Hi all. Thanks Very much for those nice reviews.

Yes I'm continuing, it's just taking a while as the Summer was written disjointed and in 'round', so I'm having a little trouble resetting the order.

It is coming!!! Sorry it took sooo long.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ministry fundraiser: Len's POV

"Come on. Maia's going!" I protested. "I'm old enough to go. Please!!!"

"We've already told you, no!" Mom insisted. "You know that the little ones won't behave for any babysitter if you're not here."

"That's not true." I countered. "Wait, did you say babysitter? You're not making me stay with a sitter are you mum? Dad?"

"Either you or Sebastian have to be here. You know that." Dad replied. "I suppose you are old enough to take care of them, by yourself."

"But I want to go." I whined. I knew it wouldn't do any good. I stormed upstairs. This just wasn't fair. I always had to look after the little ones. Not that I didn't love them, but I occasionally wanted to do grown-up stuff too. Even if I was acting childish about it, no the Irony was not lost on me.

I'd been looking forward to seeing the gang again. Well not Remus, his folks wouldn't let him go to something like this. But both Sirus and James had a parent the worked fairly high in the Ministry, so they should be going. I wasn't sure about Peter.

I flopped down on my bed. This wasn't fair. I always got left behind to baby-sit. I started to write a rant letter to Maia, knowing I'd get in huge trouble if I said these things.

Maia

Pout Looks like I'll be sitting the little-uns, again. It's so not fair!

I was so looking forward to seeing you and the boys. pout This Bites! I love them, you know that ... but sometime... You think that Bas ever felt like this about me? I should apologies. If I ever here from him, or see him again. It's been weeks without a word. I'm getting worried.

I want to scream at my mum. I really don't think she understands me. I think that she might actually hate me. I believe that she goes out of her way to make me miserable!

I think I hear them coming...later

Len

Ps. I need a hug!!!

I had just sent the letter off when they knocked on my door. I answered it with a frown. I looked at my dad. He looked down, looking slightly amused.

"This is no way to convince us that you're mature and responsible." He told me. He sat on my bed. I joined him.

"I know. It's just that I didn't want Maia to be there alone. I have hardly had a chance to see her with you two being so busy, I've spent most of my time looking after my siblings." I offered as an explanation.

"I know, and we really appreciate it." He gave me a hug. "It's not meant to be unfair. I've just been really busy with that new bill proposed at the Ministry. And your mother has had a big case."

"I know. But this is my summer. I want to have some fun, you know." I replied. "What do you do when I'm away at school?"

"Same thing that we used to do for you, when Sebastian was at school. We left you with your grand parents. "He told me. "Before you ask, no we can't. Your mother's parents are out off the country on safari, I think she said. My Father happens to be ill and in St. Mungo's for testing. So they're out."

I pouted again. I knew that it was really the only option. That didn't mean I had to like it. He hugged me. I guess he sensed my surrender.

"Please come down stairs." He smiled at me. "I hardly get to see you. I'd rather not spend that time arguing."

I did, but wasn't really surprised when I got left with the little ones, while mum went out grocery shopping (I'll admit it was easier without them), and dad got called into work. Fortunately Bec had found herself and wasn't nearly as clumsy. Susy, being only one, was literally a handful. It was easiest to keep her out of trouble by holding her, which she liked anyway.

Twenty minutes after being left, Eddie and Bec were running around. I was talking on the phone with Maia, who received my letter by then.

"You didn't really mean it right?" Maia asked.

"Not really I was just ranting."

Susy was pulling on the phone calling out, "Woo dat? Woo dat!!"

"Maia." I told Susy. In hopes of making her stop. "Quit running, you'll get hurt!" I called to the other two. "I sometimes feel like I'm in a zoo. Almost makes me want to apologies."

"Almost?" Maia teased. "Look, I'd rather come over and help you with the kids."

"No, go and see the boys. It'll be fine. I'll catch up with you again soon." I insisted.

"They won't be there." Maia replied. "Check the date!"

"Ohhh, right. My mistake...totally forgot it's a full moon." I replied. Susy was squirming around in my arms.

"Maia. Maia. Maia." She said and pulled on the phone cord. Then a loud crash. Followed by a wail.

"Here you talk to Maia a sec." I told Susy. Like most little kids she was fascinated by telephones. "Got to check on something."

"Maia?" Susy asked it to the phone. She giggled. "Maia!"

