Mary
“You two ready?” asked Rolf as he meet them in the entranceway with their trunks.
Anne and Irwin nodded grabbing their trunks.
They were going to catch the train to go home for a fortnight for Christmas at the Scamander’s.
“I wonder how big Averett and Aislynn have got?” wondered. Rolf as they got off the train at Kings Cross.
Mr. and Mrs. Scamander were waiting for them on the platform when they got off, Mr. Scamander reached to take Anne’s trunk from her.
“Hi kids!” he said joyfully pulling his sons into a hug, “how was your first term?”
“Alright,” muttered Irwin as he hugged his mum.
“Yeah it was fine!” said Rolf sarcastically “apart from the massive monster petrifying people around the school and the fact that NEWTS are a ruddy nightmare!”
“You’ll make it son; it just takes a bit of hard work!” said Mr. Scamander as they pulled their trunks towards the car park.
“I’m only taking three! And two of those are Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures!!” Rolf complained.
“Just try your hardest Rolf and we will always be proud of you!” said Mrs. Scamander as they pulled their trunks into the boot.
“And as for that monster, why don’t we ask your Grandpa when we get home? If anyone will know anything about it it’s your Grandpa!” laughed Mr. Scamander.
Anne noticed on the journey home that Mr. Scamander seemed a lot calmer now than he had on the first of September he was laughing and joking with his family. Maybe it was just that he wasn’t worried about getting his sons to school on time?
They drove for several hours, Anne sitting in the back between Rolf and Irwin, the family chatting away catching up about the last few months.
When they got to Scamander Hollow it had got dark as it was six o’clock. They dragged the three school trunks into the kitchen where Averett and Aislynn were playing with the dough in the kitchen with their grandmother.
“Hey there! How’s my favorite tiny terrors?” asked Rolf putting down his trunk.
“Rolf!!!” they screamed jumping down from the table still wearing their little aprons. Rolf crouched down to give his little brother and sister a big hug.
Irwin soon joined them and before long the six of them were having a huge family hug in the middle of the kitchen.
“There you are I was wondering when you’d be getting back!”
Anne looked over to the kitchen door where a man with slightly greying hair was poking his head around the door.
“Uncle Remus!!!” she screamed running over to him where he picked her up and gave her a huge hug.
“Hi sweetheart!” said Remus kissing her on top of the head, “I knew you missed me, but I didn’t know it was this much!” he laughed as he put Anne back on the floor.
“Remus has been helping me and Newt look after Averett and Aislynn today, he wanted to wait to see you.” Said Tina who had gone back to preparing bread for the oven.
“You don’t look so good sweetheart,” said Remus taking a proper look at her, “still having those ruddy nightmares?”
Anne nodded.
“Quirrell?”
She nodded again.
“Well, I know they are scary, but you’ve got to remember Quirrell is dead, he can’t hurt you and Harry anymore alright? They’re only dreams sweetheart,” he said stroking her hair as they sat on a sofa in the sitting room.
“What about Voldemort?” she whispered leaning into her favorite uncle.
“You don’t need to worry about him for now ok?”
“Ok,” she whispered.
“Now come on no more tears. Give me a smile,” he laughed.
Anne gave him a fairly watery smile.
“There’s my favorite girl!” he exclaimed giving her one last hug. “Now come on, let’s go have something to eat I’m absolutely starving!” he said as he pulled himself back up off the sofa.
Anne and Remus went back through to the kitchen to find the eight Scamander’s chatting cheerfully at the dinner table waiting for Anne and Remus. There was a huge pot of beef casserole in the middle of the table and boiled potatoes and green beans.
“So,” asked Newt sitting down next to Anne and Irwin, “what have you two been up to?”
Irwin and Anne told the family about the reappearance of Dobby.
“The house-elf came back?” asked Remus curiously.
“Hmm,” said Anne helping herself to more potatoes, “apparently he blocked the platform and jinxed that bludger.”
“Strange…” he muttered.
They then explained about the Polyjuice Potion and interviewing Malfoy.
Rolf's eyebrows were raised, he was clearly impressed.
“You two and Hermione managed to brew this?” asked Mr. Scamander.
“Yes, Dad.”
“It is a very difficult potion, but I wouldn’t put anything past these two,” added Newt, “I’m glad it went well!”
