Incendio

August 31st, 2004.

Every year on August 31st, all Hogwarts Gazette Alumni would meet for drinks in honor of the first meeting which had normally been held on the train. Any alumni of the Hogwarts Gazette were welcome, new graduates, old graduates, and their families of course. No matter how brief, if they had been on the Gazette, they were welcome. They would meet in Diagon Alley, at The Leakey Cauldron. Samantha paid for it every year. Free food and drinks for everyone invited. She rarely found excuses to use her absorbent salary, so she went a bit overboard every year. Samantha practically ran up the alley to the pub, she was running slightly late. Rain had begun to drizzle and she could hear thunder rolling in.

Her day at the office had really run over. She had just enough time to make sure the Prophet was putting the papers to bed on time and change clothing. She hated seeing her friends while dressed in her stuffy Editor-In-Chief clothing. She wanted to look like her normal self, throwing on a black sundress and a long gray sweater. She would have some personal deadlines and drafts to read over later, but it could wait. This was the one night of the year that she allowed herself a bit of true respite.

It was raining down the dark alleyway as she passed her mother's old store. Her mother was closing for the night and waved at her as she ran past. Her sweater flew behind her in the wind and rain.

She fixed her hair which had fallen out of it's bun on her rainy run over. The curls had fallen around her face and she was sure she looked a right mess. She opened the door and was happy to have a chance to see her old friends.

She didn't have time to see who was there yet because she was immediately greeted by a little boy running right into her arms.

"There's my beautiful Godson!" Samantha exclaimed as she swung six year old Colin Horner around. "You have become so incredibly big!"

"I missed you Aunt Beautiful." Colin giggled, his little curls falling around his face and mixing with the curls around her face.

"I missed you too." Samantha nudged her nose against his.

Genevieve followed close behind, she was pregnant again, but now, it was on her time. "He's not being a total menace is he?"

"No." Samantha giggled before tapping Colin on the nose.

"Good, because this one is." Genevieve tapped on her stomach.

Samantha laughed, "Takes after their father then I suppose?"

"Oh of course they do." Genevieve rolled her eyes. "He sends his best, by the way. His intern got sick and couldn't cover the show tonight."

"It's alright, I see enough of that tosser." Samantha chuckled before spinning little Colin around and putting him down. Lee had his own show on the WWN and was also the appointed contact between the Prophet and the station. They met for lunch once a week to discuss work. "He told me you two came up with names for the next little one, but he won't tell me what they are."

Genevieve rolled her eyes again, "That's just like him. You'd think after five years of marriage I'd be used to his ways."

Samantha shrugged, "I tried to warn you."

Genevieve laughed, "I'd better still keep it a secret, wouldn't want to set him into one of his moods."

"Tried to warn you about those too." Samantha laughed. She pulled her hands behind her back, they were really shaking now after seeing little Colin. Genevieve didn't have any names picked out originally, but when she heard of Colin's passing, she couldn't help but choose that name in his honor. She said it was a way to stick it to her blood family, naming their desired pureblooded grandchild after a muggle-born who had died fighting Voldemort.

Samantha knew she meant well, but hearing the name just made her see Colin Creevey's body lying on the floor of the Great Hall. She loved her Godson though, and tried to hide her emotions for his sake.

"Mummy, I'm hungry." Colin pulled on his mother's robes.

"In a moment Colin." Genevieve insisted.

"Will you sit with me Aunt Beautiful?" Colin asked now grabbing Samantha's hand.

"I will in a bit my darling." Samantha said with a squeeze to his hand. "I have to see everyone first."

Colin pouted in his face but Genevieve gave him a motherly look.

"All right." He pouted but began running his fingers along her scar, "Daddy has one too."

Samantha and Genevieve locked eyes, Colin had never noticed her scar before.

"Better get him something to eat." Genevieve insisted wanting to change the subject.

"Good idea, it's all on me so get whatever you want." Samantha insisted as Genevieve and Colin went and sat down at a table where Daphne Smith (Formerly Greengrass) sat with her muggle husband and five year old daughter.

Samantha was greeted by several more familiar faces. She didn't see any Weasley's or Potters yet. She hugged Dennis Creevey especially tight and was happy to see that he was now dating Rose who had been on the Gazette during Samantha's final year. Ernie was over at the bar, holding a conversation with Hannah Abbott who had recently started working there. They both waved at her and she waved back.

