Perseus

IV.

“Be calm. You lashing out isn’t going to do any good” Astor said squeezing Perseus shoulder as they stood on the high street.

“I’m frustrated, and angry. I also really want to hit something” Perseus seethed. “Are we going in?”

“Yes. Just don’t hit anyone” Astor warned. The foyer of St Mungo’s was reassuringly quiet. As Perseus looked around it was too quiet. Eerily so, only the receptionist who sat behind the desk.

“Hello” Astor said strolling up. “We’re looking for Frank Longbottom’s room?”

The receptionist’s hand disappeared under the desk. “Oh? Why is that?”

“I’m his fiancé” Perseus said firmly.

“Right. One moment” The receptionist said with a too wide smile. She turned around and held a finger to her ear. After what felt like an eternity. She turned around. “You can go up in the lift. Level blank.”

“Thankyou” Astor said.

The two got in the lift and jabbed the button. The lift rose slowly.

“We don’t know what condition he’s in. Or what they’ve done to him” Astor reminded him.

“Right. Yeah. Do you think he could…” Perseus began.

“Positive thoughts” Astor warned.

The doors opened and they followed the signage to the entrance of the ward. Two Auror’s stood guard.

“We’re here to see Frank Longbottom” Perseus said firmly.

They didn’t move. “Not happening.”

“I would politely call your boss. Head of magical Law Enforcement. He’s my son in law, and my son here is Frank’s fiancé” Astor said calmly. “We’re happy to wait while you get confirmation.”

The two Aurors looked at each other. One sighed and walked inside. A few minutes passed and he returned with an apologetic nurse.

“Sorry. We’ve already had a couple of threats made to the hospital. We’ve had to set up a temporary ward a couple of floors below. Most of the Hogsmeade residents set upon the mob. Quite a number of injuries” The nurse explained. Leading them to a private room. “Frank is just in here.”

Frank Longbottom was in the hospital bed. His heavy body causing the hospital gown to cling to the folds of his belly. He was covered in deep cuts, bandages over his heavy body. He looked exhausted and managed to smile at the sight of Perseus.

Perseus burst into tears and hugged Frank. He pressed his face into Frank’s neck. “I’m glad your okay…”

“Yeah I’m okay. In a lot of pain but okay” Frank groaned.

“Hello Astor” Hannah said as she heaved herself out of a chair. Her heavy body bulging outward, her hair white and her face more lined.

“Hello Hannah” Astor said simply. “This is going to be weird for a while isn’t it.”

They both looked over at Frank and Perseus who cuddling gently.

“I hope not” Hannah admitted. “Neville and I got together in unusual circumstances. Frank was after all conceived in the Room of Requirement.”

“Is he recovering?” Astor asked.

“He is, although he can’t walk” Hannah warned.

“What?” Perseus frowned.

“They think it’s temporary, a few months at best. I had a lot of nasty jinxes, they had to deflate me” Frank said rubbing Perseus back gently.

“Well at least you’ll recover” Astor nodded.

“I’m going to kill Dominque if I ever see her” Perseus glared.

Hannah chuckled, “I’ll happily join you.”

“No one is killing my ex” Frank said coughing.

Perseus frowned, “Here let me get you some water” he insisted pouring a cup from a jug nearby.

“I’m okay” Frank said wryly.

“You’re in a hospital. None of that I’m fine nonsense” Perseus said bringing it over.

“Alright” Frank nodded taking the cup. “Mean’s you’ll have to wipe my ass for the next few months.”

“In sickness and in health. That includes butt wiping” Perseus agreed. “And helping you shower, and whatever else.”

“I’m mildly concerned about the fact your smiling” Frank chuckled before wincing in pain. “I shouldn’t laugh.”

“No you shouldn’t” Hannah nodded.

James waddled in flanked by a healer. He politely hugged Astor before turning to Frank. “Okay, so I have an update. Dominque has been arrested and confessed to encouraging the mob. Even if she didn’t participate, she was the ring leader.”

“Right” Frank nodded unsure. “I don’t..”

Perseus squeezed Frank’s hand, “You could have died. And no matter what happened between you two. She was trying to hurt you. But I’ll support whatever you want to do.”

Frank hesitated, “Whatever keeps Perseus and I safe. That needs to be my priority.” He squeezed Perseus thigh.

“You’ll be pleased to know; thirty witches and wizards were rounded up. Twenty of them are below recovering” James nodded. “I would advise you to speak to your insurance if there are any damages to your property.”

“Yeah I will do” Frank nodded. “Mum can you send someone to go have a look?”

“What about Teddy?” Perseus suggested.

“I don’t want to inconvenience him” Frank admitted. “Auggie or Alice can go.”

“He’s on your side” Perseus reassured.

“I know, but..”

“Hey Frank, She’s my cousin and honestly she screwed up and needs to face the consequences. No one’s defending her actions” James reassured.

“I’ll speak to Teddy” Astor reassured.

“Ah good your all here” A healer smiled as she walked in. “You must be Perseus? Frank was asking after you” she said warmly.

“Really?” Perseus smiled looking at Frank.

“I was scared something had happened to you” Frank said honestly.

Perseus kissed his cheek gently.

“Now Frank is doing well we should be able to discharge him by the end of the week. However, it will take several months before he’s fully recovered. In particular being paralysed from the waist down. At the stage I can recommend a few different organisations that can have a live in nurse to assist with your recovery” The healer nodded.

“Yeah, I’d like to take a look at the options.”