“I’m glad none of you got caught!” exclaimed Mrs. Scamander.
“You could have been expelled!” agreed Remus.
“But they are fine, and they didn’t get expelled,” explained Mr. Scamander calmly.
“If you two are that good, maybe you can help me with my potions homework sometimes!” laughed Rolf “you two are better at potions than I am!”
During pudding, they asked Newt about the monster.
“I don’t know what it could be Irwin,” said Newt, “but whatever it has to be a dark creature if it can petrify people like that, I’ll have to look into that.”
After they finished dinner then Remus went home to Elm Grove via the flu.
“I’ll see you again before you go back to school alright?” he said pulling Anne into a tight hug.
“Ok.”
‘Bye-bye sweetheart” said Remus doing up his cloak and stepping into the fireplace.
“Come on Anne! let's go unpack,” said Irwin tugging his trunk from the kitchen.
Mr. Scamander brought Anne’s trunk up to the same room she had stayed in that summer.
Anne was sitting on the floor unpacking her clothes and folding them in the chest of drawers.
“Hello!” called a little girl with jet black hair from the doorway.
“Hi Aislynn,” said Anne “where’s Averett?”
“Rolf,” she said simply jumping onto Anne’s bed.
Aislynn was lying down on Anne’s bed watching her unpack with interest.
“Anne?” asked Aislynn sitting up when Anne joined her on the bed.
“Hmm?” asked Anne opening up a book.
“Could you do my hair, please? Like yours?” she asked tugging at one of Anne's dark red plaits.
“Ok,” said Anne going to fetch her hairbrush, “do you want ribbons?”
“Yes please!” said Aislynn bouncing up and down on the bed.
Anne picked up some hair ties and spare ribbons.
“Sit still then,” Anne laughed as she re-joined Aislynn on the bed.
Aislynn sat down quietly on the bed and Anne began to brush through her long hair humming as she calmly brushed through the little girl's hair.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m humming,” said Anne “I’ve always liked music, I’m sorry I didn’t realize I was doing it.”
“Don’t stop!” said Aislynn “I like it.”
So Anne gently brushed Aislynn’s hair into two long dark plaits and tied them off with pink ribbons.
“You can move now,” said Anne as she finished.
“Thank you!” said Aislynn giving Anne a huge hug before leaping off the bed.
“Will you read to me?” she asked.
“Do you like books?”
“Yes, but Averett doesn’t”
“I used to have the same problem with Harry!” Anne laughed. “What would you like me to read to you?”
Aislynn shrugged. “I don’t know, I’ve heard the Tales of Beadle the Bard so many times I know them off by heart, I want something different”
Anne smiled Aislynn wasn’t yet five, but she had only been four when she had first read those books. Anne went over to her trunk and got out one of her favorite books.
“I’m going to tell you a story about a little girl,” said Anne pulling Aislynn onto her lap, “a story of a girl who looks like me,” Anne explained opening up her copy of Anne of Green Gables.
“Chapter One- Mrs. Rachael Lynde is Surprised,” Anne began as Aislynn settled herself into Anne’s lap.
They had just got to the part where Mathew came to collect Anne from the train station when Mr. Scamander came in.
“There you are my little princess” he exclaimed from the doorway, “what have you been up to?”
“Anne’s been reading to me!”
“Well I know we said you could stay up late because your brothers were coming home but its bedtime, its nearly nine o clock!”
“I’ve had my bath! And I’m in my pajamas!” Aislynn protested.
“You brushed your teeth?”
Aislynn nodded. “I want to finish my chapter!” she moaned.
“Oh alright!” he gave in.
Mr. Scamander settled in to listen to the end of the chapter and then picked Aislynn up to go to bed.
“I want to hear more!!” cried Aislynn.
“Anne’s going to be here for two weeks and I’m sure if you behave yourself, she’ll read you some more. Now bed!” he said firmly.
“I’ll do it,” said Anne taking her from Mr. Scamander and taking her hand to walk her through to Aislynn’s room.
Averett was still bouncing around like mad in his room where Mrs. Scamander was trying to get him to calm down. Anne tucked Aislynn into her bed and read her a few more pages. Aislynn fell asleep within five minutes.
