Probably what happened to his entire generation — died of Dragon Pox.
We know he was married to Dorea Black (died in 1977) and that they had one son together. I usually headcanon their son was a squib to explain why no one mentions him. Either that, or he died young and wasn't alive by October of 1981 (or both a squib who died young).
We also know Fleamont and Ephumia both died of Dragon Pox between 1978-1980:
Fleamont and Euphemia lived long enough to see James marry a Muggle-born girl called Lily Evans, but not to meet their grandson, Harry. Dragon pox carried them off within days of each other, due to their advanced age
(Pottermore)
So, it's possible there was some dragon Pox outbreak in the late 1970s.
Abraxas Malfoy also died of Dragon Pox (though the year is less clear, I like to think it was the same outbreak in the late 1970s that killed the Potters). So, I think it's very possible Dorea and Charlus also died from it in the late 1970s (which is when we know Dorea died).
I know the quote from Slughorn might imply Abraxas died more recently:
“Yes,” said Slughorn, without looking at Malfoy, “I was sorry to hear he had died, although of course it wasn’t unexpected, dragon pox at his age. . . .”
(HBP)
But I feel like if he were alive in the early books, it would've come up. I mean, he knew Tom Riddle. Why wasn't he among the Death Eaters who arrived in the graveyard? He waited for Tom in Hogsmeade during his interview with Dumbledore, and he's around Tom's (and perhaps Nott Sr's age) so why wasn't he at the graveyard?
Harry mentions only one platinum blond head. So, I think it makes more sense he died in he late 70s/early 80s and Slughorn has nothing better to tell Draco about his grandfather that Draco never knew. I don't know, it always seemed to me like something Slughorn would do to avoid talking to Draco.
There are actually a lot of characters from this generation who are missing. Where are Ron's grandparents? Where is Neville's grandfather? They're all implied to not be around for some time. Orion Black (Sirius' father) also died in 1979. Alphard Black died in the late 1970s, too. Something clearly happened in the late 70s because not all of them died in the war. I think a bad Dragon Pox outbreak + the war happening together might explain this missing generation.
The other option is that Charlus (and Dorea) were killed in the war, but I feel if that was the case, someone would've said: "Yes, Death Eaters got James' uncle and his family, too" or something along these lines. It just feels like something that would've come up.
So, my guess is that a big outbreak of Dragon Pox happened in the late 1970s killed Charlus Potter (and many others). It was somewhat unexpected since he was young and younger people do survive the disease sometimes, but that's my best guess for all the unexplained deaths in the late 1970s. Obviously, this is a guess/headcanon, so you can come up with whatever works for your story.
I always wondered how are Tina and Queenie half-blood if it’s illegal to marry a no-maj ?
More plausible explanation :
Their parents married before coming to America, making Tina and Queenie first generation Americans.
Crazy explanation :
Queenie and Tina’s parents could’ve married illegally. They were living hidden in no-maj areas. They ended up catching dragon pox but were not able to seek for a treatment due to their illegal status. That's why they died young.(Dragon pox has a cure since the 16th century and is mostly deadly to elderly witches)
That's also why Tina is soooo against Queenie marrying Jacob. It's not only illegal, it means you have to live hidden and this can lead to dangerous situation. She wants nothing more than a peaceful life for her sister.
Dorea Gaia Black was born in March 1920, ten years into the Global Wizarding War. She was the youngest of four siblings, and the second daughter of Cygnus Black II and Violetta Black (neé Bulstrode).
Since she was merely a little girl, it became quite apparent that she had inherited the so talked beauty of the Black family, with her pale skin, refined bone structure, jet black hair and eyes the shade of mist.
She, as well as her siblings, was home schooled until the age of eleven, and educated in the beliefs of blood supremacy.
Dorea was never close to her oldest brother, Pollux. He had been almost fourteen at the time of her birth, and hadn't even met her until the summer holidays arrived.
Her sister, Cassiopeia, was five years her senior and, in a way, had been a role model to her for the first years of her life. However, she left for Hogwarts when Dorea was only six, and they grew apart.
Marius, on the other hand, was who Dorea was most fond of from her siblings. In 1927, Grindelwald escaped the International Confederation of Wizards, regrouping his army. Cygnus and Violetta decided then to send Marius and Dorea, who were respectively nine and seven at the time, to the United States, as the Black family wouldn't be targeted there as much as in the United Kingdom.
With them went their cousins, Cedrella and Charis. They all spent a bit over two years there, with some family friends. They were some of the happiest times in Dorea's life. She surprised herself at the fact that she didn't miss England. Only perhaps felt saddened at the notion that she had missed the birth of her nephews Alphard and Cygnus III.
After those first two years had passed, Marius and Cedrella were called to return to Great Britain, as they had just turned eleven and were to attend Hogwarts.
Marius, however, never went to the school, and Dorea said her goodbyes that May 1929 without knowing it'd be the last time she'd ever see her brother. No one ever talked about it, and they forbid her to ask. It was many years later, when she was fourteen, that she discovered the truth: Marius was a squib.
At the age of eleven, in 1931, she and Charis returned to England. They were both sorted into Slytherin straight away, but soon made their own separate group of friends, (once again, she was surprised at her ease to adhere to any crowd), growing apart despite sharing most of their classes as well as the common room and dorm.
Her years at Hogwarts were very pleasant. She joined the Quidditch team, playing as a seeker, and surrounded herself with quite an agreeable group of people. She had a number of lovers in her last years; all purebloods, of course. But never a proper boyfriend.
She finished her studies in 1938 and moved back to the United States, which had become the place that most resembled a home to her. She settled in New York, and started working for different newspapers.