She knew several of the younger attendees because they were recent graduates and interns with her at the Prophet. She had been accused her of favoritism towards those who were on the Gazette, but she insisted she judged off of experience and talent.

"Samantha!" Luna exclaimed hugging her around the neck as she greeted her next. She was wearing a gold dress with a large golden flower crown with the Gazette's Logo in the center. She handed her a flask from her pocket, "I'm sure we will both need it by the end of tonight. People are always coming out of her with the worst Wrackspurt cases."

"I very well might." Samantha laughed taking the flask.

"I worried when you hadn't arrived yet, that you weren't coming." Luna observed.

"Of course I was coming. I've never missed this party." Samantha smiled, "I got held up at the office."

"How are things at the Daily Prophet?" Luna asked.

"Great, our readership is up fifteen percent from last quarter." Samantha proudly exclaimed.

"How's Rolf doing there?" Luna asked with a twinkle in her eye.

Rolf Scamander was a recent hire at the Prophet, he was a Magizoologist who was looking for a position as a consultant on the matters. He had listed Luna as a reference, it seemed they knew each other from field training.

Samantha had originally offered Luna the job, but she turned it down because it could be a conflict of interest with the Quibbler. The Quibbler was still going strong and Samantha still worked with Xenophilous on creating a bond between the Prophet and the Quibbler.

"Scamander is doing great." Samantha nodded with a smile. "He's very knowledgable and he writes very well. He always turns in his work before deadline."

"Excellent, what do you think of him otherwise?" Luna asked with a giggle.

Samantha chuckled, "Otherwise?"

"You know, do you think he's a nice person? I value your opinion on things like that." Luna asked grabbing Samantha's hands. "I always have for you."

Samantha realized Luna liked Scamander, "He's really sweet and seems very genuine. I'll get to know him better if you'd like me to?"

"Yes, please." She almost giggled.

She looked past Luna for a moment and was displeased to see blonde curls peaking out from beneath a large lime green hat at the bar. She kept her eye on the woman, who had her back turned. Samantha's hand stopped twitching a bit.

"Give me a moment Luna." Samantha asked before motioning back to the bar.

Luna rolled her eyes, "She's an absolute nutter coming here."

"You are telling me." Samantha said before walking over to the bar and sat beside the woman in lime green. "Hey Skeeter, I don't honestly care what ridiculous gossip articles you write for Witch Weekly, but do me a favor and don't make it a conflict of interest for the articles you'd like published for me."

Ernie laughed a little with Hannah as Skeeter quickly put her notepad away.

"Oh hello Samantha." She grimaced.

"That's Miss Fyre to you. You are off my clock but I'd still like to keep a bit of decorum between us." Samantha leaned against the bar but looked back to Hannah, "Hey Abbot, can I have my usual? Then I'll pay Miss Skeeter's tab. She's leaving."

"Of course." Hannah continued her laughing but started getting Samantha's favorite drink and shot together.

"I'm just here to have a drink." Rita lied through her gritted teeth.

"And to see Harry Potter's new baby? I'm not a dunce Skeeter." Samantha stated raising her eyebrows. "There was already a very modest birth announcement in the Prophet, which I personally oversaw. So why don't you let it at that, and then bug off?"

Samantha leaned in closer, "And I'll know if you don't."

Hermione had warned her about Rita being an unlicensed Animagus years before and Samantha used that as blackmail at every chance she had. Rita quickly gathered her things and made her way out.

"She's such a menace." Ernie said sliding closer. "Remember last year when she wore that long lacy duster so we wouldn't recognize her?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised she didn't try the ridiculous disguise this year." Samantha shrugged.

"Why do you still let her write for the Prophet?" Hannah asked handing her drinks over. She loved herself a pint of Dragon's Ale and a shot of White Rat Whiskey.

"Because," Samantha started before taking her shot. She continued after a small cough, "One, she is very popular with our older clientele. Two," Samantha began laughing, "I just love telling her off."

Ernie and Hannah joined her in a laugh.

Ernie grabbed her shot glass, he smelled it slightly before recoiling.

He exclaimed, "This smells like rat piss."

"Tastes like it too." Hannah commented back. "We only keep it in stock for a couple of people."

Samantha shrugged, "It grows on you after a while."

"It's literally strong enough to use as an antiseptic." Hannah grimaced.

"I know." Samantha nodded before the doors to the Leaky Cauldron opened. Harry, Ginny and their new baby came inside and were greeted immediately by everyone.

Samantha ran to see her friend and the new baby.

Ginny handed the little one to her immediately after the greetings settled.

