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My first idea when starting this story was to concentrate on Lena. As it turned out, I was detoured in various directions when I started writing as will happen when the characters and settings seem to have a mind of their own. So, we go back to Lena and her beginnings in this chapter and the next. Monchique is a town in the Monchique mountains, near to where I actually live.
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As the sun filled the tent with light the next morning, the Silvas were already fixing some breakfast. An owl flew in with that morning's D.D.. Bernardo put a knut in his pouch and gave him an owl treat before he took off through the flap. Pouring milk and coffee in his mug, he sat down and started reading.
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Julia buttered some toast, giving half to Bernardo. "There you go, love. Give me the cooking section, will you?"
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Bernardo handed it over. He looked at Lena, "Want the crossword?"
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"Yes, thanks." She took the paper from her dad. Ollie and Rosa were at her feet.
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They sat at the table eating toast and drinking coffee with milk, each one engrossed in their particular section of the D.D..
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"I'm going to have a shower and get ready to go," Lena said after she had drained her cup and started toward the bathroom, her two crups in her wake.
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Her parents continued their breakfast. Julia stifled a yawn, as she sat perusing the recipes in the culinary section. Bernardo read the quidditch section.
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"Lena, do you mind bringing a few things from the house in Monchique?" Julia asked over the sound of running water.
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"Sure, just write a list and we'll bring them back with us," Lena bellowed .
Julia summoned some writing materials and wrote her list.
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Bernardo looked up from the nwspaper glancing at it. "What do you want the project-o-sieve* for?"
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"I wanted to look at our memories of Lena growing up," Julia responded. "You don't mind, do you?"
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"No, I don't. That might be fun," Bernardo's face crinkled in a smile.
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Mara and Mauro arrived shortly thereafter with their purchases from the day before. They modeled their new outfits shyly.
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"Looking good, you two," Bernardo remarked.
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"All set, I see," added Julia as she took in the new outfits.
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"Yeah, you guys are ready for going muggle!" Lena said with approval as she came out of her 'room'. "Well, let's go, we have to apparate so I'll just hold on to you, Mauro. Remember the spot?"
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"Yes, menina Lena, I's remember," he said proudly puffing out his chest with the new T-shirt.
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Bending down, she patted her crups, "You stay here and guard the fort, ok? I'll be back soon."
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Walking to a clear bit of ground, they waved and disappeared.
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Senhor Luis Costa showed up shortly thereafter and a large part of the morning was spent in discussing the renovation of the house, prices, materials and so on.
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"You did a good job on the fireplace and the bathrooms," Luis said with approval.
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"Thanks, I had some help from my neighbors with that," Bernardo said.
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Trina came out with a tray full of drinks, handing them around, "Here you goes, a nice drink."
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"Thank you kindly," Luis smiled at the elf.
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Trina beamed, and went back to the tent.
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After enjoying his ice tea, Luis smacked his lips appreciatively, "Really refreshing. I'll be back on Monday to start on your new house. That alright with you?"
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"That will be perfect. Looking forward to seeing you then," Bernardo shook Luis' hand, Julia waved and Luis vanished with a 'pop'.
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It was about noon when Lena returned with her two elves. Lena and Mara held some of Julia's favorite plates, and each other's hand, while Mauro carried the awkward project-o-sieve in his arms: attached at an angle to the side of the pensive's bowl was a long adjustable funnel. Julia had gotten the idea years ago after seeing a muggle picture of a white dog sitting next to a 'ramifun'+. After some spell work and a charm or two she had managed to enchant the funnel to project memory images onto a screen or wall. Bernardo and Julia had tried to get the magic community interested in it but they had not had any luck. Still, they got good use out of it for family memories.
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Tiago arrived shortly thereafter. "Hello, everybody. Diego can't make it today, he's got practice. He'll be here tomorrow. Hey, mana, I've got some properties for you to look at," he said, taking the two listings from his pocket.
