A Birth day

"If you are going to stand with him, you need to stand with him now too," Iya said.

"This is important, Ruby. You find a sitter and come in cases like this," Marcus went to the door and whistled. That brought Sam on the run.

"Can you and Vic watch the babies for awhile?" Marcus asked. "Robert's got us going to the farm for a little."

"Yeah. Sure," Sam said. He came in and grabbed two baby backpacks, and Marcus helped Sam put one on and put Diamond in it. Sam picked up the other backpack and Caprice to take her to Victor for a little. "Just pick them up when you get back, yeah?"

"Sure. Thanks," Marcus said. "Problem solved for the moment. Let's go. I've got Angus. If Robert is there, he will have thought about that. Let's go." Angus managed to get to his feet, tucking the wand in his pocket. Marcus went over as Angus got to his feet. Angus tossed Aria his portkey to the farm. "We'll meet you two there in a moment."

"Might I go with you?" Iya asked Arian and Ruby. Marcus apparated out with Angus to take him to the farm.

They landed in the backyard, and the moment Angus's feet touched the soil, he knew where they were going.

"Remus's spot. They'll be there," Angus said.

"We'll apparate. It'll be too far for you to walk," Marcus said.

"I'm right here," Robert said, approaching. He had a potions cup in his hand. "Here, Angus. This'll help." Angus took the potion, and he immediately felt stronger. They walked the short distance back to Remus's spot in the yard. And as they got there, Angus saw Caprice there standing with the shadowy figure of a man beside her.

"Who..." Angus began.

"Use your senses," Kate said. "Focus. Figure it out. Who do you see?" As he looked, the vision began to clear for Angus, and then he saw him.

"Remus," Angus said. "It's Remus."

"He's here to help Caprice protect you on that side," Kate said. "Now, Angus, do you feel strong enough to wield an axe or a hatchet?"

"An axe?"

"Iya and I are going to do a severing ritual to sever the link between Priscilla and the casket and you. Once that's done, the casket must be destroyed, and it is best if it's done by you. It shows your desire to sever any connection you have with it."

"Then I'll handle it," Angus said.

"And I was hoping I'd get a swing of any axe that went to that," Marcus said.

"Actually, you can. Anyone who wants to support Angus's desire to cut all ties between that casket and him can take a swing on his behalf so long as the first swing and the last are his," Kate said.

Ruby heard Lya and nodded as Marcus called Sam and victor for the babies smiling she looked to Lya and nodded again " let go" she said with determination now the babies were looked after. accioing her wand she slipped it into its holster than now sat against her thigh. As they were ported she found herself and Lya at Roberts then at at Remus's spot she looked to Angus and smiled when he said Remus was here she focused again and saw him with Caprice " I see him too" she said softly and looked to Lya " is that because of you?" she asked Lya.

Aria held Lya and Ruby's hand as she ported them to the farm pausing she heard Angus and ported them right to the place he mentioned. Not seeing anything herself she moved to stand with Marcus. " I can understand wanting that thing busted into matchsticks." she told him and heard Lya ask if he was ready to wield an axe and explain he had to sever the link and to do that he had to destroy the coffin.

"No," Iya said. "Caprice is making it possible this time through her link with Angus so you can be part of this today."

"Let's begin, then," Kate said. Kate and Iya joined hands, and Angus could see that Caprice and Remus, in their own way, were part of their circle. It was a bonded circle on both sides of the veil. Kate and Iya conducted the ritual and when they finished the first part of it, Kate looked at Robert and nodded.

Robert had both the hatchet and the axe handy.

"Preference?" Robert asked.

"Axe," Angus said, taking the axe from Robert.

"Can you do it one handed?"

"Take my sling off. I don't want to do this half hearted. If the stitches rip, they rip," Angus said quietly. Robert thought a moment, but he had to agree with Angus. Robert could understand Angus's need to make sure that this provided some sort of closure for him too. Robert took the sling off Angus.

Angus gripped the axe and took one big, hard swing at the casket, sending splinters of wood, shreds of fabric, wads of cotton stuffing in all directions. He took a second swing and a third. From behind, Marcus rested his arm on Angus's, wanting Angus to not rip his shoulder open.

"Leave one of two swings for us, Mate," Marcus said, taking the axe from him.

"Aria, Ruby? You want a swing or two?" Marcus asked, knowing Angu wanted a lot more swings than that.

"Save me one," Robert said.

"And me," Kate said.

"

Ruby heard Lya and nodded she saw the circle formed by everyone across the veil. She saw Angus take off his sling but also saw Jess port in at a distance her aura was pure white and glowing as she stood off to not interfere with the ceremony. Ruby looked at Angus who was smacking the coffin like a man possessed she heard Robert and the others then stepped up to Angus. Taking the Axe from him she looked down at it and hit it taking all her anger of it out on it then as she drew tired she passed it to Aria.

Aria looked at what remained of the coffin she saw the lid and the scratches and hit it over the scratches erasing them forever with each stroke of the Axe. Pausing she looked at Marcus and held out the Axe to him " your turn" she said stepping back to stand with Ruby and Angus. Her hand slipped around Ruby supporting her as she waited.

