That night at supper, Julius was telling Thad of what Nathenius had said of the Welcome Feast at school that year. "They were sitting together, like they usually do, you know," he told Thad. "Brenda wasn't there, but that was to be expected. Marianna, Sisi, and Tirian were all sorted to Slytherin, and the house was in an uproar, thrilled to have them."

"How was the welcome speech?" Rosebud asked. "Was it as bad as usual?"

"You didn't like the welcome speech?" Bethany said in surprise. "Why not?"

Rosebud rolled her eyes. "Because. James always listened to it perfectly so that he could quote it back to us when we disagreed with him."

Julius grinned. "It was fine," he said. "Nathenius told me that the best part happened when the Heads were told to escort the first years to their common rooms. The Hufflepuff Head Boy nodded to the headmaster, but Brenda had not arrived yet. There was a slight awkward silence with everyone staring at the Slytherin house table, and then Dirk and Brenda apparated in together."

Laughter went up from Julius' audience. "Dirk announced her to the entire Hall, then kissed her smack on the lips and disapparated," Julius told them. "The Great Hall rocked with laughter and applause as Brenda sat down, but of course, most of the Gryffindors looked on in disapproval."

"Who cares?" Cheyanne said carelessly.

"Why, Cheyanne, you have Gryffindors in your family," Thad told her. "Don't you care about them?"

Cheyanne sighed. "Yes. But not the rest of those nasty things."

Rosebud burst into giggles. "Gryffindors are things," she said. "Gryffindors are things!" She laughed, leaning against Thad. He slipped his arm around her, wanting to put a Sobering Charm on her. He wasn't sure that it would work, however, so he did not attempt it.

Ethan grinned at his mother. She was happy, and that was all that mattered to him. He'd have to talk to his father about this Gryffindor thing, for he did not know what that meant.

She had seen the happiness in Ethan's aura, and also the confusion, worry, and embarrassment in Thad's aura. Rosebud became quiet, sitting there. She didn't join in on the conversation anymore, but just listened.

After she and Thad had tucked Ethan into bed, Thad went on to see Titus and Melanie before he went to bed. Rosebud went up to their bedroom, sadness in her eyes. Bethany saw her go, and said to her, "Are you all right?"

"No," Rosebud whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "Can—can I tell you something?"

"I'll listen if you decide you can trust me," Bethany replied. "Go on."

Rosebud sniffled. "I—I see auras." Bethany's mouth dropped open, and her aura instantly pulled closer to her body. "You're trying to hide yours," Rosebud told her. "It's okay: you don't have to hide from me. I've already seen the pain and tragedy in yours."

Bethany just looked at Rosebud carefully, sorrow running through her as she recalled the tragedies in her life. "That's—that's interesting," Bethany said finally.

"Yes," the pregnant girl replied softly. "I wish I didn't see everything that the auras tell me."

"Like what?" asked Bethany, her curiousity getting the best of her.

Looking down at the floor, Rosebud replied, "Like Thad's. I—I'm a shame to him. He's embarrassed when I speak—sometimes even when I'm just sitting by him. It's—it's getting harder to bear." A tear ran down the poor girl's face and she dashed it away angrily. "I didn't want to shame him. I told him that he didn't have to stay: he doesn't have to keep me."

Bethany stared in shock. "Rosebud, you still love him, don't you?" she gasped.

"Of course," Rosebud sniffled. "That's why I would let him go, if he wanted to leave me."

"No," Bethany said. "If he did that, I'd curse him to kingdom come myself."

Rosebud smiled sadly, and carefully went to her room. She felt tired and ill, and wanted to rest. Lying down after she'd changed her clothes, she closed her eyes to sleep. Thad came in quietly a moment later, a sigh escaping him as he looked toward her. She looked up at him slowly, afraid of what she would see in his face and aura.

His face was compassionate, his eyes watching her tenderly. His aura was a soft rose with a small grey streak through it. Thad quickly changed his clothes, then came to lie down next to Rosebud, slipping his arms around her. Planting a kiss on her cheek, he said softly, "I'm sorry if I acted badly at the table. Your being a Gryffindor—I didn't think you'd find their being called 'things' funny."

She pressed her face against his neck silently, enjoying his warm embrace. His magic crackled and began to run all around her, wild and beautiful. "My darling," he whispered, "will you share your magic with me?"

Thad wanted to feel her healing power again, Rosebud thought, but she was terrified of the connection that it would give them. She was already worried about the intense feelings and emotions she could pick up in Thad through their blood bond. Fright came over her, and she trembled slightly as she placed her hand on Thad's neck, ready to obey his request.

Thad sighed and removed her hand from his neck. "Never mind, Love," he told her. "I know you don't want to."

"But, Thad," Rosebud protested, her eyes filling with tears, "I did! I was going to!"

"I—I feel your hesitation," Thad told her gently, reaching up to wipe her tears away. "Shared magic should be done willingly: it's always better that way. I'm patient: I can wait."

Beginning to cry softly, Rosebud hid her face from him, her pain flaring up again. A small cry came from her as Thad lifted her face with his finger. "It's all right," he said softly. "I'm not angry."

A sob tore from her throat, and Rosebud pulled herself out of his arms. "I—can't!" she sobbed, wrapping her arms around herself. "Thad-y, I need you so much, but—I can't explain myself to you!"

Thad watched her sob for a moment, then reached out and touched her hand. "I'm here for you," he told her gently, "and I'll listen if you want to talk. I'm not worried about your magic, Love: I'm fine with just sharing mine with you."

"I'm sorry," Rosebud choked, squeezing Thad's hand tightly. "I don't think I'm ready for that."

"That's all right, dearest," he reassured her. "It's okay. Shhh, darling. I love you very much; always remember that. Yes, Love, we can go to sleep. Do you want me to hold you?"

