Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna smiled politely and took a cookie, placing it on the edge of her tea saucer. She held the tea in her hands for a moment, inhaling its scent, before she added a bit of her poison-check potion. Lady Monroe looked questioningly at her, but she smiled. "Don't worry, its only medicine." she smiled. She took a sip of the awful tea, but looked as if she genuinely enjoyed it instead of grimacing. "Thank you." she smiled "This tea is lovely. " After a few more sips, she took a bite of the cookie. It got the awful taste out of her mouth, but they weren't as good as hers. "My thanks to whomever baked these." she smiled. She never minded how Aislynn 'lacked manners' in her grandmother's perspective. She appreciated that she felt relaxed around her, and that she wasn't as judgmental as Elias or anyone else for that matter.

"Well." she said, a few moments after she had had her tea and cookie, She rose from her seat gracefully, at the same time using her wand to make the dished magically stack themselves, and fly carefully into the kitchen. "I must be going now. My gratitude to you all for your memorable hospitality. Farewell. " she smiled, once again bowing her head as she made her way to the door.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn grimaced when she took a sip of her tea. Its taste was to bitter. She glanced at Luna and wondered how she could enjoy the awful tea. She was also curious about what kind of medicine Luna was taking but it was impossible to ask now. Aislinn had to wait till they were alone another day. She lost the count on how many cookies she ate.

"Thank you." Luna smiled "This tea is lovely. " After a few more sips, she took a bite of the cookie. "My thanks to whomever baked these." she smiled.

Aislinn stared at Luna with a -Are you joking with me- face. She took another sip of the disgusting tea and grimaced.

"You are welcome," Natalia replied nervously, wondering if the tea did not taste that good for a human or if it was Aislinn who was being rude.

"Well." Luna said, a few moments after she had her tea and cookie, she rose from her seat gracefully, at the same time using her wand to make the dished magically stack themselves and fly carefully into the kitchen.

"Oh...." Natalia exclaimed nervously as the dishes flew away and rushed after them.

"I must be going now. My gratitude to you all for your memorable hospitality. Farewell. " Luna smiled, once again bowing her head as she made her way to the door.

"It was a pleasure...." Lady Monroe replied thoughtfully.

Aislinn, still eating a cookie, followed Luna to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow hehe, Good night"


Later after midnight

"That was a quite interesting evening..."
"And quite unexpected...."
"I wonder what her purpose was..."
"Perhaps she has the same purposes as her father had?"
"Lord knows..."
"I will ask Aislinn about her, perhaps she knows more, of what I overheard from her it seemed that they knew each other well..."
"Do you think that she visited us because she knew Aislinn?"
"Perhaps or she might be integrating with other vampires as well..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

The next day Luna went to work as usual, but this time there were a rush of reporters who greeted her at the entrance. They nearly pushed their magical recorders into her face, asking her questions so fast she barely had time to reply properly.

"Is it true that you rescued only two of Potter's children from the Dark Mistress?" one lady asked.
"Yes. It was difficult, but-"
"What of the third?" a different lady asked.
"I was unable to take all of them with me before the Dark Mistress arrived."
"Have you any leads as to where she is keeping the third?"
"No. Have we not discussed these same questions enou-"
One of the reporters was causing a commotion in the back of the crowd, causing everyone to bump into each other. Finally, he reached the front, and asked her a question.
"There are rumors, that you intend to run for female Minister for Magic in the upcoming elections?"
Luna was so surprised by this question that she had no time to keep her calm composure.
"I have not given it much thought. Why are-"
"People have been saying you would-" he rudely interrupted "Because you were able to do something that neither the current Minister, Kingsly Shacklebolt, nor the Chosen One, was able to do. "
"I cannot say that it has been a priority, given the fact that one of Potter's children is still missing." she said, as if it was obvious.
"Well, when elections do come around, you don't want to be disappointing your many. . .fans." he said. And with that, he left.

Twenty minutes later, she finally shook off every last reporter, and was in her quiet office, placing her small lunch on the shelf it usually occupied until her break. I wonder who would say I could be Minister? I didn't think of that High-ranking job. . . On one hand, the power would be nearly as good as taking the Wizarding World itself, since London't Ministry has significantly more respect than any of the others. It would be lovely to lead them well, then reveal myself. . making them look foolish? It would be a lovely alibi once the third phase of my plan comes into play. However, there are downsides to this as well.

Later that day, Luna, still disguised, went to St. Mungo's. She visited the Fourth Floor, which, according to the guide, was for spell damage. There, she asked to visit Gilderoy Lockheart, claiming she was a fan. She entered, and politely asked the Healer to be alone with him. He seemed excited. . . the type who wasn't visited too often.

"Good evening, Sir." she said, though she had dropped her polite tone as soon as the Healer was out of earshot.
"Hello." he said, half suspicious and half confused.
"I have a question for you." she said "How is your life going?"
He looked down, seemingly sad.
"People used to visit me, praising me for numerous wonderful things I had done in my past. However, once they saw that I had no memory of my forgotten and glorious past, they forgot me. Rumors spread, and now people only think I am here because I wasn't as good as I once was. .. because if I had really been through so much in my past, a memory curse from a twelve-year-old magical novice wouldn't have put me in this state. "
"Do you ever wish it would end? " she said quietly. "The misery, and loneliness? The looks the Healers give you when they come in to get you things?"
"Sometimes." he said absentmindedly, clearly still reminiscing about his once adoring fans.
"Then, why not come with me, and end it? I promise, it will be quick and painless."
"I am not sure. . " he said, meaning to say no, but she took his hand before he could finish.
"Don't worry. You will end up in a much better place, I am sure." she smirked, smoking them both away. She appeared with him in one of the guest bedrooms of her manor, with them in the same position as before. She let go of his hand, and he sat up in the bed, looking around in surprise.
"I will be right back. Stay here." she smiled as she poofed back to the hospital room.
"Help!" she screamed. She forced a few tears, and in a moment three Healers entered the room.
"Please! Gilderoy Lockheart was abducted!" she said in between sobs "One moment, I was giving him a card I had made, then. . .then the Dark Mistress-" was all she could say in between convincing, uncontrollable sobbing. An hour later, she had been interrogated, and the matter was 'handled ' in that she was confirmed to be innocent.
She left, going straight back to the manor room where Gilderoy lay, now asleep. She pointed her wand at him, and killed him without a second thought, using the Avada Kedavra silently. She used a spell to magically transfer his blood to several empty wine bottles, filling six bottles once she was finished. She magically cleared the evidence, and took one of the bottles to the Monroe house. She placed the bottle at the door, along with a short note on green, iridescent parchment.

