A/N So...here we are. The very last book in the Destiny series. I can hardly believe it myself.. Jennifer, Severus and the kids have their work cut out for them...but there is one thing about this book I can guarantee; expect not only an obvious conclusion now and then...but also a lot of surprises...as I think you will begin to see with this very first chapter. Enjoy! JCWriter. Revised 5-2016.
Jennifer Craw and the Headmaster of Hogwarts
Chapter One
Summer Surprises
Alexandria Snape preferred to ride her bicycle to work every day, although she didn't really have to. She had gotten her license to Apparate two summers ago, and could have easily opted to step out the door of the Snape residence on Baker Street and pop straight to the Ministry of Magic where she worked as an aid in the International Magic Cooperation department. But Alexandria loved the bustling streets and lights and shops and cars and practically everything about London…Muggle London that is; the majority of the town, where magic was to most of them nothing more than a fantasy. To Alex, however, it was the Muggle side that seemed more fantastic, and she often paused to gape in shop windows and even sometimes stopped to buy gadgets before she was even quite sure what exactly they did.
The summer holiday had begun a couple of weeks before, and her entire family was more than ready for the break. Alexandria herself was quite eager to get away from the school for a while, even though she was all too aware that this fall was going to be her last. And then, she said, taking a deep breath, she would be doing this all the time! Riding through London every day to the Ministry to work…meeting fascinating people from all over the world…she didn't really worry about not getting put on full time. As an Omnivox, someone who could understand every language, she had become practically indispensable.
She was so busy daydreaming about what the delegate from Morocco would look like and imagining he'd have a good looking son that'd be enchanted with her, that she completely missed the fact that someone was shadowing her. Even as she gazed in the shop windows at the jewelry and other fascinating Muggle merchandise, she did not see another pair of wheels coming up behind her. Then, she noticed herself coming to an intersection and stopped cold. But the person on the bike behind her couldn't stop fast enough and slammed into her with a loud CRASH!
"I am so sorry! Are you all right, Alex?" the boy asked anxiously.
"My bike!" Alex said, too irritated to answer as she pulled her leg from under the tangled bikes. "My clothes! Great, I'm going to be late for work!"
"I think the frame's bent."
"I think you are bent!" Alex snapped angrily getting to her feet. "What do you think you're doing riding that close to someone like that? Don't you know how to brake? You owe me a new bike!"
"Here, have mine for now, Alex, just tell me where you work…or even better, where you live now," the boy said, and Alex stared at him in alarm. "I am sorry! I just had to find out if it was really you, that's all."
"Ben Clemmons?" Alex said unsurely, and he smiled at her, pulling back his hair.
"It's not Little John," he grinned.
"Ben!" Alex said, giving her old friend a hug, her anger turning into laughter, letting him help her grab the bikes up and over to the curb. "I don't believe it! What are you doing here?"
"I work near here."
"So do I!"
"So I gathered," Ben grinned. "Can I walk you there? Or at least as close of one of my sort can get?"
"Of course you can," Alex said, taking her own bike back. "I'm going to be late in any case, so I might as well enjoy it."
"Good, then I'll know where to find you," Ben said.
"Why didn't you contact the school, you goose?"
"I lost the address when we moved, although, I'm not sure someone didn't misplace it on purpose," Ben admitted uncomfortably. "Come on, I'll tell you all about it."
Andrew stared at question number one hundred and twenty-three and then rolled up the form, pushing himself away from his desk by the window. He paused by the table where a miniature scaled town of Hogsmeade was, watching as some of the people walked down the street and setting up some of the gaslights which had fallen over outside of his brother's shop. His current project, Toby's Trinket Shop, had proved to be extremely tricky. For every now and then, the entire structure would disappear on him even as he was painting it, and he would then have to work on something else until it decided to show up. His model of Pyther's Studio, which had burned to the ground six months ago, he had given to his youngest sister for a keepsake. Now there was only an empty lot there, and he wondered thoughtfully if Pyther was going to rebuild it. Making sure all the grass was watered first, he turned back to what he was doing, slipping out of his room and to the next door over, knocking three times before peering in.
