The Americans & Dresses

Dominique resisted the urge to roll her eyes when she heard Teddy's voice from behind the closed door of his office. He was likely getting into another row with the head of the American auror team - Mark Richards. Those two had been butting heads ever since MACUSA sent over their team on the second day of the forum.

"He's really going at it," Toby said, staring through the glass with wide eyes. Dominique looked up, seeing Teddy's face was bright red as his hair looked similar to molten lava.

"Wonder what Richards said this time," she said, propping her chin in her hand.

"Probably something about his age," Toby said.

"Or his organizational skills."

"Maybe asked him how long he's been an auror again."

"I think it's just because Richards is a dick. Even half our own team can't stand him," a light voice said. Both turned to see a tall woman with tan skin and sleek near black hair pulled into a high ponytail walk up, her arms loaded down with files. Her name was Victoria Rollins, or Tori as she preferred. They were still getting used to working with the American team, but already Toby, Dominique, Chris and Molly liked her the best. Granted besides her, the only ones they managed to spend a decent amount of time around were Richards and Witt.

"So it's not all in Teddy's head," Dominique said as she looked back at the office.

"Nope. I was already thinking of 20 ways to murder him and quietly dispose of his body my first day on his team," Tori said, sitting down at the desk next to Dominique. Out of the corner of her eye, Dominique could see Toby's mouth drop open and she was seriously tempted to laugh at him.

"Dom, how's that report coming on the latest interrogation?" Chris asked, walking up and sitting across from her. Dominique snapped her attention back to the papers in front of her. She had been going through and deciphering Chris' notes, then writing up reports to submit to the rest of the department. They had been making decent progress on the members of the network they had incarcerated, but there were still a lot more to go.

"It would be easier if you learned how to properly write," she said, glaring at him. "I don't understand why you won't just let me sit in there and take the notes for you. Would be loads easier."

"Because… you can't," Chris said, frowning at her.

"Afraid I'll want to ask questions of my own?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Chris snorted.

"You don't know how to do interrogations with suspects," he replied.

"Well, maybe I would if you taught me or let me practice. It's not like we don't have about 40 network members in hold up at the moment," she snapped back. "Besides, we're both forgetting - I knew Magnus better than anyone here save Aunt Hermione. You could use my insight."

"You mean you were fooled by him more than anyone else," Chris said tersely. Dominique sat up, eyes wide. It was a low blow - Chris knew she had been blaming herself more than she should for what happened. She was wondering just what had him in a foul mood, but then decided to let her temper win out.

"Well, if you're going to be a prat, you can find someone else to write your reports," she said, standing. Chris sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Dom. It's been a rough morning," he said, attempting to apologize.

"Been rough for all of us, Chris, but you don't see us taking it out on others," she replied, grabbing her purse and tossing her wand in it.

"Where are you going?" he asked, frowning.

"Told you earlier. I'm taking an extended lunch. Lucy wants us to go look at bridesmaid dresses before Daisy leaves for the island," she said, starting to walk towards the door.

"Can we talk when you get back?" he called. Dominique glanced over her shoulder, her blue eyes cold.

"I'll think about it," she said, her voice full of ice as she turned back to the door and strode out.

"You're in for it," Toby said, glancing up from his work. Chris sighed heavily.

"Goddamn Veela blood," Chris muttered.

"Think that was due more to your piss-poor attitude than her Veela heritage," Toby replied. Tori looked back and forth between the two and then back towards the door where Dominique had just left.

"He's got a point," she said, turning back to the files. "Besides, what about this morning has you in a mood?"

"I've been working with Witt," Chris said, frowning. "When he wasn't being an idiot, he was peppering me with questions about Dominique. How many times do I have to tell him that she's dating a bloody quidditch player before he gives it up?"

"Maybe we should have Cunningham come bring her lunch one day," Toby suggested. "Sure the sight of him would be enough to scare him into stopping."

"Dunno. Cunningham's not particularly threatening looking off the pitch," Chris mused.

"Witt's always been like that," Tori said with a roll of her eyes.

"How do you stand working with any of them?" Chris asked, looking over at her. "It's been, what? Five days and I already want to use the killing curse on myself." Tori chuckled.

"Not all of them are bad. Martins and Violet are reasonable. And Richards and Witt aren't usually this bad. Just… this case has them all riled up," she said. "Everyone wants to prove themselves."

