"Seriously guys I don't think this is a good idea." Remus says, waving his arms anxiously. He used to transform basically naked, but ever since his friends have started spending the full moon with him he's been wearing the ratty pyjama bottoms he's wearing now, which are spelled to follow him in the transformation so he's wearing them when he turns back human, the same way the clothes and personal effects of an Animagus aren't lost when they turn into their animal forms.
"Siriusly." James corrects absently, checking over the prototype Map they've managed to cobble together so far.
"What's the position of Baloo?" Haesel asks, peering through the grimy windows of the Shrieking Shack.
"In his hut." James answers.
"Good." Haesel says and moves to check out of another window, even though all of them are equally dirty and Remus doesn't know why she bothers. Maybe it's a sign of nerves. His suspicion is confirmed when she suddenly whirls around. "Where's Padfoot?"
James looks up. "Almost at the Willow."
Haesel bites her lip, then nods. "I'll go get him."
With one smooth movement she transforms and disappears. Remus watches her go with silent jealousy. He knows it's impossible, that it'll never be possible for him in any way - but that doesn't stop him from dreaming about it, about being free from the illness and being able to learn that skill. He's accepted the limitations Lycanthropy has given him a long time ago, but that doesn't mean it doesn't sometimes secretly smarts.
James looks up, reading the conflicting emotions on his face too easily. "We'll be fine, you know. The transformation is as easy as breathing by now, we don't even need wands anymore. All three of us have complete control over our animal sides."
Remus rakes a hand through his hair. "It's not your skill I worry about."
James sits back, waiting. At the back of his mind Remus silently wonders when they all grew up so much, to become so serious and grown up even though they all are only fourteen.
"Fine, I do. What if something goes wrong and I get out of the forest? What if we meet, I don't know, another werewolf and we get into a fight? What then?" he rants, raking one hand after another through his hair until it sticks up in all directions.
James rises and lays a calming hand on his shoulder. "If you want, we don't have to go out into the forest yet. We can wait for another time."
Remus' shoulders slump. "I want to go, though. The idea of running free in the woods, not being locked into this bloody house all the time - there's a part of me that really longs for that."
"Then we go." Haesel says. "It's as simple as that."
He whirls around, not having noticed their entrance. As he's looking, Sirius takes a step forward and easily shifts back to human form.
"You heard Whiskers." the dog-Animagus says, swinging one arm over Haesel's shoulders and pulling her against him in a rough hug. Haesel hisses like her cat form.
Remus can't stop the smile that pulls at the corners of his mouth. "Alright then. We'll go."
James gives him a pat on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, Moony."
§
The compartment is silent when the train pulls into King's Cross Station, the dark and oppressive mood outside affecting those inside the train as well. The cheer and sheer light of Hogwarts is hours behind and seemingly impossibly far away.
"Well, this is it." Lily says eventually as the train comes to a complete stop. "I look forward to seeing you all in September." She gives a wan smile.
Haesel nods as she shoulders her bag and takes the handle of her trunk. "Until then."
The rest of them nod solemnly and one after another they alight from the train, quickly gathered up by their families and whisked away. The contrast with how the year started couldn't be greater, Sirius can't help think. Even Dumbledore's farewell speech was a far cry from the one he can only faintly remember from last year, now insisting more on 'being careful' than 'enjoying the summer'.
Opposing sides are clear, even on the platform. Those who support the Dark Lord, as the papers have started calling him are completely unconcerned with the heavy atmosphere, greeting their children with normal volume and none of the hasty manner the Muggleborn and some of the Half-bloods have, who hurry their children away immediately either by Floo or Apparition.
Even those that have stayed neutral so far, such as the Greengrass family, don't stay at the platform any longer than it takes to collect their son and daughter.
What's even clearer, Sirius thinks with disgust, is the division between prey and hunter. All those that are associated with what's come to be known as the Light side are that much more careful, even if they don't show any obvious concern or hurry. Even James' parents, who as Purebloods and formidable fighters don't have much to be afraid of, don't dally and head home the moment they've found their son.
Just before the Potters leave, Sirius manages to catch the eye of Dorea, who gives him a concerned frown. Sirius shrugs. The frown stays as the Floo swirls her away and it gives him a warm feeling inside. He knows what she doesn't dare say out loud - he'll always be welcome at her house.
