Before the Train (2046)

Tav chuckled softly as he helped his wife set the table. He heard the soft laughter from the family room as their two children watched a muggle movie. He believed it was 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' which was a family favourite, since he himself had been a child... and that had been a long time ago.

"They sound so happy." he murmured, setting the last plate down and moving to embrace Kay from behind. Nuzzling her neck, he whispered words of affection into her ear. "You look beauty..."

This would be the last meal they shared as a family before Caleb, their oldest, headed off for Hogwarts. Tav was already certain that the boy would be sorted into Gryffindor... but he would still miss him.

The giggles seemed to grow louder and he laughed as his daughter, Rose hugged his leg.
"Papa! Can't I go on the train to?" she asked, eyes wide and adorable as he scooped her up. She would be turning 7 that Christmas, but she would always be his little girl.
"No, little Ro." he chucked her chin and wrapped his other arm around Kay, drawing his two ladies into a hug. "Not until you turn eleven."

((Awww ^.^ hey this is around the same time Rossa finds out she is gonna have a baby))

Kaylie beamed happily and chuckled at the sight of her husband and daughter, she put arm around Tav's shoulder and ruffled Rose's hair.

"We still get to keep ya for a few years yet Rosie" she said. To her is was a rather bitter sweet moment. She was so proud her son was head off to hogwarts to start his magical training, but then is reminded her of how they were both growing up so fast... Seemed like only yeaterday she was holding little baby Rose in her arms who had came a bit early. And Caleb her bouncing little boy always looking for sweets or a story to be told.... She was gonna cry before Caleb got on the train she just knew it..

Rose whined dramaticly, drooping her had on her dad's shoulder.
"But that is sooooo long from now Da..." she said while taking out her fingers to try and count how many years she had left to go. "I have 5 more years to go Da, years.. I can't wait years" she said wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Can't ya ask Grandmum to let me come afew years early?" she asked though she knew it wouldn't work... she thought it was worth a try any way.

Caleb entered the diningroom with a ecited grin on his face. Today just felt so weird, tomorrow he would be getting on the train that would take him to hogwarts.. and he would be a student, be sorted into a house and everything.. It still seemed so cool. like Rose he had been ecitied at the thought of Hogwarts eversince he could remember. But he had to admit to himself he was a bit nervous to... What if he didn't make any firends? Would he be considered a teachers pet becasue his Grandmum and Great grandmother worked there?

So many unanswered Questions...

" Nah Ro, you got to be at least this tall to get on the train" he said making level with his hand that was obviously much taller then his little sister.

"Not even seven and your already to pull favours with your Grandmum." Tav chuckled, tickling her stomach and setting her down. Despite the fact that he loved to hold her, his shoulder was still healing from the nasty hex he'd gotten in the line of duty. "Be patient, kiddo." he added, winking at her.

Rose slid into her seat just as Caleb entered and clapped excitedly for him. Although she was disappointed that her own last dinner was five years from then... she still loved her brother and was happy for him.
"Are you gonna go with Sevie?" she asked, not sure how old her uncle was.

Tav pulled out Kay's seat for her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. He laughed softly at Caleb's measurements, which little Rose had apparently ignored due to the mounting excitement.
"Does the train fly, Mama?" she asked, a little chatterbox as usual. Shy only in the presence of strangers, Rose had no difficulty articulating her thoughts.

"Okay, everyone take hands, I'll say grace." Tav murmured, taking Kay's hand and Caleb's in the other. His son smiled broadly as Rose took his hand and the little girl reached across the table to take her mum's.

Bowing his head, Tav murmured a quick traditional prayer for the meal and safety.

Caleb chuckled and shock his head, "Nah uh, I got one more year on him Ro, he will be going next year" he said to his little sister as he sat down.

Kay snickered at her daughters comment, so in a hurry to grow up she was.. real go getter. She smiled at Tav "Thank you Love" she said as she sat down and chuckled at Rose's question. "No darling, it doesn't fly, it is just like anyother train on rails. Only difference is it takes the passangers to one of the oldest magical schools this side of England." she said

She held on to her familys hands mouthing Tav's words silently. Her heart always skiped a beat everytime she heard Tav had been injured at work. Her thoughts were always the same.. was it bad? would he recover fully?... she could swear sometimes.. Tav was worse then the children when it came to nearly giving her heart attacts... But that was the risk the came with him being a Auror now didn't it?