"Well, it would do them well to remember that we've been working on this for a year," Chris grumbled. "This is our case, we're just letting you lot help."

"Slow down, killer. I'm not the one turning into a giant asshole because I want all the glory," Tori said, laughing. At that moment Molly rushed in and dropped a pile of folders on Chris' desk and ran to her own.

"What's this?" he asked.

"More background on the blokes you'll be interrogating next. Something in there for Teddy as well," she said, grabbing for her purse and wand.

"Late for dress shopping?" Toby asked.

"Lucy'll murder me in my sleep. She's turned into bloody Bridezilla," she said as she started striding towards the door.

"Molly! Did you get those reports?" Teddy shouted at her from his office door.

"Chris has them!" she yelled, not looking back.

"But did you-"

"I'M BLOODY LATE AND YOU KNOW WHAT A HELLION LUCY IS TURNING INTO!" Molly shouted, her face bright red. For a moment, she blinked and looked around the room, embarrassed about her outburst. She cleared her throat. "Chris has it." She then charged out of the office, leaving a silent Teddy staring after her.

"Do you always let all your inferiors talk to you like that?" Richards asked with a smirk from behind him. Teddy took a deep breath and tried to keep his temper in check as he walked over to Chris and looked through the files before finding the one he was looking for and walking back to the office.

"They aren't inferior, they're my teammates. And that one in particular is my cousin and has wicked aim with her jinxes when you piss her off," they heard him say as he shut the door.

"Is that true?" Tori asked, looking at Chris and Toby. Both men just blinked. They were so used to it that they forgot the Americans probably didn't know about the vast and intricate Weasley/Potter/Wood clan.

"Yea… Teddy married Dominique's sister. Dominique and Molly's dads are brothers," Chris said.

"And Teddy is Harry's godson, though he grew up with the Potters and Woods, so they see him as an unofficial cousin," Toby replied. "Molly's dad is the head of the magical transportation department."

"Okay, so I knew Dom was related to the minister and Molly, having the same last name and all. But I didn't know they were related to Teddy or Mr. Potter," Tori said. "Or that Molly's dad worked here as well. Isn't that some sort of nepotism?"

"I think in any other family, yea, might be. But none of them got their positions because of their family. They all worked for them, just like everyone else. The family is so big that honestly, I'm surprised more of them didn't end up working at the Ministry," Chris said. "And well… when we first started looking into all this… we couldn't really tell anyone about it, so Harry and Teddy pulled in everyone in the family or close to the Woods at the ministry they could to the auror department to investigate until we knew enough that we could bring it to everyone else."

"I guess I can understand that," she said after thinking it over. "So how are you two related?" Toby chuckled.

"I've been Daisy's best friend since school and Chris is best friends with her older brothers - the triplets - since school as well," he said. "Though suppose you could have one day been related if you and Daisy hadn't broken-"

"Shut it, Toby," Chris said, blushing slightly. Tori chuckled and shook her head.

"It's a bit overwhelming, but whatever," she said, returning to her files.

"I told you, you're not interrogating the Woods and that's final!" Teddy shouted as he stepped out of his office again.

"Look, I think it could help to have someone else talk to them! Just a fresh pair of eyes on it," Richards said, following him.

"What's the point? They've told us everything they know about their abilities and what happened that day. Not to mention, Chris, Dominique and I were bloody there and submitted our own reports on it. Just leave them alone!" Teddy shouted back.

"But what if you're missing something? You're family so you might not have asked all the questions that you could have," Richards urged.

"I didn't take their statements. Pace did. So if there are any problems with it, you can take it up with him," Teddy said, glancing towards the shut door in the corner that led to the head of department's office.

"Why are you so protective of them?" Richards asked.

"Because they're my bloody family, you idiot," Teddy nearly shouted. The entire office was silently watching the two.

"Lupin! Get in here!" Pace boomed from his office door. Teddy sighed and started towards the door, shooting a glare at Richards on the way. Once the door had shut, everyone went back to their work.

"He's really uptight," Richards said with a chuckle as he walked over towards Tori. She just rolled her eyes and refused to respond while Chris and Toby glared at him.

"He's got a point. There's no need to talk to the Woods again. They've been through the ringer enough as it is," Chris said, looking up at him. Richards just shook his head.

