Chapter Eleven: A Little Sweet on You

Chapter Eleven: A Little Sweet on You

Siofre drew out her watch and looked at it. A little after two. Whatever Lydia might think about her Apparition skills, Siofre was feeling the effects of several long-distance Apparitions that day. She didn't make a habit of lying down during the day, though, and she wasn't about to start now. She would walk down to the lodge and double-check everything. Morgan and his family would be arriving in the morning, and all the house-elves in both households had been enlisted to shift everything from their house in Inverness to their new home there at the estate.

The lodge was large, and Siofre remembered when the Mackenzies had lived there, many years ago now. Jake Mackenzie had been a schoolfriend of her grandfather's, and he, his wife, his children, and eventually, their grandchildren, had lived in that lodge, and Jake had done all manner of work for Séaghán Tyree. Jake and Emma's daughter, Grace, had moved away when she married...an event that Siofre only remembered as a fact, though she retained no clear recollection of it herself...but Jamie, the Mackenzies' son, and his wife Sarah had stayed on for a number of years. Siofre had played with their children, Norma, Alice, and Marigold, until finally they moved away at the birth of their fourth daughter, Oona. Older than her brother Murdoch by almost six years, Siofre had missed having playmates closer to her own age, but not for long, since she soon started at Hogwarts, landing in the same House as Norma and Alice.

There would be plenty of room for the McGonagalls, with some to spare, Siofre thought as she looked into the large, partially furnished nursery. For convenience's sake, until they were a little older, the quads would share a single bedroom, but there were six bedrooms in the house, plus the nursery, so there would be more than enough room even if the couple changed their minds and decided to have more children.

Siofre looked into each room, some of which were already furnished...or partially furnished...with things from the main house. It would be good to have some life in the place again, and good to have children running about, too.

Over the years, various Tyrees, McGonagalls, Marshes, Mackintoshes, and other relatives had stayed in the lodge, occasionally for several months at a time, but now it was to be a real home again, and Siofre felt it was almost as though the old lodge knew this and was quivering with impending life. Of all the houses on the grounds, this was the one closest to the main house, and Siofre had felt its emptiness keenly, particularly after she had returned permanently to the estate after Herbert died. It seemed sad, sitting there empty, especially at dusk, when the windows were blank and the building slowly merged with the shadows until it disappeared. Soon, though, there would be lights in those windows again, and the lodge would come alive.

Siofre left the lodge and walked around the outside of the house, admiring the gardens that Johannes had planted. He had done a lot very little time, and yet it all looked lovely. The man had a good eye. He had even planted a little kitchen garden for the lodge, though the McGonagalls could help themselves to any of the vegetables from the main gardens. It was convenient, though, to have culinary herbs and salad vegetables growing close to the kitchen. Fiona had been pleased when she had come by earlier in the week and seen the results of Johannes's efforts. She had declared him an absolute treasure, which had left Johannes blushing.

Siofre smiled. Johannes did blush rather sweetly at times, often out of modest embarrassment, but occasionally, she had elicited a blush from him herself, and although she had scolded herself for it later, it had been amusing to see how he had blushed at the touch of her fingers on his hand down at the machair, and then later to tease him just a bit, tickling his skin with her magic and to see him blush and fight a stutter. After all, Lydia was not the only witch in the world who enjoyed a little flirting.

Now, though, Siofre felt a slight twinge. She ought not play with the poor man so. He was kind and good, and she did enjoy both his company and his attention . . . but to flirt with him so as not to seem to be flirting was unfair to the man, really, although he was certainly old enough to look after himself. Still, she should not tease him that way, as sweet to see as his blushing was.

She had the impression from Malcolm that Johannes had rather fancied the Gamp witch at one time, but that he had no special lady friend, as such. Malcolm had said that the date he'd set Johannes up with a couple weeks before hadn't turned into anything, though it hadn't been a disaster. She would have to tell Malcolm to invite the witch to the bonfire, if he liked. Perhaps in a festive atmosphere, another exposure to her might draw Johannes out a bit more.

Such a handsome, intelligent, skilled, and kind wizard should not be alone as he was, Siofre thought. It was sad to imagine him leaving the Tyree estate when his work was finally completed, returning to his empty little Hogsmeade flat. But then he might have more opportunities to meet other witches, living in town rather than there in the hills with two old witches. He seemed shy, but surely there would be some discerning witch who would see him, recognise his value, and then have him win her heart . . . A man who valued family as much as Johannes obviously did deserved to have a family of his own, and not be so alone in the world as he seemed.

