#nova mae

"Ja, aber stellsicher, dass -"

“Stell sicher, dass Nova nicht getroffen wird,” Duncan finished Marcie’s sentence. He knew how concerned Marcie was for Nova Mae. Nova was a fellow Ravenclaw whom he never took much notice of until Marcie would non-stop talk about her. “Ich weiß, dass du deine Freundin nicht beschädigt haben willst."

Marceline blushed a bright scarlet at Duncan's statement and punched him in the shoulder, "Sie ist nicht meine Freudin." She retorted back shyly.

Duncan smirked at her. "Zählst du runter?"

They hovered at the entrance, quickly checking their blind spots for no incoming or outgoing students. Also, they had Duncan Ashe, a fellow prankster and resident ghost at Hogwarts, distract Filch to buy them some time. Marceline started the countdown.

"Drei!"

"Zwei!"

"Eins!" 

Duncan launched a dung bomb as far as he could into the great hall. Well, as far as his arm allowed him. Duncan never described himself as the most athletisch, but he can hold his own when throwing long distances. The cloud of green stunk the place. Students screaming filled the great hall quickly, including some sounds of gagging and even vomiting. They promptly placed an anti-smelling charm on themselves. It was a weird sensation to be unable to smell, but it was adequate for running through smelly potions and dung bombs. Marceline sprinted through the smoke to place the Weasleys' wildfire whiz-bang to make a bang. 

Duncan snuck through in his animagus form. Due to the commotion, Duncan, as a brown octopus, managed to wriggle through the crowd to find his part of the great hall to place the fireworks. He shifted between his normal and animal form underneath the long wooden tables and escaping students. 

"Luddy Luddy Ludwig! I see you're having a party without me." Peeves cackled despite the massive grin. Duncan knew that behind it lay malicious intent. It was precisely why Duncan hadn't included him in this display of chaos. "How come I wasn't invited?"

"Vell…I guess I forgot to send you zee invite…." Duncan shrugged half-heartedly, hoping to appease the poltergeist. His grin doesn't seem to change.

"It doesn't matter now, let's have some fun shall we, hahaha!" The tone seemed ominous, as his face remained unchanged. Duncan just knew that Peeves was angry for being left out. 

He saw the dishes rising up. As well as the cups. Duncan knew whatever happened, it would be hell from here on out.

"Scheiße."

Plates, cups, and food started to fly and hit randomly. Peeves' laugh managed to overtake the noise of plates smashing and cups clanking against. The senior students protected the younger frightened students with their own bodies as a shield or literally casting the shield charm. Bright red hair stood out from the crowd right next to Duncan. He recognised her from his classes and recently learnt precisely who she was from Marcie. Duncan would have just placed the last wiz-bang and sneaked past, but he knew how Marcie would feel. 

Nova caught him staring, but before she could say anything, her attention was diverted by a flying object heading straight in their direction. Duncan scrambled about to find his wand, and he should take more care of it instead of placing his wand randomly. 

"Protego!" Nova cast the spell above them. "Better watch out for next time."

"Yeah, sanks…" Duncan replied back awkwardly. Nova hurried off. He swiftly made his way to the opposite side where Marcie was. Duncan nodded that he was ready, and at the same time, they both prepared the Weasley fireworks to be released in a minute. They ran off, meeting in the middle to get out of the commotion. 

"Also Nova hat dich gerettet, ja?" she laughed at Duncan's attempt of being the hero backfired and was saved by Nova instead.

"Ja, ja, mach dich nur lustig." Duncan rolled his eyes but grinned too but it quickly drop as the figure of someone came over. He pulled Marcie to a stop. "Marcie, warte."

Duncan Ashe floated quickly over to them in a rush.

"Ludwig! Marcie! I tried to stop Filch and-" Duncan Ashe stopped in his tracks and laughed a little at Peeves' chaotic trail of paper, food and broken porcelain. "Merlin's beard what happened here? Did a bomb go off?"

"Yes," The other Duncan said straight-laced. 

"That doesn't matter now, Duncan. What about Filch?" Marceline tried to press on with the matter. 

