Chapter 1
Young Freddy McFarland exited the rear door of the recently arrived train and stood on the top step surveying the small to which he'd spent the last three, dull days travelling. Tall, slim, twenty-one years old and college educated, there was an air about him that tended to attract attention. Of course, his expensive robes worn casually - the tie not quite straight, his hat at a rakish angle - combined with his sandy brown, wavy hair, and striking blue eyes, also turned heads, although the majority of that reaction came from the female half of the population.
As the smoke and steam cleared, he observed the train station bathed in early sunshine. It stood at the end of what appeared to be one of the main streets of Hogsmede. His brow creased and he frowned. He had mixed feelings about this assignment. 'You must experience all aspects of the business, from the ground up' his father had told him imperiously, 'even the workings of one of our smaller offices.' And so here he was. On one hand, he'd almost been looking forward to the new experiences this work would bring, and after the last six months spent cooped up in the dusty confines of the accounts department, he considered anything to be an improvement. However, the remoteness of this location, so far from his family and friends, combined with his role yet again as a subordinate, had him feeling uneasy. Not that Freddy was inclined to attach much importance to his family's wealth or position. It was just that he was in a hurry, much as any other twenty-one year old. The gaining of his college degree was supposed to have been a forerunner to a position of responsibility in the family company, and yet here he was on his third assignment as an underling, learning the business from his father's employees. He sighed. Well, he'd make the best of it. He just hoped that the town and people of Hogsmede would provide some distractions from what was bound to be an un-stimulating job.
He jumped down to the ground and then went in search of his travel bags which, along with those of his fellow passengers, had already been unloaded from the baggage car. He grasped one in each hand and then straightened his shoulders. Time to make a start on this new phase in his life. Spying the man he surmised was to be his new 'boss', he confidently stepped forward.
Aurelius had spied the young man on the train's steps and wondered if he might be his new assistant. He couldn't believe that after months of writing the main office, someone had finally heeded his calls for support. The Hogsmede depot had grown so much during the past few years, it was now past being adequately handled by one man, well one man who had to sleep at night that is. He shook his head wryly. Although relieved to at last be getting some help, he had mixed feelings about an assistant, especially one he'd never met and who came all the way from Berlin. He couldn't understand why he hadn't been allowed to employ someone from here in town or even Edinburgh.
During all these years, the only person who'd ever worked with him day by day in the office had been his wife Antonia, and she'd done that just so they could spend more time together. She'd never been paid for anything she did. That's why she'd eventually taken the job with Rosmerta. He frowned. That was a long time ago and Antonia had moved on in her life. Not like him. He seemed to have stood still. He still did exactly what he'd been doing for nine on ten years now, although the volume of work had increased alarmingly. He was as alone as he'd been when he first started at the depot here and he had a feeling the only way he'd ever leave was when they carried him out in a casket. He chuckled wryly to himself. He was getting maudlin again. That didn't happen so much any more. He'd kind of accepted his lot in life now. Antonia and Aurelia were back in Hogsmede - at least for the present - and life went on around him. He straightened his shoulders and smiled as the young man approached.
Freddy surreptitiously eyed the tall, gawky telegraph operator up and down and then gave him a friendly smile. He held out his hand. "Mr Talenvine?" he asked. "Aurelius Talenvine?"
Aurelius nodded nervously and rubbed his sweaty hands on his trousers before taking Freddy's proffered hand. "You'd be Frederick? Frederick McFarland?" He replied.
"That's me," proclaimed the young man, his smile broadening. "Except I'd appreciate it if you'd call me Freddy .... I've only ever been called Frederick when I was in trouble." He chuckled and added, "I'm not saying that's happened a lot. I'd just be more comfortable if you'd call me Freddy."
Appreciating the young man's good humour and honesty, Aurelius smiled and then nodded. "And you'll call me Aurelius," He reached for one of Freddy's bags. "I organised a room for you at the guesthouse. Its small but Mrs Bailey will look after you ... Guess you would be tired after the long trip?"
Freddy smiled ruefully. "You're right about it being *long*," he remarked. I've never been further west than Paris and while the mountains and plains are interesting, they all start to look the same after a while." He squinted up at the castle in the distance. "That's Hogwarts isn't it? I was reading about it before I left home. Wanted to make sure I knew something about this town before I arrived."
"That's Hogwarts alright," affirmed Aurelius. "You ought to go up there sometime while you're here. The scenery's pretty."
Freddy nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
They reached the door to the telegraph office and Aurelius turned to face the younger man. "The window has to be open until four. Do you want to wait here? Or I can direct you to the guesthouse or The Three Broomsticks if you're hungry?"
