Oh Merlin, Ace dreaded that this would happen one of these days. Father had slightly encouraged it, Ace had fully encouraged it. Mother had never readily expressed encouragement in Sybille's hopes and dreams. Ace knew about how much the woman really hated this trait of the young Hufflepuff, but was shocked that this had been the straw that broke the camels back.

But then he glanced at his brother-in-law and it seemed to click. Mother was certainly tense with that man here. She had never been fond of purist views, and having him here made her tense. More tense than even aunt Jade and grandfather. Then again, she was raised with those two. This man was new territory and it made mother tense.

If only father were here. Things would be less tense, he was so sure of that. He had always seemed to be the one that knew how to keep everyone at peace. But, could Ace really do that for his family? "Indeed. So, has anyone brought back any interesting stories from Hogwarts? It feels like far too long since I was last there."