"He's coming here like right now, so you better leave and put the blame on Peeves."

It was a little too late as Filch entered the great hall, and he was greeted by an egg. The yolk slid down at the already unamused face. Perfect, Duncan slipped into his octopus form as Marcie grabbed him. She snuck past the other students hoping that he doesn't notice the pink hair passing by him. 

"Oi, you," Filch suddenly grabbed Marcie by the shoulder. "It was you and your friend Ludwig wasn't it. Come here and I'll shackle both of you up."

Before Marcie could respond, the wiz-bang set off individually, taking Filch's attention. Each spark created new sparks. Despite the remaining students fleeing the scene, they turned in awe at the sparkling colours of bright blues, reds, and yellows. Duncan, Marcie and Duncan Ashe stood there, impressed with the display of chaos and disruption. Each bang grew a bigger and more brilliant version of a firework. A louder bang irrupted, and out came a roaring dragon approaching them in their general direction. 

Filch, amongst other students, panicked. The Duncans' and Marceline had a good chuckle at the fiery red dragon while moving a safe distance away. Though their day was not over yet.

"I spy a Professor McGonagoll coming over here right now."

"Ah, Merlin!" Marcie muttered, "I'll see you around Duncan."

"You too."

Marcie sprinted off with an octopus Duncan in her arm. Despite being a trained chaser, even her arms struggled to hold onto Duncan's slipperiness. She managed to stop at a safe and empty space in the Clockwork courtyard.

“Die Luft ist rein, Duncan.” Marcie let him down.

Duncan shifted back to his usual self. Cracking his bones, while Duncan enjoyed his animagus form, it also left him a little weary since he was on dry land for most of the time. 

“Hast du Filchs Gesicht gesehen?” Duncan smirked. His dimples deepened as he recalled the slimy, blotchy red face of Filch as stared in the horror of the firework dragon to his amusement. 

"Ja, zum Totlachen." Marcie laughed along. Duncan noticed that he had one wiz-bang left. 

“Wie wärs mit noch einem?” He looked at the firework in his pocket before glancing back at Marcie with a smirk. 

“Warum nicht,” she shrugged.

Next to her, Nova, Scarlett and Saffron - Dana's three best friends from school - had their own ways of appreciating the hot summer day. Scarlett was lounging in the sun in a black bikini and shades covering half of her face. Nova and Saffron were busy discussing the flawless handiwork of the macarons Nova's dad had made for Dana's birthday.

Dana turned onto her stomach, happy to have her friends with her. Scarlett and Nova would leave tomorrow, while Saffron would stay with Dana and her family. The Parkins would be taking a Portkey to the finals of the Quidditch World Cup in Argentina tomorrow night. Since Dana wasn't too fond of the family sport, she had been allowed to bring a friend. 

The thought of the World Cup made Dana's smile falter. It wasn't so much that she had to go and watch a sport she didn't enjoy with the most fanatic family on the planet, but the prospect of who would be joining them. As always for big events like these, her parents would meet up with the family of Dana's godmother. Spending time with the Amaris had always been something to look forward to for Dana. This time, however, the thought of listening to her aunt Skye's lecture on why it was a scam that Scotland hadn't even qualified for the tournament - again - suddenly had a strange appeal.  

Dana's mind was taken off her glum thoughts when the patio door opened and her mother stepped into the garden. Penny Parkin was wearing a white summer dress with yellow sunflowers, looking just like the pattern Nova had painted onto Dana's nails this morning. A tray with homemade lemonade and a plate of sliced watermelons was floating behind her as she made her way over to where the girls were sitting in the grass.

"I brought you some snacks," Penny beamed and sat the tray down on the picnic blanket. Dana thought she would be leaving again, but instead, her mother sat down on the blanket next to Nova.

"So, what's the news?" she said in a conversational tone and began filling the glasses with lemonade. "How has your year been?"

Scarlett, Nova and Saffron each told her politely about their previous year at Hogwarts, and Penny nodded knowingly. When they were done, Penny lowered her voice, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "And what about the interesting things?" She winked. "You know, the boys and all?"