“You are a miracle-worker!” said Mr. Scamander who had been watching from the doorway, “even Remus can’t get her off that quickly!”
Anne shrugged.
“You really are a natural with her, she thinks you’re wonderful, she hasn’t stopped going on about you since you left last summer! I think she sees you as a big sister.”
“It’s nothing” Anne blushed as she went back to her room.
“There you are Anne!” cried Irwin when Anne reached her room “sorry Averett commandeered both me and Rolf’s attention.”
“That’s ok” she muttered getting out her hairbrush to redo her plaits, “I spent the evening with Aislynn.”
“Oh, sorry! Dad said she hasn’t stopped going on about you, I hope she wasn’t a nightmare!”
“No, she was fine, I did her hair and then I read to her,” said Anne as she tied off her plaits.
“Night Anne!” he said getting up to go through to his own room.
“Night,” she muttered. Anne was already half asleep.
On Christmas Eve the weather was cold but bright, Anne had already been at the Scamander’s three days and they had just reached the point where Anne hits Gilbert over the head with a blackboard.
“Serves him right!” laughed Newt who had been listening in to the story that Anne had been reading in the sitting room.
“I’ve placed a few orders at the muggle shops in the village for tomorrow, do any of you want to go get them for us?” asked Mrs. Scamander after a while.
“Yeah sure!” said Irwin pulling himself up from the carpet where he had been playing with Averett. “You want to come to Anne?”
Anne nodded.
“Can I come too Anne please?” begged Aislynn as Anne put the book away.
“Not today dear there will be too many bags,” said Mrs. Scamander picking up her daughter, “but you can help me and Granny and Anne with the baking when she gets back” she offered.
The idea of baking cheered Aislynn up and she went off to play with Newt and Averett.
“You two need to wear muggle dress,” said Mrs. Scamander looking at Anne and Irwin who were wearing jeans and jumpers. “That means no cloaks I’m afraid and it's cold out there today”
Irwin ran upstairs to fetch his winter coat.
“There might be something of Mary’s that fits her” Tina wondered and came back a few minutes later with a light blue winter coat.
The coat was a bit big on Anne but not so big that it was noticeable.
“Mary was always small like Anne, it fits well enough,” muttered Tina as Irwin came back downstairs in a dark green winter coat.
“Thank you,” said Anne quietly as Mrs. Scamander went to fetch some carrier bags.
“Here you go, I need you to go collect the orders from the butchers for the turkey and the village shop for everything else. They should have put the orders aside for you, I need all these things for dinner tomorrow.”
“Ok mum, we’ll be back in time for lunch,” called Irwin on the way out the door.
“It's only about twenty minutes to the village,” said Irwin as they started down a country path.
They went to the butchers for the turkey and chipolatas and then the village shop for everything else including a Christmas pudding, mincemeat for the mince pies and brussel sprouts.
Anne and Irwin started back down the path to the house and walked along the road for a few moments laden down with carrier bags.
“Irwin?” asked Anne after a while.
“Yeah?”
“Who was Mary?”
“I’m sorry?” asked Irwin confused.
“Mary, your Granny mentioned her before she lent me this coat”
Irwin took a closer look at Anne’s coat, “oh right,” said Irwin.
“Well, who was she?” Anne asked curiously.
“She was my Mum,” said Irwin.
Anne was so shocked she nearly dropped her bags of shopping. “I thought Gwendoline was your Mum!”
“Dad remarried after Mum died,” Irwin admitted.
Irwin and Anne continued along the path for a while longer not talking, Irwin must find it difficult to talk about his Mum Anne thought.
After a few minutes Irwin began talking again, it seemed as if he wanted to get it off his chest.
“My Mum died not long after I turned one,” he sighed, “she was killed by a witch called Bellatrix Lestrange whilst trying to fight Voldemort.”
“Bellatrix Lestrange? I think that’s Sirius cousin, isn’t she in Azkaban?”
Irwin nodded, “Along with her husband and brother in law, they tortured Neville’s parents until they went insane, his parents are now in St. Mungo’s.”
Anne looked at Irwin in shock, she had always wondered why Neville had been brought up by his Grandparents.
