A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews last chapter- just remember that Saffron is a young teenager still at this point, hormonal and a bit moody, but don't worry, you won't hear about any scaly monsters coming out of her chest ;)
This chapter is a bit lighter than the last one, so we hope you enjoy it and please don't forget to leave us a review!
Lavender arrived back at the flat still quite incensed at Harry. He was so selfish about things, always wanting things HIS way. She didn't know how Hermione put up with him sometimes.
"Seamus?" she called out, wondering if her husband was there.
Seamus came out of the bedroom and looked at her. He didn't really need to ask what had happened. The moment he'd read her note, he knew that it wouldn't end in a good way.
"Lav," he said quietly.
"Don't start," she held up her hand. "I'm not in the mood."
"I can't imagine why," Seamus said sarcastically. "What did you hope to accomplish by going over there, Lavender?"
"I wanted to give Saffy some support," She said defensively. "What's so wrong with that? The poor kid needs SOMEONE on her side."
"This wasn't about her," Seamus said. "And you know it. This was about you. You feeling left out. You feeling guilty about not being here when your uncle had his heart attack."
"I do not feel left out," Lavender replied, throwing her bag on the table.
"Oh yes you do," Seamus said his voice a bit calmer. "Lavender, I know you have a special friendship with Saffron. The two of you are very much alike---you care very much about your family and would do anything for them...."
"Exactly," Lavender crossed her arms.
"And as much as you love Saffy," Seamus said. "You're not her mother, Lavender. You had no right to go behind Harry and Hermione's backs like that when you knew full well how they felt about this."
"That isn't the point," Lavender said, her anger starting to rise. "I know how she feels all right?"
"And how are you feeling?" Seamus asked.
Lavender didn't reply for a moment. "We just want to help Uncle Robert recover," she said. "That's all. I don't think that's too much to ask."
"It's not," Seamus reassured her. "But that's not all Lavender. You know it."
"When did you become a bloody psychic?" she grumbled, turning away as he tried to pull her closer.
"I'm not," he said softly. "I just know my wife."
"You think you do," Lavender didn't want to admit he was right.
"No," Seamus said pulling her closer. "I know I do. Lavender, what happened wasn't your fault. You know that, don't you?"
"Of course I know that," Lavender said, blinking back tears as she thought about how close she'd come to losing her beloved uncle.
Seamus tilted her chin up. "And what happened to Robert would have happened even if you'd been here."
Lavender nodded and blinked fast, trying to stave off her tears. "I was so scared," she whispered. "I still am."
"I know," Seamus said hugging her.
Lavender cried on his shoulder. "I guess I was being a bit unreasonable," she sobbed. "But I just don't want her thinking that no one wants her around. I know Uncle Robert is going to tell her to go back to school and she's going to be so hurt."
"That's not the case," Seamus said holding on tightly to his wife. "Saffron knows how important she is to this family, Lavender."
"I hope she does," Lavender wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry Seamus," she said, resting her forehead against his.
"It's not me you have to apologise to," Seamus said.
"I know," Lavender said. "I hope I can talk a bit of sense into Saffy when she finds out she's not going to be able to stay."
"You need to get some sleep," he told her. When she started to protest, he laughed. "Lav, you haven't slept. As soon as you wake up, we'll go and see Robert. Okay? I'll even lie down with you."
"All right," Lavender knew he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"So just out of curiosity," Seamus said as he led her into the bedroom. "How bad was it? I mean, you're still alive, so it couldn't have been that bad, right?"
"Oh, Harry and I exchanged words as we always do. I still think he's a bloody stubborn pain in the arse." Lavender said as she pulled off her shirt and stepped out of her skirt, tossing them on a chair.
"You know I think he feels the same about you," Seamus teased.
That brought a small smile out of her. "I am tired," she confessed, sliding under the cool sheets.
"I knew that," Seamus whispered as he climbed in next to her.
"You just know everything don't you." Lavender snuggled up next to him, putting her head on his shoulder.
"About you?" Seamus asked closing his eyes. "Yeah, I'd like to think I do. But every now and then you surprise me."
"Like how?" Lavender asked, kissing his skin.
"I can't think of anything right now," he said sleepily. "But you just keep me on my toes...all the time."
"That's why I'm the best one for you," Lavender yawned.
"That you are," Seamus whispered. "That you are..."
*** *** ***
Julie sat down on the sofa while she waited for Nick to get home. He'd had to run into the studio to meet with his agent but promised to come back after lunch so they could return to the hospital to see her grandfather.
