The Years of Riddle

Chapter Sixty-Seven | Ottery St. Catchpole, May 1, 1998

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Ottery St. Catchpole, May 1st 1998

          There was something in the air.

Silas could feel it, a shadow in the back of his mind – something was just out of sight. Sitting at his desk, quill in hand, he frowned and set his writing aside. He had felt uneasy for years, but it was building, like a storm just beyond the horizon.

In his office the light was grey, rain shadowed the land outside the window. In the armchair in the corner baby Will was curled up asleep, his blanket twisted around his small, warm body. He had toddled in, his dark curls damp with rain and cheeks flushed, and asked to sit and watch Silas work. Silas was not skilled in saying no to his grandson, and had melted at his big blue eyes, like cerulean blue springs.

He could hear Inesa, Estelle, Merlin, Anthea and Orson laughing and chatting in the kitchen, preparing a late tea, through the open window trickled the sound of the brook in front of the house, the pitter patter of rain in the trees. This is what peace had been before the war, but the longer it lasted, the further Silas felt from peace. It felt like a foreign concept now, one of days long past.

Watching his grandson, wrapped in rainy twilight and the smell of old books, he spotted his journal – the one he had been using to communicate with Harry Potter. Launching to his feet, he grabbed the leather bound book from its spot on the table; he rarely left a room without it, waiting to hear that Harry was safe, and if not safe, alive.

He quickly undid the claps, and opened it to the glowing page, and felt the world fall away. This was what had been shifting in the corners of his mind, the storm – this was it.

at Hogwarts, in danger – send help

Harry's scrawl was rushed, and he realized once more with a stuttering breath that he wrote his letters like Lily had – after all these years he remembered. What a woman she had been, a witch unlike any other. And he regretted their deaths so much.

Writing a hurried reply, Silas looked down at his grandson again; Will had woken up, but did not look startled. "Pop?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Silas kneeled by him, brushing his flushed cheeks, the mussed curls; Estelle's features, his own features. For once he did not see a murder's profile, but Will's. Just Will.

"Let's go see Mumma, yeah?" he asked quietly, and Will nodded, lifting his arms so Silas could pick him up.

Silas held Will's little warm body close, and entered the cozy kitchen; Inesa had been made to sit down, Orson was checking on the roast. Estelle was leaned up against Merlin at the breakfast nook, eyes sparkling. Anthea was showing her mother her engagement ring. They all looked up as Silas walked in, and just from the look that had settled on his face – they knew.

"Hogwarts is under attack." He said softly, not wanting to wake Will up; he had promptly fallen asleep on his shoulder.

His children went still, but Inesa stood. She smoothed her shirt, took a deep breath. No words passed between them, but their eyes said it all – I am with you.

"I can't." gasped Estelle, bringing a trembling hand to her lips. "Papa, I – I –"

Silas turned to her, face soft. "Oh honey, you don't need to do anything –"

"I'm having another baby." The words poured from her, and she burst into tears. "In October."

The room was silent for a split second, and then erupted into cheers. Will woke up with a start, was scared for a moment, but upon realizing everyone was happy, began to clap. Silas swept Estelle into his arms, felt Inesa pressed into his side, beamed at Merlin over Estelle's curls.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," she was gasping now, "We wanted to wait, I'm only three months and after last time – but I could let you go without telling you."

The door slamming open interrupted their celebration, a frantic Ivy bursting through. "Hogwarts is under –"

"We know." Orson said, pulling her into a hug.

"Then why do you all look so jovial?" she asked, twisting her mouth in confusion – a flicker of Inesa.

Estelle smiled through her remaining tears. "I'm pregnant."

Ivy screeched and threw herself at her sister, crying, "Oh, wonderful!"

As his family was wrapped in their happy, safe news, Silas met Inesa's gaze again. They nodded at each other, and the kitchen fell quiet again. "I suppose..." said Orson finally, swallowing with difficulty. "That we're all off to fight. Harry needs our help, Hogwarts – its only right."

"I wish I could keep you all here, safe," Silas sighed, "But you're all adults –" the idea was astonishing to him, " – and you are free to do what you want. But please..." he smiled wanly at them, gripped Inesa's hand. "Be safe."

"I'm staying with Will," Estelle spoke up; she had her son in her arms, asleep once more. "I want to help, I do – but I'm no use to him if I die."

Silas turned to Merlin, begging with his eyes. "I wish I had never fought," he said quietly, "And I could have saved lives if I'd asked others not to as well."

"I'm staying." Said Merlin firmly, wrapping an arm around Estelle's waist. "I'm not risking Will losing his parents."

Relief flooded Silas, and he nodded. Anthea was holding onto Orson's arm, a worried frown settling on her features. "We have to get Magnus, he's still there."

"They're going to evacuate the students," Ivy supplied, "But I want to get there quick."

"All right." Taking a deep breath, Silas gathered his eldest children close. "We get Magnus, send him back here – Ivy, Orson, Anthea, you be careful, you hear me?"

"No silly bravery," added Inesa sternly. "Be smart, I know you're capable." Their children nodded, as readily as if given instructions on how to clean up the garden or what to pick up at the shops.

The family walked out into the cool night, fresh from the rain. Estelle stood in the doorway of her childhood home with her husband and son, watching her family walk away from her. Silas turned, waved once; holding Inesa's hand, walking into the violet night, he knew this might be the end. He was ready.

A/N: we are truly nearing the end now...

Question: what awaits Silas and his family in the battle of Hogwarts?

Rose