"Oh Ginny, he's beautiful." Samantha confided looking over the little baby who had green eyes like his father.

Ginny smiled at her baby, "He is that."

"Looks too much like Harry though." Samantha grimaced.

"That's what I said, hopefully he starts getting his mother's good looks soon." Harry exclaimed, "Or at least her flying skills."

Samantha touched little James' cheeks. "Hey James."

Harry said quickly, "Hermione and Ron couldn't make it."

"They send their love though. Hermione's been feeling sick lately." Ginny explained.

"Poor thing." Samantha said, but gasped slightly at the smell of little James. He smelled like Lavender. She didn't want to drop him. She handed the baby back to Ginny. She put her hands behind her again to hide the shaking.

"I am desperate for a drink, I've been ten months without one" Ginny announced giving Harry the baby and taking Samantha by the arm. Harry handed a very excited Luna the baby next.

"So why are you shaking tonight?" Ginny whispered as they walked to the bar.

"I'm not shaking." Samantha asked with worry.

She raised her eyebrows, "What set you off tonight?"

"I had a very watered down look at my entire life this week." Samantha began.

"How so?" Ginny looked nervous.

"I had an interview with the newest Editor-In-Chief of the Hogwarts Gazette. Cute kid, his name is Albert." Samantha chuckled, "There was a lot about my past that I didn't talk about, he's just a kid after all, but those situations still popped in there. So now everything is just heightened."

"I get it." Ginny rubbed her back, "Deep breathes, I'm here."

Samantha nodded, she knew that. She suspected Ginny just had a lot of practice saying these things to Harry. Samantha and Harry had noticed they shared similar fidgety shakes over dinner one night. Ginny always noticed and did her best to calm them both.

"You know if you want a job as James' aunt I've still got two unmarried brothers." Ginny joked, changing the subject as she leaned against the bar and ordered a drink from Hannah. She was being kind in making sure no one heard about Samantha's troubles.

Samantha laughed, feeling warm from the whiskey.

"I know anymore it's slim pickings." Ginny laughed and rolled her eyes. "Charlie and Percy are both still single and unmarried."

"Percy is still a bit uptight for me." Samantha laughed.

"Well, there's still Charlie." Ginny mentioned and Samantha laughed.

She took a large gulp of her Dragon's Ale before responding. "Not sure he's my type. Dragons freak me out."

"Well, I'm out of brothers then." Ginny shrugged.

"I'm too busy for that anyway Gin." Samantha rolled her eyes.

Ginny mentioned as Hannah handed her a drink, "Being married to your work isn't going to keep you warm at night. It also doesn't help with the shakes."

"I doubt my shakes would go away." Samantha shrugged, she did have her moments where loneliness crept in. Mostly late at night when she woke up alone next to her Pygmy Puff.

"It's not just your love life Sam." Ginny said strongly, "You dove into your work after the war, and I know it's what you always wanted, but I can't help but wonder why you've gone so obsessive."

Samantha didn't want to explain to Ginny that although the Prophet was her dream, she only worked as hard as she did in case she ever had to call in that favor from Kingsley. If her brother was found alive and needed safety, she would be ready to go and bring him home. Although recently, Samantha had begun to come to terms with the fact he may not be alive. She hadn't seen him alive in over six years.

"You rarely come for supper anymore." Ginny reminded her. "It's impossible to see you without practically getting an appointment."

Samantha took another drink before responding. "Work is really demanding. I was sure you would understand."

"I don't know, motherhood has made me realize a few things." Ginny had taken the year off from playing for the Holyhead Harpies to have James. "I think I want to slow down a bit. Maybe take up your job offer."

Samantha had spent the year trying to persuade Ginny to retire from Quidditch and instead be the new Sports Editor for the Prophet. Ginny said she'd think about it.

"Really?"

"I have a few stipulations." Ginny smirked. "I don't want to work anywhere near Rita."

"Move Rita's office, got it." Samantha laughed imagining that green menace being told she'd get a smaller cubical.

"I want Harry to get free tickets so he can go with me to all the games I cover." Ginny continued.

"Consider it done." Samantha laughed and reached out her hand.

"I'm not finished," Ginny swatted her hand. "I want lunch with my best friend at least twice a week, and I want my best friend to enjoy her life a bit. Maybe get a date, go on a holiday, sleep a little, I don't know, just do something for you."

