A/N: Wow a lot of you really didn't like that cliffhanger- you'll find out about Robert in this chapter though. There's also a bit of drama ahead for Harry and Lavender- but we won't spoil that for you. As always, please let us know what you think by leaving a review- we do read every review we get and we try to reply to most of them!
"The surgery went as well can be expected," Dr. Stephens said. "There were some complications, but he made it through."
"What sort of complications?" Hermione spoke around the lump in her throat. "Will he be all right?"
"It's too soon to tell," the doctor told her. "The next few hours will be critical, Mrs. Potter."
"Well what can I tell everyone?" Hermione asked, her voice rising in a bit of hysteria. "We need to know something here!"
"Tell them your father made it through the surgery," Dr. Stephens said gently. "We'll know more once he wakes up, Mrs. Potter. I'm sorry that I can't tell you more than that."
Hermione nodded in defeat. "Thank you doctor," she said and he nodded and walked away.
Elinore jerked awake as soon as she felt Hermione's hand on her shoulder. "What? What is it? Robert?"
"He made it through the surgery Mum," Hermione said softly. "He's not awake yet though. They said the next few hours would be critical."
"Thank God," she said with a slight smile. "At least he made it through the surgery, Hermione."
"That's a good sign Mum," Hermione said as encouragingly as possible.
"Mum?" Saffron said sleepily. "What is it?"
"Your grandfather made it through surgery," Hermione repeated.
"He did?" Saffron asked excitedly suddenly very awake. "This is great! Let's go see him!"
"He's not awake love," Hermione ran her hand through her daughter's hair.
"Oh," Saffron said her smile faltering a bit. "That's okay though. He made it."
"He's in critical condition, so until he wakes up we won't know exactly how he's doing," Elinore said.
"He's going to be fine, Gran," Saffron said softly. "He's not ready to leave us yet."
"No he's not love," Elinore said, smiling at her granddaughter.
"I'm going to tell Ethan and Maddie," Saffron said getting to her feet.
"Okay sweetheart," Hermione said, watching her go over to her son.
Hermione excused herself to get some fresh air. It was bad enough to wait all night for some news about her father's condition just to find out that she had to wait even longer to find out how he really was.
She stood just outside the doors breathing in the early morning air- freshened a bit by a little rain. "Please," she prayed softly. "He has to be all right."
*** *** ***
It was later that morning and there was still no change in Robert's condition. He was still in critical condition, but was in a private room. Dr. Stephens advised that no more than two visitors were allowed in the room at a time.
Elinore had gone in first by herself and then allowed Lavender and Hermione and then Julie and Ethan to visit. After a valiant protest, Hermione finally agreed to go down to the cafeteria to get some food. Elinore promised to get them if there was any change.
Elinore was sitting at her husband's bedside when she saw Saffron standing in the doorway.
"I thought you went to get something to eat," Elinore said softly.
"I didn't want to leave Grandpa," Saffron replied. "Is it okay if I sit with you?"
"Sure," Elinore said smiling at her. "Come here."
Saffron pulled a chair over next to her grandmother's and sat down. "I wish he'd wake up," she said wistfully.
"Me too sweetheart," Elinore said looking at Robert who was hooked up to several different machines. "You could try talking to him, you know?" When Saffron stared blankly at her, Elinore patted her arm. "I know it sounds crazy, but I think he'll be able to hear you, Saffron."
Saffron shrugged. "I don't know," she said doubtfully.
Elinore smiled. "Try telling him about school or about some memories you have about your Grandpa. Your mum and aunt did it. And Julie and Ethan, too."
Saffron felt a bit silly but she leaned forward. "Hey Grandpa- I really hope you wake up soon. Next year I'm going to try out for the Quidditch team at school and I want you to come to my matches." she said.
"He always did like watching you fly," Elinore said softly. "Unlike your mum."
Saffron smiled. "Mum's a total scaredy cat when Dad tries to get her on a broom," she said.
"She's always hated flying," Elinore laughed. She too leaned forward. "Robert, do you remember that time when she was about six years old and we were going to take her to the States? We had to spend nearly three hours convincing her that the plane wasn't going to crash. And then she refused to sit anywhere near the window..."
Saffron laughed. "She was that freaked out?"
"She was," Elinore said laughing too. "Robert finally got her on the plane by saying he'd buy her any book she wanted as soon as we landed."
"That's my mum," Saffron shook her head. "Lured everywhere by the promise of a book."
Neither of them noticed Robert's eyes blink open. He turned his head slightly and in a very hoarse voice said, "Y-you're t-the same, Saffy."
"Grandpa!" Saffron gasped. "Grandpa you're awake!" she almost flung herself on top of him but stopped herself just in time.
"Robert!" Elinore exclaimed. "Oh!"
"Ellie," he whispered.
"Grandpa we've all been waiting for you all night long," Saffron began talking fast. "Everyone's in the cafeteria getting something to eat and they're all going to be so happy that you're awake and--"
Robert laughed, but the action caused his chest to hurt and he winced in pain. When he saw the guilty look on his granddaughter's face, he weakly reached up and touched her hand. "It's...its okay. You're...a sight for sore eyes."
