Fidelius: October 1981

Fidelius

~*~ Sunday, October 11 ~*~

Lily

"That's not a real word!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"My mum used it all the time," said James defiantly.

"Right. Use it in a sentence."

"'There are Beriwiggles infesting the rose bushes.' It's a magical insect. Little and red. With long antennae. Nasty things that squirt sticky stuff."

Lily scrunched up her nose in frustration. James was ruthless when he cheated at Scrabble. "I know you are making that up, and you know that my copy of Fantastic Beasts is packed away so I can't verify it."

James cocked his head, smirked in his most infuriatingly arrogant way, and turned his palms face up, inviting her to concede the word.

"FINE!" Lily nearly tore the parchment as she marked down his ill-gotten, fifty-seven points. "How could I have married a reprobate like you, James Potter!"

"If a 'reprobate' means charming, sexy and brilliant, I think the answer is self-evident!"

Lily picked up a small pillow from the sofa they'd been leaning against and smacked him with it. His glasses went flying.

"That's for being a cheeky sod!"

James got on his hands and knees and began to crawl towards her. "You are a marked woman, now, Mrs Potter," he hissed, an evil grin stretched across his face.

"James..." She scooted backwards.

"There is no escape!" In a single leap he landed on Lily, pushed her to the floor, and pinned her there with his body. "You know the punishment for sore losers, don't you?" he growled.

Lily started laughing, shrieking, and squirming to try and push him off. "No! Don't!"

"Look at my pitiful prey... hysterical before I've even begun to do... THIS!" Both hands attacked her torso, all ten fingers flying in a coordinated attack. She screamed at his unrelenting tickling assault until tears ran from her eyes.

"You WIN! Stop!" she shrieked breathlessly.

"Say that I'm the best Scrabble player of all time!"

"Best! James! Stop!"

He rolled off of her, both of them laughing and gasping for breath. Lily looked behind her at the stairs.

"I can't believe we didn't wake him up from his nap," she said, wiping her face with the bottom of her tee shirt.

"He's just being considerate, giving his mummy and daddy a bit of time to themselves."

Lily glanced at her husband, prone on the floor, looking more deliciously dishevelled than usual.

"Very considerate, indeed," she nodded. "After all, parents need play time too." With a push, Lily rolled herself over to land astride James' lap, her hands splayed on either side of his face.

James reached up and ran his hands through her hair, which fell about him like auburn curtains. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the covered window, creating a golden glow around her. "What shall we play next, Mrs Potter?" he asked softly, his voice deep and resonant.

Lily bent down to brush his cheeks, nose and forehead with light, feather kisses. "This game is called 'Lily ravishes her husband'." With a wicked grin of her own, she claimed his lips, and his responsive moan vibrated through her body.

A high-pitched vibration shot through the room, indicating the protective spells on their home had been breached. It was followed by a single knock on the door.

"Bugger," muttered James. "Rotten bloody timing! Who could it be?"

Lily had scrambled to her feet. "My wand! Where-is-that-stupid...?" she muttered, attacking each of the sofa cushions until one of them coughed up her wand.

Just before James could cast the revealing spell on the front door, a wispy mongoose Patronus waddled into the living room.

"It's Alastor," James sighed with relief as he opened the door. "You could have warned us you were coming, Moody. I nearly had a heart attack!"

"Sorry, boy," said the grizzled Auror as he stepped inside. "Didn't have time to send an announcement. And you're too young to have heart problems."

Lily gave Moody quick kiss on his scarred cheek. "No matter, Alastor. We're delighted to have company, aren't we, James?" One eyebrow lifted in warning as she caught James' petulant scowl. "Would you like some tea?" she asked, leading him to the sofa.

"No, thanks." He pursed his lips and shifted a bit, looking extremely uncomfortable. Lily had seen that look before; she felt a shiver of cold run down her back.

"What's wrong?" The words caught in her throat. The air was suddenly thick with apprehension and fear.

"James. Lily. You...er...might want to sit down."

They both sat on the sofa, and Lily felt James take her hand and hold it tightly. "Go on," said James.

Moody seemed to find a stance that suited him and put his hands behind his back.

"Last night, we caught word from the Muggle authorities that a bomb had gone off in London, near a military barracks. Most of the injured were men from the barracks. But, two 'civilians', who just happened to be driving by, got caught up in the blast as well. The Muggles, with a bit of help from the MLE, have just identified them. Your parents, Lily...."

