LONDON CALLING

The last thing Andrew needed was to be told to hurry up and catch the snakes that someone else's owl had brought in. He didn't reply to her. Andrew knew Victor wouldn't arrive before Andrew was ready for him to arrive since he was the one that was in charge of going to get Victor. He did his level best not to scowl at the back of her head as she left.

"Andrew, try an immobilus!" Angus shouted. Andrew cast the immobilus spell to freeze the snakes. That did help. Gary looked up at Angus and smiled.

"Thanks, Mate. I'm Gary."

"You're welcome. I'm Angus. Pip--Kate. Go." Angus sent Pip over to Kate, hoping Kate would have a conversation with the bird and would find out about the snakes and perhaps keep Pip out of Andrew's hair for awhile.

"Wait. Was that...a real owl?" Gary asked as he deposited another snake in the bag.

"Yep. Pygmy owl. Tiny little buggars," Angus said. "He's still learning his hunting skills. He really is having trouble with not bringing breakfast indoors and then letting go of it."

"Well, so that's the problem, is it?"

"It is. Can I come down yet?"

"Not yet," Gary said.

"Accio the little bastards," Angus said.

"You think that will really work?"

"Maybe," Angus shrugged.

"Accio, Snakes!" Gary cast the spell. Nothing happened. A moment later Kate apparated in, in her bathrobe and slippers.

"What did he set loose?" Kate asked.

"A nest of baby snakes. Gary tried to accio them, but no good."

"You can't accio living things," Kate rolled her eyes at them. "Doesn't work on living things."

"Thought it was worth a try," Angus shrugged. Robert arrived a moment later.

"Find the baby snakes, Robert," Kate motioned him to start looking on the floor.

"Oh, for crying out loud," Robert scowled.

"How's Andrew?"

"Michael fixed him an Irish coffee. He'll be right as rain in a few moments," Robert said. "But that bloody bird needs to take a time out from the house until the gets the hunting thing right. Hey. Got two here." He picked up the frozen snakes and put them in the bag. Robert found the nest, pieced together the egg shells and figured out there were 17 snakes. Once they had all seventeen, Robert took the empty nest, and Gary took the bag outside. Angus used the enchanted stairs and came down. Robert said he was going to go get changed to go with Andrew to Hogwarts after he disposed of the nest.

"Thanks, Kate," Angus said.

"You're very welcome. Ruby's wound like a ten day clock this morning," Kate said.

"Yeah. She's all worked up about Victor coming," Angus said.

"You two will make a good balance," Kate said. "You're as calm as she is high strung. You anchor her. Can I get you some coffee? I see its ready."

"Yes, please?" Angus asked. Ruby and Andrew usually made sure he had at least a cup of coffee, but Ruby had a one track mind today and everything else went out the window for her but that. "I need my magic back, Kate," Angus said quietly, frustrated. "It's moments like this when I want something so simple, and I can't do it because I can't reach it."

"Patience," she caressed his cheek like the loving maternal figure she was. "It's coming. You know, if Edward and Simone hadn't already been at the main house, they'd have been here already when Andrew got upset."

"Yeah. I know," Angus sighed. She kissed his forehead. She looked out the window.

"Edward's on his way back now. Can I get you anything else?"

"No, thanks," he smiled. "What would I do without you?"

"You would manage very well," she smiled. "I'll be around. I'm going to keep Pip in the main house for awhile, but I need to secure him first so he doesn't eat Fudge. I'll check back before Victor gets back, alright?"

"Yeah, thanks," Angus said, taking his first sip of coffee. Edward came in, and all Angus felt was a massive wash of relief.

Ruby stopped and ported back to the house walking over to Angus who she saw was down the stairs she hugged him gently " sorry for the rush, brain engaged late." she said and then looked at Andrew " thank you so much for getting the snakes, it means a lot. " she then saw Robert and Kate " you too, thank you " she looked at Angus again " is there anything you want me to pick up while I'm out?" she asked him moving to sit on a chair as she waited. 

Rowan walked to the main house and inside to grab some coffee he saw Gary leave the duplex and walked over to it " morning guys " he said " snake problem?" he asked sipping his tea. " Robert area is clear, all spells re-enforced the ..others are off to Paris for retrainning." he reported.

