Harry groaned as he got out of bed, heading towards the window. If there was one thing he wished, it was that the magical world would just bloody switch to phones. He threw the owl some treats, watching it fly off. He yawned as he opened the letter, scanning the contents. It was just the usual crap from Kingsley, asking him to return to their world for the millionth time. He didn't bother writing replies anymore. Whatever contact he kept with that world was on his terms. And his terms was fuck everyone except Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley and Rose.

He went to the bathroom, grabbing his razor to remove the stubble that had been plaguing him since his sixteenth birthday. While most his friends could go two days without any stubble, Harry was guaranteed to have it every morning. He wiped the remaining foam from his face once he was done, placing his contacts in.

He went to the kitchen, sighing once he sat down for breakfast. Rose was back in Hogwarts, so he was starting to miss spending weekends with her. The restaurant was officially in the hands of the sous chef he had trained up, so he spent the days just lounging around the house, watching shite tv. He had done all he could with Lily's Dream, and he knew it was in good hands. Naomi was a good chef, and her aunt would've cried watching her reaction to her promotion.

He was broken out of his thoughts by a knock on the door. He made his way to the door, opening it to an upset Hermione. "Hermione? It's 7am, and a Saturday, what are you doing here?"

"Ron and I had a fight…" Hermione stared down at the ground. "We got into a really heated one and he's after telling me to leave…"

Harry frowned. "So, the guy you left me for has kicked you out and you think I'm just going to open my arms and let you cry?" He asked sarcastically.

Hermione sighed. "I just, I didn't know where else to go…" She admitted. "Please, just until ten? My parents should be at work then…"

Harry walked towards the kitchen. "Shut the door. I've eggs and bacon on." He didn't bother looking at her as he talked, instead he focused on the frying pan.

Hermione sat down, running her hands through her hair. She couldn't believe she had come to Harry's of all places. She had to have finally gone mad. Although a small part of her had hoped he'd be sympathetic, she understood his anger completely. For a brief second, she saw the two of them as teenagers again, both trying to understand each other. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking properly when I knocked here…"

Harry plated up some bacon and eggs for her, putting toast on the plate. "It's only til ten, then you're out of here." He put the plate on the table, pouring some coffee.

Hermione gave him a weak smile. "Thank you." She took a sip of the coffee, picking at the food. "I'm a bitch."

Harry scoffed, sitting across from her. "If you're looking for someone to disagree, then you have definitely picked the wrong person." He pointed out, giving her a quick glance. "You're just you. If people can't deal with that, it's their problem."

Hermione chuckled. "How do you always know what to say?"

"Years of training staff and helping them with confidence issues." Harry shrugged, taking a bite of his eggs. "Needs salt."

Hermione glanced around the kitchen. "I like that picture." She smiled, noticing the picture of Harry and Rose from Italy. "She told me you sent her a dessert pizza to Hogwarts. All her friends were begging for a slice."

Harry smiled. "She said she wanted them once a month, so I promised her two a month when she's at school." His sadness slowly crept back in. "That's the first picture I have of us together. I miss her being here on weekends…"

Hermione watched him. "She came back from Italy a lot happier than when she left. I don't know what you said to her, but she had definitely let go of whatever weight was on her shoulders."

Harry looked at her. "She was stressed about you and Ron, worried about how much of a toll it was taking on Hugo and worried that the two of you were splitting up." He replied bluntly. "She's too young to be worried about shit like that, especially when her mother is supposed to be an intelligent witch."

Hermione frowned. "She was carrying that much..?"

"Yes!" Harry snapped. He felt his anger bubble to the top. "And while you and Ron were acting like a couple of teenagers, my daughter was comforting her younger brother, who was terrified from the fighting." It was like something had finally snapped within Harry's mind, like he couldn't let her drown in pity when she was responsible for a lot of her own problems. "You see, you and Ron have always been selfish pricks when it came to things like that. Your seven year old son has been bedwetting because of it. He wakes up to glass shattering from your fights. And how do I know this? Rose tells me things, Hermione. The poor girl had to shower and change him more than anything in August. So tell me, why the fuck wouldn't the girl be happier when she came back? She had a glorious week away from the constant mental strain of you and Ron."

