Life. Full of complex twists and turns. Love, hate, friendship, family, death, murder, illness all wracked the daily lives of many people the last few years. However, now it seemed as though one could float about freely through life, for the horrors and tribulations of today were nothing compared to those in the past few years. Voldemort had once again perished and the Second War had come to an end. People began to live their lives again, including Anthony Goldstein.
Anthony was twenty-two and had finally wed the love of his life, Charlotte Shenwick. The two had met at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and became fast friends in their first year. Their relationship as a couple took years to blossom, and when it finally had Anthony never let her go. Now, as Anthony finished paperwork at the Ministry, he could rest at ease, for his life was perfect, for both him and Charlotte alike.
Both Anthony and Charlotte worked for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as undercover agents. They were, in fact, animagi. The department had had a slow week which proved perfect for Anthony who was planning a romantic night for his wife. They had been married for one year today.
Anthony pushed aside a stack of papers and leaned back in his chair. He sighed as he ran his hand through his tussled sandy blonde hair. Rubbing his gentle, blue eyes he stood and put on his navy blue cloak. Before exiting his office, his eyes automatically stole to a picture on his desk. He picked it up and allowed his mind to become lost in the past. The photo was taken on their wedding day, along with their maid of honor and best man, Sarah Fawcett and Terry Boot. He focused on the beauty of his wife, his eyes followed her slender curves as her photo self smiled and waved happily while clinging close to her husband. How her soft, green eyes looked at him with such unconditional love and passion. He could almost smell the lavender scent that wafted through the air after the wind ruffled her long, wavy brown curls. He himself looked quite put together that day. His hair was combed back and his tux handsome. They looked content, as if they could live in this moment forever.
His thoughts were interrupted by a light tap on the door, his longtime friend Sarah Fawcett entered his office smiling broadly, "Anthony! Reliving the moment?"
He laughed gently, " Hey Sarah, yeah, I suppose I am. What are you doing down here?"
"The Department of Transportation was rather dull today. Besides, Charlotte needs some distraction so you can get ready for tonight's…festivities." laughed Sarah hinting heavily.
"Ahh, I see your fiancé can't keep his mouth shut, when it comes to you at least. Thank you though, I was worried she would arrive early."
"Ohh no problem, just promise me you'll help Terry plan something half as romantic when it comes to our anniversary," pleaded Sarah jokingly.
"Terry has a few tricks up his sleeve. Well you are a life saver, I better get going. We will see you on Saturday night?" questioned Anthony.
"Yes, of course! Ron and Hermione just got back from their honeymoon, so they'll be coming along…which means…" Sarah left the sentence hanging.
Anthony's stomach plummeted, " Harry and Ginny too then…well at least you and Terry will be there. I have to get going."
Sarah smiled and moved over to her friend, she hugged him tightly, "Thank you for making her so happy. You guys are perfect for each other. No one could ever get in the way now."
He hugged his friend back, "Oh, you know how happy she makes me, rivals you and Terry. Wells thanks again, see you Sarah."
They parted ways in the hallway as Anthony apparated to the flat he shared with his wife. He hurried through the living room into the kitchen where he waved his wand, enchanting the chicken to cook and the stove to mix the dishes on its surface. All Charlotte's favorite dishes began to simmer.
He apparated to their bedroom, since walking a few feet would be too much of an effort. Waving his wand nonchalantly, clothes came whizzing out of the closet and onto the bed. He chose a light blue button up muggle dress shirt and black crisp pants. Flicking his wand, shiny black shoes attached themselves to his feet, tied tightly. Taking a sexy, black dress and black stilettos into the bathroom for his wife to change into, he looked quickly into the mirror. Allowing his hair to look somewhat taken care of he moved back into the bedroom.
He placed dozens of rose petals on the bed, he then lit candles giving the room a soft, sensual glow. He grinned to himself, looking forward to the night's activities. Moving into the living room he lit even more candles, giving the room a lavender scent, Charlotte's favorite. He fished out a small rectangular box out of his pocket and set it on the table next to a chilled bottle of wine.
He was just putting the finishing touches on their treacle tart when he hear a small 'pop' outside their front door. Anthony raced to the door, waving his wand as he went, placing a Blurring Charm on the apartment. Charlotte walked into the apartment with a gasp of shock.
"Anthony? What's-" she was cut off as Anthony grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close. She leaned her head forward and allowed him to kiss her romantically, completely forgetting her initial alarm on the befuddled room. The kiss grew more heated and passionate as he pressed her body against the door, his hand slipping inside her shirt and caressing her back and stomach. She shivered with delight and put her hands in his back pockets drawing him closer.
"Welcome home," breathed Anthony, still pressed up against her, "I've missed you."
"It was quite the welcome dear. A little preview of tonight?" questioned Charlotte, her hands undoing his shirt buttons.
"I suppose it must only be a preview…dinner's ready…it could be reheated though…"
Charlotte grinned, but began to button his shirt, "Waiting is always worth it. Besides, I am famished. Let me change first."
"Way ahead of you!" said Anthony taking his wife's hand and leading her into the bathroom, "There you go, when you're ready I've got dinner and a surprise for you!"
He didn't have to wait long, one of the things he loved about Charlotte was how quick she was to get ready. Yet, no matter how fast she was, she always looked amazing.
"Umm…Anthony? Still kind of blurry in here." smiled Charlotte, eager to see the decorated flat.
"Oh, sorry dear," Anthony flicked the wand in her general direction as he took out the last of the dinner. He turned around to see a look of surprise as her eyes surveyed the kitchen, "All my favorites! Chicken, salad, baked potatoes…oh you went to far too much trouble."
