Chapter Three

Dark and Black

The scent of tanna filled the air as Zack Black opened the front door, glancing first at the tall dark stranger before smiling warmly at Lunette. "Welcome back, Lunette! I take it this is your plus one?"

"In a manner of speaking," Lunette said with amusement. "Bres, this is Zack. Zack, this is Bres, my husband."

"Your what?" Zack said, stunned. Then he walked inside the house. Lunette followed behind, while Bres, uncertain if they had actually been given permission to enter, only took a step over the threshold and waited.

Zack wasn't in the slightest bit concerned, striding over to the archway leading into the kitchen.

"Hey Dad! Did Alex say anything about who Lunette was bringing with her?" Zack asked, staring in the doorway.

"Yeah, a friend from the Otherworld, why?" Bres heard a man's voice say.

"Because she didn't bring a friend. She brought a husband," Zack explained.

A hand appeared on the doorframe. Then a head and then a man appeared, and Sirius stared at the Fae in the doorway. He looked over at Lunette accusingly.

"You got married without telling Anna?" Sirius asked flatly.

"I got married without telling anybody… well, anybody that wasn't there," Lunette confessed.

"Come here, you!" Sirius commanded. He stepped out and squinted seriously at her as she walked over before giving her a hug. Then Sirius strode over to Bres, sized him up with the same serious expression, then hugged him too, patting him on the back. "Come away from the door, you're letting the damp in. I have a pot of tanna on the stove. Lunette, how about some coffee?"

"I would kill for a good cup of coffee," Lunette replied.

"No need to go that far. It's not worth digging up the backyard for," Sirius decided.

"Aren't you always digging up the backyard anyway?" Lunette asked.

"Not since I've been dry, no," Sirius admitted as he led them back into the kitchen. "Does the husband have a name and a moniker?"

"Moniker?" Bres inquired.

"Your honored title," Lunette explained.

"I am Lord Bres the Meticulous, Second son of Kon Rigbarn of the Wasted North."

"The name doesn't sound familiar," Sirius admitted. "Sirius the Immaculate, Wizard blessed by Aepheri. You're not an enemy of the Danaan, are you?"

"I am not," Bres replied solemnly.

"That's a good thing, then, because there are a lot of people in this house that have Danaan blood in one way or another, so it's better to get that out of the way from the start. Tanna or coffee?"

"What is coffee?" Bres asked.

"I'll give you both," Sirius decided, opening a tin of biscuits on the table and getting them some drinks. "Zack, you wanna get some coals going for grilling?"

"Does Bres eat meat?" Zack asked.

"Alex said meat was okay. It is okay, right?" Sirius said.

"We've always eaten whatever we could to survive," Bres admitted.

"In that case, I'll get out the American hot dogs, that should be a novelty," Zack said, going over to the kitchen door.

"Right now, everything's a novelty, trust me," Lunette said with amusement.

"Alexandria also said that you might need somewhere to stay that's Fae friendly. You're welcome to stay here, we've got plenty of room and nobody's using the guest floors on the third floor at the moment. At least not until the next crisis, at any rate," Sirius joked.

"Have there been many of those since I left?" Lunette asked thoughtfully.

"Now that you mention it, no. It's been pretty quiet since the circus moved out of town. Most of the drama has been political in nature, including growing pains having to do with the school," Sirius explained.

Lunette pointed at him accusingly.

"Dusthorn house!" she declared, and Sirius nodded. "We ran into a student at the newspaper stand who said he was from Dusthorn house! I can't believe Severus allowed that name to become a house!"

"He had absolutely no say in it," Sirius chuckled, shaking his head. "Apparently Albus put a rule in place for new hours decades ago and he made sure that the students were the only ones that could name a house to keep the questionable board from choosing something that matched their politics."

"Smart!" Lunette said with appreciation. "Even with that in there, I'm still shocked that Severus made a new house. I know how badly he tries to avoid politics."

"He had nothing to do with that, either. Maybe I should start from the beginning," Sirius decided.

Bres attempted to listen as best he could to the strange story about a school and a talking hat and something about a boy named Quintin, but even though he was constantly using magic to translate, none of it made any sense and he quickly lost interest. Instead, he was much more curious about why Zack was going in and out of the kitchen door, and decided to quietly slip out to see what he was doing. He watched with keen interest as he built small black bricks inside a large brick structure. It burned quite hot, the flames licking high for a moment or two before dying down to the point that Zack put down a long grate that fit snugly across each end.

Zack glanced around, noticing how carefully he was being watched.

"Do you want to help me set up some tables?" Zack asked Bres. "A lot of people coming will want to sit outside."

"Even though it rained this morning?" Bres said, noticing that the ground was still damp.

