Chapter 3: Camera Obscura

Al was almost awake when he heard the door open. Even though he wasn't an Auror his father's lessons had been seared into his brain until it was almost second nature, so he sat up quickly with his wand outstretched.

"Oh! Pardon me; I didn't know Leda was entertaining!" A blonde woman about Virginia's age held up her hands, displaying two cups of coffee. "If you'd put that wand away we might be able to talk about this, ok?"

After lowering his wand Al realized that he was shirtless and only in his boxers, and that the woman had recognized that he had a wand thus she must be a witch, so he drew the lone blanket around his waist. "So sorry, habit."

The witch lowered her takeout coffee cups and walked over to the kitchen. "No problem, no problem at all. She still asleep? Didn't see her at Chance's last night."

Al lowered his wand but felt his near nakedness as if was the only thing in the room. "Um, if you'll pardon me, I'd like to get dressed."

Still looking out of the window over the kitchen sink the blonde waved at him over her shoulder. "Well, of course. Take your time. Is she ok? She's usually up by now, even when we go out. I swear I've never seen anyone, let alone a woman, drink as much as her."

Al hurriedly got dressed, pulling a pair of jeans and a spare short-sleeved shirt out of his rucksack. Once that was completed he took a deep breath. "I'm decent now, thank you."

The woman turned around. After taking in Al's face, and then his tattoos, she shrieked. "Oh my stars, Albus Potter! I can't believe you're here! Oh my word, Leda…but you were on the floor…" Her brows knitted, causing her nose to scrunch up.

"We're just friends. Old family friends, actually." He noticed her confusion. "Her father is my godfather."

That took the witch aback for a second. "She said her family was dead…"

"Dead?" Al laughed. "Oh, that's a good one."

The woman was almost bouncing on the balls of her feet and Al was positive that he was going to be hugged, after all, he'd seen the signs many times before, but instead she bounded over to Virginia's bed and started shaking the still-sleeping woman. "Leda! Leda, wake up, you're not going to believe this! Albus Potter is here!"

Virginia rolled over and groaned, throwing an arm over her eyes. "Yeah, I know. Tell him to get breakfast."

The witch looked shocked at the blasé manner of her friend. After taking a few moments to collect herself, she stood up and straightened her hair. "Goodness gracious me, and here I am looking like a mess. My mother would be so ashamed of me, forgetting my manners. How do you do, Mr. Potter? I'm Mary Caroline Williams." She stood up and walked over to Al, extending her hand.

Al shook her hand mechanically, reverting back to his normal manner when dealing with overzealous fans. "Very nice to meet you. What do they call you for short?"

She looked at him oddly. "Well, Mary Caroline, of course."

Their little introduction was interrupted by a groan from the bed, and both of them turned to see the occupant sit up groggily. After rubbing her eyes she looked over at the two of them. "Oh, what a great way to start the day. Fucking stellar."

Al laughed at her. "Gin, what would your mum say if she heard you say that?"

She rubbed her eyes again and brushed the hair away from her forehead. "That I sound like Dad." The realization of what she said hit Virginia and she looked over at Mary Caroline. "Oh fuck."

The three of them sat at the back booth of a little mom and pop diner, as far away from the other patrons as possible. As Gin picked at her eggs Mary Caroline sat down her napkin dramatically.

"So let me get this straight. Your name isn't Leda, it's Virginia Boyd, and you're the daughter of the man who wrote my Muggle Studies textbook. You've not only known Albus Potter your entire life but his mother is your godmother. You were engaged to Hugo Weasley, the son of Ron and Hermione Weasley who we read about in History of Magic and you broke it off without telling him a damn thing?" Her mouth gaped open for a moment and then she shook her head. "Unbelievable."

Al took a sip of tea and mentally cursed the inability of the UMS to make a decent cup. "You forgot about the part where her little sister is getting married."

"Right." Mary Caroline took a deep breath. "Why, Leda, or is it Virginia? Why?"

Gin looked over Mary Caroline's shoulder towards the waitress taking an order several booths away. "Do you think they have Bloody Mary's here?"

Al shook his head. "On a Wednesday morning? Gin, you need to lay off the booze."

