Chapter 52- Did I just see what I thought I saw?

Sunday, July 23, 1995

Stephen Wright startled awake and lay still for a second, unable to immediately identify where he was or what had awakened him.

Frowning, he propped himself up on one elbow, glancing around the unfamiliar room, and relaxing almost immediately when he recognized his bedroom furniture and spotted his sleeping wife. That's right. I'm in London, he thought, as events caught up with him. Hmm. Definitely not in Kansas anymore, Toto...

Chuckling softly, he shook his head. It was always the same after a move. He was more accustomed to it than most because to his years in the military, but relocation was jarring and disorienting at best. It always took a while to meet people, learn the area and establish new routines. Depending on how things went it could take days, weeks, or even months before the initial strangeness subsided and a new house felt like home.

Although, Steve thought, laying back again and admiring the bedroom, it shouldn't take long this time. Janet had been too tired to give him the nickel tour last night, but from what he had seen, the place could almost be declared "done." Glancing at his wife he shook his head again, this time in wonder. They'd pared down their belongings dramatically in preparation for the move, but even so he'd never dreamed his little Jannie would be able to get so much done before he arrived.

Carefully, to avoid waking her, Steve slid an arm under his wife and pulled her close. They'd had their ups and downs over the years, of course, but he couldn't think of anyone he'd rather have on his team. Pressing a soft kiss into her hair, he recalled how she'd gotten all teary-eyed last night, telling him about the day she met Sparky.

It was awful, Steve, I took my eyes off of them for just a second, and when I looked up again they were gone! Luckily they wandered into Tom's place. He kept them safe inside and sent Sparky out to look for me. I kept it together until he took me inside, and then I bawled all over myself...

The thing was, he could almost picture it. That was classic Janet. Standard Operating Procedure. She could cope remarkably well with almost any situation, but as soon as it was over she'd dissolve into tears-almost guaranteed.

It was a reaction he'd always found baffling. Why fall to pieces after the fact? The crisis was over. Problem solved. Smiling a little ruefully now, Steve recalled one occasion when he'd pulled her to the side, and asked just that. He'd thought it was a reasonable question, and had actually been trying to cheer her up, but instead of looking up at him and saying "Why you're right dear, how could I have been so silly?" Janet had only cried harder, and taken twice as long to calm down. Since then, he'd learned to simply accept it. His job was to offer support and comfort and wait for the storm to pass.

Still unsure what had awakened him, he listened hard for a few seconds, hoping whatever it was would repeat itself. The house stayed quiet, though, so he shrugged and closed his eyes again, enjoying the peace and closeness while he could before the Wright Family Circus opened for business. He almost never woke before Jannie did, so this was a rare treat. She and Becky were the morning people. Kitty, bless her, was more of a night owl like himself. Curious, he spared a glance at his watch, and raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was almost ten! Jan and the girls must have really exhausted themselves yesterday, especially if Becky was still sleeping.

Ah, well, it won't last, Steve mused, deciding he must have been awakened by some unfamiliar noise. If they aren't up by ten I'll get them up. Probably won't be necessary, though, he thought sleepily. Unless he was sadly mistaken, it wouldn't be long before Kitty and Becky came barging in. He grinned again, deciding that the intrusion might be okay...just this once.

Actually, it was hard to believe they were actually in England-or anywhere besides the States. He'd never been given an overseas rotation as a soldier, and had thought he wouldn't get a chance once they re-entered civilian life. Fortunately, he'd been wrong.

He'd earned his Bachelor's Degree in History before enlisting, but Janet had still been in college when they'd married. It had taken a while, with the frequent moving and Kitty coming along, but she'd finally managed to earn her degree in Computer Science. When she graduated and entered the workforce, she soon discovered that overseas opportunities were available there as well. They'd discussed it as a future possibility, but it had been a moot point while he was still in the service.

Once he'd gotten out they'd taken it a bit more seriously. Janet began keeping a close eye on the jobs coming open, and they began saving both money and vacation time, but somehow it never worked out. Sometimes the jobs available weren't in her skill set. On other occasions the timing stunk. Becky was the most recent monkey-wrench that had been thrown into the works. Janet had actually been considering a couple of openings about the time she discovered she was pregnant. Not surprisingly, that little detail effectively squashed her enthusiasm for packing up and journeying to parts unknown.