"No problem," Angus smiled when Ruby returned. "It wasn't the best way for anyone's morning to get started with a nest of snakes in the house. We have to move the coffee pot though. I'm going to ask Andrew to find a place in this kitchen where I can reach it, if you don't care. I honestly can't think of a thing I need or want either one right now. Go. Go shopping with Jack. Take your time. After all, Victor is going to be tied up with Robert for at least a few hours by the time they get him back and Robert has had time to fully assess him, treat the leg and decide if he needs to be over there or over here. There's no rush. If you're getting Sam some little treats, you could do some little thing for Victor too. My thought was maybe a nice sized jar of Bertie Botts or little chocolate pieces or something that he could have near his bed or wherever he decides he likes to sit down here. Doesn't have to be a big thing, and really it shouldn't be. We're not going to start encouraging them to do behaviors that get them sent home instead of in class, but, a little thing might not go amiss. What do you think?"

As they were talking, Simone came in with a basket of warm, fresh scones that she had made earlier and kept warm. These were a lovely lemon scone with a lemon glaze on the top. She came in and kissed Angus on the forehead.

"Good morning," she said, "I'll get you one of these fresh scones. You can tuck into it with your coffee. Maybe we can start your morning all over again for you. Ruby, you want to take one of these with you? Lemon scones with a lemon icing."

"Thanks, Rowan," Robert said, straightening his tie. He was dressed in his usual business suit that he wore to work. He went over to Andrew. "You good, my boy?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Andrew sighed. "Just threw me, that's all."

"Let him finish his coffee and then you can have him," Michael said. "Did you eat, Rowan? Strawberry crepes with chocolate sauce on the sideboard this morning, along with grilled ham slices and poached eggs. Tuck in if you're hungry."

Ruby smiled at Angus and listened to him talk then she nodded her head " I agree it is a shame to leave Victor out of some goodies " she said and nodded at his suggestion then she saw Simone enter with the lemon scone with a lemon glaze on the top, " sure if that's okay with you" she said smiling as she saw Rowan walk in.

Rowan looked at Michael and shake his head " caffeine first" he said "then crapes, they sound selishious " he said walking over and grabbing aplate " so how was your night?" he asked Michael s he placed some food into his mouth and ate "yum this is good" he sid smiling knowing Michael cooked it.

"Of course it's alright," Simone smiled. "They're best when they're fresh, after all, and you've got a busy morning, I know. You should have something to eat before you go."

"Should have been a great night. Your dad had a date," Robert said. Michael looked at Robert, almost amused that there was someone in his life now that someone might out him to.

"No, no, no. You're supposed to out the kids' behaviors to the parents, not the other way 'round," Michael told Robert.

"I've got at least three decades worth of outing you to catch up on," Robert said. "I'm getting a head start."

"You'd probably approve anyway," Michael told Rowan. "She's a gorgeous woman with a genius level IQ..."

"Who just happens to be a minister of magic herself," Robert said.

"Her job is irrelevant," Michael said. "Aren't you late or something, Robert?"

"Not late yet, but we should go. Ready, Andrew? Where's Marcus, Michael?"

"Was I supposed to babysit him?" Michael replied.

"I was sending him over to Angus while we're gone."

"He's fine. Edward and Simone went over there. Go and get this kid and get out my kitchen," Michael said.

"Come on, Andrew. Let's go," Robert said. The two of them apparated out.

"Sorry about Robert," Michael said to Rowan. "Robert and I met when we were put in the same house at Hogwarts our very first year. And we've been best mates from day one. Even if he is a pain in the arse. Was in the same house with Robert's brother, Kate, Harry Potter's parents, Sirius Black, all of them. We all grew up together, so the ties still run deep. So, how was your evening? And are you up for helping me with a prank on Robert? He got me last, but he still thinks its his turn, so I think its time I got him again just because I can."

Rowan looked at Michael " really, way to go" he said then chuckled " she sounds perfect for you, dad" he said and chuckled again at Robert's words to Michael. Sitting eating he listened to Micheal talk about when he first met Robert in Hogwarts and the others he met " Sounds like he's a good friend, when you get them you keep them " he said sitting back an sipping his tea " that was delicious Dad." he said and stood up clearing the table of his dishes and hand washing them in the sink before putting them away dry. 

"well, my men have left for there own homes, but if its alright with you I can stay." he said looking at Michael " I'd like to get to know you better, you know see how you work."

