Authors' note: We hope everyone had a good holiday. We weren't able to respond to reviews this time around and we apologize for that. We promise to do better in the New Year. In this chapter, Ethan and Maddie talk out their problems and just when you think RJ and Saffron can peacefully co-exist…well, keep reading to find out.
We're both also glad everyone seems to be enjoying the Sims- check back Friday evening for the Miscellaneous characters section as we'll have some of the 'non family' Sims in there.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur for Maddie. Spending time with Caroline and Emma allowed her to take her mind off of what had happened with Ethan, but as she followed Jon and Allie back toward the house, she felt a pang in her stomach at the idea of facing him again. They were sharing a room after all. And from what Jon had said, Ron and Harry were planning a big barbeque and had spent most of the day preparing for it.
Maddie quickly made her way upstairs. She hoped to get a nice, hot shower in before dinner. Stopping off at the room to get a change of clothes, Maddie was shocked to see Ethan sitting on the bed writing something.
"Hi," she said weakly.
"Hey," he replied quietly.
"I'm...I'm going to take a shower," she said not looking at him as she made her way over to the dresser.
"We're having dinner in about a half hour," he said, standing up.
"I know," she said pulling out a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. "I won't be long."
"Right," he replied, continuing to scratch his quill over the parchment.
"If you want," Maddie said finally looking properly at him. "I can bunk with Saffy and Alexa."
"Why would I want you to do that?" Ethan replied, looking straight back at her.
Maddie shrugged. "I don't know."
Ethan looked at her for a long moment. "Do you want to talk about today?" he finally asked.
"Do you?" Maddie asked.
"I think we should," he answered.
Maddie set her change of clothes down on top of the dresser and sat down on the bed. "I don't know where to start."
"I don't like fighting with you," Ethan said. "I hate it, in fact. But I can't help but believe that some part of you doesn't trust me."
"I want to," Maddie said honestly. At the hurt look on his face, she felt tears well up in her eyes. "You don't understand Ethan."
"Tell me," Ethan reached for her hand. "Tell me why I don't understand Mads. Because I really, really want to."
"You don't know what this is like for me," she said. "You were popular in school Ethan. You had all these girls who fell all over themselves wanting to be with you. I didn't have that. I kept to myself and people thought I was strange. So, I never had a date. I never had a boyfriend. I'd never even been kissed before until you came along..."
"I know," Ethan said. "But we're sort of in the same boat here. I've done a lot in my time but I've never gone all the way. You are the only girl that I ever want to do that with. And despite what I may have said earlier, I want it to be special, for both you and me. I have no problem waiting until marriage." he reached over and handed her a tissue. "But it just seems to me like every time I touch you, you pull away almost immediately. That's why I was so frustrated earlier."
Maddie nodded and wiped her eyes. "I guess I just...I just feel like it's up to me to stop things before they go to far. And it scares me how much I want you, Ethan. I've never felt this way."
"Look at me," Ethan said softly.
Maddie's lower lip trembled as she looked at him.
"My dad has taught me a lot of things in my life. But one of the most important lessons I've learned from him was to respect the people I love." Ethan brushed a tear from her cheek. "Especially people I love like you." he moved closer to her. "I promise you Maddie, that I'll never push you too far. I want you to trust me completely. Whatever I have to do to get you to trust me that way, I'll do it."
"Really?" Maddie asked.
"Really," he smiled at her.
Maddie hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry for today. I hate fighting with you."
Ethan kissed the top of her head. "I hated it too. I went and pummelled Saffy's new boyfriend in volleyball. Don't think the poor bloke knew what hit him."
Maddie giggled. "You didn't scare him off, did you?"
"Nah," Ethan said. "He barely took his eyes off my sister. Seems like she's got him pretty hooked. Even told him she's a witch."
"And he seemed okay with that?" Maddie asked.
Ethan laughed. "Turns out his cousin goes to Hogwarts. And she's none other than that girl R.J. was seeing around Christmas, the one Saffy hates."
"You're kidding!" Maddie said laughing. "R.J. was like a broken record last Christmas. Christina, Christina, Christina..."
"Now he's all about Alexa," Ethan shook his head. "Boys can be fickle. Good thing I'm a man." he puffed his chest out.
Maddie laughed even harder, feeling much better. Impulsively, she leaned in and gave him a soft kiss. "I love you, Ethan."
"Love you too Mads," Ethan said when they pulled apart. "We're okay now?"
"I think so," she answered resting her forehead on his. "Just be patient with me."