"Fuck me." Gin rested her head against the cracked vinyl top of the booth. "Yes, Mary Caroline, it's all true. Why? That's a long story."

Al took a quick glance at his watch. "Which reminds me, my portkey is leaving soon. I have to catch a taxi over to someplace called Maymont. How long will that take?"

Gin shook her head. "Richmond's not like London, Al. You can't hail a minicab on the street. I'll drive you over there. Can't eat anymore anyway."

As Al paid the bill Mary Caroline got out of her side of the booth and slid in next to Virginia. "Ok, Albus Potter? And you're Virginia? You need to tell me some things, and fast."

After deflecting more entreaties Gin shook her head. "Later, after we drop him off."

Before Mary Caroline could object Al returned to the table. "Ready, then?"

The two witches slid out of the booth, and after exiting the diner they piled into Gin's Jeep, entered the morning Richmond traffic headed towards Al's portkey, all of them silent.

After waiting for a group of mothers with their children in prams to pass Al took his portkey and vanished from Richmond. Gin still held the group of letters in her hand, his parting gift, and turned them over and over, waiting for the questions she knew would come from Mary Caroline.

Instead of the barrage of questions Mary Caroline smoothed her blonde hair and re-tied the bottom tails of her oversize plaid shirt. "Can you take me over to Worthington's gallery? I just put a painting in over there and want to make sure they're displaying it the right way."

"Sure." Gin nodded. As the two of them started to walk out of the park she looked over to Mary Caroline. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you so many times, but…"

"Its fine, sugar, its fine. Just tell me one thing; do I call you Leda or Virginia? Or is it Gin?"

"Virginia's fine, but my friends call me Gin. Gin, I guess."

"All righty, then. Gin it is."

The two women continued their walk, eventually ending up next to Gin's Jeep. After unlocking it they slid inside and Gin started up the engine. Mary Caroline laughed.

"Always thought it was funny, you being a witch and knowing how to drive a Muggle car. Now I know why, you're dad being Professor Muggle and all."

Gin signaled and entered the street and started maneuvering her way through the confusing streets that led to the gallery. "Yeah, I guess it makes sense. Dad wanted us all to know how to drive. Still feels weird driving on this side of the street, though."

As the silence grew Mary Caroline reached over and turned on some music, Muggle music. "And now the music makes sense, too."

"Merlin, I'm sorry, Mary Caroline. I should have told you ages ago."

The blonde witch reached over and patted Gin on the shoulder. "You're telling me now, that's what counts. So now what? Are you going back to England?"

Gin shook her head. "No, Scotland. I guess I have to see my family soon, especially Minnie since she's getting married." After a long pause she looked over at Mary Caroline. "Do you want to come with me?"

After a snort and a laugh Mary Caroline shook her head. "And how am I going to do that? You know I haven't sold a painting, not even one, and my folks don't have the money for an international portkey."

Gin focused on the stoplight, waiting for it to change. Without looking at Mary Caroline once the light turned green she had made her decision. "I can pay for it. I inherited money from my grandmum." When her friend didn't respond she glanced over at her quickly and then back to the street. "For me. It's not like that; I need you to come with me. For me? Remember, I'm the one who stopped you from hooking up with Carter."

"Oh God, you would bring that up." Mary Caroline shook her head. "That's playing dirty."

"I was in Slytherin. I know you've read about the different houses at Hogwarts."

Mary Caroline snapped her fingers. "Well, it all makes sense, now!" She laughed and was relieved to see a smile creep across Leda, Gin's face for the first time all day. "Oh what the hell. Why not? Maybe I'll find some prince and marry him over there. I always thought I'd look good in a castle."

The salesman cursed his luck as the two young women walked into the showroom, as it was obvious from the way they were dressed that no sale was in his future. Instead it was just two stupid chicks who wanted to drive a really nice car, a total waste of his time. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Figures that he would be the one to make the initial contact, as they were nothing but a waste. At least they were cute. "Ladies, anything in particular you'd like to see? Care for a test drive?"

The one with dark hair shook her head. "Sorry, not today. Is Nate Boyd available?"

The salesman's smile vanished immediately. "Um, I think he's in his office. I'll be right back."

