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[clumsy_auror]

Peck, peck, peck.

That's funny, thinks Nymphadora's subconscious. I wasn't dreaming about chickens a moment ago, was I? And yet there they are, pecking their way across her parents' library, right across the game of Exploding Snap she and Dad are playing. Stupid chickens.

Peck, peck, peck.

Her father doesn't seem put out by the presence of the chickens. Doesn't seem to notice them at all, really. Hunh. That's odd, surely.

Then one pecks her on the hand. "Ow!" she cries, irritated, and suddenly she jerks herself awake.

Peck, peck, peck. Peckpeckpeckpeckpeck.

Nymphadora blinks, confused, and rubbing at the spot where, judging from the sulky look on his face, Hiss just nipped her hand. He doesn't seem to like the pecking, either. But where--

PECKPECKPECKPECK.

Ah. Front door.

She slips out of bed quickly, padding down the hall, almost jogging by the time she reaches the door. It's not even dawn, yet.

When 'Dora sees Dumbledore's owl, the bottom drops out of her stomach.

The contents of the note aren't exactly surprising.

Tonight, then.

Grimly, Nymphadora walks back down the hall, and for a moment she just stands and looks at the collective assembled in her bed.

Bernard is snoring gently, one arm curled around Sunny, who is currently half-talking in her sleep, very quietly, as she sometimes does when she dreams. Hiss has hopped onto 'Dora's pillow, looking to make himself comfy for the long haul, she suspects. Ellie is spawled out on the foot of the bed, having evidently decided to join the party at some point.

Well. First things first.

Very carefully, she moves Bernard's arm, and picks Sunny up.

Sunny doesn't need to hear what she's about to tell her husband.

The witch moves toward the door.

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Suddenly, Bernard stirs, inhaling deeply.

"'S it time to go to the Capital?"

He's still asleep.

[clumsy_auror]

Yeah, she can tell.

She smiles crookedly, though, in spite of herself, and carries Sunny down the hall to her room. She tucks the girl in with care, putting Beatrice in the crook of her arm, and kissing her cheek for a long moment.

A quick check reveals that Anthony, too, is sleeping soundly, and has kicked off his covers yet again, as well as pitched Piglet through the bars of his cot. Nymphadora reinstates the stuffed toy, and brushes her hand over her son's head.

Hiss and Ellie are shooed gently from the bedroom, both of them looking reproachfully at Nymphadora as she closes the door behind them.

Then, taking a deep breath, she slips into bed beside her husband again.

"Sweetheart? Wake up."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard's brow furrows, and he turns his face into the pillow with a childish refusal. "Hmm-mm."

[clumsy_auror]

She lifts a hand to the back of his neck, thumb stroking softly.

"C'mon, love."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard finally turns his head to reveal one slitted eye. "Somebody sick or dyin'?"

[clumsy_auror]

What a question.

She ignores it.

"Got an owl from Dumbledore."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A blink.

Processing.

Another.

"What's the ETA, then?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Tonight," she replies quietly, tucking her hand up under the pillow. "Guess Snape sent word."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And just like that, Bernard's sleep-flushed cheeks turn ashen.

"So soon."

[clumsy_auror]

A nod.

"Reckon he cottoned onto the fact that we found the horcruxes. Probably mad as all hell."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He's very, very awake now.

"Well."





"Well."

What else is there to say?

[clumsy_auror]

Not a whole lot.

Nymphadora curls closer, then, slipping an arm around his waist and burying her face in his shoulder.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And his arms go around her, tight, his hands sliding into her hair, his lips grazing her temple. "What time do you reckon we should leave?"

[clumsy_auror]

"'Round lunchtime, probably," she murmurs, trying to take a deep breath, and failing. "There'll be plenty to do."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He sighs, almost relieved.

"There is, yes. Because I think I'll need the whole morning to spend with you three before we go out there. And I certainly need a couple of hours with just you."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora burrows closer, shutting her eyes against the realities of this day. "'S really early, yet. Kids won't be up for ages."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I know," Bernard murmurs, bending his head to nuzzle her earlobe. One hand slips under her t-shirt, fingertips trailing up her back. "I'm taking advantage of it."

[clumsy_auror]

"Ever the opportunist," she replies, half-smiling, lips brushing his temple.

Then the smile fades.

"I'm scared."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He pauses, just breathing.

Then, very softly, "Me, too."

[clumsy_auror]

"Always easier when there isn't time to think about it." Her lips trail down Bernard's cheek to his jaw, pressing soft, warm kisses along the ridge. "Better not to dwell, and just do."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He smiles a little tartly, and turns his head to catch her lips briefly. "Thought that was what I was doing."

[clumsy_auror]

"I picked that up, yeah." She snickers softly, smoothing her hand up the length of his bare back and throwing one leg over his.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Not that I need a reason," he counters, "to make love with my wife." His lips trails down her neck to the low collar of her shirt, the hem sliding upwards slowly.

[clumsy_auror]

"Never."

Nymphadora rolls onto her back, throwing one arm up over her head, a warm smile curling her lips as she watches him.

"Always have time for you. Always."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard follows her (as in all things), his hips cradled against hers, his mouth at her earlobe, one hand circling on one still-covered breast.

Taking his time.