Evergreen

Hariel woke up with the feeling of  a soft and very familiar snout nuzzling into her neck. Cracking one eye open she is first met with the gaze of an unamused Hedwig sitting on her usual stand from across her bedroom in Grimmauld Place. The owl in question then hooted at her in greeting, which she quirked a smile at.

“Goodmorning girl- or well, is it morning?” She then asked the owl after she raised her hand from out of her covers, Hedwig then flew to, to receive her daily loving pets.

Which Hariel of course most certainly did, and quite thoroughly at that, by the purring sounds she then let out, well owl purring sounds, that is.

And seeing as she of course wouldn’t get an answer, she then simply waved her hand in the air, wishing to know the time and day.

It was 10.30, and today is  the 7th of July, of the year 2000.

Luna and Rolf’s wedding.

She then cursed, all the while she tried to get out of the snake’s hold that is curled around her whole body, as usual.

And hearing annoyed hissing then, she simply rolled her eyes before she stopped her movements entirely.

*Let me get out of my bed, Seraphina* She  hissed to the now awake snake, who was  looking through her slitted and very annoyed golden eyes at her, which would have frozen anyone by her gaze alone, well anyone but her that is, and there was also the fact she got around that bit, seeing as she made her a special necklace ( which the vain thing of course is very delighted by, especially seeing as it portrayed her greatness and beauty and all, well in the young Basiliks own words that is) of a sort, that was spelled to not petrify anyone, without reason of course, seeing as she could use it to defend herself and Hariel herself that is (especially with her bite alone, her venom that is), as the little one was rather firm on that, what with her being the young Basilisk's  bonded and proclaimed mother.

*No mother,* The young snake then answered, which Hariel should have expected seeing as the little one did not like to be awoken from her slumber, especially during such an ungodly hour, in the snake’s own words.

* I shall not, I am very comfortable and warm now. So sleep.* Seraphina then hissed at her, all the while she flicked her warm tongue on her face then, which Hariel only looked upon with a put-out expression, but her lips then quirked in amusement at the little one, especially when Hedwig then nibbled on the snake in beratement, in  her usual mother henning way of course.

Which was nice to see, seeing as she wasn’t the one on the receiving end now. 

The relationship between the two is an interesting one, she had expected them to be at one another’s throats  at first to be honest, but it was great that they weren't, seeing as both of them saw one another as a part of her.

Which shouldn’t have surprised her to begin with,  as she was later told: she was bonded to the both of them, they’re both her familiars.

Which was unheard of, having two that is, seing as having one was already a most astounding thing to begin with, especially in this age, she had been told by her uncle Remus.

The only other known wizards and witches being, among them, her very own famous ancestors, or well she was related to them: Merlin and Morgana themselves.

Which she did not know how to react to, or not? Seeing as should she even be surprised to begin with? Especially with the strangeness that is her life in general?

So no, she didn’t think any more on it, and that was that.

“Thank you Hedwig,” She then told the owl, who seemed to have finally gotten the snake to get off of her.

The young snake in question then simply made her way to her basking area, which was also beside her, which then also led to a whole other space entirely,  her own personal terrarium, or chamber if you will, which she had already set up, but when she had noticed Seraphina had separation anxiety, she couldn’t let her be alone, so she connected the place with her own private chambers. 

But even when the little finally got over it, she still preferred to stay by her side, which Hariel let be, seeing as she didn’t mind having her, and Hedwig of course as company in her chambers, seeing as it was a rather large room to begin with…especially with a connecting bathroom within it, with a poolsized tub of all things…which again, she should not be surprised by in the slightest, seeing as she was living in of the many Black households, and Grimmauld being seated in London, it is to be expected really.

She had taken the rooms of the Head of House after their little family had grown, what with Teddy being here and all, so that the young family could have their very own private wing in the house, where Andromeda resided in as well, even when she offered the older woman to have her own suite to herself, what with the house being large enough and all, but well the older woman had declined it, which was understandable.

But well, it was nice to have life in the once cold house, which great nan Mel wholeheartedly agreed with, after she found a connecting portrait of hers in the house, which she later found out Walburga had thrown away in the attic, which Hariel then of course put in the center of the family room.