As the man walked away Virginia and Mary Caroline strolled around the gleaming blue Porsche 911. Even though Mary Caroline simply thought all cars were the same, crazy Muggle things that were completely unnecessary when you had magical abilities, Gin knew what that car was; unadulterated speed and freedom. They didn't have to wait too long when Nate Boyd walked around the corner, and after he saw Virginia his face lit up.

"Gin!" He walked over and gave her a big hug, his tall frame completely dwarfing Gin's moderately sized one. "Girl, we've been looking for you." He held her out at arm's length. "Have you talked to your parents?"

Virginia shook her head. "Not yet, that's why we came to see you. This is my friend Mary Caroline."

Nate shook her hand. "Very nice to meet you, Mary Caroline. Now, you two want a cup of coffee? Tea?" He winked at Gin. "You know your Aunt Lavender's trained me to make a decent cup of tea."

Gin eyed the black Jaguar sedan next to the Porsche. "Um, can we go for a ride? Something with four seats?"

The light of recognition clicked on in Nate's eyes. "No problem, kiddo. Hold on a sec." He left the two of them standing next to the Porsche, eventually coming back with a set of dealer's plates and a key. "We'll take the silver sedan out on the lot."

Soon the three of them were driving though Washington, D.C., Mary Caroline in the back seat while Nate piloted the car. They'd only made it a few blocks when he looked over at his niece. "So, Virginia, nobody can find you and all the sudden you show up in my showroom? What gives? You ok?"

She nodded. "Yeah, Uncle Nate, I'm ok. We need to get a portkey back to Scotland."

He glanced over with a quizzical look. "I know you can manage that. Why come see me?'

Gin played with the copious amount of her grandmum's bangle bracelets that she'd put on that morning. "Um, well…I'm wondering what Mum and Dad will say. Have they said anything to you and Aunt Lavender?"

"Fucking hell, Gin, I get a letter about every two weeks from your dad. Melody's a mess. Your sisters are as well, but HR, well…you know HR. He figures you'll show up when you want. Like your Grandpa Boyd in that way. Shit, Lavender even got a letter from Hermione."

Gin looked at the impressive wood paneling of the Jaguar's interior. "Oh bloody hell."

"Exactly." Nate glanced into the rear view mirror. "What about you, Mary Caroline? Are you really the long-lost daughter of some Auror or something?"

Mary Caroline leaned forward between the front seats. "Oh no, born and bred in Richmond. Mom calls us an old Richmond family, we can trace everything back before the Revolutionary War. I went to Houdini. Gin and I are both artists, we met at a gallery opening."

Nate chuckled and looked over to Gin. "You know bringing her with you isn't going to help with your mom."

"Oh, I know. Think it'll be worse than when HR and Lily ran off and got married?"

That caused Nate to laugh wholeheartedly. "Holy shit, you have no idea. Not that bad, but it won't be good."

"Fuck." Gin sat back in her seat and watched the D.C. landscape go by. "I probably can't smoke in here, can I?'

Nate's eyebrows narrowed. "You do that and you'll buy this. Trust me; you don't want to do that. I should have known Hank's bad habits would rub off on one of you kids." Nate signaled and got on the interstate, picking up speed rapidly.

"Where are we going?" Mary Caroline's voice interrupted the conversation in the front seats, causing Gin to look quizzically at her uncle.

"We're going to the AAB offices." Nate signaled and rapidly switched lanes. "We need to see my wife."

Lavender Boyd had just finished putting the finishing touches on a report when one of the junior AAB agents stuck his head in her doorway. "You've got guests, ma'am."

"Guests?" Lavender looked quickly at her calendar. "Hmm…ok. Tell them I'll be there in a few minutes."

After the agent left her office Lavender quickly looked in the mirror and pulled her hair back into a conservative bun. Her curls had loosely framed her face, but if she was going to have visitors she wanted to look as business-like as possible. After that delegation from Quebec had shown up a few weeks back and she'd had to fend off unwanted advances from their senior agent she was determined to not let her looks interfere with her job. Once she'd completed her appearance to her satisfaction she took the steps down to the visitor's entrance.

