//------------------------------// // Chapter 28: Lost and Found // Story: Hazy Days and Magical Ways // by Dogger807 //------------------------------// The mid-winter chill was a spring zephyr when compared to the mood of the gathered family. Old snow blanketed the ground and caked on the withers of row upon row, column upon column, of reminders of ponies passed. Four pegasi stood before one such silent witness, and their sorrow stole what little heat had been in the air. They could have waited for a better day to visit, but at the same time, their visit could not wait. That flock of strong fliers had likely broken more than one speed record in their flight from Cloudsdale to Ponyville. The call of family could not, would not be denied. Respects were due immediately, as were the tears that measured their significance. The eldest mare in the group took a few steps forward and placed her hoof on the cold stone. She whispered words that were barely audible despite the stillness of the day. “Hello, Rainy.” Her eyes were far from dry. The lone stallion attending advanced, placing his own forehoof on his wife’s back. “Sorry it took us so long to find you,” he said to the fallen. “We miss you.” “We love you,” Windy whispered. Bow started to say something, but his voice hitched. “You’d be proud of our daughters,” Windy said. “Rainbow is Knight Elemental Loyalty, while Scootaloo and her herd are showing a lot of promise.” “We just found out about our youngest today,” Bow said. “I should have noticed it before, but she has your eyes.” “I do?” a voice behind the two asked in awe. Windy nodded before continuing to address the one beneath the stone. “You’ve given us two wonderful daughters. I just wish you were still here. I wish they could hear your voice. I wish you could hug them.” A small sob escaped her lips. “I wish I could hug you one last time.” Rainbow stepped forward and placed her forehead on the stone next to Windy’s hoof. “Mom,” she said simply. Following her lead, Scootaloo placed both of her front hooves on the headstone and addressed it solemnly. “Mum.” A slight breeze ruffled a dusting of snow into the air while unspoken words went unheard. “My family;, together at last.” The deputy headmistress of Hogwarts was not known for her displays of emotion, that is, unless you qualified sternness as an emotion. Therefore, more than one set of eyebrows rose when she swept into the Great Hall and headed to the Gryffindor table with a look of elation plastered on her face. It was such an unimaginable situation that it was no wonder that the majority of the students weren’t sure how to handle it, and more than one upper-year started casting detection charms on their food and drink just to be safe. “Professor?” Apple Bloom asked as the woman bore down on her herd. “Good news, Miss Bloom.” Professor McGonagall beamed. “Unbelievably good news. Mr. Longbottom, you must accompany me immediately.” “M . . . m . . . me?” Neville stuttered. “Yes, Mr. Longbottom. You.” Professor McGonagall smiled down at her lion cub. “Can he wait until after supper?” Sweetie spoke up. “We’re having hydra tail, and that’s not something you have every week.” “I dare say he’d rather come with me,” Professor McGonagall said. “Some things are more important than a full belly.” “Yer actin’ funny, Professor.” Apple Bloom scrunched her nose. “But in tha ‘Ah’ve got a surprise Ah can’t wait ta show you’ kind of way.” “Very astute Miss Bloom.” Professor McGonagall gave her an absent nod. “I must insist that it isn’t my place to spoil the surprise.” “Ah kin respect that.” Apple Bloom smiled with her own nod. “Abagail? Lavender? Y'all want to go with and keep an eye on him?” “Sure,” both girls chirped, starting to stand. “Not this time.” Professor McGonagall waved them back into their seats. “This is for Mr. Longbottom alone.” “I don’t mind,” Neville said. “They can come.” Professor McGonagall gave the first-years a pensive look. “You do need to learn to trust my judgement.” She then addressed Apple Bloom directly. “This time I am refusing your request to accompany your herdmate. Know that I do so without malice or ill intent.” “Ah don’t like it, but yes ma’am,” Apple Bloom responded. “Now that we have that out of the way, come along, Mr. Longbottom; don’t dawdle.” With those words, the professor preceded the shy youth from the room. A small boy exited the green flames, stumbling only slightly as he took a few steps forward to steady himself. “Hello Aunt Emma,” he said cheerfully when he noticed the woman waiting on his arrival. “Hello Hector.” Emma Granger smiled a greeting to her