"Amen to that.." she said quietly givng Tav's hand a extra squeeze.

"Hmm Yummy" Rose said with a smile as she started to eat. "Diner is really good tonight Mama an Papa" she said after she swallowed.

Kay smiled, "Thank you Dear, and do use your napkin and not your sleeve please" she said as she caught her daughter about wip her mouth with her shirt..

"Yes Mama"

"Have you done packing for tomorrow Honey? You won't have much time in the morning.." she asked her son, not wanting there to be utter chaos just before they leave becasue of forgotten items..

Rose looked up, "You got your wand? Can I see it again before you leave?" she asked, still simply amazed her brother had his own wand just like there Mama and Papa.

Mouth full, but slightly more mannerly than his sister, Caleb nodded in reply to his mother. He had packed three days ago, with his sister's help of course. Excitement had gripped him and the trunk had been packed in record time... not neatly but packed.

Tav smiled, but kept from laughing as Caleb murmured that he had finished packing. Merlin help him if Kay saw the mess he'd made of his clothes and things in the trunk. He already planned to help his son repack after the meal.
"Sure." Caleb smiled, rising to leave the table to get the wand.

"Uh-uh..." Tav admonished, not even looking up from his food. Caleb plopped back into his seat and shrugged at Rose.
"After we eat I guess." he muttered.

Rose giggled when Caleb was forced to stay at the table and reaching for her cup whacked it with her arm.
"Oopie daisy!" she cried, mimicking Aunt Esis who told her never to cry over anything spilt.

Kaylie rasied an eye brow at her son... not sure if her 11 year son had the same idea of pack as she did...

"Uh hmmm" with a amused look in her eye. She was willing to bet anything that her son had packed so fast he likely did see what he throw in his case.. But she wouldn't push... if he for got anything.. he would have to wait for it.

Kay smiled though hide it behind her glass when Caleb sat back down as reply to his fathers denial to allow him to leave for his wand, and she agreed, that kinda thing could wait. The reason she smiled? even after there 11 years as parents she was still amazed how Tav was with the kids a mere word and they listened... most of the time.. It just made her happy to see the interaction.

Caleb laughed when his sister spilt her drink, "Smooth Ro" he said.

Rose cheekily stuck her tongue out at her brother.

Kaylie smiled shook her head and waved her wand, vanishing the spilled mess "Careful Rosie" She said not about to get mad over a harmless accident but reminding her to be careful all the same.

Rose smiled and bodded her head up and down "yes Mama" she said picking up her cup up.

" Can I have some more juice please?" she asked.

Pouring his daughter another cup of juice, Tav ruffled her hair and retook his seat.
"So, Caleb, what are you looking forward to the most about school?" he asked, curious. After all, every child looked at different things differently. He remembered his first day of school... the sorting in Gryffindor, the smiles on the faces of his mum and da... the clapping from the fellow students, most of whom he already known due to his years of living at Hogwarts before he'd become a student.

Rose sipped from her cup happily and then dug back into her meal, glancing at Caleb out of the corner of her eye awaiting his answer. She wasn't sure what would be the best thing about going to Hogwarts. Everything seemed wonderful in her eyes.

Kay looked in curiousity at her son to, also curious.. she had been a nervous wreck on her first day.. so nervous she didn't even think about what she most looked forward to do...

Caleb grined, "Exploring every knook and cranny I can fine in the castle...Taking Defense, Charms and potions class, taking flying lessons even though I can't play quidditch yet... and gernally being there finally" he said in one breath. The excitment growning once again the more he thought about it.

"Oh and the sorting to.. I want to know how it feels having a old hat read your mind..." he mused...

Rose blinked for a moment "An old hat reads your mind? creeeepy" she siad using her hands to cover her head..

"Yet total cool at the same time" she squeeled.

Kay chuckled finding both the children adorable.

Delighted with Caleb's answer, Tav patted his son's back and leaned back in his seat. He ate quickly, hoping to be an example so that his children would learn to do the same. It was always a pain to be the last person at the table, especially with your friends at Hogwarts. Rose's squeals about the hat drew laughter form him and he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Ah, glad you see it that way, Ro." he sighed, full and happy.

Caleb chuckled at his little sister and finished off the last bit of his food.
"Great food, Mum." he cheered, sipping his juice. "Am I gonna have classes with Grandmum?" he asked, hoping so. He knew that Kiara was Headmistress, but she taught classes sometimes. He was especially looking forward to Astronomy... since Esis didn't give homework, ever.

