There's no full explanation why this has taken me so long except I'm in my final year of my degree and dealing with some rather troubling stress induced anxiety/depression. It's got a lot better over the last few weeks and I finally felt an urge to write, so here we are.

I will be finishing this story. Promise.

I can't give you any idea when the next one will be. Not 4 months hopefully.

25th December 2017

Hermione flitted back and forth across the living room, making sure every parcel was set out just right. She was so nervous this Christmas, worried that something would go wrong and set off her volatile daughter.

She'd been nervous the week previous when she'd collected Rose from Kings Cross, and her stomach hadn't been able to settle until she'd seen her daughter tripping off a burgundy coach near the back. She'd been with Albus and Scorpius, but she was quiet, and Hermione saw when she turned her head away from her half-brother as he said goodbye to her. Rose had looked happy to see both her parents and her brother, and had hugged them all hello, even Hugo. But she'd been quiet, and when they'd reached the apparition point Hermione found out why.

"Where are we going?" she'd asked. "Your house," she said, facing Hermione, before turning to Ron, "or yours?"

Ron's lips had thinned, but he'd smiled. "Neither. We're going out for tea."

Rose only nodded and held on to Hermione's hand as she'd apparated them away.

The meal had started out well. They'd talked about Rose's first term, how she enjoyed potions and defence against the dark arts, she found herself struggling with charms, but so far everything was going well. They'd eaten their meal and had just ordered dessert before Rose decided to question her parents.

"Scorpius said that you and his dad have started going out," she stated, staring hard eyed at her mum.

Hermione sent a worried glance at Ron, but he only shrugged and nodded his head. Hermione sighed and put a placid smile on her face. "Yes, we've been seeing each other."

Rose frowned then turned to Ron. "I don't want to live with him."

Ron's mouth dropped open as he tried to decide what to say. "Rose," Hermione began, though she fell silent at the steely look her daughter shot her. Hugo meanwhile sat eating his ice cream, his eyes darting between his family members.

"Look," Ron started, "yes, your mam has been seeing your father-"

"He's not my-"

"He is," Ron interrupted his daughter's annoyed outburst. "You may not like it, but it's true. You get to live wherever you like. But, Rose, it's Christmas, so drop your attitude some. We'll talk about all of this later. Got it?"

Rose nodded and continued shifting the ice cream around her bowl. Hermione shared a worried look with Ron, though he smiled, and mouthed that everything will be okay. She wasn't entirely sure she could agree.

"Where am I going tonight?" Rose asked petulance evident in her tone.

"Rose—" Ron began, ready to admonish his daughter, but Hermione stopped him.

"It's up to you. Hugo's decided to stay with me for the two weeks over Christmas. But you don't have to, if you don't want to."

Rose scowled into her now soup like ice cream. She hated when her mum sounded so reasonable like that. Why couldn't she shout? Why wasn't she angrier? Rose wasn't used to talking back to her parents, but she felt such an urge to get some reaction out of them, especially her mum, that somehow reflected the way she was feeling, too.

Shrugging, as though she couldn't care less, Rose replied, "Whatever. Hugo won't want to be alone."

Around the last mouthful of his pudding Hugo muttered, "Don't drag me into this."

They'd left the restaurant, and Hermione had got her children into bed without much fuss, though Rose had just about slammed the door in her face and refused to say goodnight to Ron. Other than that, it was smooth.

The previous week had been much of the same thing. Rose would be argumentative, petulant and sore headed. She refused to do any chores or to really talk about her term at Hogwarts with her parents. Hermione despaired that this might be how things went from then until her daughter finished puberty. Perhaps with everything that had happened she had lost her carefree daughter to a rebellious teenager at eleven. She certainly hoped not.

The doorbell rang, jolting her from her depressing thoughts. She opened it to reveal Ron, Santa hat on his head and a grin on his face.

"Merry Christmas!" he almost shouted, before embracing his ex-wife in his arms and giving her a solid kiss on the cheek.

Hermione, who had been dreading this Christmas, relaxed and returned Ron's embrace. They separated quickly, and Hermione shut the door behind Ron and followed him into the living room.

"You're in a good mood!" she remarked.

"How can I not be? It's Christmas, both my kids are back and…I don't know. I just woke up feeling pretty good this morning."

Hermione laughed mockingly. "I bet that was nice."

Ron's brow creased into a frown. "I know you've had a lousy time, but it'll be fine. It's Christmas! It has to be!"

"I'm pretty sure that that's exactly why it might not be fine."

Ron opened his mouth, no doubt to try and bolster her feelings more, when they heard the tell-tale sound of small feet rocketing down the stairs. Hugo was down first, followed by Rose. It was the look of excitement on her son's face and even the smile on her daughter's, one of the first she'd seen, which finally managed to calm her feelings.