Rosebud carefully scooted closer to Thad, feeling tinges of pain as he wrapped his arms around her, pressing his face into her hair. "Thank you," she whispered, sitting up slightly and allowing her healing power to touch him gently. She was too exhausted to do much more, but strove to give him a little happiness.

Thad breathed deeply, drinking in the feeling of her magic. It felt rather Dark, which surprised Thad to no end. It made him tingle, and a warm, comfortable feeling surrounded him. "There," she whispered, collapsing back onto the bed beside him. "Is that enough?"

His eyes filled with tears. "You're the most unselfish girl in the world," he told her, caressing her gently. "I love you, my little Blossom. It was more than enough."

There was no reply. She had so exhausted herself that she'd fallen asleep after letting Thad taste her magic. He kissed her lips, sharing his magic with her once more to replenish hers: Rosebud was suffering from magical exhaustion, something she hadn't heard of yet. Thad decided that he would have to tell her about it the next morning, and fell asleep.


Waking up early in the morning, Thad felt Rosebud's body to be rather cold, and placed a Warming Charm on the blankets. He slipped out of bed and picked up Rosebud's book about auras, for he wanted to understand how she knew what he felt. Thad did not want Rosebud to be upset because of him; Bethany had informed him that Rosebud had it in her mind that she embarrassed her husband. Thad did not want Rosebud to suffer because of him.

Losing himself in the fascinating study of what colour meant what and how big the aura somehow told how friendly the person was, Thad was quiet for a while. Rosebud woke without his knowledge and sat up, looking over at him. She managed a small smile, feeling pain in her body.

Dragging herself out of bed, she carefully walked over to Thad, leaning over him. Pushing his book down, she leaned forward and kissed him good morning. "My Love," he murmured, setting the book aside and pulling her down onto his lap. "You're so beautiful."

Rosebud smiled against his mouth, returning his kisses. "I love you," she told him joyfully. He smiled and caressed her gently. A twinge of pain shot through her, and Rosebud worried a bit.

"Are you okay?" Thad asked in concern when he saw her expression.

"Yes," Rosebud replied with a slight smile. "I'm fine." She accepted his caresses, running her hands through his hair. "I love you," she murmured. He squeezed her, and her squeak of pain was lost in a kiss.

Finally, Thad released her and helped her stand. "I'll go wake Ethan," he told her, giving her a parting kiss.

She watched him go, then sat down on the bed, a tear escaping down her cheek. She dashed it away, struggling to keep her pain under control. Rosebud didn't understand why it was worse this morning, and was frightened to know the reason. Once she was able to hide the fact that she was in pain, Rosebud went downstairs to breakfast.


James and Jonathan were at the breakfast table, having come home to get married that month. Their fiances, Elsaddia and Sadaysa Malfoy, were having breakfast at their future in-laws' home. They grinned at Rosebud and greeted her happily. "Long time no see," Sadie said.

"Since Potter-Potter's Christmas party," her sister added with a grin.

"And when I came to Malfoy Manor, remember?" Rosebud replied, sitting down between one of the twins and Dirk.

Dirk gave her a quizzical look. "When d'ja go there?" he asked.

"Before taking the children to Diagon Alley," Jonathan told him and the others.

"Ah," Dirk said, turning his attention to his food. With his wife at school, Dirk often came to the Riddle Mansion before heading off to work.

Jonathan put his arm around one of the Malfoy girls and she smiled at him. "You do know," she said to Rosebud, "that we are getting married?"

Rosebud nodded. "I'm not sure which twin is marrying which twin, though," she giggled.

The four grinned, and Jonathan said, "I'm Jonathan, and I'm marrying Elsaddia. James got Sadaysa, and he can have her."

Sadaysa laughed. "Just you wait," she warned him. "Elsie's not so nice sometimes; Mum used to say that she got the worst traits in the whole family."

"Did she really?" said Ginny in amusement. "I was of the opinion that you were the two nicest."

"They are," Rosebud interrupted. "Timothy's horrible, and the other sisters aren't much better. Except Sisi, maybe."

Elsie raised an eyebrow at Rosebud. "What about—Ow! Sadaysa!"

Her sister had reached over and poked her in the ribs. "He doesn't count," she hissed at Elsie. "Not to them!"

Confused looks appeared on the faces of those around them, and Sadaysa sighed. "Scorpius," she said. "We claim him, but the rest of our family doesn't. He was always nice to us, even when we played the most awful pranks on him. But then he met Rose...anyway, I'm glad I fell in love with a pureblood." She winked at James.

"So what's the date?" Dirk asked them.

"Twenty fifth," James answered. "Double wedding." His face broke into a grin, and laughter went up and down the table. "The girls have been working with our mothers in order to plan everything."

"Rarely, they ask our opinion," Jonathan quipped, grinning. The girls shared a secret smile, and Rosebud smiled at them.

Rosebud could see the rose in their auras, and understood the connections that the twins seemed to have with each other. Between James and Jonathan, there seemed to be a special twin bond. It was the same with the girls, and Rosebud was thrilled to see such harmony together. In her mind, the two couples made perfect sense.

"Then," Dirk stated with a grin, "after they're married, we'll have two Jonathan and Elsie couples in the family."

"That's right," Thad said teasingly. "Did you plan that?"

"Nope," Jonathan told his brother. "The girls realised it after our engagements."

Ethan looked over at his mother, who was happily discussing things with the two blondes and the two black-haired people. The boy felt the need to watch out for his mother, and had made a promise to himself that he would never let her be hurt again if he could help it.

Almost at that moment, Bethany turned to Ginny. "Mum, I have to go to an interview this morning; would you watch the little ones for me while I'm gone?"

"Of course," Ginny promised. Bethany smiled gratefully, then rose from the table, hurrying to say goodbye to her son and daughter.


Bethany came home, very happy with herself. She had found herself the job she had needed in order to support her and her family. The girl was not about to live off of Thad's mother and father: she refused to be that helpless.

