Welcome to Heritage Series book two! For those of you new to the series, it begins with Jennifer Craw and the Phoenix Wand (alternate Harry year five) and if you're not new to the series but haven't read this far, the previous book is Paintings of Twilight.


This book is rather dark and deals with a few heavy themes, including pregnancy responsibility, abuse, manipulation, death (and mortality in general) not to mention midlife crisis and the nasty effect it can have at on even the best of relationships.
It does, as always, have its light and comedic moments, however, which I hope you'll enjoy as well, and several story lines, not the least of which discovering more about Craw heritage. Welcome back, hope you like it! JCWriter.

Update notes: Phoenix Wand is now updated both here and on the website. Ivory Skull is updated on the website (so is Forbidden Tomb, but for some reason it's throwing up errors...sorry, no clue what's causing that, working on it, and if anybody knows why my punctuation is turning to question marks etc, I'd love a PM on it.) I will let you know when the rest of the novels are updated further in case you annex.


All novels will be going through a revision to fix the following issues: No hyphen in Truth Seeking (it was driving me nuts.) Toned down Hagrid and other accents for readability's sake. Naming discrepancies (such as Aurora Sinistra), and fixed some capitalization...room titles are capitalized (Headmaster's Study, Dark Forest) but study, forest are not, and so forth. Uncapitalized centaurs and goblins since they're major races in my series (just like we don't capitalize human.) Constellation (the meeting day) is capitalized, constellation (as in a group of centaurs) is not. Fixed some minor typos throughout, and clarified a few points that have come up in the past.

That's all for now. Hope you like the first chapter, thanks for reading!

Jennifer Craw and the Ring of Silence

Chapter One

Limited Leisure

Many of those well acquainted with Severus Snape, current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, believed in many respects that Professor Snape was a wizard who had everything. Everything, it seemed, except time…and in many ways, the one was the result of the other. He had a job of undeniable prestige (although he sometimes despised it), had established a prominent family (and in many ways much too prominent for his liking), and had earned a great deal of personal acclaim (which he often wished everyone would just forget about). And to top it all off (and at the bottom of it all) there was Jennifer.

She was his wife of thirty years (despite the fact that she didn't even look as if she had been alive that long), and she had a very distinct knack of getting in over her head in everything she did and nearly always pulling him under as well for good measure. But for once even Jennifer had decided that enough was enough and that they were going to get away for a while, no matter how insane things were getting at home…and things had definitely gotten insane.

Severus attempted not to think about it from where he sat on the patio of their suite in Villahexa, reading. Even the passing thought of what awaited him at home gave him a piercing headache. The wizard skiing resort that Sirius had told him about years ago was very peaceful in the early summer, and it was the few places other than the open sea that Jennifer and he had any luck staying without being pestered by any of the three reasons he had to get away in the first place. Of course, if any emergency did come up that couldn't wait, it would be much easier to find them there than if they had taken the ocean route; so between that and a rather uncomfortable encounter with Lupin that left Severus not really wanting to rent a boat from Lupin's father-in-law as they often did, Villahexa was the obvious choice.

Severus heard sounds behind him and peered through the door to see Jennifer standing there in a green bathing suit, rummaging through her suitcase.

"Did you walk through the hotel in that?" he called in with a frown.

"Oh, Severus, the spring is just straight down the stairs from here," Jennifer chuckled at him, walking over to the doorway. "I still think you ought to give in and go with me sometime."

"I am not appearing in public in a bathing suit no matter how remote the chances are of being seen," Severus said flatly.

"Oh, you don't have to wear a bathing suit if you don't want to, Severus," Jennifer said mischievously. Severus stared at her. "Yes, I know, we can't ruin your callous reputation, now, can we?" she teased, walking back inside to change. "I don't suppose you feel like doing forms today?"

"If we can find somewhere appropriate," Severus said, turning back to his book to find a good place to pause.

"Actually, I already have somewhere in mind," Jennifer said a moment later after working her way into some leggings. "I was thinking about that goat trail we found yesterday with the meadow along the side of the hill. That seemed large enough…and private enough to suit you," she added with amusement.