Dana felt her cheeks go red. "Mum," she groaned, "please don't."

"What?" Penny asked, looking surprised. "You can tell me. We've all been there, haven't we? I won't judge, I promise. I'm not like other mums. I'm a cool mum."

"Mum!" Dana said vehemently. She pointedly looked at the house. "Don't you need to check on the food or something?"

Taking the hint, Penny rose to her feet, a slight dusting of pink on her cheeks. "Of course. Once Dad and Maisie are home from practice, we'll get the barbecue started, is that alright? Don't worry," she said, directed at Saffron and Nova, "I've got all the vegan options for the two of you."

"Thank you, Mrs Parkin," Saffron smiled broadly. 

"You shouldn't have," Nova agreed. "The sides would have been fine."

"Don't mention it," Penny smiled back. Her eyes went back to her daughter, taking on an uncertain expression. "Are you sure you don't want me to send a Patronus to Lizzie and ask them to come? We've got enough food and drinks, and I bet they'll love to -"

"We've been over this, Mum," Dana said with a strained voice. "It's fine."

"But it will be the first time we'll celebrate your birthday without them."

"I have my friends here; that's really all I need. Dylan's probably busy showing his little girlfriend some stupid mountains anyway."

"Oh?" Penny said, a curious look forming on her face. "Dylan has a girlfriend? You never said a word."

Dana bit the insides of her cheeks, wishing she hadn't brought it up as her mother sat down again. Penny's voice grew soft. "Is there anything you want to talk about, sweetie?"

Dana glanced at her friends, who were suddenly very busy looking at their phones or - in Saffron's case - an ant making its way to the plate with watermelons. 

"It's fine," she said curtly. "Forget I said anything." 

"You know you can always talk to me."

"I said it's fine," Dana repeated, more harshly than she had meant. 

Penny looked taken aback by the sudden sharpness in her daughter's voice. Dana thought she wanted to say something, but before she could, Saffron spoke up.

"Don't worry, Mrs Parkin," she said, her voice lowered conspiratorially. "I already gave Dana a rose quartz."

Penny frowned. "A rose quartz? Isn't that for love?"

"And heartache," Saffron sighed, not minding the dark look Dana was giving her.

"Did you hear that? Sounded like someone Apparating, must be Dad and Maisie. Better go check," Dana said, furiously hoping that her mother would just leave. 

"Uh, yes, sure. Must be them," Penny mumbled and got up. With a last look at Dana, she turned and walked back to the house. When she was out of ear-shot, Dana exhaled audibly. 

Next to her, Nova sniggered. "Gosh, I love your mum."

"Speak for yourself."

"She just wanted to be nice."

"I know," Dana sighed. "It's just that sometimes she's a little too nice. And nosy."

"Well," Nova said, more softly now, "do you want to talk about Dylan?"

Dana grimaced. "It's my birthday. Can we just not?"

"Sure," Scarlett said and reached for her bag. She pulled out a gleaming silver flask, unscrewed it and poured its content into each of the girls' glasses. Looking at Dana for a second, she added another swig. "Let's rather drink on your birthday. Who needs those bloody blokes when we have each other?"

"Cheers to that," Nova said flatly and raised her glass.

Their conversation soon drifted off to other topics. Nova, Dana and Scarlett were enjoying their watermelon, macarons and spiked lemonade, but Saffron had gone oddly quiet. When she looked over, Dana was astounded to see that Saffron had taken hold of the plate where they had discarded their watermelon seeds. She was holding it on her lap and busy digging little holes in the ground. Into each hole, Saffron popped a watermelon seed and lovingly spread the soil over it again. 

"Saff," Dana said slowly, "what in Merlin's name are you doing there?"

"Giving the Earth Mother back what is hers," Saffron replied with a serene smile, never stopping her planting. "She gave us these watermelons to enjoy, and now we must give her something back. The cycle must always continue."

Saffron must have been at it longer than any of them had noticed because several small heaps of earth were already surrounding her. Dana counted them, and her eyebrows rose.

"At the rate you're going, there'll be a whole field of watermelons here next year."

