Chapter Nine, Yule Return to Regulus

Previously on Life of Iolanthe Potter:

Monday 23rd September 1971

To my favourite Black,

Don't tell Sirius, he is so dramatic sometimes and then Jamie will curse him and will probably make sure the blue in his hair won't wear off for a while this time. I miss you so, so much! It feels so weird not doing potions with you while my Daddy watches over us, teaching us! I am counting down the days till Yule when we can do so once more. Although, completing the Samhain ritual with only Dromeda and Cissa as part of our family is going to be incredibly weird.

I am so sorry you are alone for the ritual with only Bella, Rodo and the adults. The magic around the school and grounds is humming with delight with each ritual that is paid To Mother Magic within the school grounds ever since Headmistress McGonagall took over. I can literally feel the charged air around us, it's so thick with magic. Sometimes with the abilities that come from Morgana is rather taxing, but Jamie is always there to give me a boost through the Twin Bond, and he and Sirius are always so protective over me.

It can be rather annoying sometimes, but I love them, nonetheless. Guess what Dora and I found yesterday!! A nest of Bowtruckles in a redwood tree near the Black Lake, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest!! They are so adorable, and each have their own personality. They are wary, rightly so, as it is a wandtree, but we were slowly gaining their trust with some woodlice. Pandora and I have agreed to try and find different creatures each week, but we have yet to step fully into the Forbidden Forest, so don't worry.

I'm going to ask Dromeda or Cissa to get a camera from Hogsmeade the next time they go there so we can all send you some pictures, also in Art class Marlene and I are going to try and paint a picture of some of the grounds for Yule presents (little secret). In third year we get to learn Alchemy, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and many more and I have no idea what I will choose next year during the Spring Equinox.

Miss you and lots of love, Iolanthe

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Thursday 31st October 1971

Happy Samhain littlest cousin, Has everyone in school been nice to you still? If not we can always send you some prank items to make them see sense. What have you been up to Reggie? We want to know everything that happens to you and what you do, like we inform you. Oh no, Reggie, Erin's mad. You best run for the hills. Idiots all of you!!! Why do I have to be twins with you Apollo?

Being twins with Reggie or Lanthe would be much better! Actually, Lanthe is more preferable than I wouldn't be the only girl!! Molly doesn't count she's so bossy! Now sister, you wound me so! Although, we have to agree with you sweet Erin about Molly. And that's coming from me, her brother. We hope you have been pulling off a lot of pranks, Reggie. You can get away with a lot with your sweet puppy eyes. So innocent like Iolanthe.

Did you hear she and James won the second prank war we held last weekend. We really must do something about that! Maybe separate them, what do you think Reggie? Let us know what Samhain prank you pull this year Reggie. We miss you. We are very proud of your scores in Herbology last week.

You definitely have a green thumb like your Grandma Melania. Keep mischief making little fox!

Love, Fabian, Gideon, Erin, and Apollo

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Chapter Nine, Yule Return to Regulus

-December 20th 1971, Castle Black –

Regulus was a bundle of excited energy that he and his magic were almost vibrating as he stood before the Floo Network in the Foyer as he waited for Sirius, Iolanthe, James, Cissa, Andromeda, Erin, Apollo, Fabian and Gideon to return from Hogwarts for the holidays. Arcturus Black popped his head into the Foyer and couldn't help but to chuckle at his youngest grandson, causing Regulus to finally take his eyes off of the fireplace, but it was only for a moment before they turned away from his grandfather and back to the fireplace.

"Reggie, don't worry they will be here." Arcturus reassured him, wrapping a soothing arm around his shoulders. "Your Mum and Dad, Monty, Mia, and your Uncle Charlus and Aunt Dorea went to get them from the platform."
"I know Grandfather, but I've missed them." Regulus muttered.

"And from the letters you've received from one of them every week since September I can safely say that they missed you just as much as you've missed them." Arcturus stated with a soft smile, he loved how close his family was now. At that point an emerald, green fire rose up within the fireplace causing an excited screech to tumble passed Regulus's lips as he jumped up and down. Arcturus couldn't help but to laugh once more, his smile widening when Sirius stepped out of the flames and two of his grandsons immediately embraced.

"REGGIE!!!"
"SIRI!!!"
With the force of their embrace Sirius and Regulus fell to the rug covered flagstones, neither caring about the bruises they would no doubt have; all they cared about was hugging each other so tightly you would believe that they were trying to meld together, both boys talking rapidly over each other.

"It's so good to see them together again and see how much they love each other." Melania commented with a soft tender smile directed at two of her three grandsons, coming to stand beside her husband who tucked her beneath his arm.
"It really is." Arcturus agreed, kissing his wife's temple as more of their family came through the Floo Network joining in what Sirius called 'the dogpile' due to their Grim nature.

