Chapter Text
Blood and Magic One Shot
High in the castle's top floors, a dark haired girl with cyan eyes kept looking out into the hallway, being as quiet as she possibly could, before feeling movement above her head. She silently closed the door and returned to the small hatch hidden in the room's walk-in closet. "Anything, Aethra?" An identical face popped out of the hatch, looking down at her sister. "Nothing! I don't think our moms hid them here." Theia rubbed her chin before she felt a shift behind her. The young eleven year old didn't so much as flinch as a bronze haired girl with brown eyes silently appeared next to her. "There was nothing in the Thestral stables, Theia." Aethra gingerly walked down the ladder that led into the attic, before plopping down onto the ground, her hands smoothing out her skirt. "We have looked everywhere in the Castle. Mama Rhea knows that we would have gone looking for them so she was sure to have hidden them well. Do you think she would hide them in her office?" Dianna looked at Theia. "Mama Rhea doesn't like it when we go into her office. You remember the last time we snuck in there. We lost chocolate privileges for a week!"
The three girls shivered, though not from the cold. Peverell Castle was well warded and insulated to ward off the cold of winter, as seen from the thick blankets of snow that covered the grounds of the Estate, and the three girls had also inherited their mom's cool body temperatures. They were particularly fond of wearing black leggings underneath their skirts, with the twins both wearing green ones, while Dianna wore a blue one. Since they were all Heiresses to three powerful and influential families, their mothers had made sure that they dressed well, though none were forced into taking a style they didn't like. They had settled on leggings as none were overly fond of pants, but they were especially not fond of dresses. Watching a few of their cousins and family members wearing dresses without leggings had made all three of them swear off the idea. When they had voiced their complaint as to who would willingly let their nethers suffer free airflow, their mother Hermione reminded them that Hogwarts was in Scotland and that men there were known to wear kilts, and it was tradition to not wear anything under the kilt. The three quietly agreed that these men were mental and that once they went to Hogwarts, they would keep to wearing leggings with their skirts.
Aethra fidgeted. "If we just get into the office and not touch anything, would it be so bad?" A hoot filled the room and the three sisters froze. There, sitting on the back of a chair in front of a dresser and mirror, was Nyx. Their mother's Death Omen familiar looked between the three of them with her deep, glowing red eyes, before hooting again. Dianna inclined her head to the side. "I think she is saying that the presents aren't at Mama Rhea's office." The girls all looked at the Death Omen, who was now preening herself. Theia frowned. "Mama Mione's office then?" The hoot and indignant look from Nyx required no translation. Aethra sighed. "Then they aren't in the Castle. Where would she have hidden the presents?" Dianna leaned back against a closet. "Maybe they left them with our grandparents?" The twins hummed at the same time, before nodding, with Theia speaking up. "That's one possibility. What about Hogwarts? Our Mom's have been doing a lot of visits to the castle lately. Maybe Mama Rhea hid them with Auntie Helena?" Dianna shrugged. "If she did, how are we getting there? Our moms only ever take us to Hogwarts with Portkeys and it was usually to spend time with Auntie Helena and the Ghosts. We don't know how to get there on our own."
Theia snapped her fingers. "Grampa Sirius! If we go to the Townhouse and the presents aren't there, then Grampa Sirius can take us to Hogwarts and check there." Dianna cocked her head. "Would Grampa Sirius really help us, though? Especially after we search the Townhouse? Besides, maybe we can get Nyx to just take us to Hogwarts." Aethra and Theia gave Dianna a look and the brunette sighed. "Right, dumb question. If it makes him laugh, he will do it. Though you both know that means we can't get caught by Grandma Sabrina. She grounded us and Grandpa when he took us out to see the Hebridean Dragons all on our own." Theia smirked at her. "Pretty sure we got grounded when you tried to steal a dragon hatchling." Dianna bristled. "Neither of you two were against it! Besides, that hatchling was so cute!" The girls sighed together and then giggled at the memory of the sheer terror on Grandpa Sirius' face, both when he screamed at them to leave the hatchling alone and when Grandma Sabrina managed to get him to admitting to the fact that he had made the suggestion about getting them a pet dragon in the first place. Mama Mione had really been mad at all three of them that night, though none of the girls got to hear what she said.
