July 14, 1993

Egypt was amazing. Ivy had been quite a few places, courtesy of Henry's general avoidance of Britain for their first couple years, but they hadn't made it to Egypt yet. They would obviously need to make a family holiday here sometime in the future though, because, as previously stated, Egypt was amazing.

Also, hanging out with the Weasleys was brilliant. The five she went to school with were always fun to be around, and being in Egypt only added to that enjoyment, but then there was Mr. Weasley, who asked her questions about different muggle things that made her laugh, Mrs. Weasley who had enough snacks with her at any given time to feed an army (or nine Weasleys and Ivy as it happened to be), Bill, who Ivy decided was quite an acceptable individual and who she was able to practice both her Arabicandthe Goblin language with, and then of course Charlie, who still hadn't signed adoption papers but who did have enough dragon stories to entertain all of them for days. Well, everyone except his mother, who had a little twitch in her eye that made her look somewhat similar to Henry. Charlie was the best.

Egypt was fine. Not bad, not great, just fine. Honestly though, as fascinating as some of the things they had seen were, Percy couldn't quite understand Bill's seemingly undying enthusiasm with the place. No, that wasn't quite true. He did understand it, he just didn't share it. At all. Because why on earth would you spend your days charging through cursed tombs when you could have a perfectly nice ministry job. Indoors. Without undead cats chasing you around. Honestly, there really was no contest.

As Percy made the final few downward slashes with his wand he decided that being locked in a tomb by his two menaces of brothers was enough to cross "adventure" off his bucket list. Possibly forever, but certainly until graduation.

When he stepped out of the tomb it was to the sight of his mother berating his two younger brothers, his father and older brothers looking concerned, and his three other younger siblings looking… bored? Ah, that's right. It was lunchtime.

"Sorry that took so long," he said by way of apology to the three. "Started off using a long set and really, it's not like you can just stop a simulacrum tenebris chain halfway through."

Bill coughed and started making choking sounds.

"Are you alright?" Percy asked with a small frown. Inhaling too much dust from cursed sites was never a good idea, and even if they had been told this particular tomb wasn't cursed, you could never be too careful.

"I'm fine," Bill wheezed out.

Percy just shook his head. "Alright then. So, lunch?"

Half his family nodded in agreement and the other half looked at him with varied measures of disbelief.

"What?"

"So are you sure you aren't interested in becoming a curse-breaker? You would be brilliant at it."

Honestly. What had Percy ever done to make Bill think that was something he would be interested in? He had been going on about a ministry job since he wasseven. Well, technically four, when he had declared that he would be minister when he got older (which was six at that point because six is really old when you're four), and make all the bad people go to prison. And then the war had ended and he decided being a crup breeder was a noble life goal. His mother hadn't been all too happy that he had gone and researched some of the details of that, but what can you do. Oh, and then he was six and Charlie had broken his arm trying to sneak out on a broom, so he had decided being a broom tester would be a good idea, because obviously there was something wrong with the broom. It wasn't until later that he realized that Charlie's injuries usually had more to do withCharliethan with defaulting magical objects. And then finally had come the realization at age seven that the ministry was the way to go. Incidentally it was around that time that Charlie began researching dragons and telling Percy all about what awaited them in the great outdoors. The ministry stayed his goal from that point on.

So no, he was not interested in becoming a curse-breaker. He hadplans.

However…

"Have I introduced you to Thomas? I really ought to. I think the two of you would get along spectacularly."

There. That would do.

"I can't believe we peaked at age fourteen."

"It was good while it lasted."

"Well it should have lasted longer."

"Maybe we need to talk to Padfoot."

"What about Moony?"

"Him too."

"Hey, what do you think the chances are we could get Percy to teach us some of those?"

Fred gave his twin a look.

"Yeah, you're right," George sighed. "What about Harrington then?"

Fred thought about that for a moment. "We'd have to phrase it right."

"Well, those two are always trying to keep Ivy from finding the good curses, right? But they're graduating. So who is going to look out for her when they're gone?"

