"Finally, summer," Loid said, tired as he fell onto their bed in their room in Prince Manor. The latest school year had been a whirlwind for them all. Between the situation of the Black sisters, finally convincing Eileen to leave Tobias Snape, having his wife join him at WISE and become the Thorn Princess, and discovering Anya's powers and her knowledge of all his secrets, he was exhausted. The latest missions and grading term papers and finals hadn't helped matters.
"It definitely has been a difficult year," Yor replied as she moved around, swinging her wand to unpack and put away their clothes. She hated to bother house elves with tasks they could easily do themselves.
"You should probably rest, dear," Yor said affectionately as she watched her weary husband. She knew, despite how thick she could be at times, that there were more secrets he was keeping from her and they had been weighing on him. However, she had figured they somehow related to Anya, given how particularly secretive the two had been about their latest Occlumency training sessions, and if there was one thing Loid could never breach was his daughter's trust.
"Hmm, only if you stop that nonsense and join me," he said sleepily. Pulling her down onto the bed with him. Screeching, Yor fell on the bed in between his arms. Loid snuggled his head into the space between her shoulder and neck.
"Loid, stop this nonsense. I have to finish unpacking," Yor said blushing as she tried to get up but Loid pulled her closer.
"You can do it later," he sighed contentedly as he pulled her closer.
"You know if I don't do it now, the house elves will do it," she complained, still blushing.
"Let them, then," he shrugged.
"What's gotten into you today?" Yor asked, pulling herself up just enough to look at his face. Feeling her eyes on him, he slowly opened his own.
"Nothing," Loid shrugged, "I just want to spend time with my wife."
In truth, ever since their little impromptu date at Hogsmeade during Anya's first school visit there, they had grown closer. Yor's discovery of his role in WISE had started breaking the ice between them but working on missions together and going on little dates when possible made them grow even closer. The fact that, because of fear of discovery from meddlesome old men like Dumbledore and Eamonn, they had been sharing a bed since the beginning of their marriage, even if just to sleep in, had only helped matters along. Now, Loid could only truly sleep if he had Yor's soft body and tiny snores beside him. Occasionally accompanied by the smaller body and even tinier snores of Anya whenever she had a bad night and sneaked into their bed with them.
But lately, between work and missions and his own fear of accidentally spilling Anya's secrets, they had been pulling apart and he hated it. At this point, he would be willing to tell Yor everything if only Anya wished to do the same and maybe even share all of her secrets with them, for he was sure she was still hiding things from him. They were still working on truly getting to know and trusting each other and it was slow going, at best.
"Something's been eating at you lately," Yor hummed, caressing his head and threading her fingers through his blond hair.
"I… I really can't say anything," he sighed, pulling his face to look at the ceiling.
"I see, is this related to Anya's Occlumency lessons?" she asked, Loid simply nodded.
"Very well, I understand not wishing to betray her confidence," Yor said, sounding a bit hurt but trying her best to be supportive of them.
"Oh Yor, please don't be like that. The things we haven't shared with you, they're big and she's just scared. For a long time, it's just been her and I against the world, and even then, I've only discovered some of this recently," Loid pleaded, pulling her close. In truth, he was terrified too. Exposing the truth of his relationship with Anya, of how apparently she had always known it was a mission, of how she tried to help them out and how now she was a target of Donovan Desmond, it felt huge, left them vulnerable.
"I understand," Yor replied firmly. She would just have to make sure to be there for Loid and Anya and show them that she could be trusted with their biggest fears.
"Grandpapa!" Anya squealed, running into the family library after setting everything down in her room. Bond followed behind her but strutted in, rather than ran. "I missed you so much!"
"Welcome back, dearest girl, I missed you too," Eamonn said with a chuckle as he hugged her.
"Nice to see you too, auntie!" Anya said, moving on from her great uncle to hug Eileen who was sitting on the armchair next to Eamonn's. By now Bond was comfortable laying by Eamonn's feet as the old man petted him.
