A collection of stories featuring HPHM MC Carewyn Cromwell, her older brother Jacob, and their circle of associates set prior to, during, and directly after the Second Wizarding War, first depicted in the original Harry Potter book series.
x~x~x~x~x
Prologue: 1990
Albus Dumbledore's Letter to Cornelius Fudge
Mia Flume and Jacob Collide for the First Time Since School
Why Mia Hates Jacob
Carewyn is Named Head Girl
Jacob's Relationship with Horace Slughorn
Jacob and Carewyn Go to a Slug Club Party
Carewyn, You Really Are Tricky Enough to be a Lawyer
1991
Talbott and Carewyn Talk Before the Valentine's Day Ball
Talbott Receives Great News
Jacob and Carewyn Study Together for their NEWTs
Jacob and Carewyn Graduate
Carewyn's Testy Relationship with Dolores Umbridge
Carewyn Helps Talbott and Tonks and Meets Kingsley Shacklebolt
1992
Bill Weasley Tries (and Fails) to Connect With Jacob
Jacob Befriends Lugh Hopper @thatravenpuffwitch
1993
Carewyn Advocates for Hagrid (and Earns Fudge's Respect)
1994
Jacob Befriends Olympe Maxime
Hagrid Encourages Carewyn
Carewyn Visits the Burrow (And Gets Pranked!)
Carewyn and Ginny Go Shopping for Dress Robes
1995
Why Rita Skeeter Never Wrote Any Dirt on Carewyn or Jacob
Carewyn Learns About Cedric's Death
Jacob Meets with Dumbledore After Cedric's Death
Mia and Callie Flume Learn Jacob's Coming Back to London
Remus Lupin Tries to Recruit Chiara Lobosca
Carewyn Bonds with Percy Weasley
Carewyn Clashes with Her Uncle Blaise Over a Time Turner
Florian Fortescue Makes Mia Question Some Things
Carewyn and Remus Have a Meeting of the Minds
1996
Mia Learns About the Azkaban Break-Out
Carewyn Attends a Meeting of the Order of the Phoenix
Mia and Ambrosius Flume Worry About the Ministry's Shadiness
Carewyn Prevents Umbridge from Charging the Weasley Twins
Jacob Argues with the Rest of the Order of the Phoenix
Mia's Nephew is Punished for Being in Dumbledore's Army
Mia Reluctantly Mends Fences with Jacob
Bill Weasley Sits in on One of Carewyn's Trials
Mia Goes to Jacob for Help
Orion Amari Becomes a Single Father
1997
Mia and Jacob Investigate Together
Carewyn Visits Bill After the Battle of the Lightning-Struck Tower
Mia Learns What Happened to Florean
Mia Makes Peace with Silas at Florean's Funeral
Carewyn is Almost Caught by Her New Boss Corban Yaxley
Mia Saves Jacob in Little Hangleton
Carewyn Saves Erik Apollo
Dirk is Arrested and the Flumes are Interrogated
Carewyn Helps Ron at the Ministry
Jacob, Mia, and Pitts Save Hogwarts's Halloween Feast
Carewyn Saves Orion and Eos Amari (+extra artwork)
Callie's Christmas Broadcast at Potterwatch
Orion Thinks of Carewyn While In Hiding
Carewyn and Talbott's Miserable Boxing Day
1998
The Death Eaters Attack Honeydukes Sweetshop
Jacob Gets Wounded and Carewyn Meets Tristan Cromwell
Mia and Jenie Recover at Silas Fortescue's House
Mia Visits the Wounded Jacob at His Flat
Remus Lupin Gives the Flumes Some Good and Bad News
Jacob and Mia Go to Shell Cottage to Visit Ollivander
Jacob's Traumatic Time at the Battle of Hogwarts
Carewyn and Jacob in the Middle of the Battle of Hogwarts
Mia and Jacob Reunite After the Battle of Hogwarts
Charlie and Carewyn Lean on Each Other
Carewyn Reconnects with Headmistress McGonagall
Jacob and Mia Say Goodbye at King's Cross Station
Erik Does NOT Like Carewyn's Uncle Blaise
Carewyn Meets Draco Malfoy in Azkaban
Carewyn Visits Orion and Eos's Cottage
Orion Protects Erik from Dementors
Carewyn and Orion Finally Talk Everything Out
1999
Jacob and Blaise Meet Carewyn's New Boyfriend Orion
Orion Meets His Future "Mother-in-Law" Lane Cromwell
Carewyn and Harry Potter Meet in Court (featuring Night Rhea @night-rhea)
Carewyn as Chief Prosecutor
Carewyn and Erik are Observed by Carewyn's Father
Bill and Carewyn's Letters Circa the War
Orion's Best Friend Skye Parkin Talks to Carewyn
Beyond
Two Years of "Firsts" for Mia and Jacob
The Vanishing Cabinet (featuring Mia and Jacob)
Tristan Seeks Employment Help from Carewyn
Orion Supports Carewyn After Erik Moves Out
Tristan Visits his Aunt Lane to Chart His Way Forward
Carewyn Supports Orion After Eos Leaves for Hogwarts
Jacob Goes Up to Send Sparks on His 40th Birthday
x~x~x~x~x
“We’ll get to really start working at making things better next year, won’t we? Once we get to the Ministry?”
