Do not despise your situation; in it you must act, suffer and conquer. From every point on earth we are equally near heaven and the infinite. –Henri Fredrick Amiel

"Okay, little owl. Let's see what news you have to bring me. I wonder who you could be from?"

I unroll the parchment, thankful that I found a chair to read this in. It's been awhile since I've heard from my family.

Dear Nymphadora,

We received your last owl and couldn't be happier for you. So much news in such a little bit of time.

Sorry your father and I couldn't make it to the festivities but have sent you a present. The little owl who brought this letter hasn't had a good home and is looking for the kind of love I know you have in abundance. I know you have haven't wanted another owl since the death of Sedgewick but thought this little thing might be useful since the two of you will be apart so often.

Be happy.

Love, Mumma and Papa

"So, you're a present, are you?" I reach over to ruffle the tiny owl's feathers the he has proudly puffed out again. "I'd send you out with a letter for him but I'm not sure where he's at right now. Stupid red tape. Stupid bureaucracy. Stupid of me to feel I shouldn't have to wait for him now and then."

I get up and leave the kitchen, trailed by both kitten and bird. Tea no longer sounds appetizing. Instead, I curl up on the large couch and try to keep from crying. Undetermined length of time for mission is a nasty term.

"Let's think of a good name for you. Names are important. Even though there's one person in this world that calls me Nymphadora, I know how important it is to have a good name." The owl hoots and I glare at him. "Don't even think of laughing at me. It's not my fault I was born into a family of odd names. I like his nickname for me much better. He calls me Beautiful, you know. No one has ever called me that before."

The kitten curls up beside me and begins his mighty purring as I contemplate the owl once again.

"I think I will call you Apple. You definitely look like one. Wonder if you'd get lost in a fruit bowl if I put you next to one."

Lost. That night I felt lost. Once again, the options loomed before me. I needed to get him back to base and some medical attention. I also needed to get Griffle to a safe place, quite possibly back to Tibet. She didn't need me. Her own kind could come find her and deal with her remains. Good riddance to bad rubbish, my father always said.

Hastily, I searched for the small button that had brought us here. I saw him put it in a pocket but I can't seem to find the right one. It was so very small.

Griffle set down beside us, holding onto one of Kingsley's hands in his huge paws. "Oh dear. You can't come with us. You'll get scared and rampage through the streets of the city and I'll be blamed. I'm coming back for you, though. I just need to get him to some decent civilization and then I'll be back."

The button popped into my hand and I held it up, hoping against hope that it would work for the return trip. But how was I going to get back to Griffle? It would be hours before another portkey could be processed for this location.

"Griffle, let go of the nice man and go stand by the tree. Yes, that's right. Good yeti."

Quickly, I put the button securely in his hand and make a fist around it. With a flick of my wand, I activated it and watched as he disappeared.

So, this is what real pain feels like. I could only call upon the gods to protect him and hoped that someone was nearby to get him to a healer. It was out of my hands now.

The trip to Tibet was uneventful and cold. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever be warm again. I bid a sad farewell to Griffle at the local MOM after making sure he would be put into the back country and not killed outright for leaving unlawfully. After threatening all kinds of lawsuits and petitions, I was finally able to convince them that they didn't want to mess with me. Not tonight.

I was numb when I got back to London. Before I could ask around about Kingsley, Mad-Eye swept me into his cramped office and away from prying eyes and wagging tongues.

"Hot cocoa first and then reports. You've got tons of reports to fill out, little girl. And don't try to pull that face with me. It may work with the others but I'm immune." I gave up and put my head down to breathe in the warm steam from the hot cup, but suddenly felt his hand on my head. "You did good. He's gonna make it."

He left me alone with my tears. The reports eventually got done but I'm still not sure if I did them or not.

"I never made it to the hospital that night, either."

"Who're you talking to?"

Apple flutters his wings in surprise as the large, black man sits on the couch.

"You scared me half to death. When did you get home?" I don't wait for the answer, hauling myself up to reach his lips. After several minutes, I pull away, searching his face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. You worry too much."

"And you love every minute of it."

I lie back down and smile up at him. He leans across me, his lips moving over my neck. "What've you been up to besides talking to yourself?"

"Nothing really. Trying to keep calm after the stupid meeting over my new duties. Feeding the animals. Telling our son the story of when we first really knew we loved each other."

His lips stop and he lifts his head to stare at me. "Our son?"

I nod, the first real smile in three days breaking through. "Yes. I went to get a check up right after you left. It wasn't your Chicken Wellington after all. That doesn't mean you can make it again anytime soon." I stop laughing and stare at him, the waiting and wanting of the last couple of days catching up with me. "I've waited for the three longest days of my life to get to tell you that you'll be a father in eight months."

Someday, I will be able to tell our son the story of the first time I ever saw his father cry but, for now, I wipe the tears away with my fingers as he lays his head down on my stomach. "I love you, Kingsley Shaklebolt. I love you very, very much."