A/N Welcome Back, readers, to this the ninth book in the Heritage series. If you haven't seen any of my books before, it begins with Jennifer Craw and the Phoenix Wand, which is alternate HP books 5,6, and 7... written before those books came out. For those of you returning, this book is a bit odd in that it's starting at Christmas, continuing just a few months after we left off in JC and the Servant of Danaan, and is mostly centered around the Order of the Owls, who have changed somewhat while Andrew was away. I'm not going to set a time schedule on this one since I'm back to school in a month, so you may want to sign up for notifications either here or on twitter if you want to know when chapters go up. I'm also hoping to give myself enough time to start on covers for the books and also to upload fixes to books from the Headmaster Chronicles on (the three short stories) and will also let you know when those go up. Happy Potter day, and Happy Christmas in July... and here you go!
Chapter One
Snow
The snow began late the night before. It was still light and soft the next morning, but there was a great deal more to come, that much Mercy was sure of. She shivered from the chill surface of the frosty windows, smiling happily as she swiftly cleaned them and dusted the drapes. She loved the holidays when family was home, and that Yule was bound to be a busy and exciting one. Andrew had already gotten up, had his tea, and had left to run errands, but there was no doubt that Jennifer was likely to be the next one awake.
"Darcy, see to the fireplaces! The mistress will be up soon," Mercy told the other House Elf helping her clean the living room. She pulled the drapes back tightly, knowing that Jennifer would want to look out at the weather, and then went to the kitchen to clean the window there.
It wasn't long before Jennifer came in, already dressed for the day and wide awake despite having not had her first cup of coffee yet.
"Mercy, are you about?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, mistress," Mercy said, immediately appearing next to the curtains she had just pulled back.
"Where is that special blend of coffee that Sally gave me? Surely I still have some left for today," Jennifer said, searching the cabinets. Instantly, it appeared on the counter. "Thank you very much! Is Francie here today?"
"I'm here!" Francie suddenly appeared on one of the stools, beaming at them.
"Francie! You are still in your Hogwarts clothes!" Mercy scolded her, pointing accusingly at her chef's outfit with her name embroidered on it.
"It's all right, Mercy, she can wear it if she likes. You know, perhaps we should get you a uniform as well," Jennifer pondered thoughtfully. Mercy gasped.
"Mercy doesn't need a uniform! Mercy has a button!" Mercy protested.
"Yes, but wouldn't you like a nice dress? I could make some myself if you like, in fact, that'd be rather fun. I haven't attempted any sewing in quite some time, really," Jennifer admitted.
"No. Mercy has a button," Mercy said insistently.
"Mumsy doesn't understand, Mistress. Mumsy won't have to leave if Mumsy has a dress. Francie didn't have to leave Hogwarts, Mumsy. And Francie chooses to go where Master Severus goes. It didn't change Francie."
"Francie has a uniform to protect Hogwarts against bad Elves like Mopers. He can not get in here any more. Mercy doesn't need a uniform," Mercy argued then looked towards the hallway, growing more alert.
Severus stepped in, looking between them questioningly.
"Giving it another go, are we?" Severus inquired.
"It is not going well, Master Severus," Francie admitted. "Mumsy thinks she doesn't need a uniform for house security, sir."
"It is true that is why all of the Hogwarts House Elves have uniforms now," Severus said, sitting at the bar and tapping at the bag of coffee pointedly. Jennifer smiled and poured it into the grinder. "But the truth of the matter is that all the House Elves at Hogwarts were freed years ago, even before I became I became Headmaster. Did you know that?"
"Yes, Master Severus. It was because of Professor Weasley," Mercy said solemnly.
"When Albus came to her and offered her the position of Deputy Headmaster, Hermione made it a condition of the job that he would free all the House Elves and that they be paid a fair wage equal to what anyone else would if they had the same jobs. How he snuck that into the budget, I have no idea. I had my hands full with other problems when all of this occurred, such as spending time in jail," Severus recalled. Jennifer smiled sheepishly at that. "I didn't even know they were on the payroll until I took over as Headmaster, and since it all was said and done with by that point and everything was running smoothly, there was no reason to question it. I do admit that the fact they were already freed made it much easier to convince them to wear uniforms after the castle breach. None of the current House Elf staff wants another occurrence of a House Elf getting in that doesn't belong any more than I do."