Siofre thought of the various unmarried witches whom she knew. Surely there would have to be a few who would enjoy meeting this handsome, gentlemanly wizard. If she were younger, she would certainly have appreciated an introduction to him, and she would have made sure that no other witches could compete with her for him.

None of her friends or acquaintances seemed likely candidates, though. Siofre wasn't certain what sort of witch would interest Johannes, although if Professor Gamp had held his attention, he obviously valued intelligence. Of her relatives . . . Lydia was too old, and besides, as much as she might pretend to flirt with him, Siofre could tell that both she and Johannes saw it as an enjoyable diversion, but neither was serious. Yet if Lydia were to become serious about him, and if the two did grow closer, Siofre would have nothing negative to say about it...although she did think that Johannes should marry someone young enough so that he could become a father again, and Lydia was a good thirty years beyond her childbearing time. Johannes would be a wonderful father, and he deserved children.

Of Siofre's relatives, most of the unmarried ones were either too young or too old or not at all suitable...if Siofre couldn't imagine sharing living quarters with a witch, then she certainly wouldn't wish her on a wizard as a wife...but there were two who might be acceptable. Although Maisie had her peculiarities and Malcolm had never got along very well with her, she was actually quite bright and had a strong maternal streak. Siofre thought that Malcolm had never quite outgrown his childhood jealousy of Siofre's marriage to Herbert. He had been very close to his grandmother when he was a young boy, and it had been difficult for him to see her remarry and then have a daughter.

In addition to her daughter, Siofre thought that Lachina, one of her more distant Tyree cousins, might be a good match for Johannes. Better, perhaps, than Maisie would be, although she was a fair bit younger, closer to Minerva's age. But that would mean many years for her and Johannes to have children. A large house filled with Tyree children. Birnbaum children, Siofre amended, as some might be boys. They could even live there at the estate. Lachina was from the island, but she worked at a jeweller's in Aberdeen; she would have no objection to moving . . .

Siofre could see it in her mind's eye now. Lachina could Apparate each day to her job, if she wished to continue in it, and Johannes could continue working the Tyree gardens, have his own gardens and greenhouse, and she and Johannes could still see each other daily. Perhaps he and Lachina would even stay on in the main house. It was certainly large enough. Although the number of bedrooms varied depending on how the rooms were being used, there were easily a few dozen rooms from which they could choose their bedroom. In fact, they could even have the entire North Tower, if they wished. That was the oldest part of the house, but it had been refurbished completely in the eighteen-fifties when she was a girl, and Murdoch and Lydia had always kept it well, thinking that perhaps either Connor or Phoebe might like it when they were grown and married. The tower had several rooms, and it could easily accommodate a small family.

Siofre chuckled to herself. She already had Johannes and Lachina married and surrounded by a brood of children, and they hadn't even met yet. Still, she would make sure that Lachina came to the Beltane celebration and stayed for young Murdoch's birthday party. If she and Johannes became acquainted, that was a first step. A witch would have to be completely blind not to see what a very attractive wizard Johannes was, and what a very good man.

Siofre walked back up to the house. There was still more than a half hour before Johannes would be there to fetch her...he was probably suffering at the Melliflua manor at that moment...so perhaps she could write her letter to Murdoch about the potion she wanted him to prepare for her to give to Gwyneth Terwilliger. She had found the formula for it the night before, but she had been too tired to stay up and copy it out. It wasn't a standard potion, by any means, but Siofre had remembered seeing it in one of the Tyree family books, and was glad when she'd been able to find it fairly quickly.

With the charms she had cast on the rooms in the Terwilliger home the previous afternoon, this potion would help maintain an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. That would encourage Cadoc to behave more like his better self...which Gwyneth insisted existed. Siofre hoped, for the sake of both Gwyneth and her unborn child, that the witch was right about that. And if Gwyneth was right, then good for Cadoc, too. It would be good if Cadoc could reach his potential and truly experience and enjoy his life.

Siofre entered the house through the conservatory. Lydia was at the piano again. It sounded to Siofre as though she was working on the same piece as she had for the last few days. She walked through the conservatory, pausing a moment to sniff a few of the flowers. She didn't think that it was only her imagination that even the plants in the conservatory seemed more vibrant and colourful now that Johannes was overseeing their care. She was sure that anything in Johannes's care would flourish.

