Violent violet and bubblegum pink

"I'm sorry," Dude says finally, his voice quiet. "Can't even imagine. Can't imagine it at all."

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Kathleen's been watching quietly, clutching Bernard's limp hand all the while.

"What were their names?"

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"Fred and George," she replies, buttoning up her robes and patting Anthony's back, smiling a bit in spite of herself. "Brilliant, the both of them. And ruddy insane, too. Rather like this one over here, in a lot of ways." A nod in Bernard's direction

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Bernard laughs wetly. "Used to finish each other's sentences. Tarred and feathered me when I stole 'Dora out from under their brother."

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She's laughing too, at that. "They did. You were picking tar out of your ears for a solid week, I was so mad at them."

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Dude smiles faintly, and wracks his brain for everything Bernard had told him about Nymphadora. "So they were... Charlie's brothers, were they? Charlie?"

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Bernard's eyes shoot to Nymphadora suddenly.

"Charlie made it, yeah?"

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A short nod, and it's clear from her expression how very relieved she is. "He did, thank God. So did the other Weasleys. Think Arthur was hurt, but he's on the mend."

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"Okay," he whispers, pale as salt, tears dripping into the hair at his temples.

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Kathleen starts, and dabs at the tears with the tartan handkerchief that Aziraphael left. After a few moments of listening to Bernard sniffle, she rolls her eyes and holds the hankie to his nose. "Blow."

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Dude breathes a soft chuckle, at that, because some things never change. One large hand finds its way to Kathleen's shoulder, and squeezes gently.

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Biting her lip, 'Dora stands and walks over to her husband's side. Anthony's frowning at seeing his dad upset.

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Bernard blows obediently, meekly, and it's clear that he just doesn't have the energy to protest.

Then he sees the handkerchief.

"Angel have somewhere to be? Sheep to avoid?"

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And now she looks infinitely tired, and somewhat lost.

"He's gone. For a bit, at least."

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Bernard blinks a few times, taking it in. Then his eyes dart around the room, as if he'll find Aziraphael hidden behind the curtains or up in a corner.

"I see."

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Kathleen pockets the handkerchief with little fuss, and brushes Bernard's hair back from his forehead. "Do you wanna sleep, Baby? Get some rest?"

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Bernard shakes his head as much as he can, which is more than earlier. "No." He looks to Nymphadora and Anthony. "I wanna hold my son. But I don't think I can manage it."

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"Sure you can," Nymphadora says softly, grateful for the momentary distraction. Carefully, she lays Anthony on Bernard's chest, and lifts her husband's hand to rest on the baby's back. Anthony wriggles a bit, and yawns, settling himself. Sunny murmurs indistinctly in her sleep, and curls closer to her daddy.

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Beatrice falls to the floor, from Sunny's loosened grip, and Dude picks it up and tucks it back under the toddler's arm, bending over to kiss her flushed cheek.

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Suddenly, Kathleen stands, brushing under her eyes briskly. "Well. Dude, I think I'm going to get a cup of coffee." She starts towards the door, then stops. "Er. I can get a cup of coffee somewhere here, can't I?"

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"'Course," 'Dora replies, smiling wanly. "'S upstairs. There's a sign at the end of the hall that'll tell you. Oh, here--" She fumbles in her pockets, and then hands Kathleen a handful of money. "You'll need that."

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"I'll go along too," Dude says, getting to his feet. "I'll go along and keep her in line. Thank you much, Nymphadora." The rancher kisses his daughter-in-law's cheek, and gently guides his wife out into the hall, shutting the door behind them.

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