And speaking of the other woman, her grandmother, Sirius and Regulus’ mother …their relationship is…strange.

After the death of Sirius, which the older woman had surprisingly grieved over, but well Hariel didn’t really know what their relationship had been, but what she was certain about was that Sirius and Regulus deserved to have had a better childhood, they should have been treated as children, and not what the older woman had wanted to see from them.

She should have been their mother, but well even then, Hariel realised that the older woman did in fact love them in her own way, Sirius even more-so…

The son that had shamed the Black name.

She loved him, she told her with tears falling from her stern face, which was quite the sight. She hadn’t wanted this to happen, never. She had told her in clear pain for the son she had lost, for both sons.

Sons that would be lost forever, well that was until she had found and brought Regulus’ corpse back home, which had set the mother back to being a grieving mess,and Hariel had been the one top comfort her throughout it all.

Which the older woman had let her do, even when Hariel didn’t know how to comfort anyone to begin with, seeing as she had still been grieving her father as well, and the unknown uncle she had only heard of from others.

A legacy she had to carry on her shoulders now.

Which she hopes she is doing a good enough job off, even if she wasn’t showing her face in the public for the most of it. But well, she had Andromeda for that thankfully.

But well, Walburga and her relationship has been positive you could say…not that she was going to start calling her grandma or anything, seeing as the woman in question did not like to be called that to as well (especially because she was constantly reminded of her age then, or well the age she had been before…).

So it was simply that.

But well, she should really start getting ready for the day, seeing as it was going to be a rather big day and all. And she wouldn’t ever forgive herself if she wasn’t there for Luna, especially on her important day, even if she partly felt saddened by that fact…seeing as she was going to lose her and everyone else because of old age.

Because she wasn’t going to age past the age of 21 she was told, she was to be forever immortalised at that age. 

And she couldn’t do anything against it, even if she tried, seeing as it had been decided for her from the day she had been born, as Thanatos had told her.

But well , it was best she not think of that now. 

This was Luna’s most important day, and she shouldn’t besmirch it with any unhappy thoughts or energy as she was told by Nymphadora, who was very into that sort of thing, which Hariel could respect, seeing as it was a real thing to begin with.

Signing the last of the documents for the year (thanfully), Hariel then looked up in amusement when she heard the familiar sound coming from outside.

“It seems your admirer had come to see you once more, Hed’” She teasingly told the now annoyed owl, who only looked at the direction with a strange gaze, one Hariel couldn’t seem to put a word to. But well, this was hilarious.

This was a sight that happened every once in a while throughout the two years now, a certain golden sheened owl in particular.

Which had taken her by surprise in the beginning seeing as there weren’t any owls besides wizarding owls like her own Hedwig, in the fully crowded and busking city that is London…But well, she then put it to the owl being a secret admirer of her Hedwig, seeing as he mayhaps had seen her from a distance, which amused Hariel to no end even now.

But well, the owl in question doesn’t know that they know of his presence, which was even more amusing!

She then heard an indignant hoot from beside her, when Hariel then decided to finally introduce herself to the male owl, and after she opened her window, she was then met with the sight of an alarmed male owl now, who had not been expecting her to do that.

And seeing the owl then lose its grip on the tree branch in front of them because of it, Hariel then quickly, and gently, levitated the owl towards her, to let it stand on her window sill.

The owl then turned to look at her in quietness, its eyes still widened upon her amused ones, which she then felt slightly guily by, seeing as it was her fault that he almost fell.

“Did I frighten you, handsome? My apologies, I just wanted to finally meet you, seeing as you had been stalking my dearest Hedwig for some time now. Now now, don’t be alarmed!” She then gently told the owl, when she saw its alarmed expression then, well if owls could wear such an expression then this would be it. But well she was then holding a finger towards the owls beak in greeting, which he then sniffed a moment later, which made her smile. 

“My, aren’t you a gentleman, right Hed’?” She then said, all the while she softly petted the owl’s feathers, which the owl then leaned into in clear satisfaction.