Dear Lady Monroe,

I do hope you and your family enjoy this special bottle, for it is not Muggle, but Magical blood that fills it. My gift to you, is the blood of former Bestselling Author, and Adventurer, Gilderoy Lockheart. I do hope you are pleased.

~ Luna Lestrange.

She left as soon as it was placed, appearing once again at her manor. It doesn't matter that I killed him. If a person contributes nothing to Wizardkind, leaving them depressed and unwanted, I was doing him a favor. It's not like I tortured him first. . .it was painless, and without warning . .. for all I know, he was in the middle of yet another dream of his former life. She left Aislynn her lunch at her bedroom door as usual, along with a note requesting a conversation with her whenever it was convenient for her. She spent the rest of the evening in the labyrinth, playing her violin, getting her mind off Gilderoy.

 

[Hikari Chan]

The next morning when Aislinn woke up, around eleven o'clock, she found her old clothes which she had been wearing that day she reunited with her relatives. Her clothes had been washed, dried and neatly folded and placed on a chair in her bedroom. She could not find her dress which she had been wearing yesterday, though it did not matter at all since she had a feeling that perhaps her grandmother wanted to wash it as well. She picked up her clothes and while putting them on, she found out that the rip in her trousers had been patched. She rummaged in the kitchen and found some fresh buns which looked to be one or two days old. They did not taste bad but were doughy. It seem like my grandmother has made another disastrous attempt in the kitchen hehe.. Aislinn ate two buns and drank a glass of water before apparating to the secret place where the P.O. always hold their meetings. She had to attend a meeting today and she could not dodge it anymore. When she arrived, she noticed that Sherwood was not there.

"Where's Sherwood?" Aislinn asked innocently, looking confused at everyone.
"He is out of the order, we decided that he was not suitable to be a member anymore due to a certain incident."
"Oh what has happened to him? Is he allright?" Aislinn asked anxiously.

"He is allright, Miss. It is....well...he had been accused for kidnapping a young lady from a gala. He has been saying all the time that he is innocent, but according to the young lady's story, she was suddenly...well she said it was like travelling with a portkey and we could not find a portkey anywhere. But what we found were hidden love potion and veritaserum in his apartment. We have been very confused during our investigation with this case. Sherwood is free to move around at the moment, but he is out from the order, until we have solved it."

Merlin's hairy beard, love potion and veritaserum, oh good Merlin...I never knew about it...if I had not created the trap with the portkey with him, perhaps no one would have found out what he hid in his apartment...

"Oh...I hope you'll be able to solve this case very soon, I believe that Sherwood is innocent, but only Merlin knows. If you need any help I'll gladly be to your assistance."

"Thank you so much, Miss Monroe, we appreciate your kindness. Though today we have something else of much more importance to discuss. We have been discussing the same subject more than hundred times, but we have not been even about it in the order. We would like to talk with you about this subject since you have been working with Miss Blackwood."

"Aha and what is it about?"

"We are actually very happy that both you and her worked together to bring back two of Potter's children to us, though we have been uneven about whether we should trust Miss Blackwood or not, thus we have several questions for you, if you do not mind us to ask?"

"I do not mind at all, you may interrogate me about anything you need to know. I am spying at the Dark Mistress for you after all.."

"..which we are forever grateful for, you are truly our second Severus Snape, and we do not know how much to thank you, Miss. Well, the first thing we would like to know is how you know Miss Blackwood? As from what we have heard from Mrs. Weasley, Miss Blackwood's parents were English, but she was brought up in France and educated in Beauxbatons. Potter cannot recall when he had employed her as an auror because not only many have been employed by him lately but also a lot have been joined freely as aurors in order to defeat the dark Mistress, thus he has no track over anything in his department."

"Oh, I met her in muggle clothing shop a couple of months ago. When we found out that we were both witches we started to talk and become good acquaintances."

"Have you been meeting each other frequently afterwards?"

"Hmm, we met when we had time, once a week or so, over a cup of hot chocolate or tea."

"And how come that you chose her as your companion in saving the Potter's children, why did you not alert us about it in beforehand and why did you not ask everyone to join you in this mission?"

"If you remember, I promised you all that I would save both James and Lily."

"Oh yes we remember, of course, that was before we found out that Albus had been missing, anyway continue please.."

"The reason I asked Miss Blackwood to join me in order to save the children was because she told me that she had freely volunteered as an auror hence I knew she must have been unknown by the dark mistress before the rescue.."

"Do you mean that the dark Mistress knows everyone of us but not her?"

"No, of course she does not know anyone of you, but Miss Blackwood is less known as the other aurors. The others are moving around in public places, clearly showing that they are aurors through their badges attached to their clothes. Miss Blackwood was more like an under-cover and unofficial auror. She did not have the auror badge until Mr Potter gave her one and officially employed her as an auror after the rescue. That was why I asked just and only her to cooperate with me. If I had alerted you in beforehand or asked every one of you to join me in this mission you would have left places and others who are weaker, vulnerable. And that is something we never ever can do. If we all have gone to her place all together, she might have not turned up in order to try to defeat us but taking the opportunity in attacking other places and innocent people, may be wizards or muggles. We must never underestimate our enemy and be very prudent and take all possible cautions in order to be able to defeat our enemy."

"You are absolutely right, Miss. Thank you for making it much clearer for us. I understand your tactics and strategy in this. I have neither complaint about it, nor do I see any issues with it. But why did you only save two of the children but not the third one as well?"

"We were about take Albus with us, but he was difficult to persuade. I was disguised hence he did not recognize me at all. And when we managed to take James and Lily, the dark Mistress turned up at the place."

"So with your disguise, the dark Mistress does not know about that you have been misleading her all the time?"

"No she does not, I actually left after exact one minute when she turned up. During that minute she saw me, but she never recognized me. She is actually fully aware of what it has been about in the news thus I have told her that Miss Blackwood's companion had taken my name in the news to hide herself from the Dark Mistress."

"Aha then you are still safe and is able to continue to spy on the Dark Mistress?"

"Exactly."

"Excellent move. Well, Miss Blackwood have told the aurors that the Dark Mistress wiped out her memories about her own coordinators. Is that true? Did she also wipe out your memories about her place? If not, we would be very happy if you could give us the directions to her place so we could capture and end her for good."