Katie and Ashley were sitting on the floor playing with their crayons and colouring books.
"Do you think Grandpa Robert will like this picture?" Katie asked holding up the book for Julie to see.
"I'm sure he will," Julie said smiling at her daughter. She hadn't really been paying attention to her daughters. She was too preoccupied wondering how things were going with her baby sister and her parents and with Aunt Lavender.
"What about mine?" Ashley held up a beautifully coloured picture of a butterfly.
"Very pretty Ash," Julie said nodding. "Your Grandpa is going to love that."
Ashley smiled winningly- she was a pretty eight year old with her long blonde hair and Julie's green eyes. "Isn't Daddy coming home soon?" she asked.
"Yes," Julie said nodding. "He should be home any minute and then we'll leave for the hospital."
"I get to give Grandpa my picture first," Katie said, scribbling furiously.
"Who says?" Ashley asked.
"Me," Katie replied, selecting a yellow crayon from the pile.
"I'm the oldest," Ashley said smugly. "You might not even get to visit with Grandpa. Muggle hospitals have different rules. You might be too young."
"I can too visit Grandpa!" Katie glared at her older sister.
"Bet you can't!" Ashley said in a sing-song voice.
Julie sighed. "Girls, please."
"Mummy," Katie looked upset. "I want to see Grandpa!"
"I want to see Grandpa," Ashley mocked.
Julie looked sternly at her oldest daughter. "Ashley..."
"What?" Ashley asked innocently.
"Be nice," Julie said. "Or you can stay behind with Greta while we go to the hospital."
Katie sent her sister a smirk as she returned to her colouring.
"And I'm going to make a picture for Caroline too," Katie said. "Since she's sick too."
Julie smiled. Caroline and Katie had always been close and she hoped that the two girls would become best friends like she and Chiaki had.
Nick chose that moment to tumble into the sitting room where his three girls were sitting. "Hello everyone," he said, dusting himself off.
"Dad!" Ashley said scrambling to her feet. "You won't believe what happened! Aunt Saffy was here and then Aunt Lavender came over and then Grandpa came and he and Aunt Saffy argued and so did Aunt Lav and then Grandpa said some really horrible things to Aunt Lavender..."
"Whoa," Nick staggered as his older daughter threw herself at him. "Settle down Ash," he laughed.
"Yes," Julie said laughing. "Let your dad get his bearings before you start."
"I have some big news," Nick said. "Around the time your mum goes on her winter hols from school, I'll start a small three city tour in Australia."
"That's where Greta's from!" Katie said excitedly.
"That's where I was born too," Nick laughed. "And that comes to the second part of my surprise."
"What's that?" Julie asked.
"I've made arrangements for you three to come on the tour with me!" Nick grinned.
"REALLY?" Ashley screamed excitedly. "Dad, that's soooo cool!"
Julie though didn't share their enthusiasm which wasn't lost on Nick.
"Are you okay with that?" Nick asked, his voice low as their daughters danced around happily.
"What about your parents?" she asked in a hushed tone. "You've not been back there since you left..."
"I know, and I figured it was time to go back." he said quietly.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I was the one who chose the three cities there," Nick said, reaching out to touch her cheek. "Now I get to show you the city I grew up in."
"I'd love to see it," Julie said leaning in for a kiss.
"Here they go again," Katie rolled her eyes. "Mummy you and Daddy kiss ALL the time!"
"Not all the time," Julie said tickling her daughter. "Not all the time."
"So do you think you two want to go?" Nick teased, pulling Ashley over to him. "Or should we leave you here and have Greta baby sit?"
"I want to go!" Katie exclaimed. "Can Caroline come too?"
"I'm afraid she can't go sweetheart," Nick replied. "It would just be the four of us, and Greta of course."
"But you can get her a nice souvenir," Julie said. "Something really nice."
"Okay," Katie pouted a moment but that suggestion made her brighten back up.
"It will be nice to get away and see where your dad grew up, won't it?" Julie asked scooping Katie up into her arms.
"Uh huh," Katie nodded.
Julie smiled. "Me too. I've never been to Australia."
"Fantastic," Nick said. "I'll let my agent know later today when we get back from the hospital."
Julie looked at her watch. "Speaking of which, we should probably get going."
"Great," Ashley said hopping off her father's lap. "I cannot wait to find out what happened with Aunt Saffy and Grandpa."
"Now, now," Julie said. "This is not family gossip. What your Aunt Saffy does is her business and her business alone."
