Chapter Forty-Seven
Breakfast at the Burrow
Jennifer was sitting in the study behind the Headmaster's desk when Severus arrived that evening.
"There you are. You missed Seren's bedtime," Jennifer replied.
"By hours, yes. I'm sure that will happen until I'm caught up with this new position. How did it go after I left?" Severus asked.
"It was no trouble. Zed and Andrew stepped in to take over your Runes classes and Ancient Magic has been moved to Friday evenings as you requested," Jennifer informed him.
"Were all of the students able to make that time slot?" he asked.
"Oh, yes. Advanced Astrology and Astronomy are earlier in the week," Jennifer replied.
"Good. Any word on Alexandria?" he asked.
"Corey said that he had little trouble getting her there and even less of a struggle convincing her to stay for a few days," Jennifer replied. "He also said she seemed quiet during dinner, and quite exhausted."
"Oh yes, I'm sure she was. I recall the feeling well," Severus admitted. "Extreme exhaustion, coupled with an intense gratefulness to have somewhere safe and comfortable to go when I was feeling so vulnerable."
"Yes, I remember that feeling too when I went to my father's old farmhouse," Jennifer agreed. "It's strange, because my memories of those first few days there are quite vivid, but the gratefulness is stronger than any of the other emotions now, as well as the friendship I made with Fleur during that time. Even a small kindness can make a difference when you're having a bad day. But it is even more powerful when someone pays a kindness on your worst day."
"Yes, and this is indeed likely to be her worst day," Severus said, getting himself a cup of tea.
"I would say that already happened, when she lost Benjamin," Jennifer replied.
"They are very much tied together," Severus explained, sitting down. "I'm certain that being stripped from her title left her raw enough that it laid bare all of her scars. But don't worry, Jennifer. You know as well as I just how strong Alexandria is, especially when her siblings are around her."
"Yes, although I can't help but wonder what the Magician thinks of all this," Jennifer replied.
"Actually, I have an update on that," Severus said, and Jennifer gazed at him curiously. "After Alexandria and Corey left for the evening, Thomas gave me details about the altercation between them that prompted him to act. It was quite evident to both Thomas and myself that the two of them have finally thrown off the preconceptions they had about each other and are finally ready to see each other for who they really are."
"That is a bit of surprise," Jennifer admitted with a look of amusement. "I didn't think that would happen until she uncovered his true identity."
Severus shrugged at that, still uncertain of who he was.
"Perhaps her illusions about who he is as a person is the reason why she hasn't uncovered his true identity," Severus conjectured. "Perhaps it'll be easier for her to discover now that she is ready to see him without her preconceptions getting in the way."
"Yes, you definitely have a point," Jennifer agreed. "Of course, she still needs to figure out who she is as a person first. I can't see her progressing until she does."
"True. I won't be surprised if I am stuck at this temporary Ministry position for a while," Severus admitted.
"Neither will I," Jennifer agreed with a sigh, the two of them finishing their tea before retiring to their rooms for the evening.
Alexandria woke to the sound of her sister Alicia gagging in the bathroom and sighed, pulling the quilt up to her nose as she looked out the frosted window into the bright morning. Below her she could hear soft murmurings of voices and the sound of a clock chime. Above her she heard soft footsteps, and higher up the cooing of birds on the roof.
A few minutes later, Alicia came in, still looking a bit off color as she opened the window.
"Why did I want to do this again?" she grumbled out loud.
"I have absolutely no idea. Maybe because you wanted to drive Pyther crazy trying to keep up with a newborn when he's got papers to mark, since we both know he's going to end up doing all of the work," Alexandria said.
"Oh, I've decided I'm going to stop working for a bit," Alicia said.
"I've heard you say that before," Alexandria said.
"No, I really mean it this time," Alicia insisted. "I have an art show scheduled in Milan in a week and a half, and then I have a completely empty calendar. This is the last time for me, so I want to enjoy every bit of it..." suddenly, she blinked. "I'm going to get sick again," she declared, and clamored out of the room.
