A/N::: Before we get started, I feel the need to warn you that this chapter contains what some may consider to be torture (Read some as: Anyone with a lick of common sense) And while it is arguable that Harry gets the worse of it, I do hope I haven't gone overboard. That said, I normally aim for my chapters to be around 4500 words and I'm afraid the characters got chatty this time around, so I'll apologize in advance for being so verbose this time around.
Even before she walked into the kitchen, the smells of cooking were a convincing clue that led Andi to the conclusion that she would not be called upon to provide her family with breakfast this morning. She was surprised to find that the one exercising culinary skills was none other than her son-in-law. Meanwhile, her daughter and Hermione were sitting at the table, both looking more awake than they had the previous morning.
"You're up early," Andi commented as she made a beeline for the pot of brewed coffee.
"Blame Harry," Nymphadora said as she watched her mother reach in the cupboard for a mug. "He woke us up."
"Oh?" Andi hummed, placing the mug on the counter and reaching for the pot. "Why'd he do that?"
Hermione blushed, "Last night, we introduced him to the practical side of some of the discussions we had beforehand."
Nymphadora pouted slightly as she said, "He wanted another serving, indecent hour or not."
"We may have created a monster." Hermione added with a grin.
Harry chuckled as he fried some tomatoes. "I didn't hear you complaining earlier."
"Glad to hear the purging potion did its job," Andi said going to the fridge for some cream. "I'm assuming everyone enjoyed themselves?"
"He's very enthusiastic," Nymphadora said. "Though we are getting Hermione the potion before they go that far. She wants to finish her education before there are little Potters running around."
"Ah." Andi poured some cream into her coffee. "I've already procured the required doses. I had meant to give them to you last night, but it slipped my mind." She paused a second to let her words sink in. "You're going to want to let him mature a little before putting him through the stress of fatherhood." At that point, the twins wandered in, dragged along by the enticing scent of caramelization. "Good morning girls." Andi said, putting the cream away.
"Good morning," the twins chorused as they found seats at the table.
Flora eyed Nymphadora critically. "I have to ask. How did you manage to squeeze into clothing that tight? I can see the seams bursting as it is."
"Oh," Hermione answered for her. "She was morphed to match Harry and my ages. Those are actually mine. She didn't bother to change her clothes before changing back."
"You were matching their age?" Andi came over to the table with her cup of coffee.
"Harry's not full grown yet." Nymphadora shrugged. "It's better this way."
"I'd imagine so." Andi took her own seat. "Girl talk later. Though with your displeasure over men's focus on physical assets, you have no room to complain."
"I was just matching their size." Nymphadora fumed.
"So, size does matter," Andi said.
"Did you have fun last night?" Hestia asked with more than a little interest.
"Loads," Hermione replied. "I almost wish I wasn't going with my parents today, only without the 'almost'."
"There'll be time for fun later," Andi chided. "Don't let the novelty rob you of your time with your mother and father."
"It's not fair." Hermione pouted.
"You are getting your first taste earlier than most," Andi said. "Be grateful for that and don't rush it."
"Is this really a conversation for the breakfast table?" Ted asked as he entered the room.
"Are we disturbing your sensibilities, dear?" Andi asked.
"No." Ted headed for the coffee pot exactly as his wife had. "I'm well aware that I'm the father of a healthy young woman who has recently been married. However, poor Harry is turning red while the tomatoes are turning black."
"Oh!" Harry turned his attention back toward the stove and rushed to take the frying pan off the heat. "Sorry! Sorry!"
"It's just a tomato, dear," Andi said soothingly, worried about the fear she saw in Harry's eyes.
"I'm sorry!" Harry said. "I didn't mean to waste food."
Ted also caught onto the fear in his voice. "Accidents happen," he said to the lad. "No need to fret about it."
The brides looked on with compassion in their eyes, while the twins had more than their share of understanding.
"Harry," Nymphadora said. "It's nothing to worry about. Forget about the tomatoes. Why don't you come over here and I'll take your mind off them."
"Really?" Harry nearly dropped the frying pan. "Here?"
"I see your hormones have kicked in," Ted said.
"We would need to go upstairs for that level of taking your mind off things." Nymphadora ignored her father. "Though, I wouldn't be averse to putting off breakfast for a bit."
Hermione was already starting to get out of her own chair when Andi placed her hand on her arm, halting the movement. "Nymphadora, don't use that to distract your husband from issues that need to be addressed."