With practiced ease Sirius ignores the stab of longing and finally leaves the train. As usual, his father can't be bothered with picking them up and there's only his mother there. Regulus is already standing at her side, bored contempt clear on his face.
Some days Sirius wonders just how much is the mask and how much is true, but he forces himself to only show a similar lack of emotions as he approaches them.
"Mother," he greets with a dip of the head. There's nothing but the respect a son owes his mother in his voice, but he knows that Walburga doesn't want anything more than that from him. As long as he shows her only the perfect Pureblood Black heir she wants to see, so long as she's satisfied with that, she will leave him alone - that's the unspoken compromise they have reached.
"Sirius." Walburga says. There's not even a hint of love or any other emotion in her voice. "Welcome back. I trust your year was satisfactory."
"Of course." Sirius says, adopting the same stiff way of speaking. He's only too aware of the eyes that are following his every move. Some part of him wants to loudly point out the obviousness of their actions, the way they all made clear which side they've taking in this conflict that has begun to take on the appearance of war. The Dark Lord has yet to reveal himself fully and already the lines have been drawn.
She nods, then turns to Druella. Of her three girls, only the youngest is still attending Hogwarts. Sirius pities her. Narcissa used to be a bright and cheerful girl, but over the last year she's grown cold and haughty. Considering that her mother is even worse than his own, he can understand her need for defence. Her eyes are wide as they meet his and he wishes he knew how to help her, but it's already too late. Starting this summer, she'll be trained extensively until she's as prim and proper and frozen as can be, so that when she finishes Hogwarts they can immediately marry her off to some other Pureblood. It's quite likely that she'll be pregnant within the year, if not in two.
He tries to convey his sympathy with his eyes only, but the panicked look doesn't go away. He remembers a time when they were young, Regulus, Narcissa and him only supervised by Andromeda. He remembers Narcissa brightly exclaiming how she was going to be a professional duellist, Andy only laughing. She'd always been his favourite cousin, especially after she ran away the last summer and married a Muggleborn. She's been burned off the family tapestry for that stunt, but Sirius keeps secretly in contact with her.
"We shall see you shortly, then." Walburga says.
Druella nods. There is an intense satisfaction in her face, only barely covered by good manners. Sirius wonders why. He doubts it's because Andromeda is pregnant, so it must be something else. By the blatant fear on Narcissa's face, she's finally managed to find someone to marry Bellatrix. After the scandal with Andy, the talks with the Selwyns had fallen through, but a part of Sirius privately thought that Antares Selwyn had just used that as an excuse. Bellatrix has always been unbalanced, but ever since talk started about that Dark Lord, it's gotten even worse. It had taken an embarrassing long time after all to even get the Selwyn family to agree to a preliminary contract.
It's likely that Narcissa is aware of it, and she knows only too well that once her eldest sister is married off the pressure will fall on her.
Sirius isn't too worried about his own future. As long as his father is teaching him the Black family secrets, there is nothing his mother can do. She can plan, she can suggest girls to him, but the one who will make the decision in the end will be his father and while he's never been involved with his children, Orion at least is a responsible parent. He won't pressure Sirius to marry the moment he's finished Hogwarts, the way Cygnus will undoubtedly pressure Narcissa.
Of course, Orion has produced two sons with Walburga, while Cygnus and Druella have managed only daughters. With how close his parents are related, Sirius privately thinks that that's actually a surprise, and that the both of them are actually fairly sane is even more so.
His suspicions are confirmed when his mother sniffs the moment Druella has bustled Narcissa into the Floo and followed behind her and says, condescension clear in her haughty tone, "They have finally managed to find a husband for Bellatrix."
Sirius raises one eyebrow as he follows his mother to the Floo, only too aware of what she's doing by mentioning this news with almost every important Dark family in the vicinity, clearly being able to hear what she's saying. "Is that so?"
"Who's the lucky groom?" Regulus asks, not quite managing the effortless drawl. Sirius gives him an amused stare and his little brother breaks long enough to briefly scowl at him.
"Rodolphus Lestrange." His mother gloats. She's clearly forgiven Cygnus and Druella for the blight of Andromeda's deflection in light of Bellatrix marrying into the Lestrange Family, also one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Or, if not forgiven, at least temporarily forgotten about it.
He can barely hold his frown at bay. This summer is going to be even worse than last.
