All Hallows Eve
Chapter 13: All Hallows Eve
It had been a little over a month since the night that Sirius and Remus had broken into Azalea's home, and in that time a few things had changed. Lacey had gone back home, though as she liked to remind both men, she was just an apparition away.
Speaking of the two, both of the former Marauders were now living with Azalea, who had fought tooth and nail to get Serius' name cleared, and in doing so had gotten even closer with his cousin, and the mother of one of Harry's friends, Narcissa Malfoy. This brings us to where we are today.
The date is October 31st, and number 4 Privet Drive is a flurry of activity as the three inhabitants and one guest try to get things ready for that night's ritual.
"It's a shame that the children can't join us tonight," Azalea commented as she helped Sirius hang a few of the Potter's portraits in the den, rather than the hall where they'd been placed after being brought home.
"I know just what you mean," Narcissa stated as she sat with Remus, helping him polish the candle holders, bronze rather than the normal silver so that he could safely participate as well.
"But since Albus' took over as headmaster he's been trying to get rid of all the old traditions. starting with anything he deems as dark or wrong, including the old Samhain and Yule traditions."
No one commented on the sudden, harder thud of a hammer driving a nail home in the wall at the mention of Dumbledore's first name, least of all Euphemia Potter, whose portrait was waiting safely in Sirius' hand's, waiting to be hung, "Feeling better dear?" the portrait asked kindly of the young Auburn-haired witch who was in charge of the hammer.
"I'd be even better if it had been his face," Azalea answered simply, reaching out to take the Potter Matriarch's picture, "But otherwise yes ma'am I am."
Euphemia tittered behind her hand, at the response, "Oh my, I know I've said it before, but I see why my boys like you so much."
The rest of the group joined in the laughter, and continued to enjoy themselves well into the night, as the time for the ritual finally came about.
"Everyone ready?" Azalea asked as she stared around the circle, they all created.
At the responding nods, they all began to focus their energy into the circle and as they did, so the circle of candles began to shimmer, a multicolored veil soon forming over top of them, then slowly shapes began to take form, two young couples first taking shape out of the smoke and light. Then an older couple soon joined them.
"Hello, my sweetings," the same voice of Euphemia from the portrait echoed from the shade now in front of Sirius and Remus, who both had tears in their eyes, "Oh my boys, don't cry my loves, don't cry."
The arms of her husband, Fleemont Potter, soon joined hers as they both wrapped Sirius and Remus into a ghostly hug.
While the elder Potters hugged the two men, the younger two moved towards the second young couple, who stood wrapped around Azalea, who was also in tears, "Excuse me," Lily stated softly, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to thank you," she said with tears in her own spectral eyes, "The knowledge that my Harry was left with you, rather than that woman, I-" to her surprise she was soon being hugged tight by Azalea.
"I know he'll always be your baby," Azalea whispered to the red-haired ghost, "But he's also mine now too," she looked up with her own tears streaming down her cheeks, "You never have to thank me for that, in fact I owe you thanks, for letting me share him."
As the two women separated, the veil began to ripple once more, but this time something else was happening, "What," Sirius started, but was unable to finish as the veil began to violently lash around, suddenly the family shades were gone, the candles gone out, and there slumped in the middle of the circle was a young man, only a few years younger than Azalea, "R-Regulus?" Sirius choked out when the man groaned and rolled over to reveal his face.
Meanwhile back at Hogwarts, at the same time as the ritual back on Privet Drive, Harry, Ron, and Draco were running through the hallways towards the girl's restroom.
"Remind me to write to my mother about this!" Draco called out as they skidded around one of the corners, "Maybe we'll finally be rid of Filch after this.
Harry snorted, "Between your mum and mine, yeah probably." Then he quickly snapped out his arms and snagged both of the other boys, hissing out a quiet 'shush' when they tried to protest, "Look," he hissed, nodding towards where a large mountain troll could be seen lumbering to the girl's bathroom.
The three boys looked at one another, then with a deep-seated sigh they rushed forward, and arrived just in time to grab both Pansy Parkinson, and Hermione by the scruff of their robes and yank them out of the way of the troll's club.
At the sight of the tears still sliding down both girl's cheeks, Harry's eyes went icy, then with yet another shared look, both Draco and Ron each bundled one of the girls off to the side, tucking them between the wall and themselves. The resounding thuds and crashes that started coming out of the bathroom made each of them wince. By the time those noises stopped, and an entirely too pleased Harry walked back out, the sounds of running feet could be heard, and suddenly all four heads of house, and the ministry approved Aura who'd taken over DADA, came rushing around the corner.
"Just what in the name of Merlin did you children think you were doing?" Minerva shrieked once she saw them.
"I'd be more than happy to tell you Professor," Harry stated, as he quickly stepped forward to act as the spokesperson for the group, "But before I do, might I be allowed to owl my mother?" at his words a few of the teacher's faces were suddenly several shades paler.