Chapter Thirty-Six
Family Knots
When Alexandria returned to her flat with her children, the candles were lit on the Christmas tree and there was a Yule basket and an open box on the counter. As Alexandria went over to inspect it, Rus walked over to the fireplace when a saw a large log leaning against it with a note attached.
"Someone sent us a Yule Log this year," Rus noted.
"It wasn't Grandmother, here's her normal basket," Jay said, pulling out his favorite tea.
"There's a box of dried citrus ornaments here from the Weasleys," Alexandria said. "Who is the log from?"
"It doesn't say," Rus said, leaning over without touching it. "It says, 'May you have a warm and joyous Yule.'"
"Let me run checks on it just to be safe," Alexandria said, glancing at the tag to make sure there weren't any hidden messages and to check the handwriting. Finally, she shrugged. "It's just a normal old Yule Log. Go ahead and put it in."
Rus smiled at that, using his wand to nestle it into the embers already present in the fireplace.
"Are we to be fed soon?" Austere hissed from his bed.
"Jay, could you go ahead and feed Austere? Put some kibble and treats on Wilder's stand too. I know he likes to hunt for himself, but considering the rain, he'll probably be glad to have an alternative tonight," Alexandria said.
"I love the smell of a fresh Yule Log on the fire, don't you?" Rus commented, then went to the basket. "Is there any gingerbread in there?"
"Didn't you get enough to eat at the Craw party?" Alexandria asked with exasperation.
"He's been eating all of the time lately. Grandmother thinks he's getting ready to grow again," Jay explained.
"I bet she's right. You'll probably be as tall as your brother by the time you get back from Whitebridge, won't you?" Alexandria realized. "I can't believe how fast the two of you have grown."
"Probably because you're not around enough to notice the day to day stuff," Jay pointed out evenly.
"Alright, Jay, let's not start the evening fighting, alright? Most parents don't get to see their teenagers after they're Hogwarts age except for during the holidays. It's not exclusive to our family," Alexandria told him. "And as such, I think it's important that we try to enjoy the time we do have together, instead of wasting the night away complaining that we don't have enough of it. I'm sure we can find a lot more to talk about."
"All you want to talk about is work," Jay said evenly.
"Then tell me what the two of you have been doing in school instead," Alex suggested.
"We've been making festival booths and waiting for it to snow. Do you believe it hasn't snowed in Hogsmeade yet?" Rus said. Jay sighed and filled the teapot with water.
"It happened a few times when I went to school too. Of course, one of those times was the year Ciardoth stopped it from happening," Alexandria said.
"Oh, yeah. And Yule was the day she was defeated, right?" Rus asked.
"Can we please not spend all night listening to Mum's glory days stories? I don't want to spend all evening listening to her talk," Jay interrupted critically.
"You're right. I'd much rather hear about how you two are doing in school," Alexandria said. "What sorts of Owl Goals do you have this year?"
"Those are private, and I don't see any reason to share them," Jay said before Rus could respond. "Can't we just play a game or something?" Rus put up a finger.
"I know a game where we can have it both ways! Let's play Trial and Error," Rus suggested.
"With three hands?" Jay asked flatly.
"It works with three hands," Rus protested. "I played it with Pete and Sissy on the last day of school when we were waiting for our exams to be posted, and it worked just fine. Besides, you can always label the cards private if you don't want to share, you know."
"At least it's not just standing around talking," Alexandria ventured.
"Fine," Jay sighed, putting the kettle on the table. "The water's ready."
"I'll go put these ornaments on the tree real quick," Rus offered, hurrying over to the tree and noticing Wilder in the window. "Decided to come back in, did you?"
"It's raining harder now," Wilder hooted.
"He says it's raining harder now," Alex translated. "Well, if you're in for the night, I'd like to close the window until morning. Late packages will simply have to wait or sent to the Ministry boxes," Alexandria said. Wilder hopped over to his stand and Alexandria went over to lock the window, gazing out at London. "It does rather remind me of that night..." she admitted.
"There is some cinnamon tea in here, pumpkin spice, and Earl Grey," Jay said, unpacking the basket.
