Akiva was so excited for Fauna to arrive.  She had so much to tell her and she really wanted to make sure the young woman was aware of everything that was going on.  She also wanted to make sure that she had someone to talk to too.  She hadn’t really had a good time of writing recently, and though she tried, every time she sat down to write something, something else came up.  So, when she had the time to actually send a note about her stopping by, Akiva seized the opportunity do so. 

She planned on doing something fun with her, just to pass the time.  Of course, the only thing Akiva was very skilled at was baking, but this time it would only be her and Fauna, so it probably would go better than the last time.  She was also getting better at predicting when her magic was acting up.  Today, she felt pretty good. 

It was a good thing too, since she really wanted to have a relaxing afternoon.  Sometimes, she just wanted to have a day without a problem – and sometimes, that just didn’t happen.  Today though, after her morning in the library, she was feeling good.  She changed out of her work clothes, into one of her favorite yellow sweaters, and was prepping the kitchen. 

No one was home, except for the pets, of course.  Dreogan was at work, naturally, and wouldn't be home for a few hours.  Lady was keeping her good enough company for the time being though, and sitting in the kitchen with her.  She hadn't seem Tabitha in a while, though that wasn't surprising.  The cat was her own entity, and Akiva did not worry for her at all.  Then there was Gordon, who was lazing on the couch.  He had his food, so he didn't need anything.  The only person that needed to be here was Fauna! It was just going to be the girls for this afternoon.

She was in the mood for muffins, had been all day, in fact, and couldn’t stop thinking about it – so she stopped by the market first, picked up some blueberries, bananas, and strawberries.  They’d make a few different  kinds, of course, and Fauna could take half of them home – do what she pleased with them, and then Akiva would probably eat them at all hours of the night for several days. 

Really, when she was reading the books, they said cravings were somewhat common this early – but these muffins were going to be the bane of her existence.  She bounced around the kitchen, signing along to the wireless, and assembling what was needed for the muffins.  Glancing at the clock, Akiva reached over to the little blue radio and turned it down.

Fauna would be over soon, and she didn’t want to miss the bell. 

Thank Merlin for the spring holiday. It meant getting away from the castle, classes, and student drama. It meant hanging out in town, spending time with family, and perhaps best of all, seeing the friends she couldn't see while she was at Hogwarts.

She and Akiva hadn't been as good about writing each other these days, and Fauna was expecting this visit to be the perfect time to catch up, just the two of them. Akiva could tell her more about Dreogan, about work at the library, and they could giggle over baked goods and spoil the pets with lots of attention. A perfect day, Fauna thought, standing on the doorstep and ringing the bell.

She wore a denim jacket and colorful skirt, dressed down with yellow sneakers and a floppy hat. Typical Fauna outfit. She was fully healed now, at least physically, from the werewolf attack, and wanted very much to get back to normal. She hid her paleness with a bit of blush and had put on a touch of mascara to bring out her eyes.

When the door opened, Fauna gave Akiva an enthusiastic hug, complimenting her on her yellow sweater as she pulled back.

"I've missed you so much!" She glanced down the hall, hoping to Merlin there were no surprise-Sashas around the corner. Just the padded footsteps of the dogs. She bent down to scratch Lady behind the ears.

"You too!" Fauna told the dog, smiling.

Dropping the bowl of berries on the counter as the doorbell rang, Akiva practically jumped bolted from the kitchen.  Her heavy footsteps rang on the floor and she skidded to a halt on the runner in front of the door, Lady picking up the cue moments later – cocker spaniels were not the smartest of creatures, but Akiva loved her, regardless. 

Leaning up against the door, she looked out of the Peeping Tom and glanced all around – like Dree taught her after he had installed it, the first time in her old flat, then after they moved in here – just in case.  She remembered the tool kit being out and him fiddling with the door – it had been so cute.  Mr. Handyman… 

She giggled quietly to herself and finally unlocked the locks on the door – several, because Dree had also installed those, and laughed as she was suddenly ambushed one the door swung open.  Fauna flew at her, floppy hat and all, and Akiva wrapped her arms around her as well, smiling so wide her cheeks started to hurt.

