Chapter 3

Hidden Truth

The feast seemed to be approaching fast; Dumbledore was talking to Professor McGonagall about their two new teachers. The house elves had already started cooking for the feast; Dumbledore, on the other hand, had just met the two new teachers.

"Great people," said Dumbledore, "I think they'll make great teachers."

"I hope so Albus, I met them as well, they are really nice, a lot of kids too," replied Professor McGonagall, "I'm impressed she could handle that many…"

"Yes, I joked with him that he could start his own House table," Dumbledore laughed, "I told him that it was fine to bring his kids, the more the better, they may pick stuff up while they are here." 

"Well anyway, I'm surprised they took it, most of the good people believe the rumors the job is cursed. When I asked them about it, you know what his response was?"

Dumbledore gave her a worried look, "What was his response?" he asked.

"That 'Jobs aren't cursed, they await the right people; whether they are returning, or just appearing. Just as stars rise and lower in the horizon, jobs too have their high and low points, the sooner people understand that no job is perfect; that it waits for the right person, the right attitude, the better.'," answered Professor McGonagall, "He is quite wise isn't he?"

Dumbledore said almost sighing in relief, "Yes, he is," he replied, "I just hope that he stays for a long time. I know he's going to be great… maybe even the next Headmaster."

"Albus! You're not thinking of retirement again?!" Professor McGonagall said angrily, "Please don't, we can't fight this war without you."

"Minerva, as Balder said to me when I mentioned this, 'Rising stars will always take the place of the older, tired stars, do not worry Headmaster, I will make sure this school is taken care of.' I believe he is right Minerva, I can't… hog the sky forever," Dumbledore smiled, "I am getting very old, I also believe he might be right to take my place."

"Albus! Still, we don't want to lose you," Professor McGonagall scolded.

"Minerva, I'm not going to be around forever you know," Dumbledore replied, "Now, how were their lists?"

Professor McGonagall gave him a look, "The best I've seen in a long time; I asked them if they had prior teaching experience," she answered.

"Have they?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"He only said, 'Off and on,'" she replied.

"So, they have? That's good; at least they have had some experience," Dumbledore said smiling.

Balder was sitting in his classroom; he looked around for a moment. Frey came in, "Brings back childhood memories, doesn't it Balder?" she asked.

"So long, yet such a short time ago," he replied.

"Remember we used to get in trouble… get called in here, always because we were in trouble… now you're the teacher," she smiled.

"Yep, strange isn't it…?" Balder paused, "How are the kids?"

"They're fine," she replied, "Settling in since we enlarged it."

"Good, I'm glad they like it," said Balder hugging Frey as she sat in his lap, "It would be rough living in Professor quarters with 18 kids and three on the way."

"That it would be," laughed Frey.

Balder winked at her, "That was quite a potent potion I gave you," he said before continuing, "I made the arrangements with Dumbledore, they can sit with Hagrid off the side of the Professors' table."

"Great, that's fine, I still want to keep an eye on them, especially with all the current dangers here at Hogwarts, not as if they couldn't take care of themselves," Frey commented rolling her eyes.

"I know they can take care of themselves, but it's best to keep all of them under our protection at all times, even here, that's why I asked him," replied Balder pretending to miss Frey's show of annoyance, "Besides, with this Dark Lord attacking they shouldn't have to."

"Yeah, I know Balder," said Frey with a smile, "I think they'll be fine here. What are we going to do if they attack Hogwarts?"

"I don't know," replied Balder, "I'd rather they not. But if they do, we'll handle it."

"That we can do," replied Frey, "But as I recall the twins did a great job."

"Yep, doesn't it make you all warm and fuzzy inside?" Balder asked with a playful smile.

Frey laughed, "Yeah, sure it does Balder," she answered. Balder kissed her and started to play with her hair, "Better believe it," he laughed.

"Have you studied your curriculum yet?" she asked enjoying his attention.

"Na, don't have to," replied Balder.

"Balder! You're supposed to!" Frey scolded.

"Okay, okay," Balder sighed hugging her tighter, "I'll start right now."

Frey pulled a sad face, "Right now?" she asked.

"Well… maybe not right now," replied Balder, "I'd much rather hold the most beautiful, caring and loving creature on this planet… you."

