Chapter 2
Tessa reached the kitchen door knowing Remus would be about five minutes behind her. She wasn't surprised to find Molly already busily preparing lunch in the kitchen when she opened the door. Tessa's stomach growled when she smelled the meal cooking.
Molly greeted her when she entered but gave no sign that anything had changed, allowing Tessa the option to talk or not, as she felt appropriate. Tessa immediately pulled Molly into a hug, smiled and danced her in a little circle, ladle in hand.
Molly chuckled, "Well, it seems everything has worked out then."
"Yes, Molly," Tessa smiled broadly, "Everything has worked out very well. Thank you so much for everything."
Molly brushed off the thanks and said, "I just lent a shoulder, that's all," and patted Tessa's arm. She continued, "So, where is Remus, then? Sleeping, still?"
Tessa considered for a moment and said, "About halfway down the stairs."
Molly furrowed her brows for a moment then shrugged and continued to work her magic at the stove.
About a minute later Tessa announced, "Here he is now." The kitchen door opened to reveal a handsome, smiling, tossle-haired Remus. Molly decided not to question how Tessa knew that Remus was at the door seeing the pair greet each other lovingly at the base of the steps. She thought, "Must have heard him," and left it at that.
Tessa and Remus assisted Molly with the lunch preparations pausing once or twice to hug each other or kiss each other on the cheek, feeling comfortably domestic. Remus set the table, levitating plates, bowls and glasses while Tessa followed Molly's instructions on making a fruit crumble for dessert.
Soon Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry filtered down into the kitchen lured by the tempting smells of Molly's home cooking. Seeing Remus and Tessa together pleased Hermione and she carried herself with a knowing, superior air. Ginny giggled and shot furtive glances their way while Ron stared fixedly at his plate and would not look up. Tessa could see a pink tinge creep up his ears. She stopped herself from giving him a kiss on the cheek, letting him off the hook for the day.
Remus pulled Harry into conversation in a corner of the kitchen, apparently having a Man to Man with him, his hand on the boy's shoulder. When they returned to the table, Harry looked at Tessa, smiled and nodded. Tessa looked to Remus who winked at her. She realized that Harry accepted her and she felt she just received a wonderful gift.
Everyone settled into their seats as Molly and Tessa brought the food to the table. At one end Ginny and Hermione, opposite Harry and Ron, were talking excitedly about the upcoming school year. Harry finally managed to engage Ron into a discussion of the Quidditch season, wondering who would be named the Gryffindor team captain. Ron was of the opinion that it would be Harry, but Harry pushed the suggestion aside.
"Katie Bell is a 7th year. She'll be chosen," he assured them.
"You've got as much experience as she does and you could be captain for two years. You're it for sure."
"Yes, Ron, but I was out for most of the season last year. And no one has even said that I'll be able to be on the team again."
"Gah, Harry! Course you will be. MacGonagall is not going to let the best seeker Gryffindor has had in a decade go because of last year. OUCH!"
Ron grabbed his ankle and looked at Ginny across the table. "What did you kick me for?"
"She didn't, I did," said Hermione. "You were being very disloyal to your sister, Ron. Ginny was Seeker last year, you know."
"Sorry, Ginny," said Ron a bit sheepishly.
"It's all right. I know Harry's a better Seeker. I'd rather be a Chaser anyway."
The conversation continued on, a little less violently, concerning try outs, the other teams, their possible changes and ended up with an assurance that, no matter what, Gryffindor was going to beat Slytherin.
Tessa took advantage of one her last opportunities to enjoy Molly's cooking, taking seconds and thirds of the hearty soup and wonderful brown bread and butter. Remus, too, helped himself liberally to the fare. The meal passed comfortable with friends and family lingering at the table sharing conversation long after the food had disappeared. Remus joined the teenagers at the end of the table while Tessa helped Molly clean up, until Molly interrupted them.
"You lot need to clean your places. You're not at school yet with house elves to clean up after you."