Sighing with exasperation, Alex reached for a dressing gown and shuffled downstairs. She arrived at the kitchen table to see that both Aurelius and Andrew were sitting at the table in their jams and stirring their treacle into their porridge. Alexandria laughed outright, recieving a good morning from Molly, who was frying up some sausages and eggs.
"You two look like a couple of overgrown kids right now, you know that, don't you?" Alexandria teased them.
"Exactly! That's the whole point!" Andrew said. "It's fun to act like children sometimes, don't you think?"
"To me, you're still children," Molly informed them. "Come and have a seat, Alex. Is your sister up?" Molly asked.
"Sicking it up," Alex said dryly. "You know, it'd be easier to pretend we're kids again if Alicia wasn't barfing baby hormones."
"I'm sure I have something on me that'll help," Aurelius offered, getting up and going upstairs.
"Good idea! We can't have her down here getting sick on porridge. That'd totally ruin the morning," Andrew agreed.
"What are you even doing here? Don't you have a class to teach?" Alexandria asked him.
"I have a late start a couple of days a week. One of the brilliant advantages of having a much bigger staff is that sometimes we share the same classrooms," Andrew explained. "You don't mind us staying for breakfast, do you?"
"I guess not," Alex said, stirring her porridge. "Actually, it does feel rather nostalgic. I can't believe how many years have gone since we've sat in this house together eating breakfast."
"That only goes to show that the four of you don't visit often enough," Molly told them.
"We'll do better, Molly," Andrew promised and Aurelius came back down the stairs.
"She'll be down in a bit," Aurelius informed them. "That stuff works quick."
"Et tu, mon frere?" Alexandria asked critically.
"It's Alicia's fault. Alicia's and Essie's, that is," Andrew explained.
"Who started this?" Aurelius reminded him.
"Well, yeah, okay. Technically it started when Laura asked Essie if we had our due date right, because we weren't really sure about the date," Andrew explained. "And after she told us mid spring and that we were having a girl – again – she said that it felt like some other siblings might be having one this year. And it was about that time that Pyther mentioned that he and Alicia were thinking of trying again, and then Alicia decided it might be nice if we all had one in school together and talked Aurelius and Ginger into it."
"So technically it was something we all chose to do," Aurelius concluded. "Sure, Essie gave us a hint that a some of us would have kids in school together, but we're the ones that made the decision."
"Great, as long as you're happy with it. Personally, I think this family already has too many kids as it is. If I didn't have them written down in my diary, I would never remember the birthdays of all my nieces and nephews if I tried," Alex complained.
"To be fair, I had a very late start to this whole family raising thing, and I have a very young wife," Andrew said defensively. "And we're only having them until we've had a boy."
"Another boy would be nice," Aurelius admitted.
"So much for pretending to be children! All you two ever want to do these days is talk about your kids," Alexandria complained irritably.
"Sorry, Alex," Andrew said sincerely.
"You're right, let's not go there today," Aurelius agreed. "Any chance I can get more treacle?"
"So long as you don't put any potions in it," Molly said.
"Potions?" Aurelius repeated in confusion.
"You mean like the time he poured a potion in my porridge to keep me from talking, don't you?" Alexandria said.
"I remember that now," Andrew said with a grin.
"Come to think of it, so do I. My hands ache when I even think of scrubbing floors," Aurelius said.
"Hey!"
They looked up and saw Alicia standing there, the only one dressed for the day.
"Are you starting without me?" Alicia asked.
"Just some porridge, dear, the eggs will be coming straight away now that you're downstairs. Andrew, call Arthur in from his shed," Molly suggested.
"What is he working on in there this time?" Aurelius wanted to know.
"Maybe I can get a peek," Andrew winked, stepping outside.
"Speaking of his gadgets, I heard a rumor that you were thinking of going to the States or something," Aurelius said.
"Ah, yes that! Arthur is thinking of starting a business customizing Muggle gadgets to order. It's not illegal in the states, and his attempts at getting the Wizard Council interested in reviewing its policy on hybrid gadgets is being met with deaf ears thus far," Molly explained.