That had been one of the few times they had gotten Mama Rhea to drop the smile on her face, which had left all three girls feeling guilty. Their Mama Rhea was never overly stearn or hard to please. She especially enjoyed it when the three tried to one up her and catch her at unawares. That day, however, she had sat all three of the girls down and explained to them all the ways they could have gotten hurt and how that would make everyone in the family feel. They had taken their grounding without much complaint for over a month, before Mama Rhea had personally brought a small Hebridean Hatchling to the Castle. The hatchling had been especially fond of the twins, and all three enjoyed it when it blew out sparks. That said, their moms hadn't gone through all that trouble to get them a pet dragon. Rhea had them read Newt's book about dragons during that entire month, making sure to quiz them about the dangers and the need to be careful with the creatures. The visit of the hatchling was meant to ease their curiosity and to be an object lesson. When Dianna almost got bit by trying too hard to get the hatchlings' attention, the three realized that it wasn't just a cute dragon. It was a living creature that had its own needs and that none of them could take care of it, even together. They would go see the Hebredians at the reserve, but they never again tried to bring a hatchling, or any other creature, home without permission. That said, if they knew it was a benign and cute creature, they were still going to try and pet it.
Aethra looked from her twin to Dianna. "So, are we going to go looking for our presents out of the Castle?" Theia nodded as Dianna fidgeted. "I really don't want to get in trouble again. We are going to Hogwarts next September. If we end up grounded again because we went too far…" Aethra and Theia shared a look before looking at Dianna, with Aethra speaking up. "How about a deal? You are the best at getting us anywhere through the Veil. If we get caught, we will take the blame. And… if we find your presents, none of us open them. That way our moms can't say that you need to be punished too." Dianna looked between her elder sisters, feeling equal parts relief and shame. Whenever they had their little schemes, the two of them always tried to keep her from getting into too much trouble. They all knew their moms were both very fair about any rule breaking, especially after Mama Mione had a chance to cool off, but the twins never liked getting Dianna into trouble. She was their little sister and they would keep her safe, just like that time that their cousin Charles was mean to her. Dianna shook her head. "No, if we are doing this, we are doing this together." Dianna turned to the Death Omen Familiar, who gave her a knowing look. The owl flew to her shoulder and the three girls held hands, before they all vanished into the Veil.
-ᛘ-
Moving quietly through the old Black Townhouse of Number 12 Grimmauld Place was a lot harder for the three Black Sisters than Peverell Castle. While their Grandfather had done extensive repairs and rehabilitation to the old building, the floors were still a lot more creeky than any of the girls would have liked. Nyx took off from Dianna's shoulder and seemed to disappear, though all three girls could see the red eyes staring at them from the shadows, blinking out every once in a while. Though their cousins and friends found Nyx quite disturbing, none of the girls felt the same way. Nyx was very much a part of their family and the Death Omen had never steered them wrong, though all the girls knew that the owl had a wicked sense of humour. They had seen it dig its claws into Grampa Sirius' back more than a few times, sending the man into a screaming fit that got all three of the Black Women glaring daggers at him for the language he was using. The Death Omen had looked particularly smug for the rest of the day after Grandpa Sirius had been chastised. Letting Nyx do her thing, the three sisters moved deeper into the upstairs of the main family quarters, before finally opening the room that they all currently shared when at Grimmauld. Finding no presents hidden in there, the three tiptoed down the stairs, wincing at the noise they were making.
The portraits along the walls all noticed their movement but remained silent, a few jumping into the next few frames over to watch their progress. Much to the surprise of their Grandfather, it turned out that the Black Family was infamous for fomenting pranksters, a side effect of the strict discipline required out of all of them while out in public, as well as a small manifestation of the Black Madness. Finding no trace of a present within their parent's shared room, the three dismissed going into their grandparents room, before checking out the library. As they looked inside a few hidden cabinets, all filled with books that crackled with magic, a person audibly cleared their throat to get their attention. The three girls found themselves looking at the piercing grey eyes of Walburga Black, who was taping her upper arm within her portrait. While she had initially been stationed at the main entrance of the Townhouse, the old woman had requested that she be moved to the library, where she was known to hold impromptu literary discussions with several of the other Black women. Her discussions with Mama Mione and Cassiopeia Black were known to drag on for hours and get quite heated, though always civil, which was saying something about how much the woman's appreciation of the first generation witch that had married into the family had evolved over the years.