“Dad remarried when I was about five and Rolf was nine. Gwendoline had always treated me and Rolf like her own children and loves us just as much Averett and Aislynn,” Irwin finished as they came to the end of the path and towards the gate to the house.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before,” he muttered before they went into the house, “Dad doesn’t like to talk about it much so I usually don’t really think about it.”
“There you are!” exclaimed Gwendoline taking the bags from Anne and Irwin, “If you two go get cleaned up lunch will be in about five minutes!”
That afternoon Anne, Tina, Gwendoline, and Aislynn made mince pies for the next day. Aislynn loved making little pastry stars to go on top of the pies.
After dinner, the twins were hurried off to bed by Gwendoline for a quick bath and an early bed before Christmas the next day.
“Dad,” started Irwin nervously when everyone was gathered around the fire at eight o’clock that night.
Landon looked up from the Transfiguration book he was reading, “Hmm?”
“Umm, what was Mum like?” asked Irwin.
Rolf looked up from the potions book he was going through with Tina and Gwendoline began to shift uncomfortably in her seat muttering something about needing to check the presents for tomorrow.
“I’m sorry?”
“What was Mum like?” Irwin asked more clearly.
Landon looked around the room and saw that Irwin and Rolf were looking at him intently. Gwendoline got up from the sofa to go and check the food for the next day.
“Stay where you are Gwen,” he said gently, Gwendoline sat back down of the sofa, “come here son,” he said gesturing towards a spare seat on the sofa, Irwin went to sit next to his father, Rolf was already leaning on the floor against the sofa next to his dad.
“Firstly” Landon struggled, “I’m sorry I don’t talk about her much, it’s just it’s difficult for me.”
“We get that Dad,” said Rolf.
“It’s because I blame myself,” Landon admitted.
Rolf and Irwin stared at their father in shock.
“I was never brave like Mary; she was a Gryffindor I was only a Ravenclaw. Yes, I was always intelligent” he sighed, “but intelligence doesn’t always matter, especially not when you’re in the middle of a war…”
Landon stopped for a moment he was clearly struggling. Rolf got up onto the sofa next to his dad and Landon put his arms around his two sons.
“Mary joined the Order of the Phoenix” he continued. “She had two young sons and she loved you both to pieces, but she wanted you both to grow up in a world without Voldemort, that’s why she wanted to fight him. I used to stay at home with you two and look after you both when she was on missions”
“Not long after you turned one,” he added turning to Irwin, “in about May 1981 your mum went on a mission, she had been on a lot of missions so I didn’t worry about it, she kissed you both before she went out and told me she’d be back before breakfast. She never came back.”
Landon was in tears now and he was hugging his two sons tightly. Anne was sitting on the floor listening intently with Gwendoline sitting next to her with her arms around Anne’s shoulder.
“I blame myself because I sometimes wonder if maybe if I had been brave enough, I could have gone with her, I could have saved her” Landon sobbed.
“Or you could have both died,” said Tina.
Landon looked up at his mother, “you can’t blame yourself for Mary’s death, I’ve been trying to tell you this for nearly eleven years!”
“Think about this way son,” said Newt, “you might have both died, and then Rolf and Irwin would have had no parents to look after them.”
“I’m sorry boys, I should talk about her more she is your Mum.”
“Can you tell us a bit more about her?” asked Rolf.
“Your mother was a Gryffindor muggle-born. She had red hair like both of yours and she loved to laugh. The only thing she loved more than laughing was making overs laugh!” he chuckled.
“You two are so like her, you are brave and kind. When you laugh you laugh in the same way as your mother and you help anyone you can,” he said turning towards Rolf, “and you Irwin, when you smile your eyes light up in the same way as your mothers. Both most importantly there is nothing more important in this world to wither of you than your friends or family, you would do anything to protect them, never forget that boys, protect the ones you love,” he said reaching out for Gwendoline’s hand, “they may not be with you for long.”
There was not a dry eye in the room, everyone was crying, Landon had his arms around his two sons whilst his wife and Anne sat on the arms of the sofa.
“Come on you lot!” said Newt after a while, “it’s getting late, time for bed, it’s Christmas tomorrow!”
“Oh right of course!” said Landon only just remembering it was Christmas the next day. “Go on kids off you go, we can talk more about your mum another time yeah?”
“Ok Dad thanks,” said Rolf collecting his textbook. “Night,” he said giving his father a hug and heading up to bed.