"Yes, it is true that the Dark Mistress managed to wipe out Miss Blackwood's memories about her place as defense. But she had no time to wipe out mine. But the problem is that there's a very difficult twist about the Dark Mistress place. Her place is not fixed, it moves around, it changes place and time. If you remember, I told you about this before."

"Oh, yes, I am so sorry, how could I be so forgetful, of course I remember now when you reminded me. I was just thinking that we could attack her at her place if you led the way but as you told us we can not leave other places unguarded..."

"Exactly, you cannot leave any place unguarded, we all have to guard Great Britain together and the borders. If we are spread everywhere it will be difficult for her to move around and easier for us to catch her when time comes. But if we all join in one specific place and try to chase her it will be much more difficult to defeat her. She might slip out from our hands and escape the country and if she creates a base outside Great Britain, she might put her claws all over the world and it will become so much more difficult to capture her. So, we must stick to our current plan and strategy and not change it. Everything has almost been to our advantages until now, if we do any change by mistake it might be to our disadvantages..."

"Of course, I agree about everything you say. You are really intelligent and a smart girl. We are forever grateful for having you at our side, Miss Monroe."

"And I am very happy that I can be to your assistance, since I believe that the good will always success the evil."

"Yes that is true, the good power always win over the evil power."

"And I promise you that I will do anything in my power to save Albus as well…just remember that the aurors must not leave their positions but stay at where they are to protect every little single place." Like this Luna will be moving around freely...heheh...scattering the aurors around will make them less powerful...but they are such fools that they believe the contrary...

"Of course, there won't be any changes in our plan... Anyway, if anyone does not have anything else to say or comment we will end this meeting for today."

Everyone was content with the today's meeting and had nothing to inquiry about anything at all thus Aislinn was relieved about to leave.

She apparated away to her second home and find a bottle of wine, with a piece of green parchment attached to it, at the doorsteps. She read the short message at the parchment.

Hmm, I wonder what Luna is planning with this...but it is too risky for us all if she continue to deliver wine bottles filled with blood at the front doors of my grandmother's home....and this note....Luna does not know that the authority once had taken me away from my relatives and put me in an orphanage, the authority knows about this place, if anyone else find out this kind of bottles with such messages at our doorstep then we all are as good as captured..... Aislinn took the bottle inside and looked around until she found her relatives sitting in the family room.

"Good afternoon," She greeted them and placed the bottle at the table. She showed the letter by Luna to her grandmother who got very surprised about this sudden gift.

"Oh..that was unexpected," she said quietly.

"Is it another gift by this Miss Lestrange?"

"Yes it is.....Aislinn where are you going dear?"

"I have business to take care off, I'll see you all later..."

Before apparating to Luna's place, Aislinn destroyed the piece of parchment, not leaving any kind of evidence of it, since it held to much sensitive information. My grandmother has already read Luna's message and received the gift thus she does not need this letter anymore..I had to destroy it for the sake of our safety..

When Aislinn arrived at Luna's place, she heard beautiful violin music coming from the labyrinth. She was about to walk all the way to the center of it when she got a splendid idea. She closed her eyes and focused with all her feelings. She vanished in a pouf of grey smoke and appeared at the center of the labyrinth, surprising Luna.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna stopped at once, because she was so surprised that Aislynn had finally managed to use smoke magic without error. "Well done!" she said cheerfully. "How did it feel?" She got rid of the violin and self-playing piano, and two chairs and a small table appeared instead. Luna disappeared, and reappeared a moment later with a hot chocolate and a lemonade, placing each on a Dark Mark shaped coaster in front of them respectively. "What would you like to discuss?" she said politely.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well done!" Luna said cheerfully. "How did it feel?"

"It is quite different from apparition, more comfortable...it feels like I’m surrounded by clouds." Aislinn replied, feeling excited that she finally managed within a longer yet still short distance.

"What would you like to discuss?" Luna said politely after she had set a table for two with a cup of hot chocolate for Aislinn and a glass of lemonade for herself.

Aislinn took a sip of hot chocolate before replying: "The P.O. have been uneven about whether they should trust Miss Blackwood or not. Perhaps they have already came to a conclusion that they can trust her. I do not know yet. They only interrogated me about the case today and they were very content with my replies, so I assume that they might decide they will trust Miss Blackwood soon. Potter was not present at the meeting today, so I think Shacklebolt will report to him, if he has not done it yet, about it."
She told Luna about everything that had occurred during the meeting which she attended earlier today, not leaving a single thing out.

"And thank you for the gift you delivered to my grandmother today, but it is too risky for us all if you leave it at the front doors. Leaving a bottle with a message that contains very sensitive information at the main doors is to dangerous. I destroyed the message by the way, after showing it to my grandmother and delivering the bottle. Anyway, my relatives might not notice if there's a gift at the door steps immediately, because they sleep during the daytime and they seldom use the front doors. They use the backdoor behind the manor, because they are timid and discreet creatures. And their place is not secret. It is known by the authority because the manor once belonged to my grandfather and they took me away from them and placed me in an orphanage. I do not know why they did that, I just have vague memories of being taken away. Anyway, if anyone else find a wine bottle with a different content than wine and an expositive message by you at the door steps of my home, then we are as good as captured. It is possible to walk around the corner of the house and enter the back through an overgrown archway. If you plan to deliver anything sensitive in the future, then you could place it beside the backdoor. It is a safe place"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna listened intently to Aislynn's story, planning to ensure both of their stories matched when she was interrogated.

"Anyway, if anyone else find a wine bottle with a different content than wine and an expositive message by you at the door steps of my home, then we are as good as captured. It is possible to walk around the corner of the house and enter the back through an overgrown archway. If you plan to deliver anything sensitive in the future, then you could place it beside the backdoor. It is a safe place"

"I understand." Luna said. She knelt down, putting her hand where her heart should be, just like the way she had apologized to Elias, but she genuinely meant this one. She continued on gravely, "I deeply apologize for putting your safety in jeopardy due to my ignorance." She bowed her head in respect. "That is an act against you I shall not repeat. " Having been without a heart, she couldn't naturally switch between emotions. She couldn't change the way she simply reacted, which was why she had to usually pre-rehearse everything. But, she had not expected this.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn blinked twice. She was feeling very flustered about Luna's way of apologizing. Merlin's beard, I never expected this. She does not need to kneel for me... Aislinn went down on her knees so she was in the same eye level as Luna and said: "It is allright dear, you don't need to apologize. And by the way, it is also about your own safety as well. Let's say if I did not find the bottle today but someone else, who should not, find it, then perhaps they would set up a trap to capture you if you deliver another bottle again..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I understand." she said. "I shall not repeat such ignorant mistakes. " And with that, she stood, and so did Aislynn. I will perhaps never know what true regret feels like. I must always either make myself feel worse than I should, or feel less remorseful than a normal person. . . I do hope she understands. She needs to know, because it would explain a lot. But, not today. "Now" she said, snapping out of her thoughts. "Is there anything else you need?" Perhaps lunch, or another question?