"I've been doing this a long time, leave that sort of thing to me, kid," he replied. Chris rolled his eyes and looked over at Toby.

"Come on, Toby. Meeting Jamie and John for lunch," he said, standing. Richards immediately whipped his head around.

"As in Jamie Wood?" he asked. Chris glared down at him, secretly happy he had a few inches on the man.

"Yea, and you're not invited. Friends and family only," he said as he and Toby started for the door. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing Richards looking put out while Tori's shoulders were shaking from silent laughter. "Might as well come with us, Tori." The woman sat up straight in her chair as Richards glared down at her. She turned and looked over at Chris and Toby, who were smiling at her.

"Sure," she said, hopping out of her chair, pulling her purse with her.

"He's going to explode," she said once they had stepped out of the office, cackling in glee. "He's been trying to get to the Woods ever since the first day of the forum. Been obsessed with it. Even I'm not sure why he's so fixated on them when we need to go after the network." Toby shrugged.

"Who knows? The Woods have always drawn people to them," he said with a sigh. "Now that they've come out as Prostatis, they've been getting even more attention. Pix's been hiding out at Wills' place most of the time."

"Said she's also about to beat her dad in terms of press coverage," Chris said with a chuckle. "Probably coming up on breaking Harry's record."

"Between the breakup, Wills and this, I'm not surprised," Toby replied. "Plus they agreed to do that exclusive with The Prophet. Pixie's been grumbling about it for days." Tori just shook her head.

"Okay, so I'm guessing Pixie is Daisy?" she asked.

"Nickname she's had since school," Chris said. "And Wills is her boyfriend."

"Wait… Bryan Wills, right? Center chase and captain of Puddlemere United?" she asked. Chris studied her a moment, seemingly impressed with her knowledge of quidditch.

"That would be correct. You follow the British league?" he asked. Tori just shrugged.

"A lot of this was in the reports we had to read to catch up on everything," she said casually. "But I catch a game on the radio when I can."

"Chris played with the triplets in school," Toby said. Tori studied the tall blonde for a moment.

"That so?" Tori asked. "Never played. Was too busy studying."

"That's a shame, you look like you have about the right build for a chaser," Chris commented. Tori smiled and shook her head slightly as they stepped into the lifts.

"So, we're having lunch with Jamie and John. Who's John?" she asked.

"John Kingfisher. Played beater for the Arrows but now he's their assistant coach," Chris said.

"And Pixie's ex-boyfriend," Toby added.

"Seriously, this family seems to have all sorts of drama surrounding it," Tori replied, her eyes going wide.

"You have no idea," Toby said with a sigh. "It's been this way forever…"

"Certainly attracted enough in school," Chris muttered, causing Toby to chuckle.

"Didn't Jamie give you a black eye when you and D-"

"Seriously, Toby. Enough," Chris warned, causing the younger man to laugh a bit harder. "Point is, there will always be drama with the Woods. You just get used to it after awhile."

"Noted," Tori said, smiling. They stepped out of the lifts into the lobby of the ministry and made their way to the floos.

"Meeting them at the Leaky and then heading to some new burger place," Chris said to Tori and Toby before stepping in and disappearing in a flare of green flames.

"Ready for your first introduction to the Woods?" Toby asked.

"You bet."


Daisy sat on the sofa casually drinking champagne while Victoire, Dominique and Molly trudged back into the dressing rooms to change into new dresses. Lucy had taken the day off and Daisy wasn't in practice, so the two figured they'd help the other three pick out dresses first as they had limited time due to their lunch breaks. Granted, from the way Lucy had adamantly vetoed the first five dresses they tried on, this could be a long afternoon.

"I have to admit, I like the idea of letting us choose a dress that fits us," Daisy said, looking over at Lucy. "And nice call with the varying shades of gray."

"Well, needed to find a color that would fit everyone and you and Molly's hair color makes that tricky," Lucy said with a sigh before she took a drink. She looked over at Daisy and smiled. "I'm glad that you're my maid of honor, though. Couldn't get nearly all this done without your help."

"You're sure Molly's okay with it?" Daisy asked, her brow furrowed slightly. "Seems she's a bit more organized than me." Lucy just waved her hand.

"She's actually happy to get out of most of the duties. Said it'd be too hard with the investigation and such, not to mention we'd drive each other mad," she said. "Besides, we all know that Dominique is going to have her as maid of honor when she finally decides to get married." Daisy nodded slowly. "How's that bachelorette party going?" Daisy grinned at her.