"Oh! You startled me!" Lydia exclaimed as Siofre entered the music room from the conservatory. "I didn't hear you come in. I didn't even know you were back." She nodded toward the sheet music. "I've been rather absorbed."

"I got back about an hour ago," Siofre replied. "I was out at Morgan and Fiona's, just walking through one more time before tomorrow. I saw that the house-elves have stocked the kitchen and pantry."

Lydia nodded. "I asked Multry to see to that. She is wonderful. I'm glad you brought her with you. I think Shoolie enjoys sitting in the corner of the kitchen, sipping her tea and entertaining the wee bairns."

"After close to two centuries of service, she deserves to put her feet up and 'supervise,'" Siofre said. "I have to say, I wasn't sure when we first moved back whether she and Multry would get along together in the kitchen, but Multry makes her feel valued, not extraneous, so it's worked out well."

"Yes, it has. So tell me, did you see Phoebe?"

"Aye. She received a letter from Sally yesterday. She is excited, naturally, and would like to be here on the twenty-ninth. Since we aren't certain whether they'll arrive a day early or a day late, I told her to come stay at the house for a few days. So she'll be arriving on the twenty-seventh, coming straight from work, and staying through the weekend."

"And Declan?"

"I didn't see him, but Phoebe said he'd probably not be able to come until the twenty-ninth. He has some commitments, apparently. But he'll join us later, and he'll definitely be here for the weekend."

"I'll prepare their usual rooms, then."

"I thought we could put them in the Capercaillie Suite, or one of the other suites, this time instead...with all the weekend guests to accommodate, it might make more sense."

"He always joins her through the door between their rooms, anyway," Lydia said with a laugh.

"Aye, which is why I give them adjoining rooms." Siofre sighed. "But do have the daybed made up in the dressing room. Just in case he snores."

Lydia laughed heartily at that. "Connor and Liz are waiting until they get word that they've arrived, then they and Liam will come up. I thought we could send Sorrel or Gweller with the news."

"We'll have Multry prepared to fix a nice meal when they get here. We'll be . . ." Siofre paused to count.

"Ten," Lydia said quickly. "Twelve if Morgan and Fiona join us."

"You say maths gives you rash," Siofre scoffed.

"I never claimed not to be able to add and subtract. I just hate it. It makes me feel all squirmy," Lydia said.

"We'll still be in the family dining room, then. Multry will just have the table extended a bit."

"I sent out letters this morning, but haven't heard back yet from anyone except Philomena. She was quite happy for us. She looks forward to seeing them at the bonfire."

"You invited Philomena?"

"Yes. Her husband is supposed to be in Madrid or Majorca or someplace that week, so he won't be here, but Philly is coming. She loves a good party, you know. She gets tired of all the Ministry functions, I'm sure."

"She's probably numb after all these years," Siofre said. "You don't head up a Ministry department that long without going numb...or barking mad!" She cackled.

"Speaking of rooms . . . I've put Malcolm and Gertrude in one room. I think everyone knows by now that she spends weekends with him. And all last summer, I think."

"Ask her. Or Malcolm. We should go by their wishes. There will be children there, after all. No Hogwarts students, but they still may wish to be more discreet."

"Right. And Minerva will be staying down with Morgan if she can manage to get away for the bonfire, she said in her owl. If she does come, it will be quite late."

"Dumbledore coming, too?"

"She didn't say, and I haven't heard from him."

"Well, there's room enough down at the lodge. We can let them sort it out if he shows up," Siofre said.

"Are you going to tell her about the cottage?" Lydia asked.

"Nay, this is Murdoch's weekend. It's his birthday. Bertrand and Sally's return will already draw attention from it. Besides, you know that I want to have the work done down there before I give it to her."

"Have you found a plumber yet?"

"I'm hiring Brian Mackintosh to do it. It will mean Apparating him back and forth daily until the work is done...or arranging Portkeys for the man...but he's family, more-or-less, and his pipe-charming is quite good, I understand, even if his Apparition is a bit weak. He did all the new plumbing for the Meath Tyrees, Kathleen's and Kieran's families, a few years ago, and they're happy with it."

"You said he was expensive."

"More expensive to have it done wrong," Siofre said briskly. "And 'tisn't worth the worry to hire someone we dinna know, have to watch his every move."

"Brian might give us a family discount..." Lydia began.

