The Eighth Year Universe

Love Wins

By the Order of Merlin


I know I have a chapter called this in Eighth Year, and possibly one in Blame it on Hate as well. I'm not original, don't judge me xD


The letters were sent out on Wednesday, the 15th of September in, 2021. It had not even been one month since the Diagon Alley attack yet, but the list had already been compiled – complete and ready for the ceremony, which would take place in January 2022.

Each was folded neatly in its parchment envelope, then sealed with red wax. Each seal bore the Ministry's logo, ensuring the letter's content was secret – only to be opened by the recipient.

On Wednesday morning, they arrived at households across wizarding Britain via owl post, and the world began to awake to the news…


Selwyn Park

The Cauldwell Family Home

Clara was exhausted when the post came in that morning. She was just off a graveyard shift, planning on grabbing something to eat, making sure that the girls would be okay and then heading up to bed.

But the official-looking letters caught her eye, so she turned them over with a frown. The first one was straightforward. It was addressed to her, so Clara opened it, assuming it was some sort of official notice of the lockdown state issued by the Ministry.

When she read a letter that spoke of an awards ceremony in January 2022, she frowned and unfolded the second piece of parchment behind it. A gasp escaped her, and she dropped it in disbelief, then stared down at the table.


This is to certify that

Clara Cauldwell

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin Second Class

For the beyond ordinary effort she went to, to provide medical care during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


She could hardly believe it, and she certainly didn't feel like she deserved it. Then her eyes caught sight of the second Ministry letter, and Clara's heart sank when she saw how the second letter was addressed;

The Widow of Sorenson Cauldwell

She ripped the envelope open and looked at the certificate contained within. Her hands shook, but she didn't drop this one. She clung to it tightly, and she felt tears burn in her eyes.


This is to certify that

Sorenson Cauldwell

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin First Class

For the bravery beyond measure he showed and the ultimate sacrifice that he made to save others during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


She supposed she should have been happy, but Clara could only let out a sob. She was glad that she was in the kitchen alone because she didn't want her daughters to see her break down like this.

Still, staring at the certificate in front of her, signed by the Minister for Magic and with his seal attached, she felt as proud as she did distraught.

"I don't want a fucking certificate," Clara muttered, "I want him back."

She held the certificate out to the fire, and she almost dropped it in. Then she heard footsteps on the stairs and breathed in sharply.

"Mum!"

"Mum, are you awake?"

Josie and Cora's voices anchored Clara back to reality, and she took a breath then placed the certificate on the table.

It was an honour, but Clara didn't need a certificate to tell her that her husband had been a brave man.

She had known that from the moment that she met him.


Ivy House

The Corner Family Home

"Just eat your bloody porridge, Gracie!"

Michael stepped into the kitchen to a familiar argument.

"How many times, Mum?" Grace muttered, "I don't like porridge!"

"Yes, you do. You eat it every day," Linda returned.

Michael chipped in to help his daughter out, "No, she doesn't. That was Lilly, and Grace hates porridge."

"Well, she better get to liking it," Linda muttered, "It's good for her."

Michael grabbed some bread and shot Grace a smile, "Jam sandwich?"

Grace's eyes lit up, "Thanks, Dad."

"You spoil her," Linda muttered.

"You're too hard on her," Michael countered.

Linda picked up her cup of tea and leant against the kitchen counter, "How's the job hunt going?"

Michael sighed and shook his head, "I'm not looking for a new job just yet, Lin. I told you, with any luck, I'll get my old one back."

"By putting in a shitty petition?" Linda remarked.

"By processing a claim that my dismissal with biased and unfair," Michael corrected, "But these things take time to process. Am I annoying you that much?"

Linda gave him an exasperated look, "You know you ain't, Michael, but…."

"You're worried not working is driving me insane," Michael finished, "And it is, but this is the best way to appeal it. Trust me, Lin."

"Hm," Linda mused, "This came for you this morning, by the way. Don't look hospital business to me though. They usually have the St Mungo's symbol stamped on the seal."

Michael frowned at the letter she was holding out, "No," he said as he placed Grace's sandwich on the table and pulled her bowl of porridge over to him, "That's the Ministry seal."