She only went back to England for the Christmas holidays, as well as occasions of special importance. Such was her father's death, at the end of 1943, at the age of 54. He had been murdered by a group of rebels, just when the Global Wizarding War was coming to an end.
When she returned to the states after her father's funeral, she decided that the best way to deal with the grief was by working and partying alike. Although one might think partying is not the most appropriate thing to do right after your father's death, Dorea could never say they had been close. After all, she could barely say she knew him.
It was in one of these parties, in the hot month of August, that she met Charlus Potter.
Merlin knew what he was doing in the States, but he caught Dorea's attention almost immediately, with his tanned skin and dark, indomable hair. He was charming and had a quick tongue, which excited Dorea, who never bit her own.
Charlus was eight years older than her, and was to spend a month in New York, since he was the business partner of his brother Fleamont, a thirty four year old man who would look exactly like his younger brother, if it weren't for the glasses he was wearing.
They hooked up the very same night they met. The chemistry between the two of them undeniable, the electricity palpable in the air. A clear case of attraction at first sight, as Dorea's cynicism would have never allowed her to call it love. Not even when that man had achieved to get to her the way no other man had ever been capable of.
Those thirty days of summer went by faster than either of them had expected, and before they realised, it was Charlus's time to leave. They had never discussed where their relationship stood, too comfortable in the naivety of that precious moment of infatuation.
They were polite in their goodbyes, and with a last kiss to her hand, Charlus left the country they both had belonged to, the country that had belonged to them and them only for a whole summer.
His parting broke Dorea's heart. She thought she'd never recover, and that no magic would ever be able to cure this malady that had taken grasp of her and was infecting her very heart.
By the end of September, however, be it destiny playing tricks on her or maybe just a bit of luck, she discovered she was pregnant. Dorea traveled to England to confront her mother about it. Violetta was horrified at the prospect of a bastard child, but when Dorea expressed her wish to keep the kid, she accepted on the condition that she married the father.
It was, perhaps, the most nervous Dorea had ever been in her entire life. She met Charlus at a pub in Hogsmeade. He looked the same as he had during summer, and she had to remind herself that only a month had passed, despite it feeling like an eternity to her.
She explained the situation and before she could even bring up the subject of proposal Charlus was already on one knee, the eternal gentleman.
They got married a fortnight after that rushed proposal and moved to Barnton, Cheshire. Dorea was offered a job in the Daily Prophet and she officially became Dorea Gaia Potter.
Their son arrived in June 1944, when Dorea was twenty four and Charlus was to turn thirty two. They called him Aerglo, which referred to the night sky's natural glow, in honour partly to the Black Family tradition. Aerglo Charlus Potter.
In 1954, Dorea became the first woman to be editor of the Daily Prophet.
She passed away in 1977, one of the first victims of the dragon pox outbreak that year. Her husband would die a year later of the same illness. Their son Aerglo, was murdered in 1979 by a group of death eaters.
My piece for the @lockdownfest! Thank you @magpiefngrl for the beta♥️ Find it on AO3 here! Or read further here:
Harry sighed, taking another sip from his wine. It was Friday evening, and that meant Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy came by for dinner, something Draco had insisted on as Sundays were spent with the Weasleys. Now he truly loved his husband, but these dinners? They were just awful. Well, not entirely. Narcissa was kind enough and made conversation with both of them, but Lucius. Well.. He did not. When the elder Malfoy spoke, it was mainly towards Draco and Narcissa, Harry being ignored. The few times that Lucius did speak to him it was with a sneer. Lucius loved his son, there was no doubt about that, but he just didn't like his choice of partner. After all, Harry, in Lucius’s words, had ruined his life. Each time Lucius said so Narcissa hexed him and Draco reprimanded his father for it. Yes, those were the best moments of these dinners.
He was just about to think of these fond moments, when an owl flew inside. All conversations stilled as the owl dropped the letter from his beak. It was a howler with the Ministry seal.
"Dear Wizard or Witch, the Ministry of Magic has decided to take each and everyone into quarantine. The new form of dragon pox can no longer be contained. If you are in a building that is deemed safe by the Ministry then you will stay there and won't be able to leave until further notice. Have a pleasant day. "
And with those words, the howler ripped itself to shreds, and Harry's hell began. At first Lucius had sprung up and went to the floo, trying to use it, but it was already locked down. The same went for the front door that Harry went to check, so the elder Malfoys were allowed to leave. But no luck.
With no other option than to stay, Draco showed his mother and father a room they could make use of. After all, Grimmauld Place had enough empty rooms. Harry himself went to his own room and undressed before getting into bed. It didn't take long before Draco joined him.
"Don't worry. It probably won't take so long. And I put them on the second floor, so we will still have our privacy."
"Yeah, alright. Let's hope it will be only a few days. Goodnight love." With that Harry pulled Draco close before falling asleep.
--
The next morning the drama started right away.
Having forgotten that the elder Malfoys were still here, Harry had wandered into the kitchen, dressed in only some briefs. It took a choked up sound for him to realize his mistake. Looking up, he saw Lucius turning green. He blushed, and at this Narcissa just smiled.
"Good morning Harry," she said.
"Morning. I will just... eh get dressed first," and with those words he ran back upstairs.
They didn't see each other further that day, but at dinner Lucius turned to Draco.
"Can't you teach your husband proper etiquette?"
"Excuse me?"
"He went into the kitchen in only his briefs! It is not proper and ruined my appetite."
"I forgot you were there," Harry interrupted.
"Then I suggest you remember it more carefully in the coming days," Lucius answered.
"Father, it was just a mistake, it's the same when you saw me getting changed once. It won't happen again," Draco assured his father before Harry could answer anything else.
"Good."
The rest of dinner went without any problems.
--
However, being under dressed was just the first mistake that happened.
