The tea kettle was simmering away and the sandwiches, basic sweets, even the crudités were awaiting the arrival of one Sasha Schlagenweit. Gabrielle Murray herself was dancing in the study, swaying gently across the floor whilst singing to a semi-slumbering Mia, all smiles plastered upon her features. Truly, these past few weeks had been a rough blur, but Amelia Jane Pepper was here in her arms, the great-granddaughter of the Murrays was in her mother's arms. Gabrielle was hopelessly in love with the addition to the manor, cooing and fawning over her, but also learning firsthand how much involvement it took to keeping Mia happy. Pausing for a moment to gaze at Mia, Gabrielle grinned as Mia's eyes looked right back, making a soft grunt of some sort.

"Too much, I take it? So sorry, love."

Hearing the doorbell, Gabrielle exited out of the study and moved to the entrance. Opening the door, Gabrielle beamed wide upon seeing Sasha. "Well, look who's here. Two visitors, one permanent and one for tea. Hullo, Sasha, won't  you come in?" she quipped, moving to the side as to allow the Ravenclaw to enter the abode. Mia shifted in the wrapped blanket, causing Gabrielle to readjust her little one, shutting the door once Sasha was secured inside the manor. "Well, welcome to the manor and more so, might I formally introduce you to the addition? Sasha Schlagenweit, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Amelia Jane Pepper." Gabrielle turned Mia for Sasha to see her better -- there was the unmistakable tuft of hair of a newborn and soon, the newborn was blinking, trying to discern the new incomer to Wiltshire.

"Sixteen days old today."

A grin.

"Can you believe it?"

1.	Give a listen! <3

Some might have felt awed, even intimidated walking up the broad stone steps of the Murray manor but, for Sasha, there was an almost relieving sense of familiarity.  He'd never visited the home of Gabrielle Murray before, though he'd known the witch for several years.  They'd first become acquainted when Sasha had interned under Johann at the Ministry of Magic.  Sasha had learned how he fitted into the Murray family tree later that year, when Ignan Storm had given him a family album for Christmas but it wasn't until the attack on the Storm residence, which had almost killed Ignan, that Sasha had met Gabrielle as a member of the family during a mutual visit to St. Mungo's. 

Whether Johann or someone had told her of their relation before then, Sasha still didn't know.  But, he was now officially family as he climbed the steps to ring the doorbell.  He dearly hoped it would go better than his last family visit.  It could only be a good sign that he'd been extended an invitation. 

Sasha smiled at Gabrielle as she opened the door.  "Thank you so much for having me," he offered as he started to step inside.  His attention was quickly captured by the third member of the party.  He looked down at the little one cradled in her mother's arms and smiled widely at the curious face that peered at him from beneath the blanket.  Gabrielle introduced little Amelia and Sasha smiled broader, waving at the little one.  He didn't have a lot of experience with babies; he was only two when his younger sister, Anna, was born and there was no extended family on his mother's side.  No aunts or uncles with little cousins about. 

Amelia was quite the sight.  "Allo, Schatzi[1]  She's beautiful," Sasha said, finally looking up from the child. 

"Sixteen days.  That is hard to believe."  Though, Sasha was aware, probably much easier for him to believe than her.  "Thank you, again, for having me.  I do appreciate it.  It's nice to get to know people outside of Hogwarts."  Given the rapidly approach end to his secondary education days. 

1.	Term of endearment; little treasure, little jewel

Mia gave a soft coo followed by a small grunt at Sasha's greeting, causing Gabrielle to stifle a laugh by biting her bottom lip, nevertheless touched by first introductions.

Where was a camera when you needed it?

"I couldn't agree more. I often feel the same about the Ministry. Having contacts outside of a place of recognised figures really does make a difference," Gabrielle remarked in a relatively assuring tone. "As for coming, it's a pleasure to have you here considering you're family and well, the manor is a part of your family history as much as it is mine. Perhaps that's for later, the family histories? I'm sure there's something to be learned before you go today. Now. I'd be a terrible hostess and an equally horrible relative if I just kept on rambling and not let us have lunch. Come, come...."

Gabrielle turned around, soon walking back into the study, placing Mia into the baby rocker near one of the comfortable leather chairs before motioning Sasha to the small island table of food. "Go ahead, tuck in. We'll talk in due time."

Sasha stepped through the doorway on Gabrielle’s urging and followed the pair into the study.  As Gabrielle settled Mia into the rocker, Sasha shrugged his coat from his shoulders.  Before hanging up the coat out of the way, he tugged a floppy, stuffed horse from the coat pocket and offered it to the mother and child.

“You’ll have to forgive me.”  He gave Gabrielle a lop-sided grin and shrugged his shoulders.  “I may or may not try to give her the horse bug.  I might have selfish reasons for making sure another family member is into riding.”  His grin grew a little broader.  “In fact, unless you object, I might already be considering options for a fifth birthday present.” 

At Gabrielle’s invitation, Sasha crossed the study to the array of food and selected a few light, verifiably meat-free morsels for his plate.  He settled comfortably in one of the chairs.  “Once I’ve been released from the confines of Hogwarts, you’re free to contact me if you ever need a babysitter.  Especially over the summer, I anticipate having a lot of free time.”