"Pumpkin spice is good," Alexandria decided. "And let's get out the card table. I don't think there will be enough space to place three hands on the bar."
"Why don't we play on the carpet?" Rus suggested. "Isn't there a spell that transfigures sofas and chairs into futons and pillows and the like?"
"We'll still need somewhere to put our tea and biscuits where the cards won't get damaged," Jay said.
"I'll take care of that. Go get your Trial and Error set, Rus..."
"Don't use his! The questions get really nosy and psychological," Jay protested.
"Well, mine tends to bring up work more often and is typically more methodical," Alexandria pointed out.
"I'd rather have methodical than having my brain picked at constantly," Jay said.
Alexandria went over to the bookshelf and got her box while Jay transfigured the sofas and chairs. Then she transfigured some standing trays to put their tea and biscuits on and the three of them worked on getting comfortable.
"What is this game?" Wilder hooted.
"Human games are too simple for us," Austere informed him. "It would not be fair, because we would beat them."
"Austere, if your ego got any bigger, I think your head would explode," Alexandria told her familiar.
"I do not have an ego. I am stating a fact," Austere hissed.
"Mum... you pulled the heart, you go first," Jay pointed out.
"Sorry, Austere is talking smack," Alexandria said.
"We figured that part out," Jay said. "Go, Mum."
"Okay," she said, lifting up the card and stared at it a moment before reading it. "Two people in your household express interest in playing this card game who are of different races and have different capabilities compared to humans. If you decide just to let them watch, place the card below. If you decide to include them, tap your starting card."
"Does that mean this game has some sort of familiar mode?" Rus asked brightly. "Can I see if Wrongway wants to play too?"
"Now, how are they going to read the cards?" Jay asked with exasperation.
"Jay, owl familiars can read addresses, they're bred for that trait. And my secretary can read several different languages, that's why he's my secretary," Alex said.
"It'll probably be easier if you read them out loud and translate though, Mum," Rus said. "Can we try it? I'm quite interested to see what happens."
"There aren't enough decks," Jay pointed out.
"Well, considering it's giving us the option to add them, I'm sure the enchantment will compensate for that. Rus, if you want to ask Wrongway, go ahead and do it before I tap this," Alexandria said.
"Hopefully he's here," Rus said, getting up.
"Close the windows if he's inside while you're at it," Alexandria said.
With Rus gone, the room fell into an awkward silence since Jay and Alex really didn't know what to say to the other. But soon Rus came back with his owl on his shoulder, taking his seat again.
"We're ready," Rus said, picking out a gingerbread to eat.
"Alright then... Familiar Mode," Alex said, tapping the cards.
There was a bright flash, and by the time they blinked, the cards had taken on a more wooden appearance, but with a sheen that didn't make Alexandria wonder if they weren't water proof, fire proof, and possibly even acidic slobber proof. Even the decks that had appeared were amusing, featuring snake, mice, and owl pictures.
"Can I have the mouse?" Wrongway hooted.
"You can't eat it, you know. It's a game," Alex warned Wrongway. "Here, Rus. You manage Wrongway's deck. Jay, can you help Austere with his? I'll take Wilder's," she decided, handing Jay the snake deck while taking the owl one herself. "We have to establish an order, though. Is there anything in the rules about this new mode we've found?" she asked, coaxing Wilder onto her shoulder. Rus glanced at them.
"It says that familiar follows their representative," Rus said.
"I guess that means you go next then, Wilder," Alexandria said, glancing at her card again to see where to put it then set it to the right.
"What do I do?" he hooted.
"Well, let's see what the card says," Alex said. "The first one is typically very easy so you can get used to playing," she explained to the familiars, drawing an owl card. "There, you see? Do you want to go out and hunt for food in the rain, or stay inside and be forced to eat kibble... does that mean you don't like the kibble?" Alex asked in surprise.
"No, I don't really," Wilder hooted. "But I want to stay in anyway."
"Remind me to remedy that the next time we go to the familiar store," Alexandria said, and Wilder hooted happily as she set his card in place. "Your turn, Jay!"
