Miranda couldn't believe it. She'd been married to Ralph since November, but it felt---surreal now that they'd actually had a wedding in front of their family and friends, it felt like a dream, and the past few months were all part of the vivid, vivid swirls of thoughts that were zooming around in her head. They were married, again, but it felt like the first time all over again. Miranda wished she could have a wedding every week, if it was going to feel this damn good.

She could barely keep herself off of Ralph. Her sneaky, wonderful husband had surprised the life out of her when she began to walk down the aisle and spotted his bright red hair. Miranda had begged and whined for Ralph to dye his hair back to its natural state from the dark, nearly black color he'd kept it during his time in hiding, so---she'd burst into tears at the sight of him, but in a large part it was at the sight of his hair.

Things were finally like they should be. There was no war, there were no death eaters trying to kill them, and she and Ralph could start their lives as husband and wife without being quiet about their court room nuptials; they could really start a life now.

Miranda resisted running her hands through Ralph's hair as they shared yet another dance. She knew that she'd have to let his mum and the rest of his family take a turn, but she was the bride. She could hog her husband all she wanted. Miranda smiled sweetly up at Ralph, completely dazzled by the day.

It was very hard to keep a smile on her face when only a week ago two of her best friends had been murdered, one was arrested for being a killer and death eater, and a fourth was blown to pieces. Alice had spent the last seven days in a giant haze, and she herself wasn't exactly sure how she'd even gotten herself dressed for this Ministry celebration.

She was staring quite hard at the blown up poster of the Potters from their wedding day. The walls were adorned with pictures of James, Lily, and Harry, along with other pictures of the men and women who have given their lives for the war effort. Alice wasn't sure whether this was something she was touched or disgusted by. She loved seeing the smiling faces of her friends and the others---some were co-workers, people she'd had lunch in the ministry cafeteria with, but...the Ministry hadn't done much outside of the auror squad to stop the war, and it was really some freak accident by Harry Potter that had ended it...so to see how the wizarding community was so undoubtedly behind their ministry and the the minister right now was a bit disturbing...

Alice let out a breath and looked for her husband. It had taken much effort to get Frank out here (that part, she did remember quite clearly), and she did understand his sentiments. Not showing up, however, would create even more stress. The Longbottoms were quite publicly good friends of the Potters, and the ministry had wasted no time in making that connection. Alice was finding quotes in the Prophet that she'd supposedly said about Lily and their school days which weren't true at all (even if they were nothing but glowing reviews). Maybe she and Frank could leave now that they've made an appearance, and Alice headed toward the buffet table; it was her first guest as to where to find her husband.

THE HOUSE! THE HEADQUARTERS---

IT'S ALL ON FIRE IT'S---BURNING DOWN! WAS ANYONE IN THERE?

It was best to take matters into his own hands. The Order of the Phoenix had been infiltrated, and to calm the nerves of its members, Albus was going to meet with each one to manage a questioning of sorts. Auror Longbottom had used the word 'interrogation' but until he could find answers, Albus was going to believe in the group he had put together. While he wasn't naive, he did know how easily people could be corrupted, he had faith in the members of the Order, knowing that they had all always shown great strength when it came to making choices between right and wrong.

He sent out a patronus to one member at a time, not wanting to create a crowd in the house for that would only cause to build more tension. Dumbledore knew that the war did not seem to be turning in their favor, but while he was a man who loved to find answers, he always had a faith that would allow him to do so. He sat in the kitchen area, going over some final reports that his professors had finished while he waited for the next Order member to arrive.

The tentative footsteps approached the table and Dumbledore kept his head bowed for a moment before lifting his gaze up to meet the next Order member.

"Have a seat. Would you like a lemon drop?" He pushed the candy dish across the table.

( OOC )

"Are you sure?"

Tristan nodded to his mother, his blue eyes wide as he stared up at her. Despite understanding that her child felt perfectly temperate, Glenda still pulled his coat closer to his chest and gently pushed his hat down to cover his face. For her, the temperature had nothing to do with it; anxiety and annoyance did. Anxiety because they still had twenty minutes until it was time to depart for their portkey, and annoyance because Rhys Nott had dared to attack them in the middle of the city just a few hours ago. Fortunately, Alice had been there....

Glenda glanced over at her friend, feeling nothing but brusque. Logically speaking, she knew she should be thankful that Alice was trained for things like this, and would make all the right decisions. Leaving Milan was without a doubt the safest option for Tristan at this point, but that didn't stop Glenda from feeling downright bitter about going back to England so soon. She wasn't ready yet, Tristan wasn't ready yet--- but there was no choice. They couldn't risk another attack: Tristan was too young, and soon the press might get wind of things, not to mention the location of their house might get revealed in the mix of it all. So, for the time being, back to England they went.

A sigh escaped her lips as she waited for another minute to pass by. She knew that this would be the time to talk with Alice, or at least something, but Glenda couldn't quite bring herself to turn and open her mouth to the other woman just yet.

