Magical Shenanigans – Day Five – Duochanfan

Reading Time:
27 Minutes

Day Five

Buck moved around the kitchen with ease as he made breakfast for everyone. Harry and Christopher were at the table already. Lucius was talking with Christopher and answering his questions, while Narcissa quietly, with the help of a charm, filled Harry in on the investigation of what had happened since he had been brought to Buck.

“Draco and Hermione both believe that the potion will only last a week to ten days, so it should wear off. It wasn’t supposed to, from what they’ve learned. It was supposed to be permanent, and you would have had to grow up again,” Naricissa said softly.

Buck turned to face them, “Does that mean they’ve caught the one behind it?” he asked, hoping that was the case.

Narcissa turned and shook her head, “No, Draco and Ron have been working hard trying to find them, but they believe that they’re getting closer to who was behind it. They figured out that the person was after Harry personally, and not just a random attack. They’ve ruled out a few people, but we have to remember that not everyone was caught during the war. And Harry is a well-known Auror and one who has spent a lot of years helping protect the Wizarding World in Britain,” she reminded him, a little smile on her face as she turned to Harry, “You made enemies in places.”

“He made some when he and Pere got married, before I even came along. I know that there were a few people who weren’t happy that they were together,” Buck said as he went back to making a full English, using magic to keep things hot as he cooked sausages and bacon in two different pans and grilled some tomatoes as well.

“True,” Narcissa smiled and nodded once, “They did,” she sighed. She remembered the howlers and cursed items that had been sent to her son for several years after news broke of Harry and Draco dating, then marrying. It had still been going on when Buck joined the family, which hadn’t helped Buck settle in with the family.

“What are your plans for the day?” Buck asked, “I know you’re taking the kids out somewhere.”

“We’re planning on taking them to the Magical side of the Zoo, and then the magical district to get a few magical toys to help Christopher in control of the magic he now has access to,” she answered, “It would be a good idea for him to have them.”

“Yeah,” Eddie said as he walked over, agreeing with Narcissa. “I had some that were like that. Abuela got them for me, since my parents didn’t want to acknowledge that I was magical. They would have been happy if I had been born without magic. They were overjoyed with Adriana and Sophia, just not me. I don’t know why.”

“Well, maybe the aurors will be asking, especially because of what they’d done to Christopher,” Buck said. “Breakfast should be ready soon,” he stated. “Don’t know what we’re going to be doing today,” he said, looking at Eddie.

“I’ve a few ideas, we’re going on a date today,” Eddie reminded him, giving him a small smile.

Buck smiled back and nodded, “Okay,” he agreed.

Narcissa smiled at the two as Harry grinned at them. Narcissa got up, as Eddie started to make drinks, and began to help Buck make the rest of breakfast. Soon, food was on the table, and the family was eating and talking. Christopher asked more questions about magic, and the four adults showed him little things that they could do without a wand.

“Okay,” Narcissa said as she looked at Harry and Christopher as Buck and Eddie began to clear up breakfast almost an hour later. “We’re going to the zoo,” she smiled. “Let’s have a little fun today.”

“Okay!” Christopher said, cheering as they got ready to leave.

Harry was grinning until he was picked up by Lucius. “I can walk.”

“Yes, you can, well done, most children can,” Lucius replied sarcastically, “But at the moment you’re small, and you know how crazy a zoo can be.”

“Last time I talked to a snake,” Harry grinned, “Might have sent it after Dudley after I made the glass vanish,” he said, remembering that time fondly.

Buck snorted, “Try and not end up in an enclosure and freeing the animals,” he said, “I don’t want Chris to pick up your bad habits,” he warned, glaring at his toddler-sized dad.

“Ugh, it just happened, it was accidental magic,” Harry pouted at him. “Let’s go,” he said as he turned to face Lucius.

“Yes,” he said, “We’re going to apparate, so Christopher, please hold on to your Grandmama tightly,” he told him.

“I will, Grandpapa,” Christopher grinned.