His older brother Aurelius was sitting at a plain walnut vanity with his head propped up, staring in the mirror with a glum look on his face.
"All right?" Andrew asked with a frown.
"Yeah. What is it?" Aurelius asked.
"Well, I was hoping you could help me with my Animagus registration form," Andrew said, walking over to him.
"Oh come on, it can't be that bad, can it?" Aurelius said, looking up at him through the mirror. Andrew held his arm up and let the form roll out, the triple layer scroll hitting the floor. Andrew, his growth spurt finally beginning to slow at six foot three, gazed at it glumly. Aurelius sighed. "All right, maybe I'll help you after dinner, then." Andrew slowly rolled it back up, noticing the letters on the vanity.
"Those are from Auror Belle, I suppose?" Andrew said. Aurelius picked at the finish on the vanity.
"Yeah, I got it this morning. It's official now…everyone in the world knows but our parents. Nearly, at any rate," Aurelius said. "I suppose they're outside."
"Yes, working on Mum's therapy routine," Andrew said, glancing at his watch. "If you're planning on telling them before dinner, you'd better hurry before they start thinking about the second half of that routine," he smirked. "Besides, you might as well get it over with. I'm sure they'd rather hear it from you than second hand."
"Yeah, I know," Aurelius said, "and Audi's agreed to see me, so I guess I'd better. Think they'll freak?"
"Mum will be ecstatic," Andrew grinned.
"In some ways, that's even worse," Aurelius said, getting up.
It was strange how days, weeks, and even years seemed to fly by for Jennifer Craw Snape, but a single hour could seem so interminable. She paused in the middle of the exercise form she had been practicing with her husband as a shot of pain went through her, the hesitation enough to get his attention. Severus Snape stopped to watch her through coal black eyes, and Jennifer immediately stopped as well.
"Oh, no you don't, you still owe me ten minutes," he said, glancing at his watch. "Come on, only a little more."
"Easy for you to say," Jennifer said irritably, rubbing her side with a frown. "Can't I sit down for a bit first?"
"No, you won't be willing to do anything then. You need to get back in shape if you expect those phantom pains to go away," Severus scolded her gently. "Now, take your stance."
"Doctor Sagittari said it'd take time no matter what we did," Jennifer grumped.
"Yes, but he did say exercise might help…"
"Might, Severus, might," Jennifer frowned at him as he kicked her foot into position and nudged her to continue. Jennifer defiantly stood there.
"You're merely delaying the inevitable. You might as well get it over with. I'm not letting you out of this early," Severus said firmly. Jennifer knew him well enough to know he wasn't going to relent; he was talking in the same tone he often spoke of when he taught his Defense class; and he could be a relentless taskmaster if pressed. "Now, begin, I'm not counting this little rest bit of yours as a part of your time, you know. I know it's rough but it must be done, and the sooner you get it over with, the sooner you can get a rubdown."
Jennifer perked up as he finally got her attention.
"A full rubdown?" she asked.
"Perhaps," Severus said, firmly pointing at her to continue.
"How full?" she asked in a low voice.
"Well, that depends, doesn't it?" Severus said evenly, snapping his fingers. "Ten more minutes. With some enthusiasm for a change?"
Jennifer sighed at him, knowing now that no amount of flirting was going to change his mind. Doing her best to ignore the occasional twinge going through her and gathering up a second wind, Jennifer picked up the routine from just before she had paused. Severus made no attempts to join her or shadow her as she did so, watching every move and relentlessly pointing out every flaw until she was nearly ready to hit him by the end, her growing irritation quite evident on her face. But at the very last stance, he stopped her from breaking off from the front-right attack, pushing her wand arm back up when she tried to relax.
"Hold it," he ordered, ignoring the grumpy exhale as she tried to keep her balance, shoring her footing a bit. "Hold it," he said again warningly, moving behind her, "I didn't tell you to move yet." He lifted up the back of her auburn hair and kissed the back of the neck, poking her when she jumped. "Hold it, I haven't released you yet," he said again in a lower voice, pulling her collar back a little as he kissed it again.
"Severus!" Jennifer protested softly.
