A/N For those who don't follow me, rough draft is done and we're moving to weekday updates. DQ


Chapter Fourteen

Little Witches

Serendipity usually didn't have to go to the daycare on Sundays, but since Jennifer had decided to volunteer in the daycare that morning, she took Seren with the Sorting Hat tagging along for good measure. Andrew was already there, snoozing in the rocking chair while Elinor and Emma Elizabeth played with blocks.

"Don't tell me, we're having a tea party," the Sorting Hat said with exasperation when Seren ran for the play kitchen.

"You didn't have to come today," Jennifer reminded him. "Good morning, Andrew! My, don't we look uncomfortable! Did the girls keep you up last night?" Andrew blearily sat up rubbed his eyes.

"No, I slept in my office as Glider," Andrew admitted ruefully.

"Why don't we have some coffee at the adult table then while the girls are having tea... and perhaps we could get some scones and biscuits for the children. I wonder who all signed up for daycare today?" Jennifer asked, glancing at the list on the door.

"Anna said something about dropping Sam off when she heard you were going to be in here," Andrew reported. "Maggie Potter will be here too, because Sagittari and Ginny are doing their yearly prep for sports season. They even had me modify that first aid cart they've been taking to games yesterday. They want to be able to do more first aid on the Pitch."

"That sounds like a good idea... and it also sounds like we'll have a very large tea party indeed," Jennifer said with amusement. "What are you and Laura fighting about this time?"

"We're not fighting," Andrew protested. "All I did was suggest through the bathroom door that she should take her doctor's advice and take her morning sickness medicine. Before I knew it, I had everything from towels, soap, even bog rolls being chucked at me, and I had no choice but to make a break for it... it's not funny, Mum," he added when she couldn't hold back her laughter. "It's painful to watch her go through this misery when she really doesn't have to."

"She's just trying to do what she thinks is best for the baby," Jennifer said with an understanding smile. "But I have just the solution. Why don't you try that special herbal tea that Severus made for me when I was pregnant with Serendipity and I didn't want to take those icky potions? I'm sure it'll work just as well."

"Mum, I'm pretty sure he just laced those teas with your medicine," Andrew said flatly.

"I really don't know if he did or not. He never told me what his 'special ingredients' were,'" Jennifer admitted.

"This is Dad we're talking about," Andrew pointed out. "Surely you had suspicions about what he had been doing. And as suspicious as Laura is, I would never get away with it."

"No, you probably wouldn't," Jennifer agreed, sitting at the table when he noticed that the coffee decanter had arrived. "But isn't this the afternoon that she gets together with Ginger and Severus for their monthly chat? I'm sure I can drop a hint that'll get Severus to offer his solution. And as suspicious as you may think that is, she trusts Severus a lot more than she trusts you at the moment."

"Thank you, Mother," Andrew said curtly, but accepted the coffee cup anyway.

"So have you settled on a name for this one?" Jennifer asked brightly, and Andrew sighed.

"Well, she still is stuck on that Fitzwilliam thing, and I'm still having trouble getting her to warm up to Henry. She thinks Fitzwilliam Snape sounds better than Henry Snape. I wonder if she'd agree to just William?" Andrew pondered.

"Never mind that argument, we've heard it for years now. I meant what name have you picked out if it's a girl?" Jennifer explained.

"That one I have more control over. She promised me I could name her since I let her get away with Elinor Catherine and Emma Elizabeth that I'd get to pick the next girl's name... although honestly, it'd be nice to have a boy this time," Andrew admitted, "even if the poor kid did get stuck with Fitzwilliam."

"Yes, alright, but what have you come up with?" Jennifer inquired.

"Nothing yet... it's still early," Andrew protested, and his mother sighed with exasperation. She's not due until March, I've got time."

"Don't you dare wait until the last minute," Jennifer scolded.

"Well, I want it to be something that's both unique and yet family related," Andrew decided. "And definitely not something out of a novel. Still, more than likely, it'll be a boy, right? Third times' the charm."

"I rather don't think it's as simple as all of that," Jennifer warned. "And I certainly wouldn't be throwing out any of the clothes that Emma Elizabeth is growing out of, if I were you."

"Yes, Mum," Andrew said, getting up. "If you have things well in hand, I really ought to grab some papers to mark before I head out to supervise football tryouts."

"Yes, don't worry! The Sorting Hat and I have things well in hand," Jennifer beamed.

"If you say so," Andrew said dubiously, wondering why his mother mentioned the Hat at all. Shrugging he stepped out, greeting his Aunt Anna as she walked up with three little girls in tow.

"Oh! That's more than Sam!" Jennifer noted in surprise as Sam, Jillian, and Aubrey Lynn came in.

"Yes, I thought Seren would like the extra company, and Aubrey Lynn came when she heard that Maggie was coming today," Anna explained.

