On The Horizon
January 20th, 1980
Belle spun the little mobile above her son, Jack’s crib, making a soft melody play. His dark brown eyes watched the little owls float as it spun around.
She hummed along with the music as it played. She put her hand down and touched his soft round cheek. He was nearly five months old and had nearly doubled his weight. He was a big baby, he’d been big since birth.
“How’s my Godson today?” Vivi asked as she came into the shop from upstairs carrying a large roll of fabric. Belle had made it a habit of bringing him to the shop so she could work and watch him.
“Bah-Bah-ga-Ga.” Jack garbled out to Vivi, “Goo, goo, gu-“
“He’s always got something to say doesn’t he?” Vivi quipped before looking over into the crib, “Don’t you Jackie?”
Jack giggled out, “Ba-Go-Go.” He kicked his legs making it look like the little puppy on the front of his belly was laughing.
Belle laughed, “He really does. He’s got a lot to say doesn’t he?”
“I hate to admit this, but you and the muggle do make pretty cute babies.” Vivi giggled pushing up her glasses. Her hair was very frizzy now, she’d been wearing it in an afro style lately.
“We do indeed.” Belle said picking up her little boy into her arms and holding him on her hip.
“You should consider making more.” Vivi joked before kissing little Jack’s cheek.
Belle’s heart began beating a little faster as she remembered a bit of news that had shocked both herself and Ed, “Funny you should mention that.”
“You aren’t pregnant again are you?” Vivi asked clasping her hands together and began to jump.
Belle nodded excitedly
“That’s really soon.” Vivi twirled around making the fringe skirt she was wearing twirl with her, “But that means we might get a girl this time! Please make it a girl this time!
"It's not like it's my decision what gender they are!" Belle put her hand onto her abdomen. It had been a beautiful pregnancy with Jack, she couldn't wait to meet this baby too.
Vivi's shoulders slumped, "At least please pick a less basic name this time.”
Belle bounced her baby and kissed his forehead, he smelled like a beautiful soft lavender lotion,“Oh don’t pick on Ed’s naming skills, he was very effected by the Death of John F. Kennedy, so he always wanted a boy named Jack.”
“Just promise me you get to name the next one.” Vivi begged grabbing Belle’s hand dramatically.
“I don’t even have names picked yet Vivi, we only found out last week.” Belle explained as Jack continued to coo.
"I'm never having children and I already have names picked out!" Vivi pressed, "Lula or Cassandra for girls and Archer or Xander for a boy."
"Those are certainly memorable." Belle wasn't going to name her children anything like that, "If this one is a girl, my family used to have a tradition that all girls are given traditionally Gaelic middle names."
"I never took you for someone to follow any of their family traditions."
"I'm not, but they should know where they come from." Belle kissed her baby's head again, "Jack is a traditional family name for my side, so I guess that's why I never griped. But, he has his muggle father's middle name and blood, so his existence still mocks them, as will this baby."
"Now that sounds like the Belle I know." Vivi smirked a little, crossing her arms over her bright green suit jacket. "What's your middle name then?"
"Aine, it means radiance." Belle bittersweetly remembered, "My mum liked that Belle means Beauty, so she meant my name to mean beautiful radiance. She said it was what I would bring to the family."
Vivi looked away from Belle and her son, "My mum named me Mary Anna because she wanted me to have a good Catholic name like she had."
Belle had never heard Vivi mention her family or previous life before.
"She also wanted me to be a good catholic girl." Vivi looked back at Jack who garbled at her. "She was shocked when I came out an agnostic witch. I lived at Ilvermorny because she refused to let me come home."
Belle put her hand on Vivi's shoulder.
"So I gave myself a new name." Vivi looked at Belle, "One I could be proud of."
"Goglge!" Jack exclaimed.
"I'm glad you are proud of me too sweet Godson." Vivi exclaimed before tickling Jack's belly.