Lily didn't hear her own strangled cry, nor did she feel James' arms wrap around her. She didn't hear the rest of what Alastor said either. All her senses seemed to have imploded at the same time and found it was suddenly hard to breathe. Not mum... dad... not them... can't be possible....

"Lily, shhh..." she heard James' voice reach her and felt his hand stroking her head. It was as if her insides had been ripped from her body. She felt like she might faint, but James' strong and steady arms kept her present. Heart-wrenching sobs finally broke from within her and went on and on and on.

After a long while, only silent tears flowed. James and Moody were talking quietly.

"Was it Voldemort?" she heard James ask.

"We checked the area for magic and it was... inconclusive. The Muggles say it was a typical IRA job, but that hasn't been verified either."

"But, for all the injuries, the only two to...that weren't military...it seems so unlikely to be random. Do you think it could it be payback from the kidnapping attempt?"

"Could be. But we might never know for certain. In the end, Potter, I don't think it matters as to the 'who and why'."

"Petunia!" said Lily in a sudden panic. From within the fog of her grief, she remembered her sister. Lily sat up, grasping the handkerchief that James was handing her. "I have to go to Petunia!"

"The Muggle police will have already notified her, Lily," said Moody gruffly. "I'll take you to see her, whenever you're ready. Neither of you goes out without Auror protection from now on. Direct orders from the Minister herself. She's put all her resources at your disposal, as a special favour to you, Lily.

Lily nodded and tried to clear her head, which felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. "James... Harry?"

James kissed her gently. "I'll be here with Harry, love. Don't worry about us. Go to your sister. We'll be all right."

---

~*~ Tuesday, October 20 ~*~

Severus

Dawn was just breaking when Severus Apparated to Hogwarts' entrance gates. The air was crisp, and he felt the icy chill of the morning stab through him despite the warmth of his robes. He pocketed his mask and strode wearily through the school gates and towards the castle. He'd wake Albus to tell him the not-unexpected news and then have time for a quick shower and breakfast before classes. Fortunately, the first of these was his N.E.W.T.-level Potions class, so he'd not have to exert himself too much. They, at least, weren't likely to blow up the classroom.

Though his body was tired, his mind was awhirl, not only with the events of the previous evening, but with the sudden turn his life had taken in the past two months. He grimaced as he thought how he'd ironically achieved his goal after all: to turn spy and teach at Hogwarts. Except that he was teaching Potions instead of Defence, and he was spying for Dumbledore, not the Dark Lord.

~*~

Dumbledore was nearly as harsh a taskmaster as Voldemort, for all that he used that infuriating twinkle instead of a Cruciatus. In making his final choice, Severus had knelt before the Headmaster in the hope of saving what was left of his accursed soul. Dumbledore had made it clear, however, that it would take some time before Severus could fully earn his trust. Though, what would he would be required to do to earn that trust, Severus did not yet know.

Surprisingly, the most terrifying moment of his new service came, not in reporting back to the Dark Lord for after he turned spy for Dumbledore as one might expect, but in stepping in front of his Potions class for the very first time, teaching a group of fifth-year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Severus had seen and done terrible things as a Death Eater, but facing these children...who stared at him with curiosity, suspicion and expectation...was truly terrifying.

I'm not much older than they are, he thought in a panic. I don't know anything about teaching. I don't even like children!

Then he saw the red and gold flash of a Gryffindor scarf being unwound from the neck of boy with curly, brown hair. When the unsuspecting student took out his wand, Severus was lit with an unexplainable spark of fury.

"Put that wand away, you stupid boy," he snarled loudly, his voice resonating through the dungeon classroom. "There will be no foolish wand-waving in this class."

His face must have looked fierce because the students all jumped as if they'd been hit with a Blasting Curse. Their eyes were wide with... fear?

"I didn't know we wouldn't be using wands, sir," the student responded in his own defence, his voice wavering a bit, but still strong.

Severus swooped down to tower over the student, who cringed below him. "Nor did you know that you would, Mr. Stebbins. Had you waited for instructions, it might have served you better. But Gryffindors are not especially noted for following rules, are they? Ten points from Gryffindor!"