"Mercy does not want that either, but that does not have anything to do with Mercy," Mercy said firmly. "Mercy will not allow it to happen again in the house, sir."
"Of course you won't, Mercy," Jennifer said. "But what Francie said is right too. You can have a uniform and still stay with us as long as you like. Accepting clothes doesn't mean you can't stay. Honestly, you've always been like one of the family to us, you know that. I can even make your wall button a part of your dress if you want."
"Mercy is happy with what I have now, Mistress," Mercy said firmly.
"Jennifer," Severus interrupted. Jennifer looked over with a frown. "It is still her choice." Jennifer sighed at that, understanding both what he said and didn't say with a simple glance.
"Yes, you're right, I suppose," Jennifer said. "Although it would have been rather fun to make outfits in that size." Severus rolled his eyes at that. "Are you going to help me with the baskets today, Severus?"
"I'm sure you'll have plenty of other volunteers for that. Besides, Ginger is coming over in a few minutes to have our chat. I believe I'll take my coffee to the library," Severus decided.
"I'll bring up your tray, sir," Francie said, disappearing, and Severus wandered back out again.
"Will there be anything else, Mistress? Breakfast?"
"Yes, we should start on that, but since we're going to have company early, I'll have Francie make up a large batch of scones for everyone that comes in. Could you wake up Leu and have Andrew bring Quintin down?" Jennifer asked.
"Master Andrew has gone to run errands in Hogsmeade, mistress," Mercy said, fading away.
"Oh, yes, that's right! Well, I'm sure Leu can manage," Jennifer decided and began pulling things out of the cupboard. "I think I'll make some of that cocoa recipe that Albus gave us."
"Perhaps some ginger tarts to go with it?" Francie's voice inquired.
"A lovely idea! Oh, did you hear the door just now?" Jennifer asked.
Andrew set down a bundled up tree and kicked off his boots, taking a moment to elongate the coat and shoe racks in the hall before stepping into the kitchen.
"Good, morning, Mother! Corey reports that everything is handled in Hogsmeade. Apparently they made their baskets yesterday," Andrew said, setting some pine garland down on the chair. It immediately disappeared.
"Oh, that is good news," Jennifer said, setting a coffee cup down on the tray that Francie was preparing. It then disappeared as well.
"Also, Essie asked me to let you know that this snow isn't going to let up anytime soon. In fact, she sees one of the biggest winter snows we've had in a while, especially here in London. She suggested if you have any Muggle-side errands that you should do them today before everyone goes into a panic when they're not able to use their cars for Christmas shopping," Andrew explained.
"I believe I'm done with them all, but we really ought to warn Lucky when she gets here," Jennifer decided.
"When will she be back from California?" Andrew asked, peering in one of the mixing bowls that had appeared on the bar.
"Sometime before noon," Jennifer said, glancing outside. "Look at that, Andrew. It's already starting to come down heavier."
"So it is," Andrew said thoughtfully, and then smiled. "I wonder if there will be enough before this evening that I can make Quintin and the others a snow park? It might be worth the work, especially if this snow's not going anywhere until after Christmas. I could do the whole yard up."
"Surely not by yourself," Jennifer said.
"I don't mind. Is that cocoa on the stove? Any marshmallow cream? I suppose I could just ask Father..."
"Don't you dare. The last thing we need is him feeling mischievous on Yule," Jennifer chided him.
"Yes, that would be dangerous," Andrew chuckled. He got up and fetched his boots from the hallway. "By the way, Mother, I made sure we had enough room for everyone's coats and boots on the rack tonight."
"Thank you, Andrew. Darcy, are you about? Perhaps some extra mats in the hallway as well? They're down in the lab," Jennifer called out.