On Sunday Harry walked early into the kitchen, this time dressed, to get a cup of tea and to prepare a tray to bring breakfast in bed to Draco
Only Lucius walked in looking far less than perfect. His hair was tangled, bags under his eyes and if Harry was not mistaken the man was wearing sweatpants.
"Not a word," the man had hissed before stalking away.
---
On Monday afternoon Draco and he had been on the couch in the living room, watching a movie which had soon changed into a snogging session. Just as Harry's hands had wandered under Draco's shirt, the door had opened and Draco's parents had walked in.
Both sides stared at each other, Draco's and Lucius' face getting red. Narcissa pulled Lucius outside again by the hand, with a cheeky "Have fun" to Draco and him.
--
Wednesday evening Harry had cooked the wrong dinner. It had too much garlic and would make everyone smell terrible and make any conversation impossible.
So Lucius had refused to eat it. It hadn't helped when Harry hadn't been able to stop throwing some garlic at the man's head.
--
However, all of this was nothing, absolutely nothing to what happened Friday morning. When Harry woke up, Draco's side of the bed was empty and the shower on their floor was running. After stretching for a bit, Harry decided to join his husband in the shower. After undressing and taking his glasses off, he put a towel around his waist to cover his bits and walked to their bathroom.
Once inside he dropped the towel and opened the shower door.
"Hey love. Room for one more?"
A piercing scream was the answer and that's when Harry realized it wasn't Draco that was using their shower.
"Oh fuck!" he scrambled backwards quickly, grabbing his towel and ran back to his room. Lucius, cursing, followed him.
In the room Harry dressed before he sat down on bed, thinking about how he could still flee the country in the middle of a lockdown.
He didn't come up with any ideas. So deciding to meet his fate, he walked downstairs for breakfast. It felt a lot like when he walked towards Voldemort that one night. Only worse.
Once in the kitchen he sat down at the table. Lucius refused to meet his eyes or even look at him; however both Narcissa and Draco were snickering, probably having got the horrifying story from Lucius.
He was just about to apologize when another howler from the Ministry arrived.
"Dear Wizard or Witch. From today on you may use the floo to go home or visit family. Greetings, the Ministry."
The message barely ended before Lucius got up and hurried his way to the floo.
"Goodbye, Draco. Next time you may come visit us." He floo'ed away, not even sparing a look for Harry.
"Well, I suppose I will go home too. Take care boys" With a hug to both of them, Narcissa followed her husband and floo'ed home as well.
"Well now we finally have the home to ourselves again. How about a nice shower?" Draco asked, but he couldn't keep the laughter out his voice at the end.
"Oh, I will get you for that, Malfoy."
"Of course you will, but at least I haven't seen Father naked and wanted to share a shower with him." his husband ran away, laughing as Harry chased after him.
Pink and blinking a reminding orb of light flashed in front of you and you sighed heading to your room to change after having quietly assembled the tokens along the wall while Opal slept. Into a dress with comfortable heels you changed then headed down to the sun lit ballroom in your house where the order and DA mingled along with your relatives while Ron was trying to explain the first dance.
Eagerly the Elf Lords passed through the Black Family Manor, to what could only be taken as the ballroom of your home, filled with the teens you had arrived with all to be attending while the slightly timid adults in your family looked on as the young couples repeated the final rotation of the Elvish dance. One by one you flowed in a fluid line forming spirals that split into smaller groups, then pairs. In the pairs you locked arm in arm with Elladan, who was trying his best not to chuckle each time your foot just barely grazed against the side of his in your toe top attempt at trying not to fall in your attempt to move around his long legs in the close dance.
His chuckling ended as Elrond arrived noticing his inching your hands higher seeing how far you would reach to follow the dance rule of not breaking contact. The stern raised brow made you giggle in your backwards turn to join the group again making the twin give one last chuckle then relax his moves easing your difficulties before giving you a bow. In watching, even in your strained stubborn movements your intendeds couldn’t take their eyes off of you in how well you had taken to it.
Next was the slightly hopping dance you had been stolen away for by Ron, who was trying to avoid using Narcissa for the lesson for this particular dance due to the bouncing. Through his offered hand you felt his mental wall drop to share the steps, and he motioned his wand at the record player to flip to a faster paced song and pocketed his wand guiding you into place.
A setting of hands on upper backs and clasped palms later a few backward steps from you as he led, were followed by three more in the opposite direction, before your turn to move together following your clasped palms that ended with two bounding steps ending in a hop. In a gentle shift of your hips in your spot just barely to his right your feet moved in two joint steps forward putting you side by side. Two more steps after sideways turned you both in a circle before your shift to face one another before you would be led backwards three joint steps as your joined hands lowered in a tilt only to rise in three steps forward leading to a spin. The near quickstep dance continued for three rotations as the teens trickled in following along drawing smirks from the impressed Elves at your easy lesson.
Lowly Ron said, “Hey Sis, plans for tea tomorrow?”
“Not exactly, why?”
“Well, um, you see, Tuli has been asking about meeting you properly.”
“Ok well bring her around anytime.”
“Can’t exactly do that,”
With a sigh you asked, “This is another Queen thing isn’t it?”
“Yup.”
“Then tell her to come by tomorrow at eleven, or is this an official invitation situation?”
“I think they would accept my telling her. If not, I’ll keep you posted.” His eyes shifted to Tuli who had just entered the hall making you smirk as he made his escape.
A single stolen cautious glance from a certain blonde March Warden earned grins from the fiery haired twins, who circled around with Angela and Katie in hand, one snatching up Ginny, the other the cautious blonde. Who bowed his head and offered his hands to Ginny at her glance at you and Ron, who her brothers made sure to leave them in the path of to force things along. Lowly she stated, “Hands.” Haldir’s brow rose only to have his hands rise to accept hers as she advanced to guide him along into the dance to keep them out of your path.
