there's a first for everything.
The usual Resident of one at the Serenum Lakehouse (serenum is Latin for bright, clear and many other positive words) was bustling with many lives. Euphemia Potter made her permanent residence the Serenum Lakehouse after her husband's passing, not being able to stand staying at the main Potter Mansion.
It was currently her little grandson's first birthday. She was still Miffed with James and the rest for not telling her about the whole Pettigrew ordeal until she read it in the Quibbler. She was amused that Tom had aired all of the Pettigrew's' blackmailing of officials in such a silly magazine, so she guessed she could forgive them for keeping it a surprise.
As she stared at the gathering for Hadrian's birthday, she couldn't help but smile. James and all her Honorary children came as well as their friends. There were some faces she was surprised to see; she didn't not expect the Malfoys and their child to come, nor did she think Tom would be able to spare the time to come.
Though she was still happy to see them branching out from their family's usual group. Effie was slightly amused that Narcissa stared slightly wide eyed as she treated her as she did all her sons' friends, just like her own children. Euphemia had walked up to Narcissa and dotted like she would if she had a daughter and Narcissa had been scared that the older lady would be condescending, since this was their first meeting and Cissy had insisted that Effie wouldn't like her.
“Don't look so surprised darling, I trust anyone my son's trust. Regulus loves to talk about you, and you and Lily have become fast friends” Effie told her.
Narcissa let a soft smile spread on her lips. “Do you not dislike our different views?” Narcissa asked. The light witch just rolled her light brown eyes. “Don't lump me with the rest of those dunderheads who think Dark magic is evil, all magic is magic; it's just how you use it that makes it evil” and with that the elder witch left the dark witch to stew.
She had much more dotting to do with so many people around. She stole Hadrian from the pregnant Pandora and walked around with a happy baby on her side. “Nahnah!” the little boy exclaimed. Euphemia giggled. “How's my little Grandson today! You've got so many presents.”
“Lady Potter! How have you been today?” Effie looked to who was calling her and saw Alice with a chubby Neville holding on to her for dear life. “Hello Lady Longbottom. I'm glad you can make it, I know your health has not been the best as of late.” Effie remembered Lily worrying over her frail friend in school. “I'm feeling much better, thank you. The lake is as beautiful as usual-” she was interrupted by Hadrian huffing and making grabby hands at Alice, or the little boy in her hands.
Alice chuckled, “Neville, do you want to play with Hadrian?” she asked the shy baby in her arms. Neville tried to hide further in her long hair and the two women laughed.
“Let's go sit them down with Draco and see if we can get Neville to come out of his shell?” Effie suggested and Alice agreed. As they walked Effie spoke, “I hope Neville's birthday was fun yesterday. Maybe we can have a joint birthday next time” she suggested and Alive laughed, “having so many people in one place might be a little hectic but with you and James’ help it would be lovely!”.
They walked over to a shady spot under a tree where they set up a small, contained area for the little children to play safely under the watchful eye of the adults around them. Euphemia looked at the three small boys with a contemplative look “I hoped to have more grandbabies at this point, and I want more granddaughters. Pandora can't be the only one” the ones near her who heard, turned red. Barty squawked and shuffled away.
“What, my observation makes total sense” Effie defended. Pandora laughed, patting her baby bump. Her husband Xenophilius looked like the sun was his wife as he hovered around her looking like if he could, flowers would be floating around his head.
Effie always found Philius a little odd, but she knew he didn't mean any harm; he was quite intelligent in his own right. She did find their pairing quite amusing with Pandora being the aloof elegant woman she was with a scruffy golden retriever for a husband. After watching Hadrian practically tackle Neville into a hug, she looked out to watch the other groups of people. Lily was talking with Dorcas while Mary was sitting with Barty, seeming to have a serious debate about something. James was wrestling with Sirius and Remus was sitting comfortably by the lake reading. Narcissa and Lucius didn't seem to not stray far from Draco or the Black brothers, probably feeling nervous around so many light oriented people.
