The little town of Alexandria, Scotland, near Loch Lomond was famous for just a few things: Single Malt Whiskey produced in an ancient distillery there, and strangely, salted fish caught in hte lower ocean lochs and brought up from Greenock through Dunbarton to the south. It was also the divergence point for the roads that led to the east and west banks of Loch Lomond.

At the crossroads south of the town sat a large green touring car. With the background of the wooded hills around the loch, and the pretty town nestled in the valley that contained Loch Lomond, it looked like a picture out of another decade. The man standing next to the car, dressed in a short brown leather bomber jacket with sheepswool collar, might also have come from anotehr era, although the clothing and haircut were otherwise modern. The top of the car was down, and he sat on the back of the drivers seat and drummed his gloved fingers on his knees, taking in the view. Though it was cold, and his cheeks were pink, he was obviously enjoying the sunny sky and brisk weather.

Hugh checked his watch again. He'd left London and Aurelia earlier that morning. She was busy with wedding plans, and some of the girls were coming by to chat over things. With a farewell kiss he had climbed into the 12 cylinder, 8-litre Paragon Panther and zoomed off to meet Jake near Alexandria, Scotland for their appointed meeting. As this part of his trip was a secret regarding their wedding plans, he said he would be with Jake part of the day, and bringing back Maggie for the dress fitting later.

Jake was bound to apparate soon, and they could drive the rest of the way, so that they appeared as just two tourists on holiday.

It seemed after the epic blow out that had happened, getting out away from the house was easier than ever. He did not blame Tamora for wanting him gone, either. Half of the time, he was surprised to find her still in the house when he came back. But there were more pressing matters than some squabbles from a few nights ago. Today was a fun day, pretending to be tourists up in Scotland on Loch Lomond. He promised Liam he would hug Nessy for him if they ever met.

The man apparated not far from where he was going to meet Hugh, sporting the same, beaten leather jacket with a hooded sweatshirt underneath for warmth against the cold northern air. As he walked looking for his friend, the man could not help but enjoy the scenery.

Jake noticed the car before he noticed the man near it. Hugh had his ways of standing out- his car was one of them. It was easily one of the most beautiful creations Jake had seen. The Brazilian jogged over to the car, slowing as he drew closer. By the time he reached the tail, he slowed to a walk and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

“Hey, been waiting long?”

Hugh looked to his left as a small bird altered its flight suddenly, and Jake came into view in the next instant, walking towards the car. Hugh waved, and jumped out of the car, striding forward to shake his friends hand in greeting. He was casually dressed, and wouldn't stand out in any crowd of tourists, save for his height. It was one reason Hugh had taken Jake along instead of one of the other groomsmen, whose knowledge of muggle clothing was less refined than Jake's.

"No, not long at all. Hop in! Some view, huh?"

He led the way back to the car, talking as he went.

"I hate not telling Aurelia about the exact destination of this little expedition, but I don't think she was overly worried it was anything but wedding related. She knows its not for work, and she's got plenty of help now with the other girls. She knows I'm up to something, but what can I do? Everything in the name of love, right?"

When they were situated in their seats, Jake on the left and Hugh on the right behind the big steering wheel, Hugh put the car in gear. The throaty rumble of the 12-cylinder magical engine accompanied them as they sped down the motorway until they reached a split, and Hugh turned left, to go around the west side of Loch Lomond, away from the town of Alexandria.

Jake shook his friend’s hand before climbing around to the other side of the car. He had hoped not much time was lost getting distracted. It seemed as though his friend had been enjoying the brisk air as well.

“Ah, she’ll be fine,” he told Hugh as he buckled his seatbelt and adjusted his pant legs. “It’s not like we will be causing too much trouble.”

Jake flashed a wide grin. He knew all about the things one does for another that they love. That was the relationship he had with Marguerite, he would give her the word if it were possible. Watching awful children shows and listening to the same, overly cheery pop music were sacrifices he had to make.

“How’s everything at the home front, though,” he asked, resting back against the door slightly. “It seems every time I try to get hold of Auri, she with one girl or another doing plans.”