"I don't want you to get hurt again," she said in a trembly voice.
"My sweet Saffron," he said smiling at her. "Don't you think on that."
"Saffron, sweetheart why don't you stay with your grandpa while I go find a doctor?" Elinore wiped at her eyes.
"Okay Gran," Saffron said. When she and her grandfather were alone, she took his hand. "I looked out for her just like you asked, Grandpa."
"Thank you love," Robert said with a smile. "I knew you were the best person for the job."
Saffron beamed at him. "I wasn't about to let you down."
"You never have," Robert said.
"How are you feeling?" Saffron asked.
"All right," Robert said. "Bit stronger than I did before the surgery."
"Really?" Saffron asked. "You're not in any pain...?"
But Robert didn't get the chance to answer her as Dr. Stephens and Elinore came back into the room. The doctor wanted to examine Robert and Elinore suggested Saffron go downstairs to share the good news with the family.
Saffron nearly sprinted toward the lifts and was practically jumping up and down as she waited for the lift to ping open. She couldn't wait to share this news with her family.
She rode down to the cafeteria, hopping from one foot to the other and then dashed down the corridor. "He's awake!" she announced in a loud voice to everyone. "Mum, Dad, Ethan, Julie- Grandpa's awake!"
"What?" Hermione asked running over to her daughter. "He is? When?"
"Just a few minutes ago," Saffron tugged on her mother's hand. "The doctor's with him right now but come on!"
Hermione smiled, but knew she shouldn't get her hopes up just yet. She wasn't about to breathe a sigh of relief until the doctor told her that her father was going to be fine. Nevertheless, Saffron's enthusiasm was contagious. "Lead the way baby."
"Come ON everyone!" Saffron pulled harder on Hermione's hand. "You're all a bunch of slowpokes!"
"Where does your little sister get her energy from?" Nick asked Julie with a laugh.
"She's fourteen," Julie replied dryly, feeling awakened and cheered by the news of her grandfather. "I think I was the same way at one point."
"She should bottle it whatever it is," Nick joked.
Everyone made their way toward the lift and squeezed in tight. Saffron was talking excitedly the entire time about the moment Robert had woken up.
Harry grinned. "Saffy maybe you should transfer some of this energy over to Robert." he said.
"We should all have some of it," Lavender said with a yawn. "I feel as if I haven't slept in three weeks."
"You haven't," Seamus pointed out. "Not since you started working for me designing those costumes for my film."
"Yes my little tyrant," Lavender said squeezing his cheek. "I cannot wait to see Uncle Robert!"
Ethan smiled at his little sister. "Looks like you worked your magic again, eh?"
Saffron smiled proudly. "That's right," she said with a grin as Ethan mussed up her hair with one hand, his other holding Maddie's fingers tightly.
A few minutes later they were all huddled in the waiting room waiting for the doctor to come out and give them the news. Hermione had gone back to her father's room as soon as they'd made it back upstairs. Everyone was getting antsy waiting.
Saffron plopped down on her father's lap. "This is the best, isn't it?" she asked giving him a hug.
Harry hugged her. "It certainly is sweetheart."
"You'll need to owl Professor McGonagall," Saffron said excitedly. "To tell her I won't be coming back to school..."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Of course you're going back to school Saffy. You can stay home tomorrow but the day after you're going back."
"Daddy, don't be ridiculous," Saffron said with a laugh. "I have to stay here and help Grandpa with his recovery. I'm not going back to school...perhaps I can do some sort of correspondence..."
"That's silly," Harry said. "Your grandfather wouldn't want you to stay out of school."
"My grandfather needs me," she said stubbornly. "And I'm not going anywhere until he's all better."
"Saffron Grace you're going back to school day after tomorrow," Harry said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Saffron decided to drop the argument for now, but what her father didn't know was that she was going to take this up with her mother. She had no doubt that her mother would see things her way.
She stood up and walked over to where Lavender and Seamus were sitting.
"She's not going to let this go," Ethan told his father. "You realise that right?"
"She never lets anything go," Harry replied. "But Hermione's certainly not going to go for that- you know how your mum is about school."
"I know," Ethan said. "But don't be so hard on Saf, Dad. She just doesn't want to leave Grandpa. Maybe once she hears the prognosis, she'll back down."
"I'm sure she will," Harry said. He leaned in and lowered his voice so Julie and Nick wouldn't hear. "She's still giving me a hard time over the Greta situation."
Ethan nodded, but didn't let on that he already knew that. In fact, in her last letter to him, Saffron had complained about how unreasonable their father was being about all this.
"I think it's because she's afraid she won't survive on Mum's cooking," Ethan joked. "If it wasn't for you, the poor girl would probably go hungry when she's home..."
Harry punched Ethan's shoulder. "I wouldn't survive on your mum's cooking either, except when she makes that lasagne."
Ethan laughed. "You and Mum must spend a fortune on takeaways."
"Hey I cook plenty," Harry pretended to be injured. "I haven't lost my touch in the kitchen."
"Why didn't you cook last night then?" Ethan asked referring to their interrupted meal.
"Because your mum wanted to make you lasagne as a special treat," Harry replied. "She wanted to make a fuss over you."
