A/N: Wow you all really came through after our plea for reviews ;) Thanks to those of you who left them- and for those of you wanting more Ethan/Maddie you got what you wished for in this chapter. Also those of you wanting to see the MEAN Malfoys again…. Read on ;)
As always, please let us know what you think!!!
Nick had managed to get an extra day off and he and his family were currently enjoying the sights of Sydney. Ashley and Katie were buying souvenirs in nearly every shop they passed and were currently exclaiming in excitement over the Sydney Opera House.
"I don't know about you but I'm just glad they're not fighting," Julie murmured to him.
"Shhhh," Nick said winking at his wife. "You'll jinx it."
"That's why I'm whispering," Julie laughed, giving him a kiss. "This is a great city Nick."
"Aye," Nick agreed. "It's even better seeing it with you and the girls."
"And Greta's definitely enjoying being back here," Julie said with a grin. "She's having so much fun showing the girls around."
"This is her home," Nick said. "I always felt guilty for making her leave."
"She loves you more than she loves it here." Julie said reassuringly.
Nick smiled. "That's what she keeps telling me."
"Daddy!" Katie cried running over to him. "Can I get this stuffed koala bear?"
Nick scooped his daughter up in his arms. "Katherine, you already have four. Why would you need another one?"
"Because this one has a funny little face!" Katie said. "Please Daddy? And I'm going to give one to Caroline and one to Emma so I'll really only have three if you get me this one."
"Hard to argue with that," Nick said laughing. "But this is the last koala, Katie."
"Okay," Katie said happily. "And Ashley wants the picture book."
Julie reached into her bag and pulled out some money. "Here you go sweetheart."
"Thank you Mummy," Katie ran over to join Ashley in the queue to pay.
"I'm ready for something to eat." Nick said. "How about you?"
Julie nodded. "What did you have in mind?"
"I don't care," Nick said. "What do you think Greta? One of our old favourites?"
"How about Barnaby's?" Greta suggested. "I think Katie and Ashley would love it nearly as much as you used to."
"That sounds great," Nick said. "I remember they were the only place that made decent fish and chips- especially for a Wizarding pub."
"A little taste of home," Julie said. "That sounds brilliant. I'll just go and hurry the girls along."
"All right," Nick said with a grin. "Well..." he said to Greta. "So far so good. No parents."
"Nicholas?" Greta asked. "There's something I think you might want to know."
"What?" Nick asked.
Greta explained how a few months ago Ashley had asked about her paternal grandparents. "Last night when I was tucking them in, she asked again. She's really curious about them, Nicholas."
"Hmm," Nick said. "Well she would probably be the most hurt out of all of us if she DID meet them. They may have calmed down but they're still horrible."
"Hopefully we won't run into them while we're here," Greta said. "But I don't know if Ashley's going to stop asking questions. She told me she wanted to talk to you, but she didn't want to make you sad."
"Trust me, leaving them behind was the best decision I ever made." he smiled at Greta. "I'll talk to Ash tonight about them."
"Okay," Greta said.
"Look Dad!" Ashley said running out of the souvenir shop clutching her picture book. "There's over a thousand pictures in here about Australia. I'm going to try and sketch some of them while we're here."
"I can't wait to see them sweetheart." Nick ran a hand through her silky blonde hair. "You're getting better by the day at drawing."
Ashley smiled. "Thanks Dad."
"We're going to a place called Barnaby's for dinner," Greta told them. "Your Dad and I used to go there when we lived here."
"Cool," Ashley said thumbing through her book. "But Katie's taking forever in there. She's trying to talk Mum into something else."
"What now?" Nick asked. "Didn't she buy out half the city already?"
Ashley rolled her eyes. "There's some doll house in there that she's convinced she has to have."
"What?" Nick rolled his eyes. "Hey Jules, Katie, let's get a move on all right?" he called inside.
Katie came out of the shop with tears streaming down her face. She had her koala bear, but obviously hadn't managed to convince Julie that she needed the doll house.
"Katie bear," Nick said, scooping her up. "We'd never have been able to get a doll house home."
"You...you could have shrunk it," Katie argued her lower lip trembling.
"Katie- you have three doll houses at home." Ashley said, putting her new picture book in her bag.
Katie stuck her tongue out at her sister.
"So much for peace, love and understanding," Julie said.
"Come on girls," Greta said. "You both promised not to fight remember?"
"Sorry," Ashley muttered.
Katie remained silent.
"Katherine Rose," Nick said warningly.
Katie looked innocently at her father. "What Daddy?"
"Are you going to stop fighting with your sister?" he asked. "And you're not going to pout because you didn't get a doll house?"
"But it had--" Katie started to protest, but another stern look from her father and she nodded.
"All right," Julie said. "We only have another couple of days here and this is our last bit of free time with Daddy."
"Let's go eat then," Ashley said. "I'm hungry."
"What do they have there?" Katie asked as Nick set her down. She clasped her little hand in her father's bigger one.
"A little bit of everything," Nick said looking down at her. "And they have the best chips you'll ever eat, Katie. Even better than back home."
"Really?" Katie loved chips. "I can't wait!"
"She recovers fast, doesn't she?" Ashley remarked to her mother.
"Always does," Julie smiled at her oldest daughter. "You having fun love?"
Ashley nodded. "I'm having a blast Mum."
"Good," Julie smiled. She put her hand protectively on Ashley's shoulder as they walked through the busy streets and back towards the Wizarding section of the city. "You know Nick, you'll probably get mobbed once we go in there."
"Oooh!" Katie said excitedly. "Everyone will look at us!"