Ruby smiled and took a scone standing she looked at Angus kissing him again she looked to simone and Edward " I shouldn't be too long" she said kisssed Angus again then headed to teh door to meet up with Jack waving bye as she went to them all. " be abck soon" she called out before porting away with Jack.

"Come on. Let's get him," Michael said, looking like a naughty adolescent. He was good at mischief, and he loved it. "He doesn't know it's here. Come with me." He snickered, motioning to Rowan. "If you're going to be a Tremaine, you need to know your father's real talent." He loved being naughty. He got up and went downstairs and, taking a lockpick from his pocket, he unlocked a storage room that was rarely used here. He found a wooden chest with a padlock.

"One of my very favorite possessions, my lad," Michael looked at Rowan and grinned. "Know what's in here? A boggart. A real, honest-to-Merlin boggart. It's mine, but Robert and I have this running prank. I ambush him with the boggart, and he takes it and tries to ambush me with it. He put this thing down in this closet about four months ago, and he doesn't know I know it's here. So just by virtue that its been entirely too long, I think its high time I let this poor bloke-in-the-box out to play. And I have just the spot. I'm gonna tuck him in Robert's ensuite shower. What to you think? Are you in?"

Edward helped Angus wash up and dress and shave. Angus had decided to keep it simple--jeans and a beige cashmere v neck pullover, with the sleeves pushed up, and a simple pair of slip on canvas shoes. He and Simone and Edward sat and talked about Victor, about Edward and Simone's wedding, about a number of things.

And then, a message came through the floo. It was scribbled on a piece of paper and folded hastily into a paper bird, but the bird fluttered through the floo and seemed to fall 'dead' on the rug. Edward picked it up and opened it.

"It's from Robert, but it makes no sense," Edward frowned. He handed it to Angus.

"Ask Michael to take someone else and go to my farm, up to the attic. You'll find Khaat's big Victorian dollhouse from when she was a child. Have them bring that and ask them to set it in your house, Angus, on a table near your recliner. Ask Michael to cast a cleaning spell on it please. I know it sounds odd, but trust me. Do it right now, before we get back. R."

"What the hell is he up to now?" Angus frowned.

"I thought you'd know," Edward said.

"Not a clue," Angus said.

"Well?"

"We'd better ask Michael to go get the dollhouse, I guess," Angus said.

"I'll go," Edward said, heading for the house.

Rowan listened to Michael and followed him hearing him talk of a boggart he burst out laughing " oh I'm definitely in on this " he said grinning as he knelt beside the box listening to Michael explain about the box boggart and how he was going to put it in the ensuite shower. Again he could not help but laugh at the idea. " so what do you need me to do?" he asked with a grin. 

Ruby walked to florish and blots to pick up some books for Sam and some sweets in a jar for Victor that could sit beside his bed while Jack fetched everything else. Soon they were both done and headed back to the main house. Ruby headed to the duplex and palced the things for Victor in his room while placing a boxt ready for the things that would be sent to Hogwarts. It was now a pakage appeare on the table next to her " ah The clothing" she said and moved it ready for when Angus returned and they could go threw it together.

"Help me carry the box," Michael said. "And then we have to warn Kate so it doesn't scare her. Kate's never done anything to me, so it's not fair to blindside her. Let's go before they get back." He picked up one end of the box and motioned Rowan to the other end of the box.

Edward went over to the main house and saw Jack. "Jack, you've been at Robert's farm. Have you ever been up to the attic? Robert sent us a message. We have no idea what he up to but he wants us to get Khaat's old dollhouse and put it at Angus's, on a table, close to his recliner. Wants us to do this right away. Can you help me get this big thing and get it to Angus' please? We can use his kitchen table for now if we have to. Those Victorian dollhouses are usually really big and really heavy. Can you help me, please? Ruby, I have no idea what he's doing, but you're gonna have a dollhouse in your living room by your big glass windows, I guess."

Rowan laughed and picked up the other side of the box " sure, makes sense to warn her, she's a good person." he said helping him carry it to where it needed to be. Ruby saw Edward walk in and talk to Jack she looked puzzled but said nothing about it " okay, those houses cane be rather beautifuly made." she said Jack looked at them both.

"um, sure and yes I think I went several years ago and not sure, I never paid much attanshion to what was in it" he said as he looked at edward before taking hold of his arm and porting them up to th attic at Roberts he scanned the area and saw something under a cloth right at the back of the room " there is that it?" he asked moving to pull the dust cover off it and coughing "Should have known better" he said.