I hurried to the source of the cries. There Eddie sat cradling his arm. Bec looked to be in hysterics. I took a look at the arm. I noticed the wrist was bent funny. "Eddie can you stand?" he nodded and rose with my help. I took him to the kitchen.

"Bec get Susy. And say bye to Maia. I think I'm going to need the phone." I told her. She went off to do as asked. Her eyes still wide. "Eddie tell me what happened?"

He was in tears as he recounted how they were running and Bec had tricked him and tripped him. This had sent him to flip and land on his wrist. Bec returned with Susy in her arms. Eddie was still sobbing, but tried to look brave in front of his younger sisters.

"Okay. I know it hurts. Eddie I want you to try and move your fingers. Alright?" I replied placing some ice gently on the wrist. Eddie could not quite manage that. I felt a wash of panic. This was not a good sign.

Just then Susy began to squirm and head to the back door calling out. "Bastian! Bastian!" I looked up to see Bas walking up to the back door. He picked Susy up in a big swiping hug, and gave her a kiss. Bec ran over and hugged him tight around the waist.

"My you've grown." He smiled. The he must have noticed my worry/relief. Or maybe Eddie's arm. He came over. "What happened, Sport?"

"I. . .I fell." Eddie was trying very hard to be brave in front of the others.

"I was just about to call an ambulance." I told him. He nodded, setting the girls down he look at the arm.

"I'll take him to see Aunt Poppy. She's at my mum's" I looked at him, asking how he knew. He kissed my check. "It was my mum's Birthday, yesterday. I had to go see her."

I smiled at him. "You alright to walk Sport?" Eddie looked to him and nodded yes. "We'll be back soon."

"Hi. Bye!" I commented, feeling my heartbeat return to normal. "Please come again."

He laughed. Directing Eddie with him, out of the no-Apperea zone. I took a deep breath to calm myself. Then looked to the girls. Bec still had big eyes full of tears. Susy looked a little confused. I took them in to watch TV.

"No Bastian?" Susy asked.

"He's coming back." I assured her.

"I didn't mean it." Bec whispered. "I didn't mean for him to get hurt."

"I know." I told her. "That's way I didn't want you to be doing that. It could have happened outside."

40 minutes after her folks had left. Bas returned with a fully healed Eddie.

"That was the coolest thing ever!" he beamed at Sebastian. Bas just messed his hair and smiled. Eddie hugged me. "Look good as new."

Bec jumped up and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She insisted.

"It's alright." He assured her, returning the hug. "Let's go play." She beamed a brilliant smile at him and followed him off.

Susy had fallen asleep. TV had that effect on her. I smiled at Bas, I was sure that it was very reminiscent of the smile that Rebeca had given Edward. He gave me a hug.

"Thanks for the big rescue." I told him. He smiled.

"That's my job." I rolled my eyes.

"Are you staying this time?"

"For a little while." He replied, sitting gently beside Susy. "I have two weeks off before going back to finish training. I should have my graduate ceremony just before you head back to school." Susy woke up and smiled at him. She wrapped her little arms around his neck. "I already spent some time at my mum's about a week."

"Stay?" Susy asked in a small voice that sounded scared.

"Yes, Sunshine. I'm staying." She smiled at him and hugged tighter.

"Bas. . . is it me, or did it suddenly get quiet?" I asked. I could no longer hear the other two. Being that they were 8 and 5, that meant that they could be into almost anything. Bas listened for a moment, then rolled his eyes.

"Len!" Susy called reaching for me to take her. Which of course I did. We headed up stairs. I'd heard them go up but not come down yet. We heard hushed voices coming from my room.

We walked in to see Eddie holding my wand which was pointed at Bec. I think that my heart stopped this time.

"Expellerium!" Sebastian yelled. His usual humour fled from his face. "You are never to play with a wand!" He was furious, I guessed it was to cover his fright.

"You are never to point a wand at someone. Well maybe once you learn what you're doing." I fumed. "How did you get my wand anyway?"

The two looked sheepish and scared. "I saw where you put it." Eddie admitted. "I wanted to show Becky. I wanted to show her how you took me to see you're mum and auntie Poppy. I didn't mean any harm."

"Do you know how dangerous that was?" I replied. "You could have seriously hurt Bec, or yourself."

"Those are very complicated spells." Bas continued. "You shouldn't try that as your first spell." He had gone over to check to make sure that Becky was alright. "You don't know what you're doing. Some very bad things might have happened." He hugged his sister. Once he was certain that she was fine. Then turning to Eddie. "Wands are never to be used as toys."

