“Of course, we are willing to do whatever we can to help,” Sirius replied adopting the formal attitude necessary for conducting business, “but, if I may ask, why do you need our help? Your priestesses are famous for their ability to control magic, not only without wands, but to a degree that far surpasses most of the wizarding world.”
Kalliope nodded, recognizing why Sirius wouldn’t understand, “there are two reasons wizard. The first is protocol, the second is the one I am more concerned about. I will be sending priestesses who must focus the majority of their energy towards summoning visions and reading the signs. I do not wish to take any chances.”
“I understand. It is better to be safe. However, depending on the length of this journey it may be difficult to find wizards able to accompany your priestesses. Many of the members of the Order are tied down. You are aware that a number of them are connected to Hogwarts.”
“I’ll go,” William inserted.
Kalliope barely resisted the urge to smile at the young wizard, knowing very well what he was thinking. “We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I have other matters to discuss with you concerning security measures for your school, but they will have to wait for another day,” she said as she rose, “I have duties to oversee in the temple. I would like a word with you young wizard before you go,” she pinned William with a demanding gaze.
William looked over to Sirius in confusion, but his step-father only shrugged and turned to leave the cool marble room. “Have I done anything to cause offense, Lady?” William couldn’t help asking.
Kalliope smiled warmly at him, “not yet. However I wish to remind you of something. The novices and priestesses of this temple have sworn an oath to the goddess. Their bodies belong to Her to be given as She decrees.”
“Of course…” William fought not to stammer, “I would never think of…”
“Sophia is still a novice of this temple, even though she will be attending the wizards’ school.”
“Point taken Lady.”
“One more thing,” Kalliope said, taking pity on the young man, “I am not well versed in the ways of the wizarding world, but I know that there are some there who would not look kindly on the relationship between two people who share a connection… no matter how strange and disjointed… to a father figure, the way you do.”
William nodded mutely.
“It is not that way here. As long as there are at least two degrees of relationship between two people nothing is said, and I admit that in the past even closer ties have been commonly accepted. We harbor few of the puritanical ideals of your culture.”
“I’m not quite sure what it is exactly that you are trying to tell me,” William confessed.
“Let the girl decide exactly who she is and where she belongs, until then try your best to keep some distance. Wait until she is a woman, more than in body, but also in her mind. Can I trust you to do this?”
“Of course,” William hurriedly replied.
“Good. Go join the men, I’m sure they can find something for you to do.”
~~~~~~~~~~
“Yes?” Severus looked up from his work, a bit annoyed at having been interrupted.
“Well you sound pleased to see me,” Morgan said a bit acidly.
Severus gave her an unreadable look, “I have resigned myself to the fact that as long as we have children living at home I will never get anything accomplished.”
Morgan crossed the room to lean against his desk, “Once the children are all gone I have every intention of taking up whatever free time you think you’re going to get.
Severus only snorted and turned back to the papers on his desk. Although he didn’t glance up he could tell that his wife was still standing there. “Was there something else you wanted?”
Morgan sighed, “I guess not.” You miserable bastard, some days I wonder if you’ve changed at all since I married you. She turned to leave, but found that her wrist was captured in an iron-like grip.
“Come here,” Severus said as he pulled his wife toward him.
“I thought you were too busy for me,” Morgan said as she glowered at him.
Severus pulled her down on his lap, “I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it,” despite the sharpness of her tone Morgan felt herself melting.
“Perhaps we should go upstairs so that I can show you that I have plenty of time for you,” Severus purred in her ear.
Morgan leaned against his chest, “sorry, it’s almost Olivia’s bedtime…”
“Dammit, you see what I mean about not having time for anything as long as the children are underfoot?!”
Morgan laughed softly as she snuggled in closer and inhaled her husband’s scent, how she loved that smell of strong soap and bitter herbs, “if you would have let me finish… as soon as she is in bed I will be more than happy to surrender myself to you.”
“I am counting on having your undivided attention.”
“And you’ll have it, as long as I have yours.”
Severus had just started to give his wife a proper kiss when they were interrupted.
“Ummm… as sickenly sweet as this is…” Serena smirked at them from the doorway.
“Whatever it is you want, the answer is no,” Severus growled.
“But I…”
“NO!”
Serena frowned, “Mum, will you at least hear me out?”
Morgan sighed, “if you want to know if you can go out tonight, the answer is no. If you wanted to ask anything else I’m willing to listen.”
Serena looked discouraged.
“You wanted to go out, didn’t you?” Morgan asked.
Serena nodded.
“Sorry sweetie, you know the answer.”
Serena scowled and opened her mouth to protest.
“Don’t,” Severus warned her. “I do not want to hear one word of protest or you will be going nowhere for the rest of the summer.”