Most of the people around them were Light or gray affinity so Effie could understand why they were so tense. The babies only find out what their magic core is once they go through their first year of schooling, being able to use concentrated magic regularly. Euphemia was snapped out of her musings when there was a door opening. She looked up to see who it was and was slightly disappointed. It had only been Lily going inside. The light witch was hoping one more person were to show up.
Marlene McKinnon. Effie had been exchanging letters with her, but Marlene seemed apprehensive of being around the rest of her old school mates. Effie looked over to where Sirius had James pinned to the ground. She had hoped that their break up wouldn't have kept Marlene away, but it seemed not all of Euphemia’s wishes could come true.
“Ok everyone! Time for Hadrian's cake!” Lily shouted from the back porch to get everyone's attention. At the call, Effie gathered up Hadrian while Frank and Lucius got their own child.
Effie noticed that Barty sat back with the Malfoys when they sang to Hadrian and distributed the cake to the children. She would expect that from the Malfoys and even Tom, but Barty had always seemed comfortable if not a little closed off in her home. She turned her attention back to Hadrian for now to watch James and Regulus help him open his presents. There was a small stack of children's books from Remus, plenty of clothes from others. Dorcas had gotten Hadiran a play wand that set off sparks when he waved it around. Tom had gotten him a music box that played different lullabies, I guess Regulus and James complaining about Hadrian not being able to sleep without music came in handy.
Euphemia had gone the more traditional path. All the potter children had gotten a handmade tapestry of the Potter crest with the crest of who the Potter married. Traditionally the mother of the child would make it, but since her son married a male she made it for them. James held up the tapestry that held the Potter and Black crest on it with stars and a forest in the background, something to represent both houses.
“It symbolizes that Hadrian will be led and influenced by both of you whether in a good or bad light. I for one hope you both do well with him.” Effie said sternly. James had teared up looking at the tapestry, his own hung in his study. “Thank you, mother…” James said quietly, giving Euphemia a tight hug.
“I know you are not very proud of your father, let it be known that you will be an amazing father. Don't let your husband forget that either” she said into her son's ear. James sniffled and nodded.
“Now enough of the sappiness, please continue. There are a few left.” Effie said with a wave of her hand. The group was amused with how easily Effie can get embarrassed when she dotes and teases others like it's nothing.
Lily had brought Severus’ gift with her for Hadrian. Which surprises many in the room that the anti-social Slytherin actually got something. It was a small plush in the shape of a Deer, James laughed at the gag gift but when James tried to take it to get a closer look Hadrian screamed. Lily shook with laughter as Hadrian held the Deer in a death grip. Regulus hid a smile behind his hand.
After all the gifts were opened, the parents congregated with their children. Draco seemed to be determined to get the deer out of Hadrian's claws. Regulus had approached Effie a little while later when she was talking with Lily and Mary. “I wanted to thank you as well for the tapestry, it's beautifully made.” the Light witch always found it cute that he never could meet her gaze.
“Thank you, Regulus, for the compliment. I wanted to make sure to continue the tradition”. They continued the idle chat about different things until Regulus brought up one of his friends. “So, I believe you remember Barty? Barty jr not Barty senior” Effie nodded “yes, I've seen him slinking around the outskirts of the party. I've never seen him so on edge before in my presence” she confessed. “Yeah, he's just a little awkward. Don't tell him I told you but…the reason he’s like this is because he had a pretty bad fight with his dad. His dad said some really hurtful things and he confessed to me that he feels he doesn't deserve to be so close to us or Hadrian. He feels he's a bad influence because of his views and temper” Regulus explained. “And he was really excited to be an uncle so I was hoping if you can use some of your…you know, motherly charm on him? Give him the old Effie treatment you gave me and Sirius?” Euphemia couldn't help but smile and melt a little.
“I know he thinks he's a bad person but…I know Hadrian would learn so much from him and I want him to have more confidence in himself, but I don't think I'm getting through to him” Regulus rambled.
Effie hummed, “I'll see what I can do. Thank you for telling me Regulus” she said, and he smiled before giving an awkward hug…Effie couldn't help but do a small backflip inside because Regulus was the one to initiate the hug.
