Ok I've been having problems with this fic recently (trouble with Trouble, who'd have thought?) but this just kind of happened last night and i'm quite pleased with it. Keep in mind this was written with no planning, but I think I may have gotten my knack back grins

Chapter eleven.

During Jake's first week of school, Ayla received one short note from her son. He told her about the train ride up ("boring"), his new friend's ("Sam and Dougie") both of whom were completely in awe of who Jake's dad was, and what House he had been placed ("Gryffindor, with Sam and Dougie and another kid called Peter").

While it was far more than she had expected Ayla couldn't help but feel that she was missing out on a huge part of her son's life. She had called home to see her own mother, to ask if she had felt the same when she and her siblings had left for school. Bev had assured her second youngest that what she was feeling was completely normal.

"I had half a mind to keep you all home and home school you, if I'm honest." her mother had admitted. "But then you all came home, so happy and full of stories of what you had done. It was hard at first, when it was just your brothers, boys don't write as much. But as soon as Zara started, well she wrote to me every week, filled me in on everything your brother's were getting up to. Mind I'm can never determine whether that was a help or a hindrance."

Ayla was sitting with her mother in the now rather worn looking living room of her childhood home. Marcus was spending quality time with the twins, it was very rare that they got their dad to themselves and so as a treat he had taken them back to Diagon Alley to each pick a pet. Both of the young girls were missing their brother, though Edie was loathe to admit it, so it was time for a well earned treat he had said. To cheer all of them up.

Ayla could only imagine the fun her husband was having with twin seven year olds. No doubt he had already submitted to their pleas for sweets and ice cream, and all manner of other things. He really had no self control when it came to his girls, to any of them really. But the girls, oh they had that special way with him already. While "Daddy please." was a trick often employed to get their own way, the two had become far sneakier in recent years. They had both mastered a look to make their dad melt. Rae used her big brown eyes to full effect, whereas Edie could make her face light up in a way that suggested what she wanted was not really that much, and would always mean the world to her. He was a sucker and spoiled them.

Ayla knew it was the guilt at not always being home when they got up, or there to kiss them goodnight that drove him. And she didn't blame him really, she knew she'd be exactly the same if the boot was on the other foot. He'd go above and beyond for his family, he's proved that over and over again.

Though he didn't seem to share her own fears, that he was missing out on an important part of Jake's life. While Marcus knew that his son would grow in so many ways at school, he made it clear that together or apart they were a family. Growing up at Hogwarts was inevitable, and he would never be able to give his son half the experiences he would gain at Hogwarts by keeping him home. Marcus would miss his son, of course, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

"So it was ok then? In the end." Ayla had asked her mother.

"Darling he's your child, your boy, you're never going to enjoy letting him do things without you, but he's going to grow up nevertheless. It does get easier to handle. And really compared to me you have nothing to worry about. Your father always said You Know Who would come back and he was right. Now we know there's no chance. So there's some comfort."

"I guess, it doesn't stop me from worrying though." Ayla admitted.

"I wouldn't expect anything less sweetheart." Bev said smiling.

She set down her coffee cup and grasped her daughter's hand.

"You're only human after all." she finished.

"Marcus thinks we should just keep having more children to fill the gaps. He seems to think I'll worry less with more children in the house."

"I can't imagine you'd worry any less, but-"

"You'd love more grandchildren?" Ayla suggested.

"Well you know what they say, the more the merrier!"

"Mum, you're terrible. How many more grandkids do you want?" Her mother smiled and shrugged, the meaning of the gesture was clear to Ayla. At least enough to fill a Quidditch pitch.

When Karen's letter arrived a full month into the term Ayla knew she would be getting far more news from her former neighbour than from her son.

"Dear Ayla,

Jake is settling in fabulously, way better than me at any rate! I've get lost at least three times an hour when I'm out of class. But your son has been an absolute dear and has escorted me safely to my destination each time he has found me wandering the halls looking like a confunded goat.

Hogwarts is, you know I'm not sure what it is. It's clearly changed since you were here and I can't even begin to explain it now. But it's beautiful and old in places, scarily new in others. The Headmistress is a bit of a rare one, I'm now thankful that McGoogles came to offer me the job and not Professor Lovegood. I'm still working up the nerve to ask what she's professor of! She's nice in her own way, though I do get the impression we're often having to completely different conversations. The kids all seem to like her so what can I say? When it works, it works!

I can't get over the grounds. Oh look at me I'm off again! Telling you about something you already know about. It's just amazing to me, you wouldn't think a place could hold a memory. Hogwarts does, the grounds are still scarred in places and I'm told that they are being left because not all scars are evil. Even the castle has a memory, these walls can tell you so many things. And I think that's why I keep getting lost, I'm so wrapped up I this place and everything that's happened here. I'm making it my mission to talk to every portrait here before the year is out. Though I doubt I'll get more than slight percentage of what they could tell me.

As for my colleagues, well they are a mixed bunch. And I'm less inclined to ask them everything they know about the place, there are whispers among the pictures as to whom was here for the day You Know Who was defeated. I can't believe it some times. It seems so unreal. Let me see, Charms is being taught by this amazing guy, but I keep forgetting his name! He's a sweetheart too, managed to find me when one of my sixth years reported me missing from class. Seriously did the staircases move while you were here?! Oh it's John! John Evans, hah I remembered. I must remember to say his name when I speak to him at supper, I bet he'll be impressed, he keeps having to remind me of his name every time I see him. Like I said, a sweetheart, he's got nothing but nice things to say about Jake.

Potions is up to this incredible woman, I really can't describe her. I'm just in awe, mainly because I can't make a potion that's worth anything. She's helping me brush up my skills and is so patient you wouldn't believe it. If someone had melted three cauldrons in a row by making the same mistake each time I'd have lost my head completely. But Professor Kay is a saint, and her first name's Vienna, can you credit it?!

This chick who claims to have been in the same year as Harry Potter is teaching Divination, she probably was but it's not something most people bleat on about for ages. Her name's Brown, but I'm never sure if she's called Lavender or Lilac, so I just call her Professor Brown. She seems ok, but I just can't deal with the whole mumbo jumbo-ness of her subject. If she can See then I'm a monkey's uncle!

Let's see what else is there? We don't really seem to socialise as teachers, though where we'd find the time is beyond me there's so much work! I may try and organise some kind of get together when we're released into Hogsmeade for the day. It's terrible, I've been here a month and I still can't remember all of my colleagues!

Oh but there is one who's caught my eye, though I haven't had the chance to introduce myself properly. He's the flying instructor and general Quidditch guru, a complete dish. Apparently he used to play pro, but his career was cut short due to stress or something. It's funny he doesn't look all that fragile, but maybe he's just an absolute doll! What's his name now? OH YES! Wood, I honestly don't know how I could forget it, I had a completely childish giggling fit when I first heard it. Professor Oliver Wood, you know I think my potions skills aren't the only thing I need help with. I'm a terrible flyer, never really got the hang of a broom, give me a fireplace any old day!

Anyway, I'll quit rambling. Say hello to your little angels for me. How are they getting on with the recipes I left them? Any problems just floo me after 6, I'm usually in my office then.

Hoping you're well,
Karen"

Well she had been right, it had told her more than Jake's letter ever could. It also left her with a squirmy stomach and a childish wish to run to her bed and hide under the covers.