"We can all go and harvest them then," Saffron smiled. "The cycle, you know?"

"If that means you'll come back for my birthday next year, I say that's a great idea," Dana smiled back, took a seed from the plate and put it into the ground next to the one Saffron had just planted. She handed Nova and Scarlett a handful of seeds as well and - after Dana had given a reluctant Scarlett a pointed look - both girls planted some watermelons of their own.

"The things I do for you," Scarlett sighed, looking disapprovingly at the earth on her fingernails. She shrugged and reached for her lemonade.

He’s distracted from thoughts about his brother by Nova giggling. Michael smiles and assumes she’s with Alex. Curious what they are up to, he stands up out of bed. The moment his bare feet hit the hardwood floor, he begins to shiver. It really is too cold and he’s not sure why Alex hasn’t turned up the heat yet. If Michael is cold, the two of them have to be freezing.

He looks around the room for the sweatshirt he’d discarded last night in their lust, but he can’t find it. He assumes Alex must have grabbed it to throw it in with his wash. Instead, he opens one of Alex’s drawers and pulls on the first sweatshirt he sees. Looking down, he realizes it’s a navy Air Force hoodie and he debates taking it off in protest. But the truth is that most of Alex’s sweatshirts are military issued and while he hates the military with a passion, it’s a little bit easier to let go of his distaste of the organization when the sweatshirt smells like Alex and the ink is officially drying on Alex’s discharge papers.

Michael quickly throws on his sweatpants, eager for the warmth they bring, before pushing the door open and heading down the hall towards the sound of Christmas music on the radio and Alex’s singing.

When he reaches the kitchen, he can’t help but smile at the sight that greets him. Nova Mae is sitting on the counter, reindeer antlers on her head in place of her usual alien antenna. Her pajamas are covered in flour and a bit of it is smeared on her nose. And she’s looking up at Alex with nothing but adoration as he holds a bowl of something that he’s currently mixing while singing along to ‘Last Christmas.’

Michael doesn’t say a word, instead, he leans back against the wall, crossing his arms, and just watches.

“What shape should we try and make?” Alex asks her, pulling down his cookie cutters from their spot on top of the fridge so that Nova can dig through the bin and pick out what shape she’d like her pancakes in this morning.

“Albien,” she says, so predictably that Alex can’t help but snort.

“How about we try and do something Christmasy. Maybe some trees? We can put powdered sugar on top and make it look like it snowed?” Alex suggests.

“It did sow,” Nova says as she pulls out the metal alien cookie cutter and hands it to Alex. “I tink daddy want albien pancake.”

Michael can’t help but laugh at that, the sound managing to catch both of their attention as they turn their twin smiles on him.

“Daddy!” Nova yells excitedly, knocking the bin of cookie cutters to the ground in the process. “It sowd!”

Michael moves into the kitchen to pull her into his arms so they can both look out the window over the sink together. “It did! Did you make a wish?”

“I wit ta see Unca Max,” she says and Michael’s entire body tenses and he has to close his eyes against the onslaught of emotions that hit him hard.

“Hey, we were just making breakfast,” Alex interrupts, pulling Nova out of his arms and into his own before squeezing Michael’s arm in silent support. “I told Nova she could help me turn the batter green. Why don’t you go back to bed, we can bring you a plate when it’s done.”

Michael wraps his arms around himself and shakes his head. “I’d rather stay and watch,” he says. He doesn’t need to be alone with his thoughts. He needs the distraction and the happy memories. Because he’s determined to make happy memories this holiday. He’s not going to let their first holiday together as a family be marred in nothing but sadness.

Alex nods in understanding, leaning in for a kiss. Michael reaches out to frame Alex’s face in his hands, holding him in place a moment longer, just breathing him in. They stay like that until Nova’s little hands push against Michael’s shoulders.

“Daddy, no,” she whines. “Ottah Daddy and me are cookin’.”

“Right, sorry,” Michael says, giving Alex one last parting kiss before letting go with a smile. “Well, if your daddy is cooking, it’s a good thing I’m here to supervise.”

