mashup by Dunigan

It was a warm and sunny morning in early September. The sun peaked through the willow trees surrounded by a tall two story cottage that belonged to a witch and wizard who were notably famous for helping defeat Lord Voldemort. It was around 8 a.m., and a tall man with messy red hair was woken by the sound of things being scattered about, as if the person in the room next to his was looking for something important. The man yawned as he rose from his bed; standing beside the bed he smiled and chuckled, as if he knew the reason for the noise. Before he left the room he kissed his wife on the cheek as he watched her sleep. He walked into the hall and stood outside a door frame looking into a room that was bright yellow and had posters of his favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons hanging on the wall. He stared at the beloved person who had her back to him.

“What are you looking for?” he asked with a smile.

The little girl was the spitting image of her mother.

“I can’t find Hogwarts, A History anywhere, dad!”

“Don’t worry Rosie, we’ll find it.” Ron Weasley said with a smile on his face, thinking of his wife when she misplaces something and is in a panic.

As they continued to search for the book, Ron came across one under his daughter’s bed.

“Is this what you were looking for?”

Rose ran to her dad giving him a hug — more of a squeeze, really — and took the book.

“Thanks dad, I would have been lost without it!” Rose said.

She ran out of her room coming across her mother who was standing outside the room.

“Hi mum!” Rose said as she ran downstairs.

Ron gave another famous chuckle as he saw his wife enter the room.

“What was all that about?” she said, giving one last yawn.

Ron put his arms around his wife. “She lost Hogwarts, A History,” Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed, “Again? That girl likes to lose things,” Hermione said, as she gave her husband a morning kiss.

“Yeah, I wonder where she gets it?” Ron said with a smirk.

The two made their way out of their daughters’ room to check on their young son, Hugo, who was still in his bed, lying on his stomach, drooling on his pillow and snoring. The two laughed at each other quietly. “Sounds familiar,” Hermione said with a half smile. Ron looked at her and kissed her on the head. They headed downstairs and found Rose sitting at the kitchen table eating cereal and reading her book for Transfiguration. Hermione headed towards her daughter and Ron went to get himself some cereal.

“Rose, haven’t you read that one already?” Hermione asked as she sat down next to her.

Rose responded with a nod, since her mouth was full of cereal.

“You do know that you don’t have to read the books before you start school, don’t you Rosie?” Ron asked as he sat across from them.

“Yes but I believe it’s better to be prepared,” Rose said in the most Hermionish tone.

Rose set aside her Transfiguration book and took out Quidditch 101.

“That’s the book you should read before going off to school,” Ron said.

“It teaches you everything about Quidditch,” Rose said with excitement. “Once I make the Quidditch team, I’ll know everything.”

Ron was slightly amused and gave a proud smile as he saw Rose exit the kitchen and into the living room. Hermione was now giving Ron a glare.

“What?” Ron asked with his mouth full.

“How did you manage to get her all excited about Quidditch?” Hermione asked.

“My charm.”

Hermione laughed. “Yes Ronald, you charm does work wonders.” Hermione was now making her way upstairs to wake up Hugo. About an hour passed by and everyone was dressed and almost ready to head to King’s Cross. Ron went into the living room to check on Rose when he found her looking sad. He made his way to couch that she was sitting on and took a seat beside her.

“What’s the matter Rose”? Ron asked. “Enjoy yourself for a while yet, go outside play with your brother.”

Rose looked at her dad with tears in her eyes. “I’m scared dad,” she said while sniffling.

Ron put his arm around her. “What are you scared of?”

“Everything,” Rose said putting her arms tightly around Ron’s waist. “What if no one likes me, what if I don’t make any friends, what if I’m not smart enough….” She could have gone on and on.

“Rosie, everyone’s going to like you, you’ll make lots of friends, don’t forget, Albus will be there with you, you two are best friends already.” Ron held her head up so she could see him and said, “And you will always be smart enough, maybe the smartest in your class. Just like your mum.”

“That would be brilliant, wouldn’t it, dad?”

“Yeah, it would.”

Rose gave Ron a smile and a kiss on the cheek and ran outside to play with Hugo. Ron went to the window that overlooked their front yard to watch the two people he loved more than anything in the world play together before one of them set off to begin a new journey in their life. Hermione was making her way to the kitchen but found Ron instead.

“What are you doing?” she asked in a sweet tone.

“Just watching them play.” Ron said.

Hermione smiled and put her arms around his waist.

“I’m going to miss Rose. She’s our first born, Hermione, and she’s leaving us,” Ron said.

Hermione was resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m going to miss her too, Ron. But we both knew this day would come. She’s growing up. We have to be strong about this.”

Ron made his way across the room with his hands in his pockets. Hermione followed him; she knew he still had more to say, so she didn’t stay far behind. Ron sat by the wizard chess table. Ron was examining the chess pieces as he spoke.

“Remember how much her and I would play wizard chess?” he asked as he moved some chess pieces around.

“Almost every night, you taught her well,” Hermione said with a smile.

Ron laughed. “She beat me so many times. She beat me during our third game. Smart one she is. Thank goodness she’s inherited your brains.”

Hermione entangled her arms in his and sighed. “She may have inherited my brains, but Ron, she’s more like you than you know.” A smile was spread across Hermione’s face as she had just spoke. She loved to think that her children had Ron’s joyful and spirited personality, but also had a conscience like hers that told them when they were getting too carried away.

Less than a minute later they heard multiple footsteps coming from the kitchen. Hugo was in the doorway looking at his parents.

“Dad can you take Rosie and me on your broom before we go to King’s Cross?” Hugo asked with excitement.

Ron looked at Hermione asking for her approval. Hermione’s smile indicated that he should take them flying.

“Can we, dad?” Hugo eagerly asked again.

Ron smiled at his son.

“Yes! Rosie, dad’s going to let us fly!” Hugo yelled.

Rosie ran to her dad and gave him a hug and almost didn’t let go until he got his broom.

“Alright, Rosie I’ll take you first,” Ron said.

Rosie jumped with excitement and got on her dad’s broom. They were off.

Hermione was now outside standing beside her son, watching his facial expressions as he saw his dad and sister flying. Something Hugo always loved to do. As Hermione watched them to, she recollected the first time Ron had taken his baby girl flying. Hermione had tears in her eyes, as she realized her daughter was growing up.

Disclaimer: The characters of and situations of Harry Potter used in this story are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner. We are just borrowing them. No copyright infringement is intended.