Stebbins cowered in his seat, ashen-faced, and the Slytherins all snickered. A sudden feeling of understanding and triumph came over Severus. I suppose I might manage this after all. He masked his smirk as he turned with a swirl of his robes towards the blackboard. With a flick of his own wand, the ingredients and instructions for the potion lesson appeared on the board in a near facsimile of his own spiky handwriting.

I might be forced to serve two masters, but these young fools will have to serve me, he mused, turning back to the class.

"Everything you need to create the Draught of Peace is on the board. It is likely to be on your O.W.L. exam. Begin," he snapped. Severus nodded in satisfaction as the students scampered like a horde of frightened spiders to retrieve the ingredients from the supply cabinet.

~*~

Severus cradled the blissfully hot cup of tea in his hands and took a sip. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of its warmth spreading through his chilled body. Dumbledore sat at his desk, waiting patiently.

Severus finally met the Headmaster's gaze and ignored the pain that seemed to tear at his throat as he uttered the words, "It is as we feared, sir. Voldemort has decided it is the Potter boy."

The ancient wizard barely nodded, his sharp blue eyes revealing nothing. "Do you think he'll move quickly?"

"Despite his efforts to locate them, I don't believe he knows where they are hiding. I expect that he'll strike the moment that he does."

Dumbledore sat back and steepled his fingers, lost in his own thoughts.

After a few minutes, Severus broke the silence. "Sir," he began, trying to excise the panic from his voice, "can you protect them?" He pictured Lily as he'd seen her at the Ministry, her fear etched into his heart. A hollow feeling of desperation came over him.

Dumbledore glanced up to meet Severus' gaze, but Severus did not attempt to block his thoughts and feelings from the Headmaster. It had been one of Albus' requirements of service.

A warm smile appeared on Dumbledore's careworn face. "We will try our very best, my boy. With your help, we will try to keep them safe from harm."

Severus reddened; his shame at putting the one person who had shown him true friendship in mortal peril was close to the surface, and he knew that Dumbledore could see it.

Thankfully, the Headmaster did not comment further, but stood instead. Severus followed. "Go now. Get ready for your day."

He nodded and turned to leave, when a bundle of something shimmering lying on a table near the door caught his eye. Severus moved closer and reached out to touch it. Then, just as suddenly, he pulled his hand away as if it had been burned. "It's Potter's," he whispered in recognition.

"Yes," said Dumbledore in a matter-of-fact manner, "it is James' Invisibility Cloak. I asked to borrow it for a while."

Severus continued to stare at the cloak; memories of Potter using it to torment him flashed through his mind in a series of unbidden images.

"I want you to keep it for a while, Severus. You may have need of it."

Severus stepped away from it and turned back to the Headmaster.

"I don't need his blasted cloak," he growled, the hatred of his enemy afresh in his heart.

"This isn't the time to indulge in childhood enmities, Severus," scolded Dumbledore sharply. "Take the cloak."

Severus glared at the Headmaster, then scooped up the cloak and stuffed it into a robe pocket in a single movement. "Protect her," he said brusquely as he departed from the Headmaster's office.

---

~*~ October 21 ~*~

Peter

He wasn't scheduled for a shift at headquarters, but a shipment of supplies had arrived that day, and Peter thought it would be a good idea to get it sorted out sooner rather than later. So, Apparating to Phoenix Farm after work, he was surprised and delighted to see Lily feeding Harry at the large dining table as he stepped into the farmhouse.

"Hello, Peter!" Lily said brightly as she spooned some mashed carrots into Harry's open mouth.

"Where's James?" Peter asked.

"He's...."

"It feels so bloody wonderful to get some fresh air!" James exclaimed as he entered the farmhouse, the door banging closed behind him.

"... here!" finished Lily, waving Harry's spoon towards the door.

James peeled off his outer cloak and hung it on a rack. Seeing Peter, he rushed over and crushed him in an exuberant embrace. "Wormtail! It's so great to see you!" Peter couldn't breathe until James let him go. James thumped him heartily on his back. "We didn't expect you here tonight, mate!"

Peter was flushed and pleased with his friends' enthusiastic greeting. "I didn't expect you either, Prongs! Did you get released for good behaviour?" he quipped with a beaming smile.

James nodded. "About time, too!"

Eyeing Harry critically, James spelled away the orange, gloopy mess from his son's face before lifting him up to nuzzle at his neck. This set Harry off in a squeal of laughter, who retaliated by snatching his father's glasses off his face. Lily reached over in a practiced move to deftly pluck the spectacles out of his chubby hands.