"No, no," Harry said hastily. "She can do that all she wants."
"Woof." Paddy agreed, though no one was paying him any mind.
"Harry, I need you to understand that we are not going to treat you the same way your aunt and uncle did." Andi said. "You are not only welcome here; you are wanted."
"I know." Harry intensely studied the frying pan he was still holding. "It's just… I know."
"I know," Andi echoed. "It'll take time, dear. Just remember we are here for you."
There was an awkward silence that was broken by a knocking on the front door.
"That would be your parents," Ted said, making his way to answer the door. He returned a short while later, leading not the Grangers, but the same wizard who had dropped off the twins, trailed by a small blonde girl dragging a trunk.
Hermione took one look at them and declared, "This is not my fault! I'm going to kill Sirius when I meet him!"
"Arf?" Paddy said questioningly.
"Good morning, Mr. Potter," Dale Rangeford said, holding out his hand once again to shake Harry's. "Weren't expecting to see me again so soon, were you?"
"Ah," said Harry, throwing a worried glance at Nymphadora.
"I've got another one for you," Dale continued as the frying pan slipped from Harry's grasp and clattered on the floor.
"Ah." Harry said.
"You do know those are burnt? I like my tomatoes crispy, but I think you went overboard there." Dale produced another scroll and quill while looking at the dropped item. "Sign here."
Numbly, Harry did as requested. Once he had the signature, Dale turned and looked at Ted.
"Go ahead and apparate." Ted gave the man his permission which was followed by the expected noise of apparition.
Everyone stared as the blonde let go of the handle of her trunk before turning dreamy eyes upon the occupants of the room. "Hello, Harry Potter," she said. "Hello, Hermione Granger. Hello, Hestia Carrow. Hello, Flora Carrow. Hello, Nymphadora Tonks"
"Call me Tonks!"
"Nymphadora, dear, we've been over this."
"Call me Black!"
"Nymphadora!" Andi huffed.
"I'm afraid I do not know who you are." The blonde turned her attention on the oldest couple in the room.
"We are Nymphadora's parents," Andi said. "Call me Andi, and this is my husband, Ted."
Ted waved before asking. "And you are?"
"I am Luna Lovegood."
"Okay." Hermione wilted. "This one maaaaay be my fault."
"Please to meet you, Luna." Andi said. "Have you had your breakfast yet?"
"Yes, thank you," Luna replied, turning her unblinking gaze back on Harry. "You are going to be my friend?"
"That's putting it mildly." Nymphadora snorted.
"You're taking this better than last time," Ted commented, resuming his quest for coffee.
"I had some idea that she was coming," Nymphadora admitted with a sigh.
"Ah," Harry interjected.
"Don't mind him; he's just in shock." Hermione got up from the table to walk closer to Luna. "We'll all be your friends," she said with a smile.
"Good." Luna tilted her head to study Hermione better. "The letter said you already liked me a lot."
"Letter?" Ted asked, pouring himself a cup.
"Yes." Luna continued to study Hermione. "The one that told Daddy to sign the consort contract between me and Harry Potter."
"Your father signed a contract because of a letter?" Hestia asked skeptically. "You weren't in debt to the Blacks?"
"Daddy says it had the phrase letting him know he sent the message to himself from the future," Luna said, turning her scrutiny onto Hestia. "We cut our camping trip short because of it."
"Eh." Hermione held her palm out, halting Luna while turning to the others in the room with a raised eyebrow and a vindicated look on her face.
Nymphadora sighed. "I have got to think up a phrase like that for myself."
"It's not hard," Hermione said. "I've already got a new one."
"Which is?" Nymphadora asked.
"Telling would defeat the purpose of the phrase," Hermione scolded.
"By the way," Nymphadora said, "you are hereby banned from sending messages into the past from now on."
"I'd have to figure out how to do it again first." Hermione said.
"Wait," Flora said. "What?"
"Dora, I could do with that distraction right about now." Harry said weakly.
Everyone turned to the boy to give him a glance. "That was overwhelmed Harry speaking, not frisky Harry," Andi commented.
"Buck up son," Ted said. "Most of us would be clamoring to have the problems that have been plaguing you as of late."
"Don't even think of it," Andi hissed.
"I just hope this is the last of them," Harry said.
"I don't know," Hermione mused. "I'm sure that I could convince Lavender and Parvati to join up. Parvati does have a twin you know."
"Woof." Paddy's ears perked up at that.
