✧A WONDERFUL OFFER✧

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Aurora had a well balanced week, starting the early morning with the children and by nap time she would attempt to get a decent dent within her arsenal to start working on her theories.

In the corner of her desk laid Harper's eighth parchment sent in apology to their recent argument. Though she hadn't been the only one, Evelyn felt guilty as though she had created the argument...But in reality, she had been what? A third-year when all this all occurred? Nothing was her fault.

If anything McNair couldn't handle the guilt anymore, he surely had the bruises to show for it.

Rabastan hadn't been much help in toning down the violence as he shared what he'd do if it was herself. He was indeed a possessive man, perhaps Sirius had been partially right in claiming that he was obsessed with her affection.

Although killing another was going to have the Dark Lord step in and count all this to be childish, it did indeed tickle him to hear that Aurora was having trouble collecting her birds together.
Though she simply passed it as a spat, even if he didn't fully believe it, he allowed her to fix it. 

As there was tension in his male ranks that he couldn't afford.

But what couldn't be risked at a time like this was the damn Phoenix patrons that graced her in her study, causing her to scowled to the likes of the beautiful beast.

"You're mad, you know that? Surely an owl could've sufficed." Her presence was required and she would need to get a move on as time was not on her side. So she nodded to the blue whisk before it slowly lost its coloring into the air.

"What are you going to do Cassi?"

"Tell Raba that I'm going to meet Otto, don't worry father. If you never caught on with my lies, he surely won't either." She whispered, and it caused her father to sigh.

"And Regulus, has he responded on what he's choosing for a career path?"

"Not yet. He's still studying for their equivalent to NEWTS so he can further his education, though he hasn't made much of a choice yet, Liz thinks him and Phoebe are getting closer..." She hinted, and the smile extended on her father's features.

The young wizard in the painting had no wrinkles or anything in the sort, but it was a blessing to know that Regulus was able to woo someone.

"And Sirius?"

"He has his flings, but being with someone at the moment would give weakness. Surely after this is all over he can settle down." He watched as his little light continued to gather her notebook and binder to make it seem that she would be going to Otto, but her father looked as though he wanted to ask her something.

"It's a beautiful thing being able to see you work Cassi, when you have the chance I would like to see the children soon."

"Of course father, enjoy the music." She blew him a kiss before making her way to her husband's study and knocked, only to see him over the center table with Avery and a few other  Death Eaters.

"Everything alright love?" She nodded and whispered into his ear of her plan. That she was going to leave the manor for a few hours, personally he wished that she would allow herself to leave more often.

"I'll leave a note if the meeting turns into a raid, please get some rest tonight?" She kept a positive outlet as she smiled once again. Though noting that Severus was very well absent from the room.

Interesting.

She checked on her munchkins before leaving entirely. Though Dumbledore had failed to tell her an exact location, when entering in the safe house, a note attached to what she assumed to be a portkey had made her frown.

"Damn that cryptic man, I swear he is—" She had unfortunately touched the damn tin before finishing and preparing fitfully.

The mountain she was teleported to was a drastic difference from the previous flat.

Stumbling forward a bit did she scoff. "You know, headmaster...I do like full disclosure on my locations." He had been waiting at the edge of a cliff, his back to her and she rolled her eyes.

"I apologies Mrs.Lestrange, but it was a change of pace. I wish for you to observe a potential addition to the Order." She hummed, padding off the dirt the fall had collected on her dress.

"And who might that be?" She questioned, and the wizard finally turned around and smiled. He offered her a small bundle, recognizing it close to instantly as it was James' invisibility cloak.

"They are in hiding, it was confiscated to ensure that Mr.Potter doesn't get the idea with Black to leave their safe house." So they did move from their flat, she hadn't felt discouraged in her brother or Remus not telling her.
She had doubt that they even know where this safe house would be.

Aurora smiled and wrapped the liquid-like cloak around her body and hide within the scene. It hadn't been that long of a wait until none other than Severus Snape appeared to the scene in a begging manner.

