"Kairos"
(Ancient Greek: καιρός)

the right or critical moment; opportunity

31 July 1997

"Be quiet! Moony has sensitive hearing!" Atlas whisper-shouted at Fred, meticulously setting traps outside the room where the Marauders slept peacefully. Athena sat on the stairs with George, carefully tending to his sliced ear, and checking for any signs of infection.

"Cherie?"

Athena turned back to smile at her wife, bandaging George's ear. "Go to sleep, my love."

"You know I need you for cuddles."

George gave Fleur a little wave, amusement dancing in his eyes as Atlas and Fred tiptoed around outside the Marauders' and Tonks' shared room. Fleur had tried offering to help, but they quickly shooed her away, as though she hadn't picked up a trick or two from her wife—or Atlas himself.

"Your twin is so mean."

Athena chuckled. "We've never managed to prank the Marauders since we were kids. He's in the zone now, carrying out my brilliant plan."

"After how many of his failed?"

George grinned, shaking his head. "Too many. Atlas never listened. He always thought Athena was the ultimate prankster in school, so he's been dead set on proving himself ever since."

"You hungry, Frenchy?"

"If you're making supper, then yes."

"Then I'm making supper." Athena let out a groan as she got up from the stairs. "Everyone hungry?"

"Yes!" The Weasley Twins chimed before Atlas scolded Fred for being too loud.

"Yes," Atlas whispered, slowly backing away from the door as he dragged Fred. "Let's hope they don't wear the outfits for the wedding."

— | —

Athena gasped as her eyes snapped open, her chest heaving. Beside her, Fleur slept peacefully, nestled against her side, completely unaware of the turmoil stirring within Athena. The nightmares were getting worse with each passing night, and true to her nature, Athena refused to burden anyone else with them.

Carefully, she wriggled out of her wife's tight embrace, replacing herself with the pillow she had been using. Fleur murmured something in her sleep before sinking back into comfort, and Athena slipped downstairs to deal with the pile of reports waiting for her.

It was hell being too good at her job—everyone always needed her.

As Athena moved through the room, she accidentally knocked something over while coming out of the shower. Danielle stirred at the sound, watching Athena quietly leave the room before deciding to follow the Auror.

"Why did you leave your pregnant wife without your warmth?" Damille huffed between smacking the back of Athena's head.

"Nightmare," Athena sighed, collapsing all the papers neatly into one file before making it disappear into thin air with a flick of her wrist.

Danielle didn't press further. "Breakfast?" she offered, sensing Athena didn't want to dwell on it. "Oh, by the way, Molly still doesn't like Fleur."

"I'm well aware," Athena chuckled, summoning a pot of coffee with a casual flick of her wand. "I feel her displeasure every time she sees us together."

Danielle busied herself whipping up some French toast while Athena waited for the coffee to brew. The enticing aroma filled the room, and Danielle sighed dramatically.

"I could kiss you for bringing real coffee."

Athena snorted in response, taking the mug of coffee from her. Danielle let out a soft moan, showing her love for the coffee.

"English food and coffee is so bland." Athena looked at her questionably as the French toast was placed before her and Danielle poured her some syrup. She quickly sliced some butter before waving it around, "And the butter! Don't even get me started."

"I will send a bunch every month, how's that?"

"Please. I will send you what kinds I like."

"Do that, make my life easier and you do know I am also English right?"

"Well, you are flavoured English."

Athena snorted, "Flavoured English is crazy."

"You being part French, an Auclair, an Ashryver and hot—those are the reasons why Fleur married you."

"Not my awesome personality?"

"Eh," Danielle cocked her head to the side and Athena just rolled her eyes before turning back to find Fleur grumbling to herself. Her best friend quickly whipped up another batch of French toast for her and her wife poured her some orange juice.

"I'll have you know," Fleur chimed in, "your 'sparkling personality' is also why I'm in love with you."

"Damn," Athena huffed, playing with her rings. "Not the reason why you married me."

"As Danielle said, you're part French," Fleur teased, getting the princess treatment as she made herself comfortable. Athena rolled her eyes at her wife before placing a kiss on her forehead. "Merci."

"Anything for you—"

"Hey! I did most of the work here!" Danielle interjected, smacking Athena's arm playfully. "You're welcome."

"Your English has better," Athena noted as Fleur dug into her breakfast. "The accent is almost gone."

"William's been learning French too," Danielle remarked, pouring herself some more syrup.

"Adorable," Athena said just as a chorus of screams erupted from upstairs, causing her to burst into laughter. "It worked!"

"What did you do?" Fleur asked, still unbothered as she ate her French toast, completely used to the shenanigans.

"We all love a good prank."

"Yours are the worst," Danielle teased just as Sirius stumbled into the room, covered in paint, followed by a paint-slicked Remus who slipped on his socks.