Anxiously he stole a glance at her parents only to relax at her soft questioning of the next direction, to which he softly answered and relaxed at their contact and apparent familial approval of his attention on the young object of his affections. The arrival of Ron’s intended however brought a turn of his attentions through a spin. You turned to a cloud of mist to meet Hermione’s open side making her chuckle as she stepped onto the floor as your partner while Ron claimed the grinning Elleth’s hand and led her into the group for the rest of the dance and into the second round of it. Thranduil and Glorfindel spent the entire time watching you debating on who would be claiming each dance with you.
The next few were led by Elrond and Celebrian while the formerly snooping Feanoreans entered with their Wives, who had arrived in the second wave of returns, took their hands to help guide things along as Maedhros lingered along the wall asking Celeborn more about you. His questions mingled with his inspecting the lit crystal chandeliers and tall lanterns along the walls in the stone pillars between the tall glass wall bringing in the final flickers of sunlight as the sky started to darken.
Keeping hold of Hermione for a couple runs of the dance until you spot Ron’s head shaking and you huffed faking a need to head to the toilet exiting the room allowing Fili to jump in and steal his own lesson.
“Lindir!” You said excitedly making his brows inch up at your approach on your way to the study on the ground floor. He was waiting for Regulus as he usually did in the main hall always reluctant as ever to just head upstairs to knock on his bedroom door to fetch him. “Just the man I need.”
“How may I be of assistance?” He replied with a quick nod of his head.
“Ok, now you know about Ron and Tuli, correct?”
“Yes, I am aware they are courting.”
“Well, she wants to meet me officially, and I’ve said Ron can just bring her by whenever, but apparently that won’t do, so since you’re Elrond’s right hand seems like maybe you might be able to help me with an official invitation for her to come for tea?”
“Absolutely.” Beside you he walked to your office upstairs and sat beside you to write up the invitation on your personal stationary he added just the right flourish and eloquence to the invitation required to suit the offer and he passed it to you. “This would be the level of invitation they would be expecting.”
“Thank you.” You looked it over then looked to him, “I will try to get better at this so I won’t have to bother everyone else.”
“No. It is an honor to assist you. As for the significance of it, mainly it is due to her being courted by Ronald. Were she a male then a verbal invitation would be adequate.”
You nodded then slipped it into an envelope you gave a wave to turning his head seeing that your owl was waking up from a nap and now stretching readying for a flight. Once sealed through the open window he took off and you giggled showing Lindir into the hall. “Thank you again.”
“You are very welcome. And do not trouble yourself with too much extravagance on the occasion.” His eyes however shifted to the door you paused at and knocked on.
With a nod at the opening of the door you said, “And I will leave you for some privacy.” His lips parted only to shift into a quick grin at closing seeing Regulus in the doorway.
“I’m not too late am I?” Regulus asked with a smirk as you made your way down the hall.
Shaking his head Lindir replied, “N-, no. Not at all.”
Regulus chuckled and extended a hand, “Well now that you are here I can give you a tour finally.” Lindir sheepishly laid his hand on Regulus’ and followed him inside feeling the door closing behind him only increasing his nerves at being alone in a private room for the first time. Showing him all his pictures and trinkets an ambush was the last thing Regulus expected from his reserved One.
All the same when he smiled at Lindir a nose came crashing into his and just as suddenly post face squishing event Lindir had turned readying to flee only to pause with his eyes clenching shut in embarrassment still at the hand clutching his hand he froze. Grinning adoringly at him Regulus tenderly guided Lindir’s hand away from his nose with one hand ghosting his fingers along his cheek tilting his head to inspect Lindir’s face and have contact with him again. Lowly Regulus murmured, “No injuries,” leaning in to stun his One with a tender kiss the Elf melted into with eyes still clamped shut. Just a moment he pulled back to murmur in a certain stroke of his hand along Lindir’s cheek, “I am so sorry it took me so long to find you.”
Halfway to pouting in a try to ready an answer Lindir slipped back to silence at the following kiss and several after he clung so tightly to his One in a long overdue display of his restrained affections for the flirtatious and tempting Wizard he had been waiting for.
For what seemed to be hours the impassioned moment continued until in a break for air Lindir’s forehead tapped Regulus luring out a smirk in a breathy chuckle as he stole a stroke of his nose to Lindir’s luring a blush across his cheeks. “Come, we’re late. Let’s go spin you around the dance floor.” Stealing another lingering tender kiss the pair hummed through contently before he added, “My door is always open, don’t feel you have to wait downstairs. My family loves you, you are welcome any time.”
“What if you are sleeping?” Lindir asked in their path to the door making Regulus smirk back at him once reached the door.
“Any time.” Making the blushing Elf swallow luring him closer to stroke his cheek again, “I will not cross any line you draw for us. I meant for cuddling if you felt brave for it.”
“Cuddling?”
Regulus chuckled, “Just laying together, letting me hold you, or you holding me.” Explaining with another quick kiss in opening the door making Lindir almost ruffle up like a preening bird to be presentable again only to grin at the thumb stroking tenderly on the hand intertwining with his. “When you’re ready.”
.
Down to the dancing they went and Lindir timidly guided Regulus on the male partnered steps to each while the others from your groups did their best to master the dances.
When the full list had been gone through you’d taken turns with both your men only to have them both watch at your giggle accepting your Father’s hand as he smiled stating, “Moon’s rising Pumpkin.”
Another record was put on in a steady piano formed melody as Regulus claimed Fleur’s hand as Bill took Vivi to join while Lucius and Narcissa joined Draco with Astoria as Neville and Luna all took your places. In a glance at Elrond Ron stated, “Family tradition.”