They arrive at the Black townhouse in a swirl of soot and step out elegantly. Kreacher is waiting by the fireplace, bowing so low his nose touches the ground, his ears drooping down to cover his head as he snaps quickly to remove the soot from their robes. Sirius barely manages to hide his scowl. He hates the house elf and is fairly sure the sentiment is mutual. Kreacher has never forgiven him for the pranks and tricks he used to play on his mother, whom he serves with complete devotion.
Ever since he started pretending to be a proper heir, their relationship hasn't been nearly so antagonistic, but Sirius can't bring himself to respect Kreacher, can't forget the way the house elf used to unflinchingly follow his mother's every command no matter how harsh the punishment she dealt out was. Objectively he knows that it always was his mother that came up with the punishment, but it was Kreacher who carried them out, Kreacher who shut him into the dark hole beside the stove, Kreacher who put the cane or the hot iron to the soles of his feet, Kreacher who -
It's not even been five minutes yet and already Sirius wants to get out.
"If you'll excuse me, Mother, I shall go greet Father." Only years of practice and an iron will keeps his voice even, his face blank. Walburga nods. Her expression seems almost proud, but Sirius denies the possibility. She was the one to heal him, sometimes, but even as he aimed most of his hate towards Kreacher who carried it all out, he has never quite managed to forget or forgive Walburga for giving the orders.
He doesn't think he ever will, but he's gotten good at pretending, by now.
"Very well." she says and motions Regulus to come with as she heads into the parlour, coat and hat carelessly thrown at the house elf, who snaps his fingers and directs the trunks up the stairs after him.
His father isn't to be found in his study, so Sirius heads to the library. His father is sitting in an armchair towards the back, engrossed in what Sirius recognises as the family grimoire.
Sirius clears his throat once, twice, then gives up and just grabs a book of the shelf.
It takes two hours before Orion Black finally glances up and notices his eldest son.
"Sirius," he says.
Sirius looks up from his book, which is a treatise on battle magic. "Father."
"Welcome back." his father says sounding neither happy nor sad. "How did you place?"
"Second in my year." Sirius carefully replies. It's never been explicitly stated, but as the Black heir, he's expected to do well.
Orion nods. "Well done."
Normally this is the end of their conversation, but this time Orion doesn't immediately turn back to his book and instead continues staring at Sirius, head tilted just the slightest. It takes effort not to quail under his gaze.
An approving expression flits across his father's face, gone as fast as it appears before his eyes narrow slightly.
"I am sure your mother has informed you of the impending marriage between Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange." Orion finally says.
Sirius, sensing no auditory confirmation is needed, only gives a nod.
"Surely you understand the importance of this."
Another nod, slightly slower this time. Though Rodolphus had already finished Hogwarts when Sirius started, his younger brother Rabastan is a fourth year and Sirius knows that he adamantly follows the self-styled Dark Lord. The Blacks have so far stayed neutral, but this alliance with supporters of the Dark, even if it's not the main line, will be taken as an indication of their allegiance at the least.
"Your mother is of the opinion that it is time to declare on which side we stand." Orion finally shifts his gaze away, instead looking down on the grimoire laying on his lap.
When nothing more is forthcoming, Sirius tentatively speaks up. "What is your opinion Father, if I may ask?"
There's no emotion to be found in either Orion's face, voice or countenance. "I would not yet alienate any that could prove to be of assistance to the House of Black."
The only reason that Sirius manages to keep his grip on his emotions is thanks to the fact that he's too shocked to react.
"We are not a Light family and Merlin be thanked we shall never fall so far either." Orion taps the grimoire with one hand. "Neither do I see any reason to lower my knee to one whose bloodline is not proven to be greater than my own. A Black bows to no one."
Sirius tries not to shift or even breathe too loudly.
"En stirps nobilis et gens antiquissima Black." his father quotes.
"Behold the offspring of noble birth, the most ancient House of Black." Sirius repeats under his breath. It's one of the phrases he knows best, beaten into his head by his mother from an early age.
"Indeed." Orion says and Sirius knows he wasn't as silent as he thought. He inclines his head towards his father.
It's silent for a moment and Sirius hesitates, but then he thinks of the way they sat before the fire in the common room yesterday, after everyone else had gone to bed, playing a Muggle card game Haesel had taught them. He thinks of laughter, bright and brave and briefly clenches his fingers around his closed book.