"Balder!" Frey pretended to scold but then she blushed and continued, "That's so sweet of you Balder… I love you too."

"I know you do Frey," Balder said quietly, "You were the best girlfriend in the world and are the best wife in the universe."

"Oh Balder quit it!" replied a very red Frey.

"I think your blush is blushing," joked Balder.

Frey hit him playfully, "Oh come on Balder, quit teasing me!" she scolded still blushing very red.

"I can't Frey," said Balder in a mocked sad tone, "It's my favorite thing to do!"

Frey started laughing as Balder tickled her, "Balder! Quit it right now!" she scolded.

"Okay, okay," Balder relented reluctantly but playfully, and then added in a sad tone, "Then I'll get started studying Frey."

"Well… okay," said a sad Frey.

Balder pulled her back down as she got up and kissed her deeply, "Hasel Maliku (I love you)," he spoke softly.

"Heszl noshtalin (I love you too)," she answered.

"Mom… Dad? Eww, get a room," said a small voice.

Balder and Frey burst out laughing, "Sam, we do have a room, you're the one that walked in on us!" scolded Frey laughingly.

"I've finished unpacking; can I go exploring?" Sam asked.

"Sure, but take your two oldest siblings," Frey answered.

"I'm taking Linda," said Sam with his arms crossed leaning comfortably in the doorframe when his twin sister, Linda, appeared beside him.

"Please Mum!" begged Linda, "We'll be careful!"

"Yes, I know, but you two aren't old enough yet," replied Frey.

"Come on Mum; we're six and we'll be able to handle anything that comes up!" Linda continued to beg, "We won't separate!"

"I know you guys won't, but the fact remains you are both far too young," Frey insisted. Balder just watched the exchange, he wasn't about to get involved.

"Dad! Come on, please! We're old enough, aren't we?" pleaded Sam.

Balder rolled his eyes, "I'm not going to take sides," he replied, "I'm certainly not going up against your mother; why do you bother to ask?"

Frey ribbed him and hissed, "You'd better take sides! You are not going to going to play the good guy!"

Balder winced at her tone, "Besides, your Mum is right, you are too young," he continued, "You should take your two oldest siblings."

Linda groaned and Sam sighed, "Okay, fine," he said just about ready to stomp off. "Keep a good attitude, your Mum didn't have to let you go," commented Balder, "She still might change her mind."

"Yes," started Sam.

"Dad," Linda finished.

"They're getting good at that," Balder commented.

"Well, they do have an advantage," Frey answered.

"They have lived together all their lives," continued Balder.

"and never separate," finished Frey.

"We're getting as bad as they are," Balder laughed.

"Yep, and proud of it!" replied Frey.

"How are you feeling?" Balder asked in a concerned tone.

"Fine, considering," replied Frey, "A bit tired though, but not more than with the others."

"That's good," Balder said quietly as he kissed her again.

"Hmm, I don't know about that," she replied, "I like it when you take care of me…" she trailed off as Balder kissed her again, "Just like that," she finished.

"Hmm, so do I," replied Balder as he started rubbing her shoulders, "It's been a rough couple of years…"

"Yeah, it has been, but it's getting better," Frey commented.

"Yes, it has been getting better," Balder said with a reminiscent voice, "But just you and our kids make it more than worth it to me."

"I know, but it's still rough," answered Frey.

"Na, as long as you're right there helping me, it's not hard," replied Balder, "As long as I have you and our wonderful kids, I can handle anything."

Frey smiled and pulled him around her tightly, "So can I," she said quietly.

"That's what's good about having a close family…" replied Balder, "Although, that is something that is hard to come by today… unfortunately."

"You're right about that Balder," Frey answered, "Especially today."

Dumbledore opened the Daily Prophet as he did every morning; the headline, however, made him groan:

Lily and James Potter returning to Hogwarts?

He had tried to keep it fairly under wraps, but he had failed. "We couldn't keep it a secret forever," said a voice.

Dumbledore looked up, "I know Minerva," he replied, "But I hoped to keep it a secret until after they were at Hogwarts… at least."

"Not possible now," Professor McGonagall finished, "By the way, do you know all the names of their kids? I never asked."

"No, I didn't ask either," replied Dumbledore.