"I'm all for that," Ethan said with a grin.
Hermione walked into the waiting room with a big smile on her face. Everyone stopped chatting to look at her.
"Dr. Stephens says that he seems to be doing quite well," Hermione related to them. "He's going to need lots of rest, of course, but Dr. Stephens seems to think he's going to be okay."
"That's fantastic," Harry was first to say. "That's the best news we could have hoped for."
"Can we see him?" Ethan asked.
Hermione nodded. "If you want to go on back, Ethan you can. He was asking to see you."
"Thanks Mum," Ethan squeezed Maddie's hand and pecked his mother on the cheek. "I won't take long."
"Did you want to go home and freshen up?" Harry asked his wife.
"Maybe soon," Hermione said, taking the seat next to Maddie.
Saffron walked over to her mother. "Mum? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure sweetheart," Hermione said with a smile.
"Well," Saffron began. "I was thinking that I'd like to do anything I can to help Grandpa out."
"I'm sure he'd love that," Hermione said agreeably. "If you send me owls I'll be sure and pass the letters along to him. And when you come home for holidays you can spend as much time as you like with your grandparents."
Saffron frowned. "That's just it, Mum. I'm--I'm not going back to school."
Hermione's brow creased. "What on earth are you talking about Saffron Grace?"
"I'm going to stay here and help Grandpa with his recovery of course," Saffron said simply. "I know Professor McGonagall would let me take lessons by correspondence..."
Harry caught the tail end of what his daughter had said and couldn't believe she'd gone behind his back.
"Saffron you are most certainly NOT staying home from school," Hermione began.
"It's the best solution," Saffron argued. "Grandpa is going to need all the help he can get. You're too busy running the Ministry and Dad is busy with his job. Grandma can't do it on her own. It's really the best solution, Mum."
"They'll have a nurse that will come around every day to help out." Harry joined them. "Saffron you know your grandfather wouldn't like that you were missing school."
"A nurse doesn't know him like I do," Saffron said not deterred in the slightest. "And she wouldn't care about him like I do. I make him laugh and he depends on me. Gran thought it would be a great idea."
"Oh she did, did she?" Hermione remarked in a tone that said she didn't believe a word coming out of her daughter's mouth. "Shall we go in there now and run this by her?"
"Fine," Saffron said angrily. "And we'll run it past Grandpa too. You'll see."
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks. "Saffron Grace," Harry began. "You are not going in there to antagonize your grandfather. He just got out of a very, VERY complicated surgery."
This seemed to calm Saffron down somewhat. The last thing she wanted to do was cause undo stress on her ill grandfather.
"You will be going back to school," Hermione continued. "I don't want to hear any more about this. Is that clear?"
Saffron folded her arms and nodded wordlessly at her mother. She wasn't going to give up on this though. She had at the very least two days to get her parents around to her way of thinking.
"Dad," Julie said helpfully. "How about Nick and I take Saffy home with us? She can freshen up and then we'll bring her back later..."
"That sounds like a good idea," Harry gave Saffron a stormy look. "And don't let her recruit you to her side. She's going back to school whether she likes it or not."
Saffron glared at him. Julie quickly put an arm around her little sister.
"Come on Saffy," she said gently. "Let's get you home."
"Fine," Saffron said. "But I'm not leaving until I get to say goodbye to Grandpa."
"We'll see him this afternoon," Julie told her. "I promise." When this didn't seem to appease Saffron, Julie brought out something she had a feeling might. "You'll get to see Greta..."
"All right," Saffron conceded. "For now," she glared at her parents again.
Hermione shook her head as she watched her two daughters walk away with Nick.
"I so didn't need to deal with this now," Hermione said leaning back on the sofa and closing her eyes.
"I know," Harry sighed. "She certainly got both our stubborn streaks built into one."
Lavender, who had been watching this little exchange, plopped down beside her cousin. "If you don't mind me saying, I think it would be a fabulous idea to have her help out."
Hermione gave her cousin a disbelieving look. "She cannot miss school to help out Dad," she said.
"She can take correspondence classes," Lavender said. "You heard her. And I think having all of us around would do him a world of good. I'm thinking of moving back here..."
"What?" Seamus asked. "When did you decide this?"
"This morning," Lavender said.
"No, no, absolutely not, and I won't have you filling her head with your ideas," Harry said furiously.
"Excuse me, but I don't believe YOU are the boss of ME," Lavender retorted. "If I want to move back here, I bloody well will!"
"I wasn't talking about you," Harry snapped. "I don't care if you move back here but you won't be telling Saffron it's okay that she stays here."
"You know you really are a piece of work," Lavender said angrily. "All you can think about is yourself and you're completely forgetting about what is important here---my uncle's health. And I think Saffron should stay, but if you want to be selfish..."
"Lavender," Seamus said, putting a hand on her arm.
"You're not her bloody mother," Harry was near shouting.
"You saw how upset your little girl was after nearly losing her grandfather," Lavender said trying to stay calm, but finding it extremely difficult. "And now you want to pack her off to school when she needs to be reassured. That's very cruel, Harry. Very, very cruel."
