Khaat arrived back home after a long day at work. There was something peaceful about coming back here. It had always been a sanctuary for her. She pulled her muggle car up to the sprawling farmhouse and exited the car. She saw Archangel perched on a low tree limb nearby, and Khaat drew out a bit of fish she had brought home especially for him. He eyed the treat greedily, and Khaat laughed as she passed him the tidbit. He swallowed it quickly and then nudged her hand for petting. Khaat gave him several affectionate strokes down the regal feathered head before turning and walking inside.
Her mother was cooking, or rather, the stew was cooking itself on the fireplace hearth. She didn't see her father but she knew where he was--in his study making more potions for the apothecary. It helped him relax. She greeted her mother and went quietly down the hall to her suite of rooms--a sitting room, a bedroom, a bath, and her latest addition--a sunny porch that faced south but caught the sunrises on the east side and the sunsets on the west. Above her fireplace in the sitting room hung a wizard portrait of Uncle Remus that she loved. It made him feel not so long gone. She felt like she could almost smell the castile soap he preferred. "I still miss you," she said softly to the image in the portrait. The image smiled at her lovingly, and for a moment, she could almost feel him hugging her. Then she shook herself out of her memories and said, "I think I have time for a soak in the tub before dinner. Seems like a good evening for a good book by the fire."
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