Chapter Five
Getting Consent
Hope was watching the flag board when Harry, Garvan, and Jennifer came in, and her grandmother was grinning like the cat that ate the canary.
"Hey, welcome back. I take it that you three had a successful capture," Hope said after seeing her expression.
"Oh, yes! It was quite fun, actually!" Jennifer said enthusiastically.
"Yeah," Harry said with a sigh. "Jennifer, could you not scold the prisoners and ask them where their lives went wrong while they're in Auror cuffs? Especially when they don't have a counselor present."
"Sorry, Harry, I was only trying to help. I rather think that if he had been born into other circumstances and hadn't lost his mother, maybe he wouldn't have gone down such a dark path..."
"Our job is simply to catch them, process them into the Tower or Azkaban, and have the justice system take over from there," Harry explained. "It's not to try to reform them."
"All the same, I hope he gets the help he needs. It's not like prison time is really going to solve any of his problems, is it?" Jennifer said. Harry sighed. "Yes, I know, that isn't the point. I'll try not to do it again."
"How about a promise?" Harry suggested.
"I promise that I will try," Jennifer replied and then gave him an innocent smile that Harry really wasn't buying. Harry looked over at Garvan.
"Maybe talk to Severus?" Garvan suggested.
"Are you kidding? He lets her do whatever she wants to do these days," Hope chimed in, Jennifer's smile widening at that.
"Fine. If you don't promise, not only am I not going to let you and Severus partner up after your training is done, I'll ask Flyer Wright to come spend the summer over here and we'll let him be your partner," Harry threatened. Jennifer's smile faded.
"You wouldn't do that to me!" Jennifer protested in shock.
"Try me," Harry warned.
"Hey, that's just how Grandfather says it when someone gets out of line," Hope noted.
"Where do you think I learned it from?" Harry said evenly, then looked Jennifer straight in the eye to show her just how serious he was.
"Fine, I promise," Jennifer pouted. Hope clapped softly in approval. "Oh, you're no help!" she scolded Hope.
"Sorry," Hope said insincerely.
"Jennifer, Garvan, you're off duty. Hope, I'll be in my office," Harry said, walking to the door.
"No problem!" Hope replied.
"I'd better get home. I promised Nat that I'd be back for dinner since she has the flag board later tonight," Garvan said.
"Oh, give Abby a hug for me!" Jennifer requested warmly.
"Sure thing," Garvan smiled, waving as he left.
"So now that they're out of the way," Jennifer continued mischievously. "How did things go at Eric Dalance's Garden Party?"
"It was as easy as pie, especially compared to grilling I got at the Villin's Mansion," Hope said, Jennifer chuckling softly at that. "Minerva, Eric, and Tonks were there to back me up, and so was Charlie Weasley, who decided to support me too," she said. "He pointed out that he had family members working at the castle as well, so he didn't have a problem with it, especially since I never taught there myself. On top of that, he could see the sense in Tonks choosing another Auror to take her place. In fact, I think my chances of getting on the board are pretty good. But don't think this means I'm going to take it easy on you..." she warned, shaking her finger. "Let grandfather know that I'll stand up to him if I feel like I half to!"
"That is good to hear," Jennifer assured her with a smile. "Don't worry, Hope, your grandfather will never hold it against you if you don't like one of his proposals. You have your own mind about things, and if you take that appointment, we trust you to do your best, that's what matters the most. The board is there as a check and balance to protect the school... theoretically," she added under her breath, getting Hope to grin.
"And I know just what my first proposal will be! To disband the old board and shape a new one like the Whitebridge board!" Hope joked daringly.
"For some reason, I don't think that proposal would get any votes," Jennifer warned.
"No, but could you imagine the expressions on their faces if I did propose it?" Hope asked wickedly.
"You really are your father's daughter," Jennifer said with amusement. "I had best get home."
"Oh, wait. Can you take flag board duty for me next weekend?" Hope asked.
"What, again?" Jennifer asked with a frown.
"Fritjof asked me to come to the Maxens for dinner, and I'm going there on approval," Hope explained.
"I see," Jennifer said, checking the schedule before gazing at her thoughtfully. "Hope, you will be careful, won't you?"
