24. A Funeral Service and a Butterfly
Rremly's words proved to be correct; the next week was full of activity. Two days later Alastor came downstairs for breakfast to find Professor Ellerhone talking with the Redgraves, Belladonna, and Aurelius over a cup of tea. He'd nearly forgotten she'd said she would come by to take him and Aurelius out. As usual, she looked so out of place swathed in her typical black layers when everyone else was wearing varying shades of browns, oranges, and yellows. Alastor wasn't at all surprised to find that part of her long luxurious hair was swept up and held by a hair comb that had a glimmering onyx bat on it, wings out-stretched and two rubies for eyes.
She smiled when she caught sight of him, "We were wondering when you'd be coming down."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly as he took his seat beside Rremly and consequently directly across from her. "Just couldn't sleep."
He'd kept having dreams of being back in that dungeon at Moody Manor. Unsurprisingly, he felt Rremly's hand take hold of his beneath the table. Glancing at him briefly, he wondered how on earth Rremly could look so fresh and pleasant when, for the past two nights, he'd kept him awake with his fitful sleeping. Belladonna, at least, had the decency to look tired, and it looked like she hadn't even brushed her hair.
The smell of breakfast was already doing wonders for his mood and grogginess. Mrs. Redgrave put together a plate of eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast; she brought it over to set in front of Alastor, giving his hair a gentle stroke as she poured him a glass of orange juice. He thanked her with a glance and she smiled, patting his shoulder as she went to resume her seat. He reached for the orange juice and if it weren't for having a good grip on the glass, he'd have spilt the juice when he saw one of his strips of bacon floating above the plate doing somersaults.
"Impressive," Professor Ellerhone laughed and glanced over to Holden who grinned.
Mr. Redgrave managed to disguise his chuckle with a cough, "Holden, what has your mother said about playing with your food?"
"Well, it's not my food, is it?" Holden reasoned with a playful glint in his eyes. "Besides, Al looked like he needed a laugh," here he winked at Alastor.
Rremly rolled his eyes, Belladonna's and Aurelius's lips formed eerily similar smirks, but Alastor had to laugh at the exchange. "Thanks."
Grinning, Holden lowered the slip of bacon back onto the plate while Mr. and Mrs. Redgrave exchanged a glance, shaking their heads with some amusement and simply resumed their conversation with Professor Ellerhone about what they'd read in this morning's Daily Prophet, which had nothing to do with Alastor's and Aurelius's current situation. Meanwhile, Holden and Aurelius were talking about the Yule Ball, which was held annually in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Rremly and Belladonna, however, were speaking of classes and what new items would be banned by Argus Filch, the cantankerous Hogwarts caretaker. It was a given that Stewart and Griffith were going to run afoul of Filch and his creepy scrawny cat, Mrs. Norris, as they did every year when they tried to smuggle in a myriad of joke items. Alastor wondered just how they'd try to get by him this year.
With everyone engaged in conversation Alastor was able to eat and work up to being social. He ate fairly quickly as he was never one to linger over his food. When he'd set down his fork Rremly handed him the usual Hogwarts letter with the list of books he'd need for the new school term. He made a mental list of other things he needed after looking the list over. He certainly needed more rolls of parchment, quills and ink, and he definitely needed to get a few items for his potion making kit.
A slight breeze and rustle of wings caught Alastor's attention. A tawny owl, who he recognized was Griffith's owl, Corky, flew in from the kitchen to drop letters for Rremly, Belladonna, and Alastor. Rremly smiled and tossed a treat up for Corky to catch in his beak. Corky gave a pleasant hoot and flew back through into the kitchen, presumably to have some water before setting off. Looking down at the letter, Alastor noticed that while the name on it was his, the address was Rremly's.
"I sent off a note to Griff telling him to send post to you here," said Rremly when he caught Alastor looking at him.
"When?"
"The day you ran off. I figured you had enough on your mind and that you'd likely keep putting it off."
"See, that's the trouble with having a Knower for a friend," Holden chuckled, having heard their exchange.
Alastor rolled his eyes, smiling. "So I'm finding out." He opened the envelope and took out the letter. Focusing his eyes, he began to read Griffith's cramped and hasty writing.