"There are certain fractions at school who'd like to convince me to join them," he says, for once not dancing around the issue. His father raises an eyebrow in silent judgement of his forward way of speaking, but says nothing beyond that. "They have similarly approached both James and Lily Evans."
Orion is visibly surprised by that last name, but then a terrible frown forms on his face. "So when it comes down to it, this so called Lord Voldemort hesitates not to invite Half-bloods to join him with the same breath he invites the heir of the House of Black?"
Sirius has to bite his tongue to avoid speaking out in defence of Lily or his other friends, most important among them Haesel. This is not the time to advocate the rights of Half-bloods, no matter his personal feelings. It had been an enormous gamble, mentioning Lily's name, but it has worked, because all his life Sirius has been raised to think of the Black name as being synonymous with royalty, even though the wizarding world hasn't had a royal family ever since the Statute of Secrecy went into effect. It's not something he has ever believed in and any lingering fondness was washed away by the Marauders, but he knows that his parents cling to that feeling of superiority more than they cling to their belief in the inferiority of Muggles or their love for the Dark Arts. It's the first time he's ever tried and succeeded in manipulating his own father and he hates it, hates it with a passion.
He just loves the Marauders more.
Taking his silence as assent, Orion rises, the grimoire falling to his feet. There's a rage of a kind Sirius has never seen on his father's face before. It takes all of his Gryffindor bravery to not quail in the face of it.
"I shall not take this insult quietly." Orion hisses and then storms out of the library. From the thunderous slam of a door downstairs Sirius knows his father has gone to his mother, and with a quiet sigh of relief he allows himself to sink into the chair, abandoning his proper posture.
It's all far from over, but at least now his father, who has been Head of the family ever since his grandfather Arcturus died five years ago, won't allow the family to side with the Dark Lord.
Sirius snorts in grim amusement. He might even decide to join forces with the Light, if he was insulted enough.
He stands, picks up the grimoire and places both books on the low table between the two armchairs before heading to his room. There he finally pulls out the note Haesel had slipped into his pocket before she'd gotten off the train, during the last round of hugs. The paper is creased where he'd gripped it tightly and he has to smooth it out several times before he dares to open it.
A smile grows and in the privacy of his bedroom he lets it, folding the note until he can't anymore and then slipping it securely under the black leather armband James has given him for his birthday. There are runes stitched into it with silver thread for protection and concealment. The only time he takes it off is when he is in the shower and even then it doesn't leave his sight. James had charmed it himself, creating a tiny cache in the thick leather. That's where he now slips the note, even though he should probably destroy it.
He twists the armband until the cache is resting on the inside of his wrist and in an almost unaware movement raises his wrist until his lips are pressed against the cool leather.
Courage is found in the most unlikely of places. Like mince pies. Love, Haesel.
§
Haesel scratches almost absently at a mosquito bite. She's sitting on the porch, legs dangling. It's peaceful, calm. There's no sign of the storm that has taken over Wizarding Britain, the fear or the darkness or the blood and the pain.
She knows it's a lie. It's seeped into the Muggle world. Even her parents are worried, discussing the wizarding paper Lily got them a subscription to for Christmas last year when they think the girls can't hear them, but none of them are blind or stupid. Haesel knows that they're thinking of maybe going to stay with Grandmother for a while, when the twins are at Hogwarts and Petunia is off at university. Grandmother has already put up wards around the house and she was the one to pick Lily and Haesel up at the station in June, but their parents are worried it's not going to be enough.
July had passed without any major incidents obviously caused by wizards, and they had relaxed slightly, but the arrival of the Hogwarts letters had brought the whole issue up again.
Lily settles beside her. They sit is silence for a while, staring out into the yard. There are tiny lights flickering on some of the bushes in the far corner and Haesel wonders if they're caused by fireflies or glow-worms.
She poses the question to Lily, who ponders it for a while.
"I think glow-worms." Lily finally decides. "Fireflies aren't really common here, and the lights aren't really flying, aren't they?"
Haesel tilts her head and considers it, before humming her acceptance of that statement. They sit in silence for a while more before Haesel finally turns to her sister.
"So, what have they decided?"
Lily shrugs. "The new wards prevent owl order, so we haven't really got a choice but to go. We both have to be present, because we need new robes and those need to be fitted."