nephew. “I see you have gotten the measure of the floo.” “Hermione made me learn really quickly.” Hector grimaced as the flames turned green and a woman belly flopped onto the floor. “Mum still needs practice, though,” the boy added. “I swear, if it weren’t for the speed of travel, I’d never do that again.” The woman on the floor groaned. “Hello, Grace,” Emma said. “I see you’re living up to your name.” “Laugh it up, Emma,” Grace said, pulling herself off the ground. “I’m sure you didn’t face plant the first time you tried.” “First time I tried, I opted for pony form, hoping that the extra legs would compensate for the lack of experience,” Emma admitted. “How’d that work for you?” Grace asked. “You can face plant with four legs just as easily as with two,” Emma said. “That, and floo powder doesn’t taste very appetizing. So, I suggest you don’t try until you’ve mastered levitation.” “I’m not exactly turning into a unicorn every day,” Grace said. “I haven’t had hooves since you lent me your necklace that one time.” “Well,” Emma said thoughtfully. “We will just have to give you and Hector our rings, then. Neither Dan nor I need them anymore.” “You don’t need them?” “Apparently, it is a skill you can perfect with repeated use,” Emma said. “On that note, we need to get you a wand as well.” “I’m not a witch.” Grace protested. “You just used the floo without your son holding your hand,” Emma countered. “I think you shall be joining us for our tutoring at Grimmauld Place.” “You think I can use magic just like that?” Grace asked skeptically. “I’m almost positive that the necklaces are what granted Dan and myself the ability. That or being turned into unicorns unblocked something,” Emma confided. “They seem much more brute force than the rings, which not everyone can use. What’s more, Twilight has found that she cannot prime people on our world; they must be soaking in the excess magic of her world.” “Prime people?” “She has compared it to adding some water to a pump and giving it a few good strokes.” Emma shrugged. “Short answer, it doesn’t work here on Earth.” “But I’ve never been to her world.” Grace reminded her sister-in-law. “Thus, why I say the necklaces use a more brute force approach.” “Wait a sec.” Grace had a thought. “Didn’t you say you were having your tutoring here, at your house?” “Originally, we were.” Emma grimaced. “However, our tutor found a well-paying job and didn’t want to pass on the opportunity. Narcissa has been instructing us and a few others in the evenings. Convenient, since she’s only a floo ride away.” “Once again, you threaten me with the floo.” “Can I go to the lessons too?” Hector asked hopefully. “I’m afraid not; it is for adults only,” Emma said, turning an apologetic smile on her nephew. “Don’t forget, you are going to school next year.” “I wouldn’t be a bother.” Hector stuck out his lower lip. “Teaching someone who has finished their schooling is a wholly different experience than teaching someone your age,” Emma said soothingly. “It wouldn’t be a pleasant experience for you.” “I suppose I could find a babysitter for him on those nights. I can fit that in my budget since you and Dan have set me up with a stipend from the Lestrange estate,” Grace said to Emma. “I still can’t believe you are doing that.” Emma shrugged. “You saw the vault; that money just literally fell into our laps.” “It is still your money,” Grace said. “It is more than we would spend in a lifetime, unless we suddenly develop lavish tastes.” Emma shrugged. “And you are family.” Grace huffed. “This is me stopping my complaining over receiving a lifestyle-changing amount of money; freely given with no strings attached.” Emma laughed. “Come on, then, Dan will be back soon. Then we’ll floo over and join the others before heading to the restaurant.” “Again, with the floo.” Grace groaned “Don’t feel so bad,” Emma said. “Poor Hector is going to have to ride an owl to get to the sitter I have lined up for him tonight.” She pursed her lips. “In fact, let me go get my ring for him now.” The reunion was both heartwarming and bittersweet. The air itself was saturated with raw emotions as the old woman watched her grandson hug her daughter-in-law with a river of tears streaming from his eyes. The patient’s eyes were no drier as she stroked her son’s hair and cooed. “Neville. My sweet Neville. You’ve grown so very, very much.” “Mum.” Neville sobbed into her bosom. “You’re talking. You’re awake.” “I’m here now.” Alice Longbottom sobbed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me, but I’m here now. And I am never leaving you again.” “Mum.” Neville strained