Al,
That's wicked that you get to stay with Rrem. How did you manage that? Your parents have eased up, then? Anyway, it's brilliant because I can give you the gifts I got along with everyone else. America's fantastic, well, the part of America that we're visiting at least. San Francisco is something else! We've even been to a Quidditch match! The San Francisco Salamanders against the Los Angeles Lightning Bolts! I even managed to get signed cards from both teams- blimey you wouldn't believe how long the queue was! Anyway, I'd better scarper. Ro's getting shirty with me taking so long to write these letters. We're leaving for Los Angeles today and she's getting impatient.
Hope you're having a great time with Rrem and the others!
-Griff
"Of course, a Quidditch letter," Alastor chuckled, placing the letter back in its envelope. He was greatly relieved that Griffith didn't know the real reason for his presence at Cider Cottage. The Hooches weren't much for reading the papers and only held subscriptions for Quidditch News and Which Broomstick. They were on holiday in America and of course wouldn't be looking for The Daily Prophet among all the American papers. Glad as he was that the Hooches never read the news, he knew that he'd have to tell Griff soon. The longer he put it off the harder it would be. Maybe I should just get a copy of the Prophet and send it to him.He was certain that the story had made headlines given the way Mr. and Mrs. Redgrave kept folding it up whenever he or Aurelius came into the room. He'd even seen Aurelius reading each copy outside in the garden. For his part, Alastor had no desire to read them. He hadn't felt ready to.
Today's the day. I'll have to read them before I send them to Griff.
Professor Ellerhone's voice brought him back from his reverie. "Ready to go?"
"Oh- yeah," Alastor noticed that his breakfast dish and empty glass had disappeared. "I'm ready."
"Splendid," she winked, "best crack on, then."
Some minutes later they were in Diagon Alley. The Redgraves and Belladonna bid them good day and went on their way, leaving Professor Ellerhone, Aurelius, and Alastor standing in the bright sunlight. For a moment it seemed as though Belladonna was going to stay. She really liked and admired Professor Ellerhone, often taking on extra assignments for fun. The moment passed though; she followed the Redgraves, walking alongside Rremly.
"First stop, Gringotts," Professor Ellerhone said gaily, leading the way. He and Aurelius fell into step on either side of her.
It took a bit of time to reach vault 716 as it was so far down below the surface in the high-security area which housed all the oldest wizarding family vaults. While they waited for Hagrock to open the vault, Ellerhone explained that they'd inherited this vault from their mother. Only they had access to the vault, and if they were no longer living all the wealth would be taken; it would be divided and given to St. Mungo's Hospital and Hogwarts for their scholarship fund. Absolutely no one from the Moody family or her own Malfoy family was to touch even one knut.
Yet again, his mother baffled him. Why let both of us inherit? Why not just Aurelius? Is it possible that she really did care? But that makes absolutely no sense at all.His thoughts turned then to those institutions which would inherit the wealth upon his and Aurelius's deaths. He'd never known his mother to donate anything to charity. Had she really cared for the sick and wounded? Had she really cared about education so much to leave such a sum of money to the cause? Why, too, deny the family the wealth? Almost as an afterthought he remembered the way Aurelius had looked while Ellerhone had been speaking. He hadn't looked the least bit surprised. If anything, he was getting better and better at being inscrutable.
The vault door was now unlocked, the heavy sound of it opening permeated his thoughts and brought him back to the present. The doors opened to reveal a very large and very deep vault filled, almost completely, with gold. There wasn't a single sickle or knut to be seen. Alastor stared in absolute shock. He'd never seen so much money! Yes, he'd known his family was very wealthy and lacked for nothing, but he'd never been permitted to accompany his parents to Gringotts.
He'd never even been given any money for each school year. If he'd ever needed anything he had to write home to his mother and she'd send it along. Admittedly, he'd never had to ask. After that first Christmas the punishments had begun. The thought of having to ask them for something sickened him. He took care to make everything last as long as he could. He'd even worked hard at changing his writing so that it was small and very neat in an effort to conserve parchment. It had certainly taught him the value of everything, but it was bloody awful whenever Christmas or a birthday came around. He got around it by nipping down to the kitchens for loads of food and sweets for each birthday, but Christmas was another story. Bless his friends, they never said anything about it. Not once. They were all in agreement that there was a reason for it, and that it wasn't at all Alastor's fault.Now, staring at all the gold, Alastor felt happy- truly happy. This year he was going to give all his friends the best gifts to make up for the past two years.
Professor Ellerhone gave him a little nudge, handing him his pouch of gold. He sheepishly took it, realizing he'd been too busy staring and thinking to notice that she'd gathered and divided a fair amount of gold between them. With the vault closed and locked behind them, they resumed their seats in the cart and hung on tight as the cart took off on its mad course back to the surface.
