Minerva paced her office impatiently, waiting for Remus and Severus to arrive. They had a rather urgent matter on their hands, and it was going to take a bit of work to smooth it over. She sighed, she also had to wait for a ministry member to arrive, this was a very urgent matter.
As she paced the office she took in the change in decoration that had taken place since it had become hers. The only thing that was really the same as when the office had been Albus' were the portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses that lined the upper part of the walls. She didn't have the vast amount of trinkets that he had had. The office was somewhat sparsely, but very tastefully decorated.
She looked up sharply when the door swung open, "Good afternoon Severus, Remus. I see that you received my message."
"What happened?" Remus looked concerned.
Minerva shook her head, "the Ministry is sending someone over, I think any explanations should wait till then."
"I heard that there was another disturbance in Paris," Severus calmly observed as he took a seat. "Does this have anything to do with that?"
Minerva held his gaze for a long moment, "You heard about that already?"
Severus nodded.
Minerva shook her head in disbelief, "You have a way of always staying a step ahead of everyone else. Yes, this has to do with the incident in Paris."
"You know that he's never going to change, these incidents should not be a surprise. But, he is a rather fascinating man." Severus smiled slightly, "although it is that fascinating side of him that got him kicked out of the country in the first place."
Remus frowned, he felt like he was being left in the dark, "Who are you talking about."
Severus shot a sideways glance at Remus, "who is the only wizard in Paris that manages to cause this much trouble?"
Remus thought a moment, "Eric?"
Severus nodded, "every time, and it's always the same thing. At least we know what to expect from him."
"Perfect," Remus muttered, "this is not the kind of thing we need with all of the other problems we're having with the new dark forces."
"He always picks the most inconvenient times," Minerva looked very displeased.
"Albus always saw past that," Remus smiled fondly at memories of Dumbledore standing up for Eric.
"Of course he did," Severus replied, "Eric was one of his closest friends. By the way, is he still terrorizing chorus girls?"
Minerva shot a disapproving glance at Severus, "that is completely beside the point."
"I'll take that as a yes."
They were interrupted by a knock on the office door.
"Come in," Minerva smiled slightly when Ron Weasley entered the room. She had been hoping that he would be who the Ministry sent. "Mr. Weasley, it's good to see you again, although I wish it could be under better circumstances."
"It's good to see you again too Professor McGonagall. Now, shall we discuss the real reason I'm here?"
"Of course," Minerva motioned Ron towards a seat, "now that we're all here would you like to tell us exactly what happened in Paris this morning.
Ron skimmed his file on the case as he spoke, "well, this is really just normal behavior for Eric. Another kidnapping case, he returned the girl unharmed the next morning, as usual. And he killed someone, again. This time it was a man, who has not yet been identified, but who has the dark mark associated with Voldemort and had been accused of killing a muggle."
"At least he's still on our side," Remus commented dryly.
Severus frowned, "this is all typical of Eric, so why are you here Mr. Weasley?"
Ron leaned back, "Because he has all those damn defenses up around his lair. The French Ministry can't get him to come out and they asked us to intervene. We got a message to Eric, but he says he'll only talk to someone who understands him. That means someone who Dumbledore had introduced him to. And that would be one of you three."
Minerva sighed, "Why is it so important that we deal with him, can't we just let it go this time?"
"Not this time," Ron looked serious, "he claims to have a complete list of everyone involved in the new movement of dark forces. That includes all of them that have supposedly infiltrated the ministry."
There was a stunned silence in the room as everyone let that information set in.
"The Ministry desperately needs that information," Ron continued, "will you help us?"
"Of course we will," Remus replied.
"I have one question," Minerva looked skeptical, "how did Eric come up with this information?"
Before Ron could answer Severus spoke up, "probably the same way he did last time. You know very well that his room of mirrors isn't just for show, he still uses it to torture people."
Minerva grimaced slightly, if Eric hadn't proven to be so valuable so many different times the Ministry would have locked him up a long time ago. In fact, the only reason he hadn't been put in Azkaban for his most infamous kidnapping during the early 1900s had been due to the intervention of Dumbledore. He constantly caused problems for both the British and French Ministries, but he was also an invaluable resource to them.
"Mr. Weasley, none of us are free to travel to Paris right now, but I will send a letter to Eric. Hopefully he can be reasoned with that way," Severus was still calm. He wasn't affected nearly as much by the news as his two colleagues were. He had spent more time with Eric than either of them had, he had stopped being surprised by his actions long ago.
"Well, I think that covers it," Ron smiled slightly, "so unless you have any more questions I would like to see my children before I head back to work." Ron rose to leave.
"Of course," Minerva smiled, "I hope this situation clears up quickly."
"So, how do we want to do this?" William leaned against the wall as he talked to Kamen.
"I think I can handle most of the talking, it shouldn't be too much of a problem," he smiled slightly as he watched his sisters and Nick at the other end of the common room. He had no qualms about manipulating Nick to fit his plans, anything to make sure that he could get with Celeste.