“It is expensive, but if you can manage a few days a week and get family to help for the other days. Most people can manage” The healer explained, handing some brochures to Frank.

Frank winced as he looked at the brochures. “I’d be living off scraps. I don’t think I can afford this.”

“Mum, we can” Perseus looked at Astor.

“Of course,” Astor agreed.

“No. No I’ll figure something out” Frank said shaking his head. “Maybe we’ll have to put off the wedding for a while” he suggested wincing.

Hannah and Astor looked at each other. “Or” Hannah considered. “You don’t.”

“Perseus could just be your carer” Astor agreed. “And you two can spend meaningful time together.”

“Oh? I’m okay with that” Perseus nodded. “Someone’s got to look after you.”

“I don’t want to force you to look after Fat old me” Frank insisted.

“I’m Marrying you, that was going to happen anyway” Perseus smiled.

“Okay” Frank sighed giving in.

“Really?” Perseus grinned.

“Really. I just expect I’m going to struggle to keep my hands off you ” Frank admitted.

“I don’t mind” Perseus smiled kissing him gently.

“I don’t deserve you” Frank Muttered kissing Perseus gently.

“Two galleons he’s pregnant by the wedding” Hannah whispered to Astor.

“I’m not taking that bet” Astor replied. “He already has Perseus on fertility potions.”

“With our families histories? That’s brave” Hannah commented.

❧

Dominique Weasley sat in a solitary room. No furniture but a table and a chair. Both of which were bolted to the ground. The black tiled walls and the bright light gave the room a sense of timelessness.

She had no clue how long she’d been there. Sitting alone with her thoughts. She’d been fine right, after all. She hadn’t hurt Frank, she’d encouraged others. It’s not her fault they decided to create a mob.

It wasn’t her fault. She would be fine.

Time passed. Water appeared on the table, a paper cup. She drank the water.

Eventually James waddled in, his robes straining. He looked fatter, typical. Dominique wondered why all her cousins and siblings to eat like they would suddenly run out of food.

“Dominique” James said summoning up a chair and sitting down.

“I don’t understand why I’m here. Your Aurors picked me up and abandoned me in here” Dominique said firmly.

James eyes narrowed, “Let’s cut the bullshit. I have twenty people who are claiming they were encouraged to start a mob and attack Frank Longbottom. Over claims that frankly are offensive. Try again” James said firmly.

“Talking isn’t illegal” Dominique said innocently. She was good at innocent, it’s why her parents doted on her. Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.

“Dominique I have enough evidence to charge you with Conspiracy to commit Murder.”

“What?” Dominique said suddenly. “Frank’s dead?”

“Sorry? I think you misunderstand?” James said cooly.

“You whipped 30 people, who you knew by reputation would take things too far. You made Frank Longbottom a target. He only survived due to the intervention of Hogsmede’s residents” James said simply. “You could go to Azkaban for this.”

Dominique paled. “I didn’t do anything. I just talked.”

“Talking is powerful. You manipulated people, you put Frank in danger. For what?” James enquired simply.

“Because he deserves it” Dominique said bitterly. “He’s a fat oaf, and he’s dating a student. He groomed him.”

“There is no evidence to support that” James said simply.

“He…had to. Look at him, why else would someone want to marry him. He can’t even walk a few metres without getting hungry” Dominique grimaced. “He’s a disgusting pig.”

“So your jealous”

Dominique seethed. “I’m not jealous. I could date anyone I want.”

“But you haven’t. Since the divorce, you haven’t had dated anyone. But Frank moved on, not straight away but eventually. And you don’t like the fact he’s going to be happy” James’s suggested. “You want him to be as bitter and twisted as you.”

Dominique glared at James. “Why can’t I be happy. Why does Frank get a second chance…”

“Because Frank is a good person” James said simply.

Dominique fell silent. James just sat and waited patiently.

“What’s going to happen to me?” Dominique finally asked.

“You’ll be brought before the Wizenmagot. When they convene. Until then you’ll be held in detention. If you plead guilty they’ll be lenient.”

“Lenient?”

“A restraining order” James said simply. “I would use that as an opportunity to leave. Stay with your mothers family in France? Or travel somewhere else.”

“Excuse me? Leave. Why the hell should I do that” Dominique snapped.

“Because if you leave, you might have a chance to be happy” James said getting up and walking to the door.

The door closed and she was alone again. The table dissapeared and a bed was now beside the wall, a toilet and a sink. Dominique swallowed and stood up. The chair dissapeared and she sat down on the bed. Alone.

❧

Six months later…

Perseus fell pregnant within weeks of moving in with Frank. Having the plump boy wait on his every need. Nursing him back to health. He became impossible to resist.

Their first time was slow and gentle. Frank took time to make sure Perseus was prepared to take him. Perseus did and Frank had never seen anyone light up so much.

It broke the seal between them, and they were like rabbits. Neither was surprised when Perseus began suffering bouts of nausea.

Twelve weeks later it was confirmed Perseus was carrying a baby boy. It meant their wedding plans quickly solidified.

A small ceremony in Frank’s garden was organised. Both Perseus and Frank didn’t want anything too grand. Just their friends and family. They day rapidly arrived for their nuptials.

“I look massive” Perseus pouted staring at his reflection. “I look like a fat cow.”

“We’ll your not wearing cow print. So I partially disagree” Sara grinned. As she smiled at Perseus.

Perseus turned back to her and scowled, “You could at least say I don’t look fat” Perseus muttered.

“But that would be a lie” Sara replied.

“It’s still weird your marrying and having a baby. I mean I’m not remotely surprised given who your marrying. But