Seconds later, a loud pop was heard as the four of them left.

“Wondered when they decided on those names,” Buck said as he turned to Eddie, “Right, what we got to do today. I know we said we’re going on a date, but-“

Eddie moved closer, “We are, and we’re going to head off now,” he smiled, “I’ve already got everything ready, prepared it last night while you were getting the kids to sleep. Or talking Harry into going to bed early.”

“Yeah, he really wanted to just stay up and read. I know in his mind he’s an adult, but his body is that of a child, and he needed sleep,” Buck huffed, “So, where are we going?”

“Well, I know there was a trail you wanted to do, but we always spend days off going around with Chris on the easier trails. So we’re doing that one, and I know there is a great vista point that looks over the ocean. We can have lunch up there and get home in time to see the kids before they go for dinner with your grandparents, and we can go out on the second part of our date,” Eddie told him, “I have a nice day out, just for us. Not often it is.”

“I just… I feel bad when we don’t have Christopher, like we should spend as much time as he has school and other things he does without us. He’s going to grow up one day, and then he’ll never want to do things with us,” he huffed.

“I know, and I love you for it. How you always want to include him. Sometimes, though, I wouldn’t mind spending a bit of time just us, like we do when Chris is in bed. I love our talks after that, or before we get Chris, just as much as I love the time we spend with him,” he said softly, “Go and change into something comfortable, we’ve got a nice long hike ahead of us.”

Buck grinned at that, and the two changed into something that was more suited to a long hike. Eddie had packed bags for them both, using magic to lighten the load. He charmed them both with the sun-repellent charm so they wouldn’t burn, and off they went.

Eddie parked up and looked at the forested area. They had traveled a good hour and a bit away from where Eddie lived. He knew they could have apparated, but they were so used to doing things the Mundane way. Not only that, but it gave them time to talk on the way, going over what they both wanted from the relationship. 

“Right, this trail is a minor challenge. It leads up to a vista that overlooks the ocean,” Eddie said, “I’ve gone up it once before. I had meant to show you this one before. But I think this is a better reason why to show you,” he smiled.

Buck grinned, “Yeah, it is,” he nodded, agreeing easily.

The two started their way up the trail. It was only a slight challenge for the two of them. They were getting closer to the vista point. Buck looked over at Eddie. Buck had to admit that it was nice to just spend some time with Eddie. They were always doing something with Christopher, and the rare times without were mostly them resting after a hard shift. Or doing something that would end up involving Christopher later on. It was never really just them going out and doing something fun for themselves.

“It’s nice out here,” Eddie said as he saw the vista point.

“Yeah, it really is,” Buck smiled, looking at Eddie again before they walked to the vista point. There was no one else around as they set up the picnic that Eddie had made for them both.

“So,” Eddie said as they sat down on the blanket, grateful for the cushioning charms that were on it. “Wizard?” he asked, “I would say why didn’t you tell me,” he began, but shrugged, “I know the secrecy of that side of things.”

“Yeah,” he snorted a little, “I’m a wizard,” he grinned a little, “Was a shock to me to know about this other side of the world that’s hidden from everyone. Maddie doesn’t know. Which I’m happy about. It would just he another thing she would try and control,” he sighed.

“Has she always been like that? Or is it because of Doug?” Eddie asked, frowning slightly as he reached out for some of the fruit he had prepared.

“Before,” Buck sighed, “She always had the last say in what I did when I was really little,” he snorted. “When I wanted to be in the school nativity, she was against it, saying I shouldn’t do that. I was… devastated at the time. I really wanted to do it, I had been practicing like mad. Then she comes in and tells me I can’t, and then makes sure that the teachers won’t listen to me. Saying that I had been really naughty, and this was a punishment. She would do things like that. Stopped me from going to the library, reading the books I wanted. She told me what books I could and couldn’t read. It was like that all the time. When I stood up for myself, Maddie would complain to Margaret and Phillip, and they would punish me until I did what I was told. Maddie is very much the offspring of Margaret and Phillip. I’m not. When I was seven, going on eight. I started to really show the signs of magic, instead of doing the little things that had already been happening,” he stated, looking out at the ocean and letting the gentle movement of it soothe him.