"No talking, either," he said in her ear. "No, don't relax, you're supposed to be holding your stance."
Someone behind them cleared his throat very loudly. Immediately, Jennifer moved away and took a step back, turning bright red as she saw Aurelius standing there by the door, shaking his head at them. Severus looked over at him in annoyance.
"I really should start carrying around a camera. No one at school ever believes us when we tell them how the two of you carry on when you think nobody's watching," Aurelius said.
"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" Severus snapped in annoyance.
"Father, you're in the backyard," Aurelius pointed out. "How many people do you know that knock when they're going outside?"
"What was it that you needed, Aurelius?" Jennifer said quickly, hoping to cut off whatever response Severus was coming up with to answer that.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about what I want to do this summer," Aurelius said uncomfortably, making sure the door was shut behind him as he stepped out.
"Isn't working at Corey's enough of a time restraint?" Severus frowned at him.
"Well with Mrs. Bailey there now, Corey doesn't really need two of us there. Andrew can handle the stock by himself, easy. In fact, I already spoke to Corey about it," Aurelius admitted. Jennifer frowned at him as well. "No, Mum, we're not fighting again, it hasn't anything to do with that. There's just something more important I need to do."
"Something you need to do?" Severus prompted, noting his reluctance.
"Auror Belle has asked me to spend the summer with them, and I really think I ought to," Aurelius said evenly.
"What?" Jennifer stared at him. "Don't you think that'd be a little bit too dangerous? I mean, you've only finished your fifth year…"
"It's not about the Auror thing at all, Mum, and no I wouldn't be going with them on any dangerous cases," Aurelius sighed at her. "In fact, Audacious says that if you agree to send me, she's going to take the summer off… and yes, Mum, of course I can be back on the weekends, and yes, Father…" he said, gazing at Severus steadily. "That's exactly why I need to go."
Severus nodded to himself as realization set in, everything falling into place while Jennifer stared at her son unsurely. Aurelius turned his gaze to his mother then and a curious exchange ensued; her eyes widening. Severus grabbed her arms as her legs threatened to buckle underneath her.
"Aurelius? You…all this time…no…" Jennifer said in pure shock, Aurelius stiffening defensively, worried about her reaction. "This is why? This is why you blocked everyone off all those years? Why didn't you tell us you were a Truth Seeker?"
"I didn't know it myself," Aurelius said. "At least…I didn't want to know it. I didn't want to deal with it. I hate it, Mum, and I hate how people think of me…"
"Oh, Aurelius!" Jennifer said, her eyes tearing up as she went over and hugged him harder than Aurelius liked. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you with all that!"
"Jennifer, I believe he began blocking it off at a such an early age that it would have been nearly impossible for you to help him," Severus said softly. "You might want to let him breathe a bit."
"But I know what it's like, gosh, Aurelius, I know how hard it must have been to grow up with this! I did it myself and I at least had my mother to help me, if you had only come to me! Stars, what I went through in school… children can think such terrible things at one another…"
"Adults are worse," Aurelius said stiffly. "Especially ones you care about."
Jennifer stopped then, stepping away and looking at him, her face paling. Ever since he was very young, there had been a tension between them and she knew it. Constantly she had worried about his outbursts and his reactions to things, and the older he had gotten, the more they had worried her. Such fears would have strained them even had neither of them had any telepathic ability at all, but between them, with Jennifer completely unsuspecting the true cause behind his actions, it had been devastating. In that moment, Jennifer realized that the walls he had built around his ability and himself was just as much her doing as his own. She couldn't teach him all of that now, she realized, although part of her ached to do it, part of her ached to share what she had gone through so he could learn from it, but it was much too late for that.
Aurelius stared at her fixedly, and she knew he saw some of what was going through her head, but she nodded slowly anyhow and put a brave smile on her face, doing what she could to keep her composure. She glanced over at Severus who nodded at her gently.
"Home on weekends," Jennifer said quietly.
"Yes, Mum," Aurelius said solemnly.
"And for Corey's birthday, we're having it here this year, you know," she said, and he nodded again.