What in the—

"Please, don't kill me!" He pleaded. And Aurora had stared to the threatening wand making the young potions master beg as he was.

"Why would I? Why are you here? What does Lord Voldemort want of me?" Albus snarled at him, the pure distaste for Death Eaters hot on his breath.

"Nothing...Please, I'm here on my own doing sir."

The wind whipped around their forms. With their cloaks billowing in the air making him look sinister, and his eyes madden with fear.

"Please...I've come with a request sir." The worriment was familiar as it hadn't been all that long from today to when Snape questioned the likes of Lily. "Of what do you, a Death Eater, want from me?"

"The prophecy..."

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore stood stalk still, boring his blue eyes into the lowly man's before him. "I assume you told your 'Master' all of what you heard?"

"Y-Yes. He thinks it pertains to Li-Lily Evans." Aurora felt the strike of pain as Severus hadn't made the attempt in using Lily's married name. He still saw her as Evans...It was then the witch sighed, part of her knew where this was going.

Dumbledore was going to feed on the likes of a new ally.

"No, it does not. It only spoke of a boy born towards the end of July..."

"No, no. The Dark Lord thinks that it is her son. He wants to kill her - to kill them all."

"Surely Voldemort will spare her, if he knew that you care for her so deeply. Ask for her mercy in exchange for the boy?"

"I-I have already..." Aurora had held her hands over her mouth, surely the Dark Lord had been dismissive over this suggestion. To save a muggle-born.

Surely he had gotten punished for saying something so ludicrous.

"You're disgusting..." Dumbledore sneered. Severus was confused to say the least, as was Aurora. She hadn't seen this dark and judgmental version of their previous headmaster, but was it truly unexpected?

She was closer to Snape in the previous months as he had saved her and provided medical support for herself and her children. Saving her life when her mother tried to poison her...

But he lost Lily as a friend years ago, the only reason Aurora and him reconnected was because it was forced. As well as the same career path choices, but none of that was aiding him now.

"Let the husband and child die as long as you get what you want?" Aurora heard Albus say, but her attention was focused as to how Severus reacted, he was in a mess of guilt and

"Fine, keep her - them safe. Please sir." He heard himself say.

"And what will you do for me?"

"Anything."

"Good then be my spy on Voldemort. Report his doing to me and only me." Dumbledore stated before turning and beginning to walk away, and Aurora was left with an emotional Severus and a guilty conscious.

Though when Snape had left, it was essential for Dumbledore to get the opinion from his first spy. And she threw off the cloak and stormed in his direction.

"Proud of yourself?... Or did you purposefully forget to mention that they were already in hiding." He cupped his hands to the center and nodded, ignoring her anger.

"Allow him to dwell that the reason that they are in hiding is because he came. Keep an eye on our new spy, we will share your position in the coming days when he proves his usefulness."

"Albus, he is on the task of joining the order for the sake of the Dark Lord...What information would you share to fake his membership?" It was indeed a topic for another day as she was already in the need of feeding her child as well as aggravated enough with Dumbledore as is.

Another task to battle this war.

Although she was achy to feed Cara, she continued off to visit Otto. All in the hopes of rectifying her lie if Rabastan ever fact checks it.

He did indeed find a joyous act in working with Aurora, he once again offered her a position on his returning team, however she declined. Again.

"I understand you have children Aurora, I would never fault you in leaving at a moment's notice."

"Otto they're young, especially Cara...Perhaps in a few years when they aren't attached to my hip, I would love to work with you...I just...I have a lot going on to commit myself to a job." He smiled to his star pupil, but he was at least thankful he hadn't lost her to competing labs.

Usually that is what happened after they learned from this university.

"Rose and I would love to see them again soon, of course when they're ready to be spiled by Rose." Mr.Handson had indeed been like a second father to her, and after losing her own father, he extended himself out further.

His students were indeed his children, though he didn't want to overstep as he too thought of Orion as a friend.