"We should have, it's polite, I met two; Sam and Linda, on their way outside," commented Professor McGonagall, "Great kids."

"I hope you stopped them, it's dangerous," said a concerned Dumbledore.

"No, they had their parents' permission and their siblings were apparently going with them, don't worry, I did check with their parents," replied Professor McGonagall, "They said it was fine as long as the two eldest went."

"Okay," said Dumbledore still uneasy.

"Have you read the article?" Professor McGonagall said changing the subject abruptly, "I think you should, it is quite… interesting."

"No, I haven't had time yet, I'd just opened it," replied Dumbledore. 

"Well, I'll leave you to it," said Professor McGonagall heading for the door.

"Thanks Minerva, for helping run this school for so long," commented Professor Dumbledore.

"I hope I'll be helping you for a longer period of time Albus," replied McGonagall.

"I don't know Minerva, I can't even fight the Minister anymore," answered Dumbledore.

"No one can… right now," Professor McGonagall said irritably, "After this Dark Lord is defeated, then we can stand up to him."

"Perhaps… we'll see how long that takes, it seems to me that the Minister hasn't been able to even escape heavy losses… let alone drive him back," replied Dumbledore.

"Okay, well read the article," Professor McGonagall said, "It's definitely of interest."

Dumbledore watched as she left his office, then turned to his paper, he wondered what she meant:

Lily and James Potter returning to Hogwarts?

The Daily Prophet has just learned that Lily and James Potter, the parents of Harry Potter the Boy-Who-Lived-Then-Died are returning to Hogwarts. This strange event has followed a series of strange events over the past 13  years; Harry Potter dying, the apparent destruction of Voldemort, the return of many dead and many other strange events followed this, yet this must be explained in more detail; according to our reports, the Ministry has been losing to the group of people following a new Dark Lord that has risen in the place of Voldemort. Without Harry Potter to help us; will we be vanquished? Or will Lily and James Potter save us once again? But yet, where did they come from? Our only theory takes us back to when Harry Potter made his tremendous sacrifice; did this bring back his parents? The Ministry has been strangely quiet on this issue; hopefully soon they will give us the answers to these mysterious questions that continue to show up at the most unlikely of times.

There are also questions about some of the battles in which the Aurors were soundly defeated, yet the followers of this new Dark Lord reportedly fled the scene. A rumor stating that Lily and James Potter defeated them has been floating around the Wizarding World. According to the Ministry, "These are unsubstantiated rumors and allegations; to our knowledge, Lily and James Potter have not participated in any battles engaged by our Aurors. We believe that they were driven back by some Aurors just before they had finally collapsed." However, given the track record of all battles south of London, doubt surrounds these statements.

Dumbledore shook his head; these were the questions he himself had been asking since finding out Lily and James were coming to Hogwarts as students.

"Come on Jay," called Sam, "Flower! Hurry up! Let's go!"

"You guys know we hate that name," commented Flower.

"Yeah, but we love it!" Linda yelled back as she ran ahead with her brother.

"That's not the point!" muttered Flower as she and Jay ran to catch up, "we don't!"

"Come on, we came up with it for you as really young kids! You didn't mind it then," commented Sam.

"That's because, at the time, it was cute," said Jay without looking at them.

"Come on, it still is!" cried Linda.

Both Flower and Jay looked at each other and sighed at the same moment, "Would you two stop that?" asked Linda.

"What?" asked Jay.

"Talking behind our back!" replied Sam.

"We didn't," said Flower.

"Yes, you did, we heard you," insisted Linda.

Flower and Jay gave each other a look, "We're sure you did," said Jay sarcastically, "Come on, you two go explore okay? Lil and I will sit around out here, you call us if you get in any trouble, get it?"

"Yeah," replied Sam rolling his eyes, "We know."

"We will," continued Linda as she dragged her brother along.

"What's with them and spelunking?" asked Flower, "They love wondering around in caves."

"I have no idea Lil," replied Jay.

"Huh… I wonder why mum and dad wanted us to follow them…" commented Flower.

"Probably worried about Malitus," answered Jay.

"Come on Jay, you know as well as I do they're a bunch of pushovers," Flower said irritably, "It's not them mum and dad should worry about, they should worry about the Ministry, they're going insane."