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"Fantastic, mano. Let's have a look at them," Lena said excitedly, taking the listings from him. "Ooh, look, pai, mama," she said, turning to share the photos with her parents. "You too, Mara and Mauro." The two elves came over.
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They all sat down at the picnic table outside the tent and studied the two properties. It was hard to decide. Finally, it was agreed that Tiago would go with Lena and her elves to the Island of the Crow in her 'new' portable pumpkin to see the properties in loco.
+
Bernardo took Tiago, Mara and Mauro over to Lena's van to explain the different features as they would be driving. Julia and Lena went into the tent's kitchen to help the elves with lunch.
+
After a delicious gaspacho soup, they had some moon calf cheese sandwiches.
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"That really hit the spot," Bernardo said contentedly, drinking his coffee.
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"My compliments to the chef," Tiago added.
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We'd better get going," Lena admonished as she hurriedly set her coffee cup down.
+
So, Tiago, Lena and the elves got settled in the van. Tiago started it up, waved, and pushing the invisibility button, they all vanished.
+
After a check on the dragons, the unicorn and the thestramule, Bernardo and Julia discussed dinner plans with the elves. They then retired to the tent.
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Placing the project-o-sieve carefully on the table inside the tent, Julia summoned a bed sheet and used a fixing spell to keep the sheet suspended in the air like a screen. She turned to face Bernardo.
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"Well, what shall we look at?" Bernardo asked.
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"I want to look at Lena's arrival. She was so special from the first," Julia stated.
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"Yes, she was," Bernardo said tenderly. "She reminded me of you, still does in fact."
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"You go first, love," julia said, blushing.
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"Alright, this is when I saw Lena for the first time," Bernardo put his wand to his temple and pulled out a long thread of memories, prodding them into the project-o-sieve.
+
(Bernardo's memory)
+
Bernardo opened the door and peeked in: there was Julia. She was a mess: her hair was sweaty and she looked like she had run a very long race. She was holding a little bundle in her arms as she sat propped up in bed. She looked up at her husband with those golden eyes full of love.
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"How are you?" he asked, rushing over to the bed and giving his wife a gentle kiss.
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"Never better," she said, gazing in wonder at the little bundle of humanity in her arms.
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Bernardo was overwhelmed at his first sight of his little girl: she was so pretty and pink. He marveled at her eyes when she opened them to stare at her surroundings.
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"She's gorgeous, Julia! She has your eyes!" Bernardo exclaimed as he held out a finger for the tiny tot to grasp.
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Olivia Oliveira, the hospital's head mid-witch, entered the room and smiled at the couple holding their tiny daughter, "Congratulations!" she said as she neared the bed.
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She had a pedi-magimeter in her hand, "I'm going to test for magic". She ran her wand slowly up and down the baby's body as she checked the readings on the meter in her hand. There was no magic registering. She tried again, nothing.
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"I'm afraid there's no magic in this body," she said to the young parents.
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"Are you sure?" Julia asked as she gazed at her baby.
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Olivia wasn't completely positive. Sometimes the trauma of birth squashed a baby's (or its mother's) magic for a while. "I tell you what; I'll come and do a reading every day that you are here recovering. Sometimes the magic returns after the child is a few days old." Olivia left after giving the parents a reassuring smile.
+
(end of Bernaro's memory)
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"I remember that," Julia said quietly. "Now my memory of the last day in the hospital." She put her wand to her temple and pulled out a long silvery thread which she deposited in the project-o-sieve.
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(Julia's memory)
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The same hospital room came into focus. Julia was dressed to go home and there was a baby basket on top of the made-up bed. Bernardo stood next to Julia, his arm around her shoulder.
+
Olivia Oliveira came in, walked over to the basket on the bed and did her test again with the pedi-magimeter. Nothing. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I'm afraid there is still no magic. Your daughter is a squib."
+
The parents were devastated.
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"What are we going to do?" they asked frantically.
