II

Autumn, 1990

After the New Year begins, things for the Shacklebolts change drastically over the next couple of months.

In March, when the days roll over into Springtime, Julienne Shacklebolt announces her fifth pregnancy to the Wizarding community.

There is an outpouring of gifts and well-wishes across Britain, owls by the dozen dropping off parcels and post. Even a couple of Screechers from Julienne's friends and family in France come soaring through their windows.

When the first, blue envelope opens up, letting out high pitched shrieks of congratulations and questions, Willow runs from the room, covering her ears.

The screeches of squealing, excited French women ring in Yvonne's ears for days after and it is only then that Tammy and Maggy finally understand what being pregnant means.

At the end of the month, the Shacklebolts dedicate their Spring Equinox rituals to the growth of their family.

The celebration of Spring aligns with the announcement of their expecting matriarch so they ask for protection over the birth and pray for the well-being of Julienne and the baby. With the rest of the village, the Shacklebolts participate in group activities to celebrate Easter—playing egg games, dancing in their green capes, and planting seeds.

From there on, the swelling of Julienne's stomach progresses wonderfully.

Everyone in the village is immensely happy to see the obvious growth after the Equinox and, as she is the only pregnant woman in their small, secluded, sea-side village, the other witches and wizards of the community start freely offering them goods.

Every visit into the main square of Starcliff sends them home with arms full of gifts. Wines that have been brewing for years, cheeses that are ripened and velveteen on the tongue, and someone even gifts them three, carrot-colored bunnies.

All the girls—especially Willow and Maggy—love taking care of the small, baby bunnies.

During the transition from spring to summer, Kingsley's professional life also expands.

A promotion within the International Magical Office of Law sends the Shacklebolt Head of Family travelling across Europe.

It first starts with the father being gone for two to three days at a time. A weekend in Athens, then in Paris, then in Berlin until a couple of days stretch more into the week. And, soon after, the weeks spent away from his family start happening with much more frequency when he is sent out on back-to-back assignments.

The International Wizarding World benefits from such a diplomatic, proper man like Kingsley, but Julienne just misses her husband.

She keeps herself busy, though. As much as she loves her husband, Julienne is not the type of woman to put her life on hold.

Over the duration of the summer, Julienne decorates and then redecorates the nursery, not being able to decide on a palette for the next child. She furnishes the new addition they have added to the back of the home—the Shacklebolt couple now have a much more spacious bedroom on the first floor and a new view of the seaside cliff their home is built on.

And, the days her feet don't ache terribly, she spends them in the sun, either gardening with her daughters or taking them down to the shores for a swim. Her copper hue tans into a spiced cedar and she looks nothing short of radiant.

The girls, who enjoy Summer earnestly, also pass their days in activity.

Yvonne loves taking her sisters down to the beach. She's always playing in the rolling tides with them, or picking out the most captivating shells to string from the ancient, towering tree that sat to the left of their home.

The cream and ivory adornments look beautiful hanging amongst the verdant leaves of the great rowan.

On her lazier days, she falls asleep, with a book falling from her hands, under the shade of the tree. The sweet, sea breeze swirling through the air makes the shells sing.

The days they are not at the beach, Tammy and Maggy often spend their time in the stretch of field before the home.

They get their first pair of brooms and, while being carefully supervised, take their first flight. The brooms only go so high though so on the other days they play games of make-believe, running and dancing around in grass. They climb the smaller trees in the backyard and dig up shiny rocks to show their father whenever he returns from an assignment.

Willow, on the other hand, spends most of her days in the peaceful garden of the property. The rabbits—who are named Pumpkin, Squash, and Yam—usually follow along behind her in a trail of orange. It looks as if fire follows her footsteps and Willow takes great joy in having the fluffle of bunnies chase after her heels.

She even talks quietly with them, her words lost in the wind. And because of it, she starts talking more with her family, having long conversations about her days when her father comes home and singing along with her mother when it's just them working together in the garden.

Lazily, the summer passes for the Shacklebolts and the rowan in their front yard starts to redden and yellow in the fading daylight. Temperatures cool, they change the sheets on their beds, and the fireplace in their home sees a lot more use.

Harvest Home is celebrated with warm, savoury food from their harvest of the year. They leave out offerings in the garden, giving thanks to the land that fed them and the protection they were granted.

By the time September ends, Julienne's stomach is now at full-mass and she spends a lot more of her time sleeping and relaxing around the home, her girls taking care of the house and staying close while she becomes less mobile. They're all eagerly awaiting the arrival of their next sibling.

