After my run-in with Mab I took Mouse home. The Carpenters tried to make me stay for dinner, but I had lost my appetite. Instead, I went back to Molly's apartment, I was always welcome there when I wasn't staying on the island. Molly's been gone for a week now and she told me not to expect her for another few. I had no idea where she was but for once, I was glad for her absence – it gave me time to think without anyone plastering me about what has happened to make me get so sour.

It didn't take me much to figure out I had no choice but to wait. Mab told me to, and she wouldn't have done so if it were urgent, and besides, I had no lead to go on, just a mysterious someone about to approach me. To tell the truth, as the days went forward I kind of forgot about the whole thing and instead went on with my life. That meant Ebenezar's call couldn't have been a bigger slap; it made me realize I shouldn't be able to forget something this important. And my old mentor was right in that I had to tell people I was leaving this time. They love me but even they couldn't forgive me twice for the same thing. Even if I wouldn't know what to say, and even if I was terrified to say it.

-O-

I called Michael from a gas station right after I returned from Edinburgh (I didn't want to give myself time to change my mind, so I took the first phone I came across after I exited the Nevernever). I asked him if I could speak with them and he invited me over for dinner, so I headed over to his house. I probably could've afforded a cab, but it wasn't that far. I arrived relatively early, but I knew no one would mind, so I knocked and immediately heard two pairs of feet running towards the door.

"Maggie, stop! Let's see first who it is." I heard, and then the door was yanked open by Daniel holding Maggie back. "Harry!" his face lit up. "You're early. Come on in." He stepped aside to let me in.

"Well, yeah, I thought I could come in instead of standing outside." I smiled at the kid – or, not kid any more. He has grown a lot since I first met him. He must be now, what, twenty? Man, do I feel old sometimes. Thankfully Maggie jumped on me before my thoughts could've taken me to a dark place. 'Dad!" she shouted.

"Hey, kiddo" I smiled at her, holding her in my arms. She was growing heavy, but I didn't mind. I took every opportunity I could in the past year or so to be with her, and it still wasn't enough. And now I'm leaving.

We walked further in while I listened to Maggie's blubbering about her day. In the kitchen, Charity was in the middle of making dinner with the help of Alicia and Harry, although the boy seemed to be more in the way than of help. Daniel went to join them, and I put Maggie down so she could grab my hand and lead me wherever she wanted us to be. Before we could get going, though, something huge and furry slammed into my legs, almost knocking me over.

"Hey, boy!" I knelt, stroking Mouse's fur. Maggie let out a laugh and grabbed my hand.

"Come on, Mouse!" she said as pulled me towards the staircase. "Come," she tugged on my hand. "I wanna show you my drawing!"

"Let's go, then" I agreed, feeling a smile breaking out on my face. My relationship with my daughter got better and better since I finally decided to be her dad, and it couldn't have made me happier.

"Harry!" Michael's voice interrupted when we were almost at the top. "Good to see you."

"Michael" I looked back at him, stopping for a moment. "Maggie's showing me her drawing. We'll be down soon. When's dinner starting?"

"Go," he assured me. "It won't be ready for a while. I'll send someone to get you."

"Thanks." I smiled and looked at Maggie. "Let's go then."

-O-

I spent the next fifteen minutes looking at Maggie's drawings. They were actually pretty good, she had talent. Several of the them were of Mouse, often with Maggie, me or both of us. I'm still amazed by this whole dad thing, and I'm just as happy when I find something to remind me as I was at first. Maybe it got a little less scary.

"Harry, Maggie," Amanda's face appeared in the doorway. "Dinner's ready."

"Yey!" Maggie shouted and dashed out of the room, her steps loud going down the stairs.

"Thanks" I smiled at Amanda and stood up to follow her. We walked down in silence, and into the kitchen. The rest of the family was already there, Maggie just sitting down. We took our place as well, me sitting next to my daughter.

After a quick prayer dinner started quietly, everyone occupied with their food, but as we began to fill up, chatter started in the room.

"Have you heard about Molly?"