"I hate it when everyone stares," Ashley said. "I mean, yeah, Daddy's famous but we're his family and people don't always have to bug us when we're out together."
Julie nodded. She knew all too well how Ashley felt. That was exactly how she used to feel when she would go out with her father somewhere.
"We could do a masking charm," Julie suggested. She pulled out the hat she'd bought for her father in the gift shop. "Or you could put your sunglasses on and wear this hat. Not very glamorous, but still..."
"I'll pass Jules," Nick said dryly. "I can handle a mob- I've done it before."
"Okay, big shot," Julie said. "You go right ahead. Ashley, Greta and me will hang back."
"We'll be fine," Nick stressed. "Come on, I'm really starving and so's my Katie bear."
"Okay," Julie said unconvinced.
True to Nick's word, he got a bit mobbed in the street, but once they got to Barnaby's he asked for them to be put in a corner where they could have some privacy.
"This is really nice," Julie said looking around.
"It hasn't changed a bit," Nick grinned broadly.
"Did you come here when you were little like me?" Katie asked.
"Yes," Nick said. "Greta always brought me here."
Ashley looked across the table at her father. "Didn't Grandma and Grandpa ever bring you here?"
Katie laughed. "They didn't even know Daddy then, Ashley!"
"I meant Dad's mum and dad," Ashley clarified.
"No," Greta replied.
"They were busy people," Nick tried to explain. "I didn't see much of them when I was young like you two. And that's why I had Greta here."
"With work and stuff?" Ashley asked.
"Something like that," Nick nodded. "Trust me Ash, we got lucky with your Mum's parents."
"Can we...can we go and see them while we're here?" Ashley asked still not ready to let this go now that she'd broached the subject.
"I don't think so Ash." Nick said.
"But if they knew we were here," Ashley argued. "They'd want to see us right? We're their grandchildren and they've never met us before."
"The thing with my parents Ashley," Nick began. "Is that they're not very nice. They love themselves and each other, and that's pretty much it."
Ashley nodded. "I don't understand how people could be mean to their own family."
"I don't either sweetheart," Julie said gently. "Fortunately, neither you or your sister will ever have to worry about that."
"How about I take you girls up to the bar so we can order?" Greta suggested. "I think I know what Nick wants. How about you, Julie?"
"Surprise me girls," Julie smiled at her daughters.
"Okay," Katie said scurrying behind Ashley and Greta.
"She's certainly curious." Nick said, watching them go. "And I don't want her hurt by them."
"Me either," Julie said. "She doesn't understand."
"She's still young." Nick replied. "Plus everyone she knows loves her. She can't fathom a grandparent not liking their grandchild because your parents are so fantastic with her and Katie."
"I know," Julie said reaching for his hand. "I wish things could be different."
"Things are the way I want them to be Jules." Nick smiled at his wife. "I love my family."
"And we love you."
"Thank goodness for that," Nick grinned. "Once you stopped slapping me and I stopped using cheesy pick up lines..."
Julie laughed. "Things fell into place from there."
"Aye they certainly did." Nick slid an arm around her.
The Malfoy family enjoyed a nice meal at Barnaby's and did a bit more sightseeing before heading back to their hotel. What they had no way of knowing was that Draco Malfoy and his wife Ginny had just finished their own meal at the very same hotel. Ginny was heading up yet another fundraiser and she and Draco had met with one of their most generous donors.
"You did fabulous yet again Red," Draco said grinning at his wife. "That should warrant some good publicity, I think."
"I do know how to throw the best parties," Ginny said with a sultry wink.
"What would you say about us getting a room?" Draco asked. This was the same hotel that he and Ginny worked at all those years ago when they'd both been desperate for money.
"We could," Ginny said, winding her arms around him. "I always enjoy being alone with you."
"Come on then," he said giving her a kiss. "Let's go."
"All right," Ginny giggled girlishly. She kissed him impulsively.
Nick carried a sleepy Katie in his arms as he and his family walked through the lobby. Before going upstairs, he decided to check the front desk to see if they had any messages.
Ashley yawned. "Hurry up Daddy."
"Sorry baby," Nick smiled at her. "I won't take long I promise."
Ashley nodded and sat down with her mother and Greta to wait for her father.
"Come on Katie bear," Nick whispered patting her on the back. "You come with me."
"Okay Daddy," Katie answered softly. She didn't open her eyes as he carried her to the counter.
"I'm sorry sir," the concierge was saying to someone. "But the penthouse suite is taken. We do have other rooms available."
"But we want the penthouse," Draco argued. "We're offering to pay top dollar for it as well."
"I'm sorry sir," the concierge said again. "We have a very important guest and his family staying there. I couldn't possibly ask them to move."
Nick was down the counter a ways asking the receptionist for his messages when the familiar loud, argumentative voice made his spine stiffen.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Draco asked. "I'll have you know that I am---"
"Father," Nick said coolly. "Fancy seeing you here."
Ginny who had been quite bored with this conversation looked up at the sound of her son's familiar voice. "Nicholas..." her voice trailed off as she saw the brown-haired little girl in his arms.
"Why are you both here?" Nick asked. "I'd rather hoped I wouldn't run into you while I was here."
"W-what are you doing here?" Ginny asked. "And who is this?"
"I'm here on a short tour," Nick replied. "And this is my youngest daughter, Katie. You're a grandmother."
"A grandmother?" Ginny asked her nose scrunched up in disgust. "I'm not---"
"Daddy?" another little girl called out to them. "Mummy wanted to know what the hold up was?"
