"Legerdemain"
"Chapter Two: The One Where Albus Totally Isn't Day Drinking"
Lily lounged on the luxurious bed in nothing but her knickers and the fluffy hotel robe. They hadn't packed a change of clothes, no toiletries, nothing. Instead, she'd taken his hand and let him lead her out of the pub and to the Ministry where he booked them a last-minute Portkey that whisked them away to Paris. It had been the most exciting and spur-of-the moment thing she had ever done in her life.
She took a bite of her croissant, moaning at the deliciousness that lingered on her tongue. They were even better than the croissants Aunt Fleur's maman made when she came to England for a visit.
Rayko lounged next to her looking much too good in her opinion. He was just in his boxers and the same fluffy hotel robe. His front was open, however, so she could see his well-defined chest and muscles, tracing all six abdominal muscles in glee as she admired the tattoo that laid over his heart. It was a Snitch with three stars above it and something written in Bulgarian beneath it.
"Never love anyone who treats you like you're ordinary," Rayko read. "It's a quote from Oscar Wilde. My grandmother always used to say that to me… to never settle on love."
He shot her an intense glance, and Lily felt her heart beat fast in her chest. He went on to tell her how when his grandmother passed, he knew he wanted the quote tattooed on him so he could always remember her words to him.
"What about the stars and Snitch?" Lily questioned, her foot rubbing up his calf.
"It's for my family. My dad, a professional Seeker. Then my mum is a wireless star, hence the stars. There's three of us kids," Rayko explained with a shrug. "Family's just important, you know?"
Lily loved that he was so family oriented. It was probably the most important quality she could find in a potential boyfriend, which she was starting to consider him as. Not to mention, he was a total gentleman. After arriving in Paris, he'd taken her for a walk under the stars along the banks of the Seine. She asked him more questions about his volunteer work and he asked her about her life in public relations. Then he'd taken her hand in his and told her he wanted to kiss her again. They'd snogged on the banks of the Seine for what could have been minutes or hours, she didn't know, but when he'd finally pulled away, she felt drunk despite the fact that she hadn't had anything alcoholic in hours.
Rayko squeezed her hand, his fingers brushing her hair behind her ear and she couldn't stop smiling. By the time he had led her to the massive hotel where he'd booked the honeymoon suite for the weekend, she'd never been more excited and nervous in her life. They'd entered to find the entire room lit in floating candles, champagne chilling and a buffet of pastries and desserts. There was a little sitting room off to the side and large windows that overlooked the city.
She had been nervous, hoping he didn't think her too forward for letting him take her to a hotel but then he'd held out the two bath robes and suggested gorging on the desserts. She had been unable to stop her smile. They had spent the entire evening just talking, snacking, and snogging. There had definitely been lots of snogging, but he never pushed her for anything more than a good snog. She felt completely at ease with him.
Now they were stretched out on a big bed with the room service breakfast spread between them on the trays, and Lily wanted to stay here forever.
"No, I completely understand that. You've seen the papers, there's enough people in my family to make a small army."
"You get along with all of them?"
Lily smiled. "For the most part. There are so many of us that we're naturally closer to some more than others. My brother Albus and I are really close. Out of all my cousins, I'd say Roxanne and I are the closest. That being said, we try to get together every Friday night at my grandparents' house for dinner. We attempt to make every birthday dinner or party for the babies."
"The babies?"
"Two of my brothers have kids," Lily explained as she sat her plate down on her bedside table and turned to face him fully. "The Potters would be the ones to reproduce first. We beat out the Weasleys. Although, I guess my cousin Victoire married my brother so…"
"Your cousin married your brother?" Rayko questioned, his fingers drawing circles on her exposed thigh in a way that made her want to move closer.
"Well, Teddy has different biological parents. They died in the war. My dad was named his godfather and adopted him. He's my brother in every way that matters, even if we don't share blood," Lily explained. "Well, we may share a little blood. I think we may have some very distant relatives or something. Nothing that I can trace back, though. Teddy's Grandmum would be able to trace it back."
"Ah, I think I do remember hearing something about that. Teddy's the one who's a Metamorphmagus, right?"
"Yes," Lily confirmed, "but what's your family like? Having a mum who's on Hidden Passions must be so exciting!"
Rayko rolled his eyes. "It has its moments, I suppose. The world thinks of Hollis Sterling as one person, and I've never seen her like that. To us, she's always been Holly Krum or mum, but she does keep us updated on her mad life as Maybel Macintosh."
"Really? You don't watch?"
"Sometimes," he admitted. "I don't tune in every day, though. When we do family dinners, Kosta, Sashka, and I get into heated debates about what mad thing Mum's character will do next. Most recently, she was visited by the ghost of her dead husband, Hector, and he got her pregnant with a ghost baby. My sister thinks the baby is going to have special powers. Dad thinks Hector is going to return. My brother thinks the vampires are going to try to kidnap the baby once it's born."
"Never a dull moment in your life, is there?" Lily asked with a grin.
His slow smile made her stomach flutter. "I imagine your life is the same. A famous Quidditch star for a mum and Harry Potter as your father can't mean you had a simple life. Afterall, the Potter Princess has fans."
Lily shrugged. "I suppose there's never a dull moment there either."
Rayko's lips curved. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers just as a loud buzzing sound interrupted them. Lily groaned as Rayko looked confused. She leaned over the edge of the bed for her handbag. She pulled out the mirror, seeing Albus' annoyed face shining in the glass. She smirked and sat up in bed.
"Albus Potter," she answered.
Albus' bright eyes met hers. His face contorted in a grimace as he looked around her.
"Where the hell are you?"
"Um… Paris? Want to meet my breakfast date?"
Lily tilted the mirror so that Rayko was just barely able to be seen. She extended her arm, and he leaned in, their cheeks nearly touching. Lily could hear him smiling next to her.