“Thank you,” Akiva giggled at the compliment, “when I can’t wear it anymore, you can have it,” she teased – not expecting Fauna would understand, at least not yet.  Akiva was going to wait for the perfect moment to tell her.  It was exciting news, after all, and now that Akiva had time to process it, she was very excited for motherhood.  She felt ready for it. 

She had several months to wait for that.  Right now, immediately in front of her was the young lady she owed her life to and one of Akiva’s favorite people.  “Same!” Akiva smiled widely, Lady was yipping and bouncing to lick Fauna’s face.  “Lady agrees,” she giggled again, putting her hand son her hips. 

“Sorry I haven’t been able to write much – it’s been… hectic.  How are you?!” she asked excitedly, wanting to know just about everything right now.

Fauna gave Akiva a funny look when she said she wouldn't be able to wear the sweater anymore, but Faumna assumed she meant they were going to be eating so many cookies (or whatever was in the kitchen) that they'd both need larger outfits.

As the dog excitedly greeted her, she glanced up at Akiva and returned the grin, noticing how happy and bright-eyed she looked. Must be the engagement, Fauna thought, deciding that definitely qualified as 'hectic'. She cast a surreptitious glance at Akiva's left hand. There it was. A ring!

"Good!" She answered, hanging up her coat and facing her. "I'm glad to be home for a bit, and get away from school and stuff. The year is going by so fast. I can barely believe it."

Fauna followed her into the kitchen, where an array of colorful berries awaited them. "My mum's happy to have me home, too. She took a day off of work yesterday, just for us. I think she's just now realizing that I'll be graduating and moving in with friends soon," she smiled, choosing not to mention that her mum had been a bit smothering lately, and that she kept making disparaging comments about SAWS, even about Fauna wanting to visit Greyfriar this week.

This visit with Akiva was a much needed distraction. She was supportive and encouraging no matter what, and fit that odd role between mother figure and older sister.

"Akiva?" Fauna piped up shyly. "Can I... see your ring?"

She was excited for her, and wanted to show it.

“I know!” Akiva replied enthusiastically – Fauna would be graduating soon – in a matter of a month or so!  How exciting for her.  “How are you doing in school?  Is everything going well?” she wanted to make sure, with everything, that Fauna was doing well, especially after the werewolf stuff.  Akiva couldn’t imagine how that would complicate things, even being a muggleborn was probably easier than some of those accusations.
 
Of course, Fauna had no problem talking as they walked to the kitchen – so different from Sasha, who almost always seemed like he needed to be cajoled into participating for a while.  He was very methodical in answering; it only took until one hit a subject he couldn’t keep quiet about it.  Fauna, however, always had a lot to say and Akiva was excited to hear it.  Grabbing a freshly washed blueberry from the bowl, leaning against the counter. 

“Who are you going to live with?” Akiva asked, suddenly, surprised to hear she was moving out – but not really, after all, Fauna was moving into the adult wizarding world, and that demanded space, especially for the career tracks she was thinking of pursuing. 

Popping in another blueberry – it seemed once Akiva started eating, she was never going to stop, until, of course, she was too sick to eat anymore, which happened frequently, but not predictably, so she might as well enjoy the blueberries while she could.  “And don’t worry about your mum, it’s a huge transition for them,” she smiled, thinking about the future for a brief second – pushing that away in an instant, too early to worry about those things. 

“She’ll come around soon enough.”  Akiva believed that and popped another berry in her mouth.  Of course, as soon as she did, Fauna said her name and Akiva’s eyebrows jumped up.  She laughed at the question and held up her left hand, swallowing the rest of the berry and wiggling her digits a little so the ring picked up the light.  “It’s an heirloom, from Dree’s family,” she explained, “isn’t it beautiful?”

They hadn't really gotten the chance to talk about it when Fauna visited in January because the boys were over as well, and it really wasn't the type of conversation she wanted to have with them - though she imagined, after she got to know Ferguson better, he might have liked it.   Whatever the case, this was really the first time Fauna was going to get a good look at it, and Akiva wanted her to love it, mostly because she loved it so much and that clearly meant she had to love it just as much. Clearly.

"Very," Fauna grinned, lifting Akiva's hand for a moment and admiring the old-fashioned design. "I know I probably should have asked months ago," she added, looking a bit sheepish. She hadn't even thought to, with the boys around.

