ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry

Scotland, UK

September 9h

2022 A.D.

For a few more seconds they simply stared at him in shock. That eventually broke and Hugo and Rose rushed over and hugged their father.

"I missed you!" Ron said returning their hugs. He seemed so happy, like he had never been betrayed by his best friend and brother-in-law.

"What are you doing here Ron?" Aurora demanded.

"Hi Aurora, nice to see you too," Ron chimed.

"Why are you here?" She hissed again.

"I came to see my children!" He shot back.

"Took you long enough," She glared. "where you been?"

"How is that any of your business?"

Everyone in the room, including Hugo and Rose seemed stunned that Aurora would talk that way to a member of the Golden Trio. Ron's ears had turned red and he was returning her icy gaze.

"I'm just a little curious as to what you've been doing all this time. I mean it's only been a few months since you've seen your kids, most parents wouldn't be able to stand it,"

"Well considering that you aren't a parent, your opinion really doesn't matter,"

Aurora actually felt like outing her little secret right then and there just to put him in his place managed to hold her self back. "It's not opinion, it's fact. So what took you so long?"

"Aurora! Stop it!" Rose cried. She could seem to believe that Aurora was interrogating her father only moments after he'd gotten back.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" Ron growled.

"No," There was a collective gasp from the DA members. "but you do have to explain yourself to me," Albus said darkly as he entered the Room of Requirement causing many of the members to back away from him, looking terrified. "Hey Bobs, how ya been?" He said lightly.

"Not to bad, hows you?" Bob two said happily causing the other students to now look as confused as they were frightened.

"I'm getting there," Albus said before turning back to Ron. "so what brings you here Ron?"

Ron didn't seem afraid of him, more like he was doing his best to keep his temper in check. "Actually, I was looking for you,"

"You found me,"

"I came to see if you needed a hand," Ron said simply.

Albus cocked his head and smiled. "You wanna join my team, is that it?"

"Something like that,"

Albus looked over at Aurora who was still glaring at Ron suspiciously.

"Sure," Al said happily causing Aurora to throw a puzzled and shocked look at her boyfriend. "why don't you go and see Tannis, let him know that your here. He's in his office,"

Rose and Hugo looked pretty pleased that Ron wanted to stick around. Their compassion and love for their father seemed to knock any idea that he might have ulterior motives out of their heads.

"Bobs, do me a favor, go fetch Amelia and Lincoln from Hogsmead," He said.

"Aye Captain," Bob one said as they left the room. They were heard muttering 'Expecto Patronum' as they wondered down the corridor.

"Guys it's alright, he's not gonna hurt anyone," Lily said quietly to the other DA members. They didn't seem to believe her.

"I'll be back in a bit okay?" Ron said to his kids. They nodded happily before he left the Room. As soon as he was gone, Aurora moved closer to Albus.

"He turns up here an hour after you arrive with Athena! Tell me I'm not the only one that knows something isn't right about all this!" She hissed in his ear.

"No sweetie, your not. He's defiantly hiding something. But it's always a good idea to keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Albus said quietly while laying a few kisses onto her neck.

"And what if he's still sore about your father and his wife?" She asked, keeping up the illusion that they were merely being affectionate instead of talking.

"Read your Shakespeare. When family members challenge each other, only one is left standing,"

"And what if he's here to challenge you?"

"Then I'll kill him,"

"That would destroy Rose and Hugo,"

"If the Prophecy's accurate, lives are going to be destroyed no matter what happens," Albus warned. He looked over her shoulder to see that several of the DA members were still fearing for their lives. "perhaps you should inform them that I'm not the bad guy...at least I don't think I am,"

Aurora smiled. Half of her was being pulled towards telling him the truth while the other half was too afraid to see the potential reaction.

"I need to talk to Lincoln and Amelia. I'll come find you a bit later," He kissed her again before departing.

Aurora was somewhat unnerved by the change in him. He had seemed to have become more professional somehow, always keeping his mind locked firmly on the mission rather than the people it involved. She felt as if he was purposely keeping everyone at a distance but pretending not to. It was a scary thought, but it seemed as if he was trying to prepare himself for the possibility that he might loose some of the people he cared about.