 

[Hikari Chan]

Yes, I want to finish my hot chocolate...hehe.."Aislinn replied as she sat down on the chair. She took a few more sips when she suddenly remembered. I actually did not see Luna drop her medicine in her glass of lemonade today...but I cannot just ask what kind she is taking and why she is taking it, it would be unkindly to do. When I seem to be healthy, but she is not, perhaps she will feel bad if I remind her about her illness by just asking her about the medicine. Besides it is not of my business to peek in that matter, what if she does not want to talk about it, then I'll only make her feel uncomfortable.... I shall not ask...
Aislinn remained silent, smilingly, and continued to drink.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna had a feeling Aislynn wanted to ask her something. "Aislynn? If there is something you wish to ask, please do. Whatever it is, I do not mind at all." she smiled politely, giving the impression that she really didn't mind. Barring the issue of my heart, I truly don't mind answering truthfully to whatever she wished to inquire. She thought as she sipped her lemonade.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I’m a little curious about that potion you dropped in your tea last night, if you don't mind telling me about it?" Aislinn smiled carefully, clearly avoiding the word medicine.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Oh." Luna said, nearly laughing "It's not medicine. It is a special potion that I add to everything I don't make myself. It ensures that any food or drink I am consuming has no poison what so ever. Every month, i make it, and I always take a small vial with me everywhere. One drop, and if the food turns blue, it is poisoned. If it remains the same, it is fine. " she explained. "Safety is a fools illusion. . .so is trust, Aislynn. Would you like a bottle?" she smiled, hoping she would accept. "It's a very simple potion, flavorless, and easy to make. " she ensured.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Aahh..." Aislinn almost laughed of relief when Luna explained. I doubt that my own family and relatives would ever think about poisoning me...if they wanted to kill me, then they would have done it straightly in their own way....poisoning me would poison my blood which in return would have poisoned them if they wanted to devour my blood. Though I can understand how Luna is thinking. There could have been poison in the tea from where it was bought or manufactured....the tea has been produced by humans after all...

"Safety is a fools illusion. . .so is trust, Aislynn. Would you like a bottle? It's a very simple potion, flavorless, and easy to make. "

"Yes please," Aislinn grinned. "I actually use my wand to check if there is any potion and not just poison in my beverages or meals, with the excuse to check if it's moderate warm to drink or eat, depending on if I trust the person or the place or not. Though a little vial would seem less discreet hehe..." And easier to fool with whom I wish to...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Very well." she smiled, opening her bag and handing her a bottle. "Well-" she stood gracefully, "I must be going, now. I have some business to attend to. " And with that, she disappeared into smoke.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Thank you.." Aislinn took the bottle and looked at it with a smirk.

"Well, I must be going, now. I have some business to attend to." Luna spoke as she disappeared into smoke.

"Allright....I'll see you later...." Aislinn replied still looking at special potion in her hand. Now the fun would be if I had a poison as well hehehe....

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

The following weeks up until Easter Break were nothing special. Luna continued work as usual, placing as many false leads as valid ones, though no one could tell. She had kept quite busy, seeing Elias less and less, so she was anticipating the lunch with him and his family. It was on a lovely spring afternoon that she received the letter from Elias, telling her they would be arriving the next day.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Easter Holidays

"I am home!!" Lily cried out excitingly as soon as she stepped indoors. "Home sweet home lalala.." she sang as she strode up for the stairs at the same time as her mother opened the doors to the parlor, looking shockingly at her daughter.

"Oh, good Merlin, what's the meaning of this? Bellowing and stomping like an elephant..sigh..come here Missy! We have a little surprise for you."

"Good afternoon, Mama," Lily greeted politely as she tried to descend the stairs calmly, feeling to excited about the surprise, and entered the parlor. "Good afternoon, Papa. Good afternoon Eli."

"Good afternoon, dear," her father smiled, seemingly unmindful and unconcerned if his daughter was loud or if she was calm.

She sat down and noticed a package at the coffee table. "Oh, it is a gift for me, isn't it?" She exclaimed surprisingly and happily. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and looked at her husband with a - Lily is too much spoiled, which is no good for her - face. Lily picked it up, noticing a card attached to it.

"Oh, it is by Miss Luna Lestrange!" She opened it to find a mysterious white bottle of nail polish and a nail brush.

The ultimate and perfect gift for Lily…

"Lily, you may have fun and enjoy your gift in your room upstairs, please," Her mother demanded with a sigh.

"Eliza dear, now that was a little harsh..Why can't you allow her to enjoy her gift here with us?"

Lily was not listening to her parents who were arguing. She was so engrossed in her new nail polish that she was already trying it out.

"OHHHH WOOOW!" was Lily's reaction when she had applied the nail polish. The color shifted from pink to purple and then from purple to blue. A floral pattern swirled at her nails as soon as she tried the special brush. She was holding the other nail brush carelessly that the little liquid attached to it was dropping everywhere on her clothes, the carpet, the coffee table and the couch.

"Oh, good Merlin!" Elizabeth exclaimed when she discovered multicolored drops of nail polish everywhere around them. "Lily, put that away and get out. I told you to have fun in your room, not here! Get out, now!"

"Eliza, calm down dear, we'll just clean this away-"

"COOKY!!"

The house-elf showed up in the doors, looking like he was frightened out of his senses. He cleaned the mess silently.

"Elias, where are you going? I did not throw you out?-"

"No, mother, you did not. Though I have to write a letter to Miss Lestrange to tell her that we'll pay a visit to her tomorrow." Elias tried to keep his face straight as he walked out from the parlor, the right corner of his mouth was twitching. He was close to laughter because of the incident with the nail polish.