"It's good to have you back. I see you're the same as always," Eileen said, with a smile and twinkling eyes. If there was one cure for a battered heart, she'd learned in the last few hard months, it was the joy of those she cared for.
"You really think so?" Anya asked with a smile, a sad shadow briefly crossed her face and disappeared just as fast. Eileen frowned at the hint of something deeper, but unsure of how to proceed, decided to let it go for the moment and focus on something else.
"And where is Severus?" Eileen asked, wondering about her dearest son.
"I think he's still unpacking. You know he likes to do some things the muggle way so he 'won't grow too comfortable and dependent on magic,'" Anya rattled on, having heard him rant about it often. Her papa said it was most likely a trauma response from his past experiences, and Anya could understand that very well but she still thought a Mind Healer for him and aunt Eileen couldn't hurt. She would suggest the same for herself and her parents if it weren't for all the secrets they had to keep themselves and to be fair, it would be hypocritical to think she couldn't use some help from a Mind Healer too. Plus, it wasn't like she never did things the muggle way herself, it was just that unpacking wasn't one of them.
"I'm here, mum," Severus spoke, walking into the room followed by his own half-kneazle. It had been a gift for his birthday that year, as Anya suggested to Eamonn that it wasn't fair that Sev didn't have his own pet. The black cat bonded up to Eileen's feet and she petted her after hugging her son.
"Hello, Sev and hello, Loki," Eileen cooed at the cat. Anya had suggested that Severus name her Salem after the Sabrina comics and although surprised she even knew about such muggle things, had called it a preposterous name for a cat. Anya had just shrugged and admitted that she actually grew up with a lot of muggle media and really liked it. That she never bothered explaining why and let him assume it was her papa's influence was another matter altogether. Soon tired of Eileen's ministrations, Loki moved to tease Bond, the contrast between the snow white and midnight black cat was clear, even when Bond didn't even bat an eye at Loki.
"Well, how were exams? I'm assuming you two excelled as always," Eamonn asked as soon as he finished asking Dahlia to bring them some tea.
"Obviously," Severus replied, rolling his eyes.
"He was the 1st in his year, Grandpapa," Anya gushed, proud of her cousin.
"Atta boy!" Eammon praised while Eileen gave her son a kiss on the cheek. Severus blushed at the affection and praise.
Uncomfortable with the attention he muttered, "It wasn't like Anya did terribly either. She was 3rd in her year this time. Just behind Desmond and Blackbell."
"Well, isn't that great?! You beat the Egeberg boy this year, then!" Eamonn congratulated just as Dahlia popped in with the tea service, making Anya sigh in relief. She was thankful it distracted everyone's attention from her as she wouldn't want to take praise when the only reason she had been slowly rising in her class rank was because of the combined effort of Loid, Severus, Damian, and Becky helping her with all of her classes. Even breaks and summers spent studying under her papa's tutelage couldn't quite catch her up to everything she'd missed growing up in the muggle world and she had to appear to be the perfect pureblood.
"By the by, where are Elloid and Yordanna?" Eamonn asked, as he finished pouring everyone a cup.
"I think they're resting. They've been grading all week and haven't had a break unlike us," Anya answered as she petted Bond's head who had moved to sit on the floor beside her. The enormous half-kneazle was so big it didn't need to stretch to reach her lap.
"Ah yes, Dumbledore is overworking his Professors like always," Eamonn replied in an annoyed tone between bites of his strawberry jam scone.
"All the more reason to let them rest, Father," Eileen stated firmly. She knew the old man liked being acknowledged as soon as people arrived at his home but she knew her cousin and his wife needed to finally take a break and rest by themselves and she wasn't about to allow her father to disturb them.
"Yes, yes of course," Eamonn waved her off testily.
"Now tell me Anastasia, dear... As my Heiress, how are things going at Hogwarts? We've established that you're excelling academically just like your cousin but I would like to know if you enjoyed your new elective courses. I hope your papa treated you well. And what about your friends, how are they?" Eamonn asked.