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Olivia was sympathetic, of course, but now was the time for finding a solution, not wallowing in self pity, "Listen, there is nothing wrong with your daughter: she is perfectly healthy in every way. It's not the end of the world. There are other parents in your position. In fact, we have a 'squib's parent' support group that meets every week. Somehow, though, I don't think you need that. It's a very depressing group that sits around and gripes. One set of parents locks their squib in the closet for Merlin's sake! Most parents give their squib babies up for adoption. We have an agency right here at the hospital. But I know you, and I know you are great parents because I've seen how you are with your two adorable sons. I can see how much you both love this child and I know you can find a solution." Olivia smiled encouragingly and left the room quietly.
+
Julia took the precious bundle in her arms and held her close. Bernardo joined her. They knew without saying a word that there was no way they were going to give their baby up for adoption.
+
"Any ideas, love?" Bernardo whispered.
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"None. But I'll be a glumbumble if we can't find an answer to this riddle. We're smart, intelligent and inventive. Something will come to us, I know it," Julia whispered back fiercely with a steely glint in her golden eyes.
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Bernardo chuckled, "That's my love, the woman of my life." He gathered strength from her hard gaze and, looking down at his treasure, he promised, "I'll do anything for you, my little love, even if it means going muggle."
+
Julia exclaimed, "That's it! We'll go muggle."
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(end of Julia's memory)
+
Bernardo laughed, "I remember that so well! When we got home, I ran to the shed to retrieve my invisibelt@ and grab my broom to scout out a safe apparaton point near Monchique."
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"Yes, that's right! You scouted out the town, then stared at everybody and everything memorizing every detail to tell me when you returned," Julia chuckled. "You really got a kick out of that, going incognito, didn't you?"
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Bernardo agreed, "Yes, it was an adventure alright. Then you buckled up and came with me. Remember when we stayed outside the public school watching all the kids at recess?"
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Julia smiled at the recollection, "They were having such fun, just being children."
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"And then you had the idea of getting a place in town," Bernardo continued.
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"Yeah. How about having a look at your first memory of Leo?" Julia queried.
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"That will be my next memory," Bernardo put his wand to his temple and pulled out a wispy strand of silver.
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(Bernardo's memory)
+
Panduro had just arrived at work when Bernardo was ushered into his office. "Good Morning, Panduro, I know you are a busy goblin so I'll get right to the point." Bernardo told of his plan and asked if Panduro could help in getting a place in town.
+
"Certainly, I'll summon the person in charge of real estate." Panduro pushed a buzzer on his desk.
+
A minute later a man in a grey muggle suit entered the office. He had medium brown hair and eyes to match. "Hello, pleased to meet you, my name is Senhor Leonardo Pinto and I am in charge of real estate here at the bank." He reached his hand out to shake Bernardo's. "Can I be of assistance in some way?" he looked at Bernardo with an open expression on his face. Bernardo liked him immediately.
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"Senhor Bernardo Silva is looking for a house in Monchique, do you think you could give him a hand?" Panduro inquired.
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"Certainly, come to my office and let's have a look." Both men took their leave of Panduro and walked down the corridor. Upon entering, Bernardo was struck by something not quite right, and then it hit him, "You have 'lecric'! I've seen these lights in Monchique, there's the wire with 'lecric' in it," he pointed to the wire leading away from the light.
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"Actually, it's called e-lec-tric-i-ty," Leonardo enunciated slowly. Bernardo was so embarrassed, he looked down at his shoes in mortification.
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"Don't feel so bad, you're the first wizard who ever noticed," Leonardo said to Bernardo who brightened up at once and they both had a laugh about it.
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"Well. you are probably wondering about the electricity; the fact is, I'm a squib and I go between the muggle world and the magic one frequently in my work." At this moment, there was a kind of bell ringing. Leonardo picked up a very strange object with a curly wire like a pig's tail attached to one end and started speaking into it.
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'What in Merlin's name is that?' Bernardo thought as his heart raced in his chest, an appalled look plastered on his face.
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Noticing Bernardo's shocked face as he hung up, Leonardo quickly said, "Don't worry, this is a telephone; muggles use it to speak to one another. See, it doesn't bite," he handed it over so Bernardo could see for himself.