"Would I rather have conversation over tea or play this game? I think we already know the answer to that," Jay said, checking the card to see where to place his. In fact, he seemed much more interested in getting to Austere's card, apparently very intrigued with this unexpected version of the game. "If you want to play the game even if you don't win, go down. If you want to coil up by the fireplace, go up," he read.
"I am going to win," Austere hissed.
"That's not an option, Austere," Alexandria explained. "The choices are do you want to play even if you don't win, or go by the fire."
"I am going to play to win," he informed her.
"He says he's going to play to win," Alex relayed.
"Oh... that option is here now... go left," Jay said. "I guess the card's also take into account just how stubborn your familiars can be."
"All the same, why is it that I think you're going to make this an incredibly long game, Austere?" Alex asked him.
"I don't care. As long as I win," he hissed. Alex relayed it with exasperation and everyone had a good laugh, Rus quickly answering his question about family time so that he could get to Wrongway's question about whether he preferred eating mice or snakes.
"I prefer eating snakes! They are much tastier," Wrongway said, and Alex translated with a smirk. Austere hissed, eyeing Wrongway speculatively.
"I'm beating you first," Austere decided. Alexandria laughed again, and everyone eagerly waited to see what the next card was.
"Would you rather work on the Dashing Doppler case or play this game?" Alexandria read, but then smiled. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be than playing this game right now," she declared, setting the card down.
"This is a lot of fun," Rus agreed, as Wilder picked training to be a Familiar Agent over delivering the post. "The familiars are really adding a new dimension to this."
"This is an odd one," Jay said. "If you want your family to be happy, go down. If you don't want your family to be happy, go right. Who would pick going right when it's worded like that?"
"Maybe that card is about Grandmother's speech tonight, Jay," Rus suggested. "The part about the fact that you're responsible for your own happiness, and need to choose to be."
"Anyone who chooses to be miserable on principal is a fool," Austere hissed. Jay chose to go right and picked up Austere's card.
"Will you be happy with this game even if you lose? If yes, go left, if no, go down," he read.
"I will be happy when I win," Austere hissed.
"Do I really even need to translate his answer?" Alexandria asked.
"Not really," Jay said, putting the card to the right when the third option appeared.
"If he keeps this up, he's going to lose real quick," Rus laughed, seeing how close he was getting to Jay's cards.
"Let's make him lose first," Wrongway hooted.
"It is on," Austere hissed after Alex translated his response.
The game went long into the night before it was Wilder who finally won among the familiars. As Austere sulked over to the fireplace and the owls took to the stand to watch the rest of the game, Alexandria and her boys finished up on their own, the first time in a long time that the three of them truly enjoyed one another's company.
Garvan, Natalie, and Abby met at Garvan's father's house, and Peter opened the door. Inside, Deacon Aldus was waiting, nodding to them with a gentle smile.
"Let's just get this over with," Garvan said without even a Happy Christmas.
"I understand how you feel, Garvan. You know as well as I do that I have my own fair share of reservations when it comes to dealing with my father," Peter told his son. "But if you want your grandfather to honor your protection over the Willowbys and their extended families, it is within your best interests to demonstrate that he's part of your family as well, regardless of what he's done."
"I know, that's why we're here," Garvan said seriously. "But it isn't easy to stomach."
"I'm quite certain that he'll be on his best behavior tonight, Auror Garvan," Deacon said. "After all, he hasn't been able to visit you, your wife, and Abby in years. He is eager to see you again, and eager to introduce Peter to his siblings and his step-mother."
"Who I recently learned is only five years older than Garvan," Peter said with a grunt.
"True, but somehow she manages to hold her own," Deacon commented. "Peter, perhaps you should get your coat... it's frightfully cold where we're going, although comfortable enough in town limits where the climate is controlled a bit better..."
"Why, where are we going?" Garvan asked curiously.
"Polaris Town," Deacon explained. Natalie took a moment to bundle Abby up a better and throw up a charm spell before they reached out and grabbed a hold of Deacon's key.
Almost immediately, they were surrounded by bells ringing and carolers in every direction. It was snowing lightly and there were brightly decorated garland and bows across every street path. Deacon then led them through the alleyways of the Russian Arc until they were lost in the maze of them before finally stepping into an unmarked door into a beautifully decorated Victorian townhouse.
