Teaching was a joy that Olivia never expected to find this late in her life. Many things were changing her outlook on life in the last few months.
Minerva was so ecstatic about the wedding that she had taken over all planning and coordinating of the event.
Many of the students that stayed behind for the holidays, having heard the news have volunteered to help decorate and serve food at the event. Although that was usually done by magical means, they just wanted to feel a part of the celebration. M felt honoured that they wanted to help and joyfully accepted.
Last weekend Minerva and Olivia had a reunion with Malcolm and Robert Jr. They brought their families to be introduced to Olivia and stood gobsmacked by the change in their appearances.
The boys were the same, just as rambunctious even in their old age. They were also very happy to have a part to play in the wedding. They asked about her work in the muggle world and the dangerous young man that she planned on marrying.
Olivia assured them that James Bond had never posed a danger to her. They asked Minerva and Olivia about the trial, and what happened to the both of them to make them suddenly younger than them.
"Really Min…Liv…what on earth happened? This was no spell a wizard would do…it's just not right."
Minerva patted Robert's hand. "I know but they are muggles…and they're obsessed with youth."
Malcolm nods. "I suppose it is all over for the two of them now. They will be in prison for the rest of their extended lives."
Olivia agreed. "Unfortunately for them without the constant medicines and magic used to keep up their youthfulness they may suddenly begin to age quickly. What they did to me and by blood transfusion Minerva was an experiment in permanence. It was horribly painful until Madame Pomfrey arrived."
The small house was full of family, with more to come. Bond was bringing Judi and Ryan to see her and the cousins that they have not seen since they were little.
Now with second and third cousins here too it was a joyfully noisy house. The house elves were busily helping prepare food and the wine was already flowing when the knock at the door sounded out.
Minerva and Olivia opened the door to see the stunned faces of Judi and Ryan. Olivia wrapped them in her arms and pulled them in to meet everyone. An hour later Ryan, Judi, Bond and Olivia take to the back garden for a private talk.
"Mum…you look amazing. Bond told us that you are getting married?"
Olivia took James' hand and they smiled at them. "Yes and I hope that you approve."
"Yes... all this is so strange…right Jude?"
"I'm without words mum…magic…you and I look the same age….I always knew there was something weird about Minerva and her brothers."
"Yeah…remember how Robert and Malcolm would always make coins and toys disappear behind our ears…even really big toys!"
They all laughed, now understanding that the boys were entertaining the children with real magic, not sleight of hand all those years ago.
Ryan frowns. "So our grandparents? Did they? Where they?"
"No dear. My parents never knew and were not magical like Minerva, Robert and Malcolm's mother. The school is amazing I so wish I could show you but we can't."
Judi looked longingly at the giant castle dominating the skyline in the distance. "I would love to see it and you a teacher…what is that like."
"Amazing. I am teaching children that do not spend any time in our world about it. The history the technology we use…it is like a science fiction course to them."
"You are coming back to our world aren't you mum?"
"Yes Judi…I cannot make a life here. It seems like hiding to me and I need to get back to work."
"Speaking of work mum…were you ever going to tell us?"
"What do you mean Ryan?"
"You know what I mean. We are in a magical world how, how can it be that you can tell us about this…mind blowing reality yet you cannot bring yourself to tell your own children why they had such a screwed up childhood?"
"I cannot tell you. I swore an oath."
Judi nodded in realization and understanding. "But you could just nod your head as we ask questions…mum do you work for SIS?"
Olivia slowly nodded her head looking at James as he smiled at her.
"Shit! You guessed it Jude…we always use to guess and tried to get father to tell us but he would just glare and send us to our rooms."
"Mum does James Work with you?"
Olivia and James shook their heads and Ryan and Judi look confused.
Ryan perks up. "Wait I got it. Mum does James work for you…are you the head of MI6?"
Olivia smiled but held her finger to her mouth. "Never say that out loud again…anywhere."
Olivia's children who have always resented her lack of presence in their youth now understand why it was so bloody important for their mother to be away so often.