"He's been!" Hugo shouted, bouncing up and down around the present strewn living room.

"He certainly has!" Ron replied, joining in with his son's excitement.

Hermione wandered over to her daughter, and wrapped an arm around her. "Merry Christmas," she said.

Rose was quiet a moment, and Hermione sighed, releasing her hold, when Rose suddenly wrapped her own arms around her mother's waist. "Merry Christmas, mum. I'm sorry I've been in such a mood."

Pulling back, Hermione ran a hand over her daughter's hair. "You're quite forgiven. Come on; dig in before your brother decides to open yours as well."

Hermione and Ron joined their children on the floor, and watched with smiles on their faces as they opened their presents. A new toy broom for Hugo, a potions kit for Rose, the latest superhero DVD for Hugo, the latest teen romance for Rose, a board game for them both, the list went on and on.

While the children were busy, Ron handed Hermione a package, "For you," he said.

"Oh, thank you." Hermione smiled, before turning behind her to grab a silver wrapped package of her own. "For you."

Together they opened their presents. From beneath the starry blue wrapping paper Hermione revealed a cashmere cable knit jumper she'd seen just the other week while out shopping with Ginny, and a copy of the latest in her favourite book series. She turned to thank Ron, and found him staring at the present she had put together. It was a photo album, a large one, filled with photos of Rose and Hugo.

Suddenly nervous, Hermione cleared her throat before speaking. "I hope you like it. It's just I was sorting stuff out, getting decorations down and I saw all our albums, and I thought, well it's not fair for me to have them all. I just…well I hope you like it."

Ron turned with the happiest smile on his face. "I love it," he said, "thank you."

"When are we going to Grandma's?" Hugo asked. He was surrounded by piles of wrapping paper, with his gifts strewn all over the floor. Rose on the other hand had crushed all her rubbish into a bin bag and had made a neat pile by the fireplace of her gifts. Hermione smiled. Both her children looked happy, and for the first time she thought that maybe this Christmas would be just fine.

"As soon as you're dressed!" she cried before standing and rushing her giggling children back upstairs to their bedrooms.

It didn't take long for them to get themselves ready, to grab whatever new present they wanted to show to their grandparents, and before they knew it they were on the way to the Weasley's familial home.

They arrived outside the wards, and the children ran off almost before they'd touched down. Hermione and Ron followed at a slower pace, feeling the familiar warmth as they stepped through the numerous protective spells that kept the rather precarious looking house safe from wandering muggles.

They entered the house and Hermione was instantly surrounded by the familiar smells of home. Before she could set down the bags of presents they'd brought with them, she found herself in the arms of the entire Weasley clan. She greeted everyone one by one, and with each embrace and cheerful greeting she found her worries from earlier in the day slipping from her shoulders.

"Hermione!" Arthur cried as he came towards her with two glasses in his hands. "Punch?" he asked, though he didn't wait for a reply before he was thrusting the glass into her hand, from the rosy colour of his cheeks and the smile on his face he'd obviously had quite a bit already.

"Oh Arthur, don't crowd them," Molly scolded, scuttling forward to take Hermione's bags and jacket. "How are you, my dear?" she asked, that same maternal smile.

"I'm great. Merry Christmas!" she embraced her ex-mother-in-law who would always seem more of a mother than her own at times, and felt maybe that things were settling.

The children were found in the living room, tearing into presents from their many uncles and aunts and their grandparents. Molly and Arthur oohed and ahhed like the best of them, as Hermione sat perched on the arm of Ron's chair and watched as all the many Weasley children tore through wrapping paper. It was strange, the previous Christmas her and Ron had been fighting, and it had felt so awkward, in fact, she couldn't remember a Christmas for a long while where she'd felt so happy and relaxed. Who would have thought a divorce would have made them so happy?

Once all the presents were open and the wrapping paper had been cleared away, Molly shooed them in to the kitchen. The table and the room had been expanded to seat the impressive display of Weasley's. Molly couldn't keep the smile off her face as she watched her husband carve into the impressive turkey and piece of beef she'd been slaving over all morning. Looking around the table she saw all of her children, all happily married and all of her many grandchildren. Everyone was smiling, even Rose, who had been petulant all week. Sneaking a glance at her youngest son, she saw him spooning broccoli onto his son's plate before passing the bowl to Hermione. For a moment Molly felt a stab of wistfulness that she could no longer call Hermione her daughter-in-law, before shaking herself out of it. Hermione would always be family, as much as Harry would always have been, even if he hadn't had married her only daughter.

They ate until they couldn't move, though George and little Fred kept reaching for more, just like he would have with his late twin, until finally both Angelina and Molly scolded them. Hermione and Angelina helped Molly with the clearing of the table, before joining everyone in various rooms in the house.

It was starting to get dark, and the lamps had been lit, when Hermione finally realised the time and drew Ron away from his family to speak in whispers for fear of little ears in the quiet hall.

