Chapter 6: Marshall's Talk

The men came in from hunting and found Sebastian and Aradia sleeping peacefully together.

"She needs that Sirius. Every mother needs their child at one point," Marshall said closing the door to leave the two in peace.

"And every child needs a mother," Harry said sounding rather mature.

Both men stopped and turned to look at him a feeling of guilt washing over their faces and something else. Sirius and Marshall left for separate walks and Harry flopped down in front of the fire.


Minerva and Albus were enjoying a quiet game of chess while the students that stayed behind were out in the snow. It was one of the few times they could enjoy being together when the fire roared to life and a young man stepped out on wobbly legs with a thick wooden cane in his hand.

"Marshall!?" Minerva gasped shooting up to hug her son warmly.

"Merry Christmas mum," the man greeted awkwardly.

He stepped away and looked at his father who was looking at the fire as if hoping someone else would come out.

"She's not coming. Especially not in her condition," Marshall said taking his mother's seat across from his father.

"She's not ill is she?" Minerva asked worriedly her mothering instinct kicking in after so many years of being unused.

"Well not technically. No her illness will end in about three to four months time," Marshall smirked.

Minerva gasped and her hand covered her mouth.

"Marshall did you help them escape?" Albus asked. Though he said it calmly both could feel the anger radiating off of him.

"No I did not. They came to me after the fact they had escaped and after they'd seen Harry and Sebastian," Marshall answered.

"That explains the subtle hostility from the boys," Albus nodded.

"Sebastian has quickly grown attached to his mother. As you know it is a bond that never wavers in even the darkest of times," Marshall answered moving a chess piece.

"It does under certain circumstances," Albus replied.

"Maybe…maybe for some. But a child always yearns for its mother; even if outwardly they show arrogance," Marshall answered, "inwardly they scream for the affection they once had. Sometimes it even gets into their subconscious and they have nightmares of it."

"Oh baby," Minerva cried holding her son close, "Albus this has to stop!"

"What would you have me do?" Albus snapped and stormed out of the room.

Marshall growled and stood as he walked to the fireplace holding his cane firmly.

"I have to go. Aradia is going to have twins and I'm doing everything I can to make sure what happened to you does not happen to her," he sighed and disappeared into the green flames.

Minerva collapsed into her chair and cried.