Tav and Kaylie McConn's Place ( Dark future April 13th 2035)

Kaylie smiled but blushed, "That would be my doing Edan, I didn't want the purgers to target me as a easy target, I didn't tell anyone and I hide it with magic. But you are right, you will be a proud uncle in less then a month from now" she said smile still holding on to Tav.

Rossa smiled obviously very happy for her Brother and sister in law.

Edan's smile grew. "Aww, I'm excited now! I hate waits you know." he joked, hugging Kay. "You look great by the way. I'd kiss you but Tav would kill me." Tav chuckled at his brother, wrapping an arm around Kay.

Kaylie laughed, glad everyone was happy with the news and not upset she had kept it form them.

"Thanks the both of you" she said beaming, she walked up to Edan and Rossa and gave then each a hug and kiss on the cheek. All the while wondering what she had done to end up with such loving people.

Rossa smiled and looked at Tav, "So your going to be a Daddy soon, hows it feel?" she asked.

((Hey merci just curious, when do you think we should play out the scene with Kaylie's death? or would that be to depressing atm?))

"No problem." Edan beamed, socking Tav on the shoulder. "So, 'Daddy-soon-to-be'..." he joked, ruffling the older man's hair.

Tav feigned annoyance, pushing Edan against the wall. Chuckling he turned his attention back to Kay and Rossa.
"It feels wonderful, Rossa... just great."

Kaylie smiled it was obvious she was delighted at the thought od being a mother, and even more happy that Tav seemed to share her feeling.

Rossa looked giddy about the idea of being a aunt, she had always been the baby of the family it would be a nice change to help take care of her baby niece or nephew.

"Hey we should call Grandpapa, and let him in on the news" she voiced.

Edan, who had been thrilled, suddenly grew grim... something that was exceedingly rare for the young clown.

"Um..." he murmured, looking at his feet. "I'm afraid you won't be able to do that." Tav instantly turned to his brother.

"Why not, Edan?" he asked, worried.

Edan sighed. "Grandpapa went looking for Mr. Damnation..." Tav paled as he remembered that Edan, Edwin and Horatio referred to Charles DeLanquar as Mr. Damnation.

"When did he leave, Edan?" he asked, meaning to go after him.

Edan shrugged. "Ewan told me this morning when I dropped by their house."

Kaylie bit her lip and paled as well at the news, while most of them hide from the purger Horatio looked for him... She sadly turned her blue eyes to Tav, knowing he wanted to go after the older wizard, she wanted to go with him, but knew she couldn't..She looked down at her very pregnant body, she would be in the way.

Rossa however, her eyes darkened and tears came to her face at the news. She hated it when her grandfather went out looking for trouble. He was the only one she had left except for her brothers, she couldn't loose him to whatever the hell his names was as well.

Without saying a word Rossa bolted out the door, her eyes a blaze with over flowing anger, worry, and most of all grief.

Kaylie seeing the look in Rossa's eyes before she left "Rossa! where are you going?" she moving to follow the young teen as fast as she could.

Tav worried what trouble Horatio might stubble into. Although a strong and formidable wizard, Horatio was impaired with his grief and subsequent desire for revenge, which no doubt Charles would use against him. He understood the rage, he had wanted nothing more than to butcher the purger when his parents had been murdered... but he had to protect his sister, his brother, his wife and now his child. Didn't Horatio want to protect his two sons, Ean and Ewan, only 7 and already motherless.

Hearing Kay shout, Tav hurried forward, grabbing Kaylie and pulling her back. "No, love. You stay here." he murmured. "I'll get her. Edan, stay with Kay." he ordered, relieved that for once his brother did exactly as he was told.

"ROSSA!" Tav shouted, running after her.

Rossa continued to run, the images of her parents dead still in her mind, and raging fear the her grandfather was actually walking into that fate, while they were in hiding for there lives.

Despite the loud call of her name it fell on deaf ears.

In what seemed to take forever she finally got to the floo, however in her haste and trembling fingers he ended up spilling the powder all over the room and herself.

She let out a cry of fustration and wandlessly smashed the floo powder container on to the wall before falling to her knees and sobbed.

"Why does he do it? it won't bring anyone back, he will only kill one insane man to just have him replaced with another, or get him self killed inthe process!" she yelled and cried in anger at the sametime.

__

Kaylie stood for a moment with her eyes closed until she heard the crash from down the hall.

Tears entered her eyes and she felt the need to sit... before she fell.

"I need to sit... " she sighed she just prayed Tav could calm his sister down.. All because of Mr. Damnation, Damnation indeed.

Tav found his sister and watched her fall to her knees. He didn't say anything as tears began to stream down his cheeks.
"Rossa." he murmured, sitting beside her. Her words were so similar to his thoughts. "He's going to be alright." Wrapping an arm around his little sister, he held her against him. "We're going to go find him and make sure..."