"It's so good to see my littlest star so happy." Walburga sighed happily as she joined the other adults watching the children reunite after they had all come through the Floo Network. Only for Bellatrix to hurriedly come through the Floo Network and embrace her sisters first – acting like Regulus and Sirius did – before she embraced Sirius, Regulus, Erin, Apollo, Fabian, Gideon, and finally James and Iolanthe.

"It is." Orion agreed. "He's had his friends but he's closer to Sirius and this lot then those his own age. He clicks better with them."
"They feel the same way about Regulus, I can assure you." Monty stated, a smile on his lips as he watched his daughter show Regulus the pictures of all of the creatures that she and her best friend Pandora Greengrass (who he knew his son was besotted with) found within the grounds of Hogwarts so far.

The elder Blacks couldn't help but to agree as they watched the wide smile adorn Regulus's lips finally, truly happy to be back with his brother, cousins and friends once more. They knew the last few months had been hard on him, which is why they regularly invited his friends from school round, so it was wonderful to see such a wide smile on his face. To hear his laughter. There could be no better sound to them – to all of the adults really – then that of their children's laughter. No better sight than that of their happiness; it was a wonderful sight to behold.

***

Just before the Yule celebrations were set to take place at the firepit on the grounds and in the ritual room, they moved from the foyer to the family room to start the gift giving.
"Iolanthe, why don't you start us off." Arcturus smiled at the youngest blonde amongst the lot. Iolanthe nodded and started passing out square and rectangle shaped wrapped presents to everyone that were of various sizes.

"I LOVE IT!!!" James crowed, unable to wait he had ripped open his present to reveal a painting of himself and his twin, arms wrapped around each other grinning happily up at him. He recognised the setting instantly; it was just after they had won the prank war against everyone the first week of school.
"What is it, Jamie?" Mia asked her son curiously as Iolanthe was blushing as she looked down at her hands clasped daintily in her lap.

"THIS!!!" James shouted joyously, turning the frame to face everyone.
"Oh wow. That is amazing." Monty gasped, looking at the intricately painted painting of his twins. "Did you paint this, baby?" He asked his daughter who blushed deeper, nodding her head.
"In art class. I painted all of them. Marlene painted some for everyone as well." Iolanthe muttered as if she was trying to take the attention off of her.
"That is truly an amazing painting, sweetheart." Mia complimented, running her fingers through her daughter's hair to calm her down.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." James cried, scooping his twin into his arms bouncing them up and down pulling a laugh from her. Which is what he wanted. "I love it!"
"I'm glad you like it, Jamie." Iolanthe smiled up at twin brother, joy filling her up like a balloon that was not only bleeding over the bond from her brother but also from herself as she loved making her brother happy. While James had Iolanthe distracted everyone opened their presents and were beyond stunned by the skill this eleven-year-old girl possessed.

Everyone had either received a painting of the Hogwarts grounds, of some magical creatures; of the group at Hogwarts, of Sirius and Regulus for Walburga and Orion, or of herself and James for her own parents. They could see the time and effort she had put into each piece which must have taken her the entire of the school term – and most likely many late nights to make so many.

But they would treasure them and would each put them in pride of place in their own homes. They could also safely say that if she didn't want to become an Unspeakable or/and a Magical Zoologist then she could become an artist and create magical portraits as there would never be a shortage of customers requiring a portrait, especially as there weren't many left in that profession. But whatever Iolanthe Potter-Le Fay decided to do when she was older they knew she would excel in it.

***

Later that night with Castle Black decorated for Yuletide and a Yule Log burning away in every available fireplace. Castle Black breathtaking, it looked like a grotto without going overboard or being overpowering. In the corner of the family room stood a large Fir tree decorated in midnight blue and gold, a wreath made of pinecones, blessed thistle, Evergreens, Citrus, Holly and Yew hung on the front door. While smaller ones made of Apple, Birch, Cedar, Oak, Juniper and Chestnut decorated the mantlepiece and the altar table. Among the wreaths were numerous different coloured candles of red, green, white and silver.

There were also bells, Yule Crystals and stones (Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby and Diamond); sun symbols, goddess figures, reindeer and snowflakes while in the fireplace burned a fresh Yule log. It was beautiful. Yule was much like Christmas would be to those in the Muggle World, in retrospect: you spent it with family by a fireplace, drinking spiced apple cider, hot chocolate, eggnog, gingerbread etc, the only difference being where you watch the sunrise on Yule (December 21st), get outside in nature and bless all of your things, throwing offerings into the fire pit for Mother Magic.

Including writing down your anger, put it in a jar of water and freeze it; bless your home, embrace your inner light, heal emotional wounds and explore the meaning of balance in your life. To those within Castle Black it had been another wonderful year, especially getting to see the children grow and come into their own and they couldn't wait to see what the next year would bring.

They were so incredibly proud of their children and who they were growing up to be. To Mia and Monty and to Lucretia and Ignatius there was no greater joy in life than seeing their twins grow, evolve and become wonderful and kind and caring witches and wizards; especially as for these two couples it had been such a struggle to even become parents.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this.

Happy Holidays to everyone.