Hello my darlings, I'm back as promised. I'm a little late I know, but I'm sure you'll forgive me for wanting to celebrate that fact that I'm no longer in full time education and have finally finished university. Go me! Let's just hope I've passed. Anyway enjoy!

Chapter three.

"Well Mr. Wood, your resume is obviously very impressive. I worry you may be over qualified for the job. But you are our only applicant, welcome to Hogwarts teaching staff."

"Thank you Headmistress."

Oliver left his former school with something of a spring in his step. He had a job. An escape from his wife. He was happier than he had been in a very long time. It was a new beginning, a fresh start away from home and all its complications.

The wind whipped the trees around him, and rippled across the surface of the lake. It was perfect weather for flying. He couldn't wait to get up there again. It felt like a lifetime since he had played on the school pitch. His school broom was still locked away in the shed at the bottom of the garden, along with those he had favoured during his career.

Soon he would be teaching, and flying the grounds again. Life had finally turned around for the better. With his new zest for life he decided to delay his return home. He headed down the well trod path into Hogsmeade, the idea of scoping out his old stomping ground appealed to him greatly. He'd start with a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks and see where memory lane led him next. This day was his, he was going to enjoy it for as long as possible.

Ayla sat in the kitchen, trying to calm her youngest daughter. The news that Rae's beloved older brother was going away to school had hit her hard. Rae was the baby of the family and as Ayla's own mother often said, she was the heart of it too. Rae was a big softie compared to her more independent twin. Being so preoccupied Ayla missed the knock at the back door.

"Anyone in?" Sarah asked, popping her head around the door.

"Hey Sar' come in. look honey it's Aunty Sarah, aren't you going to give her a smile?" Ayla asked the sniffing seven year old on her lap.

Rae shook her head and sniffed dramatically.

"Aw pumpkin, what's wrong?"

Rae continued to cry in silence, sticking her bottom lip out for added effect.

"Jake got his letter today." Ayla explained, smoothing her daughter's curls.

"Oh but that's great news!" Sarah exclaimed.

"No it's not." Rae wailed once more, fresh tears dampening her face.

Sarah knelt in front of the small girl and brushed her tears away.

"Oh but it is pumpkin. Your brother's going to the best school there is. It's where your mum and me became friends. He'll have so much fun." she said gently.

"But he'll be all alone."

"Is that why you're upset darling?" Ayla asked, her daughter nodded solemnly in reply.

"Of course he won't be alone! Gerry's there, and your cousin Owain. They'll look after him and show him the ropes."

"Really?"

"Sure."

"He'll be ok?"

"Sweetheart, Gerry and Owain have been there a whole year already and they're just fine."

"Promise?"

"Cross our hearts." Sarah said with a grin.

"Ok then."

"Right young lady, I want you to do me a special favour, go tell your dad and Jake that it's time for breakfast."

"Ok mummy."

As Rae left the room Sarah leaned in and whispered:

"So Jakey got his letter! That's great, I bet you're pleased. How's Marcus?"

"You know Marcus Sar', he's the biggest kid of all. He wanted to wake Jake up as soon as he saw the owl."

"Typical. So are you going to tell the girls about Hogwarts? I mean it'll make it easier for them to understand."

"I guess. But we kept it from Jake. It seems unfair to tell them now" Ayla said as she got up to put the kettle on. "Fancy a cuppa?"

"No thanks love, I shouldn't really stop. I just wanted to make sure Jake had his letter. We're off to Melvin's mums today. She wants to give Gerry some of her old spell books. Like they'll be of any use now."

"Sounds like a fun time."

"Tell me about it. Look talk to Jake, I'm sure he'll understand. He dotes on the twins, I reckon he'll want them to know."

"When did you tell Saskia?" Ayla asked.

"When Gerry got her letter. It made the whole thing easier. If anything it brought them closer together."

"Ok I'll give it a go. Oh when are you going to get Gerry's new books?"

"Day after tomorrow probably, you?"

"I don't know. If Jake wants to go today I guess I can hardly say no. We've kept it from him for so long."

"Don't feel guilty about it Ayla. It was for his own good after all."

"Yeah, you're right. Well I'll let you know how it goes."

"Ok, see you soon hopefully."

"Definitely. Bye!"

"Bye, Sar'"

And with a pop Ayla's closest friend was gone. She wasn't alone for long however, her family soon joined her for breakfast.

"Where's Aunty Sar'?" Edie asked as she plonked herself down at the table. "I wanted to say hello."

"She couldn't stay sorry sweetie." Ayla said.

Edie got up and ran to the front door.

"Hey where are you going young lady?" Marcus called, as she narrowly missed knocking the table over.

"I want to see if I can still see her!" Edie called from the door. "Damn she's gone."

"Language Edie. Watch it!"

"Sorry Dad. Hey, there's a really old lady out here."

"Sure it's not Sarah?" Marcus muttered grinning.

"You better watch it mister." Ayla said, smacking her husbands shoulder.

"You never used to hit me before we married you know."

"Mum, come look!"

"You never gave me a chance. But now you're older, you're reflexes aren't as good!" Ayla said, as darted from the room. "Coming sweetie."

Marcus jumped up to follow. Edie was standing in the doorway, watching the woman walk down the lane. There were only five houses on their street, and she was drawing level with their own.

"I don't believe it." Marcus whispered.

"What Dad? What don't you believe?"

"It's McGonagall." Ayla said in an equally hushed voice, finishing her husband's sentence.

Sure enough the couple's former Transfiguration professor stopped at their gate.

"Well I didn't expect to meet you two here." she said warmly. "But it's a nice surprise."

"You mean you're not here about Jake?" Ayla asked.

"Actually no. I'm here to talk to your neighbour. Seems your son's not the only one on this lane going to Hogwarts this September."

A/N not sure if I've mentioned this but in the intervening time Sarah's had another daughter, if you hadn't guessed she'd called Saksia. And anything you don't understand will be made clear in the fullness of time mysterious grin