"Why, this looks exactly like the old house! The one in London that I grew up in," Peter exclaimed in surprise as he stepped in the door.
"It is the same house," came Ludo's voice from a different room. "I simply bought it and had it moved 'to the country', or rather out of it," he explained. "Come on in, make yourselves at home... Peter, you know the place, show them in."
"This way," Peter said, leading them first into the living room and then into the kitchen. His Father was there, making up a cheese board. "Doing your own cookery for a change?"
"Yes, it is my cook's day off, and Cherie is still out Christmas shopping with your siblings," Ludo said unconcernedly. "Make yourselves comfortable in the dining room. Shall I pick the wine?"
"Juice for Abby, thanks," Garvan intervened.
"Yes, of course, dear boy," Ludo said unconcernedly.
"And tea for me," Garvan added for good measure.
"Then I recommend the peppermint. This town's love of sweets can be tiring at times, but they do make a good peppermint tea," Ludo said.
"I'll take the wine, Father," Peter said.
"That's fine with me as well," Natalie added.
"Save me a seat by Abigail! After all, I haven't seen her this close since she was a small bundle," Ludo requested.
"This close?" Garvan repeated.
"Surely you know me well enough to know I keep my eye on things, Garvan," Ludo said, bringing in a drink tray and setting them all down before grabbing the cheese board and same plates so they could nibble.
"Here we are. Do you like cheese and cream crackers, Abby?" Ludo asked her.
"It's okay," Abby said. "Who are you?"
"I am your father's grandfather, so you can call me grandfather too," Ludo explained.
"That's my grandfather," Abby said, pointing at Peter. "He works at the Ministry. My other one owns a potion shop."
"You don't say," Ludo replied in amusement.
"What do you do?" she asked.
"I am a businessman," Ludo informed her, ignoring the looks that Peter and Garvan were giving him. "I like to invest in things. What do you want be when you grow up?"
"I want to go to Hogwarts first," Abby explained.
"And I'm sure you will," Ludo agreed. "And then what?"
"I'll get married and live happily ever after!" Abby said. "Just like Mum and Daddy!"
"I see. But that isn't a job, is it?"
"It is a job. Mum says I am a lot of work," Abby said solemnly.
"Oh, Abby, really," Natalie said, while Ludo chuckled softly.
"She's very serious by nature," Garvan explained. "Jokes still go right over her head."
"Yes, we're starting to wonder if this one isn't destined for Dusthorn," Natalie said.
"What? That pretend house? Surely not! I'm sure no granddaughter of mine will end up in some pretend house. Slytherin more than likely, like the majority of Bagmans... even Gryffindor would be more suitable," Ludo protested.
"Just because the house is new, it doesn't mean it's a pretend house, Dad," Peter intervened sternly. "Apparently, Hogwarts had been dealing with overcrowding issues for some time now, and from what I learned from speaking to board members, even the Traditionalists admitted that it was long overdue. As for the fact the school allowed that paper exposing some of the Slytherin's past, the board is no happier about it than you are, but it's too late to put the genie back in the bottle now."
"I'm astonished, Peter! I cannot believe you're actually taking the school's side, especially as a former Slytherin," Ludo said sternly.
"I'm simply stating facts, Dad," Peter said. "As to your inquiries about the Hat, I was informed by board members on different sides of the table that they believe it was charmed so that the school population triggered a new house. It wasn't anything nefarious. Eric himself told me that Snape had been waffling over adding a new house for years now but didn't want to deal with the political headaches until it was forced on him."
"He's right about that. Grandfather was completely blindsided by all of it," Natalie confirmed. "I heard the first years who got Sorted into the new house had to stay in the gym for several days because they didn't have anywhere to put them at first."
"Hm," Ludo said, not entirely convinced.
"Maybe it's time to change the subject?" Garvan suggested evenly.
"Ah, good point! Tell me, Natalie, how is your Aunt Alexandria? Has she caught the Dashing Doppler yet?"
"Dad!" Peter shouted.
"Grandfather!" Garvan protested at the same time.
