CHAPTER FIVE

Disclaimer: J.K.ROWLING owns the Harry Potter world.

"Damn it!" James yelled as he waved his wand and another glass shred erupted into smaller ones.

The Weasleys, Culberts, Sergeys, Blacks, McKinnons, Longbottoms and a few other friends were all gathered in Number 12 Grimmauld Place for a meeting.

Dumbledore was currently sitting with his head bowed, as James raged," She was there. She bloody saved their lives!"

"Prongs mate, sit down will you? I don't fancy the kids asking why their uncle is currently ruining our possessions," Sirius called wearily, his eyes slightly red.

"How can you even say that, Sirius? Merlin, the first time we've seen her in twelve years," James sank into the seat next to Lily, head in his hands as he rocked back and forth.

"Albus, what exactly was she doing in the Lovegoods' house? How could she have known about the explosion?" Molly spoke up, a worried look on her face.

Dumbledore looked up and his face looked every inch his age," Xenophilius told me that Jasira arrived there just before the explosion, wanting to see Pandora. As soon as she heard young Luna's cry, she pushed past him and ran to where Pandora was in. After that, Xenophilius does not recall of the spell used, he said that he hadn't heard of it. I'm afraid she left soon after."

There was silence and Lily said softly," She saved two lives today."

"But how could she have known?" Frank asked again, looking confused.

Sam spoke up," Jas always has her sources. She must've remembered something that alerted her."

"She looked drained," said Remus worriedly.

The mood sobered and Alice said," She never let anyone heal her. Remember when she invented that spell in third year and was unconscious for over twelve hours?"

"Are you telling me my sister is going to be drained for half a day?" demanded Lucy, looking horrified.

"That's not the point. The point is where she is," Alex spoke up with a thoughtful look.

"Well, she can't be anywhere far, can she? Drained and weak, you'd have to go somewhere fairly near," said Irena carefully.

"Somewhere in England," said Sirius," she used the floo, which means that she must have gone somewhere not very far."

"You won't find her," Matthew said quietly," when Jas hides, she doesn't let anyone find her."

"You can't expect us to let her be in pain," hissed Sam, her eyes flashing.

"That's not what I meant. We couldn't track her for twelve years, what difference will it be now?" said Matthew wisely.

"But we can't let her be in that state," said Lily worriedly.

"I doubt Jasira will be weak for a while," said Alex dryly.

"We've got to try," said Dimitri softly, speaking for the first time," it's the least we could do for him after what happened. He wouldn't forgive us if we let her stay without trying."

Lily's face was sad," How is he?"

Irena shook her head," We've had to move him to the manor. He hasn't improved at all. We don't think he'll..." she trailed off and no one wanted her to continue the conversation.

There was a bang outside and they all jumped. Molly Weasley strolled to the door to see children in the hallway staring with wide eyes at them. Ron and Harry were looking guilty as the redheaded witch put her hands to her hips.

While the kids were getting a lecture from the Weasley matriarch, Lily pulled James closer and said," James, she'll be alright, won't she?"

James sighed tiredly, eyes softening at his wife's distressed look and said gently," This is Jasira we're talking about. She'll be OK."

Lily's eyes welled up," I know, but, merlin it's been so long since I saw her. I wish I was there…if just so I could see her."

James rubbed his hand soothingly on her back and said softly," We'll see her soon, Lils, sooner than you think."

Jasira was too weak to even put back the glamour. She was in her room, currently in bed as her body protested. Atleast she hadn't collapsed, she thought with a dry chuckle.

It was an hour past the incident and she was still in her house. Her mum wasn't there and nor was her father. She'd left the Lovegoods and didn't know what had happened next. She was terrified hat she hadn't saved them and was therefore incredibly relieved when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," she called tiredly.

Her dad entered, looking grim as he checked her appearance. His face was hard set as he saw the pain his daughter was in, and some scratches on her skin. Closing the door, he moved towards her and Jasira said immediately," What happened? Did they survive? Dad?"