“Whooo.” The sound of Belle’s new soft brown owl, Hazel interrupted Jack’s babble. She dropped a letter onto the counter.
Belle went over and looked, it was her monthly letter from Alice. Belle had outright laughed as the last time she had received a letter from Alice, they both had shared the exact same life update.
Belle opened the letter and couldn’t help but smile as she read the joy that poured out from the paper.
Dearest Belle,
Thank you for the picture of little Jack. He is a handsome little boy. Such big brown eyes he has! I don't know what Ed looks like to know what he inherited from him, but your boy really looks like you!
I can only assume the news of your next pregnancy must have come as a bit of a shock, especially so soon after the birth of your little Jack. However, to read that we will have our children within the same month apart gives me such exuberant joy.
We are both not alone, dear little Lily (Evans) Potter is pregnant. I’m sure you remember her. She’s the little red haired girl who was constantly being tormented by James. Well since she and James joined the order, Frank and I have sort of taken them under our wings. I never intended for us to become so close, but now we are.
The craziest part is that Lily and I’s due dates are the exact same day! August 1st, 1980.
She mentioned she might like to join us as a pen pal, would you greatly mind? She won’t know your location, I’ll send the letters personally of course.
Lily is so young to have a baby and I feel like she could use some advice, maybe more than I do. You’ve had a baby and so I hope it isn’t a bother that we pick your brain.
Just think, when you come back, after this dreadful war is over, our children will all go to Hogwarts together. I hope they will all be friends.
Have you considered names for this baby? How did you pick your son’s name? Did you have any intuitions about the sex? How is Ed feeling about another baby?
Frank is of course convinced we will have a boy. Apparently there hasn’t been a first born girl in the Longbottom family for centuries. He is so convinced we will have a boy, he’s already picked a name, Neville for his grandfather of course. It’s a dreadful name, I’m trying to change his mind to something more handsome, like Harrison or Benjamin.
If it’s a girl, I think I want something simple and pretty like Daisy or Gracie. Frank said if it’s a girl we should name it Alice Jr., but I think that’s ridiculous.
During these dark times it is nice to have a bit of light. It reminds me why I’ve been fighting for so long, someday my child will need a better world to live in, and I intend to give it to them. A wonderful future is on the horizon I think.
Your constant friend,
-Alice
August 27th, 2004
Belle went back to sewing the fabric, she had been recommended that black onyx fabric required hand stitching. It was for her poor daughter. Every time she saw Samantha, she was shaking intensely. Belle assumed it was a product of war, but she also knew her daughter was too stubborn to seek real help. She’d read a while back that black onyx fabric was a material that could absorb negative emotions and feelings.
The shop’s bell began to ring, making Belle look up to see Augusta coming to pick up her latest order.
“Afternoon.” Belle called to her, “Let me grab your order.”
Augusta nodded harshly. Belle put the new men’s shirts she’d sewn onto the counter.
“Lovely work as always.” Augusta complimented, “Thank you for finding the time to take my order. I know your work is quite the rage during wedding season.”
“I do actually have a bridal fitting in ten minutes and another tomorrow.” Belle hurriedly explained as she wrapped up the shirts. “But I managed to find a bit of time.”
Augusta looked them over, “It’ll be nice to see Neville wear something that isn’t stained with dirt.”
Belle nodded before putting them into a box. “How is he these days? I hear he’s a Professor now.”
“Yes, Herbology, nasty subject.” Augusta turned up her nose.
Belle thought to herself, good for him.
“He and that girl he was dating finally called it off.” Augusta mentioned with a slight vocal strain.
“Oh the poor things.” Belle reacted, realizing exactly why Augusta was in her shop. “I hope it was amicable.”
“Probably was. Bout bloody time if you were to ask me, silly girl was so quiet, too quiet. Never stood up for herself, not an ounce of gumption at all.” Augusta rolled her eyes. “Not at all what I ever imagined.”