"I'm a good helper," Aubrey declared.

"You certainly are, thank you, Aubrey Lynn!" Jennifer said with a smile. "Jillian, come away from the book corner, you can play tea party for a change."

"Yes, please, anything to get her to interact more with others will be appreciated," Anna said with exasperation.

"I like books," Jillian said.

"Yes, I know, but come play with your cousins. She's so serious, so like her mother... I bet your mother looked a great deal like you at your age," Jennifer told her.

"She definitely takes more after Juliet's side of the family than ours," Anna agreed. "She did inherit our sides' quick tongue when she's critical about something, though."

"That's alright then, as long as she can learn when it's appropriate and when it's not," Jennifer said.

"Yeah, we're still working on that one," Anna admitted.

"Good morning!" Ginny greeted from the doorway, with Maggie peering in with interest. "Oh, are we having a party? Look at all of these little witches! Are you going to need backup?"

"Don't worry, the Sorting Hat and I will have things well in hand," Jennifer promised with a smile.

"I'm going to help too," Aubrey Lynn, wondering if everyone had forgotten that she was seven now.

"Well, I'll be just across the hall for an hour or so if you need backup, and in Sagittarius' office for the rest," Ginny said.

"Alright," Jennifer said. "Have a good morning!"

"See you at noon, I'll be in the journalism room breaking in the new team," Anna reminded her and the two of them left.

"Aunt Jennifer?" Jillian called out. "There's no room at the table and not enough cups. Can I go read?"

"I have a better idea," Jennifer said with a smile. "Since we're all witches here other than Sir Hat, let's have a pretend witches cauldron party, but with real teacakes and juice," she suggested. "Jillian, you can be the hostess and show off the latests cauldrons for all of your guests after we have our snacks, just as if it were a real one! Come come, everyone needs to get up so I can lengthen the table. Rogue, are you about?" Jennifer asked, unsurprised to see the Rogue peeking in curiously from Nurse Ablewether's painting. "See if you can find a volunteer caterer for our impromptu party!"

Rogue nodded and stepped back out while Jennifer got busy pulling out the table until it was nearly the length of the room. The girls became excited as chairs began to appear, including a pair of high chairs for Elinor and Emma Elizabeth. Things were chaotic for a minute or two, especially with Maggie and Aubrey Lynn scrambling in the toy box to try and find enough cups.

"No, no, we're going to have a real party with real cups! Move the toys off the table... you can help most by putting out enough paper napkins and mats, here you are," Jennifer said, handing them both a stack.

"Shouldn't I be doing it?" Jillian wondered.

"Do you want to fill the juice cups?" Jennifer suggested.

Jillian nodded at that, missing when her great-aunt slipped her wand out of her sleeve long enough to make sure that the teapot full of juice and the cups had a no-spill charm on them. Jennifer then rescued Sir Hat and gave him his a spot at the table, and he soon found himself in a conversation with Maggie Potter.

"My father was a Gryffindor. My mum was too," Maggie declared. "So was my brother and sister!"

"Yes, I know," Sir Hat said.

"Am I going to be a Gryffindor?" Maggie asked.

"Sir Hat, no spoilers," Jennifer warned him distractedly, helping Jillian with the juice.

"There, now, you heard your godmother," Sir Hat told the girl.

"I know! Let's form our own house, Maggie, just like Quintin did!" Aubrey Lynn suggested brightly. Jennifer looked up at her and blinked.

"Okay!" Maggie agreed enthusiastically. "It'll be all witches!"

"Don't be silly, houses aren't all witches or all wizards," Sir Hat chided her. "What will your new house stand for, Aubrey Lynn?" Aubrey Lynn thought about it.

"How about books?" Jillian suggested.

"Ravenclaw's got books," Maggie complained.

"All houses have books," Jennifer informed Maggie.

"Tea parties!" Seren suggested.

"Having fun!" Samantha added.

"Juice and cakes!" Maggie amended.

"We don't have any cakes," Jillian pointed out.

"Where are the tea cakes?" Aubrey Lynn wanted to know.

"Did someone say something about tea cakes?"

Jennifer looked up in surprise as Mitch and a young girl came in with covered trays.

"Why, it's Mitch and Sharon! Goodness, I wasn't expecting the Rogue to fetch you!" Jennifer admitted in surprise.

"'Tis no trouble! I was just giving Sharon a lesson on how to frost cakes, and we had ever so many... there may be a few here and there with some crumb in the frosting... too much to sell, really, so the Rogue Painting actually solved our problem by asking," Mitch explained. "So if you don't mind the fact that they're less than perfect in presentation, they'll still lovely in flavor," he promised.

"I'm sure they won't mind in the slightest. Girls, please thank Mitch and Sharon!" Jennifer said, and they all chimed in. "Would you like to join us?"

