors. The room was lit with blue flamed candles.
"Hello Smythe," Hermione said to the woman in the middle of the room. "Thank you for coming."
"Anything for you, Minister," Smythe said smiling warmly at Hermione. She turned her attention to Maddie. "And you must be Madeline."
"Yes," Maddie said nervously. "You can call me Maddie if you like."
"Whatever makes you comfortable," Smythe said politely. "The Minister tells me that you've had some visions."
Maddie nodded, gulping. "I had one just... just now and I haven't ever had one that bad... and before they've almost always been of my friends or family." she shook her head. "I've no idea who this woman or her baby were. And there was also someone leading me aside from the two people in black who... used the killing curse..."
"You need to tell us everything you can remember about your vision," Smythe interjected. "What sorts of things stuck out in the vision..."
"What about the Pensieve?" Hermione asked. "Will that help her at all in remembering things- especially if she doesn't know who these people are?"
"Most definitely," Smythe said. "If Maddie is sure she wants to relive what she saw..."
Maddie shuddered as Hermione put a hand on her arm. "It's up to you sweetheart," Hermione said gently.
Maddie was scared, but she knew that two innocent people would die if she stood by and did nothing.
"I'll do it," Maddie answered.
Hermione squeezed her hand. "You're a brave girl Maddie," she said as Smythe led them over to a basin on the other side of the room. Instead of a normal Pensieve, this was filled with red swirls instead of silvery grey.
"Did you bring your wand?" Smythe asked Maddie.
Maddie reached for her pocket- thankfully her mother must have slipped it in there when she went to grab the robe. "Yes," she answered softly.
"Have you ever used a Pensieve before?" Smythe asked her.
Maddie shook her head. "I'm sorry," she answered.
"Its okay, Maddie," Smythe said softly. "I just want you to think about what you saw tonight. Block everything else out....you'll take your wand and place it near your temple....and then as the thoughts come to you, draw your wand away and add those thoughts to the basin. Do you think you can do that?"
Maddie nodded and closed her eyes. She felt tears gather as she thought about what she had seen, putting as much detail into things as she possibly could. She drew her wand away and was surprised to see what looked like a long piece of her hair attached to it. Maddie moved her wand down and the thought was added to the mass and the three women bent over to look at it.
The scene in Maddie's vision played out this time with Smythe and Hermione witnessing everything Maddie had seen. Hermione felt the same emotions Maddie must have felt as she watched the two cloaked figures deliver the Killing Curse at the sleeping woman.
"That's...." Hermione whispered. "Colin Roberts... one of our secret Aurors," she looked up at Smythe. "He's off on a mission right now but that's his wife and son!"
"Really?" Maddie asked a bubble of hope in her chest. "You know who they are?"
"Aye," Hermione nodded, as did Smythe. "Send word to their house immediately. I don't want any time wasted in getting Lydia and the baby out of there."
Smythe nodded and dashed off leaving Hermione and Maddie alone.
"I hope they can reach them in time," Maddie said wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"I think they will," Hermione turned to her and gave her a hug. "It's going to be okay love."
For the first time that evening, Maddie actually believed someone when they told her it was going to be okay.
"Aunt Hermione," Maddie said. "Did you see the person with me in the Pensieve?"
Hermione shook her head. "I didn't see anyone, Maddie. Just Lydia, the baby and those two figures..."
Maddie shook her head. "When I was putting my thoughts in the Pensieve, I saw a glimpse of the person who was leading me their way. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think I know who it was..."
"Who?" Hermione asked curiously.
New tears welled up in Maddie's eyes as she remembered glimpsing the woman's blonde hair so much like her own; so much like her mother's.
"It was my Grandmother," Maddie answered softly. "Not my Nana, but my Grandmother."
"You mean Luna's mother?" Hermione asked.
Maddie nodded. "I think so. I know I never knew her, but I saw pictures; plenty of photographs. It was her. I'm sure of it."
"I think that sounds quite plausible," Hermione said. "And quite lovely, that she wanted to help guide you." she tucked a strand of hair behind Maddie's ear in a motherly fashion. "I'm sure she'd be quite proud of you."
Maddie smiled. "I can't wait to tell my mum."
Hermione squeezed her hand and they sat down on a hard bench to wait.
Smythe came to join them a few moments later.
"We reached them in time," she explained. "Two of our best men are going to stay in the Roberts' house and apprehend the two men when they arrive."
Maddie gave a large sigh in relief. "Are they here?" she asked.
Smythe nodded. "They're in the Atrium."
"I'd like to see them if I could," she asked hesitantly. "Would that be all right?"
"I don't see why not," Hermione said smiling at her.
Maddie nodded. "Thank you," she said to the other woman. "Thank you for helping me. I'm glad to know I've helped two innocent people tonight."
"You certainly did," Smythe said shaking her hand. "And I'd be happy to talk with you some more about what you've seen, Maddie. I think you have the gift."
"When we get back from holiday I'll come in," Maddie said. "I'd like to know more about this as well."
"I'll help set something up for you," Hermione said. "And thank you, Smythe."
"Anytime Minister," Smythe nodded her head respectfully. "I'll see you soon I'm sure."
