Chapter Three

End of Summer

Conner marched Andrew and Laura out onto the beach at Littus Malificus as if they were both going to a firing squad.

"So! For this first session back from the two of you going AWOL, you're going to spend the whole ninety minutes finding something to do together on this beach; broom surfing, sand castles, kiting... I don't care as long as I can observe how the two of you interact since you have reached some sort of accord," Conner told them.

"We're dating," Andrew informed him.

"Does that mean the two of you are actually going to let me call the couples therapy portion of your treatment 'couples therapy' now?" Conner asked, glancing questioningly at Laura.

"Sure, fine," Laura replied, trying not to look as uncomfortable as she felt.

"Just how did you find out about this place, anyway? I thought this was a local's secret these days," Andrew asked.

"Your Dad suggested it," Conner said. "By the way, he passed his exam this summer while the two of you were dodging me, and he's officially a practicing psychologist now, so don't think you can get around me at Hogwarts anymore."

"I could have sworn he told me he was specifically going for a child psychology license," Andrew said.

"As far as he's concerned, the two of you are still children," Conner said. "Now, enough talk. I'm not starting the clock on your session until you actually start doing something productive."

Andrew glanced at Laura and the two of them took a few steps away so they could talk without Conner being right next to them.

"So what do you want to do?" Laura asked with a sigh.

"Sandcastles?" Andrew shrugged.

"No, I want something more active than that. Besides, I know what your skill level is in that sort of sculpture and I would be totally outmatched," Laura admitted.

"Something with a ball perhaps?" Andrew suggested.

"Yes, alright," Laura agreed. Andrew walked to the shelter and went to his Chest Cloak, pulling out a Quaffle. By the time he walked back over, it was a volleyball. Laura grinned. "Well that works, but what about a net?"

"I'm on it," Andrew said, and the two of them walked over to a spot that had a decent amount of space and sand on both sides. Andrew then pointed his wand at some driftwood to make some poles, then pulled up some sea grasses to form a net.

"It's a bit wet, I suppose, but I'm sure the sun will dry it off quickly," Andrew decided, looking at the net critically.

"How do we decide who serves first?" Laura asked.

"Ladies first," Andrew said, holding the ball out to her.

"Don't you ever wonder if that isn't a bit sexist?" Laura said, taking the ball anyway.

"Age before beauty would simply mean that I go first. Do you want to flip a coin?" Andrew suggested.

"Never mind, I don't want to be out here all day just deciding who is going to go first," Laura said, going over to the other end of the net.

Conner watched with open interest. So it was another back and forth game, was it, he noted with amusement. It was a direct substitution for one of their arguments; a constant back and forth motion for what the two of them had been doing all last year. So they hadn't really progressed, but they also hadn't had a setback over the summer either, which had been much more of a concern.

As Andrew tipped the ball over the net, Laura stepped up and there was an immediate altercation. Conner was about to get up and step in, when the two of them took their places again. Conner tilted his head to the side. Was it just his imagination, or had Andrew suddenly lost a few inches in height? Sure enough, when they got close to the net again, Conner could tell they were both the same height now.

It was hardly the first time he saw them adjusting such things to make a game fair; even when they argued about what game they were going to play, they avoided games that gave one of them an advantage over the other. That, at least, was a good sign. But how could he ever get these two to play a more cooperative game instead of insisting on this one versus the other mentality? Still, at least their game play was healthier than their arguing, since they both seemed to be using their squabbles simply to let off steam when other things were going on in their lives. Deciding it would be better to encourage it for now to give them another outlet other than fighting, Conner walked over to the net.

"I don't suppose either of you have played any tennis?" Conner asked.

"Backyard badminton is the closest I've gotten," Laura admitted.

"Same," Andrew agreed, fetching the ball out of the sand. "My mother knows how to play, though. She's taken lessons a number of times when she's been left to her own devices while abroad, she simply doesn't play because nobody else in the family plays."

"That sounds like a good incentive for the two of you to learn then," Conner suggested with a shrug. "I suggest the two of you find a school and sign up for lessons in the same time slot. Consider it therapy homework," Conner suggested. "Something that won't conflict with school, Saturdays or Sundays perhaps, so you can continue it for a while."

"Well, I don't mind the idea of taking lessons during this last week and a half before we have to head back to the school, Conner, but Laura and I have a lot of duties on the weekends, you know, between sports, clubs, security, and Hogsmeade trips," Andrew reminded him.

"No problem. I'll just clear it with your father," Conner shrugged. Laura and Andrew grimaced at one another. "Continue."

"I guess we're stuck with it now," Laura said when Conner walked back over to the shelter.

"I hate how they can team up whenever they think we're out of line," Andrew said.

"We should find a way to get even," Laura murmured.

"With Conner, or Father?" Andrew asked.

"Conner, obviously, I'm not that insane," Laura said. Andrew chuckled, handing her the ball so that she could serve.

Severus, Jennifer, and Quintin stepped into the Headmaster's Study after taking Quintin on one last summer outing to the WHAT Museum, spending most of the day in the children's exhibits. They had lunch in the café and even stopped into the gift shop for a toy for Quintin and a signed copy of Perspectives of the Heart, Janus Edgar's newest poetry collection.

