"Mummy!"
Ginny knelt down so that she was face to face with James, "yes, Jamsey?" She said.
"When's daddy going to be home?" James looked up at her with big, brown eyes.
Ginny smiled, "soon, now go play."
James giggled, a sound that melted Ginny's heart, and ran off to see Auntie Hermione. Ginny sat baby Lily in a high chair and began to feed her apple purée as she had a disliking for the pumpkin purée. Lily didn't so much eat, as slop all the food down her front. The small strands of hair growing on her head were already a fiery red, Ginny could tell she was going to grow up with red hair. Lily gurgled happily and Ginny smiled softly.
"Sweetie," Ginny murmured, "there's going to be a time when things get bad. Daddy and I promise that, no matter how bad things get, we'll always protect you - even when you think you can protect yourself." She paused and laughed slightly before continuing. "We just want you to know that we love you very much. Daddy might leave a lot, but he has to. We will always keep you safe." She felt tears threatening, a slight tug at her sleeve made her jump. It was Albus, staring up at her with big, emerald eyes.
"Mummy?" He said in his little voice, "why "y'r-you crying?" He stumbled over his own words, unsure of the correct grammar.
Ginny blinked back her tears, "mummy isn't crying," she whispered, lifting Albus up onto her knee, "mummy's eyes are just tired." Albus seemed to scrutinise her as he stared intensely, the way Harry did when he was figuring someone out.
"Mummy looks sad," he squeaked, "when daddy doesn't look. Mummy doesn't smile."
What her youngest son had just said took her breath away, "sweetie, I'm not sad, I'm tired.
Albus screwed up his tiny face in confusion, "tired?" He repeated as if it were a foreign concept.
"Yes, Al, tired," Ginny said softly, just as James ran in.
"Mummy! Mummy!" He cried, "there's a man at the gate! He won't leave!"
Ginny slid Albus off her knee, grabbed her wand and said, "James, keep your brother and sister here, OK? Do not leave this room."
James took Albus' hand and they sat on the table so they were eye height with Lily, Albus took Lily's hand and the three sat united. Ginny left the room, closing the door behind her. She walked out into the gorgeous spring weather, the warmth filling her up. She looked over at the gate to see-
"Neville!" Ginny exclaimed in delight, running towards her friend. She embraced him and kissed his cheek.
"Hey, Gin!" Neville laughed, "how are you?"
"Good," Ginny said, "how's Luna? How's married life treating you?"
Neville grinned coyly, "good, how's the children?"
Ginny smiled, Neville always managed to keep up with her life. "They're great, would you like to come in for a drink?"
"Yeah, sure, thanks." Neville opened the gate and followed Ginny back to the house. They entered the kitchen and James moved in front of Albus and Lily, Neville gave a small wave.
"It's OK, Jamesy," Ginny assured him, "Neville's a friend of mine."
James relaxed.
"Anyway," Ginny said, as she tried to make tea but was stopped by Kreacher ("Kreacher's miss must not make the tea, Kreacher must serve his family"). "It's convenient that you showed up, we're having a family dinner tonight at The Burrow, I was wondering if you and Luna wanted to come?"