Darrell sat on the bed, nodding slowly," Yes, you managed to get there in time to save both lives. Luckily, or unluckily, Pandora and Luna sported minor bruises and are currently in St Mungo's with Xeno. You, on the other hand, are the opposite."

Jasira looked pleased at the news, and she said with a dismissive wave of her hand," I'm fine. Just a couple hours rest and I'll be good. I've told Moody I won't be in till tomorrow so that gives me time."

"That's not the point Jas," said Darrell with a scowl," You deliberately went in when you knew there would be danger!"

Jasira met his gaze with her own," Dad, I went there prepared. I had a spell that would absorb the explosion. I thought it out, it was alright."

"Alright for the Lovegoods of course, but you've got to alert someone next time Jas," said Darrell wearily.

Jasira nodded, though she intended to do no such thing," Dad? Can I ask you something?"

Darrell nodded and Jasira said hesitantly," Before going there, I asked myself whether it was a good idea. I mean, saving the lives of the people I know would die is good, but I feel as though I'm changing too much."

Darrell was silent before he said," Jasira, the minute you arrived in this world things were going to change. Do you regret letting the Potters live? Do you regret making the Longbottoms avoid what could have been done to them? Severus? Regulus?"

Jasira sighed," Of course not but I realized I couldn't save everybody. Look at Dorcas," her voice was small as she said her friend's name," Mary, Matthew, Mitchell, the Prewett twins…" her voice broke as she said the names that had meant so much to her.

Darrell looked at his daughter, she was the strongest person he knew, and the one of the most powerful. She put so much blame on herself for things that were unavoidable.

"You can't save everyone, that's something you need to know. You try, and that's more than enough, every single person knows of the effort you put in ensuring their safety," said Darrell softly.

Jasira gave a watery smile," Trying," she repeated," You do know that I try, right Dad?"

Darrell's heart broke to see the plead in her voice and he said firmly," There's no doubt of the effort you put in saving people. They owe so many debts to you and your family that it's a wonder you haven't claimed them."

Jasira shook her head sharply," You know I don't much like life debts. Anyway, I wasn't able to save him."

Darrell sighed," Jas, how about you and visit him today? He's been moved to the Sergey Manor."

Jasira's eyebrows shot up and she demanded," Why? What happened?"

"Nothing, nothing," said Darrell quickly then added at his daughter's doubtful look," They felt it'd be better to keep an eye on him. With the amount of patients St Mungo's is having it's better that he gets the treatment at home."

"I was planning on going to him anyway, might as well go now," with Jasira swung her legs from her bed and was pleased when she didn't sway.

"Are you sure you're fit enough to-"began Darrell but Jasira nodded," I'm fine, besides, it's just here and there, nothing too big."

"With you, everything's big," muttered Darrell and Jasira shot a grin at him.

She walked over to the mirror and waved her wand around her in a circle. Her black hair turned almond brown and she put her glasses back on, her eyes turning hazel. With another twirl, freckles appeared on her face and when Jasira spoke, her voice had gone back to Felicity Cade's, deeper than Jasira's.

Darrell was looking at her sadly but Felicity didn't give him a chance to say anything as she said firmly," I'll be back later, Dad. Tell mum where I went, will you?"

With that she gave him a small hug, and left the room. Her mum was still not home and Felicity took a handful of floo powder and said," Sergey Manor."

She appeared in a whoosh of flames in a beautiful spacious living room that was quite large. It had elaborate sofas that were quite comfortable and inviting, and the painting was Felicity's favourite. A cheery blue with floor to ceiling windows. The fireplace Felicity was standing in was the only one in the room, the other ones being in other parts of the house.

Felicity had been here a number of times, it was, after all, her house as well as her husband's. She would have moved here with her children but not without her husband. The feeling of loss she felt so much reminded her painfully why she was here and she snapped to attention. She reached out with her sense and felt a presence in the kitchen. Smiling softly at the photos of her husband with his siblings, as well as some friends, she paused as she saw one where it was only her and him.