"It's all coming together," said Hugh, as she sped along the two-lane road that curved with the contours of the lake to their right. It was a sparkling day, if cold, and the ferries on Loch Lomond were leaving long white wakes behind they as they plowed their way north or south.

"We're doing well, considering the many things in our lives right now. You should have seen her in France though, she charmed the cassock off Father Villeneuve; and the whole village of Eragny is going to turn up! Seriously, because we're not part of the church, he made a simple request to allow the village to celebrate with us -- at the church. But then we talked and thought: 'why not just have them all come to the reception' It'll be one gigantic party. You might run into a pretty French witch!"

He explained that the house elves would just have to be doubled. If the whole village of Eragny and any neighboring magical towns showed up, they could have more than 200 people to feed. Hugh said he was already revising the food list upward. Samantha Brown was helping with that, too.

"We're really lucky to have so many willing hands to help. Aurelia thinks she's horribly disorganized; but she can juggle the wedding, kids, and occasional potions request from work, and guests arriving all the time at the house."

He flipped a switch on the dashboard, and an invisible shield spell formed over the top of the car. It was still a convertible, but it cut down the wind noise, and the cold. The Paragon Panther didn't have an efficient heater, something Hugh had meant to do, but got sidetracked.

The car made easy work of the big looping curves of the road, and they passed many cars on the way, whose occupants gazed in awe at the huge green monster. Hugh also reached into the glovebox and got out a piece of paper, with an address on it. There was also an envelope with half a dozen pictures of the house on it.

"That's the address of Fallingwater, but we have one stop first; for lunch, and to show you our first stop for the honeymoon."

He took a right turn through some tall pillars, and approached their first destination.

"Before I whisk her off on the real honeymoon to a much warmer place, we'll have to have a nice place for the first night, after I spring the big surprise on her. Here we are."

He pulled the car neatly into a large driveway, and they pulled up in front of a stately-looking hotel.

As he put on the brake, he turned to his friend.

"Seriously, she love to have fun, and I owe her an adventure where she can do that, and not worry. That's the best kind of adventure. For me, just being with her, that counts as one of the best kind of adventures, too. Hungry?"

De Vere/Cameron

Jake was a little scared at the comment about meeting a French woman. He was not sure if he wanted to meet any kind of women at the moment. He was not having a good track record with them. Unlike Hugh, he did not hold a certain way with the ladies. He always managed to find the secret psychos of the batch and hold on to them for a while. At Hogwarts there was a smaller percentage of lunatics. Now that he was in the real world, crazy people were everywhere and it made dating very difficult for him.

But instead of responding verbally, the man only laughed and looked out the window at the other cars along the road. It seemed as though Hugh’s monster was causing quite the stir among their fellow car drivers.

Hugh brought up a good point, which caused him his attention to turn from the pretty brunette with curly hair he had been eying for a few minutes to Hugh.

“Well you figure, you two were always there for people as much at you could,” Jake replied, leaning his head against the window. “I know Auri popped over to baby sit Maggie when I needed to head out for a last minute trip for a day. And I can count the times on one hand that you were not available for any form of advice.”

Jake held up his hand in the shape of a circle before scratching the back of his head a bit more. Listening to Hugh talk about Auri was always bittersweet. He was glad his best friend and possibly his best female friend found people that make them happy. At the same time he also remembered what having that feeling was like with Angelina and how he was more than ready to spend his life with her. Thought he was determined to make people believe he was over her, that was not the case and he knew it. He was about as over her as the British were about losing the Revolutionary War.

The place they were staying was jaw dropping. He had never seen a place like this that was not a private residence along the Mediterranean. He looked over at Hugh, almost confident that the place they were heading for the second part of the honeymoon was going to be even more shocking.

“Sure,” he replied. “So where are you guys headed after this place?”

Jake was just good company, and sensible about things The car was stopped, but Hugh turned to his friend and looked at him with a serious face. "That's very flattering," said Hugh at the comment about be available for advice. "There was a time when I was very absent for my friends, and I don't know, if I'd been Aurelia, if I'd have waited as long as she did for me to come to my senses and grow up. But I was at Hogwarts, you know, the day of the accident, and this kid who reminded me a little of you came up to me after the lecture I gave on archaeology and he asked where Aurelia was. I didn't have an answer, and it stabbed me right here." he indicated his heart. "Even that young Gryffindor had heard the stories about us in the halls, and that was years ago. he saw our names on those school service medals in the Trophy Room. I didn't deserve to have my name next to her all those months ago. But then came the wreck, and -- I'm not the same. It imprinted the emotional scars, Jake, you see? I look the same, I'm healthy, but I failed her up until then, and it's still with me."