Once seated at his desk Elias started to write. Dear Luna,.. He did not come that far with his letter when he noticed that he had used her first name. He tore the parchment into pieces which he threw in the fire. He stared at the new empty piece of parchment in front of him in several minutes, pondering about how to write a letter to her. Merlin’s beard why is it so difficult to write to her. I find it easier to write letters to my parents and my sister... perhaps I should try to write as I would write to a family member?....Dear? hmm....Dear Luna?..no, not that again......Dear something?....Dear someone?...what the bloody hell..Good evening perhaps? Yes since she will receive it the same day I send it...yes, that will be....starting and ending it formally and respectfully with the content to let her know about the visit tomorrow...yes this is great...

"Good Evening, my lady,

Foremost, we want to thank you for inviting us for a family lunch. We highly appreciate your hospitality and will be paying you a visit tomorrow afternoon.

With regards,
Mr. E. Shadowwalker"

Elias put the letter neatly in a white envelope and send it away with his owl, a brown burrowing owl. Perhaps I was to formal? Does she expect me to write differently, more as a close friend...but I cannot write a love letter to her for two reasons. First and foremost, I’m writing on the behalf of my family since she has invited us for a family lunch and second, being close friends does not make us to a couple. She does not have her heart and therefor she can never feel true feelings for me. She can never love me in return thus this is one-sided. So, writing love letters to her are and will be out of question. But as a friend? How do I write to a female friend? I never had any other female friends beside my mother and my sister. Should I have written to Luna like I write to my sister? Then starting a letter with "Dear Luna" would not be that bad or would Luna misunderstand me since I have never called her by her first name? Anyway, it is to late now to change the contents of the letter. I have already sent it-

Elias was interrupted in his thoughts when he received an owl all of sudden. Did she already reply me? How?..... But it was neither his owl who had delivered a reply to him this time nor an owl by the Ministry of the Magic. This owl was a snowy owl with ice-blue eyes. He sighed when he noticed that the envelope was from Miss Blanc. He threw it without any hesitation in the fire, watching the flames devouring the envelope with its content. This was not the first time he received a worshipping love letter by her.

The next day

"Hhmm, do you have any ideas about what we could gift her?" Lily looked at her family as they strode in Diagon Alley.

Elias tried to keep his face as straight as possible. Seriously, why do we have to come up with ideas. She received the gift so she is supposed to know how to thank Luna.

"It is Easter, what do you think about a cute and neat basket with sweets," their mother suggested tentatively.

"Oh, that is an absolutely perfect idea, Mama. By the way, Eli, does she drink wine? What do you think about adding a neat bottle of cherry blossom wine to the gift? Since it's so close to spring and cherry trees will bloom soon, I think she'll enjoy it, or what do you think Eli, honestly, you actually know her more than us, don't you?"

Elias' face flushed as he turned away his head and pretended to be looking through the windows of the shops they were passing by, not wanting to show his family how embarrassed he was feeling. Merlin's beard, cherry blossom wine is a rare gift, only gifted as a sign of affection and love during the Spring season....

"Of course, she does," he replied calmly. "I’m sure she'll enjoy it," he added without thinking then regretted his own words the very same moment as he uttered them. I should have suggested another kind of wine...

"Allright and what about to add some flowers as well?" Lily asked excited.

"Sure, you may design the gift as you like," Elias replied calmly. And flowers...Merlin please, don't tell me that she want to add red roses to this..have mercy on me..

"Uhmm, which basket of which color should I choose?" Lily asked holding up about ten different baskets in her hands as she showed them to her family.

"Well, my dear, what do you think about this one?" her mother suggested tentatively as she pointed at one which was dark-brown and neat yet beautiful.

"Oh yes that's a good choice, it is such a beautiful basket, I was considering it as well. You have such a good taste Mama, this one will be."

After Lily had purchased the basket, she stood lingering over different kinds of sweets for about ten minutes, which was feeling like twenty minutes for Elias. The queue was growing long behind them, people were sighing loudly and annoyingly. The store keeper was looking at Lily with a Are you going to buy or not face, which made Elias feeling awkward, wishing that his sister would hurry a little. Their mother gave her a small nudge, because she was also feeling very awkward. Lily was about to pick chocolates which were shaped as eggs and covered in shiny ruby colored silky paper to his dismay (he was worried if red was not considered as a romantic color) thus he interfered: "Why don't you pick silver and emerald green colored eggs?"

"You know what color she favors, don't you?" Lily was looking hopefully at her brother.

"Yes, and purple and black will also be a nice touch to it. It will be colorful as Easter yet dark and not too bright for her taste..." Elias almost bit his lower lip to hold his tongue. Crap, I’m actually not supposed to give my opinions in this....

"Oh such a brilliant idea, Eli! Dark colored Easter."

Lily bought twenty-four chocolate eggs, covered in shiny silky papers, six of each color; silver, green, purple and black, and placed them in the basket before continuing to the flower shop.
She walked among the flowers with a frown not knowing what to choose.

"What do you think about purple and black roses?" She asked.

"Roses are so lovely dear-"

"I think it would be to dramatic, besides roses are only gifted during the Valentine's day..." Elias interfered. His mother looked a little annoyed at him, clearly not liking to be interrupted in her speech.

"Oh...yes you are right, I should pick something which is more of Easter yet to suit the colors of the eggs..," Lily said thoughtfully, then she looked at Elias with a curiously and teasingly smirk: "You already gifted her roses for Valentine's day, didn't you? and you had me wait to Easter to send my gift..tsk tsk...tehehehe" Lily giggled and then burst out into laughter as she tried to focus on what kind of flowers to choose.

Elias face went paler than usual, then it turned several shades red as he felt his cheeks burning hot of embarrassment. Merlin's beard, from where did Lily get the crazy idea that I have gifted Luna roses for Valentine's day. Sometimes my sister has a little too wild imagination... He looked around at the flowers, touching and caressing the petals of the flowers absentminded, clearly avoiding the curious look of his parents.

When Lily had calmed down, she finally bought a bouquet, consisting of purple lilies, lilacs and purple-black tulips, which she carefully placed in the basket.

Lastly, she bought a bottle of cherry blossom wine and placed it in the basket as well. Elias tried to keep a straight face and his mouth shut. Since the bottle was silver-colored on the outside and matched the colors of the gift, he could not think of any good excuse to have his sister to change her mind about picking a different kind of liquor. When she was done, she wrapped the whole basket in shiny transparent silky paper, securing it with emerald green shiny silky ribbon. And of course, her father had been paying for everything for the entire gift. When they were done, they strode into Knockturn Alley where they could apparated safely away.