"It's a surprise and you know that Lucy Weasley. But trust me, you'll enjoy yourself," she said with a wink.

"Just as long as I can good and snockered, I'm happy," Lucy said with a grin.

"I think I've found it!" Victoire said, rushing out in a simple, dark gray dress. It had thin straps and a v-neck. The bodice was loose and the dress flowed all around her as she spun. Lucy sat up, smiling.

"It's gorgeous, Vic!" she said, standing and walking over to get a closer look at it. Victoire looked over at Daisy.

"What do you think?" she asked. Daisy smiled and nodded.

"I like it," she said. Victoire squealed and turned to look at herself in the mirror. "Dare say Teddy'll love it too." Victoire snorted.

"He can sod off for all I care. I love it and that's that," she said with a smile as she walked back into the dressing room. She passed by Dominique and Molly, who stepped out and stood in front of Lucy and Daisy. Lucy walked around them, her brow furrowed.

"Doesn't that seem a bit… old-fashioned?" she asked, looking over at Daisy. Molly huffed slightly.

"Some of us have jobs to get back to, Lucy," she grumbled.

"Speak for yourself. I fully intend to draw this out as long as I can," Dominique said, walking towards the mirror. "Nah, this one isn't summery enough." She then waltzed back into the dressing room.

"It's not that bad, but... hmm," Daisy said, standing. She put her glass down and walked over to a rack of dresses, going through them. She then smiled as she pulled one out and walked back over to Molly and Lucy. "Try this one. You have such a good figure. It'd be a waste not to show it off." Molly took the dress and studied it a moment before smiling and walking back into the dressing room.

"This is why you're my maid of honor," Lucy said, grinning at Daisy as they walked back over and sat down. "What are you planning on wearing, by the way. Seen any that you like?" Daisy looked over at a few of the racks, taking in the dresses.

"A few, maybe," she said before taking another sip of champagne.

"How are things with Wills?" Lucy asked.

"Good. He's still hovering a bit, but supposed that's to be expected," Daisy said with a sigh.

"Don't blame him. I think we'd all check in on you hourly if we could," Lucy said. Daisy rolled her eyes.

"I'm not about to try going through the veil again, Luce," she said, looking over at her cousin.

"I know, but still… scared us there. We could have lost you," she said.

"And Alan," Daisy added.

"Yea, and I know for a fact that you go over every day just to see him," Lucy retorted.

"I did used to live with them, you know," Daisy said, frowning slightly.

"You have no room to talk about all of us checking in on you," Lucy said, the tone of her voice clear that she had the final word. Daisy sighed and looked down at the champagne flute. Truth be told, she had been having nightmares most nights. Wills would often wake her up after she thrashed around, sometimes screaming. And she was sure he had shared this tidbit with her brothers, which meant it was likely the rest of the family knew as well.

Lucy had a point. She didn't really have any room to complain about her family hovering.

"You know I'm sorry about that," Daisy said, glancing over at her. Lucy sighed and smiled back.

"I know. But you can't blame us for worrying about you. Both of you," she said. "And at the end of the day, at least we have you both back with us." Daisy smiled and nodded. "Seriously. Could you imagine how much longer this would take if Molly was the one helping?" Daisy started chuckling.

"I heard that, you know," Molly said as she stomped out of the dressing room. Both Lucy and Daisy sat up, grinning.

"It's perfect," Lucy said. Molly looked down at the dress. It was light gray and strapless, with the bodice wrapped tightly around her torso. The skirt was chiffon.

"You think so?" she asked, glancing up at them.

"It's stunning. You'll definitely have a boyfriend by the end of the wedding in that," Daisy said, grinning.

"Doubt that," Molly said with a snort.

"There will be a lot of single quidditch players there," Daisy replied, sitting back. Molly just shook her head.

"No. I've learned my lesson. No more men for now. I keep falling for all the wrong ones," she said. "Besides, it's not like I have time for it anyway."

"Surely Teddy isn't working you all that hard," Lucy said, frowning. Molly sighed as Dominique walked out in a dark silver dress with a lace bodice and plunging neckline.