The delays had been frustrating at the time, but in the end Steve found he hadn't minded much. It had actually worked in their favor. They'd had a little more time to save, and in the meantime he'd finished his Master's Degree and been hired by one of the local universities as a professor of History.

This time, when an overseas position had presented itself, the timing and location couldn't have been better. He had some teaching time under his belt, and was getting to the point where he really needed to research and publish a paper. England was the perfect place to do just that.

He'd submitted his paperwork announcing his sabbatical when they found out they'd be moving, and everything seemed to be going well. All he had to do was teach a couple of classes during the first summer session. They'd planned to make the trip together when he finished grading exams and clearing the department.

That was about the time events had gotten away from them. Janet's report date had been unexpectedly moved up, and it had been too late for him to back out of the classes. His wife hadn't been thrilled about going ahead without him, but she'd coped before. She'd also been determined to allow plenty of time to unpack and settle in before starting her new job. A couple of moves ago she'd begun working immediately upon arriving, and it had taken forever to get the house in order. Janet, especially, had been traumatized by that ordeal, hence her insistence on getting things squared away immediately.

Chuckling again, he gave Janet another kiss, settled more comfortably on his pillows, waiting for his family to wake. He must have drifted off at one point, because he soon found himself surfacing from a light doze. This time there was no question as to what had awakened him, however. It was faint, but he was definitely hearing the murmur of voices downstairs. There were little clinks and rattles, too, and a pleasant aroma of cinnamon in the air.

Damn! he thought irritably. Jannie must have gotten up and gone downstair- He broke off abruptly when he realized that Janet was, in fact, still sleeping contentedly in his arms. That meant...

The kids!

Wanting to avert a disaster, he carefully tried to ease Janet's head off his chest without disturbing her, but she stirred at the shift, and began to show signs of waking.

"Hey, you," he said, with a teasing smile as she opened her eyes. "I thought you might be planning to sleep all day."

"Hmm. Not much chance of that with Becky around," Janet yawned, stretching. She sniffed the air curiously and asked, "What's that?"

"I'm not sure, but I think Kitty and Becky might be trying to make us breakfast in bed again," he replied.

Janet's eyes widened in horror, imagining evil things being done to her kitchen. In a remarkably smooth motion for someone who had just awakened, she threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Come on!" she urged, hurrying out the door and padding barefoot down the stairs, giving her husband little choice but to follow.

As they rushed downstairs, Steve noted that his earlier conclusion about the house had been correct. It was more obvious now that the sun was up, but he had little time to admire it as he hurried along. Catching up with Janet, he was surprised to find her standing to the side of a doorway that he presumed led into the kitchen.

Confused by her behavior, he walked over and stood behind her. "Aren't we going in?" he asked.

"Yes, in just a second," she whispered in response, nodding toward the activity in the kitchen.

Steve looked in the direction she indicated, and saw the boy from last night standing in front of the stove. Becky was tugging on the leg of his sweatpants, and Kitty was setting the table looking disappointed.

"I still think we should have brought them breakfast in bed," Katrina was saying while Rebecca looked beseechingly up at-John...no Jim-and said "Becky wanna help too, 'Parky!"

"I think they'll be more comfortable at the table," the boy responded, tossing a grin over his shoulder. When she continued to sulk, he said, "Look, you ask when they come downstairs. If they say okay, we'll serve them breakfast in bed another day. Fair?" He waited for her less-than-gracious nod then turned his attention to the dark-haired toddler beside him.

After checking whatever it was he was frying-bacon by the smell of it-and taking it off the heat, Jim leaned down and picked up Becky. "Poor thing," he commiserated. "Everything in the world is sharp or hot or breakable, isn't it?" He paused a moment, regarding her seriously, then snapped his fingers. "I know what you can do. Come on. Let's wash your hands."

Steve and Janet exchanged a curious glance as Sparky carried Becky to the sink. "Those two are buds from way back," Janet explained softly, while he pulled a chair over so the baby could reach the tap. "We all like Sparky, but Becky's claimed him for her own."

"So I see," Steve responded, watching as Sparky carefully washed and dried Becky's hands then fetched four plastic cups from the cupboard, and the container of ice from the freezer. He placed these items on the counter, then shoved Becky's chair over so she was positioned in front of them.

"There now," he said when he finished. "Do you know how many three is?"

Becky nodded enthusiastically and held up three fingers, making the boy chuckle softly.

"Well done," he said, smiling. "Now, if you'll put three pieces of ice in each cup, that would really help a lot."