When she told Rosebud, the younger girl gave her a hug. "Congratulations," Rosebud said. "I'm sorry that this had to happen."

"Yes, well." Bethany looked down in embarrassment. "Now I can get on with my life. If I'm busy, I won't have to dwell on what's happened."

Rosebud smiled slightly, and Titus hurried into the room, coming to his mother immediately. "Mum, where have you been?" the child demanded. "Lanie's been crying, and wouldn't be quiet."

"She's still little," Bethany explained to her son gently. "Lanie still has things to learn, as do you. Titus" she knelt down to look straight into his eyes "I'm going to be away from home a lot now. I have a job that I have to work in order to help us."

"Like Father?" Titus asked unhappily. "Mum!"

Bethany sighed and drew her child into her arms. "I'm sorry," she told him. "I have to do this: we need the money I can make."

Titus said nothing, but kept his arms around his mother's neck, hiding his face in her dark hair. He was very upset, but he'd already been taught not to fuss at what happened to him. He wanted his mother to stay with him, for he already missed his father. Thad was not paying enough attention to Bethany's son, and the boy was hurting.

When Thad arrived home a few minutes later, he found Rosebud, Bethany, and their children together in the playroom. He watched a moment before announcing himself, and Rosebud stood to give him a hug and kiss.

Bethany looked up at them carefully from kneeling on the floor. "Thad," she began carefully, "I—I got the job that I interviewed for today. They had me start immediately."

"Good for you," he told her, his hand on Ethan's curly hair. Titus was watching them carefully, and Ethan saw the jealousy in his brother's eyes, wondering why he didn't just come to claim a hug from his father.

A smile touched Bethany's lips at Thad's words, and she stood, her son by her side. Rosebud watched them leave together, finally realising what the changes in Titus' aura meant. "Thad," she whispered in his ear, "You need to pay more attention to Titus."

Thad looked at her in astonishment, then called after his younger son, "Titus!" The little boy and his mother stopped and looked back at him. "Come here," Thad said with a slight smile. Titus went to his father, and Thad knelt down, hugging the little one. "I love you," Thad told him.

Titus smiled, hugging his father tightly. "I love you too," he replied. Then he turned and hurried away with his mother.

Rosebud smiled at Thad, and he came over to her, touching his lips to hers. "Thank you for telling me," he said to her.

"I could see it," she sighed. "In his aura." Dizziness came over her, and she swayed, Thad catching her in his arms quickly.

"Are you all right?" he asked her worriedly, looking directly into her eyes.

She nodded. "I—I'm just tired," she whispered, leaning against him and closing her eyes as pain radiated through her. "I think I need to lie down."

Thad took her down the hall and through the living room, where several people were seated. They looked up when Thad and Rosebud went through, but almost immediately looked down again. Thad assisted Rosebud in climbing the stairs and led her into their room, helping her into her nightgown and into bed.

"Thad-y," she whispered, "I want to see James and Vi. And Rose and Scorpius. Please?"

"Of course," he replied, leaning down and kissing her softly. "Perhaps in a couple days?" he said. "I'll let you know when they're coming."

Rosebud closed her eyes, a smile on her face. "Thank you, Thad."

"You're welcome, my little Blossom," he replied.


A few days later, Scorpius, Rose, James, Vi, and their families came to the Riddle Mansion for dinner. Aurora was thrilled to see Ethan, and the two ran off together to play. Vi took Rosebud by the arm.

"You didn't tell me!" Vi scolded her teasingly. "You should have told me that you were expecting!"

Rosebud smiled slightly, hugging her friend. "I couldn't," she said. "I didn't tell anyone: they just found out. Well, except Bethany. But that was different."

"Congratulations," Rose told Rosebud, giving her a hug. A secret smile played across her face, and she looked over at Scorpius, blushing.

"Not you too!" Vi exclaimed, and Rose nodded, leaning against Scorpius shyly. "Oh, how wonderful!"

Thad put his arm around Rosebud protectively, and she smiled at Vi's excitement. "You'll be the first in your family to have three children, Rose," she told the red-haired girl.

Rose blushed again, and Scorpius wrapped his arm around her. "First of her family," he said. "Timothy and Katie have three children: Lakota, Treachery, and Itare."

"Soon to be four children," Rosebud put in, recalling her conversation with Katie at the Ministry.

Scorpius grinned and nodded in agreement. "See," he said, "I forgot that I'd married a Weasley, and how quickly they multiply." He and Thad laughed together, and Rosebud and Rose grinned. James and Vi seemed uncertain how to react.

"Yes," Rose interrupted the boys' laughter, "and speaking of multiplying Weasleys, one of my just-married cousins is going to be a Father!"

"Which one would that be?" Thad asked her. He didn't make it a priority to keep the Weasley family straight.

"Fred II," Rose replied. "Aunt Samantha's son."

Vi shook her head. "I still can't see how you all keep that straight," she said. "And, you do know, of course, that James' brother has a child?"

Rose stared at her. "Huh?" she asked before amending: "What?"

"My brother Albus," James sighed, looking at his friends. "For those of you who don't know: he has been secretly married for a time, and now the two of them will be parents in a short time. Honestly, we had no idea how to deal with that. It's been nothing but a shame to us. And, because of what he's done, Lily came out recently and told us that she's dating Matteus Arvill."

Thad's mouth dropped open, and Rosebud gasped in amazement. "We really rubbed off on those dorm mates of yours, didn't we, Thad?" she asked him.

"Yes," he said. "I did see them come to the trial together, and I'd wondered what was going on."

James shrugged and shifted Lucille in his arms. "Now you know," he replied.

Rosebud smiled slightly as she watched the two. "'Scuse me," she said, pulling away from Thad. "I'm going to go see if dinner's ready."

Thad nodded, and Rosebud hurried off.


