The summer after Third Year had to be the most exciting one in Linny's life.
Every morning he woke up to his godfather in his dog form curled up beside him drooling or snoring, or even farting in his sleep causing him to yell out and wake him up. And a very disgruntled Indigo, must never forget the moody irritable older brother who loves sleep more than his girlfriend ("I dream about my girlfriend it's not like I'm cheating on her with sleep!" Indigo cried out in one teasing session. "Why Indy," Sarah purred, "I'm afraid I'm not as faithful since Orlando Bloom visits my dreams on a regular basis.") . they then trudge down the stairs, bickering, with a snarling Saffy chasing after them, a yawning Rose grumbling, and a confused David practically sleep walking, to be served a delicious breakfast cooked by Dobby.
Sarah would join them at some point and then she and Saffy will drag Linny and Rose for homework and muggle school work while Indigo and David actually did fun stuff. Sirius either lounge about with the boys or help with the homework depending on the subject ("Just fail potions, Snape's not worth the effort – ow! Saffron stop beating me with that book!").
Bill had long ago escaped the house for work while Eve would have drifted off to the shed to paint. Buckbeak was long gone (much to Dobby's relief) with a package for Hagrid which contained a beautiful portrait of himself. Hagrid had sent back a tearful letter and a large sack of rock cakes (which after David chipped a tooth on one no one would touch (Bill dragged a fearful David to the dentist)). Caddy would arrive with a screaming two year old (Saffy swore Linny and Rose were just as terrible in their terrible twos) for them to look after so she can go home and actually sleep.
Not until after everyone spoke to her stomach and poked and prodded it. Caddy was gigantic and some insensitive questions like 'were you this fat with Buttercup?' would send her into streams of tears. So once they all caught up and Caddy rested her feet they would suffer entertaining a teething two year old while Caddy legged it for a nap and time for herself.
Sirius soon became Buttercup's long-suffering favourite toy as the baby climbed all over him in dog or human form demanding piggy-backs, pulled his ears or hair or even his tail, and cried if he dared leave the room.
"It's like babysitting Harry again," he grumbled to a snickering Saffy.
"I think it's adorable, babies in general are, I bet Linny was a gorgeous baby" Sarah said loudly, causing Linny who had been chasing Buttercup to freeze, and Sirius to jump away from Saffy as he had been leaning on her to complain. "When you get hold of your old belongings you must show us all of Linny's baby photos."
"I have a few," Sirius smirked, "but none match that lovely photo of him almost naked apart from a pair of boots in the garden at age five."
Linny groaned and turned bright red. "You had to show him that?" he wailed to his older smirking siblings.
"It wasn't us," Saffy grinned, "Eve couldn't wait to show Sirius every photo of the whole family. I think he even saw that old black and white photo of Great, Great, Great Granny."
"Why, why didn't Rose accidentally set the photos on fire?" Linny moaned to himself.
"Maybe if you show that one of her nappy being changed to Tom she will," Sarah suggested.
"Sarah!" Indigo and Saffy scolded.
Sirius just threw his head back and roared with laughter. He found himself recovering from his twelve year nightmare a lot quicker since he moved in with the Cassons whether it had something to do with being near his precious godson or living in a warm, safe, loving environment with regular meals, or even just the constant humour running throughout the house from the dippy mother to her wild naughty grandson, Sirius didn't know but bloody hell he loved it.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Severus Snape, however, was not enjoying his summer holiday. This was mostly because he was in a dark brooding mode after discovering he had accused the wrong person of betraying Lily and let the real culprit run off. And that he almost lost Lily's son's soul to a dementors, that was preying on his mind as well, all of the gloomy stuff aside he was finding himself a victim to pranks once more, and also a victim to the over the top warm welcome of the Cassons once more.
For some bloody reason they can't take no for an answer and that was irritating him.
So in an attempt to get them off his back Snape agreed to go to Potter's birthday party that and the strengthening of his wards which stopped majority of the pranks had cheered him somewhat (instead of being on the verge of murder he was now on the verge of just some normal throttling) and now dressed in his muggle clothing (smart black trousers and matching black shirt) he dramatically walked to the Cassons intimidating several children on his way.
The party was a rather small one which surprised him since there had been virtually a hundred people at the last party this infernal family dragged him too. He glared at Lupin who was standing at the back scratching a large black dog's ear before he was suddenly grabbed into a huge hug.
"Oh Severus darling!" Eve cried out. "It is such a pleasant surprise that you came! I know Linny was looking forwards to you coming."
"Why? So he can play more pranks on me?" Snape snarled.
"Pranks? Oh no! Linny has never been one for pranks, the dog however...oh dear, I think I can smell the sausage rolls burning, I'll just be a moment darling! Remember to mingle!"
Snape sneered as the ditzy woman rushed back into the house. The dog? She thinks the dog was pranking him? Somehow he had a feeling she was completely right but that didn't stop her sounding barking mad. He looked at the old house stuck in memories of how he used to come here as a place to escape. In this very garden which had once been neat and filled with beautiful bright flowers he had used to play with Lily...
