It's JKR's world, I just play in it.

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Part of Severus and I working on our relationship, meant compromising on the matter of Gabriel's education. As such, when the school year ended, we took him to get his wand, with the agreement that he would only be allowed the use and possession of it when and if one of us was with him. And while Gabriel would have no doubt preferred a broom at that point, even with the accident, the import and excitement of the moment was not lost on him. It was, he knew, as if he was finally being given hands.

Severus was so proud, and Ollivander was certainly amused to see us, as much for his memories of our visits as children as to see what nature of creature a union as surprising as our own had wrought. He seemed a little startled, I don't think he expected the boy to be sociable, and I could not help but wince as Severus volunteered information about Gabriel's initial magical education, obviously to head off questions of responsibility and oversight. Ollivander, like so many, remembered a quiet boy gone bad, versus a man who had gone against his own nature to live a little more in a world he didn't share much love with. Severus bore it well, and it impressed me, as much as it drove me crazy. Gabriel, who always knew more than he should didn't notice this, at least.

Hana told both of us, once things had calmed down a little, about Gabriel's listening, about his awareness and covetousness towards the secrets in our lives. It was, of course, inevitable, and as such I don't think either of us reacted to it with the horror Hana experienced, but it was still one more thing that needed sorting out when we could barely sort ourselves out. And while I wasn't thrilled with the solution, we put a series of spells on Gabriel that prevented him from speaking of certain things except to us and except when we were clearly alone. But even so, we had to find a strategy to explain to him some of the circumstances of the life we'd brought him into.

Meanwhile, Severus and I put a moratorium on sex, and while it seemed absurd at times, and frustrating at others, it made us hungry for each other again, instead of greedy. We spent that summer kissing for hours, which my husband always seemed more grateful for than my heart could stand. When we finally did go to bed together again, in more than the literal sense of the phrase, it was as much a promise as our wedding and one easier for us to keep. Neither of us would ever choose to leave, now that we realized we each knew how, and didn't want to. We never stopped needing each other too much though, but such was the life we were dealt.

My little wife —

I suppose you hate that I should call you that, as if the diminutive were regards anything other than your ridiculously petite frame. Of course, you would merely point out the truth, which is that my limbs are slightly too long, one more legacy of a dubious heritage. Please be assured the endearment amuses me only for today and entirely as a reflection on this afternoon's episode of domestic bliss.

And so a wand. Mahogany, eleven inches, unicorn tail core. I'm not sure who was more surprised, myself or Ollivdaner. At least, as he says, not too swishy and it is, thank the gods unlikely that our son will be a charms expert. I will guess Defense, with not a little sadness, I had hoped we might well share my art, but I do not sense that type of subtlety from Gabriel. It's just as well. No child really should have that type of subtlety, as you well know.

I look forward to teaching him, and I suspect it will frustrate me less than the languages have, although his progress in Latin is satisfactory enough to give him an excellent edge for Hogwarts. I do not think it tantalizes him though.

How did we wind up with so physical a child? I realize it should not surprise considering your skills and my longings, but I did not expect him to be so much a stranger so young. I also did not expect him to love me so. It frightens, the admiration on his face, positively frightens. My opinion should not be so important to him, most especially considering how it is that I most often deliver it, although surely, you must notice I do try to be gentle. I do wonder how it is I can so enjoy a life that revolves almost entirely around fighting my natures. Surely, this is comparable to muggle battles over sin and god. Perhaps you could ask your mother, eccentric that she is.

I am concerned about the Fall. I concur that Binns' class is certainly the safest, and the one where Gabriel's current houseless status will matter least, however, would you have ever wanted to attend this school again had that been your first experience of it? As you well know and are no doubt relieved, I refuse to admit Gabriel into my classroom before he is formally enrolled here; regardless of when it comes, it will not be a pleasant experience for him. Let me dread and lie sleepless over that for a few more years yet.

Perhaps transfigurations? It is too difficult for him to really get into trouble with, although I worry about Minerva thinking he's a miniature version of myself; he won't survive ten minutes in there should that be the case — although I suppose it would be best to disspell those particular illusions before he has a grade riding on it. Would you want him in Defense? It will give him nerves of steel, if nothing else. Although, I suspect he already has them.

I, on the other hand seem to have lost mine. After all, I am writing this to avoid my tea appointment with our illustrious head master. While I suspect that Albus already knows what it is I have to tell him today, I am sincerely afraid he will be disappointed, which is just one more thing I am not entirely sure I can find it within myself to survive.

Most glad of you.

Severus.