“Yeah? Summoning things?” Eddie asked, a little curious. He’d started out with summoning his sisters’ toys when they took them away from him, and then banishing the things they would try and dress him up in.

“Slamming the door and making sure it can’t open when they were trying to hit me more like. Or when Maddie said I couldn’t do anything, her voice was suddenly cut off for a few moments. This was after Maddie had left for college. She was going local, but wanted the experience of living in the dorms. Her parents let her, and I was left with two people who hated me. Now I was alone; they weren’t afraid of Maddie finding out about magic. Anytime I showed it, I was beaten,” he explained.

“They bound it, didn’t they?” Eddie said, his voice sounding distressed at the thought

“Yeah, they did,” Buck replied, reaching out and taking a hand, “As soon as they found someone who would do, they had my magic bound. But this time, the way they had done it, it would have killed me within six months. My magic was able to break through it enough that it sent a pulse through the family magic. Grand-Pere and Pere were the ones to feel it. Grand-Pere came to my rescue. Found me, found out what had happened, and took me away. Because it was a magical problem in a mundane world, nothing was really done. It took a while for evidence to be gathered that could be able to be presented in the Mudnane courts. By then, I just wanted it all over. When I was nine, I was blood adopted by Dad and Pere. That’s me,” he said, shrugging. “What about you? What were things like for you?”

“Well,” Eddie said, eating some fruit before answering. “My father’s side of the family is magical, there’s never been a No-Mag born in that side of the family,” he stated, “Christopher, being bound, well, thought he was a No-Mag,” he stated, shaking his head and drinking some of his water. “My father and Abuela are descendants of a long line of Shamans. We are pledged to the service of Quetzalcoatl. Always have been. My mother hates it, still does. My father doesn’t practice anymore, hasn’t since before I was born. She doesn’t want us practicing either. Adrana and Sophia follow her wishes. I didn’t. I practiced the rites, the rituals, blessings, and more. I was looking forward to teaching Christopher everything and presenting him to Quetzalcoatl when the time was right. With me believing he didn’t have magic, it was hard to come to terms with that, and that I wasn’t going to be able to share all that with Chris. My mother… she told me it was because of all the strange things I believe in that caued it,” he stopped for a moment, the betrayal and hurt that he was still feeling knowing that it was them all along that had caused the pain and grief he had felt knowing that a part of him would never be able to be shared with his son. It hurt more than words could say.

“I wish there was…” he sighed, shaking his head.

Eddie smiled a little as he took Buck’s hand again and squeezed it, “I know.” They ate a little before Eddie carried on. “It was a fun time for me, with Abuela and Abuelo; they both were proud of me for carrying on the tradition. I’m not in charge of anything, that’s Pepa’s Eldest, Lucia,” he smiled, “She’s a good woman, and a highly prized Shaman. The thing with Flores, she’s been called in to help. She’s the only one in the family to know what has happened with Chris. I still haven’t told Abuela yet, or anyone else.”

Buck smiled back at him, “Nice to know. I’d like to learn more, do you think Abuela and Lucia would be able to talk with me about it all?” he asked, avoiding talking too much about the binding. He knew that Eddie was hurting deeply over the betrayal.

“Sure, they’ll be happy to, and I’ll tell you more as well,” he promised, nodding and smiling slightly as he reached out for one of the sandwiches that he’d made.

“Thanks,” he nodded, smiling back and taking one of the sandwiches for himself. It was a turkey ham salad, with just the right amount of mayo on it. He still wasn’t sure about Mayo half the time. His time in the UK had ruined him slightly for the normality of it.

“So, tell me about growing up in England?” Eddie asked him, “I’m kinda curious. When I heard the names, I had a feeling that something more was going on. But when you said them, it was like I couldn’t speak or really think about them again, unless I was around you.”