"The man deserves to be paid his worth. Besides, most of his work is for some manner of family. He'd starve if he gave a discount to everyone he was remotely related to," Siofre said practically. "I'll just dip into the estate's primary account, that's all. The magister is finding a market for some of our produce. That will help replenish it."

"I could give lessons again," Lydia offered, "if money is tight. They were asking about me down in Cardiff again. Not to teach at MAMA itself, but to tutor a few of their students. And I could pick up a few Galleons accompanying some of the voice students."

"If you want to do that, that would be fine, hen. I know how much you've enjoyed your association with the music academy, but don't feel you have to take students. It's hardly as though we're broke."

"I feel a bit like Shoolie some days . . . just sent to sit in the corner by the fire . . ."

"Dinna be ridiculous, Lydia. You are very valuable. You take so much off my mind...I always know that when I leave things in your hands here at the house, I needn't worry about them at all." Siofre gestured toward the piano. "What have you been working on lately?"

Lydia shrugged. "Oh, just a bit of something that I'd started years ago and then . . . just lost interest in, I suppose. I thought I might pick it up again."

"A composition, then?"

"Yes. I played something of mine for Johannes one afternoon last week...it was raining and you were at the Smethwycks' final arbitration meeting, remember? Anyway, he really enjoyed it. He said it reminded him of Mahler." Lydia blushed. "So I played him a few other pieces that I'd written years ago, and that reminded me of how much I used to enjoy composing my little bits of things. I found this unfinished piece, and Johannes said he liked it and urged me to work on it again. I think it's coming along. He's been very encouraging. This morning, he left me a flower on the piano with a note of support. He said I had a true gift. It was very sweet." She picked up a little card and fingered its corner.

"Play it for me this evening, then? I've only heard parts of it as you've been composing," Siofre said, "but it is lovely, what I've heard."

"I'd love to! It's not near finished yet," Lydia said apologetically, "but I hope to have it done before Bertie and Sally arrive. I hadn't been sure what to title it, but now I'm thinking, 'Homecoming.' It would suit it, I think."

"Aye, it..." Siofre stopped, startled by the sound of Apparition coming from the drive. "Oh, my, Johannes is here, and I'm not ready." She looked down at herself. "I wanted to freshen up."

"I'm sure that he won't mind," Lydia said. She smiled. "He'll think you look beautiful, I know he will. He's rather sweet on you, our gardener is."

"Ah, ah, nay. Nay. Nay, he is not."

"He is. More than a little. And from the blush on your own cheeks right now and the twinkle you get in your eye whenever he steps into a room, I'd say you're a bit sweet on him, too."

"Never..."

"Oh, don't fuss, Siofre dear. I'd be sweet on him, myself, if I didn't see the way he looks at you."

"Lydia!"

"Hush, he's coming." Lydia turned back to the piano and picked out a few notes, the primary melody of her new composition.

Siofre cast a quick breath-freshening charm. She was smoothing her hair as Johannes stepped into the music room.

"Ah, my ladies," Johannes said, making a short bow. "It is good to find you together, and both looking so lovely. You are playing your new composition, yes?"

Lydia paused. "Yes. Thank you for your note this morning. And the flower. They helped me find my inspiration."

Johannes nodded and smiled. "That is good. I am glad." He turned to Siofre. "You look lovely, may I say. It is a pleasure."

"Thank you." Johannes was wearing his sapphire blue robes that brought out the colour of his eyes. Siofre wished she had had time to freshen up, though the tartan robes she was wearing were fine, and she hadn't planned to change. "Shall we go?"

Johannes inclined his head. "If you are ready now, yes. We have a reservation...they said they would hold a table for us, anyway."

"Good." Siofre turned to Lydia. "We will see you later, then."

"Have fun, you two!"

Johannes offered Siofre his arm. "Shall we? I will Apparate us."

"Down to the drive, then, or I'll stay put, and your arm with me...we'd be paying a visit to St. Giles and missing our table and our tea!"

Johannes chuckled as they walked toward the door. "I do like my arm attached as it is. And I have never Splinched, and would be very happy if I were never in my life to experience that."

"Aye, I rather fancy your arm right where it is, too," Siofre replied, a twinkle in her eye. She gave his arm a little squeeze and was pleased to see the wizard's cheeks blush pink. Lydia was very silly...Johannes sweet on her, indeed! But perhaps he might be, just a little . . .