"Hermione!" Harry was close to panic.
"Eh, in for a penny in for a pound." Hermione shrugged.
"You and I are going to have a long discussion," Nymphadora growled.
"If you keep this up, you are going to put the poor boy into a coma," Andi said.
"Sorry, Harry." Hermione said sheepishly.
"By the way," Nymphadora said for the second time that morning. "Mum, if I have to share, I don't see why you shouldn't. I'm sure I could convince Sirius to send Daddy some extra company."
Andi shrugged. "Make sure it's a redhead if you do."
"Mum!"
"You're still too young to get one over me, dear." Andi smirked.
"A redhead… hmmm…" Ted hummed.
"Don't even think of it." Andi said, this time with a little steel in her voice. "If Hermione can tease Harry like that, then I can tease Nymphadora in the same manner."
"Who says I was teasing?"
"Hermione!" Harry gasped.
"I'm partial to brunettes anyway." Ted shrugged.
"Good answer." Andi said, who was, of course, a brunette.
"I think I am going to like having friends," Luna replied. "This is fun."
"Wait," Hestia said. "What?"
"Hold that thought," Ted interjected, getting up after hearing another knock on the front door.
"It had better be your parents this time." Nymphadora told Hermione.
Further discord was avoided when that was who it turned out to be.
"Morning everyone," Emma Granger said, striding into the room. "Hermione, are you ready to continue our vacation?"
"Another one?" Dan Granger skipped any greeting as his eyes fell upon Luna.
"This one's Hermione's fault." Harry spoke up. "If Lavender and Parvati show up, you can blame her for them as well."
The door creaked open allowing a large black dog to descend the steps, to the basement. It was a rather remarkable feat once one stopped to consider that the door had been closed and dogs weren't known to be proficient with doorknobs. Or perhaps they were and that was why the dog had waited until after all of the humans had left the house before making that journey.
With purposeful strides, the canine made his way over to the table claiming the middle of the room. He stood on his hind legs, bracing his forelegs on the table as he studied the device hanging from the ceiling. It was obviously meant to dispense a drop of water at random intervals. This drop then fell onto a straw dummy strapped to the table.
Why had they strapped it to the table? Were they afraid it'd get up and walk away? The fact that he could consider it a valid concern was disturbing.
The dog pushed itself off of the table, landing on all four paws before standing up on two human legs. Sirius Black then took a parchment and self-inking quill out of his robes, writing a short message before barking, "Kreacher!"
There was a pop and a reply. "Oh, sorrowful day, disgraceful master calls Kreacher. Mistress would be disgusted. Lowly scum has become master of the Noble…"
"Shut up, Kreacher." Sirius snapped and the elf's mouth snapped shut. "You are ordered to tell no one that I have been in contact with you, nor aid them in any way in finding me. You may deliver messages as long as they are not tampered with magically and I am alone in the house. You are ordered to ignore all commands from Bella, Cissy and her whelp. If you find yourself in a room with any of them, you are to leave immediately and not return until they are gone."
The elderly elf glared at Sirius as the man spoke, but remained silent.
"I have a message for you to deliver to Gringotts; my cousin's daughter has made a request of me. But first I want you to retrieve a jar from my father's potions lab."
Less than a minute later, Sirius was holding a glass container. Inside, floating in a clear liquid, were several pale peppers that seemed to fade from view if you didn't look at them cross-eyed. Sirius chuckled. "Lily once introduced me to muggles' ghost peppers; they have nothing on these beauties."
Carefully the man unscrewed the lid, letting out a soft gasp as his eyes started to water once the seal was broken. He set the jar down on the workbench and used a pair of pliers to extract one of the peppers by its stem. Then, he placed it on the work bench before reaching for what he knew to be a box cutter; knowledge imparted on him by his true brother's wife. He took the blade and went over to the straw doll. With glee, he carved into the doll, making a single continuous cut in the middle of the mouth already drawn out in black. Returning to the bench, he used the box cutter to extract a single tiny white seed from the pepper, an item which he delicately balanced on the blade held out at arm's length. As quickly and gingerly as he could, he placed it in the slit he had cut into the doll.
Satisfied, he replaced the box cutter before using the pliers to replace the cut pepper into its container. He was reaching for the lid when another drop of water fell from the dispenser, drawing his attention.
He looked at the contraption.
He looked at the jar.
He looked at the contraption.
He looked at the liquid in the jar.
An evil smile crossed his lips.