Talbott smiled. “Yeah. Then I can take out the wrongdoers, and you can prosecute.”
Carewyn nodded. “And then we can go out for coffee and do it all over again.”
Talbott inclined his head in agreement, his grin and eyes both gleaming with determination.
“Sounds good.” (x)
I know I’m a day late, but I hope I can still wish both @carewyncromwell and Erik Apollo a happy birthday!
Thank you for the inspiration, @cursebreakerelmswood ! The thought of Mitch, Jordi, H. G. ( @ljthebard1 ), and Eos Amari hiding in the closet after setting up the balloons is top-tier comedy!!!
Cats on the yellow pillow and the hat are Kace and Maple and they’re mine!
Cats in the log and jar are Candy, Paula and Scarlet and they belong to @immagrosscandy
Cat on the scratching post is Erik Apollo and belongs to @carewyncromwell .
Cat with the teaser is Annie and belongs to @department-shoe-stud .
Cat with the yarn is Sahari Silvers and belongs to @dat-silvers-girl .
Cat on the purple bed is Haily Hunt and belongs to @thewritingartest .
Cat under the book is Rowan (requested by immagrosscandy).
Cats in the Cardboard Hogwarts Express are: Robin (at front), Kevin (in the pipe), Ivy (up top) and Daniel (conductor’s seat, also requested by immagrosscandy).
When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? (or just felt really good afterwards)
[Carewyn can't stop herself from grinning, but she tries to cover it up with a poised hand.]
Carewyn: "Erik isn't going to be happy that I brought this up...but when he first arranged for him, Roxanni @mira-shard and me to go out for a dinner to get better acquainted, Erik was so uptight and determined to make sure everything was perfect for our dinner that he'd completely lost sight of the fact that the day he'd chosen was St. Patrick's Day. And considering he'd chosen the location in part for their fine wine selections...as one can expect, a good chunk of the patrons around us were rather drunk by the time we arrived that evening."
[Carewyn bowed her head in an attempt to obscure her large grin as she shook her head.]
Carewyn: "We ended up right by a table of elderly Irish men who were part of a polka band, who proceeded to loudly sing and play love songs to celebrate the 'young feek and his sweet little bird.' Erik was keeping his eyes averted and trying hard to ignore them -- "
While flushing to the shade of a ripe tomato.
" -- but everyone else in the restaurant thought it was quite cute. Roxy thought it was actually quite sweet and laughed it off, and even though I kept it together at the time since I knew Erik was rather thrown off by it, I couldn't keep myself from laughing afterwards."
Jacob: "(laughs) Oh, definitely when this dumb blood purist broad tried to fire me from a school I don't even work at.
"Okay, so here's the skinny. I was abroad, visiting the Salem Witches' Institute, right? I'd come to visit after the Headmistress asked me to give a lecture to their 'senior' class -- basically, their version of NEWT students -- about my methods of developing magical creature anti-venoms. And I decided -- after some discussion with that very Headmistress -- that the class would benefit from some 'in-the-field' learning -- so I took the girls to the local zoo so we could visit the reptile house and discuss the ways that Muggle doctors treat those non-magical reptiles' venoms. While there, we had to use Muggle dollars and cents to buy food and souvenirs -- I helped with that part, so everyone could buy at least one small treat -- overall, it was a brilliant day! The girls were all super jazzed. At least until she popped up -- Mrs. Buzzkill. She was the mum of one of the girls, this one really shy little thing, and I gotta say, I can see why the girl barely talked, if she lives with an obnoxious chatterbox like that woman. But yeah, that broad thought it was outrageous that I'd bring her daughter to such an unsafe, low-brow place, where Muggle boys could 'have their way with such impressionable young girls.' She wouldn't listen to a single word anyone said -- all she could do was point her manicured claw at me and scream at the Headmistress how I was unfit to teach children and she should fire me straightaway and how she was going to sue me for everything I owned and make sure I ended up out on the streets."
