✧AUGUST 31ST✧

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It was the day before the twins were set for Hogwarts and it was a madhouse, Aurora had taken over what to pack the children and it was indeed an operation. Rabastan had taken the sidelines and instead entertained the other children, whether that was in the pool or elsewhere.

Sweet Merlin was it a riot, not only was Aurora sure that she forgot something—After checking and double-checking twice over. Both Imara and Romulus both begged their mother to just let them handle it and for her to lie down.

"She doesn't want us to go, she always gets like this," Imara claimed, and Rabastan simply stood in awe at the idea that the past two years the twins had to deal with their mother being overbearing to the days leading up to their departure.

And it was only amplified because both Cara and Ronan were scheduled to go to Salem this time around.

Was it possible for Aurora to already feel an empty nest?

"Love, could you come with me for a moment—Ah ah, just a moment." She looked as though she had a million excuses backed up, but after getting her out of Imara's room he winked off to his daughter and allowed her to get what she personally wanted or needed.

"Rory, you cannot keep packing their bags over and over again."
"But I forgot their robes, and you know it gets cold at Hogwarts that they need their gloves and—"
"They aren't lil babes anymore, I more than anyone needed that remember. If anything, Cara and Ronan will need your help more than those two. But...Only after the twins are off to Hogwarts. What you need to do is get your own work down, and after the twins have their bags and packed and at the ready, you can check them."
"But—"
"No ands ifs or buts." He said, placing her down into her chair behind her desk while he took to move at one of the consulting desks before her.

"And what are you up to?"
"To make sure that you don't run and help them. Rory it's Hogwarts, I'm sure you didn't like it when your mother packed your bag. They need to be able to pack a trunk by now."
"But I'm right here."
"Yes, they know that. And if they need help they'll ask, and look...Now you have the rest of the day to do something." She pouted, crossing her arms and having her back slide down the chair, almost resembling a temper tantrum.

"I was doing something." She grumpled, her eyes only looking at her desk as she felt rather spiteful in not wanting to look at her husband.

"Cassiopeia quit your pouting. You're a grown mother of five children, I don't need to be telling you to get your act together."

"And you're a bloody painting with eight different color shades...Did you purposefully ask the artist to make you look so dark and mysterious?" She asked calmly, busying herself by picking at her nails before looking over at her father.

She silenced him within the second.

"I might be a painting but I do not appreciate that tone."
"That's stopped working once I realized that I'm older than your picture appears to be...Where is the part where you tell me something insightful?"
"Merlin have mercy—You're on your own Lestrange, I bid you good luck." And thus, Aurora had gotten rid of her father in a mere few questions.

Perhaps it was easier for them to push each other's buttons, but now he was left with a semi aggravated Aurora who clearly wasn't used to not having her schedule filled to the brim.

"What do you usually do...When you have free time?"
"I haven't had much free time this past year." She responded, and it was clear that he was going to have to reign in deeper.

"Then what would you and...Proctor...Do when you have free time?" His question made her still her obsessive scratching to her thumb's nail bed.

"We'd go out and explore..." She whispered, nodding her head as looked up to her husband for a moment before cowering away.

"Explore what?"
"Just the town, we'd go to museums, fairs, events...Whatever there was we'd just up and go." Rabastan realized what Rory needed was a spontaneous adventure, but he couldn't go.

He was still on house arrest for another few months, but luckily he'd be able to pick the children up from the train station without any issue—It was Salem he wouldn't be able to see as he wasn't allowed to travel internationally yet.

"I'm sorry you're trapped in the house here with me love, but the second I can leave we'll go and explore whatever it is you want. After Azkaban...An-and now not being able to leave here?" She sighed, Aurora had the ability to leave but didn't in order to not make Rabastan left out.

Which was a complete switch to when he had been a Death Eater and all.

"It's still considered a punishment Rabastan. Besides, if you leave early it looks like I just paid the ministry or someone off." He narrowed his brow in confusion and thus she ran a hand down to her draw and pulled out an article dated back a few weeks ago.

"'Paid four million to get me out', I think bail was double that if—"
"Your bail didn't have a price Rabastan, and if it didn't I didn't have any funds to get you out. Look at Lucius, he and Narcissa managed to get out of it so easily and donate a sizable amount to Saint Mungos for the next few years..." Rabastan had shown instant distaste, but then his head hung low as he remembered how Romulus and Imara responded to the reason why Rabastan was absent all this time.

"Well, we can think of ways for Lori to not keep joining us in bed."
"She joined Cara the other night, then Ronan's the night before..." Ronan had confirmed either to Rabastan and now there was finally a chance to share it.