"It'll dry out before most people arrive," Zack assured him. "It sounded to me like Alex was inviting a lot of people over, so we need to prepare for that."

"How many people do you mean by 'a lot'?" Bres wanted to know.

"Well, even if she decided to only invite immediate family and friends to this impromptu party, it'll be at least three dozen people," Zack guessed.

"So many! And at such short notice! What an imposition!" Bres exclaimed, rather horrified by her boldness.

"Oh, don't worry about it! My father loves a good summer grilling party, even when it's last minute," Zack reassured Bres with a smile, making sure the flames had completely died down to a flicker over the charcoal. "The tables are over here by the shed," he said, then led them over. "So what is your job, when you're not just being 'second son' to a Lord? Do you have a profession, or certain duties or something?"

"By profession I am a scholar," Bres replied, following him.

"Does that mean you're a teacher?" Zack asked.

"While I sometimes teach, that is merely an extension of my duties. My main job is to gather any and all information so that if my father or any of his advisors need specific information about something that I can provide them with the answers they require," Bres explained.

"I see, so you're like a reference librarian or research assistant," Zack decided. "That makes sense… I mean, Lunette is very intellectual and even dedicated her own order to books, so it's not that big of a surprise that she ended up with someone with a profession like that."

"What do your duties entail?" Bres asked.

"I see dead people," Zack whispered ominously, then grinned when Bres blinked unsurely. "I'm joking. I'm a ghost psychologist. I help spirits control their angst to help them move on, to fit in with their host residence, or sometimes to help an undead excavator relocate them to a safer spot. Do you want to get that end for me?"

Bres quickly studied what Zack was doing and grabbed the other end of the folded wooden table, soon finding himself walking backward a moment then swung around and pulled forward as Zack led him to where the first table was going to go.

"Do spirits in this land often need that sort of spiritual guidance?" Bres asked once the benches were put in place.

Zack straight up.

"Was that pun intentional?" Zack asked, staring him down, then detected a hidden smile. "You have my uncle's sense of humor. You'll get along fine here," Zack decided, leading him back over to the shed.

"Well, it is hard to do much wordplay when I'm stuck in translation, but I do my best," Bres said. By the third table, Bres had corrected his movements and felt he was playing an equal part in the chore.

"Come away from the tree a bit more. We always leave two or three chairs over there in case the crowd gets to be too much for Uncle Mitch. He prefers more quiet ways of interacting," Zack explained.

"As do I, really. As a king's son, I am also well versed in dealing with crowds, and meeting and greeting dignitaries is no difficult feat. But give me a book in solitude or with one who enjoys it well, then I am at my happiest," Bres admitted.

"There are a couple of studies in this house filled with books, my father's and my mother's… not to mention bookshelves in random spots all over the house. Can you translate written words with translation magic too?" Zack asked, handing him a folded chair.

"Not as easily, no. It is easier to translate for living creatures… my wife calls it… Life Magic? Wild Magic?" Bres mused.

"Probably both. Those are very similar terms here," Zack explained. "Life Magic encompasses spells both instinctual and taught that are specific to living beings and plants, whereas Wild Magic, the house of Magic that Life Magic is in, encompasses all of nature, so it includes things that propagate life too, like the weather and growing techniques."

"And healing?" Bres asked, handing the chair back to Zack since he was unsure how to open it.

"Healing is under the house of magic called Light Magic, because other than instinctual healing, most of those methods need to be taught. So Light Magic is a formal school of magic. In other words, it's like an evolved, cultivated house that is based on Wild Magic, but is technically its own house. Light Magic includes not only healing, a lot of everyday charms and transfigurations that help life a bit easier, and passive types of defensive spells," Zack explained.

"In our world, there are only two kinds of magic… magic used by creatures who dwell in the light, and magic used by creatures that dwell in darkness," Bres said.

"Really? That's completely different than how we teach it," Zack realized with a frown. "Dark magic here is all of the destructive arts… curses, poisons and hexed items, death and subversion, brutal warfare and defense… all that kind of stuff… anything that harms or destroys life, it's the opposite of Light Magic, except it too, is a formal school, and an offshoot of Ancient Magic, which encompasses everything that Wild Magic doesn't cover, like Elemental Magic and Time," he explained, sitting down in the chair for a moment. "So a lot of people… not in this family, but a lot of people… think of Light Magic as being good and Dark Magic being evil."

"Was there a specific reason that you excluded your family from this distinction in your magic labeling?" Bres wondered.

"Yeah, but I'm not there yet, because the labelling here goes farther than that," Zack admitted. "Because we also label all creatures that are maliciously harmful to Muggles, Wizards, and Wizard allies as Dark Creatures. In other words, they're synonymous with Evil Creatures."

