(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

There's a scratching on the front door.

Brow furrowed, Nymphadora opens it and raises an eyebrow at the owl waiting beyond. The bird alights on the witch's shoulder, and she walks into the kitchen to fetch a dish of water and a few treats.

As the owl settles for a rest on the perch in the corner, 'Dora unties the letter and reads it.

"Bernard?"

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

"...Yeah. It pretty much does."

Her hand comes up to rest at the side of his neck.

"We'll be okay."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He nods, then shivers.

"We'd better be."

[clumsy_auror]

"Look at me."

She waits for him to do so.

"We will be."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He nods again, more sure this time.

"All right."

[clumsy_auror]

"We'll talk to Sunny in the morning. At least she knows the House, so she won't be--"

A thin, high wail suddenly sounds from down the hallway.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Shit."

Bernard pushes off the counter and strides down the hall.

[clumsy_auror]

She follows, and the two of them walk not to their bedroom, but to Anthony's room. "Probably woke up and didn't know where he was."

The baby is fussier than usual, redfaced and crying fully.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard picks him up carefully, narrowly avoiding a swift kick to the solar plexus. "Shhhhh." He rocks him a bit. Nada.

[clumsy_auror]

"Oh, honey. It's all right. You're in your room and Mummy and Daddy are right here," she soothes, smoothing her hand over his thick shock of hair.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Anthony is freaked out, and this place doesn't smell right and the light is funny, and he can't hear Mummy and Daddy right there, but oh, oh, he finally notices that it's not so dark and scary because oh.

Hi, Mummy and Dad.

The frantic screaming lessens, and for a few minutes he just cries to get the upset out, because that was scary.

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora keeps whispering in low tones, rubbing his warm little tummy and catching his dimpled hands to press kisses to the knuckles.

Finally his crying slows to a low, mournful whimper.

"There's my good lad. There he is."

A soft kiss to his cheek.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Anthony wibbles manfully, turning his face into Bernard's shirt and smearing snot on his chest.

"Fantastic."

Bernard whips out a handkerchief and mops him up a bit.

[clumsy_auror]

She laughs quietly. "Well, we knew this would take some getting used to."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He sighs, and Anthony sighs, too, fussing into his shirt again.

"Bodily fluids, I can deal with."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well, I meant him sleeping in his own room, but that, too."

'Dora reaches for Anthony, lifting him carefully and settling him against her shoulder, rubbing his back.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard steps closer, slipping his arms around them both.

"Do you think he'd really be okay if he had to stay with Tom and Door?"

[clumsy_auror]

Quietly, "He will be if I'm there."

She knows, now. It's the only option.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He doesn't really react, at all, except to pull them both closer.

[clumsy_auror]

After a moment, she slips one arm around Bernard's waist.

There's a quiet sniffle.

She's tired.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

A kiss to her hair.

"Don't. It'll be okay."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know. Just told you so."

He can hear in her voice that she's smiling, a bit.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I know you did."

They just stand there, for a minute, Anthony settling down to grizzle at his mum's shoulder.

[clumsy_auror]

After another few moments, "Hey, kiddo. Gonna eat my shirt, or d'you wanna sample some of the house special?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard starts to snicker.

"That was entirely too dirty even for me."

[clumsy_auror]

"Gutter-minded man that you are."

Nymphadora goes to sit in the rocking chair.

"C'n you fetch me a pillow?"