"Don't worry, Grandmother, I promise I'll take every precaution... including taking Eben with me," Hope said cheerfully.
"That's definitely a good idea," Jennifer chuckled at her, stepping out of the office.
Under different circumstances, Hope would have loved to have taken out her broom and challenged Eben to a race over the rolling grasslands and moors that spanned the Maxen's ancestral home. There were no Muggle roads in sight in any direction; they were far west and north of any towns or cities. Despite being the middle of summer, the winds were brisk, the air damp. It wasn't until they had turned their horses towards the manor that the skies finally cleared, just in time for the beautiful colors of the approaching sunset.
"It would clear up now," Hope said as she cantered up beside Eben's mare. "Still a bit blowy, isn't it?"
"You get used to it after awhile," Eben said. "It's often windy here, since there's very little to stop it until it gets into the valley."
"Not only that, but I could almost swear that I hear voices in the wind," Hope commented.
"I'm sure you do," Eben confirmed calmly. "There's a pack of Moorhags that live nearby. They're very common in this area."
"How do you get any sleep?" Hope asked in surprise.
"Oh, that's not a problem. You see, the Clan MacSin have been allies with the Moor Hags for time out of mind. They don't trouble us at all, but I wouldn't want to be a foolish backpacker attempting to explore the area," Eben admitted. "They've been a great deterrent to keep the Muggles away, really. The nightmares of those who survive it have planted many a ghost story among those with herds up here, and that has kept them off our lands. For their part, the Moor Hags find our lands safe and secluded from those who might hunt them out, so it's always been mutually beneficial."
"Wait a minute," Hope said, squinting at him. "Those Moor Hag attacks on the school, that was them somehow."
"I can neither confirm nor deny that my family had anything to do with it," Eben said, smiling thinly as he led his horse on the path leading to the barn.
"That just confirms it," Hope decided.
"Isn't it against Harry's rules to jump to conclusions?" Eben teased her.
"It's not jumping to conclusions when it's a hunch," Hope declared.
"Does that argument actually work?" Eben laughed.
"Only after the fact, if the hunch proves true," Hope admitted, dismounting and helping Eben put the horses away before the two of them went in to get cleaned up for dinner.
In the dining room, the long mahogany table seemed quite empty and had many unfilled chairs. Hope quickly realized how few of Eben's siblings were present; Cadha, Culver, Moira, Zelda, and baby Torquill were apparently at their aunt's house. That left only Douglas and Wallace standing by their chairs, peeking over at their guest speculatively. Eben smiled at her and gestured at the seat next to him. Fortunately, Hope had dined at the Craw's enough to understand this level of formality, thanks to all of the times Thomas had asked her over to discuss a case.
Fritjof and Worley came in. Fritjof took the seat at the end while Worley sat next to him and across from Hope and Eben, rather futilely hoping for any sign of weakness in Hope's mental blocks.
"Good evening, family and guest," Fritjof said. "Did you enjoy your ride?"
"Yes, thank you. It's good to get away from the city for a while and enjoy the serenity," Hope decided. "It was nice to be able to appreciate nature and the sounds of voices on the wind without something getting in the way."
"We are of the same mind in that respect," Fritjof agreed. "My daughter Blair's heart is among people and prefers to be surrounded by them... why, I don't know. Even my son's children seem to enjoy a crowded room, which is why so many of them are absent tonight. But I prefer my solitude. Don't you, Worley?"
"I abhor crowds, as you know, father, and only attend gatherings when necessity requires it," Worley agreed. "Of course, in my case, my dislike for crowds is made worse through my Truth Seeking, since their thoughts are even more intolerable than their behavior. Tell me, Hope. Just how does your grandmother endure it, being a Truth Seeker herself?"
"Mostly by surrounding herself with family," Hope explained. "I think they help give her strength even when she's surrounded by people she doesn't like."
"Ah, perhaps our families have more in common than I would have guessed," Fritjof suggested, while it was obvious from Worley's dubious expression that he was far from convinced.