That made Linda frown, "What are the ministry writing to you about?"

"I don't know," Michael replied, but he opened the letter carefully to find out. He scanned the letter attached, and his eyes widened, "I don't believe it…."

"What?" Linda asked anxiously, "Is it something bad?"

"No," Michael breathed.

He unfolded the certificate and pushed it into the middle of the table for Linda and Grace to see.


This is to certify that

Michael II Corner

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin Second Class

For the beyond ordinary effort he went to, to provide medical care during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


"Oh my god!" Grace exclaimed, "Dad, you're getting an Order of Merlin!"

Linda's eyes widened, "Seriously? That's like a Victoria Cross, ain't it?"

"No," Michael said breathily, "I mean, yes, a First Class one is. But this is a Second Class; it's for achievement rather than bravery."

"You're getting it for breaking the hospital lockdown," Grace realised, "Aren't you?"

Linda looked from the Order of Merlin to Michael, "You're getting an Order of Merlin for the thing they sacked you for?"

Michael smiled and replied dryly, "Yes, it is a little ironic, isn't it?"

"It's not ironic, Michael, it's bloody moronic!" Linda snapped, "What you need to do is get straight onto the press and tell 'em what's going on. You'll have your bloody job back in no time."

Grace cocked her head at her father, "Mum has a good point there, Dad."

"Yeah," Michael said with a slight smile, "She kind of does, right?"

Linda smirked in response, "Not just a pretty face, am I?"

Grace hid an amused smile at that, and Michael laughed heartily. This news had made his entire week.


Devon

Ron Weasley's Family Home

Ron had just gotten home from the hospital, and he was still very dependent on the help of others. He had three physical therapy appointments a week at the hospital to help him learn how to walk with his prosthetic leg.

Freddie had joked, "At least it's not a wooden peg leg, " making Ron think of Alastor Moody. Medical science had come on a long way since then, and this was much more realistic and comfier to wear.

But it still didn't feel right, and as his physical therapist had said, it probably wouldn't for a long time yet.

With the country still in lockdown, Freddie had temporarily moved into the quaint cottage with its thatched roof, which he loved so much as a child. He had lived with his mother and his step-father, Oliver, but he had spent every weekend at this place.

Freddie would have to head back to Romania or take a placement somewhere else in the long run. But for now, he was home, so he had offered to help his father out however he could.

Gideon, Fabian and Evie were helping too, but they were younger, so there was a limit to what they could do. Ron and Felicity had never had house-elves, which meant all the cooking and cleaning had to be done by hand. The younger three had the cleaning and chores down a fine art, and Freddie was a great cook, but his skills weren't required.

Molly was popping over every day with a family feast for all of them, and although she could be overbearing sometimes, Ron appreciated it right now. He knew he was going to have to learn to cook sometime, but the thought of opening Felicity's recipe book right now and looking at all her handwritten annotations was just too much; he knew he would break down if he did that.

Ron sighed and looked down at his breakfast, which he had hardly touched. He wasn't the only one who had lost his appetite a little lately, but he forced himself to eat something. He had to be a good example to his children, after all.

A hoot sounded, and Evie jumped up to get the post from the owl. She gave him a knut for his time; he hooted and dropped the letters into her hands.

She threw some junk mail onto the table, then frowned at the three parchment letters in her hands.

"Are those from Hogwarts, Evie?" Ron asked, "They look official."

Evie shook her head, "They're from the Ministry. There's one for you, Dad and one for you, Freddie."

Ron and Freddie both took the letters, but they didn't open them. They were too concerned about the way Evie was staring at the third one with tears in her eyes and shaking hands.

"Who's that one for, sweetheart?" Ron asked gently.

Evie looked up and blinked her tears away, "Mum," she choked out.

Ron frowned and looked at the letter, which sure enough was addressed to;

The Widower of Felicity Weasley

A lump rose in Ron's throat, but he pushed it down and opened the envelope. A letter fell out and landed on the table, Gideon pulled it over to himself and scanned what it said.

"Dad," He said quietly, "I think they're giving Mum an Order of Merlin."