"You have two sprogs?" Ginny raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow.
"Yes, I have two children," Nick's eyes flashed angrily as Katie blinked her eyes drowsily.
"What's wrong Daddy?" she asked.
"Nothing," Nick said. "Um, Katie, Ashley. I'd like you to meet your um...this is Draco and this is Ginevra."
Ashley knew those names and a smile spread across her face. "You're our grandparents! Daddy, you said that they wouldn't want to see us, but look! They're here!"
"Yeah," Nick said unenthusiastically as Julie and Greta joined them.
"Oh look at this," Draco said snidely. "The whole gang is here."
"It's nice to meet you," Ashley said stepping closer to Ginny. "I'm Ashley Beth Malfoy."
Ginny simply stared at the young girl without saying a word.
Ashley tentatively held out her hand toward her paternal grandmother, but figured perhaps she was just shy. "We have loads to tell you, of course....you can stop me if I talk too much. I tend to do that when I'm excited..."
"She's like a little Granger, isn't she?" Draco remarked coldly to Julie.
"There's nothing wrong with being like my mother," Julie replied icily. "Better than her being like either one of you."
"That's a really pretty dress," Ashley said trying again to reach out to her grandmother.
"I know it is," Ginny said. "Come on Draco. I'd rather go home since we can't get the penthouse."
"We're staying in the penthouse," Nick said not able to resist throwing out this little tidbit of information to his father.
"But you can't leave," Ashley said tugging at Ginny's arm. "We have to talk and get to know each other. You came to see us, didn't you?"
Julie put a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Ash, sweetheart come stand by me."
"But Mum..."
"Daddy," Katie said tugging on her father's arm. "I don't feel too good. I think I'm going to be..."
Before Nick could pull away, Katie had turned green and thrown up all over Draco.
Draco stood stock still, a disgusted expression on his face. "Why you little..."
Greta quickly grabbed some wipes from her bag and handed them to Nick.
"Here," Nick thrust them roughly at his father as Katie began to cry. "I'm really sorry. Its okay baby," Nick said soothingly. "We probably shouldn't have let you have so many sweets today..."
"You should punish the miserable half-breed," Draco said icily.
"I'm going to take the girls upstairs," Greta said glaring at both Ginny and Draco. "Come on Katie."
Julie stayed by her husband's side as Greta led their daughters away. "So you two are still miserable and treating others badly I see. I can't believe at one point we thought you'd both have changed."
Draco took out his wand and cleaned himself up. "Well you've done some things we don't agree with either. Marrying her is at the top of the list."
"I don't need your approval," Nick said angrily. "My life without the two of you in it is fantastic."
"Blah, blah, blah," Draco said sarcastically.
"How old are they?" Ginny asked. "The children, I mean."
"Ashley is eight," Julie answered. "And Katie's six."
"Oh," Ginny said nodding.
Julie raised an eyebrow, wondering if Ginny Malfoy was actually feeling maternal. She still couldn't believe sometimes that these despicable people were her in laws.
"The older one looks like..." Ginny started to say, but her voice trailed off. "It doesn't matter."
"What?" Nick asked, his arms crossed.
"She just reminds me of you," Ginny replied quietly.
"As she should," Nick rolled his eyes. "She's my daughter."
"I like her better than the other one," Draco said coldly. "She didn't throw up on me at least."
"They have names," Julie seethed. "Though knowing you two, you'll probably forget them the second you walk out the door."
"We have no reason to remember them at all you Mudblood spawn," Draco sneered.
Nick lunged for his father, but Julie held him back. "He's not worth it! Nick!"
Nick took one look at his wife and calmed down. "You're right Jules. And it's not worth any publicity either."
"We should go and check on the girls," Julie said still holding on to her husband.
"Right." Nick didn't want to waste any more time on his parents. "I hope I won't run into either of you, ever again."
"That would be quite the blessing," Draco returned, a nasty glint in his eyes. "Come on Red."
Ginny looked as if she wanted to say something else, but thought better of it and followed her husband out of the hotel.
"The bloody fucking nerve," Nick fumed once they were in the elevator. "And of all the fucking hotels to be in tonight!"
"I know," Julie said folding her arms. "I wanted to punch your father's lights out too..."
"I wish you'd let me," he said ruefully. "He could use a good knock in the chops."
The lift pinged open and Julie reminded her husband to get control of his emotions before they saw the girls. "They're going to need to be reassured, Nick."
"I know," he muttered. "Especially Ash. This is exactly what I was afraid of." they started down the corridor towards the penthouse. "But I'll never forget the look on his face when Katie threw up on him."
Julie giggled. "That was priceless, wasn't it?"
"Quite," Nick smiled. He fumbled with the card for a few moments before opening the door to their suite.
Katie was sitting up in her bed with a cold rag on her forehead. Greta was sitting on the edge of the Ashley's bed where the older girl was crying.
"Sweetheart," Julie went over to Ashley while Nick tended to Katie. "Oh angel please don't cry."
"Daddy was right, wasn't he?" Ashley sobbed into her mother's shoulder. "They d-didn't like us!"
"I wish I could say he was wrong," Julie stroked her daughter's hair. "But they're horrible people Ash. They don't like anyone."
"I didn't mean to throw up on your Daddy," Katie apologised to Nick. "I just felt really icky and I didn't have time to..."
"That's all right Katie bear," Nick said. "How are you feeling now?"
"Better," Katie replied. "Greta gave me some ginger ale."
"Good," Nick smoothed her brown curls back. "No more sweets tomorrow though okay?"
Katie nodded. "Okay."