"I highly doubt it, but it'll do," Severus said, marking his place and coming in. "We should order something to take with us since it's a bit of a distance."

"The walk will do us some good, it'll help us clear our heads," Jennifer said with a sigh. Severus knew very well what she was thinking about.

"Don't you dare bring it up, Jennifer, we're only here for three days and they can very well manage without us for that long," Severus said, putting his hand to his head and kneading it. "Although I imagine the board is going to be chomping at the bit to find me when that business with Andrew comes out. Not even Erik would be sympathetic in this situation, nor would I blame him."

"Look at you, all tense already," Jennifer sighed, rubbing his shoulders. "You're right, Severus, they can manage for one weekend. No work, no family," she promised, kissing him lovingly. Severus returned it thoughtfully before studying her concerned face.

"I thought you wanted to go for a walk and do forms?" Severus said.

"Didn't you want to as well?" Jennifer challenged him innocently.

"Yes, but if we don't go now, we're not going to be going anywhere for quite some time, so why don't you grab your cloak while you still can?" Severus suggested.

"Very well, Severus, if you insist," Jennifer said turning to get her cloak.

"I am not insisting," Severus said in a low voice.

"That can wait until we get back," Jennifer chuckled at him. Severus acted like he was debating it but opened the door, the two of them walking down to the small shop in the front to grab some sandwiches, and then wandered down the road until they rediscovered the trail they had found the afternoon before.

The meadow was filled with small blossoms of wildflowers, and Jennifer would have been just as content to lie down among them and watch the clouds go by had she not already committed to doing forms. But neither of them were in the mood to try any of the more strenuous exercises, and instead went for a few that they knew so well they barely had to think of them to get perfect execution.

"I don't suppose you're up for a spar?" Severus suggested expressionlessly when Jennifer moved to sit down.

"Here?" Jennifer said with exasperation. "How about supper?"

"How about desert?" he inquired, the tone in his voice changing despite his deadpan gaze.

"Here?" Jennifer repeated again, tsking at him.

"Why else would we carry these?" he inquired, holding up a pair of clear phials in his hand.

"Emergencies," Jennifer chuckled at him. "And don't you dare attempt to tell me it's an emergency, I know better."

"I am certain if you give me a moment, I could make a case for it," Severus said.

"You, Severus, could make a case for absolutely anything if you were motivated enough," Jennifer teased, offering him a sandwich that he batted away. "Besides, if that was your intention, I would have thought you might have gone along with my suggestion of the springs."

"And have someone end up walking in on us or sitting on us? Or even stepping on us, like that night on the Astrology Tower when we forgot to check Aurora's class schedule…"

"Ugh, Severus! You promised you would never bring that night up again!" Jennifer protested vehemently. "If it hadn't been for Aurora's quick thinking, we'd have been sacked for sure."

"I thought I'd never get you to agree to going cloaking after that…"

Severus suddenly paused mid-sentence, for a curious sensation had gone through him that he couldn't quite explain, and he found himself searching around and wondering where it came from. When he turned back around, Jennifer had a very pained expression on her face.

"Are you all right?" he asked in alarm.

"I heard something," Jennifer admitted. "High pitched sound, very irritating. Rather like the dog whistle you tried to train Descartes with."

"I didn't hear anything just now but I admit I felt something," Severus said, getting up.

"I felt something too," Jennifer said. "Almost as if something were passing by me too close for comfort."

"Monstre hostis!" Severus cast, checking to make certain there were no enemies about. But then he realized his chain had not changed temperature at all since they had been there. "Very odd," Severus said, glancing over at Jennifer who looked just as baffled before glancing at his watch. Everyone was pretty well where he had expected them to be, and no one was listed under 'Mortal Peril.' "I don't suppose you would condemn me if I checked in long enough to determine it was only on our end?"

"Of course not, Severus," Jennifer said, reluctantly eating her sandwich and leaning back in the flowers to watch the sky while Severus consulted the mirror that Aurelius kept on him to communicate with them in an emergency.