“It’s a failsafe on my name. It’s why I’m happy to do the full intro; it means it can’t be repeated. Even my nickname of Rex will be believed to have been Ev instead,” he grinned, “My parents want me protected, and it’s the best way to do it was a Geas on my full name and title and that of my parents. But the only way for someone to bring up title and full name is if I’m there.”

“After that, it’s forgotten?” he asked.

“Not really forgotten, just not at the forefront of your memories,” he tried to explain. “But my life in the UK, as a child of two very famous people. It was hard.”

 “How so?” Eddie asked, a little curious.

“I had all these expectations on me. I was going to this house, or that one. And I was in neither,” he snorted. “The moment the hat called out Ravenclaw, I thought some people were going to faint,” he said, shaking his head before drinking the lime water he had chosen. “Some of the teachers were disapointed, some were happy. My dad and Pere were really happy. They knew the expectations that had been heaped on them. They were from different houses, and some say different sides of the war. It wasn’t until near the end of it that the Malfoy family showed their true colors. They had been able to save a lot of people by playing double agents. Pere and the rest of my family faced a lot of problems just after the war and for the first year or so. The truth was revealed, and then the relationship between my Dad and Pere was found out about a year before they rescued me,” he said, “Things were still up in the air when I joined the family. For them to blood adopt me as well, both of them, so legally and biologically I’m their kid. It’s why my hair and eyes are so different from Maddie’s.”

Eddie frowned in suprise, “Really? I wonder what you looked like back then,” he said quietly, smiling at Buck as the man rolled his eyes.

“Well, think more dark hair and eyes. My eyes were a light brown, and my hair was the same. They matched. I looked a little different around the face,” he told him, shrugging, “I didn’t mind the change. I have more of my parents in me,” he grinned, “It was nice, and when I went to school, as I said, it was a little off at times. But I did well, top of my year. Dad and Pere were really proud. Aunt Hermione was ecstatic about it, not much for getting into trouble. Which Uncle Ron and Dad would moan about, so did Uncle George until he found out I just didn’t get caught. Dad and Uncle Ron found out in my last year of school. The only time I got caught was right at the end because I planned it that way,” he smirked, “I gotta leave a lasting legacy for the cousins to match,” he said, shrugging when he saw Eddie look.

“You really waited that long to let people know you were the prankster behind shit?” he asked, eyes wide, a piece of banana halfway to his mouth.

“Yep,” he laughed, “I did. Dad was proud, and so was Grand-Pere. Pere and Grand-mama weren’t that happy, nor was Aunt Hermione, but at least she admitted she and the others had done worse while at school. She set a teacher on fire, on purpose,” he grinned, “Yes, there is a story there, and I’ll tell it one day, or you could ask Dad, he gets gleeful when he tells it. Oh, and Uncle Ron was in hysterics, realizing that all the pranks and the things that had been going on at school that Professor Longbottom was telling him were all me,” he finished.

Eddie laughed, “Man, I wasn’t like that at all in school. I knew if I caused a bit of trouble, I would face things a hundred times worse when I got home.”

“This is the joy of having family that are just as mad as you,” he said, smiling happily. “Nothing surprises them. It really doesn’t.”

“I just have one last question,” he said, “How the hell did Maddie not notice the change?” he asked, “Since you said that you had brown eyes and hair.”

