A/N... I'd say hell didn't freeze over, but between the expected temperatures in my area this weekend and how long it's been since I've updated, well, that feels like a bit of a lie. I am trying to get back into the saddle with this saga, however, so for those of you who are long time followers, now would be the time for a reread. Those new to the Everyone Lies universe, welcome aboard.

Chapter Twenty Nine

"Come on!" Cedrella jeered at Svetlana as they dueled in the yard. "My youngest has more creativity than that! Make me work for it, you crazy bint!"

She was tiring, wheezing even, but she was not giving in. Her anger was fueling her every movement, the deaths of her parents flashing in her mind every single time she picked up her wand to practice these days. The idea of revenge was like a sweet lullaby to calm her, and the longer she had to go without hexing the shite out of someone, the more agitated she got. Septimus had tried talking to her about it, but she blew him off. Callie and Charis, she knew, were both worried for her, but neither were willing to risk her wrath. The only person in the family who would risk her ire, really, was Aunt Hermione, and she kept herself under control in Aunt Hermione's presence. She didn't need a lecture. She didn't need told to stand down. If she was forced to stand down from the fight, Cedrella thought she might implode, and that was the Merlin's honest truth.

"If you ran as much as you ran your mouth," Svetlana said through gritted teeth, dodging a blasting hex and then blocking a severing curse with a high powered shield, "you'd be in great shape."

Cedrella redoubled her effort, irritated that the younger woman could see her struggling, casting curse after curse, moving into darker territory the longer they went on. Before long, the taunts stopped coming, the redhead gaining smug satisfaction out of the fact that Svetlana required all her focus on defense. She lost herself in her casting and stopped caring about her surroundings, the rest of the world fading away, the sound of her own heartbeat drowning out the sound of the other woman shouting at her.

Suddenly, there was a blast of energy, and with a grunt Cedrella found herself flat on her back and winded. "Ouch," she winced.

Aunt Hermione appeared over her, a cool expression on her face. "I do believe Svetlana asked you to stand down, Cedrella."

She hadn't heard. "When did you get here?"

"A moment ago. Svetlana managed to get off a Patronus to me," her aunt stated, helping her up. "Imagine my surprise, sitting in my office trying to get some work done, and a call comes in from my Arithmancy apprentice saying you've gone off the plot and are attacking her with no holds barred. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Cedrella let out a ragged breath. "I'm sorry. I just… I got lost in the moment."

Svetlana stomped toward them, glaring at her. "Lost in the moment? That's rich. You could have bloody killed me, Cedrella! I'm off to see Mary and Peter, but by the time I get back you better have worked up a proper apology."

She flinched at the Slytherin's ire, knowing it was warranted. "Understood," she said softly.

"One moment, Svetlana," Aunt Hermione said, eyeing her critically. "Let me patch you up before you run off. It looks like you took a few hits."

A few waves of the Mage's wand and the Slytherin's body relaxed a great deal, the blood that had been dripping down her arm gone and her sleeve repaired. "Thanks. I was going to swing by Abe's, but that works too."

"Let's not give your brother any cause to come after my niece, shall we?" Aunt Hermione requested. "I'll sort Cedrella out. Give Mary my best, and Peter a kiss for me, will you? Let her know that I'll be in touch to sort out a playdate for Peter, James, Trian, Severus, and Lily after the first. I do believe I can get Margot and Eileen to help me coordinate."

"Of course, Professor," Svetlana said agreeably.

Aunt Hermione groaned. "I'm going to hex Leonard. I swear."

The younger Witch just offered a cheeky grin and then waved, moving toward the edge of the wards so she could apparate to the Pettigrew residence. Cedrella stood stiffly as her aunt turned back to her. "How much trouble am I in?" she inquired.

"You lost control and caused injury to an ally and friend, Cedrella," Aunt Hermione said curtly. "If I were to guess, you've been bordering on the edge of out of control for some time and deliberately been hiding it from me because you knew full well I'd bench you from missions until you sorted out your issues. Losing your parents, Merlin knows, was deeply traumatizing. I certainly remember how Ginny responded to losing Fred, so I'm not surprised in the least to see you behaving with reckless abandon, rage, and with a thirst for revenge. Good lord will that girl be just like you."

