The regular disclaimer stays, I own the AU and OC, rest are from JKR's treasure chest, I simply spend my spare time in.(tt)

Chapter 2

The five magical people left behind kept staring upwards into the night sky, when a howl of a lone wolf in this quiet Black Forest of Germany, greeted the new dwellers for the first time.

The ground had started rumbling once again. Wands draw, three adults had immediately taken up a battle stance. Though the nestling babies were merrily cooing within the arms of the young couple.

Andromeda was the first person to notice the shimmering apparition behind them.

"Harry, Luna…look."

Hoisting his godson closer to his chest, Harry had stood in front of Luna, who too was guarding Theadora by holding her close to her chest, caution rippling through her body.

Gaping down the shrugging sense of foreboding, Harry had inched closer to Andromeda, his wand still pointed at the now hazy mirage of an old cottage.

"That would most certainly be, Gran Grezel's cottage…this magical field around us is ancient, old and forgotten…yet how fascinating."

Luna, who was watching the gradual reveal of a forgotten dwelling, had whispered in awe, over Harry's shoulder," Magic recognizes, its true blood."

Andromeda had turned back and had nodded, her face overjoyed, "Yes, dear, Old Magic recognizes us as protectors of its future masters," glancing down at the two babies, who too were peering at the glowing cottage," we are safe now, truly safe."

The ground had vibrated for a couple of moments. The after-effects of the residual magic had exploded through the surrounding forest, sending ripples of energy through its expanse.

Another howl of a wolf had ripped through the quietness, making the new people shudder.

To their utter amazement, the moment both Harry and Luna, Ted and Theadora still held protectively in their arms, had crossed the outer mark of the cottage, the throbbing magical presence had died down. The cottage was now are real as the Log House, standing next to it.

Andromeda had gushed with excitement, "Never in my dreams did I imagine I would stand and would also have the opportunity to live in a mythical cottage." Turning to the young couple, she had exclaimed as if remembering a very important point. "Now, now, why don't the two of you wait here. I will just go and arrange your rooms for the night."

With that she had turned and had walked down the small path. Unlocking the front door, she had stepped into the Log house.

Once, inside the old woman, who had lost too many family members in this war, had leaned against it, and had let her body, quake. Outside, she had to be strong for that frightened young couple. Here, alone and all by herself, she could loosen her armor. She to weep a tear or two, she could cry. This, the whole of this was a voluntary exile. To stop another Evil from rearing its head up. Pushing down another approaching set of cries, she had rebuked herself, "Not now. There will be time for all this."

Standing straight she had walked further into the room, and had given it a closer inspection. Snape had done magnificent work. Minerva would be so proud of him if she ever got the chance to lay her eyes on this masterpiece.

Rising her wand, she had brought out her beads bag. This one was similar to the one Hermione Granger had carried on their Horcrux expedition. The girl had gifted this one to the old woman before they had left for Germany. She had also helped her pack a few of the items, she thought they all would need to settle down.

Squaring her shoulders, she had left the bag open on the floor before her, and had muttered to herself, "It's time." Then a little louder and in a clear practiced voice, she had uttered, "Accio Harry's bedroom Items."

She levitated a four-poster bed, two dressers, bedside tables and such similar household furniture. She had also brought out candles, several of them, and place them around the room. Next drapes, curtains, bed linen of burgundy red and rich royal blue shades had flown out of the bag and had soon wrapped themselves around their designated places in the cozy space. A small Persian rug had unrolled itself at the foot of the bed. Two armchairs at settled themselves next to the now blazing hearth. Above, the ceiling had an artistic chandelier with everlasting candles lit up, lazily hanging above, throwing soft light around the room.

She had noticed two doors on the furthest wall and had opened them one by one. One was a bathroom complete with a shower and a mirror and washbasin. The other was an extended walk-in closet. She had shaken her head in utter disbelief and had smirked, "The man wears only black, and still, knows what a house requires! Ever the perfectionist."

Harry had gestured Luna to follow him, and together they had sat side by side with the two babies settled in their individual lap. Harry had conjured up two orbs of blue light and had left them hovering above the four of them. Luna has given him a small smile of appreciation.

"I…so much happened…this all of this is so overwhelming. I never thought I would live…"

Luna, had turned her face at him, and had hummed," Nor did I".