"Athena!" Sirius shrieked.

"What?" Athena grinned, looking over at the chaos while Fleur continued to enjoy her meal.

Sirius pointed to himself, Remus, and Marlene, all drenched in their house colours. "You little—"

"You're covered in your house colours. Be proud! Where's the school spirit?" Athena teased.

"What's all this ruckus?" Molly's voice rang out, trying to shout over the laughter, the Weasley twins' singing, and Atlas's grumbling. The Marauders were complaining about their ruined pyjamas and paint-covered hair, while Molly raised her voice trying to restore order.

Tonks? Still asleep through it all.

Athena glanced at Fleur, sensing her growing annoyance. "Want to step out for some air?"

Fleur nodded, quickly finishing her breakfast. But Danielle waved her off. "Go, go. I'll handle it."

As the two wives slipped outside, Danielle turned back to the chaotic room. "Fleur's pregnant, and you're all being loud. In the morning!" She scolded Atlas, who offered a soft apology, promising to apologize to Fleur later.

Sirius stood frozen, mouth agape, as he turned to Remus and Marlene. Meanwhile, the Weasley twins, still revelling in the prank, were wide-eyed at the new revelation.

Outside, Fleur sighed in relief, closing her eyes and tilting her face up toward the sunlight. "No morning sickness today," she murmured, leaning into Athena.

Athena wrapped her arms around her wife's waist, resting her chin on Fleur's shoulder. "A bit chilly?"

"I'm warm enough," Athena whispered, pressing gentle kisses to her neck. "For the three of us."

"Oui," Fleur sighed, feeling the warmth of Athena's embrace. "Just perfect."

— | —

"The silk dress is easy to remove, no?" Athena teased, her eyes catching Fleur's reflection in the mirror as she gently fastened the dress. Fleur's lips curled into a soft smile, warmth spreading through her. "This pregnancy makes teasing you too easy."

"Shut up," Fleur scoffed, smoothing the already flawless fabric of her gown. Despite her jest, her thoughts lingered on whether her body still fit the dress as it used to.

"You are perfect, my love," Athena whispered, pressing soft kisses to Fleur's shoulder.

"You always know what's on my mind."

"You're my wife. I've learned to pick up a thing or two."

"Just a thing or two?"

Athena's gaze softened. "Like I said, you're perfect."

"You have such a way with words," Fleur murmured, turning to face her wife, her arms encircling Athena's waist. She never tired of those amber-gold eyes, a feature she often thanked Camille for passing down. It was impossible to imagine Athena any other way.

The quiet moment was interrupted as Danielle walked in, pausing at the sight of the two. Athena offered the bride a glance, while Fleur tilted her head, giving her best friend a playful look.

"Can't keep your hands off each other, even for a minute?" Danielle teased, motioning to her hair in a silent plea for help. Fleur rolled her eyes, motioning her toward a chair as Athena casually summoned a platter of food.

"Well, she is irresistible," Athena replied, unashamed.

Danielle let the teasing drop, letting Athena leave to help the Weasleys with the wedding preparations. She didn't do much beyond rearranging tables, as the giant tent was already set up.

Outside, everyone's attention was drawn to the tall, frizzy-haired wizard with a scarred cheek who materialized just beyond the marquee.

"Bloody hell, what's the Minister of Magic doing here?" George exclaimed.

"No clue. But something tells me he's not here to give the bride away," Ron added as Minister Scrimgeour and Captain Auclair approached one another.

"Captain."

"Minister."

"How's the Minister?"

"She's well. I take it you're here on business?"

"I am. Lovely day, isn't it?" Scrimgeour remarked, casting a quick glance around.

"Indeed."

"He left you something," The Minister voiced, extended his hand out and an envelope together with a pendant appeared in his hand. Athena recognised that seal. It's the Dumbledore's seal. "Nothing was said but this was in his will."

"Thank you." Athena's lips twitched into a polite smile. "Have a good day, Minister," she said before returning to her task of organizing the seating.

"You too, Captain."

— | —

"Quite offended you named Harry the godfather of your kid," Athena remarked, her gaze following Harry as Luna startled him with a small wave. Remus chuckled while Sirius slung an arm around his waist, Tonks joining in with a soft laugh. Marlene appeared out of nowhere, carrying drinks with no context, as usual.

"He's my godson," Remus replied smoothly.

"And I'm your husband's goddaughter. Tonks's girlfriend's goddaughter, too," Athena shot back, half-joking.

Remus gave a teasing shrug, placing a hand on Athena's shoulder. "He was just the first one we saw. But, dear goddaughter, would you do us the honour of being the godmother for our little one? Boy or girl, we don't know yet. What do you say?"

Athena raised an eyebrow. "And if I say no?"