"It's probably because they're all leaving, she's always had some of her siblings around but now there'll be no one..."
"That's not true, she's made loads of friends already."
"But that's when you don't know what it's like to have so many siblings around you Raba, and I don't know what it's like to be left behind as I'm always the one leaving...We'll figure it out." Rabstan realized that Aurora had been the one to leave her brother's home while she went to Salem, and then left Regulus when her and Sirius went off to Hogwarts.

She's never faced what Lori had.

"How about a musical tutor? You said your mother hired a piano instructor when you were quite young." Aurora nodded, it was truly a good idea and she'd ask her assistant to look up possible people to instruct her—Perhaps a German one as well.

Rabastan adored the growing smile on her face, she was definitely plotting out the means of each and everything she needed to do...But it was a rather comfortable silence.

"Perhaps you should pick up a hobby as well."
"Me?" He rushed out, but as she started nodding her head along she smiled. "I picked up French from the children, it was a brilliant thing to have while in Canada. I haven't been able to visit Germany in a long time."
"The children know both?"
"They're splattered all over the place, Ronan and Romulus know both fairly well, conversational wise. Cara is the only one who could read either, Imara is very good at arguing in either and our lil Lori knows the basics. You could help each other." He thought it was a grand idea, he had always meant to learn the language that tied itself with his wife's Madian name.

Unfortuently the distraction had only worked for a short while until Lori came in crying. Rabastan had turned in full attention, but it was her mummy she wanted.

And so the young girl had instructed the young witch to breathe and settle herself before speaking. "I don't want them to go mummy! I'll be all alone, a-a-and I won't have anyone h-here!" It was just what they thought, but as Aurora had taken the moment soothe her worries and promised that they'd do a ton of fun things here and in America, it was Lori's father that came to kneel down beside the girl.

"Will you really be alone Lori?... You'll have your mother and I."
"But I want Rommy! A-and—I want them all to stay."
"And I'd like nothing more than the house to be full, but you'll soon be going to Salem. I don't know how my heart will handle it Ma Cherie."
"I won't go! I'll stay here with you and Mummy!" She cheered, and the childlike excitement that filled her tiny face was in such a sweet gesture that Aurora kiss the top of her daughter's head.

"Not a chance Lolli."
"But mum!"
"You can throw your own parties darling, it doesn't have to be for your birthday." It was as if the world had moved aside, and thus the little girl had stopped her crying and began babbling at the idea of having a tea party.

Aurora soon picked her up and nuzzled a few dozen kisses or so to her cheek—Even though she was still discussing ideas.

"I loathed the idea of having tea parties darling, how is it that you're so open to them?"
"Because mine are with stuffies, not filled with old people." Lori blinked for a moment before slamming her hand over her mouth at having said 'old'.

"Oh...I'm old am I?" She tested, and the little starting to squirm out of her mother's hold in an attempt to run away. Rabastan stood in a bit of confusion and didn't know if he was meant to help his wife or his daughter.

But alas, the decision was made for him when she managed to run out of the room.

Her screams out in the hall.

"This'll end poorly I'm sure." Rabastan cooed, but Aurora smirked as she was silently counting down in her head before rising to her feet with a contagious smile to erupt.

"Don't think you can catch me so easily papa." She teased, and to be honest she had barely been at arm length away from her. So he tested his reflect and attempt to tap her shoulder, however Aurora had other plans as she morphed rather rapidly down to Salem.

A small purring meow echoed lowly before she picked up the pace through the door and out into the hall.

It was a sudden roar followed by the combined sound of the children laughter from different directions. "Cat and mouse! Cat and mouse!" Rabastan was surely not used to this type of game, but he saw all the children rush on outside and thus he too followed.

Aurora had mastered her animagious and used it to help with her wolfsbane projects but now? It was used to entertain the children as she chased them back and forth, going so far as pouncing on them made him slightly nervous.

But upon watching closer, he realized that Aurora would always be the one to land on her own back to the ground and never their children's.

It was surely a fun game to watch.

However what interested Aurora was why her husband wasn't joining in, she didn't want him to be on the sidelines and so she gave the universal sign of 'off' before the children followed in pursuit to the order.

Romulus elbowed his brother and nicked his head to their father, sharing a smirk did they both come to an understanding what their mother was attempted to do.

"Tackle papa, mummy!" Lori screamed, and Rabastan had turned wide eye and had almost gotten a shake of the head—But unfortunately failed to voice his fear on how ready his wife was to pounce.

No...It wasn't a pounce, it was a full-blown charge that had turned into a pounce only after. However when the two did collide, both were on their sides. Yet it was Rabastan's fear of having hurt Rory that he turned in a mumbling mess, only for her to shift back and cackle up to the sky.