"It's not so much Teddy's fault. We're all under a bit of stress, as it is. Pressure to find Magnus. Questioning everyone. Not to mention the American team grating on everyone's nerves," she said, huffing. "Why couldn't we have at least gotten the French team? They're more fun."

"Is it that bad?" Daisy asked.

"Teddy was reaming out the MACUSA head when I was leaving. Another bloke had Chris so worked up this morning, he was taking it out on me," Dominique said.

"That's not good," Lucy replied. "But, I will say I love that dress on you, Dom." She looked down, smiling.

"Yea, I think this is the one," she said, looking back up at them as Victoire walked back out, now in her St. Mungo's robes, the dress over her arm in a garment bag.

"Hope you don't mind if I take off? Really should get back," she said.

"No worries," Lucy called out. Victorie then rushed out. "Best get started trying on your own, Daisy." Daisy nodded and walked over to a rack, pulling off about three dresses that she had been eying.

"Mind if we stick around a bit longer? Told Teddy it'd likely be 2-3 hours and I don't want to go back just yet," Dominique said, glancing over at Molly.

"Stay as long as you like," Lucy said as one of the workers rushed over with more champagne. Dominique and Molly walked back and quickly changed back into their work clothes, then reappeared with the dresses over their arms. Daisy followed them out in the first dress, which was a pale gray and breezy.

"What do you think?" she asked, twirling around.

"Too pale," Dominique replied.

"Agreed," Molly and Lucy said at the same time. Daisy walked back.

"What are you doing after this?" Molly asked.

"Think we're going to go have a long lunch and get a bit tipsy," Lucy said. "Daisy seems like she needs a bit of fun in her life right now."

"She doing better?" Dominique asked, furrowing her brow. She was still feeling a bit unsettled after the events in the ministry herself.

"For the most part," Lucy said. "She's still having nightmares about the veil. Hasn't said a word to me, but you know how big Wills' mouth is." Molly and Dominique looked towards the dressing room, both worrying for their cousin.

"Suppose she's ready to get to the island and focus on training," Molly said.

"I would be. It would give her a break from all the reporters. The Prophet ran one the other day about whether or not the wizarding world was safe with the Prostatis running amok," Lucy said, rolling her eyes.

"Aren't they doing an interview with them?" Dominique asked.

"Yea, but still hasn't stopped them from allowing some slime to get through the cracks," Lucy said. "Finally got Aunt Iris and Uncle Oliver to agree to let us do a feature on Jamie and Daisy once they get back. The features department nearly died of excitement."

"Reckon they'll be making the rounds of the quidditch magazines as well," Molly said with a sigh.

"Remus and Alan are already scheduled for interviews while Daisy, Jamie and Aunt Iris are gone," Lucy said.

"Are you their press agent now?" Dominique asked with a grin.

"No. Just get to hear a lot of grumbling from Daisy," Lucy said.

"What about this one?" Daisy asked, walking out in a dark gray dress that hung loosely from her.

"Color's right, but the fit is all wrong," Lucy replied. Daisy nodded and immediately turned around and walked back in.

"Do you seriously think she and Wills will get hitched soon?" Dominique asked. Lucy and Molly started laughing.

"Not if Wills wants to stay alive," Molly replied.

"I saw that look in his eye last night. He doesn't want to wait," Dominique said, looking over at her cousins. "Suspect that's why he had her move in so quickly after everything."

"That was actually Daisy's doing," Lucy said, grinning over at her.

"Really?" Dominique asked, eyes wide.

"Yea, but as for getting married… they're still planning on waiting until Daisy's 25," Lucy replied.

"I've bet about 50 galleons on them marrying before she's 25," Dominique said, smiling.

"Dom!" Molly said in shock. Lucy snorted.

"Get off it, Mols. You bet 50 galleons that it would be 25 on the dot," she replied. Molly's face turned pink as Lucy and Dominique laughed.

"If you lot are done betting on my love life, I think I've got the perfect dress," Daisy said as she walked out. The three sat up, grinning.

"Now that is a dress," Lucy said. It was made of soft, dark gray material that moved and flowed around her. A plunging neckline was accented by material that draped off her shoulders. "Still stuck on that whole Greek goddess thing, aren't you?" Daisy shrugged as she smiled.

"Might as well," she replied. "Now, can we go eat?"

"Get out of the dress first," Lucy said.