Jasira looked quite young in the photo, and very pretty. The girl there was smiling radiantly as she laughed with her husband, whose tousled hair looked almost as untidy as James's. Her eyes were sparkling with a happiness that Felicity missed, and she knew that she was twenty when this had been taken. In 1979, the same year she had left.

She reached out a finger tentatively to touch the young man next to her. Green blue eyes that she loved so much. The grin as he looked at her.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" said a voice behind her.

Felicity froze and didn't turn around," It is," she said quietly.

"That's my brother, and his wife, the Lord and Lady Sergey," continued Irena as Felicity turned around to face her.

"They made a beautiful couple, I've no doubt had they had children than they would be quite the family," said Irena, a sad note in her voice.

Felicity said nothing as her eyes travelled back to look at the two couple and before she could stop herself. She blurted," What happened to them?"

Irena studied her before saying," Lord Sergey, a curse hit him twelve years ago, making him unable to do anything, no cure. He can't eat, talk, all he does is just stay in bed," her voice broke as she continued," my sister in law, Lady Sergey, when she found out what had happened she was devastated. She left without another word."

Felicity felt a hot surge of rage at the words. She didn't mention how Lord Sergey was cursed," Do you know who cursed him?" she said, forcing out the words as her eyes had the accusing look they had twelve years ago.

Irena looked away and said," If you wanted to see mum and dad they're waiting in the kitchen."

Without another word, Felicity let Irena lead the way, casting one last look at the photo before following.

They entered the generous kitchen with its clean counters and large table. Larissa Sergey looked up with the same smile as her youngest daughter, before it morphed into confusion when she saw the newcomer. Nevertheless, her manners were still beautiful as she said," Welcome, Miss…?"

Felicity smiled at her mother in law and said," Cade, Felicity Cade, Mrs Sergey," giving her a meaningful look.

Thankfully she was still sharp and caught on quickly for her eyes widened before saying quickly," Felicity dear, do take a seat, please, or, if you prefer, my son is in his room."

Irena was looking back and forth with a confused expression as Felicity said," I'll just go and visit him then. I'll be down soon."

Larissa waved a dismissive hand," Nonsense, take your time."

With a grateful smile Felicity left the spacious kitchen, taking a route that led her to the spiral stairwell. Her husband's room would be on the second floor. She smiled at the pictures on the wall.

The house truly was beautiful. There were paintings and quotes on the walls, some that Felicity remembered where hers. The doors were different colours as well, brown, blue, yellow. She passed by the library on the first floor, not as big as the Hogwarts library, but similar to the Culbert library. A quick peek told her it was the same.

Large and round, the shelves were arranged in rows and there were name plates above that told the section of it. So far it was empty, and Felicity passed it and moved on to the second floor. The rooms here belonged to the children of the manor. Used to, anyway. The Master bedroom had been on the first floor, directly across the hall, and the guest rooms as well.

Sofia, Irena, Dimitri and Aidan all had the rooms on the second floor. They had all moved out after graduating Hogwarts of course, but Aidan had planned to come back home. The manor was given to the Lord of the house, and as Aidan was the eldest of the triplets, he held the title 'Lord'.

Felicity's feet were soft as she walked to the room at the end of the hall, the door that was the same cool blue as his aura. She didn't bother with the knocking and instead opened it gently.

Her heart sped up as she saw his still form lying on the bed, pillows there to make him comfortable and to not case stiffness. He still looked twenty years old, no wrinkles, no dark circles...it was as though he hadn't aged. The tousled black hair she had grown to love was much the same. His eyes were closed as though sleeping, and his lips parted as though breathing.

Felicity felt her eyes well up as she saw him, it always made her emotional whenever she saw him. She closed the door and walked to his bed, her hand automatically slipping into his as she sat next to him.

"I'm so, so sorry," she whispered thickly, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at his still form.

His hand was cold, and so was hers. She had never been warm like her sister. Felicity took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

She had never been happier that she had read into occlumency and auras. She was the only one, apart from Reyna and Rylan to be able to actually go through Aidan's mind without harm. No one else knew she could do this, and she hadn't bothered with telling anyone.