[Jacob bursts out laughing just remembering the encounter.]
Jacob: "When I finally got a word in, I told the lady that I'm a traveling wizard who's already quite comfortable on the streets, so maybe she should find another method of attack. Preferably not on the Dueling Field, because I don't want to embarrass her further.''
[Jacob laughs harder.]
Jacob: "Old banshee nearly turned purple, hearing that. Poor Headmistress had to threaten to stun her, just to get her to back down and take a chill pill."
in memory of Maggie Smith...rest in peace, sweet queen
The Battle of Hogwarts was hard-fought. With how many casualties there had been and how much the school had been damaged, it was inevitable that it would take a very long time before things would be as they once were. If nothing else, those poor students who had had to start at Hogwarts the year the Death Eaters took over would have to pretty much start all over again from the Defense Against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies perspective, since everything they'd learned from the Carrows was both completely useless and incorrect. And that wasn't even touching just how hard it would be for the student body to find contentment and peace again after such a traumatic school year.
Hogwarts needed strong leadership, if it hoped to get through such a difficult time. Fortunately the school was in very good hands, with Minerva McGonagall as its Headmistress. There was truly no one better to take charge in Carewyn Cromwell's mind that her old Deputy Headmistress.
"Phoenix ashes," Carewyn stated the password that she'd received in her most recent letter.
At once the gargoyle moved aside, allowing her access to the Headmistress's Office. As she climbed the stairs, the Ministry's star lawyer caught the sound of two familiar voices.
"...word to Kingsley on the matter?" asked a very dreamy, serene male voice.
"I daresay our new Minister will have more than enough on his plate at present," said a much crisper, sterner female voice, before she exhaled. "But yes, I suppose I will have to. It's hardly a wonder last NEWT season was so disheveled: some retesting will be inevitable, under the circumstances..."
As Carewyn reached the landing, she found tall, austere Minerva McGonagall standing at the far back left of the office, speaking to the portrait of her old friend and mentor, Albus Dumbledore. The Headmistress had her graying dark hair tied back in a very tight bun as always, and she was dressed in high-necked black and red tartan robes. She had her back to Carewyn when she entered, which meant that Dumbledore's portrait caught sight of the red-haired Slytherin alumnus first.
"Hello, Carewyn," he said with a bright twinkle in his painted eyes.
Carewyn's red lips came together tightly. It was the first time she'd seen Dumbledore's portrait in the office. The last time she'd seen the man himself was nearly a year prior to his death -- hell, even the last letter she'd received from him had come through a good two years ago now.
"...Hello, Professor," she said stiffly.
She turned to McGonagall and her expression relaxed, seeing the small smile touching the older woman's features.
"Hello, Miss Cromwell."
"It's been a while, Professor."
"Indeed it has," said McGonagall. "I believe this is the first time we’ve spoken since I visited your flat at the start of the War…"
Carewyn nodded. She glanced around the Headmistress's office — it hadn’t changed that dramatically since she’d been there last, but there were a few things that felt off. Obviously the portrait of Dumbledore was new; there were a few magical instruments that had been replaced on the many shelves. The thing that caught Carewyn's eye, however, was the empty roost which years before had hosted Dumbledore’s familiar, Fawkes the phoenix.
McGonagall followed Carewyn's gaze, and her expression grew a bit more solemn.
"Fawkes left Hogwarts the night Albus died," she said, her eyes flitting back to Dumbledore's portrait as he swept out of it and out of sight. "Neither I nor anyone else I know of has seen him since."
Carewyn bowed her head. "I daresay with how loyal he was to Dumbledore, Fawkes will mourn him longer than anyone else."
McGonagall sighed. "Yes..."