A sets of curtsies and bows later your joined hands moved to glide your palms together in the start of a Viennese Waltz. Flowing to the melody you moved to the music back stepping with your feet almost touching at the in sync steps parting the Elves’ lips at the exaggerated arm loops and joint turns under locked hands and joint palms before the string of steps with you both facing forward yet moving backwards. Small steps led you in spirals while your arms would drape across your front then arch up over your head for another turn leading into larger circles. Each female in these circles would arch back then straight again only to arch again then spin and be raised off the ground to move into a turn to face the same direction again. Two steps forward later and you were back into another round of small backwards spirals shifting into the larger circles again that looped around to the start of the dance.
All through this those in your bloodline’s skin glowed brighter in the first light of the moon while your hair shimmered brightly. Your first rotation of the dance ended with the teen couples filing onto the floor again soon to be joined by a few of the Elves who lingered for a bit longer with you and your relatives to give them lessons in a few of your classic ballroom dances from your old world. Soon after dipping to a couple dances that the Feanoreans guided the groups through of older Elven dances the returned may wish to have.
Each of their dances and yours were gone through again before you gently tugged Thranduil off the floor so you could accept the glass of juice Glorfindel had poured for you while the boys sat on the chairs beside him swaying slightly to the music. In his same velvety tone Thranduil peered down at you asking, “Are you tired?”
You drew in a breath stating softly, “Not so much tired as my feet are ready to fall off.” You took another sip as the pair looked at you then they realized you must have been on your feet all day and the extra lessons had worn on you even more.
Throbbing feet and an hour of focus on the dancing lulled while the group uncertainly wondered on what to do next. Suddenly a glowing ball of light had you muttering, “Lulu,” And darting through your doorway you called hearing the worried shouts of the Durins raving about through the Royal Wing mingled with Lulu’s wailing cries.
They all turned taking notice of you in your move closer to Dwalin. Right past Diaa and Niro who guided the others to clear a pathway. Inside her nursery you found Dwalin pacing until he caught sight of you and he said, “Jaqi! She won’t calm, I’ve tried everything.”
Moving closer you reached out shifting a strip of her hair off her forehead spotting a telling scaly patch of skin. “Dragon pox.”
He raised a brow as his mouth fell open fearing the worst while Balin behind him asked, “Is it fatal?”
You caught his eye shaking his head, “Not for children. It’s a common illness.” Behind you Remus popped up at your glance towards the mirror mobile with a grin that faltered in his own reach towards Lulu, “You should bring Teddy.”
Percy however near the door met your father halfway taking hold of the sling holding your brother, “I’ll take Fin.” Popping off to fetch your brother too young to be threatened with catching the illness fatal to those his age still un-immune and infants. “You have to come too Hermi.”
Hermione nodded following after him to the isolated islands with the others warned as Regulus sounded the alarm in the Ministry, murmuring after, “I’ll fetch Em,” joining Remus who was on his way to get Teddy.
Dwalin watched saying, “We’re not really fit for a play date right now.”
You shook your head, “No, I know.” A wave of your hand brought a vial into your palm you uncapped and filled the dropper on saying, “This should help with her fever. It sounds a bit strange I know but she’s the most contagious now so we should bring Teddy and Em over to catch it.”
Balin raised a brow, “You wish to infect another two children?!”
You smirked saying, “Please don’t misunderstand this. It is a common illness, for children after the fever is managed it is a day or so of discomfort at the rashes and then they are immune from it ever again. Adults however, they have five hours from contracting it to when the fever hits its high to catch the symptoms and seek treatment or they will die.”
Dwalin, “That, makes-.”
You shrugged, “I know, it doesn’t make any sense but babies have vastly different immune systems than adults do.” He nodded and you wet your lips squeezing the liquid between Lulu’s lips halting her tears in her swallowing leaving only an irritated whine. “Now this should ease things and I’ll get some cream for her skin and some oils for her bath tonight.”
Dwalin nodded and looked to Remus as he appeared again with Teddy in his arms who he set with Lulu in her play area in the sitting room beside Em at Regulus popping up next. With a grin the latter said, “Please don’t worry about her, she’ll be right as rain after the rashes mend.”
Dwalin looked at him with teary eyes keeping Lulu’s little hands from going to scratch herself, “Just a wee little thing. We should be able to protect her.”
Remus grinned and patted him on the shoulder, “It is troubling. And terrifying, I get that. And our methods of handling this may be a bit odd but it is to keep them safe down the road. She won’t remember this.”
The Durins all settled around the sitting room while you popped back up and knelt behind her withholding your groan at your burning thighs opening the jar you brought after sliding a pair of gloves onto Lulu’s hands, “These she won’t be able to take off.” A swipe of your finger later you slicked a bit of cream onto her forehead and then onto each of the patches you could see while Teddy and Em snuggled with her until she calmed as the cream eased her irritation. Both Morphers with hair changing colors in their confusion for how to help.
In a glance up at Dwalin you said, “See, better already. Should last about three hours.” You said passing it to him he cradled carefully before he eyed the vial you passed him, “Warm water, no soap, just that, let her soak and be sure to use a wet cloth to coat her patches before bed. It’ll keep them moist even after you dab her dry and it’ll help her sleep through the night so you don’t have to stay up.”
Dwalin mumbled, “Not that I’ll be able to sleep anyways.” His eyes shifted to Teddy who smacked his lips and then turned his head away from Lulu to sneeze stirring a grin onto Remus’ face. Em did the same and Regulus said, “We’ve got them, bound to be more.”
In another turn of your head you spotted another glowing orb making you sigh, “Off to Rivendell.”
Glorfindel behind you said, “Would it be another case?”