not to hug his mother tighter, as the healers had warned him not to be too rough on her. “Hush.” Alice continued to stroke his hair. “I’m here now.” Somehow, from the corner of her eye, she caught the sight of something tiny falling from the ceiling. Reflexively, she looked up for the source and found another set of tear-filled eyes. “What are those?” she asked as loudly as her disused voice allowed. Her own eyes far from tear-free, Augusta followed her gaze and said. “You were supposed to wait at the school. You were told this was a family matter.” Though her words were sharp, her tone was far from it. “Sorry, but whenever you bring Neville back, he’s always sad,” said the voice of a boy. “Harry?” Neville said, his face still buried in Alice’s chest. “This is my mother; come down and say hello.” There was a rustling of wings before Neville felt a weight on his shoulder. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Longbottom.” “Hello, Harry,” Alice said in a bemused voice as she brushed tears out of her eyes with one hand. She gave a hiccupping laugh/sob before continuing. “This is rather unexpected. Neville, dear, are you going to invite your other friend down as well?” “Who all did you bring with you?” Neville asked, still not letting go of his mother. “Um, would you believe me if I told you, it was just me and Parvati?” “Parvati is the crying little horse on the ceiling, I take it?” Alice asked. She used her free arm to gesture for the little blue thing to join in on the hug. “I’m sorry,” Parvati said as she blearily glided down. “We were just going to watch and make sure Neville was okay. I didn’t mean to distract you with my tears.” “It’s okay,” Neville said. “I’m glad you’re here. I want you to meet my mother.” He paused for a second. “So, who else came?” “Er . . . no one?” Parvati said touching down on Neville’s other shoulder. Neville sighed. “Someone, please check under the bed.” “No!” Lavender called out. “I mean, there’s no one down here except for us dust bunnies.” “Did you bring your entire group?” Augusta asked. “We were trying to keep the surprises to a minimum for the sake of my daughter-in-law. A dozen little ponies is more stress than she can handle.” “We just brought enough to get Neville out if things got wonky,” Harry said. “You should have just sent Luna and Abigail,” Neville chuckled. “The rest of us are pants at staying out of sight.” “That’s what I said,” stated a shadow in the corner. “. . . dang it!” “Miss Lovegood, are you here as well?” Augusta called out. “No,” Harry said. “It’s just the four of us. We wanted to keep a low profile.” “On the ceiling?” Alice asked. “You wanted to keep a low profile by sitting on the ceiling?” “You weren’t supposed to look up.” Parvati sniffed. “Nobody ever looks up.” “Would have worked too, if Parvati hadn’t started crying,” said the shadow. “Look at it this way,” said the pony under the bed. “At least we didn’t send Hermione.” “She is banned from all stealth missions,” Neville stated, “unless she can get her hands on shoe polish.” Augusta cleared her throat. “While your concerns for my grandson are to be lauded, I am of the opinion that if this room is pony-free in the next minute, your headmistress need not know of this infraction.” There was a scrabble of hooves; then, the room was as pony-free as the eldest Longbottom had requested. “Did they just apparate through the St. Mungo’s wards?” Alice asked. “No,” Augusta said. “Young Neville’s friends can’t apparate yet, but, as I understand it, they have two methods that completely bypass wards when they wish.” “There are two methods to bypass wards?” Alice asked. Augusta sighed. “Three that I know of.” Horror rose in Alice’s eyes. “You needn’t worry.” Augusta said in a hurry. “Phoenixes are still quite rare as is what Miss Patil does, and I don’t think Lord Discord is sharing his method with anyone who is not family.” Neville blinked and looked at his grandmother speculatively. “There is so much I need to catch up on.” Alice sighed. Big Mac and Tender Shoot were walking down the street in Ponyville when the owl arrived. With an inaudible whisper of feathers, it landed on Tender Shoot's back and started hooting softly at the large red stallion. “Is that your owl?” Tender Shoot asked, looking over his withers. “Seems too small to be yours.” “Nope.” Big Mac took a step closer to examine the owl. “You reckon Potent Potpourri found herself another ride?” Tender Shoot snickered. Big Mac paused with a hoof half-outstretched toward the owl’s pouch and gave it a contemplative look before sighing and finishing the motion. “Ex dimittere.” The bag let out the expected sounds as it regurgitated a small figure that plopped onto the ground. Tender Shoot looked down at the passenger and dryly said, “It’s a colt.” The colt looked back up at the two stallions with wide eyes and a half-opened mouth. Suddenly, Big Mac brought his foreleg up and performed a facehoof. “Um?” Tender Shoot asked. “Forgot,” Big Mac stated. “You forgot.” Tender Shoot said skeptically. “How did you forget?” “Granny.” Tender Shoot rolled that around in his head for a few seconds before saying. “Let me guess. Your Granny volun . . .