"Very well, Grandpapa. I enjoyed papa's class and he's tutored me so much, it felt pretty comfortable," Anya fibbed easily. She had utterly loathed Arithmancy as mathematics had never been her forte. Of course, knowing this, Loid had spent all the summer after her 2nd year teaching her everything she would need to know for his course for 3rd year to ensure she wouldn't fall behind.
"Ancient Runes was rather more difficult, however," Anya grimaced. Her papa had also taught her this course and 3rd years potions as much as possible during the summer but unlike Arithmancy where he could assist or Potions where Damian could help her in class she had to struggle through this course alone. The professor never allowed them to partner up in class, ensuring that either Damian or Becky, who would have willingly helped her, could assist her in the classroom.
"Ah, yes... Well, I'm certain you can catch up during the break," Eamonn said calmly. He'd noticed how studiously his Heiress spent her summers, working alongside her parents and even Severus to study up on her courses and advance further than her peers. It was remarkable and made him even more certain of his choice of heir.
"Yes, certainly," Anya said, looking down and placing her milky tea cup on the side table. She didn't want her Grandpapa to somehow see in her eyes how inadequate and exhausted she felt. It was like she was in a never-ending, losing race.
"Well what about your friends? Are you still friends with Blackbell and Desmond?" Eileen prompted instead, noticing how tired her niece looked.
"Yes, of course!" Anya looked up now, her eyes shining, "I'm also friends with Emma Vanity, Ewen Edgeburg, and Pandora Pantazis. I believe I've mentioned them before. I've even befriended some of Sev's year mates." She purposely didn't mention Emile, tensions continuously high between them and his extremist ideals. However, she did hope that she could help her papa enough with his mission for him to change his beliefs.
"Not the Black or Potter Heirs, I hope," Eammon hissed out. He didn't particularly like Severus' little muggleborn friend, but at least she had some sense in her head unlike those two cocky boys.
"Oh no, definitely not them. Although, I get along with Regulus pretty well. It's mostly Aurora Sinistra and Alice Fortescue, although Lily's roommates are quite nice. Proper purebloods too," Anya added, used to selling the information she wanted.
"Aurora Sinistra, you said? Is she one of the Spanish Sinistras?" Eamonn asked, now looking at his grandson with a pensive gaze.
"Yes, Grandfather. She said they're from Andalusia. She's the best at Astronomy in our whole school, too," Severus answered, swallowing hard. He had gotten comfortable while Anya was being drilled, used to often being ignored by Eamonn as he wasn't the heir. At first, he had hated it but after a few years he had realised that he got to have all of the benefits of a pureblood and of his grandfather's affections with almost none of the expectations. Seeing how much work Anya had to put in and how she was continuously judged and measured both at home and school was an eye opener.
"Good, good, my boy. Now that is a good companion for you," Eamonn praised his grandson. He could definitely do something out of that connection.
"Thank you," Severus blushed, the implication in his grandfather's words making him feel mortified.
"Yes, yes. We must invite the Sinistras to visit this summer. I assume you will invite your friends, my dear?" Eamonn insisted before asking Anya about her friends.
"Oh yes, I'm hoping to. But I think it would be best to check on that with my parents as we still have that trip to Mallorca coming up. They really want me to work on my Spanish as my Italian is considerably better now. Plus, there is Cissy's wedding to consider," Anya intervened, trying to keep him from going overboard with his plans before they checked with her parents.
"Right, the youngest Black girl is finally getting hitched," Eileen said sardonically. She was still remarkably against the idea of young pureblood girls being married right after Hogwarts. The whole practice was disgusting and the main reason she had first ran away.
"Certainly, we cannot miss young Narcissa's wedding," Eamonn said, sounding delighted at the prospect. He had grown fond of the girl who often spent her holidays with them ever since her idiotic sister ran away with the muggleborn.