The pair took seats on a nearby garden bench. "I keep trying to focus on the love I have for my family, and to center my emotions on that love and the drive to preserve the family I still have. I just can't seem to do it. I close my eyes and I see my parents and what they went through before they were killed and I feel so much bloody hate…"

The other woman nodded in understanding. "Effective immediately, you're benched from missions. You can still attend meetings because frankly I can't afford to lose your insight, but I'm not sending you out in the field while you are this erratic. I want you to go back to meeting with Aberforth for Occlumency lessons. I think I'll have Constance step in and assist. She's quite proficient as well. Between the two of them, you'll raise your proficiency in the Mental Arts and hopefully get a better handle on your emotions. What you feel is perfectly normal, Cedrella. Letting those emotions rule you, however, is not healthy, nor is it safe. What would have happened if you and Svetlana had been out here like this and one of your boys had come out to ask a question and been caught in the crossfire? You'd never have forgiven yourself."

The possibility had not occurred to her, and she swallowed hard at the harsh reality check. "Is there anything else I can do? To help myself?"

Brown eyes looked at her with compassion. "Let me speak to Olivia Dagworth. I believe she has certification in Counseling as well as Healing. While obviously there will be things you can't tell her, she may be able to help you process the loss of your parents. She's in the Resistance, so she's who I've been referring people to who are struggling. Would you be open to that?"

Cedrella nodded, the risk to her sons making her want to get on top of this problem. "Yes," she said firmly. "I'm sorry I was hiding this from you. I don't think I really understood that it was a problem."

Aunt Hermione smiled knowingly. "The first step to fixing any problem, darling, is admitting there is one."

Melok frowned as he heard a knock at his front door. The boys were at the house on Baker with Eileen, only just having been dropped off, and he wasn't expecting anyone. Further, anyone he typically expected usually came by Floo. He honestly couldn't remember the last time someone knocked on his door. Knowing there was nothing to be done for it, he sighed and stood, making his way to the front of his home and opening the door. "Hermione!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Coming to see you, obviously," she replied tersely. "May I come in?"

He stepped aside and waved her in. "Surely," Melok responded. "I'm just surprised to see you. You've been avoiding me."

The Mage rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, the last time we were alone together you snogged me so thoroughly we nearly crossed the bloody line. Forgive me for needing a bit of distance. You may not have to contend with others in your life who are touching you in a similar manner, and having to reckon with the ludicrousness of their touch versus the overwhelming wish it was someone else in their place, Melok, but I do. It's not fair. It's not fair for you to kiss me, and then for me to have to go home to Sirius and him to kiss me while I am still thinking of you."

The Goblin let out a ragged breath. "I'm sorry. At least, I wish I could be more sorry than I am. I'm sorry I'm not more sorry, I suppose. I love you, and I don't regret loving you. Not ever."

She offered a tender look. "Nor I you, darling. Loving you and lusting after you are two separate issues, however. I wish I had the freedom to do both, but I don't."

He nodded, understanding her viewpoint and resolving to do better to not push her into a compromising position. Meanwhile, she had not likely come over here just to discuss the thing between them, so he pushed conversation away from them and on to business. "So. What brings you by?"

"I found your sister," Hermione replied. "I thought retrieving her might go better if you accompanied me. If what you say about her is true, she'll be suspicious of someone she doesn't know telling her that the thing which has kept her running all her life is no longer an issue. Coming from you, however…"

Melok smiled brightly, heart filling with joy. "Yes, yes of course. Nothing I'm working on can't wait, and the boys are with Eileen all day. Where is she?"

"Moscow," Hermione reported. "You were right in suggesting that Violetta knew where to find her. It took an arm, leg and bloody kidney to get Cordatus out of the house. He and Lysandra were yearmates at Hogwarts and even courted for a time. They stayed close, even after they married other people. Since she and Art died, Cordatus has been overprotective of anyone in his path, and I think Violetta is about ready to riot."

He chuckled. "That's saying a lot. She was a Vance. She's literally been bred to be accommodating so if her nerves are that on edge, it must be dreadful."

"I don't know, I knew of a Emmeline Vance, in passing, and from what I heard she was a fighter and woe be the fool who got in her way. On the other hand, I remember Remus saying that Emmeline's Mum was a Diggory, so her fire may have come from that end. Who knows?" Hermione shrugged.

"In any case, have you sorted out transport to Russia?" he inquired. "Or are you planning on taking us yourself?"

