“Come on Kamen, out of bed mate. If I am up this early you have to be too.”
“No…” Kamen buried his head under his pillow and tried to hide from whatever miscreant was trying to draw him out of sleep. Mornings were the antithesis of his very nature.
“I’m not in the mood to deal with this,” William yanked the covers completely off of his friend.
“Oiy! What you playing at mate? I could have been completely starkers under there for all you know.”
“It was a risk I was willing to take,” William dropped the armful of blankets on the floor, “let’s go, we have flats to look at.”
“Fine… I’m up… now get the bloody hell out of my room so I can put some clothes on…” Kamen rolled out of bed and blinked, squinting against the harsh morning light.
“I really don’t want to watch you change anyways,” William said as he left the room.
Ten minutes later Kamen came down the stairs, trying very hard not to trop over his own feet, as he was not quite feeling awake yet. He headed straight for the kitchen, hoping that a cup of coffee would get him moving.
“Here,” William pressed a steaming mug into his hand the minute Kamen crossed the threshold into the kitchen. “I thought you would be wanting this.”
Kamen gave him a half hearted salute as he sat down and took the first burning sip, “this better not be decaf,” he warned.”
“How should I know? It’s whatever your parents have lying around here. And speaking of parents…” William rushed to the kitchen door as it opened and lifted Morgan bodily from the floor, “I think this one is sad that she won’t get to see me in class next year.”
“I’ll cry into my pillow every night,” Morgan said dryly, “and I do enjoy keeping both my feet on the floor.”
“Kindly put my wife down Mr. Darcy,” Severus said in chilly tones. Although he did admire the way his wife was handling herself. Laughing and joking with the boys as they flattered her… she had so much vitality. Her vivacious spirit was something he had come to love about her.
Sirius glanced at his watch and then back up at the boys who were trying to outdo each other in their attempts to simultaneously tease and cajole Morgan. “I have a feeling its going to be a very long day…” he muttered. “Alright boys,” he rubbed his hands together, “we better get going if we’re going to find you a place to live. I made appointments for us to meet with some people who are interesting in renting and we don’t want to make them wait.”
“Yes, please get on your way and out of here,” Severus encouraged them.
“Trying to make me move out faster?” Kamen shook his head, “that is no way to treat your favorite son Dad.”
“You may be my only son but that does not automatically make you my favorite son,” Severus arched an eyebrow, “in fact, you’re quickly headed on your way to being the least favorite.”
“Then I best leave while I’m still ahead. Mum, I’d ask you to start packing for me, but there are some things in my room I’d rather you did see. But please feel free to set aside any furniture you want me to have.”
Morgan rolled her eyes, “you my dear son, suffer from illusions of grandeur.”
“I assure you, they are not illusions,” Kamen bent to kiss his mother’s cheek, “I’ll be back later, hopefully to move my stuff out. Feel free to start missing me.”
“Alright, let’s get moving,” Sirius ushered the boys outside, “shall we try the place in Diagon Alley first?”
“Sure,” William grinned, “I like the idea of living there, it’s a good distance from the prying eyes of parents.”
“Um-hmmm… and how far away do you want to be from those ‘prying eyes’ when the rent comes due?” Sirius asked.
“He has a point mate,” Kamen conceded.
William shrugged, “at this point I just want a place of our own, anywhere. I can’t stand living at home any longer.”
“I’m still here you know,” Sirius reminded him before they all apparated to Diagon Alley in front of Gringotts. “Now, its on a side street this way,” Sirius started leading the way down the main street past Madame Malkin’s and Flourish and Blotts. “Here it is, number 17.”
Three places and several hours later the boys were starting to feel more than a bit discouraged. One place had been far too small, one way out of the budget, they had been fine with the third, but Sirius had taken one look at its deteriorated condition and the rather seedy looking landlord and had said no.
“I think we were doomed before we set out,” Kamen said glumly.
“I know… doomed to live at home forever,” William added.
“Stop feeling so sorry for yourselves, we still have one place left to check out,” Sirius said looking at the notes he had with him.
“Where is it?”
“Hogsmeade.”
“That wouldn’t be hateful,” Kamen said, “with all the rebuilding they’re doing Hogsmeade should have a night life again in no time.”
“Excellent.”
“The quality of the night life is not what you should be basing this decision on,” Sirius reminded the boys.
Kamen shook his head, “I think that you’ve forgotten what its like to be young and out on your own. You’re starting to sound like a parent.”
Sirius smiled, “well I suppose that’s because I am a parent now.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to act like it,” Kamen countered, “we do not need a babysitter, we just wanted some friendly advice from someone who has been where we are before.”
“And I know you brought me because you didn’t want to bring your mothers or Snape,” Sirius shot back. “Since you’ve got me here I am going to feel free to offer my opinion where ever I feel it is needed, even if it is not wanted.”