Leaning against the counter across from Akiva, she thought back to her questions. "School's really busy. I mean, makes sense for my last year. I just hope... I can get everything done." And that her NEWTs would go much better than her OWLs had. "The... I guess I was sorta set back a bit," she commented vaguely, referring to her injury from the attack. "The tutoring for Potions and Transfiguration is going better than I thought it would, though."

Talking about school and exams, however, was making her nervous. "I'm not sure who I'm going to live with yet! Ruby and I have always sorta talked about finding a flat, ever since our fifth-year," Her smile faltered, reminded that Ruby's mum had had her heart set on Fauna moving in with the Flickwick family. It was just another example of how much Ramona had looked after all of Sophie and Ruby's friends.

"But, um..." she trailed off, losing her train of thought. "Uh, there's this group of Huffles and Gryffindors who want to get a house together. And that would mean keeping in touch with people would be easier, you know? But it would also be really crazy. I can just imagine the guys-- Dax, at least, making some kind of pizza box fort."

Speaking of food!

She looked at the strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and the muffin trays, and piped up in a hesitant voice, "Are all those going in... one type of muffin?" Fauna tried to sound positive and excited about that, but she couldn't help the confusion that flickered across her face.

Shaking her head, Akiva smiled.  “It’s not something someone your age should be thinking of right now,” she laughed, “You get a free pass,” she winked.  “Think of it as training for the next ten years – you know, when you’re so far ahead of the game when your friends your age start to get married,” she teased.  She hoped that would not be for many years to come with Fauna and her friends – as much as she loved the idea and wanted to be married and have a family, that was her path, and she did not see the point in everyone following the same one. 

Fauna was destined to do something else, but that didn’t mean she didn’t need to know certain things.  And really, it’d be one less thing she’d learn later.  Withdrawing her hand, Akiva readjusted herself to more comfortably lean against the counter, listening to Fauna talk about her future – uncertain, but bright.  “You’ll get it done,” Akiva reassured her, believing fully well that it was possible. 

She didn’t want to dwell though, especially if Fauna was moving on – she had a sinking suspicion the prospect of exam time was looming rather ominously, rather than something to really be looking forward to, particularly when it meant going into the real, adult world. 

The biggest part was living outside of  one’s parents’ house, and Akiva could understand her anxiety and uncertainty, laughing at the idea of a house full of recent graduates.  “Girls and boys?” Akiva laughed, “I hope you tell them straight away you will not be cooking or cleaning for them,” she pointed out, “or else it’ll be complete and utter chaos – pizza box forts will be the last of your worries,” she laughed, remembering stories she heard while taking classes at King’s. 

Young people living in close proximity to one another were, first and foremost crazy, and then after that, they were dirty.  Hopefully they would know that.  And moving to the muffin ingredients, Akiva shook her head.  “Goodness no!” Kiv grinned, “a few different kinds.  You start with the same base, and we can mix and match, whatever you like.”  Kiv, at this point, grabbed a banana slice and popped it in her mouth, “if there are any left by the time we get to the batter stage,” she laughed, reaching around to grab her favorite apron- the one Adon got her for Hanukkah, and tied the strings around her back. 

“Still don’t use aprons?” Akiva grinned, moving to sit on a stool near the dry ingredients, but definitely not in the thick of it, “why don’t you get ti started?” she said yawning a little.  “Good practice,” she winked, tapping the page on the cookbook. 

Fauna raised her eyebrows and laughed nervously at Akiva's talk of 'training' for the next ten years. She too, hoped it would be a long time before she had to worry about her peers getting married, settling down, and stuffing her into stereotypical bridesmaid dresses that would make Fergie cry tears of horror.

She was, of course, really excited about Akiva and her wedding, whenever it happened. But that was different. Fauna could be happy about it with no expectation that she'd have to find someone soon, no pressure. Which was the way it should be.

"I bet I'll barely have time to cook and clean for myself," Fauna commented when the topic shifted to possible roommates. "Though I don't know what is growing in that Hufflepuff boys' dorm."

She paused, face flushing, realizing what that sounded like. "I mean, I only went up there to scold them for being loud at three in the morning. But yeah, crazy boys."