Freddy turned to look out over the town from the station platform. "I think I might," he began, only to be arrested by the sight of the prettiest girl he'd ever seen approaching quickly from the street, her stride purposeful, her curly, black hair bouncing down her back. She was tiny, slender and had sparkling eyes which reflected the friendly smile she now directed at Aurelius.
"Afternoon Mr Talenvine," Colleen Snape greeted him affably.
"How is our Head Girl today?" Aurelius replied.
"I'm fine, thank you. Father is expecting some potions ingredients to be left here. Mr. Miran is ill at the Apothecary. It wasn't safe to have them sent by owl or floo."
Freddy couldn't take his eyes off her. She was standing only a few feet from him and he could have sworn he could smell her scent - sweet flowers and sunshine. He longed to reach out and touch her.
'Colleen'. He should have known she'd have a pretty name like that. An Irish colleen - the soft pale skin, the musical lilt to her voice ... Freddy felt positively poetic. He sighed.
Colleen turned while she waited for Aurelius and caught the stranger's eyes fixed on her. She smiled at him, but felt uncomfortable when he merely continued to stare. She quickly returned her attention to the depot operator, took the boxes he held out to her, thanked him and headed back into town. Some twenty yards on she couldn't resist looking back and was startled to discover the handsome young man still watching her. She didn't know whether to be flattered or frightened. She blushed and hurriedly continued on her way.
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"Hush sweetheart, it's alright," whispered Hermione as she lifted a crying Aubrey from his cradle and held him securely against herself.
"Its alright," she repeated softly against his ear. "Are you hungry? Or did you have a bad dream hmm?" she whispered lovingly, rocking him gently. When his crying did not abate she wandered into the sitting-room and across to the wingback chair before the fire.
"Aubrey hungry again mummy?" asked Seren with a rueful shake of her head. She was seated before the fire playing with her father's latest gift - a new potions kit. She was currently trying to reproduce a translation potion but was having a little difficulty in timing her ingredients. Luckily for them, when the potion was incorrect, it merely disappeared instead of blowing up.
Hermione smiled. "Yes Seren, it looks like it," agreed Hermione, seating herself in the chair and undoing the buttons down the front of her light blue blouse. She eased eight week old Aubrey up a little and then placed him to her breast. The crying abruptly ceased to be replaced by contented sighs and soft humming in the back of his throat. She gently stroked his head, marvelling at the change to the once thick shock of blonde hair with which he'd been born. His hair was much thinner now, finer, and had definitely darkened in colour already. He was certainly a brunette, compared to Seren's raven colouring, but she could now see why Amarina Snape had suggested he looked a little like Rebecca. She smiled and dipped her head to kiss his forehead lovingly. She felt so blessed. Yes, there were days when she felt so tired she thought she's drop off to sleep and not wake for a week, and yes, there were times when she had to be careful that she provided equal attention to her four year old daughter, or there was hell to pay. But overall, she felt truly blessed. Hermione glanced up at the clock. Medea would probably be back in a couple of hours. Time enough then to prepare lessons before supper. She once more turned her attention to her tiny son.
Seren clambered up and wandered over to where her mother and Aubrey sat. She watched them for a couple of minutes and then, losing interest, went back to her potions on the floor. At first Hermione had been a little embarrassed feeding Aubrey in front of her. She was so inquisitive, wanting to know the whys and wherefores of everything to do with her new baby brother. Hermione vividly remembered the first time Seren had watched her brother nurse. Her eyes had widened and then she'd ever so gently reached across to stroke the taut, soft skin of her mother's swollen breast. She hadn't said anything but had leaned in against Hermione and continued to watch him feed. It had been Severus to whom she'd directed her questions - what was mother doing? Is that how she'd been fed when she was a baby? Why wasn't she fed like that now? How did mama make milk like that? Severus had been so patient and loving with their curious little girl.
At the thought of Severus, Hermione's heart fluttered. One more day and he'd be home. She couldn't believe how much she'd missed him. She knew how much he enjoyed the Potions Masters conferences. It wasn't his help with the children she missed, after all there were three young adults in the house always willing to assist in any way they could. It was *him* she missed - his gentleness, his loving ways, his support and most of all (if she was honest with herself) his loving, protective arms encircling her. They hadn't 'been together' since a month or so before Aubrey was born and she was eagerly anticipating his homecoming. She had a couple of surprises planned.