"You drive a hard bargain Mrs. Potter." Samantha rolled her eyes but held her hand back out again. They shook hands. "I expect you in my office in six weeks for a formal interview. I want you to have the time with James till then."

"Ok boss." Ginny winked as the doors to the Leaky Cauldron again opened.

In walked in Neville drenched in rain. Harry and Luna greeted him first. Samantha and Ginny both waved to him from their seats at the bar.

She and Neville had remained friends they'd meet every year at the Gazette reunions, see each other at parties with mutual friends, and occasionally write to each other. She'd just become so busy attempting to become Editor-In-Chief and he had gone off to Auror training so their schedules just never lined up to even meet for a date.

"Neville is single again." Ginny whispered before taking a drink. "He told Ron that he and Susan called it quits. I think it had something to do with Susan insulting his Gran."

Samantha rolled her eyes, "I did hear that."

"You did?" Ginny asked.

Samantha shrugged, "Yeah, I do keep tabs on my old friends."

"He's a bit more than an old friend." Ginny giggled. "You don't snog behind the Greenhouses with old friends."

Samantha turned back to the bar and took a drink, "It was one time, and if anyone besides your husband deserved a bloody snog that day, it was Neville."

Ginny surmised turning her back to the door, "I'd wager he'd still be interested in more than a snog now."

"I've already messed up my chances there." Samantha revealed, wishing she'd found time to go on that date.

"I wouldn't say that. You both just got busy with your careers." Ginny raised her eyebrows. "His life has slowed down a bit more now that's he is a teacher, and not an Auror."

"He's apparently Albert's favorite teacher." Samantha laughed, "The new little Editor-in-chief, he said he's great."

Ginny giggled, "Did you tell him that you used to fancy his favorite teacher? He might put in a good word for you."

"So it's true?" Neville's voice came from behind them.

"What's true?" Samantha asked before taking another drink of her ale and turning around to face her old friend.

"I used to suspect that you had a fancy for Professor Flitwick." Neville smirked, a little red forming in his cheeks, reminding Samantha of the boy she once knew.

Samantha began laughing and Ginny smirked, "Oh, of course I did. You could say he was practically charming."

He laughed along, a smile widely spread across his face. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I always had a bit of a fancy for Professor Sinistra, something about the way she'd talk about stars."

"Personally, if I'd had to have chosen a Hogwarts teacher, it would have probably been Lupin." Ginny revealed making Samantha nod in agreement.

"Madam Hooch was also a solid choice." Neville added.

Ginny jested, "She knew how to ride a broomstick of course." Ginny made a face that resembled her brothers.

Samantha felt her hand begin to shake again seeing Ginny's mischievous face. All she could see was Fred, with his last laugh etched across his face.

"I mean we all had a crush on Lockhart at first." Samantha interjected trying to focus on the conversation and not on her hands. "Hermione the worst."

"Remember how she used to keep that get well card from him under her pillow?" Ginny asked laughing with Samantha.

"She's always had rotten taste in men." Samantha shook her head.

The three continued the normal reminiscent small talk. Soon little James awoke and began crying. Ginny went to tend to him.

Neville looked her over after Ginny was out of earshot. "Can I tell you a secret?"

She nodded and laughed after ordering another drink, "Only if it isn't interesting enough to publish."

"I'm being serious, what I'm about to tell you has to stay between us." He said whispering between them. "I'd be sacked. I just found out over some fire whiskey with Sprout at the Three Broomsticks a few nights ago."

"I'll strike it, simply for your sake." Samantha insisted back.

"You know how you were forced to take Herbology in your sixth year?" Neville asked.

"How could I forget?"

"Apparently, McGonagall and Sprout were conspiring." He revealed.

"To what? Make me fail a class?" Samantha questioned.

"Apparently they wanted me to tutor you." Neville said with a cough.

Samantha stopped mid drink. "Why?" She asked in total disbelief.

"Apparently they thought we were both lonely." Neville chuckled on the word, lonely.

She wasn't sure if she should laugh or not. "So you are saying, that they were trying to set us up?"

"Apparently they'd been trying for years. They really only do it to their favorites." Neville joked before lifting his drink to toast her "So, lucky us I guess."

Samantha toasted him but felt more confused. "I didn't know teachers were allowed to pick favorites."

"We're not." Neville insisted. "Sprout is notorious for setting her favorite students up though. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't." He laughed, "She's apparently set up several marriages over Bubotubers."

Samantha shivered, "How romantic?"

"She told me McGonagall normally doesn't, but she wanted you to better your reputation after Lee." He chuckled, "Not that I would have been better for your reputation."

