Professor Viper's Personal Chambers (Located Nearby Slytherin Common Rooms)

Edwin whimpered as he opened his green eyes. He fingers curled around the hand that was resting on his forehead.
"Mama?" he asked, looking up at her. Eglantine nodded and pulled him closer to her, wrapping her arms around him.
"Very well." she agreed. Edwin laid his head in her lap, enjoying the feeling of his mother's hands rubbing his back.

Viper watched Eglantine and Edwin, slightly enamoured by the sight. Her family: her mother, father, uncle, grandfather, never showed that much affection for her. True, they favoured her above her siblings and cousins but that was because she was useful, a vauluable asset. Not because they truly cared for her.

She smiled softly. "Alright, then. Shall we go onwards to assist Kiara in her inquisition?"

"If we must..." Eglantine sighed. She was obviously still tired from the long few days before. Rising from the couch, she tucked a loose tendril of hair back into its place and pulled her newly acquired son to his feet. He lifted his arms for her to pick him up and she shook her head.
"You are a big boy, Edwin." Her voice was congratulatory and proud as if the child had made some wonderful discovery. He dropped his arms and took her hand instead.
"After you, Professor."

Viper grinned as she faced her reflection in her mirror, adjusting her robes and fixing her hair. "Rumor has it that Ms.Granger packed on at least 20 pounds since I last saw her. This is going to be fun!"

She lead the way out of her chambers, sealing the entrance behind her, ensuring that no unwanted visitors would enter.

Eglantine almost rolled her eyes. She had nothing against Hermione Granger-Weasley. Although it was obvious that both Kiara and Viper hated the poor woman.

((Off to the defense office))

(( see you there))

Tibby lugged the heavy child through the castle until she reached Viper's door. Banging her arm against the door, she hoped Viper would be in a good mood.

Viper opened her eyes irritably. It had been a very long day for her, what with brewing the potion and dodgining Whoremione and all. Sighing she prayed to merlin that whoever thought to wake her up had a very good reason for doing so.

Transfiguring her silk nightgown to her normal robes she opened the portrait and was immediately puzzled at the sight before her.

"Tibby? What? What is this?" she asked pointing to the screaming child.

"Professor De... Lan" Tibby set Edwin down. "The professor is gone." she finally stated.

((note this is two days after the incident with hermione...))

Edwin silenced when he saw Viper and cocked his head to the side. The woman was small like his mama, but looked angry.

(ah, ok....well...Viper has bad insomnia i guess...)

Viper raised an eyebrow. "Wow. She didn't last long, did she? Two days..." she laughed slightly. "Well, good luck, love. Don't forget to feed the midget." she said as she began closing the portrait door.

Tibby shook her head. "He is wanting her!" she protested. Large eyes bore into Viper's. "Maybe I find her and you be watching Edwe?"

Viper gaped. "No, no no. No, Absolutely not! I couldn't possibly... I forbid it! Tibby, I...I don't anything about," she pointed to Ediwn. "Those things! Surely there is someone else you may ask: Kiara, Profesor Flitwick, Peeves...hell, the Bloody Baron!"

Tibby shrugged. "We being picked you." she chirped as if bestowing an honour on Viper. Edwin smiled and Tibby took the moment to introduce them.
"Edwe this is Auntie Vip." Edwin repeated the new name obediently.

Viper stared in horror and slight fear at the toddler. "Crucify me..." she pleaded softly.

"No, no Tibby. No! I cannot and will not watch over this child!" she breathed out firmly, although her voice shook slightly.

((By the way, Viper has no standing over Tibby. Techinically she gave her To Eglantine to take care of Edwin, therefore making Eglantine Tibby's boss))

((yeah I figured that...but thank you for clearing that up))

"Yes, you will. Edwe liken you." As if to prove her point, Edwin toddled closer to Viper and tugged on her robes.
"Juice?" he asked, looking up at her with adorable green eyes.

Viper flinched as she felt the toddler come closer to her. "No, thanks."

Turning back to Tibby Viper exclaimed angrily now. "Tibby, now you listen to me. I demand that you take this child back and care for it, as you were ordered. I-I have no idea what I'm doing!" she blurted out, for once in her life panicked.

Tibby patted Viper's robe front. "You no longer mistress. Keep Edwe happy, that all." and she popped out of the room. Edwin asked again, handing the empty bottle up to Viper.
"Peas!" he asked

Viper glared. "Bloody houseelf." she hissed angrily. Eyeing the whining child in front of her Viper sighed. "Very well, Come on in," she said, ushering the toddler in. She closed for a moment praying for the strength until she realized that she had about half a dozen cauldrons of various potions boiling and frothing at the sitting room where the tot was now playing.

Edwin seated himself in the middle of the big room. There were big pots everywhere with stuff spitting up from them and he was immediately intrigued. Glancing back at Auntie Vip, who did not appear to be happy at the moment, Edwin made his way over to the closest pot.
Several thoughts entered his mind at that moment... all childish thoughts that only a two year old would think of... stick my hand in... climb in... toss the bottle in... taste it... thank fully he did none of the things he thought about.
"Viper!" he whispered. He looked over at the couch and cocked his head to the side. He was a bit tired. Outstretching his arms, he began to toddle over to the couch.

Viper sighed in relief. "Thank Merlin..." she thought to herself.

Edwin attempted to climb onto the couch, but it was too high for him.
"Up!" he stated, looking back at Viper. The lady was not helpful.

Viper raised an eyebrow. "Very well..." she said as she picked Ediwn up awkwardly, not quite sure how to properly hold him.

Edwin decided against lying on the couch. His mama rocked him to sleep in the bouncy chair. Maybe this lady would to. Resting his cheek against her shoulder, Edwin stuck his thumb in his mouth and prepared to get comfortable.

Viper bit her lip as she felt the child nestle closely against her. Awkwardly, she patted Edwin on the back, displaying a rare glimpse of gentleness.

It was that moment that the Bloody Baron entered the room, stunned at the sight. He looked around the gothic-styled chambers for a moment. "Hmm. This looks like the right room, but that" he gestured to Viper and the near-sleeping child. "That seems a bit out of place. I'm sorry, Amaranth, dear, but I'm afraid your child took after his father. He looks nothing like you!" he said, choking back a laugh.

Viper glared and stuck her tongue out at him. "He's not mine, Baron. He's Professor Delanquar's son."

At this reply the Baron laughed wholeheartedly. "And she pawned him off on you, eh?"

Viper shook her head, ignoring the laughter. "No, a bloody house-elf did." she said, glaring at the memory of Tibby.

Edwin giggled at the sight of the Bloody Baron, raising a finger to point at him. His head remained against Viper's shoulder.
"He's dead." he laughed. His mama would have scolded him for saying that, but the man did look dead.