Hermione stared at him in shock. Had she been that bad? She felt fresh tears come to her eyes as she thought about the fights she had with Ron. She couldn't look Harry in the eye. Her heart broke as she thought about her daughter's summer. "I'm a horrible mother…"

Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "No, you're not. But you've let this crap with Ron hurt Rosie." He calmed himself down a little. "Look, no matter what Ron may think, I'm not trying to get you back." He said softly. "In all honesty, Mione, I can't trust you anymore."

Hermione wiped her eyes. "You can't trust me? After all this time?"

Harry stared at her. "I don't care about you cheating on me, that crap is ancient history, but hiding Rose from me, that was low." He frowned. "And don't give me that 'I was scared you'd hate me' crap. You didn't want Ron being pissed off." He finished his food. "You were worried that he'd dump your ass, and then you'd be alone. You put him before your daughter."

Hermione's eyes watered up. "Honestly, you're right." She whispered. "When I saw her, I knew she was a Potter. I knew she was your child." She smiled sadly. "And I was so happy. I had a daughter…we had a daughter. But then I saw Ron's eyes, and I knew I couldn't tell you. You hated me, Harry. I didn't want to be alone in raising Rosie…"

Harry shook his head. "Even if I did hate you back then, I would've been there for you. Not the way he was, but I would've been there for my family. But you chose to keep me in the dark." He felt his own tears starting to form. "And now, I don't feel like her father. I'm just the fucking glorified sperm donor…he got to be her dad…I didn't."

Hermione closed her eyes, trying not to burst out in fresh tears. All she could hear was the pain in his voice, just like when Sirius died. Just like the day Remus and Tonks died.

"And that's why I can't trust you. You let him take the only thing I ever wanted from me…a family. And while you had two kids and a happy life, I lost my daughter and I lost a wife, an unborn child…all my friends and my fucking godson to you and him. They all took your side, everyone except Rose." Harry frowned. "And all I've had is bitter memories and alcohol to keep me company. So don't come crying to me that your life is fucked. The only one fucking your life up is YOU!"

Hermione stood up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here…" She walked out of the house, disapparating away.

0o0o0

Elizabeth opened the door to her crying daughter, bringing her inside. After two cups of coffee and a box of tissues she had finally gotten the story out of her. She stared at her daughter in shock once she finished. "First off, are you dense?" She asked softly. "You went to your ex for sympathy?"

Hermione sighed. "I didn't know what else to do, it was like instinct…go to Harry when you need him."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I swear to god, sometimes I think you received brain damage when you married Ron." She rubbed her forehead. "Sweetheart, what Harry told you is the truth. You and Ron have been selfish in regards to your children's feelings." She poured two cups of tea. "Harry has been in every letter Rose wrote me this month. The way he acts, sending her desserts…I'm starting to see what her life could've been like, and it makes me wish that I had one of those Time-Turners you used to own."

Hermione took a small sip of her tea. "Did you hate Ron that much..?" She asked softly.

"Honestly, I did. I still do." Elizabeth sighed. "Sweetheart, you were the best thing to happen to your dad and I. For as long as you've been alive I've wished nothing but the best for you, but…I was disappointed when you left Harry. Here was this amazingly gentle young man who cared about you more than he did life itself." She held her daughter's hand. "And you leave him for someone who has argued with every decision you've made in life." She chuckled weakly, playing with her daughter's engagement ring. "Harry came here the day before you broke up, asking your dad for your hand in marriage." She whispered. "He teared up, hugged Harry and welcomed him to the family…even called him son."

Hermione frowned. "Really?" She asked sadly. "He came here to ask for Daddy's blessing..?" She knew her father had wanted a son, though he never loved her any less. The thought of her father welcoming him to the family just made the pain worse. "I need to talk to him properly one of these days…"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Your days of talking to Harry about things like that are gone, sadly." She finished her tea. "He's right you know, about trust. What happened between you and Ron, hiding Rose from him, I can understand how he feels. You shattered any form of trust that could be held."