Samantha rolled her eyes feeling like a sixteen year old girl again. She often regretted never slowing her life down to appreciate what was in front of her and just being a teen.

"I wouldn't have had it any other way though." He admitted and she laughed.

"Me either." She took a drink.

The two joined the rest of the party and continued the annual get together. There was laughter and plenty of drunken tears. Near the end of the night, the party began to wind down and goodbyes were being said. It was now just Samantha left as she needed to pay the tab. Samantha went to pay Hannah.

"Heading out?" Hannah asked.

"It's getting late, I have deadlines to meet before the morning." Samantha admitted filing through her bag looking for her change purse.

"Can't even get a break once a year?" Hannah asked as she wiped the counter. "I've heard from Ernie you sometimes work on Christmas."

Samantha shook her head, "Well, I hate Christmas."

"Hey, please take this with you. You and Neville are the only ones who drink it and you are both only in the pub once a year to drink it." Hannah reached behind the bar and grabbed the bottle of White Rat Whiskey and handed it to Samantha. "No one else likes that stuff."

She found her change purse, "So how much do I owe for tonight?"

She paid the bill which was lower than expected. Samantha put her bottle of whiskey into her satchel. Samantha left the pub into the now pouring rain. She pulled out her wand and shielded herself with an umbrella charm.

She jumped as she saw a figure pacing outside the pub with an umbrella charm as well. It was Neville standing beneath the street light.

"You scared me." Samantha admitted putting her shaking hand on her heart.

He apologized with a little laugh,

"It's late, don't you have a big day tomorrow?" She asked as the rain began falling harder.

"I saw you hadn't left yet." Neville asked, "You still live just up the alley correct?"

She nodded. She'd had the same cheap apartment for six years.

"Can I walk you home before I Apparate to Hogsmead? If you don't mind the company." He requested softly.

She nodded, honestly glad not to be alone in the late evening.

The cool autumn rain pounded against the umbrellas as they silently walked back. They had almost reached her apartment when he stopped her.

"Would you want to meet me at the Hogshead sometime, for old times sake? Aberforth still stocks his White Rat Whiskey." Neville blurted out, resembling the time he'd asked her to the ball.

Samantha smiled, still flattered. She thought about what Ginny had said to her. Maybe she could find the time now. She practically yelled over the pouring rain, "We never did have that date did we?"

He shook his head. "No, we never did."

Samantha smirked, "When are you available?"

"I'm off every first Wednesday of the month. Would you want to meet one of those evenings?" He asked.

She nodded, "I'd like that."

"I'll see you then." He said before smiling and turning to leave.

As Samantha climbed the steps to her apartment, she felt a small lift from her shoulders. In the last few hours, going over everything with Albert had made her remember things she preferred to never speak about. However, speaking with him also made her realize what she had missed.

Two days later, her poor old owl Whisp attempted to bring her personal mail to her office and dropped three very important pieces of mail beside the three photographs on her desk.

The first was Albert's article which had landed beside her picture of the Gazette members the very first year she was the Editor-In-Chief that Colin had taken. Samantha welled with pride, seeing her name again where it had always belonged, in the Gazette. He wrote a very flattering account of her and she enjoyed seeing her legacy continue.

The second was a letter with sloppy handwriting that landed beside her portrait of her Godson. This was a letter from Neville confirming a date for early October. She was determined not to miss this date. She was already arranging to get her normal Wednesday work done early.

The third letter landed beside a family picture from her childhood. When she opened the letter it made her scream out in surprise. It was from Kingsley and it was news she had stopped dreaming that she would ever expect.

Miss Fyre,

It is time I returned the favor. Your brother, Jack Edward Fyre was spotted in the company of a notorious poacher of Magical Creatures, Freya Jade and her company. They were last seen trying to break into The Dragon Rehabilitation Center of America in Arizona. My source owns the facility. I will attach the location of the center so that you may go in person.

I will give you a month to deal with this as you please, then unfortunately it will be my duty to contact the Auror office.

Always Your Dedicated Friend,

-Kingsley Shacklebolt

"Miss Fyre." Gerta her secretary leaned into the room, her eyes looked bugged out and her hand was on her chest, "Is everything all right?"

Samantha couldn't answer immediately, her hands were shaking so hard she couldn't read the letter anymore.

Jack was alive, that was suddenly all that mattered.

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The Incendio Series Book 2: The Scars We Leave Behind