Bethany stayed with her children once she arrived home from her new job that evening: she didn't want to have to talk to James, Scorpius, and their families until she had to. When Thad looked into the playroom and smiled at her, her heart pounded. Then, she remembered her grandmother's warning and Curse, and scolded herself inwardly. Thad told her that supper was ready, and she acknowledged his words.

After he left the room, Titus turned to his mother, awaiting her instruction: he knew that there were guests in the house. Bethany looked at her son proudly, then cautioned him, "Aurora and Antares are here, Titus. I need you to behave yourself around them: ignore them, if nothing more."

"Yes, Mother," Titus said with a slight smile.

"If I see one spark of Fire, Titus," Bethany told him, "I will not be happy with you. None of it."

Titus agreed and asked, "Why are you so worried, Mum?"

Bethany sighed, watching her baby girl giggle as she rattled a toy. "Because," she replied finally, "I don't want you to hurt Ethan, because it will upset Rosebud. And I don't want to be blamed for sending her back to St. Mungo's."

"Okay," Titus said, satisfied with her answer. "Now I know how to make her scream."

"Titus!" Bethany snapped in exasperation.

Titus grinned as his mother stood. "Jerry could do it better, though."

Bethany looked down at her son, then knelt, looking directly into his eyes. "If you ever do such a thing to her, or let anyone else, I will personally make you wish you'd never heard of a curse before."

Titus' eyes grew wide. "Oh, yes, Mum," he said, staring right into her dark eyes. "I—I won't do anything to her."

"Very good," Bethany said, standing and picking up her little girl. "Come now, and remember what I told you."


Ethan looked up from laughing with Aurora to watch his brother and sister come into the room. He saw his Aunt Bet walk proudly to the table and seat herself before any of the boys could offer to seat her. Titus joined the other children, a blank look on his face.

Cheyanne leaned over to Titus. "Hey," she said to him, "good thing you're here. I was worried that I'd have to sit with them." She waved her little hand in Ethan and Aurora's direction, making them stare at her in shock. Grinning, she added in a softer voice, "Lucky you're a pureblood."

Titus seemed to smirk slightly, but kept his face clear for the most part. Ginny, Cheyanne's mother, was very embarrassed, her face red. Sadaysa frowned at the wayward four year old. "Cheyanne," she began, "don't you dare say things like that. That's nasty. This is your nephew, and these are your cousins: be nice to them."

The little girl scowled at the young blonde woman. "Why do you care?"

"Aurora and Antares are our niece and nephew," Elsaddia chimed in, drawing Cheyanne's attention. "Ethan is a friend of ours, and we'd like you to behave yourself properly and not shame your mother."

Ethan looked over at Aurora, and she grinned. They were both thinking about the twins' claiming Ethan as a friend. Cheyanne finally nodded, looking over at Bethany. The Lestrange girl met her gaze, then said, "You would do well to listen to them, child."

"I hate big kids," grumbled Cheyanne, turning back to her food.

Ginny shook her head, her face still burning from shame. She was definitely going to have a long talk with her youngest child after supper. Watching the girl speak to the others, Ginny sighed and turned to her meal. Tom looked over at her and tapped her under the table with his foot. She looked up, and he said softly, "Let me speak with her, Ginevra." Ginny frowned, and he added, "I'll tell her what I'd imagine you to tell her." Sighing, Ginny agreed.

James and Vi ate uncomfortably, looking on as Ethan and Aurora talked together, Ethan trying to include Titus. Aurora left the younger boy out of the conversation, and Ethan scolded her for it. Titus looked over at his brother finally, tired of his and Aurora's bickering. "Just talk," he hissed at Ethan and Aurora. "I don't care." Titus turned his attention to his Uncle Dirk, asking him a question.

Thad was holding Rosebud's hand, the girl leaning against her husband carefully, her head aching. Her pain had come back yet again since Cheyanne had made her statement. Rosebud closed her eyes, trying to stop the dizziness that was sweeping through her. It didn't help that seeing auras sometimes gave her a headache.

Rose was watching her friend carefully, sharing worried glances with Scorpius, James, and Vi. Rosebud sat up and began to eat again, but she did not say another word throughout the entire meal.

When they said goodbye, Rose asked her, "Are you all right?"

With a weak smile, Rosebud replied, "I think so. Well, maybe when the little one comes I'll be all right." She put her hand to her forehead tiredly, and sighed, "Oh, I don't know!"

Rose carefully hugged her friend, and Vi joined in, giving a group hug. "Take care of yourself, Rosebud Swensen Riddle," Vi ordered her softly. "You've been through too much to become ill now."

Turning to Thad, the ginger pointed her finger at his nose. "You," she said, "make sure Rosebud doesn't overextend herself. She's very special to a lot of people, and we're not willing to give her up."

Rosebud grinned, inwardly wincing in pain. "I'm not willing to give me up either," she said, and James smiled slightly.

"Well, do be careful," he told her. "And our home is always open to you for any reason."

Thad slipped his arm around Rosebud gently, remembering her flights to James and Vi's home for protection. She nodded and whispered her thanks.

Ethan and Aurora shyly said goodbye, and the two couples left, leaving Ethan with his parents. "Run along," Thad said to him, and the child instantly obeyed. He turned to Rosebud. "Darling, you need to rest."

A tear sparkled in her eye and she blinked it away, unnoticed by her husband. "Yes, Thad," she answered. "Would you help me again? I'm so tired that I might not be able to do it." Without a word, Thad picked her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs to their room.

Laying her down on the bed, he helped her quickly change into a soft, warm nightgown. Thad helped her to lie comfortably on the bed, arranging the blankets over her. "I'll be right back," he told her quietly. "I need to make sure that Ethan gets tucked in at his bedtime."