They apparated a few feet away from the front doors.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Later that afternoon, Luna received a letter sent by Elias's owl.

Good Evening, my lady,

Foremost, we want to thank you for inviting us for a family lunch. We highly appreciate your hospitality and will be paying you a visit tomorrow afternoon.

With regards,
Mr. E. Shadowwalker

She smiled as she took in the information. As always when reading something, she read it again, making accurate guesses about the meanings behind the words. My lady? He remains persistent about no using my first name... With regards? So formal. . .he has grown so cautious of me. . .how shall I change that? She made preparations for the next day, reviewing her chosen meal, grocery shopping for the ingredients, and getting gifts she had brought her final confirmation. His father should love this one. . . she said, placing a small, velvet covered box aside, Lily has already received a gift, but I think this would be lovely for her. she smiled as she placed a slightly larger, green box decorated with black roses aside, And, for his mother, this should do. . .I do hope. she eyed a walnut-wood box curiously. I do hope I have guessed right. She wrapped them all in her wrapping paper, and placed them all in a large gift box with iridescent green wrapping, and a ribbon decorated in black skulls. She slept shortly afterward, though it wasn't one of her best nights. She kept worrying that something would go wrong, that she would perhaps embarrass herself with her gifts, or something else would fall into disorder.



9:00: Next Morning

Luna awoke, still extremely tired. She drank a spare rejuvenation potion, which gave the drinker a similar energetic streak, similar to Muggle coffee. Two hours later, and she was ready to receive her guests. The table in the dining room was set with a lovely black, silk tablecloth, and was set with vintage tableware. Vases of black, purple, and white roses had been scattered about the manor, as well as small, silver dishes of sweets. Custom made chocolates with nuts shaped like Dark Marks, caramels shaped like wands, and assorted plain milk and white chocolate shaped like the Slytherin Crest. Her gift box remained in her room, where she would summon it when the time came. Even the hedges had been fixed a bit, so that large, hedge-archways now towered over the area leading from the gate to the front doors. She sat back in a chair, Nagini next to her, when she stood again so abruptly a nearby vase nearly shattered, had it not been for her quick wave of her wand , saving it.

"Nagini. . .I need you to-" Luna said hurriedly.
"I know. . hide." she said patiently "Please calm down, Luna. It's only eleven! Considering it is a lunch, they should be here in a few hours. . .not minutes!" she finished impatiently. "Everything will go smoothly, Luna. And, if it doesn't, who's to say you can't simply place a memory jinx upon them, making them forget their troubles?" she joked with a wink.

Luna sat back down, and summoned a book from her room. A Collection on Helpful Dark Spells for All Occasions. "You're right. I must remain calm. It is rare that I get so worked up over such mundane events. "



2:00.

Luna looked up from her reading, as Nagini alerted her to their arrival.
"Thank you." she nodded to Nagini as she slithered upstairs.
She levitated her book back to her room quickly, and went to the door a moment after there was a knock. She waited a few seconds, and then opened the door to welcomed them in.

"Good afternoon." she smiled with a small bow of her head.
"Lovely to see you all, again. " she smiled whilst closing the door.
They greeted each other, and she led them to the parlor.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Good afternoon," Luna smiled with a small bow of her head when she opened the door. "Lovely to see you all again," she smiled whilst closing the door.

"Good afternoon, dear," Elizabeth greeted her as she took her hand and hold it tenderly as she spoke: "It is lovely and such an honor to see you as well"

"Good afternoon," Alexander greeted smilingly.

"Good afternoon Luna!" Lily greeted excitingly as she pushed herself forward, so she was standing between her parents and Luna. "I am so happy to see you, I bought you a gift, I hope you'll love it" She said as she put the Easter gift basket in Luna's hands and kissed her cheeks.

Elias was standing behind, feeling a little feverish as he throwed furtive glances at Luna. He was feeling a little nervous since they had not seen each since the last time they dined together after the special event. "Good afternoon, my lady" He greeted her lovingly and smilingly.

On their way on the parlor, Lily was looking all around her with big round eyes and --OOhhh-- face. She saw the beautiful vases with the lovely black, white and purple roses.

When they sat down in the parlor, Lily was holding a purple rose in her hand, which she had taken from one of the vases on her way to the parlor. She whisked with it close in front of her nose, smelling its lovely scent while looking at her brother with a -I should not have listened to you about the choice of the flowers for the gift- face. Elias blushed when he noticed that Luna had decorated with roses. Roses for Easter?...

Elizabeth noticed that her daughter was playing with a purple rose and smiled excusing towards Luna. She wanted to tell her daughter that she should not pick or touch things in other's houses but decided to wait with telling her that after the visit in privacy, because she did not want to destroy the happy mood in the air. They all but Lily conversed lightly. Lily was half-listening to the conversation while playing with the purple rose. After whisking with the rose good enough in front of her nose and face, smelling it and feeling the soft petals against her face, Lily swirled the rose in her hand, looking at it from every possible winkle until she got tired and attached the rose in her hair, creating a beautiful braid with the pedicle.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Good afternoon Luna!" Lily greeted excitingly as she pushed herself forward so she was standing between her parents and Luna. "I am so happy to see you"

"As am I" she said smiling.

"I bought you a gift, I hope you'll love it" She said as she put the Easter gift basket in Luna's hands.

"Thank you." Luna said, though she secretly planned on throwing half of it out. She remained awkwardly still as Lily kissed her cheeks, before levitating the basket to the kitchen, where it set itself gently down on the table.

Elias greeted her last, and she noticed he was feeling odd since they hadn't met i a while.

"Good afternoon, my lady" He greeted her lovingly and smilingly.
"Good afternoon, Elias." she said with another small bow of her head.

Luna lead then to the parlor, while smiling at the awing sounds Lily made. Elizabeth noticed that her daughter was playing with a purple rose and smiled accusingly towards Luna. "I am aware that roses aren't traditionally used for Easter, however, they are one of my favorite flowers. " she said to Elizabeth before turning to Lily. "Take whatever you wish." Her voice showed none of the genial falseness that people usually used for guests, for it reflected honesty. "Be it one of the candy dishes, or an entire vase of roses, enjoy yourself. I truly don't mind." she smiled.

They all but Lily conversed lightly, for about an hour, which flew by fast.