"You sleep with one eye open," Sirius chimed in, smirking. "Still owe you for ruining my morning."

"You ruined my wife's morning," Athena corrected.

"Why didn't you tell your godparents—" Marlene began, but Athena quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes darting around the room, ensuring no one else was listening. Her expression was serious now.

"It's dangerous," Athena said quietly, her voice tinged with caution. People they didn't trust were lurking nearby, and she couldn't afford to take any risks with Fleur. The group exchanged knowing glances before Sirius cracked a joke to lighten the tension, drawing a reluctant laugh from Athena.

Tonks nudged her, pointing toward Fleur, who was laughing with a few guests across the room. "Your wife's having fun."

"She deserves to," Athena murmured, her tone softening as she watched Fleur.

Marlene handed her a drink—non-alcoholic, of course. "And so should you. You're still young, Athena."

"Yeah," Athena chuckled, but there was a weariness in her voice, the weight of responsibilities far beyond her years pressing down. Too young to be safeguarding a country. Too young to carry the burdens she did.

Suddenly, her attention snapped to the sky as a Patronus—a lynx—streaked through the air, diving down until it burst into light in front of the crowd. The room went silent as the silvery figure materialized.

"The Minister of Magic is dead. They are coming..." it declared before vanishing, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake.

Chaos erupted seconds later, screams tearing through the air. Athena's heart pounded as another Patronus—a silver owl—landed on her shoulder. It was Camille's, and its message was simple yet urgent:

"Safehouse—on the coast."

Athena nodded, her eyes scanning the crowd for Fleur. The moment they locked eyes, Fleur was pushing her way toward her, and Athena was already casting protective spells, fending off stray curses as Death Eaters apparated in.

"Got a place?" Athena asked her godparents.

Remus and Sirius nodded, their focus on keeping the children safe. "Take the twins and Ginny!" Molly shouted, desperation in her voice.

Without hesitation, Athena grabbed George's arm while Fred moved to shield Fleur, protecting her from shards of glass flying in every direction. "Where's your sister?" Athena yelled, her voice barely cutting through the chaos.

George's eyes flashed with recognition. Through a quick exchange of thoughts, she knew exactly where to go. George led her to Ginny, who was still trying to fight her way through the pandemonium.

"Ginny, now!" Athena shouted, extending her hand.

"But what about Harry? What about everyone else?" Ginny protested, her voice strained with worry.

"Harry's safe. Now, come on!" Athena demanded, her hand still outstretched. Finally, Ginny took it, and with a loud crack, they disapparated away from the battle.

They landed with a thud on the sandy beach, bodies crashing into the ground. Athena groaned as she shoved George off, who was laughing at Ginny despite the sand in his mouth. Fleur was at her side in an instant, dropping to her knees, kissing Athena's face as if she hadn't just escaped death moments earlier.

"Oh, cherie," Fleur gasped, her hands cradling Athena's cheeks. The Weasleys looked a bit offended by Fleur's possessiveness, but Fred quickly engulfed them all in a group hug, diffusing the tension.

"What about the others?" Fleur asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"No word yet," Athena replied, brushing off the sand. "Atlas and Damon are fine, though."

"Merlin, you're giving me stress!" Fleur muttered, smacking her lightly before heading toward the cabin.

Athena followed her inside, trying to shake off the tension. A brief laugh escaped her lips, but it was quickly replaced by a frown as a pile of papers materialized on the dining table.

"You're going back, aren't you?" Ginny asked from the kitchen, pulling out a drink from the fridge.

Athena sighed. "I have two days."

"I heard Fleur's pregnant," Ginny said, glancing upstairs where the noise of the twins and Fleur's scolding could still be heard.

"Who told you?" Athena grumbled, though the grin on her face betrayed her.

Ginny smirked, pointing back up to the noise upstairs.

Athena chuckled, but the weight of her situation quickly settled in. She wasn't just protecting the world anymore—she had a family now. And as much as her job terrified her, the thought of explaining any of it to Fleur was far more daunting.

"How long do I have you?" Fleur's soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

Athena turned, seeing the unspoken plea in her wife's eyes. "Two days," she whispered.

"That's it?" Fleur scoffed, her fingers brushing through Athena's hair as Athena rested her head in her lap.

"Please be safe," Fleur whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "We need you—I need you."

"I don't want to go," Athena confessed, her voice barely audible.

"You can let the little boy be the hero," Fleur teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Athena smiled faintly. "He wouldn't survive without Hermione. Neither of them would."

From their hiding spot, the Weasleys watched the couple in silence, exchanging worried glances. They knew the risks of being here—being labelled as Blood Traitors.

But they were here for protection because the two witches in the kitchen are the greatest protection they will ever have.

— | —