"Anything I can help you with, my dears, or are you just here to cause some good, old fashioned mischief?" The three girls confirmed with each other silently, before Theia spoke up. "Our moms have been quiet about this year's Christmas presents, so we are sure they are keeping them a secret. If they went through all that trouble, we thought it was only fair to go through the trouble of testing out how hard they are trying to hide them." Aethra added afterwards. "For their sake, of course. We would never even consider enjoying the presents early." The two others shook their heads, making Walburga sigh, though with a wistful expression on her face. "I am sure you wouldn't. Alphard, Cygnus, Lucretia and I did something similar with Great Uncle Sirius. Mother was never too happy about the times we came back, covered in dust, ash and whatever other filth was to be found in the Old Castle Black. I am afraid to say that there are no presents here, young ladies, though you two are welcome to check the cellar. Just steer clear from anything too sharp or dirty, especially next to the boiler." The girls, looking a bit disappointed, made for the exit. "Thanks, Great Grandma!"
Leaving a reminiscing Walburga in the library, the three girls made their way down to the cellar, stopping as they heard some movement near the door to the kitchen. Finding the coast clear, all three made it down the stairs to the basement, walking past their Grandma's potions lab. While they had all taken lessons from Grandma Sabrina on proper safety measures around Potions, the labs at the Black Townhouse and at Peverell Castle were off limits, though they had been told where to find the Potions Cabinets and which potions to use with what injury and what potions were never to be mixed together. They had only ever needed some healing salve for a few scrapes and bruises from playing with the Grim and Thestrals that lived on the Peverell grounds, though they could never get the Thestrals to fly them up in the air, no matter how much they begged in Death's language, something that the girl's learned quickly that aside from the Death Omens and Ghosts, only their moms could understand them, though Mama Mione always shivered when she heard it spoken. Their cousin Charles had apparently made it to St. Mungos after getting on a broom, something that none of the Blacks left anywhere for the girls to find. The girls had certainly tried and failed at finding anything other than the ordinary brooms their Mama Mione kept, in case they made a mess.
Pulling open a few cardboard boxes, the girls found some neat picture frames from who knew how many decades earlier, as well as dusty posters of Slytherin and Gryffindor colors. Dianna and Aethra perked up when Theia "eeped," before slamming the cardboard box in front of her shut. Aethra came up to her. "Let me see!" As Dianna watched the two fighting over the box, her attention was drawn to the stairwell that led up to the ground floor, before Theia raised her voice. "It's pictures of topless women! I don't want to get another "Talk" from our moms!" Aethra released the cardboard box, causing Theia to stumble back, landing on the ground with a soft thud and a groan. Aethra came up to her twin, blushing in embarrassment. "You could have started with that. None of us want to go through another Talk." A deep voice caused the twins to freeze in place. "Oh good, that makes four of us. I had the pleasure of not being around for your mother's Talk, I don't need to be around for any other discussions on the subject with kids. Especially not about those pictures." The twins looked at their Grandfather, who was rubbing Dianna's curly hair, before looking at the other two. "So, what brings you three to London?"
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Sabrina stared at the three girls and her husband as they sat at the dining room table, all with warm cups of chocolate in their hands, tapping her lower arm as she stood with her arms crossed at the entryway into the room from the foyer of the Townhouse. "Do I want to know what these three are doing here? We were all supposed to meet up at the Castle tomorrow after we picked up Dan and Emma from their home." Aethra, seeing that Dianna and Theia were both busy drinking their chocolate as slowly as possible, whispered "traitors", before smiling up at their grandmother. "We got bored exploring at the Castle and Nyx was kind enough to bring us here. We were just in the cellar when Grandpa found us." Sabrina raised an eyebrow, noticing that none of the three were squirming. "A truth, but not the whole truth, is it? A reminder that I have been by your Grandfather's side for over fifteen years and he hasn't done a good job in hiding much from me. So let's try the obvious. Why were you three exploring Castle Peverell, something I am certain the three of you have done numerous times, before doing the same here. It wouldn't have anything to do with the season, would it?"