"You need to shut the hell up," Harry was fuming, his face bright red in anger. "You have no idea what it's like to be a parent. She's been reassured all night long. We pulled her out for today and tomorrow so she could stick around and visit. But she will absolutely not be missing school- she's fourteen years old."
"ENOUGH!" Hermione exclaimed. Both Harry and Lavender stared at her. "This is neither the time nor the place to get into this now. We're all knackered and on edge from a long night."
"You can say that again," Harry muttered.
"Lavender, I appreciate your concern, but this isn't your decision to make," Hermione said quietly. "Saffron is our daughter."
Lavender huffed and folded her arms over her chest.
"She's right Lav," Seamus said. "We can't make parenting decisions for them."
"And I know you're feeling guilty for not being around as much," Hermione said gently. "Which is why you're probably so passionate about all of this, but you have no reason to feel guilty. Dad didn't expect you to live here forever. He's so proud of you and what you've done for yourself here and in the States. You know that."
"Yeah I know," Lavender replied, still annoyed at Harry. "But I feel like I could have done more."
"Which is probably how our daughter is feeling right now," Hermione said. "Look, Lav, there wasn't anything anyone could have done. Dad would have had that heart attack even if you had been here."
"But if it happens again, I'll be closer and I can help," Lavender insisted.
Seamus put an arm around his wife. "Sweetheart, we don't have to move. And you are forgetting that you are a witch. You can floo over anytime you want. You do that now. There's no reason to uproot what we have in America..."
"Fine," Lavender pushed her husband away and stalked from the waiting room.
Hermione sat down again with a sigh. "I'm sorry you had to see that Maddie." she said to the young woman who had remained silent through the exchange.
"I should have given you some privacy," Maddie said apologetically.
"No it's all right, my husband and cousin did enough shouting to alert the whole hospital," Hermione said.
"It's not been easy on any of you," Maddie said softly.
"No it hasn't," Hermione put an arm around her. "But I appreciate you being here for Ethan. He'd never admit it to anyone but he needs someone to lean on when things are rough."
Maddie smiled. "I wouldn't have been anywhere else. I think of all of you as my own family."
"That's how we think of you too," Hermione replied. "You're a sweet girl Madeline."
"Thanks Hermione," Maddie said. "And I'm really happy that Dr. Granger is going to be okay."
"So are we sweetheart," Hermione agreed.
*** *** ***
Allison couldn't remember a day where she'd ever been this tired. Emma had a touch of colic and had been crying for a good deal of the night as well as all morning long, and Caroline had also been hit with the flu. Jon had been away every day that week except today with extra flying lessons and Allison was nearly ready to let him handle their daughters for a few hours so she could go regain her senses.
"Jon have you seen the tea?" she called out to her husband. "I was going to make Caroline some with honey for her throat!"
"We're out, aren't we?" he asked her coming into the kitchen with Emma, who was still crying her little lungs out.
"I just bloody bought some!" Allison snapped, slamming the cabinet door shut.
"Al," Jon said wincing as Emma let out an ear-piercing cry in his ear. "Sweetheart, just sit down. I'll see if I can find it." He had no idea how he was going to do that and hold the baby as well, but he knew Allison was at her wit's end.
"Here I'll take her," Allison rubbed her eyes wearily before taking Emma. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"It's okay," he said squeezing her shoulder. "You're knackered. I'm willing to take the abuse."
Allison gave him a little smile as she tried to soothe her daughter. "Come on baby, you don't want to deafen Mummy," she cooed.
Jon set about looking in the cabinets for the tea and sure enough found some hiding behind a couple of boxes of cereal.
"Mummy?" Caroline said coming into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. "My throat really hurts."
"Caroline, love you have to stay in bed and rest," Allison said. "Daddy's making you some tea with honey and lemon okay?"
"I can't rest with Emma crying," Caroline complained.
"I know but she can't help it baby," Jon said, putting the kettle on the stove.
Caroline nodded, but wasn't entirely convinced her baby sister wasn't doing this on purpose. With a sigh, she went into the sitting room and curled up on the sofa.
"Al?" Jon asked. "Once we get the baby settled, you should get some sleep. I can handle Caroline on my own."
"Yes but I don't think she's going to settle," Allison complained, bouncing Emma gently to try and calm her.
"How about we put her in the bouncy seat?" Jon asked. "She seems to like it and it would be worth a try."
Allison shrugged. "At this point I'm ready to try anything."
"You watch the kettle," Jon said coming over and taking Emma from her. "And Daddy will put the little bugger in her bouncy seat."
Allison surrendered the still crying baby to her husband and rubbed her temples, trying to ward off the splitting headache that was beginning to make her head throb.
"Okay Ems," Jon said placing the baby in the seat. He made sure to secure the strap and pushed gently on the seat to start the bouncing motion. He made a completely goofy face at the baby and to his delight, she did stop crying. "Haha! That's my girl!"
Allison breathed a sigh of relief as Emma's cries subsided. "You're a miracle worker Jon," she said, leaning against the counter.
Jon walked over to his wife and gave her a hug. "It's going to be okay, Al."