Alice found some humor in the fact that she'd just put her baby down for a nap, and was now going to go wake up her husband from his. Very little humor, but it was there, and as she sat on the edge of their bed (she'd taken residence on the cot in Neville's room the night before), she wondered if she should give Frank another hour or two to get...whatever it was, out of his system. Alice immediately dismissed the idea; what ever had gotten into Frank last night was not going to be forgotten any time soon.

She let out a breath from her nose and looked down toward the head of her bed, and at her sleeping husband. Alice was sure she'd never seen Frank like that, so---callous, and unmercifully violent. It scared her, she'd admit, and she didn't know what to do about it. Alice had heard all of Frank's ranting and raving about Will Jugson, and while Alice did believe the man's loyalties lied with Lord Voldemort, she didn't...she couldn't understand Frank's obsession. Maybe there was more to it that he didn't let on, or tell her, but she'd never have thought it was have escalated to the scene she'd been witness to last night.

Letting out a breath, Alice stood and moved over to the head of the bed, dropping down again to help pour the reviving potion into Frank's throat. She stayed by his side, hands folded in her lap as she waited for him to wake up. Alice looked straight ahead, her tongue twisting thoughtfully in her mouth.

Not for the first time, Anneliese felt like an intruder in her own home. She slid as stealthily as possible out of her own bed, moving so slowly that at one point she felt like she hadn't been moving at all while holding her breath so forcefully it felt like her lungs were going to explode all to ensure that she didn't wake up Will. No, no, that would be bad. Thank Merlin he was a heavy sleeper, or else she was sure he would've woken up to the inadvertent kick she had given him after finally getting out of his reach and falling to the floor.

Frozen, she waited to hear him snore again before continuing to creep out of the room. Of course, Anneliese made a quick stop at Henry's room to make sure he was alright, but once that was settled she silently made her way to the task at hand.

Ever since Will had come home yesterday, he had been acting--- strange. That was the only way she could describe it, even after two days of pondering over it. And then--- Anneliese shook her head roughly, as if warding the thought away while she quietly tiptoed down the stairs to the main room. She didn't know what she thought she saw on his arm earlier today, but she would have sworn she saw lines or something, and then with the way he had been acting--- it could just as well have been a new mark she didn't know about or a tattoo for all she knew! But there was something else, in the pitt of her stomach bitting at her, telling her that--- that maybe she should get a second opinion.

Finally making it downstairs, she swiftly bent down to sit her knees in front of the fireplace. Despite already having the floo powder, Anneliese curled her hands into her lap, thinking one more time about what she was about do. She just needed someone to tell her she was being silly, and that there was nothing to worry about because it was probably just nothing. Her paranoia was just because of Fabian (at the thought of him, her stomach wrenched so uncomfortably it took her a few minutes to recollect herself), because of what was happening around them. And if that she flipped Will over to look at his left arm, nothing would be there.

Emmeline would know what to do, she always knew what to do. "Emmeline---- Emmeline!" Anneliese began to hiss the second the fire turned green. It wasn't that late to be making a call: Will had been very adamant about going to bed early, and not just because he had been tired from the day. Please respond, please respond.

Alice had a huge, gigantic, headache.

When they'd received James' patronus, Alice had happened to be looking out of the window of Neville's nursery (Neville, Neville, this Nigel thing needed to stop right now). Her eyes had locked onto the dark clouds, and she thought, 'Oh, how peculiar.'

Because honestly, when did a bright and sunny day turn into one terrorized by a tornado? Frank came loudly bursting into the room a moment later and Neville was swept up before they quickly apparated to the Order house. Alice wasn't sure if Frank had even said anything, but she'd known, and they landed in the Order house. She was glad to see that they weren't the first; Molly Weasley and her brood were in the living room. Alice nodded at her, rolling up her sleeves and motioning for Frank to give Neville to Molly (who had automatically rushed over to take the baby from her husband).

"Ready?" she asked, flipping out her wand. Merlin, it had been a long time since she'd seen any action.

Alice attempted to roll over to her other side in the armchair in the living room in the Order house, but couldn't. She was in a half-sleep state, one that wasn't allowing her to actually wake up and move about like she was supposed to be doing. It felt nice to just be sitting here and sleeping, feet up and no worries. That last bit was a lie, because she had many worries, but right now all she cared about was being able to sleep.

But her bloody back was killing her!

She let out a low whimper at the pain as her eyes blinked open. Merlin, she'd had such an ache all day, and this chair usually cured everything (Alice was almost 99% sure that someone had charmed it with soothing spells). Maybe she was just too pregnant for it to help. That made her make another pathetic noise, and Alice put all her strength into pushing herself up from the seat she'd been stuck in for the past two hours. It took some great effort, but with one---last---push she was up.

The effort created a strange sensation, the pain swept through her again, and suddenly her feet were soaked.

Had her water just---broken?

Oh, oh---Alice began to cry immediately, one hand holding her upright against the chair and the other cradling her stomach. "Shit! SHIT!" Oh God, this must be labor because Alice Chelsea Longbottom never cursed. "SHIT!"

Who: Frank and Alice Longbottom
What: They're going to have a baby! A Nigel!
Where: Their home

( You could--- he could be here by next week! Or right now---! )