The three girls started to fidget, clearly trying to find a way to wiggle out of the situation, before Dianna spoke up. "We are just curious about our moms' presents. They always check with us every year about what we might like, but this year they have kept very quiet about it, not asking us anything. We just… don't want to disappoint them by not liking their gifts after all the effort they usually go through for us." Sabrina sighed, pulling her bangs of loose copper colored hair away from her face, her blue eyes taking in the slumped postures of the three girls. Aethra and Theia were always careful with how much they shared, though it was more out of a sense that they don't like hurting others than any concern about betraying their feelings. The habit formed after they had spoken up about missing their great grandmother, Roberta. The Richardson matriarch had passed away a year prior, just before Yule, at her daughter's home, causing a great deal of grief to the Grangers. That Yule had been especially hard on the girls, but more so on Dianna. When Aethra and Theia had asked about Roberta, the sight of Hermione and their Grandma Emma crying had been seared into their minds. Dianna, however, noticed this shift in her sisters and had taken up becoming their emotional mouthpiece, much to their initial discomfort and later relief.
So it didn't surprise Sabrina that the girls were understandably worried about hurting anyone's feelings this Christmas, especially Hermione's. Moving up so that she was standing behind Dianna, Sabrina reached out and gently caressed the twins on the head, letting her magic react to their own. Both girls instantly relaxed, followed by their younger sister, before Sabrina spoke up. "That is very thoughtful of you three, though I am certain there was a whole lot of genuine curiosity and thoughts about one upping my daughter in consideration as well. I can say that I do in fact know what gifts your mothers are planning and that there is no way any of you will be disappointed. The reason that they are keeping quiet is because they really want it to be a surprise, one that you will remember fondly for years to come. It's not every year a wixen turns eleven, or is about to, after all." The three girls perked up at the mention of their ages. "Are we getting our wands early?!" Sabrina hummed to herself, happy that she managed to get the three to be excited. "Possibly. Though we need to check with Jacques first. He has been working hard, trying to make suitable wands for you three with supplies from Rhea. That said, there are more things to look forward to than a wand, especially at how gifted you three are at wandless magic."
Bending down, Sabrina kissed all three on the cheek. "But you three didn't hear this from me. So why don't you finish Kreacher's hot chocolate and then make your way back home." The excitable elder elf of the Black Family served the three sisters a second serving, even adding mini marshmallows into the cups, before Nyx landed on Sabrina's shoulder. She caressed the Death Omen's plumage as the two shared a few thoughts and words together, before the girls said they were ready to leave. Just as Sabrina released Aethra from a hug, the girl waved at her Grandfather. "By the way, you need to talk to Grandma about images of topless women that you are keeping in a cardboard box in the cellar. It doesn't seem fair to her." Sirius' very doglike whine was soon followed by Sabrina's narrowed eyes as they focused right on him. "Is that so? I do seem to have a bit to discuss with my husband about what he should do about said photos. Why don't the three of you make your way back to Castle Peverell. I will see you all tomorrow. Whether your grandfather shows up as a man or a dog with a muzzle will be up to how well he can explain himself. Nyx, if you would be so kind." The owl landed on Dianna's shoulder and the three girls vanished into the Veil as Sirius started thinking what he could say that would keep him out of the guestroom with the dog bed for the night, if not a whole month.
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Shrugging off the cold of the Veil, the three looked around the Ravenclaw Chambers, something that Nyx and Dianna had decided to do, especially since Grandma Sabrina didn't say they had to return immediately, before Theia spoke up. "Shouldn't we just head back home? With Grandma Sabrina knowing about us leaving, our moms could just start getting back home soon to check on us." Aethra looked at Dianna, and then back at her twin. "Maybe, but at this point they know we left the Castle. We can just search here and check on Auntie Helena before heading home. It isn't like we could get into any more trouble here, right?" Theia shrugged. "You have a point. Though what happens if we run into a student or a staff member? We aren't supposed to be here at all." Dianna rubbed Nyx' chest before chiming in. "Nyx says she will stick with us and take us home whenever we want. Though if we want to check here for the presents, we don't have much time." The three scattered across the chamber, with the twins inspecting the bedrooms and the study, while Dianna paused in front of the painting of the Hogwarts Founders. She smiled a little at the sight of her family's ancestors, the Lady Morgana and her baby, Diana. Mama Rhea had explained to all three of them that they were all related to the infamous Morgan le Fey.
