Keeping You Warm (Andy, Susan, Bay)

[Deleted]

"You're just so cute I can't even stand it," Zander mused as he leaned against the doorway to their bedroom, waiting for Bay to finish getting ready to head out, They were meeting her two best friends Susan and Andy today. They were going to explain to them how she could go out in public. The whole fox animagus thing. He was nervous about telling anyone else about that, but she was pretty determined to get her friends in the loop. They were in the loop more than anyone else was, obviously, so he supposed it made sense to pull them into the loop even more. Sure, why not, let's just get everyone killed.

Nah, he really wasn't that pessimistic. This was going to be fine, he just needed to calm himself and let this run it's course. Once she was ready to go they were on there way. Bay was in Lynn the fox form, of course. As soon as they arrived at the Broomstick in Hogsmeade Zander saw the two girls and waved. "Hey, ladies!"

@braelynn
@susanvictoria
@lestrange
(I don't care what order we go as long as Andy is in between you too!

[Deleted]

Susan was waiting with Andy just outside the Three Broomsticks. Andy had told her that Zander and Braelynn were going to meet up with them, which immediately set Susans’ heart racing. She had been to Headmaster Longbottom with her information just the day before, and she did not know what had been done so far because of it. She’d also told Andy about it; how the Headmaster explained that the spiders had everything to do with Desirae Rousseau. Not that the thought was all that comforting, but Susan was all the same glad to know she wasn’t crazy. Still, she was more than a little terrified at the thought of Desirae watching her.


She saw Zander approaching with a fennec fox in tow and she squealed. “Oh...my gosh it’s so adorable!” she squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. “When did you get one, where did you get one?” she asked him curiously. She wondered what Bay thought about having a fox in the house with them.

@lestrange next!
@braelynn
@zander

[Deleted]

Andy hadn't expected Bay to actually meet them at the Sticks, but rather assumed that Zander would lead them to her. It seemed she was right when Zander showed up with nothing but a fox. Andy tilted her head to the side, stepping forward as Susan gushed over the animal. "Erh, I guess it's kinda cute," Andy was pretty indifferent to the small animal, really. Sure it was cute and all, but it wasn't really in Andy to gush. She turned to Zander and gave him a short nod and a small smile. "Zander, it's good to see you," she said. She felt a small pang of jealousy at the sight of him, simply due to the fact that he and Bay were married and able to spend every moment together whereas her boyfriend was still continents away....

@braelynn

[Deleted]

Braelynn was both terrified and excited. She hadn't seen either of her best friends in months. That was the exciting part. The terrifying part was letting them in on the loop of her being an Animagi. Aside from Zander only Desirae knew about the ability, but she'd never seen Bay's animal form and she also thought Bay was dead. Letting these two in on the secret... of course she was scared. But she didn't want to keep any more secrets then she had to. So, Braelynn smile as she got ready and heard Zander's comment. "Oh stop that, silly!" she giggled as she finished getting ready and crossed the room to him. "Are you ready for this?" she added thoughtfully as she softly kissed him on the cheek. It was now or never. With a sigh she transformed into a fox...

Braelynn trailed behind Zander but the moment she spotted her friends she scurried ahead of him with an excited pep in her step. She chirped as Susan's compliment, almost smug. She knew she was cute as a fox. But when she heard the 'sort of' from Andy she huffed. Sort of? Rude. Those large ears of hers roared about and her head tilted up to watch the giants speak before scurrying back to Zander and weaving around his feet in figure eights.

@lestrange
@susanvictoria
@zander

[Deleted]

Zander shook his head at Bays words, I will never stop and you're stuck with me so too bad," he chuckled. Then she crossed to him, asking if he was ready and he took in a deep breath, not answering as she kissed him on the cheek before turning into a fox... It was really happening now.

---

Zander wasn't surprised that the Susan fawned over how cute Lynn was. He grinned, nodding to Andy in greeting before answering Susan's questions. "Well, a friend gave her to me. Guys, meet Lynn," he said raising an eyebrow, "so, should we all go somewhere to talk?"

@susanvictoria turn

[Deleted]

Susan scoffed at Andy's comment. "Just sort of? Andromeda Lestrange, do I even know you?" she teased, sticking her tongue out at her best friend. "Awww hi Lynn," she cooed, crouching down to be at the fox's level. "Can we pet her?" she asked eagerly. With a nod she reached out and stroked her fur gently.  "Oh you're so pretty don't listen to Andy," she said with a giggle. The fox kept going in and out of her reach but Susan found it so adorable anyway.

When Zander spoke, she straightened up and nodded.  "Yes, but it's so crowded in here, do we want to go in or find somewhere more...quiet?" she asked him, not helping but glancing around for a glimpse of Bay.  With school and her new relationship with Casey, she hadn't been able to actually see her friend since the summer.


@lestrange next!
@braelynn
@zander

[Deleted]

Andy just raised her eyebrows as Susan claimed she didn't know her, "yeah, well, I'm just not really into foxes as I guess. I'm sure she makes you very happy Zander." Then Zander said the name of the fox and Andy's other eyebrow lifted to join the first. "Lynn?" she asked. "You named her after..." well that was weird. Wasn't it hard to have two Lynn's in the house?