"Oh no, I'm certain your family a lot more normal than mine," Hope said. Eben blinked. "Did Eben happen to tell you what my grandmother is doing this summer?" she asked. Fritjof shook his head. "She's at the Auror Department, training for her Auror license. Can you believe that? Instead of taking a normal holiday in France or America or something, she's been spending the last few weeks training."
"Oh, aye?" Fritjof said in surprise.
"Grandfather has been helping her, of course, since he's had an Auror license for years now. She even went to Canada to train with the Canadian Flyers. Didn't she, Eben?" Hope prompted.
"She did," Eben confirmed solemnly. "I think it's been the hardest part of the training so far. She wasn't very good on a broom, so the squad leader was extremely tough on her. She did catch up in the end."
"Grandfather said it's because she began to fear Flyer Wright more than she did flying," Hope said with a grin. "I wish I could have seen it, but I had to stay and help at the department this year."
"But why are they doing it in the first place?" Worley asked, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"All I know is that Harry promised to let my grandparents team up once my grandmother has her full license, and that has something to do with it," Hope replied. "You see, I haven't really been in charge of their training at all. I only see them when one of them is watching the flag board or if they're passing through to Harry's office. Most of what I hear is conversations that happen while they're in the Auror's reception room," she explained.
"I've only been with them during the few times they have us training together, and then they're working us too hard to really talk," Eben mentioned.
"You know, though," Hope said, pausing to switch forks. "I wouldn't be altogether surprised if the two of them weren't just doing it for the fun of it."
"For the fun of it?" Fritjof repeated in confusion.
"Like I said, my family is really odd... and this is coming from the daughter of someone who used to dress up like a Musketeer and run around the countryside as a vigilante," she added for good measure. "I think it's because most of us have such a strong sense of civic duty. We all want to do what we can to make the world a better place and make it a safe to raise a family. Nothing is more important to us than family."
"Aye, the same can be said of us," Fritjof said. "But I wonder now how your family feels about your relationship with our Eben?"
"Honestly, it's a bit mixed," Hope admitted. "Everyone who came to know Eben at Hogwarts, namely my grandparents, Uncle Aurelius, Uncle Andrew, and my mother, seem to be okay with it. But my father and everyone who doesn't know Eben are a bit more suspicious. They're a little worried that I'm in over my head. Then again, I've been over my head since the day I was born," she added. Eben had to control his urge to roll his eyes at that.
"A father can't help but be suspicious of anyone wanting to take their child away," Fritjof said with amusement. "Isn't that right, Worley?" he asked. Worley didn't reply, gazing at her solemnly before looking back at his meal. Fritjof, it seemed, either hadn't expected a reply or had received one mentally, more than likely the latter, Hope thought to herself. "Tell me, lass. I don't suppose such a lady would have a taste for scotch at all?" he asked.
"I sure do," Hope said with a grin. "True to the stereotype, a lot of Aurors tend to drink on the odd night off, typically because we need it after some of our missions." Fritjof laughed at that.
"Good!" he said, slapping his knee. "Then after dinner, I shall show you my private stores and perhaps we can test one or two."
That's it. You're in, Eben projected to Hope. He doesn't let anyone but family down there.
"I'm honored," Hope replied. "And I'm looking forward to it!"
When they finished dinner and Hope followed Fritjof downstairs, Worley asked Douglas to take his brother to the nursery. One of the servants came out with a desert wine, filling Eben and Worley's glasses, the only two left at the table.
"If it were any other child, I'm not so certain that I would approve of this," Worley admitted, taking a gentle sip of his wine and setting it down again. "Despite the fact that she's impressed Blair and Father, and has even managed to placate Zelda, I still would have my reservations about a girl with such mental blocks. It makes me wonder what she is really after."
"She can't read me either, Father, nor can anyone in her family," Eben pointed out.
"Which is why I will allow it," Worley said evenly. "You have the benefit of discretion, while she, apparently, seems more than willing to give up information in an attempt to placate us. She will be able to give us insight into her family and their behavior, and you will be able to warn us if her family ever actively begins working against us. Even so, keep on your guard, and make certain it's not an equal exchange. Do not be persuaded by her loose tongue to give away our secrets in return."
"Yes, Father," Eben said solemnly. "I did tell her about the Hags, though. They were singing when I came in."