"I'm sorry!" He started to cry. Eddie ran over to me and hugged me around my waist. "I'm sorry, Len. I didn't mean any harm. Please forgive me! I promise I'll never do it again. I'm sorry."

Now, I'm a big softy. I'm pretty sure that they know that. Bas had come over. I handed Susy to him. I knelt down and hugged Eddie back. "Of course I forgive you." I looked him in the eyes. Wiping a tear off his check. "Now you now what you did was wrong?" He nodded. "You know you're going to be punished right?" He nodded again.

"Am I in trouble?" Becky asked cautiously. Bas nodded yes.

"You have been told many times not to play with wands. You both knew better." He told them. They nodded, excepting the consequences of what they'd done.

"Will you be telling dad?" Eddie asked, still hugging me.

Bas and I looked at each other. We knew that this was serious, but no one had gotten hurt. It wasn't like I hadn't done the same thing many times. That had been one of the reasons that Bas had started to teach me. I deferred to him. He took a deep breath.

"Not this time." He said shaking his head. "But I never want to see you do that again. Got it?" They nodded, wide eyed. "As for punishment . . ." he thought for a moment. "Becky you take out the garbage for the remained of my visit. Eddie, you'll "volunteer" to do dishes every night, by yourself."

Those were the most hated of tasks for each of them. I watched as they considered their options. Deciding that it was likely the best one, they nodded in acceptance. Susy looked at them, fortunately she was not old enough to articulate what had just transpired to our folks. We all headed down stairs, hearing mum pull up.

!!!!!!!

"No, I'm coming." I told Maia. It was the night of the Fundraiser. "He said that he desperately wanted to spend some time with the little-uns."

"Yeah, and you desperately want to get away from them." Maia laughed. "What colour are you wearing?"

"Blue silly." I smiled. "I got new Sky blue dress robes. Made of silk, and satin."

"Oh, sounds nice. Mine are silver. Silk, and clingy." Maia replied. I could hear her playful smile.

"Now, Maia. Think about Remus." I told her.

"Who do you think I had in mind when I got them?" Maia laughed. "Oh, my dad offered to Apperea you there, since your dad cant take you both."

I thought again that I should just do it myself, but knew better that to voice that. "That would be great. Thanks!" My hair fell out of place again. "ERRRRR! I wish you were here to do my hair. It's not co-operating." Maia laughed.

"If you can't get it. We'll nip into the lou and I'll fix it." Maia comforted. "Got to go. Dad'll meet you in the clearing in ten minutes. Bye. See you soon."

I gave up and settled for a simple top braid. I shrugged, not great, but better than nothing. For the first time this summer I put on footwear other than sandals. I decided on my dragon-hide boots with the pocket. The black boots look very nice contrasting to the pale blue.

This was incidentally where I'd take to hiding her wand. The boots were stored in my school trunk. My truck was considered to be an off-limits zone for my siblings. It was one of the few that they respected.

I met my parents down stairs. They both smiled at me. My mum was in dress robes of a lovely pink. Her hair in a nice French twist. My Dad in his formal robes, dark blue with silver runes looked quiet handsome. I smiled back to the warmly.

"Maia's dad offered to Apperea me there. She said that he'd meet us in the clearing." I told them. My mother looked a little worried, dad smiled.

"Remember to thank him. That was very nice. I wasn't looking forward to making two trips." Dad replied. "Sebastian, you're sure you have everything?"

"We'll be fine dad." Bas assured him. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to them." He smiled down at them. "And I won't let them get away with murder." He assured his step-mother. "Have a good time."

I was delighted at just how fancy everything was when we got there. Of course Maia took one look at my hair and rushed her off to the first ladies room she saw. "Len, this is bad. I mean it's like okay for school or like parties, but not for formal stuff." Maia scolded. I just let her. I knew better that than offend my hair dresser. "But you look great."

"Thanks. You... as always, look fab." I replied it was true. Although the material was clingy, it looked elegant. "So, anything good happening?"

"Not yet it's too early." Maia replied. She fixed my hair into a very nice, up-do braided at the bottom and my natural curls falling to the sides playfully. It looked great. It was sophisticated and playful. "That's better."

"I swear that you must have a charmed touch." I replied. "Thanks."

We left for the main room. Not really wanting to separate as our parents were in different corners talking. We headed to the refreshments table. I noticed rather quickly that there were few girls our age there. Maybe a dozen of us in total, including us. However there were at least three times that number of boys. There had to be at least three hundred people.