Ron was already unfolding the certificate, so he nodded, "Yeah," he said, his voice tight with emotion, "They are."


This is to certify that

Felicity Weasley

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin First Class

For her heroic actions in the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


He lay the certificate on the table for the kids to see, and Evie let out a sob. Ron sighed and pulled her into a hug, he had tears in his own eyes, but he held himself together.

"It's an honour, Evie."

"She's not even here to get it!" Evie sobbed in response.

Ron swallowed and kissed the top of his daughter's head, "Neither was your Uncle Fred. Uncle George accepted the medal on his behalf. Sometimes we just….don't realise how brave someone is until the very end."

Gideon wiped his eyes, and Fabian nodded, "You should be proud, Evie."

Ron nodded and let go of his daughter, "We should all be proud. Your mother was….the most wonderful woman I have ever met. I'll be honoured to accept that medal on her behalf in January, and hopefully, by then, we will all have healed a little."

Evie nodded tearfully, and Freddie stayed very quiet. He still felt that it wasn't his place to grieve Felicity because she hadn't been his mother.

Ron had told him that wasn't the case, that Felicity had been his stepmother but that she had loved him as much as their other three children, and Freddie knew it was true. But still, he kept his mouth shut.

"What's yours, Freddie?" Evie sniffed.

Freddie looked down at the letter in his hands, "Oh, I don't know."

"Open it then," Gideon said; he cleared his throat.

"Yeah," Fabian sniffed, "You're not gonna find out by staring at it, are you?"

Freddie would typically have rolled his eyes, but he didn't that morning. He tore into the envelope and unfolded the certificate inside.


This is to certify that

Frederick Weasley Wood

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin First Class

For his heroic evacuation of children during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


"Oh…Merlin."

Ron glanced over Freddie's shoulder and smiled, "You deserve that, son. You went above and beyond during that attack. I don't even know how many kids you got out of there."

"You're getting one too?" Evie asked, her eyes wide again.

Freddie nodded, "It's…it's a first-class Order of Merlin."

Gideon smiled and patted his older brother on the shoulder, "You deserve it."

"Yeah, you're a hero, mate," Fabian agreed.

"Just like Dad," Evie said.

Ron looked up, "I'm not a hero, Evie."

"Yes, you are," Evie argued, "You've got an Order of Merlin too, from the last war."

Ron still felt a pang of guilt every time he thought about that. Deep down, he didn't think he deserved that Second Class Order of Merlin for his 'contribution to the war effort in the Second Wizarding War'. He had left Harry and Hermione, and in his eyes, no amount of retribution was enough to have earned him an Order of Merlin. That was an opinion he had only ever voiced to Felicity, and she had wholeheartedly disagreed with him.

That was why the medal was in a cupboard, not on display in a cabinet. He didn't want to think about it, and he hated the way looking at it made him feel. He had been a different person back then, before Freddie and Felicity.

"Dad, open it."

Freddie's voice cut through the haze, and Ron realised that one of his children had shoved the letter addressed to him into his hands.

So, already knowing what it would be, Ron opened it.


This is to certify that

Ronald Bilius Weasley

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin First Class

For his outstanding bravery during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


Ron swallowed and stared down at the words before him tearfully. He knew he should feel proud, but he just wished that Felicity was here to see this. She would laugh and joke that it was all part of his character development like this was just a story that would end soon.

He wished it was a story; if it were, maybe he could rewrite the ending. But he couldn't, his wife was gone, and there was nothing he could do to bring her back.

Evie wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, "I'm so proud of you, Dad."

Ron hugged her back tearfully, and Freddie looked at him across the table.

"And Felicity would have been too," He promised.

Ron could only manage a slight nod and a tearful smile back at his son upon hearing those words. Between them, his eldest and his youngest children had just said exactly what he needed to hear.


Lupin House

Hannah had barely left Lupin House since her father had passed away. Helping to settle the children there helped her heal, she couldn't quite work out why, but she supposed it was because she felt close to her father here.

She put down her wand and wiped her brow. Hannah couldn't sleep at the moment anyway, so she had spent the evening repainting the second nursery room – it wasn't in the best state, and they needed it more than ever now that they had so many babies and toddlers under their care.