"Lily, are you telling me that you're having breakfast in bed with Rayko Krum?"
"No, I'm showing you."
"Lily!"
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Albus, we're just talking. Say hi, Ko."
"Hello, Albus."
Albus glared at him suspiciously before Lily turned the mirror back to herself. "Dad came by looking for you. Apparently, he thought you were with Roxy and you weren't."
"I'm with you, aren't I?"
"No, because he very clearly said in that exasperated tone of his, You're a terrible liar, Albus."
"Well, that's true and you forgot about my weekend spa date with Scorpius, obviously," she said with a wink.
Albus gave a long-suffering sigh. "How long am I lying for you this time?"
She looked over at Rayko and when he smiled, her stomach fluttered in a way she'd never felt before.
"I'll let you know," she said, closing the mirror on her brother's protests.
Lily glanced over at Rayko once more before she leaned in for a kiss. Despite having spent most of the night snogging him, the kiss still wasn't quite enough. She licked her lips before she slid out of bed and looked around for a plain wall. She positioned herself in front of it, fixing her hair and running a finger under her bottom lip to fix the smudged lipstick.
"This will just take a sec," Lily said as she winked at Rayko. "Harry Potter."
Her father answered the call immediately, his tired face staring back at her. She put on the sweetest smile she could muster.
"Hi, Daddy."
"Lily, where are you? You aren't at Roxy's, and I know Albus was lying when he said you were at his place."
"I'm at that spa weekend with Scorpius! Remember, the one he got me for Christmas that I never used? Albus is such a scatterbrain sometimes. Can you believe he forgot Scorpius and I were leaving early this morning? I stayed at their place last night."
"Oh, right. You know, Lily, you really need to communicate better where you're going to be. I feel like you're a nomad and just sofa jump to a new relative's house every night."
"I'm nineteen, Dad."
"I'm not saying you can't do what you want, Lils, I just would like to know where you're going to be so I know you're safe. You don't need to ask permission, just keep me in the loop, all right?"
"Of course, Dad. I'm in Paris for the weekend. I'll be home Monday after work."
"Have fun with Scor... wait, what? You're in Paris?"
"I will keep in touch! Look, Dad, I have to go. We're getting a mud facial in five and Scorpius looks stressed like we're going to miss it. Love you!"
Lily disconnected the mirror before her father could reply, tossing the mirror onto the sofa. She slinked back over to the bed and situated herself on top of the covers next to Rayko.
"Who's Scorpius?" Rayko questioned, trying to sound casual.
"Albus' boyfriend," Lily replied before she swung one leg up over his lap to straddle him. Her nails slid over his chest.
"That's nice that you two are close."
"You were jealous, weren't you?"
"Jealousy isn't very becoming."
"No, it isn't," she agreed.
"So, do you usually have your brother and his boyfriend lie to your father for you?"
Lily laughed. "Yes and no. I tell my dad almost everything, but sometimes he still thinks I'm five. If he found out I went to Paris with you for the weekend…"
"Right, daddy's girl," he said with a grin.
She nodded. "Exactly. I'm really just looking out for him. He worries a lot, unnecessarily."
"Running off to Paris with a man you just met would make him worry?"
"More like make his head explode and cause an international scene where he demands French Aurors arrest you for kidnapping his only and most precious daughter."
Rayko's eyebrows raised. "Oh, well, thank you for not allowing me to be arrested."
"Don't worry, I'll protect you," she whispered, a smirk tugging on her lips. "Honestly, though, he's very nice and not at all intimidating once you get to know him. You shouldn't worry. I know he's Harry Potter and the Man Who Defeated Voldemort, the Vanquisher, or whatever ridiculous name the press wants to call him, but in real life, he's just really dorky and awkward."
"Already talking about meeting the parents?"
"Hmm, not yet. I want you to myself for a little while longer."
She leaned in, her breasts pressing against his chest. Her lips slid against his, one hand on his hard chest, resting the other in his impossibly soft hair. When one of his hands slid under the robe to hold her thigh, she whimpered; and when the other parted the front of her robe to reveal the dark purple lace of bra, her eyes darkened. His large hand found its way to her breast and he deepened the kiss, his tongue gliding across hers as he fondled. She couldn't suppress the moan in the back of her throat.
"Mmm… Ko…" she moaned as her fingers twisted in his dark hair. "Ko… Koko…"
"Koko?" he asked, giving her an amused look.
She nodded. "Yes. I think I like it."
His dark eyes stared into hers for a moment before he leaned in and nipped at her bottom lip. "I sure as hell like you, Lily Potter. I'll be your Koko."
She beamed. "I like the sound of that. My Koko."
Desire darkened his features. "And I like you, Elle."
"Elle?"
"Yes, Elle," he said, nipping at her lips again.
Elle? Nobody in her entire life had ever called her Elle before. The simple syllable sent her heart into somersaults. Elle. She could easily become used to being called Elle.
Then he flipped her over, pinning her to the soft bed and all she could do was moan. The part of her brain that told her it was too fast was definitely not listening to her body. Merlin, this man could kiss and those hands… when his lips moved over her shoulders, she arched her head back to give him better access. Lips floated over her skin, featherlight and teasing, designed to drive her mad. When his thumb teased the strap of her bra down, his dark eyes met hers.
"May I?"
Lily nodded.
Rayko never broke her gaze as he slowly removed the purple lace. Then his mouth dipped down to kiss her breasts, causing her to moan.
"Oh, Ko."
"What happened to Koko?" he asked, twirling his tongue around her in a tantalizing fashion.
Lily's eyes were dazed. "Kiss me, Koko. Please."
His lips met hers again. By the time he returned to her breasts, she was desperate for him. She could feel the result she was having on him against her thigh. When his mouth trailed down her stomach, her breath hitched.
"Koko…"
"Elle, do you trust me?"