"What about all of the creatures who don't want to harm your kind are good?" Bres asked dubiously.

"Mostly we call them Magical Beasts," Zack explained.

"I see. And what of races of a higher intelligence who are not seen as Wizard allies? Where do they fit?"

"Sentient races are treated as diplomatic entities, really…"

"Ah. Is that why my wife's friend called this a diplomatic party?" Bres asked.

"Could be," Zack said thoughtfully. "Of course, since your race isn't really native to ours, it's not like there's an established diplomatic relationship, is there?"

"Well, considering the reception I encountered this morning coupled with what you are telling me now, I can easily guess that my race is considered a Dark Creature, and therefore evil."

"Yes," Zack admitted.

"Then I suppose it will not alarm you to hear that my race has always considered humans as filthy vermin, best disposed of quickly so as not to infect our society," Bres said, and Zack simply gazed at him steadily. "Furthermore, that opinion only changed a few months ago. When the demons were expelled, my father felt forced to move rapidly to secure our position and reaffirm his territorial boundaries. Those we once called the Unseelie Court had not only secured Lilith's kingdom, but had rapidly made alliances with the King of the Faelands, and the Seelie Courts, which protected many of our sworn enemies. And to hear that we owed this new peace because of a human wizard, it was quite… shocking. It was so jarring that it made for uncomfortable exchanges between us all. My father, well known for his blunt assessments no matter how harsh the reality, sent both his allegiance and his concerns to the king, as well as sending me along as a method of formal alliance."

"You mean it's an arranged marriage?" Zack realized. "I wonder why Lunette went along with it?"

"Even if it hadn't been Fated to be together, we both had everything to gain and nothing to lose from such an arrangement," Bres replied. "I was always Fated to marry a princess from the Most Distant Land. It has proven to be a kind Fate, because I love her dearly. She is strong-willed and vibrant, is she not?"

"Personally, I would have found Lunette's past intimidating," Zack admitted with a chuckle. "Not because she's a different race, but because she'd had half a dozen husbands and the mother of several different family lines."

"Oh, I am benefitting from that experience as well," Bres said with a hint of amusement.

"I'll bet," Zack said with a smirk..

"HEY!"

The two of them looked over at Sirius, who was standing just outside of the kitchen door with his hands on his hips.

"You could have told me that the grill was ready to go!" Sirius yelled at Zack. Lunette peered out over his head.

"Sorry, Dad! I was busy teaching Bres some stuff!" Zack said.

"Then keep teaching him how to prep those tables!" Sirius told them.

"Hullo!" Zoe said, walking around from the front with two young girls in tow. "I thought I heard you yelling, Dad! I take it we're having a grilling party?" Zoe asked, lifting up the lid to the cold tray to see how much was in it only for Sirius to swat it down.

In the exchange, they had missed the fact that one of the young girls had stopped cold in fear. Bres looked up curiously to see a girl of mixed race standing near the grill, staring at the stranger with the dark tendrils licking around his aura.

Letting out a high pitched scream of terror, Aubrey Lynn ran in the house, ignoring her mother's shouts as she ran inside.

"What the blazes is wrong with her?" Zoe asked, turning around to look over at Zack and a tall, handsome dark-haired man with Elven ears who was helping Zack bring out some tablecloths and was wincing in pain from the noise. "Sorry about that! I don't know what's gotten into her! Hi, I'm Zoe, Zack's sister. Are you one of his ghost excavation friends?" Zoe guessed.

"This is Lord Bres. He's a… what are you?" Zack asked.

"A Delf," Bres replied.

"He's Lunette's new husband," Sirius added, putting some mutton chops on the grill.

"Whaaaaat?" Zoe exclaimed.

Then she went inside, and they all heard her tell everyone inside.

Meanwhile, Jillian, who had simply been standing there watching everyone react, had long gotten used to her father's creepy friends and walked over to Zack, leaning up against him.

"That's my girl! You're not scared of Lord Bres, are you?" Zack said, hugging his daughter proudly.

"Lord Moor is scarier," Jillian decided, and Zack chuckled.

"She's referring to my best friend, he's a Necromancer… he can animate corpses," Zack explained.

"I could see how that might be unappealing to some," Bres agreed. "Others might see it as ingenious recycling." Zack grinned at him.

"We're going to spread the tablecloths, so why don't you go inside and ask for some plates and things?" Zack asked, and she ran inside.

"Your daughter is very pretty. She must take after her mother," Bres commented. Zack laughed.

"She does, thank you, but I have two boys off to college this year who take after my side of the family," Zack said.

"I see. And what is college?" Bres asked. Zack opened his mouth and then closed it again.