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Bernardo looked at it, gave it a little sniff and put it to his ear just like he had seen Leonardo do; to his astonishment there was a buzzing sound coming out of the round end--he gasped and almost dropped it.
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"What is this thing?" Bernardo asked intrigued.
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So, Leonardo explained all about telephones and how they work. Bernardo was impressed, "These muggles are sure ingenious figuring out how to live without magic."
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"I suppose so. Why don't we get started on our quest for a house in Monchique?" Leonardo took out a file with all the properties listed for the Algarve.
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Bernardo explained his idea. "I would like a three or four bedroom two-story house with a garden. Is it possible to leave the first floor 'muggle' style and convert the second floor to magic?"
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Leonardo said, "I think that's a splendid idea. It shouldn't be a problem as I've already gotten magic licenses for other clients."
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They looked through the various properties available while enjoying some coffee brought in by a house elf in a Gringott's tea towel.
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Eventually they found a real gem: a two-story house, with a walled garden surrounding it, on the outskirts of town!
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"This one seems to have everything we want," Bernardo glanced at Leonardo. "What do you think, Senhor Bernardo?"
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"I think we should go and have a look. It says here that it's up for rent or sale. Maybe we should take your wife along with us; after all, it's a big decision," Leonardo replied.
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"You're right, of course, I'll send an owl letting her know we're coming to pick her up. Would you care to stay for lunch? It's no problem and that way you can meet the whole family," Bernardo looked eagerly at the real estate agent.
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"If you're sure it's no problem, I would love to meet your family," Leonardo said warmly. "And by the way, you can call me Leo, it's what all my friends call me."
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"Great, Leo, I'll just send an owl letting them know," Bernardo said, picking up a quill and parchment, he wrote a note and owled it. "By the way, all my friends call me Bernardo," he said grinning.
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They spent a little more time discussing the pros and cons of renting/buying the respective house, then walked out the back of the bank to where the cars were parked.
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Leo walked over to a small orange car. The emblem on the front of the car had a V with a W underneath inside of a circle. Not having had much experience with 'muggle' transportation, Bernardo inspected the curious car: from the outside it seemed to have two seats in the front and two seats in the back.
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The car door opened and a house elf in a 'Gringott's' uniform stepped out. "Tuta at your service, sir," the elf removed his hat releasing his bat-like ears which flopped a bit and bowed.
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"Good Morning, Tuta. We would like to go to the forest home of the Silva's. I believe it's in the Monchique mountains?" turning to Bernardo, he gave him a questioning look.
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"Yes, the Monchique mountains," Bernardo confirmed the address.
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"Certainly, sirs. Please get in," Tuta stepped to one side gesturing the men inside the car.
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Bernardo got in after Leo and was pleasantly surprised to find that there was enough space in the back for a family of four (including pets). It was very comfortable.
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Tuta started the car and they were off, zig-zagging through Lisbon traffic. When the traffic thinned out a bit, the elf switched on the invisibility booster and they took to the air, arriving att he mountains in no time at all. As the Silva's home came into view, Tuta switched off the booster and slowed down to a stiop right in front of the house. He got out of the car and opened up the door for Bernardo and Leo. It was cold outside, Leo started shivering a little.
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"Let's go inside and warm up," Bernardo led the way in through the front door. "You too, Tuta, come on in." Tuta followed behind the two men.
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The heavy oak door opened up into the front hall. To the left, there was the library full of light, with several house elves dusting as they kept an eye on two small boys: Diego and Tiago.
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"Pai, pai!" exclaimed Diego running to his dad who picked him up and threw his in the air. Tiago fell promptly on his little bum and crawled over pulling himself up by grabbing his father's robes grinning.
He too, got a swing in the air. After both boys were secure in their father's arms, Leo was struck by the boys' resemblance to their father--good-looking with dark hair and eyes. There was no doubt who the father was.