Irwin gave his dad a hug and got up from the sofa, “Thanks Mum” he said giving Gwendoline a hug.
“That’s alright dear,” she cried into Irwin, “now get on the pair of you,” she said to Anne and Irwin, “those twins will be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow!”
Anne and Irwin traipsed upstairs to their rooms. They stopped when they reached Anne’s room.
“Thanks, Anne.”
“For what?”
“For helping tonight, if you hadn’t brought her up earlier I might never have asked Dad about her” he muttered.
“That’s ok,” said Anne pulling at her plaits getting nervous again.
“See you tomorrow then,” said Irwin heading off to his own room.
Anne was woken up fairly early the next morning by Averett and Aislynn but seeing as she was used to this treatment from Harry she didn’t mind.
“It’s Christmas!!” Averett screamed.
“I know that,” she said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, “have you two been good?”
They shook their heads vigorously.
“Do you think Father Christmas will have come?”
They nodded their heads again.
“Do we have to wait for Mummy and Daddy to wake up?”
“They’re already awake!” said Averett proudly.
“We woke them up!” laughed Aislynn.
“Well then!” said Anne pulling on her dressing gown, “let’s go see what’s downstairs then!”
“Why are we up at this ungodly hour?” groaned Rolf as he plonked himself down on one of the sofas.
“Because its Christmas!” screamed the twins.
‘It’ll be Christmas for another nineteen hours, it's only five o’clock!”
“Calm down Rolf, you were just as excitable at their age and you woke up Irwin who was only a baby!” laughed Tina.
“Sorry Gran,” he grumbled as his Grandmother sat down next to him.
“Saluete!!” greeted Landon as he came down the stairs with Gwendoline, “Recte, presents!” he said as he, Newt and Irwin started to organize the gifts.
Oh! Realized Anne, that’s why Irwin keeps on using conversational Latin! He gets it from his Dad!!
They opened gifts from the people who weren’t there first. Anne had got a stack of chocolate as high as a mountain from Anthony, Terry, and Michael.
“Wow!” muttered Rolf, “even I couldn’t eat that much!”
She had gotten books from Padma, Persephone, and Mandy and a large number of muggle sweets from Lisa who was a muggle-born. I hope Lisa doesn’t get petrified next she panicked, they had to stop that monster!
There was a large stack of ruled notebooks and something called ‘ballpoint pens’ from Hermione.
‘I know you hate writing with quills, these are much easier, you might not be able to use them for homework, but they will be much easier for notetaking”
Hmmm, I’ll have to give these a go thought Anne.
Her Grandpa had sent her some videotapes with an adaptation of Anne of Green Gables on them. She could watch them when she went home, Sirius and Remus had gotten a video player recently. There was no jumper that year as her Granny had passed away last June.
She had received a jumper from Mrs. Weasley though, it was bright green with a pink A on it. Anne pulled it on immediately. The Weasleys had also sent a tin of homemade mince pies, Great Expectations from Mr. Weasley, and a book from Ron.
Harry had sent her a book on Parseltongue so that she could find out more about it.
Luna had sent Anne a painting of Anne’s cat Athene.
There were still several large boxes in the middle of the room for Anne that wasn’t from the Scamander’s.
Landon lifted the biggest present in the whole room and handed it to her.
“Are you sure this is for me?” she asked uncertainly whilst everyone else opened their presents from friends.
“It got your name on it dear!” he laughed, “Careful its heavy,” he said as he placed it on her lap.
What could be in here she wondered.
Dear Anne, so that you can share your parents' love of music, love always Sirius and Remus.
What in the world?
“Aren’t you going to open it?” asked Aislynn excitedly.
Anne noticed that the whole room was staring at her grinning madly at the box.
Anne started to fumble with the string that did up the box.
“I’ll help” chuckled Irwin as he undid the string.
Anne undid the paper and lifted the lid of a large white leather case.
It was a magical record player, Uncle Remus had one, she had always loved listening to it when she was little, but it was nowhere near as nice as this one!
“Wow!” she whispered.
Anne noticed that Aislynn was grinning like a mad man.
“I told mummy and daddy that you liked music, and they knew that Remus was wondering what to get you for Christmas!” she said bouncing up and down on Tina’s lap.
“Do you like it?” asked Tina.