"Yes, mistress," Darcy's voice answered.
"Mercy, do you suppose I could make uniforms for the rest of your staff?" Jennifer asked. Andrew looked at his mother curiously, leaning on the back door to put his boots back on. "As Head House Elf, that's your call, you know."
"Mercy doesn't think so, but Mercy will think about it," Mercy's voice said. A cup of cocoa was ladled out and set on the table.
"Thank you, Mercy," Andrew said. "I'll just take this out with me."
"Don't forget to put on a warmth charm..."
"I am a Hogwarts Professor, Mother. And I am old enough to figure that out without you reminding me," Andrew teased her, grabbing his cup. "Save the reminders for Leu and Quintin."
"You're right. Sorry," Jennifer said sincerely. Andrew grinned at her in amusement before going outside. Jennifer then stepped into the hall to check on their progress. Leu and Quintin were slowly making their way down the stairs.
"Hi, Mummy!" Quintin said.
"Good morning. You are taking your time on the stairs," Jennifer observed.
"Quintin is still a bit nervous about them," Leu explained.
"Five minutes, six seconds!" Quintin declared when he got to the bottom.
"That wasn't exactly what I meant, but thank you," Jennifer chuckled. "Come and set the table!"
"What is it?" Quintin wanted to know, pointing at the tree.
"You'll see soon enough. Breakfast first," Jennifer insisted. Quintin frowned at that, following her into the dining room. "Yes, I know it's early, but I have a great deal to do today and it's best you both get an early start as well. And if I'm not mistaken, you'll have someone to play with today."
"Who's coming over?" Leu asked.
"Everyone later, of course, but it sounds like Ginger and Justice will be here this morning," Jennifer explained. She heard the front door shut and looked up as Aurelius poked his head in from the hallway.
"Am I not invited?" Aurelius inquired.
"Oh! Good morning! I didn't know you would be here as well. After all, I know what you're schedule is like," Jennifer explained.
"I brought him just in case you needed backup. Justice can make it hard to talk to Severus at times," Ginger explained.
"Oh, now don't worry about that! Leu can surely help watch these two. Have you eaten?" Jennifer asked.
"No, Mum, I know better," Aurelius replied, taking out one of his wands long enough to transfigure a high chair.
"Is Severus in the library already?" Ginger asked.
"Of course. He knows not to hang about in the kitchen when there are baskets to be made," Jennifer chuckled.
"So do I, actually," Ginger agreed, stepping back out into the hall.
"I can help, Mum," Aurelius offered.
"Just what do they talk about when they have one of these talks, anyway?" Leu asked curiously.
"Us," Aurelius said dryly. "And how to try and get around us." Jennifer chuckled at that. "It's a support group for people who are married to Truth Seekers. I expect there will be another member in twenty years or so. How is Rus doing with his training, anyway?"
"Very well, although from what Alex has told me, it does cause some uncomfortable arguments between he and Jay from time to time," Jennifer admitted.
"Maybe Jay needs to be in the support group," Leu suggested. Jennifer grinned.
"You may have a point, Leu. I grew up without a sibling, so I can't imagine how that would be," Jennifer said.
"Uncomfortable as hell," Aurelius said curtly. Jennifer gazed at him intently. "I don't really remember that much before I cut myself off, but what I have been able to work out with the Pensieve the experience was miserable, at least on my end. It wasn't just you, Mother," he added quietly, Jennifer's gaze softening. "It was everyone, really."
"Perhaps you could help me with Rus, Aurelius? You might understand what it's like dealing with siblings better than I. You might have some ideas on teaching him how to cope that I wouldn't know," Jennifer suggested.
"All right," Aurelius agreed, Jennifer smiling and nodding in approval. "Speaking of siblings, where's Andrew? I've been wanting to talk to him but I don't often get a day off."
"Oh! He's in the backyard creating a play area for the children. From what he was thinking about, I expect he'll be out there most of the day," Jennifer added with amusement.
