Chapter Sixty-Six

Meeting Halfway

Severus woke up from where he had fallen asleep on the sofa, noticing he was alone as he blearily looked around the living room. Then he smelled coffee and sat up, rubbing his stiff muscles as he trudged towards the kitchen and over to where Jennifer was. Her hair was sticking up every which way as she had paid more attention to coffee and warming up yesterday's scones than what she was looking like at that moment. Instead, her eyes kept flitting over to the charm bracelet on her hand, which hadn't lit up since Leu had taken off. Severus smiled thinly at that, taking out his watch, which still had Leu listed as 'Elsewhere.'

"Nothing, I take it?" Severus asked.

"Not a flash," Jennifer admitted.

"That is a good sign, not a bad one, you know," Severus pointed out.

"Maybe, but I hate not knowing," Jennifer said, pulling the scones out of the oven and sliding them in the basket. Severus went back to the front room, glancing up at the painting of Corey in the tree.

"Can I get an update from Sir Drake, please, to find out if Leu ever returned to the boat?" Severus asked him.

"He did return, Dad. He returned long enough to write a letter and to send Capper back to the mainland to post it," Corey said.

"Jennifer, did you hear that?" Severus asked, but it was obvious that she had when she ran to check near the kitchen window and then hurried up the front stairs to get to the Owl Roost. "Don't you dare read that by yourself if it's up there! Bring it down here!" Severus barked at her.

Andrew peeked out from around the corner sleepily.

"Any word?" Andrew asked.

"Perhaps. He seems to be safe," Severus informed him.

"Good," Andrew said, deciding to go back to his room to doze again.

Jennifer came back down the stairs with a letter in her hand.

"It's addressed to you, but it's definitely Leu's handwriting," Jennifer replied, handing it to him.

"Let's read it in the kitchen. I could use a bit of coffee after last night."

"Yes, alright," Jennifer agreed. He opened the note as she got them both a cup, and then gazed at his face intently.

"'Dear Father, Mum, and whoever else may be listening while you read this,' he knows us so well, doesn't he?" Severus replied.

"Never mind the commentary, keep going," Jennifer insisted.

"'I'm sorry that I couldn't write sooner, but I wrote as soon as I could. I hope you weren't up all night worrying about me.' Perish the thought," Severus said with exasperation. "'I am safe, so is the boat and the crew, and I had no trouble getting to the Westernmost Isle. As it turns out, I am the descendant of someone they consider an ally, so I had no trouble getting in.' Isn't that a refreshing change?"

"Honestly, Severus. Keep reading," Jennifer coaxed.

"'I was able to reach Diana before her grandfather was able to make good on his ultimatums. In fact, I suppose I ought to inform you that in the process of saving her, I might have kind of sort of gotten married.' Kind of sort of?" Severus repeated in disbelief. "How do you 'kind of sort of' get married?"

"Leu beat Diana in the race!" Jennifer translated brightly.

"Well, yes, obviously. But 'kind of sort of'?" Severus repeated critically.

"I think he was attempting to lessen the shock," Jennifer conjectured.

"I'm not all that shocked myself. Are you?" Severus asked.

"Not at all," Jennifer replied, smiling warmly. Severus turned back to the letter.

"'Because of that, I am going to need to stay here for a week or two and sort things out with Diana and her family. Do you want me to send the boat back in the meantime? Either way, neither of us are planning on staying in Atlantis any longer than is necessary, so you can expect us back relatively soon. Please don't worry, I'll tell you all about it later. Love, Leu.'" Severus finished. "That's all."

"I gathered that," Jennifer chuckled. "You know, Severus, I know he has other ways of getting back to shore, but I myself would feel a lot safer if they kept the boat, especially knowing there's a painting on board in case they need another emergency exit for some reason."

"Yes, we're in agreement on that issue, although it does rather spoil our holiday plans," Severus mused. "Any thoughts to what else you might like to do while I'm off work?"

"I was thinking that it might be rather nice to take advantage of the fact that we are stuck at home with absolutely nothing better to do," Jennifer said flirtatiously. "Unless you think that would be too boring?"