"I'll try harder," Ethan stroked her cheek. "Fancy taking a walk with me tonight? We can go stargazing... even do a little twirling." he grinned impishly at her.
"I'd like that," she said. "But I did promise that I'd help the girls make some necklaces. Perhaps we could do it after they're asleep. I've been so busy that I've missed so much with them."
"Does midnight sound good to you?" Ethan asked as she got up and grabbed her clothes off the dresser.
"Sounds perfect," Maddie said smiling at him before leaving the room.
Ethan dressed himself in a pair of jeans and long sleeved t shirt before heading downstairs. "Anything I can help with?" he asked, coming into the kitchen.
"After you nearly took Sean's eye out," Saffron said sarcastically. "No, we've pretty much got it under control."
"Aw come on Saffy," Ethan mussed her hair. "The bloke's fine. And you gave him a kiss to remember you by--"
"SHUT UP ETHAN!" Saffron pushed him away. "Bloody hell, do you really think I need Dad to hear about me and Sean kissing? It's enough I was able to invite him to the barbeque tonight."
"My little sister's in luuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrve," Ethan sing-songed. "Saffron Grace has been sucking some poor bloke's face...."
R.J. nearly spit out his soda he was laughing so hard.
"You are SO going to pay for that," Saffron's eyes were narrowed into slits.
"You are so going to pay for that," Ethan parroted.
"Stop it!" Saffron hissed.
"Stop it!" Ethan echoed.
Saffron was so angry that she automatically reached for her wand.
"Whoa," R.J. got up and held her arm back. "Ethan she's pretty pissed if she's going for the magic stick."
"Saffron Grace," Hermione said coming back into the kitchen from the deck. "Put that away! And Ethan stop bothering your sister."
"I didn't do anything Mum," Ethan said innocently.
"He's always doing something," Saffron put her wand back in her pocket. When Hermione wasn't looking she hit her brother hard in the arm. "I don't know why Maddie puts up with you. She could do SO much better."
"You know you love me too Saf," Ethan said helping himself to one of the crisps from the bowl on the counter.
"Only because we're related," Saffron snatched the bowl away. "If you weren't my brother I'd really dislike you. A LOT!"
"Come on Saffy," Ethan said. "You used to think I could do anything. Where's that girl at?"
"She grew up," Saffron stuck her tongue out at her brother before carrying a platter of condiments to the deck.
"Hey sweetheart," Harry said when he saw her come out. "You want extra cheese on your hamburger?"
"Sure," Saffron said. "That sounds good."
R.J. followed with Alexa and they started setting the large picnic table. R.J. groaned as he saw Sean coming, but he wasn't alone.
"He's here and he brought football boy with him," R.J. said under his breath to Alexa. "Kill me now."
"R.J.," Alexa said. "Come on, he wasn't that bad this afternoon. Sean said he'd keep him from talking about football too much. And perhaps you'd like the sport if you knew about it."
"Okay, for you, I'll be nice," R.J. said.
"Dad," Saffron said bringing Sean and Matthew over to meet him formally. "I'd like you to meet Sean Grant and this is his friend Matthew Walters."
"Hello," Harry shook his hand. "How are you tonight boys?"
"Thanks for inviting us," Sean said nervously. Saffron had told him what her father had done and he couldn't stop himself from staring at the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Glad to have you," Harry said, glancing at his daughter. "Help yourself to something to eat."
Saffron beamed at her father and when Matthew and Sean were out of earshot, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you Daddy."
"I trust you baby," Harry smiled at her.
Saffron grinned at him once more before joining her friends.
"I'm quite proud of you too, Harry," Ron joked. "For a second there, I thought we might have another Neville on our hands."
"Oh come on," Harry replied. "I could never be THAT bad."
"I was surprised you didn't go gunning for R.J.," Ron said as he took over at the grill. When Harry looked at him with a clueless expression on his face, Ron laughed. "Well, you know since R.J. was the first bloke to kiss Saffy."
"He was?" Harry asked, turning around to look at Ron's youngest son.
"You didn't know?" Ron asked.
"No," Harry replied. "I didn't. When did this happen?:"
Ron laughed. "Ages ago. I found out when I overheard Luna and Hermione talking about it..."
"How come no one told me?" Harry asked.
"How come no one told you what?" Hermione asked coming out onto the deck. "You guys, this smells delicious!"
"How come you never told me R.J. kissed Saffron?" Harry spun around.
"I think I hear Luna calling me," Ron said nearly sprinting back into the house.
"Because Saffron asked me not to tell you," Hermione said keeping her voice down and hoping Harry would do the same.