There was live band, playing waltzes and a large dance floor in which to dance. Tables were spread around the ends of the dance floor. For further privacy, there were alcoves of to the sides, were comfortable seats were visible. The ceiling had various colours of dancing lights, I later found out that they were Feu Follie. A playful sprit entity, like a will-o-wisp, but not as malicious.

Both Maia and I were regularly asked to dance. Mostly by boys that we didn't know. Some went to Beuxbaction, some to private wizard academes, a few admitted to going to Drumstang.

Maia and I were getting a drink. "Oh no." Maia quickly turned away to look out the window.

"What?" I asked quietly, following her lead.

"Malfoy." She replied. I turned to look, alright I know not bright, but it's like a car accident, you have to look.

"Where?" I looked around, and saw him I quickly turned away. "Maybe he won't notice us." I offered hopefully.

"Right. Besides, he can't do anything with out embarrassing his father, right?" Maia asked hopefully. I nodded in agreement. A short while later Maia was pulled away for another dance. I headed off to take a seat at our table, Maia would know where to find me there.

"They let Mudbloods in?" I knew it was Malfoy before I turned around. Pasting my best pleasant smile on my face, I turned to face him. Fully ready to see Crabbe and Goyle flanking him.

"Thank you for noticing, Malfoy. I'd say it was a pleasure to see you to, but then I'd be lying. Well as they let a self-absorbed little prats like you in. They had nowhere to go but up." I replied sweetly.

"Oh look." Malfoy replied, he motioned to my mother. "You may be able to dress one up like a real witch, but a muggle is still a filthy, uncoordinated animal."

I took a deep breath. Then levelled a hoity gaze, that could rival even a Malfoy's. "It has been so nice trading insults with you. We really should do it again some time. However, I'm going to do better, more productive things that talk to the likes of you. Like convert Oxygen into Carbon Dioxide." I turned to leave. Malfoy grabbed my arm. I turned to look at him furiously. "Let go of me!"

"I don't take orders from your kind." Malfoy sneered at me. "And what are you going to do about it?"

I looked around quickly. No one was watching us. I wrenched my arm free, this flipped Malfoy to land flat on his back it the process. "That." I replied amused. I took a few steps back to put some distance between myself and Crabbe and Goyle. "I'm leaving now. If you try and stop me, I'll scream."

They looked at Malfoy uncertain of what to do. He'd gotten up from the floor. He looked around. "Now, no one saw that. But I promise you, if I scream then everyone will notice."

"You wouldn't. You're bluffing." Malfoy countered. True it wasn't usually my style, but no magic, alone against the three of them... it was my best chance. I noted that as a last resort My wand was in my boot, but I could get in far more trouble for pulling it that fighting.

"Are you sure that you want to risk it? I mean lone girl, three guys; I can see the headlines now. Are you sure that you want to risk your family name like that?" I countered.

"We could say that you propositioned us." Malfoy tried again. "Our word against yours."

"Right, then you three would have to explain to your fathers why you let a mudblood put you three into a compromising position in the first place. I still think that I would win on that one." I replied confidently. Malfoy looked undecided a moment then headed off in the other direction.

I knew that wouldn't sit well with Malfoy. If I kept score, which I didn't of course, this was like 5 for me and only 2 for him. I think I definitely came out the winner on this one.

I took a seat at our table, and scanned the room.

"Looking for anyone in particular?" A familiar voice asked from behind me.

Ministry Fundraiser – Malfoy's POV

"Another boring affair. These things get so tedious. There are hardly any girls there worth bothering with. The conversation is monotonous. But a good son must do these things that are expected of him. Besides one occasionally overhears some useful information." I told myself doing a final mirror check.

I looked stunning as always, in my dress robes. Black, silk of course for these summer formal events. The black contrasted my white-blond hair remarkably. I smiled satisfied that I would be the most admired man his age.

Arriving at the event fashionably late with my parents. I surveyed the hall. I sneered, the ministry had barely put and effort into the decorations. No imagination to the design. The band was horrid. Waltz, who waltzed now a days?

I met up with Crabbe and Goyle, neither good to talk to, but they kept the rabble at bay. I so hated to have to converse with lesser. I took note of the sorry lack of young ladies. With the exception of Narcissa, Camila (another Slitherin) and a two or three others, the rest were all well beneath me.