"Okay Mum," Ashley said. "I won't say anything."
"Well let's get going then," Julie patted Katie's shoulder and ran her hand through the young girl's long brown curls.
"How are we going to get there Daddy?" Ashley asked. "We can't floo because it's a Muggle hospital, right?"
"We'll Floo to the Leaky Cauldron and then take a taxi to the hospital from there." Nick answered.
"Cool," Katie said picking up her colouring book and putting it in her pink bag.
"Did you colour that Ashley?" Nick asked, picking up the picture of the butterfly. "That's excellent!"
Ashley beamed at her father. "When I grow up, I'm going to be an artist!"
"You'll make a fine artist sweetheart," Nick grinned back at her.
"You really think so?" Ashley asked.
"Absolutely," he said, looking over at Julie. "And I bet my little Katie here will sing just like her old man."
Katie shook her head. "I want to dance."
"You'd do fantastic with that." Julie said supportively.
"Caroline's mummy said she can start taking lessons with her grandma next year," Katie said. "Can I take them too?"
"Sure," Nick said. "But in the meantime, let's head for London." he grabbed their pot of Floo powder off the mantle.
"I hate using the floo," Katie said wincing. "It gets me dirty."
"I'm not too fond of it either but it gets us where we're going," Julie said.
"Let's go," Nick said. "I'm sure your grandpa is ready to see you girls."
They got to the hospital rather quickly and Julie was glad to see her parents and Saffron just heading inside as well. "Mum, Dad!" she called out. "Saffy- wait up!"
Ashley and Katie ran up to their grandfather who enveloped them in a big hug. Saffron rolled her eyes and kept walking.
"Your great grandpa will be so glad to see you," Harry said to the two young girls.
Saffron flinched. That was something she hadn't thought about. If she did go back to school, Katie and Ashley would be able to visit him whenever they wanted. Just thinking about it made her angry.
"Why don't you girls tell your grandpa our big news?" Julie said.
"We're going to Australia!" Katie exclaimed happily.
"You are?" Harry asked. "Aren't you two lucky?" he grinned at them. "When do you get to go?"
"During my winter hols," Julie said. "Isn't that great?"
"I think it's fantastic," Hermione said. "Are you doing a tour or something Nick?" she asked.
"Yes," Nick replied. "I thought it'd be great to finally bring my girls with me."
"We get to see where Daddy grew up," Ashley said. "And Greta even gets to come with us!" she didn't notice Saffron's angry glare at the mention of their nanny.
Saffron waited impatiently for her family to catch up as she pressed the button for the lift.
"Aunt Saffy we'll bring you back a souvenir if you want," Ashley was standing next to her.
"That's really nice," Saffron said sarcastically. "You can send it to me at Hogwarts since I'm sure I won't be coming home for Christmas."
"Why wouldn't you come home?" Ashley was confused.
"Because apparently I should be at school all the time," Saffron said quietly.
Ashley stared at her aunt. "I wouldn't want to be at school ALL the time," she said.
"Yes well I'm sure they'd let YOU come home," Saffron said. Harry and Hermione were talking to Nick and Julie and hadn't heard her conversation with Ashley. The last thing Saffron wanted or needed was for them to lay another lecture on her.
"You're being all crabby Aunt Saffy," Ashley said. "You probably need to kip. That's what Mummy says when me or Katie gets mad about something."
"I took a kip before we came over here," Saffron said defensively. The lift finally pinged open and everyone hurried inside.
"So are you and Aunt Lav okay?" Julie asked her dad in a low voice.
"Not really," Harry said quietly.
"Just promise me if she's here you two won't get into it," Julie said. "Promise me Dad."
Harry didn't know if that was a promise he could keep, but he did promise to try and keep a level head where Lavender was concerned.
"I hope Dad gets to go home soon," Hermione was saying. "I think he'll recover much better in his own home rather than here in a hospital."
"With everyone he loves around him," Saffron chimed in.
Hermione squeezed Saffron's shoulder gently. "I'm sure he'll be glad to see you today sweetheart," she said, steering the subject away.
The lift pinged open and Saffron led the family out into the waiting room. "I can go in by myself right?" she asked her mother. "And you promise me you haven't told him anything about this?"
"Saffy," Hermione said patiently. "You know I haven't talked to your grandpa about this."
"I know," Saffron said giving her mother a slight smile. "I just wanted to make sure."
Harry looked over at his daughter and was going to say something to her, but she just glared at him. She hadn't said a word to him since they'd returned home from Julie's.