"I'm just so knackered," she sighed into his shoulder. "I wasn't ever this tired even when I was pregnant."
"I know," Jon said pulling her closer. "We thought we had our hands full with Caroline. Couple that with a baby...it hasn't been an easy time for any of us."
"No, and I feel just awful complaining when poor Aunt Hermione has her father in the hospital for that heart attack," Allison didn't open her eyes. "I mean, things could be a lot worse for us."
"We'll get through this," he told her softly. "And maybe we can go away just the two of us for your birthday slash anniversary."
"That sounds absolutely fantastic," Allison finally managed a real smile.
"I'll see about sorting something out," Jon promised giving her a quick kiss. "And surprise you."
"Okay," Allison said as the kettle whistled and Emma began to cry again simultaneously.
"Perfect timing," Jon joked as he pulled the kettle off the stove. Allison was about to get the baby when the doorbell rang. With a groan, she rushed to answer it. The baby's cries grew louder and louder and Caroline tossed and turned on the sofa wishing that Emma would just shut up for a few minutes.
"Who is it Al?" Jon's voice came from the kitchen.
"It's Mr. Reynolds from next door," Allison called out. "He wants to talk to you, Jon."
Jon came out of the kitchen with a bottle of honey in one hand and Caroline's tea in the other. "Hi Mr. Reynolds," he said.
"Sorry to bother you so early," their neighbour said apologetically. "I was wondering if I might borrow a broom. My nephew is coming over..."
"Oh sure," Jon said. "I'll bring one over in just a bit- my daughter's sick with the flu and I'm just trying to make her some tea."
"Muggle or Wizarding?" Mr. Reynolds asked sympathetically.
"Muggle," Jon said. "It doesn't help that the baby has a touch of colic either."
"Ah," he nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that..."
From her perch on the sofa, Caroline groaned as Emma continued to cry. Not being able to take it anymore, she summoned all the strength she could muster before walking into the kitchen. She looked at her baby sister whose face was red from crying and yelled "SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!"
"Caroline!" Jon said, completely shocked. "I'm sorry Mr. Reynolds- I'll bring that broom over just as soon as I can."
"Of course," Mr. Reynolds said. "Take your time--" but Jon had already closed the door.
"Caroline Weasley," he said sternly. "I know you're sick but you do NOT yell at your baby sister like that!"
Allison lifted Emma out of her seat to try and calm her.
"She wouldn't shut up," Caroline said angrily. "And I don't feel good!"
"We know you don't," Jon said in a calmer tone. "And your throat isn't going to be any better if you shout like that."
"I'm sorry Daddy," Caroline said softly as she too started to cry.
Jon sighed and set the cup of tea down on the counter. "Come here baby," he said, gathering his four year old in his arms. "Daddy's not that angry."
"But we don't like hearing you say things like shut up," Allison said quietly. "It's not nice sweetheart."
"I know," Caroline said burying her face in her father's shoulder. "I didn't mean to yell at Emma."
"I think we all feel a bit like yelling," Jon patted her back. "Come on, let me make you some tea and then Mummy will take you in your room and read you a story all right?"
"And we can both take a nice long kip," Allison said to her oldest. "Just you and me. We'll let Daddy take care of your sister."
"Okay Mummy," Caroline raised her tearstained face from Jon's shoulder. "I like the way Daddy makes tea. He puts in lots of honey and lemon for me."
"He does make the best tea," Allison agreed. She turned her full attention back to Emma who also seemed to be calming down. "I think this one might just be crying herself to sleep."
"Good," Caroline slid down from Jon's lap. "About time too right Mummy?"
"Truer words were never spoken," Allison said with a grin.
"Let's switch here," Jon finished squeezing honey into his daughter's tea. "I'll take Emma and you two can go have a kip."
Allison handed the baby off to Jon and then picked up Caroline's tea cup. "Come on sweetheart. Let's go lie down."
"Okay," Caroline took her mother's hand and followed her out of the kitchen.
Jon looked down at Emma who yawned. "Aye, Ems. Now you know how your mummy and daddy feel."
Emma let out a little choked sob as Jon patted her tiny back.
"Awwww," Jon said walking slowly over to the sofa and lying down with the baby. "How about you and I get some shut-eye too? You know you want to take a kip with Daddy, right?"
Emma let out a little sniffle as she laid her head on Jon's chest. The repeated yet light pats he was giving her on her back must have been soothing for she finally fell asleep a few minutes later.
In Caroline's bedroom, the little four year old handed her now empty cup of tea to Allison who put it on the bedside table. Caroline curled up close to her mother and closed her eyes.
"I really am sorry Mummy," Caroline said softly. "Won't do it again...promise."
"It's all right baby," Allison kissed the top of her daughter's head. "We're all a bit frustrated today."
"And sleepy," Caroline said with a yawn. "Very, very..."
Her last words were cut off as her eyes slid shut again and a moment later her breathing was steady. Allison listened to her for a moment and then found her eyes closing as well.
*** *** ***
Lavender couldn't remember the last time she'd been this angry. Harry was being completely unreasonable. What was worse he even had Seamus on his bloody side. The entire way back to their flat (the one they still kept in London) she and Seamus had argued. He'd told her in no uncertain terms that she shouldn't have interfered and she'd argued that Saffron was her niece and as such she had every right to voice her opinion.