He looked at the building.

"She likes to say say she has simple tastes, but sometimes I just have to do this kind of thing. Is that bad? I'm not marrying her because I think I'll lose her, or because she's pregnant, or because I'm trying to make it up to her in some way. It just is the next step in a long adventure. The next place we're going You asked? Someplace she's never been. Warm and beautiful."

He realized the way he said it -- eyes sort of distant on the hills -- that he might not have been clear whether he was talking about 'warm' as a place, or about the redhead, or both. Hugh knew it was all her, though. As they clambered out of the big car, and attendant came over to it, all wide-eyed with wonder.

"Park it for you, sir?he asked.

"There no key," said Hugh. Just press the button," he smiled. The attendant looked baffled for a minute and then climbed into the car. "Don't try the radio," said Hugh. "Doesn't work." He pressed a five pound note into the young man's hand.

"Let's go have a look, and then we'll go out to Fallingwater."

Jake did not like hearing his friend being so hard on himself. Sure, he had his moments when he was younger, but the Brazilian always found Hugh to be the most reliable person he knew. He had no shame in admitting he would trust Hugh with his life. He had on multiple occasions, too. But instead of responding, Jake’s eyes remained still and understanding. His soft expression brightened at the change of topic.

The idea of a nice warm setting seemed like a dream compared to the bitter cold of an English winter. As much as he knew moving out of the country would be a bad idea, when the winter winds came howling, it always looked tempting. He understood why his parents made frequent trips to Brazil during this time of the year.

“You’re a brave man,” Jake said after watching the valet’s reaction to the car. “He looks scared to drive it almost.”

Jake could not see why he would not want to stay at this place for the entire time. It was the epitome of gorgeous and the location was breath taking. Then again, Auri did like simple, as Hugh mentioned.

“You never cease to amaze me, man,” Jake told Hugh with a grin. “So what kind of food do they have here?”

Jake paused for a second then laughed.

“I swear, every time we hang out, we end up eating.”

"That's the plan" said Hugh, nodding along with Jake's assertion that they ought to just spend the whole honeymoon here, and he also acknowledged that the place had an awesome restaurant as they passed through the front doors of the 'castle'. He'd thought aobut spending the whole honeymoon here, but the South Seas were calling.

"You need it," said Hugh, "to keep up your strength when dealing with Maggie." His unvoiced thought was to say nothing of Tamora Grey, too. But Hugh knew little about that relationship, and didn't wish to pry. Jake might be just the guy for her, he reasoned, because he was solid, grounded and reliable.

Hugh walked with jake up to the front reception area, and the man there smiled. Hugh spent just a few minutes with the man talking over their reservation for the night of February 14th and 15th. Hugh stole glances at Jake from time to time, as the man walked them over to the concierge, and after introductions, the four men talked about the honeymoon suite; the amenities it had, and other special things Hugh wanted to be there when he and the bride arrived. Hugh had his list well-prepared, and the hotel staff were amazingly efficient; and even suggested a few things.

"Great, I leave ourselves in your good hands, then," said Hugh, in conclusion. "Mr. Darney here is my Best Man, so if you can't get a hold of me between now and the night we arrive, he's your man, or you can contact Chase Lang, our Maid-of-Honor."

There were handshakes and smiles all around as the two old friends headed for the cafe. The restaurant wasn't open until 5. They passed through the bar, and Hugh stopped, looking at the bottles arranged along the well-stocked bar.

"We'll need a drink to go with lunch," he said. "What's your poison?"

Jake gave a small snort of laughter with Hugh’s comment. The man was all too right with it. It seemed that he was constantly running in circles trying to appease the need little creature called a child. He did not mind now that she was older, but the girl was still a handful for the single father. He loved her, regardless of the headaches she caused.