Hermione caught this and gave Harry's hand a quick squeeze. Her husband and youngest daughter had such similar tempers that it amused her sometimes.
"I'm going to go ahead if that's okay?" Saffron asked her mother.
"That's fine love." Hermione said.
"Good luck Saffy," Harry said, surprising her. "If your grandfather says he wants you to stay, then we'll do what we can to work things out for you all right? I promise."
"You really mean that?" Saffron asked.
"Pinky swear," Harry said, giving her a smile.
Saffron smiled at him for the first time that day. "Thank you Daddy."
Harry chucked her under the chin and sent her off in the direction of Robert's room. "Do you think your dad will want her to stay?" he asked his wife.
"I don't know," Hermione replied sitting down on one of the sofas. "Education has always been important to Dad, but you know how much he cares about Saffy."
"I know," Harry said. "And if he wants her to stay, I'll personally go to Hogwarts every day to take her homework in and get her new assignments... I won't especially be happy about her missing school but..." he sat back and sighed.
"You know how much she loves school," Hermione said. "If this wasn't important to her, she wouldn't have even suggested it."
"That's true," Harry leaned back as Ashley edged over into his lap. "Hey sweetheart," he smiled at her. "Are you going to tell me more about your trip to Australia?"
"I can't wait Grandpa," Ashley said excitedly. "I wish you could go too, but we'll bring you back something really nice."
"That's very sweet of you," Harry said with a grin. "You're a good girl Ash."
"Thanks Grandpa," Ashley said. "Did you want to see the picture I made for Grandpa Robert?"
"I'd love to," Harry replied.
Ashley reached into her bag and produced the butterfly picture and proudly showed it to her grandparents. Not to be outdone, Katie eagerly reached into her bag to show them hers as well.
"These are both fantastic," Hermione was especially impressed by Ashley's butterfly but didn't single it out for praise. "I think Grandpa is going to absolutely love both of these, and I bet they make him feel so much better whenever he sees them."
"I'm glad Grandpa's going to be okay," Ashley said giving her grandmother a hug. "I know you'd be really sad if he wasn't and so would we."
Hermione kissed her granddaughter's cheek. "You're such a sweet girl," she put an arm around Katie. "Both my girls are sweet."
It was nearly a half hour later when Saffron walked out of her grandfather's room with Elinore. She wiped the tears from her cheek. Her grandfather had told her how important she was to him, but that he wanted her to go back to school and make him proud. He'd said that was the way she could help him out. With a heavy heart, she followed her grandmother into the waiting room.
It seemed as if everyone was waiting on pins and needles to hear if she was staying or not. Saffron didn't want to admit to anyone, especially her parents, that they had been right.
One look at her daughter's face and Hermione knew that her daughter hadn't heard what she'd wanted.
"Saffy I'm sorry," Harry said, genuinely upset that his daughter was unhappy.
Saffron nodded wordlessly and sat down away from the others.
"Grandma!" Katie said launching herself at Elinore. "I missed you!"
"Hello darling," Elinore said, hugging her great granddaughter.
"Ashley and I made pictures for Grandpa," Katie said animatedly. "And Mummy said we could go down to the gift shop and get him a balloon. I wanted to get him a flower, but Daddy said Grandpa probably wouldn't want flowers since he's a boy and all."
"I'm sure he'd love a flower from you," Elinore said with a smile. "Grandpa loves anything from you two."
Katie beamed at her grandmother. "Mummy said we'll have a big party for him when he comes home!"
Saffron felt as if she'd been kicked in the stomach. Katie and Ashley would get to stay and they'd be the ones helping Grandpa get better. But, she would be back at Hogwarts which seemed like a world away. It wasn't fair.
"Of course we will," Elinore said. "And you and Ashley will be around to help me take good care of him right?"
Saffron didn't wait around to hear her nieces answer her grandmother. While everyone was smiling and cooing over how sickeningly cute they were, she slipped out of the waiting room and ran out of the hospital.
"Can we go and see him now?" Katie asked.
Elinore nodded. "Why don't you get your Mum to take you back there? And don't forget those pictures."
"Okay Grandma," Ashley said agreeably, holding her butterfly picture protectively.
Julie led her two daughters out of the waiting area and down the hall.
Hermione watched them go and was glad that she and Harry would have some alone time with Saffron. She turned around but Saffron was nowhere to be found.
"Harry," she put a hand on her husband's arm. "Did you send Saffy anywhere?"