When Rory had finally finished all that she had, she was surprised as the elf informed her that Rabastan had already returned. It wasn't that late in turns of nightly Death Eater activities, but seeing him snoozing away in their bed felt like the tables turned.

Hurrying into the bathroom had she eliminated the cauldron's scent and returned back to the children room to give a night feed to Cara. Whomever had figured out this technique is brilliant, as it prevents early morning hungry calls.

Another sense of guilt rallied as Cara was not receiving as much attention as any of the other Munchkins had when they were her age.

But with three older siblings, it was going to be difficult, they will indeed aid one another in Hogwarts. So she could handle this hassle now for the sake of having a brother and sister with them in the same year...

When she was finished she slipped herself underneath the covers and wrapped her arms around Rabastan's figure, his back had been in her direction.

A blissful hum escaped Aurora, but she was rallying on a bit of a dilemma.

Otto wanted her to work with him, and here she was putting her wants behind everything else that was going on.
The war, the children?

"Rory?" A tired groan escaped him, and a smile came to form against the likes of his back.

"Expecting someone else?"
"Halsey came in an hour ago...Looking for her mummy." This is exactly what she was afraid of, the one single time she was out of the house and her children were on the hunt.

How could she leave them for the sake of her career?

Had her mother been right?

"And you didn't let her stay?"

"She wanted to sleep with Loki, perhaps we should let the elves give them the toddler beds soon like you said...before." He had been pushing forward for a conversation and she shook her head and urged him to go to sleep.

He turned around and pinned his wife down to his chest. A lazy hand running through her still-damp hair.

*

Otto had been persistent, Rory would give him that, but she groaned further as he sent another invitation. It was the fifth parcel, he would even take her as a consultant if she didn't work full time.

All she would have to do was attend meetings and apply some minor suggestions. But she held herself back, knowing full well if she had a taste then she wouldn't be able to stay as a consultant.

"Why don't you allow yourself this opportunity, don't you deserve a bit of—"

"I'll have plenty when this war is over, I do have an Order of Merlin." Her father chuckled behind her, but closed his painted eyes in seeing his daughter in the debate on what to do.

"Cassiopeia, this is why I wanted your career to come first. Children could've been pushed until you twenty-five or—"

"But I love my munchkins, this isn't their fault for coming when they did...I just...Will I want to work when they're finally in Hogwarts?" Her question still the air, her head leveled to the table as she let the paper fall down further along with the rest.

"I didn't want to leave you either, my little light. But the separation of work and home life is what most witches and wizards do. Do not let your work simply rot away in your notes, let it stock shelves." She smiled and her father surely caught it, as his portrait had moved from behind her to the side where Regulus' wand laid.

"I still have to discuss it with Rabastan."
"Well your arsenal is heavily stocked with previous arguments if he gives you a difficult time." She rolled her eyes but still remained planted as it was a contemplation of a yes or no answer.

How many times could she deny Otto, especially after he had aided her on a whim?

A knock on the door settled the debate for another time as her eyes look up to see Rabastan coming in with a parchment.

"Should I ask what was eight hundred galleons?" A smile widened as she shook her head, but of course it was a mixture of a few things.

A few dresses, something for the children, potions...All the above. It wasn't all that much of a worriment, his wife rarely spent money. Nowhere near as much as Bella usually finds herself in, but she smiled again.

"I may have also ordered a potion manual from Sweden?" Rabastan rolled his eyes further, coming behind his wife and kissing the likes of her cheek.

"And, how is Otto doing?" It was then his wife resulted into an automatic white flag as she bent down further over her desk and sighed. "Fantastic."

"Why do I not believe that for a minute?" He made a reach for the parcel in hopes of understanding what was happening, ignoring his wife's attempt to grab it away.

"Wait Raba I—" His eyes had already taken into account what the potion's master and his wife were conversing about.

And a frown settled soon in.

"You...You were offered a job?" She groaned again, her head falling into her hands as her hair changed an unknown shade of blue.