"I see," Worley replied. "I suppose that knowledge would have been difficult to hide, since if you are married, she will no doubt become aware of our traditions."
"There is one other matter I want to bring up, Father," Eben admitted. "She has hinted in the past if we were ever to be married that she wanted a simple Ministry wedding. She doesn't really believe in overblown ceremonies and worries about the discomfort it'd cause if our families had to tolerate each other's accompany during an all day formal affair."
"In this we are in complete agreement. You know how much I hate ceremonies of any kind," Worley replied. "Your Aunt Blair, of course, will be disappointed, but it's not her decision. Do what you need to do to secure her and simply send me a note when it is over with."
"I will, Father," Eben promised, smiling softly.
After all of the 'taste testing' done in the cellar, Eben didn't take Hope seriously when she suggested that they should get married as soon as possible, especially after Corey made it perfectly clear what he thought of Hope being escorted home in such a state.
But Hope seemed to delight in shocking Eben, and by the time she showed up at the Auror Department late into the afternoon, she had fully recovered from her hangover and was back to her energetic self again. There was a knock on the door of Aurelius' office, and Eben pulled his glasses off while Aurelius used his wand to open the door. Hope was behind it, carrying a bouquet of daisies.
"It's your alleged fiance," Aurelius told Eben.
"Not alleged!" Hope protested.
"Then where's your ring?" Aurelius inquired.
"Oh, yeah. We should go to Maryced's and pick those up. My parents are giving us a set as a wedding present."
"Both parents?" Eben asked skeptically.
"Well, maybe more my mother than my father, but he'll get used to you, just like he got used to Garvan," Hope decided. "Aurelius, when would be a good day for you? I noticed you're off tomorrow..."
"Viorica and I have a set tee time," Aurelius protested.
"Oh, well, she can come too if she wants. I'll make sure there's refreshments..."
"Not that kind of tea," Aurelius sighed at Hope. "I meant golf."
"You'd rather play golf than go to my wedding? How could you!" Hope scolded her uncle.
"Fine," Aurelius said with a sigh.
"Do I get a say in all of this?" Eben wondered out loud.
"Sorry, not enough time. I found a two bedroom flat that's just perfect for a home base and we need to go sign paperwork. Don't worry, I got a decent rate because it's built on land owned by Coventry Investments, so it's comfortably in our budget. How much longer does he need to train today?" Hope asked her uncle.
"Take him," Aurelius said resignedly, and Eben got up.
"So, what's with the flowers?" Eben wondered.
"Oh. Yeah. They're for you," Hope said, placing them against his chest. Eben reluctantly took it, sheepishly wondering how about ridiculous he looked as he followed her out of the room.
Eben was pretty sure that no one was going to show up but Snapes and Willowbys, so he was quite surprised when so many of his Order of the Owl friends had come; Apollo, Harvey, Viorica, TJ, Elliot, and Ella were all there, along with Gloria, who came in with Culver.
"I wasn't expecting you," Eben admitted to his brother. "Father asked me to keep it quiet so that Aunt Blair didn't find out until afterwards."
"I thought as much," Culver replied. "But Gloria heard about it when Hope was trying to round up some of your friends and dragged me along with her."
"I didn't know she did that," Eben admitted. "To be perfectly honest, I never know what she's going to do. I only know that whatever it is, it's going to be unexpected."
"That's Hope alright," Gloria said with a grin.
Are you happy about this? Culver asked thoughtfully.
It's fine, Eben thought back. It'll help me find my freedom.
"What about you, Culver?" Eben asked out loud.
"Oh... well, actually, I'm hoping this wedding will placate Father for a while, since Cadha is having fun with Aunt Blair's social schedule and I... well, Gloria's family is pressing her to wait until she's older," he explained.
"Since I have a decent inheritance coming to me, my parents think it'd be wiser if I concentrate on learning how to manage it responsibly after I get out of school, and how to cultivate a business," Gloria explained. "And, after giving it some thought myself, I think they're probably right. It's gong to be pretty overwhelming, so I'm going to wait a few years before I commit to anything other than dating."
"Yes, that makes a lot of sense," Eben agreed.
Do you suppose Father would let me wait that long? Culver thought.