She inhaled deeply before she whispered the incantation of the aura reading spell, and without needing to, opened up her own aura. There was the colour blue that was similar to the both, and the one Felicity used to link it with him.

She willed herself to feel his exterior landscape, the smooth blue aura. Her hand tightened with his and she exhaled before allowing herself to, willing her inside person go into her husband's through their auras. She never understood the theory, but she knew the practical.

Simply by connecting their blue coloured auras, she could will herself to enter his mind landscape gently. As usual, she felt the familiar rushing of gentle wind as she entered his mind, not unlike legilimency.

Her feet felt as though she were floating as she appeared and she looked down at herself. It seems that no matter the glamour, she was always her natural self when in his mind. Her hair was waist length and her eyes were the same dark brown as she scanned the area. She looked around, not seeing the familiar hair as she walked softly on the moving grass.

She wondered how her mind landscape would look like, it seemed Aidan had designed his mind to resemble nature or maybe earth-she'd never learnt how occlumency properly worked and how people's minds looked like, and the fact that there was wind, gently blowing, and enough sunshine from where, Jasira didn't know. She ignored everything however, in favour of calling her husband's name," Rian. Aidan," she said softly.

A frown crossed her face as no one reacted, and she quickly turned into one of her animagus form, the winged horse.

Her vision became better and sense of smell as well. She took off in a light sprint, before stopping shortly when she saw him, sitting under a tree, head bowed. Her heart stopped and lightly changed back into her human form.

Jasira wasn't quite near him when he said," I was wondering when you'd come."

A grin formed on her face as she heard his voice. The cool and collected tone was still there, as well as the sarcastic part that she loved," I came last week," she pointed out, sitting down next to him on the grass.

"In here, time means nothing," he responded, pulling her closer and she rested her head on his shoulder.

He wasn't much taller than her, and she didn't have to look up at him. She gave a small sigh and said abruptly," Rylan's in Gryffindor, and Reyna's a Slytherin."

Aidan looked at her and his signature grin crossed his face," I told you Reyna would be a Slytherin," he teased.

Jasira shoved him lightly," Yeah well, she was supposed to be a lion but she had a goal in mind."

Aidan quirked an eyebrow," What's our daughter up to now?"

Jasira grinned," She wants to change the reputation of House Slytherin."

Aidan's eyebrows shot up," That's new, is she tired of hearing the way Slytherin's always bad?"

Jasira nodded," Something like that."

"Let's hope she succeeds," said Aidan, absently running a hand through Jasira's hair," it's going to hard," he murmured.

"She has us," Jasira said softly.

"What about Rye?" asked Aidan.

"All good, I'm expecting a letter sometime tonight from the both of them," reported Jasira.

"Not being too strict I hope?" Aidan joked.

"As if, I actually told them to play pranks but not get caught," said Jasira with a proud look.

Aidan raised an eyebrow and Jasira added," And to be top in their exams, plus not slack of in practice."

"I thought as much," said Aidan dryly and Jasira couldn't help the happy grin on her face.

"Anything new?" Aidan inquired.

"I started my training today, I have a year of it, and I take my exams sometime next year," said Jasira.

At that, Aidan tensed and said," What did you have to do to prove to them?"

Jasira was quiet and Aidan said, voice a bit sharp," Jas?"

"I had to duel Irena. If I won then I'm in, if not then I get three years' worth of training," mumbled Jasira.

Aidan gave a low breath," seems like you won, then. Your disguise worked?"

Reluctantly Jasira nodded," No one seems to suspect."

Aidan glanced at her," You aren't happy."

"I am," said Jasira with a stubborn look.

Aidan sighed and turned to face her," Look, Jas, I know you're angry at them. But you have to find out why they did it. I'm telling you, there must be a reason."

At that Jasira's eyes flashed and she couldn't help the snap," I'm not going to ask them why they cursed you to be like this. They caused our children to grow up without their father, Rian, you expect me to forget that?"