Rose beamed and quickly went back to finishing her food.

Kay ate her fill leaving only bits and bites in her plate, she smiled at Caleb's question..

"I do believe she still teaches Advanced Magic, I think she still lets first years sit in on it if they have a spare moment and a interest. She classes are quite interesting I think you will like them.. She talks about and demonstrates magic not normally taught a hogwarts due to its complexity. It's more of a class to get you thinking about the possibities of magic.. that kind of thing" She explained as she remembeed taking her mother in laws class when she was a girl.. it was almost scarey to think her son would be taking the same class soon.

Rose's eyes were wide at the discription of her Grandmothers Class... "Awesome" she said, her red tresses twirling around as she whipped her head to her brother. "Your gonna take the class right?" she asked.

Caleb beamed at his mum's description of his Grandmum's class. It sounded great, of course he'd want to sit in and then join when he was of the right age.

"Yeah!" he exclaimed excitedly. "That would be so epic!"
Tav bit his lip to keep from laughing at his son's excitement.

"Just be sure you do your best." he reminded. Caleb shrugged like that in itself was no problem. "And how about that sorting?" he continued, curious as to what house his son actually wanted to be in. He could settle with any house for his children, since he personally knew all the heads. Still he'd prefer his son went to Gryffindor... call it fatherly hope.

Caleb thought about it for a second...

"Well I don't picture myself a Ravenclaw.... not much of a book worm.." he paused to think about it some more

Hufflepuff was a nice house, there was a chance he could be in there.. but in his heart he doubted it. So it was either Slytherin or Gryffindor..

"Slytherin was wicked cool in dark mysterious kinda way" he said with a snicker

However in his heart of hearts he was convinced he was Gryffindor..

"But I think its Gryffindor for me" he beamed liking the idea of being in his parents house.

That got Rose think which house would she be in when the time came?

Kay sent Tav a smile, knowing he hoped his son get into his former house.

Tav nodded in agreement with his son; all the houses had their own unique wonder, but it was always Gryffindor for him and it warmed his hear that Caleb thought the same way. He winked at Kay, knowing exactly what that smile meant. He knew she was just as happy as he was though. They were both so proud of their son.

"Okay, clean-up time. Rose and Caleb, help your mother clean off the table and I've got a surprise for you two." Usually he helped with the dishes as well, turning it into a fun family event, but tonight he had a plan. Leaving the table, he went into the other room.

Caleb began stacking the plates, leaving the silverware for his sister.
"What house do you want, Ro?" he asked.

Kaylie smile and started clearing off the table, taking the knives as well. Not wanting Rose carring a bunch of sharp knives.

Rose looked at her brother as she gathered some silverware into her small hands...

"Was thinking about that.. erm.. I not sure... Slytherin sounds scary though... Ravenclaw... boring.. so Gryffindor or Hufflepuff?" she mused as she took the fists full of sliverware to the kitchen for her Mama to clean.

"Wonder what Papa's Surprise is... Do you know Mama?" she asked.

Kaylie laughed "no darling, and even if I did I wouldn;t want to spoil it.. you will find out soon enough" she said amused.

Caleb laughed when his sister mentioned that Slytherin was scary, she had a point after all. The whole snake/sly thing sent little shivers of worry up his spine, after all, what if he was that way?! He knew it would disappoint his papa, if nothing else. But pushing that thought aside, he came back to the table for the cups and napkins.

"Is it gonna be something to eat!?" He asked his Mum only seconds after Rose's question had been presented.

Rose hugged her Mum, smiling up at her in an attempt to say she both loved the woman and was willing to 'butter her up' for a wee bit more of a guess.

Kaylie chuckled as she smoothed out her daughters wavy red hair and hugged her back. She would always accept a hug, no matter what the motive..

"Honest Darlings I don't know what your father is getting, we will all be surprised when he comes back eh?" she said with a amused smile.

"Now why don't you two go and finish cleaning the table? I am sure your Papa will be back when you are done" she said turning on the hot water and soap to clean the dishes.

Caleb carried most of the cups over to the sink and let Rose get the place mats and hot pad. With the table now bare of its necessary serving items, both children looked hopefully at the door for their father's appearance.