Kitty, who had finished setting the table, wandered over to observe, and frowned a little when she saw the cups. "We need another one, Sparky," she said, taking another out of the cupboard. "Me and Becky and Mom and Dad and you makes five," she said, indicating the table where she had set five places.

Sparky, Steve noted, looked surprised at her announcement, but recovered quickly. Taking the proffered cup, with a quiet 'thanks', he set it with the others without further comment. Odd, he thought with a slight frown. Did he forget about me, or was he not expecting to stay?

"What else can I do?" Kitty asked, bouncing eagerly while her sister carefully counted out ice cubes.

Jim looked around for a second then shrugged. "Nothing really-oh, wait! You can put this on the table if you'd like," he said, holding out the sugar bowl. "Otherwise I believe we're all set. We just have to put the kettle on, let the buns finish baking, and wait for your Mum and Dad to wake up."

"If they're not up soon, I'll wake them up," Kitty stated confidently, holding one hand in a "thumbs up" position and jabbing herself in the chest, while reaching out with the other.

Two hands! Steve almost shouted, but it was too late. Kitty hadn't been paying attention, and fumbled with the sugar bowl when Sparky set it in her hand. Beside him, Janet made a little sound of distress, clearly expecting the china container to shatter on the kitchen floor as it slipped from her daughter's fingers...

CLACK!

Wow. Good hands! Stephen thought admiringly. Almost faster than he could follow, the boy had reached out and snatched the bowl and its lid out of mid-air. Janet opened her eyes after involuntarily wincing, and grinned happily when she realized the china on china sound she heard was not breakage. "Maybe both hands would be better," the boy suggested simply, further impressing the elder Wrights as he replaced the lid on the sugar bowl and offered it to Kitty again.

The girl bit her lip and nodded glumly. "Sorry," she said, looking apologetically at the sugar that had spilled.

Jim waved it off. "Don't fret. We'll have this sorted out in no time. You put some more sugar in the bowl, and I'll sweep the floor. Where does Janet keep the broom again?"

"I know!" Rebecca exclaimed before her sister could answer. She had finished her task and was eager to help some more. "Becky get!" she said, climbing off the chair, running over to the basement door, and plucking the broom from its hook on the wall. Unfortunately, when she came running back, she severely misjudged where the end of the long wooden handle was. She scurried up to Sparky intending to hand him the broom, but somehow wound up rapping him rather solidly on the nose instead.

Jim's exclamation of surprise and pain covered Janet's soft gasp. She immediately started to hurry into the kitchen, but Steve put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Wait," he requested, when she turned and looked questioningly at him. "I want to see how he handles this."

Janet's eyes narrowed, and she speared him with her best I-Can't-Believe-You're-Being-So-Mean glare. "Let go, Steve! He's hurt!" she hissed, but he stood by his decision. They were right there, and could step in instantly if needed. Besides, Jannie had been bragging about this kid almost nonstop since she met him, and Steve was curious to know what he was made of.

"Just another couple of minutes, Jannie. Please." Actually, given what he'd just seen of the boy's reflexes, Stephen was impressed as hell that Jim hadn't instinctively taken a swing at Becky. He knew from painful personal experience that getting hit in the nose, even just a little bit, hurt like it was nobody's business. Lashing out was a fairly common reaction, as was hollering, jumping around and turning the air blue with a few well chosen curse words.

So far Jim hadn't done any of that. He'd actually controlled himself remarkably well. The real test would come when he got his breath back enough to speak, however.

Turning his attention back to the kitchen, Steve winced in sympathy. Jim was covering the lower half of his face with one hand and gripping the counter with the other. His eyes were screwed tightly shut, and he was breathing rather heavily through the mouth.

Kitty recovered first and tentatively approached. "Sparky? Are you okay?" she asked gingerly, receiving a nod in reply. Reassured, she smiled a little, then pushed the chair Becky had been standing on over to him. "Here, sit down a minute," she suggested, remembering how her mom had told her dad to sit once when he'd smashed his thumb with the hammer. "Do you want some ice?"

"M'fine, just give me a second," Jim mumbled, his voice slightly muffled by his hand. He did take advantage of the offered chair, though, dropping down on it without preamble and propping his elbows on his knees.

When he looked up and removed his hand a few seconds later, Steve wasn't surprised to see that the boy's eyes were watering. Ouch, Becky really nailed him, he grimaced, noting the red mark that looked like it might discolor. "We'll have to give him a little extra for hazardous working conditions," he murmured to his wife.