"No, no come to the living room, there's more. You deserve it all, you have no idea how happy you make me."
"Stop that," said Charlotte rolling her eyes, yet blushing. He set her on the couch and picked up the box, "I have something for you-"
"He was cut off by Charlotte who bounded to her feet and said, "Wait, let me get your present!" she dashed off to their bedroom where she gasped in delight. Coming back into the room with two thick envelopes, she sat next to him, "The bedroom looks amazing, can't wait till later."
He looked at her with concern, she seemed very on edge as he grasped her shaky, sweating hand, "A-are you alright?"
"Oh yeah, I'm fine, just happy," she smiled nervously.
He continued uncertainly, "Ok, well I'll go first. I was in Diagon Alley a few months ago, I saw this and thought you'd like it…" slowly the box creaked open to reveal a small silver necklace. He took the intricate design out of the box and showed her the charm that hung in the middle. A small silver heart, inlaid with the initials C.A.G in diamond lettering, "Believe it or not, but I did not have this custom made. I found it in an antique jewelers shop, it's been there for ages. It's almost as if it was waiting for us…"
Charlotte choked back tears, "It's like we were meant to be, all along…Oh Anthony, it's beautiful, I love it." she kissed her husband and immediately put the necklace on, "Ok, so I've got two presents for you."
She picked up a long thin envelope first and handed it to him. He broke the crest and took out two tickets to the English Arrows quidditch match versus the French Falcons. The match of a lifetime, two teams that were sure to make it to the world cup next year. He also pulled out two press badges with Anthony and his closest friend, Terry Boot's name.
He was speechless for almost a full minute, "H-how did you…? These tickets have been sold out for months! We get to meet the team? Charlotte! This is perfect! Wait… why Terry? I want you along!"
Charlotte drew the thicker packet from behind her back, " Ahh…see that has something to do with the other part. I have plans the day of the match, an appointment. I…I had to…Anthony…I love you so much, and well…I have sort of an unexpected surprise…" She opened the packet and took out a small picture, "We…we're going to have a baby!" she flipped the picture around, it showed a moving sonogram of their child.
Anthony was speechless as he gently took the picture from his wife, tearing up slightly he stammered, "I…I'm going to be father?"
"I…I know we weren't expecting this but-"
"Charlotte, I'm so happy! Wait till our families hear the news!" he hugged her tightly and touched her stomach as she began to cry freely, tears of happiness of course, "We're going to have our own family!"
They sat on the couch for a while longer, lost in thoughts of the future, almost forgetting their dinner, neither one could keep their eyes off of their baby. Charlotte came to her senses first, "Come on, let's celebrate. I'll reheat dinner."
"No, no. Let me, just relax." said Anthony went into the kitchen and began to prepare the food again. He was just finishing when there was a knock at the door. Charlotte called, "I'll get it…ARGHHH!"
"OBLIVIMAAA-Gagh!" shouted a man, cut off sharply. However, there was a thud as a body smashed to the floor. Anthony let the chicken drop to the floor. He grasped his wand and cautiously made his way to the living room, his heart was completely consumed by his stomach when he spotted Charlotte lying by the coffee table, unconscious, the sonogram photo still clutched in her hand. A movement at the doorway caught his eye, a man in a black cloak blundered uncertainly searching for the wand he had dropped.
Anthony's reflexes were still prime from the war. He realized the Blurring Charm must have been still implemented on the room, only lifted from his and Charlotte's eyes. Anger burned throughout his body, he wanted to cause this man pain. However fear for his wife surpassed his need to torture this man, "Petrificus Totalus!" screamed Anthony as the man froze as stiff as a board on the ground, an inch from his wand.
He kicked the wand away from him and went to his wife. She was still breathing. He thanked God and moved over to the man, pulling back the hood of the dark cloak .Rudolpus Lestrange's face emerged from the hood, and sudden realization stuck Anthony. He had killed Lestrange's wife Bellatrix in the war…now Rudolphus was back for revenge.
Allowing Lestrange's lips to become unparalyzed, Anthony spoke, "What did you do to her?"
"Something worse than death. Death would be too easy…she will not remember your life together, she has retreated back to childhood mentally and will remain that way permanently. No alteration can be done, your life together is over and you can look at her each day, a constant reminder of what you no longer have," he laughed.
Anthony shook with anger throughout this explanation. When he gained control he sealed Rudolphus' mouth shut. He stood over Lestrange's torso and saw fear cross into his enemy's eyes. He lifted his foot and smashed it again and again on Lestrange's nose, kicked his jaw bone until it became unhinged, and crushed both his shoulder blades. Blood covered the floor and tears of pain and hate streamed down the Death Eater's face.
Anthony lifted the Blurring Charm from the room and sent a patronus message to the ministry explaining what had happened and where he intended to go for help. He moved back to his wife and muttered, "Renerave" prepared for the worst.
She moved weakly in his arms and slowly opened her eyes. It took a moment for the panic to set in as she sat up and looked around in confusion, "A-anthony? Is…is that you? Where AM I?" Her panicked gaze landed on a shocked Anthony, as she bag to note the obvious changes in Anthony's looks.
She began to hyperventilate and began to have a panic attack, "MUM? DAD? Harry? Where's Harry? I need him!" screamed Charlotte.
Anthony's eyes became clouded, he muttered, "Inervate" and Charlotte sunk into a hypnotic sleep. She was obviously not stuck in childhood, the spell had not taken full effect. He suspected the blurring charm had made it so the spell did not strike her properly. However she was either in 6th or 7th year at Hogwarts…in love with Harry Potter.