Jay scoffed, "I know, what is their problem? That Minister seems to think he runs the world," he commented.

"And I do," came another voice.

Jay turned around, "Who are you?" he asked.

"Minister Amilstua," came the reply.

"The castle is that way," Jay commented gesturing up the hill, "… sir."

"You were saying something about the Minister?" Minister Amilstua asked.

"Yes," snapped Flower, "That you're a… OWW JAY!"

Jay had kicked her hard, he knew she was going to be smart like their father and say 'moron', "n important man," finished Jay.

"That I am, especially with the war and all," Minister Amilstua nearly preening his pride.

"Yeah, you're doing a great job…" commented Flower sarcastically; luckily the Minister had missed her sarcasm. Jay made a mental note to kick her again when they were alone; she had definitely gotten their father's sarcasm and lack of reverence for authorities… not that that was a bad thing… well, in this case anyway.

"Thank you, I agree," answered Minister Amilstua. Flower rolled her eyes; this guy was a nutty git. He couldn't tell the difference between a genuine compliment and a sarcastic remark.

Jay glanced at his twin and then back at the Minister, "Our parents are up in the castle," he commented, "Not down here."

"I know that," Minister Amilstua snapped, "You don't think a great and powerful man like me doesn't know where your parents are if I want to?"

Jay shook his head, "Why don't you tell me where they are right now then?" he asked quietly in a challenging voice. The Minister looked shocked and angry.

Then Jay snapped out of it, "Sure, of course, how silly of me… then why are you here?"

The Minister's eyes narrowed on him, "Because, I wanted to know; are you Professor Shimira's children?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Jay, "Why do you ask?"

The Minister ignored his last remark and continued, "You are 11 years old?"

Jay didn't answer right away, "Yes," he replied before adopting an aura of power and tone that his dad had taught him and asked as he slowly approached, "Why…do… YOU… ASK?"

The Minister backed up slightly before standing his ground, "Th-th-en-en why aren't you… at-t-t-tending Hogwarts?" he asked.

"Don't know, maybe you should ask my dad about that," Flower answered as she got up and joined her brother.

"Then that I shall," replied Minister Amilstua angrily as he turned on his heel and headed away from them.

Jay and Flower both rolled their eyes, "The castle is the other way Minister," called Flower as she almost burst into a fit of giggles.

The very red Minister glanced at them malevolently as he went by, Jay rolled his eyes and hugged his sister, "Good one Lil," he commented kicking her heel gently, "Good thing he didn't catch the sarcasm."

"Ah, he's too much of a moron Jay, don't worry about it!" replied Flower as she sat back down.

"Yeah, well don't tell him that," replied Jay as he sat down beside her, "and don't make me say stuff like that again!" Flower grinned mischievously at her brother.

"Dumbledore, my past isn't important to my teaching position, is it?" asked Balder quietly.

"No, perhaps not, but it is important for me to be able to trust my teachers," replied Dumbledore.

"Yet, sometimes…" Balder trailed off and looked at the door, Dumbledore stared curiously at Balder… just then there was a knock.

"Yes?" asked Dumbledore impatiently.

The door flew open with a tremendously loud bang as it hit the wall, and the Minister walked in, "DUMBLEDORE! HOW DARE YOU APPOINT SOMEONE WITHOUT MY PRIOR APPROVAL! HE HAD BETTER FOLLOW THE PROPER MINISTRY CURRICULUM!" Minister Amilstua roared. Balder raised an eyebrow and stared at the Minister.

"I grow tired of the all the 'teachers' you send, they have all been…" Dumbledore stopped, but Balder picked it up.

"They have all been unintelligent, puerile, dim-witted numbskulls," finished Balder.

The Minister looked outraged and started to draw his wand, "That would not be very… wise," commented Balder, "Think twice, but only if that's not too… difficult for you. But I will guarantee you that the other option will be much harder… on your pride."

The Minister continued to stare at Balder as though he had never seen a human in his lifetime before replying, "The impudence! The GALL! How DARE you… you…" the Minister stuttered unable to find a word that fit the description in his mind.