"They're nothing like Grandma and Grandpa," Ashley said loyally. "Grandma and Grandpa would never have treated us like that."
"No they wouldn't," Nick agreed holding his arm out for Ashley. "And even though Daddy's parents are awful, your mum and I still love you both more than anything on earth." he handed Ashley a new tissue.
"We love you too," Ashley said giving her father a hug. "And Greta."
Greta smiled at the young girl. "Thank you dear. I love you both as well."
"Hey Katie?" Ashley asked looking at her sister.
"What?" Katie asked, rubbing her eyes with the cold washcloth.
"It was pretty cool when you threw up on that man," Ashley said.
Katie giggled. "I wanted to laugh except my stomach hurt."
"Well done little sister," Ashley said giving her sister a hug causing Greta, Nick and Julie to grin. That wasn't something you saw every day.
"I bet you're just glad it wasn't you," Katie teased her sister.
"Too right you brat," Ashley said affectionately.
"All right," Nick scooped Ashley up off the bed. "It's late so I want you two in bed and asleep all right?"
"Okay Daddy," Ashley said giving Nick a kiss on the cheek. "Can I sleep in here with Katie tonight?"
"Sure," Nick said, sharing a surprised glance with Julie. "I'm sure she'd like that." Katie nodded eagerly.
Julie helped Ashley into her pyjamas while Greta got Katie into hers. "All right my girls." she kissed Ashley's forehead and then did the same for her younger daughter. "I love you both."
"Love you too," Katie said sleepily.
"Night Mum," Ashley said.
Julie and Greta left a nightlight on and then closed the door behind them. Nick was busy making himself a drink at the mini bar in the main room.
"What a day this has been, eh?" Julie asked.
"You can say that again," Nick muttered. "I hate them so much."
"What happened after I took the girls upstairs?" Greta asked knowing that it couldn't have ended well. Things with Nicholas' parents rarely did.
"Just more of the same Greta," Nick replied. "The same way they've always been."
Greta nodded. "I'm just sorry Ashley and Katie had to see it."
"So am I," Nick said grimly, finishing his drink.
"Well, it's over and done with, and hopefully now Ashley won't want to ask any more questions about them." Julie replied.
"Aye," Nick said. "But why doesn't that make me feel any better? Those two little girls didn't need to see that Jules. They're sweet and beautiful and they're...they're better than..."
"I know," Julie said softly.
"I just wish I could take it back," Nick muttered.
"You can't change anything that happened," Greta said smiling reassuringly at Nick. "You can keep doing what you're doing..."
"Which is?" Nick asked.
"Being the great father that you are," Greta said. "Those girls love you, Nick. And you're giving them what you didn't have growing up."
"I'm trying," he said. "I feel like I'm not around enough--"
"That's nonsense," Greta told him.
"You have a busy career," Julie said. "But you're still around Nick. You still put aside time for us."
"And you're never gone for more than a week at a time," Greta said. She could still remember how Nick used to go weeks without seeing either Draco or Ginny when he was growing up. And when they did come home, they barely acknowledged his existence.
"I guess," Nick replied.
"And you brought us with you on your tour," Julie wound her arms around his middle. "Come on Nicholas, stop fishing for compliments."
"I just don't want to ever be like either of them," Nick said solemnly. "Ever."
"You aren't," Julie said firmly. "You aren't made of ice and sarcasm and all those other horrible things. You're sweet, warm, funny, and loving."
Nick smiled. "You forgot handsome."
"See?" Julie laughed. "I knew you were fishing."
"And I have you," Nick said giving his wife a kiss.
"That you do." Julie kissed him back. "Come on, let's go to bed."
"Night Greta," Nick said. "Thanks... for everything. Again." he grinned at her.
Greta laughed. "I didn't do anything Nicholas."
"You're just a good voice of reason around here," Nick winked at her.
"Good night," Greta said still smiling at them.
Julie smiled back at her as she led her husband into the bedroom. "Part of me doesn't want to go back home," she said. "I've really enjoyed being here with you Nick."
"I've enjoyed being here with you and the girls," Nick said. "I finally have some good memories of this place."
Julie kissed him. "Allow me to give you a few more of those?"
Nick grinned. "I think that can be arranged."
*** *** ***
"Daddy?" Saffron asked as she helped her father carry boxes of decorations down the stairs of her grandparents' home. "Since Ashley and Katie aren't here to do it, will you lift me up to put the star on top of the tree when we're done decorating?"
"Sure," he said. "You've missed doing that, haven't you?"
"Well it's tradition that the youngest get to put it up there," Saffron pointed out. "And right now I'm the youngest."
"And you like that, don't you?" he teased.
Saffron grinned. "Maybe," she said with a laugh.
"This has to be the biggest tree I've ever seen," Elinore was saying as Ethan and Seamus finished putting it in the tree stand. "I'm surprised you managed to get it in the house!"
"We have our ways Grandma," Ethan grinned at Seamus. "Magic."
"It helps to have a wizard or two in the family," Elinore said laughing.
Saffron sat down beside her grandfather on the sofa handing him a string of lights. "You doing okay, Grandpa?"
"Fine, fine dear," Robert replied. "Better once we get these lights untangled."
Saffron smiled sideways at him. She couldn't have imagined celebrating the holiday without him. "Happy Christmas, Grandpa."
"Happy Christmas," Robert smiled back at her. "I'm glad you're home for the holiday." he leaned in. "Don't tell anyone, but I got you a special gift- I kept it in the boot. We'll sneak out after the tree decorating and you can open it tonight."