"You know that? That'll take more explaining. Let's just concentrate on getting ready for now. The fact that Zoe's back with the girls means that my mother will be getting off work soon," Zack said. "Let's see if we can get set up before then."

"Very well, what's next?" Bres said after straightening the last of the tablecloths.

"Head inside to see what the witches have ready for us to bring out," Zack explained.

As they walked beside the grill, Bres paused for a moment to see what Sirius was cooking.

"Were those once Magical Beasts or Dark Creatures?" Bres inquired. Sirius looked at Bres speculatively then pointed with his cooking fork.

"Magic sheep. Magic cow. Magic pig," Sirius informed Bres. Zack laughed.

"Just what makes them magic, Dad?" he asked.

"My grilling sauce," Sirius explained.

Zack shook his head with a grin and led Bres inside.

Anna still had her head down at the computer when Thomas and Aurelius stepped into the BELA office to look at her. Thomas glanced at his watch.

"Hey! Can't it wait? We're going to be late," Thomas complained.

"It's a grill party. Most of the guests who are planning to go aren't going to show up on time, Thomas," Anna said, trying to finish up her email.

"I am not most guests, and I am curious as to why Alexandria wanted me specifically to come, especially when Mage decided that Trixie was safer at my house. Something's fishy about that, I've never known Mage to get that rattled before," Thomas pointed out.

"Alex didn't seem too worried about it," Anna said.

"Couldn't tell you, she messaged me through a painting, but it did sound like she was planning to invite Father and Mum too," Aurelius said.

"Yeah, that sounds safe," Thomas said sarcastically, and went to reception so they could take Anna's key back.

But the moment they landed on the front lawn, Anna began to glow brightly. So bright, in fact, that even in the late afternoon sun, it was enough to make both Thomas and Aurelius turn and stare at her.

"Why are you doing that?" Aurelius asked.

"I seem to be reacting to something," Anna replied unsurely.

"We got that part, but to what?" Thomas asked seriously. "You're not pregnant again, are you?"

"No!" Anna immediately protested giving him a dirty look. "It's a threat of some kind." Thomas and Aurelius both took out their wands, checking the security to make sure it hadn't been breached.

"It has to be coming from outside of the perimeter somewhere, that's the only thing that makes sense," Aurelius said.

"But everyone's going to be out near the grill," Anna said with alarm, moving towards the side of the house.

Before she had turned the corner, Zack had heard the sound of a Raven and turned to see a Patronus appear.

"Zacchius! Change forms now, Bres is in danger!" croaked the Raven.

Gasping in surprise, Zacchius took his Unicorn form just as his mother came around the corner, a bright flash of white barreling towards them as her magic instinctively attempted to protect her. Instantly realizing the danger, the Unicorn stood tall in front of Bres, shielding him from the burst of magic and absorbing it as it hit.

"Zack!" Sirius shouted.

Several things happened at once as Aurelius ran over to the Unicorn Stallion and Sirius ran towards Anna to try to keep it from happening again. Realizing the timing was too perfect not to have been an intervention, Thomas checked the time.

Hearing the commotion, Lunette and Zoe looked outside. Zoe called out to Juliet and they went running over.

"He's alright," Aurelius assured Zoe and Juliet, his hand on the Unicorn's neck. "Changing to a Unicorn helped him absorb the energy coming in. What about you? Are you alright?"

"I believe so," Bres said, regaining his composure.

"I am so sorry about all of this," Lunette said sincerely. "I really wasn't expecting things to get this out of hand. I should have warned everyone from the start what to expect, especially Anna."

"Lunette? What are you -"

"Woah! Stay back there, Anna," Sirius immediately interrupted. "You're still glowing, you should probably keep some distance until we're sure that's not going to happen again. It's not good manners to fry one of our guests."

"I didn't do it on purpose!" Anna said, flustered. "My magic reacted like we were under some sort of direct threat, like from a Dementor, or a Wight, or some other Dark Creature."

"Ah, so I am a Dark Creature! I knew it," Bres said expressionlessly.

"It was a misunderstanding. I should have given my friends more warning. I just thought they'd be accepting," Lunette blurted out apologetically.

"And you can continue to believe so," Sirius said firmly. "Because from what I've seen so far, I like him."

"Me too," Zoe agreed with a smile. Zack changed forms, looking a bit tired and unkempt but otherwise alright.

"So do I," Zack said. "I'd go so far as to say even Uncle Severus must like him considering what he did to help protect him."

"Did I hear my name for some reason?" Zack heard Severus say, and everyone looked over to see him standing in the kitchen doorway.

"When did you get here?" Sirius asked.

"Just now," Severus replied. "Jennifer and I came in from the floo only to notice the Wild Magic detectors were going off. Is everyone alright?"

"Thanks to you, apparently," Sirius said. Severus squinted at him in apparent confusion.