Her eyes behind her glasses appeared misty and dark — Carewyn could sense a wave of nostalgia coming off of her, as well as a Dumbledore-shaped shadow sweeping silently around the office they now occupied. Even so, as she crossed the room back over to her desk, the Headmistress walked with purpose and pride in her shoulders.
"I lament you were unable to pay your respects, after what happened," said McGonagall, "but I suppose the role you played for the Order would have been compromised by your attendance?"
Carewyn frowned uncomfortably as she looked away.
"My Legilimency has…made it more difficult for me to be in tight proximity with lots of people. And people in mourning, especially people I knew…it would've been a struggle to act detached from Bill and the others, in the midst of that. With Umbridge and Scrimgeour in attendance as potential witnesses, I couldn't risk that loss of composure, if I wanted them to think I wasn't aligned with the Order."
Her blue eyes darkened.
"…Even coming to Hogwarts, after the Battle…even when separated from everyone by walls, the emotions were so loud and painful that I could barely stand."
McGonagall’s face gained a bit more compassion. "I see…"
The Headmistress indicated the chair on the other side of her desk. Carewyn accepted the mute offer and sat down.
"Would you like some tea?" asked McGonagall.
"That'd be lovely, thank you."
The Headmistress waved her wand. In a moment, a teapot had bounced off of a nearby table with a newly formed pair of legs and up onto the desk, little splashes of tea spilling out the top as it went. Not far behind it came two teacups, also bounding up onto the desk in front of Carewyn and McGonagall, respectively. McGonagall let the teapot pour its own contents into their cups as she flipped open a lid on a box to reveal a batch of Ginger Newts, which she placed down between them so Carewyn could reach them.
"I did visit his tomb on my way in today, though," said Carewyn. She picked up her newly full cup with a quickly murmured "thank you" to the enchanted teapot. "Mum asked me to drop off some flowers, for her."
"Albus would've appreciated that," said McGonagall. "He always spoke fondly of Lane…and of you and Jacob, as well. He does as well," she added, indicating the empty frame of Dumbledore's portrait with a nod of her head.
Carewyn eyed the empty frame too, but more beadily. However fond he may have been of them, Dumbledore had still expelled Jacob in a misguided attempt to protect Hogwarts from R, and that was something that even now Carewyn couldn'’'t forgive.
“How is Jacob?” asked McGonagall more solemnly. "I know he suffered his fair share of loss in the final Battle."
"He's doing as well as he can,” Carewyn said, grateful for the caring. "As we all are, after everyone we've lost in this War…"
The faces of Tonks, Lupin, Amelia Bones, Mad-Eye Moody, Fred, and Dobby ran over her memory as she glanced around the office again, her eyes lingering on the many portraits hung up on the walls.
For a brief moment, Carewyn had wondered if there would’ve been another portrait added of the Headmaster who had taken charge of Hogwarts for most of the last term — but, she reminded herself, someone would likely have to actively choose to put a portrait of him in the office for him to be there. And she had trouble thinking of anyone who'd want to hang a portrait of Severus Snape on Hogwarts grounds, after everything…
McGonagall’s own expression had become rather sad as she folded her hands on her desk.
"I daresay it will be a long time before we fully heal from all the pain we have suffered. Before our whole World heals..."
Her face then grew more serious again.
"...Fortunately, from what I understand, we've started on the proper path towards that. Is it true you've accepted the role of Chief Prosecutor, for the Ministry's upcoming trials?"
Carewyn nodded. "Minister Shacklebolt offered the role to me this last Tuesday. There's still a lot of work to do before we start, but all of the suspects the Ministry seeks to try are already in custody, so at least we don't have to worry about them causing any further damage. All we have to do now is prove the extent of their crimes..." Her eyes hardened. "...And I intend to make sure they all face justice — every last one of them.”
"I have no doubt of that, Miss Cromwell." Something proud seemed to flicker across McGonagall’s features. "If there's one thing Barty Crouch did not have while pursuing justice against Voldemort's supporters, it was a strong moral compass…and that is something you've never lacked."
Carewyn wasn’t able to fight back the flinch at the Dark Lord’s name; even now that he was dead, he remained her greatest fear, and the habit of not using his name was hard to break. Even so, she smiled slightly.
"…I appreciate the support, Professor. It'll take time to give everyone a thorough trial, but there are some who it'll be far easier to try and convict quickly. Those captured after the Battle of Hogwarts, primarily — I would say there is little to no defense anyone could offer for the likes of Alecto and Amycus Carrow."
