Professor McKevin's Chambers (Located on the third floor...however they appear to shift locations...)

Kiara quickly summoned a cold cloth and placed it on top of Eglantines forehead. Concern in her eyes as she sat herself beside Eglantine.

"Is this from the ash weave?" she asked she could have sworn she saw Eglantine fade out for a moment or to after she cast it.

"How has she been since she cast it?" she asked Horatio.

The last thing she wanted was Eglantine suffering from magical exshastion.

"How do you feel Eglantine" she asked.

Horatio nodded. "Yes. Ever since she cast it. Sometimes, she will simply fade away. She is conscious, but unable to respond or move. The last time this happened I found a potion that corrected it. But..." he trailed off. Eglantine sighed.

"I feel fine, Kiara." she murmured, and she did...emotionally. Every bit of truth had three threads, and Eglantine was a master at weaving them to suit her purpose.

Ciaran let out his own breath he had been holding. "Is there some other way we can protect the castle?" he asked, eyebrows lifted.

Eglantine shook her head. "This is simply from Excessum. It does not desire to share its mistress with the weave. It drains me."

Kiara winced, guilt flooding her.

She answered Ciarans question

"There would have been another way yes... but for the wards of the school to do what I want them to do it will require tremendous power, quite freaquently, a pace I would not beable to keep up with for long" she answered.

"Is there anything that can be done Eglantine? Share the power of the weave as were... a power transfer?" she asked if she could relieve the presure Eglantine was on she would.

Horatio sighed. "Eglantine, I know you do not want either I or Kiara to give you are magical energy. But what if both of us did? And maybe Sevastyan and Viper as well. If the whole staff gave a small portion, it should help."

Kiara nodded at Horatio's suggestion, "Yes Eglantine please..... I would do it in a heart beat, you know that, and I am sure Sevastyan would, Viper will as well" she said.

She desperatly wanted to help, so much so one could see she magic crackling around her.

"You can't continue like this" she pleaded. Wishing she had been able to cast the weave, however it was new magic to her she didn't posses the knowledge to cast it, a problem she planned to remedy as soon as possible.

Eglantine slowly nodded, due to her spinning head and fading vision. A few blinks later and her vision stabilized, leaving behind only a splitting headache.

"I suppose it would be helpful." she muttered. Horatio sighed.

"Thanks be to Merlin that you agreed." he exclaimed, kissing the top of her head. "Seems as though this meeting helped out in every area!"

Kiara nodded "Yes it seems so" she said with sigh.


She brough her hand up to her eyes and breathed out. The day had been emotionally exshuasting and with the lack of food and drink going against her it was catching up with her... quickly.

"I... I will talk w..with Sevastyan and Viper in the morning... about it" she said weakly, feeling her strength quickly leaving her.

Eglantine sighed softly. "You need to go to bed, Kiara." she whispered.

True to his gentlemanly nature, Ciaran chuckled and offered Kiara his hand.
"Ya can talk all ya want, Ara. But as ya say... tamorrow."

Horatio rose from the couch to open the door for the two of them. "I accept to see you both tomorrow morning, refreshed and ready for a new day." Ciaran nodded.

Kiara nodded though she was already half asleep and holding tightly on to Ciaran hand.

"Yes, in the morning.... and I thank you for tell us the truth Horatio, I know it wasn't easy..." she said with a nod as she slowly walked out the door with Ciaran.

"Good night... both of you"

Ciaran closed the door behind them as they went out into the hall. He cast a wary eye down either way of the hall and then carefully scooped up Kiara into his arms.
"Ya look about ready to fall over, Ara." he murmured as he carried her toward her bedroom.

(continued from Esis' chambers)

Esis whistled Horatio's password, which surprise surprise, turned out to be Sugar, Sugar. The doors opened and she hurried in.

"Horatio Malcolm McKevin!" she thundered. "You had better be here and you had better show yourself!"

A white bearded head peered through the bedroom door and his eyebrows danced up to his hairline.
"Yes, Esis dear?" he murmured, yawning and stretching. Edwin followed him out from behind the door and ran over to hug Esis and Kiara in turn.

Kiara looked at Horatio wearily, Eglantine had warned she had not known it wasn't Horatio until it was to late. So this was either the fake Horatio or the real one, as the real had to be around some where, at least she hoped he was. Now to find out...

Moving in front of Esis she put her hand behind her back and crossed her finger, as if to tell Esis she was trying something first.

"Professor McKevin, could turn into your egal form for me please? right now?" she asked.

Looking into Horatio's eyes she looked for reactions, to how she had adressed him and to her request.

"Professor McKevin, eh?"Horatio looked confused for a moment, before he chuckled and morphed into his secondary animagus form, a golden eagle. Strutting around for a few moments he morphed back and scratched his chin.

Edwin clapped and went on to sip the conjured hot chocolate Horatio had given him. "You keep that between us, okay." he murmured, patting the toddler's back.
"I just got back from my brother's." Horatio announced. "And surprised I was to find Edwin alone in the dungeons. Is Eglantine that busy?"