The kids groaned but did what they were told and Remus, looking a bit guilty, jumped up to bring his bowl and mug to the sink. Tessa chuckled to see Remus tow the line so readily under Molly's remonstrations. She leaned over to Molly and whispered, "You'll have to teach me how to do that."
Molly winked and nodded, "You'll get the hang of it soon enough, don't you worry."
Tessa smiled and laughed to herself. She wondered if she would ever command that kind of obedience. Molly seemed to exude an air that spoke, "You don't want to mess with me if you know what's good for you." She suddenly realized how much she was going to miss Molly; miss her time here at Grimmauld Place. In less than a day she would be on her way to Hogwart's, teaching for the first time. Her stomach lurched at the thought. She wished she hadn't eaten quite so much now.
Molly noticed her suddenly serious demeanor. "Something wrong, dear?" she said quietly, looking over her shoulder making sure Remus was involved with the children.
"I was just thinking about going to Hogwart's" Molly glanced again at Remus with a silent question in her eye. "No, not that. We're fine," Tessa assured her, and then smiled realizing how comforting a thought that was. "I was thinking that I would be teaching. I've never done that before. What if I'm a total bust?"
"You won't be," Remus said suddenly behind her.
"It isn't polite to eavesdrop." Tessa said, stiff backed. She pointed her wand at the sink and a dollop of dish bubbles splashed into Remus' face. Molly and the kids laughed while Tessa returned again to nonchalantly levitate dishes to the rinse water. Slowly Remus reached for a dish towel and dried his face.
He put the towel back into its place and said, "Sorry for this, Molly." He proceeded to take out his wand and send a spray of water from the faucet towards Tessa. She got a fair soaking before she turned a spell that reflected the water onto Remus. For five minutes or so water, bubbles, sponges and dish towels flew around the room, sometimes hitting their target other times deflected away, hitting or narrowly missing the innocent bystanders who dashed to hide behind chairs or under tables around the room.
Finally, laughing too hard to send anymore spells, the two of them declared a truce and moved into a very unsteady embrace on the slippery floor. Molly and the children joined in the laughter when they saw the two of them, soaking wet holding each other up, feet slipping under them as they tried to stay upright. Everyone laughed the harder when Ron's head finally rose above the table. Before his escape, he had received a direct hit of bubbles which now slid down his head and dripped off his nose.
"We'll clean everything up, Molly," Tessa said laughing, "Sorry."
Molly ushered the children out of the kitchen and up the stairs to dry off and get a change of clothes, leaving Tessa and Remus to take care of the mess.
Tessa turned to begin retrieving the strewn dish towels when Remus pulled her back to him, lifted her chin and leaned down to kiss her. She abandoned her attempt at cleaning, happily drawn into this activity instead. She was pulled back to reality when she felt the pressure of the table against her hip. She realized his intent as he continued to press her back towards the table.
"Remus, we can't."
"Yes, love, we can. We have done quite recently, in fact." He lifted her easily and sat her on the table continuing to kiss her mouth, her throat, her shoulders.
"Remus, seriously," trying to ignore the pleasure his kisses evoked, she insisted. "Someone may come in. Please, let's just clean up and go somewhere more private." She grabbed his face mid-kiss, "I promise you won't be disappointed if we do."
He looked thoughtful for a moment, then, seeing the promise in her eyes, agreed. "Alright, love," and proceeded to lift her off the table with one more passionate kiss and slowly slid her down his body to the floor. He turned to begin cleaning but it took Tessa a few moments of deep breathing to be able to focus on the task at hand.
A few minutes later, only about half way through their chore, Molly came noisily into the room. Tessa caught Remus' eye silently as if to say, "I told you so." He just looked at her innocently and continued cleaning up.
"Molly, what is the plan for getting everyone to the station tomorrow?" Tessa asked as Molly helped them.
"Well, since Albus doesn't think it wise to get a car from the Ministry; too easily traced, he feels, we will be using the Underground. It will be a bit of a bother with all the baggage, but I absolutely refuse to use the Knight Bus again."