Harry shook his head. "Maybe she had to go to the loo..."
Hermione nodded. "You're probably right," she relaxed a little, but when her daughter wasn't back several minutes later she tensed up again.
"Don't worry Hermione," Nick said. "I'm sure she probably just went down to the cafeteria or the gift shop. I'll go check down there, okay?"
"Thanks Nick," Hermione said, but deep down she was still a bit worried.
"She was so upset when Robert talked with her," Elinore said shaking her head. "It broke her heart, Hermione."
Hermione bit her lower lip. "She was so intent on staying to help him..."
"He didn't want her to miss any more lessons than she already had," Elinore said. "He told her that he'd be fine and that she'd just be bored sitting around playing cards with him all day."
"But she doesn't see it like that at all," Harry said softly. "She just sees it as wanting to help the people she loves most." he sat back. "I'm going to talk to Dumbledore about possibly coming to get her on weekends so she can stay and help out. I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner."
"That's brilliant," Hermione said smiling at him. "She wouldn't miss any lessons and she'd still get to help out!"
"She wasn't down in the gift shop or the cafeteria," Nick reported, coming back into the waiting room. "I even had a nurse check the loo and there's no sign of her..."
"Where could she have gone?" Hermione asked panic stricken. "We should have been paying attention to her, Harry."
"I know," Harry said. "All right, maybe she headed back home- I'll check there."
"I'll check with Ethan," Hermione said. "Mum, can you stay here and let Julie know? And you'll be here in case she comes back?"
"Of course sweetheart," Elinore replied.
While everyone was off searching for Saffron, an oblivious Lavender woke up from her kip. She reached for Seamus but was surprised to find he wasn't in bed with her anymore. She sat up in bed and as she did so, she could hear the sound of the shower running.
Checking the clock on the bedside table, she pulled the sheets back and got out of bed.
"Seamus?" she called, knocking on the bathroom door.
"I'll be out in a minute Lav," he called back.
"Okay," she yawned and decided to go make them both some tea to have before they headed back to the hospital.
Saffron knocked on her aunt's door hoping that she was home. Lavender was the only one who understood how she felt.
"Who is it?" Lavender pushed her hair out of her eyes as she passed by the door.
"It's me, Aunt Lav," Saffron said weakly.
"Saffy?" Lavender unlocked the door. "What are you doing here love?"
Saffron didn't say anything. She just hurried into Lavender's arms and hugged her. "I didn't have anywhere else to go..."
"What do you mean?" Lavender was confused. "Honey what happened?"
Saffron sank down onto Lavender's plush sofa and dabbed at her eyes unsure of where to begin.
Lavender slid a comforting arm around her. "Did your Dad say something to you about he and I fighting earlier?" she asked.
Saffy shook her head. "No one wants me, Aunt Lav. They want me to go away."
"That's ridiculous Saffy," Lavender said firmly. "Everyone loves you."
"No they don't," Saffron said. She told her aunt all about the deal she'd made with her parents and how they'd gone to the hospital. "And I thought for sure he'd want me to stay. B-but he told me to go back to school..."
Lavender hugged the younger girl tightly. "You know Saffy, I know I told you before that it would be a good idea to stay here, but your parents and Uncle Robert are right. The best place for you to be is in school right now. And think- maybe you'll learn something from the nurse there that you can use to help when you come home for holidays."
Saffron flinched and pulled away from Lavender. "You don't want me around either. Mum and Dad got to you too."
"That's not true," Lavender said. "I love having you around. I miss you so much when I'm over in California. Every time I make a new robe for that collection I named after you it almost makes me cry because I don't get to see you that often."
Saffron hadn't known it was possible to cry as much as she had in the past two days. All the emotions she'd felt over the past 48 hours seemed to spill out of her as she spoke to Lavender.
"I just want to be here for Grandpa," she said softly. "But no one understands. It's like they think I'll be in the way. And Katie and Ashley can just swoop in and take over. They took Greta away from me. They'll take Grandpa too."
Lavender felt just awful as she moved next to Saffron and hugged the girl tightly. "Sweetheart... you can't blame Katie and Ashley. No one stole Greta from you- Nick and Julie just needed the help to watch their girls. And your grandfather won't love you any less because they're around while you're off at school."
Harry and Hermione arrived breathlessly at Seamus and Lavender's flat at that moment. Harry was trying to keep his wife from working herself into a panic at Saffron's disappearance as Seamus answered the door.