Yvonne is probably the most excited of the daughters—she adores babies! But, as September drags into October, the thoughts of her soon-to-be sibling leave her mind. If there is one thing that Yvonne loves, it's her birthday.

Of course, she loves eating cake and getting gifts, but it is simply the fact that it's her birthday that makes her giddy with delight.

And, 1990 marks a very, very special birthday for Yvonne.

It is why, the morning of the 7th of October, Yvonne is up at the peak of dawn, curled up on her window seat and stationed with a book in her lap. She can't focus on the pages, but the weight of it in her hands feels grounding.

It also helps that the book keeps her hands from fidgeting.

Her eyes never stay still long enough for her to get lost in the words though. Over and over, she starts a paragraph or a sentence or a scene and, before long, a smile tugs at her lips as her heart races. How can she possibly hope to sit still when today is her eleventh birthday!

It is only the single, most significant day that every magical child waits for.

Clutching her book, Yvonne can't help but give into the urge and laugh into the silence of her room.

"It's happening!" She giggles, wiggling her toes with delight.

Looking out at the rising sun, Yvonne meticulously goes over everything in her head.

Number one: her father started his schooling at age eleven.

Number two: her father was informed of his acceptance by Hogwarts. Her father hasn't really mentioned how or, why or, even, in what form this came in but, she knows it will come.

Because, number three—and most importantly—she knows that he received it exactly and precisely on his eleventh birthday.

Which, really, isn't a lot for her to go on—but the thought of it!

Yvonne let's out a tiny squeal at the rush of emotion in her stomach. She isn't sure whether the anticipation is going to make her sick or not.

By this time next year, she'll be living in a grand castle by a lake in the Highlands of Scotland.

She's heard so many stories from her father about the magical school. The giant squid that lives in the Great Lake. The Whomping Willow that swings on those that approach it. The Grand Staircase and it's moving stairs.

With all her father's tales in her head, it's like she can see Hogwarts when she closes her eyes.

But, there is one problem: the matter of her acceptance. Is there a chance that Hogwarts is going to reject her? Could she even get rejected by Hogwarts? Will she be able to get into Beauxbatons if she's rejected by Hogwarts?

Her thoughts race over the possibilities and, suddenly, it feels a lot like her stomach has decided on getting sick.

Of course, the anxiety Yvonne has over the matter is only worsened by the absence of her father.

Last she heard, he is meeting with some family in the Netherlands and creating a relationship with Holland's 'old magic'. She knows it is important. She understands what her father's job means to the Wizarding World of Britain.

But, right now, she really wants her father to be here for her at this moment. To ease her worries, to regale her with more tales of his time at Hogwarts.

However, despite all the worries in her head, the worst of her fears is the thought that she will get accepted into Hogwarts and be telling him…through a letter.

Sighing, Yvonne shakes the thought away and tries to focus back on her latest book.

It is the second book in a series about a company of wizards who are attempting to free their village from a nasty curse by collecting the blood of a great, ancient dragon. She normally doesn't read books like these (ones about hunting recluse, endangered dragons) yet Yvonne loves the adventure of the wizards so far and she's so desperate to know what happens next that she can't seem to put the book down.

At least, until this morning.

Her eyes once again stray back to the rising sun and, catching herself, Yvonne finally gives up on the book. If she can't focus on the tale of Talbo Tiggins, then she will find something else to do.

A glance around her room proves that the task will be harder than she thinks.

Her desk is covered in books and parchment and there's a half-filled journal hidden somewhere under her bed. There's some tambour frames she could prepare and start a new embroidery project with.

Except none of it appeals to her in the slightest.

For a second, she thinks of running downstairs to her mother's room and screaming loud enough to wake the garden gnomes. She feels somewhat impatient and wants someone else to be awake now so she can talk through her excitement.

Not that she would do that, though. Yvonne doesn't think it would be kind to wake her mother and sisters early just because she can't go back to sleep.

But, maybe she can find something else to do around the house.

She has spent enough time with her mother in the garden to know how to take care of their plants. She also knows that her mother wants to extend the garden and needs the ground weeded before they can plant further out.

If that doesn't keep her busy, then she can climb the tall branches of the rowan in the front yard.

Or maybe head down to the beach!

She leaves her room, running through her options and searching. All her thoughts stop however when she spots the pulled-back puff on the back of sister's head out of the corner of her eye.

Willow is sitting in their father's office, staring intently at the Wizard's Chess set he keeps in here.

"Willa," Yvonne hums, practically skipping into the room in excitement at the sight of someone else being awake.