While she and Mama Mione read to their children the stories associated with the Lady Morgana, both were very clear that many of these stories were simply exaggerations and fictions, told to demonize or exalt a woman who simply struggled to survive at a time when Magic was considered a sin punishable by death. They would tell them fractions of the story as found within Morgana's own Diary, but none of the girls were permitted to read from the Diary itself, as it often got quite graphic and painful to read, though Dianna, Theia and Aethra knew that they all had the right to read it for themselves, one day. Said Diary sat in front of the painting on a small platform, the locket of Morgana of Ravenclaw placed on top of it, both protected by a magical glass case that hummed with powerful magic. Dianna gently touched the case, knowing that it was there to keep the family safe. While the vilification of Morgan le Fey had gone down considerably in the years since, the Light Families still held many prejudices against the Dark. The Blacks currently held the two in check with the help of the Neutrals and the more level headed members of the other factions, but there were still many who would see the return of the Le Fey as an ill omen. Mama Rhea and Auntie Luna both carried the title, the former by blood and blessing, the latter by the blessing alone, but it was only ever mentioned to the Fae, just in case.
As the girls found nothing in the Chamber, the three left to find Helena and the other ghosts. On the way, Aethra spotted a tabby cat sitting atop one of the railings, lazily looking down towards the ground floor, the stairs shifting slowly and methodically all the way down. Silently and with her scent masked, Aethra reached the cat and gently pulled it into a hug. She cooed at the startled cat. "Aww, aren't you the cutest thing. You even look like you have glasses on. Who's a good girl?" Returning to her sisters, Aethra kept the cat curled up in her arms, the feline trying but failing several times to get loose. Before long the group ran into a ghost, who was more than happy to guide them to the Founders' Study Hall. Helena, who had been sorting some books left on the tables, looked towards them, before Dianna and Theia pulled her into a hug. "Hi, Auntie Helena. Happy Yuletide. Did you miss us?" Helena smiled at the girls, pulling a stray lock of translucent black hair behind her ear. "Of course I missed you. What brings you two to Hogwarts without Rhea?" The girls pulled away as they smiled up at her. "We were bored at the Castle and wanted to check on you, before our moms got back home."
The three other House Ghosts gathered around the trio, with the Friar bowing softly to them. "Have you thought about what House you all want to be sorted into? Hufflepuff would be happy to have you." Nearly Headless Nick shook his head, his hand moving up to keep it from falling to the side. "No, no, no. Look at these three, traveling to the castle all on their own. Godric's bravery shines through them well. They would fit perfectly in Gryffindor." The Bloody Baron sighed. "Come now, you two, our dearest friend is currently trying to figure out the best way to get back at you both for poaching her family's descendants. Best not add more fuel to the fire." The girls giggled as Nicholas and Simon took a few steps back from a clearly angry Helena, her hair flowing in some unnatural wind, before a chuckle broke through the silence. "Now, now, the choice of where they shall go remains with them and them alone. Only they can guide my decision." The girls waved their hands towards the wall behind the large desk where Helena usually sits. "Hi Laris!" Laris waved back at them with the tip of his pointy hat. "A pleasure to see you all again, young ladies. Your being here says much about the interesting years that lie ahead for Hogwarts. Wouldn't you say, Deputy Headmistress?"
The girls turned around, but didn't see anyone at the door. Nicholas frowned, until he looked at the cat being petted by Aethra. "Um, young lady, maybe you should put the animagus down. I think the Deputy Headmistress has had enough… petting." The dark haired girl looked up at the ghost, before looking at the cat in her arms, noticing that it's magic did feel similar to Grandpa Sirius when he was in the form of a dog. Aethra started to laugh nervously as she lowered the tabby cat to the ground. "Uhm, sorry, Professor McGonagall." The cat gave her a glare before said glare was now coming from the deep red face of Miverva McGinagall. "In all my years…!" Dianna, sensing a tirade, reached out and grabbed her sisters' hands, before looking at Helena. "We… best be on our way. Happy Holidays everyone!" The three vanished silently, before Minerva exploded. "That's it! I am turning in my resignation the moment the letters for those three go out! How is anyone supposed to keep discipline with three children who can't be held anywhere! Excuse me, I need to go see Severus. I already suffered through the first coming of the Black Sisters, I will not do it again!"