Their row had ended with Seamus stalking off to the bedroom to take a kip while Lavender stewed in the sitting room. This was so bloody unfair, she thought. Uncle Robert had nearly died. And everyone who had a brain knew that having his family around him now would be the best medicine. But, as always, Harry was only thinking of himself.
Lavender couldn't just sit here and wait. She knew that Saffron needed to talk to someone who was on her side. She certainly wasn't going to get that from her parents. Lavender quickly scribbled a note to Seamus, grabbed her bag and Apparated over to Julie and Nick's cottage.
Saffron was currently pouting in the bedroom next to Ashley's and trying to figure out a way to convince her parents to let her stay home to help her grandfather. Julie was apparently on her parents' side as she'd told her that Robert would get the attention he needed from the nurses and that she'd be happy to send her weekly, even daily reports on how he was doing. But it wasn't the same. Not at all.
She heard the doorbell chime downstairs and figured it was probably her mother or father. A few moments later she heard a gentle knocking on the bedroom door.
"Saffy?" Lavender asked. "It's Aunt Lav, sweetheart."
"Aunt Lav!" Saffron jumped off the bed. "What are you doing here?"
Lavender gave her a hug. "I wanted to make sure you were doing okay. "
"I'm okay," Saffron said. "I wish my parents weren't so bloody stubborn that's all."
Lavender nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. "You and I are so much alike, Saffron. We know that family is the most important thing. It's a shame that it takes things like this to make you see that, but it's the truth. Uncle Robert is going to need all of us."
Saffron could hardly believe her ears. "You mean you think I should stay too?"
"Of course I do," Lavender said smiling at her. "I'm sure Hogwarts would let you take your lessons from home. I bet Julie would even be willing to help."
"I think they would too!" Saffron said eagerly.
"We could have so much fun with Uncle Robert," Lavender said. "We'd be able to sit with him on the porch and when he's able, we could go on walks around the neighbourhood. And you know they always say laughter is the best medicine. Well, no one can make Uncle Robert laugh as much as you."
"I know," Saffron agreed. "He says I'm his little girl. He likes it when I go golfing with him too."
"When we go back this afternoon, we can tell him all about it," Lavender said putting her arm around Saffron. "He'll be so happy, Saffy."
"I bet he will," Saffron was excited that her aunt wanted her to stay. "But we'll have to make my parents see that this is for the best."
Lavender nodded. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she had a feeling that their best ally would be Hermione.
The doorbell chimed again downstairs and Ashley bounded downstairs to open it. "Grandpa!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi sweetheart," Harry said with a tired smile. "I'm here to see your Aunt Saffron."
"She's upstairs," Ashley said. "I'll just go and let Mummy know you're here."
"Thank you love," Harry tweaked his granddaughter's nose as she dashed upstairs.
Neither Lavender nor Hermione heard the doorbell or even heard Harry walking up the stairs. They were too busy coming up with plans not only for convincing Saffron's parents but the many things they'd do when Robert was able to come home.
"I'm so glad that you're on my side," Saffron told Lavender.
Lavender beamed at her. "I'm always on your side. You know sometimes I think you and I are the only ones who know what's really important."
"What's going on here?" Harry asked from the doorway. He didn't look especially pleased to see Lavender there sitting next to his daughter.
"Hi Daddy," Saffron said turning around in surprise. "What are you doing here? Something hasn't happened with Grandpa, has it?"
"Your grandfather is fine," Harry said. "I came to take you back home so your mother and I could spend some time with you before we go back to the hospital."
"Oh okay," Saffron said relieved that there wasn't anymore bad news. "The sooner we can get back to the hospital the better."
Saffron gave Lavender a hug. "Thank you so much Aunt Lav. I really appreciate it."
"You're quite welcome Saffy," Lavender said. "We'll talk more about our 'plan' tonight."
"What plan?" Harry asked suspiciously.
Lavender and Saffron exchanged a look. "Nothing, Dad. I'm going to just go and grab a sweatshirt from Julie."
Harry stared at Lavender as his daughter left the room. "What the hell is going on here?" he asked.
Lavender sighed. "Nothing, Harry. I just stopped by to check on Saffron."
Harry blocked the doorway. "I'm not stupid Lavender," he said coolly. "Don't talk to me like I am."
Lavender rolled her eyes. "Here we go again...you know you are not the only one who cares about Saffron. I happen to love your children just as I would my own."
"And you know Hermione and I appreciate that," Harry said evenly. "But why do I seem to get the impression that you're feeding her with tales about staying home from Hogwarts?"
"It's what she wants Harry," Lavender said deciding to go with the upfront approach.
"But it's not the right decision for her, and it's not up to you to make it," Harry tried to stay calm this time.
"How do you know it's not the best decision for her?" Lavender argued. "You know how close she is to Uncle Robert. We nearly lost him, Harry. "
"I know that," Harry felt his temper rising. "But she's a fourteen year old girl. She needs to be in school, not playing a nurse. She needs to be put in social situations and to learn directly from her professors, not through a correspondence. Besides, I'm not about to beg for special treatment for her- that's not the lessons Hermione and I want her to learn."
