Complete and Utter Poppycock

Chapter 29: Nineteen Years Later

Chapter 29: Nineteen Years Later

Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly this year. The morning of the first of September was crisp and golden as an apple. Two large cages rattled in top of the laden trolleys my husband and my son were pushing; the owls inside them hooted indignantly.

I held both hands of my children, the two of them laughing and bickering in excitement of the year at Hogwarts that awaited them. They were telling each other stories of what houses they'd belong into, both arguing which house was better.

"But Ravenclaw is for pansies, Nova!" Scorpius groaned inwardly, desperately not wanting his younger twin sister to be in a different house than what he wanted.

"Not true! Mum, tell him it's not true!" said Nova, who pulled at my robes. 

Twins, who would've thought, am I right? It was a nasty bloody sight delivering them. Scorpius popped out like a daisy, while Nova was challenging as if she didn't want to leave my womb. It was a nightmare to be so blunt about it, but it was a beautiful nightmare as I delivered them both and love them with all my heart.

It took only months until Nova started experiencing some difficulties in the mansion. Random things were exploding, it started snowing on one side of the house, with Draco falling on his arse half the time trying to get her out of trouble. Scorpius didn't obtain any magical abilities like Nova did. He was just a regular child-like Wizard.

I had married Draco years after the battle. Once after Fred's death, after years of living in denial and pain and anger, drinking my way through hell with rum and scotch, I knew deep in my heart that it was time for me to move on, not only that but Draco kept asking me out for dinner over and over again. Many things have happened over time. I was an auror just like my friends, except Hermione who insisted on working for the Ministry. Ron helped George in the business, and I helped occasionally, putting more of my products on the shelves.

"Mum, tell Scorpius that Ravenclaw isn't stupid!" Nova said loudly, pulling at my robes once again.

"Now, Scorpius, Ravenclaw is not stupid. Don't talk to your sister that way," said Draco, pushing the trolley over to the train station.

It was almost eleven, about the time for them to get settled on board. We stopped beside the tracks where the train was as children hopped on.

My two children turned to me and enveloped me in an embrace. I reached down to their levels, giving them both kisses on the cheeks.

"You two'll be good for mummy and daddy, won't you?" I said, ruffling their hair as I grinned at them.

"Yes, Mum! Can you stop that? You're embarrassing me!" said Scorpius, trying to pull himself away from me. "I've got to get on the train!"

"Alright, now," I said, giving them one last hug. "I'll miss you both. Be good for me."

"Bye, Mum!" Scorpius and Nova said together before taking their trolleys to the train. I stopped Nova before she could go any further.

"Mummy, I'm going to be late for the train," said Nova, her big blue eyes staring at the train.

"Hold on a second," I said. "I'd like to have a word." Nova looked at me, her blue eyes piercing at me. It was like looking in a mirror. She was like a reflection of me.

"What is it?" she asked, looking at me with those big, glassy blue eyes.

"Be careful, darling," I started, "there are things out there who can and will hurt you for your ability. I told you my story of what happened to me the first year after Hogwarts. Remember? I was almost dead at my brothers house if your father hadn't found me. Please, stay low with the abilities."

"I know, Mum, you've told me a billion times before," said Nova, rolling her eyes and pulling away a little from my grasp. "I'll be careful. You know I will."

"I know, I just, want you to be safe," I said with a frown. "Have fun, darling, make friends. Make me proud."

"I will," she smiled at me once more before she hopped on the train after her brother. I looked at Draco beside me, a grin on his face.

"She'll be fine, love," he said, taking my hand in comfort.

"I know, but I still can't help worrying," I said, watching the train take off on the tracks, seeing my daughter and son wave back at me through the window as a few tears roll down my cheeks. "I still never told them the full story."

"They don't need to know that, Aquila," said Draco, looking at me sternly. "To be aware that their mother was also pregnant at the time and for those people to just about kill you, and that baby, for you to accept yourself as a prophet for the ministry to not only destroy more death eaters but to set on missions to kill muggles for no reason at all? Bloody hell no. I hated myself seeing you cut open, all your wounds and guts practically falling out of you, and taking away our child?"

"There's no need to remind me, I was there." I said coldly. "I just want Nova to be protected. I don't want them going after her too."

"But she isn't the prophet, you are," said Draco.

"Which gives them more of reason to attack her. Young and defenseless at her age with a curious drive that'll get her killed, or worse. . ."

"She'll be alright, darling," said Draco. I just turned to him and buried my head in his chest, my arms around his shoulders as his went towards my back.

"I know."

"Now, let's get going. We have that celebration party with the Potters and the Weasleys and the Zabini's. The Kids Are Finally Gone party." Draco said, taking my hand as we made our way out of the train station and headed home, preparing some food and drinks for the arrival of our friends to celebrate that our kids are finally off to school without us by their sides anymore. Finally, a break. Even if I'd miss them everyday, it's good to get some peace and quiet. . . after this party.