"I've never been," the Mage admitted. "We'll take a Portkey to Moscow. I'll bring us back. I do have that ready whenever you are."

Melok pulled a cloak off a nearby hook, knowing Russia was not known for its warmth, and pulled it over his shoulders. He then slipped his hand into Hermione's, and a moment later, the telltale sensation of a Portkey activation was felt. Seconds later, they appeared in an alley in what he presumed was Moscow. "Where are we?" he asked curiously. "Exactly, I mean?"

"Voykovsky District," Hermione replied. "Liz resides in an apartment building not too far from here. Come on."

He nodded as she cast a charm to make him able to walk unnoticed among the Russian Muggles, and then they were off into the fray of the busy streets. They walked for about ten minutes before Hermione pointed to a door ahead and they turned sharply and began up a walk, his Mage not pausing for even a moment before knocking sharply on the door. Melok might have appreciated a few seconds to prepare himself for the reunion with his sister, but Hermione was in business mode.

The door opened after a few seconds, and there she was. Melok drew a sharp breath at the sight of his sister, hardly changed at all. Liz frowned when she saw him. "How the hell did you find me?" she asked.

No hello. No good to see you, little brother. Just a demand. Pushy Witch. Melok rolled his eyes. "Vi, how else?"

His sister scoffed. "I ought to hex the bitch. Who's your girlfriend?"

He choked. "This is Lady Hermione Black, and she is not my girlfriend."

Liz looked Hermione up and down. "Ah. Vi has mentioned you. Head of the Resistance, blah, blah. Tough as nails, etcetera. Will hex anyone who dares mess with my nephews or brother. That was where I got slightly interested. So what are you two doing here? Don't tell me that you came all the way to Russia for a recruitment speech, because that's a hell of a distance to go to and from work, even with magic."

Hermione smirked. "I was recently a part of a negotiation between the Ministry of Magic and the Goblin Nation, which was a prelude for the Ministry turning over all regulation of magical creatures to the Sanctuary Network."

Liz raised an eyebrow. "You mean Magnus' lot?"

His Mage nodded. "I do indeed. You're familiar?"

"The Sanctuary was how I got from my biological parents to the Goblins," his sister shrugged. "I've never actually met the Magnuses, but James talked about Gregory and Helen both. In any case, what's the Sanctuary taking over regulation of creatures have to do with me?"

Hermione tilted her head to the side. "It was in the best interest of myself and another young man I know to ensure that certain patterns of behavior in regard to the Goblins were in effect made illegal in the wake of the new merger. According to your brother, you benefit from this new law."

Melok clarified. "The Goblins now face major legal trouble if they force a royal to wed someone other than a person of their choosing. The spells which eject marital bonds already in place have been rendered outright illegal, the casting of them classed Unforgivable within the Goblin Nation."

Liz's eyes widened in surprise, and her gaze shifted to Hermione. "But you… that means you're…"

"A royal, yes," Hermione confirmed. "The Goblins don't know, and I'd very much prefer they remain ignorant. While the laws may have changed and in the general sense that offers a great deal of freedom for those born of royal lines, I can't risk that they'd be willing to break the law to bind me to a Goblin. Likely, to your brother."

Melok shoved Hermione a little. "You act like that would be horrible."

To his amusement, his Mage laughed. "You know I didn't mean it like that, you prat. Marrying you would be quite lovely, but not at the price we both know we'd have to pay."

Liz waved for them to come inside, and they followed. "You sure she's not your girlfriend, Melok?"

"We are merely good friends, Liz," he replied. "She's Godmother to my sons, and the only mother they know. I presume Vi told you about Genia."

The other Witch nodded. "I was sorry to hear it. She was lovely. What are your sons like?"

"Come back to London and meet them," he urged. "Find out for yourself. It's time to come home, sister."

Liz smirked. "I'm not moving in with you, even if I do come back to London. I'll stay with Vi for the short term, then get a flat of my own. Either that or with Iggy. I can't believe my Godson has four children. How am I that old?"

"Cor wonders the same," Hermione mused, "as they are for all intents and purposes, her grandchildren. That said, I promised the boys to pop by for lunch today, so shall we get a move on?"

"You have a portkey?" his sister inquired.

Melok huffed. "She hardly needs one."

Liz frowned. "You can't apparate from Moscow to London. Not with all your limbs intact."

Hermione huffed. "You do know what your brother's specialty is, do you not?"