As if on cue, Tav entered with his hands behind his back. "Okay... who wants to go first... left or right?"

Rose looked about really leap forward and pick one but then stopped and turned to her brother.

"Your going tomorrow... can you pick first" she said

Caleb blinked, his little sister alway ecitable with a surprise, it surprised him slightly..

"Thanks Ro.. you sure?" he asked. He was sure it didn't matter which one of them picked first.

Rose nodded "Yeah, you only go to hogwarts once...don't expect special treament after this though!" she said quickly not want to think she was being soft..

Kaylie smiled as she dried a plate, trying not to laugh in amusment at her daughters behaviour.

Caleb chuckled "I won't sis.. " with that said he went to choose one of his fathers hands.

"Which one should I pick Ro?" he whispered to he quietly.

Rose giggled... "Silly..." was all she said.. though motioned for the right hand.

Tav winked at Kay over the tops of their children's heads. Their banter was adorable, though he didn't say as much, since he knew it would embarrass Caleb to be called 'adorable', though Rose would just giggle.

Finally Caleb poked a finger toward the right hand and he pulled it out, revealing it to be empty. Caleb and Rose's confusion was obvious at the empty hand, and with their eyes riveted on the hand, he moved the other behind Caleb's ear.
"My goodness, you haven't been washing behind your ears have you, son." he teased, pulling out a silvery draping material that flows with his every movement. "For Caleb and may you have better luck with it than others."

Clapping his hands, Tav made Rose's present appear from mid-air.
"Something sweet for a sugar rose." he murmured, the soft baby rabbit twitching its nose as he handed it to her.

Kaylie laughed as she dried another plate and watched her Husband and Children, they were so cute together. Her smile widened as she saw Tav give there son what she believed to be invisablity cloak.

Caleb looked in shock at the clock for a few seconds then he beamed, "Wow, wicked! Thanks Da! This is awesome!" he said putting it on and watching most of his body vanish.

Rose squealed at the cute baby bunny, "Awww its so cute, thank you so much Papa!" she said as she jumped and hugged him, being careful with the furry creature in her arm.

"I'm glad you like it, lad." Tav chuckled, poking his invisibly stomach. "Just try not to get into too much trouble with it." he winked, certain emphasis on the 'too much'. If his own school years were any proof of how much trouble a young man could get into even without a invisibility cloak, he'd have to trust that Caleb was smarter than himself. Else he would have never given him the gift.

Catching his daughter, Tav lifted her up onto his shoulders, ignoring the sharp pain that ripped through his side at the action.
"What are you going to name it?" he asked, ticking her.

Caleb snickered, "This should make that easier" his mind translating his Da's words as "not to get caught".

Kaylie shook her head as she giggled, wondering if it was such a good idea... but then again.. she and Tav along with Val and Jay got into loads of trouble.

"Rule of thumb honey, please don't have me hear about it from your Grandmother in a offical hogwarts letter eh?"

Caleb blinked he never thought of getting into trouble by his Grandmother before...
"I will try Mum" he said still laughing trying out his new "toy".

Rose laughed still petting the rabits soft head, "Ummm.. what to name ... oh Papa is it a Boy or a Girl?" she asked still giggling at being tickled, finding that peiace of information imortant to naming her new pet.

"That's my boy." Tav laughed, nodding. Feigning shock he turned to his wife.
"I hardly think Mum would write about a few pranks on the snakes or anything." he teased. Whispering, he leaned down to Caleb. "But watch out for her all the same..."

Blinking, Tav examined the fluffy ball of fur.
"Um..." he had no idea what gender it was. Caleb chuckled and whispered to his mum.
"I don't think Papa knows..."

Kaylie giggled and nodded at her Son, "I think your right" she said looking at Tav in amusment.

Caleb snickered, "Call it Fluffy, that is gender neutral right?"

Rose wrinkled her nose, "Fluffy?" she muttered clearly not found of the idea...
She petted her new rabit, which now was still nameless and genderless as will..

"Poor Bunny, I won't let him name you that" she said. "You really don't know Daddy?' she asked.

Tav laughed, loving his family all the more at that moment.
"Fluffy sounds good, Ro." he encouraged. Pulling out his wand he pointed it at the creature and murmured a gender charm. "Ah, female. There you go, love." he kissed her forehead.

Caleb chortled, although he wouldn't of known how to tell the difference either. Still it was rare to see his papa confused and he found it funny.