Esis looked baffled and being the blunt no-nonsense person she was, she set forth to unbaffle herself.
"What the hell's going on here?"

Kiara sighed, convinced it really was Horatio, but still nervous, as she didn't know where the impostor was.

"I am sorry Horatio I had to make sure" she said, "Someone has been mascerading as you for however long you have been gone. We believe it is possibly Eglantine brother, but we can't be sure. Eglantine never knew you left until 30 minutes ago. We were concerned your double might have had Edwin, we came to get him and confront your double..." Kiara explined for both Horatio and Esis's sakes.

Then she looked at Horatio sadly... "Horatio... your double has caused damage while you were away" she said trying to ease him into the harsh reality of what happened.

Horatio looked stunned. "Damage?" he questioned. "What sort of damage?"

Kiara sighed, she didn't want to tell him. Did he really need to know? yes he did, there was no telling how Eglantine was going to act around horatio later.

"Eglantine... Horatio I am sorry she only just told me a little while ago... I have never seen her so confused before"

Horatio's face fell even further and he closed his eyes. "Where is she?" he asked softly, pulling Edwin back onto the couch after he slid off.

Esis' face flushed and she was beginning to pace around the room, checking various closets and cupboards.
"Where'd the other one go?"

Kiara sighed, "She is in Esis's quarters, only burised from what I can tell...I think he hurt her spirit more then her body, but you know how she is...." she said quietly.

At Esis's question she shook her head, "I don't know Esis he could be anywhere..." Then a horrible thought entered her mind...

"Esis? your quarters lock Right? Like someone just doesn't have to tap to get inside?" she asked as Professors could customize there own quarters.

Horatio headed for the door, handing Esis Edwin as he passed. He had to speak to Eglantine, not to beg for forgiveness for harming her but for forgiveness in being so careless...

Then Kiara's question came.

Esis' eyes widened. "Um...I don't think they lock. I never thought about it."

Kiara swore and bolted out of the door, praying to Merlin they were not to late or the awful feeling in her gut was wrong.

"Me and my stupid ideas.." muttered as she tore down the hall. Not bothering to see if anyone was following her.

Horatio hurried after Kiara, leaving Esis with Edwin.

Whistling their father's password into the charmed box, Ewan and Ean slipped into his chambers, sighing with relief as it turned out he wasn't within them. Thankfully, they had paid enough attention to their brother's stories to know what times the classes were at the school... and hopefully their father stuck to said schedules.
"Now what?" Ean hissed, looking at his brother, who looked equally lost.

"Um...well we could." Ewan trailed off.
"Could what?"

"Could explain what you are doing..." Both twins whirled around to come face to face with their mother... or the current time line's Professor DeLanquar.

"Hi..." Ewan gasped. Ean's mouth just fell open.

"Hello." she returned, her stern expression not softening. No doubt she thought she had caught two students about to prank their professor.

"We were um..." Ean began.
"Dropping off an assignment." Ewan finished, smiling at his genius.

"I see..." Their mother's eyebrow rose. "May I see it?" She held out her hand and both boys felt their faces flush.

"We... lost it." Ean offered.
She wasn't buying it...

"He means we were hoping Professor McKevin could help us finish it." Ewan provided, near to hexing his brother. Ean nodded, dumbly.

"How could he help you finish what you do not have with you?" She had a point and the both knew it. What would Rossa do? Or what would Tav do? How about Edwin? well... for starters none of them would have gone back into the past in the first place... how stupid they were, Ean thought, near to hexing Ewan.

"Come along, you two are obviously up to no good and I will not allow students to lie to me." she gently led them from the room, clicking the door shut behind him. "How did you get into his quarters?" she asked, ever logical.

"He gave us the password." Ewan murmured, hoping she'd buy at the very least that one small truth.
"I highly doubt Professor McKevin would allow his students..." she trailed off. Perhaps 'highly doubt' was a bit too strong... after all, Horatio was not the most orthodox of teachers. "Very well... I will allow you that." she murmured.

"Why's she levitating?" Ean whispered, not remembering that detail having been mentioned in any of the stories. Ewan nearly throttled his brother.
"This was before she recovered... remember." he hissed, thankful that their mother appeared to be just far enough ahead to have missed Ean's question.

"What's this then?" Horatio asked, appearing in the hallway just as Ewan's last word faded. Eglantine quickly murmured where she had found the two boys and then continued on her way, allowing him, as Head of Hufflepuff to deal with his students. And it had been his room as well...

"So, you two have an assignment you wish my help with." Horatio smiled, turning them around to head back toward his chambers.
"Er...yeah." Ewan muttered. This was becoming to deep for him.
Ean just bobbed his head.

Soon they found themselves on the couch facing their father aka Professor McKevin with mugs of hot chocolate in their hands and lost expressions on their faces.
"Alright... time to fess up." Horatio chuckled, leaning back in his chair. The situation felt so familiar, both boys almost cried.

"About what?" Ewan asked, hesitantly.
"You are both not my students... I know them all at the very least by face. And I did not assign any assignments that student's your age would need help with... plus you don't appear to have it with you and..." he took a deep breath. "You both look very guilty.