"Oh, um... Sharon would you like to stay for a while?" Mitch asked her.

"I would, if it's alright," Sharon replied eagerly.

"Go and join your friends, then. I'd best get this parcel to your father," Mitch said, putting the tray of teacakes down while Jennifer helped Sharon with the other one. "When should I come fetch her?"

"Most of the children go home at lunch, so I can drop her off then if you like. I know Sunday's are often busy for you," Jennifer offered.

"Not this morning, but I'm sure the weekends will be busier now that school has begun again. When is the first Hogsmeade trip?" he asked.

"You have two weeks still," Jennifer assured him with a smile.

"Then what?" Sharon asked curiously.

"Then it gets very, very busy in the bakery," Mitch explained.

"I'll help," Sharon offered.

"Yes, but right now why don't you have cake with your friends?" he coaxed. Sharon looked over and saw that another chair had been placed by Aubrey Lynn for her, and Sharon sat down as the cakes they brought began appearing on each plate.

"Do you suppose John is in his office?" Mitch asked.

"Near the football pitch more than likely," Jennifer said, glancing at the painting, who nodded in confirmation. "Yes, he's outside."

"I'll be going then. Be good, Sharon," Mitch said.

"I will, Dad!" Sharon said with a smile, and Mitch slipped out the door with a wave.

"We're making a new house! Do you want to be in it?" Maggie Potter wanted to know.

"I like where I live now," Sharon replied.

"She means a house you stay in if we go to Hogwarts," Aubrey Lynn explained. "But we need to know what it stands for. What do you want it to be about?"

"Perhaps you should tell her what the other houses stand for," the Sorting Hat suggested.

"Gryffindors are brave!" Maggie Potter chimed in. "Ravenclaws are clever, Hufflepuffs are loyal, Dusthorns are honest, and Slytherins are creepy and sneaky!"

"Slytherin are ambitious. They're not all creepy! My mother wasn't creepy!" Jillian defended them.

"Oh, I forgot. Sorry!" Maggie said, embarrassed. "Are we still friends?"

"If you're nice," Jillian said.

"Perhaps it could stand for being nice?" Sharon suggested.

"All houses ought to be nice," Jennifer put in.

"Just like all of the houses have books," Jillian said, Jennifer having to hide her amusement.

"What do you like?" Maggie asked Sharon.

"I know what she likes, I'm in her class at Hogsmeade," Aubrey Lynn spoke up. "Sharon likes art."

"I love making things," Sharon confirmed eagerly. "I like painting and making things out of glue and glitter, and I love baking! Especially when Dad lets me use colored sugar to decorate the biscuits."

"I see. You are very creative," the Sorting Hat ventured.

"I like creating things too," Aubrey said.

"Me too!" Jillian and Maggie agreed.

"Let's make things!" Seren said.

"I'll get the glue!" Sam said excitedly.

"Finish your cakes and juice first, girls, don't you dare get up now," Jennifer protested with a laugh. "Sir Hat, just what have you done this time? Yes, alright, please sit down for now. Finish your snack and we'll get out the art bins. I'll even fetch some finger paints for the babies," she said with a smile. The young witches got even more excited, which escalated after eating the sugary cake.

Fortunately, Jennifer was able to convince them to help clean up and get the table ready for art time. Aubrey Lynn even helped Jennifer get the high chairs cleaned up, with her aunt helpfully 'looking the other way' when Aubrey Lynn used magic to make cleaning go a bit faster.

"What should we call our house?" Maggie asked, putting one of the art bins on the table.

"I know," Sir Hat said. "Why don't we call it, 'O'Laren'?" he suggested. Jennifer gave him a knowing smile, shaking her head at him slightly.

"Who's that?" Maggie asked.

"Gryffindor's apprentice, he used to teach here," Sir Hat explained. "He taught about symbols and iconography... which is a very big word that means telling stories with pictures, just like you do in art."

"I like stories," Jillian said, getting some paper out of the box.

"If he's Gryffindor's apprentice, that's good enough for me!" Maggie declared.

"It sounds Irish," Sharon said with a smile.

"Who wants to be in O'Laren?" Aubrey Lynn asked, raising her hand. All the other witches raised their hands too, although it was obvious that the younger participants only did it because the older kids had, not wanting to be left out.

"And just where, exactly, do you propose to put this 'imaginary' house, if it were to have a permanent home in this castle?" Jennifer challenged Sir Hat knowingly.

"For now, in here," the Sorting Hat said, when the girls looked in his direction. "But down the line, for a very creative bunch as this, I would think the perfect place would be somewhere there's a great deal of natural light coming in for a large portion of the day... such as the Monk's Quarter... I believe it's called the Scribe's Quarter these days." Jennifer sighed at him with exasperation.

