The Hedwig Chronicles

THE HEDWIG CHRONICLES

The Awakening Ceremony

We, James and Lily Potter, hereby invite you to our son, Harry James Potter's, baptism at the Saint-Raphaël Archangel Church on the second day of December, nineteen eighty at two o'clock in the afternoon. A celebration at our home will follow.

Please bring your mum's famed cheesecake. Lily is a bit exhausted and James could not cook if his life ever depended on it.

Note for the magical folks: An Awakening Ceremony will be held at our home at four o'clock. Muggles will see the essential, but we will have activated wards to keep them from having any real interest in it.

Lily, James and Harry Potter.

Smiling, Hedwig slipped the invitation card back into the envelope before reaching down into her tattered tote bag to produce her oak wooden wand. The tip lit the dimly lit hallway as if consumed by a flame within. "Fringo Alohomora," she whispered to it, hearing the bolt unlock on its own. She slipped into the rather neat flat and slid her wand over her ear, leaving the envelope on a table near the door.

"All right. Cheesecake. Shouldn't be too hard," she said out loud and then laughed miserably. "Then again, I never had mum's supernatural cooking talent... Great," she realised, "I'm doomed. Why did I wait so long?"

As if on cue, a tap tap sound resounded from the kitchen. Hedwig groaned and stomped towards the sound that lead her to the window, where a very small fast-delivery own was impatiently screeching and tapping the window with its beak and talons. Hedwig quickly opened the window and was suddenly hit by a biting cold blast in the face. She quickly grasped the owl and gingerly took the note from it, shutting the window in its small face.

"Shoo," she gestured before seeing it fly away furiously. "Oh, cry me a river," she then mumbled before unsealing the quickly jotted note scrawled in her batty old boss's tiny handwriting.

Urgent call. New development in defensive magic.

Apparate in your office as soon as you get this.

Note will disintegrate as soon as you've read.

Ross Kilbourne.

"Why today?" she whinged before groaning wretchedly and re-shouldering her tote bag. She grasped her wand and stormed out moodily to Disapparate once outside in the staircase.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sirius was pacing and muttering curses under his breath when James found him in the drawing room.

"Hey, Pad," he greeted, leaning his shoulder nonchalantly on the doorframe and sipping a bit from his cup of tea.

Sirius only grumbled in lieu of a response.

James's attention was suddenly piqued. Whatever was going on in his friend's head, it was bound to be interesting. "What's bothering you?" he asked, shifting his weight on his other foot and sitting down on an empty chair by the fireplace, which wasn't working today as there was no use.

"I told you she wasn't going to come."

A flash of dawning comprehension washed over James's features. "Oh, her." He smirked knowingly. "She didn't call in sick, now, did she?"

"I don't know, seeing as how we haven't spoken in two bloody years."

Lily walked into the room then, cradling a small white bundle. A tiny chubby face with a few black hairs stuck out of the baptism clothes. She cooed to the baby before looking up and meeting Sirius's weary eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked, leaning back into her husband's vigorous body.

James laid his head on top of Lily's and played with a curly strand. "Sirius here is worried that Hedwig won't come."

Lily frowned then raised an eyebrow at Sirius. "Please, you can't believe for one second that she won't come. It's all she's been talking about for the past five months."

"Funny," Sirius snorted sarcastically, "maybe I would have been aware of this fact had I heard at least once from her."

James laughed light-heartedly. "Careful, Pad, the teenage angst brigade will be out here in a second if you don't stop," he taunted teasingly.

"Har har," Sirius grumbled callously.

"Come on, men," Lily called before pushing away from James and walking off, baby cradled neatly in her arms, "we'll be late to church at this rate."

James grabbed her coat off the peg on the threshold and held it out for her before throwing his cloak on. She smiled and let him slip an arm around her. She watched as he craned his neck sidelong to gesture very clearly at Sirius to tag along and not complain if he had his wits about him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Moaning in mad desperation, Hedwig slung her tote bag off her shoulder and made a beeline for the kitchen, getting her wand ready for some urgent cooking needs.

She had been retained at the Ministry for a new barrier spell, a very complicated one at that, which had required her an hour's time to master and design for herself. As an attack specialist, she constantly needed to be up-to-date with every defensive and even offensive spell known to wizardkind. Which sometimes turned out to be a particularly harassing task, yet something she adored doing. Right about now it weighed more towards the former.

