613 Unexpected Visitor

In a cottage surrounded by farmland, a dark-haired middle-aged woman with sharp features and pale skin fondly stares at her two-year-old playing on the kitchen floor, Roderic Jr. who is known to all as Roddy. Eileen (Prince/Snape) Filch stares at the table with a sad smile. Her letters were still being returned, but she had expected that after last year. Still, a part of her desperately hoped to make amends with her father and firstborn children, Rowan, and Severus.

Eileen closes her eyes as she recalls the pale, dark-haired toddler's, who would shyly peek up at her and perform small magics such as causing flowers to bloom. That newfound joy had not lasted long until the day Tobias returned home and discovered magic. There was no joy only shock followed by pain and betrayal.

A happy squeal followed by "Mummy," caused Eileen to be startled out of her memories as she flashed her son a smile and cooed back, "Very good, Roddy." The toddler proudly displays his somewhat badly built fortress, before proceeding to destroy it, and all the while making noises as if he were a giant.

A sudden knock at the door causes Eileen's head to pull up as she glances at the time. It wasn't lunchtime, and Roderic certainly would not be able to get away from the shop early. Carefully gripping her wand in hand, she makes her way to the door and pulls the door slightly ajar. "Who is it?" She warily asked as she peeked around the door to only spot a pale-faced witch with blue running veins in her neck silver hair, gray eyes, and is wearing a warm shawl despite the midday sun.

Pulling the cottage door open even further Eileen narrows her eyes as if trying to recognize the figure, before blinking in surprise and recognition, "Mrs. Potter?"

"Indeed, Eileen, might I come in?" Dorea (Black) Potter calmly inquired. "It is dreadfully warm, and bright out at this hour."

"Of course!" Eileen stammered as she moved to the side. "I am sorry, where are my manners, please come in."

"Thank you," Dorea muttered as she made her way inside and inspected the cottage. It was well furnished, a rather cozy cottage with a few antique insight, no doubt Filch family heirlooms.

Eileen hastily closes the door shut and uncertainly wipes her hands on her skirt, before saying, "If you would follow me into the kitchen, Mrs. Potter to have a seat, I will pour us a cup of tea, and freshly made scones."

"Lead the way, Eileen," Dorea gestured as Eileen lead Dorea down the hall into the kitchen, where Roddy was sitting back down on the floor building another fort.

Eileen hesitates, before saying, "This is my son, Roderic. Roddy would you please greet Mrs. Potter, my sweet?"

The toddler curiously glances up at the unknown visitor and babbles, "'Ello!"

"Hello, young man," Dorea solemnly replied causing the toddler to burst out into giggles, before returning to play with his blocks.

While Eileen bustles around the kitchen, Dorea sits down at the small, but well-made wooden kitchen table. Resting her hands in her lap, she patiently waits until Eileen returns with a silver platter filled with her best china set. With great care, Eileen begins to pour tea as she asks, "Cream or sugar?"

"A touch of cream and one spoonful of sugar," Dorea answered as Eileen obediently did as instructed too. After taking a seat, the only sound heard is the sipping of tea and the faint polite chewing of a scone by both witches.

Having finished nibbling at her food, Dorea courteously says, "These scones are most well-made, Eileen, and the tea is just right."

"Thank you, Mrs. Potter," Eileen warily replied. "However, I find myself surprised by this most unexpected visit, Mrs. Potter. And our families were never close, and my home is not easily found."

"Mm, well I have my ways," Dorea muttered as she took another sip of the well-brewed tea.

Eileen's eyes narrow as she coldly says, "Then Mrs. Potter exactly why are you here then? I doubt it is for a friendly visit."

"My, my, Eileen, you are most certainly a Prince," Dorea faintly said with an amusement gleam in her eyes. "Prince's the whole lot of you are so suspicious of another's motives."

Eileen's lips turn into a faint line as she crisply retorts, "The Prince's have had to be to survive."

"Mm, true enough," Dorea replied as she set her china teacup onto the saucer. "Now then, I suppose I shall finally speak of the concerning matters at hand. Considering your alienation from your family, please allow me to inform you that Rowan and Severus Prince will be presented into wizarding society during the upcoming winter holidays. Naturally, a godfather and godmother will be assigned, Fleamont Potter as godfather, and myself as godmother."

A bittersweet expression appears on Eileen's face as she unsteadily asks, "And exactly why are you telling this, Mrs. Potter? Have you come to gloat?"

"No, Eileen, I am here to play the Devil's advocate," Dorea truthfully replied to the startled expression of Eileen. "I am a Black, Eileen, and we do not forgive and forget. However, your children are still alive, and as are you. And though I understand and whole heartedly agree with Reginald's decision, I too understand of one who desperately longs to see a beloved family member return to the inner folds of their family."

Dorea paused as she removed an invitation from the inner folds of her shawl and slid it across the table to halt exactly in front of Eileen's saucer. "An invitation?" Eileen whispered as she tremblingly grasped the invitation in her two hands. "Why?" She asked with a mix of emotions.

Dorea's lips twitch into a cold smile as she says, "Naturally, there are certain conditions that must be met."

"What?" Eileen desperately asked.

"It is remarkably simple, Eileen, you must bring your husband to the ceremony," Dorea replied to the great dismay of Eileen. "Do not confuse my actions for kindness, Eileen, but it is not a punishment either. It is merely an opportunity, and like all things for a price. I shall see myself out," before departing from the Filch family home.

Eileen does not reply as she clenches the invitation in her hand but is unable to release it. The invitation was much like the forbidden apple found in the garden. Once tasted, it would be impossible to return to the garden again. But the snake was quite convincing, and the fruit truly had been that tempting. And she too like the foremother of humanity found herself unable to stop herself from stretching for forth her hand and plucking the forbidden fruit from the tree.