"Of course I do!" his sister said, looking indignant. Then, it clicked into place. It was a true rarity for a human woman, a Witch, to get close to a Goblin. Genia had been an anomaly. Hermione's apparent closeness to him, and her reputation for being powerful both magically and politically, could only conclude one thing if you knew his area of expertise and weren't living with your head in the sand like Albus was, and you added the suggestion of an ability to apparate such long distances. "Oh… you're a bleeding Mage, aren't you?"

"Indeed," the other woman confirmed. "As such, I won't have any trouble at all apparating you and your brother back to London. We did take a portkey here, but only because I'd not been to Moscow before. It'll be one more checkmark on a list for me. I rather like the notion of being able to go anywhere in a blink."

Liz rolled her eyes a bit and then began flicking her wand about, her possessions quickly packing into an open suitcase. He observed that it appeared to be bottomless, the items never seeming to fill the small case. Hermione and Melok both chipped in, assisting in packing, and after about ten minutes the entire apartment was bare and contained in the suitcase. "Ready when you are," his sister declared.

"Don't you have any goodbyes you need to take care of?" Hermione asked with a frown.

Melok snorted. "Liz barely does hellos. She doesn't make ties, love. There's nobody who matters enough to her to warrant a goodbye."

His sister kicked his shin. "You're a prat." Then, she turned to Hermione. "He's right, though. Let's go."

"Steel toed boots?" he asked, glowering as he rubbed his now tender leg. "Was that entirely necessary?"

A few seconds later, they were standing in front of the house on Baker Street. Hermione let go of the siblings and offered them each an impish grin before striding forward and moving up the walk, neither Melok nor his sister saying a thing as they followed. Hermione opened the door and walked inside. "Hello!" she called.

"MERNTE!" came an excited call from two voices, followed by the sound of a stampede of feet.

"They call her Mum?" Liz asked, peering at him with a curious expression.

Melok sighed, watching as Filius and Caelum wrapped themselves around Hermione, and she around them. A tender feeling enveloped him and a smile formed on his lips. "She is their mother, Liz. Genia may have birthed them, but Hermione is their mother in every way that matters."

His sister gave him an incredulous look, and smacked him upside the head. "You idiot," she said lowly.

"What was that for?" he hissed.

She shook her head ruefully. "Falling for a married woman. Gods, Melok. You're so dumb."

Melok rubbed the back of his head. Why had he missed his annoyingly perceptive sister again?

"Hello Father," Filius greeted, trotting up to him and pulling him into a warm hug. It was odd, but at five his son was nearly as tall as he was. "Who's your friend?"

Caelum, his more cautious child, was hiding behind Hermione's leg while still looking at Liz with interest. He sighed. "Boys, this is Liz Koch. She's my elder sister, and as such, your aunt."

Filius frowned. "You never told us you had a sister, Father."

"Are we going to have a sister now, too?" Caelum spoke up.

"Gods, no," he laughed. "I can hardly keep up with the two of you! Besides, trust me, sisters can be quite mean. It's far better to have a brother."

Liz smirked. "I don't know. Having a brother can be troublesome. They're always in your stuff and following you around and you have to teach them right from wrong and Merlin do they land themselves in trouble which of course, you've got to get them out of. Or, perhaps, I'm just talking about your father."

The boys both giggled. "Was Father trouble as a child?" Caelum inquired.

"My dear nephew, your father is trouble now," his sister replied. "Don't let him tell you otherwise."

"That's the ruddy truth," Hermione added.

Liz smirked. "See boys. Even your Mernte agrees with me."

Melok couldn't help but note that the boys' approval of his sister went into high gear the moment she referred to Hermione as their Mernte. So often people new to their lives chose the more technical term of Godmother in reference, and it bothered the boys when they did. As he'd said, Filius and Caelum might have been birthed by Genia, but when it came down to it, Hermione Black was the one raising them. That was just an irrefutable fact. He should never kiss her lips again, but it wouldn't change that she was the mother of his sons.

The door to the Hog's Head slammed open and closed, and Aberforth had barely managed to glance up when Agatha Filch's hands slammed down on the counter inches from his position. "What did you tell your daughter, Abe? She seems bound and determined to set us up on a bloody date."

He groaned. "That girl."