The rest of the weekend was a festive time, as plans were finalized by Minerva for everyone's role in the upcoming wedding.
Ryan and Judi would have to come alone. Their families were not ready for an induction into this reality, too much too fast.
Bond and Olivia took some private walks in the wood, as their only alone time. Judi teased her mother with Minerva about all the twigs and leaves in her hair from her outdoor adventure with James.
"Damn this long hair…it is the only thing that I am not use to but James likes it like this. Eventually I will change it back…after the wedding before I go back to my old job."
"Mum seriously that man is so hot…tell me you didn't order him to date you."
Minerva laughed. "Dear girl it took a team to get your mother to admit even interest in the handsome young man."
"Funny…Min…real funny and as for you young lady he has felt this way about me a long time. Yes… even when I looked my age."
"Mum I have always thought you beautiful…I hold out hope I will age as well. How are you going to explain your youth to the work world?"
"I think I am just going to claim plastic surgery. What with the time away from work it will cover my supposed recovery time from the surgery."
"Still it is so incredible…so magic. Speaking of magic can you two show me some?"
The rest of the afternoon became practically magic, as they prepared a meal and cleaned the crowded house with the use of wands, much to the amazement of Olivia's muggle children.
Ryan and Bond spent some time in the afternoon with Robert and Malcolm joking around and getting to know each other at the pub down the street.
They played darts and drank drinks that make Ryan and Bond question their sanity at times.
Bond was warming up to this very new concept of a family…a very bizarre and magical family at that. His phone went off and he looked at the message.
Bond needed to leave quickly. Malcolm offered to apparate him back to the house to save him the walk. Malcolm takes Bond and Robert takes Ryan who was excited about the idea.
They popped into the house and Olivia could instantly tell, just by the look on Bond's face that he had a mission.
Bond pulled her aside and into a hug. He whispers into her ear. "I've got to go to Turkey. I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer."
Olivia kissed him quickly and hugged him. He said his goodbyes to everyone else and hugged Minerva too him as she apparated with Bond to M's flat in London.
Within a few minutes Minerva returned and the family sat down to supper.
Ryan spoke up. "That is the only way to travel…can I book the three of you for my next vacation?"
The table was joyful, but Olivia put on a brave front. She hated not knowing where he was or what the mission was. She was going to send an email to Tanner tonight, just to pump him for information.
Olivia was just getting out of one of her lessons when she received a message from Dumbledore to meet in his office.
Olivia made her way there and saw that Minerva was already there. "Glad you could make time Olivia and I must say that all the students are in love with you and the course."
"Really? I had a lot of prejudicial backlash in the beginning."
"Yes…I do understand that and many parents have voiced concerns but none too adamantly."
Minerva speaks up. "The trial has ended. They are to stay in prison her for the next 20 years for their crimes."
Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. "Good…I am glad that it is in our favour."
"There is only one catch. They will be in a minimum security facility as their crimes were not deemed to be bad enough to place them in Azkaban."
"NOT SEVERE ENOUGH! Murder…attempted rape, kidnapping what in hell does severe mean to you people?"
Dumbledore tried to calm her before beginning. "My dear…in our world they are but you were not of this world and it happened in yours, and out of our legal jurisdiction. We could only try their crimes in this world and the full sentence they received for it."
"So I should have let Bond end them in our world and then I would not be in worry about their escape."
Minerva looked shocked. "Olivia you would never have used your position at MI6 for that!"
"No…I wouldn't unless they were outside Britain I would not have been able too."
The next weekend Olivia and Minerva spent at the cottage in the village. James was going to try to come but he was delayed on his mission.
Tanner was sending coded updates to Olivia, just so that she didn't worry too much. Having tea at the kitchen table there came a knock at the door. Olivia rushed to the door expecting to see James.
The door swung open to show Jack Harkness smirking at her, then picking her up in his arms. "M…so good to see you!"
"Jack! What on earth…how did you?"
"Yes Jack…I would also like to know how you found us?"