Daisy quickly changed and the four women left, pleased with their selections. Molly and Dominique reluctantly headed towards the ministry while Daisy quickly transformed herself into a medium height woman with short, brown hair.

"Is it really necessary?" Lucy asked.

"Trust me, it is," Daisy replied, rolling her eyes. "I rarely leave the house without transforming into someone else nowadays. And you've seen the reports."

"Most of them are positive," Lucy said.

"But some of them are not. And regardless, everyone and their dog wants an interview," Daisy said with a huff.

"You'd think you'd be used to it by now," Lucy said.

"Not like this. Everyone wants to know if I use my gifts on the pitch," she said. "As if it were even possible. What good would reading minds do a seeker?"

"Might help with dodging bludgers," Lucy suggested.

"Barely," Daisy replied. Lucy chuckled.

"Well, enough of that. I don't know about you, but I'm dying to try this new bistro that has a balcony," Lucy said.

"Lead the way," Daisy said, laughing.


Tori kept glancing over at the quidditch players after they had been seated at the restaurant, still slightly taken aback over their size. Her eyes had gone wide as soon as they stepped out of the floo at The Leaky Cauldron and saw the two standing there, then kept watching them as they made their way to the restaurant, which was more like a sports pub with the walls covered in various vintage quidditch posters and jerseys. While Jamie was a bit leaner, he towered over everyone while John made up for what he lacked in height compared to Jamie in brawn. And here she thought Chris had been large.

Didn't help that nearly everyone around them kept glancing over at the group. Supposed that's what happened when you were out with Jamie Wood.

"So you're one of these Americans we've been hearing about," Jamie said amiably as he caught her looking at him yet again. She nodded.

"Just what have you heard about us?" she asked, glancing over a Chris.

"Only that Teddy can't seem to stand the team leader," John replied with a chuckle.

"No one can stand him, even most of our team," she said with a snort. "Nearly forgot you were from the States too. Where abouts?"

"Oklahoma, though I spent a couple years in Texas with the Sweetwater All-Stars," he replied. "Then came over here with the Arrows."

"I'm from New York. Followed the All-Stars a bit, but tend to be more of a Hammers fan," she said.

"Everyone is a Hammers fan," John replied with a slight eye roll.

"They do tend to win a lot," Jamie added, glancing over at John. "Though the All-stars weren't that bad."

"So it's not true that you British League guys are all self-absorbed," Tori said, smiling appreciatively at Jamie. He just shrugged.

"Quidditch is quidditch. I try to stay on top of all the teams I can," he said.

"So he knows what to expect every World Cup," Toby said. "He, Remus and Alan were on first string for the Scottish team last round and are shoo-ins for the next one in 2026."

"Pix'll likely usurp Fraser as well," Jamie added as he returned to looking over the menu. "She had to fill in a few matches for him last time. Rumor is Dad'll coach the team as well."

"Shame you lot couldn't have come over a bit sooner. Could have caught Coach Wood, Pix and Jamie in action at the League Cup final," Toby said, looking over at Tori.

"You ever get on the US team?" Tori asked John, who shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Playing was still a bit of a touchy subject for him even though it had been several months and he was already fairly busy working with Nilsson on plays for the upcoming season.

"No, though I did get contacted about possibly doing second string in 2022," he said, not taking his eyes off the menu. Jamie looked over at him confused.

"You never mentioned anything... Pix didn't either," he said.

"I didn't tell her," John said curtly. Jamie stared at him a moment longer and then turned back to the group.

"So, how's the investigation?" he asked, quickly changing the subject. Tori continued studying John as Chris launched into an update on the case. The former quidditch player seemed to relax as the conversation turned away from Daisy and quidditch.

"We've still got loads to question and even more to bring for questioning," Toby said with a sigh. "But I'm sure once we get into it, we'll find what we need to track down Magnus."

"Even with several governments sending auror teams to help, it's slow going," Chris said. "Some are… less willing to talk than others." Jamie nodded slowly as a server walked up to take their orders.

"If you need me or Pix or Mum to help out, just let us know," he said. "Could help with the more reticent of the bunch."

"I'll speak to Teddy about it. I think he's trying to avoid bringing you guys in for anything," Chris replied. "The US team head is still adamant on speaking with you lot, so he wants try and hold off on involving you more."

"Pix is certainly chomping at the bit to do something," Jamie said with a sigh. "If it meant talking to this bloke, she'd probably do it just to be able to help more."