Not really, Eben admitted reluctantly. Culver nodded, and Gloria thought he was nodding at her and hugged him.
"It won't be as long as all of that, Culver! But if I'm free to travel, Beth promised she'd sponsor me to assist at one of her hotels in another country to get some experience in management skills," Gloria said.
"I'm happy for you," Culver said with a forced smile. "And I'm happy for you too, brother."
Do you think Father would let me join the RBF for a few years as an excuse to wait? Culver thought hopefully.
Not likely, Eben said. But let me know if things get tough for you and you need a way out.
What does that mean? Culver thought curiously.
We have a couch, Eben improvised.
Culver distractedly nodded at whatever it was that Gloria was saying about her future plans. Just then, Jennifer stepped over, first giving Eben a warm hug before smiling at Culver brightly.
"Oh, Culver! I'm so glad you're here, at least. I wouldn't want Eben to get married without some family representation!" Jennifer said with a smile.
"My father's not a fan of ceremonies and will avoid them whenever he can," Culver explained.
"Culver's right, Professor..."
"Goodness, Eben, even if you're uncomfortable with calling me Grandmother, at least call me Jennifer," she protested. "You're family now... or at least you will be in fifteen minutes," she added with amusement.
"Alright, but I must admit that I didn't want anyone to be uncomfortable today, either. You can't deny the fact that the tension in the room ramps up any time our families have to deal with one another," Eben said.
"Yes, yes I know, but we would have done our best to keep things civil," Jennifer replied. "Still, there's Culver! Thank you for coming."
"Sure, Professor... I can still call you that, right?" Culver asked.
"Only for one more year," Jennifer teased with amusement, then went back to over to stand with Severus, Corey, and Harry.
"Why me?" Corey murmured with a sigh as Jennifer came back over again. "Sure, Charles did alright, but I wonder what my daughters are thinking sometimes."
"Garvan is a fantastic Auror, regardless of his relatives, and I'm sure Eben will become one too," Harry said. "Besides, you won't get much sympathy from me considering who mine ended up with."
"Oh, nonsense! They've all chosen well, and I really don't think you have anything to worry about," Jennifer chided them both. "Perhaps we ought to take our seats."
"Yes," Severus agreed, sliding down the row to make room. "You're not having misgivings about this too, are you?" he murmured to Jennifer.
"No, I thought I made that clear already. Why would you think that?" Jennifer whispered back.
"When you walked over to us, you had an expression as if you were concerned about something," Severus explained.
"Oh, that wasn't about Eben," Jennifer explained, Severus raising a brow. "Student drama, as you call it."
"Humor me anyway," Severus coaxed, and Jennifer sighed.
"Well, Gloria''s parents got her to realize that she was going to have a lot of adjusting to do after she graduates. She's decided not to commit to any relationships until she's had some time to train her business skills and has her finances well in hand," Jennifer explained.
"Yes, I can see how that's very good advice for her," Severus agreed, not seeing anything wrong with that.
"Well, because of that, Culver's just realized that they're not going to be together, you see. He's keeping it to himself at the moment," Jennifer explained, "but he's worried about his future."
"It's only natural for students to worry about their future during their last year," Severus pointed out.
"Their father is putting a lot of pressure on those children to marry well," Jennifer murmured softly.
"Oh, stars, I've never heard such a thing happening before," Severus replied.
"It's hardly a joking matter, Severus," Jennifer said sternly.
"No, but it's hardly anything new, is it? You have little reason to worry. As students of Hogwarts, who have been learning everything from personal defense to independent thinking, I am certain that they can take care of themselves. If pressed too far, they will either head out on their own or ask for help," he reassured her quietly. "As long as they're provided with plenty of options, they will have the keys they need to step out of their cells. Fear is their biggest obstacle."
"What if they have good reason to be afraid?" Jennifer whispered.
"Defense against ones own fears is something our school stresses from the very first year, is it not?" Severus pointed out. "Have faith in them, Jennifer, to make the right choices. Did you not tell me once that you thought this would be a good marriage for Eben?"
"Well, yes, I think it will be," Jennifer agreed.