Lily stared at him, this man she had only just met yesterday. How had it only been one day already? She felt like she'd known him her entire life. She not only trusted him, but she'd never wanted anyone more. Lily nodded, biting her bottom lip. When his mouth pressed against her knickers, the sound she made surprised her.
Rayko's mouth kissed her through the cotton and lace. Her fingers threaded through his thick hair, wanting to hold him in place. A finger played with her knickers and a moment later he'd pushed it aside, pressing his mouth to her, and Lily moaned his name. When his tongue tasted her, she thought she might explode.
He paused while he slipped her knickers down her legs, allowing her a moment to catch her breath before his mouth was back between her thighs. She wanted to tell him to stop, to tell him it was all too fast, that they barely knew each other, but Merlin, his tongue was… Her hips bucked against him. When his hands slid up her torso to cup her breasts, she lost all sense of reason.
After experiencing what she decided was the best orgasm she'd ever had in her entire life, she watched him kiss his way back up her body, lingering on her hip and then her breast. She ran her fingers through his hair, a soft smile on her lips and decided coming to Paris with Rayko Krum was the best impulsive decision she'd ever made in her life.
"That was…"
Rayko kissed her shoulder. "You're incredible. I plan to spend a good deal of this weekend with my mouth between your legs."
Lily's breath hitched. "Merlin, you can't just say stuff like that to me."
His smile was quick. "Watch me."
Lily traced her finger through the scar on his eyebrow. "Koko, this… I don't do this…"
His lips met hers for a soft kiss. "Trust me, Elle, this isn't normal for me either."
Her heart soared at his words. "Really?"
"Really," he said, taking her hand and placing it over his heart. "I like you. I like everything about you and I want to know even more. I want to know why your favorite color is purple, if you like the morning or the night better. I want to hold you close and watch a thunderstorm or a sunset. I really, really want to make you come for me again. And again," he said, kissing her neck. "And again."
Lily's heart sped up as his lips brushed the pulse in her throat. "I want to know everything about you, too. I just… we just met and it feels like I've always known you. How can it feel like that, Ko?"
Rayko kissed her. "I don't know, Elle, but I don't want it to stop. Now, let's go see Paris the way it was meant to be seen. After all, I still owe you a proper date."
Lily's hand slid down his chest. "Don't you want…?"
He stopped her hand before she could reach him and kissed her fingers. "Absolutely. First, I want to take the most beautiful witch I've ever met around Paris. Then we're going to come back to this bed and I'm going to make love with you until you can't move."
The blush that crept up Lily's cheeks made her shiver in anticipation. "You are, huh?"
Rayko nodded, his eyes raking over her body. "Definitely. How do you feel about that, Elle?"
Lily's hands slid over his biceps, a soft smile on her face. "I feel really good about it, but I have one minor change I want to add."
He lifted an eyebrow.
"I want you first."
Then she pulled his mouth down to hers and his groan made desire coarse through her. She kissed him, her hands sliding down his back, teasing the waistline of his boxers. She slid her hand inside, feeling him hot and hard and desire flickered through her. She'd never wanted anyone so much before. He groaned as she touched him and when she finally undressed him, her eyes fell on the proud erection with a smile. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him and it thrilled her. His eyes stared into hers as she touched him, and she trembled from the intensity of that look.
"Whatever you want, Elle," he whispered. "We'll go as fast or as slow as you want."
"I don't want slow, Koko," she said, pushing him back onto the bed as she straddled him again.
His lips curved as she continued to touch him anywhere she could. His own hands roamed, stroked, and teased. She threw back her head in ecstasy when she finally guided him into her, nothing had ever felt so good. No one had ever felt so right, so perfect. Lily moved her hips slowly at first, placing her hands flat on his chest. When his dark eyes met hers, she couldn't look away from him. At that moment, she knew that this was what happiness was supposed to feel like. Rayko took her hand, placing it over his heart and holding it there, his other hand was on her breast over her heart as she rode him. She came and he kissed her until he followed her over the edge, both of them trembling.
His lips brushed her neck as she snuggled against him, her breathing heavy. As he held her in his strong arms, lips against her temple, Lily thought this was definitely the best impulsive decision of her life.
James Potter chewed the end of his quill, his eyes roaming over his report that he needed to submit first thing Monday morning. His glasses slid down his nose, but he didn't bother to right them. He wanted to edit the report as quickly as possible if he wanted to have any semblance of a weekend with his family. Plus, Albus said he'd mind Henry for the night so he and Riley could go out to a belated dinner for his birthday.
"Jamie?"
Glancing up at his name, he saw Riley standing in the doorway of his office, little Henry situated on her hip. Henry babbled and clapped at the sight of his father, and James couldn't help the goofy grin that spread across his features.
"What's wrong, love?"
Henry had a fistful of Riley's long dark cocoa hair. He waved it frantically in his chubby little fist. Riley gently wrapped her hand around Henry's to stop him, a grimace on her round face. Once she freed her hair, her brown eyes met his.
He had met Riley at Hogwarts. They had been the same year, both Gryffindors. They had been friends first. He'd copy off her Charms work and she'd copy off his Defense Against the Dark Arts assignments. They were Potions partners in sixth year after Freddie dropped the subject, and that's when he had really started to notice her.
She went from being his friend who cheered him on at Quidditch to the girl who overnight became more than just a friend. He heard stories that his dad was the same way. Ginny had just always been there, been a friend. Then one day, it was like a Bludger hit him over the head and he noticed her. James supposed he was a lot like his dad in that regard, not seeing what was right in front of him until it smacked him in the face.
"Just seeing if you were almost done with your report. It's already four."
James' eyebrows raised. "Four? Already? Merlin, where the ruddy hell did the day go?"
Riley entered the room and took a seat in the armchair across from him. Henry sat happily in her lap and sucked on his fingers.
"Report not going well?"