Fauna listened to the plan for the muffins and felt somewhat relieved. That sounded so much better than the fruitcake-muffin she'd been imagining. Though of all people, Akiva could probably make that taste good, if she was cooking by herself.

“Still don’t use aprons?”

"You know me, I like to live dangerously," Fauna grinned back.

Akiva must too, Fauna joked in her head as she nodded at the suggestion to get things started. Looking over the cookbook, Fauna flipped to the page on banana muffins, and set about measuring the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt that would go into one of the bowls. Funny enough, her recent dive back into studying potions made this seem easy in comparison, and she didn't feel half as nervous as she'd been in January when they'd baked. Though perhaps that had something to do with the audience then.

"How have you been doing?" Fauna asked, mixing together the ingredients in the first bowl. "The library been keeping you on your toes?"

“Whichever career you pick, you’re probably going to be eating a lot of pre-cooked meals,” Akiva laughed, of course, for a few seconds before she got serious.  “You can always come over, you know, if you need something to eat.”  Akiva would feed an army if she had to, as long as it kept people happy.  She was entirely too giving sometimes, but she didn’t mind, she liked to do it. 

She liked to help people and make them happy; a lot of people were like her.  Fauna seemed like one of them, and Akiva giggled quietly, shaking her head.  “It’s better you never know, I think.  No one, not even the boys, want to know everything that goes on,” she teased.  It was true, boys dorms were a scary thing.  Akiva had never been in one, of course, but she heard stories. 

It was just a good thing that Fauna was willing to start the cooking; she could consider it a potions practice.  Plus, Akvia’s stomach was starting to hurt and she didn’t want to be on her feet too much, not yet anyway.  Besides, Fauna was doing so well. 

“You certainly do, live dangerously I mean,” she grinned,”wielding those measuring cups without abandon.  What next?  An ice cream scoop?  What will we do?!” She started to laugh, putting her hand on her stomach, just aching a little.  Sometimes she felt tender after having been on her feet for a long time, and between the library and prepping everything, she was feeling it.

“Oh definitely,” Akiva answered with a bit of a smile, “I’ve been busy – between the library and things at home, it’s just crazy.”  She was dying to tell her, but it just wasn’t the right moment – besides, she was dealing with the wet ingredients and that clearly meant things needed to be kept simple.  “It’s just good to have a few hours off, and I have been dying for muffins,” Akiva groaned anxiously, ready for muffins now. 

She watched Fauna for another moment and nodded.  “Looks like those potions lessons really have paid off.  Your measuring is great,” she complimented. 

"Thanks," Fauna looked up and smiled. "I'm sure I'll come up with lots of excuses to come over. No matter where I'm staying." If her baking was anything to judge by, Akiva's cooking had to be much better than the fare at home. Her mum and gran tried, but perhaps they could benefit from a crash course in 'potions' as well.

She also had to agree that sometimes boys were better left a mystery.

Fauna let out a giggle, and then another, when Akiva joked about 'living dangerously'. In response, Fauna waved the teaspoon around a bit, then looked guilty when a drop went flying. Somewhere. She looked around for it, and then caught one of the dogs licking it off the floor tiles.

They were rebels, Akiva and Fauna. Clearly.

Akiva told her that work and home was keeping her very busy, but the details were scarce, and Fauna didn't know what to think about that. Normally her friend told her more. However, she was distracted by the compliment on the measuring. From anyone else, Fauna would have worried that she was being poked fun at. But she just hesitated for a moment, then gave her a grateful look.

"Thanks," she said simply, mixing the bananas, sugar, egg, and butter together now.

"Is this a test?" Fauna joked, not minding at all that Akiva was letting her try it by herself, but curious. "I wouldn't put it past Professor Vaillancourt-- the potions professor. She knows her stuff, but she's kind of... serious, you know? A little intimidating. At least at first. I'm a bit more comfortable around her now."

“I wouldn’t expect any differently,” Akiva smiled, knowing that it would be a rough couple years for the young woman, and she should have places to go where people understood her.  She would always have her mother and grandmother, but they couldn’t always listen when she talked about magic – since she wasn’t supposed to – and even if she could, without the understanding of the world they lived in, it was hard.  She’d have others too, naturally, but Kiv had a special connection to Fauna, the girl virtually saved her life. 