"Well us, obviously. We've been doing it for two years alre… Oh no, I see what you mean. Yes, that could work." Then Fred frowned. "We won't have to spend that much time in the library though will we? Those two practically live there."

George scrunched up his face a little. "Yeah, that would probably ruin the last remaining shreds of our reputation."

"So we just need to find some other way to get Harrington to teach us the good stuff while still keeping it away from Ivy?"

"Keeping what away from me?"

Fred and George instinctively winced.

"You know, her Arabic is quite good," Bill pointed out. Percy and Charlie each just gave him a look. "Well it is," he defended.

"What'd the twins do this time?" Charlie asked, watching as Ivy chased them around shouting in what was apparently decent Arabic.

"Not sure. Something about Percy's friend and keeping something from her."

Percy's mind came to an abrupt stop. When he was done muttering he glanced around, suddenly very thankful that his mother was not within earshot. His brothers, however, were. Charlie grinned, and Bill looked pained. Percy wasn't sure what Bill had to feel pained about. It wasn't like he was the one who was going to have to come up with an explanation for Ivy Potter.

Ivy narrowed her eyes, but Percy didn't even flinch. She needed to work on that apparently. Maybe she could ask Professor Snape for tips.

"Ivy, you can't just go around throwing out obscure curses you find in manuscripts. It'sdangerous."

"It's not like Iusedthem."

"Thomas and I were just a little…concerned. After Hyslop, the basilisk, the hurricane, the… well, everything."

Ivy huffed. "You didn't have to worry about me. I promised Henry I would keep all my plans theoretical."

"Plans?"

Ivy wondered at what point that could be called a squeak. "Yes, plans. Everyone has plans. And Henry even said no minions until after I graduate, and that'sagesaway, so nothing is going to happen."

"Until you graduate, you mean."

Ivy smiled. He was finally getting it. "I'm so glad you understand."

"You know, that does absolutely nothing to fill me with confidence," she heard Percy mutter. Well, excuse her for not having all the details worked out. It wasn't that big of a deal. She still had five years to figure it out after all.

Arthur collapsed on the bed. Today had been exhausting. Much like the past few days had been, in fact. "Next time we decide it's a good idea to take the entire family on holiday, let's just go to Salcombe, hmm?"

Molly, the love and light of his life, laughed.

Harry loved South America. It was a wonderful, beautiful, exquisite place. And Luna was here with him, which made it all the better. But alas, it would soon come to an end. Three weeks was far too short of a time, but there was always next year. At least they still had one week left, and this week was to be the highlight of their honeymoon. They had spent the first two weeks touring, seeing famous sights, both magical and muggle, and enjoying the best beaches South America had to offer. But now, for their final week, they were headed into the jungle for a week of exploring. Harry had read through some of Ivy's herbology books in preparation, so he felt relatively confident in his ability to avoid the more particularly poisonous and venomous varieties of plants, and Luna knew every creature to be on the lookout for. The best part of all? Luna, obviously. The second best part of all? Not a single British witch or wizard in sight, except for them.

It had taken two weeks, but Sirius was now somewhat confident that he was not going to die on this trip. Why would he die on this trip, you might ask? Well let him explain all the reasons.

Cesare Zabini was the head of the Zabini family, and held more power in Italy than the Blacks ever had in Britain.

Sabrina Zabini née Volant had married his grandson, Anthony Zabini.

Cesare didn't particularly care for his deceased grandson, but was exceptionally fond of Sabrina and Blaise.

Sirius was dating Sabrina.

Cesare could make him disappear without a trace if he decided Sirius wasn't good enough for his favorite grandchild.

Cesare Zabini had a very effective, very terrifying glare. A glare that had been directed towards Sirius for the first four days of their trip here.

The glare, thankfully, had all but disappeared by day five, but the remaining days between then and now had been spent recovering from that ordeal. And no, he was not a wimp. Cesare Zabini just happened to be a ninety seven year old wizard who knew a thousand different ways of killing someone without even using magic. And that, if anything, was an understatement. So yes, the glare was bloody terrifying, especially when it dissolved into fond smiles any time his gaze was directed at either Sabrina or Blaise.