He was a Black after all.
There were reasons why wizards feared the name.
A minute later the jar was sent back to its resting place, in care of a disgruntled elf.
Sirius let out a laugh as he climbed the stairs back to the house.
It wasn't a nice laugh.
He was still laughing when he absently licked his fingers.
Andi braced herself even as she apparated back into her home's front hallway. There was going to be a meeting of the governors in an hour, and she needed some paperwork. She was surprised and surprisingly disappointed that the large dog she had been expecting hadn't come charging at the sound of her arrival.
Needless to say, the lack immediately put her on edge. So, with wand drawn, she headed for a strange sound coming from the kitchen. She let out an audible sigh of relief when she saw that it was Paddy making the noise as he lapped furiously at his already bone-dry water bowl.
"Did the children forget to fill your bowl before they left?" Andi asked, correcting the problem with an aquamenti charm.
"Now, that that's done… oh, you want more?" She filled the bowl again.
"As I was saying… what again?" She filled it a third time.
"You had better not use my furniture as a loo," she scolded as the bowl filled for the fourth time.
Andi had a stray thought go through her head that what Paddy really needed at the moment was some milk. Which was just silly. He was a dog, not a cat.
"You know what? I'm leaving the back door open. The garden is fenced in, and someone would have to be crazy to burgle the house with you about." The bowl was filled a fifth time.
"Where are you putting all of it?" For a sixth time water was put in the bowl.
"Should I be worried about this?" The seventh time was the charm.
"Report," the head healer of St. Mungo's snapped as he exited the apparition room. Sometimes, he really hated being on call.
"He's proven that he has a mean streak," the senior healer who was waiting on him said.
"I have a hospital full of individuals devoid of their testicles, and you are just now deciding he's proven he has a mean streak?"
"Ah well, he's proven he can be devious." The senior healer corrected herself.
"See my previous statement." was the head healer's reply as he started speed walking down the corridor. "What did he do this time?"
"We have no idea," the senior healer admitted.
"That hasn't changed since the time I went home to get some sleep." He really shouldn't take it out on his staff, but two hours simply weren't enough, especially at his age.
"All of the previously affected patients started screaming a good twenty minutes ago." The senior healer understood why her boss was being short with her and didn't take it personally. Everyone was displaying short fuses since the crisis started.
"So? Double the production of Skele-Gro. It's not like we don't have precedence."
"This time he went after soft tissue," the senior healer said.
"Testicles aren't soft tissue?"
"Am I going to have to force a pot of coffee down your throat before we have this conversation?" the senior healer huffed.
The head healer sighed. "Sorry… continue."
"So far, four patients have bitten off their own tongues – nothing that can't be reattached, even the one who swallowed his." She frowned before continuing. "The real problem lies with the two who have gouged out their own eyes, a remarkable feat since they have no bones in their forearms. We have had to restrain them for their own good. It is apparent they are in agony. Unlike the previous attacks, this one appears to be ongoing."
"Okay, that is devious," the head healer admitted before making a decision. "That's it, draught of living death the lot of them."
"Worst thing," the senior healer said before heading off to process that order, "is that each and every one of them has had a wide grin plastered on their face the entire time."
Growing up as he had, there had been more of a focus on surviving and not being punished. This left little time for the normal worries one would associate with a boy his age. That being said, Harry would be the first to admit that he had made some mistakes along the way, some bigger than others. His most recent decision had him living through the worst blunder of his life. He honestly hadn't seen anything wrong when the activity was suggested as the plan for the day. In hindsight it should have had him trying to find the deepest, darkest hole in which to hide. The fact that the venture had been presented with smiles from almost everyone else present only lent to the horror of the situation. The fact that Dora's father had fled from the room upon hearing the suggestion, should have been a clue. Harry supposed the excuse that he had to go to work was valid; still, some warning would have been appreciated.
While in his dorm, Harry had occasionally heard the other blokes comment on the experience. He had sincerely thought they'd been exaggerating, despite the shudder Neville produced at a related memory. Now he knew that, if anything, they had been understating the impact it had on one's psyche. However, Harry suspected that his own experience was being worsened by a factor of four.
He wasn't even sure exactly where on the isle they were. To be honest, he never thought to ask where in England the Tonks lived. All he knew was that Dora had herded them into the family car and driven them here. It had been a bit of a surprise that they owned such a vehicle, more so when it was revealed that Dora had her license. Though, with Ted being a muggleborn, it really shouldn't have been. Harry's guard dropped even further as he watched the twins and Luna enjoy their first ride in such a vehicle. Meanwhile the grin Dora had been sporting was contagious.
