Twice the Miracle (August and Septimus)

[Ethan Jacobs G5]

((Set during the Winter Holidays.))

Ethan glanced at the great big grandfather clock nervously. It was almost time to go, and Ethan hadn’t even started to pack his things. He searched for his owl’s cage. Poor Benny was perched on top of a book shelf in Ethan’s dormitory. He had been a mess lately, but then again, he was pretty much always a mess. Now had been even worse though. Ethan’s mind was so confused that his confusion and chaos had spilled into everything he did. He failed a History of Magic exam, his dorm mates were starting to yell at him for the mess, and Ethan found himself eating breakfast at three in the afternoon. Ever since the Winter Ball, Ethan had been more dazed than usual. During the summer holiday, Ethan was positive he loved Ezzie. But then fall rolled along, and he became positive that he hated her. Then, with the passing of fall and the arrival of winter, Amber Hess had been introduced to Ethan’s already dramatic life. Ethan was positive he loved Amber, and that Ezzie was only a friend. And then, the Winter Ball had changed everything. Just when Ethan felt he had everything under control, the Winter Ball happened. Amber had strolled off doing god knows what, and Ethan eventually found himself alone with Ezzie on the grounds near the Great Hall. Ethan, being a good friend walked over to Ezzie. She looked upset, and Ethan thought it only right to go see what was wrong and hopefully help out. Although, the first thing that came to Ethan’s mind when he had seen her moping around in the cold snow was her significant lack of a date. Ezzie could have any guy she asked for, and yet she had showed up alone to an event made for couples. She was beautiful, charming, famous, rich, and after all, she was nominated for Princess of the Winter Ball, so that had to count for something. It was a shame she didn’t win, but that must simply be from all the bad publicity the poor girl had received the month before the Ball. He sighed, remembering the ball. Ethan was comforting Ezzie, and before he knew it, they were kissing. Ethan was supposedly madly in love with Amber now, and here he was, kissing his ex-girlfriend. Ethan thought he was a changed man now. He didn’t want to be a heartbreaker anymore. But how could he stay loyal when two amazing young ladies were fighting over him, and he was fighting back? Ethan couldn’t possibly tell Ezzie he didn’t love her, not after the Ball. But then again, he couldn’t break up with Amber either. He sighed heavily as the door to the dormitory opened. He smiled as Ezzie skipped in, practically glowing with happiness.

“Hey, Ethan.” She said, a small rucksack slung over her shoulder. “Why am I not surprised you’re not ready to go?” She said, in a mock tone. “But no matter, I’ll be happy to help.” She smiled and raised her wand. Within moments, Ethan’s trunk was packed and ready to go, and he was heading down to Hogsmeade station with Ezzie. As they were walking down the corridors, a very familiar looking owl swooped down from a random window and landed on Ethan’s shoulder. He smiled as he removed the neatly folded letter from Atticus’s beak. Atticus was Ethan’s father’s owl. He was named after the very wise Atticus Finch from a popular American novel by Harper Lee called To Kill a Mocking Bird. He unfolded the letter and read aloud. His father’s messy script had become almost illegible, and Ethan wondered what had caused his father to write in such haste.

Dear Ethan,

I have both good news and bad news to share. Your mother is in labor as we speak. We’re at St. Mungo’s right now. You may have noticed that your mother is in labor early, and that is because all the stress she’s put herself under has put her into premature delivery. But don’t worry. The healers say she’ll be fine. I’ll have someone come pick you, Ezzie, and Septimus up when you arrive at King’s Cross to take you to St. Mungo’s. I’m afraid you three won’t get here until after the baby is born, but don’t worry, your mother definitely isn’t going anywhere for a very long time.

With much love,

Dad.

[August Reid R7]

Finally! Finally this year had come to a close. Well not the school year. The calender year. It was a year that August surely would not soon forget. It all started last Christmas when their mother went insane. A memory charm had backfired and messed with her brain's functions. All last spring August would go down to breakfast and fear the he would get an owl from his father or his brother Bronsen saying that his mother's condition had worsened. Or worse, that she was better. Wait a second, why would that be worse? Of course August wanted his mother to get better. He wanted his old mother back. But if she regained her memory than she would remember what really happened and why a memory charm needed to be placed on her in the first place.

August found himself in his dorm room packing for the holidays as these thoughts ran through his head. He wasn't going to bring his entire trunk with him just a rucksack with a few things in it. He had spare robes at home plus he did not want to be hindered by lugging a trunk around. Jack wasn't coming home for the holidays. He rarely ever did. August still could not, would not believe how much angst his older sibling had toward their parents. It was so great that he would want to spend the holidays at Hogwarts without his brothers. Sometimes August wondered what it was like in his brother's head. What kind of thoughts were floating around in there? Probably not good ones. That's for sure. That meant that August and Bronsen were going home alone.

