Remus and Audrey joined them a couple days later and Remus confided in Severus that he had asked Audrey out on a date and the young Healer and Potions Mistress had agreed. Severus couldn’t remember ever seeing his friend quite so happy before. Draco found it quite amusing and teased the werewolf whenever possible. Remus vowed to return the favor when Draco started dating…especially if said date was a certain red-headed American.

During the day Halle took her children and her British visitors to see the sites in the city: the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Central Park and many, many more. At night the two wizards helped the two witches pack up the Cole’s house.

“Before Daniel arranged for Beau and Rae to go to Hogwarts, I had promised to take them to Salem sometime this year,” Halle told them one night as they were taking a break from their packing for a late dinner. “And I covered that with the younger three this year in school, so Audrey and I are going to take them next week before we head to London, since we’re not sure when we’ll be back.”

“That’s a good idea,” Remus told her. “We cover witch burnings a bit in third year history and I have to admit that I’ve always been a bit curious about the incident.”

Audrey smiled at him. “Why don’t you come with us?”

“We should really get back,” Severus told her. “I’ve got some exams and essays to finish grading. Albus gave me a couple weeks on them so that I could help your family move.”

“Oh, don’t be a stick in the mud,” she told him with a laugh. “Think of it as an educational trip.”

“She’s right you know,” Remus added.

Severus glared at him. “You’re supposed to be on my side, Remus.”

“Oh, I am, Sev…but I want to go too.”

“The boys have barely started on their summer assignments. And you have lesson plans to work on.”

“If I’m going to be teaching about what happened in Salem, I think I should go check it out for myself. And it will be educational for the boys…assign them an essay or something if it will make you feel better.”

“Have I told you lately that you’re annoying?”

“You know you love me…”

“Only because no one else does.”

“So does this mean we’re going?”

“Yes. We’re going. But if those boys cause any trouble, we’ll be going back to Britain short one werewolf, got it?”

--

Albus,

Halle has been teaching her younger three children about the Salem Witch Trials here in America and had promised to take them for a visit when her sister and her older two returned from Hogwarts. The boys, Remus and I were invited to join them on the trip. As Binns cover witch burnings during his third year class, I figured that it would be an educational experience for Harry and Draco and agreed to join them.

While we were at the museum in Salem, the Dark Mark began to burn. It was not too painful, but as I have not felt anything from the Mark in over twelve years it took me by surprise.

Send someone to help me discover what caused the Mark to burn as soon as possible.

Severus

THE END!

AN: Yes, this was short, but I didn’t want to include it in the last chapter. This chapter is for Miss Thing…you know you love me. Stay tuned for the sequel “Octo Secui”. The first chapter should be up within the next week.