The children all grouped around, and Lori having been the first to check if her papa was alright by coming flop on his stomach as well. "Mummy got you good." Aurora couldn't handle herself as she continued to laugh, merlin it was so good to hear it.

All the children could agree.

The twins were grinning and laughing along with the rest, while Rabastan had simply sat ideally by—Soaking in the positivity.

It was addicting and it was coming in waves.

How was summer coming to an end?

Now he realized...A bit too late that them leaving would only make the house empty. Perhaps Aurora was right, he did need to find a hobby.

With the intermission of the family's game of tag, Rory had been met with an entire house filled with tired and grim faces. And thus she sucked in a deep breath and bent down low to meet the majority of the children's faces.

"You lot are going to come home just like that...Just you wait, you'll be owling to ask to stay at school. Now come here." She cooed, and instantly the group had found themselves huddled together for a hug. And Rory had instantly pulled in her husband to join them.

Going so far as kissing her cheek, which earned grins all around.

Aurora made the rounds in tucking the children into bed, and Lori was given an ultimatum of if she slept in one of her sibling's bed then she wouldn't be able to go to the platform to see the twins off.

And with a bit of persuasion, both wolves in her bed and a few chapters of the book. Aurora had finally managed to get Lori to sleep by nine.

Which left plenty of time to tuck in Ronan and Cara before she found herself knocking on Imara's door.

"All set love?" She called out, and her daughter smiled as she sat in the middle of her bed. The gal was simply playing with Sterling that it was hard not to smirk at the little creature's actions.

"Hmm, I'm just tiring Sterling out before bed, she's hyper."
"I think she saw the packed trucks and realized you're going on an adventure," Aurora said coming to sit down Imara and kissing her temple before wrapping her arm around her shoulder to pull her closer.

"You owl me if there is anything wrong love. I'll respond in a heartbeat."
"Mum...What if I don't like Hogwarts?"
"It took me a while too, but I had my brother and made friends...I swear it is much similar to Salem then you think. And if it's any consolidation, I am so glad I went to Hogwarts. And I am so happy you and your brothers and sisters are going."
"Really?"
"Of course, and once all your siblings are there with you...I promise it'll get better. You'll be able to see them at dinner, in the library during breaks."
"But I can't come home on weekends anymore."
"That was a bit of a spoil that Salem provides, but you're old enough love...Besides they distract you with so many clubs and activities that you won't notice until it's December." Imara nodded to her mother, and it hadn't been that much longer before Imara was settled under the covers with Sterling stuffed into her chest.

Aurora had to wipe her eyes and settle the frog in her throat before turning to Romulus' room. And surprise surprise—He was at his desk writing away.

"Oh Merlin absolutely not, in bed young man." Romulus turned and gawked at his mother in pure defiance, her voice sounded so true in rage that he had been taken back. But the smile that etched on her face told him otherwise, letting him sigh in relief.

"What are you up to?" 

"Nothing much, I just wanted to figure out the cleaning material that we started." Wrapping her arms around him did a smile start to grow once again as she could see clearly his thought process to his desired construct.

"I think that falls under the 'at home' projects love."
"But you said that professor Snape wouldn't mind projects?" Aurora closed her eyes and nodded, she'd think Severus would rather enjoy her children's mind and creativity. Though this was a much bigger project the way he was going.

"Hmm, I don't know love...Why don't you save that for at home? Juggling homework and everything will start to add up, you'll see."
"It didn't at Salem. I got straight A's."
"Yes and I want to see a continuation of that, but...I also want to see you making friends and joining clubs. This is an important time to crank and make friendships Rommy." He knew it was true, at least he knew a few students going into Hogwarts, so he wouldn't be entirely alone.

"Hey, if I can do it...You most certainly can too, and if anything? Remember that even potion masters have to work collectively in a group."
"But you ended up cracking Dragon pox yourself!"
"Hmm, but I still worked with a group of people, we talked and discussed. And I wouldn't have had those capabilities if I just sat in my dorm room reading away and being alone." It was roughly blunt, but instead she sat down onto the small space he had left on his desk and beamed down her contagious smile.

"Promise me?"
"I promise mum."
"And promise you'll watch out for your sister? Even if you're in different houses."
"Yes mum I promise."
"And that if there's any problems, anything at all...You owl?"

"Ich versprechen, mein verrückte Mutter."
[I promise, my crazy mother]

Romulus hated when his mother pouted, especially now as he knew she was holding back her tears. It was clear when the room went silent and didn't have any other promises to give, but he managed to give her an encouraging smile.

Romulus' considered his mum to be his best friend, and he wasn't afraid of admitting that.

"Okay, geh ins Bett, es ist spät! Sie werden morgen im Zug müde sein."
[Okay get to bed, it's late! You'll be tired on the train tomorrow]

His smile grew even wider as she responded back in German, and he went so far as to dock his quill and blow out the candlelight in front of him.