"Why?" Harry asked. "My name isn't Neville."
"I never said it was," Hermione said. "But Harry, you're her father. She doesn't want to talk to you about snogging. I never told my dad stuff like that."
"Well yeah but... Harry began.
"You never knew about Julie's first kiss either," Hermione pointed out. "It's not you personally, Harry. It's just how us girls operate."
"I guess," Harry said. "I just like to know things about my kids."
"I know," Hermione said softly. "And you're a great father and all three of our children adore you, Harry. You know that, but there are some things that Saffron is going to be more comfortable discussing with me or with her sister that you aren't going to be privy to. You know if it was something major, I'd tell you."
"Yeah I know," Harry gave her a kiss.
"It kind of evens out, doesn't it?" she said smiling at him. "I'm sure Ethan's told you things that the couldn't tell me."
"Probably," he looked over at his son who had just been joined by Maddie. "Looks like they've ironed everything out."
"Were they having trouble?" Hermione asked.
"A little," Harry replied.
"See?" Hermione teased. "You knew something, I didn't. Very rare, mind you, but it happens..."
"Yeah," Harry smirked. "Rare occurrence..."
"Come on Dad," Saffron called out. "We're hungry!"
"Right," Harry said. "I've got hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs... everyone come fill your plate!"
Ron came back out with Luna and he looked at the platter of food with wide eyes. "Where to begin? Where to begin?"
"At the end of the line," Harry grinned widely.
Ron glared at him. "I cooked half of it!"
"You probably planned on eating half of it too," Harry retorted.
"Since two of my family aren't here," Ron said. "And won't be here until tomorrow, I think that I should at least have their share..."
"How do you figure that one out?" Hermione asked.
"Drew and Darla would want their father to eat," Ron said, snatching a plate and forking some ribs from the platter Harry set down.
"I'll eat their share," Maddie came up behind them. "I'm starved."
"Me too," Josh said. "And my wife is eating for four..."
"I got first dibs," Ron grinned. "That's all I care about."
"Nice Daddy," Maddie laughed. "Really nice."
Matthew nudged Saffron. "Who's the babe?'
Saffron followed Matthew's gaze and laughed. "That's Maddie, she's my brother's girlfriend."
"And my sister," R.J. said glaring at him.
"Sorry mate," Matthew said contritely.
Alexa put her hand on R.J.'s arm. "Let's go and get some food shall we?"
"Sure," R.J. said, getting up without another look at the other two boys.
"Did I piss him off?" Matthew asked. "I didn't mean to."
"He's just crabby is all," Saffron shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about it."
"I can't help it if his sister is hot," Matthew said. "But I shouldn't have said it. She's a bit older than me."
"She's nineteen," Saffron replied. "Maddie's pretty cool. She's really sweet."
"As sweet as you?" Sean asked flirtatiously.
Saffron grinned back at Sean. "Maybe," she said coyly.
"I think so," Sean said standing up and offering his hand to Saffron. "Shall we go and grab a bite to eat?"
"Sure," Saffron linked their fingers together. "Coming Matthew?"
"Sure," he said standing up as well. "I'm starving."
The three teenagers walked over to the large table where Harry and Ron had set the food out and waited in the queue.
"I don't think I need to clean up our room when I wasn't the one to mess it up!" Ashley said hotly as she and her parents walked out onto the deck. "Katie is such a big slob!"
"You are!" Katie said sticking her tongue out at her sister. "You left your sketchbook on my bed!"
"Big deal, it's a bloody sketchbook," Ashley said. "You left your dirty knickers on my pillow! That was REALLY gross Katie!"
"My knickers aren't dirty!" Katie said shoving her sister. "Take it back!"
"Katherine Rose you are disgusting!" Ashley pushed her back.
"Hey!" Nick pulled them apart. "Just what do you think you two are doing?" his grey eyes darkened ominously at his daughters.
Katie folded her arms and again stuck her tongue out at her sister.
"Can I please share a room with anyone else but her?" Ashley asked. "Daddy, she's always hovering around me, looking over my shoulder and she used my paints this morning when I told her that she couldn't!"
Nick herded his daughters back inside. "All right," he said. "No Ashley, you can't share a room with anyone else- unless you want to sleep in the room with Emma and Caroline can stay with Katie. And as for you Katherine Rose, you leave your sister's things alone unless she says so. And that goes for you too Ashley. I've about had it with you two fighting like this all the time."
"Can I really share a room with Caroline?" Katie asked happily.