"Why does everyone take his side in this..?" Hermione asked sadly. She knew the pain he caused him. Hell, she hated herself for it, but why did everyone have to side against her? She had been young and stupid.

"Because no one did!" Elizabeth sighed. "Hermione, you and Ron had people who supported you. Who supported Harry? No one. He is bitter because of that, and rightly so."

Hermione closed her eyes. "I suppose everyone forgets that…Harry lost everyone in the war. There was no one for him to confide in properly."

Elizabeth nodded. "Exactly!" She finished her coffee, putting the cup on the table. "Harry was the perfect gentlemen, Mione. And for years I've tried to rationalise your reasons for choosing Ron over him. Then I remembered the old saying; love is blind. Except in your case, it's blind, deaf, mute and an idiot!"

0o0o0

While Hermione spoke to her mother about everything in the past, Harry made his way towards Diagon Alley. He hadn't stood foot in the area in close to eighteen years, but he knew he had to do this one thing. He walked into Weasley's Wizards Wheezes, seeing Ron behind the counter. "I need to talk to you." He said roughly.

Ron frowned. "I'm working." He replied, ringing up the customer. "Did Hermione tell you to come here?"

"No." Harry shook his head, sighing to himself. "I wanted to do this privately, but ok." He grabbed Ron's shirt, pushing him into the backroom. "I've gotta ask. Were you dropped on your head or have you always been this stupid?" He asked, tossing him into one of the shelves. "You got Hermione, two kids and a good life. But you're throwing it away out of some form of stupid jealousy."

Ron stood up, throwing a punch towards him. "Fuck you! We both know she wants you more than she wants me."

Harry caught his wrist, twisting it behind his back. "I do not want your wife." He spoke angrily. "I cannot trust her. I can't." He released Ron's wrist. "You were my best fucking friend. The brother I never had…" He frowned. "And you stabbed me in the fucking back, Ron…"

Ron rubbed his wrist. "It wasn't supposed to be like that…" He sighed, sitting on the floor. "In all honesty, it wasn't. We got talking one night and things happened. She was scared, Harry. Scared that things were moving too fast." He closed his eyes. "I didn't mean to sleep with her, but it was just two teenagers being stupid." He ran a hand through his hair. "I still regret that day, Harry. The look of pain on your face, it broke my heart, Mione's too…"

Harry shook his head. "And yet you're still actively trying to end your marriage." He chuckled weakly. "Fix your marriage, Ron. I don't care about your wife. I don't care about you. In all honesty, if the two of you died tomorrow I wouldn't shed a tear. I just want my daughter to be happy." He fixed his shirt.

"Wait," Ron frowned at him. "Why do you care about my marriage..?" He asked. "Honestly, what the hell does it have to do with you, Harry? Do you take joy in watching it fall apart?"

"Honestly? Yes." Harry smirked. He let out a bitter laugh. "But I can't stand seeing Rose upset. And the one thing that's really upsetting Rose, it's how this is affecting Hugo. Your son is the victim in all of this, and neither of you can realise that Hugo is upset. Where is he now by the way? Since you kicked his mother out?"

Ron sighed. "With Mum…" He felt tears come to his eyes. "I…twenty-six years of knowing you, and you still put Mione and I ahead of everything else…" He chuckled weakly. "I'll make things right, Harry. Thank you…"

Harry frowned. "I'm not doing this for your gratitude." He said angrily. "I'm doing this because I don't want my daughter worrying about everything." He shook his head. "You and Hermione, you deserve each other in that regard. All you've ever thought about was yourselves…"

Ron looked at him. "I suppose it's too much to expect you to forgive us…"

Harry shook his head. "Forgiveness isn't something I can give anymore, Ron. I hope you and Mione make it work, just for your child's sake, and for my child's sake. But don't think that means I'm going to just forgive you both for keeping my daughter from me. Especially you, Ron. The one who saw everything I went through first hand, and you still stabbed me in the heart."