“Why did your mother marry him?”
William shrugged, “beats me.”
“Maybe she thought he would be good in bed?”
“This is my mother we’re talking about, please stop.”
Sirius shook his head as the banter continued, sometimes he swore it was like they were eight and not eighteen, or maybe there just wasn’t that much difference… “This is it,” he said leading them into a large ivy covered brick complex.
“Wicked,” Kamen stated as they stood in the entry way, “excellent decor.”
“Gotta love a fountain,” William said with a smirk gesturing at the marble fountain featuring a girl pouring water out of a jug.
“I am not just a fountain, I have feelings you know!” The water stopped flowing as the stone girl stood upright and balanced the jug on her hip. She brought a hand up to adjust the kerchief tied over her head, “well! Stop gapping and show a bit of respect. You could start by introducing yourselves.”
“I’m William, and the one with the dim look on his face is Kamen.”
“I’d say you both look a bit dim to me,” she set the jug down at her feet and used both hands to adjust the bodice that was supporting her rather ample bosom, “blasted thing never stays up the way I like it…”
“Is it bad that something made of stone can be so…”
“Provocative?” Kamen supplied.
“Yeah…”
“If you boys are done making a new friend would you like to see the flat that you came here for?” Sirius said.
“Sure…” they boys replied, sending one last glance back at the fountain before the followed Sirius and the landlady up a flight of stairs.
“This is it,” Mrs. Figg said as she threw open the door.
“They’re certainly keeping you busy,” Sirius said quietly.
“I do what I can,” Arabella replied in a whisper. “When the Order asked me to come here… how could I refuse? We all have to do our part. I may not be able to fight with magic, but between me and Anastasia this place should be as safe as we can make it.”
The boys had gone ahead into the flat and had already thoroughly explored it.
“This is perfect!” William declared, “two bedrooms… I am sharing with this git…”
“A kitchen we’ll never use… or clean…”
“A spacious living room, perfect for entertaining the ladies…”
“We’ll take it,” Kamen declared.
“Wonderful!” Arabella declared, “You can move in anytime. Let’s go downstairs, we’ll get the papers signed and tell Anastasia. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Are we ready to decide something definite yet?” “I told you, I’ll be happy with whatever you want.” “I thought it was the women who got all excited about making the wedding plans?” Eva gave Zach an exasperated look, “Nein! There’s so much stress and es ist so…” she through her hands in the air, “I just don’t want to deal with this on top of everything else.” She sighed, “I did not mean it in that way,” she said after seeing the look on his face, “I’m just… tired.” She sank down in a chair. Zach knelt in front of her, “I know you are, you’ve had a lot on your mind recently. Leave this to me, I’ll figure something out. Actually, Alberto offered to help with wedding plans.” Eva’s eyes went wide, “I’m not sure if I trust Alberto to plan our wedding.” “I don’t either, but he promised he would behave himself and that he had… connections.” Eva chewed on her bottom lip fretfully, “his connections worry me.” “I thought you didn’t care about the wedding itself as long as you got married,” Zach teased. “Of course mein Schatz, that is what matters. It just terrifies me to think of what Alberto could potentially come up with.” “What if I told you that me and Alberto have already planned everything out, would you trust me with that?” Eva smiled, “it depends on what you have planned.” “What if it’s a surprise?” “Are you going to keep asking me questions or give me a real answer?” Zach dropped a kiss on her cheek, “does it bother you?” Eva pulled away from him and put her hands on her hips, “du bist…” “Do you really want to say whatever you’re planning on saying?” “I’ve been on my own for a long time Zach, I’m not used to giving up control like this.” Zach wrapped his arms around her, “I’m just trying to give you one less thing to worry about. And I know you like to be in control, but you have to let me in. You’ve become a target, and I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you safe. Now, I have a meeting to get to, can we end this conversation for now?” “Go… I’ll be here waiting for you.” Zach kissed her one last time before heading out. Not that he had far to go, both of them were staying at Hogwarts for the summer. He had to stay to keep an eye on the dragons, Eva simply didn’t have any other place to go. It wasn’t safe for her. He took the stairs two at a time as he headed up to the headmistress’ office. Things were starting to come together. He only hoped that this was a good sign for the future. “Mr. O’Hara,” Professor McGonagall greeted him at the door, I believe I may have come up with some answers to your questions.” “And what questions do you have answers for?” “I believe I’ve solved the problem as to housing, and I believe I’ve devised a plan to keep Miss Bhaer occupied during the coming school year.” “Excellent! Before I get all the details from you I have a little news of my own.” “Alberto has unfortunately been called back to South America?” her face was stern, but her eyes betrayed her amusement. “Not exactly…” ~~~~~~~~~~~