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Their mother walked in with a small baby, about two or three months old, draped on her diapered shoulder. "Hello, you must be Sr. Leonardo Pinto. Pleased to meet you." They shook hands. "I see you have met the boys. This is Lena," she said indicating the baby who at that moment gave a huge burp. Everybody laughed.
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"I'll just put her down and get changed into my muggle attire." Julia left and started ascending the staircase, followed by a house elf with two identical elf babies.
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"If you don't mind waiting for a minute, I'll go and change as well. Please make yourself at home." Bernardo gestured Leo towards a comfy chair in the library.
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"Would you like to stay with the house elves, Tuta?" he asked the elf.
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"Only if they don't minds a freed elf, sir," Tuta said nervously, twisting his hat in his hands.
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"No, they don't mind. In fact, some of them are freed too." He smiled reassuringly at the elf, led him off to the kitchen, and then mounted the stairs two at a time.
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When Julia and Bernardo came down a few minutes later, Leo and the boys were laughing as they watched a flying toy horse soar in circles up and down.
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"I hate to drag you away, but I really want to see this house," Julia chuckled. She came over, kissed each son putting them down gently on the floor where they immediately gave chase to the horse; one running, the other crawling.
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"I've been having a good time with your two boys. I have a little boy myself," Leo rose and brushed his trousers off.
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"Really? How old is he?" Bernardo asked.
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"He'll be two next month," Leo said with affection.
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"That's Diego's age," Julia said, leading the two men out of the library, through the front hall and into the kitchen. There was a lot of activity going on as the house elves were preparing lunch: duck rice (arroz de pato). Some of them were plucking feathers, while others were arranging the other ingredients.
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"How's everything going in here?" Julia asked looking around at all the elves.
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"Everything be fine, Dona Ju. Don't worry," Trina said looking up from one of the half-plucked ducks.
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"I'm not worried. We'll be gone for a bit. Keep an eye on things until we're back," Julia went over to the cloak rack by the back door and took her 'capa alentejana'*. Bernardo took his and offered a third to Leo, smiling.
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"Thanks," Leo said putting on the cape.
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The three of them stepped out into the crisp mountain air, "Wow, it's certainly brisk today, isn't it?" Leo remarked.
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"Yes, it's a lot colder here than down at the coast," Bernardo said, walking over to a clear patch of ground. "This is our apparation point, hold on," he took hold of Leo's arm, waited for Julia to come and they all disappeared with a 'pop'.
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They landed in the middle of some trees, Leo a little clumsily. "It's been a while, I'm afraid," he said as he straightened up, laughing.
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"We're on the edge of town, the house shouldn't be far from here," Bernardo said, as he took Julia's hand, waiting for Leo to lead the way.
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Leo consulted the directions on the listing, "Not far at all. Follow me."
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They followed Leo out of the trees and onto a narrow road. After a few minutes, they arrived. The front of the white-washed house was flush with the road with bright blue paint outlining the windows and bright red front door. There were three steps leading up to the door. Leo took out his key and opened it. They stepped into a small ante room containing a cloak rack and an umbrella stand. After removing their capes they went through another door and into the living room which was large and inviting.
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"The living room's a good size," Bernardo said with approval.
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"Yes, let's have a look at the kitchen," Julia said.
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"That's over this way," indicated Leo who gestured to the right and they went on through to a good sized kitchen.
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"Wow, the fireplace is big enough for flooing," Bernardo said.
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The dining room was beyond the kitchen; it was large with windows looking out onto the garden. "I love the view of the garden; just look at those pointsettas!" Julia said, her face alight with joy.
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Last, but not least, they entered the library. "Plenty of space for all our books," Julia said, gazing at the shelves that went from the floor all the way to the ceiling.
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"Yes, these book cases are just begging for some books to fill them," Bernardo added. "There will be plenty of room for the kids' books too, when the time comes."
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The second floor had four bedrooms and a huge bathroom. There was also an ample linen closet.
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"Just perfect for a house to house shuttle." Bernardo said, checking out the closet.
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There was even a basement with wash tubs and an indoor clothes line.