James leaned back in his chair, tossing his chewed-up quill onto his desk. "I don't know. It's the first case that I'm in charge of, and I want to do a good job, you know? I feel like there's all this pressure on me to solve this case quickly and wrap it up with a nice little bow on top. It's what my dad would have done. The way some of the older Aurors talk about my dad and uncle… it's like they're legends."
"You're not Harry Potter nor are you Ron Weasley," Riley whispered. "You're James Sirius Potter, and you'll solve the case in your own time and do a fantastic job at it."
James nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I was tempted to ask my dad for help. Would that make me a failure?"
"No, that's called being resourceful."
"My dad just has this crazy intuition, you know? Like he can just look at a case and work it out in his head," James explained, squinting at his wife behind his glasses. "This one… Riley, someone is experimenting on Inferi. They're not just mindless attackers anymore who only complete the tasks given by the wizard who controls them. They're strategic, smart. It's like they're thinking for themselves."
"Maybe the wizard controlling them just knows the right commands to give?" Riley suggested.
"Nah, it's… it's different."
James shuddered, remembering how he had come into contact with one of the altered Inferius just last week. It had looked at him as though analyzing him, soaking in his body language and planning its course of attack. It didn't rush him mindlessly. It had freaked James out more than he was willing to admit.
"My dad wanted to know if you were still good for next weekend, to help him with his junior Quidditch Chasers," Riley asked, bouncing Henry on her lap.
James sucked in a breath, forgetting about his promise to his famed Quidditch star father-in-law, Oliver Wood. Retirement from Quidditch hadn't been easy for him. He coached one of the junior Quidditch teams, managed a premier league, and was even eyeing up buying a team.
"Uh, yeah, yeah, I'll make time."
"You forgot, didn't you?" Riley asked sympathetically.
James sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "I technically did but this case has been a pain in my arse. It's fine. I think my dad is going over too to help his Seeker."
"He is, much to your Uncle George's dismay. I heard he was rather upset because the Weasley Wizard Wheezes sponsors a pee-wee and junior league."
James shrugged, not really caring. He knew his dad would help out with Remus' team and probably the junior league as well if his uncle insisted on it.
"Why don't I take Henry over to Albus'? You get ready for dinner," James suggested. "I could use a break. I feel like I'm going cross-eyed looking at this all day. I'll just have to finish it up in the morning."
Riley merely nodded, a soft smile gracing her features. James stood up, his joints cracking at the sudden movement. He shuffled his papers into a neat pile before shoving them into a folder. Making his way around the desk, he bent down to peck Riley on the cheek before reaching for Henry.
"You want to go see Uncle Albus and Uncle Scorpius?" James asked as he situated Henry on his hip and then kissed him on the temple.
It only took five minutes for James and Riley to pack a bag filled with nappies, wipes, an extra outfit, and baby food for the night. It was a skill they had perfected due to all of the family events over the course of the past year. They had it down to a science.
With one final kiss, Riley slid the nappy bag onto his shoulder. She readied the fireplace for him, and James cradled Henry closer to his chest before stepping inside.
He strolled out of the fireplace into Albus and Scorpius' parlor. James scrunched up his nose, his eyes gliding across the mess. Papers were strewn across the coffee table, a cup of half-drunk tea on the end table, and the pillows in disarray. Albus and Scorpius were usually meticulous about their home and kept it cleaner than clean. In fact, Albus always complained any time Lily would stay with them, because she would leave a mess wherever she went.
"What are you doing here?"
James turned to see Albus standing in the doorway of the parlor in nothing put a pair of jogging pants and a bottle of whiskey clenched at his side. His hair looked disheveled and dark circles resided under his eyes.
"You told me you'd watch Henry for the night so Riley and I could go out to dinner for my birthday," James replied, his brow furrowed. "What the hell is wrong with you? You look like crap."
"Fuck, I forgot about your stupid birthday," Albus grumbled, his free hand carding through his hair.
James snorted. "Obviously. Nice look you got going on there. I don't think I've ever seen you look so… homeless before."
"You're hilarious."
Albus brushed past him and sat the bottle of whiskey on the mantle of the fireplace. He then grabbed a discarded Holyhead Harpies shirt off the back of the sofa and slipped it on over his head. He made his way to stand in front of James and held out his arms for Henry.
"If you're drunk and grumpy, I don't want you watching Henry."
"You're in luck, I didn't start drinking yet. I started off with tea and then went for the whiskey about two minutes ago," Albus replied dryly. "Give me my nephew."
"I don't know if I want your moody arse watching my son."
"I'm fine. I'm not in a mood. I just forgot, all right?"
"Look, if you're not in the mood to watch Henry, I'll ask someone else."
"Give me my damn nephew. He's the only one I'm not upset with at the moment."
James shook his head. "Oh, nothing makes a father want to hand over his son more than that!"
"I'm just... work is stressful, all right?"
"I can relate to that," James agreed as he handed Henry over to Albus, who cuddled the small child to his chest and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm taking the lead on my first case. Everyone is looking at me like I'm Dad or something and waiting for me to solve it in two days."
"We're not Dad, though. Nobody understands that," Albus said, his hands carding through Henry's thick hair. "It's like everyone is waiting for us to do the right thing and to save people and to... I don't know."
"You sure you're okay, Al?"
"It's Albus, and I'm fine. I'll watch Henry. I love him, and I want to spoil him with sweets and return him to you on a complete sugar high."
"That's just cruel."
"Like you've never done that to Teddy. Paybacks and all that."
James chuckled, his hands stuffing into his trouser pockets. Henry seemed to be completely content in Albus' arms. Albus swayed him from side-to-side, his cheek resting on top of his dark hair.
"I've never done that to Teddy. You're thinking of Lily. Honest mistake."
Albus snorted. "You're so full of it. I've watched you rile Remus up with sweets right before Teddy would pick him up."
"Do you want me to call Vic over to look at your head? You're obviously suffering from brain damage or something if you're misremembering events like that. It's Lily. It's always Lily."