“I love it!” she exclaimed.
“There’s more,” said Newt passing her another two large boxes.
In one was a collection of old records that had apparently belonged to her muggle grandparents, there was also the records that had used to belong to Lily and James. The box contained everything from Vera Lynn to Abba which apparently her mother had used to enjoy.
The other box contained new records including some by Queen and the Beatles which Sirius had always been a fan of.
“Wow,” she whispered again. “Thanks, Aislynn!” she pulled Aislynn off of Tina’s lap and gave her a huge hug.
“Recte,” said Irwin, “there's still loads of presents to go through,” he pointed out.
“Thank you for my pretty ribbons Anne,” said Aislynn. Anne had done Aislynn’s hair in plaits several times now
“You’re welcome, they’re like mine, they never get lost and they change color to match what you’re wearing,” Anne explained fastening Aislynn’s plaits which turned pink to match her pajamas.
“Wow!” Aislynn exclaimed as her ribbons changed color.
There was another tin of strawberry and white chocolate welsh cakes from Gwendoline.
“I know you liked the last time” she trilled in her lilting Welsh accent.
“Thank you, Mrs. Scamander!”
There was a large number of books as to be expected, Irwin had got her a book on different snakes both magical and non-magical. “You can research different snakes Harry might talk to!” he explained.
“I love it” she hugged her best friend who blushed almost as red as his hair.
There was a set of books on the goddess Artemis from Landon and Gwendoline as they knew she was interested in her.
Newt and Tina had got her two books Virgil’s Aeneid and Lucan’s Bellum Civile.
“I know you enjoyed Homer” explained Newt, “Virgil is the great Roman epic author, and the Bellum Civile is fascinating it’s a bit like an anti-hero epic.”
“Thank you so much, I can’t wait to start reading them!”
Rolf had given a short book on meditation.
“It might help you keep calm” he laughed.
“Thanks!”
After Christmas lunch, they all went out for a walk and fetched their coats. They had to wear coats instead of cloaks in case they ran into any muggles. Landon passed her the light blue coat that Mary used to wear as a teenager.
“You can keep it,” he said passing her the coat, “she would want it to be used rather than hanging around in the closet.”
“Thank you so much!” she exclaimed.
Landon merely shrugged as he helped Averett do up his coat.
On New Year's Eve the family was gathered in the sitting room as Anne continued to read to them all from her book. The entire family had become invested in the story of Anne Shirley.
Suddenly Remus’ head appeared in the fire. “Anne!” he called from the fire, “Can I come through?”
“Of course, Remus!” answered Landon.
Remus came spinning through the fire followed not long after by Sirius.
“Hi, darling!” Remus said giving Anne a hug.
“I’m afraid we’ve got some bad news kid” said Sirius still standing by the fire.
“It’s Athene,” said Remus gently sitting next to Anne on the sofa, “I’m afraid she’s died.”
“What?” she screamed; she loved her cat!
“She got run over by the car dear,” Remus said gently putting his arm around her.
“What he isn’t telling you,” said Sirius who had been staring at his shoes, “is that I ran her over!”
“It’s not your fault Sirius,” said Remus trying to reassure his friend whilst comforting Anne.
“Its ok,” she sobbed, “Athene always did like sleeping under that car,” she muttered.
“She’s in a better place now,” said Gwendoline sitting down next to Anne on the sofa.
Anne nodded, she knew this was true, but she still missed her cat, she had had her since she was four years old.
Aislynn had just come running back in from upstairs holding a piece of paper.
“Anne,” she said handing her the piece of paper, “it’s Athene!”
Aislynn had brought down the painting Luna had drawn her of Athene.
“Thank you Aislynn!” she sobbed.
“We buried her under her favorite tree,” said Sirius.
“Thank you.”
As always good times have to come to an end and before she knew it was time to go back to Hogwarts and they were piling the three trunks into the back of the car.
“I’ll see you next Summer I promise,” Anne reassured a sobbing Aislynn. “Hey! We can read the next Anne book,” this idea seemed to cheer up Aislynn.
“See you next Summer!” called Anne as she got in the car after hugging everyone twice. She always hated having to leave the Scamander’s they were like a second family to her, and she was leaving to go somewhere where there was a huge monster petrifying people!