Robert handed the axe to Kate, and she took three good hard swings, hitting it squarely. She looked at Caprice, closed her eyes, and Caprice moved forward, taking temporary possession of Kate. It took her a moment to orient herself to being in a body, and then she swung the axe with all she had--fierce, strong swings that made the axe ring as it struck the wood.

"Your turn, Mr Lupin," Caprice's voice came from Kate's lips. Robert took the axe from Kate as Caprice left Kate's body, and he took three big, strong swings, not feeling like he needed to hide how much strength and power he really did have. He allowed himself to unleash it for one moment to take three huge echoing blows to it. He handed the axe to Marcus who took another three strong hits to it, to release his hatred of Priscilla and the harm she had done.

And then he turned back to Angus, handing it back to him.

"Finish it, Mate," Marcus said quietly. "Send it straight to hell." Angus took the axe and just kept demolishing, swing after swing, stroke after stroke, past the point of scraps of wood, to the point where it was practically nothing but splinters. There was no recognizable shape to any part of it now. Nothing but ruin that was still stained with his blood. It was becoming too small for him to break any more of it up, and he felt a hot, ripping pain in his shoulder, making him wince sharply, but he didn't make a sound The axe fell from his hand, and his energy left him. Exhausted, he started to sink, and Marcus caught him. He'd been ready for it. He lowered Angus to the ground and sat down on the ground with him, letting Angus lean back into him. Angus was completely out of breath.

Robert knelt beside him.  He laid his hand on Angus's shoulder to check it. Marcus reached in his pocket and handed Robert his pocket knife.

"Not another shirt," Angus said breathlessly.

"This one opens at the shoulder," Robert told him, opening the shirt and cutting away the dressings.

"Let's finish this," Iya told Kate. Together they joined once more with Caprice and Remus to close the ritual, and then Caprice and Remus both faded away.

"The stitches held," Robert said. "I don't know, how, though. I'll get some fresh dressings and a new magic wrap, and we'll wrap it and try to take the swelling out of it. The pain you felt was the soft tissue that wasn't ready for chopping wood."

There was the sound of crackling wand fire, and through the trees came Edward with Rosaria and Carlo and Simone.

"I heard Caprice's voice calling me here," Edward said. "I'm glad we're finally doing this. Mind if I finish it up?"

"By all means," Kate said to Edward. "You have every right to be the one to finish this." Edward walked over to Angus.

"He's alright. He's just tired," Robert said. "I did expect his energy potion might run out before it should, but I suppose I should have counted he might want to turn that thing into toothpicks. He's overdone himself and the potion, but he'll be just fine."

"Lad, do you mind?" Edward asked. Angus shook his head.

"No. Go ahead," Angus said, not entirely sure what Edward was going to do. Edward used a spell to basically sweep all the little pieces and splinters onto one pile, and then he used another spell and set fire to the last of the remains of it, determined on torching the scraps into complete ash. Dark smoke rose up from the wood scraps and an eerie scream rose up along with the smoke.

"The link is broken," Iya smiled. "It is done."

"She won't quit coming," Angus said.

"No, but she's going to have a lot harder time doing it," Iya said. "Good job, Everyone. We definitely hurt her and the people she works for today."

Ruby watched the others take their turn at the coffin once Angus was done she moved to his side as he was lowered to the ground by Marcus. Jess saw Angus sink and Robert head over to him she walked over and placed next to Robert his medical bag " you'll need this dressings and a new magic wrap are inside" she said with a smile as she stepped back and watched the coffin turn to ash then smoke, along with a dark scream and she smiled as she sent a large fireball to the smoke causing it to dissipate into nothing.

Ruby knelt with Angus holding his hand as she let Robert tend to him. " I think home a warm hot tea and some cinnamon rolls , large is called for." she said smiling to him. Aria stood looking around not seeing Remus or Caprice any more she smiled knowing that what ever it was they came to do was done.

"Thanks, Jess. Ruby, I think that sounds like a superb idea," Robert told Ruby, changing the dressing on Angus's shoulder. "I think Zoe was making some yeast dough for some sort of pastry. It was on it's second rise at breakfast. I'll ask her if she has any, and if she does, maybe I can have her send some dough over so you don't have to wait for the yeast to rise. If you make cinnamon rolls, do send us at least one over so we can all have a sliver, would you? We do miss those. Speaking of tea, Jess, would you send a large tea of seer's tea, please? Apparently, he is developing a little bit of medium abilities. That may help recharge him a little. He's going to have to learn how to use these new abilities and how to take care of them." He finished dressing the shoulder and put a magic wrap in place.

Robert took one more dose of energy potion out of his pocket, and he gave it to Angus. "Now, this isn't going to do much for you because it's just too early but it might help get you home on your feet. Get a little rest, and then maybe we'll be able to assess where we're at and discuss it a little later, maybe this afternoon. Oh, and by the way, there were some aurors that did notice your kids out after curfew but there won't be any charges because they did see Marcus go have a word with them, and the kids left almost straight after. So, the incident is closed."