Rosebud didn't reply, lying there silently. She heard the door close, and allowed a gasp of pain to escape her. She could have sworn that she was suffering from a Curse, but no one was around. Rosebud took her pain in silence, only allowing herself a small cry or whimper when she was completely alone. The poor girl did not want anyone to know how she suffered.


Watching Thad and Ginny talk, Ethan became quite worried about his mother. The boy waited until Ginny had left before approaching his father. "Da?" he asked. "Is Mum okay?"

"Yes," Thad replied, drawing his son into a hug. "She's all right, just tired."

A sigh of relief escaped the child, and he posed another question: "Has Mummy really got a baby?"

Thad was surprised at the question, and finally nodded, a proud smile on his face. "She's going to give you a little brother or sister," he told his son. "We're quite excited for this child."Ethan looked down, seeming sad. "Are you okay, Ethan?" Thad asked.

The boy nodded and very quietly queried, "When—when Mum gets the baby, will I have to go away like Nee-nee did?" Ethan looked down, his fright showing how vulnerable he felt for asking about something that effected him so deeply.

"No, Ethan," said Thad softly, enfolding his son in a hug. "No, no, no. We're keeping you for always, for you're our only Ethan Riddle, and your mother and I love you."

"Will Mummy leave again?" Ethan asked worriedly after hugging his father in relief.

"No," Thad said. "She'll probably have the baby here at home, where I can be sure that she's all right."

Ethan looked into his father's eyes and nodded. "Okay, Da," he said, stepping away from Thad. "Now you can go back to Mummy. Be good to her."

Thad smiled. "I will," he promised, and went back to his room.


The next morning, Thad met Bethany in the dining room alone, the others not having arrived for breakfast yet. Thad greeted her warmly and seated her at the table, setting a plate before her. She watched him carefully the whole time, thinking of several different things that she needed to discuss with him.

He sat down next to her, and they began to eat in silence. Bethany finally said, "Could you pass the salt, Thad? These eggs need more seasoning."

Without telling her that she could have accioed the salt, Thad passed it willingly. He looked at her carefully, feeling a bit awkward. "I'm—sorry," he told her, "about what happened the night of the trial. I didn't mean to get you into trouble with your grandmother."

"Just what did you mean to do?" Bethany asked coolly.

Thad sighed and looked at her. "To help you," he said. "But it's not my place. I don't even know what is anymore."

"I'm certain that you are to mind your own business," she told him, and he frowned. "But besides that," she continued, "I'm not your responsibility anymore, and you don't have to worry about me. I have a job: I can take care of Titus and Melanie just fine."

"I'm sorry," Thad murmured, and Bethany scowled.

"'Sorry,'" she mimicked. "For what, Thaddeus? For being drawn in by my Imperius under the Imperius? For marrying me? For fathering Titus and Melanie? For not realizing the truth earlier? For taking Rosebud back? What exactly are you sorry for? Everything?"

Thad looked at her sharply, trying to figure out why she was being so obstinate. "Bethany," he said softly, "I never wanted us to end up this way. If you're angry, I understand."

She scowled at him. "Did marrying Rosebud make you soft?" she snapped. "Do you understand any of your people anymore?"

Looking her directly in the eyes, Thad told her, "I'm sorry that I've hurt you so badly. If I had the chance, I'd go back and change what I've done."

"Just because you've renounced your heritage doesn't mean you have to renounce your intelligence," she told him with a grin. He smiled at her, and the two fell into a larger conversation as others began to enter the room.

Before Thad left for work, Bethany told him, "Grandmother asked me to go with her to retrieve Grandfather in a couple weeks." He nodded and disapparated from the Mansion.

Rosebud looked at her, very quiet in her chair. She hadn't said much for the entire time she'd been at the table, but she spoke. "Be careful with him," she told Bethany. "He's very disturbed, and needs probably as much healing as I do."

The ones around Rosebud and Bethany looked at them carefully, but Rosebud added nothing more, and Bethany left for her work.


Feeling much better, Rosebud played outside with Ethan and Titus, watching them run and play. The two had been getting along much better recently, due to Bethany's cautioned words to her son.

Rosebud sighed, placing her hand over her stomach. She was happy with the way her family was: with Thad, and Ethan, and the unborn child. Thad was very gentle and loving to her, and Ethan always made sure that his mother was all right before he did anything. It was the boy's priority that his mother be well taken care of.

Rosebud called to the two boys as they ran beyond her. "Ethan, Titus, come back!" she called.

Ethan stopped running and called after his brother, but Titus turned back and scowled at him. The brown-haired boy frowned, wondering what he'd done, for he'd only repeated what his mother had told him.

Seeing the irritation in Titus' aura, Rosebud stood carefully and moved toward the boys slowly. "Titus, are you all right?" she asked him, watching his aura.

The boy merely frowned, but his aura exploded red with fury. Titus did not want Ethan to tell him what to do, and wanted to go on down the river further. He hated being held back, but said softly, "Yes, Miss Rosebud."

Ethan stared at Titus when he said that, but Titus didn't show anything. Rosebud put her arm around the younger boy, and he stiffened. "Shall we take a walk down there?" she asked, beckoning to Ethan and motioning to where Titus wanted to go. The dark-haired boy looked up at Rosebud, gratitude in his eyes. Rosebud smiled, and led the boys away.


Bethany arrived home before Thad, and Titus ran to her, explaining the things that Rosebud had let him do. She hugged him tightly, proudly smiling as he talked. Ethan looked up from sitting with Melanie and Rosebud, quietly watching.

Going over to her little girl, Bethany smiled at her. "Lanie," Bethany whispered to her little girl, picking her up and making her giggle happily, "I love you, Mama's darling." She held the little one for only a couple minutes before setting her back down beside Rosebud and Ethan. Titus followed his mother out of the room.

"Mum," Ethan asked, "are you really going to get another baby? Like her?" He pointed to Melanie, and she reached out, grabbing his finger. He grinned at her, and allowed her to play with his hand.