A few minutes later, Hermione and Maddie found themselves in the Atrium. Lydia Roberts was cuddling her baby son in her arms as two Aurors stood guard beside her.
"Lydia?" Hermione asked coming over.
"Minister Potter," Lydia said smiling gratefully at her. "I can't thank you enough for saving me and my son..."
"It was this young lady here," Hermione interjected. "Maddie had a vision of the two men coming into your house tonight. We've sent word to Colin- as you know we can't divulge where he is- but rest assured he'll be back as soon as he can."
Lydia nodded and looked at Maddie. "Thank you so much. I wish I could shake your hand, but my hands are a little full right now."
"That's all right," Maddie said quietly as she looked at the baby. "I'm just so happy I could help. I was scared when I didn't know who you both were and I'm just glad someone did."
"You were so brave," Lydia said softly. "I--I don't even want to think about what could have happened if you hadn't come forward."
"I don't like to think about it either," Maddie looked down again at the baby. "We'll let you be now- I just wanted to come and meet you is all."
Lydia smiled gratefully at Maddie. "William and I owe you our lives, Maddie. I don't know what we could do to repay you..."
"Just seeing you safe is all I need," Maddie replied softly.
"Thank you, Maddie," Lydia said. "For everything."
"You're welcome," Maddie said as Hermione put a hand on her shoulder and they left the Atrium.
Back in Brighton, Harry was trying to get Ron to calm down.
"You know WE were in the Department of Mysteries before," Ron argued. "I don't see why WE couldn't have gone back."
"Didn't you get attacked by a brain in there?" Jon asked. Everyone was awake, save for the children.
"That's not the point," Ron snapped. "My daughter is in there!"
"With Hermione," Harry pointed out. "Who you know would never let anything happen to Maddie."
Ron faltered a moment. "Yes I know but--"
"I know you're scared," Luna said to her husband. "We all are, but Maddie's going to be okay."
Ethan's foot was tapping nervously on the floor. "I should have insisted I go with," he muttered.
"Ethan," Julie said. "Mum wouldn't let her parents go. You know she wouldn't have let you go."
He shook his head. "But she needs me," he said to his sister.
"She knows you'll be here waiting for her when she gets back," Julie said gently.
"I doubt she knows everyone's waiting up," Ethan said with a smirk.
Jon was trying to keep his father's mind off of all of this by doing what he did best---trying to make him laugh.
"How did you get attacked by a brain, Dad?" Jon asked. "Mum said you were talking crazy...something about seeing Uranus?"
Luna's lips twitched as Ron turned red.
"We still don't know what they hit him with," Harry said trying not to laugh. "He was really, really out of it."
"I got attacked," Ron stressed.
"Yes, but you accioed the brain, right?" Jon asked. "So you basically brought it on yourself, didn't you?"
Ron crossed his arms. "I refuse to comment."
"What about that time when you, Uncle Seamus and Uncle Harry snuck out of school into Hogsmeade and drank so much Firewhisky...." Jon said.
"I'd like to hear about that myself," Luna said raising an eyebrow at her husband. "When did this happen?"
"That never happened, your uncle Neville is a liar," Harry said hastily.
"My dad isn't a liar," Allison said gleefully. She shared a look with Jon. "Didn't one of you try to hit on Madame Rosmerta and she nearly laughed herself silly?"
"Maybe when I was bloody thirteen I fancied her a bit," Ron said sullenly.
"A bit?" Harry asked with a laugh. "That night you jumped on the bar and started dancing....singing some Weird Sisters song and started unbuttoning your shirt...Seamus and I nearly pissed ourselves laughing..."
Ron glared at him and was about to respond when the fireplace whooshed to life and Hermione and Maddie stepped out.
"Mads?" Ethan asked immediately getting to his feet. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Everything's fine," Maddie said, looking much more relaxed. "We figured out who it was and they got to her and the baby before the men in the cloaks did."
"That's fantastic," Ethan said hugging her. "You're a hero!"
Maddie blushed. "I wouldn't go that far," she murmured.
"What I'd like to know is why on earth are all of you awake? It's nearly half past three in the morning!" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Ease up, Mum," Julie teased. "We're not children. We were worried about Maddie."
Ron held his daughter tightly. "I'm proud of you Madeline. Very proud."
"Thanks, Daddy," Maddie said hugging him back. She looked over her father's shoulder at Luna who was beaming at her.
"Mum," Maddie said. "Could I tell you something in private?"
"Sure sweetheart," Luna said as they went into the kitchen.
Maddie didn't know where to begin. She leaned against the countertop for support and looked at her mother.
"I didn't want to say this in front of everyone else," Maddie explained. "I thought it was something I could tell you alone. I hope no one will get upset or hurt, but it was something I wanted you to know, Mum."
"Is there something wrong?" Luna grasped her daughter's hand.
"No," Maddie said shaking her head. "It was something good. You know about what I saw tonight, right? About seeing the woman and the baby?"
"Right," Luna nodded slowly.
"I was asleep with Ethan on the beach and I felt someone taking my hand," Maddie explained. "I couldn't see them or hear them, but I could feel them. This person led me to that house...to those people, Mum."