When Lily placed the rose in her hair, Luna raised her wand to it, making it change from purple, to marbled purple and white, making it look even more lovely in her hair.

"Now-" she stood from her chair gracefully "I will go prepare lunch. Please relax here until I have set the dining table accordingly." she smiled as she left for the kitchen.



Within ten minutes, an entire feast was made, and she levitated it all out onto the table on vintage silver platters. There was a roasted chicken, marinated so that the meat wasn't dry, but bursting with so many lovely flavors, and tender. A large plate of assorted, buttered vegetables came next, then roasted potatoes, and grilled tomatoes. Fish was also served, bathed in a lemon, butter sauce. To drink, there was ice water, lemonade, and wine that complimented the meal nicely. A chocolate ganache tart with fresh whipped cream and shaved chocolate awaited them in the kitchen, waiting to be magically baked in three minutes. She took a deep, nervous breath before opening the parlor door to invite them to the dining room to eat. "I have made all the necessary preparations, and hope you will be pleased with the results." she said, gesturing to the lovely table, lit with candles to give it a warm ambiance as the black drapes were drawn. They sat down to eat, and Luna cut the chicken as everyone else began serving themselves, magically levitating proper amounts of everything onto their plates. She then poured herself a glass of lemonade, and served herself once everyone else was done serving. "I do hope you enjoy the meal to its fullest extent." she said, bowing her hear once more before beginning.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I am aware that roses aren't traditionally used for Easter, however, they are one of my favorite flowers. " Luna said to Elizabeth.

Elias face burned of embarrassment. I should have not interfered when Lily was about to pick purple and black roses for the gift..

"Roses are beautiful indeed, and I think they suit any occasion as well. I always choose to combine roses with other types of flowers depending on the occasion," Elizabeth replied smilingly.

"Take whatever you wish." Luna spoke as she turned towards Lily. "Be it one of the candy dishes, or an entire vase of roses, enjoy yourself. I truly don't mind." she smiled.

Lily stared at Luna and then looked down at her own hands. "Thank you, Luna," She replied shyly, her cheeks were crimson red.

When she placed the rose in her hair, Luna raised her wand to it, making it change from purple, to marbled purple and white, making it look even more lovely in her hair. "Now-" she stood from her chair gracefully "I will go prepare lunch. Please relax here until I have set the dining table accordingly." she smiled as she left.

Everyone almost went speechless of astonishment as they watched Luna walking away and then exchanged looks with each other, clearly thinking the same thought. She does not have an house elf?

When Luna had left, Lily touched the rose in her hair and whispered: "Mama, what happened?"

"Here, take a look," her mother replied as she hold up a pocket mirror which she picked out from her bag.

"Oh...."

"By the way, it is not polite to touch or take things without the owners’ permission in their homes, Lily, you should have asked her first before taking a rose from the vase...well never mind about it now, but do not forget about it in future please. "

"I am sorry, Mama, I could not resist, though I will remember that from now on."

Luna came back after ten minutes and invited them to the dining room.

"I have made all the necessary preparations and hope you will be pleased with the results." Luna said, gesturing to the lovely table, lit with candles to give it a warm ambiance as the black drapes were drawn.

Lily was looking at the table with big round eyes and a --ohh-- face.

"I do hope you enjoy the meal to its fullest extent." Luna said, as they sat down to eat, bowing her hear once more before beginning.

"Oh, have you done everything by yourself?" Elizabeth asked, feeling taken aback and astonished. "I am truly amazed. You are such a brave and ambitious girl. And I can tell, you are such a great cook, the dishes are so heavenly delicious." She praised Luna and then turned towards her husband and said: "Don't you think so, dear?"

"You are absolutely right, I cannot but agree, this is so truly delicious." He praised smilingly as he enjoyed the roasted and marinated chicken with grilled tomatoes and buttered vegetables.

I grew up in a family where we had a house elf who took care of everything thus, I chose to have a house elf when I got married. I have never ever cooked anything in my whole life hehe," Elizabeth laughed as she turned her attention towards Luna.

"Woaaah you do not have a house elf? You really inspire me! From now on I'll try to learn to cook my own food." Lily exclaimed gaily.

Elias almost choked on his wine. "So, you want to take an extra year at Hogwarts to learn cooking? Wouldn't it be a little boring with only one course the whole year, perhaps you should also add arithmancy to it.." He smirked, teasingly.

"No thanks!" Lily waved with a white rose, which she has taken from another vase in her way to the dining room. "I'll ask Cooky to teach me..."

Her family laughed at her suggestion.

"Well on one condition, my flower," her father smirked. "If you accept to learn arithmancy. Elias will teach you of course and then you may fun with Cooky in the kitchen."

Lily looked like the world was about to end if she had to learn arithmancy. She put a to big bite of chicken meat in her mouth to comfort herself.

Her mother noticed that and looked at her with the -it's not nice for fine ladies to chew to big bites, please take smaller bites- face.

"What do you say, Lily?" Elias continued to tease his sister. "What if Luna is ambitious in arithmancy as she is with cooking, won't you also like to learn that subject as well?" He had spoken Luna's first name, completely unaware about it.

"Elias..." His mother spoke with a -stop teasing your sister, be nice to her- tone, while her husband laughed heartily.

"Uhmm...." Lily looked shyly yet curiously at Luna at the same time with a questioning face, wondering if Luna ever had studied arithmancy during her school years or not.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Oh, have you done everything by yourself?" Elizabeth asked, feeling taken aback and astonished.

"Yes." Luna replied modestly.

"I am truly amazed. You are such a brave and ambitious girl. And I can tell, you are such a great cook, the dishes are so heavenly delicious."

"Why, thank you." she said, planning to maintain the same modest tone throughout dinner.

"Don't you think so, dear?"

"You are absolutely right, I cannot but agree, this is so truly delicious." He praised smilingly as he enjoyed the roasted and marinated chicken with grilled tomatoes and buttered vegetables.

"I grew up in a family where we had a house elf who took care of everything thus I chose to have an house elf when I got married. I have never ever cooked anything in my whole life hehe," Elizabeth laughed as she turned her attention towards Luna.

"That is unfortunate. " Luna said "I believe it is a lovely thing, to be able to cook and bake on your own. "

"Woaaah you do not have an house elf? You really inspire me! From now on I'll try to learn to cook my own food." Lily exclaimed gaily.

Luna smiled, guessing she wasn't serious about that.