She had looked down at the drowsy baby girl is her lap. "I don't how to manage a baby. And I will have to…I mean…we are expected to…take care of both of them…and this marriage…"

"I know, but trust me, Luna, I will try, I know, I am not the most patient person, but, I know how important family is…I will try, for all of us."

"To think of all this at once is frightening, but we can take one step at a time…can't we?

When andromeda had come out of the log house and she had stood at its threshold. Her eyes had welled up as she had quietly watched the two young people trying to function as a family. She had to be strong. They knew nothing of life. And at every step from now on, they would turn to her for guidance. Blinking her tears away, she had walked back to them.

Andromeda had appeared from behind and had replied on behalf of all of them, "Yes, one step at a time, sounds promising. Now, why don't you go on After all…"

Harry had got up, mindful of snoozing ted, in his arms, "Aunt Dora, why don't we help you settle in first."

"In that case, we need two bassinets for these two munchkins," the older woman had pointed out. She had pointed her wand at some nearby tree stumps. Giving the wand a couple of flicks, she had successfully transfigured them, into rocking bassinets. Harry had handed over Ted to his grandmother. He had undone his navy-blue scarf and had transfigured that into a baby blanket. Walking up to the two bassinets he had brought them over, and had placed the blanket inside one.

Luna too had followed suit and had transformed her pink cowl. A pretty pink blanket, with dancing unicorns at its borders now lined up the insides of the other bassinet. Satisfied, that the new furniture held on to their transfigured properties, Andromeda had levitated them, while Harry had opened the front door to the Cottage.

"Well, for now, let us just get these two sleepyheads settled it." Once all of them had entered the magical cottage, the fire in the hearth had set ablaze on its own. The candles on the scorns around the big space had lit up. The kettle over the small kitchenette had come alive. There was a table of six, with chairs around it. A couch and a center table. On the left hand, they had noticed a room. Stepping inside, they found out, it was a bedroom. Gently placing the two rocking cots near the large bed, they had walked back into the living space. Apart from the bare necessities already present, they had found two adjoining doors. One was a moderate bathroom, with old pipework. And the other could work both as a storeroom and a pantry.

Andromeda had left Snape's Sack on the couch. She would have time, later on, to sort out all the items he had packed for them. Right now, she needed Harry and Luna to retire for the night. They hardly had much time.

She had walked up to them and had drawn them together in a motherly hug. She had taken the time to whisper into their ears, "Take care of each other I know things are not ideal, but this night will come in your lives only once, make the most of it."

She had dragged the thoroughly blushing couple out of the house and had walked up to the entrance of the Log house. Placing Luna's hand into Harry's firmer one and she had nudged them towards the log. Though after a moment, she had called out, amused, "By the way, what should we call, Snape's gift?"

Harry had shrugged "I would hardly know, I have started my life in a cupboard under the staircase, and then Hogwarts was like my forever home…" He had looked at Luna, expectantly.

The new wife had stared at the house dreamily. A while later, she had tugged at Harry's hand and said, "Tiny". Harry and Andromeda laugh. The older woman had quipped, "I would assure you Mr. and Mrs. Claysmith, nothing about our elusive potion Master is just simply 'Tiny'. Their laughter had eased away the heavily weighing tension biting at their conscience for the last couple of days. The young couple had turned back and had pleaded, "Let us help you settle the babies, first…"

Smiling back, Andromeda had just shooed them away. She drags them inside their new house, "Tiny." A swift flick of her wand had peeled off their heavy cloak and robes. Underneath both of them were still wearing the marriage ceremonial tunics. They both had looked back at her bashfully. With a fond smile she orders, "Oh, my young love! Now! remember, take care of each other." And had turned and walked out. A second later she had locked the door from outside with a powerful locking spell. Least those two still thought they could delay the inevitable.

When she had turned and had started walking towards the cottage, she had noticed a hunched-up shadow at the periphery of the clearing. Two yellow eyes watching her. She had gulped down and simply nodded at the figure. Walking faster, she had entered the cottage and had locked it. Fearing for her life and those she was supposed to look after, she had put up a strong locking spell and strong warding spells on the doors and the windows. She had peered through the smokey glass of the window. The pair of yellow eyes were still watching the cottage with rapt attention. Wiping her face with her shaking hands, she had whispered to no one particular, "Merlin! Let that be Schwarze Nacht".

A/N: Schwarze Nacht in German means Black Night. I could be wrong, just following the google translate here. 😊