Aidan's face softened," Listen to me, Jas, Reyn and Rye didn't grow up without their father. You brought them to me and I've never been happier when I saw them. I'm sorry, sorrier than I can ever tell you how much it pained me when you had to go through everything alone. But they know me as much as I know them. They ask me for advice and I give it to them. Jas, they didn't miss out on their relationship with their father, if anything, they missed out on their relationship with their cousins."

At that Jasira ducked her head and made to move away but Aidan's grip tightened," Don't let them slip away, don't," he whispered.

Jasira buried her face in her hands," I tried, I tried so badly to understand why they did it, but I didn't get any answer. Whenever I see them, or anyone who knows them, they tell me that they miss Jasira Sergey, but I don't care."

"You care, you care so much that you made wards strong enough to keep them safe from the death eaters for years," said Aidan softly.

Jasira couldn't help the tears that flew from her face as she clung to him," Damn it," she muttered, wiping her tears as he rubbed her back.

Aidan chuckled," You were troubled when you arrived, what happened?"

Jasira smiled slightly," 'Course you'd notice," she muttered then said," Pandora Lovegood nearly died today. I went in in time to save her, when leaving though…I saw them."

Aidan inhaled sharply," Are they alive? Did you take care of yourself?"

She nodded," Everything's fine."

He nodded as well, a relieved look crossing his features.

They sat there before Jasira suddenly said," I forgot to tell you," she grinned at him and said," remember the project I was working on?"

Aidan nodded slowly and Jasira continued excitedly," It's half way through!"

He started to smile and said," How long till you complete it?"

"Well, I estimate it to be 1992, during the holidays," said Jasira with slight frustration.

Aidan grinned at her," That's when Reyn and Rye start third year, I'll be just in time for their thirteenth birthday."

Jasira couldn't have but giggle," You've been there for most of their birthdays."

"Mentally," said Aidan, making a face.

Jasira was silent long enough for Aidan to nudge her gently," It's just…you're taking it so calmly, you know? If it had been me, cursed to do nothing, the only visitor being three people, I'd probably be screaming right."

"Those visitors are the ones that make this worth waiting," said Aidan, chuckling at the blush on his wife's face," I mean it, and if you think I'm patient you should see me when you aren't here."

"Why? What do you do?" asked Jasira curiously.

"I blow things up, roar in my lion form," said Aidan slyly.

"Roar?" said Jasira in surprise.

"How do you think I stay calm every time you come?" Aidan asked with an eyebrow raised.

Jasira shook her head at him. They talked for a while before she reluctantly turned to leave.

"Irena's downstairs, she'll be wondering why I'm taking so long," explained Jasira as she got up.

"Just tell her you were talking to me?" suggested Aidan.

He got a look in reply," Yeah, and have me thinking I'm mad," she said sarcastically.

"Wouldn't be the first time," muttered Aidan and Jasira swatted his arm. He moved away, laughing.

When Jasira had walked where she had first appeared, Aidan grabbed her arm and said," Promise me something before you leave."

"Name it," said Jasira immediately.

"Jas, no matter how angry you are, try to dig deeper, there's always a reason behind every action," said Aidan seriously.

Jasira nodded," I will, I'll keep an ear out for anything suspicious, I'll try to find out why," she said, after slight hesitation.

Aidan relaxed," Good, tell Rylan and Reyna to not be too good at Hogwarts. The world needs a bit of a laugh."

"The Weasley twins are there," pointed out Jasira, hands on her hips.

"Ah, but the Sergey twins also have a reputation to earn," said Aidan with a wink.

She rolled her eyes and moved to hug him.

Aidan looked at her when they pulled back," Take care," he said softly.

"I always do," whispered Jasira, looking at him one last before willing herself to wake up.

Her shoulder was stiff as she opened her eyes, but her hands were still entwined with her husband's. She squeezed once before letting go. Stretching, Felicity got up from her position to stretch her legs abit.

She glanced at her watch and grimaced. She had some here at three in the afternoon and it was now five late afternoon. Two hours spent in the company of her husband. Jasira smiled and was about to leave when she caught sight of a framed on Aidan's desk.

Curious, she moved towards it, her breath sharp as she looked at the picture.