"I wish she could visit with us this year too," he added, a little saddened at the prospect that the delightful and intelligent young woman would probably never spend a holiday or break with them ever again.
"I'm sure she'd love to visit often, Grandpapa. You just have to let her know she's always welcome," Anya replied, smirking. She was grateful her great uncle had grown a soft spot for Narcissa, as her cousin would need all the support she could get and at least this way they could provide her some form of safe haven away from the Black and Malfoy homes.
"Oh, do let your cousin know she's always welcome here," Eamonn replied decisively before starting a conversation with Severus of the benefits of using aconite instead of agrippa in some antidote potions. Anya's smirk grew, satisfied that Eamonn would let her be for the moment and that she'd ensured Cissy a place of reprieve, unaware that Eileen was studying her carefully, as if some pieces were slowly coming together into place.
"Congratulations, my darling girl!" Eamonn Prince exclaimed, hugging Narcissa and placing a grandfatherly kiss on her cheek. Miraculously, her wedding had gone without a hitch, even when Andromeda had managed to make an appearance -without her own muggleborn husband, of course- much to their parents' and oldest sister's annoyance.
"Thank you, Uncle," Narcissa said kindly, returning the kiss. The old man was often very sweet to her and she was grateful that Anya had insisted on the Prince family offering their support to her. Now, even if things with her parents and Bella could never be quite the same, she would at least always have Andy and Sirius and Regulus and the Princes on her side.
"You make the loveliest of brides, my dear," Yor said, hugging her next. Eileen nodded in agreement and gave her a short hug too.
"Thank you, Aunt," Narcissa, thanked them.
"Félicitations, Narcissa," Loid said sweetly next, giving her a soft pat on the shoulder.
"Merci beaucoup, Oncle," Narcissa thanked him in perfect French with a grin.
"You look lovely, Cissy," Anya added next before Yuri could speak up. She purposely avoided offering any congratulations. Much like Eileen, she was still of the opinion that the whole marriage could've been avoided but she also knew subtlety was key at the moment. Severus just nodded with a flush behind Anya, agreeing with her words. The young boy couldn't deny that she was the prettiest of the Black sisters and looked especially beautiful that day. And really, the braided hair in a half-do and her lace dress that reminded Anya of the one Grace Kelly wore to marry her literal Prince, enhanced Narcissa's natural beauty even more.
"Thank you, you look lovely too. That sage dress brings your eyes out," Narcissa said, trying to hold back a laugh at the younger teens and instead give her cousin a sincere compliment.
Anya glanced down at her sage a-line dress with a sheer fabric on top and a silk cream ribbon on the waist, "Thank you, I thought something more soft and summery would-"
“My love,” Lucius interrupted, barely acknowledging Yuri and Eamonn with a nod and ignoring everyone else, “It’s time for the father-daughter dance.”
“Oh, please do excuse me,” Narcissa said, then pulled Lucius away with her, hissing, “Behave, Luce. They’re my family."
“Father,” Narcissa smiled civilly as they approached Cygnus.
"Ah, darling, ready for our dance?" Cygnus said, surprisingly jovial and turned to his talking partners, "Gentlemen, do excuse me."
The men waved him off and Cygnus offered his arm to his youngest. Narcissa grabbed it, poised as ever, and followed him to the dance floor. As soon as they reached the centre, he motioned for the orchestral band to play. They swayed easily to the soft melody that reminded Narcissa of her childhood.
"Is this... Is this my favourite lullaby?" Narcissa asked her father in awe. She watched him closely, not able to believe her own ears.
Instead of answering, Cygnus hummed, "Not one ribbon for her hair. Through the night my heart was aching. And just before the dawn was breaking, I peeked in and on her bed, in gay profusion lying there, lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons. Scarlet ribbons for her hair…"
"Papa," Narcissa whispered softly, finally letting herself feel the warmth of her father's arms around her. It had been years now since the man that had been her childhood hero had fallen off his pedestal and his treatment of Andy when she begged him to end her arranged marriage, had sealed his fate in her heart. But hearing him now, singing that sweet lullaby he'd always saved for her, she felt her resolve break.