"I haven't decided if—"

"It sounds like you declined already...When did he offer?" Aurora tried to distract herself by fiddling with a feather, and so he too frowned before turning to Orion.

"When did Otto introduce this project?"

"A month or so." Aurora's anger rallied as she looked to her father, a cluster of colors sketched onto a canvas. But the wizard simply shrugged.

"I'm a painting darling, and you should take the opportunity."

"I second that." Aurora hadn't been used to the team up, it was one thing for her brothers to band together but this?

This was awful.

"But Cara...She's—"

"Rory you aren't away for long, a consultant is less than five hours a day or every other day. Why don't you start for a bit and if you want to take on more of a role then you can." Rabastan had watched in agony as his wife was overthinking the entire offer, and only when his hands encased her cheeks did she start to revert to a normal thought pattern.

"Other than Cara, why aren't you joining them?"

"It's not just Cara, it's all of the munchkins...And the Dark Lord? I barely see you as is, and adding that is—I can wait." Rabastan shook his head, holding the paper firmly in his grasp as he returned the gaze to his wife.

"Would you wait to study for a test, or would you take it piece by piece?"
"Rabastan that's—"
"Would you wait?" Her expression fell as it finally cracked in her head that he was right.

Damn him.

"You worked so hard kitten, the diploma, fighting your mother, having the babes. Everything will slow down once you find your place on this team."
"But the Dark Lord—" Rabastan was not going to take no for an answer, especially when he pointed off to Orion.

"I made a promise to your father, and no matter what form he is in. I know he wants you to succeed as well." Aurora's eyes flashed over to her father, remembering greatly the little demand Orion had place.

As it's what drew her to be overall emotional when she shared she was pregnant the first time.

"Love, I don't want you to cry...Please, sleep on the idea that you get to wake up one morning and head to work. Not a class, that you work collectively along Otto. He wants you for a reason." That was true, he wanted her to wow the minds of the rest of his board, not only that but because it would be good for witches to be open to the idea to join this career path.

"Why don't you spend some times with them now and see that they can survive a few hours without mummy."
"And when you're away?" She countered, and he kissed her forehead.

"I don't expect to leave anytime soon."

It was comforting to know that she wouldn't come home to an empty manor entirely for a few months, but what would her children think later in life that she is missing a career because of them?

She never wanted her children to feel guilty.

When Rory left her study, Rabastan had watched her leave with a victory smile featured onto his face. Even though Orion had crossed his pastel arms.

"Count me surprised Lestrange, I didn't know you had it in you to persuade her."
"Believe it or not Mr.Black, I can woo a woman and be a comfort." Anger flared into Orion's eyes as his jaw stiffened greatly.

"'Kitten.' Woo my daughter elsewhere, not in my visual presence."

"Unless it has escaped you, sir, she was going to have a panic attack...Now excuse me as I check to see that she didn't have one elsewhere." Senior Black had nodded his head in continued to the entire attachment, and he sighed further...How was his little light going to figure out all these tasks?

Rory luckily wasn't facing an attack, instead she was doing her daughter's hair in a small play vanity that had small little bottles to simulate getting ready in the morning.

Was indeed a gift from Narcissa.

"And where might you two witches be off to?"
"Party! Party!" The babe cheered, the energetic three-year-old tumbling towards her father with the play pins holding up and unfinished braid.

"I believe your birthday has passed munchkin, and I see you like your Uncle's gift." Ahh, so it was Rolph who turned soft.

"Nono party with Loki."
"Ah, and what about a dress?" It had the young girl dart to her dresser, but this was making her mother debate even further.

She wouldn't be able to witness dress up anymore.

"Any dress-up stories you remember?" Rory smiled and folded her daughter's nightwear as she nodded.
"Of course, I'd steal my mother's shoes and pretend my stuffies were having a tea party...I think I was getting used to all the gossip sessions my mother brought me to." Rabastan was between a smile and a frown, though he does kindly remember his wife at that age...He hadn't known she was showcased like a prized pony.