The sign painted in bright colours read HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINNY & ROSE distracted him for a brief moment but it had been hanging out from the bathroom window and Mr and Mrs Evans' bedroom window and he was stuck remembering Mr Evans giving him the 'talk' and treating him like he was the son he never had and how Mrs Evans rubbed his back when he had been sick that one time...
"Hi Professor Snape!" Potter appeared by his side looking rather cheerful, behind him were the youngest Weasley boy and Longbottom, both looking rather nervous. "How are you?"
"Wishing I was in hell, Potter," Snape said rather civilly (and very truthfully), "where's Granger?"
"Oh she's on holiday with her parents but she sent a brilliant book filled with different paintings and stuff, Rose has nicked it though," Potter said far too cheerfully.
"I hope you do not expect a present from me Potter," Snape sneered.
"Oh no! Wouldn't dream of it sir, just glad you could make it."
"I am curious though to know why the banner has your sister's name on it. I was under the impression her birthday was not for another week or two."
"Oh Luna Lovegood has invited Rose to stay with her for the next two weeks before the Qudditch World Cup Final, something about nargles or wrackspurts, I'm not quite sure, anyway Daddy agreed to it and we're celebrating her birthday early this year," the child babbled, "she's a little upset that Tom couldn't make it but he's not flying into England for another couple weeks yet but at least she has her friends round, she hasn't seen them much since she started Hogwarts."
"Indeed," Snape muttered, "Tell me Potter, where can I get a beverage around here?"
"Caddy's in charge of drinks, there should be a table somewhere..."
"Useless child," Snape muttered.
He was about to storm off dramatically to find something to drink, and then make people aware he had arrived, before running off back to his sanctuary away from the memories and irritatingly cheerful people. However just as he was about to leave Potter and his two pathetic sidekicks alone a house elf tackled Potter to the ground.
"Dobby is sorry! Dobby was preparing the Great Harry Potter's birthday present! He did not mean to leave Fake Harry Potter's Mummy in charge of the kitchen!"
"Dobby it's all right! Stop hitting yourself! Mummy always used to burn things..."
Snape left rather quickly leaving the boy to deal with the hysterical house elf. He cannot bear the creatures, they were far too pleasing and cheerful for his liking, he preferred something that had a backbone and didn't smile all the bloody time. He soon found the second eldest Casson child sitting beside her best friend and looking as sullen as he felt.
"Professor Snape," she nodded to him.
"Miss Casson," he nodded back. "I don't suppose you know where I can get a drink, do you?"
"There's a table by the shed that Caddy is supposed to be in charge of," the girl shrugged.
As he began to walk away he could hear the crippled girl whisper harshly, "Get a grip Saffy, it's your brother's birthday party. Do try and have some fun."
"I'm too mad at that bloody dog right now!" the other girl hissed.
"Oh so what if he accidentally walked in on you when you were undressed, it's your own fault for not locking the door. He said sorry already!"
"It's the principal of things!"
"Oh I give up!"
Snape finally found the heavy pregnant girl feeling rather confused. He didn't understand why the dog was so bloody important and a large part of him really didn't want to find out but then his curiosity was always one of his weaknesses (along with Lily, custard tarts, and his pride, always his pride). He decided this one was best to learn a later date; it was safer for his sanity if he has a drink and leave the party as soon as possible.
"Oh hello Professor!" the eldest Casson cried out cheerfully. Why was this family so bloody cheerful? "How are you?"
"I have been better," he replied coolly, "and you?"
"About to burst any second," she grinned as she patted her large stomach, "twins apparently, the doctor says it'll be any day now. Michael can't wait he wants to name them since I got to name Buttercup," Snape winced for that poor child who will certainly be bullied for the rest of its life, "what can I get you to drink?"
"Anything will do," Snape said.
He regretted it when he was passed a bright pink fruity cocktail that had about five different spirits in it. If the night couldn't get any worse the fat boy that the Cassons had practically adopted fell to his knees with a large purple tongue growing out from him, several of the ignorant muggles screamed while Mrs Weasley was yelling at her evil-definitely-from-hell twins, and Mr Weasley was trying to soothe the boy while resolving the crisis.
Once everything finally calmed down the eldest Casson child let out a small gasp.
"Oh!" she cried out. "My waters have broken."
Snape gulped his drink down in one and sweared to never go to another Casson party ever again.
Tom grinned down at the baby he was holding before grinning at his best friend who was holding the matching baby. "How do you feel Uncle Indy?" he asked.
"No different to how I felt yesterday," Indigo grinned back.
"I bet these two are going to be lookers just like their aunts," Tom said, "you'll have to lock them up Michael or you'll have hoards of teenage boys coming over."
"Oh trust me, I plan to," Michael grinned while his wife let out an argumentative whine. "They have to be a prince or something before I let my little girls go out with one of them."
"Just as long as it's not a bloke likely to cheat on one twin with the other," Saffy said loudly causing her father to wince and her adoptive mother to look distraught. The rest of the family merely sighed at her antics. "Any other sort of bloke is probably golden compared to him."
"That's enough Saffy," Indigo said quietly.