Once Lavender had rounded the corner she stopped suddenly, as waiting for her was not only her husband but a young blonde witch and her missing niece. While she was happy to see Nate, and especially Gin, the fact that they had shown up unexpectedly was going to completely throw off her schedule. She simply motioned for the three visitors to join her and waited for them.

Once the appropriate identification was in place they all crowded into Lavender's office. Nate sat on the edge of Lavender's desk while Gin and Mary Caroline sat in the two available guest chairs. It seemed like an eternity went by before Lavender broke the silence.

"First things first. Gin, are you in any trouble?"

"No, Aunt Lavender." Gin slumped in her seat and her bangles jingled slightly.

"Good." Lavender quickly glanced up at Nate. "I'm not going to ask, I'm just going to tell you a few things. One, stop smoking now or your mum will have your head, I can smell it from here. Two, go see Hugo first. Three, if you ever do this again, and I mean ever…"

Gin couldn't stop herself; the words just came tumbling out. "I knew this was a mistake. I'm twenty-one, it's my life. I just need help in arranging a portkey and thought you might be able to help, but I can see this was…" She started to rise from her chair.

"Sit down, Virginia." The calm steel in Lavender's voice caused her niece to hesitate and sit down again. "Of course it's your life. I know a little about that line of conversation." She snuck a glance over at Nate and then returned her focus to Virginia. "That doesn't mean it's not hard. The choices you make are yours, good or bad. I was trying to say that if you do this again, run away and abandon your family, you might find the time away may have changed things too much. It is never too late, but sometimes it feels like it is. Now where do you want the portkey to arrive?"

As Mary Caroline sat a few seats away reading Magical Celebrities Gin tried to get comfortable in the hard seat. The international section of the portkey terminal did not seem very inviting, but then again it wasn't like the Muggle airports, where people spent hours upon hours waiting for their flights. As she reached into her bag to pull out her WUMP she saw the stack of letters that Al handed to her right before his portkey. She picked them up, moved them to the side and got out her WUMP, but after putting on her earbuds she stuck her hand back in and pulled out the letters.

After glancing over to make sure that Mary Caroline wasn't paying attention Gin unwrapped the thin string that bound the letters together. Hugo's unmistakably legible handwriting was on the top three letters, so she shuffled those to the back. It was going to be hard enough to read them, but she just couldn't do it right away. A letter from her mum, her Dad, Mione, Minnie, and then one that she didn't recognize. After separating that letter from the rest she opened it, and while she slid the envelope open she realized that her stomach was turning knots as well as her head was pounding.

Virginia,

You know that I can't see anything about my immediate family except when something very big happens, so this morning while having breakfast with Simon I got a very distinct vision of you. I couldn't realize exactly why, since I've never had any visions with you in them until Hugo came over all in a panic and showed me your ring.

What I saw was that you stood in a large room with paintings all over the place. I have no idea where this place is, but I felt as if you owned it. Your hair was short, you were dressed in all blue and you wore a lot of jewelry. A man walked into the room and said he would buy all of them for a very large sum of money. You shook your head, and after he left you took out your wand and set fire to a stack of parchment in the fireplace.

I debated with Simon for several days whether or not to write and tell you what I saw. As Simon and Al keep reminding me, my visions are only possibilities, not set into stone.

Hugo is not doing well with your absence or the fact that you returned the ring. He sat on my sofa the other night and drank firewhiskey with Simon, asking him over and over what he'd done to drive you away for good. Virginia, please tell him what has happened. It's the not knowing that's making him mental. He kept saying that your letters were what kept him going during the war, and now he's wondering if you just said all those things to keep his spirits up. Dad came and took him home.

Please write. We all miss you.

Rose

"Are you ok?" Mary Caroline sat down next to Virginia. "Led…I mean, Gin? Honey?"

Virginia reached up and felt tears upon her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly. "It's too hard. I can't do it."

Mary Caroline put her arm around Gin. "Sure you can. Won't be easy, but you can do it. I'll be there to help." She reached over and pulled out her magazine. "Is it true that Albus Potter's under the spell of a Welsh witch? He seemed pretty normal to me. Kinda shy for a big WeasleyVision star, but…"

Gin laughed, pulled the magazine out of her friend's hands and gently smacked Mary Caroline on the shoulder. "Thank you, you blithering Southern idiot."