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The garden was completetly walled in with some trees. There was a bread oven just outside the kitchen door.
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"This must be where the gardening tools are kept." Julia said, peering into a shack in the garden.
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"Well, what do you think?" Leo asked.
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Bernardo and Julia looked at each other. "I rather like it," Julia said with a smile. "It's a good size, there's plenty of room for everyone."
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"I like it too. The village is just down the road, which is handy," Bernardo remarked. "I think we'll take it. Now we just have to decide whether to rent or buy," Bernardo said as he put his arm over Julia's shoulder. "What do you think, love?"
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Julia considered his question for a moment, then, turning to look him in the eye, she said slowly, "I think we should buy it. It's a good idea to have a muggle home for our daughter. After all, we don't know what the future will bring. This could be her home when she grows up."
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"Of course. You're right. A place of her own, if need be," Bernardo hugged his wife tightly.
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Having come to an agreement, they took another look around the place, walked to the apparation spot and disappeared, arriving at the forest home a second later.
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Before entering the house, the Silvas showed Leo around outside: there was a pigsty complete with pigs, a bread oven (just like at the house in town), a smokehouse for sausages, some rabbits hopping around an enclosure and a stable with some flying Lusitanos: there was a resident porlock too, but he was hiding.
There was also a vegetable garden filled with pumpkins and other seasonal fruit. The whole area was surrounded by trees. Leo was impressed. "You've got quite a set-up here."
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"Yes, we're self-sufficient up here in the forest. It's us and four other families: we look out for each other," Bernardo said to Leo.
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At that moment, Trina came out and called, "Lunch is ready."
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Leo turned, stared at the house uneasily and said, "Your house is made of wood, aren't you afraid of forest fires?"
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"We have multiple anti-fire charms and spells that protect the house from all sorts of fire except for one--magical fire. This house has been in the family for generations and we've never had a problem," Bernardo explained.
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Entering the house, they went to the dining room where the table was full of good things to eat, and sat down to a wonderful meal.
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Afterwards Bernardo and Leo were sitting having a brandy and coffee while Julia had gone upstairs to put the two boys in bed for a nap and check on the baby. Leo said, "I know it might sound strange, but I have a problem and I think you might be able to help me out." He took a sip of brandy, "I'm married to a wonderful woman, she's a muggle, but, because I'm a squib, we're very happy together. However, my son has shown signs of magic: not only can he move his toys around, he threw a tantrum the other day managing to blow up the kitchen table. I've already explained to my wife about magic and she's fine with it after she got over the initial shock. In fact, she's quite pleased. I need some help with my boy. I can't do magic myself, you see. Would you have any ideas?"
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Bernardo regarded Leo with a bit of sympathy; they had the same problem reversed. "I understand, Leo. Why don't we wait until Julia comes down and ask her." He served some more brandy to them both and they waited for Julia to come downstairs.
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A minute or so later, Julia descended the stairs, entering the room to catch both men staring at her. "Something wrong?"
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Bernardo smiled, "No, love, nothing's wrong, but Leo has a problem he would like to discuss with us."
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Julia poured herself a small brandy, "I'm all ears."
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So, Leo explained his problem. Julia pondered for a while, "I think if your son was able to be around wizards every once in a while, it could really benefit him. He wouldn't feel so out of place."
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"Yes, and a wizard could explain magic to him and help him control it," added Bernardo.
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Leo nodded.
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"Christmas is just around the corner, would you and your family like to spend it with us here?" Julia asked.
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"That would be great, I'd love to meet your family," Bernardo said.
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Leo looked at them, a feeling of friendship filled his soul. "That's very generous of you. We don't have anything planned for Christmas Day. We will be spending the Eve with my wife's family. Can I tell you after I've had a chance to talk to my wife?"
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"Sure. You do that. By the way, we're working on a project in the shed out back. Why don't we all go there," Bernardo got up and gestured for them to follow him outside. After donning the capes again and telling the house elves where they would be, they went out to the shed.
