Chapter Seven
Around the Clock
When Jennifer arrived back with the shopping and checked into the library, Bres was settled in and intently concentrating on the book he was reading, while Seren was snuggled in on the couch with a blanket over her, fast asleep. The table held a coffee pot, cream, some cups, and a plate of crumbs, which was all that was left of the sandwiches Jennifer had made earlier.
"I see you're getting some work done," Jennifer said softly, careful not to wake Seren.
"Just getting started, really. Would it be inappropriate for me to use the library in the evening if everyone is asleep?" Bres inquired.
"Of course you can use the library, you can use it anytime you like unless the door is shut," Jennifer said. "There are times when Severus comes home and uses the library for discreet conferences."
"I see. Still, it makes it easier knowing that the general rule of the house applies to any time of day," Bres decided.
"You can also take the books to your room if you like," Jennifer replied.
"Thank you, but I'd prefer to work here when I can. Lunette seems to get quite agitated when I study so late that I disrupt her sleep, but I prefer to work until I've reached a natural stopping point. Lunette, however, prefers to work to a particular time; she is quite willing to mark a book off and drop it the moment the clock chimes whether she is done or not," he said with exasperation. Jennifer grinned.
"That is left over from when she ran two law firms and needed to make strict lunch and dinner appointments, and I doubt that'll ever change. I'm certain there are a lot of small habits the two of you aren't willing to budge on that you will have to find common ground on," Jennifer replied.
"Yes, I concur," Bres agreed, then paused. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe you stated your intention. Have you come to look after Seren, or do you have need of me?"
"Actually, I wanted to let you know that Lunette decided to visit her granddaughter Liberty for a while. It is pretty far, so she more than likely won't be back until late," Jennifer said.
"That is quite alright. I am very content here," Bres said unconcernedly.
"Then stay and study as you like, but may I discuss dinner this evening?" Jennifer requested. "I am going to take Seren to the castle to meet up with Severus, and I wanted to know if you wanted to stay here with Mercy, or if you wanted to go out with friends. I happened to talk with Zack, and he said that he had been wanting to introduce you to his friend Owain and now might be the perfect opportunity."
Bres looked up from his book.
"I would like that," Bres replied. "However, I am not certain I understand how measurements of time work here as of yet, so I am unsure as to how to judge such things when my wife is not here to scold me." Jennifer smirked in amusement.
"Fortunately for you, our universe is parallel enough that timekeeping isn't all that different. It'll be very easy for you to learn, but we should probably get you a watch so you can start managing your own time," Jennifer said. "The only difference to timekeeping here is that our measurement is a bit smaller in increments. Our days are exactly the same length as yours, but we split it into twenty-four parts rather than twelve."
"Ah, yes! Sirius has a clock in the hall. He told me that there are twelve hours for the day and twelve hours at night, but it does not change with the sunrise and sunset," Bres recalled, finding the book's ribbon and marking his place.
"That's right. Days are only equal twice a year and it's all a bit muddy after that, but some allowance has to be made for efficiency."
"Yes, I understand that. But how can you tell from day to day when the sun will rise and set if you do not use that as a constant?" he asked.
"Well, astrological watches which include sun movements on the dial, as well as calendars and such, but unless you're an astrologer, or a farmer, or other specific professions, it really doesn't matter as much. We use clocks instead," Jennifer explained.
"Doesn't matter as much? What a strange idea!" Bres exclaimed loud enough that he accidentally woke Seren, then began apologizing for the mistake.
"It's quite alright, Bres. We were going to have to wake her up anyway," Jennifer pointed out with a chuckle. Seren rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Seren, we are going to have dinner with Daddy tonight. Would you like to go to the castle early so you can play with Sir Hat and the familiars?" she asked. Seren sat straight up.
"Can I please?" Seren said, suddenly wide awake.
"May I," Jennifer corrected.
"May I please go see Daddy and Sir Hat?" Seren asked.
"Yes, let's go straighten your hair," Jennifer said. "I'll be back in a flash, Bres, then we can go get you a watch."
"Thank you," Bres said, then turned to Mercy as Jennifer left. "And thank you for your continued assistance, Mercy."
"I don't mind at all, Bres," Mercy replied. "We can use one of the library spacers to separate the books you are reading from the others so that you can easily find them again. There are nine other Trade Elves working here besides me, so if I am not available, they will be glad to assist you until you have learned to do it yourself."