But well, Hedwig was being surprisingly quiet now, which was a strange sight- was she shy? How adorable, but well if she was going to let this continue, you bet she was first going to see what the boy’s intentions were with her Hedwig. 

Seeing as she didn’t want any- in Nymphadora’s words ‘fuckboys’, around her Hedwig, for she deserved to be treated as the Queen she was.

So she then turned her gaze cold upon the now frozen owl, with her hand still upon its feathers on its chest, which she then curiously looked at before she turned her gaze once more on the owl.

The owl really was pretty, she isn’t sure she ever saw an owl with this colouring…he was a golden boy for sure, which again set her at attention- for that could most definitely mean that he might be a fuckboy, well in owl standards, but well Nyphadora said that most men, whatever their species were, were for the most part, and only a small part of the population of them was the loyal kind, like her uncle Remus apparently, which Hariel fullheartedly believed seeing as Remus was the best of men. 

And well, she shouldn’t be surprised by that, seeing as her cousin did like to talk about her husband on any occasion really…not that Remus wasn’t as well, they really were perfect for one another. She then thought in faux disgust with a quirk to her lips, but well she had business to take care of now…

And looking at the still frozen owl in front of her, she then angelicly smiled at him, showcasing her shiny and sharp teeth at the owl, who then unconsciously flinched at the sight.

Which was the reaction she wanted to begin with, even if she did not like hurting animals in any way- but for her Hedwig?

She would pluck all of his feathers out and eat him for dinner if he dared to do anything untowards with her.

Which she of course relayed to the male owl as well, all the while she continued to gently pet his feathers.

And with a final nod, especially after she noticed that the owl understood, she then let him go and decided to continue to finish the last of her paperwork on her desk then, all the while she then winked at Hedwig, who only looked at her with a strange gaze, which Hariel did not read any more into.

“Well seeing as that is done with, don’t let me get in between you lovebirds, but I will be chaperoning the both of you, so Hedwig, you can talk to mister handsome over there if you want~” She then teasingly told the owl.

“Splendid, you’re going completely bonkers now, talking and threatening birds now are we, Harry?” An amused voice then called by the now opened door and looking up she was met by the equally amused gaze of Theo the.

“I did hear that happens to those that are hermits, them turning insane that is-”

“Shut up, Theo.” She then simply said in greeting, which the boy simply smiled at all the while he raised his hands towards her in a calming gesture.

“No offense meant of course, but really Harry- you shouldn’t be stuck home constantly, try to go out every now and then alright? And weddings shouldn’t be the only reason you should only got out to.” He then said with a raised brow at her, after he took his seat before her desk.

“I do go outside you know, not that its any of your business what I do with my free time, mister ‘I am engaged to the lovely miss Bones!’, which again, I congratulate for, but do stop motherhenning me, Remus is enough as is,” She the grouchily told the boy, after she theatrically exclaimed what he had told her before in the year.

“Alright, but on: I did not sound like that when I told you, and I most certainly never mooned like that! And second, valid, I won’t motherhen over you again, seeing as I know as well how Remus gets…” 

“Finally!” Hariel then exclaimed, which the boy quirked his into a smile then, at the sight of it, of her being so lively once again.

Which he was very grateful about, seeing as they were all really worried over her state from before, well after the battle that is.

It’s very good to have her back again, the Harry from even before that , that is…even if she was being a hermit for the most part…but well, that was understandable- seeing as she wasn’t left in peace by most of the bloody Wizarding world.

But well, that didn’t mean that she had to continue living like this! But well, they were slowly getting to that, get her to be out of her ‘cocoon’ that is, which Nymphadora has a plan for…which Theodore doesn’t know of, but he trusts her to get their Hariel fully back to her normal self, the Harry that  was more outgoing for one, and didn’t care for anyone’s shite and stuff.

“So mind telling me why you’re here, not that you aren’t welcome to visit anytime you want seeing as you are linked to the house for a reason Theodore-but well, weren’t you living in the would be honeymoon stage of your life in your nest with the lovely Susan? How is she by the way? Did she kick you out of the house for being such a bore?” Hariel then teasingly asked him, which the boy in question gave her a middle finger in answer to with a sarcastic smile to boot, which Hariel huffawed at.