"I wish time was on my side for once," she grumbled to herself before stealing a glance at the clock on the wall and trying to do exactly as her dear old mum had taught her. A bad cook herself, Hedwig had somehow managed to learn the basics and a few extra on-the-side tricks from her mum and had also done inexplicably well on her Potions O.W.L.s. But she had declined ever taking Potions again.

Done in forty minutes' time, the cheesecake was almost finished. All that remained to be done was the cooling down. So she decided to go upstairs to her utterly messy bedroom and offer herself a total makeover from her grey sweats and her large white tee-shirt, which was clinging desperately to her skin with sweat.

Fifteen minutes later, after much debating and much turning down, Hedwig emerged from the bathroom, looking quite stunning and endearing in a long sheath dress that complimented and caressed her every curve before widening at the hipbones and flowing elegantly down to the floor in sinuous swirls of light purple material.

"Well..." She held her breath after the effect had been accented by a light swish of her wand to her hair to make it into a bun at the top of her head. Her face glowed positively bright as she stared at her reflection. "Here we go."

She quickly fled down the rusty metallic stairs and dashed to the kitchen to find a cooling cheesecake. It didn't look as tasty as her mum's, but this would do and she was, after all, in a hurry.

Wand stuck between her teeth, Hedwig put the cake on a platter and put everything in a carton box. Next, she stepped out, locked the door with a complex spell she had designed, and Disapparated.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sirius flashed a smile at the rather large crowd gathered in the gorgeous eighteenth century church, then frowned as he spotted a person who'd just stumbled in through the large oak doors, looking flustered and terribly embarrassed.

Hedwig stood, mouth agape, as everyone turned in their seats to stare openly at her. She gave a little shy smile then made her way to the altar, shuffling past the benches as the old muggle priest resumed his speech. She threw her coat on the first empty bench and climbed on the altar with Lily, James, the muggle priest, Harry and Sirius; he eyed her with what she recognised as a glare.

"Where the hell were you?" he hissed.

Hedwig stared ahead, undisturbed. "Watch your language, Sirius. We're in a church."

James, obviously tired of Sirius's bickering, glanced back and hissed too, "Would you please shut it? For once it would be very much appreciated."

Sirius stared back ahead and bore a moue of annoyance when Hedwig stole a last glance his way. Something tugged at her heart, though, when she stared ahead, lost in her own thoughts and pretending to be focusing on the present when, in fact, she wasn't entirely.

How long had it been since the last time they'd spoken to one another? She could still remember his tender eyes, so enigmatic yet frank and unreserved, his lips, so needing yet so giving in a moment of uncertainty, his hands, rough though thoroughly gentle. Every memory lived and made her senses blaze and ache.

Hedwig used to pride herself in thinking no one could tear her heart open. Sirius had. Once. But it was enough. Had she ever forgotten? Never.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lily smiled at Hedwig as she gently handed her little boy to her friend. Hedwig gazed at the bundle, speechless. Harry was strong, she could tell. Didn't have to be told he was but an infant, she just sensed that he had a strength deep inside that was inexplicably insoluble.

"So. How was work?" Lily asked her as they sat down on the couch.

Hedwig winced. Sirius was evidently mad at her because she'd 'chosen work instead of family'. Otherwise, Lily wouldn't be asking this. Her best friend was merely doing her duty of keeping things straight within their rather large circle. She licked her lips, wishing she could be anywhere but here. "I - uh... I had some things to tend to this morning. Sorry."

Lily waved her hand dismissively. "It's all right, Hedwig. Don't apologise. I think Sirius of all people should have understood. We're in the middle of a war. A lot of the magical folks we invited desisted themselves just yesterday when the Daily Prophet announced that Voldemort was headed north."

Hedwig stole a glance around, noticing the lack of familiar faces. "Yeah. Figures. I guess I'm not exactly like them."

"Right," Lily agreed. "You don't go into hiding when you're not personally in danger."

They both smiled knowingly as Lily accepted a glass of water from James, who slouched down next to his wife and grinned. "Talking about good ol' me?"

Lily glanced back at him. "Not a chance," she said with a tone of malice hidden somewhere in her voice. "Sirius behaving?" she asked as she spotted him by the punch bowl.