She gently lifted Aubrey and changed him to her other breast, kissing him on both rosy cheeks as she did so. As he settled down to nursing once more, she leaned back into the comfortable chair and closed her eyes, her thoughts centred on her dear husband.
Seren looked up from her toys to observe her mother apparently sleeping in the large chair. Again she stood and wandered across to observe that Aubrey had also fallen asleep. He did a lot of that - eating and sleeping! She'd begun to think that was all he'd *ever* do. She stood, hands on hips, wondering whether she should wake her mother. Her father didn't like it when she did that, but she was tired of playing all by herself. She frowned as she contemplated her options. Perhaps there was something nice to eat in the kitchen. A cookie appealed. She tiptoed around her mother's legs and headed across the room. She only got as far as the front door as a thought struck her. She could go for a walk! She could go see Grandfather Albus. It wasn't very far. She tiptoed across to the door and peered up at the handle. If she stood on the very tips of her toes ....
Mystic looked up from his customary position to see Seren emerge and quietly pull the door shut behind her. She started carefully down the steps and then turned to beckon him. "Here Myst," she called, slapping her thigh as she'd seen her brothers and sister do when they wanted Mystic to follow them. He stood, stretched lazily and then followed dutifully after the tiny little girl as she strode determinedly down the corridor and away from the quarters.
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Severus apparated into a secluded area just outside Hogwarts and turned his face up to the sun just beginning its descent in the almost cloudless sky. At last there was a little warmth in the air after the bitterly cold winter. The breeze was still a little too cool to be called comfortable and the rough ground underfoot was still inclined to be damp from the overnight mist. He took a deep breath. Throughout the past four days, while he was supposed to have been working, he'd found his mind wandering, constant thoughts of Hermione and the children superseding everything else.
He could be home a full day earlier than expected. Again his thoughts turned to his beautiful wife. During the past six weeks he'd observed a contrary Hermione, one of whom he was uncertain. One day she was revelling in being at the homestead with Seren and Aubrey, enjoying their antics and having nothing else to consume her thoughts, the next she was restless and anxious to return to the Hospital Wing and tend to her patients. He recalled how unsure of herself she'd been when Sebastian was tiny, and he smiled, however the smile quickly turned to a frown. He felt guilty leaving her alone with the children. Of course, the boys would probably be insulted if he actually gave voice to that thought. They were particularly protective of Hermione at the moment, so much so that he knew she sometimes longed for some solitude, some time to become accustomed to being the new mother of two small children. Of course Andren had to attend school and Sebastian had begun work as Minerva's apprentice.
At the thought of soon seeing his wife and children again he unconsciously ran across the ground. He didn't want to miss a day of Aubrey's development and of course Seren, in her new role as older sister, was a delight to watch and spend time with.
At last the front doors came into view and he smiled with relief when he noticed the light coming from the windows he knew to be their quarters, indicating there was someone at home.
He strode purposefully though the corridors and toward the ornate door. He quickly released the wards and stepped within. Inside everything was as he'd imagined it, orderly (except for the potions set before the fireplace) and homely. The aroma of brewing tea tantalised his nostrils and he walked into the kitchen to investigate, but then paused. The place was so quiet - no sounds of children's laughter or cries, no footsteps or conversation. He quickly mounted the stairs, assuming the children and Hermione were napping, but all the bedrooms were empty. Perhaps they'd gone for a walk.
He descended the stairs again and immediately spied Hermione asleep in the wingback chair, Aubrey nestled in her arms. He smiled. He'd never tire of seeing his wife and children in repose. He walked quietly across the room and knelt at Hermione's feet. Her blouse was still undone after feeding the baby, but she'd pulled the edges together so that her white camisole just peeked through the narrow gap. She looked so defenceless and beautiful. He lowered his eyes to his baby son and reached out to lightly run the back of his finger down his chubby cheek. His skin was soft and pale, but he had a contented, healthy glow about him causing his father to want to burst with pride. Severus peered up into Hermione's face. There were faint dark circles under her eyes, but she looked relaxed and there was a hint of a smile on her face. He silently knelt up and lovingly kissed her.
Hermione moaned softly as her dreams of Severus became more sensual, real. She leant forward a little and he kissed her again and she sighed softly in delight. As he tenderly cupped her cheek she opened her eyes, feeling slightly disoriented. When her dream did not dissipate, she smiled with the realisation and said softly, sleepily, "You're home, early."
He nodded. "Yes." He leant in and kissed her again, so lovingly she sighed once more.
"I'm glad," she whispered. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. I kept thinking about you." he replied, his voice low and silky.
"Did everything go alright?"
"Brilliant. Rodowski actually attended."
