“Couldn’t sleep.”
“Why?”
“Visions. They keep filling my head, I can’t get away from them.”
Severus frowned, feeling more than a little helpless as he realized there was very little he could do to help his daughter, “would you like something to help you sleep?”
“They come, even in my dreams, there is no way to stop them,” Nimue gazed mournfully up at her father, wishing as much as he did that he could help her.
“There is the dreamless sleep potion…”
“No. I can’t go through life being relying on a potion for my own peace of mind, I won’t do it,” she pulled the blanket draped across her shoulders a bit more tightly around her. “Plus, there is a chance that with extended use I could become dependent on it to sleep at all. I don’t want to risk that.”
“Well, I’m glad to see that you pay attention in my class at least,” his tone softened a bit from its usual harsh edge, “but I know that you haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since sometime before school let out. Humor me, at least for tonight, and take it so you can sleep.” It wasn’t a request, it was an order.
Nimue sighed, “I suppose… but only for tonight.”
“What am I going to do when you’re off in Greece? You’re the only one that does what I say,” Severus placed a hand on her shoulder, one of his few gestures of affection.
Nimue shrugged and gave him a ghost of a smile, “at least you’ll have more reason than usual to stalk around as the resident oversized bat of the dungeons.”
Severus gave a slight shake of his head, a scowl falling into place, “I expect that sort of comment from your less than angelic siblings not from you.”
“Maybe they’re rubbing off on me,” she offered softly.
“No… I think you’ve just been forced to grow up far too much in the last year. It’s caused you to pick up certain verbal defenses that you were too innocent to use before.” Severus felt that by this point he had showed far too much emotion for one evening, his voice turned crisp and short, “I’ll get that potion for you and then I expect you to go straight to bed.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sirius balanced Willow on his left arm early the next morning, while he reached out with his right to embrace Remus, “I can’t believe you’re going so far away Moony, but if the woman’s worth it, then I know you’re doing right by following her halfway across the world.”
“It’s not quite that far Padfoot,” Remus said with a smile, “and it will be a welcome change.”
Sirius grinned broadly, “Domestic life will work wonders on you, I know,” his gaze flickered to the little girl on his arm. “You’ll come to treasure that child she’s carrying more than life itself,” his voice grew soft. “Children are the best thing life can offer you.”
“He’s definitely got a point there,” Harry agreed, “although he got his partially grown and never got to experience the joy that accompanies sleepless nights spent caring for infants, the ever pleasant adventure of colic…”
Remus chuckled, “I’m still looking forward to it, all the inconveniences included. I suppose fatherhood is my next great adventure, and one that will be much more pleasant than what lies ahead. I feel like I’m running away going to Greece when so much of the battle to come will be here.”
Sirius shook his head, “don’t you dare think that Moony. You’ll be doing just as much if not more work for the Order in Greece than you would here. You’ll be keeping Snape’s girl safe, and recruiting allies from the tribes. Maybe you’ll even get to play ambassador to a tribe of amazons,” he threw in with a wink.
“I don’t think that would do him any good, his days of seducing random women are over… unless he would like a certain part of his anatomy blasted off by a jealous priestess,” Harry grinned wickedly.
“Let’s watch what we say,” Sirius frowned slightly, “there are little ears about.”
The other two men gave him no mercy for that comment, reminding him of some of his own escapades. Although they did make sure to use terminology that was appropriate considering Willow’s presence.
They continued in friendly banter for quite some time, so long, in fact, that Willow ended up falling asleep leaning on Sirius’ shoulder. Remus and Sirius recounted adventures from their school days and from service in the Order.
Eventually the conversation tapered off and the men were left standing there a bit awkwardly.
“Well, I guess I better get going,” Remus finally said, “we’re leaving early tomorrow morning and I still have to pack.”
“I’ll miss you Moony,” Sirius shifted Willow, who had become a dead weight, so that he could embrace his friend one more time, “you take care of yourself and that priestess.”
“I have every intention of doing so.”
“Keep in touch,” Harry added, “make sure that we know what’s going on in your life. And you better let us know the moment that little one is born.”