Calmer now, Janet gave him a mildly reproving look. "And breakfast," she added, starting to smile.

Steve nodded. "And talking Kitty out of serving it to us in bed..." he grinned, rolling his eyes and making his wife choke on suppressed laughter.

They were just about to announce their presence, when a horrified shriek made them both jump. Unnerved by Sparky's tears, Becky had broken out of her shocked stupor at last. When he reached up and wiped his face with both hands, she dropped the broom with a loud clatter and began crying inconsolably.

Jim looked a little stunned at first, then began to shake his head as though denying a statement. Reaching out, he set her in his lap, gathered her into a loose hug and began speaking quiet reassurances into her hair. "Shush, love, that's not true," he soothed, closing his eyes as if remembering something unpleasant. "I'm not angry and I still like you. I know it was an accident, and I don't believe you hit me just to be mean."

Becky's cries soon lost their hysterical edge and tapered off into sniffles and hitches, but Steve found himself frowning in confusion. How had Sparky zeroed in on the root of her distress so quickly and accurately? He sounded like he was addressing specific worries, but as far as Steve could tell, Becky had just been crying. She hadn't said anything. Was it instinct? Lucky guess? Telepathic powers? He rolled his eyes as the last possibility drifted through his head. Jeez, Wright, you obviously need to lay off the science fiction novels...

It took a few more minutes of Sparky's and Kitty's combined efforts, before Becky was mollified. As he observed, Steve glanced at the boy's wound again, and was gratified to see that the redness was already beginning to fade. Good. Maybe it won't bruise after all, he thought, smiling a bit as Kitty fetched a tissue and wiped her sister's face.

Calmer now, but still worried, Rebecca sat up and ran questioning fingers over the mark on Sparky's face. "Hurts?" she asked, a very serious look on her baby face.

"Nah," he assured with a shrug and a smile. "It'll be fine, you'll see, but this is why your mum always tells you not to run in the house."

It was a good point, but probably not the best thing to say under the circumstances, Steve decided candidly. Jim winced at his blunder, and glanced helplessly at Katrina when Becky nodded miserably, looking like she might just cry all over again. Hmm. It was probably time to stop lurking and lend a hand. He'd seen enough.

"Let's back up and give them a little warning before we go in," he murmured to Janet, giving her shoulder a little squeeze. She nodded quickly, but Kitty's voice made them both pause, and returned their attention to the kitchen. "Here, Becky," she said, obviously trying to distract the baby.

Steve frowned in confusion when his older daughter held out an empty hand. He was further baffled by the mischievous looks of anticipation the other two shared, but what completely floored him, was the little white ball that appeared out of nowhere. What the hell? he wondered, staring in complete disbelief.

"Oh!" Jim said suddenly, drawing the elder Wrights' attention, "I was thinking about this last night after you two went to sleep. I think I figured out a new trick!" he grinned, touching the ball with all five fingers. Kitty and Becky both smiled when different colored patches appeared on the softly glowing surface, then laughed delightedly when he poked his index finger into the ball and stirred, making the colors swirl together in a crazy tie-dye effect. Rebecca was especially impressed. "Becky ty! Becky ty!" she exclaimed, current trauma forgotten.

"We'll play later, I promise," Kitty said, snuffing the multi-colored sphere with an air of furtive nervousness. "Now smile before Mom and Dad get here," she said, ruffling her sister's curls and effectively snapping her parents out of their shock.

"What was that?" Steve croaked, turning to Janet for an explanation, but she just spread her hands helplessly, looking as bewildered as he felt.

Severus Snape hurried toward the Headmaster's office, a piece of parchment clasped tightly in his hand, and his robes billowing out behind him.

It was time. He'd just received instructions from the Dark Lord himself, and he strongly suspected that something was going to happen in a matter of days. Severus wasn't idiotic enough to question his orders, of course, and Voldemort wasn't considerate enough to state what they would be used for, but he had been told to make several volatile potions. All of them would be useful in an attack, and all of them had to be used within a week of brewing for maximum potency.

Snape smiled grimly as he reached the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office. With luck this whole fiasco would be over soon. Once the Death Eaters knew Potter's relatives had relocated, the need for total secrecy would be over and the Order would be able to conduct its search for the little reprobate more openly.