Before Andy could think on it more, and probably figure out what was going on, Susan suggested that they don't go inside the pub due to it being so busy. Andy nodded turning back toward Zander and the little fox running around on the ground. "Well, I know a place. Follow me." Andy led them away from the crowd into a Alleyway nearby. It was actually pretty cozy, it was one of the places she had found herself after one of her breakdowns. A place where she could sit down and lean against the wall, and still be warm. It was Private enough. And it wasn't dirty, Andy didn't like it dirty.


@braelynn

[Deleted]

Braelynn stopped her weaving when Susan crouched down and held out a hand. Those large brown eyes of hers focused on the brunette and then she moved towards her, bonding her head against Susan's head. Bay liked being pet when she was a fox. A lot. Moving her head against Susan's hand the small fox cooed softly, the sound adorable and vocalizing her joy in being pet. As Andy moved though the fox pulled away, only looking back at Susan long enough to lick the tip of her fingers before hurrying back to Zander and sticking close to him as they walked.

In the alley, Bay broke away from Zander again. It almost looked strategic as the small creature quickly scurried around they alley, checking corners and grates. Only once she seemed satisfied did she turn to look back at Zander and chirped. It was almost like she was saying it was all clear. Moving back to him, she balanced on her back legs and rested her front paws on his knee. She nipped at the pocket she knew Zander kept his wand, as if urging him to pull it out and cast a protection spell.

@lestrange
@susanvictoria
@zander

[Deleted]

Zander loved his little fox lover, as well as the fact that he was learning to be an animagus fox as well. They would just be the cutest things on the earth!!! But, that wasn't why they were hear right now. Zander made sure she was walked beside him as they followed Andy into the alley. Soon Lynn was rushing away from him, though, checking the corners, greats, and other nooks and crannies, probably for spiders. She chirped at Zander and he nodded. She moved back to him, resting her paws on his knee and nipping at his wand pocket. "Okay, okay, geez. Bossy, much?" he joked before pulling the wand out and turning to face the opening of the alley to cast the muffliato spell and a little spider repeller that his uncle Carson had taught him.

@susanvictoria!

[Deleted]

Susan followed Andy curiously; she wondered how her friend had found this secret area.  It was a little off the beaten path as they say; why would she go to this place?  She watched as Lynn scampered around the area, then ran back over to Zander and her curiosity peaked.  What was going on?  She didn't know fox behavior but it seemed a little off to her.  "Zander, what's going on?" she asked, sharing a glance with Andy.  "Where is she?" she added, knowing she didn't have to add in the name of their missing best friend.  Zander was casting the protection spells; how would Bay find them?


@lestrange
@braelynn
@zander

[Deleted]

Andy had the same questions as Susan and turned to her with an eyebrow raised. Then, Susan asked where Bay was and Andy's eyes fell to the fox. "Susan... Didn't you say Bay was training to be an animagus?" her hands were shaking as she reached over to take Susan's arm, lifting her eyes back to Zander.

@braelynn let's do this

[Deleted]

Braelynn gave Zander the closest thing to a smile she could, just a small flash of her teeth and a cheerful coo. She knew he was joking, of course. But you could understand her urgency. She didn't want any spiders getting in while he dilly dallied.

Plopping back down, she sat there and waited, those big eyes moving from Zander to Andy to Susan as her tail wagged against the ground. Andy seemed to be the first one to start piecing it together, and Bay chirped loudly and excitedly. She hesitated only a moment... and then her body started to grow. A moment later and Braelynn stood their smiling at her friends.

@susanvictoria
@lestrange
@zander

[Deleted]

Here came the part that Zander was worried about. He gave little Lynn a nod before protectively shifting to block the alleys entrance, even though you couldn't even see the street outside and he cast the proper spells to make them invisible. He folded his arms over his chest and waited as she started to form back into human before them. Then, she was standing before her friends and Zander stepped forward, wrapping one arm around her waist. "Ladies, meet my pet fox, slash wife, slash most gorgeous person alive and cutest fox ever."

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan opened her mouth to answer Andy's question - yes Bay was studying to be an Animagus, that's why Susan had gone to her for help in her own transformation. She was just waiting for that thunderstorm now, then she'd find out what form she'd take. But before she could speak, the fennec fox transformed, and a beaming Braelynn was standing in front of her and she squealed softly before racing forward to embrace her tightly. "Oh my gosh I've missed you," she said, giving her a squeeze before looking over at the others, beaming. "I didn't know you already were an Animagus!" she exclaimed; she didn't mind not knowing though she was just so happy to see her friend SMILING.


@lestrange 
@braelynn
@zander

[Deleted]

Andy shook her head and folded her arms over her chest as the fox stepped out before them, slowly changing. Then, Braelynn was before them and Andy caught her breath, not realizing that it was almost a sob. "Bay," she said under her breath, too stunned to rush forward as Susan did to embrace the girl. Andy's eyes found Zanders who seemed to be staring into hers with concern and she shook her head, trying to assure him it was all right.

But she wasn't okay. She was freaking out. She hadn't seen Bay since she had attacked Desi, hadn't seen her since she'd attacked Nik. She had only seen Cecelia, and seeing her made Andy sick. But, now, Braelynn was standing before her and all those emotions came rushing back.

She waited for Susan to say her piece about the animagus before inching forward, taking her eyes from Zander and back to Bay. She reached her friends and smiled, "Braelynn, aren't you a sneaky one?"

@braelynn go ahead