LONDON CALLING

"Open the door, John," Angus told the barn hand.

"'Bout time," John said "Now I don't have to take 'im." He opened the barn doors, came back and opened the stall doors, and Swift didn't waste a fraction of a second. He ran at full speed out of the barn and made a leap into the air, screeching.

"There is a guard tower at each corner of the estate that is always manned. And, there are always at least a few guards on the grounds at all times. The glowing you see in the distance are the boundary lines on the protection grid. Robert made this estate and his farm both unplottable to try to protect his family, and there are layers and layers of protection spells to try to keep away anyone who shouldn't be here. Every guard is armed with multiple weapons at all times. And--the place is now completely self sustaining. A large portion of the land is farmed for food for both the livestock and the people. Water supply is from an underground spring on the property, and its plentiful enough to help to drive our utilities. Livestock products are used for wool, cheese, milk and all sorts of things. If we had to, we absolutely could last indefinitely. Our biggest threat is from someone like Gelding or James."

"Yes," Angus replied to her about James. "As the story goes, their mother was attracted to Fenrir Greyback, of all people, and Fenrir convinced her to let him turn James into a werewolf when James was about eleven. And then, later, Jack was victimized. And since the Lupins had decades of experience with werewolves because of Remus, they became a good support for Jack and Jess.

"You're right. This place is special. And as lovely as it is, its all about the people. If they weren't here, it would be a bloody big, lonely place. Don't get me wrong. I do like solitude every once in awhile, but more than that, I like feeling like I belong somewhere, like I have purpose and something of value to offer. And they accept me as I am. My parents bloody hated how much I needed to have adventure in my life. They wanted me to do something nice and safe, and it made me more depressed than I think I've almost ever been. Brian and Khaat and I were all in Hogwarts together, all of us Gryffindors. So of course, they introduced me to Robert and Kate. And I've been part of their clan since.

"So--aside from some...private time...is there anything you'd really like to do in our holiday in Tuscany? I mean, if its the first you've been to Italy, you have to have something you'd like to see or do--besides the obvious private time, right?"

"I think we do need to stop at the outfitters for you for your own things--and here's the bonus in that--the outfitter is in Venice. We could take a gondola or have brunch there if you like, before we go to the family's to get the boat. The true beauty in Tuscany is the countryside, the food, the wine, the beaches. We could take a couple bikes or a Vespa and maybe go on a picnic. We'll be the only ones on the island, and there is a beautiful beach all the way around. Our place is rather in the center on a hill, but if you were into photography, you could find subject matter there for a weeks. If I were to choose, I'd want you to see Italy for what the locals value and for the people. We certainly could take the boat out, weather permitting. I'm almost hoping for a rainy day so that we would have every reason to cancel all our plans and just have nothing to do. I bet we'd find some way to stay busy," he cast her a bit of a smile.

"I think we should take Swift back, and then head back to the house. We do have to be up early" he said. He wasn't thinking of heading to bed yet, not to sleep anyway. His mind was on other things.

"Oh, those?" he asked. "Storm clouds for sure but I'm guessing they're about an hour off. We have time." When she said they had unfinished business, he laughed. "I don't really want to finish that business, but we can keep trying."

They took the hippogriff back, and Angus slid off and offered to help her off.

"John, tell the night crew to batten down the hatches. We're in for a storm. Clouds rolling in from the north. Looks like it could have a lot of lightning to it. I want everyone indoors in 30 minutes or less. Usual security precautions for inclement weather, and no one is to be out until its over unless the place is on fire. Did you lot deliver the meat to the pack up on the ridge?"

"Yes. Did it myself. Took it up to where Jack usually leaves it and left it there after sundown and before dark."

"Good man. Put Swifty away for me?"

"Sure thing," John said. "And one of the bowtruckles is missing. The whiny one."

"It's alright. He's been with Ruby and me today, but good catch. Thank you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Angus," John said. "Goodnight, Ruby. Pleasure meeting you." Angus reached for Ruby's hand, and they walked back to the house. The lights were all dimmed, telling Ruby that the house had largely started to bed down for the night. People had retreated apparently to their rooms, even if they weren't asleep yet. When they went in, Angus shut the kitchen door, locked it and set a security spell in place to make sure that the house was shut up tight and magically as secure as it could be. Then he found a note on the counter.

"I've got breakfast covered for you tomorrow so you can have either an early start or a bit of a lie in before you go. Love, K."

"Kate," Angus smiled. "We're off the hook for fixing breakfast. Kate's got it handled. So I guess I have nothing to do for the rest of the night. Have any ideas to keep us from boredom?" he asked

He laughed out loud when she said he wanted to wait until he was on the island. He saw her turn on the kettle, and he switched it back off

"I don't want any stinking tea," he said, still laughing. He slipped one arm around her waist and kissed her, and as he did, he slid his hand up under her shirt, up her back and, with one hand, he unhooked her bra. "Bras are purely a nuisance. You know that, right? Shall I keep going or wait at least til we get upstairs?"

He started out of the kitchen and motioned her to follow. As he reached the upstairs hallway, he saw Kate in her robe and pajamas coming out of Abbey's room and heading for her room with Robert.

"Abbey had a nightmare," Kate said to Angus and Ruby.

"Hags?" Angus asked.

"No, she was trapped in a goldfish bowl for some reason," Kate said, shrugging, not knowing what would have caused her to dream about a goldfish bowl.

"Could you do me a favor?" Angus asked.

"Of course. What do you need?"

"Babysit Fudge. Or Bowtruckle Sit--whatever the correct term is," Angus said. he reached for Fudge, and the bowtruckle peeked out of Ruby's pocket.

"Fudge! There you are! I was so worried about you! Oh thank goodness you're safe. You come with me tonight, and let Ruby have a night off," Kate said, holding out her hand for Fudge. He climbed out onto her hand and seemed to make what Angus thought sounded like a little purring sound. "You can have him back whenever you like," Kate told Ruby, "but I'll be happy to take him tonight. Have a lovely evening, you two." She smiled and disappeared into her room and close the door.

When they got to his room and went inside, he closed the door and looked at Ruby.

"I've always sort of seen Kate as a bit of a mother figure. It's awkward to look at someone in that role and know she sees full well what you're about to do. Almost as awkward as having a grandfather who openly tells you you're not doing that same thing nearly enough," he said, amused. "This sort of bluntly honest 'family' can be a bit strange."