“Rest assured, you two will be the first ones I let know,” Remus smiled, but a part of him felt like it was being torn apart. Of the original marauders only Sirius and himself were left, and now that they both had the families they always wanted they were going to be hundreds of miles apart.
In a cruel twist of fate they had both been given what they wanted, but wouldn’t be there to share it with each other. Remus wasn’t having second thoughts about his choice to follow his priestess, but he did have to wonder at the way some things worked out.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Olivia clutched Morgan’s hand as they made their way down the main street of Diagon Alley. Morgan had felt the need to get out of the house; she would go mad if she just sat around. So she had decided it was time for a girls’ day, which meant going shopping with her daughters. She nearly smiled at how pleased Severus had been at being left out of these plans.
“Where to first girls?” she asked, feeling slightly better just from being out in the sunshine.
She was immediately hit by a barrage of suggestions.
Determined to have the majority vote the twins looked at each other and both quickly changed their answer to Madam Malkins.
“Or possibly clothes shopping in muggle London…” Serena suggested hopefully.
Morgan shook her head, “I’m not sure if I’m up for that one today, let’s just stick to Diagon Alley for now.” She released Olivia’s hand, giving her over to Nimue’s care as they entered the clothing shop.
“Sickle for your thoughts love?” Madam Malkin asked as she bustled forward.
Morgan smiled tightly, “I’m not sure they’re worth that much Emily.”
“Nonsense child, now what has you so worked up?”
Morgan decided that the best term for this fellow Order member was mother-hen, “just trying to figure out what life has planned…”
“Best leave that to the seers darling, and I’m not talking about that insufferable imposter you keep up at the school. I remember when my sons took her class…” her lips formed a tight line of disapproval. But she softened her features at Morgan’s distressed look, “I’m willing to wager you’re concerned about your own little seer.”
Morgan nodded miserably, “I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
“This worrying will get you nowhere girl, trust me, I know! What with all three of my boys off playing auror for the Ministry and fighting for the Order, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t worry about them. You’ll never stop worrying love, I know you’ve just started to figure that out with only one of yours out of the house so far, and it won’t get easier, but you have to have a little bit of faith.”
Morgan nodded mutely, “I know, I just can’t seem to shake this feeling of dread and despair lately. What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing. You’re a mother, it’s your job to worry like this. Poor dear, I wish your own mother was still alive to help you through this,” Madam Malkin addressed her patron as though she were a child, and had not been married for over twenty years, “you know that Minerva and I are always here for you if you need us.”
Morgan managed a real smile, the older woman’s prattle had somehow made her feel much better, “thank you Emily, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“No thanks needed, we have to take care of our own these days. Now, I think you need something to really cheer you up, something that will cheer that dour husband of yours up too, I’ve never seen that man wear a smile. I want you to pick out something, anything in the store, on me, that will make that greasy git you married happy when he sees you in it.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Excellent, she finally put in the stock of muggle clothes we’ve always been bugging her about,” Serena exclaimed as she perused through a stock of rather scanty tops. “What do you think Nick would like on me?”
Dierna smirked, “I have a few suggestions. Perhaps nothing…”
“Oh stop, it’s not like that with me and Nick. But I wouldn’t mind looking nice for him…”
Dierna tossed her a bright purple halter top with sequins, “I’m sure he’ll love that.”
“And I’m sure Dad would give himself a heart attack if he ever saw me wearing it, or found out that I bought it for that matter…”
“And this would be bad… why?”
Serena grinned, “alright, I’ll get it, but you have to get this one,” she held up a similar one in green with silver sequins.
“Deal, at least I’ll be wearing his house colors, less trouble for me.” Dierna shook back her hair, a triumphant smile in place, “you know it would be a shame to buy these and have no place to wear them…”
“What do you have planned and should I be worried?”
“Nothing much, although it might take awhile to orchestrate, I need to work out the details first.”
“Spill it girl, and give me the details later.”