Rosebud blushed proudly. "Yes," she replied softly. "I'm going to have a baby, Ethan."

The boy sighed, "That's what Daddy said."

"Didn't you believe him?" Rosebud asked, taking Melanie into her arms. Reading Ethan's aura proved to be difficult, for he had it drawn around him tightly. "You don't have to worry about this baby," she reassured him. "Thad and I love you, and we're excited for you to have a little brother or sister to play with. He won't take your place, Ethan; you'll always be very special to me."

Ethan nodded. "Daddy said that too," he told his mother.

Grinning, Rosebud laughed. "Good," she said. "You're very special to me, Ethan, because you were the first, and because I almost lost you. I waited for almost two years after marrying your father before I had you. I had wanted a boy like you for a long time."

Smiling happily, Ethan nodded, then looked up as his father entered the room. Rosebud stood, holding Melanie in her arms. Thad gave Rosebud a kiss, then turned to Melanie, taking her from Rosebud. "Hello, Melanie," he said, and she looked at him with her wide, dark, innocent eyes. "I love you," he told her, and she put her tiny hand on his shoulder, looking back at Rosebud and Ethan.

Rosebud saw grey flash through Thad's aura, but it quickly disappeared. He handed the little girl back to his wife and slipped his arm around Rosebud, pulled her closer and giving her a few loving kisses. "Don't worry, Thad," Rosebud whispered to him as Ethan hurried from the room, his face red. "She's only shy of you becase you're away from her a lot. As she sees you more, she'll be all right."

Thad nodded in understanding and Melanie looked at him curiously. "This is your Da-da," Rosebud told her, a slight smile on her face. "Can you say Da-da?"

Melanie watched Thad, then giggled. "Dada," she said proudly, grabbing his robe in her hand.

"Yes, Melanie," Thad replied softly as she tugged on the front of his robe, "I am. I want you to grow up to be a beautiful woman."

Just like her mother, Rosebud thought, her heart aching a little. Lanie had curly black hair, just like Bethany. The little girl reached up and tugged on Thad's hair, grinning at him.

"Ow," he said, reaching up and stopping her. She then grabbed his ear. "Hey, stop that," he said, laughing. Kissing his daughter's forehead, he murmured, "I love you."

Melanie giggled again, putting her little hand on her father's face. "Dada," she said again. "Da-da-da-da-da-da!"

Jealousy crept into Rosebud's mind, and she struggled to push it away. No, she gasped inwardly, feeling very hurt and angry. She was upset that Thad had such a connection with his daughter, and was jealous for her children. So this is what Bethany felt, Rosebud realized in shame. No wonder she hated Ethan and didn't want my parents around her home. I shouldn't feel this way. I'm such a bad girl!

Rosebud bowed her head, tears stinging her eyes. She wanted to push Melanie into Thad's arms and run far away, but she did not want him to know how she felt. She stood there as Thad spoke softly to the baby, not listening to his wife. She didn't know when he straightened up and looked at her in concern, hearing her catch her breath suddenly.

"Rosebud?" he asked softly, watching her carefully. Melanie followed her father's gaze, and turned to look at Rosebud. "Rosebud, Love, are you all right?"

"Yes," she replied, looking blankly up into his eyes.

Thad stepped forward, picking Melanie up and setting her in the playpen. "Are you sure?" he asked, drawing his wife into his arms. "I want to help you, dearest."

Hiding her face in his robe, she dared not speak, for she was afraid she'd burst into tears. Her stupid hormonal emotions! Thad held her close, trying to remember if he'd done anything wrong. If I had, she wouldn't be standing here, he supposed to himself. She'd be screaming in terror, lying on the floor. What possibly could have happened between earlier and now that upset her? I was only talking to Melanie!

Melanie cried, "Da!" from her playpen in protest of being put aside, but he didn't turn to her. She began to cry, and Rosebud moved to go to her, trying to pull away from Thad.

"Rosebud," he said, giving her a gentle pull, but not forcing her to stay, "please talk to me. Melanie will be all right in a moment when she realizes that crying won't help."

Rosebud stopped, then turned and looked into Thad's eyes, her own eyes filled with tears. "There's nothing wrong," she whispered. "Please, Thad, let me go to her. I—I need to take care of her."

Thad frowned, still protesting her going. "Listen, Love: if there is something wrong with you, I don't want you to have to take care of Melanie. I'll call Bethany, and she can take care of her own daughter."

Staring at her husband, Rosebud flinched at his last sentence. "Thad," she choked, and hid her face in his robe. How he'd hit upon the very thing that caused her hurt and jealousy, she didn't know, but he held her now, understanding her feelings.

"I love them all the same," Thad reassurred her. "It doesn't change, Rosebud. I haven't paid much attention to Melanie because I really haven't been around her much. I'm sorry that you had to be here: I didn't know it would hurt you."

"I'm not that weak," Rosebud whispered. "It—it just reminded me: Bethany has felt the same way, about Ethan versus her children. I feel horrible, Thad-y. Nasty, mean, horrible."

Thad stroked Rosebud's back gently, ignoring Melanie's quieter cries. "If you both felt that way, it's probably only normal," he told her. "But, Love, don't—" Thad stopped, not sure how to say what he meant.

"If I decide that I want to injure one of the children, seek mental help?" Rosebud asked, looking up with a weak smile on her face.

"Um, yeah," Thad said. "You know, in the nicest sort of way."

Rosebud laughed softly, and Thad's heart jumped in gladness for the sound. "Yes, Thad," she agreed. "I'll go to your mother if I have any trouble."

At that moment, Thad's mother entered the room, and the two looked at each other and laughed. "I don't know what you're laughing at," Ginny said, going to pick up Melanie, who was now quietly watching the adults in the room. "But there's someone here who wants to see you, Thad."

"Who?" Thad asked curiously.

