Chapter One
"When do you plan on heading out?" Maggie Jenson asked her colleague, Reena
Delton. "Weren't you supposed to go to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
"I'll apperate out of here in around 10, I guess," replied the short, black headed witch.
"Ok. I'm going to leave now. Don't work too hard dear, it's Friday. Take a break. I'll see you Monday. Bye Reena."
With a small pop, Maggie Jenson apparated out of the Ministry of Magic offices. Reena continued to work for another few hours. At 11:30, Reena packed a thick stack of papers into a messenger bag, picked a small valise from under her desk and apparated out of deserted Minsitry offices.
A few seconds later, Reena found herself outside of the Three Broomsticks pub. She knew her brother would be annoyed that she had arrived so late and simply didn't apparate inside his house. But Reena didn't care. If he wants me to visit more often, I'll do it on my own terms she thought to herself. Reena needed the few blocks it would take to walk to his house for herself. The night was peaceful and Reena enjoyed the relative silence as she walked. As she was walking, she felt as though someone was watching her. Armed with her wand, she looked cautiously around her, but she could see no one. Reena contineued to walk until she came to the door of 385 Camelot avenue. No sooner than she had knocked on the door, it swung open and a man nearly suffocated Reena with a bear hug.
"Reens! Where were you?" Steven Delton asked his little sister.
"Working" Reena answered dryly. She hated it when Steven asked her questions to which he already knew the answers.
"You need a social life. You know, there's this chap at work you might like. He's well groomed and . . ."
"Forget it," Reena snapped. Her brother was always trying to set her up. "How many times do I have to tell you I don't want a boyfriend?"
"You can't try to hide yourself in your work for the rest of your life."
"Whose hiding? I happen to like my work. I don't have to get married and raise a family just like you," Reena retorted angrily.
With a huff, Reena grabbed her valise and stormed into the guestroom at the end of corridor. She slammed the door to make sure her brother understood her anger. As she threw the valise on the bed and her bag onto the floor, Reena felt the anger surging within her.
Steven Delton's biggest hope for his sister is that she would get married. He didn't like the idea of Reena trying to escape her past by burying herself in her work. Even though he got the same response form Reena every time he suggested that she go on a date, he would continue to do everything within his power to fill his sister's social calendar.
Reena woke up early the next morning. She took out some of her papers and continued her work from the night before. After a few hours, Reena decided to see if her sister-in-law was awake. Sure enough, as Reena entered the kitchen, Laura was making breakfast.
"Morning dearie. Steve's gone to work already. I heard you got in quite late last night. Sleep well?" Laura inquired cheerfully.
"Ste gave me the usual greeting of 'I've found the perfect man for you.' It's not quite the greeting I want after 15 hours in the office," Reena replied honestly.
"It's just his way of showing he cares. You ought to know that by now. The girls will be up soon. They couldn't wait for you to come. In the meantime, eat some breakfast."
"What are the girls up to?" Reena asked between mouthfuls of buttered toast. Her voice was dripping with the guilt of not seeing her nieces since Easter. Every time Reena visited her brother's house, it was expected that she would baby-sit her nieces for some time so that Laura could have some time. She needed to know what her nieces liked so she could entertain later on.
"Jen is becoming quite the Quidditch maniac, so don't forget her favorite team is Westham. She's got your temper, so don't forget to mention how wonderful Westham was during the season. Kate is still attached at the hip with her dolls. She's got a doll manor to go along with them now, so be patient while she gives you the grand tour. She likes to play tea party with them and anyone available. Both girls like their toy broomsticks, so you can borrow mine and take them outside in the garden later."
Reena like Laura a lot. Laura was the opposite of her husband. Laura knew that Reena was happy with her work and didn't need a husband. In fact, Laura could not see Reena with anyone, although she was aware of Reena's past.
"I'm going out for a the afternoon. Do you think you can take a break from the paperwork?" Laura asked teasingly.
"Sure. I'd love to spend time with my only nieces. Who knows when I'll be here next. They might forget they have an aunt," Reena replied with good humor.
"Thanks. You should come more often. Your visits between Easter and Christmas aren't enough. You know you're welcome here anytime," Laura said, her voice revealing the subtle sadness that her brother's only family member did not visit very often.
"I know," Reena replied quickly, picking up on the tone of voice, "It's just that I don't like to leave my work hanging."
The would-be awkward pause was muted with the giggly entrance of Jen, Reena's 6 year old niece, and Kate, Jen's 4 year old sister.
"Good morning, little missies," Laura greeted her daughters with a hug and a kiss.
"Morning Aunt Reena," Jen greeted her aunt as she plopped down to a stack of pancakes.
"It's more like good afternoon," Reena exaggerated to her older neice. It was only 11 o'clock.
"Hi Auntie Reena. When'd you come?" Kate asked as her mother cut the pancakes into small pieces.