Agatha pointed vaguely toward his shelf of liquor, and he reached back and grabbed a tumbler and a bottle of Remy Martin. He tossed a few ice cubes in the glass and then poured her a decent measure, knowing by her mood that she'd likely want a fair amount just now. "Thanks," the Latin Professor muttered, inhaling the scent of the cognac for a few seconds before taking a first sip.

"I didn't tell her much," Aberforth then remarked as he poured himself a measure of Firewhiskey. "She noticed the familiarity between us when I was in the Infirmary a while back, after that brawl, and called me on it. I merely admitted to a history between us. I told her why things didn't work out, so I don't know what she's thinking, pressing the issue."

"Spending too much time with Professor Black, I'd imagine," his former flame said, looking amused. "As a rule, that woman is always keen to resolve differences between those in discord."

"But we're not in the middle of a discord!" Aberforth grumbled, sipping his drink. "So our romantic relationship didn't work out. Fine. We managed to maintain the friendship, for which I'm glad. Kicking up a fuss over the romance not working out is ridiculous! I'm perfectly happy being single."

Agatha snorted. "I wouldn't mind a shag sometime this decade, and you know full well I've never been one to abide casual sex."

He frowned. "This is my problem, how?"

She shrugged, seeming to think about it. "I don't know, Abe. I suppose in the wake of your daughter poking and prodding I got thinking about the reasons we stopped seeing one another, and I can't help but wonder how relevant they are anymore. What were the big issues? My struggle with your hatred for Albus, and your struggle with my hatred for Slytherins, correct?"

Aberforth considered the question. There had been other issues, yes, but she was correct in saying those were the major ones, and was quickly able to see what she was concluding. "And you suggest that those things, those major issues, are no longer relevant. My relationship with Albus may never be perfect, but it's amicable now. You, in the wake of working with the Resistance, have come to see that there are plenty of Slytherins other than myself who are not outright evil. I understand you've gotten quite friendly with Cedrella Weasley."

"As well as Helen Magnus, who certainly would have been a Slytherin had she been born magical," Agatha reported. "I'm also on good terms with Sirius Black, Dorea Potter, Richard Feliz, and Svetlana Lestrange, among a few others. I'm not sure I'd say I was friends with any one of them, per se, but I'd call none of them evil in the slightest. They're good people, even if they are Slytherins. Just like you, Aberforth."

He blinked, the implication washing over him. Aberforth wasn't sure he'd call Agatha Filch the one who got away, but in the years since they'd stopped seeing one another, no other woman had come close to holding his interest or affection the way she had, and in the years before her, no other woman aside from Poppy's mother, Evelyn, had kept his attention for more than a brief time. The barman had been in agreement with his former lover that parting ways when they did was the correct thing to do, however he found himself once again agreeing with her that the things which made them incompatible then were perhaps no longer relevant. Dare they try again? Was he prepared to put his heart on the line one more time for this Witch, especially knowing war was brewing and losing her could be an issue of death just as easily as it could be an issue of a decision to part ways?

"Aggie," he said softly. "We're heading into a war."

"In my mind, that makes it all the more reason to take the chance," she replied, reaching out her hand and laying it on top of his. "If the coming war does claim one or both of our lives, Abe, I don't want that to happen and have either of us needing to go on with a question of what might have been. Neither of us are Gryffindors, Merlin knows, so I shan't give you a speech about being brave. Might I convince you to be logical about it, however? Suggest that we logically parted ways all those years ago, and since those reasons we had then no longer apply, then logically it is only good sense that we come back together now. It isn't as though either of us is attached to anyone else."

"You're certain?" Aberforth pressed.

She looked at him tenderly. "Darling, love was never a question between us. It was simply one of compatibility. I never stopped loving you, and that you haven't moved on or denied my proposal outright already tells me that you never stopped caring for me either. If we already have love and we believe the incompatibilities have been resolved, then what stands in the way? Nothing. At least, nothing that can't be worked through. Yes, I'm certain."

With a soft smile, he picked up her hand and gently kissed the back of it. "In that case, my dear, I do believe I owe you a date. If we're going to do this, we do so properly. When is your next evening off?"

"Tomorrow," Agatha reported with a light blush.

"Then tomorrow at six I'll pick you up at your quarters," he decided. "Dress Muggle. I'm taking you to Rules."

She let out a laugh. "You really don't do anything by half, do you?"

Aberforth shook his head. "Not with you, my dear."

PLEASE REVIEW!