You nodded, “Most likely.” On your feet after you kissed Em, Teddy and Lulu’s foreheads you turned to pass through the doorway giving a comforting comment to the family lingering around. Through the doorway Thranduil and Glorfindel lifted and carried the boys at their feet walking off to find Elrond in the sea of panicking Elves in the scream and wail filled city. Even from Lothlorien more and more children poured in filling the main corridors and gardens. A sharp whistle from you quieted the adults and with a swirl of your hand you brought the fever draught out and started issuing it.
Neville, Draco and Luna arrived through the door with the Twins off gathering more supplies leaving Angela and Katie to help you, and they all started to help hand out the stocked up stash of creams and vials of bath tonic. Off in the distance a notice was sent out with Cho and Dean along with other Ministry members recorded as not having contracted it to go out to the chosen quarantine house. Including Celeborn and the other newborn Elven foster parents also gathered by Percy as a precaution to keep Tin and the other babies safe from catching it yet leaving him anxiously yet contently to explore the mini island town he and the others were taken to for quarantine. Content at least that Celebrian had accepted charge of Lothlorien in his stead for the blip of time until the contagion window had closed again.
By hours end Snape had joined the other professors in forming more creams and tonics to replenish the stores. The panic ceased and though disturbed by the older children the Dwarves brought, at the ministry’s request, to play with the toddlers stirring up a wave of sneezes signaling their contracting the illness, the fostering Elves sat content at least that their children were eased for the time being. Each child had the contraction and issued treatment added to their fostering filed copies of their medical records and all of them were sent home again with a helping of supplies with the rest of the DA there to offer the fever draught when they showed signs of it.
Nightfall broke and you sat across from Maglor as he asked, “You just passed a pox onto a number of children? How are you content with this?”
A soft grin eased onto your face contrasting your now black curls worrying your intendeds along with the tears looming at all you were holding in, kindly offering thanks in accepting the tea Thranduil offered. While Glorfindel raced off to fix you a meal at the growling of your stomach a few minutes prior at lack of dinner yet even after Taule had come to fetch the boys hours prior. “I am content knowing that it is a treatable tolerable condition now rather than when they pass fourteen and the illness becomes fatal.”
At that the Elves’ faced dropped while Amras asked, “How is that possible?”
You shrugged, “Children tend to heal faster. Their immune systems are greatly different than adults. We’re still not certain past that. I know it is troubling, seeing children sick and then knowing that we are forcing that on other children. It, would even seem barbaric to some.”
Thranduil patted his hand on your thigh, “Far from barbaric. A paper cut today over a broken leg twenty years down the line is far more tolerable of a choice.”
You grinned at him and Elrond asked, “It wouldn’t pass to us, would it?”
Shaking your head you answered, “I’ve watched the adults from Erebor and your kin, none have shown the signs. There is a short five hour window we’ve well since passed. The illness came from our world and it seems to remain with us. Though I do have warning charms I’ve left in the mountain and forests to alert us if any of your kin show symptoms.”
He nodded and the rest relaxed in their chairs, “That is comforting. Thank you.”
Sirius however broke your focus and drew you to your feet leaving the table with drink set down as he approached. Exhaling softly he said, “500 cases documented should only be a matter of sunrise for the window to close. Also, Em has been put to bath and bed sleeping soundly as well as Teddy.” That was all it took for the dam to break and mouths on the watching Lords and servants dropped seeing your face scrunch up and a tear was watched in its fall from your cheek turning to a glowing gem sprouting flowers up around it upon hitting the ground, met by others until your father’s arms were draped around you. Resting his cheek on your head for a few moments then said, “Oh Pumpkin, no one in the Ministry enjoys the Pox Push, our worst time of year.” Sharply you inhaled clearly trying to stop crying, nodding in your step back allowing him to wipe your blotchy cheeks.
Long deep inhales and exhales came out in pairs through the last of your tears wiped away to fall as gems from his fingers while the Elves took note of the soft glimmer you were giving off in the moonlight revealed fully in the shifting of the clouds formerly blocking it. “I know.”
Sirius, “You are handling it better than your Mum did. Nearly had the furniture on the roof from her worrying, everything was stuck to hovering, even our bed when she did fall asleep. Nearly broke my arm falling off our bed for some water.”
The image made you grin and nod as his hand lowered, “I’m going to go check on Petunia, apparently there is something in her garden, she said rabbit in her letter but I think we might have some loose gnomes. Please, eat and rest up. Em will be hungry in the morning.” His head turned spotting Ron on his way home from visiting Tuli and he said, “Ah, Ron, how would you like to help me track some gnomes?”
That made the teen smirk and join him on the hunt while you turned to the table again only to glance down at your dress following Thranduil’s lowered gaze to your chest. Sharply you huffed seeing the leak stains making you smooth a hand over your brow and say, “I’m late to pump. I, suppose we could have tea tomorrow so I don’t bother you all.”
Elrond stood with Thranduil who stepped over the bench you were formerly sitting on to walk closer and claim your hand, the former asking, “Pump?”
With a nod you replied, “My breast milk, it almost dried up before Fin came but now it’s picked up again, so um, I have to pump it into bottles for him.”
Maglor asked, “Why would nursing your brother bother us?”
Maedhros replied, “Come and eat to nurse the child. Regain your strength. I would not have stressed you had I known you were still nursing.”
Exhaling again you looked up to Thranduil who had hold of your hand his thumb was stroking through a soft loving grin at you stating, “Please eat.” After a nod you pinched your dress and gave the material a shake shifting it to a pair of knee length sweats and a baggy tank top with your shoes zapping home in the lifting of each foot to walk back to the table. Beside you on the bench a bag appeared with a machine familiar to those having been in your nursery. Under your shirt you eased the cups you placed over your nipples through the front of your fresh bra. And following your gaze the Elves watched you switch on the machine that had them inspecting the odd box that gave off a buzz while you pulled an empty bottle from the bag you removed the top to screw the hose connected lid to the top of it.