She made her way around the room, keeping an eye on Barty as he kept his distance, only really speaking to Pandora and the Malfoys, Regulus if he walked up to him first. Mary seemed to take no for an answer when she walked up to talk to Barty.
Effie, thinking she's gathered enough information, kissed Hadrian on the cheek and went to approach the dark-haired man.
“Hello Lord Crouch” she said politely. “H-hello Lady Potter, I would like to thank you for inviting me into your home” to say Barty was intimidated by Euphemia was an understatement. Before she had passed the mantle to James, she dominated the Wizengamot and was well known to be the brains for James’ father Lord Potter.
She pissed off his father to no end, he wouldn't say it out right, but his son knew it was because she was better at being a politician then he was. “No need to thank me, this is your nephew's birthday after all. I would never bar any of my family from coming to celebrate” Bartys blank expression cracked into shock for a moment. “I'm hardly his uncle Lady Potter, I'm merely a friend of his fathers.” He said after clearing his throat.
Euphemia held a look that told everything and nothing at all, a soft smile always graced her lips. Crow's feet lined her eyes signifying that she smiled a lot, her bright eyes always held warmth for anyone, and Barty didn't understand how she could be so warm to everyone.
Her body language was open and comfortable, the man couldn't tell if she was just putting up an act or if she was actually comfortable. “I know you're analyzing me” she said softly, and Barty flinched and looked away from the older woman. “Don't look so surprised Lord Barty, I know who raised you and I know you can help it” Barty didn't like the feeling like he was an open book, and for Effie it felt like she was reading his mind…
“Can I be honest with you Lord Barty…?” she asked, her eyes taking on a soft seriousness to them. “Of course, Lady Potter,” Barty said, looking back at her. She looked him up and down, he knew he was stiffer than he wanted to be his jaw set just a little too tight to look comfortable. “You remind me of myself when I was your age” that was not what he expected her to say. His eyes snapped to look into hers and she didn't seem to be lying.
There was not much known about Euphemia, not even her maiden name was widely known. Having basically thrown her own family away when she married into the Potters, that probably says a lot about her relationship with them, all he knew was that she was the last of the line and she's determined to be the last. Having adamantly refused to pass down the title to whatever house it was to James. “Do you remember what I said about the tapestry earlier?” she asked.
“You said…that Hari would be led and influenced by both parents…” the older woman made a noise of agreement. “Yes, I did. But would you like to know something else I believe, Lord Barty?” Barty chewed the inside of his cheek. He nodded his head for her to continue. “That our parents may influence us and guide us…but it's up to the child to take what our parents say into practice and to heart. Some things you will never forget about your parents, and those things will permanently change us but that doesn't mean everything is permanent. Lord Crouch senior guided you and influenced you to be who you are, but your friends have helped you find who you are.”
She paused for a moment, to take a deep breath. “And in some cases…you may be related to him, but the people you bond with are who your true family is, Barty. Never think you need to remove yourself from your family because you think your poison. Because it’s not you that's poison, it's your father that's the poison.” Barty looked at the ceiling, eyes glassy as he listened to Euphemia’s speech.
“This is your family, and I don't want to see you hold yourself back because of what some old man with a bruised ego thinks” Barty had to laugh at that. He sometimes felt he would just waste away like his mother at his father's side…and he was terrified by the thought that he would drive away those he loved because he might act like his father.
“Now…would you like to go hold your nephew because I'm pretty sure he's missing his ill-tempered uncle” Barty snicker, wiping at his watery eyes.
“Yeah…thank you Effie…I appreciate that you took the time to talk to me” Effie laughed. “Nonsense dear, I'll always be open to talk. And if you ever need a break from that old bag of bones my door is open. I have it where the ward hexes anyone who I don't want in” Barty just shook his head with a smile.
Effie watched as Barty joined the rest of his true family, just like she had many years ago. There will always be a first for everything, and she's happy that she gets to witness her found families first for many things. And she will be damned if any meddling fools hurt the peace, she found for herself after her husband died. The peace her son and her honorary children have found. It will be a cold day in hell before Euphemia Leigh Potter née Selwyn lets someone hurt her family.