"She's in the sitting room with Lavender," Seamus said in a hushed tone. When he saw Harry's jaw clench, Seamus held up a hand. "She's on your side, Harry."
"Come on," Hermione grabbed Harry's hand again, trying to calm herself down. They could hear Lavender and Saffron talking quietly together and they paused outside the door for a moment.
"I think you need to tell your parents how you feel," Lavender stroked Saffron's hair back as the girl clutched a soggy tissue. "They love you so much Saffy. You know that. Your grandparents love you too. In fact, I bet it would make Uncle Robert feel better if you owled him progress reports from school. You know how he always loves to hear about your grades right?"
"I guess," Saffron sniffled. "I'm just scared if I go away to school next time I come back he'll be all sick again!"
"Saffron?" Hermione called out. "Oh sweetheart..."
"Mum!" Saffron jumped. "Dad!"
Hermione walked around the sofa and wiped a tear from Saffron's cheek. "I was so scared that something had happened to you...you shouldn't have run off like that."
"I'm sorry," Saffron said in a small voice.
Hermione hugged her. "Why did you run away, Saffy?"
"Because no one wanted me there!" Saffron burst out.
"That's not true," Hermione told her. "You know that isn't true!"
"That's how it felt," Saffron didn't want to look at them
"Lav?" Seamus asked. "How about we let them talk alone?"
"All right," Lavender patted her hand supportively.
Saffron watched as Lavender and Seamus left the sitting room and for a few moments she wished she could go with them. Harry took Lavender's empty seat beside his daughter.
"So I suppose I'm punished now," she said sullenly.
"We'll talk about that later," Hermione said quietly. She reached for her daughter's hand. "I think we need to talk about you and how you've been feeling. This isn't easy stuff for a fourteen-year old to go through by herself."
"Okay," she said with a shuddery sigh.
"You know that your father and I love you very much don't you?" Hermione asked.
"I know," Saffron said, wiping her eyes.
"And we do want you around," Harry said putting a hand on her shoulder. "Always."
"You do?" She asked, tears still welling up in her eyes.
"Of course we do," Hermione said. She had no idea that her daughter had been feeling this way. "Why on earth would you think any different?"
"Because none of you want me to stay except Aunt Lav," Saffron mumbled. "Everyone keeps just telling me that I have to go back to school. Grandpa told me that too. And then I hear Grandma telling Ashley and Katie that she wants THEIR help but they don't want mine!"
"That's not true Saffy," Hermione said. "And your grandparents love having you around, you know that." She looked to her husband for help.
Harry put his arm around his daughter and pulled her close. "Saffy you have to trust that we know what's best for you. Right now it's for you to be at school. Believe me, we know you want to help out. I know that your grandfather appreciates that."
Saffron nodded. That was pretty much the same thing her grandfather had said. "I know..."
Harry knew that there wasn't much he could say at the moment to appease her so he decided to go for broke. "I have a little surprise for you," he began.
"You're giving my room at home to Katie and Ashley?" Saffron asked sarcastically.
Hermione frowned. "There's no need for that Saffron Grace," she said sternly. "Once you hear what your father has to say--"
"I know," Saffron said sitting up. "I'm sorry, Daddy. What is it?"
"As I was saying," Harry began again. "I'm going to work it out so that any weekend you want to come home, you can. I'll come collect you on a Friday night, and take you back Sunday evening. During those weekends you can stay with us and spend the days at your grandparents' house helping out."
Saffron stared at her father. "You're kidding? Really? You'd let me do that?"
"It's something we should have thought of when you first began talking about staying home," Harry said.
"And we want you to know if your marks start to go down as a result, that the weekend trips will stop," Hermione interjected gently.
Saffron nodded. "I'll do even better than I am now, Mum. I promise. This is going to be so great!" She flung her arms around her father and hugged him.
Harry hugged his daughter back. "And I'd like it if you let go of this Greta thing as well."
Saffron pulled slowly away from her father. "Oh..."
"Saffy, you know that Nick is like a son to her," Hermione said. "And when Harry and I hired her, we knew that we probably wouldn't have her for very long. We both knew that if and when Julie and Nick had a child of their own, she'd want to work for them."
Saffron could still remember how she'd felt when she'd heard Greta would be leaving them. Ashley had been two years old at the time and Julie was pregnant with Katie.
"But she was with me for my whole life until that point," Saffron tried to point out. "And it was like I had no say in her staying or leaving."
"It nearly killed her to leave you too," Hermione pointed out.
"It did?" Saffron hadn't known this.