In front of the windows, their father has a small, mahogany table and two, upholstered chairs made of leather posted there so his daughters can come play chess with him at any time.

Her sister's legs are tucked up into one expensive chair and Yvonne can see the turquoise, wool socks that peek out from beneath the plaid blanket she has cocooned around her.

It's not until Yvonne is sitting in front of her that Willow's attention calmly shifts away from the board.

"Good morning, Willow." Yvonne grins widely, happy to see her sister.

She loves Tammy and Maggy completely, but they are five years younger than her. Willow is definitely her closest sister.

Willow's eyes trace over her smile before she responds. "Happy birthday, Yva." She offers a small smile to mirror Yvonne's.

A slight, uncontrollable giggle slips out as Yvonne responds. "Thank you. I was so excited I couldn't sleep! But, why are you up so early?"

"Chess," Willow explains simply and shrugs.

Yvonne eyes the board. She doesn't play the game often—she doesn't like it very much, if she's being honest—so it's hard for her to understand where the game has left off.

Unless, maybe, Willow will explain it to her and let her join. Or, better yet, they could even start a fresh game together!

It will keep her mind occupied, for sure. Wizard's Chess is never a short game in this household and Yvonne knows that Willow is a great player, despite her age.

"Can I play too?" Yvonne finally asks. "If you start a fresh game, we can really have a nice game."

Willow is silent and her eyes shift to the far wall, growing distant for a moment before returning to the board. Without saying anything, she presses the small button on the side of the set, resetting the board.

Yvonne smiles, scoots to the edge of her father's comfy, leather chair, inhales the ever-present scent of his cedarwood cologne, and takes the first move.

An hour later, that's where Julienne finds them both, sitting in front of the chessboard; Yvonne's short curls dishevelled and eyebrows furrowed while Willow calmly looks on.

The older girl is staring intently at the game before her, head tilted to the side as her eyes rove over the pieces.

The younger is tapping a nonsensical rhythm with her fingers and toes as she waits for her sister's move.

There's only a few pieces left in play and the knight is idly swinging his mace.

Julienne smiles knowingly and steps into the open door of her husband's office, softly knocking against the wood.

"Girls?" She calls.

Yvonne is focused so intently that she startles slightly at her mother's voice while Willow simply just silences the song of her fingers.

Blinking and easily forgetting the game, Yvonne notices the increased amount of sunlight that fills the room and a wide smile lights up her face.

If her mother is awake, that means that Yvonne has successfully passed the morning away!

"What's the time, Mama?" Yvonne nearly demands.

Julienne raises an eyebrow at her daughter's tone.

"A little after eleven, I was coming to wake you for breakfast." Julienne's smile stretches further and she treads fully into the room before wrapping her arms around Yvonne's shoulder.

It isn't awkward, despite the heavily swollen stomach in between them.

"Speaking of eleven, bon anniversaire, ma bichette! How do you feel?" Julienne kisses her daughter's head.

"Merci, Maman. Je me sens…un peu nerveuse." Yvonne's eyebrows furrow.

Julienne steps back toward Willow, lightly running a hand down her less-affectionate daughter's back "Nerveuse? What do you have to be nervous about, dolce?"

"Because," Yvonne starts, huffing out a big breath. "I turn eleven today and Papa said that he got his acceptance to Hogwarts on his eleventh birthday but he didn't tell me how they told him. I don't even know if I am going to get accepted! Is Dumbledore going to come here to tell me I've been rejected?" Her hands clasp together in her lap.

"Be honest Mama, did you send something to Hogwarts for me to get tested on? I feel sick at the thought that maybe I won't get into Hogwarts and—"

Julienne bursts into laughter at her daughter's nervous babble.

Yvonne is such an easy-going, happy child that always lets things go and rarely loses her temper—she tries hard to be mature for her age. Which makes the moments when she acts childish and flustered even more special to her mother.

It is nice to see her daughter worked up from time to time.

Stroking a hand over her frazzled curls, Julienne can not quell her laughter despite trying to console her daughter.

"My poor bichette, look at you all anxious when you have nothing to worry about. We have not sent anything to Hogwarts to test you on. You will be accepted into Hogwarts, I promise."

Yvonne releases a long breath and her shoulders finally relax. "You're sure I'll get in?"

Julienne smiles indulgently. "I am sure, belle. The acceptance from Hogwarts will come today, I assure you. But, for now, why don't we make a spéciale, birthday breakfast for you. We will set a plate for monsieur Dumbledore, just in case, yes?"