But now Sirius was sufficiently recovered, and more or less convinced that he was not going to meet his death on this particular trip.

"Black, a word if you please."

Probably.

"Now,cucciolo, you are not a complete bastard."

Sirius groaned on the inside but kept his face passive.

"So I have decided you are an acceptable suitor for myteserino."

"Gee, thanks," Sirius mumbled under his breath.

"And may you fare better than the last four."

"Sei uno stronzo," Sirius muttered darkly.

Cesare chuckled before reaching under his desk and grabbing out a bottle of something that was sure to be amazing. "Welcome to the family," he said, before raising his glass to Sirius.

The next forty minutes did much to appease Sirius. Welcome to the family indeed.

July 21, 1993

"Hurry now, or we'll miss the portkey."

"I can't find my hat, has anyone seen it?"

"It doesn't leave for another hour, we're fine."

"Look on top of the mantle, dear."

"Has anyone seen Charlie?"

"Wait, where's Ivy?"

"I think they went out."

"What are they doing out, it's time toleave."

"There they are, I see them."

"Oh thank goodness. For the last time Ginnyyou cannot take the cat."

"We're back!"

"What were you thinking heading off this late? Oh, never mind. Help your brother with the trunks, would you?"

Charlie grinned, gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek and headed off to help Percy with the luggage.

"Here you go, Ron." Ivy shoved a cage into Ron's hand.

"Um, thanks. What is it?"

"It's a hyrax."

"A what?"

"A hyrax."

"Yeah, but what is it?"

"It's for you."

"Er, thanks."

"I felt bad that you didn't have a pet anymore since your last one turned out to be a murderous traitor."

"Thanks, Ivy."

"No problem," Ivy said with a grin and a mischievous wink.

"Oh my goodness, what isthat?" Molly stated in what was, relatively speaking, an entirely calm and collected manner.

Ivy went to explain, but Ron beat her to it. "Don't bother, mum," he said. "This is to replace Scabbers," he added, obviously sensing thatsomesort of explanation was expected.

Molly closed her eyes, and sighed briefly.

"Alright, well that's very nice of you, Ivy. And Charlie, where is Charlie…"

"Here, mum."

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?"

"Well I heard they like asparagus…"

"Does this mean I can keep the cat?" piped Ginny.

"Oh, sweet English freedom," Sirius sighed happily as they made their way past customs.

Blaise snickered.

"Your talents are truly wasted," Sabrina said fondly, rolling her eyes. "The stage has been denied their brightest star."

"But you love me for it," quipped Sirius.

Blaise interrupted their fourteenth lovey-dovey moment of the day about twenty seconds later. Enough was enough.

"So, how was the honeymoon?" Barry asked, roughly forty seconds after Harry and Luna walked in.

"Splendid," came Luna's response.

Harry just had a huge grin plastered on his face that rather spoke for itself, in Barty's opinion.

"Anything interesting happen?" Barty regretted that question almost as soon as he asked it. It took about three seconds but he got there. There were just some things he didn't actually need to know.

"Well we discovered three new species."

"No, no, there was nowe," Harry objected. "Lunadiscovered three new species. I took pictures," he said proudly.

"That's nice," Barty replied.

"It was still a joint effort," Luna argued, though she was not even trying to hide a wide smile.

"A rather lopsided joint effort, if you ask me. Besides,you'rethe one who is being asked to publish your findings."

"Well you can at least get credit for the pictures then," Luna said, grinning.

Barty didn't know Harry could possibly look more lovesick than he had over the past few months, but apparently he could. It was adorable and disgustingly horrifying at the same time. "Well, good to have you back."

July 22, 1993

"Harry, I think you need to see this."

Barty's uncharacteristic seriousness caught Harry's immediate attention. He looked at the headline of the paper Barty handed him.

BELLATRIX LESTRANGE ESCAPES AZKABAN PRISON

His fingers tightened around the newspaper as he tried to keep his rage from manifesting and his magic under control.

"I really,reallyhate parallels."