"Very late. What do want to do today girls? We can do anything you want," Reena said enthusiastically.
"What about your work?" Jen asked uietly.
"I have most of it done so I can finish it after you go to bed," Reena said, slightly embarrassed that her niece thought that her work was more important.
A few hours later, Reena found herself watching Jen and Kate hovering a few inches above the lawn on their broomsticks. Reena decided not to use Laura's broom because it would not listen to her commands. As her nieces zoomed close to the ground, Reena felt as though she was being watched. She nonchalantly glanced at her surroundings. All she saw were children and elderly witches tending to their gardens. All in all, it was the typical residential setting. Jen's endless chatter about all the Westham players bounced right off of Reena. She let her mind and eyes wander around the garden. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something move. Reena slowly turned her head to see a large black dog sniffing the rubbish bins.
"Girls, why don't we go inside for some lunch. I'll conjure up some sandwhiches," Reena told her young nieces. She was praying that they wouldn't see the stray and panic.
"Okay. Only if we can have some pumpkin juice too," Jen bargained.
"Of course we can have pumpkin juice. Now go inside," Reena pleaded, hoping she didn't sound desperate.
The girls went inside and were propmtly presented with a large plate of chicken sandwhiches and a jug of sugar loaded pumpkin juice. As the girls happily munched on their sandwiches, Reena crept outside with 2 sandwiches. The dog was still outside.
"Would you like some sandwiches?" Reena asked the dog as she cautiously walked towards it. The dog trotted towards her and took the sandwiches. As he walked away, the dog turned around and bowed his head towards Reena. Reena stood in a state of surprise as the giant black dog walked away. As her senses returned, she sprinted into her brother's house.
"Where'd you go Auntie Reena?" Kate askd as slurped on her pumpkin juice.
"I had to check something," Reena improvised," I see you girls are done with lunch. Take a nap and we'll do what Kate wants when you wake up."
"Do I have to?" Jen complained, "I'm not a baby anymore."
"Neither am I," Kate said, following her sister's lead.
"Your mom likes it when you nap. Besides, I'm tired too, so go lie down. We'll play some more after I'm rested," Reena explained.
"Okay. I'll lie down, but I won't sleep," Jen said indignantly.
"Suit yourself. Just as long as I can rest," Reena said.
After she got the girls to settle down, Reena went to her bedroom and began to work. She wanted it all done before Monday. She hated the audit of the Department of Control of Magical Creatures. It was tedious making sure that all their paperwork and accounts were in order. Reena knew with a few hours of peace and quiet she could finish the audit.
"I'll apperate out of here in around 10, I guess," replied the short, black headed witch.
"Ok. I'm going to leave now. Don't work too hard dear, it's Friday. Take a break. I'll see you Monday. Bye Reena."
With a small pop, Maggie Jenson apparated out of the Ministry of Magic offices. Reena continued to work for another few hours. At 11:30, Reena packed a thick stack of papers into a messenger bag, picked a small valise from under her desk and apparated out of deserted Minsitry offices.
A few seconds later, Reena found herself outside of the Three Broomsticks pub. She knew her brother would be annoyed that she had arrived so late and simply didn't apparate inside his house. But Reena didn't care. If he wants me to visit more often, I'll do it on my own terms she thought to herself. Reena needed the few blocks it would take to walk to his house for herself. The night was peaceful and Reena enjoyed the relative silence as she walked. As she was walking, she felt as though someone was watching her. Armed with her wand, she looked cautiously around her, but she could see no one. Reena contineued to walk until she came to the door of 385 Camelot avenue. No sooner than she had knocked on the door, it swung open and a man nearly suffocated Reena with a bear hug.
"Reens! Where were you?" Steven Delton asked his little sister.
"Working" Reena answered dryly. She hated it when Steven asked her questions to which he already knew the answers.
"You need a social life. You know, there's this chap at work you might like. He's well groomed and . . ."
"Forget it," Reena snapped. Her brother was always trying to set her up. "How many times do I have to tell you I don't want a boyfriend?"
"You can't try to hide yourself in your work for the rest of your life."
"Whose hiding? I happen to like my work. I don't have to get married and raise a family just like you," Reena retorted angrily.
With a huff, Reena grabbed her valise and stormed into the guestroom at the end of corridor. She slammed the door to make sure her brother understood her anger. As she threw the valise on the bed and her bag onto the floor, Reena felt the anger surging within her.
Steven Delton's biggest hope for his sister is that she would get married. He didn't like the idea of Reena trying to escape her past by burying herself in her work. Even though he got the same response form Reena every time he suggested that she go on a date, he would continue to do everything within his power to fill his sister's social calendar.
Reena woke up early the next morning. She took out some of her papers and continued her work from the night before. After a few hours, Reena decided to see if her sister-in-law was awake. Sure enough, as Reena entered the kitchen, Laura was making breakfast.