Belle tied the ribbon on the box, “It isn’t up to us now is it?”
Augusta pursed her wiry lips, “I suppose it isn’t.”
Belle handed her the box, “That’ll be three galleon and fourteen sickles.”
“Raised your prices?” Augusta asked looking at the box.
Belle shrugged, “Only by three sickles, I’m hoping to retire in the next ten years or so. I have to keep up with the economy. Besides you haven’t been in my shop in two years, prices are bound to go up."
"I suppose they are." Augusta lifted her eyes.
"Curious to the timing, but do you only buy your grandson clothing when you are glad to be rid of his romances?” Belle asked with a bit of sarcasm lacing her words.
Augusta reached into her purse, smirking as if she’d just eaten a lemon, “Simply coincidental.”
“Is it also a coincidence that my daughter’s annual Gazette party is in three days?” Belle admitted as she leaned on her elbows.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Augusta handed her the money, “Even if I am aware that he’s going to the party."
“Have a nice day Augusta.” Belle waved to her as she turned to stride out of the shop.
As she walked out, her next customers walked in. It was Narcissa accompanied by the two Greengrass sisters. Belle knew the elder sister, Daphne a bit better than the younger one, she’d been a writer with Samantha in her school days.
Draco was marrying the younger one, Astoria. She was a frail little thing, with dark circles under her eyes.
After helping the girls and instructing them how to lace up Astoria’s gown, Belle made her way back out to the store front to stand with Narcissa.
Astoria and Daphne’s mother had died when they were still in school, so Narcissa had happily taken the job of helping Astoria with her gown. She had explained to Belle that she had high hopes considering the Greengrass family was always held in high regards.
“That was Frank’s mum leaving the shop, right?” Narcissa asked, her face going pale as Belle stood beside her.
“Yes, that was her.” Belle revealed with a shrug. “She only comes in every few years, so she can, not so subtly tell me that her Grandson is single.”
Narcissa flipped her hair before leaning closer to Belle and whispering, “I know I’ve never been the greatest advocate for your, marriage, but isn’t the Longbottom boy a bit young for you?”
Belle coughed before laughing. She put her hand over her heart as Narcissa began laughing along.
“Not for me, my daughter.” Belle finally managed to explain.
“I assumed, but you must forgive me.” Narcissa laughed in a hushed tone, “It is nice to know I can still make you laugh.”
“I needed a laugh, thank you.” It was nice to laugh with someone, anyone really.
Ed tried to keep up his jokes, but even he had calloused a bit. Whenever Samantha graced them with her presence, he attempted his puns and feigned misinformation, but the years had taken a toll.
Narcissa tilted her head, “Your daughter is quite the catch, talented, rich and she has her mother’s looks. It’s easy to look past her blood status with those credentials. Any parent would be ridiculous to not put their son’s hat in the ring.”
Belle coughed, “You certainly tried for a moment or two.”
“I did not realize they detested each other so much.” Narcissa shivered, “Draco had only ever mentioned her talent and closeness with the Weasley girl. Then they were so cordial during the trial.”
“Even if she could look past the bullying he put her through, he’s not her type.” Belle chuckled.
Narcissa agreed, “And I wouldn’t be gaining Astoria to my family, and I will admit it is nice to see Draco so happy.”
“Even if my daughter had been interested, she has emphatically stated on multiple occasions that she is too busy for a more settled lifestyle.”
“She could change her mind someday.”
“My daughter has always, and I mean always, been a person to get exactly what she wants if she wants it enough.” Belle chuckled, “She’s always been that way. If she had wanted that, she would have had it.”
Narcissa turned her head back towards the girls who were pouring over designs, “Not all of us want the same things I suppose.”
Astoria and her sister stepped out.
The women all fussed over the overtly feathery dress. Belle went to work, pinning and wondering if she would ever make a gown like this for her daughter, she certainly would never make one for a future daughter in law.