The next stop was Flourish & Blotts for their books. The moment they stepped inside the usual chatter and hubbub swiftly fell. Quite a few people were openly staring at them with interest while others gave them both looks of pity. It dawned on Alastor that their pictures must have been in the recent Daily Prophet issues. The thought made him uncomfortable and the silent staring and those pitying gazes from the shoppers made him feel sick.
"Take a photo," Professor Ellerhone spoke clearly and loud enough to be heard by all, "it lasts longer." Her words made some of the shoppers feel ashamed and prodded them to return to their own business, though naturally, there were still a few that gawked. Aurelius placed an arm around his shoulders and coaxed him to move on. Looking up, Alastor could see Aurelius's expression. He was cold and aloof; he didn't deign to look at anyone. Both Aurelius and Ellerhone ignored the gawkers, and as they were so keen to leave, Ellerhone took a place in the queue while Alastor and Aurelius made short work in gathering their school books. It wasn't too long before they left the shop and put it far behind them.
Then it was off to Scribbulus Everchanging Inks for parchment, quills, and ink, which to Alastor's relief, wasn't filled with people. There were only a handful of shoppers and it was easier to ignore them this time. Afterward they made a brief stop to Eeylops Owl Emporium where Alastor bought more Owl Treats for Vertu, who'd finally returned from Sweden after having delivered the letter Rremly had sent off to the Albrecht twins. They also popped into Slug & Jiggers Apothecary as Aurelius also had to replenish certain potion making ingredients.
Once they were outside again, Professor Ellerhone sent their purchases on to Cider Cottage. "I think we could do with a spot of lunch," she mused with a smile. "What do you think?"
"Yes, please," Alastor was quick to say. He knew that they still had one more place to stop into: Pandora's Wardrobe which was owned by Percy's mother. Aurelius would be getting new clothes as he had no desire to reclaim his things from Moody Manor, a new dress robe for the upcoming Yule Ball and an appropriate ensemble for their mother's funeral service which was in two days. Then, of course, Alastor also needed an ensemble for the service and another to wear to the Ministry to give an official statement the next day. These were two things Alastor had no desire to think on at the present time. As for Aurelius, he didn't look chuffed to get on with the shopping. If anything he looked just a little relieved for the reprieve.
"Let's get on then," Ellerhone winked.
They'd barely begun to walk when someone collided with Alastor, nearly knocking him off his feet.
"Horsefeathers!" The culprit, a tallish red-head with green and gold-flecked eyes, caught his arm before he fell. "Sorry about that!" He looked genuinely apologetic as he released Alastor's arm and stepped back. "Kinda new in town, you know. I was just looking for Ollivanders- guess I was too busy looking everywhere but right in front of me," the boy explained, looking cheerfully sheepish.
Alastor couldn't help a little smile even though he wasn't quite sure what to make of him. He seemed to have Stewart's talent for jumping abruptly from one thought to another, but he didn't exactly give off a sense of daffiness. He was more chipper, than anything. He also spoke with a flat sort of accent that he couldn't quite place.
"It's all right, really," he assured the other boy. "I wasn't exactly paying attention either, was I?"
"Good point," the boy perked up quite a bit, which was saying something. Then he looked slightly sheepish again as he remembered something, almost an afterthought, "Oh, fiddlesticks- nearly forgot to introduce myself." He held out his hand, "The name's Kin Gilmore, well, Kinnity Gilmore, but only my parents call me Kinnity- usually means I'm in trouble."
He shook Kinnity's hand, working hard to stifle a laugh. "Moody, Alastor Moody," he said with a smile, inclined his head toward his brother and Ellerhone, respectively, "That's my brother, Aurelius, and this is Professor Ellerhone."
Aurelius greeted Kinnity kindly and shook his hand, and from the look in his eye, Aurelius was also somewhat amused by the boy. Then it was Ellerhone's turn to shake hands.
"Do you teach at Hogwarts?" Kinnity asked with obvious curiosity.
"I do," she replied, quite enchanted and amused with him.
Kinnity lit up, "What do you teach?"
"You'll find out on September 1st," Ellerhone laughed. "You're transferring in from America?"
"Yep! Dad's opening a new branch of his perfume shop here in London, so we packed up and left sunny California."
That's why his accent was so flat- he's American.
"I have to ask, why are you wandering around alone?" Ellerhone inquired, "Where are your parents?"
