A Twist In Time

Snow Is Falling

Polly ushered the children into the house, followed by Tommy as he carried a tired TJ. Ada was telling me about how excited she was to see Ellanora tomorrow and was so happy to be spending time with the extended family.

"Right, upstairs, wash-up and off to bed," Polly ordered, clapping her hands and helping Edward up the stairs.

"Are you staying the night?" I asked Tommy, following him into the kitchen as Ada followed Polly and the children upstairs.

"Course," he muttered around a cigarette. He looked shattered and I knew his nightmares were keeping him awake. I had an idea. Something I shouldn't really do because it was interfering but I just wanted him to have one night of restful sleep.

"Can you take TJ up?" I asked, running my hand over the boys head. "I'll make us a brew and bring it up."

Tommy gave a nod, pushing his cigarette in the ashtray and taking our boy upstairs. Once I was sure he was gone, I went over to the pantry and pulled out a vial of dreamless sleep potion and added a dash to Tommy's cup.

I didn't want to trick him like that but I wanted him to have what he deserved and that was a peaceful sleep. I'd speak to him tomorrow night about how I could help and try to get him to understand that it was normal to have nightmares after going through traumatic experiences.

Perhaps it would help if he could see my memories?

"You alright, love?" Polly asked, settling her hand on my shoulder as she came up behind me.

"We'll be fine, Pol," I said, taking the cups and joining Tommy in our room. "I know you're not a tea drinker, but it will help clear your mind," I told him, handing him a cup and set mine down on the bedside table. I pulled my wand from my hair and flicked it at the door, smiling in satisfaction as Tommy watched with wide eyes. I'd never really shown him my magic.

"TJ went right down," he said, rubbing his chin as he removed his clothes and climbed into the bed in just his union shorts, taking a long gulp of his tea.

"He's excited." I slipped my dress off and followed him under the covers in just my slip. We wouldn't get too cold in the room, not with the heating charm I'd placed on the house. "We need to be up early tomorrow so we can pop over to Gringotts. That's where you can do the blood contract to make TJ yours," I told him, running my hand up his chest and settling it over his heart. "We don't need him to be there and I thought I could show you something while we're there."

"Hmm, as long as we're back before he wakes," Tommy muttered, sleep already washing over him.

"We will," I promised, leaning over and taking the teacup from his loose grip. I pressed a kiss to his lips before pulling the blankets up and around him.

***

I woke Tommy the next morning, smiling to see he was quite groggy if disturbed from his sleep.

He dressed in one of his suits. One of the many that had mysteriously appeared in my room. I had a feeling Polly or Ada brought them over.

"Take my hand." I offered him my left hand, turning to face him as he looked at me in confusion. "This might make you feel sick," I warned, before apparating.

Tommy was hunched over, his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

"Never ... do that ... again," he breathed out, glaring up at my smug smile.

"You'll get used to it."

"Don't know if I want to," he grumbled, following me down the road to Gringotts.

"Don't be alarmed when we enter the bank, the err, the helpers are goblins. They'll be funny looking but don't piss them off," I told him, knowing how proud goblins could be.