"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Lavender said with a laugh. "Don't you think you're overreacting? It's not like she wants to drop out of school. She wants to spend the next couple of months with her grandfather!"
"She'll be able to spend all of Christmas holiday with him," Harry narrowed his eyes. "She can spend all of Easter holiday and if she wants, she can stay with him some of the time she's home next summer."
"But I want to stay now," Saffron said coming back into the room. She walked over to stand beside Lavender. "I'll go back after the Christmas holiday. People do it all the time, Dad. Stephanie Talbot in Hufflepuff did it when her sister was sick in hospital."
"I don't care," Harry replied. "If it was Ethan or Julie then the situation would be different and your mother and I might be more inclined to say yes. But you need to be in school. End of discussion."
"But Dad--" Saffron started to protest.
"It's okay Saffron," Lavender said. "We'll just talk to your mum. She'll see things OUR way."
Harry still blocked the door. "Lavender," he said through clenched teeth. "You are NOT the parent here. Hermione and I both think it's best she returns to school and we don't want you putting ideas in her head. Stay the hell OUT OF THIS!"
"You have some nerve speaking for Hermione when she's not even here!" Lavender spat at him.
Julie came up behind her father. "What on earth is going on?"
"Your aunt seems to think she can make Saffron's life decisions," Harry spat.
"That's because she's the only one who will listen to me!" Saffron exclaimed. "Julie, come on. Tell Dad he's being completely unreasonable about this!"
"Saffy," Julie said softly. "I think the best thing is for you to be back at school as well."
"Ugh!" Saffron cried out in frustration.
"Julie," Lavender said. "Imagine how you would feel if you were still in school...wouldn't you feel differently?"
Julie looked a bit put out at being thrust in the middle of things and she shrugged. "I really don't know Aunt Lav. I'd probably think about if I was really needed. I think with all of us around, Grandpa will have all the family he needs at the moment as well as the nurse that he and Grandma will hire to care for him."
"You have your own family to look after," Lavender reasoned. "And Ethan is still in training. And we all know Super Auror over here is going to be off saving the world..."
"Lavender, will you get out of here? This family discussion doesn't concern you in the slightest," Harry was fully pissed off now.
"In case you've forgotten I AM part of this family," Lavender hissed at him.
"Dad," Julie said putting a hand on his arm. "I think we should all just---"
"Like I've said about ten fucking times," Harry's green eyes were dark with fury. "You are NOT a parent here. You make no decisions about my daughter's future do you understand me?"
Lavender was positively seething. "You just wait until Hermione hears about this!"
"We've already talked about it!" Harry snapped.
Saffron was in tears by now and Lavender turned around and knelt before her. She didn't want to upset Saffron. "Don't cry, sweetheart. It will all work out. I promise."
"Saffy we're leaving," Harry said. "Come on."
Saffron gave Lavender a hug. "I'm sorry Aunt Lav."
"It's okay," Lavender said forcing a smile. "I'll see you back at the hospital, okay?"
Saffron wiped at her eyes and nodded, then glared at her father as she marched past him.
"I hope you're happy Harry," Lavender said sarcastically.
"It would be fine if you hadn't interfered," Harry snapped back.
"It'd be fine if when you said jump we all said 'how high?'," Lavender shot back. Before Harry could answer her, she breezed past him and down the stairs.
"Go to hell Lavender!" Harry shouted after her. "Go back to California and stop bothering us all the bloody time!"
"Dad!" Julie exclaimed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him that angry.
"She's a pain in the arse Julie," Harry said testily. "She's always interfering where she's not needed. She's got your sister believing she can stay home."
"Her heart is in the right place Dad," Julie said diplomatically. "And you do realise that Saffy heard everything you just said..."
"I know she heard me," Harry lowered his voice. "But she's been scheming all day to figure out how to convince her mother and me to let her stay home. We're not changing our minds and she's got to realise she can't always get her way."
"Maybe," Julie said thoughtfully. "Instead of arguing with Saffron, you could reassure her that everything's going to be okay. Tell her about how Gran and all of us are going to be here for Grandpa. Tell her that Grandpa would want her to----Dad, I know you've done that, but you need to understand where Saffy's coming from."
"I do," Harry said. "And if this was you, or Hermione or Ethan then I'd be more than willing to arrange a correspondence so she could stay home and still do her schoolwork."
"You and Mum should have a long talk with Saffy," Julie said quietly.
"We will before we go back to the hospital," Harry said.
"I hate to see you and Aunt Lavender at each other's throats," Julie said giving her father a hug.
"She doesn't make it easy to get along with her Jules," Harry answered. "Especially when she tries to go behind our backs."
"That wasn't the best way to go about it," Julie admitted. "But you know I think this has more to do with her feeling guilty about not being here herself. She found sort of a kindred spirit with Saffron. It was out of line, I'll give you that, but just try and remember that Grandpa is very important to Aunt Lav. She thinks of him as her father."
"I know she does," Harry said. "I'm going to get Saffy home and hopefully Hermione can reason with her."