-told you to foalsit and you forgot about it until this very moment.” “Eeyup.” “You know.” Tender Shoot rubbed his chin with his hoof. “Now that both of your younger sisters have joined herds, she’s not going to be pulling her bucks to see you likewise committed.” He then looked at the colt again. “This is right out of the mare’s playbook on how to get your grandson to start thinking about joining one.” “H . . . hello,” the colt stammered. “Um, are you the one who’s watching me tonight?” “He is.” Tender Shoot pointed his hoof at the still-stunned Big Mac. “Though, I might stick around for a laugh or two. My name’s Tender Shoot and the big guy is Big Mac.” “Nice to meet you. I’m Hector.” Before he could quash the thought, he added, "Do you have sesame seed buns?" “Hey, colt.” Tender Shoot nodded while Big Mac spoke. “Hiya.” “Right, so Big Mac have you foalsat before?” Tender Shoot shot the bigger stallion a questioning glance. “Apple Bloom.” “Oh . . . yeah . . . that would count.” Tender Shoot nodded. “Then I guess I don’t need to tell you that the first thing you should do is find out if the foal has eaten or not.” Big Mac looked at Hector, the question clear in his eyes. “Mum sent me with money so we can treat ourselves to pizza or something,” Hector said proudly before looking around at the semi-busy street and noting all of the ponies giving the three males curious looks. “I’m thinking that pounds might not work around here, though.” “There you go,” Tender Shoot said. “You now have a plan of action. If he’s being picked up later tonight; stuff as much sugar down his throat as you can. If he’s being picked up in the morning, take him to the Hay Burger but don’t forget to buy five pounds of taffy to send him home with.” Big Mac gave the other stallion a sideways glance. “Nope.” “It’s a plan.” Tender Shoot defended his suggestion. “Trust me, Granny won’t pull this on you again anytime soon if you go with it.” Big Mac sighed before reaching down and picking Hector up by the scruff of his neck. “Sugarcube,” he said around his passenger. “Is this a thing?” Hector asked as he hung there. “I think I’d prefer it if this weren’t a thing.” “Good idea,” Tender Shoot said as he followed after Big Mac. “There are a lot of sugary items at Sugarcube Corner.” Big Mac sighed. There was a flash of light and the lobby of the restaurant gained more occupants. “I have to admit, that is much more enjoyable than side along,” Nissy said. “Safer, too,” Pinky added. “You don’t have to worry about leaving pieces of yourself behind.” “Apparition is . . . a thing.” Twilight shuddered. “It has its uses and is a reasonably reliable method of travel, once mastered. However, if you have the raw power needed, once you learn to teleport properly, you’ll never go back.” “Black Party.” The hostess had approached while they had been catching their bearings. “Yes, that’s us,” Sirius acknowledged. “I see that your rainbow-haired lady is missing.” The hostess was doing a headcount. “Shall we expect her to arrive later?” “No,” Twilight said. “She is kind of the reason we are here tonight. She asked me to make reservations, and I thought she meant for all of us not just her and Scootaloo so I did but it turns out that she just wanted to take . . .” “I don’t think she wants your life story.” Bella broke in. “No, Rainbow won’t be joining us tonight.” “I’m not sure which of the two I should scold for that,” Nissy muttered. “Just let it go.” Emma patted Nissy on the shoulder. “This is where we had our first date,” Pinkie told her sister Maud, who had changed her mind and was currently experiencing human form for the first time. “Just wait until you get to try the flaming deserts.” “I can’t wait.” “Is she all right?” the hostess eyed the woman who was standing stiff as a board and clutching the decorative banister. “It’s her first time on two legs,” Remus stated. “It was kind of a last-minute thing.” “Yes, well, that’s solid brass,” the hostess noted. “So, it is,” Emma agreed. “She’s embedding her handprint into