Tessa had heard of the Knight Bus and had to agree that she would prefer a bit of inconvenience on the Tube than to be jostled about on the infamous bus.
"Tonks, Fred, George and Bill will be coming over to help with the luggage and as more security, of course."
Tessa nodded. She was glad her bag was not going to be an added burden. She had sent most of her belongings ahead to Hogwart's when she had arrived, bringing only a few necessities with her to Grimmauld Place. "If there's anyway I can help, let me know. I have a few good spells handy in traveling; shrinking, lightening loads, that kind of thing."
"We'll be spreading the work around, I'm sure, so your help will be appreciated," Molly told her.
They finally finished in the kitchen and Tessa made her way up the steps to the door saying that she needed to finish packing. Remus winked at Molly as Tessa left and said, "I think I'll go help her."
Molly smiled and rolled her eyes at him as he bounded up the stairs after Tessa. Alone in the kitchen Molly's face became serious. She said a silent prayer to the universe at large for her children's, Harry's and Hermione's safety and for Remus and Tessa's continued happiness. In her heart, she wanted things to remain as they were. In her mind, she knew things never stayed the same. She hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. That was what mothers do.
Remus caught up with Tessa part way up the staircase. "You don't really have any packing left to do, do you?" he asked with brows raised.
"No, not really," she affirmed, an innocent look on her face.
They smiled and raced together the rest of the way to Tessa's room. Tessa made to open the door but Remus swept her up into his arms instead. She looked startled and confused until he explained, "I felt that we should follow some traditions, my love."
Smiling she put her arms around his neck and he carried her over the threshold. Just inside the room he asked, "What time do you suppose we have to be down to dinner?"
"Well, it is usually around 6 o'clock, why?" she asked puzzled.
Remus said simply, "That gives me almost enough time."
"Almost enough time for what?" Tessa asked suspiciously.
Remus simply laughed an evil little laugh and closed the door with his foot.
Tessa reached the kitchen door knowing Remus would be about five minutes behind her. She wasn't surprised to find Molly already busily preparing lunch in the kitchen when she opened the door. Tessa's stomach growled when she smelled the meal cooking.
Molly greeted her when she entered but gave no sign that anything had changed, allowing Tessa the option to talk or not, as she felt appropriate. Tessa immediately pulled Molly into a hug, smiled and danced her in a little circle, ladle in hand.
Molly chuckled, "Well, it seems everything has worked out then."
"Yes, Molly," Tessa smiled broadly, "Everything has worked out very well. Thank you so much for everything."
Molly brushed off the thanks and said, "I just lent a shoulder, that's all," and patted Tessa's arm. She continued, "So, where is Remus, then? Sleeping, still?"
Tessa considered for a moment and said, "About halfway down the stairs."
Molly furrowed her brows for a moment then shrugged and continued to work her magic at the stove.
About a minute later Tessa announced, "Here he is now." The kitchen door opened to reveal a handsome, smiling, tossle-haired Remus. Molly decided not to question how Tessa knew that Remus was at the door seeing the pair greet each other lovingly at the base of the steps. She thought, "Must have heard him," and left it at that.
Tessa and Remus assisted Molly with the lunch preparations pausing once or twice to hug each other or kiss each other on the cheek, feeling comfortably domestic. Remus set the table, levitating plates, bowls and glasses while Tessa followed Molly's instructions on making a fruit crumble for dessert.
Soon Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry filtered down into the kitchen lured by the tempting smells of Molly's home cooking. Seeing Remus and Tessa together pleased Hermione and she carried herself with a knowing, superior air. Ginny giggled and shot furtive glances their way while Ron stared fixedly at his plate and would not look up. Tessa could see a pink tinge creep up his ears. She stopped herself from giving him a kiss on the cheek, letting him off the hook for the day.