“Ha ha,” Alex says with a playful glare. “I’m getting better and you know it. Even you said my last batch of pancakes wasn’t half bad.”

“Is that what I said?” Michael teases and he’s about to make a joke when he realizes that Alex is wearing his UNM hoodie from the night before and suddenly his mouth goes dry.

Alex seems to realize what he’s staring at and a beautiful blush fills his cheeks. “I was cold,” he says with a coy little shrug, like he doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing.

Michael moves in to wrap his arms around Alex’s waist despite Nova’s protesting. “Well you should have stayed in bed. I have plenty of ways to warm you up.”

“Our daughter requested pancakes or I would have,” Alex says. “I see I’m not the only sweatshirt thief around.”

“Well what did you expect me to do when you stole my sweatshirt and your house is freezing? Walk around shirtless?” he asks.

Alex hums happily. “Now there’s an idea.”

Alex’s free hand travels down to Michael’s ass and he can only gasp in shock and step out of Alex’s grasp with a laugh. “Nova’s right here,” he says, slightly scandalized, but equally turned on.

“Later then,” Alex says with a wink before setting Nova back down on the counter and turning back to the task of preparing pancakes. Michael hops up onto the kitchen counter and watches the two of them work together fondly. He can’t stop himself from reaching into his pocket for his phone and snapping a photo to replace as his background. There’s something about watching Alex with Nova that always makes his heart feel too big for his chest.

“What do you have planned today?” Alex asks as he plates their pancakes and Michael is helping Nova set the table for breakfast.

“I told Mom we’d be back home in time for lunch,” he says. “We’re all gonna spend the day together. Sanders is coming over and we’re having a game day. You’re welcome to come over when you get off work? I was thinking we might put up the tree tonight and I’d like you to be there.”

Alex smiles as he sets the final plate down and they all take a seat. “Yeah, that sounds perfect.”

“I know we haven’t really talked much about specific Christmas plans. If there are any traditions or things you tend to do that you’d like Nova or I to be a part of… Or not…”

“Honestly? There aren’t any Christmas memories from my childhood that I'm all that interested in reliving. I’m far more interested in starting new traditions together if that’s alright with you?”

“I see the problem,” Nova spoke up as she feverishly made notes on her parchment as Sage began to sip the tea the professor brought around the classroom. “You are at a crossroads. There are two paths ahead, Sage. It tells you that you must make a choice. The most turbulent roads will take you into lasting peace, but if you force yourself into a traditional and steady life now, you’ll grow restless, and things will break. You may break.”

The clasp on Sage’s locket could take no more of her nervous tugging, and the silver heart fell onto the table between the girls. Sage reached for the pendant, but Nova’s hand reached for Sage’s. “It was your mum’s?”

“It’s mine now. Why?” The prickly tone not usually used by Sage wasn’t lost on Nova, nor was the place of the locket on the table on top of The Empress. The tarot card faced away from Sage and silently told Nova all she needed to hear.

Nova clasped the chain around Sage’s neck. “You’re careful to not make her mistakes, but burnout is real, Sage. Perfection isn’t healthy. Don’t fight the adventurer in you. She tried. She tried to fill a role she wasn't ready to play. Please, Sage, give fate a chance. Travel, create, learn, be free, and be blessed. Your spirit will know when it is ready to take on real responsibility. Have a little fun before then?”

“I’m not sure I know where to start. I haven’t had real fun since quidditch camp,” Sage confessed.

Sheer boredom crossed Nova’s expression. “Nobody has real fun at quidditch camp. I mean actual fun. Listen, I’m hanging out with some girls at Hogsmeade tonight. Have you been?”

“I’m still going through the brochures. It looks beautiful, but I’m thinking I’ll save it for a weekday free period. You know, less crowded. Probably in the spring when I won’t even need a jacket. I haven’t considered where to make a dinner reservation…—“ her speech disrupted by Nova’s head hitting the table.

Shaking her fiery mane as she rose, Nova threw back the tea in one go. “Nope. No. Uh-uh. Me and you. Hogsmeade. Meet in the common room at midnight. Ever heard of The Weird Sisters?”