"I'll tell her you said that," Albus challenged.
"Speaking of our wayward sister, where is she? Dad stopped by earlier today and asked if we knew where she stayed last night. He was rather annoyed with me when I told him I had an important case that I was working on and wasn't interested in where Lily crashed for the night."
Albus rolled his eyes. "What are you working on? Serial killer? Potions smuggler? New Dark Lord?"
"Way to avoid the question of where Lily was. You two were always annoyingly secretive."
"Like you and Teddy weren't? Look, if you want the gossip on where and what Lily was doing, then ask her yourself. Now, I'm interested in the case you're heading and asked you. See how that works? I didn't go to Dad or Mum or Uncle George. I went directly to the source. Really amazing how that works, yeah?"
James glanced up at the ceiling, suppressing a groan. "That's not how this family works. We thrive off gossip and meddling. It's the Weasley way."
"Yeah, because there's too many of us," Albus commented as Henry wiggled in his arms.
"It's a necromancer case," James said with a sigh.
Albus paled as he sat Henry down on the ground. "Necromancer case?"
"Yeah," James said slowly, eyeing his brother. "Someone has been experimenting on Inferi, making them more intelligent and less zombie-like. It's almost like they can think and reason. They're not just mindless anymore."
Albus nodded numbly, his eyes dropping down to look at Henry galloping across the parlor to the small toy chest that was kept in the corner. All of their family seemed to keep a few toys on hand for the new generation.
"That's… interesting," Albus whispered.
"It's bloody frustrating," James responded. "You okay? You look like you ate one of Uncle George's experimental sweets."
Albus blinked, his head shaking slightly. "I'm fine. I just… that's disturbing, I suppose. How many have you seen? Personally?"
James shrugged. "A few. I can't really talk about it right now. Ongoing investigation and all that."
"Right, of course. That makes sense."
"Are you sure you're all right to watch Henry? It's fine if you're not. We have a massive family."
"Nah, it's fine. Don't worry about us. Scorpius will be home by eight to help if that eases your mind. Have fun with Riley. It's your birthday."
James nodded, thanking Albus for his help. He kissed his son goodbye, who ignored his very existence for a kid's Healer's kit that Scorpius had bought. He cast one last glance at Albus before stepping into the fireplace. His little brother ran a hand through his hair, causing it to stick up in the front. He watched as Albus sucked in a breath before making his way towards Henry, a forced smile gracing his features. James tossed the Floo powder down and disappeared right as Albus took a seat next to his nephew, wondering what it was that made his calm and collected brother reach for the whiskey.
When Lily and Rayko returned to England late Sunday night, she was still feeling a little drunk. The weekend had been incredible. Not only had they gone around to visit Paris in all of its tourist glory, but they'd gone shopping for hours and spent a good portion of their two days in bed.
Lily didn't have a single regret about that. Rayko Krum definitely knew what he was doing in the bedroom, in the bath, and definitely against the bathroom door, and Lily had never felt so relaxed. Not that she had a lot of experience in that area, but she did know what she liked and Rayko had surpassed it all. They held hands as they headed out from where the Portkey deposited them and Rayko framed her face in his hands, kissing her deeply.
"Mmm, my Elle. I've never wanted to skive off volunteer work before."
Her eyes fluttered open and her heart pitter-pattered in her chest when he called her my Elle.
"I know what you mean. I don't want to do something so mundane as go into work."
He nipped at her bottom lip. "Guess I better think up a plan for our second proper date. How do you feel about Rome?"
"Koko, you're mad. Has anyone ever told you that?"
His hands slid around into her hair. "For you? Absolutely."
Then he kissed her again and she held onto him, losing herself in his touch. When he finally moved back, she let out a slow breath.
"So, goodnight then."
Rayko's fingers played with the ends of her hair. "Can I see you tomorrow?"
Lily's heart soared. "I'd like that. I usually work until five."
"Have dinner with me."
"Do I need my passport this time?"
He brushed his lips over hers. "No. We'll get takeaway and go back to mine. You said your favorite food is chicken pot pie and jacket potatoes, so I'll pick something up."
Lily nodded. "I can bring the wine."
Rayko brushed his lips over hers again. "I'll meet you outside the Ministry?"
"Too risky," Lily countered, her arms around his neck. "I'm not ready to share you with the press yet."
Or my family, she added silently. She could only imagine her dad going into full Auror interrogation mode, James and Teddy in annoying big brother mode, her mother deciding if he was fit marriage material, her grandparents asking a million and a half questions, her cousins teasing her for dating a celebrity. No, she wanted to keep him a secret just a little longer. She would only tell Roxanne, and Albus already knew. They were her confidants.
"Agreed," he said, moving his lips to her throat. "Three blocks over to the left then."
"Deal."
"Five," he whispered, his breath dancing against her skin and making her shiver.
"Five," she repeated.
Rayko kissed her palm. "See you tomorrow, Elle."
"See you tomorrow, Koko."
Then she adjusted her handbag and overnight bag, turned on the spot and Disapparated. She couldn't wait to see him again. Instead of heading home, she found herself outside of Albus and Scorpius' place and let herself inside.
"Hello?"
"Lily?" Scorpius exclaimed. "We are in the parlor!"
She smiled and sat her bags down in the entryway before making her way to the parlor. Albus lounged on the sofa, his elbows propped up on his knees as he stared at the chess board on the coffee table. Scorpius sat across from him in an armchair he pulled over from the corner of the room. Lily squinted at the board and couldn't decide who would win. She had always been rubbish at the game.
"Ah, my slag of a sister is home," Albus said dryly, not looking up from the board.
"Aw, I'm glad my prick of a brother hasn't changed in my absence!"
Scorpius jumped up from his chair and crossed the room to Lily to hug her. "Play nice, you two. How come I wasn't invited to Paris?"