"Nothing? Nothing at all?" Severus frowned. "Well, who's with Lucky at the moment? Oh, they are?" Severus said, glancing at his watch again. "No, if Harry is with them I am fine with that. Perhaps it is a false alarm for a change. I don't know at the moment, but I'll let you know if we decide to come back early. Fine." He looked over to see Jennifer shaking her head at that last comment. "Nothing to be concerned about. Everything seems quite normal at home."

"Which is when you let things worry you the most," Jennifer said knowingly. Severus sighed and sat down beside her.

"At least I don't worry every minute of the day and night like you do," he taunted her. "I should have known something would turn up. I was almost beginning to enjoy myself for a moment." Jennifer sighed and reached her hand out to him.

"We don't have to leave just because we had a bad feeling, Severus…"

"And a sound, you said…" Severus reminded her; making him all the more positive that whatever it was it wasn't a false alarm.

"Severus, please!" Jennifer said with exasperation.

"Very well, Jennifer, we'll stay for now," Severus reassured her quietly, but Jennifer knew it was going to be harder than ever now to block out their responsibilities for the rest of the weekend.


It had taken a bit of wheeling and dealing…not to mention playing his mother against his father…for Dale Chance to spend one last afternoon away from the annoying promo spots and appearances so he could be able to act like a 'normal' teen wizard for a change.

Wearing the Order of the Owl wristband over a bright pink polo shirt, Dale's first stop was at the Muggle park just down the street from where his mother had grown up, being driven up in a nice limo with two guards from the BELA department of the Ministry in tow.

They sat up in the top row, looking rather conspicuous in their tailored suits and long beards, especially considering how hot it was to be wearing such heavy clothes, earning a few curious looks from some of the parents sitting nearby. But Dale didn't care, hopping over the stands until he found one he liked and immediately took in the football game in progress a moment before he began shouting, 'Go Pinks! Go Lucky!' often well over the voices of the parents sitting nearby. Ben Clemmons peered over at him a moment before recognizing him, but then simply smirked and turned back around to watch the game.

Unfortunately, some of the other parents began to recognize Dale too, but for some reason the batteries of their cameras had all died at once. The two guards exchanged smug looks when they noticed one of them trying to put in backup batteries only to find those were dead as well.

On the pitch, Lucky tried very hard to ignore Dale's presence, a bit irritated that he was even there. But she had to concentrate, for Brown had decided to stick her as goalkeeper. It wasn't her best area and she would have done everything to get out of the box, especially the way Jeffrey was slipping and sliding all over the wet turf. Fortunately, Sylvia at midfield was making up for his lack of grace, for she had improved by far from last summer after having made her school's team. Lucky very much regretted the fact that she hadn't had the practice the others had. Despite that, her defensive playing and agility had improved thanks to sparring forms, and the obvious improvement in those areas were what had inspired her coach to try her in the position in the first place. But it was hard for Lucky to stay out of the middle of the action, and it was apparent on her face every time Jeffrey or Carrie missed a goal, wincing in pain at the lack of precision and strength and knowing she could have done better.

The game ended as it began at 0-0 tie, and Lucky couldn't help but be a little disappointed despite the fact that as a whole, both sides played well and complemented each other as much when they met in the middle of the pitch.

"Oh my God, Lucky, look! It's Dale Chance, and he's coming this way!" Sylvia whispered excitedly in her ear. Lucky rolled her eyes.

"How about we pretend it's last summer when you didn't know who the hell he was except for being the tallest kid on the Hamptons?" Lucky said flatly.

"Well, I thought he was cute last year too. And don't you just love his American accent?" she murmured.

"I'm from America too, you know," Lucky pointed out.

"You don't sound like him," Sylvia murmured back, then tugged on her sleeve again. "Look, he's coming over!"

"Ya," Lucky said with a sigh, only too aware some of the others were murmuring too.

"Hey, Lucky! Good job today," Dale said with a grin as he walked up, waving at one of the coaches.

"Thanks," Lucky said with a shrug, trying to separate herself from the rest of the team only to find that the majority of girls on it were shifting over to stay close enough to hear. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, well, it's my one day off this month, so I was hoping we could go over that…math assignment…you promised you'd help me on?" he said, glancing at the audience with a smile.