"I'd rather share my room with a baby than you anyway," Ashley couldn't resist shooting back. Nick gave her a warning look. "Sorry, Daddy."
"You'll have to ask Jon and Allison if they mind," Nick replied. "If they say no, this arguing is still going to stop. Do you both understand me?" he asked sternly.
Both girls nodded and looked down at their feet.
"Now, I want you both to go outside and behave," Nick said. "Stay apart if you can't get along. If I hear another argument between you two tonight, you're both grounded and won't go on the beach tomorrow. Understood?"
"Yes Daddy," Katie and Ashley said quietly.
"All right," he said. "Now go. Have some fun. And don't argue."
Ashley and Katie both went back inside and saw that everyone was already sitting down and eating. Katie went to sit beside Caroline after she fixed her plate.
Saffron took pity on her oldest niece and waved her over. "Come on over here Ash!"
"Thanks Aunt Saffy," Ashley smiled. "Katie's being a royal prat tonight."
Saffron nodded. "So is your Uncle Ethan. Let me introduce you to my friends. This is Sean...and this is his friend Matthew. Guys, this is my niece Ashley."
"Hi Ashley," Sean smiled at the young girl. "It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." Ashley said. "You sort of look like Oliver Wood."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Sean asked not knowing who this was.
Alexa, Ashley and Saffron all nodded. "Very good thing."
"All right then," Sean grinned.
"Who are you all talking about?" Matthew was confused.
Since Matthew didn't know who or what they all really were, R.J. decided to help out. "He's a terrific athlete."
"I've never heard of him," Matthew said. "Does he play with Beckham?"
R.J. had no idea who that was and he looked to Alexa for help.
"He's kind of retired now," Alexa replied. "But he was really quite good when he played."
"Oh," Matthew still looked confused but let the matter drop.
"So tomorrow night," Saffron looked over at Sean. "The four of us are going out for ice cream in the town?"
"Yeah," Sean grinned back at her. "If Matthew here could get a girl, it could be six of us."
"Why don't you go ask my sister?" R.J. blurted out. "I'm sure she'd drop her boyfriend to go out with you."
"R.J. shut up," Saffron said. "Maddie's a pretty girl and guys are bound to notice her."
"Like he noticed my girlfriend?" R.J. asked pointedly looking across the table at R.J.. "Yeah, your new boyfriend's mate here was talking about he was going to try and get with Lex."
"That was before I knew she had a boyfriend mate," Matthew said hastily. "Really..."
"R.J. knock it off," Saffron said furiously.
"It's okay," Alexa said softly, hoping her boyfriend would calm down.
"He said he was sorry," Saffron glared at R.J.. "So bloody drop it already would you? You're being incredibly embarrassing."
Ashley sat enthralled as she watched the group argue. They were almost as bad as her and Katie.
"I'm being embarrassing?" R.J. asked incredulously.
"Hello- yes!" Saffron had her hands on her hips. "Matthew said he was sorry about flirting with Alexa. She's not angry about it- so why are you?"
"Hang on a bloody second!" R.J. said angrily. He'd only heard Matthew talking to Sean about Alexa. He'd never seen the bloke actually flirting with Alexa. "When did you flirt with my girlfriend?"
"Oh my God," Saffron rolled her eyes. "Come on guys, let's go sit somewhere else okay? Come on Ash."
"Saffy," Alexa called out to her friend. "You guys don't have to leave..."
"You can come with us if you don't want to sit with that git," Saffron glared at R.J..
"I think he and I need to talk," Alexa said. When she and R.J. were alone, she looked over at him. "What was that about? Is that why you've been horrible to him since we've met him?"
"Because I don't like him flirting with you." R.J. replied shortly.
Alexa wanted to laugh. She'd always been the one jealous about the attention R.J. got from other girls. The shoe had never been on the other foot, so to speak. "The first day we met him, Saffy and I were alone on the beach. They came up to chat with us and he was being really friendly. That's all, R.J.."
R.J. didn't look convinced. "He's been eyeing you up all night."
"He has not," Alexa said laughing. "He's been checking Maddie out."
"Oh and that makes me feel so much better," R.J. said sarcastically.
"R.J.," Alexa said. "He doesn't fancy me. I mean what did you overhear him say that was so bad?"
"It wasn't just that," R.J. said. "What if you decided you liked him better?" he'd never felt insecure about a relationship before and he hated this feeling.
For a moment Alexa wasn't sure she'd heard him right. "R.J...."
R.J. shook his head and didn't respond.
"I love you," she told him softly. "That's never going to change."