"Last minute trip," she said, kissing his cheek.
Albus glanced over at them from his spot on the sofa, a frown on his face. "How long have you been seeing Rayko Krum?"
"Not long," Lily said as she took a seat on the sofa, curling her legs to the side. "But I had an amazing trip, thanks for asking. Scorpius, wait until you see what I bought. We went shopping for clothes since we didn't bring any and I ended up finding the best-"
"You didn't bring any clothes?" Albus interrupted. "Lily, how long have you known Rayko Krum?"
Lily's eyes twinkled. "I met him on Friday on my way to meet you for dinner."
The room was so quiet a pin could have dropped. Scorpius sank down into the armchair, his eyes flickering anxiously between the two Potter siblings. Albus' eyebrows lowered, his lips thinning. Lily only reached forward and plucked a crisp out of the bowl next to the chess board.
"And he's incredible," she continued when nobody said anything. "He was such a gentleman, and I feel like we really connected."
"Is he as fit as he looks in his photos?" Scorpius asked, his lips quirking up.
"Better," she admitted.
Albus scowled. "If Dad finds out you took off to Paris with a bloke you met that night, he will have a stroke."
"Dad's not going to find out," Lily said. "I was at a spa weekend with Scorpius."
"Absolutely," Scorpius said. "But you owe me a real one. In Paris."
"Deal," she said as Albus rolled his eyes.
"So… how was the sex?" Scorpius asked.
"You slept with him!" Albus exclaimed.
Scorpius shot Albus a look. "One does not get whisked away to Paris and not have sex, Albus."
Lily ignored her brother and grinned at Scorpius. "I have never been more satisfied in my life."
Scorpius' grin widened. "Good girl."
Albus glowered. "Not concerned he'll play you? Doesn't he have some love child with a mermaid? He doesn't exactly have a good reputation, Lily."
"According to the press, neither do I," Lily countered. "He's not who the press makes him out to be, Albus. I'm a great judge of character. Can't you just trust me and be happy for me about this like your boyfriend?"
He sighed and scooted closer to her on the sofa to engulf her in a hug. "I am happy for you. I just don't want you to get that big heart of yours broken."
"It won't. My heart's not involved." At his look, she bit her bottom lip. "I really like him, Albus. I'm going to dinner at his place tomorrow."
"When do we get to meet him?" Scorpius asked.
Lily only smiled. "I'll let you know. Now, how about we call it a game and go make some rum swizzles and I'll tell you all about the sex."
"Yes! And the clothes, Lily, you brought them, right?" Scorpius asked as he rose from his seat.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Of course, I brought them, Scorp! I'm offended you think I wouldn't."
Albus sighed. "All right, I'm going to bed. I'm not listening to talk about my sister's sex life and looking at clothes."
"Party pooper!" Lily called over her shoulder as her and Scorpius linked arms and headed off to the kitchen.
"So, really how stupendous was the sex? On a scale from one to ten?" Scorpius asked.
Lily bit her bottom lip, her cheeks flushing. "An eleven."
Scorpius' grin widened. "Tell me everything!"
Albus made a gagging sound as he headed up the stairs.
"Goodnight, Albus!"
"Goodnight, slag!" he called down.
Lily stuck her tongue out at her brother's retreating back before turning to Scorpius who was already opening her bag. "Okay, let's start with the clothes…"
Teddy sighed happily, watching little three-year-old Remus sitting on Ginny's lap while Andromeda rocked tiny one-year-old Dora in her arms. He had to admit, it was nice to be able to sit down at a table and just eat. No baby crying to be rocked, no three-year-old claiming they're done eating after three bites and asking what's for dessert. Whenever he was with family, he savored the break.
"I like the pink sky, Remus," Ginny whispered into the boy's ear. "You're doing a wonderful job coloring. Your dad always favored a yellow sky at your age."
Teddy glanced down at the coloring page Remus chose from his dragon coloring book he had brought along to the restaurant. There was blue grass and a purple tree to match the pink sky. Teddy smiled at his son.
"Dora likes pink," Remus said in a serious voice. "She likes looking up at the sky and seeing clouds and planes and suns and moons and stars."
Ginny nodded. "Planes, huh?"
"Uh huh. Muggles fly on 'em instead of booms," Remus said matter-of-factly as he glanced up to give Ginny a very serious look. "David's daddy from school flies planes. Can we go on a plane? Can you and Grandpa buy a plane?"
Ginny laughed as she tapped Remus on his nose with her index finger. "We can't buy a plane, darling. Don't even ask Grandpa, because he can't say no to you, and Grandmum doesn't want to have words with Grandpa."
Remus shrugged and went back to his drawing. Picking up a red crayon, he started on the dragon. "Grandpa loves red. Imma color this for him so he will buy me a plane."
"Looks like you may be buying a plane, Ginny," Andy said with a smirk.
"Merlin, he's not going to buy a plane. Do you remember that time he bought that flying carpet from Egypt after Lily watched that Muggle movie when she was a kid at a friend's house?" Ginny asked as she rested her cheek against Remus' head.
Teddy laughed. "I forgot about that!"
"We only had it for about a week, Teddy."
"Two weeks, Mum," Teddy said with a grin. "I remember Dad would take Lily on it, and she'd snuggle in his lap and make him fly around the garden."
"Oh, right," Ginny said. "Then you and James decided to go joy-riding, and I had to burn that thing so that we didn't get fined! Carpets are banned in England!"
"Dad has trouble saying no to kids," Teddy said with a grin.
"We're not getting a plane," Ginny insisted.
Andromeda smiled. "Unless Lily asks for it. That girl could get away with murder in Harry's eyes and she knows it."
"So does Harry," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "He's said more than once that he doesn't know how she manages to talk her way around him, but she's had him wrapped around her finger since the moment she was born."
Teddy nodded. "Lily's a daddy's girl through and through."