"Keep your class ring on at all times," Severus added, ignoring the grimace on Aurelius' face, knowing he could trust his son to do so regardless of the fact he didn't like it.
In fact, none of the four seemed to care too much about their birthday presents from their parents; for despite the classic look of the silver bands scrolled with their houses' names and years, the large rectangular stone on each one was more than a bit gaudy in size, and a little flashy in color. But there was a very good reason to keep them on, for each one was actually a security device. A tiny catch had been built into each one, and when it was moved over, the gem could be pressed down in an emergency. It was, in essence, a panic button that sent an immediate sound, a different one for each child, to the rest of the members of the family; very much like the dinner bell at the Weasley's house that they could hear no matter where in the world they are. After three of them were kidnapped and nearly killed last year, Severus wasted no time in putting an order in to Tassels and Panning for them (Alicia ended up with two presents because her birthday arrived before they did.)
"All right, Aurelius," Jennifer said. "Ask her over and we'll work out the details."
"Thanks Mum, Father," Aurelius said, going back inside. Severus gazed at Jennifer thoughtfully, wondering if he should say anything.
"Did you know?" Jennifer asked softly, not looking at him.
"I suspected it," Severus admitted. "Ever since Dumbledore mentioned last year that he was developing a sense of people." Jennifer glanced over at him.
"Come to think of it, he said something similar to me once," Jennifer admitted. "I should have seen it before. And when the telepathy machine failed last year…it was his fear, wasn't it? His fear of it coming out."
"Possibly," Severus mused. "If so, he must be quite strong indeed."
"Oh, Severus, what have I done?" Jennifer grieved, welcoming his arms around her. "I've been such a terrible mother."
"Oh, nonsense. You didn't know any more than I did."
"But I should have been watching for it! I knew it was a possibility that one of them would be like me, I should have known that's what it was!"
"You were watching. I recall that for a while we suspected that Alex might have been one," Severus pointed out.
"Yes, and then after I realized she wasn't I decided I was hoping too much and stopped paying attention," Jennifer said, angry at herself. "Maybe if I had been around more than the weekends maybe…"
"Jennifer," Severus frowned. "Don't you think it's a bit late to be second guessing our decisions now? Alex will be graduating next year and the others are soon to follow, and besides, I for one don't think we've done all that badly with them considering everything we've been through to this point. I am quite pleased with how the four of them have turned out. Of course, they've all had their moments," he mused, "and they've been through a lot, as have we."
"Too much," Jennifer brooded. "They've been through way too much for children their age."
"And have risen to every occasion," Severus said.
"Their lives have been continuously threatened since they were little. That's no way to grow up," Jennifer said, shaking her head.
"Yes, who would know that better than the two of us," Severus said quietly. Jennifer glanced at him again and leaned into them. "And before you say anything, what they've been through has been as much their own mischief getting them into things as who their parents are, and I believe they'll be stronger for it. I find I'm not too worried about their future out of school; they already know how to handle themselves better than most of the adults I know. So we are not the mythical perfect parents, no one is. In fact, I think in some ways we've learned more from them than they have from us."
"Yes, I can't help but agree with that," Jennifer admitted softly. "I just hope they don't grow up to resent us, that's all." Severus pulled her chin up and kissed her lovingly, leading her inside.
The summer went swiftly by, but even with Aurelius not in the house it was hardly without incident. Constant arguments broke out between the other three about the master bedroom upstairs, which their grandfather left unoccupied when he moved out. All of them had been eyeing it and the private bathroom since the summer began. But Jennifer put her foot down that it would stay a guest room, even though the three of them still kept coming up with reasons why they should have it, from needing room for models to paintings to 'just being older.' The other fight of the summer was with the youngest daughter, Alicia, and it was an argument between she and Jennifer alone.
Ever since they got back from school, Alicia had tossed aside her colorful dresses and robes, throwing away some and hiding others in the back of her closet. In their place, black skirts, black cotton turtlenecks, plain black robes, boots, socks, belts, bangles, necklaces and even hair ties appeared.
Unfortunately, Jennifer's argument that such a dramatic change in style was unhealthy met deaf ears, for Severus didn't see anything wrong with wearing black everyday.