Hugh introduced Jake to those he set up the honeymoon trip with. The chance of Jake remembering their names was slim to none, but he could ask his mate to write it down later. After a few handshakes the two were off again, but this time to find food. Hugh spotted the bar before the Brazilian and commented. Normally, Jake would have resisted the urge, but he decided it was about time to let loose a bit and enjoy his outing.

“I today will be some scotch, plain and simple’” Jake replied.

Hugh nodded appreciatively at Jake's choice of whiskey from the bar; and soon there were two whiskey glasses setting on the counter, the pale amber color denoting the choice that Hugh made for the two men: A MacAllan 15 year Single Malt. Just enough to stimulate the taste buds. There were so few opportunities to enjoy the company of friends in these last frenzied weeks.

"Cheers, Jake. To the company of friends."

He clinked his glass with Jake's and too a moderate draught of the liquid. It had a pleasing smoothness like few others. Hugh was primarily a wine drinker, but occasionally would dip into the stronger stuff, as long as it was quality. That made him think a little about the drinks at the reception, but he'd get Aurelia's opinion of some of the guests first. He also noted with satisfaction that a bottle of red wine was present to be poured at this bar, so far from home. Or was it far?

Hugh suggested they get a table, and were soon seated where they had a nice view of the lake.

"How about you, Jake? I'm happy, but I never hear about -- you. You're not going to get away with Quidditch stories either. Tell me everything. What's next for Jake?"

After letting his glass casually click against Hugh’s, Jake took a drink and lifted his eyebrows at his friend’s comment. He was not quite sure how to tell his best friend the story of the epic battle. The one that made him realize he really did care about what happened to her, especially knowing how unstable she could be. Or that he had invited her to the wedding because he felt like a complete fool.

“Well,” he started before scratching the back of his head with the free hand. “I got into a blowout with Tamora a few nights ago after my lunch with Jan. She was all mad because I was out with the woman. I may or may not have made a comment in reference to her inappropriate behavior. She threatened to move out but now lives down the hall in the east looking bedroom, the one with the attached bathroom with a half shower?”

Jake sat down heavily and tried to think of anything else that was not Quidditch related. He explained that Maggie was reading books and could do very basic addition and subtraction. He was planning on enrolling her into school the next year after this one year of home schooling with his mother. As fantastic as Monica Lucy was, she needed a break sooner or later since Alan, his cousin, spent a lot of time there.

“Sophia sent me an owl, that bird I was with right before Jenn? She was asking if she could come and stay with me while on some foreign relations duty from France. Debating whether I should even consider that an option.”

It amazed Jake that the less he dated women, the more they seemed to cause trouble in his life.

His friend seemed to need the drink as he started to talk about his current lifestyle, and where his head was at concerning -- what else? -- his women. Hugh and Jake had always been able to talk about their ladies to each other, and now it was Hugh's turn, and he gladly settled in as the waiter brought bread, and the sun came out from behind some clouds, and reflected off the waters of Loch Lomond. The Grey woman. It was all about the Grey woman. He'd known it was about her. Hugh hardly knew Tamora, even after being in school with her. He'd only heard stories, and rarely got to speak to the woman herself. Hugh wasn't overly judgmental, but he just didn't see any vision of Jake being with her -- in any capacity. Of course, Hugh had no real right to say anything. His experience with women was rather limited. He'd never seriously dated anyone except Aurelia, even when they'd been on the outs. Yes, he knew that Tamora was smart, she was stunning looking, and a skilled witch, but the personality was so broken. People just can't be fixed, reasoned Hugh. Not to any great degree. He'd just had to accept that Aurelia had times when she just fell apart. It had been one of those moments that had brought them together, but he loved her and supported her, and in some small ways he thought it helped. Although everyone -- himself included -- was a little broken because of some kind of trauma, some were just broken in the wrong direction. Maybe the woman's excesses of drink, and ominous other things were the reason, but once you scarred someone, it never healed completely.

"I think you should go and see this other gal, Jake. Look her up when we get to France. Tamora isn't going to be healed by you. I learned that from my lovely redhead. I'm not a lot different from you in this way: I hate to see people suffer, especially young women, and I admire what you've tried to do. But she needs to take over again."