McGonagall scoffed. "I doubt those savage simpletons would see any reason to excuse their behavior, as opposed to justify it."
Carewyn snorted in agreement. "The Malfoys, on the other hand, might require more deliberation…particularly Narcissa." She took a sip of tea. "...Then there are those suspects who will undoubtedly claim innocence and coercion, whether it's true or not — Dolores Umbridge, for instance."
McGonagall gave a louder scoff than ever.
"Oh yes, I'm quite sure she'll try," she said spitefully. "I do hope your case will be robust enough to contradict that?"
"Don't worry," said Carewyn with a cold smile, "I have a large file of evidence against Umbridge, and it should be more than enough to condemn her. If you want to submit your own testimony as to her sadistic character, though, I'd be happy to include it in my prosecution," she added with a larger smirk.
"You may expect it by tomorrow," McGonagall said very coolly.
"Much obliged," Carewyn said with a grin.
She put down her cup of tea so she could fetch a Ginger Newt from the open tin. She took a bite, chewing slowly as she considered her next words.
"...Professor...may I ask your opinion on something?"
McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "You may certainly ask it. Though I must confess, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear you openly asking for advice."
"I don't intend to make a habit of it," Carewyn said with a light huff. Glancing away, she then admitted a bit more seriously, "...It's just...you've had to look after a lot of children as if they were yours, even if they weren't. And well...I find myself in the position that I might have to, as well."
McGonagall peered at Carewyn over her tea with interest. "Oh?"
Carewyn smiled uncomfortably, her eyes averted as she rested her hand holding the Ginger Newt on the desk.
"...I...want to foster a child," she confessed.
McGonagall blinked in surprise.
"His name is Erik Apollo," Carewyn explained. "He's one of the children I'm representing before the Wizengamot, demanding compensation. He was orphaned, cursed, and rounded up by the Muggle-Born Registration Commission during the War -- he only just barely avoided getting chucked into Azkaban, after Umbridge's trumped-up trial of him. He's twelve years old, set to start at Hogwarts this September as a first year. His home was wrecked and he has no other family. He needs somewhere stable to live in the Wizarding World, while he attends school..."
"And you wish to provide him that?" presumed McGonagall.
Carewyn nodded very firmly. "I do."
"Hm..." McGonagall's face had warmed significantly. "...Well, Miss Cromwell, I think that is a truly noble and generous thing for you to do. I would be happy to give you any counsel you wish."
She then smiled a bit more wryly.
"And I sincerely hope your new ward gets up to less trouble than you or your brother got up to, when he arrives here this September."
"A look in somebody's eyes
To light up the skies,
To open the world and send it reeling...
A voice that says, "I'll be here
And you'll be alright."
I don't care if I know
Just where I will go
'Cause all that I need's this crazy feeling --
A rat-tat-tat on my heart --
Think I want it to stay..."
~"City of Stars (cover)" by Kenzie Nimmo and Harris Heller
x~x~x~x
2007 was an exciting year in Wizarding Britain. The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, was named the new Head of the Auror Department; a biography about war hero Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was published in time for the tenth anniversary of his death; and in the Quidditch world, the Chudley Cannons made it to the League Finals for the first time in over a century, though they did still end up losing to League favorite the Montrose Magpies.
For the Magpies' Star Chaser and Captain Orion Amari specifically, however, 2007 was also an emotional year -- for it was the year that his daughter Eos was set to start her Hogwarts education.
When Eos received her letter from Deputy Headmaster Neville Longbottom, she tried to hold in her excitement. She had always been rather soft-spoken, and her hands were shaking with nerves, but she also couldn't stop herself from showering her father with eager questions. Even as she and her father sat out on the roof that night, looking up at the stars like they always did before bed, she couldn't stop talking about the letter still clutched in her hands.
"Right here they say no broomsticks..." Eos mumbled, pointing out the postscript on her school supply list as she looked up at Orion imploringly, "...but they still have brooms at school I can borrow, right? I can still fly if I want to...right, Dad?"
"Of course," said Orion serenely. "Their thought is to protect those students without the flying education you've had. It would be silly and pointless to ask a bird not to use her wings."
This calmed Eos down significantly. "Oh, good. I really hoped they wouldn't stop me from trying out for my house team..."