"Oh that. I dunno, I have to go to a birthday party at another park later and stuff…" Lucky said.

"Do you both go to the same school?" Sylvia asked curiously. "Where did you say you went to school again, Lucky?" Lucky rolled her eyes and yanked Dale away by the arm, not that he seemed to mind it.

"Sorry, Lucky, didn't mean to make it uncomfortable with your friends there," Dale said sincerely.

"Who's uncomfortable?" Lucky snapped irritably as she walked over to the stands. "You're the one who had to get in this stupid Second Chance band thing and turn yourself into a tabloid headliner, you deserve what you get!"

"Well, a lot of it was my Dad's doing, too," Dale chuckled, following behind her. "Although it can be a pain at times, what with the staged sightings and all."

"The what?" Lucky asked blankly.

"Well, the Ministry is worried that the reporters will get a little too zealous trying to track me down while I'm in our parts of town," Dale explained, looking pointedly over his shoulder at the two guards in suits. "So one of the things they've been making us do is book hotel rooms I'm not really staying at and getting in cars only to drive around the block and get back out of them so they have something to photograph." Lucky rolled her eyes. "So any time my Mom wants to take me to Myrkinbrek or something, I have to find somewhere else 'Muggle' to leave from so they'll all think I'm there instead. It's a real pain, really."

"Sounds stupid," Lucky said, working her way over to Ben.

"Necessary evil," Dale shrugged with a grin. "Actually, it's kind of a relief that I have places I can go to get away from it. I'm already looking forward to school starting again and we haven't even taken the tour out of the country yet."

"Can we talk about something else?" Lucky said irritably.

"Sure!" Dale agreed readily, smiling at Ben as they stepped over to him.

"Great game, today, Lucky! And you were worried you couldn't handle goalkeeper," Ben grinned.

"Thanks. This is Dale, from the order," Lucky said. "My brother-in-law, Ben."

"I recognize you from the wedding," Dale said, shaking his offered hand.

"I recognize you from the telly and the internet," Ben grinned. Lucky let out a short sigh. "Although I've heard more about you from Lucky."

"Really?" Dale said with surprise. Lucky eyed Ben with a frown.

"Yes, she's been doing nothing but complaining about you since she got home last week," Ben teased. "Ever since she found out you put ABBA's Take a Chance on Me on the MP3 Player."

"What? You don't like ABBA?" Dale asked Lucky innocently. Lucky glared at him. "I thought everyone did. Tried to get the rights to sing that one, but it was a no go," he sighed wistfully. "But don't worry, Lucky, maybe I'll write you a new song, maybe when the wizard version of my album comes out."

"You do and I'll break your jaw," Lucky threatened, showing him her fist.

"Lucky!" Ben said disapprovingly, but Dale simply chuckled.

"Don't worry, I'm used to her threatening me. It's gotten to be routine," Dale said. "I only dropped by to see if she could help me with my summer homework, but she already mentioned you had plans, so I should probably head out."

"Why don't you come along?" Ben asked, ignoring the face Lucky made in response. "We're heading to Aviation Park, there's a bit of a Weasley convention going on there today."

"Oh, that's right! Connie mentioned that to me as well, come to think of it, I wasn't sure at that point I could make it," Dale said, and then nodded with a grin. "Need a ride?"

"I suppose, if you have one lying around," Ben chuckled.

"Do I ever," Dale said. But before he could get away, one of the parents sitting with the Pinks murmured something in Dale's ear, and Dale found himself pausing to sign a few autographs while Lucky glowered darkly at him. Finally they got away and he signaled the two wizards in suits, who seemed quite relieved when Dale let them know he was spending the rest of the afternoon at Aviation. "It means they can take the rest of the day off," Dale whispered softly with a chuckle as they walked out of the park. "Especially since I can key straight home from there."

When they turned the corner, Lucky and Ben stopped and stared at the black limo sitting near the road, Dale opening the door for them as the two wizards slipped into the front seat.

"Now how you gonna drive that thing to Aviation?" Lucky said with exasperation. "It don't even have a parking lot, and it's enclosed."