Serena rolled her eyes, “I wish I could tell when you were serious and when you were only issuing empty threats.”
“Trust me,” Severus said dryly, “it would not be in your best interest to push me on this one. You will find out that I am very serious.”
Serena glared at him before turning and stomping out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her.
Severus cringed slightly at the sound. “Where were we?” he asked as he turned his attention back to his wife.
Morgan laughed as she buried her face in her husband’s neck. “Perhaps you should lock the door,” she suggested between giggles.
Severus immediately sent a locking curse at the door. “I believe I know exactly where I was…”
Morgan tried to sit up, “I have to put Olivia to bed…”
Severus held her firmly on his lap as he pulled out his pocket watch, “I have half an hour,” he said as he pulled his wife against him, “and I intend to make the most of it.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Please say you’ll go with us,” Sophia pleaded.
Remus looked down at her skeptically, “isn’t there something you’re supposed to be doing in the temple right about now?”
Sophia rolled her eyes, “I’ll do them later.”
“Uh-huh… I know exactly how well that worked the last time you begged off. Kalliope gave me a full account. Was it really that much fun scrubbing the floor of the altar room for skipping your duties? Because I wouldn’t have thought that you’d be so eager to do it again…”
Sophia tried her best puppy dog eyes, “please… I really will do them this time… and me and Nimue really want to go to the village, and we can’t go unless we have an escort…” she decided to try a new tactic… “maybe Sirius and William would like to come too.”
“You’re a right sneaky little thing,” Remus said as he shook his head. “Fine, if Kalliope gives you permission we will take you, but you have to ask her first.”
Sophia grinned back at him triumphantly, “and she said that if I managed to talk you into taking us it would be alright.”
Remus frowned, “you little… you know I was counting on her to say no.”
“And she figured you would. Guess I win this round,” she said as she grinned up at him cheekily.
Remus sighed, “Fine, I’ll concede. But you will behave yourself.”
“Don’t we always?” Nimue asked innocently as she joined them.
Remus looked between the two girls, “you,” he said as he pointed a finger at Sophia, “are a bad influence on her.”
The two girls merely grinned at him angelically.
“Go get the horses.” Remus sighed again as the two girls ran off towards the temple stables. “Why do I let myself get talked into these things…?”
“Because you’re too soft,” Sirius informed him.
“Thanks for that vote of confidence, Padfoot, it really helps.”
“Anytime Moony, that’s why I’m here.”
“Why is it that two teenage girls are harder to control than an entire classroom of students?”
Sirius shrugged, “beats me. It’s not a task that I envy either. Although I want to be there when Snape’s little girl finally gets to go back home. The look on that greasy git’s face the first time she talks back to him will be priceless.”
Remus smiled, “that probably would be good… think I ought to warn him and Morgan that Nimue is finally starting to come out of her shell?”
“Nah… it will be more entertaining to spring it on them. Just be sure to let me know when and where.” Sirius stared out at the rolling waves, “are you ever coming back to Hogwarts?”
Remus turned his head to look at the only other surviving marauder, “I don’t know.”
“You’re not then. At least not for any extended amount of time.”
Remus looked down at his hands, “I had to make a choice. I chose love.”
“Over everything you’ve ever known!”
“Over a wizarding community that hates and fears me for what I am. The people here are more accepting of… beasts.”
Sirius dragged his eyes away from the rolling water, “you are not a beast. And you know that your condition has never altered our friendship.”
“I know. It’s just… there are some things I’m tired of bearing on my own. I feel like I can start again here. No questions asked, just a blank slate.”
“I suppose I shouldn’t sound so bitter,” Sirius mused, “I would follow Elizabeth to the ends of the earth and beyond if I had to.” He stood up and brushed the grass from his clothes, “looks like the children are headed back this way. Try to look a bit more excited.”
Remus shook his head, “it’s hard to look excited when I never know what they’re going to find to get into.”
“I think that’s a bit of an understatement,” Sirius said as the girls and William joined them, leading the horses.
“The temple only has four horses,” Sophia explained as they came up, “me and Nimue will ride together, because” Sophia paused to roll her eyes, “she’s still scared of the horses.”
“I’m not scared!” Nimue insisted, “I just don’t like being up so high…”
“Right…” Sophia drawled as she swung herself up on one of the mounts before reaching down to give Nimue a hand up. As soon as she made sure the men were ready she turned to flash them an impish grin, “I think we’ll ride along the beach,” and she quickly kicked her horse into a canter, while Nimue through her arms around her with a shriek.
“Nope… I wouldn’t trade places with you for anything,” Sirius told Remus, “I’d much rather teach at Hogwarts than deal with this.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