"She needs to focus on going to the island and training," John said, causing the group to look at him. "With everything going on… I think we can all agree that the most important thing is for her to work on mastering her gifts. We all remember what it was like before." They all nodded, though Tori picked up on the underlying tone. They all obviously knew something more and weren't sharing. It was curious, though she wasn't sure if it was worth pushing them on. Not then at least. But she would tuck that bit away until later.

"Well, seems like you guys are a pretty tight knit group," Tori said, smiling and hoping to ease a bit of the tension. "I didn't realize just how… large and rowdy your family was." The men chuckled.

"You should see their family gatherings," John said, shaking his head.

"Organized chaos," Chris, Jamie and Toby said immediately, causing John to frown slightly before he smiled and laughed.

"But you have to admit it's true," he said. "Between James and Freddie trying to prank everyone - usually Molly and Dominique - then George making bets, Daisy trying to avoid getting pranked, the grandmothers trying to get everyone married off, Harry nearly killing himself on the pitch which then causes Ginny to yell at him..." He sat back in his chair, laughing.

"Now with Wills joining them, Pix'll likely spend most her time running interference between him and Coach Wood," Toby said. "And Christos… he still likes to blurt out everything he hears from people's minds."

"That's the other one from the island, right?" Tori interjected.

"That would be him," Jamie said. "Don't get me wrong, he's now part of the family as well, but he can be a bit… unpredictable."

"He gave my boss quite the run around when he went over his statement with him," Tori said chuckling. "He wanted to talk to Nikos, but Pace got him instead. So he was determined to break him or something. Walked out with a red face while Christos was just followed him with a giant grin."

"Sounds about right," John replied with a chuckle.

"What was that about rings?" Chris asked. John looked at Jamie, curious as well.

"Wills was out shopping for new hoops to put up in his practice room and Christos asked him how ring shopping was going in front of Dad," he said, barely able to contain his laughter.

"Do not envy him on that one," John replied, taking a drink of his soda. "Coach Wood is scary enough as it is without being on his bad side."

"Pixie almost killed Christos once she got Dad's wand away from him," Jamie said.

"Is it really always like this with your family?" Tori asked, intrigued.

"Yes," the men replied.

"Just be glad Remus and Alan aren't here, otherwise this lunch would be loads crazier," Toby said as their burgers all appeared.

"I want to meet the rest of the family," Tori said immediately. "Sounds like fun."

"Careful what you wish for," John said.


Thought I'd post the next one since I've gotten a bit more writing and planning done. I feel like this one is going to be a bit longer than the others - I'm up to chapter 9 and the Woods are still on the island. But in a way, it's kind of necessary to take some time on certain parts so as to not rush things. Not to mention with so many characters in the works, it's difficult to try and include all their perspectives. (BTW, we finally get to really meet Bridget in an upcoming chapter.)

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RE: After the Veil - Yea, the John/Wills/Daisy triangle is definitely an area where I have to remind myself that all is not well and happy. All of them are trying (though let's face it, when Daisy is involved, Wills will always go over the top), but it's going to take some time since everything is still new for John. As for training, I'm still working out those details, but I've got an idea in mind that I've been working towards since I was writing the second half of the last book. And it does actually involve Daisy's nightmares/dreams. And yea, Remus needed a moment. ^_^

RE: The Talk - I'm trying to include as many moments like this as I can, especially since things may go a bit dark before we're all done. But it was moments like this that made me want to keep writing back during Surviving Hogwarts and Life & Times. So definitely planning to have more. ^_^ And just wait until I get to Father of the Bride. That one is HILARIOUS.

RE: Decompressing - Thanks! The flashbacks will actually play a bigger role in Daisy's training, but we'll get into that in the next chapter.

RE: Calm - Haha! I haven't even gotten that far ahead in planning, so maybe we'll see?

AleenaBean - Haha, yea, I felt we needed some Daisy-Remus time.

JT815 - There's probably going to be a bit more on the normalcy front for the first few chapters, just until I can get the plot going (aka figure out what the hell Magnus is planning). He does come up in a few chapters, but for the most part, I'm focusing on Daisy getting her new magic under control (again) and working on the investigation from the aurors' side. But yea... I should get to work on that... It's a bit tough getting from point A to point B this time around...

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!