She smiled and clasped his hand in her own. "I'm glad you're here now." She leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his lips.
He gently traced her face with his fingertips. "Awfully quiet," he said softly. "Where're the others?"
"Andren is in the library, Sebastian's working with Minerva, Katerine is watching Sybella for Ariel, and Colleen went to get your potions ingredients." replied Hermione, unable to take her eyes off his face.
"And Seren?" he asked. "She with Katerine too."
"No, she's here," responded Hermione immediately. She glanced across to the jumble of potions before the fireplace and her brow creased. "She was playing over there," she commented. "With her potions."
Severus chuckled. "She's probably gone upstairs for something," he said, and then frowned. "But I was just up there, didn't see her."
Hermione looked around the quiet living-room. "Perhaps she's curled up under the table asleep. She's done it before."
Severus clambered up from the floor and went across to investigate. He quickly reappeared. "She isn't there Hermione. She isn't anywhere," he said quickly, beginning to sound a little worried.
Chapter 2
Sebastian and Katerine brushed the soot off their robes after they stepped out of the fireplace. Katerine sighed. "What a day." she muttered.
"Yes," agreed Sebastian. His eyes narrowed as he spied something on the chair. Severus' cloak. "Looks like Father's back," he remarked.
"That's his travelling cloak."
Katerine smiled. "Hermione will be pleased ... she's been missing him," she said delightedly.
As they walked through the room, Hermione, with Aubrey in her arms, appeared at the door frame. "Sebastian! Katerine!" she called anxiously. "Seren's missing," she said. "We've searched everywhere in the dungeons. Severus's out looking for her. We thought she was in the house, but when we couldn't find her we went outside. Severus realised Mystic's missing too. He's probably with her."
Sebastian wrapped a comforting arm around Hermione's shoulders. "If Mystic's with her she'll be alright mother," he said reassuringly. "Which way did father head?"
She pointed toward the North Tower. "He thought she might be heading towards the commonroom where he's taken her a couple of times."
Katerine hastened to Hermione's side and reached for the snoozing baby. "Here, give Aubrey to me, I don't know the castle well enough, but you do. Why don't you and Sebastian join Severus and I'll stay here."
Katerine suddenly straightened and said sternly to a distraught Hermione, "How long do you think she's been missing?"
"Perhaps an hour or so before Severus arrived home. I fell asleep," Hermione admitted guiltily.
"Well then," said Katerine confidently. "How far can a four year old get in just an hour? Plus she's a very smart girl."
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Severus's heart was in his mouth. He'd been trying to track Seren, but her scent was lost in the damp dungeon. He was having better luck with Mystic's scent. He just prayed that the bird had stayed with the child and kept her out of any danger. He'd been surprised that their smell was not leading him towards the commonroom. He'd felt sure that's where she'd go. Instead, they were heading towards the front doors. A locating spell had confirmed she was not in the castle.
He'd obviously underestimated her and her abilities. So it seemed had Hermione. She'd been positive that no door of the quarters had been left ajar, so their apparently powerful daughter had taken down the wards by herself.
A few weeks ago, he had hoisted Seren onto his shoulders and taken her down to the lake. She'd been fascinated by the sparkling water and the giant squid. He'd had to hold her back then, but there was no-one to hold her back now, to keep her from slipping into the water and perhaps hitting her head. He again yelled as loudly as he could, "Seren!! Mystic!!"
Again he called, "Seren .... Mystic!" and this time was almost certain he heard an answering further up shore. He quickened his pace. He'd chosen to go after Seren on foot, knowing that tracking her was going to be difficult, but now he wished he was on a broomstick. The grounds were so large. If she was to fall ... or be hurt, he'd never forgive himself. He broke into a run. Suddenly he became conscious of footsteps behind him and he turned in time to see Hermione appear some thirty yards back and up from his path along the bank of the lake. "Hermione!" he called anxiously.
Hermione began to scramble down the slope to where she could see Severus's tousled hair shining in the setting sun. Her heart was pounding and as she neared she called urgently, "Did you find her?"
Severus shook his head and began to move off again away from her. "Heard Mystic...bit further on," he panted. "Come on," he added impatiently. Deciding that Hermione would follow him, he once again broke into a run and then called loudly, "Seren! Mystic!" Again an answering squawk, this time considerably louder, was all he needed to urge him on. He was only dimly aware of Hermione doggedly following further and further behind, his thoughts were centred solely on his tiny daughter and her welfare.