“Oh my Theo, that isn’t proper, not at all! “ 

“Oh bugger off, Harry.” He then told her with a smile, before he answered her.

“And isn’t it obvious, I’m joining you lot to Luna’s wedding. Susan had an appointment to first get to, and she said she would come afterwards, with the Madam Bones and the other girls, so I decided to come with you lot then.”

“Ah how sad that you had to lump yourself in with us crazy folk then, Theo. But welcome home.” She then warmly said to the boy, well man now she supposes.

“Thanks, it’s good to be home,” He then said with a warm smile of his own.

“HARRY AND THEO, COME DOWNSTAIRS ALREADY YOU SLOWPOKES?! LUNCH HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVED FOR MERLIN’S SAKE!” They then heard the hollering voice of their older cousin, Nymphadora.

Which they rolled their eyes at in amusement,

“I did not miss that in the slightest.” Theodore then jokingly said, which Hariel laughed at.

“I HEARD THAT, NOTT-” Nymphadora then shouted from downstairs, which Hariel laughed even harder over, especially because of the put-off expression the man was wearing now.

“...How does she always hear us,”

“It’s better you don’t question it, Theo, let’s just go before she hauls us downstairs by our necks herself, like she did in the past. Or would you like that perhaps, for old times sake?”

“Oh shove off, Harry.”

Luna had a lovely wedding in true ‘Luna fashion’ as she should say, she thought with love for the younger girl in question.

Luna’s wedding dress was a rainbow of colours, which had spangles, and she was wearing a silver tiara on her beautifully made blond tresses of hair.Which of course took her now husband, Rolf Scamander completely by surprise.

All in all, it was a most beautiful wedding.

“Don’t cry, Harry. You know this isn’t a goodbye, for you will see me always, I promise.” Luna then told her in seriousness before she finally left to her honeymoon destination with Rolf, on Smaug’s back of all things, the dragon had taken to them as he did her it seems, which warmed her heart immensely.

“Okay,  I won’t. Promise.” Hariel then said with a wet laugh, trying to hold her tears in then, especially because she felt as though the younger girl had known what she had been struggling with for these past couple of years. And Hariel never, not once, hadn’t believed anything she said, or promised in the years she had come to know the lovely Luna Lovegood, now Luna Lovegood-Scamander, her little sister.

She would always believe her. 

But when most of the guests had left, and she finally lost sight of the newly wedded couple, and Smaug of course, who had nuzzled his snout against her stomach in goodbye- she couldn’t help but tear up either way.

“Awwww Harry, now none of that! “ Nymphadora then yelled, before the older woman then pulled her into a well needed hug, which she leaned into.

“You’ll see her again, Harry. Don’t fret, and its okay to cry love.” Remus then said, after he rubbed her back in comfort as well, with Teddy in his arms who simply looked at her sate in concern, before he held his favourite toy to her, a stuffed wolf , to comfort her as well, which she accepted with a teary smile.

“Thanks.” She then simply said, which they all then smiled at, before she turned her gaze around the place in question.

“Are we the only ones left then?” She asked, which Remus nodded at in answer.

“Yes, it seems so. Andromeda had left with Narcissa and the others to have some tea together, but well Hariel there is a matter we’d like to discuss with you if you are of course-” He then started to gently say before Nymphadora huffed at him and interjected.

“We’re going on a holiday starting tomorrow and you are coming with, no buts!” 

Hariel only opened and closed her mouth in shock at this,

“What?” she then asked, which Teddy then laughed at.

“Aunty Harry is being silly again, mama!” The almost two year old then said, which his mother nodded to.

“As silly as a goose, right you are, love!” She said with a cheer, before she pulled her son into her arms, which the boy giggled at, and Hariel couldn’t even take offence to the statement seeing as the sight was rather heartwarming.

“Just accept it, Harry.” Remus then told her while he stood next to her, also watching the sight of his wife and son with love. Both of the pair’s hair turned the shade of bright pink then.

“Alright,” She then said in acceptance, before she turned her gaze to Remus in question.

“Where is it we are going to go?”

“AUSTRALIA!” Both Nymphadora and Teddy then shouted with a cheer.