"Then he must have made a good choice," Severus reasoned. "Come now, if you expect me to have any faith at all in Fate, you could have some faith in their Free Will choices, at least every now and again." Jennifer smiled in resignation at that. "Our job is to teach them, but no matter how much we stress the importance of learning, they're the ones who choose whether to study or not. Even so, learning the hard way is still learning."
"Good lord... is he actually up here giving his wife a lecture on education?" Percy Weasley asked critically as he walked to the front with a book in his hand.
"Ignore him, Percy. I think he just likes to hear himself talk," Thomas said as he walked beside him.
"Isn't that calling the kettle black?" Severus retorted, but they all quieted down as Thomas took his seat and Percy called Hope and Eben up.
Eben barely paid attention to the ceremony, too busy thinking about how awkward it was going to be when he was going to have to kiss Hope at the end and wondering if he was going to mess it up.
He soon found out that he needn't have worried; Hope took immediately control over the situation, leaving him surprised and out of breath, while she rewarded the applause with a smug expression.
After that, Eben couldn't wait to get to the flat; his first time away from his own family. It was in a part of the city that was mostly wizard properties, close to the museum and Coventry suites. In fact, he could see a corner of the museum's gardens from the windows in the stairwell.
"I got as high as we could afford to put us closer to the roof. That way, we can broom to work if we want," Hope explained as she led him upstairs. "I hear forty-nine is a bit unlucky in certain cultures. You're not superstitious, are you?"
"Not really," Eben said as they stepped out and walked down the corridor until she unlocked the door.
The Trade Elf moving company, Pack and Pop, had already came and went. Eben stepped into a fully furnished flat, the table in the living room piled up with wedding gifts, and a kitchen with all of the latest magical gadgets for cookery. Just outside the window, Eben was glad there was better view of the museum gardens. He could even see part of the outside seating area near the hotel.
"Lovely, isn't it? I had your stuff unpacked in the first bedroom. It's a bit smaller, but it has a better view," Hope explained.
"That's fine, thanks," Eben replied with a smile.
"I went through the Trade Elf Agency and hired a part time domestic to help with cleaning and shopping three times a week, and Harry and Uncle Sirius have gone over the security... can't have a bunch of vengeful Dark Wizards finding the place, can we?"
"I'm glad you thought of it, Hope. I probably wouldn't have," Eben admitted. "I guess I've always taken my safety at home for granted."
"Well, you can't afford to take it for granted any longer! Being an Auror, you have to keep on your toes, so nobody takes advantage of a weak moment!" Hope lectured, Eben nodding at that. "Speaking of which, how about it?"
"How about what?" Eben asked in confusion.
"You know," Hope said with a mischievous smile. "You wanna try out my bed or yours?"
Eben stared at her.
"I thought we agreed that we are just friends?" he asked.
"We are," Hope replied.
"And this is just a marriage of convenience," Eben reminded her.
"Most definitely," Hope agreed.
"And that you want an open marriage," Eben added.
"Absolutely!" Hope confirmed.
"Besides, I haven't... I mean, I've never..."
"That's okay! I have enough experience for both of us!" Hope reassured him. "Besides, none of that changes the fact that this is my wedding night, and on witch's wedding night, a witch expects a bit of action. Just because it's for convenience, it doesn't mean we can't celebrate being married, right? Besides, you have more to celebrate than just that. You get to celebrate your freedom away from your family, and finally being out on your own. Listen, do you hear that?"
"What?" Eben said, despite being quite reluctant to ask.
"The bells of freedom," Hope said dramatically, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Can you hear them?"
"Uh... well, not really," Eben admitted.
"Well, don't worry. If you follow me into my room, I'm sure you'll be hearing them before the night's over," Hope replied, then began walking towards the small corridor. "I'll leave my door open for you," she added for good measure before she stepped out of view.
Eben slowly lifted his chin back up, not exactly sure when his mouth fell open. He stared down the corridor a moment, hearing her open a door and other sounds as she dropped items on her vanity and moved around the room. He inhaled very deeply, planning to exhale slowly to calm himself down. Instead, it came out as whistle.
"Yeah, okay," Eben finally said to himself, then ducked down the corridor and into her room.