"Sir Hat, the reason those rooms aren't utilized is because they sit directly over the chapel, and thanks to the acoustics, a single open window anywhere in that quarter makes the choir sound as if it's the next room. Even worse, we now we have a school orchestra. What's going to happen if they start playing Hogwarts Forever when someone leaves the window open for their owl familiar?" Jennifer inquired. "The students would need to study."

"The Headmaster is a clever man, as is Sharon's father John and Jillian's grandfather," Sir Hat pointed out, making the girls beam at him. "I'm sure they can sort all of that out when it comes to setting up dorm rooms. But when it comes to the Illuminaria, I say leave the windows open. I am certain such a creative bunch probably love music as well."

"I play the violin!" Jillian said.

"I want to play the bells like my Mum!" Seren said.

"I want to learn to play every instrument there is!" Maggie declared.

"There, you see? Not a problem at all," Sir Hat decided.

"I know! Let's make instruments," Sharon said. Most of the girls immediately agreed, grabbing to look through the boxes.

"But I wanted to make a story!" Jillian protested.

"You could try writing a story they can sing about," Sir Hat suggested. "A lot of songs are stories too, you know."

"I don't think that'll be much fun. I will think of something else," Jillian said.

Pretty soon they were busy making instruments. Jennifer had to quickly jump in, first to rescue the Sorting Hat to keep from getting paint splattered and then to help the babies by getting them finger paint to play with in their chairs while making them some paper tambourines to play with. By the time Severus stepped in, everything on and around the table seemed to be coated in paint, glitter, and glue, and there was a confetti of paper trimmings everywhere. Even his wife didn't seem to be immune from the chaos, her dress splotched with finger paint and her hands covered in glitter that never seemed to leave when she washed her hands in the sink.

In fact, the only thing that didn't have paint on it seemed to be the Sorting Hat, who more than likely had been hit with a repel shield before things got out of hand.

"And just what is all of this? No no, please don't get up," Severus said with a gesture, quickly sticking the girls' rears to their seats before Sam and Seren turned him into an art victim.

"We're making music things!" Seren said, showing him her drum.

"Instruments," Aubrey Lynn told her.

"I already have a violin at home, so I'm making a banner," Jillian said, showing him the orange triangular flag with an oddly colored unicorn in the middle. "What do you think?"

"Unicorns are typically white," Severus ventured.

"It's a mascot flag! We've decided to make our own house!" Maggie declared, Severus raising a brow at that. "We're calling it O'Laren!"

Severus squinted. Then he looked suspiciously towards Jennifer and the Sorting Hat, who were failing to look disinterested in the conversation.

"Oh really, and where did you hear that name from?" Severus asked, despite knowing the answer.

"The Hat told us," Maggie replied.

"Um... girls, perhaps you'd best clean up, especially if you're going home for lunch," Jennifer said quickly. "Severus, do you mind? They can't put away things if they're stuck to their seats."

Severus reluctantly released them, while Jennifer took out her wand and cleaned the girls up before they could trample glitter out of the art area. Despite the distraction, she was very much aware that Severus had stalked over and stood next to her, waiting to make eye contact.

"And just what do you conspirators have to say for yourselves?" Severus inquired at last.

"I had absolutely nothing to do with it, Severus. It was the girls who decided to play like they were making a new house on their own. It was Sir Hat who was egging them on," Jennifer informed him quickly.

"Tattle tale," the Sorting Hat grumbled.

"Do you really want to be stuffed in the vault until next September?" Severus asked the Hat.

"Your wife would never allow that," the Sorting Hat pointed out.

"He has a point, I wouldn't," Jennifer said solemnly.

"The paint isn't even dry on Dusthorn yet. We have yet to finish outer corridor to the wizard's quarters. And yet despite that, Sir Hat, I get the feeling that you jumped on having an opportunity to plant the idea of adding a sixth house when we really don't have need of another," Severus said sternly.

"Severus, haven't you mentioned to both Hermione and myself that you've been debating adding a house or two for many years now?" Jennifer asked.

"I do not need a devil's advocate," Severus informed her sternly.

"And did you not also say, Severus, that you wanted sufficient notice if I thought we could do with another house?" the Sorting Hat chimed in. "Then consider this a... how old is the oldest?"

"Seven," Jennifer offered helpfully.

"Consider this a four year notice of intent, then. Just in case they don't change their minds before that time," the Sorting Hat said calmly.

"The Hat even picked out a possible location for more house rooms," Jennifer warned Severus.

"This is the last time I pick you as a hatstand, Jennifer. You talk even more than Quintin does," the Sorting Hat complained. "Honesty doesn't mean telling people everything."

"Oh, I can keep a secret," Jennifer informed the Hat. "I just know when it's in my best interests not to."

The Sorting Hat harrumphed indignantly at that.

Severus shook his head in disapproval, then frowned when he noticed that despite his best efforts, glitter had gotten all over his sleeve.