--

Edan stared after Tav and Rossa, wishing he had gone along instead of been left with Kay... he just wasn't sure how to help a pregnant woman. At her request he ran and found a chair sliding back as he placed it next to where she stood.
"Anything else?" he asked, anxious to be certain his sister-in-law would be alright.

Rossa held on to Tav for dear life, she felt unbearable anger at her grandfather and it pained her to admit it.

And she wasn't sure if Tav's promise made her feel anybetter, just more anger... So her brother risks his life to go after her grandfather who sought out the danger to begin with. It wasn't fair..

"Oh.. Tav" she hiccuped in her sobs. "I wish I could fight to... at least that would I could go with you and tell him what a silly man he is being" she sniffed.

She didn't want to say it aloud, but if anything happened to Tav, because of Grandpapa.. she didn't think she would be able to forgive him.

_

Kaylie sighed, " No Edan just thats fine ,thank you" she said, almost wincing as the heart wrenching sobs of the 13 year old girl down the hall.

What cold cruel world they now lived in, when a young girl cries in anger at her own grandfather.

Tav patted Rossa's back, deeply upset by her pain. She was too young to have to deal with constant grief...
"You will, you can tell him all that and more, little rose." he promised. "Come on." Gently he helped her to her feet. "He's not fighting yet... we're going to find him and bring him home. Chew him out and then watch him be overjoyed about the baby. Okay?" he kissed her forehead.

--

Relieved that Kay seemed to be okay, he grimaced at the sobs of sobbing coming from his sister.
"That's why I don't think about it..." he murmured.

Rossa looked up at Tav, he had never let her down before. She nodded and once again pushed her grief back down, and she wipped away her tears.

"Okay, lets go get him" she said with a nod.

___

Kaylie patted Edan on the arm, knowing he was most likely in just as much pain as Rossa but kept it under a tighter grip then is little sister.

"I know" she said softly. "Sometimes it can be hard not to, in times like these"

She sighed her hand on her stomach, guilt once again cousring through her.. What kind of world was she bringing her child into?

Tav scooped some of the floo powder from the thrown container and tossed it into the fireplace's flames. "Hogsmeade." he murmured, stepping through with Rossa right behind him.

--

Not aware he had said that aloud, Edan blushed slightly. "Yeah... especially since mum and da died..." goodness he just couldn't keep his lips closed it would seem...

In Hogmead

Rossa stayed long side Tav, her hand already on her wand just in case, she didn`t feel safe anymore outside, to many had died for her to trust being outside agian very much.

The villiage looked for the most part very quiet, and the ruins of hogwarts could be seen in the distense.

Rossa sighed and turned her gaze away form hogwarts, think about it made her think of her Mum, and she couldn`t do that here, she would do that in her bed at home.

For now they had to find their silly grandfather, and then hopefully go home and return to some form of happiness again.
__

Kaylie looked at Edan, sympathy and compassion in her eyes, deciding she felt better enough to stand she did, and placed her hand on Edan's shoulder.

" That is understandable" she said quietly, he was only 15, like Rossa not at all old enough to have to deal with such sorrow, and not having there parents with them. She couldn't imagine what it would be like as a young teen, not having a parent to turn to when the needed help or a shoulder to cry on when life become cruel. As she recalled.. Edan's Mum and Dad , had happliy done all those things.

Tav pulled his cloak tighter around his body, making sure its heavy hood hid his face. Quickly transfiguring his handkerchief into another cloak, he wrapped it around Rossa, careful to keep an eye on her as they walked. He forced himself to not even think of the fallen stones of Hogwarts and kept his eyes peeled for a tall man with no fear and white hair... Horatio had shaved his beard. It had been a constant reminder of Eglantine, as she had always claimed he looked handsome with it, similar to Santa or Father Christmas.

---

Accepting her attempt to comfort him, Edan smiled sadly. "Thanks... and I'm sure he'll be okay." he offered in return. "Tav is kinda like that. Nothing hurt him."

Rossa pulled the cloak around herself, she took a band off her wrist and to hide her redish blond hair within the hood.

She knew the drill... stay as close to Tav as she could, being only 13 and little to no time in Hogwarts to learn she learned at her own speed, she know a few curses and the protago charm.. but she wouldn't last 5 minutes in a purger attack by her self, and she knew it.

"Where do you think he would be" she whispered.

_

Kaylie took a deep breath, it was true a deep fear had been welling in her about Tav going out.. she understood and expected him to go find is grandfather, but still the very though of him being.... it was something she didn't even want to contemplete.. it would destroy her.

"Thank you Edan, I pray that it continues to be so" she said giving his shoulder a squeeze, not only for her sake but for his and Rossa's as well, Tav was all they had left really..