With his bag packed he left his dorm room for the final time this calender year and headed to the common room. Although he had not arranged when and where he was going to meet Bronsen the most obvious place would be the common room. When he got there however, his little brother was no where to be found. August set his rucksack down on the nearest chair to wait for his sibling. He paced the empty common room waiting. Most students had either already gone to the Express or they were enjoying their day off. August really was in no mood to wait for Bronsen so after passing his bag for the eleventh time or so he picked it up and made his way out of the Ravenclaw Tower. Bronsen was a smart boy, he could make it to the Hogsmeade station by himself.

Making his way down to Hogsmeade he passed several students that he knew were staying for the holidays. Some of them waved and others just nodded. Still some others ignored him completely as if he didn't exist. That was okay. They didn't exist for him either. He found himself in front of the Entrance Doors and swiftly went through them. The outside world had a white glow to it as it was snowing softly. August smiled to himself and was glad that should he would be on that familiar scarlet train.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie was ecstatic. Amanda Jacobs was having her baby! Ezzie wondered whether it would be a boy or a girl. She wondered what it would be named. Amanda really wanted a little girl, but she was afraid it would sadden her to see someone that looked so much like her daughter Jessie. She talked about naming the baby after Jessie, and then she even talked about naming it after Ezzie. Ezzie had immediately waved off Amanda’s silly notion of naming the baby after herself, and she had decided on naming it after Jessie if it was a girl. If it was a boy, the name had been decided since before Ethan was born. If the baby turned out to be a boy, then his name would be Alexander, after his father and grandfather. Ethan had insisted on naming the baby Ethanito, but his parents merely laughed at the mere thought. Ethan was so conceited sometimes, it was scary. “Oh my gosh Ethan! You’re going to be a big brother! I do hope Mrs. Jacobs is going to be okay though. I’m not sure how wizards handle premature deliveries, but muggles take it very seriously.” She said, with a worried expression on her face. She really was worried for Mrs. Jacobs and her baby. Sometimes, babies came out with birth defects or had trouble breathing when they were premature. Their bodies didn’t have enough time to develop completely, so muggle doctors had to help the premature baby develop from outside the womb, after they’re born. Mothers had to stay in the hospital with their baby for weeks at a time, just to make sure their child made it out. Ezzie may have been thinking a bit dramatically, but this was what she had heard about premature babies. Sister Marie was the caretaker of Ezzie’s old homeless shelter, and she had told her about premature babies. However, Sister Marie did like to exaggerate a lot, so she wasn’t sure how true her story was.

“Don’t worry. They’ll give mum a healing potion and she’ll be out of St. Mungo’s by tomorrow morning. I swear, muggles take forever to do anything. Premature babies aren’t exactly welcomed in the wizarding world, but they’re very easily fixed.” He said with a shrug. Ezzie smiled. She learned something new every day. Then an idea came to her. Casey still didn’t know about the baby! And Ezzie was sure Carson would like to know as well! “I’ll be right back, Ethan. I have to go tell Casey!” She said excitedly, leaving Ethan alone in the compartment without another word.

She searched around every compartment. She saw quite a few people she knew, and some she didn’t know. Most of these people were Ezzie’s friends or acquaintances, but some were not so welcome. Ezzie ran into a mob of third and fourth year Slytherins (including Aimee Sinclair, who had thankfully refrained from following Ezzie for the moment) who taunted her and teased her. “Off to go throw up your breakfast, I see?” Said one in a taunting voice. Ezzie rolled her eyes as she passed them. A few other students were lingering about that same corridor and heard the Slytherin’s words, (he had probably made his assumption that Ezzie was bulimic from that blasted article by Rita Skeeter. No one treated her the same after they read it.) but Ezzie did not even glance at the people around. She kept walking, making sure to hold her head high. She saw no signs of Casey or Carson. She shrugged and started walking back to her compartment.

On her way there, Ezzie ran into someone…literally. She crashed straight into August Reid, a fourth year Ravenclaw who she wasn’t exactly looking forward to seeing. After an incident a couple weeks ago, she had been avoiding August. He had been one of the few to see her at her weakest. Ezzie remembered that day. She felt light headed, dizzy, and extremely tired. August had seen her and tried to help her, but Ezzie had protested and sent him walking away angrily. All he was doing was trying to help, and Ezzie had acted rudely to him. But Ezzie was better now. She had finally achieved the image of perfection (after the Winter Ball and her forbidden kiss with Ethan, everything seemed perfect to Ezzie, even her body) that she had strived for, and she was willing to eat again…and this time, she was planning on keeping it in her system. “Hey August.” She said timidly. “Listen, about that other day…”She started. “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have acted that way. You were only trying to help, after all.” She managed, hoping he would accept her apology. She hated when people were angry with her.