As he whispered the password and mounted the spiral staircase, the potion master's smile grew positively vicious. He hoped he would be allowed to deal with the boy. Any other Order member would be much too easy on him. Dumbledore himself would probably let the little urchin dance away unscathed, and that would never do. No, Severus decided as he knocked on the doorframe and let himself into Albus' office, he and Potter would definitely have words, and when he was through the boy would think long and hard before repeating this sort of behavior.

Glancing around, the potions professor soon spotted Dumbledore. He was standing in front of the fireplace engaged in a call. Not wanting to interrupt, Snape stood to the side, seeking the shadows out of habit, and observed as Professor Dumbledore conversed with Arthur Weasley.

"...I assumed he could be trusted and told him more than was prudent before making sure. I have no excuse but my own stupidity," Weasley was saying. The self-reproach evident in the red-haired wizard's voice caught Snape's attention immediately. He wondered what had happened. Had the entire plan come undone?

Dumbledore sighed tiredly, drawing his attention. His rather resigned body language did not inspire confidence, nor did his words. "We shall simply have to make the best of it, Arthur," he replied. "Perhaps since he considers the matter frivolous he will not choose to bring it to the Minister's attention," he added, clearly trying to bolster the other man's spirits.

Arthur, however, didn't appear to want his spirits bolstered, nor was he finished being upset. "Can we take that risk?" he pressed, sounding even more stressed than before. "I told him not to bother, but if he sends someone to check on Harry everything will be revealed!"

"That will happen regardless," Dumbledore pointed out. "I had hoped to keep the Guest of Honor in the dark until after the Surprise Party, but a good plan must be flexible and allow for the unexpected." He paused to mull things over for a moment before speaking again. "The procedures set in place when Harry was hidden should still be in effect," he said at length. "Any visiting witch or wizard will be required to check in with Arabella Figg. Perhaps that can be used to our advantage."

"Perhaps," Weasley agreed, nodding and sounding a little happier now. "Shall I contact her?" he offered.

"Yes, please do," Albus said gratefully. "I shall be on the lookout for an owl from Amos-when is Cedric's service scheduled again?"

"In late August. Right before the children return to Hogwarts."

"Hmm. Well, it's Harry's decision, of course, but I think I am safe in sending a tentative acceptance," the Headmaster speculated. "I would like to think that this matter will be sorted out before the new term begins," he added, a hint of his usual good humor returning.

"I'll second that," Arthur agreed wholeheartedly.

Dumbledore nodded then sighed, becoming somber again. "I am sorry for any friction I may have caused, Arthur," he apologized sincerely. "That was never my intent."

"Thank you, Albus, but I think this was just the catalyst. It's obvious that he's been keeping things bottled up inside for a long time. Things I never knew bothered him so much. Hopefully when we've both cooled off, we'll be able to sort it all out," the other wizard assured, then he said his goodbyes and vanished with a small pop.

Snape had all but forgotten he hadn't really announced himself until Dumbledore addressed him without turning. "I do wish you wouldn't lurk in the shadows, Severus," the Headmaster chided lightly, making his potions professor jump guiltily.

I hate it when he does that! Snape growled, cursing his own carelessness. He'd gotten so intrigued with who had been told what and possible ripple effects from such action that he'd allowed himself to become distracted. Something he couldn't afford to do under any circumstances at a Death Eater meeting. Stifling an annoyed sigh, he glided forward to where Dumbledore stood. "My apologies, Headmaster."

Albus acknowledged him with a nod. "You heard, I presume?"

"Part of it," Snape admitted. "Who was he foolish enough to trust?"

"His middle son, Percy. Arthur believed the boy might help us gain access to Harry's folder, but unfortunately he was incorrect. Percy is inclined to believe the Minister's version of events," Dumbledore summarized, looking worried and disappointed.

Snape made a little noise of condescension. "Obliviate him," he recommended. "We cannot risk him being able to keep his mouth shut."

"I am not certain preserving the plan is worth Minister Fudge knowing young Mr. Weasley has been tampered with," Albus returned easily. "Obliviating him might lend undue credence to his words. I am certain, however, that you did not come to discuss Mr. Percy Weasley. What can I do for you, Severus?"

"I was summoned this morning and thought you'd want to know the details straightaway," Snape reported, after pausing to gather his thoughts. He felt both annoyed and inexplicably warmed when Dumbledore frowned lightly and swept him with an assessing look as soon as he made his announcement.

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