Not exactly sure, Tav took Rossa's hand.
"Come on..." he murmured, hoping she thought he had not heard her whispered question. They wove their way through the quiet streets and few lonely pedestrians. At least with so few people around it would be easy to spot Horatio...

Perhaps it was fate smiling on them or simple chance, but Tav jerked to a sudden halt as he spotted Horatio through a tiny bar's window at the edge of the street. He didn't want to take his sister into a bar, but wasn't about to leave her out on the street.
"There he is..." he murmured, knowing his sister wouldn't do anything stupid.

They entered the bar and approached their grandfather from the side, allowing him ample time to see them. However he didn't look up from his drink. A woman sat across from him, one of the damned herself by the healing brands on her left and right cheeks. Red and grey hair was pulled back from her face, as if she proudly desired to display the brands. Her eyes held a hollow glazed look, so similar to one lost in grief. Tav had never seen her before, and now he stood only a meter from the table, wondering who she was and what Horatio was doing with her.

---

Wishing a joke came to mind, Edan crossed his arms. "Want some ice cream?" he asked softly.

Rossa gave Tav a confused look in her green eyes, surely there grandfather had seen them or knew they were there. She wasn't all that sure what to do, they didn't want to attract attention really, unlike the woman behind the counter who was practicaly delaring to the world was one of the damned.

Rossa suddenly seemed to realize what dangerous spot they were in, standing not a few meters away from someone who wants to be found by purgers...

She then stepped closer to her grandfather, tapped his arm and glared at him, her fustration and anger very clear in her green eyes. She didn't need to say anything...

___

Kaylie chuckled " Sure what the heck, who doesn't get cheered up after some ice cream hmm?" she said, her arm still on his shoulder as she moved out the door to the kitchen to get the frosen treat.

Horatio slowly turned to face his granddaughter. He had watched her and Tav enter the bar and tried his best to ignore them... all in vain it would seem. Surely Tav knew better than to drag Rossa into a bar in broad daylight. Apparently though he didn't for there they stood, both glaring at him.
"Mr. Perkwar and his sister." Horatio muttered, looking unhappy. 'George' glared harder at him and he had to fight to keep from grinning.

Gwen glanced up from the cup in her hand at Horatio's statement. She hadn't before heard the name Perkwar used for either purgers or the damned, but in their society, the young woman and man had to be one or the other. By their faces, she guessed they were damned and that they were members of Horatio's brood...
"McKevin had von mavbe du many drink..." she chuckled, her voice heavily accented either German or Dutch, it was hard for Tav to distinguish. True enough, Horatio swayed as he got to his feet.

"YOU STOP!" A young voice barked from behind Tav. Horatio nearly flopped over save for Gwen gently pushing him back.
A young, no older than Edan, purger approached them, his red and black uniform half hidden behind a Empire cloak.
"Names!" he barked again, disdain dripping from the single word.

Tav pulled his sister against him, shielding her in case anything happened.
"George Perkwar and my sister, Vivian. She's underage." he added, hoping the young man would take that into account before doing anything.

The boy/man nodded stiffly.
"And you two?" he glared at Horatio and Gwen.
"Horatio McKevin, Former Professor at Hogwarts and Currently unemployed..." Horatio mumbled. Tav's jaw clenched with rage. How could their grandfather give himself away like that?!
"Gwendolyn Malfoy." Gwen stated, her accent dropping. The young purgers eyes narrowed at both apparent confessions.

"You two can go." he nodded to Tav and Rossa. "But McKevin and Malfoy are coming to HQ." Gwen rolled her eyes.
"You and what army, lad?" she chuckled. Tav took Horatio's arm to help him remain upright. The purger's eyes blazed with fury.
"The damned shall be silent!" he fumed. Gwen laughed again, sliding over the counter to stand beside him in a swift fluid motion. As quickly as she had laughed, she plunged a dagger through the young purger's heart til it's deadly point peered out through the other side of his well ironed cloak.
"Silent as the grave..." she murmured.

Horatio dropped the drunk act and dragged his stunned grandchildren from the bar.

---

Edan beamed. "Yeah." Following her into the kitchen, he pulled out two bowls and two spoons. "What flavour do you got?" he asked, trying to keep his mind occupied.

There was a hissing sound followed by the apparating pop as Horatio, Tav and Rossa suddenly appeared in the kitchen.

Kaylie smiled sheepishly at the question, "Vanilla and Chocolate.. alot of it.. been having craving it late..." she was effectively cut off by the pop, not to mention it nearly scaring her half to death, thinking for a second it was purgers who had managed to find a way through the wards. From the time it took her to recognise it was Tav Rossa and Horatio her wand was already in her hand.

"Merlin.. what are guys trying to do give me a heartattack?" she said as she breathed out a sigh of relief and sat on one of the chairs of the kitchen table to calm her racing heart.