"I'll take that as a 'no'," Ludo decided. "Then again, I'm not so certain that she's even trying anymore. As I understand it, she's been taking him out on dates, as if hoping that her feminine wiles and those inherited good looks of hers might persuade him to enter her service... probably to earn the right to enter her service..."
"Dad, enough already, or we'll get up and leave," Peter said firmly.
There was some throat clearing and Ludo looked up at Deacon Aldus, who had slipped into the side door.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Mrs. Bagman and the children are nearly back from their shopping," Deacon said.
"Ah, good man! Now, before she arrives, I must tell you that we have a rule in this house," Ludo informed them. "There will be no discussion of politics or anything having to do with my business affairs when my wife is present in any way."
Peter, Garvan, and Natalie stared at him as if completely nonplussed by the request.
"In fact, it's even written in our prenuptial agreement. That way, if anyone does try to arrest me again, my wife and children aren't brought down with me. You will behave, won't you, Peter?" Ludo asked.
"Better than you have been behaving up until this point," Peter told his father curtly.
There was a bit of a shuffling at the door before Cherie entered in a black Displacer Beast fur coat with snowy white trim, accompanied by Tibalt, who had his arms filled with wrapped presents.
"Hello, everyone! Merry Christmas!" she greeted them. "Tibs, put those under the tree for me... the children will be in as soon as they've gotten their mukluks off." She came up behind Ludo and stretching her arms out over his shoulders and then around his neck affectionately.
"You're going to get fur over my robes again," he pointed out, patting her hand. Peter and Garvan both had a similar expression, with one half of their noses raised as if deciding whether to be disgusted or not.
"I'm sorry, but I just couldn't go another minute without you," Cherie said, kissing his ear and apparently missing the two men's looks of pain as she took off her coat.
"Hello, Abby, dear! Would you like to meet your aunt and uncle? Is she good with younger children, Garvan?" Cherie asked.
"Yes, she's quite used to them," Garvan replied.
"Oh, good! Come in, my darlings!" she called out, and the two blonde children ran in and stopped short at all of the people in the room.
"It's alright... come, come," Ludo said, and the two of them ran over and Ludo picked up the younger boy. "Peter, this is your brother, Henry Ludovic, and this little angel by the table is your sister Cordelia Felina. Children, that man over there is your brother, and that is your nephew Garvan, your niece Natalie, and this is your niece, Abby," Ludo introduced.
"Hi!" Abby said.
"Can we play with her?" Cordelia asked.
"Yes, you can," Cherie said, and Cordelia wriggled away and the two children excitedly coaxed Abby to come with them. "I hope you don't mind. They don't often get to play with children close to their own age."
"True, most body guards don't come in that small of a size," Ludo joked with a chuckle.
"I feel a bit sorry for them, growing up in such conditions," Natalie admitted.
"I assure you, they are in no way isolated. Even if I wanted to do so for their own protection, my Cherie wouldn't let me," Ludo said.
"You've got that right," Cherie agreed with him.
"Just... how did the two of you end up together?" Garvan asked flatly.
"I decided to do my own intelligence gathering on my fair lady before I kidnapped her," Ludo said unabashedly. "By seeking her expert services as a massage therapist. We spent a great deal of the time talking while she was working, and in the process of our conversations, I felt we had made a connection." Garvan and Peter gazed at him dubiously but didn't say anything. "By the time I had kidnapped her, I realized that I wanted to be on honest terms no matter which way things went. So, I informed her at that point who I was and told her that her husband had been lying to her about who he was, including about being an agent and having someone on the side. The next part you know since you were there, Garvan. Her kidnapping ended peacefully, but it also ended her marriage to Ambrose Tinker. Knowing that it would be inappropriate to approach her at that point, I waited until she returned to work for her last pay and put myself in a position on the beach where I knew she would see me. That way, she could make up her own mind whether or not she wanted to approach me. She did, obviously," Ludo said, and Cherie gave him a knowing smile. "We decided to enter into a trial relationship, and then were married once we were convinced that we were right for each other. Happily married, if I do say so myself."
"I have no complaints," Cherie teased, stealing his glass of wine to take a sip from it.