"A special gift?" Saffron whispered grinning at him. "Really? Grandpa, you didn't have to..."
"It's our little secret," Robert's eyes twinkled at her.
Saffron beamed back at him and the two of them set about untangling the lights.
"You know we could take care of that for you with a simple wave of a wand," Harry offered.
Robert shook his head. "Some things are tradition, Harry. Besides, this is probably all Ellie will allow me to do."
"You've got that right Robert," Elinore replied. "You've been entirely too active lately."
"I have not," Robert protested. "I haven't been overextending myself. You worry too much. In fact, I never need to worry because I know you're worrying enough for the both of us."
"Dad stop," Hermione came into the room with a tray of eggnog, Lavender behind her with a platter of biscuits and scones. "Mum's right, you've been up and about with Christmas shopping and trying to check back in at your old office."
"Would you two be happy if I just stayed in bed all afternoon and watched the telly?" Robert asked sarcastically.
"Yes," Hermione, Lavender and Elinore all said at once.
"He's doing okay Mum," Saffron said loyally. "We take it easy when we go for our walks. Don't we, Grandpa?"
"Of course we do," Robert said. "It takes three quarters of an hour to go around the block because that's how fast my Saffy will let me go."
"Give him a break," Seamus said helping himself to a scone.
"Look at you kissing up like always," Harry said.
Seamus smirked at his friend. "I'm good at it Potter."
"Uncle Robert has always liked Seamus," Lavender said kissing her husband on the cheek. "Unlike some people."
"What do you mean Aunt Lav?" Saffron asked as she gingerly worked on her string of lights. "Who didn't Grandpa like?"
"Your dad," Lavender sing-songed.
Saffron looked incredulously at her grandfather. "You didn't like Dad? How come?"
Robert coughed. "That's not entirely true, Saffy. I've always liked your father."
"You have not," Harry argued with a teasing glint in his eye. "Does the name Hillsdale mean anything to you?"
Robert became extremely interested in his string of lights and Saffron looked quizzically at her father. "That's where you and Mum met, right?"
"Aye," Harry grinned. "It was."
"It's all water under the bridge Saffy," Robert said hastily.
"Your grandpa didn't really know your father when we were at Hillsdale," Hermione explained. She knew Saffron wasn't going to give this up that easily. Her daughter could be quite tenacious when she wanted to know something. "But once they got to know each other, things changed."
"But how come he didn't like him right away?" Saffron insisted.
Hermione shot her cousin a 'see what you started look'. "There were a few misunderstandings."
"Like what?" Saffron asked curiously.
"I-I might have snuck out a few times to see your father," Hermione said quietly.
Lavender guffawed. "Might have?"
Hermione glared at Lavender. "We had to keep things a secret from everyone for awhile and your grandpa didn't like that." she didn't want to divulge that her father had thought Chiaki was Harry's daughter at first.
"I still don't understand," Saffron said quietly. The two most important men in her life were her father and grandfather. She couldn't imagine the two of them not liking each other.
"I was wrong Saffy," Robert said putting his hand on hers.
"About what?" Saffron asked.
Robert took a deep breath and seemed to be considering his words very carefully. "I didn't think your father was good enough for Hermione."
"But he is," Saffron said, confused. "Daddy's the best there ever was."
"I didn't know that at the time Saffron," Robert explained. "That was years ago, sweetheart. And I couldn't ask for a better son-in-law. And he's made your mother very happy and because of him, I have you and Julie and Ethan."
Harry grinned at him. "We don't have any hard feelings between us sweetheart." he said to Saffron.
"Except on the golf course," Robert joked.
Saffron laughed. "Well, that's because Daddy stinks."
Harry's smile faded as everyone else laughed. "Gee thanks," he said sarcastically, mussing his daughter's hair.
"Watch it Saf," Ethan cautioned taking a string of lights from her. "Dad might cut your ration of presents."
Saffron snorted. "Dad would never do that to me."
"She's going to play the baby of the family card again," Ethan said rolling his eyes in mock exasperation.
Saffron smiled sweetly at him. "So Ethan," she said in a crafty tone. "Are you and Maddie celebrating your one year at Christmas or is half year since you technically didn't get together until June?" she grinned at the blonde who had been perched on the edge of the sofa going through a box.
Maddie looked thoughtfully at her boyfriend. "I guess it would be more like a half-year..."
"She's just being a smart arse Mads," Ethan sat down next to his girlfriend.
"She's just being curious," Maddie said smiling at him. "R.J.'s the same way."
Ethan put an arm around her as she continued to dig through the box. "I can't wait until you see what I got you for Christmas," he said softly.
"Do I get a hint?" she asked. "A teeny tiny hint?"
"No way," Ethan grinned. "Knowing you, you'll probably see it or something." he teased.
Maddie smiled. "I haven't seen anything, I promise."
She dug through the ornaments and saw a gold Santa Claus with the engraving "Ethan's First Christmas".
"I remember this," Ethan grinned. "I was wondering where it went to- I forgot that we brought it here when I was five to put it on the tree and I never took it back home."
Maddie smiled and handed the ornament to him. "I really am happy you asked me to come with you tonight."
Ethan gave her a kiss. "I'm glad you were able to come. I love spending time with you Maddie Molly."
"I love being with you too," she said softly. She hoped that with the Christmas holidays they'd both be able to spend more time together.
Hermione took a string of lights from Saffron and walked up the step ladder to put them on the tree.
"That looks good Mum," Saffron said, grabbing for the last string of lights.
"Thanks sweetheart," she said smiling down at her. "You know your grandpa never hated your father. Not really, right?"