Remus pulled Harry into conversation in a corner of the kitchen, apparently having a Man to Man with him, his hand on the boy's shoulder. When they returned to the table, Harry looked at Tessa, smiled and nodded. Tessa looked to Remus who winked at her. She realized that Harry accepted her and she felt she just received a wonderful gift.
Everyone settled into their seats as Molly and Tessa brought the food to the table. At one end Ginny and Hermione, opposite Harry and Ron, were talking excitedly about the upcoming school year. Harry finally managed to engage Ron into a discussion of the Quidditch season, wondering who would be named the Gryffindor team captain. Ron was of the opinion that it would be Harry, but Harry pushed the suggestion aside.
"Katie Bell is a 7th year. She'll be chosen," he assured them.
"You've got as much experience as she does and you could be captain for two years. You're it for sure."
"Yes, Ron, but I was out for most of the season last year. And no one has even said that I'll be able to be on the team again."
"Gah, Harry! Course you will be. MacGonagall is not going to let the best seeker Gryffindor has had in a decade go because of last year. OUCH!"
Ron grabbed his ankle and looked at Ginny across the table. "What did you kick me for?"
"She didn't, I did," said Hermione. "You were being very disloyal to your sister, Ron. Ginny was Seeker last year, you know."
"Sorry, Ginny," said Ron a bit sheepishly.
"It's all right. I know Harry's a better Seeker. I'd rather be a Chaser anyway."
The conversation continued on, a little less violently, concerning try outs, the other teams, their possible changes and ended up with an assurance that, no matter what, Gryffindor was going to beat Slytherin.
Tessa took advantage of one her last opportunities to enjoy Molly's cooking, taking seconds and thirds of the hearty soup and wonderful brown bread and butter. Remus, too, helped himself liberally to the fare. The meal passed comfortable with friends and family lingering at the table sharing conversation long after the food had disappeared. Remus joined the teenagers at the end of the table while Tessa helped Molly clean up, until Molly interrupted them.
"You lot need to clean your places. You're not at school yet with house elves to clean up after you."
The kids groaned but did what they were told and Remus, looking a bit guilty, jumped up to bring his bowl and mug to the sink. Tessa chuckled to see Remus tow the line so readily under Molly's remonstrations. She leaned over to Molly and whispered, "You'll have to teach me how to do that."
Molly winked and nodded, "You'll get the hang of it soon enough, don't you worry."
Tessa smiled and laughed to herself. She wondered if she would ever command that kind of obedience. Molly seemed to exude an air that spoke, "You don't want to mess with me if you know what's good for you." She suddenly realized how much she was going to miss Molly; miss her time here at Grimmauld Place. In less than a day she would be on her way to Hogwart's, teaching for the first time. Her stomach lurched at the thought. She wished she hadn't eaten quite so much now.
Molly noticed her suddenly serious demeanor. "Something wrong, dear?" she said quietly, looking over her shoulder making sure Remus was involved with the children.
"I was just thinking about going to Hogwart's" Molly glanced again at Remus with a silent question in her eye. "No, not that. We're fine," Tessa assured her, and then smiled realizing how comforting a thought that was. "I was thinking that I would be teaching. I've never done that before. What if I'm a total bust?"
"You won't be," Remus said suddenly behind her.
"It isn't polite to eavesdrop." Tessa said, stiff backed. She pointed her wand at the sink and a dollop of dish bubbles splashed into Remus' face. Molly and the kids laughed while Tessa returned again to nonchalantly levitate dishes to the rinse water. Slowly Remus reached for a dish towel and dried his face.
He put the towel back into its place and said, "Sorry for this, Molly." He proceeded to take out his wand and send a spray of water from the faucet towards Tessa. She got a fair soaking before she turned a spell that reflected the water onto Remus. For five minutes or so water, bubbles, sponges and dish towels flew around the room, sometimes hitting their target other times deflected away, hitting or narrowly missing the innocent bystanders who dashed to hide behind chairs or under tables around the room.