"Meh," James shrugged. "Reminds me of the day he left the Blacks to live at our house. Moping all day..."

Hedwig bit her lip, directing her gaze towards the dark man who was now standing at the punch table and staring dully into his glass and making the liquid swirl before bringing it to his lips. He was very handsome today, she had to admit. He was wearing a black suit and a blue tie that enhanced his dark blue eyes.

The baby suddenly cooed in her arms, startling her out of her trance. Apparently, he'd just woken up and was now trying to reach up to touch the curly strands of hair that cascaded out of her bun and framed her face.

"Honey, sorry," she mumbled apologetically. "I've got something very important to tell your godfather."

In sole response, as she lifted him off her to hand him back to his mum, he whinged a bit but smiled as he recognised his mum's face and smell. She shook her head, smiling too.

"I promise I'll come back for your Awakening, okay?" she mumbled, smiling faintly at Lily who was staring at her as she inched away.

Hedwig rose and flattened the wrinkles off her dress with slightly shaky fingers. Taking a deep calming breath, she strolled towards Sirius, grasping a glass for an excuse to get closer.

"Hi," she murmured when he looked up.

"Do you want some?" he asked dully, lifting the ladle to offer some punch.

"Umm, actually," she licked her lips, and it was the most sensual thing Sirius had ever seen. He stared at her lips suddenly, terribly entranced with them. "I wanted to speak to you." She set the glass down and looked up. His gaze strayed north to her face and he suddenly understood the meaning of this all.

He snorted. "Are you sure you still want to?"

Her eyes widened in offence. "What? Of course."

He was silent, seemed to be studying her to find out if she spoke the truth, then he nodded slowly, wincing as he finished off his punch. "I do detest muggle drinks." He nodded. "All right. Let's go outside."

Hedwig nodded, and then followed him to the door. He grabbed her cloak off the peg and silently covered her.

Minutes later, as they walked and shuffled through the snow-covered path leading away from the Potters' house and into a forest behind their house, silence was still looming over them. Hedwig swallowed the apprehension that threatened to come out full force. She managed to shift her attention to the snow-covered path and the bright sun, and the beautiful country scenery that surrounded them both. She could also smell the faint scent of chimney smoke in the distance. Cold was creeping in.

Suddenly Sirius lashed out. "Where the hell were you?" He had repeated his earlier query with such force that she jumped back and brought a hand to her heart while backing away further, steadying her heart rate.

"I was at work," she answered meekly. How could he throw her self-control aside like that? How dare he?

"Really," he spat out, advancing towards her despite her futile attempts at moving away. "Was it so bloody important that you so needed to stay there and miss your own godson's baptism and maybe even his Awakening? Was it? You know how important the Awakening is to our community... especially in times like these. No happiness. Was it that important?"

"Sirius," she whimpered helplessly, backing further away until her back scraped against the trunk of a large tree. Had they backed away so far from the path? She swallowed her fear.

"Answer me!" he growled, his face inches away from hers.

"P - please, Sirius. I only did what I had to do," she replied with a shaky voice.

Sirius inhaled deeply, closing his eyes against the anger that was sure battling to resurface. In fact, she could see it looming behind his mask. "What was so god damned important?" he muttered, opening his eyes again.

She licked her lips, now reassured since he'd calmed down enough. "I'm a defensive magic developer, Sirius. At the Owen Spartan Charms Development Centre. We work on contracts for the Law Enforcement Squad." She sighed. "When they call us, we'd best be there."

Sirius sighed wearily and turned his head away, still inches away from her face.

She studied his features and noted the lethargy in his stance. "What's wrong?" she asked, wholly concerned.

He looked away. "I just can't believe you would have missed Harry's most important day - for the profit of your job."

She stared at him silently. "Are you sure that's all?"

He met her eyes and, instantly, her heart constricted at the sight of his sadness. "You never called," he choked out.

It did it for her. Hedwig reached a hand out and touched the back of his neck, stroking the small hairs and cherishing the moment when his eyes rolled close. As though driven by an energy that came from deep inside, electricity shot through her fingertips and into her entire body, building between her thighs, where it all met and interspersed intricately. She fervently pulled him to her and felt her body wash over with swirling warmth as their lips found each other's powerlessly.

He suddenly pulled away, resting his forehead against hers and sighing the built-in tension. "I thought you were running away from me all this time."