"Bellatrix," Ginny chirped with a mischeivous grin. "She said she owes you a favour."

Thad groaned in dread, and Rosebud giggled. "Bellatrix is fun, Thad," she scolded. "I don't see why you don't get along with her."

Ginny shook her head, then yelped as Melanie shrieked with laughter, pulling Ginny's long hair. "Come along, then," she said to Thad. "You shouldn't keep her waiting."

Thad and Rosebud followed Ginny and Melanie arm-in-arm. When they came to the doorway of the living room, Rosebud pulled her arm away from Thad and stepped a little way away from him. Thad frowned a little, wondering why she was ashamed for Bellatrix to see that.

Upon entering the room, the two of them immediately had Bellatrix's attention. "There you are," she said to Thad. He desperately wondered what he had done to deserve a "favour" from Bellatrix. "No, don't worry," she told him, looking down at her wand in her hand. "I won't hurt you—anymore, that is." She suddenly threw a spell at him, and although Thad jumped, it hit him, making him stagger backward.

Rosebud looked at Bellatrix, well-pleased. "You healed him of his red streaks!" she said happily.

Bellatrix glanced over at Thad, then turned to Rosebud. "His—what?"

"Um," Rosebud said, not knowing what exactly to say. "I can...see auras."

"Yes, you're married to one," Bellatrix said, looking over at Thad.

Rosebud sighed. "No, not Auror: aura. You know, a sometimes-visible sphere of emotions or feelings that surround a person?" she asked.

"I know what you meant," Bellatrix said, her dark eyes sparkling. "You see them, do you?"

"Yes," Rosebud sighed. "The red streaks mean pain, usually. How did you heal him?"

Bellatrix laughed, something Rosebud hadn't expected. "I didn't heal him," she said. "I reversed the curse I put on him."

Ginny grinned, remembering when she'd come home and found Thad in pain. He hadn't told her, but she'd still known. Bellatrix turned to her and said, "By the way, Estella, you may heal Bethany now if you like."

"You cursed Bethany too?" Thad snapped suddenly as Bellatrix headed for the door to the back yard.

"I don't think that's any of your business, is it, Thaddeus Riddle?" she asked imperially without turning around.

Thad bit his lip and said nothing, but Rosebud hurried after Bellatrix. "Um, Trixie?" Rosebud asked, not knowing what to call the real Bellatrix. "May I ask you something?"

Bellatrix stopped to let Rosebud catch up. "You may, but I'm not under Veritaserum."

Rosebud giggled, then became solemn. "Is Thisbe all right?"

"Yes," replied the woman. "She's getting better at Occlumency, as well." A smile of pride crossed Bellatrix's face. "She may come here in a day or two, but use caution with what you tell her. If you say anything too shocking, she may not be able to hide it from Horatio."

"Are you the one teaching her Occlumency?" Rosebud asked curiously.

"I am the second to teach her," Bellatrix replied easily. "Dirk attempted it at first, but because she does not trust men, it was very difficult for him to teach her anything, especially when he was to try to get into her mind."

Rosebud nodded. "The Riddles are nasty with their Legilimency sometimes," she said. "I haven't had it hard, but Ethan did, and Bethany suffered under it. Gave her an excruciating headache, he did."

Bellatrix snorted. "So I was told," she said. "And she still hid your secret from him. Bethany was always my best student—of Occlumency, that is."

Rosebud smiled. "Thanks," she told Bellatrix. "And can you let Thisbe know that if she wants to visit me she can? I have no problem with it."

"Very well," Bellatrix said, preparing to leave the house.

Estella came into the room, and protested her departure, inviting her to stay for supper. After declining a couple times, Bellatrix finally relented and headed back into the living room.

Estella went upstairs to find Bethany in order to heal her, and Rosebud went to her room to freshen up in time for supper. Thad had told her that his brother Matthew was coming home to Horror House that night from Canada. Matthew was to stay until after the twins' wedding, and Thad was excited to see and talk with his second oldest brother.


When Matthew arrived that night, his mother Ginny greeted him with a warm hug, blinking back tears. "Welcome home," she told him, smiling. "Come, come. Your old room is ready for you. We're just gathering in for supper, so you're just in time to eat with us."

"All right, Mother," Matthew said. "I'll be right down." Ginny nodded, then turned and went into the dining room.


Upstairs in their room, Thad was telling Rosebud about his older brother Matthew. "He left home when I was...fourteen? Something like that."

"So do you know him very well?" Rosebud asked.

"Well, I know James and Jon better than I know Matthew and Silvanus," Thad replied with a sigh. "Not that many people really know Silvanus."

Rosebud grinned. "Of course," she said. "Shall we go eat now?" She stood and walked toward the door, then turned to face Thad again. "Coming, Thaddeus?"

Thad grinned, then hurried up to her, slipping his arm around her. "'course," he said, giving her a teasing kiss on the cheek. She leaned away from him, giggling, and the two left their room.

At the top of the stairs, they met Matthew, and Rosebud leaned shyly against Thad, watching the other man carefully. Matthew looked at them and raised an eyebrow. "So this is Rosebud," he said with a smile, holding out his hand to her. "Mother told me about what you've been up to, with upsetting half the wizards in Britain."

"Upset half the wizards in Britain?" Rosebud asked, shaking his hand. "Nope. Just turned them on each other."

Matthew laughed. "You've got a prize in this one, little brother," he told Thad. "And how old is your son now?"

"Ethan will be four in January," Rosebud replied quietly. "Titus will be three in March."

"Oh." Matthew looked a little embarrassed, and Rosebud grinned at him. "And Melanie?"

Thad smiled proudly. "She'll be a year old in April. And of course, Rosebud is expecting again." Rosebud blushed, pressing her face against Thad's arm.

Matthew smiled at them, then looked at Thad. "I want a word with you after dinner. I'll be there after I take my trunk to my room."