Elias almost choked on his wine, and Luna reached for her wand, ready to use the spell to make him stop choking, when he recovered quickly. "So you want to take an extra year at Hogwarts to learn cooking? Wouldn't it be a little boring with only one course the whole year, perhaps you should also add Arithmancy to it.." He smirked, teasingly.

Can she not already predict the future? Why does she need to study more? Furthermore, isn't Arithmancy a false art, similar to Trelawney's facades? That is why I did not take time to-

"No thanks!" Lily waved with a white rose, which she has taken from another vase in her way to the dining room. "I'll ask Cooky to teach me..."

Her family laughed at her suggestion, and Luna smiled silently. Like I thought. . .not serious. Magical cooking is an art, not something you simply. . .learn.

"Well on one condition, my flower," her father smirked. "If you accept to learn Arithmancy. Elias will teach you of course and then you may fun with Cooky in the kitchen."

Lily looked like the world was about to end if she had to learn Arithmancy. She put a to big bite of chicken meat in her mouth to comfort herself.

"What do you say, Lily?" Elias continued to tease his sister. "What if Luna is ambitious in Arithmancy as she is with cooking, won't you also like to learn that subject as well?" He had spoken Luna's first name, completely unaware about it.

My, my! He finally spoke my first name, the coward. By the looks of it, he paid it no thought. I would have wanted him to choose to speak it, but I guess this means he has grown more comfortable around me? "Actually-" Luna spoke politely "I do not find Arithmancy as worthwhile as Cooking with Magic, hence I did not learn it. However, if you wish to refine your talent of predicting the future, I suggest you take time to learn it properly, lest you enter a situation where it would become useful, and you have neither the time, nor the resources to learn it in a hurry. " she smiled, hoping she had made a good point. Long term over short term. I suppose that is a good lesson.

Once they were finished, Luna waited until everyone had stood, then escorted them back to the parlor. Before she left the dining room completely, however, she set the dishes to magically wash themselves. "Now-" she said as she sat down elegantly once more. "Please inform me once you have all had time to properly digest, so that I may bring out the dessert." she finished with a hint of mischief in her voice.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Actually-" Luna spoke politely "I do not find arithmancy as worthwhile as Cooking with Magic, hence I did not learn it. However, if you wish to refine your talent of predicting the future, I suggest you take time to learn it properly, lest you enter a situation where it would become useful, and you have neither the time, nor the resources to learn it in a hurry. " she smiled.

"That's a good point," Elizabeth almost agreed. "Lily should definitely refine her skills, not only in divination but also in all classes she had taken until now. Though I think arithmancy is still a good thing to learn, it is useful in several kinds of works, such as wizarding economics, a department of where I work at the Ministry of Magic. And since Lily is planning to open her own boutique after the graduation, I think she will need a little arithmancy to be able to calculate-"

"Oh no, absolutely not Mama," Lily interrupted her mother. "I'll not need that; I'll just hire someone to do that job for me hehehe. And thank you, Luna!" she exclaimed happily. "Oh, I’m so happy that you and I have something in common. See Elias, arithmancy is worthless and unnecessary and so thinks Luna as well," Lily continued triumphantly. "Well, Luna, when I graduate this summer, I do not need to take extra years or classes unless if I want to learn the subjects which I never took during my years. I chose to study all subjects but not cooking with magic or arithmancy. Cooking with magic is mostly for the Hufflepuffs though other students from other houses are welcomed to take that class as well. And as for the divination I can only refine my skills and gain experience by working with it regularly, I cannot take more classes than what they offer at Hogwarts. I think I had enough of my classes, beside my mother have been chasing me good enough until I received top grades in every subject. and therefor I won't take any extra year heheh..."

"Then you can dream about to learn cooking anything," Elias smirked.

Lily looked a little hurt but decided to ignore her brother since she was so happy about that she and Luna shared something in common.

"Elias, please be nice to your sister..." His mother sighed and looked a little annoyed at her husband who was only laughing amusingly at their children.

"I only told her the truth, mother, if she is serious about learning cooking with magic, then she has to take an extra year or two. She won't learn it without a proper teacher and a house elf won't do as one, " Elias replied smilingly and then looked at Luna with a - Am I not right - face.

Once they were finished, they went back to the parlor.

"Now-" Luna said as she sat down elegantly once more. "Please inform me once you have all had time to properly digest, so that I may bring out the dessert." she finished with a hint of mischief in her voice.

Elias looked a little suspicious at her, wondering what kind of dessert it was. He switched uncomfortably in his seat and noticed something all of sudden. I have not seen Nagini at all.... Elias grew a little pale, though smiled towards Luna while his parents chuckled and kindly thanking her the dessert and telling her that she is such a sweet and cute girl. They had noticed the hint of mischief in her voice but on the contrary they only laughed about it, thinking that she was being cute with them.

"Dessert!" Lily smiled. She was holding a plate of candies and chocolates which she had picked up on her way back to the parlor. "May I have the dessert now, please?" She grinned at Luna and continued to eat the candies.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Oh no, absolutely not Mama," Lily interrupted her mother. "I'll not need that, I'll just hire someone to do that job for me hehehe. And thank you, Luna!" she exclaimed happily.

Luna placed her hand to her head embarrassed. It appears that the truth was not the best for this situation. Perhaps I should have told her it was important?

"Then you can dream about to learn cooking anything," Elias smirked.

Luna looked up, deciding that it was a family issue and not hers.

"Elias, please be nice to your sister..." His mother sighed and looked a little annoyed at her husband who was only laughing amusingly at their children.

"Lily-" Luna said politely "I agree with Elias-one one point. If you wish to learn Cooking with Magic, you must take it seriously. There is no problem with proceeding as usual, then taking an extra year simply to focus on that particular class. However," she said before Lily could interrupt "If you do not wish to give it that much time, I would be happy to teach you all I know." she finished kindly. I wonder if this fixes the problem, or does it simply entertain Lily's views as opposed to her mother's?

Once they were finished they went back to the parlor.

"Thank you." she said modestly to the parent's compliments.

"Dessert!" Lily smiled. She was holding a plate of candies and chocolates which she had picked up on her way back to the parlor. "May I have the dessert now, please?" She grinned at Luna and continued to eat the candies.

"If everyone else is ready, then absolutely. " she said, directly addressing Lily. "If not, I reckon you should stay away from those sweets. The dessert I prepared is quite rich, and deserves to be enjoyed with a clean palate." she smiled.