"I hope not," Saffron glanced at the two men who were laughing about something with Seamus. "Cause they get along great now."
"Now your Great-Grandpa Malcolm, he was another story," Hermione said with a grin as she remembered how cantankerous he used to be. He'd died long before Saffron's birth. "He didn't like anyone except for me, your grandmother and Lavender."
Saffron giggled. "So he didn't even like Grandpa?"
"No," Hermione said shaking her head. "You should have seen him with your Uncle Ron. And I'll let you know something. If you want to terrify your Uncle Ron, all you have to do is mention the name Malcolm Brown and watch what happens."
Saffron began to laugh. "I'll do that next time I see him. That'll be funny."
Between the two of them, they managed to finish stringing the lights. When Lavender took over to string some garland, Hermione and Saffron decided to take a snack break.
"We're doing a really good job Mum," Saffron took a glass of egg nog. "This tree is going to look so pretty when we're done."
"I think so too," Hermione said. "And don't forget we still have to do our tree at home too."
Harry grabbed the scone from Hermione's hand and sat down beside his daughter. "Me and Saffy are going to go pick one out tomorrow, right?"
Hermione reached for the scone but Harry used the opportunity to pull his wife onto his lap.
"I was going to eat that you know," Hermione said glaring at him.
"I know," Harry replied, taking a large bite.
"You could at least share," she said pouting at him..
"I could," Harry stuffed the rest into his mouth. "Maybe you'd like to have a scone in the kitchen with me?"
Saffron rolled her eyes at her parents' exchange and went over by her brother. "They're doing it again," she complained.
"Doing what?" Maddie asked looking up from the box of ornaments she and Ethan were going through.
"That," Saffron pointed at her father who was whispering in her mother's ear. "They're going to go off and snog again."
"What's so wrong with that?" Ethan nudged Maddie's ear with his nose.
Saffron rolled her eyes. "Great, not you two as well!"
"Once you get a boyfriend you'll want to do the same thing," Ethan teased her.
"Ewww gross," Saffron said wincing. "Like I'd want some nasty boy's tongue down my throat!"
Ethan and Maddie both laughed. "I used to say the same thing," he told his sister.
"What, that you didn't want a boy's tongue in your throat?" Saffron asked slyly.
Maddie laughed so hard she started to cry.
"Saffron Grace," Ethan said with clenched teeth.
"What?" Saffron said with an innocent look.
"You know very well what," Ethan told her a gleam in his eye as he reached for his sister and started to tickle her unmercifully.
"Ethan!" she squealed. "Stop!"
"Never!" Ethan said with an evil laugh.
Maddie was still giggling uncontrollably. "Ethan you have to admit that was funny." she finally wheezed.
"You're next Weasley," Ethan said over his shoulder.
"Only if you can catch me first," Maddie jumped off the sofa.
"A challenge," Ethan said rubbing his hands together and taking off after his girlfriend.
"Ethan!" Elinore gasped as he ran precariously past the tree. "Be careful!"
"They're hopeless Grandma," Saffron said, catching her breath as Ethan and Maddie ran outside. "Like bloody children."
Elinore laughed. "How about you help me get some more scones? We're nearly out."
Saffron nodded and she followed her grandmother into the kitchen.
"So has Grandpa really been too active when I'm not here?" Saffron asked.
"You know how he's never been one to just sit around, right?" Elinore asked as she opened up a fresh pastry box. "He just hates not being able to do the things he always used to."
"But he just can't do them anymore," Saffron helped her grandmother arrange them on a platter.
"I keep trying to tell him that," Elinore said. "But he is doing so much better. And you have so much to do with that Saffy. I don't know what we would have done without you."
Saffron beamed with pride. "I'm glad that Daddy was able to arrange for me to come home on weekends to help out."
"Me too," Elinore said grinning back at her. "And I know your parents have loved having you back too. It's not easy to send your children away."
"I miss everyone so much while I'm gone." Saffron said, watching her brother and Maddie outside in the back. It was snowing and he had lifted her up and they were spinning around together, laughing.
"We miss you too, but we're so proud of all that you've done," Elinore said. "Your mother told me that you're the best in your year."
"I'm trying really hard," Saffron replied. "It's sure not easy with some of my professors though."
"Don't let them get you down," Elinore said picking up the platter. "You're a bright, charming and beautiful girl. And anyone who can't see that, well..."
"Thanks Grandma," Saffron smiled at her. "I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart," Elinore said handing her the platter. "How about you take this out and I'll make some hot chocolate?"
"Okay," Saffron agreed. She stole a glance outside and was amused to see her brother tumble into the snow, still holding Maddie around the waist.
"Nice going," the blonde teased. "Getting us all cold and wet."
"You're the one who started this," he said laughing.
"But I didn't ask you to drop us," she giggled, tossing her hair out of her eyes.
"It was just my excuse to do this," he said bringing her down for a kiss.
Maddie melted against him, the cold forgotten as their kiss heated up.
Ethan wrapped his arms tightly around her wanting to feel every inch of her.
"Ethan," she murmured. "Why can't it always be like this?" she asked between kisses. "Why can't we spend every night together?"
"We could," Ethan said softly. "You could always move in with me."
She opened her eyes. "Move in with you?" she repeated.
"It was just a suggestion," Ethan said quietly.
"I don't know what to say," Maddie whispered.
Ethan watched as Maddie sat up, a bewildered expression on her face. "You don't have to, Mads. I was just thinking out loud really."
She looked at him a long moment as the wind blew a few strands of hair into her eyes. "Part of me wants to," she confessed. "Really, really wants to."