"Dumbledore permits us to come to the Farm at odd times," explained Lily as she took Harry from James and set him on the floor. "It's the only place we can escape to. If we didn't have the Farm, I think that James and I would go mad, probably forced into hexing each other out of frustration." Peter watched Harry grab the leg of a chair, trying to lift himself to a standing position. The effort failed and he fell back on his bum with a light thud. The child frowned and stared at the chair in frustration.

James nodded in agreement. "I hate having to sit around all day doing nothing," he said, a scowl clouding his face. "At least when I'm here I can help out a bit and not feel like a bloody layabout."

"Well, you've come at a good time! I could use a hand sorting out a delivery. Care to help?"

James was about to respond when the farmhouse door opened and Albus Dumbledore stepped inside, casting a glance over the assembled friends.

"Peter, I need to have a word alone with Lily and James." His tone was clipped, all formalities oddly...and noticeably...absent.

James shrugged, and Lily gave Peter a wan smile. The Headmaster stared, and Peter stifled his disappointment at being left out...again.

"Not a problem," he said, his smile falsely bright. "I'll just head to the back room and get to work."

He turned on his heel and left. Once in the storeroom, he stared at the boxes that were piled on top of each other but suddenly, he didn't much feel like sorting anymore. He wanted to know what was going on. So, in an instant, Peter changed into his Animagus form and scurried through a hole in the wall. This was not the first time that he had used these secret places to eavesdrop on important conversations, and he turned in and out of hidden passageways until he came to a small opening in the wall that divided the main room and the kitchen. From here he could see and hear very well.

Dumbledore was seated with Lily and James at the table. Lily was rocking Harry, who had fallen asleep with his head resting on her shoulder. Her face was pale.

"Are you certain?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so. A new location has been found. You must go there immediately."

James pounded his fist on the table and Harry jerked in response, but did not wake up. "Damn it, Albus. What's the point of this endless running and hiding? If he wants us, let's call his bluff. Tell him where we are, and we'll be ready to fight him when he shows up!"

Dumbledore appeared to be considering how to respond to this. "I understand your frustration, James, but there is more to the situation than you are aware of. I must ask you to trust me."

Peter noticed Lily clutching a locket around her neck. "We'll go this time," she said. "But how will another move help us?"

"This time, we'll invoke the Fidelius Charm," Dumbledore answered quietly.

"Have a Secret-Keeper?" asked James in a surprised whisper.

"What is the Fidelius Charm?" asked Lily apprehensively.

"A Secret-Keeper is bound by the Charm to protect a secret," explained James. "In our case, the secret would be our location. It affords a greater level of protection in that only the Secret-Keeper can reveal it. Those who do know can't say, and anyone who knew our location beforehand will not be able to recall where it is after the Charm is cast."

Dumbledore nodded. "James is correct. And I would like to ask you to allow me to be your Secret-Keeper."

"Can we choose?" asked James.

Lily looked at James in surprise. "Is there a reason you don't want the Headmaster to do it?"

James set his mouth in a thin line. "Sirius will be upset if I don't ask him. I...I'd like him to be our Secret-Keeper."

No one responded to this right away, and Peter started in alarm.

"I know that Sirius is as good as a brother, James," said Dumbledore, "but I'd like you to think about this."

"I think that he's right, James," said Lily slowly, reaching out to touch his arm. "I love Sirius, but I'm not sure that he is the best choice."

"Why not?" James asked, pulling his arm away from her roughly.

Lily tried to think of an answer that didn't provoke James' automatic and stubborn defence of his best friend.

"I just think that the Headmaster would be the better choice."

James got to his feet and looked between the other two with a defiant glare. "If we have to invoke the Fidelius, then I insist that Sirius be the Secret-Keeper!"

Lily looked to Dumbledore, but the Headmaster raised his palms in acquiescence. "All right, James. If you insist, then it shall be so."

"Then I insist that Sirius tell Albus our location after the Charm is cast," said Lily, equally defiant as she glared back at her husband.

James nodded in agreement and returned to his seat, placated for the moment.

"I will work with Lily to teach her the Charm," said Dumbledore. "I'd like it done as quickly as possible."

Lily scrunched up her face to calculate the time. "With moving and all, I think we can do it on Saturday. Will that be all right?"