Buck snorted, “Maddie never really paid me attention. I was the doll she played with when I was a baby. After that, she was there when she was made to be my Margaret and Phillip. When I went to see her after I finished school at Hogwarts, and had even worked as an Auror for almost two years. I came back to the States. I wanted to see her; it took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that she knew about everything I was going through and didn’t care enough to help me. She knew it, she knew that the busies that I had were from them, and everything. Hell, I even begged her for help a few times. She just brushed it all off. The only thing she didn’t know about was the Magic and the binding that they were planning on doing. But she was still dismissive of what I’d been through. And I walked away. Didn’t see her again until she broke into Abby’s apartment. She acted like everything that had gone on when I was a kid and when I met her again didn’t happen. Like I always lived with Margaret and Phillip,” he rolled his eyes, eating the last bite of his sandwich and pausing for a few moments to eat it. “It’s the narrative that she presents, that she was the one who looked after me, and to a point, until I was about 4 or 5, she kinda did. Even if she was dictating what I did. So, yeah, the relationship with my former sister, not as great as everyone believes. They only believe it because they believe her over me about our past. I think you and Bobby didn’t. He knew that Abraxas was my name and not Evan, but that I used it professionally. He never believed her, which is why he doesn’t like her coming to the station that often.”

“I did notice that, Athena comes a lot, almost every time she’s off shift. Karen stops by at least once a week with Denny, especially if we’re working a weekend shift. Carla brings over Chris just as much. But Maddie comes to the station once a month, maybe,” Eddie frowned.

“That’s because Bobby and Maddie argued a little when she first came here. Bobby agreed to be my medical proxy until my parents or grandparents could come and help out. Maddie found out about him being so, and basically stormed into the station to tell him off about being my proxy and to hand it over to her. Bobby told her in the end she wasn’t welcome at the station until she learned that I’m not a dress-up doll that she can control,” he answered.

“Dress up doll?” Eddie blinked a few times at that.

“Yeah, she… tried to tell me what to wear after shift, the first few times she came in. Telling me off for the shirts and such. Not that color or type. Trying to change the pants I’d be wearing. She even tried to pull one shirt off when Bobby walked in and told her to leave. She isn’t in Bobby’s good books.”

“I-” Eddie began as a thestral patronus appeared.

“Abraxas, Eddie, you need to come to the zoo and to the occamy enclosure. Something has happened with the children.” Narciss’ voice was full of worry, but still calm.

The two shared a look, “Wonder what they got into,” Buck said as they quickly started to pack away, using magic to speed it along before apparating and heading straight to the zoo apparition point.

XxXxX

Lucius and Narcissa looked at Harry as he described each of the creatures they had encountered. It was something they had seen when Buck was a child. Harry talked to him about each of the creatures that they came across. telling him why they were magical.

“He’s always been good with children. I wish they had been able to adopt a few more,” Narcissa said softly. “Though blood adopting Abraxas was nice, he didn’t get many of Harry’s traits.”

“One important one he did,” Lucius said as they walked toward the occamy enclosure.

The two came to stand behind Christopher and Harry as they looked at them. Harry started to tell Christopher about them and how he was able to understand them.”

“She’s not happy,” Christopher said, frowning and starting to look upset at what he was hearing.

Harry frowned, “H-” he began, only for a loud pop to happen and the two disappeared.

“Oh fuck,” Lucius said as he saw where they had turned up. An alarm sounded, and lights flashed, as people began to yell and scream, as two children had now appeared in the occamy enclosure.

“Hi,” Christopher said as he stood before one of the occamy, “What’s wrong?” he asked, tilting his head, “I can hear that you’re sad.”

“A speaker,” they said as he flew around Christopher and then around Harry, “Hm, little wizard children, what are children doing in here? No one is allowed. We are alone.”

“Oh,” Christopher said as he looked around, “How did we get here, Harry?” he asked the other.

“We apparated, or you did, and I went along for the ride,” Harry laughed lightly, “And I thought my luck was weird.”

“I just wanted to know why they were sad,” Christopher said, “They all sound so sad.”

“You can hear that from us?” another asked as they flew up to them, nudging Christopher a little.

Christopher giggled, “Yeah, I can hear it when you were talking. You sounded like my Buck did when he was hurt before he could be a firefighter again. So why are you sad?” he asked again as he let go of a crutch, letting it fall as he went to stroke the occamy’s nose.

“We lost our latest clutch, they were taken away,” she said, “My babies were taken, and I do not know where they are.”