Even Thranduil’s eyes narrowed until through the tube from your shirt he saw the milk starting to flow and trickle into the empty bottle making him look at you as you explained, “It’s so we can store up milk in our fridges for the babies so our sitters can feed them when we’re away. Really good for working moms, or adopting parents. We have a whole fleet of nursing moms who’ve been supplying milk for our orphans.”
Arwen asked, “Including you?”
“Well mainly it was for Teddy to wean him onto solid foods while Tonks was away. Counting the Morpher orphans, best to give them Morpher milk, Tin as well, me and Fleur traded turns to give her Veela milk. It truly isn’t as odd as it might seem at first, plus I don’t know how early your babies start to teeth but it helps to keep from being bitten. Hear it hurts.”
Elrond chuckled as Celebrian went into how her twins used to take turns nibbling on her comforting you into eating from the tray that Glorfindel returned with, taking care to watch the bottle that he followed your guidelines to switch to a new one so you might keep eating that he handed off to K saving it for Fin later. Before long you had milked all you could filling two and a half bottles and widely you yawned packing up the machine for Thranduil and Glorfindel to guide you back to your own bed again. The pair wouldn’t be sleeping but with the trio of boys cuddled around you soundly you were off to sleep to try and be ready for the tea the following day.
.
Between a roll from your side to your back two bodies laying on your chest became three and by sunrise it grew to four when freshly woken Em for her morning creams came to join the pile of kids using you as their pillow. Already her irritation was gone left to a few blotchy patches from the strong medicine and bathing salts now greatly calming the foster parents and Dwalin, who managed to get a two hour nap between applications content that Lulu was nearly back to herself again. More irritated to be woken like the other children and content to be able to sleep some more lulling Dwalin to take another nap as well while Balin volunteered to keep checking on her.
From across the bed when breakfast was settled out on the table in Thranduil’s apartment a pair of warm kisses landed on your forehead from your guys gathering the boys for breakfast. Into their arms the boys nestled while you shifted the covers to slide out of bed keeping hold of Em. A quick changing for her and you groggily went to join them.
Into her seat Em settled yawning widely as you opened her jar of food after having glanced at the slips of paper appearing in front of you reading off progress on the quarantined people and that those with infants had been sent home already, including Celeborn who you flashed a grin to realizing he’d just entered the room to join you. “Morning,” you said as he sat down across from you holding Tin and a bottle from the supply you had delivered to him. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, rather well, and I understand fully thanks to Hermione and Percy who explained the trip was to protect my Tin.” Watching you lifting the small spoon to give to Em while the boys thanked Glori, Thranduil and Legolas who helped to fill their sippy cups and plates. “I wished to thank you, for the milk you have been supplying for my Tin.”
Flashing him a sleepy grin you lifted your own fork to start eating, “You don’t need to thank me. Couldn’t let her be given the wrong milk, and I’m not using it.”
“All the same, this is a wonderful gift, to give to a child, I wished to show you my gratitude.”
“Not as great as you taking her in as your own. No doubt soon enough she will grow out of needing breast milk, your gift lasts forever.”
“There will be no success in distracting me from my gratitude.”
Giggling back you replied lifting your loaded fork, “No attempt to distract here.”
“Good, expect a token of my appreciation before your birthday celebration this weekend.”
You looked to Glorfindel who merely smiled stating, “There is no escaping it.”
With a sigh you said, “Just please nothing alive. Apparently Rohan is gifting me a horse.” Making Celeborn chuckle in lowering his gaze to Tin when her hands settled on his large hand holding the bottle in her staring up at him. When you looked to Thranduil you asked, “Busy day?”
He replied lowering his tea, “Not especially. I mean to check in on our fostered youth and their parents before I take Turo for a run, however after that I am free.”
You glanced at Glori who said, “I am spending the day with the guards in Amon Lanc granting Haldir a day off.”
Legolas asked, “Are you busy?”
“Just helping Fred and George fix up the sign in front of our shop and clean up for our re-opening. Should only take a few hours, then I have to be back home to meet with Tuli for tea. No clue what she is expecting, hopefully just asking some questions would be sufficient to try and get to know her. I really have no clue sometimes.”
Legolas smirked saying, “I could request Arwen to join you if you wished. I am certain she could aid in guiding you through what might be expected.”
“I wouldn’t want to spoil her plans.”
Legolas chuckled and found his feet, “No plans, Arwen rarely sets plans in stone. I will go ask her. I will return shortly.” The last he added at your glance towards his plate.
Up he got and your focus turned to the children distracting you until his return when he tasked himself with their care by the time you helped clear the table to go and get ready for clearing up the shop. With a kiss on her cheek Regulus claimed hold of Em once you were in your room allowing you to change and get ready. Back to his room he went finding Lindir still napping on his bed from helping to care for Em until she had gone to climb in with you. Adoringly Regulus kissed his cheek and sat down coating Em with some more creams before pulling out some coloring books for her to fill in while he cuddled closer to Lindir again.
Alongside Ginny, Haldir tagged along to the shop clearing and aided her inside while you and the twins repaired the shop front display and repainted the doorway. Stealing glances at the clock while the streets buzzed with word that you were open again. From your pocket out came the whistling pocket watch alerting near to tea time. Back again through the streets home you went to get ready for the tea. A quick shower and blast of warm air had your curls dried and weaving itself into a long braid. Black jeans and a nice peach colored blouse later with heeled boots to follow down you went to meet up with the house elves readying the tea and snacks. Soft thanks and a stolen tart later you walked out of the kitchen to the sitting room where you paused finding Lindir and Arwen waiting there.