"Are you off?" he asked, already aware of her potential plans to take Rose to see Draco.

"Maybe. Do you think it's a good idea?"

Ron was quiet a moment before he finally spoke with an air of finality. "Yes. He's her dad, and…well I know what it's like not being able to see them all the time, and I've had eleven years. He's never really seen her, and, well I can only imagine how he's feeling."

Hermione nodded. She felt the same. It wasn't fair to keep her daughter from her father. "She isn't going to want to go. She hasn't exactly been receptive of me as of late."

"Well I'll talk to her then."

"What?" But Ron was already walking into the lounge, where the children were busy playing with their various toys. Hermione watched as he pulled Rose to the side, and watched as Rose's face fell, before she stomped her foot and crossed her arms, before finally nodding and running upstairs for her coat.

"How on earth did you manage that?" she gasped as Ron returned to her side, but he just shrugged before heading back into the living room, passing Harry on his way out.

"'Mione, glad I caught you," Harry said, stopping in front of her. They hadn't had much time to talk, with their children running all over the place. "How are you? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages, every time you come to mine you always seem to want to natter to Ginny." His eyes were laughing not accusing and Hermione found herself smiling.

"Oh dear, is the great Harry Potter feeling left out?"

Affecting a pout he nodded, before laughing. "Anyway, reason I grabbed you, Molly's having the kids for New Year's like always, so we're throwing a party."

"Like always," Hermione inputted. The Potter's New Year's Eve party had been a tradition since they'd gotten married. It was always a wild night, though Hermione had to admit she'd been a little nervous thinking about it.

"Yeah, well, me and Ginny were talking, and if you want to bring Malfoy, you can."

Hermione frowned slightly. "That doesn't sound much like an invite. More a 'if you must, you can'."

Harry sighed theatrically. "Okay. Would you please tell Mr Malfoy that's he's welcome at our annual party? If he fancies it."

"I will. And thank you, for inviting him."

Harry shrugged, before wrapping Hermione in his arms and heading back into the living room. However, he was quick to run out again muttering to Hermione as he passed.

"Forgot Ginny's punch. Oops."

Hermione was still laughing when her daughter joined her at her side.

"We're going to the Malfoy's?" she asked, a tone of petulance already creeping into her voice.

"We're going to Draco's, if you're alright with that?"

Rose nodded and preceded Hermione out of the house and passed the wards preventing apparition before she grabbed onto her arm, and Hermione twisted them away with a pop.

There was a wreath on his flat door. Hermione stared at it for a moment before knocking. She couldn't remember ever seeing his flat decorated for Christmas, it just wasn't something he went in for, but she didn't have any more time to wonder on it before the door was opened by a rather nervous looking Draco Malfoy.

He ushered them inside, took their coats and offered them something to drink before leaving them in the living room. Hermione sat down on the settee, with Rose beside her, and watched as her daughter took in the room. On the mantelpiece she saw an old photograph; it was of the two of them, on that little island he had escaped them to. Their smiles were large and sincere and as she watched the Draco and Hermione in the photo shared a rather passionate kiss. From the look on Rose's face, she'd seen the photo, too.

There were other photos she noticed. One of his parent's when they'd been much younger, about their age when they'd started their relationship, looking happy if haughty in matching navy dress robes. There was also a photo of Scorpius looking proud as punch in his brand new Hogwarts uniform. Hermione delighted in these little personal trinkets, even if Lucius' stare did make her a little uncomfortable.

"Here you go," Draco said, coming out of the kitchen with a tray on which was balanced two cups of tea and a glass of lemonade.

Before he'd even chance to settle into his chair, Rose began her questioning. "Are those your parents?" she asked, pointing to the photo of Narcissa and Lucius.

Draco swallowed slightly before nodding. "So they're my grandparents. Not Nana Molly or Grandpa Arthur?"

Hermione sighed. This was not going to be as easy as expected. "Biologically, yes. That's Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, Draco's parents."

Rose nodded. "Will I be forced to meet them too?" she asked sharply.

Draco smiled sadly. "No. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us."

Hermione's mouth thinned. She sometimes forgot how recently it had been that his father had died, and while she knew there was no real love lost between the father and son, she knew that his mother had been another matter entirely.

Rose was quiet a moment, while she sipped her lemonade, before opening her mouth to speak. She was cut off, however, by Draco.

"How was your first term at Hogwarts?" he asked."Scorpius couldn't shut up about you and the Potter's son, Albus correct?" Hermione nodded. "I take it you've been getting into all sorts of trouble."

Rose shot a scared look Hermione's way. "Not trouble!"

"Mmmm, I believe Scorpius mentioned something about an idea of yours involving dung bombs and Peeves?"