I looked up to see Charity staring expectantly at me. I shook my head.

"No. She hasn't told me anything. Don't worry," I added quickly, seeing her expression filling up with worry. "I'm sure she's all right, she's probably just busy." Which wasn't a lie. All I knew was that Molly went away on Winter business and I could only guess it wouldn't leave her time to be bored, but she hadn't told her family anything of the story, and I promised to let her make the call. I'm sure Michael was catching up on it and Charity had to know something too, but they hadn't questioned me yet, thank god.

Charity seemed to have accepted my half-truth, but I knew more would be coming if Molly didn't come home soon. Michael, on the other hand, leaned forward.

"You wanted to tell everyone something, Harry" he said, his deep voice carrying over the conversations and making everyone listen. At least he wasn't pressing about Molly, but I had to swallow.

"Yeah" I muttered. "Um, I got a new job."

"That's wonderful, dear!" Charity smiled, but I winced.

"Uh, not that much. It's over in Scotland."

It took a moment for it to settle in, but then a little hand grabbed mine.

"Are you leaving?" Maggie asked in a small voice, her eyes super large in her face. I closed my eyes for a moment. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.

"I have to" I told her quietly. "But it's only a year, and I'll come visit" I promised.

"What is this job?" Michael asked. He, too, got quiet.

"It's in a school called Hogwarts, it teaches magic" I told them. "They hired me as a teacher for a year."

They accepted that, though Michael looked like he wanted to ask some more questions but he was restraining himself for now. The rest of the dinner went on like usual, though Maggie clung to me more. After we finished I bathed Maggie and took her to bed. The whole time she didn't say a word, just held on to me as much as she could. When we reached the point when I usually read her a story, she took the book out of my hand and looked at me expectantly, but still she said nothing. I was starting to get really nervous. I had no idea what I could say to make things better and I feared everything I said would work in the opposite way. In the end, she took matters into her own hands and reached out to touch my face. I instantly leaned closer as she asked, still in that small voice of hers that made my heart ache,

"Do you promise to come back?"

"I promise" I whispered to her and kissed her temple. "I'll come visit in the holidays, too."

She nodded, slightly more relaxed, but I could still tell she was nervous. "I'll call and write, too" I added. She nodded again and lay back, letting me tuck her in. I gave her another kiss

"Good night" I said.

"Good night" she repeated, a small smile now playing on her lips.

-O-

I closed the door behind me and went down the stairs. The younger Carpenter kids were getting ready for bed, but Alicia, Matthew and Daniel now had permission to stay up longer. Still, I found only Michael in the kitchen.

"Harry" he welcomed me when I stepped in. "Have you put Maggie to sleep?"

I nodded. "Yeah. She was worried I wouldn't come back.

"Some scars take a long time to heal" Michael rumbled. "I trust you have reassured her."

"Yeah" I said, and then we lapsed into a somewhat uncomfortable silence.

"Why are you going to Scotland?" Michael asked in the end.

I was expecting the question, but it was no easier to answer. I could tell him the official reason – money troubles – but it would only insult him. He's seen the heap of diamonds we all got. After a few minutes of silence I decided to give him honesty, at least as much of it as I could.

"The official reason's money problems" I started softly. "I can't tell you the real reason. I can't see clearly yet, either."

He looked at me for a long moment, and then said, "You shouldn't go into it without any help. I'm not saying you have to tell me but tell someone. Murphy deserves it, and so does Thomas. And you should warn Butters that you'll be gone. He doesn't deserve it to fall on his shoulders." He left it unsaid but I could hear the last word. Again. Yeah, he didn't deserve it.

"I'll talk with them" I promised. "Could you tell Molly where I am when she comes home? I don't think I'll meet her before I leave."

"Of course" nodded my friend. "When are you leaving?"

"As soon as I can. I'm supposed to get a letter telling me how to get there, so I guess after that."

Michael nodded again, then stood up and brought two beers to the table. "Stay safe." he opened his and raised it.

"I will." I opened mine, too, and took a sip. One thing you can be sure with Michael, he'll press you only as far as you need it.