"Those are just the facts." Haesel says.
"Yes, but they're finally accepting them." Lily counters. "I think it's a step forward."
"What did they say about your idea?"
"They liked the idea of meeting up with other people, especially other trained witches and wizards, but they're not sure if a big group is a good idea." Lily looks slightly sour at that. She'd suggested that they meet up with a bunch of their friends and all go together, mainly because it had been ages since either of them had seen any of the others. "I think they are overreacting a bit."
Now it's Haesel's turn to shrug. "They just want to keep us safe."
Lily has to concede that point and they lapse into silence again. It's grown completely dark by now.
"I miss the time when we were young and all we had to worry about was homework and music." Haesel says, nostalgia colouring her tone.
"Me too." Lily sighs. She flops back and stares at the awning about the porch. "Not that we actually worried about homework, but still. It all seems so nice now."
"So peaceful." Haesel agrees. She turns to look down at Lily. Matching green eyes meet in the faint light that shines from inside the house. "Are you worried?"
Lily bites her lip. "I - I would like to say no, but … yes. I am."
Haesel looks back out in the dark. The stars are clear and she tries to spot any constellations she knows, but the one she can't help but look for isn't visible in summer. "Me too."
"I think that perhaps I'm more worried for my friends than for myself, though." Lily says. "Or well, after my worry for you."
"Why am I at the top of your worry list?" Haesel complains good-naturedly.
"You take too many risks. The hat placed us both in Gryffindor, you don't have to prove it, you know."
Haesel snorts. "I'm not trying to."
"Say that again after a Quidditch match." Lily parries and Haesel has to laugh.
"Fine, sometimes I might be."
Lily has to laugh as well.
"I miss our friends." she adds after a while. "Not counting summer after first year, this is the longest I've gone without seeing any of them."
Haesel exhales slowly, and looks at Lily, who's gone back to staring upwards, but the redhead doesn't look at her this time and she turns back to the garden.
"Me too," she murmurs.
§
Diagon Alley feels rather empty, even though the stores are all open and there are people. It takes Haesel a minute to realise exactly why that is - it's the silence. So far she's only seen the Alley filled with chatting people, shopkeepers calling out their wares and children running and laughing.
Now, all children are held tightly by the hand and most faces are drawn and pale, the mood in the Alley tense.
"Stay close," Grandmother says unnecessarily and the twins nod. In the end, their parents had compromised. They'd meet up with some of their friends and Grandmother would escort them. There would be no wandering around alone, but Haesel can't help but pause when they pass by a big black and white poster proclaiming safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Magic.
She hurries back to her Grandmother, who's already in front of the clothing store they had agreed upon as meeting point. Alice and Mary are already waiting there and they all embrace tightly while Mary's mother strikes up a soft conversation with Evangeline.
"I don't like this." Mary says. She glances around. "It's the first time I've seen the Alley like this in my entire life and I've been coming here since I was little."
Alice nods, but doesn't say anything. Her face is almost gaunt. While the Evans family so far has been safe and nothing has happened to or in the town where they live, others haven't been so lucky. Alice's cousin, whose pregnancy Alice had been so excited about, had been murdered in her bed with her Muggleborn husband. She'd been a week away from her due date.
It's not the only horror story. The majority of attacks have been against Muggleborns, but starting with the bomb in the Tower of London on July 17th, Muggles have been attacked as well.
Haesel curls the fingers of her left hand and presses so hard she can almost feel the blunt curves of her fingernails cut her skin, but before it can come to that another warm hand covers hers and pries her fingers loose.
She looks up. James is staring down at her solemnly and he gives her hand a tight squeeze before letting go again and greeting the others. She tries to ignore the irrational disappointment at seeing him and tries to convince herself that she hadn't expected anyone else.
When Remus, his mother and Florence and her father have joined them, they start off. It's all done quick and efficient, everyone trying to keep the amount of time they have to spend outside in the public space to a minimum.
Haesel deliberately squashes the urge to look for a head of dark curls.
§
It's decided that Evangeline will bring the twins to the platform September 1st quickly and without fuss. There's been another attack in London, this time killing thirty people, and more all over the country. The government has alternatively been trying to blame them on the IRA or faulty gas lines, but the public is becoming restless.
