Chapter 42: A Mother's Fear

Another family meeting but this time in Bulgaria where majority of the "family members" are from Viktor's family.

"The shipment will arrive in Varna. I already have a contact to the drop-off point there and I also contacted our connections in the Muggle government," Vaclav, Viktor's (much older) cousin addressed the entire room.

"Varna?" Ianthé whispered to Viktor.

"It's the principal seaport of Bulgaria," Viktor whispered back, "They Disillusioned everything."

"What about the radar and stuff? Won't the Muggles detect anything from their contraptions?"

"Magic disrupts the field so all their devices won't work."

Ianthé nodded and was impressed by the flawless plan being stated by the Krums.

"Do you want to visit your friend after the meeting?" Viktor squeezed her hand.

"I already wrote to Nikki saying that I cannot visit her. I want to spend the rest of the holidays with you…"

Viktor smiled at her and they concentrated on the rest of the meeting.

"So Mum, you're spending the Christmas with us?"

Margeaux smiled at her daughter, "I'm afraid so, honey. Your father still needs to talk to Khan about their business acquisitions."

"Isn't he even bothered by my sharing a room with Viktor?"

Ianthé's mother smiled again, "I think he's beginning to accept that you have grown into a woman. He always thought of you as his precious spoiled little girl, but you grew up to be stronger and kind-hearted than we ever could imagine."

"Thanks, Mum."

"By the way, do you still drink that potion I gave you? Tell me if you're out of stock."

Ianthé blushed deeply, "Mum! Must we talk about that? Yes, I have been taking it religiously."

Margeaux exhaled the breath she was holding, "You should take precautions. It's better to be safe especially now that you're still in school."

Ianthé rolled her eyes, "I know, Mum… So how's Andy?"

"Thriving, from what my dear brother has reported. I think she's got Edmond wrapped around her finger."

"Do you already know what the baby will be?"

"Babies, darling, babies…"

Ianthé's eyes bulged, "You mean to tell me that Eddie and Andy are having twins?"

Margeaux nodded, "A boy and a girl, probably this Easter. I already planned for us to go to France in your Easter break."

Ianthé was elated by the news.

Margeaux brushed her daughter's hair, "You do know that you and Edmond had forged very important relationships with powerful families?"

"Yes."

"And that our family will remain purebloods?"

"Yes."

"Please listen to me carefully."

Ianthé faced her mother.

"I have this feeling that it won't be long before our families will go all out on this war," Margeaux clutched her daughter's hand tightly, "Please protect yourselves, including Andy's children when the time comes."

"Mum!"

"No, no, no, you don't understand me. Your father and I, we're ready. We have readied all our finances and the like. We are ready to die in this war but you…. You, Edmond, Viktor, Andy….. You're all so young…"

"Mum, I do believe that Voldemort will not succeed. I just believe it," Ianthé stated firmly.

"Optimism…. Everyone should have it right now, but you were not there during the first war. Your father and I… we were safe because we were purebloods and our parents sympathized with those who believed in the purity of blood. Your father almost became a Death Eater like his dead relatives, but your grandfather relented that he concentrate on business. The only way that You-Know-Who believed you father's family was to finance the Death Eaters. Your father was lucky he got out of the tight situation when You-Know-Who disappeared."

"Mum, don't worry. I'll be safe inside Hogwarts. Dumbledore is the only person You-Know-Who ever feared, so he won't touch the school as long as Dumbledore is headmaster."

Margeaux sobbed a little, "You're right. I'm just being silly and all."

"It's normal, Mum. You're my mother, and mothers always wanted their children to be safe."

My parents celebrated Christmas with us in Bulgaria, together with Viktor's parents. Fred and George owled me saying that what I ordered were ready and they added some Shield Cloaks and Gloves. Together with their letter, they gave me a sample of their Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, which could be dead useful in times of danger. Viktor and I rarely got privacy as there are many people inside the house unlike last year. He agreed to go with us to France on the Easter holidays for Andy's childbirth.