"I am grateful for your assistance. I believe it is the strange lettering that is to blame, because I had much less trouble translating the ones written like this," Bres told her, pointing to one of the hand-written books.
"The other books are written with typeset, sir, or with a typewriter, so that they can make many books at once. Newspapers are made in the same way," Mercy said.
"Ah, newspapers! Someone interviewed us to put information into a newspaper," Bres said with interest.
"I believe the Daily Prophet is upstairs with the rest of the post. Perhaps you should ask Jennifer about it," Mercy suggested. "She said she wouldn't be long."
Deciding the best thing to do for now was organize the books he had chosen to set aside on the partitioned shelf, Bres then made use of the washroom to get ready to go. By the time he was done, Jennifer had returned.
"Are you ready, Bres?" Jennifer asked.
"I am, although I was wondering if I could see the newspaper," Bres admitted.
"Oh, yes! The article! Well, we are going to go to Maryced's to find a watch, and it's only a few steps away from the Leaky Cauldron public house. If you like, we can stop there and read the newspaper, or we could go to Flourish and Blotts so that you can look inside a shop with brand new books, as well as newspapers."
"Will they have any books written in Elvish?" Bres asked with interest.
"Possibly, but not many. We'd have to go to Webstrings if you want selection in Elvish, I'm afraid, but Webstrings is quite expensive. Even so, I must admit that you would probably benefit from a trip to Myrkinbrek. Perhaps we can do that tomorrow," Jennifer suggested.
"In what way do you believe I would benefit from visiting this place?" Bres asked curiously.
"Myrkinbrek is a large goblin city in a cavern partially under and next to the bank… a place where many wizards secure their wealth," Jennifer explained. "Goblins and human wizards have had a rather rocky relationship over the years, and even though it's gotten better, it still can be touch and go at times. But it is one of the races we have the closest relationships with, so it'd be a good way to get another perspective on wizard politics rather than just from our point of view."
"I see. And since it's not a wizard bookstore, which caters only to their own kind, the goblins are more likely to cater to anyone who needs education outside of the prevailing class," Bres concluded.
"That assessment isn't as far from the truth as I'd like it to be," Jennifer admitted wryly. "Flourish and Blotts caters to wizards, and Webstrings caters to anyone willing to pay dearly for her expensive services."
"I see, so wealth is the true equalizer," Bres concluded.
"I'm afraid that's the case regardless of what race you are in this culture," Jennifer admitted. "But there is one other bookseller in Myrkinbrek, run by the wife of some dear friends of mine. They do book restorations, and cater to anyone who loves books, really."
"Then I think I would like to visit them as well," Bres decided, and Jennifer gave him a warm smile.
"Unfortunately we don't have time today, not if you're going to meet Zack and Owain for dinner and an evening out," Jennifer reminded him. "Come along, we're going to step outside so we can Disapparate!"
"In the city?" Bres asked, wondering if he was ready for that.
"Don't worry, we'll keep to Wizarding areas," Jennifer promised, leading him out of the house and taking his hand.
Knowing what to expect made it much easier for Bres to land on his feet with ease, and he soon found himself looking up at a quaint jewelry shop nestled between city buildings, but rather looking more like a two-story village shop than fitting it with some of its surroundings. Bres felt a gathering of magic a few doors down, seeing a smudged sign that announced the Leaky Cauldron.
"Here we are. We should be able to find you something suitable in here," Jennifer said, leading him into Maryced's.
Once again, a great deal of glass was being used, Bres marvelled, looking curiously at all of the different kinds of jewelry being displayed. While no one was behind the counter, Jennifer couldn't help but be amused at the sound of children playing some sort of loud game in the back room.
"Sounds like Kelsey has a playdate today," Jennifer said with amusement, taking a quick glance before ringing a small metal bell to let them know they were there. The children all began shushing each other loudly as a wizard with tousled brown hair came up to the front, pulling off some work gloves.
"Hullo, Jennifer! Hey, is this him? It must be, you've got the ears and the heavy presence to be a Dark Fae. You're Lunette's new husband, aren't you?" the jeweler asked.
"Yes, it certainly is. Cedric Potter, this is Lord Bres from the Otherworld," Jennifer introduced. "Cedric was one of my best items students at the school I teach at. He's also the son of one of my dearest friends…"
"And I'm her goddaughter!" one of the girls in the back announced, taking a step into view. She had short red hair, freckles, and confident brown eyes, and despite the difference in personality, Jennifer couldn't help but note just how much she was beginning to look like her mother now that she was getting to the end of her primary school years. Behind the red-haired girl was a boy and girl who both had dark hair, eyes, and complexion. But there the similarities varied, for the boy had sharper features than the girl, with a pointed nose and a more piercing gaze.