"Ah, well you bed-pressing, dim-witted poor excuse of a Minister; if you cannot describe what you are thinking, then perhaps you should get and read the dictionary," Balder said with distain before turning to Dumbledore, "How this wretch got elected is beyond me, the Wizarding World is becoming a sad place if people like him get elected, truly anyone can run for office these days."

The Minister looked ready to explode, "DID YOU JUST INSULT ME?!" he screamed.

Balder looked at Dumbledore, "What do you think?" he asked calmly, "Did I insult the Minister?"

"Yes," replied Dumbledore watching Balder carefully.

"Oh, perish the thought!" joked Balder, "I'd never insult the Minister of… idiocy."

Dumbledore looked slightly amused, "I think you just did… again," he commented as he leaned back in his chair preparing to watch what was sure to be an interesting imminent little… war.

The Minister didn't reply, he pulled out his wand fast and shot a curse at Balder. A brilliant flash momentarily blinded Dumbledore; Dumbledore's eyes adjusted to the light, he saw a shield of immense power hovering between Balder and the Minister. The room settled down to an almost night like appearance to Dumbledore after looking at the shield Balder had produced. Dumbledore looked around after his eyes adjusted back to the dimness of the room; Balder was looking highly amused while twirling his wand in his left hand. Balder's right hand was extended in a slightly guarded position, Balder threw his wand into his right hand and kept it extended. The Minister looked absolutely murderous; Dumbledore watched the two carefully and was finding it quite… entertaining.
'This guy is willing to fight the Minister,' mused Dumbledore.
"Minister, I will certainly not back down from fighting you," commented Balder with a distinct air of dislike, "But it will be far less painful for you to stop right now."
"You certainly have an over-inflated pride," snapped Minister Amilstua.
Balder looked at him curiously, "As do you," he replied simply, "You seem to think you rule the world. As for me, I simply know I can easily take you."
"Are you questioning my competence and authority?" asked Minister Amilstua angrily.
Balder considered this for a moment. "Yes," he finally answered, "To both."

What followed next was hazy; brilliant multi-colored flashes and smoke filled the room which came from the Minster sending many different curses at Balder. When the cursing stopped a few minutes later; Dumbledore saw a shadow in the smoke wave a hand and the smoke immediately dissipated.
"Interesting," commented Balder, "You're very experienced, but have absolutely no imagination when it comes to curses."
The Minster went brick red, "I suppose you do?" he snapped very angrily.
"My two three year olds have more imagination than you," replied Balder.
The Minister turned to Dumbledore, "You're going to just sit there and let him rail at me?" he asked.
"I'm not going to stop you two from fighting; I'm far too old for this," replied Dumbledore easily.
"You will regret this Dumbledore!" snapped Minister Amilstua, "and you… you may find me a much more dangerous opponent than you can possibly imagine; if you don't join the Aurors, by the edict I made a month ago, we will take your kids."
Balder laughed as the Minister stormed out, "Yeah, right," he barely managed to get out through his laughter.

Jay pulled Flower up and waved his hand over the ground, a cloth covered it and a basket lay in the center. "Let's have something to eat huh?" he commented.

"JAY! YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!" yelled Flower.

"I'm not supposed to eat? Well, I'm going to have a short life span," joked Jay, "Lighten up Lil, it's Hogwarts. Now; calm down, sit down and eat. Besides, I don't want you to do that again." Jay laughed.

Flower rolled her eyes, "What can I say? I inherited mom's brains and dad's attitude," she smiled.

"Dangerous combination Lil," Jay commented jokingly as Flower cuffed him.

"Well, you got dad's sense of humor," Flower said haughtily.

"Mom has one?" teased Jay.

Flower rolled her eyes again and smiled slightly as she started on a sandwich, "Thanks for getting lunch," she said after she swallowed.

"I know, I was starting to get hungry too," replied Jay.

"Good thing we know each other so well," commented Flower as she winked at him.

"Yep, here come Sam and Linda," replied Jay as Sam and Linda walked up to them looking very dirty but extremely happy.

"You guys should come!" said the dirtiest one, Jay and Flower couldn't tell, but they thought it looked pretty much like Linda.

"That you Linda?" asked Flower with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep!" replied Linda as she started giggling, "Can we have a tuna fish sandwich?"

"You have to say the magic word," replied Jay as he took another bite.