"Hannah!" A voice called from downstairs.

She recognised it as Morag's voice – she was a Paediatric Healer who worked closely with Lupin House but was ultimately based in Lilly's Maternity and Childcare ward at St Mungo's. Right now, she was offering support here in whatever way she could.

"I'll be down for breakfast in a moment, Morag!" Hannah called back.

"I would hurry if I were you," Morag's voice floated up, "There's a letter here that you're going to want to read!"

Hannah frowned and slipped her wand into her pocket. Then she jogged down the stairs into the dining hall. There was a staff table up the top where Morag was currently sitting alone – Nina and Ginny didn't stay on the premises, so they usually came in a little later.

"What's so interesting about this letter?"

"The Ministry seal and the way it's addressed give me a suspicion," Morag admitted, "You ought to sit down."

Hannah frowned and sat down opposite her old school friend, then Morag handed her the letter which was addressed to;

The Daughter of Howard Abbott

Such official and bizarrely addressed letters only came from Hogwarts and the Ministry, so Hannah's eyes widened, and she opened the letter quickly, unfolding the certificate within.


This is to certify that

Howard Abbott

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin First Class

For the bravery he showed and the lives he saved by sacrificing his own during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


Hannah smiled tearfully and nodded, "He deserves that."

Morag reached across the table and took Hannah's hand, "He didn't just save his family when he held that shield up, Hannah. He prevented so many other families from being ripped apart too."

Hannah nodded and wiped her eyes.

"He was a hero," Morag said softly.

Hannah let out a shaky breath, "And maybe the world only realised that when he died, but I've known that for my entire life. My dad has always been my hero."

"He was mine too."

Both women looked up as Nina stepped into the room. Hannah nodded tearfully and drew Nina into a hug, they had never acted like sisters, but Hannah respected that her father had brought up Nina. He had instilled the same values in Nina as he had in her, and Nina was a lovely person because of that.

"He's getting a First Class Order of Merlin for his sacrifice," Hannah said tearfully.

Nina swallowed and nodded; her eyes were full of tears too, "I think what makes him a hero is the fact he would have done it anyway."

"And that's why he deserves it," Morag said gently.


Shell Cottage

"Dad, I'm fine," Victoire assured Bill, "I just don't feel very hungry this morning."

"You threw up a lot last night, Vic," Charlus said from the kitchen, "You need to eat something."

"Charlie is right," Fleur said firmly, "Some bread, some toast. Please, Victoire, eat something."

Victoire sighed, "Toast with butter then."

Fleur nodded and busied herself into the kitchen next to Charlus, who had slotted into family life scarily easily. Victoire couldn't quite believe that her mother actually liked him.

Bill shut the morning paper and was about to comment on the sorry state of the world when an owl tapped on the window.

Fleur frowned, "That's a very large owl."

Charlus looked up and remarked, "Oh, it's a Ministry owl. They always look so official, and they don't take treats either. They think you're bribing them, and they nip you."

Victoire shot him an amused look, "You know that from experience, do you?"

Charlus smiled in response, "I'll have you know I was trying to be a good person, not to bribe the owl."

Victoire snorted and muttered something under her breath that made Bill laugh. If it weren't for the fact that Victoire was actually in a good mood, Charlus would have gone into a rant about feeling attacked.

Fleur had opened the window and taken the letter from the owl while they bickered.

"It is for you, William," She said, throwing the letter onto the table.

"Oh, here we go," Bill remarked, "It's been less than a month since my business burnt to the ground. You reckon this is them trying to offer me a bloody desk job already?"

"I doubt it," Victoire replied, "The Ministry is a bit thinly spread right now. I don't think they have time to recruit."

Bill nodded his agreement and pulled two pieces of parchment from the envelope. He scanned one, then his eyes widened, and he quickly unfolded the second piece.

"Holy mother of Merlin."

"William!" Fleur scolded.

Charlus raised an eyebrow, "What's enough to warrant that kind of language, Bill? You normally tell me off for that."

Bill put the piece of parchment on the table, and the other three crowded around to see what all of the fuss was about.