Ron closed his eyes. "I just…I want to…" He shook his head. "I don't deserve all this. For years, I fucked up and tried to be selfish, and it wasn't until Hermione threatened to leave me that I finally pulled my head from my arse."

"And yet you throw her away." Harry sighed. "Ron, for your sake, fix it." He said softly. "I lost my wife. I don't get to spend time with her anymore. We didn't get to start our family. Our crib didn't have a happy baby in it…" He played with his wedding ring. "I can never hear her voice again. Don't lose that. Don't throw away Hermione."

Ron nodded, standing up. "Harry, I know this means fuck all to you, but I do wish things could go back to the way they were."

"I don't." Harry said softly. "Life taught me a lot of things, Ron." He stood up, dusting his trousers out. "The life I've lived, it's allowed me to learn a lot of things. One of those things was that life is cruel. Rose has become the only light in my life now, and I'm trying to do this for her sake, not for yours."

Ron watched his old friend leave, heading back to the register.

0o0o0

Rose didn't know what to expect when she got off the train for her Christmas holidays. Her mother had told her that she and Ron were going to marriage counselling, and that they both started to realise the effects their arguments were having on both her and Hugo in the last few months. She was happy to hear that they were working things out, but things that were written sounded false to her. She had a feeling that Harry had a hand in doing all this, which would be something he'd do. What worried her about that was the lack of communication she'd had with Harry for the last few weeks. His letters had become slightly dulled, almost like he was trying not to tell her something.

She grabbed her trunk, walking through the platform. She stopped as she saw Teddy standing there with a grin on his face. "You ready, Potter?" He asked curiously.

Rose nodded. "Why are you here?"

"Your Mum and Dad are at one of their counselling sessions. So I told them I'd pick you up." He grinned. "Now come on, my car is double parked." He warned.

Rose smiled, walking out with her. She put the trunk in his car, noticing the scratches. "You've been racing again, haven't you?"

Teddy shook his head. "Worse, I'm teaching Victorie to drive." He pulled a face. "Now, get in."

Rose put her seatbelt on, turning to him. "Have you spoken to Harry?"

"No." Teddy sighed. "At this point, I have no clue what to say." He admitted, gripping the steering wheel. "I'm scared, Rosie. I turned my back on him because I thought he didn't want to know you. I let teenage stupidity fuck me over."

"Just like Mum and Ron did." Rose chuckled softly. "It's a running theme with people and Harry. As for you, all you'd have to do is come with me on Christmas Day, he'd be delighted to see you."

Teddy shrugged. "I'll think about it." He sighed. "Besides, I think I've said somethings that can't be taken back."

Rose nudged his arm. "He loves you, we both know he'd forgive you."

Teddy smiled, turning the corner. "And when did you stop calling Ron 'dad'?"

"When he started acting like a fool." Rose shrugged. "I don't feel comfortable around the two of them. I just hope they're working on it a lot more than they said they are."

"You seriously need to stop taking all this shit on your shoulders, Rosie." Teddy said, turning the radio on. "You're sixteen years old, all you should worry about is relationships and homework."

Rose rolled her eyes. "I'm not in a relationship, Teddy. I told you that last month. I'm focusing on my studies."

"I know, I know. Your Mum told you to work on the grades a little. Failing one O.W.L doesn't mean you have to drop all parts of a social life, kiddo. You have to have some fun as well." Teddy said seriously. "You'll have plenty of time to worry about real life when you're my age."

"You're only two years older than me!" Rose sighed.

"I'm also two years wiser than you." Teddy chuckled, stopping the car for a moment. "I can't believe I'm on chauffeur duty twice today." He shook his head.

"Twice?" Rose asked.

"I spent the morning driving Victoire and her mum around." Teddy rolled his eyes. "I'm telling you, since she learnt to apparate, I never get a chance to relax. She was at my flat by 9:30."

Rose smirked. "That's what you get for falling in love." She teased.

Teddy whistled as he flipped her off, stopping the car for the final time. "Here we are." He opened the door for her. "Casa de Weasley."

Rose smiled. "Thanks Teddy." She hugged him. "See you soon?"