Albus moved quickly to the nearest window that opened and jumped, despite Aurora's warning of 'No Flying'. He didn't exactly take a cruise though. He simply floated down onto the grounds where he could see The Bobs, Amelia and Lincoln walking up through the Hogwarts main gates.

"So you found her?" Lincoln asked quickly.

"Yeah. She's in the hospital wing. 9 minutes and 1 second," He said.

"That's more than usual,"

"Yeah well, there's something very unusual about that girl," Albus turned to the Bobs. "Aurora's continuing with the lesson, you 2 better get back up there,"

He waited until the Bobs had moved off before looking at Lincoln.

"Have your abilities been acting strangely lately?" Al asked.

Lincoln shook his head. "No, why, have yours?"

"Yeah, ever since I ran into Athena," He admitted.

"Well, she's Electrokinetic. Electricity screws with abilities, it's why the Cleric's always gave you guys a jolt before going for the kill," Amelia stated.

"She shock you at some point?" Lincoln asked.

"Err, yeah but, it started before that,"

Both Lincoln and Amelia looked a little stumped.

"Try and contact Sophia, I need her up here now," Albus said.

"That's funny, she just contacted us,"

"She did? What did she say?"

"That she's on her way. The Cajun's laying low at the moment but he might turn up here at some point," Amelia informed.

"Great, let's get back to the castle before I scare the shit out of anyone else,"

They began heading back to the main entrance.

Room of Requirement

Several Patronus' were shooting around the room, often gliding around each other and their casters. It looked like some kind of phantom zoo where all the cages had been opened into one. The only person that was still casting a breezy kind of mist was Hugo. His face had turned bright red and he looked slightly constipated, like he was trying to literally force the animal out of his wand.

It was strange considering how happy he had just been that his father had returned. He wondered whether or not the hex that his mother had put on his was somehow blocking his casting ability.

Aurora was already trying to help Rose cast a Patronus messenger but at the moment her ghostly Dolphin had only managed to make a strange burping noise.

Violet watched him produce a smoky white cloud for about the 15th time and sighed. True he was an annoying, constantly horny and very unsubtle little git but it was sad to see him trying so hard and failing. Next to her, Lynx seemed to be thinking the same thing, although she'd never actually admit it. She noticed Violet looking at her.

"What?"

"Maybe we should go help him,"

"Aurora's the teacher, she'll do it," Lynx brushed off.

"I know but...," She turned back with a sympathetic look. "he's trying so hard,"

"He's trying too hard by the looks of it. I think he's gonna shit himself if he tries any harder,"

"Lynx...,"

"Oh fine!" She huffed. "Hey Hugo!"

Hugo looked over just as Lynx grabbed Violet and planted to more heavy and passionate kiss she could onto her lips. Like many of the other male members, Hugo seemed to be in danger of turning into jelly. Lynx and Violet actually looked like they were ready to conjure some cushions and spend the rest of the lesson in hot, sweaty sexual exchange.

Rose slapped Scorpius on the arm after noticing that he was also locked in a sort of trance by the 2 lesbian's display.

Lynx and Violet finally broke apart, breathing heavily. For a second they just stared a each other. That kiss had clearly been a little more passionate than they were expecting. Violet turned to Hugo with a smile on her face.

"Hugo,"

"Huh,"

"Hugo!"

He snapped out of it. "Yeah?"

"Try your Patronus," She winked seductively.

It took him a few seconds to actually remember the incantation and where he was...and what his name was but eventually he raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum," The white mist poured from the tip of his wand but this time it was a lot more than usual. With a zombie like grin on his face, obviously still think about Lynx and Violet, the mist in front of his began to take shape.

Everyone in the class was more than a little surprised to see that an enormous African Lion. The symbol of Gyrffindor house. It stalked around the room for a few moments before returning and standing next to it's master.

"Well done Hugo!" Rose yelled.

Violet and Lynx smiled deviously at each other as if they were already thinking about what they would get up to after the lesson was finished.

"I love this class Bob," Bob One said from the doorway.

"Your not the only one Bob," Both of them didn't seem the slightest bit interested in Hugo's Patronus but rather the sexual looks that Lynx and Violet were exchanging.

Only a few floors away, Albus, Amelia and Lincoln were walking quickly through the corridors.