He looked at her properly. "You mean that?"
"Yes you goofball," she said reaching for his hand. "Even when you're being a big prat, I love you."
"You're good to me Lexie," he grinned at her and leaned in for a kiss.
Alexa kissed him earning catcalls from his two brothers.
"Way to go Ronnie Jr!" Jon cheered.
"Thanks Boo Bear," R.J. grinned wickedly after pulling away from his girlfriend.
Jon frowned and looked at his wife. "Who told?"
Allison shrugged innocently. "Wasn't me," she replied.
"Boo!" Emma said from her high chair. "Daddy! Boo!"
Lizzy covered her mouth to keep from laughing too hard.
Everyone joined in on the laughter save for Saffron. "I'm never ever talking to him again," she said with a scathing look at R.J..
"Oh come on," Sean replied. "He's just being a typical boyfriend."
"He's being a typical prat is what he's being," Saffron said. "I'm not talking to him."
"Aunt Saffy are you really never going to talk to him?" Ashley asked, still wide eyed.
"Never," Saffron said stubbornly. "I don't care if he is going out with my best friend."
Sean didn't want to interfere. He'd just met these people a few days ago. "Want to go for a walk or something?" he asked, hoping to cool her down.
"We can't just leave Matthew," Saffron said.
"It's all right," Matthew said. "I'm going to try and apologise again. Feel like a bit of a prat here for causing such a ruckus."
"Don't you dare!" Saffron said. "You shouldn't apologise to him, Matt."
"Well..." Matthew was clearly at a loss. "You two go on ahead. I'm going to get something else to eat. Really, I'll be fine."
"You sure?" Saffron asked.
"Yeah," Matthew said. "Go on and have fun."
Sean thumped his friend on the shoulder. "Save some dessert for us."
Saffron led the way down the beach. "Can you believe him? He's been having a go at me almost the moment we got here and then he acts so incredibly rude to you and to Matt. He doesn't even know you two!"
"It's okay." Sean said. "Blokes are sometimes like that with each other."
"He's as bad as my brother sometimes," Saffy said not noticing how fast she was walking. "In fact, I think the two of them get together and just sit around thinking of ways to make me miserable. Dirty, stinking, filthy..."
"Saffy," Sean said. "Slow down just a bit?"
"What?" Saffron asked turning around.
"You're running," Sean finally caught up to her.
"Oh," Saffron said slowing down. "I'm sorry. I tend to get a bit worked up..."
Sean took her hand in his. "I couldn't tell," he teased.
Saffy blushed. "He just infuriates me sometimes."
"Now that I could tell," Sean grinned at her.
"I was really looking forward to having a nice night with everyone," Saffron said. "And he has to go and ruin everything."
"You don't have to let him ruin your night," Sean said. "I was having fun with you guys... especially you."
"Thanks Sean," she said squeezing his hand. "I am really glad you came."
"Me too," he said, stopping and pulling her closer.
"Really?" she whispered.
"Yeah," he tucked a stray curl of her hair behind her ear.
"So are you going to kiss me now?" she asked with a grin.
"I was afraid you might yell at me if I did," Sean said devilishly.
"You're not R.J. Weasley," Saffron said. "There's no chance of that..."
"Okay," he whispered, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers.
Saffron forgot about R.J. as she relaxed in Sean's arms. This was something she could get very used to.
He ran his fingers though her hair as he kissed her more deeply. He definitely fancied this girl, more than he had any other girl in a long while.
Saffron pulled away mainly to catch her breath. "You're really good at that."
"So are you," Sean said, winding his arms around her waist.
"Even if you are related to that...person," Saffron said.
"You said you wouldn't blame me for that," Sean squeezed her side a little.
"I'm trying," Saffron said giggling. "I wouldn't have kissed you if I hated you for that."
"That's good to know," Sean said, leaning in again.
Saffron kissed him once more. "We should probably get back."
"You sure you've calmed down?" he asked softly.
"Yes," she replied. "I'm just going to stay as far away from him as possible."
"Okay," Sean laughed. "Come on," he wove their fingers together as they headed back to the house.
Caroline, Emma, and Katie and Ashley were now sitting at the picnic table making necklaces with Luna's help. Sean thanked Saffron's parents for inviting him and then he and Matthew left.
Saffron glared at R.J. who was sitting with Alexa as she sat down with the other girls.
"He's such a wanker," Saffron muttered before looking at what Ashley was making. "Hey that's a cool necklace Ash!"
"I'm making this for Grandma Ellie," Ashley said. "Do you think she'll like it?"