it,” the hostess added. “I’ll fix it once we give her a minute to acclimate.” Sirius smiled. “We may have underestimated the amount of stress she’s undergone,” Emma added. “I’ve never teleported before,” Maud deadpanned. “I think she’s in shock,” the hostess said worriedly. “No,” Bella said. “As far as we can tell, she’s always like that.” “Let us back up a second.” Nissy said. “We are foregoing the flaming deserts tonight; are we not?” “Aw,” Pinkie pouted. “I wanted to show Maud; she’d find it exciting.” “That is exactly what I’m worried about.” Nissy said. Pinkie turned to Maude with concern. "Don't worry, Maude. My second favorite dessert here is the bombe." Mrs. Cake looked up from the counter when yet another customer entered her crowded place of business. “Big Mac. Tender Shoot. Welcome, I see you have somepony new to introduce us to.” “Eeeyup.” “We need to feed him.” Tender Shoot spoke up. “What would you suggest?” “One ‘bachelor somehow stuck foalsitting’ special coming right up,” Mrs. Cake said with a smile. “That’s a thing?” Tender Shoot raised an eyebrow at that. “Of course.” Mrs. Cake smiled. “At least once a week.” Meanwhile, Big Mac was scanning the room and was dismayed to see all the tables and booths were occupied. On his second sweep, a mare sitting at a booth with two foals waved at him, gesturing at the empty booth across from herself. Grunting, he accepted the obvious invitation. He trotted over and deposited Hector onto the empty bench, but didn’t bother attempting to squeeze himself into the seat next to him, opting to stand instead. “That was an unreal way of getting around.” Hector pouted, placing his forehooves on the table so he could look across at the two foals staring back at him. “Eh,” Crisp Lick said. “Mom does it all the time. Though I suppose your sitter is big enough to make the view interesting.” “Just wait until your first Fluffy ride,” Somnuther commented dryly. Hector’s head snapped as he focused on the other colt. “What happened to your . . .” “Magical accident,” Somnuther replied before the question was finished. “Ah.” Hector smiled. “That’s wicked.” “You should hear his evil laughter,” Crisp Lick said. “I’ve seen you two around town.” Pleasant Thoughts said as Tender Shoot slid into the booth next to Hector. “Acquired a colt, I see.” “Eeyup.” “Well, if the experience traumatizes you, my door is always open.” Pleasant Thoughts said. Big Mac sighed. “You're new around here.” Crisp Lick tilted her head at Hector. “I haven’t seen you at school.” “My mum is going to an expensive restaurant with my aunt and uncle.” Hector shrugged. “Children weren’t allowed; so, they shipped me off for the night.” He ended with a frown. “That’s rough.” Crisp Lick sent a sympathetic look Hector’s way. “Nah,” Hector shook his head. “We would have just sat around the house otherwise. This way, I get to meet ponies.” “That’s a very mature way of looking at it,” Pleasant Thoughts told the colt. “The guys at school are going to be so jealous when I tell them about my weekend.” Hector smiled. “If you’re lucky, you’ll meet a human.” Crisp Lick said. “They are all over, and you can see one occasionally. Then, you’ll really have something to brag about.” Pleasant Thoughts nudged Crisp Lick. “While it is good you’re getting along, don’t you think you should introduce yourself?” “Sorry.” Crisp Lick’s ears went back slightly. “Hi, my name is Crisp Lick, this here is my new brother, Somnuther.” “Hiya, my name is Hector Lavin. Pleased to meet you.” “And I am Pleasant Thoughts.” “Tender Shoot.” The stallion next to Hector raised a hoof. “And the quiet one is Big Mac.” “Hello.” “Anyways, humans are boring,” Hector said. “Ponies are much more interesting.” “Humans are anything but boring,” Crisp Lick countered. “They are big and scary and the mares around here won’t stop talking about them. Though they do tend to say weird things when they realize you are listening to them.” “Weird things?” Hector tilted his head. “They get all excited about their stallions weeding their garden. Like there’s not snow on the ground or anything,” Crisp Lick said. “Next subject!” Pleasant Thoughts interjected. “And that’s why we use euphemisms.” Tender Shoot blushed. “You can almost hear the wink wink, nudge nudge.” Pleasant Thoughts sighed out loud. “I don’t see what the big deal is.” Crisp Lick huffed. “Weeding the garden isn’t that hard of a chore and some of the weeds are rather tasty.” “I can agree with that. Ooof!” Tender Shoot said just before Big Mac prodded him in the side with a hoof. “Don’t worry,” Hector told Crisp Lick. “We can figure it out