"I think I'll go help him then, unless you need me," Aurelius said. He glanced over at Justice, who was too busy playing bang the spoons with Quintin to notice.
"No, run along. I won't need help until the gingerbread are ready to come out, and I've much to do before then. I'll send some scones out when they're done," Jennifer assured him.
"Thanks," Aurelius said, stepping out into the snow.
Andrew was in the middle of the yard gathering what he could to make a circular platform, his hair and coat dusted with snow.
"Wow, it's really coming down," Aurelius said, looking up at the dense clouds.
"Biggest storm of the decade, so Essie thinks," Andrew said cheerfully. "Hullo, didn't know you were going to be here today."
"Traded for the overnight flag-watching duty on Christmas," Aurelius explained.
"Are you sure that's a fair trade?" Andrew grinned.
"Actually, it's perfect because it means I can go to Natalie's party before my shift and come home to spend Christmas morning with Justice," Aurelius said. "Are you making a carousel? Not enough snow for that."
"Just a baby's carousel. I'll do a fort with a slide for the bigger kids once the snow's packed in more," Andrew decided. "A tunnel maze, a small snowball targeting range over there, and that'll leave this area here for an eating area."
"You're not going to have enough snow to do all of that, at least not one day's worth," Aurelius chuckled.
"No, but I will have enough by Christmas. I thought I'd start with the carousel and target area first and see how things go after that," Andrew said.
"Well, let's clear the snow from the table area first and put the tarp up because I think I smell Francie's scones in the oven," Aurelius suggested.
"Good! I need to gather enough snow for three mounts. Want to make one?" Andrew asked.
"Fine," Aurelius said.
The two of them used their wands to roll up the snow around the tables as if it were a blanket, dropping it into piles out of the way while Andrew found the tarp and put it up over the area.
"Perhaps we do have enough to make the carousel," Aurelius mused, looking over the pile.
"I'd say so," Andrew agreed, then glanced at the table. "Look, there are the scones and a pot of something. Hot chocolate, I think."
"We should probably stop and eat, then," Aurelius suggested. He sat down and grabbed a scone, Andrew doing the same. "So how does it feel to be back?"
"Very good, actually, I can't wait to... oh... that wasn't what you meant, was it?" Andrew asked, stopping himself. "You didn't mean physically, did you?"
"Take it however you like," Aurelius answered with a shrug, pouring their drinks.
"You wouldn't be out here to talk about the more trivial answer," Andrew decided.
"I came out here to help you set up the yard," Aurelius said. "It's been a long time since we worked on anything together. I think the last time we tried was that incident trying to transport that Fomorian we thought was a siren, and you know how well that turned out."
"Well, let's do better on the yard," Andrew suggested, looking out at the falling snow. "Do you know how I really feel?" he asked, suddenly turning back around again and poking at the cream on his cocoa. "I feel like a complete and total idiot for letting things get that bad; for letting myself run away from who I really am for that long, and for letting my fears run rampant and get in the way of my faith in our mother. I've been an utter fool."
"True," Aurelius said, Andrew responding with a dirty look. "It's alright, Andrew, we've all been there. And we've all had a similar wake-up call, you know, even though with Alicia and Alex it was both concerning Father rather than Mother. But my experience was a lot more like yours and I felt exactly the same way about it. I just went through it a lot younger."
"When was that?" Andrew asked with a frown.
"When Mum showed up at the Malfoy mansion looking for me," Aurelius explained, Andrew's face changing when he got lost in a memory. "In the process I found out that Mum had left both her job and Father because she was worried about my safety."
"I remember that. To be honest, I try very hard not to think about that year. I've always felt so guilty about my part in that, and how she left the school because of it," Andrew admitted. Then he grimaced. "Come to think of it, I guess I was so caught up in how I felt about it that I didn't really think about how she felt about it. I only knew that my actions caused her to fly off the handle; I never questioned what happened beyond that. In fact, that's been my problem since Mum disappeared and became Jackie from New York."