Rossa was shaking with andrealyn from the experince, that was the closest call with a purger she had ever been personally involved in. She agreed with Kaylie's stament, heartattack indeed.

"What in the bloody hells name was that about?!" she asked, still rather in painic mode, and a bit of anger as will hence why she swore, when normally the young teen never did.

Horatio bowed slightly to Kay, apologizing for startling her, his eyes widening at her appearance.
"Congratulations, my dear." he murmured, kissing her forehead.
Edan swallowed as he tucked his own wand away.

"Watch your language, Rossa." Horatio stated calmly, taking a seat at the table, looking exhausted. "Your mother would not approve."

Tav quickly went to Kay's side.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, concerned about the fright they had given her. His gaze shifted them to his grandfather. "Well?" he agreed with Rossa. They needed an explanation.
After all that Gwendolyn lady had killed the young purger in less than a second... not to mention Horatio had gone from barely able to stand to apparating all three of them directly through wards...

"I met with Charles..." Horatio sighed. "He refused to duel me; said I was "too old" to be a challenge." the weariness and pain in his voice caused Tav to forget a bit of his anger.

Kaylie let out a a few deep breaths regaining a normal heartbeat and nodded at Tav, "I am fine Love not to worry, just a little fright is all, I will be fine" she said patting him on the cheek, more then alittle relieved they were home safe and sound.

"Thank you Horatio, I had hoped to have you find out under better circustance's' she said.

Rossa's gaw tightened at the mention her Mum wouldn't approve, that maybe but she personally thought concidering the situation she wouldn't have minded all that much. She had to stop herself from saying her Mother wouldn't have approved of what he was doing even more.

However at his tired and broken apperence, she felt some of her anger die and she sighed... she couldn't stay angry.

She walked up to him and hugged him, never thinking she was think was she was about to but was thankful "Mr. Damnation" had refused.. she didn't want to chance looseing her Grandpapa to... To many people looked up to him, including her self.

After a minute of hugging him she whispered the one why question that remained in her mind.

"Why?.... Grandpapa why do you seek him out? go looking for trouble, what is the point in risking your life for something that would be in vain? Even if you do Kill him, another will just take his place...... Mum wouldn't approve of you risking your life for nothing" she said, her tears falling into his robes.

Kaylie watched the scene with tears in her eyes, she shut them tightly closed to hide the guilt of bringing an innocent baby in to a world so cruel.

Tav wasn't sure if he thoroughly believed his wife, but nodded nonetheless, embracing her and helping her to a seat before anything else.

"Yes... but I have known a while..." Horatio confessed. "Two hearts beating and two lives in danger." Tav's eyes narrowed. Why hadn't his grandfather told him? The anger that had partially drained flared to life.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, hurt by his grandfather's actions.
Horatio looked up from his hands.
"It was not my place, Tavish." he stated, reminding the young man that his wife, not Horatio had hidden the pregnancy. "Kaylie chose to hide your son and I believe she did the right thing."

Tav blinked...His son... so it was a boy. He wrapped an arm around Kaylie, making sure she knew he didn't blame her for anything.

Horatio accepted Rossa's embrace, relief flooding his weathered features. "Oh Rossa..." he murmured, setting her on his lap as if she were no older than the small child he had used to play with. "You are so much like your mother. So caring." he kissed her forehead. "You know..." he began. "Eglantine told me the same thing once. But... living without her, or your mother, is very difficult, Rossa." he murmured. "I see them in my sleep, sometimes happy, mostly saddened or in pain. Eglantine in constant torture. And all else fades but the man who did it all..."

Tav's eyes filled with tears as he tried to not imagine his grandfather's suffering. It was too close, to personal. His own parents often haunted his dreams... others who had died as well. Now he was haunted by the fact he might someday be powerless to save Kaylie and his son... as Horatio had been powerless to save Eglantine and Kiara...

Kaylie had intially flinched at Tav's tone, after all she knew it had been her that hid it. She swallowed hard when Horatio said she had done the right thing.. she hoped she had.

At Tav's arm around her she hugged him tight, barrieing her face in his rodes, leaving a resting place for her silient tears.

After a moment she turned her head slightly, to look at Horatio, "How do you know it is a boy?"

Rossa hugged her grandfather closer, did that mean he wanted to give up? Die and just take the crazy mass murderer with him? the thought made her cry harder... she didn't want him to be in pain and suffer, but she didn't want him to leave her to.

"No... I am not like Mother, I have the selfish wish to want you to say...." she said before tears momentrily took her voice...

"I love you Grandpapa, your the only one we got left to them... I don't want to loose you to, I can't...." she said between her sobs...

Kaylie hugged Tav as she saw the tears in his eyes, having a good idea what he was thinking...

Then she blinked and looked for Edan... realizing the odd number he had no one to comfort him

"Edan?"