This is to certify that

William Arthur Weasley

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin Second Class

For the extraordinary magical display that kept Diagon Alley hidden from the Muggles during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


Charlus's eyes widened, "Holy shit, Bill!"

Fleur didn't even tell him off for his language. She just looked up at Bill in surprise, "An Order of Merlin?"

"Dad, that's incredible," Victoire said with a smile, "And totally deserved."

"Entirely so," Fleur agreed.

Bill was staring at it in disbelief.

"You got it for holding that portal open, didn't you?" Charlus asked, "The one that stopped the Muggles getting into Diagon Alley?"

Bill nodded and ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah, holy crap…I can't believe this."

"Does that mean Aunt Daphne is getting one too?" Charlus mused.

"I would assume so," Fleur remarked, "They were partners as much in that as they were in their business."

"But doesn't Daphne already have one for saving the Minister for Magic?" Victoire asked.

Bill snapped himself out of his reverie, "Uh, yeah. She got a first-class for that, but you can be awarded more than one if the classes are different."

"So she's gonna have an Order of Merlin first and second class?" Charlus asked in disbelief.

Suddenly Bill's elation began to fade, "Yes," he groaned.

"Oh, Merlin, she's going to be bloody unbearable."


Potter Manor

"Thea, please eat the eggs you asked the elves to cook for you and Alastor, stay out of Andrea's way today. She has a lot of important reading to do," Daphne was saying when Harry stepped into the kitchen.

Thea made a face, "The eggs don't taste the same as they did in France."

"That's because they come from English hens, not French hens, dumbass," Alastor muttered.

"Alastor," Daphne said in a warning tone, and Alastor rolled his eyes.

"How exactly do French hens differ from English hens, you moron?" Andrea deadpanned.

Harry replied, "Well, I imagine the French ones spend more time running away."

Daphne gave him a long-suffering look, "Harry, don't encourage them."

Harry grinned at the three kids behind Daphne's back and opened the window as an owl tapped at it, "How are you spending the day?"

"Trying to find out what on earth is happening to the business whose premises I can legally go nowhere near right now," Daphne remarked irritably, "How are you spending yours?"

"At the Ministry, doing something that technically isn't my job," Harry remarked.

Daphne shrugged and said, "Aren't you a Grand Sorceror? I thought everything was your job."

"That's more of a ceremonial title than anything else," Harry said with a shrug, "And frankly, I think it was stupid that they awarded it to a 19-year-old."

"It was quite a miracle your head didn't inflate to the size of your Aunt Marge," Daphne agreed, shooting him a teasing look.

Harry smiled and leant in to kiss her, "You're acting like you're in a foul mood, but I think you're in quite a good one."

Daphne kissed him back and leant against the work surface, "Lilly is home, and she's adjusting well. I hadn't realised how much of a weight on my mind that was."

Harry nodded too, "I don't think I had either. But I think she's quite happy to be back in Longbottom House, even if the kids aren't."

Daphne chuckled, "Yes, the kids wanted to stay here, but I don't think Neville and Lilly were too keen on that idea."

"We are not the Black-Notts," Harry said, smiling at his wife in amusement, "I think having a healthy amount of space between us is a good thing."

Daphne bowed her head in agreement, and Alastor cut in, "Mum, Dad, if you're done flirting, you should probably open these letters."

Harry turned around and asked, "What letters?"

Alastor held two official Ministry letters up and remarked, "These ones."

Harry frowned and took them from his son. He handed Daphne's to her and said, "These look remarkably like Order of Merlin notifications."

Daphne frowned too, "Yes, they do rather."

"But you've both got Order of Merlins," Thea pointed out.

"You can get more than one, Thea," Andrea remarked sarcastically, "Don't you read?"

"Andrea, don't bully your sister," Daphne said absentmindedly as she opened her letter.

Harry opened his too and frowned down at the certificate.


This is to certify that

Harry James Potter

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin Second Class

For the extraordinary magical display that allowed Aurors and Healers access in the wake of the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


"I'm getting a Second Class Order of Merlin for what Neville and I did in Diagon Alley," Harry remarked.

