The Sallow Saga - Vol. 2 - In the Shadows of Memories [A HL Fanfiction]

Chapter 24. There's no place like Home

As they ate, Gareth asked, with a mouthful of mashed potato; "so what's our first plan of action, to take on the house of Lestrange?"
Sebastian chewed away at a crusty roll of bread that he'd dunked into a warm stew and pondered; "plans can afford to wait for a little bit. I spoke with Spavin, and he agreed that we should all take a week to ground ourselves before jumping back into the fray." He looked over Cassy's head and offered the group a knowing look.
Natty widened her eyes briefly in understanding.
"Very well," Natty said, looking wistfully out the window. "I was meaning to spend some time with my mother and bring her up to speed with my adventures." Before anyone could say anymore, she stood up, dabbed her mouth with a napkin. Kissed both Cassy and Poppy on the cheek, before hastily bidding everyone a swift adieu and disapperating.

"That was odd." Cassy mused.
"Indeed," Gareth shrugged, "still, I fully appreciate why. With what she shared of her experiences earlier, I can more than understand why she would want to spend some time with her mother." He looked at Poppy, "What do you think?"
Poppy grinned impishly, while Cassy focused her attention on pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice; "she did talk of her mother regularly while we were in Africa. So, Gareth – what are you going to do during this week off?"
Gareth blinked with a blank expression, "you know, I've not actually decided. I guess I could decorate this space for its new use." He looked at the uninspiring, bare walls.
"I only ask," Poppy reasoned, "because I wondered if you might like some company? Since grandma passed and I've not really got a fixed abode just yet, I was hoping I might be able to...".
"YES!" Gareth shouted out, making everyone jump, "I... ahem... that is to say, I'm sure I can arrange something with Beanie."
"Smooth Gareth," Ominis drawled, "so smooth."

"What are you going to do Ominis?" Cassy asked. It had suddenly occurred to her that neither of them could return to their beloved Feldcroft, with Marvolo at large, the hamlet was no longer safe.
Ominis shrugged, "I honestly do not know, Cassy." He looked incredibly glum.
"I have a suggestion for you?" Sebastian smiled warmly, "I spoke to Professor Weasley while we were at the wake. With Sharp now gone, there is no longer a reserved Potion's Teacher, aside from yourself. Professor Black has grumbled a few times in passing to Weasley that he might have acted rashly in his dismissal of you, especially as the students absolutely adore you!" He laughed, "suffice it to say, you have a home at Hogwarts, if you would like to be reinstated as potions teacher and head of Slytherin, of course?"
Ominis's face broke into a wide grin, "while I appreciate the offer, I fear that with my newly appointed role as liaison offer to Minister Spavin – I might be rather swamped with work if I take on the potions teaching job too. No, I am pleased to say that while my brother might have squandered his share of the family fortune, I have done very little with mine. I think it's time I find a home of my own during this week...".
"I know the perfect place!" Poppy jumped up with excitement, "my grandmother was in the process of doing it up and while she was hopeful, I might reside there, I've grown to enjoy the company of my fellow witches and wizards as opposed to isolation – for obvious reasons. It's not too far from Hogwarts either. There's more than enough space for everyone really – in fact, I would say it would be a brilliant headquarters for us all."

Gareth sat ponderously for a little while before quietly asking, "so why shouldn't it? This shop will serve as an excellent safe house while we are in the field of duty, locally – if we have two spaces however, we'll be harder to trace by our enemies!" He shrugged, suggestively to Sebastian who considered the pros and cons of such a venture.
"I can't see any reason why not...". Sebastian answered, slowly.

Poppy jumped up excitedly, "that's settled then, BEANIE...?" She called out to the house-elf, who appeared by her side with a host of bags and suitcases all packed.
With a guilty expression and a breathless voice, Beanie panted; "say the word Miss Sweeting, Beanie overheard you and is eager to get her decorative mind in gear!"
As Poppy grabbed Gareth and pulled Ominis up with a surprising display of strength, Cassy asked;
"where exactly is this new location, Poppy?" She knew the local area around Hogwarts like the back of her hand. One place closely matched what she suspected; however, she wouldn't believe it until Poppy told her.
"Grandma called it the Gilded Perch. You might remember it however, as the home of the Golden Snidgets!" Poppy grinned, excitedly. Cassy barely had time to ask if the golden snidgets had left the nest yet, before the group had disappeared, leaving both she and Sebastian alone.