"She said that something had come up but she didn't tell me what,"

"Maybe it's been dealt with now," Amelia offered.

"Maybe," Albus mumbled. "I've always been so good at knowing how people think but that woman is still a mystery to me,"

"She's 2200 years old. She's a mystery to everyone," Lincoln remarked.

"No shit. Did she say when she'd get here?" Albus asked

"No, she just said soon," Amelia said.

"Well, I'm sure we'll know when she arr -" Lincoln stopped mid sentence. "do you smell a Veela?"

Albus sniffed the air. He could indeed smell a very potent scent that resembled the smell of water lilies and toffee.

"That's too strong to be my cousin,"

"Fleur?" Amelia wondered.

"I think so,"

"Why would she be here?" Lincoln asked.

"I don't know. Let's go find out," Albus said following the scent up the stairs onto the second floor. The smell quickly mixed in with Athena's scent letting them know that it was coming from the hospital wing.

They walked in to see Laura Pomfrey, Bill Weasley and his wife gathered around Dominique who was sitting on the end of one of the beds. Albus had completely forgotten that his cousin had started Hogwarts now, in fact he didn't even know which house she was in until he saw the blue crest on her uniform. He didn't feel bad about not keeping track of his entire family. After all, he was a little busy with trying to save the world.

Fleur looked up a shrieked as she saw Albus and Bill immediately went for his wand. Clearly they hadn't been given all the facts yet.

Albus flicked his fingers causing Bills wand to fly out of his hand and hit the wall while Lincoln and Amelia drew 9mm pistols from their belts.

"Now, Now, let's all play nice," Albus said.

Fleur and Dominique looked terrified while Bill just seemed angry. Probably because of all the grief that Albus had given his son in law.

"Hogwarts certainly seems very popular today. What brings you guys here?"

"Our daughter isn't well. We came to see her," Bill growled.

"Really?" Albus looked a Dominique who coward under his gaze. "you sick?"

"S-she's been suffering from headaches," Laure stuttered.

Lincolns eyes narrowed. He looked from Athena to Dominique several times and seemed to be a little confused. He began smelling the air again trying to get a fix on something.

"Al...," He said still looking straight at Dom.

Albus seemed to understand what he was getting at. He walked closer to Dominique but Bill stepped in his way, trying to shield his daughter.

"I'm not going to hurt her," Albus said simply. He came close to Dom and started sniffing the air, making her very uncomfortable. "Fleur, I need you to be completely honest with me," He turned and looked her in the eye. "did you experience problems when you gave birth to Dominique?"

Fleur looked absolutely shocked. "Ow did you know zat?!"

"Did you have any problems giving birth to Victorie or Louis?"

Eventually she managed to shake her head.

"What the hell is this Albus?" Bill demanded.

Albus looked back at Dominique. "I think your daughter's an Anomaly,"

"What?!"

"Dom, you've been having headaches? Has anything else been happening? Anything out of the ordinary?" Albus asked.

Dominique shook her head but didn't seem very convincing.

"Dominique, this is important. I need you to be honest with me,"

"Nothings happened, I swear!" She was visibly shaking.

"So you have just been getting headaches for no reason?" Albus added a sterner tone to his voice causing her to look even more frightened.

Dominique winced in pain like she had just stood on something very sharp. It was all the proof Albus need.

"I know your lying Dominique, tell me the truth,"

Dominique looked to her mother and father but both of them seemed to want the truth just as much as Albus. "I...,"

"It's okay darling," Bill soothed.

"Sometime...I...I hear things...," Tears had started to well up in her eyes. "voices,"

"You hear voices in your head?"

She nodded.

"Other peoples voices?"

She nodded again.

"Telepathy," Lincoln confirmed.

"Have you been hearing other peoples thoughts Dominique?" Albus asked.

She nodded. "Mama!" She latched hold of Fleur and started sobbing into her stomach.

"You av to stop zis!"

"We can't. Nothing can stop it, it's evolution," Lincoln said simply.

"People have been trying to find a way to take peoples abilities away for a very long time now. They've all failed," Amelia explained.

"You don't have to be afraid Dom," Albus said softly. "we're gonna look after you,"

Dominique didn't seem comforted. It was a lot to lay onto a 12 year old child. Bill wrapped his arms around both of them.