Harry nodded, “Oh, I heard what happened, one of them was ill, so they took all three to make sure they were okay. They are going to be coming back soon. We just have to wait for them to be better,” he said, “It’ll be okay, they didn’t want to take them.”

“Are you sure? We do not want the legged ones to come in here again. You should not be here either, you are their young,” the largest of the group said as he flew over, spinning around them.

“Don’t be mean,” Christopher said, looking a little like a pissed off Eddie as he glared at the occamy that was now moving around him. “Harry told you that the babies are okay,” he said, looking at the one circling them. “Stop going around like that, it’s making me dizzy,” he huffed.

“I will-” he began, only for the one who had told Christopher about their clutch to get in his way.

“You will, they aren’t being mean or nasty to us,” she told him, “And you can feel the blessing on the taller one,” she added.

“Hmm,” he said, stopping and moving closer to Christopher.

“Leave him alone,” Harry said, trying to get between the two.

The smallest of the group wrapped itself around Harry, “It is fine, he has the blessing. One blessed by the feathered serpent will never come to harm with us,” he hissed in Harry’s ear.

“Feathered Serpent?” Harry frowned, “A Quetzalcoatl?” he asked, eyes going wide.

“Yes,” he whispered.

“You are worthy of the blessing,” the largest said.

Neither of them knew of the chaos that had erupted outside the enclosure.

“Well, this…” Lucius began as he watched what was going on inside the enclosure. He was doing his best not to panic.

Narcissa had already sent a message to Buck and Eddie telling them to hurry to the zoo and the occamy enclosure. There were a number of workers around, trying to break down the wards to get in and get the children out. “Why can’t you get in there any faster?” she asked one of the workers who was remaining with them.

She looked at them, “We have the wards on lockdown, since we don’t want anyone to just break them. When we go into the occamy enclosure, we have to shut the whole park down for a day in case they escape. We had to go in there around a week ago, one of the newborn occamy was ill. Took us two days to be able to get everything shut down. The Zoo is currently under evacuation, so we can get in and get them out. We’re basically having to break into our own enclosure. We’ve got a team on standby to go in and get them, and another to bring the wards up as quickly as we can make it.”

Narcissa nodded as she took Lucius’ hand, “I wonder what is going on in the-“

“What happened?!” Eddie called out, stopping as he saw his son and Harry surrounded by occamy. “Oh,” he said, relaxing.

“What oh?” Buck asked as he looked up and saw what Eddie was seeing, “Ah,” he growled a little, “I thought I told Harry no going in enclosures and trying to free animals,” he muttered under his breath.

“I believe it might have been Christopher who took them there,” Lucius said as he glanced over at the two, “I’m sorry, I forgot to check Christopher’s magical levels before we left. If I had known this might be possible, maybe I could have talked to him about it and made sure he remained with us at all times.”

“I doubt it,” Eddie said, “Most of the magic in my family is really strong,” he began, “And this…” he frowned as he listened to what was being said within the enclosure, but the occamy. “Ah, they want their clutch back,” he said as he turned to the woman who worked at the Zoo. “You took babies from them?”

“Yes, one of them was ill, so we took them to help them heal. We wanted to keep them all together, so we took the two siblings as well. One of them also became ill. They’re mostly fully recovered now, and we’re going to be putting them back inside tomorrow,” she answered, frowning, “How… did you know?”

“My family is the caretakers of Quetzalcoatl. We take care of everything we can for them. My Abuela tells me a lot of our history. Over time, for us to better understand them, they gifted my line with the ability to speak to serpents of every kind, Parseltounge,” Eddie said as he watched his son and Harry closely. “A blessing for our line, as we continue to serve Quetzalcoatl,” he stated.

“I’ve never heard of that,” the Zookeeper said, frowning, “I really haven’t.”

“It’s not well known,” Eddie said, “The only way for someone to lose the gift is to do something against Mother Magic,” he added, his words now cautious as he listened to what was being said inside the enclosure. “I’m just happy that I can hear them.”