"Please!" finished Sam. "Sure," answered Flower as she gave Jay a playful glance, they both loved playing with their siblings.

"NAA!" Jay said reprovingly as the two reached for sandwiches.

Both pouted and looked at him, "What?" asked Sam.

Jay handed them both a sandwich, "I just didn't want you two to get them dirty, have you looked at yourselves?"

Sam and Linda stopped eating and glanced at each other, then burst out laughing, "We're filthy!" Sam said as he fell on the ground laughing hard.

"You'd better believe it!" Flower cried as she started giggling, "You two are mud balls!"

Jay chuckled under his breath, "That you two are, go get cleaned up!" he ordered. Sam and Linda looked at each other a moment then ran to the lake and jumped in.

Flower couldn't sit up anymore, she fell laughing onto the ground, "Kids!" she managed to say before succumbing to laughter again. Jay started laughing too as Sam and Linda dived to wash their hair and helped each other clean off their mud caked backs.

"Want to go for a swim too?" laughed Jay.

Flower smiled, "Sure, I'd love to," she replied as she got up and headed for the lake. "Hold on," called Jay.

Flower turned around, "What is it?" she asked.

"Did you forget? We just ate," commented Jay.

"Oh that, remember?" she asked touching her stomach.

"Oh yeah," laughed Jay, "almost forgot!" Jay looked around for a moment, then touched his clothes, they transformed into swimming trunks and shirt. Flower did the same and hers transformed as well.

"Better!" she yelled just as she jumped off a small hill into the lake.

Jay followed her and landed three feet behind her, "I beat ya!" he laughed.

"Mine was more graceful," joked Flower.

"Oh, come on Lil! I'll never beat you in grace! I just don't have the figure," Jay teased.

Flower started laughing, "Yeah, you're fast and clumsy," she teased back.

Jay rolled his eyes, "Better fast and clumsy physically, then mentally," he threw back playfully. 

"Ooo, are you calling me mentally clumsy?" Flower asked playfully.

"Oh yeah! Are you ever," teased Jay.

Flower jumped on top of him and pushed him underwater but pulled him up quickly, "You okay?" she asked as Jay choked.

Jay held up a finger and coughed, "Yeah fine, just warn me next time!" he scolded… before pushing her under.

"HEY, NO FAIR!" Flower sputtered as she got to the surface.

Jay started laughing, "Got ya," he said as he swam out to the giant squid and climbed onto one of the tentacles.

"I'M GONNA GET YOU FOR THAT ONE JAY!" Flower yelled at him.

Jay sat laughing on the tentacle, "Come and get me!" he called. The water and air turned cold, so cold that light stopped and sound paused.

Jay looked towards the shore and saw them… "LIL, SAM, LINDA!" Jay screamed.

Balder was holding Frey tightly on his lap, "Hey, you okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, for the most part," replied Frey.

"What's the 'left' part?" Balder asked.

"Oh, a little bit of left over morning sickness," Frey replied, "Not surprising really, it just makes me feel just a little queasy." Frey smiled and winked at him before continuing, "But I've gone through it quite a few times as you might recall from all those kids in our room."

"Maybe…" Balder trailed off as Sam and Linda ran in.

"MUM! DAD! It was fun," they said at the same time, "Flower and Jay sat outside while we were spelunking! We went swimming too!"

Flower and Jay came in looking a little tired, "Hi Mum and Dad," Jay said as he slumped into a chair.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Frey with concern as she got up and walked over.

Frey felt both their heads as Flower sat beside her twin, "We're fine Mum," Flower said, "Just a little tired."

"And don't forget hungry, Lil," added Jay.

"They were great Mum, they got us away from the…!" Linda trailed off excitedly.

"Shut up Linda," commented Flower as she blushed, "It wasn't that glamorous; fighting for your life never is."

"Hash azalem?(What was it?)" asked Frey concernedly.

"It was just three of them Mum, nothing to worry about," answered Jay.

"Teshal Dementoras(Was it Dementors?)?" asked Balder.

"Dyesla noshtales(three of them)," answered Flower.

"Vestale Postalna (attacked us)," finished Jay.

"Hey guys, we never finished lunch you know," commented Sam.