Luna was silent and squeezed Maddie's hand.
"Whoever this person was, they tried to comfort me when I was scared," Maddie continued. "I could feel their warmth with me, Mum. But I didn't know who it was. Tonight when I put my memories in the Pensieve, I caught a glimpse of this woman..."
Luna's eyes widened. "It was my mother," she said, reading the look in her daughter's eyes. "Your grand mum..."
Maddie nodded. "She was so beautiful, Mum. She was guiding me and protecting me."
Tears filled Luna's eyes. "She knows you have the gift and she came back to help you." she hugged Maddie tightly. "Thank you for telling me that sweetheart."
"I wish I could have known her," Maddie said hugging her mother back.
"There's so much of her in you," Luna said, kissing her daughter's forehead.
"Really?" Maddie asked.
"Yes, very much," Luna smiled. "And I think she'll be back from time to time when you truly need her."
"If they saved the Pensieve from earlier," Maddie said. "Perhaps you could see her too, Mum."
"Perhaps," Luna hugged her again. "You should go see Ethan... he's been pacing around all night until you got back."
"I must have really scared him, eh?" Maddie asked.
"He's just been worried." Luna said. "And if your father doesn't get some more sleep he'll be a right grump in the morning."
They went back into the living room to find that Hermione had successfully managed to get most everyone back to bed. "Good night Maddie," Hermione said. "We'll talk later on all right?"
Maddie nodded. "Thank you, Aunt Hermione. For everything."
"Anytime love," Hermione said, heading back upstairs with Ron and Luna. Maddie looked over at Ethan. "You really didn't have to wait up for me," she said softly.
"I promised I would," he said motioning for her to come and sit beside him. "I couldn't have slept until I knew you were okay."
Maddie slid into his embrace. "Thank you," she said, her voice muffled by his t shirt. "Thank you for getting everyone earlier tonight."
"Of course," he said softly holding her close. "You saved someone tonight, Maddie. Two someones, actually. That's...amazing."
"It's pretty... incredible," she agreed. "But who knows if I'd have come out of that trance in time if you weren't there Ethan?"
"So I guess we make a good team then?" Ethan asked her.
"I definitely like to think so," Maddie looked up. "Kiss me," she asked softly.
Ethan cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently. He'd been so worried about her and he still had so many questions, but all that mattered now was that she was back and she was okay.
She leaned into his kiss; she knew he had to be exhausted but her vision and what had happened after it left her feeling quite exhilarated. He lay back on the sofa, Maddie on top of him as she took the initiative to deepen their kiss.
Ethan certainly hadn't expected this, but what she was doing felt so great, he wasn't about to stop her.
Maddie let her hands run through his hair repeatedly as he so often liked to do to hers as his hands travelled up and down her back. "Ethan," she murmured, pulling away for a moment. "Does it always feel this good?"
"I think it's more special when you're in love," he whispered. "And I've never been in love before until you, Madeline."
She smiled down at him. "It's no secret that I've never been in love with anyone else."
"If I have my way," he said nipping at her bottom lip. "You'll never be in love with anyone, but me."
"Seems to me like you already have your way there," she said breathlessly as he flipped them around so she was looking up at him.
"I love you," he whispered kissing her.
The now familiar but welcome thrill shot through her at his words and his touch. "I love you," she whispered back when he pressed his lips to her neck.
Testing his boundaries, Ethan slowly slipped his hand underneath her jumper and traced his fingers on her stomach.
She drew in a slow breath as he did this- his hands were warm and familiar. "No don't stop," Maddie said hoarsely.
He looked at her. "Are you sure?"
"I trust you Ethan and I know you won't push me into anything," Maddie said softly. "I knew you wouldn't when I told you about me not wanting to go that far before I got married."
"I wouldn't," he said smiling down at her.
"Which is why I love you," Maddie said, pulling him back down for another kiss.
Ethan slid his hand back underneath her jumper and he marvelled again at how soft and warm her skin was to his touch.
Maddie kissed him as hard as she could- his lips were firm and sweet as she tasted him over and over again.
They continued to kiss and touch and feel for what seemed like forever; going much further than they had before. Ethan pulled away from her, mostly to catch his breath.
"We should probably stop," he said reluctantly. "I'm afraid if we don't, I won't be able to..."
"Okay," Maddie agreed as he sat back. She tugged her jumper down and ran a finger over her swollen lower lip.
"I'm no Seer, but I foretell loads of cold showers in my future," he teased.
Maddie giggled. "Yours and mine both."
"We've both had a long day," he said softly. "We should probably get to bed."
"We're not going to get up until noon," Maddie took his hand as he helped her up.
"Saving lives can really take it out of you," Ethan said with a laugh.
"I suppose we'll both be finding that out," Maddie agreed. "Thanks for being here for me tonight Ethan." she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.
"I'd do anything for you, Mads," he said hugging her back.
She smiled up at him. "And I love you for it," she said, giving him one last lingering kiss.
"Sleep well," he whispered watching as she disappeared inside her bedroom.
"You too," she said softly. Hopefully the rest of her dreams that night would be sweet.