As they walked into the study, Severus noticed Winnicott sitting on the windowsill upstairs and called him down, taking a note from him.

"Go ahead and change so that you can play in your room, Quintin, there's still time yet before dinner," Jennifer said.

"Okay, Mum!" Quintin said, marching towards the door and deftly lifting the Sorting Hat off the shelf on the way.

"So what does Conner want?" Jennifer asked, getting some coffee.

"He wants to make sure that Andrew and Laura have time for tennis lessons when school starts," Severus said, getting out a piece of note paper. "Armando, let Hermione know that Andrew and Laura are going to need another two hour block on weekends."

"I like that idea. I might actually have someone to play with," Jennifer chuckled.

"Yes, well, right now he's just humoring their apparent need to come at one another, and he figures this is healthier than fighting," Severus admitted.

"Is it really fighting? Or is it flirting? Sometimes I can't tell the difference when the two of them are going at it," Jennifer admitted.

"Yes, I think that's the problem he wants to correct, actually, since that can cause problems down the line. Although personally, I think it's a tension issue, really," Severus said.

"That is a problem. From what Andrew has told me, I think he's planning to take things as slow as possible," Jennifer said.

"Yes, he's said the same to me. His reaction is understandable, Jennifer. He simply wants to be careful because he doesn't repeat his past mistakes," Severus said. Jennifer nodded in agreement. "Conner is looking for suggestions for more cooperative activities, however, since they're showing no signs of it."

"I wouldn't say that, Severus," Jennifer said with a thin smile, Severus looking up curiously. "They certainly were quick to get together to try and thwart Conner last year when they thought he was trying to spy on them at work. And I've heard Laura and Andrew both mention that when they are in their Animagus forms, they're in perfect sync with one another. That shows they're capable of doing it now if there's a reason for it."

"Squabbling unless they have to protect each other sounds more like sibling behavior, doesn't it? They really do have a long way to go," Severus realized. He included Jennifer's observations in his note to Conner, then folded and sealed it, getting out an owl treat to go with it. "Here you are, Winnicott," he said, and the owl accepted both the treat and the note. With that out of the way, Severus turned his attention to Jennifer, noticing her staring into her coffee without really touching it. Severus sighed silently.

"Did you want to take a walk around the grounds tonight? I'm sure I could find a sitter easily enough," Severus said.

"No, Severus, not tonight. After all, that wouldn't be fair to Quintin since I have to leave tomorrow," Jennifer said quietly. "Whatever happened to summer? It really went by so quickly this year."

"Yes, it certainly did," Severus replied, gazing at her. "But I'm certain that once the initial dread has worn off, you'll be so busy getting used to teaching in a different school, getting ready for the students to arrive, and learning all of the different rules and routines of Whitebridge, that the feeling will pass."

"Well, it's true that it may distract me, Severus, but that won't mean I won't miss you, the family, or Hogwarts any less," Jennifer said. "I think I'm going to take the Rogue with me."

"This again? I thought we agreed that he would be safer here," Severus said. "It isn't as if he can't sneak into a frame if he wants to visit... like now, for instance," he pointed out, then Jennifer glanced over to see that the Severus painting was listening from Albus Dumbledore's frame. In fact, Albus seemed to be listening very intently as well.

"True, but he couldn't perform any secretary functions that way, he can only talk to me, and I know I'd feel much more comfortable if he was with me. Since he can move his frame, he can get himself out of danger if he needs to..."

"We don't know that for certain, Jennifer. His powers may be completely tied to the castle. We don't know how much of it is the painting's magic and how much is the school's. Besides, it's rather pointless to go on a journey to get out on your own if you're simply going to bring my semblance with you," Severus said. "I saw that," he snapped when the Rogue called him an old codger.

"Severus, that painting is not going to counter anything I want to do, he never has, and he has only ever advised me when I asked him to. He won't get in my way, will you?" Jennifer asked, the Rogue nodding to her encouragingly. "Besides, he's my painting as long as I'm alive, so if I want to bring him, you can't stop me," Jennifer said. "And if you want my advice, you'll also move the Jennifer Craw painting in here with the other Headmaster paintings to keep you company. I'm sure we can find another painting to watch the nursery... Dewhurst, perhaps, he's not going to be needed," Jennifer said, glancing at the Rogue who nodded at that. "Do you suppose we can come up with a noisemaker for her as well, Professor?" Rogue looked thoughtful and walked out of the frame. Albus followed behind.

"One moment, I didn't authorize this," Severus snapped, but it was too late.

"Sorry, Severus. Headmaster painting or not, it's my painting. He'll listen to me over you no matter what you try," Jennifer said calmly. Severus squinted at her.

"Caw! Caw! Caw!" Quintin started saying cheerfully, and Severus heard Dewhurst caw back with interest at the young boy.

"Jennifer, surely we can come up with a more competent babysitter than that raven," Severus complained.

"I doubt you want the one of me painting with my class in there, Severus, considering who else is in it. You could always put the Dumbledore painting in there if you like, I bet he'd make a smashing babysitter."