"This is Cedric's little sister, Margaret Jennifer, but everyone calls her Maggie," Jennifer said. "And the two peeking out from behind her are Cedric's daughter, Kelsey, and his brother-in-law, Bodhi."
"Nice to meet you children," Bres said politely, and the two in the back nodded and then whispered to Margaret, trying to convince her to come back to the back room.
"My dad was cursing at the paper before he dropped me off today, complaining how nobody ever tells him anything anymore. I thought I ought to tell you in case he catches up with you, Aunt Jennifer," Maggie warned Jennifer.
"Thank you, Maggie, why don't you go play," Cedric told her. Maggie reluctantly did as she was told. "She's right, though, Jennifer. Dad was frustrated that he wasn't being kept in the loop. Still, I'm sure it'll blow over quickly," he added with a reassuring grin. "So what are you here for? Pair of Diamonds?"
"Goodness, no, they're nowhere near ready for those yet! Bres needs a watch. Do you have one that keeps track of the sunrise and sunset as well?" Jennifer asked.
"Sure. I have some with the moon cycle featured too," Cedric said, pulling out an individual case.
"Here we are! They're lovely, Cedric. What would you prefer, Bres, one with a band for your wrist, or a pocket watch? The wristwatches are much smaller and a bit harder to read, but you're less likely to lose them, or the pocket watch, which has a larger face but you don't have it out all the time," Jennifer explained.
"We could always put a charm on it to make it harder to lose, of course," Cedric pointed out. "If you want to keep track of sunrise and sunsets, however, I prefer this one with the bigger windows," he said, pointing one out.
The watch had several windows cut out of the face, and he was pointing to the one with the artful depiction of the sun and its place on the horizon. Opposite it, was a window showing the moon and its show; as well as a pair of windows with the letters "Jun" and a number.
"I do like this one best," Bres admitted, then glanced at Jennifer. "How would I compensate you for this, Jennifer?"
"Actually, it is very customary for the friends of the bride and groom to give presents to a newly married couple, and since I have not done so yet, you consider this your gift," Jennifer said with a smile.
"Very well, but how does this compare to what you give other couples?" Bres asked suspiciously. Cedric cleared his throat.
"From my experience, this is quite modest in comparison," Cedric said.
Jennifer blinked.
"Now, Cedric, that is hardly fair. I do plan to get Lunette a separate gift, and they are staying with me. You aren't accusing me of being stingy, are you?" Jennifer questioned indignantly.
"I was backing up your statement. I know perfectly well how carried away you get," Cedric teased. "This is fine, Bres. I assure you she's not going overboard." Jennifer squinted at Cedric dangerously. "I'll even give you a fair discount as part of my gift… I'm friends with Lunette too, you know."
"Thank you," Bres said.
Cedric patiently taught him how to take care of it and even enough about how it worked so that Bres felt comfortable taking it, and then had a short lesson on time keeping.
"I understand the math simple enough, and really, the hours are half of ours, so that will be easy to adjust to," Bres decided as they stepped back out, gazing at the watch intently. "Wouldn't it make more sense for the longer hand to be the hour since the measurement is longer and is also considered more important?"
"I never really considered that," Jennifer said blankly. "I really don't know why it's not the other way around… I suppose because it's just what I'm used to. Anyway, did you still want a quick look inside the bookshop? You still have about an hour before you need to meet Zack and Owain."
"I would like to, if you believe we have enough time," Bres said.
"We can get there by going through the pub. There's a way to Diagon Alley just at the back," Jennifer explained, guiding him over to the Leaky Cauldron and stepping inside.
But when they came inside, the place fell into an awkward silence.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" Jennifer said warmly, pretending to ignore it.
"Good afternoon, Professor Craw! Staying for a drink?" asked the barman.
"Not just now, Tom, but I promise I'll have more time tomorrow," Jennifer assured him. "We're just off to the booksellers. Has my father been in?"
"Not today, Professor," Tom replied.
"That's alright. Thank you, Tom!" Jennifer asked, leading him further back.
As they stepped through, the whispers slowly returned to its normal noise level once more.
Tearing Bres away was easier said than done, so Jennifer was more than relieved when the watch chimed and he allowed himself to be led back home in time to meet Zack and Owain and so that Jennifer could hurry off to the castle for dinner.