"No way!" Rose shouted, though there was a slight smile on her face that told both the adults that she was lying. "That was totally his idea. Him and Albus, promise."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and anyway, the lads we got were horrible anyway. It was Scorpius' idea after they decided to be mean to me. They weren't again," she announced proudly.

Draco chuckled before looking at Hermione. "Do you remember getting into that much trouble when we were in first year?"

"Me? In first year. Surely you remember what happened our first year at Hogwarts?"

Draco hummed, while Rose looked between the two adults with a rather confused look on her face. "What? What happened?"

"I'll tell you when you're older," Draco commented. Rose nodded apparently satisfied; it was only Hermione who sent him a rather proud look that he apparently intended to be around when she was older.

"Daaaad!" a shout suddenly rang through the flat as Scorpius marched into the front room, stopping when he saw they had guests. "Oh. Hey, Rose. You alright?"

"Yeah. What're you shouting about though?"

Scorpius coughed, obviously embarrassed at being caught shouting so loud. "Dad got me this games thingy, and I can't get it to work through my TV."

Draco's eyes went wide. He'd got him the blasted machine because Hermione had said he would enjoy it, that didn't mean he had any real idea how it worked.

"Can I see?" Rose asked, to which Scorpius nodded and the children left their parents in the living room without a backward glance.

"I thought Scorpius was going to his Astoria's parents?" Hermione asked.

Draco shook his head before moving to sit beside her on the settee. Hermione felt a thrill at the nearness of him and was reminded of the thrill she'd felt when she was the Hermione in the island photo. "The Greengrasses apparently had company this afternoon. Astoria wanted to spend some time with her new boyfriend, so I kept Scorp. I like having him about, plus this way; they can be all preoccupied leaving us some time alone."

Hermione laughed at his mocking flirtatious look. "We're alone all the time."

"I know, but I haven't seen you in a while."

Hermione shrugged. "Rose was home."

Draco nodded, casting a glance towards where they could hear their children chatting away. "How has she been?"

Hermione shrugged. "Mostly dismissive, but not too bad. Today she's been great. It's just hard for her, and she's away for most of the term. It's not like it is for Hugo, who we got to see every day and had close contact with. Generally he's fine; he has his moments, but other than that. Rose has been at Hogwarts and I'm worried…I'm worried that I'm losing her."

Draco frowned. He wasn't quite sure what to say, as his experience with Scorpius had been quite different, his son had been almost happy that his parents were separating.

"I'm sure you're not. It'll be fine." Hermione smiled, of course Draco was only saying it to make her feel better, but she appreciated the effort all the same.

"Well this didn't work every well, did it?" she commented. At Draco's frowned she continued. "Well Rose has gone off with Scorpius and to be totally honest, we'll have to get going to my parents soon." She's only anticipated spending an hour at Draco's. "And instead of spending time with you, she's…off."

Draco shrugged. "She's still here. And even if she just gets to know me though Scorp. It's a start. Maybe…I'm planning to take Scorpius out for lunch one day before he goes back to school, I could take Rose too. It might be a bit easier with him between us. After all, she seems to like her brother."

"Really? Oh that would be great! Thank you."

Draco smiled, before seemingly remembering something and leaning behind his arm chair from which he pulled a rather festive looking bag. "There's a little something in there for Rose, but that," he said handing her a small parcel, "is for you."

It was about the size of a ring box and Hermione's heart was in her throat. They hadn't even kissed again yet, done nothing more than held hands. Shaking the thoughts off, she scolded herself for being so ridiculous. He wasn't about to ask her to marry him. Opening the little box she saw a little silver key, attached to a key ring of a palm tree.

"It's for here," he explained.

"You're giving me a key to your flat?"

"I am."

Raising her brows, Hermione pulled the key out of the box. "The palm tree?"

"What can I say? I have hopes."

Hermione laughed just as Rose and Scorpius came back into the room. Hermione smiled at her daughter who managed a smile back. "You ready to go?" she asked. Rose nodded and grabbed her coat from the hook behind the door.

The children shouted their goodbyes as Draco walked them out. "Oh!" Hermione remembered Harry's offer just as they were leaving. "How are you fixed for New Year's?"

"Not at all. Just me and Scorpius this year, Blaise was on about coming over, ringing in the New Year together. Why?"

"Well every year Molly and Arthur look after all the kids, and we adults go for a party at the Potter's, and this year, you've been invited."

Hermione thought Draco's eyebrows were about to disappear into his shrinking hairline. "Really?" Hermione nodded. "Well…I think I might just pop in."

"Great." Feeling awkward with their daughter watching, Hermione quickly embraced Draco before stepping back and grabbing on to Rose's hand, ready to apparate back to the Burrow to grab Hugo before heading to the Granger's for Christmas day tea.

"Merry Christmas!" Draco called, just before they left.

"Merry Christmas!" They both returned before disappearing away.

Let me know what you think :)