"Really?" Aurelius replied with surprise. "I don't remember you really changing much until after that horrible day in the Riddle House with Malfoy. You were always the family anchor."
"Yeah, that played a part in it too," Andrew admitted quietly. "When Mum disappeared, I was so busy trying to stay strong for the rest of you that I ignored how badly I had been hurt by it. I pushed it aside and didn't want to deal with it. I wasn't okay. I wasn't okay going to Hogwarts without Mum there, and I wasn't really strong enough to be everyone's anchor. But I forced myself to do it because I had always done it before and the rest of you depended on me. I wasn't even aware that I was hiding anything, really, it was a subconscious thing. I didn't know until Merlin forced me to see it... so that I would be able to accept Mum's love enough that it could protect me from Samira and her court." Andrew glanced over somberly at Aurelius. He had been studying Andrew carefully, getting a glimpse into his memory of that night and the battle that had followed.
"I'm sorry that I didn't see it earlier on, Andrew," Aurelius said at last. "Perhaps if I hadn't been so blocked off I would have noticed sooner."
"You were going through your own version of hell at that moment. Let's face it, we all came into that school with baggage to sort out. It's just that some of us left with a lot more baggage than we came in with," Andrew said dryly. He grew quiet again, more conscious of how Aurelius' gaze never left him. Finally he decided he didn't care. "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to toss out a bit more baggage while I'm at it, if you don't mind."
"Feel free. I'm family, after all. I'm not likely to roast you for it," Aurelius shrugged.
"Fair enough," Andrew said. "It's about Ginger, actually. I always thought of her as just a friend during school. Halbert was the one interested in her, not me, and the first time I asked her out, it was with the sole intention of trying to get her hooked up with Halbert."
"Everyone in the school knew that," Aurelius said with a snort.
"Yes, but as time passed, my fears began punching holes in me," Andrew sighed. "I didn't want to feel abandoned or alone again. But I also didn't want to become so attached to someone that if something happened to that person I would be hurt again so badly. And since Ginger liked me more than I liked her, I sort of used to her fill that..."
"Sort of?" Aurelius challenged him. Andrew grimaced in apparent pain. "And then, when she started getting attached..." he prompted, having no intention of letting Andrew off the hook this time.
"I panicked," Andrew admitted. "I asked for an open relationship, and then to prove that I wanted one, I started making a list of every girl in the school who had responded to my flirtations and made certain she knew I was seeing them all."
"And the carousel began," Aurelius finished, munching on his scone. Andrew nodded somberly, eating his as well. "Until Ginger and I got together, and that hole you had filled with meaningless relationships got dumped out and you realized that your fear of loneliness had gotten bigger due to your own actions. That is when you shut everyone out."
"Everyone that I could, at least. Everyone but Quintin, really, who hadn't done anything in my opinion to deserve it. In some ways, I pitied him. And I was confused by him. And I was... well, I still am a little... jealous of him," Andrew admitted.
"Jealous? I should say so!" Aurelius said so emphatically that Andrew smiled at him in surprise.
"I'm jealous of him too, you know. Alicia as well. Hell, Alex was so jealous of him that when she found out the board was going to allow Quintin to stay in the castle, the Ministry had a full-fledged Green Monster attack," Aurelius said.
"Really?" Andrew said with a laugh.
"Yeah, I was there for the clean up and the cover up," Aurelius admitted. Andrew laughed again as he was imagining that. "You know, if our parents thought it was at all possible for us to be with them when we were growing up, I think they would have tried it. Especially if they felt it was safer."
"Yes," Andrew acknowledged to himself as well as to Aurelius. "It wouldn't have been possible. And it wouldn't have been safer."
"But I'm still jealous," Aurelius added. Andrew chuckled.
"Me too. I suppose there's no helping it," Andrew said with a smile.
"At least you're not denying it anymore. Or anything else," Aurelius said, getting up. "We'd better get back at it. Your carousel platform is nearly covered, you know. We should probably build it higher up."