Almost daily disappearances litter the paper and there are reports of strange wounds, people being found drained off all blood, savagely ripped apart or in a strange vegetable state almost as if they had no soul. The summer had started out hot, but Autumn seems to have crept in towards the end of August with a fog that lingers long after the sun has risen.
"Stay safe, okay?" Ivy says and then pulls them both close again for a last hug. Haesel smiles half-heartedly and then, after hugging her father and Petunia again to balance out the hugs, trails behind Evangeline as she leads the way out to the porch. She teaches them both the shrinking and enlarging charm in theory and then shrinks their trunks so they're not burdened by them, and Haesel decides she quite likes the feeling of being unburdened like this.
The house is empty and Haesel trails a finger along the wall. She's going to miss this house, she knows it. She's spent some of her best years here. It's been home to her and to know that soon another family will live here makes something cold settle in her belly.
But then Lily bumps her shoulder into Haesel's and the black haired girl has to grin. It's true, what Lily had said when their parents had announced that Robert had taken up a post in Canada and that they would be moving there when the twins had gone to Hogwarts and Petunia was at university; as long as their family was alive and happy in this world they would all be fine.
They step out and with a last wave to their family Evangeline grabs their shoulders and the world disappears with a faint popping sound.
They reappear soundlessly at Platform Nine 3/4th. It's five to eleven - they've never cut it so close before. If the Alley was bad, though, this feels even worse. Haesel remembers her first time on the Hogwarts Express with fondness, the sights, the sounds, even the smells, but now the only sounds are those of people Apparating or Flooing in and leaving the moment they've put their child on the train. There are Aurors standing everywhere, silent and grim. Haesel recognises James' father standing at one end, and he manages to make her smile slightly by giving her a wink.
Because they're on the train now, she lets Boots out first before shrinking the cage and putting it in her messenger bag. Then they go in search of their friends, followed closely by Boots. They find the others in the normal compartment. It's starting to be quite a tight fit, with how much they're all growing, but no one suggests taking up another one as well.
The moment the train leaves the station, they all let out a sigh and the mood in the compartment lightens. Lily takes up the last spare seat beside Mary, but there's nowhere for Haesel to sit until Sirius just rolls his eyes and pulls her into his lap.
Haesel spends the first ten minutes of the ride blushing as brightly as the train, but she calms down when she realises that no one is paying them any mind. Everyone is sitting closely together anyways, trying to take comfort from each other's presences. Haesel tightens the grip she has on James' sleeve and leans her head against Sirius's shoulder, which she can now do because he has grown like a weed over summer.
"That's not fair," she whispers, when she finds out she can fit her head under his chin if she ducks a little and then decidedly does not shiver slightly when he chuckles and she can hear the rumble of it where her left ear is pressed against his chest.
"I can't help it if you're not growing." Sirius says, teasingly. It's hard to form an answer, hearing the vibrations of his voice and Haesel can't help but think it has grown deeper over summer.
It's only now that she feels like she can relax, finally and suddenly she's bone tired. Even if it's not going to be perfect at Hogwarts, it's going to be a far cry from the tense atmosphere that the summer held and she slumps in his hold.
"Haesel?" Sirius whispers and as he tilts his head he can see that her eyes have closed. She hums and he hides a smile in her hair as he slides his arms more securely around her. Even if he tries, he can't care less about what the others think of them in that moment, what Lily might do to him for touching her sister so familiarly. No, at this moment, the only thing he can do is let go of the whole keyed up summer and just be for a moment.
Right now, right here - with his friends around him and Haesel securely curled up against him, he is home.
Hi!
Not April first, sorry ;) but this chapter was like pulling teeth! They lately are a bit because it's all just building up, you know? I do like the wee sweet moments I can fit in . I'm afraid that it'll mostly go down from here on until we've reached the height of the war (that's kind of contradictory huh) but as you can see there will be nice moments as well ;) Thank you for reading, reviewing and favouriting! I really appreciate it :)
PS: In the beginning, Baloo is a reference to Hagrid! Also, I wasn't sure that there were Floo fireplaces at the platform but it seemed logical? Wizards are lazy, and it seems like a rather secure way of travel that's easily done with children as well. As long as you can remove the soot fast enough!
Many thanks to the best beta in the world ^^
Next chapter deadline: 24 April 2016.