"These men...the ones that were after you. You stopped them?" He clearly didn't want to spell out the fact that Anomalies were hunted down and kill before Albus came along.

"They can't find us anymore and they've suffered extreme loses," Lincoln said. "but they're not gone,"

Dominique clutched her mother even harder.

"Look over there," Albus said pointing to the peacefully still Athena. "she's an Anomaly as well. Her names Athena. We're protecting her and we're going to protect you as well,"

Dominique finally took her face away from her mothers stomach and looked over at Athena. "W-whats wrong with her?" She whimpered.

"Nothing. She's just gone to sleep for a little while. Just like I did, like we all do," Albus said.

"Am I gonna get old?"

"Not old, just...grown up," Albus smiled. "you'll be able to tell your big sister what to do for a change,"

Dominique gave a watery smile. Albus looked up at Bill and Fleur.

"I don't have to tell any of you that this information cannot leave this room. You can't tell anyone about this, not even the family. Understood?"

Both they and Laura Pomfrey nodded.

"Dom, the next time your head starts hurting, I want to take long, deep breaths and count to 10 and the pain will stop, okay?" Albus said.

"We should probably tell Tannis about this," Amelia suggested.

"Yeah we should," Albus agreed. He turned back to Bill and Fleur. "stay with her but keep all of this to yourselves," He ordered.

He, Lincoln and Amelia walked out of the Hospital Wing and began walking towards the Headmasters office.

"How the fuck did I miss this?!" Albus growled the moment he was a safe distance.

"She's part Veela. It's been masking the smell the whole time. I didn't even pick up on it until I was standing 6 feet from her so don't beat your self up," Lincoln said quickly.

"When will she mature?" Amelia asked.

"She's 13 on December 15th so not for at least another year,"

"But her abilities are already starting to show,"

"Yeah. If she can get a handle on it, she might come in handy as a lie detector of something," Albus mused.

"She'll be able to do more than that. Sophia told me about a Telepath that she met during the Dark Ages. He could put thoughts into other peoples head, take control of them, Hell, he could convince entire groups of soldiers to start killing each other. Telepathy is a dangerous ability," Lincoln explained.

"No, Dominique has a heart the size of this castle. She's never do anything like that,"

"And when she's aggressive and in the mood to mate?" Amelia asked.

"That bridge is over a year away so we'll cross it then," Albus brushed off.

They reached the stone gargoyles which moved aside for them. They entered the office and were immediately met by Ron who was just leaving. He looked almost pale, like he'd seen a ghost or in his case, a very big spider.

"Have a nice chat?" Albus smiled.

"You have a visitor," He mumbled before leaving the office.

Albus knew what he met the moment he sniffed the air. Sophia.

She was standing in front of Tannis' desk with her arms folded and smiling.

"What the hell did you say to him?" Albus asked looking impressed.

She smiled modestly. "Let's just say that I learned a few tricks from Freud. He was rather strange but very clever,"

Albus laughed. "Well, I wish I could say that those kind of things surprised me Sophia but I have a whole day of surprises so far,"

"What do you mean?"

"I just found out that my cousin is an Anomaly," Albus said rubbing the back of his neck.

"What?! Which one?!" Tannis breathed.

"Dominique. Telepathic, we think,"

Tannis looked amazed. "Interesting. I wonder if the fetal evolution has anything to do with being a middle child?" He said, mostly to himself.

"I find it far more interesting that she's been discovered here," Sophia remarked.

"What do you mean?"

"Whether by being told, being asked or coming here for their own reasons, a lot of people that don't want to see that Prophecy come true have gathered at this place at the same time," She explained.

"What are you saying? Destiny is trying to throw us a life line?" Lincoln mused.

"Maybe...maybe it's simply trying to even up the sides a little,"

"Well if I knew how many were on the other side I might be grateful but until then, I'm gonna get as many soldiers ready for this as I can," Albus sighed.

"Well you might have a few more soon," Sophia said.

"Huh?"

"Before leaving, the Cajun told me that your father would be arriving here soon,"

"Oh, perfect," Albus huffed.

"and so will your mother...,"

That one surprised him.