"A good plan," Andrew agreed, getting up and going over to the pile. "So how long did it take you? I mean... after that year you almost got expelled... to feel comfortable around Mum again?"
"Years," Aurelius said. Andrew's face grew somber again. "But don't forget, Andrew, I was still denying my ability as a Truth-Seeker then, and it's that ability which had caused the biggest rift between me and Mum. We couldn't reconcile completely until that was all sorted out and I could understand her on her own level. Don't worry, Andrew, I don't think it'll take you as long. You aren't in the same position as I was and you aren't denying anything anymore."
"That's true," Andrew said, going back over to the platform. "Rel, I'm glad we had this talk. And I'm glad I'm being true to myself again, considering it's my dishonesty with myself that must have caused the biggest rift between you and I."
"Obviously," Aurelius said with a thin smile.
"Are you going to make a unicorn mount?" Andrew asked.
"Also obvious," Aurelius agreed. "What about you?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll make one that looks like Radiance," Andrew said daringly.
"You are feeling brave today," Aurelius chuckled.
"Yes. I wonder if my bravery will last long enough for me to make some sort of amends with Ginger?" Andrew asked, hoping Aurelius would give him some insights on whether or not it was even possible. "I rather would like to be friends again."
"I don't know," Aurelius admitted, answering Andrew's internal question as well. "I mean, it isn't like you were friends to begin with. If you started changing as early as you say you did, she hasn't really met the real Andrew, has she?"
"No, I suppose not," Andrew realized. "I guess that means it's going to take time as well. Never mind, us coming to terms is enough for one day!"
"Gee, thanks," Aurelius said. "Don't tell me you have a black book full of people to reconcile with as well now."
"As a matter of fact," Andrew answered jokingly before the two got back to work. The conversation changed then... back to childhood before Andrew was in Hogwarts... reminiscing about other snowmen and snow forts and holidays they had together growing up.
When Severus and Ginger came down the stairs, Jennifer was peering out the kitchen window with a glowing smile on her face.
"And just what are you doing besides not finishing the springerle?" Severus asked critically.
"Oh, Severus! You must see this, do come over here!" Jennifer said insistently.
"I have seen snow before," Severus said, reluctantly allowing himself to be dragged over to the window.
Curiously, Ginger went over to the back door, pulling the curtains back. Then she found herself staring, for Aurelius and Andrew were standing on either side of a half-finished carousel, both laughing at something to the point it had interrupted their work. Aurelius then said something that had made Andrew put his arms on his hips, saying something in response. Instead of responding, Aurelius reached down and threw a snowball at him, and a moment later a skirmish erupted, with an occasional spell thrown in here and there. It was, however, not like any argument that Ginger had ever seen them have before. It was a playful, mischievous dispute, to the point where the dispute may have just been an excuse to lob snowballs at each other while carefully maintaining a distance away from the carousel so that their work wouldn't be knocked down in the process.
"Who the hell are those people?" Ginger exclaimed, unaware that she had even said it out loud.
"He's back, Severus! He's really truly back!" Jennifer said, barely able to contain her elation at that fact. "They're all back now! All of four of them at last!"
"So it would seem. It will be interesting to see how it affects his teaching style when he returns," Severus said, Jennifer slapping a hand back at him for that.
"Oh, you would say that! No school business today, that includes conjectures about teaching!" Jennifer scolded him. "Yule is about family, Severus."
"Hogwarts is part of our family, Jennifer. And besides, I thought Yule was about making springerle, which isn't getting made."
"Why don't you put on an apron and make them yourself then," Jennifer scolded him. The she noticed Ginger, still staring out the window. "Care to help with the biscuits, Ginger?"
"Sure, although I'd rather make the gingerbread. What do you suppose has gotten into Rel and Andrew? I've never seen them getting along like that, let alone actually building anything together," Ginger said.
"I have, but it was a very long time ago," Jennifer said with a smile, turning back to the table.
"Perhaps it's the snow," Severus conjectured.
"Then it's a good thing it's going to snow a lot," Jennifer said cheerfully, setting up the molds.