So, I may actually be able to follow a decent time pacing who knows

Oh who am I kidding, it'll be basically highlights from this point out idk


"Hunter?" Tonks asked, staring at Liam. "Now, I remember you trying out for Quidditch in your second year-"

"No, you shouldn't. No one needs to remember that." Liam said.

"Dreadful flyer?" Kingsley asked.

"No, he's a good flyer." Tonks said. "He just can't play Quidditch."

"I was 12."

"And you were on the team, then?" Sirius asked Tonks. "You've never mentioned it."

"She stopped playing in her fourth year." Kingsley said. "She was a Beater, and didn't want to play on the rival team of her boyfriend.''


"Are you sure it's safe to do this?" Tonks asked, as Sirius took Teddy from her.

"We can't all travel on brooms- it'll take too long." Kingsley said. "We need to Apparate with Teddy separately, lead them away and them we'll join you. Dora, you know where to go."

"But if they catch you-" Tonks interjected. "Kingsley, if they kill you-"

"We'll be fine, we'll move fast." Kingsley promised. "Take the others, it doesn't appear they're tacking Side-Along, only if it's with underage wizards."

"We'll be right behind you lot." Sirius promised. "And there's two of us, we'll be fine."


"Where are they?" Tonks asked. "This is the meeting spot, they said-"

"We've been here only a few minutes." Dawlish said calmly. "They'll be here."

There was a loud crack and Sirius and Kingsley appeared.

"You're alright!" Tonks cried, throwing her arms around Kingsley as Remus took Teddy from Sirius. "You said you'd be here before us!"

"There was an alarm in Hogsmeade. They nearly caught us, we had to go back to London and then straight here." Sirius explained. "Saw Bill when we went by their cottage. Ron's with them."

"And Harry and Hermione?" Remus asked.

Sirius shrugged. "Ron left, don't know much more than that."

"Let's get moving, they could track us here." Kingsley said, shifting the bag on his shoulder and walking forward. "They must be trying to follow the underage Side Along, it's only a matter of time before they catch up to us."

"And Aidan knows we're arriving today?" Tonks asked, falling into step beside him.

"He knows we're arriving as soon as we can, I haven't had the chance to get in touch with him." Kingsley said simply. "Ainsley's no fan of owls, you know that."

"And do you think this is safe, King, for them?" Tonks asked. "I mean, if the Death Eaters find us-"

"We'll be able to set up enchantments. They'll be safer with us than without us."

"Set up enchantments?" Sirius asked. "You mean, they haven't?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Dawlish asked. "Protective Enchantments have been suggested for well over a year now-"

"They're Muggles, they can't." Tonks said with a smirk. "Honestly, Kingsley, you need to talk about your family more often."

"But you're a pureblood, Kingsley." Dawlish said, frowning. "Says so on your Ministry file-"

"My father's brother and his wife couldn't have kids, so they adopted a son. He's a Muggle, and married a Muggle." Kingsley explained. "Figured if the Ministry didn't know, they'd be safe from Death Eaters."

"And now we're bringing the war right to them." Remus said.

"If you want to think like that, sure."


"Dora!" The man in the doorway called, rushing forward to hug her. His skin was lined with few wrinkles, his hair was extremely short and grey. He glanced at Remus, and offered a hand. "You must be Remus! And you must Sirius!"

"50 years we've been cousins, and still, I'll be the last one you greet." Kingsley said lightly.

Aidan Shacklebolt sighed and turned to him. "Exactly, 50 years. I know you already." He said, stepping forward to hug Kingsley. "Ainsley and I were upset to hear about Alastor. There was no funeral?"

"There was no body." Kingsley explained.

"I'm sorry, King." Aidan said. He looked at the group. "Come inside, we'll do full introductions and Ainsley's made lunch."

They all followed Aidan inside the house, where a thin caramel skinned woman stood at the stove. She turned as Aidan entered. "And I was wondering if you lot would make it here at all! Picked up a few extra, Kingsley?"

"This is John Dawlish and Lindy Dawlish. John was an Auror with me." Kingsley explained. "You know Dora. Sirius is her cousin, Remus is Sirius' school friend and Teddy's father- and we just met Liam a few days ago."

"Well, I definitely won't mind having a full house." Ainsley said. "Corey hasn't come home for Christmas in nearly four years."

"How is he?" Kingsley asked.

"Married that American girl a couple months ago. Didn't invite us, I suppose they eloped. They're settling into New York quite well." Ainsley said. "But I hear you're ahead of us, anyway. A grandchild, King! Where is he?"

Remus stepped forward with Teddy and Ainsley happily took him, a grin on her face. "I hope to invited to the wedding, you know." She said with a wink at Tonks.

"That won't happen, she already turned him down." Sirius commented with a laugh.