It was their wedding day. Aidan was grinning in the camera, a small smirk on his face as he held his wife. Jasira was nineteen when she had married, and her hair was in wavy curls down her back, held back on her right side. Her wedding dress was long sleeved and ankle length, and she had to admit she looked stunning.

She put it down and moved towards the door, deciding it was time to leave. She sharpened her senses and saw that no one was in the second floor, when she reached the first though, there was a presence in the library.

Hesitating, Felicity decided a small peek wasn't so bad and she peered in. she saw a girl of about six years, curled on one of the sofas as she read a book. Felicity smiled at the sight and looked closely at the girl's appearance.

Long brown hair with blue eyes, she looked similar to Irena. Her face shape, though, was Malcolm McKinnon's, Irena's husband. Felicity may have lived in Africa for a decade, but she still knew her family history. Unless she was very much mistaken, the girl's name was Catherine McKinnon, better known as Cathy, second child of Irena and Malcolm.

The girl suddenly looked up and blinked at Felicity. She slowly put down her book and got up. With the perfect manners of a pureblood girl, she smiled politely and said," Hi, may I ask who you are?"

Felicity wavered before reminding herself that this was her niece, and said," I'm Felicity," smiling as the girl nodded slowly," I'm here for a visit."

"Oh," the girl was curious before saying," Cathy."

Felicity smiled before gesturing towards the book," What're you reading?"

Cathy glanced at it before shrugging," just a book on spells for first years."

"Anything of interest?" inquired Felicity. She mentally winced. She was awful at small talk.

Cathy only gave another shrug," I'm not a first year, but it'd be good to know a few spell before I go to Hogwarts."

"Self-studying? That's a good way to learn," said Felicity approvingly.

Cathy smiled shyly at her," Mum also thinks so," she offered.

Felicity was at a loss of what to say and was privately relieved when Cathy said," I'll continue with my book, then. Grandma Larissa is down in the kitchen," she added.

Felicity nodded and left. Well, it seemed that Cathy had inherited her mother's bluntness.

She proceeded down the stairs, making a turn to the kitchens and saw that it was only Larissa and Kassian Sergey inside, drinking tea.

They looked as she entered and smiled brightly," I've been wondering when I might see you," said Kassian with a grin, getting up to hug his daughter in law.

Felicity grinned back," You've heard of my return, then?"

"Kind of hard to, dear. It's all Irena can talk about since losing that duel," said Larissa dryly.

Felicity looked sheepishly at them," I had to, in order to prove to Moody so I can graduate in a year."

Kassian nodded," He agreed, then?"

"Yeah," confirmed Felicity.

Larissa however was eyeing her and said abruptly," We heard about the Lovegoods too."

Felicity gave a sigh," They don't know it was me," she offered weakly.

"You managed to save them," said Kassian softly.

Felicity ran a hand through her hair," The least I could do."

"I'm quite proud of you, Ja-Felicity, it's not every day a person risks their life to save others," said Larissa quietly.

Felicity merely looked weary," I feel like it's a sort of duty, because I know what might happen and I'm given a choice. What kind of person would I be if I didn't do anything?"

"A person who thinks things through. Don't go beating yourself up every time someone dies," said Kassian sternly.

"That's what dad said," muttered Felicity.

"And your father is very much right," said Larissa, looking at her with a firm expression.

There was a small silence before Kassian asked," Tell me about my grandchildren. How are they?"

A familiar smile crossed the brunette's witch as she said," Good, Rye's a Gryffindor and Reyna's a Slytherin."

Kassian grinned," Excellent, typical Sergey-Culbert houses."

"Slytherin? Reyna? I'd have thought she'd be Gryffindor," said Larissa with a slight frown.

"Reyna wants to make everyone's reputation of Slytherin change," stated Felicity, accepting the cup of tea passed to her by Larissa.

Kassian's eyebrows shot up much like the way Aidan's did," Tough girl."

"That's our Reyna," said Larissa fondly.

Felicity let out a long sigh as she murmured," That's our Queen all right."