Yvonne smiles then. "Can we have pancakes for breakfast?"

"Crêpes? For breakfast?"

"No, Mama. Pancakes. Like they eat in America." Yvonne's tone is decidedly impish and Willow is noticeably focused on her mother, showing her attention towards the answer.

Julienne stares back at her daughters before rolling her eyes.

"I am only letting you get away with this because the baby has me ravenous when it comes to sweets." Putting a hand on her stomach, Julienne turns and starts making her way downstairs, turning her back to Yvonne's happy giggles.

"When the twins mess up the house, you'll be cleaning it!"

"Yes, Mama!" Yvonne choruses back, skipping out the room to dance past her down the stairs.

She manages half-way down before her feet stumble.

Luckily, she catches herself on the bannister before she can tumble down the stairs.

Thus, the family of five spends their belated morning eating fluffy pancakes topped with powdered sugar and honey, and filled with chocolate chips and fresh fruits.

Yvonne is in charge of preparing and mixing the batter, Tammy and Maggy set the table, and Willow is in control of the chocolate to fruit ratio of each pancake.

Julienne, of course, manages the stove and expertly flips each cake in the air, putting on a show for her daughters.

Dumbledore never shows, but the tea is exceptionally good so Yvonne considers it his loss.

It is only after the family has settled in the sitting room following their late breakfast that the matter of Yvonne's birthday comes up again.

Tamala and Magnolia are playing a very exuberant and loud game of Troll Watch, a board game of escape in which players are trapped in a maze with a miniature, charmed troll.

Each one of them are yelling and shouting whenever their board piece gets too close to the troll stomping after their small, running piece. Tammy will yell orders at Maggy when it is her sister's turn and then Maggy will loudly narrate the movements of the troll when it is Tammy's turn, causing the young girl to shriek.

Whenever the other gets caught by the troll, one of them will get tackled and they will wrestle on the floor for a moment before resetting the game.

Julienne keeps an eye on them while she continues her most recent sewing project. She loves making clothes for her daughters—the fashion in wizarding London is dreadful for young girls—and Yvonne will need some heavier, wool clothes up in the north of Scotland.

Obviously, Julienne is keeping this a secret from her eldest.

Speaking of the girl, Yvonne is with Willow in the corner of the room, sitting at the upright piano and teaching her younger sister basic songs to play. This is harder to do naturally since Willow refuses to follow finger placements and will cross her hands unnecessarily to reach notes.

The songs are still as beautiful as they are meant to be—if not a bit more interpretive, which inspires giggles between the two girls.

The family fun is interrupted by a sudden, boisterous—WHOOSH!—as the fireplace in the parlour down the hall bursts into the tell-tale explosion of fire.

All their heads fly up at the sound and Tammy and Maggy are the first to shoot into the hall, leaving behind the sitting room and their game.

Julienne, as heavily pregnant as she is, continues her sewing. But, one can not mistake the tender smile now on her face.

"PAPA!" Tammy and Maggy screams echo down the hall and the familiar, hearty sound of their father's laughter warms the air.

The giggles and shrieks of the twins follow, as their father is no doubt lifting the both of them up and swinging them around.

Within moments, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and his arm-full of twin daughters, steps into the sitting room, his teal robs fluttering around him.

The delight on his face is unmistakable and his chest is laden with adoration and joy at the sight of his family.

"Good afternoon, ladies." The father's calm voice is so deep with love that Julienne can't stop the tears that come to her eyes in response.

Her husband is so good at remaining in touch while being away, but it isn't until he comes home that she realises just how much letters and floo calls pale in comparison to the sight of her wide-shouldered, sturdy husband.

His deep umber skin has become dull from the constant work and Julienne hates the Ministry for waning his radiance.

Playfully tossing Tammy and Maggy onto a couch, Kingsley sits down and leaned towards his wife, pressing a kiss to a cinnamon cheek. "How is my lovely wife? Is our baby doing well?"

Julienne sniffles even as she laughs. "Oui, monsieur. Your son is strong and kicks me often, mon roi." Julienne grabs his hand and settles it on her belly.

A tiny foot presses against their overlapping hands.

Kingsley chuckles and kisses his wife once more. "Son? No, you will be giving me another daughter, I can feel her strength already."

The mother rolls her eyes fondly. Unlike the rest of the wizarding world, Kingsley is happy with their home of girls and does not care that he has no sons. Yvonne can be my heir, he says often.

Tammy and Maggy crawl into Julienne's side, while Willow moves to the spot on the couch next to Kingsley. The twins are beaming and Willow carefully intertwines her hand with her father.

