Even when you're feeling warm, The temperature could drop away
Characters: Neville, Gawain Summary: Things get worse at the nursery
Neville leaned against the wall of his office and watched Gawain trying to catch one of the Sakurambo fairies. He smiled as Gawain's happy shrieks and laughter temporarily lightened the atmosphere of the nursery, and while he still did not approve of tantrums, he was glad that he had been forced to bring his son to work with him. It was a welcome change of pace.
The past few days without Faelan had been stressful. He had felt Faelan's absence both in the sharp increase in his workload and his inability to stop worrying about the young man. While his visit to Haven's Loft had reassured him there was nothing wrong beyond Faelan being stuck, he knew that he wouldn't stop being concerned until Faelan was safely back in human skin. He hoped that it wouldn't take Sirius too long to learn Snape's spell.
Working alone had also made Neville acutely aware of how quiet the nursery had become. The violent behaviour amongst some of the plants had settled down, but it wasn't a welcome change. The malaise which had first affected the Pitcher Plant was swiftly spreading. Initially the spread had given Neville the faint hope that he had been wrong, and that this was a new disease affecting them. However, he had quickly shaken off that idea: this was definitely a part of the bigger problem affecting the magical world, and as such, was beyond his ability to control.
He sucked in a quick breath when Gawain attempted some haphazard toddling in his effort to catch the fairy, only to fall over. He winced in anticipation of the same wails that had driven him to give in and carry the boy off to work, but none were forthcoming. Worried that Gawain might have seriously hurt himself, he hurried forward and swept his son up. He let out a weary sigh when Gawain only laughed and bussed his cheek.
"I give in," Neville told him, returning the kiss. "You have me all figured out, and wrapped around that small fist of yours."
Gawain patted his father's shoulder consolingly, "Dada nana."
"You know, I'm never sure if you mean that as a compliment or an insult." Neville snorted. "Probably both."
"Nana," Gawain agreed.
"Well, time for us to head home. Let's hope Daddy doesn't splinch us on the way." As much as Neville hated Apparation, he had more control over it than the floo system at the moment.
He was just focusing his concentration and magic on getting them home, when Gawain let out a sharp cry and squirmed sideways, stretching his arms as far as he could. He almost toppled out of Neville's hold, but Neville quickly released his spell and clung more tightly to his son.
When Neville looked down, he saw that Gawain was holding one of the Sakurambo fairies, cradling her to his chest in the same protective way Neville was holding onto Gawain. The fairy was very still, and her light dim.
Looking sharply around, Neville saw that more of the fairies had fallen to the ground, and the rest were pitifully beating their wings as they sunk in the air. The magical weakness affecting the plants was now spreading to the symbiotic creatures Neville had introduced as part of his organics research.
Grim-faced, Neville quickly set about gathering the fairies. Gawain helped in his own clumsy way, holding the fairies between his and his father's chests. "Mum mum?" he questioned quietly, and Neville nodded. Hopefully Luna would know something that would give the fairies a bit of a boost.
Once all the fairies had been collected, Neville pulled on his magic again and Apparated them home.