"Oh definitely," Saffron grinned.
"I'm making mine for Grandma Ellie too," Katie said holding up her necklace.
"You just said you were making it for yourself," Ashley said. "You're only doing it for Grandma Ellie because I am."
"Shut up Ashley," Katie glowered. "I always said mine was for Grandma!"
"Girls," Maddie whispered. "Your mum and dad are right over there. You know what he said about you fighting."
Katie was about to say something else but she snapped her mouth shut and sat down.
Emma was having trouble stringing her shell and she looked to Luna. "Gamma..."
Luna laughed. "Do you need some help darling?" she moved to sit behind her granddaughter and guided the baby's hands.
"Uncle R.J.," Caroline called out. "Do you like my necklace?"
"I can't see it from all the way over there," R.J. called out to his niece.
"If you'd get off your lazy arse," Saffron said rolling her eyes.
"You said a bad word," Caroline told her.
"I know," Saffron said. "I'm sorry to you Caroline."
"Mummy told me that's not a nice word to say," Caroline continued. "She says no lady says a curse word."
"She obviously never met Saffy," R.J. said coming up behind them. He was meaning to apologise to his friend, but what he'd said obviously wasn't the right thing to say and Saffron rounded on him.
"YOU ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT THE LOWEST HUMAN BEING ON THE EARTH!" Saffron pushed him.
"Saf..." R.J. said stumbling back. "Wait just a second..."
"Don't you come near me," Saffron warned. "I've never been so bloody embarrassed before. The way you were treating those guys was completely uncalled for."
"He was flirting with my girlfriend," R.J. tried to argue.
"HE WAS NOT!" Saffron erupted. "NOT AFTER HE FOUND OUT SHE WAS TAKEN!"
"Saffy," Julie said trying to calm her sister down, but Saffron shrugged her off.
"You need to get your bloody head out of your arse and realise you aren't the only guy on the planet," Saffron was furious.
"And you need to remember that things don't always go the way you want them to," R.J. retorted. "You know it's bloody impossible to be your friend!"
"Oh well that's just too bad for you," Saffron said sarcastically. "Leave me alone Ronald."
"Fine," R.J. said stalking past her and into the house.
"Ugh." Saffron sat down hard. "He bloody nearly ruined my night!"
"Saffy," Julie said. "Don't you think you were being a little hard on him?"
"No I don't Julie," Saffron crossed her arms. "You don't have to put up with him day in and day out like I do."
Alexa stood stock still not sure of what to do or where to go. Should she go after her boyfriend? Or should she stay behind with Saffron.
Maddie put a hand on her arm. "You can go inside with R.J. if you want," she smiled at the redhead. "Saffy needs to cool down again. She'll be fine."
"I don't know," Alexa said. "I think maybe they both need to cool off."
"That they do," Maddie said. "But R.J. could probably use a little comfort as well. Jules and I will take care of Saffy don't worry."
"Okay," Alexa said looking at her best friend before going inside.
"Saffy, you think what R.J. did was embarrassing?" Julie stood with her hands on her hips over her younger sister. "What do you call screaming at him like this?"
Luna quickly shepherded the younger girls inside.
"Jules, you didn't hear what he said to Matt and Sean," Saffron argued.
"And I don't need to," Julie held up a hand. "Saffy- he was just being a guy all right? All guys get jealous when they have a cute girlfriend who's being checked out by another guy. Last summer when Nick found out Ryan was over for dinner he nearly blew a gasket."
"If R.J. thought Alexa would even look at another bloke, he's crazier than I thought," Saffron said folding her arms. "She's liked him since forever for Merlin's sake! But he's just as bad as Ethan. Always having a go at me when I've done nothing wrong. I'm bloody tired of it!"
"They're just teasing you," Maddie said in a gentler tone. "It's because they both care about you Saffy, believe it or not."
"Trust you take up for both of them," Saffron snapped.
"Saffron!" Julie said in a shocked tone.
"It's okay," Maddie said. "Yes Saffy. Ethan's my boyfriend and R.J.'s my brother, but when have you ever known me to stand by when they're going overboard?"
Saffron huffed. "Never I guess," she rolled her eyes.
"I think I'll just go and check on the girls," Maddie said gathering up the bucket of shells and leaving Saffron alone with her sister.
"Saffron, you were incredibly rude just then," Julie chastised.
"So what?" Saffron challenged. "Everyone always sticks up for the guys, Julie. Everyone always tells me to bloody calm down. Well I don't want to calm down!"