"Now Halsey, your mother's shoes are too tall for you...Best stick with your own."
"No! I want mummy's shoes!" Aurora shook her head fitfully.

"Papa's right sweetheart, but if I find some you can have them." She clapped her hands together before hurrying back to her chair for her mother to continue.

Rabastan couldn't picture Walburga do this with Aurora, so he was entirely grateful that his wife is maternal. She was hands-on with the children, but with her being at work would a nanny be the way to go?

"I can't wait for them to start reading..." She whispered, pulling her husband out his long thought. And he hummed, realizing how genuinely excited his wife would be for that. To hear her children read her stories, think his wife was actually going to cry at that milestone.

He started to realize that he himself missed Roe saying mummy, but her job wouldn't require her to be gone for weeks. Surely she understood that?

Unfortunately it took all the convincing in the world, mentions of Regulus and her father in an attempt to push her in the right direction.

But it was true, if Reg heard that she was holding herself back he would threaten to return. So after three full days in contemplating the decision, she went off to Rabastan's study to share her draft on acceptance.

And it earned her an adoring kiss and a pull into his lap, even if she wiggled and squirmed he pinned her tightly.

His little wife was now a potion mistress on the team with Otto Handson and a whole list of people.

The only idea that he could muster in rewarding her was a massage in the tub, but he was busy and Rory had been exhausted running around with the children.

Though he owled his father in claiming that the document and notes would be done by tomorrow night instead of today.
The excuse being that his wife was in need of celebration to the highest of any form, and since it was perhaps the closest he could get to her without clothes blocking it then so be it.

A small knock had almost been unheard as Rory had to focus with Salem's ears if humming had been blocking it. "I remember kindly that you have some work to be done Raba." He peeked his head in to see his wife on the side of the tub, her leg propped up as he caught her shaving.

Rude!

"I'm caught." She said, gripping her towel a bit tighter around her chest and rolled her eyes. Sweet merlin was her husband deprived if he was getting wide-eyed from merely this.

"How could I leave my wife to be lonely in the tub? Especially when she is going to be unbelievably soft whilst in the water." She gave him a quick side glare as she continued to rub a bit of oil down her freshly shaved skin.

"Inviting yourself are you?" He pouted, coming closer to settle the distance with a kiss.

"Won't you let me join?" He returned, and she hummed an agreement...Though she hadn't even sent her acceptance letter to Otto just yet, he was as proud as ever.

Speaking of proud, Orion couldn't stop smiling throughout his daughter's time addressing and sending the parcel off. And if she had counted how happy her two wizards in her house were, she was indeed unprepared for Otto himself to come barging in as excited as ever.

He mirrored the actions of one of her toddlers as he began to discuss all that he wanted to catch her up on. Which was humorous and refreshing, she wasn't rightly awake enough to work on the idea of potions and their inner design, but she took it as an introduction and a slight catch up.

Rabastan heard that Mr.Handson was with his wife in her study, so he took the opportunity to finish his leftover work from the previous night as well as handle one of the rowdy munchkins.

And that was Halsey, as she was highly energetic while Rommy was a shyer twin. Though Ronan was a little distracted as he wanted to see his mummy.

However Rabastan had to hold back into giving his son what he wanted as disrupting the two potion masters would indeed give Rory another boost of evidence as to why she shouldn't take the job.

She missed it, Merlin did she miss it.
It wasn't so much the people she would be seeing again, but it was the environment. Something about multiple brewing stands and people questions one another about and ingredient's amount is soothing, and with being pregnant and nursing she had been long away from this lifestyle.

The first day back to the labs she cried when she returned home. Rabastan had worried that she had been a nervous mess and made a mistake that resulted in retaliation of her teammates...But it was the exact opposite, it was a happy cry.

And it was one that she needed with all the horrors happening outside the Lestrange manor.

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Date Posted: 11-12-19

Time: 12:11

Words: 4365