"Um… Severus. A word in the front if you don't mind," Thomas suggested, and Severus stepped away from the door as Thomas went to meet him around the corner. In his place, Jennifer looked out curiously.

"We're here! Is Alexandria here yet?" Jennifer asked.

"No, but come out here a moment, Jennifer, so I don't have to delay this any longer," Lunette said.

Jennifer opened the door, glancing over at Zack reassuring Zoe and Juliet before talking to the tall, dark-haired Fae next to him.

"So is that your husband, then?" Jennifer asked curiously.

Lunette slapped her head.

"After all that trouble I went through to set this up as a secret so that you wouldn't pick it up! Who told you?" Lunette asked.

"Nobody told me, Lunette, it was obvious," Jennifer said, stepping out of the house. "Remus and Carol, as well as Ashley and Toby, said they were late because of a wedding, and that you might have gotten tangled up with something having to do with your Fate. So when Alexandria told me you had returned and brought someone back with you, I knew you had gotten married, especially after that display you made at Andrew's wedding."

"You got married?" Anna said in utter disbelief.

"There's your surprise," Sirius offered helpfully, pointing at his wife.

"Gee, thanks," Lunette said dryly, but when Anna attempted to take a step forward, she began to glow brighter.

"Back! Back, foul angel of justice! Maybe I'll feed you from there. Someone want to move that first table?" Sirius said.

"You're no help!" Anna scolded him.

"I am really sorry, Anna. If I knew that surprising you with this was going to cause this much trouble, I never would have tried it," Lunette said as she walked over.

"It wouldn't have helped," said a woman who was walking up from the path.

Lunette and Anna looked over to see Lady Viviane walking up with Severus at her side. In fact, Anna was more surprised to see her brother walking next to her than she was seeing Viviane there in the first place.

"Even if you would have informed Anna that you had been married to a Svartalfar and was bringing him to meet you, she would have been ill-prepared for her magic's rejection of his presence," Lady Viviane assured Lunette. "Her instinct lies in her ancestry, not in the present. Please remain for a moment, Anna, and I will help you resolve the matter."

"Thanks, Aunt Viv," Anna said, watching curiously as Viviane and Lunette walked over to where Zack and Bres were standing.

Lunette gave Zack a soft, approving smile.

"Introduce me to your new friend, Zacchius," Viviane said.

"Aunt Viviane, this is Lord Bres the Meticulous, a Svartalfar fated to marry Lunette… damned if I remember his father's name, but yes, he is a friend," Zack introduced.

Bres sighed with frustration.

"I do not mind that you forgot my father's name since we just met, Zack, but you do your aunt a dishonor by not introducing her properly. I can clearly see that she is an Aes Sidhe and a True Danaan," Bres complained. "Surely she deserves a better introduction than that."

"Oh, um… This is Viviane of the Crystal Lake, the current Guardian of Fates, and I don't know if she has an Otherworld moniker or anything," Zack said.

"If we are going to be friends, we are going to need to work on your court etiquette," Bres decided drolly.

"Formality is quite rare in this world, and in some places, it disappears almost completely," Viviane informed Bres. "You will likely know me best as the Oracle of Dana."

"Ah! I have indeed heard of you, and the story of the Oracle Child. It is one of the few stories told where your people were portrayed in a more positive light," Bres admitted with a slight twitch of the lip.

"I expect no less from the once allies of the Unseelie Court, enemies of Morrigan," Viviane said.

Hearing the name of Morrigan, Sirius became more curious and uncharacteristically handed his spatula off to Aurelius, stepping closer so he could hear better.

"Were it not for the interference of Fomorians, perhaps things would have been turbulent," Bres said philosophically. "As it happens, however, the long awaited reconciliation is finally coming to pass. We are now allied with the Shadowed Courts, who have diplomatic ties to the Seelie Court. While there is still much to work out and negotiations often heated, everyone seems hopeful for a time of peace."

"Yes, but the task has just begun, and a lot of work will need to be done to achieve it and maintain it. One does not end generations of hatred with the stroke of a pen, as much as we might wish it," Viviane said solemnly. "Your path here is unlikely to be much easier, especially considering your mission. This gathering is filled with those who will defend you, and as you have learned already, even that is not without its perils. Severus, I trust you will warn your Fomorion daughter-in-law of our visitor."

"I will make certain of it, Aunt Viviane," Severus said, still standing on the other side of her.

"I was not even aware that there were still Fomorians in this world," Bres admitted.

"Few remain. In fact, few of any races remain other than human, and all must hide among them to protect themselves," Vivian explained. "The humans with magic known as witches and wizards are aware that they are not the only living race upon this world, but even then are wary of any sentient being they do not find useful."