“We should really see if he was bluffing on that whole evil ‘I have you under a tracking spell’ thing. I’m thinking a late night on the town with our guys… maybe hit the new dance club that just opened next to the quidditch supply store…”
“Excellent. What kind of details do you need to work out?”
“Just a little bit of research on tracking spells, because if there is one on us I want to know how to get rid of it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After lunch the older girls had begged their way into going off by themselves. Morgan had been a bit apprehensive, but she figured that as long as they were in Diagon Alley they would be safe. But she made sure that the three of them promised not to leave the main street and that they would meet her outside Gringotts in two hours. She had promised them that if they were so much as ten seconds late she would let their father deal with them. That had been enough to elicit a round of sincere promises of being on time from them.
“Well sweetie, hope you don’t mind, but I have some errands I have to run and I’m just going to have to drag you along.”
“I don’t mind,” Olivia said around the sugar quill in her mouth.
“Good, because I think I’m going to make you help carry packages.”
“What are we getting?”
“Let’s see…” Morgan looked down at her list, “we already got your summer robes from Madam Malkin’s, you looked absolutely adorable in that yellow set. We still need to pick up a few things for your father at the apothecary and cauldron shop and I thought we’d look at Flourish & Blotts, and since Fortescue’s is right next door I thought we might get some ice cream. Is that all right with you?”
“Yeah.”
Morgan rushed the apothecary stop, keeping a tight hold on Olivia making sure the girl kept her hands off of the merchandise. Children had taught her that potions ingredients and sticky fingers did not make a good combination.
“What’s that?” Olivia pointed at a jar filled with several greyish blobs.
“Those are sheep eyes dear.”
“Ewwww….”
“I know they look disgusting, but they’re very useful.”
“We’re not getting any, are we?”
“Not today. We just need some mandrake root, wormwood, jobberknoll feathers, and salamander blood.”
“Ewwww… why do we have to get blood?”
“It’s very useful in restorative potions sweetie.”
“So if I get sick I have to drink something with blood in it?”
Morgan chuckled, “maybe, but don’t worry, I won’t tell you if there’s blood in it or not.” She paid for the purchases and tucked the package under one arm. “Ready to move on?”
“Yeah,” Olivia had finished her sugar quill and wiped her sticky hands on her shirt.
“You will definitely be in need of a bath by the time I get you home.”
“Why?”
Morgan laughed at her daughter’s serious question. This day out really was what she needed. She was starting to feel much better now. “Don’t touch anything,” she reminded Olivia as they entered the cauldron shop. She kept one eye on her daughter as she looked for the glass jars Severus needed.
“Mum,” Olivia tugged on Morgan’s sleeve.
“What is it sweetie?” Morgan asked as she carried the jars to the counter.
“Can I get something too?”
Morgan looked down at her daughter, “I’m not sure if there’s anything here that would be much fun for you sweetie.”
“Oh… ok.”
Morgan felt a tug on her heart as she looked down at Olivia’s dejected expression. She quickly looked around the store for an idea. “Well, maybe we can find something…” Her gaze landed on a display of toy cauldrons, specially enchanted to work with a heatless fire and with spells that protected against spills and melting. “Why don’t we get you your own cauldron that way you can help your father in his lab, would you like that?”
“Yes please,” Olivia’s face lighted up.
Morgan smiled wickedly as she added the toy cauldron to her purchases; Severus would absolutely hate this idea. That made it only so much more enjoyable for her.
~~~~~~~~~~
Zach gently kissed Eva as they sat across from each other in the muggle coffee shop. He was now just counting the days until the wedding. But he was pretty sure Eva was counting the hours, if not minutes. “I don’t know how you can stand to drink that stuff.”
Eva glanced down at her mug of strong black coffee, “you sure you don’t want some?” she teased.
Zach shook his head, a look of disgust coming over his features, “I think I’ll stick with my tea.”
“Your loss,” Eva smiled brightly at him, “but you’ll have to get used to it, est ist one of my weaknesses.”
“What are your other weaknesses?
“Du musst fragen?”
Zach smiled and twined his fingers with hers, “I’m surprised that we managed to get the day off. It’s a nice change being able to go out, just the two of us.”