together. I’ll come over and help you weed your garden when the snow goes away.” The three adults gave the colt dazed looks. “What?” Hector demanded under the barrage. “They’re just watching you unwittingly dig a hole for yourself,” Somnuther said. “I thought I said next subject!” Pleasant Thoughts squeaked. “Somnuther, do you know what that means?” “Didn’t you just say ‘next subject’?” Somnuther asked. Pleasant Thoughts gave him a dirty look. “I absolutely have no idea what you are talking about,” Somnuther plainly stated. "Besides, he'll want to sow wild oats." Smiling, Crisp Lick said, "That sounds yummy." “He’s a terrible liar. Isn’t he?” Tender Shoot noted in return. “Change the subject. Change the subject. Change the subject,” Pleasant Thoughts chanted. “What subject is that, Dearie?” Mrs. Cake asked sliding up with a platter on her back. “Hector is going to weed my garden,” Crisp Lick said proudly. Mrs. Cakes eyes went wide. “No, no,” Tender Shoot hastily said. “When she says weed her garden, she means weed her garden. Unfortunately, she overheard some older mares talking about weeding their gardens which lead to a conversation about weeding gardens which only sounds like weeding gardens but the foals really are talking about weeding gardens.” “Oh, I see. That is awkward,” Mrs. Cake said a little too quickly. “So . . . who wants hayloaf and gravy?” She started transferring three plates in front of the foals. “I’ve also got milkshakes.” “What is this gravy made of?” Hector asked, eyeing his plate suspiciously. “Lima beans,” Mrs. Cake said proudly. “Is that a thing?” Hector asked in disbelief. “I’ve also got some made from Brussels sprouts, if you’d prefer.” “Lima beans it is then.” Hector said, looking for a fork. “Wise choice,” Somnuther said before taking a bite from his own plate, sans silverware. “Lima Beans are yummy,” Crisp Lick stated before taking a bite of her own. Deciding he was in Rome, Hector mimicked her. “Mmmm… that’s not bad,” he said around his mouthful. “You got your foals the bachelor special?” Tender Shoot raised an eyebrow at Pleasant Thoughts. “Being a single mother and professional sometimes means I cannot cook a proper meal every day.” Pleasant Thoughts frowned. “The session with Vanilla Cream went over long, but at least she can look at the Twinkie without shuddering now.” “Twinkie?” Tender Shoot prodded as the foals attacked their meals. “Something Cleft Ray got for me.” Pleasant Thoughts said. “Her stallion, who is a human, has boxes of them laying around the house and she swears they aren’t going stale no matter how much they sit around.” “So… zombie cake?” Tender Shoot asked. “No, I suspect a zombie cake would be rotting to some degree.” Pleasant Thoughts said. “I’ve had it on a plate for a week now and it looks just as moist and yummy as the day I took it out of the package. It’s almost the opposite of zombie cake.” “So . . . cake for somepony who hates zombies then.” Tender Shoot suggested. “I guess.” “Is zombie cake a thing?” Hector asked. “I sincerely hope not.” Pleasant Thoughts stated with a shudder. “Don’t get me started on the tentacles.” Returning to wakefulness, Remus Lupin smacked his parched lips. A biologist would have noted this was the result of the chemical suppression of antidiuretic hormone. A normal wizard like Remus, however, was not interested in technicalities; he needed a hangover potion immediately, if not sooner. As more awareness returned, he noted that he had, per usual, foregone pajamas. The woman he was spooning had done the same. A weight and the feel of skin on his back prompted him to look over his shoulder. When his eyes finally focused, he found himself looking at a familiar face; it was Nissy, who apparently was also coming out of a stupor of her own. The two shared a look before looking down to identify the spoon at the bottom of the stack. It was Grace. Remus smacked his lips again as Nissy shuddered under her own hangover symptoms. “Are we a herd?” he asked weakly. Nissy shook her head before regretting it. “No, none of us were born ponies. We should be fine.” “I was born a pony.” Maud said. Nissy and Remus lifted their heads to look over Nissy’s back. On an adjacent cushion, they found that Bella was sleeping with a smile on her face as she used a hand-on approach to confirm that Maud’s average proportions were no illusion. The two started to wonder if one of the Pie sisters had been adopted. Remus laid his head back on the pillow while Nissy rested hers back on his shoulder. “We need to go check the tapestry.” Nissy muttered. “Must you be a stick in the mud?” asked Remus.