"You know, my little flower, when your mother found out she was pregnant with you... I was angry at first. So far, we'd been disappointed with two girls and no heir. Of course, I still had big plans for my Bella-Belle as my eldest and…" here he paused, as if trying to get himself together. Narcissa knew that Cygnus had always been harshest on Bellatrix and expected great things from her, but Andromeda, well she had a way of melting anyone's heart.
Collecting himself, Cygnus began again, "And my little Anna, she was always quite precocious… A little revolutionist even as a child but so cheerful about it that I could never punish her, not really. Oh, your mother always hated me for it too. Said I was spoiling her terribly. Perhaps she was right," he chucked bitterly at the recollection.
"And after two girls, a third was a disappointment… But, then I saw you and the moment I held you in my arms... I immediately fell in love. You were so pink and tiny, with the smallest tuft of blonde hair that looked almost white and then you snuggled into my arms and opened your beautiful sapphire eyes and I was a goner… I had never felt love until I held you and your sisters in my arms and I'm sorry I have never done enough to show it," Cygnus said, his voice breaking and tears welling in his eyes.
Shocked at the words and sound of his voice, Narcissa pulled back looking at her father with searching eyes.
"Papa?" she tentatively whispered the word she hadn't used since the day Andromeda ran away until today, so hurt by their parents' reaction.
"I'm so sorry I have failed you three. All I ever wanted was to keep you all safe and close," Cygnus said, after he managed to reign himself in and keep his tears at bay.
"Oh papa, you can still fix it. It's never too late," Narcissa said, nodding softly at Eamonn and Eileen, who had joined the floor once they announced other father-daughter pairs could join. They were clearly not as affectionate with each other as Loid and Anya, who were merrily dancing close to them, the young girl on her father's feet as she was still remarkably short but it was still remarkable to see. Cynus followed her motion and his gaze watched both pairs. He remembered doing the same when his own daughters were younger, especially with Narcissa as the little girl had always been so much softer than her sisters, more delicate and quite the princess. She'd matured so much now, however.
"When did you become so wise? I wish I had a time turner to return to that little girl who was her papa's petite princesse," he joked, referencing the nickname her mother had teasingly called her growing up. Where Bellatrix and Andromeda had always been louder personalities and preferred to spend their time running around Black Manor much to Druella's ever-growing annoyance, Narcissa had been content to spend days in the library or her father's study. As such, she was often sitting on his lap, reading or drawing or even writing letters as he worked.
"I will always be, Papa. I refuse to relinquish the spot. But if you truly want us, truly love us, you have to show us," she replied, first teasingly but then seriously. She was still unsure what could have gotten into her father, if it was the nostalgia or the alcohol or even seeing Andromeda again after so long, but whatever it was, she hoped the change would remain and be for the best.
"Would you care for another dance, my love?" Lucius asked his lovely bride, offering his hand gallantly.
Narcissa looked at him carefully. She was tired after having to mitigate several fights between Bellatrix and her mother and Andromeda. Her father had surprisingly stayed away from that throughout the night and she truly wondered if he was really changing his ways. She could only hope so, of course, but time would tell. And really between the fights and making sure the wedding reception went on without a hitch, greeting endless guests, barely getting a bite to eat, and having to dance with all of her male family members and bridegroom as per tradition, she was done. But well, it was her wedding and she would be expected to dance again.