"I'm an artist, Mum, I don't need such distractions," Alicia would say, gazing at the blaringly yellow topaz in her class ring in annoyance. She didn't like them any more than Aurelius did.
Jennifer had been hoping that as the summer got hotter that she would give up her gloomy change of fashion, but after selling one of her paintings to the Leaky Cauldron, she merely bought more black wardrobe including black tank tops that looked more to Jennifer like undershirts. At least she didn't seem interested in dying her hair, although Jennifer decided to keep a reversal hair tonic in the cabinet just in case. She also had absolutely no interest in any sort of 'real' summer job. Anytime Alicia needed money, she merely grabbed up several dozen paintings and went to Diagon Alley and set up in front of the Quidditch Shoppe, who reasoned that having Alicia in front of their shop (who was an unbelievable Seeker in her own rights) was good for business. By evening, she would come home with a pocket of galleons and a mere painting or two left before retreating up to the attic to make more. And except for coming out for her occasional lessons with Mr. Pyther and her weekly trip with Andrew to North Broom to practice, Alicia barely stepped foot out of the attic.
She was so very different than the bright sensitive girl Jennifer remembered first sending to Hogwarts, and she really wasn't quite sure what to make out of it. Hoping it was just a phase of some sort, Jennifer tried not to worry despite the fact Alicia didn't seem to be coming out of it.
But just as strange as Alicia's change in behavior, perhaps, was her older sister's. Alexandria, who had been known by everyone for her outspokenness, suddenly grew quiet and very thoughtful, helping out her parents and siblings without complaint when asked and even taking over some of the household responsibilities. Jennifer found she even had to sometimes prompt her to find out if anything interesting was happening at the Ministry.
Not that anything was going on, it seemed, although Alexandria did note that things seemed tense in the Investigation Department of Law Enforcement, who were still on high alert looking for any signs of Ciardoth. Jennifer knew the feeling well; she saw it often cross Severus' face on stormy nights when he would often pace the floor of their bedroom, not returning to his bed until after the last of the lightning had passed.
But the summer carried on without incident, and before Jennifer knew it, it was Corey's birthday once more. Corey's birthday had turned into more than just a celebration of that over the years, for it was often the last time that the entire family would get together before the beginning of school.
As Andrew minded the door, Alexandria helped Jennifer in the kitchen, the two of them breaking only long enough to greet their guests as they came in, giving warm hugs to Corey, Rose, and Ashley. Aurelius came up from the basement soon after to wash his hands, ignoring Alexandria's loud sigh when he got in her way.
"Has grandfather and Fleur arrived yet?" Aurelius asked.
"Now you know your grandfather only arrives on the hour and not a moment before or after," Jennifer said, a little annoyed at the reminder that her father's new wife was coming along as well.
It was the very fact that Jennifer didn't approve of his new marriage that had made the children wisely decide to address her by name, especially since Fleur was younger than their mother. But Fleur tried very hard to be tolerant and patient with her, realizing just how difficult their relationship must have been on Thomas' headstrong daughter. The children, however, had no qualms with her at all after getting to know her at Hogwarts last year; especially Aurelius and Andrew, who raced to the door the moment there was a knock in a fight to open in first, both receiving kisses on the cheek for their efforts.
Jennifer's annoyance at that was compounded when Thomas immediately put an arm around Aurelius and led him back in the living room, despite the fact that the other three never seemed to mind the favoritism much.
"A Truth Seeker too, eh?" Thomas was saying as they walked through. "Audi was telling me you're pretty good too, even stronger than your mother here," he said, ignoring the dirty look Jennifer threw him. "Going to take that test, I suppose?"
"When I'm old enough, next summer perhaps," Aurelius said calmly.
"And an Auror too?" Thomas said, not sounding quite as enthusiastic about that idea.
"Father, that's supposed to be a secret," Jennifer reminded him.
"What? We're all family here. It's Slytherin house he has to worry about," Thomas said. "None of them will be too impressed if they find out what he's majoring in."
"Well, as far as they're concerned I'm going into cursed items research, which explains the classes I'm taking," Aurelius said.