"I suppose it'd kill you to trust me?" Dale challenged her. Ben shrugged and hopped in. Sighing, Lucky followed him, then found herself looking around in surprise when she saw a pair of long ornate red carriage seats that reminded her of an old western, but with a lot more leg room. In between them was a table filled with drawers underneath, and a ridge around the table to keep things from falling off. "You see? The outside part is just an illusion," Dale said as he climbed in and shut the door, then reached for a seat belt. "You might want to fasten it," he recommended. Lucky frowned at him a moment.

"Please don't tell me this thing is aerial," Lucky said flatly.

"Yes, yes it is," Dale grinned, and Lucky and Ben quickly fastened their belts.

Lucky stared through the window up front, but at first it simply looked like the front cabin of a limousine. Suddenly the wizard driving made a pair of very sharp turns around a few blind corners and the cab suddenly transformed, the two wizards up front strangely raising up and out of her view until she saw silvery reigns dangling down and hitched to a pair of the largest white horses she had ever seen. Had that not been spectacular enough, each of the horses' legs seemed to have a spare; and within seconds the eight-legged steeds leapt into the sky, knocking them back as it attempted to get past the cloud line.

"What are those?" Ben asked in awe once he caught his breath.

"They're called Sleipnerians," Dale explained. "Giants used to use them as war horses. Nearly extinct now, not really legal to own them; we have them 'on loan,'" he explained with a grin, making quotes with his fingers. "They can travel in any environment…air, land, sea, and can go through obstacles like Unicorns can. I love them! They're the most fantastic animals I've ever seen in my life!" he said enthusiastically, and Ben readily agreed they were very impressive.

Lucky decided she probably would have been impressed too if they had been on the ground. With her stomach reeling and her mind wondering about things like air pressure and lack of oxygen, she decided the best course of action was to close her eyes, grab on, and pray it didn't last long. But Dale didn't mind the way she was clinging to his arm, despite the fact that he had lost all feeling in his hand. In fact, the expression on her face as she squinted her eyes shut was so amusing that he decided to try to get her in the air as often as possible.

"Woah, what a strange sensation," Ben said, when the steeds finally dropped out of the clouds and drove right through the dome of Aviation Park as if it hadn't been there, landing just outside one of the four Quidditch pitches. A rather large group of kids began to gather around the coach, gaping at the steeds and the splendor of it and wondering who was inside. Finally the door opened and the kids stepped back to see Dale, Lucky and Ben come out.

"Oh, it's Lucky!" several of them said with a laugh, some of them greeting her by name as they stepped away from the coach so it could leave. Dale grinned widely but didn't say a thing, and Ben simply shook his head.

"You are such a showoff Lucky!" Helena said with exasperation. "Can't you do anything half way?"

"She's a Snape," Reggie said dryly.

"Yep, I'm back to reality," Dale said to himself with a chuckle.

"Where's the rest of your family at, guys?" Ben asked with a smile.

"Follow the red hair," Reggie said dryly, "or me, one or the other."

"He's the brown-haired sheep of the family," Helena agreed as they lead them through the park. Sure enough, the Weasley family ended up very easy to spot where they had spread out at the back of the hanger; despite the fact there was an occasional head of a different color thrown in the mix just for variety. They had come early that morning to commandeer as many picnic tables as they could; and between that, and table lengthening, and lots of blankets and playpens had made themselves quite literally at home. Lucky had a very hard time remembering who was whom, especially when it came to trying to name any of Charlie's grandkids. She had noticed they seemed to have children in spurts, even across generations; a great many of them were in the same age ranges, with the next ones after Lena, Connie and Reggie seeming to be four or five, and then recently six months to a year…many of which the result of the Minute Alchemist baby boom.

It was Heather and Bill's girl Amy who had just turned six; and Arthur had decided some months ago that that would be as good an excuse as any to have a family reunion. At the moment, Molly was entertaining her by helping her set up the pin-the-tail-on-the-centaur game (Lucky had a sneaky suspicion that Sagittari wouldn't have approved of,) while Heather was sitting with her four-month old daughter Althea on her lap next to Hermione with six-month Rich, and Ginny sitting with her six-month granddaughter Olivia. After a cursory hello to all of them and a wave to Harry, Lucky went off with Lena and Dale to track Connie down and Ben went to say hello to Alex and find the food. Harry, after waving back, was much more interested in attempting to sneak Olivia away from Ginny, who was too engrossed in the conversation about teething to notice. Finally he got her attention long enough to get the baby, walking her over to where Alex sat near Arthur as he looked through a stack of postcards with interest.