Sure he'd humor her and let her tuck him in, but he was eleven...By tomorrow he'd be a Hogwarts student and wouldn't need any more tuck-ins after that.

"Goodnight mum." He whispered, and she smiled. "Goodnight Romulus...As above?"
"So below. As within?"
"So without. As the universe?"

"So the soul." They had finished the last inch of the saying together, and thus she kissed his forehead before departing from the bedroom entirely.

Odin had already gone to bed early, apparently Sterling had kept him well entertained while Romulus and Imara were attempting to pack.

Aurora had taken a few calming minutes before returning to the bedroom, Rabastan would say goodnight and perhaps spend time with Lori before she was off to bed. But otherwise he left his wife to his own devices.

The children were used to getting a goodnight tuck in from their mum, so it left him to prepare for his own night routine. Which involved a few potions that his wife provided in an attempt to replenish his body from the horrors of Azkaban.

They were making him feel plentiful, though it was all trial and error, some days his stomach would fight against it and others would make him tired.

It was clear that his weight and completion were getting visibly better, but he was nowhere near the same condition from when he was imprisoned.

He had barely pulled on his nightshirt before hearing the bedroom door open. "Lori asleep?" A small hum followed in pursuit and thus...Rabastan took the peek to look to his wife who was all but sitting on the bed now.

Looking lost.

"Come now love, when they come back for Holiday they'll all talk your ear off on what they've learned...I remember you used to count down the days until they could read to you. Watch, in about eight years' time...Romulus and Imara will be going out into the real world looking for jobs." As much as Rabastan had tried to make his wife feel better, an unexpected sniffle erupted into the room as she started to cry further.

"B-but they're my babes..."
"And they will always be your babes...Our babes. They've just grown. This is a milestone we've been waiting for since you told me you were with child. And soon we'll be having to sign off their apperenting license." He didn't know which part was what made her calm down, but the idea of another milestone was inviting.

"Do I have to limit the amount of owls a week?" Aurora pounced at that comment, it was very childish and it was one of the many things he caught to be different between then and now.

Straddling Rabastan and catching him in a lock did she shake her head. "No."
"Oh?" He teased, and it caused Aurora to realize the incriminating position she was in, which caused her to attempt to get off.

Only for him to keep her planted there.

"You're welcome to stay here love."

"Cheeky, but it's late as is and I want to make sure we have plenty of time on the platform." The platform. It felt like a lifetime ago since he was arriving for Hogwarts after the long summer, and now he'd witness his own sons and daughters get to go.

"Is it...Odd for a father to go?" He questioned, and it caused his wife to tilt her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"My father never picked or dropped me off at the platform."
"Yes well, your father also rarely left the house and only ever bothered when he wanted to shag Linda...Oh please Raba, the bastard could do with a bit of movement in his grave." He hadn't ever heard Aurora talk so ill of the dead before, but then again it was his father.

Part of him was still slightly nervous in talking ill of him.

As though he was still around to hear it.

"Right then, so you'll always be with me to pick and drop them off for Hogwarts. Salem is a little different."
"Do they have a train?"
"Oh no, if anything the Salem campus is about...A third of Hogwarts? It isn't meant to house so many students, even with the lad expansion it won't ever be as big as the secondary school." He nodded along at the idea, hopefully in the coming years he'd be able to drop off Lori or someone. But instead he had slowly released his wife and settled her down beside himself, though he actively kept eye contact with her in record of hearing about the school.

He was interested, especially since all the children would be attending due to Aurora's attendance. The pressure of being in a house full of genius was getting slightly...Claustrophobic.

And it brought him back to the idea of studying again, there was a lot he had missed out in his years in Azkaban that perhaps he did need to bring his mind back to its original state.

He was surprised to know that Aurora had actually fallen asleep, but after running around all afternoon she was exhausted.
Both emotionally and physically.

But now it was Rabastan's turn to feel the damnation of what it'd be like, September 1st...When he first arrived at Hogwarts he knew a long line of people as his last name protected him and almost secured his position in Slytherin.

His father, mother and brother were all Slytherin.

He felt sick as the stress was starting to eat him up alive, would the children surprise him? Would there be more Slytherins than Ravenclaws?

Suppose he was feeling the countdown now.

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Date Posted: 07-04-2020

Time: 7:25

Words: 4138

I'm in heavy debate on the houses right now, that's why my updates are far and in between. But making filler without the children is harder than I remember it to be.

Also, I started a new fanfiction in the HP universe, Newt Scamander pairing. I'll be posting the second chapter for that later tonight.

Hope everyone is staying safe!!!