"Of course," Thad said, turning to lead Rosebud down the stairs. She turned back to face Matthew.

"Bellatrix is here for dinner," she said to him.

Matthew blinked, light blue layering his aura. "Thank you for telling me," he said quietly, then turned and hurried off.

Thad gave Rosebud an awkward look. "Why did you tell him that?"

"Because he's got a secret," she replied matter-of-factly. "I didn't want him to be more surprised than he had to be. It's very disturbing to walk into a dining room and find Bellatrix Lestrange sitting at the table. I've done that before: it's not nice."

"Rosebud," Thad sighed, shaking his head.

"Thad, please," she said softly, putting her hand on his arm, "it's not insanity, really. It's his aura: I can see that easily. His secret had something to do with me or someone like me. When he looked at me, his—his aura turned rose."

"What does that mean?" Thad asked with a frown.

Rosebud looked uncomfortable. "Um, it usually means love," she said. "I think I reminded him of someone he knows."

Thad took a deep breath. "Okay," he said. "And did my aura really say that I thought you were crazy?"

"I wasn't looking at your aura," sighed Rosebud. "Come now: we should make sure that Ethan has gone to the table."

Putting his arm around Rosebud, Thad helped her down the stairs and led her into the dining room. Ethan looked up at his parents from between Tara and Madelyn, giving his mother a grin.

Rosebud smiled at him, then sat down beside Brenda, whom Dirk had brought to Horror House that night. "Hello," she said to Brenda.

"Hey," Brenda sighed tiredly, then grinned. "Been a little while, hasn't it?"

"Only two weeks," Dirk said, slipping his arm around Brenda and looking at her teasingly.

She grinned back at him, but stopped his playfulness with a simple thought through their bond: Quit playing around in front of them, Dirk. And I'm sure the parents would appreciate your using restraint.

Turning to Rosebud, Brenda began to say something, but noticed the girl looking down toward the head of the table, where Estella and Bellatrix were speaking in low tones. "Rosebud," Brenda sang with a giggle, "earth to Rosebud! Earth to Rosebud just now! Just now—"

Dirk rolled his eyes and sighed. Brenda giggled again, and Rosebud gave her a strange look. "Are you insane?" Rosebud asked her.

The two girls burst out giggling, and Thad and Dirk shook their heads. "No, really," Brenda said, "why were you staring at them?"

"She was watching you," Rosebud replied softly. "She's—I don't know if I should tell you."

"Rosebud, we're Slytherins, and that doesn't make any sense to us," Dirk said. "Just come on. Give us the gossip."

Rosebud fixed him with a glare. "I don't gossip," she spat. "I leave that to Vi." Thad's mouth dropped open in shock and he snickered. "She...doesn't like to see couples together," Rosebud finally explained. "I think it reminds her of Rodolphus in Azkaban. They were just so—" Rosebud shook her head wordlessly.

Dirk raised an eyebrow. "She's not that way," he stated flatly.

"I can see her aura," Rosebud hissed at him. "I saw it when she visited Rodolphus in Azkaban. I know what I'm talking about. She may hide her thoughts, but her feelings are sometimes visible when they're very strong. Especially when she first feels something. She quells it immediately, and I find it amazing that she keeps such a tight rein over her emotions."

"Okay," Dirk relented. "I believe you."

A strange colour entered his aura, and Rosebud frowned slightly. "Do you really?" she asked.

Auras, Brenda sighed to Dirk. She can see auras. Now what do you say to her?

"I'm trying to believe you," Dirk sighed. "I've just never seen any kind, caring abilities in Bellatrix."

"Enough about that," Thad said, glancing down the table at his mother and Bellatrix. "This is not something I'd want her to hear us talk about."

The other three agreed, and Dirk turned to Matthew, beginning to ask his older brother what was happening in his life. Rosebud looked on and listened, waiting for Matthew to tell what he was hiding, but he did not tell.


Brenda cornered Rosebud in the nursery, where the older girl was watching Lanie carefully. "Rosebud," she began, a grin on her face.

"Yes?" asked Rosebud carefully.

"I need a favour from you," Brenda said, a blush stealing across her face. "I—I'm going to have a baby, and I was wondering if you had any advice to give."

Rosebud clasped her hands together in excitement. "Oh, congratulations!" she said. "I'm so happy for you! Dirk knows, of course."

The eighteen-year-old girl laughed. "As if I could hide such a secret from him," Brenda replied. "He was thrilled and horrified when I told him. Dirk didn't know what to think about my news." She grinned, pure joy in her expression.

"Oh, yes," Rosebud answered with a knowing look. "It's a responsibility, but a very rewarding one."

Brenda nodded. "So," she continued, "do you have any advice for an inexperienced mother-to-be?"

Rosebud giggled and leaned forward to whisper in Brenda's ear, "Avoid the Lestranges."


Matthew and Thad were talking in one of the sitting rooms in the Riddle Mansion, a stern, worried look on Matthew's face. "I don't know what to tell Father and Mum," Matthew sighed. "I've met the most wonderful woman ever: Shauna Darcy. But our parents won't like her: well, at least, Father won't."

"Is she a Mudblood?" Thad asked with a frown.

The older boy took a deep breath. "She's a Muggle, Thad. And I want to marry her."

Thad stared at his brother in shock. "Do you have any idea what Father would say about this?"

"More than an idea," Matthew replied. "I know what happened to you: Arianna informed me. I wanted to know if you know how to break the news to our parents."

"Go to Mum," Thad said immediately. "Father will take it better if he hears it from her. Mum will be more understanding: she was with Rosebud. She would not go against Father, but she agreed with our union."

Matthew agreed. "All right. Thank you, Thad."

"Best of luck," Thad said. "And beware of Father: he tried Crucio, you know."

"Of course." Matthew left the room quietly, and Thad shook his head in disbelief.