Eva shifted in her seat, looking a bit uncomfortable, “you have to stay at the school next school year, nicht?”
Zach nodded, “the dragons stay for security measures, and I stay with them.”
“What am I supposed to do with myself? And where are we going to live, und was ist…”
“Slow down love,” Zach squeezed her hand, “and try to stick to a language I can understand. I know there are still details to work out, but…”
“Nein! Zach, wir mussen,” she sighed at his exasperated look and switched to English, “we have to work out these details before we get married. This is important. Ich liebe dich. I want to do this right.”
“I promise,” Zach brought her hand to his lips, “we’ll work everything out, I promise.”
Eva sighed but held her tongue. There was more she wanted to say on the matter, but she didn’t want to argue anymore.
~~~~~~~~~~~
“What did you get?” Kamen asked as he dropped onto Serena’s bed.
The girls looked at each other, then back at their brother, and answered together, “nothing.”
Kamen grinned, “Let me rephrase that. What did you get that you don’t want Dad to see?”
The two girls shared a guilty look before pulling out the sequined tops.
“Very nice and it would be a good idea to keep those out of Dad’s sight. Where are you planning on wearing them?”
“Well…” Dierna put on a sweet smile, “we were thinking…”
“Oh no,” Kamen rolled his eyes towards the ceiling.
“Wouldn’t you love to take us out clubbing brother dear?”
“You know, I do think there is some value to my life, I’m not about to have it all ended because Dad finds out I not only snuck you two out, but took you drinking.”
“Nothing will happen if he doesn’t find out,” Serena batted her eyelashes and pouted.
Kamen groaned, “Somehow I know I’m going to eventually be suckered into this.”
“Come on Kamen, you know you want to take us out.”
“I starting to get far too nice,” he laid back on the bed, “fine, I’ll take you out. But there are a few conditions. First, I get to pick the night, I’m not taking any chances here and I want to make sure Dad is otherwise occupied. Second, you have to arrange for both of your boyfriends to come too. I am not playing chaperone all night in case you two get wasted and random guys try to pick you up. It’s your boyfriends’ responsibility to make sure you two stay loyal, drunk or not. If you can abide by those conditions then I’ll get you out of the house. Deal?”
“Deal,” Serena grinned, “I think we’ll manage to salvage this summer after all.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Am I forgiven yet?” Charlie asked as he came up behind Meg, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a kiss on her mass of curly hair.
“I haven’t decided yet,” she snapped back waspishly.
“You know I love you, even when you are hormonally imbalanced.”
Meg didn’t reply, but tried to pull herself out of his arms. She grew frustrated and could feel her temper boiling over when her husband only tightened his grip. “Let me go,” she hissed.
“No,” he turned her around in his arms, “I told you to come up here in rest because you need to be taking care of yourself and the baby. I am less than pleased that you were up here unpacking instead. Rest now, I’ll finish the unpacking.”
“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” Meg mumbled into his chest.
“Don’t give it a second thought. We’ve made it through four other pregnancies, we’ll make it through this one.”
“What do you mean we?” Meg frowned up at him, “last time I checked I was the one that was pregnant all those times, I made it through those pregnancies.”
Charlie smiled and brushed a stray curl out of her face, “yes you were and are the pregnant one, but I’m the one who has to put up with all the abuse. Not that I mind of course… but I do expect you to take it easy.”
“I can’t take it easy Charlie! I’m a member of the Order, same as you, I have responsibilities to fulfill, there is a war going on. I can’t sit idly by and watch, not when I’m needed!”
“Shhh… what you need to do is take care of yourself right now. The Order has lots of members, they can manage, they have before.”
Meg wiped at her eyes, not quite sure why she was crying, but knowing there would be plenty of emotional days to come, “I just want to help.”
“And I’m sure you’ll be able to, just maybe not right now.”
“Do you think there’s any of you living at home this year Charlie? I don’t think I can take care of the kids on my own, and living at the school was almost harder.”
“Don’t worry about it for now; I’ll come up with something.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
