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Hope that what'll work, Mister?

*looks down and smiles a little* That my wife friend's will be able to make us better again.

Who's your wife, Mister?

Her name is Alice. *smiles a little more*

And my name is Frank, you don't need to call me Mister.

Sorry. *smiles* I know Alice.

It's nice to meet you, Frank. I'm Darcy.

Darcy... Alice said you were meant to help us...along with Severus.

She didn't tell me that you were a child though.

Well, I'm not...not really.

I'm only taking the child form to help facilitate some learning, I'm doing. Old magick's aren't the easiest things to pick up in your eighties, Mr Longbottom.

But I can talk to you like this, if you prefer.

Oh *blinks* I apologise, I didn't mean to offend you.

It's okay, whichever form you wish... *smiles a little*

Oh, I'm not offended. *smiles*

Actually, compared to my family, I am still a child, but by the average human standard I'm somewhere in my eighties.

So, Frank, Alice told you me and Mr Snape are going to help you, huh? That's good. I hope you'll help keep her positive...and, you know, kick Lucius Malfoy in the shin if he mucks things up like he almost did last time.

Oh. Good. *smiles*

Alice was trying to explain to me about that. I didn't really understand though.

Yes, she did. I will try my best and Lucius Malfoy will get more than a kick in the shin if he tries anything. I will see to that. He was lucky last time that he got away with simply a broken nose. There will not be a next time.

My mom is Nyx. Night. And my father was a mortal man...possibly a wizard, though given the times he probably wouldn't have known it even if he was. That supposedly makes me a demi-god, though I've got my reservations.

Good, because attitude is really important with this sort of magic. It's all dreadfully complicated, and wretchedly old, and Lucius seems to have a talent ,not only for putting his foot in his mouth, but for hurting Alice while doing so.

So ,short of him being bound and gagged, I can't see of any other way of making sure he doesn't muck things up.

Interesting... *smiles softly*

He won't hurt Alice again. I'll see to that. *something dark crosses over his features for a few seconds before it's gone again*

Good, cause the two of you've got enough to worry about without him sticking his big foot in it.

You're a good man, Frank. I can see that.

You've got to really believe in this, you and Alice and everyone, for it to work. Severus and me can only do so much.

I try to be.

I do. I have to. It's the only hope we have. I just hope that it goes okay. More than anything.

*hugs*

It'll work, then. Don't you worry. It'll work and you'll be whole again, you'll see.

Now, all I need to do is find Severus. We better get started... hope he doesn't mind talking with me like this, I don't think I've the patience nor the energy to keep changing back and forth for people.

*hugs back*

I hope with everything I have.

I shouldn't think he would, provided you told him who you are. *laughs quietly*

Oh, I know he'll believe me...he just might think I'm insane, having done this to myself.

I get the distinct impression that he won't appreciate the humor of the situation, either.

Maybe sometimes it's needed. To try a different perspective.

Humour?

Different perspectives are good. That's how you find the solutions to problems, by looking at them differently.

That I'm almost twice his age, but I look like I could be his daughter...or granddaughter, maybe.

This is true, but I doubt I'll find the answer to my problem by doing that.

*laughs softly* This is true.

What problem's that, Frank? Cause if its about your condition, me and Mr Snape's already found the basis for the answer, so there's no need to worry.

I know. An' people keep calling me cute, too. Which is kinda patronizing.

*shakes his head* No, not about that... *sighs, looking down*

I would imagine so. Alice called me cute when I was little. Though she also called me by my full name, which only a couple of people are allowed to.

Okay, Frank.

Nobody but my family know my full name, which's bad enough. But I bet you were cute when you were little. It's jus'...I wasn't like this for very long the first time, and it wasn't very nice either.

Demi-Gods age fast, see...I went from baby to adult in about a fortnight. People thought I was weird.

*bites his lip a little and nods, obviously hurting more than he'll let on*

Only a few know, but only my mother calls me Francis. And Alice sometimes. She says she likes it and it's a strong name.

I'm sorry... *frowns a little*

But Francis is a nice name! *stage whispers* Mine's Darcelle...Darcelle Bryant. It's supposed to mean exalted dark one in Gaelic.

That's okay. Its okay to be different, after all.

*laughs softly* I'll keep it a secret. Francis means Free. The irony is kind of stifling...

Yes, yes it is, sometimes...

It's not so bad. It could be much, much worse.

I don't think I could be ordinary, even if I tried. So, no point in trying to be something that I'm not, right?

Yes. It could have been.

You should never be anyone that you aren't. It hurts more in the long run.

*laughs*

Nope. Even if sometimes people are scared, or don't like me. I don't think they'll like me even when I help you and Alice. But that's okay, because I'm not doing it for them.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Because you don't have to and you don;'t even know me...

Don't need to thank me, silly. *smiles*

I do. *smiles a little* You don't need to do any of this and yet you are.

I can help, so why shouldn't I?

Nobody deserves to suffer if they can be helped, Frank. Absolutely everyone.

My fingers are crossed for you both. Any idea who is helping with all of this? I can probably come up with a teaspoon or so of Felix Felicis for luck.

Severus and Alice's friend Darcy *smiles*

Thank you!

Oh, good! I'll send a dose of Felix Felicis to the pair of them, then, for the day they get started.

It'll be wonderful to have you back, and I'm sure Neville will agree. Coming home to Harry was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

Thank you, Lily. *smiles*

It will be wonderful to be back, though I imagine that so much has changed *frowns a little* and for that reason I'm a little scared. It will be beyond nice to be proper parents to our son again.

You're very welcome, Frank.

Things are so different. I never thought Harry would be the one defending my innocence. But we're all a family again, even if I nearly mucked it up, and I'm hoping to get a job. I think we can do it. We were all so strong.

I would imagine so. Alot happens, even in a short time.

I can't wait to be able to pull Neville close and Alice and hug them tightly. We're thinking about going back to Auror work.

I don't know for what, but I wish you luck!

we've two friends working to fix us. I'm sorry, I'm Frank's wife, Alice. I don't mean to butt in.

It's ok. *smiles*

Do you mind if I ask what is so wrong that it needs fixing?

We were driven to madness by an Unforgivable Curse cast on us by an insane woman... we've both been locked in our own minds for nearly 17 years.

Oh My! That's horrible! I truly do hope that it can be set right! The things humans will do to one another. *shakes head*

Also, I'm sorry, I completely forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Psyche.