"Thank you," Angus said. "I appreciate that. They know they're in trouble with Ruby and me, and I hope they don't intend to do that again."

"I expected you both to already be on that because you're good parents. It isn't easy to parent teens even if you've been their parents their entire lives, but its even harder when you're relatively new to having teens in the house."

"And teens dating new adults," Angus sighed.

"And that's even tougher," Robert said. "Stay consistent. Set your boundaries and stand your ground. They'll learn. Okay. Can you get him home, Marcus?"

"He can if I help," Edward said.

"You were going sight seeing," Angus said.

"Family comes first," Edward said. "You want me to help, Ruby, or would you rather try to do this? I do not want to overstep myself."

Jess looked at Robert and nodded " its already brewing" she said with a smile as she cleaned away the things Robert had used back into his bag and handed him a small bottle of potion. Ruby listened and smiled as Robert suggested Zoe send some dough over to her so she could make the buns " that would be great, it will cut down the making time" she said then chuckled " of course I'll send some over once thee done" she said then heard Edward " I don't mind at all Edward" she said and moved so he could take Angus's side.

Jess and Aria walked over to Ruby " we'll help Ruby get back home" Jess said " and I'll bring the tea right over" she added as they stood back to watch as they ported Angus home . Aria and Jess ported Ruby to the duplex and Jess headed to the main house. Once she had spoken to Zoe she took a bowl of dough and a pot of seers Tea for Angus .

Ruby took the dough and began making the rolls , once ready she placed them into the oven to cook while Jess placed the pot and a cup by Angus's chair. Aria cleaned out the soot from the fire and relit it so to offer some warmth to Angus while he sat in his chair.

Marcus and Edward helped Angus to his feet, and Kate came over to him and she kissed his forehead and looked into his face.

"That's from your grandmother. You need to know two things. First, she is very, very proud of you, and second, she is going to be nearby even if you aren't always aware. She knows how dangerous Priscilla can be, so she's going to continue to look out for you and your family," she told Angus.

"Thank you, Kate," Angus said. She nodded. Marcus and Edward apparated him home and helped him to sit.

"So you got rid of the bed, did you?" Edward asked.

"Yeah. I needed some normality in my life," Angus said.

"Fair enough," Edward nodded. When Jess brought the tea and gave him a cup he looked at her.

"All the years I've made this for you and Kate, and I've never had it myself. This is going to be very weird, you know."

"Not as weird as you think," Edward said. "It's just about being observant. It's a lot weirder for muggle mediums. Muggles still don't believe that its possible to talk to the dead, so anyone who has seers abilities is considered a crackpot. At least here, its just as normal as any other form of magic. You'll learn it just like you learned your spells. And, you have a lot of seers to learn from Jess and Khaat and Kate and me. Drink the tea. It really will help. You won't feel so drained. So how does it feel to have that damned casket gone?"

"A relief," Angus said. "In it's own way, it was like being chained to a dementor. Its darkness never left me."

"That I believe. I think we all saw how it was wearing on you. Maybe now, you can heal," Edward said.

"Did Caprice have any fighting moves of her very own?"

"What do you mean?"

"When we were in Tuscany, she showed me a couple new defensive moves. Helps me minimize myself as a target and also to draw and fire faster."

"Faster? You're already one of the fastest fighters here," Edward said. "What's this move look like?" Angus described it and Edward's eyes grew wide.

"Oh yes! I had totally forgotten about that. She used that a lot Said she learned it from her father, and said it helped her to gain a bit of an advantage since she was a little on the short side"

"Everyone is short compared to you," Angus said dryly.

"When you're rested up, you need to show Aria and Ruby and Marcus. They might find it useful. Ruby, I smell those cinnamon rolls already. They smell great."

The boys came downstairs without the babies.

"The cranksters are upstairs napping. Little monsters," Sam said.

"Grouchy, were they?" Angus asked.

"Both of them," Victor said. "Can we go back to work now, please?"

"Certainly," Angus laughed. The boys wasted no time and left quickly to go back to work. "Maybe if they babysit more often they won't be so quick to think they want kids of their own."

"I wouldn't doubt that. Well, since Ruby has things under control, I think we'll go back to London, if you're all alright now," Edward said.

"Yes, thanks," Angus said.

"You're welcome," Edward said. He went back to his side to gets Simone and Rosaria and Carlo, and the apparated out again.

Ruby looked up and smiled to Edward " I'll send some over to you once there cooked I have a second batch waiting to go in" she said and smiled ass Angus drank his tea. Jess smiled down at Angus and nodded " the master becomes the apprentice" she said and chuckled " you'll get use to it, but rest." she said softly then looking to Edward and Marcus she headed back to the main house.

Ruby looked up and smiled then chuckled hearing the boys talk of the babies " thank you boys for looking after them." she said handing each a cooled roll before they left to go back to work. Aria walked up to check on the girls finding them just as they boys had said sleeping soundly with Finn laid under both cribs. Aria smiled and walked back down to the main room.

"I for one am too glad that thing is gone" she said " it was just creepy having something like that around." she sat down and picked up her puzzle book.