Jack pulled out a hand scanner that was beeping green in his hands. "Just a little thing I picked up while visiting a distant nebula."
Olivia pulled it out of his hand. "Seriously…how does it work?"
"I think the question you should be asking Olivia is when did he chip us?"
"Well come now ladies…are you going to invite me to have tea?"
Jack moved to Minerva and wrapped her in a big hug. "So how is my date doing?"
"Date?"
"Plus one to the wedding."
"Jack…really. I don't think…"
"He's right Minerva. Jack is standing with you in the wedding. Tanner and Jack will be standing for James and you and Judi with me."
Minerva frowned. "This is…"
Jack silenced her with a sudden kiss. Minerva pushed him away shocked by his continued frustrations.
"I am sure your Mr. Ianto would be appalled."
"He and I have an understanding."
"Well, I don't share well…it's a family trait." Minerva looked at her cousin's amused face as she made the statement.
Jack frowned in return. "Come now let's have some fun. Why don't we apparate to Paris…I know a little one bedroom with an excellent view."
Olivia arched her brow. "One bedroom?"
Jack winked at her. "It is a really big bed. Come on it will be a blast!"
"Jack…come with me for a walk. I need to talk to you about something."
"I'm not in trouble am I M?"
"No…but I need you to have a bachelor party planned that is not too outrageous and I think better when I walk."
"Lead on dear lady."
They nod to Minerva who sat back down working on her student's papers.
"Jack…you have to stop this flirtation. Minerva will never consent to someone as fleeting as you. It is just not in her nature. Minerva was unable to marry the man she fell in love with, and for years I hounded her to accept the man she eventually made her husband. She does not give her heart away lightly."
"Another family trait?"
"Yes…perhaps. The only good thing going for you is that you are fascinating and that Minerva thinks you are joking. Not to mention Ianto."
"But what if I am not joking? Ianto was upset but he does understand on some level that everything with me is in constant motion. I can love many and one at a time. He an I are on a break and I don't know if it will ever be the same between us. The reason is that since you and your cousin fell into my life, I can thing of nothing else."
"You will have to explain that to her. The other reason why I ask you for this walk is that I don't really want you involved in any bachelor party activity with James."
Jack smirked. "Yeah…but it would be legendary."
"I don't doubt that Jack but I want him in one piece."
"I bet you do."
Olivia smacked Jack's arm.
"Seriously M…I like her, a lot. I know it seemed strange and out of the blue and I am an incorrigible flirt, but I do want to spend time getting to know her. Seriously I cannot think of much else."
Olivia sighed. "I don't know how you can accomplish it…she stays very close to the school while it is in session. It is her crutch her home…she feels most comfortable. This cottage does not even seem like a home to her since her husband died and that was 20 years ago at least."
"How should I play this?"
"I don't know but if you are very persistent you may just get lucky."
"I will make an excuse to go back to the school and leave you to get to know her better but you had better be a gentleman about it."
"I wouldn't play it any other way M."
"I don't want you to play at anything about Minerva Jack."
"Ok…I promise."
They returned from their short walk and Olivia ran upstairs as soon as she returned to the cottage. She gathered her things while Jack helped Minerva make dinner. Immediately after Olivia gathered her things, she moved to the door. Her cousin's voice rang out and she was suddenly frozen to the spot, unable to move. "Where do you think you are going?"
"I can't believe you just used witchcraft on me!"
"Answer me Olivia."
"I think he will be good for you…you have been alone a long time and I can see how the companionship of a loved one has made you happier these last few months."
Minerva sighed. "You're right…but…"
"No buts…stay with Jack…get to know him. Now let me go!"
Minerva released the spell, Olivia gave her a smile and darted out the door.
Minerva nervously turned back towards Jack who was approaching her with a smile that turns into a frown as he saw that she was holding her wand out in his direction.
"Minerva...please. Let's enjoy a meal together. I already promised M that I would be a complete gentleman."
"Alright; but one wrong move and you become a toad."
Jack smiled as he pulled out a chair for her and they begin their meal.
To be continued...