"And this one is in Hong Kong?" Arthur said, gazing at the picture of picturesque boats in a harbor.

"Yes, I believe so," Alex said. "After that she sent the one of the beach in Australia. She never tells us where they're off to. She has simply been sending us a post card after the fact. Hello, Harry!"

"Hello, Alex. Honeymoon postcards, I take it?" Harry asked, sitting down next to her. Olivia cooed at Janus, who stared at her balefully.

"Yes, I swear they've been all over the world twice over since they left in April. In fact, I'm not sure they want to come home," Alex grinned, glancing over Arthur's shoulder. "That's the last one…the Hyperion festival in Pole Plaza."

"I love how they have all those ribbons tied down the pole!" Arthur said.

"They went to Polaris Town? Rather bold, isn't it, considering?" Harry said with a frown. "Sunset Dawn isn't likely to forget or forgive Pyther's restoration back to being human."

"It's practically daytime twenty-four hours a day up there right now, so I'd say there's no danger of being up there this time of year. Besides, after Toby's wedding gift to Alicia, I doubt there will be any problems."

"Still, I do hope they're being careful, hopping about like they are," Harry said.

"Toby gave something to Alicia? What did she get?" Arthur asked eagerly, handing the stack of postcards to Harry, who found he had been robbed of Olivia in the process.

"Well, you know that spell used in complex Arithmantic problems you can use to write out the formula in the air so you can negate them?" Alex said.

"I definitely know it," Harry said dryly. "It got me out of a trap below the castle once."

"Well, from what Father told me, he gave her a modified version of that spell in which she could use to draw pictures in the air. That way, if they're in an emergency situation where Apparating isn't an option or she needs to get to someone right away, she can still draw her way out and take whomever she likes with her without having to leave a physical painting behind. The spell fades within a minute or two," Alex explained.

"That is very nice," Harry agreed.

"I agree. I've often been worried about how anytime she does need to use it she needs to either drop something or find a painting somewhere inconspicuous," Arthur said, bouncing his great granddaughter.

"Yeah, there were times when that was a pain on our adventures as kids," Alex admitted with a grin. "But my point is, nobody can get out of a jam like my sister can, Harry. I don't think you have to worry about the clan catching up with them."

"I myself am a bit more worried about that vinter vampire that's moved into Hogsmeade," Arthur admitted in a much softer voice.

"I know, I've been keeping an eye on him," Harry admitted, lowering his voice as well. "But so far, he's done everything above board, from immigration to the non-human rights office to the business office. Every single license is in place, every T crossed and I dotted."

"Now who does that remind me of," Arthur said with a sigh.

"Probably the same person it reminds me of," Harry said, the two of them looking at Olivia thoughtfully, while Alex looked away, lost in her own thoughts. "In some ways, Foncé is more dangerous."

"Yes, Harry, but he still has all the restrictions and vulnerabilities of a vampire, so that should limit him some," Arthur said quietly. "Of course, he doesn't have a shadow of humanity, does he? What I mean to say is, that even with all of the evil Lucius caused, he did leave some good in his wake, Harry. Mary, Danny, and yes even Draco," Arthur said, despite the fact that Harry grimaced before he had even gotten to his name. "And of course our little Olivia! Would you have a world without her, Harry?"

"I suppose not," Harry admitted, then looked over at Alex who was listening with a distant look on her face. "But that just goes back to why I think Foncé is in some ways more dangerous. The worst part is that I don't think we'll be able to get rid of him until someone is already a victim. He hasn't left one single technicality to chance, so all I can do is watch and wait."

Suddenly Harry felt a strange chill run through him that made him look up at the sky expecting an approaching storm, realizing belatedly he was inside. He stood then and looked around in confusion, wondering if it had simply been the conversation at hand that had made him uneasy.