Fuana was becoming a capable young woman, and her attitude had changed tremendously since Akiva met her in August.  Her visits had been stunted and awkward before, but now Akiva considered her like a little sister, a sibling she never had the opportunity to have.  To be honest, Akiva made most of the people who were close to her like family. 

Giggling softly, Akiva remembered her experience in potions, thinking everything was going to be a test.  She did not know this professor Vaillancourt, though, and laughed brightly at the suggestion.  “It’s not a test, trust me,” she assured the young woman and shifted on the stool – she was so glad they had decided on stools for the informal space in the kitchen. 

“Potions professors are always terrifying,” Akiva commented, “I think it’s the whole dungeon thing – creepy.”  She rolled her shoulders a little, a strange expression on her face, somewhere between freaked out and like something smelly was under her nose.  “Professor Snape was terrifying,” Akiva added, “I was on the verge of failing every assignment,” she pointed out, “because I was so afraid of him.” 

“Thankfully,” she leaned closer – conspiratorially, “Natural talent prevented that,” she winked.  “Obviously you’ve got it too,” she teased, but also was a little serious. 

Shifting off of the stool, Akiva moved to the oven and turned the knobs, needing to get the pre-heat going.  Next to the oven, on the counter, was the yellow envelope that had Fauna’s name on it.  She glanced over her shoulder – Fauna was arm deep in mixing – and decided that would just have to wait. 

“You know,” Akiva started, turning and leaning against the other counter, “We didn’t really intend to get married so soon, but it’s basically the last step.  We already have the house, we’ve been living together for a while, and,” she practically felt like she was glowing – she couldn’t help but have to say something, “starting a family.  It just needs to get tied together.” 

Fauna glanced over her shoulder and gave Akiva a sympathetic look when she admitted that she'd been terrified of her potions professor at Hogwarts. She'd heard stories about Snape, and not just the 'secret hero' bit.

"Vaillancourt isn't that bad," she said quickly. "Not mean or anything. Just a little stern. You know those people who just... seem so put together that you think they must have an invisible house elf running after them, making sure every hair is in place and the students are behaving when you turn your back? She's a little like that, too," Fauna explained with a slight smile. Not exactly scary, but one of those rare 'cool' teachers.

"Natural talent? Of course," Fauna grinned at her, meaning that it wasn't hard to believe Akiva had passed potions despite Snape.

She looked back at her mixing, happy that things seemed to be coming together well, and listened as Akiva listed the steps that she and Dreogan were going through. Fauna nodded, then paused.

Then she turned around and blinked at her.

"Starting a... really?" Her eyes popped out of her head. A tentative smile crept up her face, then faltered, then crept up again.

"I mean... now?" Fauna glanced at Akiva's belly, confused at the lack of, well, evidence as far as she could see.

"I mean, as in.. babies?" Her voice rose higher in excitement, and then finally processing it, Fauna pulled her arm out of the bowl, still holding the spoon, and moving forward and hugging her where she stood by the stove. As the spoon dripped batter, and Lady skittered across the floor to get at it, Fauna pulled back and said, "Oh, sorry!" and flung the offending spoon back into the mixture.

“Ooooh,” Akiva nodded as she realized Vaillancourt was not the type of professor she had envisioned, she was more of a femme fatale sort – composed and put together.  Akiva didn’t know many of those in her time, but from what the Prophet put out, it seemed Hogwarts professors were getting younger and younger.  Maybe it was because they were the only ones that could keep up with the students wreaking havoc anymore.  It was entirely possible.  “I think it’s just insanely good planning,” Akiva offered with a smile, hoping that would put her a little at ease about the invisible house elf or super-witch powers. 

It wouldn’t be that surprising, of course, if a house elf was doing certain things, though it was not Akiva’s prerogative to reveal the secrets of teachers.  Her father had plenty of them of his own, mostly involving graduate students who could do his bidding, but it was totally worth the reactions of students to keep it quiet. 

Organization was, of course part of it, but not everything.  Being crafty was a big part of teaching, and Akiva got that satisfaction when Fauna turned to look at her – yammering a little, processing what Akiva had said.  She knew she made the comment subtly enough that Fauna had to really be listening, and she giggled, her grin stretching the corners of her face.