"You make it sound as if it's hardly any better than what we faced holed up in our city surrounded by Lilith's demons," Bres said.

"Then I believe you are prepared. Let me see what I can do about Anna," Viviane said, turning and walking over to her. Bres frowned as he watched her go.

"I want to see how she's going to do this," Sirius said, followed behind Viviane and Severus, who was still keeping pace with her.

"Alright, Bres?" Zack asked.

"I admit I am a bit unsettled. I meant that last comment as a jest," Bres admitted.

"I didn't like the comparison either, to be perfectly honest, but at the same time, I can see where she's coming from," Zack said. "Humans are a bit… complicated."

"So I am quickly learning," Bres replied.

"Now, Anna," Viviane said. "What you are experiencing is an inherited phobia. It is no different than a human's inherent fear of spiders, snakes, and other poisonous creatures. Long ago, his people were cunning self-serving mercenaries who had no objection to any order the Unseelie gave them so long as they received their share of the spoils."

"I may have heard some of those stories as well," Bres confessed to Zack quietly, who simply smirked.

"Even in his own world, you are comparing him to his Great Grandfather… in ours, eons have passed, it would be like comparing a Norwegian librarian to a Viking raider. Now that Fate and Free Will have come together to cast the first stitch needed to mend this wound, so too must we learn to acknowledge that the wound exists and unburden the children of those who caused it," Viviane explained, offering her hand to Anna.

Anna took it and was led over to Bres, her grip tightening reflexively from restraint.

"Bres, this is Tatiana Danaan, descendent of Morrigan, and a Vessel of the True Forms; here, it is referred to as an Aethermage," Viviane explained.

"An impressive combination, and somewhat daunting," Bres admitted, bowing regally.

"It's daunting for me too," Anna replied bluntly.

"State your business and intention," Viviane demanded impatiently.

Bres glanced around in hopes of getting some cues. Instead, he saw only curious people with varying degrees of understanding as to what was going on. Lunette simply nodded to him with her warm, encouraging smile.

"I have come to inform you of my people's alliance with the King of the Shadowlands, and friends of the Faelands Courts. I have come as an escort of my wife, Princess Islene, to better understand her culture. I seek only knowledge and friendship, and wish no harm to anyone," Bres said sincerely. "I beg your forgiveness for my abrupt arrival without previous announcement, and ask that you allow me to stay and avail myself of your family's wisdom so that I may learn your customs and do not overstep my boundaries a second time."

"Sure," said Anna.

Viviane sighed, attempting to ignore Zoe's sniggering in the background as she placed Anna's hand in his, the glow around Anna quickly fading away.

"There, now the matter is settled," Viviane said.

"Well, maybe Mum's not glowing anymore, but if you think you're going to learn manners for us, Bres, I have a bridge to sell you," Zack said.

"It's royal court talk. I heard them talk like that all the time in the Otherworld," Sirius informed his son. "It translates to, 'please don't fry me, and let us use the third floor suite,'"

"I also would like to offer my condolences that your Fate led you to such a common-tongued husband," Bres added for good measure.

"How dare you! I am a descendent of the Ancient Kings!" Sirius said with exaggerated outrage.

"Hey Ancient King, how do you feel about well done chops?" Aurelius asked, and Sirius immediately dropped the act and went over to rescue his grill.

"You are staying, aren't you, Aunt Viv?" Anna asked.

"I think I shall, so that I may have time to spend with my youngest goddaughter," Viviane replied.

"Well, right now she's up in her room with the door locked refusing to come down because there's a scary man down here," Zoe explained.

"I see I still have work yet to do today," Viviane said with exasperation, going into the mansion to fetch her as everyone else worked together to set up the rest of the food and sort out who was going to sit where.

It was just as the first trays of meat were being put on the table that Alex showed up with some paperwork in hand, immediately getting flagged over by Thomas so that he could look it over.

"About time you showed up, considering all of this was your idea," Sirius greeted Alexandria accusingly.

"I'm sorry, but it's a weekend, so I had a hell of a time getting everyone's signatures that I needed for Bres' paperwork. I really need to file it as quickly as possible," Alex explained. "I also brought you forms from the U.S. Wizard's Affairs office for marrying an International."

"Marrying an International?" Thomas repeated dubiously.

"Well, I don't know what else one would call it," Alex replied.

"With Americans, you never know… not that our forms are any better when it comes to marrying out of species," Thomas admitted, signing one of the scrolls before flipping to the next one.

"Is it really necessary for all of this to be done right this very moment?" Jennifer protested.

"Yes," Thomas and Alexandria said immediately.

Even Severus and Zack were nodding in agreement.