"Oh, I am fairly certain we can come up with something to keep from being bored," Severus replied in a low voice. "Of course, we may need to get creative, considering we still have two children in the house."

"They say that creativity is the best defense against boredom," Jennifer offered.

"Who are 'they,' exactly?" Severus inquired.

"Actually, I think you are the one who said that," Jennifer decided, but then looked up as Quintin marched in the room.

"Good morning!" Quintin said.

"Quintin, could you go march up to Andrew's room and ask him to take you to Blackpool for the day?" Severus immediately suggested. Quintin decided not to march. Instead, he ran. "Now where were we?"

"You were telling me how you were going to be creative," Jennifer reminded him.

"I have a better idea. Since it is your suggestion to stay home, perhaps you're the one who should have a chance to be creative," Severus proposed.

"Aren't we the brave soul?" Jennifer teased.

"Do I need to be brave? If so, I'm even more intrigued," Severus murmured.

"Since when do you like to be intimidated?" Jennifer challenged him.

"I suppose it would depend on who is trying to intimidate me," Severus decided.

"Trying to?" Jennifer repeated accusingly.

"After all, it remains to be seen whether you can or not," Severus pointed out.

Just then, they heard marching and looked up, waiting until Quintin appeared in the corridor.

"Andrew says he can't take me to Blackpool because he is taking Laura to Paris today," Quintin said, sounding disappointed.

"Then tell him to take you to Disneyland instead," Severus suggested, and Quintin ran off again.

"That was quite naughty, Severus. What if Andrew tells him no?" Jennifer scolded him.

"If you had a brother who had just turned seven and was just given permission by his father to go to Disneyland with you, would you have the heart to turn him down? In this family?" Severus added for good measure.

"Fair enough," Jennifer replied.

"You needn't agree with me so easily. You can go back to scolding me if you like," Severus suggested.

"Oh, you are in a mood," Jennifer scolded him.

"It's your own fault. You're the one who started this by talking of taking advantage," Severus reminded her.

"Of being at home in a mostly empty house," Jennifer reminded him at the obvious omission.

"Yes, and I'm simply aiding the suggestion," Severus said.

"Does that mean you're my enabler now?" Jennifer asked coyly.

"Always," Severus agreed.

"That's a new position for you isn't it?" Jennifer replied mischievously. Severus sighed with exasperation.

"Jennifer, that comment is much too easy. There are too many ways that I can twist that one..." he complained. She laughed, totally missing the sound of feet on the stairs until Andrew appeared in the doorway, looking annoyed.

"Why is Quintin convinced that he's going with me on my date?" Andrew asked, folding his arms.

"He isn't. He's convinced that you and Laura are taking him to Disneyland Paris," Severus corrected. "Did you want to disappoint him?"

"We'll pay for the trip, of course," Jennifer said, not even looking over at Andrew. Instead, she was watching Severus with an enigmatic smile.

"Easily," Severus agreed. "Considering how much money we've already saved today, a trip like that is pittance in comparison. Feel free to take the emergency Muggle money out of the pot in the front room... you can get more out of my cloak if you need it. Have fun," Severus added, waving Andrew away.

"I know I'm going to regret asking this, but what did you mean by that first comment? About the money you saved today?" Andrew asked.

"By not having to pay for your brother Leu's wedding, of course. For once, we didn't even have to spend one knut," Severus explained.

"Leu was always frugal," Jennifer pointed out.

"Wait, what? Leu is married?" Andrew flailed.

"And on honeymoon. I suppose that's another brother that's beaten you to the punch. You're not going to wait for the next one to beat you to marriage as well, are you?" Severus inquired. Jennifer chuckled at that, quite entertained.

"That depends on if you keep making me take Quintin on trips that weren't my idea. How in blazes do you expect me to make progress on my relationship if you keep doing that?" Andrew pointed out.

"I'll make a deal with you, Andrew," Severus replied. "Give me two weeks, then you may have until the Millers arrive in July. Until then, you can try to make as much progress on your relationship as you like. In the meantime, I would like to make some progress on my relationship with your mother, if you don't mind."

"Making a deal implies that I have a choice in the matter, which I don't," Andrew said flatly.