"Of course." Teddy smiled. He helped her bring her stuff in, fixing her trunk onto her bed. "Well, they should be back soon. Want some company while you wait?"

"I'll be fine." Rose shook her head. "I promised Nana Granger I'd call her the second I got home to have a catch up chat."

Teddy nodded, giving her a final hug before he left. He got into the car, driving away from the house.

Rose ran towards the phone, dialing the one number she knew she had to call before all others. "Harry?" She held the phone on her shoulder for a second. "When did all this marriage counselling stuff happen?" She asked politely.

Harry smiled through the receiver. "When your mother ended up outside my door a few months back. She and I had an argument, then Ron and I had an argument, and then things got a little better."

Rose frowned a little. "Ok, so why did Mum go to you?" She asked, walking to the backyard. "Not that I'm upset about things, I'm just wondering why would you intervene after everything they did to you?"

Harry sighed a little, standing in his own garden. "In all honesty, Rosie? I did it for you." He said softly. "You were so upset about things that I knew I had to do something to make things better. Your mother loves you, and Hugo, so does Ron. They just needed someone to kick their arses for them." He chuckled a little. "I know the last few months were hard on you, and that it had a bit of an effect on your grades, so I hope this will let you relax a little more."

Rose sat down on one of the patio chairs, feeling the cold air on her cheeks. "You really are something else, Harry." She smiled a little, looking around the garden. "What are your plans for Christmas morning?"

"Nothing." Harry admitted. "I'm not much of a Christmas guy the last few years. Why?"

"Well Nana Weasley's having a big get together at the Burrow. It'd be nice for you to be there." Rose whispered, playing with the hem of her shirt.

Harry thought about what she said for a moment. He hadn't spent a Christmas at the Burrow in years. Not since he and Hermione had dated. He rubbed his forehead. "Ok. Just let me know when I'm supposed to be there." He could already feel the tension start in his head.

Rose smiled. "7am."

"I'll be there." Harry promised her, staring at himself in the mirror. What the fuck had he just agreed to?

0o0o0

Rose groaned as one of her younger cousins woke her up at the crack of dawn. While she enjoyed Christmases at the Burrow, she also enjoyed sleeping for more than six hours. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, staring at two of her cousins. "Go!" She warned them, standing up. She made her way to the bathroom, which was thankfully devoid of people at the moment. She didn't know how her grandparents coped with having the entire Weasley clan under one roof at the holidays. She knew there was some room sharing going on with certain individuals, and that just made her laugh.

She showered for the day and brushed her teeth, fixing her clothes on for the day. Her mum had helped her pick out some clothes for the day. It was a tradition from her mother's side of the family, mostly her great-grandmother. She fixed the top and cardigan over her shoulders, putting the matching skirt on. She fixed her hair into a simple braid, which was immensely more challenging when done by only one person. She checked her watch, noticing that her father was due to arrive within twenty minutes. A small smile appeared on her face as she thought of what was going to happen today.

She walked to the room most the boys were sleeping in, jumping on Teddy's bed. "Wake up sleepy! IT'S CHRISTMASSSSSSSS!"

Teddy jolted up, staring at the blob in front of him. "What? Who's there?" He yawned, wiping his eyes. "Rose?" He turned his head. "It's 6:45!" He groaned, pulling the covers over his head.

"Get up!" She pulled the covers away from him, pulling him by the arm. "Harry's coming at seven, so you need to look presentable." She whispered, leading him out of the room.

Teddy stopped once they reached the bathroom. "H-Harry's coming..?" He asked, his hair going to a limp brown. He glared at her for a second, trying to think of something to say. "Does everyone know he's coming?"

"Only you, me, and Nana Molly." Rose opened the door. "Now get ready!" She ordered him, pointing at the shower.

"Yes Mum." He replied sarcastically, closing the door behind her. "I'm going to eventually kill her." He mused to himself, getting into the shower. He thought about the argument he and Harry had the day he walked out of his godfather's life. He had said things that he had no right to say, especially about the way Harry handled his life.