"No, I consult that one from time to time," Severus said.

"I know! Put Caprica in there..." Jennifer teased

"Don't even go there!" Severus snapped, then sighed. "Never mind, I'll figure something out," he said in resignation, glancing at the wall to see that the Jennifer portrait had taken up residence next to Armando. The Rogue Painting stepped in and handed her a wooden handled brass school bell, which she tested cheerfully, then nodded with a smile.

"I suppose I should have taken up an instrument at some point," Jennifer mused, looking up at her painting, who nodded to her. "Especially considering my family's strength in harmonics. I just never had the time to explore it."

"Perhaps now you'll have a chance," Severus said quietly.

Jennifer frowned at him, but then noticed how he was gazing at her old portrait, painted before they had even been married. His expression was quite subdued, and she reminded herself this was no easier on him than it was on her.

"You know, as much as I love that painting, it's a shame she doesn't have any real memories of being married or having children, despite how good she has been at keeping an eye on the nursery," Jennifer said thoughtfully. "I think that once I get back next summer, I am going to have Alicia paint one of me as I am now," she decided. "Perhaps it's something we could even do together."

"I can't imagine just how much trouble this school would be in if we had another painting of me roaming about," Severus said.

"True, but we could always will it to our estate so that the kids can fight over it," Jennifer suggested.

"Fight to see who gets stuck with it, you mean," Severus replied, but shrugged. "I will think about it." Jennifer smiled at him, then grimaced when she finally tasted her coffee only to find that it was cold.

The next day, Jennifer attempted not to think of her sitting room. It was nearly vacant except for the bare furniture that had been in the room already, and the chest for her Chest Cloak had been moved into Severus' sitting room. She double checked her things and then spent the morning playing with Quintin. Just before the point that Quintin normally informed her it was lunch time, Severus appeared in the doorway.

"I have something special prepared for lunch today," Severus informed her. "We're having lunch at the Craw Mansion. Your father wants to see you off."

"Oh, alright," Jennifer said with a smile. "I wouldn't mind seeing how Fleur is doing anyway. Of course, I would like to see how Ginger is doing too."

"Perhaps she'll be there as well," Severus conjectured, and Jennifer looked up at him and then smiled, realizing it was more than her father who wanted to see her off.

The Craw Mansion was, in fact, bustling with family, and Jennifer found herself sitting at the table with not only her Father and now feather-haired Fleur, but Maurice and all their children and spouses, Anna and Laura, Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione, while the older grandchildren were quickly put in charge of watching the younger ones on the picnic blankets set up for them outside.

"It's a bit like having a second birthday party," Corey joked.

"Only it's not all about you for a change," Thomas grunted at him.

"It hasn't been about me for years," Corey chuckled at him.

"Thanks for this, I'm so glad to see everyone before I have to leave," Jennifer said sincerely. "Only you will call me the moment any babies are born, right? Dean Elk promised to find me a substitute, so I want to know right away."

"I think your siblings will be born whether you're here doing dishes in the kitchen or not," Thomas said. Fleur frowned at him disapprovingly.

"I'll make sure you get word right away, Jennifer," Maurice said quickly.

"So will we, Mum, don't worry," Aurelius promised her. Jennifer nodded at that, nibbling without eating much, and only her father's presence next to her kept her from losing it altogether. Perhaps that was part of the point, she mused numbly, finding herself reaching for Severus' hand under the table. Nobody commented when he was forced to switch hands to eat.

"Are you going to come back for Jamie's wedding?" Harry asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Jennifer admitted. "You don't have to send me an invite if you want an accurate count, Harry..."

"Of course we will, whether you end up making it or not. Besides, they're planning a garden wedding, so there's no lack of space... even if there's a creepy graveyard with a mausoleum next to it..."

"Behave, Harry," Ginny warned him.

"What do you expect? They're Necromancers, they probably want their relatives to attend," Thomas said unconcernedly. "You have to admit, it'll make for an interesting Halloween."

"Why do I suddenly feel like I'm going to be castle sitting that night?" Andrew chuckled.

"I would say that is a good guess," Severus agreed. "We will probably skip the Spectral Ball this year and do House events since so many of our normal guests will be going to the wedding anyway. There's enough going on this year without adding a dance to it."

"In other words, my dear brother is grateful for having a good excuse for not having a dance at Hogwarts this year," Anna said knowingly.

"I won't deny it," Severus said evenly, Jennifer giving him a wan smile.

"Well, you be careful, Jen-girl. Not that I expect all that much excitement at that school, but there is probably one or two male teachers there who might not think twice about trying to pick you up, married or not, considering how young you look," Thomas said, earning another frown from Fleur, despite the fact that his warning was sincere.

"Don't worry about that, Dad. I'm taking the Rogue with me," Jennifer assured him. "Even if I do miss something, I have a feeling he won't."

"Oh. I didn't know you were going to let her do that," Thomas said, gazing at Severus curiously.

"It took some convincing on both of their parts that it was the right thing to do," Severus admitted. "But after hearing your point just now, Thomas, I am quite glad that she is taking him."

"Yes, me too," Thomas decided, turning his attention back to lunch.