“What are they talking about?” Lucius asked.

Buck turned, “About the clutch, I would say the one near Chris is the mother of them. She’s worried and hoping that they are okay.”

Eddie nodded, “Are the young well enough to go back?” he asked.

“Yes, we’re only waiting for tomorrow since it’s a scheduled closed day,” she said, “but since we’re bringing down the wards now, we could put them back now,” she said, as she used a patronus to send a message to someone. “I’ve told the vet to bring the clutch up as well; hopefully, that will help,” she sighed.

“Right,” Eddie and Buck nodded before looking back.

“Is everyone out of the park?” A voice came through an elephant Patronus.

She sent one back, “Yeah, the all-clear signal went up.

“The wards are coming down,” someone called out. With that, a cascade of light around the enclosure began to descend.

“And down,” she said as a rush of Zookeepers headed to the enclosure. Buck and Eddie went with them as Eddie moved quickly to the flight of occamy.

“May I speak with the leader of your flight?” Eddie asked as he approached.

“That would be I,” the largest of them said as he went from flying around

“Please excuse my son and his friend,” he said, bowing slightly, Buck doing the same beside him.

“We thank you for not attacking them. We know that they entered your home without permission,” Buck continued.

“It is fine,” a more feminine-sounding voice came to them. “They are young, they will learn in time, as all offspring shall. Blessed one of the Quetzalcoatl,” she said as she flew over to him, “You may take the children, just please ask if they will bring mine back to me.”

“They are coming back. One of them was ill,” Eddie explained softly, “Another became ill shortly after they took them, the caretakers here were able to help them and were nursing them back to health.”

“Yes, they were,” she said as she flew around Eddie before settling before him again, “I feared death, and then they took all three of my hatchlings.”

“Yes, but all three are well, and are being brought back as we speak,” Eddie told her, smiling a little as Buck rounded the two children up. He picked up Christopher.

“Sorry, Dad,” he said, “I didn’t know that could happen.”

One of the zookeepers walked toward them with a large crate floating in the air before them.

“Their babies?” Christopher asked, looking and hearing some hissing that sounded like vague words.

“Yeah,” Eddie said with a nod. “They’re mostly better now, so they can go back to mom,” he said, as he held Christopher close. “Thank you for not letting the children come to harm,” he added as the female occamy went to the crate as it was opened.

“Thank you for having them brought back,” the large one stated, bowing before he flew off and watched the hatchlings come out of the crate.

“They would have been returned to you tomorrow,” Eddie said, “Two were ill, but they are all fine now and they should finish recovering with you and your Flight.”

“Thank you,” she hissed at him before rounding up her hatchlings and guiding them to a hidden nesting area.

Eddie and Buck made their way out of the enclosure. Others followed as the zookeepers began to ensure the occamy remained in the enclosure while they started to rebuild the wards.

Narcissa walked over, taking Harry from Buck and holding him close for a moment. Eddie could see that she wanted to do the same with Christopher and quickly let her hug the kid. “Oh, are you both alright?” she asked, looking over Christopher and Harry.

“They’re fine,” Eddie said.

“Let’s get them home,” Lucius said as he walked over to them after talking with one of the main zookeepers. “Found out that this has happened before, and they’re going to strengthen the warding even more. Hopefully it won’t happen again,” he added, shaking his head slightly.

“Good on that,” Buck snorted and looked at Harry, “I thought I said no going in the enclosures,” he smirked.

“Not my fault this time,” Harry huffed, “And it was all fine. They wouldn’t hurt us, we’re all parsel speakers.”

“Luckily,” Buck rolled his eyes, “Come on, let’s get going. They need to bring up the warding fully, and we shouldn’t be here.”

“Yes,” Lucius nodded as he led the way back to the apparition point and headed home.

Arriving home, Lucius and Narcissa had to convince the two to go back out and have the rest of their date. Later that night, they would arrive back from the second half of their date, flushed and happy as Narcissa welcomed them home before ushering them off to bed.