Triumvirate

The first time in this place, I was invisible, hiding under a table.

*smiles to yet another well wisher, shaking his head* Almost wish I could get away with that again. Still, I suppose with everything leading up to where we stand now, a little bit of spotlight isn't going to kill me. Then I can go back to being good and bloody obscure again. Perhaps do a little bit of Dynomite fishing.

*grins, sipping his pint*

Long Lost Auror Found

In an amazing turn of events, our intrepid reporter has learned more of the defeat of You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. According to well placed sources within the Ministry, Rodolphus Lestrange, Death Eater and right hand to You-Know-Who, was defeated by none other than hero of the first war and former Auror Caradoc Dearborn. Mr. Dearborn disappeared 20 years ago...

-Continued on page 3

*Apparates to a nearby alley, his deep blue cloak covering his face*

Fear has held me far too long. *strides to the main thoroughfare* Yet now, I play victim to these violent tremors in my mid-section.

*smiles and grips the bouquet of flowers tightly*

I have missed the butterflies that come with being near her.

*looks down at the mendhi on her hands*

They said this was the only way for me to save him. They asked if we loved each other, if we wanted to spend our lives together. I said yes. They said that my planet Jupiter would provide me courage to face life's sufferings ahead. I am a Gryffindor, I am not afraid.

So why do I feel like I'm making the biggest mistake of my life? *watches as her 'stand-in' parents pray for successful completion of the ceremony, and then leave her to go to Draco* *surrounded by relatives and cousins of the Patil twins, she's carried to the mandap*

Having gained certain contacts over the past year is finally beginning to reap some rewards. How disappointed you would be, Voldemort. Some of your followers have gotten positively loose-lipped now that you aren't around to protect them.

*rubs his elbow, checking to make sure the bleeding has stopped before he heals the cut, not wanting Snape to see it*

I hope Kingsley and Tonks are able to keep this one quiet and out of the papers like I asked...

( I solemnly swear... )

*walking along a wooded trail*

It won't be that much longer now. *glances over to Mandy and smiles* I wonder if she's as scared as I am? At least the house is dealt with. Thank goodness for having a large, extended family to call on. *furrows his brow* Now, to finalize a place over there. With all the papers I've been signing, we must have one in there someplace.

*pulls a leaf and twig off a low hanging branch*
*makes the leaf spin around by rolling the twig between his fingers*

Is it foolish that, even though I could feasibly come back anytime, I'm already missing this place? I mean there were times growing up when I wanted to be on the other side of the world from here, but now that so much has happened...or not happened here...

*tilts his head* Do we have an really big boxes? *grins*

*gazes out of a hotel window, an untouched glass of wine in hand*

( An end to what I thought I wanted; a beginning to something else )

*rushes to the greenhouses*

( private thoughts )

*stops, looking around* What are you doing?

No, I am not staying to do "just one more!" It's past Midnight! Humans need to sleep!

*glares as the goblin gibbers at him and points to a pile of artefacts then crosses his arms, glaring right back*

*looks mock-surprised* Oh, you'll fire me, huh? *shrugs, summons an empty box and starts putting personal items in it* How about I quit first?

*sees the goblin turn pale and wave his arms in the air, begging him to stay* That's what I thought. They don't have anyone better for this kind of work. and they've made me stay late all week! I know these artefacts are for an important patron, but enough is enough!

That's better. And don't expect to see me again until Monday afternoon. *walks to door, ignores his boss's weak demands that he be in on time* I've worked overtime all week. I'll see you Monday afternoon!

I'd be useless Monday morning anyway, if Sirius' party is as big as I think it's going to be. *leaves building, Apparates*

*walks through the room, flicks wand to bring chairs up to rest on the tables and straighten them into more orderly positions* It's always busy on Fridays but that was the biggest lunch crowd we've had in months. The weather is beautiful and everyone's in a good mood, wants to be out having a good time.

It's going to be crazy in here on Sunday. *sends a charm around the room to gather discarded serviettes and general debris from the floor, banishes resulting pile into the bin* It shouldn't be anything less. We need to get together and celebrate what Harry did, officially.

We still have to keep the Order under wraps, but there's no reason we can't secretly be behind a good party. *wanders over to the bar, gathers some glasses from the top and takes them to the sink behind the counter* I'm looking forward to it. Everyone keeps saying that we can finally get on with our lives.

*leans both hands on the bar and looks down at the inventory sheet left on the counter, tamping down the slightly guilty, restless feeling he can't seem to shake* I need a kick-start, or something.

*hears the door open, doesn't look up* Sorry, we're not open yet.

*wandering through the village, smallish smile on her face*

It's amazing. It's only been a few months here, really. Walking along the old paths, and yet it feels a lifetime between. He has returned to me. At the risk of being a sentimental sap, it's the most wonderful thing in the world. The world has come full circle.

I am loved.

*stops in front of the Apothecary* I should pick up a gift for Severus. A get well sort of gesture.

*stands in front of a full length mirror attached to the wall*

( This is what it has come to...  )

*crosses the road across from Horse Guards Parade, heading into the park itself*

London on a Thursday evening. Perhaps not everyone's idea of a wonderful place to be, but even so....

( Even so.... )

*pauses to watch the ducks and swans swimming in the lake* Half a century ago, large sections of this city were smouldering heaps of rubble. Not fifteen years ago, it wasn't considered entirely safe to use public transport, lest the IRA take it into its head to make trouble. And today....

*closes his eyes, tilting his head back to enjoy the warmth of the setting sun* Today I'm going to remember all that, and appreciate the fact that I've got a lovely sunset to enjoy.

We've got peace now...and I fully intend to enjoy it, however long it lasts.

*appears with a crack at the edge of the clearing*

( private thoughts )

*pats Kumquat as she steps on the porch, crossing to stand in front of the door*

You can do this, Bones...

*raises her hand and wraps lightly on the door*

*lays in grass with Harry, staring up at the sky* Time sure is running funny lately. It feels like both years and yesterday since Harry killed Voldemort.

Everyone else is moving on already, and I've barely had time to think, what with all the owls and packages that have made it here - and that's just from people whose owls are allowed to find us.

*sighs, drapes arm over forehead* Feels weird, not training.

Or going to work at the twins' shop or doing anything. Face it, Ron, you're bored now that the commotion has died down.

*standing outside the door* Now, do I have everything I need? This really should be just a formality, because I think the school has been more than pleased with the animals I've been providing for them. It will be good to see Professor Snape as well - I haven't seen him since before he was taken by the Dark Lord - I've been too wrapped up in myself to check on him.

*knocks on the door* But now I can see for myself how he is - the business is secondary, really.

*waits patiently for a response*

*sits at bar, nursing a butterbeer, watching Sirius chat up another patron* He was there. I know he regrets not being around for me while he was in Azkaban, but he was there for me on that island.... *finishes off beer*

Does he know how much I needed him? How much it mattered that he was with me when it really counted?

Hey! *holds out empty bottle with a grin* What does it take to get some service around here?

*sitting on a stool across from Fred, cauldrons suspiciously quiet, butterbeer in hand, accounting ledgers open between them*

The shop does better than anyone ever expected; Profits at the Hogsmeade shop have improved dramatically and ever since it's become public news about Voldemort's defeat, both shops have seen a very real increase in business. I thought Lav might have needed help temporarily... well. Since Parvati... But they closed up shop for a few days and seem to be doing alright now... but Gods. Damn shame about Thomas. As fine as they can be, I suppose.

*holds his drink out to clink with Fred's without looking up*

Remind me to send them more flowers, Freddy. As if it helps.

*sits behind her desk, going through papers and whatnot*

( This chapter is done... )