"Morning dearie. Steve's gone to work already. I heard you got in quite late last night. Sleep well?" Laura inquired cheerfully.
"Ste gave me the usual greeting of 'I've found the perfect man for you.' It's not quite the greeting I want after 15 hours in the office," Reena replied honestly.
"It's just his way of showing he cares. You ought to know that by now. The girls will be up soon. They couldn't wait for you to come. In the meantime, eat some breakfast."
"What are the girls up to?" Reena asked between mouthfuls of buttered toast. Her voice was dripping with the guilt of not seeing her nieces since Easter. Every time Reena visited her brother's house, it was expected that she would baby-sit her nieces for some time so that Laura could have some time. She needed to know what her nieces liked so she could entertain later on.
"Jen is becoming quite the Quidditch maniac, so don't forget her favorite team is Westham. She's got your temper, so don't forget to mention how wonderful Westham was during the season. Kate is still attached at the hip with her dolls. She's got a doll manor to go along with them now, so be patient while she gives you the grand tour. She likes to play tea party with them and anyone available. Both girls like their toy broomsticks, so you can borrow mine and take them outside in the garden later."
Reena like Laura a lot. Laura was the opposite of her husband. Laura knew that Reena was happy with her work and didn't need a husband. In fact, Laura could not see Reena with anyone, although she was aware of Reena's past.
"I'm going out for a the afternoon. Do you think you can take a break from the paperwork?" Laura asked teasingly.
"Sure. I'd love to spend time with my only nieces. Who knows when I'll be here next. They might forget they have an aunt," Reena replied with good humor.
"Thanks. You should come more often. Your visits between Easter and Christmas aren't enough. You know you're welcome here anytime," Laura said, her voice revealing the subtle sadness that her brother's only family member did not visit very often.
"I know," Reena replied quickly, picking up on the tone of voice, "It's just that I don't like to leave my work hanging."
The would-be awkward pause was muted with the giggly entrance of Jen, Reena's 6 year old niece, and Kate, Jen's 4 year old sister.
"Good morning, little missies," Laura greeted her daughters with a hug and a kiss.
"Morning Aunt Reena," Jen greeted her aunt as she plopped down to a stack of pancakes.
"It's more like good afternoon," Reena exaggerated to her older neice. It was only 11 o'clock.
"Hi Auntie Reena. When'd you come?" Kate asked as her mother cut the pancakes into small pieces.
"Very late. What do want to do today girls? We can do anything you want," Reena said enthusiastically.
"What about your work?" Jen asked uietly.
"I have most of it done so I can finish it after you go to bed," Reena said, slightly embarrassed that her niece thought that her work was more important.
A few hours later, Reena found herself watching Jen and Kate hovering a few inches above the lawn on their broomsticks. Reena decided not to use Laura's broom because it would not listen to her commands. As her nieces zoomed close to the ground, Reena felt as though she was being watched. She nonchalantly glanced at her surroundings. All she saw were children and elderly witches tending to their gardens. All in all, it was the typical residential setting. Jen's endless chatter about all the Westham players bounced right off of Reena. She let her mind and eyes wander around the garden. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something move. Reena slowly turned her head to see a large black dog sniffing the rubbish bins.
"Girls, why don't we go inside for some lunch. I'll conjure up some sandwhiches," Reena told her young nieces. She was praying that they wouldn't see the stray and panic.
"Okay. Only if we can have some pumpkin juice too," Jen bargained.
"Of course we can have pumpkin juice. Now go inside," Reena pleaded, hoping she didn't sound desperate.
The girls went inside and were propmtly presented with a large plate of chicken sandwhiches and a jug of sugar loaded pumpkin juice. As the girls happily munched on their sandwiches, Reena crept outside with 2 sandwiches. The dog was still outside.
"Would you like some sandwiches?" Reena asked the dog as she cautiously walked towards it. The dog trotted towards her and took the sandwiches. As he walked away, the dog turned around and bowed his head towards Reena. Reena stood in a state of surprise as the giant black dog walked away. As her senses returned, she sprinted into her brother's house.
"Where'd you go Auntie Reena?" Kate askd as slurped on her pumpkin juice.
"I had to check something," Reena improvised," I see you girls are done with lunch. Take a nap and we'll do what Kate wants when you wake up."
"Do I have to?" Jen complained, "I'm not a baby anymore."
"Neither am I," Kate said, following her sister's lead.
"Your mom likes it when you nap. Besides, I'm tired too, so go lie down. We'll play some more after I'm rested," Reena explained.
"Okay. I'll lie down, but I won't sleep," Jen said indignantly.
"Suit yourself. Just as long as I can rest," Reena said.
After she got the girls to settle down, Reena went to her bedroom and began to work. She wanted it all done before Monday. She hated the audit of the Department of Control of Magical Creatures. It was tedious making sure that all their paperwork and accounts were in order. Reena knew with a few hours of peace and quiet she could finish the audit.