"Very much so," Hermione said. "She was in tears when she told us how Nick had asked if she'd come to work for them. And that she couldn't bear the thought of leaving you, but that Nick and Julie needed her and she was afraid that any choice she made would hurt someone she cared about."
"We told her not to worry about it- that you were old enough for us to take care of on our own, especially since Ethan was at Hogwarts by then, and to go help Nick." Harry added.
"And she couldn't bring herself to tell you she was leaving," Hermione said. "She tried, but every time she'd see you, she'd chicken out. So, Harry and I had to tell you."
"I always thought she wanted to go," Saffron said quietly. "I mean I'm sure she wanted to go help Nick raise his own kids, but I never knew she had so much trouble leaving me."
"She did," Hermione said. "And it certainly doesn't do anything for her guilt when you keep sending her owls trying to get her to come back..."
Saffron looked sheepishly at her mother. "She told you about that, did she?"
"Yes she did," Hermione replied.
"I was particularly fond of the letter you wrote asking her how she'd be able to live with herself if you ended up malnutritioned because you had to eat your mum's cooking," Harry said trying not to laugh.
Saffron turned a deep shade of red as Hermione bit her lower lip in amusement. "I know it's bad but you eat more of my lasagne than your father."
"That is really good," Saffron admitted. "And you do make a really good sandwich."
"Well when you come home during summer hols, you know that Greta, not to mention Ashley and Katie, love having you around like you were this past year." Harry said. "So you'll still get to spend plenty of time with her."
"And with you guys too," Saffron said resting her head on her dad's shoulder. "I miss you two most of all."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "We miss you too sweetheart. We love you so much."
"And you should ask your father what a crying, snivelling mess I am when we see you off at Kings Cross each September," Hermione said.
"You'd probably laugh," Harry nudged his daughter. "Seeing your Mum bawling all over the place like a baby."
"I do get pretty bad," Hermione said with a laugh. "I keep asking your father if we packed your favourite jumper in your trunk. Or if you forgot this or if you forgot that."
"It would be so much worse if we were Muggles," Saffron stayed snuggled into her father's side.
"So we're okay now?" Harry asked his daughter. "No misunderstandings? No more thinking that no one wants her around?"
Saffron shook her head. "I'm sorry for running out of the hospital." she said.
"Just don't ever do anything like that again," Hermione said.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Lavender said carrying a tray of tea and biscuits into the room. "I thought you might be hungry..."
"I'm starving," Saffron said. "I never ate anything today."
"These are some of those chocolate and peanut butter ones you like so much," Lavender said glad to see Saffron smiling again.
"Thanks Aunt Lav," Saffron grinned.
"Hey Lavender can I have a word?" Harry asked, standing up.
Lavender sighed. She'd wondered when he'd lay into her for interfering again. "I suppose..."
They went into the hallway. "I wanted to apologise," Harry said once they were alone.
"Look Harry I just---" she began. "Excuse me, what?"
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "For the things I said earlier. For telling you to go to hell. That was really out of line for me to say."
"It was out of line for me to go behind your back like I did," Lavender said. "I shouldn't have done that. She's your daughter."
"Yeah but you saw where she was coming from," Harry said. "And I know you were just trying to be supportive."
"I'd do anything for her," Lavender said.
"There's one big thing we have in common," Harry glanced into the sitting room.
"Yeah," Lavender said with a smile. "Look, Harry. I know you and I haven't always gotten along. And I guess I shouldn't be so quick to believe the worst about you..."
"You mean you won't come into our room and hit me with newspapers?" Harry joked.
"How long are you going to hold that one over my head?" she asked. "That was years ago..."
Harry laughed. "Forever?"
"That sounds about right," Lavender said. "And I guess you can't be that bad. My cousin seems to think you're okay and you are one of husband's best mates."
"And I am the sexiest wizard alive for how many years running?" Harry grinned.
Lavender rolled her eyes. "And you certainly have a healthy ego."
"Truce?" Harry asked.
Lavender smiled. "Truce."
"Dad can we go back to the hospital?" Saffron asked as they went back into the sitting room.
"Yes," Harry said. "We need to let everyone know you're okay."
"Seamus and I will come with," Lavender said. "If that's okay, I mean."
"Of course it is," Harry slung an arm around her. "We'll give you two hours to get ready first."
"It doesn't take me two hours to get ready," Lavender said defensively. "And you're one to talk Gel Boy. How much do you have in your hair anyway?"
"None," Harry rumpled his hair. "It's naturally messy."