"That will have to do." The old wizard stood and gestured for Lily to follow. "Come with me into my office, Lily. This won't take long to learn.

~*~ October 23 ~*~

Peter's palms were sweating as he knocked on Sirius' door, and his heart was beating to a fast and steady rhythm. Doubts kept creeping into his head, and he struggled to squash them.

No, this is the right thing to do. This plan has to work. Everything depends on it. Everything.

The door cracked open, and Peter saw Sirius' surprised expression.

"Wormtail?"

He'd been to Padfoot's flat only one other time, with James. He'd never come on his own. "It's been awhile, Padfoot. I thought we might catch up!" He knew it sounded lame, but he pulled out a bottle of Ogden's from his robes, and Sirius' face brightened.

"C'mon in then, mate!"

******

Convincing Sirius that he wasn't fit to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper was so much easier than Peter could have imagined. As soon as he'd got Padfoot to slip and tell him about the Fidelius Charm, it was proof enough to demonstrate how unreliable Sirius would be with the secret to the Potters' location. Sirius' own well-entrenched pit of guilt over his numerous past misdemeanours, aided by a half-bottle of whisky, was all it took for Sirius to suggest that perhaps it would be a better idea if Peter were to be their Secret-Keeper instead. No one, Sirius had said, would think to suspect someone like Peter!

"I don't know, Padfoot," said Peter with false hesitation. "I'm willing, of course, but James is pretty certain that he wants you. How would you convince him?"

Sirius waved his glass. "Leave it to me, Wormtail. I can convince James of anything."

Peter looked doubtful. "So, I should just show up with you tomorrow? Don't you think we should tell them in advance?"

"Yes! No! That's brilliant!" exclaimed Sirius. "You'll already be with me when I go." Sirius leaned over as if conveying something secret. "No, we don't want to tell them anything beforehand. It'll be harder for them to refuse if you're already there," he whispered and then broke into a wild laugh. "Trust me, Wormtail. You'll be their Secret-Keeper before the day is done." A sudden, worried look stole over his face. "Do you think that they'll let you tell me where they live, though?"

Peter reached over to take the empty glass out of Sirius' hand. "We'll ask James and Lily, mate. I'm sure they'll want you to know. I wouldn't worry."

Sirius smiled with relief and lay down on the sofa and yawned. "That's good, mate. You're a great friend, Peter. This will be for the best, I know it." He was asleep within minutes.

"Yes, Sirius. I agree. This is absolutely for the best."

Peter poured himself another shot of Ogden's and sat back in Sirius' armchair, feeling rightly smug and satisfied.

That's right, mate. We'll make sure that James and his family are finally safe.

---

~*~ October 24 ~*~

Lily

She left James and Sirius to hash it out with each other, going upstairs to put Harry down for his nap, timed so he'd sleep through the Binding ceremony. They'd both been shocked when Sirius arrived with Peter in tow, and Lily was more than a little impressed at Sirius' reasoning for wanting to let Peter be their Secret-Keeper. It was the most thoughtful and responsible action she'd ever seen him take, although she suspected that Peter might have helped.

No matter, she thought, surprised at her relief. It's still a good idea.

When the shouting ebbed to conversational levels, she returned to the living room, still stacked with boxes. They hadn't fully unpacked from their move to Godric's Hollow, a lovely small village in southern Wales. Dumbledore had told them that the eponymous 'Godric' was, indeed, her school House's namesake, and that there were still some magical people scattered about the area.

Lily noticed that Peter was standing awkwardly off by himself, trying to stay out of the line of fire.

"Peter, come sit with me while these two prats sort themselves out," she said, patting the sofa.

Peter sat down next to her, and Sirius looked smug as he crossed his arms. "James has finally seen reason, Peter."

James looked at Peter, running a hand through his hair, a sure sign of agitation. "It's not you, mate. I do trust you, you know."

Peter preened. "I know you do. I expect we just took you by surprise, is all."

"Yeah. Well. I suppose we should all get ready then," James said without enthusiasm. He turned to Lily. "Can Padfoot stay? I want him to know. Peter will tell him after. Is it all right, Lily?"

James' pleading brought to mind a vision of Harry in a few years, trying to wheedle favours from her, and Lily smiled. "Of course he can stay. We want you to be here, Sirius."

Both men looked relieved.