"That's what you get for moving back in," Severus immediately parried.

"And more to the point, your relationship doesn't need to make any progress. It hasn't made any progress in years!" Andrew retorted. Jennifer laughed softly at that.

"I see. Well, this conversation certainly isn't making any sort of progress, that's for certain. Don't forget to grab a Sun Potion for your brother," Severus added. Throwing his hands up in exasperation, Andrew stomped to the front room, raided the money pot, and then stomped back up the stairs. Severus shook his head and Jennifer grinned knowingly, warming up their coffee. "I don't suppose lightning would strike twice and something could happen to Andrew to make him grow up real quick?" Severus ventured.

"Well, considering I can only think of one thing that would do that, I don't think that'd go very well," Jennifer said with a knowing smile.

"Oh. Yes, good point, that would be a headache for me especially, wouldn't it?" Severus agreed. "It rather reminds me of Gloria. Do you remember that?"

"Yes, it was about eleven years ago. She's coming to Hogwarts in the fall," Jennifer pointed out.

"Fancy that, in some ways it almost seems like yesterday," Severus mused.

"I bet it all comes crashing in for Andrew for certain," Jennifer predicted.

"Yes, well, I should warn you, Jennifer, that this next year at Hogwarts is going to be quite the challenge considering just how many students are coming and that's not even getting into whose parents they all are," Severus warned, but Jennifer reached out and grabbed his hand.

"How about we just not go there yet?" Jennifer suggested.

"Where would you like to go instead?" he inquired in a low voice.

"Another educational sabbatical?" she teased.

"Good lord, let's not go through all of that again," Severus protested.

"It's your own fault, Severus. It was your idea," Jennifer reminded him, shaking a finger at him.

"And how many adventures you had because of it," Severus said knowingly, propping up his head in his other hand. "From making new friends to making memories... in more ways than one. From saving a school to breaking modern society. You really did have a busy year."

"I have no idea what you mean by that last one," Jennifer said, sipping her coffee as a defense. But Severus smiled thinly.

"And despite what Andrew might believe, I for one believe that somehow during the absence, our relationship has progressed, and we'll both be the better for it. And because of that, despite all of the headaches in store for us in the fall, I am very much looking forward to what new revelations that will bring when you return next term," Severus said.

Before she could reply, there was the sound of two pairs of footsteps on the stairs, one hurried and one perfectly timed as they opened the front door, shouting goodbyes as they left. The door shut, and the two of them listened to the silence for a moment.

"So where were we?" Severus inquired.

"Perhaps you mean, 'where are we'?" Jennifer suggested, coming around the bar.

"Very well then, I'll bite. Where are we?" Severus humored her, meeting her halfway.

"Together," Jennifer replied with a smile. "How about we stay that way for a while?"

"That's the best idea I've heard yet," Severus agreed. Jennifer wrapped her arms around him as he leaned over to kiss her.

End of Heritage Book 11

A/N And that's it! I hope you enjoyed this book and my little social satire/comedy. It was a challenge, but not as much the satire as building out an enormous amount on a society that's only been seen in glimpses through the series before this point. It was also nice to do a lighter book, and I think it'll prove to be a good breather in the series considering what is planned next. More on that in the teaser section...

Teaser Commentary on book 27 and tone:

We're heading back to dark drama/ dark psychological thriller next book, 'reminiscent of' later original series in some ways. There will be heavy inference in this book as there are a lot of adult themes; most of the inference you might miss if you read it quickly, but if you think about it too long might give a shiver or two... that's the goal, anyway. In fact, I haven't done a book this dark in some time. But there is a lot of cool new stuff too, tons of new characters, and the Minute kids are finally Sorted into Hogwarts. Oh, and everyone gets back from the Otherworld! I'm sure you'll want to hear about that... and maybe... hopefully... this will be the year that Laura beats some sense into Andrew... I mean... learns to communicate with him. The Quintins are busy, as will Merlin, Viviane, and especially Severus, as he deals with this unexpected threat out of the past.

See you next time as you read: Jennifer Craw and the Clockwork Menagerie!

~ Doublequill

(on twitter, doublequillmlp if you don't mind the occasional spoiler and teaser.)