"Welcome home, Papa." says Yvonne, who is standing just a step behind her sisters. It's obvious she wants to hug her father, but she's letting her sisters have priority.

Always spoiling his girls, Kingsley treats Yvonne like she will forever be a little girl.

So, when he stands from the couch, he swings her up into the air for a hug and Yvonne squeals just the same as her younger sisters did earlier. She clings to her father.

"Happy Birthday, Vonnie!" Kingsley shouts, easily balancing his daughter to sit on his crossed arms. He's looking up at her with a great smile and Yvonne's cheeks are full from delight.

"Birthday! Birthday!" Maggy screams and she jumps at her father's legs while her twin bounces on the couch. The wooden figurines on the side table start dancing as their magic unintentionally permeates the air.

Willow laughs and watches the figures spin to a nonexistent song.

Julienne sits back and takes it all in with a hand still on her belly.

Without warning, the family's reunion is interrupted by a—WHAM!—as something crashes into the window of the sitting room.

Willow startles badly, Julienne's hands fly to clutch at pearls she's not wearing, and Maggy would have run to the window if her father did not scoop her up just as quickly.

Now quiet, the family of six all stare as a chocolate spotted, barn owl hops up on their window sill.

There's an envelope in its beak with a large, wax seal the colour of garnet enclosing the letter.

The top of the envelope is stamped with an oh-so-familiar crest in black ink.

Smiling and making eye contact, the parents of the Shacklebolt family take quick action. Julienne lays a hand on Willow's back to settle her while Kingsley turns and sets Maggy down on the couch next to her twin.

"I reckon that might be something for Yvonne," Kingsley starts, carefully setting down his eldest and kissing her cheek. "Why don't you go open the window, birthday girl."

In response, the oldest daughter is giving him a wide-eyed look. There's a slight tremble in her knees and, suddenly, her throat is very dry.

It couldn't be..?

Kingsley sits down on the couch, Tammy and Maggy crawling into his lap to get front row seats to Yvonne opening her letter. All at once, her whole family is watching her with bright, encouraging smiles.

"Ouvre-le, bichette" reassures Julienne, encouraging Yvonne to open the envelope.

And with that, Yvonne's nerves are swiftly replaced by the excitement that kept her up all last night. Her heart starts to drum with an eagerness that sings through her fingertips. She all but races to the window, moving as fast as she can to open the latch, and throwing it open.

The poor owl nearly gets smacked in her graceless haste. It flies out of the way of the swinging window and waits a moment before landing back down on the window sill, a noticeable annoyance to it's features.

Yvonne takes a deep breath before carefully holding out her hand for the letter. She makes a quiet noise of wonder when she sees the name stamped across the crest on the letter.

The moment the envelope touches her hand, Yvonne can do nothing but stare at it for a moment, scared to open it lest she mess it up. Carefully, and very gently, she runs a finger over the wax before delicately breaking the seal.

Everyone is holding their breath behind her.

"Dear Ms. Shacklebolt," she pauses to catch her breath. "We are pleased to inform you that you—" Yvonne sucks in a huge breath that's half a gasp of delight and half an exclamation of disbelief. Immediately, she starts laughing, the parchment shaking in her hands from the force of glee.

She turns to her family and that's when she finally erupts. "I did it! I did it! I'm going to Hogwarts!"

Maggy, Tammy, and even Willow all rush their sister, joining in with her joy and laughing along with her high-pitched, enthusiastic babbles. Willow is clapping and hopping from one foot to the next. Tammy and Maggy are spinning around Yvonne's sides, yelling their own exuberance.

Back on the couch, Julienne is wiping a tear from her eye as her husband's arm circles around her shoulder. Kingsley himself can feel the moisture gathering in his eyes at the sight of his daughter's cheerfulness and acceptance into Hogwarts.

The rest of Yvonne's birthday that year is spent with a smile that never leaves her face.


A/N: Here is another chapter! I am writing like four/five chapters ahead right now so that way I can *fingers crossed* stay ahead. Also, I am slowly going to learn French just because of how much I am digging into to try to get these translations right. Thankfully, I know Spanish so while google translate told me ouvrez-le, I figured there must be a command (imperative) form so some searching brought me to ouvre-le. And then I had to go back and change voir to vois. I'm gonna learn y'all

Anyway enjoy some Shacklebolt family times. We'll be here (pre-Hogwarts) for a bit. but it'll be fun :)

Leave a comment. Try to guess a house!