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Like many wizard structures, it was larger on the inside than it was on the outside. There were all sorts of items on top of the table in the center of the room: belt buckles, leather straps, a small cauldron, some potion ingredients and dog leashes.
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"At the moment, we're working on a belt that will curtail magic: I keep having nightmares of my sons having a magical 'episode' in school. These leashes over here are pig leashes actually. You see, a while back we had a litter of winged piglets that could actually fly. We couldn't bear the thought of cutting the wings off, so Julia and I came up with this idea of a leash preventing the pigs from flying."
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"We both had to work hard on those leashes. I invented a spell or two, and Bernardo whipped up a potion to immerse them. I'll never forget it. We were so pleased when we suceeded," Julia smiled at the memory.
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"Anyway, the day after we finally put them on the flying piglets, a circus wizard came by and bought the lot to star in his show! He paid us a lot of money too," Bernardo chuckled while Julia laughed.
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"So you've never used them?" Leo asked curiously.
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"The pigs had them on for a day and they do work. Since then they have been in here gathering dust," Bernardo explained.
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"Now we want to convert them to belts that the boys can wear at school," Julia added. "They are only for use outside the house in 'muggle-land', to prevent accidents.
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"The trick is to concentrate the magic in the buckle, like my ancestor did with the invisibelts in the 1500s," Bernardo picked up an ordinary looking buckle.
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Julia picked up some parchment with writing on it. "I have all my notes here."
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Leo's eyes wandered around the shack: besides some brooms, cauldrons, bundles of potions ingredients hanging from the ceiling and a collection of feathers there was a plug-less electric toaster. "What are you doing with that?" he asked.
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Both Julia and Bernardo looked at Leo and then at the object in question.
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"Do you know what that is?" Bernardo asked excitedly. "We found it one day in the forest and we can't figure out what it is."
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"Yes, it's rather peculiar: a metal box with two slits and a wire tail. Is it a toy?" Julia inquired.
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"No, it's not a toy, it's an electric toaster--to toast bread," Leo explained. "The plug's missing," he pointed to the end of the wire.
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"Well, I'll be," Bernardo took a good look at the contraption in awe. "Well, I never."
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"To tell you the truth, Leo, Bernardo and I could use your knowledge of all things muggle," Julia smiled. "I'm afraid we don't have a clue! We've hardly ever ventured out into muggle land."
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"I tell you what; you and your family can give us tips on the magic world, and my family can give you pointers on the muggle one. Fair enough?" Leo asked with a twinkle in his eye.
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Bernardo and Julia laughed out loud, "Deal!"
.
"Great! I really should be going now, it's getting late. I'll be in touch with you about your Christmas invitation. Thanks so much for the delicious lunch," they all went back into the house. "I'll get all the papers drawn up for you, I'll be in touch," Leo called out, "Tuta."
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The elf ran up, cap in hand, "Yes, sir?"
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"Time to go back to the bank," Leo said.
.
They all walked over to the car, Bernardo and Julia shook hands with Leo as Tuta held the door for him. They waved as the car took off on its way back to Lisbon.
.
(end of Bernardo's memory)
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"That was fun, I'd forgotten about those flying piglets! And the flying orange car," Julia's eyes were full of laughter.
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"Me too. Imagine getting upset about a telephone," Bernardo laughed at the memory now, but he had been so embarrassed at the time.
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"Let's take a break, then I'll pull out the next memory; Lena's first Christmas," Julia grinned.
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*Capa Alentejana--an overcoat that resembles 'Sherlock Holmes' gear: a long coat with an attached cape on the shoulders and a little fur collar. Just right for the cold.
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#project-o-sieve--modified pensieve that projects one's memories onto a wall or screen, allowing an audience to view them like a movie.
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+Ramifun--gramophone
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@invisibelt--a belt invented by one of Bernardo's ancestors in the 15oos that turned the witch or wizard invisible the moment they buckled the buckle. As these invisibelts were more accessible and cheaper to make than invisibilty cloaks they sold like hot cakes. Even today, they are very popular.
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