"They would not. But be aware that Hogwarts's house teams rarely consider first years for their roster, Mooncalf. Even Skye and I had to wait until our second year to be considered."
"Really...?"
Eos visibly deflated. Orion brought his hand down onto his daughter's head.
"Do not take my caution as discouragement," he said gently. "I merely wish to set expectations for you. I would be delighted if you defied the odds and earned a spot on your house team in your first year -- but I would be just as proud, just knowing that you chose to fight those odds to your utmost...or that you wanted to train up before trying out next year. Even if you ultimately chose not to try out at all."
Eos looked appalled. "Not play Quidditch? Why would I do that?"
"However like Nifflers we both are, Carewyn had a different kind of gold to chase at school than I did, and I never resented that," Orion said in amusement.
Eos bit back a grin at the mention of her father's romantic partner.
"I thought Carewyn was your Abraxan, Dad, not a Niffler."
"We are all akin to Nifflers in a way, so long as we have a goal we pursue fearlessly, little Mooncalf."
"Well, my goal is to play Quidditch! Just like you."
Orion chuckled as he lightly ruffled her dark hair.
"If that is what your heart desires, then don't let that go, for an instant. Listen to your heart...and I will always be proud of you."
Eos's face lit up like a silent sunbeam. Beaming from ear to ear, the skinny dark-haired preteen threw her arms around her father's chest and gave him a big hug. Orion cradled her for a moment, looking up at the sky. It was only when he was sure his daughter wasn't looking at him that he took that breath he'd been holding, but truly hadn't wanted her to see him take.
x~x~x~x
The two hugged once again, just that tightly, on Platform 9 3/4 that September 1st. Eos then turned to Carewyn and silently swept over to give her just as big of a hug. At age 11, Eos was quickly catching up with Carewyn height-wise, so her face landed right beside her honorary "stepmother's" chest.
"Write to your father or me if you need anything," Carewyn told her quietly.
Eos nodded. Carewyn's twenty-two-year-old son ward Erik Apollo brought a hand onto Eos's shoulder from behind.
"Don't worry so much," he said with a smirk. "I'll see Doe-Eyes in the halls almost every day -- I'll keep an eye on her."
"Don't think I don't notice you're not promising to keep her out of trouble like I asked you to," Carewyn said very coolly.
Erik gave a bark of laughter. "Hey, I'm a TA, not a fuckin' babysitter."
Carewyn whacked Erik on the arm with her purse while Eos burst into stifled, girlish giggles. The group's banter was cut short, though, when Hogwarts Express gave a loud toot.
"That's our cue, Doe-Eyes," Erik said stridently. "We'd better get moving."
Picking up Eos's trunk, he hoisted it up onto the train, climbed up, and then helped Eos up onto the train as well.
Eos turned around, back toward Orion. Her father gave her a small smile.
"Look up at the stars tonight, Mooncalf," he reminded her.
Eos bit her lip. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she gave the bravest nod she could. "Mm-hmm..."
The train gave a lurch and Eos had to grab onto the railing on the edge of the door frame to keep from falling over. Erik brought an arm around to support her as the Hogwarts Express began to inch out of the station -- Orion raised a hand in a static wave goodbye, and Eos waved back more actively, even as her big black eyes began to flood with tears.
It was only after the train finally left the station that Orion very slowly lowered his arm and his smile faded. He stared at the opening the train had left through for a very, very long time in silence. Carewyn stood beside him, her shoulder resting beside his before her fingers enclosed gently around his wrist.
Orion looked at her. The red-haired lawyer was likewise looking out at where the Hogwarts Express had vanished rather than at him, but her hand on his wrist was warm and reassuring. She even tried to match his breathing -- as if she was trying to quietly take the heavy weight on Orion's shoulders partially onto hers as well.
Orion's face softened as he exhaled. He leaned in to place a kiss to the top of Carewyn's head, grateful for her support. Carewyn looked up at him.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Orion said with another heavy sigh. "Yes, I believe so."