"Dad's at the shop of course, and mom's at that robes store, Madam Milkins—"
"Madam Malkins," chuckled Ellerhone as she corrected him.
"Right, that's the one," Kinnity grinned. "She told me to go to Ollivanders and get my wand," he explained with candid cheerfulness, "otherwise she'd be getting on my back about not being able to stand still long enough to try anything on. She said it's not worth the trouble and she'd take care of all that from now on as long as I make myself useful and get the rest of the things on the list."
It was just too funny. Alastor was unable to hold back the laugh. He was about to apologize but Kinnity didn't look at all offended. If anything, he seemed pleased to have gotten a laugh out of him.
"Are you always this open with people you've just met?"
Kinnity just grinned at him. "Yep!"
"You'd best crack on," said Professor Ellerhone, eyes twinkling. "I don't think your mother will be very pleased if she gets to Ollivanders first and you're not there."
He smacked his forehead with his palm. "I'll be jimmy-jacked for sure!"
While the swift smack to the forehead surprised Alastor and got a sympathetic wince from him, Professor Ellerhone looked entertained.
"Hurry then," she smiled. "It's all the way along on your right," indicating the way.
"Thanks a million!" Kinnity beamed. "See you all at Hogwarts!" He gave a quick wave and dashed off.
Ellerhone laughed and guided them along. "Americans are so amusing and have such an interesting turn of phrase."
Alastor had to agree, casting a quick glance over his shoulder. Kinnity was quite a ways along, his vivid red hair disappearing from sight. He's alright. I think he'd fit in quite easily with Stew and Griff.
The sky was clear and the sun shone on the morning of the funeral service in an effort to spite Alastor. At least that's the way he saw it. He stood beside Aurelius and Professors Ellerhone and Morrigan—the latter of whom had been a friend of their mother's and gone to school with their father—at the family cemetery. Between the contemptuous looks from the adult members of his family (Moody, Malfoy, Black, Lestrange, Crevecoeur, and Selwyn alike) and the murderous glances from his cousins, Alastor looked everywhere but at them and didn't listen to what they said. None of them knew Calla Cressida Moody, not truly.
Instead, he focused his eyes on the butterfly that fluttered around the edge of the gathering. The butterfly was so white and luminescent that it looked as if it were touched with silver. It flitted over to him as if it knew that he'd been watching it. Daring to hope, Alastor held up his hand and was so pleased to find the butterfly came straight to it, alighting upon his palm. He was transfixed by it, by the fact that it remained still in his hand. He wasn't the only one who was entranced with it; Aurelius reached out to touch one of its wings. The butterfly fluttered its wings, alighting upon Aurelius's finger a moment later. It drew one of those rare tiny smiles from him.
Gradually they became aware of the silence. Alastor looked up to see that his maternal grandfather, Lucianus Malfoy, and Calla's siblings, Lily and Narcissus, had all finished speaking. As their grandmother, Coronella Malfoy, had passed away years ago, it was then customary that Aurelius—as the eldest son of the deceased—should speak, but he wasn't called upon and it appeared that the others wanted to conclude the service immediately. Alastor looked to Aurelius to see what he'd do just in time to see his brother coaxing the butterfly back onto his hand. When the butterfly was safely in his hold, Aurelius took his other hand to bring him along as he made his way to the front in a calm and stately manner. If he'd been displeased, it didn't show.
His brother stopped at the front of the mausoleum to face everyone. He appeared to be looking at each and every face gathered there, presumably taking time to choose his words carefully. Those moments went by slowly as Alastor stood there with him, feeling uneasy and exposed with all those eyes on them. All the while, Aurelius kept hold of Alastor's hand and gave it a light reassuring squeeze. When Aurelius finally spoke, his voice was clear, resonant, and to Alastor's surprise, openly honest.
"Our mother is a woman of great inner strength who loves deeply and steadfastly. She's a courageous mother who fought for and protected her children. She's also a woman of many secrets and many faces, but she's revealed herself to us. Calla Cressida Moody is the best of mothers and best of women and she lives on in us."
Those words, so honest and sincere, took Alastor back to that night in the dungeon. He'd had tears in his eyes from what Aurelius had said to him. Now, for a second time, his eyes welled with tears to hear what Aurelius said about their mother. He knew it was true. He only wished he could believe it for himself.
Soon. I'll believe it soon. I'll read those journals soon and find out everything he wants me to know.
With a glance down to his hand he noticed the butterfly was gone. Alastor looked up in time to see it fluttering away.