Their heads bowed and you flashed them a grin hearing him saying, “I wished to join you, if that does not trouble your plans.”
“Not at all.” Looking to Arwen you said, “Thank you. I really am clueless on this.”
Shaking her head she replied, “I am glad to share this task with you. Welcoming others into ones family can be quite trying.”
Her gaze turned and you couldn’t help but smile seeing Em hurrying over to you in a dress saying, “Tea Time!” She scrambled up onto your chair saying, “Mummy I want a bite.” Holding out the rest of the mini tart in your hand she took a large bite and you looked to Regulus who sighed saying, “I tried.”
Shaking your head you said, “The more the merrier.”
A doorbell split the conversation and you could hear Ron saying, “We can just go in.” Hushedly she tried to argue only to pause when Regulus came into view earning a bow of her head making him smirk and guide her and her father inside along with Ron. The latter was ushered off by something she whispered to him earning a shake of his head on his way out again and contently once she had formally greeted your guests and Em she claimed her seat through you settling Em on your lap.
Questions flowed and following the guidance of Arwen’s comments and the allowed comments offered mentally by Lindir you seemed to relax the duo now feeling amply welcomed into the fold. Once they had been showed out by Regulus you leaned closer to Lindir asking, “How did that go?”
To himself he chuckled and replied, “Very well done. Tuli should inform Ron that she has been welcomed and your courtship has been accepted fully by you.”
With a nod you lifted your tea to finish it only to hover Regulus’ cup your way that once he came back into the room made him smirk and take yours saying, “Ooh, the grim.” Looking at you he asked, “What does mine say?” Watching your eyes flickering back from being silver, “Something dark?”
Up at him your eyes shifted, “You’re going to find your lost penguin.”
“About time,” he said smirking in trading the cups again, “been looking for months now.”
Arwen asked with eyes shifting between you, “His cup speaks to you?”
Smirking at her you said, “The tea leaves. I can read yours if you like.”
Lindir fidgeted his hands around his cup asking while she lifted hers to finish it off, “What is ‘the grim’ exactly, it does not sound pleasant.”
Smiling at him you said, “It means I will face death.” Making his lips part, “However finding it in my cup is not uncommon.”
Arwen passed you her cup and seeing a sun inside it you grinned as your eyes flashed to silver watching her waking at midnight to a bite from her bunny giving birth on her bed. Meeting her gaze again you said, “You will have a surprise at midnight.”
Arwen, “A surprise?”
“It is best you don’t know, but it is good news.”
Passing back her cup you turned accepting Lindir’s timidly offered cup that once you saw the harp inside your eyes shifted silver and your grin broke watching his sister sneaking a practice on someone’s harp and the string breaking hitting her in the eye eventually making her blind in that eye. Lindir said, “You are not smiling. Will I face death as well?”
“Do you have a harp at home?”
“Yes, yes, my Ada’s. We do not disturb it since he fell.”
You nodded and said, “Your sister has been sneaking lessons on it while you are away from home.”
“How is that bad news?”
“You should return home and replace the strings. One will break and blind her.”
His mouth fell open as you set the cup aside wishing you had seen something else and Regulus came closer easing his arm around Lindir’s back, “Come, we have enchanted strings upstairs. I will help you replace them.” Placing a sweet kiss on Lindir’s brow helping him up, releasing him only to take hold of Em from you.
Lindir still was near to shaking as Arwen stood saying, “I will find and distract her, do not fret, Lindir, we will protect her.”
He nodded being led away and the Princess turned to you saying, “He will thank you once he calms. The gift you hold is quite extraordinary.” Her voice faded in her hand tapping your hands folded in front of you at your eyes flashing silver making her ask when they changed back again, “You have had another vision?”
“Elrond will be very pleased in a century or so.” Her head tilted slightly and you said, “He will have eight grandchildren.” That had her lips parting and you said in a tilt of your head, “I’ll come help distract his sister.”
Another chapter is up. Read it on AO3. Header by the lovely @nikitajobson
It’s mainly some Slytherin friendship. Have an excerpt:
“And you, Pansy?” Blaise asked, seemingly oblivious, to her blunder.
Pansy shrugged. “Everyone knows where I stand in this. There is a reason I am not assigned to ensure the contact ban.”
“You could have been more subtle about this.” Blaise criticized her. “Then Draco could see Hermione all the times you are on duty.”
“Blaise, that’s nuts. Far too risky, one word of this in the wrong ear, and they probably would find some obscure paragraph in wizarding law that results in me being sent to Azkaban and Hermione’s wand snapped and Pansy sacked in disgrace.” Draco scolded him.
“It’s just….” Blaise shook his head. “I don’t know how you bear it. You haven’t seen her for such a long time, and there is still so much time left.”
“479 days to be precise. And it’s spite that keeps me going,” Draco said. “Spite and stubbornness. I don’t want them to win. We will make it through this, Hermione with her wand, the house elves all with contracts, me free and not in Azkaban. Hermione will continue to needle the wizenagamot and make reforms, and most importantly we’ll live happily ever after…. And I hope all Voldemort sympathizers and all Saint Potter worshippers gnash their teeth about it as long as we live.”
Summary: Albus and Gellert believe that their usual audience of men inclined towards other men will have questions about being quarantined with their significant other during the Dragon Pox pandemic, so they start a new advice column. Silliness (and good advice) ensues.
Excerpt: Dear GGAD: My boyfriend and I have been quarantined together and he’s already gone through most of our snacks and sweets. I’d rather not have to go out and buy food every other day and expose myself to the virus. What should I do?
GG: I’m experiencing the same thing. AD has done a number on our supply of sweets and I’m not getting my fair share.