He shrugged helplessly, and regretted his words immediately.

"But I don't know her, Jake and I admit I'm not an authority on women. Aurelia's my only real experience on a deeply personal level. Go with your gut. Looks like you need another MacAllan."

Jake knew that, to some capacity, Hugh was right. Tamora was broken and as much as he hated to admit it, maybe she was beyond repair. She was jumpy, anxious, angry and miserable, but he knew she was not always like that. Giving up just did not seem like the right thing to do. No, he was not going to get a life partner out of her, and that was not his intentions to begin with. He just wanted to help because at one time, as brief as it was, she was important to him. True she was the bane of evil from time to time (most of the time), but he never fully let people go. It was a massive flaw of his, but one he took willingly.

“No, guy, she wants to stay in my house. I can’t just move from having Tamora around as a part of every day life and suddenly move in some other woman who is all over me to have her leave for France again. I mean, maybe at the beginning of my career that was have been sweet. But I can’t do that to Maggie. She is attached to Tam.”

Jake knew he dug himself into a hole. A very, very deep hole with no rope of ladder to get out with. He did it to himself, and now he had to somehow dig out.

“On a brighter note, my grandpa is finally retiring from the fire department. He’s only like 70-something. He said you and Auri can come to the dinner if you two are still around.”

"We'd love to come to dinner. Of course, it'll have to be after we get back from the honeymoon, but consider it done."

When the next round drinks came to the table, Hugh handed Jake a much taller one than his own. The poor guy was obviously in a torment about Tamora Grey. Jake was a little bit put out at Hugh's attitude, well, as much as Jake ever got that way, so Hugh tried to reassure him.

"Look, Jake, back to Tamora for a moment. I spoke rashly, just now. I do that sometimes. If you, um, care about her, that's not for me to judge. If you bring her to the wedding, she'll be welcome. I know Aurelia doesn't get along with her, but she doesn't have to talk to her. There's some other ex-classmates coming that will clash less. She can sit with them, and she'll have to keep track of Maggie."

Just what was the attraction? Hugh didn't know. She was sort of a bad girl, and some men liked that, but Hugh didn't know if that was Jake's reason, at least he hoped not. There were lots of girls hanging around Quidditch players if he wanted to fool around, and they'd do anything a guy might want.

"So, I guess I'm saying I support your choice, as you've supported me all these years. Whatever you need, man. I'm there. Ah, here we are, food."

Their lunches that they'd ordered were set down, but Hugh waited until Jake began to eat, in case his friend wanted to talk more about it.

Jake appreciated the honesty that Hugh had with him, even if the comment was not censored as the younger man had hoped. It was a good part of their friendship. There were few comments that Hugh could say that would actually insult Jake to the point where he would be mad, even if the comment was accidental. That what he looked for when it came to honesty- Hugh never held back. It was good for both men.

“Don’t worry about it. I honestly don’t think anything will go down because… we are oil and water right and I am not making the same mistake again.”

Jake had almost said twice, but that would have been a lie and both men would have known it. It was not a secret about the flings he had with her, not too many people gave him grief about it. He was an adult and living his own life, but Jake knew that there was some disappointment in what he was doing.

“I may take her, just to try and patch up how cruel I was to her. I actually feel like complete shit for what I said not that I look back on it.”

The man shrugged and took a long drink of his whiskey and scratched the top of his head. He hated looking back at his mean moments. It was so out of character for him. He never even yelled at his daughter on her worst days. But it was not time for sulking. It was a Hugh day.

“So what’s the dance thing looking like, will I have to duke it out with some guy for my dance with Chase.”

Hugh nodded at Jake's explanation of his and Tamora's relationship, and Hugh suggested that some were just more complicated than his own. The food gradually vanished and the day wore on, and the talk came around to the dance itself at the reception.