"Want to do this now?" William grinned.
"No time like the present," Kamen sauntered over to Nick, William close behind him. "Hey Nick! Take a walk with us, there's something we should discuss," Kamen put his arm companionably around Nick as he led him towards the exit to the common room.
"Hey Kamen! Bring him back soon, he's supposed to help me with my transfiguration homework," Serena called after her brother.
Kamen absently waved a hand at his sister, "I'll have him back soon, I promise."
"What is this about guys?" Nick looked skeptically at Kamen and William as they led him out of the common room as he tried to figure out what was going on. He hoped he hadn't gotten himself into trouble with his two friends and teammates.
"Just a bit of a business proposition for you Nick, an opportunity has presented itself that we thought you might have an interest in." Kamen was grinning.
"What exactly are you talking about?" Nick still looked skeptical.
"It's rather simple actually," William spoke up, "you're still single and we there is a certain lucky lady we want to see you hook up with."
"Yes, a very lucky lady, now you want to do your friends a favor don't you?" Kamen didn't wait for Nick to respond, "We want you to get to know her a bit better, show her a good time."
"Ok, wait a minute. Who are you talking about?" Nick was thoroughly confused now.
"Andromache Weasley," Kamen grinned at the look on Nick's face.
"You've got to be kidding? She is a prefect and a complete stickler for the rules, I don't need a girl like that, she'd only drag me down."
"Now see, that's where your logic is flawed. Think of it as a challenge, ultimate dating. What do you say?" William tried to convince Nick.
"I want to know why you want this so bad," Nick raised a questioning eyebrow.
"We just want you to be happy," Kamen said, while he added silently that he wanted anything that would get him as far with Celeste as possible. Using Nick and Andromache to make that happen didn't bother him, not if Celeste would be his final reward.
Sophia reached out her hand and tentatively stoked the soft feathers around the owl's neck. She wasn't very used to dealing with owls. They weren't a popular way of sending messages in Greece, but her guardian often received messages from friends in other parts of the world. They all used different birds, or sometimes other more exotic creatures, for correspondence.
"Can I take this from you?" Sophia gently slipped the letter off of the owl's leg. She pushed a plate of olives towards him, "I don't know if you'll like those, but it's all I have up here." She giggled when the owl turned his head away from the olives, clearly unimpressed.
She watched as the owl spread his wings and flew away. She often wished she could fly away like that, leave the world behind. But she loved her training too much and her mentor. That thought propelled her into action; she had to take the letter that had just arrived down to her guardian.
Sophia ran down the stairs from the balcony on top of the temple and down towards the water. Her long red hair, loosely held back from her face by a few braids, flew out behind her as the sea breeze caught it. She squinted her bright eyes, which were the same color as the Mediterranean the lay before her, against the brightness of the afternoon sun.
"Kalliope!" She called to her guardian where she stood further down by the water.
The woman turned from the water to watch her ward come running down the beach. She pushed back her long dark hair as the breeze blew it into her face. And although the expression on her face was serious her dark eyes were smiling. "What is it little one?" She questioned as Sophia came closer.
"An owl brought a letter," she handed the letter from, "who is it from?"
Kalliope didn't open the letter but glanced at the handwriting on the outside of it, "an old friend of mine from England, he's a teacher at a school for children about your age."
Sophia wrinkled her nose at being called a child, at 15 she felt that she was already grown up. After all, she had already gone through the rites of womanhood.
Kalliope laughed softly at the look on Sophia's face, "don't be in such a rush little one, you will still be counted among the children till you go through the full initiation to become a priestess. While you are still a novice you are still a child."
"Yes Kalliope," Sophia looked down at her bare feet and felt very self conscious of the loose white robes of a novice priestess that she still wore. It seemed like her initiation was still a long way off.
"Have you finished your duties in the temple?" Kalliope asked as she smiled at her ward. Kalliope truly loved the girl who had been left on the temple steps as an infant. Although Sophia had been brought up in the temple by all the priestesses Kalliope had taken her under her wing. She saw the girl as her daughter.
"Almost, I fed the snakes this morning. But I still need to help Theodora tally the offerings."
"Then go see to that. After dinner tonight I want to see you in my chambers, we need to try to make a connection again tonight. You must gain control of your visions if you are to be made a priestess."
"I know, and I'm trying, but it's hard."
"I know it is little one, but it will come to you eventually. Remember, I had to go through the same process, you will be able to control them soon."
"I won't disappoint you Kalliope," Sophia impulsively embraced her guardian before running back up the beach toward the temple.
Kalliope smiled as she watched the retreating figure of the girl. She was truly talented and would make a fine priestess some day. She shook her head and returned her attention to the letter in her hand.
She slowly opened the letter, a smile playing at her lips as she gently traced a finger over the familiar handwriting. She read through the letter. She always enjoyed letters from him. They were always so pleasant and so personal. Just like when they used to talk together, their conversations sometimes lasting all night.