The Ghosts waited for the Professor to slam the door, before all four started laughing. The Bloody Baron looked towards a smiling Helena and smiled to himself. "Whatever House they claim as their own, these next seven years promise to be quite interesting. Three Necromancers as gifted as their mothers, all Heirs to proud and ancient lines of wizards and witches. You will have quite the task, keeping them in line, Helena." The raven haired ghost chuckled. "Perhaps, though if I may be so bold, Laris, I believe some may find their way into the Snake Pit. Regardless, I am certain they won't just be my problem at all, Terrance." The Blood Baron grew a bit pale and far more transparent as Laris hummed to himself. "Perhaps they might indeed. Regardless, they are fine children, sharing bravery, cunning, loyalty and wisdom in equal measure. We could ask no better, from our dear Lady Hogwarts and her wife. Now Nicholas, you best be off. It would not do for Hogwarts to lose a staff member over the Yuletide Recess. The Headmaster and the Board have enough on their plate as it is already." The Gryffindor ghost left through the wall, followed by the Friar, while Helena returned to her duties, the Bloody Baron keeping a silent vigil, thinking of days long past, and what was still to come.
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Hermione bent down and kissed Aethra on her head, as their tired daughter buried herself under the sheets, a black ball of fur rolled up on the pillow next to her. Hermione pulled her curly locks of brown hair back as she stepped back, looking over at the two other beds, all filled with her sleeping children, while a red eyed guardian remained silent atop a perch made just for her. Though the girls had their little escapade on Yule's Eve, Hermione hadn't been too angry. Rhea had been aware of it all through Nyx and her Familiar had made sure the girls were safe, just as if they had stayed at home. It was the best they could do, with girls who could travel through the Veil at a moment's notice. Reaching the doorframe, a soft and slim hand wrapped around Hermione's waist and two warm lips pressed into her neck, causing the witch to sigh happily, before she and her wife closed the door and walked towards the master bedroom. Stripping off their clothes from the day, both dressed themselves in nightwear, with Hermione favoring a somewhat sheer nightgown, while Rhea wore a set of pajamas. Both witches would rather sleep in the nude, but having three rambunctious children made it difficult to be ready to attend them at a moment's notice. While Rhea herself wasn't as concerned about her modesty, she respected Hermione's discomfort with casual nudity enough that she agreed to sleep with clothes, though whether they stayed on or not during the whole night depended on how… pent up they were both feeling.
As Rhea snuggled into her wife's side, she gave Hermione an appraising look. "Still feeling a bit uncomfortable about their familiars?" Hermione remained silent and pensive. On the morning of Yule, the five human residents of Peverell Castle left, arriving at the family graveyard. Over the months leading up to The Yuletide, Rhea had been visiting every corner of the world with Nyx, encountering several of Death's Creatures and Death Omens, looking for those who might be willing to become familiars for her three children. While Hermione had voiced the opinion that the girls might choose either non-magical pets or other creatures as Familiars, Rhea was certain they would find their lifelong friends among the Creatures tied to the Veil. Ultimately, the worldwide search had seemed a little bit of overkill. Aethra, ever curious, mischievous and cunning, found her Familiar in the form of a Cat-Sìth. The female cat, like those of legends, had black fur with a small white mark on its chest. Unlike the Scottish and Irish legends, the Cat-Sìths weren't shapeshifting witches, but they were definitely Death Omens. Hermione had some apprehension from having been raised with stories from her grandmother about how these cats were said to consume the souls of the living, if they were to enter and share a bed with them.