"There's a few special dances, like the first dance, I dance with my mother, and so on. Then, it's your privilege to lead out the Maid of Honor for the first dance, and then it's everyone for themselves after that. The orchestra will be playing alternately with Ike's band, so there's plenty of fast, slow, and medium speed dances to fill up your card. I know dancing wasn't always your thing, but I wouldn't worry about it. I don't expect everyone will dance. Once the dancing starts you don't really have to stay at the bridal party table, you know. But there's going to be a lot guests, and they'll want to talk to you, so that's why we keep you on the receiving table for a little while. It will be great having a lot of our old school friends back together for a big party. Just like we used to do."

Hugh explained that the giant tent would have a dance area that could probably fit a hundred people or more. The size of the immediate guest list had grown, and then there were the villagers, too.

"We ought to get over to the next stop before it gets too much later," said Hugh. "We can round everyone up for dinner when we get back to London. You need one more? I've just had this small one, and all this food,so I'll be good to drive, no worries."

It was good to be off the topic of Tamora. As much as he did not mind discussing he personal life, the woman gave him headaches and drove him crazy. He had no desire to be forced into a bad mood.

Jake snickered as Hugh commented on his dancing. He would never live that down and he knew it. His dancing ability had improved quite a deal, but it was still going to be a handful. He was a professional at slow dances, at least, so Chase and her toes were completely safe.

“Nah, I have to bring the little one out later, remember. I need to be a all set to drive her up to Surrey,” Jake responded and finished his glass. “Good place, here, Hugh. I can only imagine what the improved place looks like.”

Hugh paid the bill, and they quickly retrieved the car from the valet, who still looked confused, and maybe a bit frightened of the machine. Hugh hoped that the car hadn't flashed any angry messages at the valet on the dashboard as it sometimes did, even at him. Then they were off down the driveway and back onto the main road. The A82 wound its way along the banks of Loch Lomond, and through a couple of tiny towns, until it was drawing near to the village of Ardlui, down by the shores of the lake. The day was turning a little cloudy, but Hugh kept the top down as they flashed along. To their left was a railway line, and if you stayed on the Hogwarts Express past the school it would take you along this very line. There were trees along the banks of the Loch, and as they reached a bend in the road where the village roofs were visible, Hugh swung the big car off the A82 onto a country lane that led down towards the water from the higher elevation of the road.

The drive was tree-lined and smelled fragrant, and bordered by an ancient rock wall with little pasture gates on either side. The care rode smoothly along, exhaust thrumming behind them, down the lane, which wound its way downhill. There were no other houses or dwellings in evidence to this point: Although through the trees on either side, thin spires of smoke marked other habitation, accessed by private roads of their own.

"You remember the Sexton family?" asked Hugh. "They own a farm not too far from here. The village has a small magical community, maybe a hundred or so."

Then they rounded a bend and bumped to a stop in front of a pair of stone pillars and an old wrought iron gate with a shield and crest on it. The gates were open, and a man was walking towards where the car was parked, and then he waved, and Hugh waved back. He flicked a lever, and the top of the car unfolded to cover the passenger compartment.

"Here we are, come and see."

View from Ardlui - Loch Lomond

After leaving the small resort, Jake noted that he really needed to learn how the car functioned the way it did. The vehicle fascinated him more than it really should have, but it was a cool bit of machinery.

As they got closer, Hugh mentioned the Sexton family. The name was vaguely familiar, but with all the people he had been meeting over the past five years, it was hard to keep track of all of them. Of course, it was not like he was completely clueless to who his friend was mentioning. A few things stuck out about them and the farm was oddly enough one of them. The man nodded as his eyes followed almost every bit of scenery in wonder. No matter where he traveled, it always amazed him the things he could find in his own backyard. Scotland was beautiful and often reminded him that more visits would be beneficial to him and his stress levels.

“Yeah, I haven’t heard from them in a good minute, though. How are they doing?” Jake responded finally, turning his head to face Hugh.

As they pulled up to the spot, Jake jaw dropped slightly and literally at the sight before him. After a few moments, his motor skills returned enough for the Brazilian to turn his attention back to Hugh, but his mouth remained slightly agape.

“Jesus Christo, Hugh. E bonita muita,” Jake commented without thinking.

“They’re good. They stay in touch with my parents, and Tom is an Auror on foreign service, but I think he’s coming back home. I sent him an invitation. He married Gretta Morris, one of Aurelia’s best friends. She’s in the wedding, so I was hoping he’d make it back in time. I haven’t gotten a reply yet, but Gretta says he’d better make it.” Hugh smiled.