Hedwig sighed. "Maybe I was. I'm not sure anymore."

He slowly pulled off her. "Let's go back. They've probably started without us."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Magic floated in the air and swirled before enveloping the infant in Lily's caring arms. The white cloaked man on the makeshift dais spoke in ancient Latin, both hands up in the air and eyes closed reverently. The magic magnified and the infant glowed a bright yellow colour as he grew restless. Gasps of fascination erupted from the small crowd that suddenly began to chant in English:

"Bless this child

May he awaken to life

Bless him now

May these forces awaken him."

"Bless this child

May he awaken to life

Bless him now

May he serve our noble purpose."

Suddenly, the air stilled. Lily and James held their breaths in the wait.

The white clothed man's voice echoed again against the walls and through the large drawing room which now served as a reception room.

"Two roads he shall choose between

Hard a choice it shall be

This young infant shall attain

The powers that lie within."

He lifted his gaze. "The Life Charms shall be cast now."

Sirius and Hedwig, previously sitting, rose to their feet, slipping their hand in one another's. Hedwig felt him squeeze hers suddenly; she looked up and met his eyes. Realisation dawned on her. They had both been waiting anxiously to do this. They stepped up on the dais and ceremoniously produced their wands. Lily carefully handed Harry to the hooded man, as was tradition, and produced her wand as well, and stepped forth first, closing her eyes in thorough concentration.

"I offer you the Gift of Love. May Love guide your heart to find the answers to your every prayer." Red sparks shot out of her wand and caressed Harry's chest softly before disappearing beneath his skin.

James stepped forth next and closed his eyes, slowly raising his wand. "I offer you the Gift of Individuality. May Individuality be your guide through life's complications. Be bold, son." Purple and white sparks flew to the baby's chest as he cooed excitedly, trying to catch the radiance that circled around him. They glowed for a few seconds before disappearing

Sirius stepped forth and mirrored the actions of his predecessors with respect. "I offer you the Gift of Fun." He smiled. "May Fun bring you all the happiness you'll ever seek in life." Yellow and orange rays of light shot out of his wand to reach Harry's small frame and seemed to envelope him before being absorbed by his tiny body.

Lastly, Hedwig stepped forth and closed her eyes reverently, wand raised. "I offer you the Gift of Efficiency. May Efficiency guide you through life's hard days. Be strong." Brown and green streaked to Harry before hazing out of sight.

Almost as soon as she had uttered the last words, a screech owl had dashed into the drawing room, carrying a note on the all-too-familiar Owen Spartan Charms Development Centre stationary.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"You've been called off."

Hedwig jumped, startled, as she pushed the Apparating tent's flap open. She paused and narrowed her eyes and the dark man looming in the corner after regaining her composure. "Sod off."

"So it's true then."

Sirius pushed himself off the side of the bright blue tent and stood directly before her eyes.

"I thought you'd have calmed down after our little talk," she remarked, a bit annoyed at his comeback.

"Careful, now, I know how far I can push your buttons," he taunted menacingly.

"Think again," she snapped, looking him dead on in the eyes. "My head fucking throbs, if you want to know the truth. I don't want to go to work, but I can't really sit there and complain, now, can I? I'm feeling really miserable about leaving the celebration, if you care for the truth. I was planning on eating as much as I could handle, I was planning on showering Harry with tons of godmother kisses and, most of all, I was planning on being happy." She had said the last part with such intensity while staring him straight in the eye that her eyes brimmed with tears.

Sirius caught that, too. "What's that mean?"

Hedwig bit her lip and looked away, wiping a straying tear with the back a shaky hand. "Why do you care? All you've done today is charge at me as much as you ever could. There's only so much hate I can take, you know."

Sirius's eyes widened. "I do not hate you, Hedwig. Sometimes I just... sometimes I just don't understand you," he said. "But I do love you dearly."

She attempted to smile but failed desolately. "Thanks," she said in a small voice.

"I would never be capable of hating you," he finished earnestly, bringing a hand up to cradle her cheek.

"Thanks," she repeated, then looked down. "I've to go."

He let her pass through and looked back, sighing before running his fingers through his shaggy hair. Hedwig intoxicated him, there was no denying. Set him ablaze. Drove him mad in every possible way.

I'll see you again, he swore to himself. Sooner than you realise...

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