Chapter 513 - Topsy-Turvey Manor (1/2)
In the days that followed, Topsy-Turvey Manor is rather solemn, and derelict of its usual social tea's and dining invitations. Tiffany had received many owls from her friends, but only Silvia is able to regularly visit her each day along with Pandora, who is always accompanied by her sweetheart, Xenophilius Lovegood.
Strangely enough Xeno seemed to have a rather calming effect on Tiffany despite his odd topics of conversation. She quickly grew to understand why Pandora fell for the eccentric Ravenclaw, because despite Xeno's unconventional personality, he had a good, and kind heart. He was always true to himself, and a true friend to others. It was a rare gift that Tiffany wistfully appreciated with a resigned bitterness and touch of envy.
Sadly, Terry and Rowan would only be able to get away for one afternoon to personally visit her, but not nothing more than that. Both were under restrictions from their own families due to one reason or another. Still that was more that could be said about, Bethanie.
The Fawley couple had absolutely refused to allow Bethanie to intermingle with Tiffany considering her present superstitious reputation in wizarding society. At least, they had still permitted the two girls to correspond via letters, but only because Bethanie had pointed that Rowan Prince was still on friendly terms with Tiffany. Otherwise, even the act of exchanging letters would have been prohibited.
However, there was one surprising string of letter from one unexpected correspondent, Sirius Black. The idiotic Gryffindor found the whole situation rather funny, and even sent her a death like mask, which caused Tiffany to angrily throw across the room. Still he did get a good laugh or two out of her in his following letters causing her to grudgingly write back.
On the day of Terry and Rowan's visit, Tiffany's older brother, Mycroft, and her sister-in-law, Fionola arrived early in the day to drop off their son, Christopher for a visit. The almost two-year-old happily squeals and runs towards Tiffany with his arms wide stretched. The little boy is adorable with strawberry blond hair, brown-green flecked eyes, and cute chubby cheeks.
”Tin-tin,” Christopher chortled to his aunt, still unable to properly say Tiffany's name.
”Chrissy-bear,” Tiffany crooned back as she swept up the little boy in her arms and whirled around in circles causing the little boy to cry out in delight.
Kissing her nephew's round little cheeks, Tiffany says, ”Who wants a biscuit?”
Christopher let out an excited cry, ”Yis!”
Tiffany rubbed her face into the toddler's silky soft strawberry hair, before turning towards her older brother and sister-in-law. Mycroft looked very much like their father except for having their mother's strawberry blond hair. On the other hand, Fionola is a rather demure witch with earth colored hair up in a carefully woven coil, but even so wisps of her frizzy hair still escape. And though always modest, Fionola's brown-green flecked eyes had a speck of mischief in them.
It came quite the shock to Tiffany and the rest of the family, when her Ravenclaw brother married the Hufflepuff. It was not that Fionola was not a proper pureblood, but it is just that Mycroft always had his nose stuck in books. So how in Merlin's name had such a modest witch managed to tear the Ravenclaw's attention from his books? No one really knew, but they all attributed Fionola's success to Hufflepuff characteristics dedication, hardworking, and patience.
Seeing his younger sister's face brighten up, Mycroft clears his throat and says, ”Molma is in the kitchens, she'll take care of everything as needed.”
Tiffany glances up at her grin and flashes a bit of her almost normal grins. ”My-My,” Tiffany rolled her eyes. ”Of course, Molma knows what to do! She raised papa, me, and you! If she could not take care of Chrissy-bear here, then what kind of nanny would she be?”
Mycroft merely sniffs in reply as Fionola's twinkle with delight at the remark. ”That is what I always say,” Fionola gleefully remarked. ”But Mycroft, wants to do everything by the book. As if his reading literature will truly beat out the knowledge of a house elf that has raised three generations of children!”
Tiffany and her sister-in-law share a knowing look that says it all, ”Ravenclaws.”
Clearing his throat, Mycroft stiffly says, ”Well, we shall be going now,” and without further ado marches away with his wife hiding her giggles with a cough, before following him with a wink.
”Now let us go and see what Molma is up too,” Tiffany cooed as the little boy cries back, ”Molma!” The toddler knew exactly, who Molma was. She was his nanny.
With Christopher firmly on her hip, Tiffany carried the little boy inside. She had not even made it past the front hall, when the hearth in front of her flashed green, and a figure stepped out. Tiffany blinked in surprise as the little boy stared intently with fascination at the green flames.