Ignorant of what was to come, Harry had followed the four girls into the mall like a lamb to the slaughter. He apparently needed a new wardrobe, and his wife was determined that he was going to receive one.
Yes, some warning would have been appreciated.
It seemed like forever since Andi had walked these halls. At the very least it had been before Nymphadora had been born. Aside from the quidditch matches, there really hadn't been a reason to be on the grounds, let alone inside the castle itself. Frankly, she had never been that enamored by the sport. She allowed herself to indulge in some reminiscing as she followed Hagrid to the meeting room. As a governor, she technically didn't require the escort, but the sentiment was appreciated.
The members already present all looked up when she entered. Many of them had surprised looks on their faces.
"Andromeda Tonks," Augusta Longbottom greeted before the others found their voices. "Am I to assume that you are here to represent the Black family?"
"I am indeed," Andi said, nodding her head at the older woman.
"I was under the impression that the Blacks had been expunged due to the actions of their last representative," Fredrick Nettles stated from his seat.
"Lucius Malfoy usurped that position under the false pretense of his son being the next Lord Black," Andi corrected. "He was never designated by a Black and is considered a line thief by the current Lord." She held up one of the parchments she was carrying. "I, on the other hand, have a signed appointment."
"Good," Augusta said. "In that case, we have our quorum." She gestured at the five men seated at the large table with her. "With you we number seven. Four of our number are currently hospitalized. They and one other are unable to attend. We had been hoping that at least one of them had the foresight to appoint a regent for just such an emergency."
Professor McGonagall, who was also seated at the table, chose that moment to speak up. "This is good news on a day otherwise deprived of it. This will make the distasteful business at hand that much easier."
"I, for one, am not convinced that the actions, we were summoned for, shall be needed." Amos Diggory said with some hostility.
"You do the children of this school a great disservice with that attitude," Andi noted, finding herself a seat at the table.
"Your own disposition is questionable," argued Theodore Haywood. "Or am I mistaken in thinking that the Blacks currently consider themselves to be in a blood feud with the Dumbledores? Do you not have that bias?"
"Enough," said Augusta, "I am claiming the position of acting chairwoman. As such, I am calling this meeting to order. Let our discourse be civil."
"He does have a valid point." Harold Egwu admitted as he took the time to grace Andromeda with an apologetic smile. "No offense intended, Mrs. Tonks."
"None taken," Andi replied, laying her stack of parchments on the table in front of her. "You may take my opinion with a grain of salt, if you must. Also, let it be known that the Blacks have no quarrel with Aberforth Dumbledore. Our ire is directed solely at the line thief, Albus Dumbledore."
"You throw around that accusation quite freely," Amos said. "It is a serious charge to be making."
"Being serious does not make it untrue," Andi snarled haughtily. "Lest you fail to consider a marriage contract that he had no authority to draft to be something other than the very definition of line theft."
"We have only the word of the criminal Sirius Black that such a document exists," Amos returned just as haughtily.
"First of all, that is naught but base slander," Andi growled. "Lord Black was never tried. He was a political prisoner, incarcerated partially by Albus Dumbledore, apparently so that the headmaster could control the Potter line."
"Who now commits slander?" Amos countered. "What proof have you of these claims?"
"Secondly," Andi continued as if Amos hadn't spoken. "Do you truly think I would have come here today without a copy of that document?" She took a parchment from her pile and handed it to Augusta. "Lady chairwoman, if you would?"
Augusta rubbed her forehead as she read the document; then, she looked at the stack waiting in front of Andi. "You came prepared, did you not?"
"I have Harry Potter's medical report." Andi nodded. "He was under the effects of a loyalty potion keyed to Dumbledore, among other things."
"Is it certified?" Amos broke in. "I refuse to believe anything you have unless it is certified by a Ministry official. Goblins can be bought."
"I dare you to say that standing in Gringotts." Andi said.
"Regardless, I shall not be voting to remove Dumbledore without such proof. As our current numbers dictate that we need unanimous consent for any proposal, this meeting is moot."
"If I may interject." Loyd Catterick spoke up for the first time. "Amos, were you not appointed to this board on the Potters' seat by Dumbledore. Something he managed by claiming he was acting as the boy's magical guardian?"