"Jennifer, you of all people know perfectly well what can happen if the wrong people decide to start questioning anyone that doesn't fit their narrative as acceptable in Wizard society, I don't blame Alexandria in the slightest for trying to curb any political protests from the very beginning," Severus said.

"Not only does it save us headaches, but it's the best way to protect him just in case anyone starts quoting lines out of Defense books about what they're capable of," Alexandria said.

"What books are these?" Bres asked curiously, setting another tray on the serving table. "Might I see one?"

Alex glanced at Thomas, who pretended to be concentrating on the document in front of him.

"They're not exactly complimentary," Alex admitted.

"I wouldn't have thought so, all things considered," Bres said, unoffended.

"I have some in my cloak, but it would take some work to translate. If you like, I can do so and leave them in the corridor next to your room," Severus offered. "Do you understand High Fae or Sidhe?"

"Either would work," Bres replied. Lady Viviane came out of the house with a young girl that was unquestionably Half-Danaan clinging to one side to her warily, taking a seat together at the far end. Not long after, John Carnegie came out with a large tray of tarts.

"Good afternoon, all! What a crowd you have! I'm glad Mitch sent along plenty of extras," John said cheerfully.

"Mitch didn't come?" Jennifer frowned, a bit disappointed.

"I'm afraid I just couldn't talk him into it," John said.

"Well someone else will have to deal with that, I have done more than my fair share already," Viviane protested.

"Quite alright. He cared enough to bake and expressed his regrets, and that does matter," John said, setting down the tray.

"Fair enough," Lunette said.

"Feel free to go ahead and start! These hot dogs won't take any time at all," Sirius insisted.

"Too much? You want me to get you a selection?" Lunette asked Bres when she noticed he was in no hurry to find a seat.

Everyone there was so warm now… despite the nervousness, and the rocky start. But Bres couldn't help but feel a little unsettled by the fact that this was likely to be the warmest of receptions he was going to get. He glanced at his wife thoughtfully.

"Don't worry, Bres. I'm up to the challenge! And so are you, or you wouldn't have married me," Lunette reasoned with an amused smile.

"Your logic wants for nothing but a bit of sentiment," Bres said dryly.

"If my logic is colored by sentiment it's only because I love you," Lunette quietly reassured him. "Do you want to try the magic cow or the magic sheep?" she asked with a straight expression.

"Are those strange hot dog rolls magic as well?" Bres asked.

"Only at ballparks," Lunette replied, and got such a confused expression that she and everyone at their end of the table ended up spending nearly a half an hour explaining baseball to Bres.

"So what do you think?" Sirius asked, giving him an almost sideways glance.

They were all sitting at different tables at that point, and Sirius had waited until Bres had taken a tentative bite out of the burger, knowing full well the conundrum it would put the Delf in having to deal with both the food in his mouth and the question. Bres looked around, noticing that everyone at his table was looking intently at him with hidden smiles.

"It is not unlike the feast the King Iuchan gave after our wedding," Bres replied after a moment, Lunette chuckled at that, knowing how rowdy her grandfather and his men had gotten that night.

"Yeah, but what do you think of the burger?" Sirius said, not missing a beat.

"I like how the bread makes it so that I can eat everything together, it is quite efficient," Bres said, missing when some of the dressing fell out the back end of it.

"I'll try again. What do you think of the meat in the burger that I grilled for you?" Sirius asked.

"Oh! It is quite good. Flavorful and very easy to chew," Bres said at last.

"Try the American hot dog too," Sirius suggested, pointing at it on his plate.

Bres learned it wasn't quite as easy to put the burger down now that he had taken a bite out of it than it had been when he picked it up. Humoring his host, he picked up the strange sausage and its bun, quite aware that nearly everyone around him was still watching as he attempted to take a bite as meticulously as possible.

"So? What do you think?" Sirius asked intently, once again waiting until his mouth was full before asking. Lunette shook her head at Sirius with a knowing smile.

"I believe that while your grilling is certainly excellent, that I prefer the burger," Bres replied diplomatically.

"So what you're saying is that you don't like the American hot dog," Sirius pressed.

"I don't mean any offense…"

"I did ask," Sirius immediately reminded him, waving his hand unconcernedly.

"It is simply that I do not care for the form. Perhaps it might be better if you cook the American in a different way…" Bres suggested and immediately got a loud noise out of the crowd followed by a solid laughter of everyone around him and a clap on the back from Sirius before he broke into laughter himself.

"Congratulations, Bres, I think you just got adopted by the Black family," Thomas sounded out from a different table, causing another round of chuckles in agreement. Then he turned to Alexandria. "This was a good choice. It was smart thinking setting this up and bringing him here," he commended quietly.