He dried himself off, staring at his eyes for a moment. He had no real eye colour, nor a hair colour, but for as long as he could remember, he kept his eyes in a soft shade of green. He smiled sadly for a moment, fixing his hair to its usual blue hue. He dressed in his bomber jacket and jeans, heading down to the kitchen. He didn't check the time before going however, and found himself hearing a familiar voice.

"Still trying to dress like a rebel?" Harry asked, his voice tickled with humour.

Teddy turned around, his hair once again falling back to its limp brown state. "H-Harry." He stuttered out, gripping the counter for support. He noticed that his godfather looked a lot better than he used to, especially with regards to his eyes. They were full of life once again.

"That's my name." Harry nodded, smirking a little at his godson. "Limp brown. Expecting to be grounded, Edward?" He asked, his tone turning into a false sternness. He hadn't seen his godson act like that in years, though he also hadn't seen his godson in years at this point.

Teddy let out a weak chuckle, allowing his hair to return to the blue hue. "You're looking a lot better than the last time I saw you." He finally managed to say after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence.

"Thanks." Harry pulled out a chair for him. "I trust you're doing well?" He asked, pouring three cups of coffee. He hadn't seen any other adults, and guessed that his daughter had planned to surprise everyone with his presence. Why did the girl have to be so much like her grandfather, Sirius and Remus?

"I'm doing good." Teddy took a seat, bringing the coffee to his lips for his first bit of caffeine for the day. "How's the restaurant business?"

"I'm retired." Harry said softly, mixing milk into his coffee. "Naomi's after taking over my duties as head chef. I still sit in some nights and act like a host, but that's only when I feel the need."

Teddy nodded, playing with the cup. "I'm in my last year of Auror training." He tried to avoid his eyes. "Shack reckons I might be as good as Mum was…"

Harry watched the young man for a moment, trying not to sigh. He reached his hand over and placed it on Teddy's shoulder. "I'm not angry at you." He whispered, keeping his voice steady. "You were young, Teddy. Believe me when I say that kind of anger is perfectly reasonable." He chuckled weakly. "It's good to see you though." He smiled, running his free hand through his own hair.

Teddy smiled. "It's good to see you too." He whispered, hearing footsteps from above. "The floodgates have opened. They are coming." He turned to Rose. "We should take cover."

Rose rolled her eyes, hearing several pairs of footsteps entering the room. It only took a second for her aunt Fleur to loudly announce the special guest for the day.

"Harry Potter!" She called out, kissing both of his cheeks. "You've gained some experience under those eyes."

Harry chuckled. "And you finally lost the accent."

"Indeed." She smirked, taking a seat near him. "And I see you're speaking to my future son in-law." She eyed Teddy carefully.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Now there's some news I haven't heard." He gave an almost feral grin. "Tell me, my dear Flower, have you caught the two hellians in a moment of passion?"

Fleur caught on to what he was doing. "Nothing too graphic I'm afraid, though judging by the screams of pleasure from the bathroom last night, I would suggest that my daughter will not awake for an hour or two." She watched the young man's hair turn a deep shade of red.

Harry burst out laughing. "Aw, he's so cute when he's all flustered."

Teddy placed his head in his hands. "Why did I agree to come here?" He tried to remind himself, turning his hair to an old school colour of jet black.

"Because my daughter would be here." Fleur smirked.

Harry shook his head. The day had began to progress into one of the best Christmases he had in years. Hermione and Ron had chosen not to ruin his day by speaking to him about anything other than small talk about Rose's grades and other stuff. Molly had knitted him one of her trademark sweaters, and he had in turn given out small gifts to everyone in the room. He spent most the time with Teddy and Rose, laughing with the two of them and teasing his godson over his girlfriend, which was enjoyable. All and all, it was the first step to fix a lot of bridges.

A/N: It took a lot for me to pick an ending that I found I liked. Many people hated this story for being 'harsh' to Ron. I don't dislike Ron, I truly don't. I just think he got away with too many betrayals. I hope you liked the ending. I didn't want to bog it down with a cheesy epilogue filled with unrealistic goals from the characters. I wanted it to end as it started, with a lot of work ahead of the characters.