"Now that you mention it," Theodore said, "I remember the argument we had over the headmaster appointing one of our members."
"Really?" Andi raised her eyebrows. "I was not aware of that fact. "
"Regardless, the position is mine until such a time as Potter's guardian removes me," Amos said with trepidation in his voice.
"That's easy enough," Andi said. "I hereby revoke your position as the Potter's seat for this board."
Amos glowed briefly after those words were spoken, causing Augusta to blink before looking down at the automatically-updating minutes journal, open before her. "How did you manage that?" she inquired, looking at Andi.
"Easily, Harry Potter's guardian gave me her permission to speak for him at this and future meetings." Andi shrugged. "You are welcome to leave now Mr. Diggory. It is apparent that you did a poor job of representing the Potters."
Amos looked around with anger, before huffing and storming out of the room."
Lloyd turned his attention back to Andi after the man had left. "Her permission? So, you have not been in contact with Lord Black, whose guardianship could conceivably be contested at this point in time."
It was Andi's turn to huff. "He has passed Harry's guardianship to my daughter in a roundabout manner that is now uncontestable. I intend to hex him upside his head for it, first chance I get."
"The past few days have shown that an angry Lord Black is a scary thing," Harold commented. "Now I see the same applies to a daughter of the house."
"Regardless, our quorum just walked out the door." Augusta sighed. "This meeting has become as moot as Amos has already declared."
"Actually, that is not a problem," Andi said. "I'll just go and get Nymphadora to sign an appointment for Ted to take the Potter seat. Give me an hour, and we can pick up where we left off."
The entire household was gathered in the living room watching the telly. Well, the three purebloods were watching the telly. Most everyone else were finding their amusement in watching the purebloods watch the telly.
Ted was occupying his comfy chair with his wife comfortably on his lap. They were letting Dora and Harry share the couch. Meanwhile, the remaining three girls were on the floor in front of the zombie maker, eyes glued to the screen.
It was the very picture of domestic bliss right up until there was a knock on the front door.
"Don't get up, Mum," Dora said, untangling herself from Harry. "I'll get it." She was in her de-aged form, ostensibly not to squash her husband as they cuddled.
Harry just smiled as she walked away.
"Did anyone else just hear Harry say 'I'm sleeping in the same bed as her, tonight'?" Hestia asked.
Harry blinked. "Did I say that out loud?" he asked meekly.
"You may as well have." Flora said.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake!" Dora's shout came from the direction of the front door. Seconds later she stomped back into the room followed by Dale and a beautiful blonde woman roughly Dora's natural age. Looking at her husband, Dora scowled and pointed at the pair with both hands.
"Ah," said Harry.
"Strike that," Hestia said. "You're sleeping on the couch tonight."
"Ah." Harry repeated.
"Did anyone else just hear Hermione say 'This is not my fault'?" Luna asked.
"You can hear her all the way in France?" Hestia asked.
"She may as well have," Flora said.
"Surprised to see me again so soon?" Dale asked, reaching into his robe for a rolled-up parchment.
"Ah," repeated Harry.
"This is becoming a habit." Andi said from Ted's lap. "What is your name, dear?" she asked the newest female in the room.
"Um, hello." The girl shuffled her feet. "My name is Gloria Glenfield."
"Welcome to the family," Andi said warmly. "Don't worry; my daughter will calm down after a short while."
"Actually," Dale said. "She needn't fret; this delivery is for Mr. Edward Tonks."
"What!?" cried out the Tonks in unison.
"Sign here." Dale presented the parchment to Ted with a grin on his face.
Dora blinked as she watched the proceedings. "Ah," she said.
"Oh, thank Merlin," Harry declared as he let his head fall backwards.
"Saved from couch duty," Hestia commented.
"Well, Sirius missed the mark," Ted said as he signed. "She's neither a redhead nor a brunette."
"This is no laughing matter," Andi snarled. "He's gone too far this time."
"Wait," Dora said. "Why is it he went too far now? You were just fine with it when you thought she was for Harry."
"Ah," said Andi.
"Is your dog laughing?" Luna asked. "I didn't know they could do that."
"Just how much do familiars understand anyway?" Flora asked.
"Obviously, enough to laugh at us." Luna said.
"I don't think he's laughing," Hestia said. "He's just panting heavily… nope I take that back. That is definitely rolling on the floor laughing."
"Aw, Crookshanks is so cute," Luna said. "I've never seen a cat facepalm before. Or would that be a facepaw?"