"And just what are you going to do when it's one of your family who's wanted for something and you're the one that has to figure out where we are?" Thomas challenged with a frown. Jennifer glanced between them.
"Well, considering I still have two years of school left, I think I have a while to figure that out, assuming I pass the test of course," Aurelius said.
"You'll pass it," Thomas said, sounding slightly irritated. "You've got Craw blood in your veins. If that's what you'll want to do, you won't stop until you get it. Are you sure you're not interested in business?"
"I'm sure," Aurelius said with a firm smile, unconcerned about his grandfather's grumpiness. "Let's face it, Grandfather. You just don't like this idea because you don't like the current justice system."
"You're right," Thomas agreed, grabbing a glass off the counter and taking a drink out of the liquid that appeared there. He watched as Jennifer suddenly turned from the cake she was icing and smacked the air in front of the bowl hard with a spatula, a yelp crying out in response.
Andrew appeared then, sucking the icing off his finger before rubbing his arm.
"Andrew, stop lurking in the kitchen and go entertain the other guests!" Jennifer scolded him.
"Sorry, Mum, just making sure it's not poisoned or anything," Andrew said, Jennifer squinting at him and pointing him towards the door.
"I suppose you want to be an Auror too, don't you boy?" Thomas said to Andrew, frowning at him disapprovingly. Andrew looked at him in surprise, grinned at Aurelius and then back to his grandfather again.
"Not me. It just wouldn't be challenging enough," Andrew said and walked out the door, ignoring the glare on Aurelius' face.
"What could be more challenging than that?" Thomas wanted to know.
"He won't say. They all made some silly pact not to declare it until the interview," Jennifer said irritatingly, glancing at Aurelius, but unsurprisingly, she couldn't read him at that moment. "At least there's no doubt what the last one is going to be."
"Hey, Mum," Andrew said, poking his head in the door again with a smile. "Come see what Alicia's working on!"
Curiously, Jennifer went over to the kitchen door and broke into a wide smile, quickly asking Mercy to take over as she stepped past the table and over to the great maple tree there. Sitting on a limb, Corey grinned down at her, while below Alicia paused thoughtfully to gaze at him before attempting to capture that grin in the paint.
"Looking at strange houses, again, Mr. Willowby?" Jennifer said, her mind instantly going back to the moment the two of them first met.
"Safest place to admire the Griffonlillies at least," Corey teased back. "By the way, you've got a Tangleweed problem again."
"Well, get to it, then," Jennifer laughed at him.
"Not on my birthday! Tell her, Rose!" Corey said, looking at his wife.
"I think you should do what she says," Rose decided and he stuck his tongue out her.
"See if I help you in the greenhouse again," Corey said.
"He bruises too many leaves anyhow," Rose confided in Jennifer, who nodded and grinned in agreement.
Andrew came up beside her with his camera in hand to take a photo and Corey waved congenially, while below Alicia gave him a dirty look.
"Photos have no soul to them," she declared.
"Well, how else can I get you in the picture?" Andrew grinned back.
"Yes, what a great idea, I want to see you all in the picture!" Jennifer said, taking the camera, and much to all of the guests chagrin, a photo session quickly developed with Jennifer taking photos of all the children under the tree. She switched off to get photos of her under the tree with Corey, and then Rose took the camera to get one of Jennifer and her Mum. As the camera got passed around, Andrew managed to get a picture of his grandfather attempting to discreetly whisper in Fleur's ear, and then Jennifer grabbed the camera back and huddled with Andrew a moment, tip-toeing next to the kitchen door with it while Andrew slipped inside. Still in the tree waiting for Alicia to finish, Corey shook his head.
"It's not going to work, you know," he said as Jennifer tried to hush him. She aimed at the door, but then Alexandria came out, blinking at her in surprise and nearly said something to her as Jennifer tried to wave her passed. But just then, someone tapped her shoulder, and Jennifer leapt in surprise to see Severus standing behind her, reaching out to catch the camera before she dropped it.
"Looking for someone?" Severus asked casually.
"Must you sneak up on me like that?"
"Must you attempt to get a photo of me every single time there's family over?"