A glance at her best friend who looked like she agreed with Indigo silenced Saffy effectively as the rest of the family cooed adoringly at the two new additions to the family. Jassy and Juniper, who were both sleeping peacefully and ignorant to the world around them.
"So where are the young uncle and aunt then?" Tom asked noticing the absence of his most favourite Casson (don't tell Indigo) and her older brother.
"Rose had left two weeks ago for a camping trip with Luna that's going to end with the World Cup Final tomorrow and Linny left to stay at the Weasleys this morning," Indigo explained. "Dad got hold of a wireless from Mr Weasley and we're going to listen to the World Cup here if you want to join us."
"Do I want to listen to the most awesome game in the world with the most awesome family in the world? Do you have any idea how stupid that question sounds?" Tom asked with a raised eyebrow.
"A rather sensible one?" Michael suggested.
Everyone laughed until a disgusting smell filled the room. Tom quickly held out the baby he was holding (was it Jassy or Juniper?) to Caddy.
"It's your turn, Mummy," he said innocently.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
It was dark and loud and scary.
Rose wasn't often scared of something and when she was she rarely let anyone know. her biggest fears had always been thunderstorms (in which she will climb into Indigo's bed since it was the safest place in the world unless she was at Hogwarts then it will either be Linny's or Tom's) and the very secret fear of rejection (which was no longer a secret thanks to that bloody Boggart). She had been terrified of those giant spiders which had resulted in hiding in Tom's bed during her first year and she hadn't been good with that horrible feeling in your ears when an aeroplane goes up (she always holds on tightly to Daddy for that) but now she had no one to hold on to and she was very scared.
Very, very, very scared.
The World Cup had been great fun and really exciting she had brought lots and lots of Ireland things for herself and her family and got lots of free samples of things as well. The two weeks before had been hilarious as she watched the most interesting tents being put up, wizards wearing really funny clothes (she took photos for everyone to laugh at), and talked to lots of people and learnt loads more about the magical world.
Then she was woken up by lots of screaming and these scary men in masks were making people float upside down in the air.
And what was worse was it was muggle people they were levitating which made her feel very sick. She thought about her family and how easy it could have been them.
Mr Lovegood held onto her hand tightly while he held Luna's with his other hand and ran towards the woods which scared Rose some more because she couldn't stop thinking about the Forbidden Forest and those giant spiders.
She wanted her brother.
She needed to know if Linny was safe or not,
When they stopped Mr Lovegood was looking really worried and was too busy glancing around to be much comfort. Rose wanted to run away and find Linny so she could cry. Instead she felt Luna pull her into a much needed hug and she could hear her whisper loudly in her ear.
"Everything is going to be all right Rose."
Just then a bright green light lit the forest as the sky was filled with a large skull and snake.
The entire forest screamed in terror as Luna clung tightly to Rose.
PRPRPRPRPRPRPRPRPRPR
Sirius was pacing up and down the living room.
The moment Saffy had read the magical newspaper the whole family took half an hour turns by the fireplace. Dobby was crying hysterically which had most of Eve's attention as she tried to soothe the poor house elf and Bill had been quick to send a letter to the Weasleys and Lovegoods for the return of his children. Tom, Indigo and David had taken a turn earlier before being chased off by a hysterical Caddy and rather harassed Michael who was trying to deal with a toddler, two babies, and a crying wife. Soon after Bill took a turn before being forced out to work by Sarah who sat with Saffy as they waited impatiently and now they were joined by an agitated Sirius.
"Will you stop bloody pacing? It's fucking irritating!" Saffy snarled as she jumped off the sofa and stood in Sirius' way.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at her. He was used to her being angry almost all the time, in fact he rather enjoyed angering her she had a fiery blaze to her blue eyes when she was angry, but he had never heard her swear.
"What?" she snarled.
"Nothing, just not used to hearing you swear," Sirius said, he then side stepped her and began to pace up and down again.
Saffy grabbed his arm pulling him to a grinding halt. "Pacing isn't going to bring them back any time sooner. And all it's going to do is irritate me," she said sternly in her best teacher's voice.
"I need to do something," Sirius got out between gritted teeth, "I hate waiting when someone I love might be in trouble."
"Yeah? Well get used to it, pal, because I always have to wait to see if my little brother and sister are all right," she poked Sirius in the chest, "and you're going to have to do the same over and over again," with each word she poked him harder in the chest, "so act like a bloody grown up and stop moving about before I bloody hit you."
Sirius opened his mouth but before he could say anything the fire turned emerald green and a boy with matching eyes stumbled out.
"Oh thank god!" Sirius and Saffy cried out simultaneously.
Linny found himself stuck in a middle of a three way hug as Sirius held onto his left side and Saffy onto his right side. Sarah was snickering in the background before she shouted out to the house that Linny was home.
He was then stuck in a giant group hug which grew more suffocating when Rose fell out of the fireplace and into Tom's back.
Of course Indigo, Saffy, Sarah, and Linny shall be teasing Rose about this for quite some time.
Until she throws a shoe at them and it hits Bill in the eyes.
("Sorry Daddy!" Rose wailed. "Grounded!" was Bill's only reply.)