Kalliope sighed, she had dedicated her life to her goddess, but the rules governing the lives of the priestesses did not forbid men or marriage to her. But he lived so far away, and they hadn't seen each other in years. Letters were all they had now.
Kalliope closed her eyes as the soft sea breeze swept over her. Greece was home, it was all she had ever known. But she would give it up for him. He was worth it. He had always been worth it. She was left to wonder if she could undo the mistakes she had made years ago. She still wanted him, but did he want her?
Morgan loosely wrapped a blanket around her petit frame as she softly made her way into her and Sev's bedroom. She had been sitting up waiting for him to come back, but it was now well past midnight and it didn't look like her husband would be back anytime soon.
She frowned as she sat down on their bed. She wasn't worried about him, but she didn't like going to sleep alone. She continued to frown as she absently kicked her bare feet against the side of the bed. She suddenly giggled, realizing how childish her behavior was.
"What is so amusing?"
Morgan's head shot up and she smiled. She was pleased to see Severus standing in the door, casually leaning against the wall watching her.
"I'm still waiting for an answer, or should I assume that you've been up to no good again?"
Morgan bit her lip to keep from laughing at the teasing tone in her husband's voice. "I was just laughing at myself Severus. I promise I haven't done anything." Her eyes widened in innocence.
Severus smiled, "you know that act won't work with me. Now, what have you been up to this evening?"
"Nothing..."
Severus made a sound of disgust, he didn't believe that answer in the slightest. "I'm still waiting..."
"Come on Sevy, why don't you believe me?" Morgan pouted slightly as she tried not to laugh.
Severus crossed the room to the bed and sat down next to his wife, "because, every time you try to act innocent like this you either want something or have done something you don't want me to know about."
"Severus, name one instant when I have done something like that!" Morgan narrowed her eyes at him.
"Gladly, last week you took it upon yourself to reorganize my desk after I told you not to touch it; you tried to use that adorable pout of yours to wheedle your way around me. Now, what is it that you want?" Severus' voice was light as he teased his wife.
"Well... I was thinking again..."
"Always dangerous in your case."
Morgan chose to ignore that comment and continued, "Well, it would be so easy to convert one of the rooms into a nursery..."
Severus sighed, he had thought that this topic would have been dropped by now. He lay back on the bed and closed his eyes, choosing not to respond to this particular topic.
Morgan eyed her husband carefully, trying to judge just how far she could push this topic before he would get truly annoyed with her. She moved across the bed and she crouched next to him, her hair hanging down so that it brushed against the side of his face. "Sev, are you going to ignore me or can we discuss this?"
"We have already discussed it and my answer is still no."
"Please Sev, be reasonable."
"I am being reasonable."
"No you're not."
Severus knew exactly what she was doing. She was trying to bait him into an argument so that he would feel guilty and give in to her. "Darling, you know that after what happened before you might not even be able to conceive again."
"I know Sev, so why can't we at least try?" Morgan lay down on her stomach, her chin propped up on Severus' chest. She let one of her hands slowly slide down his chest and stopped for only an instant before letting it go farther. She watched Severus closely for any reaction. Her lips twitched in amusement as he sighed and then grabbed her hand and moved it away.
Sev opened his eyes and watched his wife for a long moment. If she was going to back down she would have done it by now, which meant that he was going to keep hearing about this unless he gave in. "Morgan, are you sure that you are aware of the risks involved?" His hand came out and gently cupped her face before it slid down, releasing the buttons on the oversized nightshirt of his that she was wearing. His breathing remained even as the shirt came open under his touch.
"Yes..." Morgan felt her mouth grow dry as her husband's hand moved across her body, paying close attention to her breasts.
"And you are completely sure that you want this?" He stroked her soft skin with the backs of his fingers.
"Yes." Morgan held her husband's gaze; she held her breath waiting to see what he would do.
Severus sighed as his eyes slid shut again, "you know I can't deny you anything."
Morgan squealed in delight, "Thank you Sev! You're so wonderful," She took his hand in hers and placed it over her flat stomach, "very soon we could have another little one here, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Severus smiled slightly, "yes. But do you know what is going to be just as wonderful?"
"What?" Morgan fought a smile, she had a feeling she knew exactly what his answer was going to be.
Morgan squealed again when she suddenly found herself on her back with both of her wrists pinned above her head in one of Severus' strong hands. He gently ran the back of his other hand along the side of her face, "I love you."
"I know you do," Morgan smiled up at him, "and I love you."
"And you're sure you want another child? You realize the amount of time they will take up and how much more stress you will be under?"
"Yes, and I know how wonderful it would be to hold a baby again, to have a little one to sing to sleep. I want this Sev."
"Very well," Sev kissed his wife passionately and was more than pleased at the way she responded to his touch. Her body rose up to meet his as the kiss grew deeper. Severus let go of her hands so that he could slowly undress her. If he was going to go through with this plan he was going to do things right. Not that he didn't treat her like a goddess every other time while they used a highly effective contraceptive. But this was different.