Scratched and out of breath, Severus finally emerged into a small clearing and looked frantically around for his daughter. A sharp call from Mystic and a wail from Seren brought his head up and he frowned. Much to his dismay both were seated on the other side of the stream - Mystic up close to the little girl who was very wet and crying uncontrollably. Severus immediately darted into the freezing water to cross, the level barely reaching mid calf. He splashed out the other side and sank to his knees beside Seren. "Seren?" he said urgently, reaching out to her.
She looked up into his eyes as if only just realising he was there. "Father!" she wailed, tears coursing down her cheeks.
He pulled her into his arms. "It's alright Seren," he said softly, rocking her gently. "Its alright," He pulled back a little. "Are you hurt?" Adding to his anxiety, she didn't reply, but her wails became louder and she grasped her soaked dress and robes in her hands, flapping it agitatedly against her muddy legs. "Seren?" he murmured anxiously. She continued to wail.
Hermione suddenly appeared in the clearing on the opposite bank, brought up short by the sight of her daughter in Severus's arms and her distraught crying. As Severus had done before her, she waded straight into the water, almost slipping on the smooth stones, but making it across safely, though very wet. She too sank to the ground and reached out to Seren. "Seren," she said softly.
Seren turned tear-filled eyes on her ma. "Mummy," she wailed, again flapping the wet dress.
"Shhh…its alright," soothed Hermione reaching for her bedraggled daughter. To her consternation, Seren refused to budge from her pa's lap, and the tears increased. "Seren?" whispered Hermione with concern.
Seren had begun to hiccup with her cries and Severus dabbed at her reddened eyes with his robe sleeve. He looked across into Hermione's face for the first time. "I think she's just wet," he said with a frown. "Doesn't seem to be hurt." Seren abruptly twisted around to bury her head against her father's shoulder. "Better head home I guess .... get her into fresh clothes." he suggested.
The little girl's wails grew louder and she turned resentful eyes on her father, then her mother and then lastly Mystic. Almost as if on cue, the animal abruptly stood and shook himself vigorously, sending a fine spray of mist from his wet feathers over the threesome. Again Seren wailed and frowned at the large raven. "Bad Myst!" she admonished. "Bad Myst!"
"Seren?" queried Severus, puzzled.
The toddler's crying abated a little and she reiterated vehemently, "Bad Myst father!"
Hermione too, listened to her tiny daughter's declaration in puzzlement. "Why is he bad sweetheart?" she asked gently.
Tears again welled in the little girl's eyes and then she pulled up her small robes and angrily displayed a large tear in the floral material near the hem of her dress. "Dwess bwoke mummy....Myst did." she explained tearfully. "Bad Myst..."
Hermione bit her lip in consternation. "Mystic did this?" she asked.
Seren gave an exaggerated nod. "He pulled," she said angrily. "Dwess bwoke ..."
While Hermione remained puzzled, Severus suddenly lifted his eyes to the heavens in realisation. He abruptly set the toddler on her feet and turned her to face him. "Why did Mystic pull you Seren?" he asked, gently but firmly. Her crying abruptly ceased and she shrugged her shoulders, lowering her eyes to the ground. He rested his thumb under her chin and raised her eyes to meet his. He asked again, "Why was Mystic pulling you?" In a parody of her mother, Seren bit her lip and had difficulty meeting Severus's eyes. He tried a different tack. "Where were you when he pulled you?"
Her jaw clenched and she gave him a rueful look. "In the water." She answered sullenly, so softly he could barely hear.
"Yes," he rejoined. "So Mystic was taking care of you. Wasn't he? Pulled you out of the water, where you weren't supposed to be."
Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I sowwy father." she whimpered.
Severus abruptly stood and hoisted her into his arms. "But you weren't supposed to be out here at all, right?"
She nodded contritely and then said defiantly, "Mummy sleeping and Aubrey."
Hermione gulped and turned away guiltily.
Severus admonished, "That doesn't mean you can go off walking on you own Seren. What if something had happened to you?" He set her on her feet. "You had better say thank-you to Mystic for taking care of you, alright?"
"But my dwess papa?" protested the little girl with spirit.
"It doesn't matter about the dress. We can mend it."
Seren reluctantly nodded and as Mystic nudged her side with his wet head, she wrapped her little arms around his feathery neck. "I sowwy I mad at you," she said softly against his ear. She looked back up at her father. "We go home now?" she asked hopefully.
Severus shook his head ruefully. "Yes. We'll all go home now," he rejoined. Again he lifted her into his arms. "I'll fix your dress with my wand," he said gently. He glanced across at Hermione. She nodded silently and trailed after her husband and daughter as they set off for the castle.