Carewyn turned to him. Bringing a hand up to run over his cheek, she held it in place so she could place a soft peck to the side of his chin. Then, securing her arm around her partner's, she walked with him out of the train station.
x~x~x~x
Carewyn and Orion walked through London that afternoon, stopping by Diagon Alley to pick up a new Broom Compass at Quality Quidditch Supplies and some flavor-changing mood tea at Rosa Lee Teabag. They then stopped into Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes briefly to visit Carewyn's old friend George Weasley. Orion ended up taking to the one lone black Pygmy Puff in the cage by the front desk, though once he'd gently scooped it up, he somehow attracted all of the remaining pink and purple Puffs up onto his arms, shoulder, head and clothes, and Carewyn and George couldn't fight back laughter as they worked together to "rescue" Orion from the overly affectionate bundles of fluff.
"Pygmy Puffs are supposed to be very good pets," Carewyn said later, as they strolled back through London together. "Maybe we could surprise Eos with one for Christmas."
Orion glanced away. "...Yes. Hopefully our new furry friend would like our woods as much as we do..."
Carewyn could sense slight melancholy coming off her partner. She knew how close Orion and Eos had always been -- she figured Christmastime had to feel so very, very far away, in that moment.
"...I'm sure they will," she said gently.
She unlocked the door to her flat and headed on inside. Once Orion closed the door behind them, she took his hand.
"Come on," said Carewyn. "There's one more thing I have planned, before we settle in for dinner."
Orion cocked his eyebrows. "Oh?"
Carewyn avoided his eyes as she led him into the center of the room with both hands. Their matching gold partnership bands glinted in the light of the side lamp.
"I'll have to use Side-Along Apparition," Carewyn said bracingly.
Orion ran his thumbs along the back of her hands. "I shall go where you go, my Abraxan."
Carewyn's red lips curled up in a comforted smile as she gave his hands a light squeeze.
CRACK.
In seconds, Orion had been yanked through space after Carewyn, and suddenly the two of them were on a hill just outside of London.
Orion looked around. The view was impressive -- London by night glittered with thousands and thousands of tiny lights, akin to stars...and just above them, twinkling down from above, were the actual stars, blending in with the city below.
When Orion looked at Carewyn, she was smiling self-consciously as she looked out at the view too.
"You always have such a beautiful view of the stars, back in Montrose," she muttered. "I knew I couldn't give you that in London, but...well, I thought at least this way, it'd be easier for us to look at the stars together. ...To tell Eos that we saw the same stars she did."
Orion watched Carewyn as she stared out at the night sky rather than him.
"I missed Erik so much, when he first left for school. I missed him even more when he moved out, remember? And you were there for me then. ...I want to be here for you now. Even if I'm happy for Eos, and I know you are too...that doesn't mean I don't understand how hard it is...knowing that she's growing up. That soon she's going to be her own person, separate from you...and she won't need you so much anymore. ...That's why I want to be there. Because I know it's a happy time, and it will only be happier as time goes by...but that doesn't mean it isn't also scary."
Little by little, Orion's expression melted.
"...Carewyn..."
He brought up his hand to rest under her chin. With his pointer finger and thumb, he gently coaxed her to look at him -- then, swooping in, he kissed her fully. When he broke the kiss, he remained right beside her, their foreheads and noses touching.
"My dear Abraxan...your presence will never fail to give me courage."
Carewyn smiled. Leaning in to peck his lips again briefly, she then brought her head down beside his shoulder as she looked above them.
"Your constellation wouldn't be out tonight, would it?" she asked.
"No," said Orion. "Orion appears in the spring. But Cygnus is very bright tonight -- see? Those are his wings."
"Oh! Right, Cygnus is a swan," recalled Carewyn. "I see him. That really bright star is his tail, right?"
"Yes. That is Deneb. His name is even derived from the Arabic for 'tail.'"
"Hmm..."
Carewyn looked up at the constellation thoughtfully. Orion raised his eyebrows at her.
"Does Cygnus trouble you?"
Carewyn shook her head. "No...just a bit disappointed I can't think of any songs about swans right now."
Orion's black eyes softened. "Ah."
He brought an arm around her as they looked up at the sky together.
"Well...if you think of any, we can enclose the lyrics in our letter to Eos."
Carewyn smiled up at him and nodded. She looked back up at the sky, resting her head back on his shoulder. Orion leaned his head gently beside hers in return.
"I could reach out to my old friend Pitts," Carewyn suggested. "He's a house elf who works in the Hogwarts kitchens. He's Disapparated in and out of the school before...he might leave our letter on Eos's pillow in her new dorm tonight, if I ask him nicely. And reassure him that Eos is a good girl who never gets into trouble and loves sandwiches more than anything in the world."