"It's too soon," he told her sensing her thoughts. "And we both decided to wait until after we were married to..."
"But we're also in love," Maddie answered quietly. "And just because we live together doesn't mean we have to have sex."
"But you know as well as I do that if we did, we'd be really, really tempted," Ethan said. He reached for her hand. "I'm not trying to pressure you Mads. And we don't have to rush into anything."
"We've faced temptation plenty of times," Maddie took both his hands in hers and led him over to the wooden bench just outside the back door. "Like that one night with the champagne..."
"I thought you never wanted to discuss that again," Ethan joked sitting down.
"I try not to remember it," Maddie laughed. She sat down next to him. "But really though... now that you brought that up, I can tell you that I've already thought about it before," she said, becoming serious.
"You have?" he asked looking at her.
"A few times," Maddie answered. "Have you thought it before now?"
Ethan scratched the nape of his neck nervously. "Yes. I think of how great it is to go to sleep with you beside me and how wonderful it feels to wake up next to you."
Maddie felt her face heat up at his words. "I love that too," she whispered. "I never wake up happier than I do when it's with you."
Ethan smiled and hugged her close to him. "You make me so happy."
She buried her face in his shoulder. "Why don't we then?" she asked after a few moments of silence between them. "Why don't we try living together?"
"Really?" Ethan asked in surprise. He hadn't expected her to say yes and his question earlier had really been him thinking out loud. "You really want to?"
"Yeah," Maddie answered as he pulled back to look at her. "I love you Ethan. I hate it on the days I can't see you. This way we can spend some time together every day no matter what."
Ethan beamed at her. "Madeline Molly, that's the best Christmas present you could have ever given me!"
She laughed. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me Ethan James."
"Now we just have to break the news to your parents," he said with a wry grin.
"They won't take it too hard I don't think," she said as he brushed her hair from her eyes.
"Let's go tell mine the good news," Ethan said squeezing her hand. "Or did you want to wait until we spoke with yours?"
"No let's tell them now," Maddie said excitedly.
"Okay," Ethan said giving her one last kiss before they went inside. Ethan saw his father lifting his little sister up so she could place the star atop the tree.
"Looks great," he said. "Don't drop Saffy Dad."
"Shut it you," Saffron said glaring at him over her shoulder.
Ethan laughed. "You haven't escaped a tickling altogether."
"Will you just shut up and let me hang the star?" Saffron asked. "You never act like this when Katie and Ashley do it."
"It's because it's you Saffy Grace." Ethan said, his arm around Maddie.
"Dad make him stop!" Saffron asked still holding the star. "He's ruining the moment!"
"Just put it up there," Ethan laughed.
"Dad!" Saffron said looking down at her father. "Please? Make him stop!"
"Ethan James," Harry gave his son a look.
Maddie put her hand over Ethan's mouth to keep him quiet while Saffron placed the star on the tree.
"Grandpa?" Saffron asked when Harry set her back down. "Do you want to do the honours by turning on the lights?"
"Of course dear," Robert leaned on his cane as he reached for the light switch.
Everyone stared in awe at the large tree now decorated completely with lights, ornaments and garland.
"It's perfect," Saffron proclaimed beaming up at the tree. "Absolutely perfect."
"Aye it is sweetheart," Robert patted the spot next to him on the sofa.
Saffron sat down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Don't smile too brightly Saf," Ethan teased. "The lights are reflecting off your braces."
"Sod off Ethan," Saffron glared at him. "I'm getting them off really soon and then my smile will be nicer than yours!"
"Why are you being so snarky?" Maddie asked elbowing him. "Be nice. It's Christmas."
Ethan laughed. "Come on Mads, let's tell everyone our news."
"What news?" Hermione asked curiously.
Maddie looked over at Ethan letting him take the lead.
"Maddie and I are going to move in together," Ethan said happily.
"You are?" Saffron squealed, forgetting how annoyed she was with her brother. "When? Can I help you move in Maddie?"
Maddie laughed. "Well we haven't really discussed specifics, really. But we'd love to have your help, Saffy."
"This is so exciting!" Saffron grinned.
"Congratulations love," Hermione hugged her son.
"Thanks Mum," Ethan said hugging her back. "And don't worry, I'll still visit all the time. Well, maybe not all the time, but more than I have lately."
Hermione beamed at her son while Harry gave Maddie a kiss on the cheek. "I think this is wonderful," he said warmly to the young woman.
"Really?" Maddie asked smiling back at him. "I hope Mum and Dad will see it that way too."
"I think they will," Harry replied. "You're a smart, sensible girl Maddie. I don't know how Ethan managed to get so lucky." he joked.
Maddie laughed. "He's the best, Uncle Harry."
"Hear that Dad?" Ethan put his arm around his girlfriend. "The best."
Saffron rolled her eyes. "Maddie, you and I might need to have a little talk about what living with Ethan will be like. I feel you should be warned about what you are getting yourself into..."
Maddie laughed. "I have a pretty good idea," she leaned against him.
"You're just seeing the good stuff," Saffron said. "There's loads of bad stuff too."
"Saffy," Harry gave his daughter a look. "This is a happy occasion all right?"
"Yes Daddy," Saffron said. She noticed her grandfather inching toward the front door. He was probably ready to give her that present he'd mentioned earlier. She stepped slyly away from her parents, Lavender and Seamus as they were congratulating Maddie and Ethan.
"Robert?" Elinore called out. "Where do you think you're going? And without a coat? You'll catch your death out there!"