"You always think with your stomach, don't you?" asked Linda jokingly.

"Yep, because you don't!" replied Sam.

"That's a good thing," Linda said with a smile.

"Come on guys, he's right," commented Balder.

Then Frey smiled at her son before finishing Balder's sentence, "This time." Sam grabbed his parents' hands and tried to pull them up.

"Okay, okay, we're going," groaned Frey as she got up. Balder laughed and slipped his hand into Frey's as they made their way to the Great Hall. Balder was holding Frey tightly on his lap, "Hey, you okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, for the most part," replied Frey.

"What's the 'left' part?" Balder asked.

"Oh, a little bit of left over morning sickness," Frey replied, "Not surprising really, it just makes me feel just a little queasy." Frey smiled and winked at him before continuing, "But I've gone through it quite a few times as you might recall from all those kids in our room."

"Maybe…" Balder trailed off as Sam and Linda ran in.

"MUM! DAD! It was fun," they said at the same time, "Flower and Jay sat outside while we were spelunking! We went swimming too!"

Flower and Jay came in looking a little tired, "Hi Mum and Dad," Jay said as he slumped into a chair.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Frey with concern as she got up and walked over.

Frey felt both their heads as Flower sat beside her twin, "We're fine Mum," Flower said, "Just a little tired."

"And don't forget hungry, Lil," added Jay.

"They were great Mum, they got us away from the…!" Linda trailed off excitedly.

"Shut up Linda," commented Flower as she blushed, "It wasn't that glamorous; fighting for your life never is."

"Hash azalem?(What was it?)" asked Frey concernedly.

"It was just three of them Mum, nothing to worry about," answered Jay.

"Teshal Dementoras(Was it Dementors?)?" asked Balder.

"Dyesla noshtales(three of them)," answered Flower.

"Vestale Postalna (attacked us)," finished Jay.

"Hey guys, we never finished lunch you know," commented Sam.

"You always think with your stomach, don't you?" asked Linda jokingly.

"Yep, because you don't!" replied Sam.

"That's a good thing," Linda said with a smile.

"Come on guys, he's right," commented Balder.

Then Frey smiled at her son before finishing Balder's sentence, "This time." Sam grabbed his parents' hands and tried to pull them up.

"Okay, okay, we're going," groaned Frey as she got up. Balder laughed and slipped his hand into Frey's as they made their way to the Great Hall.

Frey sat in Balder's lap at the table; all their kids rolled their eyes and groaned. Both Fray and Balder started laughing, "Come on guys! What do you expect, we're married after all," Balder said in-between laughs.

"Yeah, that doesn't mean we don't find it disgu…" started Linda.

"Tasteful," finished Flower loudly drowning out her sister.

Jay glanced at her and gave her a wiry smile, "Nice catch sis," he commented in a low voice.

"Yep, that one was close," Flower whispered back.

"Hmm, you think so?" asked Frey with a smile, "That's not what I heard."

Flower kicked her twin brother and hissed, "You didn't!"

Jay went slightly red and stammered, "It just… kinda… sorta… slipped out," he replied.

"Slipped out?!" snapped Flower.

"Thanks Mum," Jay muttered.

Frey laughed, "What's wrong with you?" she asked, "I don't have a problem with the fact that you liked a boy!"

"Oh wonderful!" snapped Flower, "I don't believe it; I'm going to kill you Jay!" Jay got up and ran down the Great Hall with his sister chasing. Flower held up her hand and the doors slammed shut. Jay threw his weight into the door and shoved off in another direction.

Frey shook her head and Balder laughed, "Let them have their fun!" he said.

Flower had Jay cornered, "You're going to get it for that one Jay!" she snarled.

Jay looked around behind him, "Na, I don't think so," he replied turning to face her.

Flower jumped at him as he slid into the wall, "Shoot, forgot about that," she laughed in spite of herself. She turned around and looked sheepishly at her mother who was laughing along with Balder.

"Why can't we do that mum?" asked Sam.

"Because," replied Frey, "you have different gifts."

"Matter, Energy, Space, Time," commented Balder, "But the most important element remains unknown to the human and wizard people."

"I know," replied Fray as she looked at her watch and kissed Balder, "Hope. Happy Birthday Balder."