Daphne looked up at Harry then showed him the certificate in her hands;


This is to certify that

Daphne Lareina Potter

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin Second Class

For the extraordinary magical display that kept Diagon Alley hidden from the Muggles during the 2021 attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


"I'm getting one for what Bill and I did."

Alastor frowned and scratched his head, "Wait…I'm so confused. You can have more than one?"

Andrea rolled her eyes, "Yes. If they are of different classes, you could get them all. They are for different things. A first-class is for bravery, a second class is for achievement or endeavour beyond the ordinary, and a third class is for contribution to our store of knowledge and entertainment."

Thea's behaviour had improved because she didn't even comment on Andrea being a walking encyclopedia.

"Holy shit, you guys are going to be even more famous than you already are," Thea instead remarked.

Daphne would usually tell Thea off for her language, but she didn't. Instead, she smirked and said, "Two Order of Merlins, Harry. You realise what this makes us?"

"Uh, OM squared?" Harry joked.

Daphne rolled her eyes and remarked, "No, it makes us members of the Order of Merlin Committee. We get to vote on who gets them from now on, and I hear they have the best parties. Someone I know told me that the last one had a golden fountain that poured champagne all night long."

"Oh, here we go," Alastor muttered.

"Mum's going into Marchioness Potter mode," Andrea remarked dryly.

Thea snorted in amusement, then the backdoor opened, and the Longbottom trio clambered in, with Neville and Lilly following.

"Wait till you hear Mum and Dad's news," James said. He grabbed a pastry from the table, "They're gonna be talking about it for weeks."

"And it's all anyway is going to mention at school," Harry grumbled.

James rolled his eyes, "Having famous parents sucks."

"Or it gets you whatever you want," Laurel chirped up.

"If you use it to your advantage," Thea agreed.

Alastor snorted and looked down the table at the two girls, "Spot the Slytherins."

Laurel grinned and hi-fived Thea across the table.

"Do I gather that you have an Order of Merlin as well then, Neville?" Harry joked.

Neville chuckled and nodded, "I do, a Second Class, for the same thing as you, I imagine," he waved the certificate in front of their faces briefly – just long enough for them to skim what it said.


This is to certify that

Neville Frank Longbottom

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin Second Class

For the extraordinary magical display that allowed Aurros and Healers access in the wake of the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


Harry nodded and said, "Welcome to the honorary club where golden champagne is served."

"Champagne from a golden fountain, Harry," Daphne remarked.

Lilly chuckled and helped herself to a pumpkin pasty, "And what about me? Am I not invited?"

Daphne looked at her best friend with a frown, "You already have a Second Class Order of Merlin for setting up the Maternity Hospital. They can't award you another one of the same class."

"They can't," Neville agreed with a proud smile, "But they could award her a different class."

Daphne's eyes widened, "Really? They awarded you a First Class?"

Lilly grinned and held up the certificate for the others to see;


This is to certify that

Lillian Longbottom

has been awarded the status of

Order of Merlin First Class

For the outstanding bravery she portrayed and the lives she saved during the 2021 Diagon Alley Attack.

AUTHORISED BY

Minister for Magic - Draco Abraxas Black


Harry was the first to congratulate Lilly. He pulled her into a hug and whispered, "You deserve that. Frankly, you should have gotten one after the war."

Lilly smiled up at him then, "Thank you, Harry. That means a lot coming from you."

Daphne smiled too. She pulled Lilly into a hug then kissed her on the cheek, "Well, now everyone in the family has a First Class Order of Merlin. We are quite the dream team, aren't we?"

Harry shook his head and looked at the other kids, "How are we supposed to live up to that?"

"We aren't, man," James muttered, "They're unbeatable. Just face it, we'll never be as famous as our parents."

Alastor nodded with mock seriousness, "Just run away to Brazil like me, and hope nobody knows your parents there."

Laurel snorted, "No offence, Al, but everybody everywhere knows your dad."

"Thanks for that, Laurie," Alastor remarked sarcastically while Andrea and Thea sniggered.

Neville shook his head and looked at Harry, "They keep us modest, don't they?"

Harry snorted and grabbed himself a cup of coffee, "They certainly do that."

- TBC -