"Good luck Dad," Julie said pecking him on the cheek. "We'll see you later at the hospital, alright?'
"We'll be there," Harry gave his daughter a squeeze.
Saffron was sitting on the sofa waiting for her father to come downstairs. She wiped at her tears as she heard his footsteps.
"Come on Saffy," Harry said, forcing his voice to remain calm. "Your mum's waiting for us."
Saffron stood up and didn't say a word.
Harry sighed- it had been a long night and day so far and he didn't need this added aggravation from his daughter. "Let's go," he repeated.
"Okay," she said quietly.
Harry tossed some Floo Powder into the fireplace. "You first sweetheart," he said.
Saffron nodded and did as she was told. A few moments later, she found herself back in the sitting room at home, dusting herself off.
Harry tumbled out after her and was glad to see his wife waiting for them on the sofa.
"What on earth took you so long?" she asked and noticed her daughter's tears. "Why are you crying Saffy?"
"Dad and Aunt Lav had a fight," Saffron sniffed.
"How?" Hermione asked confused. "Was Lavender at Julie's?"
"She was up in the bedroom with Saffron," Harry answered. "Making plans with her for while she stays here, apparently," his words were dripping with ice. "Your cousin has some nerve Hermione."
"You said some horrible things to her too," Saffron pointed out. "All she was trying to do was help me, Dad. You told her to---to go to hell and to leave us alone!"
"Harry did you really say that?" Hermione looked shocked.
Harry exhaled sharply. "Yes, but she got me so crazy, Hermione. I walk into Julie's and find her plotting with Saffy. She's always interfering..."
"I just want to stay and help Grandpa!" Saffron burst out, tears building in her eyes again. "I don't understand why I can't stay here!"
Hermione patted the seat beside her on the sofa and motioned for Saffron to sit down.
"Sweetheart," she began. "I know how much you love your grandfather. But, he's going to be in hospital for at least another week. Your Gran is going to be interviewing nurses and I'm going to be over there every chance I can get to help out."
"He needs me," Saffron said. "He told me so himself! He wants to have me around!"
"Of course he does," Hermione said gently. She hadn't said anything to her father about this, but she knew that the only thing that would change her daughter's mind was hearing it straight from Robert. "Saffron, how about we make a deal?"
"A deal?" Saffron asked hopefully as Harry sat down across from them in an armchair.
"Yes," Hermione answered. "Your grandfather doesn't know about any of this. I haven't spoken to him about it and your Gran doesn't know either. When you go back this afternoon, I want you to ask him what he thinks about you staying out of school. And whatever he says...goes."
Saffron thought about this for a moment. Part of her knew that her grandfather would want her to go back to school but the other part of her hoped against hope that he would tell her he needed her help and support while he recovered and that he'd want her to stay here in London. "Okay," she answered slowly. "But I don't want Dad to ask him. I want to be the one to say something."
"You can go in there all by yourself," Hermione said. "That way no one can influence his decision. Now, I think that sounds fair, don't you?"
Saffron nodded. "Okay Mum," she answered.
"How about you go upstairs and take a nice bath?" Hermione suggested. "It will make you feel better."
"I guess," Saffron shrugged, standing up. "Maybe I'll kip for a little while."
"Okay," Hermione said squeezing her hand.
Saffron didn't look at Harry as she left the room, and both her parents were silent until they heard her shut the bathroom door upstairs. Hermione looked at her husband. "So you told my cousin to go to hell?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.
Harry put his head in his hands. "Yes."
"Why?" she asked.
"She was doing what she did at the hospital," Harry said looking over at Hermione. "Trying to undermine our decisions. I even tried to be calm with her, Hermione. Merlin knows I tried."
"I know it can be hard sometimes," Hermione said. "What did she say?"
Harry explained how he'd arrived at Julie's to hear Lavender plotting with Saffron. "She was going behind our backs, Hermione. And she made me seem like the bad guy..."
Hermione shook her head. "I thought we made it pretty clear where we both stood on the issue," she replied. "I guess I'll have to go say something to her."
"We do agree on this don't we?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "Of course I'd love to have her home but I know I won't have the time to make sure Saffy does her homework, especially now that I'll be going over to help out my parents as much as possible, and you'll be busy as well since you're training Ethan."
Harry nodded. "After all that's happened since last night, the last thing I want to do is argue with Saffy or Lavender for that matter, Hermione. I hope you know that."
"I know," Hermione said. "It wasn't an easy night for any of us, and we're all quite on edge today as a result."
"I wish she hadn't heard me say those things to Lavender," Harry said quietly.
"I wish you hadn't said them at all," Hermione said honestly. "But we can't take it back now, so the best we can do is move forward and make the best of the situation at hand."
"And you're right in the middle," Harry said apologetically. "Like you always are with me and her."
"I'm used to it," Hermione said with a rueful smile.
"Let's go upstairs and try to get some sleep," he said standing up and offering her his hand.
"A nice two hour kip will probably do wonders," Hermione let him help her up. "Then we can go visit Dad again."
"Never a dull moment eh?" Harry said putting an arm around her.
"You can certainly say that again," Hermione leaned against him and closed her eyes.