"Auntie Lily will help me get a plane!" Remus exclaimed, and Teddy groaned.
Their lunch arrived, and Ginny cut up Remus' bangers as he dunked his fingers into the mash. Andy held Dora with one arm and ate her salad with the other, refusing to put the infant down even after Teddy protested. Honestly, Teddy forgot what if felt like to eat without a child in his arms.
"How's work, love?" Andy asked.
Teddy shrugged. "Fine. I was shoved into a wall and punched in the jaw the other day, so never a dull day in the thrilling profession of an Addict Recovery Healer."
Ginny frowned. "You didn't tell me this."
"I'm fine. It's a hazard of the job. Besides, Dad's come home with a lot worse injuries than being punched," Teddy reasoned.
"Did you report the incident to Hugh?"
Hugh Slughorn, nephew of Horace Slughorn, was not only Teddy's boss and owner of The Wizarding Center for Addiction to Potions and Substances, but he was also his grandmother's boyfriend of over a decade.
"No, Grandmum, that's not really the type of thing Hugh deals with."
"I can talk to Hugh-"
"Grandmum, it's fine. Withdrawal is hard. We're surrounded by orderlies who step in if things get out of hand."
Andy pursed her lips, her gaze turning to meet Ginny's. Teddy sighed in relief when Ginny shook her head and his grandmother dropped the subject. The rest of lunch passed with more pleasant small talk about Henry's upcoming first birthday, to Rose's new Auror boyfriend that Ron hated, to Teddy's birthday plans.
Teddy took Dora once they finished lunch, sliding the tiny infant in a front carrier on his chest. Ginny smothered Remus' cheeks with kisses as she zipped his coat, telling him she wished she could skive off the afternoon from work like Teddy to spend time with her favorite three-year-old. Remus squealed in delight.
"I'm not skiving off work!" Teddy exclaimed. "I have the day off, because it was my turn to work this past weekend."
They stepped out of the restaurant into Muggle London. Remus held tightly onto Ginny's hand, his yellow wellies stomping on the sidewalk. He tugged on her arm, his tiny voice whining to jump in the puddle by the sidewalk.
Ginny sighed. "In a moment, Remus." She turned back to Teddy. "You and Victoire both work late tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, can you still pick the kids up from nursery school?"
"Of course, don't worry about it. You two will stay for dinner?"
Teddy shook his head. "Victoire works until eleven tomorrow. She has a twelve-hour shift. I work until seven, so if it's a late dinner I'll stay."
"Well, we'll feed the kids early. Your dad and I will wait to eat dinner with you. Maybe your sister will be there," Ginny said tightly. "She's been gone the past two weekends."
"Ah, Dad told me she was in Paris the other weekend with Scorpius, yet James told me Albus and Scorpius mysteriously minded Henry that Saturday night and Lily was nowhere to be found."
"Lily thinks she's clever, but we're not dumb. We know she's running off with friends or some boy. She only makes your father worry when she's secretive."
Teddy nodded as he bounced a little to keep Dora from fussing. "Maybe what she's actually doing will only make him worry more, so she's trying to ease his torment."
Ginny narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What do you know, Teddy?"
"I don't know anything," he answered honestly. "The person you need to be talking to is Albus, because he holds all of Lily's secrets."
Ginny sighed. "Getting anything out of Albus is like scrubbing a cauldron clean."
Teddy chuckled, knowing very well that Albus wasn't much of a talker when it came to anything. He was the perfect secret keeper as he often kept to himself and would never betray anyone's confidence. Teddy had confided a few times in Albus due to how well he withstood the pressure of their family to spill everyone's secrets.
"Remus!"
Ginny's shriek snapped Teddy's attention to his toddler, who had broken free of Ginny's grasp and went running to a puddle. He jumped off the sidewalk and into the street. He jumped a few times, giggling madly. Teddy opened his mouth to yell at Remus to come back when Ginny dashed forward to grab him. Seeing her running towards him, Remus laughed loudly and jumped back onto the sidewalk and galloped away from his family.
Teddy ran after him, his arms wrapped tightly around Dora on his chest to keep her from jostling too much at the movement. Ginny ran faster to catch up with the small child, her scared screams echoing in Teddy's head. Teddy's heart hammered in his chest when he saw what Ginny had seen.
Three partially decayed bodies walked down the sidewalk and towards Remus, who was oblivious to their presence. Muggles around them pointed at the walking dead bodies; someone commented on the amazing costume work, completely oblivious to what they actually were seeing. Teddy had never seen an Inferius before, but he had listened to James bitch about his latest case involving them for the past several weeks now. Cloudy, glassy eyes that were whiter than snow, and not as mindless as they were once thought to be.
They walked at a surprisingly brisk pace, clothes torn and bloody, and the stench the wind carried towards them told Teddy that at least one of them was more than partially decayed. The sight of his son running towards them made his heart jump into his throat.
Teddy paused in his stride, pulling Dora out of the carrier on his chest and looking around frantically for his grandmother. He turned around to see her rushing towards them, her eyes wide with fear. Teddy thrust his daughter at her before pulling out his wand and bolting to catch up with Ginny and Remus.
A scream escaped Teddy's lips as one of the Inferi tackled Ginny to the ground, her body attempting to shield Remus as best as she could. They fell in slow motion, Ginny's eyes wide with surprise and her wand slipping from her grasp. Muggles around them shrieked, some shouted to call the police, while some rushed forward to help her.
Remus wailed, sprawled out on the cement underneath Ginny. She was hunched over her grandson, hands flat on the ground as she used her body as a shield. Two men pulled the Inferius off of Ginny, who rolled off Remus and clenched her bicep. Blood pooled between her fingers, her breathing ragged. Remus cried louder as he threw his little body on top of Ginny.
"Gr-grandmum! Grandmum!"