"That CME a few years ago really set us back as far as that's concerned," Alexandria said. "I might have a temporary solution, though. I'll talk to him about it..."
"Save it for another day, you can stay as long as you like," Molly told her without turning around. "It was made plain and clear last night that your health comes first, and from the sounds of it, you haven't even taken a break for a holiday all these years you've been at that job. It was long overdue. And you've got the best man filling in, your father, so there's no reason for you to spend your break worrying over what's happening at the Ministry when it's well in hand."
"I agree in principle, but it's not like I can just shut off thinking about it. It's been the focus of my life for over a decade," Alexandria said forlornly.
"Give it time. It's important to take a breather now and then. It reminds me of those days after Arthur stepped down from Minister of Magic in a way," Molly admitted distantly, getting their plates ready. Alicia went over to help, and the two of them put the plates on the table as Andrew and Arthur came in.
"Molly, did you really send this one out in his pajamas?" Arthur asked with exasperation, taking a seat.
"It's not like anyone saw me but you," Andrew pointed out.
"Sit down and have your breakfast before your eggs get cold," Molly said, ignoring the question. "We've been talking about how Alexandria is having trouble keeping her mind off of work. Do you remember how it was when you stepped down from Minister?"
"Oh, my yes, what a time that was," Arthur said, taking his seat. "I felt so deeply troubled by what happened to Haven's Bluff, very deeply. I had so hoped that the town would stand as a beacon for what was possible... a community where both Muggles and Wizard kind lived in open awareness and peace. I took it personally when it failed, and I was devastated by the fact that your family lost your home, and the Willowby's lost both their farm and the shop. Such a tragedy."
"It was in no way your fault," Aurelius protested.
"No, I understand everyone's part in this," Arthur said, putting up a hand. "The fact that I was an ineffective leader played just as much a part in what happened as anything else. I took the mantle because I had no choice, and the truth of the matter is that I was only good at it during the peaceful years after the Terrors. But once Ciardoth appeared and Dark Wizards began to rise up once more, it was evident to me that I was not the man to take on a crisis. I was constantly having to ask Albus, Severus, and a great many other friends for advice, and I often gave in whenever the Council of Wizards or the Magistrate disagreed with me instead of standing my ground. If I have any regrets, it is that I didn't step away sooner. I sacrificed so many years where I felt I didn't have time enough for family... years I can never get back. In many ways, that's the hardest part of all. I made up for it afterwards, of course. I spent a lot of time after dedicated to my family."
"Yes, but how long before you stopped thinking about the worries of the job you left behind?" Molly prompted.
"Oh, goodness, it was weeks on end. I was scouring the papers for every bit of news, paced the floors with worry over my friends and answered every request for help I was given. It often felt as if there were too few of those requests. Don't misunderstand me, I was terribly, terribly relieved to be out of that job," Arthur confided to them. "But when you've had your hand on the tiller for a while, it is frightfully hard to sit back and watch someone else steer the boat... especially when there are jagged rocks up ahead."
"Yes," Alexandria agreed solemnly with a nod, realizing at once that was exactly what she was going through. Arthur smiled at her.
"It will slowly get better, and then one day, you'll nearly get to dinnertime before you realize you haven't thought about it all day. You will think, hum, it's not bothering me any more. And if you don't mind some advice from one of your childhood guardians, you should probably wait until that point before you consider going back to your old job again. What you truly need is what your Ben used to call a complete reset. Turn it off and leave it for a while, no matter how tempted you are to turn it back on straight away," Arthur suggested. Alex couldn't help but smile softly at that.
"Well, as much as I think you're probably right, I don't know how I'd feel leaving my parents stuck in jobs they didn't really ask for," Alexandria replied.
"As a parent myself, I really don't think I'd care how long it would take, as long as it meant that my child was healthier in the end," Arthur said.
"Arthur's right, and on top of that, this is our parents we're talking about, Alex," Aurelius put in. "I don't think they're all that concerned about how long it takes. Think about how long Mum was willing to watch the school while Dad was in the Otherworld... and how about the time that Dad let Mum go to Whitebridge to teach on her own for nine months?"