"One of these days, Severus…" Jennifer swore as most of the others around her started to chuckle.
"Don't get your hopes up," Severus advised as they walked over to the table.
Just then there was a loud knock, and Severus and Jennifer looked up in annoyance to see Aurelius waltzing out the kitchen door with a strange sneer on his face. The two of them glared at him but didn't say anything as he sat down.
"So how does it feel to be entering your last year, Alexandria?" Corey asked as they took their places. "Anxious? Excited?"
"A little of both," Alex admitted as she thought about it. "I think I'm ready," she admitted with an unusually serious nod and smile.
"Yes, well, you still have your NEWT to contend with," Severus reminded her with a frown. "Hopefully you'll do better with it than you did your OWLS."
"Speaking of which, what about that business in the paper, Severus? Any truth to it?" Thomas said. Jennifer and Severus both frowned at him.
"We'll discuss it later," Severus said firmly, trying to ignore the deepening frown on Aurelius' face as he read his grandfather. "We'll discuss it later," he reiterated again, meeting Aurelius' alarmed gaze. "Right now, we have a birthday to celebrate. Whose present do you want to open first, Corey?"
"Well, actually, there is something I want to say first before that, since the whole family's here and I'd rather you all heard it first than from someone else and I know how things travel in this family," Corey grinned nervously, glancing at Rose. "On second thought, you tell them."
"Me? Oh no, it's your birthday, you tell them," Rose said, staring at him. Jennifer stared back and forth between them unsurely, trying to get a clearer view of their faces as her suspicions began to grow. But in their hesitation they both looked at her and Jennifer nearly fell off her seat.
"I'm going to be an uncle, aren't I?" Aurelius said. Corey rolled his eyes.
"Great! Now there are two of them!" Corey said as the others began to get excited. "Yes, we're expecting. Mom, Dad, you're going to be grandparents."
Somehow Jennifer managed a wan smile as a flood of mixed emotions went through her, absolutely elated for Corey and thrilled for Rose while at the same time combating the sensation of how old she felt in that moment, finally stammering through a congratulations. Had Jennifer been a bit more aware of things outside of her own thoughts, she would have noticed that beside her Severus took it much more calmly, while at the end of the table, the four children were chatting excitedly about the possibilities. Ashley, already in the know, hugged Corey from where she sat beside him. In the meantime a strange smile was creeping over Fleur's own face and she glanced at Thomas who seemed indifferent at best at the news he was going to be a great-grandfather. Fleur then leaned over the table, pulling back a strand of her flowing platinum hair to get a look at Rose.
"When is it you are due, Rose?" Fleur asked when everyone had finished congratulating her.
"December," Rose said cheerfully.
"How wonderful!" Fleur said enthusiastically. "I am due in January." Thomas suddenly dropped his fork and stared at her. In fact, everyone at the table had gone completely silent and was staring at her. Rose recovered first, letting out a squeal of glee and hugging her until Thomas recovered and pulled her into his arms, while the four at the end were quickly realizing they were going to be Aunts, Uncles, Nieces and Nephews all at the same time. Only Severus had noticed that Jennifer's face and even lips had gone white in complete disbelief. "Oh, Thomas, are you happy then?"
"Happy doesn't even begin to cover it, my dear," Thomas said, "but give me a moment for the shock to wear off so I can express it."
"You all right, Jennifer?" Rose asked concernedly.
"Give her a minute, too, Rose, it's not every day a person learns that they are going to becomes a grandmother and a sister at the same time!" Ashley chided her.
"To think, all this time I was so certain the Craw line was over," Thomas said, still shaking his head in disbelief. "Perhaps now I can have the son I've always wanted."
"You had better be happy with either," Fleur teased him, but she suddenly became alert when Jennifer got up, staring at her father with open anger. She walked inside, slamming the door behind her. Corey and Rose glanced at each other with a grimace. "Oh, dear."
"Um. Excuse me a moment," Severus said, wearing the expression of someone walking into a den of lions as he headed for the house.
"Don't worry, she's just acting like a Craw," Thomas said, ignoring the glances everyone at the table passed him when he said that. "And now she won't be the last."