Ginny struggled to sit up, her hand leaving her wound and pulling Remus close to her chest. Teddy knew he should help the Muggles trying to restrain the three Inferi who were unnaturally strong, easily shrugging the Muggles off them, but Teddy could only focus on the fact that Ginny was hurt. He crouched down beside his mum and son, his hand brushing Ginny's hair out of her face.
"Mum! Are you okay? What happened?"
Ginny gritted her teeth. "I'm fine, go help them!"
"I'm not leaving you!"
"Remus, come here!" Andy yelled as she caught up to the trio. "Come on, love, let your daddy help your grandmum."
"NO!" Remus wailed.
"I sent a Patronus to the Auror Department," Andy whispered. "Hopefully, they'll arrive soon."
Teddy pried Remus' squirming body off Ginny, who shot him a grateful look as she cradled her arm to her chest. Her shirt was torn and there was a mixture of bright red blood and green goo oozing from the wound. Teddy swallowed a lump in his throat as he secured Remus with one arm and held out his other one to help Ginny up.
She took the hand, her body shaking, as she stood next to him on the sidewalk. Remus kicked his legs, his arms outstretched for Ginny. She reached out a hand and stroked his cheek, shushing him, as Teddy pulled them back away from the scuffle happening on the sidewalk.
The Muggles gave up trying to subdue the Inferi as several of them were on the floor and clenching their own wounds. People screamed. Teddy wrapped an arm around his mother, cradling her against him.
"I'm fine, Teddy, really," she insisted, kissing his cheek.
Teddy only hugged her closer. "Well, I'm not. Give me a minute."
Ginny chuckled against his chest and then winced. "We have to help them, Teddy, they don't know how to deal with Inferi."
Teddy grabbed her wand from the ground and passed it to her. She winced when she reached for the wand and his eyes fell on her arm in concern. When he looked up, he saw a mop of black hair running towards them. James' glasses slid down his freckled nose as he tackled one of the Inferi to the ground and shoved his wand down its throat. The body immediately blackened from its mouth and down its throat. Black blossomed across its chest like a blooming flower.
James glanced over at his family with a grin. "Hey, guys! I'll just be a moment."
"Fucking mental," Teddy whispered as James hopped up and rushed over to help a fellow Auror take out another one of the Inferi.
"Teddy, give me Remus," Andy commanded in an urgent tone. "You need to take Ginny to the hospital."
"What?"
Teddy's brow furrowed as he looked down at his mother. Ginny had paled dramatically, the wound on her arm oozing at a rapid rate. Teddy suddenly became very aware of the fact that he was supporting the bulk of her weight and that her breathing had become labored.
"Unca James!" Remus shouted and waved in the direction of his godfather.
"Go with Grandmum Andy, all right, Remus? Uncle James will be right over after he's done showing off."
Teddy leaned to the side to put Remus on the ground. The child listened, leaning against Andy's legs and chanting his uncle's name. Teddy wrapped his arms around Ginny tightly.
"How do I get her there? We're a good ten-minute walk away." Teddy asked his grandmother frantically.
"Just Apparate. They're already going to have the Oblivators come in and wipe everyone's memory clean anyway," Andy urged as she kept a hand on Remus' shoulder. "It's fine."
Teddy nodded before he disappeared with a faint pop! He landed in the incoming patient bay of St. Mungo's. He looked around frantically for a Healer.
"HELP! I NEED HELP!"
Within seconds, several Healers rushed into the bay. One Healer conjured a gurney while another one inspected Ginny's wound and asked what happened.
"An Inferius attacked her," Teddy explained as he and the Healer laid her down on the gurney.
Teddy stood by the gurney, his hand holding onto Ginny's fingers tightly. He couldn't leave her, at least not until his godfather arrived. He wondered if Harry would be arriving at the scene of the Inferi attack and help James or if Andy would tell him what happened.
"She's been bitten," one of the Healers shouted as the gurney rose off the ground with a flick of a wand.
"Who are you to the patient?" a Healer asked him.
"I'm her son," Teddy replied. "What's wrong? Will she be all right?"
"Inferi bites are deadly, injecting a sort of poison into the body. Bites are fast acting, rapid. If she had just been scratched, it could take months for the poison to build in the body. A bite is far more dangerous if not treated quickly, often only taking a day to spread."
A lump formed in Teddy's throat as he followed along the floating gurney. His entire body shook, his breathing swallow. Ginny had to be all right.
"Ted," Ginny whispered, snapping Teddy's attention to her.
"Yeah, Mum?"
"Mmm 'kay, sweetheart."
Teddy forced a smile on his face, his eyes watery. "Yeah, I know you'll be okay."
"Contact your dad for me, yeah? Please? Assure him I'll be fine."
"Mr. Potter, we're going to ask you to wait outside while we get your mother situated in her room," a Healer motioned for Teddy to stand back.
Teddy only barely registered what the Healer had called him and honestly, he didn't really care. He nodded numbly, bending down to kiss Ginny on the head. He watched as she disappeared into a room with the Healers, the door closing behind them. He ran a shaky hand through his hair as he stood guard outside her room until he would be allowed back in. Tugging his wand out of his pocket, he swirled his wrist to send a Patronus to Harry before grabbing his mirror to get a hold of Albus and Lily.
Teddy's entire body trembled when he noticed his shirt was saturated in blood… Ginny's blood. He pressed his wand to his shirt and tried to clean it, a faint discoloration standing in its wake.
Inferi in Muggle London? He hoped James had more answers after this attack, because Teddy had questions and finding out who was responsible for his mother being in the hospital was at the top of his bloody list.
Hope you enjoyed the newest chapter! Don't forget to leave a review. They inspire me to keep writing, give me ideas, and just generally improve my day! Don't forget to follow me on Tumblr (seriouslysam8) for sneak peaks and to ask questions.
Special thanks to Bell for editing. Special thanks to Bree for all of her wonderful suggestions, her smut, and generally everything.