[August Reid R7]

One foot on the platform, August realised that he was being a bad older brother. He was supposed to guide Bronsen. After all he was just a first year. Suppose that he just waited and waited for August in the common room. August knew that he would be pretty upset if he was left waiting forever. He stopped in his tracks and debated going back and trying to find his little brother. If he did he might miss the train and then he would be stuck at Hogwarts for the holidays. That would not be a bad thing per se but if August could avoid it, he would. Jack would be staying and August could at least hang out with him. But Jack wouldn't want August hanging around him all the time. Nor would August want to hang out with Jack all the time. His negative energy was often suffocating. He didn't wish that on anyone. Especially his younger brother. The two of them would kill each other over the holidays.

Shaking his head August turned to go back to the castle. He would have to hurry and find Bronsen so as not to miss the train. But as his head turned his eye caught a little boy. This boy was wearing a bronze and blue scarf. His head was covered in brown hair the same style that all the Reid males shared. It was Bronsen. He was just stepping into the train. August cursed to himself and made his way toward the car that his brother had just disappeared into. He was so angry. How could his brother do that to him? Granted August had just left the castle thinking that Bronsen was still there, but this was different. Unfortunately moving toward the car was harder than first appeared. The platform was full of students heading home for the holidays. He finally managed to push his way to the car and with one final push he made it.

On board the train August could not see Bronsen. No doubt he had disappeared into a compartment. August would just have to find him and make his little brother rue the day he left for the Express without August. He had his face pressed against the glass of one particular compartment full of first years when someone ran into him. Literally. He turned to see that the person who had just crashed into was none other than Ezzie Mendez. She and August had not spoken to each other since that fateful day. She had practically fainted right in front of him. He had tried to help her and bring her to the Hospital Wing but she had refused. He had left her feeling frustrated and angry. The thoughts of Bronsen flew out of his head as she apologised to him. His anger was immediately taken away with the apology. At least she realised that she was wrong and wanted to make amends. He looked Ezzie over. She looked much better than she did that day. Her eyes had returned to their normal color and there was more color in his face. "That's okay Ezzie. I'm just glad that you're okay now. Which compartment are you sitting in? May I sit with you?"

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie couldn’t wait to get back to the compartment with Ethan. Amber would be staying with a friend in Hogsmeade for part of the Winter Holidays, so Ezzie would have Ethan all to herself until the day before Christmas Eve. And then Amber would return to London and Ezzie would have to put up with her again. It was hard to keep a straight face in front of her. Amber loved to tease Ezzie secretly by showing off the fact that she had Ethan and Ezzie did not. But little did she know what was really going on. After the Winter Ball, Ezzie became more than friends with Ethan. She was this close to yanking Ethan from Amber’s evil claws. But Ethan had been stubborn. He didn’t like cheating on Amber and Ezzie was sure he knew the media would figure it out sometime. Ethan knew he had to lose one of his girlfriends, and Ezzie had a feeling she knew who. Ethan was going to break up with Amber, and Ezzie and Ethan would get to be a happy couple again. Otherwise, why would Ethan agree to continue dating Ezzie while dating Amber? A wicked smile threatened to erupt on Ezzie’s lips, but she stopped it. Instead, she smiled kindly at August, who had accepted Ezzie’s apology. She let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, August. And of course you can sit with us! My friend Ethan and I are in the compartment just over there, but don’t be surprised if you hear us screaming with delight every once in awhile. Ethan’s mother is delivering a baby at St. Mungo’s as we speak. I can’t wait to get back to London to see it.” She said brightly. She wasn’t even really sure if August cared about Ethan’s mother, but she was so happy about the baby that she just needed to tell people. Pretty soon, the news would be out in magazines, radios, and newspapers across the country. "C’mon, August. We’re just over there.” She said, taking August’s hand and starting to skip off down the corridor. She was just budding with happiness. But then, her wide smile faded as Ezzie bumped into a crowd of Slytherins. Aimee Sinclair was leaning against a compartment door. She smiled wickedly once she saw Ezzie skip past the corridor holding August’s hand.