********

After showers and a charm to ensure they were thoroughly clean, Lily, James, and Peter were clad in the simple linen shifts and outer robes with short sleeves that Dumbledore had provided. They stood together in the living room, barefoot. Sirius watched from the sofa.

Lily positioned Peter and James so that they faced each other and instructed them to cross their arms to take hold of each other's forearms, forming the symbol of infinity. Lily positioned herself next to where their arms intersected and placed her wand at the point of their joining. For a few moments, they closed their eyes and breathed deeply, feeling their magic flow from one to the other in conjunction with the beating of their hearts and the breath of their bodies. Then Lily began to chant.

"Est viniculum unitatis.

Ex abuntantia cordis, os tacita voce loquitur.

In spiritu et vertate cognito celanda est."

Lily felt a surge of magic flow from her, through her wand and to the connection made by the two men in an infinite loop, growing stronger each time it passed round. A light yellow glow emanated from their conjoined arms.

"Peter Pettigrew, do you swear to loyalty?" James asked.

Lily noted a slight dip in the flow of energy, but it righted itself instantly.

"I swear to loyalty," Peter replied.

The glow intensified to a bright orange.

"Ex loquitor, ex anima, ex spiritu, protecto fidelitate sit!"

The light exploded around them in a shimmering burst of red and gold.

"Consummatum est."

The light receded and Lily stepped away. Slowly, as if it were difficult to do, Peter and James released their grips, and their arms fell back to their sides. They sank into armchairs, dazed.

"Well. That was bloody awesome," said Sirius, who had been watching from the sofa.

Lily gave Peter and James each a goblet of fresh, cold water. Then she drank as well, feeling horribly parched.

James pulled Lily to his lap and hugged her. "You were brilliant. Flitwick'd be damned proud."

"So how does this Fidelius work, anyway?" asked Sirius, who was looking about the room as if surprised he could see it.

"I think that if you were to leave and try to come back, you wouldn't be able to find the house, or us," explained Lily. "Can you tell us our address?"

Sirius thought and then said, "Sure! You live at... at...."

They all looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Sirius looked sheepish. "I guess it worked, then."

Lily turned to Peter. "Tell Sirius our address."

Peter looked at Sirius with an unreadable expression. "The Potters' live at number twenty-five, Beacon Lane, in Godric's Hollow."

"Twenty-five, Beacon Lane, Godric's Hollow. Got it!" Sirius smiled, clearly relieved to be in possession of this information once again.

Lily stood and retrieved a bit of parchment and a quill and handed them both to Peter. He looked at her quizzically.

"For Dumbledore. Write down our address."

She thought she saw a scowl cross Peter's face, but then he nodded, took the parchment and quill, and wrote out their address. When he was done, Lily sealed it with her wand and handed it to Sirius. "Will you see that Albus gets this, Sirius?"

Sirius tucked the parchment in his robes and patted it. "Done, lovely Lily!" he said with a wide grin. "So, I'm famished. Have you any food in that new kitchen of yours, or should I pop out for provisions?"

******

Several hours and many cartons of Chinese takeaway later, Sirius and Peter left. Harry had been fed and bathed and tucked into his cot. Standing over their sleeping son, James and Lily held each other and gazed at Harry.

"It's a blessing that he's too young to know we're in the midst of this terrible war," whispered James. "All he knows is that we love him." He sighed deeply. "I wish that was enough to keep him safe."

Lily's hand reached for her locket. "It is enough, James. It's all he needs."

**********

A/N:

Real life fact: On October 10, 1981, a bomb attributed to the Irish Republican Army exploded in London, England, killing two civilians and injuring forty others outside Chelsea Army Barracks.

I know squat about Latin. But thanks to the University of Notre Dame's online Latin/English Dictionary, and helpful corrections by Agrarrevolution (thank you!!), here's my version and supposed translation of the Fidelius Charm:

Est vinculum unitatis.

This is the bond of unity.

Ex abuntantia cordis, os tacita voce loquitur.

From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks in silent voice.

In spiritu et vertate cognito celanda est.

In spirit and truth, knowledge shall be secret.

Ex loquitor, ex anima, ex spiritu, protecto fidelitate sit!

From the mouth, the heart, and the spirit, there shall be protection through loyalty!

Consummatum est.

It is completed.

Oh, and of course, we all know that Scrabble is a wizarding game, thanks to Martian HouseCat's fic by the same name.

My endless thanks to both capella_black and songbook99, betas extraordinare!