"I trust her to tell me if she does, so that they may be rectified," Ludo explained.
"It's easy to trust me, because you know I will," Cherie replied. "Dinner started?"
"There's a Sunday Roast in the oven," Ludo said, getting a kiss for his efforts.
"I'll go check on the children and the roast and I'll be back in a few minutes," she said, then stepped into the living room.
"So? What do you think of her?" Ludo asked.
"It's not the first time I've seen her," Garvan reminded him. "And I don't know what I think, seeing her going from kidnapped victim to marrying you. After you nearly killed Ambrose twice, it's a bit much."
"She does seem to jump head first into things, doesn't she? But then what do you expect at that age?" Peter added.
"Now, Peter, Cherie and I both agree that her first marriage was a mistake of inexperience, because she allowed her emotions to overrule her head. Because of that mistake, I know that many must have assumed she was as scatter-brained as that ex-husband of hers," Ludo said. "But the fact of the matter is that she's a great deal sharper than anyone gave her credit for at the time, and she's not afraid to put me in my place if she thinks I need it. She is strong and has a hidden cutthroat side that I simply adore... not to mention just how good she's been for my stress levels. She's also good motivation for keeping in shape."
"And just how is she going to handle it if you are caught and brought to prison? What about my siblings?" Peter asked evenly.
"They will handle it perfectly well, and my men are all instructed on how to help them with the transition," Ludo replied, but then turned serious. "There is, of course, another scenario that concerns me more, which is what might happen if things became so overheated that something more permanent happened to the two of us. If we were to lose our lives, can I count on you to look after your younger siblings, Peter... or perhaps Garvan, if you are not up to the task?"
"Of course I will," Peter said without hesitation, and Ludo smiled proudly at him.
"So will we, if Dad can't for some reason," Garvan added solemnly. Natalie nodded in agreement. "I don't approve of what you've done or how you've been handling things, Grandfather, and I never have. But I certainly wouldn't abandon a family member in need, especially ones innocent of any crimes."
"I understand, Garvan. And it means more to me than you may realize," Ludo said. "I may have an accursedly long life, but I am still mortal, after all. I feel more secure in planning ahead for every possibility, and I feel reassured knowing that the two of your have every intention of stepping in on their behalf."
"That's the real reason you risked asking us over to one of your rotation addresses, isn't it?" Peter realized. "You've never done more than send a Christmas card before now."
"This was a matter I thought best if it were handled in person," Ludo agreed. "For, if for some reason either of you had any reservations about taking them in, I was certain that meeting them face to face would change your mind about them."
"It doesn't matter what reservations we might have. They're family," Peter said with a sigh.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't plan to arrest you if I ever catch you in jurisdiction, Granddfather. I have heard several people in the Ministry comment that they think you're working closer to home than you pretend to be," Garvan said suspiciously.
"Now, now. No business, we mustn't upset the Mrs.," Ludo reminded him, wagging a finger. Garvan gazed at him fixedly. "I'm sorry that you don't like the way I live my life, but it is mine to live whether you like it or not, Garvan. You may not understand why I've chosen the path of survival of the fittest, but it was my choice, just as you chose to follow the path of the straight and narrow. I respect your decision, and I hope one day you will learn to respect mine."
"I do respect one thing, Grandfather, and that is the fact that you've been honoring my decision to protect my wife's extended family," Garvan said.
"Very extended," Ludo said dryly. "And I plan to keep honoring your decision to protect them, provided they do not directly attempt to challenge me. If that were to happen, I reserve the right to defend myself accordingly."
"Define challenge," Peter intervened, knowing his father's tricks better than anyone.
"A direct confrontation or an attempt to arrest me against my will," Ludo replied. "Come now, you must admit there is a high possibility of that, especially considering Minister Clemmons attempts to bring me back to the Ministry 'to face justice'," he said, making quotes with his fingers. "I'm afraid the Ministry's definition of justice is quite different from mine."
"I hope you know that I plan to relay that exception back to her," Garvan said.
"Please do, with my blessing," Ludo told Garvan sincerely. "But I sincerely doubt that the Minister will be surprised by that exception in the slightest."