"I'll be fine Ellie," Robert said exasperatedly. "Saffy and I are just going out to the car for a moment."
"Not without your coat, you're not!" Elinore said going to the hall closet and pulling out his heavy wool coat.
Robert caught Saffron's eye and rolled his. "Yes dear," he appeased his wife.
Saffron grabbed her cloak when she saw her mother looking her way. "Got it Mum!"
"Where are you two going?" Hermione asked.
"Out for a minute," Saffron said. "Grandpa forgot something in the car. We'll be right back. I promise."
"All right dear," Hermione smiled at her daughter then went to help Elinore in the kitchen.
"Okay Grandpa," Saffron said once they were outside. "It's so hard to sneak out with that lot in there."
Robert slowly ambled down the stone steps with Saffron's help. He pulled his car keys out of his trousers pocket and handed them to Saffron. "Don't get too excited. I'm not giving you the car."
"Maybe in another few years right?" Saffron giggled. "Is it in the boot?"
"Yes," Robert said. "Open it up and see."
Saffron unlocked the back end of the car and gasped. "Grandpa!" she lifted the bag out. "You got me my own set of golf clubs?"
Robert nodded. "I know you get tired of using my old ones and with how good you are, I thought you deserved your own set. The bloke in the pro shop said that they were what all the professional ladies use."
Saffron hugged her grandfather as tightly as she dared. "I can't wait to use them Grandpa. Thank you so much!"
"I should be thanking you sweetheart," he said hugging her back. "I wouldn't have come as far as I have without you."
"I love you so much," Saffron said as tears swelled in her eyes.
"I love you too sweetheart," Robert said kissing the top of her head. "There's not a thing on this earth I wouldn't do for you."
"Same here Grandpa," Saffron smiled up at him. "I'm so glad you're doing better and better."
"Tell your grandma that," Robert said.
"I will," Saffron giggled as she wiped her eyes. "Can I go in and show these off?"
"Sure," Robert said. "Hopefully by this spring, we'll be able to play again like we used to."
"I bet we will," Saffron said loyally. "And don't think I'm going to take it easy on you either!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Robert said laughing.
"Look everybody!" Saffron crowed when they were back inside. "Look what Grandpa gave me!"
"Whoa, Saf!" Ethan exclaimed. "Those are nice!"
"I picked out the bag," Lavender chimed in. "Did you see? Your initials are engraved on the side, see?"
"This is perfect Aunt Lav," Saffron hugged her. "I can't wait to use these!"
"Going to give up the idea of professional Quidditch for a life on the links?" Harry asked his daughter.
"She could do both," Elinore said putting an arm around her.
"That's a good idea Grandma," Saffron said excitedly. "I bet I could handle both!"
"I see a bright, bright future for you," Maddie said imitating their old Divination Professor Trelawney.
Harry, Seamus and Ethan all groaned. "Boy is that a blast from the past and not a pleasant one," Seamus said.
"That old bat would buy anything," Ethan said laughing. "As long as it had enough death and destruction in it, she'd give you top marks."
"That's my boy," Harry clapped Ethan's shoulder.
"I'm so glad I have Firenze this year," Saffron said.
"Now he was great," Harry said to Seamus. "Remember how Parvati Patil used to moon over him?"
"When she wasn't mooning over Ron," Seamus said cackling.
"It's the Hogwarts gossip hour," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Better than that hearing about Jean Pierre and Jean Philippe, and Jean Claude," Seamus said looking over at his wife. "How many blokes named Jean did you go out with at Beauxbatons, love?"
Lavender turned red. "None of your business."
"Six," Hermione grinned at her cousin.
"It wasn't that many!" Lavender said defensively. "At least I never got all hot and bothered over some sixth year named Maurice like my bookish cousin here."
"Maurice?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "You fancied a bloke named Maurice?"
This time it was Hermione who turned crimson.
"No," Hermione said. "I never fancied him. I tutored him in Ancient Runes."
"You just to doodle his name on spare pieces of parchment with little hearts drawn around it," Lavender teased.
"That wasn't Maurice," Hermione shot back. "That was Martin."
"You looked like that scrawny loser, too?" Lavender asked the smile falling from her face. "Hermione! He used to pick his nose!"
"He did not!" Hermione returned. "He had allergies- unlike Jean Claude who used to put his hand in his trousers during class!"
"He did not!" Lavender retorted. "He told me he was rubbing his lucky coin. He kept in his trousers pocket. So there!"
"You actually bought that!" Hermione exclaimed laughing.
"Well at least MY boyfriend never picked his nose," Lavender said folding her arms. "Allergies, my big foot!"
"Big is right," Hermione argued. "And Martin wasn't my boyfriend he was just a study partner."
"And just think Saffy," Ethan said. "Our father could have been named Maurice or some bloke named Martin who picked his nose."
"Never," Hermione said. "Your father was the only one I truly had eyes for."
"I don't know," Harry said looking sadly at his wife. "It's like I'm seeing a whole new side of you, Hermione. Maurice?"
"At least he didn't play with himself," Hermione muttered.
"He wasn't---" Lavender opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by Seamus.
"Enough!" he said. "I really don't want to hear anymore about Martin the Nose Picker and Jean Claude and his lucky coin."
"Agreed," Harry said. "In fact, Elinore's just told me that she got us all some pumpkin pie and I'd love a piece... or four." he grinned.
"Grandma didn't make it did she?" Ethan asked. "Or Mum?"
"No smart arse," Hermione said. "She got it from a bakery down the street."
"Just checking," Ethan said with a relieved sigh. "Just checking."