"Something wrong, Harry?" Alex asked with a frown, seeing the strange expression cross his face.

"I don't know, it was just…nothing, I suppose," Harry said.

"Well!" Arthur said, handing Olivia back to Harry. "I'm going to go see who all is around to see if we can start on the cake and things."

"That had better be one huge cake," Alex commented as Arthur walked away, grinning at Harry who had sat back down beside her.

"You know, that's always been the real magic behind the Weasley family, Alex," Harry said, offering his finger out to Janus who simply inspected it for a moment before opting for his own. "No matter how many of them there are, there's always going to be just enough to go around."

"Yeah, that is something, isn't it?" Alex agreed with a smile.

As the others were gathering around the center picnic table, Harry and Alex walked over to the play area to hand the babies off to Tim and Connie, who were half babysitting and half watching as Dale and Lucky tried to teach Helena and Reggie some basic moves with the football.

"I think I'll stay here with these guys," Alex decided with a grin and stepped into the pen.

"Thanks, I feel a lot better already," Harry said, handing Olivia over before walking towards the table, rather surprised to see Aurelius there. "I thought you were helping Andrew to try and find Gloria's mother?" Harry murmured to him curiously, and Aurelius nodded in response.

"I just came over to check in real quick. Father was a bit uneasy and wanted me to make sure it was nothing," Aurelius said, expecting to Harry roll his eyes at that. Instead, Harry looked quite startled.

"How very strange," Harry murmured. Aurelius frowned, reading his expression.

"Perhaps there is some reason to be concerned after all?" Aurelius wondered.

"I don't know," Harry said, shaking his head and trying to focus back in on the party. "I just don't know."


Sagittari of Sagittarius, son of Stargazer Ronan, frowned critically at where the sharp, polished circlet had landed within the target. He stood beneath the shade trees, his robes discarded, looking nothing like the doctor and professor that the students of Hogwarts had come to respect. He was at that moment simply a centaur that had come home to visit for his youngest children's annual star readings.

"Do not be so quick to trade speed for accuracy, Amphion. The angle leaves much to be desired," Sagittari said critically. The auburn-haired roan colt frowned in annoyance, carefully removing the circlet blade from the hay figure, placing it back within a leather strap at the top of a long rod. "Take your time, it is not going anywhere," Sagittari said again.

"If it were an enemy of the forest, it would not be standing still," Amphion said, stamping a hoof but settling down when Sagittari frowned at him again. Sighing softly and attempting to concentrate, Amphion readied his sling again and spun the circlet out toward its target, cutting deep into what would have been its neck had it been alive.

"Better," Sagittari admitted with a nod. "You'll do well at the games this year."

"But I was hoping to listen to the counsel at the Constellation this year," Amphion frowned.

"First you should learn to listen to my own counsel, Amphion, and take your time, for it is not going anywhere," Sagittari repeated. Amphion sighed, realizing now that he was talking about more than just his aim.

"I bet I could hit that target better than Amphion can," said a young blonde and dapple-grey filly, coming up beside them.

"You should be with your mother learning your recitations, Lyra," Sagittari said sternly.

"And Amphion should be with the other colts," she said rebelliously, but then brightened. "They're studying sun arcs, Father, and measuring the sun with sticks. It's very interesting."

"Why don't you ever do as you are supposed to?" Amphion sighed at her.

"Why don't you?" she challenged back.

"Amphion is excused from his duties so he can seek my counsel before his reading tonight, as you will be tomorrow before we read yours," Sagittari said calmly.

"How is it that he gets his reading night first when I am eldest?" Lyra asked, stamping her front hoof.

"You were wise enough to let him go ahead of you when you were born," Sagittari said. "As you would have known had you learned your recitations. You should return to your duties before someone comes looking for you."

"Can't I at least stay and watch you practice?" Lyra pleaded.

"Lyra," a stern voice said, and reluctantly the filly looked up to see her mother, Vega, a red-haired dapple-grey, frowning at her disapprovingly. "It is not your place to argue with the males, especially not your brother and father. Return to the fire ring at once."