Ewan's life flashed before his eyes... Tav and Val were going to kill him...slowly.

"Er..."
"Um..."

Horatio smiled, amused by the boys' responses.
"Do you like her?" Ean piped up. Ewan slapped his arm.
"What?" Horatio asked, slightly confused.
"Professor DeLanquar." the boy murmured.

"Yes... I do. Most people would wouldn't you say?" Both boys nodded.
"Yeah, she's pretty." Ean shrugged.
"Yes... she is..." Horatio fished out his pipe, packing it simply and then lighting it.

"But neither of you came here to discuss my love life."
They both blushed red.
"Actually... we did." Ewan muttered. "You two really should get married if you like each other." Unlike the response he had been expected, Horatio merely nodded.
"Yes, we honestly should."

The brother's exchanged glances.
"So... can we go now?" Ewan asked. "We promise to behave." Horatio nodded, lost in thought.
"Yes, and don't let your older siblings talk you into silly pranks." They both nodded. So he thought they were younger siblings of a few of his students...they could live with that.

Hurrying out the door, the twins knew their next destination... they had to get back to the future and hope they had helped in some way...

Meanwhile Horatio rose from his chair, heading toward Eglantine's office. He hummed softly and then broke into a skip.

((Not long after Horatio's proposal to Eglantine))

Horatio packed his last pair of underthings into his carpet bag and clicked it shut. Cloak thrown over his shoulder, he sighed and double checked the list Eglantine had given him.

*Toothbrush
*Shirts
*Pants
*Shoes
*Robes
*Underclothes
*Hat
*Cloak
*Razor set
*Pipe

Seeing that everything had been packed properly, he hefted the bag and made his way back into the sitting room. Eglantine's bag sat on the couch along with Edwin's baby bag and toy case. He checked through the baby bag to be sure it had adequate snacks. As he'd guessed, Eglantine hadn't packed nearly enough goodies. Calling for a house-elf, Horatio asked for an assortment of biscuits, fruits and other snack foods. The house-elf happily popped away to gather the requested items.

Eglantine entered the room and levitated higher to set his hat on his head. As she descended to hover above the floor, she kissed his cheek and he smiled.
"All ready?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Almost." she assured him. "Edwin is choosing which teddy bear he wants to take."

Nodding, Horatio pecked the top of her head and set to fastening his cloak. She turned around and he helped her with hers as well. The house-elf popped in with a tray heavily laden with food and Eglantine gasped softly.
"What is that for, love?" she asked, suspicion lacing each word. Horatio grinned.
"Edwin and I." he chuckled, taking the tray and thanking the dear house-elf.

"Oh I know that... but why so much?" She waved away the question, already knowing the answer. "Never-mind, just pack it and I'll get Edwin."
Glad he had gotten out of that one, Horatio hummed a merry tune and packed away the snacks.

They were going on a partially magical trip so for now they were dressed in robes and cloaks. Horatio smoothed his dark green cloak and straightened his muggle hat. It was an odd combination, but he liked the look and it hadn't been odd enough for Eglantine to comment on... which gave it fashionable hope.

"He choose Viper." Eglantine muttered, sounding slightly disappointed. Nodding, Horatio wondered if perhaps she ever felt jealous of the potion's mistress, since her son was obviously captivated by the woman. Edwin clapped his hands, beaming happily. He looked adorable in his blue and white robes and little black cloak. A proper cap was tied around his head to keep him warm and rosy cheeks shone from under his bright eyes.

Horatio took the boy from Eglantine, bouncing him as he lightly tickled his stomach.
"Oh do be careful!' Eglantine warned, placing Toliver into his doggy carrier. By Edwin's insistence and Horatio's promise to care for the creature, the St. Bernard puppy was accompanying them. With their financial status in the magical world paying to have a dog allowed into a hotel or any other location was not unfeasible and in Eglantine's thoughts, should it come to the dog not being allowed anywhere, especially in the muggle world, she could always just transfigure it.

"With what, darling?" Horatio chuckled, continuing to bounce Edwin.
"He just ate." She countered, gathering up her loose hair and carefully tucking it up into the bun she usually wore. Several pins secured the blonde hair and she magically charmed it to remain stiff. Horatio liked her hair-styles; although he preferred it down, mainly since the buns were loose and the occasional loose tendril would escape to frame her face.

"Ah... well we wouldn't want any accidents." he settled Edwin and set him on the ground. "Come, let's get the bags, lad."
Eglantine picked up the baby bag and allowed Horatio and his helper to get the rest of the bags and the doggy carrier. Toliver whined pitifully as Horatio hefted his carrier up. He was quite the sight with three bags under his arms, a toy bag in one hand and a doggy carrier in the other. Edwin had Viper clutched tightly in his arms and the little bag that held Toliver's leash and snacks.

Either forgetting he was a wizard or merely wanting to 'go muggle', Horatio carried his burdens out the door. Shaking her head, Eglantine took Edwin's hand and they followed after the struggling man.