"I highly doubt it's going to take me nine months to get a ready to work slip from my doctors," Alexandria said.
"I can think of one thing that might keep you out of work for nine months," Alicia taunted mercilessly.
"Shut up, Alicia, you have baby on the brain," Alexandria told her sister critically. "You know I can't have any more kids."
"I bet you can, you just don't want to," Alicia goaded her.
"You're right, I don't. I don't want any more kids to suffer with having a weekend parent," Alexandria said firmly.
"I remember when I said that," Andrew said.
"You said it for years," Aurelius agreed.
"True, but circumstances changed when I married another teacher. With the daycare at the school, I didn't have to worry about being a weekend parent," Andrew said.
"I was worried about it at one point too, especially after I decided to teach once a week at the school on top of being an Auror," Aurelius said. "I don't get to spend as much time with Justice and the girls as I like, but I am home more nights than I'm gone."
"Most parents are away from their children more than they like, no matter what the profession. One does what is necessary to provide," Arthur pointed out. "I think being critical of weekend parenting is understandable considering your childhood, but it's also not entirely fair to your parents. You four were well loved and well looked after your whole lives despite their demanding jobs, just as Alexandria's boys are even now well loved and well looked after by both their parent and their guardians."
"True, but we resented our parents for it, just as Jay resents me for it," Alexandria said evenly.
"Alex, a lot more is going on with Jay than just having a weekend parent and you know it, just like there was a lot more going on with me when we were little," Aurelius said. He glanced at Molly and Arthur. "I must have caused our parents a fair amount of worry when I was young."
"Oh, my yes, I shared many cups of tea with your mother over her worries," Molly said. "But those worries came out of love, and from a young mother unsure of what to do about your behavior. She fretted over how to correct it, and often felt guilty when she didn't feel that she responded to it correctly. She wondered what she was doing wrong, despite the fact that your siblings didn't seem to share the same resentments you had."
"Seem to is right," Alicia said, grimacing slightly. "I still feel bad about how I behaved that Christmas that Mum told us that they were thinking about trying for another child. We really gave her a hard time about it, and now that I'm in their shoes, I understand why they did."
"Well, you can hardly blame us for criticizing them considering how many kids as they have," Andrew replied.
"What was that?" Molly asked dangerously, putting her hands on her hips.
"Oh nothing, Molly, I was just seeing how you'd react," Andrew admitted, and everyone laughed while Molly tweaked his ear.
"Alright, have your breakfast and get dressed! I'm sure you boys have work to go to for certain," Molly scolded them.
"Yes, Nanna," both of them said in a tone so mocking that Molly waggled her finger at them, a sure sign that they were likely to be in for it if they didn't start to behave.
"Alex, I don't suppose you'd want to help me with my last art show? I might lose my magic by then, so I could use the help setting up... not to mention that it helps to have a translator along," Alicia suggested. "Besides, it's in Milan, so it'll be fun just to go for the shopping."
"Sure, I guess. It's not like I have anything better to do. If I can get someone to watch my familiars," she added, wondering how they were doing since she hadn't expected to stay overnight.
"All taken care of," Aurelius assured her, easily picking up the thought. "Dad's taking care of Austere in your office, and Mum said she'd keep an eye on Wilder. You just take it easy and try to keep those job worries out of your head."
"Easier said than done," Alexandria said, then helped Molly and Alicia clean up.
At first, Alexandria was so exhausted that she was sure that she wanted to stay the full week that Molly had offered so that she could get some peace and quiet. But by the third day of helping Molly with her projects and following Arthur around the gardens and helping him with the apiary, she began to get quite bored. She raided the bookshelves that had fascinated her as a child only to find that many of the books about Muggles were very basic, and far beneath her understanding of them. She took the time to dust the shelf clean and then wandered back into the kitchen.
"I'm going outside to see what Arthur's up to," Alexandria announced.