"You are sure that the girls are safe?" Rhea ran her cold hand against Hermione's cheek, the temperature of her beloved long having been lost as a point of concern for Hermione. "Death Omens will never dare to harm those who they are bonded to by ties of magic. Maana said as much when she officiated the Familiar Bonds. Besides, the Cat-Sìth are not killers, but reapers. They enter the houses of those soon to die to bring warning and comfort to those destined to pass from this world. No one likes to die alone and these beings make sure that they aren't alone in their final moments, before letting them pass on peacefully in their sleep. That they linger near the body of the deceased is their way to show respect for the lives of those who have gone through the Veil." Hermione sighed but nodded. "And the Demon Cat that Theia got? You said it's similar to a Grim?" Rhea nodded. "More like Nyx, but close enough. Unlike Cat-Sìth, the Demon Cats bring warning of tragedy by their presence and sightings alone. They can shapeshift like Nyx, but only at their final maturity. While the Non-Magicals called them the familiars of witches, that was hardly ever the case." Hermione sighed, feeling a bit more reassured. "Ok. I am at least glad that Dianna's was closer to family. That pup of Padfoot's was certainly too adorable."
Rhea chuckled. Her own Familiar had found a mate with a Grim that had once lived within the property of Peverell Castle during its centuries of dormancy. After they had scattered to spread their influence about the region, several returned, one being a female who took a liking to Padfoot. The two had just given birth to their first litter, with Dianna's familiar being the smallest boy of the bunch. The little pup, like the Familiars to Aethra and Theia, had been glued to Dianna's side for the rest of the day, even as the family returned to the Castle, where the entire Black and Granger Family had gathered to celebrate. Maana, now a proper Dark Priestess to the Egyptian Temples of the Dead, had been invited to document and complete the rights associated with the act of a formal binding. The Egyptian had been moved to tears when the girls all picked Egyptian names for their Familiars. While being later additions to the Egyptian pantheon, Aethra and Theia named their cats Sef and Tuau, after the lion guards that guarded the gates to the underworld at the behest of Aker. Dianna had spent the longest deciding on a name, before settling on Anpu, much to Maana's delight. "Wait till I tell Mahad that he missed out on the resurrection of one of our gods!"
After that, the girls spent the rest of the evening with their friends, under the watchful eyes of several witches. The only two not on watch duty had been Amelia and Bella, who had absconded to their guest room after an hour of teasing each other surreptitiously, before Hermione's "get a room" led them to do just that. Nymphadora, currently six months pregnant, had laughed wholeheartedly at Hermione's exacerbation, while Susan and Sally kept a close eye on the kids, both inside the main chamber and outside as the kids threw snowballs at each other, with Samantha Bones managing to land a hit on Dianna, before the redhead was cover up to her neck in snow by Aethra and and Theia. Luna and Daphne had been invited to the festivities, but the Greengrass Heiress had gone through a rather difficult childbirth, with the Greengrass and Lovegood families choosing to stay by her side, caring for the new baby girl, Pandora Greengrass, as the blonde witch recovered, Luna only ever leaving her fiancée's side to care for their daughter. Draco Malfoy, the current Potions Master at Hogwarts, had decided to stick by a worried Astoria's side at the Greengrass Manor, earning himself the Greengrass Family's affection. Still, even with several invited guests missing, the lunch and dinner feasts were quite lively, until everyone finally exhausted themselves, the girls being among the last to run out of energy.
Feeling Rhea's teeth nibbling gently on her skin, Hermione groaned. "Rhea, quit it! We need to get up early tomorrow to get the girls ready to head to France." Rhea pulled back and smiled. "Mmm, I could do that. Or I could make love to you to the point where you can relax. You have been so tense with everything lately. The Familiars, your future job at Hogwarts, getting our girls their wands, not to mention all the Yuletide Ritual commissions. You even decided to postpone our plans for another child." Hermione blushed, feeling a little guilty. "I know, and I am sorry about all that." Rhea raised her wife's head, before running her finger across Hermione's lips. "Now none of that. I accepted and understood the need to wait. But just because we are busy, it doesn't mean we shouldn't have fun or just enjoy these moments when we are together. Which is why when we get to the Prasinos Chateau, we are going to enjoy the time with the family, before you and I take a much needed vacation. I got our old room in the Alps reserved for a few days after Christmas." Hermione stared at her wife, feeling her heart grow exceedingly warm. Tackling Rhea back, the brunette pinned her wife to the bed, as Rhea smirked. "So, do you like my Yuletide present?" Hermione bit her lip as she pulled off her nightgown, before bending down and giving Rhea a searing kiss, whispering against Rhea's ear. "I love it." Rhea closed her eyes as her wife's hands went underneath the cloth of her pajamas. She wasn't against celebrating their vacation a bit early. They had both earned it, after all.