"Yes, Mother," Lyra murmured, reluctantly walking back through the trees. Sagittari decided the best course of action was to pretend not to notice, gesturing to Amphion to begin practice again.

"A word with you, Sagittari," Vega said firmly. Sagittari grimaced and Amphion did as well, looking at his father almost apologetically when the centaur went over to join the mare, who had walked a few more steps away from where the boy was practicing.

"Yes, Starlight Vega?" Sagittari inquired calmly.

"Your daughter," Vega began, glancing over at Amphion who was too absorbed in his sling and circlet to listen in, "has become increasingly reckless in your absence."

"She is simply high spirited, Vega," Sagittari said unconcernedly, "Like her mother."

"I did not find ways to forsake my duties," Vega said coolly. "Like her father."

"I trust she will grow out of it," Sagittari said solemnly. "As I trust you with their welfare."

"That is well," Vega said, nodding solemnly. "For I intend to have her mated at first heat."

"What?" Sagittari said, staring at her with alarm. "What do you mean? That is much too early! She is too young for that!"

"If her body is prepared then she is prepared," Vega said evenly.

"No, she wouldn't be! It is much more complicated than that…"

"You are not a healer of our people, Sagittari," Vega said a tone that betrayed how many times she had to remind him of it.

"I was not going to speak of physiology! She would not be mentally mature enough to handle making such a life decision under such conditions when she has not experienced it before," Sagittari said.

"But I am, Sagittari," Vega said evenly, glancing through the woods towards a small meadow as if there were no trees in the way. "I have been watching the colts carefully, and it is Hermius who watches her in the fields most often."

"Hermius is just as reckless as she is, if not more so," Sagittari snapped.

"He is a Scorpio, they will balance and settle each other," Vega said calmly. "The stars read her mate as being a Scorpio."

"I do not approve, Vega," Sagittari said firmly.

"As is your right," Vega said respectfully. "But you do not have the same duties I have, Sagittari. Every day I look after our children, while you but visit for Constellations and Reading Days."

"Tell me one guard or scout of our village who does not do otherwise," Sagittari said defensively.

"I do not question your path, Sagittari," Vega said quietly. "If I had, I would have never let you near me." Sagittari couldn't help but be amused at that.

"You at least were old enough to know what you were getting into," Sagittari pointed out.

"Hermius is not likely to stray far from the constellation," Vega said distantly. "But Lyra's path has been troubled from her birth. She was long coming into the world, Sagittari, many hours after Amphion's fate had been read. But I do not think she will be so long in leaving it. Let her at least have the chance to foal before she rides the night sky." Sagittari's face darkened.

"We may have simply misinterpreted her stars that night," Sagittari said quietly.

"Have we done so every night of her reading since her birth as well, Sagittari?" Vega challenged him.

"I am a wizard as well, Vega," Sagittari said quietly. "And although we often consult the stars, we do not allow them to decide our destinies for us."

"That may be, but your children are not," Vega reminded him. Sagittari frowned, glancing over at where his son was attempting to repair his target enough to try another time. "Star Peregrine has told me that Ronan wishes to counsel Amphion," she said, the pride evident in her voice.

"Yes, it seems that his stars, at least, read true for him," Sagittari murmured. "If only Lyra's did not."

"You cannot protect her from her destiny, Sagittari," Vega said quietly. Sagittari gazed at her sad, solemn eyes but didn't answer. Instead he simply turned and walked back over to his son, reluctantly allowing Vega to deal with Lyra in her own way.

"I am improving, Father," Amphion declared.

"So it would seem, although I am not certain you are unbiased when it comes to judging your own progress," Sagittari said.

It was then that the wave went through him; a strange vibration like distant thunder and he gazed up at the sky, wondering what it was.

"Your Spear is glowing," Amphion said solemnly. "I have not seen it do that before."

Sagittari unslung the Spear with surprise, staring at it unsurely before getting in a special pouch at his side and rubbing it down with poppy oil, the glow slowly subsiding. Something was wrong, that much Sagitarri was certain. But when he listened to the sounds of the Dark Forest, nothing seemed amiss; and when no Owls came as the afternoon progressed he put it out of his mind and tried to concentrate on the tasks at hand.