"I just thought that it'd be the safest house to bring him considering his lineage, and the fact that I knew there were always enough Blacks here that they had no trouble throwing a party together at a moment's notice," Alex explained. "I just didn't think them attempting to go to Coven Suites, Baker Street, or the Mansion would go in their favor considering all of the extra protection that went in because of Mirage."

"You're right, that might have ended badly… worse than that accident with Anna's magic even if something hadn't gotten in the way," Thomas admitted in a low voice. "Was that mess already handled, Severus?"

"Yes, I cleared that the moment I could slip away… in fact, I am the one who invited Aunt Viviane to visit, knowing that she would probably have a solution," Severus explained.

"Is it just me, or have you been relying on her a lot lately?" Thomas observed.

"This is likely to be the last time for a while," Severus admitted. "Toby has been back long enough that the disorientation caused by some of his changes being unwound by Fate is starting to settle out, and his memories are clarifying. It won't be long until he's realized that Viviane has been meddling and that it would have been impossible for me not to notice, as well as the fact that I have been avoiding him for months. He will not be happy."

"That'll be a clash. I don't envy you," Thomas admitted.

"I've gone through worse, Thomas… like that time I ended up clashing with you," Severus pointed out.

"True," Thomas agreed.

"Severus?" called out Jennifer, and they looked up. She had been sitting with the children's table, and was on her way to gather some tarts for the children who had finished their meal. "Is there any way that you can change security so that Lunette and Bres can stay at Baker Street once you head back to Hogwarts?"

"I can help," Sirius volunteered.

"I'm sure we can," Severus agreed.

"We haven't even stayed one night and you're already eager to get rid of us?" Lunette teased.

"Stay as long as you like, Lunette, it's just that it's not all that uncommon for family guests to spend time at both residences," Sirius shrugged. "Our family dynamics at home are completely opposite."

"Thank heavens for that," everyone heard Severus say, but Sirius ignored him.

"Bael always likes to split his visit between here and there. Even Minerva likes to stay at Baker Street sometimes, and she has her own apartment," Sirius went on.

"Minerva likes to spend the holidays with us," Jennifer explained. "But I think Dad was talking about having one of his Christmas Balls this year, weren't you, Dad?" she asked.

"Yep, it's not an election year, and nobody's getting married this Christmas to get in the way," Thomas said, getting up and walking over, rummaging in his cloak and pulling out what looked to be a small ring box. "Here, Bres, stick your finger in that."

Curiously, Bres did as he was told, only to quickly yank his finger back when it was pricked by a needle hiding in the box. Thomas snapped it shut.

"What was that?" Bres asked in alarm, then sucked his finger.

"Blood sample kit. I needed it to add you as an exception to my security system. Even if two don't go to the Christmas party, I feel better knowing the two of you have some backup locations in case of an emergency," Thomas explained.

"Can you add him to Coven Suites and the Museum while you're at it?" Lunette asked hopefully.

"Yep. If you go to the Enchanted Spoon, you can use my table," Thomas said.

"Thanks, Thomas," Lunette said warmly. As he went to look over the tarts himself, Viviane walked the fair young blond Half-Fae that Bres had noticed earlier.

"I must leave soon, but before I do so, I would like to introduce you to Aubrey Lynn Black, daughter of Zoe Black and Bael de Danaan, Servant and personal advisor of Prince Tambryn of Caer Brenin. I am one of her godparents, which in this world's term is similar to what you would call a Faerie Guardian," Viviane explained.

"It is an honor to meet you, Dame Aubrey Lynn. I believe I saw your father standing with Prince Tambryn at my wedding. You look a great deal like him," Bres said.

"Did you talk to him?" Aubrey Lynn asked softly.

"If I did it was only briefly, because I had little opportunity to do anything but follow my Father's guidance in political decorum. Our marriage was a very symbolic affair, you see, a representation of my people's willingness for an alliance and a desire for peace. It didn't give me opportunities to make my own decisions," Bres explained.

"Sounds like a typical Snape wedding," Aurelius said at the dessert table.

"I heard that," Severus said, getting another chuckle from everyone.

"I promise I will make a special effort to meet him just so that I can tell him that he has an enchanting daughter," Bres promised.

"Enchanting is right. Ask her what happened to Asio Pendleton," Zack joked.

"He deserved it,"Aubrey Lynn said unabashedly.

"Now that matter is settled, I must leave for now. I shall see you at Thanksgiving, Anna," Viviane said.

"Yes, it'll be at Grandmother's this year," Anna said, and Viviane nodded at that before walking away, fading as she left the property.

"At least if she's leaving until Thanksgiving, it's probably going to be quiet until then," Zoe suggested.

"For you, perhaps. In my case, the fun is just beginning," Severus admitted, then went over to visit Seren and Samantha for a few minutes before he and Jennifer went back to the house.