Julie sat down. "You'd better calm down. You know if Mum or Dad had witnessed your little tirade, you'd be upstairs grounded and you wouldn't be able to see Sean the rest of the holiday."
Saffron didn't want to admit that her sister was right. "I'm not apologising to R.J. or Ethan," she said. "Just to Maddie.
Julie sighed. "That's a start. You are so damn stubborn Saffy."
Saffron smiled. "Yes I know."
Despite herself, Julie couldn't help laughing. "Well I think I might know something that will make you feel a little better..."
"What?" Saffron asked.
"This morning, I received an owl from Professor Dumbledore," Julie said with a grin. "You, sister dear, are looking at the next Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts."
"Are you serious Jules?" Saffron grinned. "That's bloody fantastic!"
Julie hugged her sister. " I know. Dad's going to help me out when we get back home to help me get prepared."
"This is so great!" Saffron said. "We'll go to Hogsmeade weekends together, and we'll study every night- well except for nights I have Quidditch practise or Prefect duties, because I'm sure Dumbledore will name me as a Prefect-- what?" she asked. "Why are you making that face Julie. Do you know something I don't? Do you know who the Prefects are?"
"Take a breath Saffy," Julie said laughing. "There might have been an extra envelope with the parcel I received from Professor Dumbledore...."
"WHAT IS IT?" Saffron shrieked.
"Mum and Dad have the envelope," Julie called out and Saffron nearly sprinted out of her seat.
She nearly bowled Ethan over as she pushed her way into the kitchen. "MUM! DAD! WHERE'S THE ENVELOPE FOR ME?" she hollered
"What envelope would that be?" Harry asked innocently. "Hermione? Do you know what Saffy's talking about?"
"Harry," Hermione shook her head with a grin. "Here you are love."
Saffron eagerly grabbed the envelope and could only stare at it.
"What if I didn't get it?" she asked quietly.
"Oh come on," Harry ruffled her curls. "Like Dumbledore would risk your wrath if he didn't name you?"
With shaking hands, Saffron opened the envelope. Her prefect badge fell into her hands. "I got it! Mum! Dad! I got it!"
"Congratulations sweetheart," Hermione said. "We're so proud of you."
"I did this well?" R.J. was in the hall with Alexa as Saffron burst out jubilantly. "That's better than I thought I'd do--"
"Lex!" Saffron exclaimed. "Look!"
"Congratulations!" Alexa hugged her friend. "I knew you'd get prefect Saffy!"
R.J. stared at Saffron who was trying everything in her power not to look at him.
"I'm going to go call my Grandpa and Grandma," Saffron said. "They're going to be so happy!"
"Okay," Alexa said as Saffron pushed by R.J. and headed downstairs.
"She's a pain in the arse," R.J. said.
"R.J.," Alexa said. "I hate it when the two of you are like this."
"She's impossible Lex." R.J. said flatly. "I was all willing to let bygones be bygones but she just keeps harping on things and blowing them out of proportion. I'm not apologising to her."
Alexa sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"
"You could kiss me again," R.J. suggested. "You did do very well on your marks," she said taking the piece of parchment from him.
"So a congratulations for me is in order right," he said, his arms around her waist.
"I think so," she said giving him a kiss.
"R.J.?" Ron asked coming down the hall. "What's this I hear about..."
"Dad!" R.J. pulled away from Alexa.
"Mr. Weasley," Alexa said wishing she could disappear. "We were just...you know...just..."
Ron grinned. "Those are fantastic marks! Nice going son."
"Pretty good aye," RJ smirked. "Almost got your marks beat don't I?"
"Almost, not quite." Ron grinned. "Did you enjoy dinner Alexa?" he asked.
Alexa nodded. "Very much so. You're a very good chef, Mr. Weasley."
"Thank you," Ron grinned. "You didn't happen to bring any of that fantastic fudge now did you?"
"She did," R.J. said laughing. "Remember? You ate it all the first day we were here."
"You mean you didn't bring a secret stash for my son here?" Ron pleaded.
R.J. put his hand over Alexa's mouth. "How about we go and show Mum my results? And did you see? I'm also captain of this year's team."
"That's great," Ron said, momentarily forgetting about the fudge. "This will really impress those scouts!"
R.J. followed his father into the sitting room where Saffron was talking on her mother's mobile phone to her grandparents.
"Luna," Ron said handing his wife the parchment. "Look at our son. These fantastic marks and captain of the house team."
"R.J. that's wonderful," Luna gave her youngest son a hug. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks Mum," R.J. said hugging her back.