"He's out in that shed of his, so you may be out of luck. He never lets anyone in there, not even me when he's working on something," Molly said with exasperation. "I need to go do my shift at the daycare. When I get back, do you want to help me do the shopping for dinner, Alex?"
"Yeah... maybe I'll even make dinner if you'll let me," Alexandria said. "I think I'll leave in the morning."
"Are you sure you're ready?" Molly asked with surprise.
"I want to go home for a few days before I need to head to Milan," Alexandria improvised. "To get ready."
"Yes, I see. Then lets both make dinner together then, but you can pick whatever you like," she decided. "I'll be back about two-thirty."
"Great! I'll be ready," Alexandria promised, and went outside, walking to the shed.
The wood was bleached and grey from the weather, and several coats of weather-proofing that had been added as an afterthought did nothing to improve its appearance. Alex knocked but there was no answer. When she tried the door, however, it was locked from the inside. She sighed and knocked again, only for Arthur to slide open a small window that she hadn't noticed before, just large enough so that he could peer out with both eyes.
"Oh, hello, Alex! Did you need me to come in for something?" Arthur wanted to know.
"Actually, I was curious and wanted to look about your workshop," Alexandria replied.
"Oh! Um... give me just a moment," Arthur said.
Alexandria waited for quite a while before Arthur finally opened the door, greeting her warmly.
"Sorry for the delay! Quite a jumble in here, I had to make sure you could walk through," Arthur explained and let her in.
Alexandria slipped in and stared, deciding that Arthur's assessment that the building was a workshop was much more accurate than Molly's assessment that it was a shed. A plethora of worktables housed hybrid projects in every stage of development, along with a covered automobile in the far back, nestled between towers of both magic and Muggle tools and toolkits. On the far right was an elaborate computer setup with a wiznet computer on one side and a Muggle computer on the other, both with two monitor.
"Arthur," Alexandria said with a sigh.
"Now before you say anything, Alexandria, all of the projects in here are perfectly legal," Arthur said. Alexandria stared at him. "You see, there's a caveat in the laws where you can manufacture hybrid items in the country, provided that you don't use them or sell them here. So I've been working on hybrid items and selling them to Americans where they are legal, you see?"
"But how do you test them?" Alexandria pointed out.
"'Testing manufactured items is allowed, as long as I am 'testing them' for manufacturing purposes, and not using them,'" Arthur quoted.
"I guess it holds up unless something goes catastrophic. If it does, this workaround is probably not going to hold up well in court, and it certainly won't hold up well with Draco," Alexandria said, glancing at the car under the tarp again. "Is that the Honda?"
"Oh, no, I sold that years ago. It's a Tesla," Arthur said, Alex blinking at that. "I heard that Muggles believe that car can do all sorts of fantastic things other cars can't do, so I figured that if I took it out for a spin and they noticed something weird, they would then see it was a Tesla and discount it."
"Okay," Alexandria said evenly. "And what's up with those computers? You know they're not supposed to be linked together."
"Oh, they're not. You see? The wires are only on this half with plenty of space in between them," Arthur pointed out, standing between the two units.
"Draco might buy it, but any member of BELA or Accidental Magic would plainly see that you have a Bluetooth translator plugged into the back," Alexandria pointed out. Arthur pursed his lips.
"Are you going to tell on me?" Arthur wanted to know.
"I'm not the Minister of Mysteries right now," Alexandria reminded him. "But might I make a suggestion? Why don't we get you listed as an Items Consultant for Mysteries? It's not a full Agent, it's a position we give to someone who we can question when we don't know how something works, and since Mysteries department is the one department allowed to use hybridized items since they're useful in espionage, it'll come with a legitimate license to make this stuff rather than some creative interpretations of current laws."
"What a brilliant idea! Do you suppose you can get for me the moment you return to your job, then?" Arthur asked.
"I think I'll see about getting you one tomorrow," Alex said, glancing at the tables as if expecting any one of them to expose what Arthur was doing at any minute.
"Won't that be handy?" Arthur decided, then enthusiastically showed her around his workshop.