Nodding at her, Akiva wrinkled her nose with giggles and nodded enthusiastically.  Fauna was already rushing forward, batter dripping on the floor and the skittering of dog feet that followed the smell of any sort of food that fell on the floor.  “It’s fine,” Akiva laughed, holding her arm out for a hug, the other still resting on her stomach, still feeling a little tender from earlier. 

“We’ve really only told a few people so far… mostly family. We just found out two weeks ago.”  She gave Fauna a hug, naturally, and practically couldn’t feel her face anymore – the whole idea of it was still very new and exciting.  “We wanted to have the wedding before it was too obvious,” she laughed softly, “propriety,” she winked playfully, “and for the sake of having the dress I want, of course.”

"I won't tell! I mean, if you don't want me to. That's... that's really great, Akiva," Fauna grinned at her and returned the hug without any spoon-wielding this time. "Congrats!"

She was happy Akiva had told her, especially in person, and now remembered some hinting at 'news' in her last letters. This was the best kind of news. Fauna didn't have much experience with talk about weddings and babies, mostly because her older sister was content with dating and her mum was content with not dating, and their side of the family was fairly small. But she was thrilled to hear about it from Akiva.

Fauna nodded about the dress comment, understanding that logic completely, though her thoughts were still on the pregnancy.

"How do they know? I mean, Healers?" Fauna asked curiously, then blushed. "You don't have to answer that." She'd been wondering if there were differences between how Healers and Doctors might handle pregnancies, which was likely a more appropriate question for Tulo.

"Er, it's probably too soon to know if it's a girl or boy?"

Fauna looked a little lost, having forgotten most of what she'd ever learned about pregnancy stages way back in primary school. She knew how one became pregnant (in theory). And knew how to avoid that bit (also in theory). But the actual 'what to expect when you're expecting' was very murky in her mind.   

Kiva was glad she got to tell Fauna in person, and seeing her reaction was priceless.  She hugged her again, unable to restrain her own grinning.  “Thank you, so much.”  She wanted to make sure that Fauna knew she was important in the whole process and she really hoped she could be part of it.  The wedding was going to be on a weekend, which she hoped would make it possible for Fauna to attend, and she had an invitation for her, just in case she was able to make it. 

It was also a good opportunity for Akiva to sit down again, walking Fauna back toward the kitchen island with her arm draped over the girl’s shoulders.  She dropped into the seat without much of a care, happy to just sit down for another few minutes and laughed at Fauna’s question, mostly because it had been as much of a mystery to Akiva as it was to Fauna until it actually came up. 

“It’s a lot different,” Akiva nodded.  “I mean, I went in to Mungo’s expecting to have a some sort of cold – I was hiccupping and sneezing with these insane magical results,” she laughed, “I made Sasha’s room look more like a Russian splatter painting piece than a room at one point…” she shook her head, thankfully, they had at least fixed it, “and then there would be these times where I couldn’t do anything – like all my magic was gone.  It was bizarre.” 

She shifted on the stool, rubbing her stomach a little. It just kind of struck her, remembering those things.  “I explained what was wrong and I was so surprised when the healer just started laughing!  Fauna, she actually, laughed”  Akiva laughed too, now anyway, because it was funny, once one knew, but the then terrified and sick Akiva was not amused. 

“Apparently it’s not uncommon for magic to go a little haywire,” she rubbed the back of her neck, shrugging before she dropped her hand back in her lap.  “As for knowing, that wouldn’t be for quite a while, I’m not even sure you can…” she frowned a little, “It’s very… I think what muggles would consider medieval – midwives, old wives’ tales, that sort of thing.  It’ll be an adjustment, I’m sure.” 

“And to be truthful, I don’t really know much about the process yet.  I got a few books, but all in all, it’s going to be very learning by the seats of our pants,” she laughed, “I’m quite excited though – a bit nervous, but excited.” She shook her head though, all of this rambling about the things she was fairly sure Fauna did not care about at this point in her life, she smiled ruefully, “The only thing I’m not worried about it having an ace sitter,” she winked, giggling a little.