"Didn't I hear that the just got out of bed look was in?" Hermione asked.
"Dad's always in fashion," Saffron giggled.
"Thank you Saffron," Harry said beaming at his youngest.
"Is it safe to come in?" Seamus asked comically from the door. "The battle zones are peaceful?"
"Both sides have come to a truce," Lavender told her husband. "After they both admitted they went a bit over the line."
"Just a bit?" Hermione asked, her eyebrow raised.
"You're right," Lavender said looking down at the carpet. "Harry went WAY over the line."
"Excuse me?" Harry asked, crossing his arms. "Ms Overdramatic about Everything says I went over the line?"
"I prefer Drama Queen thank you very much," Lavender said sticking her tongue out at him. "And you're one to talk as it is."
"Okay, okay," Seamus cut in hastily as Harry opened his mouth to retort. "I'd better get my wife into the loo to get ready so we can get back to the hospital before Robert gets released," he dodged Lavender's playful punch.
Harry sat back down beside his daughter and helped himself to a biscuit.
"You and my cousin," Hermione said, shaking her head. "You two bicker more than Ron and I do."
"No one bickers more than you and Ron," Harry said with a chuckle. He nudged Saffron. "Back me up on this one sweetheart."
Saffron smiled. "That's totally true Mum. You and Uncle Ron argue about everything."
"That's because all he ever thinks about is his stomach," Hermione said defensively. "And he is the biggest slob on the planet. I don't know how Luna puts up with him. Leaving crumbs all over the place...and don't even get me started on his---what?"
Harry and Saffron were both laughing at her.
"But that doesn't mean we bicker all the time," Hermione said quickly. "We just have a difference in opinion on nearly every subject."
"Like SPEW," Harry said with a grin.
Hermione glared at him. "You know that was way more important than those wonky faint thingies."
"Wronski Feint," Harry and Saffron both corrected her.
"Mum one of these days you have to get that right," Saffron said with a grin. "Especially when I master that. I'm going to play Quidditch professionally someday."
"You want to play professionally?" Harry asked. She'd never told them this.
Saffron nodded. "I really want to play for Puddlemere. Don't tell Uncle Ron that they're my favourite team though, he still thinks I worship the Cannons."
Harry had never met anyone who loved to fly as much as he did until he'd taken Saffron up for her first flight. He could still remember how she'd held on to him and how she'd giggled happily the entire time.
"Imagine the look on his face when his goddaughter plays for his team's archrival?" Harry asked winking at her.
"It'll be great," Saffron said with a laugh.
"And you're going to try out next year for the house team?" Harry asked not wanting to push her, but unable to contain his excitement at the prospect of another Potter on the Gryffindor team.
"I'm going to try," Saffron replied. "I either want to be a Keeper or a Seeker."
"You'd be great at either position," Harry said thoughtfully. "Maybe we can practise some on some of your weekends home. You know how much your Grandpa likes to watch you fly. I bet he'd love to watch."
Saffron nodded happily. "Let's go back so I can tell him that I'll get to see him every weekend."
"There's that smile we all love so much," Hermione said grinning back at her daughter. "It's good to see you happy again, Saffy."
"Thanks to you guys," Saffron said.
"Just keep in mind that you are going back to school tomorrow," Harry said. "I need to iron out the details with Dumbledore still."
"I know," Saffron replied, finishing off her tea. "Do you think he'll let me leave the school Dad?"
"I think if we explain the circumstances, he'll agree," Harry replied. "And if we promise that your marks won't suffer."
Saffron shook her head vehemently. "I already promised I wouldn't let them go down. I'll even do better in Potions!"
"Speaking of which," Hermione said. "How has that gone? With you and Professor Snape?"
Saffron shrugged. "Okay I guess- Dumbledore had McGonagall go over my essay and I got better marks, and he still calls me a know it all in class but he stopped giving me detention for stupid things like knowing an answer."
"Your essay was fantastic," Hermione said proudly. "Not that I'm biased or anything but it really was."
Saffron grinned. "It was rather good wasn't it?"
"It was," Hermione agreed.
"I thought so too," Harry said. "Although I didn't really know much of what you were talking about."
"Neither do I," Lavender cast a look at her cousin.
"That's because you never paid any attention in Potions," Hermione said. "I'd hate to think what would have happened to you if I'd not been around."
"Same for us having Potions with the Ravenclaws," Seamus grinned at Harry. "We got lucky there."
"Very, very true," Harry said with a laugh.