“Well if it isn’t little miss Ezzie Mendez.” Said one large Slytherin boy. He looked like he was in about fifth year. Ezzie rolled her eyes. She heard a small high pitched sickening giggle come from behind the large Slytherin and Aimee pushed the large boy aside. She emerged through the crowd smiling wickedly with a Quick Quotes Quill hovering above her head. “So, Ezzie. Tell us, who’s your new boyfriend?” Aimee said with an evil grin. She had Ezzie cornered. Ezzie rolled her eyes and dropped August’s hand. “He’s not my boyfriend, and it’s none of your business.” Ezzie said maliciously, snatching the quill and breaking it in half. She dropped it to the floor and pushed past the crowd. Ezzie knew how to defend herself. She stomped away from the crowd of Slytherins (whose mouths were open in wide eyed shock) and opened the door to her compartment. She allowed August to enter, and then once she was inside as well, she slammed the door shut behind her. She let out a small sigh and smiled. “Ethan, this is my friend August Reid. You may remember him from that incident awhile back…but let’s not talk about that. You don’t mind if August sits with us, right?” She asked Ethan politely, as yet another owl flew in through the window. Ezzie squealed.

“Yeah, he can sit here. I don’t mind.” He said quickly. He grabbed the letter and ripped it open. Ezzie waited patiently. “What does it say?” She asked Ethan excitedly. Ethan’s eyes swept through the parchment quickly. When he finished the letter, he looked up and smiled brightly, making Ezzie’s heart skip a beat. “Mum’s having twins.” Ezzie gasped. “You hear that August?” She turned to August excitedly. “Mrs. Jacobs is having twins!”

((All god moding of AImee Sinclair was allowed.))

[August Reid R7]

Whoever this Ethan was, Ezzie seemed to like him an awful lot. Every time the name escaped her lips, Ezzie's eyes seemed to light up. That might have been a trick of the sun but August was fairly certain that Ezzie liked this mysterious Ethan. The first time that August had run into Ethan was that day that he had tried to help Ezzie. Ethan had randomly appeared and "saved" Ezzie from August. If he was a true friend, August grumbled to himself, he would have taken her to the Hospital Wing instead of... But that was in the past. Ezzie had just apologised for her behavior and August had forgiven her. There was no longer any need to tread upon it. She smiled at him and told him that he was welcome to sit in their compartment. She obviously was very excited about Ethan's mother having a baby. August could sort of join in the excitement. A new life was always exciting but he had to admit that there was no way he could be as excited as she. Again, Ezzie's whole face seemed to light up at the thought of Ethan. But before August had a chance to ask her about it, she grabbed his hand and started to skip along the corridor. He let her take it although it was very strange to be holding this girl's hand as she was skipping down the train. August would just have to yell at Bronsen another time. After all, his younger brother really wasn't to blame. August thought he had left Bronsen at the castle. A thought that suddenly shamed him. But he had no time to reflect because he had to hurry after Ezzie or else his arm would be pulled from its socket.

The two of them were skipping along merrily when a large group of Slytherins appeared in front of them. August didn't fear Slytherins; he just didn't get along with them. He was a pureblood wizard and his brother was in Slytherin. Jack was or seemed anyway to be a well respected student in the house so August always assumed Slytherins left him alone for Jack's sake. Something that suited him just fine. A large Slytherin boy, August thought he was older, was the first to speak. "Well if it isn’t little miss Ezzie Mendez." A high pitched sound, August thought it was supposed to be a laugh, came from the group of Slytherins. A young girl emerged from the crowd with a Quick Quotes Quill hovering over her heard. August looked at the quill questioningly as if he had never seen one before. Why would this girl, a third year Slytherin by the looks of it, have a Quick Quotes Quill? She spoke, "So, Ezzie. Tell us, who’s your new boyfriend?" Ezzie rolled her eyes and answered her dropping August hands. August finally realised that she was referring to him. That was an outrageous claim! They had just been holding hands because Ezzie was leading him to her compartment. He drew a breath to speak but before he could, Ezzie had answered her and grabbed the Quill and broke it in half. August had to suppress a smile. It served this girl right for making accusations and having a bloody Quick Quotes Quill! Who was she going to report that to? The Quibbler? But August had no more time to think about it as Ezzie stomped of and August followed her.

Reaching the compartment Ezzie opened the door and allowed August to enter. Inside the compartment sat Ethan. His jet black hair being such a contrast to his blue eyes. August didn't know what to say but was saved by Ezzie when she asked Ethan if it was all right if August sat with them. Before Ethan could answer an owl flew in through the open window. Ezzie squealed as if she knew what the letter contained already. Ethan said he didn't mind so August threw his rucksack on the luggage rack and sat opposite Ethan. He finished reading his letter and looked up and informed them that his mother was having twins. Ezzie gasped with August could only describe as pure joy. Ezzie asked him a question and August felt bound to answer. He barely knew Ethan much less his mother so he said, "That's nice." As soon as the words left his mouth he knew that he should say more so he asked, "Identical or fraternal?"