Hugh let Jake gaze at the house for a few moments, and he laughed as the young man reverted to Portuguese for a moment. The familiar figure of Burtonshaw the Realtor drew up to them, and Hugh introduced Jake.

“Jake is my Best Man, and he’s in on the little conspiracy here, Ken,” said Hugh, smiling all the while. “I’m sure my bride-to-be suspects something is up, because you can’t hide much from a witch of her skill.”

Hugh explained things more thoroughly to Jake as Burtonshaw led them up to the house, and inside. It was completely empty of any kind of furniture, save for a few things that Hugh had brought up from Three Chimneys the week before. It was an old house, but inside it was completely refurbished to a new, undecorated state. ‘Vanilla’, as the saying is, ready for the couple to add their own touch to it, and make it a home. Burtonshaw led them through room after room, upstairs and down, and finally they went out on a veranda with a garden area and a majestic view of Loch Lomond. There were some shallow steps down a gentle hillside where a dock met the lake.

“It’s a big risk. The lady wasn’t consulted at all, but you can’t know a woman like Aurelia for as long as I have and not know some of the general likes that she has. It’s on a lease at the moment, but two signatures, and it will be permanent.”

Burtonshaw assured Hugh that if he didn’t end up taking the house, he would have no trouble getting someone to buy it. It had been in Hugh’s family centuries ago, but they’d been forced to sell it. The former owners were descendents of some caretakers that the Kenricks had once employed long ago.

“It even has the rail line nearby. Well, that’s it, Jake. I told Chase about this by letter, what do you think? Does it need a woman’s eye?”

It seemed as though his friend had once more outdone himself in true Hugh style. The house was just as jaw dropping as the hotel they just left. It was bare on this inside, of course. A few scattered items that no one would notice their absence seemed to have migrated from the Hugh’s family’s estate. Even in the empty state, the house was nice.

Not that Jake was really any kind of expert on what was considered nice. His mother helped decorate the house that he lived in now. Or, at least she picked everything out and the guys went to work and charmed everything into their respective place. And by the guys, Jake meant Liam did while Jamiel was out and he was cooking. Now it’s an on-going battle to see who can out decorate the other guys’ rooms into the most horrific design possible. Luckily for Jake, up until recent his default button was Tamora being bored and redoing the room. That woman had a real eye for interior design.

Hugh's "that's it" comment seemed like a major understatement. There was nothing simple about the place, which was why the man was still trying to decide whether or not he wanted to spend more time here than his won place with more creature comforts than most people they went to school with.

“I may not know Auri quite as well as you, guy, but I’m sure she will be pretty blown away. Chase may know a bit more on the female level, obviously. I mean, would pictures work?”

"You're right, I'll send her some pictures right away," replied Hugh, and the realtor took the cue immediately, and pulled a dozen shots out of an inner pocket that had been taken of the house. Hugh raced for the car, while Burtonshaw showed Jake the kitchen. Hugh retrieved a a small winged bat -- built by Aurelia herself -- that was one of their early gifts to each other as a way to send messages. Returning to catch up to the other two men, Hugh slipped the photos of the house into the bat, and sent it winging away to find Chase Lang.

"That ought to do it. I'll wait on furniture, of course, to see if she likes the idea at all. I mean, with kids on the way, she might feel the nesting instinct. I don't usually do this kind of thing without consulting her, but time was an issue."

He looked at the light fixtures and back at Jake.

"Anyway, lots of other things going on that are strange, Jake. If you'll excuse us, Ken, we're going to walk down the lane for a few moments."

"Certainly, take your time, I'll be here," said the other man.

When they were back outside, and had walked past the car and down the driveway a little, Hugh turned to Jake.

"There's a mystery we're trying to solve -- right now -- might need your help, old chum. It's an old Ministry Auror case concerning Aurelia's father. We're working on it, but I might need someone to know what we're doing in case there's trouble."

Hugh explained about the madness of Vincent Hearthen, and the strange disappearances of the man's children, and how Fredrik Murdir also was killed on the same night.