"Tryouts should be fun this year eh?" Harry asked teasingly. "Be prepared R.J.. Everyone will suddenly be your best mate."
"I'll keep that in mind Uncle Harry," R.J. grinned. "Perhaps you can give me a few pointers on how you picked your team."
"You made captain?" Saffron asked after she'd clicked off the phone.
"Yeah," R.J. muttered. "As if there was any doubt."
"McGonagall must have bumped her head," Saffron said crossly.
R.J. rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he muttered.
"What did your grandparents have to say about your news?" Alexa asked.
"They were so excited," Saffron's grin returned. "Said there was no doubt that I'd have been a prefect."
"Third one in the family," Harry pointed out. "Julie and Ethan were too. And Julie was Head Girl."
"I had to keep the tradition going," Saffron laughed.
"And there will be another Potter at Hogwarts next term too," Hermione said proudly.
"Jules," R.J. said looking over at Julie. "You took the job, didn't you?"
"Say hello to the newest Defence teacher," Julie grinned at him.
R.J. hugged her. "That's fantastic."
"I'll be able to floo home every night and on weekends," Julie said. "That was a big part in me accepting the job. I didn't want to leave the girls or Nick..."
"We'd have missed Mummy way too much," Ashley agreed from her perch on the sofa. She was tying the ends of her shell necklace together.
"I'd have missed you too love," Julie said smiling at her.
"This is going to be so great," Saffron said. "I'm going to be prefect, my sister is going to be my professor and I'm going to be Seeker for the house team."
R.J. snorted.
"And what's that supposed to---" Saffron began.
"Enough, both of you," Harry said. "I don't want to hear another argument."
"Speaking of not wanting to hear another argument," Julie said. "I think it's time these two young ladies went to sleep."
Katie and Ashley groaned, but both girls had yawned several times over the past half hour.
"Come on, or you'll be too tired for boating and shopping tomorrow," Julie said, a hand on each of their shoulders. "Greta's coming in the morning too so I know you two want to be awake for that."
"Okay," Ashley said getting to her feet. She walked over and gave her grandparents a hug good night.
"Night sweetheart," Hermione kissed her granddaughter's cheek.
"Good night," Ashley said. "Love you."
"Love you too girls," Harry hugged both of them and they headed upstairs.
"Mads and I are going for a walk," Ethan poked his head in.
"You might want to bring a jumper," Hermione suggested. "It's a little cool outside."
"I'll tell her," Ethan said. "Thanks Mum. See you lot in awhile."
Maddie came downstairs and passed Alexa and Saffron as she did so. Saffron apologised for being so snarky earlier and Maddie gave her a hug and congratulated her on the good news. She found Ethan waiting for her on the deck.
"Ready to go?" she asked.
"Sure," he smiled and reached for her hand. "Have you got a jumper? Mum said it might be cool down by the water."
"Yes," she said slipping back inside to grab her old cardigan.
They headed down to the ocean in a quiet, comfortable silence. "This is nice," he finally said. "This is really what I've been waiting for. Just being alone with you and no one else."
"Kind of hard to be alone with all those people," Maddie said resting her head on his shoulder as they walked. "But I know exactly what you mean."
Ethan tightened his arm around her as they walked. "I'm glad we made up earlier," he said.
"Me too," she said softly. "But something good did come out of it."
"Yeah?" he asked, grinning down at her.
"We got a lot of things out in the open," she said.
"That's true," Ethan mused. "I wish we'd gone about it in a bit of a different way, but yeah, I'm glad that happened."
They walked in silence for a few moments and Maddie looked sideways at him. "So you haven't mentioned these big plans you have for our anniversary.."
Ethan smiled at her. "That would be because it's a surprise, Maddie Molly."
Maddie giggled. "Okay, okay..."
"You'll find out tomorrow night," Ethan stopped and turned to face her. He liked that he didn't have to look down to her, as she was almost as tall as he was. "I want to make it special for you."
"Anything we do is going to be perfect," she said. "I'd be perfectly happy walking on the boardwalk with you eating ice cream cones."
"It's going to be better than that," Ethan said, pulling her close.
"Better than that?" Maddie asked.
"Mmmhmm..." Ethan replied.
Maddie leaned in for a kiss.
Ethan hugged her as she pressed her lips to his, glad that they'd been able to work out their earlier frustrations. He knew things still wouldn't be easy but now that they both knew where they stood, things would be that much better.
"I love you," she said softly.
"I love you too," he replied. "So... so... much." he kissed her as he said the words.