"Of course," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes and took his hand. Soon, they were in the middle of the dance floor, swaying to a soft waltz. Narcissa took a moment to watch her guests and make sure there weren't any more fires she would need to put out. Andromeda had already left and so had Bellatrix with her deranged husband, Rodolphus Lestrange and, his even more deranged brother, Rabastan. In truth, she didn't miss the latter two as they had always given her the creeps, so she was grateful for small mercies. That her parents were currently distracted sucking up to the Desmonds and Blackbells that actually deigned to show up thanks to Princes -who were now back in her parents' good graces- was an added bonus. Another glance around showed her a sweeter sight. Her former professors and aunt and uncle by choice -and at Anya’s vehement insistence, of course- were dancing together in a corner, clearly enamoured if she could say so herself. Although neither was extremely expressive in public, the adoring gaze that Loid and Yor gave each other reminded her of the way Lucius often looked at her. Somehow, that look seemed more sincere on their faces.
Behind them, she noticed four little heads talking. Anya stood with Damian Desmond, Becky Blackbell, and Emma Vanity, her faithful companions as always. Becky and Emma seemed adamant in pushing Damian and Anya to dance. Moments earlier Narcissa had seen Severus run around with Regulus and Aurora Sinistra, trying to sneak out of the ballroom and into the library. She figured that since she couldn’t see them near Anya, they had made it out. She also couldn’t see Sirius around and she just prayed the prankster didn’t do something stupid. Either here in the ballroom or wherever the younger trio had escaped to. Tired at just the thought, Narcissa sighed and leaned her head on Lucius’ chest. She knew she didn’t love him but he loved her and maybe, maybe that would be enough. Startled, her new husband froze for a second at her actions before pulling her close and placing a soft kiss on her hair. Yes, maybe his love would be enough.
"Papa," Anya said sleepily as she snuggled on Loid's shoulder. After a long afternoon and evening at the Black and Malfoy wedding, the poor girl was drained so Loid was left to carry her to her bed. Yor had already come in to pull down her powder blue bed sheets and was just outside trying to quietly get a house elf to bring a glass and pitcher with water for Anya to keep on her cedar bedside table as she preferred.
"Yes, sweetie?" he asked as he tried to sit her on the bed. With a slight movement of his wand, her dress was gone and switched for pastel pink pyjamas and her hair was out of its curls and pearl headband and into a braid so it would not tangle in her sleep.
"Thank you for dancing with me," She mumbled as she got comfortable in her bed. Loid covered her with her bedsheets and handed her her favourite stuffed animal: a little bunny she had named Peter after the famous rabbit and that she only used in the privacy of her room in Prince Manor or in their teacher dorms. It was old and worn and looked greyer than its original white colour but it had a blue ribbon on its neck that Loid had gotten for her when he adopted her to replace the frayed yellow one it came with. As soon as she settled, Bond -who had followed them in- jumped on the bed and laid on her feet to keep them warm.
"Of course, Anya," he said softly, caressing her hair. After all the public displays of affection he'd showered on her that day, what could one more private one really matter.
"Papa," she said drowsily, "I think you’re right. I think we need to tell Mama everything…”
“Okay sweetie, if that’s what you want, I will tell her the truth,” Loid replied, grateful that after days of discussing the matter with her, Anya decided to go for it. It would be one less weight for them all to carry.
”But… but…” Anya said as a yawn drowned her words, “But I wanted to tell you one last secret, so you can tell Mama everything…"
"Ok dearest, what is it?" Loid asked evenly even though his thoughts were racing a million miles a second, worried about what it could be.
"My… my birthday," she tried to say between more yawns, "My real birthday is actually September 26, 19… 1960."
Loid froze and his hand hovered over her head, "So, you're around eight months younger than Severus?"
Anya nodded sleepily, as she pulled her blanket closer. Although her tiredness and her own delight at how much closer she'd grown to Loid in the past months after he discovered her Legilimency skills had made her more trusting of him, unconsciously she couldn't help but try and create a shield between them.
"Ok, ok, it will all be fine, darling," Loid whispered, noting her behaviour and trying to keep himself calm. He patted her head again and slowly Anya drifted off, feeling safe and sound. All while Loid's mind was just an endless litany of Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.