Finally, laughing too hard to send anymore spells, the two of them declared a truce and moved into a very unsteady embrace on the slippery floor. Molly and the children joined in the laughter when they saw the two of them, soaking wet holding each other up, feet slipping under them as they tried to stay upright. Everyone laughed the harder when Ron's head finally rose above the table. Before his escape, he had received a direct hit of bubbles which now slid down his head and dripped off his nose.
"We'll clean everything up, Molly," Tessa said laughing, "Sorry."
Molly ushered the children out of the kitchen and up the stairs to dry off and get a change of clothes, leaving Tessa and Remus to take care of the mess.
Tessa turned to begin retrieving the strewn dish towels when Remus pulled her back to him, lifted her chin and leaned down to kiss her. She abandoned her attempt at cleaning, happily drawn into this activity instead. She was pulled back to reality when she felt the pressure of the table against her hip. She realized his intent as he continued to press her back towards the table.
"Remus, we can't."
"Yes, love, we can. We have done quite recently, in fact." He lifted her easily and sat her on the table continuing to kiss her mouth, her throat, her shoulders.
"Remus, seriously," trying to ignore the pleasure his kisses evoked, she insisted. "Someone may come in. Please, let's just clean up and go somewhere more private." She grabbed his face mid-kiss, "I promise you won't be disappointed if we do."
He looked thoughtful for a moment, then, seeing the promise in her eyes, agreed. "Alright, love," and proceeded to lift her off the table with one more passionate kiss and slowly slid her down his body to the floor. He turned to begin cleaning but it took Tessa a few moments of deep breathing to be able to focus on the task at hand.
A few minutes later, only about half way through their chore, Molly came noisily into the room. Tessa caught Remus' eye silently as if to say, "I told you so." He just looked at her innocently and continued cleaning up.
"Molly, what is the plan for getting everyone to the station tomorrow?" Tessa asked as Molly helped them.
"Well, since Albus doesn't think it wise to get a car from the Ministry; too easily traced, he feels, we will be using the Underground. It will be a bit of a bother with all the baggage, but I absolutely refuse to use the Knight Bus again."
Tessa had heard of the Knight Bus and had to agree that she would prefer a bit of inconvenience on the Tube than to be jostled about on the infamous bus.
"Tonks, Fred, George and Bill will be coming over to help with the luggage and as more security, of course."
Tessa nodded. She was glad her bag was not going to be an added burden. She had sent most of her belongings ahead to Hogwart's when she had arrived, bringing only a few necessities with her to Grimmauld Place. "If there's anyway I can help, let me know. I have a few good spells handy in traveling; shrinking, lightening loads, that kind of thing."
"We'll be spreading the work around, I'm sure, so your help will be appreciated," Molly told her.
They finally finished in the kitchen and Tessa made her way up the steps to the door saying that she needed to finish packing. Remus winked at Molly as Tessa left and said, "I think I'll go help her."
Molly smiled and rolled her eyes at him as he bounded up the stairs after Tessa. Alone in the kitchen Molly's face became serious. She said a silent prayer to the universe at large for her children's, Harry's and Hermione's safety and for Remus and Tessa's continued happiness. In her heart, she wanted things to remain as they were. In her mind, she knew things never stayed the same. She hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. That was what mothers do.
Remus caught up with Tessa part way up the staircase. "You don't really have any packing left to do, do you?" he asked with brows raised.
"No, not really," she affirmed, an innocent look on her face.
They smiled and raced together the rest of the way to Tessa's room. Tessa made to open the door but Remus swept her up into his arms instead. She looked startled and confused until he explained, "I felt that we should follow some traditions, my love."
Smiling she put her arms around his neck and he carried her over the threshold. Just inside the room he asked, "What time do you suppose we have to be down to dinner?"
"Well, it is usually around 6 o'clock, why?" she asked puzzled.
Remus said simply, "That gives me almost enough time."
"Almost enough time for what?" Tessa asked suspiciously.
Remus simply laughed an evil little laugh and closed the door with his foot.