I noticed the material of a silver robe cling suggestively to the well toned bottom of one of the girls. I realized that it was that Ravenclaw girl, Maia . . . something. She was very beautiful, her robes clung to her curves as she danced. Definite potential in her. . . if she would only chose better friends. I scanned the room. If one was here, the other was here.

I noticed that other one...Nightshade. Too bad she was a mudblood...she was rather pretty. I liked to argue with her, unfortunately she would win... mostly through interference. I spotted her heading off alone to a table near the back of the room. I couldn't think of a better opportunity to get her to over react and start a fight. That would certainly cause her father to lose face, in light of the current bill he was presenting, a scandal could make all the difference.

"They let Mudbloods in?" I sneered at her. She turned to look at us, Crabbe and Goyle had come with me. Although I think that it would have been better alone, it would have taken to long to explain to them, so I didn't bother.

"Thank you for noticing, Malfoy. I'd say it was a pleasure to see you too, but then I'd be lying. Well as they let a self-absorbed little prat like you in. They had nowhere to go but up." She replied sweetly. I decided to raise the stakes.

"Oh look." I replied, I motioned to her mother, a muggle. "You may be able to dress one up like a real witch, but a muggle is still a filthy, uncoordinated animal."

She took a deep breath. Then levelled a hoity gaze that could rival even a Malfoy's. I think I felt a sudden desire for her. Only in passing of course. "It has been so nice trading insults with you. We really should do it again some time. However, I'm going to do better, more productive things that talk to the likes of you. Like convert Oxygen into Carbon Dioxide." She turned to leave. I grabbed her arm. She turned to look at me furiously. "Let go of me!"

"I don't take orders from your kind." I sneered at her. Imagine a filthy half-breed trying to give me orders. "And what are you going to do about it?"

I was taken by surprise. She suddenly wrenched her arm free. I was flipped, and landed hard on my back. "That." She looked amused. She took a few steps back. "I'm leaving now. If you try and stop me, I'll scream."

Crabbe and Goyle looked to me, uncertain of what to do. I do believe that those two barely had any brains. I rose gracefully from the floor. I looked around, checking that no one had seen that. "Now, no one saw that. But I promise you, if I scream then everyone will notice." Nightshade threatened.

"You wouldn't. You're bluffing." I countered. From what I knew of her, it wasn't very likely that she'd scream. I took a step toward her, she backed up to maintain the distance. I doubted that she realized I was manoeuvring her into a side room.

"Are you sure that you want to risk it? I mean lone girl, three guys; I can see the headlines now. Are you sure that you want to risk your family name like that?" She countered. Again I took a step toward her, and she moved back.

"We could say that you propositioned us." I tried again. "Our word against yours."

"Right, then you three would have to explain to your fathers why you let a mudblood put you three into a compromising position in the first place. I still think that I would win on that one." She replied confidently. I thought about that. Explaining to father would be rather difficult. It was best just to leave her alone. Damn! She won again. I'd get even...somehow.

I spotted Maia had finished dancing. I grinned wickedly, perhaps a dance with her would make me feel better. She couldn't likely refuse, as she was in the middle of the room. I headed over to her. From behind, of course, not wanting her to have a chance to escape. "Might I have this dance?" I asked in my smoothest voice. I noticed her shiver at hearing it.

"Yes..." She turned to see me. I took her hand. There were two girls beside her that had heard her. She couldn't back out. I lead her on to the dance floor. "What's the big idea Malfoy?" She whispered, although looking outwardly calm, I could feel her tense threw the material of her robe.

"Idea, me? I just thought that you looked stunning and wanted a dance." I replied silkily. I smiled slyly at her.

"Mr. Malfoy, if your hand mover any lower, I'll break your arm." Maia replied with a forced smile. I pulled her a little closer.

"You smell nice. I like your perfume." I replied, not bothering to acknowledge her last comment.

"You want me to give you the name? I'm sure that it would smell great on you. Maybe cover the stench from your ego." She smiled sarcastically. I laughed playfully. This drew many eyes to us.

"Perhaps for a present for you." I replied, whispering in her ear. I could feel her tremble. Her eyes told of desire and fury. "Or perhaps, something more...intimate?"

"Malfoy . . . I'm now going to have to burn this robe-"

"Because my memory will never fade. How touching." I replied before she could finish. She was shocked quiet. I swooped down and kissed her, on the lips. I used a hereditary talent that left women speechless. I bowed and left before she could regain her composure.